Levels and trends of brominated flame retardants in the Arctic

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) containing two to seven bromines are ubiquitous in Arctic biotic and abiotic samples (from zooplankton to polar bears (Ursus maritimus) and humans; air, soil, sediments). The fully brominated decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209), hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) and polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) are also present in biotic and abiotic samples. Spatial trends of PBDEs and HBCD in top predators are similar to those seen for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and indicate western Europe and eastern North America as source regions. Concentrations of tetra- to heptaBDEs have increased significantly in North American and Greenlandic Arctic biota and in Greenland freshwater sediments paralleling trends seen further south. For BDE-209, increasing concentrations in Greenlandic peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus) and in dated lake sediment cores in the Canadian Arctic have been seen during the 1990s. BDE-47, -99, -100 and -153 are observed to biomagnify in Arctic food webs. summation operatorPBDE concentrations in Arctic samples are lower than in similar sample types from more southerly regions and are one or more orders of magnitude lower than summation operatorPCB concentrations except for some levels for air. Air and harbor sediment results for PBDEs indicate that there are local sources near highly populated areas within the Arctic. Findings of PBBs on moss and TBBPA on an air filter, and that both are found in biota at high trophic levels indicates that these compounds may also reach the Arctic by long-range atmospheric transport. Based on the evidence of their presence in the Arctic and indications that most if not all are undergoing long-range transport, these brominated flame retardants (BFRs) have characteristics that qualify them as POPs according to the Stockholm Convention.     

Impact of sewage sludge spreading on heavy metal speciation in tropical soils (Réunion, Indian Ocean)

This study was designed to evaluate the impact of sewage sludge spreading on tropical soilborne heavy metal speciation. Sludgeborne heavy metal speciation was also assessed, and the potential mobility of the elements was classified as follows: Zn>Ni>Cu approximately Cr. Two sequential extraction procedures were applied to study Cr, Cu, Ni and Zn speciation in control soils and sludge-amended soils. We demonstrated that sewage sludge spreading over a 2-year period did not have an impact on soilborne heavy metal concentrations but affected speciation of the most mobile fractions of Ni and Zn. Both protocols were consistent for the organic matter fractions, with an increase in Cu, Zn and Cr concentrations in the amended soil as compared to the control soil. In addition, we highlighted that the two protocols characterized different pools of organic matter and that organic compounds remained in the solid matrix after extraction. With respect to the reducible fraction, completely opposite results were obtained with the two protocols and the solid residue study revealed that the two schemes were ineffective in characterizing iron and manganese fractions.     

Baseline mercury and zinc concentrations in terrestrial and coastal organisms of Admiralty Bay, Antarctica

This paper provides the first quantitative information on mercury in soil, coastal sediment, and in characteristic organisms of terrestrial and shallow coastal marine ecosystems from Admiralty Bay (King George Island, Antarctica). As expected for a remote area, mercury content is low in abiotic components of the ecosystem, and probably similar to natural levels. Mercury also occurs in very low concentrations in the vegetation, invertebrates and fish. These low mercury levels may be due to sulphide formation in reducing sediments of this environment. Higher concentrations of mercury occurred in bird feathers and mammal hair, indicating biomagnification. This was not found for Zinc. These results may be useful as a reference background to detect future inputs of trace elements in this remote area of the earth. Terrestrial vegetation and bird feathers are suggested as target regional biomonitors.     

Life-cycle inventory for hydroelectric generation: a Brazilian case study

Representative Life-Cycle Inventories (LCIs) are essential for Life-Cycle Assessments (LCAs) quality and readiness. Because energy is such an important element of LCAs, appropriate LCIs on energy are crucial, and due to the prevalence of hydropower on Brazilian electricity mix, the frequently used LCIs are not representative of the Brazilian conditions. The present study developed a LCI of the Itaipu Hydropower Plant, the major hydropower plant in the world, responsible for producing 23.8% of Brazil's electricity consumption. Focused on the capital investments to construct and operate the dam, the LCI was designed to serve as a database for the LCAs of Brazilian hydroelectricity production. The life-cycle boundaries encompass the construction and operation of the dam, as well as the life-cycles of the most important material and energy consumptions (cement, steel, copper, diesel oil, lubricant oil), as well as construction site operation, emissions from reservoir flooding, material and workers transportation, and earthworks. As a result, besides the presented inventory, it was possible to determine the following processes, and respective environmental burdens as the most important life-cycle hotspots: reservoir filling (CO₂ and CH₄ emission; land use); steel life-cycle (water and energy consumption; CO, particulates, SO_x and NO_x emissions); cement life-cycle (water and energy consumption; CO₂ and particulate emissions); and operation of civil construction machines (diesel consumption; NO_x emissions). Compared with another hydropower studies, the LCI showed magnitude adequacy, with better results than small hydropower, which reveals a scale economy for material and energy exchanges in the case of Itaipu Power Plant.     

Risk Analysis and Occurrence of Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) in Domestic Swine in Northeast Brazil

Anti-HEV antibodies were detected in animals from abattoir and in farms from northeast Brazil. Our results suggest that HEV is highly disseminated in the swine population and might present a great risk to animal handlers and for consumption of raw or undercooked meat and meat products in northeast Brazil.