Atmospheric bulk deposition of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in the vicinity of an iron and steel making plant

An IRA-743 resin bulk sampler was validated to monitor long-term bulk deposition of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs). Six consecutive sampling campaigns (2008-2009) were conducted at four sites around steel complexes in Pohang, South Korea to investigate spatial and seasonal variations of PCDD/F bulk deposition. The bulk deposition within the steel complex showed the highest ∑_4-8PCDD/F (Tetra-Octa) fluxes, ranging from 204 to 608 (mean: 352) pg m⁻² d⁻¹, indicating steel complexes were major sources of PCDD/Fs. The homologue profiles were dominated with lower chlorinated PCDFs. Furthermore, the prevailing winds were confirmed to influence the spatial distribution of PCDD/F deposition. There were apparent seasonal variations of the bulk deposition at each site, and seasonal homologue patterns of PCDD/Fs were clearly observed. According to the passive air sampling, however, no significant seasonal change of ambient air concentrations of PCDD/Fs was observed. Therefore, it was concluded that the seasonal variations of deposition fluxes of PCDD/Fs probably resulted from temperature-dependent gas/particle partitioning.     

Particle size distribution of airborne Aspergillus fumigatus spores emitted from compost using membrane filtration

Information on the particle size distribution of bioaerosols emitted from open air composting operations is valuable in evaluating potential health impacts and is a requirement for improved dispersion simulation modelling. The membrane filter method was used to study the particle size distribution of Aspergillus fumigatus spores in air 50 m downwind of a green waste compost screening operation at a commercial facility. The highest concentrations (approximately 8 × 10⁴ CFU m⁻³) of culturable spores were found on filters with pore diameters in the range 1–2 μm which suggests that the majority of spores are emitted as single cells. The findings were compared to published data collected using an Andersen sampler. Results were significantly correlated (p < 0.01) indicating that the two methods are directly comparable across all particles sizes for Aspergillus spores.     

Mapping of tritium emissions using absorption vapour samplers

Püspökszilágy Radioactive Waste Treatment and Disposal Facility (RWTDF) is a typical near-surface engineered repository designated to store low- and intermediate-level wastes from various institutes, research facilities and hospitals in Hungary. Two automatic combined ¹⁴C–tritium sampling units installed at the facility sample the air 2 m above surface. The one installed near the vaults detects tritium (T) activities two orders of magnitude higher than the far reference sampling unit. To localize the T emissions, 19 small absorption vapour samplers filled with silica gel were settled onto the ground surface. After the saturation of the silica gel, the water was recovered and its T concentration was measured with a low-background liquid scintillation counter. The absorption vapour samplers are cheap, simple and easy-to-use. We present the samplers and the T distribution map constructed from the data, which helps to localize the T emission.     

Identification of Odor Causing Compounds in a Commercial Dairy Farm

The odorous air emissions from confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs), such as swine, poultry and dairy farms, are increasingly raising community complaints. Odorous emissions can result in health damages, psychological discomforts and adverse aesthetic effects in the community. However, these emissions are not well characterized up to now due to the lack of legislation, the limitations in sampling and instrumentation techniques, and the complexity of the emissions themselves. This study is aimed at the development of a high volume sampler and sorbent assembly to identify the odor causing compounds from a diary CAFO. The sorbent was custom designed to target the potential compounds that may exist in a dairy farm and was validated in laboratory with a synthetic odor from the swine manure. The actual samples at the diary farm were collected in spring and summer of 2005. The sorbents were solvent extracted and individual odor compounds were identified using GC–MS (gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy). The data obtained indicated that high volume sampling can shorten the sampling time from days to within 4 h. Both volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and volatile fatty acids (VFAs) have been identified from the dairy farm, such as phenol, methylphenol, 4-ethyl phenol, indole, methyl indole, benzyl alcohol, hexanoic acid, valeric acid and iso-valeric acid, together with some nitrogen containing compounds that have not been reported before.     

顶空进样-气相色谱法测定大气中吡啶的研究

采用硫酸溶液为吸收液,顶空进样气相色谱法测定大气中的吡啶,毛细管柱分离,FID检测器分析。吡啶标准溶液在0～98.3 mg/L范围内线性良好,当采样体积为30 L时,最低检出质量浓度为0.006 mg/m³,标准溶液平行测定的RSD≤3.1%,加标回收率为95.3%～99.6%。     

一种淡水大型底栖无脊椎动物采样器研究

研制出一种长方体的十字筐采样器,在采样器内分别填装石、砂、底泥和水草4种基质,利用大型底栖无脊椎动物对生境的选择性进行样本被动采集。基质越多,采样器采集的生物种类越多,生物量也更丰富。用新研制的十字筐采样器和传统的篮式采样器对松花江流域7个采样点进行大型底栖无脊椎动物对比采样,结果显示:十字筐采样器是一种优良的采样器,适合在松花江流域乃至全国推广应用。     

AN INEXPENSIVE WEIR AND PROPORTIONAL SAMPLER FOR MINIATURE WATERSHED ECOSYSTEMS1

ABSTRACT A weir system with a proportional sampler for use on miniature watershed ecosystems is described. Eight weir collection systems were evaluated for their ability to measure and sample inputs and outputs of soil-island ecosystems which occur on granite outcrops. The proportion of water actually collected by the weir systems was generally less than the proportion the systems were designed to sample, but adequate for supplying data needed for estimating elemental budgets. The weir systems were not able to account for 25 to 50 percent of the variation in total water passing over the cutoff wall. Several ways of improving overall performance of the weir systems are discussed.     

PM10冲击采样器切割头设计参数对切割粒径的影响

本文从颗粒在气流中的受力情况分析入手 ,得到冲击采样器中喷嘴喷出后颗粒的运动轨迹方程以及运动轨迹与采样器切割头设计参数的关系式。分析了PM10空气采样器的切割原理 ,并利用数值计算研究颗粒在不同的流量、喷嘴尺寸及喷嘴与冲击板的距离下的运动轨迹 ,从而得到切割头设计参数对切割粒径的影响     

A study on emission of phthalate esters from plastic materials using a passive flux sampler

Phthalate esters are used as plasticizer in many plastics, and several studies have shown their toxicity. Phthalate esters are gradually emitted over time, and so it is conceivable that they pose a significant health risk. This study aims to investigate the temperature dependence of the emissions of various phthalate esters and to estimate the health risks of these emissions at various temperatures. A passive-type sampler was developed to measure the flux of phthalate esters from the surface of plastic materials. With this sampler, we examined three widely used plastic materials: synthetic leather, wallpaper and vinyl flooring. The observed maximum emissions of diethyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate, and diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) from these materials at 20°C were 0.89, 0.77, and 14 μg m⁻² h⁻¹, respectively. Emissions at 80°C were 2.8, 4.5×10², and 1.5×10³ μg m⁻² h⁻¹, respectively. The results showed this temperature dependence is determined primarily by the type of phthalate ester and less so by the type of material. The estimation from the results of temperature dependence indicated the concentration of DEHP in a vehicle left out in the sunshine during the day can exceed the recommended levels of Japan Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.     

Comparison of using polyurethane foam passive samplers and tree bark samples from Western China to determine atmospheric organochlorine pesticide

Polyurethane foam(PUF)passive samplers were deployed and tree bark samples were collected at 15 sites across western China in 2013,and the organochlorine pesticide(OCP)concentrations in the samples were determined.Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and its degradation products(collectively called DDTs),hexachlorocyclohexanes(HCHs),and hexachlorobenzene(HCB)were the dominant OCPs in the PUF samples and tree bark samples.The mean DDTs,HCHs and HCB concentrations were 33,22 and 18 ng/sample in the PUF samples,and 428,74,and 43 ng/(g lipid weight(lw))in the tree bark,respectively.The OCP concentrations in the air,calculated using PUF–air and tree-bark–air partitioning models,were of the same order of magnitude.Both sample types showed that relatively fresh inputs of DDT and HCHs to the environment have occurred in western China.Meanwhile,PUF passive samplers were compared with the use of tree bark samples as passive samplers.The OCP compositions in the PUF and tree bark samples were different.Only the relatively stable OCPs(such as HCB,β-HCH and p,p′-dichlorodiphenyldichloro-ethylene(DDE))were consistent in the PUF and tree bark samples.