Publications by authors named "Timothy M Vadas"

The most up-to-date regulatory guidelines for establishing acute and chronic numeric limits for copper in freshwaters are based on a biotic ligand model for various species, but the model for Cu lacks data on dietary uptake. In addition, some common macroinvertebrate toxicity assay parameters are less representative of the ecosystem. We investigated the effects of diet and its type in the experimental setup and as an exposure pathway to an established amphipod (crustacean) () for Cu toxicity assays.

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Our understanding of the interactions between Fe oxides, humic acids (C), and Cu precipitation products in the environment are limited by our ability to measure specific forms and chemical interactions. Here, we examine the effect of solution pH, Fe:C molar ratio from 1:0 to 1:3, and Cu concentration on dissolved and colloidal Cu concentrations after sorption (SOR) or coprecipitation (CPT) reactions. This included specifically measuring the colloidal phases formed using asymmetrical flow field flow fractionation coupled to a total organic carbon analyzer and an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer.

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Most soil quality measurements have been limited to laboratory-based methods that suffer from time delay, high cost, intensive labor requirement, discrete data collection, and tedious sample pretreatment. Real-time continuous soil monitoring (RTCSM) possesses a great potential to revolutionize field measurements by providing first-hand information for continuously tracking variations of heterogeneous soil parameters and diverse pollutants in a timely manner and thus enable constant updates essential for system control and decision-making. Through a systematic literature search and comprehensive analysis of state-of-the-art RTCSM technologies, extensive discussion of their vital hurdles, and sharing of our future perspectives, this critical review bridges the knowledge gap of spatiotemporal uninterrupted soil monitoring and soil management execution.

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This study examined metal leaching and retention in pervious concrete with or without embedded particulate matter. Particulate matter was collected from an adjacent parking lot and from a nearby parking garage as examples of weathered and un-weathered particulate matter. Particle size distributions were similar, but metal content was 3-35-fold higher and organic matter content was 3-fold higher in the parking garage particulate matter compared to the parking lot particulate matter.

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Streams in urban ecosystems receive metal inputs primarily from stormwater runoff and wastewater effluent. The relative contribution of these metal sources to stream impairment is difficult to discern based on simple water characteristics and biological surveys. Stream impairment in these systems is often indicated by reduced abundance and diversity of aquatic insects, which tend to be more sensitive to chronic metal exposures.

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Developed landscapes are exposed to changes in hydrology and water chemistry that limit their ability to mitigate detrimental impacts to coastal water bodies, particularly those that result from stormwater runoff. The elevated level of impervious cover increases not only runoff but also contaminant loading of nutrients, metals, and road salt used for deicing to water bodies. Here we investigate the impact that road salt has on denitrification in roadside environments.

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Coprecipitation of Fe oxide and organic matter in redox dynamic sediments controls the net retention and form of Cu in the solid precipitates. In this study, coprecipitation and sorption of Cu with organomineral precipitation solids formed at different Fe:organic carbon (OC) ratios were compared for net Cu removal and extractability. As more humic acid was present during precipitation of Fe, TEM images indicated smaller Fe oxide particles formed within an organic matrix as expected.

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Individual and mixed water samples from wastewater treatment plant effluents, stormwater runoff, streams from developed areas were characterized with respect to organic matter concentration and spectral properties and metal concentration and size distribution. In addition, asymmetric flow-field flow fractionation coupled to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was used to measure concentration, size distribution and association of metals in the colloidal size range. Results reveal that Fe, Cu, Zn and Pb in the colloidal size range were mainly associated with the less than 5 nm, or less than 10 kDa size range.

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Unlabelled: Gold nanoparticles can absorb near infrared light, resulting in heating and ablation of tumors. Gold nanoparticles have also been used for enhancing the X-ray dose to tumors. The combination of hyperthermia and radiotherapy is synergistic, importantly allowing a reduction in X-ray dose with improved therapeutic results.

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Metal-thiol complexes can enhance metal uptake by plant roots and microorganisms, therefore it is important to determine whether thiols effectively solubilize these metals from the soil matrix. Extractions were conducted by combining 1 g contaminated soil and 10 mL of 10 mmol L(-1) thiol solution and shaking for 1 h. Both cysteine and glutathione extracted between 5 and 45% of Pb and Cd from laboratory and field-contaminated soils at pHs>6 after 1 h.

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This study examines a new mechanism for the uptake of Pb and Cd into Brassica napus and Zea mays roots. During hydroponic experiments, the uptake of Pb and Cd was enhanced in the presence of cysteine and glutathione, whereas no or very low uptake was observed in EDTA and penicillamine controls. Uptake rates were also enhanced after pre-exposure to cysteine or glutathione and inhibited in the presence of vanadate, suggesting a biological mechanism of uptake.

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