Emission inventory of eight elements,Fe, Al,K, Mg,Mn, Na,Ca and Ti,in dust source region of East Asia

Based on calculation of the emission rate of the atmospheric mineral dust and the data of elemental contents in surface soils, this paper calculates the emission inventory of eight main elements of the atmospheric dust, Fe, Al, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ca and Ti, in the dust source region of East Asia. As the dust sources in both Northern China and the Southern Mongolia are of three types and, in each of the six source type areas, surface soils are relatively uniform in soil types and soil texture, a simple method to calculate the emission of an element in one source type area is proposed by multiplying the total emission of the dust PM₁₀ and PM₅₀ in the source type area with the mean percentage content of the element in surface soils of the area. Comparison of our calculation of the total Fe emission in the source region of East Asia with the total Fe deposition to the North Pacific Ocean, measured and calculated by previous authors, shows very good agreement. This general method can also be used for the emission calculation of any other element.     

Poverty,development, and Himalayan ecosystems

The Himalayas are rich in biodiversity but vulnerable to anthropogenic pressures. They are also host to growing number of rural poor who are dependent on forest and ecosystem services for their livelihood. Local and global efforts to integrate poverty alleviation and biodiversity conservation in the Himalayas remain elusive so far. In this work, we highlight two key impediments in achieving sustainable development in the Himalayas. On the positive side, we also highlight the work of Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), a research organization based in India that seeks to integrate biodiversity concerns with livelihood security. For impediments, we draw on two examples from the Darjeeling district, India, in Eastern Himalayan region to illustrate how development organizations are failing to simultaneously address poverty and environmental issues. Based on the success of ATREE, we then propose a conceptual framework to integrate livelihood generating activities with sustainable and equitable development agenda. We recommend developing a Hindu-Kush Himalayan Ecosystem Services Network in the region to formulate a strategy for further action. We conclude by offering measures to address the challenge of integrating livelihood and environment issues through this network.     

Effects of Ni, Cr, Hg, Cu, Zn, Al on the dissolved oxygen balance of streams

Inorganic metals besides their direct toxic effects, carry the potential of causing serious variations on existing ecosystems in receiving waters. Self purification mechanism is vital for the continuity of the existing micro and macro living organisms in the streams. This mechanism is effected from the existence of metals. In this study, interferences of HgCl2, HgSO4, Ni(NO3)2, CrCl3, CuSO4.5H2O, K2Cr2O7, ZnSO4.7H2O and Al2(SO4)3.18H2O metal compounds on respirometric BOD and related effects on the self purification, are investigated with the representative formations of DO deficit curves. In the presence of these metals, streamwater BOD parameters and related DO deficit curve formations are significantly effected.     

Assessing Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, and Cd pollution in bottom sediments of Wadi Al-Arab Dam, Jordan

Thirty five bottom sediment samples were collected in a grid pattern from Wadi Al-Arab Dam. The present study focuses on the levels of Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Cd, total organic matter (TOM) and carbonate content (CO(3)(-2)) in order to assess the extent of environmental pollution and to discuss the origin of these contaminants in sediments of the dam. Concentration data were processed using correlation analysis and factor analysis. The results of correlation analysis and factor analysis show low positive and negative correlations among Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Cd, TOM, and CO(3)(-2) and indicate that heavy metals in sediments of Wadi Al-Arab have different anthropogenic and natural sources. The results also confirm the complicated behavior of these pollutants, that can be influenced by many factors. Sediments pollution assessment was carried out using enrichment factor and the geoaccumulation index. The calculation of enrichment factors showed that Mn and Cu are depleted by 0.76, and 1.33, respectively, whereas Cu, Zn, and Cd are enriched by 3.6, and 30, respectively. The results of geoaccumulation index reveal that sediments of Wadi Al-Arab are uncontaminated with Mn, Fe, and Cu, moderately contaminated with Zn, and strongly to extremely contaminated with Cd. Some of the elevated concentration of Zn and Cd are probably due to anthropogenic sources nearby the dam site. These sources mainly include fertilizers and pesticides used in agricultural activities, and the effluent of Irbid City treatment plant. Environmental risks of Cd and Zn were evaluated using the risk assessment code (RAC) and sequential extraction method. Zn poses a low environmental risk, whereas Cd poses a medium environmental risk.     

"It's not that simple": A collaborative comparison of sea ice environments, their uses, observed changes, and adaptations in Barrow, Alaska, USA, and Clyde River, Nunavut, Canada

The Arctic environment, including sea ice, is changing. The impacts of these changes to Inuit and I?upiat ways of life vary from place to place, yet there are common themes as well. The study reported here involved an exchange of hunters, Elders, and others from Barrow, Alaska, USA, and Clyde River, Nunavut, Canada, as members of a larger research team that also included visiting scientists. Although the physical environments of Barrow and Clyde River are strikingly different, the uses of the marine environment by residents, including sea ice, had many common elements. In both locations, too, extensive changes have been observed in recent years, forcing local residents to respond in a variety of ways. Although generally in agreement or complementary to one another, scientific and indigenous knowledge of sea ice often reflect different perspectives and emphases. Making generalizations about impacts and responses is challenging and should therefore be approached with caution. Technology provides some potential assistance in adapting to changing sea ice, but by itself, it is insufficient and can sometimes have undesirable consequences. Reliable knowledge that can be applied under changing conditions is essential. Collaborative research and firsthand experience are critical to generating such new knowledge.     

Respiratory,hepatic, renal,and hematological disorders among adolescent females environmentally exposed to pesticides,Menoufia governorate,Egypt

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Adolescent females are often environmentally exposed to pesticides by living near agricultural fields, by using pesticides at home, or by having...     

A review of the occurrence, analyses, toxicity, and biodegradation of naphthenic acids

Naphthenic acids occur naturally in crude oils and in oil sands bitumens. They are toxic components in refinery wastewaters and in oil sands extraction waters. In addition, there are many industrial uses for naphthenic acids, so there is a potential for their release to the environment from a variety of activities. Studies have shown that naphthenic acids are susceptible to biodegradation, which decreases their concentration and reduces toxicity. This is a complex group of carboxylic acids with the general formula CnH(2n+Z)O2, where n indicates the carbon number and Z specifies the hydrogen deficiency resulting from ring formation. Measuring the concentrations of naphthenic acids in environmental samples and determining the chemical composition of a naphthenic acids mixture are huge analytical challenges. However, new analytical methods are being applied to these problems and progress is being made to better understand this mixture of chemically similar compounds. This paper reviews a variety of analytical methods and their application to assessing biodegradation of naphthenic acids.     

The nexus between remittances,natural resources,technological innovation,economic growth,and environmental sustainability in Pakistan

Globally, the issues about sustainable development are on the increase. Moreover, these issues are rising every day in Pakistan, as remittances are increasing, technology innovation is ambiguous, natural resources are degraded, and economic expansion might pose serious challenges to the environment. Thus, this research looks at how remittances, natural resources, technological innovation, and economic growth affect carbon dioxide (CO₂₎ emissions in Pakistan by controlling energy consumption and urbanization from 1990 to 2019. The Bayer and Hanck test of combined cointegration discloses a cointegration between remittances, natural resources, technological innovations, economic growth, and CO₂ emissions. Moreover, the autoregressive distributive lag model (ARDL) proposes a significant positive association between remittances and CO₂ emissions in the long run, indicating that the increase in remittances distresses the environmental performance of Pakistan. Our study confirms that natural resources decrease CO₂ emissions while technological advancement, economic progress, energy use, and urbanization increase CO₂ emissions. In addition, the results of robustness checks by employing fully modified ordinary least squares and dynamic ordinary least squares are parallel to the conclusions of ARDL estimations. Furthermore, the frequency causality test results show that remittances, natural resources, technological innovation, economic growth, energy use, and urbanization cause CO₂ emissions at different frequencies. Therefore, to achieve the sustainable development goals, appropriate policy repercussions can be developed toward advanced and environmentally sustainable sources of energy.

     

Cloud Albedo,Greenhouse Effects,Atmospheric Chemistry,and Climate Change

Changes in global atmospheric chemistry and climate are taking place as a result of observed trends in long-lived species such as CO₂, CH₄, N₂O, and the CFCs. The continuation of these trends is expected to eventually lead to a major atmospheric warming that might profoundly affect the society we live in. Trends in short-lived species such as NOx and SOx are also suspected. These trends are not as well established, because the shorter-lived species vary spatially and temporally. Trends in NOx would be expected to lead to increases in tropospheric ozone that would add to the warming created by the other greenhouse gases. Trends in NOx could also alter tropospheric OH concentrations that could lead to changes in CH₄ and some of the CFCs. On the other hand, increases in sulfur emissions may alter cloud optical properties. The changes in cloud optical properties could possibly offset the warming expected from increases in greenhouse gases, depending on the role of natural oceanic sulfur emissions. This paper summarizes recent research in these areas and the interactions of climate and atmospheric chemistry.     

A 40+ year record of Cd,Hg, Pb,and U deposition in sediments of Patroon Reservoir,Albany County,NY, USA

Sediments of the Patroon Creek watershed (33 km(2)) are known to contain significant concentrations of heavy metals derived from two industrial sites within the watershed. Mercury Refining, Inc (Mereco) has stored and recycled Hg from 1955 to the present day, and National Lead Industries (NLI) manufactured aircraft components containing Cd, Pb, and U from 1958 to 1984. Here we present the first record of heavy metal deposition as preserved in a 3-m long sediment core collected in 1999 from Patroon Reservoir, a small water body (1.3 ha) downstream of the industrial sites. Bulk sediment samples were collected from the core at 0.05-m intervals and analyzed for total Cd, Pb, and U by ICP-MS and total Hg by CVAAS. Total Hg increases from less than 1 mg kg(-1) (dw) below 1.68 m, to a maximum of 6.2 mg kg(-1) at 0.80 m, and then declines to the sediment-water interface. Total Cd, Pb, and U concentrations increase abruptly above 1.68 m to maximum values of 25, 320, and 3600 mg kg(-1) (dw), respectively, and then decline gradually upwards. By correlating metal profiles with industrial history, we conclude that the 1.68 m horizon was deposited no earlier than 1958, the beginning of aircraft component manufacturing at NLI. The average, apparent sedimentation rate within the reservoir has a minimum value of approximately 0.04 m year(-1) for the 41-year period from 1958 to 1999. In the interval 0--1.68 m, average concentrations of Cd, Hg, Pb, and U are 1.69, 1.50, 461, and 13 mg kg(-1), respectively. These levels are comparable with other lake, reservoir and stream sediments that have been moderately to severely impacted by industrial pollution and are above levels expected to be detrimental to aquatic organisms.     

Half-lives of tetra-, penta-, hexa-, hepta-, and octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in rats,monkeys, and humans--a critical review

The elimination half-lives (t1/2) in Sprague-Dawley rats for 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), 1,2, 3,7,8-pentachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (PeCDD), 1,2,3,4,7,8-hexachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (HxCDD), 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-heptachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (HpCDD) and 1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9-octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (OCDD) were estimated in long-term studies by Schlatter, Poiger and others. Furthermore, there are some published half-lives of TCDD in adult humans. The average half-life of TCDD in adult humans is approximately 2840 days, while in Sprague-Dawley rats the average t1/2 of TCDD is 19 days. The t1/2 of TCDD in humans is about 150 times that of rats. This factor was used to calculate the t1/2 values of the other polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) in humans from the rat data. Furthermore, the terminal t1/2 values of PCDDs in adult humans were calculated from the regression equation: logt1/2H = 1.34 logt1/2R + 1.25 which was recently established for 50 xenobiotics (t1/2H = terminal half-lives in days for humans, t1/2R = terminal half-lives in days for rats). The following terminal half-lives in adult humans were obtained: 12.6 years for 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDD, 26-45 years for 1,2,3,4,7,8-HxCDD, 80-102 years for 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDD and ca. 112-132 years for OCDD. These half-lives of PCDDs are critically compared with measured t1/2 values of PCDDs and other persistent organic pollutants in rats, monkeys and humans.     

Carboxylic acids in the troposphere, occurrence, sources, and sinks: A review

Carboxylic acids are ubiquitous and important components of the troposphere; they are currently measured in different environments. They are thought to have several sources comprising primary biogenic and anthropogenic emissions, hydrocarbons gas-phase oxidations, and some carbonyl compounds aqueous-phase oxidations. In the present review we make a synthesis of the concentrations of low molecular weight carboxylic acids in tropospheric aqueous and gaseous phases and in aerosol particles for different environments. We also successively examine the major sources of carboxylic acids and discuss their relative contribution to tropospheric concentrations for various environments as well as the principal sinks of these compounds.     

The chronic toxicity of aluminium, cadmium, mercury, and lead in birds: a review

The toxicity of chronic dietary metal exposure in birds is reviewed. It is concluded that significant physiological and biochemical responses to such exposure conditions occur at dietary metal concentrations insufficient to cause signs of overt toxicity. Particularly important are reproductive effects which include decreased egg production, decreased hatchability, and increased hatchling mortality. Young, growing birds are typically more sensitive to the toxic effects of chronic metal exposure than adults, and altricial species are often more sensitive than precocial species. Factors which modify the absorption and toxicity of heavy metals, such as Se for the case of Hg, and Ca for the case of Pb and Cd, are discussed. Monitoring strategies for assessing environmental metal exposure in birds are evaluated.     

Phosphorus flame retardants: properties, production, environmental occurrence, toxicity and analysis

Since the ban on some brominated flame retardants (BFRs), phosphorus flame retardants (PFRs), which were responsible for 20% of the flame retardant (FR) consumption in 2006 in Europe, are often proposed as alternatives for BFRs. PFRs can be divided in three main groups, inorganic, organic and halogen containing PFRs. Most of the PFRs have a mechanism of action in the solid phase of burning materials (char formation), but some may also be active in the gas phase. Some PFRs are reactive FRs, which means they are chemically bound to a polymer, whereas others are additive and mixed into the polymer. The focus of this report is limited to the PFRs mentioned in the literature as potential substitutes for BFRs. The physico-chemical properties, applications and production volumes of PFRs are given. Non-halogenated PFRs are often used as plasticisers as well. Limited information is available on the occurrence of PFRs in the environment. For triphenyl phosphate (TPhP), tricresylphosphate (TCP), tris(2-chloroethyl)phosphate (TCEP), tris(chloropropyl)phosphate (TCPP), tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl)phosphate (TDCPP), and tetrekis(2-chlorethyl)dichloroisopentyldiphosphate (V6) a number of studies have been performed on their occurrence in air, water and sediment, but limited data were found on their occurrence in biota. Concentrations found for these PFRs in air were up to 47 μg m(-3), in sediment levels up to 24 mg kg(-1) were found, and in surface water concentrations up to 379 ng L(-1). In all these matrices TCPP was dominant. Concentrations found in dust were up to 67 mg kg(-1), with TDCPP being the dominant PFR. PFR concentrations reported were often higher than polybrominated diphenylether (PBDE) concentrations, and the human exposure due to PFR concentrations in indoor air appears to be higher than exposure due to PBDE concentrations in indoor air. Only the Cl-containing PFRs are carcinogenic. Other negative human health effects were found for Cl-containing PFRs as well as for TCP, which suggest that those PFRs would not be suitable alternatives for BFRs. TPhP, diphenylcresylphosphate (DCP) and TCP would not be suitable alternatives either, because they are considered to be toxic to (aquatic) organisms. Diethylphosphinic acid is, just like TCEP, considered to be very persistent. From an environmental perspective, resorcinol-bis(diphenylphosphate) (RDP), bisphenol-A diphenyl phosphate (BADP) and melamine polyphosphate, may be suitable good substitutes for BFRs. Information on PFR analysis in air, water and sediment is limited to TCEP, TCPP, TPhP, TCP and some other organophosphate esters. For air sampling passive samplers have been used as well as solid phase extraction (SPE) membranes, SPE cartridges, and solid phase micro-extraction (SPME). For extraction of PFRs from water SPE is recommended, because this method gives good recoveries (67-105%) and acceptable relative standard deviations (RSDs) (<20%), and offers the option of on-line coupling with a detection system. For the extraction of PFRs from sediment microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) is recommended. The recoveries (78-105%) and RSDs (3-8%) are good and the method is faster and requires less solvent compared to other methods. For the final instrumental analysis of PFRs, gas chromatography-flame photometric detection (GC-FPD), GC-nitrogen-phosphorus detection (NPD), GC-atomic emission detection (AED), GC-mass spectrometry (MS) as well as liquid chromatography (LC)-MS/MS and GC-Inductively-coupled plasma-MS (ICP-MS) are used. GC-ICP-MS is a promising method, because it provides much less complex chromatograms while offering the same recoveries and limits of detection (LOD) (instrumental LOD is 5-10 ng mL(-1)) compared to GC-NPD and GC-MS, which are frequently used methods for PFR analysis. GC-MS offers a higher selectivity than GC-NPD and the possibility of using isotopically labeled compounds for quantification.     

Aircraft measurements of O3, NOx,CO, VOCs,and SO2 in the Yangtze River Delta region

In this study, air pollutants, including ozone (O₃), nitrogen oxides (NO_x = NO + NO₂), carbon monoxides (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) measured in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region during several air flights between September/30 and October/11 are analyzed. This measurement provides horizontal and vertical distributions of air pollutants in the YRD region. The analysis of the result shows that the measured O₃ concentrations range from 20 to 60 ppbv. These values are generally below the US national standard (84 ppbv), suggesting that at the present, the O₃ pollutions are modest in this region. The NO_x concentrations have strong spatial and temporal variations, ranging from 3 to 40 ppbv. The SO₂ concentrations also have large spatial and temporal variations, ranging from 1 to 35 ppbv. The high concentrations of CO are measured with small variations, ranging from 3 to 7 ppmv. The concentrations of VOCs are relatively low, with the total VOC concentrations of less than 6 ppbv. The relative small VOC concentrations and the relative large NO_x concentrations suggest that the O₃ chemical formation is under a strong VOC-limited regime in the YRD region. The measured O₃ and NO_x concentrations are strongly anti-correlated, indicating that enhancement in NO_x concentrations leads to decrease in O₃ concentrations. Moreover, the O₃ concentrations are more sensitive to NO_x concentrations in the rural region than in the city region. The ratios of Δ[O₃]/Δ[NO_x] are ?2.3 and ?0.25 in the rural and in the city region, respectively. In addition, the measured NO_x and SO₂ concentrations are strongly correlated, highlighting that the NO_x and SO₂ are probably originated from same emission sources. Because SO₂ emissions are significantly originated from coal burnings, the strong correlation between SO₂ and NO_x concentrations suggests that the NO_x emission sources are mostly from coal burned sources. As a result, the future automobile increases could lead to rapid enhancements in O₃ concentrations in the YRD region.     

Effective remediation of grossly polluted acidic, and metal-rich, spoil heap drainage using a novel, low-cost, permeable reactive barrier in Northumberland, UK

A permeable reactive barrier (PRB) for remediation of coal spoil heap drainage in Northumberland, UK, is described. The drainage has typical chemical characteristics of pH<4, [acidity]>1400 mg/L as CaCO3, [Fe]>300 mg/L, [Mn]>165 mg/L, [Al]>100mg/L and [SO4]>6500 mg/L. During 2 years of operation the PRB has typically removed 50% of the iron and 40% of the sulphate from this subsurface spoil drainage. Bacterial sulphate reduction appears to be a key process of this remediation. Treatment of the effluent from the PRB results in further attenuation; overall reductions in iron and sulphate concentrations are 95% and 67% respectively, and acidity concentration is reduced by an order of magnitude. The mechanisms of attenuation of these, and other, contaminants in the drainage are discussed. Future research and operational objectives for this novel, low-cost, treatment system are also outlined.     

Deltas,freshwater discharge,and waves along the Young Sound,NE Greenland

A wide range of delta morphologies occurs along the fringes of the Young Sound in Northeast Greenland due to spatial heterogeneity of delta regimes. In general, the delta regime is related to catchment and basin characteristics (geology, topography, drainage pattern, sediment availability, and bathymetry), fluvial discharges and associated sediment load, and processes by waves and currents. Main factors steering the Arctic fluvial discharges into the Young Sound are the snow and ice melt and precipitation in the catchment, and extreme events like glacier lake outburst floods (GLOFs). Waves are subordinate and only rework fringes of the delta plain forming sandy bars if the exposure and fetch are optimal. Spatial gradients and variability in driving forces (snow and precipitation) and catchment characteristics (amount of glacier coverage, sediment characteristics) as well as the strong and local influence of GLOFs in a specific catchment impede a simple upscaling of sediment fluxes from individual catchments toward a total sediment flux into the Young Sound.     

Herbicide safeners: uses,limitations, metabolism,and mechanisms of action

Several methods were examined to minimize crops injury caused by herbicides. Thus increase their selectivity. A selective herbicide is one that controls weeds at rates that do not injure the crop. Herbicides are selective in a particular crop within certain limits imposed by the herbicide, the plant, the application rate, the method and time of application, and environment conditions. Herbicide safeners are compounds of diverse chemical families. They are applied with herbicides to protect crops against their injury. Using chemical safeners offer practical, efficient and simple method of improving herbicide selectivity. This method has been applied successfully in cereal crops such as maize, rice and sorghum, against pre-emergence thiocarbamate and chloroacetanilide herbicides. Some reports indicate promising results for the development of safeners for post-emergence herbicides in broadleaved crops. Various hypotheses were proposed explaining mechanisms of action of herbicide safeners: interference with uptake and translocation of the herbicide, alteration in herbicide metabolism, and competition at site of action of the herbicide. Even though progress was made in the development of herbicide safeners and in understanding their mechanisms of action, more research is needed to elucidate clearly how these chemicals act and why their activity is restricted to particular crops and herbicides.     

Environmental Appraisal-Particulate Matter,Oxides of Sulfur,and Sulfuric Acid

The role of particulate matter and oxides of sulfur in degradation of the atmospheric environment is discussed. The Federal Air Quality Criteria for these pollutants are analyzed for their conformance with the requirement of the Clean Air Act of 1967 that they reflect the latest scientific knowledge pertinent to the indication of their effects on health and welfare. Visibility reduction by suspended particulate matter is treated and the bases for the criteria issued in the documents “Air Quality Criteria for Particulate Matter” and “Air Quality Criteria for Sulfur Oxides” are examined. The reactions between particulate matter and gaseous pollutants are discussed, along with the Impact of particulate matter on modifications of weather processes. Local effects, such as precipitation, are considered. The relationship between pollution by particulate matter and cloud formation is discussed, as are persistence of fog and the observation that certain sources of particulate pollution are also sources of ice nuclei.     

Role of financial development,environmental-related technologies,research and development,energy intensity,natural resource depletion,and temperature in sustainable environment in Canada

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Environmental sustainability concerns are increasing worldwide; both developing and developed countries face environmental degradation. Literature has...