Decabrominated diphenyl ether in river fish and sediment samples collected downstream an industrial park

Fish, sediment and water samples from different places along the Spanish River Vero, a tributary of the Cinca River in the Ebro River basin, were collected in two different sampling campaigns, the first one during November 2004 and the second one in November 2005. The samples were collected up- and downstream from an industrial park. A total of 29 fishes, 6 sediments and 3 water samples were analyzed for polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). Analytical work included 23 congeners, from tri- to deca-BDEs. The highest values for both sediment and fish samples were found downstream of the industrial park. High BDE-209 contamination was found in these sediment samples, with values up to 12 microg g(-1) dry weight. Moreover, BDE-209 was detected in 14 out of 15 biota samples collected downstream the industrial park, at concentration levels ranging from 20 to 707 ng g(-1) lipid weight, whereas it was not detected in samples collected upstream. These fish concentrations proved the bioavailability of BDE-209 and represented the highest deca-BDE values found in aquatic biota. The analysis of industrial effluents revealed that some industries contribute in some way to the BDE-209 contamination found in this area, but the industry focused on the polyamide polymerization is the main responsible.     

Temporary structures as a generator of waste in covered trade fairs

Events like trade fairs are a complex service activity with a considerable economic, social and environmental impact due, among other factors, to their high level of waste generation. There are few studies of the environmental impact associated with waste generation and typology. An environmental analysis methodology has been developed to characterise the waste associated with the temporary structures used at trade fair events: stands and communal spaces.This methodology has been checked in a pilot test at 6 closed trade fairs in Barcelona, with a range of between 60 and 4400 exhibitors. The methodology developed has made possible to obtain a waste generation profile according to the size of the fair and the types of stands. The stages with the largest amount of temporary structure wastes generated are the assembly and the dismantling of the trade fair.The results indicate that the most common wastes generated are the protective plastic from carpets at the assembly stage and the carpet itself at the dismantling stage. The stand carpet is collected in bulk, while the carpet from the communal spaces is recycled. As the size of the fair increases, and with it the proportion of stands with customised design (or non-reusable stands), the quantity of wood and hazardous waste increases.     

Thermal Degradation and Kinetic Parameters of Polyester and Poly(Lactic Acid) Blends Used in Shopping Bags in Brazil

In this work, synthetic polyester and poly(lactic acid) blends used as biodegradable shopping plastic bags were studied, together with control samples of polyethylene containing pro-oxidant catalysts (called “oxidegradable bags” in the market). Samples of these materials were weighed and buried in simulated soil for 3 months, and then studied by Thermal Analysis including a non-isothermal kinetic analysis. It was observed that although there was no significant mass loss in the period of the ageing, the activation energies for the thermal decomposition processes were substantially reduced for the biodegradable samples, but not for the oxidegradable ones.     

Competitive kinetics of adsorption onto activated carbon for emerging contaminants with contrasting physicochemical properties

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Activated carbon (AC) can be used for the removal of emerging contaminants (e.g., drugs) in water and wastewater treatment plants. In the present...     

Ecosystems for future generations

Environmental Science and Pollution Research -     

Construction and demolition waste as recycled aggregate for environmentally friendly concrete paving

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Recycled aggregates (RA) from construction and demolition waste (CDW) instead of natural aggregates (NA) were analysed in the manufacture of new...     

Enhancing the visible-light photoactivity of silica-supported TiO2 for the photocatalytic treatment of pharmaceuticals in water

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Catalyst samples based on SiO2-supported TiO2 were prepared with the incorporation of Ag (metal), S (nonmetal), and ZnO@S (semiconductor and...     

Healthcare waste generation in hospitals per continent: a systematic review

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - There are increasing worldwide concerns about the negative impacts of healthcare waste generated in hospitals, especially in low- and middle-income...