Distributions of phthalic esters carried by total suspended particulates in Nanjing, China

Atmospheric trace phthalic esters (PAEs) carried by total suspended particulates were systematically investigated. A total of 450 air samples were collected at six typical locations and three specific micro-environmental sites (a stadium with a new plastic track, new cars, and a farming greenhouse with plastic film) in Nanjing metropolitan area of China from April 2009 to January 2010. The samples were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography and ultraviolet detection. The results are summarized as follows: (1) The dominant PAEs are dimethyl phthalate (DMP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), and diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), which were found in the atmosphere of Nanjing. The average concentrations of DMP, DBP, and DEHP were 10.5?±?1.2, 62.3?±?4.5, and 33.3?±?2.5?ng?m(-3), respectively, constituting 9.9%, 58.7%, and 31.4% of total PAEs (106?±?8.2?ng?m(-3)). (2) The dynamic variations of atmospheric PAEs in the three specific micro-environmental sites showed that the PAE concentrations in the stadium with a new plastic track reduced to normal after 1?month remediation, while new cars need 6?months to remove their effect. The levels of PAEs in a farming greenhouse with plastic film were relatively high, but little PAEs accumulated in vegetables. (3) The vertical profiles from 1.5 to 40?m above ground display some fluctuations in PAE concentration, but no significant height dependence. This information will make a valuable contribution to the examination of the influence of atmospheric PAEs on the environment and human health.     

Environmental psychology with a Latin American taste

This paper describes and analyzes the actual and potential contributions of Latin American environmental psychology (EP) to the study of environment–behaviour interactions. Latin America is a richly socoi- and bio-diverse region; the multitude of problems caused by threats to its diversity requires especial conceptual and methodological approaches for studying and solving those problems. Latin American environmental psychologists have contributed ideas and studies according to the specificities (indigenous psychologies) of their nations. These specificities include Latin American traditions of collective participation, holistic worldviews, emotional attachment to places and other individuals, biospheric attitudes and preference for diversity, among others, in addition to the cultural traditions inherited from Europe. These traditions are considered in EP studies conducted by Latin American authors, which are described and commented upon. The importance of formative programs for a professionalizing environmental psychology in the area is discussed. Finally, this paper envisions the future of EP in Latin America. Such a forecast includes our vision of how environmental psychologists in the region could contribute to the general development of a universal environmental psychology.     

Constitutional tolerance and chlorophyll fluorescence of Boehmeria nivea L in response to the antimony (Sb) and arsenic (As) co-contamination

The metal tolerance and metabolic changes in Boehmeria nivea colonized in mining areas are not well known. A hydroponic experiment was conducted to evaluate the impact of antimony (Sb)+arsenic (As) in following combinations (control (no metal), 20+0, 10+10, 40+0, 20+20, and 40+40 mg/L) on phytotoxicity, metal tolerance index (MTI), and chlorophyll fluorescence in B. nivea. This constitutes an initial investigation of metal tolerance and chlorophyll fluorescence in Sb and Sb+As contaminated B. nivea. The high Sb+As 40+40 mg/L produced significant phytotoxicity and MTI in the plant. Progressive higher Sb and Sb+As levels resulted in decreased chlorophyll fluorescence of B. nivea. Exposure to intermediate and high Sb+As levels induced damage in the photosynthesis apparatus of the plant.     

Foliar application of aspartic acid lowers cadmium uptake and Cd-induced oxidative stress in rice under Cd stress

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Cadmium (Cd) contamination of farmland soils is a widespread problem around the globe, and rice (Oryza sativa L.) tends to accumulate more Cd and is...     

Trade,FDI, and CO2 emissions nexus in Latin America: the spatial analysis in testing the pollution haven and the EKC hypotheses

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Americas have a mix of developing and developed economies. Thus, the pollution haven hypothesis (PHH) is expected in the developing countries of Latin...     

Online update of model state and parameters of a Monte Carlo atmospheric dispersion model by using ensemble Kalman filter

For an atmospheric dispersion model designed for the assessment of nuclear accident consequences, some uncertain model parameters, such as source term and weather conditions, may influence the reliability of model predictions. In this respect, good estimations of both model state and uncertain parameters are required. In this paper, an ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) based method for simultaneous state and parameter estimation, using off-site radiation monitoring data, is presented. This method is based on a stochastic state space model, which resembles the parameter errors with stochastic quantities. Three imperfect parameters, including the source release rate, wind direction and turbulence intensity were perturbed simultaneously, and multiple parameter estimation were performed. Having been tested against both simulated and real radiation monitoring data, the method was found to be able to realistically reconstruct the real scene of dispersion, as well as the uncertain parameters. The estimated parameters given by EnKF nicely converge to the true values, and the method also tracks the temporal variation of those parameters.     

Organochlorine pesticide residuals in chickens and eggs at a poultry farm in Beijing, China

Chicken organs, animal feed, droppings, and ambient air were sampled at a farm in Beijing to determine the concentrations of hexachlorocyclohexane isomers (HCHs) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and metabolites (DDTs). Mean fresh weight concentrations of HCHs and DDTs were 0.122 ± 0.061 ng/g and 0.051 ± 0.038 ng/g in the muscles. These values are 1-2 orders of magnitude lower than those reported in China in 1980. Contaminated feed was the main source of HCHs and DDTs. Only 12.8% of HCH and 3.3% of DDT of the amount consumed were excreted. Accumulated quantities of HCHs and DDTs increased during growth. However, concentrations of HCHs and DDTs did not increase because of dilution from rapid growth. Based on the observed residual levels in mature chicken and the average diet of residents of China, the contributions from chicken and egg consumption to per capita daily intake of HCHs and DDTs were 487% and 88% of those of fish consumption.     

Risk assessment for human consumption of perfluorinated compound-contaminated freshwater and marine fish from Hong Kong and Xiamen

Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) are man-made fluoro-surfactants that are identified as global pollutants and can pose health risks to humans and wildlife. Two aspects of risk assessment were conducted in this study, including exposure and response. Exposure was estimated by using the concentrations of PFCs in fish and applying standard exposure factors. Among different PFCs, PFOS, PFOA, PFNA, PFDA, PFUdA and PFTrDA were detected. Total concentrations of PFC in fish ranged from 0.27-8.4 ng g⁻¹ to 0.37-8.7 ng g⁻¹ respectively in Hong Kong and Xiamen. The calculated hazard ratio (HR) of PFOS for all fish was less than 1.0. However, the HR for mandarin fish in Hong Kong and bighead carp, grass carp and tilapia in Xiamen, had HR values of approximately 0.5, indicating that frequent consumption of these 4 more contaminated fish species might pose an unacceptable risk to human health. Our data support the notion that the released/disposed chemical pollutants into water systems make fish a source of environmental toxicants to humans. The risks and potential effects of PFCs to health of coastal population in the Pearl River Delta are of concern.     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in leaf cuticles and inner tissues of six species of trees in urban Beijing

Leaf samples of six tree species were collected along urban roadsides and a campus site in Beijing for measurement of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). PAHs in leaves were attributed to two fractions, leaf cuticles and inner leaf tissues, using sequential extraction. Total concentrations of 16 PAHs in the cuticles and the inner tissues were 69.3+/-64.6 microg g(-1) (d.w.) and 1.07+/-0.2 microg g(-1) (d.w.) at roadside and 57.5+/-52.6 microg g(-1) and 0.716+/-0.2 microg g(-1) on campus, respectively. The lipid-normalized inner tissue PAHs varied from 5.8 microg g(-1) to 15.0 microg g(-1). Similarities in PAH spectra between leaf cuticles and airborne particles and between the inner tissues and gaseous phase imply that airborne particulates and gaseous PAHs are likely the sources of PAHs for cuticles and the inner tissues, respectively. Difficulty in migration of heavier PAHs into inner tissues could be another reason.     

Sequential sorption of lead and cadmium in three tropical soils

It is important to examine mechanisms of Pb and Cd sorption in soils to understand their bioavailability. The ability of three tropical soils to retain Pb, Cd, and Ca was evaluated. The objectives of this study were to (1) determine the extent to which soil sorption sites are metal specific, (2) investigate the nature of reactions between metals and soil surfaces, and (3) identify how metals compete for sorption sites when they are introduced to soils sequentially or concurrently. Lead was shown to be much less exchangeable than Cd and inhibited Cd sorption. Cadmium had little effect on Pb sorption, though both Ca and Cd inhibited the adsorption of Pb at exchange sites. Lead appears to more readily undergo inner-sphere surface complexation with soil surface functional groups than either Cd or Ca. Thus, regardless of when Pb is introduced to a soil, it should be less labile than Cd.