Search results for "contamination"
showing 10 items of 916 documents
PAHs associated with the leaves of Quercus ilex L.: Extraction, GC–MS analysis, distribution and sourcesAssessment of air quality in the Palermo (Ita…
2007
Abstract In this study, the leaves of Quercus ilex L. were selected as possible bioaccumulators of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Quercus is an evergreen plant that occurs widely in both urban and rural areas. Several sites (urban roadside, urban, urban park, suburban and rural) in and around Palermo city were investigated. The purpose of this research was to optimize analytical method for quercus leaves, investigate the degree of contamination in the urban area of Palermo by comparing PAH concentration in leaves of quercus from the several sites, establish distribution patterns and relate them to possible sources of PAHs. To this aim, the 16 recommended as priority pollutants by …
Using semi-permeable membrane devices as passive samplers
2007
Abstract We discuss the present state of, and future developments in, using semi-permeable membrane devices (SPMDs) for environmental monitoring of organic pollutants. SPMDs allow the determination of time-weighted average concentrations of bioavailable pollutants in the sampled media, reducing significantly the costs of analysis compared with active samplers. We summarize developments in SPMDs, including simplified devices and devices modified by incorporating solvents other than triolein, and applications. We review contaminants (e.g., organotin compounds, polycyclic musk, triclosan, petroleum biomarkers, nitrated PAHs, polychlorinated naphthalenes and a wide range of pesticides sampled i…
Cathodic abatement of Cr(VI) in water by microbial reverse-electrodialysis cells
2015
Abstract For the first time a microbial reverse electrodialysis cell (MRC) was used for the treatment of water contaminated by Cr(VI). It has been recently shown that both inorganic and organic pollutants can be removed by reverse electrodialysis processes (RED) using water with different salinity without the supply of electric energy. However, a high number of membrane pairs is usually necessary for the treatment of wastewater by RED. Here, it was showed that a lower number of membranes can be used by the utilization of a MRC (i.e., a RED cell with a biotic anode) for such purposes. Indeed, the abatement of Cr(VI), chosen as model pollutant, was successfully achieved by cathodic reduction …
In situ remediation of polluted Spolic Technosols using Ca(OH)2 and smectitic marlstone
2014
Technosols are soils developed on non-traditional substrates and containing large quantities of materials mostly due to intensive human industrial activity, such as artefacts. The increasing number of sites affected by Technosols and their impact on the environment as growing media for plants or as source of pollutants require an understanding of their functioning and evolution, above all the knowledge on the transport of toxic substances from contaminated technogenic soils to groundwater. A case study on properties, remediation and evaluation of Technosols made up by vitrified fly ash and glass–ceramics in Italy was carried out. Original technogenic soils, classified as Spolic Technosols (…
Geographical and ecological outline of metal(loid) accumulating plants in Italian vascular flora
2018
The decontamination of heavy metal polluted soils is one of the major challenges that our industrialized world has to face. Remediation technologies are being developed and employed in order to reduce the potential hazards of metal and metalloid contamination. Plants capable of uptaking metals and metalloids in their tissues can be an effective tool to remove such pollutants from contaminated soils. The use of this plant-driven process (Phytoremediation) requires the knowledge of the right phytoextractors to use when facing different types of contamination. The aim of this paper is to provide an inventory of phytoextractors that can be used in Phytoremediation procedures in Italy. The check…
THE IMPACT OF WARFARE ON THE SOIL ENVIRONMENT
2013
Abstract One of the most dramatic ways humans can affect soil properties is through the performance of military activities. Warfare-induced disturbances to soil are basically of three types – physical, chemical, and biological – and are aimed at causing direct problems to enemies or, more often, are indirect, undesired ramifications. Physical disturbances to soil include sealing due to building of defensive infrastructures, excavation of trenches or tunnels, compaction by traffic of machinery and troops, or cratering by bombs. Chemical disturbances consist of the input of pollutants such as oil, heavy metals, nitroaromatic explosives, organophosphorus nerve agents, dioxins from herbicides, …
Evaluation of the Soil Contamination of Tangier (Morocco) by the Determination of BTEX, PCBs, and PAHs
2009
Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX), twelve polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and seven polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), were selected as pollutants to evaluate the contamination of soils in the urban and industrial areas of Tangier (Morocco). PAHs and PCBs were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) after a microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) clean-up. BTEX were directly determined by head-space GC-MS. Results obtained in this study show the presence of high levels of BTEX and PAHs in the soil near the urban waste deposit. However, the analysis of pollutants in the other sampling sites provided comprehensive …
Prospects for combining chemical and biological methods for integrated environmental assessment
2009
Abstract Inherently interdisciplinary, environmental assessment applied to contamination is evolving rapidly, despite associated uncertainties in methodologies and data limitations. Mixtures of known and unknown pollutants can cause toxic effects in the environment. Besides deploying a chemicals-driven strategy for the ecological risk assessment of the pollutants, it is necessary to apply and to explore biological strategies. Consequently, bioassays, biosensors and effect-directed analysis (EDA) to identify pollutants responsible of particular effects have become increasingly important. We give a broad overview of how to assess biological monitoring of ecosystems and chemical monitoring of …
Emerging Contaminants
2015
Brominated flame retardants (BFRs), compounds formed during food processing, mycotoxins, perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), pesticides, phycotoxins, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and veterinary drugs are considered environmental emerging contaminants of particular concern. This chapter reviews the most important groups of emerging contaminants as well as the analytical platforms based on mass spectrometry (MS) developed to determine their presence in food. MS instruments utilize many different types of mass analyzers to improve selectivity and also confidence in assigning the identity of these emerging pollutants. Current analytical approaches are discussed together with the majo…
Stress-induced cytological and chemical adaptations in Cupressus plants from an urban area of Palermo (Italy)
2004
We studied stress-induced cytological and chemical adaptations in Cupressus pollens and needles from the area of Palermo (Sicily, Italy), in polluted and control sites (unpolluted) of urban and suburban areas. Pollen and needle chemical composition were investigated to provide an indicator of contamination of the trees, which were also examined structurally throughout one year. The concentration of particulate with lead was found to be significantly higher in plants at the polluted traffic site. Lead is one of the worst particulate pollutants in cities, especially in the winter season. In trees from the polluted site, all structural analysis revealed displasies. Structural changes, observed…