A photochemical puff-trajectory model (Fotoplume) has been applied to simulate emissions, atmospheric transport and chemical transformations of pollutants from offshore oil and gas production in the North Sea. The above model was used in conjunction with the European Monitoring and Evaluation Programme (EMEP) regional Lagrangian oxidant model. The Fotoplume and EMEP models were used to evaluate the effects of the atmospheric emissions from the oil and gas exploration activity in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea. Deposition of nitrogen and formation of boundary level ozone in Southern Norway due to North Sea emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), carbon monoxide (CO) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) have been studied. The petroleum activity in the North Sea is calculated to contribute approximately 20% of the nitrogen deposition in the coastal areas of Norway in 1992. In addition, the models were used to estimate the AOT40 ozone exposure levels. The results indicate that emissions from British and Norwegian oil and gas exploitation sector separately contribute to less than 5% each of the AOT40 values for coniferous forests and meadows. Comparison of model calculations with experimental measurements is quite satisfactory and the models show realistic results for both the nitrogen deposition and AOT40 values.

In this study, local air quality impacts of a proposed conventionalcoal-fired power plant in the İçel region has been investigated using numerical dispersion modeling studies coupled with a GIS application. Within the impact area of the facility, Industrial Source Complex Short Term (ISCST2) dispersion model has been used to estimate ground-level concentrations of air pollutants originating from the power plant. For the same impact area, GIS applications have been utilised to determine the agricultural yield distribution. For this purpose, relevant satellite images were digitised, classified and statistically analyzed. Based on the predicted ground-level pollutant concentrations and sensitivity of the agricultural crops to the pollutants, agricultural yield loss was estimated for the impact area.The results have been quantified and valuated in monetary terms for the purpose of performing an environmental cost benefit analysis. Comparison of the conventional cost benefit analysis with the environmental cost benefit analysis showed the significance of the external cost of the proposed facility, resulting from the environmental damages.

Bleached Kraft mill effluent was treated in an activated sludgereactor followed by an allophanic soil adsorption system (ASAS). Under aerobic conditions, removal efficiencies of biological oxygen demand (BOD₅) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) varied between 57.7–96.5% and 30.3–57.0%, respectively, depending on the hydraulic retention time (HRT). On the other hand, tannin-lignin and phenolic compounds removal efficiencies attained values between 13.2–51.2 and 3.6–33.5%,respectively. An allophanic soil adsorption system was designed for color and phenolic compounds removal. Three different types of soils were used: Natural allophanic soil as the control compared, with calcinated and acidified allophanic soil. The initial removal efficiencies for phenolic compounds varied between 72 an 87% for activated soils, while color initial removal efficiencies were between 95 and 99%. Moreover, COD and tannin-lignin initial removal efficiencies reached maximum values of 74 and 87%, respectively, for calcinated soil. Design parameters show that there is an enhancement factor in adsorption capacities for both activated soils. In fact, phenolic compounds breakpoint adsorption capacity increased 5.3 times for calcinated soil and 17.6 times for acidified soil, while saturation capacity increased between 2.2 and 3.2 times. In addition, color breakpoint adsorption capacity increased 2.8 times for calcinated soil and 10.4 times for acidified soil, while saturation capacity increased between 3.2 and 5.5 times.

Research works on the removal of mercury from water by zeolitic mineralshow that small quantities of this element are sorbed. In this work the mercury sorption from aqueous solutions in the presence and absence of Cu(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) onto a Mexican zeolitic mineral unmodified and modified with cysteamine hydrochloride or cystamine dihydrochloride was investigated in acidic pH. The zeolitic minerals were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and FTIR. The sorption kinetics behavior and the retention isotherms for mercury were determined in the natural and treated zeolitic mineral samples. It was found that the amounts of sulfur on the modified zeolitic minerals were 0.375 (cysteamine hydrochloride) and 0.475 (cystamine dihydrochloride) mmol g⁻¹, which were not saturated to their total capacities of adsorption for the maximum concentration used (0.310 mM). Under the experimental conditions, the retention of mercury was the highest for the zeolitic minerals treated with the organic compounds, with adsorption capacities ranging from 0.0107 to 0.0509 mmol Hg g⁻¹.The retention was not affected by the presence of others heavy metals studied in this work as expected.

More than 600 arable soils from Flanders (Northern-Belgium) were analysed for their total acid extractable contents of As, B, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn in order to determine any increase in the natural background values. Samples were taken at random in several municipalities throughout Flanders. Areas with known historical or actual sources of trace element emissions were omitted although in some cases the distance between those sources and the sampling locations was not more than 20 km. The main soil types were, ranging from north to south: sand, loamy sand, light sandy-loam, sandy-loam and loam. In the coastal area, clay soils (sea polders) were sampled. In addition to the analysis of trace elements, the soil texture class, the pH and the carbon content were determined. Macro- or mesonutrients, Ca, K, P, Mg and Na, were determined from a weak acid extract of the soil samples. Correlations between trace elements and macronutrients provide some information about fertilisation practices and heavy metal sources.A limited number of soils showed slightly enhanced levels for As, Be, Cu, Co, Cr Mn, Ni Pb and Zn. In most cases, this could be linked to the regional industrial activities. However, a clear increase for Cu and Zn, above the natural background could be distinguished in areas with low atmospheric heavy metal deposits. In these cases, the excessive use of animal manure in the past may be the reason for this enrichment. However there was no indication that the Cd content of the soil was raised by the use of large amounts of pig slurry and/or by other common agricultural activities.

Fourteen species of wild growing mushrooms and surface (0–10 cm) soils were collected near Lake Wdzydze in the northern part of Poland in 1996–1997 to understand the status of mercury pollution. Concentrations of mercury in mushrooms varied between 100±30 and 2400±1900 ng g⁻¹dry matter in caps and 60±1 and 1300±1500 ng g⁻¹dry matter in stalks. Concentrations of mercury in underlying soil were between 30±1 and 140±120 ng g⁻¹dry matter (between 36±18 and 63±100 ng g⁻¹depending on the soil type). Bioconcentration factors (BCF: concentrations in mushroom/concentrationin soil) of total mercury were between 2.3±1.1 and 90±110 for caps, and between 2.1±1.0 and 53±56 for stalks. Scaly tooth (Sarcodon imbricatum) contained the greatest concentrations of mercury in the flesh. However, there was no significant relationship (p >: 0.05) between mercury content in the fruiting bodies of this speciesto soil mercury concentrations. A significant (p < 0.01) positive relationship between mercury content in caps to underlying soil was noted for European cow bolete (Suillus bovinus), while a negative relationship between mercury content in caps and stalks to underlying soil was observed for Sandy knight-cap (Tricholomaflavovirens), Shaggy scale-head (Pholiota squaroso-adiposa),Gypsy mushroom (Rozites caperata) and Pine spike cap (Chroogomphus rutilus).

Six soil samples taken from three contaminated sites have been assessed using chemical, ecotoxicological and genotoxicological methods. From two of these sites, samples were characterised after remediation. An overall assessment of the soil samples was done with a scheme consisting of two phases. Remediation of main pollutants in these samples, did in general not lead to a risk reduction of the water-extractable ecotoxic and genotoxic potential. It was concluded, that the assessment and remediation of contaminated sites without consideration of biological test systems is not sufficient. Focussing on single hazardous compounds does in many cases not lead to a reduction of the ecotoxic or genotoxic potential. Consequently, effects of accompanying hazardous compounds, which are not routinely quantified, might be underestimated. It was pointed out, that the assessment of contaminated soil samples on the basis of LID-values applying dual dilution series seems to be sufficient for the evaluation, if there is no need for a quantitative comparison of toxic potentials.

This paper reports on magnetic and magnetomineralogical studies of forest soils from Krkonoše (Giant Mountains) National Park in the Czech Republic. Low-field magnetic susceptibility was measured in 32 soil profiles using a field probe. Thermomagnetic analysis, acquisition of remanent magnetization, alternating-field demagnetization of saturation remanence and frequency-dependent magnetic susceptibility were measured in laboratory samples from individual soil horizons as well as on their magnetic extracts. X-ray diffraction and SEM were used to identify ferrimagnetic fractions. The uppermost layer, which is dominated by magnetically soft magnetite of presumably anthropogenic origin, can be reliably identified in soil profiles over the whole region of concern. Subsoil horizons are characterised by significantly different magnetic properties.

Emissions in East Asia for 1993 by administrative units and source types are estimated to support regional emission assessments and transport modeling studies. Total emission of SOₓ, NOₓ, soil NOₓ, N₂O, and NH₃are 24 150, 12 610, 1963, 908, and 8263 kton yr⁻¹, respectively.China's emission contribution is the highest for every species.The area sources are the most significant source type for SOₓand NOₓ, but the fraction due to mobile source is highest for NOₓ. Major LPSs are located from the middle to the east part of China, south and middle-west part of South Korea, and the east part of Japan. The area sources of SOₓshow a pattern similar to population density, whereas NH₃shows a strong landuse dependency. Detail emissions analysis reveals higher SOₓemission `cores' within each province. The estimated emissions are used to estimate sulfur deposition in the regions. The seasonal average sulfur distribution amounts are estimated from the ATMOS2 chemical transport model. The results showed anti-correlation with temperature for sulfur (SO₂+ SO₄⁻²) concentrations and a positive correlation with rainfall for deposition.