Investigation on the heavy metal content of zinc-carbon and alkaline manganese dry cells

The objective of this work was to test the compliance of commercially available batteries with the German Battery Ordinance, a project of the German government that was initiated by the Federal Environment Agency. Different types of commercially available dry cells were analysed for their cadmium, lead and mercury contents. The dry cells underwent mechanical pre-treatment, separation of the different components and microwave-assisted digestion before determination of the heavy metals. Mercury is sometimes added to prevent the generation of gaseous hydrogen from the electrochemical process. Lead could be present since it is sometimes used as an alloying element of zinc. Cadmium has no technical importance and is an undesirable impurity. None of the batteries contained higher heavy metal mass fractions than the permissible limits.     

Mapping bundles of ecosystem services reveals distinct types of multifunctionality within a Swedish landscape

Ecosystem services (ES) is a valuable concept to be used in the planning and management of social–ecological landscapes. However, the understanding of the determinant factors affecting the interaction between services in the form of synergies or trade-offs is still limited. We assessed the production of 16 ES across 62 municipalities in the Norrström drainage basin in Sweden. We combined GIS data with publically available information for quantifying and mapping the distribution of services. Additionally, we calculated the diversity of ES for each municipality and used correlations and k-means clustering analyses to assess the existence of ES bundles. We found five distinct types of bundles of ES spatially agglomerated in the landscape that could be explained by regional social and ecological gradients. Human-dominated landscapes were highly multifunctional in our study area and urban densely populated areas were hotspots of cultural services.     

Investigation on the heavy-metal content of zinc-air button cells

Within the framework of a German government project (initiated by the Federal Environment Agency) to check the compliance of commercially available batteries with the German Battery Ordinance concerning their heavy metal contents, 18 different types of commercially available zinc-air button cells were analysed for their cadmium, lead and mercury contents. After microwave assisted dissolution with aqua regia, Cd and Pb were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and Hg was determined using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES) and atomic absorption spectrometry. Cd contents were found to be much lower than the permitted limits; Pb contents were also found to be below the limits. Hg contents were found to be near the limits, and in one case the limit was exceeded.     

A Method for Assessing Hydrologic Alteration within Ecosystems

Hydrologic regimes play a major role in determining the biotic composition, structure, and function of aquatic, wetland, and riparian ecosystems. But human land and water uses are substantially altering hydrologic regimes around the world. Improved quantitative evaluations of human-induced hydrologic changes are needed to advance research on the biotic implications of hydrologic alteration and to support ecosystem management and restoration plans. We propose a method for assessing the degree of hydrologic alteration attributable to human influence within an ecosystem. This method, referred to as the "Indicators of Hydrologic Alteration," is based upon an analysis of hydrologic data available either from existing measurement points within an ecosystem (such as at stream gauges or wells) or model-generated data. We use 32 parameters, organized into five groups, to statistically characterize hydrologic variation within each year. These 32 parameters provide information on ecologically significant features of surface and ground water regimes influencing aquatic, wetland, and riparian ecosystems. We then assess the hydrologic perturbations associated with activities such as dam operations, flow diversion, groundwater pumping, or intensive land-use conversion by comparing measures of central tendency and dispersion for each parameter between user-defined "pre-impact" and "post-impact" time frames, generating 64 Indicators of Hydrologic Alteration. This method is intended for use with other ecosystem metrics in inventories of ecosystem integrity, in planning ecosystem management activities, and in setting and measuring progress toward conservation or restoration goals.     

Bodennahes Ozon: Trends in Bayern

Long-term ground-based measurements of ozone in Bavaria (Germany) are evaluated in respect of their trend during the last 20 years. First a method is described to characterize the measuring-sites in relation to the levels of precursors: The derived division in three classes proved its worth interpreting the results. Following, the trend of ozone-concentration are calculated by linear regression analysis and are tested in respect of their significance. Generally the Bavarian results fit in the trends of a long-term increase of ozone-concentrations observed at several central European stations. In detail, there are differences between stations situated at elevated sites or at other sites without traffic (class I) and stations situated at sites with significant influence of nearby traffic (classes II and III). At stations of class I an increase of ozone until the mid 80’s is recorded. Afterwards this trend seems to be stopped. But at the stations of classes II and III an increase of ozone is occuring only since the mid 80’s. The observed trends are correlated with the trends of NO_x-emissions.     

Abschätzung biogener Kohlenwasserstoff-Emissionen

A procedure for the estimation of hydrocarbon emissions caused by deciduous forests, coniferous forests, mixed forests, agricultural areas and grassland is described. Here, the hydrocarbons are divided into three groups: isoprene, monoterpenes and other biogenic-emitted, volatile organic compounds. The emissions are calculated for a summer day in the eastern part of Germany using a land use data base. The spatial distribution of the emissions is represented as well as the variation of the emissions in the course of the summer day. The estimation of the emissions reveals that the daily amount of biogenic hydrocarbon emissions during the summer can have the same magnitude as the anthropogenic hydrocarbon emissions.     

Phthalate exposure among pregnant women in Jerusalem, Israel: results of a pilot study

BackgroundPhthalates can disrupt endocrine function and induce reproductive and developmental toxicity in laboratory animals. Few studies have evaluated exposure to phthalates in pregnant women, despite the potential sensitivity of the developing fetus to adverse effects of phthalates.MethodsWe measured urinary concentrations of 11 phthalate metabolites in 19 pregnant women, recruited in Jerusalem, Israel in 2006, and collected questionnaire data on demographic factors and consumer habits from these women. We compared geometric mean concentrations in subgroups and used the Mann–Whitney U-test for independent samples to determine significant differences between groups.ResultsNine metabolites were detected in at least 95% of the samples: mono(2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl) phthalate, mono(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate, mono(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate, mono(3-carboxypropyl) phthalate, mono(n-butyl) phthalate, monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP), monoethyl phthalate (MEP), mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate and monoisobutyl phthalate. Phthalate metabolite concentrations in these pregnant women were remarkably similar to those in the general United States female population. MBzP geometric mean concentrations were higher in women living in buildings existing 40 years or more (P = 0.04). In women who used four or more personal care products (perfume, deodorant, lipstick, nail polish, or hand/face cream) in the 48 h prior to providing the urine sample, geometric mean MEP concentrations were more than 4 times higher than concentrations in women using only two or three of the aforementioned products (P = 0.07).ConclusionsPregnant women in Jerusalem are exposed to a wide range of phthalates. Building materials used in old constructions may be a source of exposure to benzylbutyl phthalate, the parent compound of MBzP. Personal care products may be sources of exposure to diethyl phthalate, the parent compound of MEP.