Noninvasive heavy metal pollution assessment by means of Iberian wolf (Canis lupus signatus) hair from Galicia (NW Spain): a comparison with invasive samples

The current study represents the first investigation of the suitability of wolf hair as indicator tissue for metal exposure and accumulation within NW Spanish ecosystems. Dead animals, which were not specifically killed for these purposes, were necropsied, and further toxicological analyses were performed in order to establish the heavy metal content (Pb, Cd, and Zn) in liver, kidney, and hair, by means of inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. Two different factors, gender and age, were considered in order to determine their influence on heavy metal accumulation. Mean liver, kidney and hair concentrations of both toxic element, Cd (0.528, 2.692, and 0.026 ppm) and Pb (4.108, 0.031, and 0.196 ppm) considered on a dry weight basis, were situated below the established as acute toxicity levels for mammals. The highest concentrations were quantified for Zn, with means ranging from a maximum in hair samples (150.9 ppm) to a minimum in kidney samples (25.81 ppm). When the variable of gender and age were considered, female and adult wolves had higher concentrations of Cd in all the considered organs, although differences were only statistically significant for kidney. Neither the sex nor the age had a significant effect on Pb and Zn concentrations. A significant positive correlation (p?<?0.05) was identified between hair and liver Pb concentrations, as well as between hair and kidney Cd concentrations, thus suggesting the interest of the noninvasive sample for future ecotoxicological biomonitoring studies.     

Characterisation of the airborne pollen spectrum in Guadalajara (central Spain) and estimation of the potential allergy risk

Aerobiological research into airborne pollen diversity and seasonal variations in pollen counts has become increasingly important over recent decades due to the growing incidence of asthma, rhinitis and other pollen-related allergic conditions. Airborne pollen in Guadalajara (Castilla-La Mancha, Spain) was studied over a 6-year period (2008–2013) using a Hirst-type volumetric spore trap. The highest pollen concentrations were recorded from February to June, coinciding with the pollen season of the pollen types that most contribute to the local airborne pollen spectrum: Cupressaceae (32.2 %), Quercus (15.1 %), Platanus (13.2 %), Olea (8.3 %), Populus (7.8 %) and Poaceae (7.2 %). These are therefore critical months for allergy sufferers. The pollen calendar was typically Mediterranean and comprised 25 pollen types. Between January and March, Cupressaceae pollen concentrations exceeded allergy risk thresholds on 38 days. Other woody species such as Olea and Platanus have a shorter pollen season, and airborne concentrations exceeded allergy risk thresholds on around 13 days in each case. Poaceae pollen concentrations attained allergy risk levels on 26 days between May and July. Other highly allergenic pollen types included Urticaceae and Chenopodiaceae-Amaranthaceae, though these are less abundant than other pollen types in Guadalajara and did not exceed risk thresholds on more than 3 and 5 days, respectively.     

Spatial distribution and enteroparasite contamination in peridomiciliar soil and water in the Apucaraninha Indigenous Land,southern Brazil

The prevalence and distribution of soil and water samples contaminated with enteroparasites of humans and animals with zoonotic potential (EHAZP) in Apucaraninha Indigenous Land (AIL), southern Brazil, was evaluated. An environmental survey was conducted to evaluate the presence of parasitic forms in peridomiciliary soil and associated variables. Soil samples were collected from 40/293 domiciles (10 domiciles per season), from November 2010 to June 2011, and evaluated by modified methods of Faust et al. and Lutz. Analyses of water from seven consumption sites were also performed. The overall prevalence of soil samples contaminated by EHAZP was 23.8 %. The most prevalent parasitic forms were cyst of Entamoeba spp. and eggs of Ascaris spp. The highest prevalence of contaminated soil samples was observed in winter (31 %). The probability map obtained with geostatistical analyses showed an average of 47 % soil contamination at a distance of approximately 140 m. The parasitological analysis of water did not detect Giardia spp. or Cryptosporidium spp. and showed that all collection points were within the standards of the Brazilian law. However, the microbiological analysis showed the presence of Escherichia coli in 6/7 sampled points. Despite the low level of contamination by EHAZP in peridomiciliar soil and the absence of pathogenic protozoa in water, the AIL soil and water (due to the presence of fecal coliforms) are potential sources of infection for the population, indicating the need for improvements in sanitation and water treatment, in addition periodic treatment of the population with antiparasitic.     

Valorisation of forestry waste by pyrolysis in an auger reactor

Pyrolysis of forestry waste has been carried out in an auger reactor to study the influence of operational variables on the reactor performance and the properties of the related products. Pine woodchips were used for the first time as raw material and fed continuously into the reactor. Ten experiments were carried out under inert atmosphere at: (i) different reaction temperature (1073, 973, 873, 823 and 773 K); (ii) different solid residence time (5, 3, 2 and 1.5 min); and (iii) different biomass flow rate (3.9, 4.8 and 6.9 kg/h). Results show that the greatest yields for liquid production (59%) and optimum product characterisation were obtained at the lowest temperature studied (773 K) and applying solid residence times longer than 2 min. Regarding bio-oil properties, GC/MS qualitative identification show that the most abundant compounds are volatile polar compounds, phenols and benzenediols; and very few differences can be observed among the samples regardless of the pyrolysis operating conditions. On the whole, experimental results demonstrate that complete reaction of forest woodchips can be achieved in an auger reactor in most of the experimental conditions tested. Moreover, this study presents the initial steps for the future scaling up of the auger reactor with the aim of converting it into a mobile plant which will be able to remotely process biomass such as energy crops, forestry and agricultural wastes to obtain bio-oil that, in turn, can be used as energy vector to avoid high transport costs.     

Modelling a recovery network for WEEE: a case study in Portugal

The European Union directive for electric and electronic waste, published in 2003, enforced all European countries to meet some targets concerning the recycling and recovery of these products. This directive was transposed to the Portuguese legislation in 2004. Following this, a group of EEE producers set up an organization (Amb3e) whose mission was to design and manage a nationwide recovery network for WEEE, which will be the subject matter of this work. A generic MILP model is proposed to represent this network, which is applied to its design and planning, where the best locations for collection and sorting centres are chosen simultaneously with the definition of a tactical network planning. Several analyses are performed to provide further insights regarding the selection of these alternative locations. The results gave support to the company strategic expansion plans for a high number of centres to be opened and to their location near the major WEEE sources.     

Comparison of waste prevention behaviors among three Japanese megacity regions in the context of local measures and socio-demographics

Waste prevention behaviors (WPBs) should be investigated separately from recycling behaviors and analyzed in the context of local policies and measures. Previous studies on WPBs have been mainly conducted in the USA and Europe (mainly in the UK), and studies in Japan have remained very limited to date. Moreover, the effects of socio-demographic factors have been rarely described correctly based on appropriate large sampling. In this study, we conducted an on-line questionnaire survey and obtained 8000 respondents in three megacity regions (Tokyo, Osaka, and Aichi) in Japan. Among these three regions, Osaka respondents showed significantly lower practice rates in nine of 18 WPBs. Particularly in My-bag behavior, the charging of plastic shopping bags strongly affects the practice rate. As shown in the results, local policies and measures affect WPBs. Based on the practice rates, latent four factors were extracted by factor analysis. Multiple regression analysis revealed that gender and age significantly affect WPB factors before local policy effects.     

Obtaining polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentration ratios and molecular markers for residential wood combustion: Temuco, a case study

It is known that residential wood combustion (RWC) is an important source of fine particle emissions. The purpose of this work was to characterize the chemical composition of the particulate matter present in the Temuco urban atmosphere during winter, specifically the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) profile, because PAHs are considered to be among the key compounds in particulate matter toxicity. During the 2008 winter monitoring campaign, samples of particulate matter with aerodynamic diameters of < or = 10 (PM10) and < or = 2.5 (PM2.5) microm were taken on days with contamination episodes. Sixteen U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) PAH compounds were extracted with toluene and determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results show that phenantrene was the predominant compound associated with particulate matter at a concentration range between 300 and 600 ng m(-3), 18 times higher than the second most abundant PAH compound. High-molecular-mass compounds such as dibenz[a,h]anthracene, benzo[g,h,i]perylene, and indeno[1,2,3,c,d]pyrene were also found, but they were minorities in the set. It was recognized from the PAH concentration ratios of the Temuco atmospheric aerosol that the main contamination source was in fact residential wood combustion; although not all the concentration ratios evaluated match the reported reference values, probably due to the kind of biomass used, the characteristics of Chilean heating appliances and climate.     

Effects of walnut husk washing waters and their phenolic constituents on horticultural species

INTRODUCTION: The reuse of wastewaters for agricultural purposes is a common practice in many countries and is increasingly recommended by organizations that promote sustainable development. Yet, it is restricted by the potential negative impact of these materials on soil and crops. The aim of this study was therefore to evaluate the environmental impact of walnut husk washing waters (WHWW) and their organic fractions, in order to conceive their agricultural exploitation. DISCUSSION: Phytotoxicity tests and morphological investigations on representative plant species of horticultural interest indicated that WHWW and their organic fractions can elicit a concentration-dependent stimulating effect on the growth of radish, lettuce cv. cavolo Napoli with effects up to 165 %. An opposite inhibitory effect up to 70 % was observed on spinach and lettuce cv. Gentilina. Proapoptotic effects were observed by acridine orange/ethidium bromide assay in the species inhibited by WHWW treatment. High-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of the WHWW revealed the presence of a main component which was extracted selectively in organic solvents and purified by preparative chromatography. Complete spectral analysis allowed identification as 4,8-dihydroxy-1-tetralone, commonly known as regiolone. Regiolone exhibited the same concentration-dependent activity on root elongation with a stimulation in the case of radish up to 135 % with respect to control. These results open perspectives in the exploitation of WHWW and the main phenolic constituent readily available by a straightforward isolation procedure as a natural fertilizer for specific crops.     

Preparation and Properties of Chitosan–PVA Fibers Produced by Wet Spinning

Chitosan fibers were prepared by wet spinning in three stages. Initially, a polymer solution of chitosan and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was solidified in a mixture of potassium hydroxide and ethanol. The polymers were then crosslinked with sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) or glutaraldehyde, and finally dried in methanol or acetone. The effect of these conditions was evaluated based on scanning electron microscopy images, water-holding capacity, and swelling and mechanical properties. The miscibility of the mixture was evaluated using Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. The results obtained showed that chitosan fibers containing 45% (v/v) PVA and crosslinked using TPP have properties similar to those of commercial sutures prepared using other biomaterials.     

Effects of Weathering on Mechanical,Antimicrobial Properties and Biodegradation Process of Silver Loaded TPE Compounds

The incorporation of antimicrobial metals such as silver is an alternative to protect the material against microbial attack. However, loaded polymer can lose its antimicrobial properties after some time of use, and the additive may even leak out into the environment becoming harmful to non-target organisms. This study aims to evaluate the mechanical properties and antimicrobial activity of silver containing thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) samples exposed to weathering and the influence of additive incorporation in material biodegradation in the soil. For this purpose, silver ions (Ag⁺_bentonite, Ag⁺_phosphate) and silver nanoparticles (AgNp_silica) based additives were blended in a formulation of SEBS, polypropylene and mineral oil. The test samples were exposed to natural ageing over nine months, and were then evaluated according to their mechanical properties, antimicrobial activity, and degree of crystallinity and surface characteristics. The biodegradation process before and after natural ageing was evaluated through the generation of carbon dioxide. The results show that the action of natural ageing reduced the mechanical properties of loaded and unloaded TPE, and modified the degree of crystallinity and the chemical characteristic of the TPE surface. The presence or type of additive did not influence material resistance after being exposed to weathering. A decrease in antimicrobial activity in samples after natural ageing was observed. At a variable level and according to the chemical content, generation of carbon dioxide from TPE samples was greater in aged samples than in unexposed ones.