APCA Honors Five Individuals and Three Sections In 1988 Awards Program

The aim of this study was to analyze the incidence of fungi in the chapel crypt. The MAS 100 was used to monitor the air pollution. The lowest numbers of fungal colonies were isolated at the entrance to the cemetery (2400 CFU/m3). The outside temperature ranged from 24.5oC to 28.1oC, and relative humidity was between 35.3% and 46.4 %. The highest of fungal colonies from air samples at baseline were isolated inside the crypt when coffin was opened (4820 CFU/m3). The temperature in the crypt at baseline varied between 19.6°C and 25.6°C and humidity was between 50.8% and 60.1%. The number of fungal colonies increased significantly at the end of the study. Ten species of fungi were isolated from air samples inside and outside the chapel, and seven species of fungi were isolated on the surface of the exterior and interior of the chapel. Thirteen types/species of fungus were isolated from air samples collected in the crypt; 15 species of fungi were isolated on the walls, surface of the coffin, bones and other objects. Assessment of fungi in the air samples and different surfaces of the crypt, it revealed very high levels of molds in the air samples.

Implications: Assessment of fungi in the air samples and different surfaces of the crypt revealed high levels of molds in the air samples. Fungal numbers within the crypt exceed recommended limits for occupational exposure. Employees working in the crypts should know about these hazards.     

Formation and Transport of the Madrid Ozone Plume

Abstract

The main results of an experimental study focusing on the formation and transport of photochemical pollution in the Madrid air basin are presented. This southern European, heavily populated urban area is located on an elevated plateau at a height of 700 m, near a mountain range with maximum heights of around 2,400 m. Daily and seasonal cycles of ozone were documented during a one-year survey at three semi-rural sites located 30 km away from the urban center. Maximum hourly values of up to 140 ppb were measured, and the ozone generated within the urban plume on polluted days (when values exceeded 90 ppb) has been estimated at around 40-50 ppb.A meteorological characterization of these smoggy days pointed out the influence of thermally induced local wind flows on the concentration daily cycles at the measuring sites, denoting a preferred advection of the urban plume. Moreover, during intensive summer field campaigns, the use of meteorological and ozone sondes, as well as an instrumented aircraft, revealed some features about the horizontal and vertical distribution of the polluted air masses, as well as their evolution within the planetary boundary layer. Ozone plumes have been detected up to 100 km away from the city, usually mixed in a layer that reaches a height of 1,000-1,500 m in the afternoon. On some occasions, ozone-enriched layers have been detected as high as 4,000 m during morning hours, suggesting possible tropospheric injection induced by topographydriven flows or convective mesoscale systems that are usually present in the center of the Iberian Peninsula in the summer.     

Sector Analysis of pH Values in the Northeastern Region of Puerto Rico

Abstract

Acid rain precipitation has become a major environmental concern. Many long-range projects in the United States and Europe are devoted to the problems associated with acid rain pollution. In Puerto Rico, there has been no formal study on acid rain. The rainfall pH values and the air-mass trajectory of the northeastern part of the island of Puerto Rico on the surface were analyzed from January 1998 to December 2000. The air-mass trajectory was classified in five different sectors, according to where it originates. The mean pH value measured during that period showed a tendency toward acidity. The 80% of the air-mass trajectory that arrived at the station occurred in Sector I, with a pH value of 4.30. The lowest pH value measured was 4.16, and it occurred in Sector V, where the air mass originates in the northwest part of the island.     

Multivariate Space Analysis of the Major Precipitation Ions over Europe, 1986–1997

ABSTRACT

The annual average concentrations (1986–1997) of the major ions SO₄ ^2-, NO₃ ^-, Cl^-, NH₄+, Na+, Mg²+, Ca²+, and K+ in precipitation are analyzed for selected EMEP stations. The objective is to determine the ion patterns or typologies in precipitation by principal component analysis (PCA) combined with a cluster analysis. SO₄ ^2- and NO₃ ^- ions are predominant in central and eastern Europe. This area corresponds to high emissions of SO₂ and NO₂. Sea spray ions are predominant in coastal sites. The soil components show an important contribution in southern Europe, possibly due to the soil dust transported from northern Africa.     

Temporal Analysis of Airborne Particulate Matter Reveals a Dose-Rate Effect on Mortality in El Paso: Indications of Differential Toxicity for Different Particle Mixtures

Abstract

One of two topics explored is the limitations of the daily average in summarizing pollutant hourly profiles. The daily average of hourly measurements of air pollutant constituents provides continuity with previous studies using monitoring technology that only provided the daily average. However, other summary statistics are needed that make better use of all available information in 24-hr profiles. The daily average reflects the total daily dose, obscuring hourly resolution of the dose rate. Air pollutant exposures with comparable total daily doses may have very different effects when occurring at high levels over a few hours as opposed to low levels over a longer time. Alternative data-based choices for summary statistics are provided using principal component analysis to capture the exposure dose rate, while preserving ease of interpretation. This is demonstrated using the earliest hourly particle concentration data available for El Paso from archived records of particulate matter (PM)₁₀. In this way, a significant association between evening PM₁₀ exposures and nonaccidental daily mortality is found in El Paso from 1992 to 1995, otherwise missed using the daily average. Secondly, the nature and, hence, effects of particles in the ambient aerosol during El Paso sandstorms is believed different from that of particles present during stillair conditions resulting from atmospheric temperature inversions. To investigate this, wind speed (ws) is used as a surrogate variable to label PM₁₀ exposures as Low-ws (primarily fine particles), High-ws (primarily coarse particles), or Mid-ws (a mixture of fine and coarse particles). A High-ws evening is significantly associated with a 10% lower risk of mortality on the succeeding third day, as compared with comparable exposures at Low- or Mid-ws. Although this analysis cannot be used to form firm conclusions because it uses a very small data set, it demonstrates the limitations of the daily average and suggests differential toxicity for different particle compositions.     

Comparative Electrochemical Methods to Determine Fluoride Traces in NaCl

Fluoridated salt is an effective method to reduce dental decay in the population at large, in particular in settings where the more frequently used method of fluoridated water is not feasible due to unreliable water supplies. A salient problem of regular dosage and monitoring of fluoride in salt is its variable level at the industrial level. To evaluate the relative advantages of the present monitoring method used in Mexico, samples of domestic fluoridated salt were analysed by two comparative methods to determine their fluoride content. One of the methods employed was the relevant Mexican Offcial Norm (based on an acetic acid, sodium chloride, trans-1,2-diamine, cyclohexane N,N,N',N' tetracetic acid buffer solution) and the other was an alternative electrochemical methodology (based on an acetic acid, sodium chloride, sodium citrate buffer solution). The cost of the chemicals involved and simplicity of the alternative method, along with the equivalent precision of its results, makes it an interesting choice for the large scale analysis of fluoridated salt.     

Behavior of bensulfuron-methyl in an agricultural alkaline soil

A field experiment to determine the available bensulfuron-methyl (BSM) in the upper soil layer was conducted in an agricultural area in the South of Spain. To facilitate herbicide analysis, two application rates were employed, 200 g ha^?1 and 5 kg ha^?1. Samples of upper soil and soil solution were collected. Soil solution was sampled by means of metallic samplers, placed at a depth of 35 cm. In the plots receiving the lower dose ceramic suction, porous cups were also installed. Results from soil solution samples showed that the maximum BSM concentration was found after 8-10 days for the high irrigation supply (945 mm) and after 18-25 days for the lower irrigation regime (405 mm). The mathematical model FOCUSPELMO 1.1.1 was applied to interpret the data obtained in the field experiments. In general, there was a reasonable agreement between experimental and simulated data for soil samples, although the model did not acceptably predict herbicide concentrations in water soil samples. Ceramic cups sampled a higher soil water volume and more frequently than did the metallic samplers. However some variable results were attributed to preferential flow.     

Effect of Dursban 480 EC (chlorpyrifos) and Talstar 10 EC (bifenthrin) on the physiological and genetic diversity of microorganisms in soil

This investigation was undertaken to determine the impact of the insecticides Dursban 480 EC (with organophosphate compound chlorpyrifos as the active ingredient) and Talstar 10 EC (with pyrethroid bifenthrin as the active ingredient) on the respiration activity and microbial diversity in a sandy loam luvisol soil. The insecticides were applied in two doses: the maximum recommended dose for field application (15 mg kg^?1 for Dursban 480 EC and 6 mg kg^?1 for Talstar 10 EC) and a 100-fold higher dose for extrapolation of their effect. Bacterial and fungal genetic diversity was analysed in soil samples using PCR DGGE and the functional diversity (catabolic potential) was studied using BIOLOG EcoPlates at 1, 3, 7, 14, 28, 56 and 112 days after insecticide application. Five bacterial groups (α, β, γ proteobacteria, firmibacteria and actinomycetes) and five groups of fungi or fungus-like microorganisms (Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, Chytridiomycota, Oomycota and Zygomycota) were analysed using specific primer sets. This approach provides high resolution of the analysis covering majority of microorganisms in the soil. Only the high-dose Dursban 480 EC significantly changed the community of microorganisms. We observed its negative effect on α- and γ-proteobacteria, as the number of OTUs (operational taxonomic units) decreased until the end of incubation. In the β-proteobacteria group, initial increase of OTUs was followed by strong decrease. Diversity in the firmibacteria, actinomycetes and Zygomycota groups was minimally disturbed by the insecticide application. Dursban 480 EC, however, both positively and negatively affected certain species. Among negatively affected species Sphingomonas, Flavobacterium or Penicillium were detected, but Achromobacter, Luteibacter or Aspergillus were supported by applied insecticide. The analysis of BIOLOG plates using AWCD values indicated a significant increase in metabolic potential of microorganisms in the soil after the high-dose Dursban application. Analysis of respiration demonstrated high microbial activity after insecticide treatments; thus, microbial degradation was relatively fast. The half-life of the active insecticide compounds were estimated within the range of 25 to 27 days for Talstar and 6 to 11 days for Dursban and higher doses stimulated degradation. The recommended dose levels of both insecticides can be considered as safe for microbial community in the soil.     

Levels of organochlorine pesticides in Amazon turtle (Podocnemis unifilis) in the Xingu River,Brazil

Abstract

Due to the toxicity and high environmental persistence of organochlorine pesticides in aquatic organisms, turtles have been studied as environment biomonitors. These animals are important sources of protein for the riverside and indigenous peoples of the Brazilian amazon. In the present study, organochlorine pesticide contamination was investigated in Podocnemis unifilis. Liver, muscle and fatty tissue samples were removed from 50 specimens collected from five sampling points located in the Xingu River basin. Fourteen organochlorine pesticides were analysed via gas chromatography with an electron capture detector (CG-ECD). Eight organochlorine pesticides were detected with average concentrations of ∑DDT, ∑Endossulfan and ∑HCH which were 26.17?±?26.35, 14.38?±?23.77 and 1.39?±?8.46?ng g^?1 in moisture content, respectively. DDT compounds were the most predominant, with a greater concentration of pp′-DDT in the liver and pp′-DDD in the muscle. Significant differences were noted between the types of tissues studied, and the concentration of OCPs varied between sampling sites.     

Kinetics and mechanisms of interaction of simazine with humic acids

Abstract

The adsorption of simazine on two fractions of hu‐mic acids of different molecular size was investigated at a pH range of 2.5 to 6.2. The amounts of the herbicide adsorbed decreased with increasing pH for both of the two humic acids fractions used and no adsorption was observed at pH 5.5. The adsorption capacity of fraction I (M_v >100,000) exceeded that of fraction IV (M_v < 4,000) over the entire pH region used. No appreciable changes in the adsorbed amounts were observed after 24 hours.

Continuous flow dialysis techniques were used to determine the extent of binding between simazine and dissolved humic acids. It was observed that 50% and 60% of simazine added were thus removed from the dialysis bags containing humic acids fractions I and IV,respectively. Higher amounts of simazine were adsorbed by the high molecular weight humic fraction. The adsorption processes involve ionic bonds between simazine and humic acids. In addition it is likely that hydrogen bonds and physical forces are also involved in the adsorption of simazine by humic acids.