Abstract: Bed sediments were collected from the entire region of the Ganges basin and some parts of the Brahmaputra. In addition, selected stations were sampled for suspended sediments as well. The samples were analysed for a number of heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Ni, Cr, Cu, and Zn) by the thin-film energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence technique. There are pronounced temporal and spatial variations in the heavy metals distributions. Suspended sediments are 510 times richer than the bed sediments. None of the tributaries contribute significant heavy metal load, but around urban areas in Yamuna (tributary of Ganges), very high levels due to the distribution from the drainage network are observed. Compared to the Brahmaputra, the distribution and fractionation of heavy metals in the Ganges sediments are more erratic and highly variable. All the metals considered show high correlation among themselves. Given the high flux of suspended sediments from the Himalayan rivers (nearly 20% of the global flux), the worldwide budget for heavy metal transport may need to be suitably revised.

Abstract: The alkaline aluminate waste, of which 10002000 tonnes are dumped a few times a year off the Belgian coast in the Southern Bight of the North Sea, contains 5·4% NaCl, 1·8% dissolved Al and 7·4% NaOH, in addition to traces of heavy metals and some aniline- and phenol-derivatives. The pH rises locally to 8-5 and the total Al-concentration reaches 120niglitre−1(corresponding to an initial waste dilution factor of only 150) in the 10-m wide track just beyond the discharging barge, but these decay quickly to pH 8·1 and 1 mg litre-1 in the 30-m wide track, 500m behind the barge. The relation between the waste concentration and seawater pH was studied. The white precipitate that forms immediately in the sea was identified as Mg6Al2CO3(OH)164H20 (hydrotalcite-manasseite like). No trace of it was found in the local sediments.

Abstract: Composition of bed, core and suspended sediments collected from Krishna River sediments were studied and the observations are discussed in the light of other Indian rivers, world's average river suspended particles, surficial rock and soils. The contents of V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu and Zn in the suspended particles are higher in the Krishna River than in the world's average, indicating pollution inputs. Suspended sediments are enriched (5 to 10 times) in all the elements considered relative to bed sediments. Downstream profile and metal/Al ratios of the elements indicate that the mobility of elements within the basin is controlled by basin geology, size and mineralogical characteristics. Good correlations observed for a number of elements point out to their common sink in the clay fraction of the sediments. There is no systematic variation with depth for the major elements and most of the elements are considerably higher compared to estuarine or Bay of Bengal sediments.

Abstract: Trace elements found in aerosols were monitored in Jerusalem during the 1979 winter season utilizing an X-ray fluoresence technique. Most of the particulate mass was associated with the natural soil elements, such as Ca, Fe, K and Ti. Only a small fraction of the mass was comprised of elements clearly emitted from human sources, e.g. Pb, Br, V, Ni and Zn. An excellent correspondence was found between the enrichment factors observed in this study and those postulated for other parts of the world. However, the concentration of Ca and Sr in the Jerusalem suspended dust is substantially higher when compared with world averages of urban aerosols.

Abstract: In this publication optical spectroscopy is considered to be a supplementary technique to study ancient colored glass. It results from a systematic study of the UV-VIS-NIR transmission spectra of intentionally colored glass fragments from various archaeological and historical sites and dated from the Roman period to the 21th century AD. The main goal consists of defining optical sensing parameters for this type of material. The considered colorants are iron, cobalt, manganese, copper and chromium. It is proved that many cases exist where optical spectroscopy can be seen as a straightforward, non-destructive, low-cost and in-situ applicable technique in identifying authentic material or to obtain information about the origin of the material. Possible sensing parameters are defined as the absence/presence of absorption bands characteristic for a specific coloring metal oxide and the spectral position of these bands. These parameters could reveal information about the applied furnace conditions and/or to the composition of the glass matrix. It is shown that the cobalt absorption band situated around 535 nm for soda rich glasses (Roman and industrial times) is shifted towards 526 nm for potash rich glasses (medieval and post-medieval times).

Abstract: Immobilization of the enzymes plays a vital role in enhancing their applicability in a wide range of applications, thus ensuring the use of sustainable enzymatic processes over the conventional chemical processes on an industrial scale. This study provides the background information for the selection and screening of inorganic metal oxide (MO) powders for their use as fillers in mixed matrix membranes for enzyme immobilization as the future aim. A total of 13 MOs, ranging in size from 0.01 μm to <5 μm, were tested for their performance as a support for enzyme (β-galactosidase) immobilization via adsorption. Alumina appeared to be the best performing MO with the amount and activity of the immobilized enzyme being 64 mg g−1 and up to 288 U g−1, respectively. The amount of immobilized enzyme on alumina (α-Al2O3 C and γ-Al2O3) was >3 times higher than ZrO2 (used as a reference MO in this study). Upon heat treatment at 900 °C, up to 15%, 52% and 42% decline was observed in the amount of immobilized enzyme in case of alumina metal oxides (MOs), ZrO2 and TiO2, respectively. The results suggested that both isoelectric point and surface area of the MO influence the immobilization. The most important observation in this study was that the bonding of the enzyme to the MO surface seems to be mediated by the bonding/interaction of the buffer to the enzyme.

Abstract: Das rote Pigment α-HgS neigt in Gegenwart von Licht und Chloridionen zur Schwärzung. Als Grund für die Zersetzung und Entfärbung werden die Bildung von (schwarzem) β-HgS oder Quecksilbermetall vermutet, doch diese Substanzen wurden noch nicht auf natürlich oder künstlich zersetzter HgS-Farbe nachgewiesen. Elektrochemische Experimente belegen nun die Bildung von Quecksilbermetall in Gegenwart von Licht und Chloridionen.

Abstract: A novel strategy to sense target molecules in human blood serum is achieved by immobilizing aptamers (APTs) on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) modified electrodes. In this work, the aminated aptamer selected for hydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyl (OHPCB) was covalently immobilized on the surface of the MWCNTCOOH modified glassy carbon electrode through amide linkage. The aptamers function as recognition probes for OHPCB by the binding induced folding of the aptamer. The developed aptasensing device was characterized by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The aptasensor displayed excellent performance for OHPCB detection with a linear range from 0.16 to 7.5 μM. The sensitivity of the developed aptasensing platform is improved (1×10−8 M) compared to the published report (1×10−6 M) for the determination of OH-PCB (Turner et al., 2007). The better performance of the sensor is due to the unique platform, i.e. the presence of APTs onto electrodes and the combination with nanomaterials. The aptamer density on the electrode surface was estimated by chronocoulometry and was found to be 1.4×1013 molecules cm−2. The validity of the method and applicability of the aptasensor was successfully evaluated by the detection of OHPCB in a blood serum sample. The described approach for aptasensing opens up new perspectives in the field of biomonitoring providing a device with acceptable stability, high sensitivity, good accuracy and precision.

Abstract: The chemical characterization of particulate matter inside and outside of confined bus shelters has been discerned for the first time. Transit patrons are at risk due to the close vicinity of densely trafficked areas resulting in elevated pollution footprints. Incomplete combustion processes, as well as exhaust and wear and tear emissions from public and personal transportation vehicles, are key contributors to degraded urban air quality and are often implicated as causal to various diseases in humans. Urban planning, therefore, includes efficient public transport systems to mitigate the effect. The bus rapid transit system was inaugurated in Curitiba to ensure dedicated traffic lanes, major bus interchanges and semi-confined bus stops called tube stations. To assess the chemical risk that the passengers are exposed to, an investigation of the aerosol inside and outside five of these tube stations was launched. Electron probe X-ray micro-analysis and X-ray fluorescence were used to determine the elemental composition of individual and of bulk particle samples. An aethalometer quantified the black carbon. Elemental concentrations inside the shelters were in general higher than outside, especially for traffic-related elements. The lead concentration exceeded the NAAS standard at times, although the average was below the guideline. The biogenic, organic and soot clusters showed the highest abundance for the city centre sites. The overall carcinogenic risk could be classed as moderate, and the risk was significant at two sites during one of the sampling campaigns. The non-carcinogenic risk is well below the significant value.