Factorial analysis of the trihalomethane formation in the reaction of colloidal,hydrophobic, and transphilic fractions of DOM with free chlorine

Background, aim, and scope  

This study focuses on the factors that affect trihalomethane (THMs) formation when dissolved organic matter (DOM) fractions (colloidal, hydrophobic, and transphilic fractions) in aqueous solutions were disinfected with chlorine.     

On the limits of the air pollution predictability: the case of the surface ozone at Athens, Greece

Purpose  

The aim of this study is to investigate the potential effects of increased urbanization in the Athens city, Greece on the intrinsic features of the temporal fluctuations of the surface ozone concentration (SOC).     

Environmental heterogeneity analysis,assessment of trophic state and source identification in Chaohu Lake,China

Introduction  

Environmental heterogeneous methods were used for analysing data sets of trophic state with 11 parameters measured at 12 different sites at Chaohu Lake for the period 2004 to 2006. The aim of this research was to determine spatial/temporal variations in water quality, to assess trophic state and to identify pollution sources. Protective measures and schemes were proposed to improve water quality in the lake.     

Chemical, biological, and ecotoxicological assessment of pesticides and persistent organic pollutants in the Bahlui River, Romania

Background, aim, and scope  

Current knowledge on environmental impacts of industrial activities in Romania, particularly persistent organic pollutants (POPs), indicates that environmental standards of the European Union are not systematically met. In our study area, additional sources of POPs are agriculture and domestic wastes. Very scarce information is available upon environmental contaminations and effects. In the present study, we investigated the chemical pollution and their eventual impact on the ecosystem by measuring POPs and by using biological indicators of pollution.     

Size distribution and seasonal variation of airborne particulate matter in five areas in Istanbul,Turkey

Goal, scope, and background  

Many studies have focused on measuring fine and course particulate matter (PM) in urban and rural sites around the world. The aim of this research is to gain information on the size distribution of particles. The physical characteristics of PM in the urban air of Istanbul were determined.     

Seasonality of PCDD/Fs in the ambient air of Malopolska Region,southern Poland

Background, aim, and scope  

The aim of the study was to identify the impact of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin and furan (PCDD/F) emission sources on ambient air concentrations in the Malopolska Region, southern Poland. Three sites were selected: the city center of Krakow (Aleje), an industrial area (Nova Huta), and a rural site (Zakopane). In order to investigate the annual variations of PCDD/F sources, summer and winter time samples were taken.     

Degradation of phenols in olive oil mill wastewater by biological,enzymatic, and photo-Fenton oxidation

Background, aim, and scope  

Olive oil mill wastewater (OOMW) environmental impacts minimization have been attempted by developing more effective processes, but no chemical or biological treatments were found to be totally effective to mitigate their impact on receiving systems. This work is the first that reports simultaneously the efficiency of three different approaches: biological treatment by two fungal species (Trametes versicolor or Pleurotus sajor caju), enzymatic treatment by laccase, and chemical treatment by photo-Fenton oxidation on phenols removal.     

Metallurgy,environmental pollution and the decline of Etruscan civilisation

Background, aim and scope  

The Etruscans were justifiably famous in antiquity for their advanced metallurgy and for the rich mineral resources of their region (including La Tolfa, the Colline Metallifere, Mont’Amiata and Elba). We offer a new perspective on certain Iron Age and Archaic (ca. 1,000–480 bc) Etruscan industrial and habitation sites, and on the problem of heavy metal poisoning, still being investigated today, coincidentally in some of the same areas that originally saw Etruscan mines and workshops.     

Uptake and elimination,and effect of estrogen-like contaminants in estuarine copepods: an experimental study

Background, aim, and scope  

In recent years, anthropogenic chemicals which can disrupt the hormonal systems of both humans and wildlife have been raised to a major cause of concern. The aim of the present work was to determine the bioconcentration factors of the two major alkylphenols (AP) of the Seine Estuary [4-nonylphenol (4 NP) and nonylphenol acetic acid (NP1EC)] and of the synthetic estrogen, estrogen ethinylestradiol (EE2), in Eurytemora affinis after exposure in a continuous flow-through system under environmental realistic conditions. Moreover, the elimination of these compounds in copepods from the Seine Estuary has been investigated by measuring concentrations after 1 week in clean water in comparison to background levels.     

On the relationship between ozone and its precursors in the Pearl River Delta: application of an observation-based model (OBM)

Background, aim, and scope  

Photochemical smog, characterized by high concentrations of O₃ and fine particles, is of great concern in the urban areas, in particular megacities and city clusters like the Pearl River Delta.     

A novel direct equipartition ray design (EquRay) procedure for toxicity interaction between ionic liquid and dichlorvos

Background, aim and scope  

Pollutants always co-exist in the environment. Determining and characterizing the interaction among chemicals is an important issue. Experimental designs (ED) play an important role in evaluating the interactions. The main aim of our study is to provide the test and analysis of the toxicity interaction with a novel ED method.     

Using multiple indices to evaluate scenarios for the remediation of contaminated land: the Porto Marghera (Venice,Italy) contaminated site

Background, aim, and scope  

The management of contaminated sites requires the investigation of different involved aspects (from socioeconomic to risk and technological issues) and the presentation of useful and condensed information to decision makers. For this purpose, indices are more and more recognized as effective and valuable tools. This paper presents specific indices created within the DEcision Support sYstem for REhabilitation of contaminated sites (DESYRE).     

Uptake and distribution of metals by water lettuce (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pistia stratiotes</Emphasis> L.)

Background, aim and scope  

Water quality impairment by heavy metal contamination is on the rise worldwide. Phytoremediation technology has been increasingly applied to remediate wastewater and stormwater polluted by heavy metals.     

Chlorpyrifos degradation by the cyanobacterium <Emphasis Type="Italic">Synechocystis</Emphasis> sp. strain PUPCCC 64

Background, aim, and scope  

Indiscriminate use of insecticides leads to environmental problems and poses a great threat to beneficial microorganisms. The aim of the present work was to study chlorpyrifos degradation by a rice field cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. strain PUPCCC 64 so that the organism is able to reduce insecticide pollution in situ.     

Risk assessment of toxins derived from Bacillus thuringiensis—synergism,efficacy, and selectivity

Background, aim, and scope  

This review deals with publications concerning the mode of action of Bt proteins and their potential synergism with extrinsic factors. The aim was to assess the impact of those factors especially regarding selectivity and efficacy of Bt toxins and to discuss possible gaps in current risk assessment of genetically engineered plants expressing Bt toxins.     

Differential inflammatory responses triggered by toxic small molecules

Purpose  

The aim of this study is to determine whether exposure to hazardous chemicals alters chemokine or cytokine production in macrophages and link these events to changes in intracellular signaling pathways and activation of specific gene promoters.     

Anomalous low tropospheric column ozone over Eastern India during the severe drought event of monsoon 2002: a case study

Background, aim, and scope  

The present study is an attempt to examine some of the probable causes of the unusually low tropospheric column ozone observed over eastern India during the exceptional drought event in July 2002.     

Detection and quantitative analysis of organochlorine compounds (PCBs and DDTs) in deep sea fish liver from Mediterranean Sea

Background, aim and scope  

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) concentrations were determined in the liver of two deep sea fish species, Mediterranean slimehead and blackfin sorcerer, from the Adriatic Sea (southeastern Mediterranean Sea).     

Assessment of Cr and Ni phytotoxicity from cutlery-washing waste-waters using biomass and chlorophyll production tests on mustard <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sinapis alba</Emphasis> L. seedlings

Background, aim, and scope  

The aim of this work was to determine phytotoxicity of washing waste-waters from a cutlery production line with high content of Cr and Ni. These waters were previously classified, without verification, as dangerous and it is now necessary to question the justice of the present classification under the new legislation for waste management (Waste Law No. 223/2001) in the Slovak Republic.     

Ice phase as an important factor on the seasonal variation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the Tumen River,Northeastern of China

Background, aim and scope  

The climatic characteristic is a major parameter affecting on the distribution variation of organic pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The Tumen River is located in Northeastern of China. The winter era lasts for more than 5 months in a year, and the river water was frozen and covered by ice phase. Coal combustion is an essential heating source in the Tumen River Basin. The objective of this research is to study ice phase effect on the seasonal variation of PAHs in the Tumen River environment.