Metals and metalloids in high-altitude Pyrenean lakes: sources and distribution in pre-industrial and modern sediments.

High-altitude Pyrenean lakes are ecosystems far from local pollution sources, and thus they are particularly sensitive to the atmospheric deposition of metals and metalloids. This study aims to quantify the effect of human activity in 18 lakes located in both side of the France-Spain frontier. Sediment cores were collected in summer 2013, sampled at a 1cm resolution and the concentration of 24 elements was measured by ICP-MS.

Characterization of atmospheric aerosols in the Antarctic region using Raman Spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy.

The non-destructive spectroscopic characterization of airborne particulate matter (PM) was performed to gain better knowledge of the internal structures of atmospheric aerosols at the particle level in the Antarctic region, along with their potential sources. PM and soil samples were collected during the 2016-2017 austral summer season at the surroundings of the Spanish Antarctic Research Station "Gabriel de Castilla" (Deception Island, South Shetland Islands). PM was deposited in a low-volume sampler air filter.

Long-term in situ non-invasive spectroscopic monitoring of weathering processes in open-air prehistoric rock art sites.

In this work, an innovative non-destructive monitoring methodology based on the analysis over time of open-air rock art sites is presented. This approach is based on the combination of in situ spectroscopic and chemometric studies to diagnose and monitor the state of conservation of rock art sites. Data acquired over a period of time by non-invasive analytical techniques such as portable Raman spectrometry (RS) and handheld energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (HH-EDXRF) spectrometry are compared to detect physicochemical changes that could affect the rock painting integrity.

Biodeterioration of Pompeian mural paintings: fungal colonization favoured by the presence of volcanic material residues.

This work was focused on the study of the biodegradation processes jeopardizing a mural painting conserved in the basement of Ariadne House (archaeological site of Pompeii, Italy). The fresco stood out for its peculiar state of preservation: the upper part, recovered in 1988, was just barely colonized by microorganisms. On the contrary, the lower part (excavated in 2005) was almost completely covered by extensive biological patinas.

Is there a direct relationship between stress biomarkers in oysters and the amount of metals in the sediments where they inhabit?

The effects exerted by metals in oysters are still a matter of debate and require more detailed studies. In this work we have investigated whether the health status of oysters are affected by the amount of metals present in the sediments of their habitat. Sediments and oysters were collected in the tidal part of the estuary of the Oka River (Basque Country), representative of other mesotidal, well mixed and short estuaries of the European Atlantic coast.

The mobilization of hazardous elements after a tropical storm event in a polluted estuary.

The Tubarão River (Santa Catarina, Brazil) is affected by hazardous elements (HEs) pollution from abandoned coal mines, agricultural activities, urban discharges, industrial and leisure zones, etc. In order to study the distribution and sources of HEs contamination in a polluted estuary after a tropical storm, waters and surface sediments were collected from 15 sampling sites along the Tubarão River. The concentration of 24 elements (Ag, Al, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sn, Sr, Ti, Tl, V, W, and Zn) were measured by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) and the mineralogical composition of the sediments by Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD).

The properties of the nano-minerals and hazardous elements: Potential environmental impacts of Brazilian coal waste fire.

Brazilian coal area (South Brazil) impacted the environment by means of a large number of coal waste piles emplaced over the old mine sites and the adjacent areas of the Criciúma, Urussanga, and Siderópolis cities. The area studied here was abandoned and after almost 30 years (smokeless visual) some companies use the actual minerals derived from burning coal cleaning rejects (BCCRs) complied in the mentioned area for industry tiles or refractory bricks. Mineralogical and geochemical similarities between the BCCRs and non-anthropogenic geological environments are outlined here.

Finnish wallpaper pigments in the 18th-19th century: presence of KFe3(CrO4)2(OH)6 and odd pigment mixtures.

Several Finish wallpapers from the 18th and 19th century were analysed by using Raman spectroscopy assisted with EDXRF instrumentation, in an attempt of determine the pigments used in their manufacture process as well as of trying to date some of the samples through pigment composition. All pigments present in samples were determined and surprisingly the unusual and strange iron (III) chromate yellow pigment was found. Besides, unusual mixtures were found to obtain fashionable colours, especially in blue and green areas, where more than one blue pigments were mixed with green and yellow pigments.

Ultrasound energy focused in a glass probe: an approach to the simultaneous and fast extraction of trace elements from sediments.

The 3051 USEPA method (or alternatively, the 3051A) can be considered nowadays as a reference method to extract metals from sediments. However, after microwave heating, the sample must be allowed to cool down, which results in a considerable lengthening of the whole analytical process. Microwave ovens and their maintenance are, in addition, expensive, and its use is relatively dangerous.