Background, aim, and scope Improving the parameterization of processes in the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) and surface layer, in air quality and chemical transport models. To do so, an asymmetrical, convective, non-local scheme, with varying upward mixing rates is combined with the non-local, turbulent, kinetic energy scheme for vertical diffusion (COM). For designing it, a function depending on the dimensionless height to the power four in the ABL is suggested, which is empirically derived. Also, we suggested a new method for calculating the in-canopy resistance for dry deposition over a vegetated surface. Materials and methods The upward mixing rate forming the surface layer is parameterized using the sensible heat flux and the friction and convective velocities. Upward mixing rates varying with height are scaled with an amount of turbulent kinetic energy in layer, while the downward mixing rates are derived from mass conservation. The vertical eddy diffusivity is parameterized using the mean turbulent velocity scale that is obtained by the vertical integration within the ABL. In-canopy resistance is calculated by integration of inverse turbulent transfer coefficient inside the canopy from the effective ground roughness length to the canopy source height and, further, from its the canopy height. Results This combination of schemes provides a less rapid mass transport out of surface layer into other layers, during convective and non-convective periods, than other local and non-local schemes parameterizing mixing processes in the ABL. The suggested method for calculating the in-canopy resistance for calculating the dry deposition over a vegetated surface differs remarkably from the commonly used one, particularly over forest vegetation. Discussion In this paper, we studied the performance of a non-local, turbulent, kinetic energy scheme for vertical diffusion combined with a non-local, convective mixing scheme with varying upward mixing in the atmospheric boundary layer (COM) and its impact on the concentration of pollutants calculated with chemical and air-quality models. In addition, this scheme was also compared with a commonly used, local, eddy-diffusivity scheme. Simulated concentrations of NO₂ by the COM scheme and new parameterization of the in-canopy resistance are closer to the observations when compared to those obtained from using the local eddy-diffusivity scheme. Conclusions Concentrations calculated with the COM scheme and new parameterization of in-canopy resistance, are in general higher and closer to the observations than those obtained by the local, eddy-diffusivity scheme (on the order of 15-22%). Recommendations and perspectives To examine the performance of the scheme, simulated and measured concentrations of a pollutant (NO₂) were compared for the years 1999 and 2002. The comparison was made for the entire domain used in simulations performed by the chemical European Monitoring and Evaluation Program Unified model (version UNI-ACID, rv2.0) where schemes were incorporated.

Background, aim, and scope Lindane, technically 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6-hexachlorocyclohexane (γ- HCH), is the most commonly detected organochlorine pesticide from diverse environmental compartments. Currently, India is the largest consumer and producer of lindane in the world. The production of lindane results in the generation of large quantities of waste HCH isomers (mainly α-, β- and δ-). All these isomers are toxic and have a long-range environmental transport potential. The aim of this study was to monitor the seasonal variation of HCH isomers in an open soil-plant-rhizospheric soil system of a contaminated industrial area. For this, selected plant species and their rhizospheric soil (soil samples collected at a depth range of 0-45 cm near to the root system) and open soil samples (soil samples collected (0-30 cm depth) from 1-1.5 m away from the plant root system) were collected for 2 years (two summer seasons and two winter seasons). Materials and methods Seven plant species along with their rhizospheric soil and open soil samples were collected seasonally from different parts of the industry. Plant samples were separated into root, leaf and stem. HCH isomers in plant and soil samples were extracted by matrix solid-phase dispersion extraction (MSPD) and Soxhlet extraction, respectively, followed by GC-ECD. The seasonal difference in occurrence of HCH isomers in plant samples with their respective soil-system was studied by multivariate statistical approaches. Results The mean concentration of total HCH in plant samples, open soil and rhizospheric soil samples were found in the range of 14.12 to 59.29 mg kg⁻¹; 38.64 to 104.18 mg kg⁻¹ and 8.38 to 26.05 mg kg⁻¹, respectively. Cluster grouping reveals that S. torvum and W. somnifera can accumulate more HCH than other studied species. Discussion There was a marked seasonal difference in the occurrence of HCH isomers in plant samples (p < 0.05) and open soil samples (p < 0.01). Comparatively higher levels of HCH isomers were detected from plant samples during summer, while higher levels of HCH isomers were detected from soil samples during the winter season. There was no significant difference in seasonal variation of HCH isomers in rhizospheric soil samples; however, total HCH in rhizospheric soil samples were 4 to 5-fold lower than the open soil samples. The total concentration of HCH isomers in roots is linearly related to their rhizospheric HCH level. Conclusions HCH isomers were detected in open soil, plants and rhizospheric soil samples. Monitoring studies clearly revealed that the above-mentioned industrial area is contaminated with all major isomers of HCH. Occurrence of all these isomers in the study area point out the lack of sustainable management practices of this industry for protecting the area from hazardous waste. The analytical results confirmed that accumulation depends upon the plant species, soil and climatic conditions. Recommendations and perspectives Recently, α-, β- and γ-HCH have been nominated by the POPs Reviewing Committee for inclusion into the Stockholm Convention to address the HCH contamination on a global level. Therefore, there is an urgent need to stop the production of lindane and remediate contaminated soil sites. Based on the monitoring studies, the promising species like W. somnifera and S. torvum may be selected for the on-site phytoremediation of HCH-contaminated soil. The mismanagement of HCH residues from the organochlorine industry and their contemporary relevance often after decades of their deposition is one key example demonstrating the necessity to evaluate the waste deposits of the respective organochlorine productions and need for a strict waste management, and the necessity of an integrated pollution prevention and control strategy for the whole organochlorine industry including also the developing countries.

Background, aim, and scope The management of contaminated sites requires the investigation of different involved aspects (from socioeconomic to risk and technological issues) and the presentation of useful and condensed information to decision makers. For this purpose, indices are more and more recognized as effective and valuable tools. This paper presents specific indices created within the DEcision Support sYstem for REhabilitation of contaminated sites (DESYRE). Materials and methods DESYRE is a software which aids decision making for the rehabilitation of a large contaminated site (i.e., megasite) by the creation and comparison of different rehabilitation alternatives. The software is composed of six modules, each dealing with a specific aspect of the remediation process, ending with the decision module. In this module, scenarios (i.e., suitable solutions for the rehabilitation of the contaminated site including selected land use, socioeconomic benefits, remediation costs, time span, environmental impacts, technology set/s, and residual risk) are created and evaluated by means of suitable indices. Nine indices cover the socioeconomic, risk, technological, cost, time, and environmental impact aspects. Mathematical algorithms are used to calculate these indices by taking into account data collected during the analytical steps of the DESYRE system and elaborated through the support of the spatial analysis, which is embedded in the system. Results The case study of Porto Marghera, Venice, Italy is presented in order to document the effectiveness of developed indices in evaluating management solutions and presenting options to decision makers. For the purpose of this study, three different scenarios for the remediation of a part of the site of Porto Marghera (approximately 530 ha) are developed and compared. The three scenarios consider the industrial land use and deal with the contamination in soil caused by inorganic and organic compounds. The scenarios mainly differ for the number of the included remediation technologies and for the spatial distribution of the technologies on the considered area. Discussion Indices results allow the user to more easily evaluate the advantages and limits of each scenario in order to select the most appropriate one. For instance, the risk indices allow the user to identify scenarios with good performance in reducing the extension of risk areas and the risk magnitude. Equally, the technological indices support the achievement of efficient remedial solutions characterized by a limited number of technologies, applied to extended areas and with high performance. The environmental impact index allows users to estimate the wider effects on the environment of the selected solutions, while the socioeconomic index is the result of social and economic investigations of the regional and local conditions, which ends with the identification of the best land use (e.g., the industrial one for the Porto Marghera area). Conclusions The proposed nine DESYRE indices provide more complete information to investigate suitable management solutions. DESYRE indices facilitate the definition of a consensus among stakeholders and the achievement of a widely shared solution for contaminated site management, even at larger sites, such as Porto Marghera. Recommendations and perspectives Further improvements to the system may be adopted, e.g., the possibility to aggregate results of the different assessments into one synthetic index per scenario or the inclusion of a Group Decision Making procedure.

Background, aim, and scope Dye pollutants are a major class of environmental contaminants. Over 100,000 dyes have been synthesized worldwide and more than 700,000 tons are produced annually and over 5% are discharged into aquatic environments. The adsorption or sorption is one of the most efficient methods to remove dye and heavy metal pollutants from wastewater. However, most of the present sorbents often bear some disadvantages, e.g. low sorption capacity, difficult separation of spoil, complex reproduction, or secondary pollution. Development of novel sorbents that can overcome these limitations is desirable. Materials and methods On the basis of the chemical coprecipitation of calcium oxalate (CaC₂O₄), bromopyrogallol red (BPR) was embedded during the growing of CaC₂O₄ particles. The ternary C₂O₄ ²⁻-BPR-Ca²⁺ sorbent was yielded by the centrifugation. Its composition was determined by spectrophotometry and AAS, and its structure and morphology were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), laser particle-size analysis, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The adsorption of ethyl violet (EV) and heavy metals, e.g. Cu(II), Cd(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), and Pb(II) were carried out and their removal rate determined by spectrophotometry and ICP-OES. The adsorption performance of the sorbent was compared with powder activated carbon. The Langmuir isothermal model was applied to fit the embedment of BPR and adsorption of EV. Results The saturation number of BPR binding to CaC₂O₄ reached 0.0105 mol/mol and the adsorption constant of the complex was 4.70 x 10⁵ M⁻¹. Over 80% of the sorbent particles are between 0.7 and 1.02 μm, formed by the aggregation of the global CaC₂O₄/BPR inclusion grains of 30-50 nm size. Such a material was found to adsorb cationic dyes selectively and sensitively. Ethyl violet (EV) was used to investigate the adsorption mechanism of the material. One BPR molecule may just bind with one EV molecule. The CaC₂O₄/BPR inclusion material adsorbed EV over two times more efficiently than the activated carbon. The adsorption of EV on the CaC₂O₄/BPR inclusion sorbent was complete in only 5 min and the sedimentation complete in 1 h. However, those of EV onto activated carbon took more than 1.5 and 5 h, respectively. The treatment of methylene blue and malachite green dye wastewaters indicated that only 0.4% of the sorbent adsorbed over 80% of color substances. Besides, the material can also adsorb heavy metals by complexation with BPR. Over 90% of Pb²⁺, and approximately 50% of Cd²⁺ and Cu²⁺, were removed in a high Zn²⁺-electroplating wastewater when 3% of the material was added. Eighty-six percent of Cu²⁺, and 60% of Ni²⁺ and Cd²⁺, were removed in a high Cd²⁺-electroplating wastewater. Discussion The embedment of BPR into CaC₂O₄ particles responded to the Langmuir isothermal adsorption. As the affinity ligand of Ca²⁺, BPR with sulfonic groups may be adsorbed into the temporary electric double layer during the growing of CaC₂O₄ particles. Immediately, C₂O₄ ²⁻ captured the Ca²⁺ to form the CaC₂O₄ outer enclosed sphere. Thus, BPR may be released and embedded as a sandwich between CaC₂O₄ layers. The adsorption of EV on the sorbent obeyed the Langmuir isothermal equation and adsorption is mainly due to the ion-pair attraction between EV and BPR. Different from the inclusion sorbent, the activated carbon depended on the specific surface area to adsorb organic substances. Therefore, the adsorption capacity, equilibrium, and sedimentation time of the sorbent are much better than activated carbon. The interaction of heavy metals with the inclusion sorbent responded to their coordination. Conclusions By characterizing the C₂O₄ ²⁻-BPR-Ca²⁺ inclusion material using various modern instruments, the ternary in situ embedment particle, [(CaC₂O₄)₉₅(BPR)] n ²n⁻, an electronegative, micron-sized adsorbent was synthesized. It is selective, rapid, and highly effective for adsorbing cationic dyes and heavy metals. Moreover, the adsorption is hardly subject to the impact of electrolytes. Recommendations and perspectives The present work provides a simple and valuable method for preparing the highly effective adsorbent. If a concentrated BPR wastewater was reused as the inclusion reactant, the sorbent will be low cost. By selecting the inclusion ligand with a special structure, we may prepare some particular functional materials to recover the valuable substances from seriously polluted wastewaters. The recommended method will play a significant role in development of advanced adsorption materials.

Background, aim, and scope Pharmaceutically active substances are a class of emerging contaminants, which has led to increasing concern about potential environmental risks. After excretion, substantial amounts of unchanged pharmaceuticals and their metabolites are discharged into domestic wastewaters. The absence of data on the environmental exposure in Eastern Europe is significant, since use patterns and volumes differ from country to country. In Romania, the majority of wastewater, from highly populated cities and industrial complex zones, is still discharged into surface waters without proper treatment or after inefficient treatment. In respect to this, it is important to determine the environmental occurrence and behavior of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in wastewaters and surface waters. The objective of the present study was to investigate the occurrence of selected PPCPs during the transport in the Somes River by mass flow analysis before and after upgrading a municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in Cluj-Napoca, which serves 350,000 inhabitants and is the largest plant discharging into the Somes River. The concentrations of PPCPs at Cluj-Napoca can be correlated with the high population and a high number of hospitals located in the catchment area leading to higher mass flows. The results of this study are expected to provide information, with respect to the Romanian conditions, for environmental scientists, WWTP operators, and legal authorities. The data should support the improvement of existing WWTPs and implementation of new ones where necessary and, therefore, minimize the input of contaminants into ambient waters. Materials and methods The PPCPs were selected on the basis of consumption at the regional scale, reported aquatic toxicity, and the suitability of the gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) method for the determination of the compounds at trace levels. The studied PPCPs, caffeine (stimulant), carbamazepine (antiepileptic), pentoxifylline (anticoagulant), cyclophosphamide (cytostatic), ibuprofen (analgesic), and galaxolide (musk fragrance), were determined in samples of the Somes River. The analytes were enriched by solid-phase extraction and subsequently determined by GC/MS. Caffeine, pentoxifylline, and galaxolide were determined underivatized, whereas the acidic pharmaceuticals carbamazepine, cyclophosphamide, and ibuprofen were determined after derivatization with N-methyl-N-(trimethylsilyl)-trifluoroacetamide. Results and discussion The concentrations in the Somes River varied from below 10 ng/L up to 10 μg/L. A substantial decrease of the exposure in the Somes River could be observed due to the upgrade of the municipal WWTP in Cluj-Napoca. The loads in the river stretch between Cluj-Napoca and Dej (Somes Mic) varied strongly: caffeine (400-2,000 g/day), carbamazepine (78-213 g/day), galaxolide (140-684 g/day), ibuprofen (84-108 g/day). After the upgrade of the WWTP Cluj-Napoca, the concentrations in the Somes of caffeine, pentoxifylline, cyclophosphamide, galaxolide, and tonalide were significantly reduced (over 75%). One might be cautious comparing both studies because the relative efficiency of the WWTP's removal of PPCP was not evaluated. However, the significantly lower concentrations of most compounds after the upgrade of the WWTP Cluj-Napoca allow one to infer that the technical measures at the source substantially reduced inputs of contaminants to the receiving river. Dej loads of the poorly biodegradable substance carbamazepine increased by a factor of 2-3 as a result of wastewater discharges into the river. The disproportionate increase in caffeine loads by a factor of 4 below Cluj-Napoca indicates inputs of untreated wastewater from the Somes Mare due to the discharge of untreated wastewater derived from Bistrita, Nasaud, and Beclean (115,000 inhabitants). Conclusions The relative contribution of treated and untreated wastewater in surface water might be assessed by measuring chemical markers. Recalcitrant pharmaceuticals like carbamazepine are suitable as chemical markers for estimating the relative contribution of wastewater in surface water. The easily degradable caffeine might be a good indicator for raw sewage and hardly treated wastewaters. Recommendations and perspectives Municipal WWTPs have the potential of a significant contribution in reducing the load of contaminants to ambient waters. The efficiency of the wastewater treatment in Cluj-Napoca improved considerably after the upgrade of the WWTP. Therefore, it is crucial that several WWTPs must be implemented or improved in the Somes Valley Watershed in order to reduce the discharge of contaminants in the Somes River from these point sources.

Background, aim and scope Marine and coastal sediments can accumulate substantial concentrations of metals and hydrocarbons, yet the consequences of this contamination for exposed biota in situ can be difficult to establish. Here, we examine the hypothesis that exposure to contaminated sediments can lead to detrimental effects in sedimentdwelling species. The combination of chemical and biological assessment allows the identification of the impact of chemical contamination, and their use as assessment tools is becoming increasingly important. Materials and methods The study was applied to marine sediments from the Bay of Algeciras (S Spain) impacted by multiple, low-level contaminant inputs, and the Galician Coast (NW Spain), historically impacted by an oil spill (Prestige 2002), with two reference sites selected in UK and Spain. The common lugworm Arenicola marina was exposed in the laboratory for 14 days to the marine sediments, and a suite of biomarkers of sublethal toxicity was combined with analytical chemistry to test for relationships between sediment contamination and effect. Results Moderate to strong correlations between organics, metals, and biological responses were observed, with DNA damage as measured using the Comet assay forming the largest contribution toward the observed differences (p<0.05). The responses of worms from sites experiencing different contamination loads were clearly distinguishable. Discussion We show how a combination of multibiomarkers with analytical chemistry can be used to investigate the toxicity of marine sediments, enabling the differentiation of sites showing different types of contamination. There are clear relationships in sublethal assays that can be related to the putative mode of toxicity of the contaminants. Conclusions The use of A. marina in this way provides a sensitive, holistic approach to sediment toxicity assessment, enabling comparisons between oil-polluted sites to be quantified.

[Departement_IRSTEA]Ecotechnologies [TR1_IRSTEA]TED [Axe_IRSTEA]TED-SOWASTE | National audience | The objective of the Equivalence Guide is to define rules of good practice with respect to equivalent solutions for landfill mineral barriers. The guide refers primarily to non-hazardous waste landfills. The guide, which was first drafted in 2002, was updated in 2008, by a working group composed of the main organisations working on landfill mineral barriers in France. The update also benefited from feedback from professional partners (consultants, landfill operators, geosynthetic suppliers...). This paper summarizes the main changes with respect to the previous version. | Le « Guide Équivalence » a pour objectif de définir des règles de bonne pratique en matière de recherche de solutions « équivalentes » en étanchéité passive d'installation de stockage de déchets. Les principaux sites concernés par ce guide sont les installations de stockage de déchets non dangereux (ISDND). Ce guide, dont la première version date de 2002, a été réactualisé par un groupe de travail constitué des principaux organismes intervenant sur la thématique des barrières minérales d'ISD en France. Cette réactualisation a également bénéficié d'un retour d'expérience recueilli auprès de la profession (bureaux d'étude, exploitants, fournisseurs de géosynthétiques ). Cet article fait une synthèse des principales modifications par rapport à la version antérieure.

[Departement_IRSTEA]Ecotechnologies [TR1_IRSTEA]TED [Axe_IRSTEA]TED-SOWASTE | National audience | This papers aims at presenting the various lining and drainage structures including geosynthetics that can be encountered in mining applications like heap leach pads, tailing storage facilities and waste rock storage facilities. The question of design and durability of drainage and lining systems is then discussed as regards the impact of the large loads that can be encountered in mining applications. Then liquid and gas transfers are discussed together with the attenuation of metals in GCLs. | Cet article permet, après une présentation de différentes structures à base de géosynthétiques rencontrées dans les installations minières ,aires de lixiviation, zones de stockage de résidus de lixiviation,ainsi que stockages de stériles, de discuter des structures d'étanchéité et de drainage mises en place dans ces structures. On aborde ensuite la problématique du dimensionnement et de la durabilité des systèmes drainants et d'étanchéité sous les fortes contraintes mécaniques typiquement rencontrées dans les installations minières. Puis on discute les transferts liquides et gazeux ainsi que l'atténuation des métaux dans les géosynthétiques bentonitiques.

National audience | Solid Waste landfilling is a common application of Geosynthetics in geo-environmental engineering. Non-hazardous waste Landfills are responsible for Methane emissions, a Greenhouse Gas (GHG) with high Global Warming Potential naturally present in the biogas. An evaluation of Greenhouse Gas emissions from landfills depending on the way they are operated and on the cap cover characteristics (semi-permeable, impermeable) is presented. Energy recovery from biogas is also discussed. The sensitivity of the environmental performance of landfills on the cover characteristics as well as on the biogas collection and recovery system is highlighted. | Le stockage de déchets est une des applications communes des géosynthétiques en génie de l'environnement. Les installations de stockage de déchets non dangereux (ISDND) occasionnent des émissions de biogaz, ce dernier étant composé de méthane, un puissant gaz à effet de serre (GES). Un bilan des émissions de GES d'une installation de stockage de déchets non dangereux est proposé selon différents scénarios de gestion et les types de couvertures employées (semi-perméable, imperméable). La valorisation énergétique du biogaz est également abordée. L'étude fait apparaître la sensibilité des performances environnementales des ISDND au type de couverture et à la performance du système de traitement du biogaz.

National audience | Objectives of the Saint-Brès landfill capping are waterproofing, water drainage and earth retaining. Slopes on cover reach 66% with length superior to 10 m. Geosynthetic solution is composed from bottom to top of a protective geotextile, a drainage geocomposite industrially associated to a textured 8/10 mm polyethylene film to increase the stability of the system and a earth retaining geogrid. Geocomposite has been designed with Lymphéa® software to drain a rain of 266 mm/day. A polyethylene film was welded on site to increase the waterproofing of the capping. | La réalisation de la couverture du centre de stockage de déchets ménages et assimilés (CSDMA) de Saint-Brès a pour objectifs l'imperméabilisation, le drainage des eaux de pluies et la retenue de la terre végétale. La couverture possède des talus pentés à 66 % avec des rampants supérieurs à 10 m. Le complexe géosynthétique est composé de bas en haut par un géotextile antipoinçonnant, un géocomposite de drainage associé en usine à un film polyéthylène 8/10 mm texturée en sous-face pour augmenter la stabilité du dispositif et une géogrille de retenue des terres. Le géocomposite a été dimensionné hydrauliquement avec le logiciel Lymphéa® pour drainer une pluie de 266 mm/jour. Le film du géocomposite a été soudé sur site pour garantir une imperméabilisation optimale de la couverture.