INTRODUCTION: This study of photocatalytic degradation of wastewater was carried out in alveolar cell β-SiC foam-structured photocatalytic reactors working in a recirculation mode. The immobilization of TiO2 on β-SiC foams was efficiently obtained through a sol–gel technique in acidic conditions. DISCUSSION: In order to optimize degradation yields obtained by the foam-structured prototype reactor for the photocatalytic water treatment, the operating conditions of the photoreactor have been investigated and the efficiency of the process was evaluated by measuring the photocatalytic degradation of Diuron (3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethyl-urea)) under UV irradiation. Kinetic studies were carried out by investigating the influence of different parameters controlling the reaction (TiO2 loading and β-SiC foam cell size). The ageing of TiO2/β-SiC foam photocatalytic materials and the mineralization (TOC, Cl−, NO3− and NH4+) of Diuron were investigated.

Large day-to-day variability in O3 and CO was observed at Chongming, a remote rural site east of Shanghai, in August 2010. High ozone periods (HOPs) that typically lasted for 3–5 days with daily maximum ozone exceeding 102 ppb were intermittent with low ozone periods (LOPs) with daily maximum ozone less than 20 ppb. The correlation analysis of ozone with meteorological factors suggests that the large variations of surface ozone are driven by meteorological conditions correlated with the changes in the location and intensity of the west Pacific subtropical high (WPSH) associated with the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM). When the center of WPSH with weaker intensity is to the southeast of Chongming site, the mixing ratios and variability of surface ozone are higher. When the center of WPSH with stronger intensity is to the northeast of Chongming site, the mixing ratios and variability of surface ozone are lower. Sensitivity simulations using the GEOS-Chem chemical transport model indicate that meteorological condition associated with WPSH is the primary factor controlling surface ozone at Chongming in August, while local anthropogenic emissions make significant contributions to surface ozone concentrations only during HOP.

BACKGROUND: Emerging contaminants (ECs) are commonly derived from industrial wastewater, which is often a consequence of an inadequate treatment of the latter. Improperly pretreated pharmaceutical wastewater could cause difficulties in operations of wastewater treatment plants while incomplete elimination of ECs during the processing might result in their appearance in drinking water. METHODS: This paper deals with membrane treatment of pharmaceutical wastewater on a laboratory and a pilot scale as well as with the removal of the following veterinary pharmaceuticals (VPs) (sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim, ciprofloxacin, dexamethasone, and febantel). RESULTS: The pretreatment of pharmaceutical wastewater by means of coagulation and microfiltration (MF) prevented the irreversible fouling of the fine porous structure of the reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltration (NF) membranes which were used in the final stage of wastewater processing. The percentage of the removal of the selected VPs ranges from 94% to almost 100% in the case of NF and RO membranes in both scales. The recovery percentage concerning the pilot scale amounted to 88%. Membrane cleaning was successfully carried out in both scales. CONCLUSIONS: The differences in retention between laboratory and pilot tests are due to different raw wastewater quality and different recovery and hydrodynamic of the two systems. Fouling and concentration polarization were more pronounced in laboratory setup (frame-plate module) than in pilot unit (spiral module). The proposed integrated membrane treatment (coagulation, MF, NF, and RO) can be employed for treatment of wastewater originating from pharmaceutical factory. The obtained permeate can be safely discharged to sewer system or could be reused in manufacturing process.

PURPOSE: There are many arguments on the carcinogenic potential of bitumen extract. The mechanism of bitumen-induced damage is not well understood at the molecular level. Therefore, in the present study, cell-transforming and tumor-inducing potential of bitumen extract was studied using in vitro [human osteosarcoma (HOS) cells] and in vivo [nude and severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice] models. METHODS: Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis was carried out to find out the existence of carcinogenic compounds in the bitumen extract. Cell transformation test, anchorage independence assay, karyotyping assay, tumorigenicity assay, and 2-DE analysis were used to find out the effect of bitumen using the in vitro and in vivo models. RESULTS: GC/MS analysis showed the existence of carcinogenic compounds in the bitumen extract. HOS cells were treated with different concentrations (25, 50, and 100 μl/ml) of bitumen extract. Compared to the parental HOS cells, bitumen transformants (HOS T1 and HOS T2) showed the characteristics of anchorage independency, chromosomal anomaly, and cellular transformation. Interestingly, bitumen transformants were not able to form tumor in nude/SCID mice. Proteomic analysis revealed the existence of 19 differentially expressed proteins involved in progression of cancer, angiogenesis, cell adhesion, etc. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure of bitumen extract to HOS cells results in the cellular transformation similar to cancer cells and can modulate proteins involved in the progression of cancer. We state that the non-tumorogenic potential of bitumen transformant in nude/SCID mice can be attributed to the downregulation of galectin-1, chromodomain helicase DNA-binding protein 1-like gene, and membrane-associated guanylate kinase 2 protein.

PURPOSE: The aim of this paper is to understand the sustainability of urban spatial transformation in the process of rapid urbanization, and calls for future research on the demographic and economic dimensions of climate change. Shanghai towards its transformation to a metropolis has experienced vast socioeconomic and ecological change and calls for future research on the impacts of demographic and economic dimensions on climate change. We look at the major questions (1) to explore economic and demographic growth, land use and land-cover changes in the context of rapid economic and city growth, and (2) to analyze how the demography and economic growth have been associated with the local air temperature and vegetation. METHOD: We examine urban growth, land use and land-cover changes in the context of rapid economic development and urbanization. We assess the impact of urban expansion on local air temperature and vegetation. The analysis is based on time series data of land use, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and meteorological, demographic and economic data. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The results indicate that urban growth has been driven by mass immigration; as a consequence of economic growth and urban expansion, a large amount of farmland has been converted to paved road and residential buildings. Furthermore, the difference between air temperature in urban and exurban areas has increased rapidly. The decrease of high mean annual NDVI has mainly occurred around the dense urban areas.

BACKGROUND, AIMS, AND SCOPE: Formaldehyde (FA) is a harmful chemical, which is classified as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Solutions of FA that are used to preserve cadavers in research and education morphological institutes represent a risk to occupational health of professionals and students. During the dissection of cadavers in the anatomy laboratories, FA vapors are emitted, resulting in the exposure of students and their instructors to elevated levels of FA. The World Health Organization recommends an air quality guideline value of 0.1 mg m⁻³ for exposure to FA. The limit of occupational exposure adopted by the Brazilian legislation (2.3 mg m⁻³) is markedly higher than those adopted by institutions of other countries around the world. The purpose of this study was to determine the levels of personal exposure and the area concentration of FA in the morphology department of the Federal Fluminense University, Brazil, and investigate and compare the relationship between them. METHODS: Four rooms distributed in the three floors of the Morphology Department were evaluated: the embalming laboratory, the anatomy laboratories, the corridor of the teachers’ rooms, and the entrance hall. Thirty-six samples in total were collected in the second semester of 2010 and first semester of 2011. The air sampling and FA analysis were performed according to the EPA TO-11A Protocol, using a diffusive sampling device for carbonyl compounds. Personal samples were collected from monitors using a sampling device pinned on each person’s lapel. The samples were analyzed using rapid resolution liquid chromatography with UV-DAD detection at 360 nm. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The concentrations of FA ranged from 0.20 and 0.18 mg m⁻³ in the corridor between the teachers’ rooms, 0.03 to 0.37 mg m⁻³ in the entrance hall, 0.22 to 2.07 mg m⁻³ in the anatomy laboratory, 2.21 to 2.52 mg m⁻³, in the embalming room. The levels found in the corridor between the teachers’ rooms and in the entrance hall were lower than in other compartments because of their large distances to the sources of FA and better ventilation. The other rooms presented higher levels of FA because of the activities carried there (embalming and dissection procedures). Even in the rooms that showed the lowest levels of FA, the values found were higher than those established by all international guideline limits, except the Brazilian legislation limit, although, the concentration level in the embalming room was even greater than the Brazilian guideline. These concentrations are 100–1,000-fold higher than those reported in an FA outdoor study. The exposure levels of monitors and students ranged from 1.89 to 4.82 mg m⁻³, indicating that current practices at the Morphology Department at the university would represent a health risk. The simultaneous monitoring of area concentrations and personal exposure showed that the characteristics of classes and of cadavers’ parts, the number of students in the room and even the activities of the monitors influence the FA concentrations. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that the concentration of FA was low in the ventilated areas of the Morphology Department, and that the personal exposure when the person was close to the cadavers during the dissection procedure was higher than the mean FA concentration. This should be considered in the risk assessment of FA during these activities without effective protection equipment. It is suggested that the Brazilian legislation of exposure to formaldehyde requires an urgent update considering international legislation.

BACKGROUND, AIM AND SCOPE: The breast milk has been recommended to carry out as a monitoring tool for effectiveness evaluation of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dichlorodiphenyltrichloro-ethane (DDT) and its metabolites (DDX), hexachlorbenzene (HCB) and isomers of hexachlocyklohexane (HCHs) have been monitored in the breast milk of nursing mothers in the Czech Republic since 1994 as a part of The Environmental Health Monitoring System. Knowledge about long-term POPs distribution and accumulation in the human body is crucial to understanding uptake, degradation and subsequent effects as well as to conduct risk assessments. The main aim of this study is to evaluate 15-years long-term trends of selected POPs in human milk in the Czech Republic and to elucidate the questionnaire information about the age, parity and social habits, to the final concentrations. This effectiveness evaluation of POPs restriction is quite precisely after 15-years monitoring campaigns. MATERIALS, METHODS AND RESULTS: The human milk samples (4,753 samples) were analysed for a number of chlorinated organic chemicals including PCBs and selected chlorinated pesticides (OCPs, HCB, HCHs, DDX). The relative change of concentration per year for all chemicals was analysed. The remaining percentages of POPs in breast milk in comparison to 1994 are also expressed. Czech population half-lives of POPs in breast milk, derived from either linear or exponential models were computed. CONCLUSIONS AND PERSPECTIVES: The long-term data indicates a continuation of a decreasing trend of POPs concentrations on breast milk. Our study did not confirm lactation and parity as an important outflux resulting in the decrease in concentrations in mothers, which is in the antagonism with most of the studies. The higher BMI was associated with higher amounts of HCB and lower amounts of higher chlorinated PCBs. The results confirm the effectiveness of restrictions of POPs usage in the Czech Republic. This ongoing long-term study is very useful tool for parametric effectiveness evaluation of Stockholm Convention.

PURPOSE: A former wood exploitation revealing high Cu and As concentration of the soils served as a case study for assisted phytoextraction. METHOD: P-spiked Linz–Donawitz (LD) slag was used as a soil additive to improve physico-chemical soil properties and in situ stabilize Cu and other trace metals in a sandy Cu-contaminated soil (630 mg kg−1 soil). The LD slag was incorporated into the contaminated soil to consist four treatments: 0% (T1), 1% (T2), 2% (T3), and 4% (T4). A similar uncontaminated soil was used as a control (CTRL). After a 1-month reaction period, potted soils were used for a 2-week growth experiment with dwarf beans. RESULTS: Soil pH increased with the incorporation rate of LD slag. Similarly the soil electrical conductivity (EC, in millisiemens per centimetre) is ameliorated. Bean plants grown on the untreated soil (T1) showed a high phytotoxicity. All incorporation rates of LD slag increased the root and shoot dry weight yields compared to the T1. The foliar Ca concentration of beans was enhanced for all LD slag-amended soil, while the foliar Mg, K, and P concentrations were not increased. Foliar Cu, Zn, and Cr concentrations of beans decreased with the LD slag incorporation rate. CONCLUSIONS: P-spiked LD slag incorporation into polluted soil allow the bean growth and foliar Ca concentration, but also to reduce foliar Cu concentration below its upper critical value avoiding an excessive soil EC and Zn deficiency. This dual effect can be of interest for soil remediation at larger scale.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influences of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions on hazardousness and photochemical reactivity and to propose efficient VOCs abatement strategies. METHODS: The atmospheric concentrations of 101 components of VOCs were measured at six sites which comprehend four urban areas, a roadside area, and an industrial area in Hyogo Prefecture. VOCs influence on hazardousness and photochemical reactivity were evaluated using VOCs measured data and the index on the health effect evaluation and ozone formation potential. The substances that require emissions reduction were selected from the evaluation results. The state and characteristics of environmental pollution were considered from the concentration trends of the selected substances. RESULTS: In industrial area, n-hexadecane, styrene, vinyl chloride monomer, and 1,2-dichloroethane showed a high concentration. In roadside area, n-hexane, n-undecane, n-dodecane, tetrachloroethylene, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and 1-butanol showed a high concentration. The excess cancer incidences for formaldehyde exceeded 10−5 of the level of concern for carcinogenic effect at all sites. Toluene had a high percentage of ozone production. The interannual and seasonal trends of toluene concentrations were different at a regional level and the formaldehyde concentrations in summer were significantly higher than those in winter at the urban sites. CONCLUSIONS: The results show the need to prepare the emission reduction plan for the major sources such as vehicle exhaust, solvent use, and industrial processes to diminish the concentration of toluene that contributes significantly to the formation of photochemical oxidant.

BACKGROUND: Contamination with heavy metals is among the most hazardous environmental concerns caused by mining activity. A valuable tool for monitoring these effects is the use of sentinel organisms. Particularly, small mammals living inside mine tailings are an excellent study system because their analysis represents a realistic approach of mixtures and concentrations of metal exposure. PURPOSE: We analyzed metal tissue concentrations and DNA damage levels for comparison between genders of a sentinel (Peromyscus melanophrys) and a nonsentinel (Baiomys musculus) species. Also, the relationship between DNA damage and the distance from the contamination source was evaluated. METHODS: This study was conducted in an abandoned mine tailing at Morelos, Mexico. Thirty-six individuals from both species at the exposed and reference sites were sampled. Metal concentrations in bone and liver of both species were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and DNA damage levels were assayed using the alkaline comet assay. RESULTS: In general, concentrations of zinc, nickel, iron, and manganese were statistically higher in exposed individuals. A significant effect of the organ and the site on all metal tissue concentrations was detected. Significant DNA damage levels were registered in the exposed group, being higher in B. musculus. Females registered higher DNA damage levels than males. A negative relationship between distance from the mine tailing and DNA damage in B. musculus was observed. CONCLUSIONS: We consider that B. musculus is a suitable species to assess environmental quality, especially for bioaccumulable pollutants—such as metals—and recommend that it may be considered as a sentinel species.