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The impact of heavy fuel oil (HFO) on the chemical and isotopic composition of submicron particulate matter (PM1) was investigated. For this purpose, we conducted an analysis of water-soluble inorganic ions (WSIIs) and multiple isotopes (δ34S, δ13C, 14C) of PM1 and SO2 collected during two heating periods: before (2021–2022) and during the use of HFO (2022–2023) in Vilnius, Lithuania. The results showed that the combustion of HFO increased the concentrations of SO2 (by 94%) and PM1-related sulfate (by 30%). It also altered the chemical composition of PM1, with sulfate becoming the predominant component (~40%) of WSIIs. The stable sulfur isotope ratios of SO2 (δ34SSO2) and sulfate (δ34SPM1) shifted significantly to more negative values (δ34SSO2 = 0.4‰, δ34SPM1 = −0.3‰) compared to the previous heating period. Anticorrelation between δ13C and δ34S values indicated increased contributions of 13C-enriched fossil fuel sources (coal and HFO) in EC, although the share of fossil fuels in elemental carbon (EC) slightly decreased during the HFO period. The combustion of HFO affected the concentrations of PM1 chemical components and substantially impacted the isotopic composition and source contributions of sulfate and EC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The scope of this research involves the evaluation of biological impact of different Na and Cu salts (nitrates, sulphates and chlorides) on test-organisms. The toxic impact of Na and Cu salts on seed germination and root growth of Lepidium sativum (garden-cress) as well as mortality, growth and physiological parameters of On-corhynchus mykiss (rainbow trout) in early development stages (embryos and larvae) were determined. Among Na salts, nitrate was the most toxic to both test-organisms. Among tested Cu salts, sulphate caused the strongest toxic impact on L. sativum and nitrate - on embryos and larvae of O. mykiss. The accumulation of all tested anions and cations from the solutions of tested salts was higher in roots than in shoots of L. sativum. The highest transfer of Na+ and Cu2+ from roots to shoots was determined for plants cultivated in sulphate salt. The transfer of SO4 ' was the highest among tested anions of sodium salts and the transfer of NO3' was higher among tested anions of copper salts. The rather high correlation was found between root length and amount of Na+, NO3' and SO4 ' ions in plant roots and rather low correlation coefficient was calculated between root length and the amount of Na+ and Cl' ions in roots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]