Synergic use of in-situ and remote sensing techniques for comprehensive characterization of aerosol optical and microphysical properties.

We report on importance of conducting comprehensive studies of atmospheric aerosol particles, which cannot be done if information from various complementary sensors is unavailable. We present an example for such application and recommend on the types of sensors that should be used in view of the ACTRIS and RI-URBANS new strategies for monitoring at supersites. Although active and passive remote sensing data was not available in continuous mode, we show that synergic use of them with in-situ observations allows for comprehensive study of temporal and height-resolved distribution of aerosol in the lower troposphere and it can be successfully combined to assess biomass burning impact on air quality and optical properties.

Distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heavy metals in soil following a large tire fire incident: A case study.

In October 2019, a fire occurred in a tire-recycling facility in Alytus (Lithuania), where around 5000 t of tires had been stored. Only after 10 days was the fire completely extinguished, and the potential contamination of the surrounding environment has raised a large public concern. With an aim to assess the pollution level and pollutants distribution in the surrounding area, we conducted a study on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals.

Magnetic graphene oxide based nano-composites for removal of radionuclides and metals from contaminated solutions.

Magnetic graphene oxide based composites of the nano-particle size of <10 nm were synthesized, characterized and used in sorption experiments. The adsorption of Cs(I), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Pb(II) to nano-composites was studied in a wide range of initial concentrations and analyzed by Langmuir and Freundlich models. In addition, the effects of pH and coexisting ions on the adsorption of Cs to Prussian blue based composites were investigated.

Distribution characteristics of ¹³⁷Cs, Pu isotopes and ²⁴¹Am in soil in Korea.

Cesium-137, Plutonium isotopes and (241)Am were studied in soil samples collected from Korea between 2006 and 2008 to provide information on the distribution and origin of Pu isotopes and (241)Am. The vertical profiles of radionuclides showed higher activity concentrations at the surface layer and then gradually decreased with depth. A good correlation between (137)Cs and (239,240)Pu was observed, whereas a poor relationship between (137)Cs and (241)Am was found.

Changes in total concentrations and assessed background concentrations of heavy metals in moss in Lithuania and the Czech Republic between 1995 and 2005.

Data on concentrations of heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, V and Zn) in moss collected on the lightly industrialized territory of Lithuania and on the highly industrialized territory of the Czech Republic in 1995, 2000 and 2005 is used to separate the background and anthropogenic contributions to heavy metal concentrations in moss. The distribution of the concentration logarithms allowed us to determine a background mode, and to estimate the background concentration of heavy metals from this mode. The method was then applied for an estimation of the contribution of local sources to the total pollution level in both countries.