Influence of phytoplankton on complexing capacity of seawater†

Differential Pulse Anodic Stripping Voltammetry (DPASV) was employed to measure Apparent Copper Complexing Capacity (L_t) and Stability Constants (K_s) of related cupric complexes of cell exudates of the phytoplanktonic alga Dunaliella salina. Three natural seawater samples collected 0.1, 2, 5 miles off the Tyrrhenian coast were used as culture medium. The measurements were carried out 1h and 7 days after the inoculum. Furthermore, on one culture the medium was passed through C₁₈‐SEP‐PAK cartridges in order to separate the cell exudates. The results show that Dunaliella salina influences the value of L_t but does not affect the value of K_s . The C₁₈SEP‐PAK retain only 50% of the ligands produced by the cells and capable of complexing copper.     

Genotoxicity of chromium in vitro on yeast: Interaction with DNA†

The genotoxicity of chromium chloride was investigated in cells of D₇ strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae harvested either from logarithmic or stationary growth phase.

A weak induction of mifotic gene conversion and point reverse mutation was obtained when the incubations were performed using phosphate buffer. No genetic effect was observed when the incubations were performed using Tris‐HCl buffer.

The experiments with ⁵¹Cr radiotracer demonstrated that Cr³⁺ ion enters the yeast cells and binds to DNA even if the incubation mixture was performed with Tris HCl buffer. This behaviour could be due to the highest concentration of CrCl₃ that cause some damages to cytoplasmatic membrane.     

Speciation of heavy metals in suspended particulates in urban air†

An anayltical procedure based on a sequential extraction scheme is applied to samples of suspended particulates from an urban area of Barcelona. This area presents high levels of air pollution owing to automotive emissions and industrial activity.

The procedure allows the partitioning of particulate trace metals into four fractions: soluble and exchangeable, bound to carbonates and iron‐manganese oxides, bound to organic matter and residual. In this work, the chemical associations of Fe, Pb, Cu, Mn, Cr and Cd have been investigated.

In the analysed samples, only the cadmium is predominantly in the first fraction whereas the other metals are largely associated to carbonates and Fe‐Mn oxides.     

Measurement of the leaching behaviour of granular solid wastes

Leaching of granular solids can be described in terms of specific mass transfer functions of a simple mathematical form.

The parameters can be determined by column leaching experiments under well known flow conditions.

Initially available concentrations are obtained from batch experiments at high dilution. Total concentrations in the solids are determined independently to calculate the available fractions.

The determination of the flow pattern is done by radiotracer measurements. Leachates are analyzed by various analytical methods including AAS and INAA. Total concentrations in the solids are determined by INAA preferably.     

Preliminary environmental study of New Karvali Bay (Kavala Gulf,North Greece)

In this presentation the results of an environmental study of New Karvali bay, in Kavala Gulf, North Greece, are announced. In the studied bay the main industrial activity is a Factory of Chemical Fertilizers (FCF) and its wastes have been discharged, practically without any treatment, to the sea. The study has shown that the concentrations of phosphates and nitrates in the area around the place of the waste ejection from the factory are relatively high. Other remarkable points of the study are the presence of fluoride anions in higher level than normal and the low concentration of heavy metals (Cu, Pb and Zn).     

Large plasmids governing multiple resistances to heavy metals: A genetic approach∗

Gram negative bacteria classified as Alcaligenes eutrophus and carrying large resistance plasmids (generally two) were found in various industrial sites highly contaminated by heavy metals (Zn⁺⁺, Cu⁺⁺, Co⁺⁺,...). These strains were detected by DNA hybridization with a probe made with a 9kb fragment (ccz⁺ fragment) encoding for resistances to Cd⁺⁺, Co⁺⁺ and Zn⁺⁺, and cloned from plasmid pMOL30. This plasmid was isolated from the representative strain A. eutrophus CH34 which harbours the plasmids pMOL30 (240 kb) and pMOL28 (165 kb). Phenotypes related to pMOL28 and pMOL30 include the tolerance to Cd⁺⁺, Co⁺⁺, Cr0₄ ⁼, Cu⁺⁺, Hg⁺⁺, Ni⁺⁺, Pb⁺⁺ and Zn⁺⁺. The described genetic properties of these plasmids refer to some cloned or mapped functions and to some plasmid rearrangements. Plasmid pMOL85 (250 kb) which is related to pMOL30 was also described. Its host (A. eutrophus DS185) was isolated from a zinc desert. pMOL85 can efficiently self transfer in plasmidfree derivatives.     

Heavy metals in coastal sediments in Guipuzcoa (Spain)∗

Surficial sediment samples were wet digested (HNO₃‐HCI‐HF) and analysed by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The background values in the area, and the Pollution Index Load in the sampling points were calculated. Metal inputs of continental origin are specially important in Deva, Oria and Urola river mouths.     

Singlet molecular oxygen—mediated photooxidation of monochloro and mononitrophenols. A kinetic study

A kinetic and mechanistic study on the aerobic dye sensitized photooxidation of the mono—nitro and chlorophenols was carried out. A singlet molecular oxygen mechanism operates in the photooxidation. Solvent and substituent effects, suggest the intermediacy of a complex with partial charge transfer character, as has been postulated for other phenols.

Chemical (reactive) and physical interactions of the substrates with singlet molecular oxygen were discriminated. Quantum yields for photooxidation (higher for the chlorophenols) range from 3 × 10^‐2 to 2 × 10^‐3, as measured by substrate or oxygen consumption. These values indicate the viability of a singlet molecular oxygen photooxidation as a way for the degradation of nitro and chlorophenol environmental contaminants.     

A model for approving and controlling sea water pollution for recreational activity

A model for assessing approval of a beach for recreational water activity was proposed. The model is based upon a sanitary survey together with intensive microbiological monitoring three times a day, five times a week for a month. In highly populated areas, continuous surveys once a day, five days a week are needed in order to assure the cleanliness and safety of these beaches.

Due to our intensive monitoring system, we can assure that Tel‐Aviv has one of the cleanest beaches near a metropolitan area in the Mediterranean Sea.     

Characterization of airborne particulate matter in Thessaloniki,Greece

A receptor modeling approach has been applied to identify and apportion sources of airborne particulate matter in Thessaloniki, Greece. The absolute principal component analysis source apportionment technique used, provided quantitative information regarding both source particle characteristics and impacts. The analysis identified four major sources of heavy metals within total suspended particles (TSP) in the centre of the city: oil burning, pyrometallurgical non‐ferrous metal processes, motor vehicles and soil resuspension. Their contributions to TSP estimated by regression on absolute principal component scores (APCS) were 12%, 8%, 5% and 4%, respectively. A similar analysis conducted for a sampling site close to the industrial area identified five major sources: oil burning, industrial Cr source, soil resuspension, pyrometallurgical non‐ferrous metal processes and motor vehicles with contributions 20%, 15%, 9%, 8% and 4%, respectively.