Environmental Monitoring Research Papers - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

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- Environmental microbiology, Environmental Monitoring, Multidisciplinary, Quantitative PCR

South Florida's watersheds have endured a century of urban and agricultural development and disruption of their hydrology. Spatial characterization of South Florida's estuarine and coastal waters is important to Everglades' restoration programs. We applied Factor Analysis and Hierarchical Clustering of water quality data in tandem to characterize and spatially subdivide South Florida's coastal and estuarine waters. Segmentation rendered forty-four biogeochemically distinct water bodies whose spatial distribution is closely linked to geomorphology, circulation, benthic community pattern, and to water management. This segmentation has been adopted with minor changes by federal and state environmental agencies to derive numeric nutrient criteria.

- by Henry Briceno
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- Agriculture, Environmental Monitoring, Urbanization, Water Pollution

We determined changes of 28 alkanes and 43 different PAHs in 418 wetland soil samples collected on ten sampling trips to three Louisiana estuaries before and after they were oiled from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster. There was a significant decline in 22 of the 28 alkane analytes (0.42% day(-1)), no change in 6, over 2.5 years. The concentration of five aromatic petroleum hydrocarbons (PAHs) increased (range 0.25-0.70% day(-1)), whereas the total PAH pool did not change. Of these five, naphthalene and C-1-naphthalenes are suggested to be of higher toxicity than the other three because of their relatively higher volatility or solubility. The relative proportions of alkane analytes, but not PAHs, does not yet resemble that in the pre-oiled marshes after 3 years, The trajectories of nine indicators for degradation/weathering were either inconclusive or misleading (alkanes) or confirmed the relatively meager degradation of PAHs.

- by B Meyer and +2
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- Wetlands, Environmental Monitoring, Multidisciplinary, Louisiana

Understanding how landscape characteristics affect biodiversity patterns and ecological processes at local and landscape scales is critical for mitigating effects of global environmental change. In this review, we use knowledge gained from human-modified landscapes to suggest eight hypotheses, which we hope will encourage more systematic research on Teja Tscharntke and others the role of landscape composition and configuration in determining the structure of ecological communities, ecosystem functioning and services. We organize the eight hypotheses under four overarching themes. Section A: 'landscape moderation of biodiversity patterns' includes (1) the landscape species pool hypothesis-the size of the landscape-wide species pool moderates local (alpha) biodiversity, and (2) the dominance of beta diversity hypothesis-landscapemoderated dissimilarity of local communities determines landscape-wide biodiversity and overrides negative local effects of habitat fragmentation on biodiversity. Section B: 'landscape moderation of population dynamics' includes (3) the cross-habitat spillover hypothesis-landscape-moderated spillover of energy, resources and organisms across habitats, including between managed and natural ecosystems, influences landscape-wide community structure and associated processes and (4) the landscape-moderated concentration and dilution hypothesis-spatial and temporal changes in landscape composition can cause transient concentration or dilution of populations with functional consequences. Section C: 'landscape moderation of functional trait selection' includes (5) the landscape-moderated functional trait selection hypothesis-landscape moderation of species trait selection shapes the functional role and trajectory of community assembly, and (6) the landscape-moderated insurance hypothesis-landscape complexity provides spatial and temporal insurance, i.e. high resilience and stability of ecological processes in changing environments. Section D: 'landscape constraints on conservation management' includes (7) the intermediate landscape-complexity hypothesis-landscapemoderated effectiveness of local conservation management is highest in structurally simple, rather than in cleared (i.e. extremely simplified) or in complex landscapes, and (8) the landscape-moderated biodiversity versus ecosystem service management hypothesis-landscape-moderated biodiversity conservation to optimize functional diversity and related ecosystem services will not protect endangered species. Shifting our research focus from local to landscape-moderated effects on biodiversity will be critical to developing solutions for future biodiversity and ecosystem service management.

Deterministic photochemical air quality models are commonly used for regulatory management and planning of urban airsheds. These models are complex, computer intensive, and hence are prohibitively expensive for routine air quality predictions. Stochastic methods are becoming increasingly popular as an alternative, which relegate decision making to artificial intelligence based on Neural Networks that are made of artificial neurons or 'nodes' capable of 'learning through training' via historic data. A Neural Network was used to predict particulate matter concentration at a regulatory monitoring site in Phoenix, Arizona; its development, efficacy as a predictive tool and performance vis-à-vis a commonly used regulatory photochemical model are described in this paper. It is concluded that Neural Networks are much easier, quicker and economical to implement without compromising the accuracy of predictions. Neural Networks can be used to develop rapid air quality warning systems based on a network of automated monitoring stations.

- by Reneta Dimitrova
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- Forecasting, Environmental Monitoring, Air pollution, Environmental Pollution

A biosensor is an analytical device that consists of an immobilized biocomponent in conjunction with a transducer, and represents a synergistic combination of biotechnology and microelectronics. This review summarizes the use of biosensors for detecting and quantifying heavy metal ions. Heavy metal contamination is of serious concern to human health since these substances are non-biodegradable and retained by the ecological system. Conventional analytical techniques for heavy metals (such as cold vapour atomic absorption spectrometry, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry) are precise but suffer from the disadvantages of high cost, the need for trained personnel and the fact that they are mostly laboratory bound. Biosensors have the advantages of specificity, low cost, ease of use, portability and the ability to furnish continuous real time signals. The analysis of heavy metal ions can be carried out with biosensors by using both protein (enzyme, metal-binding protein and antibody)-based and whole-cell (natural and genetically engineered microorganism)-based approaches.

- by Minni Singh
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- Electronics, Biotechnology, Environmental Monitoring, Genetic Engineering

Biocontamination refers to biological contamination of products by bacteria and/or fungi, as well as the toxic by-products of these microorganisms, such as endotoxin and mycotoxins from Gram-negative bacteria and fungi, respectively. When designing a biocontamination control strategy, which is based on the manufacturing process, there are three components to take into consideration, each of which requires risk assessment: 1) designing process systems to avoid contamination; 2) monitoring process systems to detect contamination; and 3) reacting to contamination events and putting proactive measures in place. The design of process systems is where maximal effort should be placed.

- by Tim Sandle
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- Microbiology, Environmental Monitoring, Healthcare, Pharmaceutics

Surface monitoring by using swabs forms a regular part of environmental monitoring of cleanrooms. There are different factors that affect swab recovery, from tip type to enumeration method. One factor, for swabs where the microorganisms are detached from the swab tip and which are then membrane filtered, is the period of vortex mixing. This paper discusses microbial surface sampling, and the factors that affect swab recovery. The paper presents some experimental data where vortex times are considered for a range of microorganisms. The study outcome indicates that 15 seconds vortex mixing is sufficient to obtain microbial recoveries from the swab tip above 50%.

- by Tim Sandle
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- Microbiology, Environmental Monitoring, Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Sampling

Background: The rising temperature of the world's oceans has become a major threat to coral reefs globally as the severity and frequency of mass coral bleaching and mortality events increase. In 2005, high ocean temperatures in the tropical Atlantic and Caribbean resulted in the most severe bleaching event ever recorded in the basin. Methodology/Principal Findings: Satellite-based tools provided warnings for coral reef managers and scientists, guiding both the timing and location of researchers' field observations as anomalously warm conditions developed and spread across the greater Caribbean region from June to October 2005. Field surveys of bleaching and mortality exceeded prior efforts in detail and extent, and provided a new standard for documenting the effects of bleaching and for testing nowcast and forecast products. Collaborators from 22 countries undertook the most comprehensive documentation of basin-scale bleaching to date and found that over 80% of corals bleached and over 40% died at many sites. The most severe bleaching coincided with waters nearest a western Atlantic warm pool that was centered off the northern end of the Lesser Antilles. Conclusions/Significance: Thermal stress during the 2005 event exceeded any observed from the Caribbean in the prior 20 years, and regionally-averaged temperatures were the warmest in over 150 years. Comparison of satellite data against field surveys demonstrated a significant predictive relationship between accumulated heat stress (measured using NOAA Coral Reef Watch's Degree Heating Weeks) and bleaching intensity. This severe, widespread bleaching and mortality will undoubtedly have long-term consequences for reef ecosystems and suggests a troubled future for tropical marine ecosystems under a warming climate.

- by edwin hernandez
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- Geography, Climate Change, Coral Reef Ecosystems, Biology

This study presents the effects of environmental pollution on the quality of domestic roof-harvested rainwater (DRHRW) using fuzzy comprehensive assessment (FCA). Seven metals (Cu, Cd, Pb, Zn, Fe, Ca, and Mg) and six water-quality parameters (Acidity, PO4 (3-), SO4 (2-), NO3 (-) , Cl(-), and pH) were investigated in DRHRW sampled from 12 sampling points each from Ibadan (residential) and Lagos (industrial) environments, Nigeria. The results of these parameters were formulated into membership function fuzzy matrices based on four contamination classifications of high, marginal, low, and poor qualities using regulatory limits as criteria. The products membership function matrices and weight matrices generated indices that classified the degree of anthropogenic activity impact on the sites. Results of FCA classified the DRHRW from residential environment as between high and marginal quality, whereas DRHRW from industrial environment is classified between marginal and low quality. Lead ...

- by Foluso Agunbiade
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- Fuzzy Logic, Water resources, Environmental Monitoring, Air pollution

The Citarum River in West Java is the largest water supplier to the Saguling Dam, which plays a major role in electric power generation for the entire Java Island and is used for the aquaculture of marketed fish. To elucidate the extent of degradation in water quality and its causes in the Upper Citarum watershed, physical, chemical and biological parameters for water samples collected from various sites were analyzed. The results demonstrate large site-to-site variations in water qualities and pollutant loads derived from various human activities such as agriculture, cattle raising and the textile industry. To halt worsening conditions of the Citarum watershed, integrated mitigation efforts should be made, taking biophysical pollution mechanisms and local socioeconomic conditions into account.

- by Oekan S Abdoellah
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- Environmental Science, Indonesia, Agriculture, Environmental Monitoring

Organochlorine chemical residues and elemental contaminants were measured in northern pike (Esox lucius), longnose sucker (Catostomus catostomus), and burbot (Lota lota) from 10 sites in the Yukon River Basin (YRB) during 2002. Contaminant concentrations were compared to historical YRB data and to toxicity thresholds for fish and piscivorous wildlife from the scientific literature. A risk analysis was conducted to screen for potential hazards to piscivorous wildlife for contaminants that exceeded literature-based toxicity thresholds. Concentrations of total DDT (sum of p,p¢-homologs; 1.09-13.6 ng/g), total chlordane (0.67-7.5 ng/g), dieldrin (<0.16-0.6 ng/g), toxaphene (<11-34 ng/g), total PCBs (<20-87 ng/g), TCDD-EQ (£1.7 pg/g), arsenic (0.03-1.95 lg/g), cadmium (<0.02-0.12 lg/g), copper (0.41-1.49 lg/g), and lead (<0.21-0.27 lg/g) did not exceed toxicity thresholds for growth and reproduction in YRB fish. Concentrations of mercury (0.08-0.65 lg/g), selenium (0.23-0.85 lg/g), and zinc (11-56 lg/g) exceeded toxicity thresholds in one or more samples and were included in the risk analysis for piscivorous wildlife. No effect hazard concentrations (NEHCs) and low effect hazard concentrations (LEHCs), derived from literaturebased toxicity reference values and avian and mammalian life history parameters, were calculated for mercury, selenium, and zinc. Mercury concentrations in YRB fish exceeded the NEHCs for all bird and small mammal models, which indicated that mercury concentrations in fish may represent a risk to piscivorous wildlife throughout the YRB. Low risk to piscivorous wildlife was associated with selenium and zinc concentrations in YRB fish. Selenium and zinc concentrations exceeded the NEHCs and LEHCs for only the small bird model. These results indicate that mercury should continue to be monitored and assessed in Alaskan fish and wildlife.

- by Thomas May
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- Ecotoxicology, Arsenic, Archives, Biology

Perfluorinated substances are listed among emerging contaminants because they are globally distributed, environmentally persistent, bioaccumulative and potentially harmful. In a three-year monitoring campaign (2010-2013) we investigated the occurrence, sources and fate of nine perfluoroalkylcarboxylic acids and three perfluoroalkylsulfonic acids, in the most industrialized region of Italy. Composite samples were collected in influents and effluents of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), in the main rivers flowing through the basin, and in raw groundwater and finished drinking water. Samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Perfluorinated substances were not removed in WWTPs and those receiving industrial wastes discharged up to 50 times the loads of WWTPs receiving municipal wastes. The mass balance of the emissions in the River Lambro basin showed continuously increasing contamination from north to south and differences in the composition of homologues in the west and east sides of the basin. Ground and drinking water were contaminated in industrial areas, but these substances were removed well in Milan. Contamination from industrial sources was prevalent over urban sources, contributing to 90% of the loads measured at the closure of the basin. The River Lambro was confirmed as one of the main sources of contamination in the Po River.

- by Sara Valsecchi
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- Engineering, Environmental Science, Water Purification, Groundwater

MODELLING STUDY FOR CHARACTERIZING AND PREDICTING URBAN AIR POLLUTION Gregorio Andria, Giuseppe Cavone, Anna ML Lanzolla, Alessandro Rubino Department of Electrics and Electronics (DEE) Politecnico di Bari Viale del Turismo 8, 74100... more

- by Gregorio Andria
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- Environmental Monitoring, Air pollution, Kalman Filter, Missing Data
- by Cecep Kusmana
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- Biomass, Symbiosis, Biology, Environmental Monitoring

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and heavy metals are well known environmental pollutants. Even though numerous studies have been carried out to assess human exposures to these compounds, there is still a lack of data on humans from developing countries, especially in underprivileged children. The objective of this study was to assess the exposure to POPs and heavy metals in children from Dhaka, Bangladesh. One specific aim was to investigate whether children working at, or living close to, open waste disposal sites (WDSs) were more heavily exposed than other urban children. In 2008, blood and serum were collected from 73 children aged 7-16 from five neighbourhoods. Some of the children lived and worked at WDSs (N ¼ 31), others lived next to a WDS (N ¼ 17), whereas some children lived far from such sites (N ¼ 25). Blood levels of lead (B-Pb), cadmium (B-Cd), and selenium (B-Se) were determined by ICP-MS for all subjects. The metal levels were high, with B-Pb overall mean 120 mg L À1 (range 40-220), B-Cd 0.74 mg L À1 (0.22-4.1), and B-Se 120 mg L À1 (81-170). There were no marked differences between children from the different neighbourhoods, or between WDS workers and other children. PCB levels were low and with no contrast between neighbourhoods, for CB-153 the overall mean was 7.0 ng g À1 fat (2.8-51). In contrast, high levels of DDTs were observed in all children, for 4,4 0-DDE 1300 ng g À1 fat (420-4600), and for 4,4 0-DDT 326 ng g À1 fat (44-1400), indicating ongoing exposure. PBDE levels were low, and BDE-209 was quantitated mainly in children working at or living close to WDSs. In conclusion, the high levels of DDTs, lead and cadmium observed in children from Dhaka are of concern. Many children were exposed at levels where health effects have been observed, or at levels without safety margins.

- by Nilufar Nahar
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- Environmental Monitoring, Bangladesh, Adolescent, Medicine

Excess phytoplankton production, which contributes to hypoxic conditions, is nitrogen limited in the Chesapeake Bay during the summer months. Therefore, understanding the flux of ammonia by direct deposition to the biologically active surface layer is critical to understanding the nutrient dynamics of the bay. This paper presents the results of a 2-yr study measuring gaseous ammonia (NH 3 ) and aerosol ammonium (NH 4 + ) in Baltimore and Solomons, MD, from which direct atmospheric loading of total ammonia (N t ) NH 3 + NH 4 + ) to the Chesapeake Bay is estimated. Mean atmospheric concentrations of total ammonia for Baltimore and Solomons were 2.7 ( 1.7 and 1.0 ( 0.8 µg of N m -3 , respectively. Monte Carlo estimates of gross dry deposition ranged from <100 to 4900 µg of N m -2 d -1 . However, based upon water quality parameters, Monte Carlo estimates of gross volatilization of NH 3 were calculated to range from <100 to 7700 µg of N m -2 d -1 . The resulting net air-sea exchange flux varied seasonally from a net deposition into the water during the winter to a net volatilizing into the atmosphere during the summer. A total of 60% of the paired air-water samples had flux estimates that were not significantly different than equilibrium at the 90% confidence interval. The gross deposition, gross volatilization, and net air-sea fluxes were greater and more variable in Baltimore relative to the rural site. Atmospheric ammonia concentrations decrease during the winter at the rural site. However, the net exchange is still into the water due to an exponential decrease in [NH 3 ] eq with temperature. These results indicate that the nitrogen-limited Chesapeake Bay can act as a source of ammonia to the local atmosphere.

- by Randolph Larsen
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- Environmental Science, Environmental Monitoring, Phytoplankton, Multidisciplinary

Epidemiologic studies have shown associations between ambient particulate matter (PM) and adverse health outcomes including increased mortality, emergency room visits, and time lost from school and work. The mechanisms of PM-related health effects are still incompletely understood, but a hypothesis under investigation is that many of the adverse health effects may derive from oxidative stress, initiated by the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within affected cells. While the adverse effects from PM have historically been associated with the airborne concentration of PM and more recently fine-particle PM, we considered it relevant to develop an assay to quantitatively measure the ability of PM to catalyze ROS generation as the initial step in the induction of oxidative stress. This ability of PM could then be related to different sources, chemical composition, and physical and spatial/temporal characteristics in the ambient environment. The measurement of ROS-forming ability in relation to sources and other factors will have potential relevance to control of redox-active PM. If oxidative stress represents a relevant mechanism of toxicity from PM, the measurement of redox activity represents a first step in the elucidation of the subsequent downstream processes. We have developed an assay for PM redox activity, utilizing the reduction of oxygen by dithiothreitol which serves as an electron source. We have found that PM will catalyze the reduction of oxygen and have examined the distribution and chemical characteristics of the redox activity of PM fractions collected in different sites in the Los Angeles Basin. Samples of concentrated coarse, fine, and ultrafine PM, obtained with aerosol concentrators, were studied with regard to their chemical properties and redox activity. Redox activity was highest in the ultrafine fraction, in agreement with results indicating ultrafines were the most potent toward inducing that heme oxygenase expression and depleting intracellular glutathione, which has relevance to induction of oxidative stress. Comparison of the redox activity with chemical composition showed a reasonable correlation of redox activity with elemental carbon (r 2 ¼ 0:79), organic carbon (r 2 ¼ 0:53), and with benzo[ghi]perylene (r 2 ¼ 0:82), consistent with species typically found in mobile emission sources. r

- by Antonio Miguel
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- Environmental Monitoring, Los Angeles, Biological Sciences, Environmental Sciences

The 2010-2011 wet season was one of extreme weather for the State of Queensland, Australia. Major rivers adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) were discharging at rates 1.5 to >3 times higher than their long term median. Exposure to photosystem II herbicides has been routinely monitored over a period of up to 5 years at 12 inshore GBR sites. The influence of this wet season on exposure to photosystem II herbicides was examined in the context of this long-term monitoring record and during flood plume events in specific regions. Median exposures expressed as diuron equivalent concentration were an average factor of 2.3 times higher but mostly not significantly different (p < 0.05) to the median for the longterm monitoring record. The herbicides metolachlor and tebuthiuron were frequently detected in flood plume waters at concentrations that reached or exceeded relevant water quality guidelines (by up to 4.5 times).

- by Jon Brodie and +2
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- Coral Reefs, Environmental Monitoring, Multidisciplinary, Queensland

Two naturally occurring colonies of Millepora alcicornis were monitored during 1997 and 1998, both years in which this species bleached in the Mexican Caribbean. One colony (HL) was naturally exposed to a high light environment and another nearby colony (LL) was exposed to 5.9 times lower light levels due to shadowing by a pier. For 10 days in August 1997, seawater temperatures in the surrounding reef lagoon rose up to 1.5 degrees C above the 6-year August average. The HL colony bleached to white during this period, whereas, the LL colony remained dark-brown colored. The HL colony recovered its normal dark-brown coloration (reversible bleaching) within several weeks, during which time the seawater temperatures returned to average. The following year, for 10 days, seawater temperatures rose up to 3 degrees C above the 7-year August average and both colonies bleached to white and neither colony recovered (irreversible bleaching). Both colonies were rapidly overgrown by algae and hydro...

- by Roberto Iglesias-prieto and +2
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- Environmental Monitoring, Mexico, Anthozoa, Chlorophyll

There is a need to develop efficient tools to prevent damage to marine ecosystems due to pollution. Since microalgae play a key role in marine ecosystems, they are considered potentially useful for quick and sensitive toxicity bioassays. In this study an integrative analysis has been carried out of the anti-oxidant enzyme activities of marine microalgae species. Three marine microalgae species (Cylindrotheca closterium, a benthic diatom; Phaeodactylum tricornutum, a diatom which has been used as model organism in toxicity bioassays; and Rhodomonas salina, a cryptophyceae which is considered to present a certain level of heterotrophy) were exposed to selected concentrations of three model pollutants: copper (5 and 10 mg L À 1 ), atrazine (25 and 50 mg L À 1 ) and Irgarol (0.5 and 1.0 mg L À 1 ). These pollutant concentrations are environmentally relevant for coastal ecosystems, and have been selected for checking the efficiency of the reactive oxygen intermediate (ROI) scavenging enzyme system of these organisms. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APx) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities were measured at the end of 24 h exposure. The integrated biomarker response (IBR) indexin our case for oxidative stresshas been employed to evaluate the ROI-scavenging enzyme system for each species and each treatment. In general, the SOD and CAT enzyme activities measured were higher in exposed populations than in controls, whereas APx and GPx activities showed the opposite trend. These microalgae showed significant responses of oxidative stress biomarkers at environmentally relevant concentrations for the assayed pollutants and short exposure periods, conditions that most other model organisms cannot match. Therefore microalgae present clear advantages over other species for their prospective employment in an "early warning system".

- by Ignacio Moreno-Garrido
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- Biochemistry, Toxicology, Environmental Monitoring, Oxidative Stress

The photochemical behavior of oxyfluorfen [2-chloro-1-(3-etoxy-4-nitrophenoxy)-4-(trifluoromethyl) benzene] on two Greek soils was investigated. Soils were sampled from Nea Malgara and Preveza regions, characterized by a different organic matter content. Soils were spiked with the diphenyl-ether herbicide and irradiation experiments were performed either in the laboratory with a solar simulator (xenon lamp) or outside, under natural sunlight irradiation; other soil samples were kept in the dark to control the retention reaction. Kinetic parameters of both retention and photochemical reactions were calculated using zero-, first- and second- (Langmuir-Hinshelwood) order equations, and best fit was checked through statistical analysis. The soil behaviors were qualitatively similar but quantitatively different, with the soil sampled from the Nea Malgara region much more sorbent as compared with Preveza soil. All studied reactions followed second-order kinetics and photochemical reaction...

- by Laura Scrano
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- Earth Sciences, Kinetics, Photochemistry, Statistical Analysis

The Water Frame Directive 2000/60/CE underlines the importance of sediments and requests the creation of a European net (SedNet) for their management. Sediments play an important role for the river basin and offer a variety of habitats to many aquatic organisms. Microorganisms, such as Clostridia, are indispensable for a lot of symbiotic and pathogenic relationships with higher organisms and the disappearance of these communities could cause extinction of many species. Thus, Clostridia communities represent the most suitable microbiological indicators to characterize the ecological quality of sediments. The creation of SedNet may make it possible to develop a series of best recommendation in sediment management.

13 Concerns over exposure to airborne particulate matter (PM) are on the rise. 14 Contemporary monitoring of PM is done on the basis of interpolating a mass of PM by 15 volume (μg/m 3 ) but has the drawback of not taking the chemical nature of PM into 16 account. Here we propose a method of collecting PM at its emission source and 17 employing automated analysis with scanning electron microscopy associated with EDS-18 analysis together with light scattering to discern the chemical composition, size 19 distribution, and time and space resolved structure of PM emissions at an intensely 20 trafficated roundabout in Sweden. Multivariate methods (PCA, ANOVA) indicate that 21 the technogenic marker Fe follows roadside dust in spreading from the road, and 22 depending on time and location of collection, a statistically significant difference can be 23 seen, adding a useful tool to the repertoir of detailed PM monitoring and risk assessment 24 of local emission sources. 25 26 Comment [v1]: Reference still missing Comment [29942]: Olika stavningar Comment [29943]: Olika stavningar

- by Vadim Kessler
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- Environmental Monitoring, Air pollution, Health, Environmental Pollution

The European Pollutant Emission Register in Spain (EPER-Spain) is a public inventory of pollutant industries created by decision of the European Union. The location of these industries is geocoded and the first published data correspond to 2001. Publication of these data will allow for quantification of the effect of proximity to one or more such plant on cancer and all-cause mortality observed in nearby towns. However, as errors have been detected in the geocoding of many of the pollutant foci shown in the EPER, it was decided that a validation study should be conducted into the accuracy of these co-ordinates. EPER-Spain geographic co-ordinates were drawn from the European Environment Agency (EEA) server and the Spanish Ministry of the Environment (MOE). The Farm Plot Geographic Information System (Sistema de Información Geográfica de Parcelas Agrícolas) (SIGPAC) enables orthophotos (digitalized aerial images) of any territorial point across Spain to be obtained. Through a search of co-ordinates in the SIGPAC, all the industrial foci (except farms) were located. The quality criteria used to ascertain possible errors in industrial location were high, medium and low quality, where industries were situated at a distance of less than 500 metres, more than 500 metres but less than 1 kilometre, and more than 1 kilometre from their real locations, respectively.

- by Rebeca Ramis
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- Geography, Human Geography, Demography, Photography

A laboratory procedure is described for measuring methane potentials of organic solid waste. Triplicate reactors with 10 grams of volatile solids were incubated at 55 C with 400 ml of inoculum from a thermophilic biogas plant and the methane production was followed over a 50-day period by regular measurements of methane on a gas chromatograph. The procedure involves blanks as well as cellulose controls. Methane potentials have been measured for source-separated organic household waste and for individual waste materials. The procedure has been evaluated regarding practicality, workload, detection limit, repeatability and reproducibility as well as quality control procedures. For the source-separated organic household waste a methane potential of 495 ml CH 4 /g VS was found. For fat and oil a lag-phase of several days was seen. The protein sample was clearly inhibited and the maximal methane potential was therefore not achieved. For paper bags, starch and glucose 63, 84 and 94% of the theoretical methane potential was achieved respectively. A detection limit of 72.5 ml CH 4 /g VS was calculated from the results. This is acceptable, since the methane potential of the tested waste materials was in the range of 200-500 ml CH 4 /g VS. The determination of methane potentials is a biological method subject to relatively large variation due to the use of non-standardized inoculum and waste heterogeneity. Therefore, procedures for addressing repeatability and reproducibility are suggested. #

- by Trine Hansen and +1
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- Environmental Engineering, Forecasting, Environmental Monitoring, Waste Management

Measurements of the net radiation balance of two forested sites on the opposite slopes of a valley in south-western Germany, made over 3 years, are presented in this study. Radiation sensors were mounted horizontally on two measurement towers above two beech stands. The direct part of the measured short-wave incoming radiation was adjusted according to the slope's angle to convert horizontally measured radiation data into surfaceparallel radiation fluxes. During periods when contemporaneous measurements of slope-parallel and horizontal radiation fluxes were available, the calculation of surfaceparallel radiation fluxes from the horizontally recorded net radiation components were compared with measured values. The net radiative fluxes parallel to the slopes were calculated for a period of 36 months and analysed. Results show that the different aspects of both sites cause significant differences of the net radiation balance. In June, when the elevation of the sun is highest, incoming solar radiation K# received on the NE-slope was 9% lower than K# received on the SW-slope. During the winter months, the differences were much greater and incoming solar radiation to the NE-slope was 50% of that to the SWslope. Due to the differing solar irradiance, net radiation fluxes were significantly higher on the SW-slope than on the NE-slope. For long-wave radiation only small differences between both slopes could be found. Since radiative fluxes determine the energy balance and hence the microclimate and water balance of a forest stand, these differences in the net radiation balance between the slopes are important for the vegetation.

- by Thomas Holst
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- Environmental Monitoring, Biometeorology, Germany, Atmospheric sciences

Besides precipitation triggered landslides, a major thread from landslides is related to earthquake triggered landslides, which account for the majority of catastrophic landslides. This fact is complicated due to the progressive development of urban areas and infrastructure, the dependency of our society on a functioning infrastructure and an increasing number of endangered objects in the affected areas. Therefore there is a need to improve basic understanding of the technical, financial and social risks posed by earthquakes triggered landslides. Furthermore basic understanding of processes and cascading hazards related to earthquake triggered landslides must be improved. For the past two decades an increasing number of landslide warning systems are developed and applied for general public and industrial purposes. On the other side earthquake triggered landslide warning and monitoring has made very little advances and is still under development. Resent research in the area of sensor network development focus on the application of micro sensors (MEMS) in ad hoc wireless sensor networks operated in an interoperable spatial data infrastructure (SDI) according to the sensor web enablement (SWE) guidelines of the OGC (Open Geospatial Consortium) for real-time monitoring of landslides like the SLEWS – Sensor based Landslide Early Warning System. The SLEWS sensor nodes provide next to motion detection also a 3D acceleration data to evaluate direction and value of the peak acceleration. This information can be used in an event case both to monitor endangered slopes or critical infrastructures and to initiate warnings to trigger e.g. rail or road blocks. Furthermore the data from the sensor network can be provided in real-time for shake or alert maps via standardized interfaces.

A sampling and analytical method for measuring ethylene oxide (EO) in ambient air was developed and evaluated. The method is based on the use of evacuated canisters and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The objectives of this work were to characterize the performance of the method with respect to the following: (1) stability/ recovery of ethylene oxide in a canister over a 15-day holding time;

Copper mine tailings are discharged to the anoxic zone of the Black Sea at 350 m depth, and there is currently consideration of reducing this discharge depth. Oceanographic sampling has provided data allowing calculating whether dilute buoyant plumes will separate from the tailings density current as predicted. Calculations for various discharge rates and slurry dilutions indicate that such plumes will rise 89mabovethedischargedepth,hencewillremaininthedeepanoxiczonebelowthepermanentpycnoclineat89 m above the discharge depth, hence will remain in the deep anoxic zone below the permanent pycnocline at 89mabovethedischargedepth,hencewillremaininthedeepanoxiczonebelowthepermanentpycnoclineat150 m depth at both the present and currently proposed sites. There is some indication from relative seawater density measures that these plumes will drift rather than spreading diffusely. Plume separation from controlled discharges of the tailings slurry was confirmed by visual observations in an experimental tank. The oceanographic sampling also showed that trace element levels in the seawater by the discharge point remained below Turkish marine receiving water quality criteria.

- by mehmet berkun
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- Water, Turkey, Environmental Monitoring, Mining

A review of published literature on the sensitivity of corals to turbidity and sedimentation is presented, with an emphasis on the effects of dredging. The risks and severity of impact from dredging (and other sediment disturbances) on corals are primarily related to the intensity, duration and frequency of exposure to increased turbidity and sedimentation. The sensitivity of a coral reef to dredging impacts and its ability to recover depend on the antecedent ecological conditions of the reef, its resilience and the ambient conditions normally experienced. Effects of sediment stress have so far been investigated in 89 coral species ($10% of all known reef-building corals). Results of these investigations have provided a generic understanding of tolerance levels, response mechanisms, adaptations and threshold levels of corals to the effects of natural and anthropogenic sediment disturbances. Coral polyps undergo stress from high suspended-sediment concentrations and the subsequent effects on light attenuation which affect their algal symbionts. Minimum light requirements of corals range from <1% to as much as 60% of surface irradiance. Reported tolerance limits of coral reef systems for chronic suspended-sediment concentrations range from <10 mg L -1 in pristine offshore reef areas to >100 mg L -1 in marginal nearshore reefs. Some individual coral species can tolerate short-term exposure (days) to suspended-sediment concentrations as high as 1000 mg L -1 while others show mortality after exposure (weeks) to concentrations as low as 30 mg L -1 . The duration that corals can survive high turbidities ranges from several days (sensitive species) to at least 5-6 weeks (tolerant species). Increased sedimentation can cause smothering and burial of coral polyps, shading, tissue necrosis and population explosions of bacteria in coral mucus. Fine sediments tend to have greater effects on corals than coarse sediments. Turbidity and sedimentation also reduce the recruitment, survival and settlement of coral larvae. Maximum sedimentation rates that can be tolerated by different corals range from <10 mg cm -2 d -1 to >400 mg cm -2 d -1 . The durations that corals can survive high sedimentation rates range from <24 h for sensitive species to a few weeks (>4 weeks of high sedimentation or >14 days complete burial) for very tolerant species. Hypotheses to explain substantial differences in sensitivity between different coral species include the growth form of coral colonies and the size of the coral polyp or calyx. The validity of these hypotheses was tested on the basis of 77 published studies on the effects of turbidity and sedimentation on 89 coral species. The results of this analysis reveal a significant relationship of coral sensitivity to turbidity and sedimentation with growth form, but not with calyx size. Some of the variation in sensitivities reported in the literature may have been caused by differences in the type and particle size of sediments applied in experiments. The ability of many corals (in varying degrees) to actively reject sediment through polyp inflation, mucus production, ciliary and tentacular action (at considerable energetic cost), as well as intraspecific morphological variation and the mobility of free-living mushroom corals, further contribute to the observed differences. Given the wide range of sensitivity levels among coral species and in baseline water quality conditions among reefs, meaningful criteria to limit the extent and turbidity of dredging plumes and their effects on corals will always require site-specific evaluations, taking into account the species assemblage present at the site and the natural variability of local background turbidity and sedimentation.

- by otor williams
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- Coral Reefs, Environmental Monitoring, Multidisciplinary, Anthozoa

This paper presents the methodologies to determine odour in ambient air by field inspection that will be a new European standard. The objective is to characterise the odour in a defined area. Without making a link with potential annoyance due to the presence of odours, the described methods propose the way to characterise an exposed environment. Two approaches are defined in the new standard: the grid method and the plume method. The grid method can be used to determine the exposure to ambient odours in a defined area of study, using direct observation of recognisable odours in the field by human panel members. This method must be applied over a sufficiently long period of time (6 or 12 months) to be representative of the meteorological conditions of that location. The result is the distribution of the frequency of exposure to odours within the assessment area. The plume method can be used to determine the extent of detectable and recognisable odours from a specific source using dir...

- by T. Van Elst
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- Environmental Science, Environmental Monitoring, Medicine, Multidisciplinary

Evaluation of emerging diesel-particulate emissions control technology will require analytical procedures capable of continuous measurement of transient organic and elemental carbon emissions. Procedures based on the flame ionization... more

- by Fahad King
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- Environmental Science, Chemistry, Carbon, Environmental Monitoring

Groundwater radon data were recorded at monthly intervals from two selected monitoring sites of the northern extension of the Dead Sea Fault System in western Syria during 1993 and 1994. This set of data was utilized to estimate the basic radon background content and the range of its normal variations in groundwater along the fault zone. The results suggest that the establishment of such range is important when attempting to separate the usual groundwater radon fluctuations from other anomalous or earthquake related values. In addition, the seismic activity in the study region was statistically analyzed, and the completeness of the earthquake catalogue during the given time-window was estimated to be at magnitude M > 3.5.

- by Mohamed Reda Sbeinati
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- Environmental Monitoring, Syria, Disasters, Radon

Background: Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke is a major threat to public health. Greece, having the highest smoking prevalence in the European Union is seriously affected by passive smoking. The purpose of this study was to measure environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure in the non smoking areas of hospitality venues and offices in Greece and to compare the levels of exposure to levels in the US, UK and Ireland before and after the implementation of a smoking ban. Methods: Experimental measurements of particulate matter 2.5 µm (PM 2.5), performed during a cross sectional study of 49 hospitality venues and offices in Athens and Crete, Greece during February-March 2006. Results: Levels of ETS ranged from 19 µg/m 3 to 612 µg/m 3 , differing according to the place of measurement. The average exposure in hospitality venues was 268 µg/m 3 with ETS levels found to be highest in restaurants with a mean value of 298 µg/m 3 followed by bars and cafes with 271 µg/ m 3. ETS levels were 76% lower in venues in which smoking was not observed compared to all other venues (p < 0.001). ETS levels in Greek designated non-smoking areas are similar to those found in the smoking sections of UK hospitality venues while levels in Ireland with a total smoking ban are 89% lower and smoke-free communities in the US are 91-96% lower than levels in Greece. Conclusion: Designated non-smoking areas of hospitality venues in Greece are significantly more polluted with ETS than outdoor air and similar venues in Europe and the United States. The implementation of a total indoor smoking ban in hospitality venues has been shown to have a positive effect on workers and patrons' health. The necessity of such legislation in Greece is thus warranted.

- by Barbara Kondilis
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- European Union, Environmental Monitoring, Public Health, Greece

A novel screening tool method to select chemicals for exposure reconstruction was developed and validated using data generated for a hypothetical work force consisting of 10 job classes (ranging from 10,000 to 55,000 person-years). To achieve the required efficiency in the reconstruction of exposures, this method treats each product (defined as a part or process) as an "exposure." Exposure to 10 products was assigned to each job class at random using a computer program. The expected rate of a given disease was assumed to be constant throughout the job classes (tested at five levels), and the observed numbers of cases in the job classes were generated based on neutral deviations from background with error rates of ± 1% to 16%. One job class was assigned to be the "excess-class" and the number of cases in that class was increased by a factor of Q, which was set at levels that ranged from 1.25 to 5. All of the experimental conditions were replicated 10,000 times in a Monte Carlo scheme for scenarios in which each job class had been designated as the excess-class. Following each run, significant excesses (if any) were determined using a modified version of Daniel's method, and the percentages of false positive and false negative identifications were tabulated. We found that the sensitivity of the method is largely dependent on the relative risk (Q) associated with the exposure. Specifically, the results indicate that as the relative risk increases, the percentage of false negative identifications of the excesses is reduced to nearly 0% and the percentage of false positive identifications is approximately 13%. When applied to real data, should an association be detected between any product and a health outcome, this preliminary analysis will yield a reduced "product" set that can then be investigated in detail and the agents involved considered further for quantitative reconstruction. The proposed method is highly efficient and has the potential to benefit future complex exposure reconstruction studies, particularly when there is no predetermined exposure associated with an observed increase in a cause-specific health end point. [Supplementary materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene for the following free supplemental resource: a Word file containing a table giving the percentages of false positive and false negative identifications.

- by Nurtan A . Esmen
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- Algorithms, Environmental Epidemiology, Monte Carlo, Environmental Monitoring

An analytical method using a liquid chromatograph combined with a simple online column switching sample pre-treatment system was developed for the determination of 1-hydroxypyrene (1-HP) in urine. This compound is the metabolite of pyrene and is used to assess the exposure of workers to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). After enzymatic hydrolysis, a urine sample was directly injected into a high-performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC) where it automatically underwent a sample cleanup using a column switching device. The procedure is simpler than previous methods because it uses only one switching valve, one extraction column and one HPLC pump. The analyte was retained on a short extraction column and after interferences were eluted to waste, was subsequently switched onto the analytical column. This allowed a short analysis time of 15 min. The calibration graph was found to be linear within the concentration range of 0.5 to 20 mg/L with a coefficient of determination exceeding r 2 5 0.99. Recoveries were found to be greater than 96% in the range 1 to 10 mg/L with intermediate precision of 2.5 to 5.8% relative standard deviation. This online method was verified by a comparison with an existing manual method by the analysis of 81 urine samples from workers exposed to PAHs and showed that the test results from both methods were in agreement with a probability obtained from the paired Student's t-test of P > 0.76. The proposed online method was found to be simple, fast and suited to routine analyses of 1-HP in urine for the assessment of occupational exposure to PAHs.

- by Greg O'Donnell
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- Analytical Chemistry, Environmental Monitoring, Workplace, Automation

This work was aimed to record the concentrations of eight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs): (benzo[a]anthracene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene, dibenzo[a,h]anthracene, indeno[1,2,3-c,d]pyrene, benzo[g,h,i]perylene and chrysene) in meats and fishes sold in Abobo market in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. The amount of PAHs present in each sample was quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) equipped with ultraviolet (UV) detector. PAHs were present in all samples in variable quantity. More over benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) was present in majority of samples, in quantity above the limit fixed by European Union. With regard to cooking processes, smoking produce more PAHs compared to frying or grilled cooking. Concerning the nature of the matrices, no significant differences were found between meat and fish except benzo[g,h,i]perylene. The study declared that PAHs contamination in the tested foods exceeded the acceptable limit. Health risks linked with the consumption of these foods is a real danger that requires further study.

- by Ed Overton
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- Analytical Chemistry, Archives, Asphalt, Environmental Monitoring
- by Eric Adams
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- Water, Carbon, Carbon Sequestration, Environmental Monitoring

Although passive sampling has been previously used for the monitoring of volatile and semi-volatile contaminants in air, there are limited data on the use of this technique coupled with bioassays based on specific biological responses. Biological responses including those mediated by the aryl hydrocarbon (AhR) receptor as well as (anti-)estrogenicity and (anti-)androgenicity of samples from four Eastern European countries (Lithuania, Slovakia, Romania, and Serbia) were determined. To address the potential differences of specific toxic potencies of pollutant mixtures in ambient air in Eastern Europe, each country was characterized by a single more remote location that served to determine regional background conditions and one location in more urbanized and industrialized locations, which were defined as "impacted" areas. Besides samples from Lithuania, a significant gradient in concentrations of AhR-mediated potency from background and impacted localities was observed. Greatest potencies were measured in samples from impacted locations in Romania and Slovakia. Concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that were quantified accounted for 3-33 % of the 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin equivalents determined by use of the bioassay. No significant estrogenic potency was detected but anti-estrogenic effects were produced by air from two background locations (Lithuania, Slovakia) and three impacted locations (Lithuania, Romania, and Serbia). Anti-androgenic potency was observed in all samples. The greatest antiestrogenic potency was observed at the background location in Slovakia. Anti-estrogenic and anti-androgenic potencies of studied air samples were probably associated with compounds that are not routinely monitored. The study documents suitability of passive air sampling for the assessment of specific toxic potencies of ambient air pollutants.

- by Anita Érseková
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- Eastern Europe, Environmental Monitoring, Air pollution, Multidisciplinary

There is increasing awareness of the damage caused to valuable and often unique sensitive habitats by people pressure as degradation causes a loss of plant species, disturbance to wildlife, on-site and off-site impacts of soil movement and loss, and visual destruction of pristine environments. This research developed a new perspective on the problem of recreational induced environmental degradation by assessing the physical aspects of soil erosion using the fallout radionuclide caesium-137 ( 137 Cs). Temporal sampling problems have not successfully been overcome by traditional research methods monitoring footpath erosion and, to date, the 137 Cs technique has not been used to estimate longer-term soil erosion in regard to sensitive recreational habitats. The research was based on-sites within Dartmoor National Park (DNP) and the South West Coast Path (SWCP) in south-west England. 137 Cs inventories were reduced on the paths relative to the reference inventory (control), indicating loss of soil from the path areas. The Profile Distribution Model estimated longer-term erosion rates (ca. 40 years) based on the 137 Cs data and showed that the combined mean soil loss for all the sites on 'paths' was 1.41 kg m À2 yr À1 whereas the combined 'off path' soil loss was 0.79 kg m À2 yr À1 , where natural (non-recreational) soil redistribution processes occur. Recreational pressure was shown to increase erosion in the long-term, as greater soil erosion occurred on the paths, especially where there was higher visitor pressure.

- by Desmond Walling
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- Geography, Soil, Environmental Management, Environmental Monitoring

We show the first estimations of long-term (100 years, 1900 to 2000) total gaseous mercury concentrations (TGM) in the urban area of Almadén. The estimation was carried out by comparing data on known metallic mercury production with measured TGM concentrations. The estimated diurnal background level ranges from 60 to 120 ng m −3 and corresponds to periods when the metallurgical complex (cinnabar roasting plant) was shut down. The average TGM concentration during the period from 1900 to 2000 was about 600 ng m −3 (with peaks above 1,200 ng m −3 ). Additionally, a 24-h-based TGM monitoring program has highlighted significant differences between the diurnal and nocturnal concentrations, particularly during the warmer months. In this regard, given that the average nocturnal to diurnal ratio is 2.12, we suggest that the average nocturnal concentrations must have exceeded 1,200 ng m −3 , and peak nocturnal concentrations could have reached levels up to 2,400 ng m −3 . Our estimations indicate that most parts of the town of Almadén were generally exposed to TGM concentrations in air that exceed the World Health Organization air quality guideline for Hg (1,000 ng m −3 ) for countryside and urban areas.

- by Pablo Higueras
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- Metallurgy, Environmental Monitoring, Spain, Biological Sciences

Acoustical bird monitoring system is a new tool under construction, which will provide automatic support for bird species recognition. The project is an interdisciplinary research which involves specialists from ecology, biology, database, electronics, electro- acoustics as well as experts from nature protection institutions. One of the crucial aspects in the project are bird voices recordings. The paper presents the methods of recordings, compulsory and optional information accompanying the recordings, exemplary species chosen for recordings, tools applied for data analysis. In the years 2008 and 2009 seventy six scientific expeditions dedicated to bird species recordings were undertaken. The collected and acoustically analysed material was about 152 hours of recordings. 49 bird species vocalizations were recorded and analysed.

- by Robert Wielgat and +1
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- Bioacoustics, Ecology, Environmental Monitoring, Biodiversity
- by David Inouye
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- Ecology, Satellite Communications, Environmental Monitoring, Climate

Contamination of soil and groundwater with mineral oil-based products is among the most common sources of pollution in Nigeria. This study evaluated the distribution of some heavy metals and hydrocarbon content in soil contaminated with waste-lubricating oil (spent oil), and the effectiveness of some abundantly available organic wastes from animal source as remediation alternative to the expensive chemical and physical methods. The main-plot treatments include control (C), cow dung (CD), poultry manure (PM) and pig waste (PW) applied at 10 Mg/ha each; while the sub-plot treatments were control (0%), 0.5%, 2.5% and 5% spent oil (SP) applied at 10, 50 and 100 Mg/ha, respectively arranged in a split-plot in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications. These treatments were applied once each year for two consecutive years. Soil samples (0-20 cm) were collected at 3, 6 and 12 months each year and analyzed for Cr, Ni, Pb and Zn, while the residual total hydrocarbon content (THC) was determined at the end of the 2 years study. Results show significant (p < 0.05) accumulation of these metals with spent oil pollution following the sequence 5%SP > 2.5%SP > 0.5%SP, indicating higher metal pollution with increase in oil pollution. General distribution of Cr, Ni, Pb and Zn, relative to sampling periods, followed 3 months > 6 months > 12 months in the 1st year indicating reduction in metal levels with time. The trend for 2nd year indicated higher accumulation of Cr and Ni in 12 months, while Pb and Zn decreased with time of sampling. The results further showed higher accumulation of Cr followed by Zn, relative to other metals, with oil pollution. However, addition of organic wastes to the oil polluted soils significantly (p < 0.05) led to reduction in the levels of the metals and THC following the order PM > PW > CD.

- by Folorunso Abiodun
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- Environmental Monitoring, Nigeria, Environmental Pollution, Multidisciplinary

Emission rates and emission factors of particulate matter and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined in the emissions of three prevalent mosquito coil brands available in the market in India, under controlled conditions in an environmental chamber. The emission rates varied between the brands and ranged between 2.0 ± 1.9 to 27.1 ± 1.5 lg h -1 for brand A, 3.4 ± 1.1 to 32.3 ± 1.2 lg h -1 for brand B and 3.1 ± 1.0 to 72.2 ± 1.1 lg h -1 for brand C for different compounds. Five and six ring PAHs were not detected, however four and three ring PAHs dominated. Three ring PAHs contributed 24 %, 42 % and 29 %, while four ring compounds contributed 53 %, 35 % and 61 % to total PAHs in the three brands. Carcinogenic PAH compounds were also present in the emissions, indicating the potential risks associated with the inhalation of coil smoke.

- by Anita Lakhani
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- Environmental Monitoring, Air pollution, India, Biological Sciences