Anthropogenic Markers

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas S. Bianchi ◽  
Elizabeth A. Canuel
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Organic Contaminants ◽  
Aquatic Ecosystems ◽  
Flame Retardants ◽  
Emerging Contaminants ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Pharmaceutical Products ◽  
Anthropogenic Markers ◽  
Polycyclic Aromatic ◽  
Potential Use

This chapter examines the application of anthropogenic compounds as biomarkers. Since World War II, human activities have introduced a wide array of compounds into the environment, including insecticides such as dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane and pesticides, halocarbons (chlorofluorocarbons), sewage products (coprostanol), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The chapter introduces structural features of these compounds, their distribution and transformation in the environment, and their potential use(s) as tracers. It presents examples of how relationships between anthropogenic markers and biomarkers can be used to provide information about the sources, delivery, and fate of natural organic matter in aquatic ecosystems. It introduces various emerging contaminants (personal care pharmaceutical products, caffeine, and flame retardants) and their potential use as tracers for anthropogenic organic matter in aquatic ecosystems. It describes how δ‎13C, stable isotopes of Cl and Br, and radiocarbon can be used to apportion sources of organic contaminants (e.g., PAHs and PCBs).

scholarly journals Bioremediation of Heavy Metals and Organic Toxicants by Composting

2002 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 407-420 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allen V. Barker ◽  
Gretchen M. Bryson
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Aromatic Hydrocarbons ◽  
Organic Contaminants ◽  
Contaminated Soils ◽  
Native Plants ◽  
Organic Complexes ◽  
Soils And Sediments ◽  
Polycyclic Aromatic ◽  
By Products ◽  
Metallic Pollutants

Hazardous organic and metallic residues or by-products can enter into plants, soils, and sediments from processes associated with domestic, municipal, agricultural, industrial, and military activities. Handling, ingestion, application to land or other distributions of the contaminated materials into the environment might render harm to humans, livestock, wildlife, crops, or native plants. Considerable remediation of the hazardous wastes or contaminated plants, soils, and sediments can be accomplished by composting. High microbial diversity and activity during composting, due to the abundance of substrates in feedstocks, promotes degradation of xenobiotic organic compounds, such as pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). For composting of contaminated soils, noncontaminated organic matter should be cocomposted with the soils. Metallic pollutants are not degraded during composting but may be converted into organic combinations that have less bioavailability than mineral combinations of the metals. Degradation of organic contaminants in soils is facilitated by addition of composted or raw organic matter, thereby increasing the substrate levels for cometabolism of the contaminants. Similar to the composting of soils in vessels or piles, the on-site addition of organic matter to soils (sheet composting) accelerates degradation of organic pollutants and binds metallic pollutants. Recalcitrant materials, such as organochlorines, may not undergo degradation in composts or in soils, and the effects of forming organic complexes with metallic pollutants may be nonpermanent or short lived. The general conclusion is, however, that composting degrades or binds pollutants to innocuous levels or into innocuous compounds in the finished product.

Screening of organic contaminants in urban snow

2011 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 206-213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karin Björklund ◽  
Ann-Margret Strömvall ◽  
Per-Arne Malmqvist
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Organic Pollutants ◽  
Organic Contaminants ◽  
Flame Retardants ◽  
Water Quality Standards ◽  
Chlorinated Paraffins ◽  
Polycyclic Aromatic ◽  
Pollutant Source ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Snow Samples

Snowmelt is known to cause peak concentrations of pollutants, which may adversely affect receiving water quality. High concentrations of metals and suspended solids in snow have been reported, whereas studies on organic pollutants are rare. This study aims at investigating the occurrence of anthropogenic organic compounds in urban snow in Gothenburg (Sweden). The most frequently detected organic pollutants in the collected snow samples were polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), high molecular-weight phthalates, 4-nonylphenol and 4-t-octylphenol. Brominated flame retardants and chlorinated paraffins were only sporadically detected. In several snow samples, the concentrations of specific PAHs, alkylphenols and phthalates were higher than reported stormwater concentrations and European water quality standards. Pollutant source identification and sustainable management of snow are important instruments for the mitigation of organic contaminants in the urban environment.

scholarly journals The role of organic matter and clay content in sediments for bioavailability of pyrene

2017 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 439-447 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jelena Spasojević ◽  
Snežana Maletić ◽  
Srđan Rončević ◽  
Marko Grgić ◽  
Dejan Krčmar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Organic Contaminants ◽  
Strong Association ◽  
Great Influence ◽  
Clay Content ◽  
A Value ◽  
Bioavailable Fraction ◽  
Polycyclic Aromatic

Abstract Evaluation of the bioavailable fractions of organic contaminants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is extremely important for assessing their risk to the environment. This available fraction, which can be solubilised and/or easily extracted, is believed to be the most accessible for bioaccumulation, biosorption and/or transformation. Sediment organic matter (OM) and clay play an important role in the biodegradation and bioavailability of PAHs. The strong association of PAHs with OM and clay in sediments has a great influence not only on their distribution but also on their long-term environmental impact. This paper investigates correlations between bioavailability and the clay and OM contents in sediments. The results show that OM is a better sorbent for pyrene (chosen as a model PAH) and that increasing the OM content reduces the bioavailable fraction. A mathematical model was used to predict the kinetic desorption, and these results showed that the sediment with the lowest content of OM had an Ffast value of 24%, whereas sediment with 20% OM gave a value of 9%. In the experiments with sediments with different clay contents, no clear dependence between clay and rate constants of the fast desorbing fractions was observed, which can be explained by the numerous possible interactions at the molecular level.

In search of potential source regions of semi-volatile organic contaminants in air in the Yukon Territory, Canada from 2007 to 2009 using hybrid receptor models

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 22 ◽  
Author(s):  
John N. Westgate ◽  
Uwayemi M. Sofowote ◽  
Pat Roach ◽  
Phil Fellin ◽  
Ivy D'Sa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Contaminants ◽  
Flame Retardants ◽  
Brominated Flame Retardants ◽  
Yukon Territory ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Monitoring Site ◽  
Concentration Data ◽  
Source Regions ◽  
Potential Source ◽  
Polycyclic Aromatic

Environmental context Some long-lived organic contaminants, such as chlorinated organics, brominated flame retardants and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, can undergo transport through the atmosphere to remote regions. A series of measurements of these compounds taken over almost 3 years in the air at a remote location was combined with meteorological data to try to reveal potential source areas. After adjusting several parameters to optimise the method’s ability to identify sources it was found that for most contaminants no definitive sources are revealed. Abstract A suite of brominated flame retardants, chlorinated organic pesticides and some metabolites thereof were analysed in week-long and day-long air samples collected at Little Fox Lake in Canada’s Yukon Territory from 2007 to 2009. Several trajectory-based methods for source region identification were applied to this dataset, as well as to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations in those same samples reported previously. A type of concentration weighted trajectory (CWT) analysis, using a modified grid to avoid difficulties near the Earth’s poles, and removing trajectory endpoints at altitudes greater than 700m did not identify distinct source regions for most analytes. Decreasing the spatial resolution of the grid made interpretation simpler but reinforced patterns that may have stemmed from single trajectories. The potential source contribution function (PSCF) is similar to CWT but treats the concentration data categorically, rather than numerically. PSCF provides more distinct results, highlighting the Arctic Ocean as a potential source of para,para′-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethene and both northern Siberia and Canada’s Yukon and Northwest Territories as potential sources of PAHs. To simulate the uncertainty associated with individual trajectories, a set of trajectories was also generated for six points surrounding the sampling station and included in the trajectory analyses. This had the effect of smoothing the CWT and PSCF values for those analytes with no clearly definable sources, and highlighting the source regions for the two that did. For the bulk of the analytes discussed here, Little Fox Lake is well positioned to act as a background monitoring site.

scholarly journals Non-Target Screening Method for the Identification of Persistent and Emerging Organic Contaminants in Seafood and Sediment from Jakarta Bay

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dwiyitno Dwiyitno ◽  
Larissa Dsikowitzky ◽  
Nuri Andarwulan ◽  
Hari Eko Irianto ◽  
Hanifah Nuryani Lioe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Contaminants ◽  
Emerging Contaminants ◽  
Screening Method ◽  
Polar Compounds ◽  
Perna Viridis ◽  
Linear Alkylbenzenes ◽  
Emerging Organic Contaminants ◽  
Polycyclic Aromatic ◽  
Target Screening ◽  
Technical Products

Identification of persistent and emerging organic contaminants in green mussels (Perna viridis), various fishes, banana shrimp (Penaeus merguiensis) and sediment samples from Jakarta Bay has been employed. A non-target GC-MS screening approach has identified more than 60 individual organic compounds from the whole fractions either non-polar, semi-polar or acidic-polar compounds. The substances comprised as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) including DDT (dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane) and its metabolites as well as high molecular weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (HMW-PAHs). Noteworthy, a number of emerging contaminants detected in the present study have never been reported previously either from the same location or from Asian waters. They include some priority contaminants of non-persistence halogens and emission of technical products, such as di-iso-propylnaphthalenes (DIPNs) dichlorobenzene (DCB), dichlorodiphenyl chloroethene (DDMU) and phenylmethoxynaphthalene (PMN). In general, the concentration order of the priority organic contaminants was sediment > green mussel > fishes > shrimp. Further analysis based on the spatial distribution, individual concentrations and bioavailability suggested that some contaminants are applicable as molecular marker for the assessment of anthropogenic emission in Jakarta Bay, i.e. DIPNs, linear alkylbenzenes (LABs), phenylmethoxynaphthalene (PMN), PAHs, dichlorobenzene, DDT and its metabolites.

Human health risks from brominated flame retardants and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in indoor dust

Chemosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 131005
Author(s):  
Meshari Al-Harbi ◽  
Eman Al-Enzi ◽  
Hessa Al-Mutairi ◽  
Joann K. Whalen
Keyword(s):  
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Aromatic Hydrocarbons ◽  
Flame Retardants ◽  
Brominated Flame Retardants ◽  
Indoor Dust ◽  
Human Health Risks ◽  
Polycyclic Aromatic

scholarly journals Fire-Safe Polymer Composites: Flame-Retardant Effect of Nanofillers

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 540
Author(s):  
Yukyung Kim ◽  
Sanghyuck Lee ◽  
Hyeonseok Yoon
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
High Temperature ◽  
Flame Retardant ◽  
Flame Retardants ◽  
Combustion Process ◽  
Polymeric Materials ◽  
Fire Performance ◽  
Gaseous Species ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Temperature Conditions

Currently, polymers are competing with metals and ceramics to realize various material characteristics, including mechanical and electrical properties. However, most polymers consist of organic matter, making them vulnerable to flames and high-temperature conditions. In addition, the combustion of polymers consisting of different types of organic matter results in various gaseous hazards. Therefore, to minimize the fire damage, there has been a significant demand for developing polymers that are fire resistant or flame retardant. From this viewpoint, it is crucial to design and synthesize thermally stable polymers that are less likely to decompose into combustible gaseous species under high-temperature conditions. Flame retardants can also be introduced to further reinforce the fire performance of polymers. In this review, the combustion process of organic matter, types of flame retardants, and common flammability testing methods are reviewed. Furthermore, the latest research trends in the use of versatile nanofillers to enhance the fire performance of polymeric materials are discussed with an emphasis on their underlying action, advantages, and disadvantages.

CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF A NATURAL SOIL LEACHATE FROM A HUMIC PODZOL

1969 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 151-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Schnitzer ◽  
J. G. Desjardins
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Fulvic Acid ◽  
Water Solubility ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Natural Soil ◽  
Complexing Agent ◽  
Soil Leachate ◽  
Nitrogenous Compounds ◽  
Free Weight ◽  
Metal Organic

A leachate, collected in the field in a lysimeter placed between the Ae and Bhf horizon of a Humic Podzol in Newfoundland, was analyzed by chemical and spectroscopic methods.About 87% of the dry, ash-free weight of the leachate was fulvic acid, the remainder consisting mainly of polysaccharides and nitrogenous compounds. A comparison of the analytical characteristics of the purified leachate with those of extracted and purified Podzol Bh fulvic acid showed that the main structural features of the two materials were very similar. Judging from its high contents of oxygen-containing functional groups and from its water solubility, the organic matter in the leachate had all the characteristics of an efficient metal–complexing agent, capable of playing a significant role in metal–organic matter interactions in soils.An organic matter–silica sediment was isolated from the leachate, consisting of 47.6% organic matter and of 52.4% of almost pure SiO2∙nH2O. The organic matter in the sediment accounted for about 10% of the organic matter in the leachate. The isolation of the sediment suggests that investigations on interactions between compounds of silicon and humic substances deserve greater attention than they have so far received.

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