Survey of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in arterial street air of Hangzhou

ＩｎｔｒｏｄｕｃｔｉｏｎＰｏｌｙｃｙｃｌｉｃａｒｏｍａｔｉｃｈｙｄｒｏｃａｒｂｏｎｓ (ＰＡＨｓ)ａｒｅｗｉｄｅｓｐｒｅａｄｅｎｖｉｒｏｎｍｅｎｔａｌｐｏｌｌｕｔａｎｔｓｉｎｔｈｅａｔｍｏｓｐｈｅｒｅ.Ｔｈｅｙａｒｅｇｅｎｅｒａｔｅｄｉｎｔｈｅｃｏｍｂｕｓｔｉｏｎ .Ｔｈｅｍａｊｏｒｓｏｕｒｃｅｓｉｄｅｎｔｉｆｉｅｄｉｎｃｌｕｄｅｆｏｓｓｉｌｆｕｅｌｓ,ｖｅｈｉｃｕｌａｒｔｒａｆｆｉｃ,ｉｎｄｕｓｔｒｉａｌｐｒｏｃｅｓｓｅｓ,ｓｍｏｋｉｎｇａｎｄｄｏｍｅｓｔｉｃｈｅａｔｉｎｇ (Ｐｅｌｔｏｎｅｎ ,1995) .Ｔ…     

Status of air pollution in Beijing

A study has been made on elements organic constituents, TSP, SO2,NO2 of atmospheric pollutants in Beijing. 17 elements, and some PAHs, e. g. B(a)P, B(b, j, k)P, and B(g, h, i)P, in airborne particles by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy and HPLC, GC/MS, have been determined respectively. It has been shown that the elements Pb, Zn, S and Cu were more enriched in fine particles and different valence states of sulfur at various sites. It was found that the concentrations of S6+ and S2-were more than 85% and less than 15% of the total sulfur respectively. Concentrations of major PAHs and sulfur-containing compounds increased in winter and in urban area. High values for Pb and Zn in city, Fe and Mn at industrial area and Cu, Al rural sites were obtained respectively. This implies the functions of different elemental sources of various sites. Thus, elements can be from distingushed anthropogenic and natural sources.The main contribution of SO2 was found of to have same seasonal variation as the anthropogenic el     

Histopathological lesions in the body organs of cat-fish (Heteropneustes fossilis) following mercury intoxication

Light microscopic study of different body organs of cat-fish following exposure to HgCl2 0.2 mg/L in water for 30 days revealed that focal degeneration of liver cells and disorganization of hepatic cords occurred at places. Furthermore, centrilobular atrophy and compensatory hypertrophy of some hepatic cells were also observed. In the kidneys disintegration of renal epithelium along with displacement of nuclei, shrinkage of glomeruli, breakdown of Bowman's capsule and heavy infiltration by inflammatory cells were observed. The histopathological changes noted in the intestine included degeneration of lining epithelium, and diminution of goblet cells. Microscopic section of ovaries exhibited reduction of ooplasm leading to formation of atypical oocytes. An increase in the occurrence of atretic oocytes and interfolicular spaces was also discernible. No histopathological lesions could be detected in testes of male fish probably because of the difference in the maturity of the control and experimental groups. The pathomorphological alterations in relation to mercury toxicity in spleen were associated with the disorganization of the splenic cords resulting in the displacement of lymphatic tissue cells within the substance of splenic pulp. Marked depletion of the red pulp was noticeable.     

Mercury induced time-dependent alterations in lipid profiles and lipid peroxidation in different body organs of cat-fish Heteropneustes fossilis

The effects of mercuric chloride (HgCl2) on lipid profiles and lipid peroxidation in different body organs of fresh water cat-fish Heteropneustes fossilis were studied. The daily exposure of HgCl2 0.2 mg/L for 10, 20 and 30 days depleted the total lipids in brain. But the content of phospholipids enhanced significantly at 30 days. Significant diminution in C/P ratio was discernible with 30 days of exposure following mercury toxicosis. Liver exhibited elevated levels of total lipids, phospholipids, cholesterol and C/P ratio. Interestingly kidney showed marked decrease in the concentration of total lipids, cholesterol and C/P ratio at higher exposure. However, the phospholipid values increased during the longer exposure. The content of total lipids and phospholipids was high in muscle but the level of cholesterol and C/P ratio were depleted. Significant increment in lipid peroxidation was discernible in brain, liver and muscle. In kidney the rate of lipid peroxidation was significantly reduced. The results suggest that exposure of HgCl2 enhances the peroxidation of endogenous lipids in brain, liver and muscle. Interestingly the lipid contents are affected differently in different body organs.     

Sorption mechanism of DDT from aqueous phase

Sorption is one among the many techniques available for the removal of organic materials from potable water and waste water. Use of locally available Wood Charcoal (WC) is essential in place of costly activated charcoal to make the process more economical and lucrative. The vital objective of this investigation was to assess the performance of WC for the removal of DDT from the aqueous phase. The influence of important factors like, particle size, pH, and time of contact, which affects the sorption process was studied in this investigation using batch experiments. The removal kinetics were carried out under the temperature 27 degrees +/- 1 degrees C (room temperature) and the sorption kinetics constants were evaluated. Sorption equilibria study has also been carried out to develop the Freudlich's sorption isotherm equation from which the ultimate sorption capacity of WC for sorption of DDT was calculated.     

Status and prospects of environmental protection in Hong Kong

Summary Environmental protection in Hong Kong traditionally has been neglected by the government and private sector, with citizens showing little interest. The overwhelming pre-occupation with economic growth and a plethora of pressing social needs are often cited as the main excuses for past apathy. Since the late 1970s, the government has taken positive steps to establish administrative structures and statutes to arrest environmental decline. Legislative processes, however, have often been delayed and the effectiveness of the laws trimmed by the strong industrial lobby. The erratic developments in the 1980s nevertheless allowed the enactment of four dedicated environmental laws and a complement of ancillary control measures. The current status of the environment in the fields of water, waste, air and noise has been assessed to highlight the pertinent maladies and shortcomings. The 1989 White Paper provided a clear package of official policies and programmes to correct past ills in a ten-year comprehensive plan. The ameliorative measures, both present and projected, are evaluated for their effectiveness and prospects. Some issues that deserve more attention and improvements are suggested.     

Comparison of trace metal contents of sediments and mussels collected within and outside Tolo Harbour,Hong Kong

Sediments collected from Tap Mun (within Tolo Harbour) and Yim Tin Tsai (outside Tolo Harbour) were extracted sequentially and the copper, cadmium, and chromium contents were determined. Total contents of copper, cadmium, chromium, and arsenic were also detected by acid digestion. The level of heavy metal extracted was higher in sequential extraction (which extracted all forms of metal ions) than total acid digestion. Among the four heavy metals studied, only copper showed a significantly higher (P<0.001) level in samples collected from Yim Tin Tsai (16.10 mg/kg) than that from Tap Mun (3.19 mg/kg). Such a difference in copper level is mainly attributed to the significantly higher (P<0.05) levels of copper in the organic, carbonate, and sulfide forms, whereas there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the exchangeable and sorbed forms. Green-lipped mussel (Perna viridis) samples collected from the two sites were dissected into seven parts (gill, byssus, siphon, shell, digestive gland, soft tissue, and adductor muscle) and the concentrations of copper, cadmium, chromium, and arsenic were measured. The highest concentration of copper was obtained in the byssus. A higher concentration of copper was also noted in the mussels collected from Yim Tin Tsai than those collected from Tap Mun. No specific trend was revealed for the other metals tested. Chromium and arsenic concentrations were found to be independent of the body size of the mussels. Copper had a lower concentration in larger mussels and cadmium level was found to decrease with size. In addition, the mussels collected from Tap Mun were much larger than those collected from Yim Tin Tsai.     

Roadside dusts and soils contamination in Cincinnati,Ohio, USA

Roadside dusts and soils were collected from various nonindustrial districts in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, and analyzed for lead and copper contents. Results showed that the recent lead phase-down action has reduced the level of lead, but the concentrations of both metals are still higher than the background levels for normal soil. Elevated concentrations of copper in heavily traveled highways were noted, suggesting that much of the copper pollutants is probably of automotive origin. The concentration of lead was found to vary with housing age, and higher levels of contamination in the older neighborhoods were observed. This result is probably ascribable to the accumulation of residues from leaded gasoline and lead-based paint in the past and the use of coal fire for space heating in older houses.