Search results for "Pollution"
showing 10 items of 2765 documents
The joint adverse effects of aged nanoscale plastic debris and their co-occurring benzo[α]pyrene in freshwater mussel (Anodonta anatina)
2021
Although the presence of small-scale plastics, including nanoscale plastic debris (NPD, size1 μm), is expected in the environment, our understanding of their potential uptake and biodistribution in organisms is still limited. This mostly is because of the limitations in analytical techniques to characterize NPD in organisms' bodies. Moreover, it is still debatable whether aged NPD can sorb and transfer chemicals into organisms. Here, we apply iron oxide-doped polystyrene nanoparticles (Fe-PS NPs) of 270 nm size to quantify the uptake and biodistribution of NPD in freshwater mussels (Anodonta anatina). The Fe-PS NPs were, first, oxidized using heat-activated potassium persulfate treatments t…
EEG-responses caused by environmental noise during sleep their relationships to exogenic and endogenic influences.
1978
Abstract At a certain level of intensity acoustical stimuli occurring during the night lead to sleep disorders. Whereas presumed after-effects (decrease of performance, functional and organic diseases) can as yet not be related to noise, it is evident that the primary effects which can be recorded immediately after stimulus onset are caused by noise. Because of the small number of experimental trials carried out in different investigations, the results of each single paper can only be tentative. Therefore — concerning awakening reactions and reactions less than a change of at least one sleep stage — the data from publications of comparable method and evaluation have been summarised. With th…
Impact of dust and smoke mixing on column-integrated aerosol properties from observations during a severe wildfire episode over Valencia (Spain)
2017
The most destructive wildfire experienced in Spain since 2004 occurred close to Valencia in summer 2012. A total of 48.500ha were affected by two wildfires, which were mostly active during 29-30 June. The fresh smoke plume was detected at the Burjassot measurement station simultaneously to a severe dust episode. We propose an empirical method to evaluate the dust and smoke mixing and its impact on the microphysical and optical properties. For this, we combine direct-sun measurements with a Cimel CE-318 sun-photometer with an inversion methodology, and the Mie theory to derive the column-integrated size distribution, single scattering albedo (SSA) and asymmetry parameter (g). The mixing of d…
Exposure of heat-not-burn tobacco effect on the quality of air and expiratory plume
2021
Abstract The increasing interest to avoid the consumption of regular tobacco has lead in the development of several types of devices to decrease the effects of this practice on active and bystanders. In this work, the impact of the use of new heat-not-burn (HnB) devices has been evaluated and compared with that of regular cigarettes and electronic cigarettes (e-cigs). Portable monitoring devices were employed for CO, CO2, particulate matter (PM) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to evaluate the quality of indoor air and expiratory plume of both, active and passive, users during these practices. It can be noticed that the levels of VOCs in active HnB smokers expiratory air are five times…
Splitting the data cache: a survey
2000
Recent cache-memory research has focused on approaches that split the first-level data cache into two independent subcaches. The authors introduce a methodology for helping cache designers devise splitting schemes and survey a representative set of the published cache schemes.
Lutter contre la pollution lumineuse
2019
La dégradation de l’obscurité sous l’effet des usages de lumière artificielle nocturne dans et aux abords des infrastructures humaines est appelée pollution lumineuse. Liée à l’urbanisation, cette pollution déborde les espaces urbains pour affecter les espaces ruraux et les aires protégées. La lutte contre la pollution lumineuse s’organise dans plusieurs pays, dans lesquels des territoires expérimentent des politiques environnementales de protection de l’obscurité. L’enjeu porte à la fois sur la préservation de la biodiversité et la transition énergétiques. En France, quelques territoires ruraux pionniers expérimentent des dispositifs intégrant ce double enjeu. Deux d’entre eux constituent …
Mechanisms for Translocation of Heavy Metals from Soil to Epigeal Mosses
2011
The mechanisms for translocation of heavy metals from soil to epigeal mosses were investigated. The first mechanism was demonstrated for (137)Cs and involved the uplifting of the pollutant-containing dust from the soil, followed by the local secondary deposition on surfaces of epigeal mosses and epiphytic lichens. The second mechanism involved the diffusion of metal cations from the soil through water wetting the moss into the gametophyte. The mechanism was demonstrated by measuring the electric conductance of wetted gametophytes with single ends immersed in solutions of Cu and Na salts. In addition, the concentrations of Cu and Cd were compared in moss samples exposed to the natural soil a…
An extra-urban soil cadastre for Italy: a first guide for the introduction of soil information
2020
Assuming a positive outcome of the parliamentary procedure for laws and, thus, the transformation of the official cadastre for buildings and land into a soil cadastre (urban, extra-urban and cadastre for the conservation of natural or semi-natural soil diversity) would start a new era for pedology. Finally, after many decades of activity to expand soil culture in Italy, almost all Italian families would be in contact with a soil specialist. Land use and redefined plots would be handled with greater care and responsibility. Experts in agricultural and forestry and biodiversity conservation would have a new impetus in their activity. Furthermore, economists will also have to address new issue…
Soil gas prospection of He,222Rn and CO2: Vulcano Porto area, Aeolian Islands, Italy
1997
Abstract In March 1994, soil gases were sampled in the area of Vulcano Porto, on the island of Vulcano, using a grid of about 200 points/km 2 . Analysed gases were CO 2 , He and 222 Rn and, over a smaller area, H 2 S. Some of the samples were also analysed for the isotope composition of CO 2 C. Three anomalous CO 2 degassing areas were identified: Grotta dei Palizzi, the area near the Telephone Exchange, and the area near the beach fumaroles. The behaviour of He and 222 Rn is different in these 3 areas. The concentration of He is much lower than that of atmospheric He (down to −3950 ppb) in the isthmus, and only in the area near Grotta dei Palizzi does it have values significantly higher th…
Long-term effects of soil management on ecosystem services and soil loss estimation in olive grove top soils
2016
Soil management has important effects on soil properties, runoff, soil losses and soil quality. Traditional olive grove (OG) management is based on reduced tree density, canopy size shaped by pruning and weed control by ploughing. In addition, over the last several decades, herbicide use has been introduced into conventional OG management. These management strategies cause the soil surface to be almost bare and subsequently high erosion rates take place. To avoid these high erosion rates several soil management strategies can be applied. In this study, three strategies were assessed in OG with conventional tillage in three plots of 1. ha each. Soil properties were measured and soil erosion …