Heavy metal mobility in runoff water and absorption by eggplant fruits from sludge treated soil

Sewage sludge addition to agricultural lands requires judicious management to avoid environmental risks arising from heavy metal and nitrate contamination of surface water and accumulation in edible plants. A field study was conducted on a silty-loam soil of 10% slope at Kentucky State University Research Farm. Eighteen plots of 22 × 3.7 m each were separated using metal borders and the soil in six plots was mixed with sewage sludge and yard waste compost mix (SS-YW) at 15 t acre^?1, six plots were mixed with sewage sludge (SS) at 15 t acre^?1, and six unamended plots that never received sludge were used for comparison purposes. Plots were planted with eggplant, Solanum melongena L. as the test plant. The objectives of this investigation were to: 1) assess the effect of soil amendments on the transport of NO₃, NH₄, and heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn, Cu, and Mo) into surface water; 2) investigate the effect of soil amendments on heavy metal bioavailability in eggplant fruits at harvest; and 3) assess chemical and physical properties of soil following addition of soil amendments and their impact on the yield and quality of eggplant fruit. SS-YW treatments reduced runoff water by 63% while plots incorporated with sewage sludge alone reduced runoff water by 37% compared to control treatment. The SS-YW treatments transported more mineral nitrogen (NO₃-N and NH₄-N) in runoff water than SS treatments. Total marketable yield (lbs acre^?1) and number of eggplant fruits were greatest in SS-YW treatments. This response may be due to improved soil porosity, water, and nutrient retention of the soil amended with SS-YW mixture. Concentrations of heavy metals in soil amended with sludge were below the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) limits. Chromium, Ni, Zn, and Cu were taken up by eggplant fruits but their concentrations were below the Codex Commission allowable levels.     

Air Pollution Control Measures for Hot Dip Galvanizing Kettles

ABSTRACT

Three commercially available conversion varnish coating “systems” (stain, sealer, and topcoat) were selected for an initial scoping study. The total volatile content of the catalyzed varnishes, as determined by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Method 24, ranged from 64 to 73 weight%. Uncombined (free) formaldehyde concentrations, determined by a sodium sulfite titration method, ranged from 0.15 to 0.58 weight% of the uncatalyzed varnishes. Each sealer and topcoat was also analyzed by gas chromatography (EPA Method 311). The primary volatile organic constituents included methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), isobutanol, n-butanol, methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK), toluene, ethylbenzene, the xylenes, and 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene.     

Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons In Urban Atmospheres in Ontario

A comprehensive program comprising the collection of particulate samples at some 20 sampling sites throughout the Province of Ontario afforded seasonal or monthly composites of airborne particulates which were extracted for determinations of polynuclear hydrocarbons. Results indicated that concentrations of airborne carcinogens or potential carcinogens in urban air throughout Ontario are much lower than values reported in the literature for urban atmospheres in England. The project served as a test of the practicability of methods recommended for extractive, chromatographic, and spectroscopic aspects of a complex routine, and the experience gained should be useful as a guide in the ultimate establishment of standardized methods. The work has identified areas in the province where more detailed sampling would be useful, and has indicated analytical problems requiring investigation.     

Impact of Alternative Fuels on Vehicle Emissions of Greenhouse Gases

Abstract

The conversion of methane to liquid products, hydrogen (H₂), and ammonia (NH₃) was investigated experimentally using microgap discharge plasma at an environmentally friendly condition. The experimental results indicated that H₂ and NH₃ were detected as the main gas products. The highest yield and production rate of H₂ was 14.4% (v/v) and 2974.6 μmol/min, respectively, whereas the highest yield and production rate of NH₃ was 8000 ppm (v/v) and 165.1 μmol/min, respectively. Particularly, the liquid products were collected on the plate and consisted of pyrrole, 2-methyl-1,4-pentadiene, α-amidopyri-dine, 2,5-dimethylpyrrole, methylpyrazine, 1-hexyne, 1,4-heptadiene, and polycyclic organic compounds. Some liquid products were the intermediates of drug, ?avor, dye, and organic synthesis, as well as edible ?avor. The collection efficiency in mass and energy efficiency were 26.3% at once and 22.9 g/kWh, respectively. The whole reaction process was considered to be in line with green chemistry principles.     

Klinefelter Syndrome: What should we tell prospective parents?

Klinefelter syndrome (KS) or 47,XXY is the most common sex chromosome aneuploidy (SCA), occurring at a prevalence of 1 in 600 male pregnancies. Historically, only 25% of individuals with KS came to medical attention, for a range of issues across the life course including under-virilisation at birth, developmental and social concerns in childhood, absence, delay or arrest of puberty in adolescence or infertility in adulthood. Our understanding of the phenotypic spectrum of KS has been largely influenced by this ascertainment bias. With increasing uptake of antenatal noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT), a corresponding increase in identification of KS has been documented. Population-based longitudinal data from infancy to adulthood on these individuals is lacking, which impedes balanced antenatal genetic counselling and raises issues for prospective parents and clinicians alike.