Emission of PCDD/Fs and dioxin-like PCBs from metallurgy industries in S. Korea

The metallurgy industry and municipal waste incinerators are considered the main sources of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in many countries. This study investigated the emission factors and total emissions of PCDD/Fs and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) emitted from metallurgy industries (including ferrous and nonferrous foundries) in Korea. The toxic equivalency (TEQ) emission factor of PCDD/Fs was the highest for secondary copper production, at 24451 ng I-TEQ/ton. The total estimated emissions of PCDD/Fs from these sources were 35.259 g I-TEQ/yr, comprising 0.088 g I-TEQ/yr from ferrous foundries, 31.713 g I-TEQ/yr from copper production, 1.716 g I-TEQ/yr from lead production, 0.111 g I-TEQ/yr from zinc production, and 1.631 g I-TEQ/yr from aluminum production. The total estimated annual amounts of dioxin-like PCBs emitted from these sources were 13.260 g WHO-TEQ/yr, comprising 0.014 g WHO-TEQ/yr from ferrous foundries, 12.675 g WHO-TEQ/yr from copper production, 0.170 g WHO-TEQ/yr from lead production, 0.017 g WHO-TEQ/yr from zinc production, and 0.384 g WHO-TEQ/yr from aluminum production. The highest emission factor was found for secondary copper smelting, at 9770 ng WHO-TEQ/ton.     

Status of persistent organic pollutants in the sediment from several estuaries in China.

Sediment samples from three estuaries on the east coast of China were analyzed for persistent organic pollutants. Total PCB, PAH, and DDT concentrations in the sediments from Minjiang, Jiulongjiang, and Zhujiang estuaries ranged from 2 to 14 ng/g, 400 to 1500 ng/g, and 6 to 73 ng/g, respectively, in the sediments from these estuaries. The sources of PAH contamination were inferred from PAH compositions, with pyrogenic PAHs being the dominant source for Minjiang Estuary and petroleum related PAHs being the primary contributors to Jiulongjiang and Zhujiang estuaries. The high concentrations of DDT in the sediments from these estuaries were likely the result of widespread use of DDT in China in the 1960s and 1970s. Butyltin compounds were detected in the sediment from Jiulongjiang Estuary and Victoria Harbor, Hong Kong. Presence of butyltin compounds probably result from the shipping activities in these estuaries. Butyltin compounds were not detected in the sediments from Minjiang and Zhujiang estuaries. Contaminant concentrations were generally below levels expected to affect benthic organisms with the exception of DDTs.     

Levoglucosan,a tracer for cellulose in biomass burning and atmospheric particles

The major organic components of smoke particles from biomass burning are monosaccharide derivatives from the breakdown of cellulose, accompanied by generally lesser amounts of straight-chain, aliphatic and oxygenated compounds and terpenoids from vegetation waxes, resins/gums, and other biopolymers. Levoglucosan and the related degradation products from cellulose can be utilized as specific and general indicator compounds for the presence of emissions from biomass burning in samples of atmospheric fine particulate matter. This enables the potential tracking of such emissions on a global basis. There are other compounds (e.g. amyrones, friedelin, dehydroabietic acid, and thermal derivatives from terpenoids and from lignin—syringaldehyde, vanillin, syringic acid, vanillic acid), which are additional key indicators in smoke from burning of biomass specific to the type of biomass fuel. The monosaccharide derivatives (e.g. levoglucosan) are proposed as specific indicators for cellulose in biomass burning emissions. Levoglucosan is emitted at such high concentrations that it can be detected at considerable distances from the original combustion source.     

What drives conversion of tropical forest in Carrasco Province, Bolivia?

The conversion of closed forest (CCF) in Carrasco Province, Bolivia, was monitored using a series of four midresolution satellite images from 1986 to 2002. The conversion of forests into nonforests from 1986 to 2002 was 1.5% annually. Inclusion of conversions into open forest doubles the annual CCF rate to 3.1%. Five predictors of CCF were tested in a spatial model: land tenure regime, distance from roads, distance from settlements, topography, and soil suitability for farming. Only three out of the five predictors tested were found to be reliable predictors of CCF: land tenure regime, distance from roads, and distance from settlements. University reserve and indigenous land show substantially less CCF than national park and untitled land. In addition the spatial model shows that the greater the distance of forest from roads or settlements, the less CCF. Topography and soil suitability for farming lack predictive power for CCF and are therefore excluded from the spatial model.     

Volatilisation of crop protection chemicals from crop and soil surfaces under controlled conditions--prediction of volatile losses from physico-chemical properties

Volatilisation of crop protection chemicals from soil and crop surfaces is one of a number of processes that may contribute to their dissipation in the environment. Therefore, information on the potential of a chemical to volatilise from these surfaces is required by international and national registration authorities. This paper reports the results of more than 190 experiments, which were carried out with 80 different crop protection chemicals under controlled conditions (laboratory and/or greenhouse) according to the BBA guideline. Percent loss values observed during 24 h after application are reported for 123 soil and 71 crop volatility studies. Generally, volatile losses from crop surfaces were found to be greater than from soil surfaces under comparable experimental conditions. It has been previously proposed that volatile losses from soil surfaces, from crops, and from aqueous systems can be estimated from physico-chemical parameters. The data are therefore analysed to determine whether a correlation exists between volatilisation and physico-chemical parameters, such as vapour pressure, Henry's law constant, water/air and soil/air distribution coefficients. It was found that these parameters can be used to make reasonable predictions of volatile losses from crop and soil surfaces, which can be expected for crop protection chemicals under controlled conditions. Vapour pressure was the best predictor of losses from soil and crops. The use of the soil/air distribution coefficient is an alternative for predicting/estimating the volatility potential of a chemical from soil. Based on direct measurements, no noticeable volatility can be expected from compounds with a vapour pressure below 10(-3) Pa from soil and 10(-4) Pa from crops, this is fully confirmed by indirect measurements. A tiered volatility testing scheme including appropriate trigger values is proposed.     

Ammonia emission from grassland and livestock production systems in the UK

Emissions of ammonia were measured from livestock excreta and fertilisers applied to grass swards, from grazed paddocks, from decomposing grass herbage and from an animal house containing dairy cows. Emissions from urine, dung, slurry and fertilisers were determined using a system of wind tunnels with each tunnel covering an area of 1 m(2). Emissions from grazed swards were determined using a micrometeorological mass balance method. From the results of these measurements, together with other published information, an inventory for ammonia emissions has been calculated for grassland and livestock production systems over the UK as a whole. It is estimated that emissions from grassland and cattle and sheep production amount to about 230 kt NH(3)-N annually, while emissions from pig and poultry production amount to about 40 kt and 80 kt NH(3)-N, respectively.     

Determination of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzo-furans in solid residues from wood combustion by HRGC/HRMS

PCDD/PCDF were determined in solid samples from wood combustion. The samples included grate ashes, bottom ashes, furnace ashes as well as fly and cyclone ashes. The solid waste samples were classified into bottom and fly ash from native wood and bottom and fly ash from waste wood. For each of the four classes concentration distribution patterns from individual congeners, the sums of PCDD/PCDF and the international toxicity equivalents (I-TEQ) values are given. The I-TEQ levels of fly ash from waste wood burning can be approximately up to two thousand times higher than the values from fly ashes of natural wood. The I-TEQ levels in bottom ashes from waste wood combustion systems are as low as the corresponding ashes from the combustion of native wood. Grate ash samples from waste wood combustion systems with low carbon burnout show high levels of PCDD/PCDF.     

Increased thyroid volume, prevalence of thyroid antibodies and impaired fasting glucose in young adults from organochlorine cocktail polluted area: outcome of transgenerational transmission?

In 137 females (F) and 94 males (M) aged 21-35 years from organochlorines (OCs) polluted area (POLL) increased thyroid volume (ThV), prevalence of antibodies to thyroperoxidase (TPOab), thyrotropin receptor (TRab) and of impaired fasting glucose (IFG) was found compared to 116 F and 107 M from background pollution area (BCGR). In F and M from POLL also strikingly increased level of PCBs, DDE and HCB was found. Such findings were compared to the generation of their parents aged 41-55 years consisting of 320F/213M from POLL and 406F/231M from BCGR. However, in spite of strikingly lower level of those OCs in young adults from POLL, they showed about the same prevalence of adverse health signs as the old generation. From such reason 44 young F and 40 young M with lowest PCBs level from POLL were selected to obtain nearly the same PCB level as found in all young F and M from BCGR. In such PCB adjusted groups the prevalence of TPOab, TRab, IFG and increased ThV was still significantly higher than that in all young subjects from BCGR. At the same time, also the level of DDE and HCB in such PCBs adjusted groups was considerably lower. It was concluded that such adverse effects in young adults from POLL possibly did not result from their actual OCs levels, but very likely from their exposure to high OCs levels of their mothers during their prenatal and perinatal life. Thus, the data may be compatible with present views on transgenerational transmission of endocrine disruptors action.     

活性污泥法处理味精厂废水的工艺优化

经过总结与改进武汉味全食品有限公司近 5年污水处理工艺、设备 ,结果表明 ,经过增加三级曝气池、罗茨鼓风机等工艺改进 ,SS由 132mg/L降为 112mg/L ;NH3 N由 119mg/L降为 37 6mg/L ;Ar OH由 0 0 1mg/L降为 0 0 0 9mg/L ;BOD5由 5年前的 34 6mg/L降为现在的 2 1 2mg/L ;COD由 5年前的 117mg/L降为现在的 6 2 6mg/L ;运行成本由 85 0万降到 4 5 0万 ,通过此工艺的改进及优化 ,基本达到国家污水排放标准 ,完全达到行业排放标准     

Presence of a parasitic nematode (Eustrongylidies sp.) in brown trout (Salmo trutta) from a heavy metal contaminated aquatic ecosystem

The Flat Nickel mine at Evje in southern Norway was mined intensively between 1914 and 1945 with little regard for any potential environmental effect. Much of the ore extracted was smelted at a site adjacent to the river Otra south of Evje. Recent studies have revealed heavy metal pollution in the land surrounding the smelter and in water draining from the mine, leading to concern for the aquatic ecosystem in the river Otra. Brown trout were sampled from an uncontaminated lake nine kilometres upstream from the smelter, from the base of the Oddebekken (a tributary draining the mine water into the Otra), from sites immediately upstream and down stream of the smelter and from a site four kilometres down stream from the smelter. Fish from sites adjacent to the smelter and the base of the Oddebekken were smaller than those from the lake and down stream site. Fish from sites adjacent to the smelter and the base of the Oddebekken were more likely to be infected with parasitic nematode Eustrongylidies. At the population but not the individual level the presence of encapsulated parasitic larvae correlated with the concentrations of two metals, Ni and Cu, in fish.     

Regional sources of pollution aerosol at Barrow,Alaska during winter 1979–1980 as deduced from elemental tracers

A seven-element tracer system for regional pollution aerosol has been applied to 100 daily samples of aerosol from Barrow, Alaska during winter 1979–1980, using regional signatures from eastern N America, Europe, and the Soviet Union. The results suggest that approximately 70% of most tracer elements came from the U.S.S.R., 25 % came from Europe, and the rest came from N America. The large contribution from the U.S.S.R. is consistent with large-scale atmospheric flow patterns for that winter, in which air came strongly and persistently from central Asia northward to the Arctic. The small contribution from eastern N America agrees with previous circumstantial evidence. Apportionment of sulfate between Europe and the Soviet Union suggested that each contributed roughly 50%, however. The greater contribution of Europe to sulfate than to tracer elements is consistent with other data, including emission inventories for SO₂ and elements in the Soviet Union and Europe.     

Source characterisation of road dust based on chemical and mineralogical composition

Road dust contain potentially toxic pollutants originating from a range of anthropogenic sources common to urban land uses and soil inputs from surrounding areas. The research study analysed the mineralogy and morphology of dust samples from road surfaces from different land uses and background soil samples to characterise the relative source contributions to road dust. The road dust consist primarily of soil derived minerals (60%) with quartz averaging 40-50% and remainder being clay forming minerals of albite, microcline, chlorite and muscovite originating from surrounding soils. About 2% was organic matter primarily originating from plant matter. Potentially toxic pollutants represented about 30% of the build-up. These pollutants consist of brake and tire wear, combustion emissions and fly ash from asphalt. Heavy metals such as Zn, Cu, Pb, Ni, Cr and Cd primarily originate from vehicular traffic while Fe, Al and Mn primarily originate from surrounding soils. The research study confirmed the significant contribution of vehicular traffic to dust deposited on urban road surfaces.     

Estimation of the contribution of a municipal waste incinerator to the overall emission and human intake of PCBs in Wilrijk, Flanders

The contribution of the emission of PCBs by a municipal waste incinerator in Wilrijk, a relatively industrialized district in the largest city of Flanders, to the total emission to air and to the total human intake was estimated. Therefore it was compared to the emission of PCBs by evaporation from PCB containing applications (transformers, capacitors, paint, ink, etc.) and to the intake of PCBs with food. As there was a lack of PCB data from the incinerator, the PCB emission concentration was estimated using three different approaches. A PCB measurement of the incinerator emission, performed later on, fell within the predicted range of 0.0004-0.005 ng TEQ/Nm3. Emission of PCBs from PCB containing applications and intake from food were deduced from information available on Flemish and European level. The results indicate a PCB contribution from the incinerator to local emissions between 0.3% and 3% of the emission from PCB containing applications and a contribution to human intake less than 6 x 10(-4)% of the intake from food.     

Ruminant uptake of nickel and other elements from industrial air pollution in the Norwegian-Russian border area

Concentrations of the elements aluminium, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, lead, mercury, nickel, selenium and zinc in liver, and of nickel in kidneys, were studied in reindeer, moose and sheep from South Varanger in eastern Finnmark and comparable districts in western Finnmark, Norway. The study included samples from 31 reindeer, 10 moose and 10 sheep from Jarfjord (South Varanger); 31 reindeer, 27 moose and 15 sheep from Pasvik (South Varanger); and 40 reindeer, 16 moose and 15 sheep from western Finnmark. Levels of arsenic, copper, nickel and selenium were much higher in reindeer from one or both areas in South Varanger than in reindeer from western Finnmark. Levels of chromium, cobalt and zinc were also significantly higher in South Varanger reindeer than in reindeer from the reference area. Within South Varanger the highest levels of these elements were invariably found in the Jarfjord area. For the other elements studied hepatic levels in South Varanger were similar to or lower than in western Finnmark. Also in moose, higher levels of nickel and of selenium (Jarfjord only) were found in the South Varanger samples than in samples from western Finnmark. In sheep, on the other hand, levels in South Varanger samples were similar to levels in western Finnmark for all the elements studied. Comparing the results with reports on pollution of air and vegetation, it was concluded that for all the elements showing higher levels in reindeer and moose from South Varanger compared to the reference areas, the effect most probably was a result of atmospheric transport of industrial pollution from the nearby Russian towns Nikel and Zapoljarnij. The geographical and interspecies differences within the South Varanger samples support this conclusion.     

Humic acids from oxidized coals I. Elemental composition, titration curves, heavy metals in HA samples, nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of HAs and infrared spectroscopy

The formation of humic acids (HAs) from bituminous coal was verified by laboratory oxidation. In a relatively short time the oxidation by air at temperature above 150 degrees C led to the formation of HAs. These HAs were compared with those isolated from oxidized bituminous coal from the vicinity of red bed bodies, from weathered bituminous coal, oxihumolite and lignite. For this the organic and inorganic elemental composition of HAs, apparent dissociation constants, metal-binding capacities, nuclear magnetic resonance and infrared spectra were determined and evaluated. With increasing temperature of laboratory oxidation of bituminous coal the percentage of aromaticity of HAs increases. HAs prepared from coal oxidized at 150 degrees C are characterized by an aromaticity index 78% while for HAs prepared at 250 and 300 degrees C by 95% aromaticity. The same index for HAs isolated from naturally oxidized bituminous coals is of about 87% whereas it is of about 50% for oxihumolite and lignite. The apparent dissociation constants (Kapp) are much higher in HAs isolated from oxihumolite and lignite (pKapp from 3.35 to 3.80) than those from oxidized bituminous coal samples (pKapp from 4.47 to 4.85). There is a good negative correlation between Pb-binding capacity and pKapp of all samples suggesting that metallic ions are bonded to acidic groups of HAs. Also contents of inorganic elements like Fe, Al, Si are much higher in HAs isolated from lignite and oxihumolite than those in HAs from oxidized bituminous coal. Thus, it seems that the temperatures below 150 degrees C and the long oxidation time are necessary conditions for the formation of HAs in oxidative altered bituminous coal deposited deeply under the earth surface.     

Levels and trends of brominated flame retardants in the European environment

In this paper, we review those data which have recently become available for brominated flame retardants (particularly the brominated diphenyl ethers (BDEs) and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD)) in samples from the European environment. Environmental compartments studied comprise the atmosphere, sediments and soils, sewage sludges, and a variety of biological samples and food chains. This is currently a very active research area, and we cite over 70 studies reported in the literature during 2003-04. Findings include that the input of BDEs (especially BDE209) to the Baltic Sea by atmospheric deposition now exceeds that of PCBs by a factor of almost 40 times. Sewage sludge samples from both industrial and background locations show concentrations of BDEs, HBCD and tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBP-A) that are of a similar order, indicating that the major source is from diffuse leaching from products into wastewater streams from users, households and industries generally. Point-sources from industries using BFRs (e.g. the textile industry) also generate local hot-spots. Sediment core studies identified the presence of two of the three PBDE formulations. The penta-mix formulation was clearly present from the beginning of the 1970s, but the deca-mix only appeared in the late 1970s. BDE183, BDE209 and HBCD were detected in peregrine falcons from Sweden and other birds feeding on terrestrial food chains. BDEs are found widely distributed in fish, including those from high mountain lakes in Europe, as a consequence of long-range atmospheric transport and deposition. A temporal trend study in archived freeze-dried mussels from the Seine estuary, France, indicated an exponential increase in BDE concentrations during the period 1982-1993, which levelled off in 1999 and 2001 and then began to decline after 2002. HBCD was detected in liver and blubber samples from harbour seals and harbour porpoises from the Wadden and North Seas, though very few animals yielded positive values for TBBP-A. There are difficulties in comparing data on summation operatorBDE from studies in which different suites of BDE congeners have been determined, and we suggest a common suite which will allow the study of all three commercial PBDE formulations.     

Horizontal distribution of butyltins in surface sediments from an enclosed bay system, Korea

Tributyltin (TBT), dibutyltin (DBT), and monobutyltin (MBT) compounds were quantitatively determined from surface sediment samples (total 59 stations) covering a whole basin where harbors, shipyards, and aquaculture farms were located. Butyltin compounds were detected from all the stations covering 640 km(2) of an enclosed bay system. TBT concentrations ranged from 4 to 382 ng/g as tin on a dry weight basis, and total butyltin concentrations, from 27 to 1763 ng/g. Horizontal distribution of TBT concentration showed apparent negative gradients from harbors and shipyards, indicating that its contamination was closely related to boating and dry-docking activities. However, TBT concentrations were decreased steeply from source areas. Elevated DBT and MBT levels in creeks imply the possible input of DBT from industrial wastewater. Total butyltin concentrations in sediments are significantly correlated with particulate organic carbon concentration for the subset of stations that are distant from source areas.     

Identifying the effect of individual emissions sources on particulate air quality within a photochemical aerosol processes trajectory model

A procedure is demonstrated that greatly expands the number of sources whose contribution to ambient particle levels can be followed separately within an aerosol processes trajectory model without significantly increasing the computational burden of the problem. Particles emitted from different sources within the same general class can be differentiated from each other with this technique; for example particles emitted by on-road diesel vehicles can be distinguished from particles emitted by diesel railroad locomotives, and particles emitted from identical sources at different locations can be distinguished from each other as well. The method developed is illustrated by application to the air quality situation in Southern California. The contributions of more than 50 types of air pollution sources to primary particle concentrations at Claremont, CA, are separated from each other by post-processing the output from the aerosol processes trajectory model for an externally mixed aerosol developed previously by Kleeman and Cass (1998, Atmospheric Environment 32, 2803–2816; 1999 Environmental Science and Technology, 33, 177–189).     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in wastewater, WWTPs effluents and in the recipient waters of Beijing, China

In this study, surface water samples from the Wenyu River and the North Canal, effluent from major wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Beijing, and wastewater from open sewers that discharge directly into the river system were collected and analyzed for 16 priority USEPA polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Concentrations of these 16 PAHs ranged from 193 to 1790 ng/L in river surface waters, 245 to 404 ng/L in WWTP effluents, and 431 to 2860 ng/L in the wastewater from the small sewers. The WWTP effluent was the main contributor of dissolved PAHs to the river, while wastewater from the small sewers contributed both dissolved and suspended particulate matter-associated PAH to the river as indicated by the high dissolved organic carbon and suspended particulate matter contents in the wastewater. Although the flow from each open sewer was small, a PAH discharge as high as 44 kg/year could occur into the river from these types of sewers. This amount was equivalent to about 22 % of the PAH loads discharged into the North Canal downstream from Beijing, whereas the remainder was mainly released by the major WWTPs in Beijing.     

Volatilization of lindance from water in soil-free and flooded soil systems.

Volatilization of 14C-lindane from water in planchets and under flooded soil ecosystem was investigated. Lindane disappeared faster than parathion from planchets. More rapid loss of both insecticides occurred from water than from chloroform. Loss of lindane and parathion was related to measured losses of water by evaporation. During 5-day incubation under flooded soil conditions, disappearance of lindane was faster from open vials than from sealed vials, whereas in nonflooded soil, no volatile loss of the insecticide was evident despite water evaporation. Over 5 day incubation under flooded conditions, greater volatile loss of lindane occurred in sandy soil than in alluvial soil apparanetly due to greater adsorption to the soil colloids decreasing the insecticide concentration in the standing water on the laterite soil. Under identical conditions of water evaporation, lindane loss was directly proportional to its initial concentration in the water. These results suggest that considerable loss of soil applied pesticides can occur by volatilization from the standing water in flooded rice fields, particularly under tropical conditions.