A multi-media monitoring field investigation, which included atmospheric, road sediment and soil samples, was carried out at two highway study sites to identify past and present Pb sources. Past Pb anthropogenic sources such as paint and leaded gasoline were linked to significant Pb accumulation in roadside soils at both sites through Pb isotopic analyses. This was achieved by identifying the distinct Pb isotopic composition in older versus newer Pb accumulation at different depths across the soil profile. Older Pb accumulations exhibited lower ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb isotopic ratios, consistent with Canadian Pb-bearing ores, whereas newer Pb accumulations reflected a mixture of the ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb ratios of road sediment samples, with the Pb isotopic signature of uncontaminated soil. Isotopic analyses were also helpful in identifying road sediment as an important current source of Pb in roadside soils, by comparing the isotopic signatures derived from road sediment and atmospheric dustfall. The known association of Pb with anthropogenic sources was used to indirectly relate other metals (Cu, Mn, Zn) to the same source by the Enrichment Ratio method. Significant positive correlations at the 90-95% confidence level were found between Cu, Zn and Pb Enrichment Ratios in roadside and dust deposition samples. Weaker correlations were found between Mn and Pb, at the highway study site with the least amount of traffic. However, correlations between these two metals were significant at the 90% confidence level for the busier highway site highlighting Mn potential anthropogenic source. An isotopic tracer study is suggested to further investigate the process of Mn redistribution in the environment due to exhaust fuel emissions. More research is needed regarding the potential impact from using a Mn-based fuel additive.

In a step-by-step exercise - beginning at full greenhouse gas accounting (FGA) and ending with the temporal detection of emission changes - we specify the relevant physical scientific constraints on carrying out temporal signal detection under the Kyoto Protocol and identify a number of scientific uncertainties that economic experts must consider before dealing with the economic aspects of emissions and their uncertainties under the Protocol. In addition, we answer one of the crucial questions that economic experts might pose: how credible in scientific terms are tradable emissions permits? Our exercise is meant to provide a preliminary basis for economic experts to carry out useful emissions trading assessments and specify the validity of their assessments from the scientific point of view, that is, in the general context of a FGA-uncertainty-verification framework. Such a basis is currently missing.

The distributions and biogeochemical cycles of arsenic in the aquatic environment have captured the interest of geochemists due to arsenic's multiple chemical forms, the toxicity of certain arsenic species and large anthropogenic input. Seasonal variations in the dissolved inorganic arsenic concentration and speciation in Jiaozhou Bay, which is located on the west coast of the Yellow Sea in northern China, are presented here. Three cruises were carried out in Jiaozhou Bay under varying tidal regimes, one at neap tide and one at spring tide in August and one at spring tide in October of 2001. In addition to the transect surveys, the main sources of dissolved inorganic arsenate and arsenite in Jiaozhou Bay, including riverine input from five major tributary rivers, atmospheric dry and wet depositions, and groundwater and wastewater input, were collected in different seasons to estimate arsenic transport through different sources. The mean concentrations of total dissolved inorganic arsenic (TDIAs, As (V+III)) in Jiaozhou Bay were statistically comparable between summer and autumn, with higher concentrations at the northwest and northeast parts of the bay, reflecting human activities. The As (III)/TDIAs ratio ranged between 0.045 and 0.68, with an average of 0.16, implying that arsenate was the dominating species in Jiaozhou Bay. A preliminary box model was established to estimate the water-mass balance and arsenic budgets for Jiaozhou Bay, which demonstrated that river inputs and atmospheric depositions were the main sources of arsenic into Jiaozhou Bay. The concentrations of dissolved inorganic arsenic in Jiaozhou Bay have decreased in the last two decades. Compared with other areas in the world, the concentration of arsenic in Jiaozhou Bay remains at the natural level and this region can be characterized as a less disturbed area.

Three cruises were carried out in Jiaozhou Bay (JZB) in the neap tide in October 2002 (fall) and in both neap and spring tides in May 2003 (spring) to understand the relative importance of external nutrient inputs versus physical transport and internal biogeochemical processes. Nutrients ([graphic removed] , [graphic removed] , [graphic removed] , [graphic removed] , silicic acid, total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) and phosphorus (TDP), dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) and phosphorus (DOP)) were measured. The concentrations of nutrients were higher in the northern part than in the southern part. High concentrations of [graphic removed] and DON in JZB demonstrated the anthropogenic input. Ambient nutrient ratios indicated that the potential limiting nutrients for phytoplankton growth were silicon, and then phosphorus. Nutrients showed an obvious tidal effect with low values at flood tide and high values at ebb tide. Nutrient elements were transported into JZB in the north and output in the south (i.e., into the Yellow Sea), which varied with season, tidal cycle and investigation sites. Water exchange between JZB and the Yellow Sea exports [graphic removed] , [graphic removed] and DON out of JZB, while it inputs [graphic removed] , silicic acid and DOP into JZB. Nutrient budgets demonstrate that riverine input and wastewater discharge are major sources of nutrients, while residual flow is of minor importance in JZB ecosystem. JZB is a sink for the nutrient elements we studied except for DON. Stoichiometric calculations demonstrate that JZB is a net autotrophic system.

Within the European monitoring network (EMEP, http://www.emep.int) several different sampling procedures for measuring the main air components have been applied. This has contributed to systematic concentration differences and a comparability problem. Since 1997 co-located experiments in 15 countries have been carried out to quantify these differences. In addition, three major measurement campaigns were organized by EMEP between 1985 and 1991. Differences among results depend on the concentration level and methods used. The decrease in SO₂ concentrations over the last twenty years has placed greater demands on the methodology. Absorbing solutions methods for SO₂, (H₂O₂ and tetrachloromercurate (TCM)) typically have higher detection limits than the reference method, which uses KOH impregnated filters. The TCM method also has problems with negative interference, especially in summertime. UV fluorescence monitors have in a few cases proven to give good results, but interferences, detection limit and poor maintenance can be problems. For NO₂, many countries are using the TGS absorption solution method, which has a higher detection limit than the reference method using NaI impregnated glass sinters. The Salzmann method gives unreliable results at concentrations below 1 μgN/m³, and even at higher concentrations the uncertainty is rather unsatisfactory. The chemiluminescence monitor with molybdenum converters tends to systematically overestimate NO₂ concentrations, possibly because zero-drift problems and the non-specific response to NO₂. Particulate sulphate measurements in general have lower bias and uncertainties than gas and other aerosol measurements.

Aluminum in acidic conditions is toxic to plants. Aluminum tolerance in some plant species has been ascribed to arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal symbiosis. In this study, the application of aluminum was found to inhibit mycelia development of saprobe fungi Fusarium concolor and Trichoderma koningii and the hyphal length of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi Glomus mosseae and Glomus deserticola in vitro. Several levels of aluminum were applied to Eucalyptus globulus plants and inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi alone or together with both saprobe fungi. The application of 1,500 mg kg⁻¹ decreased the shoot and root dry weight, chlorophyll content and total P, Mg, and Ca concentrations in the shoot of E. globulus. However, both mycorrhizal fungi G. mosseae and G. deserticola inoculated alone increased the shoot dry weight of Eucalyptus, compared with a non- arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculated control treated with 1,500 mg kg⁻¹ of aluminum. When 1,500 mg kg⁻¹ of aluminum was applied, T. koningii increased the effect of G. deserticola on the shoot weight of eucalyptus, whereas with 3,000 mg kg⁻¹, shoot weight and arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization decreased in all treatments. With 1,500 mg kg⁻¹, the highest accumulation of aluminum in the shoot was obtained when G. deserticola was inoculated together with T. koningii. The possibility of manipulating an arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculation together with a saprobe fungus confers a high aluminum resistance in E. globulus. The effect of such combined inoculation is particularly important in some Chilean volcanic acid soils, mainly those which have been intensively cropped and are without lime addition, which facilitates the increase of phytotoxic aluminum species and limits their agricultural use. Therefore, such dual inoculation in field conditions deserves further investigation. Overall, the arbuscular mycorrhizal and saprobe fungi contribute to the increase in resistance of E. globulus to aluminium.

A study was conducted to determine the efficiency and effectiveness of two commercial microbial based bioremediation products compared to indigenous tropical microorganisms in a small-scale trial. The oil and grease content of the samples was monitored as an indication of the levels of petroleum hydrocarbon during the experiment. The indigenous enriched culture generally biodegraded the petroleum hydrocarbon to a greater extent than the commercial products and media controls early in the bioremediation process (0–5 days). However, as time progressed the extents of biodegradation were not significantly different between treatments until late in the bioremediation process (after 18 days). Of the two commercial products, one was more effective, reducing the level of oil and grease by 52.5% over the 3 week study. However, neither commercial product was able to meet the manufacturer’s stated level of 95% removal within three weeks. Commercial microbial-based bioremediation products may be used with some success in tropical environments, however location-specific trials may be required to ensure that the best commercial product is selected. As an alternative, the selective enrichment of indigenous microorganisms may result in similar performance at a reduced cost.

The main objective of this paper is to check the fulfilment of the European Directive 2004/107/CE, which refers to the limit values of arsenic, cadmium and nickel that will have to be carried out the first of January 2010. Three sampling points have been chosen (Alcora, Vila-real and Castellón), forming a triangle that comprise most of the ceramic cluster of the province of Castellón (Spain). This is a problematic area in relation to the fulfilment of the directive, due to its high industrial development. Apart from this main objective, the following are raised: a) The analysis of the temporal evolution of the levels of As, Cd, Ni and PM10 in the atmosphere during the year 2002; b) The identification of similar behaviour patterns and of the possible common origins in the studied pollutants; c) To show the existence of differences in the behaviour and evolution of As, Cd, Ni and PM10 in the atmospheric medium depending on the location of the sampling point; d) To check whether the levels of As, Cd, Ni and PM10 are influenced by the environmental temperature. The concentration levels of arsenic, cadmium and nickel in Alcora, Vila-real and Castellón have been determined during the year 2002, in order to check whether they are below the limits established in the future directive on these elements. The following conclusions are reached from the results obtained after the chemical analysis (using ICP–MS) of the samples collected in the three locations.

Clinoptilolite is investigated as a possible regenerable sorbent for acid rock drainage based on its adsorption capacity for Zn, adsorption kinetics, effect of pH, and regeneration performance. Adsorption of Zn ions depends on the initial concentration and pH. Adsorption/Desorption of Zn reached 75% of capacity after 1–2 h. Desorption depended on pH, with an optimum range of 2.5 to 4.0. The rank of desorption effectiveness was EDTA > NaCl > NaNO₃ > NaOAc > NaHCO₃ > Na₂CO₃ > NaOH > Ca(OH)₂. For cyclic absorption/desorption, adsorption remained satisfactory for six to nine regenerations with EDTA and NaCl, respectively. The crystallinity and morphology of clinoptilolite remained intact following 10 regeneration cycles. Clinoptilolite appears to be promising for ARD leachate treatment, with significant potential advantages relative to current treatment systems.

Atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined in particulate matter (PM10) collected in a suburban area with industrial and vehicular emissions in the Metropolitan Area of Rio de Janeiro City (Brazil). A total of 22 samples were collected between March and August 2005 by means of a high volume PM10 sampler. The particulate matter contained in the filters was extracted ultrasonically with dichloromethane. The extracts were later analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to a mass spectrometer (GC/MS). The individual concentrations of PAHs ranged between the detection limit and 0.386 ng m-³. The PAHs concentrations observed in this study were towards the lowest end of the range of values reported for other European locations and also lower than values obtained for South America. PAHs concentrations and molecular ratios showed that light cars seem to be the main contributors to PM10 emissions, but diesel vehicles are clearly minor emission sources and industrial contributions should not be disregarded until more data are obtained.