Palynological and chemical volatile components of tipically autumnal honeys of the western Mediterranean

[EN] Twenty-five samples of autumnal honeys from the western Mediterranean (Mallorca and Eivissa, Balearic Islands) were examined for pollen content (qualitative and quantitative melissopalynological analysis), moisture, electrical conductivity, colour, sensorial qualities and volatile components. Quantitative analysis showed that the honey contained Maurizio's Class II: 64%, Class III: 28%, Class IV: 4% and Class V: 4%. Fifty-four pollen types, with an average number of 16.68 per sample, were identified, belonging to 29 botanical families. Only two taxa (Ceratonia siliqua and Erica multiflora) were found in all samples. Seventeen samples were unifloral (68%) - ten (40%) of C. siliqua, six (24%) of E. multiflora and one (4%) of Hedera helix. All honeys have a low honeydew index (<?0.09%), while the values for electrical conductivity and water content were high. The major honey volatile components are: cis- and trans-linalool oxides (64.2%) and hotrienol (10.4%) for the carob (C. siliqua) and trans-linalool oxide (13.4%), p-menthane-1,8-diol (11.1%), safranal (9.7%), limonene (5,4%), -pinene (3.7%) and oxoisophorone (3.4%) for the winter heather (E. multiflora).The authors would like to extend their gratitude to the Mallorca Rural 'Leader plus' programme and the beekeepers of Mallorca and Eivissa for their support and friendly collaboration. The authors also thank an anonymous reviewer for useful comments and suggestions on an earlier version of the manuscript.Boi, M.; Llorens Molina, JA.; Cortés, L.; Lladó, G.; Llorens, L. (2013). Palynological and chemical volatile components of tipically autumnal honeys of the western Mediterranean. Grana. 52(2):93-105. doi:10.1080/00173134.2012.744774S93105522Andrade, P. B., Amaral, M. T., Isabel, P., Carvalho, J. C. M. F., Seabra, R. M., & Proença da Cunha, A. (1999). 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Sorption and mobility of Sb(V) in calcareous soils of Catalonia (NE Spain): Batch and column experiments

The sorption of Sb(V) onto natural calcareous soils was studied in batch and column experiments as a function of physicochemical properties of the soil, namely: organic matter, the active fraction of Fe and Al and the pH of the soils. Batch experiments were performed in order to determine the sorption capacity and the kinetic rate of the sorption. Freundlich isotherm described properly the equilibrium experimental data and the kinetic results show that the sorption was very slow in all the soils studied (equilibrium after 7 days) when compared with literature data for Sb(V) sorption onto soils with higher iron content. Column experiments were carried out in order to determine the mobility of Sb(V) in the soils. The Thomas model can describe partially the breakthrough curves obtained for the Sb(V) sorption on the soils. The fitting of the model to the experimental data would indicate that transport and kinetic parameters also affected the dynamic sorption behavior. The experimental breakthrough curves can be properly described by the convective–dispersive equation (CDE) by using the CXTFIT code, and the parameters obtained by the model were in concordance to the sorption capacity reported in the column experiments. This study indicates that sorption of Sb(V) onto the soils is mainly affected in batch experiments by their ‘active’ Fe and Al content; while in column experiments organic matter content appeared as an important parameter. Desorption experiments resulted in a metalloid recovery above 90%, which indicates a fast and effective method to recover Sb(V) from calcareous soils and has implications for its geochemical behavior (vertical mobility in soil profiles) as a result of its relatively low Sb retention.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Changes of heavy metal and PCB contents in surficial sediments of the Barcelona harbour after the opening of a new entrance

The Barcelona harbour is one of the biggest and most important in commercial and passenger traffic in the Mediterranean Sea. In 2003, construction works for the enlargement of the port were carried out with the opening of a new entrance for large boats in the northern area. Following the opening of this new mouth, the redistribution of heavy metals (Hg, Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, Ni and Cr), As and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) was investigated to discuss their origin and to evaluate the environmental implications. A previous study of the sediments provided a first picture of high levels of heavy metals and PCBs in the innermost harbour (Port Vell). Then, the opening of the northern mouth led to a remarkable decline in the contaminant concentrations and to an improvement of the sediment quality. During the period 2002–2005, the percentage of concentration decreases in Port Vell for Hg, Pb and PCB (from 20% to 34%), for Zn and Cd (from 10% to 15%) and for the remaining metals with values lesser than 10%. This general decline was probably due to a more efficient water flushing between the original and the new northern entrance. Concentrations of target contaminants were also compared against sediment quality guidelines to assess the ecotoxicological significance of sedimentary contaminants on the benthic communities.Peer Reviewe

Changes of heavy metal and PCB contents in surficial sediments of the Barcelona harbour after the opening of a new entrance

The Barcelona harbour is one of the biggest and most important in commercial and passenger traffic in the Mediterranean Sea. In 2003, construction works for the enlargement of the port were carried out with the opening of a new entrance for large boats in the northern area. Following the opening of this new mouth, the redistribution of heavy metals (Hg, Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, Ni and Cr), As and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) was investigated to discuss their origin and to evaluate the environmental implications. A previous study of the sediments provided a first picture of high levels of heavy metals and PCBs in the innermost harbour (Port Vell). Then, the opening of the northern mouth led to a remarkable decline in the contaminant concentrations and to an improvement of the sediment quality. During the period 2002–2005, the percentage of concentration decreases in Port Vell for Hg, Pb and PCB (from 20% to 34%), for Zn and Cd (from 10% to 15%) and for the remaining metals with values lesser than 10%. This general decline was probably due to a more efficient water flushing between the original and the new northern entrance. Concentrations of target contaminants were also compared against sediment quality guidelines to assess the ecotoxicological significance of sedimentary contaminants on the benthic communities.Peer Reviewe

Sorption and mobility of Sb(V) in calcareous soils of Catalonia (NE Spain): Batch and column experiments

The sorption of Sb(V) onto natural calcareous soils was studied in batch and column experiments as a function of physicochemical properties of the soil, namely: organic matter, the active fraction of Fe and Al and the pH of the soils. Batch experiments were performed in order to determine the sorption capacity and the kinetic rate of the sorption. Freundlich isotherm described properly the equilibrium experimental data and the kinetic results show that the sorption was very slow in all the soils studied (equilibrium after 7 days) when compared with literature data for Sb(V) sorption onto soils with higher iron content. Column experiments were carried out in order to determine the mobility of Sb(V) in the soils. The Thomas model can describe partially the breakthrough curves obtained for the Sb(V) sorption on the soils. The fitting of the model to the experimental data would indicate that transport and kinetic parameters also affected the dynamic sorption behavior. The experimental breakthrough curves can be properly described by the convective–dispersive equation (CDE) by using the CXTFIT code, and the parameters obtained by the model were in concordance to the sorption capacity reported in the column experiments. This study indicates that sorption of Sb(V) onto the soils is mainly affected in batch experiments by their ‘active’ Fe and Al content; while in column experiments organic matter content appeared as an important parameter. Desorption experiments resulted in a metalloid recovery above 90%, which indicates a fast and effective method to recover Sb(V) from calcareous soils and has implications for its geochemical behavior (vertical mobility in soil profiles) as a result of its relatively low Sb retention.Peer Reviewe

Sorption of antimony (V) onto synthetic goethite in carbonate medium

The sorption kinetics of antimony(V) on synthetic goethite is very fast compared to the sorption of other metals on goethite (e.g. arsenic and selenium) and depends on temperature, with an activation energy of 49+9 kJ . mol21 in the temperature range 15–358C. Sorption isotherms have been developed at different temperatures and ionic strength values. The results have been modelled using a Langmuir isotherm and there is not a considerable influence of neither the temperature in the range studied (158C–358C), nor the ionic strength (between 0.001 and 0.01 mol . dm23). Sorption is very high at pH values lower than 8, at more alkaline pH, the sorption decreases with pH, as expected considering the Antimony(V) predominating complex in solution, Sb(OH)6 2. Triple-layer model successfully describes the data obtained by assuming a bidentate edge-sharing surface complex of antimonate on the surface of goethite.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Sorption of antimony (V) onto synthetic goethite in carbonate medium

The sorption kinetics of antimony(V) on synthetic goethite is very fast compared to the sorption of other metals on goethite (e.g. arsenic and selenium) and depends on temperature, with an activation energy of 49+9 kJ . mol21 in the temperature range 15–358C. Sorption isotherms have been developed at different temperatures and ionic strength values. The results have been modelled using a Langmuir isotherm and there is not a considerable influence of neither the temperature in the range studied (158C–358C), nor the ionic strength (between 0.001 and 0.01 mol . dm23). Sorption is very high at pH values lower than 8, at more alkaline pH, the sorption decreases with pH, as expected considering the Antimony(V) predominating complex in solution, Sb(OH)6 2. Triple-layer model successfully describes the data obtained by assuming a bidentate edge-sharing surface complex of antimonate on the surface of goethite.Peer Reviewe