In order to estimate the origin of the atmospheric particulate matter, the elemental concentrations in rain water, suspended solid in rain and dust in flue gas emitted from coal burning boilers were determined during the period 1982-2001 in Ehime Prefecture. Results obtained in this study revealed several regional characteristics of elemental concentrations. The results obtained were as follows: (1) For elevation of As, Ni, Cr, Be, Pb, Zn and V concentrations in atmospheric particulate matter, contribution of the dust in flue gas emitted from coal burning boilers was bigger than that of soil. For elevation of Mn, Fe, Ca and Mn concentrations, contribution of soil was bigger than that of dust. (2) In Niihama City, the higher concentrations of As in particulate matter might be mainly due to the anthropogenic pollution sources. (3) The maximum concentration of As in rain was 8.1μg/l in Matsuyama City and maximum deposition of As was 155μg/m²/week in Niihama City. In Matsuyama City and Yawatahama City, positive correlation was found between As concentration and As deposition in rain. In Niihama City, positive correlation was found between As concentration and As deposition, suggesting the possibility of atmospheric transportation of As. (4) About 96 % of total As in rain was dissolved As and the remained As was estimated that it might generate from soil. (5) Application of principal component analysis on the analytical results of elemental concentrations in particulate matter during the period 1982-1998 suggested that the elemental concentrations at Niihama City and Matsuyama City were higher than other three cities (Kawanoe City, Saijo City and Toyo City) in Ehime Prefecture, suggesting the contribution of the anthropogenic sources.

View full abstract

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in 63 samples of airborne particulate matter collected from 1998 to 2000 in Beijing, Yinchuan and Chengdu, China were analyzed. The average concentrations of total PAHs (Σ23PAHs) found in the air samples were 323±431 ng/m³ (545±592μg/g) in Beijing, 898±902ng/m³ (1135± 1357μg/g) in Yinchuan and 249±203ng/m³ (566±321μg/g) in Chengdu. The airborne concentrations of PAHs in China were approximately 35 to 450 times higher than those collected during the same time period in Okayama, Japan, 20 to 80 times higher than those of Santiago, Chile, and were similar to those of Chicago which is influenced by surrounding heavy industry. Seasonal variation was observed in the concentration profiles of PAHs and the ratios of individual PAHs to total PAHs for the three cities. The ratio of 4-ring PAHs to total PAHs increased in winter: it is recognized that coal-burning (for heating in winter) yields higher ratios of 4-ring PAHs to total PAHs than does petroleum combustion. The ratios of the concentrations of the individual PAHs to the benzo [e] pyrene concentration (BeP ratio) and significant molecular diagnostic ratios were used to fingerprint the airborne PAHs in the three cities, and these were compared with the patterns of the different sources. The ratios patterns from coal combustion were evident in the samples from all three cities. Additionally, the characteristic pattern from automobile exhaust was evident in Beijing, that from coal used for steam power generation was seen in Chengdu, and that from domestic coal-burning was predominant in Yinchuan.

View full abstract

Native blue mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) ranging from 25 to 65 mm in shell length were collected from their upper, middle, and lower habitats at the Port of Misaki on the Miura Peninsula, Japan between July and March, and their concentrations of organotin compounds (OTs), including butyltin compounds (BTs) and phenyltin compounds (PTs), were examined in relation to size-dependent, vertical habitat, and seasonal variations. None of the variables examined significantly affected OTs concentrations in blue mussels. These results suggest that the blue mussel is suitable for monitoring OTs pollution and can be collected at any size (ranging from 25 to 65 mm shell length), at any vertical habitat, and in any season.

View full abstract

Studies on the analytical method as well as the thermal decomposition behaviors of polybrominated Biphenyl ethers, which were added as a brominated flame retardants (BFR) in the electrical and electronic equipment materials, were conducted. In solvent extraction-GC/MS method, a method based on dissolution with THE followed by precipitation of bulk polymers with tolvene showed higher extraction efficiency than the Soxhlet extraction method On the other hand, in the pyrolysis GC/MS analysis, mono- to hepta-bominated diphenylethers and dibenzofurans were detected as the product by thermal decomposition of DeBDE added as BFR. Therefore, the pyrolysis GC/MS analysis was found to be not suitable as a technique of quantitative analysis of PBDEs in materials. It was also suggested that PBDFs may be formed by burning of the material containing PBDEs as BFR.

View full abstract

Bacteria, Pseudomonas sp. strain TM15 and Sphingomonas sp. strain TM22, were isolated from soils in Yamada Green Zone, Kitakyushu City that had been used as an ammunition storage area. Possibly, these microorganisms are strains of new species judging from 16S rDNA homology search. Both bacteria have abilities not only to efficiently biotransform 2, 4, 6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) to two kinds of mono-aminodinitrotoluene, but also to cleave aromatic ring. Especially, since Pseudomonas sp. strain TM15 can degrade a high concentration of TNT, it is possible to develop a novel bioremediation technology using this strain.

View full abstract

Photodegradation of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) in the analytical process was studied.
Firstly, photolysis patterns of 4-8 chlorinated congeners of PCDDs/PCDFs substituted with chlorine atoms at the lateral (2, 3, 7 and 8) positions (2, 3, 7, 8-PCDDs/PCDFs) were investigated in organic solvents by irradiation with UV 365 nm (UV intensity: 3, 000μW/cm²) in a glass test tube with a thickness of 1.2mm. PCDFs and 2, 3, 7, 8-TeCDD were found to be decomposed to reductive dechlorinated compounds (RDC) . In PCDFs, compounds substituted with chlorine at both 1 and 9 positions were rapidly decomposed, particularly 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9-HxCDF being decomposed the most quickly with a half-life in toluene of 35.6 minutes. These photodegradations were also observed by irradiation with fluorescent light (UV intensity: 100μW/cm²) in toluene with a half-life (1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9-HxCDF) of 11 hours.
Secondly, influence of these photodegradations on the measurement by internal standard method was investigated. As a ratio of ¹²C-parent compound (analysis object) to ¹³C-parent compound (internal standard) differs from sample to sample, and decreased or increased amount of PCDDs/PCDFs can appear after photodegradation, their concentrations calculated by the internal standard method will be different from the original one. These views were confirmed by irradiation experiment to solutions with various concentrations of ¹²C PCDDs/PCDFs.

View full abstract

Trace element concentrations (Li, Na, Mg, Al, K, Ca, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Se, Rb, Sr, Ag, Cd, Cs, Ba, Hg, Tl, Bi and U) in the liver, kidney, pectoral muscle and lung of common kestrels (Falco tinnunculus) collected from Haneda area, Japan in 1999 were determined, in order to elucidate the properties of accumulation and the distribution in the body. Although Mn in the liver was higher than those in other three tissues, almost all elements analyzed were higher in the kidneys and lungs. The elements (Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Tl and Bi) were higher in the kidney than in the liver. Concentrations of Al, V Ga, Ba, Bi were higher in the lungs as compared with other organs. It was suggested that this distribution was related to air pollution. Cr levels decreased in analyzed all tissues with aging. V levels decreased in kidney, liver and pectoral muscle with aging. Ni concentrations increased in liver and lung whereas they decreased in kidney and pectoral muscle with aging. For sexual differences, while concentrations of Al, Ca, V Co, Ga, Se, Rb, Sr, Cs, Ba and Tl were higher in male than in female, the levels of Mn, Ag, Cd, Bi and U were higher in female than in male.
Inter-element relationships between Ca, Zn, Sr, Cs, Bi and U concentrations in the kidney, Mn, Co, Cs, Tl, Bi and U concentrations in the liver, and Li, Mg, Al, Ca, V, Mn, Ga, Sr, Ba, Tl, Bi and U concentrations in the lung were significant (p<0.001, by Speareman's rank correlation) . Values of V Mn, Cs and Tl in the liver and kidney were higher in this species than in other several raptors.

View full abstract

A case of plant damage due to airborne boron contamination from an alloy manufacture, where boric acid had been used in its production process, has been reported in Japan. Boron concentrations in plant leaves from the affected area (68-550 mg/kg dry) were higher by one order of magnitude than those in leaves from control areas (4-20 mg/kg dry) . Boron isotopic compositions of soil leachates and plant (Coynus kousa) leaves, as well as boric acid and fly ash from the manufacture (the “Source”), were measured by ICP mass spectrometry. The isotopic and boron concentration results for the leachates of soils indicated that surface soil of the vicinity (a few hundred meter) of the “Source” was contaminated with boron emitted from the industrial process, which had different isotopic composition from local boron. Isotope ratio of Coynus leaves of the affected area with high boron concentration was close to that of the boric acid used in the “Source”. The lack of isotope fractionation, which is theoretically expected and actually observed in the Coynus leaves of control areas, indicated that uptake of boron from the “Source” was not via soil but direct deposition on the leaves. However, there still remained the possibility from the isotopic viewpoint that the high boron concentration in the Coynus leaves was from natural origin. This study demonstrated the effectiveness of boron isotope ratio analysis for the analysis of the environmental dynamics, however, accumulation of fundamental data, such as isotopic variation in natural boron and fractionation in the biological process, is also warranted to allow further inferences.

View full abstract

In order to analyze 11 compounds of dichlorophenols (Di-CPs) and trichlorophenols (Tri-CPs) in flue gas from waste incinerators by using a high performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC) with electrochemical detector (EChD), the collection efficiency with absorption solutions under different conditions, some kinds of the mobile phases with different pH for HPLC, or the different applied voltage for the detection were investigated. Then, the adequate conditions were determined for the analysis of CPs at 0.1-1000ng/m³ in flue gas. In addition, six kinds of the pre-cut column/valves systems examined for continuous CPs analysis. Two types of the sequential full-automated analytical instrument were developed and the usefulness of these instruments was demonstrated in the actual test at waste incinerators. In this paper, the basic data and the experiences related with the analysis or the instruments are described.

View full abstract

In order to estimate origin of the elements in atmospheric particulate matter sampled from three cities, Niihama City, Matsuyama City and Yawatahama City in Ehime Prefecture, the elemental concentrations in atmospheric particulate matter, solids in rain and rain water were determined during the period 1999-2002. Results were as follows: (1) Principal component analysis on the concentration data of As, acid depositions and other components in rain water during the period 1999-2002 indicated that contribution of the anthropogenic pollution sources to elemental concentrations were larger than that of the natural sources at Niihama City and Matsuyama City. (2) Correlation analysis between deposition fluxes of As and those of other components in rain water indicated that the possible As pollution source was anthropogenic at Niihama City and natural at Matsuyama City. (3) Concentration ratios of an element to Al of solids in rain, soils and industrial dust suggested that the increase of Mn, Fe, Ca, Mg concentrations in solids was mainly due to contribution of soil. (4) In atmospheric particulate matter sampled at Uwajima City from March 18 to 19, 2002, samples containing loess showed lower concentrations (μg/g) of As, Ni, Pb and V than the other samples, the concentrations of Mn, Fe, Al, Zn, Ca and Mg were higher than the other samples, suggesting that elemental concentrations in atmospheric particulate matter were affected by precipitated loess. (5) Seasonal variation of As concentration (μg/m³) in atmospheric particulate matter suggested that As concentration increase in early spring at Niihama City and Matsuyama City, indicating the precipitated loess might contribute.

View full abstract

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and coplanar PCBs (Co-PCBs) in ten species of wild birds collected from Japan were analyzed. The results revealed that the concentrations and homologue / isomer profiles were speciesspecific, featuring with their unique habitats and feeding habits. The rank of residue levels of PCDD/Fs and Co-PCBs were following : granivore ≅ omnivore < carnivore ≅ piscivore < predator, and suggested that persistent and toxic isomers tend to bioaccumulate selectively increasing with a trophic level. PCDD/Fs predominantly contributed to TEQ in species whose food source mainly depended on the terrestrial ecosystem, while Co-PCBs in species on the aquatic ecosystem, implying the contamination pattern vary according to habitats. The result of cluster analysis using the profile data of PCDD/Fs isomer or TEQ contribution considerably corresponded to the classification by each ecological characteristic. TEQ levels in wild birds from Japan analyzed in this study were within the range of those from other countries. However, raptors at the top of terrestrial food chain showed the elevated level among species, thus the result emphasizes it is necessary to elucidate the exposure route in their ecosystem.

View full abstract

The mutagenicity of the extract which carried out by Soxhlet's extraction (toluene: ethanol = 3 : 7, v/v) for 20 hours from commercial charcoal was measured by preincubation method with Salmonella typhimurium TA100 and TA98. Some of the samples showed positive mutagenicity. Moreover, the mutagenicity of the extract of own-making charcoal was also investigated. The Western redcedar, a pine, and commercial plywood were used for making charcoal. These samples were carbonized for 1 hour under nitrogen atmosphere at 400 °C, 600 °C, 800 °C, and 1000 °C, respectively. The carbide produced at low temperature (400 °C and 600 °C) showed mutagenicity in many cases. On the other hand, it was suggested that the carbide produced by the high temperature (800 °C and 1000 °C) rarely showed mutagenicity.

View full abstract

In order to investigate the recent state of marine environment in Niigata Prefecture, to investigate the biological concentration in the ocean, and to investigate the behavior of rare earth elements (REEs) in the ocean, REEs in many kinds of seaweed samples as well as seawater samples in Niigata Prefecture were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) .
Seaweed and seawater samples were collected at 10 points on the coast in Niigata Prefecture (i.e., Sanpoku Town, Niigata City, Iwamuro Village, Izumozaki Town, Kashiwazaki City, Nou Town, Ryotu City, Aikawa Town, Sawata Town and Akadomari Village) from 2000 to 2002.
The following points have been clarified by the present study. (1) The concentrations of REEs in the seaweed gathered on the coast in Niigata Prefecture were about 10³ to 10⁵ times higher than those in the seawater; and the enrichment factors of REEs is generally larger in HREE than LREE. (2) A large difference was found between REE pattern of the seaweed samples taken on the coast in Niigata Mainland and that on the coast in Sado Island. (3) The degrees of “positive Ce-anomaly in seaweed samples” and “negative Ce-anomaly in seawater samples” in Niigata Mainland were also larger than those in Sado Island. (4) Positive Gdanomaly (which seems to be an artificial origin) was found in REE patterns of some seawater samples. (5) REE pattern of seaweed and seawater samples may be an useful tracer of investigating the surrounding marine environment.

View full abstract