Metal levels in computer monitor components discarded in the vicinities of electronic workshops

Levels of Pb, Ni, Cr, Cu, Zn, and Cd in the glass screens (GS) and printed wiring boards (PWBs) of obsolete computer monitors (OCMs) were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry (FAAS) following standard digestion. Metal concentrations (mg kg^?1) in GS were in the following ranges (medians in brackets): Pb ND – 3100 (46), Cd 0.5–2.6 (0.8), Cr ND – 18.7 (3.1), and Zn 8.1–600 (37) and in PWBs (mg kg^?1): Pb 34,600 ± 17,000, Cd 11 ± 9, Cr 59 ± 45, Zn 15,900 ± 7800, Cu79,000 ± 22,600, and Ni 3200 ± 2500. In GS, the levels of the six metals were lower than their total threshold limit concentrations (TTLC), except for Pb with a TTLC of 1000 mg kg^?1 in 10% of the samples. In the PWBs, the TTLC of Pb and Cu (2500 mg kg^?1) was exceeded many fold. For Zn (5000 mg kg^?1) and Ni (2000 mg kg^?1); they were exceeded by 90% and 65%, respectively. For OCMs manufactured in 2001 and later, Pb and Zn levels in GS and Cr, Zn, and Ni in PWBs were significantly reduced.     

Characterization of airborne particulate matter in Thessaloniki,Greece

A receptor modeling approach has been applied to identify and apportion sources of airborne particulate matter in Thessaloniki, Greece. The absolute principal component analysis source apportionment technique used, provided quantitative information regarding both source particle characteristics and impacts. The analysis identified four major sources of heavy metals within total suspended particles (TSP) in the centre of the city: oil burning, pyrometallurgical non‐ferrous metal processes, motor vehicles and soil resuspension. Their contributions to TSP estimated by regression on absolute principal component scores (APCS) were 12%, 8%, 5% and 4%, respectively. A similar analysis conducted for a sampling site close to the industrial area identified five major sources: oil burning, industrial Cr source, soil resuspension, pyrometallurgical non‐ferrous metal processes and motor vehicles with contributions 20%, 15%, 9%, 8% and 4%, respectively.     

Temporal variation of the concentration and biochemical composition of seston within the Humboldt Current System off northern Chile (21°S)

Seasonal differences in the concentration and biochemical composition of seston have been assessed for the first time in the Humboldt Current System off northern Chile (21°S). The study comprised four seasonal surveys in the Bay of Chipana, including the summer and winter of 2006 and 2007, when El Niño 2006 and La Niña 2007 developed. Protein, lipid, carbohydrate and biogenic silica contents were measured in samples collected at four selected depths. The highest protein, lipid and carbohydrate concentrations were found at the fluorescence maximum (between 10 and 15 m depth), whereas the highest biogenic silica concentration was found 1 m above the seabed. When El Niño started developing, every variable showed low values throughout the water column; however, the lowest values were found when La Niña conditions dominated, together with low oxygen concentrations. Samples collected within the oxygen minimum zone (65 m depth) showed the lowest values for the water column and the lowest seasonal variations. After the evident decline coincident with El Niño 2006, the abundance and biochemical quality (high protein and lipid contents) of seston recovered earlier in the surface layer (upper 15 m) than at other depths.     

Level,pattern, and risk assessment of the selected soil trace metals in the calcareous-cultivated Vertisols

Dynamics and distribution pattern of trace metals in agricultural lands are an increasing concern due to potential risks to the environment and human health. To ascertain more knowledge of this aspect, the fractions of total and available Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, and Cd belonging to Vertisols under intensive cultivation and adjoining uncultivated soils were investigated. The order of abundance of metals in both cultivated and uncultivated soils was Fe?>?Mn?>?Cu?>?Zn?>?Cd and Fe?>?Mn?>?Zn?>?Cu?>?Cd for both available and total fraction, respectively. A relative enrichment was observed in the value of diethylene-triamine pentaacetic acid-extractable Fe (1.2–201%), Mn (2–31%), Cu (1–40%), and Cd (21–45%) as well as total fraction of Zn (3–17%), Cu (12–32%), and Cd (42–108%) after intensive cropping, which can be contributed to repeated application of agrochemical inputs and manure over long time. The values of RI (potential ecological risk) showed that cultivation caused a low potential ecological risk (33.3% of the soil samples) to moderate potential ecological risk (66.7% of the soil samples) in the study region and that cadmium made up 88%, on average, of the RI value.     

Rare earth elements distribution in seawater and suspended particulate of the Central Mediterranean Sea

Rare earth element (REE) content in suspended and dissolved phases from the Strait of Sicily (Central Mediterranean Sea) has been measured. Vertical profiles of several dissolved REEs along the water column reflect the 3-D oceanographic features of the studied area and identifies the different water masses present there. Shale-normalized REE distribution patterns and derived parameters calculated for the suspended particulate show different atmospheric dust-surface inputs and their interactions with seawater. Finally, combined information from [La/Yb]_N, ratios, REE/La ratios and Eu anomalies measured in the suspended particulate suggest an important contribution of volcanic materials from the Etna volcano and Saharan dust to the lithogenic fraction of the suspended particulate.     

Transport of Sewage Sludge in a Mixed Water Column

Abstract

Sewage sludge from four publicly-owned treatment works was sampled and characterized in terms of parameters affecting transport at the 106-mile deep ocean disposal site as part of the US Environmental Protection Agency's site monitoring programme. Samples from treatment plants in Passaic Valley, Rahway, and Elizabeth, New Jersey and New York City were characterized in terms of dynamic size distribution, suspended solids and density. the transport characteristics of sludge particles were measured using a 2 metre computer-interfaced laboratory settling column. Experiments were conducted at constant salinity (35 ppt) while varying hydrodynamic mixing, sludge type and concentration using a modified factorial experimental design. Hydrodynamic power dissipation was varied so that the vertical dispersion and rms fluid shear rate ranged between 0-6 cm²S^?1 and 0-30s^?1 respectively. Results indicate that at least 80% of suspended sludge particles will eventually settle under mixed conditions. the average settling velocities ranged between 0.05-4.05 × 10^-3 cm ^s-1. Shear rates above 15 s^?1 inhibited sludge settling due to aggregate breakup and boundary effects, but at a lower shear rate, differential settling and fluid shear were the dominant transport mechanisms. Sludge dilution (1/500-1/5000) had a limited effect on the settling rate. Results from this study can be used to calibrate particle transport models to determine the fate of sludge disposed at an ocean disposal site.     

鄱阳湖表层水体总磷含量遥感反演及其时空特征分析

总磷是湖泊水质参数中的主要指标,从遥感数据中获得其时空上的分布信息对于理解、管理和保护湖泊生态系统是必要的。通过2009 年4 月至12 月对鄱阳湖湖区和五河入口的表层水体进行采样分析,利用直接遥感反演算法和间接遥感反演算法,结合MODIS遥感数据择优反演鄱阳湖表层水体的总磷含量,同时分析总磷含量的时空特征和变化规律。结果表明：①从实验数据分析可知,总磷TP与总悬浮物浓度相关性较好,间接反演算法能够得到较好的反演结果;②TP是鄱阳湖水质的主要污染指标之一,TP含量在丰水期、平水期、枯水期三个时期呈上升趋势;③鄱阳湖三个时期TP含量的空间变化明显,中心湖区TP含量相对整个湖区较低,主航区和五河入口TP含量为全湖最高区域,常年处于高含量状态。     

东湖、汤逊湖和梁子湖沉积物磷形态及pH对磷释放的影响

文章采用淡水沉积物中磷形态标准测试程序(SMT)研究了东湖、汤逊湖和梁子湖沉积物中磷的形态分布,并比较了不同pH条件下沉积物磷释放特征的差异性。结果表明:东湖沉积物总磷质量分数最高,平均值1.232 mg.g-1,其次为汤逊湖(0.762mg.g-1),梁子湖沉积物总磷质量分数最低(0.572 mg.g-1);3个湖泊上覆水总磷质量浓度也表现出类似的变化规律,线性相关性分析显示上覆水中总磷质量浓度与沉积物总磷质量分数显著正相关。东湖和梁子湖沉积物总磷中无机磷和有机磷所占比例较接近,汤逊湖无机磷所占比例远低于有机磷。不同湖泊之间磷形态的分布并没有一定的规律性,湖泊的地理分布以及人为因素可能是造成磷形态差异的主要因素。当pH为2.0~7.0时,3个湖泊沉积物中溶解性活性磷(SRP)释放量均呈先增加后减小的趋势;当pH为7.0~12.0时,SRP释放量呈增加趋势。相关分析结果表明,SRP的释放与有机质的质量分数无显著相关性。方差分析结果显示3个湖泊沉积物在黏粒和粉粒组成上均没有显著差异(P>0.1),表明实验样品的粒径组成不是造成各个湖泊间磷释放差异的原因。不同pH条件下,SRP释放量与沉积物总磷质量分数显著正相关;酸性环境下,SRP释放量与酸式磷(HCl-P)的相关性优于碱式磷(NaOH-P),碱性环境下则刚好相反。     

Effects of a diesel oxidation catalyst on gaseous pollutants and fine particles from an engine operating on diesel and biodiesel

The effects of a diesel oxidation catalytic (DOC) converter on diesel engine emissions were investigated on a diesel bench at various loads for two steady-state speeds using diesel fuel and B20. The DOC was very effective in hydrocarbon (HC) and CO oxidation. Approximately 90%–95% reduction in CO and 36%–70% reduction in HC were realized using the DOC. Special attention was focused on the effects of the DOC on elemental carbon (EC) and organic carbon (OC) fractions in fine particles (PM_2.5) emitted from the diesel engine. The carbonaceous compositions of PM_2.5 were analyzed by the method of thermal/optical reflectance (TOR). The results showed that total carbon (TC), OC and EC emissions for PM_2.5 from diesel fuel were generally reduced by the DOC. For diesel fuel, TC emissions decreased 22%–32% after the DOC depending on operating modes. The decrease in TC was attributed to 35%–97% decrease in OC and 3%–65% decrease in EC emissions. At low load, a significant increase in the OC/EC ratio of PM_2.5 was observed after the DOC. The effect of the DOC on the carbonaceous compositions in PM_2.5 from B20 showed different trends compared to diesel fuel. At low load, a slight increase in EC emissions and a significant decrease in OC/EC ratio of PM_2.5 after DOC were observed for B20.     

北京不同污染天气PM_(2.5)和PM_(10)染毒对大鼠生理病理参数的影响

为探讨北京不同污染天气大气可吸入颗粒物PM_(10)和细颗粒物PM_(2.5)污染对雄性大鼠血常规、氧化损伤、炎症反应和肺组织的影响,将64只雄性8周龄Wistar大鼠随机分为8组,分别为2个对照组(空白组和生理盐水组)和6个染毒组(清洁、雾霾及沙尘暴3种不同天气的PM_(10)染毒组和PM_(2.5)染毒组),每组8只。用2015年3月—5月在北京南海子麋鹿苑采集的清洁、雾霾和沙尘暴3种不同天气的PM_(10)和PM_(2.5)制备悬液,分别采用气管滴入PM_(10)和PM_(2.5)悬液作为染毒组,空白对照组不做任何处理,生理盐水对照组采用气管滴注生理盐水。急性染毒24 h后处死大鼠。采集血液测定18个血常规指标,分析肺泡灌洗液(BALF)中转化生长因子-β1(TGF-β1)、乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)、总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)、白介素-6(IL-6)及肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)的含量,并在高倍显微镜下观察肺组织和气管病理形态变化。同时,对PM_(10)和PM_(2.5)中的水溶性离子、有机碳/元素碳、16种多环芳烃和7种重金属等元素进行了测定,并分析了各组分与大鼠生理病理指标的相关性。结果表明:清洁、沙尘暴天气的PM_(10)和雾霾天气的PM_(2.5)急性染毒导致大鼠白细胞系参数即免疫力显著下降。污染天气颗粒物染毒后大鼠BALF氧化炎症因子的改变表明呼吸系统受到感染:沙尘暴和清洁天的PM_(10)染毒均显著提高了TGF-β1,雾霾PM_(10)染毒后IL-6和LDH有一定程度升高。3种天气颗粒物染毒对肺和气管造成的组织病理伤害各有特点,但PM_(2.5)伤害程度普遍大于PM_(10)。染毒颗粒物粒径大小,其化学成分类别、浓度是造成大鼠血常规指标变化、氧化炎症反应和组织学病变的可能原因。