Determination of neonicotinoids in Estonian honey by liquid chromatography–electrospray mass spectrometry

The aim of the study was to provide a comprehensive overview of neonicotinoid pesticide residues in honey samples for a single country and compare the results with the import data for neonicotinoid pesticides. The levels of four neonicotinoid pesticides, namely thiamethoxam, imidacloprid, acetamiprid, and thiacloprid, were determined in 294 honey samples harvested from 2005 to 2013 from more than 200 locations in Estonia. For the analyzed honey samples, 27% contained thiacloprid, and its levels in all cases were below the maximum residue level set by the European Union. The other neonicotinoids were not detected. The proportion of thiacloprid-positive samples for different years correlates well with the data on thiacloprid imports into Estonia, indicating that honey contamination with neonicotinoids can be estimated based on the import data.     

The structure of the fire fighting foam surfactant Forafac®1157 and its biological and photolytic transformation products

For several decades, perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) has widely been used as a fluorinated surfactant in aqueous film forming foams used as hydrocarbon fuel fire extinguishers. Due to concerns regarding its environmental persistence and toxicological effects, PFOS has recently been replaced by novel fluorinated surfactants such as Forafac®1157, developed by the DuPont company. The major component of Forafac®1157 is a 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonamide alkylbetaine (6:2 FTAB), and a link between the trade name and the exact chemical structure is presented here to the scientific community for the first time. In the present work, the structure of the 6:2 FTAB was elucidated by ¹H, ¹³C and ¹⁹F nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and high-resolution mass spectrometry. Moreover, its major metabolites from blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) and turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) and its photolytic transformation products were identified. Contrary to what has earlier been observed for PFOS, the 6:2 FTAB was extensively metabolized by blue mussel and turbot exposed to Forafac®1157. The major metabolite was a deacetylated betaine species, from which mono- and di-demethylated metabolites also were formed. Another abundant metabolite was the 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonamide. In another experiment, Forafac®1157 was subjected to UV-light induced photolysis. The experimental conditions aimed to simulate Arctic conditions and the deacetylated species was again the primary transformation product of 6:2 FTAB. A 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonamide was also formed along with a non-identified transformation product. The environmental presence of most of the metabolites and transformation products was qualitatively demonstrated by analysis of soil samples taken in close proximity to an airport fire training facility.     

The reliability of experts' opinions in constructing a composite environmental index: The case of ESI 2005

The complexity of the environment demands a well-constructed composite environmental index (CEI) to provide a useful tool to draw attention to environmental conditions and trends for policy purposes. Among the common difficulties in constructing a proper CEI are uncertainties due to the selection of the most representative underlying variables or indicators. A degree of uncertainty accompanies experts' judgments, and to deal with vague, subjective or inconsistent information, logic other than classic is required. This study analyzes a procedure that uses different experts' opinions in constructing a CEI, with the use of paraconsistent annotated logic. For this, a sensitivity analysis of the Environmental Sustainability Index (ESI 2005) was used as an example to assess the reliability of experts' opinions. The uncertainty due to the disagreement in experts' opinions clearly indicates that the forms we presently use to measure and monitor the actual environment are insufficient, that is, there is a lack of a “science of sustainability”.     

基于多源数据的干旱监测指数对比研究——以西南地区为例

干旱作为一种时常发生的自然灾害,影响范围广,对农业和粮食安全、人类生活等有深远影响。目前常用的干旱监测指数,都有各自的优缺点,无法适用于所有类型的干旱。论文利用基于气象要素驱动数据集的SPI（Standardized Precipitation Index）、基于MODIS（Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer）的ESI（Evaporative Stress Index）、ETI（Evapotranspiration Index）和基于GRACE（Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment）观测数据的水储量变化TWSC（Terrestrial Water Storage Changes）,对西南地区2005—2014年间的干旱情况进行分析,对比了几种不同数据源下的干旱监测指标的监测效果。结果表明：1）4种干旱监测指标对西南地区的干旱都较为敏感,其中6个月尺度的SPI（即SPI-6）与3个月尺度的ESI（即ESI-3）相关性相对最强（R²=0.431, P<0.01）;2）基于GRACE的水储量变化受全局性大干旱的影响较大,且秋冬比夏天的影响大;3）SPI-6、ESI-3、ETI-3能够较为准确地监测出干旱的空间分布及干旱过程中重心的移动,ETI-3在2009—2010年的干旱中有明显滞后,SPI-6则在干旱末期夸大干旱严重程度。     

Quantitative Pollution Spill Risk Assessment: Using A Gis-Based System

Federal and State agencies have recently advocated risk-based analysis as a mechanism for advancing regulatory reform and safety determination in marine systems. the present investigation promotes this objective through the development of risk-based environmental planning strategies for oil spill contingency plans. This alternative approach to contingency planning departs from conventional methodology by employing quantitative risk assessment methods to identify hazardous oil spill zones and sensitive environmental areas, R_o and R_e respectively. the product of this conversion is referenced on a single “Risk” layer within a Geographic Information System (GIS) framework allowing coastal managers to evaluate natural resource data with associated elements of oil spill risk. As a new tool for coastal pollution management, risk-based environmental planning strategies have shown potential for evolving more efficient oil spill contingency plans.     

西藏生态整体性水平测度

为了探讨资源-环境双重约束下地处我国生态环境脆弱区的西藏的生态整体性特征,利用生态环境质量指数和生态现代化指数（EMI）对地处我国西南边陲的西藏地区的生态现代化水平进行了分析。结果表明：全球生态现代化水平在区域之间存在比较明显的空间分异。2004年西藏生态现代化指数为50,在全国排名为3位,较2000年的排名16位有了明显的提高。生态进步指数、经济生态化指数好于其他4个少数民族地区,但社会生态化指数落后于其他4个少数民族地区,人均SO2排放与新疆、广西相同,但高于内蒙古和宁夏;1980—2007年西藏现代化程度虽然有所提升,但远低于世界平均水平和中等发达国家以及我国平均水平和其他4个少数民族地区;1996—2007年西藏区域环境水平呈＂W＂型变动态势。资源转化率和水污染指数呈＂N＂型不稳定变动,生态保护指数和环境治理指数呈剧烈变动,生态脆弱性和环境支持系统的不稳定性没有明显改观。因此,西藏应立足地缘和资源优势,充分考虑西藏生态地域、生态系统服务功能、生态资产、生态敏感性以及人类活动对生态环境胁迫等要素的综合影响,依据青藏高原高寒生态大区和高寒草甸生态区、青藏高原高山草原、高寒草甸生态地区生态区划,发展人工设计生态方案的生态重建途径。建立严格的生态补偿制度,逐步提升生态现代化水平。     

固相萃取-LC-MS法检测水中痕量雌激素

研究了乙腈 /水、乙腈 /甲醇 /水、甲醇 /水三种不同流动相的条件下 ,LC MS分析雌酮 ,雌二醇 ,雌三醇 ,炔雌醇四种对象物质的灵敏度 ,发现流动相对灵敏度影响较大 ,不同流动相的对象物质的仪器检出限分别为 :330— 75 0ng·l- 1 ,1 0 0— 30 0ng·l- 1 ,5 0— 1 0 0ng·l- 1 .用固相萃取 LC MS检测杭州地区河水 ,在 8个采样点中 ,有 7个检测出了炔雌醇 ,其浓度范围在 1 1 7— 3 35ng·l- 1 之间 ,一个采样点检测出雌二醇 ,其浓度为 0 32ng·l- 1 .     

Molecular characterization of root exudates using Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry

The release of root exudates (REs) provides an important source of soil organic carbon. This work revealed the molecular composition of REs of different plant species including alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), maize (Zea mays), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) using electrospray ionization coupled with Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (ESI FT-ICR MS). The combination of positive ion mode (+ESI) and negative ion mode (-ESI) increased the number of the molecules detected by ESI FT-ICR MS, and a total of 8758 molecules were identified across all the samples. In detail, lipids and proteins and unsaturated hydrocarbons were more easily detected in +ESI mode, while aromatic compounds with high O/C were readily ionized in -ESI mode, and only 38% of the total assigned formulas were shared by -ESI and +ESI modes. Multivariate statistical analysis of the formulas indicated that the close related plants species secreted REs with similar molecular components. Moreover, the unsaturation degree and nitrogen content were the two key parameters able to distinguish the similarities and differences of molecular components of REs between plant species. The results provided a feasible analysis method for characterization of the molecular components of REs and for the first time characterized the molecular components of REs of a variety of plant species using ESI FT-ICR MS.     

Diverse molecular compositions of dissolved organic matter derived from different composts using ESI FT-ICR MS

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) derived from various composts can promote significant changes of soil properties. However, little is known about the DOM compositions and their similarities and differences at the molecular level. In this study, the molecular compositions of DOM derived from kitchen waste compost (KWC), green waste compost (GWC), manure waste compost (MWC), and sewage sludge compost (SSC) were characterized by electrospray ionization coupled with Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (ESI FT-ICR MS). The molecular formulas were classified into four subcategories: CHO, CHON, CHOS, and CHONS. The KWC, MWC, and SSC DOM represented the highest fraction (35.8%-47.4%) of CHON subcategory, while the GWC DOM represented the highest fraction (68.4%) of CHO subcategory. The GWC DOM was recognized as the nitrogen- and sulfur-deficient compounds that were less saturated, more aromatic, and more oxidized compared with other samples. Further analysis of the oxygen, nitrogen-containing (N-containing), and sulfur-containing (S-containing) functional groups in the four subcategories revealed higher organic molecular complexity. Comparison of the similarities and differences of the four samples revealed 22.8% ubiquitous formulas and 17.4%, 11.1%, 10.7%, and 6.3% unique formulas of GWC, KWC, SSC, and MWC DOM, respectively, suggesting a large proportion of ubiquitous DOM as well as unique, source-specific molecular signatures. The findings presented herein provide new insight into the molecular characterization of DOM derived from various composts and demonstrated the potential role of these different compounds for agricultural utilization.