The constructions of Cultural and Architecture Patrimony are influenced by pollutants. Many of degenerative processes in the materials which constitute them have their origin in pollutants. That is the reason why a physical-chemical characterisation of the particulate pollutants in the air has been carried out. The deposition and, as a consequence of that, the interaction of the pollutants with the different materials of the monuments depend on the reactivity of the chemical elements that form the atmospheric particulate. Studies of both, bulk dust deposition and total suspended matter, a mineralogical and chemical characterisation of them have been made. Lastly, starting from these data, it can be established that the interactions and degenerative processes are taking place in the monuments of the studied locations. In the present work, the methodology carried out in the study of the particulate atmospheric pollutants, which are capable of accumulating on monuments and buildings with artistic and historical interest in the area of Castellon, is displayed. By means of a network of captors, important samples of sedimentary and suspension atmospheric pollutants, total suspension particles (TSP) were obtained. Firstly, by gravimetric methods, we have obtained the concentration levels of these kinds of pollutants in milligrams per day in busk dust samples and micrograms per cubic meter in TSP. Due to the fact that the corrosivity of these pollutants fundamentally depends on their compositions, the study has been completed with a mineralogical and chemical characterisation. By X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, we have analysed the particles of the two kinds of samples. The chemical analysis was carried out by inductively coupled plasma-atomic spectroscopy and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (multielement analysis techniques) in TSP samples and in the soluble fraction of the depositing particulate matter. The results have shown as main compounds: clay minerals, calcite, and carbonaceous matter coming from non-perfect combustion of vehicles. The chemical analysis indicates a high Ca/S ratio and high levels of concentration in chemical elements associated to this representative industrial cluster of ceramics industry in Europe.

A study was conducted to determine nitrogen budget and ammonia volatilization in Japanese paddy fields supplemented with liquid cattle waste (LCW). A series of four, 2 x 10 m experimental plots was established in a paddy field with silty clay soil planted with forage rice (Oryza sativa L.). In addition to 195 kg N ha⁻¹ of chemical or compost-based basal fertilizer, LCW was applied as an additional fertilizer at total nitrogen rates of 0, 255, 255, and 405 kg N ha⁻¹ to the four plots C195, T450-1, T450-2, and T600, respectively. The mass balance showed that after application of LCW, 32-39% of total input nitrogen was assimilated into aboveground parts of rice plants, 11-15% leached downward, 2.5-4.0% was lost via ammonia volatilization, 1.6-5.1% was retained in roots or was adsorbed onto soil, and approximately 30-40% was lost via denitrification. Compared to animal waste slurries applied to unsaturated soils, nitrogen loss via ammonia volatilization was relatively lower, probably due to the dilution effect of floodwater. Nitrogen loss via denitrification was markedly higher in areas where LCW was applied compared to areas without LCW application. On the other hand, nitrogen leaching downwards represented a substantial loss and may be an environmental concern. However, after LCW application only, the ammonium ion was detected, at a maximum nitrogen concentration of 11.4 mg L⁻¹. In this system, therefore, nitrogen has a different fate to that in animal waste slurries applied to unsaturated soil. In that situation, the major nitrogen form in leaching water is nitrate nitrogen, which moves readily into groundwater.

Quantitative structural activity relationship (QSAR) models are receiving wide use because of new regulations and public scrutiny regarding new compounds entered into commerce. Accordingly, the US Department of Defense (DoD) supported this study to evaluate QSAR modeling for energetic compounds. Four compounds proposed to replace ammonium perchlorate were examined: ammonium di(nitramido)amine (ADNA); 1,3,5,5-tetranitrohexahydropyrimidine (DNNC); 1,3,3,5,7,7-hexanitro-1,5-diazacyclooctane (HCO); and diammonium di(nitramido)dinitroethylene (ADNDNE). Currently used compounds were evaluated as analogues for those under development. Ammonium dinitramide (ADN) was the analogue for ADNA; hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) for DNNC; octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX) for HCO; and 1,1-diamino-2,2-dinitroethene (FOX-7) for ADNDNE. QSAR analysis was performed with the US Environmental Protection Agency's Estimation Program Interface (EPI) Suite[trade mark sign]. The comparison of model estimates to literature values ranged from good-to-poor. Results suggested the proposed replacement compounds have low aquatic toxicities and little potential to bioaccummulate, but the uncertainty in the predictions indicates QSAR modeling with EPI Suite[trade mark sign] is only useful for qualitative assessments of these proposed energetic compounds.

In this work we studied the phenol sorption from contaminated water onto modified clay mineral vermiculite and bentonite by insertion of hexadecyltrimethylammonium in the interlayer of clays. The non modified clays showed negligible interaction with phenol. The experimental data were treated using the Freunlich equation which had a good fit. The removal percentages were higher than 35% for modified vermiculite and for modified bentonite, 30%. Vermiculite and bentonite were compared for the removal of phenol from an aqueous solution based on the maximum adsorption capacity of each adsorbent, and no significant difference was found. The adsorption mechanism for both is the same, according to the results. Although, there is a lack of studies using vermiculite for this purpose, it can be concluded that hydrophobic modified vermiculite is very effective for removing phenol from water. Hydrophobic modified bentonite also remove phenol, but in lower proportions.

Sampling was conducted at seven sites on, and at varying distances adjacent to, the Island of Montréal (Québec, Canada), and as far as 1,100 km away in Northern Québec, to explore the hazard potential of snowpacks in remote, rural, and urban environments. Ecotoxic effects of melted snow were ascertained with a suite of small-scale bioassays representing several aquatic taxonomic groups (bacteria, micro-algae, micro-invertebrates, fish liver cells) as well as with biomarker measurements determined with a rainbow trout primary hepatocyte (RTPH) assay. Bioassays undertaken with the cnidarian Hydra attenuata and RTPH cell assays, and to a lesser extent with the micro-alga Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, proved particularly sensitive to infer the presence of bio-available pollutants in snow samples collected from all sites, thereby suggesting their contamination (at least) via atmospheric sources. Furthermore, biomarker responses indicated that snow samples presumably included metals (free Zn biomarker), organics (CYP 1A1 biomarker), estrogens (alkali-labile phosphate biomarker) as well as chemicals capable of causing oxidative stress (LPO biomarker), depending on the site being considered. Overall, effects data acquired during this preliminary investigation on the ecotoxicity of snowpacks submit that adverse impact toward aquatic biota is conceivable at some sites during spring meltdown. Because snow has a recognized affinity for sequestering solids and contaminants of atmospheric origin, future studies aimed at identifying sources and chemicals implicated in observed effects are legitimate endeavors.

Chemical remediation of soil and groundwater containing hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) was carried out under batch and semi-batch conditions using different iron species: (Fe(II) (sulphate solution); Fe⁰ G (granulated elemental iron); ZVIne (non-stabilized zerovalent iron) and ZVIcol (colloidal zerovalent iron). ZVIcol was synthesized using different experimental conditions with carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and ultra-sound. Chemical analysis revealed that the contaminated soil (frank clay sandy texture) presented an average Cr(VI) concentration of 456 ± 35 mg kg⁻¹. Remediation studies carried out under batch conditions indicated that 1.00 g of ZVIcol leads to a chemical reduction of ~280 mg of Cr(VI). Considering the fractions of Cr(VI) present in soil (labile, exchangeable and insoluble), it was noted that after treatment with ZVIcol (semi-batch conditions and pH 5) only 2.5% of these species were not reduced. A comparative study using iron species was carried out in order to evaluate the reduction potentialities exhibited by ZVIcol. Results obtained under batch and semi-batch conditions indicate that application of ZVIcol for the “in situ” remediation of soil and groundwater containing Cr(VI) constitutes a promising technology.

Sediment cores were collected from the central and northern parts of Lake Dianchi, a large and shallow eutrophic lake situated in southwest China. Total organic carbon, total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) as well as the δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N were analyzed in the sediment cores. Age model of the sediment cores were established according to ¹³⁷Cs geochronology, which reveals that the sedimentary record covers a period of the last 50 years. During that time, Dianchi had been undergoing a distinct conversion from oligotrophic to eutrophic, as a result of increasing nutrient loadings. The two cores displayed similar increases for values of TN and δ¹⁵N, and the variations of the both parameters matched well with that of TP, which presumably suggested that δ¹⁵N is a reliable proxy for anthropogenic nutrient input. Also, dynamics of δ¹⁵N and TP showed that anthropogenic nutrients input seemed to start in the 1970s. The upward elevation of δ¹⁵N might be ascribed to the increasing input of isotopically heavier dissolved inorganic nitrogen and the accelerated denitrification process when the lake water was oxygen-depleted. The less variation of δ¹⁵N in the uppermost several centimeters of both cores were probably the result of pollution controls carried out by the local government in the recent decade. The upward increasing of δ¹³C in the two cores seemed to be induced by the enhanced productivity since 1980, which was in accordance with limnological observation. Therefore, δ¹³C values were believed to be an effective proxy for reconstructing the history of eutrophication in Lake Dianchi. In addition, this study also suggested that carbon and nitrogen isotopes are applicable to large, shallow lakes in interpreting the past environmental change.

Soils in areas of mining and smelting of Pb-Zn ores in Southern Poland are strongly enriched in heavy metals (Zn, Pb, Fe, Cd, Tl, As). The highest concentrations of Zn (<55,506 mg kg⁻¹), Pb (<8,262 mg kg⁻¹), Cd (<220 mg kg⁻¹) and Tl (<67 mg kg⁻¹) are linked to the fine fractions of upper soil layers in sites contaminated by past exploitation and processing of ores. The high stress of metals, and the negative influence of acid waste drainage has limited the development of flora and fauna in these areas. The increasing ability of plants to grow is due to the positive symbiotic action of fungi and bacteria. The mycorrhizal communities were identified in rhizospheres rich in unstable Zn-Pb-Fe sulphides such as sphalerite, galena, pyrite and marcasite and carbonates of Zn (smithsonite) and Pb (cerussite). They occur in associations with sulphates, e.g., gypsum. In parts of fungi, secondary mineral phases containing Zn, Pb, Fe and Mn occur. Metal-bearing aggregates formed during symbiotic action between myccorhiza and bacteria connected with them. They enhance the binding of bio-available ions of Zn, Pb and Mn in the most unstable phases. Metal contents in the mycorrhizal parts of the rhizospheric soils were determined by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. Mineralogical investigations involved X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectrometry.

In this research, we have investigated the removal efficiency of natural organic matter (NOM) from river and stream water using potassium ferrate(VI). For the study, ferrate was added in 100-ml water sample mixed either with humic acid or with fulvic acid. The removal efficiency at the ferrate dose of 2-46 mg/l (as Fe) was 21-74% for 10 mg/l humic acid and 48-78% for 10 mg/l fulvic acid. NOM was more effectively removed either at lower pH or at higher temperature. The removal performance by ferrate was comparable to that by traditional coagulants (i.e., alum, FeSO₄·7H₂O, and FeO(OH)). In addition, the removal rate of humic acid using traditional coagulants was improved by pretreatment with a very small dose of ferrate. The reaction between ferrate and humic acid was completed within 60 s, while showing first-order kinetic, and then reached a steady state.

The use of vermicompost was expanded as natural adsorbent for cationic dyes retention. The adsorption profiles in batch and flow modes for crystal violet and methylene blue on vermicompost material were evaluated. In batch mode, a retention index higher than 97% was obtained for both compounds, while in flow condition, 40 g of dried adsorbent material were enough to remove 100 mg of crystal violet or methylene blue at column flow rates of 5 and 20 mL min⁻¹. Adsorption isotherms showed adsorptive maximum capacities for vermicompost of 0.78 and 5.47 mg g⁻¹, respectively, which were compatible with the literature. Due to this good efficiency capacity, incineration steps can be considered as acceptable disposal procedures for enriched vermicompost. From these characteristics, economical and environmental advantages of the proposed material for the evaluated cationic dyes retention were evidenced.