Dispersive micro solid-phase extraction (DµSPE) with graphene oxide as adsorbent for sensitive elemental analysis of aqueous samples by laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS)

In this work, the combination of dispersive micro solid-phase extraction (DµSPE) with laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) was evaluated for simultaneous preconcentration and detection of Zn, Cd, Mn, Ni, Cr and Pb in aqueous samples. Two adsorbent materials were tested in the microextraction step, namely graphene oxide and activated carbon. In both cases, the microextraction process consisted in the dispersion of a small quantity of adsorbent in the sample solution containing the analytes. However, while the use of activated carbon required a previous chelation of the metals, this step was avoided with the use of graphene oxide. After extraction, the analytes retained in the adsorbents were analysed by LIBS. Several experimental factors affecting the extraction of the metals (adsorbent amount, pH and extraction time) were optimized by means of the traditional univariate approach. Under optimum microextraction conditions, the analytical features of the proposed DµSPE-LIBS methods were assessed, leading to limits of detection below 100 µg kg−1 and 50 µg kg−1 with the use of activated carbon and graphene oxide, respectively, as adsorbents in the DµSPE process. Trueness evaluation of the most sensitive procedure was carried out by spike and recovery experiments in a real sample of tap water, leading to recovery values in the range 98–110%.This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, (Spain) (Project no. CTQ2016-79991-R and fellowship number BES-2012-058759 (FPI-MICINN)); the Regional Government of Valencia (Spain) (Project no. PROMETEO/2013/038); and the University of Alicante, (Spain) (Grant no. UAUSTI16-04)

Genomic variability in Mexican chicken population using copy number variants

Background: Copy number variations are genome polymorphism that influence phenotypic variation and are an important source of genetic variation in populations. The aim of this study was to investigate genetic variability in the Mexican Creole chicken population using CNVs. Results: The Hidden Markov Model of the PennCNV software detected a total of 1924 CNVs in the genome of the 256 samples processed with Axiom\uc2\uae Genome-Wide Chicken Genotyping Array (Affymetrix). The mapped CNVs comprised 1538 gains and 386 losses, resulting at population level in 1216 CNV regions (CNVRs), of which 959 gains, 226 losses and 31 complex (i.e. containing both losses and gains). The CNVRs covered a total of 47 Mb of the whole genome sequence length, corresponding to 5.12% of the chicken galGal4 autosome assembly. Conclusions: This study allowed a deep insight into the structural variation in the genome of unselected Mexican chicken population, which up to now has not been genetically characterized. The genomic study disclosed that the population, even if presenting extreme morphological variation, cannot be organized in differentiated genetic subpopulations. Finally this study provides a chicken CNV map based on the 600 K SNP chip array jointly with a genome-wide gene copy number estimates in a native unselected for more than 500 years chicken population

Airborne Cupressaceae Pollen and Its Major Allergen, Cup a 1, in Urban Green Areas of Southern Iberian Peninsula

Cupressaceae pollen is responsible for winter respiratory allergies in the Mediterranean area. Pollen grains of this diverse family share the same characteristics under light microscopy. Consequently, the partial contribution of each Cupressaceae species to the airborne pollen spectrum cannot be determined with conventional aerobiological methods. Studies on major aeroallergens offer better information on the allergic sensitization and appearance of symptoms in patients sensitized to airborne pollen and spores. Our aim was to determine if airborne Cupressaceae pollen concentrations correspond to aerodynamics of the major allergen of Cupressus (Cup a 1), as well as the aeroallergen correlation with different-sized particles. The air was sampled in two cities of Southern Spain (Granada and Córdoba) using the Hirst-type volumetric sampler for airborne pollen detection during 2006 to 2008 and the Andersen Cascade Impactor for aeroallergen detection during the main pollination period of Cupressaceae in the same period. The samples were analyzed by the methodology proposed by the Spanish Aerobiology Network (REA), the minimum requirements of the European Aeroallergen Society (EAS) for pollen, and by ELISA immunoassay to detect airborne Cup a 1. The distribution patterns of airborne Cupressaceae pollen and Cup a 1 were observed throughout the sampling period, although with some irregular oscillations. Cupressaceae pollen and Cup a 1 showed positive and significant correlation during the period of maximum concentrations (January to March). However, the results of this study showed that the period of exposure of aeroallergens depends on the Cupressus species and their abundance in cities. According to the allergy potential obtained, species like C. arizonica could release more allergens than other species like C. sempervirens.Ministry of Science and Technology I + D + I of Spain CGL2006-1648-CO3-02Andalusian Government RNM 011

Phenological and seismological impacts on airborne pollen types: A case study of Olea pollen in the Region of Murcia, Mediterranean Spanish climate

The rationale of this paper was to investigate whether earthquakes impact airborne pollen concentrations, considering some meteorological parameters. Atmospheric pollen concentrations in the Region ofMurcia Aerobiological Network (Spain)were studied in relation to the occurrence of earthquakes ofmoment magnitude (up toMw=5.1) and intensity (intensity up to grade VII on the European Macroseismic Scale). In this study, a decade (2010–2019) was considered across the cities of the network. Earthquakes were detected in 12 out of 1535 days in the Olea Main Pollen Season in Cartagena, 49 out of 1481 days in the Olea Main Pollen Season in Lorca, and 39 out of 1441 days in the Olea Main Pollen Season in Murcia. The Olea pollen grains in this network were attributed to the species Olea europaea, i.e., the olive tree, a taxon that appears widely in the Mediterranean basin, in both cultivated and wild subspecies. Differences between the Olea concentration on days with and without earthquakes were only found in Lorca (Kruskal-Wallis: p-value=0.026). The low frequency and intensity of the earthquakes explained these results. The most catastrophic earthquake felt in Lorca on May 11th, 2011 (IVII, Mw=5.1, 9 casualties) did not result in clear variations in pollen concentrations, while meteorology (e.g., African Dust Outbreak) might have conditioned these pollen concentrations. The research should be broadened to other active seismological areas to reinforce the hypothesis of seismological impact on airborne pollen concentrations.This research was funded by the Ministry of Science and Innovation of the Spanish Government, grant number SICAAP-CPI RTI2018-096392-BC21; the Interministerial Committee of Science and Technology, grant numbers BOS2000-0563-C02-02, BOS2003-06329-C02-02, and BOS 2006-15103; and the Seneca Foundation of the Region of Murcia, grant number 08849/PI/08. The anonymous reviewers are thanked for their comments to improve the quality of the manuscript. The authors wish to express their gratitude to Dr. Belén Elvira-Rendueles for her advice and commitment with REAREMUR and, Ms. Paula García López, technician at REAREMUR, funded by the Spanish State Research Agency, Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (code: PTA2017-13571-I). Authors thank NOAA for providing the synoptic charts, AEMET for the meteorological data and IGN for the seismological information. Gratitude is also shown to Laura Wettersten for the language edition

Toward Advanced Functional Systems: Honeycomb-Like Polymeric Surfaces Incorporating Polyoxovanadates with Surface-Appended Copper-Cyclam Complexes

In this work the immobilization of hybrid polyoxometalates (POMs) onto functional polymeric surfaces is exposed and discussed. Thus, various hybrid polymerinorganic films were prepared by anchoring selected hybrid POMs onto tailored polymeric surfaces that consisted of breath figures (BFs) made of polystyrene-b-poly(acrylic acid)/polystyrene (PS-b-PAA/PS) blends. Functionalization of the BF films was performed by selective arrangement of acrylic acid groups of the amphiphilic block copolymer on the surface pores because of their affinition for the water condensed during breath figure formation. These carboxylic acid functional groups contained within the PAA blocks were then employed to anchor [Cu(cyclam)][{Cu(cyclam)}(2)(V10O28)]10H2O (1-CuV10) and [{Cu(cyclam)}(VO3)(2)]5H(2)O (1-CuV1), hybrid POMs by immersing the films into aqueous solutions of the in situ formed hybrid clusters, resulting in the hybrid films BF1 and BF2, respectively. Superficial analysis of these hybrid polymeric films was carried out by the sophisticated ion beam-based technique time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) that was revealed to be an excellent method for the superficial compositional mapping of patterned surfaces.This work was funded by UPV/EHU (grants PPG17/37 and GIU17/050), Gobierno Vasco (ELKARTEK), and Ministerio de Economia, Industria y Competitividad (grant MAT2017-89553-P)

First Long-Time Airborne Fungal Spores Study in Dublin, Ireland (1978–1980)

Ambient fungal spores within the atmosphere can contribute to a range of negative human, animal and plant health conditions and diseases. However, trends in fungal spore seasonality, species prevalence, and geographical origin have been significantly understudied in Ireland. Previously unpublished data from the late 1970s have recently been collected and analysed to establish historical fungal spore trends/characteristics for Dublin. Historical spore concentrations were largely dominated by Alternaria, Ascospores, Basidiospores, Botrytis, Cladosporium, Erysiphe and Rusts. The main fungal spore season for Dublin commenced in April with the fructification of Scopulariopsis and Ganoderma. However, the vast majority of other spore types did not reach peak spore release until late summer. The correlation between ambient spore concentration, and meteorological parameters was examined using Multivariable Regression Tree (MRT) analysis. The notable correlations found for fungal spore concentrations tended to involve temperature-based parameters. The use of a non-parametric wind regression was also employed to determine the potential geographical origin of ambient fungal spores. The impact of wind direction, and high windspeed on fungal spores was established, ultimately highlighting the importance of studying and monitoring fungal spores within Ireland, rather than attempting to rely on data from other regions, as most fungal spores collected in Dublin appeared to originate from within the island

Pollen Monitoring by Optical Microscopy and DNA Metabarcoding: Comparative Study and New Insights

none7noEnvironmental samples collected in Brindisi (Italy) by a Hirst-type trap and in Lecce (Italy) by a PM10 sampler were analysed by optical microscopy and DNA-metabarcoding, respectively, to identify airborne pollen and perform an exploratory study, highlighting the benefits and limits of both sampling/detection systems. The Hirst-type trap/optical-microscopy system allowed detecting pollen on average over the full bloom season, since whole pollen grains, whose diameter vary within 10–100 µm, are required for morphological detection with optical microscopy. Conversely, pollen fragments with an aerodynamic diameter ≤10 µm were collected in Lecce by the PM10 sampler. Pollen grains and fragments are spread worldwide by wind/atmospheric turbulences and can age in the atmosphere, but aerial dispersal, aging, and long-range transport of pollen fragments are favoured over those of whole pollen grains because of their smaller size. Twenty-four Streptophyta families were detected in Lecce throughout the sampling year, but only nine out of them were in common with the 21 pollen families identified in Brindisi. Meteorological parameters and advection patterns were rather similar at both study sites, being only 37 km apart in a beeline, but their impact on the sample taxonomic structure was different, likely for the different pollen sampling/detection systems used in the two monitoring areas.openFragola M.; Arsieni A.; Carelli N.; Dattoli S.; Maiellaro S.; Perrone M.R.; Romano S.Fragola, M.; Arsieni, A.; Carelli, N.; Dattoli, S.; Maiellaro, S.; Perrone, M. R.; Romano, S

Outdoor airborne allergens: Characterization, behavior and monitoring in Europe

Aeroallergens or inhalant allergens, are proteins dispersed through the air and have the potential to induce allergic conditions such as rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and asthma. Outdoor aeroallergens are found predominantly in pollen grains and fungal spores, which are allergen carriers. Aeroallergens from pollen and fungi have seasonal emission patterns that correlate with plant pollination and fungal sporulation and are strongly associated with atmospheric weather conditions. They are released when allergen carriers come in contact with the respiratory system, e.g. the nasal mucosa. In addition, due to the rupture of allergen carriers, airborne allergen molecules may be released directly into the air in the form of micronic and submicronic particles (cytoplasmic debris, cell wall fragments, droplets etc.) or adhered onto other airborne particulate matter. Therefore, aeroallergen detection strategies must consider, in addition to the allergen carriers, the allergen molecules themselves. This review article aims to present the current knowledge on inhalant allergens in the outdoor environment, their structure, localization, and factors affecting their production, transformation, release or degradation. In addition, methods for collecting and quantifying aeroallergens are listed and thoroughly discussed. Finally, the knowledge gaps, challenges and implications associated with aeroallergen analysis are describe

Air Pollution Affecting Pollen Concentrations through Radiative Feedback in the Atmosphere

Episodes with high air pollution and large amounts of aeroallergens expose sensitive individuals to a health damaging cocktail of atmospheric particles. Particulate matter (PM) affects the radiative balance and atmospheric dynamics, hence affecting concentrations of pollutants. The aim of the study is to estimate feedback between meteorology and particles on concentrations of aeroallergens using an extended version of the atmospheric model WRF-Chem. The extension, originally designed for PM and dust, concerns common aeroallergens. We study a birch pollen episode coinciding with an air pollution event containing Saharan dust (late March to early April 2014), using the model results, pollen records from Southern UK and vertical profiles of meteorological observations. During the episode, increased concentrations of birch pollen were calculated over the European continent, causing plumes transported towards the UK. The arrival of these plumes matched well with observations. The lowest parts of the atmospheric boundary layer demonstrate a vertical profile that favours long distance transport, while the pollen record shows pollen types that typically flower at another time. The model calculations show that feedback between meteorology and particles changes pollen concentrations by ±30% and in some cases up to 100%. The atmospheric conditions favoured meteorological feedback mechanisms that changed long distance transport of air pollution and aeroallergens

Volatile organic compound fluxes in the agricultural San Joaquin Valley – spatial distribution, source attribution, and inventory comparison

The San Joaquin Valley is an agricultural region in California that suffers from poor air quality. Since traffic emissions are decreasing, other sources of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are gaining importance in the formation of secondary air pollutants. Using airborne eddy covariance, we conducted direct, spatially resolved flux observations of a wide range of VOCs in the San Joaquin Valley during June 2021 at 23–36 ∘C. Through land-cover-informed footprint disaggregation, we were able to attribute emissions to sources and identify tracers for distinct source types. VOC mass fluxes were dominated by alcohols, mainly from dairy farms, while oak isoprene and citrus monoterpenes were important sources of reactivity. Comparisons with two commonly used inventories showed that isoprene emissions in the croplands were overestimated, while dairy and highway VOC emissions were generally underestimated in the inventories, and important citrus and biofuel VOC point sources were missing from the inventories. This study thus presents unprecedented insights into the VOC sources in an intensive agricultural region and provides much needed information for the improvement of inventories, air quality predictions, and regulations.</p