Distribution, behavior and budget of Pb in suspended particles in the Changjiang Estuary and adjacent east China sea.

Content, isotopes and budget of Pb in suspended particulate matter (SPM) in the Changjiang Estuary and adjacent East China Sea (ECS) were determined to investigate the biogeochemical cycling of particulate Pb in coastal sea. The content of particulate Pb ranged from 11.3 to 669.4 µg/g in February (winter) and from 20.1 to 79.4 µg/g in August (summer). Except in surface water, particulate Pb content in August is higher than that in February. In lower water, particulate Pb and Th and SPM all decreased gradually from the estuary towards the sea, indicating their lithogenic origin from the Changjiang River. Particulate Pb displayed abnormally high concentration in February surface water, resulting from the atmospheric deposition of anthropogenic Pb in winter. 208Pb/206Pb and 207Pb/206Pb in surface water north to the estuary were higher than background values, suggesting anthropogenic disturbance of Pb. Particulate Pb content in the Changjiang River and the estuary had increased by 77-78% from the 1980s to 2016 due to pollution. Pb was also scavenged by organic matter, leading to higher Pb content in waters with high productivity. Budget of particulate Pb in the northern ECS was established. The Changjiang River contributed 97.0% and 58.1% of particulate Pb input in summer and winter half year, respectively. 88.8% of particulate Pb was deposited in the estuary and adjacent coastal sea in summer but 88.7% was exported with southward coastal currents in winter.

Inorganic pollutants in the indoor environment of the Moravian Library: assessment of Cd, Pb, Cu, and Zn in total suspended particles and dust using HR-CS GF-AAS.

In this study, the occurrence of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) in the environment of the Moravian Library in Brno, the second largest library in Czechia, was in focus. The materials of interest were airborne particles, dust originating from books, and also book pages. Total suspended particles (TSP) were sampled in different areas of the library, including the reading room, the book depository, and an external book warehouse. Samples of dusts were obtained from the book-cleaning system, and, moreover, some pages taken from old books were also analyzed. Samples were microwave-digested and analyzed using graphite furnace high-resolution continuum source AAS (HR-CS GF-AAS). During the analysis, possibilities of the signal intensity modulation of the HR-CS technique were demonstrated and employed in order to determine Zn, an element which is rarely determined by GF-AAS. The median TSP concentrations (in ng/m3) were as follows: Pb, 4.4; Cd, 0.07; Cu, 2.6; and Zn, 20.9. Such concentrations are safely below allowed limits. Contents of Pb determined in dust samples and book pages were slightly higher (up to 707 and 38 mg/kg, respectively) than the usually reported values. However, none of these results indicate a potential risk to library staff or readers.

Levels and risk assessment of hydrocarbons and organochlorines in aerosols from a North African coastal city (Bizerte, Tunisia).

The aim of this study was to assess, for the first time, the concentrations, sources, dry deposition and human health risks of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), aliphatic hydrocarbons (AHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in total suspended particle (TSP) samples collected in Bizerte city, Tunisia (North Africa), during one year (March 2015-January 2016). Concentrations of PAHs, AHs, PCBs and OCPs ranged 0.5-17.8 ng m-3, 6.7-126.5 ng m-3, 0.3-11 pg m-3 and 0.2-3.6 pg m-3, respectively, with higher levels of all contaminants measured in winter. A combined analysis revealed AHs originating from both biogenic and petrogenic sources, while diesel vehicle emissions were identified as dominant sources for PAHs. PCB potential sources included electronic, iron, cement, lubricant factories located within or outside Bizerte city. The dominant OCP congeners were p,p'-DDT and p,p'-DDE, reflecting a current or past use in agriculture. Health risk assessment showed that the lifetime excess cancer risk from exposure to airborne BaP was negligible in Bizerte, except in winter, where a potential risk to the local population may occur.

Distribution comparison and risk assessment of free-floating and particle-attached bacterial pathogens in urban recreational water: Implications for water quality management.

The risk of pathogen exposure in recreational water is a concern worldwide. Moreover, suspended particles, as ideal shelters for pathogens, in these waters also need attention. However, the risk caused by the pathogen-particle attachment is largely unknown. Accordingly, water samples in three recreational lakes in Beijing were collected and separated into free-floating (FL, 0.22-5µm) and particle-attached (PA, >5µm) fractions. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was employed to determine the diversity of genera containing pathogens, and quantitative PCR (qPCR) was used to assess the presence of genes from Escherichia coli (uidA), Salmonella enterica (invA), Aeromonas spp. (aerA), Mycobacterium avium (16S) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (oaa). The NGS results showed stable pathogen genera composition distinctions between the PA and FL fractions. Some genera, such as Aeromonas and Mycobacterium, exhibited higher abundances in the PA fractions. qPCR revealed that most of the gene concentrations were higher within particles than were FL fractions. Some gene levels showed correlations with the particle concentrations and lake nutrient levels. Further quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) of selected strains (S. enterica and M. avium) indicated a higher health risk during secondary contact activities in lakes with more nutrients and particles. We concluded that suspended particles (mainly composed of algae) in urban recreational water might influence the pathogen distribution and could serve as reservoirs for pathogen contamination, with important management implications.

Spatial assessment of radiocaesium in the largest lagoon in Fukushima after the TEPCO Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Station accident.

Radionuclides deposited on land by global fallouts and nuclear power station accidents spread over coastal environments through estuarine areas connecting land to ocean. In this study, we monitored activity concentration of radiocaesium in surface sediment and re-suspended particles in Matsukawa-ura lagoon, the largest lagoon in Fukushima, after the TEPCO Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Station accident. Radiocaesium distribution in surface sediment varied spatiotemporally and irregularly due to the effect of tidal waves. The effective half-life was significantly shorter than physical half-life, suggesting some system of radiocaesium discharge in the lagoon. Sediment trap observation revealed re-suspended particles from sediment were transported to the ocean. For these reasons, it is suggested that re-suspension of particles in the lagoon and their transportation to the ocean by the seawater exchange process are important processes of radiocaesium discharge. Moreover, our results show that seawater exchange process contributes to the dispersion of radiocaesium in the ocean.

Risk assessment of xenoestrogens in a typical domestic sewage-holding lake in China.

Release of domestic sewage leads to accumulation of xenoestrogens in holding waters, especially in closed or semi-enclosed waters such as lakes. In the study, the occurrence, distribution, estrogenic activity and risk of eight xenoestreogens were evaluated in Lake Donghu, China. Nonylphenol (NP), octylphenol (OP), and bisphenol A (BPA) were identified as the main xenoestrogens ranging from tens of ngL(-1) (in the surface water) or ng g(-1)dw (in the suspended particles and sediment) to tens of µgL(-1) or µg g(-1)dw. The sum of 17ß-estradiol equivalents (∑EEQs) ranged from 0.32 to 45.02 ngL(-1) in the surface water, 0.53 to 71.86 ng g(-1)dw in the suspended particles, and 0.09 to 24.73 ng g(-1)dw in the sediment. Diethylstilbestrol (DES) was determined as the main contributor to ∑EEQs followed by NP. The risk assessment showed a higher risk in the surface water than in the suspended particles and sediment in such domestic sewage-holding lake.

Informing effective smokefree policies in Argentina: air quality monitoring study in 15 cities (2007-2009) / Políticas efectivas de ambientes libres de humo de tabaco en Argentina: estudio de monitoreo de calidad del aire en 15 ciudades (2007-2009)

Objective. To evaluate indoor air pollution in hospitality venues in Argentina. Material and Methods. PM2.5 levels were measured in a convenience sample of venues in 15 cities with different legislative contexts following a protocol developed by Roswell Park Cancer Institute. Results. 554 samples were collected. Across all 5 smokefree cities the mean PM2.5 level was lower during daytime vs. evening hours, 24 vs. 98 PM2.5 respectively (p=.012). In the three cities evaluated before and after legislation, PM2.5 levels decreased dramatically (p<0.001 each). Overall, PM2.5 levels were 5 times higher in cities with no legislation vs. smokefree cities (p<0.001). In cities with designated smoking areas, PM2.5 levels were not statistically different between smoking and non-smoking areas (p=0.272). Non-smoking areas had significantly higher PM2.5 levels compared to 100 percent smokefree venues in the same city (twofold higher) (p=0.017). Conclusions. Most of the participating cities in this study had significantly lower PM2.5 levels after the implementation of 100 percent smokefree legislation. Hence, it represents a useful tool to promote 100 percent smokefree policies in Argentina.

Objetivo. Evaluar la polución ambiental del sector gastronómico en Argentina. Material y métodos. Se midieron los niveles de partículas respirables (PM2.5) en una muestra por conveniencia de establecimientos de 15 ciudades con diferente legislación, siguiendo un protocolo del Instituto de Cáncer Roswell Park. Resultados. Se recolectaron 554 muestras. En cinco ciudades libres de humo (CLH) la media de PM2.5 durante el día fue baja y menor a la observada durante la noche, 24 vs. 98 PM2.5 respectivamente (p=.012). En las tres ciudades evaluadas antes y después de la legislación, las PM2.5 disminuyeron drásticamente (p<0.001 cada una). Las PM2.5 fueron cinco veces mayores en ciudades sin legislación comparadas con CLH (p<0.001). En ciudades con restricción parcial, no hubo diferencia significativa entre las PM2.5 en el sector fumador y no fumador (p=0.272). Los sectores no fumadores tuvieron niveles PM2.5 significativamente más altos comparados con los lugares 100 por ciento libres de humo de la misma ciudad (p= 0.017). Conclusiones. La mayoría de las ciudades participantes en este estudio tuvieron niveles PM2.5 significativamente más bajos tras la implementación de leyes pro ambientes 100 por ciento libres de humo de tabaco, por lo que representa una herramienta útil para promover legislación 100 por ciento libre de humo en Argentina.