scholarly journals FIELD PILOT STUDY ON THE ASSESSMENT OF SELECTED HYDROCARBON REMEDIATION TECHNIQUES

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 121-134
Author(s):  
E. S. Okonofua ◽  
J. O. Babatola ◽  
Oluwapelumi Ojuri
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Contaminated Soils ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Benin City ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Polycyclic Aromatic ◽  
Land Farming ◽  
Contamination Levels ◽  
Contamination Concentration

The study discussed the remediation potentials of phytoremediation, land farming treatment and chemico-biological stabilization treatments in degrading Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH) and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) in soils polluted with crude oil in varying concentrations. The field pilot study was carried out in Benin city, Nigeria by preparing nine (9) cells with sub-cells attached which serve as control; each cell measures 1.53 m2. Three cells contained 100 kg of artificially contaminated soils at low contamination concentration (3000 mg kg-1), the next three cells contained 100 kg of contaminated soil samples but with medium concentration (5000 mg kg-1), while the last three cells contained 100 kg of spike samples in high concentration (7000 mg kg-1). The sub cells contained 10 kg of soil and left untreated. Each role containing three cells with low, medium and high concentration was treated separately using the three treatment methods. Soil samples to organic amendment ratio for the treatments was 2:1. The results showed over 90% reduction in the initial concentration of TPH and PAH across the different contamination levels with except in the control sub cells were only 30% reduction was recorded. The treated soil was found useful for agricultural purpose. One-way analysis of variance reveals a significant difference at p≤0.05 in the results obtained in application of the three methods. This implies that the methods effectively degraded the TPH and PAH concentrations. The three different methods of treatments effectively degraded TPH and PAH contaminants with land farming treatment being the best of the three.

scholarly journals Phosphorus Sorption in Soils Overlying Basement Complex Rock, Alluvium, Coastal Plain Sand and Imo Shale Parent Materials

2021 ◽  
pp. 41-54
Author(s):  
Robert Ehi Orhue ◽  
Adams Emomu ◽  
Esohe Obazuaye ◽  
Aimiesomon Michael Erhayimwen ◽  
Ajayi Gboyega Bepo
Keyword(s):  
Coastal Plain ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Phosphorus Sorption ◽  
Basement Complex ◽  
Parent Materials ◽  
P Sorption ◽  
Benin City ◽  
Randomized Design ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Sorption Index

This study aimed at evaluating phosphorus (P) sorption capacities in Soils overlying basement complex Rock (A), Alluvium (B), coastal plain sand (C) and Imo shale (C) parent materials. Completely randomized design was used to collect soil samples from 5 depths in 3 replications from Idanre, Koko, NIFOR and Uhomora in Nigeria. Samples collected were analyzed in the central analytical laboratory of the Nigerian Institute for Oil palm Research, Benin City, Nigeria between march 2016 and September 2017. 60 soil samples were equilibrated in 25 ml of 0.01 M CaCl2 containing various concentration of P as KH2PO4  to give 0, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 mg/L P for 24 hours (h)  at room temperature 25 ± 2 oC. Genstat statistical package was used to calculate Analysis of variance, correlation of Phosphorus sorption index (PSI) with soil properties, coefficient of variation, means separation and Least Significant difference (LSD). The rate and %P adsorption increased with increasing concentration of P added to the soils. The P sorption capacities of the soils considering Freundlich model decreased in the order of D > B > C >A. %P adsorbed was highest in D soils with value of 15.19% for 100 mg/kg P added. The PSI correlated with organic carbon r = -0.58 P ≤ .05 in C soils, r = 0.44 P ≤ .05 in D soils, it also correlated with N r = -0.58 P ≤ .05 in C Soils, K r = 0.57 P ≤ .05, r = 0.49 P ≤ .05 in C and D soils respectively. D soils sorbed more P than other soils hence the D soils will require more P fertilization to attain optimum P concentration in soil solution, however further study is required to determine the form of P sorbed by these parent materials.

scholarly journals Effects of soil pH, Total Organic Carbon and texture on fate of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soils

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 181-187 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Total Organic Carbon ◽  
Aromatic Hydrocarbons ◽  
Catalytic Degradation ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Animal Diversity ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Polycyclic Aromatic

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a group of quotidian organic compounds having between two and six condensed aromatic rings braced in angular, cluster or linear forms possessing hydrogen and carbon atoms only. This work aims to evaluate the physicochemical characteristics of soil as determinants of PAHs distribution and fate. The study area is situated on the Benin River beneath the convergence of Jamieson River and River Ethiope. The weather and climatic conditions of the area are of the Niger Delta region. Sixteen priority PAHs were determined in ten sample stations. Upon extraction, purification and quantification of PAHs was done using GC-FID. According to the methods of Walkey-Blacks, Black and Bouyoucus, soil total organic carbon, pH and texture were analyzed respectively. Four replicate samples were chosen to create a composite and used as quality control. Kruskal-Wallis test with tied rank was used to determine a causative correlation between soil physicochemical parameters and ∑PAHs. Results showed that the study area is contaminated with high concentration of PAHs ranging from 60.76 – 271.11 239 µg.g-1 with higher percentages of HPAHs i.e. PAHs with LogKow > 4.0. It is observed that observed alkaline pH favour significant fungal, asperigellus and microbial degradation of PAHs, and hinder photo-catalytic degradation. However, acidification with elemental sulfur, ferrous sulfate and aluminum sulfate could enhance photo-catalytic degradation. Results of TOC and soil structure do not favour significant degradation of HPAHs. Kruskal-Wallis tied rank test revealed that there was a positive significant difference between pH, TOC, percentage clay, and silt fractions with ∑PAHs concentrations since calculated K is greater than critical K0.05, P<0.05 except percentage of sand fractions and ∑PAHs with P>0.05. A substantial percentage of these PAHs have no anthropic origin and are characterized as having high lipo-affinity, semi-volatility and resistance to biotic and/or abiotic transformations. Due to edaphic factors the observed HPAHs may partially degrade with the consequent formation of highly toxic by-products. Therefore, oral or dermal ingestion of soil in the study area may cause significant exposure of the human population to these PAHs. Risk assessment and probable toxicity effects on animal diversity should be carried out in soil samples of the study area.

Analysis of Contaminants Found from Soils in the Abandoned Railroad Sites

2014 ◽  
Vol 1073-1076 ◽  
pp. 541-544
Author(s):  
Hee Jun Lim ◽  
Sung Mi Yun ◽  
Kim Gillan ◽  
Han Seung Kim
Keyword(s):  
Contaminated Soils ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Petroleum Products ◽  
Solvent Mixture ◽  
Heavy Oils ◽  
Organic Solvent Mixture ◽  
Polycyclic Aromatic ◽  
Ft Ir ◽  
Contamination Levels ◽  
Petroleum Oil

Recently, reconstruction of abandoned railroad stations and railroad beds are increasingly taking place in Korea. Soil remediation is necessary for the eco-friendly development. Soil found in abandoned railroad sites typically contaminated with heavy oils, which are low volatile petroleum products and less decomposable in nature. The objective of this study is to analyze those contaminants and contamination levels of the soils collected from an abandoned railroad bed located in Seoul, Korea. Heavy oils were extracted from contaminated soils using an organic solvent mixture of methanol and dichloromethane (1:2, v/v). Extracted solvent were analyzed qualitatively by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and qualitatively using high performance liquid chromatography. It was found that the abandoned railroad bed soil was mainly contaminated by heavy oils such as bunker C oil, which was confirmed by FT-IR spectra of petroleum oil products such as gasoline, diesel, kerosene, JP-8, bunker C oil, and lubricants. Benzo [a] antracene was found from the contaminated soil and its level was as high as 11.45 mg/kg, and other polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were trivial.

scholarly journals Assessing Biodegradation Susceptibilities of Selected Petroleum Hydrocarbons at Contaminated Soils

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 39
Author(s):  
Markus Heryanto Langsa
Keyword(s):  
Crude Oil ◽  
Contaminated Soils ◽  
Petroleum Hydrocarbons ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Low Molecular Weight ◽  
Saturated Hydrocarbons ◽  
Mesocosm Experiments ◽  
Polycyclic Aromatic ◽  
Level 2 ◽  
Microbial Attack

Assessing Biodegradation Susceptibilities of Selected Petroleum Hydrocarbons at Contaminated Soils (M.H. Langsa): The susceptibility to biodegradation of selected saturated hydrocarbons (SHCs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and asphaltenes in a Barrow crude oil and extracts isolated from soils contaminated with the Barrow crude oil at day 0 and 39 was determined. Soil samples were contaminated with a Barrow crude oil across the surface (5% w/w) as part of a mesocosm experiment in order to mimic similar conditions in the environment.  The extent of biodegradation of the Barrow oil extracted from the contaminated soils at day 0 and day 39 was assessed by GC-MS analyses of SHCs and PAHs fractions. Changes in the relative abundances of n-alkanes (loss of low-molecular-weight hydrocarbons) and pristane relative to phytane (Pr/Ph) and their diastereoisomers were determined. Changes in the diastereo-isomer ratios of Pr and Ph relate to the decrease in abundance of the phytol-derived 6(R),10(S) isoprenoids with increasing biodegradation. The percentage change in abundances of each of selected alkylnaphathalenes with time (day 0 to 39) was determined, enabling an order of susceptibility of their isomers to biodegradation. It was established that the 2-methylnaphthalene isomers (2-MN) is more susceptible to microbial attack than 1-MN isomer indicated by decreasing in percent abundance from day 0 to 39 for the 2-MN isomer. The GC-MS analyses of the original Barrow oil indicated the oil had not undergone biodegradation. When this oil was used in the soil mesocosm experiments the oil was shown to biodegrade to about a level 2 -3 based on the biodegradation susceptibility of the various SHCs and PAHs described above.

scholarly journals DNA stable isotope probing reveals contrasted activity and phenanthrene-degrading bacteria identity in a gradient of anthropized soils

2019 ◽  
Vol 95 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Florian Lemmel ◽  
Florence Maunoury-Danger ◽  
Corinne Leyval ◽  
Aurélie Cébron
Keyword(s):  
Stable Isotope ◽  
Contaminated Soils ◽  
Amplicon Sequencing ◽  
Shannon Index ◽  
Stable Isotope Probing ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Degrading Bacteria ◽  
Polycyclic Aromatic ◽  
Contamination Levels ◽  
Almost All

ABSTRACT Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous soil organic pollutants. Although PAH-degrading bacteria are present in almost all soils, their selection and enrichment have been shown in historically high PAH contaminated soils. We can wonder if the effectiveness of PAH biodegradation and the PAH-degrading bacterial diversity differ among soils. The stable isotope probing (SIP) technique with 13C-phenanthrene (PHE) as a model PAH was used to: (i) compare for the first time a range of 10 soils with various PAH contamination levels, (ii) determine their PHE-degradation efficiency and (iii) identify the active PHE-degraders using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing from 13C-labeled DNA. Surprisingly, the PHE degradation rate was not directly correlated to the initial level of total PAHs and phenanthrene in the soils, but was mostly explained by the initial abundance and richness of soil bacterial communities. A large diversity of PAH-degrading bacteria was identified for seven of the soils, with differences among soils. In the soils where the PHE degradation activities were the higher, Mycobacterium species were always the dominant active PHE degraders. A positive correlation between PHE-degradation level and the diversity of active PHE-degraders (Shannon index) supported the hypothesis that cooperation between strains led to a more efficient PAH degradation.

Comparison of oxidoreductive enzyme activities in three coal tar creosote-contaminated soils

Soil Research ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 57 (8) ◽  
pp. 814 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arkadiusz Telesiński ◽  
Teresa Krzyśko-Łupicka ◽  
Krystyna Cybulska ◽  
Barbara Pawłowska ◽  
Robert Biczak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Contaminated Soils ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Coal Tar ◽  
Loamy Sand ◽  
Clay Loam ◽  
Oxidoreductase Activity ◽  
Sandy Clay Loam ◽  
Sandy Clay ◽  
Polycyclic Aromatic ◽  
Negative Effect

This study used laboratory experiments to compare the effects of coal tar creosote on the activity of oxidoreductive enzymes in sandy loam, loamy sand and sandy clay loam soils. Different amounts of coal tar creosote were added to soil samples as follows: 0 (control), 2, 10 or 50 g kg–1 dry matter. The activity of soil dehydrogenases (DHAs), o-diphenol oxidase (o-DPO), catalase (CAT), nitrate reductase (NR) and peroxidases (POX) was determined. Contamination of soil with coal tar creosote affected oxidoreductase activity. Oxidoreductive enzyme activity following soil contamination with coal tar creosote was in the following order: DHAs &gt; CAT &gt; NR &gt; POX &gt; o-DPO in loamy sand and in sandy loam; and DHAs &gt; POX &gt; CAT &gt; NR &gt; o-DPO in sandy clay loam. The index of soil oxidoreductive activity (IOx) introduced in this study confirms the negative effect of coal tar creosote on oxidoreductase activity in soil. DHAs were the most sensitive to the contamination of soil with coal tar creosote. Moreover, the greatest changes in oxidoreductase activities were observed in loamy sand. Knowledge of the mechanism underlying the effects of coal tar creosote on oxidoreductive processes may enable development of a method for the bioremediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-contaminated soils.

scholarly journals Telemedicine Chronic Viral Hepatitis C Treatment during the Lockdown Period in Romania: A Pilot Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (7) ◽  
pp. 3694
Author(s):  
Irina Paula Doica ◽  
Dan Nicolae Florescu ◽  
Carmen Nicoleta Oancea ◽  
Adina Turcu-Stiolica ◽  
Mihaela-Simona Subtirelu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Medication Adherence ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Multidisciplinary Approach ◽  
Therapy Monitoring ◽  
Antiviral Agents ◽  
Item Score ◽  
Hcv Therapy ◽  
Viral Hepatitis C ◽  
Significant Difference

The COVID-19 pandemic is currently delaying the process of chronic hepatitis C (HCV) eradication, since most of the chronic diseases are neglected. Thus, there is a need for alternative programs for HCV therapy implementation and disease monitoring. Our aim was to provide a multidisciplinary approach, so that HCV-infected patients from distant locations may benefit from HCV antivirals during the COVID-19 outbreak and within the lockdown period in Romania. Previously diagnosed HCV patients willing to participate in this telemedicine pilot study were included. Patient characteristics and medical adherence were assessed and compared to the year preceding the pandemic. We proposed a multidisciplinary approach by using a telemedicine program for HCV therapy monitoring. Patients also received a satisfaction questionnaire after delivering the sustained virologic response (SVR) result. A total of 41 patients agreed to participate in this study. The medication adherence was 100% for patients included in the telemedicine group, with a statistically significant difference from the medication adherence of the patients treated in 2019. The satisfaction item score was 4.92 out of 5 and our results (r = −0.94, p < 0.0001) suggested that older patients embraced the telemedicine program less, but with the same success in terms of SVR (100%) and medication adherence (100%). Our pilot study offers the first example of a telemedicine program in Romania for HCV therapeutic management. During the lockdown period, telemedicine has served as a reliable tool and novel alternative for conventional monitoring of patients treated with direct antiviral agents and should be further considered even following the pandemic.

Blood contamination of the pharmaceutical staff by irinotecan and its two major metabolites inside and outside a compounding unit

2021 ◽  
pp. 107815522110120
Author(s):  
Victoire Béchet ◽  
Hubert Benoist ◽  
Frédéric Beau ◽  
Fabienne Divanon ◽  
Stéphanie Lagadu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Cell ◽  
Red Blood Cell ◽  
Antineoplastic Drug ◽  
Blood Contamination ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Adverse Health Effects ◽  
Healthcare Settings ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Drug Contamination ◽  
Contamination Levels

Background Caregivers in healthcare settings are exposed to a risk of antineoplastic drug contamination which can lead to adverse health effects. Biological monitoring is necessary to estimate the actual level of exposure of these workers. This study was conducted with the aim of assessing blood contamination levels by irinotecan and its metabolites of pharmaceutical staff operating inside and outside a compounding unit. Methods The study took place within the pharmaceutical unit of a French comprehensive cancer centre. Blood samples were collected from the pharmacy workers operating inside and outside the compounding unit, and analysed by UHPLC-MS/MS. Plasma and red blood cell irinotecan and its metabolites (SN-38; APC) were determined with a validated analytical method detection test. Results A total of 17/78 (21.8%) plasma and red blood cell-based assays were found to be contaminated among staff. Overall, the total number of positive assays was significantly higher for staff members working outside the compounding unit than for workers working inside it ( P = 0.022), with respectively 5/42 (11.9%) and 12/36 (33.3%) positive assays. For plasma dosages, the “outside” group had a significantly higher number of positive assays ( P = 0.014). For red blood cell-based assays, no significant difference was found ( P = 0.309). Conclusions This study reveals that pharmaceutical staff serving in health care settings are exposed to a risk of antineoplastic drug contamination, not only inside the compounding room but also in adjacent rooms. The results would help to raise awareness and potentially establish protective measures for caregivers working in areas close to the compounding room as well.

scholarly journals Chemical Properties of Heavy Metal-Contaminated Soils from a Korean Military Shooting Range: Evaluation of Pb Sources Using Pb Isotope Ratios

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (15) ◽  
pp. 7099
Author(s):  
Inkyeong Moon ◽  
Honghyun Kim ◽  
Sangjo Jeong ◽  
Hyungjin Choi ◽  
Jungtae Park ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Contaminated Soils ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Heavy Metal Concentration ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Shooting Range ◽  
Geochemical Properties ◽  
Mineral Phases

In this study, the geochemical properties of heavy metal-contaminated soils from a Korean military shooting range were analyzed. The chemical behavior of heavy metals was determined by analyzing the soil pH, heavy metal concentration, mineral composition, and Pb isotopes. In total, 24 soil samples were collected from a Korean military shooting range. The soil samples consist of quartz, albite, microcline, muscovite/illite, kaolinite, chlorite, and calcite. Lead minerals, such as hydrocerussite and anglesite, which are indicative of a transformation into secondary mineral phases, were not observed. All soils were strongly contaminated with Pb with minor concentrations of Cu, Ni, Cd, and Zn. Arsenic was rarely detected. The obtained results are indicated that the soils from the shooting range are contaminated with heavy metals and have evidences of different degree of anthropogenic Pb sources. This study is crucial for the evaluation of heavy metal-contaminated soils in shooting ranges and their environmental effect as well as for the establishment of management strategies for the mitigation of environmental risks.

Endoscopic prediction of submucosal invasion in Barrett’s cancer with the use of Artificial Intelligence: A pilot Study

Endoscopy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alanna Ebigbo ◽  
Robert Mendel ◽  
Tobias Rückert ◽  
Laurin Schuster ◽  
Andreas Probst ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Deep Learning ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
White Light ◽  
Submucosal Invasion ◽  
Learning System ◽  
Endoscopic Images ◽  
Barrett’S Cancer ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity

Background and aims: The accurate differentiation between T1a and T1b Barrett’s cancer has both therapeutic and prognostic implications but is challenging even for experienced physicians. We trained an Artificial Intelligence (AI) system on the basis of deep artificial neural networks (deep learning) to differentiate between T1a and T1b Barrett’s cancer white-light images. Methods: Endoscopic images from three tertiary care centres in Germany were collected retrospectively. A deep learning system was trained and tested using the principles of cross-validation. A total of 230 white-light endoscopic images (108 T1a and 122 T1b) was evaluated with the AI-system. For comparison, the images were also classified by experts specialized in endoscopic diagnosis and treatment of Barrett’s cancer. Results: The sensitivity, specificity, F1 and accuracy of the AI-system in the differentiation between T1a and T1b cancer lesions was 0.77, 0.64, 0.73 and 0.71, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the performance of the AI-system and that of human experts with sensitivity, specificity, F1 and accuracy of 0.63, 0.78, 0.67 and 0.70 respectively. Conclusion: This pilot study demonstrates the first multicenter application of an AI-based system in the prediction of submucosal invasion in endoscopic images of Barrett’s cancer. AI scored equal to international experts in the field, but more work is necessary to improve the system and apply it to video sequences and in a real-life setting. Nevertheless, the correct prediction of submucosal invasion in Barret´s cancer remains challenging for both experts and AI.

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