José M. Angosto

Particulate matter and heavy metals in the atmospheric aerosol from Cartagena, Spain

Total suspended particulate matter (TSP) and lead (Pb) concentrations were monitored at three sampling stations in Cartagena, Spain, from February 1990 to December 1998, and copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and cadmium (Cd) atmospheric concentrations were measured from January 1991 to December 1998. TSP and Pb values were analysed from samples collected on glassfibre filters, and the concentrations of Pb, Cu, Zn, and Cd were calculated from cellulose ester filters, showing no statistically significant difference (95% C.L.) for Pb analysed in both filter types. The geographical and temporal distribution patterns were investigated. There was a trend to find the highest TSP levels during winter and autumn, and the highest Pb concentrations during the winter season. The Pb/Cd average ratios for each sampling point showed a direct anthropogenic contribution for the industrial areas, when compared with Pb/Cd ratio reported for global natural emissions. The correlation among heavy metals displayed similar results, differing from the residential area to the urban and industrial ones.

Ecotoxicological screening of reclaimed disinfected wastewater by Vibrio fischeri bioassay after a chlorination-dechlorination process.

It is well known that different substances can react with chlorine in a water disinfection process to produce disinfection by-products (DBPs). Some of these substances have proven to be carcinogenic in humans and animals. Because it is not possible to detect all DBPs produced in chlorinated wastewater, toxicity tests have been proposed as a useful tool for screening toxic chemicals in treated wastewater. In this study, the Microtox bioassay with Vibrio fischeri was used to evaluate the formation of toxic by-products in wastewater, after a chlorination-dechlorination disinfection treatment. All the variables were found to be normally distributed, so analysis of variance could be directly applied without transformation of variables. Significant correlations were obtained between toxicity values and total carbon, total inorganic carbon, total nitrogen, chlorine, and pH. In contrast, total organic carbon, chemical oxygen demand, electrical conductivity and turbidity had no effect on toxicity formation. Toxicity increased with the Cl2:NH4+ ratio at a higher chlorine concentration released from combined chlorine. Regression models provided a good fit for effective concentration (EC50) as a function of total carbon and total nitrogen, after 5, 10, and 15 min of exposure. These models had greater multiple determination coefficients than previously reported for similar studies, without autocorrelation in the residuals as indicated by the Durbin-Watson statistic test. The measured and predicted ecotoxicity values were strongly correlated.

Biosorption of Hexavalent Chromium from Aqueous Medium with Opuntia Biomass

The biosorption of hexavalent chromium from aqueous solutions by Opuntia cladodes and ectodermis from cactus fruits was investigated. Both types of biomass are considered low-cost, natural, and ecofriendly biosorbents. Batch experiments were carried out to determine Cr(VI) biosorption capacity and the efficiency of the biosorption process under different pH, initial Cr(VI) concentration, and sorbent dosage. The biosorption of Cr(VI) by Opuntia biomass was highly pH dependent, favoring higher metal uptake at low pH. The higher biosorption capacity was exhibited at pH 2. The optimal conditions were obtained at a sorbent dosage of 1 g L−1 and initial metal concentration of 10 mg L−1. Biosorption kinetic data were properly fitted with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The rate constant, the initial biosorption rate, and the equilibrium biosorption capacity were determined. The experimental equilibrium data obtained were analyzed using two-parameter isotherm models (Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin). The Langmuir maximum monolayer biosorption capacity (q max) was 18.5 mg g−1 for cladodes and 16.4 mg g−1 for ectodermis. The results suggest that Opuntia biomass could be considered a promising low-cost biosorbent for the ecofriendly removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous systems.

Statistical evaluation of three years of pollen sampling in Cartagena, Spain

Monitoring of airborne pollen grains in Cartagena (Spain) has been carried out over a period of three years from 18 March 1993 to 18 March 1996 using a volumetric capture device (Hirst Sampler, Lanzoni VPPS‐2000). A total of 59877 grains/m3 belonging to 44 taxa were observed. The Urticaceae are the most common group, with altogether 18479 grains/m3. Other frequent taxa were Chenopodiaceae‐Amaranthaceae, Cupressaceae, Olea, Quercus Pinaceae, Poaceae, Plantago, Platanus, Zygophyllum and Arecaceae. The weekly average was 384 grains/m3, with a maximum value of 2104 grains/m3 during the month of May and a minimum value of 21 grains/m3 during the month of October. The total and individual pollen concentration has been decreasing over these three years, probably due to the severe drought in the region. In 1996, the total pollen amount was 46% less than in 1993. A negative correlation was found between the total pollen content and rainfall, humidity and air pressure, and a positive one with sunshine. According to...

Pollinosis related to Zygophyllum fabago in a Mediterranean area

Zygophyllum fabago is a herbaceous plant withairborne pollen found widely in the MurciaRegion, in the Southeast of Spain. Although itsallergenicity has been recently reported,little is known of its involvement inpollinosis. Aerobiological study andsensitization in pollinotics weremeasured using a Hirst volumetric trap. Wehave measured the atmospheric concentrationsof this pollen and other allergenicpollen types in our region, between March 1993 andMarch 1997. Z. fabago pollen wascollected for a morphometric study of thepollen grain, and a lyophilized extract wasprepared for skin prick tests. We haveconducted skin tests with different pollen typesfrom our region and with Z. fabago in1736 patients with symptomssuggesting pollinosis. The size of the pollengrain averages 15.17 × 17.35 µm. Thepollination period extends from May to August,with a mean accumulated concentration of 448grains/m3. Out of 1736 pollinotics,263 (15.15%) showed a positive skin test forZ. fabago, 6 were monosensitized and 257were sensitized to other common pollen types fromour Region. Specific IgE to Z. fabago wasequal or higher than 0.35 ku/l in 86.56% ofsensitized patients. Chenopodiaceae pollinateduring spring and autumn and sensitize a largernumber of patients; Urticaceae reach thehighest pollen concentrations for a longerperiod but are not the primary cause ofpollinosis. This study shows that Z. fabagopollen becomes airborne, elicits an IgEresponse and, like other pollens, contributestowards triggering allergic symptoms.It should therefore be considered arelevant allergen and accordingly beincluded in skin test procedures.