Chemical pollution and toxicity of water samples from stream receiving leachate from controlled municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill.

The present study was aimed to determine the impact of municipal waste landfill on the pollution level of surface waters, and to investigate whether the choice and number of physical and chemical parameters monitored are sufficient for determining the actual risk related to bioavailability and mobility of contaminants. In 2007-2012, water samples were collected from the stream flowing through the site at two sampling locations, i.e. before the stream׳s entry to the landfill, and at the stream outlet from the landfill. The impact of leachate on the quality of stream water was observed in all samples. In 2007-2010, high values of TOC and conductivity in samples collected down the stream from the landfill were observed; the toxicity of these samples was much greater than that of samples collected up the stream from the landfill. In 2010-2012, a significant decrease of conductivity and TOC was observed, which may be related to the modernization of the landfill. Three tests were used to evaluate the toxicity of sampled water. As a novelty the application of Phytotoxkit F™ for determining water toxicity should be considered. Microtox(®) showed the lowest sensitivity of evaluating the toxicity of water samples, while Phytotoxkit F™ showed the highest. High mortality rates of Thamnocephalus platyurus in Thamnotoxkit F™ test can be caused by high conductivity, high concentration of TOC or the presence of compounds which are not accounted for in the water quality monitoring program.

Algicidal activity of Morganella morganii against axenic and environmental strains of Microcystis aeruginosa: Compound combination effects.

Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cyanoHABs) are a global problem with serious consequences for public health and many sectors of the economy. The use of algicidal bacteria as natural antagonists to control bloom-forming cyanobacteria is a topic of growing interest. However, there are still unresolved questions that need to be addressed to better understand their mode of action and to implement effective mitigation strategies. In this study, thirteen bacterial strains isolated from both scums and concentrated bloom samples exhibited algicidal activity on three Microcystis aeruginosa strains with different characteristics: the axenic microcystin (MC)-producing strain M. aeruginosa PCC7820 (MaPCC7820), and two environmental (non-axenic) M. aeruginosa strains isolated from two different water bodies in Poland, one MC-producer (MaSU) and another non-MC-producer (MaPN). The bacterial strain SU7S0818 exerted the highest average algicidal effect on the three cyanobacterial strains. This strain was identified as Morganella morganii (99.51% similarity) by the 16S rRNA gene analyses; hence, this is the first study that demonstrates the algicidal properties of these ubiquitous bacteria. Microscopic cell counting and qPCR analyses showed that M. morganii SU7S0818 removed 91%, 96%, and 98.5% of MaPCC7820, MaSU and MaPN cells after 6 days of co-culture, respectively. Interestingly, the ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometer (UHPLC-MS/MS) analyses showed that this bacterium was involved on the release of several substances with algicidal potential. It was remarkable how the profile of some compounds evolved over time, as in the case of cadaverine, tyramine, cyclo[Pro-Gly] and cyclo[Pro-Val]. These dynamic changes could be attributed to the action of M. morganii SU7S0818 and the presence of associated bacteria with environmental cyanobacterial strains. Therefore, this study sheds light on how algicidal bacteria may adapt their action on cyanobacterial cells by releasing a combination of compounds, which is a crucial insight to exploit them as effective biological tools in the control of cyanoHABs.

Concentration and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in surface soil near a municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill.

Due to a continuous demand of land for infrastructural and residential development there is a public concern about the condition of surface soil near municipal solid waste landfills. A total of 12 surface (0-20 cm) soil samples from a territory near a landfill were collected and the concentration of 16 PAHs and 7 PCB congeners were investigated in these samples. Limits of detection were in the range of 0.038-1.2 µg/kg for PAHs and 0.025-0.041 µg/kg for PCBs. The total concentration of ∑ PAHs ranged from 892 to 3514 µg/kg with a mean of 1974 µg/kg. The total concentration of ∑ PCBs ranged from 2.5 to 12 µg/kg with a mean of 4.5 µg/kg. Data analyses allowed to state that the PAHs in surface soils near a landfill were principally from pyrogenic sources. Due to air transport, PAHs forming at the landfill are transported outside the landfill. PCB origin is not connected with the landfill. Aroclor 1242 can be the source of PCBs in several samples.

Using different types of capillary chromatographic columns as denudation traps: a comparison of sorption properties.

The research presented concerns segments of capillary chromatographic columns of different types (WCOT, SCOT, PLOT) used as traps for collection of samples of volatile organic analytes from a stream of air utilizing the equilibrium denudation technique. During the model experiments (utilizing standard mixtures), values of the partition coefficients (Kfs) were determined for volatile organic compounds frequently occurring as pollutants of atmospheric air (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, o-xylene, chlorobenzene). The conducted research demonstrated that the stationary phase film thickness did not affect the partition coefficient value. It was also proved that there is no dependence between the manner of applying the stationary phase in the column and the partition coefficient value.

Occurrence and determination of organic pollutants in tap and surface waters of the Gdansk district.

The results of the determination of different classes of organic pollutants (trihalomethanes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), pesticides, volatile hydrocarbons and phenols) in ground water and drinking water sampled at different sites in the Gdansk District are presented. Different methods were used to determine organic compounds in water: direct aqueous injection or sorption on solid sorbent (XAD-4) and extraction with pentane followed by a gas chromatography-electron capture detection (GC-ECD) for determination of volatile organohalogen compounds: purge and trap with a gas chromatography-flame ionization detection for determination of volatile hydrocarbons; sorption on solid sorbent XAD-4 or C18, elution with organic solvent and GC-ECD for determination of pesticides; sorption on solid sorbent C18, elution with organic solvent and a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for determination of PAHs and sorption on solid sorbent C18, elution with organic solvent and high performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet determination of phenols. The proposed methods have been used successfully for the determination of organic compounds in samples of tap, swimming pool, river and sea waters. The content of analysed organic compounds in the water delivered to the water supply system for Gdansk from the surface water intake in Straszyn and from other selected intakes satisfies Polish, EC and WHO standards. The surface water bodies, i.e., rivers, sea and lakes in the Gdansk District are not very polluted by anthropogenic compounds originating from municipal and industrial sewages and from agriculture.

Calibration procedure for solid phase microextraction-gas chromatographic analysis of organic vapours in air.

A calibration procedure for solid phase microextraction-gas chromatographic (SPME-GC) analysis of organic vapours in air was described in which GC detector (MS in this case) signal is directly related to concentration of analytes of interest sampled by SPME. Gaseous standard mixtures used for the calibration were generated by means of a home-made permeation-type apparatus described elsewhere, W. Janicki et al., Chem. Anal., 38 (1993) 423 and modified to permit easy sampling of analytes on an SPME fibre. To establish sampling parameters, times for equilibrium partitioning of five selected organic compounds (carbon tetrachloride, toluene, chlorobenzene, p-xylene, n-decane) between gaseous mixtures and the fibre (fused silica fibre coated with 100 mum polydimethylsiloxane) were determined. For 10 min sampling time, the detector response and hence amount sampled on the fibre were linear functions of analytes concentration in a gaseous sample.

Surface water preparation procedure for chromatographic determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and polychlorinated biphenyls.

A new sample preparation procedure for the analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in water containing suspended particulate matter (SPM) has been developed. A specially designed filtration vessel coupled directly to an SPE cartridge was used for this purpose. SPM separation and analyte isolation/concentration were carried out in a single step. Both the SPE cartridge and the suspended matter collected on the filter were solvent extracted, and analyte recoveries were determined. Analyte recoveries from the filtrate ranged from 64 to 100% of the spiked amount for PAHs with the highest aqueous solubilities, and did not exceed 20% for those with the lowest solubilities. Total recoveries of PAHs from surface water containing 21 mg l(-1) SPM ranged from 65 to 121%. PCB recoveries from the particulate matter reached over 10% of the spiked amount, while those from the filtrate ranged from 20 to 57%. Total PCBs recoveries ranged from 34 to 69%.

Sample preparation for GC analysis of selected pesticides in surface water.

A new isolation procedure for the determination of nitrogen/phosphorous containing pesticides and organochlorine pesticides in water was tested, and statistical evaluation of the recoveries was performed. The procedure, designed specifically for the analysis of semi-volatile compounds in water containing Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM), utilizes a specially designed filtration vessel coupled directly to an SPE cartridge. The studies were based on surface water samples (from the Vistula River) spiked with pesticides. SPM separation and analyte isolation/concentration were carried out in a special filtration vessel. Pesticides were sorbed both on the SPE cartridge and on the suspended matter. The cartridge and the filter with the suspended matter were extracted separately with a solvent, which enabled the determination of analyte distribution between the two. For organochlorine pesticides, between 3 and 60% of the initial amount was found on the filter, while the recoveries in the filtrate ranged from 30 to 98%. Total recoveries of organochlorine pesticides from surface water samples spiked with pesticides using the method described were high, ranging from 90 to 101%. The amounts of nitrogen/phosphorus containing pesticides recovered from the filter were lower than 2%, while those from the filtrate ranged from 69 to 92%. Total recoveries of nitrogen/phosphorus containing pesticides from surface water samples were high, ranging from 71 to 92%.

Volatile and semivolatile organo-halogen trace analysis in surface water by direct aqueous injection GC-ECD.

A procedure for simultaneous determination of volatile and semivolatile chloroorganic compounds (from trichloromethane to di- and trichlorobenzenes to hexachlorobutadiene) in aqueous samples was developed. The procedure is based on a DAI-GC-ECD technique widely used for trihalomethanes determination in drinking water. The DAI technique application could have been extended to semivolatile chloroorganic compounds by using a Rtx-624 (60 m x 0.32 mm I.D., df 1.8 microns (6% cyanopropyl, 94% dimethyl polysiloxane). Precision (R.S.D.) and detection limits of the DAI-GC-ECD procedure with respect to 12 volatile and semivolatile chloroorganics were determined. Relative standard deviations (R.S.D.) were lower than 22% and the detection limits (concentration equivalent to a peak height three times the baseline noise) range from 0.02 microgram L-1 for trichloroethene and tetrachloroethene to 0.25 microgram L-1 for hexachlorobutadiene to 1.6 micrograms L-1 for 1,2-dichlorobenzene. The method was successfully used to determine chloroorganic pollutants in river water.

The application of an open tubular trap in analysis of organic air pollutants.

The paper presents the studies on equilibrium trapping of organic air pollutants. A piece of a commercial capillary chromatographic column coated with polydimethylsiloxane was used for trapping. This kind of the trap was applied for sampling and enrichment of selected volatile nonpolar organic compounds from workplace atmosphere (woodworking shop). In the method developed, which is based on equilibrium trapping the concentration of analytes in a studied medium can be calculated from the partition coefficients determined in a calibration step and the amount of particular analytes trapped. Simultaneously with equilibrium trapping, analytes were sampled into sorbent packed tubes. The concentrations of analytes in woodworking shop atmosphere obtained with both sampling methods (equilibrium and dynamic) were in good agreement.

Coacervative extraction as a green technique for sample preparation for the analysis of organic compounds.

One of the present trends in analytical chemistry is miniaturization, which is one of the methods of green analytical chemistry application. A particular emphasis is placed on the elimination of the use of large amounts of organic solvents which are toxic and harmful to the environment, maintaining high efficiency of the extraction process, high recovery values and low values of quantification (LOQ) and detection (LOD) limits. These requirements are fulfilled by coacervative extraction (CAE) technique. In this review, theoretical aspects of the coacervation process are presented along with environmental and bioanalytical applications of this technique, its advantages, limitations and competitiveness with other techniques. Due to its simplicity and rapidity, CAE is an excellent alternative for currently practiced procedures of sample preparation for the analysis of organic compounds.

Hygienic aspects of the use of pressed-wood products in residential buildings. Part I. The effect of particleboards ageing on release of formaldehyde.

Urea-formaldehyde-resins bounded particleboards (100 x 40 mm plates) each from a different manufactory plant, were stored at room temperature, with free access of air. In selected time intervals plates were placed in the climatic chamber for five days, and formaldehyde (CH2O) emission were determined. The conditions were as follows: loading factor 1 m2/m3, one air exchange per hour, air temperature of 25 degrees C and relative humidity (RH) 45%. During the 3 months following the production, CH2O emission decreased by more than 50%. During the next months of storing the emission decrease was slight. In the period of 1-3 years since the production, CH2O emission was 0.13-0.06 mg/m2/h, regardless of the amount of formaldehyde released in the first period after the production.

Hygienic aspects of the use of pressed-wood products in residential buildings. Part II. The effect of environmental conditions (temperature and relative humidity) on formaldehyde emission from particleboards.

The effect of air temperature (25-45 degrees C) and relative humidity (45-85%) upon formaldehyde emission from particleboards produced in three different plants was examined. The plates measuring 40 mm x 100 mm were kept in the climatic chamber in dynamic conditions (1 air exchange per hour) loading factor 1 m2/m3. Air samples from the chamber were collected for 4 subsequent days. A considerable effect of temperature and relative humidity upon the increase of formaldehyde emission was found, especially at simultaneous action of these two factors. The effect of temperature "shock" was determined after a rapid elevation of the chamber temperature from 25 degrees up to 40 degrees C. Several days after the steady state had been established, the temperature was lowered again to 25 degrees C. The temperature "shock" did not change the stable emission rate of CH2O from materials tested.

Investigations into the effect on rats of volatile organic compounds released from the set of building and finishing materials.

White, male Wistar rats were exposed continuously in chamber during 3 months on volatile organic compounds emitted from set of building and finishing materials used in living areas on ship. The air contamination was checked. The following tests for determination of combined toxic effects were performed: functional activity, the body and organ weights, basic hematological determinations, serum enzyme activity (GOT, GPT, AP, LAP, LDH), serum concentrations of protein, urea, creatinine, bilirubin, lipids, cholesterol, triglycerides, and in the liver mitochondria Mg+2(-)-ATPase, concentration of cholesterol, phospholipids, and liver function after loading with benzoate. After 3 months of the exposure we observed changes in AP and LDH activities, and decrease of the concentration of serum triglycerides.