Degradation of soil environment in the post-flooding area: content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and s-triazine herbicides

Impacts of flooding on the soil environment with regard to soil pollution with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and s-triazine (cyanazine, simazine, atriazine, propazine, prometryn) herbicides have been evaluated. No clear differences in the sum of the PAHs content were observed in the present studies. Only changes in the levels of individual PAHs were noted. In soils covered with flooding both at a depth of 0-20 and 20-40 high molecular weight PAHs were predominant (especially mutagenic and carcinogenic 5-rings PAHs) whereas in non-flooded areas, 2- and 3-rings PAHs constituted over 80%. In the case of s-triazine herbicides, no influence of flooding on the changes in their content in agriculturally used soils was noted. On the other hand, clearly lower levels of cyanazine, simazine and atriazine were not in the flooded forest soil as compared to the non-flooded forest soil.     

Geotrupine beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea) as bio-monitors of man-made radioactivity

Adults of the geotrupine beetle Anoplotrupes stercorosus (Coleoptera, Geotrupidae), a common European forest insect species, were used in the role of bio-monitors for mainly man-made radionuclides in a forest environment. Activities of 137Cs, 40K, 238Pu, (239+240)Pu, 90Sr and 241Am were studied. Samples originated from four areas in Poland, two from the north-east and two from the south of the country. The north-eastern areas were previously recognized as the places where hot particle fallout from Chernobyl took place. Results confirmed the differences in the activities between north-eastern and southern locations. Significant correlations were found between activities of 40K and 137Cs, and between activities of plutonium and americium isotopes. An additional study of the concentration of radionuclides within the bodies of beetles showed a general pattern of distribution of radioisotopes in the insect body.     

Metal concentrations in deciduous tree leaves from urban areas in Poland

Accumulation of metals in deciduous tree foliage fromurban areas in western-south Poland was monitored duringthe vegetation season of 2000 year. Concentrations of Al,Ba, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr, Ti and Znwere measured in birch, willow, linden and maple leavesusing the ICP-AES method. Seasonal variations of metalconcentrations and their relations with sampling sitewere investigated. The most dynamic accumulation of Al,Cd, Cr, Ni and Pb was observed for examined species. Thehighest differences in element concentrations forinvestigated sites were found for Ba, Cd, Mn and Ni.Interelement correlations were investigated. In allfoliar samples synergistic relationships between Al–Crand Ca-Sr were found. Statistically significant negativecorrelations were observed only for Cd and Ti in birch leaves.     

Management of hazardous fly-ash energy waste in the adsorptive removal of diclofenac by the use of synthetic zeolitic materials

Zeolite-carbon composites (Na-P1(C), Na-X(C)) and pure zeolites (Na-P1, Na-X) were synthesized from hazardous high-carbon fly ash waste (HC FA) via hydrothermal reaction with sodium hydroxide (NaOH). These solids were applied in the removal of diclofenac (DCF) from aqueous solution, with and without poly(acrylic acid) (PAA). The experiments included adsorption–desorption measurements, as well as electrokinetic and stability analyses. The obtained results showed that HC FA and Na-P1(C) had the greatest adsorption capacity towards DCF, i.e., 26.51 and 21.19 mg/g, respectively. PAA caused considerable decrease in the DCF adsorption due to the competition of both adsorbates of anionic character for active sites. For example, the adsorbed amount of DCF on Na-P1 without PAA was 14.11 mg/g, whereas the one measured with PAA was 5.08 mg/g. Most of prepared solids were effectively regenerated by the use of NaOH. Desorption degree reached even 73.65% in the single systems (with one adsorbate) and 97.24% in the mixed ones (with two adsorbates). Zeolitic materials formed suspensions of rather low stability, which underwent further deterioration in the organic molecules presence. All the results obtained in this study indicated that HC FA can be successfully managed in the removal of organic substances.

     

Changes in the liver proteome in apoE knockout mice exposed to inhalation of silica nanoparticles indicate mitochondrial damage and impairment of ER stress responses associated with microvesicular steatosis

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The adverse effects of air pollution on the cardiovascular system have been well documented. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an...     

The Air Quality Health Index and all emergency department visits

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Through a variety of media formats, the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) has served as a valuable communication tool for the general Canadian...     

Information presentation compatibility in a simple digital control panel design: eye-tracking study

Various designs of typical digital control panels were analyzed experimentally from both the effectiveness and efficiency points of view. Subjects performed information comparison tasks aimed at keeping vehicle velocity at the same level. The experiment involved two versions of speedometers for displaying current and target velocities (clock-face and digital). The stimuli were also differentiated by the target velocity value (20, 50 and 80?km/h) and the correct response type (increase or decrease). Subjects’ performance results along with the eye-tracking data were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed for all 24 experimental conditions.     

Mine rescuers’ heat load during the expenditure of physical effort in a hot environment,using ventilated underwear and selected breathing apparatus

Mine rescuers’ heat load under the same physical effort load (25% of the maximal oxygen uptake), using three types of breathing apparatus, in newly developed heat-removing underwear and outerwear was assessed for typical work conditions of mine rescuers, under milder and harsher ambient conditions of 32 and 38?°C, respectively, both at relative humidity of 85% and air velocity of 1.0?m/s. Expending physical effort at the same load while using different kinds of breathing apparatus resulted in a similar heat load. Under both milder and harsher ambient conditions, heat storage and sweating intensity were greater than the average limit value recommended by hygienic standards, which indicates that the use of breathing apparatus significantly hinders heat exchange with the environment. The developed clothing for mine rescuers was highly rated, and was considered by most people to be better than that used currently.     

A New Approach to Chemical Recycling of Polyamide 6.6 and Synthesis of Polyurethanes with Recovered Intermediates

A new efficient method for the chemical decomposition of polyamide 6.6 by the glycolysis and amino-glycolysis processes was proposed. The glycolysis was conducted using the mass excess of ethylene glycol (EG) as a decomposing agent in the presence of a catalyst. Also, a mixture of EG and triethylenetetramine was used as another decomposing agent in the amino-glycolysis process. The described process of decomposition did not require the use of elevated pressure. The hydroxyl and amine numbers, rheology behavior and the presence of characteristic chemical groups in the obtained glycolysates and aminoglycolysates were determined in order to characterize the reaction products. The decomposition products were defined as non-Newtonian fluids that could be described by suitable mathematical models. The conducted studies showed that the properties of the obtained intermediates depend on the mass excess of the decomposing agent used. The resulting semi-products are suitable for reusing in the synthesis of polyurethanes, which has been confirmed by the exemplary synthesis. In the reaction, 10 and 15 wt% of commercial polyol were replaced with the recovered intermediates.     

Official control of plant protection products in Poland: detection of illegal products

Market presence of illegal and counterfeit pesticides is now a global problem. According to data published in 2012 by the European Crop Protection Association (ECPA), illegal products represent over 10% of the global market of plant protection products. Financial benefits are the main reason for the prevalence of this practice. Counterfeit and illegal pesticides may contain substances that may pose a threat to the environment, crops, animals, and humans, inconsistent with the label and registration dossier. In Poland, action against illegal and counterfeit plant protection products is undertaken by the Main Inspectorate of Plant Health and Seed Inspection (PIORiN), the police, the prosecution, and the pesticide producers. Results of chemical analyses carried out by the Institute of Plant Protection - National Research Institute So?nicowice Branch, Pesticide Quality Testing Laboratory (PQTL IPP-NRI Sosnicowice Branch) indicate that a majority of illegal pesticides in Poland are detected in the group of herbicides. Products from parallel trade tend to have the most irregularities. This article describes the official quality control system of plant protection products in Poland and presents the analytical methods for testing pesticides suspected of adulteration and recent test results.