Spatial concentration distributions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides in Patras, Greece, in a winter period

An economic and quick methodology for performing a preliminary spatial assessment of a city air quality with the purpose to identify locations and zones susceptible to high pollution levels is proposed. A Patras case-study is selected, regarding the air pollutants of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and oxides of nitrogen (NO_x). A total number of 451 samples of short duration, of which 225 were randomly picked in morning rush hours and 226 within evening rush hours, were collected from 50 locations of the major Patras area during a year period, when peaks of primary air pollutants usually occur. Concentration measurements at prescribed locations used to statistically calculate spatial average concentrations approximating 1-h mean values with mean probable errors less than 25.9% for SO₂, NO and NO_x and less than 15.5% for NO₂. Then iso-concentration contour diagrams plotted indicate high pollution zones and possibly appropriate locations for continuous or random monitoring according to the European Community (EC) Directives. The 1-h mean concentrations were in good correlation to the corresponding traffic rates and useful relationships are given (0.54 ≤ r ≤ 0.63). In addition, comparisons with data available for other cities, as well as with the limit and guide values provided by the EC and the World Health Organization (WHO) were given. The present data could be useful for the design and optimization of a city network of stations for monitoring air quality, for environmental impact assessments, future reference and comparisons due to city development needs, as well as for validating dispersion models.     

Exports of dissolved ammonium (NH4 +) during storm events across multiple catchments in a glaciated forested watershed

Storm event exports of dissolved were explored for multiple events in the Point Peter Brook watershed (PPBW), a glaciated, forested watershed located in Western New York, USA. Investigations were performed across four catchments (1.6–696 ha) with varying topography and the extent of surface-saturated areas. While wetland and riparian waters were important sources of during non-storm periods, throughfall and litter leachate were the dominant contributors of during storm events. Ammonium concentrations in catchment discharge displayed a sinusoidal seasonal pattern with a maximum during early spring (March) and a minimum in late summer (August–September). Storm event concentrations of in streamflow were much greater than baseflow values and showed a consistent temporal pattern with an increase in concentrations on the hydrograph rising limb, a peak at or before the discharge peak, followed by a decline in concentrations. Storm event patterns of DON were similar to while the patterns of differed from for the summer and fall events. The storm event expression of was attributed to throughfall and throughfall-mediated leaching of the litter layer. The reactive behavior of precluded its use in an end member mixing model (EMMA) for predicting streamflow concentrations. While concentrations of in precipitation and streamflow were high for the spring events, exports of in streamflow were highest for the large and intense storm events. Baseflow concentrations increased with the percent wetland/saturated area in the catchment but the same trend did not hold for storm-event concentrations.     

大气污染影响下凯里植物氮、硫含量分析

对大气污染影响下凯里植物氮、硫质量分数进行测定分析。结果表明:植物的氮质量分数为0.8%～2.8%,平均值为1.5%;硫质量分数为0.4%～1.4%,平均值为0.8%。植物的氮、硫质量分数都高于对照点植物,为对照点植物的1.4倍、1.9倍,表明该区植物已受到了大气污染的影响。不同植物间的氮、硫质量分数差异达到3.5倍和2.5倍。不同类型植物的氮、硫质量分数也存在差异,氮质量分数中:藤本>草本>灌木>乔木,硫质量分数中:藤本>草本>乔木>灌木;落叶植物的氮、硫质量分数>常绿植物的氮、硫质量分数。不同研究点植物的氮、硫质量分数存在差异,均表现为:玻璃厂>火电厂>水泥厂。     

臭氧微气泡深度处理染料废水生化出水

采用臭氧氧化法对某厂染料废水生化出水进行深度处理,考察了废水初始pH值和臭氧气泡大小对废水处理效果的影响,研究了臭氧微气泡对气液传质的影响。结果表明,在pH 2.5~11范围内,废水初始pH值越大,处理效果越好;加载微孔膜片后,臭氧气泡粒径变小,增大了臭氧的传质比表面积,延长了臭氧气泡在反应柱内的停留时间,强化了传质效果,处理废水的臭氧利用率可增大10%~30%,强化了臭氧氧化作用。加载5 μm孔径的膜片相比无膜片的情况,COD去除率提高了近30%,TOC去除率提高了16%。     

Effects of a gradually increased load of fish waste silage in co-digestion with cow manure on methane production

This study examined the effects of an increased load of nitrogen-rich organic material on anaerobic digestion and methane production. Co-digestion of fish waste silage (FWS) and cow manure (CM) was studied in two parallel laboratory-scale (8 L effective volume) semi-continuous stirred tank reactors (designated R1 and R2). A reactor fed with CM only (R0) was used as control. The reactors were operated in the mesophilic range (37 °C) with a hydraulic retention time of 30 days, and the entire experiment lasted for 450 days. The rate of organic loading was raised by increasing the content of FWS in the feed stock. During the experiment, the amount (volume%) of FWS was increased stepwise in the following order: 3% – 6% – 13% – 16%, and 19%. Measurements of methane production, and analysis of volatile fatty acids, ammonium and pH in the effluents were carried out. The highest methane production from co-digestion of FWS and CM was 0.400 L CH4 gVS^?1, obtained during the period with loading of 16% FWS in R2. Compared to anaerobic digestion of CM only, the methane production was increased by 100% at most, when FWS was added to the feed stock. The biogas processes failed in R1 and R2 during the periods, with loadings of 16% and 19% FWS, respectively. In both reactors, the biogas processes failed due to overloading and accumulation of ammonia and volatile fatty acids.     

2种人工湿地的水力停留时间及净化效果

以复合垂直流人工湿地(IVCW)和水平潜流人工湿地(HSCW)为研究对象,研究了2种湿地运行的季节性最佳水力停留时间(HRT)参数,并监测了2种湿地在最佳HRT参数下运行时对污水的净化效果。结果显示:(1)在IVCW中,最佳HRT在春、秋季为8～10 h;夏季为6 h;冬季为12 h。在HSCW中,最佳HRT在春、秋季为10～12 h;夏季为6～8h;冬季为24～36 h。(2)2种湿地对COD的去除率均无显著的季节性差异;湿地进水中NH4+-N/TN比值与TN去除率显著负相关;不同季节下IVCW对TN的去除效果均高于HSCW。(3)水温对TN、TP去除率的影响在IVCW中比HSCW中的明显;水温高时,2种湿地中的TN去除率较高,IVCW中的TP去除率也较高,但HSCW中的TP去除率则较低,它们间均未达到显著的相关性。     

The influence of neighborhood traffic density on the respiratory health of elementary schoolchildren

Background

Several studies have found that living near major roadways is associated with an increase in respiratory illness but few studies have measured the volume and type of traffic.

Objective

We investigated the relation between traffic volume and respiratory health of 2328 children 9 to 11 years old in the city of Windsor, Canada.

Methods

We identified the roadways within a 200 meter radius of the child's neighborhood using the latitude and longitude of the residential postal code. Traffic exposure was defined as the sum of the annual volume of vehicles on all of these roadways. Volume was calculated using sensors to detect passing vehicles (simple traffic counts), and by counts and direction of traffic at intersections (turning movement counts). Ventilatory lung function was measured by spirometry and airway inflammation by exhaled nitric oxide (eNO).

Results

The odds ratio between an interquartile increase in truck turning movement counts and chest congestion was 1.20 (1.06-1.35). The percentage of predicted FVC declined 0.68%, (95% CI 1.32, 0.03) for an interquartile increase in simple traffic counts (33,787 vehicles daily). Among those with self-reported asthma, effect sizes were larger. Percentage predicted FEV₁ declined 1.84% (95% CI 0.07, 3.61) associated with an interquartile range increase in turning movement counts. No statistically significant change was detected between traffic measures and exhaled nitric oxide.

Conclusions

Our findings provide further support for the hypothesis that neighborhood exposure to traffic-related air pollution increases respiratory symptoms and reduces ventilatory function in children, especially those with self-reported asthma.     

Nitrogen leaching and acidification during 19 years of NH₄NO₃ additions to a coniferous-forested catchment at Gårdsjön, Sweden (NITREX)

The role of nitrogen (N) in acidification of soil and water has become relatively more important as the deposition of sulphur has decreased. Starting in 1991, we have conducted a whole-catchment experiment with N addition at Gårdsjön, Sweden, to investigate the risk of N saturation. We have added 41 kg N ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ as NH₄NO₃ to the ambient 9 kg N ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ in fortnightly doses by means of sprinkling system. The fraction of input N lost to runoff has increased from 0% to 10%. Increased concentrations of NO₃ in runoff partially offset the decreasing concentrations of SO₄ and slowed ecosystem recovery from acid deposition. From 1990-2002, about 5% of the total N input went to runoff, 44% to biomass, and the remaining 51% to soil. The soil N pool increased by 5%. N deposition enhanced carbon (C) sequestration at a mean C/N ratio of 42-59 g g⁻¹.     

Plant phenology, growth and nutritive quality of Briza maxima: responses induced by enhanced ozone atmospheric levels and nitrogen enrichment

An assessment of the effects of tropospheric ozone (O₃) levels and substrate nitrogen (N) supplementation, singly and in combination, on phenology, growth and nutritive quality of Briza maxima was carried out. Two serial experiments were developed in Open-Top Chambers (OTC) using three O₃ and three N levels. Increased O₃ exposure did not affect the biomass-related parameters, but enhanced senescence, increased fiber foliar content (especially lignin concentration) and reduced plant life span; these effects were related to senescence acceleration induced by the pollutant. Added N increased plant biomass production and improved nutritive quality by decreasing foliar fiber concentration. Interestingly, the effects of N supplementation depended on meteorological conditions and plant physiological activity. N supplementation counteracted the O₃-induced senescence but did not modifiy the effects on nutritive quality. Nutritive quality and phenology should be considered in new definitions of the O₃ limits for the protection of herbaceous vegetation.     

Monitoring of heavy metal concentrations in home outdoor air using moss bags

One monitoring station is insufficient to characterize the high spatial variation of traffic-related heavy metals within cities. We tested moss bags (Hylocomium splendens), deployed in a dense network, for the monitoring of metals in outdoor air and characterized metals’ long-term spatial distribution and its determinants in Girona, Spain. Mosses were exposed outside 23 homes for two months; NO₂ was monitored for comparison. Metals were not highly correlated with NO₂ and showed higher spatial variation than NO₂. Regression models explained 61-85% of Cu, Cr, Mo, Pb, Sb, Sn, and Zn and 72% of NO₂ variability. Metals were strongly associated with the number of bus lines in the nearest street. Heavy metals are an alternative traffic-marker to NO₂ given their toxicological relevance, stronger association with local traffic and higher spatial variability. Monitoring heavy metals with mosses is appealing, particularly for long-term exposure assessment, as mosses can remain on site many months without maintenance.