Analysis of particle-associated semi-volatile aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons in urban particulate matter on a daily basis

PM_2.5 Particle-associated semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOC) were determined in the city of Augsburg, Germany. Daily samples were collected at a central monitoring station from late summer to late autumn 2002. The concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), oxidized PAH (O-PAH), n-alkanes, hopanes and long chain linear alkylbenzenes were determined by direct thermal desorption-gas chromatography-time of flight mass spectrometry (DTD-GC-TOFMS). Additionally, PM_2.5 particle mass and number concentrations were measured. The sampling campaign can be divided into two parts, distinguished by a lower temperature level in the second part of the campaign. The particulate mass concentration showed no significant changes, whereas most of the SVOC had significant higher mean and peak concentrations in the colder period. The analysis of the data showed an increased influence of non-traffic sources in the colder period, reflected by a weak shift in the PAH profile and a significant shift in the hopane pattern. Statistical analysis of the inter-group correlations was carried out. Eight clusters partly representing different sources of the aerosol have been identified.     

Quecksilbergasfeinreinigung mittels metall- und salzpartikelbelegter Trägermaterialien (G/S-Reaktor) Ökotoxizität von Quecksilber und seiner Verbindungen

Waste and process gases from thermal power and metallurgical plants or such products from alkali-chloride industries contain metallic, inorganic and organic mercury. Widespread processes applied to remove the greatest amount of mercury are absorption and adsorption. Caused by the lowering of the emission limit from 200 to 50 µg/m³ [STP] by national and European legislators, considerable efforts have been made to enhance the efficiency of the main separation units of flue gas cleaning plants by applying the appropriate technological measures. This article is focused on the removal of mercury from waste gases. The state of engineering is described, especially with regard to enhancing the efficiency of separation in the raw gas, in wet, dry and quasi-dry processes as well as in tail-end process units. Specially impregnated ceramic carriers can be used for the selective separation of metallic, inorganic and organic mercury. Amalgamation has been investigated as a possible separation mechanism both experimentally and in theory. Using the ceramic reactor, removal rates for gaseous mercury and its compounds can be achieved which are even lower than 50 µg/m³ [STP]. The technology, the separation mechanisms and the ecological advantages through the use of ceramic reactors are presented in the article as well.     

Untersuchungen zum Vorkommen polycyclischer Moschus-Duftstoffe in verschiedenen Umweltkompartimenten

In addition to the three compounds discussed in our first communication (UWSF 6/4, 183–189, 1994) this paper mentions another four substances from the group of the polycyclic musk flavors analysed in a number of detergents and cosmetics, in surface waters, in waste waters from municipal sewage treatment plants and in fish. These four substances are: 6-acetyl-1,1,2,3,3,5-hexamethylindane (AHMI, known for instance under the trade name Phantolide^®), 6,7-dihydro-1,1,2,3,3-pentamethyl-4 (5H)-indanone (DPMI, known for instance under the trade name Cashmeran^®), 7-acetyl-1,1,4,4-tetramethyl-6-ethyltetraline (ATTN, known for instance under the trade name Versalide^®) and 5-acetyl-1,1,2,6-tetramethyl-3-isopropylindane (ATII, known for instance under the trade name Traseolide^®). The results of these analyses show that except for ATTN, the manufacture of which was discontinued some ten years ago, these substances are considered to have an ubiquitous distribution in surface waters. This pollution evidently comes from the use of these flavors in various detergents and cosmetics, from where they enter surface waters via the waste waters from municipal sewage treatment plants. Choosing the Ruhr river as an example, the authors demonstrate that the pollution level is constant and that — due to their lipophilic nature — the compounds accumulate in fish leading to concentrations which markedly exceed those known, e.g., for nitromusk flavors in environmental samples. Two of the main contaminants are HHCB and AHTN, which have the highest concentrations both in the detergents analyzed and in environmental samples.     

Ultrastructural and chemical characterization of egg surface of honeybee worker and queen-laid eggs

Summary. Worker policing in honeybees predicts the evolution of a mechanism to discriminate between queenand worker-born eggs. Although it has been postulated that this discrimination is based on an egg recognition pheromone, neither the chemistry nor the glandular source were elucidated. To verify whether egg discrimination might be based on structural differences, we compared the ultrastructure surface of queen-laid diploid and haploid eggs to that of worker-laid eggs using SEM. Only small differences between the different types of eggs were found. Thus, at least based on the fine structure of the egg surface, queen eggs are indistinguishable from worker-laid eggs.To explore the chemosensory hypothesis for egg discrimination, we conducted a detailed comparative chemical analysis of the different egg types. The coating of all egg types was dominated by linear alkanes, but queen eggs, diploid and haploid, differed from those of workers on two accounts: 1. The diversity of compounds found on queenlaid eggs was much greater than found on worker-laid eggs, mainly due to the number of hydrocarbons. 2. Acetates of some fatty alcohols, alkenes and especially monomethylalkanes were characteristic to queen eggs. The origin of the two latter substances and the acetates is still unknown. Whether these compounds constitute the signal that enables police workers to discriminate between queen- and workerborn eggs remains to be investigated.     

Die Technik der Glasherstellung in der Antike

Scientific analysis of glass, excavations, and written evidence in Greek and Roman literature provide reliable information on the manufacture of glass in antiquity. In the second millenium BC, when other vitreous materials had already been known for 3000 years, hollow glass was produced in Egypt. From the early sandcore technique the manifold methods of glassmaking by casting in molds, blowing in molds, and free blowing then rapidly evolved. These techniques achieved their highest perfection in the Roman period when elaborate techniques for surface decoration were developed, but not rediscovered until recently.