Recent advances in mercury speciation analysis with focus on spectrometric methods and enriched stable isotope applications

This paper discusses some recent advances in spectrometric methods and approaches for mercury speciation analysis of environmental samples with focus on isotope dilution techniques for determination of mercury species' concentrations in gaseous samples and reaction rates in soils and sediments. Such analytical data is important inter alia in fundamental research on mercury biogeochemistry and for risk assessments of mercury-contaminated soils and sediments and for designing effective remedial actions. The paper describes how the use of enriched stable isotope tracers in mercury speciation analysis can improve the traceability and accuracy of results, facilitate rational method developments, and be useful for studying biogeochemical processes, i.e. rate of reactions and fluxes, of mercury species. In particular the possibilities to study and correct for unwanted species transformation reactions during sample treatment and to study "natural" transformations of species in environmental samples, or micro- and mesocosm ecosystems, during incubations are highlighted. Important considerations to generate relevant data in isotope tracer experiments as well as reliability and quality assurance of mercury speciation analysis in general are also discussed.     

Fractionated phytoplankton primary production,exudate release and bacterial production in a Baltic eutrophication gradient

The distribution of phytoplankton primary production into four size fractions (>10 m, 10-3 m, 3-0.2 m and <0.2 m), the utilization of algal exudates by bacteria and the bacterial production were studied in a eutrophication gradient in the northern Baltic proper. The polluted area exhibits substantially increased nutrient, especially nitrogen, levels while only minor differences occur in salinity and temperature regimes. Total primary production was 160 g C · m^-2 · yr^-1 at the control station and about 275 g C · m^-2 · yr^-1 at the eutrophicated stations. The estimated total exudate release was 16% of the totally fixed ¹⁴CO₂ in the control area and 12% in the eutrophicated area (including the estimated bacterial uptake of exudates). The difference in¹⁴CO₂ uptake rates between incubation of previously filtered water (<3, <2, <1 m) and unfiltered water was used to estimate bacterial uptake of phytoplankton exudates which were found to contribute about half of the estimated bacterial carbon requirement in both areas. Bacterial production was estimated by the frequency of dividing cells (FDC) method as being 38 g C · m^-2 · yr^-1 at the control station and 50 g C · m^-2 · yr^-1 at the eutrophicated stations. To estimate the mean in situ bacterial cell volume a correlation between FDC and cell volume was used. The increased annual primary production in the eutrophicated area was due mainly to higher production during spring and autumn, largely by phytoplankton cells (mainly diatoms) retained by a 10 m filter. Primary production duringsummer was similarin the two areas, as was the distribution on different size fractions. This could possibly explain the similar bacterial production in the trophic layers at all stations since the bulk of bacterial production occurs during summer. It was demonstrated that selective filtration does not quantitatively separate photoautotrophs and bacteria. A substantial fraction of the primary production occurs in the size fraction <3 m. The primary production encountered in the 3-0.2 m fraction was due to abundant picoplankton (0.5 to 8 · 10⁷ ind · l^-1), easily passing a 3 m filter. The picoplankton was estimated to constitute up to 25% of the total phytoplankton biomass in the control area and up to 10% in the eutrophicated area.     

Spatial occurrence of a habitat-tracking saproxylic beetle inhabiting a managed forest landscape.

Because of the dynamic nature of many managed habitats, proper evaluation of conservation efforts calls for models that take into account both spatial and temporal habitat dynamics. We develop a metapopulation model for successional-type systems, in which habitat quality changes over time in a predictable fashion. The occupancy and recruitment of the predatory saproxylic (dependent on dead wood) beetle Harminius undulatus was studied in a managed boreal forest landscape, covering 24,449 ha, in central Sweden. In a first step, we analyzed the beetle's occupancy pattern in relation to stand characteristics, and the amounts of present and past habitat in the surrounding landscape. Managed forest is suitable habitat when > or =60 years old, and immediately after cutting, but not between the ages of 10 and 60 years. The observed occupancy of H. undulatus was positively correlated with the stand's age as habitat. We used a metapopulation model to predict the current probability of occurrence in each forest stand, given the spatiotemporal distribution of suitable forest stands during the last 50 years. Metapopulation parameters were estimated by matching predicted spatial distributions with observed spatial distributions. The model predicted observed spatial distributions better than a similar model that assumed constant habitat quality of each forest stand. Thus, metapopulation models for successional-type systems, such as dead wood dependent organisms in managed forest landscapes, should include habitat dynamics. An estimated 82% of the landscape-wide recruitment took place in managed stands, which covered 87% of the forest area, in comparison with 18% in unmanaged stands, which covered 13% of the forest area. Among the managed stand types, > or =60-year-old stands and 3-7-year-old clear-cuttings contributed to 79% of the total recruitment while 8-59-year-old stands only contributed 3%. The results suggest the following guidelines to improve conditions for H. undulatus and other species with similar habitat requirements: (1) the proportion of the landscape constituted by younger stands should not be allowed to grow too large, (2) the rotation period of managed stands should not be allowed to be too short, and (3) dead wood should be retained and created at final cutting.     

Monitoring of persistent organic pollutants (POPs): examples from Lake Vättern, Sweden

Lake V?ttern in southern Sweden is a large oligotrophic lake with high surface to catchment area ratio (ca. 0.4) and a water residence time of 60 years. The lake combines sensitivity to atmospheric POP-pollution with general susceptibility for effects of POPs and slow concentration decline. Time series, from the 1960s until 1996, of PCBs and DDT in fish and data on TCDD in sediment of L. V?ttern are presented and compared to other large lakes. The long time dataset of POPs in Arctic char (Salvelinus salvelinus) shows a significant annual decline of about 5% for PCBs and 13% for DDT. These rates are in agreement with other studies. Nutrients as well as biological effects and factors affecting the fate of POPs in oligotrophic lakes with long residence times are discussed. We propose that oligotrophic clear lakes are important ecosystems for monitoring POPs in biota.     

Animals need not be killed to reveal their body-burdens of chlorinated hydrocarbons

The levels of persistent, lipophilic pollutants in different organs and body-fluids of birds are governed by partitioning, i.e. the levels are correlated. This implies that it may be possible to estimate the total body-burden of chlorinated hydrocarbons, without sacrificing the animals, by examining the levels in secretory fluid. This hypothesis was tested on the goosander, a fish-eating waterfowl. We found that levels of PCB and DDE in secretions from the uropyginal gland were linearly related to levels in the breast muscle. Thus, by estimating the amounts of persistent pollutants in water-repellent secretions, the total body-burden could be calculated.     

Fatally injured drivers in Norway 2005–2015—Trends in substance use and crash characteristics

Objective: Norway introduced a “Vision Zero” strategy in 2001, using multiple approaches, aiming toward a future in which no one will be killed or seriously injured in road traffic crashes (RTCs). Official statistics show that the number of fatally injured road users has declined substantially from 341 deaths in 2000 to 117 in 2015. In-depth crash investigations of all fatal RTCs started in Norway in 2005. The aim of this study was to investigate whether fatal crash characteristics, vehicle safety features, and prevalence of drugs and/or alcohol among fatally injured drivers and riders has changed during 2005–2015, accompanying the reduction in road fatalities.

Methods: Data on all car/van drivers and motorcycle/moped riders fatally injured in RTCs during 2005–2015 were extracted from Norwegian road traffic crash registries and combined with forensic toxicology data.

Results: The proportion of cars and motorcycles with antilock braking systems and cars with electronic stability control, increased significantly during the study period. The prevalence of nonuse of seat belts/helmets and speeding declined among both fatally injured drivers and riders. In addition, the prevalence of alcohol declined, though no significant change in the total prevalence of other substances was noted.

Conclusion: The observed changes toward more safety installations in cars and motorcycles and lower prevalence of driver-related risk factors like alcohol use, speeding, and nonuse of seat belts/helmets among fatally injured drivers/riders may have contributed to the decrease in road traffic deaths.     

Dissolution and characterization of HEV NiMH batteries

Metal recovery is an essential part of the recycling of hybrid electric vehicle battery waste and the first step in a hydrometallurgical treatment is dissolution of the solid material. The properties of separated battery electrode materials were investigated. Focus was put on both the solid waste and then the dissolution behaviour. The cathode contains metallic nickel that remains undissolved when utilizing non-oxidizing conditions such as hydrochloric or sulphuric acid in combination with a low oxygen atmosphere. In these conditions the cathode active electrode material is fully dissolved. Not dissolving the nickel metal saves up to 37% of the acid consumption for the cathode electrode material. In the commonly used case of oxidizing conditions the nickel metal dissolves and a cobalt-rich phase remains undissolved from the cathode active material. For the anode material a complete and rapid dissolution can be achieved at mild conditions with hydrochloric, nitric or sulphuric acid. Optimal parameters for all cases of dissolution was pH 1 with a reaction time of approximately ?20,000 s.     

Selective supercritical fluid extraction to identify aged sediment-bound PCBs available for uptake by eel

A naturally contaminated sediment was partially extracted with selective supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) to remove a fraction of supposedly bioavailable PCBs from the matrix. Eels (Anguilla anguilla) were cultured in systems with untreated and pre-extracted sediment, respectively, and it was shown that the SFE treatment selectively removed bioavailable PCBs from the sediment, since relative biota-to-sediment accumulation factors (BSAFs) for the eight studied PCB congeners were much lower in the pre-extracted than in the untreated system at the end of the study. Relative BSAF values decreased with about the same relative amount for all eight congeners, independent of the degree of chlorination and the initial concentration in the sediment. The results demonstrate the ability of SFE to selectively remove sediment-bound PCBs that are available for uptake by the eels, thus demonstrating the feasibility of using selective SFE to estimate bioavailability of PCBs in sediments.     

Occupational road trauma and permanent medical impairment

Medically impairing occupational injuries sustained in traffic in Sweden were analysed. More than half of the cases with a permanent medical impairment were caused by minor injuries. Soft tissue injuries to the neck (whiplash injuries) made up nearly half of all permanently impairing injuries, and half of these were caused by rear-end collisions. As a final result, just over one third (37%) of the total group had a permanent decreased work capacity, or needed to change jobs because of residual problems from their injuries. Professional drivers had the highest injury incidence per employed and they accounted for 28% of the total number of permanent impairment cases, and for 43% of the fatalities. Professional drivers also had a higher percentage of serious injuries and severe permanent impairments than other occupational groups. This might be associated with the low use of safety belts (16%) compared to other occupational groups, where usage was 4–5 times higher. This occupational injury problem ought to be handled in the same way as other occupational safety problems, i.e. protective equipment in a vehicle should be used and the use of safe vehicles should be encouraged.