Abstract: We used SEM/EDX and micro-Raman spectroscopy to investigate the chemical changes (both on the level of elementary and molecular composition) of mice bones when strontium is incorporated in their microstructure after being administered in the form of two salts: chloride and ranelate. Strontium accumulated mainly in vicinity of bone edges, both cortical and close to bone marrow. The distribution of other elements comprising bone samples (Ca, P, Mg, K etc.) was also determined by energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). The area adjacent to a cortical bone edge with accumulated strontium has presented modified Raman spectral profiles. Besides most of the Raman bands typical for both mineral (hydroxyapatite with carbonate substitution type B) and organic phases of a bone, we observed a Raman band at 811 cm− 1. It was detected regularly in the sample with high strontium concentration.

Abstract: Levels of urban gaseous and particulate pollutants were investigated in the Cathedral of Cologne, Germany in the framework of the EU-project VIDRIO. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of a protective double glazing system on the preservation of ancient stained glass windows by sampling at protected and unprotected windows (indoors, in the interspace and outdoor of the Cathedral). The interspace between the ancient stained glass window and the protective glazing is flushed in the Cathedral by indoor air, hence isolating the historic glass from the outdoor air and exposing it to indoor air on both sides of the glass panels. Concentrations of aggressive gaseous pollutants such as NO2, SO2, O3 and CO2 as well as elemental concentrations of bulk particles and relative abundances of single particles were surveyed at all sampling locations. Elemental concentrations in bulk particulate matter were found to be significantly lower inside the Cathedral in comparison to the outdoor air. This result is advantageous for the stained glass windows. Single particle analysis of the samples from Cologne showed also soil dust and organic particles as well as sulphates and nitrates, from which the latter two compounds are dangerous for the stained glass windows. On the base of the obtained results, it can be concluded that the protective glazing system in the Cathedral of Cologne can be considered as predominantly advantageous from both the gases' point of view (except for NO2-candles burning) and from the particles' point of view.

Abstract: Two sampling campaigns in suburban places in the north zone of Santa Clara city, Cuba, have been carried out on a weekly base with the use of Radiello passive diffusion tubes in order to monitor the tropospheric ozone (O3) levels in 2010. The first campaign was scheduled from February to April (cold season) and the second one in August and October (warm season), both of them at two sampling sites, i.e., Farm and School of Art Instructors. After aqueous extraction, the samples were analyzed by UVVIS spectrophotometry. A seasonal trend was observed with the maximum O3 concentrations in the cold season and the minimum levels in the warm season. Samples collected during the cold season showed the highest O3 levels. Higher levels were reached at the Farm site with average values of about 58 ± 12 μg/m3, which exceeded the limit of the Cuban Standard 99:1999. In the warm season, the O3 concentrations were similar for both sites, but lower than those observed in the cold season. The overall, seasonal average value was found to be 24 μg/m3. Despite the higher weekly average temperatures in August, the O3 concentrations during this month showed the lowest values of the whole sampling period, which finding is in agreement with that reported by the Meteorological Institute of Cuba. Mathematical models, based on the Cochrane-Orcutt algorithm, were fitted to the acquired data set to explain the change in the tropospheric ozone concentrations under various meteorological conditions during the two campaigns. The correlation coefficients for both the cold and the warm seasons demonstrated a strong correlation, i.e., 0.779 and 0.951, respectively. The high correlation of wind speed in the model from the first sampling campaign explains the sharp decrease in O3 concentrations at the SAI sampling site from the sixth week of sampling.

Abstract: The molecular character of atmospheric particulate matter is of prime importance when interpreting air pollution trends and its subsequent influence on environmental monitoring and preventative conservation. The known methods of estimating the molecular composition normally involve elemental analysis of particles (both as bulk and computer controlled analyses of single particles) with subsequent multivariate analyses to clusterise the elements in groups of elements that are closely related to each other. With this approach one can at best suggest associations. Evidently the application of molecular spectroscopy in addition to elemental concentration profiles would provide intimate information regarding the nature of the particles and consequently their fate. This paper gives an overview of research performed in our laboratory and describes the optimisation of experimental parameters to use scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray detection (SEM/EDX) or electron probe X-ray microanalysis (EPXMA) in parallel with micro-Raman Spectrometry (MRS) to investigate single environmental particles. The challenges associated with the two stand-alone techniques are revealed and consequently those posed with an interfaced approach are discussed. Preliminary results, of an initial investigation of the SEM/EDX interfaced with MRS to ultra-fine heterogeneous environmental particles, are given.

Abstract: Shelf sediments of the southern North Sea, were studied with a microanalytical [electron probe X-ray microanalysis (EPXMA)] and two bulk [X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF)] techniques. The investigation proved that the promptness of the microanalytical method is combined with a reasonable analytical reliability. XRD studies of such a type of sediments with monotonous mineral composition are not able to provide mineralogical information beyond the main well-crystalline minerals and the mineralogical quantitative characteristic of the sediment based on XRD estimations are incorrect. The EPXMA mineralogical interpretations are based on the statistical evaluation of a huge data set (thousands of mineral particles) and provide a rather correct quantitative determination of the main minerals. The comparative EPXMAXRF study revealed that the Al, Si, K, Ca, Fe and to some extent Ti contents estimated by EPXMA are fairly reliable. In this respect the accuracy of the EPXMA-based mineral identification of the pure silicates, pure aluminosilicates, and Al-, Ca-, Fe- and Ti-containing minerals with simple composition is very high. Mg-calcite, augite and apatite determinations are assessed to be correct. The supposed accuracy of the clay mineral determinations is slightly lower (7080%) than that of the other main minerals due to the complex and varying composition of the clays. The identification of XRD-invisible accessory minerals and quantification of their presence in the sediments is an essential advantage of the EPXMA, which makes it a useful approach in tracing the origin of the sediments, the pathways of their transport and the geochemical processes they have undergone. However, the EPXMA has several flaws, which need to be solved in the future sediment investigations: (1) calibration with natural standards is needed in order to provide a higher accuracy of the mineral determinations; (2) any EPXMA study of sediments needs to be secured with XRF examinations of selected samples since EPXMA gives only semi-quantitative information about the abundance of the elements; (3) ultra-thin window EPXMA of low-Z elements has to be used since some of them (O, C) are always present in the main sediment components: silicates, aluminosilicates, carbonates and metal oxyhydroxides; (4) the interpretations of the clay fraction have to be supported with detailed XRD investigations of selected samples, while the mineralogy of the silt and sand fractions needs to be backed up with optical microscopy studies. The information from different analytical techniques (EPXMA with XRFXRD-optical microscopy of selected samples) combined with the knowledge about the most possible minerals in a given environment, would give the most reliable results in studying mineralogical composition of shelf sediments.

Abstract: Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations were used to evaluate the air quality before and after the infrastructural change of an important traffic artery in Mortsel, Antwerp (Belgium). During the reconstruction works two pairs of traffic lanes were reduced to one in each direction. Two sampling campaigns were conducted: the first one before the works in 2003 and the second one in 2005, after the road works were finished. Sampling was performed on a weekly base with the use of passive diffusion tubes on the streets, and also indoors in nearby houses. The samples were analyzed by ion chromatography, from which data the NO2 concentrations in air could be calculated. These results were compared with NO2 values from the air monitoring station 42R801 of the Flemish Environment Agency in Borgerhout, Antwerp. On the base of different NO2 concentrations, correlated well with the traffic density, sampling locations were classified into three groups as follows: 1) heavily polluted (heavy traffic); 2) moderately polluted (medium traffic); or 3) less polluted (low traffic density). Sampling sites located further from the road works, enclosed to the group less polluted, showedthe lowestNO2 concentrations. The highestNO2 levelwas found for the locations close to reconstructionworks, which belonged to the group heavily polluted. The contribution of NO2 was at the samelevel before and after the roadworks. During the first campaign it ranged from30±7 µg/m3 to 71±11 µg/m3 and during the second sampling itwas between 36±17 µg/m3 and 73±17 µg/m3. These modernizationworks had no impact on preventing the traffic-related pollutant as NO2 and as a consequence no significant effect on the air quality in the studied region. It has been proven that the impact of traffic on the air quality is unmistakably high and simply reduction of the number of the traffic lanes, intended to discourage the traffic flow, had apparently no environmentally advantageous effect

Abstract: Soil samples from an abandoned uranium mine have been investigated in order to determine the molecular phases of uranium compounds. The experiments were carried out with soil particulate matter, collected randomly from the area of the formerly exploited ore. To select the particles rich with uranium, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray attachment (SEM/EDX) was applied first. Afterwards, the particles were relocated and measured by l-Raman spectrometry (MRS). Residues of the main deposit, uraninite UO2, were detected, along with its alteration products. In terms of Raman scattering properties, uranium oxides are quite sensitive to the laser beam wavelength, which results in very specific features of their Raman spectra. In this paper the Raman spectra of uranium oxides of different origin and oxidation states, measured with 514 and 785 nm lasers, are also presented

Abstract: The activity concentration of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in gas concrete samples collected from different suppliers and some provinces in Turkey were measured using gamma-ray spectrometry. Knowledge of radioactivity in gas concrete used in building materials enables one to assess any possible radiological risks to human health. The mean activity concentrations observed in the gas concrete samples were 82.0, 28.2 and 383.9 Bq kg−1 for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K, respectively. The radium equivalent activity, external and internal hazard indices as well as terrestrial absorbed dose and annual effective dose rate was calculated. The results indicate that the radium equivalent activity values of gas concrete samples are lower than the limit of 370 Bq kg−1, equivalent to a gamma-dose of 1.5 mSv y−1. Moreover, mass attenuation coefficients were measured in some gas concrete samples. It was found that the mass attenuation coefficients decreased with increasing photon energies. Also, chemical compositions and structural analysis (XRD and SEM) of the gas concrete samples were investigated.

Abstract: The distribution of mass, water-soluble inorganic salts and mineral elements of size-segregated aerosols (PM1, PM2.5-1 and PM10-2.5), precursor gaseous pollutants, black carbon, and nanoparticles (10-300 nm size range) at the Southern Bight of the North Sea has been studied. The concentrations of air pollutants peaked over shipping lanes, open-water anchorage areas and frequently navigated waters, due to the presence of mobile emission sources. A considerable decrease in air pollutant levels was seen when diverting from these marine areas towards remote or coastal banks. These findings showed the rapid dispersion of pollutants in the marine air. The nano-aerosol count, originating from ocean-going ships, peaked at lower average aerodynamic diameters (e.g., approximate to 28 nm) than those, observed from low displacement vessels (45-50 nm, e.g., for fishing boats). The average diameter of nano-PM depended also on weather conditions, e.g., it was higher (approximate to 50 nm) in air of higher humidity. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Abstract: The Eulerian Chemistry-Transport Model BelEUROS was used to calculate the concentrations of airborne PM10 and PM2.5 over Europe. Both primary as well as secondary particulate matter in the respirable size-range was taken into account. Especially PM2.5 aerosols are often formed in the atmosphere from gaseous precursor compounds. Comprehensive computer codes for the calculation of gas phase chemical reactions and thermodynamic equilibria between compounds in the gas-phase and the particulate phase had been implemented into the BelEUROS-model. Calculated concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 are compared to observations, including both the spatial and daily, temporal distribution of particulate matter in Belgium for certain monitoring locations and periods. The concentrations of the secondary compounds ammonium, nitrate and sulfate have also been compared to observed values. BeIEUROS was found to reproduce the observed concentrations rather well. The model was applied to assess the contribution of emissions derived from the sector agriculture in Flanders, the northern part of Belgium, to PM10- and PM2.5-concentrations. The results demonstrate the importance of ammonia emissions in the formation of secondary particulate matter. Hence, future European emission abatement policy should consider more the role of ammonia in the formation of secondary particles

Abstract: The methodology of protecting the European stained glass windows against environmental risk (e.g. meteorological factors, air pollution, microorganisms) by means of an external glazing is not new. In spite of many scientific studies carried out in the last 20 years, some questions were still up for discussion. The European VIDRIO (20022005) project gave an answer to these questions. The research carried out by the different project partners established a new multidisciplinary approach aimed at evaluating the efficiency of the protective glazing systems and their effects on stained glass windows conservation, and finally at assessing the most appropriate strategy to preserve stained glass windows. Scientific results showed that the so-called isothermal glazing (i.e. ventilation by the air coming from the inside of the building) protected efficiently the ancient stained glass window from environmental attack (i.e. rain, pollutants, condensation, thermal shocks) with very limited secondary effects. The scientific research highlighted that its efficiency was strongly related to the technical design of the protective system. In particular, the ventilation and the size of the interspace had to be carefully considered. The research developed within the VIDRIO project was turned into general recommendations to the owners and practitioners on the best practice for the stained glass windows future conservation.