The enhancement of photodegradation efficiency using Pt-TiO2 catalyst

The residues from the extraction of lead/zinc (Pb/Zn) ores of most Pb/Zn mines are permanently stored in tailings ponds, which require revegetation to reduce their environmental impact. This can only be done if the main constraints on plant establishment are evaluated. This can readily be done by field and greenhouse studies.

To test this, the properties of different tailings from Lechang Pb/Zn mine located at the north of Guangdong Province in southern China have been studied. Physical and chemical properties including concentrations of metals (Pb, Zn, Cd and Cu) in the tailings and soils collected from different sites have been measured. The results showed that tailings contain low nitrogen (0.016–0.075%), low-organic matter (0.58–1.78%), high salt (3.55–13.85 dS/m), and high total and diethylene–tetramine–pentaacetic acid (DTPA)-extractable metal concentrations (total: 1019–1642 μg g⁻¹ Pb, 3078–6773 μg g⁻¹ Zn, 8–23 μg g⁻¹ Cd, and 85–192 μg g⁻¹ Cu; DTPA-extractable: 59–178 μg g⁻¹ Pb, 21–200 μg g⁻¹ Zn, 0.30–1.5 μg g⁻¹ Cd, and 4.3–12 μg g⁻¹ Cu). Aqueous extracts of tailings/soils (10%, 20% and 30%, w/v) from different sites were prepared for testing their effects on seed germination and root elongation of a vegetable crop Brassica chinensis and a grass species Cynodon dactylon. It was found that root elongation provided a better evaluation of toxicity than seed germination. The ranking of toxicity using root elongation was: high-sulfur tailings>tailingdam>sparsely vegetated tailings>densely vegetated tailings>mountain soil for both plants. This order was consistent with DTPA-extractable Pb contents in the tailings and soils. B. chinensis seedlings were then grown in the mixtures of different proportions of tailings and farm soil for 4 weeks, and the results (dry weights of seedlings) were in line with the root elongation test. All these demonstrated that heavy metal toxicity, especially available Pb, low content of nutrient, and poor physical structure were major constraints on plant establishment and colonization on the Pb/Zn mine tailings.     

Acetone-induced photodechlorination of Aroclor 1254 in alkaline 2-propanol: Probing the mechanism by thermolysis in the presence of di-t- butyl peroxide

Aroclor 1254 (1860 mg/l) in alkaline 2-propanol and in the presence of acetone (4% v/v) was photodechlorinated to biphenyl at λ >300 nm with exceptionally high quantum yield (Φ= 18). Under similar conditions photodechlorination of extracts of Aroclor 1254 contaminated soil (730 mg/kg) proceeded with lower quantum yield Φ= 0.4. While oxygen severely quenched photolysis, dechlorination was accomplished under thermal conditions using di-t-butyl peroxide, t-BuOOBu-t, as free radical initiator. A free radical chain reaction is suggested in which acetone triplet, T₁(n,π*), or t-BuO^· radical abstracts H-atom from 2-propanol to give the ketyl radical, (CH₃)₂ OH, which after losing a proton to the alkaline medium gives the ketyl radical anion, (CH₃)₂CHO^·−. The Aroclor in turn reacts with the latter species through an electron-transfer process giving unstable aryl radical anion, , which cleaves releasing the chloride anion, Cl⁻ and the aryl radical, A^·     

The use of physiological characteristics for comparison of organic compounds phytotoxicity

The influence of intact (FLT) and photomodified (phFLT) fluoranthene (0.05, 0.5 and 5 μmol l⁻¹) and herbicide Basagran (5, 20, 35 and 50 nmol l⁻¹) on the germination, growth of seedlings and photosynthetic processes in pea plants (Pisum sativum L., cv. Garde) was investigated. The germination was significantly inhibited already by the lowest concentration (0.05 μmol l⁻¹) of FLT and phFLT, while Basagran caused inhibition only in higher concentrations (35 and 50 nmol l⁻¹). The growth of roots was significantly inhibited by higher concentration 5 μmol l⁻¹ of both FLT and phFLT and the shoot of seedlings was significantly influenced only by photomodified form. The length of root and shoot was inhibited already by concentration 5 nmol l⁻¹ of Basagran. Organic compounds applied on chloroplasts suspension influenced primary photochemical processes of photosynthesis. In chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, the significant increase of F₀ values and the decrease of F_V/F_M and Φ_II values by application of FLT (0.5 and 5 μmol l⁻¹) and phFLT (0.05, 0.5 and 5 μmol l⁻¹) was recorded. The maximum capacity of PSII (F_V/F_M) was influenced by the highest (50 nmol l⁻¹) and the effective quantum yield of PSII (Φ_II) already by the lowest (5 nmol l⁻¹) concentration of Basagran. Hill reaction activity decreased and was significantly inhibited by higher concentration (0.5 and 5 μmol l⁻¹) of FLT and phFLT and already by the lowest concentration (5 nmol l⁻¹) of Basagran.     

外源螯合剂CA和NTA对苎麻修复铅镉复合污染土壤的影响

采用盆栽实验,研究了在两组铅镉复合污染（Cd（10 mg·kg-1）/Pb（100 mg·kg-1）和Cd（50 mg·kg-1）/Pb（500 mg·kg-1））条件下,不同浓度的柠檬酸（CA）和氮三乙酸（NTA）（0,1,5,10 mmol·kg-1）对苎麻生物量、地上部分丙二醛（MDA）含量和抗氧化酶活性、苎麻各部分对Pb和Cd的积累的影响。结果表明,CA和NTA的应用均能促进苎麻的生长和提高Pb和Cd在苎麻体内积累。CA在促进苎麻生长、增强了苎麻对Cd的吸收和转移方面效果显著,但是,CA对Pb的提取和转移促进效果不显著。NTA促进苎麻对Pb的吸收和转移,并且同样有助于Cd的植物修复。苎麻体内CAT,SOD,POD活性和MDA含量变化表明CA和NTA缓解了Cd和Pb对苎麻的氧化胁迫。因此,外源螯合剂CA和NTA的应用有利于铅镉复合污染土壤的植物修复。     

Ultrasonic vibration seeds showed improved resistance to cadmium and lead in wheat seedling

Heavy metals have long-term adverse impacts on the health of soil ecosystems and even exhibit hazardous influences on human health. Literatures have shown that heavy metals could result in the reduction of crops growth and development and finally result in crops production decline. To determine whether or not ultrasonic vibration alleviate damage induced by cadmium and lead in crops, the wheat seeds, which is one of the most important agriculture crops in China and other countries in the world, were exposed to 10 min ultrasonic vibration and then the toxicological effects were investigated. Wheat seeds were soaked for 3 h with water and then the seeds were placed in clean beaker with some water, the beaker were placed in ultrasonic apparatus to vibrate (model, KQ-200VDV; frequency, 45 KHz; power, 160 W). Pretreatment seeds of 80 were sown in dishes (Ø 15 cm). After seeds emergence, the seedlings were thinned to 60 per dish. The dishes with seedlings were placed in a growth chamber maintained at 25 °C, 70 % relative humidity and 380 μmol?mol^?1 CO₂ under dark condition. A 400 μmol?m^?2?s^?1 photosynthetically active radiation was provided for 8 h (dark for 16 h) after the seed germination. When the seedlings were 2 days old, the seedlings were subjected to cadmium and lead for 4 days and then some selective biochemical and physiological parameters were measured. (1) Although each doses of ultrasonic vibration could improve seed germination, enhance biosynthesis of protein and chlorophyll and seedlings growth, the optimum dosage of ultrasonic vibration was 10 min. (2) Compared with the controls, cadmium and lead stress led to significant increase in the concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) and O^?2 and in the conductivity of electrolyte leakage, but the activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR), the glutathione concentration, and the shoot weight were decreased by Cd and Pb stress. In the case of the seeds exposed to ultrasonic vibration and the seedlings followed by cadmium lead stress, the concentrations of MDA and O^?2, and the conductivity of electrolyte leakage were significantly lower than those in cadmium and lead stress; the activities of CAT, SOD, and GR and the shoot weight were significantly higher (except for glutathione (GSH) concentration) than those in cadmium and lead stress seedlings. The membrane is responsible for the selective inflow and outflow of molecules, ions, and water, and is a dynamic structure that performs a variety of functions. Cellular membrane systems play an important role in the compartmentalization of cells and maintaining intercellular homeostasis. Abiotic and biotic stress can induce functional impairments to the cellular membrane systems through triggering an increased formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as superoxide (O₂ ^?), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and hydroxyl radicals. There are several pathways that can be utilized to eliminate ROS in plants, e.g., CAT, SOD, and GR and GSH, etc. compared with controls, cadmium, and lead enhanced the concentrations of ROS; decreased the SOD, CAT, and GR activities; the GSH concentration, and the seedling growth. In the case of ultrasonic pretreatment followed by cadmium and lead stresses, the activities of CAT, SOD, and GR were significant higher, and the conductivity of electrolyte leakage and the concentrations of MDA and O₂ ^? were significant lower than that of those subjected by cadmium and lead stress. This phenomenon demonstrated ultrasonic pretreatment can help plant eliminate the ROS by enhance the activities of antioxidant enzymes. These results suggested that ultrasonic vibration can alleviate the toxicological effect induced by heavy mental.     

Nitrogen trace gas emissions from a riparian ecosystem in southern Appalachia

In this paper, we present two years of seasonal nitric oxide (NO), ammonia (NH₃), and nitrous oxide (N₂O) trace gas fluxes measured in a recovering riparian zone with cattle excluded and adjacent riparian zone grazed by cattle. In the recovering riparian zone, average NO, NH₃, and N₂O fluxes were 5.8, 2.0, and 76.7 ng N m⁻² s⁻¹ (1.83, 0.63, and 24.19 kg N ha⁻¹ y⁻¹), respectively. Fluxes in the grazed riparian zone were larger, especially for NO and NH₃, measuring 9.1, 4.3, and 77.6 ng N m⁻² s⁻¹ (2.87, 1.35, and 24.50 kg N ha⁻¹ y⁻¹) for NO, NH₃, and N₂O, respectively. On average, N₂O accounted for greater than 85% of total trace gas flux in both the recovering and grazed riparian zones, though N₂O fluxes were highly variable temporally. In the recovering riparian zone, variability in seasonal average fluxes was explained by variability in soil nitrogen (N) concentrations. Nitric oxide flux was positively correlated with soil ammonium (NH₄⁺) concentration, while N₂O flux was positively correlated with soil nitrate (NO₃⁻) concentration. Ammonia flux was positively correlated with the ratio of NH₄⁺ to NO₃⁻. In the grazed riparian zone, average NH₃ and N₂O fluxes were not correlated with soil temperature, N concentrations, or moisture. This was likely due to high variability in soil microsite conditions related to cattle effects such as compaction and N input. Nitric oxide flux in the grazed riparian zone was positively correlated with soil temperature and NO₃⁻ concentration. Restoration appeared to significantly affect NO flux, which increased ≈600% during the first year following restoration and decreased during the second year to levels encountered at the onset of restoration. By comparing the ratio of total trace gas flux to soil N concentration, we show that the restored riparian zone is likely more efficient than the grazed riparian zone at diverting upper-soil N from the receiving stream to the atmosphere. This is likely due to the recovery of microbiological communities following changes in soil physical characteristics.     

Influence of water hardness on the bioavailability and toxicity of linear alkylbenzene sulphonate (LAS)

In the present work, the influence of Ca²⁺ concentration on the toxicity of single cut linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) homologues was studied. Precipitation boundary diagrams for each homologue were obtained, indicating turbid and clear zones depending on the LAS and Ca²⁺ concentrations. The separation between transparent and turbid zones is given by the so-called precipitation line. LAS toxicity to Daphnia magna was determined at concentrations close to this precipitation line. It was observed that when Ca(LAS)₂ precipitation progresses, LAS bioavailability decreases for test animals, and the toxicity diminishes even at high nominal LAS concentrations. According to the “free ion activity model” (FIAM), the toxicity of a given chemical compound is mainly due to the ionic species (Ca²⁺–LAS⁻) and not due to the precipitated molecule, Ca(LAS)₂. The significance of the present study is in connection with the assessment of LAS sorption/precipitation studies in soils and sediments, where in situ toxicity is strongly influenced by Ca²⁺/Mg²⁺ ions, according to the results presented in this work.     

Effective removal of coordinated copper from wastewater using a new dithiocarbamate-type supramolecular heavy metal precipitant

A new dithiocarbamate-type heavy metal precipitant, sodium 1,3,5-hexahydrotriazinedithiocarbamate (HTDC), was prepared and used to remove coordinated copper from wastewater. In the reported dithiocarbamate-type precipitants, HTDC possesses the highest percentage of the effective functional groups. It could effectively precipitate copper to less than 0.5 mg l⁻¹ from both synthetic and actual industrial wastewater containing CuEDTA in the range of pH 3–9. UV–vis spectral investigation and elemental analysis suggested that the precipitate was a kind of coordination supramolecular compound, [Cu₃(HTDC)₂]_n. The toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) and semi-dynamic leaching test (SDLT) indicated that the supramolecular precipitate was non-hazardous and stable in weak acid and alkaline conditions. Tests of an anion exchange resin D231 provided a clue to simultaneously remove excess HTDC and residual CuEDTA in practical process of wastewater treatment.     

The role of humic substances in chromium sorption onto natural organic matter (peat)

To elucidate mechanisms of Cr³⁺ sorption onto the unaltered solid natural organic matter, the comparative studies of this ion binding from a solution at pH 4.0 onto three selected particle size fractions: 2000–1000 μm, 630–200 μm and 63–20 μm of markedly different HS content and structure, separated by a wet sieving from an overall sample of peat (Brushwood Peat Humus) were carried out. Comparable patterns of COOH groups and CEC_t confirmed that for cation exchange capacity were responsible mainly cations connected with COO⁻ functional groups. It was though found that aliphatic acids in the solid state did not take part in Cr³⁺ binding, thus the finest studied fraction 63–20 μm of the highest contents of functional groups showed the lowest sorption capacity for Cr³⁺, while similar patterns of sorbed Cr³⁺, soluble HS content and base CEC₀ indicated that these parameters were directly interrelated. The base ion exchange processes determined by CEC₀ (with Ca²⁺ as a predominant exchangeable cation) appeared to be not the major mechanisms responsible for Cr³⁺ sorption. For this metal, strong binding to insoluble large molecular weight organic pool two- to threefold prevailed over the ion exchange processes. Very low acid desorption indicated generally low mobility of Cr³⁺-organic compounds.     

EDTA对汞毒害下小麦幼苗细胞膜及体内保护系统的影响

研究表明，向含汞污水中加入ＥＤＴＡ能使汞引起的小麦幼苗细胞膜透性，膜脂质过氧化水平，ＳＯＤ活性，可溶性糖及可溶性蛋白质含量的增加和ＣＡＴ活性的降低得以恢复，汞对幼苗的毒害减轻。     

The gas phase addition of NOx to olefins

The addition of N₂O₅ to 1-hexene in synthetic air results in 1,2-hexanedioldinitrate and 2-hexanon-1-ol-nitrate as the main products and some -hydroxy-1-ol-nitrate. In the reaction with cyclohexene, cis/trans-1,2-cyclohexanediol-dinitrate and cyclohexene-1-on-2-ol-nitrate have been detected. The addition of NO₃ to isoprene produces 4-nitrato-3-methylbutenal-2. The reaction of NO₃ with methylenecyclohexane and sabinene in air results in 1-(methylnitrate) cyclohexane-1-ol and both epimers of 1-(methylnitrate)-4-(isopropyl) cyclo-hexene-4-ol, respectively. The main products of the addition of NO₃ to - and β-pinene were probably rearranged compounds of the limonene type: -pinene produces 1-(methyl)-2-(nitrato)-4-(2-propane-2-ol)-cyclohex-1-ene and β-pinene produces 1-(methylnitrate)-4-(2-propane-2-ol)cyclohex-1-ene. Other rearrangements give rise to a variety of nitrates and ketonitrates of structures as yet unknown in the - and β-pinene systems.

The probably particle-borne addition of NO₂ to -pinene, β-pinene and camphene in air produces 2-nitrolimonene, 7-nitrolimonene and nitrocamphene as the main reaction products.     

Growth, photosynthetic and respiratory responses to sub-lethal copper concentrations in Scenedesmus incrassatulus (Chlorophyceae)

In the present paper we investigated the effects of sub-lethal concentrations of Cu²⁺ in the growth and metabolism of Scenedesmus incrassatulus. We found that the effect of Cu²⁺ on growth, photosynthetic pigments (chlorophylls and carotenoids) and metabolism do not follow the same pattern. Photosynthesis was more sensitive than respiration. The analysis of chlorophyll a fluorescence transient shows that the effect of sub-lethal Cu²⁺ concentration in vivo, causes a reduction of the active PSII reaction centers and the primary charge separation, decreasing the quantum yield of PSII, the electron transport rate and the photosynthetic O₂ evolution. The order of sensitivity found was: Growth > photosynthetic pigments content = photosynthetic O₂ evolution > photosynthetic electron transport > respiration. The uncoupled relationship between growth and metabolism is discussed.     

Processes involved in uptake and release of nitrogen dioxide from soil and building stones into the atmosphere

Atmospheric NO₂ was taken up by samples of various soils and building stones. The NO₂ uptake rate constants were highest in soil samples taken during the summer months. However, the NO₂ uptake rate constants of the soils and building stones were not significantly correlated with any of the following variables: moisture, pH, ammonium, nitrite, or nitrate. NO₂ uptake by soil and stone was not abolished by autoclaving indicating a chemical uptake process. NO₂ uptake by acidic and air-dry soils and stones resulted in nearly stoichiometric reduction of NO₂ to NO. This reduction was enhanced by the addition of ferrous iron and was further enhanced by incubation under 1 ppmv SO₂. The results suggest that NO₂ reduction may be coupled to oxidation of ferrous to ferric iron which may be reduced again by atmospheric SO₂ thus regenerating the ferrous iron content of the soil or stone. Conversion of NO₂ to NO was not observed in neutral or/and moist soils and stones. NO₂ was also taken up by purified and sterilized quartz sand moistend with water. This uptake was enhanced by addition of humic material but not by addition of bacteria which both had been extracted from genuine soil. Under most conditions, only uptake but no release of NO₂ was observed. However, NO₂ was released in air-dry soils that were heated to 45–65°C, or in ammonium-fertilized soil or stone that was drying up at room temperature. Under the latter conditions mimicking field practice, the NO₂ release reached rates that were similar to the NO release rates.     

Photomineralization of n-alkanoic acids in aqueous solution by photocatalytic membranes. Influence of trialkyl vanadates as catalytic promoters of immobilized titanium dioxide

The Ti0₂-mediated photomineralization of 8–1000 ppm of methanoic acid, of 6–100 ppm of ethanoic acid, of 6–180 ppm of propanoic acid, and of 6–90 ppm of n-decanoic acid in aqueous solutions was studied at 296± 2 K or 308 ± 2 K, with low and high pressure mercury arc lamps (radiant power in the absorption range 8 and 145 W respectively), using PHOTOPERM® CPP/313 membranes containing immobilized 30±3 wt.% Ti0₂, and, in parallel runs, 7 wt.% of a synergic mixture of tri(t-butyl)- and tri-(i-propyl) vanadate(V) as photocatalytic promoter. Stoichiometric H₂0₂ was used or, in some of the runs, 0₃, at saturation, as oxygen suppliers. Disappearance of total organic carbon (TOC) was followed as a function of time. To fit kinetic curves up to complete photomineralization, a kinetic model was employed, already used successfully in previous studies, which considers appearance and disappearance of all intermediates, as if they were represented by a hypothetical single molecule, mediating all of them. The photocatalytic activity of trialkyl vanadates was evaluated from quantum yields at “infinite” concentration, with respect to the maximum allowable efficiencies. When using O₃, a dark catalysis effect clearly appeared towards intermediate species produced during the photocatalysed degradation.     

Lead induced changes in antioxidant metabolism of horsegram (Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc.) and bengalgram (Cicer arietinum L.)

One-month old horsegram (Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc. cv VZM1) and bengalgram (Cicer arietinum L. cv Annogiri) were exposed to different regimes of lead stress as Pb(NO3)2 at 0, 200, 500 and 800 ppm concentrations. The extent of oxidative damage as the rate of lipid peroxidation, antioxidative response and the accumulation of lead in roots and shoots of both plants were evaluated after 12 days of lead stress. Lead (Pb) treated plants showed increased levels of lipid peroxidation as evidenced from the increased malondialdehyde content coupled with the increase in the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione S-transferase (GST) compared to control (untreated) plants. Lead stress caused significant changes in the activity of antioxidative enzymes. The effect of lead was found to be concentration dependent. Higher concentration of lead (800 ppm) resulted 2- to 3-fold increase in SOD, catalase and peroxidase activities, 3- to 5-fold increase in GR activity and 3- to 4-fold increase in GST activity in roots and leaves of both horsegram and bengalgram plants. Lead stress caused a significant increase in the rate of peroxidation as showed in the levels of malondialdehyde content in roots and leaves of both plant species. Horsegram registered lower Pb accumulation than bengalgram, however localization of Pb was greater in roots than leaves in both plants. In general, lipid peroxide levels and antioxidative enzyme activities were higher in horsegram than bengalgram and also more in roots than leaves which best concordance with the lead contents of both the plants and organs. These results suggest that Pb toxicity causes oxidative stress in plants and the antioxidative enzymes SOD, CAT, POD, GR, GST could play a pivotal role against oxidative injury.     

Monoterpene emissions and carbonyl compound air concentrations during the blooming period of rape (Brassica napus)

An increasing percentage of agricultural land in Germany is used for oil seed plants. Hence, rape has become an important agricultural plant (in Saxony 1998: 12% of the farmland) in the recent years. During flowering of rape along with intensive radiation and high temperatures, a higher production and emission of biogenic VOC was observed. The emissions of terpenes were determined and more importantly, high concentrations of organic carbonyl compounds were observed during this field experiment. All measurements of interest have been carried out during two selected days with optimal weather conditions. It is found that the origin or the mechanism of formation of different group of compounds had strong influence on the day to day variation of their concentrations. The emission flux of terpenes from flowering rape plants was determined to be 16–32 μg h⁻¹ m⁻² (30–60 ng h⁻¹ per g dry plant––540–1080 ng h⁻¹ per plant), in total. Limonene, -thujene and sabinene were the most important compounds (about 60% of total terpenes). For limonene and sabinene reference emission rates (M_S) and temperature coefficients were determined: β_limonene=0.108 K⁻¹ and M_S=14.57 μg h⁻¹ m⁻²; β_sabinene=0.095 K⁻¹ and M_S=5.39 μg h⁻¹ m⁻².

The detected carbonyl compound concentrations were unexpectedly high (maximum formaldehyde concentration was 18.1 ppbv and 3.4 ppbv for butyraldehyde) for an open field. Possible reasons for these concentrations are the combination of primary emission from the plants induced by high temperature and high ozone stress, the secondary formation from biogenically and advected anthropogenically emitted VOC at high radiation intensities and furthered by the low wind speeds at this time.     

Characterization of atmospheric particulate and metallic elements at Taichung Harbor near Taiwan Strait during 2004-2005

Air aerosol samples for TSP (total suspended particulate), coarse particulate (particle matter with aerodynamical diameter 2.5–10 μm, PM_2.5–10), fine particulate (particle matter with aerodynamical diameter <2.5 μm, PM_2.5) and metallic elements were collected during March 2004 to January 2005 at TH (Taichung Harbor) in central Taiwan. The seasonal variation average concentration of TSP (total suspended particulate), coarse particulate (particle matter with aerodynamical diameter 2.5–10 μm, PM_2.5–10) and fine particulate (particle matter with aerodynamical diameter <2.5 μm, PM_2.5) were in the range 132–171.1 μg m⁻³ and 43–49.5 μg m⁻³, respectively. Seasonal variation of metallic elements Cu, Mn, Zn and Fe in the TSP (total suspended particulate) shows that higher concentration was observed during spring. Seasonal variation of metallic elements Pb, Cr and Mg in the TSP (total suspended particulate) shows that higher concentration was observed during winter. The average metallic element TSP (total suspended particulate) concentration order was Fe > Zn > Mg > Cu > Cr > Mn > Pb in spring. In addition, at the TH sampling site, the average concentration variation of TSP (total suspended particulate) displayed the following order: spring > winter > autumn > summer. However, the average concentration variation of coarse particulate (particle matter with aerodynamical diameter 2.5–10 μm, PM_2.5–10) displayed the following order: spring > winter > summer > autumn. Finally, the average concentration variations of fine particulate (particle matter with aerodynamical diameter <2.5 μm, PM_2.5) were in the following order: winter > spring > summer > autumn at the TH sample site.     

Effect of exogenous abscisic acid on the level of antioxidants in Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz under lead stress

This study hypothesized that the positive or negative effects of exogenous abscisic acid (ABA) on oxidative stress caused by lead were dose dependent. The effects of different levels of ABA (2.5, 5, and 10 mg L^?1) on lead toxicity in the leaves of Atractylodes macrocephala were studied by investigating plant growth, soluble sugars, proteins, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidative enzymes. Excess Pb inhibited root dry weight, root length, and the number of lateral roots, but increased shoot growth. In addition, lead stress significantly decreased the levels of chlorophyll pigments, protein, and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and peroxidase (POD). Different levels of ABA significantly increased SOD, CAT, POD, and APX activities, but decreased the level of hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde in nonstressed plants. Exogenous application of 2.5 mg L^?1 ABA detoxified the stress-generated damages caused by Pb and also enhanced plant growth, soluble sugars, proteins, and all four antioxidant enzyme activities but reduced Pb uptake of lead-stressed plant compared to lead treatment alone. However, the toxic effects of Pb were further increased by the applications of 5 and 10 mg L^?1 ABA. The levels of antioxidants caused by a low concentration of exogenous ABA might be responsible for minimizing the Pb-induced toxicity in A. macrocephala.     

Fate of cancerostatic platinum compounds in biological wastewater treatment of hospital effluents

The present work focuses on the fate of two cancerostatic platinum compounds (CPC), cisplatin and carboplatin, as well as of two inorganic platinum compounds, [PtCl₄]²⁻ and [PtCl₆]²⁻ in biological wastewater treatment. Laboratory experiments modelling adsorption of these compounds onto activated sludge showed promising specific adsorption coefficients K_D and K_OC and Freundlich adsorption isotherms. However, the adsorption properties of the investigated substances were differing significantly. Adsorption decreased following the order cisplatin > [PtCl₆]²⁻ > [PtCl₄]²⁻ > carboplatin. Log K_D-values were ranging from 2.5 to 4.3 , log K_OC from 3.0 to 4.7.

A pilot membrane bioreactor system (MBR) was installed in a hospital in Vienna and fed with wastewater from the oncologic in-patient treatment ward to investigate CPC-adsorption in a sewage treatment plant. During three monitoring periods Pt-concentrations were measured in the influent (3–250 μg l⁻¹ Pt) and the effluent (2–150 μg l⁻¹ Pt) of the treatment plant using ICP-MS. The monitoring periods (duration 30 d) revealed elimination efficiencies between 51% and 63% based on averaged weekly input–output budgets. The derived log K_D-values and log K_OC-values ranged from 2.4 to 4.8 and from 2.8 to 5.3, respectively. Species analysis using HPLC-ICP-MS proofed that mainly carboplatin was present as intact drug in the influent and – due to low log K_D – in the effluent of the MBR.     

Methane fluxes from tundra soils and snowpack in the maritime Antarctic

Methane fluxes were measured from three exposed tundra sites and four snowpack sites on the Fildes Peninsula in the maritime Antarctic in the summertime of 2002. The average fluxes at two normal tundra sites were −15.3 μg m⁻² h⁻¹ and −14.3 μg m⁻² h⁻¹, respectively. The fluxes from tundra site with fresh penguin dropping addition showed positive values with the average of 36.1 μg m⁻² h⁻¹, suggesting that the deposition of fresh droppings greatly enhanced CH₄ emissions from the poor Antarctic tundra during penguin breeding periods. The summertime variation in CH₄ flux was correlated with surface ground temperature and the precipitation. The correlation between the flux and PT₀, which is the product of the precipitation and surface ground temperature, was quite strong. The diurnal cycle of CH₄ flux from the tundra soils was not obtained due to local fluky weather conditions. The fluxes through four snowpack sites were also obtained by the vertical CH₄ concentration gradient and their average fluxes were −46.5 μg m⁻² h⁻¹, −28.2 μg m⁻² h⁻¹, −46.4 μg m⁻² h⁻¹ and −17.9 μg m⁻² h⁻¹, respectively, indicating that tundra soils under snowpack also consume atmospheric CH₄ in the maritime Antarctic; therefore these fluxes could constitute an important part of the annual CH₄ budget for Antarctic tundra ecosystem.