Formation of dioxins during exposure of pesticide formulations to sunlight

Chlorinated pesticides can contain impurities of dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), and their precursors, as a result of various manufacturing processes and conditions. As precursor formation of PCDD/Fs can also be mediated by ultraviolet light (UV), this study investigated whether PCDD/Fs are formed when currently used pesticides are exposed to natural sunlight. Formulations containing pentachloronitrobenzene (PCNB; n = 2) and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D; n = 1) were exposed to sunlight in quartz tubes, and the concentration of 93 PCDD/F congeners were monitored over time. Considerable formation of PCDD/Fs was observed in both PCNB formulations (by up to 5600%, to a maximum concentration of 57 000 μg ∑PCDD/F kg⁻¹) as well as the 2,4-D formulation (by 3000%, to 140 μg ∑PCDD/F kg⁻¹). TEQ also increased by up to 980%, to a maximum concentration of 28 μg kg⁻¹ in PCNB, but did not change in the 2,4-D formulation. Assuming similar yields as observed in the present study as a worst case scenario the use of PCNB in Australia may result in the formation of 155 g TEQ annum⁻¹, contributed primarily by OCDD formation. This warrants detailed evaluations on the contemporary release of PCDD/Fs to the environment after the use of pesticides. Changes in congener profiles (including the ratio of PCDDs to PCDFs (DF ratio)) suggest that pesticide sources of PCDD/Fs after sunlight exposure may not be recognized based on matching source fingerprints established from manufacturing impurities. These changes also provide preliminary insights into the possible formation routes and types of precursors involved.     

Field characterization of external grease abatement devices

This study characterized some of the physical and chemical features of large outside field grease abatement devices (GADs). 24-hour measurements of several food service establishments' (FSEs') influent GAD flowrates indicated highly intermittent conditions with hydraulic retention times (HRTs) that exceeded the common recommendation (30 minutes) by two to five times. Investigation into the chemical characteristics of GADs indicated highly variable influent and effluent fat, oil, and grease (FOG) concentrations. Low pH and dissolved oxygen values were measured throughout the GAD, indicating the likely occurrence of anaerobic microbial processes. Detailed spatial and temporal observations of the accumulation of FOG and food solids were also discussed. Though the FOG layer remained relatively constant for all GAD configurations investigated, results indicated that commonly-used GAD configurations with a straight submerged inlet tee or no-inlet tee configuration may result in the transport of food solids into the second compartment. The present research showed increased accumulation of food solids in the first compartment with a retro-fit flow distributive inlet. This retro-fit displays promise for potentially improving the separation characteristics of existing GADs.     

Feasibility Testing of Biofiltration Technology for Remediating Air Contaminated by a Boat Manufacturing Facility

ABSTRACT

This research investigated and compared the use of both bench- and pilot-scale biofilters to determine the effectiveness of controlling styrene, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), and acetone emissions from an industrial gas waste stream. Critical operating parameters, including contaminant loading rate, temperature, and empty bed contact time, were manipulated in both the laboratory and field. At steady-state conditions, the bench and pilot-scale biofilters showed a 99% removal efficiency for styrene when the contaminant loading rate was less than 50 g m^-3hr^-1 and 40 g m^-3hr^-1, respectively. Although few data points were collected in the pilot-scale reactor where the styrene load was greater than 40 g m^-3hr^-1, the total organic contaminant load including both MEK and acetone typically ranged between 50 g m^-3hr^-1 and 80 g m^-3hr^-1. Greater than 99% removal efficiencies were observed for acetone and MEK in the pilot-scale biofilter at all evaluated loading rates. Also studied were biofilter acclimation and re-acclimation periods. In inoculated bench and pilot biofilter systems, microbial acclimation to styrene was achieved in less than five days. In comparison, no MEK degrading microbial inoculum was added, so during the first months of pilot-scale biofilter operation, MEK removal efficiencies lagged behind those noted with styrene.     

The complexity of failure: Implications of complexity theory for safety investigations

Complexity theory suggests that we see performance as an emergent property, the result of complex interactions and relationships. This can clash, however, with what stakeholders see as legitimate and normal in accident investigations. When systems fail, it is still common to blame components (e.g. human errors) and when they succeed spectacularly, to think in terms of individual heroism (e.g. the A320 Hudson River landing). In this paper, we lay out the contrast between a Newtonian analysis of failure that can be recognized in many efforts at safety analysis and improvement. It makes particular assumptions about the relationship between cause and effect, foreseeability of harm, time-reversibility and the ability to produce the “true story” of an accident. With inspiration from complexity theory, failures are seen as an emergent property of complexity. We explore what that means for safety science and work towards a post-Newtonian analysis of failure in complex systems.     

1971～200O年间安大略省基拉尼公园里的甲壳类浮游动物群落从酸化水体中得到恢复:pH6作为恢复的目标

尽管大气中SO2- 4的沉降减少,地表水的酸度也因此降低,但尚未记录到广泛的生物从酸化中恢复过来.本文通过考察1971～2000年间加拿大安大略省基拉尼公园的46个湖泊甲壳类浮游动物种的丰富度(物种数目)和组成的时间变化趋势,来估计由于水质有了重大改善即pH现在＞6后湖泊中生物的恢复程度,并与其他两组(从未酸化的湖泊和仍然酸化的湖泊[pH＜6])作比较.在这三组湖泊中,物种丰富度的时间趋势无法加以区别,物种丰富度的变化也不能说明恢复的程度.对比之下,在pH值增加到6以上的湖泊中,其浮游动物群落的组成(以物种多度的多变量指数表征)则有所变化,从"损害"状态返回到了中性湖泊的典型状态.在酸性湖泊也记录到浮游动物组成有某些恢复.虽然仍为酸性,这些湖泊的pH水平已经升高.基拉尼省公园里甲壳类浮游动物恢复的程度和速度为北美和欧洲其他酸化地区的将来预示了光明的前景.     

Metabolic microspheres

A systematic review of catalytic activities in thermal proteinoids and microspheres aggregated therefrom yields some new inferences on the origins and evolution of metabolism. Experiments suggest that, instead of being inert, protocells were already biochemically and cytophysically competent. The emergence and refinement of metabolism ab initio is thus partly traced conceptually. When the principle of molecular self-instruction, as of amino acids in peptide synthesis, is taken into account as a concomitant of natural selection, an expanded theory of organismic evolution, including saltations, emerges.     

NUTRIENT LOADS TO WISCONSIN LAKES: PART II. RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF NUTRIENT SOURCES1

ABSTRACT: A comparison of municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) and nonpoint source nutrient loads to Wisconsin's 14,927 inland lakes was performed. Only 65 of the 2,925 Wisconsin lakes having surface areas of at least eight ha and a maximum depth of at least 2.4 m had one or more WWTP's located within 40 km upstream; 99 of Wisconsin's 477 WWTP's were identified to be upstream of these 65 lakes. WWTP total nitrogen and total phosphorus loads to these 65 lakes were estimated using per capita influent loads and removal efficiencies based on wastewater treatment types. Nonpoint source nutrient loads were calculated utilizing nutrient export coefficients derived specifically for Wisconsin. Total nitrogen inputs to the lakes were dominated by nonpoint sources. The effectiveness of various phosphorus control programs to produce water quality improvements visible to the public was estimated to be as follows (going from most to least effective): municipal phosphorus removal and agricultural reductions, municipal phosphorus removal alone, agricultural reduction plus phosphate detergent ban, agricultural reductions alone, and phosphate detergent ban alone. The last option would not be expected to produce water quality improvement visible to the public in any Wisconsin lakes. The differences between the distributions in Wisconsin of population and inland lakes highlights the need to consider regional characteristics in any statewide water quality management plan.