Transferkoeffizienten im System Boden—Pflanze in verschiedenen Lokalitäten der Tschechoslovakei

Für die Ermittlung der Transferkoeffizienten im System Boden–Pflanze wurden in drei Stellen der Tschechoslovakei Boden- und Pflanzenproben entnommen. Die niedrigsten Transferkoeffizienten für Getreide und für mehrjährige Futterpflanzen wurden in der Ostslovakei festgestellt. Die Werte der Transferkoeffizienten waren durch den Bodentyp, den Gesamt-Sorptionskapazität und dem Grad der Sorptionssättigung beeinfluβt.

Soil and plant samples were sampled for the determination of soil to plant transfer coefficients in three various Czechoslovak sites. The lowesl transfer factors for cereals and fodder were determined in the site of Eastern Slovakia. Values of transfer factors depend on soil type, cation exchange capacity and base saturation of soils.     

Unveiling the importance of reactant mass transfer in environmental catalysis: Taking catalytic chlorobenzene oxidation as an example

To date, investigations onto the regulation of reactants mass transfer has been paid much less attention in environmental catalysis. Herein, we demonstrated that by rationally designing the adsorption sites of multi-reactants, the pollutant destruction efficiency, product selectivity, reaction stability and secondary pollution have been all affected in the catalytic chlorobenzene oxidation (CBCO). Experimental results revealed that the co-adsorption of chlorobenzene (CB) and gaseous O₂ at the oxygen vacancies of CeO₂ led to remarkably high CO₂ generation, owning to their short mass transfer distance on the catalyst surface, while their separated adsorptions at Brönsted HZSM-5 and CeO₂ vacancies resulted in a much lower CO₂ generation, and produced significant polychlorinated byproducts in the off-gas. However, this separated adsorption model yielded superior long-term stability for the CeO₂/HZSM-5 catalyst, owning to the protection of CeO₂ oxygen vacancies from Cl poisoning by the preferential adsorption of CB on the Brönsted acidic sites. This work unveils that design of environmental catalysts needs to consider both of the catalyst intrinsic property and reactant mass transfer; investigations of the latter could pave a new way for the development of highly efficient catalysts towards environmental pollution control.     

Zur hydrogeologischen Interpretation von Isotopendaten im Zusammenhang mit Stofftransportprozessen

The migration of radionuclides and other tracers in porous layers is determined by substance transport. The physical and hydraulic basis of retardation is investigated. A definition of a factor of retardation is given, describing the ratio between the pore velocity of the water and the velocity of tracer migration. Consequences to the groundwater protection are discussed.     

Analysis and Fate of Dibenzothiophene Derivatives in the Marine Environment

Abstract

Dibenzothiophene (DBT) and related methylated derivatives are known to be among the most persistent and probably the most toxic PAH in the marine environment. Their analysis and their fate by photo-oxidation and biodegradation were studied.

The methylated DBT isomers, provided that they are resolved by high resolution GC, were used as organic markers of oil pollution in oysters. The determination of the relative distribution of the four monomethyl DBT allowed to characterize the source of pollution in an oyster-area in the North Brittany (France).

The fate of methylated DBT compounds was studied in a controlled sea-water enclosure where Arabian light oil was spilled. Analysis of the weathered oil showed that: (i) oil was degraded by photo-oxidation at a rate of 0.004% day; (ii) the half-lives of photolysis of methylated DBT was dependent upon the number of methyl groups on the aromatic nucleus: 8 days for DBT, 20 days for methyl-1 DBT and more than 2 years for trimethylated DBT. Compounds solubilized in the water column were identified as methyl-substituted dibenzothiophene sulfoxides and sulfones by HPLC with synchrofluorescence and GC-flame photometric detection.

The metabolic pathway of DBT was established in vitro. Rat microsomes transformed this substrate to DBT-5-oxide and subsequently to DBT-5-dioxide. Such an enzymatic S-oxidation was shown to be principally Cytochrome-P-450 dependent. It is suggested that the mixed-function oxidase (MFO) activity of marine species could be evaluated by this S-oxidation test in addition to the usual aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase.     

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in marine sediment of Thermaikos Gulf,Greece

Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) concentrations were determined in marine sediment samples collected from 7 different locations around Thermaikos Gulf in north Greece. PBDEs were detected in all sampling sites and their average total concentration (ΣPBDEs) ranged from 0.26 to 4.92?ng?g^?1?d.w. Concentrations were an order of magnitude higher in locations outlining the inner part of the Gulf, which were also closer to industrial areas, sewage treatment plant discharges, the city's harbour and landfill area. These findings suggest pollution in the aquatic ecosystem from industrial and urban activities in the area. Congener profiles exhibit predominance of BDE-209, while concentrations of other PBDE congeners were usually lower, when compared to similar studies from other countries globally, indicating that Thermaikos Gulf is among the low-polluted areas. Statistical analysis showed significant differences among the higher polluted sampling stations. Statistically significant differences also existed between sampling stations with high and low PBDE concentrations. Correlations between congeners suggested local contamination sources; however, specific point sources of pollution were not established.     

Ultrasound-assisted extraction of antimony and cobalt from inorganic environmental samples using a cup-horn sonoreactor prior to their determination by electrothermal-atomic absorption spectrometry

A simple, fast and reliable method is described for the quantitative extraction of Sb and Co from inorganic environmental matrices containing variable amounts of silicates prior to their determination by electrothermal-atomic absorption spectrometry. The method is based on the ultrasound-assisted extraction of both elements using the mixture 20% v/v HF + 20% v/v HNO₃ as extractant. The extraction procedure was carried out in closed Eppendorf vials immersed in a cup-horn sonoreactor for 20?min. Once extraction has been accomplished, the supernatant liquid is separated from the solid phase and subsequently transferred into the autosampler of the instrument. A two-level full factorial design (2⁴) was applied for screening optimisation of the variables influencing the ultrasonic extraction. These variables were: sonication time; amplitude of the ultrasound energy; nitric and hydrofluoric acid concentrations. MLDs were 0.20 and 0.06?µg?·?g^?1 for Sb and Co, respectively. Between-batch precision values, expressed as relative standard deviations (n?=?3), were less than 5.5 and 9.6% for Sb and Co, respectively. The method was evaluated using a wide variety of inorganic certified reference materials, such as SRM 2702 (Marine Sediment), SRM 2782 (Industrial Sludge), BCR 176R (Fly Ash), SRM 1633b (Coal Fly Ash) SRM 2710 (Montana Soil) and SRM 2711 (Montana Soil).     

Environmental effects on nuclear decay rates

The possible change of nuclear decay rates in different environments has long been an interesting topic due to its importance not only in nuclear physics but also in astrophysics, geological dating, condensed matter physics, etc. The progress in the investigation of variations in nuclear decay rates are reviewed.     

Styrene-PEG (600) DMA Crosslinked Polymers for Absorption of Oil Derivatives

In this work, styrene (St) based crosslinked polymers were prepared for removal of oil derivatives from aqueous solutions. Polyethylene glycol (600) dimethacrylate (PEG (600) DMA) was used as crosslinker in synthesis of styrene based crosslinked polymers, for the first time. The polymers were characterized by FTIR, SEM, elemental analysis and solvent (toluene, chloroform and fuel-oil) absorption capacities. The effects of different reaction parameters like crosslinker type, diluents amount and the presence of pore forming agent on the absorption properties of polymers were investigated. The polymers synthesized by using PEG (600) DMA have higher solvent absorption capacity than that of synthesized by using conventional crosslinker. Furthermore, the polymers synthesized in the presence of good diluents have higher absorption capacities. The addition of pore forming agent into the reaction medium has also improved the absorption rate of polymers. The absorption capacity of polymers in different solvents is in order of chloroform > toluene > fuel-oil. It was seen that oil derivatives can be removed efficiently from water by the St-PEG (600) DMA polymers.     

A Tensile Strain Hardening Test Indicator of Environmental Stress Cracking Resistance

Environmental stress cracking resistance (ESCR) is an important indicator of performance for high density polyethylene (HDPE) in structural and polymer pipe applications. The commonly used test for determining ESCR of HDPE can be time consuming and rather imprecise. A tensile strain hardening test was recently proposed to offer a faster way to characterize ESCR of polyethylene. In this paper, a practical approach is adopted whereby the test is extended to room temperature and shown to relate reliably to the ESCR of HDPE. Several HDPE resins (including pipe‐grade resins) are analyzed at strain rates of 0.5 mm/min and 7 mm/min to compare the effect of strain rate. Comparisons between the conventional ESCR test method and the strain hardening test show that strain hardening can be used to rank ESCR of HDPE in a reliable fashion. In our study the more direct measure of “hardening stiffness” is used to compare resins instead of strain hardening modulus. Because no true stress‐strain measurement is needed, this is a much simpler test method than other methods previously suggested. In addition, the use of the natural drawing ratio (NDR) as ESCR ranking indicator is examined. Results show that NDR can also be employed as a strain rate‐independent indicator of ESCR of HDPE. The test proposed herein is practical, simple and precise, and hence a more reliable indicator of ESCR performance of HDPE.