Showing papers in "Environmental Science & Technology in 1973"
625 citations
TL;DR: Air pollution sources of given types, whether natural or man-made, emit a characteristic set of chemical elements in approximately fixed proportions and the contributions from each source can be estimated by measuring elemental concentrations at a given point and solving a set of simultaneous linear algebraic equations.
Abstract: Air pollution sources of given types, whether natural or man-made, emit a characteristic set of chemical elements in approximately fixed proportions. If the sources in a polluted region are known, the contributions from each source can be estimated by measuring elemental concentrations at a given point and solving a set of simultaneous linear algebraic equations. The method has been applied to the particulate matter measured in the air of Pasadena over an 11-hr period and averaged over particle size. For the period in question, about 15% of the particulate matter resulted from primary natural sources and 25% from primary man-made sources. About 40% of the total results from atmospheric reactions with one quarter produced by the conversion of gas phase hydrocarbons to particulate form. The estimate for this figure is based on a carbon balance. Altogether, about 70% of the total particulate burden has been accounted for with water probably making up a significant portion of the missing 30%. Improvements and extensions of the method are discussed.
391 citations
374 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, metal oxide fumes escaping from two zinc smelters in Palmerton, Pa., have highly contaminated soil and vegetation with zinc, cadmium, copper, and lead.
Abstract: Metal oxide fumes escaping from two zinc smelters in Palmerton, Pa., have highly contaminated soil and vegetation with zinc, cadmium, copper, and lead. Within 1 km of the smelters, 135,000 parts per million (ppm) zinc, 1750 ppm cadmium, 2000 ppm copper, and 2000 ppm lead have been measured in the O/sub 2/ horizon. Approximately 90% of metals deposited on the soil surface have been retained in the top 15 cm of the soil profile. Depauperate trees within 2 km of the smelters contained up to 4500 ppm zinc and 70 ppm cadmium by weight in washed, oven-dried foliage. Metal aerosols may enter the leaves directly, presumably through open stomates.
292 citations
TL;DR: Correlations between residues in earthworms and soil decreased with decreasing atomic weights, and metal residues in soils were positively correlated with quantities of soil organic matter.
Abstract: Cd, Ni, Pb, and Zn in soils and earthworms along two Maryland highways decreased with increasing distance (10, 20, 40, 80, and 160 ft) from the roadway. Metals were quantified by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Metal residues were higher at the location along each highway where traffic volume was greater. Correlations between residues in earthworms and soil decreased with decreasing atomic weights (Pb > Cd > Zn > Ni). Metal residues in soils were positively correlated with quantities of soil organic matter. Earthworms accumulated up to 331.4 ppm of Pb and 670.0 of Zn, concentrations which may be lethal to earthworm-eating animals.
195 citations
147 citations
147 citations
TL;DR: A combination of paraffinized urea and octylphosphate was found to promote oil biodegradation both in laboratory experiments and in field trials to an extent that the practical application of this principle to oil cleanup appears feasible.
Abstract: : Biodegradation of polluting oil at sea is seriously limited by the scarcity of nitrogen and phosphorus. Since water soluble sources of these elements could be ineffective in the ocean, oleophilic compounds were screened to serve as fertilizers for oil slicks. A combination of paraffinized urea and octylphosphate was found to promote oil biodegradation both in laboratory experiments and in field trials to an extent that the practical application of this principle to oil cleanup appears feasible. The tested oleophilic fertilizer supplies nutrients to hydrocarbon-degrading microorganisms selectively, and in contrast to nitrate and phosphate salts it does not trigger algal blooms.
143 citations
TL;DR: The capacity of unstructured fibers to remove crude oil from seawater was related to the chemical composition and surface properties of the fibers as well as the concentration, specific gravity, and temperature of the crude oil.
Abstract: The capacity of unstructured fibers to remove crude oil from seawater was related to the chemical composition and surface properties of the fibers as well as the concentration, specific gravity, and temperature of the crude oil. The sorption capabilities of cotton exceeded those observed for all of the other synthetic and natural fibers tested.
129 citations
TL;DR: A number of systems suitable for sampling and characterization of the exhaust particles are described and a wide selection of data from a number of workers that best represent the state of the art are included.
Abstract: The particulate matter entitted from present-day cars is a complex mixture of inorganic salts, soot and carbonaceous material. Measurement and characterization of such particles require elaborate sampling systems and sophisticated analytical techniques. This paper is a review of the major contributions in this area. A number of systems suitable for sampling and characterization of the exhaust particles are described. Also included is a wide selection of data from a number of workers that, in the author's opinion, best represent the state of the art. /Author/
110 citations
TL;DR: “Development of the Molten Carbonate Process For Control of Sulfur, Oxide Emissions,” presented at AIChE National Meeting, Cleveland, Ohio, May 5-7, 1969.
Abstract: ates,” MS Thesis, The University of Akron, Ohio, December 1969. Oldenkamp, R. D., “Development of the Molten Carbonate Process For Control of Sulfur, Oxide Emissions,” presented at AIChE National Meeting, Cleveland, Ohio, May 5-7, 1969. Rohrmann, F. A., Ludwig, J . H., Chem. Eng. Progr., 61 (9), 59 (1965). Rosen, G., “Data and Calculations for Gasification of Spent Cooking Liquors from the Pu,l,p Industry, Part 1: Fundamental Thermodynamic Quantities, Trans. Roy. Insti. Technol., Stockholm, Sweden (159). 1960. Rossini, F. D., Wagman, D. D., Evans, W. H., Levine, S., Jaffe I.,
TL;DR: Chemiluminescence generated by bubbling PAN through a solution of triethylamine in acetone (1% V/V) was approximately twice as intense as that produced in the vapor phase reaction, and the results were more reproducible in the liquid phase than in the Vapor phase.
Abstract: The authors thank 0. Clifton Taylor, Raymond Tenorio, and Eugene A. Cardiff for the preparation and a generous supply of PAN. Note Added in Proof. Chemiluminescence generated by bubbling PAN through a solution of triethylamine in acetone (1% V/V) was approximately twice as intense as that produced in the vapor phase reaction. The results were more reproducible in the liquid phase than in the vapor phase. Therefore, the liquid phase chemiluminescence seems to be more suitable for atmospheric monitoring applications.
TL;DR: The fundamental theory of urban air pollution modeling is developed and a number of points are considered including the definition of the mean and random components of the wind velocity field.
Abstract: The fundamental theory of urban air pollution modeling is developed. A number of points are considered including: The definition of the mean and random components of the wind velocity field, the necessary conditions for obtaining conventional Eulerian and Lagrangian models, the proper inclusion of nonlinear chemical reactions in a model, the nature of the spatial and temporal averages implicit in the computed concentrations, and the requirements for simulating photochemical smog formation in an urban area.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors made an attempt to determine how much land area might be burdened by fallout from a major coal-burning power plant on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan.
Abstract: Attempts were made to determine how much land area might be burdened by fallout from a major coal-burning power plant on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. The land sampling grid included 45 sites, with two samples taken at each site. The samples were analyzed and the results revealed that soils found around the plant are enriched in Ag, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Ni, Ti, and Zn. To gain some insight in to the possible entry of the discharged metals into the biota, samples of native grasses, maple leaves, and pine needles from four sites in the background region and four sites in the enriched region were collected and analyzed. The data show that plant material are enriched in Cd, Fe, Ni, and Zn. Soil enrichments correlate with wind patterns and with the metal content of coal except for Hg, which is only slightly enriched.
TL;DR: Absolute levels of PAH are much below those found before imposition of stationary source emission controls, but have not changed much further since the late 1950’s.
Abstract: Simultaneous sampling for airborne particulate matter was carried out a t four Los Angeles locations for one year. A composite for the year a t each site was extracted and analyzed for polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and lead. The yields of total particulate mass, benzene solubles, lead, and coronene paralleled the estimated traffic densities a t the four sites. A number of PAH, other than coronene, did not parallel traffic density. The PAH patterns, normalized to coronene, were similar for three sites and to a fair degree, resembled patterns for auto exhaust previously published. The fourth site had a distinctly different pattern, reflecting local sources of nonautomotive PAH. Absolute levels of PAH are much below those found before imposition of stationary source emission controls, but have not changed much further since the late 1950’s.
TL;DR: The ammonia electrode can be adapted to automatic analysis with certain provisions, but the major drawback is that some provision must be made for the addition of sodium hydroxide just prior to presentation of the sample to the electrode.
Abstract: which the electrode is operating and the concentration of ammonia in the sample (within a factor of 10) must be known. As can be seen from Table VI, the two procedures gave comparable results and were interchangeable. Automation. With certain provisions, the ammonia electrode can be adapted to automatic analysis. The major drawback is that some provision must be made for the addition of sodium hydroxide just prior to presentation of the sample to the electrode. This was overcome by using the ammonia electrode in conjunction with a Beaker Butler (FWPCA, 1970). an instrument for automating ion selective electrode analyses. The Beaker Butler was modified to provide for sodium hydroxide addition just prior to electrode immersion. Using a 5-min sampling period, acceptable results were obtained with standard solutions in distilled water. L i t e r a t u r e Ci ted
TL;DR: There is evidence that in the atmosphere both homogeneous self-nucleation, as well as heterogeneous nucleation on foreign nuclei, may occur and this work would have to include the simultaneous measurement ofvertible vapors.
Abstract: vertible vapors. On the other hand, if the aerosol surface area is not sufficient, then the result is a buildup of concentration, which ultimately leads to self-nucleation. There is evidence that in the atmosphere both homogeneous self-nucleation, as well as heterogeneous nucleation on foreign nuclei, may occur. In the polluted Los Angeles atmosphere for instance, the growth on foreign nuclei dominates the gas-particle conversion. A logical and much needed extension of this work would have to include the simultaneous measurement of comPiess, New York, N. Y., 1961. ”
TL;DR: The interpretation of results from the US national air surveillance networks indicates that large differences in sulfate concentation levels exist between eastern and western urban and nonurban sites in the United States.
Abstract: The interpretation of results from the US national air surveillance networks indicates that large differences in sulfate concentation levels exist between eastern and western urban and nonurban sites in the United States. Sulfates contribute a larger portion of the sulfur compounds at western urban sites than at eastern urban sites. The relationship of sulfur dioxide to sulfate is nonlinear over the range of concentrations at urban sites. Statistical relationships have been computed relating urban sulfate to urban sulfur dioxide and also to the ratio of sulfur dioxide to sulfate. Background levels of water-soluble sulfate differ greatly between the eastern and western US at the eastern nonurban sites, a residue sulfate level of at least 5 microgram/m/sup 3/ exists. This large residue is attributed to long-distance transport of sulfur dioxide to sulfate during transport. Sulfate-containing aerosols are broadly distributed throughout large regions of the eastern and midwestern US.
TL;DR: Air sampling is now under way at downtown locations and other sites in the Los Angeles basin, where the stationary source control program has seen fewer changes as compared to the earlier period.
Abstract: downtown locations.) During the mid 1950’s, stringent emission controls were applied to stationary sources in Los Angeles. Since the Sawicki study, carried out in 1958 and 1959, the stationary source control program has seen fewer changes as compared t o the earlier t ime period. T h e effect of the motor vehicle emissions control program on organic particulate mat te r is difficult to assess. Air sampling is now under way a t other sites in the Los Angeles basin.