Monitorització ambiental de contaminants químics i microbiològics a les rodalies de plantes de tractament de residus. Riscos per a la salut humana

La incineració amb o sense recuperació d’energia pot ser una opció per a la gestió adequada dels residus, però la preocupació pública sobre la incineració i la importància de desenvolupar estratègies sostenibles de residus, ha comportat l’aparició de noves tecnologies. En aquest estudi s’han determinat els nivells ambientals de contaminants químics i microbiològics en diferents matrius (aire, vegetació i sòls) a les rodalies de tres plantes de tractament de residus de Catalunya (IRSU de Tarragona, ERI de Constantí i Ecoparc-2 de Montcada i Reixac). La valorització energètica de residus i el tractament mecànic-biològic no suposen un risc addicional per a la salut humana derivat de l’exposició a diversos contaminants químics i microbiològics. En la línia de la Directiva Marc de Residus, aquests sistemes poden ser alternatives adients per al tractament dels residus, ja que l’impacte ambiental derivat de les emissions de PCDD/Fs, metalls, COVs i bioaerosols és relativament baix.Incineration with or without energy recovery is likely to be an option for proper waste management, but public concern about incineration and the importance of developing sustainable strategies for waste has led to the emergence of new technologies. In this study we have determined levels of environmental chemical and microbiological contaminants in different matrices (air, soil and vegetation) in the vicinity of three waste treatment plants in Catalonia (Municipal Solid Waste Incinerator of Tarragona, Hazardous Waste Incinerator of Constantí, and Municipal Waste Organic Fraction Treatment Plant of Montcada i Reixac). Waste energy recovery and mechanical-biological treatment should not mean additional risk to human health when exposing to various chemical and microbiological contaminants. Following Waste Framework Directive, these systems can be appropriate waste management alternatives as the environmental impact caused by emissions of PCDD/Fs, metals, VOCs and bioaerosols is relatively low

The Effect of Sucrose Supplementation on the Micropropagation of Salix viminalis L. Shoots in Semisolid Medium and Temporary Immersion Bioreactors

[Abstract] The effect of sucrose concentration on the micropropagation of axillary shoots of willow was investigated. The following factors were examined: the culture system (semisolid medium in glass jars versus liquid medium in temporary immersion bioreactors), the type of explant (apical and basal sections), the frequency of immersion, and CO₂ enrichment. Shoots and leaf growth were significantly higher in RITA® bioreactors than in the jars for all the sucrose treatments. Apical or basal sections of willow cultured in bioreactors under high light intensity (150 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹) and ventilated six times a day with CO₂-enriched air were successfully proliferated without sucrose, whereas shoots cultured in jars did not proliferate well if sucrose concentration was 0.5% or lower. More roots were formed when sucrose was added to the medium. Shoots cultured in bioreactors were successfully acclimatized irrespective of the sucrose treatment and the root biomass when transferred to ex vitro conditions. This is the first report of photoautotrophic willow micropropagation, our results confirm the importance of proper gaseous exchange to attain autotrophy during in vitro propagation.This research was funded by Xunta de Galicia (Spain) (projects IN607A and Contrato Programa 2019-2020), by CYTED (P117RT0522) and by CSIC (COOPB20584)Xunta de Galicia; IN607AConsejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas; COOPB2058

Occurrence of halogenated flame retardants in commercial seafood species available in European markets

PBDEs (congeners 28, 47, 99, 100, 153, 154, 183, 209), HBCD (α, β, γ), emerging brominated flame retardants (PBEB, HBB and DBDPE), dechloranes (Dec 602, 603, 604, syn- and anti-DP), TBBPA, 2,4,6-TBP and MeO-PBDEs (8 congeners) were analysed in commercial seafood samples from European countries. Levels were similar to literature and above the environmental quality standards (EQS) limit of the Directive 2013/39/EU for PBDEs. Contaminants were found in 90.5% of the seafood samples at n. d.-356 ng/g lw (n. d.-41.1 ng/g ww). DBDPE was not detected and 2,4,6-TBP was detected only in mussels, but at levels comparable to those of PBDEs. Mussel and seabream were the most contaminated species and the Mediterranean Sea (FAO Fishing Area 37) was the most contaminated location. The risk assessment revealed that there was no health risk related to the exposure to brominated flame retardants via seafood consumption. However, a refined risk assessment for BDE-99 is of interest in the future. Moreover, the cooking process concentrated PBDEs and HB

Fingerprinting outdoor air environment using microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs) – A review

© 2016 The Authors The impact of bioaerosol emissions from urban, agricultural and industrial environments on local air quality is of growing policy concern. Yet the risk exposure from outdoor emissions is difficult to quantify in real-time as microbial concentration in air is low and varies depending on meteorological factors and land use types. While there is also a large number of sampling methods in use, there is yet no standardised protocol established. In this review, a critical insight into chemical fingerprint analysis of microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOC) is provided. The most suitable techniques for sampling and analysing MVOCs in outdoor environments are reviewed and the need for further studies on MVOCs from outdoor environments including background levels is highlighted. There is yet no rapid and portable technique that allows rapid detection and analysis of MVOCs on site. Further directions towards a portable GC–MS coupled with SPME or an electronic nose are discussed

Seasonal surveillance of airborne PCDD/Fs, PCBs and PCNs using passive samplers to assess human health risks

10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.07.124This study aimed at determining the air concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) near a municipal solid waste incinerator (MSWI) in Tarragona (Catalonia, Spain) by means of passive air sampling. Seasonal trends in airborne levels were also assessed by comparing the results of 6-month surveys conducted between spring of 2010 and autumn of 2011. These data were used to estimate exposure for the population living nearby and to evaluate the non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks associated to inhalation of those persistent organic pollutants (POPs). No seasonal differences were noted in POP concentrations among the sampling campaigns. The highest levels of PCDD/Fs were found in the 3rd campaign, while significantly lower levels of PCNs were found in the 4th survey. The concentrations of PCDD/F and PCB congeners, as well as those of PCN homologues, did not change significantly with time, which indicates that the MSWI does not have an important influence on the surrounding environment. The levels of POPs near the facility are at the lower part of the range, when compared with data from the scientific literature. Consequently, the current levels of POPs in ambient air around the MSWI are associated to a low human exposure to PCDD/Fs, PCBs and PCNs, which means a lack of additional health risks for the local population. In addition, passive samplers have been confirmed to be a good tool for local environmental monitoring, as well as a good method to study seasonal trends in POP concentrations in air

Formaldehyde, a chemical of concern in the vicinity of MBT plants of municipal solid waste

10.1016/j.envres.2014.04.04