TY - JOUR AB - The transport and fate of organic pollutants such as fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs) in the atmosphere affect their risks to the environment and human health. On the basis of hourly trajectory predictions, we found that, from 2007 to 2010, individual levels of 6:2, 8:2 and 10:2 FTOH were from non-detectable to 72.4pgm-3 at two Alpine summits. Air mass origin was an important factor determining the Alpine atmospheric FTOH levels. AbstractThe transport and fate of fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs) in the atmosphere affect their risks to the environment and human health. In this study, we aimed to investigate the sources, transport and temporal variations of FTOHs (6:2, 8:2 and 10:2 FTOH) at two Alpine summits (Sonnblick and Zugspitze). The active air sampler consisting of four XAD cartridges was applied to collect FTOHs from 2007 to 2010. Four separate cartridges were assigned for four air flow regimes (three European sectors and one mixed source origin), and switched and controlled on the basis of an hourly trajectory prediction. FTOH (6:2, 8:2 and 10:2) was measured with individual concentrations ranging from less than the limit of detection to 72.4pgm-3. Also, 8:2 FTOH was the dominant compound, accounting for 41-72% of the total FTOH (ΣFTOH) concentration. Significant differences were not observed in FTOH concentrations between Sonnblick and Zugspitze since the two sites are relatively close compared with the geographic extent of the area studied. Air-flow regime was an important factor determining the atmospheric FTOH levels. Particularly at Zugspitze, air mass from the NE (regions north-east of the Alps) showed the highest median ΣFTOH concentration (36.9pgm-3), followed by S (the Po basin in Italy), NW (regions north-west of Alps) and M (mixed source origin, polar regions or high altitudes). Furthermore, the seasonal variation in FTOH concentrations was not correlated with the site temperatures, but was dependent on the wind speed. Overall, the results indicated low FTOH concentrations at these two Alpine summits compared with European populated cities and provided important information for understanding the fate of FTOHs in the Alpine atmosphere. AU - Xu, Z.L. AU - Li, L.* AU - Henkelmann, B. AU - Schramm, K.-W. C1 - 51668 C2 - 43386 CY - Clayton SP - 215-223 TI - Occurrence of fluorotelomer alcohols at two Alpine summits: Sources, transport and temporal trends. JO - Environ. Chem. VL - 14 IS - 4 PB - Csiro Publishing PY - 2017 SN - 1448-2517 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Environmental context Nanoparticles are present in growing volumes of consumer products and are suspected to be released into the environment at detectable levels. We focus on cerium dioxide nanoparticles and investigate their availability to fish from the water column, where we found increasing concentrations of natural organic material increased the ceria measured in the fish gills. This complex interaction between nanoparticle behaviour and uptake from environmentally relevant test systems is significantly understudied. Abstract Natural organic colloids affect the fate and behaviour of nanoparticles in the aquatic environment but how these interactions affect the bioavailability of nanoparticles to organisms is a major knowledge gap in risk-assessment analysis. Here, we investigated interactions of citrate-coated cerium dioxide (CeO2) nanoparticles with fulvic acids, representing natural organic matter, and assessed their bioavailability to fish (common carp, Cyprinus carpio) exposed chronically (32days) via the water. We show a fulvic acid concentration-related enhancement in the uptake of cerium (Ce) into gill tissues, with some evidence for an enhanced Ce uptake also into kidney and brain tissues in the presence of fulvic acids, but with more variable responses. We present evidence for differences in the aggregation behaviour for CeO2 nanoparticles in the different exposure scenarios, with reduced CeO2 particle aggregate size with citrate coating and fulvic acids, as determined from dynamic light scattering. We highlight that multiple analytical approaches are essential for understanding the dynamic nature of the particles and also that interpretations on measured particle sizes and characteristics may differ depending on the technique(s) employed. We conclude that conditions in natural waters are likely to play a fundamental role in affecting bioavailability and thus potential biological effects of CeO2 particles. AU - Goodhead, R.M.* AU - Johnston, B.D. AU - Cole, P.A.* AU - Baalousha, M.* AU - Hodgson, D.* AU - Iguchi, T.* AU - Lead, J.R.* AU - Tyler, C.R.* C1 - 47458 C2 - 40539 SP - 673-682 TI - Does natural organic matter increase the bioavailability of cerium dioxide nanoparticles to fish? JO - Environ. Chem. VL - 12 IS - 6 PY - 2015 SN - 1448-2517 ER - TY - JOUR AB - In recent field experiments, particle formation has been observed above salt lakes in Western Australia and related to changes in regional precipitation patterns. This work investigates the particle formation potential above a simulated salt lake in aerosol chamber experiments under various conditions. The salt lake mixture comprised fixed concentrations of NaBr, NaCl and Na2SO4, and varying concentrations of FeSO4 and FeCl3. Further, an organic mixture of 1,8-cineol and limonene was added under dark and light conditions. Both the presence of organic compounds and of light were found to be essential for new particle formation in our experiments. There were clear indications for conversion of Fe-II to Fe-III, which suggests a Fenton-like reaction mechanism in the system. Contrary to the idea that a Fenton-like reaction mechanism might intensify the oxidation of organic matter, thus facilitating secondary organic aerosol formation, the observed particle formation started later and with lower intensity under elevated Fe-II concentrations. The highest particle number concentrations were observed when excluding Fe-II from the experiments. Chemical analysis of the formed aerosol confirmed the important role of the Fenton-like reaction for particle formation in this study. Ultrahigh-resolution mass spectrometry and Raman spectroscopy provide analytical proof for the formation of organosulfates and halogenated organic compounds in the experiments presented. Even though halogens and organic precursors are abundant in these experimental simulations, halogen-induced organic aerosol formation exists but seems to play a minor overall role in particle formation. AU - Kamilli, K.A.* AU - Ofner, J.* AU - Lendl, B.* AU - Schmitt-Kopplin, P. AU - Held, A.* C1 - 46594 C2 - 37692 CY - Clayton SP - 489-503 TI - New particle formation above a simulated salt lake in aerosol chamber experiments. JO - Environ. Chem. VL - 12 IS - 4 PB - Csiro Publishing PY - 2015 SN - 1448-2517 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Fluorotelomer alcohols, perfluorinated sulfonamides or sulfonamido ethanols are volatile precursors of persistent perfluorinated acids. Published air-sampling strategies and analytical methods to determine these compounds differ. To assess performance on the determination of airborne polyfluorinated compounds, an intercomparison comprising four international research groups was established. Instrumental and analytical comparability between laboratories varied depending on the compound class. Variability in different sampling strategies was assessed for active (high-volume) v. passive samplers consisting of either semipermeable membrane devices or sorbent-impregnated polyurethane foam disks. Results from passive samplers were typically within an order of magnitude of air concentrations from averaged continuous high-volume samples. Smallest deviations (passive v. active) were observed for sorbent-impregnated polyurethane foam disk samplers with best agreement for fluorotelomer alcohols. This study reveals that it is important to be aware of several types of uncertainty or error for the determination of airborne polyfluorinated compounds and report data in this context or to take steps to minimise their impact. AU - Dreyer, A.* AU - Shoeib, M.* AU - Fiedler, S. AU - Barber, J.* AU - Harner, T.* AU - Schramm, K.-W. AU - Jones, K.C.* AU - Ebinghaus, R.* C1 - 1871 C2 - 27374 SP - 350-358 TI - Field intercomparison on the determination of volatile and semivolatile polyfluorinated compounds in air. JO - Environ. Chem. VL - 7 IS - 4 PB - CSIRO Publishing PY - 2010 SN - 1448-2517 ER -