scholarly journals Contaminant Emissions As Indicators of Chemical Elements in The Snow Along a Latitudinal Gradient in Southern Andes

Author(s):  
Jaime Pizarro ◽  
Pablo Vergara ◽  
Sergio Cerda ◽  
Raul Cordero ◽  
Ximena Castillo ◽  
...  

Abstract The chemical composition of snow provides insights on atmospheric transport of anthropogenic contaminants at different spatial scales. In this study, we assess how human activities influence the concentration of elements in the Andean mountain snow along a latitudinal transect throughout Chile. The concentration of seven elements (Al, Cu, Fe, Li, Mg, Mn and Zn) was associated to gaseous and particulate contaminants emitted at different spatial scales. Our results indicate carbon monoxide (CO) averaged at 20 km and nitrogen oxide (NOx) at 40 km as the main indicators of the chemical elements analyzed. CO was found to be a significant predictor of most element concentrations while concentrations of Cu, Mn, Mg and Zn were positively associated to emissions of NOx. Emission of 2.5 mm and 10 mm particulate matter averaged at different spatial scales was positively associated to concentration of Li. Finally, the concentration of Zn was positively associated to volatile organic compounds (VOC) averaged at 40 km around sampling sites. The association between air contaminants and chemical composition of snow suggests that regions with intensive anthropogenic pollution face reduced quality of freshwater originated from glacier and snow melting.

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaime Pizarro ◽  
Pablo M. Vergara ◽  
Sergio Cerda ◽  
Raúl R. Cordero ◽  
Ximena Castillo ◽  
...  

AbstractThe chemical composition of snow provides insights on atmospheric transport of anthropogenic contaminants at different spatial scales. In this study, we assess how human activities influence the concentration of elements in the Andean mountain snow along a latitudinal transect throughout Chile. The concentration of seven elements (Al, Cu, Fe, Li, Mg, Mn and Zn) was associated to gaseous and particulate contaminants emitted at different spatial scales. Our results indicate carbon monoxide (CO) averaged at 20 km and nitrogen oxide (NOx) at 40 km as the main indicators of the chemical elements analyzed. CO was found to be a significant predictor of most element concentrations while concentrations of Cu, Mn, Mg and Zn were positively associated to emissions of NOx. Emission of 2.5 μm and 10 μm particulate matter averaged at different spatial scales was positively associated to concentration of Li. Finally, the concentration of Zn was positively associated to volatile organic compounds (VOC) averaged at 40 km around sampling sites. The association between air contaminants and chemical composition of snow suggests that regions with intensive anthropogenic pollution face reduced quality of freshwater originated from glacier and snow melting.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (22) ◽  
pp. 5521 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justyna Polit ◽  
Iwona Ciereszko ◽  
Alina Dubis ◽  
Joanna Leśniewska ◽  
Anna Basa ◽  
...  

The quality and amount of yellow lupine yield depend on water availability. Water scarcity negatively affects germination, flowering, and pod formation, and thus introduction of an artificial irrigation system is needed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of irrigation on the quality of yellow lupine seeds. Raining was applied with a semi-solid device with sprinklers during periods of greatest water demand. It was shown that watered plants produced seeds of lesser quality, having smaller size and weight. To find out why seeds of irrigated plants were of poor quality, interdisciplinary research at the cellular level was carried out. DNA cytophotometry evidenced the presence of nuclei with lower polyploidy in the apical zone of mature seeds. This may lead to formation of smaller cells and reduce depositing of storage materials. The electrophoretic and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analyses revealed differences in protein and cuticular wax profiles, while scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy revealed, among various chemical elements, decreased calcium content in one of seed zones (near plumule). Seeds from irrigated plants showed slightly higher germination dynamics but growth rate of seedlings was slightly lower. The studies showed that irrigation of lupine affected seed features and their chemical composition, an ability to germination and seedlings growth.


Author(s):  
Sophia Barhdadi ◽  
Goedele Moens ◽  
Michael Canfyn ◽  
Celine Vanhee ◽  
Bart Desmedt ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Since its introduction, the e-cigarette has become a commonly used consumer product. In this study, we investigate whether regulatory changes had an impact on the quality of refill liquids (e-liquids) available on the Belgian market through analysis of their chemical composition. Hence, the nicotine concentration accuracy was investigated in samples before, during and after the implementation of the revised Tobacco Product Directive (TPD) as an indicator of good manufacturing practices. This is, however, not enough to assure the quality. Therefore, extra criteria were also assessed based on TPD requirements. Methods By using in-house validated methods, a total of 246 e-liquids purchased prior (2013–2015), during (2016) and after (2017–2018) the implementation of the TPD revisions, were analyzed for the presence of nicotine, nicotine-related impurities, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), caffeine and taurine, and the flavors diacetyl and acetylpropionyl. Results Although not all manufacturers managed to produce and label their products accurately, nicotine labeling discrepancies have decreased over time. Moreover, also the number of e-liquids, containing high-risk VOCs (10% in 2016 vs. none of the samples in 2017–2018), caffeine (16% in 2017 vs. 5% in 2018), and diacetyl and acetylpropionyl (50% in 2017 vs. 27% in 2018 of sweet-flavored samples) diminished over time. Conclusion Our results demonstrate that the overall quality of the e-liquids has improved after the implementation of the revised TPD. However, the results also show that periodic quality control might be required to ensure further compliance to the TPD. Implications This study clearly demonstrates that the implementation of the revised TPD has improved the quality of the e-liquids on the Belgian market. However, there are still e-liquids that are not in agreement with the TPD due to nicotine concentration label discrepancies, presence of e-liquid impurities and controversial flavors diacetyl and acetylpropionyl or the additive caffeine.


ASJ. ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (45) ◽  
pp. 25-29
Author(s):  
A. Gavrishin ◽  
A. Coradini

The aim of the research is to assess the reproducibility of analyses of the chemical composition of lunar samples and to study the quality of lunar regolith. As a result of the space expeditions "Moon" and "Apollo" performed by the USSR and the United States, numerous lunar samples were delivered to Earth. This paper explores two aspects of assessing the quality of lunar samples. 1) Reproducibility of analyses. Assessment of errors of determining the concentrations of chemical elements in lunar samples. 2) Assessment of the quality of the lunar regolith by the magnitude of the differences with the composition of the earth's soil (geoecological quality assessment). Geoecological assessment of the quality of the composition of the lunar regolith was made for the first time. Comparison of the chemical composition of the regolith delivered by the Luna-16 space expedition with the composition of terrestrial soils at concentrations of 30 elements has been made. It is determined that the lunar soil in the concentrations of many elements is significantly different from the earths. The geoecological situation is rated as a "crisis". 


2021 ◽  
Vol 326 ◽  
pp. 185-190
Author(s):  
Dawid Szyba

The properties of the material affect the quality of the manufactured product. Before transferring the finished product to the production phase and sending it to the customer, material tests should be carried out. Examined material properties such as chemical composition, phase composition, grain boundaries influence results obtained after measurements of the chemical composition. The spectrometers used in SEM or as separate XRFs can be compared due to the principle of operation. The main difference in EDS/WDX or XRF is the types of a beam that excite the characteristic X-rays radiation peaks. Unfortunately, both types of spectroscopy have limitations due to materials properties such as the application light chemical elements in alloys an example of B. As well as small quantities of chemical elements in used alloys that affect the obtained results.


2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1(59)) ◽  
pp. 23-27
Author(s):  
Vyacheslav Royanov ◽  
Irina Zakharova

The object of research is the control of the process of formation of a spraying air flow and the transfer of particles of liquid metal from electrodes during arc spraying. One of the problem areas of the arc spraying process is the oxidation of the sprayed metal particles by the oxygen of the air flow during their transportation to the sprayed surface. This leads to the formation of a sufficiently large amount of oxides of chemical elements, which significantly deteriorate the adhesion strength and burn out alloying elements that are necessary to obtain a wear-resistant and corrosion-resistant coating. The suitability and durability of coatings during use depends on the strength of adhesion to the substrate. In the course of the study, methods were used to determine the adhesion strength of the coating to the base – the Steffens method and methods for studying the microstructure of coatings were taken as the basis. The data was processed and dependencies were plotted. The proposed method makes it possible to improve the quality of the resulting coating in terms of such an indicator as improvements in chemical composition. And also to influence the chemical composition by controlling the process of transfer of molten metal using a pulsating air flow. The obtained results of approbation of the method allow us to consider it effective, as evidenced by the quality of the obtained coatings. This is due to the fact that the correctness of the formulation and solution of the problem provided adequate results. In contrast to the existing methods, the proposed one makes it possible to significantly influence the amount of harmful oxygen involved in the formation of a sprayed coating, which makes it possible to obtain a sprayed layer with the required performance characteristics. And also allows to improve its quality without significant capital costs. In addition, the issues of resource and energy saving are being addressed, since the burnout of chemical elements decreases and the air consumption during arc metallization decreases. To solve this problem, a simple design of the pulsator is proposed, which provides the ability to control the spray flow by adjusting the level of overlapping of the holes.


2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Hall ◽  
M. Phillips ◽  
A. Gibson ◽  
N. Esmen ◽  
D. Johnson ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Sînziana Venera Morărița

Abstract Although relatively recent, peach culture has grown great in our country due to the special quality of the fruit, its very complex chemical composition and the large production that can be obtained without much effort. Peach is a species slightly adapted to our climatic conditions, suffers from winter frost, but can provide productive and long productions of 10-15 years.


2017 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 8-24
Author(s):  
Zbigniew Zioło

The processes of technological  progress create new opportunities for economic, social and cultural growth, shape new relations between economic  entities and their environment,  and influence changes in the determinants  of entrepreneurship development.  These processes vary significantly in certain geographic locations, characterised by an enormous  diversity of natural, social, economic and cultural structures. As a consequence, this creates different opportunities  and different conditions for the development of entrepreneurship in certain spatial scales, from the continental scale, through national and regional to local scales. The article presents complex conditions  for the development of entrepreneurship, highlights its limitations resulting from institutional  barriers, and the importance of knowing the mechanisms of mutual relations between spatial systems and the influence of control instruments. The quality of central and local government authorities is of particular significance here, which do not always properly use the mechanisms of rational business support. A serious barrier to the development of entrepreneurship is the low quality of social capital, manifested in a lack of trust in institutional authorities and reluctance to engage in entrepreneurship and business development. The conclusions point out that further research should be developed that will take into account changing business conditions, with a defined strategic goal of raising the quality and standard of living, international competitiveness of the country and products in different market categories.


Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 961
Author(s):  
Alfredo Teixeira ◽  
Rubén Domínguez ◽  
Iasmin Ferreira ◽  
Etelvina Pereira ◽  
Leticia Estevinho ◽  
...  

Concerned about the trend to reduce salt consumption, the meat industry has been increasing the strategies to produce and commercialize products where the reduction or even the replacement of NaCl is an important goal. The aim of this study was to test the effect of partial NaCl replacement by KCl and Sub4Salt® on the quality of pork sausages. Three different formulations (NaCl + KCl, NaCl + Sub4Salt®, and KCl + Sub4Salt®) were considered and compared to the control (2% NaCl). Physicochemical properties, chemical composition, and microbiological and sensory characteristics were evaluated. The replacement of NaCl did not affect pH, water activity (aw) or its chemical composition after eight or 16 days ripening time, while a significant sodium reduction was achieved. The oxidation index expressed in TBARS was also not affected by the NaCl substitution and varied between 0.01 to 0.04 of malonaldehyde (MDA) per kg of sample. Similarly, the NaCl replacement did not change the microbiological quality of the sausages, and the production of healthier meat sausages had also no significant effect on their sensory characteristics. Therefore, according to the results obtained, it is viable and a good strategy for the meat industry to produce “reduced sodium content” sausages without affecting their traditional quality.


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