Exposure Programme on Atmospheric Corrosion Effects of Acidifying Pollutants in Tropical and Subtropical Climates

Many national exposure programmes have been performed in tropical and subtropical climates during the last 50 years. However, ambitious programmes involving more than a few countries are scarce. In this paper a recently formed network of test sites is described involving 12 test sites in Asia (India, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and China including Hong Kong) and four test sites in Africa (South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe). This effort is part of the 2001–2004 Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) funded Programme on Regional Air Pollution in Developing Countries (RAPIDC). Corrosion attack after one (2002–2003) year of exposure (carbon steel, zinc, copper, limestone and paint coated steel) are presented together with environmental data (SO₂, NO₂, HNO₃, O₃, particles, amount and pH of precipitation, temperature and relative humidity) for all the test sites. The obtained corrosion values are substantially higher than expected for limestone, higher than expected for carbon steel and lower than expected for zinc compared to values calculated using the best available dose–response functions.     

Potential application of high pressure carbon dioxide in treated wastewater and water disinfection: Recent overview and further trends

Recently emerging disadvantages in conventional disinfection have heightened the need for finding a new solution. Developments in the use of high pressure carbon dioxide for food preservation and sterilization have led to a renewed interest in its applicability in wastewater treatment and water disinfection. Pressurized CO₂ is one of the most investigated methods of antibacterial treatment and has been used extensively for decades to inhibit pathogens in dried food and liquid products. This study reviews the literature concerning the utility of CO₂ as a disinfecting agent, and the pathogen inactivation mechanism of CO₂ treatment is evaluated based on all available research. In this paper, it will be argued that the successful application and high effectiveness of CO₂ treatment in liquid foods open a potential opportunity for its use in wastewater treatment and water disinfection. The findings from models with different operating conditions (pressure, temperature, microorganism, water content, media …) suggest that most microorganisms are successfully inhibited under CO₂ treatment. It will also be shown that the bacterial deaths under CO₂ treatment can be explained by many different mechanisms. Moreover, the findings in this study can help to address the recently emerging problems in water disinfection, such as disinfection by-products (resulting from chlorination or ozone treatment).     

A review of polybrominated diphenyl ethers and alternative brominated flame retardants in wildlife from China: Levels, trends, and bioaccumulation characteristics

Accelerated industrialization and urbanization, and unregulated disposal of waste of electric and electronic equipment (e-waste) in China have caused environmental pollution of brominated flame retardants (BFRs). This review summarized the levels, trends, and bioaccumulation characteristics of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and other potential alternative BFRs including hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs), 1,2-bis(2,4,6-dibromophenoxy) ethane (BTBPE) and decabromodiphenylethane (DBDPE) in wildlife from China. PBDE levels in wildlife from China were generally higher than those from other parts in Asia, and were comparable to those from Europe but were lower than those from North America. However, wildlife from the e-waste recycling sites in South China and East China contained much higher PBDEs compared to other reports around the world, suggesting the heavy contamination of PBDEs in these regions. The alternative BFRs were also detected in wildlife, revealing that the animals are exposed to these chemicals, in addition to PBDEs. Temporal trends indicated by levels in marine mammals from South China suggested that PBDE levels increased from the beginning of 1990s to 2000s, but decreased from the middle of 2000s, followed by relatively steady levels. In contrast, HBCDs were found to be continuously increasing from 1997 to 2007, indicating the increasing usage of HBCDs in China in recent years. Compared to PBDE profiles found in other parts, aquatic species and birds from China contained relatively higher contributions of BDE-28 and 209, respectively, suggesting the possible different usage pattern of PBDEs. Future works including keeping monitoring at a reasonable scale and frequency to make sure levels near urban centers indicative of population do not increase are needed. Additionally, focus effort on e-waste recycling regions to look for impacts and to determine if regulation/controls are resulting in lower environmental contamination, and incorporation of sentinel species in monitoring efforts are recommended.     

Distribution of alkylphenols in the Pearl River Delta and adjacent northern South China Sea, China

The occurrence of alkylphenols (APs) was investigated in surface water and sediments from the Pearl River Delta and adjacent northern South China Sea. Most of the water samples contained detectable amounts of APs, ranging up to 0.628 microg l(-1) for nonylphenol (NP) and 0.068 microg l(-1) for octylphenol (OP). APs were found in all of the sediment samples with concentrations ranging from 59 to 7808 microg kg(-1) for NP and from 1 to 93 microg kg(-1) for OP. The Zhujiang River showed the highest concentrations of APs in both water and sediments. Significant decrease of APs concentrations going from the Zhujiang River to the Shiziyang River was observed. The Xijiang River contained concentrations of APs slightly higher in water but relatively lower in sediments than the Lingding Bay, which might be attributed to their different hydrodynamic and sedimentary characteristics. There was a decreasing trend of APs in water from the rivers to the estuary and further to the sea on the whole. In the Lingding Bay and its outer waters, concentrations of APs in sediments increased to a maximum and then decrease seaward, which was consistent with the distribution trend of the sediment organic carbon contents. Linear regression analyses showed the concentrations of APs were markedly correlated with the sediment organic carbon contents, indicating that the sediment organic carbon is an important factor controlling the levels of APs in sediments.     

High photocatalytic removal of NO gas over SnO2 nanoparticles under solar light

Environmental Chemistry Letters - Tin oxide nanoparticles (SnO2 NPs) with a diameter less than 10 nm are usually used in waste water treatment via the photocatalytic reaction. However,...     

Arsenic in groundwaters of the Lower Mekong

Increasing incidence and awareness of arsenic in many alluvial aquifers of South-east Asia has raised concern over possible arsenic in the Lower Mekong Basin. Here, we have undertaken new research and reviewed many previous small-scale studies to provide a comprehensive overview of the status of arsenic in aquifers of Cambodia and the Cuu Long Delta of Vietnam. In general natural arsenic originates from the Upper Mekong basin, rather than from the local geology, and is widespread in soils at typical concentrations of between 8 and 16 ppm; (dry weight). Industrial and agricultural arsenic is localised and relatively unimportant compared to the natural alluvial arsenic. Aquifers most typically contain groundwaters of no more than 10 μg L⁻¹, although scattered anomalous areas of 10 to 30 μg L⁻¹ are also quite common. The most serious, but possibly ephemeral arsenic anomalies, of up to 600 μg L⁻¹, are associated with iron and organic-rich flood-plain sediments subject to very large flood-related fluctuations in water level, resulting in transient arsenopyrite dissolution under oxidizing conditions. In general, however, high-arsenic groundwaters result from the competing interaction between sorption and dissolution processes, in which arsenic is only released under reducing and slightly alkaline conditions. High arsenic groundwaters are found both in shallow water-tables, and in deeper aquifers of between 100 and 120 m depth. There is no evidence of widespread arsenicosis, but there are serious localised health-hazards, and some risk of low-level arsenic ingestion through indirect pathways, such as through contaminated rice and aquaculture. An almost ubiquitous presence of arsenic in soils, together with the likelihood of greatly increased groundwater extraction in the future, will require continuing caution in water resources development throughout the region.     

Chlorinated and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in riverine and estuarine sediments from Pearl River Delta, China

Spatial distribution of chlorinated hydrocarbons [chlorinated pesticides (CPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)] and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was measured in riverine and estuarine sediment samples from Pearl River Delta, China, collected in 1997. Concentrations of CPs of the riverine sediment samples range from 12 to 158 ng/g, dry weight, while those of PCBs range from 11 to 486 ng/g. The CPs concentrations of the estuarine sediment samples are in the range 6-1658 ng/g, while concentrations of PCBs are in the range 10-339 ng/g. Total PAH concentration ranges from 1168 to 21,329 ng/g in the riverine sediment samples, whereas the PAH concentration ranges from 323 to 14,812 ng/g in the sediment samples of the Estuary. Sediment samples of the Zhujiang River and Macao harbor around the Estuary show the highest concentrations of CPs, PCBs, and PAHs. Possible factors affecting the distribution patterns are also discussed based on the usage history of the chemicals, hydrologic condition, and land erosion due to urbanization processes. The composition of PAHs is investigated and used to assess petrogenic, combustion and naturally derived PAHs of the sediment samples of the Pearl River Delta. In addition, the concentrations of a number of organic compounds of the Pearl River Delta samples indicate that sediments of the Zhujiang river and Macao harbor are most likely to pose biological impairment.     

Organochlorine compounds and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface sediment from Baiyangdian Lake, North China： Concentrations, sources profiles and potential risk

Organochlorine pesticides(OCPs),polychlorinated biphenyls(PCBs),and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs) were determined in nineteen surface sediment samples collected from Baiyangdian Lake and its inflowing river(Fuhe River) in North China.Total concentrations of OCPs,PCBs and PAHs in sediments ranged from 5.4 to 707.6 ng/g,2.3 to 197.8 ng/g,and 101.3 to 6360.5 ng/g,respectively.The levels of contaminants in Fuhe River were significantly higher than those in Baiyandian Lake.For hexachlorocyclohexane(HCHs) and dichlorodiphenytrichloroethanes(DDTs),α-HCH and p,p-DDT were predominant isomers;while for PCBs,PCB 28/31,PCB 40/103,PCB 60,PCB 101,and PCB 118 were predominant congeners.Possible sources derived from historical usage for OCPs and incomplete combustion fuel,wood,and coal and exhaustion of boats or cars for PAHs.Risk assessment of sediment indicated that sediments in Fuhe River were likely to pose potential biological adverse impact.