Passive air samplers (PAS) have become recurrent methods for environmental monitoring. However, the influence of environmental variables, such as temperature, over these devices has not been fully investigated. Since climate change is likely to induce major environmental changes, the role of the temperature needs to be studied to assure the suitability of PAS for the long-term monitoring of semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) and their utility to compare data from different locations. This study aimed at evaluating the potential loss of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in PAS containing disks of polyurethane foam (PUF) at different temperatures. The gradient of temperature inside and outside the PAS was firstly determined, being noted an internal/external difference of up to 5 °C. Secondly, a lab-controlled experiment was performed by daily analyzing PAHs in PUF-based PAS exposed to 25 °C and 38 °C, for a period of 7 days. A significant loss of PAHs in PUFs was not observed for any of both scenarios, remaining constant through time. Moreover, PAH levels were not significantly different according to the temperature. These findings indicate that the environmental temperature does not affect the stability of PAHs in PAS. Once PAHs have been uptaken, they are not easily volatilized from these devices. Consequently, PAS are good environmental monitors independently on the ambient conditions of temperature, being suitable for the comparability of data, either temporally or spatially, on the airborne concentrations of PAHs.

Black carbon (BC) and tropospheric ozone (O3) are two main short-lived climate pollutants also linked to health effects. They are ubiquitous in street canyons, since this environment is a hotspot for traffic-related pollutants due to their particular airflow characteristics, location within the cities and the high density of vehicles and population.We report on BC and O3 concentrations measured in a Brazilian city in November 2014. Measurements of BC at 880 nm wavelength were conducted in a street canyon on the north and south façades and at rooftop level (7 wavelengths, including 880 nm) whereas O3 was recorded only on the south façade. Concurrent meteorological data were gathered at a suburban and a rooftop sites.Clear diurnal patterns were found for BC related to traffic emissions and atmospheric mixing conditions. Ozone peaked in the afternoon in response to maximum photochemical production and at night most likely linked to vertical and/or horizontal transport. By using conditional bivariate probability functions, we identified on-road traffic as the main local source for BC during daytime, and at night an intermittent signal was associated with local waste and biomass burned on the city's outskirts. A complementary air backward trajectory analysis helped conclude that locally produced O3 was enhanced by regional transport from large cities and/or biomass smoke.Mitigation strategies for BC and O3 depletion should target the vehicle fleet, particularly diesel buses, reduction of biomass and waste burning at local level, and decrease of open biomass burning in large areas in Brazil and neighbor countries.

Early detection of dangerous exotic species is crucial for stopping marine invasions. The New Zealand pygmy mussel Xenostrobus securis is a problematic species in coasts of temperate regions in the northern hemisphere. In this study we have controlled a population of this invader that recently expanded in a north Iberian estuary with both a participatory approach involving researchers and citizens, and employing a sensitive eDNA-based tool to monitor the population expansion in the estuary. Results demonstrate successful eradication of pygmy mussels in the outer part of the estuary with citizen science and the practical utility of eDNA for controlling biological invasions.

The aim of the paper is to assess the spatial distribution of surface-ozone concentrations for Bucharest urban agglomeration by running OML (“Operationelle Meteorologiske Luftkvalitetsmodeller” – Operational Meteorological Air Quality Model) dispersion model. Two data sets from 2009 were used to initialize the model for: (i) air quality data base of the National Network of Air Quality Monitoring (NNAQM); (ii) satellite data obtained from OMI (Ozone Monitoring Instrument) on board of AURA satellite. The potential of satellite data used in air quality assessment in lower troposphere, at local scale was also tested by comparison to data from air-quality monitoring stations. The intercomparison of simulated and measured data emphasized that satellite data can be used for assessment of air quality.

Bioaugmentation, Biostimulation and Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) of catabolic genes have been proven for their role in bioremediation of hydrocarbons. It also has been proved that selection of either biostimulation or bioremediation varies for every contaminated site. The reliability of HGT compared to biostimulation and bioremediation was not tested. The present study focuses on reliability of biostimulatiion, bioaugmentation and HGT during biodegradation of Diesel oil and Non aqueous phase liquids (NAPL). Pseudomonas aeruginosa (AEBBITS1) having alkB and NDO genes was used for bioaugmentation and the experiment was conducted using seawater as medium. Based on Gas chromatography results diesel was found to be degraded to 100% in both presence and absence of AEBBITS1. Denturing gradient gel electrophoresis result showed same pattern in presence and absence of AEBBITS1 indicating no HGT. NAPL degradation was found to be more by Biostimulated Bioaugmentation compared to biostimulation and bioaugmentation alone. This proves that biostimulated bioaugmentation is better strategy for oil contamination (tarabll) in Velsao beach, Goa.

In this study, we analyzed the relationship between concentration of metals in the host-parasite system (cod - acanthocephalan Echinorhynchus gadi) and Fulton's condition factor (FCF) of the host. The relationship between metal (Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Pb, Sr, Zn) concentrations in E. gadi and cod tissues was expressed as a bioconcentration factor (BCF), the ratio of the concentration in the parasite tissue to that in host tissues. Acanthocephalans accumulated mainly toxic metals (Cd, Pb), as well as Sr, Ca, Na. Cadmium showed the highest bioconcentration in parasites (BCF >200) compared to fish muscle. Significant negative correlation was detected between FCF and the concentration of Cd and Hg in cod liver. In contrast, FCF was positively correlated with the concentration of Hg in acanthocephalan tissues.

The study characterized the enrichment, ecological risk and possible source of heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn) in sediments from a typical mariculture bay. The concentrations of the metals were analyzed in sediments collected from Zhelin bay. The distribution variation was examined during the past decade, which had an increase tendency till 2011. The enrichment factor and geoaccumulation indices suggested Pb, As, Cu and Zn were minor enrichment and unpolluted to moderately polluted, and Ni at cage mariculture area was moderately-severe enrichment and strongly polluted. This area had medium to high ecological risk, especially at the northwest coastal area of semi-closed bay, with high-medium to high ecological risk. Correlation and principal component analyses indicated that most of heavy metals, especially for As, Pb and Ni, primarily resulted from the combustion of gasoline and diesel fuel and the ship protective layer.

Green tides have occurred in Qingdao coast in China for seven consecutive years from 2007 to 2013. To provide information on the genetic structure of these blooms, 210 free-floating green algae samples isolated from the green tide in Qingdao coast on June 19, 2013 were identified based on the ITS, rbcL and 5S sequence, and genetic diversity was investigated by microsatellite markers. According to ITS, rbcL and 5S sequence, all the 210 samples belonged to Ulva prolifera. Nei's genetic diversity and Shannon index estimated using eight microsatellite markers indicated that the genetic diversity of U. prolifera population within Qingdao's green bloom in 2013 was low. Taking into account previous reports about life history and physiology of U. prolifera, we proposed that the limited origin area of the free-floating biomass and asexual reproduction of U. prolifera might be responsible for the lower diversity of free floating U. prolifera.

Due to nitrogen load reduction policies, wastewater treatment facilities (WWTFs) have upgraded to tertiary treatment — where denitrification reduces and removes nitrogen. Changes to the stable isotopic composition of nitrate inputs after upgrades or how it transfers to the estuary have not been assessed in Rhode Island. We investigate whether these upgrades impact the isotopic signature of nitrate inputs to Narragansett Bay. Samples from rivers and WWTFs discharging to Narragansett Bay characterize the anthropogenic source nitrate (NO3−) isotopic composition (δ15N–NO3− and δ18O–NO3−) and temporal variability. At one WWTF, tertiary treatment increased effluent nitrate δ15N–NO3− and δ18O–NO3− values by ~16‰. Riverine values increased by ~4‰, likely due to the combination of decreases in N and upgrades. Combined river and WWTF flux-weighted isotopic compositions showed enriched values and an amplitude reduction in monthly variability. When seasonal isotopic means are significantly different from other sources, δ15N–NO3− may be a useful tracer of inputs.

The coastal hypersaline system of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) in the dry season, was investigated for the first time using a 3D baroclinic model. In the shallow coastal embayments, salinity increases to c.a. 1‰ above typical offshore salinity (~35.4‰). This salinity increase is due to high evaporation rates and negligible freshwater input. The hypersalinity drifts longshore north-westward due to south-easterly trade winds and may eventually pass capes or headlands, e.g. Cape Cleveland, where the water is considerably deeper (c.a. 15m). Here, a pronounced thermohaline circulation is predicted to occur which flushes the hypersalinity offshore at velocities of up to 0.08m/s. Flushing time of the coastal embayments is around 2–3weeks. During the dry season early summer, the thermohaline circulation reduces and therefore, flushing times are predicted to be slight longer due to the reduced onshore-offshore density gradient compared to that in the dry season winter period.