The integrated microwave with Mn/zeolite and ozone (MCO) and combined microwave with Mn/zeolite (MC) was employed to oxidize elemental mercury (Hg0) in simulated flue gas. The results show that mercury removal efficiency attained 35.3% in the MC, over 92% of Hg0 removal efficiency could be obtained in the MCO. The optimal microwave power and empty bed residence time (EBRT) in the microwave plasma catalytic oxidation were 264 W and 0.41 s, respectively. The effect of Hg0 oxidation in the MCO was much higher than that in the MC. Microwave accentuated catalytic oxidation of mercury, and increased mercury removal efficiency. The additional use of ozone to the microwave–catalysis over Mn/zeolite led to the enhancement of mercury oxidation. Mn/zeolite catalyst was characterized by X–ray diffraction (XRD), X–ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FT–IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the Brunauer Emmett Teller (BET) method. Microwave catalytic mercury over Mn/zeolite was dominated by a free radical oxidation route. Ozone molecules in air could enhance free radical formation. The coupling role between ozone and radicals on mercury oxidation in the MCO was formed. The MCO appears to be a promising method for emission control of elemental mercury.

This study assessed the relationship between the satellite Aerosol Optical Depths (AODs) and the ground monitored concentrations of particulate matter (PM) mass and its major constituents (black carbon–BC, organic carbon–OC, sulfates and nitrates), respectively. Both component AOD and total AOD products of Multi–angel Imaging Spectro Radiometer (MISR) were used for comparison along with the AOD product of the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). The ground PM data available during the period from 2004 to 2010 at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), a suburb site of the Bangkok Metropolitan Region, was used. MODIS and MISR AODs were validated against Sun photometer AOD, monitored at the Pimai AERONET station which showed strong linear regression with high R2 values of 0.87 and 0.92, respectively. The correlation coefficients between MODIS and MISR AODs and PM mass concentrations, respectively, were improved after exclusion of observations with cloud cover above 3/10. The R values (square root of determination coefficient R2) for linear relationships between PM10 and MODIS AOD were accordingly increased from 0.33 to 0.58 for MODIS AOD and from 0.25 to 0.54 for MISR AOD, while those for PM2.5 were improved from 0.30 to 0.55 for MODIS AOD and from 0.31 to 0.43 for MISR AOD. The stepwise regression was conducted to analyze the relationship between MISR component AODs and the mass concentration of PM10 and PM2.5, respectively, as well as their constituents. Higher R values were obtained for all regression equations using MISR component AODs as compared to those using total AOD. MISR component AODs showed higher capacity for monitoring daily BC (R=0.74–0.75) and sulfates (R=0.72), as compared to nitrates (R=0.52–0.54) and hourly OC (R=0.47). The potential of MISR component AODs for ambient PM monitoring should be explored and applied in other regions.

Rhamnolipid biosurfactant-producing bacteria, Bacillus Lz-2, was isolated from oil polluted water collected from Dongying Shengli oilfield, China. The factors that influence PAH solubilization such as biosurfactant concentration, pH, ionic strength and temperature were discussed. The results showed that the solubilities of naphthalene, phenanthrene and pyrene increased linearly with the rise of rhamnolipid biosurfactant dose above the biosurfactant critical micelle concentration (CMC). Furthermore, the molar solubilization ratio (MSR) values decreased in the following order: naphthalene>phenanthrene>pyrene. However, the solubility percentage increased and followed the opposite order: pyrene>phenanthrene>naphthalene. The solubilities of PAHs in rhamnolipid biosurfactant solution increased with the rise of pH and ionic strength, and reached the maximum values under the conditions of pH11 and NaCl concentration 8g·L−1. The solubility of phenanthrene and pyrene increased with the rise of temperature.

Benthic indices are commonly used tools for assessing the environmental quality, because they represent a simple source of scientific information. However, their performance could vary depending on the application area and perturbation types, thus they should be tested before used in other remote geographic regions. This study aims to test the use of some of the most widely common benthic biotic indices for assessing the environmental quality of Montevideo’s coastal zone at a seasonal scale against many physicochemical variables. From all the evaluated indices, AMBI appears to be the most suitable one to assess the environmental quality. The study also allowed us to infer the most relevant physicochemical variables: protein, lipid and heavy metal sediment concentration. Additionally, site-specific threshold effect levels for heavy metals and biopolymers were established, which appear to be useful to determine tolerable levels of such stressors in future assessments or monitoring programs for the study area.

Nitrogen (N) doped TiO2 supported vanadium phosphorus oxide (VPO) catalysts were prepared and tested for catalytic oxidation of NO. The experimental results showed that 0.1V(5)PO/TiN(1) was the optimal catalyst for NO oxidation and the NO conversion could reach 61% at temperature of 350°C. The physico–chemical properties of 0.1V(5)PO/TiN(1) catalyst were characterized by Brunauer–Emmett–Teller measurements (BET), Photoluminescence (PL), X–ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Infrared spectroscopy measurements of NH3 adsorbed on catalysts (NH3–IR), and Infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (FTIR). The PL and XPS spectra revealed that the oxygen storage capacity and catalytic activity of VPO/Ti catalyst can be improved by nitrogen doping. The H2–TPR profile also indicated that V(5)PO/TiN(1) catalyst had a superior redox property. Activity test results and FTIR spectra showed that 0.1V(5)PO/TiN(1) catalysts had a superior resistivity to SO2 and the NO oxidation rate is above 50% at temperature of 350°C when SO2 concentration is 200ppm to 800ppm.

Mercury (Hg) concentrations are a concern in the Canadian Arctic, because they are relatively high compared to background levels and to similar species farther south, and are increasing in many wildlife species. Among marine birds breeding in the Canadian Arctic, Hg concentrations have been monitored regularly in eggs and intermittently in livers, but feathers have generally not been used as an indicator of Hg exposure or burden. We examined Hg concentrations in six marine bird species in the Canadian Arctic. Ivory gull Pagophila eburnea, feather Hg was exceptionally high, while glaucous gull Larus hyperboreus feather Hg was unexpectedly low, and ratios of feather THg to egg THg varied across species. The proportion of total Hg that was comprised of methyl Hg in ivory gull feathers was lower than in other species, and may be related to photo-demethylation or keratin breakdown in semi-opaque feather tissue.

In this work, we investigated if the Eulerian and the Lagrangian approaches for the computation of the Transport Time Scales (TTS) of semi-enclosed water bodies can be used univocally to define the spatial variability of basin flushing features. The Eulerian and Lagrangian TTS were computed for both simplified test cases and a realistic domain: the Venice Lagoon. The results confirmed the two approaches cannot be adopted univocally and that the spatial variability of the water renewal capacity can be investigated only through the computation of both the TTS. A specific analysis, based on the computation of a so-called Trapping Index, was then suggested to integrate the information provided by the two different approaches. The obtained results proved the Trapping Index to be useful to avoid any misleading interpretation due to the evaluation of the basin renewal features just from an Eulerian only or from a Lagrangian only perspective.

The objectives of this study are to investigate distribution of trace elements and heavy metals in the salt marsh and wetland soil and biogeochemical processes in the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve of the northern Gulf of Mexico. The results show that Hg, Cd and to some extent, As and Pb have been significantly accumulated in soils. The strongest correlations were found between concentrations of Ni and total organic matter contents. The correlations decreased in the order: Ni>Cr>Sr>Co>Zn, Cd>Cu>Cs. Strong correlations were also observed between total P and concentrations of Ni, Co, Cr, Sr, Zn, Cu, and Cd. This may be related to the P spilling accident in 2005 in the Bangs Lake site. Lead isotopic ratios in soils matched well those of North American coals, indicating the contribution of Pb through atmospheric fallout from coal power plants.

Characterization of hydrochemistry changes in Johor Straits within 5years of monitoring works was successfully carried out. Water quality data sets (27 stations and 19 parameters) collected in this area were interpreted subject to multivariate statistical analysis. Cluster analysis grouped all the stations into four clusters ((Dlink/Dmax)×100<90) and two clusters ((Dlink/Dmax)×100<80) for site and period similarities. Principal component analysis rendered six significant components (eigenvalue>1) that explained 82.6% of the total variance of the data set. Classification matrix of discriminant analysis assigned 88.9–92.6% and 83.3–100% correctness in spatial and temporal variability, respectively. Times series analysis then confirmed that only four parameters were not significant over time change. Therefore, it is imperative that the environmental impact of reclamation and dredging works, municipal or industrial discharge, marine aquaculture and shipping activities in this area be effectively controlled and managed.

In this study bio-indicator bacteria and environmental variable parameters were investigated in the coastal areas of the Güllük Bay, Aegean Sea, Turkey. The seawater samples which were taken from surface (0–30cm) were tested regarding total and fecal coliform, streptococci and nutrients from May to February in 2012–2013. The primary hydrographic parameters were recorded using multiparameter (YSI 556) in situ at the sampling stations. The highest fecal pollution stress and indicator bacteria values were observed in the period between June and August. The finding showed that bacterial pollution sources of the study area, especially in the summer season, under the control of increasing anthropogenic activities. The finding showed that terrestrial pollution sources carry a potential risk for public and ecosystem health and the sustainable use of living sources. Precautions should be formulated and put into action immediately in order to protect the region from bacteriological risks.