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The article presents a study to evaluate the applicability of direct spectrophotometry in measuring nitrate and the determination of the properties of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in lakewater using real lakewater samples taken from various locations in Turin, Italy. A significant correlation between the nitrate concentration as determined by ion chromatography and that obtained by photometry was found. It states that quantification of nitrate is possible if lakewater characterization is conducted.

A work on the characterization of the air quality in the city of Turin was carried out in different sampling periods, reflecting early autumn and winter conditions, including a snow episode during the early 2012 European cold wave. The concentrations of 13 elements in eight size fractions of the aerosol were determined using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The collection was carried out with a Andersen MkII cascade impactor. The size distribution of elements allowed the identification of three main behavioural types: (a) elements associated with coarse particles (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo and Sn); (b) elements found within fine particles (As, Co, Pb and V) and (c) elements spread throughout the entire size range (Ni and Zn). Principal Component Analysis allowed to examine the relationships between the inorganic elements and to infer about their origin. Chemometric investigation and assessment of similarity in the distribution led to similar conclusions on the sources. The concentration of gaseous trace pollutants (O 3 , NO x and VOCs) was determined. The concentrations of these pollutants are scarcely correlated with the metal contents of all the size classes of the PM. The differences found in the O 3 , NO 2 and VOCs levels of the two winter campaigns due to the high photochemical reactivity in the period after the snow episode, do not reflect in differences in the metals distribution in the PM. Since PM metals, NO x and VOC have common sources, this behaviour is due to relevant differences in the transformation and deposition processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mechanisms responsible for negative biological effects due to airborne particulate matter (PM) exposure are still being studied, however the interactions between metals and biologic systems seem to be of primary importance. The aim of the study was to estimate a healthy risk linked to exposure to airborne PM10 metals by means of an environmental-sanitary risk assessment. Metals PM10 size distribution analysis was carried out in a central site of Torino city - Italy, then the Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) and the Cancer Risk (CR) were applied, according to standard EPA methods. All sampled metals were present on the different PM10 fractions, however some metals were distributed in some specific fractions: ANOVA test shows Cr, Cu, Mo and Pb as differently distributed among the eight fractions, rising the hypothesis of potential effects in specific tracts of respiratory system. Regarding the risk assessment, in general the CR was higher for an adult than for a child, conversely the THQ resulted higher for a child. While the concentrations of all the sampled metals appeared to be under control, their presence in the different PM10 fractions and their THQ and CR provided indications related to the body districts potentially in contact with these substances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]