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Particle Sizes of Aerosols Produced by Nine Indoor Perfumes and Deodorants
Jean-François Bertholon,
Marie-Hélène Becquemin,
Monique Roy,
Francis Roy,
David Ledur,
Isabella Annesi-Maesano,
Bertrand Dautzenberg
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 6, December 2015
Pages:
377-381
Received:
4 November 2014
Accepted:
25 November 2014
Published:
7 December 2015
Abstract: Air fresheners are very popular and their aerosols contain components known to be toxic but we lack data on their penetration in the lungs which is dependent on their particle sizes. Thus we measured the particles sizes of various indoor deodorants and/or perfumes and derived an estimation of their regional deposition in the lungs. We used an Electronical Low Pressure Impactor which can separate aerodynamic diameters as low as 0.006 (6 nm) and as high as 10 µm. For all of our samples, 82 to 99% of the total number of particles have sizes of less than 0.3 µm and are thus susceptible to penetrate up to the smallest bronchi and alveoli: for a nose-breathing adult the probability of deposition in the airways of an aerosol with a MMAD of 0.2 µm is of 30% of the inhaled quantity, of which 15 % in alveoli and 3% in the bronchi according to the ICRP model. These results suggest a deposition in the deep lung and thus a potential for diffusion into the blood for most of the tested products.
Abstract: Air fresheners are very popular and their aerosols contain components known to be toxic but we lack data on their penetration in the lungs which is dependent on their particle sizes. Thus we measured the particles sizes of various indoor deodorants and/or perfumes and derived an estimation of their regional deposition in the lungs. We used an Elect...
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The Effectiveness of Using MODIS Products for Monitoring Climate Change Risks over the Nile Delta, Egypt
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 6, December 2015
Pages:
382-396
Received:
26 September 2015
Accepted:
24 October 2015
Published:
7 December 2015
Abstract: Climate change is the one of greatest challenges that faces the human being nowadays as the Earth’s climate is getting warmer. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) have indicated that the temperature average of the Earth’s surface has increased about 1.2 to 1.4 C since 1900. Other climatic aspects are exposed to change as well such as patterns of precipitation and storms. The most common reason that leads to climate change is very likely human activities (e.g. fuel combustion and pollution). The Study area is the most affected region in the world by climate change impacts according to the fourth report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 4th Report of IPCC, 2007. This report presents a scenario of destruction of the settlement centers in Nile Delta, Port Said in the east and Alexandria in the west (10 million people are at risk), besides, losing more than 86 square kilometers of the northern lakes, about 200,000 acres of the most valuable agricultural land as a result of high temperature and the consequent rise in average sea level. In Egypt, air pollutants (e.g. SO2 and CO2) gave rise to high concentrations of air pollutants especially in Nile delta, due to bio mass fire which is called 'Black Cloud' phenomenon. The main aim of this study was to present the effectiveness of using both the MODIS atmosphere data produced by the Terra mission and to describe differences with comparable products to be produced by Aqua. To achieve this aim the study used the HYDRA visualization software with the characteristics of the MODIS climatic data. Results obtained from MODIS data are validated by using the previously mentioned data sets to reveal the nature and the characteristics of the climate change. Fire, dust Detection with MODIS, AIRS, and AOD analysis clearly indicates large amounts of aerosols that form the black cloud events over various locations within the Nile delta region. Also the results agreed with the observed values in the study area, and highly required for many applications related to integrated remote sensing techniques with actual field measurements and data Meteorological Authority in different periods to reduce the risk of climate.
Abstract: Climate change is the one of greatest challenges that faces the human being nowadays as the Earth’s climate is getting warmer. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) have indicated that the temperature average of the Earth’s surface has increased about 1.2 to 1.4 C sin...
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Heavy Metals Contamination in Soils and Water in the Vicinity of Small Scale Gold Mines at Londoni and Sambaru, Singida Region, Tanzania
Asantael Herman,
Charles Kihampa
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 6, December 2015
Pages:
397-403
Received:
29 September 2015
Accepted:
21 October 2015
Published:
7 December 2015
Abstract: This study was carried out to determine the concentration of heavy metals in water and soils in the vicinity of mines and processing units in small scale mining areas at Londoni and Sambaru. Heavy metals concentrations ranging from 1.7 to 53.8 mg/kg dry soil weight (dw), 8.7 to 22.24 mg/kg dw, 0.42 to 2.61mg/kg dw and 3.19 to 29.42 mg/kg dw were detected for Hg, Pb, Zn and Cu, respectively. Concentration of the same metals detected in surface and groundwater samples ranged from 0.013 to 0.17mg/L. Concentrations of mercury detected in soil samples were above Tanzanian maximum limits of mercury contamination. Sources of the metals contaminations were envisaged to be amalgamation and burning activities, improper waste rocks and tailings disposal, discharge of mine water to the surroundings and leachates from waste rocks and tailings. The study concluded that immediate adverse effect may not be feasible but continuing contamination may lead to serious human health and environmental problems.
Abstract: This study was carried out to determine the concentration of heavy metals in water and soils in the vicinity of mines and processing units in small scale mining areas at Londoni and Sambaru. Heavy metals concentrations ranging from 1.7 to 53.8 mg/kg dry soil weight (dw), 8.7 to 22.24 mg/kg dw, 0.42 to 2.61mg/kg dw and 3.19 to 29.42 mg/kg dw were de...
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Epiphyton Algae on Aquatic Macrophyte (Water Hyacinth) in a Tropical Lagoon and Their Possible Use as Indicator
K. S. Effiong,
A. I. Inyang
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 6, December 2015
Pages:
404-410
Received:
26 October 2015
Accepted:
16 November 2015
Published:
7 December 2015
Abstract: The epiphyton on aquatic macrophyte “Water hyacinth” and their possible use as indicator of environmental change in Yewa Lagoon, Nigeria were undertaken for six months (December, 2012- May, 2013), to know the health status of the environment and also identify pollution tolerant individual in the area. A total of 4710 individuals of 39 species belonging to 4 divisions were identified. A total of 4070 individuals (86.42%) represents Bacillariophyta division while 205 (4.35%), 255 (5.41%) and 180 (3.82%) individuals represent Chlorophyta, Cyanophyta and Euglenophyta respectively. Dissolved oxygen values range from 7.6mg/L to 2.8mg/L throughout the study period. Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) varied between 7.0mg/L and 16.0mg/L. Transparency was highest (≤48.5cm) in dry months and lowest (≤28.0cm). Epiphyton biomass were higher in the dry months. The pennate diatoms dominated the whole algal community. The following ideal species were recorded and could be used as biomonitoring of organic contamination in the lagoon, these include; Gomphonema parvulum, Synedra acus, Surirella ovata and Pinnularia major, Pondorina morum, Trachelomonas hispida, Phacus longicuda and Euglena sp.
Abstract: The epiphyton on aquatic macrophyte “Water hyacinth” and their possible use as indicator of environmental change in Yewa Lagoon, Nigeria were undertaken for six months (December, 2012- May, 2013), to know the health status of the environment and also identify pollution tolerant individual in the area. A total of 4710 individuals of 39 species belon...
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Spatio-Temporal Variations in Carbon Monoxide and Carbon Dioxide Levels in Three Motor Parks in Ibadan, Nigeria
Godson Rowland Ana,
Olusola Olabisi Ogunseye
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 6, December 2015
Pages:
411-419
Received:
30 October 2015
Accepted:
6 November 2015
Published:
7 December 2015
Abstract: Carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions arising from vehicles and combustion processes in motor parks predisposes to adverse health outcomes and associated health risks. There is dearth of studies and data on air quality in motor parks in Nigeria, hence, the need to assess the levels of CO and CO2 and their relationship with meteorological parameters in three major motor parks in Ibadan, Nigeria. A cross-sectional comparative design was adopted for this study. Akinyele Motor Park (AMP) in Akinyele Local Government Area (LGA), Iwo Road Motor Park (IMP) in Ibadan North East LGA and New Garage Motor Park (NMP) in Ibadan South West LGA were purposively selected and levels of CO and CO2 were monitored for 2 months with appropriate gas meters, meteorological parameters were also monitored using Ventus W155 wireless weather station. Values obtained were compared with WHO and ASHRAE guideline limits. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis at p=0.05. CO concentrations (ppm) for AMP, IMP and NMP ranged from 2.0-106.0, 2.0 – 83.0 and 2.0 – 90.0 respectively while the mean CO2 concentrations (ppm) were 395.4 ± 30.5, 356.3 ± 57.1 and 388.1 ± 42.1 respectively. There was a significant positive correlation between CO and CO2 (r=0.258, p=0.000) and also with four meteorological parameters; temperature (r=0.164), rainfall (r= 0.105), heat index (r= 0.134) and dew point (r= 0.127) (p<0.05). A positive correlation was also found between CO2 and four meteorological parameters; temperature (r= 0.276, p=0.000), rainfall (r=0.125), heat index (r= 0.232, p=0.003) and dew point (r=0.028). For the three motor parks, CO concentrations (ppm) were 80% higher than WHO guideline of 9 ppm for 8 hour monitoring. Mean CO2 concentrations (ppm) were within ASHRAE guideline limit of 400 ppm. The study showed that meteorology has influence on CO and CO2 concentrations and motor park users are exposed to high levels of CO. Routine monitoring of CO and CO2 is recommended in order to ensure these emissions do not exceed guideline limits.
Abstract: Carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions arising from vehicles and combustion processes in motor parks predisposes to adverse health outcomes and associated health risks. There is dearth of studies and data on air quality in motor parks in Nigeria, hence, the need to assess the levels of CO and CO2 and their relationship with meteoro...
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Robust Method for Deforestation Analysis of Satellite Images
Ioan Ispas,
Eduard Franti,
Florin Lazo,
Elteto Zoltan
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 6, December 2015
Pages:
420-424
Received:
25 November 2015
Accepted:
4 December 2015
Published:
25 December 2015
Abstract: The aim is to design a robust method for tracking real time deforestation in a local area under satellite observation. Deforested areas are obtained by a procedure of differentiating between two successive images (temporal). The resulting method proves to be robust, the analyzed satellite image having multiple alterations: cutting (minus 3-10%), translation (5-10%), rotation (2-10 degrees), parasite random noise (5-15%), different brightness and contrast (5-10%) and cloudy areas (15-20%).
Abstract: The aim is to design a robust method for tracking real time deforestation in a local area under satellite observation. Deforested areas are obtained by a procedure of differentiating between two successive images (temporal). The resulting method proves to be robust, the analyzed satellite image having multiple alterations: cutting (minus 3-10%), tr...
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Pre-impoundment Macroinvertebrate Composition of Elemi River, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria
Edward J. B.,
Adewumi A. A.,
Idowu E. O.,
Oso J. A.,
Adeoba E. A.,
Olofintoye L. K.
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 6, December 2015
Pages:
425-434
Received:
22 November 2015
Accepted:
3 December 2015
Published:
4 January 2016
Abstract: Benthic organisms are generally considered to be good indicators of environmental conditions of aquatic ecosystem. The present study was undertaken to study the pre-impoundment composition, abundance, distribution and diversity of the macroinvertebrate fauna of Elemi River, Ado-Ekiti, while using these organisms as water-quality bioindicators. Physicochemical, metals and benthic samples were collected biweekly at four stations between April –July, 2015, using standard methods of APHA (1998). The mean values of triplicate samples of physicochemical parameters include pH (6.82±0.06), temperature (27.05°C ± 4.35), TDS (0.07 ± 0.0001), DO (11.15 ± 1.88), BOD (5.8 ± 0.71), NO3 (57.08 ± 6.48), SO4 (76.14 ± 10.4). For the metals, the mean values are Pb (0.01 ± 0.0001), Cr (0.21 ± 0.04), Cu (0.07 ± 0.003), Mg (152.68 ± 79.5), Zn (2.05 ± 5.19), and Fe (1.98 ± 0.21). When compared with the WHO permissible standards for freshwaters, DO, BOD and NO3 had mean values that were significantly higher than the WHO standards for drinking and agricultural purposes. Also, metals including Cr, Mg, Zn, and Fe had mean values significantly higher than the WHO standards. Seven families of macroinvertebrates representing five orders of Mollusca (66.6%), Coleoptera (14.6%), Plecoptera (12.7%), Hemiptera (4.3%), and Tricoptera (1.8%) were recorded during the period of study. Of the total collected macroinvertebrates, insects comprised only 33.4%, but they are more diverse compared with the gastropods which made up the highest (66.6%) percentage, but are less diverse. Their high abundance coupled with high concentrations of some physicochemical parameters indicates high impact of anthropogenic activities and may result into high organic pollution of the river. Elemi River thus experiences degradation as it flows downstream and benthic macroinvertebrates can serve as a good biological indicator to monitor the river health.
Abstract: Benthic organisms are generally considered to be good indicators of environmental conditions of aquatic ecosystem. The present study was undertaken to study the pre-impoundment composition, abundance, distribution and diversity of the macroinvertebrate fauna of Elemi River, Ado-Ekiti, while using these organisms as water-quality bioindicators. Phys...
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