Dependence of home outdoor particulate mass and number concentrations on residential and traffic features in urban areas

The associations between residential outdoor and ambient particle mass, fine particle absorbance, particle number (PN) concentrations, and residential and traffic determinants were investigated in four European urban areas (Helsinki, Athens, Amsterdam, and Birmingham). A total of 152 nonsmoking participants with respiratory diseases, not exposed to occupational pollution, were included in the study, which comprised a 7-day intensive exposure monitoring period of both indoor and home outdoor particle mass and number concentrations. The same pollutants were also continuously measured at ambient fixed sites centrally located to the studied areas (fixed ambient sites). Relationships between concentrations measured directly outside the homes (residential outdoor) and at the fixed ambient sites were pollutant-specific, with substantial variations among the urban areas. Differences were more pronounced for coarse particles due to resuspension of road dust and PN, which is strongly related to traffic emissions. Less significant outdoor-to-fixed variation for particle mass was observed for Amsterdam and Birmingham, predominantly due to regional secondary aerosol. On the contrary, a strong spatial variation was observed for Athens and to a lesser extent for Helsinki. This was attributed to the overwhelming and time-varied inputs from traffic and other local sources. The location of the residence and traffic volume and distance to street and traffic light were important determinants of residential outdoor particle concentrations. On average, particle mass levels in suburban areas were less than 30% of those measured for residences located in the city center. Residences located less than 10 m from a street experienced 133% higher PN concentrations than residences located further away. Overall, the findings of this multi-city study, indicated that (1) spatial variation was larger for PN than for fine particulate matter (PM) mass and varied between the cities, (2) vehicular emissions in the residential street and location in the center of the city were significant predictors of spatial variation, and (3) the impact of traffic and location in the city was much larger for PN than for fine particle mass.     

Changes of metal-induced toxicity by H2O2/NO modulators in Scenedesmus quadricauda (Chlorophyceae)

Effect of nitric oxide donor (sodium nitroprusside, SNP, 500 μM) or hydrogen peroxide scavenger (dithiothreitol, DTT, 500 μM) on cadmium (Cd) or copper (Cu) uptake (150 μM solutions) and toxicity using Scenedesmus quadricauda was studied. Combined treatments (Cd or Cu + DTT or SNP) usually ameliorated metal-induced toxicity at the level of pigments, proteins, and mineral nutrients in comparison with respective metal alone. Viability tests (MTT and TTC) showed the lowest values preferentially in Cu treatments, indicating higher toxicity in comparison with Cd. Cd showed low impact on amino acids while strong Cu-induced depletion was mitigated by DTT and SNP. Amount of ROS and NO showed the most pronounced responses in SNP variants being rather reciprocal than parallel and regulated ascorbate peroxidase activity. Blot gel analyses of hsp70 protein did not reveal extensive changes after given exposure period. Phenols were elevated by DTT alone while all Cu treatments revealed depletion. Total Cu content decreased while total Cd content increased in metal + SNP or metal + DTT. Subsequent experiment using lower Cd, SNP or DTT doses (10 and 100 μM) revealed concentration-dependent impact on Cd uptake. Overall, DTT was found to be more suitable for the amelioration of metal-induced toxicity.     

Second generation diesel fuel from renewable sources

The study is devoted to the issue of direct transformation of triacylglycerols (TAG) to diesel fuels applying a commercially available NiMo and NiW hydrorefining catalysts. It was proved that during hydrodesulphurisation also hydrodeoxygenation occurs and TAG can be converted to the fuel biocomponent by adding 6.5 % vol. of TAG to atmospheric gas oil. In this way, after hydroprocessing at mild conditions (temperature 320–360 °C, pressure 3.5–5.5 MPa, LHSV: 1.0 h^?1 and ratio H₂:HC = 500–1000 Nm³/m³, catalyst presence), gas oil containing 5–5.5% of biocomponent was prepared, characterized with standard performance and emission parameters. Performance and emission tests documented that even 5% vol. portion of bio-components reduces the controlled and uncontrolled emissions.     

Implementation obstacles of the ICZM protocol and mitigation efforts

After the signing of the ICZM Protocol in the Mediterranean (Madrid, 21 January 2008) its implementation became the main focus of interest for the future. Several obstacles on the way to implementation are briefly analysed, starting with the ratification process, the competence for the implementation and the availability of financial resources to put the Protocol requirements in place. A list of mitigation actions is proposed in order to overcome these obstacles. The ways in which the Centre responsible for assisting the countries can implement this legal instrument (i.e. PAP/RAC) is elaborated in the second part of the paper. This includes the preparation of a stocktaking report to allow for defining the starting point for ICZM in the Mediterranean, elaboration of an explanatory guide of the text of the Protocol, as well as guidelines for the definition of a coastal setback. Equally important is awareness-raising and training for the implementation of the Protocol.     

Solar-driven photocatalytic treatment of diclofenac using immobilized TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-based zeolite composites

The study is aimed at evaluating the potential of immobilized TiO₂-based zeolite composite for solar-driven photocatalytic water treatment. In that purpose, TiO₂-iron-exchanged zeolite (FeZ) composite was prepared using commercial Aeroxide TiO₂ P25 and iron-exchanged zeolite of ZSM5 type, FeZ. The activity of TiO₂-FeZ, immobilized on glass support, was evaluated under solar irradiation for removal of diclofenac (DCF) in water. TiO₂-FeZ immobilized in a form of thin film was characterized for its morphology, structure, and composition using scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX). Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) was used to determine potential changes in band gaps of prepared TiO₂-FeZ in comparison to pure TiO₂. The influence of pH, concentration of hydrogen peroxide, FeZ wt% within the composite, and photocatalyst dosage on DCF removal and conversion efficiency by solar/TiO₂-FeZ/H₂O₂ process was investigated. TiO₂-FeZ demonstrated higher photocatalytic activity than pure TiO₂ under solar irradiation in acidic conditions and presence of H₂O₂.     

The influence of deoxynivalenol and zearalenone on steroid hormone production by porcine ovarian granulosa cells in vitro

Fusarium mycotoxins deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEA) are frequently occurring in feed of pigs together. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible in vitro effects of DON and ZEA, alone or their combination on steroid secretion of porcine ovarian granulosa cells (GCs). A species-specific model with porcine ovarian GCs was used to study the potential endocrine disrupting effects of DON and ZEA alone and in co-exposure. Progesterone (P4) and estradiol (E2) were determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results of this study demonstrate that DON alone at the higher concentrations may act to stimulate P4 (at 1,000, 2,000, 3,000 and 5,000 ng mL^?1 but not 10 and 100 ng mL^?1) and E2 (at 2,000, 3,000 and 5,000 ng mL^?1 but not 10, 100 and 1000 ng mL^?1) secretion. The effects of ZEA on P4 and E2 secretion were not confirmed. DON in combination with the other fusariotoxin ZEA may impair steroidogenesis. Results aslo demonstrate different toxicological effects of fusariotoxins on follicle stimulating hormone-induced secretion of P4 and E2. All these results taken together suggest that fusariotoxin and their interactions can impact ovarian steroidogenesis, thereby demonstrating their potential reproductive effects in pigs.     

Environmental monitoring within the Slovak Republic

In the Slovak Republic (SR) there has not been a complete and coordinated monitoring system for environment until now. The object of environmental monitoring in the SR has been to evaluate certain areas, e.g. components of the environment and the influences affecting it: atmosphere, water, soil, biota (fauna and flora), geological factors, physical fields, forest, wastes, settlement, landuse, contaminants of the food chain and human stress caused by environmental factors. Individual monitoring systems are being built on the basis of these projects.The Monitoring System for the Environment in the SR has been formed by linkage to the Information System on the Environment in the SR which is a basic source of the data on the state of the environment in the SR and the factors affecting it.The guarantor of both these systems is the Ministry of the Environment of the Slovak Republic.