Examination of environmental quality of raw and composting de-inking paper sludge

Paper sludges were traditionally landfilled or burned. Over the years, the use of paper sludges on soils has increased, as well as the concerns about their environmental effects. Therefore, the chemical characterization of paper sludges and their young (immature) compost needed to be investigated, and over 150 inorganic and organic chemicals were analyzed in de-inking paper sludge (DPS). In general, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents were low but variable in raw DPS and its young compost. The contents of arsenic, boron, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, manganese, mercury, molybdenum, nickel, lead, selenium, and zinc were also low and showed low variability. However, the copper contents were above the Canadian compost regulation for unrestricted use and required a follow-up. The fatty- and resin acids, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were the organic chemicals measured at the highest concentrations. For resinic acids, care should be taken to avoid that leachates reach aquatic life. For polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, naphthalene should be followed until soil content reaches 0.1 microg g(-1), the maximum allowed for soil use for agricultural purposes according to Canadian Environmental Quality Guidelines. In young compost, the concentration of these chemical families decreased over time and most compounds were below the detection limits after 24 weeks of composting. In raw DPS, among the phenol, halogenated and monoaromatic hydrocarbons, dioxin and furan, and polychlorinated biphenyl families, most compounds were below the detection limits. The raw DPS and its young compost do not represent a major threat for the environment but can require an environmental follow-up.     

Analysis of extinction in ultraviolet and visible spectra of water bodies of the Paraguay and Brazil wetlands

The extinction spectra in ultraviolet and visible radiation were analyzed using filtered and unfiltered water samples obtained in 11 open water bodies in the Neembucù (Paraguay) and Pantanal (Brazil) wetlands. The role of dissolved and suspended matter in the total extinction was analyzed between 260 nm and 700 nm. The chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) was the major component in extinction of considered ultraviolet radiation (260-400 nm). The differences in CDOM concentrations explained the main pattern of extinction of the ultraviolet radiation in the samples. Nevertheless, differences between the studied water bodies were found also to depend on the rate of photodegradation and photobleaching. The methodology developed in the present study was to distinguish "humic optic waters" according to quantity and quality of dissolved and suspended matter present. In the "humic optic water", the penetration of 10% of incident UV radiation and the photoactive layer are estimated. The influence of particulate matter increases in the total extinction of the wavelengths higher than 400 nm. The integral of the extinction curve of suspended matter in the visible wavelengths (400-700 nm) was found to relate with the total suspended solids and chlorophyll concentrations.     

Anthropogenic and natural influence on the PM(10) and PM(2.5) aerosol in Madrid (Spain). Analysis of high concentration episodes

Non-mineral carbon is the main component of PM10 and PM2.5 at an urban roadside site in Madrid accounting for more than 50% of the total bulk mass in winter pollution episodes. In these cases a 70-80% of the particle mass is anthropogenic. Particles of crustal/mineral origin contribute significantly to the observed PM10 concentrations, especially in spring and summer. They have also been found in the PM2.5 fraction although secondary particles are the next most important contributor in this size. Long-range transport particle episodes of Saharan dust significantly contribute to exceedence of the new daily limiting PM10 value in the urban network and at nearby rural background stations. This type of long-range transport event also influences PM2.5 concentrations. The crustal contribution can account for up to 67 and 53% of the PM10 and PM2.5 bulk mass in such cases.     

Estimations of real-world N2O emissions from road vehicles by means of measurements in a traffic tunnel

Ambient air measurements of N2O, NOx, CO, and HC based on grab sampling were conducted in a major traffic tunnel in Sweden, that carries up to 4,000 vehicles per hour, in order to estimate real-world emissions of N2O for road traffic. Two different methods--relative and mass balance-were used to calculate a N2O emission factor for the mixed vehicle fleet, which gave an average emission factor, at average speeds of 30-70 km/h, of approximately 25 mg N2O/ km, with a range of 7-56 mg/km.     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, black carbon, and molecular markers in soils of Switzerland

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) were analysed in 23 soil samples (0–10 cm layer) from the Swiss soil monitoring network (NABO) together with total organic carbon (TOC) and black carbon (BC) concentration, as well as some PAH source diagnostic ratios and molecular markers. The concentrations of the sum of 16 EPA priority PAHs ranged from 50 to 619 μg/kg dw. Concentrations increased from arable, permanent and pasture grassland, forest, to urban soils and were 21–89% lower than median numbers reported in the literature for similar Swiss and European soils. NABO soils contained BC in concentrations from 0.4 to 1.8 mg/g dw, except for two sites with markedly higher levels. These numbers corresponded to 1–6% of TOC and were comparable to the limited published BC data in soil and sediments obtained with comparable analytical methods. The various PAH ratios and molecular markers pointed to a domination of pyrogenically formed PAHs in Swiss soils. In concert, the gathered data suggest the following major findings: (1) gas phase PAHs (naphthalene to fluorene) were long-range transported, cold-condensated at higher altitudes, and approaching equilibrium with soil organic matter (OM); (2) (partially) particle-bound PAHs (phenanthrene to benzo[ghi]perylene) were mostly deposited regionally in urban areas, and not equilibrated with soil OM; (3) Diesel combustion appeared to be a major emission source of PAH and BC in urban areas; and (4) wood combustion might have contributed significantly to PAH burdens in some soils of remote/alpine (forest) sites.     

Detection,Quantification, and Microbial Risk Assessment of Group A Rotavirus in Rivers from Uruguay

Food and Environmental Virology - The aim of this study was to detect, quantify, and assess the risk of infection and illness for Group A Rotavirus (RVA) in the watersheds of the Santa Lucia and...