Lesion Scoring in Field Vole Teeth: Application to the Biological Monitoring of Environmental Fluoride Contamination

The relationship between fluoride-induced lesions, measured using an incremental scoring system, and fluoride concentration was investigated in the teeth of the field vole (Microtus agrestis). Both the magnitude of lesion score and the severity of observed lesions in both incisor and molar teeth was correlated with the respective tissue fluoride concentration. This relationship was observed not only in animals trapped from sites contaminated by industrial fluorides, but also those bred and maintained under laboratory conditions and consuming fluoride in either diet or drinking water. Although some variation occurred between field and laboratory animals as to the mean fluoride concentrations in the incisor or molar for each specific lesion score, this may result in part from differences in the nature of the assimilable fluoride in laboratory diets compared to those consumed by wild animals. The practical application of the relationship between dental lesion score and tissue fluoride concentration to monitoring environmental fluoride contamination is discussed. Because the incisor and molar teeth of the field voles are open-rooted and grow throughout life, they are sensitive to even minor temporal changes in fluoride concentration in tissue fluids and blood and, by inference, in the diet and the environment. Therefore, assessment of visual lesions in the dentition of wild-caught field voles may provide the basis of a scheme to monitor the magnitude and effects of environmental fluoride contamination on populations of wild and domestic mammals. The development of non-destructive methods to allow the repeated examination of the teeth of captured field voles, and hence the dynamic monitoring of environmental fluoride contamination, is also considered.     

Chemical Characteristics and Source Implications of Petroleum Hydrocarbon Contaminants in the Sediments near Major Drainage Outfalls along the Coastal of Laizhou Bay, Bohai Sea, China

The associated industrial and urban developments are located to a large extent along the Laizhou Bay, Bohai Sea coastal and raw sewage is often discharged into near shore waters with little treatment. To find out chemical characteristics and pollution source of the petroleum related contaminations in sediments near the major drainage outfalls located in the coastal, in this study, 10 surface sediment samples were collected during June. Sediment samples were extracted by organic solvents, separated by silica gel column chromatography and the concentrations and the profiles of n-alkane, biomarker and PAH in sediments were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass selective detector (GC-MSD). The use of several molecular markers and related indexes derived for n-alkane and PAHs has been proposed for assessing the relative contributions to the environment of hydrocarbon sources. As a result, n-alkanes reflect that the sea area of paper mill (Station ZZ08) is dominated by vascular plant. DY petroleum oil field and outer shore of the paper mill (Station ZZ02) have some degrees of petroleum related hydrocarbon contamination. Whereas the contamination of the sea area of TH River may be ascribed to different sources such as territorial non-point pollution source, domestic sewages, and stormwater runoff. Judged by their PAH ratios, the sediments near the paper mill (Station ZZ02) and the outer station of the oil field (Staion TH2) were pyrolytic. The estuary of Tiao River including the inner Station THX, TH10 and TH05 are petrogenic. The marine sediment near DY drainage outfall may have a mixture source of PAH both pyrolytic and petrogenic.     

Establishment of a sampling strategy for the use of blue mussels as an indicator of organotin contamination in the coastal environment

The application of the Mussel Watch concept to the assessment of chemical contamination in the coastal environment is still premature, since the relationship between the physiological and ecological aspects of blue mussels and the accumulation of contaminants in their soft tissues remains unclear. We cannot yet directly estimate with known confidence the degree of chemical contamination from the levels of contaminants in the soft tissues of mussels. An understanding of the source and range of variability in the tissue concentrations of contaminants is essential, and the establishment of a biomonitoring sampling strategy to minimize the effect of identified sources of variability is required. The present study was conducted to clarify the characteristics of organotin accumulation in blue mussels under various conditions in Tokyo Bay, and to establish an optimized sampling strategy of mussels as exposure indicators of organotin contamination in Japan. It was clear that the sample number, individual size, spawning activity and vertical habitat were factors causing a variation of tissue concentration. Based on a quantitative estimation of the variability of organotin concentration in mussel tissues under various physiological and natural conditions, we suggest that a composite sample of 30 mussels (3-5 cm in shell length), collected from the infralittoral zone prior to their spawning season, is essential to reduce the variability between individuals and to obtain reproducible analytical values at a sampling site. For monitoring sites where natural blue mussels cannot be collected, an alternative method of transplanting blue mussels from a relatively clean area would be required.     

Vertical characterization of soil contamination using multi-way modeling – A case study

This study describes application of chemometric multi-way modeling approach to analyze the dataset pertaining to soils of industrial area with a view to assess the soil/sub-soil contamination, accumulation pathways and mobility of contaminants in the soil profiles. The three-way (sampling depths, chemical variables, sampling sites) dataset on heavy metals in soil samples collected from three different sites in an industrial area, up to a depth of 60 m each was analyzed using three-way Tucker3 model validated for stability and goodness of fit. A two component Tucker3 model, explaining 66.6% of data variance, allowed interpretation of the data information in all the three modes. The interpretation of core elements revealing interactions among the components of different modes (depth, variables, sites) allowed inferring more realistic information about the contamination pattern of soils both along the horizontal and vertical coordinates, contamination pathways, and mobility of contaminants through soil profiles, as compared to the traditional data analysis techniques. It concluded that soils at site-1 and site-2 are relatively more contaminated with heavy metals of both the natural as well as anthropogenic origins, as compared to the soil of site-3. Moreover, the accumulation pathways of metals for upper shallow layers and deeper layers of soils in the area were differentiated. The information generated would be helpful in developing strategies for remediation of the contaminated soils for reducing the subsequent risk of ground-water contamination in the study region.     

Multiple-Trait Analysis of Fluctuating Asymmetry Levels in Anthropogenically and Naturally Stressed Sites: A Case Study Using Chironomus Riparius Meigen, 1804 Larvae

Fluctuating asymmetry levels were measured in fourth-instar Chironomus riparius larvae collected from various sampling sites in Galicia (northwest Spain) subjected to different types and degrees of stress. Specifically, we selected sites with contamination of anthropogenic origin, ranging from urban and industrial sewages to organic wastes, as well as two sites without chemical contamination, but with marked diurnal variations in their physicochemical conditions. Fluctuating asymmetry levels were determined for various structures of the head capsule (antennal segment I length, antennal segment II length, mentum width, and number of pecten epipharyngis teeth). The results obtained group the sampling sites in a similar way to other measures of stress. In particular, grouping resulted to be similar to that obtained after analysis of head capsule deformities. Moreover, results of our work are consistent with the hypothesis that some characters may possibly be useful indicators of specific types of stress.     

Terrestrial snails as quantitative indicators of environmental metal pollution

Concentrations of cadmium, lead, copper and zinc were measured in individuals of Arianta arbustorum from different urban sampling sites. In comparison to snails from a reference site, the animals collected in the city showed higher concentrations of cadmium, lead, and copper, indicating elevated levels of metal pollution. The most pronounced difference in tissue concentrations between control animals and contaminated snails was observed for lead. Within the city, metal levels in snails differed significantly, even between adjacent populations. Arianta arbustorum is a suitable species for biomonitoring, because it is widespread, resident and easy to collect; it has a high capacity for metal accumulation and shows different concentrations depending on metal contamination of the sampling area. An interspecific comparison of metal concentrations in terrestrial gastropods was conducted to define background levels and classes of burden. Three pollution levels are distinguished on the basis of the snails' metal burden: no pollution (class 1: reference sites), moderate (class 2: traffic and other human activities in urban areas), and high pollution (class 3: mining and heavy industry).     

Metal levels in sediments from the Minho estuary salt marsh: a metal clean area?

Total-recoverable metals (Al, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) in sediments from Minho estuary salt marsh were determined to evaluate possible increase in anthropogenic contamination by metals and to evaluate the possibility of this area to be considered a pristine area in terms of metals, which can be used as a reference site for other metal-contaminated national and international estuaries/salt marshes. This study revealed that the spatial distribution of metals in the salt marsh sediments was not homogeneous and that two sampling sites (sites 5 and 7) had indications of anthropogenic contamination. However, metal levels in these salt marsh sediments were lower than those observed in the wetlands of the main Portuguese estuaries. Comparison with Portuguese and international reference values used in the evaluation of the ecological quality of sediments, indicated that the sediments can be classified as “clean sediment” and that metal levels were lower or similar (only for Cu and Ni) to the values of ERL, which are the values that define the concentrations ranges that are rarely associated to adverse biologic effects in organisms. In addition, metal levels in the sediments were in chemical forms that were not easily available to organisms, indicating that these sediments probably will not have negative influences in the organisms living in the salt marsh, although no life-form ecological safety tests have been carried out. Therefore, the Minho estuary salt marsh area can probably be considered a pristine area in terms of metals and can be used as a reference for other metal-contaminated estuaries/salt marshes.     

Optimization of sampling for the determination of mean radium-226 concentration in surface soil

There are thousands of properties in the United States on which the soil has been contaminated to some degree with uranium mill tailings. An effort is now underway by the United States Department of Energy to identify sites contaminated with tailings and to perform remedial action when ²²⁶Ra levels exceed current guidelines. Because of the large number of sites involved, it is imperative that sample collection be performed in a cost-effective manner. In this paper we describe the results of a study in which we compared the efficiencies of different methods of sample collection in order to determine an optimal method for estimating the mean ²²⁶Ra concentration in soil. The study involved a field experiment in which extensive sampling was performed on sites known to be contaminated with uranium tailings. The experiment was designed to identify the advantages and limitations of composite sampling, the relative merits of random and uniformly spaced sample collection, the use of field gamma measurements for supplementing and reducing soil sample collection, and practical levels of accuracy and precision that can be obtained. Conclusions regarding gamma measurements are unique to ²²⁶Ra contamination. On the other hand, conclusions concerning composite sampling and random versus uniformly spaced sampling may depend primarily on the way the contamination was spread by man and hence may not be unique to ²²⁶Ra.Research sponsored by the Department of Remedial Action Projects, Office of Terminal Waste Disposal, U. S. Department of Energy under contract DE-AC05-84OR21400 with the Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc.ORNL—Grand Junction Office, Grand Junction, Colorado.     

Patchy Distribution Fields: Sampling Distance Unit of a Spiral Survey and Reconstruction Adequacy

A mathematical model is used to examine the effects of choosing various units of sampling distance of a spiral acoustic survey on the adequacy of reconstructing patchy distribution fields. The model simulates fish or plankton patches (or gaps) of different shapes and spatial orientations, and an acoustic survey by a spiral of Archimedes along which a unit of sampling distance is set. For comparison, surveys are imitated by parallel transects along which the same unit of sampling distance is set. Adequacy of the reconstructed fields to those originally generated is evaluated by calculating their correlations (r). In the case of a spiral survey, the mathematical experiments conducted show that an immovable field can be reconstructed properly (r ² > 0.70) if the ratio of the units of sampling distance to the autocorrelation radius for the field averaged in various directions d/R _av < 1.0–1.5. Regarding immovable fields, the spiral surveys ensure, practically speaking, the same adequacy of the field reconstruction as do surveys by parallel transects with the same unit of sampling distance. In regard to movable fields, a comparison of the results of spiral surveys with those of surveys by parallel transects indicates that the former may ensure even higher adequacy of the field reconstruction than do the latter, provided that the units of sampling distances in these surveys are equal to each other.     

Environmental variation between habitats and uptake of heavy metals by Urtica dioica

The observation from previous surveys, that Urtica dioica plants that had grown in metal contaminated soil in the floodplains of the former Rhine estuary in different habitats, but at comparable total soil metal concentrations, showed significant differences in tissue metal concentrations, led to the hypothesis that variation in other environmental characteristics than soil composition and chemical speciation of metals between habitats is also important in determining uptake and translocation of metals in plants. A field survey indicated that differences in root Cd, Cu and Zn concentrations might partly be explained by variation in speciation of metals in different habitats. However, shoot concentrations showed a different pattern that did not relate to variation in soil metal concentrations. In a habitat experiment Urtica dioica plants were grown in artificially contaminated soil in pots that were placed in the four habitats (grassland, pure reed, mixed reed, osier bed) that were also included in the field survey. After seven weeks the plants showed significant differences in Cu and Zn concentrations in roots and aboveground plant parts and in distribution of the metals in the plants between habitats. It was concluded that variation between habitats in environmental characteristics other than soil composition can explain as much variation in plants as can variation in soil metal concentrations and/or speciation. The implications for assessment of soil metal contamination and uptake by plants are discussed.     

Characterisation of Indicator Organisms and Pathogens in Domestic Greywater for Recycling

Greywater from baths, showers and washbasins was collected separately from all other domestic wastewater at a university block of flats with a dual reticulation system and analysed for a range of contaminants including indicator organisms and pathogens. Greywater flow and temperature were also monitored and a diurnal variation was observed. Physical and chemical water quality parameters were similar to previously published data, although measured COD and BOD levels appeared to be lower, possibly due to settlement or biodegradation in the storage tanks. Plate counts and indicator organism concentrations were consistently high suggesting a high level of human bacterial contamination necessitating biological treatment and disinfection if the water is to be used for recycling. However, these high levels of indicator organisms did not correlate to pathogen presence and should not be used as pathogen indicators in greywater. One positive count of Salmonella veltereden was observed as well as low levels of Giardia. Cryptosporidium, Escherichia coli O157:H7, enteroviruses and Legionella were not identified in any of the samples. The research also highlighted a number of problems with the complexity of this type of sampling programme, such as identifying the most likely time to isolate pathogens and analysing an ‘unusual’ water source.     

Patchy distribution fields: sampling distance unit of a zigzag survey and reconstruction adequacy

A mathematical model was used to examine the effects of choosingvarious units of sampling distance of a zigzag survey on the adequacy of reconstructing patchy distribution fields. The modelsimulates fish or plankton patches (or gaps) of different shapesand spatial orientations, and an acoustic survey by zigzag or parallel transects along which a unit of sampling distance is set. Adequacy of the reconstructed fields to those originally generated is evaluated by calculating their correlations (r). A priori information on the autocorrelation radii for the field in the directions of the survey (R_s) and perpendiculardirection (R_p) allows optimisation of the survey design andthe algorithm of data analysis. A field can be reconstructed properly (r² > 0.70) if the distance between transects D < (1.0–1.5)R_s and the unit of sampling distance d < (1.0–1.5)R_p. A posteriori determination of patchorientation allows reconstruction of the best field attainable onthe basis of the survey data. In cases of field movement, if thedimension of patches in the direction of movement exceeds that ofa surveyed area, a survey in the opposite direction gives bestresults; in contrast, if the dimension of moving patches is smaller than that of a surveyed area, it is reasonable to carryout a survey in the same direction. The criterion remains validwhen a survey is carried out by zigzag transects and a unit ofsampling distance is set along them. The results obtained indicate that, for a fixed transect spacing and a given number of sampling points on each full transect, zigzag pattern allowsless adequate reconstruction of an original distribution field (in cases of both immovable and movable fields) than corresponding parallel pattern.     

The Use of Mytilus Galloprovincialis Acetylcholinesterase and Glutathione S-Transferases Activities as Biomarkers of Environmental Contamination Along the Northwest Portuguese Coast

With the aim of using Mytilus galloprovincialis acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and glutathione S-transferases (GST) activities as biomarkers of environmental contamination in risk assessment studies along the northwest Portuguese coast, the objective of this study was to provide background information related to: (1) baseline values of these enzymatic activities both in reference and contaminated areas and their responsiveness as indicators of exposure to environmental contaminants; (2) the importance of seasonal variations of such biomarkers in M. galloprovincialis along this area. For this, the activity of these enzymes was seasonally determined in mussels collected from four sites, including a reference and three stations with different contamination sources along the referred area. Statistically significant differences on both enzymatic activities were found among the four sampling stations, at the four sampling periods. In comparison to the reference station, lower AChE and higher GST activity values were found in mussels collected in stations potentially contaminated by pesticides and domestic/industrial effluents and in mussels collected in the vicinity of an oil refinery and an industrial/mercantile harbour, respectively. The results obtained in this work highlighted the potential suitability of these biomarkers to be used as components of environmental monitoring programs in risk assessment studies along the northwest Portuguese coast. Since a seasonal variation in both enzymatic activities was found, the possible implications of such variability in the use of these enzymes as environmental biomarkers are also discussed.     

Heavy metal concentrations in groundwaters and soils of Thane Region of Maharashtra, India

Thane district is one of the most industrialized districts in Maharashtra. The heavy industrialization and the increasing urbanization are responsible for the rapidly increasing stress on the water and soil environment of the area. Therefore, an attempt has been made through comprehensive study on the groundwater contamination and soil contamination due to heavy metals in Thane region of Maharashtra. The area undertaken for the study was Thane and its suburbans Kalwa, Divajunction, Dombivali, Kalyan, and Ulhasnagar. Industrialization and urbanization lead to generation of large volumes of wastewater from domestic, commercial, industrial, and other sources, which discharged in to natural water bodies like river and creek in this region. Groundwater samples and soil samples were collected from residential, commercial, agriculture, and industrial areas. Groundwater samples were analyzed for various water quality parameters. The analytical data shows very high concentration of total dissolved solids, total hardness, total alkalinity, chemical oxygen demand, chloride etc. Groundwater and soil samples were analyzed for ten heavy metals by inductively coupled plasma (ICPE-9000) atomic emission spectroscopy. The analytical data reveal that, very high concentration level of arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and nickel throughout the industrial area. The random dumping of hazardous waste in the industrial area could be the main cause of the groundwater and soil contamination spreading by rainwater and wind. In the residential areas the local dumping is expected to be the main source for heavy metals. A comparison of the results of groundwater with WHO guidelines show that most of the groundwater sampling station are heavily contaminated with organic matter and heavy metals. Groundwater samples are heavily contaminated by arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and nickel. Similarly, the results of heavy metals in soil compared with Swedish soil guideline values for polluted soil show that soil samples collected from residential, commercial and industrial areas are heavily contaminated by arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and nickel.     

Soil contamination of heavy metals in the Katedan Industrial Development Area, Hyderabad, India

Studies on quantitative soil contamination due to heavy metals were carried out in Katedan Industrial Development Area (KIDA), south of Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India under the Indo-Norwegian Institutional Cooperation Programme. The study area falls under a semi-arid type of climate and consists of granites and pegmatite of igneous origin belonging to the Archaean age. There are about 300 industries dealing with dyeing, edible oil production, battery manufacturing, metal plating, chemicals, etc. Most of the industries discharge their untreated effluents either on open land or into ditches. Solid waste from industries is randomly dumped along roads and open grounds. Soil samples were collected throughout the industrial area and from downstream residential areas and were analysed by X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer for fourteen trace metals and ten major oxides. The analytical data shows very high concentrations of lead, chromium, nickel, zinc, arsenic and cadmium through out the industrial area. The random dumping of hazardous waste in the industrial area could be the main cause of the soil contamination spreading by rainwater and wind. In the residential areas the local dumping is expected to be the main source as it is difficult to foresee that rain and wind can transport the contaminants from the industrial area. If emission to air by the smokestacks is significant, this may contribute to considerable spreading of contaminants like As, Cd and Pb throughout the area. A comparison of the results with the Canadian Soil Quality Guidelines (SQGL) show that most of the industrial area is heavily contaminated by As, Pb and Zn and local areas by Cr, Cu and Ni. The residential area is also contaminated by As and some small areas by Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn. The Cd contamination is detected over large area but it is not exceeding the SQGL value. Natural background values of As and Cr exceed the SQGL values and contribute significantly to the contamination in the residential area. However, the availability is considerably less than anthropogenic contaminants and must therefore be assessed differently. The pre- and post-monsoon sampling over two hydrological cycles in 2002 and 2003 indicate that the As, Cd and Pb contaminants are more mobile and may expect to reach the groundwater. The other contaminants seem to be much more stable. The contamination is especially serious in the industrial area as it is housing a large permanent residing population. The study not only aims at determining the natural background levels of trace elements as a guide for future pollution monitoring but also focuses on the pollution vulnerability of the watershed. A plan of action for remediation is recommended.     

Ecosystem Responses to Extreme Natural Events: Impacts of Three Sequential Hurricanes in Fall 1999 on Sediment Quality and Condition of Benthic Fauna in the Neuse River Estuary, North Carolina

A study was conducted in November 1999 to assess sediment quality and condition of benthic fauna in the Neuse River Estuary (NRE), North Carolina, USA, following the passage of three Atlantic hurricanes during the two months prior. Samples for analysis of macroinfauna (>0.5 mm sieve size), chemical contamination of sediments, and other abiotic environmental variables (salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH, depth, sediment granulometry) were collected at 20 sites from the mouth of the Neuse River at Pamlico Sound to approximately 90 km upstream. Results were compared to those obtained from the same area in July 1998 using similar protocols. Depressed salinity, caused by extreme rainfall and associated high freshwater flow, persisted throughout much of the estuary, which had experienced periods of water-column stratification and hypoxia of underlying waters. Fifteen of the 20 sites, representing 299 km² (76% of the survey area), also showed signs of benthic stress based on a multi-metric benthic index of biotic integrity (B-IBI). Benthic impacts included reductions in the abundance, diversity, and numbers of species and shifts in taxonomic composition, with a notable increase in dominance of the opportunistic polychaete Mediomastus ambiseta as other former dominant species declined. There was no significant increase in the extent of chemical contamination compared to pre-hurricane conditions. Storm-related reductions in dissoved oxygen and salinity were the more likely causes of the observed benthic impacts, though it was not possible, based on these results, to separate storm effects from seasonal changes in the benthos and annual episodes of summer anoxia and hypoxia.     

Biomonitoring approach with mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis (Lmk) and clam Ruditapes philippinarum (Adams and Reeve, 1850) in the Lagoon of Venice

Transplanted Mytilus galloprovincialis and native Ruditapes philippinarum were deployed in 10 sampling stations with different pollution impact within the Lagoon of Venice to evaluate the temporal variations and the suitability of the following cytochemical and histochemical biomarkers just as indicators of environmental stress: lysosomal membrane stability, lipofuscins, neutral lipids and lysosome to cytoplasm volume ratio. The physiological status of the organisms was also investigated by determining the survival in air capability and the reburrowing rate (clams). The biological parameters were assessed in June and October. Furthermore, for a better definition of the environmental aspects of the study sites, heavy metal, PAH and PCB concentrations were also evaluated in the sediments. As a whole, the biological responses examined in both species from all the sampling sites showed significant differences between the two seasonal campaigns, only lysosomal membrane stability exhibited less variability. Pollutants in sediments generally showed low-intermediate contamination levels, few hotspots persisting mostly in the inner areas of the lagoon, the most influenced by the industrial zone. Transplanted mussels were more responsive than native clams and the biological responses of both species varied temporally. The range of the spatial variability was always narrow and reflected only partially the broader variability shown by the chemical content in the sediments. In this sense, biological responses seemed to be particularly influenced by the high temporal and spatial heterogeneity that characterise the Lagoon of Venice, as well as most of the transitional environments.     

Urban Development and Air Quality in San Luis City, Argentina

Some factors such as the high population growth, along with insufficient housing, health and sanitary services, obsolete industrial technology and the lack of environmental management programs, give rise to contamination in Latin-American cities. Owing to the urban characteristics of San Luis, a detailed analysis of air quality was planned as part of a more comprehensive study, in order to make an environmental diagnosis of the city after the demographical and economic upgrowth over the last 15 years. It has been concluded that air pollution levels in San Luis are higher than those expected for a medium-size city. The reported high levels were attributed to important industrial activity, responsible not only for the direct of polluting gases to the atmosphere but also as the principal cause of the urban expansion. The levels of CO and SO₂ (ppm) found in the city can be considered as high. Some weeks during the sampling measure values were appreciably higher than the maximum tolerance levels established. The urban area under study was separated into five defined areas, which allowed to make comparisons in order to identify specific contamination problems. The slopes corresponding to the plot polluting substances concentration vs. wind speed were lower than the expected values. Because of the urban area characteristics, different micrometeorological effects facilitating a low air exchange can be generated, and consequently increasing the contamination levels. Thus, it is correct to conclude that the degradation processes are not occurring in a single environmental plane. Accordingly, air contamination rate in San Luis city could be considered as evidence of other upper-scale regional environmental degradation processes.     

Evaluation of VOC measurments in the EXPOLIS study. Air Pollution Exposure Distributions within Adult Urban Urban Populations in Europe

Personal exposures and microenvironment concentrations of 30 target VOCs were measured for 401 participants living in five European cities as a part of the EXPOLIS (Air Pollution Exposure Distributions within Adult Urban Populations in Europe) study. Measurements in Basel used an active charcoal (Carbotech) adsorbent as opposed to the Tenax TA used in the other study centres. In addition, within each centre, personal and microenvironment VOC sampling required different sampling pumps and, because of different sampling durations, different sampling flow rates. Thus, careful testing of the sampling and analysis procedures was required to ensure accuracy and comparability of collected data. Monitor comparison tests using Tenax TA showed a mean VOC concentration ratio of 0.95 between the personal and microenvironment monitors. The LODs for the target VOCs using Tenax TA ranged from 0.7 to 5.2 microg m(-3). The LODs for the 14 target compounds quantifiable using Carbotech ranged from 0.9 to 3.2 microg m(-3). Tenax TA field blanks showed no remarkable contamination with the target VOCs, except benzaldehyde, a known artefact with this adsorbent. Thus, the diffusion barrier system used prevented contamination of Tenax TA samples by passive diffusion during non-sampling periods. Duplicate and parallel evaluations of the Tenax TA and Carbotech showed an average difference of < 17% in VOC concentrations within the sampling methods, but a systematic difference between the methods (Tenax TA: Carbotech concentration ratio = 1.18-2.36). These field evaluations and quality assurance tests showed that interpretation and comparison of the results in any VOC monitoring exercise should be done on a compound by compound basis. It is also apparent that carefully planned and realised QA and QC (QA/QC) procedures are needed in multi-centre studies, where a common sampling method and laboratory analysis technique are not used, to strengthen and simplify the interpretation of observed VOC levels between participating centres.     

Sampling of Sparse Species with Probability Proportional to Prediction

In this article, a 3P sampling (Probability Proportional to Prediction) approach is presented for surveying sparse species connected to certain types of substrates. The method uses the surveyors judgement of the probability of finding the species on a substrate as the base for selection of substrates for species inventories. The method is presented together with estimators, variances and variance estimators. The method is first presented for sampling based on all substrates in a study area and then as a subsampling technique in a two-stage design in which plots or strips are selected in a first stage. The presented approach was evaluated as a subsampling technique in a strip survey of calicioid lichen species associated with coarse broadleaf trees. In comparison with a simple random subsampling without replacement, 3P subsampling was in one study area found to be an improvement with 30–55% in terms of standard errors. The improvement was more modest in the other study area, only between 10–16%. The strip survey with 3P subsampling was more cost-efficient than a strip survey without subsampling except in one case. Based on the results in the test, 3P sampling seems to have a potential for sampling sparse species.