| 1. |
- Adelsköld, Göran
(författare)
-
Basin characteristics and nutrient losses: the EUROHARP catchment network perspective
- 2009
-
Ingår i: Journal of Environmental Monitoring. - : Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). - 1464-0325 .- 1464-0333. ; 11, s. 515-525
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The EC-funded EUROHARP project studies the harmonisation of modelling tools to quantify nutrient losses from diffuse sources. This paper describes a set of study areas used in the project from geographical conditions, to land use and land management, geological and hydro-geological perspectives. The status of data availability throughout Europe in relation to the modelling requirements is presented. The relationships between the catchment characteristics and the nutrient export are investigated, using simple data available for all the catchments. In addition, this study also analyses the hydrological representativity of the time series utilised in the EUROHARP project.
|
|
| 2. |
- Amer, Ranya, et al.
(författare)
-
Diversity of hepatotoxic cyanobacteria in the Nile Delta, Egypt
- 2009
-
Ingår i: Journal of Environmental Monitoring. - : Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). - 1464-0325 .- 1464-0333. ; 11:1, s. 126-133
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Optimized denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) fingerprinting and real-time PCR were performed to identify and quantify the potential hepatotoxic microcystin-and nodularin-producing cyanobacteria present in freshwater samples collected during different seasons at three different sites from the Nile River Delta. The combined use of molecular gene markers (targeting the aminotransferase domain of the hepatotoxin synthetase modules and the 16S rRNA gene) and light microscopy demonstrated the dominance of different freshwater Microcystis phylotypes, including the potential hepatotoxin producers M. wesenbergii and M. aeruginosa, several Synechococcus and Cyanobium phylotypes, as well as the presence of Nodularia spumigena and Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii in the samples ""collected during summer 2006 and winter 2007''. Certain seasonal changes (summer and winter) in Microcystis microdiversity were detected. Real-time PCR revealed no difference in the quantities of potential hepatotoxin-producing cyanobacterial communities between summer and winter, but did show differences between the three sampling sites investigated. The expression of the aminotransferase domain analyzed by DGGE fingerprinting demonstrated that all Microcystis phylotypes present in the samples might have been active at the time of the sampling. Statistical analysis showed a significant effect of TP, and not TN, on the relative abundance of the potentially hepatotoxic cyanobacterial community.
|
|
| 3. |
- Andrén, Cecilia M, et al.
(författare)
-
Which aluminium fractionation method will give true inorganic monomeric Al results in fresh waters (not including colloidal Al)?
- 2009
-
Ingår i: Journal of Environmental Monitoring. - : Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). - 1464-0325 .- 1464-0333. ; 11:9, s. 1639-1646
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aluminium solubility and toxicity increase with acidification. There is no standardized analytical method for the determination of inorganic monomeric Al (Alim), which is the form that causes toxicity to fish. Separation by cation exchange is commonly combined with other analytical methods, such as complexation with pyrochatechol violet (PCV) or 8-hydroxyquinoline (HQ) and total quantification using graphite furnace or inductively-coupled plasma emission. Data from 14 laboratories were obtained for a dilution series of Alim samples; the results of the Alim analysis were statistically evaluated. The Alim levels were altered through pH, which was controlled by the addition of calcium hydroxide. Confounding parameters such as total organic carbon (TOC) or fluoride (F) were controlled. The total determination and HQ methods yielded significantly higher Alim concentrations than the PCV method. Pretreatment by passage through a 0.45 µm filter and pH-adjustment of the ion exchange column had no apparent effect on the Alim yield. However, ultra filtration (<10 kDa) caused a significant reduction in the Alim concentration using the HQ method. The ultra filtrated Alim fraction was similar to the PCV results in the interlaboratory comparison. Retention of colloidal bound Al in the cation exchange column may result in overestimation of Alim when the total and HQ methods are used. Estimated Alim concentrations derived from two equilibrium models were similar to PCV-derived Alim concentrations, as well as the HQ method using ultra filtrated water. The fact that the PCV method does not detect colloidal Al, neither before nor after ion exchange, makes this a preferred technique for Alim analysis. Because of the variability in the reported Alim concentrations that can arise when different analytical procedures are used, the adoption of a single, reliable technique will facilitate inter-study comparisons and provide consistency in the detection of trends in environmental monitoring programs.
|
|
| 4. |
- Bergemalm-Rynell, kerstin, 1949, et al.
(författare)
-
Laboratory and field evaluation of a diffusive sampler for measuring halogenated anesthetic compounds
- 2008
-
Ingår i: J Environ Monit. - : Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). - 1464-0325. ; 10, s. 1172-78
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Anesthetic gases such as desflurane, sevoflurane, isoflurane, enflurane, and halothane are used on a daily basis in operating theaters. Active sampling has historically been used to control the level of exposure to personnel. SKC 575-002 is a diffusive passive sampler filled with Anasorb 747. We validated this sampler in both laboratory and field experiments. Parameters tested were desorption efficiency, concentration, sampling time, relative humidity, and reverse diffusion, as well as storage stability for up to 8 weeks. Uptake rates were achieved by comparison with active sampling for each passive sampling trial of 1, 4, or 8 h. Analysis and detection were performed using gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC/FID). Multiple regression analysis was used to evaluate the influence of time, concentration, dose, and relative humidity. In the field evaluation experiments, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were estimated. In the laboratory experiments, no problems were found with storage stability or reverse diffusion. The sampling rates for the five anesthetics vary, however, with exposure time and exposure level, with generally higher uptake rates at low concentrations and short sampling times. In the field experiments there was high agreement between the active and passive samplers for halothane, sevoflurane, and isoflurane (ICC > 0.83). When performing whole-day workplace measurements (TWA measurements) the SKC 575-002 can be recommended, and at levels around 1 ppm the following uptake rates should be used: enflurane and halothane, 12.3 mL min−1; desflurane, 13.6 mL min−1; isoflurane, 12.0 mL min−1; and sevoflurane, 11.9 mL min−1.
|
|
| 5. |
- Bignert, Anders, et al.
(författare)
-
Spatial variation in concentrations and patterns of the PCDD/F and dioxin-like-PCB content in herring from the northern Baltic Sea
- 2007
-
Ingår i: Journal of Environmental Monitoring. - Cambridge : Royal Society of Chemistry. - 1464-0325 .- 1464-0333. ; 9:6, s. 550-556
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The purpose of the current study was to investigate spatial and seasonal variation of dioxin and dioxin-like PCB (dl-PCB) content in herring sampled along the northern Baltic Sea coast and map out risk zones for dioxins and dl-PCBs. We further aimed to investigate relationships between congener distribution (pattern) and sampling location and season. The results showed that there were distinct geographical differences in concentrations of dioxins, dibenzofurans and dl-PCBs along the Swedish coast, from the Bothnian Bay to north Baltic Proper, with the highest levels detected in the southern Bothnian Sea. The majority of the locations showed concentrations above the prescribed maximum for dioxin residues (4 TEQ pg g–1 wet weight [w.w.]). If all the edible parts of the fish (muscle, subcutaneous fat and skin) are considered, the estimated concentrations exceeded the prescribed maximum level in the whole study area for herring collected during spring–summer. Concentrations in herring caught during spring–summer compared to concentrations in herring sampled in the autumn indicated seasonal variation. The pattern analysis showed a variation in relative congener concentration at the different sampling locations (spring–summer). Pattern differences were also noticed between seasons.
|
|
| 6. |
- Bloom, Erica, et al.
(författare)
-
Optimizing a GC-MS method for screening of Stachybotrys mycotoxins in indoor environments
- 2007
-
Ingår i: Journal of Environmental Monitoring. - : Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). - 1464-0325 .- 1464-0333. ; 9:2, s. 151-156
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Presence of Stachybotrys chartarum in indoor environments has been linked to building-associated disease, however, the causative agents are unknown. Verrucarol (VER) and trichodermol (TRID) are hydrolysis products of some major S. chartarum mycotoxins, i.e. macrocyclic trichothecenes and trichodermin. We optimized gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) methods for detecting VER and TRID in S. chartarum-contaminated indoor environmental samples. Heptafluorobutyryl derivatives of both VER and TRID exhibited little MS fragmentation and gave much higher detection sensitivity (sub-picogram injected onto the GC column), both in GC-MS and GC-MSMS, than trimethylsilyl derivatives. Optimal detection sensitivity and specificity was achieved by combining chemical ionization and negative ion (NICI) detection with MSMS. With this method, VER and TRID were detected in building materials colonized by S. chartarum and TRID was demonstrated in dust settled in the breathing zone in a house where an inner wall was colonized. In summary, we have shown that NICI-GC-MSMS can be used to demonstrate mycotoxins in house dust in S. chartarum-contaminated dwellings.
|
|
| 7. |
|
|
| 8. |
- Claeson, Anna-Sara, 1974-, et al.
(författare)
-
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from materials collected from buildings affected by microorganisms
- 2007
-
Ingår i: Journal of Environmental Monitoring. - : Royal Society of Chemistry. - 1464-0325 .- 1464-0333. ; 9:3, s. 240-245
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In this study mould damaged materials, including carpet, concrete, gypsum board, insulation, plastic, sand and wood, from 20 different buildings with moisture problems were collected. To study emissions from these materials both conventional methods for sampling, such as collection on Tenax TA, were used as well as complementary methods for sampling a wider spectrum of compounds, such as more volatile VOCs, amines and aldehydes. Analysis was carried out using gas chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography. Mass spectrometry was used for identification of compounds. Alcohols and ketones were almost exclusively emitted from the materials after they had been wet for a week. Acids were also emitted in large quantities from wet gypsum board and plastic. No primary or secondary amines could be identified, but two tertiary amines, trimethylamine and triethylamine, were emitted from sand contaminated by Bacillus. The most common moulds found were Penicillium and Aspergillus. A multivariate method (partial least squares, PLS) was used to investigate the emission patterns from the materials. Materials with bacterial growth had a different VOC profile to those with only mould growth.
|
|
| 9. |
- de Vocht, F., et al.
(författare)
-
Occupational exposure to NDMA and NMor in the European rubber industry
- 2007
-
Ingår i: Journal of Environmental Monitoring. - : Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). - 1464-0325 .- 1464-0333. ; 9:3, s. 253-259
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Many nitrosamines are suspected of being human carcinogens, with the highest concentrations in the environment being measured in the rubber industry. Time trends of personal exposure to N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and to N-nitrosomorpholine (NMor) during the past two decades in the German rubber industry were analysed and compared with cross-sectional studies in the same period in the Netherlands, Poland, the UK and Sweden. In the majority of the surveyed departments exposures reduced over time, but considerable heterogeneity was present between departments and sectors. Significant reductions were primarily found in curing and post-treating departments and ranged from -3% year(-1) to -19% year(-1). In contrast, NDMA levels increased (+ 13% year(-1)) in maintenance and engineering in the tyres industry. Average NDMA-levels in general rubber goods (GRG) and NMor-levels in tyre production in Germany did not decrease significantly in the past two decades, whereas NDMA-levels in tyre production (-10% year(-1)) and NMor-levels in GRG (-7% year(-1)) declined significantly after the introduction of an exposure limit for total nitrosamines in Germany in 1988. Confidence intervals of average exposures in other studied countries largely overlap trends observed in Germany. Exposure to N-nitrosamines decreased on average two-to-five fold in the German rubber industry with comparable concentration levels in other European countries. Although average levels are well below the current limits exposure has not been eliminated, and incidental high exposures do still occur.
|
|
| 10. |
- Eriksson, Kåre, et al.
(författare)
-
Tape-stripping as a method for measuring dermal exposure to resin acids during wood pellet production
- 2008
-
Ingår i: Journal of Environmental Monitoring. - : Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). - 1464-0325 .- 1464-0333. ; 10:3, s. 345-352
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The purpose of this study was to develop a sensitive and specific method for quantifying dermal exposure to the resin acids 7-oxodehydroabietic acid (7-OXO), dehydroabietic acid (DHAA), abietic acid ( AA), and pimaric acid (PA). In addition the method was evaluated in occupational settings during production of wood pellets. Tape-strips were spiked with the substances to evaluate the recovery of the acids from the tape. The removal efficiency of the tape was assessed by tape-stripping a specified area on a glass plate spiked with resin acids. The recovery of the acids from human skin in vivo was evaluated by applying acids in methanol onto the skin of volunteers. Occupational dermal exposure to the resin acids was assessed by tape-stripping the skin of workers involved in the production of wood pellets. The resin acids were analyzed by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The limit of detection was 15 pg (7-OXO), 150 pg ( DHAA), 285 pg ( AA) and 471 pg ( PA) per injection. The recovery from spiked tapes was in general 100%. The removal efficiency of the tape was 48-101%. Recovery tests from human skin in vivo showed a mean recovery of 27%. Quantifiable amounts of resin acids were observed on four different skin areas with an increase in exposure during a work shift. This study shows that occupational dermal exposure to resin acids can be assessed by tape-stripping and quantified by LC-MS.
|
|
