Abstract: The concentrations of heavy metals in sediments of
Qua Iboe River Estuary (QIRE) were monitored at four different
sampling locations in wet and dry seasons. A preliminary survey to
determine the four sampling stations along the river continuum
showed that the area spanned between
Abstract: In this paper, we propose a system for preventing gas
risks through the use of wireless communication modules and
intelligent gas safety appliances. Our system configuration consists of
an automatic extinguishing system, detectors, a wall-pad, and a
microcomputer controlled micom gas meter to monitor gas flow and
pressure as well as the occurrence of earthquakes. The automatic fire
extinguishing system checks for both combustible gaseous leaks and
monitors the environmental temperature, while the detector array
measures smoke and CO gas concentrations. Depending on detected
conditions, the micom gas meter cuts off an inner valve and generates
a warning, the automatic fire-extinguishing system cuts off an external
valve and sprays extinguishing materials, or the sensors generate
signals and take further action when smoke or CO are detected.
Information on intelligent measures taken by the gas safety appliances
and sensors are transmitted to the wall-pad, which in turn relays this as
real time data to a server that can be monitored via an external network
(BcN) connection to a web or mobile application for the management
of gas safety. To validate this smart-home gas management system, we
field-tested its suitability for use in Korean apartments under several
scenarios.
Abstract: Phthalates are ubiquitous environmental pollutants
well known because of their endocrine disrupting activity in human
organism. The aim of our study was, by biological monitoring,
investigate exposure to phthalates of Roma ethnicity group i.e.
children and adults from 5 families (n=29, average age 11.8 ± 7.6
years) living in western Slovakia. Additionally, we analysed some
associations between anthropometric measures, questionnaire data
i.e. socio-economic status, eating and drinking habits, practise of
personal care products and household conditions in comparison with
concentrations of phthalate metabolites. We used for analysis of urine
samples high performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass
spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) to determine concentrations of
phthalate metabolites monoethyl phthalate (MEP), mono-n-butyl
phthalate (MnBP), mono-iso-butyl phthalate (MiBP), mono(2-ethyl-
5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (5OH-MEHP), mono(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl)
phthalate (5oxo-MEHP) and mono(2-etylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP).
Our results indicate that ethnicity, lower socioeconomic status and
different housing conditions in Roma population can affect urinary
concentration of phthalate metabolites.
Abstract: Prosperity of electronic equipment in photocopying
environment not only has improved work efficiency, but also has
changed indoor air quality. Considering the number of photocopying
employed, indoor air quality might be worse than in general office
environments. Determining the contribution from any type of
equipment to indoor air pollution is a complex matter. Non-methane
hydrocarbons are known to have an important role on air quality due
to their high reactivity. The presence of hazardous pollutants in
indoor air has been detected in one photocopying shop in Novi Sad,
Serbia. Air samples were collected and analyzed for five days, during
8-hr working time in three time intervals, whereas three different
sampling points were determined. Using multiple linear regression
model and software package STATISTICA 10 the concentrations of
occupational hazards and microclimates parameters were mutually
correlated. Based on the obtained multiple coefficients of
determination (0.3751, 0.2389 and 0.1975), a weak positive
correlation between the observed variables was determined. Small
values of parameter F indicated that there was no statistically
significant difference between the concentration levels of nonmethane
hydrocarbons and microclimates parameters. The results
showed that variable could be presented by the general regression
model: y = b0 + b1xi1+ b2xi2. Obtained regression equations allow to
measure the quantitative agreement between the variables and thus
obtain more accurate knowledge of their mutual relations.
Abstract: The use of engineered nanomaterials has increased as
a result of their positive impact on many sectors of the economy,
including agriculture. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are now used to
enhance seed germination, plant growth, and photosynthetic quantum
efficiency and as antimicrobial agents to control plant diseases. In
this study, we examined the effect of AgNP dosage on the seed
germination of three plant species: corn (Zea mays L.), watermelon
(Citrullus lanatus [Thunb.] Matsum. & Nakai) and zucchini
(Cucurbita pepo L.). This experiment was designed to study the
effect of AgNPs on germination percentage, germination rate, mean
germination time, root length and fresh and dry weight of seedlings
for the three species. Seven concentrations (0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2
and 2.5 mg/ml) of AgNPs were examined at the seed germination
stage. The three species had different dose responses to AgNPs in
terms of germination parameters and the measured growth
characteristics. The germination rates of the three plants were
enhanced in response to AgNPs. Significant enhancement of the
germination percentage values was observed after treatment of the
watermelon and zucchini plants with AgNPs in comparison with
untreated seeds. AgNPs showed a toxic effect on corn root
elongation, whereas watermelon and zucchini seedling growth were
positively affected by certain concentrations of AgNPs. This study
showed that exposure to AgNPs caused both positive and negative
effects on plant growth and germination.
Abstract: We investigated the structure and electronic properties
of the compound Mg1-xBixO with varying concentrations of 0, ¼, ½,
and ¾ x bismuth in the the cesium chloride (CsCl), zinc-blende
(ZnS), nickel arsenide (NiAs) NaCl (rock-salt) and WZ (wurtzite)
phases. We calculated. The calculations were performed using the
first-principles pseudo-potential method within the framework of spin
density functional theory (DFT).
Abstract: A field study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy
of lavender for phytoremediation of contaminated soils. The
experiment was performed on an agricultural fields contaminated by
the Non-Ferrous-Metal Works near Plovdiv, Bulgaria. The
concentrations of Pb, Zn and Cd in lavender (roots, stems, leaves and
inflorescences) and in the essential oils of lavender were determined.
Lavender is a plant which is tolerant to heavy metals and can be
grown on contaminated soils, and which can be referred to the
hyperaccumulators of lead and the accumulators of cadmium and
zinc, and can be successfully used in the phytoremediation of heavy
metal contaminated soils. Favorable is also the fact that heavy metals
do not influence the development of the lavender, as well as on the
quality and quantity of the essential oil. The possibility of further
industrial processing will make lavender economically interesting
crops for farmers of phytoextraction technology.
Abstract: The main objective of incorporating natural fibers such as Henequen microfibers (NF) into the High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) polymer matrix is to reduce the cost and to enhance the mechanical as well as other properties. The Henequen microfibers were chopped manually to 5-7mm in length and added into the polymer matrix at the optimized concentration of 8 wt %. In order to facilitate the link between Henequen microfibers (NF) and HDPE matrix, coupling agent such as Glycidoxy (Epoxy) Functional Methoxy Silane (GPTS) at various concentrations from 0.1%, 0.3%, 0.5%, 0.7%, 0.9% and 1% by weight to the total fibers were added. The tensile strength of the composite increased marginally while % elongation at break of the composites decreased with increase in silane loading by wt %. Tensile modulus and stiffness observed increased at 0.9 wt % GPTS loading. Flexural as well as impact strength of the composite decreased with increase in GPTS loading by weight %. Dielectric strength of the composite also found increased marginally up to 0.5wt % silane loading and thereafter remained constant.
Abstract: Investigations on the accumulation of heavy metals in
water and sediments of river Ogbese were carried out between
December 2010 and February 2011 using Atomic Absorption
Spectrophotometer. Etheria elliptica a sessile organism was also used
to determine the concentration of heavy metal in the aquatic
environmental. In water, Cu had the highest concentration (0.55 –
0.13 mg/l ±0.1) while in sediments, the highest value obtained was in
Fe (1.46-3.89mg/l±0.27). The minimum concentrations recorded
were in Pb; which was below detectable level. The result also
revealed that the shell accumulate more heavy metals than the flesh
of the mussel with Cu in the shell exhibiting a negative correlation
with all the metals in the flesh. However, the condition factor (K)
value is 6.44, an indication of good health. The length-weight
relationship is expressed as W = -0.48 x L 1.94 (r2 = 0.29) showing the
growth pattern to be negatively allometric.
Abstract: The textile industry plays a major role in the economy
of India and on the other side of the coin it is the major source for
water pollution. As azo dyes is the largest dye class they are
extensively used in many fields such as textile industry, leather
tanning industry, paper production, food, color photography,
pharmaceuticals and medicine, cosmetic, hair colorings, wood
staining, agricultural, biological and chemical research etc. In
addition to these, they can have acute and/or chronic effects on
organisms depending on their concentration and length of exposure
when they discharged as effluent in the environment. The aim of this
study was to assess the genotoxic and histotoxic potentials of
environmentally relevant concentrations of C. I. Reactive Red 120
(RR 120) on Catla catla, important edible freshwater fingerlings. For
this, healthy Catla catla fingerlings were procured from the
Government Fish Farm and acclimatized in 100 L capacity and
continuously aerated glass aquarium in laboratory for 15 days.
According to APHA some physic-chemical parameters were
measured and maintained such as temperature, pH, dissolve oxygen,
alkalinity, total hardness. Water along with excreta had been changed
every 24 hrs. All fingerlings were fed artificial food palates once a
day @ body weight. After 15 days fingerlings were grouped in 5 (10
in each) and exposed to various concentrations of RR 120 (Control,
10, 20, 30 and 40 mg.l-1) and samples (peripheral blood and gills,
kidney) were collected and analyzed at 96 hrs. All results were
compared with the control. Micronuclei (MN), nuclear buds (NB),
fragmented-apoptotic (FA) and bi-nucleated (BN) cells in blood
smears and in tissues (gills and kidney cells) were observed.
Prominent histopathological alterations were noticed in gills such as
aneurism, hyperplasia, degenerated central axis, lifting of gill
epithelium, curved secondary gill lamellae etc. Similarly kidney
showed some detrimental changes like shrunken glomeruli with
increased periglomerular space, degenerated renal tubules etc. Both
haematological and histopathological changes clearly reveal the toxic
potential of RR 120. This work concludes that water pollution
assessment can be done by these two biomarkers which provide
baseline to the further chromosomal or molecular work.
Abstract: Specific leaf area (SLA; cm2leaf g-1leaf) the ratio of leaf
area to leaf dry mass is a key ecophysiological parameter influencing
leaf physiology, photosynthesis, and whole plant carbon gain and
also can be used as a rapid and diagnostic tool. In this study, two
species of soluble inorganic selenium forms, selenite (Se^IV) and
selenate (Se^VI) at different concentrations were investigated on maize
plants that were growing in nutrient solutions during 2 weeks and at
the end of the experiment, amounts of SLA for first and second
leaves of maize were measured. In accordance with the results we
observed that our regarded Se concentrations in both forms of Se^IV
and Se^VI were not effective on maize plants’ SLA significantly
although high level of 3 mg.kg-1 Se^IV had negative affect on growth
of the samples that had been treated by it but about Se^VI samples we
did not observe this state and our different considered Se^VI
concentrations were not toxic for maize plants.
Abstract: Freshly laid eggs from green turtles, Chelonia mydas,
were randomly collected from Ras Al-Hadd Reserve, Oman.
Eggshells taken from eggs and sand collected from the body chamber
were analyzed for eight heavy metals (Al, Br, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, S, and
Zn) using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP).
Heavy metal concentrations varied significantly (P
Abstract: The aim of the present study was to examine whether
increasing molybdenum (Mo) concentration affects the growth and
Mo concentration of maize (Zea mays L. cv Norma SC) and
sunflower (Helianthus annuus L. cv Arena PR) seedlings within
laboratory conditions.
In this experiment, calcareous chernozem soil was used and Mo
was supplemented into the soil as ammonium molybdate
[(NH4)6Mo7O24.4H2O] in four different concentrations as follow: 0
(control), 30, 90 and 270 mg·kg-1.
In this study, we found that molybdenum in small amount (30
mg·kg-1) affects positively on growth of maize and sunflower
seedlings, however, higher concentration of Mo reduces the dry
weights of shoots and roots. In the case of maize the highest Mo
treatment (270 mg·kg-1) and in sunflower 90 mg·kg-1 treatment
caused significant reduction in plant growth.
In addition, we observed that molybdenum contents in the roots
and shoots were very low in case of control soil but were
significantly elevated with increasing concentration of Mo treatment.
Only in case of sunflower the highest 270 mg·kg-1 Mo treatment
caused decrease in Mo concentration.
Abstract: Soil quality monitoring is a science-based soil
management tool that assesses soil ecosystem health.
A soil monitoring program in Auckland, New Zealand’s largest
city extends from 1995 to the present. The objective of this study was
to firstly determine changes in soil parameters (basic soil properties
and heavy metals) that were assessed from rural land in 1995-2000
and repeated in 2008-2012. The second objective was to determine
differences in soil parameters across various land uses including
native bush, rural (horticulture, pasture and plantation forestry) and
urban land uses using soil data collected in more recent years (2009-
2013).
Across rural land, mean concentrations of Olsen P had
significantly increased in the second sampling period and was
identified as the indicator of most concern, followed by soil
macroporosity, particularly for horticultural and pastoral land. Mean
concentrations of Cd were also greatest for pastoral and horticultural
land and a positive correlation existed between these two parameters,
which highlights the importance of analysing basic soil parameters in
conjunction with heavy metals. In contrast, mean concentrations of
As, Cr, Pb, Ni and Zn were greatest for urban sites. Native bush sites
had the lowest concentrations of heavy metals and were used to
calculate a ‘pollution index’ (PI). The mean PI was classified as high
(PI > 3) for Cd and Ni and moderate for Pb, Zn, Cr, Cu, As and Hg,
indicating high levels of heavy metal pollution across both rural and
urban soils. From a land use perspective, the mean ‘integrated
pollution index’ was highest for urban sites at 2.9 followed by
pasture, horticulture and plantation forests at 2.7, 2.6 and 0.9,
respectively.
It is recommended that soil sampling continues over time because
a longer spanning record will allow further identification of where
soil problems exist and where resources need to be targeted in the
future. Findings from this study will also inform policy and science
direction in regional councils.
Abstract: Nitrogen fertilizer is the most used and often the most
mismanaged nutrient input. Nitrogen management has tremendous
implications on crop productivity, quality and environmental
stewardship. Sufficient nitrogen is needed to optimum yield and
quality. Soil and in-season plant tissue testing for nitrogen status are
a time consuming and expensive process. Real time sensing of plant
nitrogen status can be a useful tool in managing nitrogen inputs. The
objectives of this project were to assess the reliability of remotely
sensed non-destructive plant nitrogen measurements compared to wet
chemistry data from sampled plant tissue, develop in-season nitrogen
recommendations based on remotely sensed data for improved
nitrogen use efficiency and assess the potential for determining yield
and quality from remotely sensed data. Very good correlations were
observed between early-season remotely sensed crop nitrogen status
and plant nitrogen concentrations and subsequent in-season fertilizer
recommendations. The transmittance/absorbance type meters gave
the most accurate readings. Early in-season fertilizer recommendation
would be to apply 40 kg nitrogen per hectare plus 15 kg nitrogen per
hectare for each unit difference measured with the SPAD meter
between the crop and reference area or 25 kg plus 13 kg per hectare
for each unit difference measured with the CCM 200. Once the crop
was sufficiently fertilized meter readings became inconclusive and
were of no benefit for determining nitrogen status, silage yield and
quality and grain yield and protein.
Abstract: The concentrations of cadmium and lead in sewage
sludge samples were determined by Atomic Absorption
Spectrometric Method. Samples of sewage sludge were obtained
from three sewage treatment plants localised in Middle Region of
Libya (Misrata, Msallata and Tarhünah cities).
The results shows that, the mean levels of Cadmium for all regions
are ranges from 81 to 123.4 ppm and these values are higher than the
limitations for the international standard which are not registered
more than 50 ppm (dry weight) in USA, Egypt and the EU countries.
While, the lead concentrations are ranged from 8.0 to 189.2 ppm and
all values are within the standard limits which graduated between
(275–613) ppm.
Abstract: Poly vinyl acetate (PVA)-based titania (TiO2)–carbon
nanotube composite nanofibers (PVA-TCCNs) with various
PVA-to-solvent ratios and PVA-based TiO2 composite nanofibers
(PVA-TN) were synthesized using an electrospinning process,
followed by thermal treatment. The photocatalytic activities of these
nanofibers in the degradation of airborne monocyclic aromatics under
visible-light irradiation were examined. This study focuses on the
application of these photocatalysts to the degradation of the target
compounds at sub-part-per-million indoor air concentrations. The
characteristics of the photocatalysts were examined using scanning
electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, ultraviolet-visible
spectroscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. For all the
target compounds, the PVA-TCCNs showed photocatalytic
degradation efficiencies superior to those of the reference PVA-TN.
Specifically, the average photocatalytic degradation efficiencies for
benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, and o-xylene (BTEX) obtained using
the PVA-TCCNs with a PVA-to-solvent ratio of 0.3 (PVA-TCCN-0.3)
were 11%, 59%, 89%, and 92%, respectively, whereas those observed
using PVA-TNs were 5%, 9%, 28%, and 32%, respectively.
PVA-TCCN-0.3 displayed the highest photocatalytic degradation
efficiency for BTEX, suggesting the presence of an optimal
PVA-to-solvent ratio for the synthesis of PVA-TCCNs. The average
photocatalytic efficiencies for BTEX decreased from 11% to 4%, 59%
to 18%, 89% to 37%, and 92% to 53%, respectively, when the flow
rate was increased from 1.0 to 4.0 L min1. In addition, the average
photocatalytic efficiencies for BTEX increased 11% to ~0%, 59% to
3%, 89% to 7%, and 92% to 13%, respectively, when the input
concentration increased from 0.1 to 1.0 ppm. The prepared
PVA-TCCNs were effective for the purification of airborne aromatics
at indoor concentration levels, particularly when the operating
conditions were optimized.
Abstract: This paper presents powerful techniques for the
development of a new monitoring method based on multi-scale
entropy (MSE) in order to characterize the behaviour of the
concentrations of different gases present in the synthesis of Ammonia
and soft-sensor based on Principal Component Analysis (PCA).
Abstract: Emissions of atmospheric pollutants from ships and
harbour activities are a growing concern at international level given
their potential impacts on air quality and climate. These close-to-land
emissions have potential impact on local communities in terms of air
quality and health. Recent studies show that the impact of maritime
traffic to atmospheric particulate matter concentrations in several
coastal urban areas is comparable with the impact of road traffic of a
medium size town. However, several different approaches have been
used for these estimates making difficult a direct comparison of
results. In this work, an integrated approach based on emission
inventories and dedicated measurement campaigns has been applied
to give a comparable estimate of the impact of maritime traffic to
PM2.5 and particle number concentrations in three major harbours of
the Adriatic/Ionian Seas. The influences of local meteorology and of
the logistic layout of the harbours are discussed.
Abstract: The influences of cell-free solutions (CFSs) of lactic
acid bacteria (LAB) on cadaverine and other biogenic amines
production by Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus
were investigated in lysine decarboxylase broth (LDB) using HPLC.
Cell free solutions were prepared from Lactococcus lactis subsp.
lactis, Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. cremoris, Pediococcus
acidilactici and Streptococcus thermophiles. Two different
concentrations that were 50% and 25% CFS and the control without
CFSs were prepared. Significant variations on biogenic amine
production were observed in the presence of L. monocytogenes and S.
aureus (P < 0.05). The function of CFS on biogenic amine production
by foodborne pathogens varied depending on strains and specific
amine. Cadaverine formation by L. monocytogenes and S. aureus in
control were 500.9 and 948.1 mg/L, respectively while the CFSs of
LAB induced 4-fold lower cadaverine production by L.
monocytogenes and 7-fold lower cadaverine production by S. aureus.
The CFSs resulted in strong decreases in cadaverine and putrescine
production by L. monocytogenes and S. aureus, although remarkable
increases were observed for histamine, spermidine, spermine,
serotonin, dopamine, tyramine and agmatine in the presence of LAB
in lysine decarboxylase broth.