Emissions of volatile fatty acids from feed at dairy facilities

Recent studies suggest that dairy operations may be a major source of non-methane volatile organic compounds in dairy-intensive regions such as Central California, with short chain carboxylic acids (volatile fatty acids or VFAs) as the major components. Emissions of four VFAs (acetic acid, propanoic acid, butanoic acid and hexanoic acid) were measured from two feed sources (silage and total mixed rations (TMR)) at six Central California Dairies over a fifteen-month period. Measurements were made using a combination of flux chambers, solid phase micro-extraction fibers coupled to gas chromatography mass spectrometry (SPME/GC–MS) and infra-red photoaccoustic detection (IR-PAD for acetic acid only). The relationship between acetic acid emissions, source surface temperature and four sample composition factors (acetic acid content, ammonia-nitrogen content, water content and pH) was also investigated. As observed previously, acetic acid dominates the VFA emissions. Fluxes measured by IR-PAD were systematically lower than SPME/GC–MS measurements by a factor of two. High signals in field blanks prevented emissions from animal waste sources (flush lane, bedding, open lot) from being quantified. Acetic acid emissions from feed sources are positively correlated with surface temperature and acetic acid content. The measurements were used to derive a relationship between surface temperature, acetic acid content and the acetic acid flux. The equation derived from SPME/GC–MS measurements predicts estimated annual average acetic acid emissions of (0.7 + 1/?0.4) g m^?2 h^?1 from silage and (0.2 + 0.3/?0.1) g m^?2 h^?1 from TMR using annually averaged acetic acid content and meteorological data. However, during the summer months, fluxes may be several times higher than these values.     

Organochlorine pesticides and heavy metals in muscle and ovaries of Gulf coast striped bass (Morone saxatilis) from the Apalachicola River, Florida, USA

Eight female Gulf coast striped bass (Morone saxatilis) broodfish collected for induced spawning from the Apalachicola River below the Jim Woodruff Lock and Dam were analyzed for organochlorine pesticides (OCs) and metals in muscle and ovarian tissues. Chemical analyses revealed that muscle and ovaries contained detectable amounts of OCs and metals. Concentrations of p,p'-DDE, a derivative of the pesticide DDT, in muscle and ovary (0.54 and 0.65 microg/g, respectively) were significantly higher than alpha-chlordane, dieldrin, and p,p'-DDD. The presence of p,p'-DDE, an antiandrogenic compound, in females suggests that the compound also may be present in male striped bass. Concentrations of Cr, Hg, Mg, and Mn were higher in muscle than in ovarian tissues. Concentrations of Hg have almost doubled in muscle tissues (0.85 microg/g) and tripled in ovaries (0. 15 microg/g) in our samples, compared with the data from 1986 to 1989. Organochlorine pesticides and metal contaminants were present in muscle and ovarian tissues of adult females and may have been retarding development of eggs leading to low hatching rates.     

Investigation of pesticide residues in water,sediments and fish samples from Tapi River,India as a case study and its forensic significance

Abstract

This research is a case study on detection of pesticides in river water, sediment as well as fish samples from Tapi River, among the major rivers of Gujarat, India. To investigate the misuse, concentration level and occurrence patterns of persistent pesticides, samples were collected from the river. Chlorpyrifos, methyl parathion, hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), dichloro diphenyl trichloroethane (DDT) and endosulfan were analyzed by gas chromatography technique with flame ionization detector (FID). Scanty reports are available, but after 1999, no such data are reported as some of these pesticides have been banned. Although these pesticides are still in use which we observed from the obtained results. In this river, the amount of endosulfan, chlorpyrifos, and methyl parathion was observed in surface water with concentrations of 37.56?µg/L, 0.86?µg/L and 0.43?µg/L, respectively. Endosulfan, DDT and methyl parathion detected in sediment were 38.38?ng/g, 0.65?ng/g and 0.77?ng/g, respectively. In fish samples, levels of endosulfan, chlorpyrifos, and methyl parathion detected were 101.28, 0.392, and 3.49?ng/g correspondingly. Results showed that highly toxic pesticides are still being used in the surrounding area, and there is an urgent need for enforcement of rules to control the production and application of such pesticides.     

Occurrence, distribution and possible sources of organochlorine pesticide residues in tropical coastal environment of India: an overview

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) are an important potential component of chemical pollutants used extensively for agriculture and sanitation purposes in India as these are comparatively cheap and effective. These persistent organic compounds such as HCH isomers, DDT and its metabolites are the predominant chemical contaminants found along the Indian coast and thus constitute both alluring and grave areas of scientific research. Our objective in the paper is to provide a comprehensive account of the distribution of organochlorine pesticides in biotic and abiotic compartments of the Indian coastal environment, make some comments on their environmental sources, their movement through the food chain and possible ecotoxicological risk of health in biota including humans. The prevalent HCH, DDT and HCB concentrations differ markedly in eastern and western coast of India reflecting differing agricultural and other usage and their ultimate input into the coastal environment by several rivers and the bioturbation activities of macrozoobenthos (bivalve mollusks, polychaetous annelids, etc.). In several cases, the DDT levels exceeded the effects range-low (ER-L) and could thus cause acute biological impairments, in comparison with the sediment quality guidelines. Contributions of DDT metabolites (DDT, DDD and DDE residues) vary in different Indian coastal regions predominated by pp'-DDT and pp'-DDD. Measured concentrations of HCHs were lower than DDTs that might be due to higher water solubility, vapor pressure and biodegradability of the latter. HCH and DDT residues in fish in India were lower than those in the temperate countries indicating a lower accumulation in tropical fish, which might be related to rapid volatilization of this insecticide in the tropical environment. The concentrations of other chlorinated pesticides (aldrin, dieldrin, eldrin, methoxychlor, endosulfan sulphate) were lower and not generally of great concern.     

Irrigation suitability of White River in Indiana,Midwestern USA

Climate change models consistently project future precipitation reduction and temperature increase during the crop growing season in the US Midwest, which may exacerbate surface water scarcity issues confronting regional agriculture. To maintain consistent crop yields under the risk of increased droughts, farmers may shift from rain-fed agriculture to irrigation agriculture, particularly during drought periods. There is an urgent need to understand whether surface water in the Midwest is suitable for irrigation. In this study, irrigation water quality was comprehensively analyzed for commonly used parameters regarding salt content including sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), adjusted sodium adsorption ratio (SAR_adj), soluble sodium percentage (SSP), electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), residual sodium bicarbonate (RSBC), magnesium adsorption ratio (MAR), permeability index (PI), Kelley’s ratio (KR), synthetic harmful coefficient (SHC), and salinity. Results indicate that water in the White River at Muncie was rated mostly in excellent to good condition with regard to irrigation quality. However, the irrigation suitability level exhibited two distinct patterns between May–July and August–October. Specifically, an average of 7.8% of the samples from May to July were unsuitable for irrigation, and an average of 24.5% of samples from August to October were unsuitable for irrigation considering all parameters. Flow rate change over time and the release of pollutants from wastewater treatment plants and combine sewage outflows to the White River impacted on the irrigation water quality variations of the river. This study showed that there are higher risks during the fall season for farmers to use surface water as an irrigation source, and this risk might be greater if extended or more frequent drought events occur in the future. To our best knowledge, this is the first peer-reviewed study on irrigation water quality assessment in the Midwest and provides useful information for farmers and decision makers to consider while formulating applications for irrigation.

     

The dirty energy dilemma via financial development and economic globalization in Pakistan: new evidence from asymmetric dynamic effects

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Energy strategy has been an essential strand in the view of economists in achieving rapid development process of any country. The recent wave of...     

Organochlorine,PCB, PAH,and metal concentrations in eggs of loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) from northwest Florida,USA

Abstract

Composite samples of unhatched and physically unaltered loggerhead sea turtle, Caretta caretta, eggs collected from 20 nests along northwest Florida were analyzed for organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and metals. Chemical analyses revealed that turtle eggs contained detectable amounts of metals, PAHs, and PCBs. Only one OCP, p, p'‐DDD, was detected, and its presence was restricted to eggs from two nesting sites. None of the PCB concentrations exceeded the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) action limit. Concentrations of dioxin‐like PCB congeners, 105, 118, and 126, and total PCBs were also detected and are contributors to the toxic burden of loggerhead sea turtle eggs. Concentrations of PAHs, 1,2,5,6‐dibenzanthracene, 1‐methyl naphthalene, Cl‐naphthalene and naphthalene were variable at nesting sites. Comparison of mean metal burdens in eggs from different beaches suggested that no uniform geographic gradients exist. Presence of OCPs, PCBs, PAHs and metals and their additive or synergistic toxicity is a concern to loggerhead sea turtle eggs; however, additive or synergistic impacts for loggerhead sea turtles are largely undocumented.     

Integration of novel hybrid composite discharge electrode with semi-pilot novel cross-flow electrostatic precipitator

ABSTRACT

Wet electrostatic precipitators (WESPs) are modern-era pollution control systems specifically designed to capture ultrafine particles as well as acid mist, highly resistive and sticky particles; however, this requires the use of expensive corrosion-resistant metal alloys. The work presented here is part of a continuing study at Ohio University aimed at reducing the cost of WESPs by using a novel combination of a polymer collector surfaces with a hybrid composite discharge electrode. In this study, a hybrid composite discharge electrode was tested, for the first time, inside a semi-pilot-scale experimental setup, with collection surfaces consists of a vertical array of strands. Particle laden gases were passed through this array of polymer ropes, which were kept wet by a small flow of water. The discharge electrodes were composite laminates of carbon fibers in a polymer matrix enclosing a metal mesh. The preliminary results showed that this new integrated system of composite discharge electrode and polymer collector surfaces can match or exceed the performance of a conventional metal alloy electrostatic precipitator (ESP) with metal discharge electrodes. There are additional advantages due to the system being compact, lightweight, and highly corrosion resistant.

Implications: This study focused on integrating and assessing performance of a novel hybrid composite electrode (HCE) inside semi-pilot novel cross-flow electrostatic precipitator at conditions typically observed in coal-fired power plant exhausts. The results were collected for particulate collection efficiencies and were compared with a rigid metal electrode. The HCE outperformed metal electrode by showing higher particulate collection efficiency. This result showcases substantial potential for these two new technologies (HCE and cross-flow system) as a substitute for conventional metal based wet ESPs.     

Use of fungi for the bioconversion of rice straw into cellulase enzyme

Cellulase production was carried out by solid state bioconversion (SSB) method using rice straw, a lignocellulosic material and agricultural waste, as the substrate of three Trichoderma spp. and Phanerochaete chrysosporium in lab-scale experiments. The results were compared to select the best fungi among them for the production of cellulase. Phanerochaete chrysosporium was found to be the best among these species of fungi, which produced the highest cellulase enzyme of 1.43 IU/mL of filter paper activity (FPase) and 2.40 IU/mL of carboxymethylcellulose activity (CMCase). The "glucosamine" and "reducing sugar" parameters were observed to evaluate the growth and substrate utilization in the experiments. In the case of Phanerochaete Chrysosporium, the highest glucosamine concentration was 1.60 g/L and a high concentration of the release of reducing sugar was measured as 2.58 g/L obtained on the 4th day of fermentation. The pH values were also recorded. The range of the pH was about 5.15 to 5.56 in the case of Phanerochaete Chrysosporium.