Integrated methodology for assessing the HCH groundwater pollution at the multi-source contaminated mega-site Bitterfeld/Wolfen

A large-scale groundwater contamination characterises the Pleistocene groundwater system of the former industrial and abandoned mining region Bitterfeld/Wolfen, Eastern Germany. For more than a century, local chemical production and extensive lignite mining caused a complex contaminant release from local production areas and related dump sites. Today, organic pollutants (mainly organochlorines) are present in all compartments of the environment at high concentration levels. An integrated methodology for characterising the current situation of pollution as well as the future fate development of hazardous substances is highly required to decide on further management and remediation strategies. Data analyses have been performed on regional groundwater monitoring data from about 10 years, containing approximately 3,500 samples, and up to 180 individual organic parameters from almost 250 observation wells. Run-off measurements as well as water samples were taken biweekly from local creeks during a period of 18 months. A kriging interpolation procedure was applied on groundwater analytics to generate continuous distribution patterns of the nodal contaminant samples. High-resolution geological 3-D modelling serves as a database for a regional 3-D groundwater flow model. Simulation results support the future fate assessment of contaminants. A first conceptual model of the contamination has been developed to characterise the contamination in regional surface waters and groundwater. A reliable explanation of the variant hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) occurrence within the two local aquifer systems has been derived from the regionalised distribution patterns. Simulation results from groundwater flow modelling provide a better understanding of the future pollutant migration paths and support the overall site characterisation. The presented case study indicates that an integrated assessment of large-scale groundwater contaminations often needs more data than only from local groundwater monitoring. The developed methodology is appropriate to assess POP-contaminated mega-sites including, e.g. HCH deposits. Although HCH isomers are relevant groundwater pollutants at this site, further organochlorine pollutants are present at considerably higher levels. The study demonstrates that an effective evaluation of the current situation of contamination as well as of the related future fate development requires detailed information of the entire observed system.     

Fetal cystic hygromata: Insights gained from fetal blood sampling

Twelve second-trimester fetuses with cystic hygroma underwent fetal blood sampling for rapid karyotyping, haematologic evaluation, and blood gas analysis. An abnormal karyotype was found in seven cases: monosomy X in five, trisomy 21 in one, and trisomy 13 in the other. Eight often fetuses undergoing blood gas analysis showed hypoxaemia, five of which were growth-retarded. Nine pregnancies were terminated. Of the remaining three, only one fetus survived the perinatal period.     

Alterations in the rabbit lymphoid tissue after bendiocarb administration

Various pesticides have immuno-suppressive effects, and thus the organisms become responsive to viral, bacterial and parasitic diseases and neoplasm. The aim of the study was to observe the structure of the small intestine (height of enterocytes and crypts), mucosal lymphoid tissue (Payer's patches, lymphocytes in lamina propria) and a lymph node after administration of bendiocarb (2,2-dimethyl-1,3-benzodioxol-4-yl-methylcarbamate) on days 3, 10, 20, 30 and 60 of the experiment. The height of the observed enterocytes showed an increasing tendency. On days 20, 30 and 60 we also observed an increase in diameter of crypts located in intestinal epithelium. The number of cells in lamina propria mucosae was significantly reduced on days 20 and 30 after administration of bendiocarb. Observations of the lymph node showed that on days 10 and 20 there was a significant increase in relative volume of medulla at the expense of the relative volume of the cortex and a decrease in the number of lymphocytes. However, we recorded an increase in diameter of lymphocytes. The intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) belongs to the most common pathogenic parasites in the world and it can cause serious health complications in pregnant and immunodeficient individuals. DNA isolation, standard polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and visualization in a 2.5 % agarose gel, the presence of DNA T. gondii was detected in no examined rabbit brain samples. Using real time PCR T. gondii DNA was detected and quantified in the three rabbit brain samples (10 %).     

Sublethal impact of paraquat on the life span and parasitic behavior of Diaeretiella rapae M’Intosh

This study focuses on assessing the impact of sublethal doses of paraquat on the survival, the emergence, the life span and the parasitic behavior of Diaeretiella rapae M’Intosh (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). The impact of sublethal doses was measured at room temperature using different densities of the cabbage aphid Brevicoryne brassicae. The results reveal that the field dose of paraquat caused 100% mortality in D. rapae. The percentage emergence of D. rapae decreased from 80.5% in the control group to 71.5% when treated with the lowest concentration of paraquat. Similarly, the life span of parasitoids that emerged from the mummy treated with paraquat also decreased significantly. Oviposition capability and ovipositor thrusting frequency of D. rapae also treated with sublethal dose paraquat decreased significantly along with a shortened patch residence time in the foraging area.     

Incineration at Bayou Bonfouca Remediation Project

The Bayou Bonfouca hazardous waste site is located in Slidell, Louisiana, approximately 96 kilometers (60 miles) northeast of New Orleans. This site is ranked number 1,006 on the National Priorities List of Superfund sites. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducted a remedial investigation in 1986 and determined the primary potential exposure sources to be groundwater, surface waste piles, and contaminated sediment in Bayou Bonfouca. Based on the results of investigations, EPA and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality chose a remedy that involves dredging contaminated sediment from the bayou, excavating contaminated waste piles and soil, and incinerating the solid wastes in a transportable incinerator. The site remedy, which included incineration, was specified in the Record of Decision signed in March 1987.

Of the total 142,000 megagrams (Mg) (157,000 tons) of waste to be incinerated, approximately 119,000 Mg (132,000 tons) consist of hazardous sediment from the bayou; 22,600 Mg (25,000 tons) consist of lightly contaminated soils and waste piles, cellulosic materials, and other miscellaneous wastes on the ground. The solid wastes are primarily low heat content sediment and soils and cellulosic materials with polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations from milligrams per kilogram (parts per million) levels up to two percent. The dredged bayou sediment will be dewatered in six, 115-cubiometer (150-cubic-yard) plate and frame filter presses before processing in the incinerator. A rotary-kiln-based single train incinerator is deployed at Bayou Bonfouca to process the solid waste feed.

On-site pilot studies indicated that the PAHs in groundwater could be removed by on-site pumping, treatment, and discharge of treated effluent to the bayou. The groundwater treatment plant went on-stream in June 1991. Treatment involves oil/water separation, filtration, carbon bed adsorption, and aeration.

IT Corporation-OH Materials, a joint venture, was awarded a contract in May 1991 and a notice to proceed in February 1992 to remediate and restore the Bayou Bonfouca site. The remediation project includes air quality monitoring and controls, site preparation, dredging and excavation, bayou bank stabilization and monitoring, equipment mobilization and erection, the trial burn, incineration, demobilization, and site closure. The project completed a successful trial burn in November 1993, and the commercial operation began in December 1993. The expected duration of the project is 40 months from mobilization to site closure.     

Receptor Model Evaluation of the Southeast Michigan Ozone Study Ambient NMOC Measurements

Abstract

Large-scale studies like the Southeast Michigan Ozone Study (SEMOS) have focused attention on quantifying and spedating inventories for volatile organic compounds (VOCs). One approach for evaluating the accuracy of a VOC emission inventory is the development of a chemical mass balance (CMB) receptor model for ambient non-methane organic compound (NMOC) measurements. CMB evaluations of ambient hydrocarbon data provide a sample-specific allocation of emissions to individual source categories. This study summarizes the results of an application of the CMB model to the NMOC data from the SEMOS study. Comparison of CMB results with emission inventory values for the Detroit area show that vehicle emissions are well represented by the inventory, as are architectural coatings and coke ovens. Estimated emissions from petroleum refineries and graphic arts industries are much lower in the inventory than determined from the receptor allocation. Under-reporting of fugitive VOC emissions from petroleum refineries is an ongoing problem. Emissions from graphic arts industries are underestimated in the inventory partly because of the broad characterization of the emission factor (i.e., mass emitted/capita), which may be less useful when specific locations and days are under consideration. This study also demonstrates the effectiveness of the CMB approach when used prospectively to track the implementation of emission control strategies. While vehicle emission concentrations were unchanged from 1988 to 1993, measurement-based CMB results suggest a decrease in evaporative emissions during this time period resulting from Reid vapor pressure (RVP) reductions (from 11.0 psi in 1988 to 8.6 psi in 1993) and fleet turnover. Changes in emissions from coke plants and petroleum refineries were also seen in the CMB allocations for these sources.     

Method Comparisons for Particulate Nitrate,Elemental Carbon,and PM2.5 Mass in Seven U.S. Cities

ABSTRACT

Methods that measure PM₂₅ mass, total particulate NO₃ ^-, and elemental carbon (EC) were evaluated in seven U.S. cities from 1997 to 1999. Sampling was performed in Bakersfield, CA; Boston, MA; Chicago, IL; Dallas, TX; Philadelphia, PA; Phoenix, AZ; and Riverside, CA. Evaluating and validating methods that measure the components of fine mass are important to the effort of establishing a speciation-monitoring network. The Harvard Impactor (HI), which measures fine particle mass, showed excellent agreement (r² = 0.99) with the PM₂₅ Federal Reference Method (FRM) for 81 24-hr samples in Riverside and Bakersfield. The HI also showed good precision (4.8%) for 243 24-hr collocated samples over eight studies.

The Aethalometer was employed in six of the sampling locations to measure black carbon (BC). These values were compared to EC as measured from a quartz filter using thermal analysis. For the six cities combined, the two methods were highly correlated (r² = 0.94; 187 24-hr samples); however, the BC values were approximately 24% less than the EC measurements consistently across all six cites. This compares well to results observed for EC/BC measurements observed in other semi-urban areas. Par-ticulate NO₃ ^- was measured using the Harvard-EPA Annular Denuder System (HEADS). This was compared to the NO₃ ^- measured from the HI Teflon (DuPont) filter to assess NO₃ ^- artifacts. Significant NO₃ ^- losses (approximately 50% of total NO₃ ^-) were found in Riverside, Philadelphia, and Boston, while minimal artifacts were observed in the other sites. Two types of HEADS configurations were employed in five cities. One system used a Na₂CO₃-coated glass fiber filter, and the other type used a nylon filter to collect volatilized NO₃ ^- from the Teflon filter. The HEADS with the Na₂CO₃-coated filter consistently underestimated the total particulate NO₃ ^- by approximately 20% compared to the nylon HEADS.     

Application of Dry Flue Gas Scrubbing to Hazardous Waste Incineration

Dry scrubbing of the flue gas from chemical waste incineration is becoming an increasingly viable alternative to wet scrubbing. This paper discusses the relative advantages and disadvantages of wet and dry scrubbing systems and compares the relative capital and operating costs. The design parameters of the dry scrubbing process are discussed, including reagent atomization, gas dispersion, gas temperatures, and particulate removal. The history of dry scrubbing process applications is discussed, including the successful European hazardous waste systems. Finally, a comparison is made among three very different hazardous waste incinerators in the U.S. that will utilize dry scrubbing systems.     

The conversion of chicken manure to biooil by fast pyrolysis I. Analyses of chicken manure,biooils and char by 13C and 1H NMR and FTIR spectrophotometry

Fast pyrolysis of chicken manure produced two biooils (Fractions I and II) and a residual char. All four materials were analyzed by chemical methods, ¹³C and 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectrometry (¹³C and 1H NMR), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrosphotometry (FTIR). The char showed the highest C content and the highest aromaticity. Of the two biooils Fraction II was higher in C, yield and calorific value but lower in N than Fraction I. The S and ash content of the two biooil fractions were low. The Cross Polarization Magic Angle Spinning (CP-MAS) ¹³C NMR spectrum of the initial chicken manure showed it to be rich in cellulose, which was a major component of sawdust used as bedding material. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectra of the two biooils indicated that Fraction I was less aromatic than Fraction II. Among the aromatics in the two biooils, we were able to tentatively identify N-heterocyclics like indoles, pyridines, and pyrazines. FTIR spectra were generally in agreement with the NMR data. FTIR spectra of both biooils showed the presence of both primary and secondary amides and primary amines as well as N-heterocyclics such as pyridines, quinolines, and pyrimidines. The FTIR spectrum of the char resembled that of the initial chicken manure except that the concentration of carbohydrates was lower.     

Toxicity of carbaryl,diquat dibromide,and fluoranthene,individually and in mixture,to larval grass shrimp,Palaemonetes pugio

This study examined the toxicity of two pesticides (carbaryl and diquat dibromide) and one polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (fluoranthene), both singly and in mixture, to grass shrimp larvae (Palaemonetes pugio). These three chemicals are all present in coastal environments and can easily enter estuarine ecosystems. Fluoranthene was the most toxic chemical with a 96-h LC₅₀ value of 32.45 μ g/L, followed by carbaryl (43.02 μ g/L) and diquat dibromide (1624 μ g/L). In the chemical mixture tests, the binary carbaryl/diquat dibromide mixture and the ternary carbaryl/diquat dibromide/fluoranthene mixture had additive results.