Hazardous And Noxious Substances Research Articles

Using a food web model to predict the effects of Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS) accidental spills on deep-sea hydrothermal vents from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR) region

Deep-sea hydrothermal vents host unique ecosystems but face risks of incidents with Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS) along busy shipping lanes such as the transatlantic route. We developed an Ecopath with Ecosim (EwE) model of the Menez Gwen (MG) vent field (MG-EwE) (Mid-Atlantic Ridge) to simulate ecosystem effects of potential accidental spills of four different HNS, using a semi-Lagrangian Dispersion Model (sLDM) coupled with the Regional Ocean Modelling System (ROMS) calibrated for the study area. Food web modelling revealed a simplified trophic structure with low energy efficiency. The MG ecosystem was vulnerable to disruptions caused by all tested HNS, yet it revealed some long-term resilience. Understanding these impacts is vital for enhancing Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure plans (SPCC) in remote marine areas and developing tools to assess stressors effects on these invaluable habitats.

Overseas Cases for Continuous Discharge of Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS) and Development of a Domestic Platform for Marine Environmental Impact Assessment

Overseas Cases for Continuous Discharge of Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS) and Development of a Domestic Platform for Marine Environmental Impact Assessment

Development of Scoring and Ranking System Methodology for Prioritization of Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS) Discharged from Marine Industrial Facilities

Development of Scoring and Ranking System Methodology for Prioritization of Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS) Discharged from Marine Industrial Facilities

Proposal for Toxicity Test-based Water Quality Criteria for Zinc as Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS) in Effluent from Marine Industrial Facilities in Korea

Proposal for Toxicity Test-based Water Quality Criteria for Zinc as Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS) in Effluent from Marine Industrial Facilities in Korea

Analysis and derivation of the marine water quality criteria of phenol for Korean seas

Marine water quality criteria (WQC) have to be determined prior to the derivation of water quality based effluent limitations (WQBELs) for hazardous and noxious substances (HNS) discharged from marine industrial facilities. In this study, we carried out toxicity tests using ten native marine organisms and analyzed international toxicity data and data tested in this study to derive the WQC of phenol for Korean seas. By converting acute values to chronic ones with ACRs (acute-chronic ratios) of each trophic level according to well-verified method, we derived provisional WQC (0.96 mg/L) of phenol for Korean seas for the first time. The procedure to derive marine WQC and results of this study could provide the essential information for the establishment of national marine WQC and WQBELs for HNS discharged from marine industrial facilities.

Field-portable seawater toxicity monitoring platform using lens-free shadow imaging technology

The accidental spill of hazardous and noxious substances (HNSs) in the ocean has serious environmental and human health consequences. Assessing the ecotoxicity of seawater exposed to various HNS is challenging due to the constant development of new HNS or mixtures, and assessment methods are also limited. Microalgae viability tests are often used among the various biological indicators for ecotoxicity testing, as they are the primary producers in aquatic ecosystems. However, since the conventional cell growth rate test measures cell viability over three to four days using manual inspection under a conventional optical microscope, it is labor- and time-intensive and prone to subjective errors. In this study, we propose a rapid and automated method to evaluate seawater ecotoxicity by quantification of the morphological changes of microalgae exposed to more than 30 HNSs. This method was further validated using conventional growth rate test results. Dunaliella tertiolecta, a microalgae species without rigid cell walls, was selected as the test organism. Its morphological changes in response to HNS exposure were measured at the single cell level using a custom-developed device that uses lens-free shadow imaging technology. The ecotoxicity evaluation induced by the morphological change could be available in as little as 5 min using the proposed method and device, and it could be effective for 20 HNSs out of 30 HNSs tested. Moreover, the test results of six selected HNSs with high marine transport volume and toxicity revealed that the sensitivity of the proposed method extends to half the maximum effective concentration (EC50) and even to the lowest observed effective concentration (LOEC). Furthermore, the average correlation index between the growth inhibition test (three to four days) and the proposed morphology changes test (5 min) for the six selected HNSs was 0.84, indicating great promise in the field of various point-of-care water quality monitoring. Thus, the proposed equipment and technology may provide a viable alternative to traditional on-site toxicity testing, and the potential of rapid morphological analysis may replace traditional growth inhibition testing.

Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNSs) Styrene Detection Using Spectral Matching and Mixture Analysis Methods

Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNSs) Styrene Detection Using Spectral Matching and Mixture Analysis Methods

국내 주요 항만의 위험·유해물질(HNS) 유출 사고 후 해양생태 위해성 평가

국내 위험·유해물질(HNS) 물동량 상위 3개 항만(울산, 광양, 대산)을 대상으로 최악 및 대안의 유출 사고시나리오에 따른 생태 위해성을 평가하여 해양생태계 보호 측면의 중점관리물질을 파악하였다. 노출평가를 위해 MAMPEC-BW 모델을 이용하여 예측환경농도(PEC)를 산출하였고 HNS 사고대비물질 군의 생태독성 데이터베이스로부터 무영향예측 농도(PNEC)를 도출하였다. 생태 위해도는 유해지수(HQ=PEC/PNEC)를 산출하여 결정하였다. 위해성 평가 결과를 바탕으로 해양생태계 보호 측면에서 위해도 저감 조치 등이 필요한 중점관리물질을 항만별로 제시하였다. Allyl alcohol과 Ethylenediamine의 경우에는 대안시나리오에서도 수생태계 급성독성 영향이 크게 나타나므로 사고관리에 주의가 요구된다. 향후 연구에서는 사고대비물질 군 갱신, 생태독성 정보 보완, 종민감도분포 활용, 노출평가 모델 개선이 필요하며, 나아가 국내 HNS 취급 항만 전체를 대상으로 해양생태 위해성 평가를 수행하고 항만별 중점관리물질을 도출해 볼 필요가 있을 것이다.

Association between maternal smoke exposure and congenital heart defects from a case–control study in China

There is a gap in knowledge how maternal exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is associated with offspring congenital heart defects (CHDs). In this case–control study, we collected data on 749 fetuses with CHDs and 880 fetuses without any congenital anomalies to examine the association of maternal ETS with fetal CHDs and the potentially moderating effect by maternal hazardous and noxious substances (HNS), periconceptional folate intake and paternal smoking. Maternal exposure to ETS in first trimester was associated with increased risk of CHDs in a dose–response gradient, with the AORs (95% CI) were1.38 (1.00–1.92), 1.60 (1.07–2.41), and 4.94 (2.43–10.05) for ETS < 1 h/day, 1–2 h/day, and ≥ 2 h/day, respectively. With the doubly unexposed group as reference categories, AORs for maternal ETS exposure ≥ 2 h/day in the absence of folate intake, in the presence of HNS exposure or paternal smoking, were 7.21, 11.43, and 8.83, respectively. Significant additive interaction between ETS exposure and maternal folate intake on CHDs was detected. Maternal ETS exposure during first trimester may increase the risk of offspring CHDs in a dose–response shape, and such effect may be modified by maternal folate intake or other potential factors.

Assessing the need for the designation of the Yellow Sea Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA)

With each passing decade, industrial and economic activities have increased the severe contamination of the Yellow Sea and marine pollution, caused by various pollutants, has reached an alarming level. One of the main sources of contamination are pollutants from the international shipping industry. Due to an increase in maritime trade volume, driven by the rapid economic growth of China and South Korea, the danger of polluting incidents caused by shipping activities such as accidental and operational discharges from ships continues to rise. The semi-enclosed Yellow Sea poses geographical disadvantages. The depth of the Yellow Sea is relatively shallow. The width of the Yellow Sea does not exceed over 400 nm. China, South Korea, and North Korea have a common interest in the Yellow Sea. Pollution incidents involving oil, hazardous and noxious substances (HNS), or other pollutants from ships which occur in the territorial sea of one of the Yellow Sea states may have serious impacts on the maritime zone of another. Due to narrow sea areas of the Yellow Sea, there is ongoing dispute over maritime boundary delimitation of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the Yellow Sea. Concurrent Chinese and South Korean jurisdictions exist. These disputes are the primary factor hampering regional cooperation when dealing with regulatory instruments in an overlapping EEZ area. This article serves as a starting point for discussion, to make the case for the necessity of a practical regulatory instrument and regional cooperation to prevent vessel-source pollution in the Yellow Sea. In order to overcome the jurisdictional issue in an overlapping EEZ area and effectively address it, this article argues that the designation of a Yellow Sea Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA) is required. This study is not only assessing need for PSSA designation, but it is reviewing the geographical and environmental significance of the Yellow Sea.

Combining Deep Learning with Single-Spectrum UV Imaging for Rapid Detection of HNSs Spills

Vital transportation of hazardous and noxious substances (HNSs) by sea occasionally suffers spill incidents causing perilous mutilations to off-shore and on-shore ecology. Consequently, it is essential to monitor the spilled HNSs rapidly and mitigate the damages in time. Focusing on on-site and early processing, this paper explores the potential of deep learning and single-spectrum ultraviolet imaging (UV) for detecting HNSs spills. Images of three floating HNSs, including benzene, xylene, and palm oil, captured in different natural and artificial aquatic sites were collected. The image dataset involved UV (at 365 nm) and RGB images for training and comparative analysis of the detection system. The You Only Look Once (YOLOv3) deep learning model is modified to balance the higher accuracy and swift detection. With the MobileNetv2 backbone architecture and generalized intersection over union (GIoU) loss function, the model achieved mean IoU values of 86.57% for UV and 82.43% for RGB images. The model yielded a mean average precision (mAP) of 86.89% and 72.40% for UV and RGB images, respectively. The average speed of 57 frames per second (fps) and average detection time of 0.0119 s per image validated the swift performance of the proposed model. The modified deep learning model combined with UV imaging is considered computationally cost-effective resulting in precise detection accuracy and significantly faster detection speed.

Investigation on the Printed CNT-Film-Based Electrochemical Sensor for Detection of Liquid Chemicals.

We studied electrochemical sensors using printed carbon nanotubes (CNT) film on a polyethylene telephtalate (PET) substrate. The mechanical stability of the printed CNT film (PCF) was confirmed by using bending and Scotch tape tests. In order to determine the optimum sensor structure, a resistance-type PCF sensor (R-type PCF sensor) and a comb-type PCF sensor (C-type PCF sensor) were fabricated and compared using a diluted NH3 droplet with various concentrations. The magnitude of response, response time, sensitivity, linearity, and limit of detection (LOD) were compared, and it was concluded that C-type PCF sensor has superior performance. In addition, the feasibility of PCF electrochemical sensor was investigated using 12 kinds of hazardous and noxious substances (HNS). The detection mechanism and selectivity of the PCF sensor are discussed.

Acute toxic effect of typical chemicals and ecological risk assessment based on two marine microalgae, Phaeodactylum tricornutum and Platymonas subcordiformis

With the increasing demand for typical hazardous and noxious substances (HNS) in chemical industry, there is an increased leakage risk of these HNS during transportation by vessel and storage nearby seashore. In this study, the acute toxicity of nonylphenol, butyl acrylate and 1, 2-dichloroethane to Phaeodactylum tricornutum (P. tricornutum) and Platymonas subcordiformis (P. subcordiformis), was investigated to assess their ecological risk. The results showed that the three kinds of HNS showed significant time- and dose-dependent patterns on the growth inhibition of two marine microalgae. The 96 h-EC50 of nonylphenol, butyl acrylate and 1, 2-dichloroethane on P. tricornutum was 1.088, 45.908 and 396 mg L−1, respectively, and the 96 h-EC50 of that on P. subcordiformis was 0.851, 52.621 and 389 mg L−1, respectively. It was a common method to evaluate the harm of pollutants to organisms by calculating HC5 value (the minimum pollutant concentration value harmful to 95 % of the studied species, which was no-effect concentration) with Species Sensitivity Distribution (SSD). On the basis of EC50, the ecological risk assessment was further carried out, and HC5 value of nonylphenol and 1, 2-dichloroethane to aquatic organism was 0.079 and 44 mg L−1, respectively.

Assessing contamination from maritime trade and transportation on Iberian waters: Impact on Platichthys flesus

Maritime trade and transportation of hazardous and noxious substances (HNS) have been increasing in European waters, augmenting the risk of accidental spills from ships or in harbours. Despite their reported toxicity and hazardousness, information on HNS levels in the aquatic environment is still lacking. Therefore, an assessment combining a chemical and a multi-biomarker evaluation on HNS contamination was done in NW Iberian estuaries of Rivers Minho, Lima and Douro using Platichthys flesus (flounder). Of the twenty-five HNS measured, fifteen were found in flounder liver and muscle, and a few in sediments, though at generally low levels. Principal component analysis produced a clear distinction among sites, with Douro River estuary arising as the most impacted. Oxidised proteins and antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase) were the biomarkers contributing to site discrimination. Correlations between biomarkers and HNS levels provided important baseline information for the study area and potential biological effects of HNS on this sentinel species.

Hazardous Noxious Substance Detection Based on Ground Experiment and Hyperspectral Remote Sensing

With an increase in the overseas maritime transport of hazardous and noxious substances (HNSs), HNS-related spill accidents are on the rise. Thus, there is a need to completely understand the physical and chemical properties of HNSs. This can be achieved through establishing a library of spectral characteristics with respect to wavelengths from visible and near-infrared (VNIR) bands to shortwave infrared (SWIR) wavelengths. In this study, a ground HNS measurement experiment was conducted for artificially spilled HNS by using two hyperspectral cameras at VNIR and SWIR wavelengths. Representative HNSs such as styrene and toluene were spilled into an outdoor pool and their spectral characteristics were obtained. The relative ratio of HNS to seawater decreased and increased at 550 nm and showed different constant ratios at the SWIR wavelength. Noise removal and dimensional compression procedures were conducted by applying principal component analysis on HNS hyperspectral images. Pure HNS and seawater endmember spectra were extracted using four spectral mixture techniques—N-FINDR, pixel purity index (PPI), independent component analysis (ICA), and vertex component analysis (VCA). The accuracy of detection values of styrene and toluene through the comparison of the abundance fraction were 99.42% and 99.56%, respectively. The results of this study are useful for spectrum-based HNS detection in marine HNS accidents.

Study on the Adsorption Performance of Various Adsorbents on Hazardous and Noxious Substances

Hazardous and noxious substances (HNS) leakage from ship accidents has been one of the major sources of ship pollutions. Due to the varieties of HNS, the complexity of physical and chemical properties, the harmfulness of potential accidents, and the difficulty of accident prevention, HNS leakage could cause huge social and environmental impacts. HNS emergency response methods and technologies are currently in the early and exploring stage. As a big HNS import and export country with the increasing transportation volume, the risk of HNS pollution accidents in the ports has been significantly increasing over the recent years. However, few studies have been conducted regarding the HNS response technology, especially to the adsorption performance of various adsorbents against HNS. Therefore, this study aims to calculate the degree of adsorption of different adsorbents by selecting the representative HNS, which are commonly transported in the volume, for example, benzene, styrene, and vegetable oil. For inert substances with low saturated vapor pressure (vegetable oil and styrene), the degree and rate of adsorption of the investigated materials were found to be inversely proportional to the mass per unit area (area density). Moreover, these investigated adsorbents were shown to exhibit a good adsorption retention rate against inert substances. This study can provide the technical standard to select the most suitable adsorbents for the relevant HNS leakage.

Feasibility of Activated-Carbon Adsorbent to Sequester Sunken Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS)

Feasibility of Activated-Carbon Adsorbent to Sequester Sunken Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS)

CFD-Based Metamodeling of the Propagation Distribution of Styrene Spilled from a Ship

The present study aimed to numerically establish a new metamodel for predicting the propagation distribution of styrene, which is one of the hazardous and noxious substances (HNSs) spilled from ships. Three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were conducted for 80 different scenarios to gather large amounts of data on the spatial distribution of the change in concentration over time. We used the commercial code of ANSYS Fluent (V.17.2) to solve the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations, together with the scalar transport equation. Based on the CFD results, we adopted the well-known kriging model to create a metamodel that estimated the propagation velocity and spatial distributions by considering the effect of the current surface velocity, deep current velocity, surface layer depth, and crack position. The results show that the metamodel accurately predicted the changes in the local distribution of styrene over time. This model was also evaluated using the hidden-point test.

Environmental risk assessment of accidental marine spills: A new approach combining an online dynamic Hazardous and Noxious substances database with numerical dispersion, risk and population modelling.

The foreseen rise on maritime transportation of Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS) increases the likelihood of accidents, leading to a higher risk of chemical spillage that can have severe ecological impacts. Considering the lack of information on HNS spills, the response to these events is less well established than those involving oil. Moreover, a paramount knowledge of the physicochemical and ecotoxicological properties of the substance involved is required for an effective environmental risk assessment and response to an HNS spill. In the present work, a new online interface, in which a dynamic HNS database feeds a chemical numerical dispersion model, was developed with the aim to improve predictions regarding the behaviour and environmental risk of HNS spills on marine ecosystems. Potential impacts to pelagic organisms were characterized by coupling model outputs with toxicity risk ratios. Furthermore, a simple population model was developed, foreseeing impacts at the ecological level. The integration of the developed tools establishes an innovative framework, which aims to improve predictions related to HNS plumes' behaviour and potential hazards to the marine environment and associated ecosystem services. Further, this new approach fosters an improved preparedness and response to coastal pollution incidents, enhancing effective decision making and management by competent authorities.

Linking contaminant distribution to hydrodynamic patterns in an urban estuary: The Douro estuary test case

An increase in anthropogenic activities in coastal regions can put at risk their flora and fauna and their ecosystem services. Therefore, it is important to evaluate possible impacts. In particular, we need to understand the links between contaminants concentrations and the hydrodynamic patterns of these highly productive regions to anticipate the effects of contaminants in the environment. Towards that aim there is the need to carry out regular campaigns to monitor the evolution of the coastal systems. In this work we analyse in-situ measurements of physico-chemical parameters, and look for possible relations between observed contaminants patterns and estuarine hydrodynamics. Data collected in the Douro estuary, one of the main estuarine regions of the Iberian western coast, revealed the presence of 5 hazardous and noxious substances (HNS), 14 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and 6 trace metals in water and sediment samples. Water temperature and salinity analysis revealed a strong variability, which can affect the water solubility properties and the organisms' tolerance to certain toxins. A relationship between the salinity and the HNS and PAHs concentrations was found, caused by the existence of a salt-wedge that triggers the salting-out effect. Sinker contaminants (PAHs and trace metals) can be re-suspended both during low and high flow conditions associated with the salt-wedge and with strong river flows. Floater contaminants (HNS) are completely depended on the tide, which has the capacity to distribute them through the entire estuary, during low river flow regimes. However, strong river flows, with associated river plumes, can distribute both sinker and floater contaminants to the coastal region trapping them over the inner-shelf.The results clearly show that hydrodynamic patterns are a major driver for contaminants dispersion and pathways in coastal areas, inducing harmful effects to the flora and fauna and, consequently, to the ecosystem services of these regions.