Distribution and mobilization of U, Th and 226Ra in the plant-soil compartments of a mineralized uranium area in south-west Spain

The activity concentrations of natural uranium isotopes (238U and 234U), thorium isotopes (232Th, 230Th and 225Th) and 226Ra were studied in soil and vegetation samples from a disused uranium mine located in the Extremadura region in the south-west of Spain. The results allowed us to characterize radiologically the area close to the installation and one affected zone was clearly manifest as being dependent on the direction of the surface water flow from the mine. The activity concentration mean values (Bq/kg) in this zone were: 10,924, 10,900, 10,075 and 5,289 for 238U, 234U, 230Th and 226Ra, respectively, in soil samples and 1,050, 1,060, 768 and 1,141 for the same radionuclides in plant samples. In an unaffected zone, the activity concentration mean values (Bq/kg) were: 184, 190, 234 and 7251 for 235U, 234U, 230Th and 226Ra, respectively, in soil samples and 28. 29, 31 and 80 in plant samples. The activity concentrations obtained for 232Th and 228Th showed that the influence of the mine was only important for the uranium series radionuclides. The relative radionuclide mobilities were determined from the activity ratios. Correlations between radionuclide activity concentrations and stable element concentrations in the soil samples helped to understand the possible distribution paths for the natural radionuclides.     

Prediction of particulate air pollution from a landfill site using CFD and LIDAR techniques

Landfill sites have been the most common way of eliminating solid urban waste, as well as that of public and mining wastes. Landfill sites are a constant source of environmental pollution and wind is the most important contributing factor to air pollution, due to the erosion which it produces over the landfill site surfaces, transporting dust away from the source point. This causes serious risks for human health and general dirt in the surrounding areas of the landfill site. The result of dust air pollution produced in a landfill site is analysed through CFD3D (Computational Fluid Dynamics) by joining the LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technique and Ansys CFX 10.0 software. The CFD simulations determine the wind velocity distribution on the landfill site surface and the different particle threshold friction velocities which determine the dust emission in multiphase simulations (air-particles). These simulations are validated from field data obtained in three measurement programmes for each type of landfill site surface treatment which has been studied. It was determined that the superficial landfill site treatment with the lowest air pollution is tall grass and bushes. The methodology used can be applied to the dust emission calculation in the design or evaluation of other landfill sites.     

Influence of RFID tags on recyclability of plastic packaging

The use of Radio Frequency IDentification Technology (RFID) in the packaging sector is an important logistical improvement regarding the advantages offered by this technology in comparison with barcodes. Nevertheless, the presence of these devices in plastic packaging, and consequently in plastic waste, can cause several problems in the recycling plants due to the materials included in these devices.In this study, the mentioned recycling constraints have been experimentally identified in a pilot scale recycling study consisting in three recycling tests with an increasing presence of RFID tags. Differences in each test were evaluated. Furthermore, the quality of the recycled material of each test was studied through the injection and testing of tests probes.The results of the pilot scale recycling tests did not show a decrease in the quality of the recycled plastic due to the presence of RFID tags. Nevertheless, several operational problems during the recycling process were observed such as the obstruction of the screens, which lessened the process yield and created process interruptions, as well as the loss of extruded plastic during the process.These recycling constraints cannot be directly extrapolated to the industrial plants due to the different working scales. Nevertheless, technological solutions are proposed in order to avoid these recycling constraints if they appear.     

Non-catalytic and catalytic wet air oxidation of pharmaceuticals in ultra-pure and natural waters

A wet air oxidation (WAO) process was applied to four selected pharmaceuticals (metoprolol, naproxen, amoxicillin, and phenacetin) individually dissolved in ultra-pure water, varying the temperature and oxygen pressure. Due to the moderate (amoxicillin) or low (metoprolol, naproxen, and phenacetin) efficiency found in the oxidation of these pollutants, a catalytic wet air oxidation (CWAO) process was then tested using a platinum catalyst supported on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNT). In this CWAO process, the pharmaceuticals were dissolved together in ultra-pure water and in four natural water matrices—a reservoir water, a groundwater, and two waters from different municipal wastewater treatment plants. On the basis of the measurements of their removals, a discussion is given of the influence of the main operating variables: the presence or absence of catalyst, type of catalyst (the synthesized Pt/CNT or a commercial Pt/AC), catalyst dosage (0.005–0.050 g), temperature (120–140 °C), and oxygen pressure (20–40 bar). In most experiments, the removals were in the sequence: amoxicillin > naproxen > phenacetin. In addition, total organic carbon (TOC) removal measurements were made of some of the natural waters tested.     

Challenges and opportunities of a post-Kyoto mitigation regime: a survey of the European electricity sector

This paper empirically shows how the uncertainty associated to the absence of a mitigation regime which follows the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Kyoto Protocol (UN FCCC Kyoto Protocol) is affecting investments in abatement activities in the EU electricity sector and, thus, future emissions levels. Based on a survey of EU electric utilities, it identifies the most likely post-Kyoto scenarios considered by them and how they are coping with such uncertainty in their investment decisions. It is found that firms react differently to such uncertainty and adopt different strategies to cope with it, diversifying their emissions control activities. Although most companies foresee post-Kyoto compliance regimes with emissions trading systems, they differ in their perceptions of the form that a post-Kyoto regime could take and are, thus, positioning differently to face such regime. The particular features of each company and the country where they operate affect their perception of the uncertainties, their position regarding a possible post-Kyoto regime and their inclination to carry out mitigation activities. Complying with Kyoto (and, eventually, post-Kyoto) targets significantly influences the investment decisions of European electricity companies. Uncertainty about a post-Kyoto regime may already be affecting investments in mitigation activities in the electricity sector. Therefore, significant progress has to be made in the definition of a post-Kyoto regime. It is urgent to define and agree internationally the emissions reduction objectives and the mitigation instruments that will be accepted for compliance, ensuring continuity of the international emissions trading system foreseen in the Kyoto Protocol.

Fungal biofilters for toluene biofiltration: evaluation of the performance with four packing materials under different operating conditions

Packing materials play a key role in the performance of bioreactors for waste gas treatment and particularly in biofilter applications. In this work, the performance of four differently packed biofilters operated in parallel for the treatment of relatively high inlet concentration of toluene was studied. The reactors were compared for determining the suitability of coconut fiber, digested sludge compost from a waste water treatment plant, peat and pine leaves as packing materials for biofiltration of toluene. A deep characterisation of materials was carried out. Biological activity and packing capabilities related to toluene removal were determined throughout 240 days of operation under different conditions of nutrients addition and watering regime. Also, biofilters recovering after a short shutdown was investigated. Nutrient addition resulted in improved removal efficiencies (RE) and elimination capacities (EC) of biofilters reaching maximum ECs between 75 and 95 g m(-3)h(-1) of toluene. In the first 80 days, the pH decreased progressively within the reactors, causing a population change from bacteria to fungi, which were the predominant decontaminant microorganisms thereafter. All reactors were found to recover the RE rapidly after a 5 days shutdown and, in a maximum of 7 days, all reactors had been completely recuperated. These results point out that fungal biofilters are a suitable choice to treat high loads of toluene. In general, coconut fiber and compost biofilters exhibited a better performance in terms of elimination capacity and long-term stability.     

Relations between PM10 composition and cell toxicity: a multivariate and graphical approach

Previous studies have used particle mass and size as metrics to link airborne particles with deleterious health effects. Recent evidence suggests that particle composition can play an important role in PM-toxicity; however, little is known about the specific participation of components (individually or acting in groups) present in such a complex mixture that accounts for toxicity. This work explores relationships among PM(10) components in order to identify their covariant structure and how they vary in three sites in Mexico City. Relationships between PM(10) with cell toxicity and geographical location were also explored. PM(10) was analyzed for elemental composition, organic and elemental carbon, endotoxins and the induction of inhibition of cell proliferation, IL-6, TNFalpha and p53. PM(10) variables were evaluated with principal component analysis and one-way ANOVA. The inhibition of cell proliferation, IL-6 and TNFalpha were evaluated with factorial ANOVA and p53 with the Welch test. The results indicate that there is heterogeneity in particle mass, composition and toxicity in samples collected at different sites. Multivariate analysis identified three major groups: (1) S/K/Ca/Ti/Mn/Fe/Zn/Pb; (2) Cl/Cr/Ni/Cu; and (3) endotoxins, organic and elemental carbon. Groups 1 and 3 showed significant differences among sites. Factorial ANOVA modeling indicated that cell proliferation was affected by PM concentration; TNFalpha and IL-6 by the interaction of concentration and site, and p53 was different by site. Radial plots suggest the existence of complex interactions between components, resulting in characteristic patterns of toxicity by site. We conclude that interactions of PM(10) components determine specific cellular outcomes.     

Biogenic sulphide plays a major role on the riboflavin-mediated decolourisation of azo dyes under sulphate-reducing conditions

The effect of high concentrations of sulphate on the reductive decolourisation of different azo dyes by anaerobic sludge was studied in batch cultures. Sludge cultures were pre-incubated under sulphate-reducing conditions prior addition of dyes. Little or no effects of sulphate (5-10 g sulphate l(-1)) on the rate of decolourisation of Reactive Orange 14 (RO14), Direct Blue 53 (DB53) and Direct Blue 71 (DB71) were observed when no external redox mediator was provided. However, an increase in sulphate concentration, in the presence of riboflavin (20 microM), enhanced the decolourisation of all dyes. The first-rate constant of decolourisation (k) was increased up to 2-, 3.6- and 2-fold for RO14, DB53 and DB71, respectively, by supplying high sulphate concentrations, compared to the controls lacking sulphate, in the presence of the redox mediator. Sulphate reduction did not take place during the course of azo reductions, but was only evident before dye addition and after complete decolourisation, suggesting azo dyes reduction out-competed sulphate reduction for the available reducing equivalents. The experimental data suggest that reduction of azo dyes by riboflavin, which had been reduced by biogenic sulphide, was the major mechanism implicated during decolourisations, which was corroborated by abiotic incubations. Riboflavin greatly accelerated the abiotic reduction of RO14, so that the k value was increased up to 44-fold compared to the control lacking riboflavin.     

Kinetics of photodegradation and ozonation of pentachlorophenol

The oxidation of 2,3,4,5,6-pentachlorophenol (PCP) has been carried out by a photodecomposition process using a polychromatic UV irradiation, and by an ozonation process. In the photodegradation process, the pH accelerated the decomposition rate and the approximate first-order rate constants were evaluated, with values between 0.16+/-0.005 min(-1) at pH=3 and 0.26+/-0.007 min(-1) at pH=9. A more rigorous kinetic study led to the determination of the quantum yields of the reaction, with values of 200+/-7x10(-3) mol/Eins for pH=3 and 22+/-1.1x10(-3) mol/Eins for pH=9. In the ozonation process, the rate constants for the reaction between ozone and PCP were determined by means of a competition kinetics, with values in the range from 0.67x10(5) to 314x10(5) l/mols. The specific rate constants for the un-dissociated and dissociated forms of PCP were also calculated. Finally, in both processes, the intermediate reaction products were identified, the most important being tetrachlorocatechol, tetrachlorohydroquinone and tetra-p-chlorobenzoquinone. Free chloride ion released, which was favored at high pHs, was also followed in both processes.     

Respiratory health assessment and exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Mexican indigenous population

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Indoor air pollution is an important risk factor for the generation of lung diseases in developing countries. The indigenous population is...