Use of native mosses as biomonitors of heavy metals and nitrogen deposition in the surroundings of two steel works

A biomonitoring survey using the moss species Hypnum cupressiforme Hedw. was conducted in the surroundings of two steel plants located in the North of Spain. Levels of V, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Hg, Pb and N were determined. Very high concentrations in the areas of study were detected when compared to nearby unaffected regions. Similar trends were observed for all the elements in the differently orientated transects, showing an appreciable influence of the NW prevailing winds of the region in the dispersion of pollutants, as well as a clear decreasing gradient in the concentrations of metals in mosses within a distance of 1500 meters from the facilities. A differentiation between the elements emitted by the chimney as result of the industrial activity (V, Cr, Ni, Cu and As) and those with a high presence in steel slag deposits (Zn, Cd, Hg and Pb) was observed. The range of contamination was also established by means of the Contamination Factor, indicating a category 4 out of 6 categories, which shows the high levels reported in the areas of study. A different dynamic was registered for nitrogen regarding the rest of the heavy metals analysed except for Hg, probably due to the elevated volatility and mobility of both elements, as well as their high persistence in the atmosphere.     

A multiresidue method for the analysis of phenols and nitrophenols in the atmosphere

A method using GC-MS and derivatization with N-(t-butyldimethylsilyl)-N-methyltrifluoroacetamide (MTBSTFA) was developed for the analysis of 20 phenolic compounds in atmospheric samples (gas and particles). Air sampling was carried out using a Hi-Vol sampler with glass fibre filter and XAD-2 resin at a flow rate of 60 m(3) h(-1). The particle and gas phases were collected separately over a period of 4 h. Samples were Soxhlet extracted, evaporated to dryness under nitrogen and refilled with acetonitrile. 100 microl of these extracts were derivatized with 100 microl of MTBSTFA at 80 degrees C for 1 h under strong stirring. Phenolic compounds were injected into a GC-MS in splitless mode and quantified as their TBDMS derivatives in the SIM mode. Mass spectral analysis of the derivatives of the 20 compounds studied indicates that the spectra are highly specific showing an ion at [M - 57]+ which is useful for structure confirmation or analysis at low levels using selected ion monitoring. Quantification limits varied between 5 microg l(-1) and 10 microg l(-1) which correspond to 20 pg m(-3) and 40 pg m(-3) for 250 m(3) of air sampled. This method was successfully applied to atmospheric samples.     

The development and application of remote sensing to monitor sand dune habitats

Sand dunes are complex systems that contain several habitats, often as mosaics or transitions between types. Several of these habitats are afforded protection under European Legislation and in the UK nationally within Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Natural England has a statutory duty to report to Europe on the conservation status and condition of sand dunes; and is required to report to the UK Government on designated sites. To achieve this we have sought ways of capturing, analysing and interpreting data on the extent and location of sand dune habitats. This requires an ability to be able to obtain data over large areas of coastline in an efficient way. Natural England and Environment Agency Geomatics have worked collaboratively for over 16 years, sharing data and ecological knowledge. In 2012 work started to evaluate the use of remote sensing to map UK BAP and Annex I sand dune habitats. A methodology has now been developed and tested to map sand dune habitats. The key objective was to provide an operational tool that will help to map these habitats and understand change on sites around England. This has been achieved through analysis of LIDAR and Compact Airborne Spectrographic Imager (CASI) data using Object Orientated Image Analysis. Quality Control (QC) and accuracy assessments have shown this approach to be successful and 11 sites have been mapped to date. These techniques are providing a new approach to monitoring change in coastal vegetation communities and informing management of protected sites.     

Analysis of some organochlorine pesticides in an urban atmosphere (Strasbourg, east of France)

High volume samples of urban air have been collected in Strasbourg, a big city situated in the east of France, for the evaluation of the contamination by organochlorine pesticides. Pesticides (p,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDD, p,p'-DDE, aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, gamma-HCH, cis-chlordane, trans-chlordane, alpha-endosulfan, beta-endosulfan, hexachlorobenzene, heptachlor and some of their metabolites: alpha-HCH, 2,4'-DDT, 2,4'-DDD and 2,4'-DDE) were analysed by GC-ECD. Prior to analysis, samples were Soxhlet extracted with a mixture of n-hexane/methylene chloride. The analysis of samples collected in 2001 (n = 6), 2002 (n = 7) and 2003 (n = 5) shows that alpha-HCH and gamma-HCH were detected in all samples (between 0.05 and 4 ng m(-3) and between 0.01 and 1 ng m(-3), respectively) along with aldrin and dieldrin at lower concentrations (between 0.01 and 0.08 ng m(-3) and between 0.02 and 0.09 ng m(-3), respectively). Other pesticides were detected very randomly at very low concentrations. The calculation of the alpha/gamma-HCH ratio shows that hexachlorocyclohexane measured in the atmosphere have a local origin and come probably from contaminated soil by volatilisation. alpha and beta-endosulfan were practically not detected in samples collected in 2001 and 2002 while they were always measured in the gas phase in samples from 2003. This observation can be explained by an increase of volatilisation with the increase of the air temperature. In July, temperature were higher (between 17 and 30 degrees C in climatic station) than in March-May 2001 and 2002 (between 2 and 19 and between 2 and 10, respectively).     

Microanatomy and life history in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Palaeopleurosaurus</Emphasis> (Rhynchocephalia: Pleurosauridae) from the Early Jurassic of Germany

The tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus) from New Zealand is often—erroneously—identified as a ‘living fossil’, although it is the lone survivor of a large, successful radiation of Rhynchocephalia, sister taxon to squamates (lizards and snakes), that thrived through the Mesozoic and Cenozoic and experienced an intricate evolution of life histories and feeding habits. Within Rhynchocephalia, only Pleurosauridae are thought to be marine and piscivorous. Here, we present bone histological data of the Jurassic pleurosaurid Palaeopleurosaurus, showing osteosclerosis (i.e. bone mass increase) in its gastralia, and some osteosclerosis in its rib but no increase in bone mass in the femur, supporting a gradual skeletal specialization for an aquatic way of life. Similar to Sphenodon, the bone tissue deposited in Palaeopleurosaurus is lamellar zonal bone. The femoral growth pattern in Palaeopleurosaurus differs from that of terrestrial Sphenodon in a more irregular spacing of growth marks and deposition of non-annual (i.e. non-continuous) rest lines, indicating strong dependency on exogenous factors. The annual growth mark count in adult but not yet fully grown Palaeopleurosaurus is much lower when compared to adult individuals of Sphenodon, which could indicate a lower lifespan for Palaeopleurosaurus. Whereas the gastral ribs of Palaeopleurosaurus and Sphenodon are similar in composition, the ribs of Sphenodon differ profoundly in being separated into a proximal tubular rib part with a thick cortex, and an elliptical, flared ventral part characterised by extremely thin cortical bone. The latter argues against a previously inferred protective function of the ventral rib parts for the vulnerable viscera in Sphenodon.     

Spatial and Geographical Variations of Urban, Suburban and Rural Atmospheric Concentrations of Phenols and Nitrophenols (7 pp)

Goal, Scope and Background Atmospheric sampling (gas and particles) of 5 phenols (phenol, m-cresol, p-cresol, o-cresol, pentachlorophenol) and 15 nitrophenols (3-methyl-2-nitrophenol, 3-nitrophenol, 4-methyl-2-nitrophenol, 5-methyl-2-nitrophenol, 2-methyl-3nitrophenol, 3-methyl-4-nitrophenol, 2,6-dinitrophenol, bromoxynil, 2,5-dinitrophenol, 2,6-dinitro-p-cresol, 2,4-dinitrophenol, ioxynil, DNOC, 3,4-dinitrophenol, dinoseb) on XAD-2 resin (20 gr) and glass fibre filters, respectively, were performed in 2002 by using 'Digitel DA80' high volume samplers. These measurements were undertaken in order to show spatial and geographical variations of concentrations and the role of traffic in the emissions of these compounds to the atmosphere. Methods Sampling were performed in Strasbourg (eastern France), in its vicinity (Schiltigheim) and in Erstein. Sites were chosen to be representative of urban (Strasbourg), suburban (Schiltigheim) and rural (Erstein) conditions. Field campaigns were undertaken simultaneously in urban and suburban sites during all the seasons during 4 hours at a flow rate of 60 m3.h-1, which gives a total of 240 m3 of air per sample. Period of sampling varied between 06h00 to 10h00, 11h00 to 15h00 and 18h00 to 22h00 in order to evaluate a variation of concentration during automobile traffic between urban, suburban and rural areas. Gas and particle samples were separately Soxhlet extracted for 12 h with a mixture of CH2Cl2 / n-hexane (50:50 v/v), concentrated to about 1 mL with a rotary evaporated and finally dried under nitrogen. Dry extracts were dissolved in 1 mL of CH3CN. Before analysis, extracts were sylilated by using MTBSTFA. Analysis was performed by GC/MSD in the SIM mode. Results and Discussion Partitioning of phenolic compounds between gas and particle phases seems to be mainly correlated with vapour pressure. Among phenolic compounds analysed, phenol, p-cresol, pentachlorophenol and 2.4-dinitrophenol were detected in all samples and emissions from traffic seems to be the major source for the presence of these compounds to the atmosphere. No increase of concentrations in autumn tend to confirm this hypothesis since, with the use of domestic heating in colder months, increases of PAHs concentrations were observed and these compounds are known to be emitted by all combustion processes. Pentachlorophenol is a special case since this molecule is only used as wood preservative. Its presence in all atmospheric samples, whatever the locations and the period of time is the consequence of its persistence. Conclusions and Perspectives These measurements demonstrate that phenols and nitrophenols are emitted to the atmosphere and further measurements, in order to confirm their sources, their behaviour and their potential impact to the air quality and to human health should be undertaken especially since the literature collected is relatively old. Concentrations of pentachlorophenol measured are very low and, due to its toxicity, further investigations should be undertaken. - * The basis of this peer-reviewed paper is a presentation at the 9th FECS Conference on 'Chemistry and Environment', 29 August to 1 September 2004, Bordeaux, France.     

Geochemistry in the modern soil survey program

Elemental analysis has played an important role in the characterization of soils since inception of the soil survey in the US. Recent efforts in analysis of trace and major elements (geochemistry) have provided necessary data to soil survey users in a variety of areas. The first part of this paper provides a brief overview of elemental sources, forms, mobility, and bioavailability; critical aspects important to users of soil survey geochemical data for appropriate use and interpretations. Examples are provided based on data gathered as part of the US soil survey program. The second part addresses the organization of sample collection in soil survey and how soil surveys are ideally suited as a sampling strategy for soil geochemical studies. Geochemistry is functional in characterization of soil types, determining soil processes, ecological evaluation, or issues related to soil quality and health, such as evaluating suitability of soils for urban or agricultural land use. Applications of geochemistry are on-going across the US and are documented herein. This analytical direction of soil survey complements historic efforts of the National Cooperative Soil Survey Program and addresses the increasing need of soil survey users for data that assists in understanding the influence of human activities on soil properties.