Aerosol size distributions at a site on the east coast of the united states

Aerosol size distributions covering the range from 0.006 to 2.2 μm radius were measured with the NRL differential mobility analyzer and an optical particle counter during a 12-day period in June of 1979 at Wallops Island, VA. Changes in the size distribution were associated primarily with the history of the air mass as indicated by synoptic conditions. The coastal location made it possible to contrast continental and marine conditions. On one occasion a high pressure system moved from over the Great Lakes, across New England and out to sea. Circulation around this high first brought to the site air which had moved down the east coast of the U.S. and later air from the east with increasingly longer trajectories over water. As the length of the trajectory over water increased, a decrease in small particles was clearly evident.     

Identifying the local factors of resilience during cyclone Hudhud and Phailin on the east coast of India

Ambio - The vulnerabilities of coastal communities have increased in recent years, as more people have to live in hazard-prone areas due to population growth. The east coast of India is one such...     

Environmental effects of nanosilver: impact on castor seed germination, seedling growth, and plant physiology

Increasing use of nanoparticles in daily products is of great concern today, especially when their positive and negative impact on environment is not known. Hence, in current research, we have studied the impact of silver nanoparticle (AgNPs) and silver nitrate (AgNO₃) application on seed germination, root, and shoot length of castor bean, Ricinus communis L. plant. Silver nanoparticles had no significant effects on seedling growth even at higher concentration of 4,000 mg L^?1, while the silver in bulk form as AgNO₃ applied on the castor bean seeds inhibited the seed germination. Silver uptake in seedlings of the castor seeds on treatment with both the forms of silver was confirmed through atomic absorption spectroscopy studies. The silver nanoparticle and silver nitrate application to castor seeds also caused an enhanced enzymatic activity of ROS enzymes and phenolic content in castor seedlings. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis of individual phenols indicated enhanced content of parahydroxy benzoic acid. These kinds of studies are of great interest in order to unveil the movement and accumulation of nanoparticles in plant tissues for assessing future applications in the field or laboratory.     

燃煤电厂海水脱硫工艺的排水对海域环境的影响

进行了某4×300 MW燃煤锅炉的海水烟气脱硫(海水FGD)系统投运前后的海域监测.研究结果显示,海水曝气工艺可以较好地使脱硫后的海水水质得到恢复,除Hg必须引起严重关注外,排海海水的其他水质指标变化很小,附近海域所受影响甚微.     

Impact of hydrogeochemical processes and its evolution in controlling groundwater chemistry along the east coast of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry,India

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The present study area falls beside the coastal zone of Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry is characterized by varied geological formations that mostly...     

Petrosia testudinaria as a biomarker for metal contamination at Gulf of Mannar, southeast coast of India

Coastal marine ecosystems in many parts of the world are under unrelenting stress caused by urban development, pollutants and other ecological impacts such as building of infrastructure, land reclamation for port and industrial development, habitat modification, tourism and recreational activities. The present work is a first extensive field study using the marine sponge, Petrosia testudinaria as a biomarker to detect heavy metal pollution between near and off shore environment of 'Gulf of Mannar', India. Sponges were collected from near shore (0.5-1 km) and offshore (5-7 km), locations and their metal concentrations were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICPMS). Our results show that the near shore sponge accumulated greater concentrations of heavy metals (Al, Fe, Mn, As, Ni, Co, Cu, Se) ranging from 0.13 to 64 times higher concentration than the sponges located away from the shore. The results indicate that the accumulated metals alter the macromolecule composition (sugars, proteins and lipids) in near shore sponges. Frequent monitoring is necessary to assess the eco-health of the marine environment by choosing bioindicator species like sponges, which provide accurate, reliable measurement of environmental quality.     

Estimation of microplastics in sediments at the southernmost coast of India (Kanyakumari)

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Increasing urbanization and anthropogenic activities of the last couple of decades have left significant amounts of plastic debris in both coastal and...     

Environmental forensic analysis of the microplastic pollution at “Nattika” Beach,Kerala Coast,India

Abstract

Kerala, being a prominent tourist destination in the southern part of India with a coastline of 560?km, is prone to microplastic pollution. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the USA defines microplastics as plastics of size < 5?mm–1?nm. To solve the problem of microplastic pollution, it is essential to track its source. As plastics are pervasive, it is challenging to track its source with a level of certainty required for implementing control strategies. Formulating and adopting suitable environmental forensic techniques to track microplastic pollution become important in this context. This study quantified the microplastic pollution of the Nattika coast, Kerala, India, and devised an environmental forensic investigation strategy for identifying the pathways and sources of microplastics. The microplastics of size 5–1?mm only were considered. The number of microplastics found in the Nattika Beach in 2017 and 2018 was 70.15 items kg^?1 of sand and 120.85 items kg^?1 of sand, respectively. The microplastics were subjected to analysis in FTIR and SEM as part of characterization. The forensic investigation of the pollution indicated that majority of the microplastic is sourced from the site/nearby area. The investigation could draw useful conclusions regarding the pathways of pollution. The fibrous microplastic, a significant component in the sample, was found to be sourced from the fishing net mending activities carried out close to the shore.     

Butyltins in water, biofilm, animals and sediments of the west coast of India

Biofilm, fish, oyster, mussel, clam, surface seawater, suspended particulate matter (SPM), and sediment samples were collected from marine and/or estuarine waters of the west coast of India. These samples were analysed for butyltin derivatives such as dibutyltin (DBT) and tributyltin (TBT). The concentrations DBT plus TBT varied between 2.4 and 8.3, 163 and 363 ng/l, 5 and 2853 ng/g dry wt in the SPM, seawater and sediment samples, respectively, of the Marmugao harbour. The values of DBT plus TBT ranged between 0.60 and 29, 123 and 242 ng/l and 1.4 and 65 ng/g dry wt in SPM, water and sediment samples, respectively, collected from the Mandovi estuary. In the Dona Paula Bay the DBT plus TBT varied from 10 to 89 ng/l in surface seawater, and TBT from 10 to 513 ng/g in biofilm samples. For the coastal sediment samples the concentration of DBT plus TBT ranged between 36 and 133 ng/g dry wt of sediment. For the animal samples the DBT plus TBT ranged between 58 and 825 ng/g dry wt of the tissue. Mussel tissues contained the highest amount of DBT plus TBT (825 ng/g dry wt tissue), whereas highest TBT concentration was recorded in the oyster (732 ng/g dry wt). TBT was generally the most abundant butyltin compound in most of the samples suggesting fresh inputs and/or less degradation of TBT. A wide range of the observed butyltin concentrations suggests the presence of localized areas of contamination. Leaching of tributyltin-containing antifouling paints from the ocean going ships, fishing and recreational boats, barges, and the inputs of TBT from the Goa shipyard and dry dock facility situated in the harbour are the probable sources of the DBT and TBT in the samples of the west coast of India. Higher levels of TBT were observed in biofilm relative to that in the surrounding seawater. When fed on TBT contaminated biofilm of the diatom Navicula subinflata, butyltin concentrations in the clam Paphia malabarica increased over the period of feeding suggesting the importance of biofilm in the transfer of butyltins to higher group of organisms.     

Reduction of atmospheric emissions due to switching from fuel oil to natural gas at a power plant in a critical area in Central Mexico

ABSTRACT

A case study was conducted to evaluate the SO₂ emission reduction in a power plant in Central Mexico, as a result of the shifting of fuel oil to natural gas. Emissions of criteria pollutants, greenhouse gases, organic and inorganic toxics were estimated based on a 2010 report of hourly fuel oil consumption at the “Francisco Pérez Ríos” power plant in Tula, Mexico. For SO₂, the dispersion of these emissions was assessed with the CALPUFF dispersion model. Emissions reductions of > 99% for SO₂, PM and Pb, as well as reductions >50% for organic and inorganic toxics were observed when simulating the use of natural gas. Maximum annual (993 µg/m³) and monthly average SO₂ concentrations were simulated during the cold-dry period (152–1063 µg/m³), and warm-dry period (239–432 µg/m³). Dispersion model results and those from Mexico City’s air quality forecasting system showed that SO₂ emissions from the power plant affect the north of Mexico City in the cold-dry period. The evaluation of model estimates with 24 hr SO₂ measured concentrations at Tepeji del Rio suggests that the combination of observations and dispersion models are useful in assessing the reduction of SO₂ emissions due to shifting in fuels. Being SO₂ a major precursor of acid rain, high transported sulfate concentrations are of concern and low pH values have been reported in the south of Mexico City, indicating that secondary SO₂ products emitted in the power plant can be transported to Mexico City under specific atmospheric conditions.

Implications: Although the surroundings of a power plant located north of Mexico City receives most of the direct SO₂ impact from fuel oil emissions, the plume is dispersed and advected to the Mexico City metropolitan area, where its secondary products may cause acid rain. The use of cleaner fuels may assure significant SO₂ reductions in the plant emissions and consequent acid rain presence in nearby populated cities and should be compulsory in critical areas to comply with annual emission limits and health standards.     

Input-export fluxes of heavy metals in the Cochin estuary,southwest coast of India

Cochin estuary (CE) is one of the largest tropical estuaries along the southwest coast of India, sustaining rich bio-resources. Several studies enlighten the environmental changes in the CE caused by anthropogenic activities. In the present study, an attempt has been made to quantify the heavy metal (dissolved and particulate) fluxes brought by the six rivers into the CE with their exchange into the coastal ocean through the major inlet at Cochin during a steady flow period (October–November 2015). The water flux across the inlet was quantified using an acoustic doppler current profiler. The measured daily input of dissolved metals from the rivers was 2.43?×?10³ kg Fe, 334 kg Zn, 259 kg Ni, and 83 kg Cr, while that of particulate metals were 85.30?×?10³ kg Fe, 8. 6?×?10³ kg Mn, 236.9 kg Cr, and 111.9 kg Zn. The net export of metals through the Cochin inlet (per tidal cycle) was 3.3?×?10³ kg Fe, 515 kg Cr, 150 kg Zn, and 5 kg Ni in dissolved form and 3.32?×?10⁵ kg Fe, 1747 kg Mn, 1636 kg Cr, 1397 kg Zn, and 586 kg Ni in particulate form. The high concentrations of metals during ebb tides are clear indications of their contribution from the industrial conglomerates (industrial units of metallurgy, catalyst, fertilizer, and pesticides) located in the Periyar River. The significance of this study is that the export fluxes may increase further during the summer monsoon (June to September), which may impact the abundant fishery emanating in the coastal environment during the period due to intense upwelling.

     

垃圾焚烧发电厂废水零排放工艺及其环境经济效益分析

介绍了1种垃圾焚烧发电厂废水零排放工艺,即升流式厌氧污泥床(UASB)+膜生物反应器(MBR)+纳滤(NF)组合工艺,能很好地处理垃圾焚烧发电厂的废水。以广东某垃圾焚烧发电厂为例,对UASB+MBR+NF组合工艺进行了环境经济效益分析,为中国垃圾焚烧发电厂的废水处理提供借鉴。     

Studies on the sorption and desorption characteristics of Zn(II) on the surface soils of nuclear power plant sites in India using a radiotracer technique

Zinc adsorption was studied in the soils of three nuclear power plant sites of India. 65Zn was used as a radiotracer to study the sorption characteristics of Zn(II). The sorption of zinc was determined at 25 and 45 degrees C at pH 7.8+/-0.2 in the solution of 0.01 M Ca(NO3)2 as supporting electrolyte. The sorption data was tested both in Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms and could be described satisfactorily. The effect of organic matter and other physico-chemical properties on the uptake of zinc was also studied in all the soil samples. The results showed that the cation exchange capacity, organic matter, pH and clay content were the main contributors to zinc sorption in these soils. The adsorption maximum was found to be higher in the soil on Kakarpara Atomic Power Plant sites soils having high organic matter and clay content. The zinc supply parameters of the soils are also discussed. In the desorption studies, the sequential extraction of the adsorbed zinc from soils showed that the diethylene triamine penta acetic acid extracted maximum amount of adsorbed zinc than CaCl2 and Mg(NO3)2. The zinc sorption on the soil and amount of zinc retention after extractants desorption shows a positively correlation with vermiculite and smectite mineral content present in the clay fraction of the soil. The amount desorbed by strong base (NaOH) and demineralised water was almost negligible from soils of all the sites, whereas the desorption by strong acid (HNO3) was 75-96% of the adsorbed zinc.     

Atmospheric nitrogen deposition on the east coast of Spain: relevance of dry deposition in semi-arid Mediterranean regions

Bulk deposition composition and pine branch washing were measured from April 1999 to March 2000 on the east coast of Spain. The main objective was to characterise N deposition patterns with special emphasis on dry deposition. Bulk deposition in the region is dominated by neutralisation processes by Ca2+ and HCO3-, ClNa of marine origin and a high correlation between NO3- and SO4(2-). SO4(2-) concentrations show a decrease with respect to previous studies in the region in agreement with generalized sulfur emission decreases while the remaining ions, including NO3-, are higher due to their general increase as well as to the inclusion of dry deposition in bulk collectors in the present study. An enrichment in NO3- has been observed in dry deposition composition branch washing) with respect to bulk deposition, while an impoverishment has been observed in the case of NH4+. Annual bulk deposition varies between 7.22-3.1 and 3.5-1.8 Kg ha(-1) year(-1) for S- SO4(2-) and N- NO3-, respectively. N total deposition goes from 9.78 to 6.8 Kg ha(-1) year(-1) at most stations, with the lowest deposition at the control station and Alcoi. The relative dry deposition with respect to the total was over 40% at most stations, going up to 75% at the southern station. N-deposition is expected to be higher considering that N-NH4+ deposition has been underestimated in this study.     

Pilot survey monitoring pharmaceuticals and related compounds in a sewage treatment plant located on the Mediterranean coast

A one-year monitoring study was performed to evaluate the occurrence, persistence and fate of a group of 14 organic compounds in a sewage treatment plant (STP) located in the south of Spain. These results are part of a more extensive study, financed by the Spanish Ministry of Research with the aim to evaluate the traceability of new pollutants on the Mediterranean coast and to determine the removal efficiency of sewage treatment plants (STP) for these pollutants. The compounds which have been analyzed include pharmaceuticals of various therapeutic categories (ibuprofen, acetaminophen, dipyrone, diclofenac, carbamazepine and codeine), pesticides (chlorfenvinfos and permethrin), caffeine, triclosan, bisphenol A and three of their more relevant metabolites (1,7-dimethylxanthine, carbamazepine 10,11-epoxide and 2,7/2,8-dichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin). An SPE/GC-MS multi-residue analytical method was developed and validated to facilitate simultaneous determination of these compounds in both influent and effluent wastewater. The method provided mean recoveries higher than 75%, with the exception of 2,7/2,8-dichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, dipyrone and permethrin which exhibited recoveries lower than 22%. The overall variability of the method was below 14%. The method detection limit (LOD) was between 1 and 100 ng l(-1) and precision, which was calculated as relative standard deviation (RSD), ranged from 1.8% to 11.2%. The application of the proposed method has allowed the identification of all the target compounds at mean concentrations which ranged from 0.12 to 134 microg l(-1) in the influent and from 0.09 to 18.0 microg l(-1) in the effluent. The removal efficiencies of the STP for these compounds varied from 20% (carbamazepine) to 99% (acetaminophen), but in all cases resulted insufficient in order to avoid their presence in treated water and subsequently in the environment.     

Bioconcentration of metals in the moss Scleropodium purum in the area surrounding a power plant. A geotopographical predictive model for mercury

Samples of the moss Scleropodium purum collected in 1995 and 1997 were used to biomonitor the deposition of metals in the area surrounding a thermal power plant. Significantly higher levels of Cu (p<0.05), Fe (p<0.01), As and Hg (p<0.001) were found in the 1997 samples than in the 1995 samples, due to changes in atmospheric conditions. The influence on bioconcentration of the orientation of the sampling sites relative to the source of emission was studied. It was found that the increase recorded in 1997 generally occurred in the sampling sites in the south east of the study area. Analysis of the effect of distance from the source of emission revealed that the increase in metal levels in 1997 took place close to the power station (10–30 km). Finally, multiple regression analysis was used to construct a model that related different topographical variables to the concentrations of Hg in moss. The model, constructed using the data collected in both sampling periods, included the orientation of the sampling sites relative to the source of emission as well as the height of sampling sites in 1995 and the distance from the emission point in 1997. The model allowed us to determine the extent of the area affected by deposition and to establish the magnitude of deposition.     

An application of a puff dispersion model on power plant emissions in Yatagan region, Turkey

The present paper describes the application of the CALMET meteorological model and CALPUFF plume dispersion model to the Yatagan district to study the impact of Yatagan Power Plant emissions on the SO₂ levels on December 2000 in the region. Results indicate that SO₂ concentrations over the city depend strongly on advected emissions from the power plant and on the local variation of the wind field and limited vertical mixing conditions. It is found that South Westerly and light winds and the night time surface inversion layers lead to accumulation of pollutants coming from the power plant over the Yatagan district. The results are compared with the observations obtained from Local Environmental Authorities of Mugla. The simulation results indicate that the maximum ground level concentrations were found northeast from the source, which agrees with the measurements, but differ in terms of magnitudes.     

Comparisons of the physical and optical properties of atmospheric aerosol from airborne and surface measurements on the east coast of England

Results are presented of a three-day joint surface and aircraft experiment during July 1984 measuring aerosol properties at a coastal site in Lincolnshire. Scattering and absorption coefficients were measured and are in good agreement with coefficients modelled by Mie theory using measured size spectra. The dependence of aerosol size and concentration on relative humidity and altitude is also considered.     

Ecotoxicological impact assessment of the brine discharges from a desalination plant in the marine waters of the Algerian west coast,using a multibiomarker approach in a limpet,Patella rustica

The aim of our study is to evaluate the impact of Bousfer desalination plant brine discharges on the Algerian west coast, on a natural population of the marine gastropod mollusc Patella rustica. The effects of a chronic exposure to such discharges are complex to understand due to the combined effects of environmental physico-chemical parameters (e.g., high salinity) and different pollutants that can modulate the physiological responses of this species to stress. In this context, we assessed the biological effects in a marine species P. rustica, by a multibiomarker approach that provided information on the health status of organisms in response to such an environmental stress. We measured biomarkers in the whole soft tissues of limpets as indicators of neurotoxicity (AChE activity), oxidative stress (CAT, SOD, GR, and GPx activities), biotransformation (GST), oxidative damage (LPO through TBARS levels), and genotoxicity (CSP 3-like activity). In parallel, hydrological parameters were measured in the Bay of Oran, at four selected sites: site H considered as a “hotspot,” located at Bousfer desalination plant; two other sites E and W, at the east and the west of H respectively; finally, site R “reference” located in Madragh, which is considered as a remote clean site. Our analyses revealed that the activities of antioxidant defense enzymes reached the highest levels in P. rustica collected from site H. The activation of antioxidant defense system in these organisms translated the alteration of their status health, reflecting a level of environmental disruption generated by the desalination plant brine discharges and the high salinity in this area. We also observed that the tissues of limpets collected from site H as well as the two other sites, E and W, had undergone molecular damage, confirmed by the high levels of CSP 3-like activity. This damage resulted from chronic exposure to environmental conditions, potentially genotoxic, due to the desalination plant discharges. The present results indicate the adverse impact of brine effluents from desalination plants on marine fauna and suggest the need for a more consistent approach to environmental management of brine discharges.