Decolorization of synthetic dyes using a copper complex with glucaric acid

Selected azo, acridine, triphenyl methane, anthraquinone and thiazine-based dyes were decolorized using a catalytic system consisting of Cu(II)/glucaric acid/H(2)O(2). More than 90% decolorization was obtained with 100 ppm Acridine Orange, Azure B, Chicago Sky Blue, Crystal Violet, Methyl Orange, Poly B-411, Reactive Black 5, Reactive Blue 2, and Remazol Brilliant Blue R within 24 h. Seventy to eighty percent decolorization was achieved within the first 6 h. The decolorizaton was not affected by pH. The involvement of hydroxyl radicals produced in the system in the decolorization of the dye molecules was confirmed by electron spin resonance study.     

Determination of toxic cyclic heptapeptides by liquid chromatography with detection using ultra-violet, protein phosphatase assay and tandem mass spectrometry

Microcystins, toxic cyclic heptapeptides and nodularin-R, a toxic cyclic pentapeptide, were determined using liquid chromatography (LC) with detection using photo-diode array ultra-violet (PDA-UV) and protein phosphatase (PP) assay. Positive fractions were analysed for toxins using collision-induced dissociation (CID) and tandem MS/MS experiments which were carried out simultaneously using electrospray ion-trap instrumentation. Reversed-phase liquid chromatography (LC) using an acetonitrile/water gradient was used for the LC-MS(2) determination of six microcystins standards and nodularin. The molecular related ion species, [M+H](+)([M+2H](2+) in the case of MC-RR), were used as the precursor ions for MS(2) experiments. Optimum calibration and reproducibility data were obtained for MC-LR using LC-MS(2); 0.1-5.0 microg/ml, r2 = 0.992 (n = 3); % RSD < or =7.3 at 0.25 microg MC-LR/ml (n = 3). The detection limit (S/N = 3) was better than 0.1 ng. Water samples for microcystin analysis were first screened using protein phosphatase (PP) assays and positives were concentrated using C-18 solid-phase extraction. The developed method was applied to examine a lake in Ireland contaminated by Microcystis sp. and MC-LR and MC-LA were identified.     

Prediction of SO2 levels using neural networks

In this paper, we present an adaptation of the air pollution control help system in the neighborhood of a power plant in As Pontes (A Coru?a, Spain), property of Endesa Generación S.A., to the European Council Directive 1999/30/CE. This system contains a statistic prediction made half an hour before the measurement, and it helps the staff in the power plant prevent air quality level episodes. The prediction is made using neural network models. This prediction is compared with one made by a semiparametric model.     

Recovery from acidification in central Europe--observed and predicted changes of soil and streamwater chemistry in the Lysina catchment,Czech Republic

The geochemical model MAGIC was applied to estimate streamwater and soil chemistry between 1851 and 2030 at the Lysina catchment, an acid-sensitive granitic catchment covered by planted Norway spruce monoculture in the western Czech Republic. The total deposition of sulfur to the catchment was 164 meq m(-2) in 1991, but had declined to 52 meq m(-2) by 2000. Although SO2 emissions in the region declined by 90% compared to the 1980s, acidification recovery was small within the period 1990-2000. Stream pH increased only slightly (from 3.92 to 4.07), although SO4 concentration declined sharply from 568 microeq l(-1) (1990) to 232 microeq l(-1) (2000). Organic acids played an important role in streamwater buffering. According to the MAGIC prediction using deposition measured in 1999-2000, streamwater pH will increase to 4.3 and soil base saturation will increase to 6.2% by 2030 (from 5.7% in 2002). Pre-industrial pH was estimated to be 5.5 and soil base saturation 24.7%. The loss of base cations (Ca, Mg, Na, K) was caused predominantly by atmospheric acidity, but intensive forestry was responsible for approximately one third of the net base cation loss via accumulation in harvested biomass. Severely damaged sites, under continued pressure from forestry, will not return to a good environmental status in the near future (if ever) when the acid deposition input is only partially reduced.     

Anaerobic degradation and toxicity of commercial cationic surfactants in anaerobic screening tests

Anaerobic biodegradability and toxicity on anaerobic bacteria of di(hydrogenated tallow) dimethyl ammonium chloride (DHTDMAC) and two esterquats have been investigated. A batch test system containing municipal digester solids as a source of anaerobic bacteria, based on the method proposed by the ECETOC, has been applied. To evaluate the potential toxicity of such surfactants on anaerobic sludge, a co-substrate, an easily biodegradable compound in anaerobic conditions, has been added to the samples to test and the effects on biogas production have been determined. For the esterquats studied high biodegradation levels were obtained and no toxic effects on anaerobic bacteria were observed even at the highest concentrations tested, 100 and 200 mg C/l, respectively. On the contrary, DHTDMAC was not degradated at the same test conditions. However, no inhibitory effects on the biogas production were detected for this surfactant at concentrations <100 mg C/l.     

Photodegradation of organic pollutants on the spruce needle wax surface under laboratory conditions

The photochemistry of selected organic compounds, including common pollutants, on the paraffin (as a model matrix) and spruce wax surfaces was studied under laboratory conditions. Two model transformations were evaluated: (1) intramolecular rearrangements of valerophenone and 2-nitrobenzaldehyde, and (2) hydrogen abstraction between an excited benzophenone and the hydrocarbon paraffin/wax chains. The steric or polar influence of the solid matrix on conformational and translational motion, its optical properties, hydrogen abstraction probabilities, and consequences of the guest-molecule segregation are discussed in this work. Furthermore, the photochemical reactivity of some common anthropogenic pollutants, such as chlorinated biphenyls (4-chlorobiphenyl, 2,4-dichlorobiphenyl, and 4,4'-dichlorobiphenyl), 4-chlorophenol, and DDT, was evaluated. The surface of spruce wax is presented as probable reaction medium for photochemical transformations. Although the matrix presents certain restrictions for bimolecular reactions, common photodegradations should be generally feasible in nature. In addition, paraffin was found to be a suitable model matrix for the studies of possible photochemical transformations that can occur on natural plant surfaces.     

Agricultural soil as a potential source of input of organochlorine pesticides into a nearby pond

A study was conducted in the southeastern region of Buenos Aires province, Argentina, to assess an agricultural soil as a potential source of organochlorine (OC) pesticides for the aquatic biota of a nearby pond. We analyzed gamma-HCH (lindane), still in use, and the following banned compounds: DDT, DDE, DDD heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, aldrin, dieldrin and endrin in soil, bulrush, grass shrimp and fish using gas chromatography with electron capture detection (GC-ECD). Among the OC pesticides, lindane was most dominant in the soil (32.6 ng/g dry wt in the upper and 173.9 ng/g dry wt in the lower horizon) and bulrush (1.9 pg/g lipid). Macrophyte also accumulated high levels of heptachlor epoxide (1.5 pg/g lipid). Heptachlor, although present in the soil, was below the detection limit in all aquatic biota studied. Its primary degradation product, heptachlor epoxide, was found in both soil and biota samples. DDT was found at low levels in the surface soil (6.8 ng/g dry wt), but at higher concentrations in fish (3.6 pg/g lipid), although levels were still below permissible levels for human consumption. Since most of the compounds were found in both soil and aquatic biota, our study suggests that agricultural soil could be an important source for OC pesticides in the nearby pond.     

Evaluation of heavy metal availability in polluted soils by two sequential extraction procedures using factor analysis

Superficial soil and grass samples from 13 locations affected by several anthropogenic sources (mining, metal factory, traffic emissions) were collected in Gipuzkoa, northern Spain. The more labile metal fractions, the mobile (extracted by 0.01 mol l(-1) CaCl(2)) and the mobilisable (extracted by 0.005 mol l(-1) DTPA), were evaluated using a short sequential procedure with two steps. From the results a short-medium term potential lability of Cd, Cu, Zn and Pb can be concluded. The labile levels were compared with the results obtained using the Tessier sequential procedure. Factor analysis was used to check the associations between the total metal contents in soil and grass, as well as between the levels of the different sequential fractions and the total content in grass. Cd, Cu and Zn labile levels were related to total metal grass contents indicating its suitability for the availability studies in polluted soil-plant system.     

Fe(III)-solar light induced degradation of diethyl phthalate (DEP) in aqueous solutions

The degradation of diethyl phthalate (DEP) photoinduced by Fe(III) in aqueous solutions has been investigated under solar irradiation in the compound parabolic collector reactor at Plataforma Solar de Almeria. Hydroxyl radicals *OH, responsible of the degradation, are formed via an intramolecular photoredox process in the excited state of Fe(III) aquacomplexes. The primary step of the reaction is mainly due to the attack of *OH radicals on the aromatic ring. For prolonged irradiations DEP and its photoproducts are completely mineralized due to the regeneration of the absorbing species and the continuous formation of *OH radicals that confers a catalytic aspect to the process. Consequently, the degradation photoinduced by Fe(III) could be an efficient method of DEP removal from water.     

Analyses of ozone in urban and rural sites in Málaga (Spain)

Ozone concentrations were measured at two (urban and a rural) sites near the city of Málaga (Spain). The aim of this study was to determine the daily, monthly and seasonal variation patterns of ozone concentrations at both sites and to study the possible regional influences. The daily variations mostly have the usual features with the afternoon maximum and the night minimum being more pronounced in the urban area. The average monthly concentrations throughout the year start to increase in March reaching their maximum values in July for the urban site. However, in the rural area, the monthly variations are smaller reaching their maximum value in June. The hourly evolution of the ozone concentrations in both sampling sites is well defined in spring and summer and not so well defined in autumn and winter. Taking into account the four seasons, the rural concentrations are higher than the urban ones. Summer is the season when there are similar concentrations at both sampling sites. Average hourly summer afternoon ozone for the hours 12:00-20:00 LST exceeded the 110 microg m(-3) European Union guidelines for human health for 8 h ozone exposure at the urban and rural sites.