Analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in airborne particles by direct sample introduction thermal desorption GC/MS

The technique of thermal desorption (TD)–GC/MS was evaluated for measuring airborne, 4–6 ring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) collected onto quartz filters. TD provides a more readily automated and sensitive alternative to traditional solvent extraction, decreasing the time/cost of analysis and reducing the risk of analyte loss or sample contamination. The developed method was successfully applied to the analysis of PAH standard solutions loaded on sorbent tubes packed with quartz wool and the graphitized carbon black sorbent Carbograph2. The optimized method showed high desorption efficiency over the whole range of target PAHs with good precision, linearity and sensitivity. The proposed method was verified on an urban dust Standard Reference Material (SRM 1649a); the experimentally determined concentrations agreed with the certified ranges (95% confidence limit) for all target compounds except benzo[a]anthracene, which fell just outside the narrow certified range. The desorption efficiency and the reproducibility of the method was evaluated by analysing pieces of real sample filters sampled from urban air for a period of 24 h. The results confirmed the homogeneity of the filter and showed high recovery efficiencies for all target PAHs.     

Root penetration through sealing layers at mine deposit sites.

To prevent acid mine drainage arising from oxygen and water penetration of sulphide-rich mine tailings, the tailings are covered with layers of dry sealing material. Plant roots have a great ability to penetrate dense materials, and if the roots are able to penetrate the sealing layer of a tailings deposit, its oxygen-shielding properties could be reduced. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether plant roots are able to penetrate sealing layers covering mine tailings deposits. Root penetration into layers of various sealing materials, such as clayey moraine (clay, 8-10%; silt, 22-37%; sand, 37-55%; gravel, 15-18%), moraine (unspecified), 6-mm bentonite (kaolin clay) fabric, lime and clay, Cefyll (mixture of pulverized coal fly ash, cement and water) and a mixture containing biosludge (30-35%) and bioashes (65-70%), was investigated. In the field, roots were studied by digging trenches alongside vegetation growing in 3- and 10-year-old mine sites. In the greenhouse root growth of Betula pendula, Pinus sylvestris, Poa pratensis and Salix viminalis were studied in compartments where the plants had been growing for 22 months. The results from the field experiment indicated that roots are able to penetrate both deep down in the cover layer (1.7 m) and also into the sealing layers of various materials, and even to penetrate hard Cefyll. The addition of nutrients in the top cover reduced deep root growth and thereby also penetration through the sealing layer. Low hydraulic conductivity of the sealing layer or a thick cover layer had less effect on root penetration. In the greenhouse experiment roots did not penetrate the thin bentonite fabric, due to low pH (2.1-2.7) that was created from the underlying weathered mine tailings. The clayey moraine was penetrated by all species used in the greenhouse experiment; Pinus sylvestris had the greatest ability to penetrate. To prevent root penetration of the other sealing layer, a suitable condition for the plants should be created in the upper part of the cover layer, namely a sufficient amount of plant nutrients. However, to define such a condition is difficult since different plant species have different requirements.     

A Marine Pollution Study of Northeast Coastal Water Off Taiwan Island

The coastal water of northeast Taiwan island, called 'Yin-Yang Hai' for its distinct yellow colour compared with blue offshore water, was investigated from 1989 to 1990 by the authors. Biological study showed the dominant species of plankton to be Copepoda, Cladocera, planktonic eggs and Diatoma. Dominant species of benthos were young crabs, Amphipoda and Annelida, with Amphipoda usually occurring in heavily polluted areas. Heavy metal data showed that the concentration of copper was high. the copper and iron concentration in algae of the intertidal zone was also high. the concentrations of iron and copper in inshore water were also higher than in offshore water. By comparison of the pH and salinity distribution of this area, we conclude that this coastal water has been polluted by acid waste water from coastal industry. the suspended solids concentration in sea water is high. Flocculation occurring at the boundary of fresh and saline water might be a reason for the distinct yellow colour of the water of this area. Further study is required.     

矿山排水污染稻田土壤胶体对砷的吸附研究

为研究矿山排水污染土壤胶体对砷的吸附影响,文章以高砷污染区和背景区土壤的胶体在不同的pH、离子强度以及好氧/厌氧淹水条件下对As(Ⅴ)的吸附进行对比试验。结果表明:土壤胶体对As(Ⅴ)的吸附量随pH的增大而减少,且污染区胶体比背景区胶体对As(Ⅴ)的吸附量大;离子强度越大,胶体对As(Ⅴ)的吸附量越大,Ca(NO_3)_2浓度从0.001 mol/L增至0.1 mol/L时,污染区与背景区胶体对As(Ⅴ)的吸附量分别增加了30.57%、50.25%;厌氧淹水后的胶体对As(Ⅴ)的吸附量低于好氧条件下的胶体,解吸量较高,且厌氧淹水后污染区胶体与背景区胶体相比无明显吸附优势,而好氧条件下污染区胶体的解吸率低于背景区胶体,说明厌氧淹水后的胶体不易吸附且易释放As(Ⅴ)。因此,低p H和高离子强度以及好氧的条件有利于土壤胶体对砷的吸附。     

非线性时间序列门限自回归模型在环境空气质量预报中的应用

门限自回归模型作为1种利用历史资料对非线性时间序列进行描述从而进行预测的数学模型，多年来在各种统计领域中均取得良好的效果。根据非线性时间序列的门限自回归模型（简称TAR）的基本思路，利用环境空气自动监测系统历史监测数据资料，建立了浦东新区环境空气质量的预报计算模型。通过统计检验，检查使用TAR模型预测浦东新区环境空气质量与实际监测情况的符合程度。讨论了该模型在监测工作中的应用可行性。     

基于ARCGIS的安徽省地震应急快速反应系统

地震给人类带来了严重的灾害,建立地震应急快速反应系统能够使人们快速响应地震,快速组织有效的救援行动.本文介绍了利用GIS技术计算地震的影响范围,对地震造成的灾害进行评估,同时给出相应的救援建议.     

Trace Organic Matter in the Ria Formosa,Portugal

The Ria Formosa lagoon, Portugal, receives organic matter from many natural and anthropogenic sources. This paper presents an overview of the contribution these sources made through the use of lipid biomarkers. Sixty-one surface sediment samples were collected and analysed for a range of lipids. Sewage materials were confined to regions within 2 km of discharge points; phytoplankton biomarkers (sterols and fatty acids) suggest production was greatest in the inner parts of the lagoon that also have greatest inorganic nutrient enrichment; terrestrial organic matter was present in relatively low concentrations as shown by both sterol and fatty alcohols; bacteria were widespread although the Sulphate Reducing Bacteria (SRBs, shown by the presence of 3-OH fatty acids) were located near but not adjacent to sewage discharge points.