Sample integrity of trace level volatile organic compounds in ambient air stored in SUMMA® polished canisters

Sets of new and used SUMMA® polished stainless steel canisters were tested for storage stability of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Evacuated canisters were filled at a controlled rate with ambient air containing added concentrations of 15 VOCs (14 chlorinated, one brominated) at < 2 ppbv. Concentrations of VOCs in each canister were then periodically determined during 7-day or 30-day storage periods using simultaneous flame ionization and electron capture detection. No initial decreases in concentrations of target compounds were observed. Statistical analysis of data showed that the relative standard deviation of concentrations of most VOCs in each canister set was 10% or less during the storage periods. For the 7-day tests, the mean change in concentration per day was within ± 3.2 %. These canisters appear suitable as an alternative to other sampling techniques, at least for most of the compounds tested here.     

Characterization of atmospheric trace elements on PM2.5 particulate matter over the New York–New Jersey harbor estuary

The purpose of this work is to characterize trace elements associated with atmospheric particulate matter of 2.5 μm and smaller in size (PM_2.5) over the New York–New Jersey (NY–NJ) Harbor Bight. Using low-volume PM_2.5 samplers, aerosol particulate samples were simultaneously collected for the first time at three locations in the region, Sandy Hook in the coast, New Brunswick and Liberty Science Center (Jersey City) in nearby urban areas, during January 1998–January 1999. Sample analysis for trace elements was accomplished by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Many elements in ambient air exhibit strong spatial gradients from urban centers to the coast, and the concentrations of most elements at Liberty Science Center are significantly higher than at the other two locations. Seasonal patterns are not apparent for most elements at all locations, suggesting continuous contributions from their sources. The elements Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu, Ni, V, Sb, are enriched by factors of 200 to 20,000 relative to their natural abundance in crustal soil. Major sources that contribute to the atmospheric loading of these elements include fossil fuel combustion, oil combustion, metal processing industry, and waste incineration. Atmospheric dry deposition of these trace elements associated with PM_2.5 to the coastal waters of the NY–NJ estuary may account for a significant portion of the total dry deposition fluxes for these elements.     

The sequestration of trace elements by willow (Salix purpurea)—which soil properties favor uptake and accumulation?

The effect of soil properties on trace element (TE) extraction by the Fish Creek willow cultivar was assessed in a 4-month greenhouse experiment with two contrasted soils and two mycorrhizal treatments (Rhizophagus irregularis and natives). Aboveground tissues represented more than 82 % of the willow biomass and were the major sink for TE. Cadmium and Zn were concentrated in leaves, while As, Cu, Ni, and Pb were mostly found in roots. Willow bioconcentration ratios were below 0.20 for As, Cu, Ni, and Pb and reached 10.0 for Cd and 1.97 for Zn. More significant differences in willow biomass, TE concentrations, and contents were recorded between soil types than between mycorrhizal treatments. A slight significant increase in Cu extraction by willow in symbiosis with Rhizophagus irregularis was observed and was linked to increased shoot biomass. Significant regression models between TE in willow and soil properties were found in leaves (As, Ni), shoots (As, Cd, Cu, Ni), and roots (As, Cu, Pb). Most of the explanation was shared between soil water-soluble TE and fertility variables, indicating that TE phytoextraction is related to soil properties. Managing interactions between TE and major nutrients in soil appeared as a key to improve TE phytoextraction by willows.     

Do decreased trace metal concentrations in surficial skagerrak sediments over the last 15-30 years indicate decreased pollution?

Varying concentrations of Zn, Pb and Cu over the last 15-30 years (1963-1991) have been found in two undisturbed cores with preserved sediment-water interfaces from the Skagerrak (Station A: 645 m, Station B: 405 m water depth). Mass Accumulation Rates (MAR) in g/m2/year were used to resolve the question of increased or decreased supply. Station A-MAR increased exponentially: Zn from 0.05 to 0.28, Cu from 0.009 to 0.044, and Pb from 0.003 to 0.114 g/m2/year, while concentrations did not show this increase over the last 15-30 years. Station B-MAR increased exponentially: Zn from 0.07 to 0.29, Cu from 0.013 to 0.049, and Pb from 0.014 to 0.114 g/m2/year, while concentrations decreased over the same period. MAR indicated that both stations received similar trace metal flux. Release of trace metals from the sediment to the water column and/or dilution by water and organic matter within the upper few centimeters of the sediment accounted for the concentration decrease at both stations. MAR revealed an increase in trace metal supply, and thus an increase in pollution, over the last 15-30 years, although concentrations indicated the opposite.     

Do trace metals (chromium, copper, and nickel) influence toxicity of diesel fuel for free-living marine nematodes?

The objective of this study was to test the hypotheses that (1) free-living marine nematodes respond in a differential way to diesel fuel if it is combined with three trace metals (chromium, copper, and nickel) used as smoke suppressants and that (2) the magnitude of toxicity of diesel fuel differs according to the level of trace metal mixture added. Nematodes from Sidi Salem beach (Tunisia) were subjected separately for 30 days to three doses of diesel fuel and three others of a trace metals mixture. Simultaneously, low-dose diesel was combined with three amounts of a trace metal mixture. Results from univariate and multivariate methods of data evaluation generally support our initial hypothesis that nematode assemblages exhibit various characteristic changes when exposed to different types of disturbances; the low dose of diesel fuel, discernibly non-toxic alone, became toxic when trace metals were added. For all types of treatments, biological disturbance caused severe specific changes in assemblage structure. For diesel fuel-treated microcosms, Marylynnia bellula and Chromaspirinia pontica were the best positive indicative species; their remarkable presence in given ecosystem may predict unsafe seafood. The powerful toxicity of the combination between diesel fuel and trace metals was expressed with only negative bioindicators, namely Trichotheristus mirabilis, Pomponema multipapillatum, Ditlevsenella murmanica, Desmodora longiseta, and Bathylaimus capacosus. Assemblages with high abundances of these species should be an index of healthy seafood. When nematodes were exposed to only trace metals, their response looks special with a distinction of a different list of indicative species; the high presence of seven species (T. mirabilis, P. multipapillatum, Leptonemella aphanothecae, D. murmanica, Viscosia cobbi, Gammanema conicauda, and Viscosia glabra) could indicate a good quality of seafood and that of another species (Oncholaimellus mediterraneus) appeared an index of the opposite situation.     

Is levoglucosan a suitable quantitative tracer for wood burning? Comparison with receptor modeling on trace elements in Lycksele, Sweden

Particle emissions from residential wood combustion in small communities in Northern Sweden can sometimes increase the ambient particle concentrations to levels comparable to densely trafficked streets in the center of large cities. The reason for this is the combination of increased need for domestic heating during periods of low temperatures, leading to higher emission rates, and stable meteorological conditions. In this work, the authors compare two different approaches to quantify the wood combustion contribution to fine particles in Northern Sweden: a multivariate source-receptor analysis on inorganic compounds followed by multiple linear regression (MLR) of fine particle concentrations and levoglucosan used as a tracer. From the receptor model, it can be seen that residential wood combustion corresponds with 70% of modeled particle mass. Smaller contributions are also seen from local nonexhaust traffic particles, road dust, and brake wear (each contributing 14%). Of the mass, 1.5% is explained by long-distance transported particles, and 2% derives from a regional source deriving from either oil combustion or smelter activities. In samples collected in ambient air, a significant linear correlation was found between wood burning particles and levoglucosan. The levoglucosan fraction in the ambient fine particulate matter attributed to wood burning according to the multivariate analysis ranged from < 2% to 50%. This is much higher than the fraction found in the emission from the boilers expected to be responsible for most emissions at this site (between 3% and 6%). A laboratory emission study of wood and pellet boilers gave 0.3% wt to 22% wt levoglucosan to particle mass, indicating that the levoglucosan fraction may be highly dependent on combustion conditions, making it uncertain to use it as a quantitative tracer under real-world burning conditions. Thus, quantitative estimates of wood burning contributions will be very uncertain using solely levoglucosan as a tracer.     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and trace metals in mosque’s carpet dust of Riyadh,Saudi Arabia,and their health risk implications

The main objectives of this work were to identify and determine the concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and trace metals in carpet dust samples from various mosques of the city of Riyadh and to assess the health risks associated with the exposure to these pollutants. Therefore, 31 samples of mosque’s carpet dust from Riyadh were collected. The results showed that 14 PAHs were present in the dust samples with concentrations ranged from 90 to 22,146 ng g^?1 (mean = 4096 ± 4277 ng g^?1) where low molecular weight compounds were dominant. The presence of PAHs were in the order of naphthalene > chrysene and benzo(b)fluoranthene > benzo(a)pyrene > acenaphthene and benzo(k)fluoranthene > pyrene and the absence of indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene and dibenz(a,h)anthracene. The diagnostic ratio coupled with principle component analysis (PCA) revealed mix sources of petrogenic from traffic, stack emission, and pyrogenic inputs from essence and perfumed wood burning. Trace metals were significant in the dust samples, and their concentrations decrease in the order of Zn, Mn, Cu, Cr, Pb, Ni, and V where Zn being the highest (94.4 ± 91.5 μg g^?1) and indium was the lowest (1.9 ± 9.3 μg g^?1). The trace metals were major in southern and central parts of Riyadh and followed the order of central Riyadh > southern Riyadh > western Riyadh > eastern Riyadh > northern Riyadh. Estimated risk based on the total PAHs was found to be 4.30 × 10^?11 for adult and 1.56 × 10^?11 for children. Elemental non-cancer risk for adults ranged from 7.9 × 10^?4 for Co to 7.58 × 10^?1 for Li and for children ranged from 3.70 × 10^?3 for Co to 3.54 for Li. Policy implication and mitigations of PAHs in Riyadh and Saudi Arabia were highlighted.     

Biomonitoring of air quality in the Cologne Conurbation using pine needles as a passive sampler – Part III: Major and trace elements

We here report complementary trace element (Fe, Pb, Cd, Zn, Cr, Cu, Ni and sulfur) concentrations and ratios in pine needles collected in the urban area of Cologne, Germany. Potential element sources are discussed in conjunction with enviromagnetic and PAH data to evaluate air quality. Foliar trace element concentrations of Zn, Cr, Cu, Ni and sulfur are close to essential nutrient levels. Median concentrations of foliar Fe, Pb and Cd in Cologne are 132, 1.1, and 0.06 μg g^?1, respectively. Thus these elements are enhanced over biogenic background levels and show significant accumulation with needle exposure time. Foliar sulfur concentrations vary between 868 and 2076 μg g^?1 with a median value of 1409 μg g^?1, except for two locations where 2370 and 2379 μg g^?1 were observed. Cadmium serves as an indicator for local industrial emissions with short transport distances of only a few kilometres in Cologne City. Elevated Fe, Pb and Zn concentrations mark areas with higher traffic loads and agree with enhanced PAH burdens and magnetic susceptibility intensities of pine needles. Isopleths mapping and source differentiation of atmospheric pollutants using foliar trace elements is feasible. For temporal or spatial high-resolution studies more cost-effective environmental magnetics is recommended, which may guide in design of detailed studies aiming at identification and allocation of emission sources. Hereby, a combination of organic tracers (PAH), magnetic properties, and trace metals is considered most reliable.     

Rapid determination of trace dicyandiamide in mussels from Zhejiang coast by ultra-fast liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry with isotope internal standard dilution technique

In this study, a rapid and accurate ultra-fast liquid chromatography–tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry (UFLC–MS/MS) method coupled with the isotope internal standard dilution technique was established and validated to determine trace dicyandiamide (DCD) in mussels. The sample was extracted by acetonitrile, and chromatographic separations were performed on an Acquity UPLC BEH Amide column by using water–acetonitrile (9:91, v/v) as the mobile phase within 3 min. DCD was determined by using DCD-¹⁵N₄ as an internal standard. The results showed that the recoveries were between 96.2 and 103 % with relative standard deviations (RSDs) in the range of 0.6–6.0 %. The limit of quantification (LOQ) was 0.05 μg/kg. This method can be applied to the routine analysis for the rapid and sensitive determination of trace DCD in mussels. Overall, the data reiterate the importance of investigating the presence of DCD in marine biological samples, which can act as food quality controls for human health.     

Accumulation of As, Cd and selected trace elements in tubers of Scirpus maritimus L. from Doñana marshes (South Spain)

The collapse of a pyrite-mining, tailing dam on 1998 contaminated an area of 4286 ha along the Agrio and Guadiamar river valleys in southern Spain. Over 2700 ha of the Do?ana marshes, an important wintering area for wetland European birds, were contaminated. This study reports analyses of the tubers of Scirpus maritimus (an important food for greylag geese, Anser anser) collected in 2000 in the "Entremuros" (spill-affected area) and in nearby unaffected Do?ana marshes (control areas). In the spill-affected area mean tuber tissue concentrations of Cd (0.25 mg kg-1) and Zn (61 mg kg-1) were greater than in those tubers from the control area (0.02 mg kg-1 for Cd, and 22 mg kg-1 for Zn); values of Cd and Zn in "Entremuros" (samples collected two years after the mine spill) were much smaller than those reported only a few months after the accident. Trace elements (As, Fe, Mn and Tl, and to a lesser extent Cd and Pb) showed a preferential accumulation in the outer skin of tubers. Surprisingly, concentrations of As and Fe were greater in tubers from some marsh sites not affected by the mine-spill than in tubers from the "Entremuros". We suggest that relic river channels within the Do?ana marshes may be contaminated by trace elements from historic mining activities. An exhaustive study of macrophytes and other plant species in this area is recommended to identify potential risks to wildlife.     

Essential and non-essential trace element concentrations in muscle and liver of a pregnant Munk’s pygmy devil ray (Mobula munkiana) and its embryo

During gestation, essential and non-essential trace elements are transferred from the pregnant females to embryos. This study aimed to determine and compare the concentrations of seven essential trace elements (Fe, Zn, Se, Cu, Mn, Cr, Co) and six non-essential trace elements (As, Cd, V, U, Tl, Ag) in the muscle and the liver of a Munk’s pygmy devil ray pregnant female, Mobula munkiana, and its embryo. Transfer evidence of essential and non-essential trace elements was detected in M. munkiana tissues. Arsenic was found in elevated concentrations in the pregnant female and the embryo tissues. Elevated levels of Cd, V, U, and Ag were found in the pregnant female liver, but were minimal in the embryo tissue. This is the first study to investigate maternal transfer of essential and non-essential trace elements in these species and their reproductive strategy.

     

Impact of municipal solid waste dumpsites on trace metal contamination levels in the surrounding area: a case study in West Africa,Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The impact of uncontrolled municipal dumping sites on metal contamination in the surrounding waters, sediments, and soils are of great concern in many...     

Comment on “Irreversible sorption of trace concentrations of perfluorocarboxylic acids to fiber filters used for air sampling” by Arp and Goss (Atmospheric Environment 42, 6869–6872, 2008)

This discussion paper reflects concerns as to the technical arguments set forth in the Arp and Goss paper. The authors of the paper, Arp and Goss, hypothesize that vapor phase perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFAs) are irreversibly sorbed to the surface of air sampling filters, and that this sorption erroneously biases vapor/particle speciation measurements toward the particle phase. These authors also suggest a surface treatment of the filters is necessary. As authors of some of the experimental data used in the Arp paper, we believe Arp and Goss have misstated the case for irreversible adsorption, and that untreated filters provide adequate vapor/particle speciation results for PFAs. Additional field data are offered to help prove the point.     

Physicochemical variations in atmospheric aerosols recorded at sea onboard the Atlantic–Mediterranean 2008 Scholar Ship cruise (Part II): Natural versus anthropogenic influences revealed by PM10 trace element geochemistry

The geochemistry of PM₁₀ filter samples collected at sea during the Scholar Ship Atlantic–Mediterranean 2008 research cruise reveals a constantly changing compositional mix of pollutants into the marine atmosphere. Source apportionment modelling using Positive Matrix Factorization identifies North African desert dust, sea spray, secondary inorganic aerosols, metalliferous carbon, and V–Ni-bearing combustion particles as the main PM₁₀ factors/sources. The least contaminated samples show an upper continental crust composition (UCC)-normalised geochemistry influenced by seawater chemistry, with marked depletions in Rb, Th and the lighter lanthanoid elements, whereas the arrival of desert dust intrusions imposes a more upper crustal signature enriched in “geological” elements such as Si, Al, Ti, Rb, Li and Sc. Superimposed on these natural background aerosol loadings are anthropogenic metal aerosols (e.g. Cu, Zn, Pb, V, and Mn) which allow identification of pollution sources such as fossil fuel combustion, biomass burning, metalliferous industries, and urban–industrial ports. A particularly sensitive tracer is La/Ce, which rises in response to contamination from coastal FCC oil refineries. The Scholar Ship database allows us to recognise seaborne pollution sourced from NW Africa, the Cape Verde and Canary islands, and European cities and industrial complexes, plumes which in extreme cases can produce a downwind deterioration in marine air quality comparable to that seen in many cities, and can persist hundreds of kilometres from land.     

Selected trace metals in oysters (Crassostrea iridescens) and sediments from the discharge zone of the submarine sewage outfall in Mazatlán Bay (southeast Gulf of California): chemical fractions and bioaccumulation factors

Concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn in the soft tissue of Crassostrea iridescens and the associated surface sediments (bulk and bioavailable metal concentrations) from an area influenced by a sewage outfall in Mazatlán Bay (southeast Gulf of California), were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Significant spatial differences in metal concentrations in both the bulk and bioavailable forms in the sediments were identified. An enrichment of Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in sites located on a south-north transect was detected indicating a dominant influence of the sewage outfall toward the north. C. iridescens accumulated more Zn, Cu, Ni, Fe, Cd; and less Mn, Cr and Pb than were bioavailable in the sediments, as measured using conventional extraction analysis. The degree of enrichment and the bioavailable metal concentrations in the sediments of the south portion of Mazatlán Bay is discussed. The potential ability of C. iridescens as a biomonitor of metallic pollutants is postulated.