Nonlinear and multifractal detrended fluctuation analysis of radon time series in a volcanic touristic cave.

Radioactive radon gas poses significant threats to human health. Understanding the complexities of radon distribution and the dynamic relationship with atmospheric parameters will help in mitigating its impact. In this study, Multifractal Detrended Fluctuation Analysis (MF-DFA) and chaos analysis were used to examine the fractal structure in radon gas at La Cueva del Viento, Tenerife, between January 2021 and December 2022.

Temporal assessment of Gross alpha emissions from the petroleum industry in Tenerife, Canary Islands (2001-2022).

A ca. 76% decrease in gross alpha activity levels, measured in surface aerosols collected in the city of Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Spain), has been explained in the present study in connection with the reduction of activities, and eventual closure, of an oil refinery in the city. Gross Alpha in surface aerosols, collected at weekly intervals over a period of 22 years (2001-2022), was used for the analysis.

ZnO Doped Silica Nanoparticles (ZnO@SiO) for Enhanced Electrochemical Detection of Cd Ions in Real Samples.

Pollution by heavy metal ions has a serious impact on human health and the environment, which is why the monitoring of heavy metal ions is of great practical importance. In this work, we describe the development of an electrochemical sensor for the detection of cadmium (Cd) involving the doping of porous SiO spheres with ZnO nanoparticles. Zinc oxide is chosen as the central dopant in the composite material to increase the conductivity and thus improve the electrochemical detection of Cd ions with the SiO spheres.

Time series analysis of a 22-year record of Be, Pb and gross alpha activities in the Canary Islands (Spain) using Principal Component and Multifractal Detrended Fluctuation Analyses.

The long-term variability of a 22-year dataset of Be, Pb and gross alpha concentrations in surface aerosols collected in the Canary Islands has been analysed in this study. These "time series" were collected on a weekly basis. Various analytical techniques, including Principal Component Analysis (PCA), K-means clustering, correlation analyses, and back-trajectory were used to determine the variability of the data and assess the statistical importance of the source of the air masses reaching the study area.

Electrochemical Detection of Bisphenol A Based on Gold Nanoparticles/Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes: Applications on Glassy Carbon and Screen Printed Electrodes.

Bisphenol A (BPA) has been classified as an endocrine-disrupting substance that may cause adverse effects on human health and the environment. The development of simple and sensitive electrochemical biosensors is crucial for the rapid and effective quantitative determination of BPA. This work presents a study on electrochemical sensors utilizing gold nanoparticle-modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNT/AuNPs).

Transport and deposition of radionuclides from northern Africa to the southern Iberian Peninsula and the Canary Islands during the intense dust intrusions of March 2022.

The present study focuses on the two consecutive and markedly intense Saharan dust intrusion episodes that greatly affected southern Spain (Málaga) and, to a lesser extent, the Canary Islands (Tenerife), in March 2022. These two episodes were the result of atypical meteorological conditions in the region and resulted in record levels of aerosols in the air at the Málaga location. The activity levels of various natural and artificial radionuclides (Be, Pb, K, Cs, Pu, Pu, Pu) and radioactive indicators (gross alpha and gross beta) were impacted by these events and the results are described herein.

Application of polyaniline-based magnetic-dispersive-solid-phase microextraction combined with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry for the evaluation of plastic migrants in food matrices.

Magnetic nanoparticles of FeO coated with polyaniline have been synthesised through chemical co-precipitation, and successfully characterised using different techniques such as FT-IR and X-ray diffraction. Such nanocomposite was applied as sorbent for a new magnetic micro-dispersive solid phase extraction procedure for the extraction of seven plastic migrants in jelly samples, followed by determination using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Optimisation of several parameters that could affect extraction efficiency has been performed both by a conventional one-step-at-a-time approach and the use of a Box Behnken experimental design.

Determination of the indoor radon concentration in schools of Tenerife (Canary Islands): a comparative study.

A radon survey was carried out in 18 high schools located in Tenerife Island when anti-pandemic strategies were used to reduce COVID-19 dissemination during 2021. High schools were located in radon-prone areas previously identified by the Spanish Nuclear Safety Council. Our results showed that 12 high schools presented radon activities lower than 100 Bq/m, 5 high schools presented values in the range 100-200 Bq/m, and only 1 high school presented radon activity concentration higher than 200 Bq/m.

An ELIME assay for hepatitis A virus detection.

An Enzyme Linked ImmunoMagnetic Electrochemical assay (ELIME) was developed for the detection of the hepatitis A virus (HAV). This system is based on the use of new polydopamine-modified magnetic nanobeads as solid support for the immunochemical chain, and an array of 8 screen-printed electrodes as a sensing platform. Enzymatic-by-product is quickly measured by differential pulse voltammetry.

Sustainable polypyrrole-based magnetic-microextraction of phthalates from jellies and apple-based beverages prior to tandem mass spectrometry analysis.

Synthesised polypyrrole-coated FeO magnetic nanoparticles have been successfully characterised and applied as sorbent for the magnetic-micro-dispersive solid-phase extraction of eleven phthalic acid esters from jelly and apple-based beverage matrices widely consumed by the population and, especially, by children. Sorbent was synthesised through chemical coprecipitation and subsequently characterised by different techniques. The influence of several parameters on the extraction efficiency was exhaustively evaluated using a step-by-step strategy.