Found 9983 publications. Showing page 119 of 400:
2018
2018
Assessment of heavy metal transboundary pollution on global, regional and national scales
Meteorological Synthesizing Centre - East (MSC-E)
2018
Unleaded gasoline as a significant source of Pb emissions in the Subarctic
After the phasing out of leaded gasoline, Pb emissions to the atmosphere dramatically decreased, and other sources became more significant. The contribution of unleaded gasoline has not been sufficiently recognized; therefore, we evaluated the impact of Pb from unleaded gasoline in a relatively pristine area in Subarctic NE Norway. The influence of different endmembers (Ni slag and concentrate from the Nikel smelter in Russia, PM10 filters, and traffic) on the overall Pb emissions was determined using various environmental samples (snow, lichens, and topsoils) and Pb isotope tracing. We found a strong relationship between Pb in snow and the Ni smelter. However, lichen samples and most of the topsoils were contaminated by Pb originating from the current use of unleaded gasoline originating from Russia. Historical leaded and recent unleaded gasoline are fully distinguishable using Pb isotopes, as unleaded gasoline is characterized by a low radiogenic composition (206Pb/207Pb = 1.098 and 208Pb/206Pb = 2.060) and remains an unneglectable source of Pb in the region.
2018
2018
The PLASTOX project investigates the ingestion, food-web transfer, and ecotoxicological impact of microplastics (MPs), together with the persistent organic pollutants (POPs), metals and plastic additive chemicals associated with them, on key European marine species and ecosystems. PLASTOX combines field-based observations, laboratory tests and manipulative field experiments to study the ecological effects of MPs.
As part of a long-term field experiment conducted at marine locations across Europe (Mediterranean to Arctic), a range of different virgin polymer pellets, post-use polymers (LDPE, PP, PS and PET), as well as marine litter-derived microplastic particles, were deployed underwater for up to 12 months in the small boat harbour of Tromsø, Northern Norway. The deployment device consisted of an empty stainless steel SPMD canister, with the various plastic types placed in reusable, empty 'teabags' made of PP, placed separately in nylon netting. Sampling was conducted 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months after deployment. Hydrophobic persistent organic pollutants such as PAHs, PCBs, DDTs, PBDEs and pesticides that had become associated with the plastic were measured and their adsorption kinetics in seawater under Arctic conditions established. Samples were extracted using ultrasound and non-polar solvents, followed by GPC and SPE clean up prior to chemical analysis and quantification by GC/MS/MS and GC/qMS. The release kinetics of common plastic additives, including phthalates, organophosphate esters, bisphenols and perfluorinated chemicals, were estimated from four types of post-industrial virgin pellets (LDPE, PS, PVC, PET) according to the same sampling protocol. Chemical analysis was performed using either GC/MS or LC-QTOF.
Results show that HCB and PCBs represented the dominant pollutant classes adsorbing to all of the different polymer types, but at concentrations that are more than 10-times lower than those previously reported. However, equilibrium between pollutants and the polymers was not reached during the deployment period, indicating that Arctic conditions may result in different sorption kinetics than observed in temperate regions.
2018
Environmental pollutants in the terrestrial and urban environment 2017
Abiotic and biotic samples from the terrestrial and urban environment were analysed for inorganic and various organic contaminants in the Oslo area. The species analysed were earthworms, fieldfare, sparrowhawk, brown rat, tawny owl, red fox and badger. Air and soil samples were also included in the study to increase the understanding on sources and uptake of pollutants. A foodchain approach was used, in order to detect trophic magnification of the different compounds.
NILU
2018
2018
Assessment was performed of the air quality related risk to the conservation of cultural heritage objects in one urban and one rural indoor location in Romania, with expected different air quality related conservation challenges: the National military museum in Bucharest and the Tismana monastery in Gorj County. The work was performed within and subsequent to the EU-Memori project by applying Memori methodology, Memori®-EWO (Early warning organic) dosimeters and passive pollution badge samplers for acetic and formic acids. The measurements in the National military museum were performed in three rooms with different exposure situations, and inside protective enclosures in the rooms. The rooms had organic and inorganic objects on exhibition and in store. The observed risks were associated with photo-oxidizing impact probably due to traffic pollutants entering from outdoor, and/or light exposure and temperature. The risks were found to be moderate, generally comparable to typical European purpose built museum locations. The highest risk was observed in a more open exhibition room in the main museum building. It was indicated that some observable change might happen to sensitive pigments and paper within 3 years, and to lead, copper and sensitive glass within 30 years in this location. Risk for observable change to sensitive pigments, paper, lead and sensitive glass within 30 years, was indicated in the other locations. The lowest risk was observed in a warehouse. A reduction in photo-oxidizing risk was measured in two of the enclosures, but a slightly higher acidic impact was measured in all the three enclosures, as compared to the respective rooms. In the Tismana monastery, a high level of acetic plus formic acid was observed in the air in the storerooms for icons and textiles, and books. Damage risk within 3 years was indicated for lead objects and sensitive glass, and within 30 years for iron and varnish (Laropal A81, resin mastic and dammar). As organic acid attack increases significantly at higher air humidity (> ~ 60%), this would be especially important to avoid. Risk for photo-oxidizing damage to paper and sensitive pigments within 30 years was indicated.
2018
2018
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) can be used as chemical sentinels for the assessment of anthropogenic influences on Arctic environmental change. We present an overview of studies on PCBs in the Arctic and combine these with the findings from ArcRisk—a major European Union-funded project aimed at examining the effects of climate change on the transport of contaminants to and their behaviour of in the Arctic—to provide a case study on the behaviour and impact of PCBs over time in the Arctic. PCBs in the Arctic have shown declining trends in the environment over the last few decades. Atmospheric long-range transport from secondary and primary sources is the major input of PCBs to the Arctic region. Modelling of the atmospheric PCB composition and behaviour showed some increases in environmental concentrations in a warmerArctic, but the general decline in
PCB levels is still the most prominent feature. ‘Within-Arctic’ processing of PCBs will be affected by climate change-related processes such as changing wet deposition. These in turn will influence biological exposure and uptake of PCBs. The pan-Arctic rivers draining large Arctic/sub-Arctic catchments provide a significant source of PCBs to the Arctic Ocean, although changes in hydrology/sediment transport combined with a changing marine environment remain areas of uncertainty with regard to PCB fate. Indirect effects of climate change on human exposure, such as a changing diet will influence and possibly reduce PCB
exposure for indigenous peoples. Body burdens of PCBs have declined since the 1980s and are predicted to decline further.
2018
Air quality in Ny-Ålesund. Monitoring of local air quality 2016-2017.
The concentrations of the measured components are generally low and below national limit values for the protection of human health and critical levels for the protection of vegetation.
Wind from northern sectors gave the highest average concentrations of nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide, which indicates the power station and the harbour as possible sources. The measurement results for CO2 show an annual variation with higher concentrations in the winter and lower in summer. Measured concentrations of CO were most likely caused by local snowmobile traffic.
NILU
2018
Transboundary particulate matter, photo-oxidants, acidifying and eutrophying components
Norwegian Meteorological Institute
2018
2018
Skogens helsetilstand i Norge. Resultater fra skogskadeovervåkingen i 2017
Skogens helsetilstand påvirkes i stor grad av klima og værforhold, enten direkte ved tørke, frost og vind, eller indirekte ved at klimaet påvirker omfanget av soppsykdommer og insektangrep. Klimaendringene og den forventede økningen i klimarelaterte skogskader gir store utfordringer for forvaltningen av framtidas skogressurser. Det samme gjør invaderende skadegjørere, både allerede etablerte arter og nye som kan komme til Norge i nær framtid. Denne rapporten presenterer resultater fra skogskadeovervåkingen i Norge i 2017 og trender over tid for følgende temaer...
NIBIO
2018
Air quality in Europe - 2018 report
The current report presents an updated overview and analysis of air quality in Europe from 2000 to 2016. It reviews the progress made towards meeting the air quality standards established in the two EU Ambient Air Quality Directives and towards the World Health Organization (WHO) air quality guidelines (AQGs). It also presents the latest findings and estimates on population and ecosystem exposure to the air pollutants with the greatest impacts and effects. The evaluation of the status of air quality is based mainly on reported ambient air measurements, in conjunction with modelling data and data on anthropogenic emissions and their evolution over time.
European Environment Agency
2018
2018