| 1. |
- Andersson, Agneta, et al.
(author)
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Microbial food web changes induced by terrestrial organic matter and elevated temperature in the coastal northern Baltic Sea
- 2023
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In: Frontiers in Marine Science. - : Frontiers Media S.A.. - 2296-7745. ; 10
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Climate change has been projected to cause increased temperature and amplified inflows of terrestrial organic matter to coastal areas in northern Europe. Consequently, changes at the base of the food web favoring heterotrophic bacteria over phytoplankton are expected, affecting the food web structure. We tested this hypothesis using an outdoor shallow mesocosm system in the northern Baltic Sea in early summer, where the effects of increased temperature (+ 3°C) and terrestrial matter inputs were studied following the system dynamics and conducting grazing experiments. Juvenile perch constituted the highest trophic level in the system, which exerted strong predation on the zooplankton community. Perch subsequently released the microbial food web from heavy grazing by mesozooplankton. Addition of terrestrial matter had a stronger effect on the microbial food web than the temperature increase, because terrestrial organic matter and accompanying nutrients promoted both heterotrophic bacterial production and phytoplankton primary production. Moreover, due to the shallow water column in the experiment, terrestrial matter addition did not reduce the light below the photosynthesis saturation level, and in these conditions, the net-autotrophy was strengthened by terrestrial matter enrichment. In combination with elevated temperature, the terrestrial matter addition effects were intensified, further shifting the size distribution of the microbial food web base from picoplankton to microphytoplankton. These changes up the food web led to increase in the biomass and proportion of large-sized ciliates (>60 µm) and rotifers. Despite the shifts in the microbial food web size structure, grazing experiments suggested that the pathway from picoplankton to nano- and microzooplankton constituted the major energy flow in all treatments. The study implies that the microbial food web compartments in shallow coastal waters will adjust to climate induced increased inputs of terrestrial matter and elevated temperature, and that the major energy path will flow from picoplankton to large-sized ciliates during the summer period.
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| 2. |
- Andersson, Agneta, et al.
(author)
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Projected future climate change and Baltic Sea ecosystem management
- 2015
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In: Ambio. - : Springer. - 0044-7447 .- 1654-7209. ; 44:Supplement 3, s. S345-S356
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Climate change is likely to have large effects on the Baltic Sea ecosystem. Simulations indicate 2-4 degrees C warming and 50-80 % decrease in ice cover by 2100. Precipitation may increase similar to 30 % in the north, causing increased land runoff of allochthonous organic matter (AOM) and organic pollutants and decreased salinity. Coupled physical-biogeochemical models indicate that, in the south, bottom-water anoxia may spread, reducing cod recruitment and increasing sediment phosphorus release, thus promoting cyanobacterial blooms. In the north, heterotrophic bacteria will be favored by AOM, while phytoplankton production may be reduced. Extra trophic levels in the food web may increase energy losses and consequently reduce fish production. Future management of the Baltic Sea must consider the effects of climate change on the ecosystem dynamics and functions, as well as the effects of anthropogenic nutrient and pollutant load. Monitoring should have a holistic approach, encompassing both autotrophic (phytoplankton) and heterotrophic (e.g., bacterial) processes.
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| 3. |
- Berglund, Åsa M. M., 1978-, et al.
(author)
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Effects on the food-web structure and bioaccumulation patterns of organic contaminants in a climate-altered Bothnian Sea mesocosms
- 2023
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In: Frontiers in Marine Science. - : Frontiers Media S.A.. - 2296-7745. ; 10
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Climate change is expected to alter global temperature and precipitation patterns resulting in complex environmental impacts. The proposed higher precipitation in northern Scandinavia would increase runoff from land, hence increase the inflow of terrestrial dissolved organic matter (tDOM) in coastal regions. This could promote heterotrophic bacterial production and shift the food web structure, by favoring the microbial food web. The altered climate is also expected to affect transport and availability of organic micropollutants (MPs), with downstream effects on exposure and accumulation in biota. This study aimed to assess climate-induced changes in a Bothnian Sea food web structure as well as bioaccumulation patterns of MPs. We performed a mesocosms-study, focusing on aquatic food webs with fish as top predator. Alongside increased temperature, mesocosm treatments included tDOM and MP addition. The tDOM addition affected nutrient availability and boosted both phytoplankton and heterotrophic bacteria in our fairly shallow mesocosms. The increased tDOM further benefitted flagellates, ciliates and mesozooplankton, while the temperature increase and MP addition had minor effect on those organism groups. Temperature, on the other hand, had a negative impact on fish growth and survival, whereas tDOM and MP addition only had minor impact on fish. Moreover, there were indications that bioaccumulation of MPs in fish either increased with tDOM addition or decreased at higher temperatures. If there was an impact on bioaccumulation, moderately lipophilic MPs (log Kow 3.6 - 4.6) were generally affected by tDOM addition and more lipophilic MPs (log Kow 3.8 to 6.4) were generally affected by increased temperature. This study suggest that both increased temperatures and addition of tDOM likely will affect bioaccumulation patterns of MPs in shallow coastal regions, albeit with counteracting effects.
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| 4. |
- Bidleman, Terry, et al.
(author)
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Atmospheric pathways of chlorinated pesticides and natural bromoanisoles in the northern Baltic Sea and its catchment
- 2015
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In: Ambio. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0044-7447 .- 1654-7209. ; 44, s. 472-483
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Long-range atmospheric transport is a major pathway for delivering persistent organic pollutants to the oceans. Atmospheric deposition and volatilization of chlorinated pesticides and algae-produced bromoanisoles (BAs) were estimated for Bothnian Bay, northern Baltic Sea, based on air and water concentrations measured in 2011-2012. Pesticide fluxes were estimated using monthly air and water temperatures and assuming 4 months ice cover when no exchange occurs. Fluxes were predicted to increase by about 50 % under a 2069-2099 prediction scenario of higher temperatures and no ice. Total atmospheric loadings to Bothnian Bay and its catchment were derived from air-sea gas exchange and bulk'' (precipitation ? dry particle) deposition, resulting in net gains of 53 and 46 kg year(-1) for endosulfans and hexachlorocyclohexanes, respectively, and net loss of 10 kg year(-1) for chlordanes. Volatilization of BAs releases bromine to the atmosphere and may limit their residence time in Bothnian Bay. This initial study provides baseline information for future investigations of climate change on biogeochemical cycles in the northern Baltic Sea and its catchment.
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| 5. |
- Bidleman, Terry F., et al.
(author)
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Air-water exchange of brominated anisoles in the northern baltic sea
- 2014
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In: Environmental Science and Technology. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 0013-936X .- 1520-5851. ; 48:11, s. 6124-6132
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Bromophenols produced by marine algae undergo O-methylation to form bromoanisoles (BAs), which are exchanged between water and air. BAs were determined in surface water of the northern Baltic Sea (Gulf of Bothnia, consisting of Bothnian Bay and Bothnian Sea) during 2011-2013 and on a transect of the entire Baltic in September 2013. The abundance decreased in the following order: 2,4,6-tribromoanisole (2,4,6-TBA) > 2,4-dibromoanisole (2,4-DBA) ≫ 2,6-dibromoanisole (2,6-DBA). Concentrations of 2,4-DBA and 2,4,6-TBA in September were higher in the southern than in the northern Baltic and correlated well with the higher salinity in the south. This suggests south-to-north advection and dilution with fresh riverine water enroute, and/or lower production in the north. The abundance in air over the northern Baltic also decreased in the following order: 2,4,6-TBA > 2,4-DBA. However, 2,6-DBA was estimated as a lower limit due to breakthrough from polyurethane foam traps used for sampling. Water/air fugacity ratios ranged from 3.4 to 7.6 for 2,4-DBA and from 18 to 94 for 2,4,6-TBA, indicating net volatilization. Flux estimates using the two-film model suggested that volatilization removes 980-1360 kg of total BAs from Bothnian Bay (38000 km(2)) between May and September. The release of bromine from outgassing of BAs could be up to 4-6% of bromine fluxes from previously reported volatilization of bromomethanes and bromochloromethanes.
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| 6. |
- Bidleman, Terry F., et al.
(author)
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Sea-air exchange of bromoanisoles and methoxylated bromodiphenylethers in the Northern Baltic
- 2016
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In: Marine Pollution Bulletin. - : Elsevier. - 0025-326X .- 1879-3363. ; 112:1-2, s. 58-64
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Halogenated natural products in biota of the Baltic Sea include bromoanisoles (BAs) and methoxylated bromodiphenyl ethers (MeO-BDEs). We identified biogenic 6-MeO-BDE47 and 2'-MeO-BDE68 in Baltic water and air for the first time using gas chromatography - high resolution mass spectrometry. Partial pressures in air were related to temperature by: log p/Pa=m/T(K)+b. We determined Henry's law constants (HLCs) of 2,4-dibromoanisole (2,4-DiBA) and 2,4,6-tribromoanisole (2,4,6-TriBA) from 5 to 30°C and revised our assessment of gas exchange in the northern Baltic. The new water/air fugacity ratios (FRs) were lower, but still indicated net volatilization in May-June for 2,4-DiBA and May - September for 2,4,6-TriBA. The net flux (negative) of BAs from Bothnian Bay (38,000km2) between May - September was revised from -1319 to -532kg. FRs of MeO-BDEs were >1, suggesting volatilization, although this is tentative due to uncertainties in their HLCs and binding to dissolved organic carbon.
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| 7. |
- Björlenius, Berndt, et al.
(author)
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Pharmaceutical residues are widespread in Baltic Sea coastal and offshore waters – Screening for pharmaceuticals and modelling of environmental concentrations of carbamazepine
- 2018
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In: Science of the Total Environment. - : Elsevier. - 0048-9697 .- 1879-1026. ; 633, s. 1496-1509
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The consumption of pharmaceuticals worldwide coupled with modest removal efficiencies of sewage treatment plants have resulted in the presence of pharmaceuticals in aquatic systems globally. In this study, we investigated the environmental concentrations of a selection of 93 pharmaceuticals in 43 locations in the Baltic Sea and Skagerrak. The Baltic Sea is vulnerable to anthropogenic activities due to a long turnover time and a sensitive ecosystem in the brackish water. Thirty-nine of 93 pharmaceuticals were detected in at least one sample, with concentrations ranging between 0.01 and 80 ng/L. One of the pharmaceuticals investigated, the anti-epileptic drug carbamazepine, was widespread in coastal and offshore seawaters (present in 37 of 43 samples). In order to predict concentrations of pharmaceuticals in the sub-basins of the Baltic Sea, a mass balance-based grey box model was set up and the persistent, widely used carbamazepine was selected as the model substance. The model was based on hydrological and meteorological sub-basin characteristics, removal data from smaller watersheds and wastewater treatment plants, and statistics relating to population, consumption and excretion rate of carbamazepine in humans. The grey box model predicted average environmental concentrations of carbamazepine in sub-basins with no significant difference from the measured concentrations, amounting to 0.57-3.2 ng/L depending on sub-basin location. In the Baltic Sea, the removal rate of carbamazepine in seawater was estimated to be 6.2 10(-9) s(-1) based on a calculated half-life time of 3.5 years at 10 degrees C, which demonstrates the long response time of the environment to measures phasing out persistent or slowly degradable substances such as carbamazepine. Sampling, analysis and grey box modelling were all valuable in describing the presence and removal of carbamazepine in the Baltic Sea.
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| 8. |
- Papazian, Stefano, 1986-, et al.
(author)
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Herbivore-Induced Metabolic Responses in Brassica nigra are Shaped by Leaf Ontogeny
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Other publication (other academic/artistic)abstract
- In order to defend, plants rely on quick metabolic reconfigurations. Here weinvestigated plant herbivore-induced responses asking: 1) how exposure to methyljasmonate(MeJA) and herbivory alter plant defence and growth metabolism, and 2)are herbivore-induced responses concentrated in tissues with higher fitness value, aspredicted by the optimal defence (OD) theory? We analysed the leaf metabolome of black mustard (B. nigra) in response to MeJAand/or feeding by specialist caterpillars of the large white cabbage butterfly (Pierisbrassicae). Shifts in defence-related (secondary) and growth-related (primary)metabolites were initially evaluated on fully expanded mature leaves and thenfollowed across leaf ontogeny. MeJA enhanced herbivore induced-responses and increased the plant resistanceagainst sequential herbivory. Responses were focused in young leaves andcharacterized by changes in defence- (glucosinolates, phenolics) and growth- (aminoacids, sugars, organic acids) metabolism, including asymmetric accumulation ofcentral tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) intermediates. MeJA application enhanced the plant resistance towards herbivory and, consistentlywith the OD theory, herbivore-induced responses were prioritized in young leaves.However, shifts in the plant were not limited to higher defences but affected growthmetabolism including regulation of energy pathways and increased leaf senescence.These effects deserve attention by future ecological and applied research on plantinsectinteractions.
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| 9. |
- Ripszam, Matyas, et al.
(author)
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Automated method for determination of dissolved organic carbon–water distribution constants of structurally diverse pollutants using pre-equilibrium solid-phase microextraction
- 2015
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In: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. - : Wiley. - 0730-7268 .- 1552-8618. ; 34:2, s. 266-274
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) plays a key role in determining the environmental fate of semivolatile organic environmental contaminants. The goal of the present study was to develop a method using commercially available hardware to rapidly characterize the sorption properties of DOC in water samples. The resulting method uses negligible-depletion direct immersion solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Its performance was evaluated using Nordic reference fulvic acid and 40 priority environmental contaminants that cover a wide range of physicochemical properties. Two SPME fibers had to be used to cope with the span of properties, 1 coated with polydimethylsiloxane and 1 coated with polystyrene divinylbenzene polydimethylsiloxane, for nonpolar and semipolar contaminants, respectively. The measured DOC–water distribution constants showed reasonably good reproducibility (standard deviation ≤ 0.32) and good correlation (R2 = 0.80) with log octanol–water partition coefficients for nonpolar persistent organic pollutants. The sample pretreatment is limited to filtration, and the method is easy to adjust to different DOC concentrations. These experiments also utilized the latest SPME automation that largely decreases total cycle time (to 20 min or shorter) and increases sample throughput, which is advantageous in cases when many samples of DOC must be characterized or when the determinations must be performed quickly, for example, to avoid precipitation, aggregation, and other changes of DOC structure and properties. The data generated by this method are valuable as a basis for transport and fate modeling studies.
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| 10. |
- Ripszam, Matyas, 1986-
(author)
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Bioavailability of organic contaminants in a changing climate
- 2015
-
Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The effects of predicted future climate change was investigated with special emphasis on the association of organic contaminants with dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in the Baltic Sea.An automated method was developed for the measurements of DOC - water distribution constants at realistic DOC concentrations in brackish water. The method proved to be valid for 30 organic contaminants with different structural elements in the 5 – 100 mg car bon/L DOC concentration range. There were limitations of this method. Firstly, its applicability is limited towards contaminants with lower affinity to DOC. Secondly, at higher (>100 mg carbon/L) DOC concentrations the sorption of contaminants was underest imated.Afterwards, water samples were collected from 15 points within the Baltic Sea in a north - south gradient t o examine the spatial differences in DOC characteristics and sorption properties . The DOC samples were analyzed using proton nuclear magnetic resonance and ultraviolet spectroscopy. Results from both techniques indicated that the aromatic nature of the DOC pool increased towards the northern Baltic Sea. This was expected as the freshwater inflow has high significance in controlling the hydrograp hic conditions in the Bothnian Bay. Sorption of organic contaminants was subsequently measured in the same samples. The results showed decreased sorption from north to south for hydrophobic contaminants such as chlorinated benzenes but for contaminants lik e tributyl - phosphate no spatial tendencies were observed. The data generated was used to determine molecular descriptors of DOC using linear free energy relationships. The results indicated a higher significance of hy drogen bond donor/acceptor functional g roups of the DOC in the south.Changes in contaminant distribution were simulated in model pelagic ecosystems at possible endpoints predicted by future climate change scenarios. Separate and combined effects of temperature a nd DOC were studied in mesocosms. The results indicated interesting tendencies. Increased temperature resulted in increased losses in the amounts of organic contaminants. Increased DOC levels promoted sedimentation and sorption of contaminants to particulate matter and biota. Hi gher amounts of contaminants were retained. The combined effects of the two factors led to and overall decrease in dissolved amounts. Higher losses or increased sedimentation and sorption to particles were also observed depending on contaminant properties.
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| 11. |
- Ripszam, Matyas, et al.
(author)
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Dissolved organic carbon quality and sorption of organic pollutants in the Baltic Sea in light of future climate change
- 2015
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In: Environmental Science and Technology. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 0013-936X .- 1520-5851. ; 49:3, s. 1445-1452
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Regional climate change scenarios predict increased temperature and precipitation in the northern Baltic Sea, leading to a greater runoff of fresh water and terrestrial dissolved organic carbon (DOC) within the second part of the 21st century. As a result, the current north to south gradient in temperature and salinity is likely to be shifted further toward the south. To examine if such climate change effects would cause alterations in the environmental fate of organic pollutants, spatial variations of DOC quality and sorption behavior toward organic contaminants were examined using multiple analytical methods. The results showed declining contents of aromatic functional groups in DOC along a north to south gradient. Similarly, the sorption of a diverse set of organic contaminants to DOC also showed spatial differences. The sorption behavior of these contaminants was modeled using poly parameter linear energy relationships. The resulting molecular descriptors indicated clear differences in the sorption properties of DOC sampled in northern and southern parts of the Baltic Sea, which imply that more organic contaminants are sorbed to DOC in the northern part. The extent of this sorption process determines whether individual contaminants will partition to biota via direct uptake or through sorption to DOC, which serves as food source for bacteria-based food-webs.
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| 12. |
- Ripszám, Mátyás, 1986-, et al.
(author)
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Effects of predicted climatic changes on distribution of organic contaminants in brackish water mesocosms
- 2015
-
In: Science of the Total Environment. - : Elsevier. - 0048-9697 .- 1879-1026. ; 517, s. 10-21
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Predicted consequences of future climate change in the northern Baltic Sea include increases in sea surface temperatures and terrestrial dissolved organic carbon (DOC) runoff. These changes are expected to alter environmental distribution of anthropogenic organic contaminants (OCs). To assess likely shifts in their distributions, outdoor mesocosms were employed to mimic pelagic ecosystems at two temperatures and two DOC concentrations, current: 15 °C and 4 mg DOC L− 1 and, within ranges of predicted increases, 18 °C and 6 mg DOC L− 1, respectively. Selected organic contaminants were added to the mesocosms to monitor changes in their distribution induced by the treatments. OC partitioning to particulate matter and sedimentation were enhanced at the higher DOC concentration, at both temperatures, while higher losses and lower partitioning of OCs to DOC were observed at the higher temperature. No combined effects of higher temperature and DOC on partitioning were observed, possibly because of the balancing nature of these processes. Therefore, changes in OCs' fates may largely depend on whether they are most sensitive to temperature or DOC concentration rises. Bromoanilines, phenanthrene, biphenyl and naphthalene were sensitive to the rise in DOC concentration, whereas organophosphates, chlorobenzenes (PCBz) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were more sensitive to temperature. Mitotane and diflufenican were sensitive to both temperature and DOC concentration rises individually, but not in combination.
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| 13. |
- Ripszam, Matyas, et al.
(author)
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Elimination of interferences caused by simultaneous use of deuterated and carbon-13 standards in GC-MS analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in extracts from passive sampling devices
- 2013
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In: Analytical Methods. - : Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). - 1759-9660 .- 1759-9679. ; 5:12, s. 2925-2928
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Two types of isotope-labelled reference compounds are typically used for the passive sampling of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. One type is added before the exposure of the sampler and is called a performance reference compound (PRC). The other is the laboratory internal standard, which is spiked into the sample after extraction (dialysis) from the membrane and is used for quantification. Generally, PRCs are deuterium-labelled while internal standards are C-13-labelled. Interference originating from the internal standards occurs when the molecular ions of the PRCs gradually lose deuterium in the ion source to generate fragments that overlap with the molecular ions of the C-13-labelled internal standards. This can cause significant systematic errors in quantification. Gas chromatography-high resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-HRTOF-MS) was used to investigate the degree of interference at varying virtual resolutions of the MS instrument, and it was shown that many of the spectral interferences can be avoided by using high MS resolutions (35 000 or better).
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| 14. |
- Rodríguez, Juanjo, et al.
(author)
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Effects of Organic Pollutants on Bacterial Communities Under Future Climate Change Scenarios
- 2018
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In: Frontiers in Microbiology. - : Frontiers Media S.A.. - 1664-302X. ; 9
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Coastal ecosystems are highly dynamic and can be strongly influenced by climate change, anthropogenic activities (e.g. pollution) and a combination of the two pressures. As a result of climate change, the northern hemisphere is predicted to undergo an increased precipitation regime, leading in turn to higher terrestrial runoff and increased river inflow. This increased runoff will transfer terrestrial dissolved organic matter (tDOM) and anthropogenic contaminants to coastal waters. Such changes can directly influence the resident biology, particularly at the base of the food web, and can influence the partitioning of contaminants and thus their potential impact on the food web. Bacteria have been shown to respond to high tDOM concentration and organic pollutants loads, and could represent the entry of some pollutants into coastal food webs. We carried out a mesocosm experiment to determine the effects of: 1) increased tDOM concentration, 2) organic pollutant exposure, and 3) the combined effect of these two factors, on pelagic bacterial communities. This study showed significant responses in bacterial community composition under the three environmental perturbations tested. The addition of tDOM increased bacterial activity and diversity, while the addition of organic pollutants led to an overall reduction of these parameters, particularly under concurrent elevated tDOM concentration. Furthermore, we identified 33 bacterial taxa contributing to the significant differences observed in community composition, as well as 35 bacterial taxa which responded differently to extended exposure to organic pollutants. These findings point to the potential impact of organic pollutants under future climate change conditions on the basal coastal ecosystem, as well as to the potential utility of natural bacterial communities as efficient indicators of environmental disturbance.
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| 15. |
- Veenaas, Cathrin, et al.
(author)
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Analysis of volatile organic compounds in indoor environments using thermal desorption with comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography and high-resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometry
- 2020
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In: Journal of Separation Science. - : Wiley-VCH Verlagsgesellschaft. - 1615-9306 .- 1615-9314. ; 43:8, s. 1489-1498
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Building-related health effects are frequently observed. Several factors have been listed as possible causes including temperature, humidity, light conditions, presence of particulate matter, and microorganisms or volatile organic compounds. To be able to link exposure to specific volatile organic compounds to building-related health effects, powerful and comprehensive analytical methods are required. For this purpose, we developed an active air sampling method that utilizes dual-bed tubes loaded with TENAX-TA and Carboxen-1000 adsorbents to sample two parallel air samples of 4 L each. For the comprehensive volatile organic compounds analysis, an automated thermal desorption comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography high-resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometry method was developed and used. It allowed targeted analysis of approximately 90 known volatile organic compounds with relative standard deviations below 25% for the vast majority of target volatile organic compounds. It also allowed semiquantification (no matching standards) of numerous nontarget air contaminants using the same data set. The nontarget analysis workflow included peak finding, background elimination, feature alignment, detection frequency filtering, and tentative identification. Application of the workflow to air samples from 68 indoor environments at a large hospital complex resulted in a comprehensive volatile organic compound characterization, including 178 single compounds and 13 hydrocarbon groups.
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| 16. |
- Veenaas, Cathrin, et al.
(author)
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Differences in chemical composition of indoor air in rooms associated / not associated with building related symptoms
- 2020
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In: Science of the Total Environment. - : Elsevier. - 0048-9697 .- 1879-1026. ; 720
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Building related health effects or symptoms (BRS), known also as sick-building syndrome (SBS), are a phenomenon that is not well understood. In this study, air samples from 51 rooms associated with BRS and 34 control rooms were collected on multi-sorbent tubes and analyzed by a non-target approach using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography and high-resolution mass spectrometry techniques. The large amount of data gathered was analyzed using multivariate statistics (principle component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares (PLS)).This new analysis approach revealed that in rooms where people experienced BRS, petrochemicals and chemicals emitted from plastics were abundant, whereas in rooms where people did not experience BRS, flavor and fragrance compounds were abundant. Among the petrochemicals benzene and 2-butoxyethanol were found in higher levels in rooms where people experienced BRS. The levels of limonene were sometimes in the range of reported odor thresholds, and similarly 3-carene and beta-myrcene were found in higher concentrations in indoor air of rooms where people did not experience BRS. It cannot be ruled out that these compounds may have influenced the perceived air quality. However, the overall variability in air concentrations was large and it was not possible to accurately predict if the air in a particular room could cause BRS or not.
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