Multivariate Space Analysis of the Major Precipitation Ions over Europe, 1986–1997

ABSTRACT

The annual average concentrations (1986–1997) of the major ions SO₄ ^2-, NO₃ ^-, Cl^-, NH₄+, Na+, Mg²+, Ca²+, and K+ in precipitation are analyzed for selected EMEP stations. The objective is to determine the ion patterns or typologies in precipitation by principal component analysis (PCA) combined with a cluster analysis. SO₄ ^2- and NO₃ ^- ions are predominant in central and eastern Europe. This area corresponds to high emissions of SO₂ and NO₂. Sea spray ions are predominant in coastal sites. The soil components show an important contribution in southern Europe, possibly due to the soil dust transported from northern Africa.     

Sector Analysis of pH Values in the Northeastern Region of Puerto Rico

Abstract

Acid rain precipitation has become a major environmental concern. Many long-range projects in the United States and Europe are devoted to the problems associated with acid rain pollution. In Puerto Rico, there has been no formal study on acid rain. The rainfall pH values and the air-mass trajectory of the northeastern part of the island of Puerto Rico on the surface were analyzed from January 1998 to December 2000. The air-mass trajectory was classified in five different sectors, according to where it originates. The mean pH value measured during that period showed a tendency toward acidity. The 80% of the air-mass trajectory that arrived at the station occurred in Sector I, with a pH value of 4.30. The lowest pH value measured was 4.16, and it occurred in Sector V, where the air mass originates in the northwest part of the island.     

Agro-industrial wastes as effective amendments for ecotoxicity reduction and soil health improvement in aided phytostabilization

Aided phytostabilization is a technology that uses metal tolerant plants and organic and/or inorganic amendments to reduce soil metal bioavailability, while improving soil health. Our objective was to determine the effects of the application of amendments [sheep manure (SHEEP), poultry litter (POULTRY), cow slurry (COW), and paper mill sludge mixed with poultry litter (PAPER)], together with the growth of a metallicolous Festuca rubra L. population, on (i) chemical and microbial indicators of soil health and (ii) soil ecotoxicity, during the aided phytostabilization of a Zn/Pb contaminated mine soil. Amendment application led to an increase in soil pH, organic matter content, and inorganic salts, resulting in a decrease in Pb and Zn CaCl₂-extractable concentrations in soil, which, in turn, contributed to lower ecotoxicity and a stimulation of plant growth and soil microbial communities. The factor most affecting the metal extractability was probably soil pH. POULTRY was the best amendment in terms of increasing plant growth, chlorophylls content, and soil microbial biomass and activity, but resulted in higher levels of phytoavailable Pb and Zn. SHEEP and PAPER were more effective at reducing metal CaCl₂-extractability and, consequently, led to lower values of metal accumulation in plant tissues, thereby reducing the risk of metals entering into the food chain. When combined with the application of organic amendments, the metallicolous F. rubra population studied here appears an excellent candidate for aided phytostabilization. Our results indicate that the application of organic amendments is essential for the short-term recovery of highly contaminated metalliferous soils during aided phytostabilization.     

Behaviour of oxyfluorfen in soils amended with edaphic biostimulants/biofertilizers obtained from sewage sludge and chicken feathers. Effects on soil biological properties

We studied the behaviour of oxyfluorfen herbicide at a rate of 4 l ha^?1 on biological properties of a Calcaric Regosol amended with two edaphic biostimulants/biofertilizers (SS, derived from sewage sludge; and CF, derived from chicken feathers). Oxyfluorfen was surface broadcast on 11 March 2013. Two days after application of oxyfluorfen to soil, both biostimulants/biofertilizers (BS) were also applied to the soil. An unamended soil without oxyfluorfen was used as control. For 2, 4, 7, 9, 20, 30, 60, 90 and 120 days of the application of herbicide to the soil and for each treatment, the soil dehydrogenase, urease, β-glucosidase and phosphatase activities were measured. For 2, 7, 30 and 120 days of the application of herbicide to the soil and for each treatment, soil microbial community was determined. The application of both BS to soil without the herbicide increased the enzymatic activities and soil biodiversity, mainly at 7 days of beginning the experiment. However, this stimulation was higher in the soil amended with SS than for CF. The application of herbicide in organic-amended soils decreased the inhibition of soil enzymatic activities and soil biodiversity. Possibly, the low-molecular-weight protein content easily assimilated by soil microorganisms is responsible for less inhibition of these soil biological properties.     

Determination of priority pesticides in water samples combining SPE and SPME coupled to GC–MS. A case study: Suquía River basin (Argentina)

This study reports a combined method using solid phase extraction (SPE), followed by solid phase microextraction (SPME) to concentrate different pesticides, including chlorinated, organophosphorus, triazines, pyretroids and chloroacetamides, present at trace levels in water samples. Identification and quantification was carried out by gas chromatography coupled to Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS). The optimized methodology showed LOQs at ng L^?1 levels (ranging 0.2–3.5 ng L^?1) in addition to acceptable precision and robustness (recoveries ranged 63–104%, RSD from 4% to 23%), presenting a novel method to reach trace levels, similar to that obtainable using EC detector, with structural confirmation by MS during the analysis of a wide range of environmental pollutants.This method was applied to the study of temporal and spatial distribution of pesticides in the Suquía River basin (Córdoba-Argentina). As expected, highest levels of agrochemicals were observed in areas with intensive agricultural practices, being atrazine (max. = 433.9 ng L^?1), alpha-cypermetrine (max. = 121.7 ng L^?1) and endosulfan sulfate (max. = 106.7 ng L^?1) predominant. In urban areas, the prevalent pesticide was alpha-cypermethrine. These results draw attention to the need of pesticide monitoring programs in rivers, considering both urban and rural sections.     

The impact of a disused mine on uranium transport in the River Fal, South West England

Unfiltered and filtered (0.45 and 0.2 microm) water samples and sediment samples (sieved to <180 microm and 180-1000 microm) were collected along an approximately 15 km transect of the River Fal, Cornwall, UK, to examine the impact of the disused South Terras uranium mine on the uranium concentrations of the river water and underlying sediments. The uranium concentration of the water samples fluctuated along the river, with the 0.45 microm filtered water showing the largest, seven-fold, difference between minimum (0.19 microg L(-1)) and maximum (1.34 microg L(-1)) concentrations. The historical uranium mine and spoil heaps were not a significant source of uranium to the river water, as water concentrations were low next to the site, but a highly elevated uranium concentration (1000 mg kg(-1)) was found in sediment below an outflow pipe from this mine. Operationally defined "colloidal" (0.2-0.45 microm) and "dissolved" (<0.2 microm) uranium were the predominant forms of the element in the river water (35 and 45% respectively). The uranium concentration in the dissolved phase showed a correlation coefficient of 0.83 (n= 9) with the total cation concentration, suggesting that the uranium concentration in this fraction is directly linked to weathering of rocks and minerals. The observation that weathering is the dominant mechanism delivering uranium to the river water explains the low uranium concentrations in the river water close to South Terras mine, despite the proximity of the spoil heaps, and the maximum uranium concentrations close to a china clay mining area.     

A simple method to identify areas of environmental risk due to manure application

The management of swine manure is becoming an important environmental issue in Chile. One option for the final disposal of manure is to use it as a biofertilizer, but this practice could impact the surrounding environment. To assess the potential environmental impacts of the use of swine manure as a biofertilizer, we propose a method to identify zones of environmental risk through indices. The method considers two processes: nutrient runoff and solute leaching, and uses available information about soils, crops and management practices (irrigation, fertilization, and rotation). We applied the method to qualitatively assess the environmental risk associated with the use of swine manure as a biofertilizer in an 8,000-pig farm located in Central Chile. Results showed that the farm has a moderate environmental risk, but some specific locations have high environmental risks, especially those associated with impacts on areas surrounding water resources. This information could assist the definition of better farm-level management practices, as well as the preservation of riparian vegetation acting as buffer strips. The main advantage of our approach is that it combines qualitative and quantitative information, including particular situations or field features based on expert knowledge. The method is flexible, simple, and can be easily extended or adapted to other processes.     

Flooding: what is the impact on pregnancy and child health?

Floods are the most common type of natural disaster in both developed and developing countries and have led to extensive morbidity and mortality throughout the world. Worldwide, over the past 30 years, flooding has claimed the lives of more than 200,000 people and affected more than 2.8 billion others. The impact of flooding on health varies among populations and depends primarily on vulnerability and the kind of event experienced. It severely disrupts livelihoods and has a significant impact on the health of pregnant women and children. In addition, it may exacerbate a range of negative psychological and physiological child and reproductive health outcomes. Awareness‐raising, education, and the issuing of warnings appear to be key initiatives to mitigate or prevent flood morbidity and mortality, especially among people living in low‐ and middle‐income countries. Agencies responding to emergencies also need to be more cognisant of the dangers, specifically those engaged in healthcare, nutrition, and water safety programmes.     

Removal of the herbicide amitrole from water by anodic oxidation and electro-Fenton

Here we demonstrate that an aqueous solution of the herbicide amitrole can be completely depolluted at pH 3.0 by anodic oxidation and electro-Fenton process. Anodic oxidation gives faster degradation with a boron-doped diamond anode than with a Pt anode. Electro-Fenton with a Pt anode and 1 mmol l ^–1 Fe²⁺ as catalyst yields the quickest depollution. Amitrole decay always follows a pseudo first-order reaction. NO₃^– and NH₄⁺ are accumulated in the medium during mineralization, although volatile N-products are also formed. These environmentally friendly electrochemical treatments could be applied to the remediation of wastewaters containing amitrole.     

Short-term effects of data-loggers on Cory’s shearwater (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Calonectris diomedea</Emphasis>)

We investigated the possible effects of a 12-g data-logger attached to a darvic ring on the performance of Corys shearwater (Calonectris diomedea, 600–850 g) from two different colonies in the western Mediterranean Sea. We compared return rates, current breeding success and body condition between equipped and unequipped birds. Effects on feeding ecology during winter and breeding period was also evaluated through the measurement of stable isotopes of carbon (¹³C) and nitrogen (¹⁵N) in one of the colonies. We found no evidence of negative effects of loggers on demographic parameters analysed or in feeding ecology. Power analyses suggested a high power to detect medium effect size, but a low power to detect small changes. Despite the non-significant results we could only exclude medium to strong effects of the devices on one of these parameters. We detected some short-term negative effects on body condition for the equipped birds, but these were unlikely to have had important consequences. Results suggest that the use of loggers is an adequate methodology to obtain information from seabirds at sea, but data should be carefully interpreted with regard to potential biases during severe environmental conditions.Communicated by S.A. Poulet, Roscoff