Environmental pollution from plasticiser compounds: Do we know enough about atmospheric levels and their contribution to human exposure in Europe?

The information available for the levels of plasticizers in urban air for the European region was reviewed. Wide variability in phthalates and BPA concentrations between differently urbanised areas emerged, due to the influence of vehicular traffic, waste management practices and presence of buildings, from which plasticizers are emitted. The ambient air levels measured have not shown a significant influence on human exposure, confirming that other pathways play a fundamental role. Anyway, given their toxicity, it would be important to intensify measurements campaigns, at least for DEHP and BPA, to monitor and improve air quality, and, finally, limit the health risks deriving from the exposure to a mixture of air toxic molecules

Waste materials-based substrates for ornamental plant production: Technical and environmental aspects

In the plant nursery sector, efforts have been made for some time to partially or totally replace peat-based substrates with growing media characterized by a lower environmental impact. In this perspective it was decided to evaluate a composted material obtained from dredged sediments and green waste, to be used as component for substrates in ornamental plant production, while evaluating the environmental implications of this operation. Fresh green waste consisting of corn cob, wood chips, grass and leaves were mixed in different rates (3:1, 1:1, 1:3 v/v) with dried dredged sediments taken from a small stream located in an urban area (Čejkovice, Czech Republic). These different mixtures were co-composted for six months, and the compost heaps were managed following standard compost protocols. To evaluate the progress of the co-composting process, the various mixtures were subjected to physical, chemical and biological analysis, during the entire period of co-composting. Eventually these mixes were taken to a plant nursery farm in Pistoia (Tuscany, Central Italy), and mixed in different ratios with classical nursery growing media (peat and pumice). Then, one-year-old vegetatively propagated plants of two typical evergreen shrubs (Photinia × fraseri, Viburnum tinus) were placed in 10-L (24 Ø cm) pots with differentiated substrates, added with 4.5 g L-1 of Basacote®. The growth of the plants tested is monitored (dry mass storage); at the same time, it was decided to use an LCA (life cycle assessment) analysis, to quantify the CO2 emissions (kg CO2 equivalent) deriving from the different phases (inputs, energy, transport, structures, etc.) of the production process, assessing the effect of these growing mixes on the environmental sustainability of plant nursery production

Long-term soil biological fertility, volatile organic compounds and chemical properties in a vineyard soil after biochar amendment

The agronomic management of vineyards, aimed at the maximization of grape yields, is intensive and includes repeated tillage, crop residues removal, strict weed and pest control treatments. In viticulture, healthy soils and a suitable climate are the key factors that influence the quality of the produced wine. Even under intensive agronomic practices, typical of conventional viticulture, the choice of appropriate soil management strategies can preserve soil quality in the long term. The use of biochar as soil amendment has been suggested as a potential practice that allows restoration of the functionality of degraded soils in terms of water retention, chemical and biological fertility. In this paper we report the results of a long field trial on biochar amendment of a vineyard, assessing the impact on soil functionality, VOC emission and fertility. Our results show that biochar effects on soil functions and fertility are maintained in the long term (seven years) after a one-time application