How the COVID-19 pandemic has changed research?

Environmental Chemistry Letters -     

Experimental assessment and validation of quantification methods for cellulose content in municipal wastewater and sludge

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Cellulose, mostly in the form of toilet paper, forms a major component of the particulates in raw municipal wastewater, which could lead to...     

Some Investigations on the Nylon 6/Zn Composite Material Obtained by Simultaneous Anionic Polymerization-Molding Process

This study is concerned with the behavior of samples based on nylon 6/zinc (Ny6/Zn) composite material in high salinity water that contains NaCl (3.5 wt%) and in aqueous solution of HCl (0.5 N and 1 N). The samples were obtained from parts prepared by in situ anionic ring-opening polymerization of ?-caprolactam (CL) in the presence of zinc (Zn), as filler (15 wt%) using the rotational molding technique. This type of composite was evaluated by the testing of swelling degree, structural modifications, evolution of hydrogen and electrochemical behavior. The properties of Ny6/Zn composite material have ascertained through the combined use of more analysis methods: attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, wide-angle X-ray diffraction technique, scanning electron microscopy, swelling and electrochemical measurements. It was revealed that regarding swelling behavior the Ny6 matrix has an important role while Zn filler contributes especially to the (electro)chemical corrosion.     

Diversity in sub-national EU implementation: the application of the EU Ambient Air Quality directive in 13 municipalities in the Netherlands

This paper offers an analysis of the implementation performance of the EU Ambient Air Quality directive in the Netherlands. It provides a systematic evaluation of the implementation of a procedural provision – the obligation to design air quality policy. It draws on original data on air quality policy measures that have been collected in 13 medium-sized Dutch municipalities. The analysis of differences in the implementation performance was performed using a novel three-dimensional conceptual framework. The findings illustrate great differences in the implementation performance between the municipalities. The focused comparison allowed establishing very precisely where the implementation performance is poor or even lacking, and which municipalities take their EU implementation task more seriously than others. Most puzzling, environmental problem pressure turned out not to act as a sufficient trigger for municipalities to take far-reaching air quality measures. In contrast to previous research, a more nuanced picture is painted when it comes to the concepts of ‘compliance’, ‘non-compliance’ and ‘over-compliance’. A careful dissection of the implementation performance based on the aspects of the conceptual framework produces hands-on recommendations to municipalities seeking to improve their air quality policy.     

Effects of land use on soil inorganic carbon stocks in the Russian Chernozem

Little is known about changes in soil inorganic carbon (SIC) stocks with depth and with land use in grassland ecosystems. This study was conducted to determine SIC stocks under different management regimes in the Mollisol, one of the typical soils in grasslands. Four sites were sampled: a native grassland field (not cultivated for at least 300 yr), an adjacent 50-yr continuous fallow field, a yearly cut hay field in the V.V. Alekhin Central-Chernozem Biosphere State Reserve in the Kursk region of Russia, and a continuously cropped field in the Experimental Station of the Kursk Institute of Agronomy and Soil Erosion Control. All sampled soils were classified as fine-silty, mixed, frigid Pachic Hapludolls. Significant differences occurred in SIC stocks between cultivated and grassland soil. The inorganic carbon stocks in the top 2 m were 107 Mg ha(-1) for the native grassland, 91 Mg ha(-1) for the yearly cut hay field, 242 Mg ha(-1) for the continuously cropped field, and 196 Mg ha(-1) for the 50-yr continuous fallow. The SIC was in the form of calcium carbonate and was mostly stored below the 1-m depth. The largest difference between inorganic carbon stocks was observed between the continuously cropped field and native grassland. The increase in inorganic carbon in the continuously cropped field and continuous fallow was attributed to initial cultivation and fertilization. Soil inorganic carbon in Mollisols is not accounted for in the current global carbon estimates.     

Heavy and trace metal concentrations in three rockpool shrimp species (Palaemon elegans, Palaemon adspersus and Palaemon serratus) from Tenerife (Canary Islands)

Trace metal concentrations (Fe, Cu, Co, Zn, Ni and V) were investigated in three rockpool shrimp species (Palaemon elegans, Palaemon adspersus and Palaemon serratus) from six littoral sampling sites (polluted and non-polluted) of Tenerife in the Canary Islands (Central Eastern Atlantic), Spain. Sex ratio for all three species has been determined: females predominate over males in all species and significant differences in total length and cephalothorax length was detected between sexes, being females larger than males. By other side, concentrations of trace metals were determined in whole specimens. Higher mean values for every metal were observed in P. adspersus. In males, higher values were observed in P. elegans and P. serratus, whereas in P. adspersus, mean values are higher in females. Finally, mean concentrations of trace metals studied were higher, in general terms, in the two clearly polluted stations: Santa Cruz of Tenerife commercial harbour and its fishery dock dependency.