1,720,996 research outputs found
Role of abiotic stress factors from natural and anthropogenic sources in plant-environment interaction
No full textAbiotic stressors can originate from either nature or humans and affect plants in their open environments. Heat, sunlight, drought, and soil salinity are examples of natural stressors; heavy metals, organic compounds, particulate matter, inorganic gases, and micro and nanoplastics are examples of anthropogenic stressors. Plants may physiologically and biochemically react to these stresses by, for example, producing reactive oxygen species (ROS), altering the pH of their leaves, and changing their shape. At its most severe, it can stunt plant development, harm plant tissues, and even kill plants. Plants, on the other hand, can be useful in phytoremediation as both bioindicators and resilient species. Environmental pollution, contamination, and stress-induced changes to bioactive compounds must be considered whenever plants are considered for their micronutrient content or medicinal properties
Iridium-catalyzed N-alkylation of diamines with glycerol
No full textN-alkylation of diamines with glycerol is catalyzed in water by organoiridium derivative
Sustainable domestic burning of residual biomasses from the Friuli Venezia Giulia region
Full text linkThe implementation of short supply chain of available biomass from forest and agriculture residues locally available aims to gain environmental benefits deriving from reduced transportation, avoided abiotic depletion of resources and reduced net emissions of green-house gases. The main objective of the present study was to analyze possible environmental impacts arising from domestic burning of residual biomasses, in terms air pollution. Three different types of woody residual biomasses (Robinia pseudoacacia, Picea abies and Vitis vinifera) were collected within the Friuli Venezia Giulia region in the form of wood chips, converted into pellets and used in controlled combustion tests in a domestic stove. The efficiency of the combustion process and the amount of selected emitted pollutants (carbon monoxide, organic gaseous carbon, nitrogen oxides, benzene, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and total suspended particulate matter) were evaluated. Moreover, the same analysis and combustion tests were carried out on three commercially available pellets (Abies alba, Fagus sylvatica and softwood mix) to achieve a better interpretation and contextualization of the results obtained. Picea abies developed significantly high concentrations of organic gaseous carbon, benzene and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and rather high carbon monoxide emissions. Vitis vinifera was characterized by the highest total suspended particulate matter and carbon monoxide emissions. Robinia pseudoacacia was a very promising fuel showing both combustion and emission properties similar to the commercial pellets. Thus, with the outcomes of our work we highlighted that possible environmental drawbacks due to air pollution arising from residual biomass burning should be evaluated. Moreover, the scientific community of life cycle assessment scientists may benefit from having updated experimental measurements of air pollutants emitted by a domestic stove loaded with different locally available residual biomasses
SERS spectroscopy for bioaerosol analysis and characterisation: challenges and future perspectives
No full textBioaerosols are microscopic airborne biological particles such as bacteria, fungal spores, pollen, viruses, and their
derivatives. The global spread of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the rise of antibiotic resistance in healthcare
settings demonstrate how bioaerosols have become serious public health concerns in both outdoor and indoor
settings. Identifying and quantifying bioaerosol components is critical for assessing risks and setting appropriate
exposure limits.
Specifically, new research opportunities have arisen thanks to the proliferation of real-time (RT) methods for
autonomous, online detection and characterization of bioaerosols features [1]. However, effective online
bioaerosol monitoring is hindered by the complexity, diversity, and great spatiotemporal variability of
bioaerosols, as well as their mixing with abiotic components, both internally and externally. Though they are
effective, traditional methods for bioaerosol analysis—such as culture-based and molecular approaches—are
not always portable, have long processing periods, and can't always handle real-time analysis.
Because of its high sensitivity and specificity, and ability to be performed in complex biological mixtures, using
portable and relatively inexpensive devices, surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy has
attracted interest as a feasible method for detecting airborne pathogens at environmentally relevant
concentrations and sensing trace environmental contaminants, among many other potential applications [2].
Unlike spontaneous Raman scattering, SERS spectroscopy has a short assay time and requires far smaller
concentrations of analytes, making it particularly suited for bioaerosol studies. The possibility of a direct (also
known as “label free”) detection can reduce the need for complex sample preparation, while the availability of
portable instrumentation can facilitate on-site and RT monitoring.
However, the difficulty of standardising procedures to ensure consistent and comparable results, however, grows
with the development of new technologies. Because of the lack of standardised methodologies, SERS sensing of
bioaerosols remains challenging. Here we present state of the art in the use of SERS spectroscopy to examine
bioaerosols. A critical evaluation of the experimental aspects involved in the collection of SERS spectra is
presented, and the potential applicability and weaknesses of various experimental setups are highlighted,
helping to provide a solid foundation for further research and the practical implementation of SERS spectroscopy
for bioaerosol analysis and characterisation in various environmental and clinical settings
Advances in TD/GC-MS untargeted compound analysis on particulate matter beyond PAHs routine monitoring
No full textThe monitoring of some micro-pollutants is routinary because of their
potential toxic activity and of normative regulation, but focusing only on
some targeted compounds can divert analysts and researchers from
identifying pollution macro-events associated to untargeted compounds.
Routine analysis of micro-pollutants, as PAHs, in fast scan GC-MS
produces Single Ion Monitoring (SIM) chromatograms used for quantitative
determination of target compounds but also a Total Ion Current (TIC) signal
which can potentially contain interesting unrevealed information. This is
specially true when thermal desorption from solid samples as air particulate
matter filters is used as pretreatment method; TD/GC-MS transfers analytes
to the separation column without discarding some/part of the compounds.
The aim of this study is to report the setup of an experimental and data
analysis procedure adequate for disclosing interesting data from raw GCMS
data collections acquired during routine monitoring.
In this communication we present a 3 month daily PAHs routine monitoring
near an incinerator in a Friuli Venezia Giulia chair production district in
which we collected 120 samples of PM10 by quartz filter sampling
accordingly to EN12341. A series of raw data (retention time, peak area,
peak height, peak width, MW, CAS number) were acquired directly from
the data analysis software (meanwhile quantifying PAHs) using the
“autointegration” and “MS library search” functions. These data were
handled within R free statistical computing environment (http://cran.rproject.
org), using a home-made script to filter and intercomparing
chromatograms by peak properties. In this way we were able, starting from
over 5000 peaks to discriminate, beyond PAHs, 21 relevant peaks present in
a great number of samples. Using MS library search reports we were able to
identify three molecules with high correspondence to the MS database,
which can be related to activities in the sampling site: a plasticizer, a
phtalate and an erbicide. These compounds were quantified using
corresponding commercial standards
Small scale spatial gradients of outdoor and indoor benzene in proximity of an integrated steel plant
No full textBenzene is known as a human carcinogen, whose annual mean concentration exceeded the EU limit value (5 μg/m3) only in very few locations in Europe during 2012. Nevertheless 10% to 12% of the EU-28 urban population was still exposed to benzene concentrations above the WHO reference level of 1.7 μg/m3. WHO recommended a wise choice of monitoring stations positioning in proximity of “hot spots” to define and assess the representativeness of each site paying attention to micro-scale conditions. In this context benzene and other VOCs of health concern (toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes) concentrations have been investigated, with weekly passive sampling for one year, both in outdoor and indoor air in inhabited buildings in close proximity (180 m far up to 1100 m) of an integrated steel plant in NE of Italy. Even though the outdoor mean annual benzene concentration was below the EU limit in every site, in the site closest to the works the benzene concentration was above 5 μg/m3 in 14 weeks. These events were related to a benzene over toluene ratio above one, which is diagnostic for the presence of an industrial source, and to meteorological factors. These information pointed at the identification of the coke ovens of the plant as the dominant outdoor source of benzene. Benzene gradients with the increasing distance from coke ovens have been found for both outdoor and indoor air. Linear models linking outdoor to indoor benzene concentrations have been then identified, allowing to estimate indoor exposure from ambient air benzene data. In the considered period, a narrow area of about 250 m appeared impacted at a higher degree than the other sites both considering outdoor and indoor air. Passive BTEX sampling permits to collect information on both ambient air and daily life settings, allowing to assemble a valuable data support for further environmental cost-benefit analyses
Bioaccumulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and survival of earthworms (Eisenia andrei) exposed to biochar amended soils
No full textBiochar has a charcoal polycyclic aromatic structure which allows its long half-life in soil, making it an ideal tool for C sequestration and for adsorption of organic pollutants, but at the same time raises concerns about possible adverse impacts on soil biota. Two biochars were tested under laboratory-controlled conditions on Eisenia andrei earthworms: a biochar produced at low temperature from wine tree cuttings (WTB) and a commercial low tar hardwood lump charcoal (HLB). The avoidance test (48-h exposure) showed that earthworms avoid biochar-treated soil with rates higher than 16 t ha−1 for HLB and 64 t ha−1 for WTB. After 42 days, toxic effects on earthworms were observed even at application rates (100 t ha−1) that are generally considered beneficial for most crops. The concentration of HLB and WTB required to kill half of earthworms’ population (LC50; 95 % confidence limits) in the synthetic OECD soil was 338 and 580 t ha−1, respectively. Accumulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in earthworms exposed to the two biochar types at 100 t ha−1 was tested in two soils of different texture. In biochar-treated soils, the average earthworm survival rates were about 64 % in the sandy and 78 % clay-loam soils. PAH accumulation was larger in the sandy soil and largest in soils amended with HLB. PAH with less than four rings were preferentially scavenged from the soil by biochars, and this behaviour may mask that of the more dangerous components (i.e. four to five rings), which are preferentially accumulated. Earthworms can accumulate PAH as a consequence of exposure to biochar-treated soils and transfer them along the food chain. Soil type and biochar quality are both relevant in determining PAH transfer
Seasonal variations of PAHs content and distribution patterns in a mixed land use area: A case study in NE Italy with the transplanted lichen Pseudevernia furfuracea
Full text linkThe seasonal differences of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) content in lichen transplants were investigated in an area of ca. 40 square kilometers in NE Italy characterized by different land use. Two sets of samples of the epiphytic lichen Pseudevernia furfuracea were collected in a pristine area of the Carnic Alps and transplanted to 40 exposure sites for a period of two months, respectively in late winter and in summer. Results revealed a pronounced difference between the two seasons in terms of PAH content and distribution patterns. After the summer exposure the PAH concentrations in the transplants were more than one order of magnitude lower than after the winter exposure (ranging from 48.22 to 272.73 ng g−1 dw and from 289.73 to 1575.85 ng g−1 dw in the summer and winter samples respectively). Also the main emission sources changed, mostly due to the drastic reduction in the emissions by wood burning for domestic heating and to the different meteorological conditions. In summer PAHs degradation was enhanced by intense UV radiation, high temperatures, and presence of ozone. The implications of these findings for the biomonitoring of PAHs pollution are addressed
Cationic calix[4]arenes as anion-selective ionophores
No full text1,3-Alternate cationic calix[4] arene 1 proved highly selective for proton/ halogens symport transport and showed antiproliferative activity against murine monocyte/macrophage J774.A1 cancer cells
Reasoning on and measuring small scale spatial gradients close to coke oven batteries; outdoor and indoor BTEX concentrations and PAHs depositions
No full text1. Introduction
Anomalies in concentration of outdoor benzene were detected during 2010 and 2011 by the Friuli
Venezia Giulia regional environmental agency [1,2] in the framework of a monitoring programme
of fugitive emissions from coke oven batteries of a steel plant in Trieste.
2. Material and Methods
We report about an observational study on the presence of benzene and toluene in samples from
outdoor and indoor air collected in proximity of houses far up to one km from the coke oven. The
air sampling is performed with cheap and accurate [3] radial symmetry diffusive samplers, that
were analyzed by thermal desorption and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry [4].
Six dwellings are considered for sampling outdoor air, each being at different distances from the
coking plant, a potentially relevant source of benzene emissions; five of these houses belonged to
non-smokers citizens are considered for indoor sampling. The samples were collected weekly for
one year starting from May 2012, and each sampler was exposed to air for 4-6 days, with duration
and temperature accurately recorded. A rural background site is also considered for sake of
comparison.
3. Results and discussions
Summer samples showed a clear gradient of benzene concentrations decreasing from houses close
to the industrial plant laying by the sea, towards inland; during winter the gradient was less evident,
due to (a) the lack of sea breezes bringing emissions towards the residential area, (b) the presence of
another diffuse less intense source of benzene, biomass burning; (c) reduction of the industrial
activities due to the crysis. Seasonal relationships between outdoor and indoor benzene are
presented.
Further spatial heterogeneity is shown for wet and dry depositions where PAHs are also measured.
Morover the regional environmental agency recently highlighted compatible gradients for outdoor
air PAHs, by means of interpolation of data collected at three sites where PM10 is sampled.
4.Conclusions
The study shows the relevance of using available analytical information, identifying proper
monitoring stations and the need to assess exposure of most critical sub-populations: in some
pollution studies knowing the “average” condition may be poorly informative.
Bibliography
[1] Dip. Provinciale di Trieste, CRMA-ARPA FVG “Qualitá dell’aria della cittá di Trieste anno
2010 - redatta sulla base dei riscontri analitici forniti dalla rete di monitoraggio” Trieste 21/10/2011
[2] Dip. Provinciale di Trieste, CRMA-ARPA FVG “Qualitá dell’aria della cittá di Trieste anno
2011 - redatta sulla base dei riscontri analitici forniti dalla rete di monitoraggio” Trieste 21/10/2011
[3] P. Bruno, M. Caputi, M. Caselli, G. de Gennaro, M. de Rienzo “Reliability of a BTEX radial
diffusive sampler for thermal desorption: field measurements” Atmospheric Environment Volume
39, Issue 7, March 2005, Pages 1347–1355
[4] EN 14662-4:2005 Ambient Air Quality –Standard method for the measurement of benzene
concentrations – Part 4: Diffusive sampling followed by thermal desorption and gas
chromatograph
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