Effective elution of RDX and TNT from particles of Comp B in surface soil

During live fire training exercises, large amounts of explosives are consumed. Low order detonations of high explosive payloads result in the patchy dispersal of particles of high explosive formulations over large areas of firing range soils. Dissolution of explosives from explosive formulation particles into soil pore water is a controlling factor for transport, fate, and effects of explosive compounds. We developed an empirical method to evaluate soils based on functionally defined effective dissolution rates. An automated Accelerated Solvent Extractor was used to determine the effective elution rates under controlled conditions of RDX and TNT from soil columns containing particles of Comp B. Contrived soils containing selected soil geosorbants and reactive surfaces were used to quantitatively determine the importance of these materials. Natural soils from training ranges of various soil types were also evaluated. The effects of geosorbants on effective elution rates were compound- and sorbent-specific. TNT elution was less than that of RDX and was greatly slowed by humic acid. Iron and iron-bearing clays reduced the effective elution rates of both RDX and TNT. This empirical method is a useful tool for directly generating data on the potential for explosives to leach from firing range soils, to identify general bulk soil characteristics that can be used to predict the potential, and to identify means to engineer soil treatments to mitigate potential transport.     

Comparison of two reference black carbons using a planar PCB as a model sorbate

In studies assessing sorption of hydrophobic organic compounds (HOCs) in natural systems, the choice of an appropriate reference black carbon, which can represent environmental black carbon (BC), is essential. This study compared isotherms of two commonly available and distinct reference BCs (n-hexane soot (BCRM) and diesel particulate matter (SRM 2975)) and a natural sediment from a source with little black carbon (Lake Hartwell, SC) using 3,3',4-trichlorobiphenyl (IUPAC #35) as a model sorbate. There was greater sorptivity for PCB-35 by BCRM than by SRM 2975. The observed differences in sorption between the two reference black carbons for PCB-35 may be ascribed to the different chemical characteristics of the black carbons. Differences in pore volume distribution at <16A pore width are less likely to be responsible for the observed differences in sorption. The elemental analysis confirmed that BCRM was a pure n-hexane soot because only C, H and O were measured. In contrast, SRM 2975 also contained N and S and a higher O% than BCRM. Compared to the low BC sediment, the two reference BCs had greater pore volume distributions, surface areas, total pore volumes and sorption. The observed nF (i.e., Freundlich exponent) values for PCB indicated greater linearity of the isotherms for the natural sediment than for the reference black carbons. For designing studies of sorption of HOCs in natural systems, in particular, when PCBs are contaminants of concern, results of this study can aid selection of the appropriate reference BCs.     

Trends in snowpack chemistry and comparison to National Atmospheric Deposition Program results for the Rocky Mountains, US, 1993–2004

Seasonal snowpack chemistry data from the Rocky Mountain region of the US was examined to identify long-term trends in concentration and chemical deposition in snow and in snow-water equivalent. For the period 1993–2004, comparisons of trends were made between 54 Rocky Mountain Snowpack sites and 16 National Atmospheric Deposition Program wetfall sites located nearby in the region. The region was divided into three subregions: Northern, Central, and Southern. A non-parametric correlation method known as the Regional Kendall Test was used. This technique collectively computed the slope, direction, and probability of trend for several sites at once in each of the Northern, Central, and Southern Rockies subregions. Seasonal Kendall tests were used to evaluate trends at individual sites.Significant trends occurred during the period in wetfall and snowpack concentrations and deposition, and in precipitation. For the comparison, trends in concentrations of ammonium, nitrate, and sulfate for the two networks were in fair agreement. In several cases, increases in ammonium and nitrate concentrations, and decreases in sulfate concentrations for both wetfall and snowpack were consistent in the three subregions. However, deposition patterns between wetfall and snowpack more often were opposite, particularly for ammonium and nitrate. Decreases in ammonium and nitrate deposition in wetfall in the central and southern rockies subregions mostly were moderately significant (p<0.11) in constrast to highly significant increases in snowpack (p<0.02). These opposite trends likely are explained by different rates of declining precipitation during the recent drought (1999–2004) and increasing concentration. Furthermore, dry deposition was an important factor in total deposition of nitrogen in the region. Sulfate deposition decreased with moderate to high significance in all three subregions in both wetfall and snowpack. Precipitation trends consistently were downward and significant for wetfall, snowpack, and snow-telemetry data for the central and southern rockies subregions (p<0.03), while no trends were noted for the Northern Rockies subregion.     

Solubility of toluene, benzene and TCE in high-microbial concentration systems

We report measurements of solubility limits for benzene, toluene, and TCE in systems that contain varying levels of biomass up to 0.13 g mL⁻¹ for TCE and 0.25 g mL⁻¹ for benzene and toluene. The solubility limit increased from 21 to 48 mM when biomass (in the form of yeast) was added to aqueous batch systems containing benzene. The toluene solubility limit increased from 4.9 to greater than 20 mM. For TCE, the solubility increased from 8 mM to more than 1000 mM. Solubility for TCE (trichloroethylene) was most heavily impacted by biomass levels, changing by two orders of magnitude as the microbial concentrations approach those in biofilms.     

Heavy metal mobility in runoff water and absorption by eggplant fruits from sludge treated soil

Sewage sludge addition to agricultural lands requires judicious management to avoid environmental risks arising from heavy metal and nitrate contamination of surface water and accumulation in edible plants. A field study was conducted on a silty-loam soil of 10% slope at Kentucky State University Research Farm. Eighteen plots of 22 x 3.7 m each were separated using metal borders and the soil in six plots was mixed with sewage sludge and yard waste compost mix (SS-YW) at 15 t acre(-1), six plots were mixed with sewage sludge (SS) at 15 t acre(-1), and six unamended plots that never received sludge were used for comparison purposes. Plots were planted with eggplant, Solanum melongena L. as the test plant. The objectives of this investigation were to: 1) assess the effect of soil amendments on the transport of NO3, NH4, and heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn, Cu, and Mo) into surface water; 2) investigate the effect of soil amendments on heavy metal bioavailability in eggplant fruits at harvest; and 3) assess chemical and physical properties of soil following addition of soil amendments and their impact on the yield and quality of eggplant fruit. SS-YW treatments reduced runoff water by 63% while plots incorporated with sewage sludge alone reduced runoff water by 37% compared to control treatment. The SS-YW treatments transported more mineral nitrogen (NO3-N and NH4-N) in runoff water than SS treatments. Total marketable yield (lbs acre(-1)) and number of eggplant fruits were greatest in SS-YW treatments. This response may be due to improved soil porosity, water, and nutrient retention of the soil amended with SS-YW mixture. Concentrations of heavy metals in soil amended with sludge were below the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) limits. Chromium, Ni, Zn, and Cu were taken up by eggplant fruits but their concentrations were below the Codex Commission allowable levels.     

Comparison of surface emissions and subsurface distribution of cis- and trans-1,3-dichloropropene and chloropicrin in sandy field beds covered with four different plastic films

The purpose of this study was to conduct a field study at a Florida field site on surface emissions and subsurface distribution of cis-and trans-1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D) and chloropicrin (CP) in raised beds injected with Telone C35 with four replications. A total of 16 beds were applied with Telone C35 by chisel injection and covered with four different plastic films, 4 beds for each film. Each bed was installed with five 20-cm long soil pore air probes and a surface air collection pan at arbitrarily locations along the length of each bed for sampling soil pore air and surface air, respectively, for analysis of the three biologically active compounds, cis- and trans-1,3-D and CP. We found that average concentrations of the three compounds at 20-cm depth among the beds covered with four different plastic films generally were not statistically different. Among the four beds covered with the same plastic film, average concentrations of the three compounds were statistically different only in the four metallic PE covered beds at 5 and 24 hours after injection. Volatilization rates of the three compounds among the beds covered with four different plastic films, with the exception of CP at 48 hours after injection, were not statistically different. It appeared that initial upward diffusion and volatilization flux were influenced by solar radiation. Initial subsurface concentrations of the three compounds and volatilization flux, especially cis-1,3-D, were greater in the beds on the east side of the field than that in the beds on the west side of the field. Whether or not difference in initial subsurface concentrations of the compounds between east side beds and west side beds may influence fumigant efficacy remains to be determined.     

Identification of a floral-derived kairomone for currant clearwing, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Synanthedon tipuliformis</Emphasis>

The currant clearwing Synanthedon tipuliformis (Clerck) (Sesiidae) is a worldwide pest of black currants, Ribes nigrum. This moth has been observed to feed on nectar of inflorescences of Canada thistles, Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. This work was undertaken to identify floral compound(s) produced by Canada thistles inflorescences that mediate the response of the currant clearwing. Floral volatiles were collected during the day and analysed by coupled gas chromatography/electroantennographic detection (GC/EAD) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Three compounds consistently elicited EAD response from moth antennae and were identified by GC/MS as phenylacetaldehyde, methyl salicylate and dimethyl salicylate. When the compounds were tested individually or in various combinations in field trapping experiments, a 3-component blend attracted the largest number of female and male currant clearwings. Subsequent field trapping experiments were conducted to determine the optimal attraction dose for the ternary blend using three loadings of 1, 10 and 100 mg loaded into a polyethylene sachet. The highest catches were in traps baited with the 100 mg loading. In all trials, males and mated females were caught in significant numbers, while very low numbers of virgin females were found in the traps. In recent years the efficacy of mating disruption against currant clearwing has been reported as declining. The new kairomone blend identified in this study can be used with the sex pheromone to provide an effective control option for this important pest.     

Chemical poison and regeneration of SCR catalysts for NOx removal from stationary sources

Selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO_x with NH₃ is an effective technique to remove NO_x from stationary sources, such as coal-fired power plant and industrial boilers. Some of elements in the fly ash deactivate the catalyst due to strong chemisorptions on the active sites. The poisons may act by simply blocking active sites or alter the adsorption behaviors of reactants and products by an electronic interaction. This review is mainly focused on the chemical poisoning on V₂O₅-based catalysts, environmental-benign catalysts and low temperature catalysts. Several common poisons including alkali/alkaline earth metals, SO₂ and heavy metals etc. are referred and their poisoning mechanisms on catalysts are discussed. The regeneration methods of poisoned catalysts and the development of poison-resistance catalysts are also compared and analyzed. Finally, future research directions in developing poisoning resistance catalysts and facile efficient regeneration methods for SCR catalysts are proposed.