Measurement of environmental pollutants using passive sampling devices--a commentary on the current state of the art

Passive sampling devices have been used since the 1970s to measure time-weighted average (TWA) or equilibrium concentrations of pollutants in various environmental matrices (e.g. air, soils and sediments and water). In recent years the popularity of using such samplers has increased and the technology in now well established for the measurement of atmospheric pollutants. This sector has a long experience of using passive samplers in the short- and long-term assessment of air quality in the local environment and on a global scale (e.g. within the United Nations Stockholm Convention on the trans-boundary movement of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) where large networks of samplers on a continental scale have been established). In comparison, the use of passive samplers for monitoring the aquatic environment has been slower to take off. There has, however, been a recent research drive to develop devices for measuring the wide range of pollutants that can be found in environmental waters (e.g. ground, surface, and marine). It is now being recognised that passive samplers can play a valuable role in monitoring water quality within a legislative framework such as the European Union's Water Framework Directive (WFD). The data from these devices can be used alongside the results obtained from conventional spot or bottle sampling to improve risk assessments and to inform decisions on undertaking potentially expensive remedial actions. Such monitoring techniques may have uses within the European Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation & restriction of CHemicals (REACH) Directive and the forthcoming European Marine Strategy Directive. It is expected that the aquatic monitoring sector will follow a transition similar to that which occurred in air monitoring where data obtained from passive samplers can use used within a legal framework. There has also been increased interest in extending the role of passive samplers to both the measurement of equilibrium concentrations and investigating the movement and release of the dissolved fraction of various pollutants in the pore water of sediments and soils.     

Opinions of 12 to 13-year-olds in Austria and Australia on the concern,cause and imminence of climate change

Early adolescence (12–13 years old) is a critical but under-researched demographic for the formation of attitudes related to climate change. We address this important area by exploring adolescent views about climate change. This paper presents opinions collected from surveys of 463 1st-year secondary school students (12–13 years old) in public secondary schools in inner-urban centres in Austria and Australia on whether climate change is (1) something about which to worry, (2) caused by humans and (3) happening now. Eligible respondents in both countries showed similar levels of agreement that climate change was probably or definitely something we should (1) worry about (84.6% Austria, 89.1% Australia), which is significantly higher than either country’s adult population. Eligible respondents agreed that climate change probably or definitely is (2) caused by humans (75.6% Austria, 83.6% Australia) and that climate change is probably or definitely something that is (3) happening now (73.1% Austria, 87.5% Australia). Their response differed from the respective adult populations, but in opposite directions. Our results suggest that socio-cultural worldview may not have as much influence on this age group as it does on the respective adult populations and suggests that this age group would be receptive and ready for climate science education and engagement initiatives.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1007/s13280-020-01356-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

添加玉米秸秆对绿花菜尾菜堆肥植物毒性的影响

为揭示不同比例作物秸秆和蔬菜尾菜堆肥过程中种子毒性变化及其影响机理,开展了为期55 d的以玉米（Zea mays L.）秸秆为辅料,绿花菜（Brassica oleracea L.var.botrytis L.）尾菜为主料的工厂化条垛堆肥,分别设置加入高（湿重比4∶12）和低（湿重比1∶12）比例秸秆与尾菜的堆肥处理.测定了不同时期堆肥p H、电导率（EC）、可溶性有机碳（DOC）、硝氮（NO₃^--N）、氨氮（NH₄⁺-N）、碳氮比（C/N）、大白菜种子（Brassica rapa L.）的发芽指数（Germination Index,GI）、相对生长指数（Relative Growth Index,RGI）和α-淀粉酶、蛋白酶、脂肪酶的变化.结果表明,高比例秸秆堆肥处理的高温（>55℃）持续期显著高于低比例处理.堆肥结束时两个处理的堆肥均呈碱性,且EC、DOC、NH₄⁺-N和NO₃^--N含量均降低,C/N...     

Assessment of the abiotic transformation of 17β-estradiol in the presence of vegetable matter--II: the role of molecular oxygen

This study characterizes the effect of oxygen in the abiotic transformation of estrogens when they are contacted with a surrogate of the vegetable wastes found in sewage. 17β-Estradiol (E2) and 17β-¹⁴C₄-estradiol (¹⁴C-E2) were utilized as model compounds. Batch experiments were run under both oxic and anoxic conditions. In order to accomplish an accurate mass balance of the target estrogen, two analyses were performed simultaneously: first, radioactivity counting, and second, quantitation of E2 and ¹⁴C-E2, as well as their transformation product estrone and ¹⁴C₄-estrone, by Liquid Chromatography tandem Mass Spectrometry. Under oxic conditions, the total concentration of ¹⁴C-E2 was found to decrease by 78% in 72 h (15% and 7% remained in the liquid and solid phases, respectively). Conversely, when the estrogens were contacted with the synthetic influent under anoxic conditions, E2 was quantitatively recovered after 72 h (70% and 22% in aqueous and solid matrices, correspondingly). These results suggest that when the concentration of dissolved oxygen is null or limited, catalysis through an oxidative coupling mechanism is halted. Moreover, it was confirmed that the catalytic reaction occurred solely in the presence of the solid phase of the model vegetable matter.     

Characterizing Spatial Uncertainty when Integrating Social Data in Conservation Planning

Recent conservation planning studies have presented approaches for integrating spatially referenced social (SRS) data with a view to improving the feasibility of conservation action. We reviewed the growing conservation literature on SRS data, focusing on elicited or stated preferences derived through social survey methods such as choice experiments and public participation geographic information systems. Elicited SRS data includes the spatial distribution of willingness to sell, willingness to pay, willingness to act, and assessments of social and cultural values. We developed a typology for assessing elicited SRS data uncertainty which describes how social survey uncertainty propagates when projected spatially and the importance of accounting for spatial uncertainty such as scale effects and data quality. These uncertainties will propagate when elicited SRS data is integrated with biophysical data for conservation planning and may have important consequences for assessing the feasibility of conservation actions. To explore this issue further, we conducted a systematic review of the elicited SRS data literature. We found that social survey uncertainty was commonly tested for, but that these uncertainties were ignored when projected spatially. Based on these results we developed a framework which will help researchers and practitioners estimate social survey uncertainty and use these quantitative estimates to systematically address uncertainty within an analysis. This is important when using SRS data in conservation applications because decisions need to be made irrespective of data quality and well characterized uncertainty can be incorporated into decision theoretic approaches.     

Modelling spatial patterns of correlations between concentrations of heavy metals in mosses and atmospheric deposition in 2010 across Europe

Background

This paper aims to investigate the correlations between the concentrations of nine heavy metals in moss and atmospheric deposition within ecological land classes covering Europe. Additionally, it is examined to what extent the statistical relations are affected by the land use around the moss sampling sites. Based on moss data collected in 2010/2011 throughout Europe and data on total atmospheric deposition modelled by two chemical transport models (EMEP MSC-E, LOTOS-EUROS), correlation coefficients between concentrations of heavy metals in moss and in modelled atmospheric deposition were specified for spatial subsamples defined by ecological land classes of Europe (ELCE) as a spatial reference system. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and logistic regression (LR) were then used to separate moss sampling sites regarding their contribution to the strength of correlation considering the areal percentage of urban, agricultural and forestry land use around the sampling location. After verification LDA models by LR, LDA models were used to transform spatial information on the land use to maps of potential correlation levels, applicable for future network planning in the European Moss Survey.

Results

Correlations between concentrations of heavy metals in moss and in modelled atmospheric deposition were found to be specific for elements and ELCE units. Land use around the sampling sites mainly influences the correlation level. Small radiuses around the sampling sites examined (5 km) are more relevant for Cd, Cu, Ni, and Zn, while the areal percentage of urban and agricultural land use within large radiuses (75–100 km) is more relevant for As, Cr, Hg, Pb, and V. Most valid LDA models pattern with error rates of <?40% were found for As, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb, and V. Land use-dependent predictions of spatial patterns split up Europe into investigation areas revealing potentially high (=?above-average) or low (=?below-average) correlation coefficients.

Conclusions

LDA is an eligible method identifying and ranking boundary conditions of correlations between atmospheric deposition and respective concentrations of heavy metals in moss and related mapping considering the influence of the land use around moss sampling sites.

     

HERBICIDES AND DEGRADATES IN SHALLOW AQUIFERS OF ILLINOIS: SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL TRENDS1

ABSTRACT: During the fall of 2000, the occurrence was examined of 16 herbicides and 13 herbicide degradates in samples from 55 wells in shallow aquifers underlying grain producing regions of Illinois. Herbicide compounds with concentrations above 0.05 μg/L were detected in 56 percent of the samples. No concentrations exceeded regulatory drinking water standards. The six most frequently detected compounds were degradates. Water age was an important factor in determining vulnerability of ground water to transport of herbicide compounds. Unconsolidated aquifers, which were indicated to generally contain younger ground water than bedrock aquifers, had a higher occurrence of herbicides (73 percent of samples) than bedrock aquifers (22 percent). Temporal analysis to determine if changes in concentrations of selected herbicides and degradates could be observed over a near decadal period indicated a decrease in detection frequency (25 to 18 percent) between samplings in 1991 and 2000. Over this period, significant differences in concentrations were observed for atrazine (decrease) and total acetochlor (increase). The increase in acetochlor compound concentrations corresponds to an increase in acetochlor use during the study period, while the decrease in atrazine concentrations corresponds to relatively consistent use of atrazine. Changes in frequency of herbicide detection and concentration do not appear related to changes in land use near sampled wells.     

ESTIMATED CONSUMPTIVE LOSS FROM MAN-MADE SNOW1

ABSTRACT: Consumptive loss of water attributable to man-made snowmaking was estimated using an energy balance model and a mass balance procedure. Data from nine field experiments at Colorado ski areas were collected and used in these models. The mean consumptive loss using the energy balance model for the nine experiments was 6.0 percent and 5.8 percent for the mass balance model A thermodynamic relationship and a regression equation were developed to provide a procedure to estimate consumptive loss as a linear function of atmospheric temperature.