Showing papers by "United States Environmental Protection Agency published in 1978"
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TL;DR: In this paper, the levels of four sets of pollutants (heavy-metals, artificial radionuclides, petroleum components, and halogenated hydrocarbons) have been measured in U.S. coastal waters, using bivalves as sentinel organisms.
Abstract: The levels of four sets of pollutants (heavy-metals, artificial radionuclides, petroleum components, and halogenated hydrocarbons), have been measured in U.S. coastal waters, using bivalves as sentinel organisms. The strategies of carrying out this programme are outlined and the results from the first year's work are given. Varying degrees of pollution in U.S. coastal waters have been indicated by elevated levels of pollutants in the bivalves, which comprised certain species of mussels and oysters and were collected at over one hundred localities.
859 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors derived from extensive field measurements on foliar emissions in the U.S. approximate global inputs of isoprene and terpenes of 3.5 times 10 to 14th power and 4.8 times 10-14th power g(C)/yr, respectively.
Abstract: Extrapolating from extensive field measurements on foliar emissions in the U.S. approximate global inputs of isoprene and terpenes of 3.5 times 10 to the 14th power and 4.8 times 10 to the 14th power g(C)/yr, respectively, are obtained. The oxidation of these hydrocarbons could contribute in an important way to the atmospheric sources of CO (4.2-13.3 times 10 to the 14th power g/yr) and H2 (10-35 times 10 to the 12th power g/yr), and to organic species soluble in rainwater
361 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the evaluation of wind power potential at a proposed aerogenerator site by extrapolation from measured winds at a reference level is investigated, and it is shown that the total mean wind power density is not particularly sensitive to the selection of roughness length or power law exponent.
Abstract: The evaluation of wind power potential at a proposed aerogenerator site by extrapolation from measured winds at a reference level is investigated. It is shown that the total mean wind power density is not particularly sensitive to the selection of roughness length or power law exponent; over the entire likely range of these parameters the wind power in the mean flow at typical aerogenerator hub heights is within 1.4–4 times the power at a reference height of about 10 m. In lieu of in situ profile measurements, it is suggested that a power law exponent of 1/7 is adequate for realistic but conservative estimates of the available wind power except at extremely rough sites where the estimates may only be conservative.
272 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors compared the results of two different types of samplers, i.e., an ion chromatograph and thorin spectrophotometeric method to determine sulfate.
212 citations
TL;DR: Cadmium and lead concentrations in the animals tested generally increased with increasing water concentrations and were up to 30,000 and 9000 times greater than corresponding metal concentrations inThe water.
150 citations
TL;DR: The recovery efficiencies of XAD resins −2, −4, −7, and −8 and of resin mixtures were measured using distilled water samples containing 13 organic pollutants as mentioned in this paper.
145 citations
01 Jan 1978
TL;DR: A wide variety of combustion sources produce soot, i.e., carbon aerosols containing variable quantities of organic matter as discussed by the authors, and the most significant transportation-related sources of such materials are diesel engines.
Abstract: A wide variety of combustion sources produce soot, i.e., carbon aerosols containing variable quantities of organic matter. The most significant transportation-related sources of such materials are diesel engines. Diesel power has been used for railway locomotives, long haul trucks, and earthmoving equipment for many years. However, recently a strong trend has developed toward use of diesel engines in urban service vehicles and also taxicabs. In the near future substantial numbers of diesel-powered automobiles may be used by the general public.
145 citations
TL;DR: When a sensitive life stage for acute toxicity tests with metals is sought, the more resistant newly hatched alevins should be avoided, although tolerance may increase with age.
Abstract: Continuous-flow toxicity tests were conducted to determine the relative tolerances of newly hatched alevins, swim-up alevins, parr, and smolts of chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and steelhead (Salmo gairdneri) to cadmium, copper, and zinc. Newly hatched alevins were much more tolerant to cadmium and, to a lesser extent, to zinc than were later juvenile forms. However, the later progression from swim-up alevin, through parr, to smolt was accompanied by a slight increase in metal tolerance. The 96-h LC50 values for all four life stages ranged from 1.0 to >27 μg Cd/liter, 17 to 38 μg Cu/liter, and 93 to 815 μg Zn/liter. Steelhead were consistently more sensitive to these metals than were chinook salmon. When a sensitive life stage for acute toxicity tests with metals is sought, the more resistant newly hatched alevins should be avoided. Although tolerance may increase with age, all later juvenile life stages are more sensitive and should give similar results.
143 citations
TL;DR: A 60-day exposure period appears to be appropriate for determining larval sensitivity to cadmium, and agreement between these results and those from lifecycle chronic toxicity studies indicates that embryo and larval exposures will give reliable estimates of the chronic toxicity of Cadmium to additional fish species.
Abstract: The embryos and larvae of seven freshwater fish were exposed to low concentrations of cadmium in soft water. All species were killed or their growth retarded by concentrations ranging from about A to 12 μg Cd/liter. The larvae were consistently more sensitive than the embryos. The agreement between these results and those from lifecycle chronic toxicity studies indicates that embryo and larval exposures will give reliable estimates of the chronic toxicity of cadmium to additional fish species. A 60-day exposure period appears to be appropriate for determining larval sensitivity to cadmium.
115 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the summer sulfur budget of the coal-fired Labadie power plant near St. Louis, Missouri is assessed via aircraft data, ground monitoring network data and a two-box model.
101 citations
01 Jan 1978
TL;DR: Pentachlorophenol (PCP) and its salts are widely used as biocides in the United States of America as discussed by the authors, although the principal use of PCP is for wood preservation, the versatility of this compound can be seen by the great diversity of uses.
Abstract: Pentachlorophenol (PCP) and its salts are widely used as biocides in the United States of America. Although the principal use of PCP is for wood preservation, the versatility of this compound can be seen by the great diversity of uses.
TL;DR: In this paper, a study of the chemical mechanisms involved in the conversion of fuel-nitrogen compounds to nitric oxide during combustion, fossil fuels and model nitrogen compounds were pyrolysed in helium in a small quartz flow reactor.
TL;DR: Fish larvae and early juveniles of all species tested were more sensitive to copper than the embryos, andEmbryo survival was affected only at the higher concentrations tested, for all species except the rainbow trout.
Abstract: Fish larvae and early juveniles of all species tested (brook trout, rainbow trout, brown trout, lake trout, northern pike, white sucker, herring, and smallmouth bass) were more sensitive to copper than the embryos. Embryo survival was affected only at the higher concentrations tested, for all species except the rainbow trout. The concentrations of copper that caused significant effects on the larval standing crop were similar for all species (31.7-43.5 microgram Cu/1) except the northern pike, which seemed to be considerably more resistant (104.1 microgram Cu/1). Copper concentrations shown to have no significant effects on the early developmental stages of these species are considered close estimates of the copper concentrations that would have no measurable adverse effects during a complete life cycle toxicity test under similar test conditions.
TL;DR: Calculated minimum half-lives for the direct photolysis of IPC and CIPC in a clear water body near the surface are 254 and 121 days, respectively, compared with 6.6 days in distilled water.
TL;DR: Siskiwit Lake, a deep cold lake on Isle Royale, was selected as a control site for studies on Lake Superior as discussed by the authors, showing significant increases in levels of organic residues in Lake Superior fish near Isle Royale and in fat lake trout, Salvelinus namaycush siscowet.
TL;DR: In this paper, the plume of the coal-fired Labadie power plant near St Louis was positively identified and sampled from aircraft over a range exceeding 300 km and 10 h of transport during day and night on July 9 and July 18.
TL;DR: Clustering of the illnesses in time and place, as well as the similarity of these cases to previously documented cases of phenol poisoning, suggest that phenol in water caused the illness.
Abstract: Accidental spillage of 37,900 1 of 100% phenol (carbolic acid) in July 1974 caused chemical contamination of wells in a rural area of southern Wisconsin. Human illness characterized by diarrhea, mouth sores, dark urine, and burning of the mouth was subsequently reported by seventeen individuals who consumed the contaminated water; their estimated intake of phenol was 10 to 240 mg/person/day. Clustering of the illnesses in time and place, as well as the similarity of these cases to previously documented cases of phenol poisoning, suggest that phenol in water caused the illness. Physical and laboratory examinations 6 months after the exposure revealed no residual abnormality in exposed persons. Water testing and geologic evaluations indicate that contamination of the underground water system may persist for many years.
TL;DR: Phosphorite concretions have been detected in the kidneys of two widespread species of mollusks, Mercenaria mercenaria and Argopecten irradians, which have relatively high population densities, and are the first documentation of the direct biogenic formation of phosphorite grains.
Abstract: Phosphorite concretions have been detected in the kidneys of two widespread species of mollusks, Mercenaria mercenaria and Argopecten irradians, which have relatively high population densities These concretions are the first documentation of the direct biogenic formation of phosphorite grains The concretions are principally amorphous calcium phosphate, which upon being heated yields an x-ray diffraction pattern which is essentially that of chlorapatite These concretions appear to be a normal formation of the excretory process of mollusks under reproductive, environmental, or pollutant-induced stress Biogenic production of phosphorite concretions over long periods of time and diagenetic change from amorphous to crystalline structure, coupled with secondary enrichment, may account for the formation of some marine phosphorite desposits which are not easily explained by the chemical precipitation-replacement hypothesis
TL;DR: In this paper, the partitioning of two polychlorinated biphenyl mixtures (Aroclor 1016 and 1242) and two tetrachlorobiphenyl isomers (2,5,3, 4, 6, 2,6, 2′, 6′) between water and four natural sediments was evaluated in laboratory investigations.
TL;DR: In this paper, the size and sulfate content of atmospheric aerosols and the rate and mechanisms for sulfate formation from sulfur dioxide in power plant plumes are reviewed and the results from the recent USEPA study, Project MISTT (Midwest Interstate Sulfur Transformation and Transport).
TL;DR: In this article, the authors use first-order equations to estimate each of these reaction rates using expressions that involve a term for the aqueous concentration and a function of some property of the environment such as pH, turbulence, or microbial population size.
Abstract: An accurate estimate of the environmental concentration of a chemical substance resulting from its manufacture, use, and disposal is essential to any organized hazard assessment program. This estimate of dose can then be used in combination with results from laboratory-derived toxicity tests to assess the associated risks to aquatic species. In following this approach, one must consider what the environment does to the pollutant rather than the reverse. Chemical transformations of a pollutant can take many routes, several of the more significant being ionization as typified by simple acid-base equilibria, hydrolysis, photolysis, microbial degradation, volatilization, and partitioning (sorption). In general, first-order equations can be used to estimate each of these reaction rates using expressions that involve a term for the aqueous concentration and a function of some property of the environment such as pH, turbulence, or microbial population size. These major processes are identifiable, experimentally manageable, and can be arranged easily into differential equations expressing the net rate of change under given conditions. By specifying realistic ranges of these environmental properties, an analysis of pollutant changes can be carried out for a wide variety of aquatic environments. Such evaluative models of environmental processes as they affect pollutant behavior have been used to model successfully the aqueous concentration and fate of several pesticide formulations. This approach is useful since it incorporates the dynamics of no real environment but is based on the properties of stylized environments for which we can mathematically specify rather than measure inputs. This modeling approach can ultimately be improved as better understanding of its underlying concepts develops and as our knowledge of environmental processes improves.
TL;DR: There is evidence that daily growth rings are deposited in the sagitta otolith of larvae and juvenile Atlantic silversides, Menidia menidia, and these rings can be used as a tool to age young Atlanticsilversides.
Abstract: There is evidence that daily growth rings are deposited in the sagitta otolith of larvae and juvenile Atlantic silversides, Menidia menidia. The growth rings are a function of age alone, and can be used as a tool to age young Atlantic silversides. Growth rings deposited in the asteriscus otolith were unreliable indicators of daily age.
TL;DR: A fathead minnow life-cycle exposure to various zinc concentrations demonstrated that the most sensitive indicators of zinc toxicity were egg adhesiveness and fragility, which were significantly affected at 145 μg Zn 1−1 and above, but were not affected at 78 μg ZN 1–1 and below.
Abstract: A fathead minnow life-cycle exposure to various zinc concentrations demonstrated that the most sensitive indicators of zinc toxicity were egg adhesiveness and fragility, which were significantly affected at 145 μg Zn 1−1 and above, but were not affected at 78 μg Zn 1−1 and below. These effects occurred shortly after the eggs were spawned (during water hardening) and therefore were not related to effects on the parental fish. Hatchability and survival of larvae were significantly reduced, and deformities at hatching were significantly increased at 295 ug Zn 1−1 and above. Acclimated and unacclimated groups of larvae exposed to identical zinc concentrations for 8 weeks after hatch showed only slight differences in sensitivity.
TL;DR: In this paper, the toxicity of cadmium and zinc mixtures was found to be little if any greater than toxicity of zinc alone, indicating that the presence of zinc did not influence the mode of action of zinc.
Abstract: Flagfish were exposed to cadmium and zinc as individual metals and as mixtures (4.3-8.5 μg Cd/liter and 73.4-139 μg Zn/liter) through one complete life cycle in Lake Superior water (45 mg/liter total hardness). Cadmium and zinc did not act additively at sublethal concentrations when combined as mixtures; however, a joint action of the toxicants was indicated. Effects on survival showed that the toxicity of cadmium and zinc mixtures was little if any greater than the toxicity of zinc alone. Mechanisms of zinc toxicity in this test were similar to those in previous chronic tests of individual metals, indicating that the presence of cadmium did not influence the mode of action of zinc. Comparisons between metal residues in fish exposed to each individual metal or to the metal mixtures showed that the uptake of one metal was not influenced by the presence of the other.
TL;DR: A sulfur balance has been demonstrated for the sulfur dioxide-ozone-olefin reaction system, which produces aerosols containing sulfur, and a hydrogen-air flame photometric detector is used.
TL;DR: The 28-day LC50 was lower for polychaetes exposed without sand than those with sand, 0.044 and 0.10 mg l −5 Cu, respectively.
TL;DR: Flow-through acute toxicity tests of cadmium, copper, and zinc were conducted with adult male coho salmon and adult male steelhead and hardness and alkalinity of the water supply were higher during the toxicity tests with steelhead, complicating direct comparisons between the two species.
Abstract: Flow-through acute toxicity tests of cadmium, copper, and zinc were conducted with adult male coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) and adult male steelhead (Salmo gairdneri). The 96-h LC50 values for copper were 46 and 57 μg/liter, and for zinc were 905 and 1,755 μg/liter, for coho salmon and steelhead, respectively. Mortality induced by cadmium was slow in onset, but 50% mortality occurred after more than a week at 3.7 μg/liter for coho salmon and 5.2 μg/liter for steelhead. Hardness and alkalinity of the water supply were higher during the toxicity tests with steelhead, complicating direct comparisons between the two species.
TL;DR: This paper showed that bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus) showed increases in cough frequency commensurate with effluent concentration when exposed for 24 hours to different industrial and municipal effluents.
TL;DR: Mysids, small shrimp-like Crustacea, proved to be a practical bioassay animal for investigating the effects of cadmium in seawater and may serve this purpose for other pollutants.
Abstract: Mysids, small shrimp-like Crustacea, proved to be a practical bioassay animal for investigating the effects of cadmium in seawater and may serve this purpose for other pollutants. In the laboratory under flow-through test conditions, the mysid,Mysidopsis bahia, was more sensitive to cadmium than other crustaceans tested. LC50 values were 15.5 μg/l within 96 hrs and 11.3 μg/l during a 17-day life cycle, whereas LC50's for other selected crustaceans were between 120 and 720 μg/l. Results of life-cycle bioassays can aid in the establishment of water quality criteria for marine and estuarine organisms.
TL;DR: Laboratory brook trout were used to evaluate, refine, or develop biochemical procedures for the analysis of fish blood to discuss blood factors related to fish health and disease and to changes caused by deleterious quantities of water pollutants.
Abstract: Laboratory brook trout were used to evaluate, refine, or develop biochemical procedures for the analysis of fish blood Analytical values were obtained for the following blood properties: total and differential leucocytes and erythrocytes; erythrocyte and plasma proteins (by electrophoresis); plasma refractive index; erythrocyte sedimentation rate; erythrocyte osmotic fragility; blood surface tension and density; haemoglobin; and packed cell volume These blood factors are discussed with reference to fish health and disease and to changes caused by deleterious quantities of water pollutants