Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) in river and wastewater in Germany

An overview of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) concentrations in German river water (315 samples) and wastewater (82 samples) is given. In the agglomerated area of Frankfurt/M, several samples of surface water, wastewater, and industrial effluents were analyzed for its MTBE content from 1999 to 2001. MTBE was analyzed by a combination of headspace-solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS). Rhine and Main water concentrations of MTBE in the lower parts of the rivers were approximately 250 ng/L and 200 ng/L, respectively. The concentrations increased from the upper parts of the rivers to its mouths. Water from the Elbe, Neckar, and Weser rivers showed lower MTBE concentrations, and the ether was not detected in the Danube river. Generally, higher MTBE concentrations were detected at urban agglomerations compared to rural areas. Small urban creeks without significant industrial input showed MTBE concentrations of approximately 50 ng/L, and it was hardly detectable in small rural creeks. Higher MTBE concentrations in river water were correlated with increased concentrations of the oxygenate measured in precipitation. Most MTBE concentrations in river water fell in the range of 50-200 ng/L (32%), 10-50 ng/L (28%), and 200-1000 ng/L (26%). MTBE concentrations in German surface water and air are 3-17 times lower compared to Californian data. Wastewater samples from influents of two sewage plants showed MTBE concentrations of approximately 100-300 ng/L, and a loading of 2-37 kg/a was calculated. An eliminated MTBE percentage of roughly 30-35% of MTBE in the plants was estimated. Industrially influenced samples of river water or public wastewater and industrial effluents showed MTBE concentrations of up to 2267 ng/L and 28 microg/L, respectively. This input has not been considered before because only 1.5% of the produced amount of MTBE in Germany is used for industrial processes, but it should not be neglected because MTBE is very persistent in water.     

Materials in Germany’s domestic building stock: calculation model and uncertainties

Building stocks are the dominant consumers of resources within national economies. Correspondingly, there is high demand for improved knowledge of material stocks and flows in the built environment. Material flow analysis is well suited to meet this demand. Although numerous studies have been conducted on this topic over recent years, these frequently lack applicability and transferability due to insufficient documentation or treatment of uncertainties. A new approach is presented here to calculate material stocks and flows for domestic buildings using the example of multi-family housing (MFH) in Germany. The approach is critically examined to determine its validity. The calculation process involves four steps: (1) building types are classified according to building age; (2) highly specific material composition indicators (MCIs) are calculated for the respective building types; (3) the total material stock as well as inflows and outflows are derived from the total floor space of Germany’s MFH; and (4) validity tests are performed to quantify uncertainties. The main results are age-based MCIs for MFH, the total material mass as well as quantitative information on parameter- and model-related uncertainties. Conclusions are drawn on the validity of results, the scalability and applicability of the model and its implementation, along with potential model refinements.     

KAIROMONAL RESPONSE BY FOUR Monochamus SPECIES (COLEOPTERA: CERAMBYCIDAE) TO BARK BEETLE PHEROMONES

We investigated the hypothesis that wood-boring beetles in the genus Monochamus (Cerambycidae) utilize pheromones of sympatric bark beetles as host-finding kairomones. All nine bark beetle pheromones tested electrophysiologically were antenally active for both sexes of M. scutellatus, M. clamator, and M. obtusus from British Columbia. When field-tested with multiple-funnel traps (British Columbia) or cross-vane traps (Ontario), a blend composed of frontalin, ipsdienol, ipsenol, and MCH, in combination with a blend of host volatiles attracted significant numbers of M. clamator, M. obtusus, M. notatus, and M. scutellatus to baited traps. Traps baited with host volatiles in combination with a second blend composed of endo-brevicomin, exo-brevicomin, cis-verbenol, trans-verbenol, and verbenone caught no more beetles than unbaited traps or traps baited with the host blend alone. In British Columbia, traps baited with the first blend alone or both blends together captured more M. scutellatus and M. clamator than unbaited traps, demonstrating a response to bark beetle pheromones in the absence of host volatiles. These results suggest that Monochamus spp. are minimizing foraging costs by using the pheromones of sympatric bark beetles as kairomones.     

Partially Bio-Based Polyester Bead Foams via Extrusion Foaming of Poly(butylene terephthalate)/Poly(butylene furanoate) Blends

The interest in bio-based alternatives to classical polyesters such as poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) is steadily growing to achieve a more sustainable approach to polymer materials. In this study, PBT/poly(butylene furanoate) (PBF) blends are prepared, characterized and extrusion foamed. PBF as a bio-based polyester offers two advantages. The ecological footprint of the material is reduced, and additionally, it can be used in Diels-Alder reactions at the blend surface to support fusion of the foamed beads. The blending behavior of the polyesters is investigated using samples prepared in a microcompounder, particularly focused on the miscibility of the blends and transesterification reactions. The blends are thermodynamically immiscible but show a certain degree of transesterification according to nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The morphology of blend beads produced by an extrusion foaming process is analyzed regarding their cell density, cell size distribution, and open-cell content. It is shown that PBF has a positive effect on the bead foam morphology. The use of a bifunctional linker designed for chemical fusion of the bead surfaces allows to obtaining of molded parts, in contrast to beads containing pure PBT.     

Application of cellulose- and chitosan-based edible coatings for quality and safety of deep-fried foods

Excessive oil uptake and formation of carcinogens, such as acrylamide (AA), heterocyclic amines (HCAs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), during deep-frying are a potential threat for food quality and safety. Cellulose- and chitosan-based edible coatings have been widely applied to deep-fried foods for reduction of oil uptake because of their barrier property to limit oil ingress, and their apparent inhibition of AA formation. Cellulose- and chitosan-based edible coatings have low negative impacts on sensory attributes of fried foods and are low cost, nontoxic, and nonallergenic. They also show great potential for reducing HCAs and PAHs in fried foods. The incorporation of nanoparticles improves mechanical and barrier properties of cellulose and chitosan coatings, which may also contribute to reducing carcinogens derived from deep-frying. Considering the potential for positive health outcomes, cellulose- and chitosan-based edible coatings could be a valuable method for the food industry to improve the quality and safety of deep-fried foods.