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Search results for: MERCURY PRODUCTION
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Production of certified reference materials - homogeneity and stability study based on the determination of total mercury and methylmercury
PublicationReference materials (RMs) play an important role in all elements of the quality assurance system of measurements. In this work, ``package'' 4 new CRMs (bottom sediment, herring tissue, cod tissue, cormorant tissue) were prepared and characterised to carry out the quality control in monitoring analysis of mercury and methylmercury in environmental samples. Materials - candidates were collected in Poland and south part of the Czech...
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The International Mercury Cartel, 1928–1954: Controlling Global Supply
PublicationThis article describes the features of the international mercury marketduringthe firsthalfofthetwentiethcentury.Itanalyzes the various market agreements made, their effectiveness, and their consequences. The period studied is little understood, although it was one in which mercury production greatly increased. It was also one that saw persistent efforts at market manipulation, owing to a series of agreements between Spanish and...
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Toward the next generation of air quality monitoring: Mercury
PublicationMercury is a global pollutant that is ubiquitous in the environment. Enrichment of mercury in the biosphere as the result of human activities and subsequent production of methylmercury (MeHg) has resulted in elevated concentrations in fish, wildlife and marine mammals globally. Elemental mercury (Hg0) is the most common form of mercury in the atmosphere, and the form that is most readily transported long distances from its emission...
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Bis-phosphonated carbon nanotubes: one pot synthesis and their application as efficient adsorbent of mercury
PublicationEffective, one-pot method of CNTs phosphonylation is presented. Cheap and readily available reagents are used, so the process can be easily transferred to large-scale production. The product was analyzed using spectroscopic methods (FTIR, UV-vis, XPS). Thermal properties of the bis-phosphonated nanotubes are reported for the first time. Newly obtained material was tested as an adsorbent for mercury removal from water. The sorption...
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Evaluation of mercury content in combustible tobacco products by employing cold vapor atomic absorption spectroscopy and considering the moisture content: a comprehensive study
PublicationPlants are mainly made up of water, which constitutes between 80 and 90% of their weight. Moisture factor comes across as one of the most important in tobacco products. Rapid determination of moisture content in tobacco products comes at neces- sity in any tobacco management plants (before and after production). Therefore, the concern has been raised in this study to evaluate the moisture content in four kinds of combustible tobacco...
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Palladium versus Platinum: The Metal in the Catalytic Center of a Molecular Photocatalyst Determines the Mechanism of the Hydrogen Production with Visible Light
PublicationTo develop highly efficient molecular photocatalysts for visible light-driven hydrogen production, a thorough understanding of the photophysical and chemical processes in the photocatalyst is of vital importance. In this context, in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopic (XAS) investigations show that the nature of the catalytically active metal center in a (N^N)MCl2 (M=Pd or Pt) coordination sphere has a significant impact on the...
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Mercury in suspended matter of the Gulf of Gdańsk: Origin, distribution and transport at the land–sea interface
PublicationThe coastal regions of inland seas are particularly vulnerable to Hg pollution. An important carrier of toxic Hg in the marine environment is suspended matter originating from multiple sources. The present study was conducted in the Gulf...
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Analytical progress on emerging pollutants in the environment: An overview of the topics
PublicationThis overview discusses the ideas behind a collection of articles by invited authors on a diverse range of complex chemical mixtures and analytical methods which represent some of the most relevant and interesting issues on emerging contaminants of environmental health concerns. These chemicals, including those in high volume production, are released on an ongoing basis as a result of various human activities. Moreover, these emerging contaminants...
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Economic benefits from decreased mercury emissions: Projections for 2020
PublicationRozne procesy antropogenne zwiększyły ekspozycję ludzi i zwierząt na toksyczna metylortęć. Oszacowano, że emisje rtęci wzrosna o około 25% miedzy latami 2005 i 2020. Jeśli utrzyma się ich dzisiejszy trend. Stwierdzono, że straty społeczne w skali globalnej, związane ze spożywaniem metylortęci i mierzone w obniżaniu się IQ ludzi, moga wynieść około 3.7 biliona USD rocznie. Ten koszt zwiazany z wdychaniem par rtęci jest znacznie...
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Insight into the microstructural and durability characteristics of 3D printed concrete: Cast versus printed specimens
PublicationThis study presents the comparison of microstructural and durability characteristics of 3D printed concrete (3DPC) depending on its production method (printing or casting). Printed samples with different numbers of layers, as well as a cast specimen with an identical mix composition, were produced and compared, with their microstructural pore and solid characteristics quantitatively and qualitatively investigated. For this purpose,...
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Migration of trace elements and radioisotopes to various fractions of solid wastes generated as a result of the sewage sludge incineration process
PublicationThe research was aimed at providing new knowledge in the field of chemical characteristics of solid waste generated in the process of combustion of sewage sludge in fluidized bed furnaces. The research material consisted of disposed fluidized beds (DFB), sewage sludge ash (SSA) and air pollution control residues (APC) from three Polish installations for the thermal treatment of sewage sludge. Natural radionuclides as well as anthropogenic...
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Experimental and numerical investigation of mercury removal from flue gas by sorbent polymer composite
PublicationThis paper presents an experimental and numerical investigation of the performance of a sorbent polymer composite (SPC) material used for removing mercury from the flue gases in a full-scale industrial installation. The investigated material is an attractive alternative to activated carbon, which is commonly used for this purpose. While the application of the SPC is characterized by high capital expenditures, this technology offers...
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Seasonal changes of mercury speciation in the coastal sediments
PublicationPurpose Mercury speciation in sediments is linked to environmental conditions and processes. Domination of particular mercury species depends on its source, displays considerable seasonal behavior, and may be further modified due to oxygen levels, icing conditions, or the input of fresh organic matter. The purpose of this study was to examine the coastal area of the Gulf of Gdańsk in terms of mercury contamination and the influence...
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Climate Change Impacts on Environmental and Human Exposure to Mercury in the Arctic
PublicationThis paper reviews information from the literature and the EU ArcRisk project to assess whether climate change results in an increase or decrease in exposure to mercury (Hg) in the Arctic, and if this in turn will impact the risks related to its harmful effects. It presents the state-of-the art of knowledge on atmospheric mercury emissions from anthropogenic sources worldwide, the long-range transport to the Arctic, and it discusses...
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Modeling the global atmospheric transport and deposition of mercury to the Great Lakes
PublicationMercury contamination in the Great Lakes continues to have important public health and wildlife ecotoxicology impacts, and atmospheric deposition is a significant ongoing loading pathway. The objective of this study was to estimate the amount and source-attribution for atmospheric mercury deposition to each lake, information needed to prioritize amelioration efforts. A new global, Eulerian version of the HYSPLIT-Hg model was used...
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Estimation of smokers' exposure to mercury from combustible tobacco products, based on the approach used in food consumers’ exposure estimation
PublicationSmoking has been known to mankind for centuries, but it is only in recent decades that much attention has been paid to the harmfulness of this habit. Mercury inhalation is particularly dangerous in this respect and smoking creates extremely favorable conditions for the emission and targeted delivery of this element into the lungs. Despite this fact, a lack of a clear method for estimating the exposure of tobacco consumers to mercury...
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Mercury concentrations in marine biota with special focus on grey and ringed seals
PublicationMarine organisms are exposed and sensitive to effects of environmental contamination by heavy metals including different forms of mercury. Baltic seals as the top predators of the marine ecosystem are even more endangered due to (considerable) longevity as well as a long biological half-time of toxin elimination. The concentrations of mercury in seals from the Baltic is poorly known, thus the aim of this work is to determine and...
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Mercury concentration in the sediments as a function of changing climate in coastal zone of Southern Baltic Sea – preliminary results
PublicationMercury, despite of its many uses in industry, is also highly toxic. It is highly neurotoxic, and because of the ability of mercury to penetrate placental barrier, in some countries ban on predatory fish consumption (the main route of mercury into human organism) by pregnant women was introduced. There are very little publications describing the consequences of weather anomalies on contaminants cycles. No research was published...
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Mercury contamination, a potential threat to the globally endangered aquatic warbler Acrocephalus paludicola
PublicationMercury (Hg) contamination is considered a global concern for humans and wildlife, and although the number of studies dealing with that issue continues to increase, some taxonomic groups such as small passerine birds are largely understudied. In this paper, concentration of mercury in the aquatic warbler (Acrocephalus paludicola) feathers, a globally threatened passerine species, was examined. The concentration differences between...
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Organomercury compounds in environmental samples: emission sources, toxicity, environmental fate and determination.
PublicationIn view of the specific properties of mercury and its capability of forming compounds that can be bioaccumulated and biomagnified at successive levels of the trophic pyramid, it has become necessary to gather detailed information on the sources of emission of this element into the environment and its fate there. Moreover, the increasing awareness of the relationship between the toxicity of mercury and its chemical form has sharpened...
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Determination of total mercury in raw petrol using cold vapour atomic absorption spectrometry
PublicationPresence of different forms of mercury in petroleum based products may impair the proper operation of the equipment or led to poisoning of automotive catalysts. However much more important problem is environmental pollution with mercury emitted from different types of fossil fuels. Although the average mercury concentration in petroleum based products (automotive fuels) is on the level around 1 ppb, taking into account annual...
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Measurements of photoionization of mercury atoms into the 6s 2S1/2, 5d96s2 2D5/2 and 5d96s2 2D3/2 ionic states over the energy range from 10.5 eV to 18.7 eV
PublicationPhotoionization of mercury atoms into the three lowest ionic states, 5d106s 2S1/2, 5d96s2 2D5/2 and 5d96s2 2D3/2 has been studied in the photon energy ranges from their respective thresholds to 18.7 eV. The photoionization spectra were obtained with high energy resolution at an angle of 0° with respect to the polarization vector of the photon beam. The high energy resolution and sensitivity achieved in the measurements permitted...
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Methylmercury and total mercury content in soft tissues of two bird species wintering in the Baltic Sea near Gdansk, Poland
PublicationOf the various forms of Hg occurring in nature, (mono) methylmercury (MeHg) is an especially toxic form and practically all forms of Hg can be converted into MeHg as a result of natural processes. Total mercury (THg) and MeHg were determined in tissues of two piscivorous birds: razorbill Alca torda and black-throated loon Gavia arctica to provide baseline data on current mercury concentrations for liver, kidneys and pectoral muscle...
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Photolytic and Photocatalytic Recreational Water Treatment
PublicationDisinfection is one of the most important steps during recreational water treatment. Nevertheless, disinfection by-products are formed by conventional disinfectants, which pose several health threats. The concentration of disinfection by-products can be decreased by photolytic and photocatalytic treatment. Medium-pressure mercury lamp, UV-LEDs and solar irradiation were investigated and evaluated considering emitted wavelength,...
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Effects of beach wrack on the fate of mercury at the land-sea interface – A preliminary study
PublicationSince the 1970s, the amount of aquatic plants and algae debris, called beach wrack (BW), has increased along the shores of industrialised regions. The strong ability of primary producers to accumulate pollutants can potentially result in their deposition on the beach along with the BW. Despite that, the fate and impact of such pollutants on sandy beach ecosystems have not been investigated so far. This study examines the fate...
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Solvent-Free Synthesis of Phosphonic Graphene Derivative and Its Application in Mercury Ions Adsorption
PublicationFunctionalized graphene was efficiently prepared through ball-milling of graphite in the presence of dry ice. In this way, oxygen functional groups were introduced into material. The material was further chemically functionalized to produce graphene derivative with phosphonic groups. The obtained materials were characterized by spectroscopic and microscopic methods, along with thermogravimetric analysis. The newly developed material...
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Influence of the internal electrolyte composition on amperometric sulphur dioxide sensor properties
PublicationIn this work amperometric sulphur dioxide sensor with a liquid electrolyte, a mercury sulphate reference electrode and solid polymer electrolyte (Nafion) covered with gold as a working electrode will be presented. The main goal of this research is to determine the influence of internal electrolyte composition on the sensor properties. Sensor filled with 1M and 5M sulphuric acid has been investigated.
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Assessment of hydrogenation of deposited metal of P 62 MR covered electrodes
PublicationThe determination of diffusible hydrogen content in deposited metal of P 62 MR covered electrodes for manual metal arc welding by mercury method was carried out. The test results indicate that covered electrodes 62 P MR grade generate a mean of 4.02 ml/100g of diffusible hydrogen in deposited metal, which is consistent with H5 class.
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Influence of the internal electrolyte composition on amperometric sulphur dioxide sensor properties
PublicationIn this work investigation of an amperometric sulphur dioxide sensor with a liquid electrolyte, a mercury sulphate reference electrode and solid polymer electrolyte (Nafion) covered with gold as a working electrode properties is presented. The main goal of this research is to determine the influence of internal electrolyte composition on the sensor properties. Sensor filled with 1M and 5M sulphuric acid has been studied.
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Distribution and bioavailability of mercury in the surface sediments of the Baltic Sea
PublicationThe study aimed to determine the level of mercury (Hg) and its labile and stable forms in the surface sediments of the Baltic Sea. The work considers the impact of current and historical sources of Hg on sediment pollution, together with the influence of different environmental parameters, including water inflows from the North Sea. Surface sediments (top 5 cm) were collected in 2016–2017 at 91 stations located in different...
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Novel complexes possessing Hg–(Cl, Br, I)⋯O=C halogen bonding and unusual Hg₂S₂(Br/I)₄ kernel. The usefulness of τ₄′ structural parameter
PublicationOne mononuclear and two binuclear Hg(II) complexes have been synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction, ATR IR and Hirshfeld surface analysis. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction showed that binuclear compounds are centrosymmetric and isostructural. All complexes form bifurcated intermolecular N–H···O hydrogen bonds that contribute to a formation of the centrosymmetric dimers. In binuclear complexes, sulfur atoms of thiourea...
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Microextraction Techniques Used in the Procedures for Determining Organomercury and Organotin Compounds in Environmental Samples
PublicationDue to human activities, the concentrations of organometallic compounds in all parts of the environment have increased in recent decades. The toxicity and some biochemical properties of mercury and tin present in the environment depend on the concentration and chemical form of these two elements. The ever-increasing demand for determining compounds at very low concentration levels in samples with complex matrices requires...
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Peptide-Based Rapid and Selective Detection of Mercury in Aqueous Samples with Micro-Volume Glass Capillary Fluorometer
PublicationMercury, a toxic heavy metal produced through both natural and anthropogenic processes, is found in all of Earth’s major systems. Mercury’s bioaccumulation characteristics in the human body have a significant impact on the liver, kidneys, brain, and muscles. In order to detect Hg2+ ions, a highly sensitive and specific fluorescent biosensor has been developed using a novel, modified seven amino acid peptide, FY7. The tyrosine ring...
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Mercury in various components of the environment (Gulf of Gdańsk, southern Baltic Sea)
PublicationTotal mercury concentration was determined monthly form January 2012 to May 2013 in the water (microlayer and the surface), plankton, epilithon, epiphyton, benthos and sediment. The study was conducted in the coastal zone of the Gulf of Gdańsk. The abundance and biomass of plankton, benthos; the concentration of suspended particulate matter, particulate organic carbon and nitrogen; δ13C and δ15N in the suspended matter; sediment...
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A method for the analysis of methylmercury and total Hg in fungal matrices
PublicationThe aim of the study was to develop an efficient method for the determination of monomethyl-mercury (MeHg) and total mercury (THg) content in materials such as fungal sporocarps and sclerotia. Certified Reference Materials (CRMs) with the assigned values of MeHg and THg as well as the control materials (dried mushrooms) with known content of THg were evaluated for method validation. Recovery of MeHg from reference materials was...
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Construction and investigation of SO2 amperometric sensor with a solid polymer electrolyte membrane
Publicationn this paper a sensor for detection of the sulphur dioxide based on three electrode cell configuration with a liquid electrolyte, a mercury sulphate reference electrode and a solid polymer electrolyte working electrode is presented. Working elec- trode was obtained by using Takenaka-Torikai chemical deposi- tion method by precipitation of Au particles into the pores of the Nafion membrane. Sensors characteristics measurements were...
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Mercury in Living Organisms: Sources and Forms of Occurrence, Bioaccumulation, and Determination Methods
PublicationMercury (Hg) is a heavy metal with well-known and broadly tested toxicity. Since Hg pollution and its impacts on human health are of global concern, it has become necessary to develop analytical methodologies that will provide tools to obtain reliable analytical information about the levels of Hg in samples, which very often have a complex matrix composition. This chapter summarizes key information on Hg and its chemical forms,...
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An experimental study of high-hydrogen welding processes
PublicationThis paper presents investigation results of determination of the diffusible hydrogen content in deposited metal obtained by means of two most often used methods-the glycerin method and the mercury method. Relation has been defined between results of those methods in the area characteristic of low-hydrogen as well as high-hydrogen welding processes. Relations available in the literature do not include the diffusible hydrogen content...
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Mercury concentration and the absolute and relative sizes of the internal organs in cormorants Phalacrocorax carbo (L. 1758) from the breeding colony by the Vistula Lagoon (Poland)
PublicationThis work analyses the effect of mercury on the condition of cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo) from an extensive breeding colony in northern Poland, the largest in Europe. A total of 55 birds (44 adults and 11 immature) were obtained. Total mercury (Hg) concentrations were measured in the liver, kidneys, breast muscles, heart, gullet (oesophagus), stomach, intestines, trachea, lungs and eyeballs. The total body mass (TBM) and empty...
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Storm petrels as indicators of pelagic seabird exposure to chemical elements in the Antarctic marine ecosystem
PublicationData on trace element bioavailability in the south-polar marine ecosystem is still scarce, compared to that relating to temperate zones. Seabirds can be used as indicators of ecosystem health and sentinels of environmental pollution, constituting a link between marine and terrestrial environments. Here, we analysed the concentration of 17 elements (with special emphasis on mercury, Hg) in feathers of adults and chicks of two pelagic...
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pH -Tunable equilibria in azocrown ethers with histidine moieties, Bioelectrochemistry
PublicationThe crown ethers with electro- and photoactive azo moieties containing substituents with mobile protons such as in the –COOH groups of histidine, show unique effect of pH switched on/off presence of the azo form. The differences observed for the electrochemical behavior of azocrown ethers with N-acetylhistidine and imidazole moieties reveal the interference of a chemical reduction pathway in strongly acidified solutions. This...
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Mercury in Different Feather Types from Great Cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo L.) Inhabiting the Vistula Lagoon Ecosystem in Poland
PublicationTotal mercury levels in different feather types (down, contour, tail and flight) in Great Cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo L.) were determined using CV-AAS. Feathers from Great Cormorants inhabiting the Vistula Lagoon ecosystem have an average Hg level of 7.14 ± 3.99 (μg/g w.w.). Age-dependent concentrations of Hg were statistically significant (ANOVA Kruskal-Wallis, p < 0.0001). There were also significant differences in Hg levels...
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Determination of moisture resistance of covered electrodes according to PN-EN ISO 14372
PublicationMoisture present in the electrode covering is one of the sources of diffusible hydrogen in welded joints. In order to study the diffusible hydrogen content in deposited metal, a stand for moisturizing covered electrodes, in accordance with the PN-EN ISO 14372 standard, was built. After the stand was completed, a test of moisturizing the electrodes was carried out and measurements of the diffusible hydrogen content in deposited...
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Preliminary studies of seamless flux cored wires stored in extreme conditions
PublicationIn the paper preliminary experimental studies of flux cored wires moisturized under controlled conditions are described. Three seamless wires of different grades have been placed in environmental chamber and moisturized in extremely adverse conditions (temperature T = 60° C, relative humidity H = 90%) for 240 hours. During this time measurements of weight gain and observations of surface of wires have been carried out. Also diffusible...
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Mercury concentrations in Antarctic zooplankton with a focus on the krill species, Euphausia superba
PublicationThe Antarctic is the most isolated region in the world; nevertheless, it has not avoided the negative impact of human activity, including the inflow of toxic mercury (Hg). Hg deposited in the Antarctic marine environment can be bioavailable and accumulate in the food web, reaching elevated concentrations in high-trophic-level biota, especially if methylated. Zooplankton, together with
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Characterization and Technical Application of Fine Photocatalytical Particles - A Study of the Immobilization of Photocatalysts
PublicationThe main aim of this dissertation was the transfer of photocatalytical laboratory scale experiments to semi-technical scale. Preliminary experiments of the purification of organic chlorine-loaded waters and the immobilization of photocatalysts were performed, which yielded the research back to the roots of synthesis. The first applied research was carried out on treatment of recreational water. Several light sources, particularly...
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Impacts on human health in the Arctic owing to climate-induced changes in contaminant cycling – The EU ArcRisk project policy outcome
PublicationResults of the EU ArcRisk project on human health impacts in the Arctic owing to climate-induced changes in contaminant cycling are summarized in the context of their policy application. The question on how will climate change affect the transport of selected persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and mercury, both to and within the Arctic has been addressed, as well as the issue of human health impacts of these pollutants in the...
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Status and trends of mercury pollution of the atmosphere and terrestrial ecosystems in Poland
PublicationThe goal of this paper is to assess the current status and trends of total mercury (THg) contamination of the atmosphere and terrestrial ecosystems in Poland. The study shows that the reduced domestic and worldwide atmospheric emission of Hg resulted in decreased THg level in the terrestrial biotope and biosphere. Considering that Poland is one of the main Hg emitters in Europe, the THg concentrations in its abiotic environment...
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Effect of electrode waterproof coating on quality of underwater wet welded joints
PublicationIn this paper, the effects of different hydrophobic coatings on the surface of covered electrodes on the quality of wet welded carbon steel joints were discussed. Commonly available hydrophobic substances used in industrial applications were selected for the research. The aim of using waterproof coatings was to check the possibility to decreasing the susceptibility of highstrength low-alloy S460N steel to cold cracking. During...
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Application of bismuth film electrode for determination of heavy metals by stripping voltammetry
PublicationWhen Wang's research group introduced a new type of a working electrode: bismuth film plated electrode (BiFE), it has started attracting increasing attention in the field of electrochemical stripping analysis. These electrodes are shown to be very attractive alternative to common mercury-based electrodes, which are predominantly used in analysis of trace heavy metals.For the determination of heavy metals (Zn, Cd, Pb, Cu) used square...