scholarly journals Exposure of the Main Italian River Basin to Pharmaceuticals

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Federico Ferrari ◽  
Agata Gallipoli ◽  
Matteo Balderacchi ◽  
Maria M. Ulaszewska ◽  
Ettore Capri ◽  
...  

This study give a preliminary survey of pharmaceutical contamination and accumulation in surface waters and sediments along the river Po basin (74,000 km2, the largest in Italy), a strategic region for the Italian economy: it collects sewage from a vast industrialized area of Italy (Autorità di Baciono del fiume Po, 2006, 2009). 10 pharmaceuticals (atenolol, propanolol, metoprolol, nimesulide, furosemide, carbamazepine, ranitidine, metronidazole, paracetamol, and atorvastatin) from several therapeutic classes were searched in 54 sampling points along the river Po from the source to the delta, and at the mouth of its major effluents. In water samples were found pharmaceuticals in the range of 0.38–0.001 μg/L, except for furosemide (max conc. 0.605 μg/L), paracetamol (max conc. 3.59 μg/L), metoprolol (never detected) and for atenolol (not analysed). In sediment samples, only paracetamol was not detected, while the others were generally found in the range of 0.4–0.02 μg/kgwwwith high concentrations for atenolol (max conc. 284μg/kgww) and furosemide (max conc. 98.4μg/kgww). The findings confirm also STPs as point sources of contamination. Despite of the much evidence for the adverse effects of pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment, the observed low levels cannot be considered to pose a serious risk to human health; further studies are necessary for a comprehensive risk assessment.

2003 ◽  
Vol 51 (unico) ◽  
pp. 33-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Márcia Caruso Bícego ◽  
Eliete Zanardi-Lamardo ◽  
Rolf Roland Weber

Seawater from 8 stations in Admiralty Bay was systematically sampled during the summer of 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997 and analyzed by spectrofluorimetry to measure dissolved/dispersed petroleum hydrocarbons (DDPHs). The purpose of this study was to detect some temporal and spatial changes in terms of oil contamination of the region. The results indicate low levels of oil pollution with relatively high concentrations near the research stations located in the study area. During the summers of 1995 and 1996 the average concentrations for individual stations were low and below of 0.50 ¼g.L-1. Summers of 1994 and 1997 had relatively higher average concentrations (up to 1.57 ¼g.L-1), mainly in front of Arctowski and Ferraz Research Stations.


1992 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 185-202
Author(s):  
C.R. Erland Jansson

Abstract The UVOX process was developed to reduce the high concentrations of trihalomethanes, a potentially hazardous disinfection by-product found in a surface water supply for a community in northeastern Saskatchewan. Pilot plant tests were conducted at a throughput of 1.25 l/s utilizing UV to produce hydroxyl radicals from photolysis of H2O2 with air cooled UV units. These tests continued through 1985 andl986 to provide operational data for all seasons of the year. Test results indicated that the UVOX process was effective in reducing trihalomethane formation potential to very low levels. Recent concerns have also centred on the biocidal effectivenesss of disinfectants, particularly when applied to inactivation of resistant species of microogranisms, such as the cysts of Giardia lamblia. The UVOX process in a single pass configuration slightly enhanced the ability of UV to inactivate Giardia cysts.


1997 ◽  
Vol 35 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 339-345 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. G. Dubé ◽  
J. M. Culp

Experiments were conducted in artificial streams to determine the effects of increasing concentrations of biologically treated bleached kraft pulp mill effluent (BKPME) on periphyton and chironomid growth in the Thompson River, British Columbia. Periphyton growth, as determined by increases in chlorophyll a, was significantly stimulated at all effluent concentrations tested (0.25%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 5.0% and, 10.0%). Chironomid growth (individual weight) was also significantly stimulated at low effluent concentrations (≤1.0%). At higher concentrations (5.0% and 10.0%), chironomid growth was inhibited relative to the 1.0% treatment streams. Increases in growth were attributed to the effects of nutrient and organic enrichment from BKPME. The effluent contained high concentrations of phosphorus and appears to be an important source of carbon for benthic insects grazing on the biofilm. In high concentration effluent streams, chironomid growth decreased despite low levels of typical pulp mill contaminants. This suggests that other compounds in the effluent, such as wood extractives, may be inhibiting chironomid growth. These results support findings of field monitoring studies conducted in the Thompson River where changes in periphyton and chironomid abundance occurred downstream of the bleached kraft pulp mill.


2004 ◽  
Vol 50 (5) ◽  
pp. 261-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Schittko ◽  
A. Putschew ◽  
M. Jekel

After bank filtration, effluent influenced surface waters are often used as raw drinking water. It is known that high concentrations of iodinated X-ray contrast media are detectable in such surface waters and thus, more knowledge about the behaviour of the contrast media during bank filtration is necessary and the subject of investigations in this study. The adsorbable organic iodine (AOI), four widely used iodinated X-ray contrast media and four possible transformation products were quantified in an influenced lake, five groundwater wells and a drinking water well. Under anoxic conditions the AOI as well as the concentration of the contrast media are decreased by bank filtration, whereby the AOI is decreased by 64% and the contrast media concentration can be reduced up to 95%, depending on the compound. In the raw drinking water the following average concentrations were determined: Iopromid <20 ng/L, Diatrizote 166 ng/L, Iopamidol 166 ng/L and Iohexol 34 ng/L. Instationary conditions during the sampling period indicate that, at least under anoxic conditions, a large part of the contrast media and transformation products, which are still iodinated, may be associated to colloids and/or humic material.


1980 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 244-253
Author(s):  
John Edward Callahan

Stream sediments from a 13 000 km2 previously glaciated area in central Labrador near Churchill Falls were examined for their heavy mineral content. The minus 0.25 mm (60 mesh) nonmagnetic heavy mineral fraction from 846 stream sediment samples consists mainly of magnetite, ilmenite. garnet, hornblende, epidote and minor clinopyroxene, orthopyroxene. kyanite. sillimanite, biotite. apatite, and zircon. Changes in the frequency distribution of epidote, hornblende, garnet, and sillimanite in the stream sediments correspond well with those reported in previously mapped underlying bedrock lithologies. The occurrence of kyanite and sillimanite, high concentrations of garnet and opaques (mainly ilmenite), and lower concentrations of hornblende and epidote were used to determine grades of regional metamorphism, resulting in revision of the geologic map of this area. Heavy minerals in glacial drift or fluvial deposits may be useful as an aid in mapping in glaciated areas.


2009 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 1711-1722 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. K. Pathak ◽  
W. S. Wu ◽  
T. Wang

Abstract. Strong atmospheric photochemistry in summer can produce a significant amount of secondary aerosols, which may have a large impact on regional air quality and visibility. In the study reported herein, we analyzed sulfate, nitrate, and ammonium in PM2.5 samples collected using a 24-h filter system at suburban and rural sites near four major cities in China (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Lanzhou). Overall, the PM2.5 mass concentrations were high (with a mean value of 55–68 gμgm−3), which reflects the long-known particulate pollution in China's large urban centers. We observed very high concentrations of sulfate and nitrate at the Beijing and Shanghai sites, and, in particular, abnormally high levels of nitrate (24-h average concentration up to 42 gμgm−3 and contributing up to 25% of the PM2.5 mass) in the ammonium-poor samples. The Beijing and Shanghai aerosols were characterized by high levels of aerosol acidity (~220–390 nmol m−3) and low levels of in-situ pH (−0.77 to −0.52). In these samples, the formation of the observed high concentrations of particulate nitrate cannot be explained by homogeneous gas-phase reaction between ammonia and nitric acid. Examination of the relation of nitrate to relative humidity and aerosol loading suggests that the nitrate was most probably formed via the heterogeneous hydrolysis of N2O5 on the surface of the moist and acidic aerosols in Beijing and Shanghai. In comparison, the samples collected in Lanzhou and Guangzhou were ammonium-rich with low levels of aerosol acidity (~65–70 nmol m−3), and the formation of ammonium nitrate via the homogeneous gas-phase reaction was favored, which is similar to many previous studies. An empirical fit has been derived to relate fine nitrate to aerosol acidity, aerosol water content, aerosol surface area, and the precursor of nitrate for the data from Beijing and Shanghai.


2012 ◽  
Vol 84 (2) ◽  
pp. 427-442 ◽  
Author(s):  
Winston F.O. Gonçalves ◽  
Wanilson Luiz-Silva ◽  
Wilson Machado ◽  
Erico C. Nizoli ◽  
Ricardo E. Santelli

The geochemical composition of sediment pore water was investigated in comparison with the composition of sediment particles and surface water in an estuary within one of the most industrialized areas in Latin America (Santos-Cubatão estuarine system, SE Brazil). Pore and surface waters presented anomalously high levels of F-, NH4+, Fe, Mn and P due to two industrial point sources. In the summer, when SO4(2-)/Cl- ratios suggested an enhanced sulfate reduction, the higher dissolved levels observed in pore waters for some metals (e.g., Cu and Ni) were attributed to reductive dissolution of oxidized phases. Results evidenced that the risks of surface water concentration increase due to diffusion or advection from pore water are probably dependent on coupled influences of tidal pumping and groundwater inputs.


1999 ◽  
Vol 39 (12) ◽  
pp. 77-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. M. Heppell ◽  
T. P. Burt ◽  
R. J. Williams ◽  
A. H. Haria

This paper reports the findings of a 12 month field monitoring programme at Wytham (Oxfordshire, UK), which examined the leaching of the phenylurea herbicide, isoproturon, from an agricultural clay hillslope to the adjacent ephemeral stream. Isoproturon was shown to reach the drains (at 50 cm depth) through a combination of vertical and lateral macropore flow through wormholes and inter-pedal cracks. Seasonal changes in hydrological response were also observed at the site, with lateral flow through inter-pedal cracks providing an important route by which herbicide was transported during autumn and early spring when the clay soils were wetting up. Concentrations of isoproturon in drainflow frequently exceeded the Environment Agency's (EA) non-statutory Environmental Quality Standard (EQS) of 20 μg/l for isoproturon in surface waters. Even under low intensity rainfall (< 1 mm/hr) the saturated region at the base of the hillslope was shown to conduct macropore flow containing significantly high concentrations of herbicide to the drain. The results of this study suggest that those regions close to surface waters which are areas of converging hydrological flow may be key contributors to the problem of isoproturon contamination of surface waters.


2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (32) ◽  
pp. 279-286
Author(s):  
Marcos Antônio KLUNK ◽  
Zeban SHAH ◽  
Paulo Roberto WANDER

Removal of malachite green dye by adsorption from aqueous solution using montmorillonite clay is reported in this work. A malachite green dye is a cationic widely used in textile industries. Due to its persistence in the aquatic environment, it becomes a problem for aquatic and terrestrial organisms. This dye can be adsorbed through various techniques, but high acquisition and operating costs preclude widespread use. Several adsorbents are available in the market, but the most outstanding are the clays, especially the montmorillonites. These clays are finely divided material ( 0.002 mm), and its adsorption properties are continuously investigated. Types of clays 2:1 (two tetrahedral to one octahedral) are called expandables. The montmorillonite has a potential for dyes removal in wastewater due to the high surface area, porosity with excellent cation exchange capacity conferring its adsorbent property. This work aims to use the montmorillonite as an adsorption system in stages to textile decolorization effluent, composed of malachite green dye, reproduced in the laboratory. The characterization of the clay gives high purity and is used as adsorbent of good quality and efficiency. The retention of dyes in the system composed of montmorillonite arranged in separation stages was efficient. The effect of dye concentration and retention time are the most important parameters used in this study. High concentrations and retention time below 24 hours resulted in low levels of removal (25%). On the other hand, the low level of initial concentration increases removal efficiency (57%). Thus, the results obtained in this work allow concluding that montmorillonite is able to removal malachite green dye.


2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 3803-3850 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Breitbarth ◽  
J. Gelting ◽  
J. Walve ◽  
L. J. Hoffmann ◽  
D. R. Turner ◽  
...  

Abstract. Iron chemistry measurements were conducted during summer 2007 at two distinct locations in the Baltic Sea (Gotland Deep and Landsort Deep) to evaluate the role of iron for cyanobacterial bloom development in these estuarine waters. Depth profiles of Fe(II) were measured by chemiluminescent flow injection analysis (CL-FIA) and reveal several origins of Fe(II) to the water column. Photoreduction of Fe(III)-complexes and deposition by rain are main sources of Fe(II) (up to 0.9 nmol L−1) in light penetrated surface waters. Indication for organic Fe(II) complexation resulting in prolonged residence times in oxygenated water was observed. Surface dwelling heterocystous cyanobacteria where mainly responsible for Fe(II) consumption in comparison to other phytoplankton. The significant Fe(II) concentrations in surface waters apparently play a major role in cyanobacterial bloom development in the Baltic Sea and are a major contributor to the Fe requirements of diazotrophs. Second, Fe(II) concentrations up to 1.44 nmol L−1 were observed at water depths below the euphotic zone, but above the oxic anoxic interface. Finally, all Fe(III) is reduced to Fe(II) in anoxic deep water. However, only a fraction thereof is present as ferrous ions (up to 28 nmol L−1) and was detected by the CL-FIA method applied. Despite their high concentrations, it is unlikely that ferrous ions originating from sub-oxic waters could be a temporary source of bioavailable iron to the euphotic zone since mixed layer depths after strong wind events are not deep enough in summer time.


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