Persistence revisited

We are happy and proud to announce that our book ‘Atmospheric Degradation of Organic Substances — Data for Persistence and Long-range Transport’ (see pp. 143–144) has recently been published by Wiley-VCH [1]. It contains a critical compilation of photo degradation rate constants and quantum efficiencies relevant for calculating the atmospheric persistence of volatile and a few semi-volatile organic compounds. In addition to the data of nearly 1100 substances, the importance of persistence in air and long-range transport potential is presented in two chapters from the point of view of chemicals legislation and of atmospheric photochemistry.     

POPs and organic polysufides in sediments of Lake Ladoga

The study included one station close to a pollution source (depth 59 m) and another far from polluted areas (depth 40 m). Samples were analysed for organic chlorine, bromine and sulfur compounds. Samples taken with a corer were sliced to the layers of 0-1, 1-4, 4-7 cm etc. down to the depth of 34 cm. The dating was made with two independent methods, the 210Po method and with the soot particle counting method. The analyses were made with a multiresidue method. Gas chromatography was connected to low resolution mass spectrometry (LRMS) or to high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). A different extraction was applied to screen the possible occurrence of polysulfides. Typical chlorophenol and chlorohydrocarbon traces from chlorobleaching of pulp were non-detectable. Also PCDDs, PCDFs, PCBs and various organochloride pesticides, fire retardant residues PBDEs, PBDDs and PBDFs and polychlorinated phenyl salicylates were not detected. Instead, methylated dibenzothiophenes Me-DBTs and Di-Me-DBTs, typical traces of oil based defoamers used in e.g. paper mills were found in the surface layers of the polluted site. Polysulfides were analyzed from layers representing years 1955-1970 from the polluted site. The structures of five congeners were according to GC/MS dimethyl trisulfide, 1,2,3,4-tetrathiepane, pentathiane, 1,2,3,4-tetrathiane and 1,2,4,5-tetrathiepane. Many of the analyzed pollutants have not been reported earlier from Lake Ladoga. The only positive observations were from oil-based defoamers used in paper mills, and from polysulfides, which are either of natural origin or indicate a discharge in the 1950s and 1960s. Owing to the large spreadout and dilution, the concentrations are low even at moderate distances from the pollution centers.     

A wood preservative metabolite in river water

- A previously unknown pollutant in river water was identified to be 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (2-MBT) by interpretation and simulation of its GC/LRMS spectrum. Further GC/HRMS measurement of the isotope composition of the molecular ion verified this structure. 2-MBT is a well-known agent for corrosion inhibition and a stable metabolite of several other benzothiazoles. The present 2-MBT trace was most probably a metabolite of the wood preservative TCMTB which leaked from an upstream sawmill. The metabolite had been detected earlier in urine of the sawmill workers, but now was identified in the recipient water environment for the first time.     

吹扫捕集-GC/MS法测定南宁市竹排冲黑臭河道水体嗅味物质

利用吹扫捕集-GC/MS法对引起南宁市竹排冲河道水体黑臭的嗅味物质进行检测分析。结果表明,导致竹排冲水体黑臭的嗅味物质主要为苯系物、硫类化合物和氯苯类化合物,其中甲硫醚(相对含量1.70%)、二甲基二硫醚(相对含量3.19%)、甲基丙基二硫醚(相对含量6.11%)等挥发性有机物为竹排冲水体中的主要致嗅物质,是竹排冲水体嗅味产生的主要原因。     

Occurrence of persistent organic pollutants in sediments and biota from Portugal versus European incidence: A critical overview

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are widespread compounds, such as organohalogenated compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and pesticides, which can be found in all types of environmental compartments. Their presence in the aquatic environment is a worldwide problem, with emphasis on sediments which act as depository and consequently as a source of hydrophobic, recalcitrant and harmful compounds. Besides, these pollutants might affect the reproduction and mortality of living organisms, diverging in their potential to bioaccumulate in tissues. The present paper aims to review the occurrence of POPs in sediments and biota from the coastal, estuarine and river areas of Portugal. The list of the studied compounds comprises organohalogenated compounds, PAHs, organometallic compounds, pesticides, sterols, fatty acids and pharmaceutical compounds. The contamination of sediments by various pollutants is presented, such as PAHs up to 7,350 ng g^?1 found in Sado estuary and polychlorinated biphenyls up to 62.2 ng g^?1 in the case of sediments collected in Ria de Aveiro. The occurrence of these persistent toxic substances in sediments demonstrates aquatic contamination from agricultural, industrial and urban discharges and the concern about the potential risks to aquatic organisms, wildlife and humans. In fact, several classes of POPs have also been found in biota, such as polychlorinated biphenyls up to 810.9 ng g^?1 in sentinel fish from the Douro River estuary and pesticides in bivalves from the Sado River estuary. The importance of further systematic research on sediments and biota is here highlighted to compare the contamination of these two reservoirs; to assess their spatial and temporal variation; and to determine other classes of POPs that were not investigated yet (e.g., industrial compounds, estrogens and many classes of pharmaceuticals).     

Polychlorinated organic compounds in Yangtse River sediments

Polychlorinated organic compounds (PCOCs) were analyzed in Yangtse River sediments. The results show that the concentrations of PCOCs in Yangtse River sediments followed the order of DDTs > HCB > HCHs > PCBs. High PCOCs concentrations were detected in sediments from station Y02a and Y02b, which are located in the main input of the Yangtse River (Nanjing section). Results also show that the PCOCs values were highly correlated with organic carbon content and heavy metal contamination.     

Bleached kraft pulp mill discharged organic matter in recipient lake sediment

Environmental properties of organic matter contained halogen and sulfur were studied in sediments of bleached kraft pulp mill effluent (BKME) recipient lakes and 2 m³ outdoor enclosures (mesocosms). The BKME contributed to 1% (v/v) of the total water flow in the lake downstream of the pulp mill where the sediments contained 1.7 to 4 mg of tetrahydrofuran extractable organic halogen (EOX-Cl) and 0.6 to 0.8 mg of tetrahydrofuran extractable organic sulfur (EOS-S) g⁻¹ of organic matter. Upstream sediment contained 0.03 mg of EOXCl and 0.7 mg of EOS-S g⁻¹ of organic matter. EOX was a better indicator for the influence of BKME in the recipient sediment than EOS. The polarity of BKME contained EOX corresponded to log K^ow of < 1, and that of the downstream sediment contained EOX to > 4.5. HP-SEC analysis of the molecular weight distribution (MWD) of the EOX showed a peak between 300 to 600 g mol⁻¹ for the BKME and between 1000 to 2000 g mol⁻¹ for the downstream sediment. The MWD of the BKME contained EOS peaked at 300 to 1000 g mol⁻¹, and that of the downstream sediment contained EOS at 1000 to 5000 g mol⁻¹. These results indicate that BKME contained organic halogen and sulfur undergo major structural transformations when incorporated into sediment. The biota-to-sediment accumulation factor (BSAF) of EOX from sediments formed downstream of the mill and in the mesocosms to the lipids ofLumbriculus variegatus was 0.4 to 0.7. This is of a similar order of magnitude to the BSAF reported for 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzop-dioxin and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran.     

Integral assessment of estrogenic potentials in sediment-associated samples

Background, aim, and scope  The enzyme-linked receptor assay (ELRA) detects estrogenic and anti-estrogenic effects at the molecular level of receptor binding and is a useful tool for the integrative assessment of ecotoxicological potentials caused by hormonally active agents (HAA) and endocrine disrupting compounds (EDC). The main advantage of the ELRA is its high sample throughput and its robustness against cytotoxicity and microbial contamination. After a methodological adaptation to salinity of the ELRA, according to the first part of this study, which increased its salinity tolerance and sensitivity for 17-β-estradiol, the optimised ELRA was used to investigate 13 native sediments characterised by different levels of salinity and chemical contamination. The applicability of the ELRA for routine analysis in environmental assessment was evaluated. Salinity is often a critical factor for bioassays in ecotoxicological sediment assessment. Therefore, salinity of the samples was additionally adjusted to different levels to characterise its influence on elution and binding processes of receptor-binding substances. Materials and methods  The ELRA was carried out with the human estrogen receptor α (ER) in a 96-well microplate format using the experimental setup known from the competitive immunoassay based on ligand–protein interaction. It is an important improvement that a physiologically relevant receptor was used as a linking protein instead of an antibody. The microplates were coated with a 17-β-estradiol-BSA conjugate, and dilution series of estradiol and of native sediment samples were added and incubated with the ER. After a washing step, a biotinylated mouse anti-ER antibody was added to each well. Receptor binding to estradiol, agonistic and antagonistic receptor binding, were determined by a streptavidin-POD-biotin complex with subsequent measurement of the peroxidase activity at the wavelength of 450 nm using a commercial ELISA multiplate reader. The sediment elutriates and pore water samples of sediments were tested in a dilution series to evaluate at which dilution step the receptor-binding potential ends. In the elution process (see Section 2.1 to 2.2), a method was developed to adjust the salinity to the levels of the reference testings, which offers an appropriate option to adjust the salinity in both directions. Statistical evaluation was made with a combination of the Mann–Whitney U test and the pT-method. Results  This part of the study characterised the environmental factor ‘salinity’ for prospective applications of the ELRA. Using reference substances such as 17-β-estradiol, the ELRA showed sigmoid concentration-effect relations over a broad range from 0.05 μg/l to 100 μg/l under physiological conditions. After methodological optimisation, both sensitivity and tolerance of the assay against salinity could be significantly raised, and the ELRA became applicable under salinity conditions up to concentrations of 20.5‰. The mean relative inter-test error (n = 3) was around 11% with reference substances and below 5% for single sediments elutriates in three replicates each. For sediment testings, the pore water and different salinity-adjusted elutriates of 13 sediments were used. A clear differentiation of the receptor-binding potential could be reached by application of the pT-method. Thereby, pT-values from one to six could be assigned to the sediments, and the deviation caused by the different salinity conditions was one pT-value. The mean standard deviation in the salinity adaptation procedure of the elutriates was below 5%. Discussion  Although the ELRA has already been used for assessments of wastewater, sludge and soil, its applicability for samples to different salinity levels has not been investigated so far. Even if the ELRA is not as sensitive as the E-screen or the YES-assay, with regard to reference substances like 17-β-estradiol, it is a very useful tool for pre-screening, because it is able to integrate both estrogenic as well as anti-estrogenic receptor-binding effects. According to the results of sediment testing, and given the integrative power to detect different directions of effects, the ELRA shows sufficient sensitivity and salinity tolerance to discriminate receptor-binding potentials in environmental samples. Conclusions  The optimised ELRA assay is a fast, cost-effective, reliable and highly reproducible tool that can be used for high-throughput screening in a microplate format in detecting both estrogenic and anti-estrogenic effects. Additionally, the ELRA is robust against microbial contaminations, and is not susceptible towards cytotoxic interferences like the common cell-culture methods. The general applicability and sufficient sensitivity of the ELRA was shown in freshwater environments. Marine and brackish samples can be measured up to salinity levels of 20.5‰. Recommendations and perspectives  In view of the proven sensitivity, functionality and the fastness of the ELRA, it is recommendable to standardise the test method. At the moment, no adequate in vitro test procedure exists which is standardised to DIN or ISO levels. The E-screen and the yeast estrogen/androgen screens (YES/YAS) sometimes underlie strong cytotoxic effects, as reported in the first part of this study. Further development of an ELRA assay using human androgen receptors appears to be very promising to gain information about androgenic and anti-androgenic effects, too. This would offer a possibility to use the ELRA as a fast and reliable pre-screening tool for the detection of endocrine potentials, thus minimising time and cost-expensive animal experiments.     

Horizontal and vertical variabilities of mercury concentration and speciation in sediments of the Gdansk Basin,Southern Baltic Sea

The mercury compounds introduced to the environment because of anthropogenic activity are accumulated, mainly, in marine sediments. Both distribution of mercury in the Baltic Sea and factors affecting it are remain largely unknown. Due to its complex chemistry and variable conditions in the Baltic Sea bottom sediments, mercury may be reemitted to the overlaying water, and thus to the environment.The aim of this study was twofold. Total mercury contents were measured in sediments of the Gdansk Basin along a Vistula mouth (main source)--Gdansk Deep (deposition area) transect in order to assess spatial distribution of the element. Soft and sandy bottom sediment cores were collected and cut into slices. The mercury measurements consisted of acid digestion followed by CV-AAS determination. A five-step sequential extraction procedure involving measurements of mercury species water soluble, bound to humic substances and insoluble, was employed in order to investigate mercury speciation. On the basis of speciation results stability and remobilisation potential was assessed. The second aim was demonstrating that mercury gradients in vertical profiles of the investigated sediment cores exist.Total mercury contents varied in range from 28 ng/g x dw to 844 ng/g. Mercury associated with organic matter and sulphides, (respectively 39% and 49%) were the dominant species of the element. The results indicated that the river run-off is a source of mercury in the area. Vertical gradients of both total content and speciation of mercury in the soft sediments were attributed to both remobilisation from sediments, and decreasing trend in the anthropogenic load of the element deposited to sediments.     

High-throughput screening of dioxins in sediment and soil using selective pressurized liquid extraction with immunochemical detection

A high-throughput screening method using selective pressurized liquid extraction (SPLE) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for monitoring dioxins in sediment and soil is described. SPLE conditions were developed by extracting sediment or soil together with alumina, 10% AgNO₃ in silica, and sulfuric acid impregnated silica (acid silica) using dichloromethane (DCM) as the solvent at 100 °C and 2000 psi. Post-extraction cleanups were not required for ELISA. Two reference sediments (National Institute of Standards and Technology SRM 1944 and Wellington Laboratories WMS01) were analyzed by the SPLE–ELISA method. The ELISA utilized a polyclonal antibody and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) as the calibrant. Recoveries of ELISA-derived TCDD equivalents (EQ) relative to the expected gas chromatography/high resolution mass spectrometry (GC/HRMS) derived dioxin toxic equivalent (TEQ) values were 116 ± 11% for SRM 1944 and 102 ± 13% for WMS01. ELISA TCDD EQs were consistent with the dioxin TEQs as measured by GC/HRMS for 25 soil/sediment samples from seven different contaminated sites. The ELISA had an approximate method detection limit of 10 pg g⁻¹ with a precision of 2.6–29% based on the relative percentage difference (%RPD) for duplicate samples. Estimated sample throughput for the SPLE–ELISA was three times or more than that of the GC/HRMS method employing PLE with a multi-column cleanup.     

Fluorescence and DOC contents of estuarine pore waters from colonized and non-colonized sediments: effects of sampling preservation

The influence of the colonization of salt marsh sediments with Halimione portulacoides was evaluated by analysing the fluorescent dissolved organic matter (FDOM) in sediment pore waters from a salt marsh at different depths. Cores of sediments at colonized and non-colonized sites were collected from a coastal lagoon (Ria de Aveiro, Portugal). The DOC content of extracted pore waters was determined and characterized by synchronous molecular fluorescence (Deltalambda=60nm) and UV-visible spectroscopies. The common practice of freezing sediment cores for further and later chemical investigation was shown not to be an appropriate methodology of sample preservation. On the contrary, freezing of extracted and filtered pore water seemed not to affect either the DOC content or the fluorescence properties of pore waters. Two types of fluorescent substances were found in the pore waters spectra; one corresponding to humic-like substances and another one resembling proteins. However, major differences were found in the spectra of pore waters depending on both depth and the presence/absence of vegetation colonization.     

Formation of chlorinated disinfection by-products in viticulture

Background, aim and scope  The use of sodium hypochlorite (HYP) in viticulture results in effluents which are contaminated with halogenated substances. These disinfection by-products (DBPs) can be quantified as group parameter ‘adsorbable organic halogens’ (AOX) and have not been determined in effluents of viticulture yet. The substances that are detected as AOX are unknown. The AOX can be composed of harmless substances, but even toxic contaminants. Thus, it is impossible to assess ecological impacts. The aim of this study is to determine the quantification of AOX and DBPs after the use of HYP. This will be helpful to reduce environmental pollution by AOX. Materials and methods  The potential of HYP to generate AOX was determined in laboratory-scale experiments. Different model solutions were treated with HYP according to disinfection processes in viticulture and conditions of AOX formation in effluents were simulated. AOX were quantified using the flask-shaking method and identified DBPs were investigated by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Results  Treatment with HYP resulted in the formation of AOX. The percentage conversion of HYP to AOX was up to 11%. Most important identified DBPs in viticulture are chloroform, dichloroacetic acid and trichloroacetaldehyde. In addition, the formation of carbon tetrachloride (CT), 1,1,1-trichloropropanone, 2,4-dichlorobenzoic acid and 2-chloro-/2,4-dichlorophenylacetic acid was investigated. It was demonstrated that reaction temperature, concentration of HYP and type of organic matter have important influence on the formation of chlorinated DBPs. Discussion  The percentage conversion of HYP to AOX was similar to other published studies. Although a correlation of single compounds and AOX is difficult, chloroform was the predominant AOX. Generation of the volatile chloroform should be avoided due to possible adverse effects. The generation of dichloroacetic acid is of minor importance on account of biodegradation. Trichloroacetaldehyde and 1,1,1-trichloropropanone are weak mutagens and their formation should be avoided. Conclusions  The generation of AOX and chlorinated DBPs can be minimised by reducing the concentrations of the organic materials in the effluents. The removal of organic matter before disinfection results in a decreased formation of AOX. HYP is an effective disinfectant; therefore, it should be used at low temperatures and concentrations to reduce the amount of AOX. If possible, disinfection should be accomplished by the use of no chlorine-containing agents. By this means, negative influences of HYP on the quality of wine can also be avoided. Recommendations and perspectives  Our results indicate that HYP has a high potential to form AOX in effluents of viticulture. The predominant by-products are chloroform, dichloroacetic acid and trichloroacetaldehyde. In further research, wastewaters from a winery and the in- and outflows of two sewage treatment plants were sampled during vintage and analysed. These results will be discussed in a following paper.     

Organochlorine compounds,nitro musks and perfluorinated substances in breast milk – Results from Bavarian Monitoring of Breast Milk 2007/8

The aim of the Bavarian Monitoring of Breast Milk (BAMBI) project was to examine 10 organochlorine pesticides (OPs), 3 nitro musks, 6 indicator polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), 7 polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), 10 polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), 12 dioxin-like PCBs (dl-PCBs) and several perfluorinated alkyl compounds in breast milk samples. A total of 516 breast milk samples were collected from seven regions in Bavaria and were analyzed by means of GC/ECD, GC/HRMS, and LC/MS-MS.     

Dynamics of phosphorus forms in the bottom sediments and their interstitial water for the Prut River (Moldova)

Phosphorus concentration in rivers results from both external inputs and internal loading from the bottom sediments. Seasonal, spatial, and multi-annual dynamics of phosphorus forms in bottom sediments and their interstitial water for the river Prut (Moldova) were evaluated. In order to determine content of total phosphorus in the bottom sediments, fresh (wet) samples were subjected to persulfate oxidation. The content of inorganic phosphorus was determined after acidic oxidation of samples. The amount of organic phosphorus was obtained by subtracting inorganic phosphorus from the amount of total phosphorus. Content of phosphorus forms in interstitial water was determined after centrifugation of fresh (wet) sediments. In general, the shape of dynamics of the amounts of inorganic phosphorus in sediments was close during years?2009, 2010, and 2011, with registered higher contents of this form on the middle course of the river. The spatial dynamics of organic phosphorus is less homogeneous along the Prut River. During 2009, higher amounts of organic phosphorus were recorded on the middle sector. During the spring of year?2010, the content of organic phosphorus in sediments was practically not changed along the river. The ratio of inorganic/organic phosphorus in bottom sediments was similar during the researched years, with the predominance of the inorganic phosphorus being recorded. Also, the increasing tendency of the percentage of organic phosphorus from spring to summer was identified. Generally, appropriate spatial and seasonal dynamics of phosphorus forms in bottom sediments and their interstitial water were recorded, although sometimes with some differences.     

Organic Content of Particulate Matter In Turbine Engine Exhaust

Solid particulate matter, mainly carbon, emitted into the air from the combustion of fossil fuels contains a variety of organic species adsorbed on it. In our examination of these particulates from the combustion of kerosene type fuels in a gas turbine engine, attention was focused on polynuclear aromatic compounds, phenols, nitrosamines, and total organics. Polynuclears were determined by HPLC, GC/MS, and NMR examination. Phenols and nitrosamines were isolated and then measured by gas chromatography using a flame ionization detector and nitrogen detector. Total organics were determined by a backflush chromatographic procedure. The particulates were collected using a high capacity pumping system and 293 mm diameter teflon filters through which was passed up to 43 m³ of exhaust gas. Extraction of the organic matter was done in a Soxhlet extractor using hexane usually. The engine was operated at idle, approach, climb, and takeoff power settings with low sulfur and high sulfur (0.25%) fuels. Most of the PAH were small 3 and 4 fused ring compounds with very few, at low concentrations, of 5 and 6 fused ring species. No nitrosamines were found and except in a few cases, at low levels, no phenols. PNA and total organic levels decreased with increase in a power setting and were higher in the exhaust from low sulfur fuels. Less than 1% of the organic matter emitted by the engine was absorbed on the particulate matter. The body of information presented in the paper is directed to individuals concerned with the nature of emissions from gas turbine engines. The work was supported by a contract with the Environmental Protection Agency.     

The fate of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in the wastewater treatment process and its importance in the removal of wastewater contaminants

Goal, Scope and Background Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) constitutes a parameter of organic pollution for waters and wastewaters, which is not so often studied, and it is not yet regulated by directives. The term ‘DOC’ is used for the fraction of organics that pass through a 0.45 μm pores’ size membrane. The type of wastewater plays an important role in the quality of DOC and it has been shown that DOC may contain aquatic humic substances, hydrophobic bases, hydrophobic neutrals, hydrophilic acids, hydrophilic bases and hydrophilic neutrals. The quality of the DOC is expected to affect its fate in a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), since a considerable fraction of DOC is not biodegradable, and it may be released in the aquatic environment together with the treated effluent. In the present study, the occurrence of DOC during the wastewater treatment process is investigated and its removal rates during primary, secondary and overall treatment are being estimated. Furthermore, a correlation is being attempted between DOC and the concentrations of selected Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and Heavy Metals (HMs) in the dissolved phase of wastewaters, to examine whether there are common sources for these pollution parameters in WWTPs. Also, DOC is being correlated with the partition coefficients of the above-mentioned pollutants in wastewater, in order to examine the effect of ‘solubility enhancement’ in WWTPs and to evaluate the result of this phenomenon in the efficiency of a WWTP to remove organic pollutants. Methods For the purposes of this study, 24-h composite wastewater samples were collected from the influent (raw wastewater, RW), the effluent of primary sedimentation tank (primary sedimentation effluent, PSE) and the effluent of secondary sedimentation tank (secondary sedimentation effluent, SSE). Samples were analyzed for the presence of 26 POPs (7 PCBs and 19 organochlorine pesticides), 8 HMs and DOC. Results and Discussion Mean concentrations of DOC in RW and PSE were at similar levels (∼ 70 mg l⁻¹), suggesting that primary treatment has a minor effect on the DOC content of wastewater. DOC concentrations in SSE were significantly lower (∼ 19 mg l⁻¹) as a result of the degradation of organic compounds in the biological reactor. Calculated removals of DOC were 0.8% in the primary treatment, 63% in the secondary treatment, and 69% in the overall treatment, exhibiting large differences from other organic pollution parameters, such as BOD and COD. The overall DOC removal was found to be independent from the DOC concentration in raw wastewater. Poor correlation was also observed between the DOC content and the concentrations of wastewater contaminants, such as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and heavy metals (HMs), probably suggesting that their occurrence in WWTPs is due to different sources. A good negative linear relationship was revealed between DOC concentrations and the logarithms of the distribution coefficients (K _d) of various POPs and HMs between the solid and the liquid phases of wastewater. This relationship suggests that DOC facilitates hydrophobic pollutants to remain in the dissolved phase thus causing lower removal percentages during the treatment process. Conclusion DOC was measured at three stages of a municipal WWTP that receives mainly domestic wastewater and urban runoff. DOC concentrations in untreated and primarily treated wastewater were almost equal, and only after the secondary sedimentation there was a decrease. Concentrations and removal rates of DOC were in the same levels as in other WWTPs that receive municipal wastewater. The origin of DOC was found to be different to the one of POPs and of HMs, as no correlation was observed between the concentrations of DOC and the concentrations of these pollutants. On the contrary, DOC was found to have significant negative correlation with the K _d of all pollutants examined, suggesting that it plays an important role in the partitioning of those pollutants between the dissolved and the sorbed phase of wastewaters. This effect of DOC on partitioning can affect the ability of WWTPs to remove toxic pollutants, and that way it facilitates the discharge of those chemicals in the aquatic ecosystems together with the treated effluent. Recommendation By the results of this work it is shown that the presence of DOC in wastewaters can significantly affect the partition of hazardous pollutants between the dissolved and the sorbed phase. It is therefore of importance that this parameter is controlled more in wastewaters, since it can cause a decrease in the efficiency of WWTPs to remove quantitatively persistent pollutants.     

Pilot survey of a broad range of priority pollutants in sediment and fish from the Ebro river basin (NE Spain)

Priority organic pollutants were investigated in sediments and fish collected along the Ebro river basin (NE Spain) to evaluate their occurrence, transport and bioavailability. Sediments were collected in 18 sites and two species of fish were captured in nine sites according to the availability in each area. The sampling sites covered industrial, urban and agricultural areas. Four methods were used to detect 20 organochlorine compounds (OCs), 8 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, 3 organotin compounds, 2 alkylphenols and 40 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) from purified extracts. The contamination pattern was site specific and no downstream increase in concentration of pollutants was observed but rather a generalized low level diffuse pollution. Target compounds were detected in sediments at 0.01 to 2331 microg/kg dry weight, and only OCs and PBDEs were accumulated in benthopelagic fish. Toxicological assessment was performed according to predicted environmental levels and revealed sites where adverse effects could occur.     

A study of volatile organic sulfur emissions causing urban odors

Levels of hydrogen sulfide and sulfur containing organic compounds were studied in the air at the deltas of the polluted creeks in the city of Izmir, Turkey in summer 2001. High concentrations of these malodorous compounds were measured in the air samples. Presence of these compounds in the air was connected with the dark appearance and rising gas bubbles in the studied segments of the creeks. These creeks were like open sewers carrying wastewaters from the industry and residential areas into the inner Izmir Bay until September 2001.Within the scope of this study organic sulfur compounds such as methane thiol, ethane thiol, 2-propane thiol, 2-butane thiol, dimethylsulfide, dimethyldisulfide, thiophene, diphenylsulfide and hydrogen sulfide were studied in the air at selected urban sites where odor nuisance was recognized. Flux measurements from polluted surfaces were preferred rather than direct ambient air measurements. Organic sulfur emission fluxes from the creek surfaces were found above the values reported in the literature. Their concentrations and fluxes were higher in June field program. A limited number of measurements of reduced sulfur compound emission concentrations from the wastewater treatment plant equalization tank and the sludge drying beds as well as the landfill soil surface were also included in the study.Concentrations of total organic sulfur compounds and certain individual components such as dimethylsulfide and hydrogen sulfide in emitted gases from river surfaces were correlated with ambient SO(2) concentrations.     

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the determination of dioxins in contaminated sediment and soil samples

A 96-microwell enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method was evaluated to determine PCDDs/PCDFs in sediment and soil samples from an EPA Superfund site. Samples were prepared and analyzed by both the ELISA and a gas chromatography/high resolution mass spectrometry (GC/HRMS) method. Comparable method precision, accuracy, and detection level (8 ng kg(-1)) were achieved by the ELISA method with respect to GC/HRMS. However, the extraction and cleanup method developed for the ELISA requires refinement for the soil type that yielded a waxy residue after sample processing. Four types of statistical analyses (Pearson correlation coefficient, paired t-test, nonparametric tests, and McNemar's test of association) were performed to determine whether the two methods produced statistically different results. The log-transformed ELISA-derived 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin values and log-transformed GC/HRMS-derived TEQ values were significantly correlated (r=0.79) at the 0.05 level. The median difference in values between ELISA and GC/HRMS was not significant at the 0.05 level. Low false negative and false positive rates (<10%) were observed for the ELISA when compared to the GC/HRMS at 1,000 ng TEQ kg(-1). The findings suggest that immunochemical technology could be a complementary monitoring tool for determining concentrations at the 1,000 ng TEQ kg(-1) action level for contaminated sediment and soil. The ELISA could also be used in an analytical triage approach to screen and rank samples prior to instrumental analysis.     

Environmental accounting on a communal level: A tool to support environmental management and decision-making by communal executives

Starting from an ecological perspective of urban-industrial areas, environmental accounting is used to analyse and to evaluate which environmental impacts are the result of communal activities (e.g. the results of different kinds of water supply systems). Therefore, the anthropogenic fluxes, the changing quality of areas as well as the processes between the environmental fields are taken into account. The approach is based on methodical elements of te Life Cycle Analysis and the Environmental Impact Assessment. Looking at the ‘urban systems’ within the communal activities, ‘ecological modelling’ gives us a new and fuller picture of the spatial and temporal character of urban metabolism. The approach supports the perception of cumulative effects and the postponement of environmental problems and opens new horizons for process-oriented environmental planning within the community. Greater efficiency and a decrease in costs can be arrived at by leaving ‘end of the pipe’ strategies; opportunities for a better planning process and measures for different individuals and organisations can be drawn up. A data base which acts as a ‘support system’ implements the computer-aided approach to environmental accounting.