Article
Environmental Sciences
Jaromir Sobotka, Foppe Smedes, Branislav Vrana
Summary: This study evaluated the trend of freely dissolved HOC concentrations in global surface waters through the Aquatic Global Passive Sampling initiative (AQUA-GAPS). The results showed that both silicone (SSP) and low-density polyethylene (PE) sheets can be used as samplers, but silicone-based samplers are recommended for future monitoring due to their practicality and reliability.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Branislav Vrana, Jakub Urik, Ganna Fedorova, Helena Svecova, Katerina Grabicova, Oksana Golovko, Tomas Randak, Roman Grabic
Summary: POCIS is widely used for sampling polar organic substances due to its applicability to a wide range of substances and environments, although its sampling performance may vary depending on exposure conditions. In situ calibration is necessary for accurate estimation of aqueous concentrations, and comparisons with grab sampling show that POCIS-derived data generally align well with traditional methods, indicating the robustness of POCIS for identifying contamination trends in surface waters.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mara Roemerscheid, Albrecht Paschke, Selma Schneider, Maximilian Blaha, Julia Harzdorf, Gerrit Schueuermann
Summary: In this study, sampling rates for various compounds were determined using the Chemcatcher passive sampler. Generic sampling rates were derived and found to be suitable for estimating time-weighted average concentrations with reasonable uncertainty. This allows for broader application of the Chemcatcher sampler without the need for specific compound-specific sampling rates.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Ian John Allan, Branislav Vrana, Anders Ruus
Summary: This study challenges the proposed monitoring procedures for HCB in Norwegian or European waters, as it found no evidence of biomagnification in fish species used for monitoring purposes.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Vick Glanzmann, Kees Booij, Naomi Reymond, Celine Weyermann, Nicolas Estoppey
Summary: Passive sampling devices (PSDs) play a key role in monitoring chemical water quality, but further understanding is needed for the uptake process of hydrophilic compounds by PSDs. This study compared two methods of measuring water boundary layer mass transfer coefficients (k(w)), showing good agreement between data obtained at different conditions. The use of PRC-spiked silicone to obtain in situ integrative k(w) for Chemcatcher-type PSDs is also discussed in the study.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
A. Korosa, N. Mali
Summary: This study used active carbon fibre (ACF) passive sampling and multivariate statistical processing to predict the occurrence of organic compounds (OCs) in groundwater and determine the origins of various anthropogenic activities. The research provides insights into controlling OCs in groundwater and offers a holistic approach for understanding the vulnerability of shallow groundwater to contamination.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Miriam L. Diamond, Joseph O. Okeme, Lisa Melymuk
Summary: The hands of indoor occupants transport SVOCs in the indoor environment to an extent comparable to that of fugacity-driven and advective transport, similar to the transmission of pathogens. The significance lies in the ability of hands to rapidly transfer SVOCs among surfaces indoors, with implications for exposure.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Hanna Lis, Piotr Stepnowski, Magda Caban
Summary: Passive sampling techniques play a crucial role in monitoring micropollutants, particularly pharmaceuticals. This study compared the impact of two calibration systems on sampling rates of selected pharmaceuticals using two passive sampling techniques. Results indicated that the calibration system can affect the accuracy of time-weighted average concentration measurements.
MICROCHEMICAL JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Kilian E. C. Smith, Yoonah Jeong
Summary: Toxicity results from exposure to mixtures of organic contaminants can be properly assessed by first sampling the bioavailable levels and reproducing this mixture in toxicity bioassays through a combination of equilibrium passive sampling and dosing.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bertille Bonnaud, Nicolas Mazzella, Pierre Boutet, Amandine Daval, Cecile Miege
Summary: The performance of POCIS and o-DGT as passive samplers for micro pollutants was compared. It was found that o-DGT can be used in situations where POCIS is not suitable, but overall sampling rates and mass transfer coefficients are lower.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
B. Mathon, M. Ferreol, A. Togola, S. Lardy-Fontan, A. Dabrin, I. J. Allan, P-F Staub, N. Mazzella, C. Miege
Summary: This study demonstrates the advantages and limitations of using passive samplers for monitoring polar contaminants in surface waters. The results show that POCIS has a higher quantification frequency for most contaminants compared to spot samples, and it lowers the limits of quantification. POCIS is able to capture short-duration and high-intensity contamination events, and it provides more reliable annual monitoring and assessment of environmental quality compared to spot sampling.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Oliver Machate, Dirk S. Schmeller, Adeline Loyau, Albrecht Paschke, Martin Krauss, Eric Carmona, Tobias Schulze, Alessandra Moyer, Kurt Lutz, Werner Brack
Summary: Mountain lakes at high altitudes are exposed to chemical pollution from persistent organic pollutants. Crustaceans are particularly impacted by the high toxic risks, potentially caused by agricultural pesticides and free roaming livestock.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Peter Tarabek, Branislav Vrana, Katarina Chalupkova, Alena Bednarikova, Linda Oksova, Peter Bystricky, Nataliia Leonova, Olga Konovalova
Summary: The possibilities of expanding a groundwater quality monitoring scheme using POCIS as the receiving phase were explored in Slovakia. The effectiveness of POCIS for sampling polar or ionized compounds was found to be limited. Sampling site and period, as well as physico-chemical parameters, can influence the sampling rates. Concentrations of pollutants in POCIS could be used for predicting average concentrations in water.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Pil-Gon Kim, Abhrajyoti Tarafdar, Keum Young Lee, Jung-Hwan Kwon, Yongseok Hong
Summary: This study characterized the potential human health risks associated with soil vapor intrusion and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) exposure. By quantifying gaseous VOCs in soil pores using a passive sampling technique, the researchers found significant variations in the concentration of gaseous tetrachloroethene (PCE) in soil pores, which depended on groundwater PCE concentrations. The study also highlighted the importance of conducting vapor intrusion risk assessments using passive soil gas sampling for accurate risk characterization. Furthermore, the results demonstrated the potential for wider application of passive sampling techniques in environmental studies due to their lower cost and labor intensity compared to traditional methods.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jean-Louis Gonzalez, Isabelle Amouroux, Stephane Guesdon, Florence Menet-Nedelec, Emmanuel Ponzevera, Natalia Montero, Barbara Marras, Marco Schintu, Miguel Caetano, Margarida Correia Dos Santos, Marta Rodrigo Sanz, Vanessa Millan Gabet, German Rodriguez Jose, Maria Jesus Belzunce-Segarra, Joana Larreta, Iratxe Menchaca, Philippe Bersuder, Thi Bolam, Fiona Regan, Blanaid White, Hao Zhang
Summary: The Inter-Laboratories Comparison exercise in the Interreg Atlantic Area MONITOOL project showed that laboratories experienced in measuring trace levels of metals in marine environments can satisfactorily perform DGT analysis, with some laboratories achieving high levels of satisfactory results for Cd, Ni, and Pb. Such international intercomparison exercises are crucial for improving data quality and developing the laboratory network involved in DGT analysis.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Stefan Humel, Bernadette Fuehrer, Michaela Svetitsch, Philipp Mayer, Andreas P. Loibner
Summary: This laboratory study examines the potential of two innovative laccase-mediator systems in removing PAHs from contaminated field soil. The results show that laccase in combination with TEMPO can degrade accessible PAHs, while HBT can mobilize desorption resistant PAHs. However, neither of the enzyme-mediator systems can effectively degrade inaccessible PAHs. Additionally, hydroxyl radicals generated by Fenton's reaction can reduce the desorption resistant fraction of certain PAHs.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Correction
Environmental Sciences
Mattias Sorengard, Sofia Bergstrom, Philip McCleaf, Karin Wiberg, Lutz Ahrens
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Adria Sunyer-Caldu, Oksana Golovko, Michal Kaczmarek, Hakan Asp, Karl -Johan Bergstrand, Ruben Gil-Solsona, Pablo Gago-Ferrero, M. Silvia Diaz-Cruz, Lutz Ahrens, Malin Hultberg
Summary: Recovering and reusing nutrients in agriculture is a challenge. Anaerobic digestion of food waste is a sustainable process that can recycle nutrients for use as fertilizers. However, the digestate may contain contaminants that pose risks to the environment and human health.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tatsiana P. Rusina, Simona Rozarka Jilkova, Lisa Melymuk, Branislav Vrana, Foppe Smedes
Summary: Many SVOCs accumulate in indoor dust and pose a risk to human health. Assessments of exposure are commonly based on total SVOC concentrations in dust, assuming full accessibility. This study used a passive sampling technique to estimate the accessibility of SVOCs in indoor dust. The results showed that SVOC accessibility varied with particle size and moisture conditions. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the human risk associated with dust exposure.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hugo Campos-Pereira, Dan B. Kleja, Lutz Ahrens, Anja Enell, Johannes Kikuchi, Michael Pettersson, Jon Petter Gustafsson
Summary: The study investigated the pH-dependent soil-water partitioning of six perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in 11 temperate mineral soils and found that PFAS sorption was positively related to perfluorocarbon chain length and inversely related to solution pH. Organic carbon alone was a poor predictor of PFAS partitioning, and additional factors such as Fe/Al (hydr) oxides and soil texture (silt + clay) played a role. A model based on soil organic matter charge underestimated PFAS sorption. This research highlights the need for further understanding of PFAS behavior and impact in soils.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Minh A. Nguyen, Lutz Ahrens, Sarah Josefsson, Jakob Gustavsson, Hjalmar Laudon, Karin Wiberg
Summary: Atmospheric deposition is the main source of PAHs in remote areas, and their fluxes were measured on a seasonal basis in a subarctic forest catchment in northern Europe. It was found that the deposition fluxes of PAHs and PAH-derivatives were higher during cold periods, and they showed similar seasonal patterns, suggesting similar sources and deposition mechanisms. The study also showed that boreal forests act as sinks for PACs derived from the atmosphere.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Maj Arnberg, Gro Harlaug Refseth, Ian John Allan, Maura Benedetti, Francesco Regoli, Luca Tassara, Kjetil Sagerup, Magnus Drivdal, Ole Anders Nost, Anita Evenset, Pernilla Carlsson
Summary: A study investigated the potential negative impacts of the delousing treatment used in aquaculture on the marine environment. Laboratory experiments were conducted to study the acute and sublethal effects of exposure on northern shrimp. Environmental concentrations were determined by water sampling and sediment analysis. Ecotoxicological analyses revealed high sensitivity of the shrimp to the delousing treatment, and field measurements and modeling predicted concentrations that could cause negative effects on the shrimp up to a certain distance from the point of release.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Letter
Environmental Sciences
Kees Booij, Sarit L. Kaserzon, Rachel Mackie
Article
Environmental Sciences
Georgios Niarchos, Linnea Georgii, Lutz Ahrens, Dan Berggren Kleja, Fritjof Fagerlund
Summary: This study investigated the competition among different PFAS compounds during sorption to colloidal activated carbon (CAC), and found that competition effects are significant in the sorption process.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jennifer Nystrom-kandola, Lutz Ahrens, Anders Glynn, Gunnar Johanson, Jonathan P. Benskin, Irina Gyllenhammar, Sanna Lignell, Carolina Vogs
Summary: This study evaluated the association between low-level contaminated drinking water and body burdens of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) and found a significant positive correlation between concentrations of PFAAs in drinking water and serum. The findings suggest the importance of considering PFAA exposure from low-level contaminated drinking water in risk assessment for adolescents.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Winnie Nassazzi, Tien-Chi Wu, Jana Jass, Foon Yin Lai, Lutz Ahrens
Summary: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are man-made compounds that pose a threat to water quality and food safety globally. This study assessed the potential of sunflower, mustard, and hemp for phytoextraction of PFAS, and found that the use of inorganic fertilizer significantly reduced PFAS concentration in plant tissues. Additionally, an estimation of the time required for PFAS phytoextraction was determined for the first time.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Daniel Malnes, Sylvia Waara, Romain Figuiere, Lutz Ahrens, Karin Wiberg, Stephan J. Kohler, Oksana Golovko
Summary: Persistent, mobile, and toxic (PMT) substances are receiving increasing attention from environmental researchers, the water sector, and environmental protection agencies. This study assessed the risk of emerging concern contaminants in Swedish surface waters using species sensitivity distributions (SSDs) and risk quotients (RQ). The results showed that some of the detected contaminants posed a moderate to high risk in Swedish rivers and lakes.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Frieberg Kim, Gago-Ferrero Pablo, Bijlsma Lubertus, Ahrens Lutz, Wiberg Karin, Hernandez Felix, Oskarsson Agneta, Lundqvist Johan
Summary: Indirect potable reuse of treated wastewater for drinking water production is a viable solution to water scarcity. Disinfection is effective in reducing microbial hazards, but it can lead to the formation of disinfection by-products. This study assessed the chemical hazards in a system where chlorination was used for disinfection, and found a significant reduction in bioactive pollutants in the finished drinking water. The findings contribute valuable knowledge to increase the reuse of treated wastewater for drinking water production.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Heidi Birch, Rikke Hammershoj, Mette Torsbjerg Moller, Philipp Mayer
Summary: The aim of this article is to address critical challenges in the OECD 309 Aerobic mineralization in surface water - simulation biodegradation test for volatile chemicals, highly hydrophobic chemicals, mixtures or UVCBs. Several modifications are presented to address technical challenges, make testing more environmentally relevant, and generate data for multiple substances.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Maura Mancinelli, Annalisa Martucci, Lutz Ahrens
Summary: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are gaining attention due to their widespread distribution, persistence, and toxicity. Among the techniques for removing PFAS from water, adsorption treatment techniques, specifically using zeolites and powdered activated carbon, show promising results. This study evaluated the effectiveness of different zeolites and PAC for sorption of 18 PFAS and identified β-type zeolites with SAR=25 and SAR=300, as well as mordenite with SAR=240, as the most promising adsorbent media.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-WATER RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)