Analytical improvements of hybrid LC-MS/MS techniques for the efficient evaluation of emerging contaminants in river waters: a case study of the Henares River (Madrid, Spain)

Purpose  

Instrumental capabilities and software tools of modern hybrid mass spectrometry (MS) instruments such as high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), quadrupole time-of-flight (QTOF), and quadrupole linear ion trap (QLIT) were experimentally investigated for the study of emerging contaminants in Henares River water samples.     

Polychlorinated biphenyls and their hydroxylated metabolites in placenta from Madrid mothers

Introduction  

Concentrations and congener profiles of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and their hydroxylated metabolites (OH-PCBs) in placenta samples from a Madrid population (Spain) are reported. Structure dependent retentions of OH-PCBs are known to occur in both humans and wildlife, making it of interest to assess placental transfer of both parent compounds and their metabolites to the developing foetus.     

Removal of sulfamethoxazole from solution by raw and chemically treated walnut shells

Purpose

The sorption of sulfamethoxazole, a frequently detected pharmaceutical compound in the environment, onto walnut shells was evaluated.

Methods

The sorption proprieties of the raw sorbent were chemically modified and two additional samples were obtained, respectively HCl and NaOH treated. Scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric (TG/DTG) techniques were applied to investigate the effect of the chemical treatments on the shell surface morphology and chemistry. Sorption experiments to investigate the pH effect on the process were carried out between pH?2 and 8.

Results

The chemical treatment did not substantially alter the structure of the sorbent (physical and textural characteristics) but modified the surface chemistry of the sorbent (acid?Cbase properties, point of zero charge??pH_pzc). The solution pH influences both the sorbent??s surface charge and sulfamethoxazole speciation. The best removal efficiencies were obtained for lower pH values where the neutral and cationic sulfamethoxazole forms are present in the solution. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms were applied to the experimental adsorption data for sulfamethoxazole sorption at pH?2, 4, and 7 onto raw walnut shell. No statistical difference was found between the two models except for the pH?2 experimental data to which the Freundlich model fitted better.

Conclusion

Sorption of sulfamethoxazole was found to be highly pH dependent in the entire pH range studied and for both raw and treated sorbent.     

Design of graphene-based TiO2 photocatalysts—a review

There is a recent increase in the interest of designing high-performance photocatalysts using graphene-based materials. This review gathers some important aspects of graphene?CTiO₂, graphene oxide?CTiO₂, and reduced graphene oxide?CTiO₂ composites, which are of especial relevance as next generation photocatalysts. The methods used for the preparation of these materials, the associated mechanistic fundamentals, and the application of graphene-based composites on the photocatalytic degradation of pollutants are reviewed. Some structural, textural, and chemical properties of these materials and other photo-assisted applications, such as hydrogen production from water splitting and dye-sensitized solar cells, are also briefly included.     

Plant-available and water-soluble phosphorus in soils amended with separated manure solids

Physical, chemical, or biological treatment of animal liquid manure generally produces a dry-matter rich fraction (DMF) that contains most of the initial phosphorus (P). Our objective was to assess the solubility and plant availability of P from various DMFs as a function of soil P status. Eight different DMFs were obtained from liquid swine (LSM) and dairy cattle (LDC) manures treated by natural decantation, anaerobic digestion, chemical flocculation, composting, or mechanical separation. The DMFs were compared with mineral P fertilizer in a pot experiment with oat ( L.) grown in four soils with varied P-fixing capacities and P saturation levels. The DMFs were added at a rate of 50 mg P kg soil and incubated 14 d before seeding. Soil water-extractable P (P) at all water:soil extraction ratios (2:1, 20:1, and 200:1) was slightly higher when DMFs were derived from LDC rather than LSM. Soil P at the 2:1 ratio was lower with anaerobically digested LSM. At the 2:1 extraction ratio, DMF P was less soluble than mineral P as P saturation in soils increased. In soils with a lower P-fixing capacity, DMF P appeared less water soluble than mineral P under 20:1 and 200:1 extraction ratios. After 72 d of plant growth, DMFs produced yields comparable to mineral P fertilizer. Although the plant availability of P from DMFs was comparable to mineral P fertilizer, P from DMFs could be less vulnerable to leaching or runoff losses in soils with a high P saturation level or low P-fixing capacity.     

Air quality impact assessment of multiple open pit coal mines in northern Colombia

The coal mining region in northern Colombia is one of the largest open pit mining regions of the world. In 2009, there were 8 mining companies in operation with an approximate coal production of ～70 Mtons/year. Since 2007, the Colombian air quality monitoring network has reported readings that exceed the daily and annual air quality standards for total suspended particulate (TSP) matter and particles with an equivalent aerodynamic diameter smaller than 10 μm (PM??) in nearby villages. This paper describes work carried out in order to establish an appropriate clean air program for this region, based on the Colombian national environmental authority requirement for modeling of TSP and PM(10) dispersion. A TSP and PM?? emission inventory was initially developed, and topographic and meteorological information for the region was collected and analyzed. Using this information, the dispersion of TSP was modeled in ISC3 and AERMOD using meteorological data collected by 3 local stations during 2008 and 2009. The results obtained were compared to actual values measured by the air quality monitoring network. High correlation coefficients (>0.73) were obtained, indicating that the models accurately described the main factors affecting particle dispersion in the region. The model was then used to forecast concentrations of particulate matter for 2010. Based on results from the model, areas within the modeling region were identified as highly, fairly, moderately and marginally polluted according to local regulations. Additionally, the contribution particulate matter to the pollution at each village was estimated. Using these predicted values, the Colombian environmental authority imposed new decontamination measures on the mining companies operating in the region. These measures included the relocation of three villages financed by the mine companies based on forecasted pollution levels.     

The Key Role of the Barefoot Fisheries Advisors in the Co-managed TURF System of Galicia (NW Spain)

Many authors have pointed out the need for simpler assessment and management procedures for avoiding overexploitation in small-scale fisheries. Nevertheless, models for providing scientific advice for sustainable small-scale fisheries management have not yet been published. Here we present one model; the case of the Barefoot Fisheries Advisors (BFAs) in the Galician co-managed Territorial Users Rights for Fishing. Based on informal interviews, gray literature and our personal experience by being involved in this process, we have analyzed the historical development and evolution of roles of this novel and stimulating actor in small-scale fisheries management. The Galician BFA model allows the provision of good quality and organized fisheries data to facilitate and support decision-making processes. The BFAs also build robust social capital by acting as knowledge collectors and translators between fishers, managers, and scientists. The BFAs have become key actors in the small-scale fisheries management of Galicia and a case for learning lessons.     

Monitoring of pesticide residues in a cotton crop soil

Abstract

This paper reports on the residues of methyl parathion (O,O‐dimethyl O‐4‐nitrophenyl phosphorothioate), trifluralin (α, α, α‐trifluoro‐2, 6‐dinitro‐N, N‐dipropyl‐p‐toluidine), endosulfan [(1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 7‐hexachloro‐8, 9, 10‐trinorborn‐5‐en‐2, 3‐ylenebismethylene) sulfite] and dimethoate (O, O‐dimethyl S‐methylcarbamoylmethyl phosphorodithioate) in a cotton crop soil. Soil samples (0–15 cm) were collected at different periods from the cotton crop farm and subjected to Soxhlet extraction. The extracted material was analysed after clean‐up by a HP5890 II gas Chromatograph equipped with a ⁶³Ni electron‐capture detector (ECD‐⁶³Ni) and fitted with a 25m x 0,2mm i.d. fused silica capillary column [Ultra‐2 (5% phenylmethyl polysiloxane)]. The recoveries of the pesticide residues from the spiked control soil were determined after Soxhlet extraction and C₁₈ cartridges clean‐up by using radiotracer techniques with the corresponding ¹⁴C‐pesticides. The results show that in the cotton crop soil the pesticide residues under study were present in the range of 0.1 to 0.4 mg ? kg^‐1. Endosulfan was found to be rapidly degraded in the soil and formed a sulfate metabolite.     

Assessing the effects of heavy metal contamination on the proteome of the moss Pseudoscleropodium purum cross-transplanted between different areas

Protein expression was assessed in samples of Pseudoscleropodium purum cross-transplanted between one unpolluted (UNP) and two polluted (POLL) sites. Firstly, the level of expression (LE) of 17 proteins differed between native mosses from both types of sites, but differences were only maintained throughout the experiment for 5 of them. The LE of these five proteins changed over time in mosses transplanted from UNP to POLL and vice versa, becoming similar to that in autotransplants. However, these changes occurred slower than changes in the heavy metal concentrations measured in the same samples, and therefore they were not related to atmospheric pollution. Although the proteins identified were associated with moss metabolism, the expected growth reduction in samples autotransplanted within POLL (as a result of the down-regulation of photosynthesis-related proteins), did not occur. This supports the hypothesis that mosses growing in polluted areas adapt to heavy metal pollution and are able to reduce/overcome their toxic effects (i.e., reduced growth). Nevertheless, further specific research must be carried out to identify the proteins involved in this type of response, as lack of information on the bryophyte genome precludes us from reaching further conclusions.     

A Quantitative Review of Urban Ecosystem Service Assessments: Concepts,Models, and Implementation

Although a number of comprehensive reviews have examined global ecosystem services (ES), few have focused on studies that assess urban ecosystem services (UES). Given that more than half of the world’s population lives in cities, understanding the dualism of the provision of and need for UES is of critical importance. Which UES are the focus of research, and what types of urban land use are examined? Are models or decision support systems used to assess the provision of UES? Are trade-offs considered? Do studies of UES engage stakeholders? To address these questions, we analyzed 217 papers derived from an ISI Web of Knowledge search using a set of standardized criteria. The results indicate that most UES studies have been undertaken in Europe, North America, and China, at city scale. Assessment methods involve bio-physical models, Geographical Information Systems, and valuation, but few study findings have been implemented as land use policy.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s13280-014-0504-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.