Sanitär- und Kommunaltechnik; Umwelttechnik
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Eingeladener Vortrag
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Bisphenol A (BPA), a monomer commonly used to manufacture polycarbonate plastic products and the epoxy resins that line metal cans, has resulted in an increased human exposure because both products come in contact with food and beverages. Since BPA is an endocrine disruptor excessive exposure could affect human reproductive function. In response, various countries have adopted a range of measures, from voluntary reductions to outright bans of BPA in some products, mostly in baby bottles and containers for canned foods. Pregnancy-test like strips in combination with hand-held readers provide a simple and versatile tool to determine the presence of bisphenol A quantitatively, making it a very attractive analytical approach especially for on-site applications at critical points, such as environmental analysis, consumer protection, and materials testing.
The common characterization and identification of pollen is a time-consuming task that mainly relies on microscopic determination of the genus-specific pollen morphology. A variety of spectroscopic and spectrometric approaches have been proposed to develop a fast and reliable pollen identification using specific molecular information. Amongst them, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) shows a high potential for the successful investigation of such complex biological samples. Based on optimized MALDI sample preparation using conductive carbon tape, the application of multivariate statistics (e.g. principal components analysis, PCA) yields an enormous improvement concerning taxonomic classification of pollen species compared to common microscopic techniques.
Since multivariate evaluation of the recorded mass spectra is of vital importance for classification, it’s helpful to implement the applied sequence of standard Matlab functions into a graphical user interface (GUI). In this presentation, a stand-alone application (GUI) is shown, which provides multiple functions to perform fast multivariate analysis on multiple datasets. The use of a GUI enables a first overview on the measured dataset, conducts spectral pretreatment and can give classification information based on HCA and PCA evaluation. Moreover, it can be used to improve fast spectral classification and supports the development of a simple routine method to identify pollen based on mass spectrometry.
Despite the recognized excellence of virology and bioinformatics, these two communities have interacted surprisingly sporadically, aside from some pioneering work on HIV-1 and influenza. Bringing together the Expertise of bioinformaticians and virologists is crucial, since very specific but fundamental computational approaches are required for virus research, particularly in an era of big data. Collaboration between virologists and bioinformaticians is necessary to improve existing analytical tools, cloud-based systems, computational resources, data sharing approaches, new diagnostic tools, and bioinformatic training. Here, we highlight current progress and discuss potential avenues for future developments in this promising era of virus bioinformatics. We end by presenting an overview of current technologies, and by outlining some of the Major challenges and Advantages that bioinformatics will bring to the field of virology.
A process spectroscopic approach for the monitoring of microplastics in environmental samples
(2018)
The potential of Raman and NIR process-spectroscopic as a rapid approach for the estimation of microplastics (MP) in soil matrix were tested. For this purpose, artificial MP/soil mixture samples consisting of standard soils or sand with defined ratios of MP (0,5 – 10 mass% polymer) from polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) were prepared. MP particles with diameters < 2 mm and < 125 µm were obtained from industrial polymer pellets after cryo-milling. Spectra of these mixtures were collected by (i) a process FT-NIR spectrometer equipped with a reflection probe, (ii) by a cw-process Raman spectrometer and (iii) by a time-gated Raman spectrometer using fiber-optic probes. The evaluation of process-spectra was performed by chemometric methods. Whereas MP could be detected by Raman spectroscopy in coastal sand at 0.5 mass%, in standard soil detection of MP was limited to 10 – 5 mass% with the large fraction, but samples containing particles of the 125µm mass-fraction yielded no positive result at all. One reason for the lacking sensitivity could be fluorescence by soil organic matter and thus, in a next test time-gated Raman spectroscopy was applied. However, although being indeed more sensitive to the small particles this method failed at MP < 5 mass% indicating that fluorescence was not the major problem. Finally, FT-NIR was tested. Depending on the polymer, MP contents of 0,5 or 1 mass%, respectively, could be detected in standard soils and polymers identified. Furthermore, this approach could be used for the investigation of mixtures of up to four polymers and in real-world samples from bio-waste fermenter residues.
Innovation is the catalyst for the technology of the future. It is important to develop new and better technologies that can continuously monitor the environmental impact, e.g., for air Quality control or emission detection. In the recently at BAM developed Universal Pump Sensor Control (UPSC3) module, different components and sensors are fused. The combination of the individual components makes the UPSC3 module an excellent monitoring and reference system for the development and characterization of gas specific sensors. Measurements over long periods are possible, for mixed gas loads or for certain gas measurements. The System is part of a mobile sensor network of several sensor units, which can also be used as standalone systems.
Advantages of recycling gypsum plaster boards
During the last decades the material composition of buildings has become increasingly diverse. However, largely sorted material flows are needed for generating high quality secondary building materials. The use of secondary building materials can meet the requirements of sustainability in several ways: the extended time availability of primary raw materials and, thereby, the preservation of natural resources as well as the conservation of landfill sites.
Recycling of gypsum (calcium sulfate) can be a good example for the environmental benefits of closed-loop recycling. The content of sulfates in other secondary building materials, in particular in recycled concrete aggregates, should be minimized for quality reasons. In contrast, separated gypsum can also be used in gypsum production if the high quality requirements for the recycled gypsum are met. Since almost all processing steps in the recycling process are associated with environmental impacts, an environmental evaluation of the use of recycled gypsum as a substitute in gypsum production has to be carefully conducted.
This paper focusses on the techniques for generating recycled gypsum from gypsum plasterboards, the related quality requirements and a comprehensive environmental evaluation of the complete process.
During the last decades the material composition of buildings has become increasingly diverse. However, largely sorted material flows are needed for generating high quality secondary building materials. The use of secondary building materials can meet the requirements of sustainability in several ways: the extended time availability of primary raw materials and, thereby, the preservation of natural resources as well as the conservation of landfill sites.
Recycling of gypsum (calcium sulfate) can be a good example for the environmental benefits of closed-loop recycling. The content of sulfates in other secondary building materials, in particular in recycled concrete aggregates, should be minimized for quality reasons. In contrast, separated gypsum can also be used in gypsum production if the high quality requirements for the recycled gypsum are met. Since almost all processing steps in the recycling process are associated with environmental impacts, an environmental evaluation of the use of recycled gypsum as a substitute in gypsum production has to be carefully conducted.
This paper focusses on the techniques for generating recycled gypsum from gypsum plasterboards, the related quality requirements and a comprehensive environmental evaluation of the complete process.
Die Präsentation erläutert die Hintergründe der nationalen Anforderungen für die Verwendung von Kunststoffdichtungbahnen in Deponieabdichtungen. Die Beständigkeit wird diskutiert. Anforderungen an das Qualitatsmanagement während der Produktion der Produkte und der Bauphase werden aufgezeigt und die Auswirkungen auf die langzeitige Funktionserfüllung werden beschrieben.
The present study shows the potential of high-resolution imaging and nano-Fourier-transform infrared (nano-FTIR) spectroscopy for corrosion science. The protective oxidation layers of different chlorine-gas treated silicon
carbides (SiCs) were characterized with these techniques. A nitrified SiC showed the highest resistant strength against chlorine corrosion at 1000 °C compared to the other SiCs. Nano-FTIR spectroscopy with a lateral resolution below 40 nm detected differences in the crystallinity of the bulk-SiC and in the transitional region to the protective layer. Furthermore, high-resolution imaging provides deep insight in the interfacial layer between bulk-SiC and the protective oxidation layer on sub-micrometer scale.
Leaking methane (CH4) from infrastructures, such as pipelines and landfills, is critical for the environment but can also pose a safety risk. To enable a fast detection and localization of these kind of leaks, we developed a novel robotic platform for aerial remote gas sensing. Spectroscopic measurement methods for remote sensing of selected gases lend themselves for use on mini-copters, which offer a number of advantages for inspection and surveillance over traditional methods. No direct contact with the target gas is needed and thus the influence of the aerial platform on the measured gas plume can be kept to a minimum. This allows to overcome one of the major issues with gas-sensitive mini-copters. On the other hand, remote gas sensors, most prominently Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (TDLAS) sensors have been too bulky given the payload and energy restrictions of mini-copters. Here, we present the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle for Remote Gas Sensing (UAV-REGAS), which combines a novel lightweight TDLAS sensor with a 3-axis aerial stabilization gimbal for aiming on a versatile hexacopter. The proposed system can be deployed in scenarios that cannot be addressed by currently available robots and thus constitutes a significant step forward for the field of Mobile Robot Olfaction (MRO). It enables tomographic reconstruction of gas plumes and a localization of gas sources. We also present first results showing its performance under realistic conditions.
Leaking methane (CH4) from infrastructures, such as pipelines and landfills, is critical for the environment but can also pose a safety risk. To enable a fast detection and localization of These kind of leaks, we developed a novel robotic platform for aerial remote gas sensing - the so-called Unmanned Aerial Vehicle for Remote Gas Sensing (UAV-REGAS).
Die BAM wurde 2009 u. a. mit der Zulassung von Bewehrungsgittern für den Deponiebau beauftragt. Der Stand von Wissenschaft und Technik bot jedoch keine ausreichende Grundlage, die tatsächlich relevanten Widerstände und die mit diesen Widerständen verbundene Wechselwirkung zwischen Gitter und Boden im Hinblick auf eine mindestens 100-jährige Funktionsdauer realistisch beurteilen zu können. Es wurde daher nur eine vorläufige Zulassungsrichtlinie für diese Produkte erarbeitet. In der Zwischenzeit hat sich ein neuer Kenntnisstand ergeben. Vor diesem Hintergrund hat die AG (Arbeitsgruppe) Geogitter des Fachbeirats der BAM am 26.09.2017 getagt. Es sollen die aktuellen Erkenntnisse und Schlussfolgerungen für die Zulassung in Kürze vorgestellt werden. Die entsprechenden Kapitel beruhen dabei auf einem Arbeitspapier von W.W. Müller und dem Autoren, das der Arbeitsgruppe zur Diskussion vorgelegt wurde.
Weiterhin soll über Entwicklungen in Zusammenhang mit Kunststoffdichtungsbahnen (KDB) berichtet werden. Die Anforderungen an die Schweißzusätze für das Extrusionsschweißen wurden angepasst. Zudem soll über die aktuelle Diskussion der Schweißbarkeit unterschiedlicher HDPE Materialien informiert werden. Die maßgebliche DVS (Deutscher Verband für Schweißen und verwandte Verfahren) Richtlinie 2225-4 wird derzeit offenbar so ausgelegt, dass Materialien mit völlig unterschiedlichen Schmelze-Massefließrate miteinander verbunden werden können. Dies steht allerdings im grundlegenden Widerspruch zum Stand der Technik.
Die BAM wurde 2009 u. a. mit der Zulassung von Bewehrungsgittern für den Deponiebau beauftragt. Der Stand von Wissenschaft und Technik bot jedoch keine ausreichende Grundlage, die tatsächlich relevanten Widerstände und die mit diesen Widerständen verbundene Wechselwirkung zwischen Gitter und Boden im Hinblick auf eine mindestens 100-jährige Funktionsdauer realistisch beurteilen zu können. Es wurde daher nur eine vorläufige Zulassungsrichtlinie für diese Produkte erarbeitet. In der Zwischenzeit hat sich ein neuer Kenntnisstand ergeben. Vor diesem Hintergrund hat die AG (Arbeitsgruppe) Geogitter des Fachbeirats der BAM am 26.09.2017 getagt. Es sollen die aktuellen Erkenntnisse und Schlussfolgerungen für die Zulassung in Kürze vorgestellt werden. Die entsprechenden Kapitel beruhen dabei auf einem Arbeitspapier von W.W. Müller und dem Autoren, das der Arbeitsgruppe zur Diskussion vorgelegt wurde.
Weiterhin soll über Entwicklungen in Zusammenhang mit Kunststoffdichtungsbahnen (KDB) berichtet werden. Die Anforderungen an die Schweißzusätze für das Extrusionsschweißen wurden angepasst. Zudem soll über die aktuelle Diskussion der Schweißbarkeit unterschiedlicher HDPE Materialien informiert werden. Die maßgebliche DVS (Deutscher Verband für Schweißen und verwandte Verfahren) Richtlinie 2225-4 wird derzeit offenbar so ausgelegt, dass Materialien mit völlig unterschiedlichen Schmelze-Massefließrate miteinander verbunden werden können. Dies steht allerdings im grundlegenden Widerspruch zum Stand der Technik.
Der Vortrag stellt einige aktuelle Herausforderungen für die Prozessanalytik und mögliche Antworten vor.
Gepulste Raman-Spektrometer akkumulieren das Raman-Signal mit Hilfe schneller optischer Schalter im Picosekunden-Bereich, bevor langlebigere Fluoreszenzanregung entsteht. Damit lassen sich stark fluoreszierende Materialien untersuchen, die bislang nicht zugänglich sind. Eine weitere interessante Entwicklung ist etwa die Shifted excitation Raman difference spectroscopy (SERDS) die besonders für biologische Anwendungen interessant ist.
Flexible, modulare Produktionsanlagen stellen einen vielversprechenden Ansatz für die kontinuierliche Produktion von Fein- und Spezialchemikalien dar. In einem EU-Projekt wurde die Feldintegration eines Online-NMR-Sensormoduls als smartes Modul für die Prozesskontrolle vorangebracht. Dieses Modul basiert auf einem kommerziell erhältlichen Niederfeld-NMR-Spektrometer, welche zurzeit für die Anwendung im Laborbereich erhältlich ist. Für die Feldintegration wurde ein ATEX-zertifiziertes, explosionsgeschütztes Gehäuse entwickelt sowie Automationsschemen für den unbeaufsichtigten Betrieb und für die kalibrierfreie spektrale Datenauswertung erstellt.
Eine sehr gut anwendbare analytische Messtechnik zur Kontrolle der elementaren Zusammensetzung von verschiedensten Materialien ist die laserinduzierte Plasmaspektroskopie (LIPS, engl. LIBS - Laser-induced Breakdown Spectroscopy). Bei der LIBS wird ein kurz gepulster Laser auf eine Probe fokussiert, um ein Leuchtplasma zu erzeugen. Das dabei erzeugte Atomemissionsspektrum ermöglicht eine qualitative und quantitative Analyse der Zusammensetzung der Probe bezüglich praktisch aller Elemente des Periodensystems. In einem aktuellen Projekt wird diese Methode neben anderen zur Online-Analyse von Ackerböden für die ortsspezifischer Bewirtschaftung (Precision Agriculture) weiterentwickelt und bewertet.
An immunochromatographic assay for the determination of bisphenol a releases from plastic materials
(2018)
Background. The worldwide increase in the use of bisphenol A (BPA), a monomer commonly used to manufacture polycarbonate plastic products and the epoxy resins that line metal cans, has resulted in an increased human exposure because both products come in contact with food and beverages. Since BPA is an endocrine disruptor excessive exposure could affect human reproductive function. In response, various countries have adopted a range of measures, from voluntary reductions to outright bans of BPA in some products, mostly in baby bottles and containers for canned foods. Nonetheless, consumers would certainly appreciate a quick test for their own assessment of contaminations by bisphenol A.
Methods. An immunochromatographic test strip was developed. This lateral-flow immunoassay (LFIA) is based on anti-BPA antibodies (from mouse) conjugated with gold nanoparticles as the marker, deposited in an elaborate pad. To form control and test zones, anti-mouse antibody and a BPA-BSA conjugate were spotted on the nitrocellulose membrane, respectively.
Results. Negative samples are revealed by red lines both in the test and control zones, respectively, whereas positive samples produce a single red line only in the control zone. The limit of detection (LOD) was found to be 0.05 µg/l, visually detected by the naked eye within 5 minutes. In addition, the intensities at the test line can be read by dedicated lateral flow readers (opTrilyzer® and Cube by opTricon, Berlin) for a more precise and documented determination.
Conclusion. Pregnancy-test like strips in combination with hand-held readers provide a simple and versatile tool to determine the presence of bisphenol A quantitatively, making it a very attractive analytical approach especially for on-site applications at critical points, such as environmental analysis, consumer protection, and materials testing.
The development of a test to evaluate the degradation of semi-volatile fuels as diesel by microorganisms is presented. This method is based on the principles described in the CEC-L-103 Standard procedure that is exclusively meant for testing the biodegradability of non-volatile lubricants. Therefore, significant modifications involve aseptic conditions for testing specific microorganisms and conducting the test in closed vessels avoiding evaporation losses, while fuel quantification using gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID) is retained. It is suggested that the modified procedure should enable routine application for semi-volatile hydrocarbon-based fuels. GC-FID provides additionally valuable information on the alteration of fuel component patterns during biodegradation. The procedure was successfully tested using two bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Sphingomonas sp.) and two yeasts (Moesziomyces sp. and Candida sp.) isolated from real diesel contamination cases. All tested microorganisms caused a significant degradation of diesel fuel achieving hydrocarbon degradation percentages ranging from 23% to 35%. Specific aspects on the test modification and prospects for further modification regarding targeted investigations in the field of fuel contamination by microorganisms are briefly discussed.
The presence, fate and effects of microplastics (MP) in terrestrial systems are largely unknown. The few existing studies investigated either agricultural or industrial sites. Several techniques were used for analysis, primarly spectroscopic methods such as FTIR or Raman. Sample pretreatments like density separations are common to reduce matrix. A lack of harmonised and standardised sampling instructions for microplastic investigations in the terrestrial area was identified as particular critical, because different studies are barely comparable.
The aim of the project is to develop a proposal for a harmonized procedure for sampling, sample preparation and the detection of microplastics in terrestrial matrices for total content determination. By detecting specific degradation products the thermal extraction desorption gas chromatography mass spectrometry (TED-GC-MS) allows a direct determination of mass content of MP in environmental samples.
Im Beitrag wurden auf der Basis der Ergebnisse des laufenden UFOPLAN-Forschungsvorhabens „Monitoring zur Verwertung von Bodenmaterial“ die nach BBodSchV anzuwendenden Untersuchungsverfahren bewertet und Probleme bei der Untersuchung von Bodenmaterial insbesondere im Zusammenhang mit der Analyse von PAK im Feststoff und im Eluat aufgezeigt. Dabei wurde der Einfluss der Probenaufbereitung und Probenvorbereitung vor der Analytik berücksichtigt.
The antimicrobial photodynamic approach has been demonstrated as an efficient and sustainable process for the eradication of microbial pathogens. In this work, silica-coated Magnetite nanoparticles (NPs) were used as carriers of glycosylated porphyrins and phthalocyanines. Their subsequent cationization
resulted in the production of stable antimicrobial photosensitizing materials, effective against E. coli. Suspensions of the photocatalysts in water present bimodal size distributions formed by big clusters and small NPs with hydrodynamic diameters between 8 and 38 nm. The presence of small NPs in the suspensions is related to an effective photodynamic inactivation (PDI) of E. coli cells. Glycosylation of the PS showed a positive effect on the PDI performance, which could be related to a higher accumulation of the photocatalyst over the bacterial cell membrane. In addition, these biocidal agents proved to be photostable and their photoactive performance decreased only between 23% and 28% upon 5 PDI cycles, mostly because of the loss of material between cycles, which makes them promising materials for water disinfection purposes.
Soil microbes are exposed to different environmental stressors originating from various sources. Biocides used as material preservatives can represent environmental stressors since they are in direct contact with the environment including soil. Microorganism in soils can adapt to stress by different mechanisms; for example, by the evolution of resistance by de novo mutations or acquisition of resistance genes via horizontal gene transfer (HGT). Here, we hypothesize that material preservatives could enhance the evolution of biocide resistance enabling the potential for cross-resistance to antibiotics. Furthermore, we hypothesize that material preservatives can cause increased frequencies of HGT (i.e. altered community permissiveness) facilitating microbial community adaptation to stress. We will culture soil microorganism with increasing concentrations of selected biocides followed by antibiotic susceptibility determination. Moreover, we will incubate soil mesocosms with selected biocides to investigate if these compounds promote HGT of plasmids that carry resistance genes in soil microbial communities. Together these results will elucidate the potential for the evolution of biocide resistance and cross-resistance to antibiotics as well as the effect of biocides on adaptation to environmental stressors in soil microbial communities.
Whereas the behavior of geosynthetics in landfill engineering is well studied and documented since decades, little is known on application in applications such as coastal protection or ballast layers for wind energy plants.
However, due to the rapid expansion of offshore wind energy, rising water levels and more extreme weather conditions as a result of climate change more and more hydraulic engineering projects will be realized in the future.
Construction with geosynthetics has various advantages, but it has to be ensured that there is no negative environmental impact from the application of geosynthetics in hydraulic engineering.
It is expected that any effect will be visible only on the long-term. Therefore, accelerated testing is needed to derive requirements for geosynthetics in hydraulic engineering.
Geokunststoffe spielen sowohl im internationalen als auch im deutschen Deponiebau eine Schlüsselrolle. Seit dem Erscheinen der Deponieverordnung (DepV) im Jahre 2009 bedürfen Geokunststoffe, Polymere und Dichtungskontrollsysteme einer Zulassung durch die BAM, wenn diese in deutschen Deponieabdichtungssystemen eingesetzt werden sollen. Die DepV stellt dabei allgemeine Anforderungen an die Geokunststoffe und den Zulassungsprozess für die Produkte auf. Geokunststoffe müssen danach ihre Funktion unter allen zu erwartenden äußeren und inneren Einflüssen über einen Zeitraum von mindestens 100 Jahren erfüllen. Dichtungskontrollsysteme müssen ihre Funktion über mindestens 30 Jahre erfüllen. Die Anforderungen der DepV werden durch die Zulassungsrichtlinien der BAM in konkrete technische Anforderungen für die Produkte aber auch für das Qualitätsmanagement und den Einbau etc. überführt. Bei der Erarbeitung der Zulassungsrichtlinien wird die BAM durch einen Fachbeirat, der sich aus Experten aus allen relevanten Bereichen zusammensetzt, beraten. Der Vorsitz des Fachbeirats liegt beim UBA. Es soll eine kurze Übersicht über die Produkte und die wichtigsten Anforderungen gegeben werden. Zudem soll erläutert werden, durch welche Maßnahmen in der Produktion und auf der Deponiebaustelle eine gleichbleibende Qualität der Produkte gewährleistet wird.
The challenge of the project ASHES is focused on the recycling of nutrients from residues of thermochemical processing of by-products of sugar cane industry (bagasse/straw) in Brazil to increase the energy efficiency of thermal conversion and to enable the recycling of process ashes as fertilisers. Dry lignocellulosic biomass (straw, bagasse) are combusted, gasified and subsequently combined with post-thermochemical treatment in the AshDec process to increase the plant availability of phosphorus. Different fertilizer formulations are granulated/pelletized and tested regarding their storage/handling characteristics.
Ausgewählte Ergebnisse des UBA-Vorhabens "Beregnete Bauteile und Bauprodukte: Entwicklungen für Vergabegrundlagen für den Blauen Engel mit Hilfe von Auslaugtest" werden für organische und anorganische Analyten präsentiert. Ein Schwerpunkt ist den Einfluss der verschiedenen Schichten von WDVS-Systemen aufzuzeigen.
Im Vortrag werden Auswaschversuche mit Bauprodukten vorgestellt, die dazu dienen sollen, Bauprodukte mit geringer Auswaschung zu erkennen. Zu verschiedenen Bauprodukten (Lacke für Außenanwendungen, Wärmedämmverbundsystemen, Dachziegel und Dachfolien) werden ausgewählte Ergebnisse vorgestellt. Die Eignung der Auswaschverfahren und die Testergebnisse werden bewertet.
Biofilm formation on materials leads to high costs in industrial processes, as well as in medical applications. This fact has stimulated interest in the development of new materials with improved surfaces to reduce bacterial adhesion.
We present a flow chamber system to test and quantify bacterial adhesion on materials that are part of antifouling concepts. The adhesion process is standardized and can be adapted to different bacteria in subaquatic of subaerial environments. It is combined with a standardized evaluation procedure based on statistical evidence.
Im Rahmen des Ökologischen Großprojekts "Industriegebiet Spree" der Senatsverwaltung für Umwelt, Verkehr und Klimaschutz (SenUVK), Berlin, wurde als Überwachungssystem für laufende Gefahrenabwehr- und Sanierungsmaßnahmen ein Grundwasser-Monitoring eingerichtet. Die Maßnahmen zur externen Qualitätssicherung der Laborarbeiten im Monitoring werden zusammenfassend dargestellt.
Um einen vergleichbaren und hohen Qualitätsstandard der Analytik zu gewährleisten, ist die Ausschreibung der analytischen Leistungen in diesem Projekt direkt an die Teilnahme an einem Ringversuch zur Bestimmung von Anilin und Anilinderivaten in Wasser gekoppelt. Die Ergebnisse des Ringversuchs werden im Einzelnen vorgestellt.
BEMMA steht für Bewertung von Emissionen aus Materialien für Museumsausstattungen. Es ist die Kurzbezeichnung für ein Schema/Verfahren zur Untersuchung und Bewertung flüchtiger organischer Verbindungen aus Werkstoffen, die im mittelbaren Kontakt mit historischen Materialien des Kunst- und Kulturgutes stehen. Ergebnisse der Untersuchungen seit ca. 2010 bis 2017 werden präsentiert und diskutiert.
Ethnopharmacological relevance: Berberis orthobotrys (BORM) is a medical plant with a long history in traditional usage for the treatment of wounds, cancer, gastrointestinal malady and several other diseases. Our previous studies identified the endemic Pakistani plant Berberis orthobotrys Bien. ex Aitch. as promising source for the treatment of breast cancer and osteosarcoma.
Aim of the study: The present study was aimed to evaluate the anti-cancer properties of 26 plant derived extracts and compounds including the methanolic root extract of Berberis orthobotrys (BORM) on pediatric alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (RMA), which is known to develop drug resistance, metastatic invasion and potential Tumor progression.
Materials and methods: The main anti-tumor activity of BORM was verified by focusing on morphological, cell structural and metabolic alterations via metabolic profiling, cell viability measurements, flow cytometry, western blotting and diverse microscopy-based methods using the human RMA cell line Rh30.
Results: Exposure of 25 μg/ml BORM exerts an influence on the cell stability, the degradation of oncosomes as well as the shutdown of the metabolic activity of RMA cells, primarily by downregulation of the energy metabolism.
Therefore glycyl-aspartic acid and N-acetyl serine decreased moderately, and uracil increased intracellularly. On healthy, non-transformed muscle cells BORM revealed very low metabolic alterations and nearly no cytotoxic impact. Furthermore, BORM is also capable to reduce Rh30 cell migration (~50%) and proliferation (induced G2/M cycle arrest) as well as to initiate apoptosis confirmed by reduced Bcl-2, Bax and PCNA expression and induced PARP-1 cleavage.
Conclusions: The study provides the first evidence, that BORM treatment is effective against RMA cells with low side effects on healthy cells.
Auslaugversuche wurden mit verschiedenen Bauprodukten durchgeführt, die unter Anwendungsbe-dingungen mit Niederschlägen in Kontakt kommen können. In das Testprogramm wurden Lacke für Außenanwendungen, Wärmedämmverbundsysteme, Dachziegel und polymere Dachfolien einbezogen.
Mit diesen Produkten wurden der von CEN TC 351 entwickelte dynamische Oberflächenauslaugtest (DSLT) und Immersionstests nach EN 16105 durchgeführt. Emissionsverläufe wurden sowohl für an-organische Komponenten als auch für organische Substanzen in den Eluaten ermittelt. Auslaugbare organische Substanzen wurden zuvor in Screeningtests identifiziert.
Um die mögliche Freisetzung von Stoffen aus Bauprodukten beurteilen zu können, ist es erforderlich, Emissionsverläufe zu beschreiben. Dazu sind die verwendeten Testverfahren geeignet. Um Baupro-dukte mit einem Blauen Engel als „Produkte mit geringer Auslaugung“ auszuloben, müssen die aus-laugbaren Substanzen komplett bekannt sein. Für organische Verbindungen ist das noch eine Heraus-forderung. Außerdem erfordert die Bewertung der Testergebnisse sowohl Übertragungsmodelle, die Vorhersagen über freisetzbare Stoffmengen unter Anwendungsbedingungen ermöglichen, als auch Vorgaben zu tolerierbaren Umweltkonzentrationen. Hier besteht noch Handlungsbedarf.
Gegenstand der vorzustellenden Arbeiten ist die Prüfung der Umwelt-beständigkeit und -verträglichkeit von Materialien und Produkten hinsichtlich der Emission von potenziellen Schadstoffen in die Umwelt. Hierzu werden chemisch-physikalische Einflüsse (Bewitterung) und mikrobielle Beanspruchungen an Modellmaterialien evaluiert. So werden die Freisetzungsraten von Schadstoffen in Abhängigkeit der Beanspruchung beschrieben. Als Modellmaterialien kommen die Polymere Polystyrol (PS) und Polypropylen (PP) zum Einsatz. Synergistische Effekte der Bewitterungsparameter und der mikrobiologischen Beanspruchung sollen dabei ebenso betrachtet werden, wie die gezielte Alterung. Auch findet eine Beschreibung des Verhaltens der ausgetragenen Schadstoffe in den Umweltkompartimenten Boden oder Wasser statt. Hier sind mit Hilfe der zu entwickelnden Screening- und non-Target-Analyseverfahren die Transformation und der Metabolismus durch Mikroorganismen zu beschreiben. Aus den Ergebnissen sollen Korrelationen zwischen den künstlichen Alterungsverfahren und realen Szenarien abgeleitet werden.
Gegenstand der vorzustellenden Arbeiten ist die Prüfung der Umweltbeständigkeit und -verträglichkeit von Materialien und Produkten hinsichtlich der Emission von potenziellen Schadstoffen in die Umwelt. Hierzu werden chemisch-physikalische Einflüsse (Bewitterung) und mikrobielle Beanspruchungen an Modellmaterialien evaluiert. So werden die Freisetzungsraten von Schadstoffen in Abhängigkeit der Beanspruchung beschrieben. Als Modellmaterialien kommen die Polymere Polystyrol (PS) und Polypropylen (PP) zum Einsatz, die jeweils mit polybromierten Flammschutzmitteln (PBFSM) versehen sind. Synergistische Effekte der Bewitterungsparameter und der mikrobiologischen Beanspruchung sollen dabei ebenso betrachtet werden, wie die gezielte Alterung. Auch findet eine Beschreibung des Verhaltens der ausgetragenen Schadstoffe in den Umweltkompartimenten Boden oder Wasser statt. Hier sind mit Hilfe der zu entwickelnden Screening- und non-Target-Analyseverfahren die Transformation und der Metabolismus durch Mikroorganismen zu beschreiben. Auch soll mit Hilfe der RFA und der LA-ICP-MS die Abreicherung der PBFSM in den Modellmaterialien beschrieben werden. Aus den Ergebnissen sollen Korrelationen zwischen den künstlichen Alterungsverfahren und realen Szenarien abgeleitet werden.
Recent studies have shown that host-microbiota interactions can lead to dramatic changes in host phenotype especially behaviour. We investigate the causal drivers of microbe-associated shifts in host phenotype by examining how feeding behaviour is modulated by a bacterial infection in an omnivorous cockroach: Blatta orientalis. We conducted food-choice experiments after challenging hosts with the common entomopathogenic soil bacterium Pseudomonas entomophila to understand the impact of bacterial pathogens on host macronutrient preference. We find that immune challenge by this bacterium drives a sharp decline in carbohydrate intake and results in a relative increase in the ratio of protein to carbohydrate consumed. Additionally, infected cockroaches reduce their overall nutrient intake. We show for the first time that cockroach feeding behaviour is dynamically modulated by a pathogen. In contrast to studies on Spodoptera moths, this modulation does not impact any of the immune parameters we measured: it does not affect the abundance of immune related proteins in the hemolymph, hemolymph antimicrobial activity, or survival. This leads to the possibility that as long-lived omnivorous species B. orientalis may be better adapted to unpredictable variation in food availability and quality. An illness-induced anorexia-like response which is thought to assist hosts in limiting nutritional resources available to pathogens is therefore the most likely cause of the observed phenotype. Reduction of carbohydrate intake by sick individuals would be consistent with such an explanation.
In another cockroach species Blatella germanica we also investigate whether in addition to pathogens, host microbiota especially gut commensals are causally responsible for shifts in host behavioural phenotype and immune competence. To address this, we conduct food-choice and immunechallenge experiments in germ-free cockroaches and naïve cockroaches.
Biochemische und physiologische Charakterisierung der extrazellulären Matrix eines Modellbiofilms
(2018)
An der Grenzschicht zwischen einer festen Oberfläche und der umgebenden Luft wachsende subaerische Biofilme (SAB) zeichnen sich durch eine erhöhte Toleranz gegenüber extremen Umweltbedingungen und dem Eintrag von Bioziden aus. Dieser Schutz vor äußeren Umwelteinflüssen wird vornehmlich durch den Beitrag von extrazellulären polymeren Substanzen (EPS) und Pigmenten, wie Melanin und Carotinoiden, vieler unterschiedlicher Organismen gewährleistet. Deren Synthese wird wiederum durch intrazelluläre Botenstoffe reguliert. Das Cyanobakterium Nostoc punctiforme und der mikrokoloniale Pilz Knufia petricola, als Partner eines etablierten SAB-Modells und Vertreter zweier typischer Organismengruppen in SAB, wurden genutzt, um Botenstoffe und Pigmente genetisch zu manipulieren und die Biofilmmatrix dieser Mutanten strukturell zu untersuchen. In dieser Arbeit konnten erstmals die EPS beider Organismen extrahiert und die Struktur der extrazellulären Polysaccharide beschrieben werden. Daneben wurden die extrazellulären Polysaccharide von K. petricola Wildtyp mit denen verschiedener Pigmentmutanten verglichen. Das Fehlen des Schutzpigmentes Melanin führte zu einer ausgeprägteren extrazellulären Matrix in den Biofilmen. Gleichzeitig änderte sich die Struktur der extrazellulären Polysaccharide. Während der Wildtyp zu ~80% ein α-Glucan und zu ~20% ein α/β-Galaktomannan sekretierte, war der Anteil des Galaktomannans bei den Melaninmutanten erhöht. Das Ausschalten der Carotinoid-Synthese hatte jedoch keinen Einfluss auf die Beschaffenheit der extrazellulären Polysaccharide. Ein deutlich komplexeres extrazelluläres Polysaccharid aus acht verschiedenen Monosaccharid-Einheiten bildete N. punctiforme. Durch die Überproduktion des bakteriellen sekundären Botenstoffes c-di-GMP konnte zudem ein grundlegender Einfluss auf die Reaktion des Cyanobakteriums gegenüber externen Signalen und die damit verbundene Zelldifferenzierung gezeigt werden. Ein artifiziell erhöhtes c-di-GMP-Level in den Zellen führte zur Ausbildung eines sessilen Lebensstils durch Hemmung der Differenzierung motiler Hormogonien und vermehrte Produktion von EPS. Die Struktur der extrazellulären Polysaccharide wurde dadurch nicht verändert. Neben der strukturellen Analyse konnten die Veränderungen der extrazellulären Matrix beider Organismen zusätzlich durch mikroskopische Methoden visualisiert werden. Beide Organismen steuern komplexe Polymere, deren Produktion maßgeblich mit intrazellulären Faktoren verknüpft ist, zu der extrazellulären Matrix des Modellbiofilms bei.
Bioinformatics meets virology: The European virus bioinformatics center's second annual meeting
(2018)
The Second Annual Meeting of the European Virus Bioinformatics Center (EVBC), held in Utrecht, Netherlands, focused on computational approaches in virology, with topics including (but not limited to) virus discovery, diagnostics, (meta-)genomics, modeling, epidemiology, molecular structure, evolution, and viral ecology. The goals of the Second Annual Meeting were threefold: (i) to bring together virologists and bioinformaticians from across the academic, industrial, professional, and training sectors to share best practice; (ii) to provide a meaningful and interactive scientific environment to promote discussion and collaboration between students, postdoctoral fellows, and both new and established investigators; (iii) to inspire and suggest new research directions and questions. Approximately 120 researchers from around the world attended the Second Annual Meeting of the EVBC this year, including 15 renowned international speakers. This report presents an overview of new developments and novel research findings that emerged during the meeting.
Zearalenone (ZEN) and its phase II sulfate and glucoside metabolites have been detected in food and feed commodities. After consumption, the conjugates can be hydrolyzed by the human intestinal microbiota leading to liberation of ZEN that implies an underestimation of the true ZEN exposure. To include ZEN conjugates in routine analysis, reliable standards are needed, which are currently not available. Thus, the aim of the present study was to develop a facilitated biosynthesis of ZEN-14-sulfate, ZEN-14-glucoside and ZEN-16-glucoside. A metabolite screening was conducted by adding ZEN to liquid fungi cultures of known ZEN conjugating Aspergillus and Rhizopus strains. Cultivation conditions and ZEN incubation time were varied. All media samples were analyzed for metabolite formation by HPLC-MS/MS. In addition, a consecutive biosynthesis was developed by using Fusarium graminearum for ZEN biosynthesis with subsequent conjugation of the toxin by utilizing Aspergillus and Rhizopus species. ZEN-14-sulfate (yield: 49%) is exclusively formed by Aspergillus oryzae. ZEN-14-glucoside (yield: 67%) and ZEN-16-glucoside (yield: 39%) are formed by Rhizopus oryzae and Rhizopus oligosporus, respectively. Purities of ≥73% ZEN-14-sulfate, ≥82% ZEN-14-glucoside and ≥50% ZEN-16-glucoside were obtained by 1H-NMR. In total, under optimized cultivation conditions, fungi can be easily utilized for a targeted and regioselective synthesis of ZEN conjugates.
An unmanned micro aircraft (UAV) is equipped with an open-path gas detector to localise gas sources and to generate gas distribution maps. The gas detector is based on the tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS) and attached to a 3-axis aerial stabilisation gimbal. Sensor validation experiments and first gas tomography reconstructions are shown.
Without precaution, insects may cause serious damage to Museum collections. Quarantine of potentially infested objects can be logistically challenging. Anoxia under controlled nitrogen atmosphere is a most compatible but also time-consuming method to eradicate insect pests in all kinds of different materials. Treatment results are usually effected by duration, temperature, humidity and residual oxygen content. During a two-year research project, 34 relevant pest insect species of all developmental stages were tested in several different materials (wood, paper, wool) to monitor treatment success and to determine optimum treatment parameters. Duration of Treatment ranged from one to three weeks at temperatures of 20 - 27 °C.
As expected, results showed significant differences in mortality among tested species. Highest tolerance of hypoxic conditions was found in older larvae of Hylotrupes bajulus. However, this species is an unlikely museum pest. Anobiids and other wood boring beetles are more often an issue related to cultural heritage. Tested imbedding materials in general had no mortality lowering influence. A combination of three weeks exposure time at up to 0.5 % residual oxygen and at 24 °C and 50 % RH is recommended for infested artefacts.
The quantification of the elemental content in soils with laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is challenging because of matrix effects strongly influencing the plasma formation and LIBS signal. Furthermore, soil heterogeneity at the micrometre scale can affect the accuracy of analytical results. In this paper, the impact of univariate and multivariate data evaluation approaches on the quantification of nutrients in soil is discussed. Exemplarily, results for calcium are shown, which reflect trends also observed for other elements like magnesium, silicon and iron. For the calibration models, 16 certified reference soils were used. With univariate and multivariate approaches, the calcium mass fractions in 60 soils from different testing grounds in Germany were calculated. The latter approach consisted of a principal component analysis (PCA) of adequately pre-treated data for classification and identification of outliers, followed by partial least squares regression (PLSR) for quantification. For validation, the soils were also characterised with inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP OES) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis. Deviations between the LIBS quantification results and the reference analytical results are discussed.
Recycling-Düngemittel auf Basis von sekundären Ressourcen (Gülle, Gärreste, Klärschlamm, Tiermehl etc.) gewinnen in den letzten Jahren zunehmend an Bedeutung in der Landwirtschaft. Die in den Recycling-Düngemitteln enthaltenen P-Spezies weichen oft stark von denen in konventionell hergestellten Düngemitteln aus Rohphosphat ab, zudem enthalten Recyclingdünger oft mehrere verschiedene P-Formen. Die Pflanzenverfügbarkeit des P in ist ganz wesentlich von der enthaltenen P-Form abhängig. Derzeit gibt es außer zeitaufwendigen und kostspieligen Gefäß- und Feldversuchen keine zufriedenstellende Testmethode zur Analyse der P-Pflanzenverfügbarkeit von unterschiedlichen Recycling P-Düngemitteln. Die im europäischen Düngemittelrecht normierten chemischen Extraktionsmethoden (Wasser, Zitronensäure, Ameisensäure, neutral Ammoniumcitrat etc.) zeigen oftmals keine oder nur sehr geringe Korrelation zu der P-Aufnahme von Pflanzen in Gefäßversuchen mit Recycling-Düngemitteln (Kratz et al. 2010, Steckenmesser et al. 2017, Vogel et al. 2017). Eine grundlegende Schwäche chemischer Extraktionsmethoden liegt darin, dass es sich dabei um statische Methoden handelt, die nicht in der Lage sind, die im System Boden/Düngemittel-Bodenlösung-Pflanze stattfindenden dynamischen Prozesse wie P-Freisetzung und Entzug durch die Pflanzenwurzeln abzubilden.
Einen Lösungsansatz bieten hier sog. P-Senken-Methoden. Bereits in den 1950er Jahren wurden erstmals P-Senken zur Analyse des Boden-P angewendet (Chardon et al. 1996). In den darauffolgenden Jahrzehnten wurden verschiedene P-Senken auf der Basis von Eisenoxid-Papier entwickelt (Chardon et al. 1996). Jedoch konnten diese Ansätze auch nur begrenzt zur Bestimmung der P-Pflanzenverfügbarkeit des Boden-P eingesetzt werden. Mitte der 1990er Jahre wurde die DGT (engl. diffusive gradients in thin films) Methode entwickelt (Zhang et al. 1998). Bei der DGT Methode diffundiert P aus der Bodenlösung des angefeuchteten Bodens durch einen Membranfilter und die Diffusionsschicht und wird anschließend an einer Bindungsschicht absorbiert. Durch den Diffusionsgradienten wird das Gleichgewicht in der Bodenlösung permanent gestört, wodurch auch labiles P im Boden gelöst wird. Die stetige Entnahme von P aus der Bodenlösung über die Diffusions-/Bindungsschicht simuliert dabei den Entzug von P durch die Pflanzenwurzel. Die an die Bindungsschicht adsorbierte Menge an P korreliert stark mit der P-Aufnahme von Pflanzen (u.a. Mason et al. 2005, 2013; Menzies et al. 2005, Six et al. 2012). Im Gegensatz zu chemischen Extraktionsmethoden werden bei der DGT Methode Mischungen an Düngemittel und Boden für mehrere Tage inkubiert (Vogel et al. 2017; Duboc et al. 2017), da ansonsten wasserlösliche P-Dünger den DGT Adsorber sättigen und wasserunlösliche P-Dünger unterschätzt werden. Ein bis zwei Wochen Inkubation sind ausreichend, damit sich pflanzenverfügbares P in die Mischungen bildet.
In letzter Zeit haben verschiedene Forschungsgruppen gezeigt, dass die DGT Methode auch eine sehr gute Korrelation mit der Pflanzenverfügbarkeit verschiedener Typen von (Recycling-)P-Düngemitteln aufweist (Vogel et al. 2017; Duboc et al. 2017; Foereid 2017; Haarstad and Bavor 2017; Lemming et al. 2017). Bei Gefäßversuchen mit verschiedenen Recycling P-Düngemitteln konnte die DGT Methode den Ertrag bzw. die P-Aufnahme von Mais deutlich besser vorhersagen als herkömmliche chemische Extraktionsmethoden (Vogel et al. 2017; Duboc et al. 2017).
Daher kann die DGT Methode im Vorfeld der Zulassung von neuen Düngermitteltypen als zuverlässige und robuste Methode zum Screening von Produktvarianten eines Düngemittelherstellers verwendet werden. Um dieses Messverfahren im Rahmen des Düngemittelrechts als Bewertungsinstrument für die Abschätzung der Pflanzenverfügbarkeit unterschiedlicher Düngemittel zu verwenden, muss es allerdings zunächst standardisiert werden. Zu diesem Zweck bietet sich der Einsatz eines „standardisierten“ Bodens bzw. Bodenrezepts an. Zur Kalibrierung der Methode im jeweiligen Labor könnten auch chemisch definierte P-Verbindungen mit bekannter Löslichkeit/Pflanzenverfügbarkeit als Referenz-substanzen verwendet werden.
Zukünftig werden vermehrt P-Recyclate auf den Düngemittelmarkt kommen. Diese müssen ausreichend charakterisiert werden, um Sicherheit und Wirksamkeit beurteilen zu können. Mit dem Vortrag wurde der wissenschaftliche Beirat für Düngungsfragen des Bundesministeriums für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft beraten.
An environmentally friendly and cost efficient way for the management of municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) fly ash represents its thermal co-treatment together with combustible waste. However, the safe introduction and storage of MSWI fly ash in the waste bunker is challenging and associated with severe problems (e.g. dust emissions, generation of undefined lumps and heat in case of moistened MSWI fly ash). Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the suitability of pelletisation as a pretreatment of MSWI fly ash. In particular, MSWI fly ash was characterised after sampling, pelletisation and thermal treatment and the transfer of constituents to secondary fly ash and flue gas was investigated. For this purpose, MSWI fly ash pellets with a water content of about 0.15 kg/kg and a diameter of about 8 mm have been produced by disc pelletiser and treated in an electrically heated pilot-scale rotary kiln at different temperatures, ranging from 450°C to 1050°C. The total contents of selected elements in the MSWI fly ash before and after thermal treatment and in the generated secondary fly ash have been analysed in order to understand the fate of each element. Furthermore, leachable contents of selected elements and total content of persistent organic pollutants of the thermally treated MSWI fly ash were determined. Due to the low total content of Hg (0.7 mg/kg) and the low leachate content of Pb (<0.36 mg/kg), even at the lowest treatment temperature of 450°C, thermally treated MSWI fly ash pellets can be classified as nonhazardous waste. However, temperatures of at least 650°C are necessary to decrease the toxic equivalency of PCDD/F and DL-PCB. The removal of toxic heavy metals like Cd and Pb is significantly improved at temperatures of 850°C, 950°C or even 1050°C. The observed metal removal led to relatively high contents of e.g. Cu (up to 11,000 mg/kg), Pb (up to 91,000 mg/kg) and Zn (up to 21,000 mg/kg) in the secondary fly ash. This metal enriched secondary fly ash might represent a potential raw material for metal recovery (e.g. via acidic leaching). Due to the high content of total dissolved solids observed in the leachate of thermally treated MSWI fly ash pellets, a wet extraction procedure is suggested to enable its safe disposal at non-hazardous waste landfills.
A wide range of methods are used to estimate the plant-availability of soil phosphorus (P). Published research has shown that the diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) technique has a superior correlation to plant-available P in soils compared to standard chemical extraction tests. In order to identify the plant-available soil P species, we combined DGT with infrared and P K- and L-edge X-ray adsorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy. This was achieved by spectroscopically investigating the dried binding layer of DGT devices after soil deployment. All three spectroscopic methods were able to distinguish between different kinds of phosphates (poly-, trimeta-, pyro- and orthophosphate) on the DGT binding layer. However, infrared spectroscopy was most sensitive to distinguish between different types of adsorbed inorganic and organic phosphates. Additionally, also intermediates of the time-resolved hydrolysis of trimetaphosphate in soil could be analyzed. Furthermore, infrared and XANES microspectroscopy make it also possible to analyze P compounds on the binding layer with a lateral resolution down to 1 µm2. Therefore, P species of a spatial soil segment (e.g. rhizosphere) can be mapped and analyzed.
Comparison of Formaldehyde Concentrations in Emission Test Chambers Using EN 717-1 and EN 16516
(2018)
For many years EN 717-1 (Wood-based panels - Determination of formaldehyde release - Part 1: Formaldehyde emission by the chamber method) is the standard for formaldehyde emission testing of wooden boards. In 2017 EN 16516 (Construction products - Assessment of release of dangerous substances - Determination of emissions into indoor air) was published as a new harmonised standard for the emission testing of construction products. Because test chamber conditions are different, both standards give different concentrations for formaldehyde. For the determination of a conversion factor four test series were set up with different wooden boards.
Comparison of Formaldehyde Concentrations in Emission Test Chambers Using EN 717-1 and EN 16516
(2018)
For more than 25 years EN 717-1 (Wood-based panels - Determination of formaldehyde re-lease - Part 1: Formaldehyde emission by the chamber method) is the standard for formalde-hyde emission testing of wooden boards. In 2017 EN 16516 (Construction products - Assess-ment of release of dangerous substances - Determination of emissions into indoor air) was published as a new harmonised standard for the emission testing of construction products. Because test chamber conditions are different, both standards give different concentrations for formaldehyde. To determine a conversion factor four test series were set up with different wooden boards. For a loading of 1 m²/m³ the conversion factor is 1.6. This means that the formaldehyde concentration measured under the conditions of EN 16516 is a factor of 1.6 higher compared to EN 717-1.
In industrial environments, airborne by-products such as dust and (toxic) gases, constitute a major risk for the worker’s health. Major changes in automated processes in the industry lead to an increasing demand for solutions in air quality management. Thus, occupational health experts are highly interested in precise dust and gas distribution models for working environments. For practical and economic reasons, high-quality, costly measurements are often available for short time-intervals only. Therefore, current monitoring procedures are carried out sparsely, both in time and space, i.e., measurement data are collected in single day campaigns at selected locations only. Real-time knowledge of contaminant distributions inside the working environment would also provide means for better and more economic control of air impurities. For example, the possibility to regulate the workspace’s ventilation exhaust locations can reduce the concentration of airborne contaminants by 50%.
To improve the occupational health and safety of (industrial) workplaces, this work aims for developing a swarm of gas-sensitive aerial nano robots for monitoring indoor air quality and for localizing potential emission sources.
In industrial environments, airborne by-products such as dust and (toxic) gases, constitute a major risk for the worker’s health. Major changes in automated processes in the industry lead to an increasing demand for solutions in air quality management. Thus, occupational health experts are highly interested in precise dust and gas distribution models for working environments. For practical and economic reasons, high-quality, costly measurements are often available for short time-intervals only. Therefore, current monitoring procedures are carried out sparsely, both in time and space, i.e., measurement data are collected in single day campaigns at selected locations only. Real-time knowledge of contaminant distributions inside the working environment would also provide means for better and more economic control of air impurities. For example, the possibility to regulate the workspace’s ventilation exhaust locations can reduce the concentration of airborne contaminants by 50%.
To improve the occupational health and safety of (industrial) workplaces, this work aims for developing a swarm of gas-sensitive aerial nano robots for monitoring indoor air quality and for localizing potential emission sources.
In industrial environments, airborne by-products such as dust and (toxic) gases, constitute a major risk for the worker’s health. Major changes in automated processes in the industry lead to an increasing demand for solutions in air quality management. Thus, occupational health experts are highly interested in precise dust and gas distribution models for working environments. For practical and economic reasons, high-quality, costly measurements are often available for short time-intervals only. Therefore, current monitoring procedures are carried out sparsely, both in time and space, i.e., measurement data are collected in single day campaigns at selected locations only. Real-time knowledge of contaminant distributions inside the working environment would also provide means for better and more economic control of air impurities. For example, the possibility to regulate the workspace’s ventilation exhaust locations can reduce the concentration of airborne contaminants by 50%.
To improve the occupational health and safety of (industrial) workplaces, this work aims for developing a swarm of gas-sensitive aerial nano robots for monitoring indoor air quality and for localizing potential emission sources.
The presentation gives an overview about the use of ecotoxicity testing in assessment of waste. Especially in cases with unknown composition this kind of test are useful. Recently, the assessment of the hazard property HP 14 "ecotoxicity" for the labelling of waste was published. The labelling procedure is explained in detail.
The presentation gives an overview about the use of ecotoxicity testing in assessment of waste. Especially in cases with unknown composition this kind of test are useful. Recently, the assessment of the hazard property HP 14 "ecotoxicity" for the labelling of waste was published. The labelling procedure is explained in detail.
The presentation gives an overview about the use of ecotoxicity testing in assessment of waste. Especially in cases with unknown composition this kind of test are useful. Recently, the assessment of the hazard property HP 14 "ecotoxicity" for the labelling of waste was published. The labelling procedure is explained in detail.
Invited for this month’s cover picture is the group of Dr. Knut Rurack at the Department of Analytical Chemistry; Reference Materials at the Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM) in Berlin (Germany). The cover picture shows how differences in color and fluorescence on a test strip can be easily read out with a mobile device. Two reference spots Frame the sensitive spot that indicates the presence of trace amounts of HgII below the threshold in a natural water sample. This dipstick contains a hybrid material that combines boron-dipyrromethene (BODIPY) probes sterically loaded into specifically tailored mesoporous silica particles, allowing for ultrasensitive HgII detection through enhanced fluorescence in a few seconds. The applicability in real water samples and fish extracts are also studied.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) can contaminate plastic and rubber parts of consumer products including toys. PAH are present as impurities in some of the raw materials used for production of such articles, particularly in extender oils and in carbon black. Because PAH have negative effects on health (e.g. carcinogenic), standard methods have been developed in several countries to control PAH in consumer/toy products, mainly based on gas-chromatography mass-spectrometry (GC-MS).
To protect consumers from hazards of PAH, national regulations and maximum levels are already in force, for example in Germany. Recently, maximum levels for 8 PAH compounds (benz[a]anthracene, chrysene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[j]fluoranthene, benzo[e]pyrene, benzo[a]pyrene and dibenz[a,h]anthracene) have been established by EC-regulation 1272/2013. This resulted in an urgent need for certified reference materials (CRM) to meet the requirements of the EC-regulation (1 mg/kg for each PAH compound in consumer products and 0.5 mg/kg in toys, respectively).
In 2016 BAM started a project to certify the PAH mass fractions in a toy CRM to fill the current gap of available reference materials. Several different toys from retailers were screened to obtain a real-life material representing PAH mass fractions in the range of the EC-maximum level. The finally selected material (rubber balls for children) was prepared and characterized with respect to homogeneity and stability of 18 PAH. The extension to other health-relevant PAH compounds, e.g. indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene and benzo[ghi]perylene, will increase the applicability of the CRM for costumers, e.g. from industry, conformity assessment bodies and private testing laboratories.
The poster will present the current status of the ongoing CRM project including preparation of the candidate material and results from homogeneity and stability studies. In addition, first results of a joint German-Chinese interlaboratory comparison study will be shown.
The presence of large quantities of plastic waste and its fragmentation in various environmental compartments are an important subject of current research. In the environment, (photo ) oxidation processes and mechanical abrasion lead to the formation of microplastics. However, until now, there are no established quality assurance concepts for the analysis of microplastic (<5 mm) in environmental compartments, including sampling, processing and analysis.
The aim of the present work is the development of suitable examination methods and protocols (sampling, sample preparation and detection) to qualify and quantify microplastic in urbane water management systems. At first a fractional filtration system for sampling and the analytical tool, the so-called TED-GC-MS (thermal desorption gas chromatography mass spectrometry) were developed. The TED-GC-MS method is a two-step analytical procedure which consists of a thermal extraction where the sample is annealed and characteristic decomposition products of the polymers are collected on a solid phase. Afterwards these products are analysed using GC-MS. The developed fractional filtration for sampling and the TED-GC-MS for detection were used for quantitative analysis to screen the waste water influent and effluent of a Berlin waste water treatment plant for the most relevant polymers, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyamide (PA).
The results of the study revealed that the polymeres PE, PS and PP were detected in the effluent, and PE and PS were find in the raw waste water of the sewage treatment plant in Ruhleben, Berlin. Differences in polymer types and amounts were detected at different sampling dates and within different sieve fractions. Much higher amounts of polymers were observed in the raw waste water. The peak areas of the decomposition products, used for quantification of the polymers, were adjusted using so-called response factors since the TED-GC-MS method is more sensitive for PP and PS than for PE. It has been shown that PE is the most dominant polymer in the samples. Comparing the masses of polymers in the effluent and in the raw sewage, a removal of 99 % of the polymers in the water treatment plant can be assumed. These results are consistent with the literature where removal rates between 98-99 % were described.
In den Umweltmedien Wasser, Boden und Luft wird Mikroplastik (MP) gefunden. Mögliche Eintragspfade, besonders Einträge über den Klarlauf kommunaler Klärwerke, sind unklar. Dazu wurde das Klärwerk Ruhleben in Berlin an jeweils vier Tagen im Sommer- und Winterbetrieb beprobt. Es wurde jeweils 1 m3 Klarlauf fraktioniert filtriert (500, 100 und 50 µm Siebe). Weiterhin wurde Rohabwasser exemplarisch untersucht. Als Analyse-methoden wurden die TED-GC-MS und die FTIR Mikroskopie verwendet.
Bei der TED-GC-MS wird die Probe zunächst thermisch extrahiert, bevor die charakteristischen Zersetzungsgase mittels einer GC-Säule getrennt und im MS detektiert werden [1,2]. Es ist hier erstmals gelungen, nicht nur das MP zu identi-fizieren, sondern auch eine Massenbilanz zu erstellen und so eine quantitative Auswertung vorzunehmen. Es wurde PE, PS ganzjährig und PP im Sommer gefunden. Das Klärwerk Ruhleben hat einen Rückhalt an MP von 99%.
Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by filamentous fungi. The contamination of mycotoxins in food and feed products has been recognized to be an important safety issue for human and animal health. In the context of food safety, medical herbs nowadays are also considered as potential source of mycotoxins. Considering that mycotoxins are generally stable compounds and could not be destroyed completely during food-processing operations, prevention of contamination is identified as main issue.
Currently, biochemical, and immunochemical methods based on the use of antibodies as a specific recognition bioreagents are increasingly found to be applied in screening. Along with good common enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), more and more widely used method is fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA). These methods help to monitor of many toxic substances in large number of samples and carried out quickly, easily, cheaply, and give good results in quantifying the one or more substances. That is why the use of immunochemical methods of analysis, such as ELISA and FPIA, is the most promising for solving this problem.
Thus, the aim of our work is to optimize the determination of mycotoxins by ELISA and FPIA in medical herbs. We selected antibodies and a tracer for the FPIA, then we constructed obtained a calibration curve and determined the sensitivity of this method for the samples in aqueous media. Then, the optimal sample preparation was elaborated: for spiked nuts samples were selected and prepared and a calibration curve was obtained with respect to the matrix effect. After that, the analysis of spiked nuts samples was performed by ELISA and FPIA and the sensitivity of both methods was compared.
As part of the BonaRes research initiative, funded by the BMBF, strategies are being developed to use soil as a sustainable resource in the bio economy. The interdisciplinary subproject I4S - “Intelligence for soil” - is responsible for the development of an integrated system for site-specific management of soil fertility. For this purpose, a platform is constructed and various sensors are installed. Real-time data will be summarised in models and decision-making algorithms will be used to control fertilisation and accordingly improve soil functions. Aim of the BAM in the frame of I4S is the characterisation of an energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) based sensor for robust determination of plant essential nutrients in soil.
First a principal component analysis (PCA) was used to identify outliers and to observe the largest variance within the German soil samples. It could be monitored that splitting of the samples was due to their iron content. Given that clay samples contain high amounts of iron and sandy samples low amounts, a classification of the samples by their soil texture according to VD LUFA was possible. Considering the complex composition of soil, a matrix-specific calibration was carried out by univariate and multivariate data analysis. The figures of merit demonstrated that a more robust calibration model with negligible matrix effects can be obtained by a multivariate approach using partial least squares regression (PLSR). A better correlation between predicted values compared to reference values for German soil samples was observed for the chemometric calibration model than for the univariate one.
Different factors can affect the received calibration models such as moisture and particle size distribution which is especially important due to later online analysis.
In first studies the influence of moisture on the detection of plant essential nutrients was investigated. With increasing water content, the characteristic fluorescence peaks decrease and start to increase again at a water content of 15 %. With lower moisture content the soil agglomerates which leads to lower packing of the sample, resulting in a rougher surface which negatively influence the signals. Whereas, agglomerates are not formed at higher water content. This allows the sample to be packed more tightly thus a smoother surface and a better homogeneity is obtained.
Furthermore, particle size distribution leads to significantly higher uncertainties and lower signals when comparing grounded (< 500 μm) and not grounded (< 2 mm) samples. This can be explained by amplifying of the already known inhomogeneity of soils.
Both factors must be included in the chemometric PLSR to obtain robust calibration models for each macro and micro nutrient.
Development of a robust calibration model for determination of nutrients in soils using EDXRF
(2018)
As part of the BonaRes research initiative, funded by the BMBF, strategies are being developed to use soil as a sustainable resource in the bio economy. The interdisciplinary subproject I4S - “Intelligence for soil” - is responsible for the development of an integrated system for site-specific management of soil fertility. For this purpose, a platform is constructed and various sensors are installed. Real-time data will be summarised in models and decision-making algorithms will be used to control fertilisation and accordingly improve soil functions. Aim of the BAM in the frame of I4S is the characterisation of an energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) based sensor for robust determination of plant essential nutrients in soil.
First a principal component analysis (PCA) was used to identify outliers and to observe the largest variance within the German soil samples. It could be monitored that splitting of the samples was due to their iron content. Given that clay samples contain high amounts of iron and sandy samples low amounts, a classification of the samples by their soil texture according to VD LUFA was possible. Considering the complex composition of soil, a matrix-specific calibration was carried out by univariate and multivariate data analysis. The figures of merit demonstrated that a more robust calibration model with negligible matrix effects can be obtained by a multivariate approach using partial least squares regression (PLSR). A better correlation between predicted values compared to reference values for German soil samples was observed for the chemometric calibration model than for the univariate one.
Different factors can affect the received calibration models such as moisture and particle size distribution which is especially important due to later online Analysis.
In first studies the influence of moisture on the detection of plant essential nutrients was investigated. With increasing water content, the characteristic fluorescence peaks decrease and start to increase again at a water content of 15 %. With lower moisture content the soil agglomerates which leads to lower packing of the sample, resulting in a rougher surface which negatively influence the signals. Whereas, agglomerates are not formed at higher water content. This allows the sample to be packed more tightly thus a smoother surface and a better homogeneity is obtained.
Furthermore, particle size distribution leads to significantly higher uncertainties and lower signals when comparing grounded (< 500 μm) and not grounded (< 2 mm) samples. This can be explained by amplifying of the already known inhomogeneity of soils. Both factors must be included in the chemometric PLSR to obtain robust calibration models for each macro and micro nutrient.
Today glass is broadly used in modern architecture. For applications indoor it is possible to produce decor glass by using enamel colors and glass painting techniques without any problems. However, this is more limited for applications outdoor. Humidity and environmental pollution attack the surface of the coating and damage it strongly. There are only few colors on the market which are resistant towards acids and bases until now. Additionally, most of those colors are opaque. In order to extend the color palette, chemically resistant colored glasses are being developed which are transparent, relatively low melting and intensively toned even in thin coat thickness. To achieve such ambitious aim, many parameters have to match which act in complex manner. Metal oxides were used to color the glasses. A lead-free glass composition was developed to avoid an exposition of heavy metals to the environment. The glasses were characterized, in particular in terms of their thermal properties, their crystallization and corrosion behavior as well as their chemical and environmental durability. Different practical applications will be shown.
Fluorometric sensing is a versatile approach for trace analysis outside of the laboratory, requiring suitable sensor materials and their integration into sensing devices. The versatility of fluorophores as probes, especially in terms of the possibility to tailor their optical as well as their recognition properties by synthetic modifications in a wide range, renders them as superior active component for the preparation of optical sensing devices. Recent works at BAM in this field include, for example, the detection of nerve gas agents, illustrating impressively the aforementioned benefits of fluorophores in optical sensing applications.
In the interdisciplinary project presented here, we target hazardous gases such as ammonia, benzene, and hydrogen sulfide, next to others, which pose a major threat to human health and environmental safety and for which the availability of a sensitive and reliable detection method is highly desirable. The dyes presented follow a “turn-on” fluorescence schematic, which allows for the selective and sensitive detection of the respective gaseous analyte. The immobilization of the probe in polymeric matrices is then the next step toward the fabrication of a prototype device for molecular sensing. Further steps in the project include the assembly of instruments for test-atmosphere generation, the referencing of the sensor system, development and implementation of an optical setup, and the testing of the prototype device under laboratory conditions and in the field.
In this presentation, we give an overview over the recent developments on this topic in our groups. Highlights are hydrogen sulfide sensitive, BODIPY based transition metal complexes, which allow for a sensitive as well as selective detection of the toxic gas. In addition, we present a novel class of highly substituted BODIPY derivatives – pocket-BODIPYs – which are of a synthetically high versatility and can readily be modified to create pockets in the periphery of the molecule of defined geometries. This is illustrated on the successful encapsulation of benzene by a pocket-BODIPY derivative, confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis as well as by further spectroscopic and analytical methods.
2,4-D ist ein in der Landwirtschaft weitverbreitetes Pflanzenschutzmittel, das Grundwasser kontaminiert, sich innerhalb der Nahrungskette anreichert und Umwelt- und Gesundheitsprobleme verursachen kann. Hier stellen die Autoren ein mikrofluidisches Nachweissystem für die Echtzeitdetektion von 2,4-D in Grund- oder Oberflächenwasser vor. Es basiert auf der Kombination 2,4-D-selektiver, fluoreszierender, molekular geprägter Polymer-(MIP-)Mikropartikel mit einem 3D-mikrofluidischen Extraktions- und Detektionssystem. Messungen vor Ort sollen damit künftig möglich sein.
Seit dem Erscheinen der Deponieverordnung (DepV) bedürfen Geokunststoffe, Polymere und Dichtungskontrollsysteme einer Zulassung durch die BAM, wenn diese in deutschen Deponieabdichtungssystemen eingesetzt werden sollen. Die DepV ermöglicht den Einsatz verschiedener Komponenten. Sie stellt dabei allgemeine Anforderungen an die Geokunststoffprodukte auf. Dadurch beschreibt sie den Stand der Technik für Geokunststoffe, die in deutschen Abdichtungen eingesetzt werden. Diese Anforderungen werden durch die Zulassungsrichtlinien der BAM in konkrete technische Spezifikationen überführt. In dem Beitrag wird eine Übersicht über die Produkte und die entsprechenden Anforderungen gegeben. Zudem soll erläutert werden, durch welche Qualitätsmanagementmaßnahmen eine gleichbleibende Qualität und Funktionserfüllung der Produkte gewährleistet wird.
Seit dem Erscheinen der Deponieverordnung (DepV) bedürfen Geokunststoffe, Polymere und Dichtungskontrollsysteme einer Zulassung durch die BAM, wenn diese in deutschen Deponieabdichtungssystemen eingesetzt werden sollen. Die DepV ermöglicht den Einsatz verschiedener Komponenten. Sie stellt dabei allgemeine Anforderungen an die Geokunststoffprodukte auf. Dadurch beschreibt sie den Stand der Technik für Geokunststoffe, die in deutschen Abdichtungen eingesetzt werden. Diese Anforderungen werden durch die Zulassungsrichtlinien der BAM in konkrete technische Spezifikationen überführt. In dem Beitrag wird eine Übersicht über die Produkte und die entsprechenden Anforderungen gegeben. Zudem soll erläutert werden, durch welche Qualitätsmanagementmaßnahmen eine gleichbleibende Qualität und Funktionserfüllung der Produkte gewährleistet wird.
In this work, the focus was set on the corrosion process of condensate as drops on the surface of carbon steels (X52, X70), martensitic steel UNS S41500, and superaustenite UNS 08031 in CO2 atmosphere with impurities at 278 K (to simulate the transportation condition in a buried pipeline). Exposure tests were performed at both normal pressure and high pressure where CO2 is supercritical or in dense phase. The drop, 1 ‑ 10 µL in volume, was prepared by dropping CO2 saturated ultra-pure water onto the surface of steel coupons in a one-liter-autoclave. The CO2 gas stream, simulating the oxyfuel flue gas with varying concentration of impurities (SO2 and O2), was then pumped into the autoclave to observe the condensation and corrosion impacts of impurities. Comparable exposure tests were carried out with the same gas mixture and the same volume of water as vapor to observe the drop formation and the corrosion process that follows. The wettability and stability of drops on the surface of steel coupons in CO2 supercritical/dense phase environment was evaluated additionally by contact angle measurement.
In this work, the focus was set on the corrosion process of condensate as drops on the surface of carbon steels (X52, X70), martensitic steel UNS S41500, and superaustenite UNS N08031 in CO2 atmosphere with impurities at 278 K (to simulate the transportation condition in a buried pipeline). Exposure tests were performed at both normal pressure and high pressure where CO2 is supercritical or in dense phase. The drop, 1 ‑ 10 μL in volume, was prepared by dropping CO2 saturated ultra-pure water onto the surface of steel coupons in a one-liter-autoclave. The CO2 gas stream, simulating the oxyfuel flue gas with varying concentration of impurities (SO2 and O2 ), was then pumped into the autoclave to observe the condensation and corrosion impacts of impurities. Comparable exposure tests were carried out with the same gas mixture and the same volume of water as vapor to observe the drop formation and the corrosion process that follows. The wettability and stability of drops on the surface of steel coupons in CO2 supercritical/dense phase environment was evaluated additionally by contact angle measurement.
Direct and indirect effects (DIERec) of the recovery of secondary resources are in the range of 500 million tonnes per year in Germany; energy savings are 1.4 million TJ. These savings are between 10 and 20% of the total. The effects of materials recovery exceed those of energy recovery by far with the exception of secondary plastic material where DIERec from energy recovery is higher by factor of 2.7. Untapped potential for the recovery of secondary resources exist in the fine fraction of bottom ash from municipal solid waste incineration, mainly Cu and precious metals and in urban mining.
Structural design and application have always been linked to the compressive strength of concrete as the main relevant criterion. This was justifiable in the past, where concrete consisted of water, ordinary Portland cement and aggregates, but this concept is no longer relevant for modern and more sustainable cement and concrete.
Despite these new developments, existing standards, guidelines and academic curricula have not been much updated and are still used worldwide. There is a need to change this situation by proper education of the users.
This overview describes the challenges that arise at a user Level from the higher complexity of modern concrete, and defines needs and requirements for enhanced applicability of sustainable concrete concepts.
Furthermore, recommendations are given on how better concrete practice can be communicated to all the involved parties, from civil and design engineers to constructors and site-appliers on the construction site.
In Vorbereitung einer Restaurierung erfolgten naturwissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zu Schadensphänomenen und Glaszusammensetzungen an mittelalterlichen Gläsern aus der Dorfkirche in Koszewko (Polen)im Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope (ESEM) mit EDX. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die Glasverwitterung schon sehr stark vorangeschritten ist und ein zukünftiger Schutz der mittelalterlichen Glasmalereifelder vor Umwelteinflüssen unbedingt notwendig ist. Es wurde ein Schutzverglasungsystem entwickelt, das speziell auf den langfristigen Erhalt der einzelnen mittelalterlichen Glasmalereifelder ausgelegt ist.
The characteristics of different molecules chosen as representatives for specific functionalities in conditioning layers play an important role on attachment behavior and later biofilm formation of bacteria. The chemical composition is a major component influencing the attachment but there is a conglomerate of influences.
Several works evaluated the toxicity of pharmaceutical drugs and climate related changes in invertebrates but few explored the combined effects of both stressors, namely considering their mode of action (MoA). Carbamazepine (CBZ) and cetirizine (CTZ) are pharmaceutical drugs detected in the environment and the toxicity derived from the combined effects of these drugs with ocean acidification (OA) is poorly explored. Thus, the present study investigated the biochemical parameters related to an oxidative stress response and the transcription of genes related to the MoA of CBZ (1.0 mg/L) and CTZ (0.6 mg/L) in the clam Ruditapes philippinarum chronically exposed (28 days) to control (7.8) and low (7.5) pH conditions. The results obtained showed that despite the clams accumulated both drugs, at low pH the clams exposed to CTZ decreased drug concentration and BCF values (CTZ uptake: 2.0 ± 0.5 ng/g fresh weight; BCF: 3.8 ± 0.9) in comparison with clams exposed to control pH (CTZ uptake: 2.9 ± 0.3 ng/g fresh weight; BCF: 5.5 ± 0.6). No oxidative stress was induced by the exposure to CBZ or CTZ at each pH level, but the transcription of several genes related with the MoA (neurotransmission, immunity and biomineralization) was altered by low pH, drug exposure and the combination of both stressors. At both pH conditions, CBZ increased the transcription of GABA receptor gene (neurotransmission) and CTZ led to a decrease of Perlucin gene (biomineralization) transcription. The transcription of MyD88 gene (immunity) decreased at low pH (7.5) combined with drug exposure (CBZ or CTZ). Thus, it was highlighted that the interaction of drug exposure and low pH conditions can change bivalves’ sensitivity to drugs or alter drugs toxicity.
In the aquatic environment, organisms are exposed to complex mixtures of contaminants which may alter the toxicity profile of each compound, compared to its toxicity alone. Pharmaceutical drugs (e.g. carbamazepine (CBZ) and cetirizine (CTZ)) and metals (e.g. cadmium (Cd)) are among those contaminants that co-occur in the environment. However, most studies concerning their toxicity towards aquatic species are based on single exposure experiments. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate single and combined effects of Cd and CBZ or CTZ (single conditions: Cd, CTZ, CBZ; combined conditions: CTZ+Cd, CBZ+Cd) on biomarkers related to oxidative stress and energy metabolism in the edible clam Ruditapes philippinarum, by exposing the organisms for 28 days to environmentally relevant concentrations of these contaminants. The biomarkers studied were: i) the electron transport system activity, protein and glycogen contents (indicators of organisms’ metabolic status and energy reserves); ii) lipid peroxidation and the ratio between reduced and oxidized glutathione (indicators of oxidative stress); iii) superoxide dismutase and catalase activities (enzymes indicators of antioxidant defence) and iv) activity of glutathione S-transferases (family of enzymes indicators of biotransformation capacity). Results obtained showed that the uptake of Cd and CBZ was not affected by the combined presence of the contaminants.
However, for CTZ, the uptake was higher in the presence than in the absence of Cd. Concerning toxicity data, in general, the combined exposures (CTZ+Cd, CBZ+Cd) had lower biological effects than the contaminants alone. Nevertheless, our data showed that despite the low concentrations tested, they were enough to exert biological effects that differed between single and combined treatments, evidencing the need to conduct more co-exposure studies to increase the environmental relevance of the gathered data.
Elektro"älter"geräte
(2018)
Emerging infectious diseases arise as a result of novel interactions between populations of hosts and pathogens, and can threaten the health and wellbeing of the entire spectrum of biodiversity. Bees andtheir viruses area case in point. However, detailed knowledge of the ecological factors and evolutionary forces that drive disease emergence in bees and other host–pathogen communities is surprisingly lacking. In this review, we build on the fundamental insight that viruses evolve and adapt over timescales that overlap with host ecology. At the same time, we integrate the role of host community ecology, including community structure and composition, biodiversity loss, and human driven disturbance, all of which represent significant factors in bee virus ecology. Both of these evolutionary and ecological perspectives represent major advances but, in most cases, it remains unclear how evolutionary forces actually operate across different biological scales (e.g., from cell to ecosystem). We present a molecule-to-ecology framework to help address these issues, emphasizing the role of molecular mechanisms as keybottom-up drivers of change at higher ecological scales. We consider the bee–virus system to be an ideal one in which to apply this framework. Unlike many other animal models, bees constitute a well characterized and accessible multispecies assemblage, whose populations and interspecific interactions can be experimentally manipulated and monitored in high resolution across space and time to provide robust tests of prevailing theory.
Technical advances in the study of molecular evolution have crystallized the fundamental insight that many bee pathogens evolve and adapt over timescales that overlap with host ecology. At the same time, the role played by bee host community ecology is increasingly being appreciated in host-parasite interactions. Here, we focus on Deformed wing virus (DWV) and present recent studies exploring the link between virulence, DWV genetic diversity and changes to host ecology - namely the arrival of an invasive ectoparasite, the Varroa destructor mite, which vectors viruses between honeybees. Specifically, we show how V. destructor may have created conditions for the emergence of more virulent strains of DWV in the western honeybee, Apis mellifera. We present a molecule-to-ecology framework to help interpret findings and to guide future hypotheses, emphasizing the role of molecular interactions between viruses and host immunity as drivers of change at the bee population level.
Auslaugung von Stoffen aus Bauteilen kann zu einer Belastung von Boden und Gewässern führen. Das Simulationsmodell COMLEAM (COnstruction Material LEAching Model) wurde eingesetzt, um die Stoffauswaschung besser zu verstehen und das damit verbundene Umweltrisiko besser einschätzen zu können. Emissionsfunktionen sind Bestandteil dieses Modells. Hier werden fünf verschiedenen Funktionen beschrieben, getestet und hinsichtlich ihrer Eignung für Prognosemodelle bewertet.
Mit dem Fokus auf eine saubere Innenraumluft wird darauf eingegangen, welche Emissionen aus Materialien und Produkten es gibt und wie sie nach Art und Flüchtigkeit definiert sind und wie sie gemessen werden. Im weiteren wird dargestellt, was und wie viel aus Materialien und Produkten emittieren kann und wie die Emissionen zu bewerten sind. Hierbei wird auch auf besonders emissionsarme Materialien und Produkte eingegangen.
Ziel des Projektes war es, schwermetallfreie Schmelzfarben für den Einsatz auf einem Digitaldrucker zu entwickeln. Dafür sollten die Glasfarben, bei Temperaturen unter 630°C verarbeitbar und deren Eigenschaften kompatibel mit denen von Floatgläsern sein. Zudem sollte die aufgeschmolzene Farbe transparent und im Außenbereich eingesetzt beständig sein. Weiterhin mussten die Farben eine Partikelkorngröße kleiner als 20µm besitzen, um die Druckköpfe des Digitaldruckers nicht zu verstopfen. Gute Dispergierbarkeit, thixotropes Verhalten und eine schnelle Trocknung waren weitere Voraussetzungen. Die Ersetzung von PbO durch ZnO und Bi2O3 wurde getestet und zeigte positive Ergebnisse. Ein geeigneter Mahl-und Dispergierprozess wurde entwickelt. Bei der Firma „glas&räume“ wurden die Musterfarben getestet und zeigten ein gutes Druckverhalten. Bedingt durch das Tintenstrahlverfahren erreicht der Farbauftrag keine 100%ige Transparenz. Trotzdem erscheint die transparente keramische Schmelzfarbe im Vergleich zur Verwendung von opaker Schmelzfarbe tatsächlich völlig transparent. Der Unterschied ist signifikant und öffnet so ein neues Kapitel im keramischen Digitaldruck.
Test methods for efficacy assessment of antimicrobial coatings are not modelled on a hospital environment, and instead use high humidity (>90%) high temperature (37 ◦C), and no airflow. Therefore, an inoculum will not dry, resulting in an antimicrobial surface exhibiting prolonged antimicrobial activity, as moisture is critical to activity. Liquids will dry quicker in a hospital ward, resulting in a reduced antimicrobial efficacy compared to the existing test, rendering the test results artificially favourable to the antimicrobial claim of the product. This study aimed to assess how hospital room environmental conditions can affect the drying time of an inoculum, and to use this data to inform test parameters for antimicrobial efficacy testing based on the hospital ward. The drying time of different droplet sizes, in a range of environmental conditions likely found in a hospital ward, were recorded (n = 630), and used to create a model to inform users of the experimental conditions required to provide a drying time similar to what can be expected in the hospital
ward. Drying time data demonstrated significant (p < 0.05) variance when humidity, temperature, and airflow were assessed. A mathematical model was created to select environmental conditions for in vitro antimicrobial efficacy testing. Drying time in different environmental conditions demonstrates that experimental set-ups affect the amount of time an inoculum stays wet, which in turn may affect the efficacy of an antimicrobial surface. This should be an important consideration for hospitals and other potential users, whilst future tests predict efficacy in the intended end-use environment.
Microbial activity and functioning in soils are strongly limited by carbon (C) availability, of which a great proportion is released by living roots. Rhizodeposition and especially root exudates stimulate microbial activity and growth, and may shift the stoichiometric balance between C, N, and P. Thereby, exudates heighten microbial nutrient demand and acquisition of N and P from organic matter, leading to an increase in enzyme production. Aim of this study was to determine environmental controls of extracellular enzyme production, and hence on potential enzyme activities (Vmax) and substrate affinities (Km). To determine the controlling factors, we worked on four spatial scales from the microscale (i.e. rhizosphere) through the mesoscale (i.e. soil depth) and landscape scale (relief positions), and finally to the continental scale (1200 km transect within the Coastal Cordillera of Chile). Kinetics of seven hydrolyzing enzymes of the C, N, and P cycles (cellobiohydrolase, β‑glucosidase, β‑xylosidase, β‑N‑acetylglucosaminidase, leucine‑aminopeptidase, tyrosine‑aminopeptidase, and acid phosphatase) were related to soil texture, C and N contents, pH, and soil moisture via redundancy analysis (RDA). Potential activities of C, N, and P acquiring enzymes increased up to 7-times on the continental scale with rising humidity of sites and C and N contents, while substrate affinities simultaneously declined. On the landscape scale, neither Vmax nor Km of any enzyme differed between north and south slopes. From top- to subsoil (down to 120 cm depth) potential activities decreased (strongest of aminopeptidases under humid temperate conditions with up to 90%). Substrate affinities, however, increased with soil depth only for N and P acquiring enzymes. Affinities of cellobiohydrolase and β‑xylosidase, on the contrary, were 1.5- to 3-times higher in top- than in subsoil. Potential activities of N and P acquiring enzymes and β‑glucosidase increased form bulk to roots. Simultaneously, substrate affinities of N and P acquiring enzymes declined, whereas affinities of β‑glucosidase increased. These trends of activities and affinities in the rhizosphere were significant only for acid phosphatase. The RDA displayed a strong relation of potential activities of C and P acquiring enzymes and β‑N‑acetylglucosaminidase to C and N contents in soil as well as to the silt and clay contents. Aminopeptidase activity was mainly dependent on soil moisture and pH. We conclude that substrate availability for microorganisms mainly determined enzyme activity patterns on the continental scale by the humidity gradient. Patterns on the meso- and microscale are primarily controlled by nutrient limitation, which is induced by a shift of the stoichiometric balance due to input of easily available C by roots in the rhizosphere.
Monitoring water quality regarding emerging pollutants, such as drug residues, demands for selective, high-throughput and multi-target analytical methods. On the one hand, the influence of sewage on natural surface waters must be routinely monitored. On the other hand, estimation of removal efficiencies of pollutants, such as drug residues, is in the focus of industrial and public wastewater treatment. Immunoassays, such as ELISA, offer the possibility to be highly sensitive and selective due to the high target affinity and specificity of target recognition by antibodies. Batch-wise processing in microtiter plates allows for the necessary high-throughput, but only a single analyte can be determined within one measurement.
To overcome these disadvantages, we developed a four-plex Suspension Array Fluorescence Immunoassay (SAFIA), which is adaptable for the microtiter plate format. The modular and self-prepared bead support consists of polystyrene-core silica-shell microparticles. While the polystyrene core is used for encoding, by introducing different amounts of fluorescent dyes, the silica shell creates a solid-support for the immunoassay: the target analytes, three drugs, carbamazepine, diclofenac and caffeine, and the fecal marker isolithocholic acid are covalently coupled to amino groups on the surface via NHS chemistry. Specific recognition of these haptens is accomplished by further introduction of PEG moieties, suppressing non-specific binding. A competitive immunoassay is subsequently conducted in a simple mix-and-read procedure, eliminating the demand for laborious washing steps and decreasing time-to-result. An automated flow cytometer is used for simultaneous decoding and quantification.
After optimization, the SAFIA showed limits of detection for all analytes in the low µg L 1 range, meeting the sensitivity criteria for wastewater analysis. Then, applicability of the SAFIA was studied on real wastewater samples from three different wastewater treatment plants in Berlin. The results were in good comparability to LC-MS/MS indicating high matrix stability. Moreover, the accuracy of the assay exceeded that of the respective ELISA. Finally, we used SAFIA to assess the influent of treated and untreated wastewater on the Douro river estuary in Portugal. The obtained results of the analysis were comparable to ELISA. However, the measurements by SAFIA could be carried out in one quarter the time of analysis required for ELISA.
Acknowledgements: The authors acknowledge financial support from Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst and from Fundação das Universidades Portuguesas under the protocol CRUP-DAAD (Ações Integradas Luso-Alemãs nºE-20/16, DAAD Zuwendungsvertrag 57212899).
Environmental sustainability and –stability of Materials concerning the Migration of pollutants
(2018)
MaUS is an acronym for ”Material und Umweltsimulationen“. Plastics are in the focus of environmental politics due to their long-term behaviour and therefore to their persistence. Not only that they appear as visible contaminants in the sea and on the beach, but their unknown behaviour concerning their additives as well as the related transformation products are anxious. Therefore, we wish to establish a certified reference method to provide a method for testing plastics.
Aim of this project is the development of fast motion standard reference methods for testing plastics regarding to their environmental compatibility. To establish these testing methods, we use polystyrene (PS) and polypropylene (PP) with environmental relevant brominated flame retardants, known for their persistent bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) properties. In case of PS the material contains 1 wt% of 1,2,5,6,9,10-hexabromocyclododecan (HBCD) and in case of PP 0.1 wt% bromodiphenylether (BDE-209), which is known as a substance of very high concern (SVHC). Furthermore, we use polycarbonate (PC), which is still used as material in baby flasks and releases Bisphenol A (BPA), an estrogenic active substance.
As an additional material PTFE is used for its importance as a source for two ubiquitous environmental substances (PFOS and PFOA), whose toxicological effects are still incompletely known.
The focus in this current work is set on the transfer of potential pollutants out of applied materials mentioned above into environmental compartments like water or soil. Here an accelerated aging concept should be developed to shortened time consuming natural processes. For these resulting simulations we use a programmable weathering chamber with dry and wet periods and with high and low temperatures. These programmes run for several weeks and according to a defined sampling schedule we take water samples, run a clean-up procedure by SPE (Molecular imprinted polymers (MiPs) resp. polymer-based cartridges (Waters Oasis HLB)) and analyse them by HPLC-UV resp. LC-MS/MS. Of most interest in case of flame retardants are photocatalytic transformation products. Therefore, we conduct a non-target-screening resp. a suspected target-screening by LC-MS/MS and HRMS.
The halophilic bacterium Halomonas elongata can tolerate salt concentrations above 10% NaCl and uses the accumulation of the compatible solute ectoine as a major osmoregulatory mechanism. Ectoine can be accumalted inside the cell through import from the medium or de novo synthesis and establishes an osmotic equilibrium with the surrounding1. Ectoine also protects proteins from the effects of freezing, drying and high temperatures4 and DNA from ionizing radiation2. These features make ectoine a valuable compound for cosmetics and medical devices.
H. elongata was originally isolated from a solar salt facility, where it thrives under high salt concentrations. It was found that marine prokaryotes, which are exposed to high oxidative stress in their environment, vary glycolytic strategies5. A variation in the use of the glucose metabolic pathways is also assumed for H. elongata.
Aufgrund des weltweit steigenden Getreidekonsums ist die Überwachung des Getreidewachstums, der Lagerung und der Verarbeitung von immer größerer Bedeutung. Besonders während der Lagerung bilden Schimmelpilze sogenannte „Hot Spots“, in denen die Gehalte der Schimmelpilzgifte (Mykotoxine) weit über den vorgegebenen Grenzwerten liegen können. Wegen der ungleichen Verteilung der Toxine stellen Probenahme und die invasive, zeitaufwändige Analyse der Mykotoxine eine Herausforderung dar.
Daher werden schnellere und einfachere Methoden benötigt, die sowohl die Probenahme als auch die Analyse beinhalten. Ein möglicher Ansatz ist die nicht-invasive Untersuchung der homogenen Gasphase über der Getreideprobe. Allerdings setzt diese Vorgehensweise die Anwesenheit von MVOC´s (microbial volatile organic compounds) voraus. Vorangegangene Studien zeigten, dass Trichodien ein Vorläufermolekül der Trichothecene – einer Mykotoxingruppe mit über 180 Substanzen – ist. Aufgrund seiner simplen sesquiterpenoiden Struktur war es bereits möglich, Trichodien mit Hilfe einer Headspace GC-MS Methode zu quantifizieren. Daher könnte es als Trichothecen-Markermolekül Anwendung finden.
Allerdings bedarf dieser Sachverhalt weiterführender Untersuchungen. Der Zusammenhang zwischen der Trichodienkonzentration in der Gasphase und dem Mykotoxingehalt in der Probe muss beleuchtet werden, um Aussagen über den Trichothecengehalt in der Probe treffen zu können. Durch die Umsetzung dieser Überlegungen könnte der Nutzen von Trichodien erweitert und die Quantifizierung der Trichothecene stark vereinfacht werden. Daher beinhaltet der erste Schritt dieser laufenden Studie die Etablierung einer Referenzmethode unter Nutzung von Gaschromatographie gekoppelt mit Massenspektrometrie zur Messung von Trichodien als volatilen Mykotoxin-Marker in Getreide. Statische Headspace und SPME (solid phase micorextraction) wurden hierfür genutzt. In einem nächsten Schritt soll diese Referenzmethode zur Validierung einer schnellen vor-Ort Methode zur Bestimmung von Trichodien in Getreide dienen.
In this work we report a novel paper-based analytical device read-out via LED-induced fluorescence detection (FPAD) for the quantification of the emerging pollutant ethinylestradiol (EE2) in river water samples. The PAD was used as a reaction platform for a competitive enzyme immunoassay. For the PAD development, microzones of filter paper, printed by a wax printing method, were modified with amino-functionalized SBA-15 and subsequently, anti-EE2 specific antibodies were covalently immobilized. The determination of EE2 in water was
carried out by adding a fixed concentration of EE2 conjugated with the enzyme horseradish peroxidase (HRP) to samples and standards. Then, the FPAD were added and incubated for 10 min. Finally, the detection was performed by the reaction of 10-acetyl-3,7-dihydroxyphenoxazine (ADHP) whose oxidation is catalyzed by HRP in the presence of H2O2, obtaining the highly fluorescent resorufin (R). Resorufin was detected by LED excitation at 550 nm, observing emission at 585 nm. The EE2 concentration in the samples was inversely proportional to the relative fluorescence obtained from the enzymatic reaction products. The FPAD assay showed a detection Limit (LOD) of 0.05 ng L−1 and coefficients of variation (CV) below 4.5% within-assay and below 6.5% between-assay, respectively. The results obtained show the potential suitability of our FPAD for the selective and sensitive quantification of EE2 in river water samples. In addition, it has the PADs advantages of being disposable, easy to
apply and inexpensive.
Construction products are in contact with water (e.g., rain, seepage water) during their service lifetime and may release potentially harmful compounds by leaching processes. Monitoring studies showed that compounds attributed to construction products are found in storm water and the receiving bodies of water and that the release of biocides in urban areas can be comparable to the input of pesticides from agricultural uses. Therefore, a prospective risk assessment of such products is necessary. Laboratory leaching tests have been developed by the Technical Committee CEN/TC 351 and are ready to use. One major task in the future will be the evaluation of the leaching test results, as concentrations found in laboratory experiments are not directly comparable to the field situations. Another Task will be the selection of compounds to be considered for construction products, which are often a complex mixture and contain additives, pigments, stabilization agents, etc. The formulations of the products may serve as a starting point, but total content is a poor predictor for leachability, and analysis of the eluates is necessary. In some cases, nontargeted approaches might be required to identify compounds in the eluates. In the identification process, plausibility checks referring to available information should be included. Ecotoxicological tests are a complementary method to test eluates, and the combined effects of all compounds—including Degradation products—are included. A bio test battery has been applied in a round robin test and was published in a guidance document. Published studies on the ecotoxicity of construction products show the tests’ suitability to distinguish between products with small and larger effects on the environment.
Bee populations have declined significantly in recent years and this is thought to be attributable at least in part to the (re-)emergence of viruses. These viruses are predominantly positive single stranded (+ss) RNA viruses belonging to the Picornavirales. Managed honeybees are often infested with the invasive mite, Varroa destructor, which vectors RNA viruses including Deformed wing virus (DWV, family Iflaviridae): a leading culprit of colony losses. Many bee viruses have been sequenced and structural features are now available for viruses such as DWV. DWV consists of at least 3 distinct genotypes, two of which have been shown to be differentially virulent in honeybees. Molecular studies have demonstrated that DWV has a mean evolutionary rate of 1.35 x 10-3 per site per year. For such viruses – in contrast to their eukaryotic hosts – ecological and evolutionary timescales significantly overlap. This rapid evolution allows RNA viruses to adapt quickly to novel host environments with recombination representing an additional key source of genetic variation. Interestingly, recombination between genotypes of DWV has recently been shown to be a common occurrence in honeybees. A challenge has been to develop bioinformatics tools that can accurately reconstruct viral haplotypes – including recombinants – from heterogenous high-throughput sequence data.
The impact of blood-to-blood Varroa destructor transmission on virus evolution represents an important question in bee virus research. Due to the nature of the V. destructor life cycle, predictions can be made about the potential impact of the mite on virus virulence evolution. Specifically, the developing honeybee host pupa should remain alive until close to the completion of metamorphosis to provide sufficient time for successful mite reproduction, including offspring mating. For optimal transmission, any virus found in a mature and mated daughter mite will hold a significant selective advantage over a virus found in an immature or unmated daughter mite – placing a cost on virus virulence that impacts honeybee pupae before mites can mate. On the other side, viruses replicating too slowly and with delayed virulence effects will hold a selective handicap because fewer transmission units will be found in mated mites. I have hypothesized that the evolution of virus virulence shifted following the arrival of V. destructor, with viruses, including recombinants and/or specific viral genotypes being selected for a level of virulence in pupae (and likely also in adults) that maximises R0, which represents the basic reproductive number of the virus in the host population. R0 is defined by the number of subsequent infections caused by a single infection and it must be greater than 1 for an infection to spread in a population. It is enhanced by maximising the number of transmission units passed to uninfected susceptible vectors, and ultimately hosts (Figure 1).
Honeybee viruses are also shared with sympatric wild bees and viral prevalence and sequence data indicate frequent virus transmission between managed and wild bee species. In addition to infecting the western honeybee (Apis mellifera), DWV can infect other Asian honeybee species such as Apis ceranae. Outside of honeybees, DWV has been found widely in bumblebees, including solitary bees and wasps and there is evidence that it can actively replicate in several Bombus and solitary bee species. Whether the arrival of the V. destructor mite in A. mellifera has driven viral emergence in non-Apis bees is a target of ongoing research.