Groundwater quality assessment in the urban-west region of Zanzibar Island

This paper highlights the levels of anions (nitrate, nitrite, sulfate, bromide, chloride, and fluoride) and cations (potassium, sodium, magnesium, and calcium) in selected springs and groundwater sources in the urban-west region of Zanzibar Island. The levels of total dissolved solids (TDS) and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) were also studied. Thirty water samples were collected in December 2012 from various types of water sources, which included closed hand-dug wells (CHDW), open hand-dug wells (OHDW), springwater (SW), public bore wells (PBW), and bore wells owned by private individuals (BWP), and analyzed after filtration and sometimes dilution. The cations were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The anions were analyzed by chemically suppressed ion chromatography (IC). The ranges of the levels of the investigated parameters were as follows: Na 13.68–3,656 mg L^?1, K 2.66–583 mg L^?1, Mg 0.63–131.10 mg L^?1, Ca 16.79–189.9 mg L^?1, Cl^? 8.61–4,340.97 mg L^?1, F^? 0–1.02 mg L^?1, Br^? 0–10.88 mg L^?1, NO₃ ^? 0.18–342.4 mg L^?1, NO₂ ^? 0–1.39, SO₄ ^2? 4.43–534.02 mg L^?1, TDS 7–6,380 mg L^?1, and SAR 0.63–50. Except fluoride, most of the studied parameters in the water samples had concentrations beyond the permissible limits of the World Health Organization (WHO). The elevated concentrations are a result of seepage of contaminated water from on-site septic tanks, pit latrines, landfill leachates, fertilizer applications, and domestic effluents. These results should alert domestic water stakeholders in Zanzibar to the urgent task of initiating a quick mitigation response to control these alarming water risks.     

Distribution of selected carcinogenic hydrocarbon and heavy metals in an oil-polluted agriculture zone

Owing to the importance of clean and fertile agricultural soil for the continued existence of man, this study investigated the concentrations of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and some heavy metals in soils and selected commonly consumed vegetables and tubers from oil-polluted active agricultural farmland in Gokana of Ogoniland, Rivers State, Nigeria. Samples from Umuchichi, Osisioma Local Government Area in Abia State, Nigeria, a non-oil-polluted area constituted the control. In test and control, up to 3,830?±?19.6 mgkg^?1 dw and 6,950?±?68.3 mgkg^?1 dw (exceeding DPR set limits) and 11.3?±?0.04 mgkg^?1 dw and 186?±?0.02 mgkg^?1 dw for TPH and PAHs, respectively, were recorded in test soil and plant samples, respectively. Among the metals studied (Pb, Cd, Cr, Mn, Fe and Zn), Pb and Cr uptake exceeded WHO set limits for crops in test samples. Combined sources of pollution were evident from our studies. Bitterleaf and Waterleaf could be tried as bioindicators owing to expressed contaminants uptake pattern.     

Determination of traces of copper and zinc in honeys by the solid phase extraction pre-concentration followed by the flame atomic absorption spectrometry detection

A simple and fast solid phase extraction procedure was developed to pre-concentrate traces of Cu and Zn prior to their determination in honey samples by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The sample preparation included dissolution of honey samples and the passage (at 20 ml/min) of resulting 10 % m/v solutions (100 ml) through Dowex 50W?×?8-400 resin beds in order to quantitatively retain Cu and Zn and separate them from the glucose and fructose matrix. Enriched Cu and Zn traces were recovered with 5.0 ml of a 3.0 mol/l HCl solution and quantified by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The procedure proposed was used to analyze sixty nine commercially available and freshly ripened honey samples coming from the Lower Silesia region (Poland). It enabled to measure Cu and Zn within the range of 0.01–1.42 and 0.03–15.38 μg/g, respectively, with precision better than 4 %. Accuracy, assessed on the basis of the recovery test and the comparison of results with those obtained using wet digestion and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry, was ranged from ?4 % to +6 %. Detection limits of Cu and Zn achieved with this method were 5 and 7 ng/g, respectively.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Synechococcus</Emphasis> production and grazing loss rates in nearshore tropical waters

Temporal variation of Synechococcus, its production (μ) and grazing loss (g) rates were studied for 2 years at nearshore stations, i.e. Port Dickson and Port Klang along the Straits of Malacca. Synechococcus abundance at Port Dickson (0.3–2.3 × 10⁵ cell ml^?1) was always higher than at Port Klang (0.3–7.1 × 10⁴ cell ml^?1) (p < 0.001). μ ranged up to 0.98 day^?1 (0.51 ± 0.29 day^?1), while g ranged from 0.02 to 0.31 day^?1 (0.15 ± 0.07 day^?1) at Port Klang. At Port Dickson, μ and g averaged 0.47 ± 0.13 day^?1 (0.29–0.82 day^?1) and 0.31 ± 0.14 day^?1 (0.13–0.63 day^?1), respectively. Synechococcus abundance did not correlate with temperature (p > 0.25), but nutrient and light availability were important factors for their distribution. The relationship was modelled as log Synechococcus = 0.37Secchi ? 0.01DIN + 4.52 where light availability (as Secchi disc depth) was a more important determinant. From a two-factorial experiment, nutrients were not significant for Synechococcus growth as in situ nutrient concentrations exceeded the threshold for saturated growth. However, light availability was important and elevated Synechococcus growth rates especially at Port Dickson (F = 5.94, p < 0.05). As for grazing loss rates, they were independent of either nutrients or light intensity (p > 0.30). In nearshore tropical waters, an estimated 69 % of Synechococcus production could be grazed.     

Residual behavior and risk assessment of flubendiamide on tomato at different agro-climatic conditions in India

Supervised field trials were conducted at four different agro-climatic zones in India to evaluate the dissipation pattern and risk assessment of flubendiamide on tomato. Flubendiamide 480 SC was sprayed on tomato at 48 and 96 g active ingredient (a.i.) ha^?1. Samples of tomato fruits were drawn at 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 15, and 20 days after treatment. Quantification of residues was done on a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) device with a photo diode array detector. The limit of quantification (LOQ) of this method was found to be 0.01 mg kg^?1 while limit of detection (LOD) being 0.003 mg kg^?1. Residues of flubendiamide were found below the determination limit of 0.01 mg kg^?1 in 20 days at both the dosages in all the locations. The half-life of flubendiamide at an application rate of 48 g a.i.?ha^?1 varied from 0.33 to 3.28 days and at 48-g a.i. ranged from 1.21 to 3.00 days. On the basis of data generated under the All India Network Project on Pesticide Residues, a preharvest interval (PHI) of 1 day has been recommended, and the flubendiamide 480 SC has been registered for its use on tomato by the Central Insecticide Board and Registration Committee, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India. The maximum residue limit (MRL) of flubendiamide on tomato has been fixed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India under Food Safety Standard Authority of India, as 0.07 μg g^?1 after its risk assessment.     

PAHs in PM2.5 in Zhengzhou: concentration,carcinogenic risk analysis,and source apportionment

Ambient air samples were collected at two different locations between 2011 and 2012 in Zhengzhou, China in order to assess the concentration level, health risks, as well as the sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in particulate matter (PM_2.5). The mean annual levels of PM_2.5 observed at industry site and residential site were 172?±?121 and 160?±?72 μg m^?3, respectively, which were about five times the annual value of proposed PM_2.5 standard (35 μg m^?3) in China. The PM_2.5 in all daily samples (n?=?47) exceeds the proposed PM_2.5 standard in China (75 μg m^?3) at both industrial and residential sites. Seasonal variations of PM_2.5 showed a clear trend of winter?>?autumn?>?spring?>?summer at both sites. The total concentrations of 16 PM_2.5-associated PAHs ranged from 61?±?51 to 431?±?281 and 38?±?25 to 254?±?189 ng m^?3, with mean value of 176?±?233 and 111?±?146 ng m^?3 at industry and residential sites, respectively. The major species were fluoranthene, pyrene, chrysene, benzo[b]fluoranthene and benzo[k]fluoranthene, and the concentration levels of PAHs in PM_2.5 were higher in winter than those of other seasons at both sites. The annual mean values of toxicity equivalency concentrations of ∑₁₆PAHs in PM_2.5 were 22.8 and 13.5 ng m^?3 in industry and residential area, respectively. In this study, the risk level of adult citizens through inhalation exposure to PAHs was calculated. The average estimates of lifetime inhalation cancer risks were approximately 8.9?×?10^?7 and 6.3?×?10^?7 for industry and residential sites, respectively. The main sources of 16 PAHs from both diagnostic ratios and principle component analysis identified as vehicular emissions and coal combustion.     

Residues and dissipation of trifloxystrobin and its metabolite in tomatoes and soil

A simple residue analytical method using the quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) procedure for the determination of trifloxystrobin and its metabolite trifloxystrobin acid (CGA321113) in tomato and soil was developed using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). The limits of detection were 0.0005 mg/kg for trifloxystrobin and 0.001 mg/kg for trifloxystrobin acid, respectively. The average recoveries in tomato and soil ranged from 73–99 % for trifloxystrobin and 75–109 % for trifloxystrobin acid, with relative standard deviations below 15 %. The method was then used to study the dissipation and residues in tomato and soil. The dissipation half-lives of trifloxystrobin in tomato were 2.9 days (Beijing) and 5.4 days (Shandong), while in soil were 1.9 days (Beijing) and 3.0 days (Shandong), respectively. The final results showed that the major residue compound was trifloxystrobin in tomato whereas it was its metabolite, trifloxystrobin acid, in soil. The final residues of total trifloxystrobin (including trifloxystrobin acid) were below the EU maximum residue limit of 0.5 mg kg^?1 in tomato 3 days after the treatment.     

Insecticide residues in soil and water in coastal areas of vegetable production in Togo

Some common organochlorine, organophosphorus and pyrethroid insecticides were analysed in agricultural soil samples (n?=?35) and surface water and groundwater samples (n?=?25) collected from coastal areas of vegetable production in Togo. Analytical methods included solvent extraction of the insecticide residues and their subsequent quantification using GC-ECD. δ-HCH, heptachlor epoxide, 4,4-DDE, endosulphan (α, β and sulphate), lambda-cyalothrin and chlorpyrifos were found in the soil samples with concentrations that varied from non-detectable (ND) to 26.93 μg kg^?1 dry weight. For water samples, heptachlor epoxide, 2,4-DDD, 4,4-DDD, 4,4-DDE and endosulphan (α, β, and sulphate) were found at contamination levels that varied from ND to 0.116 μg L^?1. The concentration of insecticide residues detected in the water samples was below the limits set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and also by the European Union (EU), with the exception of the concentration of endosulphan sulphate at the Aného site, which was 0.116 μg L^?1.     

Persistence and risk assessment of spiromesifen on tomato in India: a multilocational study

Supervised field trials were conducted at four different agro-climatic locations of India to evaluate the dissipation pattern and risk assessment of spiromesifen on tomato. Spiromesifen 240 SC was sprayed on tomato at 150 and 300 g a.i.?ha^?1. Samples of tomato fruits were drawn at 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 10 and 15 days after treatment and soil at 15 days after treatment. Quantification of residues was done on gas chromatograph–mass spectrophotometer in selective ion monitoring mode in the mass range of 271–274 (m/z). The limit of quantification of the method was found to be 0.05 mg kg^?1, while the limit of determination was 0.015 mg kg^?1. Residues were found below the LOQ of 0.05 mg kg^?1 in 10 days at both the doses of application at all the locations. Spiromesifen dissipated with a half-life of 0.93–1.38 days at the recommended rate of application and 1.04–1.34 days at the double the rate of application. Residues of spiromesifen in soil were detectable level (<0.05 mg kg^?1) after 15 days of treatment. A preharvest interval (PHI) of 1 day has been recommended on tomato on the basis of data generated under All India Network Project on Pesticide Residues. Spiromesifen 240 SC has been registered for its use on tomato by Central Insecticide Board and Registration Committee, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India. The maximum residue limit (MRL) of spiromesifen on tomato has been fixed by Food Safety Standard Authority of India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India as 0.3 μg/g after its risk assessment.     

Simultaneous determination of insecticide fipronil and its metabolites in maize and soil by gas chromatography with electron capture detection

An integrated method for the simultaneous determination of insecticide fipronil and its three metabolites, desulfinyl, sulfide, and sulfone, in maize grain, maize stem, and soil was developed. This three-step method uses liquid–solid extraction with ultrasound or mechanical grinding, followed by liquid–liquid partitioning and florisil solid-phase extraction (SPE) for cleanup. The quantification was conducted by gas chromatography–electron capture detection in triplicate for each sample. The method was validated with five replicates at three fortification concentrations, 0.002, 0.01, and 0.1 mg kg^?1, in each matrix and gave mean recoveries from 83 to 106 % with relative standard deviation ≤8.9 %. The limits of quantification (LOQ) were 0.002 mg kg^?1 for the compounds in all matrixes. In the field study in Beijing and Shandong 2012, fipronil-coated maize seeds were planted and the proposed method was applied for checking the possible existence of four compounds in maize and soil samples, but none of them contained residues higher than the LOQs in both application rates. Moreover, the dissipation of fipronil in soil fits first-order kinetics with half-lives 9.90 and 10.34 days in Beijing and Shandong, respectively. Combined with an adequate sample treatment, this technique offers good sensitivity and selectivity in the three complex matrixes. The results could provide guidance for the further research on pesticide distribution and safe use of fipronil as seed coat in cereals.     

Determination of organochlorine pesticide concentrations in flathead mullet (Mugil cephalus) caught from the western Black Sea coast of Turkey

The objective of this study was to determine the levels of 14 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in flathead mullet (Mugil cephalus) caught from the western Black Sea coast of Turkey. The fish samples were caught from five different locations of the western Black Sea coast of Turkey in August 2009. Organochlorine pesticides were extracted from the liver tissues, and then the levels of OCPs were measured using gas chromatography with an electron capture detector. Organochlorine pesticides were detected in all locations. The levels of total OCPs in fish samples ranged between 0.224 and 1.103 μg g^?1 dry weight in the western Black Sea coast of Turkey. DDT, beta-HCH, and endosulfan I were the dominant OCPs in the fish samples. The levels of DDT in fish samples ranged between 0.081 and 0.186 μg g^?1 dry weight. The levels of total HCH in fish samples ranged between 0.007 and 0.376 μg g^?1 dry weight in the western Black Sea coast of Turkey. Although the usage of OCPs was banned in Turkey, the results of this study clearly indicated the presence of OCPs in the western Black Sea coast of Turkey and exposure of living organisms to these chemicals.     

Monitoring and measurement of microalgae using the first derivative of absorbance and comparison with chlorophyll extraction method

Monitoring of microalgae in water supplies and industrial applications are becoming increasingly important, yet there are few options available that are simple and accurate, and can provide real-time information. The present work illustrates a new method to determine the concentration of microalgae in water and wastewater using spectrophotometry and the first derivative of absorbance. Chlorella vulgaris was used as an indicator microalga, spiked in water samples representing a range of water qualities (distilled water, surface water, and wastewater), and correlations among C. vulgaris concentrations, absorbance, and the first derivative of absorbance measurements were investigated. In addition, detection limits were established and sensitivity analyses were carried out to determine the lowest C. vulgaris concentrations that can be confidently measured in different water matrices. Finally, the study compared the performance and detection limits of the spectrophotometry-based methods with the well-accepted chlorophyll extraction method. A strong linear relationship (R²?>?0.97) was found between C. vulgaris concentration and absorbance at 695 nm. Using the first derivative of absorbance improved C. vulgaris detection limits by reducing the effects of the background noise and interferences from other substances. The detection limits established using the first derivative method were 0.47, 0.56, and 1.96 mg TVS/L in distilled water, surface water, and wastewater, respectively. In comparison, the detection limits of the chlorophyll extraction method were found to be 19.6, 38.6, and 48.3 mg TVS/L in the same water matrices. These results indicate that first derivative of absorbance can be successfully used for monitoring of microalgae in surface waters and environmental samples as well as in bioreactors used for microalgae cultivation in industrial applications.     

Effect of citric acid on metals mobility in pruning wastes and biosolids compost and metals uptake in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Atriplex halimus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rosmarinus officinalis</Emphasis>

To assess metal mobility in pruning waste and biosolids compost (pH?6.9 and total concentration of metals in milligram per kilogram of Cd 1.9, Cu 132, Fe 8,513, Mn 192, Pb 81, and Zn 313), shrubs species Atriplex halimus and Rosmarinus officinalis were transplanted in this substrate and irrigated with citric acid (4 g?L^?1, pH?2.9) and nutrient solution daily for 60 days. Citric acid significantly increased the concentrations of soluble Mn and Fe in the nutrient substrate solution measured by suction probes, while other metals did not vary in concentration (Cu and Zn) or were not observed at detectable levels (Cd and Pb). In plants, citric acid significantly increased the concentrations of Cu (2.7?±?0.1–3.3?±?0.1 mg?kg^?1), Fe (49.2?±?5.2–76.8?±?6.8 mg?kg^?1), and Mn (7.2?±?1.1–11.4?±?0.7 mg?kg^?1) in leaves of R. officinalis, whereas the concentration of only Mn (25.4?±?0.3–42.2?±?2.9 mg?kg^?1) was increased in A. halimus. Increasing Fe and Mn solubility by citric acid addition indicates the possibility of using it to improve plant nutrition. The mobility of metals in this substrate was influenced for the concentration of the metal, the degree of humification of organic matter and its high Fe content.     

Dissipation and residues determination of propamocarb in ginseng and soil by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry

Two-year field trials were performed at two experimental sites to investigate dissipation and terminal residues of propamocarb in ginseng root, stem, leaf, and soil by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). Mean recoveries ranged from 80.5 to 95.6 % with relative standard deviations (RSDs) of 5.5–9.1 % at fortified levels of 0.01, 0.02, 0.05 and 0.20 mg kg^?1. The half-lives of propamocarb were 5.00–11.36 days in root, 5.07–11.46 days in stem, 6.83–11.31 days in leaf and 6.44–8.43 days in soil. The terminal residues of propamocarb were below the maximum residue limits (MRLs) of EU (0.20 mg kg^?1) and South Korea (0.50 mg kg^?1 in fresh ginseng and 1.0 mg kg^?1 in dried ginseng) over 28 days after last spraying at recommended dosage. The results provide a quantitative basis for establishing the MRL and give a suggestion of safe and reasonable use of propamocarb in ginseng.     

Cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit analysis of BMPs in controlling agricultural nonpoint source pollution in China based on the SWAT model

Best management practices (BMPs) have been widely used in managing agricultural nonpoint source pollution (ANSP) at the watershed level. Most BMPs are related to land use, tillage management, and fertilizer levels. In total, seven BMP scenarios (Reforest1, Reforest2, No Tillage, Contour tillage, and fertilizer level 1–4) that are related to these three factors were estimated in this study. The objectives were to investigate the effectiveness and cost-benefit of these BMPs on ANSP reduction in a large tributary of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) in China, which are based on the simulation results of the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model. The results indicated that reforestation was the most economically efficient of all BMPs, and its net benefits were up to CNY 4.36×10⁷ years^?1 (about USD 7.08×10⁶ years^?1). Regarding tillage practices, no tillage practice was more environmentally friendly than other tillage practices, and contour tillage was more economically efficient. Reducing the local fertilizer level to 0.8-fold less than that of 2010 can yield a satisfactory environmental and economic efficiency. Reforestation and fertilizer management were more effective in reducing total phosphorus (TP), whereas tillage management was more effective in reducing total nitrogen (TN). When CNY 10,000 (about USD 162) was applied to reforestation, no tillage, contour tillage, and an 0.8-fold reduction in the fertilizer level, then annual TN load can be reduced by 0.08, 0.16, 0.11, and 0.04 t and annual TP load can be reduced by 0.04, 0.02, 0.01 and 0.03 t, respectively. The cost-benefit (CB) ratios of the BMPs were as follows: reforestation (207 %) > contour tillage (129 %) > no tillage (114 %) > fertilizer management (96 and 89 %). The most economical and effective BMPs can be designated as follows: BMP1 (returning arable land with slopes greater than 25° to forests and those lands with slopes of 15–25° to orchards), BMP2 (implementing no tillage on arable land with slopes less than 15°), and BMP5 (0.8-fold less than that of 2010).     

Specific absorption and backscattering coefficients of the main water constituents in Poyang Lake, China

Obtaining and analyzing the specific inherent optical properties (SIOPs) of water bodies is necessary for bio-optical model development and remote sensing-based water quality retrievals and, further, for related ecological studies of aquatic ecosystems. This study aimed to measure and analyze the specific absorption and backscattering coefficients of the main water constituents in Poyang Lake, China. The specific absorption and/or backscattering coefficients of the main water constituents at 85 sampling sites (47 in 2010 and 38 in 2011) were measured and analyzed as follows: (1) the concentrations of chlorophyll a (C _CHL), suspended particulate matter (C _SPM) (including suspended particulate inorganic matter (C _SPIM) and suspended particulate organic matter (C _SPOM)), and the absorption coefficients of total particulate (a _p), phytoplankton (a _ph), and non-pigment particulate (a _d) were measured in the laboratory; (2) the total backscattering coefficients at six wavelengths of 420, 442, 470, 510, 590, and 700 nm, including the contribution of pure water, were measured in the field with a HydroScat-6 backscattering sensor, and the backscattering coefficients without the contribution of pure water (b _b) were then derived by subtracting the backscattering coefficients of pure water from the total backscattering coefficients; (3) the specific absorption coefficients of total particulate ( $ a_{\mathrm{p}}^{ * } $ ), phytoplankton ( $ {a_{{\mathrm{ph}}}}^{ * } $ ), and non-pigment particulate ( $ a_{\mathrm{d}}^{ * } $ ) were calculated by dividing a _p, a _ph, and a _d by C _SPM, C _CHL, and C _SPIM, respectively, while the specific backscattering coefficients of total suspended particulate matter ( $ b_{\mathrm{b}}^{ * } $ ) were calculated by dividing b _b by C _SPM; and (4) the $ {a_{{\mathrm{ph}}}}^{ * } $ , $ a_{\mathrm{d}}^{ * } $ , $ a_{\mathrm{p}}^{ * } $ and $ b_{\mathrm{b}}^{ * } $ of the remaining samples (46 in 2010 and 36 in 2011) were visualized and analyzed, and their relations to C _CHL, C _SPIM or C _SPM were studied, respectively. The main results are summarized as follows: (1) the $ {a_{{\mathrm{ph}}}}^{ * } $ values at 440 nm were 0.0367–0.7203 m²?mg^?1 with a mean of 0.1623?±?0.1426 m²?mg^?1 in 2010 and 0.0319–0.7735 m²?mg^?1 with a mean of 0.3145?±?0.1961 m²?mg^?1 in 2011; there existed significant, negative, and moderate correlations between $ {a_{{\mathrm{ph}}}}^{ * } $ and C _CHL at 400–700 nm in 2010 and 2011 (p?<?0.05); (2) The $ a_{\mathrm{d}}^{ * } $ values at 440 nm were 0.0672–0.2043 m²?g^?1 with a mean of 0.1022?±?0.0326 m²?g^?1 in 2010 and 0.0559–0.1347 m²?g^?1 with a mean of 0.0953?±?0.0196 m²?g^?1 in 2011; there existed negative correlations between $ a_{\mathrm{d}}^{ * } $ and C _SPIM, while the correlations showed overall decreasing and increasing trends before and after around 575 nm with increasing wavelengths, respectively; (3) The $ a_{\mathrm{p}}^{ * } $ values at 440 nm were 0.0690–0.1929 m²?g^?1 with a mean of 0.1036?±?0.0298 m²?g^?1 in 2010 and 0.0571–0.1321 m²?g^?1 with a mean of 0.1014?±?0.0191 m²?g^?1 in 2011, and the negative correlations between $ a_{\mathrm{p}}^{ * } $ and C _SPM were found in both years; (4) The $ b_{\mathrm{b}}^{ * } $ at the six wavelengths generally decreased with increasing wavelengths, while the $ b_{\mathrm{b}}^{ * } $ values at 420 nm were lower than those at 442 nm for some samples; the correlation between $ b_{\mathrm{b}}^{ * } $ and C _SPM increased with increasing wavelength. Such results can only represent the SIOPs during the sampling time periods, and more measurements and analyses considering different seasons need to be carried out in the future to comprehensively understand the SIOPs of Poyang Lake.     

Dissipation pattern and risk quotients assessment of amisulbrom in Korean melon cultivated in plastic house conditions

Amisulbrom formulated as suspension concentrate was applied at the rate recommended for Korean melon to determine the dissipation pattern (at two different sites), the pre-harvest residue limit (PHRL), and risk assessments. Samples collected over 10 days were extracted using liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) and cleaned up with solid-phase extraction (SPE) Florisil cartridge. Residual concentrations were determined using liquid chromatography-ultraviolet detector (LC-UVD) and confirmed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The standard showed good instrument response linearity with a correlation coefficient (R ²) = 0.9999, and the recovery ranged from 87.5 to 93.7%. The dissipation half-life calculated from two different sites were found to be 7.0 and 8.8 days for sites 1 and 2, respectively. A PHRL graph constructed from the data indicated that if the residue levels were less than 0.55–0.59 mg/kg 3 days before harvest or less than 0.61–0.74 mg/kg 7 days before harvest, then they would be lower than the maximum residue limits (MRLs) at harvest. Risk assessments showed that the risk quotient (RQ) was 4.39–3.47% at 0 day, declined to 1.53–1.63% at 10 days. Therefore, the current data indicate that the amisulbrom can be applied safely to Korean melon; hence, it is unlikely to induce adverse health effects in consumers.     

Pharmaceuticals as emerging organic contaminants in Umgeni River water system,KwaZulu-Natal,South Africa

The occurrences of pharmaceuticals and personal care products as emerging organic contaminants (EOCs) have been reported in several countries of the world except from African countries. This study was therefore conducted to investigate the occurrence of nine antibiotics, five antipyretics, atenolol, bezafibrate, and caffeine in wastewater and surface water samples from the Umgeni River. The water samples were extracted with solid-phase extraction using hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) and C-18 cartridges for the acidic and neutral drugs, respectively. The quantification was carried out with high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) using the standard addition method. The method limits of detections were in the range of 0.14–0.97 μg/L while the recoveries were between 53.8 and 108.1 %. The wastewater had 100 % occurrence of the analytes studied, with caffeine having the highest concentration at 61?±?5 μg/L and nalidixic acid being the most observed antibiotic at 31?±?3 μg/L. The waste treatment process reduced the influent concentrations by 43.0–94.2 % before discharge except for atenolol removal that is lower. The concentrations of the analytes were lower in the surface water with most compounds having concentrations below 10 μg/L except acetaminophen and atenolol. The estuary mouth and Blue Lagoon had the highest concentrations of some of the compounds in surface water which depict downstream load. The factors governing the fate and mobility of these compounds in this environment are not fully understood yet and will require further studies.     

Mapping aboveground woody biomass using forest inventory,remote sensing and geostatistical techniques

Mapping forest biomass is fundamental for estimating CO₂ emissions, and planning and monitoring of forests and ecosystem productivity. The present study attempted to map aboveground woody biomass (AGWB) integrating forest inventory, remote sensing and geostatistical techniques, viz., direct radiometric relationships (DRR), k-nearest neighbours (k-NN) and cokriging (CoK) and to evaluate their accuracy. A part of the Timli Forest Range of Kalsi Soil and Water Conservation Division, Uttarakhand, India was selected for the present study. Stratified random sampling was used to collect biophysical data from 36 sample plots of 0.1 ha (31.62 m?×?31.62 m) size. Species-specific volumetric equations were used for calculating volume and multiplied by specific gravity to get biomass. Three forest-type density classes, viz. 10–40, 40–70 and >70 % of Shorea robusta forest and four non-forest classes were delineated using on-screen visual interpretation of IRS P6 LISS-III data of December 2012. The volume in different strata of forest-type density ranged from 189.84 to 484.36 m³ ha^?1. The total growing stock of the forest was found to be 2,024,652.88 m³. The AGWB ranged from 143 to 421 Mgha^?1. Spectral bands and vegetation indices were used as independent variables and biomass as dependent variable for DRR, k-NN and CoK. After validation and comparison, k-NN method of Mahalanobis distance (root mean square error (RMSE)?=?42.25 Mgha^?1) was found to be the best method followed by fuzzy distance and Euclidean distance with RMSE of 44.23 and 45.13 Mgha^?1 respectively. DRR was found to be the least accurate method with RMSE of 67.17 Mgha^?1. The study highlighted the potential of integrating of forest inventory, remote sensing and geostatistical techniques for forest biomass mapping.     

Solid phase extraction and determination of Cr(III) by spectrophotometry using cefaclor as a complexing reagent and FAAS

The present study reports on the application of modified groundnut shell as a new, easily prepared, and stable sorbent for the extraction of trace amount of Cr(III) in aqueous solution. 2-Hydroxybenzaldiminoglycine was immobilized on groundnut shells in alkaline medium and then used as a solid phase for the column preconcentration of Cr(III). The elution was carried out with 3 mL of 2 mol?L^?1 HCl. The amount of eluted Cr(III) was determined by spectrophotometry using cefaclor as a complexing reagent and by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). Different experimental variables such as pH, amount of solid sorbent, volume and concentration of eluent, sample and eluent flow rate, and interference of other metal ions on the retention of Cr(III) were studied. Under the optimized conditions, the calibration curves were found to be linear over the concentration range of 13–104 and 10–75 μg?L^?1 with a detection limit of 3.64 and 1.24 μg?L^?1 for spectrophotometric method and FAAS, respectively. An enrichment factor of 200 and RSD of ±1.19–1.49 % for five successive determinations of 25 μg?L^?1 were achieved. The column preconcentration was successfully applied to the analysis of tap water and underground water samples.