Toxicity assessment of sediments associated with the wreck of s/s Stuttgart in the Gulf of Gdańsk (Poland)

The paper presents the results of toxicity determinations carried out on sediment samples collected in the vicinity of the wreck of the German s/s Stuttgart (the southern part of the Gulf of Gdańsk, off the Polish coast) in relation to the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The toxicity of surface and core sediment samples was assessed using two biotest organisms-the bioluminescent bacteria Vibrio fischeri and the ostracod Heterocypris incongruens. PAH levels in these samples were determined by GC-MS. The surface sediments collected at W2 (ca. 34 m north of the shipwreck) and W4 (ca. 415 m north-east of the wreck) as well as the core sediments collected at WR3 (ca. 400 m north-east of the wreck) were the most heavily polluted with substances toxic to the biotest organisms. The chronic and acute toxicities in the case of most of the surface sediment samples studied are correlated. This may suggest that not only hydrophobic chemicals (like PAHs from fuel residues) but also more polar chemicals (resulting from the conversion of aromatic hydrocarbons) are responsible for the toxicity levels found. There is a clear dependence between the levels of chronic toxicity and PAH concentrations in the core sediment samples. In addition, a simultaneous decrease in the PAH content and chronic toxicity was noted in all the core sediment samples at depths below 80 cm.     

Effect of chemophytostabilization practices on arbuscular mycorrhiza colonization of Deschampsia cespitosa ecotype Waryński at different soil depths

The effects of chemophytostabilization practices on arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) of Deschampsia cespitosa roots at different depths in soils highly contaminated with heavy metals were studied in field trials. Mycorrhizal parameters, including frequency of mycorrhization, intensity of root cortex colonization and arbuscule abundance were studied. Correlations between concentration of bioavailable Cd, Zn, Pb and Cu in soil and mycorrhizal parameters were estimated. An increase in AM colonization with increasing soil depth was observed in soils with spontaneously growing D. cespitosa. A positive effect of chemophytostabilization amendments (calcium phosphate, lignite) on AM colonization was found in the soil layers to which the amendments were applied. Negative correlation coefficients between mycorrhizal parameters and concentration of bioavailable Cd and Zn in soil were obtained. Our results demonstrated that chemophytostabilization practices enhance AM colonization in D. cespitosa roots, even in soils fertilized with high rates of phosphorus.     

Abiotic degradation of chlorinated ethanes and ethenes in water

INTRODUCTION: Chlorinated ethanes and ethenes are among the most frequently detected organic pollutants of water. Their physicochemical properties are such that they can contaminate aquifers for decades. In favourable conditions, they can undergo degradation. In anaerobic conditions, chlorinated solvents can undergo reductive dechlorination. DEGRADATION PATHWAYS: Abiotic dechlorination is usually slower than microbial but abiotic dechlorination is usually complete. In favourable conditions, abiotic reactions bring significant contribution to natural attenuation processes. Abiotic agents that may enhance the reductive dechlorination of chlorinated ethanes and ethenes are zero-valent metals, sulphide minerals or green rusts. OXIDATION: At some sites, permanganate and Fenton's reagent can be used as remediation tool for oxidation of chlorinated ethanes and ethenes. SUMMARY: Nanoscale iron or bimetallic particles, due to high efficiency in degradation of chlorinated ethanes and ethenes, have gained much interest. They allow for rapid degradation of chlorinated ethanes and ethenes in water phase, but they also give benefit of treating dense non-aqueous phase liquid.     

Repeatability study of replicate crash tests: A signal analysis approach

Objective: To provide an objective basis on which to evaluate the repeatability of vehicle crash test methods, a recently developed signal analysis method was used to evaluate correlation of sensor time history data between replicate vehicle crash tests. The goal of this study was to evaluate the repeatability of rollover crash tests performed with the Dynamic Rollover Test System (DRoTS) relative to other vehicle crash test methods.

Methods: Test data from DRoTS tests, deceleration rollover sled (DRS) tests, frontal crash tests, frontal offset crash tests, small overlap crash tests, small overlap impact (SOI) crash tests, and oblique crash tests were obtained from the literature and publicly available databases (the NHTSA vehicle database and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety TechData) to examine crash test repeatability.

Results: Signal analysis of the DRoTS tests showed that force and deformation time histories had good to excellent repeatability, whereas vehicle kinematics showed only fair repeatability due to the vehicle mounting method for one pair of tests and slightly dissimilar mass properties (2.2%) in a second pair of tests. Relative to the DRS, the DRoTS tests showed very similar or higher levels of repeatability in nearly all vehicle kinematic data signals with the exception of global X′ (road direction of travel) velocity and displacement due to the functionality of the DRoTS fixture. Based on the average overall scoring metric of the dominant acceleration, DRoTS was found to be as repeatable as all other crash tests analyzed. Vertical force measures showed good repeatability and were on par with frontal crash barrier forces. Dynamic deformation measures showed good to excellent repeatability as opposed to poor repeatability seen in SOI and oblique deformation measures.

Conclusions: Using the signal analysis method as outlined in this article, the DRoTS was shown to have the same or better repeatability of crash test methods used in government regulatory and consumer evaluation test protocols.     

Impact of Zn–Pb mining in the Olkusz ore district on the Permian aquifer (SW Poland)

Long-term extensive mining of Zn–Pb ores in the Olkusz area resulted in significant changes of water table levels and chemical composition of water in all aquifers in this area. Within the Permian aquifer, hydrochemical type of water evolved in two general stages. Short-term effect was freshening in the zones of contact with overlying the Triassic limestones and dolomites. Long-term effect was a change in flow pattern and, as a consequence, an inflow of naturally altered and antropogenically contaminated water from the Triassic aquifer into the Permian complex. This was especially intensive in densely fissured and fault zones. As a result of all these processes, hydrochemical type of water shifted from multi-ion types with various combinations of ions towards higher shares of sulphates, calcium and magnesium.     

Characterization of livestock odors using steel plates, solid-phase microextraction, and multidimensional gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-olfactometry

Livestock operations are associated with emissions of odor, gases, and particulate matter (PM). Livestock odor characterization is one of the most challenging analytical tasks. This is because odor-causing gases are often present at very low concentrations in a complex matrix of less important or irrelevant gases. The objective of this project was to develop a set of characteristic reference odors from a swine barn in Iowa and, in the process, identify compounds causing characteristic swine odor. Odor samples were collected using a novel sampling methodology consisting of clean steel plates exposed inside and around the swine barn for < or =1 week. Steel plates were then transported to the laboratory and stored in clean jars. Headspace solid-phase microextraction was used to extract characteristic odorants collected on the plates. All of the analyses were conducted on a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-olfactometry system where the human nose is used as a detector simultaneously with chemical analysis via mass spectrometry. Multidimensional chromatography was used to isolate and identify chemicals with high-characteristic swine odor. The effects of sampling time, distance from a source, and the presence of PM on the abundance of specific gases, odor intensity, and odor character were tested. Steel plates were effectively able to collect key volatile compounds and odorants. The abundance of specific gases and odor was amplified when plates collected PM. The results of this research indicate that PM is major carrier of odor and several key swine odorants. Three odor panelists were consistent in identifying p-cresol as closely resembling characteristic swine odor, as well as attributing to p-cresol the largest odor response out of the samples. Further research is warranted to determine how the control of PM emissions from swine housing could affect odor emissions.     

Degradation of bisphenol A using UV and UV/H2O2 processes

Bisphenol A (BPA; 4-[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propan-2-yl]phenol) is a substance typically used in the plastic industry. It is used in the production of epoxy resins, polycarbonate, or fire retardants or as a stabilizer and an antioxidant in numerous types of plastics. Bisphenol A is introduced into the environment via municipal and industrial wastewater. Because of its hydrophobic properties, BPA has the potential for sorption on activated sludge during the biological wastewater treatment processes. This study investigated the degradation of BPA by means of UV-radiation and in the UV/H2O2 process with the presence and absence of hydrocarbonate ions (HCO3(-)) as hydroxyl radicals (OH*) scavengers. The calculated value of quantum yield was equal to 0.18, and the value of BPA rate constant with hydroxyl radicals was equal to 3.3 x 10(9) M(-1) s(-1).     

Variable-Thermoinsulation Garments With a Microprocessor Temperature Controller

This paper presents the concept of active variable thermoinsulation clothing for users working in low temperatures. Those garments contain heating inserts regulated by a microprocessor temperature controller. This paper also presents the results of tests carried out on the newly designed garments.     

The use of ALS,botanical, and soil data to monitor the environmental hazards and regeneration capacity of areas devastated by highway construction

The impact of viaduct construction on the vegetation of a river valley was studied in Central Poland (Natura 2000 site PLH100006). The research aimed at assessing the suitability of ALS (airborne laser scanning), soil, and botanical data for monitoring the environmental effects of right-of-way reclamation 1 year after the road construction. Based on the data mentioned above, the following problems were identified: changes in topography and hydrological conditions of the valley as a result of improper land levelling, the use of inadequate soil for reclamation, no spontaneous regeneration of natural vegetation along the entire right-of-way, as well as the abundant occurrence of invasive species. The results of analysis were used to define strategies for mitigation of adverse impacts of the viaduct construction.     

Seasonal changes in radon concentrations in buildings in the region of northeastern Poland

In this study, seasonal observations of radon concentration changes inside buildings carried out in the northeastern region of Poland is presented. One-year measurements of radon concentrations were performed in chosen buildings. The integral method of Cr-39 trace detectors in diffusive chambers was used. Mean values of radon concentrations were determined in monthly, 2-, 3-, 6-month, and annual observations. The fraction of a mean annual concentration of the value obtained in a shorter observation was calculated. Monthly concentration values were from about 0.2 to 14.9 of the annual mean. All buildings revealed seasonal fluctuation of radon concentration. Negative correlation of indoor radon concentration in the buildings and the mean temperature outside was observed in most examined buildings. The lowest coefficient range, determining which part of the annual mean value would be obtained in the 6-month observation, was gained for exposure begun in April or October.