Occurrence and size distribution study of microplastics in household water from different cities in continental Spain and the Canary Islands

9 pages, 5 figures, 1 table, supplementary materials https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2023.120044.-- Data availability: Data will be made available on requestThe purpose of this study was to investigate the occurrence of microplastics (MPs) in drinking water in Spain by comparing tap water from different locations using common sampling and identification procedures. We sampled tap water from 24 points in 8 different locations from continental Spain and the Canary Islands by means of 25 μm opening size steel filters coupled to household connections. All particles were measured and spectroscopically characterized including not only MPs but also particles consisting of natural materials with evidence of industrial processing, such as dyed natural fibres, referred insofar as artificial particles (APs). The average concentration of MPs was 12.5 ± 4.9 MPs/m3 and that of anthropogenic particles 32.2 ± 12.5 APs/m3. The main synthetic polymers detected were polyamide, polyester, and polypropylene, with lower counts of other polymers including the biopolymer poly(lactic acid). Particle size and mass distributions were parameterized by means of power law distributions, which allowed performing estimations of the concentration of smaller particles provided the same scaling parameter of the power law applies. The calculated total mass concentration of the identified MPs was 45.5 ng/L. The observed size distribution of MPs allowed an estimation for the concentration of nanoplastics (< 1 µm) well below the ng/L range; higher concentrations are not consistent with scale invariant fractal fragmentation. Our findings showed that MPs in the drinking water sampled in this work do not represent a significant way of exposure to MPs and would probably pose a negligible risk for human healthThe authors acknowledge the financial support provided by Plastics Europe and that of the Spanish Government, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, grants PID2020-113769RB-C21/C22.With the institutional support of the ‘Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence’ accreditation (CEX2019-000928-S)Peer reviewe

A nationwide monitoring of atmospheric microplastic deposition

8 Pág.Plastic production continues to increase every year, yet it is widely acknowledged that a significant portion of this material ends up in ecosystems as microplastics (MPs). Among all the environmental compartments affected by MPs, the atmosphere remains the least well-known. Here, we conducted a one-year simultaneous monitoring of atmospheric MPs deposition in ten urban areas, each with different population sizes, economic activities, and climates. The objective was to assess the role of the atmosphere in the fate of MPs by conducting a nationwide quantification of atmospheric MP deposition. To achieve this, we deployed collectors in ten different urban areas across continental Spain and the Canary Islands. We implemented a systematic sampling methodology with rigorous quality control/quality assurance, along with particle-oriented identification and quantification of anthropogenic particle deposition, which included MPs and industrially processed natural fibres. Among the sampled MPs, polyester fibres were the most abundant, followed by acrylic polymers, polypropylene, and alkyd resins. Their equivalent sizes ranged from 22 μm to 398 μm, with a median value of 71 μm. The particle size distribution of MPs showed fewer large particles than expected from a three-dimensional fractal fragmentation pattern, which was attributed to the higher mobility of small particles, especially fibres. The atmospheric deposition rate of MPs ranged from 5.6 to 78.6 MPs m-2 day-1, with the higher values observed in densely populated areas such as Barcelona and Madrid. Additionally, we detected natural polymers, mostly cellulosic fibres with evidence of industrial processing, with a deposition rate ranging from 6.4 to 58.6 particles m-2 day-1. There was a positive correlation was found between the population of the study area and the median of atmospheric MP deposition, supporting the hypothesis that urban areas act as sources of atmospheric MPs. Our study presents a systematic methodology for monitoring atmospheric MP deposition.The authors acknowledge the support provided by Spanish Network of Plastics in the Environment, EnviroPlaNet (www.enviroplanet.net) and the financial support provided by the Spanish Government, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, grants PID2020-113769RB-C21/C22. The authors would like to thank the Interdepartmental Investigation Research Service of the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (SIDI-UAM and Segainvex) for the use of their infrastructures and their technical support. J.G.S. thanks ACIISI for the contract from the Viera y Clavijo program at the University of La Laguna (85 % co-financed by the European Social Fund).Peer reviewe

La pelota vasca a mano entre 9 y 14 años: Propuesta de pesos y diámetros de la pelota adecuados para cada categoría

Con el fin de proponer razonadamente los rangos de peso y tamaño reglamentarios para las pelotas de la modalidad de mano de categoría Benjamín, Alevín e Infantil de Pelota Vasca (9 a 14 años), analizamos la relación entre la fuerza isométrica de mano y el peso de la pelota, y entre el tamaño de dicha extremidad y el del material vigente para cada edad. Concluimos proponiendo nuevos valores reglamentarios.Euskal Pilotako Txikien, Kimuen eta Haurren (9-14 urte) mailako esku huskako piloten arauzko pisu eta tamaina era arrazoituan proposatzerakoan, eskuaren indar isometrikoaren eta pilotaren pisuaren arteko erlazioa aztertzen dugu, bai eta gorputz adar horren tamainaren eta adin bakoitzeko gaur indarrean dagoen materialaren arteko erlazioa ere. Amaitzeko, arauzko beste balio berri batzuk proposatzen ditugu.Afin de proposer de façon raisonnée les rangs de poids et de taille réglementaires pour les pelotes de main de catégorie Benjamin, Alevin et Infantile de Pelote Basque (9 à 14 ans), nous analysons la relation entre la force isométrique de la main et le poids de la pelote, et entre la taille de cette extrémité et celle du matériel en vigueur pour chaque âge. Nous concluons en proposant de nouvelles valeurs réglementaires.In order to provide acceptable weight and size ranges for balls used in Basque Pelota, in the hand-played style for the categories of "benjamín", "alevín" and "infantil" (9 to 14 years), we will study the connection between the isometric grip force of the hand muscle and the weight of the ball, as well as between the size of the hand and the size of the material to be used in each category. Finally, we will conclude the article by providing new set values

Micellar-enhanced ultrafiltration for the removal of heavy metals from phosphorous-rich wastewaters:from end-of-pipe to clean technology

Abstract Fertilizer industry often generates phosphorous rich wastewaters containing heavy metals. While phosphorous is a valuable compound for the industry, heavy metals hinder the recovery of phosphorous due to their detrimental effects on human health and the environment. Consequently, heavy metals must be removed from the wastewaters. In this study the use of micellar-enhanced ultrafiltration (MEUF) was evaluated for the removal of cadmium, copper, zinc and nickel from phosphorous rich wastewaters. This study has been conducted following a systematic methodology from single metal synthetic wastewaters to more complex synthetic and real wastewaters. The experimental work was conducted in a laboratory scale stirred cell using 3, 5 and 10 kDa regenerated cellulose membranes and in a cross flow semi-pilot scale equipment using a 10 kDa spiral wound polyethersulphone membrane. Statistical design of experiments was used as the research methodology to evaluate the effect of factors on the MEUF process performance as well as for finding optimal conditions. The factors studied were heavy metal, phosphorous and surfactant feed concentrations, pH, membrane nominal molecular weight limits, transmembrane pressure and cross flow velocity. The membrane performance was characterized by the heavy metal retention/rejection coefficients and the permeate flux. The experimental results showed that the removal of heavy metals from single synthetic wastewaters by MEUF is more efficient for more diluted systems. In complex systems containing phosphorous, simultaneous removal of heavy metals was successfully achieved obtaining rejection coefficients up to 80%. Phosphorous was not retained by the membrane showing the potential applicability of MEUF to purify phosphorous rich wastewaters. The study of metal complex formation and heavy metal competition has been shown to be very important in order to predict the MEUF results. Concentration polarization phenomenon was insignificant in the synthetic wastewaters but it was more severe when applying MEUF to real wastewaters. In addition, with real wastewaters SDS leakage was insignificant. This study has provided new and valuable knowledge regarding the applicability of MEUF to industrial wastewater treatment.Tiivistelmä Lannoiteteollisuus tuottaa usein jätevesiä, jotka sisältävät huomattavia määriä fosforia, sekä pieniä määriä raskasmetalleja. Vaikka fosfori on tärkeä raaka-aine lannoiteteollisuudelle, jätevesissä olevat raskasmetallit kuitenkin estävät sen hyötykäyttöä fosforin lähteenä. Raskasmetallit ovat haitallisia sekä luonnolle että ihmisten terveydelle, joten niiden erottaminen jätevesistä on tärkeää. Tässä työssä tutkittiin miselliavusteisen ultrasuodatuksen (MEUF) käyttöä kadmiumin, kuparin, sinkin ja nikkelin poistamiseen fosforipitoisista jätevesistä. Väitöskirjatyössä tutkittiin systemaattisesti synteettisiä jätevesiä, jotka sisälsivät joko yhtä tai useita raskasmetalleja, sekä lannoitetehtaalta kerättyjä jätevesiä. Kokeet tehtiin laboratoriomittakaavan sekoituskennolla, jossa käytettiin 3, 5 ja 10 kDa:n regeneroituja selluloosakalvoja, sekä semi-pilot -mittakaavan spiraalielementillä, jonka materiaalina oli 10 kDa:n polyeetterisulfonikalvo. Väitöskirjatyössä hyödynnettiin tilastollista koesuunnittelua, jonka avulla arvioitiin muuttujien vaikutuksia MEUF-prosessin käyttäytymiseen. Koesuunnittelua hyödynnettiin myös optimiolosuhteiden määrittelemisessä. Koesuunnitelmien muuttujina olivat raskasmetallien, fosforin ja pinta-aktiivisen aineen pitoisuudet, pH, suodatuskalvojen katkaisukoot, paine sekä ristikkäisvirtauksen nopeus. Kalvon käyttäytymistä arvioitiin raskasmetallien erotustehokkuuden ja permeaattivuon avulla. Koetulokset osoittivat raskasmetallien erotuksen olevan tehokkainta synteettisistä, yhtä metallia sisältävistä jätevesistä, joiden raskasmetallipitoisuus oli pieni. Fosforia sisältävistä monimetalliliuoksista saavutettiin 80&#160;%:inen raskametallien poistotehokkuus. Kalvoerotuksessa fosforipitoisuus ei muuttunut merkittävästi, mikä osoittaa MEUF:n olevan potentiaalinen menetelmä raskasmetallien poistamiseen fosforipitoisista jätevesistä. Metallikompleksien muodostumisen ja raskasmetallien välisen kilpailun ymmärtäminen osoittautuivat erittäin tärkeiksi MEUF-tuloksien ennustamisessa. Konsentraatiopolarisaatioilmiö ei ollut merkittävä käsiteltäessä synteettisiä jätevesiä, mutta teollisten jätevesien käsittelyssä ilmiöllä oli huomattava vaikutus permeaattivuohon. Kuitenkin teollisen jätevesien käsittelyssä SDS:n vuotaminen kalvon läpi oli merkityksetöntä. Tämä tutkimus on antanut uutta ja merkittävää tietoa MEUF:n soveltuvuudesta teollisten jätevesien käsittelyn

A prospective observational study of vulvovagintis in pregnant women in Argentina, with special reference to candidiasis

To evaluate the frequency of yeast, bacteria or protozoa in pregnant women and to correlate the possible associations of these microorganisms and their relationships with vulvovaginitis (VV) and cervicitis. Vaginal specimens were collected and prepared for smears in microscope slides for the evaluation of yeast, Trichomonas vaginalis and bacteria. Samples were cultured in specific culture medium. Cervical specimens were used to investigate the presence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Ureaplasma spp. and Mycoplasma hominis. We enrolled 210 pregnant women, aged 10–42 years old. Of them, 38.1% were symptomatic. Symptoms were most prevalent in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy coincident with a major prevalence of microorganisms. In this study, 39.5% of pregnant women had normal microbial biota and symptoms of VV due to non-infectious causes were observed (6.2%). The occurrence of vulvovaginal candidiasis was 25% and Candida albicans with a prevalence of 80.7% was the dominant species (P = 0.005) while non-albicans Candida species and other yeast were more common in asymptomatic ones (P = 0.0038). The frequency of bacterial vaginosis, T. vaginalis, C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae were 18.1%, 1.4, 1.4% and 0.5% respectively.Fil: Mucci, María J.. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital Materno Infantil “Ramón Sardá”; ArgentinaFil: Cuestas, María Luján. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica; ArgentinaFil: Cervetto, María M.. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital Materno Infantil “Ramón Sardá”; ArgentinaFil: Landaburu, María F.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica; ArgentinaFil: Mujica, Maria Teresa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica; Argentin

Effect of sodium hypochlorite exposure on polysulfone recycled UF membranes and their surface characterization

The present work aims to investigate the effect of chlorine on the surface of the polysulfone (PSF) layer uncovered in the transformed ultrafiltration (UF) membranes (recycled from end-of-life reverse osmosis (RO) membranes). With this purpose, 6 end-of-life RO membranes used previously during their useful life to treat brackish water or seawater were transformed using two higher exposure doses of free chlorine (50,000 and 300,000 ppm h). On one hand, the end-of-life membranes were first characterized in terms of the type of fouling identified by TGA, ICP and bacteria detection. On the other hand, to determine the stability of the PSF layer, the transformed PSF UF membranes were then characterized by means of its permeability and molecular weight cut-off (MWCO). In addition, membrane surface characterization was performed by ATR-FTIR, SEM and AFM. The results show that all the end-of-life RO membranes with organic and inorganic fouling were effectively transformed to PSF UF membranes at the ppm∙h values studied. However, one of the analysed sea water membrane model (HSWC3) showed more resistance to be transformed and the pores of the uncovered PSF layer only appeared at 300,000 ppm h. This membrane showed different surface appearance, with bigger pores after 300,000 ppm h exposure dose that might have affected the PSF UF membrane performance. This study indicates that a complete characterization of transformed PSF UF membrane surface is crucial for a deep understanding of the recycling process of end-of-life membranes.The authors acknowledge LIFE 13 ENV/ES/000751 TRANSFOMEM European project, CTM2015-65348-C2-1-R (MINECO/FEDER, UE) INREMEM National project, the Marie Curie Amarout II Europe program and the Regional Government of Madrid through program S2013/ MAE-2716- REMTAVARES-CM for the financial support of this research. Collaborative companies like SADYT, VALORIZA AGUA and GENESYS INTERNATIONAL are also gratefully acknowledged to generously donate end-of-life membranesPeer Reviewe