Long-range transported atmospheric pollutants in snowpacks accumulated at different altitudes in the Tatra Mountains (Slovakia)

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including polychlorobiphenyls (PCB), endosulfans, hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), polybromodiphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), were analyzed in snowpack samples collected along an altitudinal gradient (1683-2634 meters above sea level) in the High Tatra Mountains (Slovakia). All analyzed compounds were found at all altitudes, pointing to their global distribution. The presence of PBDEs, particularly BDE 209, in the snowpack samples is especially relevant, as it reflects the air transport capacity of this low volatile, very hydrophobic pollutant to remote mountain regions. The most abundant compounds at all altitudes were PAHs, with mean values ranging from 90 to 300 ngL(-1), 1 order of magnitude higher than concentrations of other compounds. PCBs (sum of PCB 28, 52, 101, 118, 153, 138, and 180) and BDE 209 were the dominant organohalogen pollutants, with concentrations from 550 to 1600 pg L(-1) and from 670 to 2000 pgL(-1), respectively. Low brominated PBDEs, endosulfans, HCHs and HCB were consistently found in all samples at lower concentrations. The concentrations of these compounds correlated positively with altitude (i.e., negatively with temperature), which is consistent with cold-trapping effects. The regression coefficients were positive and statistically significant (p < 0.05) for all compounds except BDE 209, endosulfan sulfate, HCB and α-HCH. Contrariwise, the concentrations of BDE 209 and endosulfan sulfate exhibited a statistically significant positive correlation with total particle amount, which agrees with long-range atmospheric transport associated to aerosols according to the physical-chemical properties of these compounds. Snow specific surface area, which determines the maximum amount of each organic compound that can be sorbed by snow, proved utile for describing the distribution of the more volatile compounds, namely α-HCB and HCB, in the snowpack.     

面向智慧城市应急响应的异构传感器集成共享方法

智慧城市的实现是建立在传感器资源观测应用之上.城市传感器资源类型多样,观测机理各异,数量巨大,它们呈现出封闭、孤立和自治性.面对复合的城市应急事件时,基于万维网的城市异构传感器资源管理低效,导致城市应急响应的实时可靠数据来源匮乏与决策低效,严重阻碍了城市应急响应的“智慧化”.提出了面向智慧城市应急响应的异构传感器资源集成共享框架,通过将城市异构传感器资源统一化描述,然后基于标准的网络目录服务进行传感器资源万维网注册与按需发现.构建了城市异构传感器资源集成共享平台,以武汉内涝型灾害应急响应为案例,验证了城市内涝监测传感器资源的集成共享的可行性和可扩展性,促使城市分布式异构传感器资源从“观测孤岛”到“集成共享”的转变,为智慧城市应急响应所需的传感器资源共享与观测规划提供依据.     

Assessment of a stand-alone gradual capacity reverse osmosis desalination plant to adapt to wind power availability: A case study

Desalination driven by renewable energies is an interesting technology in isolated coastal areas. Its feasibility and reliability are guaranteed by innumerable designs implemented and experiences carried out, mainly focused on small capacity systems. However, only mature and efficient technologies are suitable for medium or large scale desalination. In the case of seawater desalination, wind-powered reverse osmosis is the most efficient, mature and cost-effective technology. This paper assesses the most suitable design for seawater reverse osmosis desalination driven by off-grid wind energy systems. A high innovative design based on gradual capacity with nominal production of 1000 m³/d is compared to a conventional fixed capacity desalination plant. Due to the intermittent wind resource, the gradual capacity desalination plant is able to fit the available energy and maximize the annual water production.     

Thermodynamic study on glycerol-fuelled intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs) with different electrolytes

In this paper, a thermodynamic analysis was carried out to provide useful information about the operation of intermediate-temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (IT-SOFCs) with direct internal reforming (DIR) fuelled by glycerol. A methodology, based on the principle of minimizing the Gibbs energy of a given system, using spreadsheets and the Microsoft Excel’s Solver function, was described for DIR operation of the SOFC with oxygen ion conducting electrolyte (SOFC-O²⁻) and proton conducting electrolyte (SOFC-H⁺). The effect of temperature, fuel utilization and type of electrolyte on the equilibrium composition of the anode gas mixture as well as on the boundary of carbon formation has been investigated in the temperature range of 773–1073 K. Based on the results of this thermodynamic study, glycerol can be considered an alternative fuel with suitable characteristics for electricity generation in IT-SOFCs. Operating at carbon-free conditions, between 773 and 1073 K, with a fuel utilization of 99.99% in the anode channel outlet, glycerol-fuelled IT-SOFCs systems attain high theoretical efficiencies in the range of 80.7–89.9% (SOFC-O²⁻ case) and 90.3–96.7% (SOFC-H⁺ case). Regarding the maximum values of the average electromotive force (EMF) and efficiency, it was verified that glycerol exhibits very similar potential for power generation with ethanol. Although glycerol fed SOFC-H⁺ is superior to SOFC-O²⁻ in terms of maximum theoretical efficiency, it should be taken into account that the SOFC-H⁺ shows a greater tendency for carbon deposition than does the SOFC-O²⁻ during the operation. Besides, it was found that decreasing temperature increases the efficiency but also favors carbon formation, for both SOFC-O²⁻ and SOFC-H⁺. When the system runs at 70% of its maximum power and the partial pressure of residual hydrogen in the anode outlet is kept equal to 0.1 atm, the highest efficiency (67%) is achieved by operating an SOFC-H⁺ at 823 K.     

Pectinesterase and polygalacturonase in changes of pectic matter in olives (cv. Hojiblanca) intended for milling

Virgin olive oil is a highly valued product, and it is important to optimize extraction yield. The pectic composition and the related enzymatic activities, present in the raw material, are variables that may affect that process. The pectinolytic activities producing modifications in the pectic matter of olive fruits (variety Hojiblanca) during ripening and the associated changes in texture were studied. Pectinesterase (PE) activity increased with ripeness until reaching a peak when anthocyanin synthesis in the fruit became marked (turning color stage). From then on, it decreased. In contrast, polygalacturonase (PG) activity in the ripe-green fruit decreased sharply when anthocyanin formation began (small reddish spots stage) and then increased, reaching a maximum in the ripe-black fruit. Parallel changes were noted in the texture and pectic content of the olives, related to endo- and exo-PG enzymatic activities, together with a decrease in the degree of esterification of the pectic matter, which could be associated with PE action. The distribution of the pectic fractions in the raw material and the changes in them during the olive oil extraction process showed the role of PE and PG in the fruits that was related to the yield of extracted oil.     

Validation of a HPLC method for simultaneous determination of five sunscreens in lotion preparation

The aim of this research was to develop and validate a high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method for simultaneous determination of five sunscreens, namely benzophenone-3 (B-3), butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane (BM), octyl methoxycinnamate (OM), octyl salicylate (OS) and homosalate (HS). The separation and quantitative determination was made by HPLC at 40 +/-1 degrees C with a gradient elution from 10% to 100% mobile phase B in mobile phase A. The gradient liquid chromatographic system constituted of mobile phase A [acetonitrile : water (10 : 90 v/v)] and mobile phase B [acetonitrile : water (90 : 10 v/v)], at a flow rate of 1.0 mL min(-1) and ultraviolet detection at 310 nm. The separation was obtained with two Waters reversed phase columns: Novapack C-18 and Symmetry((R)) C-18 connected in series. All sunscreens were efficiently separated within 17 min. The coefficient of correlation and average recovery for B-3, BM, OM, OS and HS were 0.9798 and 98.5%, 0.9672 and 98.8%, 0.9922 and 99.1%, 0.9961 and 98.9% and 0.9909 and 99.4% respectively. The relative standard deviations obtained were between 1.07% and 2.44%. The excipients did not interfere in the analysis. The results showed that the proposed method could be used for rapid and simultaneous determination of B-3, BM, OM, OS and HS in sunscreen lotions with precision, accuracy and specificity.     

Compatibility of recycled PVC/ABS blends. Effect of previous degradation

The aim of the present study is to analyze the compatibility between recycled poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). With this objective, blends made from recycled PVC obtained from credit cards and both virgin ABS and recycled ABS obtained from the electrical and electronic sector were prepared, and the range of compositions from 0 to 100 wt% were analyzed. The level of degradation existing within the recycled materials was analyzed using the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. The existence of partial compatibility between the components of the blend was determined using differential scanning calorimetry. The presence of the elastomeric phase in the ABS is a significant factor which needs to be taken into account when studying the phenomena of interfacial adhesion. In addition, dynamic mechanical analysis has been used to analyze the effect of temperature upon stiffness, in the function of the composition of the blend. The tensile strength of the blends has been adjusted according to the equivalent box model, which has allowed the determination of the level of adhesion at the interface of the blend components. Finally, a morphological study of the fracture has been completed using scanning electron microscopy. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 47:789–796, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Intercalation of epoxy resin in organically modified montmorillonite

Various methods of preparation of epoxy resin/clay mixtures, before the addition of the crosslinking agent and curing to form epoxy‐based polymer layered silicate (PLS) nanocomposites, have been investigated to determine their effect on the nanostructure. Organically modified montmorillonite clay was used, and the mixtures were prepared by both simple mixing and solvent‐based methods. X‐ray diffraction shows that intercalation of the resin into the clay galleries occurs for all clay loadings up to 25 wt % and for both preparation methods, but the dispersion of the clay in the resin, observed by optical microscopy, is significantly better for the solvent preparation method. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) shows that the intercalated resin has the same molecular mobility as the extra‐gallery resin, but suggests that the intercalated resin does not penetrate completely into the galleries. Prolonged storage of the resin/clay mixtures at room temperature leads to changes in the DSC response, as well as in the response to thermogravimetry, which are interpreted as resulting from homopolymerization of the epoxy resin, catalyzed by the onium ion in the modified clay. This confirms and explains the earlier observation of Benson Tolle and Anderson (J Appl Polym Sci 2004, 91, 89) that “conditioning” of the resin/clay mixtures at ambient temperature has a significant effect when the crosslinking agent is subsequently added, and indicates that the preparation method has important consequences for the nanostructure development in the PLS nanocomposites. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102:3751–3763, 2006