Spatial distribution of heavy hydrocarbons, PAHs and metals in polluted areas. The case of "Galicia", Spain.

The aim of this work is to verify the impact of anthropogenic activities and the effects of accidental events, e.g. oil spills, on the marine environment. For this reason, marine sediments and soil samples were collected in the inner part of Vigo and Pontevedra bays, in the Galicia region, northwest Spain, an area interested by many events of oil spills and also characterized by coastal areas with intense anthropic activities; also Cíes Islands, a natural protected area facing the Vigo bay, was investigated, as background site. PAHs, heavy hydrocarbons and metals were analyzed according to standard methods, in order to satisfy quality assurance and quality check constraints. Total PAHs concentration (Σ16 compounds) were in the range of 25-4000ng/g, and 30-800ng/g for marine sediments and soil samples, respectively. Even some samples from the Cíes Islands, show a contamination with values achieving >200ng/g of PAHs. Although contamination levels have been shown to be strong at several locations in the study area, their ranges are those typical of other estuarine sites, with PAHs and hydrocarbons primarily of pyrolytic origin. This observation was further confirmed by enrichment factors of some metals (Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn) that match to those of harbor and shipyard zones of the main industrial and commercial maritime areas.

Chemical characterization and spatial distribution of PAHs and heavy hydrocarbons in rural sites of Campania Region, South Italy.

In this paper, the behaviour and distribution patterns of heavy hydrocarbons and several polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) priority pollutants, as listed by the US Environmental Protection Agency, were evaluated in 891 soil samples. The samples were collected in three expected polluted rural sites in Campania (southern Italy) as part of the LIFE11 ECOREMED project, funded by the European Commission, to test innovative agriculture-based soil restoration techniques. These sites have been selected because they have been used for the temporary storage of urban and building waste (Teverola), subject to illicit dumping of unknown material (Trentola-Ducenta), or suspected to be polluted by metals due to agricultural practices (Giugliano). Chemical analysis of soil samples allowed the baseline pollution levels to be determined prior to any intervention. It was found that these areas can be considered contaminated for residential use, in accordance with Italian environmental law (Law Decree 152/2006). Statistical analysis applied to the data proved that average mean concentrations of heavy hydrocarbons could be as high as 140 mg/kg of dry soil with peaks of 700 mg/kg of dry soil, for the Trentola-Ducenta site; the median concentration of analytical results for hydrocarbon (HC) concentration for the Trentola-Ducenta and Giugliano sites was 63 and 73.4 mg/kg dry soil, respectively; for Teverola, the median level was 35 mg/kg dry soil. Some PAHs (usually benzo(a)pyrene) also exceeded the maximum allowed level in all sites. From the principal component analysis applied to PAH concentrations, it emerged that pollutants can be supposed to derive from a single source for the three sites. Diagnostic ratios calculated to determine possible PAH sources suggest petroleum combustion or disposal practice. Our sampling protocol also showed large dishomogeneity in soil pollutant spatial distribution, even at a scale as small as 3.3 m, indicating that variability could emerge at very short spatial scales.

Source apportion of atmospheric particulate matter: a joint Eulerian/Lagrangian approach.

PM2.5 samples were collected during an annual monitoring campaign (January 2012-January 2013) in the urban area of Naples, one of the major cities in Southern Italy. Samples were collected by means of a standard gravimetric sampler (Tecora Echo model) and characterized from a chemical point of view by ion chromatography. As a result, 143 samples together with their ionic composition have been collected. We extend traditional source apportionment techniques, usually based on multivariate factor analysis, interpreting the chemical analysis results within a Lagrangian framework. The Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory Model (HYSPLIT) model was used, providing linkages to the source regions in the upwind areas. Results were analyzed in order to quantify the relative weight of different source types/areas. Model results suggested that PM concentrations are strongly affected not only by local emissions but also by transboundary emissions, especially from the Eastern and Northern European countries and African Saharan dust episodes.

The application of a trajectory classification procedure to interpret air pollution measurements in the urban area of Naples (Southern Italy).

In this work we apply a trajectory classification approach, aiming at identifying the role exerted by meteorology on air quality in the Naples urban area (Southern Italy). Towards that end, the HYSPLIT (HYbrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory) model was used; backward trajectories were calculated for the period 1995-2004 and classified, based on a combination of the k-means and PCA (Principal Component Analysis) approaches. The robustness of the classification was strengthened using an ensemble approach, based on back-trajectories calculated for different (in the horizontal and vertical directions) arrival points around Naples and different arrival time. Eight clusters were identified, and the effects on air quality were evaluated. We focused on ozone and PM10 concentration, and evaluated to what extent the prevailing meteorological conditions were associated with different levels and temporal profiles of these two pollutants. We found that ozone and PM10 profiles share some similarities since they both load high during anti-cyclonic, subsiding conditions, a common situation during the summer months. During these days stagnation and recirculation effects enhance the concentration of locally emitted air pollutant. We also found that ozone exhibits a marked seasonal cycle, whose maxima appears during the summer season, but the discrimination with respect to the area of origin indicated the presence of a second relative maxima, appearing early during the spring season. PM10 pollution levels often exceed the annual limit of 50 microg/m(3). The days associated with a significant exogenous contribution from the North African countries were identified.

Alternative forms of the BCR-ABL oncogene have quantitatively different potencies for stimulation of immature lymphoid cells.

The Philadelphia chromosome (t9:22;q34:q11) is found in more than 90% of patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia, in 10 to 20% of patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia, and in 1 to 2% of patients with acute myelogenous leukemia. Alternative chimeric oncogenes are formed by splicing different sets of BCR gene exons on chromosome 22 across the translocation breakpoint to a common set of ABL oncogene sequences on chromosome 9. This results in an 8.7-kilobase mRNA that encodes the P210 BCR-ABL gene product commonly found in patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia or a 7.0-kilobase mRNA that produces the P185 BCR-ABL gene product found in most Philadelphia chromosome-positive patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia. To compare the efficiency of growth stimulation by these two proteins, we derived cDNA clones for each with identical 5' and 3' untranslated regions and expressed them from retrovirus vectors. Matched stocks were compared for potency to transform immature B-lymphoid lineage precursors. The growth-stimulating effects of P185 for this cell type were found to be significantly greater than those of P210. Structural changes in BCR may regulate the effectiveness of the ABL tyrosine kinase function, as monitored by lymphocyte growth response. Changes in mitogenic potency may help to explain the more acute leukemic presentation usually associated with expression of the P185 BCR-ABL oncogene.

In vitro transformation of immature hematopoietic cells by the P210 BCR/ABL oncogene product of the Philadelphia chromosome.

The Philadelphia chromosome [t(9;22)-(q34;q11)] is the cytogenetic hallmark of human chronic myelogenous leukemia. RNA splicing joins sequences from a gene on chromosome 22 (BCR) across the translocation breakpoint to a portion of the ABL oncogene from chromosome 9, resulting in a chimeric protein (P210) that is an active tyrosine kinase. Although strongly correlated with this specific human neoplasm, and implicated as an oncogene by analogy to the gene product of the Abelson murine leukemia virus, the P210 gene had not been tested directly for oncogenic potential in hematopoietic cells. We have used a retroviral gene-transfer system to express P210 in mouse bone marrow cells. When infected bone marrow is plated under conditions for long-term culture of cells of the B-lymphoid lineage, cells expressing high amounts of P210 tyrosine kinase dominate the culture and rapidly lead to clonal outgrowths of immature lymphoid cells. Expression of P210 is growth-stimulatory but not sufficient for full oncogenic behavior. Some clonal lines progress toward a fully malignant phenotype as judged by increased cloning efficiency in agar suspension and frequency and rapidity of tumor induction in syngeneic mice. Such in vitro systems should be useful in evaluating the sequential and perhaps synergistic involvement of the P210 gene and other oncogenes as models for the progressive changes observed in human chronic myelogenous leukemia.