Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHS) have been determined in the atmosphere of Isfahan, Iran. Airborne particulate matter was sampled using a high-volume air sampler at roof-top level (~6m). Extraction of PAHS from airborne particulate matter has been performed using SFE system and the relationship between the extraction temperature and the recovery of PAHS</su...

As the main pathway for the ultimate preservation of terrigenous production in modern environments, the transfer of organic matter from the land to the oceans via fluvial systems is a key link in the global carbon cycle (Ittekot and Haake 1990; Degens et al. 1991; Hedges et al 1992). Hence, the “role” of rivers in the global carbon cycle is most typically expressed as the fluvial export of tota...

Organic matter in soil has been suggested to be composed of a complex mixture of identifiable biopolymers rather than a chemically complex humic material. Despite the importance of the spatial arrangement of organic matter forms in soil, its characterization has been hampered by the lack of a method for analysis at fine scales. X-ray spectromicroscopy has enabled the identification of spatial v...

Soil animals are considered as important contributors to soil fertility However, there is paucity of such information for harsh climatic conditions. Therefore, the below ground faunal density and frequency have been studied in relation to physicochemical properties of soil in Thar desert. The selected soil systems were Vigna radiata--Cuminum cyminum, grassland, flower garden and Zizyphus maurit...

The loss of organic matter from soil is mainly the result of the clearing of forests for grassland or cropland. On the basis of the assumptions outlined here, the annual loss of organic carbon from the world's soils is between 2.5 x 1015g and 7.4 x 1015g, with 4.6 x 1015g being considered a realistic estimate. These amounts are 0.2, 0.5 and 0.3 per cent of the toial organic carbon (1477x 1015g)...

Organic contaminants in shale gas flowback and produced water (FPW) are traditionally expressed as total organic carbon (TOC) or chemical oxygen demand (COD), though these parameters do not provide information on the toxicity and environmental fate of individual components. This review addresses identification of individual organic contaminants in FPW, and stresses the gaps in the knowledge on ...

Sludge stabilisation and mineralisation during periods of operation between 10 and 21 years were investigated in three different systems receiving sludge from urban wastewater treatment plants situated in Denmark. Samples were taken along the entire profiles, in order to compare the effectiveness of the sludge stabilisation process. Particular attention was given to the stabilisation process oc...

Methylmercury production by sulfate reducing bacteria in coastal sediments leads to bioaccumulation of mercury in fish, shellfish, and ultimately humans. Sulfur, organic carbon, and sediment structure and composition can all affect methylmercury production by changing the amount of bioavailable inorganic mercury and by stimulating the activity of methylating microbes. This study investigates to...