Article
Environmental Sciences
Kanchan Kumari, Anshika Singh, Deepak Marathe
Summary: Cyclic volatile methyl siloxanes (cVMS) are extensively used and widely present in various environmental matrices, raising concerns about their environmental contamination and potential health hazards. This study comprehensively reviews their occurrence and environmental behavior in air, water, soil, sediments, sludge, dusts, biogas, biosolids, and biota. Higher concentrations of cVMS were found in indoor air and biosolids, but not in water, soil, and sediments except for wastewaters. No threat to aquatic organisms was identified, and mammalian toxicity hazards were not evident except for rare cases of uterine tumors under long-term exposures in laboratory conditions. More careful examinations are needed to establish strong evidence and inform policy-making regarding the production and use of cVMS to mitigate potential environmental consequences.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Betty Molinier, Caleb Arata, Erin F. Katz, David M. Lunderberg, Yingjun Liu, Pawel K. Misztal, William W. Nazaroff, Allen H. Goldstein
Summary: This study synthesizes data from multiple long-term indoor air campaigns to investigate the emission sources and removal processes of volatile methyl siloxanes (VMS). The results indicate that personal care products are the main source of VMS, with cyclic siloxane D5 being the most abundant species. Other siloxane compounds are also emitted from personal care products and ovens, and have different removal rates. The findings highlight the diversity of organosilicon sources and their persistence indoors.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jia Wang, Li Liu, Liao Wang, Jianhua Lu, Yujie Li
Summary: A mass transfer model was developed to investigate the mass transfer performance of volatile methyl siloxane (VMS) separation using hollow fiber membrane contactors (HFMC). The effects of operating parameters on the effectiveness of VMS separation by HFMC were experimentally studied. The experimental results showed that the increase of filler fraction improved the removal of siloxane and the increase of gas and liquid velocities increased the fluxes of VMS.
PROCESS SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Gratia Flores-Salgado, Jose A. Contreras, Jaime Perez-Trevilla, Guillermo Quijano
Summary: This study presents a next-generation two-phase partitioning bioreactor operated with hydrophobic biomass under anoxic conditions for the removal of volatile methyl siloxanes (VMS) commonly found in biogas. The addition of silicone oil boosted the reactor performance, resulting in improved removal efficiencies of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4) and decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5). Microbial attachment on the water/silicone oil interface was confirmed, and Mycobacterium was found to be the predominant genera attached to silicone oil.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Shuchismita Biswas, Manish K. Singh, Virgilio A. Centeno
Summary: This article introduces a method for identifying potential self-adequate sub-networks in existing power distribution grids, forming microgrids capable of sustaining local loads during power systems contingencies. The method employs an ODNP formulation addressing uncertainties in load and distributed energy resources, and evaluates the obtained solutions by comparing them with upper and lower bounds on key criteria. The performance of the ODNP formulation is illustrated through case studies, showing that the SAA method yields high-quality solutions with modest computation costs.
Article
Ecology
Mary E. Lofton, Jennifer A. Brentrup, Whitney S. Beck, Jacob A. Zwart, Ruchi Bhattacharya, Ludmila S. Brighenti, Sarah H. Burnet, Ian M. McCullough, Bethel G. Steele, Cayelan C. Carey, Kathryn L. Cottingham, Michael C. Dietze, Holly A. Ewing, Kathleen C. Weathers, Shannon L. LaDeau
Summary: Near-term ecological forecasts provide advance notice of changes in ecosystem services and uncertainty partitioning helps improve forecast skill and guide interpretation. The study found that model process specification and initial conditions dominate forecast uncertainty and suggested long-term studies and improved observation protocols for better predictions.
ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Anh Quoc Hoang, Hue Thi Trinh, Ha My Nu Nguyen, Trung Quang Nguyen, Thi Xuyen Nguyen, Toan Vu Duc, Thi Thao Nguyen, Trung Quang Do, Tu Binh Minh, Tri Manh Tran
Summary: Comprehensive studies on volatile methyl siloxanes in settled dust from various micro-environments in Vietnam revealed that informal waste processing activities are a major source of these emerging contaminants. Among the studied cyclic volatile methyl siloxanes, D5 was found to be the most predominant compound.
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Dariana R. Vega-Santander, Rodinson Arrieta-Perez, Daniela Rivera-Mirabal, Gabriela Del Valle-Perez, Miguel Sepulveda-Pagan, Juan C. Munoz-Senmache, Yomaira J. Pagan-Torres, Arturo J. Hernandez-Maldonado
Summary: This study investigated the adsorption capacity of pure silica zeolites for the removal of monomeric siloxanes from water. The results showed that UTD-1faulted exhibited the highest adsorption capacity for trimethylsilanol (TMS), which was 7 times greater than UTD-1faultless and larger than other materials such as activated carbon. The interaction of TMS with UTD-1faulted was mainly with OH groups from siloxy-related faults, and multi-component adsorption tests demonstrated that TMS facilitated the uptake of other siloxanes through co-adsorption. These findings suggest that UTD-1 is a promising material platform for adsorption-based strategies to remove persistent monomeric siloxanes from aqueous environments.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-ADVANCES
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Therese Haugdahl Nost, Vivian Berg, Linda Hanssen, Charlotta Rylander, Eric Gaudreau, Pierre Dumas, Knut Breivik, Torkjel M. Sandanger
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2019)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Golnoush Abbasi, Li Li, Knut Breivik
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nicholas A. Warner, Kjetil Sagerup, Siv Kristoffersen, Dorte Herzke, Geir W. Gabrielsen, Bjorn M. Jenssen
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2019)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Claudia Moeckel, Knut Breivik, Therese Haugdahl Nost, Alhaji Sankoh, Kevin C. Jones, Andrew Sweetman
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2020)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hans Peter H. Arp, Nicolas A. O. Morin, Patrik L. Andersson, Sarah E. Hale, Frank Wania, Knut Breivik, Gijs D. Breedveld
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2020)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Insam Al Saify, Lara Cioni, Louise M. van Mourik, Sicco H. Brandsma, Nicholas A. Warner
Summary: An optimized low volume sampler was developed for determining gas- and particle-bound concentrations of short and medium-chain chlorinated paraffins, with lower method quantification limits than previous studies. Significant differences were observed between SCCPs and MCCPs in indoor air sampling, with SCCPs dominating in the gas phase and MCCPs dominating in the particle-bound fraction. Separation of gas and particle-bound phases was crucial for accurate quantification based on the deconvoluted S/MCCP sample profile.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Helene Lunder Halvorsen, Pernilla Bohlin-Nizzetto, Sabine Eckhardt, Alexey Gusev, Ingjerd Sunde Krogseth, Claudia Moeckel, Victor Shatalov, Lovise Pedersen Skogeng, Knut Breivik
Summary: This study explores the main sources affecting PCBs and OCPs in background air across Norway using spatial and temporal trends and multiple modelling approaches. Results show low concentrations of PCBs and most of the targeted OCPs in the air, with hexachlorobenzene being an exception. Limited spatial variability and model predictions suggest that long-range atmospheric transport dominates atmospheric burdens, with some POPs being influenced by secondary emissions. The combination of observations and mechanistic modelling approaches can help identify main factors affecting atmospheric burdens of POPs and inform national monitoring and control strategies.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kate Tong, Li Li, Knut Breivik, Frank Wania
Summary: More developed economies offload the risk of toxic chemical emissions associated with the production and disposal of products to less developed regions through global trade, resulting in higher emissions burden in peripheral regions.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Knut Breivik, Michael S. McLachlan, Frank Wania
Summary: The new emission fractions approach introduced in this study provides a comprehensive assessment of LRTP compared to CTD and TE. Through three metrics, this method can offer quantitative mechanistic insights and reduce the risk of false positives/negatives in LRTP assessments.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Helene Lunder Halvorsen, Pernilla Bohlin-Nizzetto, Sabine Eckhardt, Alexey Gusev, Claudia Moeckel, Victor Shatalov, Lovise Pedersen Skogeng, Knut Breivik
Summary: Concentration data on POPs in air is necessary to assess the effectiveness of international regulations. However, the low spatial resolution of current monitoring methods limits the understanding of the main sources of POPs in Europe. This study aims to measure the spatial and temporal variability of POPs concentrations with a high resolution and assess the contribution of secondary and primary emissions. The results show that hexachlorobenzene is the most detected POP, with increasing trends and positive correlation with latitude. Other POPs have higher concentrations in the southern part of Europe and declining temporal trends. Model predictions suggest that secondary emissions are more important in controlling atmospheric burdens. The study emphasizes the importance of combining observations and models for policy makers. Rating: 7 out of 10.
ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Maja Nipen, Susanne Jontvedt Jorgensen, Pernilla Bohlin-Nizzetto, Katrine Borga, Knut Breivik, Aviti John Mmochi, Eliezer Brown Mwakalapa, M. Isabel Quant, Martin Schlabach, Rolf David Vogt, Frank Wania
Summary: This study used passive sampling techniques to investigate the spatial distribution of gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) in and around Dar es Salaam, Tanzania's largest city, and identified significant local sources of GEM within the urban area. Soil samples were also collected and analyzed for total mercury, showing low concentrations not correlated with atmospheric GEM levels.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-PROCESSES & IMPACTS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Knut Breivik, Sabine Eckhardt, Michael S. McLachlan, Frank Wania
Summary: The study introduces Nested Exposure Model (NEM), a global multimedia fate and transport model with high spatial resolution, for monitoring the transport of organic contaminants in the atmosphere and its potential application in global environmental pollution monitoring and assessment. Results show that the choice of spatial resolution affects the accuracy of pollution concentration predictions, with higher resolution yielding better model performance.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-PROCESSES & IMPACTS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jabir Hussain Syed, Mehreen Iqbal, Knut Breivik, Muhammad Jamshed Iqbal Chaudhry, Muhammad Shahnawaz, Zaigham Abbas, Jawad Nasir, Syed Hussain Haider Rizvi, Malik Mumtaz Taqi, Jun Li, Gan Zhang
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2020)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Laura Rohler, Martin Schlabach, Peter Haglund, Knut Breivik, Roland Kallenborn, Pernilla Bohlin-Nizzetto
ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Dimitri Panagopoulos Abrahamsson, Nicholas Alexander Warner, Liisa Jantunen, Annika Jahnke, Fiona Wong, Matthew MacLeod
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-PROCESSES & IMPACTS
(2020)