Average Total Concentration Research Articles

Optimising Operational Reliability and Performance in Aerobic Passive Mine Water Treatment: the Multistage Westfield Pilot Plant

A three-stage pilot system was implemented for passive treatment of circumneutral, ferruginous seepage water at a former opencast lignite mine in southeast Germany. The pilot system consisted of consecutive, increasingly efficient treatment stages with settling ponds for pre-treatment, surface-flow wetlands for polishing and sediment filters for purification. The overall objective of the multistage approach was to demonstrate applicability and operational reliability for successive removal of iron as the primary contaminant broadly following Pareto’s principle in due consideration of the strict site-specific effluent limit of 1 mg/L. Average inflow total iron concentration was 8.4(± 2.4) mg/L, and effluent concentration averaged 0.21(± 0.07) mg/L. The bulk iron load (≈69%) was retained in settling ponds, thus effectively protecting wetlands and sediment filter from overloading. In turn, wetlands and sediment filters displayed similar discrete treatment efficiency (≈73% each) relative to settling ponds and thus proved indispensable to reliably meet regulatory requirements. Moreover, the wetlands were found to additionally stimulate and enhance biogeochemical processes that facilitated effective removal of secondary contaminants such as Mn and NH4. The sediment filters were found to reliably polish particulate and redox-sensitive compounds (Fe, As, Mn, NH4, TSS) whilst concomitantly mitigating natural spatiotemporal fluctuations that inevitably arise in open systems. Both treatment performance and operational reliability of the multistage pilot system were comparable to the conventional treatment plant currently operated on site. Altogether the study fully confirmed suitability of the multistage passive setup as a long-term alternative for seepage water treatment on site and provided new insights into the performance and interrelation of consecutive treatment stages. Most importantly, it was demonstrated that strategically combining increasingly efficient components may be used for optimisation of treatment performance and operational reliability whilst providing an opportunity to minimise land consumption and overall costs.

Spatial and temporal variation, source identification, and toxicity evaluation of brominated/chlorinated/nitrated/oxygenated-PAHs at a heavily industrialized area in eastern China

Some derivatives of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as chlorinated and brominated PAHs (Cl/BrPAHs), nitrated and oxygenated PAHs (N/OPAHs) have attracted significant concern due to their high toxicity. Knowledge of the profiles, formation mechanisms, and potential sources of these toxic chemicals near the industrial complexes is essential for their pollution control and management. In this study, we monitored Cl/BrPAHs, N/OPAHs, and PAHs at 24 sampling sites near a heavily industrialized area (steel, chemical, and rubber plants) using passive air samplers during the heating period (7 December 2019 to 15 April 2020) and the non-heating period (2 June 2020 to 4 October 2020). The total average concentrations of 16 BrPAHs, 8 ClPAHs, 17 NPAHs, 6 OPAHs, and 18 PAHs during both sampling periods were 471 pg/m3, 229 pg/m3, 312 pg/m3, 2120 pg/m3, and 63.1 ng/m3, respectively. Except for NPAHs, BrPAHs, ClPAHs, OPAHs, and PAHs all showed higher levels during the heating period. The spatial distributions of Cl/BrPAHs, N/OPAHs, and PAHs exhibited a similar pattern, with the highest concentrations detected in the vicinity of the steel industry. Congener profiles of PAH derivatives indicated that mono-substituted low molecular weight compounds (2–3 rings) were dominant. The major formation mechanisms of halogenated PAHs were discussed by correlation analysis and relative Gibbs free energies, and direct bromination of parent PAHs could be the major formation mechanism of BrPAHs in this study. Diagnostic ratios showed that NPAHs were mainly derived from primary emissions, but the contribution of secondary formation was increased at heavily contaminated sites. The positive matrix factorization model extracted four Cl/BrPAHs, three N/OPAHs, and four PAHs factors, and the result showed that PAHs and their derivatives mainly derived from industrial and combustion sources, photochemical reactions, vehicle emissions, and crude oil volatilization, etc.

Contribution of traffic-originated nanoparticle emissions to regional and local aerosol levels

Abstract. Sub-50 nm particles originating from traffic emissions pose risks to human health due to their high lung deposition efficiency and potentially harmful chemical composition. We present a modeling study using an updated European Aerosol Cloud Climate and Air Quality Interactions (EUCAARI) number emission inventory, incorporating a more realistic, empirically justified particle size distribution (PSD) for sub-50 nm particles from road traffic as compared with the previous version. We present experimental PSDs and CO2 concentrations, measured in a highly trafficked street canyon in Helsinki, Finland, as an emission factor particle size distribution (EFPSD), which was then used in updating the EUCAARI inventory. We applied the updated inventory in a simulation using the regional chemical transport model PMCAMx-UF over Europe for May 2008. This was done to test the effect of updated emissions at regional and local scales, particularly in comparison with atmospheric new particle formation (NPF). Updating the inventory increased the simulated average total particle number concentrations by only 1 %, although the total particle number emissions were increased to a 3-fold level. The concentrations increased up to 11 % when only 1.3–3 nm sized particles (nanocluster aerosol, NCA) were considered. These values indicate that the effect of updating overall is insignificant at a regional scale during this photochemically active period. During this period, the fraction of the total particle number originating from atmospheric NPF processes was 91 %; thus, these simulations give a lower limit for the contribution of traffic to the aerosol levels. Nevertheless, the situation is different when examining the effect of the update closer spatially or temporally or when focusing on the chemical composition or the origin of the particles. For example, the daily average NCA concentrations increased by a factor of several hundred or thousand in some locations on certain days. Overall, the most significant effects – reaching several orders of magnitude – from updating the inventory are observed when examining specific particle sizes (especially 7–20 nm), particle components, and specific urban areas. While the model still has a tendency to predict more sub-50 nm particles compared to the observations, the most notable underestimations in the concentrations of sub-10 nm particles are now overcome. Additionally, the simulated distributions now agree better with the data observed at locations with high traffic densities. The findings of this study highlight the need to consider emissions, PSDs, and composition of sub-50 nm particles from road traffic in studies focusing on urban air quality. Updating this emission source brings the simulated aerosol levels, particularly in urban locations, closer to observations, which highlights its importance for calculations of human exposure to nanoparticles.

External Exposure to BTEX, Internal Biomarker Response, and Health Risk Assessment of Nonoccupational Populations near a Coking Plant in Southwest China.

Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene isomers (BTEX) have raised increasing concern due to their adverse effects on human health. In this study, a coking factory and four communities nearby were selected as the research area. Atmospheric BTEX samples were collected and determined by a preconcentrator GC–MS method. Four biomarkers in the morning urine samples of 174 participants from the communities were measured by LC–MS. The health risks of BTEX exposure via inhalation were estimated. This study aimed to investigate the influence of external BTEX exposure on the internal biomarker levels and quantitatively evaluate the health risk of populations near the coking industry. The results showed that the average total BTEX concentration in residential area was 7.17 ± 7.24 μg m−3. Trans,trans-muconic acid (T,T-MA) was the urinary biomarker with the greatest average level (127 ± 285 μg g−1 crt). Similar spatial trends can be observed between atmospheric benzene concentration and internal biomarker levels. The mean values of the LCR for male and female residents were 2.15 × 10−5 and 2.05 × 10−5, respectively. The results of the risk assessment indicated that special attention was required for the non-occupational residents around the area.

Pollution and Potential Ecological Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals Around the Active Bukit Mendi Palm Oil Mill Area, Bera Pahang, Malaysia

The study on the impact of palm oil mill processing activities on the environment of Bukit Mendi Palm Oil Mill was conducted by determining the distribution of six heavy metal concentrations Cadmium (Cd), Copper (Cu), Manganese (Mn), Lead (Pb), Iron (Fe) and Zinc (Zn) and the selected pollution indices. This study provided some information on the accumulation of heavy metals in the selected area and served to identify the potential sources contributing to these heavy metals. Soil samples were collected from eight sampling sites around the palm oil mill and analysed for the selected metals using ICP-OES. Three types of pollution indices were used to observe the pollution level of the area, namely Enrichment Factor (EF), potential ecological risk index (PERI), and Contamination Factor (CF) of heavy metal content. The average total concentration of the selected metals was found to increase in the order of Fe, Mn, Zn, Cd, Pb, and Cu. The metal Fe showed the highest metal content, followed by Mn at 1573.00 mg/kg and 154.00 mg/kg, respectively. The values of EF showed that the metal was unevenly distributed throughout the sampling areas, where heavy metal content ranged from minimal to extremely high enrichment. The potential ecological risk ranging from low to severe was observed in this study. The CF values revealed that the area was heavily contaminated with Cd and only slightly contaminated with Pb. The pollution indices determined in this study suggested that the study area was moderately contaminated with metals, and the metal Cd was found to be the only metal potentially posing an ecological risk to the area.Keywords: ICP-OES, palm oil mill, heavy metals, soil pollution, pollution indices

Relative contributions of fossil fuel and biomass burning sources to black carbon aerosol on the Southern Atlantic Ocean Coast and King George Island (Antarctic Peninsula).

Carbonaceous aerosols can affect climate, especially particles containing black carbon (BC). BC originated from the incomplete combustion of fossil fuel and biomass, which can heat the atmosphere and increase ice melting, but little is known about BC sources to Antarctica. We quantified the contribution of distant origin (biomass burning) and local emissions (fossil fuel) to atmospheric BC concentration in the King George Island (Antarctic Peninsula) and the Southern Ocean. We examine the BC concentrations using a multi-wavelength Aethalometer AE-33 and AE-42 aboard the Brazilian Oceanographic Research Ship Almirante Maximiano. The results indicate that the region is influenced by local sources and air masses coming from surrounding continents. Fossil fuel combustion was the major source of carbonaceous aerosols in the region, whereas the total average concentration was 41.8 ± 22.8 ng m-3. The findings indicate a contribution of biomass burning coming from low and mid-latitudes of South America over the Antarctic Peninsula and the Southern Ocean around 62ºS latitude. We demonstrated that fossil fuel is the main contributor to atmospheric BC concentration for the Austral summer and autumn. Scientific stations, local tourism, and traffic are possible local BC sources. Our work invokes the urgency of questionable sustainability issues about Antarctica exploration.

Impact of abiotic and biogeochemical processes on halogen concentrations (Cl, Br, F, I) in mineral soil along a climatic gradient.

In contrast to earlier ideas that halogens behave inertly in soil, extensive biogeochemical cycling of fluorine (F), chlorine (Cl), bromine (Br) and iodine (I) has been shown for temperate forests. To further advance our understanding of halogen behaviour in soil beyond humid temperate forests, we sampled soil profiles in protected areas along the Chilean Coastal Cordillera, representing a pronounced climatic gradient spanning from arid to humid. Halogen concentrations in soil were analysed by combustion ion chromatography. Highest average total halogen concentrations occurred at the arid site (Cl, F: 4270 and 897 mg kg-1) as well as the humid end of the climatic gradient (Br, I: 42.6 and 9.8 mg kg-1). Vertical distribution patterns of halogens were most pronounced at the humid end of the gradient and became less distinct under drier climate. The climatic gradient demonstrates the important role of biotic processes (e.g. the halogenation of organic matter) on the retention of halogens in the soil. However, this climate-specific role may be overridden by mainly abiotic processes within a given climate zone (e.g. weathering, leaching, sorption to secondary soil minerals, evaporative enrichment), resulting in vertical relocation of halogens in the soil. Since some of these processes oppose each other, complex interactions and depth distributions of F, Cl, Br and I occur in the soil. In summary, our findings provide new insights into the fate of halogens in mineral soil of different climatic zones, which is important, for example, when radiohalogens are deposited on a large scale after nuclear accidents.

Accumulation of commonly used agricultural herbicides in coral reef organisms from iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa

Coral reefs are amongst the most biodiverse ecosystems on earth, but are significantly impacted by agricultural runoff. Despite herbicides being commonly detected in coastal waters, the possibility of herbicide accumulation in coral reef species has largely been overlooked. We investigate the accumulation of several herbicides in five species of coral reef invertebrates collected from ten sites along the Maputaland coast, South Africa. Multiple herbicide residues were detected in 95% of the samples, with total average concentrations across sites ranging between 25.2 ng g−1 to 51.3 ng g−1 dw. Acetochlor, alachlor and hexazinone were the predominant herbicides detected at all sites, with atrazine and simazine detected less frequently. Significant interactive effects were detected between sites nested in reef complex crossed with species, based on multiple and total herbicide concentrations. In general, multivariate herbicide concentrations varied significantly between species within and across most sites. Contrastingly, the concentrations of the different herbicides and that of total herbicide did not differ between conspecifics at most sites nested in their respective reef complexes. On average, highest total herbicide concentrations were measured in soft coral (Sarcophyton glaucum; 90.4 ± 60 ng g−1 and Sinularia gravis; 42.7 ± 25 ng g−1) and sponge (Theonela swinhoei; 39.0 ± 40 ng g−1) species, while significantly lower concentrations were detected in hard corals (Echinopora hirsutissima; 10.5 ± 5.9 ng g−1 and Acropora austera; 5.20 ± 4.5 ng g−1) at most sites. Agricultural runoff entering the ocean via the uMfolozi-St Lucia Estuary and Maputo Bay are likely sources of herbicide contamination to coral reefs in the region. There is an urgent need to assess the long-term effects of herbicide exposure on coral reef communities.

Enhanced degradation of phenolic compounds in coal gasification wastewater by an iron‑carbon micro-electric field coupled with anaerobic co-digestion

Coal gasification wastewater contains many refractory and toxic pollutants, especially high concentrations of total phenols, which are difficult to degrade by microorganisms. The aim of our study is to explore the anaerobically enhanced degradation of coal gasification wastewater by an iron‑carbon micro-electric field coupled with anaerobic co-digestion. The optimal ratio of activated carbon to iron and the optimal dosage of co-substrate (glucose = 1500 mg/L) were investigated by batch tests. In the long-term operation of the iron‑carbon reactor, 1500 mg/L glucose was added into the influent, and carbon and iron in a ratio of 2:1 were added to the anaerobic sludge. The average effluent COD and total phenols concentrations were kept at approximately 455 and 56.3 mg/L, respectively, and removal rates of both reached 90% after treatment with the iron‑carbon micro-electric field coupled with anaerobic co-digestion in the iron‑carbon reactor. Moreover, compared with the control reactor, the methane production from the iron‑carbon reactor increased to 200 mL/day, with an increase in the methane production rate by 90%. Microbial community analysis indicated that hydrogenotrophic methanogens were enriched, and syntrophic metabolism via interspecies hydrogen transfer was enhanced. Direct interspecies electron transfer might occur between the potential electroactive bacteria Clostridium, Bacteroidetes, and Anaerolinea and the methanogens Methanosaeta, Methanobacterialies, and Methanobacterium for syntrophic metabolism through the iron‑carbon process coupled with anaerobic co-digestion.

Temporal changes in nutrients in a deep oligomictic lake: the role of external loads <em>versus</em> internal processes

The impact of climate change on stratification and mixing patterns has important effects on nutrient availability and plankton dynamics in deep lakes. We demonstrate this in a long-term study of Lake Maggiore, a deep oligomictic lake located in the subalpine lake district in Northern Italy. Studies on physical, chemical and biological features of the lake have been performed continuously since the 1980s. The lake recovered from eutrophication in response to a reduction of catchment nutrient loads and reached a stable oligotrophic status by the end of the 1990s, with average total phosphorus concentrations in the water column around 10 µg L-1. However, both reactive and total phosphorus have slightly increased since 2010, leading to a shift in the lake trophic state towards mesotrophy. The increase in phosphorus has been limited to the hypolimnetic layers, concentrations being fairly stable or decreasing in the epilimnion. Reactive silica also progressively increased in the hypolimnion, while nitrate and total nitrogen concentrations have steadily decreased in both deep and surface layers, especially in the summer period. These changes were assessed in relation to catchment loads, atmospheric deposition and climate-related variations in stratification and mixing patterns and in nutrient retention. Long-term changes in primary production, represented by chlorophyll levels, and biovolume of the main algal groups were also considered. During the eutrophication period and until the 1990s, in-lake phosphorus concentrations were tightly related to external loads; successively, phosphorus and its vertical distribution up the water column became more controlled by internal processes, in particular by stratification and mixing regime. An increase of thermal stability and a reduced frequency and intensity of deep mixing events has fostered oxygen depletion and phosphorus and silica accumulation in the hypolimnion. Another consequence of reduced deep mixing events, has been a reduction in nutrient replenishment of the upper layers at spring mixing. External loads are still the main driver of change for nitrogen compounds: the decrease in the atmospheric load of nitrogen that occurred in the Lake Maggiore area over the last decade, as an effect of reduced nitrogen emissions, has caused decreasing concentration of inorganic nitrogen in the lake. However, the phytoplankton community changes observed might also play a role in nitrogen dynamics, particularly in the nitrate minima observed during summer in recent years.

Speciation and mobility of heavy metals in the Yundang Lagoon catchment surface sediments after 30 years of continuous remediation and management at Xiamen in China

ABSTRACT The present study emphasised the speciation and mobility of heavy metals (Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb) in sediments of the Yundang Lagoon catchment (YLC) at Xiamen in China. The maximum total metals concentrations of Cr, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb were higher than the class I pollution level of China Marine Sediment Quality values. Average total metals concentrations of Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb were greater than world average shale values. The highest average percentages of Cr (68.01%), Mn (39.14%), Ni (61.32%), and As (74.09%) were found in the residual fraction, while Cu (50.69%) was the highest in the oxidisable fraction. Furthermore, the greater percentages of Zn (37.65%), Cd (48.98%), and Pb (47.52%) were bound in the reducible forms in YLC sediment. Total organic carbon (TOC) showed a strong correlation with heavy metal fractions, suggesting that TOC could be a carrier of heavy metals within alkaline urban sediment. The risk assessment code values for Cd, Mn, and Zn indicate that these metals could pose a medium to a high potential risk to the aquatic organisms. However, the present remediation strategy should be continued with more focus on reducing urban runoff and domestic discharge into the lagoon.

Occupational exposure to hazards and volatile organic compounds in small-scale plastic recycling plants in Thailand by integrating risk and life cycle assessment concepts

Plastic waste recycling is gaining momentum as a means to promote a sustainable measure and circular economy. Most developing countries are facing significant challenges associated with recycling practices. In Thailand, 90% of the plastic recycling businesses are categorized as small-scale enterprises. There is still a dearth of research on health risk assessments associated with indoor exposure in small-scale waste recycling. This research aims to apply a holistic approach of integrated health risk and life cycle assessment concepts in investigating occupational exposure to all potential hazards in small-scale polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) recycling plants in Thailand. The results indicated that all exposure levels of heat stress in wet bulb globe temperature in the melting/extrusion stage exceeded the Thai and global Occupational safety and health (OSH) threshold limits for workers with heavy workloads. For workers’ exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs), the average total VOCs concentrations emitted from PP and PE recycling were 1625 μg/m3 and 1190 μg/m3, respectively. Hexane and toluene were remarkably found in the extrusion process. The non-cancer hazard quotients (HQs) and hazard indices (HIs) were higher in PP than in PE. The adverse non-cancer risks were concerned in plants that recycle only PP wastes at full capacity (100%) loaded operation (HQs and HIs >1). Recycling facility concentrating more on PE recycling tends to reduce risk to workers. By integrating the revised one box model into the life cycle impact assessment, the results demonstrate that the health impact from indoor VOCs exposure due to the production of 1 kg of recycled PP or PE resin was significantly greatest. Workers in the extrusion process were considered at higher risk of exposure to VOCs and heat. This research makes important contributions to the literature by providing insights into environmental health management and implications for cleaner production in plastic waste recycling. The promotion of effective engineering controls and development of collaborative circular business models in plastic waste recycling sector were highly recommended to increase resource efficiency and promote sustainable production patterns.

The migration and transformation of chromium during co-processing of cement raw meal mixed with chrome-polluted soil

To efficiently dispose of chrome-polluted soil, the co-processing of raw meal mixed with chrome-polluted soil in a tube furnace (laboratory experiments) and a cement rotary kiln (field-scale experiments) were tested. The migration and transformation reactions of chromium were analyzed and the environmental risk was evaluated. The average mass balance value was 91% for the laboratory experiments. In field-scale experiments, the mass balance values were 110% for the control experiments and 84% when 1% soil was treated. Therefore, only a small amount of Cr was volatilized into the flue gas. The average total Cr concentration in the soil samples was 403.25 mg/kg, and the ratio of Cr(VI) to total Cr was 1.83% or less. On average, 45.15% of Cr(III) was oxidized to Cr(VI) in laboratory experiments, while 87.94% of Cr(III) was oxidized in field-scale experiments, and the difference could be a result of the different calcination conditions. The materials in the cement rotary kiln make full contact with oxygen, and in this high temperature and oxidizing atmosphere, abundant CaO and MgO promote the oxidation of Cr(III) to CaCrO 4 . SiO 2 , Al 2 O 3 , and Fe 2 O 3 reduce CaCrO 4 , which inhibits Cr(III) oxidation. The Cr concentration in the cement products was well below the Chinese standard limits. The physical properties of clinker conformed to the Chinese standards. Therefore, the treatment of 1 wt% chrome-polluted soil with a cement rotary kiln is technically feasible and experimentally safe. • Chrome-polluted soil co-processed in cement kiln. • Most of the Cr was fixed in the solid products. • Most of the Cr(III) was oxidized to Cr(VI) after being calcined(45.15%–87.94%). • Water soluble Cr(VI) in the cement products was below Chinese standard limits. • The co-processing technology poses no environmental risk at lower mixing ratio.

Occurrence, seasonal variation, mass loading and fate of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in sewage treatment plants in cities of upper Ganges bank, India

The data on the environmental concentration of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) is hardly investigated for major cities of the upper Ganges basin, India. In this study, fifteen PPCPs were analyzed in four sewage treatment plants (STPs) of Haridwar and Rishikesh cities located at the bank of River Ganges, India. Eleven PPCPs were detected with an average total concentration of 147.20 ng L−1 in influent, 105.06 ng L−1 in the effluent, and 87.75 ng kg−1 in sludge from STPs. The average concentration (ng L−1) of individual PPCPs was recorded highest for Caffeine (695.86) followed by, ibuprofen (387.53), acetaminophen (152.81), triclosan (98.93), tetracycline (75.39), ketoprofen (69.47), DEET (46.59), salicylic acid (45.02), erythromycin (32.98), ciprofloxacin (20.16) and metoprolol (13.61) at STPs inlets. Results suggested a spatial and seasonal variation in PPCPs loads in influent, effluent and sludge in STPs studied. The overall PPCPs removal efficiencies of STPs were recorded in the ranges of −154–63%. The total mass load of PPCPs studied ranged between 0.02 and 448.64 mg/d/1000 population. This study concluded that STPs are an active source of PPCPs in the River Ganges, which may pose a grave threat to the health of the river ecosystem and human population.

Fate, modeling, and human health risk of organic contaminants present in tomato plants irrigated with reclaimed water under real-world field conditions

Using reclaimed water to irrigate crops can be an important route for organic contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) to be introduced into agricultural production and thus find their way into the food chain. This work aims to establish accumulation models for the different parts of a crop (fruit/leaves/roots) and the soil of some of the most commonly detected CECs in reclaimed water, through field trials in greenhouses. For this, tomato plants were permanently irrigated under realistic agricultural conditions with a mixture of the selected compounds at approx. 1 μg/L. A total of 30 contaminants were analyzed belonging to different compound categories. A modified QuEChERS extraction method followed by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry was the procedure used. The study revealed the presence of 21 target contaminants in the tomatoes, and 18 CECs in the leaves, roots, and soil. The average total concentration of pesticides detected in the tomatoes was 3 μg/kg f.w., whereas the average total load of pharmaceuticals was 5.8 μg/kg f.w. after three months, at the time of crop harvesting. The levels of pharmaceutical products and pesticides in the non-edible tissues were up to 3.5 and 2.1 μg/kg f.w., respectively, in the leaves and up to 89.3 and 31.3 μg/kg f.w., respectively, in the roots. In the case of the soil samples, the pesticide concentration found after crop harvesting was below 11.4 μg/kg d.w., and less than 3.0 μg/kg d.w. for pharmaceuticals. Overall, the concentration levels of CECs detected in the tomatoes, which were permanently irrigated with contaminated reclaimed water, do not pose a risk to human health via dietary intake.

Relationship between Respiratory Morbidity and Environmental Exposure to Organochlorine Pesticides in Armenia.

Background.Many studies have investigated the effects of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) on adverse health outcomes. However, studies addressing the link between respiratory health and OCPs are limited. Organochlorine pesticides are stable compounds and belong to the class of endocrine disrupting chemicals that represent a threat to global health.Objectives.The aim of the present study was to examine the association between respiratory morbidity and environmental exposure to OCPs in selected regions in Armenia.Methods.The study was carried out in Lori and Gegharkunik provinces/marzes. The prevalence rate (per 100 000 population) and the average chronological indicators (ACh) for all respiratory diseases and asthma were calculated. Concentrations of OCPs (γ-hexachlorocyclohexane (γ-HCH), dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane [DDT], dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) and dichloro-diphenyl-dichloroethane (DDD)) were determined in soil and plant product samples and the average annual total concentration (AATC) of OCPs (γ-HCH + 4,4′-DDT + 4,4′-DDE+4,4′-DDD) was calculated.Results.The ACI for all respiratory diseases showed a growth tendency in areas of Gegharkunik province ranging from 14.2 to 20.9% and an increase in asthma ranging from 9.4% to 174.6%. The highest levels of AATC of OCPs were found in soil sampled in Gegharkunik province: 9.48 ± 1.11 μg/kg and 8.10 ± 1.05 μg/kg and these levels differed significantly from those in Lori (p=0.01–0.0007). The AATC of OCPs in plant products from Gegharkunik was also statistically higher: 1.83±0.13 μg/kg, in comparison with that of Lori province 1.31±0.09 μg/kg (p = 0.001 – 0.0000).Conclusions.The results indicate that the increased tendency of respiratory diseases and asthma could be related to OCP residues found in soil and plant products in Gegharkunik province. However, the role of OCPs should not be ignored. Further research is needed to study OCP contamination dynamics and clarify the role of OCPs in respiratory morbidity.Competing Interests.The authors declare no competing financial interests.

KUALITAS DNA HASIL PURIFIKASI DARI SOSIS SAPI SEBAGAI BAHAN AUTENTIKASI HALAL BERBASIS MARKER GENETIK

This study aims to determine the effect of the preparation method and the number of samples on the quality of purified DNA from beef sausage. The study was conducted using a Randomized Block Design. The main factor is the sample preparation method which consists of P1: fresh sample; P2: oven-dried sample; and P3: Freeze-drying dry samples. Each treatment consisted of 4 groups, namely K1: sample weight 25 mg; K2: sample weight 50 mg; K3: sample weight 75 mg; and K4: sample weight 100 mg. Each treatment group was repeated 2 times so that the total sample was 24. The results showed that DNA purification using different preparation methods and sample weights was successfully carried out, as seen from the presence of DNA bands visualized on agarose gel with EtBr staining. The average DNA quality of the P1, P2, and P3 preparation methods were 1.60±0.90 ng/μl, 2.63±0.99 ng/μl, and 2.94 ±0.89, ng/μl respectively, with DNA purity 1.023 ±0.165, 0.937±0.148, and 1.014±0.163. The average DNA quality at K1, K2, K3, and K4 obtained DNA concentrations of 3.03±1.64 ng/μl, 3.15±0.74 ng/μl, 2.28± 1.66 ng/μl, and 2.54±1.50 ng/μl with a purity of 1.059±0.142, 0.981±0.130, 0.908±0.061, and 1.061± 0.215. The average total concentration of purified DNA from beef sausage was 2.75±1.28 ng/μl with a purity of 0.991±0.149. The results of variance showed that the treatment did not affect the concentration and purity of purified DNA from beef sausage. This study concludes that DNA purification from beef sausage can be carried out, but the preparation method and number of samples do not affect the quality and quantity of DNA.

Accumulations and temporal trends of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in olive tree components.

In this study, ambient air samples, olive tree branches (1- and 2-year-old) and their leaves (particulate and dissolved phase) were collected simultaneously between January and December months at a suburban site of Bursa-Turkey. Total polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentrations, sampled by employing passive air samplers, ranged from 0.03 to 0.08ng/m3 in the atmosphere. The average annual total PCB concentrations belonging to the tree components were 1.14 ± 0.32ng/g DM in dissolved phase in leaves, 0.71 ± 0.32ng/g DM in particle phase on leaves, 1.06 ± 0.25ng/g DM in 1-year-old branches, and 0.93 ± 0.23ng/g DM in 2-year-old branches. It was determined that the correlation between PCB concentrations in olive tree components and the air was low. This result indicated that besides the tree-air exchange, other possible factors (such as soil-to-tree transitions, wind effect, etc.) affect the levels of PCB concentrations in the tree components. Total PCB concentrations decreased from summer to winter in all samples. The percentage ratio of PCB in the dissolved phase in the leaves was generally higher than other tree components in seasons. PCB homologous distributions indicated 5-CBs were dominant in the tree components and 3-CBs were dominant in the air samples. Highly chlorinated PCB congeners (8-CBs and 9-CBs) were found at low concentrations in both air and tree components samples. The samples indicated that the ratio of PCBs in tree components to the total (tree component+ambient air) PCBs slightly increased with increasing the chlorine number.

Effect of pH dynamic control on ethanol-lactic type fermentation (ELTF) performance of glucose

ABSTRACT This study proposed a new ethanol-lactic type fermentation (ELTF) and explored the optimal control strategy. Using batch experiments, the effects of pH, temperature and organic loading (OL) on ELTF were investigated. The sum of ethanol and lactic acid yield was highest at whole-control pH value of 4.0, 35°C temperature and OL of 33 gCOD/L. To improve ELTF, the dynamic pH control in the long-term CSTR was adjusted at 4.0 (1–28 days), 5.0 (29–44 days) and 4.0 (46–62 days) successively. The high concentration of ethanol and lactic acid was 8190.5 mg/L at 16th day of pH 4.0. At pH of 5.0, the average acidogenesis rate and total concentration of fermentation products increased 111.0% and 128.0%, respectively. Organisms of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium were the predominant bacteria in reactor. It can achieve the directional regulation of ELTF and provides parameter support for the application of two-phase anaerobic digestion.

Evaluation of organochlorine pesticide residues in Beta vulgaris, Brassica oleracea, and Solanum tuberosum in Bloemfontein markets, South Africa.

This study evaluated the level of selected pesticide residues in the staple vegetables; Brassica oleracea var. capitata (cabbage), Beta vulgaris var. cicla (Swiss chard), and Solanum tuberosum (potato) from fresh produce markets in the city of Bloemfontein, South Africa. A QuEChERS extraction method was used followed by quantitation using GC‐HRT/MS. The pesticide residues were detected in levels lower than the recommended Maximum Residue Levels ranging from not detected to 121.6 ng/kg recorded for heptachlor in cabbage samples. Cabbage was generally susceptible to pesticide residue accumulation with the average total concentration for different markets at 222 mg/kg. The pesticide residues were predicted to be from recent applications but their existence within guideline limits indicated that their use in vegetable farming was within the FAO/WHO recommended good agricultural practices. While the current situation points that consumption of the vegetables in the province poses limited health concerns due to organochlorine pesticides, the unmonitored use of products containing these compounds may result in elevated levels. Continued monitoring and a call for the South African legislature to revise its regulations of the Fertilizers Act to reflect the current international laws on pesticides management is recommended.