Pollutants and sperm quality: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Male fertility and semen quality have declined over recent decades. Among other causes, exposure to environmental and occupational pollution has been...     

Pro-social behaviours,waste concern and recycling behaviour in Italy at the end of the 1990s

Environmental Economics and Policy Studies - This paper examines both theoretically and empirically the link between pro-social behaviours, individual attitudes regarding waste prevention and...     

Saharan dust contribution to PM₁₀, PM₂.₅ and PM₁ in urban and suburban areas of Rome: a comparison between single-particle SEM-EDS analysis and whole-sample PIXE analysis

From February 15th to April 15th 2009, a period characterised by two episodes of Saharan dust outbreaks in Italy, particulate matter (PM) samples were collected at two stations (urban and suburban) in Rome. Some samples were selected and analysed using the SEM-EDS technique to characterise PM, focussing especially on the mineral contribution. Samples were representative both of days affected by Saharan dust episodes and days without this contribution. Cluster analysis allowed the attribution of each of about 67,000 analysed particles to one of the seven main statistical groups based on their composition. Characteristics of the particulate components identified using SEM-EDS analysis were verified by PIXE analysis carried out on filters collected in a suburban area. Ultimately, the contribution of crustal particles was revealed to be consistently high, highlighting the importance of local and regional mineral contributions, as well as those of Saharan origin. Therefore, quantifying all mineral contributions to resuspended particulate could lead to significant reductions of the PM level also on days not influenced by Saharan dust, thus limiting conditions when PM?? daily limit value (DLV) established by European legislation is exceeded.     

Analysis of Mosses and Soils for Quantifying Heavy Metal Concentrations in Sicily: A Multivariate and Spatial Analytical Approach

- DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1065/espr2006.01.006 Background The use of vegetal organisms as indicators of contamination of the environment is partially replacing traditional monitoring techniques. Amongst the vegetal organisms available, mosses appear to be good bioindicators and are used for monitoring anthropogenic and natural fall-out on soils. This study has two objectives: the evaluation of the concentrations of heavy metals in soils and mosses of the Sicily Region, in Italy and the identification of the origin of fall-out of heavy metals. Methods Mosses and the surface soil were sampled at 28 sites, only the youngest segments of Hylocomium splendens and Hypnum cupressiforme, corresponding to the plant tissues produced during the last 3 years, were taken. The elements Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn were analysed by ICP-MS and Hg by AAS. Statistical analysis was by PCA and spatial representation by GIS. Results and Discussion In the mosses sampled in Sicily, the highest concentrations of Cd were found around the cities of Palermo and Messina. The highest concentrations of Hg were recorded in the northern part of the island between Trapani and Messina, similar to the distribution of Cu. Different areas with the highest concentrations of Ni were found near the south coast, in the vicinity of Palermo and around the Volcano Etna. The highest concentrations of Pb were found in the south-west coast near Agrigento, where important chemical plants and petroleum refineries are located. Except for a few locations, Zn fall-out was found to be evenly distributed throughout Sicily. Conclusion The sites where the concentrations of heavy metals cause greatest concern have been revealed by the PCA analysis and portrayed using GIS. Also of some concern is the diffuse and anthropogenic origin of Hg and Cd. The combined approach of using soil and mosses, together with pedological interpretation and application of multivariate statistical techniques has provided valuable insight into the environmental aspects of heavy metal deposition in a region of southern Europe. Recommendations and Outlook Further insight into the deposition of heavy metals will require more detailed sampling of soils and mosses in both new and previous study areas. This needs to be complemented by detailed pedological investigations in the study areas. Future research programmes will address these issues.