The purpose of the present study is to simulate concentrations of ozone and its precursors (NO and NO₂) in an area under the influence of the Candiota coal-fired power station by applying numerical models. The photochemical simulations were conducted during two distinct periods: in summer (from 24 to 26 January 2003) and in winter (from 10 to 12 August, 2004). With the RAMS atmospheric model (Regional Atmospheric Modelling System) we obtained meteorological fields to initialize the CIT photochemical model. The emission data were based on the AP-42 and only compounds emitted during coal burning were considered. The simulated results revealed high ozone levels in warmer periods, being related to high temperatures and water vapor concentrations. The simulated concentrations are located far from the emitting source, favoring reaction and mixing time between precursors to form ozone. Simulated winds of small intensity favored ozone transport, mixing and accumulation in areas far from the emitting source.

Extensive measurements were made using an Aerodyne quantum cascade laser absorption spectrometer (QCLAS) to study the diurnal and seasonal cycles of NH₃ concentrations in Manchester city centre. Measurements made at rooftop levels showed traffic to be a significant source of NH₃ concentrations in the winter. This was illustrated by a bimodal diurnal cycle of NH₃ concentrations that was synchronized with traffic, and also by a correlation with NOx, a traffic related pollutant. These patterns were not observed during the summer, suggesting other sources become more important. Measurements were also made at street level during winter and summer, close to the traffic source. This time the contribution from traffic was also observed in the summer, albeit weaker. Enhanced NH₃ concentrations were often seen in winds from the southwest that could not be related to local sources, suggesting that ambient concentrations in the city are strongly influenced by sources outside the city. It is estimated that the total NH₃ emission from the city centre is between 0.7 and 2.3 t km-² year-¹.

Fluxes of principal anions and cations with bulk and throughfall deposition during the growing period (April-September) were investigated for three years (2001-2003) at three sites differently exposed to the second biggest Lithuanian city - Kaunas. Fluxes of all investigated anions (SO₄ ²-, NO₃ - and Cl-) and most cations were found to be the highest in suburban area to compare with both - Rural and urban sites. The highest seasonal variability of monthly ion fluxes and the highest differences between throughfall and bulk fluxes (net throughfall) were recorded in suburban area. The highest throughfall enrichment by sulphur was detected in spring and the beginning of summer (April, May) in urban and especially in suburban sites. For nitrogen compounds (NO₃ -, NH₄ ⁺) positive net throughfall values were characteristic for urban and suburban sites and negative for rural site almost during the entire growing period. Uptake of NH₄ ⁺ ions was detected to be much higher of that for nitrates in rural area (46% vs. 22%). The most intensive enrichment of throughfall fluxes by K⁺ ions took place during the summer time (May, June, July), however, intensity of potassium leaching at the same amount of precipitation was the highest in suburban area.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: An accurate estimation of biogenic emissions of VOC (volatile organic compounds) is necessary for better understanding a series of current environmental problems such as summertime smog and global climate change. However, very limited studies have been reported on such emissions in China. The aim of this paper is to present an estimate of biogenic VOC emissions during summertime in China, and discuss its uncertainties and potential areas for further investigations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was mainly based on field data and related research available so far in China and abroad, including distributions of land use and vegetations, biomass densities and emission potentials. VOC were grouped into isoprene, monoterpenes and other VOC (OVOC). Emission potentials of forests were determined for 22 genera or species, and then assigned to 33 forest ecosystems. The NCEP/NCAR reanalysis database was used as standard environmental conditions. A typical summertime of July 1999 was chosen for detailed calculations. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The biogenic VOC emissions in China in July were estimated to be 2.3×1012gC, with 42% as isoprene, 19% as monoterpenes and 39% as OVOC. About 77.3% of the emissions are generated from forests and woodlands. The averaged emission intensity was 4.11 mgC m-2 hr-1 for forests and 1.12 mgC m-2 hr-1 for all types of vegetations in China during the summertime. The uncertainty in the results arose from both the data and the assumptions used in the extrapolations. Generally, uncertainty in the field measurements is relatively small. A large part of the uncertainty mainly comes from the taxonomic method to assign emission potentials to unmeasured species, while the ARGR method serves to estimate leaf biomass and the emission algorithms to describe light and temperature dependence. CONCLUSIONS: This study describes a picture of the biogenic VOC emissions during summertime in China. Due to the uneven spatial and temporal distributions, biogenic VOC emissions may play an important role in the tropospheric chemistry during summertime. RECOMMENDATIONS AND PERSPECTIVE: Further investigations are needed to reduce uncertainties involved in the related factors such as emission potentials, leaf biomass, species distribution as well as the mechanisms of the emission activities. Besides ground measurements, attention should also be placed on other techniques such as remote-sensing and dynamic modeling. These new approaches, combined with ground measurements as basic database for calibration and evaluation, can hopefully provide more comprehensive information in the research of this field.

Background, Aim and Scope Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are important environmental contaminants which may lead to increased levels of neoplastic aberrations or tumours in fish liver. Therefore, monitoring of PAH and their effects are part of several international environmental programmes. The aim of the present field study was to investigate the concentrations of the PAH metabolites in fish bile, to elucidate spatial, seasonal and species differences as well as to discuss different strategies of normalisation with regard to environmental monitoring. Materials and Methods: PAH metabolites were determined in the bile fluid of dab (Limanda limanda) and flounder (Platichthys flesus) caught in the North Sea and Baltic Sea between 1997 and 2004. After enzymatic deconjugation, two metabolites were determined by means of HPLC. The limit of detection and the limit of quantification were calculated. The accuracy of the method was tested with a standard reference material. Results were referred to bile volume as well as to biliverdin. Results: The main metabolite, 1-hydroxypyrene, was determined in concentrations from <0.7 to 838 ng/ml in bile of dab (Limanda limanda) and flounder (Platichthys flesus) caught between 1997 and 2004. The values for 1-hydroxyphenanthrene in fish bile were considerably lower (<0.4 - 87 ng/ml). Significant differences in the 1-hydroxypyrene levels were found between summer and winter surveys as well as between the sampling sites in the data set from 2004 (383 dabs and 62 flounders): Highest levels of PAH contamination were found in dab from the German Bight and in flounder from the Baltic Sea. Discussion: Spatial differences in 1-hydroxypyrene concentrations between North Sea and Baltic Sea were discussed, as well as differences in relation to season, sex and species. Three parameters of normalisation (biliary protein, biliverdin and bile pigments) were discussed. Biliverdin was identified as a suitable parameter for the normalisation of PAH metabolites in field samples. Conclusions: Spatial differences in 1-hydroxypyrene concentrations of dab demonstrate the usefulness of PAH metabolites in fish bile as a monitoring parameter in marine regions. Significant differences in 1-hydroxypyrene concentrations were found between summer and winter sampling campaigns. This may be linked to an annual cycle of 1-hydroxyprene in dab. It is also possible that bile synthesis/release in dab differs between the seasons. There is no indication for a time trend from 1997 to 2004. Recommendations and Perspectives: It is recommended to relate PAH metabolites in fish bile to biliverdin concentrations. Although the concentrations are low in offshore regions and bile volumes are small, the method presented here allows one to measure PAH metabolites on an individual level which is a crucial prerequisite for meaningful monitoring studies.