Destruction of halogen-containing pesticides by means of detonation combustion

Pesticides that contain a halogen functional group have been destructed by means of detonative combustion. The following compounds were examined: (1) atrazine—2-chloro-4-ethylamino-6-isopropylamino-1,3,5-triazine—herbicide; (2) bromophos—O,4-bromo-2,5-dichlorophenyl O,O-dimethyl phosphorothioate—insecticide; (3) chloridazon—5-amino-4-chloro-2-phenylopyridazin-3(2H)-one—herbicide; (4) linuron—3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-metoxy-1-methylurea—herbicide; (5) metoxychlor—1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-metoxyphenyl)ethane—insecticide and acaricide; and (6) trichlorfon—dimethyl 2,2,2-trichloro-1-hydroxyethylphosphonate—insecticide. Explosive material has been produced on the basis of ammonium nitrate, which served as an oxidizer while the pesticides were used as fuels. Composition of the explosive was adjusted in such a way as to respect thermodynamic parameters. Detonative decomposition of the mixtures has been carried out in shot-holes pre-drilled in soil. Efficiency of the pesticide decomposition has been examined with gas chromatography in order to determine pesticides residues in the environment. It was found that for some, the amount of pesticides in some compounds in the analyzed samples after decomposition was below the determination threshold of the applied method.     

Gross biochemical composition of the bivalve Macoma balthica from the Gulf of Gdańsk (Southern Baltic)

Seasonal changes in lipid, glycogen, protein (Nx6.25), and ash content of the meat of Macoma balthica (L.) from five sampling sites in the Gulf of Gdask were studied from 1981 to 1984. Lipid and glycogen were stored mainly during spring and at the beginning of summer. The lipid content of up to 36% of the dry weight observed in populations from the Gulf of Gdask are among the highest values reported for bivalve molluscs. Potential causes of this high value are discussed.     

Simulation model of energy flow through an animal organism: General form and applications

This paper presents a general model for energy flow through an animal organism whose consumption and assimilation processes can be described by continuous functions. Two versions of the model are discussed: with continuous and with discrete reproduction. Also, their applicability in analyzing the properties of an actual modelled system is discussed. The results of sensitivity analysis and optimization considerations are presented.     

Correlations between toxic Pb effects and production of Pb-induced thiol peptides in the microalga Stichococcus bacillaris

Comparing Pb toxicity to the green alga Stichococcus bacillaris and production of Pb-induced thiol peptides in 24-h exposed cells made it possible to show the level of these peptides to reflect Pb availability to algal cells. LC-ESI/MS analysis of these peptides confirmed that they are phytochelatins PC2-PC4 and their des-Gly derivatives. Studies were carried out at environmentally relevant pH values (5-8.5) and various concentrations of hardness cations (Ca, Mg) and orthophosphate: (0-0.1 mM), chloride (0-100 mM), citrate (0-1 mM), and humic acids (0-10 mg/l). It has been stated, on the basis of the level of Pb-induced thiol peptides, that Pb availability to algae changed significantly within the range of the pH values studied, and was limited in the presence of calcium and of some complexing ligands like orthophosphate, chloride and citrate; it did not decrease in the presence of magnesium or humic acid.     

Multipoint moss passive samplers assessment of urban airborne polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: concentrations profile and distribution along Warsaw main streets

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) distribution along 28 km of Warsaw main street have been surveyed in July 2000 using moss passive samplers as a simple and economic surrogate of direct air sampling. Altogether 74 samplers at 39 crossroads with traffic lights were placed on the lamp post approximately/=3.5 m above ground. PAHs levels determined in samplers are in range from 828 to 3573 ng/g moss dry weight. The spatial spread of pollution within this range is statistically close to normal distribution with mean value of 2332 ng/g. Variability within and between study areas are rationalized in terms of urban environmental factors. PAHs concentrations profiles across the town have appeared uniform. The dominant compounds are phenantrene, fluoranthene and pyrene. Their contribution is 49-68% of total PAHs burden.     

Nature conservation in Central and Eastern Europe with a special emphasis on the Carpathian Mountains

The natural environment of the Carpathian Mountains is one of the richest in Europe in terms of species richness and ecological value. In general, these mountains are well preserved and constitute an important part of Europe's nature resources. The Carpathian area, although divided by political and ethnic frontiers, provides an excellent example of the possibility of protection and conservation of natural and cultural heritage. Natural or seminatural forest ecosystems are the most valuable ecosystems together with man-made meadows and pastures. It is expected that the formerly diverse approaches to nature protection will become unified as the Carpathian countries are incorporated into the European Union. In this paper the various forms of nature protection in the individual Carpathian countries (Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Ukraine and Romania) are described.     

A method of rapid identification of the most important ecological problems in polluted areas

A comprehensive method is presented for the evaluation of the living elements of the environment by way of an example of an area situated within the emission range of a non ferrous metal works. The exposure of particular components of the environment is shown using the method of indices, taking into consideration the action of pollutants on the most essential and sensitive receptors. Methods of exposure reduction are also suggested. The proposed method may be helpful in land-use planning in polluted environments and can also be applied to determine the sequence of activities aimed at diminishing the effects of pollution.     

A GIS-based approach for the long-term prediction of human health risks at contaminated sites

A Health Index/Risk Evaluation Tool (HIRET) has been developed for the integration of risk assessment and spatial planning using GIS capabilities. The method is meant to assist decision makers and site owners in the evaluation of potential human health risk with respect to land use. Human health risk defined as the potential adverse effects on human life or health is generally accepted as the most important aspect for site assessment and planning of remediation strategies. It concerns polluted sites that endanger human health on one hand and derelict land that does not cause the immediate risk on the other hand. In current state-of-the-art risk-assessment, long-term spatial and temporal changes of risks, in relation to changes in contamination patterns and land use functions, are not taken into account. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the methodology developed for human health risk assessment in aspect of spatial and temporal domain. HIRET was developed as an extension for ESRI software ArcView 3.2 and allows performing dynamic human health risk assessment in long-term period, which is relevant for land use planning. The paper illustrates how such methodology can assist in environmental decision-making to enhance the efficiency of contaminated land management. A case study of contaminated site is given showing how data can be used within a GIS framework to produce maps indicating areas of potential human health risk.     

Trace element contamination in industrial regions of Poland studied by moss monitoring

The use of terrestrial mosses as biomonitors in large-scalemulti-element studies of heavy metal deposition from theatmosphere is a well established technique in Europe. Insuch studies it is advantageous to determine as many elements as possible in order to distinguish betweendifferent source categories. A combination of INAA and AAShas been found very useful in this respect, in particularwhen epithermal activation is used for instrumental neutronactivation analysis. A total of 33 elements (Al, Cl, Sc, V,Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Br, Rb, Sr, Ag, Cd, Sb,I, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Tb, Yb, Hf, Ta, W, Au, Pb, Th, and U) inPleurozium schreberi (Brid.) Mitt. moss samples fromthe Silesia-Kraków Industrial Region and Legnica-GogówCopper Basin and from the control (background) area inNortheast Poland were identified. The highest concentrationsof the majority of trace elements were found in mossesgrowing in the Silesia-Kraków Industrial Region, only Cu andAs concentrations were higher in mosses in the Legnica-Gogów Copper Basin. These results are in conformity withthe load of trace elements emissions in these areas.