Characterization of black crusts developed on historic stones with diverse mineralogy under different air quality environments

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Black crusts (BCs) are one of the most critical alteration forms found on stones belonging to architectural heritage. Since they could be considered...     

Synthesis of an organic–inorganic composite from calcium carbonate and Kraft lignin and its use as carrier material for controlled release of semiochemical agents

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The control of pests in agricultural systems is currently based on the widespread use of pesticides that efficiently control pests but have negative...     

Consumption of low-density polyethylene,polypropylene, and polystyrene materials by larvae of the greater wax moth,Galleria mellonella L. (Lepidoptera,Pyralidae), impacts on their ontogeny

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE), biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP), and expanded polystyrene (EXPS) are the most common plastics found in every home of the world, but only ~ 10% enter the recycling chains. Consequently, the study of plastic biodegradation by microorganisms and insects, such as the wax moths, has gained special interest. Galleria mellonella (L.) has been shown to consume single-layered polyethylene and polystyrene, though biological impacts of this consumption have been rarely reported. We evaluated the consumption of different plastics by G. mellonella larvae (L7, mean size: 25–30 mm) and its effect on larval duration, survival, and development. For this, we offered the larvae five diets: single-layered LDPE, EXPS, BOPP, triple-layered polyethylene (SB, for silo-bags), and a control with beeswax. We recorded the state and weight of the materials and the state of larvae until they reached the adult stage. Larvae consumed more PE (both LDPE and SB) and EXPS than BOPP; still, they were able to emerge as adults in all treatments. Larvae that consumed plastics turned into pupal stage faster than those that consumed beeswax, regardless of the type and amount of plastic consumed. This is the first report of wild G. mellonella larvae in Argentina consuming biaxially polypropylene and silo-bags.

     

Effect modification of ambient particle mortality by radon: A time series analysis in 108 U.S. cities

Numerous studies have reported a positive association between ambient fine particles and daily mortality, but little is known about the particle properties or environmental factors that may contribute to these effects. This study assessed potential modification of radon on PM_2.5 (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter <2.5 μm)-associated daily mortality in 108 U.S. cities using a two-stage statistical approach. First, city- and season-specific PM_2.5 mortality risks were estimated using over-dispersed Poisson regression models. These PM_2.5 effect estimates were then regressed against mean city-level residential radon concentrations to estimate overall PM_2.5 effects and potential modification by radon. Radon exposure estimates based on measured short-term basement concentrations and modeled long-term living-area concentrations were both assessed. Exposure to PM_2.5 was associated with total, cardiovascular, and respiratory mortality in both the spring and the fall. In addition, higher mean city-level radon concentrations increased PM_2.5-associated mortality in the spring and fall. For example, a 10 µg/m³ increase in PM_2.5 in the spring at the 10th percentile of city-averaged short-term radon concentrations (21.1 Bq/m³) was associated with a 1.92% increase in total mortality (95% CI: 1.29, 2.55), whereas the same PM_2.5 exposure at the 90th radon percentile (234.2 Bq/m³) was associated with a 3.73% increase in total mortality (95% CI: 2.87, 4.59). Results were robust to adjustment for spatial confounders, including average planetary boundary height, population age, percent poverty and tobacco use. While additional research is necessary, this study suggests that radon enhances PM_2.5 mortality. This is of significant regulatory importance, as effective regulation should consider the increased risk for particle mortality in cities with higher radon levels.

Implications: In this large national study, city-averaged indoor radon concentration was a significant effect modifier of PM_2.5-associated total, cardiovascular, and respiratory mortality risk in the spring and fall. These results suggest that radon may enhance PM_2.5-associated mortality. In addition, local radon concentrations partially explain the significant variability in PM_2.5 effect estimates across U.S. cities, noted in this and previous studies. Although the concept of PM as a vector for radon progeny is feasible, additional research is needed on the noncancer health effects of radon and its potential interaction with PM. Future air quality regulations may need to consider the increased risk for particle mortality in cities with higher radon levels.     

Experimental Zn(II) retention in a sandy loam soil by very small columns

The use of column experiments, usually performed to better approximate field conditions, may provide information that is not available from batch experiments. In such experiments heavy metals are often adsorbed until saturation followed by desorption experiments. When the affinity of the metal to soil is high, the retention factor (R) could be greater than thousands and the duration of experiments can become impractically long. In order to use reasonable laboratory time, the flow rate should be increased or the column size decreased. The increase in flow rate produces undesirable kinetic and dispersion effects, so we used very small soil columns (pore volume = 0.31–0.70 ml) and relatively high flow rates (0.03–0.12 ml min⁻¹) in studies of Zn(II) adsorption and retention in soils. Conservative tracer flow column experiments under saturation conditions were carried out to determine flow parameters for different flow rates. Column pore volume (V_p), Peclet numbers (Pe) and longitudinal dispersion coefficients (D_L) were determined from breakthrough curves. The effect of type of electrolyte and ionic strength on the Zn(II) retention onto soil was determined. The influence of flow rate and bed height on the retention coefficient and on the mass transfer zone was also studied. The effect of different influent Zn(II) concentrations on the R values obtained was analyzed. Freundlich parameters from column experiments were compared with batch ones. The leaching efficiency of different electrolytes, salts of weak organic acids and EDTA was also studied.     

Modelling built-up land take in Europe to 2020: an assessment of the Resource Efficiency Roadmap measure on land

Land taken by artificial surfaces has an impact on the quality of life and ecosystems. To reduce possible negative impacts of land take, the European Commission proposed setting a milestone objective for 2020 in terms of future rates of land take.

This paper describes a methodology to model the impacts of the 2020 land-take milestone proposed in the RERM in the European Union 27 MS. An integrated modelling framework was configured to assess the spatial impact of two land-take scenarios: a ‘Reference’ scenario, which is driven by demographic and economic trends, and a ‘Target 0’ scenario that follows the 2020 land-take milestone proposed in the RERM. We conclude that the implementation of the 2020 land-take milestone, by reducing future land take in Europe, will foster more efficient use of land (less land taken for the same activity levels) and minimise negative impacts on non-artificial land uses.     

Lethal and sublethal effects of the natural and healthy spinosad-based formulation Tracer™ on tadpoles of two neotropical species

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This paper presents the first acute toxicity data of the natural insecticide spinosad in amphibians. The sensitivity of two neotropical sympatric...     

Organochlorine concentrations in franciscana dolphins, Pontoporia blainvillei, from Brazilian waters

Blubber samples were collected from ten franciscana dolphins either incidentally captured in fishing operations or stranded on São Paulo (SP) and Paraná (PR) states littoral, Southeastern and Southern Brazilian coast, respectively. Determination of PCB, DDT and HCB concentrations were performed by capillary gas chromatograph coupled to electron capture detector (ECD). ΣDDT, ΣPCB and HCB concentrations ranged from 264 ng g⁻¹ to 5811 ng g⁻¹ lipid, from 909 ng g⁻¹ to 5849 ng g⁻¹ lipid and from 10 ng g⁻¹ to 61 ng g⁻¹ lipid, respectively. Regarding DDTs, the distribution of the mean percentages decreased in the following order: p,p′-DDE > p,p′-DDD > p,p′-DDT. The ΣDDT/ΣPCB ratio varied between 0.27 and 0.42 in Northern and Central SP coast, while in Southern SP and PR coast the values were 1.6 and 1.9, respectively. Dissimilarities in ΣDDT/ΣPCB ratios point to different sources of organochlorine compounds to franciscana dolphins in the study area. Considering the endocrine disruptive action of organochlorine compounds, the concentrations found in franciscana dolphins from Brazilian waters may represent an additional obstacle to the conservation of this endangered cetacean species.     

Four challenges when conducting bibliometric reviews and how to deal with them

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The evidence base in environmental sciences is increasing steadily. Environmental researchers have been challenged to handle massive volumes of data...     

Quality of the surface water of a basin affected by the expansion of the agricultural frontier over the native forest in the Argentine Espinal region

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Land use changes have led to the degradation of multiple ecosystem services and affected the quality of aquatic ecosystems. The aims of this study...