Different decay patterns observed in a nineteenth-century building (Palma,Spain)

The effects of atmospheric pollutants and climatic conditions were studied in a decayed column in the Seminary of Sant Pere. This nineteenth-century building is situated in the historic centre of Palma (Mallorca, Spain), less than 0.5 km from the sea. Samples were collected from the internal and external part of the crusts formed in the four sides of the column. The samples were analysed by means of thermal analysis, X-ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and ion chromatography. Results show significant differences in the four sides of the column. A high degree of carbonate stone sulfation is observed in all of the samples analysed. A synergistic effect between atmospheric factors and micropollutants on the deterioration of stone is observed. A high uptake of atmospheric particulate matter is found in the external part of the black crusts.     

Evaluation of adverse biological effects induced by pollution in the Bilbao Estuary (Spain)

The physical nature of the Bilbao Estuary (Spain) has been highly modified since the end of the last century, mainly by means of dyking, canalization, and dredging to meet the needs of navigation. Together with its industrial use, the estuary is also used for the disposal of domestic sewage. Until the completion of a sewerage plan in the year 2002, the sewage of about 1 million people and the wastes from industries will continue to be discharged into this 15-km-long estuary with a limited freshwater flow of 25 m(3) s(-1). An abrupt decrease in faunal abundance followed by defaunation characterized the biotic response to the disturbance in almost three-quarters of its tideway. Relationships between biotic and environmental variables were investigated using the BIO-ENV procedure of the PRIMER computer package. Gross organic enrichment, water oxygen depletion and anaerobic sediment conditions appear to be the dominant anthropogenic influences on the Bilbao Estuary. It is concluded that the level of wastewater discharges into the estuary may substantially drop below that concentration which assures the protection and propagation of native heterotrophic resources within sediments. Biological monitoring is thus essential to assess the efficacy of the sewerage plan promoted by the local Water Authority.     

Influence of particulate pollution on the positions of neutral points in the sky at Seville (Spain)

The most common neutral points in the solar vertical plane: the Babinet, the Brewster and the Arago were localized at Seville during five years on cloudless days. Their angular distances from the sun or the antisolar point were found to vary with solar altitude, wavelength and particulate pollution.     

Quantifying Asian and biomass burning sources of mercury using the Hg/CO ratio in pollution plumes observed at the Mount Bachelor observatory

Total airborne mercury (TAM) and carbon monoxide (CO) were measured in 22 pollution transport “events” at Mt. Bachelor Observatory (MBO), USA (2.8 km asl) between March 2004 and September 2005. Submicron particulate scattering (${\sigma }_{\mathrm{sp}})$, ozone (${\mathrm{O}}_3)$, and nitrogen oxides (${\mathrm{NO}}_y)$ were also measured and enhancement ratios for each chemical and aerosol species with CO were calculated. Events were categorized based on their source regions, which were determined by a combination of back trajectories, satellite fire detections, chemical and aerosol enhancement ratios, and meteorology. The mean $\mathrm{\Delta }\mathrm{TAM}/\mathrm{\Delta }\mathrm{CO}$ values for each source region are: East Asian industrial ($0.0046\pm 0.0013\mathrm{ng}{\mathrm{m}}^{-3}{\mathrm{ppbv}}^{-1}$, $n=10$ events, 236 h), Pacific Northwest U.S. (PNW) biomass burning ($0.0013\pm 0.008\mathrm{ng}{\mathrm{m}}^{-3}{\mathrm{ppbv}}^{-1}$, $n=7$ events, 173 h), and Alaska biomass burning ($0.0014\pm 0.0006\mathrm{ng}{\mathrm{m}}^{-3}{\mathrm{ppbv}}^{-1}$, $n=3$ events, 96 h). The $\mathrm{\Delta }\mathrm{TAM}/\mathrm{\Delta }\mathrm{CO}$ means from Asian long-range transport (ALRT) and biomass burning events are combined with previous estimates of CO emissions from Chinese anthropogenic, global biomass burning, and global boreal biomass sources in order to estimate the emissions of gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) from these sources. The GEM emissions that we calculate here are: Chinese anthropogenic ($620\pm 180\mathrm{t}{\mathrm{y}}^{-1}$), global biomass burning $(670\pm 330\mathrm{t}{\mathrm{y}}^{-1})$, and global boreal biomass burning $(168\pm 75\mathrm{t}{\mathrm{y}}^{-1})$, with errors estimated from propagating the uncertainty in the mean enhancement ratios and CO emissions. A comparison of our results with published mercury (Hg) emissions inventories reveals that the Chinese GEM emissions from this study are higher by about a factor of two, while our estimate for global biomass burning is consistent with previous studies.     

Chemical fingerprinting applied to the evaluation of marine oil pollution in the coasts of Canary Islands (Spain)

Chemical fingerprinting approach to environmental assessment is illustrated in the evaluation of marine oil pollution in the coasts using two limpet species as bioindicator organisms, and based on profiles and concentrations of n-alkanes and aromatic hydrocarbons in their tissues. Accidental and chronic releases of hydrocarbons can contaminate the marine environment of the Canary Islands not only because of their geographical situation but also because of the very dense tanker traffic around. This situation affects coastal areas, fishing activities, tourism resort, etc. Concentrations of n-alkanes and aromatic hydrocarbons (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and methyl-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) in the soft tissues of the marine intertidal and subtidal limpets, Patella crenata and Patella ullysiponensis aspera, were evaluated. Limpet samples were collected at monthly intervals, at three locations on the southeast coast of Tenerife over a 3-year period (1991-93). Levels of hydrocarbons found in limpets are similar to concentrations found in unpolluted areas around the world. From application of principal component analysis, the interpretation of variable loading plots gives information on variable correlation and can be used to distinguish among potential sources of pollution and the ability of studied molluscs to be used as bioindicator organisms.     

Using PM10 geochemical maps for defining the origin of atmospheric pollution in Andalusia (Southern Spain)

In this work we present a detailed study of atmospheric PM₁₀ pollution in Andalusia (Southern Spain) based on geochemical maps. The study includes determination of PM₁₀ levels and bulk chemical composition with samples from 17 representative monitoring stations (rural, urban background, traffic hot spot, and urban zones with industrial influence) during 2007. The knowledge of background levels and concentrations of relevant chemical compounds and elements allows the quantification of the main sources of pollution in relevant cities and sites of ecological interest.In comparison to other stations in Spain and mainland Europe, PM₁₀ in Andalusia is characterized by high levels of crustal matter and secondary inorganic components (SIC). This has been attributed to the following causes: 1) High road traffic and industrial emissions, 2) High frequency of North African air mass outbreaks contributing between 3 and 4 μg m^?3 in western Andalusia and 4–7 μg m^?3 in eastern Andalusia, and 3) Climate factors such as low rainfall, dry soils favouring resuspension, and high photochemical activity.Atmospheric particulate matter in urban areas located in the vicinity of industrial estates is enriched in secondary inorganic compounds and metals. Three main hot spots have been identified according their high trace element concentrations: Huelva (As, Cu, Zn, Se, and Bi), Strait of Gibraltar (V, Ni, Cr, and Co) and Bailén (V and Ni). The transport of pollutants from cities and industrial estates to areas of ecological interest (e.g. Doñana National Park) has been found to cause the increase in background levels in a number of trace elements (e.g. As) in the air. An important outcome of this study is that geochemical maps of atmospheric matter are a powerful tool for illustrating spatial variation patterns of geochemical components and identifying specific pollution hot spots.     

Biodiversity of epiphytic lichens and air pollution in the town of Siena (central Italy).

The results of a biomonitoring survey carried out in the town of Siena (central Italy) using the biodiversity of epiphytic lichens as indicator of air pollution are reported. The general picture was rather good, with more than 60% of the study area being in the categories "semi-natural" or "natural" according to a calibrated scale of environmental naturality/alteration. Compared with the situation of 1995, ameliorating conditions were found as a result of an improvement in air quality over time.     

Herbicide and surfactant spill analysis of an industrial waste dumping at Llobregat river (Spain)

Commercial herbicides, atrazine and trifluralin, surfactants and related compounds as dodecylbenzenes, long chain alcohols and nonylphenols have been found in Llobregat river, suspected of causing environmental impacts such as fish mortality and groundwater pollution of wells placed by the river. Solvent extraction, Sep-Pak enrichment and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry were used for compound separation and identification.     

Application of the Microtox test and pollution indices to the study of water toxicity in the Albufera Natural Park (Valencia, Spain)

The toxic effects of waters collected from irrigation channels in a Mediterranean wetland (Albufera Natural Park, Valencia, Spain) were tested with the Microtox assay and compared with six pollution indices (PIs) defined from analytical parameters. Chemical oxygen demand (COD), biological oxygen demand (BOD), nutrients, heavy metals and pesticides were measured. The bioassay result (concentrations of the water sample (% V/V) that reduced light emission to 10%, 20% and 50%, EC10, EC20 and EC50, respectively (ECs)) was compared with the PIs. This comparison has demonstrated a general agreement between ECs and PIs, except in the case of irrigation channels affected by herbicides used in rice farming (molinate and thiobencarb). No pronounced inhibition was detected in the bioluminescence in relation to the eutrophic parameters in the irrigation waters for EC50 values, indicating that this parameter does not suffice to detect eutrophic waters. Data derived from irrigation water pollution and bioassay were assembled by multivariate statistical techniques (principal component analysis). These components were associated with various contamination sources.     

The air pollution caused by the burning of fireworks during the lantern festival in Beijing

The effects of the burning of fireworks on air quality in Beijing was firstly assessed from the ambient concentrations of various air pollutants (SO₂, NO₂, PM_2.5, PM₁₀ and chemical components in the particles) during the lantern festival in 2006. Eighteen ions, 20 elements, and black carbon were measured in PM_2.5 and PM₁₀, and the levels of organic carbon could be well estimated from the concentrations of dicarboxylic acids. Primary components of Ba, K, Sr, Cl⁻, Pb, Mg and secondary components of C₅H₆O₄²⁻, C₃H₂O₄²⁻, C₂O₄²⁻, C₄H₄O₄²⁻, SO₄²⁻, NO₃⁻ were over five times higher in the lantern days than in the normal days. The firework particles were acidic and of inorganic matter mostly with less amounts of secondary components. Primary aerosols from the burning of fireworks were mainly in the fine mode, while secondary formation of acidic anions mainly took place on the coarse particles. Nitrate was mainly formed through homogeneous gas-phase reactions of NO₂, while sulfate was largely from heterogeneous catalytic transformations of SO₂. Fe could catalyze the formation of nitrate through the reaction of α-Fe₂O₃ with HNO₃, while in the formation of sulfate, Fe is not only the catalyst, but also the oxidant. A simple method using the concentration of potassium and a modified method using the ratio of Mg/Al have been developed to quantify the source contribution of fireworks. It was found that over 90% of the total mineral aerosol and 98% of Pb, 43% of total carbon, 28% of Zn, 8% of NO₃⁻, and 3% of SO₄²⁻ in PM_2.5 were from the emissions of fireworks on the lantern night.     

江苏省某镇土壤重金属污染评价

为了解江苏省某镇表层土壤重金属污染特征,采集并测定了190个土壤样品的As、Cd、Hg和Pb 4种重金属含量,分析土壤重金属的分布特征,综合运用内梅罗综合污染指数法和污染负荷指数法两种评价方法对土壤重金属污染状况进行评价。结果表明：该镇表层土壤中As、Cd和Pb含量平均值高于土壤背景值,Hg与之相反。4种重金属都是主要受到点源污染的影响,其中As的高含量区主要分布在镇的正西边,Cd和Pb的高含量区主要分布在镇的中心区域,Hg的高含量区主要分布在东部以及东北区域。经内梅罗综合污染指数法评价,安全、警戒线、轻污染、中污染和重污染样点的比例分别为5.79%、32.11%、52.11%、4.74%和5.26%。经污染负荷指数法评价,无污染、轻度污染、中度污染和重度污染样点的比例分别为73.69%、25.26%、1.05%和0%。在内梅罗综合污染指数法和污染负荷指数法评价的结果中,有55.26%的样点评价结果相同,而44.74%的样点不同,但都显示出污染程度从镇中心向四周逐渐降低的变化态势。     

Mercury pollution trends in subarctic lakes in the northern Swedish mountains

Despite many years of research about mercury pollution, data concerning high-latitude regions of Europe are limited, particularly studies of long-term temporal trends. It is not clear whether the mercury load at high latitudes follows the recent decreasing trends in European mercury emissions or whether the load is still high because of continuing global emissions. In this study we use sediments from 12 lakes, located above the Arctic Circle in the Swedish mountains, to assess the past and recent mercury pollution situation, especially for the last 200 y. The mercury load increased clearly in sediment deposited from the late 19th or early 20th century to a peak between 1960 and 1990. This peak represents an enrichment of 1.4 to 4.2 times over background concentrations. This enrichment is comparable with enrichments in sediments from lower latitudes as well as other Arctic regions. Since the 1990s mercury concentration has declined in 8 of the 12 lakes, i.e., similar to emission trends in Europe.     

Perfluorooctane surfactants in waste waters, the major source of river pollution

Perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) are persistent and widely distributed in the environment. Recently, the discharge of municipal waste water has been shown to be an important route of such perfluoroalkyl surfactants into the aquatic environment. The aim of this study was to assess the mass flow of PFOA and PFOS from typical waste water treatment plants (WWTPs) into surface waters. Samples were collected at different stages of treatment of four WWTPs in Northern Bavaria, Germany, and from the rivers receiving the treated waste waters (WW). The outflow of PFOA from the WWTPs to the rivers was 20-fold higher than the inflow to the plants; about a tenth was removed with the sludge. For PFOS, the increase from inlet to outlet was about 3-fold; almost half of it was retained in the sludge. Both surfactants were released into river water from the WWTP of a medium-sized city with domestic, industrial and commercial waste waters; in domestic waste waters the surfactants were found at much lower levels.     

Distribution of volatile organic compounds in Madrid (Spain)

From November 1995 to October 1996, airborne concentrations of VOCs were measured in the Madrid area to study the organic pollution in general, and the correlation between different pollutants in relation to such parameters as location and season. Mean concentrations for up to 90 compounds were measured at four test sites, including both urban and suburban areas. At the urban sites, maximum concentrations occurred in the autumn and winter, whereas minimum concentrations were reached in summer and spring. Similar changes were obtained for the lesscontaminated site located in the SE of the city, whereas a different pattern was found at the site in the NW of the city due to meteorological aspects. Mean levels of hydrocarbons in Madrid were quite similar to those found in other European cities. Chemometrical techniques were applied to the set of data in order to assess the influence of such factors as traffic, temperature and seasonal variations on the VOC levels.     

The integrated use of chemical analysis, cytochrome P450 and stress proteins in mussels to assess pollution along the Galician coast (NW Spain)

Aliphatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as well as biochemical markers, such as cytochrome P450, benzo(a)pyrene hydroxylase (BPH) and stress-70 proteins, were determined in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) collected in October 1995 from several locations along the Galician coast (NW Spain). The survey proved the existence of a pollution gradient among sampling sites and a chronic exposure to petrogenic and pyrolitic hydrocarbons. This was reflected in mussel tissue levels of PAHs which ranged from 22 to 562 ng/g wet weight. High levels of total cytochrome P450 were detected in mussels from the most polluted sites, but differences were not statistically significant. BPH activity did not show either differences among sampling sites. Conversely, stress-70 proteins were significantly induced in the most polluted locations, and levels of the 72-kDa band correlated well (r2 = 0.854) with the sum of the PAHs from four to six rings accumulated by mussels.     

Mercury biomethylation assessment in the estuary of Bilbao (North of Spain)

The relationship between the microbial methylation of mercury and the microbial activities in sediments and water collected from the estuary of Bilbao (North of Spain) was studied in three different sampling points and in two different seasons. Three different cultures were prepared with a sediment slurry to distinguish between biotic and abiotic methylation pathways and the variations of the methylmercury concentration and the variations of the population of total number of bacteria (TDC), anaerobic heterotrophic bacteria (AHB), sulphate-reducing bacteria (SRB) and Desulfovibrio were measured. From this work, it can be concluded that the variation of MeHg concentrations is a result of the methylation/demethylation processes in the sediments, and that the abiotic processes have a negligible contribution to those processes. According to the statistical analysis of the results (partial least squares analysis) a significant statistical correlation was established between methylmercury and the SRB counts.     

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the atmosphere of sub-alpine northern Italy

The main objective of this work was to assess the atmospheric concentrations and seasonal variations of selected POPs in a sub-alpine location where few data are available. A monitoring and research station was set up at the JRC Ispra EMEP site (Italy). We present and discuss a one-year data set (2005-2006) on PCB air concentrations. ∑7PCBs monthly averaged concentration varied from 31 to 76 pg m⁻³. Concentrations in the gas phase (21-72 pg m⁻³) were higher than those in the particulate phase (3-10 pg m⁻³). Advection of air masses and re-volatilization from local sources seem to play a dominant role as drivers of PCB atmospheric concentrations in the area. Indications of seasonal variation affecting PCB congener patterns and the gas/particulate partitioning were found. Modeling calculations suggest a predominant importance of the wet deposition in this region (1 μg m⁻² yr⁻¹ ∑7PCBs yearly total wet deposition flux; 650-2400 pg L⁻¹ rainwater concentrations).     

Organochlorinated pesticides in sediments from the Lake Albufera of Valencia (Spain)

Bottom sediment samples from 121 sites of the Lake Albufera of Valencia were analyzed. Dieldrin, endrin, heptachlor and op′-DDT were not detected (<0.01 ng g⁻¹) in 88–93% of the sites. Aldrin and HCB concentration ranges were between <0.01 and 0.1 ng g⁻¹ in 86% and 94% of the sites, respectively. Heptachlor-epoxide and lindane 95% confidence intervals were 0.2–0.5 and 0.06–0.12, respectively. The greatest average concentration corresponds to pp′-DDE, pp′-DDD and pp′-DDT. The sum of six isomers and derivatives of the DDT average concentration reaches 2.1 ng g⁻¹, as opposed to 2.7 ng g⁻¹ for the sum of 13 pesticides considered. In the site with a major contamination, 27.0 ng g⁻¹ of pp′-DDD and 12.8 ng g⁻¹ of pp′-DDT were accumulated. The DDE:DDT proportion average was 0.37, indicating an aged DDT contamination. Concentrations of pesticides in sediments were compared to three sediment quality guidelines, and indicated that a low biological effects level can be expected in either sediments or aquatic organisms.