Ice Pollution Research Articles

Photodegradation of hydroxyfluorenes in ice and water: A comparison of kinetics, effects of water constituents, and phototransformation by-products

The photochemical behavior of organic pollutants in ice is poorly studied in comparison to aqueous photochemistry. Here we report a detailed comparison of ice and aqueous photodegradation of two representative OH-PAHs, 2-hydroxyfluorene (2-OHFL) and 9-hydroxyfluorene (9-OHFL), which are newly recognized contaminants in the wider environment including colder regions. Interestingly, their photodegradation kinetics were clearly influenced by whether they reside in ice or water. Under the same simulated solar irradiation (λ > 290 nm), OHFLs photodegraded faster in ice than in equivalent aqueous solutions and this was attributed to the specific concentration effect caused by freezing. Furthermore, the presence of dissolved constituents in ice also influenced photodegradation with 2-OHFL phototransforming the fastest in ‘seawater’ ice (k = (11.4 ± 1.0) × 10−2 min−1) followed by ‘pure-water’ ice ((8.7 ± 0.4) × 10−2 min−1) and ‘freshwater’ ice ((8.0 ± 0.7) × 10−2 min−1). The presence of dissolved constituents (specifically Cl−, NO3−, Fe(III) and humic acid) influences the phototransformation kinetics, either enhancing or suppressing phototransformation, but this is based on the quantity of the constituent present in the matrixes, the specific OHFL isomer and the matrix type (e.g., ice or aqueous solution). Careful derivation of key photointermediates was undertaken in both ice and water samples using tandem mass spectrometry. Ice phototransformation exhibited fewer by-products and ‘simpler’ pathways giving rise to a range of hydroxylated fluorenes and hydroxylated fluorenones in ice. These results are of importance when considering the fate of PAHs and OH-PAHs in cold regions and their persistence in sunlit ice.

About the role of tribroplasma in the process of water extract from the exhaust tract of the engine of internal combustion when treating them by tribosettes

The abundant water release during the processing of ICE by tribosystems was observed by many practitioners of PBC repair. The hypotheses of its causes are ambiguous. Some say that the source of water is motor oil or decomposition of pollution of ICE. Others believe that the source of water is humid air. Still others emphasize that water emission is concealed in the exhaust tract of the engine with neutralizers and turbochargers. There is a saying that this is just a condensate discharge from the engine exhaust tract. However, abundant water release occurs only with the introduction of the PBC drug in the friction unit. It is believed that the main reason is associated with the presence of triboplasma, which is formed when the contact spots of the friction site mating surfaces come off. In the area of triboplasm, the tribopreparation undergoes a plasma-chemical reaction, is split with the release of high thermal energy, which creates other conditions for moist air, fuel, engine oil and ICE pollution. All interpretations of the causes of water emission may be erroneous, since it contradicts the prevailing ideas about the work of the internal combustion engine.

Redox Conversion of Organic and Inorganic Pollutants in Ice

According to Arrhenius Equation, chemical reaction take place slowly when temperature decreases. However, several chemical processes extremely accelerated in ice phase. It is also reported that redox chemical reaction can be enhanced by freezing. For example, Takenaka et. al. reported that the NO2 - oxidation to NO3 - in the presence of O2 which is very slow reaction in aqueous solution was markedly accelerated (appx. 105 times) by freezing Redox transformation of compounds may control the bioavailability, mobility, toxicity, and environmental fate. In this presentation, we will introduce accelerated redox transformation of organic and inorganic pollutants in ice such as Cr(VI)/organic reductants, Cr(VI)/Ar(III), Cr(VI)/H2O2, Cr(VI)/NO2 - and Cr(VI)/phenolic pollutants systems. The detailed experimental conditions and mechanism will be discussed in the presentation. We also discuss about the environmental implication and application of these intrinsic redox transformation in ice on icy environments.

Snow and ice concentrations of selected persistent pollutants in the Ob–Yenisey River watershed

As one of the largest river systems attached to the Arctic Basin, the Ob–Yenisey watershed has the potential to be a major supply route of persistent organic pollutants into marine ecosystems of the Arctic Ocean. Snowfall and ice formation taking place in the Ob–Yenisey river basin and shelf are key components of the system of processes responsible for the transfer of pollutants from this high latitude river to the adjacent Kara and Barents Seas. Here we examine a large data set on persistent organic pollutants in snow and ice determined for areas within the Ob (interior and coastal), Yenisey and adjacent shelf. Data on the levels of total oil hydrocarbons, as well as individual components for groups (PAHs, HCHs, CBs, DDTs, PCBs) were examined in this investigation for two time periods: winter (1992)–spring (1993) and winter (1993)–spring (1994). Spatial averaging of each data set for individual years was performed in order to identify large-scale geographical trends in contaminant distributions within the four regions. The analysis indicates that mean pollutant concentrations in snow are consistent throughout the watershed. Comparing data from 1992/1993 and 1993/1994, in all cases, concentrations do not vary appreciatively among the different regions. A similar finding was observed for concentrations of pollutants in ice. Persistent organic pollutants for the Ob–Yenisey watershed are in most cases not dissimilar to measurements carried out in the far north of Canada. The exception is ∑DDT. Concentrations of this pollutant are an order of magnitude higher in the Ob–Yenisey watershed as compared to the Canadian Arctic (0.09 ng/l).

Ice (photo)chemistry.: Ice as a medium for long-term (photo)chemical transformations––environmental implications

This review accounts for the current knowledge about the distribution, accumulation, and chemical/photochemical transformations of persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic compounds (PBTs) in water ice, especially in the connection with polar regions and atmospheric cloud particles. (Photo)reactions on/in ice are discussed in terms of photochemistry, photobiology, paleochemistry, as well as astrophysics. Authors propose a model, in which a significant amount of some PBTs are generated by (photo)chemistry of primary pollutants in ice, which may subsequently be released to the environment. It is argued that ice photochemistry might play an important role in the chemical transformations in cold ecosystems and in the upper atmosphere, particularly now when the ozone layer is partially depleted.

The record of anthropogenic pollution in snow and ice in Svalbard, Norway

From the examination of the spatial distribution of pollutants and of the record from ice cores, it is demonstrated that Svalbard is strongly affected by anthropogenic pollution. This pollution has caused an increase of approximately 90% in the acidity of the snow deposited in the Archipelago since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. High concentrations of H +, frequently greater than 10 μeq l −1 (i.e. with pHs lower than 5.0), associated with high concentrations of sulphates, indicate that Svalbard is experiencing the phenomenon of acid deposition. The first part of this work reviews the existing knowledge of atmospheric, snow, and ice pollution in Svalbard. This is followed by an examination of the acidity time series, supported by excess-sulphate measurements, performed on an ice core from central-eastern Spitsbergen that provide a historical record of acid deposition over a 54 year period. An ice core recovered from Austfonna, Nordaustlandet provided baseline values and also a record of acidity in precipitation before and during the entire industrial period, thereby allowing the evolution of acid deposition in the Archipelago to be traced. The records of these two Svalbard cores also reflect the overall regional trends.