Adaptation of a four-arm olfactometer for behavioural bioassays of large beetles

Summary. We adapted a four-arm olfactometer (55 × 55 × 5.5 cm) for bioassays of large insects and its usefulness was evaluated by testing the responses of three beetles, the palm weevil Rhynchophorus palmarum (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidea) and two Dynast scarabs Strategus aloeus (L.) and Oryctes rhinoceros (L.) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) to plant odours and aggregation pheromones. This olfactometer was coupled to a volatile delivery system dispensing highly volatile semiochemicals at constant concentrations. We materialized airflows in the olfactometer by discolouring sensitive papers with acid vapours under various conditions (air straighten by stainless steel grids in inputs and output, 500 ml/min per arm) to visualize air turbulence and to test air-tightness. The volatile delivery system can be used to mix and dispense a broad range of concentrations of semiochemicals in air from diluted aqueous solutions. It was calibrated by measuring the release of the pheromone using solid phase-microextraction (SPME). Dose-response curves to synthetic pheromone were obtained for O. rhinoceros of both sexes. Coupling the volatile delivery system to the fourarm olfactometer provided a system with which the responses of R. palmarum and S. aloeus to their synthetic aggregation pheromones and to natural plant volatiles could be readily observed and studied.     

广州地区大气中挥发性有机物的污染状况

研究了广州市不同功能区VOCs的污染状况，以及广州地区外围主导风向通道上大气环境中臭氧前体物的种类和浓度分布，初步探讨了广州地区光化学污染来源。     

Aphid alarm pheromone (E)-β-farnesene: A host finding kairomone for the aphid primary parasitoidAphidius uzbekistanicus (Hymenoptera: Aphidiinae)

Summary The present study aimed to test the possible function of the aphid alarm pheromone (E)--farnesene (EBF) as a host finding kairomone for aphid primary parasitoids. Extracts of volatile emissions of undisturbed aphids and of aphids under parasitoid attack were obtained by air entrainment. Extracts of cornicle secretions were gained by disturbing aphids and taking their secretions into solution. Extracts were compared by gas chromatography. Only air entrainments of aphids under attack and solvent extracts of cornicle secretions contained the alarm pheromone. In Y-tube olfactometer bioassays, femaleA. uzbekistanicus were attracted to aphid groups under attack of parasitoids, presumably by released EBF. High concentrations of synthetic EBF (1.4 µg to 5.7 µg) also attractedA. uzbekistanicus females. Females with oviposition experience reacted more readily to lower concentrations of EBF than females without experience. In experiments designed as Petri-dish bioassays, the test animals could contact filter paper discs that were treated with solutions containing EBF. Behavioural effects like antennation or stinging attack were not observed. With computer video analysis of parasitoid movements, some effects onA. uzbekistanicus behaviour were detected, again indicating attraction to EBF.As the volatile aphid alarm pheromone attractedA. uzbekistanicus females, it can be concluded that this chemical stimulus acts as a host finding kairomone for this parasitoid species. However, its effect over long distances seems to be limited due to the relatively high concentrations required for reactions. Of two other parasitoid species examined (P. volucre andL. testaceipes) onlyP. volucre was also significantly attracted to the volatile EBF in the Y-tube olfactometer.     

Planning for the monitoring of pollutants from non‐stationary combustion sources†

The most important constituents of traffic exhaust are carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, polycyclic hydrocarbons and lead. Satisfactory analytical methods are available for measuring these compounds, but the required expenditure in their application to air pollution studies is quite different. Due to correlations between the concentrations of several exhaust components in road air conclusions regarding the expected level of some substances can be drawn by measurement of another emitted compound. But the selection of indicator compounds must be made under the aspect of the source‐specific relationship of emitted substances. The temporal and spatial distribution of air pollutants in street air is affected by traffic emissions more than by meteorological conditions. “Fingerprints”; of typical organic gaseous components of traffic exhaust also were found in residential areas.     

南京市大气中挥发性有机物污染的研究

1　IntroductionVolatileorganiccompounds (VOCs)areimportantairpollutantsintheurbanatmosphere .SomeVOCsaretoxicandpotentiallycarcinogenic.ExposuretoVOCsisofconcernasitmayresultinsignificantrisktohumanhealth .AmbientVOCsareemittedfromvariousurban ,industrial…     

Deep eutectic solvents as green absorbents of volatile organic pollutants

Volatile organic compounds are a major source of air pollutants. Absorption is an effective solution to treat polluted air loaded with volatile organic compounds, but most actual absorbents are often toxic and non-biodegradable. Here, we tested eutectic solvent mixtures for the absorption of volatile organic compounds for the first time. The affinity of solvent mixtures for toluene, acetaldehyde and dichloromethane was determined by measuring vapour–liquid partition coefficients and liquid phase absorption capacities. Results show that the vapour–liquid partition coefficients vary, at 30 °C, from close to zero for acetaldehyde in the mixtures choline chloride:urea, choline chloride:glycerol and tetrabutylphosphonium bromide:glycerol to 0.124 for dichloromethane in the choline chloride:urea eutectic mixture. These values are similar or even superior to those published for ionic liquids and organic solvents. Solvents based on choline chloride, a food additive, and urea, can solubilize up to 500 times more volatile organic compounds compare to water. Moreover, deep eutectic solvents are easier to prepare and more biodegradable than ionic liquids, which are also toxic. Deep eutectic solvents are more biodegradable than silicone oils, which are also expensive. Furthermore, in terms of recycling, the absorption capacities of the tested solvents remained unchanged during five absorption–desorption cycles. These findings are patented.     

Source apportionment and ozone formation potential of volatile organic compounds in Lagos (Nigeria)

Concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of the city air in Oba Akran road, Lagos were investigated. The chlorinated VOCs and xylene in Oba Akran were high. The average benzene/toluene ratio in Oba Akran was 1.7 suggesting that vehicular emission was a possible VOC source in most areas of Oba Akran. The toluene/(m+p-xylene) ratio also suggests a common source of toluene and xylene at these sites, presumably organic solvent used by industries located at Oba Akran. Our results showed that 7.10 tons of CO ₂ equivalents of VOCs are being emitted per year from Oba Akran. Xylenes were found to be the largest contributor to the ozone formation followed by trichloroethylene. A multivariate statistical analysis (Factor analysis extracted with Principal Component Analysis) has been applied to a set of data, and it was found that the main principal components, extracted from the air VOC pollution data, were related to gasoline and oil combustion/industrial activities.     

空气清新剂中挥发性有机物的组成及其对室内空气质量的潜在影响

研究调查了广州市各大型超市销售的14个品牌,15种不同香型,共26个盒装空气清新剂中挥发性有机物（VOCs）的成分.通过顶空GC-MS分析获得的结果可以看出各个空气清新剂的成分组成差别较大,即使是相同香型的产品,其中的化合物种类和百分比浓度都不尽相同.定性出94种化合物,包括烯烃18种,醇类15种,醛类14种,酮类4种,醚类5种,酚类1种,酯类25种及其它化合物12种,其中萜类化合物约占总化合物数量的40%.β-月桂烯、罗勒烯、苧烯、苯乙醇、乙酸苄酯、β-蒎烯、β-水芹烯、伞花烃、1-甲基-4-（1-甲基乙烯基）苯、里拉醇等化合物在各种清新剂中出现频率为100%.空气清新剂中萜类化合物与臭氧反应,可生成二次有机气溶胶,对室内空气质量造成影响.     

垃圾转运站空气中挥发性有机化合物分析

通过对垃圾转运站空气样品进行分析,共检出主要挥发性有机化合物43种。其中国家《恶臭污染物排放标准》控制污染物有4种,它们的含量相对较低,但波动范围较大;USEPA优先控制污染物有5种,虽然种类不多,但检出率较高,因此不应忽视其对环境的影响。     

加拿大蓬挥发油经不同载体对蚕豆根尖的细胞毒性

采用悬空气法和土培法,研究了加拿大蓬（Erigeron canadensis L.）挥发油对蚕豆（Vacia faba L.）根尖细胞经不同载体的细胞毒性。结果表明：加拿大蓬挥发油对蚕豆根尖细胞的有丝分裂没有显著的影响,但显著抑制了幼根的生长,使根尖细胞产生了多种类型的染色体畸变,导致微核率升高。综合分析表明,加拿大蓬挥发油经土壤载体的化感作用大于经空气载体的化感作用,推测可能是土壤对挥发油的滞留作用增大了化感效应。     

Indoor air quality in elementary schools of Lisbon in spring

Analysis of indoor air quality (IAQ) in schools usually reveals higher levels of pollutants than in outdoor environments. The aims of this study are to measure indoor and outdoor concentrations of NO₂, speciated volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and carbonyls at 14 elementary schools in Lisbon, Portugal. The investigation was carried out in May–June 2009. Three of the schools were selected to also measure comfort parameters, such as temperature and relative humidity, carbon dioxide (CO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), total VOCs, and bacterial and fungal colony-forming units per cubic metre. Indoor concentrations of CO₂ in the three main schools indicated inadequate classroom air exchange rates. The indoor/outdoor (I/O) NO₂ ratio ranged between 0.36 and 0.95. At the three main schools, the total bacterial and fungal colony-forming units (CFU) in both indoor and outdoor air were above the advised maximum value of 500 CFU/m³ defined by Portuguese legislation. The aromatic compounds benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes, followed by ethers, alcohols and terpenes, were usually the most abundant classes of VOCs. In general, the indoor total VOC concentrations were markedly higher than those observed outdoors. At all locations, indoor aldehyde levels were higher than those observed outdoors, particularly for formaldehyde. The inadequate ventilation observed likely favours accumulation of pollutants with additional indoor sources.     

两种常见植物净化室内空气的效果

为探讨家居植物对甲醛的吸收能力和对改善室内空气质量的效果,将库拉索芦荟（Aloevera）和虎尾兰（Sansevieria trifasciata）两种植物放置于相对封闭的环境中,进行16d的甲醛暴露实验。结果表明,虎尾兰的甲醛耐受性高于库拉索芦荟,在整个实验过程中都保持良好的生长状态,具有持续的甲醛去除能力（去除率达...     

牡丹皮、川芎和石菖蒲挥发油提取工艺研究

目的确定牡丹皮、川芎和石菖蒲挥发油最适宜的提取工艺方法．方法用共水回流冷凝法研究了三种药材混合提取及分开提取挥发油的工艺方法,以挥发油的重量为指标来评价提取工艺．结果混合提取及分开提取所获得的挥发油的重量,经统计学分析无显著性差异（P〉0．05）．结论共水回流冷凝法混合提取牡丹皮、川芎和石菖蒲挥发油的工艺可行、简便,适合工业化大生产．表5,参3     

Influence of simulated tidal cycles on aromatic hydrocarbon uptake and elimination by the shore crab Hemigrapsus nudus

Specimens of the intertidal crab Hemigrapsus nudus (Dana, 1851) were collected near Sitka, Alaska, in 1983, and were used in laboratory experiments to determine the influence of periodic exposure to air on the toxicity, uptake, and elimination of two aromatic hydrocarbons, toluene and naphthalene. Three tidal cycles were simulated; i.e., crabs spent 0, 33, or 66% of the time in air and the remainder of the time in toxicant or seawater solutions. Naphthalene was 10 to 20 times more toxic than toluene: naphthalene caused locomotory impairment or killed the crabs more rapidly and at concentrations lower than those of toluene. In tissues, naphthalene was accumulated faster and to higher concentrations than was toluene. Exposure to air 66% of the time reduced mortality as well as the rate at which toluene and naphthalene were accumulated and lost. Crabs exposed to air had significantly higher respiration rates than those submerged in seawater; thus, reduced rates of accumulation and loss of hydrocarbons were not caused by general metabolic quiescence. Exposure to air reduced the time the crabs were in contact with water-borne hydrocarbons and, therefore, reduced toxicity of the hydrocarbons. Once crabs had accumulated the toxicants, however, elimination was hindered by exposure to air, even for the somewhat volatile compound toluene.     

Characteristics of major volatile organic hazardous air pollutants in the urban air of Kaohsiung city

The concentrations and characteristics of volatile organic hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) in the urban city of Kaohsiung from motor vehicles and dense pollutant sources has become a national concern. To continuously monitor volatile organic HAPs, sampling sites were selected near the four air-quality monitoring stations established by Ethe nvironmental Protection Administration of Taiwan ROC, namely Nan-tz, Tso-ying, San-min and Hsiao-kang, from north to south. An on-site automated online monitor of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) was used for continuous monitoring. This study performed two consecutive days of 24-h monitoring of five volatile organic HAPs form August to October 2005 at the four monitoring sites, which cover the northern, central, and southern areas of Kaohsiung city. The average monitored concentration was 2.78–4.84 ppb for benzene, 5.90–9.66 ppb for toluene, 3.62–5.90 ppb for ethylbenzene, 3.73–5.34 ppb for m,p-xylene, 3.38–4.22 ppb for o-xylene, and 4.48–7.00 ppb for styrene. The average monitored concentrations of the major volatile organic HAPs tended to follow the pattern San-min > Nan-tz > Hsiao-kang > Tso-ying. Among all the species monitored in this study, toluene had the highest ambient concentration, followed by styrene, m,p-xylene, ethylbenzene, o-xylene, and benzene. The results showed that the concentration at night was higher than that in the day for toluene at Nan-tz, San-min, Hsiao-kang, and for benzene at Nan-tz and Hsiao-kang.     

Design and mechanism of photocatalytic oxidation for the removal of air pollutants: a review

Environmental Chemistry Letters - Nitric oxide, ammonia and volatile organic compounds are common air pollutants which need to be removed for health security. To reach ultra-low emission standards,...     

CuO/zeolite catalyzed oxidation of gaseous toluene under microwave heating

The development of a combined process of catalytic oxidation and microwave heating for treatment of toluene waste gas was described in this work. Toluene, a typical toxic volatile organic compound, was oxidized through a fixed bed reaction chamber containing zeolite-supported copper oxide (CuO/zeolite) catalyst mixed with silicon carbide (SiC), an excellent microwave-absorbing material. The target compound was efficiently degraded on the surface of the catalyst at high reaction temperature achieved by microwave-heated SiC. A set of experimental parameters, such as microwave power, air flow and the loading size of CuO etc., were investigated, respectively. The study demonstrated these parameters had critical impact on toluene degradation. Under optimal condition, 92% toluene was removed by this combined process, corresponding to an 80%–90% TOC removal rate. Furthermore, the catalyst was highly stable even after eight consecutive 6-h runs. At last, a hypothetical degradation pathway of toluene was proposed based on the experimental data obtained from gas chromatography-mass spectrum and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analyses.     

VOCs、细菌及颗粒物混合暴露致小鼠学习记忆障碍机制研究

室内空气污染的现状是多种污染源共存,挥发性有机物(volatile organic compounds, VOCs)、细菌及颗粒物等是典型室内空气污染物。神经行为学毒性是室内空气污染引起的敏感毒性作用之一。为了探讨VOCs、细菌及颗粒物混合暴露对小鼠学习记忆能力的影响及机制,选用雄性昆明小鼠70只,随机分为对照(G1)和2～7(G2～G7)号染毒组。采用水迷宫和抓力仪测定小鼠的学习记忆潜伏期和抓力,染毒结束后测定全脑中活性氧(ROS)、丙二醛(MDA),神经递质谷氨酸(Glu)、乙酰胆碱(Ach)含量以及胆碱能系统的乙酰胆碱转移酶(ChAT)和乙酰胆碱酯酶(TChE)活力,同时分析脑源性神经营养因子(BDNF)、胶质细胞神经营养因子(GDNF)及神经生长因子(NGF)的水平。结果显示,第6天,G5、G6及G7小鼠的抓力、逃避潜伏期及在原平台所在象限的探索时间较对照组存在显著差异,并且伴有ROS、MDA含量的显著升高,Glu含量的显著升高,Ach含量、ChAT及TChE活力的显著降低,以及神经营养因子的显著下调(P<0.05或P<0.01)。研究结果表明,VOCs、颗粒物及细菌混合暴露能够导致小鼠学习记忆障碍,混合暴露引起的氧化损伤诱导的神经兴奋或抑制性毒性作用,以及神经营养因子沿轴突逆向传递降低或中断两方面作用导致神经递质产生和释放异常,进而引起学习记忆能力降低。     

Air quality and micro-meterological monitoring of gaseous pollutants/flame emissions from burning crude petroleum in poultry house

Air quality of gaseous emissions from crude petroleum flames and fumes were monitored in a poultry house at 10 min intervals; from 10.10am–11.10am daily for 14 days. The crude petroleum burning was simulated in a metal burner, 22.86 cm high with a diameter of 17.80 cm and a thickness of 1.27 cm designed for the purpose. The micro-climate (ambient temperature, relative humidity and light intensity) of the experimental environment (poultry houses) was recorded. Results showed that the mean gaseous pollutants emitted before and during the experiments varied within the poultry house. Gases such as sulphur dioxide (SO₂), hydrogen sulphide (H₂S), methane(CH₄) and carbon monoxide (CO) were higher in the brooding than finishing phase, while volatile organic carbon (VOC) and suspended particulate matter (SPM) levels were lower at the brooding than finishing phase. The values obtained in this study for 60 min (at 10 min intervals) are far higher than the values elucidated by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency, which are outdoor air quality measurements as compared to those in this study measured indoors.     

香港大气中有毒挥发性有机物研究

用吸附／热脱除－ＧＣ＝／ＭＳ方法研究了香港不同功能区大气中挥发笥有机物的组成。分析结果表明，香港大气中存在６０多种ＶＯＣＳ，其主要成分是苯系物，烷烃和卤代烃。在检出物中有１７种是有毒挥发性有机物，其主要成分是苯系物和氯代烃。其中氯仿，苯，甲苯，四氯乙烯，三氯乙烯和１，２－二氯乙烷是含量最高的组分。