Study of traffic pollution by metals in Seville (Spain) by physical and chemical speciation methods

Eighty-three samples of atmospheric particles were collected at a representative traffic site in the Mediterranean city of Seville during a period of one year. Urban particles were collected on quartz filters with a high-volume sampler coupled with a cascade impactor which separates particles into six size ranges: >10, 10–4.9, 4.9–2.7, 2.7–1.3, 1.3–0.6, and <0.6 m. The total metal content, its distribution by size (physical speciation), and the concentrations of different chemical forms (chemical speciation) in particles less than 0.6 m were determined. The chemical speciation scheme furnished four fractions: soluble and exchangeable metals; carbonates, oxides, and reducible metals; oxidisable and sulfidic metals bound to organic matter; and residual metals. The samples were analysed by ICP–OES for Pb, Ni, Cd, S, Fe, Zn, Cu, Ba, Mn, and V. Gaseous pollutants, traffic intensities, and primary meteorological data provided by the atmospheric and traffic networks were statistically related to the analytical data. Analytical and statistical results from physical and chemical speciation singled out Ba as a valid tracer of vehicular traffic, instead of Pb, in cities with high traffic density. Another important relationship was found between Pb and Cu. Physical speciation of lead showed that the major risk for health was from fine particles less than 2.7 m, because particles between 2.7 and 0.6 m were the size fractions of the total suspended particles with the major mass abundance of lead (mainly particles between 2.7 and 1.3 m) and because particles less than 0.6 m were the fraction of airborne particles most abundant in the urban air. Chemical speciation results showed that special attention must be taken with Ni and Cd concentrations, because of their high potential bioavailability, mainly a result of the high solubility of the chemical forms of Ni in the finest particles.     

PM10 concentrations in relationship with other atmospheric pollutants in an urban-industrial area (Province of Trieste,NE-Italy)

Air quality in Province of Trieste was studied in terms of PM10 trends. Observed correlations between PM10 and atmospheric pollutants produced by combustion are in evidence. Nitrogen oxides and PM10 are critical parameters for air quality in Province of Trieste. Wind speed has a diluting action higher than rain for all pollutants.     

Interpretation of atmospheric pollution phenomena in relationship with the vertical atmospheric remixing by means of natural radioactivity measurements (radon) of particulate matter

In this paper the results of seasonal monitoring campaign for primary (benzene and carbon monoxide) and secondary (nitrogen dioxide and ozone) pollutants and for the natural radioactivity of the particulate matter in the urban area of Rome, are reported to investigate acute atmospheric pollution episodes. Comparing the daily concentration trends of primary and secondary pollutants with those of the natural radioactivity, considered as index of the vertical diffusion in the low boundary layer, it has been evidenced that the acute pollution episodes in Rome occur in the winter period for the high atmospheric stability (primary pollution) and in the summer period for the strong diurnal atmospheric remixing (secondary pollution).     

Quantitative EPR study on free radicals in the natural polyphenols interacting with metal ions and other environmental pollutants

Quantitative electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) method was applied to characterise radicals stabilised in polyphenolic matrices of various biogenic materials: lichens, mosses, composts, soils, peats, brown coals and sewage sludge sediments. The investigations were carried out on raw materials and extracted fractions of humic acids (HA). General trends of g value and spin concentration changes were found. These parameters in lichens strongly depend on lichen species and air pollution. Determination of the g value and semiquinone spin concentration allows to assess degree of transformation of organic matter in compost, soil, peat and lignite. Application of gaseous ammonia as a base penetrating the organic matrices extends the possibilities and usefulness of the method. Interaction of metal ions with humic materials is illustrated by interaction of VO2+ ion with peat and lignite HA as well as demineralised (raw and carbonised) brown coal. Our investigations demonstrate that quantitative EPR is a rapid and effective monitoring method to study the influence of various environmental factors on substances containing polyphenolic matrices.     

Interaction of lead atom with atmospheric hydroxyl radical. An ab initio and density functional theory study of the resulting complexes PbOH and HPbO

The two potential hypersurfaces 2A' (ground state) and 2A" (excited state) have been studied through ab initio and density functional theory (DFT) methods for the Pb(OH) complex. Two processes have been identified. The first one concerns the hydrogen inversion process in the coordination of PbOH and the second one the isomerization of PbOH into HPbO. Eight stationary points have been found; four of them correspond to the stable structures with symmetries PbOH(2A'), PbOH(2A"), HPbO(2A'), and HPbO(2Pi), and four correspond to transition states [TS] with the symmetries 2Pi, 2A', 2Sigma+, and 2A". The hydrogen inversion process in PbOH exhibits the so-called Renner-Teller effect with a rather low barrier, whereas the isomerization process PbOH-->HPbO exhibits a rather high barrier. The energetic, structural, spectroscopy, and thermodynamics results obtained at various levels through, e.g., DFT with BLYP, B3LYP exchange-correlation functionals, coupled clusters methods, namely CCSD (single and double excitations) and CCSD(T) (with triple excitations, by perturbation) are presented for the whole sets of the stationary points and their dissociation products. The relativistic effects, as well as spin-orbit interaction, taken into account in the case of the BLYP exchange-correlation functional, have been estimated and discussed in order to measure their importance in the case of system including heavy metals such as Pb. Reactions of lead (Pb) with oxidizing atmospheric molecules (OH, HO2, O2, and O3) have been studied at various levels of approximation in order to study the possible existence of PbOH in the atmosphere.     

A study of the bimolecular intersystem crossing reaction induced in the first excited singlet of SO2 by collisions with O2 and other atmospheric gases

The relative intensities of phosphorescence of SO₂(³B₁) molecules have been determined following the optical excitation of SO₂(¹B₁) molecules by a 2662 Å laser pulse. From a kinetic treatment of these measurements, the intersystem crossing ratio, k_2b/(k_1b + k_2b), was determined; SO₂(¹B₁) + M → SO₂(³B₁) + M (2b); SO₂(¹B₁) + M → SO₂ + M (1b). With M = O₂, N₂, Ar, CO₂, and CO, k_2b/(k_1b + k_2b) = 0.030 ± 0.013, 0.034 ± 0.029, 0.025 ± 0.005, 0.052 ± 0.014, and 0.045 ± 0.028, respectively. These data allow a new, more quantitative evaluation of the extent of involvement of the “excess” triplet SO₂ in the 3130 Å-irradiated mixtures of SO₂ and CO at high pressures [5, 6]. The new data are also of direct interest in the determination of the theoretical maximum rates of photooxidation of SO₂ in the sunlight-irratiated atmosphere of the earth.     

Modes of decomposition of silver,lead and mercuric toluenedithiolates. A synthetic and analytical study

The silver, lead and mercuric toluenedithiolates were synthesised and analysed by both conventional chemical methods and thermoanalytical methods. The thermal decomposition was studied by thermogravimetric analysis in air, nitrogen and vacuum. The formulae of the decomposition products were derived using the mole weights and i.r. absorption spectra. The activation energies for the first stage of decomposition were calculated. The volatile products contain mostly carbon and hydrogen while the residues contain the corresponding metals either free or combined with sulfur.

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Zusammenfassung Die Silber-, Blei- und Quecksilber-Toluoldithionate wurden synthetisiert und sowohl mit konventionellen chemischen Methoden als auch thermoanalytisch analysiert. Die thermische Zersetzung wurde durch thermogravimetrische Analyse in Luft, Stickstoff und Vakuum untersucht. Die Formeln der Zersetzungsprodukte wurden aus den Molekulargewichten und den Infrarot-Absorptionsspektren abgeleitet. Die Aktivierungsenergien für den ersten Zersetzungsschritt wurden berechnet. Die flüchtigen Produkte enthalten hauptsächlich Kohlenstoff und Wasserstoff, während die Rückstände die entsprechenden Metalle in freier Form oder in Form von Schwefelverbindungen enthalten.

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Abstracted in part from a thesis submitted by T. Ktenas to the Graduate School of Howard University, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science.     

Assessment of atmospheric inorganic pollution in the urban region of Gdańsk, Northern Poland

Summary The study was performed in an urban area to identify the main pollution sources. Dry and living bog moss samples were exposed in parallel, and their accumulative capability as biomonitoring tools was compared. The procedures of moss exposure, preparation, and element concentration measurement performance are recommended. Chemical composition of moss material was determined using instrumental neutron activation analysis in a research reactor located in Delft, the Netherlands. The element concentration levels were lower in living moss than in dry one. Chemometric methods were suggested to identify specific element profiles attributing to factors impacting moss composition in various urban locations.     

Background atmospheric levels of aldehydes, BTEX and PM10 pollutants in a medium-sized city of southern Italy

Background atmospheric levels of aldehydes, BTEX and PM10 pollutants were measured in the suburb of Caserta (Italy), 75 thousands inhabitants, 41degrees 04' N, on rainless weekdays and weekends during 2005. On weekdays the average daily concentrations (microg m(-3)) were 41.6 PM10, 8.6 benzene, 25.2 toluene, 6.3 ethylbenzene, 14.0 (m+p)-xylene, 11.7 o-xylene, 6.5 formaldehyde, 3.3 acetaldehyde. All the pollutant concentrations were strictly correlated (mean correlation coefficients = 0.90). At weekends the concentrations were lower by about 1.6 times. Both on weekdays and at weekends the PM10 and benzene levels exceeded the limits set by the EU Directive 30/1999 and 69/2000, respectively.     

Polarographic determination of uranium and lead in the presence of each other

Summary The microanalysis of solutions of dioxouranium- (VI) has been investigated employing differential pulse polarography. These studies show that uranium and lead can be determined accurately and economically in the presence of each other. The lead current peak occurs at –0.325 V, the uranium peak at – 0.200 V. Quantitative determinations are possible in the presence of Bi, Zn, Co and Fe.

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Polarographische Bestimmung von Uran und Blei nebeneinander

     

Instrumental comparison for the determination of cadmium and lead in calcium supplements and other calcium-rich matrices.

Three brands of Ca supplement, a laboratory-reagent grade CaCO3 and a certified reference material (International Atomic Energy Agency H-5 Animal Bone) wee analysed for Cd and Pb by four different analytical techniques, viz., anodic stripping voltammetry inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, flame atomic absorption spectrometry and electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. The Pb levels measured by the four techniques in the bone powder were within the certified Pb level in this certified reference material. Similarly, no significant differences [p less than 0.05; analysis of variance (ANOVA)] were observed in samples with Pb concentrations greater than 1 microgram g-1. However, the Pb levels in the laboratory-reagent grade CaCO3 obtained by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (0.79 micrograms g-1) averaged about three times higher than those measured by the other three techniques (i.e., 0.25 micrograms g-1). Although no significant differences (p less than 0.05; ANOVA) in Cd levels were observed within any of the samples (intra-sample variability), the Cd concentration measured in the different Ca supplements (inter-sample variability) varied by three orders of magnitude (ranging from 0.07 to 3.59 micrograms g-1).     

A Raman spectral study of stream waters and efflorescent salts in Rio Tinto, Spain

Acidic waters and sulfate-rich precipitates are found in mine tailings such as Rio Tinto (Huelva, SW, Spain). In this work we have characterized the chemical constituents of stream water and have identified some efflorescent salts and precipitates by means of Raman spectroscopy. Variable amounts of sulfate and bisulfate are found in the aqueous samples, suggesting changes in the acidity of the solutions. An estimation of the sulfate/water relative abundance is also given. Solid samples are readily identified as gypsum and as mixtures of hydrated hydroxysulfates belonging to the copiapite group. These results are consistent with previous works reporting the mineralogy and water composition of acid mine drainage-related sites, and proves the importance of Raman spectroscopy as a tool for accurate and noninvasive analyses of acid waters and associated geochemistry.     

A comparative study of the structure of copper and lead xanthates

XPS, PbL₃ and CuK EXAFS, solid state NMR, and EPR techniques are used to study insoluble products formed in the interaction of aqueous solutions of lead(II) nitrate and copper (II) sulfate with potassium nbutylxanthate (KX). The XPS spectra of lead xanthates with the composition PbX₂ are similar to those of KX, and interatomic distances of 0.279 nm suggest a nearly ionic character of Pb–S bonds. In copper xanthate precipitating together with dixanthogen (approximately 15 wt.%), the Cu(I)–S bond length is smaller (0.229 nm), and copper coordination number of 2.9 in a composite with dixanthogen increases to 3.3 after its removal by washing with acetone. The XPS spectra indicate the covalent character of the bond and non-equivalence of xanthate radicals. Solid state ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra as well as the actual absence of metal lines under the measurement conditions demonstrate strong disordering of the structure of xanthates, which is stronger for PbX₂ and weakest in CuX after the removal of dixanthogen. EPR reveals sulfur-containing radicals and Cu²⁺ in CuX, however, their amounts are insignificant and decrease after the washing with acetone. The results of the work are significant for the understanding of the reactivity of xanthates, in particular, under the conditions of flotation of base metal ores.     

Mercury in atmospheric aerosols: A preliminary case study for the city of Krakow,Poland

The level of contamination by mercury associated with airborne particulate matter in Krakow was determined. Samples of PM10 were collected on quartz filters using low-volume samplers. The total particulate mercury (TPM) concentrations in collected samples were determined by mercury analyser MA-3000 (Nippon Instruments Corporation). The reported results include also data on the carbonaceous aerosol and inorganic ions concentrations during the reported sampling campaign. The average concentration of the Total Particulate Mercury (TPM) in Krakow (Poland) was 0.22 ng·m⁻³ (during the period from 22 February to 2 March) and 0.49 ng·m⁻³ (on 3 March). A marked correlation between TPM and elemental carbon (EC) as well as with Cl^– was found. No significant association of the TPM with NO₃^– and SO₄^2– could be shown. The dry deposition flux of mercury was calculated as an average over the sampling period and was 47.3 ng·m⁻²·d⁻¹.     

Palaeo-variations in the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide and the relationship to extinctions

It has been established from geological studies that change in the atmospheric content of carbon dioxide gas commenced about one hundred million years ago. The likely origin of this change is advanced as being the onset of the Brewer circulation caused by the rise in terrain induced by tectonic plate movement. It is demonstrated that tectonic plate movement can be affected by impacts from external bodies which penetrate the crust of the Earth. The consequences of the change in atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide are proposed as first, extinctions and reductions in animal numbers, including primates, as a result of changes in body chemistry of these animals and second, a change in the rate of weathering of rocks giving rise to changes in the availability of chemicals such as calcium and potassium which are essential for plant and animal life. This latter change contributing to the extinctions and reductions in animal numbers. It is shown that the change in weathering can account for the rise to dominance of angiosperm plants. It is concluded that there were several simultaneous evolutionary environments on Earth which were a function of altitude which gave rise to a vertical variation in atmospheric content of carbon dioxide. This variation disappeared with rise of terrain and the onset of the Brewer circulation. Such changes are advanced and being much more important than any changes in temperature caused by greenhouse effects since the disappearance of atmospheric variations in carbon dioxide allowed animal migration. It is demonstrated that the conditions of extinction could be reintroduced by human activities.     

Interaction of the divalent lead cation with cyclosporin A: an experimental and theoretical study

On the basis of extraction experiments and γ-activity measurements, the extraction constant corresponding to the equilibrium Pb²⁺(aq) + 1·Sr²⁺(nb) ? 1·Pb²⁺(nb) + Sr²⁺(aq) occurring in the two-phase water–nitrobenzene system (1 = cyclosporin A; aq = aqueous phase, nb = nitrobenzene phase) was evaluated as log K _ex (Pb²⁺, 1·Sr²⁺) = 0.1 ± 0.1. Further, the stability constant of the 1·Pb²⁺ complex in nitrobenzene saturated with water was calculated for a temperature of 25 °C: log β _nb (1·Pb²⁺) = 9.2 ± 0.2. Finally, applying quantum chemical DFT calculations, the most probable structure of the proven 1·Pb²⁺ cationic complex species was derived. In the resulting complex, the “central” cation Pb²⁺ is bound by four bonding interactions to the corresponding four oxygen atoms of the parent cyclosporin A ligand. The interaction energy, E(int), of the considered 1·Pb²⁺ complex was found to be ?1016.3 kJ/mol, confirming also the formation of this complex.

     

A very efficent column for the separation of 60 volatile organochlorine priority pollutants and for other environmental problems

Summary The complete separation of the sixty volatile organochlorine (VOC) priority pollutants has been achieved by coupling two different liquid-modified adsorption chromatography columns. Two temperature programs were used to obtain the complete separation in a relatively short analysis time. Detection was by FID alone