Extension and application of multivariate curve resolution-alternating least squares to four-way quadrilinear data-obtained in the investigation of pollution patterns on Yamuna River,India—A case study

This study focuses on the development and extension of Multivariate Curve Resolution-Alternating Least Squares (MCR-ALS) to the analysis of four-way datasets. The proposed extension of the MCR-ALS method with non-negativity and the newly developed quadrilinear constraints can be exploited to summarize and manage huge multidimensional datasets and resolve their four way component profiles. In this study, its application is demonstrated by analyzing a four-way data set obtained in a long term environmental monitoring study (15 sampling sites × 9 variables × 12 months × 7 years) belonging to the Yamuna River, one of the most polluted rivers of India and the largest tributary of the Ganges river. MCR-ALS resolved pollution profiles described appropriately the major observed changes on pH, organic pollution, bacteriological pollution and temperature, along with their spatial and temporal distribution patterns for the studied stretch of Yamuna River. Results obtained by MCR-ALS have also been compared with those obtained by another multi-way method, PARAFAC. The methodology used in this study is completely general and it can be applied to other multi-way datasets.     

Assessment of mobility of heavy metals in two soil types by use of column leaching experiments and chemometric evaluation of elution curves

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the mobility of heavy metals (HMs) in two types of soils (acidic forest soil and neutral agricultural soil) by leaching with calcium chloride solution in column experiments. The screening properties of neutral agricultural soil towards pollution by heavy metals (Ni, Cu, Zn and Cd) are approximately 10 times higher than those of acid forest soil. The neutral agricultural soil, polluted artificially by one pore volume (PV) of an HMs solution of concentration 200 mg L^?1, can screen the leaching of these metals over several hundreds of years. The higher apparent desorption rate and per cent desorption of HMs (especially Cd) in acid forest soil indicated a higher potential of intensive migration of the metals across the profile and indicated potential risk of Cd pollution for this type of soil. The latest approach of artificial neural networks to describe transport of HMs in soil has been also evaluated. Using a simple three-layer perceptron topology with three hidden neurons, the experimental data could be simulated. The results suggested that the pH of soil is a major factor controlling the retention of the heavy metals in the soils.     

Lichens as biomonitors for the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Caracas Valley,Venezuela

Biomonitoring of PAH air pollution using lichens was carried out. Sixteen PAHs were studied in 11 locations along the valley of Caracas (Venezuela). The results of this work indicate that 14 of the 16 analysed PAHs were highly accumulated into the lichen thalli of Pyxine coralligera Malme. PAH levels in the samples revealed that the several volatile PAHs (naphthalene, acenaphtylene, acenaphtene, and fluoranthene) have the highest levels in the majority of the studied locations. The fluoranthene/pyrene and phenantrene/antracene ratios suggested that the major sources of PAHs are anthropogenic, mainly associated with gasoline and diesel combustion (pyrolytic) and unburnt oil derivates (petrogenic). The total PAH concentrations obtained in the present study were in the range of 0.24 to 9.08?µg/g, similar to those reported by other works in European and Asian cities.     

Source Apportionment for the Zinc—Containing Component of Air Particulate Matter using Automated Electron Probe Micro Analysis of Individual Particles

Abstract

A methodology is described for the apportionment of zinc-containing particulate matter sampled in the vicinity of a zinc smelter to their corresponding sources in the factory. Bulk samples of particulate matter from six potential emission sources were analysed by automated electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) in order to characterize the individual particles. Based on a data set of relative peak intensities and with the aid of a binary clustering method, the most important particle classes were identified. They were used as a basis for the development of a set of disjunct identification rules (decision rules), which were able to describe the classes in a unique manner. Applying these rules upon ambient particulate data enabled the estimation of relative contributions of different types of zinc-containing particles. Evidence was found that a large number of particles was modified by a soil component or by gas phase reactions.     

A Quality Assurance Study for the Analysis of Hydrocarbons in Sediments

Abstract

Two exercises (MEDCAL I and II) were conducted in our Department during November 1984 and October 1986, with participants from the Mediterranean region, for testing the IOC Manual for the determination of petroleum hydrocarbons in sediments (IOC, Manuals and Guides, No. 11).

The gas chromatographic analysis of the saturated hydrocarbon fraction provided, at the best, a precision of 60% (relative standard deviation RSD) for n-alkanes (mean conc. 0.89 μg/g) and 56 % for the unresolved complex mixture (UCM) (mean conc. 16μg/g). The CPI and the pristane/phytane ratio provided better results (13% RSD). The aromatic fractions, analysed by UV-fluorescence, yielded in total a mean concentration of 10μg/g of chrysene equivalents with a 49% RSD.

The extraction-partition step was confirmed to be the main source of error in the analysis because when the results were corrected for recoveries, the RSD were reduced to 17, 30 and 6% for n-alkanes, UCM and total aromatics, respectively. Our reference intra-laboratory precision was, respectively, 18, 14 and 14%.     

Optimization of sampling frequency for routine river water quality monitoring

Sampling frequency is an important factor to be considered during the design of a water monitoring network,and the cost-effective selection of possible ways and means for the optimization of sampling frequency is still needed.This paper introduces water pollution index deviation ratio comparison(WPI DRC),a procedure for the optimization of sampling frequency for a routine river water quality monitoring system.Sampling frequency optimized using WPI DRC at monitoring station X5 in the mainstream of Xiangjiang River is compared with that established using the traditional Statistical Algorithm method.The result of comparison indicates that WPI DRC is more feasible than the traditional one.And then,the sampling frequencies for other 16 monitoring stations also have been optimized,and the results show the sampling frequencies of all the stations except that X4 are reduced,and there is no unacceptable difference between water quality evaluation results at 17 stations before and after the optimization.Therefore,it is concluded that WPI DRC is an effective optimization process with operable results,which can be used to fulfill the requirement of practical monitoring work.     

二维纳米材料的改性及其环境污染物治理方面的应用

二维纳米材料是一类具有类似二维平面形态,且厚度在纳米级甚至数个原子层的材料,其种类繁多并且具有很多与体相材料不同的物化性质,在众多领域受到了广泛关注。二维纳米材料在催化降解、吸脱附、过滤、传感检测等领域具有可观的应用潜力,还可用于环境污染的防治。通过形貌、元素、基团、缺陷的修饰、改性和材料合成等策略可以调控二维纳米材料的性质,从而研发新的材料体系或者改善二维纳米材料的性能。本文首先归纳了二维纳米材料的种类,并重点阐述了各种改性策略的作用及研究现状,以及改性的二维纳米材料在治理水体污染、大气污染和污染物检测等方面的应用,为二维纳米材料在环境治理领域的发展现状作了系统介绍和展望。     

Supercritical Carbon Dioxide-Based Processes in Photocatalytic Applications

Conventional methods generally used to synthesize heterogeneous photocatalysts have some drawbacks, mainly the difficult control/preservation of catalysts’ morphology, size or structure, which strongly affect the photocatalytic activity. Supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO₂)-assisted techniques have recently been shown to be a promising approach to overcome these limitations, which are still a challenge. In addition, compared to traditional methods, these innovative techniques permit the synthesis of high-performance photocatalysts by reducing the use of toxic and polluting solvents and, consequently, the environmental impact of long-term catalyst preparation. Specifically, the versatility of scCO₂ allows to prepare catalysts with different structures (e.g., nanoparticles or metal-loaded supports) by several supercritical processes for the photocatalytic degradation of various compounds. This is the first updated review on the use of scCO₂-assisted techniques for photocatalytic applications. We hope this review provides useful information on different approaches and future perspectives.     

基于6LoWPAN技术的气体环境监控系统

针对日趋严重的大气污染问题,提出了一种基于6LoWPAN技术的大气环境监测方案。通过IPv6通信协议组建的6LoWPAN星型网络,能够实现大规模传感控制网络,解决了IPv4 地址枯竭、各厂商协议不统一等问题。各个PAN采集到的数据通过路由器发送给监控终端,使用Labview为开发平台进行数据汇总后实现对环境中有害气体的实时监控,并通过以太网进行数据共享。实验结果表明,该系统数据采集准确无误,并对环境污染起到了预防作用,可保证社会的可持续发展。