Air pollution is a basic problem nowadays and it requires special concern. In India, the air pollution is a growing problem because of the enhanced anthropogenic activities such as burning fossil fuels involving industrial processes and motor vehicles. We study airborne dust particles collected at the height of 7 m in roadside and land area from thirty-eight cities in the state of Tamil Nadu. The collection involves a total of 111 samples concerning vehicular, industrial and residential areas, and allows us to assess the spatial distribution of magnetic particles produced and emitted on a short period of time (about one month). Magnetic properties of these air suspended particles were determined by techniques of environmental magnetism, revealing the presence of magnetite and hematite. We found the overall average of mass-specific magnetic susceptibility χ of 589.0 × 10−8 m3 kg−1 and saturation of remanent magnetization SIRM of 68.1 × 10−3 A m2 kg−1; as well as χ and SIRM values higher than 900.0 × 10−8 m3 kg−1 and 700.0 × 10−3 A m2 kg−1, respectively, corresponding to the most impacted zones in industrial/vehicular areas and in cities located in the central/eastern region respectively (e.g.: Hosur, Krishnagiri, Salem, Dharapuram, Ranipet, Ayanavaram, Cuddalore and Chidambaram). We analyzed the relationship between magnetic parameters, between areas and possible grouping of cities using multivariate statistical analysis. The SEM-EDS observations and grain size estimations reveal the presence of trace elements (Sb, Zn, Co, Ni, As and V) and fine particles (1–5 μm) that can be inhaled and therefore are dangerous to human health.

To investigate the long-term weathering of oil from the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) incident, oil-soaked sand patties were collected from Gulf of Mexico beaches from Florida to Alabama over a three-year period from 2012 to 2014. Analysis of oil residues by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC-FID), thin-layer chromatography with flame ionization detection (TLC-FID), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) indicated uniformity in their chemical composition. Some variability within and between samples was observed, arising from differences in exposure to light and water, which increase the amount of weathering. Oxygenated hydrocarbons (OxHC) produced by weathering processes dominate the majority of oil residues. These OxHC have continued recalcitrance in the environment, and increase in relative abundance over time. Analyses of the bulk characteristics of oil residues via TLC-FID and FT-IR should be continued as these techniques provide important insight into the weathering state of oil residues.

Superstorm Sandy generated huge quantities of debris in the Long Island, NY coastal zone. However, little appears to have been washed offshore to eventually be returned to Long Island's beaches as marine debris wash-ups. Information for our analysis includes debris collection statistics, very high resolution satellite images, along with wind and sea level data. Rigorous debris collection efforts along with meteorological conditions following the storm appear to have reduced the likelihood of debris wash-ups.

We developed the stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE)–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) method to detect 15 kinds of PAEs in seawater. The stir bars (20mm in length and 1mm in film thickness) coated with 150μL of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) were found to demonstrate the optimal extraction of PAEs. The optimal conditions were as follows: extraction time of 2h, extraction temperature of 25°C, sodium chloride of 5%, methanol of 10%, analytical time of 50min, and methanol–acetonitrile (4:1) as the solvent. SBSE–GC–MS revealed that under the set temperature, the chromatographic peaks of all 15 PAEs can appear with complete separation. The detection limit ranged from 0.07μg/L to 5.71μg/L, whereas the limit of quantification ranged from 0.023μg/L to 193μg/L, and the correlation coefficients between the chromatographic peak area and concentration of the PAEs were greater than 0.92.

From 2011 to 2013, we conducted a full sanitary survey of pollution sources in proximity to a designated shellfish growing area in Korea, and their impact on the sea area therein. From this area, 836 seawater samples and 93 oyster samples were examined to evaluate their bacteriological quality. There were 483 potential pollution sources in the drainage area of the Jaranman-Saryangdo area, including 38 sources discharging water. It demonstrates that while many pollution sources have been identified, no significant impact occurred within the designated shellfish growing area. Variations in fecal coliform (FC) levels in seawater were closely related to rainfall. The FC levels of seawater and oysters from the designated area met the regulation limits set by various countries. Our study indicates that the oysters produced in this area are apparently safe for raw consumption based on their bacterial quality.

PM10 and PM2.5 were collected during spring at East (“Gangneung”) and West (“Taean”) coastal sites of the Korean peninsula to investigate chemical characteristics and likely formation routes of their water-soluble inorganic species. The Gangneung site is inland, about 4.5–5.0 km from the East Sea; the Taean site is about 200 m from the coastline and about 400 km from eastern China. The total water-soluble ionic species contributions to PM10 and PM2.5 were respectively 28.8 and 37.4% at the Gangneung site and 46.8 and 53.1% at the Taean site. Concentrations of SO42−, NH4+, and NO3− in both PM10 and PM2.5 were found to be two times higher at the Taean site than at the Gangneung site. The potential source contribution function (PSCF) maps indicate that the enhancement of PM10 and its secondary aerosol species concentrations at two sites were primarily the result of atmospheric processing during long-range transport from the polluted regions of eastern China. Also upwind sources (“the capital region of Korea”) and local emissions influenced the concentration levels of secondary inorganic species at Gangneung.SO42− events, defined by PM10SO42− concentrations exceeding the average by one standard deviation, were identified at the two sites – six at Gangneung and four at Taean – to investigate possible mechanisms for the formation of SO42− and NO3−. High SO42− and high NO3− at the Gangneung site were strongly associated with either high RH (89–94%) and low wind speed or high O3 (62–103 ppb), suggesting that either gas-phase oxidation or aqueous phase oxidation played a critical role in the enhanced SO42− production. On the other hand, at the Taean site the association was with both high RH (76–92%) and high O3 (53–79 ppb), indicating that these conditions trigger aqueous-phase and gas-phase reactions to produce secondary SO42− and NO3− particles. Also long-range transport of air masses could be one possible factor for enhanced SO42− and NO3− concentrations during the events at the two coastal sites, as evidenced by PSCF maps.

In the current study, biocompatible and biodegradable blends based on poly(vinyl alcohol) nanoparticles – PVAn mixed with either chitosan (Ch) or starch (St) – were prepared and investigated as nanoabsorbents for oil elimination from wastewater. The use of water/dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as a mixed solvent is the key factor for preparing aggregated PVAn, which is further mixed with Ch or St. Nanoblends were applied as oil absorbents, and the results showed that PVAn/St possess high adsorption capacity than PVAn/Ch and PVAn. The maximum sorption capacities (qg/g) of the PVAn/Ch sorbents for hydraulic oil, kerosene, and toluene were 33.6, 73.96, and 93.1g/g, respectively. The absorbed oil could be rapidly recovered by simple mechanical squeezing and reused without any other modification. The blends showed excellent reusability and could be reused for at least 10 times with minimal losses. The current study demonstrates the application of these blends as an ideal alternative sorbent for oil spillage cleanup.

Adding fertiliser to sediments is an established way of studying the effects of eutrophication but a lack of consistent methodology, reporting on enrichment levels, or guidance on application rates precludes rigorous synthesis and meta-analysis. We developed a simple enrichment technique then applied it to 28 sites across an intertidal sandflat. Fertiliser application rates of 150 and 600gNm−2 resulted in pore water ammonium concentrations respectively 1–110 and 4–580×ambient, with greater elevations observed in deeper (5–7cm) than surface (0–2cm) sediments. These enrichment levels were similar to eutrophic estuaries and were maintained for at least seven weeks. The high between-site variability could be partially explained by the sedimentary environment and macrofaunal community (42%), but only at the high application rate. We suggest future enrichment studies should be conducted in situ across large environmental gradients to incorporate real world complexity and increase generality of conclusions.

Microplastics contamination of Lake Ontario sediments is investigated with the aim of identifying distribution patterns and hotspots in nearshore, tributary and beach depositional environments. Microplastics are concentrated in nearshore sediments in the vicinity of urban and industrial regions. In Humber Bay and Toronto Harbour microplastic concentrations were consistently >500 particles per kg dry sediment. Maximum concentrations of ~28,000 particles per kg dry sediment were determined in Etobicoke Creek. The microplastic particles were primarily fibres and fragments <2mm in size. Both low- and high-density plastics were identified using Raman spectroscopy. We provide a baseline for future monitoring and discuss potential sources of microplastics in terms of how and where to implement preventative measures to reduce the contaminant influx. Although the impacts of microplastics contamination on ecosystem health and functioning is uncertain, understanding, monitoring and preventing further microplastics contamination in Lake Ontario and the other Great Lakes is crucial.