Factors affecting multiple persistent organic pollutant concentrations in the air above Japan: A panel data analysis.

Numerous reports have elucidated different statistical approaches to identify temporal trends in atmospheric persistent organic pollutant (POP) time series. However, the correlation of industrial activity with concentrations of atmospheric POPs in Japan has not yet been determined. Herein, a panel data analysis of a 16-year monitoring program (2003-2018) conducted by the Japanese Ministry of Environment was used to investigate a range of POPs in the atmosphere above Japan.

Correlation between Atmospheric Boundary Layer Height and Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether Concentrations in Air.

In this study, we aim to determine the correlation between the height of the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) and the concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) congeners, in an effort to improve comprehension of the atmospheric behavior of PBDEs. We used the PBDE data in air (n = 298), which were measured by the Japan Ministry of Environment (JMOE) at 50 sites across Japan during the period 2009-2012. The height of the ABL, which directly affects the PBDE concentrations in the near-surface air, was estimated by employing data retrieved from the Japanese global reanalysis (JRA-55) database, using the parcel and Richardson number method.

Factors influencing atmospheric concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in Japan.

We used polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) data in air at 38 sites across Japan (2009-2012), which were measured by the Japan Ministry of Environment (JMOE), to elucidate the time trend and seasonality of atmospheric PBDEs. In order to address few (7% for BDE-47) to many (63% for BDE-153 and 183) non-detect data, Tobit model, also called a censored regression model was used. The model revealed that the concentrations of PBDE congeners were influenced by a combination of year, temperature, rainfall rate, and population density.

Application of bimetallic iron (BioCAT slurry) for pentachlorophenol removal from sandy soil.

Bimetallic iron nanoparticles have mostly been applied to the degradation of chlorinated compounds in the aqueous phase. In this study, the degradation of pentachlorophenol (PCP) spiked into sandy soil is considered as a first exploratory step for remediating PCP in real contaminated soil using a commercial preparation of bimetallic iron (Trade name BioCAT). After 21 days of treatment a PCP removal efficiency of 90% was achieved, along with 70% dechlorination efficiency, for a dosage of 600 mg BioCAT slurry/kg soil.

PCDD/PCDF behavior in low-temperature pyrolysis of PCP-contaminated sandy soil.

This study investigates the behavior of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs) formation, dechlorination and destruction in PCP-contaminated sandy soil by low-temperature thermal treatment. Experimental tests were carried out in a nitrogen atmosphere in the temperature range of 200-400 °C with a treatment time of 30 min. 70% of PCP removal from the soil was achieved, resulting in 1436±230 ng/kg, the highest PCDD/F formation at 250 °C; however, the highest toxic concentration was measured around 4.