Showing papers in "Journal of Environmental Science and Health Part A-toxic\/hazardous Substances & Environmental Engineering in 1979"

Corn silk volatiles attract many pest species of moths

Abstract: The volatile components (ppm of total solids) emitted by corn silk were found to be l‐butanol (1), 1‐pentanol (7), 1‐hexanol (1), (E)‐4‐hexen‐1‐ol (4), 3‐methyl‐1‐butanol (1), acetaldehyde (5), hexanal (4), 2‐furancarboxaldehyde (furfural) (2), and phenylacetaldehyde (12). Phenylacetaldehyde was found to attract the corn earworm, European corn borer, soybean looper, tarnished plant bug, Cisseps fulvicollis, and forage looper. Combining phenylacetaldehyde with butanol or acetaldehyde increased attractiveness to some species; other combinations reduced attractiveness.

Sorption of americium on geologic media

Abstract: The sorption of americium on 34 common rock forming and accessory minerals of igneous rocks has been measured from an artificial groundwater at ambient temperature. Preliminary results are given. For most of the minerals the distribution coefficient increased sharply with pH in the narrow pH range of 3–5, and then tended to level off and decrease at pH above 8–9. For minerals containing anions such as F‐, CO3 2‐, and PO4 3‐, indications of chemisorption were observed. Only for the clays and at low pH can the sorption predominantly be attributed to ion exchange, described by ideal ion exchange equations as indicated from measurements in 4 M NaCl solution.

Substrate inhibition of nitrification

Abstract: Operating data from a full‐scale nitrifying activated sludge plant have been collected and analyzed. The rate of nitrification, expressed as the specific oxidation rate, follows the van't Hoff‐Arrhenius relationship which indicates that the activation energy is approximately 12350 cal per mole, and that the Arrhenius frequency factor is 2.18 × 109 day‐1. The data indicate that substrate inhibition due to ammonium ion concentration occurs in this system. This relationship has been expressed as a Haldane inhibition model in which the maximum specific oxidation rate is 3.5 g N oxidized per g biomass‐day, KS is 4 mg per liter, and KI is 36 mg per liter.

Hydrogen peroxide formation from the photooxidation of formaldehyde and its presence in rainwater

Abstract: The photooxidation of formaldehyde with sunlamps (Emax = 3100 A) produces hydrogen peroxide at varying concentrations depending upon the amount of water vapor present. It is postulated that the variable production of H2O2 is a result of condensation on the reactor surface. Rainwater samples were also analyzed for H2O2. Summer rain in the Triangle area of North Carolina contained as much as 200 ppb (w/w) of H2O2. Rainwater collected in December contained much less H2O2, usually 2–8 ppb. The lower concentration found in the colder conditions is attributed to a decrease in photochemical activity.

Adsorption of water‐soluble polychlorinated biphenyl aroclor 1242 and used capacitor fluid by soil materials and coal chars

Abstract: Adsorption of the water‐soluble PCBs Aroclor 1242 and a used capacitor fluid (impregnated with Aroclor 1242) by five earth materials and their low‐temperature ashes were studied under constant‐temperature laboratory conditions. The five earth materials studied were medium‐temperature coal char (MTC), high‐temperature coal char (HTC), Catlin soil (CS), montmorillonite clay (MC), and Ottawa silica sand (OS). Adsorption followed the series MTC > HTC > CS > MC > OS. There were no significant differences between adsorption of the Aroclor 1242 and the used capacitor fluid by any of the five earth materials. A simple linear relation described the adsorption of PCBs from aqueous solution by the earth materials and yielded an adsorption constant (K) unique to each adsorbent. Very highly significant (.001 level) linear correlations were found for K as a function of total organic carbon (TOC.), the coefficient of determination, r 2 equals 0.87; K as a function of the surface area measured with carbon dioxid...

Cadmium levels in selected organs of rats fed three dietary forms of cadmium

Abstract: The uptake of cadmium from three dietary sources, canned lobster digestive gland, canned porcine/liver, kidney mixture and casein cadmium chloride has been studied in rats fed a level of 20.9 μg Cd/g diet for 90 days. Analysis of the total cadmium levels in kidney, liver, spleen and brain showed uptake from the lobster digestive gland or porcine liver/kidney mixture was only about half of that observed with the casein/cadmium chloride diet. The amount of “free” cadmium present in the lobster hepatopancreas and procine liver/kidney mixture vas 45% and 43% of the total cadmium respectively and it is suggested that these levels of free cadmium are high enough to account for the uptake observed from these two matricies.

Studies of interactions between tetraethyl lead and sea water using GC‐AA

Abstract: (1979). Studies of interactions between tetraethyl lead and sea water using GC‐AA. Journal of Environmental Science and Health . Part A: Environmental Science and Engineering: Vol. 14, No. 2, pp. 65-85.

Platinum tetrachloride: Mutagenicity and methylation with methylcobálamin

Abstract: It was reported earlier that methylcobalamin (MeB‐12) plus K2PtCl6 or Na2PtCl6 under acidic conditions yields a single square planar Pt2+ species, MePtCl2‐ 3. A reaction between MeB‐12 and PtCl4 in...

Behavior of municipal solid waste leachate. I. Composition variations

Abstract: Leachates from land disposal of solid waste varies in chemical composition widely from one location to another. Certain chemical characteristics of municipal solid waste (MSW) leachate, for example, influence the rate of movement of heavy metals through soils more than others. The most prominent fall into broad categories such as pH (as it reflects organic acids), concentration of the soluble common salts (EC or IONS), total soluble organic carbon compounds (TOC) and certain naturally occurring metals notably iron (Fe). The solubility of the components of MSW leachate changes markedly as a result of pH fluctuations, aeration, dilution by water, drying and wetting, freezing and thawing, and stage of biodegradation.

Studies of organic material present in the exhaust stream of an experimental fluidized bed coal combustor 1

Abstract: Organic components of effluents from a fluidized bed coal combustor were sampled by collecting vapor phase compounds on a Tenax polymer adsorbent trap and particulate samples with a concentric electrostatic precipitator (CESP). Samples of ash collected by the effluent cleanup devices were also analyzed. Samples were extracted to isolate the organic components. Extracts were characterized by gas chromatography to quantitate extractable hydrocarbons and by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry to obtain molecular weights and tentative identification of components. The effluent contained higher concentrations of extractable hydrocarbons in the vapor phase than associated with particles.

Sampling and analysis of some corrosion inhibiting amines in steam condensates 1

Abstract: The analysis of corrosion inhibitors, such as morpholine (MOR), cyclohexylamine (CHA), diethylaminoethanol (DEAE) and octadecylamine (ODA) in steam condensates sampled in four hospitals and one food processing plant, is described. An aqueous injection‐gas chromatographic procedure was developed for the analysis of DEAE; mixtures of CHA and MOR were determined by a similar method. ODA was quantitated by a colorimetric method. Levels of amines were consistently low (4.2 mg/L) in steam sampled in systems in which the addition of amines to the boiler feed water was continuously metered. In a closed‐loop, low pressure system in which the amine formulation was added in a single dose to the boiler in an irregular manner, concentrations of amines in steam condensates were high (10,200 to 13,900 mg/L).

A comparison of lead hazards in the housing environment of lead poisoned children versus non poisoned controls

Abstract: An epidemiological study was undertaken to compare the lead hazards in the housing environment of lead poisoned children (aged 1–7) and matched non‐poisoned control children. The results indicated ...

The Toxicity of Ozone to the Bluegill

Abstract: Ozone toxicity to bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) was determined using standard bioassay procedures. In initial work bluegill were exposed to water containing ozone for 24 h; the LC50 was 0.06 ppm. A second experiment simulated “shock defouling” — the periodic dosing of power plant cooling water with high biocide concentrations to prevent biofouling. The LC50 for a series of six 30‐min exposure periods spaced 8 h apart was 0.32 ppm. A third experiment attempting to determine the effects of sublethal concentrations resulted in the death of 9 of 15 bluegill after 4 weeks of exposure to 0.01 ppm of ozone. No controls died in any experiment. It was concluded that ozone is highly toxic to bluegill. Safe limits for long‐term exposure probably lie well below 0.01 ppm. The results of this study and an examination of the literature indicate that ozone is more toxic than chlorine; however, ozone is readily removed from treated water while some chlorine compounds are not.

Human exposure to chloroform in a coastal urban environment.

Abstract: Sources contributing to human exposure to chloroform have been identified in the environment. A general approach has been followed to compare hemispheric background concentrations to those .in a co...

The distribution of copper and iron in South Carolina oysters

Abstract: Samples of the American (eastern) oyster, Crassostrea virginica, were collected from 11 locations along the South Carolina coast. There were wide variations in iron concentrations, although these were not obviously related to geographical location. Copper concentrations were apparently indicative of the environment, especially in the Wando River, an estuary near Charleston, South Carolina. Oysters from the upper Wando contained 3–20 times as much copper as oysters from other sites.

PCB Interactions with soil

Abstract: Studies were undertaken to examine the interaction between polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's) and soil. Both field samples and laboratory prepared samples were examined. Samples of soil were taken from the 0.7 m depth at a transformer producing industry at which PCB spills had occurred. These were extracted to determine their PCB content. Concentrations ranged from 0.1 to 41.7μg PCB (as Aroclor 1254)/g soil. One of the more highly contaminated soils was subsequently desorbed with water to determine the extent to which the release of PCB to solution occurred. Concentrations in the desorption water ranged from 5 to 29 μg/l and correspond to 0.11 to 0.55% desorption from the soil. Laboratory experimentation centered upon conducting a simulated PCB spill. Aroclor 1242 was poured onto a soil sample. This yielded an equilibrium pore occupancy of approximately 50%, or a sorption capacity of about 0.07 g/g soil. The stability of this sorption was then tested by desorbing with water. Initially concentratio...

A study of cancer mortality in an urban industrial environment

Abstract: The study examines the relationship between urban air pollution, as indexed by total suspended particulate concentrations, in Lake and Porter Counties in Indiana, and the Calumet region of South Chicago, Illinois. This area exhibits a pollution gradient conducive to a study of this type; high pollution levels in a heavily industrialized urban region, and low to moderate pollution levels in an adjoining rural region. The study reveals the difficulties encountered in drawing conclusions from epidemiological investigations involving an urban population. Nevertheless, it appears to support the contention that air pollution and other factors characteristic of an urban environment contribute to elevated cancer mortality rates.

An improved procedure for the determination of lead in environmental samples by atomic absorption spectroscopy

Abstract: A novel method of sample preparation has been developed in order to obtain interference‐free Atomic Absorption measurements for lead at 283 nm. This technique has been applied to fourteen urban soil samples and thirty‐five plastic food wrappings to remove organic contaminants and additives which also absorb at this wavelength.

Responses of Mentha piperita L. and Arabidopsis thaliana L. to fumigation with SO2 at different concentrations

Abstract: Leaf necroses, chlorophyll destruction and sulphur accumulation followed from SO2 fumigation of Mentha piperita L. and Arabidopsis thaliana L. A SO2 dependent decrease in the cell sap pH occurred in both species, but A. thaliana showed a less effective buffering capacity as compared with M. piperita. Exposure to SO2 resulted in a decreased N content in H. piperita and in an increased N content in A. thaliana. M. piperita appeared to be able to remove SO2 from the air bringing about a pollutant sink.

The decontamination's effect of chelating agent on the radioactive fallout contamination

Abstract: Experiments were conducted to measure the effect of decontamination of such generally used cleansers as surfactant and chelating agent on the fallout contamination and to choose a decontamination reagent to be used for aircrafts and vehicles contaminated by fallout. As a result, it was confirmed that chelating agents such as sodium pyrophosphate and EDTA have cleansing effect on the fallout contamination and also although surfactant such as sodium n‐Dodecylbenzenesulfonate showed a multiplier effect when mixed with the former, its own decontamination effect was very little. Based on the results thus obtained, a compound most effective as a decontamination reagent was determined.

An evaluation of benthic nutrient regeneration in a projected flood control impoundment

Abstract: A flood control impoundment, which would also serve as a recreational facility, was proposed as part of the Upper Quaboag River watershed in western Massachusetts. To predict the impact exerted by a muck substrate on water quality and recreational benefits, a physical model was constructed in the laboratory. From the experiment, it was determined that the rate of nutrient release across the mud‐water interface was sufficient to encourage algal blooms, restrict secondary productivity, and thereby limit the use of the proposed impoundment for recreational purposes.

Behavior of municipal solid waste leachates. II. In soil

Abstract: The rate of movement of certain potential pollutants (e.g. heavy metals and organic carbon) found in municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill leachates is correlated with certain measurable broad parameters of both the leachate and soil. Those most prominent leachate characteristics fall into broad categories such as total organic carbon compounds (TOC), pH, and concentration of soluble common salts and some naturally occurring metals, notably iron. Usually, the lower the pH level and higher the concentration of the other constituents, the more rapid is the movement of the pollutants through soil. Therefore the behavior of MSW leachate with respect to its influence on attenuation of heavy metal migration through soils is not the same generated from freshly deposited waste as from that deposited longer.

Absorption kinetics of calcium oxide with gaseous stream containing hydrogen sulfide

Abstract: The kinetics of absorption of gaseous stream containing 5.6% hydrogen sulfide, 11% hydrogen and a balance of nitrogen, with calcium oxide powder was studied by thermogravometric technique. This reaction was studied in the temperature range of 600 ‐ 750 °C. The initial rates of the reaction were high, however the reaction slackened at conversions in excess of 0.5. The initial stages of the reaction followed the unreacted care model (UCM) in its chemical regime. Based on this model, the reaction rate constant at initial stage was estimated as: It is quite possible that the sharp decrease of reaction rates at higher conversion is due to the inactivation of some calcium oxide area sites due to adsorption of hydrogen sulfide on these sites.

Inorganic pyrophosphatase activity in sewage samples

Abstract: Inorganic pyrophosphatase activity was monitored in sewage samples. The optimum pH for incubation (5h) was within pH 7.5–8.0. Magnesium did not consistently enhance the activity, indicating that the trace metal requirements of the enzyme were sometimes met by cations in the sewage. The activity was present in all samples: high values were recorded in the primary raw sludge and the lowest value was detected in the final effluent.

Determination of Cl, NH4‐N and metals in the surface water of the Isumi river, Japan‐environmental effects caused by iodine factories

Abstract: A repeated inspection survey was performed of the concentrations of Cl, NH4‐N, Na, K, Mg, Ca, Fe, Cu and Mn in the surface water of the Isumi river, the longest river in Chiba prefecture, Japan. The sampling points were the places where the river water is introduced into the ricefields. The survey was continued from June, 1973 to Dec. 1977. It was found that the concentrations of Cl, NH4‐N, Na, K, Mg and Ca were unusually high through the year but particularly in winter mainly owing to the waste water of two Iodine Factories situated up river.

Potential management of red tide blooms. Treatment with concentrated, frozen gomphosphaeria aponina cultures

Abstract: The potential management of red tide blooms through inoculation with concentrated, frozen cultures of the blue‐green alga Gomphosphaeria aponina is considered. G. aponina has been shown to elaborate a natural product termed “aponin,” cytolytic toward laboratory cultures of the red tide organism Ptychodiscus brevis, Davis (Steidinger)1. Large cultures of G. aponina (18–20 liter) can be concentrated by centrifugation (1010 cells/ml) and stored frozen at ‐30°C. Studies show that viable, aponin‐producing cultures can be regenerated after being frozen up to 6 weeks. These observations suggest the potential use of stored G. aponina cells in management of P. brevis blooms.

The distribution of cadmium chloride in pigs dosed intramuscularly for twelve weeks

Abstract: Castrated male pigs were injected with approximately .2 mg of CdCl2 five times a week for 12 weeks. Twenty‐one organs or sites were sampled to determine the distribution of cadmium in tissues. Concentrations in endocrine glands (wet weight) of 77–90 μg/g in pancreas, 14–21 μg/ in adrenal, 7,7 ‐ 11 μg/g in pituitary, and 1.1 ‐ 6.3 μg/g in thyroid indicate the need for more through examination of the functioning of these organs in the presence of cadmium.

Microbiological survey of the Ohio River and Licking River in the vicinity of Cincinnati

Abstract: (1979). Microbiological survey of the Ohio River and Licking River in the vicinity of Cincinnati. Journal of Environmental Science and Health . Part A: Environmental Science and Engineering: Vol. 14, No. 3, pp. 201-210.