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2014 | Buch

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Insights on Environmental Changes

Where the World is Heading

herausgegeben von: Tymon Zielinski, Ksenia Pazdro, Agata Dragan-Górska, Agata Weydmann

Verlag: Springer International Publishing

Buchreihe : GeoPlanet: Earth and Planetary Sciences

Enthalten in: Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" , Springer Professional "Technik"

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Über dieses Buch

This book presents valuable insights on a vast array of topics in the field of environmental studies. The works published in the book were presented within the scope of the 2013 Sopot Forum of Young Scientists. The Forum is an annual event which provides a platform for young researchers to present their work and exchange ideas with their peers. The aim of the forum is to make science more popular, so the speakers talked about their work in a way that was easily understandable. The book contains actual scientific papers on their own topics of interest. The papers represent different areas of environmental sciences, from biology to physics. The main umbrella topic for this book is "WHERE THE WORLD IS HEADING" and the papers are constructed in such a way as to try to answer this from each contributor's individual perspective.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Frontmatter

The Influence of Matrix Effects on Trace Analysis of Pharmaceutical Residues in Aqueous Environmental Samples

Abstract

Pharmaceuticals are a class of emerging environmental contaminants. They are manufactured to be biologically active and to be persistent against biodegradation. This makes them more risky for the environment, as they can have negative impact on living organisms. However, still there are many problems in reliable analysis of these compounds due to low amounts and complexity of the environmental samples. The technique widely used for this purpose is liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. One of the main drawbacks of this technique is the change in ionization efficiency—phenomenon known as the matrix effect. Matrix effects heavily influence both qualitative and quantitative analyses. Therefore, it also has impact on the quality of the obtained results. Thus the main aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of six different aqueous environmental matrices on the solid-phase extraction efficiency and the final determination of twelve selected sulfonamides by LC-MS/MS technique. The obtained results showed that both were strongly affected by the matrix composition. The more complicated the matrix was, the greater influence was observed (matrix effects in tap water were in the range from 8.77 to −16.49 % and in wastewater influents from −63.67 to −97.43 %). Extraction efficiency of selected drugs decreased from 94.9 to 41.5 % for tap water samples to from 31.6 to 0 % for wastewater influents. Thus, it is of high significance to use an approach to correct effects caused by matrix components. The proper calculation of the real concentrations of pharmaceuticals in the environment is required for determining the consequent risk to living organisms.

Marta Borecka, Anna Białk-Bielińska, Grzegorz Siedlewicz, Piotr Stepnowski, Ksenia Pazdro

Valles Marineris: A Place Full of Answers

Abstract

Valles Marineris (VM), a great canyon complex on Mars, the largest in Solar System, is an object of our research reported in this paper. There are three major aims of our work. (1) The first purpose is to create a multilayered map of the VM region using ArcGIS software and ISIS Planetary Image Processing Software. It will be the first detailed and complex synthesis of this canyon system. The second part of our investigation consists of two approaches to understand a phenomenon called Deep-Seated Gravitational Spreading (DSGS)—a slope deformation mechanism. (2) Observations and interpretations of DSGS features in Valles Marineris in comparison to terrestrial ones are one way to gain knowledge about this phenomenon. (3) Another method of the DSGS studies is to create a numerical model in the Martian and terrestrial conditions. Preliminary results show that the main factors causing DSGS are the slope angle and the angle of internal friction. The size of DSGS features on Mars is at least one order of magnitude larger than the terrestrial equivalents. The height of fault offsets in the Martian example varies from 50 to 1,000 m, while on Earth it rarely exceeds 25 m.

O. Kromuszczyńska, M. Makowska, K. Dębniak

Determination of Tetracyclines Residues in the Gulf of Gdańsk (Southern Baltic Sea) Sediments Using a Tandem Solid-Phase Extraction with Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

Pharmaceuticals are biologically active and relatively persistent substances which have been recently recognized as a continuing threat to the aquatic environment. Numerous adverse effects may arise for aquatic non-target organisms from the presence of pharmaceutical residues. One of the main pharmaceutical contaminants are antibiotics which are in the environment in considerable concentrations and can have negative biological effects to marine microorganisms. Despite of this, the knowledge on antibiotics occurrence, behaviour and fate in the Baltic Sea is very limited. This study presents the preliminary results on tetracycline and oxytetracycline residues occurrence in the sediments collected from the Gulf of Gdańsk (southern Baltic Sea). Among the antibiotics, tetracyclines are one of the most popular class used for human and animal therapy and for animal breeding. The method for tetracyclines residues determination was optimized, using two types of Baltic sediments (sandy and muddy) spiked at nine concentration levels (from 1 to 1,000 ng g⁻¹ d.w.) to achieve the best validation parameters. Acetonitrile and EDTA-McIlvaine extraction buffer solution (pH 4) (1:1) for extraction and tandem SPE technique with Discovery SAX and Oasis HLB cartridges for extracts clean-up were applied. Quantitative and qualitative determination of analysed antibiotics was performed with the use of liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) with electrospray ionization source in the positive mode. The recoveries for target antibiotics ranged from 78.8 to 131.1 % for tetracycline and 75.5–114.8 % for oxytetracycline. The LOD values ranged from 1.5 to 3.5 ng g⁻¹ d.w. for tetracycline and from 1.2 to 2.2 ng g⁻¹ d.w. for oxytetracycline. The developed method was applied in the determination of tetracyclines in six sediments collected in 2012 during r/v “Oceania” cruises. Oxytetracycline was identified in four of analyzed samples at concentrations from 21 to 625 ng g⁻¹ d.w. Tetracycline was determined only in one sediment sample collected close to WWTP “Gdańsk Wschód” outlet (13.8 ng g⁻¹ d.w.). None of the target compounds was identified in the accumulation area—the Gdańsk Deep.

Grzegorz Siedlewicz, Ksenia Pazdro, Marta Borecka, Kinga Kornowska, Anna Białk-Bielińska, Piotr Stepnowski

A Modern Approach to Aerosol Studies Over the Baltic Sea

Abstract

Aerosols measured in coastal areas are significantly different from those over an open sea, both in terms of structure and physical properties. The aerosol composition and concentrations are generally uniform in the open sea area. In the case of coastal areas, the composition may be changed within a short period of time. Aerosols in coastal zone can be divided into three groups: the sea, a mixture of continental and maritime, and continental. This chapter describes the most representative day of a research campaign designed to characterize the optical properties of aerosols in the Baltic Sea (open sea and coastal areas). During the campaign, simultaneous measurements of aerosol optical depth were carried out at four stations around the Baltic Sea—Bornholm, Sopot, Preila and Liepaja, using the hand-held Microtops II sun photometers. The studies were supplemented with satellite data (MODIS) and the analysis of air mass back-trajectories at various altitudes and wind fields. Measurements were performed at four stations. Simultaneous measurements at these stations with use of Microtops sun photometer can provide important information on the aerosol optical depth (AOD) and hence on the radiation balance. Data obtained with Microtops complement well with those obtained from MODIS. Using wind field profiles we possibly detected sea surface impact on aerosol concentrations in Bornholm, where on 3 August 2011 the AOD was significantly greater, along with a strong onshore winds.

A. Strzalkowska, P. Makuch, O. Zawadzka, P. Pakszys

Water in the Deepest Crater of Mars

Abstract

Hellas crater is a potential area where episodes of liquid water may appear. The depth of the structure (7,152 m below the standard topographic datum of Mars) explains the atmospheric pressure at the bottom: (11.55 mbar). This is higher than the pressure at the topographical datum (6.1 mbar) and above the triple point of water. That is why PFS and OMEGA, infrared spectrometers installed on Mars Express probe already determined the presence of minerals normally associated with the presence of liquid water on Hellas. Frequency of 1,160 cm⁻¹ has been identified in the spectra of the PFS, that fits very well to the band of sulfates. The band responsible for the occurrence of clay minerals associated with the presence of water on Hellas has been also found in the spectra obtained with the OMEGA instrument.

Natalia Zalewska

Application of an Object Classification Method for Determining the Spatial Distribution of Sea Bottom Structures and Their Cover Using Images from a Side Scan Sonar

Abstract

Side Scan Sonars combined to positioning systems constitute an exceptionally valuable tool for collecting information about seabed characteristics. The main objective of this study is to apply the new methods of object classification, based on Side Scan Sonar images for determining the bottom structure and coverage. The aim is to adapt land image analysis for acoustic data and to produce a reliable model that can be applied in further analysis. Software development tailored for this type of data enables wide-range analysis and visualization of spatial data. The main tool used in postprocessing of sonar images was the Trimble eCognition™ Developer. The classification process is a categorization of objects and phenomena in the analyzed area. Classification uses information contained in a single pixel creating more general scheme. An automated mode of the classification method is used in this study OBIA (Object-Based Image Analysis). Classification is based on the segmentation process, in which pixels are divided into homogeneous regions with respect to neighboring pixels, which determines the final shape of each class object. Objects and parameters, controlling the processing of supervised classification, are selected by user. Representative functions of every object are defined by the user to depict each class, helping to assign them to specific classes. The adopted approach for mixed type of classification processes, is based on the reference objects and training samples and subsequently classifies them by class discriminants. As a result a sonar mosaic map of the seabed image classes is provided in relationship to the bottom sediments and the bottom surface roughness. The presented results could help to transform a protected area HELCOM BSPA into the undersea sanctuary in the Gulf of Gdansk (Baltic Sea) and support this very important interdisciplinary environmental study. In this paper, I have demonstrated that a multistage image segmentation methodology can be more efficiently used for geomorphometry and terrain classification for underwater areas obtained from a side scan sonar mosaic. The methodology introduced in this paper can be applied for many other applications where relationships between topographic features and other components are to be assessed (samples etc.). In this way, we hope to address a time-consuming task to produce underwater maps with bigger scales but still with an appropriate resolution.

Paulina Pakszys

The Role of Extreme Events in the Development of the Coastline in the Darlowko Area

Abstract

Storm surges that are generated by storms have a very strong impact on the seashore. Section of the seashore in Darlowko surrounding is particularly vulnerable to the effects of storm surges. High impact on the seashore in this area is also exerted by the port breakwaters, which is a persistent obstacle to movement of alongshore stream of sediments. Storms form the beach and are the largest cause of damage on the coast. The largest losses on the Polish coast definitely concern damage of bank sand. The study shows that the most intense coastal destruction occurs during heavy storms, when large wave is applied to the high level of the sea. There was a significant dependence between the shoreline changes in analyzed 15- and 45-year periods and losses of bank sand as a result of storm surges. The research shows that storm surges play a particular role in both seasonal and long-term changes in the coastline.

Małgorzata Merchel

Attenuation of Groundwater Flow Due to Irregular Waves in Permeable Sea Bottom

Abstract

The disappearance of wave energy in porous medium, expressed by the decreasing pore pressure, depends on the properties of the soil matrix and compressibility of water in the matrix pores. On the other hand, the compressibility of pore water depends to a large extent on the content of air/gas in water. Thus, it seems that the problem of water circulation resulting from surface waves is in fact a problem from the theory of multiphase media. Transmittance functions between surface waves and pore pressure at different depths as a result of the linear wave theory well reproduce the experimental data at frequencies close to the spectrum of peak energy.

Anna Przyborska

Ocean Acidification: Environmental Issue and Its Impact on Marine Life

Abstract

Concentration of carbon dioxide is rising with constantly progressing industrialization. The major sources of anthropogenic CO₂ are combustion of fossil fuels, transport and industrial processes. This gas is present not only in the atmosphere, but also in water. The oceans play an extremely important role in absorbing CO₂ from the atmosphere, and that process leads to a decrease in water pH, which causes changes in the environment and all the organisms present within. Acidification of the oceans is a process in which the pH value of water is reduced by increased partial pressure of CO₂ in the water. It is expected to observe a decrease in the pH of the open oceans by 0.35 units over the next hundred years. Reactions of marine organisms to ambient condition changes are specific for particular types or species. Effect of water acidification may affect organisms positively, negatively or may not have an impact at all. Organisms with calcareous shells or frustules are especially vulnerable to ocean acidification. Carbonic acid occurring as a result of the increasing CO₂ concentration in water will dissolve the shells built of calcium carbonate. This review focuses on the excessive amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and the impact of this phenomenon on the marine ecosystems.

Agnieszka Cichowska, Alicja Kosakowska

Allelopathic Influence of Cyanobacteria Microcystis aeruginosa on Green Algae Chlorella vulgaris

Abstract

Organic compounds not directly involved in the normal growth, development and reproduction of organism are called secondary metabolites. The growth and development of biological and agricultural systems could be affected by secondary metabolites with biological activity. This phenomenon is known as allelopathy. Allelochemicals could have influence on different physiological processes of target organism cells, which could lead to growth inhibition or even death. The goal of this work was to investigate allelopathic influence of cyanobacteria Microcystis aeruginosa on green algae Chlorella vulgaris. Both species occur in Baltic Sea; furthermore, M. aeruginosa could locally form toxic blooms (HABs) in coastal zone. Axenic cyanobacterial monocultures were cultivated in the flasks on liquid medium. After 30 days of growth cell-free solutions from cyanobacterial cultures were collected by filtering through the glass-fiber filters in sterile conditions and added to Chlorella vulgaris cultures. The influence of obtained extracellular secretion on growth of green microalgae was investigated after 3 and 7 days. In other experiment the influence of living cyanobacterial cells on growth of green algae was investigated (cocultures). In both experiments M. aeruginosa demonstrated allelopathic effects towards green algae.

Adam Żak, Alicja Kosakowska

Titel: Insights on Environmental Changes
herausgegeben von: Tymon Zielinski
Ksenia Pazdro
Agata Dragan-Górska
Agata Weydmann
Verlag: Springer International Publishing
Electronic ISBN: 978-3-319-03683-0
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-03682-3
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-03683-0