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Denver's Urban Ground-Water Quality: Nutrients, Pesticides, and Volatile Organic Compounds
A recent study by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) under the National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) program characterized the ground-water quality in a part of the Denver, Colorado, metropolitan area. The study provides an assessment of water-quality conditions in an alluvial aquifer that drains into the South Platte River. Thirty wells randomly distributed in residential, commercial, and industrial land-use settings were sampled once in 1993 for a broad range of compounds. Nutrients, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds (VOC's), all of which are generally associated with human activities, frequently were detected in the urban wells sampled. Nutrients and VOC's occasionally exceeded drinking-water standards.
Bruce, Breton W.
... About Your Pest Control Your Pest Integrated Pest Management Pesticide Ingredients Active Ingredients Other/Inert Ingredients Pesticide Products Low-Risk Pesticides Organic Pesticide Ingredients Regulations State Federal International Environment Air Water Soil Wildlife Plants Emergency Human ...
During February to July 1985, water samples were collected from 55 wells in the western San Joaquin Valley, California, for chemical analysis to determine if 20 selected pesticides and 26 volatile organic compounds were present. Twenty-six of the sampled wells are completed in the shallow unconfined regional aquifer and 29 wells are completed in the deep confined regional aquifer. Water from six of the sampled wells, four of which are completed in the shallow unconfined aquifer, contained detectable levels of the pesticides or volatile organic compounds. Four samples contained a single pesticide, one sample contained two pesticides, and one sample contained 5.9 microgm/liter of toluene, a volatile organic compound. Five of the six pesticides detected were triazine herbicides; the maximum concentration was 0.2 microgm/liter. Four samples with detectable concentrations of triazine herbicides are from wells used for domestic water supply; however, drinking-water standards have not been established for triazine herbicides. (USGS)
Neil, J.M.
Water samples were collected from a network of 72 shallow monitoring wells to assess the chemical quality of recently recharged ground water in the surficial Kirkwood- Cohansey aquifer system of southern New Jersey. The wells are randomly distributed among agricultural, urban, and undeveloped areas to provide data representative of chemical conditions of ground water underlying each of these land-use settings. Samples were analyzed for nutrients, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds (VOC?s). Concentrations of nitrate were highest in agricultural areas, where the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of 10 mg/L (milligrams per liter) as nitrogen was exceeded in 60 percent of the samples. Concentrations of nitrate were intermediate in urban areas, where the 10-mg/L concentration was exceeded in only 1 of 44 samples. All concentrations in samples from undeveloped areas were less than 1.0 mg/L. Pesticides and VOC?s were frequently detected; however, concentrations were low and rarely exceeded established or proposed USEPA or N.J. Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) drinking-water regulations. With the exception of the agricultural pesticide dinoseb, established regulations are at least 2.9 times the maximum concentration for pesticides and at least 5 times the maximum concentration for VOC?s reported in the samples from the 72- well network. Investigations by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) are ongoing in southern New Jersey to evaluate the (1) presence and concentration of pesticide-degradation byproducts in shallow ground water; (2) presence and movement of nitrate, pesticides, and VOC?s in the atmosphere, streams, unsaturated zone, and aquifers; (3) transport and fate of these compounds as they migrate deeper into the aquifer system; and (4) implications of these findings for the integrity of the regional water supply.
Stackelberg, Paul E.; Hopple, Jessica A.; Kauffman, Leon J.
The Schuylkill River flows through Valley Forge National Historical Park in Lower Providence and West Norriton Townships in Montgomery County, Pa. The concentration of selected metals, pesticides, semivolatile organic compounds, and total carbon in stream-bottom sediments from Valley Forge National Historical Park were determined for samples collected once at 12 sites in and around the Schuylkill River. Relatively low concentrations of arsenic, chromium, copper, and lead were detected in all samples. The concentrations of these metals are similar to concentrations in other stream-bottom sediment samples collected in the region. The concentrations of iron, manganese, and zinc were elevated in samples from four sites in the Schuylkill River, and the concentration of mercury was elevated in a sample from an impoundment along the river. The organophosphorus insecticide diazinon was detected in relatively low concentrations in half of the 12 samples analyzed. The organo-chlorine insecticide DDE was detected in all 12 samples analyzed; dieldrin was detected in 10 samples, chlordane, DDD, and DDT were detected in 9 samples, and heptachlor epoxide was detected in one sample. The concentrations of organo-chlorine and organophosphorus insecticides were relatively low and similar to concentrations in samples collected in the region. Detectable concentrations of 17 semivolatile organic compounds were measured in the 12 samples analyzed. The most commonly detected compounds were fluoranthene, phenanthrene, and pyrene. The maximum concentration detected was 4,800 micrograms per kilogram of phenanthrene. The highest concentrations of compounds were detected in Lamb Run, a small tributary to the Schuylkill River with headwaters in an industrial corporate center. The concentration of compounds in the Schuylkill River below Lamb Run is higher than the Schuylkill River above Lamb Run, indicating that sediment from Lamb Run is increasing the concentration of semivolatile organic compounds in sediment from the Schuylkill River. Concentrations of semivolatile organic compounds are lower in sediment from the Schuylkill River below Myer?s Run than above Myer?s Run because of the addition of relatively clean sediment from Myer?s Run. Samples collected from the floodplain, impounding basin, and wetland along the Schuylkill River contained the lowest concen-trations of semivolatile organic compounds. Detectable concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB?s) were measured in 11 of the 12 samples analyzed. The maximum PCB concentration was 37 micrograms per kilogram. Sediment samples from Lamb Run contained the highest concentrations of semivolatile organic compounds and PCB?s.
Reif, Andrew G.; Sloto, Ronald A.
This report describes the ground-water systems in the unconsolidated sand and gravel aquifers of the Coastal Plain of New Jersey and Long Island and in the fractured bedrock and valley-fill aquifers of northern New Jersey; summarizes current knowledge about the occurrence and distribution of nitrate, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and pesticides in these systems; and explains why some ground-water systems are more vulnerable to comtamination than others. Although the vulnerability of ground water to contamination from the land surface is influenced by many factors, the degree of aquifer confinement, the depth of the well, and the surrounding land use are key factors. Unconfined aquifers generally are much more vulnerable to contamination than confined aquifers. For a well in a confined aquifer, the farther the well is from the unconfined area, the less vulnerable it is to contamination. Generally, the deeper the well, the less vulnerable it is to contamination. Finally, because human activities greatly affect the quality of water that recharges an aquifer, the amount and type of land use in the area that contributes water to the well is a key factor in determining vulnerability. Nitrate contamination of ground water typically occurs in agricultural and residential areas, especially where the aquifer is very permeable and unconfined and nitrogen-fertilizer use is high. In New Jersey and on Long Island, concentrations of nitrate exceed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) more often than those of VOCs or pesticides. Nitrate contamination generally is associated with nonpoint sources. VOC contamination of ground water occurs primarily in urban areas, especially in mixed urban and industrial areas where chemicals are used. In general, VOC concentrations are low and do not exceed MCLs. High concentrations of VOCs generally are associated with point sources. Pesticide contamination of ground water occurs in some agricultural and residential areas, where the aquifer is very permeable and unconfined, and where the chemicals are used. Concentrations of pesticides in New Jersey and on Long Island generally are low; in agricultural areas of Long Island, however, some have been found to exceed MCLs. Pesticide contamination generally is associated with nonpoint sources.
Clawges, Rick M.; Stackelberg, Paul E.; Ayers, Mark A.; Vowinkel, Eric F.
Compound specific isotope analysis of organophosphorus pesticides.
Compound-specific isotope analysis (CSIA) has been established as a tool to study the environmental fate of a wide range of contaminants. In this study, CSIA was developed to analyse the stable carbon isotope signatures of the widely used organophosphorus pesticides: dichlorvos, omethoate and dimethoate. The linearity of the GC-C-IRMS system was tested for target pesticides and led to an acceptable isotope composition within the uncertainty of the instrument. In order to assess the accuracy of the developed method, the effect of the evaporation procedure on measured carbon isotope composition (?(13)C) values was studied and showed that concentration by evaporation of solvents had no significant isotope effect. The CSIA was then applied to investigate isotope fractionation of the hydrolysis and photolysis of selected pesticides. The carbon isotope fractionation of tested pesticides was quantified by the Rayleigh model, which revealed a bulk enrichment factor (?) of -0.2�0.1� for hydrolysis of dichlorvos, -1.0�0.1� and -3.7�1.1� for hydrolysis and photolysis of dimethoate respectively. This study is a first step towards the application of CSIA to trace the transport and degradation of organophosphorus pesticides in the environment. PMID:24997952
Wu, Langping; Yao, Jun; Trebse, Polonca; Zhang, Ning; Richnow, Hans H
This report contains pesticide, volatile organic compound, major ion, nutrient, tritium, stable isotope, organic carbon, and trace-metal data collected from 149 ground-water wells, and pesticide data collected from 39 surface-water stream sites in the San Joaquin Valley of California. Included with the ground-water data are field measurements of pH, specific conductance, alkalinity, temperature, and dissolved oxygen. This report describes data collection procedures, analytical methods, quality assurance, and quality controls used by the National Water-Quality Assessment Program to ensure data reliability. Data contained in this report were collected during a four year period by the San Joaquin?Tulare Basins Study Unit of the United States Geological Survey's National Water-Quality Assessment Program. Surface-water-quality data collection began in April 1992, with sampling done three times a week at three sites as part of a pilot study conducted to provide background information for the surface-water-study design. Monthly samples were collected at 10 sites for major ions and nutrients from January 1993 to March 1995. Additional samples were collected at four of these sites, from January to December 1993, to study spatial and temporal variability in dissolved pesticide concentrations. Samples for several synoptic studies were collected from 1993 to 1995. Ground-water-quality data collection was restricted to the eastern alluvial fans subarea of the San Joaquin Valley. Data collection began in 1993 with the sampling of 21 wells in vineyard land-use settings. In 1994, 29 wells were sampled in almond land-use settings and 9 in vineyard land-use settings; an additional 11 wells were sampled along a flow path in the eastern Fresno County vineyard land-use area. Among the 79 wells sampled in 1995, 30 wells were in the corn, alfalfa, and vegetable land-use setting, and 1 well was in the vineyard land-use setting; an additional 20 were flow-path wells. Also sampled in 1995 were 28 wells used for a regional assessment of ground-water quality in the eastern San Joaquin Valley.
Kinsey, Willie B.; Johnson, Mark V.; Gronberg, JoAnn M.
The number and total concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) per sample were significantly greater in water from public-supply wells than in water from shallow and moderate-depth monitoring wells in the surficial Kirkwood-Cohansey aquifer system in the Glassboro area of southern New Jersey. In contrast, concentrations of nitrate (as nitrogen) and the number and total concentration of pesticides per sample were statistically similar in samples from shallow and moderate-depth monitoring wells and those from public-supply wells. VOCs in ground water typically are derived from point sources, which commonly exist in urban areas and which result in spatially variable contaminant concentrations near the water table. Because larger volumes of water are withdrawn from public-supply wells than from monitoring wells, their contributing areas are larger and, therefore, they are more likely to intercept water flowing from VOC point sources. Additionally, public-supply wells intercept flow paths that span a large temporal interval. Public-supply wells in the Glassboro study area withdraw water flowing along short paths, which contains VOCs that recently entered the aquifer system, and water flowing along relatively long paths, which contains VOCs that originated from the degradation of parent compounds or that are associated with past land uses. Because the volume of water withdrawn from monitoring wells is small and because shallow monitoring wells are screened near the water table, they generally intercept only relatively short flow paths. Therefore, samples from these wells represent relatively recent, discrete time intervals and contain both fewer VOCs and a lower total VOC concentration than samples from public-supply wells. Nitrate and pesticides in ground water typically are derived from nonpoint sources, which commonly are found in both agricultural and urban areas and typically result in lowlevel, relatively uniform concentrations near the water table. Because nonpoint sources are diffuse and because processes such as degradation or sorption/dispersion do not occur at rates sufficient to prevent detection of these constituents in parts of the aquifer used for domestic and public supply in the study area, concentrations of nitrate and pesticides and numbers of pesticide compounds are likely to be similar in samples from shallow monitoring wells and samples from public-supply wells. Results of a comparison of (1) the general characteristics of, and water-quality data from, public-supply wells in the Glassboro study area to available data from public-supply wells screened in the Kirkwood-Cohansey aquifer system outside the study area, and (2) land-use settings, soil characteristics, and aquifer properties in and outside the study area indicate that the findings of this study likely are applicable to the entire extent of the Kirkwood- Cohansey aquifer system in southern New Jersey.
Stackelberg, Paul E.; Kauffman, L.J.; Baehr, A.L.; Ayers, M.A.
Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR
... 2011-07-01 false Biochemical pesticide plant floral volatile attractant compounds...ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) PESTICIDE PROGRAMS TOLERANCES AND EXEMPTIONS FOR PESTICIDE CHEMICAL RESIDUES IN FOOD...
Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR
... 2010-07-01 false Biochemical pesticide plant floral volatile attractant compounds...ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) PESTICIDE PROGRAMS TOLERANCES AND EXEMPTIONS FOR PESTICIDE CHEMICAL RESIDUES IN FOOD...
Air samples for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), chlorinated pesticides, phthalate plasticizers, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were collected at three Hanford Site locations (300-Area South Gate, southeast of 200-East Area, and a background location near Rattlesnake Springs). Samples were collected using high-volume air samplers equipped with a glass fiber filter and polyurethane foam plug sampling train. Target compounds were extracted from the sampling trains and analyzed using capillary gas chromatography with either electron capture detection or mass selective detection. Twenty of the 28 PCB congeners analyzed were found above the detection limits, with 8 of the congeners accounting for over 80% of the average PCB concentrations. The average sum of all individual PCB congeners ranged from 500-740 pg/m{sup 3}, with little apparent difference between the sampling locations. Twenty of the 25 pesticides analyzed were found above the detection limits, with endosulfan I, endosulfan II, and methoxychlor having the highest average concentrations. With the exception of the endosulfans, all other average pesticide concentrations were below 100 pg/m{sup 3}. There was little apparent difference between the air concentrations of pesticides measured at each location. Sixteen of the 18 PAHs analyzed were found above the detection limit. Phenanthrene, fluoranthene, pyrene, fluorene, chrysene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, and naphthalene were the only PAHs with average concentrations above 100 pg/m{sup 3}. Overall, the 300 Area had higher average PAH concentrations compared to the 200-East Area and the background location at Rattlesnake Springs; however, the air concentrations at the 300-Area also are influenced by sources on the Hanford Site and from nearby communities.
Patton, G.W.; Cooper, A.T.; Blanton, M.L.; Lefkovitz, L.F.; Gilfoil, T.J.
Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR
...false Experimental use permit microbial pesticides nontarget organisms and environmental fate...ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) PESTICIDE PROGRAMS DATA REQUIREMENTS FOR PESTICIDES Microbial Pesticides � 158.2174...
Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR
...false Experimental use permit biochemical pesticides nontarget organisms and environmental fate...ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) PESTICIDE PROGRAMS DATA REQUIREMENTS FOR PESTICIDES Biochemical Pesticides �...
Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR
...false Experimental use permit biochemical pesticides nontarget organisms and environmental fate...ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) PESTICIDE PROGRAMS DATA REQUIREMENTS FOR PESTICIDES Biochemical Pesticides �...
Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR
...false Experimental use permit microbial pesticides nontarget organisms and environmental fate...ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) PESTICIDE PROGRAMS DATA REQUIREMENTS FOR PESTICIDES Microbial Pesticides � 158.2174...
Pesticide Fact Sheet Number 103: cadmium pesticide compounds
The document contains up-to-date chemical information, including a summary of the Agency's regulatory position and rationale, on a specific pesticide or group of pesticides. A Fact Sheet is issued after one of the following actions has occurred. (1) Issuance or reissuance of a registration standard, (2) Issuance of each special review document, (3) Registration of a significantly changed use pattern, (4) Registration of a new chemical, or (5) An immediate need for information to resolve controversial issues relating to a specific chemical or use pattern.
Not Available
Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR
...Applicability; description of the metallo-organic pesticide chemicals manufacturing subcategory. 455...CONTINUED) EFFLUENT GUIDELINES AND STANDARDS PESTICIDE CHEMICALS Metallo-Organic Pesticide Chemicals Manufacturing Subcategory �...
Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR
...Applicability; description of the metallo-organic pesticide chemicals manufacturing subcategory. 455...CONTINUED) EFFLUENT GUIDELINES AND STANDARDS PESTICIDE CHEMICALS Metallo-Organic Pesticide Chemicals Manufacturing Subcategory �...
Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR
... Applicability; description of the organic pesticide chemicals manufacturing subcategory. 455...CONTINUED) EFFLUENT GUIDELINES AND STANDARDS PESTICIDE CHEMICALS Organic Pesticide Chemicals Manufacturing Subcategory �...
Pesticide Effects on Nontarget Organisms1 Frederick M. Fishel2
;2Pesticide Effects on Nontarget Organisms ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS BEE CAUTION: MAY KILL HONEYBEES IN SUBSTAN the following: · Do not apply pesticides that are toxic to bees during the plants' blooming period. Table 1PI-85 Pesticide Effects on Nontarget Organisms1 Frederick M. Fishel2 1. This document is PI-85, one
Watson, Craig A.
Organic compounds in meteorites
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Recent studies of carbonaceous chondrites provide evidence that certain organic compounds are indigenous and the result of an abiotic, chemical synthesis. The results of several investigators have established the presence of amino acids and precursors, mono- and dicarboxylic acids, N-heterocycles, and hydrocarbons as well as other compounds. For example, studies of the Murchison and Murray meteorites have revealed the presence of at least 40 amino acids with nearly equal abundances of D and L isomers. The population consists of both protein and nonprotein amino acids including a wide variety of linear, cyclic, and polyfunctional types. Results show a trend of decreasing concentration with increasing carbon number, with the most abundant being glycine (41 n Moles/g). These and other results to be reviewed provide persuasive support for the theory of chemical evolution and provide the only natural evidence for the protobiological subset of molecules from which life on earth may have arisen.
Lawless, J. G.
Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR
...2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Microbial pesticides nontarget organisms and environmental fate...ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) PESTICIDE PROGRAMS DATA REQUIREMENTS FOR PESTICIDES Microbial Pesticides � 158.2150...
Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR
...2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Microbial pesticides nontarget organisms and environmental fate...ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) PESTICIDE PROGRAMS DATA REQUIREMENTS FOR PESTICIDES Microbial Pesticides � 158.2150...
Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR
...experimental use permit microbial pesticides nontarget organisms and environmental... Table�EUP Microbial Pesticides Nontarget Organisms and Environmental...1, 5 885.4380 Honey bee testing R R R R ...requirements for microbial pesticides nontarget organism...
Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR
...experimental use permit microbial pesticides nontarget organisms and environmental... Table�EUP Microbial Pesticides Nontarget Organisms and Environmental...1, 5 885.4380 Honey bee testing R R R R ...requirements for microbial pesticides nontarget organism...
40 CFR Table 1 to Part 455 - List of Organic Pesticide Active Ingredients
Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR
...2011-07-01 false List of Organic Pesticide Active Ingredients 1 Table 1...EFFLUENT GUIDELINES AND STANDARDS PESTICIDE CHEMICALS Pt. 455, Table 1 Table 1 to Part 455�List of Organic Pesticide Active Ingredients EPA census...
40 CFR Table 1 to Part 455 - List of Organic Pesticide Active Ingredients
Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR
...2010-07-01 false List of Organic Pesticide Active Ingredients 1 Table 1...EFFLUENT GUIDELINES AND STANDARDS PESTICIDE CHEMICALS Pt. 455, Table 1 Table 1 to Part 455�List of Organic Pesticide Active Ingredients EPA census...
Screening assessment methods have been developed for semi- and non-volatile persistent organic pollutants (POPs) for human blood and solid environmental media. The specific methodology is developed for measuring the presence of �native� compounds, specifically, a variety of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), organophosphate pesticides (OPPs), and for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The method is demonstrated on anonymous Red Cross blood samples as well
Siming Liu; Joachim D Pleil
Background Selection of pesticides with small ecological footprints is a key factor in developing sustainable agricultural systems. Policy guiding the selection of pesticides often emphasizes natural products and organic-certified pesticides to increase sustainability, because of the prevailing public opinion that natural products are uniformly safer, and thus more environmentally friendly, than synthetic chemicals. Methodology/Principal Findings We report the results of a study examining the environmental impact of several new synthetic and certified organic insecticides under consideration as reduced-risk insecticides for soybean aphid (Aphis glycines) control, using established and novel methodologies to directly quantify pesticide impact in terms of biocontrol services. We found that in addition to reduced efficacy against aphids compared to novel synthetic insecticides, organic approved insecticides had a similar or even greater negative impact on several natural enemy species in lab studies, were more detrimental to biological control organisms in field experiments, and had higher Environmental Impact Quotients at field use rates. Conclusions/Significance These data bring into caution the widely held assumption that organic pesticides are more environmentally benign than synthetic ones. All pesticides must be evaluated using an empirically-based risk assessment, because generalizations based on chemical origin do not hold true in all cases. PMID:20582315
Bahlai, Christine A.; Xue, Yingen; McCreary, Cara M.; Schaafsma, Arthur W.; Hallett, Rebecca H.
Organic Compounds in Carbonaceous Meteorites
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Carbonaceous meteorites are relatively enriched in soluble organic compounds. To date, these compounds provide the only record available to study a range of organic chemical processes in the early Solar System chemistry. The Murchison meteorite is the best-characterized carbonaceous meteorite with respect to organic chemistry. The study of its organic compounds has related principally to aqueous meteorite parent body chemistry and compounds of potential importance for the origin of life. Among the classes of organic compounds found in Murchison are amino acids, amides, carboxylic acids, hydroxy acids, sulfonic acids, phosphonic acids, purines and pyrimidines (Table 1). Compounds such as these were quite likely delivered to the early Earth in asteroids and comets. Until now, polyhydroxylated compounds (polyols), including sugars (polyhydroxy aldehydes or ketones), sugar alcohols, sugar acids, etc., had not been identified in Murchison. Ribose and deoxyribose, five-carbon sugars, are central to the role of contemporary nucleic acids, DNA and RNA. Glycerol, a three-carbon sugar alcohol, is a constituent of all known biological membranes. Due to the relative lability of sugars, some researchers have questioned the lifetime of sugars under the presumed conditions on the early Earth and postulated other (more stable) compounds as constituents of the first replicating molecules. The identification of potential sources and/or formation mechanisms of pre-biotic polyols would add to the understanding of what organic compounds were available, and for what length of time, on the ancient Earth.
Cooper, Grorge
The concurrent determination of pesticidal and non-pesticidal organotin compounds in several water matrices, using a simultaneous in situ ethylation and liquid-liquid extraction followed by splitless injection mode capillary gas chromatography with pulsed flame photometric detect...
The concurrent determination of pesticidal and non-pesticidal organotin compounds in several water matrices, using a simultaneous in situ ethylation and liquid-liquid extraction followed by splitless injection mode capillary gas chromatography with pulsed flame photometric detect...
Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) have gained notoriety in the recent past. Global distribution of PFCs in wildlife, environmental samples and humans has sparked a recent increase in new investigations concerning PFCs. Historically PFCs have been used in a wide variety of consume...
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
The successful return of the STARDUST spacecraft provides a unique opportunity to investigate the nature and distribution of organic matter in cometary dust particles collected from Comet 81P/Wild-2. Analysis of individual cometary impact tracks in silica aerogel using the technique of two-step laser mass spectrometry (L2MS) demonstrates the presence of complex aromatic organic matter. While concerns remain as to the organic purity of the aerogel collection medium and the thermal effects associated with hypervelocity capture, the majority of the observed organic species appear indigenous to the impacting particles and are hence of cometary origin. While the aromatic fraction of the total organic matter present is believed to be small, it is notable in that it appears to be N-rich. Spectral analysis in combination with instrumental detection sensitivities suggest that N is incorporated predominantly in the form of aromatic nitriles (R-C N). While organic species in the STARDUST samples do share some similarities with those present in the matrices of carbonaceous chondrites, the closest match is found with stratospherically collected interplanetary dust particles. These findings are consistent with the notion that a fraction of interplanetary dust is of cometary origin. The presence of complex organic N-containing species in comets has astrobiological implications since comets are likely to have contributed to the prebiotic chemical inventory of both the Earth and Mars.
McKay, David S.; Clemett. Simon J.; Sandford, Scott A.; Nakamura-Messenger, Keiko; Hoerz, Fredrich
Chemical reactions of organic compounds on clay surfaces.
Chemical reactions of organic compounds including pesticides at the interlayer and exterior surfaces of clay minerals and with soil organic matter are reviewed. Representative reactions under moderate conditions possibly occurring in natural soils are described. Attempts have been made to clarify the importance of the chemical nature of molecules, their structures and their functional groups, and the Br�nsted or Lewis acidity of clay minerals. PMID:2533556
Soma, Y; Soma, M
Extraterrestrial Organic Compounds in Meteorites
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Many organic compounds or their precursors found in meteorites originated in the interstellar or circumstellar medium and were later incorporated into planetesimals during the formation of the solar system. There they either survived intact or underwent further processing to synthesize secondary products on the meteorite parent body. The most distinct feature of CI and CM carbonaceous chondrites, two types of stony meteorites, is their high carbon content (up to 3% of weight), either in the form of carbonates or of organic compounds. The bulk of the organic carbon consists of an insoluble macromolecular material with a complex structure. Also present is a soluble organic fraction, which has been analyzed by several separation and analytical procedures. Low detection limits can be achieved by derivatization of the organic molecules with reagents that allow for analysis by gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy and high performance liquid chromatography. The CM meteorite Murchison has been found to contain more than 70 extraterrestrial amino acids and several other classes of compounds including carboxylic acids, hydroxy carboxylic acids, sulphonic and phosphonic acids, aliphatic, aromatic and polar hydrocarbons, fullerenes, heterocycles as well as carbonyl compounds, alcohols, amines and amides. The organic matter was found to be enriched in deuterium, and distinct organic compounds show isotopic enrichments of carbon and nitrogen relative to terrestrial matter.
Botta, Oliver; Bada, Jeffrey L.; Meyer, Michael (Technical Monitor)
This study focuses on how Polar Organic Chemical Integrative Samplers (POCIS) work in real environmental conditions. A selection of 23 polar pesticides and 8 metabolites were investigated by exposure of triplicates of integrative samplers in two rivers in France for successive 14-day periods. The pesticides and metabolites were trapped not only in Oasis HLB sorbent but also in the polyethersulfone (PES) membrane of the POCIS. The distribution of pesticides depended on the molecular structure. The use of the Performance Reference Compound (PRC) is also discussed here. The impact of some environmental parameters and exposure setup on the transfer of pesticides in POCIS sorbent was studied: river flow rate, biofouling on membranes, sampler holding design and position in the stream. Results show a significant impact of river flow velocity on PRC desorption, especially for values higher than 4 cm�s(-1). Some fouling was observed on the PES membrane which could potentially have an impact on molecule accumulation in the POCIS. Finally, the positioning of the sampler in the river did not have significant effects on pesticide accumulation, when perpendicular exposures were used (sampler positioning in front of the water flow). The POCIS with PRC correction seems to be a suitable tool for estimating time-weighted average (TWA) concentrations, for all the molecules except for one of the nine pesticides analyzed in these two French rivers. PMID:24830931
Lissalde, Sophie; Mazzella, Nicolas; Mazellier, Patrick
Organic Diets Significantly Lower Children's Dietary Exposure to Organophosphorus Pesticides
We used a novel study design to measure dietary organophosphorus pesticide exposure in a group of 23 elementary school-age children through urinary biomonitoring. We substituted most of children�s conventional diets with organic food items for 5 consecutive days and collected two spot daily urine samples, first-morning and before-bedtime voids, throughout the 15-day study period. We found that the median urinary concentrations of the specific metabolites for malathion and chlorpyrifos decreased to the nondetect levels immediately after the introduction of organic diets and remained nondetectable until the conventional diets were reintroduced. The median concentrations for other organophosphorus pesticide metabolites were also lower in the organic diet consumption days; however, the detection of those metabolites was not frequent enough to show any statistical significance. In conclusion, we were able to demonstrate that an organic diet provides a dramatic and immediate protective effect against exposures to organophosphorus pesticides that are commonly used in agricultural production. We also concluded that these children were most likely exposed to these organophosphorus pesticides exclusively through their diet. To our knowledge, this is the first study to employ a longitudinal design with a dietary intervention to assess children�s exposure to pesticides. It provides new and persuasive evidence of the effectiveness of this intervention. PMID:16451864
Lu, Chensheng; Toepel, Kathryn; Irish, Rene; Fenske, Richard A.; Barr, Dana B.; Bravo, Roberto
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
This review is devoted to methods for the determination of residues of pesticides and some related industrial chemicals. Topics include: residue methods, sampling, chromatography, organochlorine pesticides, organophosphorus pesticides, carbamate insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, pyrethrins, fumigants, and related chemicals. (MVL)
Sherma, Joseph
Effect of the Nature of Exogenous Organic Matter on Pesticide Sorption by the Soil
.�� A study was carried out on the sorption of two sparingly water-soluble pesticides (diazinon and linuron) by a sandy loam\\u000a soil modified with different exogenous organic materials (EOMs) containing humic-like substances: city refuse compost (CRC),\\u000a peat (P), commercial �humic� acid (HA), liquid �humic� acid (LHA), and two (nonhumic) model compounds (surfactants), tetradecyltrimethylammonium\\u000a bromide (TDTMA) and sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS),
E. Iglesias-Jim�nez; E. Poveda; M. J. S�nchez-Mart�n; M. S�nchez-Camazano
Thermochemical data of organic compounds
This reference consists of tables of thermochemical data for many organic compounds. The following topics are covered: standard enthalpies of formation derived from experimental data; prediction of standard enthalpies of formation; group interactions; interpretation of group interactions; prediction of unknown values; and future developments.
J. B. Pedley; R. D. Naylor; S. B. Kirby
Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR
... 2011-07-01 false Organic Pesticide Active Ingredient New Source Performance...EFFLUENT GUIDELINES AND STANDARDS PESTICIDE CHEMICALS Pt. 455, Table 3 Table 3 to Part 455�Organic Pesticide Active Ingredient New Source...
Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR
... 2010-07-01 false Organic Pesticide Active Ingredient Effluent Limitations...EFFLUENT GUIDELINES AND STANDARDS PESTICIDE CHEMICALS Pt. 455, Table 2 Table 2 to Part 455�Organic Pesticide Active Ingredient Effluent...
Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR
... 2011-07-01 false Organic Pesticide Active Ingredient Effluent Limitations...EFFLUENT GUIDELINES AND STANDARDS PESTICIDE CHEMICALS Pt. 455, Table 2 Table 2 to Part 455�Organic Pesticide Active Ingredient Effluent...
Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR
... 2010-07-01 false Organic Pesticide Active Ingredient New Source Performance...EFFLUENT GUIDELINES AND STANDARDS PESTICIDE CHEMICALS Pt. 455, Table 3 Table 3 to Part 455�Organic Pesticide Active Ingredient New Source...
Data is presented on the development of a new automated system combining solid phase extraction (SPE) with GC/MS spectrometry for the single-run analysis of water samples containing a broad range of organic compounds. The system uses commercially available automated in-line 10-m...
Biofiltration of volatile organic compounds.
The removal of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from contaminated airstreams has become a major air pollution concern. Improvement of the biofiltration process commonly used for the removal of odorous compounds has led to a better control of key parameters, enabling the application of biofiltration to be extended also to the removal of VOCs. Moreover, biofiltration, which is based on the ability of micro-organisms to degrade a large variety of compounds, proves to be economical and environmentally viable. In a biofilter, the waste gas is forced to rise through a layer of packed porous material. Thus, pollutants contained in the gaseous effluent are oxidised or converted into biomass by the action of microorganisms previously fixed on the packing material. The biofiltration process is then based on two principal phenomena: (1) transfer of contaminants from the air to the water phase or support medium, (2) bioconversion of pollutants to biomass, metabolic end-products, or carbon dioxide and water. The diversity of biofiltration mechanisms and their interaction with the microflora mean that the biofilter is defined as a complex and structured ecosystem. As a result, in addition to operating conditions, research into the microbial ecology of biofilters is required in order better to optimise the management of such biological treatment systems. PMID:15803311
Malhautier, Luc; Khammar, Nadia; Bayle, Sandrine; Fanlo, Jean-Louis
Objectives The objective of this article is to extend our previous studies of persistent organic pollutant (POP) contamination of U.S. food by measuring perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), organochlorine pesticides, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in composite food samples. This study is part of a larger study reported in two articles, the other of which reports levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers and hexabromocyclododecane brominated flame retardants in these composite foods [Schecter et al. 2010. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and hexabromocyclodecane (HBCD) in composite U.S. food samples, Environ Health Perspect 118:357�362]. Methods In this study we measured concentrations of 32 organochlorine pesticides, 7 PCBs, and 11 PFCs in composite samples of 31 different types of food (310 individual food samples) purchased from supermarkets in Dallas, Texas (USA), in 2009. Dietary intake of these chemicals was calculated for an average American. Results Contamination varied greatly among chemical and food types. The highest level of pesticide contamination was from the dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) metabolite p,p?- dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene, which ranged from 0.028 ng/g wet weight (ww) in whole milk yogurt to 2.3 ng/g ww in catfish fillets. We found PCB congeners (28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153, and 180) primarily in fish, with highest levels in salmon (PCB-153, 1.2 ng/g ww; PCB-138, 0.93 ng/g ww). For PFCs, we detected perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in 17 of 31 samples, ranging from 0.07 ng/g in potatoes to 1.80 ng/g in olive oil. In terms of dietary intake, DDT and DDT metabolites, endosulfans, aldrin, PCBs, and PFOA were consumed at the highest levels. Conclusion Despite product bans, we found POPs in U.S. food, and mixtures of these chemicals are consumed by the American public at varying levels. This suggests the need to expand testing of food for chemical contaminants. PMID:20146964
Schecter, Arnold; Colacino, Justin; Haffner, Darrah; Patel, Keyur; Opel, Matthias; Papke, Olaf; Birnbaum, Linda
Subcritical water extraction to evaluate desorption behavior of organic pesticides in soil.
We evaluated the feasibility of extracting organic pesticides in soil using a hot-water percolation apparatus at 105 degrees C and 120 kPa pressure. Efficiency of the method was assessed by extracting six selected pesticides (acetochlor, atrazine, diazinon, carbendazim, imidacloprid, and isoproturon) from previously equilibrated soil at 13.6-65.8 mg/kg concentration range. Studies were performed on brown forest soil with clay alluviation (Luvisol). The method developed was compared to the traditional batch equilibrium method in terms of desorbed amount of pesticides from soil and extraction time. Pesticides in the liquid phase from the batch sorption experiment and in the effluent from the hot-water percolation were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection. The results of the percolation experiment are in close correlation with those of the conventional soil testing method. Desorbed quantities by hot-water percolation were 85% acetochlor, 62% atrazine, 65% carbendazim, 44% diazinon, 95% imidacloprid, and 84% isoproturon, whereas using batch equilibrium method 101, 66, 64, 37, 81, and 90% were desorbed, expressed as the percentage of the adsorbed amount of pesticide on soil following equilibration. The average time for hot-water extraction was 3.45 min, in contrast to the 16 h time consumption of the traditional batch method. The effect of temperature on stability of selected compounds was also evaluated using pesticide-spiked sand without soil. Recoveries of analytes ranged between 84.6 and 91.1% with reproducibility of 7.9-10.2%, except for diazinon, for which recovery was 59.4% with 14.4% relative standard deviation since decomposition occurred at elevated temperature. The percolation process has been described by a first-order kinetic equation. The parameters calculated from the equation provide an opportunity to estimate the amount of compound available for desorption, the rate of desorption processes in the studied soil-pesticide-water system, and modeling the leaching process to obtain additional information on the environmental behavior of the examined pesticide. PMID:11929294
Konda, L�via N; F�leky, Gy�rgy; Morovj�n, Gy�rgy
Volatile organic compound sensor system
Generally, this invention relates to the development of field monitoring methodology for new substances and sensing chemical warfare agents (CWAs) and terrorist substances. It also relates to a portable test kit which may be utilized to measure concentrations of halogenated volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the field. Specifically it relates to systems for reliably field sensing the potential presence of such items while also distinguishing them from other elements potentially present. It also relates to overall systems and processes for sensing, reacting, and responding to an indicated presence of such substance, including modifications of existing halogenated sensors and arrayed sensing systems and methods.
Schabron, John F. (Laramie, WY); Rovani, Jr., Joseph F. (Laramie, WY); Bomstad, Theresa M. (Waxahachie, TX); Sorini-Wong, Susan S. (Laramie, WY); Wong, Gregory K. (Laramie, WY)
Low volatile organic compound paints
Increasingly stringent air emission standards in various states has dictated the elimination of engineering finishes which are derived from high volatile organic compound (VOC) paint chemistries. In July 1989, Allied-Signal, Inc., Kansas City Division, Kansas City, Missouri, voluntarily closed its paint facility, due to non-compliance with local air emission standards. The following details the materials selection and evaluations which led to current processing using low VOC paints, which permitted the Allied Signal, Inc., paint facility to achieve compliance and resume operations. 1 tab.
Martinez, F.E.
Biological and chemical interactions of pesticides with soil organic matter.
There is little doubt that organic matter plays a major role in the binding of pesticides in soil, and that this phenomenon is usually the most important cause for interaction of pesticides in the soil environment. Fulvic or humic acids are the chemicals most commonly involved in the binding interactions. Binding can occur with the original pesticide or a transformation product, the reaction being caused by abiotic agents or biotic agents (microbial or plant enzymes). The reactions or processes involved appear to be the same as those responsible for the formation of humic substances, i.e. for the humification process. Binding of pesticides to organic matter can occur by sorption (Van der Waal's forces, hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic bonding), electrostatic interactions (charge transfer, ion exchange or ligand exchange), covalent bonding or combinations of these reactions. Our investigation focused primarily on the binding of substituted phenols and aromatic amines to humus monomers and humic substances. In model reactions, we demonstrated the formation of covalent linkages between pesticides and humus constituents and fulvic or humic acids in the presence of phenol oxidases or clay minerals. With chlorinated phenols and carboxylic acids, it was possible to isolate and identify cross-coupling products and to elucidate the site and type of binding. The binding of chlorinated phenols to humic substances was determined by using 14C-labelled chemicals and by measuring the uptake of radioactivity by the humic material. These experiments provide a base for explaining the formation of bound residues in certain cases and for assuming the toxic potential of the immobilized pollutants. PMID:1439732
Bollag, J M; Myers, C J; Minard, R D
Organic compounds in carbonaceous meteorites.
The carbonaceous chondrite meteorites are fragments of asteroids that have remained relatively unprocessed since the formation of the solar system 4.6 billion years ago. These carbon-rich objects contain a variety of extraterrestrial organic molecules that constitute a record of chemical evolution prior to the origin of life. Compound classes include aliphatic hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, amino acids, carboxylic acids, sulfonic acids, phosphonic acids, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, sugars, amines, amides, nitrogen heterocycles, sulfur heterocycles and a relatively abundant high molecular weight macromolecular material. Structural and stable isotopic characteristics suggest that a number of environments may have contributed to the organic inventory, including interstellar space, the solar nebula and the asteroidal meteorite parent body. This review covers work published between 1950 and the present day and cites 193 references. PMID:12137279
Sephton, Mark A
Chlorinated pesticides in stream sediments from organic, integrated and conventional farms.
To determine if current sheep/beef farming practices affect pesticide residues in streams, current-use and legacy chlorinated pesticides were quantified in 100 sediment samples from 15 streams on the South Island of New Zealand. The study involved five blocks of three neighboring farms, with each block containing farms managed by organic, integrated and conventional farming practices. Significantly higher concentrations of dieldrin, ? endosulfans, ? current-use pesticides, and ? chlorinated pesticides were measured in sediments from conventional farms compared to organic and integrated farms. However, streams in the latter two farming categories were not pesticide-free and sometimes contained relatively high concentrations of legacy pesticides. Comparison of measured pesticide concentrations with sediment quality guidelines showed that, regardless of farming practice, mean pesticide concentrations were below the recommended toxicity thresholds. However, up to 23% of individual samples contained chlorpyrifos, endosulfan sulfate, ? DDT, dieldrin, or ? chlordane concentrations above these thresholds. PMID:23871819
Shahpoury, Pourya; Hageman, Kimberly J; Matthaei, Christoph D; Magbanua, Francis S
Volatile organic compound sensing devices
Apparatus employing vapochromic materials in the form of inorganic double complex salts which change color reversibly when exposed to volatile organic compound (VOC) vapors is adapted for VOC vapor detection, VOC aqueous matrix detection, and selective VOC vapor detection. The basic VOC vapochromic sensor is incorporated in various devices such as a ground probe sensor, a wristband sensor, a periodic sampling monitor, a soil/water penetrometer, an evaporative purge sensor, and various vacuum-based sensors which are particularly adapted for reversible/reusable detection, remote detection, continuous monitoring, or rapid screening of environmental remediation and waste management sites. The vapochromic sensor is used in combination with various fiber optic arrangements to provide a calibrated qualitative and/or quantitative indication of the presence of VOCs. 15 figs.
Lancaster, G.D.; Moore, G.A.; Stone, M.L.; Reagen, W.K.
Volatile organic compound sensing devices
Apparatus employing vapochromic materials in the form of inorganic double complex salts which change color reversibly when exposed to volatile organic compound (VOC) vapors is adapted for VOC vapor detection, VOC aqueous matrix detection, and selective VOC vapor detection. The basic VOC vapochromic sensor is incorporated in various devices such as a ground probe sensor, a wristband sensor, a periodic sampling monitor, a soil/water penetrometer, an evaporative purge sensor, and various vacuum-based sensors which are particularly adapted for reversible/reusable detection, remote detection, continuous monitoring, or rapid screening of environmental remediation and waste management sites. The vapochromic sensor is used in combination with various fiber optic arrangements to provide a calibrated qualitative and/or quantitative indication of the presence of VOCs.
Lancaster, Gregory D. (Idaho Falls, ID); Moore, Glenn A. (Idaho Falls, ID); Stone, Mark L. (Idaho Falls, ID); Reagen, William K. (Stillwater, MN)
... are not just insect killers. They also include chemicals to control weeds, rodents, mildew, germs, and more. Many household products contain pesticides. Pesticides can protect your health by killing germs, animals, or plants that could hurt you. However, they can also ...
... of activity. This means that they can have toxic effects in humans as well as in the ... Depending on the particular pesticide, they can be toxic if swallowed, inhaled, or have direct contact with ...
Microbial removal of hazardous organic compounds
An in-depth evaluation of the potential for microorganisms to remove anthropogenic organic compounds, mainly priority pollutants and related compounds, is presented. The evaluation indicates that use of properly selected populations of microbes, and the maintenance of environmental conditions most conducive to their metabolism, can be an important means of improving biological treatment of organic wastes. One major theme is that
Hester Kobayashi; B. E. Rittman
Pesticide mixtures are common in streams with agricultural or urban influence in the watershed. The Pesticide Toxicity Index (PTI) is a screening tool to assess potential aquatic toxicity of complex pesticide mixtures by combining measures of pesticide exposure and acute toxicity in an additive toxic-unit model. The PTI is determined separately for fish, cladocerans, and benthic invertebrates. This study expands the number of pesticides and degradates included in previous editions of the PTI from 124 to 492 pesticides and degradates, and includes two types of PTI for use in different applications, depending on study objectives. The Median-PTI was calculated from median toxicity values for individual pesticides, so is robust to outliers and is appropriate for comparing relative potential toxicity among samples, sites, or pesticides. The Sensitive-PTI uses the 5th percentile of available toxicity values, so is a more sensitive screening-level indicator of potential toxicity. PTI predictions of toxicity in environmental samples were tested using data aggregated from published field studies that measured pesticide concentrations and toxicity to Ceriodaphnia dubia in ambient stream water. C. dubia survival was reduced to ? 50% of controls in 44% of samples with Median-PTI values of 0.1�1, and to 0% in 96% of samples with Median-PTI values > 1. The PTI is a relative, but quantitative, indicator of potential toxicity that can be used to evaluate relationships between pesticide exposure and biological condition.
Nowell, Lisa H.; Norman, Julia E.; Moran, Patrick W.; Martin, Jeffrey D.; Stone, Wesley W.
The results of C¹⁴-labeling under neutron irradiation of two ; groups of compounds are reported: (1) naphthalene, phenanthrene, and anthracene ; in an attempt to determine whether or not high energy C¹⁴ fragments formed ; by nuclear recoil would favor or discriminate against any particular position in ; product formations; (2) pseudoephedrine, 2-amino-pyrimidine, and 3,6-; dihydroxypyridazine as complex nitrogen-containing compounds.
S. Oae; M. Hamada; Y. Otsuji; N. Furukawa; E. Iwamoto
Clean process to destroy arsenic-containing organic compounds with recovery of arsenic
A reduction method is provided for the treatment of arsenic-containing organic compounds with simultaneous recovery of pure arsenic. Arsenic-containing organic compounds include pesticides, herbicides, and chemical warfare agents such as Lewisite. The arsenic-containing compound is decomposed using a reducing agent. Arsine gas may be formed directly by using a hydrogen-rich reducing agent, or a metal arsenide may be formed using a pure metal reducing agent. In the latter case, the arsenide is reacted with an acid to form arsine gas. In either case, the arsine gas is then reduced to elemental arsenic. 1 fig.
Upadhye, R.S.; Wang, F.T.
Pesticides and other semi-volatile organic compounds (SOCs) undergo regional and longrange atmospheric transport. One such example is the transport of current-use pesticides from the intensely cultivated Central Valley of California into the adjacent Sierra Nevada and Cascade Mou...
Alkylation of organic aromatic compounds
Aromatic compounds are alkylated in a catalytic distillation, wherein the catalyst structure also serves as a distillation component by contacting the aromatic compound with a C[sub 2] to C[sub 10] olefin in the catalyst bed under 0.25 to 50 atmospheres of pressure and at temperatures in the range of 80 C to 500 C, using as the catalyst a mole sieve characterized as acidic or an acidic cation exchange resin. For example, ethyl benzene is produced by feeding ethylene below the catalyst bed while benzene is conveniently added through the reflux in molar excess to that required to react with ethylene, thereby reacting substantially all of the ethylene and recovering benzene as the principal overhead and ethyl benzene in the bottoms. 1 fig.
Smith, L.A. Jr.
The purposes of this work were to: (1) develop preliminary operating data such as expected concentration endpoints for flow sheet development and evaporator design, and (2) examine the regulatory off-gas emission impacts from the evaporation of relatively organic-rich Hanford Tank 241-AN-107 Envelope C waste simulant containing 14 volatile, semi-volatile and pesticide organic compounds potentially present in actual Hanford RPP waste.
Saito, H.H.
Microwave spectra of some volatile organic compounds
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
A computer-controlled microwave (MRR) spectrometer was used to catalog reference spectra for chemical analysis. Tables of absorption frequency, peak absorption intensity, and integrated intensity are included for 26 volatile organic compounds, all but one of which contain oxygen.
White, W. F.
A wide range of perfluorinated organic compounds (PFCs) has been used in a variety of industrial processes and consumer products. The most commonly studied PFCs include perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), but there are many more compounds in this c...
A wide range of perfluorinated organic compounds (PFCs) has been used in a variety of industrial processes and consumer products. The most commonly studied PFCs include perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), but there are many more compounds in this c...
Volatile organic compounds of Schenella pityophilus
Volatile organic compounds of Schenella pityophilus have been identified via solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography�mass spectrometry analysis. Ten compounds have been identified, in which 3-methylthio-1-propene was the most significant component. Some other components were previously identified in Tuber aestivum and Tuber melanosporum.
Maurizio D�Auria; Rocco Racioppi; Gian Luigi Rana
Volatile organic compounds of Schenella pityophilus.
Volatile organic compounds of Schenella pityophilus have been identified via solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. Ten compounds have been identified, in which 3-methylthio-1-propene was the most significant component. Some other components were previously identified in Tuber aestivum and Tuber melanosporum. PMID:22236093
D'Auria, Maurizio; Racioppi, Rocco; Rana, Gian Luigi
This paper reviews current knowledge of biogeochemical cycles of pollutant organic chemicals in aquatic ecosystems with a focus on coastal ecosystems. There is a bias toward discussing chemical and geochemical aspects of biogeochemical cycles and an emphasis on hydrophobic organic compounds such as polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, and chlorinated organic compounds used as pesticides. The complexity of mixtures of pollutant organic compounds, their various modes of entering ecosystems, and their physical chemical forms are discussed. Important factors that influence bioavailability and disposition (e.g., organism-water partitioning, uptake via food, food web transfer) are reviewed. These factors include solubilities of chemicals; partitioning of chemicals between solid surfaces, colloids, and soluble phases; variables rates of sorption, desorption; and physiological status of organism. It appears that more emphasis on considering food as a source of uptake and bioaccumulation is important in benthic and epibenthic ecosystems when sediment-associated pollutants are a significant source of input to an aquatic ecosystem. Progress with mathematical models for exposure and uptake of contaminant chemicals is discussed briefly. PMID:1904812
Farrington, J W
1 Use of Polar Organic Chemical Integrative Samplers to assess the effects of chronic pesticide. A realistic mixture of pesticides extracted from POCIS (Polar Organic Chemical Integrative Samplers) was used to expose biofilms in laboratory channels to total pesticide concentrations averaging 0
Paris-Sud XI, Université de
Volatile organic compounds in ambient aerosols
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
In order to investigate the concentration levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in ambient aerosols, monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (MAHs) and chlorinated hydrocarbons (CHs) in the particulate phase were measured simultaneously with those in the gas phase in the urban atmosphere. Six compounds were detected in the aerosols at concentrations from 0.051 (1,2-dichloroethane) to 1.75 ng m - 3 (benzene). Benzene was detected as the most dominant compound in the aerosols, although toluene was the most dominant compound in the gas phase. The VOCs in the aerosols had concentrations comparable to those reported for some semi-volatile organic compounds (SOCs) in the aerosols. The concentrations of the VOCs in the aerosols were primarily controlled by the aerosol mass loading. Temperature and relative humidity had no significant effect on the gas/particle partitioning of the VOCs. Our results also suggested that the hygroscopic properties of the aerosols should be considered to discuss the partitioning of the VOCs.
Matsumoto, Kiyoshi; Matsumoto, Kumi; Mizuno, Riichi; Igawa, Manabu
Alkylation of organic aromatic compounds
Aromatic compounds are alkylated in a combination reactor/distillation column comprising a vessel suitable for operating between 70 C and 500 C and from 0.5 to 20 atmospheres pressure; an inert distillation packing in the lower one-third of said vessel; solid acidic catalytic material such as zeolites or an acidic cation exchange resin supported in the middle one-third of said vessel; and inert distillation packing in the upper one-third of said vessel. A benzene inlet is located near the upper end of the vessel; an olefin inlet is juxtaposed with said solid acidic catalytic material; a bottoms outlet is positioned near the bottom of said vessel for removing said cumene and ethyl benzene; and an overhead outlet is placed at the top of said vessel for removing any unreacted benzene and olefin.
Smith, L.A. Jr.; Arganbright, R.P.; Hearn, D.
Abundance of organic compounds in water
There are currently available 175 lists that give the identities and frequencies of occurrence of organic compounds in water. Some of the environmentally significant questions that arise from examining these lists are presented. A simple, accurate theoretical model is developed to answer these questions and to predict the behavior of trace organics in the aquatic environment. (8 references, 1 tables)
Schaeffer, D.J.; Janardan, K.G.
Possible complex organic compounds on Mars.
It is suggested that primitive Mars had somehow similar environments as primitive Earth. If life was born on the primitive earth using organic compounds which were produced from the early Earth environment, the same types of organic compounds were also formed on primitive Mars. Such organic compounds might have been preserved on Mars still now. We are studying possible organic formation on primitive and present Mars. A gaseous mixture of CO2, CO, N2 and H2O with various mixing ratios were irradiated with high energy protons (major components of cosmic rays). Hydrogen cyanide and formaldehyde were detected among volatile products, and yellow-brown-colored water-soluble non-volatile substances were produced, which gave amino acids after acid-hydrolysis. Major part of "amino acid precursors" were not simple molecules like aminonitriles, but complex compounds which eluted earlier than free amino acids in cation-exchange HPLC. These organic compounds should be major targets in the future Mars mission. Strategy for the detection of the complex organics on Mars will be discussed. PMID:11541335
Kobayashi, K; Sato, T; Kajishima, S; Kaneko, T; Ishikawa, Y; Saito, T
Possible complex organic compounds on Mars
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
It is suggested that primitive Mars had somehow similar environments as primitive Earth. If life was born on the primitive earth using organic compounds which were produced from the early Earth environment, the same types of organic compounds were also formed on primitive Mars. Such organic compounds might have been preserved on Mars still now. We are studying possible organic formation on primitive and present Mars. A gaseous mixture of CO_2, CO, N_2 and H_2O with various mixing ratios were irradiated with high energy protons (major components of cosmic rays). Hydrogen cyanide and formaldehyde were detected among volatile products, and yellow-brown-colored water-soluble non-volatile substances were produced, which gave amino acids after acid-hydrolysis. Major part of ``amino acid precursors'' were not simple molecules like aminonitriles, but complex compounds which eluted earlier than free amino acids in cation-exchange HPLC. These organic compounds should be major targets in the future Mars mission. Strategy for the detection of the complex organics on Mars will be discussed.
Kobayashi, K.; Sato, T.; Kajishima, S.; Kaneko, T.; Ishikawa, Y.; Saito, T.
A method is proposed and tested for assessing multispecies responses to three pesticides (atrazine, 2,4,D and malathion). Pesticides were applied at two concentrations, mon model plant communities grown in raised beds using soil containing a natural weed bank. over by species was...
Reflectance spectroscopy of organic compounds: 1. Alkanes
Reflectance spectra of the organic compounds comprising the alkane series are presented from the ultraviolet to midinfrared, 0.35 to 15.5 /??m. Alkanes are hydrocarbon molecules containing only single carbon-carbon bonds, and are found naturally on the Earth and in the atmospheres of the giant planets and Saturn's moon, Titan. This paper presents the spectral properties of the alkanes as the first in a series of papers to build a spectral database of organic compounds for use in remote sensing studies. Applications range from mapping the environment on the Earth, to the search for organic molecules and life in the solar system and throughout the. universe. We show that the spectral reflectance properties of organic compounds are rich, with major diagnostic spectral features throughout the spectral range studied. Little to no spectral change was observed as a function of temperature and only small shifts and changes in the width of absorption bands were observed between liquids and solids, making remote detection of spectral properties throughout the solar system simpler. Some high molecular weight organic compounds contain single-bonded carbon chains and have spectra similar to alkanes even ' when they fall into other families. Small spectral differences are often present allowing discrimination among some compounds, further illustrating the need to catalog spectral properties for accurate remote sensing identification with spectroscopy.
Clark, R.N.; Curchin, J.M.; Hoefen, T.M.; Swayze, G.A.
The Pilot Study of Children's Total Exposure to Persistent Pesticides and Other Persistent Organic Pollutants (CTEPP) investigated the aggregate exposures of 257 preschool children and their primary adult caregivers to pollutants commonly detected in their everyday environments. ...
... About Your Pest Control Your Pest Integrated Pest Management Pesticide Ingredients Active Ingredients Other/Inert Ingredients Pesticide Products Low-Risk Pesticides Organic Pesticide Ingredients Regulations State Federal International Environment Air Water Soil Wildlife Plants Emergency Human ...
... About Your Pest Control Your Pest Integrated Pest Management Pesticide Ingredients Active Ingredients Other/Inert Ingredients Pesticide Products Low-Risk Pesticides Organic Pesticide Ingredients Regulations State Federal International Environment Air Water Soil Wildlife Plants Emergency Human ...
Origin of organic compounds in carbonaceous chondrites
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Carbonaceous chondrites, a class of primitive meteorite, have long been known to contain their complement of carbon largely in the form of organic, i.e., hydrocarbon-related, matter. Both discrete organic compounds and an insoluble, macromolecular material are present. Several characteristics of these materials provide evidence for their abiotic origin. The principal formation hypothesis have invoked chemistry occurring either in the solar nebula or on the parent body. However, recent stable isotope analyses of the meteorite carboxylic acids and amino acids indicate that they may be related to interstellar cloud compounds. These results suggest a formation scheme in which interstellar compounds were incorporated into the parent body and subsequently converted to the present suite of meteorite organics by the hydrothermal process believed to have formed the clay minerals of the meteorite matrix.
Cronin, J. R.
Catalyst for Oxidation of Volatile Organic Compounds
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Disclosed is a process for oxidizing volatile organic compounds to carbon dioxide and water with the minimal addition of energy. A mixture of the volatile organic compound and an oxidizing agent (e.g. ambient air containing the volatile organic compound) is exposed to a catalyst which includes a noble metal dispersed on a metal oxide which possesses more than one oxidation state. Especially good results are obtained when the noble metal is platinum, and the metal oxide which possesses more than one oxidation state is tin oxide. A promoter (i.e., a small amount of an oxide of a transition series metal) may be used in association with the tin oxide to provide very beneficial results.
Wood, George M. (Inventor); Upchurch, Billy T. (Inventor); Schryer, David R. (Inventor); Davis, Patricia P. (Inventor); Kielin, Erik J. (Inventor); Brown, Kenneth G. (Inventor); Schyryer, Jacqueline L. (Inventor); DAmbrosia, Christine M. (Inventor)
After strontium/transuranics removal by precipitation followed by cesium/technetium removal by ion exchange, remaining low activity waste in the Hanford River Protection Project Waste Treatment Plant is to be concentrated by evaporation prior to being mixed with glass formers and vitrified. To provide a technical basis to permit the waste treatment facility, a relatively organic-rich Hanford Tank 241-AN-107 waste simulant was spiked with 14 target volatile, semi-volatile and pesticide compounds, and evaporated under vacuum in a bench-scale natural circulation evaporator fitted with an industrial stack off-gas sampler at the Savannah River Technology Center. An evaporator material balance for the target organics was calculated by combining liquid stream mass and analytical data with off-gas emissions estimates obtained using EPA SW-846 Methods. Volatile and light semi-volatile organic compounds in the waste simulant were found to largely exit through the condenser vent, while heavier semi-volatiles and pesticides generally remain in the evaporator concentrate. An OLI Environmental Simulation Program evaporator model successfully predicted operating conditions and the experimental distribution of the fed target organics exiting in the concentrate, condensate and off-gas streams with the exception of a few semi-volatile and pesticide compounds. Comparison with Henry's Law predictions suggests the OLI ESP model is constrained by available literature data.
Calloway, T.B. Jr.
Screening assessment methods have been developed for semi- and non-volatile persistent organic pollutants (POPs) for human blood and solid environmental media. The specific methodology is developed for measuring the presence of "native" compounds, specifically, a variety of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), organophosphate pesticides (OPPs), and for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The method is demonstrated on anonymous Red Cross blood samples as well as two potential environmental sources, tracked in soil and dog hair. This work is based on previously developed methods for semi-volatile hydrocarbon exposure from fuels usage and similarly employs liquid solvent extraction, evaporative volume reduction. and subsequent specialized gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis (GC-MS). Standard curves, estimates of recovery efficiency, and specific GC-MS SIM quantification methods were developed for common pesticides including diazinon. aldrin, chlorpyrifos, malathion, dieldrin, DDT, permethrin, cyhalothrin, and cypermethrin, and for seven selected PCBs. Trace levels of certain PCBs and pesticides such as permethrin, dieldrin, malathion, lindane, diazinon, and chlorpyrifos were tentatively identified in anonymous blood samples as well as in two potential environmental sources. tracked in soil and dog hair. The method provides a simple screening procedure for various media and a variety of common organic pollutants without extensive sample preparation. It is meant to complement and augment data from more specific or complex methodology, to provide initial broad spectrum guidance for designing targeted experiments, and to provide confirmatory evidence for the usual metabolic biomarker measurements made to assess human exposure. PMID:11936688
Liu, Siming; Pleil, Joachim D
people in western-style societies spend over 87% of their time.2 The US EPA lists more than a thousand to identify the drivers of hazard or exposure that could inform the #12;design of safer substances. Left without fungicide and pesticides? · Appealing without reactive odorants? Working from existing literature
Iglesia, Enrique
Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD), dibenzofurans (PCDF) selected chlorinated pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and some volatile organic compounds (VOC) were analysed in the exhaust fumes of candles made from different waxes and finishing materials. To guarantee defined burning conditions a chamber was developed for the sampling of the exhaust fumes. Using a simple exposure model, the inhalative uptake of PCDD\\/PCDF by
C. Lau; H. Fiedler; O. Hutzinger; K.-H. Schwind; J. Hosseinpour
1 Pesticide safety risk, food chain organization, and the adoption of sustainable farming practices practices within the greenhouses owned by private packers. Key-words Food safety, pesticides, integrated Fresh produce pesticide safety risk has grown into a major concern of north European consumers
Paris-Sud XI, Université de
Seven experiments were conducted. First, the influence of the consumption of different concentrations of the organic pesticide Bioganic � on mortality was assessed at 11 different time intervals in Africanized honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) as was direct application of the pesticide to the abdomen. Results indicated that the pesticide was not lethal to bees regardless of concentration at any
Charles I. Abramson; Jordan B. Singleton; Maritza K. Wilson; Paulo A. Wanderley
Ultraviolet radiation absorbing compounds in marine organisms
Studies on the biological effects of solar ultraviolet radiations are becoming increasingly common, in part due to recent interest in the Antarctic ozone hole and in the perceived potential for global climate change. Marine organisms possess many strategies for ameliorating the potentially damaging effects of UV-B (280-320 nm) and the shorter wavelengths of UV-A (320-400nm). One mechanism is the synthesis of bioaccumulation of ultraviolet radiation absorbing compounds. Several investigators have noted the presence of absorbing compounds in spectrophotometer scans of extracts from a variety of marine organisms, particularly algae and coelenterates containing endosymbiotic algae. The absorbing compounds are often mycosporine-like amino acids. Thirteen mycosporine-like amino acids have already been described, and several others have recently been detected. Although, the mycosporine-like amino acids are widely distributed. these compounds are by no means the only type of UV-B absorbing compounds which has been identified. Coumarins from green algae, quinones from sponges, and indoles from a variety of sources are laternative examples which are documented in the natural products literature. When the biological impact of solar ultraviolet radiation is assessed, adequate attention must be devoted to the process of photoadaptation, including the accumulation of ultraviolet radiation absorbing compounds.
Chalker, B.E.; Dunlap, W.C. (Australian Inst. of Marine Science, Queensland (Australia))
Emerging Control Technologies for Volatile Organic Compounds
Environmental problems associated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the atmosphere have provided the driving force for sustained fundamental and applied research in the area of environmental remediation. Conventional methods currently used to treat VOCs include incineration, condensation, adsorption, and absorption. Incineration and condensation are cost-effective only for moderate to high VOC concentrations. Adsorption and absorption do not destroy VOCs
Geeta Rani Parmar; N. N. Rao
Catalytic Destruction Of Toxic Organic Compounds
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Proposed process disposes of toxic organic compounds in contaminated soil or carbon beds safely and efficiently. Oxidizes toxic materials without producing such other contaminants as nitrogen oxides. Using air, fuel, catalysts, and steam, system consumes less fuel and energy than decontamination processes currently in use. Similar process regenerates carbon beds used in water-treatment plants.
Voecks, Gerald E.
Azodicarboxylates: synthesis and functionalization of organic compounds
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
The data on transformations of dialkyl azodicarboxylates and their analogues involving various substrates are generalized. Nucleophilic addition and oxidation, pericyclic reactions and reactions occurring under the Mitsunobu reaction conditions are considered. Ample opportunities for application of these compounds in fine organic synthesis are shown. The bibliography includes 245 references. Dedicated to Academician B A Trofimov on the occasion of his 75th birthday.
Zhirov, A. M.; Aksenov, A. V.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Compound-specific stable isotope analysis (CSIA) has, in combination with model-assisted interpretation, proven to be a valuable approach to quantify the extent of organic contaminant degradation in groundwater systems. CSIA data may also provide insights into the origin and transformation of diffuse pollutants, such as pesticides and nitrate, at the catchment scale. While CSIA methods for pesticides have increasingly become available, they have not yet been deployed to interpret isotope data of pesticides in surface water. We applied a coupled subsurface-surface reactive transport model (HydroGeoSphere) at the hillslope scale to investigate the usefulness of CSIA in the assessment of pesticide degradation. We simulated the transport and transformation of a pesticide in a hypothetical but realistic two-dimensional hillslope transect. The steady-state model results illustrate a strong increase of isotope ratios at the hillslope outlet, which resulted from degradation and long travel times through the hillslope during average hydrological conditions. In contrast, following an extreme rainfall event that induced overland flow, the simulated isotope ratios dropped to the values of soil water in the pesticide application area. These results suggest that CSIA can help to identify rainfall-runoff events that entail significant pesticide transport to the stream via surface runoff. Simulations with daily rainfall and evapotranspiration data and one pesticide application per year resulted in small seasonal variations of concentrations and isotope ratios at the hillslope outlet, which fell within the uncertainty range of current CSIA methods. This implies a good reliability of in-stream isotope data in the absence of transport via surface runoff or other fast transport routes, since the time of measurement appears to be of minor importance for the assessment of pesticide degradation. The analysis of simulated isotope ratios also allowed quantification of the contribution of two different reaction pathways (aerobic and anaerobic) to overall degradation, which gave further insight into the transport routes in the modelled system. The simulations supported the use of the commonly applied Rayleigh equation for the interpretation of CSIA data, since this led to an underestimation of the real extent of degradation of less than 12% at the hillslope outlet. Overall, this study emphasizes the applicability and usefulness of CSIA in the assessment of diffuse river pollution, and represents a first step towards a theoretical framework for the interpretation of CSIA data in agricultural catchments.
Lutz, S. R.; van Meerveld, H. J.; Waterloo, M. J.; Broers, H. P.; van Breukelen, B. M.
and Geophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-3115, United States b Faculty of Engineering reserved. 1. Introduction Over the past centuries, organic compounds have been used widely in industries, accidental spill of petroleum hydrocarbons, agricultural pesticides usage, etc. Most of these volatile
Zhan, Hongbin
Nonvolatile organic compounds in treated waters.
Over the past decade much information has been published on the analysis of organics extracted from treated water. Certain of these organics have been shown to be by-products of the chlorination disinfection process and to possess harmful effects at high concentrations. This has resulted in increased interest in alternative disinfection processes, particularly ozonation. The data on organics had been largely obtained by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, which is only capable of analyzing, at best, 20% of the organics present in treated water. Research in key areas such as mutagenicity testing of water and characterization of chlorination and ozonation by-products has emphasized the need for techniques suitable for analysis of the remaining nonvolatile organics. Several methods for the isolation of nonvolatile organics have been evaluated and, of these, freeze-drying followed by methanol extraction appears the most suitable. Reverse-phase HPLC was used for separation of the methanol extract, but increased resolution for separation of the complex mixtures present is desirable. In this context, high resolution size exclusion chromatography shows promise. Characterization of separated nonvolatiles is possible by the application of state-of-the-art mass spectrometric techniques. Results obtained by these techniques have shown that the nonvolatile organic fraction of chlorinated drinking water consists of many discrete compounds. Among these, some of the chlorinated compounds are almost certainly by-products of disinfection. Studies of the by-products of ozonation of fulvic and humic acids isolated from river waters have indicated a similar proportion of nonvolatile organics. Further, ozonation can result in the release of compounds that are trapped in the macromolecules. PMID:6759110
Watts, C D; Crathorne, B; Fielding, M; Killops, S D
Organic photosensitive devices using subphthalocyanine compounds
An organic photosensitive optoelectronic device, having a donor-acceptor heterojunction of a donor-like material and an acceptor-like material and methods of making such devices is provided. At least one of the donor-like material and the acceptor-like material includes a subphthalocyanine, a subporphyrin, and/or a subporphyrazine compound; and/or the device optionally has at least one of a blocking layer or a charge transport layer, where the blocking layer and/or the charge transport layer includes a subphthalocyanine, a subporphyrin, and/or a subporphyrazine compound.
Rand, Barry (Princeton, NJ); Forrest, Stephen R. (Ann Arbor, MI); Mutolo, Kristin L. (Hollywood, CA); Mayo, Elizabeth (Alhambra, CA); Thompson, Mark E. (Anaheim Hills, CA)
If your budget balks at organic food prices, here is a guide to the best choices based on pesticide of the chemical pesticides least harmful to people and the environment. Ultimately, the best way to know what) The following foods consistently have HIGH levels of pesticide residues -- choose organic or other low-pesticide
Semivolatile organic compounds in the ambient air of Denver, Colorado
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
A filter-polyurethane foam plug high volume air sampler was used to collect the particle (P) and vapor (V) phases of four classes of semivolatile organic compounds (SOC) in Denver, CO: n-alkanes. polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), and organochlorine pesticides. The carbon preference index (CPI) of n-alkanes in the V or P phases alone was skewed by temperature-dependent V/P partitioning; a combined gaseous + particulate CPI was preferred. The CPI suggested that the alkanes in Denver air were predominently petrogenic. Total PCB were calculated as the sum of individual congeners and also as Aroclor equivalents, with good agreement between the two methods. Apparent V/P distributions of these compound classes were expressed as A(TSP)/F, were A and F are the adsorbent- and filter-retained SOC concentrations (ng m -3) and TSP is the total suspended particle concentration (?g m -3). Values of A(TSP)/F were related to the average sampling temperature ( T, K) through: log [ A( TSP)/ F] = m/ T + b. Fitted log A(TSP)/F at 5�C correlated well with pL0 at 5�C, the SOC liquid vapor pressure. No differences were observed in partitioning behavior among the four SOC types.
Foreman, William T.; Bidleman, Terry F.
Regulated pesticides, herbicides, miticides, and fungicides were evaluated for their potential past and current use at the Hanford Site. The starting list of these compounds is based on regulatory analyte input lists discussed in the Regulatory DQO. Twelve pesticide, herbicide, miticide, and fungicide compounds are identified for analysis in the Hanford SST and DST waste in support of the Regulatory
K. D. Wiemers; P. Daling; K. Meier
Transport fate of organic compounds with water through landfills
Hazardous organic compounds have previously been identified in landfill leachates. The emissions of the organic compounds with leachates from landfills are dependent, among other processes, on the water transport through the landfill and the sorption of the compounds to the waste. The purpose of this study was to examine the transport of organic compounds with percolating water through a pilot-scale
Cecilia �man; H�kan Rosqvist
Toxic organic compounds from energy production
The US Department of Energy's Office of Health and Environmental Research (OHER) has supported work in our laboratory since 1977. The general theme of this program has been the identification of potentially toxic organic compounds associated with various combustion effluents, following the fates of these compounds in the environment, and improving the analytical methodology for making these measurements. The projects currently investigation include: an improved sampler for semi-volatile compounds in the atmosphere; the wet and dry deposition of dioxins and furans from the atmosphere; the photodegradation and mobile sources of dioxins and furans; and the bioaccumulation of PAH by tree bark. These projects are all responsive to OHER's interest in the pathways and mechanisms by which energy-related agents move through and are modified by the atmosphere''. The projects on gas chromatographic and liquid chromatographic tandem mass spectrometry are both responsive to OHER's interest in new and more sensitive technologies for chemical measurements''. 35 refs., 9 figs.
Hites, R.A.
Phenolic compounds are widely distributed in the plant kingdom. Plant tissues may contain up to several grams per kilogram. External stimuli such as microbial infections, ultraviolet radiation, and chemical stressors induce their synthesis. The phenolic compounds resveratrol, flavonoids, and furanocoumarins have many ecologic functions and affect human health. Ecologic functions include defense against microbial pathogens and herbivorous animals. Phenolic compounds may have both beneficial and toxic effects on human health. Effects on low-density lipoproteins and aggregation of platelets are beneficial because they reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. Mutagenic, cancerogenic, and phototoxic effects are risk factors of human health. The synthesis of phenolic compounds in plants can be modulated by the application of herbicides and, to a lesser extent, insecticides and fungicides. The effects on ecosystem functioning and human health are complex and cannot be predicted with great certainty. The consequences of the combined natural and pesticide-induced modulating effects for ecologic functions and human health should be further evaluated. PMID:10229712
Daniel, O; Meier, M S; Schlatter, J; Frischknecht, P
Oxidation of Organic Compounds in the Soil.
, lnspector H. SCHMIDT, D. V. M., Veterinarian SUBSTATION NO. 1: Beeville, Bee County DIVISION OF CHEMISTRY G. S. FRAPS,.~~. D., Chemist in Charge; E. s. BINFORD, B. S.. Superi~tendenf State Chemzst SUBSTATION NO. 2: Troup, Smith County R H RIDGELL B.... After that time the loes on ignition is irregular, and it is difficult to follow the changes in the organic matter bp this .method. In this work, 20 grams excrement was mixed with 500 grams soil. OXIDATION OF ORGANIC COMPOUNDS IN THE SOIL. 7 TABLE 2...
Fraps, G. S. (George Stronach)
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in soils
Soils may act as sources or sinks of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Many of the formed VOCs are produced by microorganisms,\\u000a and it would be a challenge to investigate soil microbial communities by studying their VOC profile. Such �volatilomics� would\\u000a have the advantage of avoiding extraction steps that are often a limit in genomic or proteomic approaches. Abundant literature\\u000a on
Heribert Insam; Martin S. A. Seewald
Metabolic Reactions among Organic Sulfur Compounds
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Sulfur is central to the metabolisms of many organisms that inhabit extreme environments. Numerous authors have addressed the energy available from a variety of inorganic sulfur redox pairs. Less attention has been paid, however, to the energy required or gained from metabolic reactions among organic sulfur compounds. Work in this area has focused on the oxidation of alkyl sulfide or disulfide to thiol and formaldehyde, e.g. (CH3)2S + H2O yields CH3SH + HCHO + H2, eventually resulting in the formation of CO2 and SO4(-2). It is also found that reactions among thiols and disulfides may help control redox disequilibria between the cytoplasm and the periplasm. Building on our earlier efforts for thiols, we have compiled and estimated thermodynamic properties for alkyl sulfides. We are investigating metabolic reactions among various sulfur compounds in a variety of extreme environments, ranging from sea floor hydrothermal systems to organic-rich sludge. Using thermodynamic data and the revised HKF equation of state, along with constraints imposed by the geochemical environments sulfur-metabolizing organisms inhabit, we are able to calculate the amount of energy available to these organisms.
Schulte, M.; Rogers, K.
Different parts of plant foods are generally discarded by consumers such as peel, stalk and leaves, which could however possess a nutritional value. However, few studies have analysed the composition of these marginal foods. The phenolic compound, flavonoid, polyamine, nitrate and pesticide contents of parts of vegetables that are usually discarded � but which were cultivated according to conventional and
G. P. P. Lima; Jaime A. Teixeira da Silva; A. B. Bernhard; D. C. Z. Pirozzi; L. F. Fleuri; F. Vianello
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Compound-specific stable isotope analysis (CSIA) has, in combination with model-assisted interpretation, proven a valuable approach to quantify the extent of organic contaminant degradation in groundwater systems. CSIA data may also provide insights into the origin and transformation of diffuse river pollutants such as pesticides and nitrate at the catchment scale. While CSIA methods for pesticides have increasingly become available, they have not yet been deployed to interpret isotope data of pesticides in surface water. We applied a coupled subsurface-surface reactive transport model (HydroGeoSphere) at the hillslope scale to investigate the usefulness of CSIA in the assessment of pesticide degradation. We simulated the transport and transformation of a pesticide in a hypothetical but realistic two-dimensional hillslope transect. The steady-state model results illustrate a strong increase of isotope ratios at the hillslope outlet, which resulted from degradation and long travel times through the hillslope during average hydrological conditions. In contrast, following an extreme rainfall event that induced overland flow, the simulated isotope ratios dropped to the values of soil water in the pesticide application area. These results suggest that CSIA can help to determine whether pesticides enter the stream via groundwater exfiltration or via surface runoff. Simulations with daily rainfall and evapotranspiration data and one pesticide application per year resulted in small seasonal variations of concentrations and isotope ratios at the hillslope outlet, which fell within the uncertainty range of current CSIA methods. This implies a good reliability of in-stream isotope data in the absence of transport via surface runoff or other fast transport routes, since the time of measurement appears to be of minor importance. The analysis of simulated isotope ratios also allowed quantifying the contribution of two different reaction pathways to the overall degradation, which gave further insight into transport routes in the modelled system. The simulations supported the use of the commonly applied Rayleigh equation for the interpretation of CSIA data, since this led to an underestimation of the real extent of degradation of less than 12% at the hillslope outlet. Overall, the model results emphasize the applicability and usefulness of CSIA in the assessment of diffuse river pollution.
Lutz, S. R.; van Meerveld, H. J.; Waterloo, M. J.; Broers, H. P.; van Breukelen, B. M.
Environmental exposure to pesticides and cancer risk in multiple human organ systems.
There is growing evidence on the association between long-term exposure to pesticides in occupational settings and an elevated rate of chronic diseases, including different types of cancer. However, data on non-occupational exposures are scarce to draw any conclusion. The objective of this study was to investigate the putative associations of environmental pesticide exposures in the general population with several cancer sites and to discuss potential carcinogenic mechanisms by which pesticides develop cancer. A population-based case-control study was conducted among people residing in 10 Health districts from Andalusia (South Spain) to estimate the risk of cancer at different sites. Health districts were categorized into areas of high and low environmental pesticide exposure based on two quantitative criteria: number of hectares devoted to intensive agriculture and pesticide sales per capita. The study population consisted of 34,205 cancer cases and 1,832,969 age and health district matched controls. Data were collected by computerized hospital records (minimum dataset) between 1998 and 2005. Prevalence rates and the risk of cancer at most organ sites were significantly higher in districts with greater pesticide use related to those with lower pesticide use. Conditional logistic regression analyses showed that the population living in areas with high pesticide use had an increased risk of cancer at all sites studied (odds ratios between 1.15 and 3.45) with the exception of Hodgkin's disease and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The results of this study support and extend previous evidence from occupational studies indicating that environmental exposure to pesticides may be a risk factor for different types of cancer at the level of the general population. PMID:24269242
Parr�n, Tesif�n; Requena, Mar; Hern�ndez, Antonio F; Alarc�n, Raquel
Capillary gas chromatography with GC/PFPD was used in the development of analytical methodology for determining both non-pesticidal and pesticidal organotin compounds in drinking water and other aqueous matrices. The method involves aqueous ethylation of organotin analytes with ...
We assessed organophosphorus (OP) pesticide exposure from diet by biological monitoring among Seattle, Washington, preschool children. Parents kept food diaries for 3 days before urine collection, and they distinguished organic and conventional foods based on label information. Children were then classified as having consumed either organic or conventional diets based on analysis of the diary data. Residential pesticide use was also recorded for each home. We collected 24-hr urine samples from 18 children with organic diets and 21 children with conventional diets and analyzed them for five OP pesticide metabolites. We found significantly higher median concentrations of total dimethyl alkylphosphate metabolites than total diethyl alkylphosphate metabolites (0.06 and 0.02 micro mol/L, respectively; p = 0.0001). The median total dimethyl metabolite concentration was approximately six times higher for children with conventional diets than for children with organic diets (0.17 and 0.03 micro mol/L; p = 0.0003); mean concentrations differed by a factor of nine (0.34 and 0.04 micro mol/L). We calculated dose estimates from urinary dimethyl metabolites and from agricultural pesticide use data, assuming that all exposure came from a single pesticide. The dose estimates suggest that consumption of organic fruits, vegetables, and juice can reduce children's exposure levels from above to below the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's current guidelines, thereby shifting exposures from a range of uncertain risk to a range of negligible risk. Consumption of organic produce appears to provide a relatively simple way for parents to reduce their children's exposure to OP pesticides. PMID:12611667
Curl, Cynthia L; Fenske, Richard A; Elgethun, Kai
Production of volatile organic compounds by mycobacteria.
The need for improved rapid diagnostic tests for tuberculosis disease has prompted interest in the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex bacteria. We have investigated VOCs emitted by Mycobacterium bovis BCG grown on Lowenstein-Jensen media using selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry and thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Compounds observed included dimethyl sulphide, 3-methyl-1-butanol, 2-methyl-1-propanol, butanone, 2-methyl-1-butanol, methyl 2-methylbutanoate, 2-phenylethanol and hydrogen sulphide. Changes in levels of acetaldehyde, methanol and ammonia were also observed. The compounds identified are not unique to M.�bovis BCG, and further studies are needed to validate their diagnostic value. Investigations using an ultra-rapid gas chromatograph with a surface acoustic wave sensor (zNose) demonstrated the presence of 2-phenylethanol (PEA) in the headspace of cultures of M.�bovis BCG and Mycobacterium smegmatis, when grown on Lowenstein-Jensen supplemented with glycerol. PEA is a reversible inhibitor of DNA synthesis. It is used during selective isolation of gram-positive bacteria and may also be used to inhibit mycobacterial growth. PEA production was observed to be dependent on growth of mycobacteria. Further study is required to elucidate the metabolic pathways involved and assess whether this compound is produced during in vivo growth of mycobacteria. PMID:22224870
McNerney, Ruth; Mallard, Kim; Okolo, Phyllis Ifeoma; Turner, Claire
40 CFR 60.602 - Standard for volatile organic compounds.
Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR
...2010-07-01 false Standard for volatile organic compounds. 60.602 Section 60...Standards of Performance for Synthetic Fiber Production Facilities � 60.602 Standard for volatile organic compounds. On and after...
40 CFR 60.602 - Standard for volatile organic compounds.
Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR
...2011-07-01 false Standard for volatile organic compounds. 60.602 Section 60...Standards of Performance for Synthetic Fiber Production Facilities � 60.602 Standard for volatile organic compounds. On and after...
40 CFR 60.742 - Standards for volatile organic compounds.
Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR
...6 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Standards for volatile organic compounds. 60.742 Section 60.742 Protection...Supporting Substrates Facilities � 60.742 Standards for volatile organic compounds. (a) Each owner or operator...
40 CFR 60.432 - Standard for volatile organic compounds.
Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR
... 6 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Standard for volatile organic compounds. 60.432 Section 60.432 Protection...Publication Rotogravure Printing � 60.432 Standard for volatile organic compounds. During the period of the...
This paper reviews the tissue residue approach (TRA) for toxicity assessment as it applies to organic chemicals and some organometallic compounds (Sn, Hg, and Pb) in aquatic organisms. Specific emphasis was placed on evaluating key factors that influence interpretation of critical body residue (CBR) toxicity metrics including data quality issues, lipid dynamics, choice of endpoints, processes that alter toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics, phototoxicity, species- and life stage-specific sensitivities, and biotransformation. The vast majority of data available on TRA is derived from laboratory studies of acute lethal responses to organic toxicants exhibiting baseline toxicity. Application of the TRA to various baseline toxicants as well as substances with specific modes of action via receptor-mediated processes, such as chlorinated aromatic hydrocarbons, pesticides, and organometallics is discussed, as is application of TRA concepts in field assessments of tissue residues. In contrast to media-based toxicity relationships, CBR values tend to be less variable and less influenced by factors that control bioavailability and bioaccumulation, and TRA can be used to infer mechanisms of toxic action, evaluate the toxicity of mixtures, and interpret field data on bioaccumulated toxicants. If residue-effects data are not available, body residues can be estimated, as has been done using the target lipid model for baseline toxicants, to derive critical values for risk assessment. One of the primary unresolved issues complicating TRA for organic chemicals is biotransformation. Further work on the influence of biotransformation, a better understanding of contaminant lipid interactions, and an explicit understanding of the time dependency of CBRs and receptor-mediated toxicity are all required to advance this field. Additional residue-effects data on sublethal endpoints, early life stages, and a wider range of legacy and emergent contaminants will be needed to improve the ability to use TRA for organic and organometallic compounds. PMID:21184569
McElroy, Anne E; Barron, Mace G; Beckvar, Nancy; Driscoll, Susan B Kane; Meador, James P; Parkerton, Tom F; Preuss, Thomas G; Steevens, Jeffery A
Indoor and ambient air organic pollutants have been gaining attention because they have been measured at levels with possible health effects. Studies have shown that most airborne polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), pesticides and many polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are present in the free vapor state. The purpose of this research was to extend recent investigative work with polyurethane foam (PUF) as
Sonochemical processes have been widely used in chemistry and chemical engineering field. Recently, these processes have found new applications in the environmental field, because of advantages in terms of operational simplicity, secondary pollutant formation and safety. Several studies have reported on sonochemical degradation of organic compounds that are toxic in nature. The objective of this review was to identify and
Pankaj Chowdhury; T. Viraraghavan
The Children's Total Exposure to Persistent Pesticides and Other Persistent Organic Pollutants (CTEPP) study was designed by the U.S. EPA to collect data on young children's exposures to pesticides and other pollutants in their everyday environments in support of the Food Quality...
An analysis of pesticide residue data was performed to describe and quantify differences between organically grown and non-organic fresh fruits and vegetables. Data on residues in foods from three different market categories (conventionally grown, integrated pest management (IPM)-grown\\/no detectable residues (NDR), and organically grown) were compared using data from three test programmes: The Pesticide Data Program of the US Department
B. P. Bakery; C. M. Benbrook; E. Groth III; K. Lutz Benbrook
Organic compounds in meteorites and their origins
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
The current investigation represents an extensively updated version of a review conducted by Anders et al. (1973). The investigation takes into account the literature through mid-1980. It is pointed out that Type 1 carbonaceous chondrites (C1) contain 6% of their cosmic complement of carbon, mainly in the form of organic matter. Most authors now agree that this material represents primitive prebiotic matter. The principal questions remaining are what abiotic processes formed the organic matter, and to what extent these processes took place in locales other than the solar nebula, such as interstellar clouds or meteorite parent bodes. The problem is approached in three stages. It is attempted to reconstruct the physical conditions during condensation from the clues contained in the inorganic matrix of the meteorite. The condensation behavior of carbon under these conditions is determined on the basis of thermodynamic calculations. Model experiments on the condensation of carbon are performed, and the synthesized compounds are compared with those actually found in meteorites.
Hayatsu, R.; Anders, E.
Pesticide residues in wine were analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Retentions are modelled by structure-property relationships. Bioplastic evolution is an evolutionary perspective conjugating effect of acquired characters and evolutionary indeterminacy-morphological determination-natural selection principles; its application to design co-ordination index barely improves correlations. Fractal dimensions and partition coefficient differentiate pesticides. Classification algorithms are based on information entropy and its production. Pesticides allow a structural classification by nonplanarity, and number of O, S, N and Cl atoms and cycles; different behaviours depend on number of cycles. The novelty of the approach is that the structural parameters are related to retentions. Classification algorithms are based on information entropy. When applying procedures to moderate-sized sets, excessive results appear compatible with data suffering a combinatorial explosion. However, equipartition conjecture selects criterion resulting from classification between hierarchical trees. Information entropy permits classifying compounds agreeing with principal component analyses. Periodic classification shows that pesticides in the same group present similar properties; those also in equal period, maximum resemblance. The advantage of the classification is to predict the retentions for molecules not included in the categorization. Classification extends to phenyl/sulphonylureas and the application will be to predict their retentions. PMID:24905607
Torrens, Francisco; Castellano, Gloria
Pesticide mobility and leachate toxicity in two abandoned mine soils. Effect of organic amendments.
Abandoned mine areas, used in the past for the extraction of minerals, constitute a degraded landscape which needs to be reintegrated to productive or leisure activities. However these soils, mainly composed by silt or sand and with low organic matter content, are vulnerable to organic and inorganic pollutants posing a risk to the surrounding ecosystems and groundwater. Soils from two mining areas from Andalusia were evaluated: one from Nerva (NCL) in the Iberian Pyrite Belt (SW Andalusia) and another one from the iron Alquife mine (ALQ) (SE Andalusia). To improve soil properties and fertility two amendments, stabilised sewage sludge (SSL) and composted sewage sludge (CSL), were selected. The effect of amendment addition on the mobility of two model pesticides, thiacloprid and fenarimol, was assessed using soil columns under non-equilibrium conditions. Fenarimol, more hydrophobic than thiacloprid, only leached from native ALQ, a soil with lower organic carbon (OC) content than NCL (0.21 and 1.4%, respectively). Addition of amendments affected differently pesticide mobility: thiacloprid in the leachates was reduced by 14% in NCL-SSL and by 4% in ALQ-CSL. Soil OC and dissolved OC were the parameters which explained pesticide residues in soil. Chemical analysis revealed that leachates from the different soil columns did not contain toxic element levels, except As in NCL soil. Finally ecotoxicological data showed moderate toxicity in the initial leachates, with an increase coinciding with pesticide maximum concentration. The addition of SSL slightly reduced the toxicity towards Vibrio fischeri, likely due to enhanced retention of pesticides by amended soils. PMID:25169870
Rodr�guez-Li�bana, Jos� Antonio; Mingorance, M Dolores; Pe�a, Ar�nzazu
This research program was conducted to determine the capability of biological treatment and activated carbon adsorption to remove chemical carcinogens and other hazardous organic compounds from water and wastewater. Compounds studied were benzidine, 4-nitrobiphenyl, 3,3'-dichloro...
Static nonrenewal laboratory bioassays were conducted with 26 organic compounds commonly used by industry. The selected compounds represented the five following chemical classes: acids, alcohols, hydrocarbons, ketones and aldehydes, and phenols. Juvenile fathead minnows (Pimephal...
This paper reports the construction of the gold/mercaptobenzothiazole/polyaniline/acetylcholinesterase/polyvinylacetate (Au/ MBT/PANI/AChE/PVAc) thick-film biosensor for the determination of certain organophosphate pesticide solutions in selected aqueous organic solvent solutions. The Au/MBT/PANI/AChE/PVAc electrocatalytic biosensor device was constructed by encapsulating acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme in the PANI polymer composite, followed by the coating of poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) on top to secure the biosensor film from disintegration in the organic solvents evaluated. The electroactive substrate called acetylthiocholine (ATCh) was employed to provide the movement of electrons in the amperometric biosensor. The voltammetric results have shown that the current shifts more anodically as the Au/MBT/PANI/AChE/PVAc biosensor responded to successive acetylthiocholine (ATCh) substrate addition under anaerobic conditions in 0.1 M phosphate buffer, KCl (pH 7.2) solution and aqueous organic solvent solutions. For the Au/MBT/PANI/AChE/PVAc biosensor, various performance and stability parameters were evaluated. These factors include the optimal enzyme loading, effect of pH, long-term stability of the biosensor, temperature stability of the biosensor, the effect of polar organic solvents, and the effect of non-polar organic solvents on the amperometric behavior of the biosensor. The biosensor was then applied to detect a series of 5 organophosphorous pesticides in aqueous organic solvents and the pesticides studied were parathion-methyl, malathion and chlorpyrifos. The results obtained have shown that the detection limit values for the individual pesticides were 1.332 nM (parathion-methyl), 0.189 nM (malathion), 0.018 nM (chlorpyrifos). PMID:19130375
Somerset, V; Baker, P; Iwuoha, E
Effect of Endocrine Disruptor Pesticides: A Review
Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC) are compounds that alter the normal functioning of the endocrine system of both wildlife and humans. A huge number of chemicals have been identified as endocrine disruptors, among them several pesticides. Pesticides are used to kill unwanted organisms in crops, public areas, homes and gardens, and parasites in medicine. Human are exposed to pesticides due to their occupations or through dietary and environmental exposure (water, soil, air). For several years, there have been enquiries about the impact of environmental factors on the occurrence of human pathologies. This paper reviews the current knowledge of the potential impacts of endocrine disruptor pesticides on human health. PMID:21776230
Mnif, Wissem; Hassine, Aziza Ibn Hadj; Bouaziz, Aicha; Bartegi, Aghleb; Thomas, Olivier; Roig, Benoit
Method and reaction pathway for selectively oxidizing organic compounds
A method of selectively oxidizing an organic compound in a single vessel comprises: a) combining an organic compound, an acid solution in which the organic compound is soluble, a compound containing two oxygen atoms bonded to one another, and a metal ion reducing agent capable of reducing one of such oxygen atoms, and thereby forming a mixture; b) reducing the compound containing the two oxygen atoms by reducing one of such oxygen atoms with the metal ion reducing agent to, 1) oxidize the metal ion reducing agent to a higher valence state, and 2) produce an oxygen containing intermediate capable of oxidizing the organic compound; c) reacting the oxygen containing intermediate with the organic compound to oxidize the organic compound into an oxidized organic intermediate, the oxidized organic intermediate having an oxidized carbon atom; d) reacting the oxidized organic intermediate with the acid counter ion and higher valence state metal ion to bond the acid counter ion to the oxidized carbon atom and thereby produce a quantity of an ester incorporating the organic intermediate and acid counter ion; and e) reacting the oxidized organic intermediate with the higher valence state metal ion and water to produce a quantity of alcohol which is less than the quantity of ester, the acid counter ion incorporated in the ester rendering the carbon atom bonded to the counter ion less reactive with the oxygen containing intermediate in the mixture than is the alcohol with the oxygen containing intermediate.
Camaioni, Donald M. (Richland, WA); Lilga, Michael A. (Richland, WA)
Breath measurements as volatile organic compound biomarkers.
A brief review of the uses of breath analysis in studies of environmental exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is provided. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's large-scale Total Exposure Assessment Methodology Studies have measured concentrations of 32 target VOCs in the exhaled breath of about 800 residents of various U.S. cities. Since the previous 12-hr integrated personal air exposures to the same chemicals were also measured, the relation between exposure and body burden is illuminated. Another major use of the breath measurements has been to detect unmeasured pathways of exposure; the major impact of active smoking on exposure to benzene and styrene was detected in this way. Following the earlier field studies, a series of chamber studies have provided estimates of several important physiological parameters. Among these are the fraction, f, of the inhaled chemical that is exhaled under steady-state conditions and the residence times. tau i in several body compartments, which may be associated with the blood (or liver), organs, muscle, and fat. Most of the targeted VOCs appear to have similar residence times of a few minutes, 30 min, several hours, and several days in the respective tissue groups. Knowledge of these parameters can be helpful in estimating body burden from exposure or vice versa and in planning environmental studies, particularly in setting times to monitor breath in studies of the variation with time of body burden. Improvements in breath methods have made it possible to study short-term peak exposure situations such as filling a gas tank or taking a shower in contaminated water. PMID:8933027
Wallace, L; Buckley, T; Pellizzari, E; Gordon, S
Molecular Models of Volatile Organic Compounds
NSDL National Science Digital Library
This month's Featured Molecules come from the Report from Other Journals column, Nature: Our Atmosphere in the Year of Planet Earth, and the summary found there of the paper by Lelieveld et al. (1, 2) Added to the collection are several volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are emitted by a variety of plants. The term VOCs is a common one in environmental chemistry, and is interpreted quite broadly, typically referring to any organic molecule with a vapor pressure sufficiently high to allow for part-per-billion levels in the atmosphere. Common VOCs include methane (the most prevalent VOC), benzene and benzene derivatives, chlorinated hydrocarbons, and many others. The source may be natural, as in the case of the plant emissions, or anthropogenic, as in the case of a molecule such as the gasoline additive methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE).The oxidation of isoprene in the atmosphere has been a source of interest for many years. Several primary oxidation products are included in the molecule collection, although a number of isomeric forms are also possible (3).The area of VOCs provides innumerable topics for students research papers and projects at all levels of the curriculum from high-school chemistry through the undergraduate courses in chemistry and environmental science. Along the way students have the opportunity for exposure to fields such as epidemiology and toxicology, that may be new to them, but are of increasing importance in the environmental sciences. The MTBE story is an interesting one for students to discover, as it once again emphasizes the role that unintended consequences play in life. An exploration of the sources, structures, reactivity, health and environmental effects and ultimate fate of various VOCs reinforces in students minds just how interconnected the chemistry of the environment is, a lesson that bears repeating frequently.
Volatile Organic Compound Emissions by Agricultural Crops
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds (BVOCs) participate in ozone and aerosol formation, and comprise a substantial fraction of reactive VOC emission inventories. In the agriculturally intensive Central Valley of California, emissions from crops may substantially influence regional air quality, but emission potentials have not been extensively studied with advanced instrumentation for many important crops. Because crop emissions may vary according to the species, and California emission inventories are constructed via a bottom-up approach, a better knowledge of the emission rate at the species-specific level is critical for reducing uncertainties in emission inventories and evaluating emission model performance. In the present study we identified and quantified the BVOCs released by dominant agricultural crops in California. A screening study to investigate both volatile and semivolatile BVOC fractions (oxygenated VOCs, isoprene, monoterepenes, sesquiterpenes, etc.) was performed for 25 crop species (at least 3 replicates plants each), including branch enclosures of woody species (e.g. peach, mandarin, grape, pistachio) and whole plant enclosures for herbaceous species (e.g. onion, alfalfa, carrot), through a dynamic cuvette system with detection by PTRMS, in-situ GCMS/FID, and collection on carbon-based adsorbents followed by extraction and GCMS analysis. Emission data obtained in this study will allow inclusion of these crops in BVOC emission inventories and air quality simulations.
Ormeno, E.; Farres, S.; Gentner, D.; Park, J.; McKay, M.; Karlik, J.; Goldstein, A.
Volatile organic compound emissions from Siberian larch
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
We determined hourly emissions of isoprene, monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes from Siberian larch, one of the major tree species in Siberian forests. Summer volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emission from Siberian larch consisted mainly of monoterpenes (about 90%). The monoterpene emission spectrum remained constant during the measurement period, almost half was sabinene and other major monoterpenes were ?3-carene, ?- and ?-pinene. During spring and summer, about 10% of the VOCs were sesquiterpenes, mainly ?-farnesene. The sesquiterpene emissions declined to 3% in the fall. Isoprene, 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol (MBO) and 1,8-cineole contributed to less than 3% of the VOC emission during the whole period. The diurnal variation of the emissions could be explained using a temperature-dependent parameterization. Emission potentials normalized to 30 �C were 5.2-21 ?g g dw-1 h -1 (using ?-value of 0.09 �C -1) for monoterpenes and 0.4-1.8 ?g g dw-1 h -1 (using ?-value of 0.143 �C -1, mean of determined values) for sesquiterpenes. Normalized monoterpene emission potentials were highest in late summer and elevated again in late fall. Sesquiterpene emission potentials were also highest in late summer, but decreased towards fall.
Ruuskanen, T. M.; Hakola, H.; Kajos, M. K.; Hell�n, H.; Tarvainen, V.; Rinne, J.
Volatile organic compound remedial action project
This Environmental Assessment (EA) reviews a proposed project that is planned to reduce the levels of volatile organic compound (VOC) contaminants present in the Mound domestic water supply. The potable and industrial process water supply for Mound is presently obtained from a shallow aquifer via on-site production wells. The present levels of VOCs in the water supply drawn from the on-site wells are below the maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) permissible for drinking water under Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA; 40 CFR 141); however, Mound has determined that remedial measures should be taken to further reduce the VOC levels. The proposed project action is the reduction of the VOC levels in the water supply using packed tower aeration (PTA). This document is intended to satisfy the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 and associated Council on Environmental Quality regulations (40 CFR parts 1500 through 1508) as implemented through U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Order 5440.1D and supporting DOE NEPA Guidelines (52 FR 47662), as amended (54 FR 12474; 55 FR 37174), and as modified by the Secretary of Energy Notice (SEN) 15-90 and associated guidance. As required, this EA provides sufficient information on the probable environmental impacts of the proposed action and alternatives to support a DOE decision either to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) or issue a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI).
The research study, "Children's Total Exposure to Persistent Pesticides and Other Persistent Organic Pollutants," (CTEPP) is a pilot-scale project involving about 260 children in their everyday surroundings. The objectives of CTEPP are twofold: (1) To measure the agg...
Modeling of single-step and multistep adsorption isotherms of organic pesticides on soil.
The aim of this study was to investigate the sorption behavior and mechanisms of the organic pesticides on soil. To establish the sorption isotherms of six commonly used pesticides (acetochlor, atrazine, diazinon, carbendazim, imidacloprid, and isoproturon), laboratory equilibrium studies were performed at extended concentration ranges on brown forest soil using the batch equilibrium technique. The pesticide concentrations in the equilibrated liquid phase were quantified with high-performance liquid chromatograph by ultraviolet detection. The adsorption processes could be described by a single-step (Langmuir) isotherm for acetochlor and carbendazim, by a two-step curve for diazinon, isoproturon, and atrazine, and by a three-step curve for imidacloprid. A nonlinear mathematical model-derived from the Langmuir equation-has been developed that represents well the detected single-step and multistep shaped adsorption isotherms. The interpreted model was found to fit the experimental data well and allows the description of the adsorption profile with great precision. The altered adsorption activity, which was indicated by the step arising on the plot, may represent the existence/occurrence of a different specific type of adsorption mechanism. This binding force starts to operate simultaneously at a critical concentration of solute in the studied soil-pesticide system. The parameters calculated from the equation provide an opportunity to estimate the extent of absorption constant, adsorption capacity, and concentration limit characteristic to the measured stepwise isotherms. PMID:12452653
Konda, L�via N; Czinkota, Imre; F�leky, Gy�rgy; Morovj�n, Gy�rgy
Nitrated Secondary Organic Tracer Compounds in Biomass Burning Smoke
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Natural and human-initiated biomass burning releases large amounts of gases and particles into the atmosphere, impacting climate, environment and affecting public health. Several hundreds of compounds are emitted from biomass burning and these compounds largely originate from the pyrolysis of biopolymers such as lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose. Some of compounds are known to be specific to biomass burning and widely recognized as tracer compounds that can be used to identify the presence of biomass burning PM. Detailed chemical analysis of biomass burning influenced PM samples often reveals the presence compounds that correlated well with levoglucosan, a known biomass burning tracer compound. In particular, nitrated aromatic compounds correlated very well with levoglucosan, indicating that biomass burning as a source for this class of compounds. In the present study, we present evidence for the presence of biomass burning originating secondary organic aerosol (BSOA) compounds in biomass burning influenced ambient PM. These BSOA compounds are typically nitrated aromatic compounds that are produced in the oxidation of precursor compounds in the presence of NOx. The precursor identification was performed from a series of aerosol chamber experiments. m-Cresol, which is emitted from biomass burning at significant levels, is found to be a major precursor compounds for nitrated BSOA compounds found in the ambient PM. We estimate that the total concentrations of these compounds in the ambient PM are comparable to biogenic SOA compounds in winter months, indicating the BSOA contributes important amounts to the regional organic aerosol loading.
Iinuma, Y.; B�ge, O.; Gr�fe, R.; Herrmann, H.
Organic Diets Significantly Lower Children�s Dietary Exposure to Organophosphorus Pesticides
We used a novel study design to measure dietary organophosphorus pesticide exposure in a group of 23 elementary school-age children through urinary biomonitoring. We substituted most of chil- dren's conventional diets with organic food items for 5 consecutive days and collected two spot daily urine samples, first-morning and before-bedtime voids, throughout the 15-day study period. We found that the median
Chensheng Lu; Kathryn Toepel; Rene Irish; Richard A. Fenske; Dana B. Barr; Roberto Bravo
Four computer models that predict leaching of chemicals in the unsaturated soil zone were used to calculate example soil cleanup criteria for volatile organic compounds, using a hypothetical environmental scenario. The criteria were calculated so that allowable groundwater concentrations for the chemicals were not exceeded. The models used were the Pesticide Root Zone Model (PRZM) and the Seasonal Soil Compartment
Paul F. Sanders
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Alkylarsenic species in airborne particulate matter sampled in an agricultural area in Japan were investigated. The monomethyl form of arsenic, which has not been found so far in the air, was detected in a concentration as much as 1.4 ng m -3 in a sample collected on a sunny summer day. It had a different size distribution from that of di- and tri-methyl forms of arsenic. The mean particle diameter containing monomethylarsenic compound was 2-4 ?m, while those of the di- and/or tri-methyl forms of arsenic were 0.2-0.5 ?m. This monomethyl form is thought to originate from the alkylarsenic pesticide spread over rice fields, based on the relation between variation in its concentration and meteorological conditions. Alkylarsenic pesticide appears to be blown up by the wind when the land surface is dry. Further, the methylation of arsenic in nature was found to be influenced by humidity and temperature.
Mukai, Hitoshi; Ambe, Yoshinari
The adsorption to sediments and soils of selected organic acid compounds was examined as a function of compound and sediment properties. ntrinsic compound properties examined included the dissociation constant (pKa) and hydrophobic character. roperties of the sediment examined in...
Assessing Transformation Processes of Organic Compounds Using Stable
A S C O N I Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich Compound-specific stable isotope analysis signatures Compound-specific stable isotope analysis (CSIA) at natural abundance isotope levels opens newAssessing Transformation Processes of Organic Compounds Using Stable Isotope Fractionation T H O M
Gilli, Adrian
High Arctic Biogenic Volatile Organic Compound emissions
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) emitted from terrestrial vegetation participate in oxidative reactions, affecting the tropospheric ozone concentration and the lifetimes of greenhouse gasses such as methane. Also, they affect the formation of secondary organic aerosols. BVOCs thus provide a strong link between the terrestrial biosphere, the atmosphere and the climate. Global models of BVOC emissions have assumed minimal emissions from the high latitudes due to low temperatures, short growing seasons and sparse vegetation cover. However, measurements from this region of the world are lacking and emissions from the High Arctic have not been published yet. The aim of this study was to obtain the first estimates for BVOC emissions from the High Arctic. Hereby, we wish to add new knowledge to the understanding of global BVOC emissions. Measurements were conducted in NE Greenland (74�30' N, 20�30' W) in four vegetation communities in the study area. These four vegetation communities were dominated by Cassiope tetragona, Salix arctica, Vaccinium uliginosum and Kobresia myosuroides/Dryas octopetela/Salix arctica, respectively. Emissions were measured by enclosure technique and collection of volatiles into adsorbent cartridges in August 2009. The volatiles were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry following thermal desorption. Isoprene showed highest emissions in S. arctica-dominated heath, where it was the dominant single BVOC. However, isoprene emission decreased below detection limit in the end of August when the temperature was at or below 10�C. According to a principal component analysis, monoterpene and sesquiterpene emissions were especially associated with C. tetragona-dominated heath. Especially S. arctica and C. tetragona dominated heaths showed distinct patterns of emitted BVOCs. Emissions of BVOC from the studied high arctic heaths were clearly lower than the emissions observed previously in subarctic heaths with more dense vegetation and higher ambient temperature. However, high arctic BVOC emissions are expected to increase in the future as a result of the predicted pronounced climate warming effects in the High Arctic. Therefore, we suggest that further studies should be conducted to investigate the effects of climate changes in the region in order to gain new knowledge and understanding of future global BVOC emissions.
Schollert, Michelle; Buchard, Sebrina; Faubert, Patrick; Michelsen, Anders; Rinnan, Riikka
Thermodynamic Equilibrium and the Inorganic Origin of Organic Compounds
Theoretical and experimental support is presented for the hypothesis that many organic compounds may form under conditions of thermodynamic equilibrium. This possibility must be considered along with special effects of selective catalysts, radiation, and degradation from biological matter, in explaining the origin of organic compounds in carbonaceous chondrites. Similar considerations may apply to solar nebulas and planetary atmospheres. The equilibrium
R. V. Eck; E. R. Lippincott; M. O. Dayhoff; Y. T. Pratt
Presence and Distribution of Organic Wastewater Compounds in Wastewater,
Presence and Distribution of Organic Wastewater Compounds in Wastewater, Surface, Ground.W., Meyer, M.T., and Zaugg, S.D., 2004, Presence and distri- bution of organic wastewater compounds in wastewater, surface, ground, and drinking waters, Minnesota, 2000-02: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific
40 CFR 60.392 - Standards for volatile organic compounds
Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR
...6 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Standards for volatile organic compounds 60.392 Section 60.392 Protection...Truck Surface Coating Operations � 60.392 Standards for volatile organic compounds On and after the date on which...
40 CFR 60.622 - Standards for volatile organic compounds.
Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR
...6 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Standards for volatile organic compounds. 60.622 Section 60.622 Protection...Performance for Petroleum Dry Cleaners � 60.622 Standards for volatile organic compounds. (a) Each affected petroleum...
40 CFR 60.442 - Standard for volatile organic compounds.
Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR
... 6 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Standard for volatile organic compounds. 60.442 Section 60.442 Protection...Label Surface Coating Operations � 60.442 Standard for volatile organic compounds. (a) On and after the date on...
40 CFR 60.492 - Standards for volatile organic compounds.
Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR
...6 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Standards for volatile organic compounds. 60.492 Section 60.492 Protection...Beverage Can Surface Coating Industry � 60.492 Standards for volatile organic compounds. On or after the date on which...
40 CFR 60.582 - Standard for volatile organic compounds.
Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR
... 6 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Standard for volatile organic compounds. 60.582 Section 60.582 Protection...and Urethane Coating and Printing � 60.582 Standard for volatile organic compounds. (a) On and after the date on...
40 CFR 60.452 - Standard for volatile organic compounds.
Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR
... 6 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Standard for volatile organic compounds. 60.452 Section 60.452 Protection...Surface Coating: Large Appliances � 60.452 Standard for volatile organic compounds. On or after the date on which the...
NSDL National Science Digital Library
Fertilizer is one way to provide crops with the nutrients they need. Pesticides can also be applied to crops to keep them healthy and free of insects. However, applying too much fertilizer or pesticide protection could harm the environment and organisms.
Scott Bauer (USDA-ARS;Yakima Agricultural Research Laboratory)
Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR
...Required if the microbial pesticide is taxonomically related to...following tests for microbial pesticides: i. Avian acute oral or...terrestrial). iv. Honey bee studies. v. Nontarget insect...following Tier I tests for microbial pesticides: i. Estuarine and...
Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR
...Required if the microbial pesticide is taxonomically related to...following tests for microbial pesticides: i. Avian acute oral or...terrestrial). iv. Honey bee studies. v. Nontarget insect...following Tier I tests for microbial pesticides: i. Estuarine and...
Western Research Institute (WRI) is continuing work toward the development of new screening methodology and a test kit to measure halogenated volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the field. Heated diode and corona discharge sensors are commonly used to detect leaks of refrigerants from air conditioners, freezers, and refrigerators. They are both selective to the presence of halogens. In prior work, the devices were tested for response to carbon tetrachloride, heptane, toluene, and water vapors. In the current work, sensor response was evaluated with sixteen halogenated VOCs relative to carbon tetrachloride. The results show that the response of the various chlorinated VOCs is within an order of magnitude of the response to carbon tetrachloride for each of the sensors. Thus, for field screening a single response factor can be used. Both types of leak detectors are being further modified to provide an on-board LCD signal readout, which is related to VOC concentration. The units will be fully portable and will operate with 115-V line or battery power. Signal background, noise level, and response data on the Bacharach heated diode detector and the TIF corona discharge detector show that when the response curves are plotted against the log of concentration, the plot is linear to the upper limit for the particular unit, with some curvature at lower levels. When response is plotted directly against concentration, the response is linear at the low end and is curved at the high end. The dynamic ranges for carbon tetrachloride of the two devices from the lower detection limit (S/N=2) to signal saturation are 4-850 vapor parts per million (vppm) for the corona discharge unit and 0.01-70 vppm for the heated diode unit. Additional circuit modifications are being made to lower the detection limit and increase the dynamic response range of the corona discharge unit. The results indicate that both devices show potential utility for future analytical method development work toward the goal of developing a portable test kit for screening halogenated VOCs in the field.
John F. Schabron; Joseph F. Rovani, Jr.; Theresa M. Bomstad
Volatile organic compound sources for Southern Finland
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have several sources, both biogenic and anthropogenic. Emissions of biogenic VOCs in a global scale are estimated to be an order of magnitude higher than anthropogenic ones. However, in densely populated areas and during winter time the anthropogenic VOC emissions dominate over the biogenic ones. The aim of this study was to clarify potential local sources and source areas of VOCs in different seasons. Diurnal behaviour in winter and spring were also compared at two different sites in Finland: SMEAR II and III (Station for Measuring Ecosystem - Atmosphere Relations). SMEAR II is a rural site located in Hyyti�l� in Southern Finland 220 km North-West from Helsinki whereas SMEAR III is background urban site located 5 km from the downtown of Helsinki. The volume mixing ratios of VOCs were measured with a proton-transfer-reaction mass spectrometer (PTR-MS, Ionicon Analytik GmbH, Austria) during years 2006-2011. Other trace gases such as CO, NOXand SO2 were also measured in both sites and used for source analysis. Source areas for long term VOC measurements were investigated with trajectory analysis and sources for local and regional concentrations were determined by Unmix multivariate receptor model. Forest fires affect air quality and the biggest smoke plumes can be seen in satellite images and even hinder visibility in the plume areas. They provide temporally and spatially well-defined sources that can be used to verify source area estimates. During the measurement periods two different forest fire episodes with several hotspots, happened in Russia. Forest fires which showed up in these measurements were in 2006 near the border of Finland in Vyborg area and 2010 in Moscow area. Forest fire episodes were clearly observed in trajectory analysis for benzene, toluene and methanol and also CO and NOX. In addition to event sources continuous source areas were determined. Anthropogenic local sources seemed to be dominant during winter in both sites. However during spring biogenic influence increased. In addition to source analysis this behaviour was visible in enhanced diurnal cycles of VOCs (Patokoski et al., 2014, in press). We will present important sources and source areas for Southern Finland's concentrations. References: Patokoski, J., Ruuskanen, T.M., Hell�n, H., Taipale, R., Gr�nholm, T., Kajos, M.K., Pet�j�, T., Hakola, H., Kulmala, M. & Rinne, J., 2014. Winter to spring transition and diurnal variation of VOCs in Finland at an urban background site and a rural site. Boreal Env. Res. 19. In press.
Patokoski, Johanna; Ruuskanen, Taina M.; Kajos, Maija K.; Taipale, Risto; Rantala, Pekka; Aalto, Juho; Ryypp�, Timo; Hakola, Hannele; Rinne, Janne
Organic and conventional crops were studied by identifying the relationship between persistent organic pollutants in cereals, vegetables and soil. The residues of organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were determined in grains (rye and wheat), vegetables (carrots and beets) and soil collected from the fields. PCB residues recorded in the beets from organic farming were as high as 3.71 ppb
Agata Witczak; Hassan Abdel-Gawad
VOCs, Pesticides, Nitrate, and Their Mixtures in Groundwater Used for
VOCs, Pesticides, Nitrate, and Their Mixtures in Groundwater Used for Drinking Water in the United areas. For each sample, as many as 60 volatile organic compounds (VOCs), 83 pesticides, and nitrate were analyzed. On the basis of previous studies, nitrate concentrations as nitrogen g3 mg/L were considered
Scientists Probe Pesticide Dynamics
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Summarizes discussions of a symposium on pesticide environmental dynamics with emphases upon pesticide transport processes, environmental reactions, and partitioning in air, soil, water and living organisms. Indicates that the goal is to attain knowledge enough to predict pesticide behavior and describe pesticide distribution with models and�
Chemical and Engineering News, 1974
The polar organic chemical integrative sampler (POCIS) was calibrated to monitor pesticides in water under controlled laboratory conditions. The effect of natural organic matter (NOM) on the sampling rates (Rs) was evaluated in microcosms containing -1 of total organic carbon (TOC). The effect of hydrodynamics was studied by comparing Rs values measured in stirred (SBE) and quiescent (QBE) batch experiments and a flow-through system (FTS). The level of NOM in the water used in these experiments had no effect on the magnitude of the pesticide sampling rates (p > 0.05). However, flow velocity and turbulence significantly increased the sampling rates of the pesticides in the FTS and SBE compared to the QBE (p < 0.001). The calibration data generated can be used to derive pesticide concentrations in water from POCIS deployed in stagnant and turbulent environmental systems without correction for NOM.
Charlestra, Lucner; Amirbahman, Aria; Courtemanch, David L.; Alvarez, David A.; Patterson, Howard
78 FR 11119 - Air Quality: Revision to Definition of Volatile Organic Compounds-Exclusion of trans
Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
...Definition of Volatile Organic Compounds--Exclusion...definition of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for...Honeywell under the trade names Solstice TM...small businesses, small organizations, and small governmental...requirements, Volatile organic compounds....
Quantifying commuter exposures to volatile organic compounds
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Motor-vehicles can be a predominant source of air pollution in cities. Traffic-related air pollution is often unavoidable for people who live in populous areas. Commuters may have high exposures to traffic-related air pollution as they are close to vehicle tailpipes. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are one class of air pollutants of concern because exposure to VOCs carries risk for adverse health effects. Specific VOCs of interest for this work include benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX), which are often found in gasoline and combustion products. Although methods exist to measure time-integrated personal exposures to BTEX, there are few practical methods to measure a commuter's time-resolved BTEX exposure which could identify peak exposures that could be concealed with a time-integrated measurement. This study evaluated the ability of a photoionization detector (PID) to measure commuters' exposure to BTEX using Tenax TA samples as a reference and quantified the difference in BTEX exposure between cyclists and drivers with windows open and closed. To determine the suitability of two measurement methods (PID and Tenax TA) for use in this study, the precision, linearity, and limits of detection (LODs) for both the PID and Tenax TA measurement methods were determined in the laboratory with standard BTEX calibration gases. Volunteers commuted from their homes to their work places by cycling or driving while wearing a personal exposure backpack containing a collocated PID and Tenax TA sampler. Volunteers completed a survey and indicated if the windows in their vehicle were open or closed. Comparing pairs of exposure data from the Tenax TA and PID sampling methods determined the suitability of the PID to measure the BTEX exposures of commuters. The difference between BTEX exposures of cyclists and drivers with windows open and closed in Fort Collins was determined. Both the PID and Tenax TA measurement methods were precise and linear when evaluated in the laboratory using standard BTEX gases. The LODs for the Tenax TA sampling tubes (determined with a sample volume of 1,000 standard cubic centimeters which is close to the approximate commuter sample volumes collected) were orders of magnitude lower (0.04 to 0.7 parts per billion (ppb) for individual compounds of BTEX) compared to the PIDs' LODs (9.3 to 15 ppb of a BTEX mixture), which makes the Tenax TA sampling method more suitable to measure BTEX concentrations in the sub-parts per billion (ppb) range. PID and Tenax TA data for commuter exposures were inversely related. The concentrations of VOCs measured by the PID were substantially higher than BTEX concentrations measured by collocated Tenax TA samplers. The inverse trend and the large difference in magnitude between PID responses and Tenax TA BTEX measurements indicates the two methods may have been measuring different air pollutants that are negatively correlated. Drivers in Fort Collins, Colorado with closed windows experienced greater time-weighted average BTEX exposures than cyclists (p: 0.04). Commuter BTEX exposures measured in Fort Collins were lower than commuter exposures measured in prior studies that occurred in larger cities (Boston and Copenhagen). Although route and intake may affect a commuter's BTEX dose, these variables are outside of the scope of this study. Within the limitations of this study (including: small sample size, small representative area of Fort Collins, and respiration rates not taken into account), it appears health risks associated with traffic-induced BTEX exposures may be reduced by commuting via cycling instead of driving with windows closed and living in a less populous area that has less vehicle traffic. Although the PID did not reliably measure low-level commuter BTEX exposures, the Tenax TA sampling method did. The PID measured BTEX concentrations reliably in a controlled environment, at high concentrations (300-800 ppb), and in the absence of other air pollutants. In environments where there could be multiple chemicals present that may produce a PID signal (such a
Kayne, Ashleigh
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Persistent hydrophobic organic compounds are of concern in the Columbia River because they have been correlated with adverse effects on wildlife. We analysed samples from nine main-stem and six tributary sites throughout the Columbia River Basin (Washington and Oregon) for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans, polychlorinated biphenyls, organochlorine pesticides, and priority-pollutant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Because these compounds may have important biological consequences at aqueous concentrations well below the detection limits associated with conventional sampling methods, we used semipermeable-membrane devices to sample water and achieved parts-per-quintillion detection limits. All of these compound classes were prevalent within the basin, but concentrations of many analytes were highest in the vicinity of Portland-Vancouver, indicating that the Willamette subbasin - and perhaps the urban area in particular - is an important source of these compounds. Data collected during basin low-flow conditions in 1997 and again during basin high-flow conditions in 1998 indicate that in-stream processes such as dilution by relatively clean inflows, and flow through island hyporheic zones may be important mechanisms for attenuating dissolved concentrations of hydrophobic compounds. Published in 2001 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
McCarthy, Kathleen A.; Gale, Robert W.
Lipid-water partition coefficients and correlations with uptakes by algae of organic compounds.
In view of the scarcity of the lipid-water partition coefficients (Ktw) for organic compounds, the logKtw values for many environmental contaminants were measured using ultra-pure triolein as the model lipid. Classes of compounds studied include alkyl benzenes, halogenated benzenes, short-chain chlorinated hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, and organochlorine pesticides. In addition to logKtw determination, the uptakes of these compounds from water by a dry algal species were measured to evaluate the lipid effect on the algal uptake. The measured logKtw are closely related to their respective logKow (octanol-water), with logKow=1.9 to 6.5. A significant difference is observed between the present and early measured logKtw for compounds with logKow>?5, which is attributed to the presence and absence of a triolein microemulsion in water affecting the solute partitioning. The observed lipid-normalized algae-water distribution coefficients (logKaw/lipid) are virtually identical to the respective logKtw values, which manifests the dominant lipid-partition effect of the compounds with algae. PMID:25064256
Hung, Wei-Nung; Chiou, Cary T; Lin, Tsair-Fuh
Enantiomeric and Isotopic Analysis of Organic Compounds in Carbonaceous Meteorites
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Carbonaceous meteorites are relatively enriched in soluble organic compounds. The Murchison and Murray meteorites contain numerous compounds of interest in the study of early solar system organic chemistry and organic compounds of potential importance for the origin of life. These include: amino acids, amides, carboxylic acids, and polyols. This talk will focus on the enantiomeric and isotopic analysis of individual meteoritic compounds - primarily polyol acids. The analyses will determine if, in addition to certain amino acids from Murchison, another potentially important class of prebiotic compounds also contains enantiomeric excesses, i.e., excesses that could have contributed to the current homochirality of life. Preliminary enantiomeric and isotopic (C- 13) measurements of Murchison glyceric acid show that it is indeed extraterrestrial. C-13 and D isotope analysis of meteoritic sugar alcohols (glycerol, threitol, ribitol, etc.) has shown that they are also indigenous to the meteorite.
Cooper, George
Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe (QuEChERS) is an extraction and clean-up technique originally developed for recovering pesticide residues from fruits and vegetables. Since its introduction, and until December 2013, about 700 papers have been published using the QuEChERS technique, according to a literature overview carried out using SciFinder, Elsevier SciVerse, and Google search engines. Most of these papers were dedicated to pesticide multiresidue analysis in food matrices, and this topic has been thoroughly reviewed over recent years. The QuEChERS approach is now rapidly developing beyond its original field of application to analytes other than pesticides, and matrices other than food, such as biological fluids and non-edible plants, including Chinese medicinal plants. Recently, the QuEChERS concept has spread to environmental applications by analyzing not only pesticides but also other compounds of environmental concern in soil, sediments, and water. To the best of our knowledge, QuEChERS environmental applications have not been reviewed so far; therefore, in this contribution, after a general discussion on the evolution and changes of the original QuEChERS method, a critical survey of the literature regarding environmental applications of conventional and modified QuEChERS methodology is provided. The overall recoveries obtained with QuEChERS and other extraction approaches (e.g., accelerated solvent extraction, ultrasonic solvent extraction, liquid/solid extraction, and soxhlet extraction) were compared, providing evidence for QuEChERS higher recoveries for various classes of compounds, such as biopesticides, chloroalkanes, phenols, and perfluoroalkyl substances. The role of physicochemical properties of soil (i.e., clay and organic carbon content, as well as cation exchange capacity) and target analytes (i.e., log KOW, water solubility, and vapor pressure) were also evaluated in order to interpret recovery and matrix effect data. PMID:24770804
Bruzzoniti, Maria Concetta; Checchini, Leonardo; De Carlo, Rosa Maria; Orlandini, Serena; Rivoira, Luca; Del Bubba, Massimo
Organic Compounds Used in Animal Husbandry
Although in general, the same drugs are used by humans as for animal husbandry, some compounds are unique to CAFOs. In raising\\u000a and fattening steers, anabolic steroids are widely used in the US. In the cattle industry, large use is made of the acaricides,\\u000a avermectins, and the cypermethrins as well as juvenile growth hormone inhibitor for fly and tick control
Laurence Shore; Robert Wershaw
Structure of Organic Oxygen Compounds of Sulphur
The nature of the sulphur-oxygen bond, the geometry of molecules of the types XYSO, XYSO2, XSOOH, and XSO2OH, and the character of the intramolecular interactions in these compounds are discussed. Apart from the sigma-bond between sulphur and oxygen, interaction obviously occurs by means of the 3d-orbital of sulphur and the 2p-orbital of oxygen (2p-3d hybridisation). The interaction of a sulphinyl
Yu A. Kolesnik; V. V. Kozlov
High-value organic compounds have been synthesized successfully from linear and cyclic hydrocarbons, by photocatalytic oxidation using a semiconductor material, titanium dioxide (TiO2). Various hydrocarbons were partially oxgenated in both liquid and gaseous phase reactors usi...
Human exposure to volatile organic compounds elicits a variety ofsymptoms, many of which are thought to be mediated by the olfactoryand trigeminal systems. his report describes evidence indicatingthat perceived odor intensity diminishes during prolonged exposure,whearas irritatin...
This research program was conducted to determine the capability of biological and physical-chemical treatment processes to remove chemical carcinogens and other hazardous organic compounds from water and wastewater. Treatment processes investigated included biological degradation...
Innovative and customized monitoring methods for air toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are being developed for applications in exposure and trends monitoring. This task addresses the following applications of specific interest: o Contributions to EPA Regional Monit...
The report gives Level 2 procedures, including results of a laboratory evaluation of detailed methods for analyzing organic chemicals in particular compound categories. The report, supplementing an earlier Level 2 procedures manual, provides an initial experimental data base as a...
Air Oxidation of Organic Compounds in Aqueous Systems.
National Technical Information Service (NTIS)
Wet oxidation is a newer technique for disposal of sludge wastes from sewage or industrial treatment by air oxidation under pressure. The rates of oxidation of several solid organic compounds were studied over a range of conditions. Experiments were condu...
D. W. Sundstrom
Synthesis of fluorinated organic compounds using oxygen difluoride
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Oxygen difluoride synthesis is a much simpler, higher-yield procedure than reactions originally followed to synthesize various fluorinated organic compounds. Extreme care is taken in working with oxygen difluoride as its reactions present severe explosion hazard.
Toy, M. S.
Retro-Biosynthesis for the Microbial Production of Organic Compounds.
National Technical Information Service (NTIS)
This project was concerned with the development of a methodology for the specification of novel biosynthetic pathways towards organic compounds. Our overall objective is to expand the potential for biological production of small molecules, especially for ...
K. L. Jones Prather
Improved methods for onsite measurement of multiple volatile organic compounds are needed for process control, monitoring, and remediation. This Phase I SBIR project sets forth an optical measurement method that meets these needs. The proposed approach provides an instantaneous m...
Laboratory, industrial, chemical, or other waste products may have constituents that evolve volatile organic compounds (VOCS) at very high concentrations. hese could pose human health risks during handling, storage, and disposal of the waste through inhalation, dermal exposure, o...
Reduction of Volatile Organic Compound Emissions from Automobile Refinishing,
National Technical Information Service (NTIS)
Automobile refinishing (repainting) is a source of volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions. The study was conducted to evaluate available techniques that can be used to reduce VOC emissions from this source. The document provides information on the step...
C. Athey, C. Hester, M. McLaughlin, R. M. Neulicht, M. B. Turner
The paper discusses the development of a global inventory of anthropogenic volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions. t includes VOC estimates for seven classes of VOCs: paraffins, olefins, aromatics (benzene, toluene, xylene), formaldehyde, other aldehydes, other aromatics, and ...
The computer program SPARC (SPARC Performs Automated Reasoning in Chemistry) has been under development for several years to estimate physical properties and chemical reactivity parameters of organic compounds strictly from molecular structure. SPARC uses computational algorithms...
Influence of surfactants on microbial degradation of organic compounds
Surfactants have the ability to increase aqueous concentrations of poorly soluble compounds and interfacial areas between immiscible fluids, thus potentially improving the accessibility of these substrates to microorganisms. However, both enhancements and inhibitions of biodegradation of organic compounds in the presence of surfactants have been reported. The mechanisms behind these phenomena are not well understood. To better understand the factors
Joseph D. Rouse; David A. Sabatini; Joseph M. Suflita; Jeffrey H. Harwell
The report gives results of the compilation of a data base for concentrations of organic compounds measured indoors. ased on a review of the literature from 1979 through 1990, the data base contains information on over 220 compounds ranging in molecular weight from 30 to 446. he ...
A suite of 27 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were monitored in personal exposures, indoors and outdoors of participant's residences, and at a central community site during the DEARS summer 2004 monitoring season. The list of VOCs focused on compounds typically associated with ...
Process for reducing organic compounds with calcium, amine, and alcohol
Olefins are produced by contacting an organic compound having at least one benzene ring with calcium metal, ethylenediamine, a low molecular weight aliphatic alcohol, and optionally a low molecular weight aliphatic primary amine, and/or an inert, abrasive particulate substance. The reduction is conducted at temperatures ranging from about -10.degree. C. to about 30.degree. C. or somewhat higher. Substantially all of the organic compounds are converted to corresponding cyclic olefins, primarily diolefins.
Benkeser, Robert A. (West Lafayette, IN); Laugal, James A. (Lostant, IL); Rappa, Angela (Baltimore, MD)
Process for reducing organic compounds with calcium, amine, and alcohol
Olefins are produced by contacting an organic compound having at least one benzene ring with calcium metal, ethylenediamine, a low molecular weight aliphatic alcohol, and optionally a low molecular weight aliphatic primary amine, and/or an inert, abrasive particulate substance. The reduction is conducted at temperatures ranging from about [minus]10 C to about 30 C or somewhat higher. Substantially all of the organic compounds are converted to corresponding cyclic olefins, primarily diolefins.
Benkeser, R.A.; Laugal, J.A.; Rappa, A.
As part of the U.S. Geological Survey's National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program, two Source Water-Quality Assessments (SWQAs) were conducted during 2004-05 in unconfined parts of the glacial aquifer system and in unconfined parts of the Prairie du Chien-Jordan aquifer in the Greater Twin Cities metropolitan area of Minnesota and Wisconsin. SWQAs are two-phased sampling activities in the NAWQA Program. The first phase evaluated the occurrence of 265 (258 are included in this report) anthropogenic organic compounds (AOCs) through monitoring source water in 30 of the largest-producing community water system wells completed in the aquifers underlying the Greater Twin Cities metropolitan area. The AOCs included volatile organic compounds (VOCs), pesticides, and other AOCs. During the second phase of the study, 15 of the original community water system wells, those with the greatest number of AOC detections, were resampled along with associated finished water. Results from the first phase of sampling indicated that 40 AOCs were detected, and 83 percent of the samples had at least one detected AOC. Concentrations of AOCs detected in the source water generally were low (defined in this report as concentrations less than 1.0 microgram per liter). Human-health benchmarks for these compounds (Maximum Contaminant Levels for regulated compounds or Health-Based Screening Levels for unregulated compounds, when they existed) typically were not exceeded. Fifteen VOCs were detected in the source-water samples. However, concentrations were low. Seventeen pesticide compounds were detected generally at concentrations less than concentrations for VOCs. Most of the pesticide compounds detected were triazine- or alachlor-parent compounds or their breakdown products. Eight other AOCs were detected in the source-water samples but generally at low concentrations. Results from the second phase of sampling indicated a total of 13 and 12 VOCs were detected in source-water and in finished-water samples, respectively. Most of the VOCs, except for those associated with disinfection by-products, were detected more frequently in source-water samples than in finished- water samples. Concentrations of most VOCs detected in either source water or finished water were less than human-health benchmarks. Twenty-one pesticide compounds were detected in either source water or finished water. Concentrations of detected pesticides in source-water and finished-water samples were low. The most frequently detected compounds in both the source and finished water were triazine-parent pesticides or their breakdown products and breakdown products of alachlor and metolachlor. In general, pesticides, if detected in source water, also were detected in the corresponding finished water. Concentrations of pesticides detected were less than human-health benchmarks in both source and finished water. A total of nine other AOCs were detected in the source-water or finished-water samples, and about the same number of compounds was detected in each of the sample groups in either source water or finished water. Detected concentrations of other AOCs were low. Water-quality results from source-water samples were compared to characterize differences between aquifers. VOC and other AOC detections were more frequent in water from the Prairie du Chien-Jordan aquifer compared to the glacial aquifer. Pesticides, however, were detected more frequently in the glacial aquifer. On the basis of study results, the hydrogeologic setting, land use, and aquifer productivity are important in explaining the occurrence of AOCs in community water system wells. Results of this study indicate that monitoring for pesticides in source water generally indicates the potential occurrence of pesticides in finished water but that this is not necessarily true of VOCs. Additional monitoring is needed to better understand the occurrence of other AOCs in source and finished waters.
Tornes, Lan H.; Stark, James R.; Hoard, Christopher J.; Smith, Erik A.
In order to evaluate the potential of compound-specific stable carbon isotope analysis (CSIA) for tracking organochlorine pesticides in soil systems, sample pre-treatment methods have to be developed, which can provide recoveries sufficient for low detection limits without altering the isotope ratio of the target compounds. In this study we tested the compatibility of CSIA with user- and environmentally friendly extraction methods, including the Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe procedure (QuEChERS), Ultrasonic Assisted Extraction (USE) and Focused Ultrasonic Extraction (FUSE), as well as clean-up methods, including sulfuric acid clean-up and Florisil(�) column chromatography for hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), p,p'-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and their environmental metabolites (chlorinated benzenes, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene - DDE and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane - DDD) in soils. We optimized the extraction methods for maximum recovery and pre-concentration. At optimal conditions, all extraction methods and clean-up procedures, as well as the pre-concentration of the extract by solvent evaporation, led to insignificant changes in carbon isotope ratios of the target compounds. We modified the USE procedure to increase the volume of withdrawn organic extract, resulting in a higher pre-concentration of the target compounds by the subsequent solvent evaporation step. This Modified Ultrasonic Assisted Extraction (MUSE) was the most suitable procedure, and it was validated for the determination of carbon isotope ratios of the target compounds using two different types of soil matrices. The method could be applied to analyze carbon isotope ratios of HCHs, DDT, and their chlorinated metabolites in soil samples with concentrations ranging from 0.3 to 0.8mg/kg. The analytical uncertainty of MUSE, incorporating both accuracy and precision, was ?0.4�. PMID:24980091
Ivdra, Natalija; Herrero-Mart�n, Sara; Fischer, Anko
This study examines how pesticide characteristics such as water solubility, molecular weight, bioconcentration, volatility, and soil absorption affect soil-to-water mobility, water-to-air dissipation, and water-to-biota accumulation when present in the environmental medium of preferred residence. The study concludes that chemicals that have low water solubilities tend to adsorb to soil, those that have low vapor pressures tend to dissipate slowly from
Transport, behavior, and fate of volatile organic compounds in streams
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are compounds with chemical and physical properties that allow the compounds to move freely between the water and air phases of the environment. VOCs are widespread in the environment because of this mobility. Many VOCs have properties making them suspected or known hazards to the health of humans and aquatic organisms. Consequently, understanding the processes affecting the concentration and distribution VOCs in the environment is necessary. The U.S. Geological Survey selected 55 VOCs for study. This report reviews the characteristics of the various process that could affect the transport, behavior, and fate of these VOCs in streams.
Rathbun, R.E.
The Children's Total Exposure to Persistent Pesticides and Other Persistent Pollutant (CTEPP) study is one of the largest aggregate exposure studies of young children in the United States. The CTEPP study examines the exposures of about 260 preschool children and their primary ad...
Young children, especially those of the preschool ages, are hypothesized to have greater exposures than do older children or adults to persistent organic pesticides and other persistent organic pollutants, including some compounds that may have endocrine-disrupting effects or d...
Analysis of volatile organic compounds from illicit cocaine samples
Detection of illicit cocaine hydrochloride shipments can be improved if there is a greater understanding of the identity and quantity of volatile compounds present. This study provides preliminary data concerning the volatile organic compounds detected in a limited Set of cocaine hydrochloride samples. In all cases, cocaine was one of the major volatile compounds detected. Other tropeines were detected in almost all samples. Low concentrations of compounds that may be residues of processing solvents were observed in some samples. The equilibrium emissivity of. cocaine from cocaine hydrochloride was investigated and a value of 83 parts-per-trillion was determined.
Robins, W.H.; Wright, B.W.
Adsolubilisation of organic compounds onto collagen fibres.
Adsolubilisation has been defined as the incorporation to solid-water interfaces of molecules that do not adsorb spontaneously to such interfaces, but can be incorporated through an interaction with an adsorbing surfactant molecule. The aim of this work was to study the adsolubilisation of organic molecules with different hydrophobicity on collagen fibres. Hide powder collagen was treated under mild acidic aqueous conditions with an anionic surfactant, sodium dodecylbenzene sulphonate. Thereafter, five different organic molecules, i.e., benzyl alcohol, 2-naphtol, pararosaniline, hexamethylpararosaniline and nonylphenol with 10 mol ethylene oxide were separately applied to the treated collagen in order to study adsolubilisation as a function of their hydrophobicity. It was found that under acidic conditions all molecules were scarcely adsorbed or not adsorbed by the native hide powder collagen. However, all organic molecules, except benzyl alcohol, were adsolubilised if the hide powder collagen was previously treated with the anionic surfactant. The hydrophobicity of the molecules plays an important role in the adsolubilisation phenomenon with the result that the higher the hydrophobicity (nonylphenol with 10 mol ethylene oxide), the higher the adsolubilisation. PMID:20797724
Maldonado, Fernando; Bautista, Elena; Manich, Albert M; Marsal, Agust�n
A series of fourteen experimental sampling runs were carried out at a field site to collect data from several ambient air monitoring methods for volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Ambient air was drawn through a sampling manifold and was continuously spiked with volatile organic ...
Computational and experimental techniques are combined in order to better understand interactions involving organic compounds and cyclodextrin (CD)-clay systems. CD-clay systems may have great potential in the containment of organic contaminants in the environment. This study w...
Samples of 63 effluent and 22 intake waters were collected from a wide range of chemical manufacturers in areas across the United States. The samples were analyzed for organic compounds in an effort to identify previously unknown and potentially hazardous organic pollutants. Each...
Samples of air and leaves were taken at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas campus and analyzed for volatile organic compounds using vacuum distillation coupled with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The data were used to estimate the bioconcentration of volatile organic compo...
Highly stable meteoritic organic compounds as markers of asteroidal delivery
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Multiple missions to search for water-soluble organic compounds on the surfaces of Solar System bodies are either current or planned and, if such compounds were found, it would be desirable to determine their origin(s). Asteroid or comet material is likely to have been components of all surface environments throughout Solar System history. To simulate the survival of meteoritic compounds both during impacts with planetary surfaces and under subsequent (possibly) harsh ambient conditions, we subjected known meteoritic compounds to comparatively high impact-shock pressures (>30 GPa) and/or to extremely oxidizing/corrosive acid solution. Consistent with past impact experiments, ?-amino acids survived only at trace levels above ?18 GPa. Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) survived at levels of 4-8% at a shock pressure of 36 GPa. Lower molecular weight sulfonic and phosphonic acids (S&P) had the highest degree of impact survival of all tested compounds at higher pressures. Oxidation of compounds was done with a 3:1 mixture of HCl:HNO3, a solution that generates additional strong oxidants such as Cl2 and NOCl. Upon oxidation, keto acids and ?-amino acids were the most labile compounds with proline as a significant exception. Some fraction of the other compounds, including non-? amino acids and dicarboxylic acids, were stable during 16-18 hours of oxidation. However, S&P quantitatively survived several months (at least) under the same conditions. Such results begin to build a profile of the more robust meteoritic compounds: those that may have survived, i.e., may be found in, the more hostile Solar System environments. In the search for organic compounds, one current mission, NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL), will use analytical procedures similar to those of this study and those employed previously on Earth to identify many of the compounds described in this work. The current results may thus prove to be directly relevant to potential findings of MSL and other missions designed for extraterrestrial organic analysis.
Cooper, George; Horz, Friedrich; Spees, Alanna; Chang, Sherwood
Can volatile organic compounds be markers of sea salt?
Sea salt is a handmade food product that is obtained by evaporation of seawater in saltpans. During the crystallisation process, organic compounds from surroundings can be incorporated into sea salt crystals. The aim of this study is to search for potential volatile markers of sea salt. Thus, sea salts from seven north-east Atlantic Ocean locations (France, Portugal, Continental Spain, Canary Islands, and Cape Verde) were analysed by headspace solid-phase microextraction combined with comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry. A total of 165 compounds were detected, ranging from 32 to 71 compounds per salt. The volatile composition revealed the variability and individuality of each salt, and a set of ten compounds were detected in all samples. From these, seven are carotenoid-derived compounds that can be associated with the typical natural surroundings of ocean hypersaline environment. These ten compounds are proposed as potential volatile markers of sea salt. PMID:25236204
Silva, Isabel; Coimbra, Manuel A; Barros, Ant�nio S; Marriott, Philip J; Rocha, S�lvia M
Pesticide Residues in Conventional, IPM-grown and Organic Foods: Insights from Three U.S. Data Sets
NSDL National Science Digital Library
The above mentioned report by Brian P. Baker, Charles M. Benbrook, Edward Groth III, and Karen Lutz Benbrook was published in the May 2002 edition of Food Additives and Contaminants, Volume 19, No. 5. The Consumers Union (an independent nonprofit testing, educational, and information organization) has released a summary of this report for Internet viewers. According to the Consumer Union (CU), this report is the first detailed analysis of pesticide residue data in foods grown organically and conventionally. The report reveals that consumers who purchase organic fruits and vegetables are exposed to only one-third as many residues as in conventionally grown foods. The authors gathered and analyzed test data on pesticide residues in organic and non-organic foods from three independent sources: tests done on selected foods by CU in 1997; surveys of residues in foods in the US market conducted by the Pesticide Data Program of the US Department of Agriculture in 1994 through 1999; and surveys of residues in foods sold in California, tested by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation in 1989 through 1998. The combined residue data sets covered more than 94,000 food samples from more than 20 different crops of which 1,291 were organically grown. A complete copy of the paper may be purchased from the publishers of Food Additives and Contaminants.
Baker, Brian P., 1958-; Benbrook, Charles.; Benbrook, Karen L.; Groth, Edward, 1944-
On the flux of oxygenated volatile organic compounds from organic aerosol oxidation
On the flux of oxygenated volatile organic compounds from organic aerosol oxidation Alan J. Kwan,1. Avery,4 Cameron S. McNaughton,3 William H. Brune,5 Hanwant B. Singh,6 and Paul O. Wennberg1,7 Received
Clarke, Antony
Geosynthesis of organic compounds: I. Alkylphenols
Methylation, isopropylation, and sec-butylation are proposed as geosynthetic processes to account for the alkylphenol compositions of crude oils with phenol distributions dominated by ortho and para substituted compounds. Phenol distributions in eleven crude oils and four kerogen pyrolysates were analysed using GC-MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry). Ten of the crude oils show high relative abundances of ortho and para substituted phenol isomers and some were also enriched in C{sub 3}-C{sub 5} alkylphenols compared to the kerogen pyrolysates. Because the distributions of products obtained from the laboratory alkylation of cresols closely resemble those of phenols in these crude oils, we propose that similar alkylation processes occur in source rocks. Alkylation ratios reflecting the degree of methylation, isopropylation, and sec-butylation, which were based on the relative abundance of the dominant alkylation products compared to their likely precursor ortho-cresol, indicate that high levels of methylation occurred in crude oils over a wide range of maturities, whereas high levels of isopropylation and sec-butylation were observed only in mature samples. Dissolution of the phenols in crude oils by water contact was discounted as an explanation for the observed phenol distributions based on the relative distribution coefficients of phenols between a hydrocarbon phase and water.
Ioppolo-Armanios, M.; Alexander, R.; Kagi, R.I. [Curtin Univ. of Technology, Perth (Australia)] [Curtin Univ. of Technology, Perth (Australia)
Measurements of bromine containing organic compounds at the tropical tropopause
The amount of bromine entering the stratosphere from organic source gases is a primary factor involved in determining the magnitude of bromine catalyzed loss of ozone. Thirty two whole air samples were collected at the tropical tropopause during the NASA STRAT Campaign in Feb., Aug., and Dec., 1996 and were analyzed for brominated organic compounds. Total organic bromine was 17.4+\\/-0.9ppt
S. M. Schauffler; E. L. Atlas; F. Flocke; R. A. Lueb; V. Stroud; W. Travnicek
This report summarizes a trip by L. W. Barnthouse of the Environmental Sciences Division (ESD), Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), to Hamburg, Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), where he participated in the 7th International Congress of Pesticide Chemistry. He chaired a workshop on experimental systems for determining effects of pesticides on nontarget organisms and gave an oral presentation at a symposium on pesticide risk assessment. Before returning to the United States, Dr. Barnthouse visited the Netherlands Institute for Sea Research in Texel, the Netherlands.
Barnthouse, L.W.
Biodegradation of organic compounds in vadose zone and aquifer sediments.
The microbial processes that occur in the subsurface under a typical Midwest agricultural soil were studied. A 26-m bore was installed in November of 1988 at a site of the Purdue University Agronomy Research Center. Aseptic collections of soil materials were made at 17 different depths. Physical analysis indicated that the site contained up to 14 different strata. The site materials were primarily glacial tills with a high carbonate content. The N, P, and organic C contents of sediments tended to decrease with depth. Ambient water content was generally less than the water content, which corresponds to a -0.3-bar equivalent. No pesticides were detected in the samples, and degradation of added 14C-labeled pesticides (atrazine and metolachlor) was not detected in slurry incubations of up to 128 days. The sorption of atrazine and metolachlor was correlated with the clay content of the sediments. Microbial biomass (determined by direct microscopic count, viable count, and phospholipid assay) in the tills was lower than in either the surface materials or the aquifer located at 25 m. The biodegradation of glucose and phenol occurred rapidly and without a lag in samples from the aquifer capillary fringe, saturated zone, and surface soils. In contrast, lag periods and smaller biodegradation rates were found in the till samples. Subsurface sediments are rich in microbial numbers and activity. The most active strata appear to be transmissive layers in the saturated zone. This implies that the availability of water may limit activity in the profile. PMID:1768098
Konopka, A; Turco, R
New Aspects of Zirconium Containing Organic Compounds
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Metal carbene complexes have made their way from organometallic curiosities to valuable reagents and catalysts. They offer novel synthetic opportunities in carbon-carbon bond formation based on either carbene-centered reactions or on metal-templated processes which makes them indispensable in modern synthetic methodology. The most prominent metal carbenes are now either commercially available or easy to synthesize and handle with modern laboratory techniques. This volume organized in eight chapters written by the leading scientists in the field illustrates the theoretical background, non-classical nucleophilic and cycloaddition patterns, chromium-templated benzannulation and photo-induced reactions, rhodium-catalyzed carbene transfer as well as the principles and applications of olefin metathesis which has coined the progress in synthetic methodology over the past decade.
Marek, Ilan
Composition and major sources of organic compounds in urban aerosols
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Total suspended particles (TSP), collected during June 2002 to July 2003 in Guangzhou, a typical economically developed city in South China, were analyzed for the organic compound compositions using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Over 140 organic compounds were detected in the aerosols and grouped into different classes including n-alkanes, hopanoids, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, alkanols, fatty acids, dicarboxylic acids excluding oxalic acid, polyols/polyacids, lignin products, phytosterols, phthalates and water-soluble sugars. The total amounts of the identified organic compounds including unresolved complex mixture (UCM) ranged from 3112 ng/m 3 in spring to 5116 ng/m 3 in winter, comprising on seasonal average 2.8% of TSP. Primary organic compounds peaked in winter although there are no heating systems burning fuels in Guangzhou. The highest saccharide levels occurred in fall due to agricultural activities. This study demonstrated that utilization of fossil fuels, biomass burning, soil resuspension and plastic/refuse burning are the major contributors to the identified organic compounds in the urban atmosphere of South China.
Bi, Xinhui; Simoneit, Bernd R. T.; Sheng, Guoying; Ma, Shexia; Fu, Jiamo
The effects of dissolved organic matter (DOM) on the transport of hydrophobic organic compounds in soil columns were investigated. hree compounds (naphthalene, phenathrene, and DDT) that spanned three orders of magnitude in water solubility were used. nstead of humic matter, mole...
The effects of dissolved organic matter (DOM) on the transport of hydrophobic organic compounds in soil columns were investigated. Three compounds (naphthalene, phenanthrene and DDT) that spanned three orders of magnitude in water solubility were used. Instead of humic matter, mo...
Emission, oxidation, and secondary organic aerosol formation of volatile organic compounds, methanol, and MEK measured by other in situ instrumentation. On the other hand these oxidized volatile show these compounds match the oxidation products of isoprene observed in smog chamber studies, and we
Silver, Whendee
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
A laboratory experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of alternating soil drying and wetting on the release of aged 14C-labeled pesticide residues and their distribution in soil organic fractions (humic acids, fulvic acids, and humin substances). The used soils (gleyic cambisol; Corg 1.2%, pH 7.2) were obtained from the upper soil layer of two individual outdoor lysimeter studies containing either environmentally long-term aged 14C residues of the herbicide ethidimuron (ETD; 0-10 cm depth; time of aging: 9 years) or methabenzthiazuron (MBT; 0-30 cm depth; time of aging: 17 years). Triplicate soil samples (10 g dry soil equivalents) were (A=dry/wet) previously dried (45� C) or (B=wet/wet) directly mixed with pure water (1+2, w:w), shaken (150 rpm, 1 h), and centrifuged (~2000 g). The resulting supernatant was removed, filtered (0.45 ?m) and subjected to 14C activity analysis via liquid scintillation counter (LSC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC) analysis, and LC-MS-MS analysis. This extraction procedure was repeated 15 individual times, for both setups (A) and (B). To determine the distribution of the aged 14C labelled pesticide residues in the soil organic matter fractions, the soil samples were subject to humic and fulvic acids fractionations at cycles 0, 4, 10, and 15. The residual pesticide 14C activity associated with the humic, fulvic, and humin substances (organic fraction remaining in the soil) fractions was determined via LSC. The water-extracted residual 14C activity was significantly higher in the extracts of the dry/wet, compared to the wet/wet soil samples for both pesticides. The total extracted 14C activity in the dry/wet soil extracts accounted for 51.0% (ETD) and 15.4% (MBT) in contrast to 19.0% (ETD) and 4.7% (MBT) in the wet/wet extracts after 15 water extractions. LC-MS-MS analysis revealed the parent compound ETD 27.9 ?g kg-1 soil (dry/wet) and 10.7 ?g kg-1 soil (wet/wet), accounting for 3.45 and 1.35% of total parent compound initially applied after a total of 10 water extractions, respectively. MBT was detected but not quantified, whereas its metabolite MABT (2-methylamino-benzothiazole) was detected (0.8 vs 0.3 ?g kg-1, in dry/wet vs wet/wet soil water extracts, respectively) after 10 water extractions. These results demonstrate the long-term persistence of ETD and MBT and metabolites and their remobilization potential facilitated by soil drying and rewetting. For all samples, the DOC content was significantly higher for the water extracts obtained after dry/wet cycles compared to values obtained from the constantly moistened soil samples. The DOC and water extracted residual 14C activity correlated positively. This result indicates that pesticide residues are associated with DOC which might function as a shuttle for the distribution of pesticide residues. This molecular association can be released into solution where it might be degraded co-metabolically. Overall, the results suggest that intermittent soil drying and rewetting alters the disaggregation of soil aggregates, resulting in a release of entrapped organic carbon and pesticide molecules. Furthermore, analysis of the organic fractions obtained from the 14C pesticide residues containing soil revealed that 14C residues were mainly associated with the humin fraction. The analysis of the organic fractions revealed that extractable residual 14C activity of ETD was more associated with the fulvic acid fraction compared to the residual pesticide 14C activity of MBT, being more associated with the humic acid fraction. For 14C MBT residues, the distribution of the 14C residues in the organic fractions remained rather equal throughout the water extraction cycles. This observation can be supported by the non-mobile character of MBT in soil and its higher KOC value of 247-587 compared to the rather mobile pesticide ETD with a KOC value of 37.1-149. However, for both pesticides a decrease of residual 14C activity in the humic and fulvic acid fractions throughout the water extractions cycles was observed. This observation was more pronounced
Jablonowski, N. D.; Mucha, M.; Thiele, B.; Hofmann, D.; Burauel, P.
The combination of anion exchange resins (AERs) and powdered activated carbon (PAC) was studied to remove both natural organic matter (NOM) and pesticides. Experiments were conducted with high dissolved organic carbon (DOC) surface water (about 6.0mg DOC/L) spiked with both atrazine and isoproturon. AERs, like MIEX and IRA938, showed up to 75% removal of DOC after 30min contact time. The addition of PAC after treatment with these AERs only slightly decreased the residual DOC from 1.4 to 1.2mg/L. Experiments conducted with high (200microg/L) and low (1microg/L) initial pesticide concentrations showed that simultaneous and successive combinations of AER and PAC significantly improve the removal of both pesticides compared with PAC treatment on raw water. The improvement of short-term adsorption kinetics was explained by the adsorption of pesticides on AERs (about 5%) and the removal of high molecular weight (MW) NOM structures by AERs that reduce pore blockage phenomena. For 24h contact time with PAC (adsorption isotherms), the benefit of AER treatment was lower, which indicates that the refractory DOC to AER treatment still competes through direct site competition mechanism. MIEX resin had a distinct behavior since the simultaneous treatment with PAC showed no benefit on pesticide adsorption. The presence of fine residues of MIEX was shown to interfere with PAC adsorption. PMID:18006038
Humbert, Hugues; Gallard, Herv�; Suty, Herv�; Crou�, Jean-Philippe
Laboratory experimentation is essential for our understanding of the fate and behaviour of pollutants. Many analytical techniques exist, but they all have disadvantages either in terms of sensitivity or of selectivity. The number of samples that can be analysed, the low volume of samples available during the experiment and the need to identify different degradates are all obstacles that new techniques are able to overcome. The work presented here summarizes progress in the field of metrology as concerns online solid phase extraction technology coupled with liquid chromatography followed by tandem mass spectrometry detection. Recently developed analytical techniques were validated for both 18 pesticides and their degradates and 17 pharmaceuticals and their degradates. Limits of quantification from 20 to 70�ng�L(-1) for pharmaceuticals and from 15 to 25�ng�L(-1) for pesticides and metabolites have been obtained, with linearity range up to 1�?g�L(-1). The limits of quantification of a few nanograms per litre, the possibility of working on less than 1�mL of sample and the simultaneous quantification of the target products and their transformation products are all advantages that are demonstrated by two environmental applications. The first application concerns the evaluation of ecotoxicological effects of pesticides on aquatic organisms exposed in mesocosms. The second application aims to determine the adsorption constants of pharmaceutical molecules on soils and river sediments. For both applications, the robustness, range of linearity and limit of quantification of the developed analytical methods satisfy the requirements for laboratory experiments conducted under controlled conditions. Specific constraints generated by this type of experiment (adding CaCl2 for the adsorption study and filtration of the water coming from the mesocosms) were not found to limit the use of online SPE. These two preliminary studies show that new experimental fields are possible thanks to online solid phase extraction coupled with liquid chromatography. PMID:23907687
Togola, Anne; Baran, Nicole; Coureau, Charlotte
Methods of reducing water contaminants: Removal of organic compounds
Much of the recent concern by regulatory agencies about drinking water quality has been directed toward organic contamination in drinking water. Although organic contamination has been thought to primarily affect surface waters, there is a growing awareness and concern over groundwater contamination. What usually occurs is that the groundwaters contain a few organic compounds at high concentrations (microg/L to mg/L levels) while surface water supplies contain many organic compounds at low concentrations (microg/L levels). For example, an EPA research project using the GROB Closed Loop Stripping Method, identified approximately 225 organic compounds during sampling of treated surface water prior to granular activated carbon adsorption at the Cincinnati, Ohio Water Works. Except for the four trihalomethanes (chloroform, dichlorobromomethane, dibromochloromethane, bromoform) all concentrations were in the low part per trillion (microg/L) range. The health significance of these concentrations is unknown. However, one may wonder which is more significant; ingesting a few organics at high concentrations or many organics at low concentrations. The goal of any treatment scheme should be to remove as much contamination as feasible, technologically and economically. Various treatment options are available for removing organic contaminants from drinking water. Three of the treatment options are: granular activated carbon, air stripping, and reverse osmosis.
Lykins, B.W.; Goodrich, J.A.
Production of volatile organic sulfur compounds (VOSCs) by basidiomycetous yeasts
Thirty-seven basidiomycetous yeasts belonging to 30 species of seven genera were grown on media containing l-cysteine or l-methionine as sole nitrogen sources with the objective of evaluating volatile organic sulfur compound (VOSC) production. The headspace of yeast cultures was analyzed by the solid-phase microextraction (SPME) sampling method, and volatile compounds were quantified and identified by GC-MS techniques. Ten strains assimilating
Pietro Buzzini; Sergio Romano; Benedetta Turchetti; Ann Vaughan; Ugo Maria Pagnoni; Paolo Davoli
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Factors affecting sorption of organic pollutants by natural sorbents (soils, sediments, clays, humic materials, and dissolved organic matters) and sorption coefficients for selected pollutants are reviewed on the basis of the literature results and interpretations; with 681 references examined. The most significant aspects of the sorption process are discussed: sorption isotherms and sorption kinetics; effects of sorbent physico-chemical characteristics (pH, cation exchange capacity, ionic strength, surface area, etc.); effect of the temperature; sorption of volatile compounds; effect of the presence of a cosolvent; association with dissolved organic matter; effect of the sorbent concentration; "hysteresis" or nonsingularity in the sorption-desorption process, and its implications in the transport of these contaminants through soil columns. The experimental and prediction methods adopted for the determination and estimation of the sorption coefficients are also described. Literature sorption coefficients for selected hydrophobic, polar, and ionizable compounds are collected. The compounds taken into consideration belong to the following classes: monoaromatic hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated alkyl and aryl compounds, phenol and chlorinated phenols, polychlorobiphenyls, dioxins, and pesticides. The respective sorption coefficients (log Kd) and organic carbon-referenced sorption coefficients (log Koc) are tabulated together with the most relevant characteristics of the respective sorbent, the measurement temperature, and the experimental methods. The log Koc values are averaged and compared with other experimental and estimated literature data. Differences of sorption coefficients on soils and sediments and effect of pH on sorption coefficients for ionizable compounds are evidentiated.
Delle Site, Alessandro
SDBS: Integrated Spectral Data Base System for Organic Compounds
NSDL National Science Digital Library
Provided by Agency of Industrial Science and Technology of Japan, the Integrated Spectral Data Base System for Organic Compounds is a database of mass spectral, NMR (proton and carbon), and infrared spectra data. As of March 1999, the database contains 19,600 spectra of MS, 11,000 spectra of ^13 C NMR, 13,500 spectra of ^1 H NMR, 2,000 spectra of ESR, 47,500 spectra of IR, 3,500 spectra of Raman, and 30,000 compounds in the Compound Dictionary. A search engine (Frames) for the database allows the following fields to be specified: Compound Name, Molecular Formula, Number of Atoms (Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, and Nitrogen), Molecular Weight, CAS Registry Number, and SDBS Number. Access is free; however, no more than 50 spectra and/or compound files may be downloaded in one day.
Dosimeter for monitoring vapors and aerosols of organic compounds
A dosimeter is provided for collecting and detecting vapors and aerosols of organic compounds. The dosimeter comprises a lightweight, passive device that can be conveniently worn by a person as a badge or placed at a stationary location. The dosimeter includes a sample collector comprising a porous web treated with a chemical for inducing molecular displacement and enhancing phosphorescence. Compounds are collected onto the web by molecular diffusion. The web also serves as the sample medium for detecting the compounds by a room temperature phosphorescence technique. 7 figs.
Vo-Dinh, T.
Pesticide contamination results from manufacturing, improper storage, handling, or disposal of pesticides, and from agricultural processes. Since most pesticides are mixtures of different compounds, selecting a remedy for pesticide-contaminated soils can be a complicated process....
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
This paper presents the project, optimization, design details, and fabrication of an optical chemical sensor based on a Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI), fabricated with metal-oxide semiconductor compatible processes and materials. The sensing material is hexamethyldissilazane (HMDS) plasma polymerized thin film, which exhibits hydrophobic characteristics, high resistance to acid or basic solution, and adsorption of polar and nonpolar organic compounds. Both reference and sensor arms of the fabricated MZIs are covered with HMDS thin film in order to keep the device balanced. Different substances, such as water, 2-propanol, and hexane vapors are investigated. The high sensitivity of the MZI structure, associated with refractive index variations of about 10-4, paves the way for a myriad of sensor applications, such as humidity, organic compounds, proteins, antibodies (antigens), enzymes, pesticides, and others. The minimum detectable measurements were 4.6 mg/min for n-hexane and 0.2 mg/min for 2-propanol.
Siarkowski, Ac�cio Luiz; Hernandez, Leonardo Frois; Borges, Ben-Hur Viana; Morimoto, Nilton Itiro
Organic compounds studied in this U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) assessment generally are man-made, including pesticides, solvents, gasoline hydrocarbons, personal-care and domestic-use products, refrigerants, and propellants. A total of 103 of 277 compounds were detected at least once among the 30 samples of source water for a community water system on the Elm Fork Trinity River near Carrollton, Texas, collected approximately monthly during 2002-05. The diversity of compounds detected indicates a variety of different sources and uses (including wastewater discharge, industrial, agricultural, domestic, and others) and different pathways (including overland runoff and groundwater discharge) to drinking-water supplies. Nine compounds were detected year-round in source-water samples, including chloroform, methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), and selected herbicide compounds commonly used in the Trinity River Basin and in other urban areas across the United States. About 90 percent of the 42 compounds detected most frequently in source water (in at least 20 percent of the samples) also were detected most frequently in finished water (after treatment but before distribution). Concentrations for all detected compounds in source and finished water generally were less than 0.1 microgram per liter and always less than human-health benchmarks, which are available for about one-half of the detected compounds.
Ging, Patricia B.; Delzer, Gregory C.; Hamilton, Pixie A.
A gas chromatograph (GC) with a flame ionization detector (FID) is shown to be effective in the determination of water in organic compounds. The ketal, 2,2-dimethoxypropane (DMP), reacts quantitatively with water to yield the products methanol and acetone when an acid catalyst is present. A solid acid catalyst, Nafion, has been effective and is easily separated before sample introduction into the GC. Several organic solvents were analyzed using this indirect method for determining water. The method is effective for determining water from 0.001-3.5% w/w. Solid samples were also analyzed and the water found in additional spikes agreed with the amount added. Simple steam distillation is used for the isolation and concentration of organic compounds from water matrices. Organic compounds are spiked into a flask containing water and the mixture is then boiled. Typical distillation times take less than 25 minutes. The condensate is collected in a small collection tube and a portion is injected into a GC containing a capillary column. The recovery of most compounds with boiling points from 77 to 238{degree}C is better than 90% and a concentration effect of ten is realized. Steam distillation combined with solid phase extraction is shown to be effective in isolating and concentrating compounds from water in the part-per-billion range. A simple interface between the boiling apparatus and resin collection column is presented. Once the organic analytes are boiled and collected on the resin, they are removed with a small amount of ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate solution is then injected into a GC. Compounds with boiling points above 400{degree}C can be determined by turning off the flow of cold water in the condenser. Recoveries are better than 80% for compounds with boiling points between 132 to 404{degree}C.
Dix, K.D.
The aim of this study was to examine the adsorption capability and mechanism of hexadecyltrimethylammonium modified zeolite, which was synthesized from coal fly ash, for the removal of ionizable phenolic compounds (phenol, p-chlorophenol and bisphenol A, with different pK(a)) and non-ionizable organic compounds (aniline, nitrobenzene, and naphthalene, with different hydrophobicity). The obtained zeolite was identified as type Na-P1 (Na(6)Al(6)Si(10)O(32)�12H(2)O, JCPDS code 39-0219), which is classified into the gismondine group with a pore size of 3.1 � � 4.5 � [100] and 2.8 � � 4.8 � [101]. The adsorption of the two kinds of organic compounds was due to loaded surfactant bilayer because modified zeolite showed great ability for the removal of organic chemicals while little adsorption by zeolite was observed. The isotherm data of ionizable compounds fitted well to the Langmuir model but those of non-ionizable chemicals followed a linear equation. Uptake of ionizable compounds depended greatly on pH, increasing at alkaline pH conditions. In contrary, adsorption of non-ionizable chemicals was essentially the same at all pH levels studied. The adsorption of both kinds of organic compounds correlated well to k(ow) value, suggesting that more hydrophobic organic contaminants are more easily retained by modified zeolite. Based on the different adsorption behavior, the uptake of non-ionizable pollutants was thought to be a single partitioning process into the surfactant bilayer. For ionizable compounds, however, interaction of the phenol group(s) with the positively charged "head" of surfactant additionally functions. PMID:22771348
Xie, Jie; Meng, Wenna; Wu, Deyi; Zhang, Zhenjia; Kong, Hainan
Field and laboratory studies were conducted to determine the effects of pesticide mixtures on Chinook salmon under various environmental conditions in surface waters of the northern Central Valley of California. This project was a collaborative effort between the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the University of California. The project focused on understanding the environmental factors that influence the toxicity of pesticides to juvenile salmon and their prey. During the periods January through March 2001 and January through May 2002, water samples were collected at eight surface water sites in the northern Central Valley of California and analyzed by the USGS for dissolved pesticide and dissolved organic carbon concentrations. Water samples were also collected by the USGS at the same sites for aquatic toxicity testing by the Aquatic Toxicity Laboratory at the University of California Davis; however, presentation of the results of these toxicity tests is beyond the scope of this report. Samples were collected to characterize dissolved pesticide and dissolved organic carbon concentrations, and aquatic toxicity, associated with winter storm runoff concurrent with winter run Chinook salmon out-migration. Sites were selected that represented the primary habitat of juvenile Chinook salmon and included major tributaries within the Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins and the Sacramento?San Joaquin Delta. Water samples were collected daily for a period of seven days during two winter storm events in each year. Additional samples were collected weekly during January through April or May in both years. Concentrations of 31 currently used pesticides were measured in filtered water samples using solid-phase extraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry at the U.S. Geological Survey's organic chemistry laboratory in Sacramento, California. Dissolved organic carbon concentrations were analyzed in filtered water samples using a Shimadzu TOC-5000A total organic carbon analyzer.
Orlando, James L.; Jacobson, Lisa A.; Kuivila, Kathryn M.
Preconcentration and detection of chlorinated organic compounds and benzene.
Remote and automated detection of organic compounds in subsurface aquifers is crucial to superfund monitoring and environmental remediation. Current monitoring techniques use expensive laboratory instruments and trained personnel. The use of a filled tubular preconcentrator combined with a chemicapacitive detector array presents an attractive option for the unattended monitoring of these compounds. Five preconcentrator materials were exposed to common target compounds of subsurface remediation projects (1,1,2-trichloroethane, trichloroethylene, t-1,2-dichloroethylene, benzene, and perchloroethylene). Rapid heating of the tube caused the collected, concentrated effluent to pass over the surface of a chemicapacitive detector array coated with four different sorbent polymers. A system containing a porous ladder polymer and the sensor array was subsequently used to sample the analytes injected onto sand in a laboratory test, simulating a subsurface environment. With extended collection times, effective detection limits of 5 � 3 ppbV for 1,1,2-trichloroethane and 145 � 60 ppbV for benzene were achieved. Effects of the preconcentrator material structure, the collection time, and sensor material on the system performance were observed. The resultant system presents a solution for remote, periodic monitoring of chlorinated organic compounds and other volatile organic compounds in a soil matrix. PMID:22266477
Hobson, Stephen T; Cemalovic, Sabina; Patel, Sanjay V
Key volatile organic compounds emitted from swine nursery house
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
This study was carried out to quantify the concentration and emission levels of key volatile organic compounds (VOCs) - sulfides, indolics, phenolics and volatile fatty acids (VFA) - emitted from swine nursery house, and assess the effect of microclimate (including temperature, relative humidity and air speed) on the key odorous compounds. Samples were collected from the Experimental Farm of Seoul National University in Suwon, South Korea. And the collection took place for four seasons and the sampling time was fixed at 10:30 in the morning. The application of one-way ANOVA and Bonferroni t analyses revealed that, most of the odorous compound concentrations, such as dimethyl sulfide (DMS), dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), indole, p-cresol and all the volatile fatty acids were lowest during the summer ( P < 0.01). Meanwhile, negative correlations were observed between temperature and odorants, as well as air speed and odorants. A possible reason was that high ventilation transferred most of the odors out of the house during the summer. From the whole year data, non-linear multiple regressions were conducted and the equations were proposed depending upon the relationships between microclimate parameters and odorous compounds. The equations were applied in hope of easily calculating the concentrations of the odorous compounds in the commercial farms. The results obtained in this study should be used for reducing the volatile organic compounds by controlling microclimate parameters and also could be helpful in setting a guideline for good management practices in nursery house.
Yao, H. Q.; Choi, H. L.; Zhu, K.; Lee, J. H.
Analysis of Organic Compounds in Mars Analog Samples
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
The detailed characterization of organic compounds that might be preserved in rocks, ices, or sedimentary layers on Mars would be a significant step toward resolving the question of the habitability and potential for life on that planet. The fact that the Viking gas chromatograph mass spectrometer (GCMS) did not detect organic compounds should not discourage further investigations since (a) an oxidizing environment in the near surface fines analyzed by Viking is likely to have destroyed many reduced carbon species; (b) there are classes of refractory or partially oxidized species such as carboxylic acids that would not have been detected by the Viking GCMS; and (c) the Viking landing sites are not representative of Mars overall. These factors motivate the development of advanced in situ analytical protocols to carry out a comprehensive survey of organic compounds in martian regolith, ices, and rocks. We combine pyrolysis GCMS for analysis of volatile species, chemical derivatization for transformation of less volatile organics, and laser desorption mass spectrometry (LDMS) for analysis of elements and more refractory, higher-mass organics. To evaluate this approach and enable a comparison with other measurement techniques we analyze organics in Mars simulant samples.
Mahaffy, P. R.; Brinckerhoff, W. B.; Buch, A.; Cabane, M.; Coll, P.; Demick, J.; Glavin, D. P.
Fractions collected from humic acids under acidic and basic conditions were immobilized on silica gel and used as adsorbents for a variety of agricultural pesticide compounds bearing a single carboxyl functional group and biogenic amines in acetonitrile. Among these compounds examined under the same conditions, the percentage of adsorption varies considerably from 0 to almost 100%. The percentage is found to be highly related to the structure of the analyte and the type of functional group attached to it. The adsorption, better performed on adsorbent immobilized with the fraction collected under acidic conditions, is believed to result from the reversible interaction between the functional moieties of the analyte and humic acids (e.g., amino or carboxyl group of analyte vs carboxyl group of humic acids, etc.) as no adsorption is observed under the same conditions for analytes that are derivatives of alcohol, amide, and ester. Given the nature of the analyte, the time needed to reach the maximum percent of adsorption decreases as the amount of adsorbent is increased. Also, the longer the time that has elapsed, the higher the percentage of analyte adsorbed, thus indicating that the adsorption process is surface-oriented. Factors such as the acidic or basic origin of the additive in the liquid phase of the matrix also affect the percentage of analyte adsorbed. PMID:23521499
Chen, Cheng-Sheng; Chen, Shushi
Volatile organic compounds in ambient air are usually estimated by trapping them from air or collecting whole air samples and returning them to a laboratory for analysis by gas chromatography using selective detection. ata do not appear for several days, during which sample integ...
The concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in leaves is primarily a product of airborne exposures and dependent upon bioconcentration factors and release rates. The bioconcentration factors for VOCs in grass are found to be related to their partitioning between octan...
Organic compounds in paper-mill process waters and effluents
Paper-mill effluents are characterized by the presence of color and suspended solids, bad smell, high concentration of nutrients that cause eutrophication of receiving waters, and high toxicity overall. This study attempts to give an overview of organic compounds that contribute to the toxicity of paper-mill waters and effluents, their levels, toxicological characterization and the methodologies used for their analysis. Families
A. Malmqvist; T. Welander
Membrane bioreactor for control of volatile organic compound emissions
A membrane bioreactor system that overcomes many of the limitations of conventional compost biofilters is described. The system utilizes microporous hydrophobic hollow fiber membranes for mass transfer of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the gas phase to a microbially active liquid phase. The reactor design provides a high biomass concentration, a method for wasting biomass, and a method for addition
Sarina J. Ergas; Michael S. McGrath
The rejection of specific organic compounds by reverse osmosis membranes
The performance characteristics of two commercially available reverse osmosis (RO) membranes, one cellulose acetate and the other composite polyamide, were investigated with respect to the rejection of different organic compounds, in order to elucidate rejection mechanisms and to investigate correlation with certain solute physical-chemical parameters. Flux and rejection studies were conducted on a series of six alkyl phenols and a
C. Frederik Schutte
Ecological functions of volatile organic compounds in aquatic systems
In terrestrial ecosystems, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are widely acknowledged as an important group of infochemicals. They play a major role in pollinator attraction by terrestrial plants and as insect pheromones. Furthermore, they are the mediating agent of so-called �tritrophic interactions�. When plants are attacked by herbivorous insects, volatile signal substances are emitted, which act as attractants for parasitoids that
Patrick Fink
Who Took Jerell's iPod? -- An Organic Compound Mystery
NSDL National Science Digital Library
In this activity, students learn how to test for triglycerides, glucose, starch, and protein and then use these tests to solve a mystery. The activity reinforces students understanding of the biological functions and food sources of these different types of organic compounds.
Doherty, Jennifer; Waldron, Ingrid
Process for removing an organic compound from water
A process for removing organic compounds from water is disclosed. The process involves gas stripping followed by membrane separation treatment of the stripping gas. The stripping step can be carried out using one or multiple gas strippers and using air or any other gas as stripping gas. The membrane separation step can be carried out using a single-stage membrane unit
Richard W. Baker; Jurgen Kaschemekat; Johannes G. Wijmans; Henky D. Kamaruddin
Volatile organic compounds in Gulf of Mexico sediments
Volatile organic compounds (VOC), concentrations and compositions were documented for estuarine, coastal, shelf, slope, and deep water sediments from the Gulf of Mexico. VOC were measured (detection limit >0.01 ppb) using a closed-loop stripping apparatus with gas chromatography (GC) and flame ionization, flame photometric, and mass spectrometric detectors. The five primary sources of Gulf of Mexico sediment VOC are: (1)
2 Extracting and trapping biogenic 3 volatile organic compounds stored
, Subcritical water extraction; UAE, Ultrasound-assisted extraction 36 1. Introduction Plants release2 Extracting and trapping biogenic 3 volatile organic compounds stored 4 in plant species 5 Elena are weakly synthesized. These BVOCs can be studied directly through traditional extraction 18 techniques (e
Goldstein, Allen
[Consumption of volatile organic compounds by alcaliphilic microorganisms].
It has been shown that various microbial species used in bioreactors for purification of air from volatile organic compounds can grow at alkaline pH values consuming the xenobiotics as sole carbon sources. The alkali tolerance depends on the carbon source. The alkaline pH of the medium reduces the foreign microbial population restricting the potential of the bioreactor. PMID:17476810
Ulezlo, I V; Bezborodov, A M
During the period June 1 to June 9, 1989, aldehyde and other oxygenated organic compound concentrations were examined at sites 3, 10, and 80 meters northeast of the Vilnius-Kaunas highway in Lithuania, SSR by collecting 120 liter (1 L/min for 120 min) samples on 2,4-dinitrophenyl...
The sorption of ionizable organic compounds to sediments and saturated soils is examined. he sorption of pentachlorophenol to two sediment silt-clay fractions as a function of pH is described. Sorption of both the neutral and the ionic species was shown to occur; results were qua...
Effects of airborne volatile organic compounds on plants
Routine measurements of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in air have shown that average concentrations are very much smaller than those used in laboratory experiments designed to study the effects of VOCs on plants. However, maximum hourly concentrations of some VOCs can be 100 times larger than the average, even in rural air. Experimental studies have rarely extended for longer than
J. N. Cape
The combination of anion exchange resins (AERs) and powdered activated carbon (PAC) was studied to remove both natural organic matter (NOM) and pesticides. Experiments were conducted with high dissolved organic carbon (DOC) surface water (about 6.0mg DOC\\/L) spiked with both atrazine and isoproturon. AERs, like MIEX� and IRA938�, showed up to 75% removal of DOC after 30min contact time. The
Hugues Humbert; Herv� Gallard; Herv� Suty; Jean-Philippe Crou�
Organic compounds as indicators for transport in an urban characterized complex karst system
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
In northern Hesse (Germany), sediments of the Upper Permian (Zechstein-Formations) are outcropping in a coastal facies along the western rim of the Rhenish Massif. The geologic section is characterized by a sequence of carbonate rocks (carbonates of the Werra-, Sta�furt- and Leine-Formations) and predominantly fine clastic sediments. The carbonate aquifers of the Werra-Formation and the Leine-Formation are used for drinking water abstraction of a provincial town and surrounding communities. Concurrently, the urban area is characterized by industrial and commercial uses. The groundwater flow system is composed of three potential karst aquifers, aquitards and aquicludes within a complex tectonically faulted area. The study area is divided into three spring catchment areas. However, the locations of the subsurface water divides are unknown. Traditional methods to determine the catchment areas (e.g. artificial tracer tests) are difficult to apply, due to a lack of adequate injection points. The presented work deals with the use of organic compounds as indicators for subsurface flow paths. Medical drugs, pesticides, corrosion inhibitors and such typical waste water compounds as caffeine (N�DLER ET AL. 2010) are observed in approximately fifty groundwater observation points by regular sampling. The seasonal variability of the distribution pattern of organic compounds is low. The most common compounds are atrazine and its metabolites desethylatrazine and desisopropylatrazine, as well as the corrosion inhibitor 1H-benzotriazole. Since these substances are applied in different regions different input functions can be assumed. However, the highest concentrations are detected along a North-orientated axis, which also exhibits the greatest compound variety. This distribution pattern indicates preferential flow and transport pathways in the subsurface. The absence of organic compounds in other parts of the investigation area implies the existence of a water divide between these areas. The occurence of atrazine in groundwater samples denotes the existence of a water component with a transit time of more than 20 years because the use of atrazine as a pesticide has been banned in Germany since 1991. Furthermore, since atrazine and 1H-benzotriazole are found in all investigated aquifers, the presence of hydraulic connections between the aquifers (e.g. associated to faults) is likely. In addition to the long-term flow component, the periodic detection of such antibiotics as erythromycine, after strong recharge events (for example snow-melt events), suggests also the presence of a short-term flow component in the aquifer system. Consequently, the observation of organic compounds is an appropriate method to determine subsurface flow paths within complex aquifer systems. Furthermore, such a method can also be employed in the subsurface to approximate transit times and to identify mixing zones. Lecture N�DLER, K., LICHA, T., BESTER, B., K. SAUTER, M. (2010): Development of a multi-residue analytical method, based on liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, for the simultaneous determination of 46 micro-contaminants in aqueous samples.- Journal of Chromatography A, 1217 (2010) 6511-6521.
Reh, R.; Licha, T.; N�dler, K.; Geyer, T.; Sauter, M.
The paper presents the results of determination of selected organic pollutants in atmospheric precipitation. Samples of atmospheric precipitation in the form of rain water and snow were collected in five places in the area of Gda?sk, which enabled some conclusions to be drawn on the influence of sampling position on the content of samples. Two different groups of compounds were
?aneta Polkowska; Agata Kot; Marek Wiergowski; Lidia Wolska; Karolina Wo?owska; Jacek Namie?nik
Analysis of organic compounds in returned comet nucleus samples
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Techniques for analysis of organic compounds in returned comet nucleus samples are described. Interstellar, chondritic and transitional organic components are discussed. Appropriate sampling procedures will be essential to the success of these analyses. It will be necessary to return samples that represent all the various regimes found in the nucleus, e.g., a complete core, volatile components (deep interior), and crustal components (surface minerals, rocks, processed organics such as macromolecular carbon and polymers). Furthermore, sampling, storage, return, and distribution of samples must be done under conditions that preclude contamination of the samples by terrestrial matter.
Cronin, J. R.
Multilayer adsorption of slightly soluble organic compounds from aqueous solutions
Adsorption isotherms are analyzed for slightly soluble organic components from water for a wide range of reduced concentrations. It is shown that the behavior of these systems can be modeled by an equation of the form a = Ac/[(1 + Bc)(1 {minus} c/c{sub 0}){sup d}] over the range of c/c{sub 0} from about 0.05 to 0.9. Here a is the adsorption amount, c is the concentration of organic compound in the water, c{sub 0} is a solubility limit for the organic compound, and A, B, and d are adjustable parameters. Comparison is made with experimental data for the adsorption of n-caproic acid, n-valeric acid, n-amyl alcohol, n-butyl alcohol, aniline, cyclohexanol, and phenol from aqueous solutions on carbon adsorbents.
Aranovich, G.L.; Donohue, M.D. [Johns Hopkins Univ., Baltimore, MD (United States). Dept. of Chemical Engineering] [Johns Hopkins Univ., Baltimore, MD (United States). Dept. of Chemical Engineering
Analysis of Organic Compounds in Returned Comet Nucleus Samples
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Comets are generally believed to be primitive bodies that preserve solar system matter in, or nearly in, its primordial state. This expectation has been at least partially borne out by the 1986 flyby missions to Comet Halley which provided data indicating that, with the exception of hydrogen, the light elements (C, N, O, and S) occur in approximately their solar abundances. Although mass spectrometers carried aboard the spacecraft provided much additional data from which to speculate about the molecular forms of these elements a detailed understanding of cometary organic chemistry will ultimately require the laboratory examination of returned samples. Some of the problems that will be encountered in such studies, for example, sensitivity to trace constituents, resolution of numerous isomeric forms, and avoidance of terrestrial contaminants, have already been faced in analyses of the organic compounds from carbonaceous chondrites. Furthermore, there is reason to believe that the progenitors of the carbonaceous chondrites were volatile rich planetesimals similar to those which, at greater radial distances, formed comets. Thus, the organic chemistry of carbonaceous chondrites may represent the outcome of a process of chemical evolution that parallels, although is perhaps further advanced than, that which occurred in comets. These meteorites may then represent not only a useful model for the development and refinement of analytical methods, but also a guide to the types of organic compounds that may be encountered in analyses of cometary matter. In this paper, I have (i) briefly reviewed the results of amino acid analyses of CM chondrites, (ii) discussed the origin of these compounds and the implications for comet organic chemistry, and (iii) described some recent developments in analytical instrumentation for amino acids and their implications for analyses of extraterrestrial materials. Although the emphasis is on amino acids, their general characteristics are common to the other classes of organic compounds in CM chondrites and inferences regarding their origins should be generally relevant.
Cronin, John R.
Biological organisms as volatile compound detectors: a review.
The detection and identification of volatile compounds is essential to the successful undertaking of numerous forensic analyses. Biological olfactory systems possess the extraordinary ability to not only detect many thousands of distinct volatile compounds (odors) but also to discriminate between them. Whole-organism biological sensors, such as detection canines, have been employed in forensic science as volatile compound detectors for many years. A variety of insects including bees, wasps, and moths, which have also been shown to detect volatile compounds of forensic significance, have been investigated for their potential application in field-based detection systems. While the fundamental aim for many developers of portable instruments is to replicate the remarkable ability of biological olfactory systems, such analytical equipment is yet to possess the detection and discriminatory powers achieved by biological sensors. Recent literature reveals an increasing interest in olfactory receptors - the biological components that impart olfactory ability - for detecting volatile compounds associated with forensically significant substances such as explosives and illicit drugs. This paper reviews the literature regarding the current, and potential future, use of biological organisms as sensors for forensic science applications. PMID:24053870
Leitch, Olivia; Anderson, Alisha; Kirkbride, K Paul; Lennard, Chris
Biodiversity of volatile organic compounds from five French ferns.
Five French ferns belonging to different families were investigated for volatile organic compounds (VOC) by GC-MS using organic solvent extraction. Fifty-five VOC biosynthesized from the shikimic, lipidic and terpenic pathways including monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes and carotenoid-type compounds were identified. The main volatile compound of Adiantum capillus-veneris L. (Pteridaceae) was (E)-2-decenal with a plastic or "stink bug" odor. The volatile profiles of Athyrium filix-femina (L.) Roth (Woodsiaceae) and Blechnum spicant (L.) Roth (Blechnaceae) showed similarities, with small amounts of isoprenoids and the same main volatile compounds, i.e., 2-phenylethanal (odor of lilac and hyacinth) and 1-octen-3-ol (mushroom-like odor). The main volatile compound of Dryopteris filix-mas (L.) Schott (Dryopteridaceae) was (E)-nerolidol with a woody or fresh bark note. Polyketides, as acylfilicinic acids, were mainly identified in this fern. Oreopteris limbosperma (Bellardi ex. All.) J. Holub (Thelypteridaceae), well-known for its lemon smell, contained the highest biodiversity of VOC. Eighty percent of the volatiles was issued from the terpenic pathway. The main volatiles were (E)-nerolidol, alpha-terpineol, beta-caryophyllene and other minor monoterpenes (for example, linalool, pinenes, limonene, and gamma-terpinen-7-al). It was also the fern with the highest number of carotenoid-type derivatives, which were identified in large amounts. Our results were of great interest underlying new industrial valorisation for ferns based on their broad spectrum of volatiles. PMID:21121267
Fons, Fran�oise; Froissard, Didier; Bessi�re, Jean-Marie; Buatois, Bruno; Rapior, Sylvie
This paper reviews the tissue residue approach (TRA) for toxicity assessment as it applies to organic chemicals and some organometallic compounds (tin, mercury, and lead). Specific emphasis was placed on evaluating key factors that influence interpretation of critical body resid...
Group extraction of organic compounds present in liquid samples
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
An extraction device is disclosed comprising a tube containing a substantially inert, chemically non-reactive packing material with a large surface area to volume ratio. A sample which consists of organic compounds dissolved in a liquid, is introduced into the tube. As the sample passes through the packing material it spreads over the material's large surface area to form a thin liquid film which is held on the packing material in a stationary state. A particular group or family of compounds is extractable from the sample by passing a particular solvent system consisting of a solvent and selected reagents through the packing material. The reagents cause optimum conditions to exist for the compounds of the particular family to pass through the phase boundary between the sample liquid and the solvent of the solvent system. Thus, the compounds of the particular family are separated from the sample liquid and become dissolved in the solvent of the solvent system. The particular family of compounds dissolved in the solvent, representing an extract, exits the tube together with the solvent through the tube's nozzle, while the rest of the sample remains on the packing material in a stationary state. Subsequently, a different solvent system may be passed through the packing material to extract another family of compounds from the remaining sample on the packing material.
Jahnsen, Vilhelm J. (Inventor)
In present study four newly synthesized organic semiconductor compounds have been used for fabrication of the organic field effect transistors. In all cases p-type channel organic field effect transistors were fabricated. I-V characteristics of the samples were investigated. The highest on\\/off ratio (up to 180) was observed in the case of the organic field effect transistors fabricated using 4-diphenylaminobenzaldehyde N-methyl-N-phenylhydrazone
Rimas GUDAITIS; Juozas Vidas GRA; Ram?nas LYGAITIS; Evaldas BURBULIS; Asta MICHALEVI?I?T?; Vytautas GETAUTIS; Tadas MALINAUSKAS
Natural organic compounds as tracers for biomass combustion in aerosols
Biomass combustion is an important primary source of carbonaceous particles in the global atmosphere. Although various molecular markers have already been proposed for this process, additional specific organic tracers need to be characterized. The injection of natural product organic tracers to smoke occurs primarily by direct volatilization/steam stripping and by thermal alteration based on combustion temperature. The degree of alteration increases as the burn temperature rises and the moisture content of the fuel decreases. Although the molecular composition of organic matter in smoke particles is highly variable, the molecular structures of the tracers are generally source specific. The homologous compound series and biomarkers present in smoke particles are derived directly from plant wax, gum and resin by volatilization and secondarily from pyrolysis of biopolymers, wax, gum and resin. The complexity of the organic components of smoke aerosol is illustrated with examples from controlled burns of temperate and tropical biomass fuels. Burning of biomass from temperate regions (i.e., conifers) yields characteristic tracers from diterpenoids as well as phenolics and other oxygenated species, which are recognizable in urban airsheds. The major organic components of smoke particles from tropical biomass are straight-chain, aliphatic and oxygenated compounds and triterpenoids. The precursor-to-product approach of organic geochemistry can be applied successfully to provide tracers for studying smoke plume chemistry and dispersion.
Simoneit, B.R.T. [Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY (United States)]|[Oregon State Univ., Corvallis, OR (United States). Coll. of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences; Abas, M.R. bin [Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY (United States)]|[Univ. of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia); Cass, G.R. [Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY (United States)]|[California Inst. of Tech., Pasadena, CA (United States). Environmental Engineering Science Dept.; Rogge, W.F. [Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY (United States)]|[Florida International Univ., University Park, FL (United States). Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering; Mazurek, M.A. [Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY (United States); Standley, L.J. [Academy of Natural Sciences, Avondale, PA (United States). Stroud Water Research Center; Hildemann, L.M. [Stanford Univ., CA (United States). Dept. of Civil Engineering
[Chlorination byproducts formation potentials of typical nitrogenous organic compounds in water].
Twelve typical nitrogenous organic compounds including herbicides, pesticides, amino acids, industrial products etc in polluted raw water were selected to investigate formation of typical carbonaceous and nitrogenous DBPs during chlorination and chloramination. To indentify the formation mechanism of carbonaceous and nitrogenous disinfection byproducts from nitrogenous chemicals, chlorination and chloroamination of urea herbicides, triazine herbicides, amino acid, and other compounds were investigated. As a result, the potential precursors for different DBPs were defined as well. It has been identified that widely used urea herbicides could produce as many as 9 specific DBPs. The chlorotoluron shows highest reactivity and yields chloroform (CF), monochloroacetic acid (MCAA), dichloroacetic acid (DCAA), 1,1-dichloro-acetone (1,1-DCP), 1,1,1-trichloro-acetone (1,1,1-TCP), chloropicrin (NTCM), dichloro-acetonitrile (DCAN), dimethylnitrosamine (NDMA). The results indicated that aldicarb and dinoseb are important precursors of CF, DCAA, MCAA, NTCM as well. High concentrations of CF and DCAA were found during L-tryptophan chlorination. Furthermore, DBPs formation pathways and mechanisms were suggested during chlorination and chloramination of chlorotoluron, ametryn, dinoseb L-tryptophan. PMID:21922816
Xu, Qian; Xu, Bin; Qin, Cao; Xia, Sheng-Ji; Gao, Nai-Yun; Tian, Fu-Xiang; Li, Da-Peng
Identification and Quantification of Volatile Organic Compounds at a Dairy
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Livestock operations in the United States are an escalating environmental concern. The increasing density of livestock within a farm results in an increased emission of odorous gases, which have gained considerable attention by the public in recent years (National Research Council (NRC), 2002). Odorous compounds such as ammonia (NH3), volatile organic compounds (VOC's), and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) were reported to have a major effect on the quality of life of local residents living near livestock facilities (NRC, 2002). There has been little data collected related to identification and quantification of gaseous compounds collected from open stall dairy operations in the United States. The research to be presented identifies and quantifies VOCs produced from a dairy operation that contribute to odor and other air quality problems. Many different VOCs were identified in the air downwind of an open lactating cow stall area and near a waste lagoon at the Washington State University dairy using Gas Chromatography Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS) analysis techniques. Identified compounds were very diverse and included many alcohols, aldehydes, amines, aromatics, esters, ethers, a fixed gas, halogenated hydrocarbons, hydrocarbons, ketones, other nitrogen containing compounds, sulfur containing compounds, and terpenes. The VOCs directly associated with cattle waste were dependent on ambient temperature, with the highest emissions produced during the summer months. Low to moderate wind speeds were ideal for VOC collection. Concentrations of quantified compounds were mostly below odor detection thresholds found in the literature, however the combined odor magnitude of the large number of compounds detected was most likely above any minimum detection threshold.
Filipy, J.; Mount, G.; Westberg, H.; Rumburg, B.
An investigation by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program characterized the occurrence of 266 organic compounds in source water and finished water from the Chattahoochee River, which is the main water-supply source for the Atlanta metropolitan area. Source water is stream water collected at a surface-water intake prior to water treatment, and finished water is water that has passed through treatment processes prior to distribution. Samples were collected approximately monthly during 2004-05 and included 15 paired source-water and finished-water samples. Samples were collected during winter-spring high flow and summer-fall low flow, but storm events were not targeted during this Source Water-Quality Assessment (SWQA) study. Samples were analyzed for pesticides and degradates, gasoline hydrocarbons, solvents, disinfection by-products, personal care and domestic-use products, and other organic compounds. Community water systems are required to monitor regulated organic compounds under the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1996 (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1998); however, most compounds included in this study are not regulated by Federal drinking-water standards (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2007a). The Chattahoochee River study is part of an ongoing NAWQA investigation of community water systems across the United States. Additional details about the national study are given in Carter and others (2007).
Hughes, W. Brian; Younker, Cristal L.
Identification of volatile organic compounds in flowers of Astragalus lagopoides.
Composition of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in flowers of Astragalus lagopoides was studied using a hydrodistillation extraction procedure coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The analyses allowed the identification of a number of 25 compounds, among which the presence of several bioactive aromatic derivatives such as guaiacol, eugenol, linalool, ?- and 4-terpineol as well as nerol was attention-grabbing. Moreover, some other compounds like cyclohexane, 2-bromoethyl with repellent function also appeared to be present in the flower. As a result, the floral VOCs profile of A. lagopoides might reflect an adaptation to attract specialised pollinator insects. These findings provide important information for advances in understanding the ecological and evolutionary perspectives of pollination biology of the giant genus Astragalus. PMID:21878004
Movafeghi, Ali; Delazar, Abbas; Amini, Majid; Asnaashari, Solmaz
Metamaterial resonator arrays for organic and inorganic compound sensing
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
In this paper, an electromagnetic metamaterial resonator operating in the terahertz frequency range is presented. By arranging the resonator in a planar array, it is possible to use the structure as a sensing device for organic and inorganic compounds. The sensor is designed to detect the presence of a biological compound by permittivity or absorption measurements. The presence of the biological matter modifies the effective permittivity and, thus, the resonant frequency significantly varies. In addition, biological compounds typically exhibit absorption characteristics that depend on the corresponding molecular structure. Therefore, it is necessary to illuminate the material selectively. We show that by employing the "selective" properties of the metamaterial resonator proposed, it is possible to enhance the sensing performances. The proposed design is suitable to sense the presence of healthy and malignant tissues, with possible applications in food and medical diagnostics. The operation of the sensing device has been demonstrated through proper full-wave simulations.
La Spada, Luigi; Bilotti, Filiberto; Vegni, Lucio
Metamaterial resonator arrays for organic and inorganic compound sensing
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
In this paper, an electromagnetic metamaterial resonator operating in the terahertz frequency range is presented. By arranging the resonator in a planar array, it is possible to use the structure as a sensing device for organic and inorganic compounds. The sensor is designed to detect the presence of a biological compound by permittivity or absorption measurements. The presence of the biological matter modifies the effective permittivity and, thus, the resonant frequency significantly varies. In addition, biological compounds typically exhibit absorption characteristics that depend on the corresponding molecular structure. Therefore, it is necessary to illuminate the material selectively. We show that by employing the "selective" properties of the metamaterial resonator proposed, it is possible to enhance the sensing performances. The proposed design is suitable to sense the presence of healthy and malignant tissues, with possible applications in food and medical diagnostics. The operation of the sensing device has been demonstrated through proper full-wave simulations.
La Spada, Luigi; Bilotti, Filiberto; Vegni, Lucio
Source water, herein defined as stream water collected at a water-system intake prior to water treatment, was sampled at nine community water systems, ranging in size from a system serving about 3,000 people to one that serves about 2 million people. As many as 17 source-water samples were collected at each site over about a 12-month period between 2002 and 2004 for analysis of 258 anthropogenic organic compounds. Most of these compounds are unregulated in drinking water, and the compounds analyzed include pesticides and selected pesticide degradates, gasoline hydrocarbons, personal-care and domestic-use compounds, and solvents. The laboratory analytical methods used in this study have relatively low detection levels - commonly 100 to 1,000 times lower than State and Federal standards and guidelines for protecting water quality. Detections, therefore, do not necessarily indicate a concern to human health but rather help to identify emerging issues and to track changes in occurrence and concentrations over time. About one-half (134) of the compounds were detected at least once in source-water samples. Forty-seven compounds were detected commonly (in 10 percent or more of the samples), and six compounds (chloroform, atrazine, simazine, metolachlor, deethylatrazine, and hexahydrohexamethylcyclopentabenzopyran (HHCB) were detected in more than one-half of the samples. Chloroform was the most commonly detected compound - in every sample (year round) at five sites. Findings for chloroform and the fragrances HHCB and acetyl hexamethyl tetrahydronaphthalene (AHTN) indicate an association between occurrence and the presence of large upstream wastewater discharges in the watersheds. The herbicides atrazine, simazine, and metolachlor also were among the most commonly detected compounds. Degradates of these herbicides, as well as those of a few other commonly occurring herbicides, generally were detected at concentrations similar to or greater than concentrations of the parent compound. Samples typically contained mixtures of two or more compounds. The total number of compounds and their total concentration in samples generally increased with the amount of urban and agricultural land use in a watershed. Annual mean concentrations of all compounds were less than human-health benchmarks. Single-sample concentrations of anthropogenic organic compounds in source water generally were less than 0.1 microgram per liter and less than established human-health benchmarks. Human-health benchmarks used for comparison were U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for regulated compounds and U.S. Geological Survey Health-Based Screening Levels for unregulated compounds. About one-half of all detected compounds do not have human-health benchmarks or adequate toxicity information for evaluating results in a human-health context. During a second sampling phase (2004-05), source water and finished water (water that has passed through all the treatment processes but prior to distribution) were sampled at eight of the nine community water systems. Water-treatment processes differ among the systems. Specifically, treatment at five of the systems is conventional, typically including steps of coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection. One water system uses slow sand filtration and disinfection, a second system uses ozone as a preliminary treatment step to conventional treatment, and a third system is a direct filtration treatment plant that uses many of the steps employed in conventional treatment. Most of these treatment steps are not designed specifically to remove the compounds monitored in this study. About two-thirds of the compounds detected commonly in source water were detected at similar frequencies in finished water. Although the water-treatment steps differ somewhat among the eight water systems, the amount of change in concentration of the compounds from source- to finish
Kingsbury, James A.; Delzer, Gregory C.; Hopple, Jessica A.
Emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from PVC floor coverings.
In this study 29 PVC floor coverings were tested for emission of vinyl chloride (VC) and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs). A study on the effect of higher temperature on emission of VOCs from newly manufactured PVC flooring was also carried out. The study was conducted in climatic chamber, according to Polish Standard PN-89/Z-04021. GC method was used for analyzing of the compounds emitted. VC was not emitted from any of the floorings tested. Other VOCs were emitted in different concentrations. The influence of temperature on emission was conducted at temperatures of 23 degrees C and 35 degrees C from 2 hrs up to 180 days after introduction of materials in the chamber. The increase of temperature caused increase of total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) emission during 24 hrs of experiment. Then the emission was comparable for both temperatures. After 9 days emission of identified and unidentified compounds (TVOC) showed a rapid decay and stayed on very low level during a few months. The study conducted showed that PVC floorings after 10 days of installation in the room should not be source of indoor air contamination. PMID:10431652
Wiglusz, R; Igielska, B; Sitko, E; Nikel, G; Jarnuszkiewicz, I
Sugar-Related Organic Compounds in Carbonaceous Meteorites
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Sugars and related polyols are critical components of all organisms and may have been necessary for the origin of life. To date, this class of organic compounds had not been definitively identified in meteorites. This study was undertaken to determine if polyols were present in the early Solar System as constituents of carbonaceous meteorites. Results of analyses of the Murchison and Murray meteorites indicate that formaldehyde and sugar chemistry may be responsible for the presence of a variety of polyols. We conclude that polyols were present on the early Earth through delivery by asteroids and possibly comets.
Cooper, G.; Kimmich, N.; Belisle, W.; Sarinana, J.; Brabham, K.; Garrel, L.; DeVincenzi, Donald L. (Technical Monitor)
Water Pollution: Organic Compounds in the Charles River, Boston
The major lipophilic organic compounds present in water collected during November and December 1971 from the Charles River Basin (Boston) are as follows: normal alkanes (C15 to C31), alkyl naphthalenes, alkyl anthracenes or phenanthrenes, pyrene, fluoranthene, dibutyl phthalate, and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate. The concentration of the naphthalenes (determined by liquid chromatography) correlates with the effective storm-water runoff content of the river.
Ronald A. Hites; K. Biemann
Passive samplers for polar organic compounds often use a polyethersulfone (PES) membrane to retain the particulate sorbent material (e.g., in a POCIS; polar organic chemical integrative sampler) or to reduce the sampling rate and thus extend the kinetic regime (e.g., in a Chemcatcher). The transport kinetics over the PES membrane are evaluated here in a short-term (6 days) and a long-term (32 days) experiment with POCIS and Chemcatchers. Passive samplers were placed in a channel with flowing river water that was spiked with 22 organic chemicals including pharmaceuticals, pesticides and biocides; with logK(ow) (logarithmic octanol-water partitioning coefficient) values between -2.6 and 3.8. Samplers were removed at intervals and membranes and sorbent material were extracted and analyzed with LC-MS/MS. Uptake kinetics of the compounds fell between two extremes: (1) charged chemicals and chemicals of low hydrophobicity did not accumulate in PES and rapidly transferred to the sorbent (e.g., diclofenac) and (2) more hydrophobic chemicals accumulated strongly in the PES and appeared in the sorbent after a lag-phase (e.g., diazinon and diuron). Sorption kinetics were modeled with a three-compartment first-order kinetic model to determine uptake and elimination rate constants and partitioning coefficients. Water PES partitioning coefficients fitted with the model correlated well with experimentally determined values and logK(ow). Sampling rates of Chemcatcher (0.02-0.10 L/d) and POCIS (0.02-0.30 L/d) showed similar patterns and correlated well. Thus the samplers are interchangeable in practical applications. Longer lag-phases may pose problems when calculating time-weighted average aqueous concentrations for short passive sampling windows and for a correct integrative sampling of fluctuating concentrations. PMID:22594693
Vermeirssen, Eti�nne L M; Dietschweiler, Conrad; Escher, Beate I; van der Voet, J�rgen; Hollender, Juliane
A study was conducted in 1992 to assess the effects of anthropogenic activities and land use on the water quality of the San Joaquin River and its major tributaries. This study focused on pesticides and organic contaminants, looking at distributions of contaminants in water, bed and suspended sediment, and the bivalve Corbicula fluminea. Results indicated that this river system is affected by agricultural practices and urban runoff. Sediments from Dry Creek contained elevated concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), possibly derived from urban runoff from the city of Modesto; suspended sediments contained elevated amounts of chlordane. Trace levels of triazine herbicides atrazine and simazine were present in water at most sites. Sediments, water, and bivalves from Orestimba Creek, a westside tributary draining agricultural areas, contained the greatest levels of DDT (1,1,1-trichloro-2-2-bis[p-chlorophenyl]ethane), and its degradates DDD (1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis[p-chlorophenyl]ethane), and DDE (1,1-dichloro-2,2- bis[p-chlorophenyl]ethylene). Sediment adsorption co efficients (K(oc)), and bioconcentration factors (BCF) in Corbicula of DDT, DDD, and DDE at Orestimba Creek were greater than predicted values. Streams of the western San Joaquin Valley can potentially transport significant amounts of chlorinated pesticides to the San Joaquin River, the delta, and San Francisco Bay. Organochlorine compounds accumulate in bivalves and sediment and may pose a problem to other biotic species in this watershed.
Pereira, W.E.; Domagalski, J.L.; Hostettler, F.D.; Brown, L.R.; Rapp, J.B.
DFT derived solvation models for organic compounds in alkane solvents
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
From a density functional theory (DFT) analysis of solvation and the different components which comprise the free energy of solvation we propose quantitative structure-property relationship (QSPR) models to predict free energy of solvation, ?GS0, of organic compounds in seven alkane solvents ( n-pentane, n-hexane, n-heptane, n-octane, n-nonane, n-decane, and n-hexadecane). The data contains 151 structurally different compounds containing diverse organic functions: unbranched and branched alkanes, cycloalkanes, aromatics, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, esters, ethers, amines, nitriles, pyridines, fluorinated hydrocarbons, thiols, sulfides, carboxylic acids and nitro hydrocarbons; covering a ?GS0 range from about -50 to 0 kJ/mol. The models for the seven n-alkane solvents contain the same two molecular descriptors, one DFT descriptor (softness) and one geometric (molecular surface area). This fact suggests that the physical mechanisms behind the solvation of organic compounds in n-alkane solvents are of the same nature, as expected from the similar physical and chemical properties of alkanes. The models proposed have the merit of predicting free energy of solvation in alkane solvents with fewer descriptors than other QSPR models reported in the literature having similar statistics, allowing in this way a well-defined physical interpretation. The two descriptors have definite physical meaning corresponding to the different components which comprise free energy of solvation. Thus, the models proposed reach the desired compromise among simpleness, physical interpretation and computation time.
Delgado, Eduardo J.; Alderete, Joel B.; Ja�a, Gonzalo A.
Identification and quantification of volatile organic compounds from a dairy
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that contribute to odor and air quality problems have been identified from the Washington State University Knott Dairy Farm using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). Eighty-two VOCs were identified at a lactating cow open stall and 73 were detected from a slurry wastewater lagoon. These compounds included alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, esters, ethers, aromatic hydrocarbons, halogenated hydrocarbons, terpenes, other hydrocarbons, amines, other nitrogen containing compounds, and sulfur-containing compounds. The concentration of VOCs directly associated with cattle waste increased with ambient air temperature, with the highest concentrations present during the summer months. Concentrations of most detected compounds were below published odor detection thresholds. Emission rates of ethanol (1026�513 ?g cow -1 s -1) and dimethyl sulfide (DMS) (13.8�10.3 ?g cow -1 s -1) were measured from the lactating stall area using an atmospheric tracer method and concentrations were plotted using data over a 2-year period. Emission rates of acetone (3.03�0.85 ng cow -1 s -1), 2-butanone (145�35 ng cow -1 s -1), methyl isobutyl ketone (3.46�1.11 ng cow -1 s -1), 2-methyl-3-pentanone (25.1�8.0 ng cow -1 s -1), DMS (2.19�0.92 ng cow -1 s -1), and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) (16.1�3.9 ng cow -1 s -1) were measured from the slurry waste lagoon using a laboratory emission chamber.
Filipy, Jenny; Rumburg, Brian; Mount, George; Westberg, Hal; Lamb, Brian
Equilibrium isotherms for the simultaneous uptake of binary nonionic organic compounds from water on soil indicated no competitive effect between the two solutes. The observation supports the hypothesis that partition to the soil organic phase is the primary process for sorption ...
Biodegradation of organic compounds in vadose zone and aquifer sediments
The microbial processes that occur in the subsurface under a typical Midwest agricultural soil were studied. A 26-m bore was installed in November of 1988 at a site of the Purdue University Agronomy Research Center. Aseptic collections of soil materials were made at 17 different depths. Physical analysis indicated that the site contained up to 14 different strata. The site materials were primarily glacial tills with a high carbonate content. The N,P, and organic C contents of sediments tended to decrease with depth. Ambient water content was generally less than the water content, which corresponds to a -0.3-bar equivalent. No pesticides were detected in slurry incubations of up to 128 days. The sorption of atrazine and metolachlor was correlated with the clay content of the sediments. Microbial biomass (determined by direct microscopic count, viable count, and phospholipid assay) in the tills was lower than in either the surface materials or the aquifer located at 25 m. The biodegradation of glucose and phenol occurred rapidly and without a lag in samples from the aquifer capillary fringe, saturated zone, and surface soils. In contrast, lag periods and smaller biodegradation rates were found in the till samples. Subsurface sediments are rich in microbial numbers and activity. The most active strata appear to be transmissive layers in the saturated zone. This implies that the availability of water may limit activity in the profile.
Konopka, A.; Turco, R. (Purdue Univ., West Lafayette, Indiana (USA))
A STUDY OF PESTICIDE RESIDUE LEVELS AND INSECTICIDE RESISTANCE IN SELECTED AQUATIC ORGANISMS OCCURRING AROUND THE BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION AREAS A Thes1s by LARRY DAMES DZIUK Submitted to the Graduate College of Texas... ASM University 1n partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of MASTFR OF SCIENCE August 1971 Major ub. 'ect: Fntomology A STUDY OF PESTICIDE RESIDUE LEVELS AND INSECTICIDE RESISTANCE IN SELECTED A)UATIC ORGANISMS OCCURRING AROUND...
Dziuk, Larry James
One organic farming treatment (OF) and two integrated farming treatments (IF) with (i) situation-related pesticide use (100% HF), and (ii) application rates reduced by 50% in relation to (i), (50% HF), were compared with regard to energy efficiency. Data were used from a long-term field experiment (1997�2006) conducted on a sandy soil with moderate soil fertility and continental climate in
S. Deike; B. Pallutt; O. Christen
Semi-volatile organic compounds as molecular markers for atmospheric and ecosystem transport
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
The use of semi-volatile organic compounds (SOCs) as molecular markers to identify the contributions of regional and long-range atmospheric transport, as well as current and historic sources, and contaminant deposition in remote ecosystems of the Western U.S. was investigated. Trans-Pacific air masses influenced by Siberian biomass burning events had elevated concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and the historic use pesticides dieldrin and alpha-HCH, while air masses influenced by regional fires in the Pacific Northwestern U.S. had enhanced concentrations of PAHs and the current-use pesticides dacthal and endosulfan. This suggests that previously deposited SOCs, such as pesticides, revolatilize to the atmosphere during forest fires. In addition, forest soils collected from a burned area in the Pacific Northwestern U.S. had significantly lower SOC concentrations (34 to 100 %) than soils collected from an unburned area separated only by a two lane road. This confirms that SOCs re-volatilize and/or degrade from soils and vegetation during the burning process. The chiral signatures of alpha-HCH in air masses at three sites in the Pacific Northwestern U.S. indicated that the boundary layer has a non-racemic alpha-HCH signature likely due to re-volatilization of alpha-HCH from the Pacific Ocean and that the free troposphere is a source of racemic alpha-HCH. Racemic alpha-HCH was also associated with Asian and trans-Pacific air masses. Racemic cis and trans-chlordane in Pacific Northwestern U.S. air masses indicated that U.S. urban areas continue to be a source of chlordane to the atmosphere. The deposition of non-racemic alpha-HCH in seasonal snowpack in continental Western U.S. national park high elevation ecosystems reflected regional transport, while the high latitude, Alaskan national parks were influenced by long-range atmospheric transport of racemic alpha-HCH. The chiral signature of alpha-HCH in fish collected from high elevation and high latitude ecosystems in Western U.S. national parks reflected the chiral signature of the seasonal snowpack in the lake catchment. This indicates that the fish in these ecosystems do not enantioselectively biotransform alpha-HCH. Racemic cis-chlordane was measured in seasonal snowpack and lake sediments in Sequoia National Park due to the high population density surrounding the park and the past use of chlordane as a termiticide in urban areas. Non-racemic cis-chlordane was measured in sediment collected from Rocky Mountain National Park because this park receives chlordane due to re-volatilization from regional agricultural soil.
Genualdi, Susan
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
The CT (carbon tetrachloride) plume in Hanford site is not large and retardation of the plume is uncertain given that there is no nonreactive tracer applied synchronously with the CT. Unfortunately, direct measurement of sorption distribution coefficients (Kd) for those low Kow (octanol/water partition coefficient) compounds (e.g., CT) on low foc (organic carbon content) sediments is quite challenging using normal batch setup due to the solid/water ratio limitation. One way to solve this problem is to use more hydrophobic compounds (high Kow) as surrogates, where Kd on the target low foc aquifer sediments can be easily measured. With the help of the foc - normalized partition coefficients (Koc = Kd/foc) at different aqueous concentrations (Cw), the Kd values of the target low Kow compounds on the same materials could be estimated. In this study, the nonlinear sorption isotherms of CT and a surrogate compound 1,1,1,3- tetrachlorotetrafluoropropane on selected samples with a wide spectrum of characteristics (from "soft" to "hard" carbon) were simultaneously determined. A relationship of Koc between CT and 1,1,1,3- tetrachlorotetrafluoropropane sorption on the same materials was investigated. Thus, the distribution coefficients (Kd) of the target compound, CT, in Hanford site (Ringold formation) sediments were estimated based on the batch sorption experiments of 1,1,1,3-tetrachlorotetrafluoropropane on the same samples.
Wang, G.; Allen-King, R. M.
With this effort, we continue our examination of data on selected pesticide chemicals and their related analogues that have been presented to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (USEPA's) Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP). This report focuses on a group of selected chloroacetanilides and a few related compounds. As part of the registration process for pesticidal chemicals, interested parties (registrants) must submit toxicity information to support the registration including both mutagenicity and carcinogenicity data. Although this information is available to the public via Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to the OPP, publication in the scientific literature allows greater dissemination and examination of the data. For this Special Issue, graphic profiles have been prepared of the mutagenicity and carcinogenicity data available in the submissions to OPP. Also, a discussion is presented about how toxicity data are used to help establish tolerances (limits of pesticide residues in foods). The mutagenicity results submitted by registrants are supplemented by data on these chemicals from the open literature to provide a full perspective of their genetic toxicology. The group of chloroacetanilides reviewed here display a consistent pattern of mutagenic activity, probably mediated via metabolites. This mutagenic activity is a mechanistically plausible factor in the development of tumors seen in experimental animals exposed to this class of chemicals. PMID:10415440
Dearfield, K L; McCarroll, N E; Protzel, A; Stack, H F; Jackson, M A; Waters, M D
Characterisation of polar organic compounds in fog water
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
In this paper the results of a systematic liquid chromatographic investigation are described to characterise water-soluble organic compounds in fog. A diode array detector is used to record the UV spectrum of the components during separation and a mass spectrometer is applied to obtain information on the ion masses of the constituents. The combination of UV and mass spectra reveal that the organic carbon content of fog water is distributed among a great number of acidic compounds which have polar functional groups and polyconjugated systems absorbing up to 500 nm. Due to the complexity of the organic fraction in fog water an unresolved hump of ions was recorded by the mass spectrometer from m/ z=100-600 the most intense peaks being detected around m/ z=200-250. Tannin and fulvic acid were also examined under the same conditions. In terms of complexity and ion distribution the mass spectrum of the organic fraction was similar to that of a fulvic acid reference material rather than to that of tannin.
Kiss, Gyula; Varga, B�lint; Gelencs�r, Andr�s; Kriv�csy, Zolt�n; Moln�r, �gnes; Alsberg, Tomas; Persson, Linn; Hansson, Hans-Christen; Cristina Facchini, Maria
NSDL National Science Digital Library
This newly launched site from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers a variety of resources describing how the EPA regulates antimicrobial pesticides. Antimicrobial pesticides are used in a huge variety of household and commercial products to "disinfect, sanitize, reduce, or mitigate growth or development of microbiological organisms" and to "protect inanimate objects (for example floors and walls), industrial processes or systems, surfaces, water, or other chemical substances from contamination, fouling, or deterioration caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, algae, or slime." Intended mainly for a regulatory audience, the site includes Antimicrobials Science Policy Documents, Antimicrobials Registration Policy Documents, Label Review Manual, Chemical/ Registration Number Indexes, and Antimicrobial PR notices.
Pesticides and inner-city children: exposures, risks, and prevention.
Six million children live in poverty in America's inner cities. These children are at high risk of exposure to pesticides that are used extensively in urban schools, homes, and day-care centers for control of roaches, rats, and other vermin. The organophosphate insecticide chlorpyrifos and certain pyrethroids are the registered pesticides most heavily applied in cities. Illegal street pesticides are also in use, including tres pasitos (a carbamate), tiza china, and methyl parathion. In New York State in 1997, the heaviest use of pesticides in all counties statewide was in the urban boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn. Children are highly vulnerable to pesticides. Because of their play close to the ground, their hand-to-mouth behavior, and their unique dietary patterns, children absorb more pesticides from their environment than adults. The long persistence of semivolatile pesticides such as chlorpyrifos on rugs, furniture, stuffed toys, and other absorbent surfaces within closed apartments further enhances urban children's exposures. Compounding these risks of heavy exposures are children's decreased ability to detoxify and excrete pesticides and the rapid growth, development, and differentiation of their vital organ systems. These developmental immaturities create early windows of great vulnerability. Recent experimental data suggest, for example, that chlorpyrifos may be a developmental neurotoxicant and that exposure in utero may cause biochemical and functional aberrations in fetal neurons as well as deficits in the number of neurons. Certain pyrethroids exert hormonal activity that may alter early neurologic and reproductive development. Assays currently used for assessment of the toxicity of pesticides are insensitive and cannot accurately predict effects to children exposed in utero or in early postnatal life. Protection of American children, and particularly of inner-city children, against the developmental hazards of pesticides requires a comprehensive strategy that monitors patterns of pesticide use on a continuing basis, assesses children's actual exposures to pesticides, uses state-of-the-art developmental toxicity testing, and establishes societal targets for reduction of pesticide use. Images Figure 1 Figure 2 PMID:10346991
Landrigan, P J; Claudio, L; Markowitz, S B; Berkowitz, G S; Brenner, B L; Romero, H; Wetmur, J G; Matte, T D; Gore, A C; Godbold, J H; Wolff, M S
Reverse osmosis processing of organic model compounds and fermentation broths.
Post-treatment of an anaerobic fermentation broth was evaluated using a 150 gal/day, single cartridge prototype reverse osmosis (RO) system. Baseline tests were conducted at 25 degrees C using six organic model compounds representing key species found in the fermentation broth: ethanol, butanol, acetic acid, oxalic acid, lactic acid, and butyric acid. Correlations of the rejection and recovery efficiencies for these organic species, individually and in simulated mixtures, were obtained as a function of feed pressure with and without recirculation of the retentate. The actual fermentation broth obtained from a continuous-flow biohydrogen process was treated by the RO system under the operating conditions similar to those used in the baseline tests, resulting in greater than 95% removal of total organic carbon. These results are encouraging and useful for further studies on the feasibility of incorporating the RO technology into an integrated and field deployable wastewater management and water recovery system. PMID:16600592
Diltz, Robert A; Marolla, Theodore V; Henley, Michael V; Li, Lixiong
Selective Sorption of Dissolved Organic Carbon Compounds by Temperate Soils
Physico-chemical sorption of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) on soil minerals is one of the major processes of organic carbon (OC) stabilization in soils, especially in deeper layers. The attachment of C on soil solids is related to the reactivity of the soil minerals and the chemistry of the sorbate functional groups, but the sorption studies conducted without controlling microbial activity may overestimate the sorption potential of soil. This study was conducted to examine the sorptive characteristics of a diverse functional groups of simple OC compounds (D-glucose, L-alanine, oxalic acid, salicylic acid, and sinapyl alcohol) on temperate climate soil orders (Mollisols, Ultisols and Alfisols) with and without biological degradative processes. Equilibrium batch experiments were conducted using 0-100 mg C L-1 at a solid-solution ratio of 1:60 for 48 hrs and the sorption parameters were calculated by Langmuir model fitting. The amount of added compounds that remained in the solution phase was detected by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and total organic C (TOC) analysis. Soil sterilization was performed by -irradiation technique and experiments were repeated to determine the contribution of microbial degradation to apparent sorption. Overall, Ultisols did not show a marked preference for apparent sorption of any of the model compounds, as indicated by a narrower range of maximum sorption capacity (Smax) of 173-527 mg kg soil-1 across compounds. Mollisols exhibited a strong preference for apparent sorption of oxalic acid (Smax of 5290 mg kg soil-1) and sinapyl alcohol (Smax of 2031 mg kg soil-1) over the other compounds. The propensity for sorption of oxalic acid is mainly attributed to the precipitation of insoluble Ca-oxalate due to the calcareous nature of most Mollisol subsoils and its preference for sinapyl alcohol could be linked to the polymerization of this lignin monomer on 2:2 mineral dominated soils. The reactivity of Alfisols to DOC was in between that of Ultisols and Mollisols. HPLC results revealed significantly higher sorption of D-glucose and L-alanine than did TOC results, and duplicate experiments with sterilized soils confirmed that glucose and alanine were mineralized leading to higher apparent sorption values via HPLC. This study demonstrated that three common temperate soil orders experienced differential sorption of simple OC compounds, indicating that sorbate chemistry plays a significant role in the sorptive stabilization of DOC.
Jagadamma, Sindhu [ORNL; Mayes, Melanie [ORNL; Phillips, Jana Randolph [ORNL
Multiple microbial activities for volatile organic compounds reduction by biofiltration.
In the northeast of Italy, high volatile organic carbon (VOC) emissions originate from small-medium companies producing furniture. In these conditions it is difficult to propose a single, efficient, and economic system to reduce pollution. Among the various choices, the biofiltration method could be a good solution, because microbial populations possess multiple VOC degradation potentials used to oxidize these compounds to CO2. Starting from the air emissions of a typical industrial wood-painting plant, a series of experiments studied in vitro microbial degradation of each individual VOC. Isolated strains were then added to a laboratory-scale biofiltration apparatus filled with an organic matrix, and the different VOC behavior demonstrated the potential of single and/or synergic microbial removal actions. When a single substrate was fed, the removal efficiency of a Pseudomonas aeruginosa inoculated reactor was 1.1, 1.17, and 0.33 g m(-3) hr(-1), respectively, for xylene, toluene, and ethoxy propyl acetate. A VOC mixture composed of butyl acetate, ethyl acetate, diacetin alcohol, ethoxy propanol acetate, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, toluene, and xylene was then fed into a 2-m(3) reactor treating 100 m3 hr(-1) of contaminated air. The reactor was filled with the same mixture of organic matrix, enriched with all of the isolated strains together. During reactor study, different VOC loading rates were used, and the behavior was evaluated continuously. After a short acclimation period, the removal efficiency was > 65% at VOC load of 150-200 g m(-3) hr(-1). Quantification of removal efficiencies and VOC speciation confirmed the relationship among removal efficiencies, compound biodegradability, and the dynamic transport of each mixture component within the organic matrix. Samples of the fixed bed were withdrawn at different intervals and the heterogeneous microbial community evaluated for both total and differential compound counts. PMID:16878585
Civilini, Marcello
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Urbanized estuaries are well-documented to have elevated contaminant levels in sediments, water and associated biota. Most previous research efforts examining the effects of anthropogenic contamination in urbanized estuaries has focused on persistent priority pollutants, such as trace metals, pesticides, PCBs and PAHs. Recently, concerns have been raised about the occurrence, transport and distribution and effects of emerging contaminants being released into coastal watersheds through upland runoff from both urban and agricultural lands, sewage discharges, industrial releases, and aquaculture. Apalachicola Bay a major estuarine, commercial and recreational seafood resource is the endpoint of the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin. Today the river basin encapsulates a vast and evolving expanse of agricultural, urban, industrial, silvaculture, and natural landscapes and activities. The purpose of this study is to monitor the occurrence of an emerging class of compounds (perfluorinated organic compounds) in the Apalachicola Bay watershed. Given the dynamic growth and development up river from the Bay organic substances (lipophillic and water soluble compounds) inputs may be increasing and impacting the ecology of the Bay which compared to other bay areas is at this time relatively pristine. This issue can be investigated utilizing in-situ permeable membrane sampling devices specific for lipophillic and water-soluble compounds in concert with sediment samples. The results may serve as a baseline for the hypothesized increase in inputs coinciding with upstream and coastal development.
Erhunse, A.; Gragg, R.
Analyses of volatile organic compounds from human skin
Summary Background Human skin emits a variety of volatile metabolites, many of them odorous. Much previous work has focused upon chemical structure and biogenesis of metabolites produced in the axillae (underarms), which are a primary source of human body odour. Nonaxillary skin also harbours volatile metabolites, possibly with different biological origins than axillary odorants. Objectives To take inventory of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the upper back and forearm skin, and assess their relative quantitative variation across 25 healthy subjects. Methods Two complementary sampling techniques were used to obtain comprehensive VOC profiles, viz., solid-phase micro extraction and solvent extraction. Analyses were performed using both gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and gas chromatography with flame photometric detection. Results Nearly 100 compounds were identified, some of which varied with age. The VOC profiles of the upper back and forearm within a subject were, for the most part, similar, although there were notable differences. Conclusions The natural variation in nonaxillary skin odorants described in this study provides a baseline of compounds we have identified from both endogenous and exogenous sources. Although complex, the profiles of volatile constituents suggest that the two body locations share a considerable number of compounds, but both quantitative and qualitative differences are present. In addition, quantitative changes due to ageing are also present. These data may provide future investigators of skin VOCs with a baseline against which any abnormalities can be viewed in searching for biomarkers of skin diseases. PMID:18637798
Gallagher, M.; Wysocki, C.J.; Leyden, J.J.; Spielman, A.I.; Sun, X.; Preti, G.
Volatile organic compounds from a Tuber melanosporum fermentation system.
A total of 59 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were identified from Tuber melanosporum fermentation: 53 from its fermented mycelia and 32 from the fermentation broth. Alcohol-derived compounds were predominant in both the fermentation mycelia and the broth, although long chain fatty acids and isoprenoids were, for the first time, also found in the mycelia. The intense wine bouquet properties of the broth arose from several specific flavor substances, including sulfur compounds, pyrazines, furans and jasmones. Comparing the VOCs identified in this work with those previously reported, our results are more similar to the composition of the Tuber fruiting-body than previous Tuber fermentations. The composition and accumulation of flavor volatiles (e.g., pyrazines, sulfur compounds, and esters) and major constituents (e.g., 3-methyl-1-butanol and 2-phenylethanol) in this fermentation were significantly influenced by the sucrose concentration in the medium. The obtained information could therefore be useful in applications to convert the flavors of truffle mycelia similar to those of the fruiting-body by optimising the fermentation process. PMID:22980851
Li, Yuan-Yuan; Wang, Guan; Li, Hong-Mei; Zhong, Jian-Jiang; Tang, Ya-Jie
The complexity of the mineral-organic carbon interface may influence the extent of stabilization of organic carbon compounds in soils, which is important for global climate futures. The nanoscale structure of a model interface was examined here by depositing films of organic carbon compounds of contrasting chemical character, hydrophilic glucose and amphiphilic stearic acid, onto a soil mineral analogue (Al2O3). Neutron reflectometry, a technique which provides depth-sensitive insight into the organization of the thin films, indicates that glucose molecules reside in a layer between Al2O3 and stearic acid, a result that was verified by water contact angle measurements. Molecular dynamics simulations reveal the thermodynamic driving force behind glucose partitioning on the mineral interface: The entropic penalty of confining the less mobile glucose on the mineral surface is lower than for stearic acid. The fundamental information obtained here helps rationalize how complex arrangements of organic carbon on soil mineral surfaces may arise. PMID:24328330
Petridis, Loukas; Ambaye, Haile; Jagadamma, Sindhu; Kilbey, S Michael; Lokitz, Bradley S; Lauter, Valeria; Mayes, Melanie A
Source water, defined as groundwater collected from a community water system well prior to water treatment, was sampled from 221 wells during October 2002 to July 2005 and analyzed for 258 anthropogenic organic compounds. Most of these compounds are unregulated in drinking water and include pesticides and pesticide degradates, gasoline hydrocarbons, personal-care and domestic-use products, and solvents. The laboratory analytical methods used in the study have detection levels that commonly are 100 to 1,000 times lower than State and Federal standards and guidelines for protecting water quality. Detections of anthropogenic organic compounds do not necessarily indicate a concern to human health but rather help to identify emerging issues and track changes in occurrence and concentrations over time. Less than one-half (120) of the 258 compounds were detected in at least one source-water sample. Chloroform, in 36 percent of samples, was the most commonly detected of the 12 compounds that were in about 10 percent or more of source-water samples. The herbicides atrazine, metolachlor, prometon, and simazine also were among the commonly detected compounds. The commonly detected degradates of atrazine - deethylatrazine and deisopropylatrazine - as well as degradates of acetochlor and alachlor, generally were detected at concentrations similar to or greater than concentrations of the parent herbicide. The compounds perchloroethene, trichloroethene, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, methyl tert-butyl ether, and cis-1,2-dichloroethene also were detected commonly. The most commonly detected compounds in source-water samples generally were among those detected commonly across the country and reported in previous studies by the U.S. Geological Survey's National Water-Quality Assessment Program. Relatively few compounds were detected at concentrations greater than human-health benchmarks, and 84 percent of the concentrations were two or more orders of magnitude less than benchmarks. Five compounds (perchloroethene, trichloroethene, 1,2-dibromoethane, acrylonitrile, and dieldrin) were detected at concentrations greater than their human-health benchmark. The human-health benchmarks used for comparison were U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for regulated compounds and Health-Based Screening Levels developed by the U.S. Geological Survey in collaboration with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and other agencies for unregulated compounds. About one-half of all detected compounds do not have human-health benchmarks or adequate toxicity information to evaluate results in a human-health context. Ninety-four source-water and finished-water (water that has passed through all the treatment processes but prior to distribution) sites were sampled at selected community water systems during June 2004 to September 2005. Most of the samples were analyzed for compounds that were detected commonly or at relatively high concentrations during the initial source-water sampling. The majority of the finished-water samples represented water blended with water from one or more other wells. Thirty-four samples were from water systems that did not blend water from sampled wells with water from other wells prior to distribution. The comparison of source- and finished-water samples represents an initial assessment of whether compounds present in source water also are present in finished water and is not intended as an evaluation of water-treatment efficacy. The treatment used at the majority of the community water systems sampled is disinfection, which, in general, is not designed to remove the compounds monitored in this study. Concentrations of all compounds detected in finished water were less than their human-health benchmarks. Two detections of perchloroethene and one detection of trichloroethene in finished water had concentrations within an order of magnitude of the MCL. Concentrations of disinfection by-products were
Hopple, Jessica A.; Delzer, Gregory C.; Kingsbury, James A.
Impact of Pesticides as Organic Micro-Pollutants on the Environment and Risks for Mankind
\\u000a Because of health concerns, persistence, and long-term environmental effects, the impact of pesticides on agriculture and\\u000a public health has been the subject of considerable research. Organophosphorus pesticides exert their acute effects by inhibiting\\u000a acetylcholinesterase in the nervous system with subsequent accumulation of toxic levels of acetylcholine. Herbicides have\\u000a widely variable toxicity. In addition to acute toxicity from high exposures, there
Faruk Bozoglu
Fate of Volatile Organic Compounds in Constructed Wastewater Treatment Wetlands
The fate of volatile organic compounds was evaluated in a wastewater-dependent constructed wetland near Phoenix, AZ, using field measurements and solute transport modeling. Numerically based volatilization rates were determined using inverse modeling techniques and hydraulic parameters established by sodium bromide tracer experiments. Theoretical volatilization rates were calculated from the two-film method incorporating physicochemical properties and environmental conditions. Additional analyses were conducted using graphically determined volatilization rates based on field measurements. Transport (with first-order removal) simulations were performed using a range of volatilization rates and were evaluated with respect to field concentrations. The inverse and two-film reactive transport simulations demonstrated excellent agreement with measured concentrations for 1,4-dichlorobenzene, tetrachloroethene, dichloromethane, and trichloromethane and fair agreement for dibromochloromethane, bromo-dichloromethane, and toluene. Wetland removal efficiencies from inlet to outlet ranged from 63% to 87% for target compounds.
Keefe, S. H.; Barber, L. B.; Runkel, R. L.; Ryan, J. N.
The availability of dissolved organic phosphorus compounds to marine phytoplankton
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
The availability of three dissolved organic phosphorus (DOP) compounds as nutrient sources for experimental culture of three algae was studied. Results indicated that these compounds could be utilized by algae, and that dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) was first to be uptaken when various forms of phosphorus (DIP and DOP) co-existed. Dicrateria zhanjiangensis' uptake of sodium glycerophosphate was faster than that of D-ribose-5-phosphate. The increase of sodium glycerophosphate had little effect on the maximum uptake rate( V max) of Chlorella sp., but increased the semisaturation constant( K s) remarkably; the photosynthesis rates(PR) of Dicrateria zhanjiangensis and Chlorella sp. were rarely affected by using various forms of phosphorus in the culture experiments. The possible DOP pathways utilized by algae are discussed.
Hua-Sheng, Hong; Hai-Li, Wang; Bang-Qin, Huang
Phase Transition Enthalpy Measurements of Organic and Organometallic Compounds. Sublimation, and sublimation are included for organic, organometallic, and a few inorganic compounds. This compendium.1063/1.3309507 Key words: Vaporization enthalpy; fusion enthalpy; sublimation enthalpy; compendium. CONTENTS 1
Chickos, James S.
Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
...Indiana; Volatile Organic Compound Automobile Refinishing Rules for Indiana AGENCY...Plan (SIP) amendments to Indiana's automobile refinishing rule. These rule revisions...approved volatile organic compound (VOC) automobile refinishing rules to all persons...
Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
...Indiana; Volatile Organic Compound Automobile Refinishing Rules for Indiana AGENCY...submitted amendments to Indiana's automobile refinishing rule for approval into its...approved volatile organic compound (VOC) automobile refinishing rules to all persons...
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Fugitive dust from the erosion of arid and fallow land, after harvest and during agricultural activities, can at times be the dominant source of airborne particulate matter. In order to assess the source contributions to a given site, chemical mass balance (CMB) modeling is typically used together with source-specific profiles for organic and inorganic constituents. Yet, the mass balance closure can be achieved only if emission profiles for all major sources are considered. While a higher degree of mass balance closure has been achieved by adding individual organic marker compounds to elements, ions, EC, and organic carbon (OC), major source profiles for fugitive dust are not available. Consequently, neither the exposure of the population living near fugitive dust sources from farm land, nor its chemical composition is known. Surface soils from crop fields are enriched in plant detritus from both above and below ground plant parts; therefore, surface soil dust contains natural organic compounds from the crops and soil microbiota. Here, surface soils derived from fields growing cotton, safflower, tomato, almonds, and grapes have been analyzed for more than 180 organic compounds, including natural lipids, saccharides, pesticides, herbicides, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH). The major result of this study is that selective biogenically derived organic compounds are suitable markers of fugitive dust from major agricultural crop fields in the San Joaquin Valley. Aliphatic homologs exhibit the typical biogenic signatures of epicuticular plant waxes and are therefore indicative of fugitive dust emissions and mechanical abrasion of wax protrusions from leaf surfaces. Saccharides, among which ?- and ?-glucose, sucrose, and mycose show the highest concentrations in surface soils, have been proposed to be generic markers for fugitive dust from cultivated land. Similarly, steroids are strongly indicative of fugitive dust. Yet, triterpenoids reveal the most pronounced distribution differences for all types of cultivated soils examined here and are by themselves powerful markers for fugitive dust that allow differentiation between the types of crops cultivated. PAHs are also found in some surface soils, as well as persistent pesticides, e.g., DDE, Fosfall, and others.
Rogge, Wolfgang F.; Medeiros, Patricia M.; Simoneit, Bernd R. T.
Isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS) can be considered a primary measurement method directly traceable to the International System of Units (SI). This measurement technique is increasingly employed in routine laboratories, owing to its unequalled analytical performance, precision and ease of accreditation. Unfortunately, for the adequate application of IDMS, several isotopically labelled standards, corresponding to the compounds of interest, are required. Additionally, when the enriched isotope is continuously added after a chromatographic separation, and an elemental ion source is used, it allows quantification of the different analytes being eluted from the column without requiring specific standards for each compound (online IDMS). In this article, we discuss how the traditional applicability of online IDMS for elemental speciation can be dramatically expanded by using carbon isotope tracers, oxidation or combustion reactions and a conventional molecular ion source. With such a strategy every carbon-containing compound being eluted from a chromatography system can be quantified without the need for specific standards as long as quantitative combustion/oxidation and complete elution occur. So far, only gas chromatography-combustion-mass spectrometry applications have been described, but recent results indicate the great possibilities of extending this novel approach to the quantification of organic compounds after separation by liquid chromatography. PMID:22009048
D�az, Sergio Cueto; Encinar, Jorge Ruiz; Sanz-Medel, Alfredo; Alonso, Jos� Ignacio Garc�a
Volatile organic compounds in the unsaturated zone from radioactive wastes.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are often comingled with low-level radioactive wastes (LLRW), but little is known about subsurface VOC emanations from LLRW landfills. The current study systematically quantified VOCs associated with LLRW over an 11-yr period at the USGS Amargosa Desert Research Site (ADRS) in southwestern Nevada. Unsaturated-zone gas samples of VOCs were collected by adsorption on resin cartridges and analyzed by thermal desorption and GC/MS. Sixty of 87 VOC method analytes were detected in the 110-m-thick unsaturated zone surrounding a LLRW disposal facility. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) were detected in 100% of samples collected. Chlorofluorocarbons are powerful greenhouse gases, deplete stratospheric ozone, and are likely released from LLRW facilities worldwide. Soil-gas samples collected from a depth of 24 m and a horizontal distance 100 m south of the nearest waste-disposal trench contained >60,000 ppbv total VOCs, including >37,000 ppbv CFCs. Extensive sampling in the shallow unsaturated zone (0-2 m deep) identified areas where total VOC concentrations exceeded 5000 ppbv at the 1.5-m depth. Volatile organic compound concentrations exceeded background levels up to 300 m from the facility. Maximum vertical diffusive fluxes of total VOCs were estimated to be 1 g m yr. Volatile organic compound distributions were similar but not identical to those previously determined for tritium and elemental mercury. To our knowledge, this study is the first to characterize the unsaturated zone distribution of VOCs emanating from a LLRW landfill. Our results may help explain anomalous transport of radionuclides at the ADRS and elsewhere. PMID:22751077
Baker, Ronald J; Andraski, Brian J; Stonestrom, David A; Luo, Wentai
This is a review, from an independent and scientific point of view, of the different aspects involved in the issue of pesticides in Uruguay. In its preparation, the University, responsible official institutions, nongovenment environmental organizations, and independent experts have been consulted. As to the legal framework, the responsibilities of the institutions are described and evaluated. The earlier and current regulations for the registration and sale of pesticides are presented, as well as the available information on the active ingredients most used in Uruguay. Official control is evaluated in reference to pesticide residues in food, drinking water, and the environment and to final waste disposal. Maximum allowed residue limits and the responsibilities of the corresponding governmental institutions are presented. Emphasis is placed on the fact that there are no publicly available data. Several research programs are presented, mainly from academia, and usually are not completed due to lack of financial support. In the conclusions the most problematic aspects are pointed out, emphasizing the need to improve national regulations for the country to establish an effective system of control. The importance of financial support to achieve this control and to conduct interdisciplinary studies to determine the real situation is discussed. All compounds are listed in Table 19. PMID:14738198
Ma�ay, N; Rampoldi, O; Alvarez, C; Piastra, C; Heller, T; Viapiana, P; Korbut, S
Process for removing an organic compound from water
A process for removing organic compounds from water is disclosed. The process involves gas stripping followed by membrane separation treatment of the stripping gas. The stripping step can be carried out using one or multiple gas strippers and using air or any other gas as stripping gas. The membrane separation step can be carried out using a single-stage membrane unit or a multistage unit. Apparatus for carrying out the process is also disclosed. The process is particularly suited for treatment of contaminated groundwater or industrial wastewater.
Baker, Richard W. (Palo Alto, CA); Kaschemekat, Jurgen (Palo Alto, CA); Wijmans, Johannes G. (Menlo Park, CA); Kamaruddin, Henky D. (San Francisco, CA)
Process for removing an organic compound from water
A process for removing organic compounds from water is disclosed. The process involves gas stripping followed by membrane separation treatment of the stripping gas. The stripping step can be carried out using one or multiple gas strippers and using air or any other gas as stripping gas. The membrane separation step can be carried out using a single-stage membrane unit or a multistage unit. The apparatus for carrying out the process is also disclosed. The process is particularly suited for treatment of contaminated groundwater or industrial wastewater. 19 figures.
Baker, R.W.; Kaschemekat, J.; Wijmans, J.G.; Kamaruddin, H.D.
Organic compounds in produced waters from shale gas wells.
A detailed analysis is reported of the organic composition of produced water samples from typical shale gas wells in the Marcellus (PA), Eagle Ford (TX), and Barnett (NM) formations. The quality of shale gas produced (and frac flowback) waters is a current environmental concern and disposal problem for producers. Re-use of produced water for hydraulic fracturing is being encouraged; however, knowledge of the organic impurities is important in determining the method of treatment. The metal content was determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Mineral elements are expected depending on the reservoir geology and salts used in hydraulic fracturing; however, significant levels of other transition metals and heavier main group elements are observed. The presence of scaling elements (Ca and Ba) is related to the pH of the water rather than total dissolved solids (TDS). Using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis of the chloroform extracts of the produced water samples, a plethora of organic compounds were identified. In each water sample, the majority of organics are saturated (aliphatic), and only a small fraction comes under aromatic, resin, and asphaltene categories. Unlike coalbed methane produced water it appears that shale oil/gas produced water does not contain significant quantities of polyaromatic hydrocarbons reducing the potential health hazard. Marcellus and Barnett produced waters contain predominantly C6-C16 hydrocarbons, while the Eagle Ford produced water shows the highest concentration in the C17-C30 range. The structures of the saturated hydrocarbons identified generally follows the trend of linear > branched > cyclic. Heterocyclic compounds are identified with the largest fraction being fatty alcohols, esters, and ethers. However, the presence of various fatty acid phthalate esters in the Barnett and Marcellus produced waters can be related to their use in drilling fluids and breaker additives rather than their presence in connate fluids. Halogen containing compounds are found in each of the water samples, and although the fluorocarbon compounds identified are used as tracers, the presence of chlorocarbons and organobromides formed as a consequence of using chlorine containing oxidants (to remove bacteria from source water), suggests that industry should concentrate on non-chemical treatments of frac and produced waters. PMID:25162586
Maguire-Boyle, Samuel J; Barron, Andrew R
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Hydrothermal environments are locations of varied geochemistry due to the disequilibrium between vent fluids and seawater. The disequilibrium geochemistry has been hypothesized to include reactions to synthesize organic compounds. Observations of the organic geochemistry of hydrothermal vent sites has received little attention. Experimental simulations of these environments, however, indicate that organic compounds may have difficulty forming in a purely aqueous environment. On the other hand, thiols. thioesters and disulfides have been implicated as reaction intermediates between CO or CO2 in experiments of carbon reduction in hydrothermal environments as well as in a variety of biological processes and other abiotic reactions (Wachtershauser, 1990, OLEB 20, 173; Heinen and Lauwers, 1996, OLEB 26, 13 1, Huber and Wachtershauser, 1997, Science 276, 245; Russell et al., 1998, in Thermophiles: The keys to molecular evolution and the origin of life?). The reduction of CO2 to thiols, for example, is observed using the FeS-H2S/FeS2 couple to provide the reducing power (see Schoonen et al., 1999, OLEB 29, 5). In addition, the enzyme involved in final stage of methanogenesis, coenzyme-M, is itself a thiol. Thus, organic sulfur compounds may hold the key to the organic chemistry leading to the origin of life at high temperatures. Understanding the biochemical processes of microorganisms that can live to temperatures at least as high as 113 C (Blochl et al., 1996, Extremophiles 1, 14) requires knowledge of the properties of the chemical reactions involved. In order to assess the role of aqueous organic sulfur compounds in hydrothermal organic geochemistry, we have been attempting to determine their thermodynamic properties. We have culled the literature to obtain the properties of organic sulfur compounds. We are able to calculate a number of essential properties, such as free energies of formation, from solubility data available in the literature together with standard properties of organic sulfur gases. However, a number of the properties for aqueous organic sulfur compounds have not been experimentally determined. Furthermore, most of thermodynamic data that are available are for 25 C and 1 bar. In order to determine reaction properties to temperatures and pressures appropriate to the hydrothermal conditions in which thermophilic organisms actually live, we use equations of state developed by Helgeson and co-workers (Helgeson et al., 1981, AJS 281, 1249). A key piece of information needed to go up in temperature is the partial molal heat capacity, which is one of the properties for which experimental data are unavailable for nearly all organic sulfur compounds. We have used correlation methods to determine the partial molal heat capacities and volumes of many organic solutes. These estimates allow us to asses the role of organic sulfur compounds during the reduction of carbon in hydrothermal settings. We will present these data, along with examples of the thermodynamic properties of reactions involving aqueous organic sulfur compounds.
Schulte, Mitchell; Rogers, Karyn L.; DeVincenzi, Donald L. (Technical Monitor)
Source apportionment of airborne particulate matter using organic compounds as tracers
A chemical mass balance receptor model based on organic compounds has been developed that relates source contributions to airborne fine particle mass concentrations. Source contributions to the concentrations of specific organic compounds are revealed as well. The model is applied to four air quality monitoring sites in southern California using atmospheric organic compound concentration data and source test data collected
James J. Schauer; Wolfgang F. Rogge; Lynn M. Hildemann; Monica A. Mazurek; Glen R. Cass; Bernd R. T. Simoneit
THE OXIDATION OF ORGANIC COMPOUNDS IN THE TROPOSPHERE AND THEIR GLOBAL WARMING POTENTIALS W. J of methane and ozone. The main factors influencing the global warming potentials of the 10 organic compounds pulses of 10 organic compounds were followed in a global 3-D Lagrangian chemistry-transport model
Source apportionment of airborne particulate matter using organic compounds as tracers
A chemical mass balance receptor model based on organic compounds has been developed that relates sours; contributions to airborne fine particle mass concentrations. Source contributions to the concentrations of specific organic compounds are revealed as well. The model is applied to four air quality monitoring sites in southern California using atmospheric organic compound concentration data and source test data collected
Bernd R. T. Simoneit; WOLFGANG F. ROGGE; LYNN M. HILDEMANN; MONICA A. MAZUREK; GLEN R. CASS
Sorption of ethylhexadecyldimethylammonium (EHDDMA+), a large organic cation, and three neutral organic compounds (NOC's) on two low organic carbon aquifer materials was studied using a soil batch equilibration technique. EHDDMA+ competed effectively with metals for exchange site...
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
A flow-through sampler was deployed to record the seasonal variability of the atmospheric concentrations of semivolatile organic compounds (SOCs) at a remote research station located close to Nam Co Lake on the Tibetan plateau. Between October 2006 and February 2008, fifteen consecutive one month-long samples, with air volumes ranging from 4,500 to 16,000 m3, were taken and analyzed for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs). Separate analysis of three polyurethane plugs in series in combination with frontal chromatographic theory allows for the correction of the break-through observed for the most volatile SOCs. The concentrations of ?56PCB in air range from 0.10 to 2.6 pg�m-3 and are among the lowest values ever reported. Levels of OCPs at Nam Co are generally also very low, particularly during wintertime. The concentrations of hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), endosulfans, and various dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) related substances display a distinct seasonal variability consistent with the monsoon. Back-trajectory analysis reveals that higher OCP levels during summer correlate with air mass origin south of the Himalayas. A high ?/?-HCH ratio and a non-racemic composition of ?-HCH during July/August suggest that evaporation from Nam Co Lake contributes to the relatively high concentrations of ?-HCH (averaging ca. 91 pg�m-3) recorded in the summertime atmosphere.
Xiao, Hang; Kang, Shichang; Zhang, Qianggong; Han, Wenwu; Loewen, Mark; Wong, Fiona; Hung, Hayley; Lei, Ying D.; Wania, Frank
Laboratory Studies of Organic Compounds With Reflectance Spectroscopy
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
In order to properly interpret reflectance spectra of any solar system surface from the earth to the Oort cloud, laboratory spectra of candidate materials for comparative analysis are needed. Although the common cosmochemical species (H2O, CO2, CO, NH3, and CH4) are well represented in the spectroscopic literature, comparatively little reflectance work has been done on organics from room to cryogenic temperatures at visible to near infrared wavelengths. Reflectance spectra not only enhance weak or unseen transmission features, they are also more analogous to spectra obtained by spacecraft that are imaging such bodies as giant planet moons, kuiper belt objects, centaurs, comets and asteroids, as well as remote sensing of the earth. The USGS Spectroscopy Laboratory is measuring reflectance spectra of organic compounds from room to cryogenic temperatures over the spectral range of 0.35 to 15.5 microns. This region encompasses the fundamental absorptions and many overtones and combinations of C, H, O, and N molecular bonds. Because most organic compounds belong to families whose members have similar structure and composition, individual species identification within a narrow wavelength range may be ambiguous. By measuring spectral reflectance of the pure laboratory samples from the visible through the near and mid-infrared, absorption bands unique to each can be observed, cataloged, and compared to planetary reflectance data. We present here spectra of organic compounds belonging to five families: the alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, aromatics, and cyanides. Common to all of these are the deep C-H stretch fundamental absorptions, which shift shortward from 3.35+ microns in alkanes to 3.25+ microns in aromatics, to 3.2+ microns in alkenes, and down to 3.0+ microns in alkynes. Mid-IR absorptions due to C-H bending deformations at 6.8+ and 7.2+ microns are also identified. In the near infrared these stretching and bending fundamentals yield a diagnostic set of combination absorptions at approximately 2.3 microns, as well as the first C-H stretching overtones at 1.6 to 1.7 microns, and even the second stretching overtones at 1.2+ microns. Additionally, the spectral properties of these organic materials have applications to remote sensing of terrestrial environments, including hazardous waste and disaster site characterization.
Curchin, J. M.; Clark, R. N.; Hoefen, T. M.
Identifying organic nitrogen compounds in Rocky Mountain National Park aerosols
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Nitrogen deposition is an important issue in Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP). While inorganic nitrogen contributions to the ecosystems in this area have been studied, the sources of organic nitrogen are still largely unknown. To better understand the potential sources of organic nitrogen, filter samples were collected and analyzed for organic nitrogen species. Samples were collected in RMNP using a Thermo Fisher Scientific TSP (total suspended particulate) high-volume sampler with a PM2.5 impactor plate from April - November of 2008. The samples presented the opportunity to compare two different methods for identification of individual organic nitrogen species. The first type of analysis was performed with a comprehensive two dimensional gas chromatography (GCxGC) system using a nitrogen chemiluminescence detector (NCD). The filter samples were spiked with propanil in dichloromethane to use as an internal standard and were then extracted in water followed by solid phase extraction. The GCxGC system was comprised of a volatility based separation (DB5 column) followed by a polarity based separation (RXI-17 column). A NCD was used to specifically detect nitrogen compounds and remove the complex background matrix. Individual standards were used to identify peaks by comparing retention times. This method has the added benefit of an equimolar response for nitrogen so only a single calibration is needed for all species. In the second analysis, a portion of the same filter samples were extracted in DI water and analyzed with liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectroscopy (LC/MS). The separation was performed using a C18 column and a water-methanol gradient elution. Electrospray ionization into a time of flight mass spectrometer was used for detection. High accuracy mass measurement allowed unambiguous assignments of elemental composition of resulting ions. Positive and negative polarities were used since amines tend to show up in positive mode and nitrates in negative. The differences in the number of species and what species are identified between these two methods are important for planning future analyses of organic nitrogen compounds. In addition, these data provide new insight into the potential source of organic nitrogen in RMNP. Using the GCxGC method, 39 organic nitrogen species were detected and 20 were identified. Identified species include several types of amines and phenols. The LC/MS method identified several types of cresols, amines, and nitrates.
Beem, K. B.; Desyaterik, Y.; Ozel, M. Z.; Hamilton, J. F.; Collett, J. L.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Organic aerosols, as an important fraction of airborne particulate mass, significantly affect the environment, climate, and human health. Compared with inorganic species, characterization of individual organic compounds is much less complete and comprehensive because they number in thousands or more and are diverse in chemical structures. The source contributions of organic aerosols are far from being well understood because they can be emitted from a variety of sources as well as formed from photochemical reactions of numerous precursors. This thesis work aims to improve the characterization of polar organic compounds and source apportionment analysis of fine organic carbon (OC) in Hong Kong, which consists of two parts: (1) An improved analytical method to determine monocarboxylic acids, dicarboxylic acids, ketocarboxylic acids, and dicarbonyls collected on filter substrates has been established. These oxygenated compounds were determined as their butyl ester or butyl acetal derivatives using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The new method made improvements over the original Kawamura method by eliminating the water extraction and evaporation steps. Aerosol materials were directly mixed with the BF 3/BuOH derivatization agent and the extracting solvent hexane. This modification improves recoveries for both the more volatile and the less water-soluble compounds. This improved method was applied to study the abundances and sources of these oxygenated compounds in PM2.5 aerosol samples collected in Hong Kong under different synoptic conditions during 2003-2005. These compounds account for on average 5.2% of OC (range: 1.4%-13.6%) on a carbon basis. Oxalic acid was the most abundant species. Six C2 and C3 oxygenated compounds, namely oxalic, malonic, glyoxylic, pyruvic acids, glyoxal, and methylglyoxal, dominated this suite of oxygenated compounds. More efforts are therefore suggested to focus on these small compounds in understanding the role of oxygenated compounds in aerosol chemistry and physics. By reference to tracers for the major organic aerosol sources, it is deduced that the oxygenated compounds are mainly of secondary origin and direct/indirect contribution from biomass burning could also be important. The chemical composition of these oxygenated species in PM2.5 samples in Hong Kong provide useful information to further ambient and model study in the aspects of chemical formation pathways and speciated organic mass distribution. (2) Source apportionment of PM2.5 organic aerosols in Hong Kong were carried out in two studies. In the first study, chemical characterization and source analysis involved samples collected on high particulate matter (PM) days (avg. PM 2.5 >84 mug m-3) at six general stations and one roadside station from October to December in 2003. Analysis of synoptic weather conditions identified three types of high PM episodes: local, regional transport (RT) and long-range transport (LRT). Roadside samples were discussed separately. Using chemical mass balance (CMB) model, contributions of major primary sources (vehicle exhaust, cooking, biomass burning, cigarette smoke, vegetative detritus, and coal combustion) were estimated, which indicate that vehicle exhaust was the most important primary source, followed by cooking and biomass burning. All primary sources except vegetative detritus had the highest contributions at roadside station, in line with its site characteristics. Primary sources dominated roadside and local samples (>64% of fine OC), while un-apportioned OC (i.e., the difference between measured OC and apportioned primary OC) dominated RT and LRT episodes (>60% of fine OC) and un-apportioned OC had characteristics of secondary OC. In the second study, cold front episodes during winter 2004 and 2005 were targeted to investigate the effect of cold front-related LRT on chemical characteristics and organic aerosol sources of PM2.5 in Hong Kong. In comparison with days under influences of mainly local emissions or RT, cold front LRT brought more organic aerosols attributable
Li, Yunchun
Biogenic volatile organic compound emissions from vegetation fires.
The aim of this paper was to provide an overview of the current state of the art on research into the emission of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) from vegetation fires. Significant amounts of VOCs are emitted from vegetation fires, including several reactive compounds, the majority belonging to the isoprenoid family, which rapidly disappear in the plume to yield pollutants such as secondary organic aerosol and ozone. This makes determination of fire-induced BVOC emission difficult, particularly in areas where the ratio between VOCs and anthropogenic NOx is favourable to the production of ozone, such as Mediterranean areas and highly anthropic temperate (and fire-prone) regions of the Earth. Fire emissions affecting relatively pristine areas, such as the Amazon and the African savannah, are representative of emissions of undisturbed plant communities. We also examined expected BVOC emissions at different stages of fire development and combustion, from drying to flaming, and from heatwaves coming into contact with unburned vegetation at the edge of fires. We conclude that forest fires may dramatically change emission factors and the profile of emitted BVOCs, thereby influencing the chemistry and physics of the atmosphere, the physiology of plants and the evolution of plant communities within the ecosystem. PMID:24689733
Ciccioli, Paolo; Centritto, Mauro; Loreto, Francesco
Reactive uptake of organic compounds by liquid sulfuric acid.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
The uptake of several organic compounds by laboratory surrogates for tropospheric sulfuric acid particles were investigated by mass spectrometry and infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy. Among the compounds studied were acetone [(CH_3)_2CO], 2,4-hexanedione [CH_3CO(CH_2)_2COCH_3, MBO], and 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol [CH_2CHC(CH_3)_2OH]. Experiments were carried out on ultrathin sulfuric acid films (ca. 10-100 monolayer equivalents thick) as functions of organic partial pressure, temperature, and acid composition. Acetone uptake is irreversible for acids that contain >70 weight percent (wt. %) H_2SO4, with kinetics that are second-order in concentration of dissolved acetone. Hexanedione and MBO are irreversibly taken for all acid compositions investigated (60-96 wt. %), with first-order uptake kinetics. In all cases, the irreversible uptake is a consequence of sulfuric acid catalyzed reactions that lead to the formation of new C-C bonds. Implications of these results for heterogeneous tropospheric chemistry will be discussed.
Roberts, J.; Michelsen, R.
Evaporation of volatile organic compounds from human skin in vitro.
The specific evaporation rates of 21 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from either human skin or a glass substrate mounted in modified Franz diffusion cells were determined gravimetrically. The diffusion cells were positioned either on a laboratory bench top or in a controlled position in a fume hood, simulating indoor and outdoor environments, respectively. A data set of 54 observations (34 skin and 20 glass) was assembled and subjected to a correlation analysis employing 5 evaporative mass transfer relationships drawn from the literature. Models developed by Nielsen et al. (Prediction of isothermal evaporation rates of pure volatile organic compounds in occupational environments: a theoretical approach based on laminar boundary layer theory. Ann Occup Hyg 1995;39:497-511.) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (Peress, Estimate evaporative losses from spills. Chem Eng Prog 2003; April: 32-34.) were found to be the most effective at correlating observed and calculated evaporation rates under the various conditions. The U.S. EPA model was selected for further use based on its simplicity. This is a turbulent flow model based only on vapor pressure and molecular weight of the VOC and the effective air flow rate u. Optimum values of u for the two laboratory environments studied were 0.23 m s(-1) (bench top) and 0.92 m s(-1) (fume hood). PMID:23609116
Gajjar, Rachna M; Miller, Matthew A; Kasting, Gerald B
Effectiveness of geomembranes as barriers for organic compounds
Double compartment tests were conducted to evaluate the transport of aqueous organic compounds through high density polyethylene (HDPE), very low density polyethylene (VLDPE), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) geomembranes, which separated the two compartments. The concentration of methylene chloride (MC), toluene, trichloroethylene (TCE), and m-xylene was monitored in both upstream and downstream compartments over time. Organic compounds were detected in the downstream compartment in 20 to 200 hours for the 0.76, 1.52, and 2.54-mm thick HDPE geomembranes, in 8 hours for the 0.76-mm thick VLDPE, and in 9 hours for the 0.76-mm thick PVC. TCE had the greatest mass flux, followed by toluene, m-xylene and MC while m-xylene had the greatest partition coefficient, followed by toluene, TCE, and MC. A ten-fold increase in the initial aqueous concentration and a four-fold decrease in the geomembrane thickness increased the mass flux by 15 to 19 times. The mass flux increased by 45 to 97% when geomembranes were stretched in one direction by 5 to 8% of their original length.
Park, J.K.; Hoopes, J.A. [Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison, WI (United States); Sakti, J.P.
Suspended material was isolated from water samples from sixteen sites on the Mississippi River and its major tributaries from Minneapolis, Minn., to New Orleans, La., during the summer and fall of 1991 and the spring of 1992. The suspended material was separated into silt and colloid fractions in order to determine the proportion of associated toxic hydrophobic halogenated organic compounds transported on the colloid. The silt fraction (63 {mu}m to 1 {mu}m in diameter) was isolated first by centrifugation, then the colloidal fraction (1 {mu}m to 0.005 {mu}m in diameter) was isolated by tangential-flow ultrafiltration. The colloid averaged about 10 percent by weight of the total suspended material. Organic carbon content of the colloid ranged from 7 to 30 percent by weight. Silt organic carbon content ranged from 2 to 5 percent by weight. The proportion of suspended organic carbon transport in the river associated with the colloids averaged 35 percent of the total suspended organic carbon transport. Toxic halogenated organic compounds associated with both fractions included PCBs, chlordane, DCPA, hexachlorobenzene, and trifluralin. In some cases, transport of these compounds by the colloid fraction in the Mississippi River was greater than by the silt fraction.
Rostad, C.E. [Geological Survey, Arvada, CO (United States)
Chiral Analyses of Organic Compounds in Carbonaceous Meteorites
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Contents include the following: 1. Characterization of Tagish Lake organic content. The first two grant years were largely devoted to the molecular and isotopic analyses of Tagish Lake organic composition. This carbonaceous meteorite fell in Canada in the winter of the year 2000, and its exceptional atmospheric entry and subsequent recovery (e. g., the sample was recovered and stored by avoiding hand contact and above freezing temperatures) contributed in providing a rare and pristine extraterrestrial material. 2. Chiral analyses of Murchison and Murray soluble organics. One of the most intriguing finding in regard to soluble meteorite organics is the presence within the amino acid suite of some compounds displaying L-enantiomeric excesses. This configuration is exclusive in the amino acids of terrestrial proteins and the finding has raised speculations of a possible role of amino acids from meteorites in the origin of homochirality on the early Earth. The main objective for this NASA funding was the characterization of enantiomeric excesses in meteorites and we have conducted several studies toward establishing their distribution and indignity.
Pizzarello, Sandra
Cloud processing of organic compounds: Secondary organic aerosol and nitrosamine formation
Cloud processing of atmospheric organic compounds has been investigated through field studies, laboratory experiments, and numerical modeling. Observational cloud chemistry studies were performed in northern Arizona and fog studies in central Pennsylvania. At both locations, the cloud and fogs showed low acidity due to neutralization by soil dust components (Arizona) and ammonia (Pennsylvania). The field observations showed substantial concentrations (20-5500
James W. Hutchings III
This report includes the results of five toxicological studies of pesticide compounds conducted by the Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Yugoslavia. In the first study, the reactions of two groups of esterases (cholinesterases and arylesterases) with...
Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR
...Organic Compound (VOC) Content Limits for Automobile Refinish Coatings 1 Table 1 to Subpart...Organic Compound Emission Standards for Automobile Refinish Coatings Pt. 59, Subpt...Organic Compound (VOC) Content Limits for Automobile Refinish Coatings Coating...
Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR
...Organic Compound (VOC) Content Limits for Automobile Refinish Coatings 1 Table 1 to Subpart...Organic Compound Emission Standards for Automobile Refinish Coatings Pt. 59, Subpt...Organic Compound (VOC) Content Limits for Automobile Refinish Coatings Coating...
Construction, optimization, and testing of a novel single-sided configuration for a semi-permeable [poly(dimethylsiloxane); PDMS] membrane introduction system for mass spectrometry is described. On-line detection of semi-volatile organic compounds of environmental interest is shown, including lindane (a pesticide), hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) (an explosive), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) (an antioxidant), 1,2-dichlorobenzene, dimethylmethyl phosphonate (DMMP) (a chemical warfare agent simulant) and naphthalene. The technique has limits of detection in the sub-ppb range. with rise times of 4 to 7 s and fall times of 12 to 36 s and a response that is linear over 4 orders of magnitude (from 0.1 ppb to 1000 ppb for DMMP). The cycle time, from crude air sampling to acquisition of results, is approximately 1 min. No sample preparation is necessary. PMID:11763078
Riter, L S; Tak�ts, Z; Cooks, R G
Blue catfish, (Ictarurus furcatus), black bullhead catfish, (Ictalurus melas), channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), and flathead catfish (Pylodictus olivaris), were collected along a 1200 mile river reach of the Mississippi River and its major tributaries. Tissue samples were extracted and analyzed by fused silica capillary gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) to determine the concentrations of hydrophobic organic halogenated contaminants that have bioconcentrated within the tissues. The compounds identified in the tissue include chlordane, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), DDT and its metabolites along with several other chlorinated pesticides. The data indicates that the southern reach of the river system appears to be more contaminated than the middle and upper reaches of the study area.
Leiker, T. J.; Rostad, C. E.; Barnes, C. R.; Pereira, W. E.
A model was developed for gaseous plant-air exchange of semi-volatile organic compounds. Based on previous soil-plant modelling, uptake and elimination kinetics were scaled as a function of plant mass and octanol-air partition ratios. Exchange of chemicals was assumed to be limited by resistances encountered during diffusion through a laminar boundary layer of air and permeation through the cuticle of the leaf. The uptake rate constant increased and the elimination rate constant decreased with the octanol-air partition ratio both apparently levelling off at high values. Differences in kinetics between species could be explained by their masses. Validation on independent data showed that bio-concentration factors of PCBs, chlorobenzenes and other chemicals were predicted well by the model. For pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and dioxins deviations occurred. PMID:19766288
Steyaert, Nils L L; Hauck, Mara; Van Hulle, Stijn W H; Hendriks, A Jan
Purpose��Polar chemical integrative samplers (POCIS) were examined for their sampling efficiency of 12 pesticides and one metabolite\\u000a commonly detected in surface waters. Laboratory-based calibration experiments of POCISs were conducted. The determined passive\\u000a sampling rates were applied for the monitoring of pesticides levels in Lake Amvrakia, Western Greece. Spot sampling was also\\u000a performed for comparison purposes.\\u000a \\u000a \\u000a \\u000a \\u000a Methods��Calibration experiments were performed on
?nna-?krivi Thomatou; Ierotheos Zacharias; Dimitra Hela; Ioannis Konstantinou
Electrospray ionization high-resolution mass spectrometry (ESI HR-MS) was used to probe molecular structures of oligomers in secondary organic aerosol (SOA) generated in laboratory experiments on isoprene photooxidation at low- and high-NOx conditions. Up to 80-90% of the observed products are oligomers and up to 33% are nitrogen-containing organic compounds (NOC). We observe oligomers with up to 8 monomer units in length. Tandem mass spectrometry (MSn) confirms NOC compounds are organic nitrates and elucidates plausible chemical building blocks contributing to oligomer formation. Most organic nitrates are comprised of methylglyceric acid units. Other important multifunctional C2-C5 monomer units are identified including methylglyoxal, hydroxyacetone, hydroxyacetic acid, glycolaldehyde, and 2-methyltetrols. The majority of the NOC oligomers contain only one nitrate moiety resulting in a low average N:C ratio of 0.019. Average O:C ratios of the detected SOA compounds are 0.54 under the low-NOx conditions and 0.83 under the high-NOx conditions. Our results underscore the importance of isoprene photooxidation as a source of NOC in organic particulate matter.
Nguyen, Tran B.; Laskin, Julia; Laskin, Alexander; Nizkorodov, Serguei
Assessing Diet as a Modifiable Risk Factor for Pesticide Exposure
The effects of pesticides on the general population, largely as a result of dietary exposure, are unclear. Adopting an organic diet appears to be an obvious solution for reducing dietary pesticide exposure and this is supported by biomonitoring studies in children. However, results of research into the effects of organic diets on pesticide exposure are difficult to interpret in light of the many complexities. Therefore future studies must be carefully designed. While biomonitoring can account for differences in overall exposure it cannot necessarily attribute the source. Due diligence must be given to appropriate selection of participants, target pesticides and analytical methods to ensure that the data generated will be both scientifically rigorous and clinically useful, while minimising the costs and difficulties associated with biomonitoring studies. Study design must also consider confounders such as the unpredictable nature of chemicals and inter- and intra-individual differences in exposure and other factors that might influence susceptibility to disease. Currently the most useful measures are non-specific urinary metabolites that measure a range of organophosphate and synthetic pyrethroid insecticides. These pesticides are in common use, frequently detected in population studies and may provide a broader overview of the impact of an organic diet on pesticide exposure than pesticide-specific metabolites. More population based studies are needed for comparative purposes and improvements in analytical methods are required before many other compounds can be considered for assessment. PMID:21776202
Oates, Liza; Cohen, Marc
Exposure to volatile organic compounds: Comparison among different transportation modes
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
The increasing trend of promoting public transportation (bus tram, metro, train) and more environmental friendly and sustainable non fossil-fuel alternatives (walking, cycling etc) as substitutes for auto vehicles brings forward new questions with regard to pollutant levels to which commuters are exposed. In this study, three transportation modes (tram, auto vehicle and bicycle) are studied and concentration levels of 84 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) (hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, oxygen containing hydrocarbons, terpenes and halogenated compounds) are measured along a route in the city of Ghent, Belgium. The concentration levels are obtained by active sampling on Tenax TA sorbent tubes followed by thermal desorption gas chromatography mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS) using deuterated toluene as an internal standard. The median total VOC concentrations for the tram mode (33 ?g/m�) is 1.7 times higher than that of the bicycle mode (20 ?g/m�) and 1.5 times higher than for the car mode (22 ?g/m�). It is found that aromatic hydrocarbons account for a significant proportion in the total VOCs concentration (TVOCs) being as high as 41-57%, 59-72% and 58-72% for the tram, car and bicycle respectively. In all transportation modes, there was a high (r > 0.6) degree of correlation between BTEX compounds, isopropylbenzene, n-propylbenzene, 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene and 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene. When comparing time weighed average concentrations along a fixed route in Ghent, it is found that commuters using the tram mode experience the highest TVOCs concentration levels. However, next to the concentration level to which commuters are exposed, the physical activity level involving the mode of transportation is important to assess the exposure to toxic VOCs. It is proven that the commuter using a bicycle (4.3 � 1.5 ?g) inhales seven and nine times more benzene compared to the commuter using the car and tram respectively, when the same route is followed.
Do, Duc Hoai; Van Langenhove, Herman; Chigbo, Stephen Izuchukwu; Amare, Abebech Nuguse; Demeestere, Kristof; Walgraeve, Christophe
The Children's Total Exposure to Persistent Pesticides and Other Persistent Pollutant (CTEPP) study was one of the largest aggregate exposure studies of young children in the United States. The CTEPP study examined the exposures of about 260 preschool children and their primary a...
The Children's Total Exposure to Persistent Pesticides and Other Persistent Pollutant (CTEPP) study was one of the largest aggregate exposure studies of young children in the United States. The CTEPP study examined the exposures of about 260 preschool children and their primary a...
The Children's Total Exposure to Persistent Pesticides and Other Persistent Pollutant (CTEPP) study was one of the largest aggregate exposure studies of young children in the United States. The CTEPP study examined the exposures of about 260 preschool children and their primary a...
Detection of volatile organic compounds using surface enhanced Raman scattering
The authors present the detection of volatile organic compounds directly in their vapor phase by surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates based on lithographically-defined two-dimensional rectangular array of nanopillars. The type of nanopillars is known as the tapered pillars. For the tapered pillars, SERS enhancement arises from the nanofocusing effect due to the sharp tip on top. SERS experiments were carried out on these substrates using various concentrations of toluene vapor. The results show that SERS signal from a toluene vapor concentration of ppm level can be achieved, and the toluene vapor can be detected within minutes of exposing the SERS substrate to the vapor. A simple adsorption model is developed which gives results matching the experimental data. The results also show promising potential for the use of these substrates in environmental monitoring of gases and vapors.
Chang, A S; Maiti, A; Ileri, N; Bora, M; Larson, C C; Britten, J A; Bond, T C
In situ bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbon and other organic compounds
From supertanker oil spills to the leaking underground storage tank at the corner gas station, contamination from petroleum hydrocarbon fuels and other organic compounds is an environmental concern that affects nearly every small hamlet and major metropolis throughout the world. Most petroleum hydrocarbons are amenable to biodegradation, and a considerable body of experience has been built up over the past two decades in applying in situ bioremediation to a variety of contaminants in all media. This volume provides a comprehensive guide to the latest technological breakthroughs in both the laboratory and the field, covering such topics as air sparging, co-metabolic biodegradation, treatment of MTBE, real-time control systems, nutrient addition, rapid biosensor analysis, multiphase extraction, and accelerated bioremediation.
Alleman, B.C.; Leeson, A.
In situ bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbon and other organic compounds
From supertanker oil spills to the leaking underground storage tank at the corner gas station, contamination from petroleum hydrocarbon fuels and other organic compounds is an environmental concern that affects nearly every small hamlet and major metropolis throughout the world. Most petroleum hydrocarbons are amenable to biodegradation, and a considerable body of experience has been built up over the past two decades in applying in situ bioremediation to a variety of contaminants in all media. This volume provides a comprehensive guide to the latest technological breakthroughs in both the laboratory and the field, covering such topics as air sparging, co-metabolic biodegradation, treatment of MTBE, real-time control systems, nutrient addition, rapid biosensor analysis, multiphase extraction, and accelerated bioremediation.
Alleman, B.C.; Leeson, A.
In situ bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbon and other organic compounds
From supertanker oil spills to the leaking underground storage tank at the corner gas station, contamination from petroleum hydrocarbon fuels and other organic compounds is an environmental concern that affects nearly every small hamlet and major metropolis throughout the world. Moreover, the world`s rivers, estuaries, and oceans are threatened by contamination from petroleum leaks and spills. Fortunately, most petroleum hydrocarbons are amenable to biodegradation, and a considerable body of experience has been built up over the past two decades in applying in situ bioremediation to a variety of contaminants in all media. Good progress is being made in terms of developing innovative, cost-effective in situ approaches to bioremediation. This volume provides a comprehensive guide to the latest technological breakthroughs in both the laboratory and the field, covering such topics as air sparging, cometabolic biodegradation, treatment of MTBE, real-time control systems, nutrient addition, rapid biosensor analysis, multiphase extraction, and accelerated bioremediation.
Alleman, B.C.; Leeson, A. [eds.
Solid-phase genotoxicity assay for organic compounds in soil
A genotoxicity assay was developed for samples from environments in which toxic organic compounds are largely sorbed. The assay entails measurement of the rate of mutation of a strain of Pseudomonas putida to rifampicin resistance. The ratio of induced to spontaneous mutants was a function of the concentration of a test mutagen in soil. In studies of the utility of the assay in samples amended with 2-aminofluorene as a test mutagen, the ratio of induced to spontaneous mutants declined with time. The decline paralleled the disappearance of extractable 2-aminofluorene from the soil. The ratio of induced to spontaneous mutants also feel in four other soils with dissimilar properties. The authors suggest that this solid-phase assay is more appropriate for the estimation of genotoxicants sorbed in soil than assays involving extractants or suspensions of soil or sediment samples.
Alexander, R.R.; Chung, N.; Alexander, M. [Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY (United States)
Source apportionment of volatile organic compounds in Tehran, Iran.
Identifying the sources of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is key issue to reducing ground-level ozone and PAN. A multivariate receptor model (Unmix) was used for the determination of the contributions of VOCs sources in Tehran-Iran. Concentrations of ambient C2-C10 VOCs were measured continuously and online at the center of Tehran city during the winter of 2012. A high correlation coefficient existed between measured and predicted values (R (2) = 0.99), indicating that the data were well modeled. Five possible VOCs source categories were identified and mobile sources such as vehicle exhaust (61 %) and fuel evaporation (12 %) more than half of the total VOC concentration. City gas and CNG sources, biogenic source, and industrial solvent source categories accounted for 17 %, 8 % and 2 % of the total VOC, respectively. Result showed Unmix for VOCs source apportionment can be used to analyze and generate air pollution control strategies and policies. PMID:23283536
Sarkhosh, Maryam; Mahvi, Amir Hossein; Yunesian, Masud; Nabizadeh, Ramin; Borji, Saeedeh Hemmati; Bajgirani, Ali Ghiami
Reactivity of bromine atom complexes with organic compounds
Complexes of bromine atoms with bromo compounds (C{sub 2}H{sub 5}Br{center dot}Br, CH{sub 2}Br{sub 2}{center dot}Br, CHBr{sub 3}{center dot}Br, and CBr{sub 4}{center dot}Br) were produced by pulse radiolysis of the corresponding bromoalkane dissolved in cyclohexane. With benzene as solvent, the complex C{sub 6}H{sub 6}{center dot}Br was produced. These complexes oxidized phenols to phenoxyl radicals and abstract reactive hydrogens from various compounds. Absolute rate constants for these reactions were determined by following the decay of the Br atom complexes (at 370, 390, 425, 480 and 540 nm, respectively) as a function of substrate concentration. The rate constants varied from 10{sup 5} to 10{sup 10} M{sup {minus}1} s{sup {minus}1} and were strongly dependent on the nature of the Br atom complex and of the organic substrate.
Shoute, L.C.T.; Neta, P. (National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD (USA))
Indoor carpet as an adsorptive reservoir for volatile organic compounds
Carpet is recognized as a potential source of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in indoor air. However, carpet systems can also serve as adsorptive sinks with the potential for reductions in peak VOC concentrations and subsequent re-emission of VOCs over prolonged periods of time. A series of experiments involving eight VOCs, and several carpet systems and environmental conditions were completed using a set of parallel chambers to characterize carpet systems as sinks of VOCs. A linear adsorption and desorption model was used to describe interactions between VOCs and carpet. New carpet fibers treated with stain protection generally accounted for only a very small fraction of mass sorbed to carpet. Most of the sorbed mass for carpet systems was accounted for by either the underlying pad or a combination of the pad and structural backing. Methyl-tert-butyl ether (MTBE) was the only compound to exhibit greater sorption to nylon fibers than to other carpet components. Vapor pressure was observed to be one of the properties that can be related to sorption parameters. Variations in relative humidity (RH) had a significant effect on the degree of sorption for a highly soluble VOC (isopropanol). However, RH had no apparent effect on other VOCs. Air exchange rates (0.5, 2.1, 3.2 /hr) and inlet concentrations (2.5, 5, 15 ppm) generally had little effect on sorption.
Won, D.; Corsi, R.L.; Rynes, M.
Volatile organic compounds in fourteen U.S. retail stores.
Retail buildings have a potential for both short-term (customer) and long-term (occupational) exposure to indoor pollutants. However, little is known about volatile organic compound (VOC) concentrations in the retail sector and influencing factors, such as ventilation, in-store activities, and store type. We measured VOC concentrations and ventilation rates in 14 retail stores in Texas and Pennsylvania. With the exception of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, VOCs were present in retail stores at concentrations well below health guidelines. Indoor formaldehyde concentrations ranged from 4.6�ppb to 67�ppb. The two mid-sized grocery stores in the sample had the highest levels of ethanol and acetaldehyde, with concentrations up to 2.6�ppm and 92�ppb, respectively, possibly due to the preparation of dough and baking activities. Indoor-to-outdoor concentration ratios indicated that indoor sources were the main contributors to indoor VOC concentrations for the majority of compounds. There was no strong correlation between ventilation and VOC concentrations across all stores. However, increasing the air exchange rates at two stores led to lower indoor VOC concentrations, suggesting that ventilation can be used to reduce concentrations for some specific stores. PMID:24471978
Nirlo, E L; Crain, N; Corsi, R L; Siegel, J A
Constituents of volatile organic compounds of evaporating essential oil
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Essential oils containing aromatic compounds can affect air quality when used indoors. Five typical and popular essential oils�rose, lemon, rosemary, tea tree and lavender�were investigated in terms of composition, thermal characteristics, volatile organic compound (VOC) constituents, and emission factors. The activation energy was 6.3-8.6 kcal mol -1, the reaction order was in the range of 0.6-0.8, and the frequency factor was 0.01-0.24 min -1. Toluene, 1,2,3-trimethylbenzene, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, n-undecane, p-diethylbenzene and m-diethylbenzene were the predominant VOCs of evaporating gas of essential oils at 40 �C. In addition, n-undecane, p-diethylbenzene, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, m-diethylbenzene, and 1,2,3-trimethylbenzene revealed high emission factors during the thermogravimetric (TG) analysis procedures. The sequence of the emission factors of 52 VOCs (137-173 mg g -1) was rose ? rosemary > tea tree ? lemon ? lavender. The VOC group fraction of the emission factor of aromatics was 62-78%, paraffins were 21-37% and olefins were less than 1.5% during the TG process. Some unhealthy VOCs such as benzene and toluene were measured at low temperature; they reveal the potential effect on indoor air quality and human health.
Chiu, Hua-Hsien; Chiang, Hsiu-Mei; Lo, Cho-Ching; Chen, Ching-Yen; Chiang, Hung-Lung
This paper examines the interaction between dissolved natural organic matter and pesticide residues, both of which are found in raw water sources, using three dimensional excitation-emission matrix (3DEEM) fluorescence spectroscopy. It was observed that pesticide residue at 0.1 mg L(-1) formed a complex with humic-like fluorophores that are commonly found in raw water samples. Applying 3DEEM fluorescence to investigate the humic fractions, it was found that identification of changes in water sources was possible, and, importantly, the presence of a number of pesticides was able to be determined. In addition, the formation of this complex, and the influence of soluble cations and anions upon it, was shown to impact the efficiency of analytical extraction procedures for pesticides; however, 3DEEM fluorescence could be an approach to account for such losses. PMID:23752373
Beale, David J; Porter, Nichola A; Roddick, Felicity A
Effect of water saturation in soil organic matter on the partition of organic compounds
The sorption of benzene, trichloroethylene, and carbon tetrachloride at room temperature from water solution and from vapor on two high-organic-content soils (peat and muck) was determined in order to evaluate the effect of water saturation on the solute partition in soil organic matter (SOM). The uptake of water vapor was similarly determined to define the amounts of water in the saturated soil samples. In such high-organic-content soils the organic vapor sorption and the respective solute sorption from water exhibit linear isotherms over a wide range of relative concentrations. This observation, along with the low BET surface areas of the samples, suggests that partition in the SOM of the samples is the dominant process in the uptake of these liquids. A comparison of the sorption from water solution and from vapor phase shows that water saturation reduces the sorption (partition) efficiency of SOM by ?? 42%; the saturated water content is ??38% by weight of dry SOM. This reduction is relatively small when compared with the almost complete suppression by water of organic compound adsorption on soil minerals. While the effect of water saturation on solute uptake by SOM is much expected in terms of solute partition in SOM, the influence of water on the solubility behavior of polar SOM can be explained only qualitatively by regular solution theory. The results suggest that the major effect of water in a drying-wetting cycle on the organic compound uptake by normal low-organic-content soils (and the associated compound's activity) is the suppression of adsorption by minerals rather than the mitigation of the partition effect in SOM.
Rutherford, D.W.; Chlou, G.T.
From the interfacial tension of organic compounds with water and their contactable surface areas, the aqueous solubility of such compounds can be quantitatively predicted. Vice-versa. when the interfacial tension with water is known for a given organic compound, as well as its aqueous solubility, its contactable surface area can be obtained. From any two of these three data, and the
C. J. van Oss; R. J. Good
This work evaluates the sensitivity of tropospheric ozone and its precursors to the representation of nonmethane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) and organic nitrates. A global 3-D tropospheric chemistry\\/transport model (IMPACT) has been exercised initially using the GEOS-Chem chemical reaction mechanism. The model was then extended by adding emissions and photochemical reactions for aromatic and terpenoid hydrocarbons, and by adding explicit
Akinori Ito; Sanford Sillman; Joyce E. Penner
Reduced sulfur compounds (RSCs) and non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) emissions from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) have become a potential environmental and human health concern. Both RSCs and NMVOCs contribute to odor. In addition, RSCs also have the potential to form fine particulate matter (PMfine) and NMVOCs the potential to form ozone. Measurements of RSCs and NMVOCs emissions were
Ian Cooper Rumsey
Ice Nucleation by High Molecular Weight Organic Compounds
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Deep convection in the tropics is frequently associated with biomass burning. Recent work has suggested that the size of ice crystals in the anvils of tropical cumulonimbus clouds may be affected by biomass burning, though the mechanism for such an effect is uncertain (Sherwood, 2002). We will present results of an investigation of the role that high molecular weight organic compounds, known to be produced in biomass burning (Elias et al., 1999), may play in tropical cirrus anvils through heterogeneous nucleation of ice. In particular, we examine the mechanisms underlying heterogeneous nucleation of ice by films of long chain alcohols by studying the interaction of the alcohols and water/ice using temperature controlled, Attenuated Total Reflection - Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy. The mechanisms are interpreted in the context of recent criticisms of some aspects of classical nucleation theory (Seeley and Seidler, 2001; Oxtoby, 1998). References V. Elias, B. Simoneit, A. Pereira, J. Cabral, and J. Cardoso, Detection of high molecular weight organic tracers in vegetation smoke samples by high-temperature gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Environ. Sci. Tecnol., 33, 2369-2376, 1999. D. Oxtoby, Nucleation of first-order phase transitions. Acc. Chem. Res., 31, 91-97, 1998. L. Seeley and G. Seidler, Preactivation in the nucleation of ice by Langmuir films of aliphatic alcohols. J. Chem. Phys., 114, 10464-10470, 2001. S. Sherwood, Aerosols and ice particle size in tropical cumulonimbus. J. Climate, 15, 1051-1063, 2002.
Cantrell, W.
Identification of volatile organic compounds in human cerumen.
We report here the initial examination of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emanating from human earwax (cerumen). Recent studies link a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) binding cassette, sub-family C, member 11 gene (ABCC11) to the production of different types of axillary odorants and cerumen. ABCC11 encodes an ATP-driven efflux pump protein that plays an important function in ceruminous apocrine glands of the auditory canal and the secretion of axillary odor precursors. The type of cerumen and underarm odor produced by East Asians differ markedly from that produced by non-Asians. In this initial report we find that both groups emit many of the same VOCs but differ significantly in the amounts produced. The principal odorants are volatile organic C2-to-C6 acids. The physical appearance of cerumen from the two groups also matches previously reported ethnic differences, viz., cerumen from East Asians appears dry and white while that from non-Asians is typically wet and yellowish-brown. PMID:24572763
Prokop-Prigge, Katharine A; Thaler, Erica; Wysocki, Charles J; Preti, George
Emission and Chemical Transformation of Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds (echo)
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Forests are complex sources of biogenic volatile organic compounds (VOC) in the planetary boundary layer. The impact of biogenic VOC on tropospheric photochem- istry, air quality, and the formation of secondary products affects our climate on a regional and global scale but is far from being understood. A considerable lack of knowledge exists concerning a forest stand as a net source of reactive trace com- pounds, which are transported directly into the planetary boundary layer (PBL). In particular, little is known about the amounts of VOC which are processed within the canopy. The goal of ECHO, which is presented in this poster, is to investigate these questions and to improve our understanding of biosphere-atmosphere interactions and their effects on the PBL. The investigation of emissions, chemical processing and vertical transport of biogenic VOC will be carried out in and above a mixed forest stand in J�lich, Germany. A large set of trace gases, free radicals and meteorologi- cal parameters will be measured at different heights in and above the canopy, covering concentrations of VOC, CO, O3, organic nitrates und NOx as well as organic aerosols. For the first time concentration profiles of OH, HO2, RO2 und NO3 radicals will be measured as well together with the actinic UV radiation field and photolysis frequen- cies of all relevant radical precursors (O3, NO2, peroxides, oxygenated VOC). The different tasks of the field experiments will be supported by simulation experiments investigating the primary emission and the uptake of VOC by the plants in stirred tank reactors, soil parameters and soil emissions in lysimeter experiments, and the chem- ical processing of the trace gases as observed in and above the forest stand in the atmosphere simulation chamber SAPHIR. The planning and interpretation of the field experiments is supported by simulations of the field site in a wind tunnel.
Koppmann, R.; Hoffmann, T.; Kesselmeier, J.; Schatzmann, M.
Tetratopic phenyl compounds, related metal-organic framework materials and post-assembly elaboration
Disclosed are tetratopic carboxylic acid phenyl for use in metal-organic framework compounds. These compounds are useful in catalysis, gas storage, sensing, biological imaging, drug delivery and gas adsorption separation.
Farha, Omar K.; Hupp, Joseph T.
Tetratopic phenyl compounds, related metal-organic framework materials and post-assembly elaboration
Disclosed are tetratopic carboxylic acid phenyl for use in metal-organic framework compounds. These compounds are useful in catalysis, gas storage, sensing, biological imaging, drug delivery and gas adsorption separation.
Farha, Omar K; Hupp, Joseph T
A public-health assessment conducted for the Texas Department of Health and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry concluded that exposure to contaminants through the aquatic food chain is an indeterminate human-health hazard in Lake Worth, Fort Worth, Texas. In 1999, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the U.S. Air Force and in collaboration with the Texas Department of Health, collected samples of edible fish tissues from Lake Worth for analysis of selected trace metals, organochlorines, and semivolatile organic compounds to support a human-health risk assessment. Left-side, skin-off fillet samples were collected from 10 individuals each of channel catfish, common carp, freshwater drum (gaspergou), largemouth bass, and white crappie but only from five smallmouth buffalo. The U.S. Geological Survey National Water Quality Laboratory analyzed the samples for 22 trace metals, 40 organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls, and 75 semivolatile organic compounds.
Moring, James B.
Effects of some pesticides on the vital organs of juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).
Gill, trunk kidney, spleen, and liver of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were examined after exposure to different sublethal concentrations of carbosulfan (25, 50 and 200 ?gL(-1)), propineb (3, 6 and 24 mgL(-1)), and benomyl (2, 5 and 20 mgL(-1)) for 14 days. Lesions were observed in gill, trunk kidney, spleen, and liver of rainbow trout exposed to either concentration of pesticides. The most important lesions were determined in the highest concentrations of pesticides. Lamellar fusion, lamellar hyperplasia, epithelial lifting, vacuolization of epithelial tissue, epithelial necrosis, hypertrophy and sloughing of epithelium were observed on fish exposed to carbosulfan, propineb and benomyl. Fish had cell necrosis, degeneration and oedemas in liver, trunk kidney and spleen. None of these lesions were seen in control fish. PMID:21051065
Capkin, Erol; Terzi, Ertugrul; Boran, Halis; Yandi, Ilhan; Altinok, Ilhan
Organosulphur compounds constitute a significant fraction of organic matter in both recent and ancient iron-poor marine sediments as well as in petroleum generated in such sediments1,2. Most studies on organosulphur compounds in marine sediments have focused on hydrophobic compounds, for example, thiophenes3-6, sulphur-containing hopanoids7 and volatile compounds. Recently, hydrophilic, organic thiols were found in significant concentrations in anoxic marine sediments8,9.
Appathurai Vairavamurthy; Kenneth Mopper
Constructing Chemical Pathways of Organic Compounds in Titan's Atmosphere
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
The CURE/Cassini Imaging Project has provided resources in acquiring images of the Saturnian system using the Imaging Science Subsystem Narrow-Angle Camera (ISS NAC) on board Cassini. Twenty eight images of Titan were taken during March 2, 2006, August 10, 2006, September 12, 2006 and May 4, 2007. Titan is the largest satellite of Saturn with a thick atmosphere consisting of 98% N2 and 2% CH4. Studying Titan's atmosphere can provide a better understanding of pre-biotic Earth due to its nitrogen based atmosphere and due to the photochemical interactions of organic compounds occurring within the atmosphere, as well as with Titan's surface features. In studies prior to the arrival of Cassini-Huygens, microphysical models examined particles, referred to as fractal aggregates and tholins, in Titan's atmosphere exhibiting similar optical properties observed during Voyager flybys. Literature research was conducted of Titan's atmosphere in order to map out the expected chemical pathways of the aerosol particles and to figure out the structure and composition of the atmosphere. The formation of haze particle layers is largely caused by the photolysis and polymerization of CH4, and the haze layers obstruct visible and UV light from illuminating surface features of Titan due to its complex scattering and absorption properties. An accurate illustration of the haze formation process is still under development, however, observations show that the main haze is located below the stratosphere (altitude <= 220 km), consisting of end compounds such as polyacetylene (C2H2), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), and heavy nitriles. A diagram of the chemical reactions in Titan's atmosphere will be presented using the evidence found in the research. Further investigation into developing an accurate representation of the aerosol particle size, composition, and formation mechanism in Titan's atmosphere can be used in conjunction with observational data to create a model of the atmosphere.
Lee, Agustin; Gillam, S.; Bhakta, J.
Geographical variation in the exhaled volatile organic compounds.
Breath-gas analysis has demonstrated that concentration profiles of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) could be used for detecting a variety of diseases, among them gastric cancer (GC) and peptic ulcer disease (PUD). Here, we explore how geographical variation affects the disease-specific changes in the chemical composition of breath samples, as compared to control states (less severe gastric conditions). Alveolar exhaled breath samples from 260�patients were collected at two remotely different geographic locations (China and Latvia), following similar breath-collection protocols. Each cohort included 130�patients that were matched in terms of diagnosis (37 GC/32 PUD/61 controls), average age, gender ratio and smoking habits. Helicobacter Pylori infection, which is a major cause for GC and PUD, was found in part of the patients, as well as in part of the controls, at both locations. The breath samples were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, using the same equipment and protocol-of-experiment. We observed similar characteristic differences in the chemical composition of the breath samples between the study groups at the two locations, even though the exact composition of the breath samples differed. Both in China and Latvia, the GC patients and controls could be distinguished by differences in the average levels of 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one; PUD patients were distinguished from controls by the levels of aromatic compounds and alcohols; GC and PUD patients could not be distinguished at either site. This pilot study indicates the limitations of chemical breath-gas analysis alone for identifying gastric diseases based on the concentration profiles of separate VOCs in international patient cohorts. We assume that these limitations would apply to other diseases as well. The presented data could potentially be useful for developing an alternative, universally applicable diagnostic method that relies on the detection of changes in the collective patterns of the disease-specific classes of exhaled VOCs. PMID:24184568
Amal, Haitham; Leja, Marcis; Broza, Yoav Y; Tisch, Ulrike; Funka, Konrads; Liepniece-Karele, Inta; Skapars, Roberts; Xu, Zhen-Qin; Liu, Hu; Haick, Hossam
Suspended-sediment and water samples were collected from San Francisco Bay in 1991 during low river discharge and after spring rains. All samples were analyzed for organophosphate, carbamate, and organochlorine pesticides; petroleum hydrocarbons; biomarkers; and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons. The objectives were to determine the concentrations of these contaminants in water and suspended sediment during two different hydrologic conditions and to determine partition coefficients of the contaminants between water and sediment. Concentrations of hydrophobic contaminants, such as polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, varied with location of sample collection, riverine discharge, and tidal cycle. Concentrations of hydrophobic contaminants in suspended sediments were highest during low river discharge but became diluted as agricultural soils entered the bay after spring rains. Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons defined as dissolved in the water column were not detected. The concentrations sorbed on suspended sediments were variable and were dependent on sediment transport patterns in the bay. In contrast, the relatively hydrophilic organophosphate pesticides, such as chlorpyrifos and diazinon, has a more uniform concentration in suspended sediment. These pesticides were detected only after spring rains. Most of the measured diazinon, at least 98% for all samples, was in the dissolved phase. Measured partition coefficients for diazinon generally were uniform, which suggests that suspended-sediment concentrations were close to equilibrium with dissolved concentrations. The concentration of diazinon sorbed to suspended sediments, at any given sampling site, was driven primarily by the more abundant solution concentration. The concentrations of diazinon sorbed to suspended sediments, therefore, were independent of the patterns of sediment movement. ?? 1993 Estuarine Research Federation.
Domagalski, J.L.; Kuivila, K.M.
Screening of ground water samples for volatile organic compounds using a portable gas chromatograph
A portable gas chromatograph was used to screen 32 ground water samples for volatile organic compounds. Seven screened samples were positive; four of the seven samples had volatile organic substances identified by second-column confirmation. Four of the seven positive, screened samples also tested positive in laboratory analyses of duplicate samples. No volatile organic compounds were detected in laboratory analyses of samples that headspace screening indicated to be negative. Samples that contained volatile organic compounds, as identified by laboratory analysis, and that contained a volatile organic compound present in a standard of selected compounds were correctly identified by using the portable gas chromatography. Comparisons of screened-sample data with laboratory data indicate the ability to detect selected volatile organic compounds at concentrations of about 1 microgram per liter in the headspace of water samples by use of a portable gas chromatography. -Author
Buchmiller, R.C.
Compositing water samples for analysis of volatile organic compounds
Accurate mean concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can easily and economically be obtained from a single VOC analysis by using proven methods of collecting representative, discrete water samples and compositing them with a gas-tight syringe. The technique can be used in conjunction with chemical analysis by a conventional laboratory, field-portable equipment, or a mobile laboratory. The type of mean concentration desired depends on the objectives of monitoring. For example, flow-weighted mean VOC concentrations can be used to estimate mass loadings in wastewater and urban storm water, and spatially integrated mean VOC concentrations can be used to assess sources of drinking water (e.g., reservoirs and rivers). The mean error in a discrete sample due to compositing is about 2% for most VOC concentrations greater than 0.1 ??g/L. The total error depends on the number of discrete samples comprising the composite sample and precision of the chemical analysis.Accurate mean concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can easily and economically be obtained from a single VOC analysis by using proven methods of collecting representative, discrete water samples and compositing them with a gas-tight syringe. The technique can be used in conjunction with chemical analysis by a conventional laboratory, field-portable equipment, or a mobile laboratory. The type of mean concentration desired depends on the objectives of monitoring. For example, flow-weighted mean VOC concentrations can be used to estimate mass loadings in wastewater and urban storm water, and spatially integrated mean VOC concentrations can be used to assess sources of drinking water (e.g., reservoirs and rivers). The mean error in a discrete sample due to compositing is about 2% for most VOC concentrations greater than 0.1 ??g/L. The total error depends on the number of discrete samples comprising the composite sample and precision of the chemical analysis.Researchers are able to derive accurate values for the mean concentration of VOCs from a single VOC analysis using established techniques for the collection of representative, discrete water samples. Such samples are then composited with a gas-tight syringe. This methodology can be employed in conjunction with chemical assessment using a conventional laboratory, field-portable equipment, or a mobile laboratory. Estimates of mass loadings in wastewater and urban storm runoff can be generated using values for the flow-weighted mean VOC concentrations. Spatially integrated mean VOC concentrations are useful for the evaluation of drinking waters. Factors that influence the value for the total error are identified.
Lopes, T.J.; Fallon, J.D.; Maluk, T.L.
Reactivity of group IV (100) semiconductor surfaces towards organic compounds
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
The reactions of simple and multifunctional organic compounds with the clean silicon, germanium, and diamond (100)-2 x 1 semiconductor surfaces have been investigated using a combination of multiple internal reflection infrared spectroscopy and quantum chemistry density functional theory calculations. From these studies, an improved understanding of the atomic level reactivity of these semiconductor surfaces has been obtained, along with insights into how to achieve their selective coupling with organics of desired and varied functionality. In addition to the Si(100) and Ge(100) surfaces, our results show that cycloaddition chemistry can also be extended to the diamond (100) surface. At room temperature, 1,3-butadiene was found to form a Diels-Alder product with the diamond (100) surface, as evidenced by isotopic substitution experiments and comparison of the surface adduct with its direct molecular analogue, cyclohexene. The reactions of other classes of molecules in addition to alkenes on the Si(100) and Ge(100) surfaces, including a series of five-membered cyclic amines, were also examined. For tertiary aliphatic amines on Si(100) and both secondary and tertiary aliphatic amines on Ge(100), a majority of the molecules were observed to become stably trapped in dative-bonded precursor states rather than form energetically favorable dissociation products. For pyrrole, aromaticity was found to play a defining role in its reactivity, and a comparison of its molecular and surface reactivity reveals interesting similarities. To probe the factors controlling the selectivity of organic reactions on clean semiconductor surfaces, the adsorption of acetone and a series of unsaturated ketones was also investigated. The reaction of acetone on Ge(100) was found to be under thermodynamic control at room temperature, resulting in the formation of an "ene" product rather than the kinetically favored [2+2] C=O cycloaddition product previously observed on the Si(100) surface. In contrast to the silicon and diamond surfaces, thermodynamic control on the germanium surface is facilitated by the reversibility of weak adsorption. For the unsaturated ketones, enhanced selectivity on Ge(100) in comparison with Si(100) was observed. The results can be explained by differences between the two surfaces in both thermodynamic and kinetic factors, and suggest that germanium may be a superior material for selective organic functionalization.
Wang, George T.
In this study, a comparison is made of polar organic compounds found in the field with those produced in secondary organic aerosol from laboratory irradiations of natural hydrocarbons and oxides of nitrogen (NOx). The field samples comprised atmospheric particulate matter (PM2.5) collected at Research Triangle Park (RTP), NC, during the summer of 2003, and the laboratory samples originated from the photooxidation of the following monoterpenes: alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, and d-limonene. To determine the structural characteristics of the polar compounds, the filter samples were solvent extracted and derivatized using a technique based on single and multistep derivatizations. The resulting compound derivatives were analyzed by GC-MS in the methane-Cl and El modes. In addition to previously reported biogenic oxidation products (pinic acid, pinonic acid, norpinic acid, nopinone, and pinonaldehyde), seven multifunctional organic compounds were found in both field and laboratory samples. These compounds, which are proposed as possible atmospheric tracers for secondary organic aerosol from monoterpenes, were consistent with the following identifications: 3-isopropyl pentanedioic acid; 3-acetyl pentanedioic acid; 3-carboxy heptanedioic acid; 3-acetyl hexanedioic acid; 2-isopropyl-1,2-dihydroxybutanol; 4-isopropyl-2,4-dihydroxyhexanol; and 3-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-2,2-dimethyl-cyclobutane carboxylic acid. Initial attempts have been made to quantify the concentrations of these tracer compounds on the basis of surrogate compound calibrations. The occurrence of these compounds in both laboratory and field measurements suggests that secondary organic aerosol originating from biogenic hydrocarbons are contributing to the regional aerosol burden in the southeastern United States. Several of these compounds also appear to contribute to the global aerosol burden in that they have also been identified in Europe and Brazil. PMID:16124301
Jaoui, M; Kleindienst, T E; Lewandowski, M; Offenberg, J H; Edney, E O
The functionalization of porous metal-organic frameworks (Cu{sub 3}(BTC){sub 2}) was achieved by incorporating Keggin-type polyoxometalates (POMs), and further optimized via alkali metal ion-exchange. In addition to thermal gravimetric analysis, IR, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and powder X-ray diffraction, the adsorption properties were characterized by N{sub 2} and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) adsorption measurements, including short-chain alcohols (C<4), cyclohexane, benzene, and toluene. The adsorption enthalpies estimated by the modified Clausius-Clapeyron equation provided insight into the impact of POMs and alkali metal cations on the adsorption of VOCs. The introduction of POMs not only improved the stability, but also brought the increase of adsorption capacity by strengthening the interaction with gas molecules. Furthermore, the exchanged alkali metal cations acted as active sites to interact with adsorbates and enhanced the adsorption of VOCs. - Graphical Abstract: The adsorption behavior of volatile organic compounds in porous metal-organic frameworks functionalized by polyoxometalates has been systematically evaluated. Highlights: > Functionalization of MOFs was achieved by incorporating Keggin-type POMs. > Introduction of POMs improved the thermal stability and adsorption capacity. > Alkali metal ion-exchange modified the inclusion state and also enhanced the adsorption. > Adsorption enthalpies were estimated to study the impact of POMs and alkali metal cations.
Ma Fengji [Key Laboratory of Polyoxometalates Science of the Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024 (China); Liu Shuxia, E-mail: email@example.com [Key Laboratory of Polyoxometalates Science of the Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024 (China); Liang Dadong; Ren Guojian; Wei Feng; Chen Yaguang; Su Zhongmin [Key Laboratory of Polyoxometalates Science of the Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024 (China)
Cellular uptake of lipoproteins and persistent organic compounds-An update and new data
There are a number of interactions related to the transport of lipophilic xenobiotic compounds in the blood stream of mammals. This paper will focus on the interactions between lipoproteins and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and how these particles are taken up by cells. A number of POPs including the pesticide p,p'-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), and especially its metabolite p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethene (DDE), interacts with nuclear hormone receptors causing these to malfunction, which in turn results in a range of deleterious health effects in humans. The aim of the present study was to determine the role of lipoprotein receptors in mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) cells in conjunction with uptake of DDT-lipoprotein complexes from supplemented media in vitro. Uptake of DDT by MEF cells was investigated using MEF1 cells carrying the receptors low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) and low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) present and MEF4 cells with no LRP and LDLR expression. Cells were incubated together with the complex of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and [{sup 14}C]DDT. The receptor function was further evaluated by adding the 40 kDa receptor-associated protein (RAP) which blocks receptor activity. The results showed that [{sup 14}C]DDT uptake was decreasing when the LDL concentration was increasing. There was no strong evidence for a receptor-mediated uptake of the [{sup 14}C]DDT-lipoprotein complex. To conclude, DDT travels in the blood stream and can cross cell membranes while being transported as a DDT-lipoprotein complex. The lipoproteins do not need receptors to cross cell membranes since passive diffusion constitutes a major passageway.
Hjelmborg, Philip Sebastian [Department of Environmental and Occupational medicine, Unit of Cellular and Molecular Toxicology, Institute of Public Health, University of Aarhus, Aarhus, Vennelyst Boulevard 6, Bygn 1260, 8000 Aarhus C, DK (Denmark); Andreassen, Thomas Kjaergaard [Institute of Medical Biochemistry, University of Aarhus, Aarhus (Denmark); Bonefeld-Jorgensen, Eva Cecilie [Department of Environmental and Occupational medicine, Unit of Cellular and Molecular Toxicology, Institute of Public Health, University of Aarhus, Aarhus, Vennelyst Boulevard 6, Bygn 1260, 8000 Aarhus C, DK (Denmark)], E-mail: email@example.com
Volatile organic compounds in ambient air of Mumbai�India
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a major group of air pollutants which play a critical role in atmospheric chemistry. These contribute to toxic oxidants which are harmful to ecosystem, human health and atmosphere. The variability of pollutants is an important factor in determining human exposure to these chemicals. Data on levels of VOCs in developing countries, including India, are lacking. The present work deals with the estimation of target VOCs at 15 locations of five categories in Mumbai. The categories are residential, industrial, commercial, traffic intersections and petrol refueling stations. The monitoring was carried out during peak hours in the morning and evening, once every month, during May 2001 to April 2002. The study focused on target VOCs as defined by USEPA. Concentrations of benzene, at all the locations, were found to be much above the guidelines values prescribed by World Health Organization (WHO) for ambient air quality. All other VOCs were observed to be below the WHO guideline values. The results show that levels of VOCs in Mumbai were high. There is need for a regular monitoring schedule of VOCs in the urban environment. Variability studies are important to assess the exposure potential of pollutants which are an important parameter for health impact studies. This study also presents the variability of VOCs in the urban area of Mumbai. Variability was divided into measurement spatial, temporal and temporal-spatial interaction components. The temporal component along with temporal-spatial interaction component were the major contributors to variability. VOCs associated with mobile source emissions and emissions from marine source were found to be distributed uniformly in the urban atmosphere in Mumbai. the need for continuous monitoring, to capture short term peak concentrations and averages, is evident.
Srivastava, Anjali; Joseph, A. E.; Devotta, S.
Volatile Organic Compounds in the Global Atmosphere (Invited)
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) - Global Atmospheric Watch (GAW) has been guiding the implementation of a global program for the monitoring of atmospheric volatile organic compounds (VOC). Essential features are 1. regular, in-situ, high temporal resolution measurements of VOC at surface stations, 2. VOC analyses in samples collected within flask sampling networks for wide geographical coverage, and 3. a concerted calibration and data quality control effort. A centerpiece of the flask sampling component builds upon the US NOAA Earth System Research Laboratory - Global Cooperative Air Sampling Network. Nine non-methane hydrocarbon species (NMHC; ethane, propane, iso-butane, n-butane, iso-pentane, n-pentane, isoprene, benzene, toluene) are currently analyzed by an automated gas chromatography system at the University of Colorado�s Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research (INSTAAR) in pairs of samples collected bi-weekly at 41 global background monitoring sites. Since the implementation of this program in 2004 more than 7000 measurements have been obtained. The obtained data allow elucidating the geographical and seasonal behavior of atmospheric NMHC, as well as interannual variations. Results show a wide dynamic range of mixing ratio changes. Concentration maxima and seasonal cycles are most pronounced in regions of highest emission sources and highest changes in the seasonal OH radical sink, i.e. the northern high and mid-latitudes. Seasonal southern hemisphere (SH) maxima are ~7 times and ~20 times lower for ethane and propane than in the northern hemisphere, which mainly reflects the smaller source strength of these gases in the SH. The richness of information in these data will help constraining the variability in global atmospheric oxidation chemistry and regional budgets of greenhouse gases, such as of methane and CO2, and most certainly stimulate further interests and applications in many fields of atmospheric chemistry and climate research. Global distribution of ethane during 2004-2010 as derived from in ~7000 flask samples collected at 41 remote sites of the NOAA-ESRL network.
Helmig, D.; Bottenheim, J. W.; Galbally, I.; Lewis, A. C.; Masarie, K.; Milton, M.; Penkett, S.; Plass-Duelmer, C.; Reimann, S.; Steinbrecher, R.; Tans, P. P.; Thiel, S.
In this study, the contents of water-soluble metabolites and mineral nutrients were measured in tomatoes cultured using organic and chemical fertilizers, with or without pesticides. Mineral nutrients and water-soluble metabolites were determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry and (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry, respectively, and results were analysed by principal components analysis (PCA). The mineral nutrient and water-soluble metabolite profiles differed between organic and chemical fertilizer applications, which accounted for 88.0% and 55.4%, respectively, of the variation. (1)H-(13)C-hetero-nuclear single quantum coherence experiments identified aliphatic protons that contributed to the discrimination of PCA. Pesticide application had little effect on mineral nutrient content (except Fe and P), but affected the correlation between mineral nutrients and metabolites. Differences in the content of mineral nutrients and water-soluble metabolites resulting from different fertilizer and pesticide applications probably affect tomato quality. PMID:25236242
Watanabe, Masami; Ohta, Yuko; Licang, Sun; Motoyama, Naoki; Kikuchi, Jun
[Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from large furniture].
Indoor air pollution by volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which may cause a hazardous influence on human being such as sick building (sick house) syndrome, has become a serious problem. In this study, VOCs emitted from nine pieces of home furniture, three sets of dining tables, three sets of chest of drawers and three sofas, were analyzed as potential sources of indoor air pollution by large chamber test method (JIS A 1911). Based on the emission rates of total VOC (TVOC), the impacts on the indoor TVOC was estimated by the sample model with a volume of 20 m3 and ventilation frequency of 0.5 times/h. The estimated TVOC increment values were exceeded the provisional target value for indoor air (400 microg/m3) in three sets of dining tables, one set of chest of drawer and one sofa. The estimated increment of formaldehyde were exceeded the guideline value (100 microg/m3) in one set of dining table, two sets of chest of drawers and one sofa. These results revealed that VOC emissions from furniture may influence significantly indoor air quality. Also, in this study, to establish the alternative method for large chamber test methods, emission rates from representative three parts of furniture unit were evaluated using the small chamber and emission rate from full-sized furniture was predicted. Emission rates of TVOC and formaldehyde predicted by small chamber test were 3-46% and 6-252% of the data obtained using large chamber test, respectively. PMID:22259846
Tanaka-Kagawa, Toshiko; Furuta, Mitsuko; Shibatsuji, Masayoshi; Jinno, Hideto; Nishimura, Tetsuji
Identification of nonmethane organic compound emissions from grassland vegetation.
Emissions of nonmethane organic compounds (NMOCs) from grassland vegetation were collected in Summa(reg.sign) passivated stainless-steel canisters with a static enclosure technique and were analyzed by high-resolution gas chromatography with flame ionization and ion trap mass spectrometric detectors. Approximately 40 NMOCs with 6-10 carbon atoms were observed in samples analyzed by high-resolution gas chromatography with the flame ionization detector. Nineteen NMOCs in this molecular weight range (6 aliphatic oxygenates; 1 aromatic hydrocarbon; and 4 acyclic, 5 monocyclic, and 3 bicyclic monoterpenoids) were identified by ion trap mass spectrometry. Mass spectrometry was particularly useful for identifying myrcene and cis-3-hexenylacetate, which coeluted on a fused-silica capillary column coated with a 1-{mu}m-thick film of polydimethylsiloxane. An evaluation of the reactivity of the grassland emissions revealed that the aliphatic oxygenates have lifetimes of a few hours with respect to oxidation by OH and O{sub 3} in the atmosphere. This value is similar to the lifetimes of the bicyclic monoterpenoids. The expected lifetimes of the monoterpenoids with respect to oxidation by NO{sub 3} are only several minutes.
Fukui, Y.; Doskey, P. V.; Environmental Research; NASA Ames Research Center
Predicting the emission rate of volatile organic compounds fromvinyl flooring
A model for predicting the rate at which a volatile organic compound (VOC) is emitted from a diffusion-controlled material is validated for three contaminants (n-pentadecane, n-tetradecane, and phenol) found in vinyl flooring (VF). Model parameters are the initial VOC concentration in the material-phase (C{sub 0}), the material/air partition coefficient (K), and the material-phase diffusion coefficient (D). The model was verified by comparing predicted gas-phase concentrations to data obtained during small-scale chamber tests, and by comparing predicted material-phase concentrations to those measured at the conclusion of the chamber tests. Chamber tests were conducted with the VF placed top side up and bottom side up. With the exception of phenol, and within the limits of experimental precision, the mass of VOCs recovered in the gas phase balances the mass emitted from the material phase. The model parameters (C{sub 0}, K, and D) were measured using procedures that were completely independent of the chamber test. Gas- and material-phase predictions compare well to the bottom-side-up chamber data. The lower emission rates for the top-side-up orientation may be explained by the presence of a low-permeability surface layer. The sink effect of the stainless steel chamber surface was shown to be negligible.
Cox, Steven S.; Little, John C.; Hodgson, Alfred T.
Sources of volatile organic compounds in Cairo's ambient air.
The greater Cairo area suffers from extreme levels of gas and particulate phase air pollutants. In order to reduce the levels of ambient pollution, the USAID and the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA) have supported the Cairo Air Improvement Project (CAIP). As part of this project, two intensive ambient monitoring studies were carried out during the period of February 22 to March 4 and October 27 to November 27, 1999. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were measured on a 24-h basis at six sampling stations during each of the intensive periods. During the February/March study, samples were collected daily, while in the October/November study samples were collected every other day. The six intensive measurement sites represented background levels, mobile source impacts, industrial impacts, and residential exposure. High levels of NMHC were observed at all locations. NMHC concentrations ranged from 365 ppb C at Helwan to 1,848 ppb C at El Qualaly during winter, 1999 and from 461 ppb C at Kaha to 2,037 ppb C at El Qualaly during fall, 1999. El Qualaly, the site chosen to represent mobile emissions, displayed the highest average NMHC concentrations of any site, by a factor of 2 or more. The highest mobile source contributions were estimated at this site. The major contributors to NMHC at all sites were mobile emissions, lead smelting, and compressed natural gas. PMID:18843549
Abu-Allaban, M; Lowenthal, D H; Gertler, A W; Labib, M
Advanced heat pump for the recovery of volatile organic compounds
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) from stationary industrial and commercial sources represent a substantial portion of the total U.S. VOC emissions. The 'Toxic-Release Inventory' of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates this to be at about 3 billion pounds per year (1987 estimates). The majority of these VOC emissions are from coating processes, cleaning processes, polymer production, fuel production and distribution, foam blowing, refrigerant production, and wood products production. The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) interest in the recovery of VOC stems from the energy embodied in the recovered solvents and the energy required to dispose of them in an environmentally acceptable manner. This Phase 1 report documents 3M's work in close working relationship with its subcontractor Nuclear Consulting Services (Nucon) for the preliminary conceptual design of an advanced Brayton cycle heat pump for the recovery of VOC. The Nucon designed Brayton cycle heat pump for the recovery of methyl ethyl ketone and toluene from coating operations at 3M Weatherford, OK, was used as a base line for the work under cooperative agreement between 3M and ODE. See appendix A and reference (4) by Kovach of Nucon. This cooperative agreement report evaluates and compares an advanced Brayton cycle heat pump for solvent recovery with other competing technologies for solvent recovery and reuse. This advanced Brayton cycle heat pump is simple (very few components), highly reliable (off the shelf components), energy efficient, and economically priced.
Personal exposure to volatile organic compounds in the Czech Republic.
Personal exposures to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were measured in the three industrial cities in the Czech Republic, Ostrava, Karvina and Havirov, while the city of Prague served as a control in a large-scale molecular epidemiological study identifying the impacts of air pollution on human health. Office workers from Ostrava and city policemen from Karvina, Havirov and Prague were monitored in the winter and summer of 2009. Only adult non-smokers participated in the study (N=160). Radiello-diffusive passive samplers were used to measure the exposure to benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, meta- plus para-xylene and ortho-xylene (BTEX). All participants completed a personal questionnaire and a time-location-activity diary (TLAD). The average personal BTEX exposure levels in both seasons were 7.2/34.3/4.4/16.1??g/m(3), respectively. The benzene levels were highest in winter in Karvina, Ostrava and Prague: 8.5, 7.2 and 5.3??g/m(3), respectively. The personal exposures to BTEX were higher than the corresponding stationary monitoring levels detected in the individual localities (P<0.001; except m,p-xylene in summer). The indoor environment, ETS (environmental tobacco smoke), cooking, a home-heating fireplace or gas stove, automobile use and being in a restaurant were important predictors for benzene personal exposure. Ostrava's outdoor benzene pollution was a significant factor increasing the exposure of the Ostrava study participants in winter (P<0.05). PMID:22669500
Svecova, Vlasta; Topinka, Jan; Solansky, Ivo; Sram, Radim J
Reduction of volatile organic compound emissions from automobile refinishing
Automobile refinishing (repainting) is a source of volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions. The study was conducted to evaluate available techniques that can be used to reduce VOC emissions from this source. The document provides information on the steps involved in the refinishing process which result in emissions, available emission reduction techniques, VOC emission levels, VOC emission reductions, and costs associated with the reduction techniques. Techniques investigated include (1) reduced-VOC cleaners, (2) replacement of lacquers with enamels, (3) replacement of enamels with polyurethanes, (4) replacement of solvent-borne primers with waterborne primers, (5) replacement of conventional clearcoats with higher-solids clearcoats, (6) installation of cleanup solvent recovery systems, (7) replacement of conventional spray guns with higher transfer efficiency equipment, and (8) add-on controls. The primary conclusions from the study are: (1) the use of available techniques could result in VOC emission reductions ranging from 3-50% of the current estimated baseline emissions from typical refinishing shops; and (2) the annualized costs for many of the available techniques are less than the cost of current practices.
Athey, C.; Hester, C.; McLaughlin, M.; Neulicht, R.M.; Turner, M.B.
Evaluation of Volatile Organic Compound Emissions from Megacities and Wildfires
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) play a critical role in determining air quality through their impact on ozone production and other pollutants. Tropospheric chemistry models use a variety of treatments for the lumping of VOCs in their chemical mechanisms, as a compromise between detailed treatment and computational speed. However, emission inventories are frequently provided for only total VOCs with little or no information on how to split the emissions among the model species, introducing additional uncertainty to the model simulations. Global model simulations using the Model for Ozone and Related Chemical Tracers (MOZART-4) and several different emission inventories are evaluated through detailed comparison to aircraft and surface observations. In particular, correlations between measured VOCs and CO are used to test the emission inventory emission ratios of the modeled VOC species. For example, megacity VOC emissions will be evaluated with surface measurements in Mumbai, Shanghai and Tokyo, as well as aircraft measurements from the NSF/MIRAGE experiment downwind of Mexico City. Wildfire emissions in Siberia, Canada and California will be evaluated using airborne observations of the NASA/ARCTAS experiment.
Emmons, L. K.; Apel, E. C.; Hornbrook, R. S.; Riemer, D. D.; Lamarque, J.; Wiedinmyer, C.; Mirage Science Team; Arctas Science Team
Elimination of volatile organic compounds by biofiltration: a review.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are pollutants that are responsible for the formation of the tropospheric ozone, one of the precursors of smog. VOCs are emitted by various industries including chemical plants, pulp and paper mills, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, electronics and agri-food industries. Some VOCs cause odor pollution while many of them are harmful to environment and human or animal health. For the removal of VOCs, biofiltration, a biological process, has proved to be reliable when properly operated. This process has therefore been widely applied in Europe and North America. The main advantages associated with the use of biofiltration are related to its set-up, maintenance, and operating costs which are usually lower than those related to other VOCs control technologies and because it is less harmful for the environment than conventional processes like incineration. In the present paper, the main parameters (type, moisture, pH, and temperature of filter bed, microbial population, nutrients concentrations, and VOCs' inlet load) to be controlled during the biofiltration are identified and described in detail. The main phenomena involved in biofiltration are also discussed. For improving the efficiency of VOC control biotechnology, new techniques are now proposed that include the use of membranes, biphasic reactors, UV photolysis, and many others. PMID:18351227
Nikiema, Josiane; Dastous, Paul-Andr�; Heitz, Mich�le
Remediation of ground water containing volatile organic compounds and tritium
The Trailer 5475 (T-5475) East Taxi Strip Area at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, California was used as a taxi strip by the US Navy to taxi airplanes to the runway from 1942 to 1947. Solvents were used in some unpaved areas adjacent to the East Taxi Strip for cleaning airplanes. From 1953 through 1976, the area was used to store and treat liquid waste. From 1962 to 1976 ponds were constructed and used for evaporation of liquid waste. As a result, the ground water in this area contains volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and tritium. The ground water in this area is also known to contain hexavalent chromium that is probably naturally occurring. Therefore, LLNL has proposed ``pump-and-treat`` technology above grade in a completely closed loop system. The facility will be designed to remove the VOCs and hexavalent chromium, if any, from the ground water, and the treated ground water containing tritium will be reinjected where it will decay naturally in the subsurface. Ground water containing tritium will be reinjected into areas with equal or higher tritium concentrations to comply with California regulations.
Shukla, S.N.; Folsom, E.N.
Intermediate volatility organic compounds (IVOCs) are an important class of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) precursors that have not been traditionally included in chemical transport models. A challenge is that the vast majority of IVOCs cannot be speciated using traditional gas chromatography-based techniques; instead they are classified as an unresolved complex mixture (UCM) that is presumably made up of a complex mixture of branched and cyclic alkanes. To better understand SOA formation from IVOCs, a series of smog chamber experiments was conducted with different alkanes, including cyclic, branched, and linear compounds. The experiments focused on freshly formed SOA from hydroxyl (OH) radical-initiated reactions under high-NO(x) conditions at typical atmospheric organic aerosol concentrations (C(OA)). SOA yields from cyclic alkanes were comparable to yields from linear alkanes three to four carbons larger in size. For alkanes with equivalent carbon numbers, branched alkanes had the lowest SOA mass yields, ranging between 0.05 and 0.08 at a C(OA) of 15 ?g m(-3). The SOA yield of branched alkanes also depends on the methyl branch position on the carbon backbone. High-resolution aerosol mass spectrometer data indicate that the SOA oxygen-to-carbon ratios were largely controlled by the carbon number of the precursor compound. Depending on the precursor size, the mass spectrum of SOA produced from IVOCs is similar to the semivolatile-oxygenated and hydrocarbon-like organic aerosol factors derived from ambient data. Using the new yield data, we estimated SOA formation potential from diesel exhaust and predict the contribution from UCM vapors to be nearly four times larger than the contribution from single-ring aromatics and comparable to that of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons after several hours of oxidation at typical atmospheric conditions. Therefore, SOA from IVOCs may be an important contributor to urban OA and should be included in SOA models; the yield data presented in this study are suitable for such use. PMID:22823284
Tkacik, Daniel S; Presto, Albert A; Donahue, Neil M; Robinson, Allen L
In this article, volatile organic compounds in 14 honey samples (rosemary, eucalyptus, orange, thyme, sage, and lavender) were identified. Volatile organic compounds were extracted using a solid phase microextraction method followed by gas chromatography connected with mass spectrometry analysis. The studied honey samples were compared based on their volatile organic compounds composition. In total, more than 180 compounds were detected in the studied samples. The detected compounds belong to various chemical classes such as terpenes, alcohols, acids, aldehydes, ketones, esters, norisoprenoids, benzene and furane derivatives, and organic compounds containing sulfur and nitrogen heteroatom. Ten chiral compounds (linalool, trans-linalool oxide, cis-linalool oxide, 4-terpineol, ?-terpineol, hotrienol, and four stereoisomers of lilac aldehydes) were selected for further chiral separation. Chirality 26:670-674, 2014. � 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. PMID:25099214
Pa�itn�, Alexandra; D��rov�, Jana; Sp�nik, Ivan
Spatial variability of atmospheric semivolatile organic compounds in Chile
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
In an effort to characterize the spatial variability of pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the Chilean atmosphere, XAD-based passive air samplers (PAS) were deployed for 12 months (2006-2007) along three elevational gradients in Northern, Central and Southern Chile, for a total of 20 sampling sites, ranging in elevation from 10 to 4400 m and ranging over 26 degrees of latitude. Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) had largely uniform air concentrations with latitude and altitude, and is therefore used to derive sampler specific sampling rates, that account for differences in uptake kinetics due to environmental factors such as altitude and temperature. Levels of pesticides in the atmosphere of Chile are very low and only ?- and ?-hexachlorocyclohexane, ?-endosulfan and chlorothalonil were present in all of the samples. The concentrations of these four pesticides in air decreased from North to South, with much steeper gradients for chlorothalonil and endosulfan. Chlorothalonil levels were greatly elevated in air samplers deployed in urban locations. Endosulfan concentrations in air tend to increase with elevation. Since endosulfan is particularly susceptible to mountain cold-trapping, such gradients may reflect the re-volatilization of endosulfan that had been preferentially deposited at higher altitudes. Alternatively, increasing endosulfan concentrations with elevation could be the result of transport to higher altitude sites from the other side of Andes. Airshed analysis indeed indicates that air masses originating outside of Chile have a higher influence on the higher elevation sites, especially along the Northern transect. Concentrations of four-ring PAHs ranged from 0.3 to 1300 pg m -3, with higher levels in air samplers deployed in urban areas and close to roads. PCB concentrations were low (0.7-27 pg m -3), with slightly higher levels of volatile congeners in two urban sampling sites in Concepcion and Arica. PCB-52 is the only congener present in all samples, with levels that are remarkably uniform across the country.
Shunthirasingham, Chubashini; Barra, Ricardo; Mendoza, Gonzalo; Montory, Monica; Oyiliagu, Catherine E.; Lei, Ying Duan; Wania, Frank
The primary objective of the present study was to investigate the reproductive performance 9f a small crustacean after exposure to sublethal doses of the types of organic compounds occurring early in the degradation of non-persistent pesticides. In choosing the compounds to be tested, our guide was the United States Depart ment of Interior monograph by Menzie (1969) . Although the
The effects of organic pesticides on inner membrane permeability in Escherichia coli ML35.
We have tested whether some pesticides might cause inner membrane leakage in ML35 Escherichia coli cells, which express beta-galactosidase (lacZ; EC 126.96.36.199) constitutively but lack the permease (lacY) required for substrate entry. The activity of beta-galactosidase (indicative of substrate leakage through the inner membrane) was increased by various concentrations of pesticides, including the organometallic fungicides maneb and mancozeb, the insecticide Thiodan, and the herbicide Ally, as well as by antibiotics such as ampicillin, gramicidin D, and the calcium ionophore A23187. The enzyme activity was increased by up to approximately 30% when the E. coli ML35 strain was exposed to various concentrations (between 50 and 250 ppm) of both fungicides. Thiodan had only a slight effect on beta-galactosidase activity (increase of 12.8%), whereas, among the antibiotics, the calcium ionophore at 20 microg/ml caused a significant increase in enzyme activity by up to 61.8%. This effect is similar to that of sodium dodecyl sulfate, used as positive control ( approximately 70% increase). Accumulation of maneb and mancozeb by bacterial cells was also studied taking advantage of their metal content and using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. In parallel with the increase in enzyme activity, both fungicides accumulated in the cells as a function of their concentration. Time course experiments (3, 6, and 9 h) of fungicide accumulation and of bacterial growth at various pesticide concentrations were also carried out. Maneb seems to inhibit the bacterial growth better than mancozeb. In addition, maneb uptake increases with time up to 9 h at all tested concentrations, whereas the accumulation of mancozeb is similar at all the exposure times tested. This indicates a different uptake and/or metabolizing strategy by E. coli cells for the two fungicides. PMID:16142582
Guven, K; Yolcu, M; Gul-Guven, R; Erdogan, S; Pomerai, D De
Volatile organic compounds of polyethylene vinyl acetate plastic are toxic to living organisms.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic products readily evaporate; as a result, hazardous gases enter the ecosystem, and cause cancer in humans and other animals. Polyethylene vinyl acetate (PEVA) plastic has recently become a popular alternative to PVC since it is chlorine-free. In order to determine whether PEVA is harmful to humans, this research employed the freshwater oligochaete Lumbriculus variegatus as a model to compare their oxygen intakes while they were exposed to the original stock solutions of PEVA, PVC or distilled water at a different length of time for one day, four days or eight days. During the exposure periods, the oxygen intakes in both PEVA and PVC groups were much higher than in the distilled water group, indicating that VOCs in both PEVA and PVC were toxins that stressed L. variegatus. Furthermore, none of the worms fully recovered during the24-hr recovery period. Additionally, the L. variegatus did not clump together tightly after four or eight days' exposure to either of the two types of plastic solutions, which meant that both PEVA and PVC negatively affected the social behaviors of these blackworms. The LD50 tests also supported the observations above. For the first time, our results have shown that PEVA plastic has adverse effects on living organisms, and therefore it is not a safe alternative to PVC. Further studies should identify specific compounds causing the adverse effects, and determine whether toxic effect occurs in more complex organisms, especially humans. PMID:25242410
Meng, Tingzhu Teresa
Effects of polar and nonpolar groups on the solubility of organic compounds in soil organic matter
Vapor sorption capacities on a high-organic-content peat, a model for soil organic matter (SOM), were determined at room temperature for the following liquids: n-hexane, 1,4-dioxane, nitroethane, acetone, acetonitrile, 1-propanol, ethanol, and methanol. The linear organic vapor sorption is in keeping with the dominance of vapor partition in peat SOM. These data and similar results of carbon tetrachloride (CT), trichloroethylene (TCE), benzene, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether (EGME), and water on the same peat from earlier studies are used to evaluate the effect of polarity on the vapor partition in SOM. The extrapolated liquid solubility from the vapor isotherm increases sharply from 3-6 wt % for low-polarity liquids (hexane, CT, and benzene) to 62 wt % for polar methanol and correlates positively with the liquid's component solubility parameters for polar interaction (??P) and hydrogen bonding (??h). The same polarity effect may be expected to influence the relative solubilities of a variety of contaminants in SOM and, therefore, the relative deviations between the SOM-water partition coefficients (Kom) and corresponding octanol-water partition coefficients (Kow) for different classes of compounds. The large solubility disparity in SOM between polar and nonpolar solutes suggests that the accurate prediction of Kom from Kow or Sw (solute water solubility) would be limited to compounds of similar polarity.
Chiou, C. T.; Kile, D. E.
Emission of volatile organic compounds from silage: Compounds, sources, and implications
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Silage, fermented cattle feed, has recently been identified as a significant source of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to the atmosphere. A small number of studies have measured VOC emission from silage, but not enough is known about the processes involved to accurately quantify emission rates and identify practices that could reduce emissions. Through a literature review, we have focused on identifying the most important compounds emitted from corn silage (the most common type of silage in the US) and the sources of these compounds by quantifying their production and emission potential in silage and describing production pathways. We reviewed measurements of VOC emission from silage and assessed the importance of individual silage VOCs through a quantitative analysis of VOC concentrations within silage. Measurements of VOC emission from silage and VOCs present within silage indicated that alcohols generally make the largest contribution to emission from corn silage, in terms of mass emitted and potential ozone formation. Ethanol is the dominant alcohol in corn silage; excluding acids, it makes up more than half of the mean mass of VOCs present. Acids, primarily acetic acid, may be important when emission is high and all VOCs are nearly depleted by emission. Aldehydes and esters, which are more volatile than acids and alcohols, are important when exposure is short, limiting emission of more abundant but less volatile compounds. Variability in silage VOC concentrations is very high; for most alcohols and acids, tolerance intervals indicate that 25% of silages have concentrations a factor of two away from median values, and possibly much further. This observation suggests that management practices can significantly influence VOC concentrations. Variability also makes prediction of emissions difficult. The most important acids, alcohols, and aldehydes present in silage are probably produced by bacteria (and, in the case of ethanol, yeasts) during fermentation and storage of silage. Aldehydes may also be produced aerobically by spoilage microorganisms through the oxidation of alcohols. Abiotic reactions may be important for production of methanol and esters. Although silage additives appear to affect VOC production in individual studies, bacterial inoculants have not shown a consistent effect on ethanol, and effects on other VOCs have not been studied. Production of acetic acid is understood, and production could be minimized, but a decrease could lead to an increase in other, more volatile and more reactive, VOCs. Chemical additives designed for controlling yeasts and undesirable bacteria show promise for reducing ethanol production in corn silage. More work is needed to understand silage VOC production and emission from silage, including: additional measurements of VOC concentrations or production in silage of all types, and an exploration of the causes of variability; accurate on-farm measurements of VOC emission, including an assessment of the importance of individual ensiling stages and practices that could reduce emission of existing VOCs; and work on understanding the sources of silage VOCs and possible approaches for reducing production.
Hafner, Sasha D.; Howard, Cody; Muck, Richard E.; Franco, Roberta B.; Montes, Felipe; Green, Peter G.; Mitloehner, Frank; Trabue, Steven L.; Rotz, C. Alan
Gas and fine particulate phase N-nitroso and nitrite organic compounds in the atmosphere
Photochemistry between gas phase organic compounds, NO{sub x} and ozone is expected to result in the formation of nitrogen containing compounds of toxicological importance. Classes of potentially toxic organic compounds which may form include nitro-, N-nitroso- and nitrite-substituted compounds. The compounds are expected to be labile, semi-volatile organic compounds in equilibrium between the gas and particulate phases in the atmosphere. The phase distribution of these potentially toxic semi-volatile organic compounds can be determined using diffusion denuder samplers. The total concentration of N-nitroso compounds in a collected sample is determined using N-nitroso specific denitrosation reactions followed by detection of the NO produced with a chemiluminescence detector. Denitrosation chemistry can also be used to determine nitrite compounds. Differentiation between total N-nitroso- and nitrite-containing compounds is accomplished using sulfamic acid as a nitrite specific reagent. These analytical techniques for the sampling and determination of total N-nitroso and nitrite material have been used for the quantification of these classes of compounds in both fine particles and the gas phase in samples collected in Provo, Utah. The results indicate that the majority of the N-nitroso and nitrite organic compounds present in fine particulate matter in the urban area studied are semi-volatile organic compounds which are lost from particles during sampling. Furthermore, the concentrations of these fine particulate compounds are comparable to the concentrations of gas phase N-nitroso and nitrite organic species. 35 refs., 5 figs., 2 tabs.
Ding, Yiming; Cui, Wenxuan; Lee, M.L.; Eatough, D.J. [Brigham Young Univ., Provo, UT (United States)
[Pesticides in rural pathology].
Reference is made to the extensive use of pesticides in agriculture and the fact that many are highly toxic. The lack of information and legislative provisions makes agricultural workers particularly vulnerable to the several categories of poisons contained under the description "pesticides". The chlorinated and phosphoric organic compounds are of especial interest. The former include the derivatives of the phenoxycarboxylic acids, which can give rise to a product (tetrachlorobenzodioxine, or dioxine) that was responsible for the pollution at Seveso. The latter group contains the very commonly employed alkylthiophosphates (malathion, parathion, etc.). These are well-known inhibitors of acetylcholine esterase and thus responsible for harm to the nervous system. A comparable, but less intense effect on this esterase is possessed by the carbamates, which are increasingly being used in agriculture. It is hoped that, as in the past, suitable, oriented epidemiological surveys will be carried out in industry, designed to focus attention on the probable, but not yet documented chronic damage that many of these products cause to the human body. PMID:431841
Pettinati, L; Perrelli, G
An oxygenated organic compound, such as ethanol, is recovered from a dilute aqueous stream thereof by contacting said stream with crosslinked polyvinylpyridine resin or nuclear substituted derivative thereof to effect selective sorption of the compound by said resin. The sorbed compound is thereafter removed from the resin by stripping with an inert gas such as carbon dioxide.
Feldman, J.
Chlorinated and brominated persistent organic compounds in biological samples from the environment
Eleven selected biological samples representing different ecosystems, trophic levels, and areas mainly in Sweden have been analyzed for 31 halogenated organic compounds or compound groups. The multiresidue analytical method provides a good opportunity to compare the concentrations of the different compounds in the investigated samples. By the use of ratios of these concentrations, comparisons can be done between species and
Bo Jansson; Renate Andersson; Lillemor Asplund; K. Litzen; Kerstin Nylund; U. Sellstroem; Ulla-Britt Uvemo; Cajsa Wahlberg; Ulla Wideqvist; T. Odsjoe; Mats Olsson
Model compounds for the determination of organic and total phosphorus dissolved in natural waters
The choice of model compounds for checking the recovery of dissolved organic and total dissolved phosphorus in natural waters is discussed. Ten compounds were compared for their recovery in fresh and seawater. Four different oxidative procedures were used: acidic and alkaline persulfate oxidation, continuous flow UV irradiation and high-temperature combustion (HTC). Certain compounds have been shown to decompose when heated
Roger K�rouel; Alain Aminot
Mass transfer of nonvolatile organic compounds from porous media
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
This thesis presents data pertaining to the mass transfer of nonvolatile organic compounds from porous media. Physical properties of porous solids, including surface and pore areas, are studied. Information from these studies, along with dissolution data, are used to develop correlations relating the Sherwood Number to the Peclet Number. The contaminant used in this study is naphthalene; the solids used are Moffett Sand (MS), Borden Sand (BS), Lampblack (LB), and Silica Gel (SG). Surface area results indicate that contamination at 0.1% reduces the area of MS and SG by 48 and 37%, respectively, while contamination at 1.0% reduces the area of MS, BS, and SG by 59, 56, and 40%, respectively. Most of the reduction in area originates in the reduction of pore areas and volumes, where the contaminant precipitates. After long-term storage, surface areas did not recover to their original values due to an "irreversible" fraction of naphthalene. Treatment with heat or solvent or both was necessary to completely remove the contamination. For lampblack, treatment at 100�C decreased areas while treatment at 250�C increased them. Treatment at 250��C probably opened pores while that at 100�C may have blocked more pores by redistributing the tar-like contaminant characteristic of lampblack. Contaminated MS and SG solids are packed in columns through which water is pumped. The effluent began at a relatively high concentration (�70% of solubility) for both samples. However, SG column concentrations dropped quickly, never achieving steady state while the MS samples declined more gradually towards steady state. The high pore areas of the SG samples are believed to cause this behavior. The steady state portion of the MS dissolution history is used to develop mass transfer correlations. The correlation in this study differs from previous work in two major ways: (1) the exponent on the Pe is three times larger and (2) the limiting Sh is 106 times smaller. These results suggest that the dissolution mechanism here is different than in other studies, that is, dissolution is occurring from the contaminated pores which are inaccessible to the flowing water. This work can be used to assess the leaching potential of non-volatile organic impacted soils. Also, soil vapor extraction schemes which are hampered by observed long tails can be explained using the data in this thesis.
Khachikian, Crist Simon
The growing demand on water resources has increased interest in wastewater reclamation for potable reuse, in which rejection of organic micropollutants such as disinfection by-products (DBPs), endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs), and pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) is of great concern. The objective of this study was to investigate the rejection of DBPs, EDCs, and PhACs by nanofiltration (NF) and reverse osmosis
Katsuki Kimura; Gary Amy; J�rg E. Drewes; Thomas Heberer; Tae-Uk Kim; Yoshimasa Watanabe
Sources of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in the UAE
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
The gas chromatography-flame ionization detection/mass spectrometry system has been used to identify major volatile organic compounds (VOCs) sources in the UAE (latitude 24.45N; longitude 54.22E). VOCs are emitted from an extensive number of sources in urban environments including fuel production, distribution, and consumption. Transport sources contribute a substantial portion of the VOC burden to the urban atmosphere in developed regions. UAE is located at the edge of the Persian Gulf and is highly affected by emissions from petrochemical industries in neighbouring Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Iran. VOCs emerging from these industries can be transported to the UAE with jet streams. The analysis of the collected air samples at three locations in Sharjah, UAE during the autumn and winter seasons indicates the presence of more than 100 VOC species. The concentrations of these species vary in magnitudes but the most prominent are: acetylene, ethane, propane, butane, pentane, benzene, and toluene. The possible tracers for various emission sources have also been identified such as 2-methylpentane, 1, 3-butadiene and 2, 2-dimethlybutane for vehicle exhaust, the light hydrocarbons, namely n-butane, trans-2-butene, and n-pentane for gasoline vapor, and n-nonane, n-decane, and n-undecane for diesel vapor and asphalt application processes. As various emission sources are characterized by overlapping VOC species, the ratio of possible VOC tracers are used to quantify the contribution of different sources. Our aim in this paper is to explore and discuss possible impacts of transported emissions on the local VOC emission inventory from various sources for the UAE. This work is partially supported by Office of Development and Alumni Affairs at the American University of Sharjah, U.A.E.
Abbasi, Naveed; Majeed, Tariq; Iqbal, Mazhar; Riemer, Daniel; Apel, Eric; Lootah, Nadia
Volatile organic compound emissions from dry mill fuel ethanol production.
Ethanol fuel production is growing rapidly in the rural Midwest, and this growth presents potential environmental impacts. In 2002, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) entered into enforcement actions with 12 fuel ethanol plants in Minnesota. The enforcement actions uncovered underreported emissions and resulted in consent decrees that required pollution control equipment be installed. A key component of the consent decrees was a requirement to conduct emissions tests for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with the goal of improving the characterization and control of emissions. The conventional VOC stack test method was thought to underquantify total VOC emissions from ethanol plants. A hybrid test method was also developed that involved quantification of individual VOC species. The resulting database of total and speciated VOC emissions from 10 fuel ethanol plants is relatively small, but it is the most extensive to date and has been used to develop and gauge compliance with permit limits and to estimate health risks in Minnesota. Emissions were highly variable among facilities and emissions units. In addition to the variability, the small number of samples and the presence of many values below detection limits complicate the analysis of the data. To account for these issues, a nested bootstrap procedure on the Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate means and upper confidence limits. In general, the fermentation scrubbers and fluid bed coolers emitted the largest mass of VOC emissions. Across most facilities and emissions units ethanol was the pollutant emitted at the highest rate. Acetaldehyde, acetic acid, and ethyl acetate were also important emissions from some units. Emissions of total VOCs, ethanol, and some other species appeared to be a function of the beer feed rate, although the relationship was not reliable enough to develop a production rate-based emissions factor. PMID:17912928
Brady, Daniel; Pratt, Gregory C
Production of volatile organic compounds in cultures of cryptophytes
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are known to be produced by macroalgae, phytoplankton and bacteria in the ocean. Some phytoplankton species are known for the production of VOCs such as halomethanes and isoprene in cultures. To discuss the diversity of VOCs production among phytoplankton species, we incubated the strains of cryptophytes and measured concentrations of VOCs and chlorophyll a. Because VOCs productions of cryptophytes were poorly understood, we selected them to cover the lack of data for VOCs production. Phytoplankton cultures were grown in autoclaved f/2-Si medium with GF/F filtered aged seawater. Culture temperature and light conditions were 24.1 � 0.2�C and 78 � 4 ?E m-2 s-1 (1 E = 1 mol of photons) from full-spectrum vita-lite fluorescent lamp (12 h light:12 h dark cycle). VOCs concentrations in the medium were measured using a purge and trap (Tekmar PT 5000J)- gas chromatograph (Agilent 6890N)- mass spectrometer (Agilent 5973N). The concentrations of chlorophyll a was also measured using fluorometer (Turner TD-700). Isoprene concentrations were increased to 290 pmol L-1 during the exponential phase in Rhodomonas salina culture. Isoprene production rate was 0.78 ?mol g chl.a-1 day-1. This value is within the range of isoprene production by other phytoplankton species reported in the previous paper. As for halomethanes, dibromomethane concentrations were increased during the incubation time. Some iodohalomethanes were also increased during the death phase. We are currently examining the production of halomethanes in other strains of Cryptophyta.
Yamakoshi, T.; Kurihara, M.; Hashimoto, S.
Dominant microbial volatile organic compounds in 23 US homes.
Associating Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds (MVOCs) with the species producing them may open the path to more rapid and reliable chemical methods to detect mold problems, especially for mold hidden in wall cavities or small enclosed spaces. This study associated the dominant MVOCs in a convenience sample of 23 homes with the mold species present. Three semi-quantitative predictors of mold growth ("MOW scores") were assessed in the homes through a comparison of basement to main floor areas. MVOC samples were collected and analyzed by GC/MS. Aerotek N-6 samplers were co-located with the MVOC samplers to collect bioaerosols. Concentration and prevalence data for 19 definitive MVOCs were compared with the bioaerosol data. Mold predictor scores were elevated in basement locations as compared with main floor areas. Of the 23 mold genera identified, the predominant genera (ranked occurrences) were Cladosporium, Penicillium, Basidiomycetes, and Aspergilli. The MVOCs 2-octen-1-ol, 3-octenone, 2-heptanone, 1-octen-3-ol, and 1-butanol showed the highest average concentrations (11-37 ?g m(-3)), but no single MVOC was significantly elevated in basement locations as compared with main floor living areas in these non-problematic homes. Using a less conservative one-tail test of significance, average 2-octen-1-ol concentrations in basements were higher (p<0.040), and both 3-octenone and 1-octen-3-ol were elevated (p<0.095). Differences in MVOC occurrence were greatest between homes, with MVOCs found in basement locations typically detected in living areas at similar concentrations and frequencies. Based on these findings, the C(8) MVOCs show promise as gross indicators of fungal growth related to the most frequently found mold genera. PMID:22892356
Ryan, Timothy J; Beaucham, Catherine
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
A new classification scheme for the speciation of organic compound emissions for use in air quality models is described. The scheme uses 81 organic compound classes to preserve both net gas-phase reactivity and particulate matter (PM) formation potential. Chemical structure, vapor pressure, hydroxyl radical (OH) reactivity, freezing point/boiling point, and solubility data were used to create the 81 compound classes. Volatile, semivolatile, and nonvolatile organic compounds are included. The new classification scheme has been used in conjunction with the Canadian Emissions Processing System (CEPS) to process 1990 gas-phase and particle-phase organic compound emissions data for summer and winter conditions for a domain covering much of eastern North America. A simple postprocessing model was used to analyze the speciated organic emissions in terms of both gas-phase reactivity and potential to form organic PM. Previously unresolved compound classes that may have a significant impact on ozone formation include biogenic high-reactivity esters and internal C6-8 alkene-alcohols and anthropogenic ethanol and propanol. Organic radical production associated with anthropogenic organic compound emissions may be 1 or more orders of magnitude more important than biogenic-associated production in northern United States and Canadian cities, and a factor of 3 more important in southern U.S. cities. Previously unresolved organic compound classes such as low vapour pressure PAHs, anthropogenic diacids, dialkyl phthalates, and high carbon number alkanes may have a significant impact on organic particle formation. Primary organic particles (poorly characterized in national emissions databases) dominate total organic particle concentrations, followed by secondary formation and primary gas-particle partitioning. The influence of the assumed initial aerosol water concentration on subsequent thermodynamic calculations suggests that hydrophobic and hydrophilic compounds may form external mixtures, and that separate treatment for these groups may be required in future air quality model simulations. The post-processing model used here overestimates the organic particle formation relative to measurements, lacks the complexity of a regional air quality model, and is not intended as an alternative to the latter. Results from the post-processing model do, however, provide guidance for the treatment of organic gases and particles in future air quality modeling work. Future air quality model simulations should attempt to speciate primary particulate organic compounds and include more detailed organic compound classes. Future emissions profile measurements should speciate gaseous high-molecular-mass organic compounds and primary organics emitted in particulate form (primary particle emissions are only available as a total particulate mass in currently available emissions data).
Makar, P. A.; Moran, M. D.; Scholtz, M. T.; Taylor, A.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) using weight-detectable quartz microbalance and silicon-based microcantilever sensors coated with crystalline metal-organic framework (MOF) thin films is described in this paper. The thin films of two MOFs were grown from COOH-terminated self-assembled monolayers onto the gold electrodes of sensor platforms. The MOF layers worked as the effective concentrators of VOC gases, and the adsorption/desorption processes of the VOCs could be monitored by the frequency changes of weight-detectable sensors. Moreover, the MOF layers provided VOC sensing selectivity to the weight-detectable sensors through the size-selective adsorption of the VOCs within the regulated nanospace of the MOFs.
Yamagiwa, Hiroki; Sato, Seiko; Fukawa, Tadashi; Ikehara, Tsuyoshi; Maeda, Ryutaro; Mihara, Takashi; Kimura, Mutsumi
Detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) using weight-detectable quartz microbalance and silicon-based microcantilever sensors coated with crystalline metal-organic framework (MOF) thin films is described in this paper. The thin films of two MOFs were grown from COOH-terminated self-assembled monolayers onto the gold electrodes of sensor platforms. The MOF layers worked as the effective concentrators of VOC gases, and the adsorption/desorption processes of the VOCs could be monitored by the frequency changes of weight-detectable sensors. Moreover, the MOF layers provided VOC sensing selectivity to the weight-detectable sensors through the size-selective adsorption of the VOCs within the regulated nanospace of the MOFs. PMID:25175808
Yamagiwa, Hiroki; Sato, Seiko; Fukawa, Tadashi; Ikehara, Tsuyoshi; Maeda, Ryutaro; Mihara, Takashi; Kimura, Mutsumi
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a ubiquitous energy source for chemical reactions in nature. In particular, UV radiation provides an important pathway for degradation of organic compounds. Although isotopic change in organic compounds exposed to UV radiation may be an indicator for evaluating the extent of degradation, the isotope behavior has not been yet clarified. In this study, stable carbon and
Yasuhiro Oba; Hiroshi Naraoka
Chlorinated Volatile Organic Compounds�Old, However, Actual Analytical and Toxicological Problem
The interest in chlorinated volatile organic compounds is not a new task but still draws the attention of scientists. The role they play in human organism, is an important aspect to consider, since the development of analytical techniques and instrumental solutions gives new possibilities of their application in the analytics of volatile compounds and recognition of properties, so far impossible
El?bieta Dobrzy?ska; Ma?gorzata Po?niak; Ma?gorzata Szewczy?ska; Bogus?aw Buszewski
About 100 individual organic compounds were determined in urban aerosols collected at Gent, Belgium. The compounds were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and quantitative data were obtained by gas chromatography-flame ionization detection. Measurements of the particulate mass and of organic and elemental carbon mass were also made. Aerosol samples from a winter and a summer campaign were analyzed in order
Alena Kub�tov�; Reinhilde Vermeylen; Magda Claeys; Jan Cafmeyer; Willy Maenhaut
Quantitative Analysis of Organic Compounds: A Simple and Rapid Method for Use in Schools
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Describes the procedure for making a quantitative analysis of organic compounds suitable for secondary school chemistry classes. Using the Schoniger procedure, the organic compound, such as PVC, is decomposed in a conical flask with oxygen. The products are absorbed in a suitable liquid and analyzed by titration. (JR)
Schmidt, Hans-Jurgen
We present the conductive-carbon-black filled PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane) composite as the sensing material for the detection of volatile organic compounds (cyclohexane and isopropanol). The sensing composite film is immobilized on the interdigitated gold microelectrode pairs. The resistance change ratios with the organic compounds vapors have been examined. The measurement results show that the outputs of the sensor as a function of
Jian Wang; Bo Feng; Wengang Wu
In-digester reduction of organic sulfur compounds in kraft pulping
This experimental research examines the relationship between the formation of organic sulfur compounds and delignification during kraft wood pulping. A phase transition point (PTP) was discovered below and above which the formation of total organic sulfur compounds, with respect to delignification, changes significantly. The PTP occurs at approximately pulp kappa number 35 for softwoods and 20 for hardwoods. The PTP
S.-H. Yoon; X.-S. Chai; J. Y. Zhu; J. Li; E. W. Malcolm
Low-Level Detections of Halogenated Volatile Organic Compounds in Groundwater
Low-Level Detections of Halogenated Volatile Organic Compounds in Groundwater: Use in Vulnerability of halogenated volatile organic compounds VOCs were determined by gas chromatography GC with an electron study areas in the United States. In each case, the untreated water sample was used for drinking
Origin of organic compounds on the primitive earth and in meteorites
Summary The role and relative contributions of different forms of energy to the synthesis of amino acids and other organic compounds on the primitive earth, in the parent bodies or carbonaceous chondrites, and in the solar nebula are examined. A single source of energy or a single process would not account for all the organic compounds synthesized in the solar
Stanley L. Miller; Harold C. Urey; J. Or�
Seasonal changes in the concentration of nutrients and various organic compounds were studied in the waters surrounding mangroves and in the marshy areas of mangroves. Higher amounts of nutrients and organic compounds were observed during low tide. This is due to the remineralisation of plant detritus in this area. High concentration of carbohydrates, proteins, chlorophyll and phosphate were observed during
R. Geetha; N. Chandramohanakumar; L. Mathews
Ventilation Control of Volatile Organic Compounds in New U.S. Homes: Results of a
1 Ventilation Control of Volatile Organic Compounds in New U.S. Homes: Results of a Controlled, process, or service by its trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily organic compounds (VOCs) was assessed by measuring air exchange rates and VOC concentrations at three
COMPOSITING WATER SAMPLES FOR ANALYSIS OF VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS Thomas J. Lopes1
1 COMPOSITING WATER SAMPLES FOR ANALYSIS OF VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS Thomas J. Lopes1 , James D. Fallon2 , Terry L. Maluk3 Abstract: Accurate mean concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can, 720 Gracern Road, Columbia, South Carolina, 29210-7651 Any use of trade names is for descriptive
An atmospheric transport model has been used to explore the relationship between source emissions and ambient air quality for individual particle phase organic compounds present in primary aerosol source emissions. An inventory of fine particulate organic compound emissions was assembled for the Los Angeles area in the year 1982. Sources characterized included noncatalyst- and catalyst-equipped autos, diesel trucks, paved road
Wolfgang F. Rogge; Lynn M. Hildemann; Monica A. Mazurek; Glen R. Cass; Bernd R. T. Simoneit
An atmospheric transport model has been used to explore the relationship between source emissions and ambient air quality for individual particle phase organic compounds present in primary aerosol source emissions. An inventory of fine particulate organic compound emissions was assembled for the Los Angeles area in the year 1982. Sources characterized included noncatalyst- and catalyst-equipped diesel trucks, paved road dust,
Wolfgang F. Rogge; Lynn M. Hildemann; Monica A. Mazurek; Glen R. Cass; Bernd R. T. Simoneit
Sorption of organic compounds in the aqueous phase onto tire rubber
Batch sorption tests were conducted to investigate the sorption capacity of organic compounds by ground tire and to assess the effects of the presence of other organic compounds, ionic strength, pH, ground tire particle size, and temperature on sorption. None of the factors were significant under the conditions tested, m-Xylene had the highest partition coefficient, followed by ethylbenzene, toluene, trichloroethylene,
Jae Y. Kim; Jae K. Park; Tuncer B. Edil
40 CFR 60.112 - Standard for volatile organic compounds (VOC).
Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR
... 6 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Standard for volatile organic compounds (VOC). 60.112 Section 60.112...1973, and Prior to May 19, 1978 � 60.112 Standard for volatile organic compounds (VOC). (a) The owner or...
40 CFR 60.312 - Standard for volatile organic compounds (VOC).
Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR
... 6 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Standard for volatile organic compounds (VOC). 60.312 Section 60.312...Surface Coating of Metal Furniture � 60.312 Standard for volatile organic compounds (VOC). (a) On and after the date...
40 CFR 60.542a - Alternate standard for volatile organic compounds.
Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR
...2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Alternate standard for volatile organic compounds. 60.542a Section 60.542a Protection...Manufacturing Industry � 60.542a Alternate standard for volatile organic compounds. (a) On and after the date...
An improved method of estimating molecular weights of volatile organic compounds from their mass spectra has been developed and evaluated for accuracy. This technique can be implemented with a user friendly expert system on a personal computer. The method is based on a pattern recognition based classifier and empirically derived rules from a set of toxic and related organic compounds.
D Scott
Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR
...Dimethyl Phthalate; Diphacinone; Endothall Acid; EXD (Herbisan); Gibberellic Acid; Glyphosate; Naphthalene Acetic Acid; Propargite; 1,8 Naphthalic Anhydride; Quinmethionate; Rotenone; Sulfoxide; Triazine compounds (both symmetrical and...
Prevention of marine biofouling using natural compounds from marine organisms
All surfaces that are submerged in the sea rapidly become covered by a biofilm. This process, called biofouling, has substantial economic consequences. Paints containing tri-butyl-tin (TBT) and copper compounds are used to protect marine structures by reducing biofouling. However, these compounds have damaging effects on the marine environment, as they are not biodegradable. It has been noted that many seaweeds
Evelyn Armstrong; Kenneth G. Boyd; J. Grant Burgess
The phenolic compounds and the organic acids composition of the edible beefsteak fungus Fistulina hepatica was determined by HPLC\\/DAD and HPLC\\/UV, respectively. The results showed a profile composed by five phenolic compounds (caffeic, p-coumaric and ellagic acids, hyperoside and quercetin) and six organic acids (oxalic, aconitic, citric, malic, ascorbic and fumaric acids). The quantification of the identified compounds revealed that
B�rbara Ribeiro; Patr�cia Valent�o; Paula Baptista; Rosa M. Seabra; Paula B. Andrade
Contamination of drinking water sources with agrochemical residues became a major concern in the twenty-first century. Coagulation-flocculation is the most widely used water-treatment process, but the efficiency to remove pesticides and other organic pollutants are limited compared to adsorption process. Thus, simultaneous action of adsorption on normal bentonite or organo-modified montmorillonite clays [modified with octadecylamine (ODA-M) and octadecylamine + amino-propyltriethoxysilane (ODAAPS-M)] followed by coagulation-flocculation by alum and poly aluminium chloride has been evaluated for removal of 10 different pesticides, namely atrazine, lindane, metribuzin, aldrin, chlorpyriphos, pendimethalin, alpha-endosulphan, beta-endosulphan, p,p'-DDT, cypermethrin and two of its metabolites, endosulphan sulphate and p,p'-DDE, from water. The coagulation without integration of adsorption was less effective (removal % varies from 12 to 49) than the adsorption-coagulation integrated system (removal % varies from 71 to 100). Further, coagulation integrated with adsorption was more effective when organically modified montmorillonite was used as adsorbent compared to normal bentonite. The removal efficiency of organic clay depends upon the concentration of pesticides, doses of clay minerals, and efficiency was more for ODAAPS-M as compared to ODA-M. The combination of ODAAPS-M-clay with coagulants was also used efficiently for the removal of pesticides from natural and fortified natural water collected and the results exhibit the usefulness of this remediation technique for application in water decontamination and in treatment of industrial and agricultural waste waters. PMID:25145219
Shabeer, T P Ahammed; Saha, Ajoy; Gajbhiye, V T; Gupta, Suman; Manjaiah, K M; Varghese, Eldho
Acute poisoning with pesticides is a global public health problem and accounts for as many as 300,000 deaths worldwide every year. The majority of deaths occur due to exposure to organophosphates, organochlorines and aluminium phosphide. Organophosphate compounds inhibit acetylcholinesterase resulting in acute toxicity. Intermediate syndrome can develop in a number of patients and may lead to respiratory paralysis and death. Management consists of proper oxygenation, atropine in escalating doses and pralidoxime in high doses. It is Important to decontaminate the skin while taking precautions to avoid secondary contamination of health personnel. Organochlorine pesticides are toxic to the central nervous system and sensitize the myocardium to catecholamines. Treatment involves supportive care and avoiding exogenous sympathomimetic agents. Ingestion of paraquat causes severe inflammation of the throat, corrosive injury to the gastrointestinal tract, renal tubular necrosis, hepatic necrosis and pulmonary fibrosis. Administration of oxygen should be avoided as it produces more fibrosis. Use of immunosuppressive agents have improved outcome in patients with paraquat poisoning. Rodenticides include thallium, superwarfarins, barium carbonate and phosphides (aluminium and zinc phosphide). Alopecia is an atypical feature of thallium toxicity. Most exposures to superwarfarins are harmless but prolonged bleeding may occur. Barium carbonate Ingestion can cause severe hypokalaemia and respiratory muscle paralysis. Aluminium phosphide is a highly toxic agent with mortality ranging from 37% to 100%. It inhibits mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase and leads to pulmonary and cardiac toxicity. Treatment is supportive with some studies suggesting a beneficial effect of magnesium sulphate. Pyrethroids and insect repellants (e.g. diethyltoluamide) are relatively harmless but can cause toxic effects to pulmonary and central nervous systems. Ethylene dibromide-a highly toxic, fumigant pesticide-produces oral ulcerations, followed by liver and renal toxicity, and is almost uniformly fatal. Physicians working in remote and rural areas need to be educated about early diagnosis and proper management using supportive care and antidotes, wherever available. PMID:18085124
Goel, Ashish; Aggarwal, Praveen
Cloud processing of organic compounds: Secondary organic aerosol and nitrosamine formation
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Cloud processing of atmospheric organic compounds has been investigated through field studies, laboratory experiments, and numerical modeling. Observational cloud chemistry studies were performed in northern Arizona and fog studies in central Pennsylvania. At both locations, the cloud and fogs showed low acidity due to neutralization by soil dust components (Arizona) and ammonia (Pennsylvania). The field observations showed substantial concentrations (20-5500 ng�L -1) of volatile organic compounds (VOC) in the cloud droplets. The potential generation of secondary organic aerosol mass through the processing of these anthropogenic VOCs was investigated through laboratory and modeling studies. Under simulated atmospheric conditions, in idealized solutions, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) degraded quickly in the aqueous phase with half lives of approximately three hours. The degradation process yielded less volatile products which would contribute to new aerosol mass upon cloud evaporation. However, when realistic cloud solutions containing natural organic matter were used in the experiments, the reaction kinetics decreased with increasing organic carbon content, resulting in half lives of approximately 7 hours. The secondary organic aerosol (SUA) mass formation potential of cloud processing of BTEX was evaluated. SOA mass formation by cloud processing of BTEX, while strongly dependent on the atmospheric conditions, could contribute up to 9% of the ambient atmospheric aerosol mass, although typically �1% appears realistic. Field observations also showed the occurrence of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), a potent carcinogen, in fogs and clouds (100-340 ng�L -1). Laboratory studies were conducted to investigate the formation of NDMA from nitrous acid and dimethylamine in the homogeneous aqueous phase within cloud droplets. While NDMA was produced in the cloud droplets, the low yields (<1%) observed could not explain observational concentrations. Therefore heterogeneous or gaseous formation of NDMA with partitioning to droplet must be the source of aqueous NDMA. Box-model calculations tended to demonstrate a predominance of a gas phase formation mechanism followed by partitioning into the cloud droplets. The calculations were consistent with field measurements of gaseous and aqueous NDMA concentrations. Measurements and model calculations showed that while NDMA is eventually photolyzed, it might persist in the atmosphere for hours.
Hutchings, James W., III
A survey of household products for volatile organic compounds
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
A total of 1159 common household products were analysed for 31 volatile organic compounds as potential sources of indoor air pollution. The products were distributed among 65 product categories within 8 category classes: automotive products (14.4% of the products); household cleaners/polishes (9.6%); paint-related products (39.9%); fabric and leather treatments (7.9%); cleaners for electronic equipment (6.0%); oils, greases and lubricants (9.6%); adhesive-related products (6.6%); and miscellaneous products (6.1%). The study was conducted in two parts. In the first part, or the original study, the products were reanalysed for methylene chloride and five other chlorocarbons using purge-and-trap gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), and a data base containing the analytical results was developed. Because full mass spectra were taken, the original set of GC/MS data also contained information regarding other volatile chemicals in the products. However, this additional data was not reported at that time. In the second part of the study, the GC/MS data were reanalysed to determine the presence and concentrations of an additional 25 volatile chemicals. The 31 chemicals included in both parts of this study were: carbon tetrachloride; methylene chloride; tetrachloroethylene; 1,1,1-trichloroethane; trichlorethylene; 1,1,2-tricholorotrifluoroethane; acetone; benzene; 2-butanone; chlorobenzene; chloroform; cyclohexane; 1,2-dichloroethane; 1,4-dioxane; ethylbenzene; n-hexane; d-limonene; methylcyclohexane; methylcyclopentane; methyl isobutyl ketone; n-nonane; n-octane; ?-pinene; propylene oxide; styrene; 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane; tetrahydrofuran; toluene; m-mxylene; o-xylene; and p-xylene. Of the 31 chemicals, toluene, the xylenes and methylene chloride were found to occur most frequently�in over 40% of the products tested. Chemicals that were typically found in relatively high concentrations in the samples (i.e. greater than 20% w/w) included acetone, 2-butanone, hexane, methylene chloride, tetrachloroethylene, toluene, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, trichloroethylene, 1,1,2-trichlorotrifluoroethane and the xylenes. Chlorobenzene, d-limonene, 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane, n-nonane and styrene were not found in any of the products at or above the 0.1% level. In all, 935 of the products contained one or more of the target solvents at levels greater than 0.1%. The resulting data base contains information regarding the 1159 products, such as origin, cost, container type, lot number, etc., as well as quantitative information for each of the 31 chemicals. The frequency of occurrence and average concentrations for the target chemicals are summarized for each of the product classes.
Sack, Thomas M.; Steele, David H.; Hammerstrom, Karen; Remmers, Janet
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
The generally accepted theory for the origin of life on the Earth requires that a large variety of organic compounds be present to form the first living organisms and to provide the energy sources for primitive life either directly or through various fermentation reactions. This can provide a strong constraint on discussions of the formation of the Earth and on the composition of the primitive atmosphere. In order for substantial amounts of organic compounds to have been present on the prebiological Earth, certain conditions must have existed. There is a large body of literature on the prebiotic synthesis of organic compounds in various postulated atmospheres. In this mixture of abiotically synthesized organic compounds, the amino acids are of special interest since they are utilized by modern organisms to synthesize structural materials and a large array of catalytic peptides.
Bada, J. L.; Miller, S. L.
Water and sediment samples were taken from sites adjacent to hazardous waste disposal areas in Niagara Falls, New York. The samples were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The following compounds were identified: chlorobenzenes, chlorotoluenes, polycyclic aromatic ...
This report reviews the occurrence and distribution of manmade organic compounds in the surface waters of the United States. On the basis of their aqueous solubilities, nonionic organic compounds partition themselves between water, dissolved organic matter, particulate organic matter, and the lipid reservoirs of aquatic organisms. Ionized organic compounds can be absorbed to sediments, thereby reducing their aqueous concentrations. Transformation processes of photolysis, hydrolysis, biodegradation, and volatilization can attenuate organic compounds, and attenuation rate commonly follow a first-order kinetic process. Eight groups of manmade organic compounds are discussed: 1. Polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine insecticides, 2. Carbamate and organophosphorus insecticides, 3. Herbicides, 4. Phenols, 5. Halogenated aliphatic and monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, 6. Phthalate esters, 7. Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, and 8. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. For each compound group, data pertaining to use, production, and properties are presented and discussed. Processes that influence that the environmental fate of each group, as determined primarily through laboratory studies, are reviewed, and important fate processes are identified. Environmental concentrations of compounds from each group in water, biota, and sediment are given to demonstrate representative values for comparison to concentrations determined during ongoing research. Finally, where sufficient data exist, regional and temporal contamination trends in the United States are discussed.
Smith, James A.; Witkowski, Patrick J.; Fusillo, Thomas V.
This report reviews the occurrence and distribution of manmade organic compounds in the surface waters of the United States. On the basis of their aqueous solubilities, nonionic organic compounds partition themselves among water, dissolved organic matter, particulate organic matter, and the lipid reservoirs of aquatic organisms. Ionized organic compounds can be adsorbed to sediments, thereby reducing their aqueous concentrations. Transformation processes of photolysis, hydrolysis, biodegradation, and volatilization can attenuate organic compounds, and attenuation rates commonly follow a first-order kinetic process. Eight groups of manmade organic compounds are discussed: 1. Polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine insecticides, 2. Carbamate and organophosphorus insecticides, 3. Herbicides, 4. Phenols, 5. Halogenated aliphatic and monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, 6. Phthalate esters, 7. Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, and 8. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. For each compound group, data pertaining to use, production, and properties are presented and discussed. Processes that influence the environmental fate of each group, as determined primarily through laboratory studies, are reviewed, and important fate processes are identified. Environmental concentrations of compounds from each group in water, biota, and sediment are given to demonstrate representative values for comparison with concentrations determined during ongoing research. Finally, where data are sufficient, regional and temporal contamination trends in the United States are discussed.
Smith, James A.; Witkowski, P.J.; Fusillo, Thomas V.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Segregation and recognition of two unfamiliar concrete organic compounds are achieved through microscale flash chromatography and spectroscopy plus melting point verifications respectively. This inexpensive and harmless microscale experiment for sophomore students ensures exercise in chromatographic and spectroscopic methods.
Feist, Patty L.
Methods and systems for chemoautotrophic production of organic compounds
The present disclosure identifies pathways, mechanisms, systems and methods to confer chemoautotrophic production of carbon-based products of interest, such as sugars, alcohols, chemicals, amino acids, polymers, fatty acids and their derivatives, hydrocarbons, isoprenoids, and intermediates thereof, in organisms such that these organisms efficiently convert inorganic carbon to organic carbon-based products of interest using inorganic energy, such as formate, and in particular the use of organisms for the commercial production of various carbon-based products of interest.
Fischer, Curt R.; Che, Austin J.; Shetty, Reshma P.; Kelly, Jason R.
Extraction techniques for semi-volatile organic compounds from caustic and high ionic strength solutions are presented. It is demonstrated that simple liquid-liquid extraction from a high ionic strength aqueous solution can allow inorganic ions to partition from the aqueous phase into the organic extraction phase. The ability of solid-phase extraction (SPE) adsorbents to separate organic target compounds from a sample, without
J. Ward Hills
New screening approach for risk assessment of pesticides in ambient air
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
We present a novel screening approach for inhalation risk assessment of currently used pesticides (CUPs) in ambient air, based on the measurements of pesticide levels in the inhalable fraction of the particulate matter (PM10). Total concentrations in ambient air (gas + particle phases) were estimated using a theoretical model of distribution of semi-volatile organic compounds between the gas and the particulate phase based on the octanol-air partition (Koa) of each pesticide. The proposed approach was used in a pilot study conducted in a rural station in Valencia (Spain) from April through to October 2010. Twenty out of 82 analysed pesticides were detected in average concentrations ranging from 1.63 to 117.01 pg m-3. For adults, children and infants the estimated chronic inhalation risk, expressed as Hazard Quotient (HQ) was <1 for all pesticides. Likewise, the cumulative exposure for detected organophosphorus, pyrethroids and carbamates pesticides, was estimated using as metrics the Hazard Index (HI), which was less than 1 for the three families of pesticides assessed. The cancer risk estimated for the detected pesticides classified as Likely or Possible carcinogens was less than 1.15E-7 for infants. In our opinion, the screening approach proposed could be used in the monitoring and risk assessment of pesticides in ambient air.
Yus�, Vicent; Coscoll�, Clara; Millet, Maurice
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
The atmospheric transport of anthropogenic semivolatile organic compounds (SOCs) from Asian sources to the Western U.S. was investigated. In addition, the SOC extraction method was optimized. Hansen solubility parameter plots were used to aid in the pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) solvent selection of air sampling media in order to minimize polymeric matrix interferences. To estimate the emissions of anthropogenic semivolatile organic compounds (SOCs) from East Asia and to identify unique SOC molecular markers in Asian air masses, air samples were collected on the island of Okinawa, Japan in Spring 2004. Elevated concentrations of hexachlorobenzene (HCB), hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs), and particulate-phase polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were attributed to air masses from China. A large proportion of the variation in the current use pesticides, gas-phase PAHs, and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentrations was explained by meteorology. Using measured PAH, carbon monoxide (CO), and black carbon concentrations and estimated CO and black carbon emission inventories, the emission of 6 carcinogenic particulate-phase PAHs were estimated to be 1518-4179 metric tons/year for all of Asia and 778-1728 metric tons/year for only China. Atmospheric measurements of anthropogenic SOCs were made at Mt. Bachelor Observatory (MBO), located in Oregon's Cascade Range. PAH concentrations at MBO increased with the percentage of air mass time in Asia and, in conjunction with other data, provided strong evidence that particulate-phase PAHs are emitted from Asia and undergo trans-Pacific atmospheric transport to North America. Enhanced HCB, alpha-HCH, and gamma-HCH concentrations also occurred during trans-Pacific atmospheric transport, compared with regional (Western U.S.) air masses during similar time periods. Gas-phase PAH and fluorotelomer alcohol (FTOH) concentrations significantly increased with the percentage of air mass time in California's urban areas, while retene and PCB concentrations increased with the percentage of air mass time in Oregon and during regional fire events. Regional atmospheric transport in the Western U.S. also resulted in enhanced gamma-HCH, dacthal, endosulfan, metribuzin, triallate, trifluralin, and chlorpyrifos concentrations, with episodic concentration enhancements during spring application periods. Elevated SigmaPCB, Sigmachlordane, HCHs, HCB, and trifuralin concentrations were also associated with fires, which may be due to volatization of pesticides deposited to soils and vegetation.
Primbs, Toby
Approximately 21 billion pounds of pesticides have been applied to United States farmlands since 1964. n agricultural regions, high pesticide concentrations occur in surface and groundwaters because of spring runoff or leaching. ecause many of these compounds pose health risks, t...
Pyrolysis of organic compounds containing long unbranched alkyl groups
Data are presented for the pyrolysis of compounds containing long unbranched alkyl groups at temperature and pressure conditions typical of the petroleum refining process known as delayed coking. The pyrolyzed samples were analyzed by three techniques, all based on gas chromatography. The pyrolysis product interpretation was carried out on the basis of the proposal of Fabuss-Smith-Satterfield (FSS) for the pyrolysis of n-hexadecane, and the FSS behavior predictions were followed for all of the n-alkane compounds. Aromatic substituted alkanes reacted differently, and pyridine and benzene rings greatly enhanced free radical formation. A pyrolysis mechanism consistent with the observed product distribution is proposed for 1-phenyl pentadecane. (BLM)
Hazlett, R.N.; Mushrush, G.W.