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Gluščić V, Žužul S, Pehnec G, Jakovljević I, Smoljo I, Godec R, Bešlić I, Milinković A, Alempijević SB, Frka S. Sources, Ionic Composition and Acidic Properties of Bulk and Wet Atmospheric Deposition in the Eastern Middle Adriatic Region. TOXICS 2023; 11:551. [PMID: 37505517 PMCID: PMC10383331 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11070551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Atmospheric bulk and wet deposition samples were collected simultaneously at the background coastal site in the Eastern Middle Adriatic region in order to assess the impact of major ions (Cl-, NO3-, SO42-, Na+, K+, NH4+, Mg2+, Ca2+) on deposition acidity and distinguish the main sources. Higher ion levels were observed during the cold period, especially for Cl-, Na+, Mg2+ and K+. Dust intrusion caused significant increases in levels of Ca2+, Mg2+ and K+, while open-fire events increased the levels of K+. Deposition acidity showed seasonal differences as well as the influence of dust intrusion. Low ionic balance ratios indicated acidic deposition properties and the presence of organic anions. The highest neutralization ability was found for Ca2+, Na+ and NH4+. Several natural (marine, crustal) and anthropogenic sources were determined, as well as the formation of secondary aerosols. Wet deposition was characterized by higher contribution of sea salt fraction compared to bulk deposition and lower contribution of crustal fraction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Gluščić
- Environmental Hygiene Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska Cesta 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Silva Žužul
- Environmental Hygiene Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska Cesta 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Gordana Pehnec
- Environmental Hygiene Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska Cesta 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ivana Jakovljević
- Environmental Hygiene Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska Cesta 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Iva Smoljo
- Environmental Hygiene Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska Cesta 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ranka Godec
- Environmental Hygiene Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska Cesta 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ivan Bešlić
- Environmental Hygiene Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska Cesta 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Andrea Milinković
- Division for Marine and Environmental Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička Cesta 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Saranda Bakija Alempijević
- Division for Marine and Environmental Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička Cesta 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Sanja Frka
- Division for Marine and Environmental Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička Cesta 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
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Monitoring Rainwater Properties and Outdoor Particulate Matter in a Former Steel Manufacturing City in Romania. ATMOSPHERE 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/atmos12121594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Wet deposition is influencing air quality because air pollutants are washed away from the surrounding air. Consequently, particulate matter and associated compounds are transported in the rainwater and enter into soil, surface waters, and groundwater. Nonpoint sources of heavy metals from stormwater runoff have increased in urban areas due to industrialization and the increasing impervious surfaces. In this work, we present an assessment of the rainwater composition regarding the nutrients and other physicochemical characteristics measured in three locations selected in Targoviste city, Romania, a city that had a specialized steel factory and important metallurgical facilities. The rainwater was collected using three PALMEX rain samplers and then was transferred to high-density polyethylene bottles and analyzed using ICP-MS. PM2.5 concentrations were also monitored continuously using optical monitors calibrated using a gravimetric sampler. A detailed analysis of the heavy metals content in rainwater and PM was presented for the pollution episodes occurring in October and November 2019. Backward trajectories were computed using the HYSPLIT model for these periods. The results showed that the PM2.5 ranged from 11.1 to 24.1 μg/m3 in 2019, while the heavy metals in collected rainwater were (µg L−1): 0.25 (Cd) − CV = 26.5%, 0.10 (Co) − CV = 58.1%, 1.77 (Cr) − CV = 24.3%, 377.37 (Ni) − CV = 27.9%, 0.67 (Pb) − CV = 74.3%, and 846.5 (Zn) − CV = 20.6%. Overall, Ni, Pb, Cr, and V had significant correlations between the concentrations from rainwater and PM. Negative associations were found between precipitation events and heavy metals both from rainwater and PM, but only a few showed statistical significance. However, this could explain the “washing” effect of the rain on the heavy metals from PM2.5. The potential sources of nitrogen in the rainwater collected in Targoviste could be from burning fossil fuels and the soils, including both biological processes and fertilization resulting from the intensive agriculture in the piedmont plain in which the city is located. Based on the results, rainwater monitoring can constitute a reliable method for air quality characterization. Additional research is required to better understand seasonality and sources of heterogeneity regarding the associations between PM and rainwater composition.
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Qin J, Liang B, Peng Z, Lin C. Generation of microplastic particles during degradation of polycarbonate films in various aqueous media and their characterization. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 415:125640. [PMID: 33756200 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.125640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
A 250-day batch experiment was conducted to examine the generation of microplastic particles from degradation of polycarbonate films in 3 aqueous media of environmental relevance. The microplastic particles generated from the experiment were characterized by SEM/EDS and micro-FTIR analysis. Hydrolysis was responsible for the cleavage of carbon-oxygen bonds in the carbonate group of polycarbonate backbone and detachment of micro-sized plastic particles from the PC film surfaces. The deionized water treatment had the highest concentration of total organic carbon and the greatest number of microplastic particles among the three treatments. Either elevated acidity or the presence of hydroxyl radical did not enhance the hydrolytic degradation of the PC films and generation of microplastic particles though hydroxyl radical caused oxidative degradation of polycarbonate by attacking the organic group but not the carbonate group. Bisphenol A was not detected in any of the treatments. The microplastic particles generated from the current experiment were highly irregular, which may have different physicochemical and toxic behaviours from the spheric synthetic ones that were frequently used in toxicity experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junhao Qin
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University/Key Laboratory of Agro-Environment in the Tropics, Ministry of Agriculture of China, Guangzhou 510642, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Eco-Circular Agriculture/Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Modern Eco-agriculture and Circular Agriculture, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Bowen Liang
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University/Key Laboratory of Agro-Environment in the Tropics, Ministry of Agriculture of China, Guangzhou 510642, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Eco-Circular Agriculture/Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Modern Eco-agriculture and Circular Agriculture, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Zhenni Peng
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University/Key Laboratory of Agro-Environment in the Tropics, Ministry of Agriculture of China, Guangzhou 510642, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Eco-Circular Agriculture/Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Modern Eco-agriculture and Circular Agriculture, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Chuxia Lin
- Centre for Regional and Rural Futures, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC 3125, Australia.
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High Transmittance Superhydrophobic Coatings with Durable Self-Cleaning Properties. COATINGS 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/coatings11050493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
One of the most important factors determining a significant reduction in optical devices’ efficiency is the accumulation of soiling substances such as dust, which, especially in solar power plants, implies higher costs and materials ageing. The use of superhydrophobic (SH) coatings, water contact angle (CA) greater than 150°, represents a suitable solution to improve the self-cleaning action while at the same time providing high transmittance for energy conversion. A mixed organic–inorganic SH coating with surface roughness below 100 nm was prepared by an easily scalable spray method and employed, allowing us to modulate the covered area and transparency. The coating has been also investigated while simulating pollution agents like acid rain, harsh environments, and the impact of continuous water droplets and dust particles with different physicochemical properties. The spray coating method allows us to obtain a modulated SH and self-cleaning surface showing CA > 170°, high transmittance in UV-Vis range and the ability to completely restore its initial properties in terms of wettability and transmittance after durability and soiling tests.
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