Evaluation of performance of time-saving extraction devices in the BCR three-step sequential extraction procedure

Two alternative extraction methods--a routine ultrasonic bath and a microwave oven--were developed and optimized for their eventual exploitation in the three-stage sequential extraction procedure proposed by the European Standards, Measurements and Testing (S, M & T) Programme, formerly Bureau Communitaire de Reference (BCR), for the operationally defined speciation of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni and Zn. The conventional BCR three-stage sequential extraction procedure was modified at each stage, applying ultrasonic or microwave devices in order to shorten the required 16 h of shaking in all three steps. The experimental tests and the optimization of the operating parameters were carried out on a highly homogenized estuarine sediment reference material (RM S7) prepared by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of ISPRA. Extractable metal contents were measured by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and the results obtained in each fraction by all three methods were statistically compared for all the studied elements. The conventional and newly developed alternative extraction methods were finally compared by the analysis of BCR 601, which is certified for the three-step BCR sequential extraction procedure. According to the statistical evaluation of the results, the proposed accelerated sequential extraction methods are valid alternatives to conventional shaking, with much shorter extraction times.     

Contrasted tolerance of Agrostis capillaris metallicolous and non-metallicolous ecotypes in the context of a mining technosol amended by biochar,compost and iron sulfate

Environmental Geochemistry and Health - Metal(loid) contamination of soil, resulting from the mining activities, is a major issue worldwide, due to its negative effects on the environment and...     

Effects of biochar,ochre and manure amendments associated with a metallicolous ecotype of Agrostis capillaris on As and Pb stabilization of a former mine technosol

Environmental Geochemistry and Health - Metal(loid) soil pollution is a major environmental and health issue, requiring these areas to be remediated, for example through phytoremediation processes....     

Butyltins concentration levels and imposex occurrence in snails from the Sicilian coasts (Italy)

Two sampling campaigns have been carried out along the Sicilian coasts within the frame of a European project (Hic-TBT) financed by the LIFE programme. Snails and sediments have been sampled at 5 stations, characterised by very low (Ustica natural sea reserve), low (Ustica harbour), intermediate (Castellamare and Termini Imerese) and high shipping densities (Palermo). Biological and chemical analyses were carried out in order to evaluate the incidence of imposex occurring in snails, and the concentration levels of organotins in sediment and snail samples. Despite the low organotin concentration levels in sediment and snail samples, the results show that imposex is widespread around Sicily. In four locations almost all female snails were affected by imposex at advanced development stages, even in areas with a fairly low shipping density. Only in the natural sea reserve of Ustica Island imposex was relatively less severe. Finally a logarithmic correlation between TBT and imposex stages was observed.     

Organotins in the sediments of the Zuari estuary, west coast of India

Industrial use of organotins such as butyltins and phenyltins has increased several folds during the last two decades. Butyltins and phenyltins are synthetic, multipurpose chemicals, which have been extensively used in marine antifouling paints. They have been known to be extremely poisonous to mollusc fishery resources (oysters, clams, etc.). Contamination of Zuari estuary sediments was assessed by quantitative determination of butyltins and phenyltins by using GC-MS using the electron ionization mode. Butyltins predominated in the whole area over phenyltins. Butyltins contributed about 70-90% of the organotins in general. The concentration of butyltins in sediments ranged from 20 to 7621 ng Sn/g. The concentration of phenyltins in sediments ranged from 0 to 46 ng Sn/g. Degradation indices for butyltins and phenyltins were calculated. The Butyltin degradation index (BDI) for the Zuari sediments ranged from 0 to 2.7 indicating a lot of fresh input of butyltins in the estuary and a lower degradation rate. The phenyltin degradation index (PhDI) ranged from 1 to 10 implying that different processes were prevalent at different stations. The observed organotin levels in the Zuari estuary indicate some highly localized areas of contamination which are severe enough to cause harmful effects on marine flora and fauna. Therefore, there is a need to regulate the use of butyltins and phenyltins as biocides in marine antifouling paints.     

Total and partial digestion of sediments for the evaluation of trace element environmental pollution

Four different sample treatment methods for the determination of trace elements have been compared: a total digestion with HNO3-H2O2-HF using microwave, and three different standardized methods of fractionation: BCR three-steps sequential extraction, USEPA standard 3050B and ISO standard 11466. The four treatment methods were applied to the determination of Cu and Ni in four samples collected in different areas of Cienfuegos Bay (Cuba). The location of samples and the analytes were selected on the basis of results obtained by previous studies. Analyses following total digestion and BCR three-steps procedure were performed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy whereas analyses following EPA and ISO procedures were performed by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. The results obtained have been compared with an estimated anthropic fraction evaluated in each sampling point as the difference between the total concentration and an estimated background concentration level. The BCR three-steps provided the best approximation of the estimated anthropic fraction and was therefore applied also in the determination of Pb and Cd for further consideration.     

Understanding the RCRA corrective action process

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) was enacted in 1976. The Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments (HSWA) of 1984 specify “corrective action” requirements for protecting human health and the environment from environmental contamination at active hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities. RCRA and its corrective action requirements are designed to prevent the creation of new Superfund sites by regulating and remediating active facilities. The RCRA corrective action process has four basic components: the facility assessment, facility investigation, corrective measures study, and corrective measures implementation. This article presents an overview of the RCRA corrective action process and presents four case studies from three U.S. EPA regions.     

Deposition in St. Mark's Basilica of Venice

Atmospheric pollutants may cause damage to monuments and historical buildings. Besides air contaminants, soluble salts are also responsible for stone deterioration and decay in outdoor and indoor monuments. The problem of how to conserve works of arts thus requires a deep knowledge of contaminants' concentration and distribution inside buildings. In this work, water-soluble ions inside St. Mark's Basilica in Venice were studied, with the aim of understanding their principal source and distribution inside the building. With the aid of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy analysis, the interaction between ions and surface's material was also investigated. Ion chromatographic analysis of depositions highlighted a large amount of “deteriorating agents” such as sulphates and chlorides. A possible source in the innermost area of the basilica has been found for formates and nitrates. On the contrary, a decrease of chloride, from the entrance to the innermost area, has been found, which indicates that the source is outside the building. It is emphasized that different contaminants behave differently on different material, and the effect of pollution inside churches and monuments is not easy to predict. Wood and brick seem to react differently than stone and mortar to the damaging action of salts and pollutants. The present work should be considered a useful tool for the future preservation of St. Mark's Basilica in Venice.