PCDDs and PCDFs in water, sludge and air samples from various levels in a waste water treatment plant with respect to composition changes and total flux

A flux estimate of PCDDs and PCDFs through a waste water treatment plant has been made on an annual basis. The samples were collected from different steps in the treatment procedure within the plant i.e. inlet and outlet water, different sludge types and air samples. From the surroundings of the plant were collected samples of urban air, storm sewer water (urban runoff), plant discharge water and settling particulates from a sediment trap downstream the plant discharge. Differences in congener profiles were found between the samples taken within the plant compared to those collected outside. The flux of PCDD and PCDF equivalents through the plant was found to be approximately 0.4 – 0.5 g/year and the major part was taken away as digested sludge.     

Biological remediation of explosives and related nitroaromatic compounds

Nitroaromatics form an important group of recalcitrant xenobiotics. Only few aromatic compounds, bearing one nitro group as a substituent of the aromatic ring, are produced as secondary metabolites by microorganisms. The majority of nitroaromatic compounds in the biosphere are industrial chemicals such as explosives, dyes, polyurethane foams, herbicides, insecticides and solvents. These compounds are generally recalcitrant to biological treatment and remain in the biosphere, where they constitute a source of pollution due to both toxic and mutagenic effects on humans, fish, algae and microorganisms. However, relatively few microorganisms have been described as being able to use nitroaromatic compounds as nitrogen and/or carbon and energy source. The best-known nitroaromatic compound is the explosive TNT (2,4,6-trinitrotoluene). This article reviews the bioremediation strategies for TNT-contaminated soil and water. It comes to the following conclusion: The optimal remediation strategy for nitroaromatic compounds depends on many site-specific factors. Composting and the use of reactor systems lend themselves to treating soils contaminated with high levels of explosives (e.g. at former ammunition production facilities, where areas with a high contamination level are common). Compared to composting systems, bioreactors have the major advantage of a short treatment time, but the disadvantage of being more labour intensive and more expensive. Studies indicate that biological treatment systems, which are based on the activity of the fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium or on Pseudomonas sp. ST53, might be used as effective methods for the remediation of highly contaminated soil and water. Phytoremediation, although not widely used now, has the potential to become an important strategy for the remediation of soil and water contaminated with explosives. It is best suited where contaminant levels are low (e.g. at military sites where pollution is rather diffuse) and where larger contaminated surfaces or volumes have to be treated. In addition, phytoremediation can be used as a polishing method after other remediation treatments, such as composting or bioslurry, have taken place. This in-situ treatment method has the advantage of lower treatment costs, but has the disadvantage of a considerable longer treatment time. In order to improve the cost-efficiency, phytoremediation of nitroaromatics (and other organic xenobiotics) could be combined with bio-energy production. This requires, however, detailed knowledge on the fate of the contaminants in the plants as well as the development of efficient treatment methods for the contaminated biomass that minimise the spreading of the contaminants into the environment during post harvest treatment.     

Photochemical behaviour of the systemic fungicide carboxin

Irradiation of carboxin (1) with a 500 W UV lamp (filter Pyrex) in CH3CN leads to the products 3, 5-8, 12-14 depending upon the reaction conditions. All photo-products were isolated and characterized. Photooxidation occurred even if unsensitized, while photoalteration was very slow in the absence of oxygen. The main oxygenated-products 3 and 13 were also recovered under biomimetic conditions by exposure of an aqueous solution of 1 to sunlight.     

Nachhaltigkeit in der Pflanzenproduktion

Zusammenfassung  Teil I gibt einen überblick über den Ursprung und die Entwicklung des Begriffes “Nachhaltigkeit” im allgemeinen und für die Landwirtschaft im speziellen. Demnach wird Nachhaltigkeit zwar unter ?kologischen, sozialen und ?konomischen Aspekten diskutiert; eine allgemein anerkannte Definition des Begriffes existiert bisher jedoch weder für die jeweiligen Einzelaspekte noch unter Zusammenführung aller drei Aspekte. Dies erschwert die Ermittlung und Umsetzung der Nachhaltigkeit in der Praxis. Ausgehend von der Begriffsentwicklung und den wesentlichen heute definierten Begriffsinhalten wird deshalb für eine nachhaltige Pflanzenproduktion aus prim?r ?kologischer Sicht eine Definition vorgeschlagen. Sie dient als Grundlage für einen methodischen Ansatz, der eine Operationalisierung und damit eine Umsetzung der Nachhaltigkeit der Pflanzenproduktion in der Praxis erm?glichen soll (?Teil II).      

The influence of meteorological conditions and stringent emission control on high TSP episodes in istanbul

Istanbul has faced serious air pollution problems since the mid-80s. This is mainly due to particulate air pollution coming from poor quality lignite in areas, which are heavily populated and industrialized. As a consequence of severe air pollution problems, stringent control on the emissions in the city started in the year of 1994. In this work, in order to study the relationship between emissions and meteorological conditions, an assessment of air pollution episodes and air pollution potential in the city is presented for the terms at the changed emission schedule as the influence of an emission reduction strategy. The influence of meteorological conditions on the TSP (total suspended particulates) levels is considered for two consecutive winter periods. On this occasion, the city has faced different TSP levels and episode characteristics depending on stringent emission reductions covering the banned, poor-quality lignite and fuel switching. For this purpose, climatological conditions and air quality analyses were performed.     

Survey of dioxin sources in the Baltic Region (extended summary)

The present paper summarises the results of the project: 'Survey of Anthropogenic Sources of Dioxins and Furans in the Baltic Region'. As a part of the project, inventories have been carried out in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland by applying the toolkit for quantification of dioxin and furan releases developed by UNEP Chemicals. The main route of direct releases to the environment is emission to air. Total emission to air from Poland was estimated at 490 (88-1,300) g I-TEQ/year, whereas the emissions from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania were estimated as being 14 (2.4-54), 23 (2.6-63) and 17 (2.6-38) g I-TEQ, respectively. In general, the uncertainty on the estimates is very high, and recommendations regarding further development of the inventories have been made, and measures for reducing the releases have been provided.     

Effect of a heavy metal model mixture on biological parameters of rainbow trout <Emphasis Type="Italic">oncorhynchus mykiss</Emphasis>

The effects of a model mixture (HMMM) of seven heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Ni, Cr, Pb, Cd, Mn) on the rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss at all stages of development (embryos, larvae, adults) were investigated based on the annual average concentrations of these metals in cooling waste waters discharging from Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant (Lithuania) into the Drūk?iai lake. According to mortality parameters, the most sensitive to HMMM were larvae, although no significant differences between the sensitivity of embryos and adult fish to HMMM were found. Maximal toxic effect of HMMM was observed during the hatching period. Long-term exposure to sublethal concentrations of HMMM affected embryo development, growth of larvae, their cardio-respiratory and behavioural responses, induced significant changes in morphological, morpho-physiological, physiological and haematological parameters of adult fish. Respiratory responses and growth parameters of fish were found to be the most sensitive to low concentrations of HMMM. Adult fish were capable of detecting and avoiding low, sublethal concentrations of HMMM. Heavy metals in a mixture at low concentrations were more toxic than single ones. According to the background of the damages induced by HMMM, after-effects in a fish organism, as well as in a whole population, can be predicted.     

Umweltrelevanz von Diphenylamin — Ein Stoff der 3. EU-Altstoffpriorit?tenliste

Zusammenfassung  Diphenylamin (DPA), das einfachste, rein aromatische sekund?re Amin, ist ein Stoff der dritten Altstoffpriorit?tenliste priorit?tenliste der Europ?ischen Union (EU). Es wurde der Bundesrepublik Deutschland zugewiesen, die von diesem Stoff ausgehenden Umweltrisiken zu erfassen und zu bewerten. DPA wird als Stabilisator in Nitrocellulose-haltigen Explosivstoffen und Treibladungspulvern eingeserzt, au?erdem als Stabilisator in der Parfümerie und als Antioxidationsmittel in der Gummi- und Elastomer-Industrie. DPA wird auch vielfach genutzt, um ?pfel und Birnen nach der Ernte vor vorzeitigem Altern bzw. Verfall zu bewahren. Ferner ist es Ausgangsverbindung zahlreicher Derivate, welche u.a. in der Produktion von Farben, Pharmazeutika und Fotografiechemikalien Anwendung finden. Anfang der 80er Jahre wurden weltweit sch?tzungsweise ca. 40.000 t DPA pro Jahr produziert (in Deutschland ca. 10% davon). Die Chemikalie wird noch heute weltweit von der chemischen Industrie hergestellt. Neuere Publikationen zeigen, da? DPA bereits im Boden und im Grundwasser (in ppb- bis ppm-Konzentrationen) nachgewiesen werden konnte. Einige ?kotoxikologische Ver?ffentlichungen demonstrierten die Gef?hrlichkeit verschiedener DPA-Derivate gegenüber der aquatischen Umwelt und auch gegenüber Bakterien und Tieren. Studien bezüglich der biologischen Abbaubarkeit von DPA und Derivaten sind sehr sp?rlich vorhanden. Aus diesem Grund sind weiterführende Forschungsarbeiten notwendig, um das volle Ausma\ der Umweltgef?hrdung für mit DPA und DPA-Derivaten kontaminierte Bereiche zu bestimmen, und um entsprechende (biologische) Sanierungsverfahren einzuleiten. Dieser übersichtsbeitrag fa\t die zug?ngliche Literatur zusammen, welche die Umweltrelevanz von DPA aufzeigt. Er kann m?glicherweise die deutschen Beh?rden bzw. Gutachter bei der Bewertung von Risiken dieses Altstoffes der EU-Priorit?tenliste unterstützen.