Quality of roof runoff waters from an urban region (Gda sk, Poland)

The paper presents the results of testing of roof runoff waters from buildings in the city of Gda sk (Poland), carried out as a part of a broader research project aimed at the determination of pollutant levels in precipitation. The analytes determined included volatile organohalogen compounds, petroleum hydrocarbons, Na⁺, K⁺, NH₄⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, F⁻, Cl⁻, NO₂⁻, NO₃⁻, PO₄³⁻, SO₄²⁻ ions, as well as organonitrogen, organophosphorus and organochlorine pesticides. In addition, the toxicity and pH of the samples were examined. The samples were collected over a period of six months, during or immediately following precipitation events. More than half of the samples (25) were found to be toxic, with inhibition exceeding 20%. The toxicity was weakly correlated to the levels of organonitrogen and organophosphorus pesticides in runoff waters. It was established that at least in some cases the roofing material affected the levels of the pollutants found in the samples.     

Relationship between volatile organohalogen compounds in drinking water and human urine in Poland

Selected volatile organohalogen compounds (VOX) were investigated in urine samples from people living in different areas of the Gdańsk-Sopot-Gdynia TriCity (Poland). The analytes were isolated and preconcentrated using the so-called thin layer headspace technique with autogenous generation of the liquid sorbent. Final gas chromatographic determination was carried out by direct aqueous injection with electron capture detection. Analyte concentrations in drinking water ranged from not detected to approximately 8 microg/l (chloroform), depending on the source of drinking water in a given part of the TriCity (underground, surface or mixed). The corresponding urine levels were typically lower by about an order of magnitude. VOX levels in urine of people living in the parts of the TriCity supplied with drinking water containing elevated levels of the analytes were higher than the levels in urine of people whose drinking water originated from deep underground wells. The linear correlation coefficients for the relationships between total VOX and chloroform levels in drinking water and in urine were r2=0.65 and 0.88, respectively. The fraction of VOX excreted with urine in unchanged form did not exceed 20%.     

Pesticides in precipitation in the Gdańsk region (Poland)

Selected organonitrogen, organophosphorus and organochlorine pesticides have been determined in precipitation samples collected at 10 sites in the Gdańsk region (northern Poland) over a period of one year (1998). Compounds which were detected most often included simazine (0.11-5.80 ng/l), fenitrothion (0.1-2.10 ng/l), chlorfenvinfos (0.1-1.30 ng/l), gamma-HCH (0.012-5.06 ng/l), heptachlor epoxide (0.05-3.28 ng/l) and aldrin (0.02-3.28 ng/l). The pesticide concentrations in precipitation samples revealed seasonal fluctuations, with higher concentrations observed during the application periods (June and July). The concentrations observed were also affected by the inflow of polluted air masses from the southwest. The total pesticide concentration in the precipitation samples was strongly related to the abundance of green areas in the vicinity of the sampling sites. A weak correlation was also found between the total concentration of organonitrogen and organophosphorus pesticides, and the total concentration of organochlorine pesticides in the samples collected.     

Quality of roof runoff waters from an urban region (Gdańsk,Poland)

The paper presents the results of testing of roof runoff waters from buildings in the city of Gdańsk (Poland), carried out as a part of a broader research project aimed at the determination of pollutant levels in precipitation. The analytes determined included volatile organohalogen compounds, petroleum hydrocarbons, Na+, K+, NH4+, Mg2+, Ca2+, F-, Cl-, NO2-, NO3-, PO4(3-), SO4(2-) ions, as well as organonitrogen, organophosphorus and organochlorine pesticides. In addition, the toxicity and pH of the samples were examined. The samples were collected over a period of six months, during or immediately following precipitation events. More than half of the samples (25) were found to be toxic, with inhibition exceeding 20%. The toxicity was weakly correlated to the levels of organonitrogen and organophosphorus pesticides in runoff waters. It was established that at least in some cases the roofing material affected the levels of the pollutants found in the samples.     

Volatile organohalogen compounds in human urine: the effect of environmental exposure

The paper presents the results of determination of volatile organohalogen compounds (VOX) in urine samples from subjects exposed to these compounds in their workplaces and through consumption of chlorinated tap water. The analytes were isolated and preconcentrated from the complex urine samples using the thin layer headspace (TLHS) technique with autogenous generation of the liquid sorbent. Final gas chromatographic determination was carried out by direct aqueous injection with electron capture detection (DAI-ECD). The results indicate that only a small fraction (<4%) of the VOX input is excreted with urine in the non-metabolized form. A positive correlation was found between the occupational levels of VOX in the workplace and their levels in urine. VOX levels in the urine of subjects not exposed to them in the workplace were significantly lower. Their presence in the organisms was most probably related to consumption of tap water produced by chlorination of surface waters.     

Determination of volatile organohalogen compounds in urban precipitation in Tricity area (Gdańsk, Gdynia, Sopot)

Chlorinated and brominated derivatives of methane and ethene were determined in samples of atmospheric precipitation collected between November 2000 and May 2001 at four sites in two cities, Gdańsk and Sopot, located on the Gulf of Gdańsk (Baltic Sea, Poland). The analytes were determined by direct aqueous injection of the samples to the capillary column using ECD detection (DAI-GC-ECD). Chloroform and carbon tetrachloride were detected the most often at all sites. The highest concentrations of the analytes were recorded at the intersection of two major streets (no. 3), next to a major route leading to two subdivisions (no. 2) and at Narutowicza Street (no. 1). In general, analyte concentration levels were lower during the spring months. During precipitation, concentrations of the analytes were higher in samples collected at the beginning of the event due to scavenging of the volatile compounds from the atmosphere. After a period of 75 min from the beginning of the precipitation event, analyte concentrations were lower by 10-80%, depending on the initial concentration and nature of the analyte.     

Chemical composition of water from roofs in Gdansk, Poland

This study deals with the assessment of roof runoff waters from the region of Gdansk collected during the winter season (2007/2008). The chemical analysis includes 16 chemical variables: major ions, PAHs and PCBs measured at 3 sampling sites for 6-14 rain events. Although the data set is of limited volume the statistical data treatment using self-organizing maps (SOM) reveals the main factors controlling roof runoff water quality even for a data set with small dimension. This effort for explanation of the identified factors by the possible emission sources of the urban environment and air-particulate formation seems to be very reliable. Additionally to the roof runoff water quality factors the rain events patterns are found: “background” group of events and groups formally named “PAHs”, “PCBs” and “air-borne particles” - dominated events. The SOM classification results give an opportunity to uncover the role of roof “impact” on the runoff waters.Rain runoff water quality is described by four latent factors and the “roof” impact is uncovered.     

Levels of lead in atmospheric deposition in a large urban agglomeration in Poland

Lead levels in wet and dry deposition were determined within this project. A network of 10 sampling stations was established. The stations were located in areas characterized by heavy traffic volumes, but away from industrial and/or municipal pollution sources. It was assumed, therefore, that lead in the samples collected was coming primarily from automobile emissions. Measurements were carried out over a period of one year. Both rain and snow samples were collected. Lead concentrations in the samples ranged from 0.6 to 141 microg dm(-3). They depended on street topography, traffic volume, average speed of the vehicles, frequency of traffic congestion and atmospheric conditions. The highest lead levels in deposition were observed during the cold season.     

Cyanides in the environment—analysis—problems and challenges

Cyanide toxicity and their environmental impact are well known. Nevertheless, they are still used in the mining, galvanic and chemical industries. As a result of industrial activities, cyanides are released in various forms to all elements of the environment. In a natural environment, cyanide exists as cyanogenic glycosides in plants seeds. Too much consumption can cause unpleasant side effects. However, environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is the most common source of cyanide. Live organisms have the ability to convert cyanide into less toxic compounds excreted with physiological fluids. The aim of this paper is to review the current state of knowledge on the behaviour of cyanide in the environment and its impact on the health and human life.