Determination of estrogens and estrogenic activity in wastewater effluent by chemical analysis and the bioluminescent yeast assay

A scheme of bioassay-directed analysis has been developed which combines a yeast assay screening for estrogenic activity with a liquid chromatographic-mass spectrometric (LC-MS/MS) chemical analysis, chromatographic fractionation, solid phase extraction and freeze-drying. The test scheme was applied on effluent samples collected from a municipal sewage treatment plant. The aim was to determine the substances responsible for main portion of the estrogenic activity in the samples and to compare the efficiency of different procedures for isolation and concentration of estogenicity. LC-MS/MS analyses were used for the quantification of 17beta-estradiol, estrone, estriol and 17alpha-ethinylestradiol, and the measured concentrations compared with the activities found in the yeast assay. Following conversion of the concentrations measured by LC-MS/MS to 17beta-estradiol equivalents it was concluded that freeze-drying, solid phase extraction and the chemical analysis gave comparable activities. Since estrone was the major estrogen in the effluent, this estrogen was also the major contributor to the estrogenic activity in the effluent. The estrogenic activity was equivalent to 4-7 ng/L of 17beta-estradiol. The yeast assay results from the tests of the chromatographic fractions showed that the major activity resides in the fraction where estrone, 17beta-estradiol and 17alpha-ethinylestradiol eluted. The activity of this fraction was substantially higher than the activity of the original wastewater sample. The reason for this could in part be explained by an inhibition of activity occurring in the original water sample.     

The hydrologic outcome of a Low Impact Development (LID) site including superposition with streamflow peaks

Hydrology plays a key role in mitigating environmental impacts with Stormwater Management (SWM). Site-level Low Impact Development (LID) is a promising approach but impeded by a lack of experience, performance metrics and comprehensive analysis. This study investigated the hydrologic performance of a small LID site (0.15 km²) including superposition with high flows of the receiving stream by monitoring precipitation, discharge and streamflow for 30 months. The results (73% event capture, 66–87% volume reduction, 39 L/ha/s peak discharge, 4.5% streamflow amplification) implied that site-level LID provides an alternative to conventional SWM even for unfavourable conditions. Weak performance related to underground storage, antecedent conditions, storm characteristics and freezing periods occurred seasonally; and a minimum storm capture volume could not be observed, but a maximum retention capacity. Future LID site designs should consider these characteristics and limitations, together with a differentiated analysis of a set of metrics for deducing environmental implications.     

Quantifying PPCP interaction with dissolved organic matter in aqueous solution: combined use of fluorescence quenching and tandem mass spectrometry

The documented presence of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in water sources has prompted a global interest in understanding their environmental fate. Dissolved organic matter (DOM) can potentially alter the fate of these contaminants in aqueous systems by forming contaminant-DOM complexes. In-situ measurements were made to assess the interactions between three common PPCP contaminants and two distinct DOM sources: a wastewater treatment plant (WWOM) and the Suwannee River, GA (SROM). Aqueous DOM solutions (8.0 mg L⁻¹ C, pH 7.4) were spiked with a range of concentrations of bisphenol-A, carbamazepine and ibuprofen to assess the DOM fluorophores quenched by PPCP interaction in excitation-emission matrices (EEM). Interaction effects on target analyte (PPCP) concentrations were also quantified using direct aqueous injection ultra high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). At low bisphenol-A concentration, WWOM fluorescence was quenched in an EEM region attributed to microbial byproduct-like and humic acid-like DOM components, whereas carbamazepine and ibuprofen quenched fulvic acid-like fluorophores. Fluorescence quenching of SROM by bisphenol-A and carbamazepine was centered on humic acid-like components, whereas ibuprofen quenched the fulvic acid-like fluorophores. Nearly complete LC-MS/MS recovery of all three contaminants was obtained, irrespective of analyte structure and DOM source, indicating relatively weak PPCP-DOM bonding interactions. The results suggest that presence of DOM at environmentally-relevant concentration can give rise to PPCP interactions that could potentially affect their environmental transport, but these DOM-contaminant interactions do not suppress the accurate assessment of target analyte concentrations by aqueous injection LC-MS/MSMS.     

Carboxyhemoglobin levels in blood donors in Bahrain.

A total of 107 venous blood samples were obtained from blood donors in Bahrain for carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) analysis. The donors were categorized according to their sex, smoking habits, occupation, place of work (indoor or outdoor), and residential area. The mean COHb levels were significantly higher in smokers (4.8%) than nonsmoking (1.5%). The mean COHb levels were higher in smoking, outdoor working donors (4.98%) and nonsmoking outdoor working donors (2.29%) than smoking indoor working donors (3.07%) and nonsmoking indoor working donors (1.04%). Other factors, such as sex and residential area did not influence COHb concentrations. The results indicate a possible influence of the levels of environmental carbon monoxide on the COHb in the blood of the Bahraini population.     

The impact of daylighting on peak electrical demand

A complete analysis of the cost-effectiveness of daylighting strategies should include the impact of daylighting on peak electrical demand as well as on energy consumption. We utilized an hour-by-hour building energy analysis program to study the thermal and daylighting impacts of fenestration on peak demand. Fenestration properties and lighting system characteristics were varied parametrically for office buildings in Madison WI and Lake Charles LA. Peak electrical demand was disaggregated by component and by zone, monthly patterns of peak demand were examined, and impacts of fenestration performance on chiller size were studied.The results suggest that for daylighted office buildings, the peak electrical demand results from a complex trade-off between cooling load due to fenestration parameters, lighting load reductions due to glazing and lighting system characteristics. Lowest peak demands generally occur with small to moderate size apertures. With daylighting, peak electrical demand is reduced by 10 to 20% for the building configuration studied (37% perimeter zone, 63% core zone). This work indicates that solar gain through fenestration must be effectively controlled in order to realize the potential of daylighting to significantly reduce peak electrical demand.     

The interpretation of complex chromatograms by computer analysis

A computer system is described which has been developed to handle a large volume of data derived from gas chromatographic (GC) and mass spectrometric (MS) analysis of environmental water samples. GC profiles have been quantified to provide a concise presentation of data and MS results, from a limited number of samples, have been used to ascribe probable identification to the components of GC profiles for which no MS analysis was performed. The statistical analysis of analytical performance characteristics provides the basis for the method adopted for cross referencing MS and GC data. A method for ranking compound identifications ascribed to GC profile components is presented.     

深孔控制预裂爆破对煤体微观结构的影响

 在我国南方一矿井深孔控制预裂爆破试验基础上,利用ASAP–2010型表面积及微孔快速测定仪,对距离爆破孔3.0～9.7 m范围内的煤样进行微观结构分析,并结合煤层瓦斯抽放结果进行对比研究。结果表明,随着至爆破孔距离的增加,煤的Langmuir和BET比表面积近似线性减少,在9.7 m处分别减小68.8%和15.26%;煤的微孔体积比和面积比先减小后增加,小孔、中孔体积比和面积比先增加后减小;煤渗透孔体积比先略有增大而后减小,在孔距3.9 m处达到最大值,即26.88%。深孔控制预裂爆破后,最大瓦斯抽放量增加36%,最初15 d抽放总量提高93%。深孔控制预裂爆破的适宜孔间距为10～12 m。     

Microbiological surveillance of private water supplies in England - The impact of environmental and climate factors on water quality

A passive surveillance system captured information on 34,904 microbiological samples from 11,233 private drinking water supplies within England as well as the associated constructional, climatic and environmental variables. Escherichia coli was detected in 6588 (18.87%) of samples and at least one positive sample was detected from 3638 (32.39%) of sites. However, this estimate of supplies failing to meet the European drinking water E. coli standard was probably an underestimate as the more samples taken per supply, the more likely the supply was to fail. A multivariable model of private water supplies data showed a strong seasonal impact, with samples between January and May being significantly less contaminated with E. coli than samples between June and December. Samples from springs (OR 2.5, CI 2.0-3.1) or surface waters (OR 2.4, CI 0.8-7.0) were more likely to fail than groundwater sources, as were supplies with no effective treatment (OR1.8, CI 1.5-2.3). Commercial supplies were less likely to fail than domestic supplies (OR 0.63, CI 0.48-0.83) and the probability of failure was linearly associated with the density of sheep in the area and rainfall on the previous day. A Monte Carlo modelling approach was used to estimate that, had sufficient samples been taken, 54% (95% confidence intervals 49-59%) of all private water supplies in England were likely to be unsatisfactory. These findings will be able to inform risk assessments of private water supplies prior to microbiological results being available.     

Rapid and direct determination of tryptophan in water using synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy

Water samples from lakes situated in and around the area of Tsukuba Science City, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, were analysed using synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy and HPLC. The spectra revealed a major emission peak (lambda emm) at 340 nm corresponding to an excitation wavelength (lambda exc) position of 280 nm and a Stoke's shift, delta lambda = 60 nm. The fluorescence intensities at these wavelengths were normalised with respect to the water Raman peak, where the lambda exc was 397 nm and the lambda emm was 453 nm, and corrections were introduced to take into account absorption/re-absorption effects of the fluorescing signals caused by the sample matrix. Normalised fluorescence values correlate well with levels of tryptophan present in the samples determined by HPLC analysis (R2 = 0.99). The relationship of the observed tryptophan-like fluorescence in the water samples to the presence of free tryptophan is discussed.     

Links between environmental geochemistry and rate of birth defects: Shanxi Province, China

The rate of birth defects in Shanxi Province is among the highest worldwide. In order to identify the impacts of geochemical and environmental factors on birth defect risk, samples of soil, water and food were collected from an area with an unusually high rate of birth defects (study area) and an area with a low rate of birth defects (control area) in Shanxi Province, China. Element contents were determined by ICP-OES, and the results were analyzed using a non-parametric test and stepwise regression. Differences in the level and distribution of 14 geochemical elements, namely arsenic (As), selenium (Se), molybdenum (Mo), zinc (Zn), strontium (Sr), iron (Fe), tin (Sn), magnesium (Mg), vanadium (V), calcium (Ca), copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), potassium (K) and sulfur (S) were thus compared between the study and control areas. The results reveal that the geochemical element contents in soil, water and food show a significant difference between the study area and control area, and suggest that the study area was characterized by higher S and lower Sr and Al contents. These findings, based on statistical analysis, may be useful in directing further epidemiological investigations identifying the leading causes of birth defects.     

Blood lead levels in Papua New Guinea children living in a remote area

Improved contamination-free micro blood sampling and chemical analysis techniques were used to study the lead in blood (PbB) levels in 100 Papua New Guinea children living in a remote area. Six soil samples from different locations in the area were also chemically analysed as a check on environmental conditions. The mean value for PbB was 5.2 μg/100 ml with a range of 1.0–13.0 μg/100 ml. The standard deviation was 2.5 μg/100 ml. The results indicate much lower PbB levels for children living in a remote area than the earlier commonly reported levels for similar areas. These results indicate a need to reappraise the comparisons often made with PbB levels for urban children.     

Occurrence of endocrine disrupting compounds, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products in the Han River (Seoul, South Korea)

The occurrence of 31 selected endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) and pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in Korean surface waters was investigated. The area was selected since there is a lack of information in the Seoul area on the suspected contamination of rivers by micropollutants, although over 99% of drinking water is produced from surface waters in this area that has a population of approximately 15 million inhabitants. Samples were collected from upstream/downstream and effluent-dominated creeks along the Han River, Seoul (South Korea) and analyzed by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) with electrospray ionization (ESI) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI). Most target compounds were detected in both the Han River samples (63%) and the effluent-dominated creek samples (79%). Iopromide, atenolol, TCPP, TECP, musk ketone, naproxen, DEET, carbamazepine, caffeine, and benzophenone were frequently detected in both river and creek samples, although the mean concentrations in effluent-dominated creek samples (102 ng/L-3745 ng/L) were significantly higher than those in river samples (56 ng/L-1013 ng/L). However, the steroid hormones 17β-estradiol, 17α-ethynylestradiol, progesterone, and testosterone, were not detected (< 1 ng/L) in both the river and creek samples. Numerous target compounds (15) were found to be positively correlated (over 0.8) to the conventional water quality parameters (chemical oxygen demand, biochemical oxygen demand, dissolved organic carbon, and ultraviolet absorbance). Results of this study provide increasing evidence that certain EDCs and PPCPs commonly occur in the Han River as the result of wastewater outfalls.     

水泥固化滨海风积砂三轴试验研究

为了研究水泥对滨海风积砂的固化作用,设计了一系列三轴试验,分析了在高含水量状态下有效围压、水泥剂量和龄期对风积砂应力—应变曲线和孔压曲线发展规律的影响。结果表明:纯砂样的偏应力峰值和初始有效围压的拟合关系近似呈线性关系;在CD试验中,随着水泥剂量的增大,试样偏应力峰值明显增强,但低水泥剂量(2%)下偏应力峰值反而比纯砂样低;在CU试验中,由于水泥阻碍了孔压的消散,使得试样强度反而比砂样的略为降低;胶结样峰值强度与水泥剂量的拟合关系近似呈二次项关系;和7天相比,龄期28天对强度的贡献不大。试验结论对研究滨海地区风积砂路用性能具有实用价值。     

Determination of selected organophosphate esters in the aquatic environment of Austria

Organophosphate esters are used in multitude of applications such as flame retardants, plasticizers and lubricants. In recent years concerns have been raised in regards to the environmental impact of some of the more commonly used phosphoric acid triesters, because many of them are toxic and persistent. Liquid-liquid extraction and ultrasound-assisted solvent extraction followed by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry detection (LC-MS/MS) were used for the determination of nine priority organophosphate esters in waste and surface water, as well as in sediment samples for first time in Austria. Recoveries ranged from 63% to 94% in water and from 74 to 104% in sediment with estimated quantification limits between 2.6 and 7.9 ng/l in surface water, 4.1 and 13 ng/l in effluent waste water, and between 0.48 and 11 microg/kg in sediment. The validated method was applied to determine the occurrence of the selected organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs) and plasticizers in the aquatic environment of Austria. The impact of the discharge of waste water treatment plants into the receiving water bodies was also studied.     

Integration of distributed generation systems into generic types of commercial buildings in California

Distributed generation (DG) of combined cooling, heat, and power (CCHP) has been gaining momentum in recent years as an efficient, secure alternative for meeting increasing power demands in the world. One of the most critical and emerging markets for DG-CCHP systems is commercial and institutional buildings. The present study focuses analysis on the main economic, energy-efficiency, and environmental impacts of the integration of three types of advanced DG technologies (high-temperature fuel cells, micro-turbines, and photovoltaic solar panels) into four types of representative generic commercial building templates (small office building, medium office building, hospital, and college/school) in southern California (e.g., mild climate), using eQUEST as energy simulation tool. Detailed load profiles for the four commercial building types during times of peak electric and peak gas consumption were analyzed and complementary strategies to further increase overall building energy efficiencies such as energy efficiency measures (e.g., day lighting, exterior shading, improved HVAC performance) and thermally activated absorption cooling were also investigated. Results show that the high-temperature fuel cell (HTFC) performance is best matched with the hospital energy loads, resulting in a 98% DG capacity factor, 85% DG heat recovery factor, and $860,000 in energy savings (6 years payback). The introduction of thermally driven double-effect absorption cooling (AC) in the college building with HTFC reduces significantly the building electricity-to-thermal load ratio and boosts the heat recovery factor from 37% to 97%.     

Critical factors for environmental performance assessment (EPA) in the Hong Kong construction industry

With the rise in the public concern on environmental protection, more construction firms start to apply environmental management for their construction activities. As a result, environmental management systems (EMS) have been implemented in construction. However, to improve the construction environment in Hong Kong, environmental performance assessment (EPA) has been designed for reviewing, monitoring, checking and evaluating environmental performance. A list of evaluation factors for EPA are identified and grouped into seven major factors: management and training; air and noise; auditing; waste and water; cost saving on resources; energy; and regulation. The results from a survey highlight that the most important evaluation factor is management and training and the least significant result is regulation. A voluntary approach has been promoted instead of the traditional mandatory system. Furthermore, three case studies are used to test the reliability with seven groups of evaluation factors in measuring the environmental performance for construction. The results from the case study analysis proved the effectiveness of the developed environmental performance assessment. Therefore, the developed environmental performance assessment can benefit the construction industry and help to achieve continuous improvement on environmental performance.     

三峡库区侏罗系顺层滑坡滑带土的剪切蠕变特性

滑带土的蠕变行为对滑坡的预测预报和长期稳定性分析具有重要作用。选取三峡库区侏罗系典型顺层滑坡—万州兴福寺滑坡为研究实例,针对滑带土重塑样,先进行三轴压缩试验测定其峰值及残余抗剪强度指标,然后开展不同法向应力和不同含水率下滑带土试样的剪切蠕变试验。试验结果表明:①兴福寺滑坡滑带土在初始破坏之前经历瞬时蠕变和衰减蠕变阶段,并最终稳定在低速率的等速蠕变阶段。②法向应力越大,滑带土剪切蠕变速率和变形量越小,各级法向应力下蠕变破坏时的剪应变均小于5%。③含水率对滑带土剪切蠕变速率的影响不甚明显。含水率低于塑限时滑带土剪切蠕变模量最大。随着剪切蠕变的进行,低含水率和饱和试样的剪切蠕变模量均在短时间内急剧降低并分别稳定在某一稳定值,而含水率略高于塑限的试样则呈缓慢降低趋势。与此相反的是含水率接近液限的试样呈缓慢增大趋势。④滑带土长期黏聚力为峰值和残余黏聚力的70%和15.0倍,长期内摩擦角为峰值和残余内摩擦角的69%,70%,各强度指标均受滑带土细颗粒含量的影响。     

家具板材的燃烧性能和环保性能分析

基于现阶段校园家具中常用的人造板材,对其分别进行燃烧性能和环保性能测试,采用引燃时间、单位面积热释放速率峰值、放热总量、产烟总量和甲醛释放量这五个关键性能指标,得出板材综合性能评价结果。结果表明：随着辐射照度的升高,板材阻燃性能会降低;采用浸渍纸贴面措施对板材点燃时间有一定提升,但在热释放速率、放热总量和总产烟量指标上均有不同程度上浮;胶合板和浸渍纸饰面胶合板的热释放速率、产烟总量大,阻燃性能较差。     

微震与爆破事件统计识别方法及工程应用

 采用人工识别方法,依托微震监测系统,建立矿山爆破与微震事件样本数据库。统计分析数据库内各事件地震力矩、事件总能量、事件P波能量与S波能量比、事件的静压力降、事件的发生时间、传感器触发数量和拐角频率等震源参数特征;对比分析首次峰值到时、首次峰值幅值、最大峰值到时及最大峰值幅值的概率密度分布特征;通过FFT变换,统计分析2类事件信号的主频分布规律。依据各参数的概率密度分布及其识别效果,结合特征参数获取的难易程度,最终选取事件的地震力矩对数,事件的能量对数,事件的传感器触发数量,首次峰值幅值对数及最大峰值到时对数和信号的主频为特征参数,建立矿山微震与爆破事件自动识别的统计学模型。该模型对样本的回检结果显示,50组建模样本的准确率为100%,50组测试样本的准确率为94%。将该模型应用于采场大块矿石的二次破碎事件识别中,识别结果与实际相符,解决了单纯依靠信号特征识别导致该类事件极易与微震事件混淆的问题。该方法误判率低,特征参数较易获取,是矿山微震与爆破事件识别的一种有效方法,可在实际工程中推广应用。     

Immunochemical analysis for dioxins--progress and prospects

Recent developments in antibody design and sample preparation have considerably enhanced the use of enzyme immunoassay (EIA) as an alternative to the conventional techniques based on gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy for the analysis of the trace organic pollutants polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) in source and environmental samples. The EIA-specific sample preparation technique for solid matrices using a compatible extracting solvent coupled with an assay using a more sensitive antibody permits screening of source and environmental samples to be undertaken with minimal sample preparation. EIA has been validated on an increasing range of environmental and source samples as a cost effective I-TEQ screening tool, exploiting the commonly recognised general strengths of immunoassays such as speed, simplicity, low cost and parallel processing of many samples, greatly reducing the number of samples requiring conventional GCMS analysis. Further research and developmental work is required in the areas of sample extraction and extract cleanup to ensure compatibility with the immunoassay from the outset, and to standardise as far as is possible an assay format relevant to the application of interest, covering sample preparation, sample cleanup, quality control, assay procedure and data analysis.