Road dust resuspension is one of the main sources of particulate matter with impacts on air quality, health and climate. With the aim of characterising the thoracic fraction, a portable resuspension ...chamber was used to collect road dust from five main roads in Oporto and an urban tunnel in Braga, north of Portugal. The PM10 samples were analysed for: i) carbonates by acidification and quantification of the evolved CO2, ii) carbonaceous content (OC and EC) by a thermo-optical technique, iii) elemental composition by ICP-MS and ICP-AES after acid digestion, and iv) organic speciation by GC–MS. Dust loadings of 0.48±0.39mgPM10m−2 were obtained for asphalt paved roads. A much higher mean value was achieved in a cobbled pavement (50mgPM10m−2). In general, carbonates were not detected in PM10. OC and EC accounted for PM10 mass fractions up to 11% and 5%, respectively. Metal oxides accounted for 29±7.5% of the PM10 mass from the asphalt paved roads and 73% in samples from the cobbled street. Crustal and anthropogenic elements, associated with tyre and brake wear, dominated the inorganic fraction. PM10 comprised hundreds of organic constituents, including hopanoids, n-alkanes and other aliphatics, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), alcohols, sterols, various types of acids, glycerol derivatives, lactones, sugars and derivatives, phenolic compounds and plasticizers. In samples from the cobbled street, these organic classes represented only 439μgg−1PM10, while for other pavements mass fractions up to 65mgg−1PM10 were obtained. Except for the cobbled street, on average, about 40% of the analysed organic fraction was composed of plasticizers. Although the risk via inhalation of PAH was found to be insignificant, the PM10 from some roads can contribute to an estimated excess of 332 to 2183 per million new cancer cases in adults exposed via ingestion and dermal contact.
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•Dust loadings<1mgPM10m−2 were obtained for asphalt paved roads.•These values are lower than those reported for other cities.•Dust loadings about 50 times higher were found for a cobbled pavement.•OC & EC accounted for small PM10 mass fractions, while inorganic components dominate.•OC comprised hundreds of organic constituents; plasticizers were the most abundant.
The use of charcoal for cooking and heating can be a major source of air pollution and lead to a wide range of health outcomes. The aim of this study was to experimentally quantify and characterise ...the gaseous and particulate matter (PM2.5) emissions from charcoal combustion in a typical brick barbecue grill. The gaseous emission factors were 219 ± 44.8 g kg−1 for carbon monoxide (CO), 3.01 ± 0.698 g kg−1 for nitrogen oxides (NOx expressed as NO2), and 4.33 ± 1.53 gC kg−1 for total organic carbon (TOC). Particle emissions (7.38 ± 0.353 g kg−1 of dry charcoal burned) were of the same order of magnitude as those from traditional residential wood burning appliances. About 50% of the PM2.5 emitted had a carbonaceous nature while water soluble ions accounted, on average, for 17% of the particulate mass. Alkanes (C11–C16 and C23), hopanes, steranes and alkyl-PAHs accounted for small mass fractions of PM2.5. Phenolic compounds and saccharides represented the major particle-bond organic constituents. The high proportion of either resin acids or syringyl and vanillyl compounds is consistent with emissions from charred coniferous wood. The ratios between anhydrosugars for charcoal are much lower than the values reported for lignite combustion, but overlap those from other biomass burning sources.
•Speciation of PM2.5 in flue gas from charcoal combustion was obtained.•The carbonaceous content represented almost 50% of PM2.5 mass.•Potassium, sodium and chloride were the dominant water soluble ions in PM2.5.•Anhydrosugars constituted the dominant organic class in PM2.5.•Retene represented >50% of PAHs global mass in PM2.5.
This article aims to critically review the current state of knowledge on in vitro toxicological assessments of particulate emissions from residential biomass heating systems. The review covers ...various aspects of particulate matter (PM) toxicity, including oxidative stress, inflammation, genotoxicity, and cytotoxicity, all of which have important implications for understanding the development of diseases. Studies in this field have highlighted the different mechanisms that biomass combustion particles activate, which vary depending on the combustion appliances and fuels. In general, particles from conventional combustion appliances are more potent in inducing cytotoxicity, DNA damage, inflammatory responses, and oxidative stress than those from modern appliances. The sensitivity of different cell lines to the toxic effects of biomass combustion particles is also influenced by cell type and culture conditions. One of the main challenges in this field is the considerable variation in sampling strategies, sample processing, experimental conditions, assays, and extraction techniques used in biomass burning PM studies. Advanced culture systems, such as co-cultures and air-liquid interface exposures, can provide more accurate insights into the effects of biomass combustion particles compared to simpler submerged monocultures. This review provides critical insights into the complex field of toxicity from residential biomass combustion emissions, underscoring the importance of continued research and standardisation of methodologies to better understand the associated health hazards and to inform targeted interventions.
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•Higher cytotoxicity, DNA damage, inflammation and ROS for traditional burning devices.•24 h exposure may not be enough to observe effects on cell endpoints.•Co-cultures and ALI exposures provide enhanced responses than submerged monocultures.•Different cell lines and experimental conditions impact endpoints discrepantly.•Transition to more standardised in vitro testing is crucial.
The incomplete wood combustion in appliances operated in batch mode is a recognised source of both in- and outdoor airborne pollutants, especially particulate matter (PM). Data on pollutant levels ...and PM characteristics in households with wood burning devices in developed countries are scarce with most studies describing stove change out programmes or other intervention measures. The aim of the present study was to simultaneously evaluate indoor and outdoor concentrations of CO, CO2 and PM10 during the operation of wood burning appliances (open fireplace and woodstove) in unoccupied rural households. PM10 samples were analysed for water soluble inorganic ions, major and trace elements, organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), and detailed organic speciation. The CO 8-hour average concentrations did not exceed the protection limit despite the sharp increases observed in relation to background levels. During the open fireplace operation, PM10 levels rose up 12 times compared to background concentrations, while the airtight stove resulted in a 2-fold increase. The inhalation cancer risk of particulate bound PAHs in the room equipped with woodstove was estimated to be negligible while the long-term exposure to PAH levels measured in the fireplace room may contribute to the development of cancer. The excess lifetime cancer risk resulting from the particle-bound Cr(VI) exposure during the fireplace and woodstove operation was higher than 1.0 × 10−6 and 1.0 × 10−5, respectively. Levoglucosan was one of the most abundant individual species both indoors and outdoors. This study underlines air pollution hazards and risks arising from the operation of traditional wood burning appliances.
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•PM detailed chemical profiles and health risks in homes with wood burning devices•Emission rates of 1.29 (fireplace) and 0.049 (woodstove) mgPM10 min−1 were obtained.•The cancer risk for Cr(VI) was higher than 10−6 (fireplace) and 10−5 (woodstove).•The PAH cancer potency was about 7 times higher in the room with fireplace.•Health significance of results should be further evaluated by toxicological studies.
RESUMO Este trabalho trata da influência das características anatômicas da madeira sobre a penetração e adesão de adesivos. Neste contexto, deu-se enfoque a diversidade estrutural e anatômica da ...madeira e seus papeis na performance de uma ligação adesiva.
RESUMO O objetivo desta pesquisa foi infocar os fatores que afetam a qualidade da madeira. Tais fatores podem ser inerentes a própria madeira e também decorrente do ambiente em que as árvores se ...desenvolveram. A relação existente entre a característica silvicultural aplicada ao rápido crescimento e suas implicações nas propriedades tecnológicas do xilema secundário são avaliadas nesta revisão. O efeito produzido na madeira, tanto em espécies de coníferas como de folhosas, são também abordados, apontando possíveis práticas que visam minimizar tais efeitos.
resumo O presente trabalho apresenta um panorama da realidade do estado do Amazonas com relação ao desenvolvimento de uma bioecomonia fortemente ligada com as potencialidades dos recursos naturais. ...Essa discussão se encaixa nas buscas por alternativas para economia do estado, muito centralizada pelo Polo Industrial de Manaus (PIM), que se torna ano a ano cada vez mais ameaçado. Dessa forma, o artigo apresenta uma relação entre as ofertas das potencialidades locais com as demandas tecnológicas e de mercado. Discute também os impactos econômicos e tecnológicos de inovação em biodiversidade e capacitação dos recursos humanos, que são necessários para alavancar o desenvolvimento de uma ciência aplicada na conversão de produtos da natureza em produtos comerciais.
abstract This paper presents an overview of the state of Amazonas in terms of the development of a bioeconomy strongly linked to the potential of natural resources. This discussion fits well into the search of alternatives for the state’s economy, very centralized by the Manaus Industrial Park (PIM), which becomes increasingly threatened year after year. Thus, the article presents a relationship between the potential of local offerings and technological and market demands. It also discusses the economic and technological impacts of biodiversity innovation and human resources training, needed to leverage the development of applied science to the conversion of natural products into commercial products.
Abstract The introgression of M. enterolobii resistance-related genes in guava breeding programs can be compromised by incompatibility among Psidium species. This study aimed to evaluate the female ...parent preference and genetic diversity of Psidium interspecific hybrids using morphoagronomic traits and resistance to M. enterolobii. There were evaluated cross successes and germination from crosses between accesses of P. cattleyanum, P. guineense and P. guajava and the genetic diversity by Ward-MLM method of hybrids according to descriptors developed for the genus. Crosses were more successful when P. cattleyanum was the female parent. Germination was more successful in crosses involving P. cattleyanum and P. guajava. Four groups were formed. The group IV clustered the most resistant genotypes, composed by genotypes of P. cattleyanum x P. guineense, while the group II was the most susceptible. The groups I and III grouped some genotypes of P. cattleyanum x P. guajava with low levels of susceptibility. There are preferences of female parent species among crosses. Some individuals of groups I and III can be used as source of resistance genes for the breeding program, due the presence of favorable alleles inherited from guava parent. The high susceptibility leads to reduction in root development.
A influência da cobertura vegetal sobre o balanço hídrico do solo tem sido estudada com mais rigor diante da necessidade de resiliência do ambiente a eventos extremos de precipitação e estiagem. A ...Região Hidrográfica IX-RJ sofre um intenso processo de degradação do solo em áreas de morro com pastagem degradada. Os planos de recuperação de mananciais e produção de água necessitam de estudos mais precisos sobre essa influência com dados regionais visando à eficiência no uso do recurso público. Neste contexto, o objetivo desta pesquisa é avaliar o efeito da cobertura vegetal sobre a recarga hídrica do subsolo com base em uma simulação hidrológica com parâmetros de modelagem calibrados e validados em campo. Para isso foi desenvolvido um dispositivo eletrônico para monitoramento da umidade do solo e da precipitação. Estão sendo estudadas as coberturas vegetais predominantes da RH-IX: pastagem degradada, pastagem manejada e floresta. Os resultados podem embasar os planos de recuperação de manancial para abastecimento público e ações de redução da pegada hídrica.
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