Evangelos I. Tolis

Interactions of oxovanadium(IV) and the quinolone family member--ciprofloxacin.

The interactions of quinolone ciprofloxacin (cfH) and oxovanadium(IV) were studied by various methods. Green crystals of a complex [V(IV)O(cf)(2)(H(2)O)] were isolated and the molecular connectivities established, although the crystal structure was not perfectly refined due to the instability of the crystals. Based on a plausible interpretation of the data sets, two cf anions bidentately coordinate to a vanadyl cation through carboxylate and carbonyl oxygen atoms; in addition, there is a water molecule in the coordination sphere. Solution techniques (cyclic voltammetry, electronic and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, potentiometric measurements) confirmed the presence of various species in the solution, the composition of which strongly depends on the conditions in the system. The antibacterial activity of the complex against various microorganisms was tested and it was established that its activity is similar to that of free ciprofloxacin.

Synthesis, Structural and Magnetochemical Studies of Iron Phosphonate Cages Based on {Fe3O}7+ Core

We report the synthesis, structures, and magnetic properties of twelve iron(III) phosphonate cages: [Fe(4)(mu(3)-O)Cl(PhCO(2))(3)(PhPO(3))(3)(py)(5)] 1, [Fe(4)(mu(3)-O)((t)BuCO(2))(4)(C(10)H(17)PO(3))(3)(py)(4)] 2 (C(10)H(17)PO(3)H(2) = camphylphosphonic acid), [Fe(7)(mu(3)-O)(2)(PhPO(3))(4)(MeCO(2))(9)(py)(6)] 3, [Fe(7)(mu(3)-O)(2)(PhPO(3))(4)(PhCO(2))(9)(py)(6)] 4, [Fe(7)(mu(3)-O)(2)((t)BuPO(3))(4)((t)BuCO(2))(8)(py)(8)](NO(3)) 5, [Fe(7)(mu(3)-O)(2)(PhPO(3))(4)(MeCO(2))(8)(py)(8)] 6, [Fe(9)(mu(3)-O)(2)(mu(2)-OH)(PhPO(3))(6)((t)BuCO(2))(10)(MeCN)(H(2)O)(5)] 7, [Fe(9)(mu(3)-O)(2)(mu(2)-OH)(C(10)H(17)PO(3))(6)(PhCO(2))(10)(H(2)O)(6)] 8, [Fe(6)(mu(3)-O)(2)(O(2))((t)BuCO(2))(8)(PhPO(3))(2)(H(2)O)(2)] 9, [Fe(6)(mu(3)-O)(2)(O(2))((t)BuCO(2))(8)(C(10)H(17)PO(3))(2)(H(2)O)(2)] 10, [Fe(6)(mu(3)-O)(2)(O(2))((t)BuCO(2))(8)((t)BuPO(3))(2)(py)(2)] 11, and [Fe(14)(mu(3)-O)(4)(O(2))(2)(PhPO(3))(8)((t)BuCO(2))(12)(H(2)O)(12)](NO(3))(2) 12. The results have allowed us to compare the magnetic exchange found with magneto-structural correlations found previously for iron-oxo cages.

On organic emissions testing from indoor consumer products' use.

A wide range of consumer and personal care products may, during their use, release significant amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOC) into the air. The identification and quantification of the emissions from such sources is typically performed in emission test chambers. A major question is to what degree the obtained emissions are reproducible and directly applicable to real situations. The present work attempts partly to address this question by comparison of selected VOC emissions in specific consumer products tested in chambers of various dimensions. The measurements were performed in three test chambers of different volumes (0.26-20 m(3)). The analytic performance of the laboratories was rigorously assessed prior to chamber testing. The results show emission variation for major VOC (terpenes); however, it remains in general, within the same order of magnitude for all tests. This variability does not seem to correlate with the chamber volume. It rather depends on the overall testing conditions. The present work is undertaken in the frame of EPHECT European Project.

Chemical characterization of particulate matter (PM) and source apportionment study during winter and summer period for the city of Kozani, Greece

Eordaia basin located in northwest of Greece, comprises an area which is characterized by intense energy related activities, including coal burning at four power plants and the associated mining operations. Air samples of inhalable (PM10) and respirable particles (PM2.5) were collected in cold and warm periods in 2010 at an urban background site of Kozani, the major city and capital of the region which is located close to the power plants. Particulate matter concentration, particle-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and anionic species concentrations were determined using gravimetric, GC-MS in SIM mode and Ion Chromatography analysis, respectively. For the cold period, the mean PM10 and PM2.5 mass concentration was found to be 19.62 and 14.68 µg m−3, respectively. Correspondingly, for the warm period, the mean PM10 and PM2.5 values were 35.29 and 25.75 µg m−3, respectively. In general, the results indicated that the major sources of air pollution in Kozani are traffic, combustion from agricultural activities and lignite power plants emissions, contributing by different percentages to each particle fraction.

Microstuctural analysis and determination of PM10 emission sources in an industrial Mediterranean city

AbstractScientists are interested in knowing more about the control of sources which contribute to environmental pollution. Air pollution has two main sources: anthropogenic and natural sources. The natural contributions to environmental pollution can be assessed, but cannot be totally controlled. while the emissions from the anthropogenic sources can be controlled. These air pollutants can be dispersed and transferred by winds in the atmosphere. The focus area of this study is the Mediterranean basin. The most important winds in this area are the land and sea breezes. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was applied to characterize the morphology of the PM10 samples in order to identify possible emission sources for the occuring pollution. Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) was performed for the elemental analysis and chemical characterization of the PM10 samples. The analysis showed that the PM10 samples can be divided into three different groups: the samples containing mineral phases, the compounds from combustion processes and the particles emitted from high-temperature processes.

Volatile Organic Compounds measurements at schools in Kozani, Greece

The present study discusses the steps towards the development of an integrated IT system to perform risk assessment for the factor affecting human health in indoor environments. The system, termed as BEMES (BUMA Exposure Modelling Expert System) combines three different models to model circulation flow in closed spaces, model the behavior and fate of volatile pollutants and estimate population exposure. It is constructed within the frame of BUMA project to estimate to the impact of building materials as indoor pollutants. More specifically, the study is focused around VOCs (BTEX, terpenes, aldehydes and ketones) measurements at three high priority locations (schools) in the city of Kozani, Greece. Weekly indoor and outdoor VOC measurements were conducted using Radiello® passive samplers in each tested room and outdoors. Additionally data from the Field and Laboratory Emission Cell (FLEC) instrument were used to evaluate the contribution of building materials in the indoor concentration levels. The VOC concentration data show a considerable diversity due to the different indoor emission sources, ventilation rates and outdoor concentrations. Formaldehyde indoor levels range from 8.2 to 56.9 μg/m3 while benzene levels are high reaching: 18 μg/m3. Building material emissions seem to contribute mainly in the levels of formaldehyde indoors and clearly other sources exist.

PM2.5 source apportionment for the port city of Thessaloniki, Greece

This paper aims to identify the chemical fingerprints of potential PM2.5 sources and estimate their contribution to Thessaloniki port-citys air quality. For this scope, Positive Matrix Factorization model was applied on a comprehensive PM2.5 dataset collected over a one-year period, at two sampling sites: the port and the city center. The model indicated six and five (groups of) sources contributing to particle concentration at the two sites, respectively. Traffic and biomass burning (winter months) comprise the major local PM sources for Thessaloniki (their combined contribution can exceed 70%), revealing two of the major control-demanding problems of the city. Shipping and in-port emissions have a non-negligible impact (average contribution to PM2.5: 9-13%) on both primary and secondary particles. Road dust factor presents different profile and contribution at the two sites (19.7% at the port; 7.4% at the city center). The secondary-particle factor represents not only the aerosol transportation over relatively long distances, but also a part of traffic-related pollution (14% at the port; 34% at the city center). The study aims to contribute to the principal role of quantitative information on emission sources (source apportionment) in port-cities for the implementation of the air quality directives and guidelines for public health.