TY - JOUR AB - Increasing recognition of the impact of shipping on air pollution has led the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to establish Sulfur Emission Control Areas (SECA) to reduce emissions. Within SECA, ships must switch to low-sulfur fuel or use a scrubber technique to clean their exhaust gases. Conventional monitoring methods are limited by detection range, real-time data availability, and challenges in source attribution. This study describes a monitoring system that combines single-particle mass spectrometry (SPMS) with deep learning to overcome these shortcomings. SPMS can reveal the chemical composition of individual airborne aerosol particles, with the capability to detect emissions over several kilometers, enabling real-time pollution source identification. To automatically process the complex mass spectral data, a convolutional neural network (CNN) was designed, achieving 92 % accuracy in classifying 13 distinct classes of abundant aerosol particles. The results demonstrate that the proposed detection system enables to automatically classify aerosol particles from multiple sources. Of particular concern in this study is the in-situ analysis of particles from ship exhaust plumes, to rapidly identify ships running on polluting heavy fuel oil. Focusing on unique particles containing vanadium (51V+/67[VO]+), nickel (58/60Ni+), and iron (54/56Fe+) ions, designated as V-rich class, the real-time classification makes it possible to reliably detect particles from heavy fuel oil (HFO) combustion. In addition, to locate the emission sources, the CNN's predictions are linked to local wind measurements and ship trajectories provided by the Automatic Identification System (AIS). During a one-week monitoring period, 21 ships passing the measurement site 80 times in distances of up to ∼1.3 km were detected using HFO. AU - Wang, G.* AU - Ruser, H.* AU - Schade, J.* AU - Jeong, S.J.* AU - Passig, J. AU - Zimmermann, R. AU - Dollinger, G.* AU - Adam, T. C1 - 75131 C2 - 57834 TI - Deep learning based aerosol particle classification for the detection of ship emissions. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 994 PY - 2025 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Ultrafine particles (UFP) are the smallest atmospheric particulate matter linked to air pollution-related diseases. The extent to which UFP's physical and chemical properties contribute to its toxicity remains unclear. It is hypothesized that UFP act as carriers for chemicals that drive biological responses. This study explores robust methods for generating reference UFP to understand these mechanisms and perform toxicological tests. Two types of combustion-related UFP with similar elemental carbon cores and physical properties but different organic loads were generated and characterized. Human alveolar epithelial cells were exposed to these UFP at the air-liquid interface, and several toxicological endpoints were measured. UFP were generated using a miniCAST under fuel-rich conditions and immediately diluted to minimize agglomeration. A catalytic stripper and charcoal denuder removed volatile gases and semi-volatile particles from the surface. By adjusting the temperature of the catalytic stripper, UFP with high and low organic content was produced. These reference particles exhibited fractal structures with high reproducibility and stability over a year, maintaining similar mass and number concentrations (100 μg/m3, 2.0·105 #/cm3) and a mean particle diameter of about 40 nm. High organic content UFP had significant PAH levels, with benzo[a]pyrene at 0.2 % (m/m). Toxicological evaluations revealed that both UFP types similarly affected cytotoxicity and cell viability, regardless of organic load. Higher xenobiotic metabolism was noted for PAH-rich UFP, while reactive oxidation markers increased when semi-volatiles were stripped off. Both UFP types caused DNA strand breaks, but only the high organic content UFP induced DNA oxidation. This methodology allows modification of UFP's chemical properties while maintaining comparable physical properties, linking these variations to biological responses. AU - Das, A. AU - Pantzke, J. AU - Jeong, S. AU - Hartner, E. AU - Zimmermann, E. AU - Gawlitta, N. AU - Offer, S. AU - Shukla, D. AU - Huber, A. AU - Rastak, N. AU - Mesceriakovas, A.* AU - Ivleva, N.P.* AU - Kuhn, E. AU - Binder, S. AU - Gröger, T.M. AU - Oeder, S. AU - Delaval, M.N. AU - Czech, H. AU - Sippula, O.* AU - Schnelle-Kreis, J. AU - Di Bucchianico, S. AU - Sklorz, M. AU - Zimmermann, R. C1 - 71524 C2 - 56234 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands TI - Generation, characterization, and toxicological assessment of reference ultrafine soot particles with different organic content for inhalation toxicological studies. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 951 PB - Elsevier PY - 2024 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - We wish to correct the funding information provided in the original publication. The correct funding details are as follows: This project was financed by the Bavarian State Ministry of the Environment and Consumer Protection. The authors acknowledge the support of the Bayerischer Projektverbund Ultrafeine Partikel (BAY UFP). This research was also supported by the project ULTRHAS – ULtrafine particles from TRansportation – Health Assessment of Sources, a project funded under the EU's Research and Innovation programme Horizon 2020, Grant Agreement No. 955390. H.C. acknowledges funding from the Helmholtz International Laboratory aeroHEALTH (Interlabs-0005). The authors would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused. AU - Das, A. AU - Pantzke, J. AU - Jeong, S. AU - Hartner, E. AU - Zimmermann, E. AU - Gawlitta, N. AU - Offer, S. AU - Shukla, D. AU - Huber, A. AU - Rastak, N. AU - Mesceriakovas, A.* AU - Ivleva, N.P.* AU - Kuhn, E. AU - Binder, S. AU - Gröger, T.M. AU - Oeder, S. AU - Delaval, M.N. AU - Czech, H. AU - Sippula, O.* AU - Schnelle-Kreis, J. AU - Di Bucchianico, S. AU - Sklorz, M. AU - Zimmermann, R. C1 - 71913 C2 - 56406 TI - Corrigendum to "Generation, characterization, and toxicological assessment of reference ultrafine soot particles with different organic content for inhalation toxicological studies" [Sci. Total Environ. Volume 951 (2024) 175727]. JO - Sci. Total Environ. PY - 2024 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - This study examines the influence of meteorological factors and air pollutants on the performance of automatic pollen monitoring devices, as part of the EUMETNET Autopollen COST ADOPT-intercomparison campaign held in Munich, Germany, during the 2021 pollen season. The campaign offered a unique opportunity to compare all automatic monitors available at the time, a Plair Rapid-E, a Hund-Wetzlar BAA500, an OPC Alphasense, a KH-3000 Yamatronics, three Swisens Polenos, a PollenSense APS, a FLIR IBAC2, a DMT WIBS-5, an Aerotape Sextant, to the average of four manual Hirst traps, under the same environmental conditions. The investigation aimed to elucidate how meteorological factors and air pollution impact particle capture and identification efficiency. The analysis showed coherent results for most devices regarding the correlation between environmental conditions and pollen concentrations. This reflects on one hand, a significant correlation between weather and airborne pollen concentration, and on the other hand the capability of devices to provide meaningful data under the conditions under which measurements were taken. However, correlation strength varied among devices, reflecting differences in design, algorithms, or sensors used. Additionally, it was observed that different algorithms applied to the same dataset resulted in different concentration outputs, highlighting the role of algorithm design in these systems (monitor + algorithm). Notably, no significant influence from air pollutants on the pollen concentrations was observed, suggesting that any potential difference in effect on the systems might require higher air pollution concentrations or more complex interactions. However, results from some monitors were affected to a minor degree by specific weather variables. Our findings suggest that the application of real-time devices in urban environments should focus on the associated algorithm that classifies pollen taxa. The impact of air pollution, although not to be excluded, is of secondary concern as long as the pollution levels are similar to a large European city like Munich. AU - Gonzalez-Alonso, M. AU - Oteros, J.* AU - Widmann, M.* AU - Maya-Manzano, J.M. AU - Skjøth, C.* AU - Grewling, L.* AU - O'Connor, D.* AU - Sofiev, M.* AU - Tummon, F.* AU - Crouzy, B.* AU - Clot, B.* AU - Buters, J.T.M. AU - Kadantsev, E.* AU - Palamarchuk, Y.* AU - Martínez-Bracero, M.* AU - Pope, F.D.* AU - Mills, S.* AU - Šikoparija, B.* AU - Matavulj, P.* AU - Schmidt-Weber, C.B. AU - Ørby, P.V.* C1 - 70628 C2 - 55695 TI - Influence of meteorological variables and air pollutants on measurements from automatic pollen sampling devices. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 931 PY - 2024 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Residential wood combustion (RWC) remains a significant global source of particulate matter (PM) emissions with adverse impacts on regional air quality, climate, and human health. The lung-deposited surface area (LDSA) and equivalent black carbon (eBC) concentrations have emerged as important metrics to assess particulate pollution. In this study we estimated combustion phase-dependent emission factors of LDSA for alveolar, tracheobronchial, and head-airway regions of human lungs and explored the relationships between eBC and LDSA in fresh and photochemically aged RWC emissions. Photochemical aging was simulated in an oxidative flow reactor at OH• exposures equivalent to 1.4 or 3.4 days in the atmosphere. Further, the efficiency of a small-scale electrostatic precipitator (ESP) for reducing LDSA and eBC from the wood stove was determined. For fresh emission eBC correlated extremely well with LDSA, but the correlation decreased after aging. Soot-dominated flaming phase showed the highest eBC dependency of LDSA whereas for ignition and char burning phases non-BC particles contributed strongly the LDSA. Deposition to the alveolar region contributed around 60 % of the total lung-deposition. The ESP was found as an effective method to mitigate particulate mass, LDSA, as well as eBC emissions from wood stoves, as they were reduced on average by 72 %, 71 %, and 69 %, respectively. The reduction efficiencies, however, consistently dropped over the span of an experiment, especially for eBC. Further, the ESP was found to increase the sub-30 nm ultrafine particle number emissions, with implications for LDSA. The results of this study can be used for assessing the contribution of RWC to LDSA concentrations in ambient air. AU - Mukherjee, A.* AU - Hartikainen, A.* AU - Joutsensaari, J.* AU - Basnet, S.* AU - Mesceriakovas, A.* AU - Ihalainen, M.* AU - Yli-Pirilä, P.* AU - Leskinen, J.* AU - Somero, M.* AU - Louhisalmi, J.* AU - Fang, Z.* AU - Kalberer, M.* AU - Rudich, Y.* AU - Tissari, J.* AU - Czech, H. AU - Zimmermann, R. AU - Sippula, O.* C1 - 71537 C2 - 56264 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands TI - Black carbon and particle lung-deposited surface area in residential wood combustion emissions: Effects of an electrostatic precipitator and photochemical aging. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 952 PB - Elsevier PY - 2024 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - A SEM/EDX based automated measurement and classification algorithm was tested as a method for the in-depth analysis of micro-environments in the Munich subway using a custom build mobile measurements system. Sampling was conducted at platform stations, to investigate the personal exposure of commuters to subway particulate matter during platform stays. EDX spectra and morphological features of all analyzed particles were automatically obtained and particles were automatically classified based on pre-defined chemical and morphological boundaries. Source apportionment for individual particles, such as abrasion processes at the wheel-brake interface, was partially possible based on the established particle classes. An average of 98.87 ± 1.06 % of over 200,000 analyzed particles were automatically assigned to the pre-defined classes, with 84.68 ± 16.45 % of particles classified as highly ferruginous. Manual EDX analysis further revealed, that heavy metal rich particles were also present in the ultrafine size range well below 100 nm. AU - Neukirchen, C.* AU - Meiners, T.* AU - Bendl, J.* AU - Zimmermann, R. AU - Adam, T. C1 - 69748 C2 - 55248 TI - Automated SEM/EDX imaging for the in-depth characterization of non-exhaust traffic emissions from the Munich subway system. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 915 PY - 2024 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Reverse osmosis (RO) is widely used for seawater desalination but pre-chlorination of intake water produces halogenated disinfection byproducts (DBPs). The fate and environmental impacts associated with the discharge of DBP-containing RO brine wastewater are unknown. Therefore, to evaluate if photochemistry plays a role in DBP degradation in seawater, we collected samples at a desalination plant, which were desalted and concentrated using two-inline solid phase extraction (SPE) techniques combining reverse-phase polymeric (PPL) and weak anion exchange (WAX) resins. Both filtered water samples and SPE samples (extracts reconstituted in open ocean seawater) were exposed to simulated sunlight in a custom-built flow-through system. Optical property analysis during irradiation experiments did not provide distinguishing features between intake water and RO reject water (brine). Extractable organic bromine (organoBr) concentrations were low in intake water samples (7.8 μg Br L-1) and did not change significantly due to irradiation. OrganoBr concentrations in laboratory-chlorinated raw water were much higher (135 μg Br L-1) and on average decreased by 42 % after 24 h irradiation. However, while organoBr concentrations were highest in RO reject water (473 μg Br L-1), changes in organoBr concentrations in PPL SPE samples after 24 h irradiation were variable, ranging from a 1-46 % loss. Furthermore, most bromine-containing molecular ions identified by high resolution mass spectrometry that were present in RO reject water before irradiation were also found after both 24 h and 50 h exposures. Although only one RO reject water sample was tested in this study, results highlight that hundreds of yet to be identified brominated DBPs in RO reject water could be resistant to photodegradation or phototransform into existing DBPs in the environment. Future work examining the biolability of DBPs in RO reject water, as well as the interplay between photochemical and biological DBP cycling, is warranted. AU - Powers, L.C.* AU - Schmitt-Kopplin, P. AU - Gonsior, M.* C1 - 68968 C2 - 53788 TI - Evaluating the photochemical reactivity of disinfection byproducts formed during seawater desalination processes. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 912 PY - 2024 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Restoration of mining sites is essential to ensure ecosystem services and biodiversity. One restoration strategy employed in arid and semi-arid zones is the use of organic amendments to establishment technosols. However, it is necessary to monitor the restoration progress in order to select appropriate amendments. This study monitored the effects of compost gardening, greenhouse horticulture and stabilized sewage sludge, and their blends. We focused on soil physical and chemical indicators and bacterial community structure and diversity during the 30 months after application. Organic amendments increased total organic carbon and nitrogen within six months, staying elevated compared to natural soils over 30 months. Electrical conductivity rose then stabilized, the pH slightly decreased but stayed alkaline, and water holding capacity improved in treated technosols. Bacterial diversity increased in amended technosols compared to control. Alpha diversity varied with treatment and time, peaking at 18 months. Technosols with plant compost showed reduced bacterial richness at 30 months, while those with sewage sludge and its mixtures maintained it. The bacterial community analysis showed significant differences among treatments and times, highlighting dominant phyla like Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes. PCoA analysis showed clear separation of bacterial communities from treated, natural, and control soils, with notable differences between plant and sludge treatments. Soil variables such as TOC, TN, EC and water holding capacity explained >82 % of the variation in bacterial communities. Eighty-three indicator taxa were identified that explained the differences between the microbial communities of treated and untreated soils, highlighting the importance of taxa such as Pelagibacterium spp., Roseivirga spp. and Cellvibrio spp. in preserving soil health. In short, organic amendments improve soil properties and promote the diversity and stability of beneficial microbial communities in semi-arid mined soils, underlining their crucial role in the restoration and long-term maintenance of degraded soils. AU - Soria, R.* AU - Ortega, R.* AU - Valiente, N.* AU - Rodríguez-Berbel, N. AU - Lucas-Borja, M.E.* AU - Miralles, I.* C1 - 71750 C2 - 56426 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands TI - Monitoring of indicators and bacterial succession in organic-amended technosols for the restoration of semiarid ecosystems. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 954 PB - Elsevier PY - 2024 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Previous studies consistently showed an association between fine atmospheric particulate matter (PM2.5) and cardiovascular diseases. Concerns about adverse health effects of ultrafine particles (UFP) are growing but long-term studies are still scarce. In this study, we examined the association between long-term exposure to ambient air pollutants and blood biomarkers of inflammation and coagulation, including fibrinogen, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), serum amyloid A (SAA) adiponectin and interleukin-6 (IL-6), measured in the German KORA-S4 cohort study (1999-2001). IL-6 was available for older participants only, who were therefore considered as a subsample. Annual mean concentrations of UFP (as particle number concentration), particulate matter in different particles sizes (PM10, PMcoarse, PM2.5, PM2.5 absorbance), ozone (O3), and nitrogen oxides (NO2, NOX) were estimated by land-use regression models and assigned to participants' home addresses. We performed a multiple linear regression between each pollutant and each biomarker with adjustment for confounders. Per 1 interquartile range (IQR, 1945 particles/cm3) increase of UFP, fibrinogen increased by 0.70 % (0.04; 1.37) and hs-CRP increased by 3.16 % (-0.52; 6.98). Adiponectin decreased by -2.53 % (-4.78; -0.24) per 1 IQR (1.4 μg/m3) increase of PM2.5. Besides, PM2.5 was associated with increased IL-6 in the subsample. In conclusion, we observed that long-term exposure to air pollutants, including both fine and ultrafine particles, was associated with higher concentrations of pro-inflammatory and lower concentrations of an anti-inflammatory blood biomarkers, which is consistent with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease observed for long-term exposure to air pollutants. AU - Vogli, M. AU - Peters, A. AU - Wolf, K. AU - Thorand, B. AU - Herder, C.* AU - Koenig, W.* AU - Cyrys, J. AU - Maestri, E.* AU - Marmiroli, N.* AU - Karrasch, S. AU - Zhang, S. AU - Pickford, R. C1 - 69057 C2 - 53835 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands TI - Long-term exposure to ambient air pollution and inflammatory response in the KORA study. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 912 PB - Elsevier PY - 2024 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - It is unclear whether cancers of the upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) and gastric cancer are related to air pollution, due to few studies with inconsistent results. The effects of particulate matter (PM) may vary across locations due to different source contributions and related PM compositions, and it is not clear which PM constituents/sources are most relevant from a consideration of overall mass concentration alone. We therefore investigated the association of UADT and gastric cancers with PM2.5 elemental constituents and sources components indicative of different sources within a large multicentre population based epidemiological study. Cohorts with at least 10 cases per cohort led to ten and eight cohorts from five countries contributing to UADT- and gastric cancer analysis, respectively. Outcome ascertainment was based on cancer registry data or data of comparable quality. We assigned home address exposure to eight elemental constituents (Cu, Fe, K, Ni, S, Si, V and Zn) estimated from Europe-wide exposure models, and five source components identified by absolute principal component analysis (APCA). Cox regression models were run with age as time scale, stratified for sex and cohort and adjusted for relevant individual and neighbourhood level confounders. We observed 1139 UADT and 872 gastric cancer cases during a mean follow-up of 18.3 and 18.5 years, respectively. UADT cancer incidence was associated with all constituents except K in single element analyses. After adjustment for NO2, only Ni and V remained associated with UADT. Residual oil combustion and traffic source components were associated with UADT cancer persisting in the multiple source model. No associations were found for any of the elements or source components and gastric cancer incidence. Our results indicate an association of several PM constituents indicative of different sources with UADT but not gastric cancer incidence with the most robust evidence for traffic and residual oil combustion. AU - Weinmayr, G.* AU - Chen, J.* AU - Jaensch, A.* AU - Skodda, L.* AU - Rodopoulou, S.* AU - Strak, M.* AU - de Hoogh, K.* AU - Andersen, Z.J.* AU - Bellander, T.* AU - Brandt, J.* AU - Fecht, D.* AU - Forastiere, F.* AU - Gulliver, J.* AU - Hertel, O.* AU - Hoffmann, B.* AU - Hvidtfeldt, U.A.* AU - Katsouyanni, K.* AU - Ketzel, M.* AU - Leander, K.* AU - Magnusson, P.K.E.* AU - Pershagen, G.* AU - Rizzuto, D.* AU - Samoli, E.* AU - Severi, G.* AU - Stafoggia, M.* AU - Tjønneland, A.* AU - Vermeulen, R.* AU - Wolf, K. AU - Zitt, E.* AU - Brunekreef, B.* AU - Thurston, G.D.* AU - Hoek, G.* AU - Raaschou-Nielsen, O.* AU - Nagel, G.* C1 - 68909 C2 - 53797 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands TI - Long-term exposure to several constituents and sources of PM2.5 is associated with incidence of upper aerodigestive tract cancers but not gastric cancer: Results from the large pooled European cohort of the ELAPSE project. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 912 PB - Elsevier PY - 2024 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Pollen grains are among the main causes of respiratory allergies worldwide and hence they are routinely monitored in urban environments. However, their sources can be located farther, outside cities' borders. So, the fundamental question remains as to how frequent longer-range pollen transport incidents are and if they may actually comprise high-risk allergy cases. The aim was to study the pollen exposure on a high-altitude location where only scarce vegetation exists, by biomonitoring airborne pollen and symptoms of grass pollen allergic individuals, locally. The research was carried out in 2016 in the alpine research station UFS, located at 2650 m height, on the Zugspitze Mountain in Bavaria, Germany. Airborne pollen was monitored by use of portable Hirst-type volumetric traps. As a case study, grass pollen-allergic human volunteers were registering their symptoms daily during the peak of the grass pollen season in 2016, during a 2-week stay on Zugspitze, 13-24 June. The possible origin of some pollen types was identified using back trajectory model HYSPLIT for 27 air mass backward trajectories up to 24 h. We found that episodes of high aeroallergen concentrations may occur even at such a high-altitude location. More than 1000 pollen grains m-3 of air were measured on the UFS within only 4 days. It was confirmed that the locally detected bioaerosols originated from at least Switzerland, and up to northwest France, even eastern American Continent, because of frequent long-distance transport. Such far-transported pollen may explain the observed allergic symptoms in sensitized individuals at a remarkable rate of 87 % during the study period. Long-distance transport of aeroallergens can cause allergic symptoms in sensitized individuals, as evidenced in a sparse-vegetation, low-exposure, 'low-risk' alpine environment. We strongly suggest that we need cross-border pollen monitoring to investigate long-distance pollen transport, as its occurrence seems both frequent and clinically relevant. AU - Bayr, D. AU - Plaza, M.P. AU - Gilles, S.* AU - Kolek, F.* AU - Leier-Wirtz, V.* AU - Traidl-Hoffmann, C. AU - Damialis, A.* C1 - 67625 C2 - 53932 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands TI - Pollen long-distance transport associated with symptoms in pollen allergics on the German Alps: An old story with a new ending? JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 881 PB - Elsevier PY - 2023 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Although Alternaria spores are well-known allergenic fungal spores, automatic bioaerosol recognition systems have not been trained to recognize these particles until now. Here we report the development of a new algorithm able to classify Alternaria spores with BAA500 automatic bioaerosol monitors. The best validation score was obtained when the model was trained on both data from the original dataset and artificially generated images, with a validation unweighted mean Intersection over Union (IoU), also called Jaccard Index, of 0.95. Data augmentation techniques were applied to the training set. While some particles were not recognized (false negatives), false positives were few. The results correlated well with manual counts (mean of four Hirst-type traps), with R2 = 0.78. Counts from BAA500 were 1.92 times lower than with Hirst-type traps. The algorithm was then used to re-analyze the historical automatic pollen monitoring network (ePIN) dataset (2018–2022), which lacked Alternaria spore counts. Re-analysis of past data showed that Alternaria spore exposure in Bavaria was very variable, with the highest counts in the North (Marktheidenfeld, 154 m a.s.l.), and the lowest values close to the mountains in the South (Garmisch-Partenkirchen, 735 m a.s.l.). This approach shows that in our network future algorithms can be run on past datasets. Over time, the use of different algorithms could lead to misinterpretations as stemming from climate change or other phenological causes. Our approach enables consistent, homogeneous treatment of long-term series, thus preventing variability in particle counts owing to changes in the algorithms. AU - Gonzalez-Alonso, M. AU - Boldeanu, M.* AU - Koritnik, T.* AU - Gonçalves, J.* AU - Belzner, L.* AU - Stemmler, T.* AU - Gebauer, R.* AU - Grewling, Ł.* AU - Tummon, F.* AU - Maya-Manzano, J.M. AU - Ariño, A.H.* AU - Schmidt-Weber, C.B. AU - Buters, J.T.M. C1 - 67148 C2 - 53459 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands TI - Alternaria spore exposure in Bavaria, Germany, measured using artificial intelligence algorithms in a network of BAA500 automatic pollen monitors. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 861 PB - Elsevier PY - 2023 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Distal sensorimotor polyneuropathy (DSPN) is a common condition in older populations with high prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes. We hypothesised that the risk of DSPN is increased by multiple ubiquitous environmental risk factors, particularly in people with obesity. This study was based on 423 individuals aged 62-81 years without DSPN who participated in the population-based Cooperative Health Research in the Region of Augsburg (KORA) F4 survey (2006-2008) in Southern Germany. During 6.5 years of follow-up, 188 participants developed clinical DSPN as assessed by the Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument. Environmental exposures, including air temperature, surrounding greenness (assessed with the normalized difference vegetation index [NDVI]), long-term road traffic noise and air pollution, were assessed at participants' residences. The cumulative risk index (CRI) evaluated the joint effects of co-occurring exposures on DSPN risk based on effect estimates from multi-exposure Poisson regression models. The models were adjusted for age, sex, height, waist circumference, smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, education and neighbourhood socioeconomic status. In the entire cohort, the co-occurrence of an interquartile range (IQR) decrease in temperature of the warm season and NDVI in a 100-m buffer and of an IQR increase in night-time average traffic noise and in annual average particle number concentration (PNC) was positively associated with incident DSPN (CRI [95 % CI] 1.39 [1.02, 1.91]). Effect estimates for exposure combinations were generally higher in individuals with obesity (CRI 1.34-2.01) than in those without obesity (CRI 0.90-1.33). The four-exposure model showed a twofold increased risk of DSPN among obese (CRI [95 % CI] 2.01 [1.10, 3.67]), but not among non-obese individuals (CRI [95 % CI] 1.18 [0.83, 1.67]). Thus, ubiquitous environmental exposures jointly augment the risk of DSPN in the older population. Lower air temperature in the warm season, less greenness, and higher noise levels and ultrafine particle concentrations identified people with obesity as a particularly vulnerable subgroup. AU - Herder, C.* AU - Zhang, S. AU - Wolf, K. AU - Maalmi, H.* AU - Bönhof, G.J.* AU - Rathmann, W.* AU - Schwettmann, L. AU - Thorand, B. AU - Roden, M.* AU - Schneider, A.E. AU - Ziegler, D.* AU - Peters, A. C1 - 66614 C2 - 53247 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands TI - Environmental risk factors of incident distal sensorimotor polyneuropathy: Results from the prospective population-based KORA F4/FF4 study. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 858 PB - Elsevier PY - 2023 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Airborne pollen monitoring has been conducted for more than a century now, as knowledge of the quantity and periodicity of airborne pollen has diverse use cases, like reconstructing historic climates and tracking current climate change, forensic applications, and up to warning those affected by pollen-induced respiratory allergies. Hence, related work on automation of pollen classification already exists. In contrast, detection of pollen is still conducted manually, and it is the gold standard for accuracy. So, here we used a new-generation, automated, near-real-time pollen monitoring sampler, the BAA500, and we used data consisting of both raw and synthesised microscope images. Apart from the automatically generated, commercially-labelled data of all pollen taxa, we additionally used manual corrections to the pollen taxa, as well as a manually created test set of bounding boxes and pollen taxa, so as to more accurately evaluate the real-life performance. For the pollen detection, we employed two-stage deep neural network object detectors. We explored a semi-supervised training scheme to remedy the partial labelling. Using a teacher-student approach, the model can add pseudo-labels to complete the labelling during training. To evaluate the performance of our deep learning algorithms and to compare them to the commercial algorithm of the BAA500, we created a manual test set, in which an expert aerobiologist corrected automatically annotated labels. For the novel manual test set, both the supervised and semi-supervised approaches clearly outperform the commercial algorithm with an F1 score of up to 76.9 % compared to 61.3 %. On an automatically created and partially labelled test dataset, we obtain a maximum mAP of 92.7 %. Additional experiments on raw microscope images show comparable performance for the best models, which potentially justifies reducing the complexity of the image generation process. Our results bring automatic pollen monitoring a step forward, as they close the gap in pollen detection performance between manual and automated procedure. AU - Jin, B.* AU - Milling, M.* AU - Plaza, M.P. AU - Brunner, J.O.* AU - Traidl-Hoffmann, C. AU - Schuller, B.W.* AU - Damialis, A.* C1 - 67820 C2 - 54298 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands TI - Airborne pollen grain detection from partially labelled data utilising semi-supervised learning. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 891 PB - Elsevier PY - 2023 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Insufficiently treated reclaimed water can act as a source of contamination by introducing recalcitrant contaminants (e.g., pharmaceutical compounds) to various water bodies and/or agricultural soils after irrigation. Tramadol (TRD) is one of these pharmaceuticals that can be detected in influents and effluents of wastewater treatment plants, at discharge points as well as in surface waters in Europe. While the uptake of TRD by plants through irrigation water has been shown, plant responses towards this compound are still unclear. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the effects of TRD on selected plant enzymes as well as on the root bacterial community structure. A hydroponic experiment was conducted to test the effects of TRD (100 μg L-1 TRD) on barley plants, at two harvesting time points after treatment. Accumulation of TRD in root tissues over time was observed reaching concentrations of 111.74 and 138.39 μg g-1 in total root FW after 12 and 24 days of exposure, respectively. Furthermore, noticeable inductions in guaiacol peroxidase (5.47-fold), catalase (1.83-fold) and glutathione S-transferase (3.23- and 2.09-fold) were recorded in roots of TRD-treated plants compared to controls after 24 days. A significant alteration in the beta diversity of root-associated bacteria due to TRD treatment was observed. Three amplicon sequence variants assigned to Hydrogenophaga, U. Xanthobacteraceae and Pseudacidovorax were differentially abundant in TRD-treated compared to control plants at both harvesting time points. This study reveals the resilience of plants through the induction of the antioxidative system and changes in the root-associated bacterial community to cope with the TRD metabolization/detoxification process. AU - Khalaf, D.M. AU - Cruzeiro, C. AU - Siani, R. AU - Kublik, S. AU - Schröder, P. C1 - 67822 C2 - 54300 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands TI - Resilience of barley (Hordeum vulgare) plants upon exposure to tramadol: Implication for the root-associated bacterial community and the antioxidative plant defence system. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 892 PB - Elsevier PY - 2023 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - BACKGROUND: Effects of green space on human health have been well-documented in western, high-income countries. Evidence for similar effects in China is limited. Moreover, the underlying mechanisms linking green space and mortality are yet to be established. We therefore conducted a nation-wide study to assess the association between green space and mortality in China using a difference-in-difference approach, which applied a causal framework and well controlled unmeasured confounding. In addition, we explored whether air pollution and air temperature could mediate the association. METHODS: In this analysis, we collected data on all-cause mortality and sociodemographic characteristics for each county in China from the 2000 and 2010 censuses and the 2020 Statistical Yearbook. Green space exposure was assessed using county-level normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and the percentage of green space (forest, grasslands, shrub land and wetland). We applied a difference-in-differences approach to evaluate the association between green space and mortality. We also performed mediation analysis (by air pollution and air temperature). RESULTS: Our sample consisted of 2726 counties in 2000 and 2010 as well as 1432 counties in 2019. In the 2000 versus 2019 comparison, a 0.1 unit increase in NDVI was associated with a 2.4 % reduction in mortality [95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.4-4.3 %], and a 10 % increase in percentage of green space was associated with a 4.7 % reduction (95 % CI 0-9.2 %) in mortality. PM2.5 and air temperature mediated 0.3 % to 12.3 % of the associations. CONCLUSIONS: Living in greener counties may be associated with lower risk of mortality in China. These findings could indicate the potential of a population-level intervention to reduce mortality in China, which has important public health implications at the county level. AU - Li, C.C.* AU - Du, Z.C.* AU - Fan, S.J.* AU - Mute Browning, M.H.E.* AU - Knibbs, L.D.* AU - Bloom, M.S.* AU - Zhao, T. AU - Jalaludin, B.* AU - Heinrich, J.* AU - Liu, X.X.* AU - Li, J.X.* AU - Zhang, Y.D.* AU - Hu, L.X.* AU - Xiang, M.D.* AU - Chen, G.B.* AU - Wang, Q.* AU - Han, C.L.* AU - Li, S.S.* AU - Guo, Y.M.* AU - Dadvand, P.* AU - Dong, G.H.* AU - Zhang, Z.B.* AU - Yang, B.Y.* C1 - 67808 C2 - 54286 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands TI - Association between long-term green space exposure and mortality in China: A difference-in-differences analysis of national data in 2000, 2010 and 2019. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 887 PB - Elsevier PY - 2023 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - To benefit allergy patients and the medical practitioners, pollen information should be available in both a reliable and timely manner; the latter is only recently possible due to automatic monitoring. To evaluate the performance of all currently available automatic instruments, an international intercomparison campaign was jointly organised by the EUMETNET AutoPollen Programme and the ADOPT COST Action in Munich, Germany (March-July 2021). The automatic systems (hardware plus identification algorithms) were compared with manual Hirst-type traps. Measurements were aggregated into 3-hourly or daily values to allow comparison across all devices. We report results for total pollen as well as for Betula, Fraxinus, Poaceae, and Quercus, for all instruments that provided these data. The results for daily averages compared better with Hirst observations than the 3-hourly values. For total pollen, there was a considerable spread among systems, with some reaching R2 > 0.6 (3 h) and R2 > 0.75 (daily) compared with Hirst-type traps, whilst other systems were not suitable to sample total pollen efficiently (R2 < 0.3). For individual pollen types, results similar to the Hirst were frequently shown by a small group of systems. For Betula, almost all systems performed well (R2 > 0.75 for 9 systems for 3-hourly data). Results for Fraxinus and Quercus were not as good for most systems, while for Poaceae (with some exceptions), the performance was weakest. For all pollen types and for most measurement systems, false positive classifications were observed outside of the main pollen season. Different algorithms applied to the same device also showed different results, highlighting the importance of this aspect of the measurement system. Overall, given the 30 % error on daily concentrations that is currently accepted for Hirst-type traps, several automatic systems are currently capable of being used operationally to provide real-time observations at high temporal resolutions. They provide distinct advantages compared to the manual Hirst-type measurements. AU - Maya-Manzano, J.M. AU - Tummon, F.* AU - Abt, R.* AU - Allan, N.* AU - Bunderson, L.* AU - Clot, B.* AU - Crouzy, B.* AU - Daunys, G.* AU - Erb, S.* AU - González-Alonso, M.* AU - Graf, E.* AU - Grewling, L.* AU - Haus, J.* AU - Kadantsev, E.* AU - Kawashima, S.* AU - Martínez-Bracero, M.* AU - Matavulj, P.* AU - Mills, S.* AU - Niederberger, E.* AU - Lieberherr, G.* AU - Lucas, R.W.* AU - O'Connor, D.J.* AU - Oteros, J.* AU - Palamarchuk, J.* AU - Pope, F.D.* AU - Rojo, J.* AU - Sauliene, I.* AU - Schäfer, S.* AU - Schmidt-Weber, C.B. AU - Schnitzler, M.* AU - Šikoparija, B.* AU - Skjøth, C.A.* AU - Sofiev, M.* AU - Stemmler, T.* AU - Triviño, M. AU - Zeder, Y.* AU - Buters, J.T.M. C1 - 67120 C2 - 53458 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands TI - Towards European automatic bioaerosol monitoring: Comparison of 9 automatic pollen observational instruments with classic Hirst-type traps. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 866 PB - Elsevier PY - 2023 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Pollen allergies affect a significant proportion of the global population, and this is expected to worsen in years to come. There is demand for the development of automated pollen monitoring systems. Low-cost Optical Particle Counters (OPCs) measure particulate matter and have attractive advantages of real-time high time resolution data and affordable costs. This study asks whether low-cost OPC sensors can be used for meaningful monitoring of airborne pollen. We employ a variety of methods, including supervised machine learning techniques, to construct pollen proxies from hourly-average OPC data and evaluate their performance, holding out 40 % of observations to test the proxies. The most successful methods are supervised machine learning Neural Network (NN) and Random Forest (RF) methods, trained from pollen concentrations collected from a Hirst-type sampler. These perform significantly better than using a simple particle size-filtered proxy or a Positive Matrix Factorisation (PMF) source apportionment pollen proxy. Twelve NN and RF models were developed to construct a pollen proxy, each varying by model type, input features and target variable. The results show that such models can construct useful information on pollen from OPC data. The best metrics achieved (Spearman correlation coefficient = 0.85, coefficient of determination = 0.67) were for the NN model constructing a Poaceae (grass) pollen proxy, based on particle size information, temperature, and relative humidity. Ability to distinguish high pollen events was evaluated using F1 Scores, a score reflecting the fraction of true positives with respect to false positives and false negatives, with promising results (F1 ≤ 0.83). Model-constructed proxies demonstrated the ability to follow monthly and diurnal trends in pollen. We discuss the suitability of OPCs for monitoring pollen and offer advice for future progress. We demonstrate an attractive alternative for automated pollen monitoring that could provide valuable and timely information to the benefit of pollen allergy sufferers. AU - Mills, S.A.* AU - Bousiotis, D.* AU - Maya-Manzano, J.M. AU - Tummon, F.* AU - MacKenzie, A.R.* AU - Pope, F.D.* C1 - 67443 C2 - 54148 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands TI - Constructing a pollen proxy from low-cost Optical Particle Counter (OPC) data processed with Neural Networks and Random Forests. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 871 PB - Elsevier PY - 2023 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Pollen is a major issue globally, causing as much as 40 % of the population to suffer from hay fever and other allergic conditions. Current techniques for monitoring pollen are either laborious and slow, or expensive, thus alternative methods are needed to provide timely and more localised information on airborne pollen concentrations. We have demonstrated previously that low-cost Optical Particle Counter (OPC) sensors can be used to estimate pollen concentrations when machine learning methods are used to process the data and learn the relationships between OPC output data and conventionally measured pollen concentrations. This study demonstrates how methodical hyperparameter tuning can be employed to significantly improve model performance. We present the results of a range of models based on tuned hyperparameter configurations trained to predict Poaceae (Barnhart), Quercus (L.), Betula (L.), Pinus (L.) and total pollen concentrations. The results achieved here are a significant improvement on results we previously reported: the average R2 scores for the total pollen models have at least doubled compared to using previous parameter settings. Furthermore, we employ the explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) technique, SHAP, to interpret the models and understand how each of the input features (i.e. particle sizes) affect the estimated output concentration for each pollen type. In particular, we found that Quercus pollen has a strong positive correlation with particles of optical diameter 1.7-2.3 μm, which distinguishes it from other pollen types such as Poaceae and may suggest that type-specific subpollen particles are present in this size range. There is much further work to be done, especially in training and testing models on data obtained across different environments to evaluate the extent of generalisability. Nevertheless, this work demonstrates the potential this method can offer for low-cost monitoring of pollen and the valuable insight we can gain from what the model has learned. AU - Mills, S.A.* AU - Maya-Manzano, J.M. AU - Tummon, F.* AU - MacKenzie, A.R.* AU - Pope, F.D.* C1 - 68025 C2 - 54503 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands TI - Machine learning methods for low-cost pollen monitoring - Model optimisation and interpretability. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 903 PB - Elsevier PY - 2023 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - BACKGROUND AND AIM: The associations between COVID-19 transmission and meteorological factors are scientifically debated. Several studies have been conducted worldwide, with inconsistent findings. However, often these studies had methodological issues, e.g., did not exclude important confounding factors, or had limited geographic or temporal resolution. Our aim was to quantify associations between temporal variations in COVID-19 incidence and meteorological variables globally. METHODS: We analysed data from 455 cities across 20 countries from 3 February to 31 October 2020. We used a time-series analysis that assumes a quasi-Poisson distribution of the cases and incorporates distributed lag non-linear modelling for the exposure associations at the city-level while considering effects of autocorrelation, long-term trends, and day of the week. The confounding by governmental measures was accounted for by incorporating the Oxford Governmental Stringency Index. The effects of daily mean air temperature, relative and absolute humidity, and UV radiation were estimated by applying a meta-regression of local estimates with multi-level random effects for location, country, and climatic zone. RESULTS: We found that air temperature and absolute humidity influenced the spread of COVID-19 over a lag period of 15 days. Pooling the estimates globally showed that overall low temperatures (7.5 °C compared to 17.0 °C) and low absolute humidity (6.0 g/m3 compared to 11.0 g/m3) were associated with higher COVID-19 incidence (RR temp =1.33 with 95%CI: 1.08; 1.64 and RR AH =1.33 with 95%CI: 1.12; 1.57). RH revealed no significant trend and for UV some evidence of a positive association was found. These results were robust to sensitivity analysis. However, the study results also emphasise the heterogeneity of these associations in different countries. CONCLUSION: Globally, our results suggest that comparatively low temperatures and low absolute humidity were associated with increased risks of COVID-19 incidence. However, this study underlines regional heterogeneity of weather-related effects on COVID-19 transmission. AU - Nottmeyer, L.* AU - Armstrong, B.* AU - Lowe, R.* AU - Abbott, S.* AU - Meakin, S.* AU - O'Reilly, K.* AU - von Borries, R.* AU - Schneider, R.* AU - Royé, D.* AU - Hashizume, M.* AU - Pascal, M.* AU - Tobias, A.* AU - Vicedo-Cabrera, A.M.* AU - Lavigne, E.* AU - Correa, P.M.* AU - Ortega, N.V.* AU - Kynčl, J.* AU - Urban, A.* AU - Orru, H.* AU - Ryti, N.* AU - Jaakkola, J.J.K.* AU - Dallavalle, M. AU - Schneider, A.E. AU - Honda, Y.* AU - Ng, C.F.S.* AU - Alahmad, B.* AU - Carrasco, G.* AU - Holobâc, I.H.* AU - Kim, H.* AU - Lee, W.* AU - Iñiguez, C.* AU - Bell, M.L.* AU - Zanobetti, A.* AU - Schwartz, J.* AU - Scovronick, N.* AU - Coelho, M.S.Z.S.* AU - Saldiva, P.H.N.* AU - Diaz, M.H.* AU - Gasparrini, A.* AU - Sera, F.* C1 - 66148 C2 - 53090 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands TI - The association of COVID-19 incidence with temperature, humidity, and UV radiation - A global multi-city analysis. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 854 PB - Elsevier PY - 2023 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Epidemiological studies investigating the association between daily particle exposure and health effects are frequently based on a single monitoring site located in an urban background. Using a central site in epidemiological time-series studies has been established based on the premises of low spatial variability of particles within the areas of interest and hence the adequacy of the central sites to monitor the exposure. This is true to a large extent in relation to larger particles (PM2.5, PM10) that are typically monitored and regulated. However, the distribution of ultrafine particles (UFP), which in cities predominantly originate from traffic, is heterogeneous. With increasing pressure to improve the epidemiology of UFP, an important question to ask is, whether central site monitoring is representative of community exposure to this size fraction of particulate matter; addressing this question is the aim of this paper. To achieve this aim, we measured personal exposure to UFP, expressed as particle number concentration (PNC), using Philips Aerasense Nanotracers (NT) carried by the participants of the study, and condensation particle counters (CPC) or scanning mobility particle sizers (SMPS) at central fixed-site monitoring stations. The measurements were conducted at three locations in Brisbane (Australia), Cassino (Italy) and Accra (Ghana). We then used paired t-tests to compare the average personal and average fixed-site PNC measured over the same 24-h, and hourly, periods. We found that, at all three locations, the 24-h average fixed-site PNC was no different to the personal PNC, when averaged over the study period and all the participants. However, the corresponding hourly averages were significantly different at certain times of the day. These were generally times spent commuting and during cooking and eating at home. Our analysis of the data obtained in Brisbane, showed that maximum personal exposure occurred in the home microenvironment during morning breakfast and evening dinner time. The main source of PNC for personal exposure was from the home-microenvironment. We conclude that the 24-h average PNC from the central-site can be used to estimate the 24-h average personal exposure for a community. However, the hourly average PNC from the central site cannot consistently be used to estimate hourly average personal exposure, mainly because they are affected by very different sources. AU - Pradhan, B.* AU - Jayaratne, R.* AU - Thompson, H.* AU - Buonanno, G.* AU - Mazaheri, M.* AU - Nyarku, M.* AU - Wei, W.* AU - Pereira, M.L.* AU - Cyrys, J. AU - Peters, A. AU - Morawska, L.* C1 - 66665 C2 - 53258 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands TI - Utility of outdoor central site monitoring in assessing exposure of school children to ultrafine particles. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 859 PB - Elsevier PY - 2023 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - We consider several approaches to a design of a regional-to-continent-scale automatic pollen monitoring network in Europe. Practical challenges related to the arrangement of such a network limit the range of possible solutions. A hierarchical network is discussed, highlighting the necessity of a few reference sites that follow an extended observations protocol and have corresponding capabilities. Several theoretically rigorous approaches to a network design have been developed so far. However, before starting the process, a network purpose, a criterion of its performance, and a concept of the data usage should be formalized. For atmospheric composition monitoring, developments follow one of the two concepts: a network for direct representation of concentration fields and a network for model-based data assimilation, inverse problem solution, and forecasting. The current paper demonstrates the first approach, whereas the inverse problems are considered in a follow-up paper. We discuss the approaches for the network design from theoretical and practical standpoints, formulate criteria for the network optimality, and consider practical constraints for an automatic pollen network. An application of the methodology is demonstrated for a prominent example of Germany's pollen monitoring network. The multi-step method includes (i) the network representativeness and (ii) redundancy evaluation followed by (iii) fidelity evaluation and improvement using synthetic data. AU - Sofiev, M.* AU - Buters, J.T.M. AU - Tummon, F.* AU - Fatahi, Y.* AU - Sozinova, O.* AU - Adams-Groom, B.* AU - Bergmann, K.C.* AU - Dahl, A.* AU - Gehrig, R.* AU - Gilge, S.* AU - Seliger, A.K.* AU - Kouznetsov, R.* AU - Lieberherr, G.* AU - O'Connor, D.* AU - Otero, J.A.* AU - Palamarchuk, J.* AU - Ribeiro, H.* AU - Werchan, B.* AU - Werchan, M.* AU - Clot, B.* C1 - 67987 C2 - 54465 TI - Designing an automatic pollen monitoring network for direct usage of observations to reconstruct the concentration fields. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 900 PY - 2023 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - In Central Europe the most common allergies are provoked by grass or birch pollen allergens. We determined the intra-daily behavior of airborne pollen grains of grasses (Poaceae) and birch (Betula ssp.) in Central Europe, based on data obtained from a network of automatic pollen monitors over Europe (www.pollenscience.eu). Our aim was to determine the time of day when the lowest concentrations occur, to provide allergic individuals the optimal time to ventilate their homes. The study was carried out in three Central European capitals, Berlin (Germany), Paris-Saclay (France), and Luxembourg (Luxembourg), as well as in eight stations in Germany (Altötting, Feucht, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Hof, Marktheidenfeld, Mindelheim, Munich and Viechtach). The diurnal rhythm of these eleven locations was analyzed for either the complete, first week, peak week, peak day and last week of the pollen season. The data studied were reported as pollen/m3 measured in 3 h periods. Stations were classified as city, semi-populated or countryside areas using land-use and population density criteria. Grass pollen has a more pronounced diurnal rhythm than birch pollen concentrations. A significant difference was observed when comparing day (6-21 h) versus night (21-6 h) for all stations. No difference was detected between city and countryside for both pollen types, although for Poaceae a longer period of maximum concentrations was observed in big cities and higher day/night-time differences were registered in the countryside (6.4) than in cities (3.0). The highest pollen concentrations were observed between 9 and 18 h for grass, but the rhythm was less pronounced for birch pollen. For allergic individuals who want to bring in fresh air in their homes, we recommend opening windows after 21 h, but even better early in the morning between 6 and 9 h before pollinations (re)starts. AU - Suarez-Suarez, M. AU - Costa-Gómez, I. AU - Maya-Manzano, J.M. AU - Rojo, J.* AU - Hentges, F.* AU - Porcsin, I.* AU - Sarda-Estève, R.* AU - Baisnée, D.* AU - Schmidt-Weber, C.B. AU - Buters, J.T.M. C1 - 68062 C2 - 54540 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands TI - Diurnal pattern of Poaceae and Betula pollen flight in Central Europe. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 900 PB - Elsevier PY - 2023 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Selenium is an element present in trace amounts and different chemical forms. It may exert both beneficial and adverse effects on cellular redox status and on the generation of reactive oxygen species. 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) is an oxidized derivative of deoxyguanosine, and a sensitive biomarker of oxidative stress and genotoxicity. The present study assessed the extent to which selenium status was associated with urinary 8-oxodG concentrations in a Northern Italian population. We recruited healthy, non-smoking blood donors living in the Reggio Emilia province during 2017-2019. We measured urinary 8-oxodG concentrations and used restricted cubic spline regression analyses to investigate the association between selenium status (estimated using food frequency questionnaires, urinary concentrations, and serum concentrations of selenium and selenium species) and 8-oxodG/g creatinine. Among 137 participants aged 30-60 years, median urinary selenium and 8-oxodG concentrations were 22.02 μg/L and 3.21 μg/g creatinine, respectively. Serum samples and selenium speciation analyses were available for 104 participants. Median total serum selenium levels and dietary intake were 116.5 μg/L and 78.7 μg/day, respectively. In spline regression analysis, there was little association between dietary, serum, or urinary selenium with 8-oxodG concentrations. In sex-specific analyses, urinary selenium showed a positive association with the endpoint among males. For single selenium species, we observed positive associations with urinary 8-oxodG for serum organic selenium species, and negative associations for inorganic selenium forms. In the most adjusted analysis, urinary 8-oxodG concentrations showed a strong positive association with selenomethione-bound selenium (Se-Met) and a negative association with inorganic tetravalent selenium, selenite. In sex-specific analyses, these associations were considerably stronger in males than in females. Overall, study findings indicate that selenium species exhibited very different patterns of associations with the biomarker of oxidative stress, and that these associations also depended on sex. Background exposure to Se-Met appears to be strongly and positively associated with oxidative stress. AU - Urbano, T.* AU - Filippini, T.* AU - Wise, L.A.* AU - Sucato, S.* AU - Polledri, E.* AU - Malavolti, M.* AU - Fustinoni, S.* AU - Michalke, B. AU - Vinceti, M.* C1 - 67350 C2 - 54187 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands TI - Selenium exposure and urinary 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine: Major effects of chemical species and sex. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 870 PB - Elsevier PY - 2023 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Mixed forest stands tend to be more resistant to drought than species-specific stands partially due to complementarity in root ecology and physiology. We asked whether complementary differences in the drought resistance of soil microbiomes might contribute to this phenomenon. We experimented on the effects of reduced soil moisture on bacterial and fungal community composition in species-specific (single species) and mixed-species root zones of Norway spruce and European beech forests in a 5-year-old throughfall-exclusion experiment and across seasonal (spring-summer-fall) and latitudinal moisture gradients. Bacteria were most responsive to changes in soil moisture, especially members of Rhizobiales, while fungi were largely unaffected, including ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF). Community resistance was higher in spruce relative to beech root zones, corresponding with the proportions of drought-favored (more in spruce) and drought-sensitive bacterial taxa (more in beech). The spruce soil microbiome also exhibited greater resistance to seasonal changes between spring (wettest) and fall (driest). Mixed-species root zones contained a hybrid of beech- and spruce-associated microbiomes. Several bacterial populations exhibited either enhanced resistance or greater susceptibility to drought in mixed root zones. Overall, patterns in the relative abundances of soil bacteria closely tracked moisture in seasonal and latitudinal precipitation gradients and were more predictive of soil water content than other environmental variables. We conclude that complementary differences in the drought resistance of soil microbiomes can occur and the likeliest form of complementarity in mixed-root zones coincides with the enrichment of drought-tolerant bacteria associated with spruce and the sustenance of EMF by beech. AU - Wilhelm, R.C.* AU - Muñoz-Ucros, J.* AU - Weikl, F. AU - Pritsch, K. AU - Goebel, M.* AU - Buckley, D.H.* AU - Bauerle, T.L.* C1 - 67537 C2 - 54100 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands TI - The effects of mixed-species root zones on the resistance of soil bacteria and fungi to long-term experimental and natural reductions in soil moisture. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 873 PB - Elsevier PY - 2023 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - BACKGROUND: Short-term exposure to air pollution has been reported to be associated with cardiopulmonary diseases, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate changes in serum metabolites associated with immediate, short- and medium-term exposures to ambient air pollution. METHODS: We used data from the German population-based Cooperative Health Research in the Region of Augsburg (KORA) S4 survey (1999-2001) and two follow-up examinations (F4: 2006-08 and FF4: 2013-14). Mass-spectrometry-based targeted metabolomics was used to quantify metabolites among serum samples. Only participants with repeated metabolites measurements were included in this analysis. We collected daily averages of fine particles (PM2.5), coarse particles (PMcoarse), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and ozone (O3) at urban background monitors located in Augsburg, Germany. Covariate-adjusted generalized additive mixed-effects models were used to examine the associations between immediate (2-day average of same day and previous day as individual's blood withdrawal), short- (2-week moving average), and medium-term exposures (8-week moving average) to air pollution and metabolites. We further performed pathway analysis for the metabolites significantly associated with air pollutants in each exposure window. RESULTS: Of 9,620 observations from 4,261 study participants, we included 5,772 (60.0%) observations from 2,583 (60.6%) participants in this analysis. Out of 108 metabolites that passed quality control, multiple significant associations between metabolites and air pollutants with several exposure windows were identified at a Bonferroni corrected p-value threshold (p < 3.9 × 10-5). We found the highest number of associations for NO2, particularly at the medium-term exposure windows. Among the identified metabolic pathways based on the metabolites significantly associated with air pollutants, the glycerophospholipid metabolism was the most robust pathway in different air pollutants exposures. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggested that short- and medium-term exposure to air pollution might induce alterations of serum metabolites, particularly in metabolites involved in metabolic pathways related to inflammatory response and oxidative stress. AU - Yao,Y. AU - Schneider, A.E. AU - Wolf, K. AU - Zhang, S. AU - Wang-Sattler, R. AU - Peters, A. AU - Breitner-Busch, S. C1 - 68066 C2 - 54544 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands TI - Longitudinal associations between metabolites and immediate, short- and medium-term exposure to ambient air pollution: Results from the KORA cohort study. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 900 PB - Elsevier PY - 2023 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - The authors regret that the printed version of the above article contained a number of errors. The corrigendum is only given to the additional inclusion of another two co-authors on the author list in this paper. All data, results, and discussion of this study are not affected by the corrigendum in comparison to the original version of our manuscript. The correct and final version follows. The authors would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused. Longitudinal associations between metabolites and immediate, short- and medium-term exposure to ambient air pollution: Results from the KORA cohort study Yueli Yao a,b, Alexandra Schneider a, Kathrin Wolf a, Siqi Zhang a, Rui Wang-Sattler a,c, Cornelia Prehn d, Jerzy Adamski e,f,g, Annette Peters a,b,c,h,1, Susanne Breitner a,b,1 a Institute of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany b Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry, and Epidemiology (IBE), Faculty of Medicine, Pettenkofer School of Public Health, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany c German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Munich-Neuherberg, Germany d Metabolomics and Proteomics Core, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany e Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany f Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 8 Medical Drive, Singapore 117597, Singapore g Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov trg 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia h German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany 1 Authors share last authorship. CRediT authorship contribution statement. Yueli Yao: Conceptualization, Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology, Visualization, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing. Alexandra Schneider: Conceptualization, Supervision, Methodology, Writing – review & editing. Kathrin Wolf: Conceptualization, Supervision, Methodology, Writing – review & editing. Siqi Zhang: Conceptualization, Methodology, Writing – review & editing. Rui Wang-Sattler: Conceptualization, Writing – review & editing. Cornelia Prehn: Resources, Data curation. Jerzy Adamski: Resources, Data curation. Annette Peters: Conceptualization, Data curation, Funding acquisition, Supervision, Writing – review & editing. Susanne Breitner: Conceptualization, Supervision, Methodology, Writing – review & editing. AU - Yao,Y. AU - Schneider, A.E. AU - Wolf, K. AU - Zhang, S. AU - Wang-Sattler, R. AU - Prehn, C. AU - Adamski, J. AU - Peters, A. AU - Breitner-Busch, S. C1 - 68245 C2 - 54778 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands TI - Corrigendum to “Longitudinal associations between metabolites and immediate, short- and medium-term exposure to ambient air pollution: Results from the KORA cohort study” [Sci. Total Environ. 900 (2023) 165780] (Science of the Total Environment (2023) 900, (S0048969723044030), (10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165780)). JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 905 PB - Elsevier PY - 2023 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Background: Respiratory diseases are a leading cause of mortality and morbidity, and are exacerbated by air pollution and temperature. Aim: To assess published literature on the effect of air pollution modified by temperature on respiratory mortality and hospital admissions. Methods: We identified 26,656 papers in PubMed and Web of Science, up to March 2021, and selected for analysis; inclusion criteria included observational studies, short-term air pollution, and temperature exposure. Air pollutants considered were particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 μg/m3, and 10 μg/m3 (PM2.5, and PM10), ozone (O3), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). A random-effects model was used for our meta-analysis. Results: For respiratory mortality we found that when the effect PM10 is modified by high temperatures there is an increased pooled Odds Ratio [OR, 95% Confidence Interval (CI)] of 1.021 (1.008 to 1.034) and for the effect of O3 the pooled OR is 1.006 (1.001–1.012) during the warm season. For hospital admissions, the effects of PM10 and O3 respectively, during the warm season found an increased pooled OR of 1.011 (0.999–1.024), and 1.015 (0.995–1.036). In our analysis for low temperatures, results were inconsistent. Conclusions: Exposure to air pollution when modified by high temperature is likely to increase the odds of respiratory mortality and hospital admissions. Analysis on the interaction effect of air pollution and temperature on health outcomes is a relatively new research field and results are largely inconsistent; therefore, further research is encouraged to establish a more conclusive conclusion on the strength and direction of this effect. AU - Areal, A.T.* AU - Zhao, Q.* AU - Wigmann, C.* AU - Schneider, A.E. AU - Schikowski, T.* C1 - 63838 C2 - 51769 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands TI - The effect of air pollution when modified by temperature on respiratory health outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 811 PB - Elsevier PY - 2022 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - The reuse of water for agricultural practices becomes progressively more important due to increasing demands for a transition to a circular economy. Treated wastewater can be an alternative option of blue water used for the irrigation of crops but its risks need to be evaluated. This study assesses the uptake and metabolization of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) derived from treated wastewater into lettuce as well as the impact on root-associated bacteria under a realistic and worst-case scenario. Lettuce was grown in a controlled greenhouse and irrigated with water or treated wastewater spiked with and without a mixture of fourteen different PPCPs at 10 μg/L or 100 μg/L. After harvesting the plants, the same soil was reused for a consecutive cultivation campaign to test for the accumulation of PPCPs. Twelve out of fourteen spiked PPCPs were detected in lettuce roots, and thirteen in leaves. In roots, highest concentrations were measured for sucralose, sulfamethoxazole and citalopram, while sucralose, acesulfame and carbamazepine were the highest in leaves. Higher PPCP concentrations were found in lettuce roots irrigated with spiked treated wastewater than in those irrigated with spiked water. The absolute bacterial abundance remained stable over both cultivation campaigns and was not affected by any of the treatments (type of irrigation water (water vs. wastewater) nor concentration of PPCPs). However, the irrigation of lettuce with treated wastewater had a significant effect on the microbial α-diversity indices at the end of the second cultivation campaign, and modified the structure and community composition of root-associated bacteria at the end of both campaigns. Five and fourteen bacterial families were shown to be responsible for the observed changes at the end of the first and second cultivation campaign, respectively. Relative abundance of Haliangium and the clade Allorhizobium-Neorhizobium-Pararhizobium-Rhizobium was significantly affected in response to PCPPs exposure. Caulobacter, Cellvibrio, Hydrogenophaga and Rhizobacter were significantly affected in microcosms irrigated with wastewater. AU - Bigott, Y. AU - Gallego, S.* AU - Montemurro, N.* AU - Breuil, M.C.* AU - Pérez, S.* AU - Michas, A. AU - Martin-Laurent, F.* AU - Schröder, P. C1 - 64726 C2 - 52421 TI - Fate and impact of wastewater-borne micropollutants in lettuce and the root-associated bacteria. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 831 PY - 2022 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - The temporal evolution of molecular compositions and changes in structural features of Hillsboro Canal (Florida, USA) dissolved organic matter (DOM) was studied with an emphasis on nitrogen and sulfur containing molecules, after a 13 day time-series exposure to simulated sunlight. The Hillsboro Canal drains from the ridge and slough wetland environment underlain by peat soils from the northern extent of the Greater Everglades Ecosystem. The Hillsboro Canal-DOM was characterized by combining ultrahigh-resolution mass spectrometry (FT-ICR-MS), high-field nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR), size exclusion chromatography (SEC) with UV detection, and ultraviolet/visible (UV/vis) absorbance and excitation emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy. Size exclusion chromatography (SEC) demonstrated progressive depletion of higher mass molecules and a concomitant decrease of absorbance during photo-irradiation. NMR and FT-ICR-MS revealed nonlinear temporal evolution of DOM. In fact, FT-ICR-MS showed an initial depletion of supposedly chromophoric molecules often carrying major unsaturation accompanied by an uneven evolution of numbers of CHO, CHOS and CHNO compounds. While CHNO compounds continually increased throughout the entire photo-exposure time, CHO and CHOS compounds temporarily increased but declined after further light exposure. Progressive loss of highly unsaturated compounds was accompanied by production of low mass CHO and CHNO compounds with high O/C ratios. Area-normalized 1H NMR spectra of DOM in water and of the water insoluble fraction (~5%) in methanol revealed clear distinctions between irradiated and non-irradiated samples and congruent evolution of DOM structural features during irradiation, with more uniform trends in methanolic-DOM. Photoirradiation caused initial photoproduction of oxygenated aliphatic compounds, continued depletion of phenols and oxygenated aromatics, substantial change from initial natural product derived olefins to photoproduced olefins, and uneven evolution of carboxylated and alkylated benzene derivatives. This study demonstrates longer-term heteroatom-dependent photochemistry of DOM, which will affect the speciation of N and S heteroatoms, their connections to inorganic nutrients, and potentially their bioavailability. AU - Harir, M. AU - Cawley, K.M.* AU - Hertkorn, N. AU - Schmitt-Kopplin, P. AU - Jaffe, R.* C1 - 65003 C2 - 52612 TI - Molecular and spectroscopic changes of peat-derived organic matter following photo-exposure: Effects on heteroatom composition of DOM. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 838 PY - 2022 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Solid fuel usage in residential heating and cooking is one of the largest sources of ambient and indoor air particulate matter, which causes adverse effects on the health of millions of peoples worldwide. Emissions from solid fuel combustion, such as biomass or coal, are detrimental to health, but toxicological responses are largely unknown. In the present study, we compared the toxicological responses regarding cytotoxicity, inflammation and genotoxicity of spruce (SPR) and brown coal briquette (BCB) combustion aerosols on human alveolar epithelial cells (A549) as well as a coculture of A549 and differentiated human monocytic cells (THP-1) into macrophages exposed at the air-liquid interface (ALI). We included both the high emissions from the first hour and moderate emissions from the third hour of the batch combustion experiment in one ALI system, whereas, in the second ALI system, we exposed the cells during the whole 4-hour combustion experiment, including all combustion phases. Physico-chemical properties of the combustion aerosol were analysed both online and offline. Both SPR and BCB combustion aerosols caused mild cytotoxic but notable genotoxic effects in co-cultured A549 cells after one-hour exposure. Inflammatory response analysis revealed BCB combustion aerosols to cause a mild increase in CXCL1 and CXCL8 levels, but in the case of SPR combustion aerosol, a decrease compared to control was observed. AU - Ihantola, T.* AU - Hirvonen, M.R.* AU - Ihalainen, M.* AU - Hakkarainen, H.* AU - Sippula, O.* AU - Tissari, J.* AU - Bauer, S. AU - Di Bucchianico, S. AU - Rastak, N. AU - Hartikainen, A.* AU - Leskinen, J.* AU - Yli-Pirilä, P.* AU - Martikainen, M.V.* AU - Miettinen, M.* AU - Suhonen, H.* AU - Rönkkö, T.J.* AU - Kortelainen, M.* AU - Lamberg, H.* AU - Czech, H. AU - Martens, P.* AU - Orasche, J. AU - Michalke, B. AU - Yildirim, A.Ö. AU - Jokiniemi, J.* AU - Zimmermann, R. AU - Jalava, P.I.* C1 - 63162 C2 - 51341 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands TI - Genotoxic and inflammatory effects of spruce and brown coal briquettes combustion aerosols on lung cells at the air-liquid interface. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 806 IS - Pt 1 PB - Elsevier PY - 2022 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Tramadol (TRD) is widely detected in aquatic ecosystems as a result of massive abuse and insufficient removal from wastewater facilities. As a result, TRD can contaminate groundwater sources and/or agricultural soils. While TRD toxicity has been reported from aquatic biota, data about TRD detection in plants are scarce. Moreover, information regarding plant capability for TRD removal is lacking. To understand the fate of this opioid, we have investigated the uptake, translocation and removal capacity of TRD by plants, addressing short-term and long-term uptake. The uptake rates of TRD, in excised barley and cattail roots, were 5.18 and 5.79 μg g−1 root fresh weight day−1, respectively. However, TRD uptake was strongly inhibited after co-exposing these roots either with the drug venlafaxine (similar molecular structure as TRD) or with quinidine (an inhibitor of cellular organic cation transporters). When barley seedlings were exposed to TRD in a hydroponic experiment a removal efficiency up to 90% (within 15 days) was obtained, with bioconcentration and translocation factors close to 9 and 1, respectively. The combination of results from both plants and the inhibition observed after treatment with quinidine revealed that organic cation transporters may be involved in the uptake of TRD by plants. AU - Khalaf, D.M. AU - Cruzeiro, C. AU - Schröder, P. C1 - 63390 C2 - 51521 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands TI - Removal of tramadol from water using Typha angustifolia and Hordeum vulgare as biological models: Possible interaction with other pollutants in short-term uptake experiments. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 809 PB - Elsevier PY - 2022 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - BACKGROUND AND AIM: The fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) concentration in the exhaled breath is a biomarker for eosinophilic airway inflammation. We explored the interplay between chronic air pollution exposure and polygenic susceptibility to airway inflammation at different critical age stages. METHODS: Adolescents (15 yr) enrolled in the GINIplus/LISA birth cohorts (n = 2434) and 220 elderly women (75 yr on average) enrolled in the SALIA cohort with FeNO measurements available were investigated. Environmental main effects of the mean of ESCAPE land-use regression air pollutant concentrations within a time window of 15 years and main effects of the polygenic risk scores (PRS) using internal weights from elastic net regression of genome-wide derived single nucleotide polymorphisms were investigated. Furthermore, we examined gene-environment interaction (GxE) effects on natural log-transformed FeNO levels by adjusted linear regression models. RESULTS: While we observed no significant environmental and polygenic main effects on airway inflammation in either age group, we found robust harmful effects of chronic nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exposure in the GxE models for elderly women (16.2 % increase in FeNO, p-value = 0.027). Stratified analyses found GxE effects between the PRS and chronic NO2 exposure in never-smoker elderly women and in adolescents without any inflammatory respiratory conditions. CONCLUSIONS: FeNO measurement is a useful biomarker to detect higher risk of NO2-induced eosinophilic airway inflammation in the elderly. There was limited evidence for GxE effects on airway inflammation in adolescents or the elderly. Further GxE studies in subpopulations should be conducted to investigate the assumption that susceptibility to airway inflammation differs between age stages. AU - Kress, S.* AU - Kilanowski, A. AU - Wigmann, C.* AU - Zhao, Q.* AU - Zhao, T. AU - Abramson, M.J.* AU - Gappa, M.* AU - Standl, M. AU - Unfried, K.* AU - Schikowski, T.* C1 - 65434 C2 - 52149 TI - Airway inflammation in adolescents and elderly women: Chronic air pollution exposure and polygenic susceptibility. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 841 PY - 2022 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Humic-like substances (HULIS) account for a major redox-active fraction of biomass burning organic aerosols (BBOA). During atmospheric transport, fresh acidic BB-HULIS in droplets and humid aerosols are subject to neutralization and pH-modified aging process. In this study, solutions containing HULIS isolated from wood smoldering emissions were first adjusted with NaOH and NH3 to pH values in the range of 3.6-9.0 and then aged under oxic dark conditions. Evolution of HULIS oxidative potential (OP) and total peroxide content (equivalent H2O2 concentration, H2O2eq) were measured together with the changes in solution absorbance and chemical composition. Notable immediate responses such as peroxide generation, HULIS autoxidation, and an increase in OP and light absorption were observed under alkaline conditions. Initial H2O2eq, OP, and absorption increased exponentially with pH, regardless of the alkaline species added. Dark aging further oxidized the HULIS and led to pH-dependent toxic and chemical changes, exhibiting an alkaline-facilitated initial increase followed by a decrease of OP and H2O2eq. Although highly correlated with HULIS OP, the contributions of H2O2eq to OP are minor but increased both with solution pH and dark aging time. Alkalinity-assisted autoxidation of phenolic compounds and quinoids with concomitant formation of H2O2 and other alkalinity-favored peroxide oxidation reactions are proposed here for explaining the observed HULIS OP and chemical changes in the dark. Our findings suggest that alkaline neutralization of fresh BB-HULIS represents a previously overlooked peroxide source and pathway for modifying aerosol redox-activity and composition. Additionally, these findings imply that the lung fluid neutral environment can modify the OP and peroxide content of inhaled BB-HULIS. The results also suggest that common separation protocols of HULIS using base extraction methods should be treated with caution when evaluating and comparing their composition, absorption, and relative toxicity. AU - Li, C.* AU - Fang, Z.* AU - Czech, H. AU - Schneider, E. AU - Rüger, C.P.* AU - Pardo, M.* AU - Zimmermann, R. AU - Chen, J.* AU - Laskin, A.* AU - Rudich, Y.* C1 - 64871 C2 - 52572 TI - pH modifies the oxidative potential and peroxide content of biomass burning HULIS under dark aging. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 834 PY - 2022 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Rivers are natural biogeochemical systems shaping the fates of dissolved organic matter (DOM) from leaving soils to reaching the oceans. This study focuses on Amazon basin DOM processing employing negative and positive electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (ESI[±] FT-ICR MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) to reveal effects of major processes on the compositional space and structural characteristics of black, white and clear water systems. These include non-conservative mixing at the confluences of (1) Solimões and the Negro River, (2) the Amazon River and the Madeira River, and (3) in-stream processing of Amazon River DOM between the Madeira River and the Tapajós River. The Negro River (black water) supplies more highly oxygenated and high molecular weight compounds, whereas the Solimões and Madeira Rivers (white water) contribute more CHNO and CHOS molecules to the Amazon River main stem. Aliphatic CHO and abundant CHNO compounds prevail in Tapajos River DOM (clear water), likely originating from primary production. Sorption onto particles and heterotrophic microbial degradation are probably the principal mechanisms for the observed changes in DOM composition in the Amazon River and its tributaries. AU - Li, S. AU - Harir, M. AU - Schmitt-Kopplin, P. AU - Gonsior, M.* AU - Alex-Enrich-Prast, .* AU - Bastviken, D.* AU - Valle Das Neves, J. AU - Machado-Silva, F.* AU - Hertkorn, N. C1 - 66632 C2 - 52978 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands TI - Comprehensive assessment of dissolved organic matter processing in the Amazon River and its major tributaries revealed by positive and negative electrospray mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 857 IS - 3 PB - Elsevier PY - 2022 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - In the EU and world-wide, agriculture is in transition. Whilst we just converted conventional farming imprinted by the post-war food demand and heavy agrochemical usage into integrated and sustainable farming with optimized production, we now have to focus on even smarter agricultural management. Enhanced nutrient efficiency and resistance to pests/pathogens combined with a greener footprint will be crucial for future sustainable farming and its wider environment. Future land use must embrace efficient production and utilization of biomass for improved economic, environmental, and social outcomes, as subsumed under the EU Green Deal, including also sites that have so far been considered as marginal and excluded from production. Another frontier is to supply high-quality food and feed to increase the nutrient density of staple crops. In diets of over two-thirds of the world's population, more than one micronutrient (Fe, Zn, I or Se) is lacking. To improve nutritious values of crops, it will be necessary to combine integrated, systems-based approaches of land management with sustainable redevelopment of agriculture, including central ecosystem services, on so far neglected sites: neglected grassland, set aside land, and marginal lands, paying attention to their connectivity with natural areas. Here we need new integrative approaches which allow the application of different instruments to provide us not only with biomass of sufficient quality and quantity in a site specific manner, but also to improve soil ecological services, e.g. soil C sequestration, water quality, habitat and soil resistance to erosion, while keeping fertilization as low as possible. Such instruments may include the application of different forms of high carbon amendments, the application of macro- and microelements to improve crop performance and quality as well as a targeted manipulation of the soil microbiome. Under certain caveats, the potential of such sites can be unlocked by innovative production systems, ready for the sustainable production of crops enriched in micronutrients and providing services within a circular economy. AU - Schröder, P. AU - Mench, M.* AU - Povilaitis, V.* AU - Rineau, F.* AU - Rutkowska, B.* AU - Schloter, M. AU - Szulc, W.* AU - Žydelis, R.* AU - Loit, E.* C1 - 62984 C2 - 51178 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands TI - Relaunch cropping on marginal soils by incorporating amendments and beneficial trace elements in an interdisciplinary approach. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 803 PB - Elsevier PY - 2022 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Montane grasslands in Europe are exposed to increasing temperatures twice as fast as the global average. Changes in climatic conditions are possibly accompanied by an increase in land use intensity, caused by a prolongation of the vegetation period and the need to improve productivity. Therefore, the investigation of combined effects of climate change and land use intensity is needed to further implement agricultural management strategies. Here we present results from a study performed in the pre-alpine region of southern Germany, where intact plant-soil mesocosms from grasslands, were translocated along an altitudinal gradient, resulting in an increase in soil temperature (moderate treatment: +0.5 K; strong treatment: +1.9 K warming) during the experimental period. Additionally, we applied an extensive or intensive agricultural management (two vs. five times of mowing and slurry application) on the transplanted mesocosms. After an exposure of one year, we measured plant growth and soil properties and quantified abundances of soil microorganisms catalyzing key steps in the nitrogen (N) cycle. Our data indicate, significant interactions between climate change and management. For example, microbial biomass was significantly reduced (−47.7% and −49.8% for C and N respectively), which was further accompanied by lower abundances of N -fixing bacteria (up to −89,3%), as well as ammonia oxidizing bacteria (−81.4%) under intensive management, whereas N-mineralizing bacteria increased in abundance (up to +139.8%) under extensive management. Surprisingly, the abundances of denitrifying bacteria as well as mean N O emissions were not affected by the treatments. Overall, our data suggest pronounced shifts in the abundance of microbes driving the N cycle in soil as a result of combined climate change and land use intensification already after a short simulation period of one year. mic mic 2 2 AU - Andrade Linares, D.R. AU - Zistl-Schlingmann, M.* AU - Fösel, B. AU - Dannenmann, M.* AU - Schulz, S. AU - Schloter, M. C1 - 61725 C2 - 50412 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands TI - Short term effects of climate change and intensification of management on the abundance of microbes driving nitrogen turnover in montane grassland soils. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 780 PB - Elsevier PY - 2021 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - The toxicity, volatility and persistence of the obsolete organochlorine pesticide hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), makes reclamation of contaminated areas a priority for the health and welfare of neighboring human communities. Microbial diversity and functions and their relation to spontaneous vegetation in post-excavation situations, are essential indicators to consider in bioaugmentation or microbe-assisted phytoremediation strategies at field scale. Our study aimed to evaluate the effects of long-term HCH contamination on soil and plant-associated microbial communities, and whether contaminated soil has the potential to act as a bacterial inoculum in post-excavation bioremediation strategies. To scrutinize the role of vegetation, the potential nitrogen fixation of free-living and symbiotic diazotrophs of the legume Lotus tenuis was assessed as a measure of nutrient cycling functions in soil under HCH contamination. Potential nitrogen fixation was generally not affected by HCH, with the exception of lower nifH gene counts in excavated contaminated rhizospheres, most probably a short-term HCH effect on early bacterial succession in this compartment. HCH shaped microbial communities in long-term contaminated bulk soil, where we identified possible HCH tolerants such as Sphingomonas and Altererythrobacter. In L. tenuis rhizosphere, microbial community composition was additionally influenced by plant growth stage. Sphingobium and Massilia were the bacterial genera characteristic for HCH contaminated rhizospheres. Long-term HCH contamination negatively affected L. tenuis growth and development. However, root-associated bacterial community composition was driven solely by plant age, with negligible HCH effect. Results showed that L. tenuis acquired possible HCH tolerant bacteria such as the Allorhizobium-Neorhizobium-Pararhizobium-Rhizobium clade, Sphingomonas, Massilia or Pantoea which could simultaneously offer plant growth promoting (PGP) benefits for the host. Finally, we identified an inoculum with possibly HCH tolerant, PGP bacteria transferred from the contaminated bulk soil to L. tenuis roots through the rhizosphere compartment, consisting of Mesorhizobium loti, Neorhizobium galegae, Novosphingobium lindaniclasticum, Pantoea agglomerans and Lysobacter bugurensis. AU - Balazs, H.-E. AU - Schmid, C. AU - Cruzeiro, C. AU - Podar, D.* AU - Szatmari, P.M.* AU - Buegger, F. AU - Hufnagel, G. AU - Radl, V. AU - Schröder, P. C1 - 61253 C2 - 50111 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands TI - Post-reclamation microbial diversity and functions in hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) contaminated soil in relation to spontaneous HCH tolerant vegetation. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 767 PB - Elsevier PY - 2021 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - The metabolites of gut microbiome are important host-health regulating factors and can be interrupted when the host is exposed to environmental pollutant via ingestion route. Arsenic contaminated drinking water is one of the most serious environmental health problems worldwide. Therefore, the arsenic-induced alterations of gut microbiome and metabolome, especially the persistence and reversibility of the alterations after the long-term arsenic exposure will be interesting to know. In this study, we investigated the relationship between gut microbiota and metabolites in male rats both after the 30-days arsenic treatment and 30-days recovery duration. The composition and diversity of gut microbiota were affected significantly by the treatment, but they presented partial improvement in recovery duration. Moreover, arsenic exposure induced the significant changes of 73 metabolites, which involved in the metabolism of glycerophospholipid, linoleic acid, as well as the biosynthesis of phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan. Although it had a persistent effect, the restoration of glycerophospholipid metabolism was observed in the 30-days recovery. Integration analysis further correlated the arsenic impacting microbes with some important differential metabolites. Lactobacillus associated with the decreases of phosphatidylethanolamine(34:1), 16alpha-hydroxydehydroepiandrosterone 3-sulfate, seryltryptophan and alanyltyrosine in recovery duration. Lactobacillus strains have potential to work as protective agents against arsenic toxicity by restoring perturbed glycerophospholipid metabolism. In summary, arsenic significantly disrupted gut microbiome and metabolome, but the disruptions are reversible to some extent after a 30-days recovery. AU - Du, X.* AU - Zhang, J.* AU - Zhang, X.* AU - Schramm, K.-W. AU - Nan, B.* AU - Huang, Q.* AU - Tian, M.* AU - Shen, H.* C1 - 61465 C2 - 50273 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands TI - Persistence and reversibility of arsenic-induced gut microbiome and metabolome shifts in male rats after 30-days recovery duration. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 776 PB - Elsevier PY - 2021 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Ganoderma comprises a common bracket fungal genus that causes basal stem rot in deciduous and coniferous trees and palms, thus having a large economic impact on forestry production. We estimated pathogen abundance using long-term, daily spore concentration data collected in five biogeographic regions in Europe and SW Asia. We hypothesized that pathogen abundance in the air depends on the density of potential hosts (trees) in the surrounding area, and that its spores originate locally. We tested this hypothesis by (1) calculating tree cover density, (2) assessing the impact of local meteorological variables on spore concentration, (3) computing back trajectories, (4) developing random forest models predicting daily spore concentration. The area covered by trees was calculated based on Tree Density Datasets within a 30 km radius from sampling sites. Variations in daily and seasonal spore concentrations were cross-examined between sites using a selection of statistical tools including HYSPLIT and random forest models. Our results showed that spore concentrations were higher in Northern and Central Europe than in South Europe and SW Asia. High and unusually high spore concentrations (> 90th and > 98th percentile, respectively) were partially associated with long distance transported spores: at least 33% of Ganoderma spores recorded in Madeira during days with high concentrations originated from the Iberian Peninsula located >900 km away. Random forest models developed on local meteorological data performed better in sites where the contribution of long distance transported spores was lower. We found that high concentrations were recorded in sites with low host density (Leicester, Worcester), and low concentrations in Kastamonu with high host density. This suggests that south European and SW Asian forests may be less severely affected by Ganoderma. This study highlights the effectiveness of monitoring airborne Ganoderma spore concentrations as a tool for assessing local Ganoderma pathogen infection levels. AU - Grinn-Gofroń, A.* AU - Bogawski, P.* AU - Bosiacka, B.* AU - Nowosad, J.* AU - Camacho, I.* AU - Sadyś, M.* AU - Skjøth, C.A.* AU - Pashley, C.H.* AU - Rodinkova, V.* AU - Çeter, T.* AU - Traidl-Hoffmann, C. AU - Damialis, A.* C1 - 62456 C2 - 50879 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands TI - Abundance of Ganoderma sp. in Europe and SW Asia: Modelling the pathogen infection levels in local trees using the proxy of airborne fungal spore concentrations. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 793 PB - Elsevier PY - 2021 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Background: Pollen exposure has both acute and chronic detrimental effects on allergic asthma, but little is known about its wider effects on respiratory health. This is increasingly important knowledge as ambient pollen levels are changing with the changing global climate. Objective: To assess associations of pollen exposure with lung function and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) at age 15 in two prospective German birth cohorts, GINIplus and LISA. Methods: Background city-specific pollen exposure was measured in infancy (during the first three months of life), and contemporary (on the day of and 7 days prior to lung function measurement). Greenness levels within circular buffers (100–3000 m) around the birth and 15-year home addresses were calculated using the satellite-derived Normalized Difference Vegetation Index. Regression models were used to assess the associations of grass and birch pollen with lung function and FeNO, and the modifying effects of residential greenness were explored. Results: Cumulative early life exposure to grass pollen was associated with reduced lung function in adolescence (FEV1: −4.9 mL 95%CI: −9.2, −0.6 and FVC: −5.2 mL 95%CI: −9.8, −0.5 per doubling of pollen count). Acute grass pollen exposure was associated with increased airway inflammation in all children, with higher FeNO increases in children living in green areas. In contrast acute birch pollen exposure was associated with reduced lung function only in children sensitised to birch allergens. Conclusion: This study provides suggestive evidence that early pollen exposure has a negative effect on later lung function, which is in turn influenced by acute pollen exposures. AU - Lambert, K.A.* AU - Markevych, I. AU - Yang, B.Y.* AU - Bauer, C.P.* AU - Berdel, D.* AU - von Berg, A.* AU - Bergmann, K.C.* AU - Lodge, C.* AU - Koletzko, S.* AU - Prendergast, L.A.* AU - Schikowski, T.* AU - Schulz, H. AU - Werchan, M.* AU - Heinrich, J. AU - Standl, M. AU - Erbas, B.* C1 - 60476 C2 - 49474 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands TI - Association of early life and acute pollen exposure with lung function and exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO). A prospective study up to adolescence in the GINIplus and LISA cohort. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 763 PB - Elsevier PY - 2021 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are ubiquitous contaminants with adverse health effects in the ecosystem. One of such effects is endocrine disruption in humans and wildlife even at background exposure concentrations. This study assessed maternal breastmilk concentrations of POPs; brominated flame retardants (BFRs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/furans (PCDD/Fs), and the potential health risks posed to the nursing infants. We also evaluated the association of these POPs with total 3,3′,5-triiodo-L-thyronine (T3), L-thyroxine (T4), and 3,3′,5′-triiodo-L-thyronine (rT3) levels measured in human breast milk. Thirty breastmilk samples were collected from Kampala, Uganda between August and December 2018. Hexabromobenzene was not detected while the maximum level of 2,2′,4,4′,5,5′-hexabrombiphenyl was 64.7 pg/g lw. The median levels of total indicator PCBs, PBDEs, dioxin-like PCBs, and PCDD/Fs in the samples were 159 pg/g lw, 511 pg/g lw, 1.16 pg TEQ/g lw, and 0.4 pg TEQ/g lw, respectively. These levels were lower than those reported in other countries. Owing to their bio accumulative nature, PCBs −81, −169, and ∑PCDD/Fs increased with increase in maternal age. Estimated dietary intakes for dioxin-like PCBs and PCDD/Fs were lower than those reported elsewhere but were higher than the WHO tolerable daily intakes suggesting potential health risks to nursing infants. In adjusted single pollutant models, PCB-126, PCB-169, and ∑PCBTEQ were negatively associated with T3, while 1,2,3,4,5,7,8-HpCDF was positively associated with rT3. Although these associations did not persist in multipollutant models, our findings suggest potential thyroid hormone disruption by POPs in mothers. This may reduce the levels of thyroid hormones transferred from the mother to the neonates and, hence, adversely influence infant growth. A temporal study with a bigger sample size is required to corroborate these findings. AU - Matovu, H.* AU - Li, Z.M. AU - Henkelmann, B. AU - Bernhöft, S. AU - de Angelis, M. AU - Schramm, K.-W. AU - Sillanpää, M.* AU - Kato, C.D.* AU - Ssebugere, P.* C1 - 61139 C2 - 50061 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands TI - Multiple persistent organic pollutants in mothers' breastmilk: Implications for infant dietary exposure and maternal thyroid hormone homeostasis in Uganda, East Africa. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 770 PB - Elsevier PY - 2021 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Accidental spills or illegal discharges of pesticides in aquatic ecosystems can lead to exposure levels that strongly exceed authorized pesticide concentrations, causing major impacts on aquatic ecosystems. Such short-term events often remain undetected in regular monitoring programs with infrequent sampling. In early spring 2015, we identified a catastrophic pesticide spill with the insecticide cypermethrin in the Holtemme River, Germany. Based on existing pre-event macroinvertebrate community data, we monitored the effects and recovery of the macroinvertebrate community for more than two years after the spill. Strong short-term effects were apparent for all taxa with the exception of Chironomidae and Tubificidae. Effects could also be observed on the community level as total abundance, taxa number and biomass strongly decreased. Total abundance and taxa number showed a fast recovery. Regarding long-term effects, the total biomass remained substantially below the pre-contamination level (76%) until the end of the study. Also the abundances of three taxa (Gammarus, Leuctra, Limnius Ad.) did not return to levels prior to the spill even after 26 months. This lack of the taxon-specific recovery was likely due to their long generation time and a low migration ability due to a restricted connectivity between the contaminated site and uncontaminated stream sections. These factors proved to be stronger predictors for the recovery than the pesticide tolerance. We revealed that the biological indicators SPEARpesticides and share of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera (EPT) are not suitable for the identification of such extreme events, when nearly all taxa are eradicated. Both indicators are functioning only when repeated stressors initiate long-term competitive replacement of sensitive by insensitive taxa. We conclude that pesticide spills can have significant long-term effects on stream macroinvertebrate communities. Regular ecological monitoring is imperative to identify such ecosystem impairments, combined with analytical chemistry methods to identify the potential sources of spills. AU - Reiber, L.* AU - Knillmann, S.* AU - Kaske, O.* AU - Atencio, L.C.* AU - Bittner, L.* AU - Albrecht, J.E.* AU - Götz, A.* AU - Fahl, A.K.* AU - Beckers, L.M.* AU - Krauss, M.* AU - Henkelmann, B. AU - Schramm, K.-W. AU - Inostroza, P.A.* AU - Schinkel, L.* AU - Brauns, M.* AU - Weitere, M.* AU - Brack, W.* AU - Liess, M.* C1 - 61017 C2 - 50015 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands TI - Long-term effects of a catastrophic insecticide spill on stream invertebrates. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 768 PB - Elsevier PY - 2021 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is a tool now increasingly proposed to monitor the SARS-CoV-2 burden in populations without the need for individual mass testing. It is especially interesting in metropolitan areas where spread can be very fast, and proper sewage systems are available for sampling with short flow times and thus little decay of the virus. We started in March 2020 to set up a once-a-week qualified spot sampling protocol in six different locations in Munich carefully chosen to contain primarily wastewater of permanent residential areas, rather than industry or hospitals. We used RT-PCR and sequencing to track the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in the Munich population with temporo-spatial resolution. The study became fully operational in mid-April 2020 and has been tracking SARS-CoV-2 RNA load weekly for one year. Sequencing of the isolated viral RNA was performed to obtain information about the presence and abundance of variants of concern in the Munich area over time. We demonstrate that the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 RNA loads (between <7.5 and 3874/ml) in these different areas within Munich correlates well with official seven day incidence notification data (between 0.0 and 327 per 100,000) obtained from the authorities within the respective region. Wastewater viral loads predicted the dynamic of SARS-CoV-2 local incidence about 3 weeks in advance of data based on respiratory swab analyses. Aligning with multiple different point-mutations characteristic for certain variants of concern, we could demonstrate the gradual increase of variant of concern B.1.1.7 in the Munich population beginning in January 2021, weeks before it became apparent in sequencing results of swabs samples taken from patients living in Munich. Overall, the study highlights the potential of WBE to monitor the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, including the introduction of variants of concern in a local population. AU - Rubio-Acero, R.* AU - Beyerl, J.* AU - Muenchhoff, M.* AU - Roth, M.S.* AU - Castelletti, N.* AU - Paunovic, I.* AU - Radon, K.* AU - Springer, B.* AU - Nagel, C.H.* AU - Boehm, B.* AU - Böhmer, M.M.* AU - Graf, A.* AU - Blum, H.* AU - Krebs, S.* AU - Keppler, O.T.* AU - Osterman, A.* AU - Khan, Z.N.* AU - Hoelscher, M.* AU - Wieser, A.* AU - KoCo19-Study Group (Fuchs, C.) AU - KoCo19-Study Group (Le Gleut, R.) C1 - 63305 C2 - 51262 TI - Spatially resolved qualified sewage spot sampling to track SARS-CoV-2 dynamics in Munich - One year of experience. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 797 PY - 2021 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Allergic diseases have been the epidemic of the century among chronic diseases. Particularly for pollen allergies, and in the context of climate change, as airborne pollen seasons have been shifting earlier and abundances have been becoming higher, pollen monitoring plays an important role in generating high-risk allergy alerts. However, this task requires labour-intensive and time-consuming manual classification via optical microscopy. Even new-generation, automatic, monitoring devices require manual pollen labelling to increase accuracy and to advance to genuinely operational devices. Deep Learning-based models have the potential to increase the accuracy of automated pollen monitoring systems. In the current research, transfer learning-based convolutional neural networks were employed to classify pollen grains from microscopic images. Given a high imbalance in the dataset, we incorporated class weighted loss, focal loss and weight vector normalisation for class balancing as well as data augmentation and weight penalties for regularisation. Airborne pollen has been routinely recorded by a Bio-Aerosol Analyzer (BAA500, Hund GmbH) located in Augsburg, Germany. Here we utilised a database referring to manually classified airborne pollen images of the whole pollen diversity throughout an annual pollen season. By using the cropped pollen images collected by this device, we achieved an unweighted average F1 score of 93.8% across 15 classes and an unweighted average F1 score of 75.9% across 31 classes. The majority of taxa (9 of 15), being also the most abundant and allergenic, showed a recall of at least 95%, reaching up to a remarkable 100% in pollen from Taxus and Urticaceae. The recent introduction of novel pollen monitoring devices worldwide has pointed to the necessity for real-time, automatic measurements of airborne pollen and fungal spores. Thus, we may improve everyday clinical practice and achieve the most efficient prophylaxis of allergic patients. AU - Schaefer, J.* AU - Milling, M.* AU - Schuller, B.W.* AU - Bauer, B.* AU - Brunner, J.O.* AU - Traidl-Hoffmann, C. AU - Damialis, A.* C1 - 62562 C2 - 50944 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands TI - Towards automatic airborne pollen monitoring: From commercial devices to operational by mitigating class-imbalance in a deep learning approach. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 796 PB - Elsevier PY - 2021 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Meeting ecological and water quality standards in lotic ecosystems is often failed due to multiple stressors. However, disentangling stressor effects and identifying relevant stressor-effect-relationships in complex environmental settings remain major challenges. By combining state-of-the-art methods from ecotoxicology and aquatic ecosystem analysis, we aimed here to disentangle the effects of multiple chemical and non-chemical stressors along a longitudinal land use gradient in a third-order river in Germany. We distinguished and evaluated four dominant stressor categories along this gradient: (1) Hydromorphological alterations: Flow diversity and substrate diversity correlated with the EU-Water Framework Directive based indicators for the quality element macroinvertebrates, which deteriorated at the transition from near-natural reference sites to urban sites. (2) Elevated nutrient levels and eutrophication: Low to moderate nutrient concentrations together with complete canopy cover at the reference sites correlated with low densities of benthic algae (biofilms). We found no more systematic relation of algal density with nutrient concentrations at the downstream sites, suggesting that limiting concentrations are exceeded already at moderate nutrient concentrations and reduced shading by riparian vegetation. (3) Elevated organic matter levels: Wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) and stormwater drainage systems were the primary sources of bioavailable dissolved organic carbon. Consequently, planktonic bacterial production and especially extracellular enzyme activity increased downstream of those effluents showing local peaks. (4) Micropollutants and toxicity-related stress: WWTPs were the predominant source of toxic stress, resulting in a rapid increase of the toxicity for invertebrates and algae with only one order of magnitude below the acute toxic levels. This toxicity correlates negatively with the contribution of invertebrate species being sensitive towards pesticides (SPEARpesticides index), probably contributing to the loss of biodiversity recorded in response to WWTP effluents. Our longitudinal approach highlights the potential of coordinated community efforts in supplementing established monitoring methods to tackle the complex phenomenon of multiple stress. AU - Weitere, M.* AU - Altenburger, R.* AU - Anlanger, C.* AU - Baborowski, M.* AU - Bärlund, I.* AU - Beckers, L.M.* AU - Borchardt, D.* AU - Brack, W.* AU - Brase, L.* AU - Busch, W.* AU - Chatzinotas, A.* AU - Deutschmann, B.* AU - Eligehausen, J.* AU - Frank, K.* AU - Graeber, D.* AU - Griebler, C. AU - Hagemann, J.* AU - Herzsprung, P.* AU - Hollert, H.* AU - Inostroza, P.A.* AU - Jäger, C.G.* AU - Kallies, R.* AU - Kamjunke, N.* AU - Karrasch, B.* AU - Kaschuba, S. AU - Kaus, A.* AU - Klauer, B.* AU - Knöller, K.* AU - Koschorreck, M.* AU - Krauss, M.* AU - Kunz, J.V.* AU - Kurz, M.J.* AU - Liess, M.* AU - Mages, M.* AU - Müller, C.* AU - Muschket, M.* AU - Musolff, A.* AU - Norf, H.* AU - Pöhlein, F.* AU - Reiber, L.* AU - Risse-Buhl, U.* AU - Schramm, K.-W. AU - Schmitt-Jansen, M.* AU - Schmitz, M.* AU - Strachauer, U.* AU - von Tümpling, W.* AU - Weber, N. AU - Wild, R.* AU - Wolf, C.* AU - Brauns, M.* C1 - 61063 C2 - 49722 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands TI - Disentangling multiple chemical and non-chemical stressors in a lotic ecosystem using a longitudinal approach. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 769 PB - Elsevier PY - 2021 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - The health effects of acute exposure to temperature extremes are established; those of long-term exposure only recently received attention. We performed a systematic review to assess the associations of long-term (>3 months) exposure to higher or lower temperature on total and cardiopulmonary mortality and morbidity, screening 3455 studies and selecting 34. The studies were classified in those observing associations within a population over years with changing annual temperature indices and those comparing areas with a different climate. We also assessed the risk of bias, adapting appropriately an instrument developed by the World Health Organization for air pollution. Studies reported that annual temperature indices for extremes and variability were associated with annual increases in mortality, indicating that effects of temperature extremes cannot be attributed only to short-term mortality displacement. Studies on cardiovascular mortality indicated stronger associations with cold rather than hot temperature, whilst those on respiratory outcomes reported effects of both heat and cold but were few and used diverse health outcomes. Interactions with air pollution were not generally assessed. The few studies investigating effect modification showed stronger effects among the elderly and those socially deprived. Comparisons of health outcome prevalence between areas reported lower blood pressure and a tendency for higher obesity in populations living in warmer climates. Our review indicated interesting associations between long-term exposure to unusual temperature levels in specific areas and differences in health outcomes and cardiovascular risk factors between geographical locations with different climate, but the number of studies by design and health outcome was small. Risk of bias was identified because of the use of crude exposure assessment and inadequate adjustment for confounding. More and better designed studies, including the investigation of effect modifiers, are needed. AU - Zafeiratou, S.* AU - Samoli, E.* AU - Dimakopoulou, K.* AU - Rodopoulou, S.* AU - Analitis, A.* AU - Gasparrini, A.* AU - Stafoggia, M.* AU - De' Donato, F.* AU - Rao, S.* AU - Monteiro, A.* AU - Rai, M. AU - Zhang, S. AU - Breitner-Busch, S. AU - Aunan, K.* AU - Schneider, A.E. AU - Katsouyanni, K.* C1 - 61296 C2 - 49826 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands TI - A systematic review on the association between total and cardiopulmonary mortality/morbidity or cardiovascular risk factors with long-term exposure to increased or decreased ambient temperature. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 772 PB - Elsevier PY - 2021 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Microbial community assembly mechanisms are pivotal for understanding the ecological functions of microorganisms in biogeochemical cycling in Earth's ecosystems, yet rarely investigated in the context of deep terrestrial ecology. Here, the microbial communities in the production waters collected from water injection wells and oil production wells across eight oil reservoirs throughout northern China were determined and analyzed by proportional distribution analysis and null model analysis. A 'core' microbiota consisting of three bacterial genera, including Arcobacter, Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter, and eight archaeal genera, including Archaeoglobus, Methanobacterium, Methanothermobacter, unclassified Methanobacteriaceae, Methanomethylovorans, Methanoculleus, Methanosaeta and Methanolinea, was found to be present in all production water samples. Canonical correlation analysis reflected that the core archaea were significantly influenced by temperature and reservoir depth, while the core bacteria were affected by the combined impact of the core archaea and environmental factors. Thermodynamic calculations indicate that bioenergetic constraints are the driving force that governs the enrichment of two core archaeal guilds, aceticlastic methanogens versus hydrogenotrophic methanogens, in low- and high-temperature oil reservoirs, respectively. Collectively, our study indicates that microbial community structures in wells of oil reservoirs are structured by the thermodynamic window of opportunity, through which the core archaeal communities are accommodated directly followed by the deterministic recruiting of core bacterial genera, and then the stochastic selection of some other microbial members from local environments. Our study enhances the understanding of the microbial assembly mechanism in deep terrestrial habitats. Meanwhile, our findings will support the development of functional microbiota used for bioremediation and bioaugmentation in microbial enhanced oil recovery. AU - Zhao, J.Y.* AU - Hu, B.* AU - Dolfing, J.* AU - Li, Y.* AU - Tang, Y.Q.* AU - Jiang, Y. AU - Chi, C.Q.* AU - Xing, J.* AU - Nie, Y.* AU - Wu, X.L.* C1 - 61748 C2 - 50435 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands TI - Thermodynamically favorable reactions shape the archaeal community affecting bacterial community assembly in oil reservoirs. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 781 PB - Elsevier PY - 2021 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - With over 8 million inhabitants and 4 million motor vehicles on the streets, Tehran is one of the most crowded and polluted cities in the Middle East. Frequent exceedances of national daily PM2.5 limit have been reported in this city during the last decade, yet, the chemical composition and sources of fine particles are poorly determined. In the present study, 24-hour PM2.5 samples were collected at two urban sites during two separate campaigns, a one-year period from 2014 to 2015 and another three-month period at the beginning of 2017. Concentrations of organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), inorganic ions, trace metals and specific organic molecular markers were measured by chemical analysis of filter samples. The dominant mass components were organic matter (OM), sulfate and EC. With a 20% water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) fraction, the predominance of primary anthropogenic sources (i.e. fossil fuel combustion) was anticipated. A positive matrix factorization (PMF) analysis using the ME-2 (Multilinear Engine-2) solver was then applied to this dataset. 5 factors were identified by Marker-PMF, named as traffic exhaust (TE), biomass burning (BB), industries (Ind.), nitrate-rich and sulfate-rich. Another 4 factors were identified by Metal-PMF, including, dust, vehicles (traffic nonexhaust, TNE), industries (Ind.) and heavy fuel combustion (HFC). Traffic exhaust was the dominant source with 44.5% contribution to total quantified PM2.5 mass. Sulfate-rich (24.2%) and nitrate-rich (18.4%) factors were the next major contributing sources. Dust (4.4%) and biomass burning (6.7%) also had small contributions while the total share of all other factors was < 2%. Investigating the correlations of different factors between the two sampling sites showed that traffic emissions and biomass burning were local, whereas dust, heavy fuel combustion and industrial sources were regional. Results of this study indicate that gas- and particle-phase pollutants emitted from fossil fuel combustion (mobile and stationary) are the principal origin of both primary and secondary fine aerosols in Tehran. AU - Esmaeilirad, S.* AU - Lai, A.* AU - Abbaszade, G. AU - Schnelle-Kreis, J. AU - Zimmermann, R. AU - Uzu, G.* AU - Daellenbach, K.* AU - Canonaco, F.* AU - Hassankhany, H.* AU - Arhami, M.* AU - Baltensperger, U.* AU - Prévôt, A.S.H.* AU - Schauer, J.J.* AU - Jaffrezo, J.L.* AU - Hosseini, V.* AU - El Haddad, I.* C1 - 57624 C2 - 47941 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands TI - Source apportionment of fine particulate matter in a Middle Eastern Metropolis, Tehran-Iran, using PMF with organic and inorganic markers. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 705 PB - Elsevier PY - 2020 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Although epidemiological studies have evaluated the associations of ambient air pollution with depression, the results remained mixed. To clarify the nature of the association, we performed a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis with the Inverse Variance Heterogeneity (IVhet) model to estimate the effect of ambient air pollution on depression. Three English and four Chinese databases were searched for epidemiologic studies investigating associations of ambient particulate (diameter <= 2.5 mu m (PM2.5), <= 10 mu m (PM10)) and gaseous (nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and ozone (O-3)) air pollutants with depression. Odds ratios (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated to evaluate the strength of the associations. We identified 22 eligible studies from 10 countries of the world. Under the IVhet model, per 10 mu g/m(3) increase in long-term exposure to PM2.5 (OR: 1.12, 95% CI: 0.97-1.29, I-2: 51.6), PM10 (OR: 1.04, 95% CI: 0.88-1.25, I-2: 85.7), and NO2 (OR: 1.05, 95% CI: 0.83-1.34, I-2: 83.6), as well as short-term exposure to PM2.5 (OR: 1.01, 95% CI: 0.99-1.04, I-2: 51.6), PM10 (OR: 1.01, 95% CI: 0.98-1.04, I-2: 86.7), SO2 (OR: 1.03, 95% CI: 0.99-1.07, I-2: 71.2), and O-3 (OR: 1.01, 95% CI: 0.99-1.03, I-2: 82.2) was not significantly associated with depression. However, we observed significant association between short-term NO2 exposure (per 10 mu g/m(3) increase) and depression (OR: 1.02, 95% CI: 1.00-1.04, I-2: 65.4). However, the heterogeneity was high for all of the pooled estimates, which reduced credibility of the cumulative evidence. Additionally, publication bias was detected for six of eight meta-estimates. In conclusion, short-term exposure to NO2, but not other air pollutants, was significantly associated with depression. Given the limitations, a larger meta-analysis incorporating future well-designed longitudinal studies, and investigations into potential biologic mechanisms, will be necessary for a more definitive result. AU - Fan, S.J.* AU - Heinrich, J.* AU - Bloom, M.S.* AU - Zhao, T. AU - Shi, T.X.* AU - Feng, W.R.* AU - Sun, Y.* AU - Shen, J.C.* AU - Yang, Z.C.* AU - Yang, B.Y.* AU - Dong, G.H.* C1 - 57348 C2 - 47717 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands TI - Ambient air pollution and depression: A systematic review with meta-analysis up to 2019. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 701 PB - Elsevier PY - 2020 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Bioinformatics clustering application for mining of a large set of olive pollen aerobiological data to describe the daily distribution of Olea pollen concentration. The study was performed with hourly pollen concentrations measured during 8 years (2011-2018) in Extremadura (Spain). Olea pollen season by quartiles of the pollen integral in preseason (Qt: 0%-25%), in-season (Q2 and Q3: 25%-75%) and postseason (Q4: 75%-100%). Days with pollen concentrations above 100 grains/m(3) were clustered according to the daily distribution of the concentrations. The factors affecting the prevalence of the different clusters were analyzed: distance to olive groves and the moment during the pollen season and the meteorology. During the season, the highest hourly concentrations during the day where between 12:00 and 14:00, while during the preseason the highest hourly concentrations were detected in the afternoon and evening hours. In the postseason the pollen concentrations were more homogeneously distributed during 9-16 h. The representation shows a well-defined hourly pattern during the season, but a more heterogeneous distribution during the preseason and postseason. The cluster dendrogram shows that all the days could be clustered in 6 groups: most of the clusters shows the daily peaks between 11:00 and 15:00 with a smooth curve (Cluster 1 and 3) or with a strong peak (2 and 5). Days included in duster 9 shows an earlier peak in the morning (before 9:00). On the other hand, cluster 6 shows a peak in the afternoon, after 15:00. Hourly concentrations show a sharper pattern during the season, with the peak during the hours close to the emission. Out of the season, when pollen is expected to come from farther distances, the hourly peak is located later from the emission time of the trees. Significant factors for predicting the hourly pattern were wind speed and direction and the distance to the olive groves. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. AU - Fernández-Rodríguez, S.* AU - Maya-Manzano, J.M. AU - Colín, A.M.* AU - Pecero-Casimiro, R.* AU - Buters, J.T.M. AU - Oteros, J.* C1 - 59270 C2 - 48764 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands TI - Understanding hourly patterns of Olea pollen concentrations as tool for the environmental impact assessment. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 736 PB - Elsevier PY - 2020 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - High-time-resolution (3-hour) PM2.5 samples were collected simultaneously from the rural and urban areas in the Yangtze River Delta region during winter. The aerosol samples were analyzed for carbonaceous components, organic tracers, water-soluble inorganic ions and stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotopic compositions of total carbon and total nitrogen. The values of PM2.5 and secondary organic carbon (SOC) for both sampling sites were observed 2 times higher in haze events compare to those in clear days, implying severe pollution occurred by photochemical oxidation during haze periods. The PM mass of rural samples showed similar temporal trend and significant correlation with the urban PM, reflecting pollution sources or their formation process are most likely identical. Diurnal variations of PM2.5 and carbonaceous components revealed that pollution levels increased at daytime due to the photochemical oxidation. In addition, SOC and OC were influenced by the relative humidity (RH%) and temperature (T °C), indicating that such meteorological factors play important roles in the occurrence of regional air pollution. The concentrations of levoglucosan, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, hopanes, and n-alkanes were 625 ± 456 and 519 ± 301 ng m−3, 32.6 ± 24.7 and 28.7 ± 20.1 ng m−3, 1.83 ± 1.51 and 1.26 ± 1.34 ng m−3, and 302 ± 206 and 169 ± 131 ng m−3 for rural and urban samples, respectively. Levoglucosan is the most abundant organic compounds, exhibited 2–3 times higher in haze than clear days, suggesting biomass burning (BB) emission substantially affects the haze pollution in winter. Furthermore, NO3− was the dominant ionic species followed by SO42−, NH4+, Cl− and other minor species for both sites. The δ13C and δ15N values demonstrate that anthropogenic activities such as fossil fuel combustion and BB are the major sources for carbonaceous and nitrogenous aerosols. This study implies that both the regional anthropogenic emissions and meteorological conditions influenced the regional haze formation, leading enhancement of pollution levels in eastern China during winter. AU - Haque, M.M.* AU - Fang, C.* AU - Schnelle-Kreis, J. AU - Abbaszade, G. AU - Liu, X.* AU - Bao, M.* AU - Zhang, W.* AU - Zhang, Y.-L.* C1 - 58997 C2 - 48646 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands TI - Regional haze formation enhanced the atmospheric pollution levels in the Yangtze River Delta region, China: Implications for anthropogenic sources and secondary aerosol formation. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 728 PB - Elsevier PY - 2020 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - The authors regret that the printed version of the above article contained a number of errors. The correct and final version follows. The values in Table 3 showing the abundance of targeted genes quantified by qPCR of the original article were incorrectly increased by 109 times. The mistake occurred in the improper unit record (handwriting) and unit conversion of the serial diluted standard sequences. Table 3 has now been changed to the correct version of the paper as follows: Accordingly, the description about this table has as well been corrected. The sentence was “The quantity of bacterial 16S rRNA genes in BF-MBR (19.08 ± 0.68) is higher than in SBR (17.11 ± 0.46), whereas copies of archaeal 16S rRNA genes in both the samples are equal (Table 3)”. While the correct sentence is “The quantity of bacterial 16S rRNA genes in BF-MBR (10.08 ± 0.68) is higher than in SBR (8.11 ± 0.46), whereas copies of archaeal 16S rRNA genes in both the samples are equal (Table 3)”. The above changes do not affect the proposal and conclusion of this study. The authors would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused. AU - Jiang, Y. AU - Khan, A.* AU - Huang, H. AU - Tian, Y.* AU - Yu, X.* AU - Xu, Q.* AU - Mou, L.* AU - Lv, J.* AU - Zhang, P.* AU - Liu, P.* AU - Deng, L. AU - Li, X.* C1 - 60496 C2 - 49881 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands TI - Corrigendum to “Using nano-attapulgite clay compounded hydrophilic urethane foams (AT/HUFs) as biofilm support enhances oil-refinery wastewater treatment in a biofilm membrane bioreactor” [Sci. Total Environ., 646 (2019) 606-17/STOTEN-D-18-03954] (Science of the Total Environment (2019) 646 (606–617), (S0048969718326354), (10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.07.149)). JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 760 PB - Elsevier PY - 2020 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Generally, there are only a few fixed air quality monitoring stations installed in villages or rural areas and only a few studies on small-scale variations in air pollution have been described in detail, which make it difficult to estimate human exposure in such environments and related adverse health effects. Moreover, biomass combustion can be an important source of air pollution in rural areas, comparable to vehicle and industrial emissions in urban planning. And their air pollutants are mainly affected by local sources. For this reason, a survey on rural air pollution was carried out in this study. Therefore, portable, battery-powered monitoring devices were used to measure particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5, PM1, particle number concentration, and black carbon) in order to study air quality in rural communities. The focus of the investigations was to explore the application of mobile monitoring equipment in small-scale environments, compare the differences in rural air pollutants between two neighboring villages in two countries, and the identification of pollution hotspots. The measurements were carried out in November 2018 in two villages on the German-Czech border. Over a period of four days, 21 mobile measurements along fixed routes were carried out simultaneously at both locations. The analysis of the data revealed significant differences in PN and PM concentrations in rural air pollutants between the two countries. The spatial and temporal distribution of air pollution hotspots in the Czech village was higher than that in the German village. The relationships between the measurement parameters were weak but highly significant and the meteorological parameters can effect air pollution. Overall, the results of this study show that mobile measurements are suitable for effectively recording and distinguishing spatial and temporal characteristics of air quality. AU - Liu, X. AU - Schnelle-Kreis, J. AU - Zhang, X.* AU - Bendl, J. AU - Khedr, M. AU - Jakobi, G. AU - Schloter-Hai, B. AU - Hovorka, J.* AU - Zimmermann, R. C1 - 58827 C2 - 48556 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands TI - Integration of air pollution data collected by mobile measurement to derive a preliminary spatiotemporal air pollution pro file from two neighboring German-Czech border villages. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 722 PB - Elsevier PY - 2020 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Chronic exposure to high inorganic As levels in drinking water has been related to many diseases, including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). The association with low and moderate As levels, however, remains controversial and has yet not been studied in European populations.This study aimed to investigate possible association between As exposure and biomarkers of T2D in Croatian population. Observation recruited 86 adults from Eastern Croatia, where groundwater is contaminated with inorganic As, and 116 adults from Western Croatia, where As levels in drinking water are low. Both populations were divided in patient groups (T2D or prediabetes) and healthy controls. Exposure was assessed by determining total As in blood and urine and As metabolites in urine.Eastern Croatian population had a significantly higher content of As in urine than Western, whereas the opposite was true for arsenobetain. Total As and As metabolites in urine positively correlated with hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and negatively with albuminuria.This study provides important preliminary data on the levels of As in urine and blood and their association with biomarkers of T2D in Croatian population exposed to low or moderate levels of As through drinking water as a solid basis for further research of the pathophysiological effects of such As exposure on the status and complications of diabetes. AU - Lucio, M. AU - Barbir, R.* AU - Vučić Lovrenčić, M.* AU - Canecki Varžić, S.* AU - Ljubić, S.* AU - Smirčić Duvnjak, L.* AU - Šerić, V.* AU - Milić, M.* AU - Tariba Lovaković, B.* AU - Krivohlavek, A.* AU - Vinković Vrček, I.* AU - Michalke, B. C1 - 58572 C2 - 48453 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands TI - Association between arsenic exposure and biomarkers of type 2 diabetes mellitus in a Croatian population: A comparative observational pilot study. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 720 PB - Elsevier PY - 2020 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Environmental discharges of very high (mg/L) antibiotic levels from pharmaceutical production contributed to the selection, spread and persistence of antibiotic resistance. However, the effects of less antibiotic-polluted effluents (mu g/L) from drug-formulation on exposed aquatic microbial communities are still scarce. Here we analyzed formulation effluents and sediments from the receiving creek collected at the discharge site (DW0), upstream (UP) and 3000 m downstream of discharge (DW3000) during winter and summer season. Chemical analyses indicated the largest amounts of trimethoprim (up to 5.08 mg/kg) and azithromycin (up to 039 mg/kg) at DW0, but sulfonamides accumulated at DW3000 (total up to 1.17 mg/kg). Quantitative PCR revealed significantly increased relative abundance of various antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) against beta-lactams, macrolides, sulfonamides, trimethoprim and tetracyclines in sediments from DW0, despite relatively high background levels of some ARGs already at UP site. However, only sulfonamide (sul2) and macrolide ARG subtypes (mphG and msrE) were still elevated at DW3000 compared to UP. Sequencing of 165 rRNA genes revealed pronounced changes in the sediment bacterial community composition from both DW sites compared to UP site, regardless of the season. Numerous taxa with increased relative abundance at DW0 decreased to background levels at DW3000, suggesting die-off or lack of transport of effluent-originating bacteria. In contrast, various taxa that were more abundant in sediments than in effluents increased in relative abundance at DW3000 but not at DWO, possibly due to selection imposed by high sulfonamide levels. Network analysis revealed strong correlation between some clinically relevant ARGs (e.g. bla(GEs), bki(OXA), ennB, tet39,sul2) and taxa with elevated abundance at DW sites, and known to harbour opportunistic pathogens, such as Acinetobacter, Arcobacter,Aeromonas and Slietvanella. Our results demonstrate the necessity for improved management of pharmaceutical and rural waste disposal for mitigating the increasing problems with antibiotic resistance. AU - Milaković, M.* AU - Vestergaard, G. AU - González-Plaza, J.J.* AU - Petrić, I.* AU - Kosić-Vukšić, J.* AU - Senta, I.* AU - Kublik, S. AU - Schloter, M. AU - Udiković-Kolić, N.* C1 - 57676 C2 - 47854 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands TI - Effects of industrial effluents containing moderate levels of antibiotic mixtures on the abundance of antibiotic resistance genes and bacterial community composition in exposed creek sediments. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 706 PB - Elsevier PY - 2020 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Projected population growth and climate change will make it inevitable to convert neglected and marginal land into productive arable land. We investigate the influence of agricultural management practices on nutrient stocks and soil functions during the conversion of former extensively used grassland to arable land. Effects of grassland removal, tillage, intercropping with faba bean (Vicia faba) and its later incorporation were studied with respect to soil properties and bacterial community structure. Therefore, composite samples were collected with a core sampler from the topsoil (0-20 cm) in (a) the initial grassland, (b) the transitional phase during the vegetation period of V. faba, (c) after ploughing the legume in, and (d) untreated controls. In all samples, nitrate-N, ammonium-N, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and total nitrogen bound (TNb) were analyzed and comparisons of the bacterial community structure after 16S-amplicon sequencing were performed to assess soil functions. Mineralization after grassland conversion followed by the biological nitrogen fixation of broad beans enhanced the nitrate-N content in bulk soil from 4 to almost 50 mu g N g(-1) dw. Bacterial community structure on phylum level in bulk soil was dominated by Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Acidobacteria, Chloroflexi, and Bacteroidetes and remained almost stable. However, alpha and beta-diversity analysis revealed a change of the bacterial composition at the final state of the conversion. This change was primarily driven by increasing abundances of the genera Massilia and Lysobacter, both members of the Proteobacteria, after the decay of the leguminous plant residues. Furthermore, increasing abundances of the family Gaiellaceae and its genus Gaiella fostered this change and were related to the decreasing carbon to nitrogen ratio. In short, gentle management strategies could replace the input of mineral fertilizer with the aim to contribute to future sustainable and intensified production even on converted grassland. AU - Obermeier, M. AU - Durai Raj, A.C. AU - Obermeier, W.A.* AU - Schmid, C. AU - Balazs, H.-E. AU - Schröder, P. AU - Gnädinger, F. C1 - 57625 C2 - 47453 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands TI - Under temperate climate, the conversion of grassland to arable land affects soil nutrient stocks and bacteria in a short term. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 703 PB - Elsevier PY - 2020 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - The authors regret that the printed version of the above article contained a number of errors. The correct and final version of Fig. 3 follows. The authors would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused. AU - Omwoma, S.* AU - Mbithi, B.M.* AU - Pandelova, M. AU - Ssebugere, P.* AU - Lalah, J.O.* AU - Wang, Y.* AU - Bi, Y.* AU - Henkelmann, B. AU - Schramm, K.-W. C1 - 57466 C2 - 47793 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands TI - Comparative exposomics of persistent organic pollutants (PCBs, OCPs, MCCPs and SCCPs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Lake Victoria (Africa) and Three Gorges Reservoir (China) (vol 695, 133789, 2019). JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 699 PB - Elsevier PY - 2020 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Understanding the mechanisms of pollen release and dispersion in the atmosphere is of high importance, not only for getting an insight on the patterns of movement of these biological particles that are necessary for plants' reproduction, but also because exposure to airborne pollen is a major concern for respiratory allergies worldwide. In this work, a synoptic circulation-to-environment classification method was adopted to elucidate the relationship between distinct atmospheric patterns and pollen levels for the 11 most abundant but also allergenic taxa in Thessaloniki, Greece, for the 15-year period 1987-2001. It was found that the NW1 depressional weather type is associated with the "low winter pollen season" and high levels of pollen from Carpinus spp., Corylus spp., Cupressaceae. Platanus spp., Pinaceae, Querrus spp. and Urticaceae. In contrast, the SW1 cyclonic type is linked to the "high spring-summer pollen season" and high levels of pollen from Oleaceae and Urticaceae. On the other hand, anticyclonic weather is associated with the "summer-autumn pollen season" and high levels of Poaceae and Chenopodiaceae pollen in the atmosphere. Regional transport of Alnus pollen is linked to a strong high-pressure system centered over Italy, giving light NE winds over northern Greece. These findings shed light to the synoptic climatology of airborne pollen in Thessaloniki and could feed early-warning systems for alerting vulnerable groups of the allergic population. AU - Paschalidou, A.K.* AU - Psistaki, K.* AU - Charalampopoulos, A.* AU - Vokou, D.* AU - Kassomenos, P.* AU - Damialis, A. C1 - 58733 C2 - 48267 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands TI - Identifying patterns of airborne pollen distribution using a synoptic climatology approach. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 714 PB - Elsevier PY - 2020 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Hydrophobic environmental chemicals bio-accumulate in adipose tissue (AT) in animals and humans, but their impact on diseases related to adipose tissue dysfunction remains unclear. Moreover, visceral rather than subcutaneous (SC) fat deposition is more closely associated with cardio-metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, fatty liver and cardiovascular diseases. We therefore tested the hypotheses that environmental chemicals bio-accumulate in a fat depot specific pattern and that these patterns are related AT inflammation and obesity comorbidities.First, we developed an extraction method for detecting and quantifying a set of 9 persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in human AT. The quantified chemicals exhibit K-OW coefficients from 4 to 7. Paired abdominal omental and SC AT samples were obtained from 54 individuals (30 women, 24 men) with a wide range of body mass index (BMI, 16-70 kg/m(2)) during laparoscopic abdominal surgeries. Among the POPs are classical halogenated substances like Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), but also fragrance substances.We find that AT concentrations of these chemicals are neither significantly different between visceral and SC fat depots nor between women and men. However, AT bio-accumulation of distinct POPs significantly correlates with AT macrophage infiltration, adipocyte size and parameters of glucose metabolism. In both fat depots, the strongest correlations of POPs (Ethyl- tetradecanoate, 4,4'-Diisopropylbiphenyl, 2-Phenyltetralin, 2,2',4,4',5,5'-Hexachlorobiphenyl, Hexachlorobenzene) and AT macrophage infiltration were detected in lean individuals. In men with obesity, abundance of POPs correlated with the duration of obesity. Additional significant associations between AT POPs and parameters of glycemia, insulin sensitivity, and inflammation suggest that specific environmental chemicals may contribute to AT dysfunction, adipocyte hypertrophy, impaired glucose metabolism, systemic inflammation and variation in fat distribution, but not to obesity. AU - Rolle-Kampczyk, U.* AU - Gebauer, S.* AU - Haange, S.B.* AU - Schubert, K.* AU - Kern, M. AU - Moulla, Y.* AU - Dietrich, A.* AU - Schön, M.R.* AU - Klöting, N. AU - von Bergen, M.* AU - Blüher, M. C1 - 60264 C2 - 49304 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands TI - Accumulation of distinct persistent organic pollutants is associated with adipose tissue inflammation. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 748 PB - Elsevier PY - 2020 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Soil biodiversity is threatened by intensification of land use. The consequences of different land use on belowground biodiversity remain insufficiently explored for soil protists. Alongside being abundant and extremely diverse in soil, protists provide many ecosystem services: key players in the microbial loop, turnover of organic matter and stimulation of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria. However, we lack knowledge of effects of site, land use intensity and management on diversity of soil profists. Here we assessed protist communities in four European arable sites with contrasting land use intensities at each site: Lusignan, France; Moskanjci, Slovenia; Castro Verde, Portugal and Scheyem, Germany as well as two grassland sites: Hainich, Germany and Lancaster, UK. Each site has consistent agricultural management history of low and high land use intensities quantified in terms of land use index (LUI). We employed high-throughput sequencing of environmental DNA, targeting the V4 region of the 18S rRNA gene. By assigning the protist composition to trophic groups, we inspected for effects of management, and other biotic and abiotic variables. While overall protist richness was unaffected by LUI within sites, specific trophic groups such as plant pathogens and saprotrophs were affected. Effects on protist biome across land uses and sites were also observed. LUI sensitive taxa were taxonomically diverse in each plot, and their trophic groups responded in specific patterns to specific practices. The most abundant trophic group was phagotrophs (73%), followed by photoautotrophs (16%), plant pathogens (4%), animal parasites (2%) and saprotrophs (1%). Community compositions and factors affecting the structure of individual trophic groups differed between land uses and management systems. The agricultural management selected for distinct protist populations as well as specific functional traits, and the protist community and diversity were indeed affected by site, LUI and management, which indicates the ecological significance of protists in the soil food web. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. AU - Santos, S.S.* AU - Schöler, A. AU - Nielsen, T.K.* AU - Hansen, L.H.* AU - Schloter, M. AU - Winding, A.* C1 - 58322 C2 - 48181 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands TI - Land use as a driver for protist community structure in soils under agricultural use across Europe. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 717 PB - Elsevier PY - 2020 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Opencast mining for lignite continuously creates areas of land that require restoration. Here we applied a chronosequence approach to investigate the development of soil bacterial communities during 52 years as influenced by the restoration process and subsequent changes in soil physico-chemical conditions starting from the initial reclamation of the sites. By comparison with the unaffected soils near the mine, we were able to address the question if soil bacterial communities have reached a steady state within 52 years, which is comparable to the original soil. Our study revealed three distinct phases of the restoration process, each with a specific bacterial community composition. The effect size of these changes was similar to the one observed for seasonal dynamics at our sites. At the beginning of the restoration process Flavobacteriaceae, Cytophagaceae and Sphingobacteriaceae were found as typical members of the bacterial community as well as Rhizobiales as a result of the cultivation of alfalfa on the restored plots. At later stage the families Peptostreptococcaceae, Desulfurellaceae as well as Streptomycetaceae increased in relative abundance and became dominant members of the bacterial community. Even though overall bacterial abundance and richness exhibited values comparable to the original soil already 5 years after the start of the restoration process, main responder analyses reveal differences in the bacterial community structure even 52 years after the start of the restoration process. Mostly Nitrospirae were reduced in abundance in the soils restored for 52 years compared to the original soils. To broaden the significance of our study, we compared our data bioinformatically with published results from other restored areas, which were previously affected by opencast mining. Despite different durations of the different restoration phase, we could observe a large degree of conformity when bacterial patterns of succession were compared indicating common modes of action of ecological restoration tools for bacterial communities. AU - Schmid, C. AU - Reichel, R.* AU - Schröder, P. AU - Brüggemann, N.* AU - Schloter, M. C1 - 59795 C2 - 48988 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands TI - 52 years of ecological restoration following a major disturbance by opencast lignite mining does not reassemble microbiome structures of the original arable soils. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 745 PB - Elsevier PY - 2020 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Background: There is evidence for a seasonal pattern of suicides with peaks in spring and early summer; however, only a limited number of studies has investigated whether daily changes in meteorological variables may trigger suicides.Methods: Daily fatal suicide (N = 10,595) and meteorological data were available for four Bavarian cities and ten counties (Germany) for 1990-2006. City/county-specific immediate, delayed and cumulative effects of air temperature, sunshine duration, and cloud cover on suicides were analyzed using a time-stratified case-crossover approach; city/county-specific effects were then combined using random effects meta-analysis. Potential effect modifiers were specific weather conditions, personal or regional characteristics, and season.Results: A 5 degrees C increase in air temperature on the day before a suicide compared to the control days was associated with a 5.7% (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.6; 11.0) higher suicide risk. Further, the suicide risk was 6.5% (95% CI: 0.2; 13.3) higher on days with low/medium cloud cover (0-6 oktas) compared to days with high cloud cover (7-8 oktas). While daily changes in temperature were not associated with suicides in spring, we found a higher suicide risk in summer, autumn, and winter in association with temperature increases. The effects of cloud cover were strongest in summer and autumn and on days with temperature above the median (>8.8 degrees C). Sunshine duration was not associated with suicides.Conclusion: We found a higher risk for suicides in association with short-term increases in air temperature on the day before the event compared to the control days and on days with low to medium cloud cover. This may highlight times when people are more likely to commit suicide. AU - Schneider, A.E. AU - Hampel, R. AU - Ladwig, K.-H. AU - Baumert, J.J. AU - Lukaschek, K. AU - Peters, A. AU - Breitner-Busch, S. C1 - 57710 C2 - 48002 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands TI - Impact of meteorological parameters on suicide mortality rates: A case-crossover analysis in Southern Germany (1990-2006). JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 707 PB - Elsevier PY - 2020 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Terrestrial mud volcanoes are unique structures driven by tectonic pressure and fluids from the deep subsurface. These structures are mainly found in active tectonic zones, such as the area near the Los Bajos Fault in Trinidad. Here we report a chemical and microbiological characterization of three mud volcanoes, which included analyses of multiple liquid and solid samples from the mud volcanoes. Our study confirms previous suggestions that at least some of the mud volcano fluids are a mixture of deeper salt-rich water and surficial/precipitation water. No apparent water quality differences were found between sampling sites north and south of a major geological fault line. Microbiological analyses revealed diverse communities, both aerobic and anaerobic, including sulfate reducers, methanogens, carbon dioxide fixing and denitrifying bacteria. Several identified species were halophilic and likely derived from the deeper salt-rich subsurface water, while we also cultivated pathogenic species from the Vibrionaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, Shewanellaceae, and Clostridiaceae. These microorganisms were likely introduced into the mud volcano fluids both from surface water or shallow ground-water, and perhaps to a more minor degree by rain water. The identified pathogens are a major health concern that needs to be addressed. AU - Schulze-Makuch, D.* AU - Haque, S.* AU - Beckles, D.* AU - Schmitt-Kopplin, P. AU - Harir, M. AU - Schneider, B.* AU - Stumpp, C. AU - Wagner, D.* C1 - 57727 C2 - 47934 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands TI - A chemical and microbial characterization of selected mud volcanoes in Trinidad reveals pathogens introduced by surface water and rain water. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 707 PB - Elsevier PY - 2020 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are known organic pollutants with adverse health effects on humans and the ecosystem. This paper synthesises literature about the status of the pollutants and their precursors, identifies knowledge gaps and discusses future perspectives on the study of PFASs in Africa. Limited data on PFASs prevalence in Africa is available because there is limited capacity to monitor PFASs in African laboratories. The levels of PFASs in Africa are higher in samples from urban and industrialized areas compared to rural areas. Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic add (PFOA) are the dominant PFASs in human samples from Africa. Levels of PFOS and PFOA in these samples are lower than or comparable to those from industrialized countries. PFOA and PFOS levels in drinking water in Africa are, in some cases, higher than the EPA drinking water guidelines suggesting potential risk to humans. The levels of PFASs in birds' eggs from South Africa are higher, while those in other environmental media from Africa are lower or comparable to those from industrialized countries. Diet influences the pollutant levels in fish, while size and sex affect their accumulation in crocodiles. No bioaccumulation of PFASs in aquatic systems in Africa could be confirmed due to small sample sizes. Reported sources of PFASs in Africa include municipal landfills, inefficient wastewater treatment plants, consumer products containing PFASs, industrial wastewater and urban runoff. Relevant stakeholders need to take serious action to identify and deal with the salient sources of PFASs on the African continent. AU - Ssebugere, P.* AU - Sillanpää, M.* AU - Matovu, H.* AU - Wang, Z.* AU - Schramm, K.-W. AU - Omwoma, S.* AU - Wanasolo, W.* AU - Ngeno, E.C.* AU - Odongo, S.* C1 - 59409 C2 - 48802 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands TI - Environmental levels and human body burdens of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances in Africa: A critical review. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 739 PB - Elsevier PY - 2020 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Amounts of banned and current pesticides have been used in domestic and agricultural pest control, and their residues have accumulated along the waste stream. In this work, pesticides were characterized in concentrated leachates (CLs) from 5 municipal landfill sites, 2 incineration plants and 1 composting plant in six provinces. A total of 31 pesticides were detected which included 8 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs, 303-2974 ng/L), 16 organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs, 1380-13,274 ng/L) and 7 synthetic pyrethroids (SPs, 319-5636 ng/L). Despite the ten years ban of hexachlorocyclohexane, methamidophos and parathion-methyl, they were still in CL at a mean value of 320 ng/L and 88 ng/L, respectively. The average Sigma(8)OCPs, Sigma(16)OPPs and Sigma(7)SPs in CL from landfill sites were approximately 2.8, 1.1 and 4.5 times higher than those from incineration plants, which might have been influenced by pH, moisture and/or HRT. Additionally, it was found that CL from incineration plants and composting plant with lower pesticide contents posed a much higher acute and chronic eco-risk. Methamidophos was the dominant pesticide in CL from incineration plants, which was much higher than any other pesticides detected. The annual emissions of Sigma(8)OCPs, Sigma(16)OPPs and Sigma(7)SPs discharged from landfill-CL were estimated to be 2370,10,357 and 2994 g, respectively. It was evident from the study that long-term release of CL after waste disposal could cause potential risk of ecological pollution. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. AU - Wang, H.* AU - Cheng, Z.* AU - Yuan, H.* AU - Zhu, N.* AU - Lou, Z.* AU - Otieno, P.O. C1 - 57793 C2 - 47962 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands TI - Occurrence of banned and commonly used pesticide residues in concentrated leachate: Implications for ecological risk assessment. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 710 PB - Elsevier PY - 2020 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Miscanthus x giganteus is a high biomass producing plant with tolerance to heavy metals. This makes Miscanthus interesting to be used for phytoremediation of heavy metal contaminated areas coupled with energy production. Since plant performance in metal polluted areas is impaired, their growth and phytoremediation effect can be improved with bacterial assistance. To identify positive and negative responders of M. x giganteus associated microbiome influenced by Cd, Pb and Zn stress compared to noncontaminated controls, we designed a greenhouse experiment. Structure of the bacterial community in three rhizocompartments, namely rhizosphere, rhizoplane and root endosphere was analysed using an isolation independent molecular approach based on 16S rRNA gene barcoding. Furthermore, quantitative PCR (qPCR) was used for bacterial biomass estimation. Our results indicated that biomass and total bacterial diversity in rhizosphere, rhizoplane and root endosphere did not significantly change despite of substantial root uptake of heavy metals. Overall, we detected 6621 OTUs, from which 171 were affected by metal addition. Whereas Streptomyces and Amycolatopsis taxa were negatively affected by the heavy metal treatment in endosphere, taxa assigned to Luteolibacter in rhizosphere and rhizoplane (log(2) fold change 1.9-4.1) and Micromonospora in endosphere (log2 fold change 10.2) were found to be significantly enriched and highly abundant (0.1-3.7% relative abundance) under heavy metal stress. Those taxa might be of key importance for M. x giganteus performance under heavy metal pollution and might be interesting candidates for the development of new bioinocula in the future to promote plant growth and phytoremediation in heavy metal contaminated soils. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. AU - Zadel, U. AU - Nesme, J. AU - Michalke, B. AU - Vestergaard, G. AU - Płaza, G.A.* AU - Schröder, P. AU - Radl, V. AU - Schloter, M. C1 - 57671 C2 - 47848 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands TI - Changes induced by heavy metals in the plant-associated microbiome of Miscanthus x giganteus. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 711 PB - Elsevier PY - 2020 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Pollen exposure is a major cause of respiratory allergies worldwide. However, it is unclear how everyday exposure is related to symptoms and how allergic patients may be affected spatially and temporally. Hence, we investigated the relationship of pollen, symptoms and immune responses under a controlled regime of 'high-low-moderate' pollen exposure in urban versus alpine environment.The research was conducted in 2016 in two locations in Germany: urban Augsburg (494 m) and Schneefernerhaus (UFS) on Zugspitze mountain (2656 m). Monitoring of airborne pollen took place using Hirst-type volumetric traps. On UFS, both indoor and outdoor samples were taken. Grass pollen allergic human volunteers were monitored daily during the peak of the grass pollen season, in Augsburg, on UFS, then again in Augsburg. Nasal biosamples were obtained throughout the study to investigate immune responses.All symptoms decreased significantly during the stay on UFS and remained low even after the return to Augsburg. The same was observed for nasal total IgE and IgM levels and for nasal type 2 cytokines and chemokines. Augsburg showed higher pollen concentrations than those on UFS. At all sites, pollen were present throughout each day, but were more abundant in Augsburg during morning. On UFS, outdoor pollen levels were up to 6-fold higher than those indoors. Nasal, ocular and pulmonary symptoms correlated with current and previous days' pollen concentrations and relative humidity.Stays in low-exposure environments during the peak pollen season can be an efficient means of reducing allergic symptoms and immune responses. However, in alpine environments, even occasional pollen exposure during short intervals may still trigger symptoms because of the additional environmental stress posed onto allergics. This highlights the need for the consideration of additional environmental factors, apart from symptom diaries and immune responses, so as to efficiently predict high-risk allergy periods. (c) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. AU - Damialis, A. AU - Häring, F. AU - Gökkaya, M. AU - Rauer, D. AU - Reiger, M. AU - Bezold, S. AU - Bounas-Pyrros, N. AU - Eyerich, K.* AU - Todorova, A. AU - Hammel, G. AU - Gilles, S. AU - Traidl-Hoffmann, C. C1 - 54702 C2 - 45773 CY - Po Box 211, 1000 Ae Amsterdam, Netherlands SP - 190-199 TI - Human exposure to airborne pollen and relationships with symptoms and immune responses: Indoors versus outdoors, circadian patterns and meteorological effects in alpine and urban environments. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 653 PB - Elsevier Science Bv PY - 2019 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - AimThis explorative study aimed to investigate the association of residential greenness, traffic noise, and air pollution with birth outcomes in several Alpine areas with unique topography.Methods: We used data from two cross-sectional studies (UIT, n = 573 and BBT, n = 518) in the Tyrol Region (Austria/Italy). Only mothers who had lived in their current residence during the whole pregnancy were included. They completed a questionnaire, and medical records were used to draw data on birth weight, low birth weight (LBW), preterm birth, and small for gestational age (SGA). Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) in the year of birth was assigned at the residential address as a measure of greenness. Road/railway traffic noise (L-dn) and air pollution (NO2) were calculated about 10 years after birth and used as surrogates for exposure levels during pregnancy.Results: In the UIT survey, higher NDVI500-m was consistently associated with lower odds for LBW and SGA, while an increase of L-dn was associated with higher odds for 113W. Other effect estimates were in the expected direction albeit non-significant. In the BBT survey, most findings were inconclusive (for NDVI) or present only in subgroups (for L-dn and NO2).Conclusion: This study provides inconclusive evidence that the surrounding environment might be associated with birth outcomes in mountainous areas. Given the disparate associations across the study areas, further research in larger representative samples is warranted. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. AU - Dzhambov, A.M.* AU - Markevych, I. AU - Lercher, P.* C1 - 56033 C2 - 46772 CY - Po Box 211, 1000 Ae Amsterdam, Netherlands SP - 399-408 TI - Associations of residential greenness, traffic noise, and air pollution with birth outcomes across Alpine areas. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 678 PB - Elsevier Science Bv PY - 2019 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Airborne fungal spores are prevalent components of bioaerosols with a large impact on ecology, economy and health. Their major socioeconomic effects could be reduced by accurate and timely prediction of airborne spore concentrations. The main aim of this study was to create and evaluate models of Alternaria and Cladosporium spore concentrations based on data on a continental scale. Additional goals included assessment of the level of generalization of the models spatially and description of the main meteorological factors influencing fungal spore concentrations.Aerobiological monitoring was carried out at 18 sites in six countries across Europe over 3 to 21 years depending on site. Quantile random forest modelling was used to predict spore concentrations. Generalization of the Alternaria and Cladosporium models was tested using (i) one model for all the sites, (ii) models for groups of sites, and (iii) models for individual sites.The study revealed the possibility of reliable prediction of fungal spore levels using gridded meteorological data. The classification models also showed the capacity for providing larger scale predictions of fungal spore concentrations. Regression models were distinctly less accurate than classification models due to several factors, including measurement errors and distinct day-to-day changes of concentrations. Temperature and vapour pressure proved to be the most important variables in the regression and classification models of Alternaria and Cladosporium spore concentrations.Accurate and operational daily-scale predictive models of bioaerosol abundances contribute to the assessment and evaluation of relevant exposure and consequently more timely and efficient management of phytopathogenic and of human allergic diseases. (c) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. AU - Grinn-Gofroń, A.* AU - Nowosad, J.* AU - Bosiacka, B.* AU - Camacho, I.* AU - Pashley, C.* AU - Belmonte, J.* AU - De Linares, C.* AU - Ianovici, N.* AU - Manzano, J.M.M.* AU - Sadyś, M.* AU - Skjøth, C.* AU - Rodinkova, V.* AU - Tormo-Molina, R.* AU - Vokou, D.* AU - Fernández-Rodríguez, S.* AU - Damialis, A. C1 - 54734 C2 - 45827 CY - Po Box 211, 1000 Ae Amsterdam, Netherlands SP - 938-946 TI - Airborne Alternaria and Cladosporium fungal spores in Europe: Forecasting possibilities and relationships with meteorological parameters. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 653 PB - Elsevier Science Bv PY - 2019 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Petroleum refinery wastewater (PRW) treatments based on biofilm membrane bioreactor (BF-MBR) technology is an ideal approach and biofilm supporting material is a critical factor. In this study, BF-MBR with nano-attapulgite clay compounded hydrophilic urethane foams (AT/HUFs) as a biofilm support was used to treat PRW with a hydraulic retention time of 5 h. The removal rate of 500 mg/L chemical oxygen demand (COD), 15 mg/L NH4+and 180 NTU of turbidity were 99.73%, 97.48% and 99.99%, which were 23%, 20%, and 6% higher than in the control bioreactor, respectively. These results were comparatively higher than that observed for the sequencing batch reactor (SBR). The death rate of the Spirodela polyrrhiza (L.) irrigated with BF-MBR-treated water was 4.44%, which was similar to that of the plants irrigated with tap water (3.33%) and SBR-treated water (5.56%), but significantly lower than that irrigated with raw water (84.44%). The counts demonstrated by qPCR for total bacteria, denitrifiers, nitrite oxidizing bacteria, ammonia oxidizing bacteria, and ammonia-oxidizing archaea were also higher in BF-MBR than those obtained by SBR. Moreover, the results of 16 s rRNA sequencing have demonstrated that the wastewater remediation microbes were enriched in AT/HUFs, e.g., Acidovorax can degrade polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and Sulfuritalea is an efficient nitrite degrader. In summary, BF-MBR using AT/HUF as a biofilm support improves microbiome of the actived sludge and is reliable for oil-refinery wastewater treatment. AU - Jiang, Y. AU - Khan, A.* AU - Huang, H. AU - Tian, Y.* AU - Yu, X.* AU - Xu, Q.* AU - Mou, L.* AU - Lv, J.* AU - Zhang, P.* AU - Liu, P.* AU - Deng, L. AU - Li, X.* C1 - 54039 C2 - 45221 SP - 606-617 TI - Using nano-attapulgite clay compounded hydrophilic urethane foams (AT/HUFs) as biofilm support enhances oil-refinery wastewater treatment in a biofilm membrane bioreactor. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 646 PY - 2019 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - DDT and its main metabolites (DDTs) are still the residual contaminants in soil. Sequential anaerobic-aerobic cycling has long been approved for enhancing the degradation of DDTs in soil. However, there is a lack of study investigating whether anaerobic-aerobic cycling would enhance the mineralization of DDT, and what a kind of anaerobic-aerobic management regimes would be optimal. To fill these gaps, the fate of 14C-DDT under different flooding-drying cycles was examined in a paddy soil by monitoring its mineralization and bioavailability. The results show the total mineralization of 14C-DDT in 314 days accounted for 1.01%, 1.30%, and 1.41%, individually for the treatments subjected to one, two, and three flooding-drying cycles. By comparison, the treatment subjected to the permanently aerobic phase had only 0.12% cumulative mineralization. Shorter intervals and multiple flooding-drying cycles enhanced the mineralization of 14C-DDT, however, reduced its bioavailability. Therefore, the enhanced mineralization was explained from an abiotic pathway as predicted by the one-electron reduction potential (E1), the Fukui function for nucleophilic attack (f+) and the steps for anaerobic decarboxylation. From a practical view, it is important to investigate how the anaerobic-aerobic interval and frequency would affect the degradation and mineralization of DDT, which is very essential in developing remediation strategies. AU - Jin, X. AU - Kengara, F.O. AU - Yue, X.* AU - Wang, F.* AU - Schroll, R. AU - Munch, J.C.* AU - Gu, C.* AU - Jiang, X.* C1 - 55962 C2 - 46726 SP - 420-428 TI - Shorter interval and multiple flooding-drying cycling enhanced the mineralization of C-14-DDT in a paddy soil. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 676 PY - 2019 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - The combustion of spruce logwood in a modern residential stove was found to emit polycydic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and oxygenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OPAH) with emission factors of 404 mu g MJ(-1) of 35 analysed PAH, 317 mu g MJ(-1) of 11 analysed Oxy-PAH and 12.5 mu g MJ(-1) of 5 analysed OH-PAH, most of which are known as potential mutagens and carcinogens. Photochemical ageing in an oxidation flow reactor (OFR) degraded particle-bound PAH, which was also reflected in declining PAH toxicity equivalent (PAH-TEQ) values by 45 to 80% per equivalent day of photochemical ageing in the atmosphere. OPAH concentrations decreased less than PAH concentrations during photochemical ageing, supposedly due to their secondary formation, while 1-hydroxynaphthalene, 1,5-dihydroxynaphthalene and 1,8-naphthalaldehydic acid were significantly increased after ageing. Furthermore, secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation and aromatic compounds not included in targeted analysis were investigated by thermal-optical carbon analysis (TOCA) hyphenate to resonance-enhanced multi-photon ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (REMPI-TOFMS).The commonly used PAH-source indicators phenanthrene/anthracene, fluoranthene/pyrene, retene/chrysene, and indeno[cd]pyrene/benzo[ghi]perylene remained stable during photochemical ageing, enabling identification of wood combustion emissions in ambient air. On the other hand, benz[a]pyrene/benz[e]pyrene and benz[a] anthracene/chrysene were found to decrease with increasing photochemical age. Retene/chrysene was not a proper classifier for the wood combustion emissions of this study, possibly due to more efficient combustion than in open wood burning, from which this diagnostic ratio was initially derived.This study motivates in-depth investigation of degradation kinetics of particle-bound species on different combustion aerosol as well as the consequences of photochemical ageing on toxicity and identification of wood combustion emissions in ambient air. AU - Miersch, T.* AU - Czech, H.* AU - Hartikainen, A.* AU - Ihalainen, M.* AU - Orasche, J. AU - Abbaszade, G. AU - Tissari, J.* AU - Streibel, T. AU - Jokiniemi, J.* AU - Sippula, O.* AU - Zimmermann, R. C1 - 56207 C2 - 46883 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands SP - 382-392 TI - Impact of photochemical ageing on Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) and oxygenated PAH (Oxy-PAH/OH-PAH) in logwood stove emissions. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 686 PB - Elsevier PY - 2019 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Industrial processes, coal combustion, biomass burning (BB), and vehicular transport are important sources of atmospheric fine particles (PM2.5) and contribute to ambient air concentrations of health-hazardous species, such as heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), and oxygenated-PAHs (OPAH). In China, emission controls have been implemented to improve air quality during large events, like the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in August 2014 in Nanjing. In this work, six measurement campaigns between January 2014 and August 2015 were undertaken in Nanjing to determine the effects of emission controls and meteorological factors on PM2.5 concentration and composition. PAHs, OPAHs, hopanes, n-alkanes, heavy metals, and several other inorganic elements were measured. PM2.5 and potassium concentrations were the highest in May-June 2014 indicating the prevalence of BB plumes in Nanjing. Emission controls substantially reduced concentrations of PM2.5 (31%), total PAHs (59%), OPAHs (37%), and most heavy metals (44-89%) during the YOG compared to August 2015. In addition, regional atmospheric transport and meteorological parameters partly explained the observed differences between the campaigns. The most abundant PAHs and OPAHs were benzo [b,k] fluoranthenes, fluoranthene, pyrene, chrysene, 1,8-naphthalic anhydride, and 9,10-anthracenedione in all campaigns. Carbon preference index and the contribution of wax n-alkanes indicated mainly biogenic sources of n-alkanes in May-June 2014 and anthropogenic sources in the other campaigns. Hopane indexes pointed to vehicular transport as the major source of hopanes, but contribution of coal combustion was detected in winter 2015. The results provide evidence to the local government of the impacts of the air protection regulations. However, differences between individual components were observed, e.g., concentrations of potentially more harmful OPAHs decreased less than concentrations of PAHs. The results suggest that the proportions of hazardous components in the PM2.5 may also change considerably due to emission control measures. AU - Miettinen, M.* AU - Leskinen, A.* AU - Abbaszade, G. AU - Orasche, J. AU - Sainio, M.* AU - Mikkonen, S.* AU - Koponen, H.* AU - Rönkkö, T.J.* AU - Ruusunen, J.* AU - Kuuspalo, K.* AU - Tiitta, P.* AU - Jalava, P.I.* AU - Hao, L.* AU - Fang, D.* AU - Wang, Q.* AU - Gu, C.* AU - Zhao, Y.* AU - Michalke, B. AU - Schnelle-Kreis, J. AU - Lehtinen, K.E.J.* AU - Zimmermann, R. AU - Komppula, M.* AU - Jokiniemi, J.* AU - Hirvonen, M.R.* AU - Sippula, O.* C1 - 54577 C2 - 45682 CY - Po Box 211, 1000 Ae Amsterdam, Netherlands SP - 1-18 TI - PM2.5 concentration and composition in the urban air of Nanjing, China: Effects of emission control measures applied during the 2014 Youth Olympic Games. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 652 PB - Elsevier Science Bv PY - 2019 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - The occurrence of UV-filters in the environment has raised concerns over potentially adverse impacts on corals. In this study, the concentrations of 13 UV-filters and 11 hormones were measured in surface seawater, sediment, and coral tissue from 19 sites in Oahu, Hawaii. At least eight UV-filters were detected in seawater, sediment, and coral tissue and total mass concentrations of all UV-filters were <750 ng L-1, <70 ng g(-1) dry weight (dw), and <995 ng g(-1) dw, respectively. Four UV-filters were detected in water, sediment, and coral tissue at detection frequencies of 63-100%, 56-91%, and 82-100%, respectively. These UV-filter concentrations generally varied as follows: water, homosalate (HMS) > octisalate (OS) > benzophenone-3 (BP-3, also known as oxybenzone) > octocrylene (OC); sediment, HMS > OS > OC > BP-3; coral, OS approximate to HMS > OC approximate to BP-3. BP-3 concentrations in surface seawater were <10 ng L-1 at 12 of 19 sites and highest at Waikiki beach (e,g., 10.9-136 ng L-1). While BP-3 levels were minimal in sediment (e,g., <1 ng g(-1) dw at 18 of 19 sites), and ranged from 6.6 to 241 ng g(-1) dw in coral tissue. No quantifiable levels of 2-ethylhexyl 4-methoxycinnamate (also known as octinoxate) were recorded in surface seawater or coral tissues, but 5-12.7 ng g(-1) dw was measured for sediment at 5 of 19 sites. No hormones were detected in seawater or sediment, but 17 alpha-ethinylestradiol was present in three corals from Kaneohe Bay. Surfactant degradation products were present in seawater, especially at Waikiki beach. These results demonstrate ubiquitous parts-per-trillion concentrations of UV-filters in surface seawater and is the first report of UV-filters in coral tissue from USA. coastal waters. These data inform the range of environmentally-relevant concentrations for future risk assessments on the potential impacts of UV-filters on coral reefs in Oahu, Hawaii. AU - Mitchelmore, C.L.* AU - He, K.* AU - Gonsior, M.* AU - Hain, E.* AU - Heyes, A.* AU - Clark, C.* AU - Younger, R.* AU - Schmitt-Kopplin, P. AU - Feerick, A.* AU - Conway, A.* AU - Blaney, L.* C1 - 55729 C2 - 46542 CY - Po Box 211, 1000 Ae Amsterdam, Netherlands SP - 398-410 TI - Occurrence and distribution of UV-filters and other anthropogenic contaminants in coastal surface water, sediment, and coral tissue from Hawaii. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 670 PB - Elsevier Science Bv PY - 2019 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Sunlight-induced chemical changes of both transphilic (SWR-TPH) and hydrophobic (SWR-HPO) fractions of Suwannee River dissolved organic matter (DOM) were followed by ultrahigh resolution Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTICR-MS). Irradiated SWR-TPH exhibited increase of chemodiversity, loss of some aromatic compounds, and almost no change in terms of average values of m/z, O/C and double bond equivalents (DBE). Irradiated SWR-HPO showed decrease of chemodiversity, average values of m/z, O/C and DBE. Irradiation of SWR-HPO produced oxygenated (O/C > 0.7) and aliphatic new compounds and removed some aromatics and carboxyl-rich alicyclic molecules (CRAM). Comparatively, CHO-compounds of SWR-TPH were relatively stable with a minor class of aromatic compounds disappeared under sunlight irradiation. Photochemical processing of SWR-HPO generated highly oxygenated new compounds that were readily present in SWR-TPH, implying that sunlight changes the hydrophobicity of DOM and that SWR-HPO is a photochemical precursor for SWR-TPH. This study contributed to the developing knowledge on organic matter phototransformation, particularly the transformation pattern of SWR-TPH that was never described previously; it also demonstrated the role of sunlight in producing SWR-TPH compounds from SWR-HPO and consequently driving the transformation of organic matter. AU - Niu, X.Z.* AU - Harir, M. AU - Schmitt-Kopplin, P. AU - Croué, J.P.* C1 - 56738 C2 - 47254 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands TI - Sunlight-induced phototransformation of transphilic and hydrophobic fractions of Suwannee River dissolved organic matter. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 694 PB - Elsevier PY - 2019 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Exposomics is assessment of organismexposure to high priority environmental pollutants in an ecosystem using OMIC technologies. A virtual organism(VO) is an artificial property-tool (OMIC) reflecting exposomic process in compartments of real organisms. The exposomics of aquatic organisms inhabiting Lake Victoria (L.V.) and Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) were compared using VOs. The two reservoirs are heavily depended on for food and water both in Africa and China. The target priority pollutants in the reservoirs were polyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and persistent organic pollutants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), medium chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs) and short chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs). The VOs showed that in a period of 28 days, aquatic organisms in TGR were exposed to total (Sigma) PAHs of 8.71 x 10(-6) mg/L, PCBs of 2.81 x 10(-6) mg/L, OCPs of 2.80 x 10(-6) mg/L, MCCPs of 8.9 x 10(-10) mg/L and SCCPs of 1.13 x 10(-7) mg/L. While in a period of 48 days, organisms in L. V. were exposed to total (Sigma) PAHs of 7.45 x 10(-6) mg/L, PCBs of 4.70 x 10(-6) mg/L, OCPs of 3.39 x 10(-8) mg/L, MCCPs of 4.6 x 10(-10) mg/L and SCCPs of 3.6 x 10(-9) mg/L. The exposomic levels in TGR after 28 days were higher than those in Lake Victoria after 48 days. In both reservoirs, bioaccumulation levels are above set standards for aquatic organisms. The sources of the pollutants into the reservoirs were diagnostically determined to originate from anthropogenic processes such as petrogenic, diesel emissions, biomass burning, coal combustion, electronic wastes, traffic emissions and historic uses. AU - Omwoma, S.* AU - Mbithi, B.M.* AU - Pandelova, M. AU - Ssebugere, P.* AU - Lalah, J.O.* AU - Wang, Y.* AU - Bi, Y.* AU - Henkelmann, B. AU - Schramm, K.-W. C1 - 56769 C2 - 47383 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands TI - Comparative exposomics of persistent organic pollutants (PCBs, OCPs, MCCPs and SCCPs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Lake Victoria (Africa) and Three Gorges Reservoir (China). JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 695 PB - Elsevier PY - 2019 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Airborne pollen is a recognized biological indicator and its monitoring has multiple uses such as providing a tool for allergy diagnosis and prevention. There is a knowledge gap related to the distribution of pollen traps needed to achieve representative biomonitoring in a region. The aim of this manuscript is to suggest a method for setting up a pollen network (monitoring method, monitoring conditions, number and location of samplers etc.). As a case study, we describe the distribution of pollen across Bavaria and the design of the Bavarian pollen monitoring network (ePIN), the first operational automatic pollen network worldwide.We established and ran a dense pollen monitoring network of 27 manual Hirst-type pollen traps across Bavaria, Germany, during 2015. Hierarchical cluster analysis of the data was then performed to select the locations for the sites of the final pollen monitoring network. According to our method, Bavaria can be clustered into three large pollen regions with eight zones. Within each zone, pollen diversity and distribution among different locations does not vary significantly. Based on the pollen zones, we opted to place one automatic monitoring station per zone resulting in the ePIN network, serving 13 million inhabitants.The described method defines stations representative for a homogeneous aeropalynologically region, which reduces redundancy within the network and subsequent costs (in the study case from 27 to 8 locations). Following this method, resources in pollen monitoring networks can be optimized and allergic citizens can then be informed in a timely and effective way, even in larger geographical areas. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. AU - Oteros, J. AU - Sofiev, M.* AU - Smith, M.* AU - Clot, B.* AU - Damialis, A. AU - Prank, M.* AU - Werchan, M.* AU - Wachter, R.* AU - Weber, A.* AU - Kutzora, S.* AU - Heinze, S.* AU - Herr, C.E.W.* AU - Menzel, A.* AU - Bergmann, K.C.* AU - Traidl-Hoffmann, C. AU - Schmidt-Weber, C.B. AU - Buters, J.T.M. C1 - 56672 C2 - 47145 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands SP - 1263-1274 TI - Building an automatic pollen monitoring network (ePIN): Selection of optimal sites by clustering pollen stations. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 688 PB - Elsevier PY - 2019 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - This opinion paper focuses on the role of eco-toxicological tools in the assessment of possible impacts of emerging contaminants on the aquatic ecosystem, hence, on human health. Indeed, organic trace pollutants present in raw and treated wastewater are the pivot targets: a multidisciplinary approach allows defining the basic principles for managing this issue, from setting a proper monitoring campaign up to evaluating the optimal process treatment. Giving hints on trace pollutants fate and behaviour, attention is focused on the choice of the bioassay(s), by analysing the meaning of possible biological answers. Data interpretation and exploitation are detailed with the final goal of providing criteria in order to be able to select the best targeted treatment options.The manuscript dealswith conventional and innovative analytical approaches for assessing toxicity, by reviewing laboratory and field assays; illustrative real scale and laboratory applications integrate and exemplify the proposed approach. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. AU - Pedrazzani, R.* AU - Bertanza, G.* AU - Brnardić, I.* AU - Cetecioglu, Z.* AU - Dries, J.* AU - Dvarionienė, J.* AU - García-Fernández, A.J.* AU - Langenhoff, A.* AU - Libralato, G.* AU - Lofrano, G.* AU - Škrbić, B.* AU - Martínez-López, E.* AU - Meriç, S.* AU - Pavlović, D.M.* AU - Papa, M.* AU - Schröder, P. AU - Tsagarakis, K.P.* AU - Vogelsang, C.* C1 - 54598 C2 - 45695 CY - Po Box 211, 1000 Ae Amsterdam, Netherlands SP - 3202-3221 TI - Opinion paper about organic trace pollutants in wastewater: Toxicity assessment in a European perspective. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 651 PB - Elsevier Science Bv PY - 2019 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - The authors regret that, despite thoroughly reviewing the manuscript, the content of a paragraph has been duplicated and has to be ignored . AU - Pedrazzani, R.* AU - Bertanza, G.* AU - Brnardić, I.* AU - Cetecioglu, Z.* AU - Dries, J.* AU - Dvarionienė, J.* AU - García-Fernández, A.J.* AU - Langenhoff, A.* AU - Libralato, G.* AU - Lofrano, G.* AU - Škrbić, B.* AU - Martínez-López, E.* AU - Meriç, S.* AU - Mutavdžić Pavlović, D.* AU - Papa, M.* AU - Schröder, P. AU - Tsagarakis, K.P.* AU - Vogelsang, C.* C1 - 55731 C2 - 46493 CY - Po Box 211, 1000 Ae Amsterdam, Netherlands SP - 1062-1062 TI - Opinion paper about organic trace pollutants in wastewater: Toxicity assessment in a European perspective (vol 651, pg 3202, 2019). JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 669 PB - Elsevier Science Bv PY - 2019 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Betula pollen is frequently found in the atmosphere of central and northern Europe. Betula pollen are health relevant as they cause severe allergic reactions in the population. We developed models of thermal requirements to predict start, peak and end dates of the Betula main pollen season for Bavaria (Germany). Betula pollen data of one season from 19 locations were used to train the models. Estimated dates were compared with observed dates, and the errors were spatially represented. External validation was carried out with time series datasets of 3 different locations (36 years in total).Results: The temperature requirements to detonate the main pollen season proved non-linear. For the start date model (error of 8.75 days during external validation), daily mean temperatures above a threshold of 10 degrees C from 28th of February onwards were the most relevant. The peak model (error of 3.58 days) takes into account mean daily temperatures accumulated since the first date of the main pollen season in which the daily average temperature exceeded 11 degrees C. The end model (error of 3.75 days) takes into account all temperatures accumulated since the start of the main pollen season.Conclusion: These models perform predictions that enable the allergic population to better manage their disease. With the established relationship between temperatures and pollen season dates, changes in the phenological behaviour of Betula species due to climate change can be also estimated in future studies by taking into account the different climate scenarios proposed by previous climate change studies. AU - Picornell, A.* AU - Buters, J.T.M. AU - Rojo, J. AU - Traidl-Hoffmann, C. AU - Damialis, A. AU - Menzel, A.* AU - Bergmann, K.C.* AU - Werchan, M.* AU - Schmidt-Weber, C.B. AU - Oteros, J. C1 - 56865 C2 - 47299 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands SP - 1299-1309 TI - Predicting the start, peak and end of the Betula pollen season in Bavaria, Germany. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 690 PB - Elsevier PY - 2019 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Light is the strongest zeitgeber currently known for the synchronization of the human circadian timing system. Especially shift workers are exposed to altered daily light profiles. Our objective is the characterization of differences in blue-light exposures between day and night shift taking into consideration modifying factors such as chronotype. We describe 24-hour blue-light profiles as measured with ambient light data loggers (LightWatcher) during up to three consecutive days with either day or night shifts in 100 female hospital staff including 511 observations. Linear mixed models were applied to analyze light profiles and to select time-windows for the analysis of associations between shift work, individual factors, and log mean light exposures as well as the duration of darkness per day. Blue-light profiles reflected different daily activities and were mainly influenced by work time. Except for evening (7-9 p.m.), all time windows showed large differences in blue-light exposures between day and night shifts. Night work reduced the duration of darkness per day by almost 4 h (beta = -3:48 hh:mm, 95% CI (-4:27;-3.09)). Late chronotypes had higher light exposures in the morning and evening compared to women with intermediate chronotype (e.g. morning beta = 0.50 log(mW/m(2)/nm), 95% CI (0.08; 0.93)). Women with children had slightly higher light exposures in the afternoon than women without children (beta = 0.48, 95% CI (-0.10; 1,06)). Time windows for the description of light should be chosen carefully with regard to timing of shifts. Our results are helpful for future studies to capture relevant light exposure differences and potential collinearities with individual factors. Improvement of well-being of shift workers with altered light profiles may therefore require consideration of both - light at the workplace and outside working hours. (c) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. AU - Rabstein, S.* AU - Burek, K.* AU - Lehnert, M.* AU - Beine, A.* AU - Vetter, C.* AU - Harth, V.* AU - Putzke, S.* AU - Kantermann, T.* AU - Walther, J.* AU - Wang-Sattler, R. AU - Pallapies, D.* AU - Brüning, T.* AU - Behrens, T.* C1 - 54733 C2 - 45828 CY - Po Box 211, 1000 Ae Amsterdam, Netherlands SP - 1025-1033 TI - Differences in twenty-four-hour profiles of blue-light exposure between day and night shifts in female medical staff. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 653 PB - Elsevier Science Bv PY - 2019 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Groundwaters provide the vast majority of unfrozen freshwater resources on the planet, but our knowledge of subsurface ecosystems is surprisingly limited. Stygofauna, or stygobionts - subterranean obligate aquatic animals - provide ecosystem services such as grazing biofilms and maintaining water quality, but we know little about how their ecosystems function. The cryptic nature of groundwaters, together with the high degree of local endemism and stygofaunal site-specific adaptations, represent major obstacles for the field. To overcome these challenges, and integrate biodiversity and ecosystem function, requires a holistic design drawing on classical ecology, taxonomy, molecular ecology and geochemistry. This study presents an approach based on the integration of existing concepts in groundwater ecology with three more novel scientific techniques: compound specific stable isotope analysis (CSIA) of amino acids, radiocarbon analysis (C-14) and DNA analyses of environmental samples, stygofauna and gut contents. The combination of these techniques allows elucidation of aspects of ecosystem function that are often obscured in small invertebrates and cryptic systems. Carbon (delta C-13) and nitrogen (delta N-15) CSIA provides a linkage between biogeochemical patterns and ecological dynamics. It allows the identification of stygofaunal food web structures and energy flows based on the metabolic pathway of specific amino groups. Concurrently, C-14 provides complementary data on the carbon recycling and incorporation within the stygobiotic trophic webs. Changes in groundwater environmental conditions (e.g. aquifer recharge), and subsequent community adaptations, can be pinpointed via the measurementof the radiocarbon fingerprint of water, sediment and specimens. DNA analyses are a rapidly expanding approach in ecology. eDNA is mainly employed as a biomonitoring tool, while metabarcoding of individuals and/or gut contents provides insight into diet regimes. In all cases, the application of the approaches in combination provides more powerful data than any one alone. By combining quantitative (CSIA and C-14) and qualitative (eDNA and DNA metabarcoding) approaches via Bayesian Mixing Models (BMM), linkages can be made between community composition, energy and nutrient sources in the system, and trophic function. This suggested multidisciplinary design will contribute to a more thorough comprehension of the biogeochemical and ecological patterns within these undervalued but essential ecosystems. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. AU - Saccò, M.* AU - Blyth, A.* AU - Bateman, P.W.* AU - Hua, Q.* AU - Mazumder, D.* AU - White, N.* AU - Humphreys, W.F.* AU - Laini, A.* AU - Griebler, C. AU - Grice, K.* C1 - 55423 C2 - 46249 CY - Po Box 211, 1000 Ae Amsterdam, Netherlands SP - 963-977 TI - New light in the dark - a proposed multidisciplinary framework for studying functional ecology of groundwater fauna. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 662 PB - Elsevier Science Bv PY - 2019 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - During the next decade it will be necessary to develop novel combinations of management strategies to sustainably increase crop production and soil resilience. Improving agricultural productivity, while conserving and enhancing biotic and abiotic resources, is an essential requirement to increase global food production on a sustainable basis. The role of farmers in increasing agricultural productivity growth sustainably will be crucial. Farmers are at the center of any process of change involving natural resources and for this reason they need to be encouraged and guided, through appropriate incentives and governance practices, to conserve natural ecosystems and their biodiversity, and minimize the negative impact agriculture can have on the environment. Farmers and stakeholders need to revise traditional approaches not as productive as the modern approaches but more friendly with natural and environmental ecosystems values as well as emerging novel tools and approaches addressing precise farming, organic amendments, lowered water consumption, integrated pest control and beneficial plant-microbe interactions. While practical solutions are developing, science based recommendations for crop rotations, breeding and harvest/postharvest strategies leading to environmentally sound and pollinator friendly production and better life in rural areas have to be provided. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. AU - Schröder, P. AU - Sauvetre, A. AU - Gnädinger, F. AU - Pesaresi, P.* AU - Chmeliková, L.* AU - Doğan, N.* AU - Gerl, G. AU - Gökçe, A.* AU - Hamel, C.* AU - Millan, R.* AU - Persson, T.* AU - Ravnskov, S.* AU - Rutkowska, B.* AU - Schmid, T.* AU - Szulc, W.* AU - Teodosiu, C.* AU - Terzi, V.* C1 - 56027 C2 - 46816 CY - Po Box 211, 1000 Ae Amsterdam, Netherlands SP - 146-161 TI - Discussion paper: Sustainable increase of crop production through improved technical strategies, breeding and adapted management - A European perspective. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 678 PB - Elsevier Science Bv PY - 2019 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - This study assesses the molecular characteristics of particulate organic matter (POM) in agricultural and food waste digesters and elucidates the molecular properties of the recalcitrant POM fraction, which remains in the digestate after AD process. Molecular properties of POM in influent (substrate) and effluent (digestate) of seven full-scale AD plants (three agricultural waste and four food waste digesters) were characterized and compared using solid-state (13)C( )cross-polarization magic angle spinning (CP-MAS) and solution-state H-1,C-13 heteronuclear single-quantum coherence (HSQC) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Comparison of the POM structural compositions of substrate and digestate from each AD plant revealed an enrichment of protein structures relative to the carbohydrates in most cases, implying a preferential degradation of the carbohydrates over proteins and/or increase of microbial biomass upon AD of agricultural and food wastes. Distinctive molecular structures of labile and recalcitrant fractions of POM, subjected to AD, were identified by comparing the NMR spectra of all substrate and digestate POM. Accordingly, the labile POM fraction in food and agricultural solid wastes is characterized by structural entities of lipids and starch-like carbohydrates, whereas recalcitrant POM structures resemble alkyl and aromatic subunits of amino acids, lignin, and polysaccharides with beta-glycosidic linkages. This information serves as a basis to further explore optimization approaches for improving AD of the underutilized POM and the fate of organic matter in digestate-amended arable lands. AU - Shakeri Yekta, S.* AU - Hedenström, M.* AU - Svensson, B.H.* AU - Sundgren, I.* AU - Dario, M.* AU - Enrich-Prast, A.* AU - Hertkorn, N. AU - Björn, A.* C1 - 56428 C2 - 47079 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands SP - 1107-1115 TI - Molecular characterization of particulate organic matter in full scale anaerobic digesters: An NMR spectroscopy study. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 685 PB - Elsevier PY - 2019 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - It is well established that the abundances of nitrogen (N) transforming microbes are strongly influenced by land-use intensity in lowland grasslands. However, their responses to management change in less productive and less fertilized mountain grasslands are largely unknown. We studied eight mountain grasslands, positioned along gradients of management intensity in Austria, the UK, and France, which differed in their historical management trajectories. We measured the abundance of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and archaea (AOA) as well as nitrite-reducing bacteria using specific marker genes. We found that management affected the abundance of these microbial groups along each transect, though the specific responses differed between sites, due to different management histories and resulting variations in environmental parameters. In Austria, cessation of management caused an increase in nirK and nirS gene abundances. In the UK, intensification of grassland management led to 10-fold increases in the abundances of AOA and AOB and doubling of nirK gene abundance. In France, ploughing of previously mown grassland caused a 20-fold increase in AOA abundance. Across sites the abundance of AOB was most strongly related to soil NO3--N availability, and AOA were favored by higher soil pH. Among the nitrite reducers, nirS abundance correlatedwas most strongly with N parameters, such as soil NO3--N, microbial N. leachate NH4+-N, while the abundance of nirK-denitrifiers was affected by soil total N, organic matter (SOM) and water content. We conclude that alteration of soil environmental conditions is the dominant mechanism by which land management practices influence the abundance of each group of ammonia oxidizers and nitrite reducers. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. AU - Szukics, U.* AU - Grigulis, K.* AU - Legay, N.* AU - Kastl, E.-M. AU - Baxendale, C.* AU - Bardgett, R.D.* AU - Clément, J.C.* AU - Lavorel, S.* AU - Schloter, M. AU - Bahn, M.* C1 - 54169 C2 - 45363 CY - Po Box 211, 1000 Ae Amsterdam, Netherlands SP - 745-753 TI - Management versus site effects on the abundance of nitrifiers and denitrifiers in European mountain grasslands. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 648 PB - Elsevier Science Bv PY - 2019 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - There are limited evidence on the association between short-term exposure to ambient particulate matter (PM) and overall hospital outpatient visits for respiratory system disease (RESD) and cardio-cerebrovascular system disease (CCD) in high-polluted countries like China. Though previous epidemiological studies of RESD and CCD generally applied a linear relationship of the acute PM effects, it is unclear whether this linear exposure-response relationship holds in high pollution area. In this study, a Lime-series study during 2013 through 2016 was conducted to investigate 245,442 and 430,486 hospital visits for RESD and CCD respectively from Nanjing city, China. A combination of logistic generalized additive model (GAM) was used to evaluate the exposure-response associations. The results disclosed that a 10 mu g/m(3) increase in PM2.5 and PM10 concentration on the current day of exposure (lag 0) was associated with 036% (95% CI: -0.02%-0.73%) and 033% (0.07%-0.60%) increase in RESD; and 042% (0.00%-0.85%) and 0.37% (0.08%-0.67%) increase in CCD. The exposure-response association was approximately linear within 0-150 mu g/m(3) of PM concentration and non-linear across the full range of exposures. The effects of PM on RESD and CCD were sensitive to additional adjustment for co-pollutants, indicating the health effects of air pollution mixture in Nanjing city. There was no evidence of potential effect modification of RESD and CCD by season (cold and warm), age (5-64, 65-74, >= 75 years) and sex (male and female) groups. Though not statistically significant, the estimated risks in warm season were higher than those in cold season, suggesting potential synergistic effects of ambient PM pollution and temperature on triggering RESD and CCD. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. AU - Wang, C.* AU - Feng, L.* AU - Chen, K. C1 - 55584 C2 - 46419 CY - Po Box 211, 1000 Ae Amsterdam, Netherlands SP - 672-679 TI - The impact of ambient particulate matter on hospital outpatient visits for respiratory and circulatory system disease in an urban Chinese population. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 666 PB - Elsevier Science Bv PY - 2019 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Titanium dioxide nanopartides (TiO2-NPs) are widely distributed in the environment. It has been demonstrated that TiO2-NPs could modify the environmental fate and bioavailability of organic pollutants, which affects ecological risks of TiO2-NPs and organic pollutants. In this study, the uptake, translocation and accumulation of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooclanesulfonate (PFOS) in pumpkin plants was investigated in the presence of TiO2-NPs. We reported for the first lime the negligible effects of TiO2-NPs al environmentally relevant concentrations (0.05-5 mg/L) on the uptake and accumulation of PFOA and PFOS in hydroponically grown pumpkin seedlings regardless of root, stem and leaf. This phenomenon was independent of the initial concentrations of PFOA/PFOS and TiO2-NPs in the exposure solution. Also, seedling mass and contents of chlorophyll and anthocyanin were not affected by the co-exposure. Adsorption tests demonstrated the negligible adsorption of PFOA/PFOS on TiO2-NPs in the exposure solution. Moreover, uptake of PFOA/PFOS was insensitive to aquaporin inhibitor AgNO3 but significantly inhibited by niflumic acid (anion channel blocker) and 2,4-d initrophenol (metabolic inhibitor) whereas Ti concentration in root was not affected by niflumic acid and 2,4-din itrophenol but significantly decreased by AgNO3, indicating that transport of PFOA/PFOS and TiO2-NPs were via different routes into the pumpkin seedling. It was proposed that different pathways by which TiO2-NPs and PFOA/PFOS transported into the pumpkin seedling and negligible adsorption of PFOA/PFOS on TiO2-NPs contributed to the negligible effects of TiO2-NPs on the uptake, translocation and accumulation of PFOA/PFOS in pumpkin seedlings. In total, this work would improve our understanding of the ecological risks of TiO2-NPs in the environment. AU - Xu, Z.* AU - Tang, T.* AU - Cheng, H.* AU - Bao, Q.* AU - Yu, J.* AU - Zhang, C.* AU - Wu, T.* AU - Zhao, X.* AU - Schramm, K.-W. AU - Wang, Y.* C1 - 56282 C2 - 46960 CY - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands SP - 171-178 TI - Negligible effects of TiO2 nanoparticles at environmentally relevant concentrations on the translocation and accumulation of perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctanesulfonate in hydroponically grown pumpkin seedlings (Cucurbita maxima x C. moschata). JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 686 PB - Elsevier PY - 2019 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Atmospheric radioactive noble gas radon (Rn-222) originates from soil gas exhaled in the atmospheric surface layer. Radon exhalation rates from soil as well as corresponding meteorological and soil parameters were recorded for two subsequent years. Based on long-term field data, a statistical regression model for the radon exhalation and the most important influencing parameters soil water content, temperature of soil and air, air pressure and autocorrelation of the exhalation rate was established. The fitting result showed that the multivariate model can explain up to 61% of the variation of the exhalation rate. First, the exhalation rate increases up to 80 Bq m(-2) h(-1) with increasing soil water content. Later, at water content N10%, increasing soil wetness suppressed the exhalation rate: at values higher than 24% to approximately one third. The air temperature had a distinct positive effectwhile the soil temperature had a strong negative effect on the exhalation rate, indicating their different influencing-mechanisms on the exhalation. The air pressure was negligible. The lagged values of radon exhalation had to be included in the model, as the variable shows strong autocorrelation. (c) 2018 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved. AU - Yang, J. AU - Busen, H. AU - Scherb, H. AU - Hürkamp, K. AU - Guo, Q.* AU - Tschiersch, J. C1 - 54919 C2 - 45921 CY - Po Box 211, 1000 Ae Amsterdam, Netherlands SP - 1304-1311 TI - Modeling of radon exhalation from soil influenced by environmental parameters. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 656 PB - Elsevier Science Bv PY - 2019 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - In recent years, constructed wetland systems have become into focus as means of cost-efficient organic contaminant management. Wetland systems provide a highly reactive environment in which several removal pathways of organic chemicals may be present at the same time; however, specific elimination processes and hydraulic conditions are usually separately investigated and thus not fully understood. The flow system in a three dimensional pilot-scale horizontal subsurface constructed wetland was investigated applying a multi-tracer test combined with a mathematical model to evaluate the flow and transport processes. The results indicate the existence of a multiple flow system with two distinct flow paths through the gravel bed and a preferential flow at the bottom transporting 68% of tracer mass resulting from the inflow design of the model wetland system. There the removal of main contaminant chlorobenzene was up to 52% based on different calculation approaches. Determined retention times in the range of 22 d to 32.5 d the wetland has a heterogeneous flow pattern. Differences between simulated and measured tracer concentrations in the upper sediment indicate diffusion dominated processes due to stagnant water zones. The tracer study combining experimental evaluation with mathematical modeling demonstrated the complexity of flow and transport processes in the constructed wetlands which need to be taken into account during interpretation of the determining attenuation processes. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. AU - Birkigt, J.* AU - Stumpp, C. AU - Małoszewski, P. AU - Nijenhuis, I.* C1 - 52449 C2 - 44084 CY - Amsterdam SP - 265-272 TI - Evaluation of the hydrological flow paths in a gravel bed filter modeling a horizontal subsurface flow wetland by using a multi-tracer experiment. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 621 PB - Elsevier Science Bv PY - 2018 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Air pollution epidemiology studies of ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) often use outdoor concentrations as exposure surrogates, which can induce exposure error. The goal of this study was to improve ambient PM2.5 exposure assessments for a repeated measurements study with 22 diabetic individuals in central North Carolina called the Diabetes and Environment Panel Study (DEPS) by applying the Exposure Model for Individuals (EMI), which predicts five tiers of individual-level exposure metrics for ambient PM2.5 using outdoor concentrations, questionnaires, weather, and time-location information. Using EMI, we linked a mechanistic air exchange rate (AER) model to a mass-balance PM2.5 infiltration model to predict residential AER (Tier 1), infiltration factors (F-inf_home, Tier 2), indoor concentrations (C-in, Tier 3), personal exposure factors (F-pex, Tier 4), and personal exposures (E, Tier 5) for ambient PM2.5. We applied EMI to predict daily PM2.5 exposure metrics (Tiers 1-5) for 174 participant-days across the 13 months of DEPS. Individual model predictions were compared to a subset of daily measurements of F-pex and E (Tiers 4-5) from the DEPS participants. Model-predicted Fpex and E corresponded well to daily measurements with a median difference of 14% and 23%; respectively. Daily model predictions for all 174 days showed considerable temporal and house-to-house variability of AER, F-inf_home, and C-in (Tiers 1-3), and person-to-person variability of F-pex and E (Tiers 4-5). Our study demonstrates the capability of predicting individual-level ambient PM2.5 exposure metrics for an epidemiological study, in support of improving risk estimation. (C) 2018 Published by Elsevier B.V. AU - Breen, M.* AU - Xu, Y.* AU - Schneider, A.E. AU - Williams, R.* AU - Devlin, R.* C1 - 52885 C2 - 44303 CY - Amsterdam SP - 807-816 TI - Modeling individual exposures to ambient PM2.5 in the diabetes and the environment panel study (DEPS). JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 626 PB - Elsevier Science Bv PY - 2018 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - The world is facing a hard battle against soil pollution such as heavy metals. Metagenome sequencing, 16S rRNA sequencing, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) were used to examine microbial adaptation mechanism to contaminated sediments under natural conditions. Results showed that sediment from a tributary of the Yellow River, which was named Dongdagou River (DDG) supported less bacterial biomass and owned lower richness than sediment from Maqu (MQ), an uncontaminated site in the upper reaches of the Yellow River. Additionally, microbiome structures in these two sites were different. Metagenome sequencing and functional gene annotations revealed that sediment from DDG contains a larger number of genes related to DNA recombination, DNA damage repair, and heavy-metal resistance. KEGG pathway analysis indicated that the sediment of DDG contains a greater number of enzymes associated with heavy-metal resistance and reduction. Additionally, the bacterial phyla Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Firmicutes, which harbored a larger suite of metal-resistance genes, were found to be the core functional phyla in the contaminated sediments. Furthermore, sediment in DDG owned higher viral abundance, indicating virus-mediated heavy-metal resistance gene transfer might be an adaptation mechanism. In conclusion, microbiome of sediment from DDG has evolved into an integrated system resistant to long-term heavy-metal pollution. (C) 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license. AU - Chen, Y.* AU - Jiang, Y. AU - Huang, H. AU - Mou, L.* AU - Ru, J.* AU - Zhao, J.* AU - Xiao, S.* C1 - 53582 C2 - 44909 CY - Po Box 211, 1000 Ae Amsterdam, Netherlands SP - 1400-1412 TI - Long-term and high-concentration heavy-metal contamination strongly influences the microbiome and functional genes in Yellow River sediments. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 637-638 PB - Elsevier Science Bv PY - 2018 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Drought events can significantly influence the isotopic and geochemical composition of surface water even in large (>1000km(2)) catchments. Monitoring this variability is challenging, due to the practical difficulty in carrying on adequately resolved (both in time and space) sampling campaigns. This study presents a dataset collected during the drought occurred in 2017 in the Adige catchment. The low flow conditions were caused by a remarkable lack of fall and winter precipitations throughout the entire catchment. This led to higher delta O-18 and dD values during spring and summer than in samples collected for the period 2013-2016. The lowdischarge was generally not associated with an isotope fractionation effect due to evaporation and the river water signature was still in agreement with the local meteoric water line. The drought had an important impact on the geochemical composition of the water close to the river mouth, evidencing the occurrence of saltwater intrusion up to the hydraulic barrier (4.2 km far from the river mouth) constructed with the purpose of limiting this negative effect. The Alpone subbasin was the most impacted one by the drought showing anomalously high values in ionic content, EC (up to 647 mu S/cm) and isotopic composition (up to-7.58% and -51.4% for delta O-18 and dD, respectively). The Adige catchment overall showed a good resilience towards this extreme event thanks to the contribution of baseflow, highlighting the importance of groundwater resources management in the catchment. (C) 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. AU - Chiogna, G.* AU - Skrobanek, P.* AU - Narany, T.S.* AU - Ludwig, R.J.* AU - Stumpp, C. C1 - 53975 C2 - 45161 CY - Po Box 211, 1000 Ae Amsterdam, Netherlands SP - 924-936 TI - Effects of the 2017 drought on isotopic and geochemical gradients in the Adige catchment, Italy. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 645 PB - Elsevier Science Bv PY - 2018 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Background: Pet ownership is consistently associated with higher indoor endotoxin concentrations, but may also be related to the amount of green space around the home. This study examined whether the association between pet ownership and higher indoor endotoxin concentrations is confounded or modified by residential greenspace. Methods: Information on pet ownership was collected at the time of recruitment of the German LISA birth cohort. Endotoxin levels were measured in settled house dust sampled from mothers' mattresses (N = 1197) and living room floors (N = 390). Greenspace around the home was assessed as the mean Normalized Difference Vegetation Index in 100 m, 500 m and 1000 m buffers around the home, and as the distance to the nearest urban and natural green space. Linear regression models assessed cross-sectional associations between pet ownership and log-transformed endotoxin levels, adjusted for known predictors of endotoxin levels. Confounding by greenspace was assessed by additionally adjusting the models for each greenspace variable. Effect modification was assessed by including interaction terms between pet ownership and each greenspace variable, and by model stratification. Results: Dog and cat ownership were associated with higher endotoxin levels in mothers' mattresses, whereas only dog ownership was associated with endotoxin levels in the floor samples. All associations were highly robust to further adjustment for greenspace, and there was little evidence to suggest any effect modification (interaction terms had p-values >0.05). Conclusions: Residential greenspace did not confound or modify the association between pet ownership and indoor endotoxin levels. Studies should continue investigating whether pets influence the indoor environment only by their presence, or also by acting as transmission vectors of the outdoors. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. AU - Fuertes, E.* AU - Standl, M. AU - Markevych, I. AU - Bischof, W.* AU - Heinrich, J. C1 - 52680 C2 - 44132 CY - Amsterdam SP - 716-721 TI - Is the association between pet ownership and indoor endotoxin levels confounded or modified by outdoor residential greenspace? JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 625 PB - Elsevier Science Bv PY - 2018 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Phosphorus (P) acquisition by plants from soil organic P mainly relies on microorganisms. Examining the community of functional microbes that encode phosphatases (e.g. PhoD) under different fertilization managements may provide valuable information for promoting soil organic P availability. Here, we investigated how the abundance and community diversity of phoD-harboring bacteria responded to long-term fertilization in Karst soils. Six fertilization treatments were designed as follows: non-fertilized control (CK), inorganic fertilization only (NPK), and inorganic fertilization combined with low- and high amounts of straw (LSNPK and HSNPK), or cattle manure (LMNPK and HMNPK). We found that soil available phosphorus (AP) content and the activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were significantly higher in all combined inorganic/organic fertilization treatments, while the abundance of the phoD gene was only higher in the HMPNK treatment, compared to NPK. The combination of inorganic/organic fertilizations had no effect on the diversity of phoD genes compared to NPK alone, but the phoD gene richness was greater in these treatments as compared to the control. Only organic fertilization combinations with high amounts of organic matter (both HSNPK and HMNPK) significantly affected the phoD community structure. A structure equation model demonstrated that soil organic carbon (SOC), rather than P, greatly affected the phoD community structure, suggesting that organic P mineralization in soils is decoupled from C mineralization. Our results suggested that optimized combinations of inorganic/organic fertilizations could promote P availability via regulating soil phoD-harboring bacteria community diversity and ALP activity. AU - Hu, Y.* AU - Xia, Y.* AU - Sun, Q.* AU - Liu, K.* AU - Chen, X.* AU - Ge, T.* AU - Zhu, B. AU - Zhu, Z.* AU - Zhang, Z.* AU - Su, Y.* C1 - 52942 C2 - 44492 SP - 53-63 TI - Effects of long-term fertilization on phoD-harboring bacterial community in Karst soils. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 628-629 PY - 2018 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - To investigate the organic composition and their sources of very fine atmospheric particulate matter (PM), size-segregated PM was sampled using rotating drum impactor (RDI) in series with a sequential filter sampler in Augsburg, Germany, from April 2014 to February 2015. Organic speciation analysis and organic carbon/elemental carbon (OC/EC) analysis was performed for the smallest size fraction PM 0.36 (PM < 360 nm). Different OC fractions were determined by thermal optical EC/OC analyzer, and OC2, OC3 and OC4 refer to OC fractions that were derived at 280, 480 and 580 °C, respectively. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) analysis was applied for source apportionment study. PMF resolved 5 sources including biogenic dominated secondary organic aerosol (bioSOA), isoprene dominated SOA (isoSOA), traffic, biomass burning (BB) and biomass burning originated SOA (bbSOA). On annual average, PMF results indicate the largest contribution of biogenic originated SOA (bioSOA plus isoSOA) to OC, followed by traffic and then BB related sources (BB plus bbSOA). Traffic was found to be associated with the smallest particles; whereas bioSOA and BB are associated with larger particles. Secondary organic marker compounds from biogenic precursors, OC2, OC3 and bioSOA, isoSOA source factors show summer maximum. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), biomass burning markers, OC4 and BB, bbSOA source factors show winter maximum. Hopanes and the traffic source factor show little seasonal variation. Summer peaks of OC3 and OC2 are well modeled by PMF and are attributed mainly to biogenic SOA. OC4 was generally poorly modeled due to lack of characteristic low volatile markers. Summer maxima of biogenic SOA related compounds and source factors are positively correlated with temperature, global radiation, O 3 concentration and mixing layer height (MLH). Winter maxima of BB related compounds and source factors are negatively correlated with temperature and MLH; whereas positively correlated with NO 2 level. AU - Li, F. AU - Schnelle-Kreis, J. AU - Cyrys, J. AU - Karg, E.W. AU - Gu, J.* AU - Abbaszade, G. AU - Orasche, J. AU - Peters, A. AU - Zimmermann, R. C1 - 52338 C2 - 44128 CY - Amsterdam SP - 828-837 TI - Organic speciation of ambient quasi-ultrafine particulate matter (PM0.36) in Augsburg, Germany: Seasonal variability and source apportionment. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 615 PB - Elsevier Science Bv PY - 2018 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Objective: to study the sources contributing to quasi-ultrafine particle (UFP) organic carbon and the spatial temporal variability of the sources. Method: 24 h quasi-UFP (particulate matter <0.36 mu m in this study) was sampled at a reference site continuously and at one of 5 other sites (T1, T2, 1 3, T4 and B1) in parallel in Augsburg, Germany from April 11th, 2014 to February 22nd, 2015, attempting to conduct 2-week campaigns at each site in 3 different seasons. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) was applied to measured organic tracers for source apportionment analyses. Pearson correlation coefficient r and coefficient of divergence (COD) were calculated to investigate spatial temporal variation of source contributions. Result. 5 sources were identified comprising biomass burning (BB), traffic emissions (Traffic), biogenic secondary organic aerosol (bioSOA), isoprene originated secondary organic aerosol (isoSOA) and biomass burning related secondary organic aerosol (bbSOA). In general, good temporal correlation and uniform distribution within the study area are found for bioSOA and bbSOA, probably resulting from regional formation/transport. Lower temporal correlation and spatial heterogeneity of isoSOA were found at the city background site with local influence from green space and less traffic impact. BB demonstrated very good temporal correlation, but higher contributions at sites influenced by local residential heating emissions were observed. Traffic showed the least seasonality and lower correlation over time among the sources. However, it demonstrated low spatial heterogeneity of absolute contribution, and only a few days of elevated contribution was found at T3 when wind came directly from the street nearby. Conclusion: temporal correlation and spatial variability of sources contributing to the organic fraction of quasi-UFP vary among sites and source types and show source-specific characteristics. Therefore, caution should be taken when using one monitor site measurement to assess human exposure in health effect studies of quasi-UFP. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. AU - Li, F. AU - Schnelle-Kreis, J. AU - Cyrys, J. AU - Wolf, K. AU - Karg, E.W. AU - Gu, J.* AU - Orasche, J. AU - Abbaszade, G. AU - Peters, A. AU - Zimmermann, R. C1 - 53223 C2 - 44488 CY - Amsterdam SP - 191-200 TI - Spatial and temporal variation of sources contributing to quasi-ultrafine particulate matter PM0.36 in Augsburg, Germany. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 631-632 PB - Elsevier Science Bv PY - 2018 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Background: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a frequently occurring neurodevelopmental disorder, symptoms of which first appear in early childhood. Etiology of ADHD is not well understood. We investigated whether outdoor air pollution and greenspace affect ADHD incidence in children residing in Saxony.Methods: 66,823 children, all beneficiaries of the statutory health insurance company AOK PLUS and born between 2000 and 2004, were followed until 2014. We considered any child with at least one ICD-10-GM F90 diagnosis by a child/adolescent psychiatrist, neuropaediatrician, or psychotherapist an ADHD case. Children's home addresses were known up to their four-digit postal code area. Population-weighted mean values of particulate matter with diameter of < 10 mu m (PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and MODIS Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) were calculated for 186 postal code areas. Associations with each exposure were assessed by two-level adjusted Poisson regression models.Results: 2044 children (3.06%) were diagnosed with ADHD within the observation period. An increase of PM10 and NO2 by 10 mu g/m(3) raised the relative risk of ADHD by a factor of 1.97 [95% CI: 1.35-2.86] and 1.32 [1.10-1.58], respectively. A 0.1-unit increase in NDVI decreased the relative risk of ADHD by a factor of 0.82 [0.68-0.981. Better access to child/adolescent psychiatrists was the most important confounder that increased ADHD risk across all models.Conclusion: Our results provide some evidence that air pollution might affect ADHD. Future studies with more detailed address information and better control for confounders, in particular socioeconomic status and parental psychopathology, should replicate the observed associations. AU - Markevych, I. AU - Tesch, F.* AU - Datzmann, T.* AU - Romanos, M.* AU - Schmitt, J.* AU - Heinrich, J. C1 - 53701 C2 - 44974 CY - Po Box 211, 1000 Ae Amsterdam, Netherlands SP - 1362-1368 TI - Outdoor air pollution, greenspace, and incidence of ADHD: A semi-individual study. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 642 PB - Elsevier Science Bv PY - 2018 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Glyphosate and its main metabolite aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) have frequently been detected in surface water and groundwaters. Since adequate glyphosate mineralization in soil may reduce its losses to environment, improved understanding of site specific factors underlying pesticide mineralization in soils is needed. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between soil properties and glyphosate mineralization. To establish a sound basis for resilient correlations, the study was conducted with a large number of 21 agricultural soils, differing in a variety of soil parameters, such as soil texture, soil organic matter content, pH, exchangeable ions etc. The mineralization experiments were carried out with 14 C labelled glyphosate at a soil water tension of −15 kPa and at a soil density of 1.3 g cm −3 at 20 ± 1 °C for an incubation period of 32 days. The results showed that the mineralization of glyphosate in different agricultural soils varied to a great extent, from 7 to 70% of the amount initially applied. Glyphosate mineralization started immediately after application, the highest mineralization rates were observed within the first 4 days in most of the 21 soils. Multiple regression analysis revealed exchangeable acidity (H + and Al 3+ ), exchangeable Ca 2+ ions and ammonium lactate extractable K to be the key soil parameters governing glyphosate mineralization in the examined soils. A highly significant negative correlation between mineralized glyphosate and NaOH-extractable residues (NaOH-ER) in soils strongly suggests that NaOH-ER could be used as a simple and reliable parameter for evaluating the glyphosate mineralization capacity. The NaOH-ER were composed of glyphosate, unknown 14 C-residues, and AMPA (12%–65%, 3%–34%, 0%–11% of applied 14 C, respectively). Our results highlighted the influential role of soil exchangeable acidity, which should therefore be considered in pesticide risk assessments and management to limit efficiently the environmental transfers of glyphosate. AU - Nguyen, N.K. AU - Dörfler, U. AU - Welzl, G. AU - Munch, J.C.* AU - Schroll, R. AU - Suhadolc, M.* C1 - 52932 C2 - 44625 SP - 544-552 TI - Large variation in glyphosate mineralization in 21 different agricultural soils explained by soil properties. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 627 PY - 2018 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - This study investigated the chemodiversity and unique signatures for dissolved organic matter (DOM) from different types of water using high-resolution Fourier transformion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTICR-MS). Eight freshwater hydrophobic DOM(HPO) share 10-17% formulas that were mainly lignin-like compounds. Unique signatures were synthesized: unique to the high-humic HPO (Suwannee River and Blavet River) were condensed aromatic and some aliphatic compounds with H/C > 1.5 and O/C < 0.2, which is considered as decisive of these black river water. Medium-humic isolates (Loire River, Seine River, South Platte River, and Ribou Dam) did not show explicit unique signatures. Nonetheless, enhanced chemodiversity was observed for mediumhumic isolates extracted from a variety of indigenous environmental conditions. As an example, South Platte River HPO isolated in winter showed signatures similar to low-humic HPO (Colorado River), i.e., predominantly aliphatic CHO (H/C > 1.0). Effluent HPO was mainly aliphatic molecules with 0.2 < O/C < 0.5 and enriched in S-bearing molecules, and molecules unique to glacial DOM (Pony Lake) incorporated N-bearing compounds that were inferiorly oxidized and were considered as microbial-derived. The weight-averaged double bond equivalent and elemental ratio derived from FTICR-MS were compared with SUVA(254) and the results from elemental analysis. This acts as the first study to synthesize unique chemical compositions that distinguish different types of DOM and determine certain reactivity. It is also a significant reference for future studies using similar types of DOM. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. AU - Niu, X.Z.* AU - Harir, M. AU - Schmitt-Kopplin, P. AU - Croué, J.P.* C1 - 53877 C2 - 45082 CY - Po Box 211, 1000 Ae Amsterdam, Netherlands SP - 68-76 TI - Characterisation of dissolved organic matter using Fourier-transformion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry: Type-specific unique signatures and implications for reactivity. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 644 PB - Elsevier Science Bv PY - 2018 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were detected in 86 humic topsoil layers and in a subset of 11 randomly selected top mineral forest soils at the depths of 0–5 cm and 5–10 cm collected from different federal states of Germany. The distribution of these persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in humic topsoils with respect to vegetation cover (coniferous vs. deciduous vs. mixed), total organic carbon (TOC), altitude and latitude data was investigated. There is cross correlation between the contents and TOC while the correlation with latitude indicates higher abundances of POPs in central Germany where there is high population density accompanied with industrial activities. The calculated stocks suggest that humus type (mor, mull, or moder) in conjunction with forest type can explain the relative POPs abundances in different soil layers. Generally, humic topsoils show highest contents of POPs compare to the two mineral soils with a ratio of 100:10:1. However, the stock humic layers of coniferous stands contribute about 50% to the total stock, whereas at deciduous stands the stock is mainly located in the upper mineral soil layer (0–5 cm). The soil-water distribution coefficients (Kd) were calculated to estimate the potential translocation in the different soil types. The Kd values vary among the PCBs and PCDD/Fs congeners and are most variable for humic topsoils. There is pronounced chemical abundance in the top mineral soils with increasing Kd and this points to non-water bound transport processes for superlipophilic compounds. AU - Pandelova, M. AU - Henkelmann, B. AU - Bussian, B.M.* AU - Schramm, K.-W. C1 - 52337 C2 - 44119 SP - 1-9 TI - Results of the second national forest soil inventory in Germany - Interpretation of level and stock profiles for PCDD/F and PCB in terms of vegetation and humus type. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 610-611 PY - 2018 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Poplar plants may have an important role in the removal of pharmaceuticals from contaminated waters. In this context, plant uptake of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac, as well as physiological response in terms of growth traits and stress enzymes activity was assessed in Populus alba Villafranca clone, in order to establish the effectiveness of this species against pharmaceutical active compounds pollution.This evaluation was conducted in mesocosms with 1 mg L-1 of this pharmaceutical for a maximum period of 28 days. Root appears to be the organ with clear uptake of diclofenac (14.76 +/- 2.42 ng g(-1) fresh weight after 1 day of treatment), and presence of products derived from its metabolism. Indeed, 4-OH-diclofenac metabolite was detected in root tissues, indicating diclofenac uptake and metabolism inside the plants, already after 1 day of treatment.Regarding enzyme activities, glutathione-S-transferases increased in roots after long-term exposure to diclofenac, while an increase in activity of ascorbate peroxidase and glutathione reductase was detected in short and medium-term exposure, as a result of abiotic stress caused by diclofenac. Results suggest the ability of poplar to actively participate in the removal of diclofenac from water when used for phytoremediation purpose. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. AU - Pierattini, E.C.* AU - Francini, A.* AU - Huber, C. AU - Sebastiani, L.* AU - Schröder, P. C1 - 53486 C2 - 44878 CY - Po Box 211, 1000 Ae Amsterdam, Netherlands SP - 944-952 TI - Poplar and diclofenac pollution: A focus on physiology, oxidative stress and uptake in plant organs. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 636 PB - Elsevier Science Bv PY - 2018 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Ambient inhalable particulate matter (PM) is a serious health concern worldwide, but especially so in China where high PM concentrations affect huge populations. Atmospheric processes and emission sources cause spatial and temporal variations in PM concentration and chemical composition, but their influence on the toxicological characteristics of PM are still inadequately understood. In this study, we report an extensive chemical and toxicological characterization of size-segregated urban air inhalable PM collected in August and October 2013 from Nanjing, and assess the effects of atmospheric processes and likely emission sources. A549 human alveolar epithelial cells were exposed to day- and nighttime PM samples (25, 75, 150, 200, 300 μg/ml) followed by analyses of cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, cell cycle, and inflammatory response. PM10–2.5 and PM0.2 caused the greatest toxicological responses for different endpoints, illustrating that particles with differing size and chemical composition activate distinct toxicological pathways in A549 cells. PM10–2.5 displayed the greatest oxidative stress and genotoxic responses; both were higher for the August samples compared with October. In contrast, PM0.2 and PM2.5–1.0 samples displayed high cytotoxicity and substantially disrupted cell cycle; August samples were more cytotoxic whereas October samples displayed higher cell cycle disruption. Several components associated with combustion, traffic, and industrial emissions displayed strong correlations with these toxicological responses. The lower responses for PM1.0–0.2 compared to PM0.2 and PM2.5–1.0 indicate diminished toxicological effects likely due to aerosol aging and lower proportion of fresh emission particles rich in highly reactive chemical components in the PM1.0–0.2 fraction. Different emission sources and atmospheric processes caused variations in the chemical composition and toxicological responses between PM fractions, sampling campaigns, and day and night. The results indicate different toxicological pathways for coarse-mode particles compared to the smaller particle fractions with typically higher content of combustion-derived components. The variable responses inside PM fractions demonstrate that differences in chemical composition influence the induced toxicological responses.   AU - Rönkkö, T.J.* AU - Jalava, P.I.* AU - Happo, M.S.* AU - Kasurinen, S.* AU - Sippula, O.* AU - Leskinen, A.* AU - Koponen, H.* AU - Kuuspalo, K.* AU - Ruusunen, J.* AU - Väisänen, O.* AU - Hao, L.* AU - Ruuskanen, A.* AU - Orasche, J. AU - Fang, D.* AU - Zhang, L.* AU - Lehtinen, K.E.J.* AU - Zhao, Y.* AU - Gu, C.* AU - Wang, Q.* AU - Jokiniemi, J.* AU - Komppula, M.* AU - Hirvonen, M.R.* C1 - 53692 C2 - 44955 CY - Po Box 211, 1000 Ae Amsterdam, Netherlands SP - 1290-1310 TI - Emissions and atmospheric processes influence the chemical composition and toxicological properties of urban air particulate matter in Nanjing, China. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 639 PB - Elsevier Science Bv PY - 2018 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Combustion technologies of small-scale wood combustion appliances are continuously developed decrease emissions of various pollutants and increase energy conversion. One strategy to reduce emissions is the implementation of air staging technology in secondary air supply, which became an established technique for modern wood combustion appliances. On that account, emissions from a modern masonry heater fuelled with three types of common logwood (beech, birch and spruce) and a modern pellet boiler fuelled with commercial softwood pellets were investigated, which refer to representative combustion appliances in northern Europe In particular, emphasis was put on the organic constituents of PM2.5, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), oxygenated PAHs (OPAHs) and phenolic species, by targeted and non-targeted mass spectrometric analysis techniques. Compared to conventional wood stoves and pellet boilers, organic emissions from the modern appliances were reduced by at least one order of magnitude, but to a different extent for single species. Hence, characteristic ratios of emission constituents and emission profiles for wood combustion identification and speciation do not hold for this type of advanced combustion technology. Additionally, an overall substantial reduction of typical wood combustion markers, such as phenolic species and anhydrous sugars, were observed. Finally, it was found that slow ignition of log woods changes the distribution of characteristic resin acids and phytosterols as well as their thermal alteration products, which are used as markers for specific wood types. Our results should be considered for wood combustion identification in positive matrix factorisation or chemical mass balance in northern Europe. AU - Czech, H.* AU - Miersch, T.* AU - Orasche, J. AU - Abbaszade, G. AU - Sippula, O.* AU - Tissari, J.* AU - Michalke, B. AU - Schnelle-Kreis, J. AU - Streibel, T. AU - Jokiniemi, J.* AU - Zimmermann, R. C1 - 51798 C2 - 43473 CY - Amsterdam SP - 636-648 TI - Chemical composition and speciation of particulate organic matter from modern residential small-scale wood combustion appliances. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 612 PB - Elsevier Science Bv PY - 2017 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - cis-1,2-Dichloroethene (cis-DCE) and trichloroethene (TCE) are persistent, toxic and mobile pollutants in groundwater systems. They are both conducive to reductive dehalogenation and to oxidation by permanganate. In this study, the potential of dual element (C, Cl) compound specific isotope analyses (CSIA) for distinguishing between chemical oxidation and anaerobic reductive dechlorination of cis-DCE and TCE was investigated. Well-controlled cis-DCE degradation batch tests gave similar carbon isotope enrichment factors εC (‰), but starkly contrasting dual element isotope slopes Δδ(13)C/Δδ(37)Cl for permanganate oxidation (εC=-26‰±6‰, Δδ(13)C/Δδ(37)Cl≈-125±47) compared to reductive dechlorination (εC=-18‰±4‰, Δδ(13)C/Δδ(37)Cl≈4.5±3.4). The difference can be tracked down to distinctly different chlorine isotope fractionation: an inverse isotope effect during chemical oxidation (εCl=+0.2‰±0.1‰) compared to a large normal isotope effect in reductive dechlorination (εCl=-3.3‰±0.9‰) (p≪0.05). A similar trend was observed for TCE. The dual isotope approach was evaluated in the field before and up to 443days after a pilot scale permanganate injection in the subsurface. Our study indicates, for the first time, the potential of the dual element isotope approach for distinguishing cis-DCE (and TCE) concentration drops caused by dilution, oxidation by permanganate and reductive dechlorination both at laboratory and field scale. AU - Doğan-Subaşı, E.* AU - Elsner, M. AU - Qiu, S. AU - Cretnik, S. AU - Atashgahi, S.* AU - Shouakar-Stash, O.* AU - Boon, N.* AU - Dejonghe, W.* AU - Bastiaens, L.L.* C1 - 50970 C2 - 43031 CY - Amsterdam SP - 169-177 TI - Contrasting dual (C, Cl) isotope fractionation offers potential to distinguish reductive chloroethene transformation from breakdown by permanganate. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 596-597 PB - Elsevier Science Bv PY - 2017 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Peatlands can be a potential source of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in fresh water catchment areas. The quantity and quality of DOM can differ between pristine, degraded and rewetted peatlands. Due to the large scale and continuing losses of peatlands, their conservation and restoration has been increasingly emphasized. Mostly rewetting measures are required to improve the hydrology of damaged peatlands, which is a precondition for the resettlement of peat-forming plant species. Thus, in term of DOM, there is a special need to understand how rewetting measures affect DOM characteristics and concentrations.To estimate the potential leaching of humic substances from rewetted areas two natural sites were compared with four artificially rewetted sites in a peatland area of the Harz Mountains National Park, Germany. This was done with regards to DOM quality by combining the results from Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR-MS, measured at one time in Spring) and excitation-emission-matrix fluorescence spectroscopy (EEMF, measured monthly for the period of one year).The DOM quality was significantly less variable in the pristine peatland soil water compared to the rewetted peatland soil waters, from both a spatial and a seasonal perspective. The soil water from the rewetted peatland sites showed a higher degree of humification compared to pristine peatland. DOC concentration was mostly consistent in the pristine peatland over the year. The rewetted peatlands showed higher DOC levels in Summer months and lower DOC in Winter months compared to the pristine peatland.It can be concluded that the rewetting of peatlands is coupled with high concentrations of DOC in soil water and its quality is highly aromatic (as reflected by the observed values from the humification index) during times with elevated temperature. The results may have a significant input for dynamic catchment area studies with regards to rewetting peatland sites. AU - Herzsprung, P.* AU - Osterloh, K.* AU - von Tümpling, W.* AU - Harir, M. AU - Hertkorn, N. AU - Schmitt-Kopplin, P. AU - Meissner, R.* AU - Bernsdorf, S.* AU - Friese, K.* C1 - 50552 C2 - 42629 CY - Amsterdam SP - 770-781 TI - Differences in DOM of rewetted and natural peatlands - Results from high-field FT-ICR-MS and bulk optical parameters. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 586 PB - Elsevier Science Bv PY - 2017 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - In the German Calcareous Alps at the Zugspitze, percolated water close to a permafrost bedrock in a tunnel system was monitored long-term for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDF), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), and 28 organochlorine pesticides (OCP). Semi-permeable membrane devices (SPMD) were deployed in a temporary surface water system at the Zugspitze plateau and analysed for PCB, PAH, and OCP. The high-volume water sampling was successfully implemented and all compounds were identified in the water percolated through the Karst system. However, the percentage distribution of contaminants in the percolated water differed significantly from that found in surface waters. The highest chlorinated PCDD homologues were the predominant compounds of the PCDD/F family, whereas percentages of PCB #52 increased in percolated water. Toxic equivalent values (TEQ) of samples ranged from 2.0 to 4.2pgTEQ/m3 and from 0.017 to 0.069pgTEQ/m3 for PCDD/F and PCB, respectively. Low and intermediate molecular weight PAH were the prevailing compounds in the samples. Endosulfan sulfate, endrin, and cis-heptachlor epoxide were enhanced after water percolation through the Karst system in comparison with the surface waters (wet deposition). The relative enrichment on these pesticides was related to the environmental bedrock conditions and glacier melting sources. In summary, the Karst system highly influenced the fate of organic persistent pollutants generating different chemical patterns in their percolated waters than those found at the surface systems. AU - Levy, W. AU - Pandelova, M. AU - Henkelmann, B. AU - Bernhöft, S. AU - Fischer, N. AU - Antritter, F. AU - Schramm, K.-W. C1 - 50251 C2 - 42398 CY - Amsterdam SP - 1269-1281 TI - Persistent organic pollutants in shallow percolated water of the Alps Karst system (Zugspitze summit, Germany). JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 579 PB - Elsevier Science Bv PY - 2017 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - The radioactive noble gas radon (222Rn) and its decay products have been considered a health risk in the indoor environment for many years because of their contribution to the radiation dose of the lungs. The radioisotope thoron (220Rn) and its decay products came into focus of being a health risk only recently. The reason for this is its short half-life, so only building material can become a significant source for indoor thoron. In this study, dwellings with earthen architecture were investigated with different independent measurement techniques in order to determine appropriate methods for reliable dose assessment of the dwellers. While for radon dose assessment, radon gas measurement and the assumption of a common indoor equilibrium factor often are sufficient, thoron gas has proven to be an unreliable surrogate for a direct measurement of thoron decay products. Active/time-resolved but also passive/integrating measurements of the total concentration of thoron decay products demonstrated being precise and efficient methods for determining the exposure and inhalation dose from thoron and its decay products. Exhalation rate measurements are a useful method for a rough dose estimate only if the exhalation rate is homogeneous throughout the house. Before the construction of a building in-vitro exhalation rate measurements on the building material can yield information about the exposure that is to be expected. Determining the unattached fraction of radon decay products and even more of thoron decay products leads to only a slightly better precision; this confirms the relative unimportance of the unattached thoron decay products due to their low concentration. The results of this study thereby give advice on the proper measurement method in similar exposure situations. AU - Meisenberg, O. AU - Mishra, R.* AU - Joshi, M.* AU - Gierl, S. AU - Rout, R.* AU - Guo, L. AU - Agarwal, T.* AU - Kanse, S.M.* AU - Irlinger, J. AU - Sapra, B.K.* AU - Tschiersch, J. C1 - 50287 C2 - 42327 CY - Amsterdam SP - 1855-1862 TI - Radon and thoron inhalation doses in dwellings with earthen architecture: Comparison of measurement methods. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 579 PB - Elsevier Science Bv PY - 2017 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Mapping pollen concentrations is of great interest to study the health impact and ecological implications or for forestry or agronomical purposes. A deep knowledge about factors affecting airborne pollen is essential for predicting and understanding its dynamics. The present work sought to predict annual Quercus pollen over the Castilla and Leon region (Central and Northern Spain). Also to understand the relationship between airborne pollen and landscape. Records of Quercus and Quercus pyrenaica pollen types were collected at 13 monitoring sites over a period of 8 years. They were analyzed together with land use data applying the Concentric Ring Method (CRM), a technique that we developed to study the relationship between airborne particle concentrations and emission sources in the region. The maximum correlation between the Quercus pollen and forms of vegetation was determined by shrubland and "dehesa" areas. For the specific Qi pyrenaica model (Q, pyrenaica pollen and Q. pyrenaica forest distribution), the maximum influence of emission sources on airborne pollen was observed at 14 km from the pollen trap location with some positive correlations up to a distance of 43 km. Apart from meteorological behavior, the local features of the region can explain pollen dispersion patterns. The method that we develop here proved to be a powerful tool for multi-source pollen mapping based on land use. AU - Oteros, J. AU - Ma Valencia, R.* AU - del Rio, S.* AU - Ma Vega, A.* AU - Garcia-Mozo, H.* AU - Galan, C.* AU - Gutierrez, P.* AU - Mandrioli, P.* AU - Fernández-González, D.* C1 - 50373 C2 - 42311 CY - Amsterdam SP - 637-645 TI - Concentric ring method for generating pollen maps. Quercus as case study. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 576 PB - Elsevier Science Bv PY - 2017 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Air pollution, traffic noise and noise annoyance are suggested to be associated with hypertension and blood pressure (BP); however, the evidence remains inconsistent. Our study examined the long-term associations of modeled and self-reported measures of air pollution and traffic noise on prevalent hypertension and BP. We analyzed cross-sectional data from 2552 participants aged 31-72years from the KORA F4 (2006-2008) study conducted in the region of Augsburg, Germany. Land-use regression models were used to estimate residential long-term exposure to particulate matter <2.5μm (PM2.5), soot content of PM2.5 (PM2.5abs) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Road traffic noise levels at the facade of the dwellings were estimated for the participants' residences. Participants filled-in a questionnaire on noise annoyance and heavy traffic passing their residence. Linear and logistic regression models adjusting for confounders were used to assess the association between exposure measures and hypertension and BP. An interquartile increase in annual mean PM2.5 (1μg/m(3)) was significantly associated with 15% higher prevalence of hypertension, without (95% CI: 2.5; 28.0%) and with (95% CI: 0.7; 30.8%) adjustment for traffic noise. Diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was associated with air pollutants and traffic noise with percent increases in mean of 0.7 (95% CI: 0.2; 1.2), 0.6 (95% CI: 0.1; 1.1) and 0.3 (95% CI: 0.0; 0.7) for an interquartile increase in PM2.5 (1μg/m(3)) and PM2.5abs (0.2∗10(-5)/m), and 5dB(A) increase in 24-hour road traffic noise, respectively. Associations of PM2.5abs and NO2 with hypertension or DBP were stronger in men and diabetic individuals. No clear associations were seen with systolic BP or noise annoyance. In conclusion, self-reported measures of air pollution or noise did not perform better than the objective measures. Our findings provide further evidence for a link between air pollution, noise and cardiovascular disease and indicate a stronger association for men and diabetic individuals. AU - Pitchika, A. AU - Hampel, R. AU - Wolf, K. AU - Kraus, U. AU - Cyrys, J. AU - Babisch, W.* AU - Peters, A. AU - Schneider, A.E. C1 - 50795 C2 - 42562 CY - Amsterdam SP - 337-346 TI - Long-term associations of modeled and self-reported measures of exposure to air pollution and noise at residence on prevalent hypertension and blood pressure. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 593-594 PB - Elsevier Science Bv PY - 2017 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - The rapid increase of the world population constantly demands more food production fromagricultural soils. This causes conflicts, since at the same time strong interest arises on novel bio-based products from agriculture, and newperspectives for rural landscapes with their valuable ecosystemservices. Agriculture is in transition to fulfill these demands. In many countries, conventional farming, influenced by post-war food requirements, has largely been transformed into integrated and sustainable farming. However, since it is estimated that agricultural production systems will have to produce food for a global population that might amount to 9.1 billion by 2050 and over 10 billion by the end of the century, we will require an even smarter use of the available land, including fallow and derelict sites. One of the biggest challenges is to reverse non-sustainable management and land degradation. Innovative technologies and principles have to be applied to characterize marginal lands, explore options for remediation and re-establish productivity. With view to the heterogeneity of agricultural lands, it is more than logical to apply specific crop management and production practices according to soil conditions. Cross-fertilizing with conservation agriculture, such a novel approach will provide (1) increased resource use efficiency by producing more with less (ensuring food security), (2) improved product quality, (3) ameliorated nutritional status in food and feed products, (4) increased sustainability, (5) product traceability and (6) minimized negative environmental impacts notably on biodiversity and ecological functions. A sustainable strategy for future agriculture should concentrate on production of food and fodder, before utilizing bulk fractions for emerging bio-based products and convert residual stage products to compost, biochar and bioenergy. The present position paper discusses recent developments to indicate how to unlock the potentials of marginal land. (C) 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. AU - Schröder, P. AU - Beckers, B.* AU - Daniels, S.* AU - Gnädinger, F. AU - Maestri, E.* AU - Marmiroli, N.* AU - Mench, M.* AU - Millan, R.* AU - Obermeier, M. AU - Oustriere, N.* AU - Persson, T.* AU - Poschenrieder, C.* AU - Rineau, F.* AU - Rutkowska, B.* AU - Schmid, T.E.* AU - Szulc, W.* AU - Witters, N.* AU - Sæbø, A.* C1 - 52336 C2 - 43913 CY - Amsterdam SP - 1101-1123 TI - Intensify production, transform biomass to energy and novel goods and protect soils in Europe-A vision how to mobilize marginal lands. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 616 PB - Elsevier Science Bv PY - 2017 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - An in vitro plasmid scission assay (PSA), the cell apoptosis assay, and ICP-MS were employed to study the oxidative potentials and trace element compositions of the airborne particulate matter (PM) in Beijing during a one year-long field campaign from June 2010 to June 2011. The cell damages induced by PM reveled by the cell apoptosis assay showed a similar variation pattern to the DNA damages obtained by PSA, verifying the feasibility of the PSA in analyzing the oxidative capacity of PM samples. The PSA experiments showed that the particle-induced DNA damage was highest in summer, followed by spring, winter and autumn in descending order. The percentages of the oxidative damages to plasmid DNA induced by the water-soluble fractions of PM under the particle doses from 10 to 250 μg/ml were generally lower than 45%, with some values peaking at above 50%. The peak values were frequently present in late spring (i.e. April and May) and early summer (i.e. June) but they were scarcely observed in other seasons. These peak values were mostly associated with haze days or the days with low wind speed (less than 4 m/s), indicating that the PM samples during haze had higher oxidative potential than those during non-haze periods. The oxidative potential induced by the water-soluble fraction of the PM displayed a significant positive correlation with the concentrations of the water-soluble elements Cd, Cs, Pb, Rb, Zn, Be and Bi, demonstrating that the particle-induced oxidative potentials were mainly sourced from these elements. The exposure risk represented by the mass concentration of these elements in unit volume of atmosphere was higher in summer and winter, and lower in autumn and spring. The haze day PM samples not only had higher level of oxidative potentials but also had higher concentrations of water-soluble elements. AU - Shao, L.* AU - Hu, Y.* AU - Shen, R.* AU - Schäfer, K.* AU - Wang, J.* AU - Schnelle-Kreis, J. AU - Zimmermann, R. AU - BéruBé, K.* AU - Suppan, P.* C1 - 50247 C2 - 42328 CY - Amsterdam SP - 1152-1160 TI - Seasonal variation of particle-induced oxidative potential of airborne particulate matter in Beijing. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 579 PB - Elsevier Science Bv PY - 2017 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - In Gram-negative bacteria, quorum sensing systems are based on the N-acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) molecule. The objective of this study was to investigate the role of quorum sensing systems during biofilm formation by a microbial community while degrading the pollutant. Our model system included 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene (1,2,4-TCB) and its mineralizing Gram-negative bacterial community to investigate the relationships between AHL dynamics, cell growth and pollutant degradation. Biomineralization of 1,2,4-TCB was monitored for both the planktonic bacterial community with and without sterile clay particles in liquid cultures. The bacterial growth and production of AHLs were quantified by fluorescent in situ hybridization and immunoassay analysis, respectively. A rapid production of AHLs which occurred coincided with the biofilm formation and the increase of mineralization rate of 1,2,4-TCB in liquid cultures. There is a positive correlation between the cell density of Bodertella on the clay particles and mineralization rate of 1,2,4-TCB. 3-oxo-C12:1-HSL appears to be the dominant AHL with the highest intensity and rapidly degraded by the bacterial community via two main consecutive reactions (lactone hydrolysis and decarboxylic reaction). These findings suggest that the integrated AHLs and their degraded products play a crucial role in biofilm formation and biomineralization of 1,2,4-TCB in culture. AU - Sheng, H.* AU - Harir, M. AU - Boughner, L.A.* AU - Jiang, X.* AU - Schmitt-Kopplin, P. AU - Schroll, R. AU - Wang, F. C1 - 51522 C2 - 43285 CY - Amsterdam SP - 1031-1038 TI - N-acyl-homoserine lactone dynamics during biofilm formation of a 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene mineralizing community on clay. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 605-606 PB - Elsevier Science Bv PY - 2017 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - A method is presented to calculate radiation dose rates arising from radon, thoron and their progeny to non-human biota in the terrestrial environment. The method improves on existing methodologies for the assessment of radon to biota by using a generalised allometric approach to model respiration, calculating dose coefficients for the ICRP reference animals and plants, and extending the approach to cover thoron in addition to radon-derived isotopes. The method is applicable to a range of environmental situations involving these radionuclides in wildlife, with an envisaged application being to study the impact of human activities, which bring NORM radionuclides to the biosphere. Consequently, there is a need to determine whether there is an impact on non-human biota from exposure to anthropogenically enhanced radionuclides. AU - Vives I Batlle, J.* AU - Ulanowski, A. AU - Copplestone, D.* C1 - 51464 C2 - 43253 CY - Amsterdam SP - 569-577 TI - A method for assessing exposure of terrestrial wildlife to environmental radon (222Rn) and thoron (220Rn). JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 605-606 PB - Elsevier Science Bv PY - 2017 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Important health relevance has been suggested for ultrafine particles (UFP) and ozone, but studies on long-term effects are scarce, mainly due to the lack of appropriate spatial exposure models. We designed a measurement campaign to develop land use regression (LUR) models to predict the spatial variability focusing on particle number concentration (PNC) as indicator for UFP, ozone and several other air pollutants in the Augsburg region, Southern Germany. Three bi-weekly measurements of PNC, ozone, particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5), soot (PM2.5abs) and nitrogen oxides (NOx, NO2) were performed at 20 sites in 2014/15. Annual average concentration were calculated and temporally adjusted by measurements from a continuous background station. As geographic predictors we offered several traffic and land use variables, altitude, population and building density. Models were validated using leave-one-out cross-validation. Adjusted model explained variance (R2) was high for PNC and ozone (0.89 and 0.88). Cross-validation adjusted R2 was slightly lower (0.82 and 0.81) but still indicated a very good fit. LUR models for other pollutants performed well with adjusted R2 between 0.68 (PMcoarse) and 0.94 (NO2). Contrary to previous studies, ozone showed a moderate correlation with NO2 (Pearson's r=-0.26). PNC was moderately correlated with ozone and PM2.5, but highly correlated with NOx (r=0.91). For PNC and NOx, LUR models comprised similar predictors and future epidemiological analyses evaluating health effects need to consider these similarities. AU - Wolf, K. AU - Cyrys, J. AU - Harciníková, T.* AU - Gu, J. AU - Kusch, T.* AU - Hampel, R. AU - Schneider, A.E. AU - Peters, A. C1 - 50252 C2 - 42151 CY - Amsterdam SP - 1531-1540 TI - Land use regression modeling of ultrafine particles, ozone, nitrogen oxides and markers of particulate matter pollution in Augsburg, Germany. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 579 PB - Elsevier Science Bv PY - 2017 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - BACKGROUND: The level of symptoms in pollen allergy sufferers and users of the Patient's Hayfever Diary (PHD), does not directly reflect the total amount of pollen in the air. It is necessary to explain the symptom load and thus the development of allergic symptoms and to determine which environmental factors, besides the pollen load, influence variables. It seems reasonable to suspect allergen content because the amount of allergen varies throughout seasons and regions and is not always correlated with the total pollen amount. METHODS: Data on the allergen content of ambient air (Bet v 1 and Phl p 5) from 2009 until 2011 was used to compare the respective pollen and symptom loads for study regions in Austria, Germany, France and Finland. RESULTS: Our findings suggest that allergen amount (Bet v 1/Phl p 5) has a strong but regionally dependent impact on the symptom load of pollen allergy sufferers. Peak symptom loads can be traced with peak allergen loads. The influence of other important aeroallergens should also be assessed during the pollen season. CONCLUSION: Allergen concentrations have an impact on pollen allergy sufferers although not as clear as assumed previously. The pattern of pollen load and major allergen content distribution does not directly explain the symptom load pattern, although significant positive correlations were found. Thus, monitoring of symptoms via voluntary crowdsourcing should be considered for future pollen and symptom forecasts in order to support pollen allergy sufferers. AU - Bastl, K.* AU - Kmenta, M.* AU - Pessi, A.M.* AU - Prank, M.* AU - Saarto, A.* AU - Sofiev, M.* AU - Bergmann, K.C.* AU - Buters, J.T.M. AU - Thibaudon, M.* AU - Jager, S.* AU - Berger, U.* C1 - 47739 C2 - 39487 CY - Amsterdam SP - 229-235 TI - First comparison of symptom data with allergen content (Bet v 1 and Phl p 5 measurements) and pollen data from four European regions during 2009-2011. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 548-549 PB - Elsevier Science Bv PY - 2016 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Airborne pollen monitoring is an effective tool for studying the reproductive phenology of anemophilous plants, an important bioindicator of plant behavior. Recent decades have revealed a trend towards rising airborne pollen concentrations in Europe, attributing these trends to an increase in anthropogenic CO2 emissions and temperature. However, the lack of water availability in southern Europe may prompt a trend towards lower flowering intensity, especially in herbaceous plants. Here we show variations in flowering intensity by analyzing the Annual Pollen Index (API) of 12 anemophilous taxa across 12 locations in the Iberian Peninsula, over the last two decades, and detecting the influence of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). Results revealed differences in the distribution and flowering intensity of anemophilous species. A negative correlation was observed between airborne pollen concentrations and winter averages of the NAO index. This study confirms that changes in rainfall in the Mediterranean region, attributed to climate change, have an important impact on the phenology of plants. AU - Galan, C.* AU - Alcázar, P.* AU - Oteros, J. AU - Garcia-Mozo, H.* AU - Aira, M.J.* AU - Belmonte, J.* AU - Díaz de la Guardia, C.* AU - Fernández-González, D.* AU - Gutierrez-Bustillo, M.* AU - Moreno-Grau, S.* AU - Pérez-Badía, R.* AU - Rodríguez-Rajo, J.* AU - Ruíz-Valenzuela, L.* AU - Tormo, R.* AU - Trigo, M.M.* AU - Domínguez-Vilches, E.* C1 - 47750 C2 - 39483 CY - Amsterdam SP - 53-59 TI - Airborne pollen trends in the Iberian Peninsula. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 550 PB - Elsevier Science Bv PY - 2016 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Airborne pollen concentrations strongly correlate with flowering intensity of wind-pollinated species growing at and around monitoring sites. The pollen spectrum, and the variations in its composition and concentrations, is influenced by climatic features and by available nutritional resources but it is also determined by land use and its changes. The first factor influence is well known on aerobiological researches but the impact of land cover changes has been scarcely studied until now. This paper reports on a study carried out in Southern Spain (Córdoba city) examining airborne pollen trends over a 15-year period and it explores the possible links both to changes in land use and to climate variations. The Seasonal-Trend Decomposition procedure based on Loess (STL) which decomposes long-term data series into smaller seasonal component patterns was applied. Trends were compared with recorded changes in land use at varying distances from the city in order to determine their possible influence on pollen-count variations. The influence of climate-related factors was determined by means of non-parametric correlation analysis. The STL method proved highly effective for extracting trend components from pollen time series, because their features vary widely and can change quickly in a short term. Results revealed mixed trends depending on the taxa and reflecting fluctuations in land cover and/or climate. A significant rising trend in Olea pollen counts was observed, attributable both to the increasing olive-growing area but also to changes in temperature and rainfall. Poaceae pollen concentrations also increased, due largely to an expansion of heterogeneous agricultural areas and to an increase in pollen season length positively influenced by rainfall and temperature. By contrast, the significant declining trend observed for pollen from ruderal taxa, such as Amaranthaceae, Rumex, Plantago and Urticaceae, may be linked to changes in urban planning strategies with a higher building pressure. AU - Garcia-Mozo, H.* AU - Oteros, J. AU - Galan, C.* C1 - 47740 C2 - 39486 CY - Amsterdam SP - 221-228 TI - Impact of land cover changes and climate on the main airborne pollen types in Southern Spain. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 548-549 PB - Elsevier Science Bv PY - 2016 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - New particle formation was studied above salt lakes in-situ using a mobile aerosol chamber set up above the salt crust and organic-enriched layers of seven different salt lakes in Western Australia. This unique setup made it possible to explore the influence of salt lake emissions on atmospheric new particle formation, and to identify interactions of aqueous-phase and gas-phase chemistry. New particle formation was typically observed at enhanced air temperatures and enhanced solar irradiance. Volatile organic compounds were released from the salt lake surfaces, probably from a soil layer enriched in organic compounds from decomposed leaf litter, and accumulated in the chamber air. After oxidation of these organic precursor gases, the reaction products contributed to new particle formation with observed growth rates from 2.7 to 25.4nmh(-1). The presence of ferrous and ferric iron and a drop of pH values in the salt lake water just before new particle formation events indicated that organic compounds were also oxidized in the aqueous phase, affecting the new particle formation process in the atmosphere. The contribution of aqueous-phase chemistry to new particle formation is assumed, as a mixture of hundreds of oxidized organic compounds was characterized with several analytical techniques. This chemically diverse composition of the organic aerosol fraction contained sulfur- and nitrogen-containing organic compounds, and halogenated organic compounds. Coarse mode particles were analyzed using electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Ultra-high resolution mass spectrometry was applied to analyze filter samples. A targeted mass spectral analysis revealed the formation of organosulfates from monoterpene precursors and two known tracers for secondary organic aerosol formation from atmospheric oxidation of 1,8-cineole, which indicates that a complex interplay of aqueous-phase and gas-phase oxidation of monoterpenes contributes to new particle formation in the investigated salt lake environment. AU - Kamilli, K.A.* AU - Ofner, J.* AU - Krause, T.* AU - Sattler, T.* AU - Schmitt-Kopplin, P. AU - Eitenberger, E.* AU - Friedbacher, G.* AU - Lendl, B.* AU - Lohninger, H.* AU - Schöler, H.F.* AU - Held, A.* C1 - 49381 C2 - 31180 CY - Amsterdam SP - 985-995 TI - How salt lakes affect atmospheric new particle formation: A case study in Western Australia. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 573 PB - Elsevier Science Bv PY - 2016 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - High field Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) mass spectrometry analysis of eight snow samples from Moscow city allowed us to identify more than 2000 various elemental compositions corresponding to regional air pollutants. The hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) of the data showed good concordance of three main groups of samples with the main wind directions. The North-West group (A1) is represented by several homologous CHOS series of aliphatic organic aerosols. They may form as a result of enhanced photochemical reactions including oxidation of hydrocarbons with sulfonations due to higher amount of SO2 emissions in the atmosphere in this region. Group A2, corresponding to the South-East part of Moscow, contains large amount of oxidized hydrocarbons of different sources that may form during oxidation in atmosphere. These hydrocarbons appear correlated to emissions from traffic, neighboring oil refinery, and power plants. Another family of compounds specific for this region involves CHNO substances formed during oxidation processes including NOx and NO3 radical since emissions of NOx are higher in this part of the city. Group A3 is rich in CHO type of compounds with high H/C and low O/C ratios, which is characteristic of oxidized hydrocarbon-like organic aerosol. CHNO types of compounds in A3 group are probably nitro derivatives of condensed hydrocarbons such as PAH. This non-targeted profiling revealed site specific distribution of pollutants and gives a chance to develop new strategies in air quality control and further studies of Moscow environment. AU - Mazur, D.M.* AU - Harir, M. AU - Schmitt-Kopplin, P. AU - Polyakova, O.V.* AU - Lebedev, A.T.* C1 - 48163 C2 - 39944 CY - Amsterdam SP - 12-19 TI - High field FT-ICR mass spectrometry for molecular characterization of snow board from Moscow regions. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 557-558 PB - Elsevier Science Bv PY - 2016 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Phosphorous (P) leaching (e.g., from effluents, fertilizers) and transport in highly permeable subsurface media can be an important pathway that contributes to eutrophication of receiving surface waters as groundwater recharges the base-flow of surface waters. Here we investigated attenuation and transport of orthophosphate-P in gravel aquifer and vadose zone media in the presence and absence of model colloids (Escherichia coli, kaolinite, goethite). Experiments were conducted using repacked aquifer media in a large column (2 m long, 0.19 m in diameter) and intact cores (0.4 m long, 0.24 m in diameter) of vadose zone media under typical field flow rates. In the absence of the model colloids, P was readily traveled through the aquifer media with little attenuation (up to 100% recovery) and retardation, and P adsorption was highly reversible. Conversely, addition of the model colloids generally resulted in reduced P concentration and mass recovery (down to 28% recovery), and increased retardation and adsorption irreversibility in both aquifer and vadose zone media. The degree of colloid-assisted P attenuation was most significant in the presence of fine material and Fe-containing colloids at low flow rate but was least significant in the presence of coarse gravels and E. coli at high flow rate. Based on the experimental results, setback distances of 49–53 m were estimated to allow a reduction of P concentrations in groundwater to acceptable levels in the receiving water. These estimates were consistent with field observations in the same aquifer media. Colloid-assisted P attenuation can be utilized to develop mitigation strategies to better manage effluent applications in gravelly soils. To efficiently retain P within soil matrix and reduce P leaching to groundwater, it is recommended to select soils that are rich in iron oxides, to periodically disturb soil preferential flow paths by tillage, and to apply a low irrigation rate. AU - Pang, L.* AU - Lafogler, M.* AU - Knorr, B. AU - McGill, E.* AU - Saunders, D.E.* AU - Baumann, T.* AU - Abraham, P.* AU - Close, M.* C1 - 49489 C2 - 41671 SP - 60-68 TI - Influence of colloids on the attenuation and transport of phosphorus in alluvial gravel aquifer and vadose zone media. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 550 PY - 2016 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Soils are faced with man-made chemical stress factors, such as the input of organic or metal-containing pesticides, in combination with non-chemical stressors like soil compaction and natural disturbance like drought. Although multiple stress factors are typically co-occurring in soil ecosystems, research in soil sciences on this aspect is limited and focuses mostly on single structural or functional endpoints. A mechanistic understanding of the reaction of soils to multiple stressors is currently lacking. Based on a review of resilience theory, we introduce a new concept for research on the ability of polluted soil (xenobiotics or other chemical pollutants as one stressor) to resist further natural or anthropogenic stress and to retain its functions and structure. There is strong indication that pollution as a primary stressor will change the system reaction of soil, i.e., its resilience, stability and resistance. It can be expected that pollution affects the physiological adaption of organisms and the functional redundancy of the soil to further stress. We hypothesize that the recovery of organisms and chemical-physical properties after impact of a follow-up stressor is faster in polluted soil than in non-polluted soil, i.e., polluted soil has a higher dynamical stability (dynamical stability=1/recovery time), whereas resilience of the contaminated soil is lower compared to that of not or less contaminated soil. Thus, a polluted soil might be more prone to change into another system regime after occurrence of further stress. We highlight this issue by compiling the literature exemplarily for the effects of Cu contamination and compaction on soil functions and structure. We propose to intensify research on effects of combined stresses involving a multidisciplinary team of experts and provide suggestions for corresponding experiments. Our concept offers thus a framework for system level analysis of soils paving the way to enhance ecological theory. AU - Schaeffer, A.* AU - Amelung, W.* AU - Hollert, H.* AU - Kästner, M.* AU - Kandeler, E.* AU - Kruse, J.* AU - Miltner, A.* AU - Ottermanns, R.* AU - Pagel, H.* AU - Peth, S.* AU - Poll, C.* AU - Rambold, G.* AU - Schloter, M. AU - Schulz, S. AU - Streck,T.* AU - Roß-Nickoll, M.* C1 - 48991 C2 - 41545 CY - Amsterdam SP - 1076-1085 TI - The impact of chemical pollution on the resilience of soils under multiple stresses: A conceptual framework for future research. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 568 PB - Elsevier Science Bv PY - 2016 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) accumulated by semipermeable membrane device (SPMD)-based virtual organisms (VOs) and local feral fish were studied in Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR), China. VOs were deployed at seven sites in TGR for two periods in 2009 and 5 species of fish with different living habitats and feeding habits collected in the same periods from two counties in TGR. The concentration and profile of PAHs and PCBs in fish were quite different fromthose in VOs. Most high-molecular-weight-PAHswere detected in VOs, while theywere undetected in fish.Most PCBs were undetected inVOs,whilemost of them were detected in fish. Low-molecular-weight-PAHs were predominant contaminants of PAHs and nondioxin-like-PCBs were the main PCBs in fish. The levels of PAHs and PCBs in the few fish samples were low and were not of concern based on chemical contaminant limits of non-carcinogenic effect. AU - Wang, J. AU - Bi, Y.* AU - Henkelmann, B. AU - Pfister, G. AU - Zhang, L.* AU - Schramm, K.-W. C1 - 47294 C2 - 40589 SP - 899-907 TI - PAHs and PCBs accumulated by SPMD-based virtual organisms and feral fish in Three Gorges Reservoir, China. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 542 PY - 2016 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Relatively little is known about long term effects of wood smoke on population health. A wood combustion marker - levoglucosan - was measured using a standardized sampling and measurement method in four European study areas (Oslo, The Netherlands, Munich/Augsburg, Catalonia) to assess within and between study area spatial variation. Levoglucosan was analyzed in addition to: PM2.5, PM2.5 absorbance, PM10, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), nitrogen oxides (NOx), elemental and organic carbon (EC/OC), hopanes, steranes and elemental composition. Measurements were conducted at street, urban and regional background sites. Three two-week samples were taken per site and the annual average concentrations of pollutants were calculated using continuous measurements at one background reference site. Land use regression (LUR) models were developed to explain the spatial variation of levoglucosan. Much larger within than between study area contrast in levoglucosan concentration was found. Spatial variation patterns differed from other measured pollutants: PM2.5, NOx and EC. Levoglucosan had the highest spatial correlation with σPAH (r. = 0.65) and the lowest with traffic markers - NOx, σhopanes/steranes (r. = -. 0.22). Levoglucosan concentrations in the cold (heating) period were between 3 and 20 times higher compared to the warm period. The contribution of wood-smoke calculated based on levoglucosan measurements and previous European emission data to OC and PM2.5 mass was 13 to 28% and 3 to 9% respectively in the full year. Larger contributions were calculated for the cold period.The median model R2 of the LUR models was 60%. The LUR models included population and natural land related variables. In conclusion, substantial spatial variability was found in levoglucosan concentrations within study areas. Wood smoke contributed substantially to especially wintertime PM2.5 OC and mass. The low to moderate correlation with PM2.5 mass and traffic markers offers the potential to assess health effects of wood smoke separate from traffic-related air pollution. AU - Jedynska, A.* AU - Hoek, G.V.D.* AU - Wang, M.* AU - Eeftens, M.* AU - Cyrys, J. AU - Beelen, R.M.J.* AU - Cirach, M.* AU - de Nazelle, A.* AU - Keuken, M.P.* AU - Visschedijk, A.J.H.* AU - Nystad, W.* AU - Akhlaghi, H.M.* AU - Meliefste, K.* AU - Nieuwenhuijsen, M.J.* AU - de Hoogh, K.* AU - Brunekreef, B.* AU - Kooter, I.M.* C1 - 42846 C2 - 35537 CY - Amsterdam SP - 1072-1081 TI - Spatial variations of levoglucosan in four European study areas. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 505 PB - Elsevier Science Bv PY - 2015 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Fungi are, after pollen, the second most important producers of outdoor airborne allergens. To identify sources of airborne fungal allergens, a workflow for qPCR quantification from environmental samples was developed, thoroughly tested, and finally applied. We concentrated on determining the levels of allergenic fungi belonging to Alternaria, Cladosporium, Fusarium, and Trichoderma in plant and soil samples from agricultural fields in which cereals were grown. Our aims were to identify the major sources of allergenic fungi and factors potentially influencing their occurrence. Plant materials were the main source of the tested fungi at and after harvest. Amounts of A. alternata and C. cladosporioides varied significantly in fields under different management conditions, but absolute levels were very high in all cases. This finding suggests that high numbers of allergenic fungi may be an inevitable side effect of farming in several crops. Applied in large-scale studies, the concept described here may help to explain the high number of sensitization to airborne fungal allergens. AU - Weikl, F. AU - Radl, V. AU - Munch, J.-C. AU - Pritsch, K. C1 - 44974 C2 - 37109 CY - Amsterdam SP - 223-230 TI - Targeting allergenic fungi in agricultural environments aids the identification of major sources and potential risks for human health. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 529 PB - Elsevier Science Bv PY - 2015 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - This study investigated a wide range of semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs), including 28 persistent organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), 18 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), 13 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and 3 hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) congeners in lichen, moss and soil collected from the southeastern Tibetan Plateau, China. This allows research provides insight into elevation gradient distributions and possible cold trapping effects of SVOCs in this high mountain area, and compares lichens and mosses as air passive samplers for indicating SVOC occurrences. DDTs, endosulfans, HCHs and hexachlorobenzene predominated in all of the samples. Source analysis indicted that there were fresh inputs of DDTs and HCHs in the sampling region. Lichens and mosses shared commonalities in revealing the profiles and levels of SVOCs based on their lipid-content-normalized concentrations. The concentrations of 12 OCPs and 14 PCBs in lichens were significantly linearly correlated with altitudes, whereas the correlations for mosses and soil with altitudes were insignificant. Both a frequency distribution diagram and the Mountain Contamination Potential Model indicated that SVOCs with specific values of log KOA (8-11) and log KWA (2-4) had relative high mountain contamination potential on the Tibetan Plateau. AU - Zhu, N.* AU - Schramm, K.-W. AU - Wang, T.* AU - Henkelmann, B. AU - Fu, J.* AU - Gao, Y.* AU - Wang, Y. AU - Jiang, G.* C1 - 43844 C2 - 36738 CY - Amsterdam SP - 328-336 TI - Lichen, moss and soil in resolving the occurrence of semi-volatile organic compounds on the southeastern Tibetan Plateau, China. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 518-519 PB - Elsevier Science Bv PY - 2015 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Background Air temperature has been shown to be associated with mortality; however, only very few studies have been conducted in Germany. This study examined the association between daily air temperature and cause-specific mortality in Bavaria, Southern Germany. Moreover, we investigated effect modification by age and ambient air pollution. Methods We obtained data from Munich, Nuremberg as well as Augsburg, Germany, for the period 1990 to 2006. Data included daily cause-specific death counts, mean daily meteorology and air pollution concentrations (particulate matter with a diameter  AU - Breitner-Busch, S. AU - Wolf, K. AU - Devlin, R.B.* AU - Diaz-Sanchez, D.* AU - Peters, A. AU - Schneider, A.E. C1 - 31014 C2 - 34083 CY - Amsterdam SP - 49-61 TI - Short-term effects of air temperature on mortality and effect modification by air pollution in three cities of Bavaria, Germany: A time-series analysis. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 485-486 IS - 1 PB - Elsevier Science Bv PY - 2014 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - The quality, stability and availability of organic carbon (OC) in soil organic matter (SOM) can vary widely between differently managed ecosystems. Several approaches have been developed for isolating SOM fractions to examine their ecological roles, but links between the bioavailability of the OC of size–density fractions and soil microbial communities have not been previously explored. Thus, in the presented laboratory study we investigated the potential bioavailability of OC and the structure of associated microbial communities in different particle-size and density fractions of SOM. For this we used samples from four grassland ecosystems with contrasting management intensity regimes and two soil types: a Haplic Cambisol and a typical Chernozem. A combined size–density fractionation protocol was applied to separate clay-associated SOM fractions (CF1, < 1 μm; CF2, 1–2 μm) from light SOM fractions (LF1, < 1.8 g cm− 3; LF2, 1.8–2.0 g cm− 3). These fractions were used as carbon sources in a respiration experiment to determine their potential bioavailability. Measured CO2-release was used as an index of substrate accessibility and linked to the soil microbial community structure, as determined by phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA) analysis. Several key factors controlling decomposition processes, and thus the potential bioavailability of OC, were identified: management intensity and the plant community composition of the grasslands (both of which affect the chemical composition and turnover of OC) and specific properties of individual SOM fractions. The PLFA patterns highlighted differences in the composition of microbial communities associated with the examined grasslands, and SOM fractions, providing the first broad insights into their active microbial communities. From observed interactions between abiotic and biotic factors affecting the decomposition of SOM fractions we demonstrate that increasing management intensity could enhance the potential bioavailability of OC, not only in the active and intermediate SOM pools, but also in the passive pool. AU - Breulmann, M.* AU - Masyutenko, N.P.* AU - Maratovich Kogut, B.* AU - Schroll, R. AU - Dörfler, U. AU - Buscot, F.* AU - Schulz, E.* C1 - 31895 C2 - 34842 CY - Amsterdam SP - 29-37 TI - Short-term bioavailability of carbon in soil organic matter fractions of different particle sizes and densities in grassland ecosystems. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 497-498 PB - Elsevier Science Bv PY - 2014 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Mass fluxes of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were calculated for the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) in China, based on concentration and discharge data from the Yangtze River. Virtual Organisms (VOs) have been applied during four campaigns in 2008, 2009 (twice) and 2011 at sampling sites distributed from Chongqing to Maoping. The total PAH mass fluxes ranged from 110 to 2160 mg s- 1. Highest loads were determined at Chongqing with a decreasing trend towards Maoping in all four sampling campaigns. PAH remediation capacity of the TGR was found to be high as the mass flux reduced by more than half from upstream to downstream. Responsible processes are thought to be adsorption of PAH to suspended particles, dilution and degradation. Furthermore, the dependence of PAH concentration upon water depth was investigated at Maoping in front of the Three Gorges Dam. Although considerable differences could be revealed, there was no trend observable. Sampling of water with self-packed filter cartridges confirmed more homogenous PAH depth distribution. Moreover, PAH content of suspended particles was estimated from water concentrations gathered by VOs based on a water-particle separation model and subsequently compared to PAH concentration measured in water and in filter cartridges. It could be shown that the modeled data predicts the concentration caused by particle-bound PAHs to be about 6 times lower than PAHs dissolved in water. Besides, the model estimates the proportions of 5- and 6-ring PAHs being higher than in water phase. AU - Deyerling, D. AU - Wang, J. AU - Hu, W.* AU - Westrich, B.* AU - Peng, C.* AU - Bi, Y.* AU - Henkelmann, B. AU - Schramm, K.-W. C1 - 31047 C2 - 34195 CY - Amsterdam SP - 123-130 TI - PAH distribution and mass fluxes in the Three Gorges Reservoir after impoundment of the Three Gorges Dam. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 491-492 PB - Elsevier Science Bv PY - 2014 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Epidemiological studies often use nitrogen dioxide (NO2) or proximity to roads to characterize exposure to more health-relevant pollutants (e.g., fine particles or black carbon aerosol) in vehicle exhaust. Due to the introduction of diesel-soot filters, particle-to-NO2 ratios may have decreased, but little information is available about these ratios over time. Our study aim was to evaluate the change in particle-to-NO2 ratios between 1999 and 2009. We compared data collected during measurement campaigns in 1999 and 2009 from Munich, the Netherlands, and Stockholm. Traffic-impacted and urban and regional background sites were studied during each campaign. The same pollutants were measured in each campaign (mass concentration of particles ≤2.5 microns in diameter (PM2.5), PM2.5 absorbance (a marker for black carbon), and NO2) using the same methods except for NO2: Palmes tubes were used in 1999 and Ogawa badges in 2009. Both NO2 methods were validated against side-by-side chemiluminescence measurements. The levels of PM2.5 absorbance and PM2.5 were significantly lower (p<0.05) in 2009 at traffic and urban background sites in Stockholm, but only slightly lower in Munich and the Netherlands. In contrast, NO2 levels were not significantly different in the three areas in 2009 compared to 1999. Statistically-significant decreases between 1999 and 2009 pollutant ratios in the Netherlands (PM2.5 absorbance/NO2 and PM2.5/NO2) and in Stockholm (PM2.5 absorbance/NO2 and PM2.5 absorbance/PM2.5) were observed. Smaller decreases in these ratios were observed in Munich. The contrast between traffic and urban background locations was larger in 2009 than 1999 for NO2, whereas it was smaller for PM2.5 absorbance and PM2.5. The lower PM2.5 absorbance/NO2 and PM2.5/NO2 ratios in 2009 is likely explained by the introduction of oxidative particle filters for diesel vehicles that reduce particles but produce NO2. The changed contrasts may affect estimates of health effects related to NO2 as a marker of proximity to roads. AU - Durant, J.L.* AU - Beelen, R.* AU - Eeftens, M.* AU - Meliefste, K.* AU - Cyrys, J. AU - Heinrich, J. AU - Bellander, T.* AU - Lewne, M.* AU - Brunekreef, B.* AU - Hoek, G.* C1 - 31215 C2 - 34232 CY - Amsterdam SP - 290-298 TI - Comparison of ambient airborne PM2.5, PM2.5 absorbance and nitrogen dioxide ratios measured in 1999 and 2009 in three areas in Europe. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 487 IS - 1 PB - Elsevier Science Bv PY - 2014 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - The Alps are affected by high nitrogen deposition, particularly in the fringe of the Northern and Southern Alps. In the framework of a two-year monitoring study performed in 2010 and 2011, we investigated the ammonia and nitrogen dioxide air concentration and ammonium and nitrate deposition at different altitudes between 700 and 1600ma.s.l. in the Garmisch-Partenkirchen district in the Upper Bavaria region (Germany). Four-weekly measurements of deposition collected with bulk open field samplers and under-crown were performed in a profile perpendicular to the axis of the Loisach valley; measurements were conducted at eight sites. Whereas open field deposition ranged from 5 to 11kgha(-1)a(-1), nitrogen throughfall has reached up to 21kgha(-1)a(-1). Data from the valley and the slopes were compared with measurements performed on the platform of the Environmental Research Station Schneefernerhaus (Zugspitze) at an altitude of 2650ma.s.l. For the rough estimation of the total yearly deposition rate of nitrogen, the canopy uptake model was applied. By regarding nitrogen uptake by the trees, total deposition can exceed the throughfall in all sites by up to 50%. Additionally, we estimated the total deposition from the sum of wet and dry deposition. On the one side, the wet deposition could be extrapolated from the open field deposition. On the other side, we used the inferential method to calculate the dry deposition on the basis of NH3 and NO2 air concentrations and their literature based deposition velocities. Since fixed deposition velocities are inappropriate particularly in complex orography, we tried to find correction factors based upon terrain characteristics and meteorological considerations. Temperature monitoring at the eight sites and wind measurements at two sites provided some evidence for the semi-empirical parameterization. Due to numerous imponderabilities, the results of the two methods were not consistent for all sites. AU - Kirchner, M. AU - Fegg, W. AU - Römmelt, H.* AU - Leuchner, M.* AU - Ries, L.* AU - Zimmermann, R. AU - Michalke, B. AU - Wallasch, M.* AU - Maguhn, J. AU - Faus-Kessler, T. AU - Jakobi, G. C1 - 28176 C2 - 32989 CY - Amsterdam SP - 895-906 TI - Nitrogen deposition along differently exposed slopes in the Bavarian Alps. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 470-471 PB - Elsevier PY - 2014 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Concentrations of PAHs, PCBs and OCPs in sediments and mussels (caged and/or native) were determined at 16 stations in six major sites of coastal Turkey. The biological effects of pollution were evaluated using sediment toxicity tests and enzyme activity assays. EROD, PROD, GST, AChE, CaE, and GR activities were evaluated using the digestive glands of mussels. The total PAH concentrations in the sediments varied between nd and 79,674ngg(-1) dw, while the total OCP concentrations were in the range of nd to 53.7ngg(-1) dw. The total PAH concentrations in mussels varied between 22.3 and 37.4ngg(-1) ww. The average concentrations of total PCBs in mussels were 2795pgg(-1) ww in the shipyard, 797pgg(-1) ww in Marina 2 and 53pgg(-1) ww in Marina 1 stations. The results of whole-sediment toxicity tests showed a strong correlation between toxicity test results and pollutant concentrations. Selected cytosolic enzyme activities in digestive glands differed significantly depending on localities. These differences in enzyme activities were mainly related to the different pollutant levels of the sampling sites. The micro-organic contaminant profile patterns, toxicity tests and biomarker studies showed that shipyards and shipbreaking yards are the major potential sources of organic pollution in coastal areas. AU - Okay, O.S.* AU - Karacik, B.* AU - Güngördü, A.* AU - Ozmen, M.* AU - Yilmaz, A.* AU - Koyunbaba, N.C.* AU - Yakan, S.D.* AU - Korkmaz, V.* AU - Henkelmann, B. AU - Schramm, K.-W. C1 - 31857 C2 - 34849 CY - Amsterdam SP - 165-178 TI - Micro-organic pollutants and biological response of mussels in marinas and ship building/breaking yards in Turkey. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 496 PB - Elsevier Science Bv PY - 2014 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/furans (PCDD/Fs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were analyzed in sediments and fish from the Murchison Bay of Lake Victoria by high resolution gas chromatography/high resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS). Average concentrations of total (Σ) PCDD/Fs and ΣPBDEs in sediments ranged from 68.8 to 479pgg(-1) dry weight (dw) and 60.8 to 179pgg(-1) dw, respectively. Contamination levels of sedimentary PCDD/Fs and PBDEs were low to moderate compared to other urbanized regions worldwide. The concentrations in different fish species (Nile perch; Lates niloticus and Nile tilapia; Oreochromis niloticus) were 5.32 to 49.0pgg(-1) wet weight (ww) for PCDD/Fs and 59.3 to 495pgg(-1) ww for PBDEs. Higher concentrations of the pollutants were found in L. niloticus than O. niloticus, which could be attributed to species differences in feeding habits and lifestyles. World Health Organization-toxic equivalents (WHO2005-TEQs) for PCDD/Fs ranged from 0.08 to 0.33pgTEQg(-1) dw and 0.001-0.14pgTEQg(-1) ww in sediments and fish, respectively. The TEQ values were low compared to the data for fresh water fish reported in literature and within a permissible level of 3.5pgg(-1) ww recommended by the European Commission. Based on the Commission set value and minimum risk level criteria formulated by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, the fish from the Murchison Bay was fit for human consumption. AU - Ssebugere, P. AU - Sillanpää, M.* AU - Wang, P.* AU - Li, Y.* AU - Kiremire, B.T.* AU - Kasozi, G.N.* AU - Zhu, C.* AU - Ren, D.* AU - Shang, H.* AU - Zhang, Q.* AU - Jiang, G.* C1 - 32182 C2 - 35295 SP - 1-10 TI - Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, polychlorinated dibenzofurans and polybrominated diphenyl ethers in sediments and fish species from the Murchison Bay of Lake Victoria, Uganda. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 500-501 PY - 2014 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - SPMD-based virtual organisms (VOs) were deployed at five to eight sites in the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR), China for five periods in 2008, 2009 and 2011. The water exposure of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonists was assessed by the VOs. The chosen bioassay response for the extracts of the VOs, the induction of 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) was assayed using a rat hepatoma cell line (H4IIE). The results show that the extracts from the VOs could induce AhR activity significantly, whereas the chemically derived 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) equivalent (TEQcal) accounted for <11% of the observed AhR responses (TEQbio). Unidentified AhR-active compounds represented a greater proportion of the TCDD equivalent in VOs from TGR. High TEQbio value in diluted extract and low TEQbio in concentrated extract of the same sample was observed suggesting potential non-additive effects in the mixture. The levels of AhR agonists in VOs from upstream TGR were in general higher than those from downstream reservoir, indicating urbanization effect on AhR agonist pollution. The temporal variation showed that levels of AhR agonists in 2009 and 2011 were higher than those in 2008, and the potential non-additive effects in the area close to the dam were also obviously higher in 2009 and 2011 than in 2008, indicating big changes in the composition of pollutants in the area after water level reached a maximum of 175m. Although the aqueous concentration of AhR agonists of 0.8-4.8pgTCDDL(-1) in TGR was not alarming, the tendency of accumulating high concentration of AhR agonists in VO lipid and existence of possible synergism or antagonism in the water may exhibit a potential hazard to local biota being exposed to AhR agonists. AU - Wang, J. AU - Bernhöft, S. AU - Pfister, G. AU - Schramm, K.-W. C1 - 31809 C2 - 34784 CY - Amsterdam SP - 26-34 TI - Water exposure assessment of aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonists in Three Gorges Reservoir, China using SPMD-based virtual organisms. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 496 PB - Elsevier Science Bv PY - 2014 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Surface sediments (<60cm) from the Napoleon Gulf and Thurston Bay on the northern shore of Lake Victoria were analyzed for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs). Fifteen PCDD/Fs and eleven dl-PCBs were found in 75.5% of the samples. The maximum concentrations of PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs were 44.1 and 136pgg(-1) dry weight (dw), respectively. Octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin was the predominant PCDD/F congener at the Napoleon Gulf and Thurston Bay area. Regarding the dl-PCBs, a variation in levels was observed between the mono-ortho PCBs and non-ortho PCBs, with the former having higher levels than the latter. The PCDD/F and dl-PCB levels, in the sediments of Napoleon Gulf, which is near urban centers and industrial areas were markedly higher (α≤0.05) than those from the Thurston Bay, which is offshore, suggesting that human activities could be sources of the pollutants to the surrounding water resources. World Health Organization-toxic equivalency quotients (WHO-TEQs) lay in the range of 0.07-5.53pgg(-1) dw for PCDD/Fs and 0.01-0.23pgg(-1) dw for dl-PCBs. 23.1% of samples from the Napoleon Gulf had their results above the set WHOPCDD/Fs-TEQ value. AU - Ssebugere, P.* AU - Kiremire, B.T.* AU - Henkelmann, B. AU - Bernhöft, S. AU - Wasswa, J.* AU - Kasozi, G.N.* AU - Schramm, K.-W. C1 - 24139 C2 - 31332 SP - 528-533 TI - PCDD/Fs and dioxin-like PCBs in surface sediments from Lake Victoria, East Africa. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 454-455 PB - Elsevier PY - 2013 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Sustainable/Green Chemistry is a chemical philosophy encouraging the design of products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use and generation of hazardous substances. In this respect, metrical scientific disciplines like Chemometrics are important, because they indicate criteria for chemicals being hazardous or not. We demonstrated that sustainable principles in the disciplines Green Chemistry, Green Engineering, and Sustainability in Information Technology have main aspects in common. The use of non-hazardous chemicals or the more efficient use of chemical substances is one of these aspects. We take a closer look on the topic of the hazards of chemical substances. Our research focuses on data analyses concerning environmental chemicals named Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), which are found all over the world and pose a large risk to environment as well as to humans. The evaluation of the data is a major step in the elucidation of the danger of these chemicals. The data analysis method demonstrated here, is based on the theory of partially ordered sets and provides a generalized ranking. In our approach we investigate data sets of breast milk samples of women in Denmark, Finland, and Turkey which contained measurable levels of 20 POPs. The goal is twofold: On the one side the hazardous chemicals are to be identified and on the other side possible differences among the three nations should be detected, because in that case possible different uptake mechanisms may be supposed. The data analysis is performed by the free available software package PyHasse, written by the third author. We conclude that the data analysis method can well be applied for distinguishing between more or less dangerous existing chemicals. Furthermore, it should be used in sustainable chemistry in the same manner for detecting more and less sustainable chemicals. AU - Voigt, K. AU - Scherb, H. AU - Brüggemann, R.* AU - Schramm, K.-W. C1 - 25744 C2 - 31916 SP - 149-153 TI - Discrete mathematical data analysis approach: A valuable assessment method for sustainable chemistry. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 454-455 PB - Elsevier Science PY - 2013 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - This study aimed at investigating the presence and distribution of fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) in house dust to evaluate human exposure to these compounds via dust ingestion. 31 house dust samples Were collected from Bavaria, Germany and analyzed for 4:2, 6:2,8:2 and 10:2 FTOH, PFOS and PFOA. PFOA was the dominant compound in 79% of the dust samples, followed by PFOS and 8:2 FTOH, while 4:2 FTOH was not detected in any samples. The total concentration of per- and polyfluorinated compounds (PFCs) varied from 32.2 to 2456 ng/g. In addition, the total ingestion rate for PFCs was 0.4-135 ng/d for adults and 5.1-246 ng/d for toddlers, and the highest 8:2 FTOH-based PFOA intake via indoor dust was 0.24 ng/d for adults and 0.44 ng/d for toddlers. Overall, the results of this study demonstrate that dust ingestion is a minor pathway for human exposure to these PFCs; the PFC ingestion via indoor dust is generally low, and only under a worst scenario high intakes have to be expected for toddlers. AU - Xu, Z.L. AU - Fiedler, S. AU - Pfister, G. AU - Henkelmann, B. AU - Mosch, C.* AU - Völkel, W.* AU - Fromme, H.* AU - Schramm, K.-W. C1 - 23936 C2 - 31297 SP - 485-490 TI - Human exposure to fluorotelomer alcohols, perfluorooctane sulfonate and perfluorooctanoate via house dust in Bavaria, Germany. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 443 PB - Elsevier Science PY - 2013 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - The success of epidemiological studies depends on the use of appropriate exposure variables. The purpose of this study is to extract a relatively small selection of variables characterizing ambient particulate matter from a large measurement data set. The original data set comprised a total of 96 particulate matter variables that have been continuously measured since 2004 at an urban background aerosol monitoring site in the city of Augsburg, Germany. Many of the original variables were derived from measured particle size distribution (PSD) across the particle diameter range 3 nm to 10 μm, including size-segregated particle number concentration, particle length concentration, particle surface concentration and particle mass concentration. The data set was complemented by integral aerosol variables. These variables were measured by independent instruments, including black carbon, sulfate, particle active surface concentration and particle length concentration. It is obvious that such a large number of measured variables cannot be used in health effect analyses simultaneously. The aim of this study is a pre-screening and a selection of the key variables that will be used as input in forthcoming epidemiological studies. In this study, we present two methods of parameter selection and apply them to data from a two-year period from 2007 to 2008. We used the agglomerative hierarchical cluster method to find groups of similar variables. In total, we selected 15 key variables from 9 clusters which are recommended for epidemiological analyses. We also applied a two-dimensional visualization technique called "heatmap" analysis to the Spearman correlation matrix. 12 key variables were selected using this method. Moreover, the positive matrix factorization (PMF) method was applied to the PSD data to characterize the possible particle sources. Correlations between the variables and PMF factors were used to interpret the meaning of the cluster and the heatmap analyses. AU - Gu, J. AU - Pitz, M. AU - Breitner-Busch, S. AU - Birmili, W.* AU - von Klot, S. AU - Schneider, A.E. AU - Soentgen, J.* AU - Reller, A.* AU - Peters, A. AU - Cyrys, J. C1 - 10851 C2 - 30389 SP - 541-550 TI - Selection of key ambient particulate variables for epidemiological studies - applying cluster and heatmap analyses as tools for data reduction. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 435-436 PB - Elsevier PY - 2012 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Tschiersch, J. AU - Meisenberg, O. AU - Wang, J.* C1 - 10850 C2 - 30390 SP - 578-579 TI - Reducing the inhalation dose from radon decay products. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 435-436 PB - Elsevier PY - 2012 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - BACKGROUND: While the link between particulate matter and cardiovascular mortality is well established, it is not fully investigated and understood which properties of the aerosol might be responsible for the health effects, especially in polluted mega-city areas. OBJECTIVES: Our goal was to explore the association between daily cardiovascular mortality and different particle metrics in the sub-micrometer range in Beijing, China. METHODS: We obtained daily counts of cause-specific cardiovascular deaths in the Beijing urban area for the period March 2004 to August 2005. Concurrently, continuous measurements of particle number size distributions were performed. Particle number concentrations (NC) between 0.003 μm and 0.8 μm were converted to particle mass and surface area concentrations assuming spherical particles. Semi-parametric Poisson regression models adjusting for trend, seasonality, day of the week, and meteorology were used to estimate immediate, delayed and cumulative particle effects. Additionally, effect modification by air mass origin was investigated. RESULTS: We observed associations between daily cardiovascular mortality and particle NC for a 2-days delay. Moreover, nearly all particle metrics showed 2-days delayed associations with ischemic heart disease mortality. The strongest association was found for particle NC in the size range 0.03-0.1 μm (7.1% increase in daily mortality with a 95%-confidence interval of 2.9%-11.5%, per an increase of 6250 particles/cm3). Results for surface and mass concentrations with a lag of two days indicated effect modification by air mass origin, whereas effects of particle NC were not modified. CONCLUSIONS: Results show an elevated risk of cardiovascular mortality in Beijing from short-term exposure to particulate air pollution in the sub-micrometer range. Results also indicate that locally produced smaller particles and regionally transported particles may exhibit different effects in Beijing. AU - Breitner-Busch, S. AU - Liu, L. AU - Cyrys, J. AU - Brüske, I. AU - Franck, U.* AU - Schlink, U.* AU - Leitte, A.M.* AU - Herbarth, O.* AU - Wiedensohler, A.* AU - Wehner, B.* AU - Hu, M.* AU - Pan, X.C.* AU - Wichmann, H.-E. AU - Peters, A. C1 - 6173 C2 - 29241 SP - 5196-5204 TI - Sub-micrometer particulate air pollution and cardiovascular mortality in Beijing, China. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 409 IS - 24 PB - Elsevier PY - 2011 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Biokinetic models describing the uptake, distribution and excretion of trace elements are an essential tool in nutrition, toxicology, or internal dosimetry of radionuclides. Zirconium, especially its radioisotope (95)Zr, is relevant to radiation protection due to its production in uranium fission and neutron activation of nuclear fuel cladding material. We present a comprehensive set of human data from a tracer study with stable isotopes of zirconium. The data are used to refine a biokinetic model of zirconium. Six female and seven male healthy adult volunteers participated in the study. It includes 16 complete double tracer investigations with oral ingestion and intravenous injection, and seven supplemental investigations. Tracer concentrations were measured in blood plasma and urine collected up to 100d after tracer administration. The four data sets (two chemical tracer forms in plasma and urine) each encompass 105-240 measured concentration values above detection limits. Total fractional absorption of ingested zirconium was found to be 0.001 for zirconium in citrate-buffered drinking solution and 0.007 for zirconium oxalate solution. Biokinetic models were developed based on the linear first-order kinetic compartmental model approach used by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). The main differences of the optimized systemic model of zirconium to the current ICRP model are (1) recycling into the transfer compartment made necessary by the observed tracer clearance from plasma, (2) different parameters related to fractional absorption for each form of the ingested tracer, and (3) a physiologically based excretion pathway to urine. The study considerably expands the knowledge on the biokinetics of zirconium, which was until now dominated by data from animal studies. The proposed systemic model improves the existing ICRP model, yet is based on the same principles and fits well into the ICRP radiation protection approach. AU - Greiter, M. AU - Giussani, A. AU - Höllriegl, V. AU - Li, W.B. AU - Oeh, U. C1 - 4211 C2 - 28790 SP - 3701-3710 TI - Human biokinetic data and a new compartmental model of zirconium - a tracer study with enriched stable isotopes. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 409 IS - 19 PB - Elsevier PY - 2011 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - The main aim of this study was to determine and evaluate urinary excretion values of uranium in members of the public of Southwest Nigeria living in areas of low environmental uranium. As several uranium mines are running in Nigeria and the operations could be a risk of contamination for the workers as well as for the members of the public, biomonitoring of urine could provide information about the exposure to uranium for the subjects. Therefore, baseline values of uranium in urine are needed from subjects living in areas without mining activities. Volunteers of both genders (age range 3 to 78years) were asked to collect 24h-urine samples. The concentration measurements of uranium in urine were performed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). In addition, urinary creatinine values were determined for normalization of the renal uranium relative to the creatinine concentrations. The urinary uranium concentrations and their creatinine normalized values ranged from <10.4 to 150ngL(-1) (median 13.8ngL(-1)) and from 2.52 to 252.7ngg(-1) creatinine (median 33.4ngg(-1) creatinine), respectively, for adult subjects above 15years of both genders. An increased uranium excretion value of 61.6ngL(-1) (median), and of 76.0ngg(-1) creatinine, respectively, were found in young subjects below 15years. The median of daily excreted uranium was estimated to be 14.2ngd(-1) for adults and of 45.1ngd(-1) for children, respectively. The uranium excretion from males and females living in Nigeria in a non-mining area was comparable to reference values reported from other countries with low level of environmental uranium. The data can be considered as baseline values of urinary uranium in unexposed subjects in Nigeria. AU - Höllriegl, V. AU - Arogunjo, A.M. AU - Giussani, A. AU - Michalke, B. AU - Oeh, U. C1 - 6677 C2 - 29229 SP - 344-350 TI - Daily urinary excretion of uranium in members of the public of Southwest Nigeria. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 412-413 PB - Elsevier PY - 2011 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - A majority of households in Bangladesh rely on pond water for hygiene. Exposure to pond water fecal contamination could therefore still contribute to diarrheal disease despite the installation of numerous tubewells for drinking. The objectives of this study are to determine the predominant sources (human or livestock) of fecal pollution in ponds and examine the association between local population, latrine density, latrine quality and concentrations of fecal bacteria and pathogens in pond water. Forty-three ponds were analyzed for E. coli using culture-based methods and E. coli, Bacteroidales and adenovirus using quantitative PCR. Population and sanitation spatial data were collected and measured against pond fecal contamination. Humans were the dominant source of fecal contamination in 79% of the ponds according to Bacteroidales measurements. Ponds directly receiving latrine effluent had the highest concentrations of fecal indicator bacteria (up to 10⁶ Most Probable Number (MPN) of culturable E. coli per 100 mL). Concentrations of fecal indicator bacteria correlated with population surveyed within a distance of 30-70 m (p AU - Knappett, P.S. AU - Escamilla, V.* AU - Layton, A.* AU - McKay, L.D.* AU - Emch, M.* AU - Williams, D.E.* AU - Huq, R.* AU - Alam, J.* AU - Farhana, L.* AU - Mailloux, B.J.* AU - Ferguson, A.* AU - Sayler, G.S.* AU - Ahmed, K.M.* AU - van Geen, A.* C1 - 6446 C2 - 28700 SP - 3174-3182 TI - Impact of population and latrines on fecal contamination of ponds in rural Bangladesh. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 409 IS - 17 PB - Elsevier PY - 2011 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Inhalation of indoor radon ((222)Rn) and thoron ((220)Rn) decay products is the most important source of exposure to ionizing radiation for the human respiratory tract. Decreasing ventilation rates due to energy saving reasons in new buildings suggest additional active mitigation techniques to reduce the exposure in homes with high radon and thoron concentrations but poor ventilation. Filtration techniques with HEPA filters and simple surgical mask material have been tested for their potential to reduce the indoor exposure in terms of the total effective dose for mixed radon and thoron indoor atmospheres. The tests were performed inside an experimental room providing stable conditions. Filtration (at filtration rates of 0.2h(-1) and larger) removes attached radon and thoron decay products effectively but indoor aerosol as well. Therefore the concentration of unattached decay products (which have a higher dose coefficient) may increase. The decrease of the attached decay product concentrations could be theoretically described by a slowly decreasing exponential process. For attached radon decay products, it exhibited a faster but weaker removal process compared to attached thoron decay products (-70% for attached radon decay products and -80% for attached thoron decay products at a filtration rate of 0.5h(-1) with an HEPA filter). The concentration of unattached thoron decay products increased distinctly during the filtration process (+300%) while that of unattached radon decay products rose only slightly though at a much higher level (+17%). In the theoretical description these observed differences could be attributed to the different half-lives of the nuclides. Considering both effects, reduced attached and increased unattached decay product concentrations, filtration could significantly decrease the total effective dose from thoron whereas the overall effect on radon dose is small. A permanent filtration is recommended because of the slow decrease of the thoron decay product concentrations. AU - Wang, J. AU - Meisenberg, O. AU - Chen, Y.* AU - Karg, E.W. AU - Tschiersch, J. C1 - 4210 C2 - 28789 SP - 3613-3619 TI - Mitigation of radon and thoron decay products by filtration. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 409 IS - 19 PB - Elsevier PY - 2011 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - The aim of this case study was to estimate the bioaccessibility of uranium ((238)U) and thorium ((232)Th) from a healing earth by analysing the solubility of these radionuclides in synthetic gastric and intestinal fluids. An easy applicable in vitro test system was used to investigate the fractional mobilization of the soil contaminants being potentially available for absorption under human in vivo conditions. These findings provided the basis for a prospective dose assessment. The solubility experiments were performed using two different in vitro digestion methods. The concentrations of (238)U and (232)Th in the solutions extracted from the soil were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The dissolved fractions in the synthetic gastrointestinal fluid ranged in average from 10.3% to 13.8% for (238)U and from 0.3% to 1.6% for (232)Th, respectively, depending on the digestion method. Subsequently, the committed effective doses from intake of (238)U and (232)Th after ingestion of the healing earth during 1 year were evaluated for adult persons. Thereby ingestion dose coefficients calculated as a function of bioaccessibility were used. The dose assessments ranged between 4.3×10(-7)-1.9×10(-6) Sv y(-1) for (238)U and 5.6×10(-7)-3.3×10(-6) Sv y(-1) for (232)Th, respectively. On the basis of the assumptions and estimations made, the present work indicates a relatively low radiation risk due to (238)U and (232)Th after internal exposure of the healing earth. AU - Höllriegl, V. AU - Li, W.B. AU - Leopold, K. AU - Gerstmann, U. AU - Oeh, U. C1 - 4854 C2 - 27555 SP - 5794-5800 TI - Solubility of uranium and thorium from a healing earth in synthetic gut fluids: A case study for use in dose assessments. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 408 IS - 23 PB - Elsevier PY - 2010 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - A soil-borne microbial community isolated from a contaminated site was previously shown to mineralize 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene (1,2,4-TCB) under aerobic conditions. The key degrader in this community was identified as Bordetella sp. F2. The objective of the study was to test the capacity of the microbial community to degrade a complex mixture of 27 organochlorine compounds and pesticides (OCPs) commonly detected in the environment. The hypothesis was that the microbes would utilize the OCPs as carbon sources at the low concentrations of these compounds, found in natural waters and soil solution. The study was carried out in liquid culture and the changes in concentration of the OCPs were monitored using GC-MS. Data analysis was done using a multivariate analysis method similar to Principal Response Curve (PRC) analysis. Contrary to expectations, the data analysis showed a general trend where higher concentrations were observed in the microbially treated samples relative to the controls. The observed trend was attributed to decreased volatilization due to sorption of the chemicals by microbes since most of the compounds in the cocktail had high Kow values. Nevertheless, when using adequate statistical methods for analysing the very complex data set, correlation of Kow and K(H) values with the loadings of the PRCs showed that three chlorinated mono-aromatics - pentachlorobenzene, pentachloroanisole and octachloroanisole - were amenable to degradation. This provided indications that the community could hold promise for the degradation of higher-chlorinated mono-aromatic OCPs. AU - Kengara, F.O. AU - Schramm, K.-W. AU - Dörfler, U. AU - Munch, J.-C. AU - Henkelmann, B. AU - Welzl, G. AU - Bernhöft, S. AU - Hense, B.A. AU - Schroll, R. C1 - 1147 C2 - 27717 SP - 3359-3366 TI - Degradation capacity of a 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene mineralizing microbial community for traces of organochlorine pesticides. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 408 IS - 16 PB - Elsevier PY - 2010 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Wet and, to a lesser extent, dry deposition of atmospheric (129)I are known to represent the dominating processes responsible for (129)I in continental environmental samples that are remote from (129)I sources and not directly influenced by any liquid (129)I release of nuclear installations. Up to now, however, little is known about the major emitters and the related global deposition pattern of (129)I. In this work an overview over major sources of (129)I is given, and hitherto unknown time-dependent releases from these were estimated. Total gaseous (129)I releases from the US and former Soviet reprocessing facilities Hanford, Savannah River, Mayak, Seversk and Zheleznogorsk were found to have been 0.53, 0.27, 1.05, 0.23 and 0.14TBq, respectively. These facilities were thus identified as major airborne (129)I emitters. The global deposition pattern due to the (129)I released, depending on geographic latitude and longitude, and on time was studied using a box model describing the global atmospheric transport and deposition of (129)I. The model predictions are compared to (129)I concentrations measured by means of Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) in water samples that were collected from various lakes in Asia, Africa, America and New Zealand, and to published values. As a result, both pattern and temporal evolution of (129)I deposition values measured in and calculated for different types of environmental samples are, in general, in good agreement. This supports our estimate on atmospheric (129)I releases and the considered substantial transport and deposition mechanisms in our model calculations. AU - Reithmeier, H.* AU - Lazarev, V.* AU - Rühm, W. AU - Nolte, E.* C1 - 5752 C2 - 27457 SP - 5052-5064 TI - Anthropogenic ¹²⁹I in the atmosphere: Overview over major sources, transport processes and deposition pattern. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 408 IS - 21 PB - Elsevier PY - 2010 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Because epidemiological studies have yielded different results, the association between exposure to fine particulate matter less than 2.5 mu m in aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5) and acute events of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is unknown. Additionally, no research has been conducted to explore the association between PM2.5 and hospital emergency room (ER) visits of cardiovascular diseases in Beijing, China. Objective: To explore the association between PM2.5 and the hospital ER visits in Beijing, China for CVD ((international Classification of Diseases, 10th vision (ICD-10): 100 similar to 199)). Methods: We collected data for daily hospital ER visits for CVD from the Peking University Third Hospital, daily ambient PM2.5 data from a fixed monitor site at Peking University, and data on the daily level of gaseous air pollutants {sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2)} from the Beijing Municipal Environmental Monitoring Center between June 1, 2004 and December 31, 2006. A time-stratified case-crossover design was used to evaluate associations between CVD health outcomes and ambient air pollutants. Results: 8377 hospital ER visits of CVD were collected in our study. After adjusting the temperature and the relative humidity, the associations for 10 mu g/m(3) increases in levels of PM2.5, SO2, or NO2 and hospital ER visits for cardiovascular diseases were statistically significant with odds ratios (ORs) of 1.005(95% confidence interval (CI): 1.001-1.009), 1.014(95% CI: 1.004-1.024), and 1.016(95% CI: 1.003-1.029), respectively. Conclusion: These findings suggest that elevated levels of ambient air pollutants are associated with the increase in hospital ER visits for CVD in Beijing, China. AU - Guo, Y.M.* AU - Jia, Y.P.* AU - Pan, X.C.* AU - Liu, L.Q. AU - Wichmann, H.-E. C1 - 2262 C2 - 26441 SP - 4826-4830 TI - The association between fine particulate air pollution and hospital emergency room visits for cardiovascular diseases in Beijing, China. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 407 IS - 17 PB - Elsevier Science Bv PY - 2009 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Main objectives of the present work were to develop an internationally agreed methodology for deriving optimized remediation strategies in rural areas that are still affected by the Chernobyl accident, and to give an overview of the radiological situation in the three affected countries, Belarus, Russia and Ukraine. Study settlements were defined by having in 2004 less than 10,000 inhabitants and official dose estimates exceeding 1 mSv. Data on population, current farming practices, contamination of soils and foodstuffs, and remedial actions previously applied were collected for each of such 541 study settlements. Calculations of the annual effective dose from internal radiation were validated with extensive data sets on whole body counter measurements. According to our calculations for 2004, in 290 of the study settlements the effective dose exceeded 1 mSv, and the collective dose in these settlements amounted to about 66 person-Sv. Six remedial actions were considered: radical improvement of grassland, application of ferrocyn to cows, feeding pigs with uncontaminated fodder before slaughter, application of mineral fertilizers for potato fields, information campaign on contaminated forest produce, and replacement of contaminated soil in populated areas by uncontaminated soil. Side effects of the remedial actions were quantified by a 'degree of acceptability'. Results are presented for two remediation strategies, namely, Strategy 1, in which the degree of acceptability was given a priority, and Remediation Strategy 2, in which remedial actions were chosen according to lowest costs per averted dose only. Results are highly country-specific varying from preference for soil replacement in populated areas in Belarus to preference for application of ferrocyn to cows in Ukraine. Remedial actions in 2010 can avert a large collective dose of about 150 person-Sv (including averted doses, which would be received in the following years). Nevertheless, the number of inhabitants in Belarusian and Russian settlements with annual doses exceeding 1 mSv remains large. Compared to international values for the cost-effectiveness of actions to reduce occupational exposures, the recommended remediation strategies for rural areas affected by the Chernobyl accident are quite cost-effective (about 20 keuro/person-Sv). AU - Jacob, P. AU - Fesenko, S.* AU - Bogdevitch, I.* AU - Kashparov, V.* AU - Sanzharova, N.* AU - Grebenshikova, N.* AU - Isamov, N.* AU - Lazarev, N.* AU - Panov, A.* AU - Ulanowski, A. AU - Zhuchenko, Y.* AU - Zhurba, M.* C1 - 337 C2 - 26569 SP - 14-25 TI - Rural areas affected by the Chernobyl accident: Radiation exposure and remediation strategies. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 408 IS - 1 PB - Elsevier PY - 2009 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Diuron is frequently detected in some drinking water reservoirs under the Burgundy vineyards, where organic amendments are applied. The environmental effect of these amendments on pesticide transport is ambiguous: on the one hand it could enhance their retention by increasing soil organic carbon content; on the other hand, dissolved organic matter (DOM) could facilitate their transport. Elutions were performed using columns packed with glass beads in order to investigate DOM-diuron interactions, and the possible co-transport of diuron and DOM. Four organic amendments (A, B, C and D) were tested; C and D were sampled at fresh (F) and mature (M) stages. An increase in diuron leaching was observed only for A and D-F amendments (up to 16% compared to the DOM-free blank samples), suggesting a DOM effect on diuron transport. These results could be explained by the higher DOM leaching for A and D-F compared to B, C-F, C-M and D-M increasing diuron-DOM interactions. These interactions seem to be related to the aromatic and aliphatic content of the DOM, determining formation of hydrogen and non-covalent bonds. The degree of organic matter maturity does not seem to have any effect with amendment C, while a reduction in diuron leaching is observed between DF and D-M. After equilibrium dialysis measurement of diuron-DOM complexes, it appeared that less than 3% of the diuron applied corresponded to complexes with a molecular weight > 1000 Da. Complexes < 1000 Da could also take part in this facilitated transport. AU - Thevenot, M.* AU - Dousset, S.* AU - Hertkorn, N. AU - Schmitt-Kopplin, P. AU - Andreux, F.* C1 - 1844 C2 - 26776 SP - 4297-4302 TI - Interactions of diuron with dissolved organic matter from organic amendments. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 407 IS - 14 PB - Elsevier Science Bv PY - 2009 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Radionuclides released to the atmosphere during dry weather (e.g. after a nuclear accident) may contaminate vegetable foods and cause exposure to humans via the food chain. To obtain experimental data for an appropriate assessment of this exposure path, dry deposition of radionuclides to leafy vegetables was studied under homogeneous and controlled greenhouse conditions. Gaseous (131)I-tracer in predominant elemental form and particulate (134)Cs-tracer at about 1 mum diameter were used to identify susceptible vegetable species with regard to contamination by these radionuclides. The persistence was examined by washing the harvested product with water. The vegetables tested were spinach (Spinacia oleracea), butterhead lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. capitata), endive (Cichorium endivia), leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. crispa), curly kale (Brassica oleracea convar. acephala) and white cabbage (Brassica oleracea convar. capitata). The variation of radionuclides deposited onto each vegetable was evaluated statistically using the non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis Test and the U-test of Mann-Whitney. Significant differences in deposited (131)I and (134)Cs activity concentration were found among the vegetable species. For (131)I, the deposition velocity to spinach normalized to the biomass of the vegetation was 0.5-0.9 cm(3) g(-1) s(-1) which was the highest among all species. The particulate (134)Cs deposition velocity of 0.09 cm(3) g(-1) s(-1) was the highest for curly kale, which has rough and structured leaves. The lowest deposition velocity was onto white cabbage: 0.02 cm(3) g(-1) s(-1) (iodine) and 0.003 cm(3) g(-1) s(-1) (caesium). For all species, the gaseous iodine deposition was significantly higher compared to the particulate caesium deposition. The deposition depends on the sensitive parameters leaf area, stomatal aperture, and plant morphology. Decontamination by washing with water was very limited for iodine but up to a factor of two for caesium. AU - Tschiersch, J. AU - Shinonaga, T. AU - Heuberger, H.* C1 - 317 C2 - 26556 CY - Amsterdam SP - 5685-5693 TI - Dry deposition of gaseous radioiodine and particulate radiocaesium onto leafy vegetables. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 407 IS - 21 PB - Elsevier PY - 2009 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Epidemiological studies on health effects of outdoor air pollution are largely based on a single monitoring site to estimate the exposure of people living in urban areas. For such an approach two aspects are important: the temporal correlation and the spatial variation of the absolute levels of concentrations measured at different sites in an urban area. Whereas many studies have shown small spatial variability of fine particles in urban areas, little is known on how well a single monitoring station could represent the temporal and spatial variation of ultrafine particles across urban areas. In our study we investigated the temporal and spatial variation of particle number concentration (PNC) at four background sites in Augsburg, Germany. Two of them were influenced by traffic, one was placed in the outskirts of the city. The average PNC levels at two urban background sites with traffic impact were 16,943 cm(-3) and 20,702 cm(-3), respectively, compared to 11,656 cm(-3) at the urban background site without traffic impact (ratio 1.5 to 1.8). The Spearman correlation coefficients between the monitoring sites were high (r>0.80). The pronounced differences in absolute PNC levels suggest that the use of a single monitoring station in long-term epidemiological studies must be insufficient to attribute accurate exposure levels of PNC to all study subjects. On the other hand, the high temporal correlations of PNC across the city area of Augsburg implicate that in epidemiological time-series studies the use of one single ambient monitoring site is an adequate approach for characterizing exposure to ultrafine particles. AU - Cyrys, J. AU - Pitz, M. AU - Heinrich, J. AU - Wichmann, H.-E. AU - Peters, A. C1 - 889 C2 - 25494 SP - 168-175 TI - Spatial and temporal variation of particle number concentration in Augsburg, Germany. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 401 IS - 1-3 PB - Elsevier PY - 2008 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - An overview of the available data on molybdenum biokinetics and metabolism in humans is presented, with special emphasis on the results of stable tracer studies conducted in recent years, after the publication of the systemic model for incorporated radionuclides of molybdenum recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). On the basis of the presented information, a new structure for a compartmental model of molybdenum biokinetics, including the return of material from the organs back to the systemic circulation, was developed. The structure chosen is a compromise between the attempt to provide a realistic description of the biokinetics and the need to have a simple tool for dose estimation. The model consists of two compartments associated to the extracellulare fluids (blood plasma and interstitial fluids), liver, kidneys, and one generic compartment to represent all other tissues. The possibility of a direct excretion pathway into the urine was introduced, in order to correctly describe the rapid excretion as observed in the human studies. Reference values of the model parameters have been estimated taking into consideration that the amounts of radioactive molybdenum accidentally incorporated are negligible in comparison to the daily dietary intake of stable molybdenum. AU - Giussani, A. C1 - 2154 C2 - 25544 SP - 44-55 TI - A recycling systemic model for the biokinetics of molybdenum radionuclides. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 404 IS - 1 PB - Elsevier PY - 2008 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - In this study, we evaluated the effects of two acid resin deposits on the soil microbiota of forest areas by means of biomass, microbial activity-related estimations and simple biological ratios. The determinations carried out included: total DNA yield, basal respiration, intracellular enzyme activities (dehydrogenase and catalase) and extracellular enzyme activities involved in the cycles of C (beta-glucosidase and chitinase), N (protease) and P (acid-phosphatase). The calculated ratios were: total DNA/total N; basal respiration/total DNA; dehydrogenase/total DNA and catalase/total DNA. Total DNA yield was used to estimate soil microbial biomass. Results showed that microbial biomass and activity were severely inhibited in the deposits, whilst resin effects on contaminated zones were variable and site-dependant. Correlation analysis showed no clear effect of contaminants on biomass and activities outside the deposits, but a strong interdependence with natural organic matter related parameters such as total N. In contrast, by using simple ratios we could detect more stressful conditions in terms of organic matter turnover and basal metabolism in contaminated areas compared to their uncontaminated counterparts. These results stress that developed ecosystems such as forests can buffer the effects of pollutants and preserve high functionality via natural attenuation mechanisms, but also that acid resins can be toxic to biological targets negatively affecting soil dynamics. Acid resin deposits can therefore act as contaminant sources adversely altering soil processes and reducing the environmental quality of affected areas despite the solid nature of these wastes. AU - Pérez-de-Mora, A. AU - Madejón, E.* AU - Cabrera, F.* AU - Buegger, F. AU - Fuß, R. AU - Pritsch, K. AU - Schloter, M. C1 - 708 C2 - 25628 SP - 99-107 TI - Long-term impact of acid resin waste deposits on soil quality of forest areas II. Biological indicators. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 406 IS - 1-2 PB - Elsevier PY - 2008 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Acid resins are residues characterised by elevated concentrations of hydrocarbons and trace elements, which were produced by mineral oil industries in Central Europe during the first half of the last century. Due to the lack of environmental legislation at that time, these wastes were dumped into excavated ponds in public areas without further protection. In this work, the long-term effects of such resin deposits on soil quality of two forest areas (Bayern, Germany) were assessed. We evaluated the distribution and accumulation of contaminants in the surroundings of the deposits, where the waste was disposed of about 60 years ago. General soil chemical properties such as pH, C, N and P content were also investigated. Chemical analysis of resin waste from the deposits revealed large amounts of potential contaminants such as hydrocarbons (93 g kg(-1)), As (63 mg kg(-1)), Cd (24 mg kg(-1)), Cu (1835 mg kg(-1)), Pb (8100 mg kg(-1)) and Zn (873 mg kg(-1)). Due to the location of the deposits on a hillside and the lack of adequate isolation, contaminants have been released downhill despite the solid nature of the waste. Five zones were investigated in each site: the deposit, three affected zones along the plume of contamination and a control zone. In affected zones, contaminants were 2 to 350 times higher than background levels depending on the site. In many cases, contaminants exceeded the German environmental guidelines for the soil-groundwater path and action levels based on extractable concentrations. Resin contamination yielded larger total C/total N ratios in affected zones, but no clear effect was observed on absolute C, N and P concentrations. In general, no major acidification effect was reported in affected zones. AU - Pérez-de-Mora, A. AU - Madejón, E.* AU - Cabrera, F.* AU - Buegger, F. AU - Fuß, R. AU - Pritsch, K. AU - Schloter, M. C1 - 2875 C2 - 25627 SP - 88-98 TI - Long-term impact of acid resin waste deposits on soil quality of forest areas I. Contaminants and abiotic properties. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 406 IS - 1-2 PB - Elsevier PY - 2008 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Particle size distribution data collected between September 1997 and August 2001 in Erfurt, Germany were used to investigate the sources of ambient particulate matter by positive matrix factorization (PMF). A total of 29,313 hourly averaged particle size distribution measurements covering the size range of 0.01 to 3.0 mum were included in the analysis. The particle number concentrations (cm(-3)) for the 9 channels in the ultrafine range, and mass concentrations (ng m(-3)) for the 41 size bins in the accumulation mode and particle up to 3 microm in aerodynamic diameter were used in the PMF. The analysis was performed separately for each season. Additional analyses were performed including calculations of the correlations of factor contributions with gaseous pollutants (O(3), NO, NO(2), CO and SO(2)) and particle composition data (sulfate, organic carbon and elemental carbon), estimating the contributions of each factor to the total number and mass concentration, identifying the directional locations of the sources using the conditional probability function, and examining the diurnal patterns of factor scores. These results were used to assist in the interpretation of the factors. Five factors representing particles from airborne soil, ultrafine particles from local traffic, secondary aerosols from local fuel combustion, particles from remote traffic sources, and secondary aerosols from multiple sources were identified in all seasons. AU - Yue, W. AU - Stölzel, M. AU - Cyrys, J. AU - Pitz, M. AU - Heinrich, J. AU - Kreyling, W.G. AU - Wichmann, H.-E. AU - Peters, A. AU - Wang, S.* AU - Hopke, P.K.* C1 - 888 C2 - 25314 SP - 133-144 TI - Source apportionment of ambient fine particle size distribution using positive matrix factorization in Erfurt, Germany. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 398 IS - 1-3 PB - Elsevier PY - 2008 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Following the end of the Kosovo conflict, in June 1999, a study was instigated to evaluate whether there was a cause for concern of health risk from depleted uranium (DU) to German peacekeeping personnel serving in the Balkans. In addition, the investigations were extended to residents of Kosovo and southern Serbia, who lived in areas where DU ammunitions were deployed. In order to assess a possible DU intake, both the urinary uranium excretion of volunteer residents and water samples were collected and analysed using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).More than 1300 urine samples from peacekeeping personnel and unexposed controls of different genders and age were analysed to determine uranium excretion parameters. The urine measurements for 113 unexposed subjects revealed a daily uranium excretion rate with a geometric mean of 13.9 ng/d (geometric standard deviation (GSD) = 2.17). The analysis of 1228 urine samples from the peacekeeping personnel resulted in a geometric mean of 12.8 ng/d (GSD = 2.60). It follows that both unexposed controls and peacekeeping personnel excreted similar amounts of uranium. Inter-subject variation in uranium excretion was high and no significant age-specific differences were found.The second part of the study monitored 24 h urine samples provided by selected residents of Kosovo and adjacent regions of Serbia compared to controls from Munich, Germany. Total uranium and isotope ratios were measured in order to determine DU content. 235U/238U ratios were within ± 0.3% of the natural value, and 236U/238U was less than 2 × 10- 7, indicating no significant DU in any of the urine samples provided, despite total uranium excretion being relatively high in some cases. Measurements of ground and tap water samples from regions where DU munitions were deployed did not show any contamination with DU, except in one sample.It is concluded that both peacekeeping personnel and residents serving or living in the Balkans, respectively, were not exposed to significant amounts of DU. AU - Oeh, U. AU - Priest, N.D.* AU - Roth, P. AU - Ragnarsdottir, K.V.* AU - Li, W.B. AU - Höllriegl, V. AU - Thirlwall, M.F.* AU - Michalke, B. AU - Giussani, A. AU - Schramel, P. AU - Paretzke, H.G.* C1 - 5872 C2 - 24490 SP - 77-87 TI - Measurements of daily urinary uranium excretion in German peacekeeping personnel and residents of the Kosovo region to assess potential intakes of depleted uranium (DU). JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 381 IS - 1-3 PB - Elsevier PY - 2007 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - The aim of this study is to find and test a predictive model that could be suitable to estimate the outdoor NO(2) concentrations at individual level, by integrating ecological measurements recorded by local monitoring stations with individual information collected by a questionnaire. For this purpose, the data from the Italian centres of the European Community Respiratory Health Survey II (ECRHS II) has been used. Outdoor NO(2) concentrations were measured using NO(2) passive sampling tubes (PS-NO(2)), exposed outdoor for 14 days, between January 2001 and January 2003. Simultaneously, average NO(2) concentrations were collected from all the monitoring stations of the three centres (MS-NO(2)). Individual measurements carried out with passive samplers were compared with the corresponding NO(2) 2-week concentrations obtained as the average of all local (background and traffic) monitoring stations (MS-NO(2)). A multiple linear regression model was fitted to the data using the 2-week PS-NO(2) concentrations as the response variable and questionnaire information and MS-NO(2) concentrations as predictors. The model minimizing the root mean square error (RMSE), obtained from a ten-fold cross validation, was selected. The model with the best predictive ability included centre, season of the survey, MS-NO(2) concentrations, type and age of building, residential area and reported intensity of heavy-duty traffic and explained the 68.9% of the variance. The non-parametric correlation between PS-NO(2) and the concentrations estimated by the model is 0.81 (95% CI: 0.77-0.85). This study shows that over short periods (2 weeks) a good prediction of home outdoor exposure to NO(2) can be achieved by simply combining routinely collected ecological data with dwelling characteristics and self-reported intensity of heavy traffic. Further studies are needed to extend this prediction to long-term exposure. AU - Rava, M.* AU - Verlato, G.* AU - Bono, R.* AU - Ponzio, M.* AU - Sartori, S.* AU - Blengio, G. AU - Kuenzli, N. AU - Heinrich, J. AU - Götschi, T.* AU - de Marco, R.* C1 - 2985 C2 - 24924 SP - 163-170 TI - A predictive model for the home outdoor exposure to nitrogen dioxide. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 384 IS - 1-3 PB - Elsevier PY - 2007 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Estimates of (129)I depositions from (129)I releases of reprocessing plants are so far based on measurements of soil and rain water samples. Because (129)I concentrations in these samples show a highly temporal and spatial variability, the (129)I deposition values deduced from single measurements cannot be seen as representative for a larger area. Here it is proposed to use lake water as an archive for former (129)I depositions, to overcome these limitations. If the limnological parameters of any lake are known, the local (129)I deposition flux can be deduced which is temporally averaged over the flushing time, and spatially averaged over the catchment area of the lake. Samples were collected from various European lakes and from Lake Baikal (Russia). The (129)I concentration in these samples was measured by means of accelerator mass spectrometry, and values between 0.3 and 8.1x10(8) at/l were obtained. Deduced (129)I deposition fluxes averaged over the flushing times of the lakes range from 0.3 to 9.3x10(12) at/m(2) y. The (129)I deposition fluence measured for Lake Baikal is attributed predominantly to releases from the former Soviet reprocessing facilities Chelyabinsk, Tomsk and Krasnoyarsk, while the (129)I deposition fluxes deduced for all other lakes are attributed to releases from the European reprocessing activities at Sellafield, Marcoule and La Hague. AU - Reithmeier, H.* AU - Lazarev, V.* AU - Rühm, W. AU - Nolte, E.* C1 - 3872 C2 - 24631 SP - 285-293 TI - 129I measurements in lake water for an estimate of regional 129I depositions. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 376 PB - Elsevier PY - 2007 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - The transfer of 90Sr to a range of different plant species grown on a range of different soil types in Kazakhstan, including three from the Semipalatinsk Test Site (STS), has been measured in a lysimeter experiment. 90Sr uptake by Stipa spp was significantly higher than for other vegetation species. The uptake of 90Sr from chernozem was significantly lower than that from the other soil types which is consistent with other literature. There was a significant negative relationship between 90Sr uptake and calcium, humus and CEC concentration in the soil for Agropyrum spp, Artemisia spp but not for Stipa spp or Bromus spp. The transfer to vegetation from soil has been quantified using the aggregated transfer coefficients for each species. Tag values range from 0.6 to 11.9 m2 kg - 1× 10- 3 over all measurements. The transfer of 90Sr to plants from the Kazakh soils was low compared to previously reported data and to that given from literature reviews. AU - Savinkov, A.* AU - Semioshkina, N.A. AU - Howard, B.J.* AU - Voigt, G.* C1 - 5826 C2 - 24313 SP - 324-333 TI - Radiostrontium uptake by plants from different soil types in Kazakhstan. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 373 IS - 1 PB - Elsevier PY - 2007 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Giovannangelo, M.* AU - Gehring, U. AU - Nordling, E.* AU - Oldenwening, M.* AU - de Wind, S.* AU - Bellander, T.* AU - Almqvist, C.* AU - Heinrich, J. AU - Hoeck, G.* AU - Brunekreef, B.* C1 - 4855 C2 - 24052 SP - 82-90 TI - Childhood cat allergen exposure in three European countries: The AIRALLERG study. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 369 PY - 2006 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Maduabuchi, C.* AU - Faye, S. AU - Maloszewski, P. C1 - 5240 C2 - 23864 SP - 467-479 TI - Isotope evidence of palaeorecharge and paleoclimate in the deep confined aquifers of the Chad Basin, NE Nigeria. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 370 PY - 2006 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - At present there exist unsolved questions, whether endotoxin measurements on PM filters show valid measurements after long-term storage of loaded PM filters. As part of the TRAPCA study we collected particles with a 50% aerodynamic cut-off diameter of 2.5 ?m (PM2.5) at 40 outdoor sites and particles less than 10 ?m in size (PM10) at a subset of these sites (N = 12) in Munich. The PM filters were cut in halves and endotoxin was measured in the extract of one filter half 2–3 years after PM collection. Here we present the results of repeated endotoxin measurements, where the association between previously measured endotoxin concentrations, measurements from stored eluates, and measurements in extracts of the second filter halves were determined. No statistically significant changes were seen between our old measurements and those from the stored eluates. Additionally, no change was observed between previously measured endotoxin concentrations and those from the stored set of filter halves. We found an average increase of 5% between our old measurements and those from the stored eluates and of 19% between the old measurements and those from the stored set of filter halves. The correlations between the previously measured endotoxin concentrations and the repeated measurements from the stored eluates were high (r = 0.789) for EU/m3 PM2.5. Since endotoxin was evaluated from the same set of filter halves, it is obvious that storage over three years did not substantially effect the correlation of the endotoxin content. Regarding the outliers from previous measurements unsymmetric endotoxin spots on one out of 48 filter halves could be determined. Apart from this we conclude that the endotoxin is homogenously distributed on the filter halves and that endotoxin levels, which were repeatedly measured from filters stored over three years, could be determined validly. AU - Morgenstern, V. AU - Bischof, W.* AU - Koch, A.* AU - Heinrich, J. C1 - 3941 C2 - 24501 SP - 574-579 TI - Measurements of endotoxin on ambient loaded PM filters after long-term storage. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 370 PY - 2006 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Schimmack, W. AU - Márquez, F.F.* C1 - 3574 C2 - 23732 SP - 863-874 TI - Migration of fallout radiocaesium in a grassland soil from 1986 to 2001. Part II: Evaluation of the activity-depth profiles by transport models. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 368 PY - 2006 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Schimmack, W. AU - Schultz, W. C1 - 4928 C2 - 23731 SP - 853-862 TI - Migration of fallout radiocaesium in a grassland soil from 1986 to 2001. Part I: Activity-depth profiles of 134Cs and 137Cs. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 368 PY - 2006 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Faye, S.* AU - Maloszewski, P. AU - Stichler, W. AU - Trimborn, P. AU - Faye, S.C.* AU - Gaye, C.B.* C1 - 5341 C2 - 22663 SP - 243-259 TI - Groundwater salinization in the Saloum (Senegal) delta aquife: Minor elements and isotopic indicators. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 343 PY - 2005 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Vallius, M.* AU - Janssen, N.A.H.* AU - Heinrich, J. AU - Hoek, G.* AU - Ruuskanen, J.* AU - Cyrys, J. AU - van Grieken, R.* AU - de Hartog, J.J.* AU - Kreyling, W.G. AU - Pekkanen, J.* C1 - 2668 C2 - 22479 SP - 147-162 TI - Sources and elemental composition of ambient PM2.5 in three European cities. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 337 PY - 2005 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Wittmaack, K. AU - Wehnes, H. AU - Heinzmann, U. AU - Agerer, R.* C1 - 5361 C2 - 22860 SP - 244-255 TI - An overview on bioaerosols viewed by scanning electron microscopy. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 346 PY - 2005 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Lewne, M.* AU - Cyrys, J. AU - Hoek, G.* AU - Brauer, M.* AU - Fischer, P.* AU - Gehring, U. AU - Heinrich, J. AU - Brunekreef, B.* AU - Bellander, T.* C1 - 5806 C2 - 24290 SP - 217-230 TI - Spatial variation in nitrogen dioxide in three European areas. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 332 PY - 2004 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Niu, J.* AU - Chen, J.* AU - Martens, D. AU - Henkelmann, B. AU - Quan, X.* AU - Yang, F.* AU - Seidlitz, H.K. AU - Schramm, K.-W. C1 - 2572 C2 - 21803 SP - 231-241 TI - The role of UV-B on the degradation of PCDD/Fs and PAHs sorbed on surfaces of spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) needles. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 322 PY - 2004 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Cyrys, J. AU - Stölzel, M. AU - Heinrich, J. AU - Kreyling, W.G. AU - Menzel, N. AU - Wittmaack, K. AU - Tuch, T.* AU - Wichmann, H.-E. C1 - 9867 C2 - 21251 SP - 143-156 TI - Elemental composition and sources of fine and ultrafine ambient particles in Erfurt, Germany. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 305 PY - 2003 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Partial least squares regression together with 17 theoretical molecular structural descriptors was successfully used to develop QSPR models on sub-cooled liquid vapor pressures (P-L), n-octanol/water partition coefficients (K-OW) and sub-cooled liquid water solubilities (S-W,S-L) of polychlorinated diphenyl ethers (PCDEs). Only a few theoretical molecular descriptors were included in the QSPR models, including average molecular polarizability, molecular weight, total energy and standard heat of formation, which implies that intermolecular dispersive forces play an important role in governing the magnitude of P-L and K-OW. The models were tested as acceptable for prediction of P-L and K-OW by validation set. The consistency between observed and predicted values for P-L is the best, followed by K-OW and S-W,S-L. The Q(cum)(2) values of the PLS models obtained are higher than 0.95, indicating high robustness of the models. Since P-L, K-OW and S-W,S-L values for many PCDE congeners are not available, the developed models can be used for estimation. AU - Yang, P.* AU - Chen, J.* AU - Chen, S.* AU - Yuan, X.* AU - Schramm, K.-W. AU - Kettrup, A. C1 - 989 C2 - 21663 SP - 65-76 TI - QSPR models for physicochemical properties of polychlorinated diphenyl ethers. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 305 IS - 1-3 PB - Elsevier PY - 2003 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - It is well known that bioturbation can contribute significantly to the vertical transport of fallout radionuclides in grassland soils. To examine this effect also for a forest soil, activity-depth profiles of Chernobyl-derived Cs-134 from a limed plot (soil, hapludalf under spruce) with a high abundance of earthworms (Lumbricus rubellus) in the Olu horizon (thickness=3.5 cm) were evaluated and compared with the corresponding depth profiles from an adjacent control plot. For this purpose, a random-walk based transport model was developed, which considers (i) the presence of an initial activity-depth distribution, (ii) the deposition history of radiocesium at the soil surface, (iii) individual diffusion/dispersion coefficients and convection rates for the different soil horizons, and (iv) mixing by bioturbation within one soil horizon. With this model, the observed Cs-134-depth distribution at the control site (no bioturbation) and at the limed site could be simulated quite satisfactorily. It is shown that the observed, substantial long-term enrichment of Cs-134 in the bioturbation horizon can be modeled by an exceptionally effective diffusion process, combined with a partial reflection of the randomly moving particles at the two borders of the bioturbation zone. The present model predicts significantly longer residence times of radiocesium in the organic soil layer of the forest soil than obtained from a first-order compartment model, which does not consider bioturbation explicitly. AU - Bunzl, K. C1 - 9868 C2 - 20365 SP - 191-200 TI - Transport of fallout radiocesium in the soil by bioturbation : A random walk model and application to a forest soil with a high abundance of earthworms. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 293 PB - Elsevier PY - 2002 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - In this study the impact of nonylphenol, an estrogenic degradation product of alkylphenol polyethoxylates, on the microbial community structure in contaminated sediments of aquatic microcosms using in situ hybridization with fluorescently labeled oligonucleotides probes was investigated. A positive correlation between nonylphenol concentration and cell numbers of bacteria and microfungi as well as an increase in the numbers of active bacteria was found. However, the ratio between total microorganisms and active bacteria remained unchanged. A large fraction of the cells could be identified using group specific oligonucleotide probes. A slight change in the composition of the microbial community structure was observed, with Gram-positive bacteria with high DNA G + C-content becoming more abundant at higher concentrations of nonylphenol. AU - Jontofsohn, M. AU - Stoffels, M. AU - Hartmann, A. AU - Pfister, G. AU - Jüttner, I. AU - Severin-Edmair, G. AU - Schramm, K.-W. AU - Schloter, M. C1 - 9870 C2 - 20445 SP - 3-10 TI - Influence of nonylphenol on the microbial community of lake sediments in microcosms. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 285 PB - Elsevier PY - 2002 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - A comparison of platinum-group element (PGE) emission between gasoline and diesel engine catalytic converters is reported within this work. Whole raw exhaust fumes from four catalysts of three different types were examined during their useful lifetime, from fresh to 80 000 km. Two were gasoline engine catalysts (Pt-Pd-Rh and Pd-Rh), while the other two were diesel engine catalysts (Pt). Samples were collected following the 91441 EUDC driving cycle for light-duty vehicle testing, and the sample collection device used allowed differentiation between the particulate and soluble fractions, the latter being the most relevant from an environmental point of view. Analyses were performed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) (quadrupole and high resolution), and special attention was paid to the control of spectral interference, especially in the case of Pd and Rh. The results obtained show that, for fresh catalysts, the release of particulate PGE through car exhaust fumes does not follow any particular trend, with a wide range (one-two orders of magnitude) for the content of noble metals emitted. The samples collected from 30 000-80 000 kin present a more homogeneous PGE release for all catalysts studied. A decrease of approximately one order of magnitude is observed with respect to the release from fresh catalysts, except in the case of the diesel engine catalyst, for which PGE emission continued to be higher than in the case of gasoline engines. The fraction of soluble PGE was found to represent less than 10% of the total amount released from fresh catalysts. For aged catalysts, the figures are significantly higher, especially for Pd and Rh. Particulate PGE can be considered as virtually biologically inert, while soluble PGE forms can represent an environmental risk due to their bioavailability, which leads them to accumulate in the environment. AU - Moldovan, M.* AU - Palacios, M.A.* AU - Gomez, M.M.* AU - Morrison, G.* AU - Rauch, S.* AU - McLeod, C.* AU - Ma, R.* AU - Caroli, S.* AU - Alimonti, A.* AU - Petrucci, F.* AU - Bocca, B.* AU - Schramel, P. AU - Zischka, M. C1 - 9869 C2 - 20397 SP - 199-208 TI - Environmental risk of particulate and soluble platinum group elements released from gasoline and diesel engine catalytic converters. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 296 PB - Elsevier PY - 2002 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Schneider, P. AU - Gebefügi, I. AU - Richter, K.* AU - Wölke, G. AU - Schnelle, J. AU - Wichmann, H.-E. AU - Heinrich, J. C1 - 21689 C2 - 19865 SP - 41-51 TI - Indoor and outdoor BTX levels in German cities. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 267 PY - 2001 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - The high-temperature reactions of chlorinated hydrocarbons are reviewed with a primary focus on the gas-phase molecular growth chemistry and elementary reaction mechanisms leading to the formation of chlorinated benzenes and chlorinated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Recent heterogeneous mechanistic studies of the chlorination and condensation of aliphatic hydrocarbons at lower temperatures are also summarized. Copper(II) valent species play an important role as catalyst and reagent. The main thermal pathways for chlorinated dibenzodioxins and furans have been deduced by these laboratory experiments, which try to model the complex reality of the post-incineration zone of municipal and hazardous waste incinerators. AU - Taylor, P.H.* AU - Lenoir, D. C1 - 9866 C2 - 19754 SP - 1-24 TI - Chloroaromatic formation in incineration processes. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 269 IS - 1-3 PB - Elsevier Science BV PY - 2001 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Taylor, P.H.* AU - Lenoir, D. C1 - 21621 C2 - 19754 SP - 1-24 TI - Cloroaromatic formation in incineration processes. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 269 PY - 2001 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Cyrys, J. AU - Heinrich, J. AU - Richter, K.* AU - Wölke, G. AU - Wichmann, H.-E. C1 - 21371 C2 - 19487 SP - 51-62 TI - Sources and concentrations of indoor nitrogen dioxide in Hamburg (west Germany) and Erfurt ( east Germany). JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 250 PY - 2000 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - In 29 volunteers with a low amalgam load, the number of amalgam-covered tooth surfaces and the occlusal area of the fillings were determined. Before and at select times after removal of all amalgams, concentrations of total mercury were measured by cold-vapor atomic absorption in plasma and erythrocytes as well as in urine together with the excretion rate. Absorbed daily doses were estimated from intraoral Hg emission by two separate methods. The transfer of Hg from the fillings via the oral cavity and blood to urinary excretion was evaluated according to the most representative combination of parameters. This consisted of occlusal area (1), absorbed dose (2), Hg concentration in plasma (3) and urinary excretion (4). Pairwise correlation coefficients were 0.49 for parameters 1 vs. 2, and 0.75 each for parameters 2 vs. 3 and 3 vs. 4. Within 9 days after removal of the fillings, a transient increase in Hg levels was observed in plasma only; in the group without a rubber dam, concentrations increased significantly above pre-removal values at days 1 and 3, whereas they decreased significantly below pre-removal values at day 30 in the rubber-dam group and at day 100 in both groups. Excretion rates decreased significantly at day 100 in the protected group. Peak plasma-Hg was 0.6 ng/ml on average at day 1 and decreased with halftimes of 3 and 43 days in subjects protected by a rubber dam. The results indicated that concentrations of total mercury in plasma responded rapidly to changes in the amalgam status and reflected the actual absorption most reliably. Notably, plasma-Hg levels were sensitive enough to detect a transient attenuation of the additional exposure after using a rubber dam during the removal of only a few fillings. However, being small in magnitude and lasting 100 days at best, the rubber-dam effect had minor toxicological relevance. AU - Halbach, S. AU - Welzl, G. AU - Kremers, L.* AU - Willruth, H.* AU - Mehl, A.* AU - Wack, F.X.* AU - Hickel, R.* AU - Greim, H. C1 - 23919 C2 - 31410 SP - 13-21 TI - Steady-state transfer and depletion kinetics of mercury from amalgam fillings. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 259 IS - 1-3 PB - Elsevier PY - 2000 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Automotive catalytic converters, in which Pt, Pd and Rh (platinum-group elements; PGEs) are the active components for eliminating several noxious components from exhaust fumes, have become the main source of environmental urban pollution by PGEs. This work reports on the catalyst morphology through changes in catalyst surface by scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX) and laser-induced breakdown spectrometry (LIBS) from fresh to aged catalytic converters. The distribution of these elements in the fresh catalysts analysed (Pt-Pd-Rh gasoline catalyst) is not uniform and occurs mainly in a longitudinal direction. This heterogeneity seems to be greater for Pt and Pd. PGEs released by the catalysts, fresh and aged 30,000 km, were studied in parallel. Whole raw exhaust fumes from four catalysts of three different types were also examined. Two of these were gasoline catalysts (Pt-Pd Rh and Pd-Rh) and the other two were diesel catalysts (Pt). Samples were collected following the 91,441 EUDC driving cycle for light-duty vehicle testing. The results show that at 0 km the samples collected first have the highest content of particulate PGEs and although the general tendency is for the release to decrease with increasing number of samples taken, exceptions are frequent. At 30,000 km the released PGEs in gasoline and diesel catalysts decreased significantly. For fresh gasoline catalysts the mean of the total amount released was approximately 100, 250 and 50 ng km(-1) for Pt, Pd and Rh, respectively. In diesel catalysts the Pt release varied in the range 400-800 ng km-1. After ageing the catalysts up to 30,000 km, the gasoline catalysts released amounts of Pt between 6 and 8 ng km(-1), Pd between 12 and 16 ng km(-1) and Rh between 3 and 12 ng km(-1). In diesel catalysts the Pt release varied in the range 108-150 ng km(-1). The soluble portion of PGEs in the HNO3 collector solution represented less than 5% of the total amount for fresh catalysts. For 30,000 km the total amount of soluble PGEs released was similar or slightly higher than for 0 km. AU - Palacios, M.A.* AU - Gomez, M.M.* AU - Moldovan, M.* AU - Morrison, G.* AU - Rauch, S.* AU - McLeod, C.* AU - Ma, R.* AU - Laserna, J.* AU - Lucena, P.* AU - Caroli, S.* AU - Alimonti, A.* AU - Petrucci, F.* AU - Bocca, B.* AU - Schramel, P. AU - Lustig, S. AU - Zischka, M. AU - Wass, U.* AU - Stenbom, B.* AU - Luna, M.* AU - Saenz, J.C.* AU - Santamaría, J.* AU - Torrens, J.M.* C1 - 21543 C2 - 19665 SP - 1-15 TI - Platinum-group elements: Quantification in collected exhaust fumes and studies of catalyst surfaces. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 257 IS - 1 PB - Elsevier PY - 2000 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Schnelle-Kreis, J. AU - Scherb, H. AU - Gebefügi, I. AU - Kettrup, A. AU - Weigelt, E. C1 - 21349 C2 - 19465 SP - 125-132 TI - Pentachlorophenol in indoor environments: Correlation of PCP concentrations in air and settled dust from floors. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 256 PY - 2000 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Schramel, O. AU - Michalke, B. AU - Kettrup, A. C1 - 21544 C2 - 19666 SP - 11-22 TI - Study of the copper distribution in contaminated soils of hop fields by single and sequential extraction procedures. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 263 PY - 2000 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Faus-Kessler, T. AU - Dietl, C.* AU - Tritschler, J. AU - Peichl, L. C1 - 21024 C2 - 19238 SP - 13-25 TI - Temporal and spatial trends of metal contents of Bavarian mosses Hypnum cupressiforme. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 232 PY - 1999 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Gawlik, B.M.* AU - Kettrup, A. AU - Muntau, H.* C1 - 20964 C2 - 19014 SP - 109-120 TI - Characterisation of a second generation of European reference soils for sorption studies in the framework of chemical testing. Part 2: soil adsorption behaviour of organic chemicals. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 229 PY - 1999 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Gawlik, B.M.* AU - Bo, F.* AU - Kettrup, A. AU - Muntau, H.* C1 - 21469 C2 - 19586 SP - 99-107 TI - Characterisation of a second generation of European reference soils for sorption studies in the framework of chemical testing - Part I: Chemical composition and pedological properties. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 229 PY - 1999 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Meyer, I. AU - Heinrich, J. AU - Lippold, U.* C1 - 21094 C2 - 19127 SP - 25-36 TI - Factors affecting lead and cadmium levels in house dust in industrial areas of eastern Germany. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 234 PY - 1999 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Shinonaga, T. AU - Pröhl, G. AU - Müller, H. AU - Ambe, S.* C1 - 20866 C2 - 18920 SP - 241-248 TI - Experimentally determined mobility of trace elements in soybean plants. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 225 PY - 1999 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - To study the effect of exhaust air from a ventilating shaft of a uranium mine on an adjacent field, we determined, along a 200-m transect in 4-m intervals, the activity concentrations of the natural radionuclides 238U, 228Ra, 226Ra, 210Pb, and 40K as well as the artificial fallout radionuclide 137Cs in the soil. Data showed that increased activity concentrations, due to the emissions from the mine, are observable for all radionuclides with the exception of 40K at up to a distance of about 40 m in the field (i.e. 50 m from the air outlet). The largest effect was observed for 210Pb (an increase by one order of magnitude) and the smallest was for 228R. The increased levels of 137Cs in the soil near the ventilating shaft were not the result of 137Cs in the rock material of the mine, but this radionuclide arrived in the air of the mine via the main fresh airways and was consequently also found in the exhausted air. The semivariograms of the activity concentrations of the radionuclides at distances where the effect of the emissions from the mine was no longer detectable indicated, for 226Ra, the presence of a range (about 30 m) within which the variance attained its maximum value (approximately the sample variance). AU - Bunzl, K.W. AU - Kretner, R. AU - Szeles, M.S.M.F. AU - Winkler, R.A. C1 - 40015 C2 - 38062 SP - 225-232 TI - Transect survey of 238U, 228Ra, 226Ra, 210Pb, 137Cs and 40K in an agricultural soil near an exhaust ventilating shaft of a uranium mine. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 149 IS - 3 PY - 1994 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Altschuh, J. AU - Brüggemann, R. AU - Karcher, W. C1 - 19864 C2 - 13017 SP - 1409-1419 TI - Attempts to classify QSARs with respect to their validity : Vapour Pressure Estimation as an Example. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - Suppl.1993 PY - 1993 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - A method is developed to classify QSARs or PPRs according to their validity, with the validity given in terms of applicability and accuracy. As a first step, test sets of chemicals are classified with respect to the presence or non-presence of 15 structural elements by use of a bit-pattern. To account for the accuracy, deterministic outliers are defined based on variable confidence intervals. A quality function is introduced that relates the number of outliers to the length of that interval. Characteristic features of this quality function may be used to classify a QSAR or PPR together with quantities describing the test set. Estimations of vapour pressure for large test sets (N = 360) from two property-property relationships are given as examples. Quality functions are discussed for the complete test sets as well as for specific subsets. AU - Altschuh, J. AU - Brüggemann, R. AU - Karcher, W.* C1 - 40288 C2 - 38988 SP - 1409-1419 TI - Attempts to classify QSARs with respect to their validity: vapour pressure estimation as an example. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 134 IS - SUPPL. 2 PY - 1993 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - A method is developed to classify QSARs or PPRs according to their validity, with the validity given in terms of applicability and accuracy. As a first step, test sets of chemicals are classified with respect to the presence or non-presence of 15 structural elements by use of a bit-pattern. To account for the accuracy, deterministic outliers are defined based on variable confidence intervals. A quality function is introduced that relates the number of outliers to the length of that interval. Characteristic features of this quality function may be used to classify a QSAR or PPR together with quantities describing the test set. AU - Altschuh, J. AU - Brüggemann, R. AU - Karcher, W. C1 - 40430 C2 - 37979 SP - 2 TI - Attempts to classify QSARs with respect to their validity: vapour pressure estimation as an example. JO - Sci. Total Environ. IS - Suppl. PY - 1993 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB -  A summary is given of the range and effectiveness of different available countermeasures which can reduce the radiation dose arising from the radioactive contamination of food products from animals. The choice of which countermeasure is suitable for each particular situation will depend on many factors. Consideration should be given not only to the effectiveness of each countermeasure in terms of reduction of radionuclide content, but also to its practicality and cost, particularly where deposition levels are high or where high contamination levels in animal food products persist for a long period of time. Effective countermeasures which can reduce radiocaesium contamination of milk and meat from farmed animals by more than a factor of 10 have been developed, tested and used during the last 30 years. Less progress has been made in identifying effective binders for reducing levels of the other important contaminating radionuclides, such as I and Sr, in animal food products. AU - Hove, K. AU - Strand, P. AU - Voigt, G. AU - Jones, B.-E.,V. AU - Howard, B.J. AU - Segal, M.G. AU - Pollaris, K. AU - Pearse, J. C1 - 19895 C2 - 13049 SP - 261-271 TI - Countermeasures for Reducing Radioactive Contamination of Farm Animals and Farm Animal Products. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 137 IS - 1-3 PB - Elsevier PY - 1993 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - A summary is given of the range and effectiveness of different available countermeasures which can reduce the radiation dose arising from the radioactive contamination of food products from animals. The choice of which countermeasure is suitable for each particular situation will depend on many factors. Consideration should be given not only to the effectiveness of each countermeasure in terms of reduction of radionuclide content, but also to its practicality and cost, particularly where deposition levels are high or where high contamination levels in animal food products persist for a long period of time. Effective countermeasures which can reduce radiocaesium contamination of milk and meat from farmed animals by more than a factor of 10 have been developed, tested and used during the last 30 years. Less progress has been made in identifying effective binders for reducing levels of the other important contaminating radionuclides, such as I and Sr, in animal food products. AU - Hove, K.* AU - Strand, P.* AU - Voigt, G.M. AU - Jones, B.E.V.* AU - Howard, B.J.* AU - Segal, M.G.* AU - Pollaris, K.* AU - Pearce, J.E.* C1 - 40353 C2 - 40045 SP - 261-271 TI - Countermeasures for reducing radioactive contamination of farm animals and farm animal products. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 137 IS - 1-3 PY - 1993 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - A global ESB system-especially if coordinated with a global monitoring system-can serve as a safety net to verify earlier forecasts and provide for adjustments and determine the adequacy of actions that can be taken to prevent or remedy serious chemical impacts. But the full potential of ESB can only be fully realised if the samples banks contents are directly comparable, i.e. if they are established and maintained according to well-defined guidelines. In other words not only can ESBs be extremely useful as a practical approach to a number of aspects of harmonization of environmental measurement, they themselves also require harmonization. AU - Keune, H. C1 - 40424 C2 - 37985 SP - 537-544 TI - Environmental Specimen Banking (ESB): An essential part of integrated ecological monitoring on a global scale. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 139-140 PY - 1993 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - From its position in the marine food chain, the herring gull (Larus argentatus) is a suitable indicator for the level of contamination of its habitats with lipophilic chemicals, especially the chlorinated hydrocarbons. The gull's utility as an indicator is demonstrated by investigations performed at Trischen island in the Elbe estuary and Alte Mellum island situated in the Weser estuary, when judged by their ability to reflect variations in pollution levels. The use of the analysis technique developed and standardized for the German Environmental Specimen Bank gives comparable results for both temporal and spatial variations for contamination levels on the different islands in the Wadden Sea area (North Sea coast) of Germany. AU - Oxynos, K. AU - Schmitzer, J.L. AU - Kettrup, A. C1 - 40450 C2 - 40048 SP - 387-398 TI - Herring gull eggs as bioindicators for chlorinated hydrocarbons (contribution to the German Federal Environmental Specimen Bank). JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 139-140 PY - 1993 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Isotopic and conventional techniques were used to estimate the moisture flow velocities and movement of salts in the unsaturated zone. The experiments were performed using normal delta of irrigation and prolonged irrigation of the fields. The results of the study show that the flow velocities due to normal irrigation practice, determined through both techniques are in good agreement. In the case of prolonged irrigation, flow velocities are many times higher and decrease up to a depth and then become constant. In loamy soils, the salts keep moving up and down in the upper soil layers while in sandy soils they are leached to the water table. AU - Sajjad, M.I.* AU - Tasneem, M.A.* AU - Hussain, S.D.* AU - Seiler, K.P. AU - Saiyid- Ud-Zafar, M.* C1 - 33561 C2 - 38972 SP - 235-247 TI - Estimation of flow velocities and salt movements in unsaturated zone using isotopic and conventional techniques. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 138 IS - 1-3 PY - 1993 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - This system allows the testing of volatile and unstable substances, which is problematic in static test systems. The effects of different chemical compounds were tested using growth of Chlamydomonas reinhardi as criterion. From the results the following order with increasing toxicity (EC 10 day 10) can be given: atrazine, copper sulphate, cadmium chloride, pentachlorophenol, 3,4-dichloroaniline, lindane, methyl parathion and 1,2-dichloropropane. Concerning methyl parathion and 3,4-dichloroaniline, an increase of the EC 10 values during the test was observed. The sensitivity of C. reinhardi in the flow-through test system was in many cases higher than in the static tests. Bioconcentration examinations showed a 10-times high accumulation of Cd 2+ compared with Cu 2+. AU - Schäfer, H.C. AU - Wenzel, A. AU - Fritsche, U. AU - Roderer, G. AU - Traunspurger, W. C1 - 40257 C2 - 38900 SP - 1 TI - Long-term effects of selected xenobiotica on freshwater green algae: development of a flow-through test system. JO - Sci. Total Environ. PY - 1993 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Scheunert, I. AU - Mansour, M. AU - Dörfler, U. AU - Schroll, R. C1 - 19464 C2 - 12559 SP - 361-369 TI - Fate of Pendimethalin, Carbofuran, and Diazinon under Abiotic and Biotic Conditions. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 132 PY - 1993 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - The insecticides carbofuran and diazinon as well as the herbicide pendimethalin were irradiated with UV light of different wavelengths in water or water/soil suspensions under various conditions. As compared to pure distilled water, photodegradation was increased in the presence of titanium dioxide, hydrogen peroxide or ozone, or by using natural river or lake water. In a water/soil suspension, diazinon was converted, besides to other products, to the isomeric isodiazinon. When subjected to various direct or indirect photolysis conditions, pendimethalin was transformed to various products resulting from dealkylation and reduction. [14C]Pendimethalin was applied to two natural sandy soils in lysimeters under outdoor conditions. Leachate collected at 1 m depth was analysed for radioactivity for 300 days. Radioactive products were detected from the third week onwards and continued to be leached during the whole experimental period. The radioactive products were neither the parent compound nor carbon dioxide nor carbonate but water-soluble organic conversion products. AU - Scheunert, I. AU - Mansour, M. AU - Dörfler, U. AU - Schroll, R.A. C1 - 40270 C2 - 40019 SP - 361-369 TI - Fate of pendimethalin, carbofuran and diazinon under abiotic and biotic conditions. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 132 IS - 2-3 PY - 1993 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Schimmack, W. AU - Bunzl, K. AU - Klotz, D. C1 - 20042 C2 - 13210 SP - 169-181 TI - Infiltration of Radionuclides with High Mobility (82Br and 95mTc) Into a Forest Soil. Effect of the Irrigation Intensity. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 138 PY - 1993 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - After major nuclear accidents the most effective action to reduce activity levels in animal products is to provide uncontaminated feed or feed diluted with uncontaminated material. However, uncontaminated feed may not always be available in such situations. Therefore other effective procedures are needed to reduce activity levels which must be easy to apply, low in cost and have no side effects on animals and their products. Chemical substances administered as feed additive to housed or grazing animals act by influencing gut absorption or increasing the rate of excretion from blood and organs. The main chemical methods used are: (1) dilution of radionuclides by stable isotopes or analogeous inactive elements; and (2) natural or artificial binding agents. In this paper a summary and critical review of the different chemical methods described in the literature is given. AU - Voigt, G.M. C1 - 40283 C2 - 40008 SP - 205-225 TI - Chemical methods to reduce the radioactive contamination of animals and their products in agricultural ecosystems. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 137 PY - 1993 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Franke, K. AU - Boeriu, A. AU - Degens, P.O. AU - Dresler, R. AU - Fritsch, H. AU - Haake, D. AU - Hahn, M. AU - Hanisch, E. AU - Hempel, A. AU - Höltmann, B.-J. AU - Köhler, M.D. AU - Königshausen, T. AU - Krause, P. AU - Kreienbrock, L. AU - Kühn, L. AU - Phlippen, R. AU - Ranft, U. AU - Richter, B. AU - Robra, B.P. AU - Schlipköter, H.-W. AU - Spix, C. AU - Schwartz, F.W. AU - Thoma, R. AU - Thiel, H. AU - Ulmer, W.T. AU - Voshaar, T. AU - Worth, H. AU - Wylicil, P. AU - Wichmann, H.-E. C1 - 19492 C2 - 12588 SP - 69-78 TI - A 3- Year Cohort Study on Short-Term Effects of Air Pollution in Germany. 1. Influences of Medication and Season. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 127 PY - 1992 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - The sources of Chernobyl-derived caesium concentrations in air and deposition samples collected from mid-1986 to the end of 1990 at Munich-Neuherberg, Germany, were investigated. Local resuspension has been found to be the main source. By comparison with deposition data from other locations it is estimated that within a range from 20 Bq m-2 to 60 kBq m-2 of initially deposited 137Cs activity ~2% is re-deposited by the process of local resuspension in Austria, Germany, Japan and the United Kingdom, while significantly higher total resuspension is to be expected for Denmark and Finland. Stratospheric contribution to the present concentrations is shown to be negligible. This is confirmed by cross correlation analysis between the time series of 137Cs in air and precipitation before and after the Chernobyl accident and the respective time series of cosmogenic 7Be, which is an indicator of stratospheric input. Seasonal variations of caesium concentrations with maxima in the winter months were observed. AU - Hötzl, H. AU - Rosner, G. AU - Winkler, R.A. C1 - 40500 C2 - 38025 SP - 231-242 TI - Sources of present Chernobyl-derived caesium concentrations in surface air and deposition samples. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 119 PY - 1992 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - The use of gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and capillary gas chromatography (GC) with thermionic detection (NPD) is described as a routine methodology for the determination of organophosphorus pesticides in biota samples. Confirmatory analysis is done by capillary GC with mass spectrometry in the negative chemical ionization mode (NCI-MS). As an example, the use of GPC is described as trace-enrichment technique and clean-up to remove coextractive lipids in samples of mosquito fish Gambussia affinis collected during periods of 1987-1989 in the rice crop fields of the Ebro Delta (Spain). Recoveries of dioxathion, fenitrothion, malathion, tetrachlorvinphos, azinphos-ethyl, ronnel and coumaphos varied between 60% and 80% depending on the compound. AU - Mansour, M. AU - Barcelo, D. AU - Albaigés, J. C1 - 40693 C2 - 37999 SP - 45-56 TI - Analytical methodology for screening organophosphorus pesticides in biota samples. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 123-124 PY - 1992 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Photodegradation of carbetamide ((R)-1-(ethylcarbamoyl)ethyl carbanilate) and metoxuron (3-(3-chloro-4-methoxyphenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea) in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, titanium dioxide and ozone was investigated with ultraviolet radiations (λ > 290 nm). Several photoproducts were isolated and identified by spectrometric methods. The results suggest that the degradation pathways of these compounds in the presence of UV-H2O2 and UV-TiO2 are hydroxylations of the aromatic ring. UV-ozonation rapidly photooxidized all pesticides. The opening of the aromatic rings was observed, producing lower molecular weight carboxylic acids. Further photooxidation converts the acids to CO2, H2O, HCl and NH3. AU - Mansour, M. AU - Schmitt, P. AU - Mamouni, A. C1 - 40697 C2 - 37995 SP - 183-193 TI - Elimination of metoxuron and carbetamide in the presence of oxygen species in aqueous solutions. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 123-124 PY - 1992 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Schimmack, W. AU - Bunzl, K. C1 - 19088 C2 - 12143 SP - 93-117 TI - Migration of Radiocesium in Two Forest Soils as Obtained from Field and Column Investigations. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 116 PY - 1992 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Depth profiles of radiocesium were measured in a podsolic parabrown earth of a spruce stand and in a podsol of a pine stand up to 3 years after the Chernobyl accident. At the same sites undisturbed soil columns of 20 cm diameter and 40 cm length were taken, transferred to the laboratory and irrigated intermittently with synthetic rainwater containing initially a known amount of radiocesium. The resulting migration of radiocesium in the columns under unsaturated conditions was determined as a function of time up to 3 years with a scanner technique. The depth profiles of radiocesium observed in the field and in the columns were evaluated with a compartment model to obtain the residence half-times of this radionuclide in the various soil horizons. The field observations yielded a residence half-time in the organic layer of both soils of ~ 4-6 years for Chernobyl-derived cesium, and of 10 - 15 years for cesium from the global fallout of weapons testing. In the mineral soil (0-5 cm), under spruce, the residence time of Chernobyl-derived cesium was 15 years, that of cesium from the global fallout (present in the soil since ~ 30 years) was 50 years. Under pine, the residence time in the mineral soil was 4 years for Chernobyl-derived cesium, and 11 years for global fallout cesium. Obviously, in each layer of both soils cesium becomes less available for migration with time. The residence times of radiocesium evaluated from the column experiments were in good agreement with those obtained from the field observations. Due to the comparatively short duration of the column experiments, however, the long-term increase of the residence time of radiocesium in the soil was not yet unambiguously observable. AU - Schimmack, W. AU - Bunzl, K.W. C1 - 40677 C2 - 38890 SP - 93-107 TI - Migration of radiocesium in two forest soils as obtained from field and column investigations. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 116 IS - 1-2 PY - 1992 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Photolysis of isoxaben N-[3-(1-ethyl-l-methylpropyl)-isoxazol-5-yl]-2-6-dimethoxylbenzamide in dilute aqueous solutions, adsorbed on silica gel plates and in solid phase was studied. The rate of photodecomposition was determined. The results suggest that the rate is not first order. Some photoproducts were isolated and identified by spectroscopic methods. Photo-decomposition with sunlight leads to the formation of three isomers, 2,6-dimethoxybenzo-nitrile and 2,6-dimethoxybenzamide as major photoproducts. The rearrangement has been shown to proceed in two photochemical steps by way of azirine II and unidentified photoproduct IV as stable intermediates. Azirine II is photodegraded to the product oxazole III and rearranges back to the starting isoxaben I. The same degradation products were found when isoxaben was adsorbed on silica gel and in solid phase. AU - Schmitt, P.* AU - Mamouni, A. AU - Mansour, M. AU - Schiavon, M.* C1 - 40670 C2 - 38889 SP - 171-182 TI - Photodecomposition of isoxaben in aqueous systems and solid phase. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 123-124 IS - C PY - 1992 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Schneider, P. AU - Scheunert, I. AU - Kettrup, A. C1 - 19481 C2 - 12576 SP - 391-398 TI - Comparison of Short-Term and Long-Term Experiments Determining the Volatility of Atrazine from Different Soil Surfaces. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 123/124 PY - 1992 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Lysimeter and laboratory tests were carried out with the 14C-labeled herbicide terbutylazine and a sandy agricultural soil in an application rate of 890 g/ha. The laboratory test in a small plant-soil-ecosystem showed that uptake of residues by maize plants occurred nearly completely by the root pathway. In the lysimeter study small volatilization chambers were placed on the soil of three lysimeters to get information about volatilization and biodegradation to 14CO2 under outdoor conditions; maize was grown. Volatilization rates were highest at the day of application and then decreased; after 32 days, between 0.30% and 0.36% of the initially applied amount was lost by volatilization. Biomineralization during this time period was between 3.07% and 5.26%. Maize plants took up 0.41% of the applied radioactivity; this 14C was due to polar metabolites and to unextractable residues and not to unchanged terbutylazine. About 1 year after application of the pesticide, volatilization and biodegradation of terbutylazine and probably of its metabolites were determined again after tilling the soil. Volatilization rates were in the same range as in the first year 30 days after application. 14CO2-formation was lower and no lag phase could be observed. AU - Schroll, R.A. AU - Langenbach, T.* AU - Cao, G.* AU - Dörfler, U. AU - Schneider, P.M. AU - Scheunert, I. C1 - 40642 C2 - 38913 SP - 377-389 TI - Fate of [14C]terbutylazine in soil-plant systems. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 123-124 IS - C PY - 1992 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Physico-chemical properties of chemicals are important data for exposure analysis. They can be estimated from structural information and/or via property-property relationships (PPRs). Often, such PPRs are restricted to distinct chemical classes. A concept has been developed in which molecules are characterized according to the presence or non-presence of typical structural elements (e.g., carbonyl functions, rings, aromatics). All structural elements are represented by binary digits (1 or 0 according to presence or non-presence). Using this tuple of digits, the estimation of aqueous solubility from the n-octanol/water partition coefficient is validated. According to different goodness criteria the PPRs are ranked by applying the graph-theoretical concept of HASSE diagrams. The best are analyzed further. Results indicate that some specific sets of molecules with the OH function should be excluded to keep the PPRs sufficiently accurate. Consequently, new PPRs especially for OH compounds are examined. AU - Brüggemann, R. AU - Altschuh, J. C1 - 40797 C2 - 11742 SP - 41-57 TI - A validation study for the estimation of aqueous solubility from n-octanol/water partition coefficients. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 109-110 PY - 1991 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Geyer, H.J. AU - Scheunert, I. AU - Brüggemann, R. AU - Steinberg, C.E.W. AU - Korte, F. AU - Kettrup, A. C1 - 18401 C2 - 11603 SP - 387-394 TI - QSAR for Organic Chemical Bioconcentration in Daphnia, Algae, and Mussels. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 109/110 PY - 1991 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Schimmack, W. AU - Bunzl, K. AU - Kreutzer, K. AU - Schierl, R. C1 - 18960 C2 - 11351 SP - 181-189 TI - Effects of Acid Irrigation and Liming on the Migration of Radiocesium in a Forest Soil as Observed by Field Measurements. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 101 PY - 1991 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - The effect of normal irrigation, acid irrigation, and liming on the vertical migration of radiocesium from Chernobyl and global fallout was investigated by determining the activity of 134Cs and 137Cs in the upper horizons (LOfl, Of2, Oh, Aeh, Alh, Al) of six experimental plots of a forest soil (spruce stand) as a function of time. For the Of2 and Oh horizons (but not for the LOfl horizon) of the control plots during our period of observation (600 days from 30 April 1986), we found a significant increase in the mean residence half-time (τ) of Chernobyl-derived cesium from ~ 70 to 500 days, indicating that Cs is sorbed more strongly with time. The different types of soil management showed an effect only in the Of2 horizon. Irrigation, especially when acid, prevents the increase of τ with time. Liming reduces the rate of migration of Cs significantly, even if the plots are irrigated with normal or acid water. Cesium-137 from global fallout was present mainly in the Oh and Aeh horizons, but was less mobile than Chernobyl-derived Cs by one order of magnitude. AU - Schimmack, W. AU - Bunzl, K.W. AU - Kreutzer, K. AU - Schierl, R. C1 - 40715 C2 - 40172 SP - 181-189 TI - Effects of acid irrigation and liming on the migration of radiocesium in a forest soil as observed by field measurements. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 101 IS - 3 PY - 1991 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Steinberg, C.E.W. AU - Saumweber, S. AU - Kern, J. C1 - 18520 C2 - 11674 SP - 83-90 TI - Paleolimnological Trends in Total Organic Carbon Indicate Natural and Anthropogenic Sources of Acidity in Großer Arbersee, Germany. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 107 PY - 1991 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - In Grosser Arbersee, a cirque lake in the Bavarian Forest (Germany), the acidification chronology since the late-glacial period has been studied paleolimnologically, applying subfossil diatom assemblages. Distinct phases of acidification could be detected, both natural phases via postglacial development of soils and vegetation in the catchment, and anthropogenic phases via mineral acid depositions. Whereas the former phases were accompanied (and most probably caused as well) by increases in organic carbon contents, the latter phases are characterized by losses of organic carbon contents from the lake. AU - Steinberg, C.E.W. AU - Saumweber, S. AU - Kern, J.W. C1 - 40785 C2 - 38877 SP - 83-90 TI - Paleolimnological trends in total organic carbon indicate natural and anthropogenic sources of acidity in Grosser Arbersee, Germany. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 107 PY - 1991 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Brüggemann, R. AU - Halfon, E. C1 - 17634 C2 - 10582 SP - 827-837 TI - Ranking for Environmental Hazard of the Chemicals Spilled in the Sandoz Accident in November 1986. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 97/98 PY - 1990 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - In 1986, a chemical spill took place from the Sandoz plant in Basel, Switzerland, into the Rhine River. In this paper we rank the environmental hazard of eight chemicals which entered the Rhine River. The ranking procedure is performed by including fate descriptors of chemicals which were derived using the fate model EXWAT. EXWAT is a part of the model E4CHEM and is briefly described in this paper. Two ranking methods are used. The first may be described as an application of statistics, whereas the second is a graph-theoretical approach. Results from both ranking methods show that the chemicals can be divided into two groups. The most hazardous include dinitro-o-cresol, propetamphos and parathion, and the least hazardous include disulfoton, thiometon, etrimfos, metoxuron and fenitrothion. AU - Brüggemann, R. AU - Halfon, E.* C1 - 40869 C2 - 36390 SP - 827-837 TI - Ranking for environmental hazard of the chemicals spilled in the Sandoz accident in November 1986. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 97-98 PY - 1990 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Geyer, H.J. AU - Scheunert, I. AU - Brüggemann, R. AU - Korte, F. AU - Kettrup, A. C1 - 18599 C2 - 11735 TI - QSAR for Organic Chemical Bioconcentration in Daphnia. JO - Sci. Total Environ. PY - 1990 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Rosner, G. AU - Hötzl, H. AU - Winkler, R. C1 - 17571 C2 - 10891 SP - 1-12 TI - Effect of Dry Deposition, Washout and Resuspension of the Radionuclide Ratios after the Chernobyl Accident. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 90 PY - 1990 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - The temporal variations of radionuclide ratios in air and deposition samples collected simultaneously at Munich-Neuherberg (F.R.G.) after the Chernobyl accident have been studied. Until 8 May 1986, the radionuclides investigated were 99Mo, 103Ru, 106Ru, 110mAg, 125Sb, 129mTe, 132Te, 131I, 134Cs, 137Cs, 140Ba, 141Ce and 144Ce. After 8 May, 99Mo, 110mAg, 125Sb, and the Ce isotopes were below the detection limits. Considerable temporal variations of the above radionuclides, relative to 137Cs, were observed in air as well as in deposition. In air the temporal variations reflect the arrival of different parts of the reactor plume with different elemental composition. In deposition, the temporal patterns were quitte different from those in air for a given radionuclide. This is explained by varying contributions of dry and wet deposition. Until 8 May, the washout ratios of the above radionuclides covered a range from 240 to 5600, with smaller variations for all radionuclides within one event (e.g. 460-910), and larger variations from one event to another (e.g. 460-3300 for 137Cs). The dry deposition velocity of 137Cs was found to be 0.27 cm s-1, similar to that of 110mAg, aerosol 131I and 140Ba (0.37, 0.13 and 0.15 cm s-1). Another group of radionuclides includes 103Ru, 106Ru, 125Sb, total 131I and 132Te with dry deposition velocities of 0.08, 0.10, 0.07, 0.03 and 0.08 cm s-1 and with temporal variations in deposition which are quite different from those of the first group. From 8 May to the end of June, the washout ratios increased to values between 1500 and 24 000, with the exception of iodine, which had considerably lower washout ratios of between 37 and 4400. These later effects are explained by resuspension and, in the case of iodine, by remobilization of gaseous species. AU - Rosner, G. AU - Hötzl, H. AU - Winkler, R.A. C1 - 41995 C2 - 40142 SP - 1-12 TI - Effect of dry deposition, washout and resuspension on radionuclide ratios after the Chernobyl accident. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 90 PY - 1990 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - The time dependence of the specific activity of Chernobyl-derived 134Cs, 137Cs and 106Ru was determined in vegetation and soil samples from an old spruce stand within a period of 600 days after the beginning of the radioactive fallout. The results show that 70% of the total activity of radiocesium and 60% of radioruthenium deposited in the spruce stand were retained intinially in the canopy. They were removed from the needles and twigs as a result of weathering (rain, wind, litter fall) and transferred to the forest floor, but only rather slowly (half-lives in the canopy: radiocesium, 90 days for the period 0–130 days, 230 days for the period 130–600 days; radioruthenium, 95 days for the period 0–200 days). The transfer of radiocesium and ruthenium to the forest floor by litter-fall was small when compared with that of weathering by rain or wind (radiocesium 7%, radioruthenium 8%, with respect to the total activity deposited in the canopy). The total deposition of radiocesium and ruthenium in the spruce stand was higher by 20 and 24%, respectively, than that observed in nearby grassland. The deposition velocity of radiocesium in the spruce stand was estimated at 5.5 mm s−1, higher by a factor of 10 than the figure for grassland. Similar values were found for radioruthenium AU - Bunzl, K. AU - Schimmack, W. AU - Kreutzer, K.E. AU - Schierl, R. C1 - 17445 C2 - 10350 SP - 77-87 TI - Interception and Retention of Chernobyl-derived 134-Cs, 137Cs and 106Ru in a Spruce Stand. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 78 PY - 1989 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - After accidental releases of radionuclides to the atmosphere, the activity concentration in animal food products are dependent on the month in which the release occurs. Highest contamination of milk or meat can usually be expected in that month in which the main feedstuff of the ration is harvested. The integral activity concentrations due to foliar uptake in the first year are much greater than the integral activity concentrations over 50 yr root uptake. AU - Pröhl, G. AU - Müller, H.M. AU - Voigt, G.M. C1 - 33845 C2 - 36524 SP - 107-117 TI - The influence of the feeding practice and the season on the contamination of animal food products after a single deposition of radionuclides. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 85 PY - 1989 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - The 137Cs transfer coefficients for meat were: 0.01 d/kg beef (cow), 0.038 d/kg beef (heifer), 0.038 d/kg (bull), 0.35 d/kg veal, 0.4 d/kg pork, 0.33 d/kg sheep, 0.28 d/kg fallow deer and 1.3 d/kg chicken. The transfer coefficients for cow's milk were 0.007 d/1 (131I) and 0.003 d/1 (137Cs), and for sheep's milk 0.06 d/1 (137Cs). In egg-white and yolk transfer coefficients for 137Cs of 0.2 and 0.1 d/kg, respectively, were determined. Biological half-lives and the influence of feed additives on the activity concentrations in meat and animal products are described. AU - Voigt, G.M. AU - Pröhl, G. AU - Müller, H. AU - Bauer, T.* AU - Lindner, J.* AU - Probstmeier, G.* AU - Röhrmoser, G.* C1 - 42559 C2 - 36413 SP - 329-338 TI - Determination of the transfer of cesium and iodine from feed into domestic animals. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 85 PY - 1989 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - A determination is described which is based on low energy photon spectrometry of 210Pb and subsequent radiochemical separation, followed by alpha spectrometry, of 210Po. Results from a long-term observation (five years) are reported and discussed. AU - Rosner, G. C1 - 42493 C2 - 36253 SP - 179-190 TI - Variation of long-lived radon daughters in precipitation. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 69 IS - 1 PY - 1988 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Approaches to and results for the estimation of healths risks from indoor exposure to radon and its daughter products are discussed. Particular weight is given to the derivation of exposure-time-effect relationships using a modified proportional hazard model which has been adapted to account for relevant epidemiological data. The results of this analysis indicate that about (10 ± 5) % of the lung cancer rate observed in the general public might be correlated to the enhanced exposure to radon daughters in dwellings (at 10 - 20 Bq/m3 (Rn-eq) and in outdoor air. A chronic exposure to indoor Rn-levels at home of about 300 - 500 Bq/m3 (Rn-eq) might possibly double the normal lung cancer rates. The relative fractions of radiogenic lung cancer rates might be nearly the same for smokers and non-smokers, and for men and women. AU - Jacobi, W. AU - Paretzke, H.G. C1 - 33128 C2 - 38356 SP - 551-562 TI - Risk assessment for indoor exposure to radon daughters. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - VOL. 45 PY - 1985 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - To determine the effect of airborne emissions of radionuclides from coal-fired power plants on the environment, the concentrations of the most important radionuclides were measured in soil samples from the local environments (0.4-5.2 km) as well as in fly ash. The spatial distribution of the radionuclides in the soil did not indicate any significantly increased concentrations in the area downwind of the plant compared to other areas; the ratios 210Pb/226Ra and 210Po/226Ra were within the range observed for unaffected soils. The emissions from the plant, though present, are obviously too small to significantly change the natural local distribution pattern of the radionuclides in the soil. A highly significant correlation between 40K and 232Th was observed which was independent of the different types of soils found in this area. The concentration of 137Cs in topsoil, which is the result of worldwide fallout from nuclear weapons testing, varied at some places even within a small distance (∼ 2 km) by up to one order of magnitude. Furthermore, it was observed that the concentration of 137Cs in soils from cropland was on average a factor of 2 less than in those from grassland. This variability has to be considered in planning monitoring programs around nuclear power plants, which may also release this radionuclide. AU - Bunzl, K.W. AU - Hötzl, H. AU - Rosner, G. AU - Winkler, R.A. C1 - 41272 C2 - 38643 SP - 15-31 TI - Spatial distribution of radionuclides in soil around a coal-fired power plant: 210Pb, 210Po, 226Ra, 232Th, 40K emitted with the fly ash and 137Cs from the worldwide weapon testing fallout. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 38 IS - C PY - 1984 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - The concentrations of 210Pb, 210Po, 137Cs and stable lead (Pb) were determined in soil, and various vegetation samples from the heath, and in the liver and kidneys (137Cs, Pb and K also in meat) of Lüneburg heath sheep. The concentrations of 210Pb, 210Po, 137Cs and Pb in the soil are within the range of what is presently observed in other largely unpolluted areas of West Germany. While this is also true for the samples of vegetation with regard to 210Pb, 210Po and Pb, parts of heather and bilberry plants accumulate 137Cs. The behaviour of Pb, Po, 137Cs, Pb and K in the meat, liver and kidneys of the sheep is complex: depending on the tissue and the radionuclide or element considered, significant differences between male and female animals and/or a dependence of the concentration on the age exist. Compared to other animals, the concentration of 137Cs in tissues of the heath sheep is unusually high. Most likely this is because for most of the year they feed on heather. A significant correlation between 137Cs and K in the tissues was not observed. The concentrations of Pb found in the livers and kidneys of the animals are comparatively high. A considerable fraction of these samples exhibits Pb concentrations which are above the "Guidance Values '79" of the Federal Health Office for the concentration of this element in livers. Concentration factors for the transfer of 210Pb, 210Po, 137Cs and Pb from the feed to the animal tissues are estimated. AU - Bunzl, K.W. AU - Kracke, W. C1 - 41830 C2 - 38473 SP - 143-159 TI - Distribution of 210Pb, 210Po, stable lead and fallout 137Cs in soil, plants and moorland sheep of a heath. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 39 IS - 1-2 PY - 1984 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Blood of pigs and cows from Langford/Bristol (U.K.) and Hannover (F.R.G.) used in membrane feeding of tsetse flies was analysed for 21 trace elements; an influence of the location of origin was not detectable. Between the two host species a significant difference of the element content was established for bromine, copper, rubidium and zinc; if this observation is responsible for the different nutritive value of pig's and cow's blood it cannot be identified from the present experiment. AU - Hamann, H.J. AU - Iwannek, K.H. AU - Schramel, P. C1 - 40927 C2 - 38707 SP - 277-280 TI - Radiochemically determined trace element contents of pig's and cow's blood used in membrane feeding of tsetse flies. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 17 IS - 3 PY - 1981 SN - 0048-9697 ER - TY - JOUR AB - A chemical procedure for studying trace metals leached from metallic cooking utensils and preserving cans used in the preparation and storage of food has been developed. The method consists in the destruction of the major part of organic matter with HNO3-vapour followed by a complete mineralization of residues with small amounts of HNO3 in Teflon bombs at 150-160°C under a pressure of 3-12 kg/cm2, depending on the amount and composition of the samples. Subsequently, an ion-exchange step removes major components and concentrates the trace elements in a dilute HNO3-solution, suitable for analysis. The ion-exchange separation, which is performed with an automatic ion-exchange separator, is practically free from blank level problems, e.g., typically a mean of less than 2% of the sample levels of the elements being determined. Preliminary results show that large amounts of aluminium are released from vessels to the water during boiling at the same pH-range which exists for most drinking water in Sweden. AU - Samsahl, K. AU - Wester, P.O.* C1 - 33091 C2 - 35288 SP - 165-177 TI - Metallic contamination of food during preparation and storage: Development of methods and some preliminary results. JO - Sci. Total Environ. VL - 8 IS - 2 PY - 1977 SN - 0048-9697 ER -