| 1. |
- Olsman [Takner], Helena, et al.
(author)
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Relative differences in aryl hydrocarbon receptor-mediated response for 18 polybrominated and mixed halogenated dibenzo-p-dioxins and -furans in cell lines from four different species
- 2007
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In: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. - 0730-7268 .- 1552-8618. ; 26:11, s. 2448-2454
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Journal article (other academic/artistic)abstract
- As a consequence of ubiquitous use of brominated organic chemicals, there is a concern for persistent or increasing environmental levels of polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins/furans (PBDD/Fs) and mixed polychlorinated and polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins/furans (PXDD/Fs). Hence, there is a need to broaden the toxicological and environmental knowledge about these compounds, as a basis for risk assessment. In the study presented here, the relative potencies (REPs) for 18 PBDD/F and PXDD/ F congeners were determined in four dioxin-specific bioassays from different species: dioxin receptor chemically activated luciferase expression assay (DR-CALUX, rat hepatoma cells), TV101L (human hepatoma cells), and GPC.2D (guinea pig adenoma cells), as well as ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase induction in the fish cell line RTL-W1 (rainbow trout liver cells). The bioassay specific REP factors presented here enable the assessment of the contribution from PBDD/Fs and PXDD/Fs to total 2,3,7,8-tetrachl orodibenzop-dioxin (TCDD) equivalents (TEQs: toxic equivalents), using bioassay analysis. The PBDD/Fs were found to be equally potent as their chlorinated analogues in the three mammalian assays, whereas the PXDD/Fs showed relatively higher potencies. Of special concern were the 2,3,7,8-substituted penta- and tetrahalogenated congeners, for which mean REPs were >= 1. The 2-B-1,3,7,8-CDD (2-bromo-1,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin) was up to three times more potent than TCDD in individual experiments (on weight basis). The RTL-W1 was less sensitive to the tested compounds with overall 10-fold lower REPs than the mammalian cell lines. Although the REP factors exhibited species-specific differences, overall resembling rank orders of dioxin-like potency were obtained.
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| 2. |
- Greis, Christina, 1975-
(author)
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Rapid analysis of actinide isotopes using quadrupole ICP-MS for emergency preparedness and environmental monitoring
- 2007
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Transuranium elements in the environment are mainly derived from nuclear weapons testing and the nuclear fuel cycle. Of growing concern are illicit nuclear trafficking and the threat of terror acts. The development of rational methods, for environmental monitoring and for tracing sources of nuclear and radioactive materials in the environment, is constantly required. Traditionally, the actinides have been determined by radiometric techniques. These analyses can be time consuming for elements at low concentrations and with long half-lives. This thesis addresses the determination of actinides, especially plutonium, in environmental samples with ICP-QMS (inductively coupled plasma quadrupole mass spectrometry). The ICP-QMS instrument was equipped with an USN (ultrasonic nebuliser), which proved to be a successful combination for the determination of plutonium at low concentrations in acidified solutions after separation with anion exchange. The detection limit for plutonium was in the range 10-30 pg/l with a RSD of 1-10%. The suitability of chemical separation was evaluated for anion exchange, liquid-liquid-extraction and extraction chromatography. The outlined procedure, including sample dissolution, chemical separation and analysis, for determination of actinides in environmental matrices proved to be accurate and reliable. Quality assurance of the procedure was performed during an intercomparison exercise and with reference materials. The detection accuracy has also been validated with α-spectrometry and ICP-SFMS. The procedure has been applied to saline sediments and fresh water sediments as well as several fresh water matrices.
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| 3. |
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| 4. |
- Hassellöv, Martin, 1970, et al.
(author)
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REACH missar nano!
- 2009
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In: Miljöforskning. ; 2009:3-4
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Journal article (other academic/artistic)
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| 5. |
- Jörundsdóttir, Hrönn, 1978-
(author)
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Temporal and spatial trends of organohalogens in guillemot (Uria aalge) from North Western Europe
- 2009
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The Arctic and sub-Arctic region of the North Atlantic is a remote area, also in relations to environmental contaminants, such as POPs, BFRs and last but not least, PFCs. Both the BFRs and PFCs are considered emerging pollutants of significant environmental concern.The main objective of this thesis is to increase the knowledge and understanding of organohalogen compound distribution in the Nordic environment, their occurrence in biota and change over time. The temporal change of environmental contaminants in the Baltic Sea was monitored over the years 1971 to 2001, with emphasis on BCPS. Further, the pollution profile of the Nordic region was investigated by using common guillemot eggs. Further, to investigate a single remote site, Iceland, in more depth, eggs from seven marine bird species were collected and analysed. Both the organohalogen compounds mentioned above and their metabolites were investigated. The study focused also on an inter-species difference in the bird’s capability of metabolising xenobiotics.All environmental pollutants investigated in the Baltic Sea show decreasing levels over the time period investigated. BCPS showed a remarkably small change over time compared to other compounds. These results reinforce the previous findings, indicating the North Atlantic as remote where the concentrations of the organohalogens are lower compared to Europe in general. There are some exceptions however; the concentration of HCB is ubiquitously distributed across the study area. Further, the spatial trends of the PFCs are complicated and differ within the PFC group. When comparing bird species from Iceland, the concentration of organohalogens mainly depends on trophic level, while migration seems to contribute to a lesser extent. There are some similarities in the metabolism between the bird species investigated. However, the guillemot seems to distinguish itself from other marine birds, with a different composition of metabolites, indicating a different metabolic capacity.In conclusion, even human populations living in remote areas need to minimise the release of pollutants to the environment. Long term, well organised, and extensive governmental monitoring programs are highly recommended to follow the quality the environment and to detect any immediate and/or new threats of chemical pollutants.
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| 6. |
- Cucarella Cabañas, Victor
(author)
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Recycling Filter Substrates used for Phosphorus Removal from Wastewater as Soil Amendments
- 2009
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- This thesis studied the viability of recycling filter substrates as soil amendments after being used in on-site systems for phosphorus (P) removal from wastewater. Focus was put on the materials Filtra P and Polonite, which are commercial products used in compact filters in Sweden. A prerequisite for this choice was to review filter materials and P sorption capacity. The filter substrates (Filtra P, Polonite and wollastonite tailings) were recycled from laboratory infiltration columns as soil amendments to a neutral agricultural soil and to an acid meadow soil to study their impacts on soil properties and yield of barley and ryegrass. The amendments tended to improve the yield and showed a liming effect, significantly increasing soil pH and the availability of P. In another experiment, samples of Filtra P and Polonite were equilibrated in batch experiments with the two soils in order to study the P dynamics in the soil-substrate system. Batch equilibrations confirmed the liming potential of Filtra P and Polonite and showed that improved P availability in soils was strongly dependent on substrate P concentration, phase of sorbed P, and soil type. Finally, samples of Polonite used for household wastewater treatment were recycled as soil amendments to a mountain meadow and to an agricultural field for wheat cropping. The liming effect of Polonite was confirmed under field conditions and the results were similar to those of lime for the mountain meadow soil. However, the results were quite different for the agricultural field, where Polonite did not affect soil pH or any other chemical and physical soil properties investigated and had no impact on wheat yield and quality. The results from field experiments suggested that Polonite can be safely recycled to meadows and cropping fields at rates of 5-10 ton ha-1 but long-term studies are needed to forecast the effects of accumulation.
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| 7. |
- Malmvärn, Anna, 1966-
(author)
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Brominated natural products at different trophic levels in the Baltic Sea : Identification of polybrominated dioxins, hydroxylated and methoxylated diphenyl ethers
- 2007
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Over time, the Baltic Sea has been contaminated by increasing discharges of pollutants from human activities. Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) have caused toxic effects in wildlife and excess of nutrients have led to eutrophication. Furthermore, there are indications that certain polyhalogenated compounds similar in structure to man-made POPs are produced by the biota present in this sea. In the late 1990’s both methoxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers (MeO-PBDEs) and hydroxylated-PBDEs (OH-PBDEs) were identified in fish and seals living in this environment. OH-PBDEs can originate from metabolism of PBDEs, but both OH- and MeO-PBDEs are also known to be natural products in marine environments. Another group of POPs, the polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PBDDs), are not produced commercially, but are known to be by-products of chemical industry and of the combustion of, e.g., brominated flame retardants (BFRs). In contrast to the OH- and MeO-PBDEs, PBDDs have not previously been shown to be natural products, although certain related compounds have been indicated to have a natural origin.This thesis describes the identification of PBDDs, OH-PBDEs and MeO-PBDEs in algae, blue mussels and fish living in the Baltic Sea. Several of these compounds were also detected in cyanobacteria. Moreover, PBDDs were present in fish, mussels, shrimp and crabs from different regions of the Baltic Sea and from the west coast of Sweden, but not in organisms from freshwater environments. The levels of these compounds in Baltic fish generally exceeded those of their chlorinated analogues. The origin of the PBDDs identified is somewhat unclear, but the high levels present in blue mussels and the pattern of congeners observed indicate natural production. The presence of PBDDs, OH-PBDEs and MeO-PBDEs in fish and shellfish constitutes a potential risk to both humans and wildlife and requires further investigation.
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| 8. |
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| 9. |
- Öberg, Tomas, 1956-
(author)
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Probabilistisk riskbedömning fas 1. : Sannolikhetsbaserad uppskattning av miljö- och hälsorisker i förorenade markområden – en litteraturöversikt.
- 2006
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Förorenad mark medför risker för hälsa och miljö. Litteraturöversikten redovisar hur nuvarande metodik för kvantitativa riskbedömningar kan kompletteras med en sannolikhetsbaserad – probabilistisk – ansats. Den probabilistiska metoden innebär att variabilitet (naturlig variation) och osäkerhet (okunskap) kan karakteriseras och därmed erhålls både ett bättre beslutsunderlag och kunskap om hur bedömningen ytterligare kan förfinas. Den probabilistiska metodiken har fått stor användning i USA och nu börjar den även tillämpas i flera europeiska länder. Probabilistiska riskbedömningar baseras i allmänhet på simuleringar av utfall från ett stort antal möjliga val av värden för ingångsvariabler och modellparametrar. Beräkningarna kan numer utföras med en vanlig persondator, men kräver en grundläggande kunskap om både teknikens möjligheter och begränsningar. Förorenad mark är vid sidan av kärnkraftsindustrin den viktigaste miljötillämpningen av probabilistisk riskbedömning och ett stort antal studier har publicerats för specifika objekt i Nordamerika, Europa och Asien. De avser exempelvis förorening med bly, arsenik, krom, uran, PCB, PAH, hexaklorbensen, pentaklorfenol, dioxiner och klorerade lösningsmedel. Dessa probabilistiska riskbedömningar täcker in olika exponeringssituationer inom vitt skilda verksamheter, däribland tidigare metallurgisk industri (smältverk och gruvor), tillverkningsindustri, gasverkstomter, träimpregnering, infrastruktur och deponier. En övergång till probabilistisk riskbedömning ställer krav på kvalitetssäkring, både avseende arbetsgången och redovisningsrutinerna. Det amerikanska naturvårdsverket (U. S. EPA) har gett ut relativt detaljerade anvisningar som i stort överensstämmer med vad som idag utgör vetenskapligt konsensus. Liknande behov av riktlinjer finns även i Europa. Behovet av att karakterisera variabilitet, osäkerhet och känslighet i riskbedömningsmodeller är inte annorlunda i Sverige än i Nordamerika. Dessutom behöver säkerhetsmarginalernas storlek klart kunna anges. Probabilistisk metodik kan enkelt integreras med nuvarande svenska riskbedömningsmodeller och rapporten redovisar ett beräkningsexempel för benso[a]pyren. Probabilistisk riskbedömning har ofta använts för att etablera platsspecifika riktvärden och det är här som en framtida användning i Sverige främst kan förutses. Rapporten pekar på behovet av ramar för att underlätta tolkning och jämförbarhet och rekommenderar att ett vägledningsdokument utarbetas. Likaså krävs utbildningsinsatser. Kurser i probabilistiska metoder finns i det ordinarie utbildningsprogrammet vid ett par högskolor, men ett behov finns även av kurser för fortbildning av redan yrkesverksamma, både som distansutbildning och kortare problembaserade kurser.
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| 10. |
- Olsson, Mikael, 1948
(author)
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Polaris : Möten med världens poler www.polarisen.se
- 2009
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In: http://www.polarisen.se. - Göteborg : University of Gothenburg.
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Other publication (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Polaris is a Swedish based web site dealing with Antarctic, Arctic and sub-polar areas around the globe, including sub-Arctic regions of Scandinavia and Eurasia. Polaris is focusing on peoples and places, research and resources on high latitudes. In particular, the site's ambition is to depict the interaction between the components and put them in a context of global environmental and climate change. The web site also addresses the Swedish polar and mountain research, exemplified by the depiction of a number of Swedish polar researchers' work and choice of career. Polaris main target group is high school students. We aim at establishing Polaris as the popular web site in Sweden for polar research. Polaris was a joint production by Gothenburg and Stockholm Universities and others during the International Polar Year 2007-09. The initiative to the website was taken by the Swedish Committee for International Polar Year, the Swedish Research Council and the Universeum Science Center in Gothenburg. There are many scientific contributors, mainly from the Centre of Earth Systems Science at the University of Gothenburg, the Tarfala Research Station at Stockholm University and the Swedish Polar Research Secretariat . Interviews and articles are made by professional science writers. All texts are in Swedish.
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