Response of spider communities to a large scale bark beetle infestation© Eigenbeiträge der Autoren (9/2010)
The Aim of the study was to test the hypothesis that the average niche position of spider communities is changing due to openings in the forest through a large scaled bark beetle infestation. The average niche position was divided into the mean shading position and the mean moisture position on a plot, which were predicted to move towards brightness and towards humidity.
Arsenic contaminated environments: bioremediation perspective from molecular analysis on the bacterial arsenical metabolism© Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (6/2009)
The metalloid arsenic (As) can be released from geological formations and it is widely used in anthropogenic activities (industry, agriculture, etc.) contaminating several aquatic and soil environments. The arsenate As(V) and arsenite As(III) can be subject to microbiologically oxidation, reduction and methylation reactions. Indeed, bacterial metabolisim of arsenical species in the environment is critical in the As cycle. In the present study, novel aerobic bacterial strains responsible for the oxidation and reduction of As were isolated in water samples supplemented with arsenite or arsenate.
Deep investigation of ultrafine particles in urban air© Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (6/2009)
This work describes the results of a study started in 2007 to investigate the ultrafine particle (UFP) pollution in the urban area of Rome. The sampling site was located in a street with high density of autovehicular traffic, where measurements have shown that carbonaceous particulate matter represented an important fraction of aerosol pollution.
Chemical analysis of a large series of PAHs and POPs in airborne and sediment samples and their contribution to genotoxic, tumorpromoting and endocrine-disrupting effects© Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (6/2009)
Combined chemical GC and HPLC analyses were successfully used to resolve several hundreds of individual aromatic compounds and different patterns of relative content of PAHs, methylated and nitrated PAH derivatives in various airborne and river sediment samples. Two approaches were used for sample fractionation. The fractionation on a silica column, based on analyte polarity, yielded aliphatic, nonpolar aromatic (containing both parental PAHs and POPs), H2SO4-silicatreated neutral POPs subfraction (in which PAHs were eliminated), semipolar aromatic (containing e.g. nitrated PAHs) and polar aromatic (with oxygenated PAHs, dialkyl phthalates and other, partly unidentified, polar aromatics) fractions.
Production of secondary value-added products from the chemical recycling of PET bottles© Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (6/2009)
A research effort was undertaken to produce secondary value-added products (dimethacrylated oligoesters) from the products of PET chemical recycling by glycolysis. The final objective was to use these compounds, as potential raw materials for the production of UV-curable formulations, used as enamel paints or coatings for metallic surfaces in automotive industry.
Environmental Impacts of Released Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers© Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (6/2009)
In the past several years, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, commonly used in flame retardants, have become widespread environmental pollutants, and have been detected in water, soil, air, animals and human tissues. Exposure occurs in particular through the diet and the indoor environment.