Abiotic/biotic degradation and mineralization of N‐nitrosodimethylamine in aquifer sediments

The N‐nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) degradation rate and mineralization rate were measured in two aquifer sediments that received treatments to create oxic, reducing, and sequential reducing/oxic environments. Chemically reduced sediments rapidly abiotically degraded NDMA to nontoxic dimethylamine to parts per trillion levels, then degraded to further products. NDMA was partially mineralized in reduced sediments (6 to 28 percent) at a slow rate (half‐life 3,460 h) by an unknown abiotic/biotic pathway. In contrast, NDMA was mineralized more rapidly (half‐life 342 h) and to a greater extent (30 to 81 percent) in oxic sediments with propane addition, likely by a propane monooxygenase pathway. NDMA mineralization in sequential reduced sediment followed by oxic sediment treatment did result in slightly more rapid mineralization and a greater mineralization extent relative to reduced systems. These increases were minor, so aerobic NDMA mineralization with oxygen and propane addition was the most viable in situ NDMA mineralization strategy. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Assessing the ecosystem service of air pollutant removal by urban trees in Guangzhou (China)

In Chinese cities, air pollution has become a serious and aggravating environmental problem undermining the sustainability of urban ecosystems and the quality of urban life. Besides technical solutions to abate air pollution, urban vegetation is increasingly recognized as an alternative ameliorative method by removing some pollutants mainly through dry deposition process. This paper assesses the capability and monetary value of this ecosystem service in Guangzhou city in South China. The results indicated an annual removal of SO(2), NO(2) and total suspended particulates at about 312.03Mg, and the benefits were valued at RMB90.19 thousand (US$1.00=RMB8.26). More removal was realized by recreational land use due to a higher tree cover. Higher concentration of pollutants in the dry winter months induced more removal. The lower cost of pollution abatement in China generated a relatively subdued monetary value of this environmental benefit in comparison with developed countries. Younger districts with more extensive urban trees stripped more pollutants from the air, and this capacity was anticipated to increase further as their trees gradually reach final dimensions and establish a greater tree cover. Tree cover and pollutant concentration constitute the main factors in pollutant removal by urban trees. The efficiency of atmospheric cleansing by trees in congested Chinese cities could be improved by planting more trees other than shrubs or grass, diversifying species composition and biomass structure, and providing sound green space management. The implications for greenery design were discussed with a view to maximizing this ecosystem service in Chinese cities and other developing metropolises.     

不同工作环境人群多环芳烃的日暴露总量

研究了100名处于不同工作与生活环境人群14种PAHs化合物的24h个体呼吸(PM10和气相)及饮食暴露量.结果表明,参试人群按PAHs暴露量从大到小顺序排列为焦炉炉顶工人>焦炉炉侧工人>焦炉炉底工人>炼钢管理人员>办公室工作人员.焦炉工人BaP日暴露量可达8~25g/d;焦炉工人PAHs日暴露量为一般人群的几十至上百倍,造成差异的原因主要是不同人群日呼吸暴露量的不同,而饮食暴露量的组间差异不大;除二苯并(a,h)蒽外的13种PAHs化合物日暴露量两两呈显著正相关.     

Microbial perchlorate reduction with elemental sulfur and other inorganic electron donors

ClO(4)(-) has recently been recognized as a widespread contaminant of surface and ground water. This research investigated chemolithotrophic perchlorate reduction by bacteria in soils and sludges utilizing inorganic electron-donating substrates such as hydrogen, elemental iron, and elemental sulfur. The bioassays were performed in anaerobic serum bottles with various inocula from anaerobic or aerobic environments. All the tested sludge inocula were capable of reducing perchlorate with H2 as electron donor. Aerobic activated sludge was evaluated further and it supported perchlorate reduction with Fe(0) and S(0) additions under anaerobic conditions. Heat-killed sludge did not convert ClO(4)(-), confirming the reactions were biologically catalyzed. ClO(4)(-) (3mM) was almost completely removed by the first sampling time on d 8 with H2 (> or = 0.37mMd(-1)), after 22d with S(0) (0.18mM d(-1)) and 84% removed after 37d with Fe(0) additions (0.085mMd(-1)). Perchlorate-reduction occurred at a much faster rate (1.12mMd(-1)), when using an enrichment culture developed from the activated sludge with S(0) as an electron donor. The enrichment culture also utilized S(2-) and S(2)O(3)(2-) as electron-donating substrates to support ClO(4)(-) reduction. The mixed cultures also catalyzed the disproportionation of S(0) to S(2-) and SO(4)(2-). Evidence is presented demonstrating that S(0) was directly utilized by microorganisms to support perchlorate-reduction. In all the experiments, ClO(4)(-) was stoichiometrically converted to chloride. The study demonstrates that microorganisms present in wastewater sludges can readily use a variety of inorganic compounds to support perchlorate reduction.     

Per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances in environmental sampling products: Fact or fiction?

Can per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) be transferred from the common field and other commercial products during sampling? Special handling and care are always advised when collecting samples for PFAS analysis to avoid sample contamination. The potential presence of PFAS in common consumer products and in equipment typically used to collect environmental samples, coupled with the need for very low reporting limits heightens this concern. In this paper, the authors investigate what the potential for cross‐contamination is from a number of commonly used products, with the emphasis on evaluating what the possible worst‐case scenario for cross‐contamination could be. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), low‐density polyethylene (LDPE), and high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) tubing, pump bladders, and other materials are evaluated along with associated products such as aluminum foil and plastic storage bags. In the experimental design of this study, the products themselves are not analyzed directly for PFAS. Rather, a series of experiments are performed utilizing a leaching procedure to evaluate the potential for cross‐contamination and false‐positive environmental sampling results. This study was performed in a series of experimental batches over the course of a 1‐year period. Analytical results are presented along with experimental observations and recommendations.     

Biomethane potential from herbivorous animal’s manures: Cuban case study

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - Anaerobic digestion technology is a feasible alternative for wastes environmental treatment, nutrients recovery (as biofertilizer) and biomethane...     

Predicting runoff of suspended solids and particulate phosphorus for selected Louisiana soils using simple soil tests

This study was conducted to evaluate the relationships among total suspended solids (TSS) and particulate phosphorus (PP) in runoff and selected soil properties. Nine Louisiana soils were subjected to simulated rainfall events, and runoff collected and analyzed for various parameters. A highly significant relationship existed between runoff TSS and runoff turbidity. Both runoff TSS and turbidity were also significantly related to runoff PP, which on average accounted for more than 98% of total P (TP) in the runoff. Runoff TSS was closely and positively related to soil clay content in an exponential fashion (y=0.10e0.01x, R2=0.91, P<0.001) while it was inversely related to soil electrical conductivity (EC) (y=0.02 x(-3.95), R2=0.70, P<0.01). A newly-devised laboratory test, termed "soil suspension turbidity" (SST) which measures turbidity in a 1:200 soil/water suspension, exhibited highly significant linear relationships with runoff TSS (y=0.06x-4.38, R2=0.82, P<0.001) and PP (y=0.04x+2.68, R2=0.85, P<0.001). In addition, SST alone yielded similar R2 value to that of combining soil clay content and EC in a multiple regression, suggesting that SST was able to account for the integrated effect of clay content and electrolytic background on runoff TSS. The SST test could be used for assessment and management of sediment and particulate nutrient losses in surface runoff.     

Use and Occupation of Olinda Littoral (NE,Brazil): Guidelines for an Integrated Coastal Management

Located on the northeast Brazilian coast, Olinda is one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites, which is economically dependent on tourism, commerce, industry, and the informal economy. Despite its environmental and socioeconomic importance, the city of Olinda (understanding the coast as part of it) has suffered several environmental and human disturbances over the last decades. This work describes the environmental and social status of Olinda’s beaches and makes recommendations concerning the development of an Integrated Coastal Management Plan for this coastal zone of the Brazilian littoral. The methodology adopted in this study is based on field campaigns (social, physical, chemical, and biological data collection), local observations, and the collection of sea contention building project data from city hall. The results showed that along the seven studied beaches, the main problems were related to the: (i) building of coastal protections, (ii) inefficient sewage disposal systems, (iii) inefficient urban management, and (iv) natural events (equinoctial spring tides and precipitation/evaporation rates). Casa Caiada beach showed the best hydrologic conditions as a consequence of its morphology and it presents facilities that attract housing and recreation investments (by private and public sectors) valuing and improving local use conditions. The obtained data showed that the studied beaches need an urgent action plan to minimize the environmental degradation of Olinda’s littoral and to promote sustainable development of the local coastal environments.     

Trace metals in sediments of two estuarine lagoons from Puerto Rico

Concentrations of As, Cd, Cu, Fe, Hg, Pb and Zn were evaluated in surface sediments of two estuaries from Puerto Rico, known as San José Lagoon (SJL) and Joyuda Lagoon. Significantly higher concentrations in microg/g dw of Cd (1.8 vs. 0.1), Cu (105 vs. 22), Hg (1.9 vs. 0.17), Pb (219 vs. 8), and Zn (531 vs. 52) were found in sediment samples from SJL when compared to Joyuda Lagoon. Average concentrations of Hg, Pb, and Zn in some sediment samples from SJL were above the effect range median (ERM) that predict toxic effects to aquatic organisms. Enrichments factors using Fe as a normalizer, and correlation matrices showed that metal pollution in SJL was the product of anthropogenic sources, while the metal content in Joyuda Lagoon was of natural origins. Sediment metal concentrations found in SJL were comparable to aquatic systems classified as contaminated from other regions of the world.