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Objectives: Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) is a useful tool to diagnose prostate cancer (PCa) but its cost is not negligible. In order to reduce costs and minimize time to diagnosis, it is necessary to establish which patients benefit the most from doing mpMRI prior to prostate biopsy (PB). Our aim was to test if mpMRI still predicts PCa and clinically significant PCa (csPCa) in patients with high clinical suspicion of cancer, defined as prostate specific antigen (PSA) > 10 ng/ml, PSA-Density (PSAD) > 0.15 ng/ml/cc or suspicious digital rectal examination (DRE). Materials and methods: We retrospectively collected data on 206 patients who underwent mpMRI before PB at our Department from January 2017 to July 2018. mpMRI results were classified using Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) version 2. In primary analysis, we evaluated the association of mpMRI with PCa and csPCa and stratified this model for low and high clinical suspicion of cancer. In secondary analysis, we determined the rate of negative PB results in patients with high suspicion of cancer and compared theses rates with those obtained if only those with PI-RADS 3-5 would be biopsied. Results: In primary analysis and overall, mpMRI was predictive of PCa and csPCa. In stratified analysis, mpMRI was still significantly associated with csPCa in patients with PSA > 10 ng/ml and PSAD > 0.15 ng/ml/cc, but not in those with suspicious DRE. In secondary analysis, negative result rates were lower if only patients with PI-RADS 3-5 were biopsied, even in subgroups with high suspicion of cancer based on PSA and PSAD. In patients with suspicious DRE, however, the rate of negative results did not change significantly if only patients with PI-RADS 3-5 were biopsied. Conclusions: mpMRI is still useful in predicting csPCa in patients with PSA > 10 ng/mL and PSAD > 0.15 ng/ml/cc. If DRE is suspicious, though, mpMRI might be no longer useful in the prediction of PCa.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a class of organic chemicals that are widely distributed in the atmosphere and well known for their adverse health effects. This study aims to describe, for the first time, the levels, sources and associated health risks of particulate PAHs in an urban background atmosphere of Lisbon, the capital and largest city in Portugal. PM10 aerosol samples were collected from early January to the end of December 2012 with a high-volume sampler and were later analyzed for 10 PAHs by high-performance liquid chromatography. The annual average of the sum of the concentrations of PAHs (ΣPAHs) was 1.64 ± 1.85 ng/m3. The dominant PAHs were pyrene, chrysene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, fluoranthene and benzo[g,h,i]perylene. Together these species accounted for approximately 70% of the ΣPAHs. A marked seasonal variation was observed for the investigated PAHs, with the highest values in winter and the lowest in spring and summer, reflecting the variation of emissions and meteorological conditions over time. The average concentration of benzo[a]pyrene was found to be 0.107 ± 0.152 ng/m3, not exceeding the target value of 1 ng/m3 established by European air quality legislation. Diagnostic ratios and principal component analysis were employed for the source apportionment of PAHs. Both tools indicated that vehicle exhaust was the main contributor to the atmospheric levels of PAHs in the study area.

Introdução: A caracterização de massas renais através da realização de biópsia antes do tratamento cirúrgico é atualmente uma opção. Sem esta caracterização prévia doentes com massas renais benignas podem ser submetidos a cirurgias desnecessárias. O objetivo foi determinar a acuidade diagnóstica e a segurança da biópsia de massas renais. Material e Métodos: Estudo prospetivo uni-institucional de 38 doentes submetidos a biópsia de massa renal no período compreendido entre julho de 2014 e maio de 2016. Resultados: A biópsia foi diagnóstica em 76,3% (n = 29) dos casos. Em 21,7% (n = 6) das biópsias diagnósticas, a análise histológica demonstrou lesões benignas. Nos doentes submetidos a cirurgia verificou-se uma concordância global de 100% entre o resultado da biópsia e o resultado patológico da peça cirúrgica. A taxa de complicações foi de 5,3% (n = 2), ambas classificadas como grau I na escala Clavien-Dindo. Conclusão: A biópsia de massas renais mostrou elevada acuidade diagnóstica e segurança, podendo evitar a realização de cirurgias desnecessárias. Este procedimento poderá vir a fazer parte da avaliação prévia à decisão de tratamento em doentes com massas renais.

Beauty salons are considered occupational environments where the staff personnel and clients are exposed to high levels of airborne pollutants. In this study, air quality monitoring was carried out in L ́eon, Spain. Tem- perature, relative humidity, CO2, CO and particulate matter were continuously monitored inside and outside areas of the salon. PM10 was simultaneously collected onto filters. Volatile organic compounds and carbonyls were sampled inside the salon. Indoor PM10 concentrations exceeded the recommended 24-h guideline of 50 μg m3. A detailed PM10 chemical characterisation included organic and elemental carbon, trace elements, water- soluble ions and organic speciation. Indoor vs outdoor ratios of PM10, as well as the majority of PM10-bound organic compounds, were >1. During work periods, organic carbon accounted for 29.5 ± 1.8 and 16.2 ± 4.5 % wt. of PM10 indoors and outdoors, respectively. More than 200 individual organic compounds were detected in the PM10, including aliphatic alcohols, fatty acids, phthalates, glycerol derivatives, fatty acid alkyl esters, phenolic compounds, alkanes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, among others. Many of them are part of formulations widely used in hair cosmetics, personal care and cleaning products. Inadequate ventilation, working activities and the use of specific products can greatly contribute to high indoor levels of organic air pollutants. Formaldehyde revealed a cancer risk of 4.6 × 10 6, higher than the guideline level, suggesting a “possible risk” for workers. The total excess lifetime cancer risk from exposure to multiple compounds was 9.3 × 10 6, which is lower than the acceptable risk, but not negligible. published

The recently developed Ion and Mass Balance (IMB) source apportionment methodology was applied to a traffic influenced urban aerosol, permitting the quantification of the contributions of 11 source components, or formation processes, which accounted for more than 96% of the measured aerosol mass loading. Main sources included exhaust and non-exhaust road vehicle emissions, biomass burning, secondary inorganic and organic pollutants, and primary soil and sea salt emissions. While in summer secondary carbonaceous matter is the predominant fraction, in winter biomass burning accounts, on average, for more than 40% of the PM2.5 aerosol. Comparison with Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) showed the complementary characteristics of the two methodologies. PMF yielded 8 source profiles, including industry and oil combustion sources not discriminated by IMB. PMF is better at quantifying multiple component contributions to sources. IMB solves problems of collinearity between aerosol tracers and permits the discrimination of secondary formed pollutants.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES:The advent of minimally invasive surgical techniques has enabled the reduction of morbidity associated with surgical treatment of renal lithiasis. However, there is not ...

Background:Axial Spondyloarthritis (axSpA) refers to a group of rheumatic diseases that mainly affect the axial skeleton. Treatment with Biological Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drug (bDMARDs) is indicated when low disease activity is not achieved with Non-Steroid Anti-inflammatory Drugs. Some studies reported that some clinical and socio-demographic were associated with biologics initiation1,2. However, early factors associated with the initiation of bDMARDs have not been extensively studied.The authors speculate that certain features early in disease presentation may be associated with future need for treatment with bDMARDs in patients with axSpA.Objectives:To study a population of patients with axSpA and determine whether the presence of certain factors at diagnosis is associated with a later need for biological treatment.Methods:A single centre retrospective study was conducted comprising patients fulfilling the ASAS criteria for axSpA that attended the Rheumatology Outpatient Clinic from January to December 2019. Patients with psoriatic arthritis and enteropathic spondyloarthritis were excluded. All data, except regarding use of bDMARD, refers to the two initial appointments. Between group comparisons were performed through independent sample t-test or Chi-Square as applicable. Logistic Multivariate Regression was performed to understand which factors independently contributed to the use of bDMARDs.Results:One hundred and fifty patients were included, and 52 patients (34,7%) were under biological treatment. In comparison to the group that was not under treatment with bDMARDs, these were significantly more likely to be hard-workers (57,8% vs 29,7%; p =,003), to have had elevated C-Reactive Protein (81,6% vs 48,9%; p vs 29,5%; p vs 13,3%; p =,006). No differences between groups were found in sex, age, HLA-B27 positivity, state of employment, diagnostic delay, smoking status, history of dactylitis and history of uveitis. In multivariate regression analysis, only the hard-worker type and the highest grade of sacroiliitis were found to be independently associated with the use of bDMARDs as presented in Table 1. Although not statistically significant, a trend to association was found between elevated CRP at diagnosis and use of bDMARDs.Table 1.Multivariate logistic regression of variables associated with initiation of bDMARDs.BS.E.WaldOR95% CIpWorker typeaNon-hardref.Hard1,127,5094,8903.09 1.14 – 8.37.027*HLA-B27Negativeref.Positive1,153,6702,9623.17 0.85 – 11.77.085CRPaNormalref.Elevated1,003,5293,5912.730.97 – 7.69.058Grade of Sacroiliitisa≤2ref.>21,485,4899,2264.411.69 – 11.50.002*History of EnthesitisaNoref.Yes,299,574,2721.35 0.44 – 4.15.602aAt the time of diagnosis; ref. - referenceS.E. – Standard Error; OR – Odds Ratio; CI – Confidence IntervalConclusion:In our study, the performance of work associated with greater biomechanical stress and the presence of greater structural damage at diagnosis were shown to be associated with the latter use of bDMARDs. The authors highlight the importance of recognizing these factors that seem to relate to more aggressive disease, with more structural damage, thus suggesting a need for a tighter control management strategy in these patients accordingly current guidelines. More studies still needed to better depict the influence of certain early clinical and patient related variables in management of axSpA patients.References:[1]Png WY, Kwan YH, Lee YX, et al. Factors Associated with Initiation of Biologics in Patients With Axial Spondyloarthritis in an Urban Asian City: A PRESPOND Study. J Clin Rheumatol. 2019 Mar;25(2):59-64.[2]Inman R, Garrido-Cumbrera M, Chan J, et al SAT0629-HPR FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH USE OF BIOLOGICAL THERAPIES FOR AXIAL SPONDYLOARTHRITIS IN CANADA. RESULTS FROM THE IMAS SURVEY. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 2020;79:1274-1275.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

Over the past decades, wildfires have affected extensive areas of the Mediterranean region with negative impacts on the environment. Most of the studies on fire-affected areas have focused on sediment losses by overland flow, whereas few have addressed post-fire nutrient export. The present study aimed to address this research gap by assessing nitrogen (nitrate and total nitrogen) losses by overland flow in a recently burnt area in north-central Portugal. To this end, three burnt slopes were selected for their contrasting forest types (eucalypt vs. pine) and parent materials (granite vs. schist). The selected study sites were a eucalypt site on granite (BEG), a eucalypt site on schist (BES) and a maritime pine site on schist (BPS). Overland flow samples were collected during the first six months after the wildfire on a 1- to 2-weekly basis, after which this study had to be cancelled due to bench terracing of some of the sites. A peak in total nitrogen concentrations was observed in burnt areas immediately after the first post-fire rainfall event as a response to the erosion of the N-enriched ash layer. After this initial peak, smaller peaks were observed throughout the study period, mainly as a response to overland flow and/or erosion events. Nitrogen export differed strikingly between the two types of forests on schist, being higher at the eucalypt than at the pine site, due to the lack of a protective soil layer. Parent material did not play an important role on nitrogen export by overland flow since no significant differences were found between the eucalypt sites on granite and schist. The present study provides some insight into the differences in post-fire soil fertility losses between forest types and parent materials in the Mediterranean region, which is crucial information for defining post-fire land management measures to reduce soil degradation.

Over the past decades, wildfires have affected vast areas of Mediterranean ecosystems leading to a variety of negative on- and off-site environmental impacts. Research on fire-affected areas has given more attention to sediment losses by fire-enhanced overland flow than to nutrient exports, especially in the Mediterranean region. To address this knowledge gap for post-fire losses of phosphorus (P) by overland flow, a recently burnt forest area in north-central Portugal was selected and instrumented immediately after a wildfire. Three slopes were selected for their contrasting forest types (eucalypt vs. pine) and parent materials (granite vs. schist). The selected study sites were a eucalypt site on granite (BEG), a eucalypt site on schist (BES) and a maritime pine site on schist (BPS). Micro-plots were monitored over a period of six months, i.e. till the construction of terraces for reforestation obliged to the removal of the plots. During this 6-month period, overland flow samples were collected at 1- to 2-weekly intervals, depending on rainfall. Total P and PO4-P losses differed markedly between the two types of forests on schist, being lower at the pine site than at the eucalypt site, probably due to the presence of a protective layer of pine needle cast. Parent material did not play an important role in PO4-P losses by overland flow but it did in TP losses, with significantly lower values at the eucalypt site on granite than that on schist. These differences in TP losses can be attributed to the coarser texture of granite soils, typically promoting infiltration and decreasing runoff. The present findings provided further insights into the spatial and temporal patterns of post-fire soil nutrient losses in fire-prone forest types during the initial stages of the window-of-disturbance, which can be useful for defining post-fire emergency measures to reduce the risk of soil fertility losses.

The AIRUSE-LIFE+ project aims at characterizing similarities and heterogeneities in particulate matter (PM) sources and contributions in urban areas from southern Europe. Once the main PMx sources are identified, AIRUSE aims at developing and testing the efficiency of specific and non-specific measures to improve urban air quality. This article reports the results of the source apportionment of PM and PM conducted at three urban background sites (Barcelona, Florence and Milan, BCN-UB, FI-UB and MLN-UB), one suburban background site (Athens, ATH-SUB) and one traffic site (Porto, POR-TR). After collecting 1047 PM and 1116 PM 24 h samples during 12 months (from January 2013 on) simultaneously at the five cities, these were analysed for the contents of OC, EC, anions, cations, major and trace elements and levoglucosan. The USEPA PMF5 receptor model was applied to these data sets in a harmonized way for each city. The sum of vehicle exhaust (VEX) and non-exhaust (NEX) contributes between 3.9 and 10.8 μ (16-32 %) to PM and 2.3 and 9.4 μ (15-36 %) to PM, although a fraction of secondary nitrate is also traffic-related but could not be estimated. Important contributions arise from secondary particles (nitrate, sulfate and organics) in PM (37-82 %) but also in PM (40-71 %), mostly at background sites, revealing the importance of abating gaseous precursors in designing air quality plans. Biomass burning (BB) contributions vary widely, from 14-24 % of PM in POR-TR, MLN-UB and FI-UB, 7 % in ATH-SUB, to < 2 % in BCN-UB. In PM, BB is the second most important source in MLN-UB (21 %) and in POR-TR (18 %), the third one in FI-UB (21 %) and ATH-SUB (11 %), but is again negligible (< 2 %) in BCN-UB. This large variability among cities is mostly due to the degree of penetration of biomass for residential heating. In Barcelona natural gas is very well supplied across the city and is used as fuel in 96 % of homes, while in other cities, PM levels increase on an annual basis by 1-9 μ due to biomass burning influence. Other significant sources are the following. - Local dust, 7-12 % of PM10 at SUB and UB sites and 19 % at the TR site, revealing a contribution from road dust resuspension. In PM2.5 percentages decrease to 2-7 % at SUB-UB sites and 15 % at the TR site. - Industry, mainly metallurgy, contributing 4-11 % of PM (5-12 % in PM), but only at BCN-UB, POR-TR and MLN-UB. No clear impact of industrial emissions was found in FI-UB and ATH-SUB. - Natural contributions from sea salt (13 % of PM10 in POR-TR, but only 2-7 % in the other cities) and Saharan dust (14 % in ATH-SUB, but less than 4 % in the other cities). During high pollution days, the largest sources (i.e. excluding secondary aerosol factors) of PM10 and PM2.5 are VEX + NEX in BCN-UB (27-22 %) and POR-TR (31-33 %), BB in FI-UB (30-33 %) and MLN-UB (35-26 %) and Saharan dust in ATH-SUB (52-45 %). During those days, there are also quite important industrial contributions in BCN-UB (17-18 %) and local dust in POR-TR (28-20 %)., Acknowledgements.This work was funded by the AIRUSE LIFE+(ENV/ES/584) EU project. Fulvio Amato is a beneficiary of theJuan de la Cierva postdoctoral grant (JCI-2012-13473) from theSpanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness. Danilo Custó-dio acknowledges the doctoral fellowship SFRH/BD/76283/2011from the Portuguese Science Foundation. Support is acknowledgedto Generalitat de Catalunya 2014 SGR33 and to AXA Research Fund

A one-year study was carried out in Leon, Spain, in order to characterize physically and chemically the precipitation. With the aim of studying the scavenging process of atmospheric pollutants, scavenging ratio and removal coefficients were calculated through physical parameters of raindrops (obtained by disdrometer data) and through chemical properties of aerosols. Finally, linear models for the prediction of the chemical composition of rainwater and the efficiency of the removal effect were established. In general, the rainwater was dominated by NH4+ > SO42− > NO3− in all seasons. Higher ion concentrations and conductivity and lowest pH were observed in summer, due to the low volume of rain. In winter, the high values of Na+ and Cl− in the rainwater showed the contribution from marine sources, while in summer the high concentrations of Ca2+, Mg2+, SO42−, NH4+ and NO3− reflected the contribution from both crustal and anthropogenic sources. The linear models revealed that the amount of dissolved organic carbon and of the water-soluble ions in rain samples, Ca2+, SO42−, NO3−, increases with the volume swept by the falling drops. Insoluble carbon fraction has a negative dependence with the volume swept and positive with the diameter of the raindrop. Removal coefficients are affected by the concentration in the air of each species before precipitation, the duration of the event and the time elapsed between two precipitation events.

Airborne microplastics and microfibers are released from daily materials, contaminating both indoor and outdoor air. Sampling in Aveiro, Portugal, revealed concentrations of 6 fibers m−3, with more synthetic fibers found in outdoor than indoor (8.5% vs. 4.1%, n = 6), with variations in fiber characteristics between sampling periods. Suspected microplastics (

Urban areas, home to over half of the world's population, are at the forefront of climate change impacts and adaptation issues. Planning sustainable cities for the future requires not only a clear understanding of how climate change will influence urban areas but also how urban areas influence the local climate. This paper validates the Surface Urban Energy and Water Balance Scheme (SUEWS) model at an urban and a suburban site in Portugal, through five months of simulations, with forcing data from the Weather Research and Forecasting Model (WRF). SUEWS is tested against direct flux measurements carried out at the two study areas. The surface energy fluxes are also analysed in terms of the land cover characteristics of each study area, to understand the influence of the surface on the energy balance. At both sites SUEWS is able to simulate the turbulent sensible and latent heat fluxes and reproduces the diurnal cycle of the turbulent fluxes, but shows a consistent overestimation of the sensible heat flux. In terms of the latent heat flux, underestimation at the urban site and overestimation at the suburban site are evident. These results enable the use of WRF-SUEWS for emerging applications, such as, assessment of urban planning measures or assessment of urban climate under climate change scenarios.

Passive diffusion tubes for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and carbonyls and low volume particulate matter (PM2.5) samplers were used simultaneously in kitchens and outdoor air of four dwellings. PM2.5 filters were analysed for their carbonaceous content (organic and elemental carbon, OC and EC) by a thermo-optical technique and for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs) and plasticisers by GC-MS. The morphology and chemical composition of selected PM2.5 samples were characterised by SEM-EDS. The mean indoor PM2.5 concentrations ranged from 14 &micro, g m&minus, 3 to 30 &micro, 3, while the outdoor levels varied from 18 &micro, 3. Total carbon represented up to 40% of the PM2.5 mass. In general, the indoor OC/EC ratios were higher than the outdoor values. Indoor-to-outdoor ratios higher than 1 were observed for VOCs, carbonyls and plasticisers. PAH levels were much higher in the outdoor air. The particulate material was mainly composed of soot aggregates, fly ashes and mineral particles. The hazard quotients associated with VOC inhalation suggested a low probability of non-cancer effects, while the cancer risk was found to be low, but not negligible. Residential exposure to PAHs was dominated by benzo[a]pyrene and has shown to pose an insignificant cancer risk.

A receptor modelling study was performed to identify source categories and their contributions to the PM10 total mass at the Cape Verde archipelago. Trajectory statistical methods were also used to characterize the main atmospheric circulation patterns causing the transport of air masses and to geographically identify the main potential source areas of each PM10 source category. Our findings point out that the variability of the PM10 levels at Cape Verde was prompted by the advections of African mineral dust. The mineral dust load was mainly composed by clay-silicates mineral derived elements (22% of the PM10 total mass on average) with lower amounts of carbonates (9%). A clear northward gradient was observed in carbonates concentration that illustrates the differences in the composition according to the source regions of mineral dust. Mineral dust was frequently linked to industrial emissions from crude oil refineries, fertilizer industries as well as oil and coal power plants, located in the northern and north-western coast of the African continent (29%). Sea salt was also registered in the PM10 mass during most part of the sampling period, with a lower impact in the PM10 levels than the mineral dust one (26%). Combustion aerosols (6%) reached the highest mean values in summer as a consequence of the emissions from local-regional sources. Biomass burning aerosols produced from October to November in sub-sahelian latitudes, had a clear influence in the content of elemental carbon (EC) recorded at Cape Verde but a small impact in the PM10 total mass levels. A minor contribution to the PM10 mass has been associated to secondary inorganic compounds-SIC. Namely, ammonium sulfate and nitrate (SIC 1–5%) and calcium sulfate and nitrate (SIC 2–3%). The main origin of SIC 1 was attributed to emissions of SO2 and NOx from industrial sources located in the northern and north-western African coast and from wildfires produced in the continent. SIC 2 had a clear regional origin in the summer period. However, in the winter period there were probably contributions of soil emissions of evaporate minerals from regions of eastern Algeria. The location of Cape Verde in the Atlantic Ocean at subtropical latitudes, and the absence of relevant local sources of anthropogenic atmospheric pollutants, becomes this archipelago, a perfect site to study the impact of external contributions on the background levels of PM10 registered over the north-eastern tropical Atlantic.

Fluxes of CO2, H2O and energy were measured continuously during a four-year period by eddy covariance, simultaneously at an urban and a suburban sites in the western coast of Portugal. The parallel measurements permitted to distinguish anthropogenic from natural CO2 emission/deposition. Natural CO2 fluxes were important in the suburban location. Anthropogenic emission of CO2 dominated the urban fluxes, being the double in winter by comparison with summer periods. A weekly and daily pattern was observed for CO2 fluxes in the urban area, with lower emission rates during weekends and daily flux peaks coincident with traffic rush hours. At the suburban site, daily and seasonal variability was consistent with the vegetation photosynthesis activity and growth cycles. Measured fluxes compared very favourably with inventory calculations indicating that traffic and home heating are the main causes of CO2 anthropogenic emissions. Individual CO2 fluxes measured in Portugal are at the lower side of the urban anthropogenic individual fluxes published worldwide, possibly as result of the mild local climate and low family income that hinders residential heating during cold spells. Although it rained 20% more at the urban area, by comparison with the suburban location, fluxes of water vapour were, on average, 20% higher at the suburban site, probably as result of the more porous character of the ground coverage. This affected the way energy fluxes are distributed between sensible and latent heat at each site, with higher Bowen ratios at the urban area. No heat island effect could be detected, on a seasonal basis, at the urban site, probably because of higher turbulence in the urban area caused by coastal winds and higher surface roughness.

Wildfires affect vast areas of Mediterranean forests, thereby triggering changes in hydrological and geomorphological processes that can negatively affect both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Although several studies have evaluated the post-fire hydrological and erosive response in burnt forest areas, an important knowledge gap remains with respect to nutrient mobilization by overland flow. To address this gap, a recently burnt area was selected near the Ermida village (north-central Portugal). The study area was instrumented shortly after a wildfire that occurred in July 2010, to evaluate the export of dissolved (nitrate – NO3-N and orthophosphate – PO4-P) and total nitrogen (TN) and phosphorus (TP) forms by overland flow. This was done in two burnt eucalyptus plantations due to their contrasting slope aspects (south-east vs. north-west). Bounded micro-plots were installed in August 2010 and monitored over two years. During this period, overland flow samples were collected on a 1- to 2-weekly basis, depending on the occurrence of rain. Results showed that the north west-facing slope (BE-N) presented higher nutrient losses than the south east-facing slope (BE-S), contradicting the findings of previous studies in the Mediterranean region. A logging operation that had taken place at the BE-N site shortly before the fire might account for these findings, by causing soil compaction and/or reducing the protective vegetation and litter cover. TN and TP exports were particularly pronounced during the first four months following the wildfire. After this initial period, further peaks in TN and TP exports occurred sporadically, mainly associated to intense rainfall events. The observed mid-term post-fire nutrient losses not only suggested a threat to the soil nutrient balance of Mediterranean eucalypt forests but also a potential risk of eutrophication of downstream water bodies.

Volatile organic compound (VOC) samples were collected from the exhaust stacks on the roofs of a university canteen, a charcoal-grilled chicken restaurant and a wood-oven roasted piglet restaurant on sorbent tubes with Carbopack B and C packing and analysed by thermal desorption-gas chromatography-flame ionisation detection. Concurrent sampling of carbonyls was also conducted using 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine cartridges with analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography. Two main reasons may have contributed to the emission of much lower levels in the exhaust of the kitchen of the university canteen: (i) hoods having thick filters and (ii) use of gas and electricity as energy sources for cooking. Larger emission rates of 2-butanone were measured from boiled dishes prepared in the canteen than those from other menus. Chlorinated VOCs have only been detected in samples of the chicken restaurant. Benzene was the compound with the highest emission rates from the chicken and piglet restaurants (201 and 178 kg year−1, respectively). In general, the emissions from most dishes presented a higher concentration of acetaldehyde compared to formaldehyde. The ozone formation potentials of VOCs and carbonyls emitted by the two restaurants are incomparably higher than those estimated for the university canteen. The reactivity of VOCs from the chicken and piglet restaurants is higher than those reported for vehicle emissions or other sources.

The two-component model (Fialho et al., 2006) was used to decouple the contributions of black carbon (BC) and iron oxides, present in dust, to the aerosol attenuation coefficient, measured with a multiwavelength Aethalometer. The model results were compared with the elemental carbon (EC) and iron concentrations determined in the laboratory from the analysis of aerosol particles collected with conventional samplers. The comparison was based on one year of data obtained at Praia, Santiago Island, Cape Verde, after side by side operation of the aerosol monitoring instruments. The linear regression equation that best describes the relationship between BC concentrations, derived from the Aethalometer, and EC concentrations, derived from a PM10 high-volume sampler after filter analysis with a thermal optical method, presents a slope of 1.01 ± 0.05 and a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.90, showing that the model worked as intended to describe BC concentrations without interferences from iron dust. On the other hand, the linear regression equation that best describes the relationship between the iron concentrations derived from the Aethalometer and elemental iron concentrations, derived from a PM10 lowvolume sampler after filter analysis by k0 e Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis, presents a slope of 0.495 ± 0.014 and a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.96. These results show that the two-component model underestimated the iron concentrations in dust aerosol, which was explained by differences in the size range of particles sampled with the Aethalometer and the PM10 low-volume sampler together with differences in the size distribution of iron oxides. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

The current study presents, for the first time, a long-term organic speciation of aerosol at the Cape Verde archipelago. The Cape Verde location, in the Atlantic Ocean, provides a unique laboratory to study background aerosol, long-range transport, aerosol mixing with mineral dust, biomass burning and sea surface components. In order to contribute to a better understanding of this environment, a one-year long measurement campaign was performed in Praia City, Santiago Island. PM 10 concentrations (20.5–370 μg/m 3 ) and the organic composition of PM 10 were influenced by the African dust influxes. The carbonaceous content of PM 10 was very low, suggesting that most of the mass has mineral origin. The PM 10 composition was essentially characterised by a large variety of organic compounds, which can be grouped into general compound classes, such as n -alkanes, n -alkanols, n -acids and sugars. The n -alkane total concentrations varied from 3.77 to 53.2 ng/m 3 . The n -alkanols distribution showed a significant biogenic contribution whether from microbial origin or from epicuticular plants during African dust outbreaks. The total concentrations of n -alkanoic acids varied from 0.011 to 4.51 ng/m 3 . The lower n -alkenoic acids content, obtained during the periods of long-range transport from Africa, indicated a more aged aerosol. The monosaccharide anhydrides were detected in all samples with a range of concentrations from 2.06 to 12.7 ng/m 3 .

Atmospheric particulate matter (PM

Atmospheric particulate matter (PM2.5) samples were collected over two one month periods during winter and summer in three Southern European cities (Oporto - traffic site, Florence - urban background, Athens - suburban). Concentrations of 27 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), 15 nitro-PAHs (NPAHs), 15 oxygenated-PAHs (OPAHs) and 4 azaarenes (AZAs) were determined. On average, the winter-summer concentrations of ΣPAHs were 16.3-5.60, 7.75-3.02 and 3.44-0.658ngm-3 in Oporto, Florence and Athens, respectively. The corresponding concentrations of ΣNPAHs were 15.8-9.15, 10.9-3.36 and 15.9-2.73ngm-3, whilst ΣOPAHs varied in the ranges 41.8-19.0, 11.3-3.10 and 12.6-0.704ngm-3. Concentrations of ΣAZAs were always below 0.5ngm-3. Irrespective of the city, the dominant PAHs were benzo[b+j+k]fluoranthene, retene, benzo[ghi]perylene and indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene. The most abundant OPAH in all cities was 1,8-naphthalic anhydride, whereas 5-nitroacenaphthene was the prevailing NPAH. The ΣOPAHs/ΣPAHs and ΣNPAHs/ΣPAHs were higher in summer than in winter, suggesting increasing formation of derivatives by photochemical degradation of PAHs. Molecular diagnostic ratios suggested that, after traffic, biomass burning was the dominant emission source. Apart from being influenced by seasonal sources, the marked differences between winter and summer may indicate that these diagnostic ratios are particularly sensitive to photodegradation, and thus should be applied and interpreted cautiously. The lifetime excess cancer risk from inhalation was, in part, attributable to PAH derivatives, acclaiming the need to include these compounds in regular monitoring programmes. On average, 206, 88 and 26 cancer cases per million people were estimated, by the World Health Organisation method, for the traffic-impacted, urban background and suburban atmospheres of Oporto, Florence and Athens, respectively.

The aim of this study was the detailed organic speciation of fine (PM 2.5 ) and coarse (PM 2.5–10 ) particles and gaseous carbonyl compounds from plumes emitted by wildfires during the summer of 2009 in Portugal. Complementary characterisation of the smoke particulate inorganic fraction, along with emission factors of major trace gases, have already been published in Atmospheric Environment. The detailed speciation of organic compounds in particle samples was carried out by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry after multi-solvent extraction, flash chromatography on silica gel and appropriate derivatisation techniques. PM 2.5 constitutes an important fraction of PM 10 (PM 2.5 /PM 10 > 80%). Gaseous carbonyls were sampled from the Tedlar bags containing the smoke samples in DNHP cartridges and analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography. A clear predominance of carbonaceous constituents was observed, with OC concentrations always much higher than EC in both particle size fractions (OC/EC >> 7). The chromatographically resolved organics were dominated by diterpenoids, acids, sugars, phenols and aliphatic compounds in both size fractions. Retene, a biomarker of softwood smoke, was the dominant aromatic hydrocarbon in samples. The major anhydrosugar detected was levoglucosan, followed by mannosan and galactosan. Among the measured oxygenated volatile organic compounds, the most abundant was acetaldehyde with EFs (dry basis) between 1.03 and 1.87 g kg −1 , followed by formaldehyde with values in the range of 0.09–0.96 g kg −1 . Propionaldehyde was the less abundant carbonyl, with values in the range of 0.03–0.17 g kg −1 .

Atmospheric aerosols of four aerodynamic size ranges were collected using high volume cascade impactors in an extremely busy roadway tunnel in Lisbon (Portugal). Dust deposited on the tunnel walls and guardrails was also collected. Average particle mass concentrations in the tunnel atmosphere were more than 30times higher than in the outside urban background air, revealing its origins almost exclusively from fresh vehicle emissions. Most of the aerosol mass was concentrated in submicrometer fractions (65%), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) were even more concentrated in the finer particles with an average of 84% of total PAH present in sizes smaller than 0.49μm. The most abundant PAH were methylated phenanthrenes, fluoranthene and pyrene. About 46% of the total PAH mass was attributed to lower molecular weight compounds (two and three rings), suggesting a strong influence of diesel vehicle emissions on the production of local particulate PAH. The application of diagnostic ratios confirmed the relevance of this source of PAH in the tunnel ambient air. Deposited dust presented PAH profiles similar to the coarser aerosol size range, in agreement with the predominant origin of coarser aerosol particles from soil dust resuspension and vehicle wear products. published

Analysis of indoor air quality (IAQ) in schools usually reveals higher levels of pollutants than in outdoor environments. The aims of this study are to measure indoor and outdoor concentrations of NO(2), speciated volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and carbonyls at 14 elementary schools in Lisbon, Portugal. The investigation was carried out in May-June 2009. Three of the schools were selected to also measure comfort parameters, such as temperature and relative humidity, carbon dioxide (CO(2)), carbon monoxide (CO), total VOCs, and bacterial and fungal colony-forming units per cubic metre. Indoor concentrations of CO(2) in the three main schools indicated inadequate classroom air exchange rates. The indoor/outdoor (I/O) NO(2) ratio ranged between 0.36 and 0.95. At the three main schools, the total bacterial and fungal colony-forming units (CFU) in both indoor and outdoor air were above the advised maximum value of 500 CFU/m(3) defined by Portuguese legislation. The aromatic compounds benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes, followed by ethers, alcohols and terpenes, were usually the most abundant classes of VOCs. In general, the indoor total VOC concentrations were markedly higher than those observed outdoors. At all locations, indoor aldehyde levels were higher than those observed outdoors, particularly for formaldehyde. The inadequate ventilation observed likely favours accumulation of pollutants with additional indoor sources.

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This chapter reports the results of the PM10 and PM2.5 source apportionment at 3 urban background sites (Barcelona, Florence and Milan, BCN-UB, FI-UB, MLN-UB) 1 suburban background site (Athens, ATH-SUB) and 1 traffic site (Porto, POR-TR). Road traffic (sum of vehicle exhaust, non-exhaust and traffic-related secondary nitrate) is the most important source of PM10 (23–38% at all sites) and PM2.5 (22–39%, except for ATH-SUB and BCN-UB). The second most important source of PM10 (20–26%) is secondary sulphate/OC at BCN-UB, FI-UB and ATH-SUB, while it represents 10–14% in MLN-UB and POR-TR. The relative importance of this source is higher in PM2.5 (19–37% at SUB-UB sites). Biomass burning contributions vary widely from 14–24% of PM10 in POR-TR, MLN-UB and FI-UB, 7% in ATH-SUB to