MICROPLASTICS IN LANDFILL LEACHATES IN THREE NORDIC COUNTRIES

We investigated the occurrence of microplastics (size range 5,000-50 µm) in leachates at 11 landfills of different age and operational status in Finland, Iceland and Norway. Collective sampling was carried out by pumping leachate with a stainless-steel submergible pump through a custom-made, stainless-steel filter unit containing filter plates with decreasing pore sizes (5,000, 417 and 47 µm, respectively). Samples were pre-treated and split into particles size classes above 500 μm and above 50 μm, and screened for occurrence of microplastics made of PE, PP, PVC, PS, PET, PA, PU, PC, PMMA, POM, SBR (rubber) or PMB (polymer modified bitumen). Samples were analysed by FT-IR spectroscopy, both to identify and to count microplastic particles (SBR and PMB were merely identified). Most samples tested positive for multiple microplastics. Three leachates, including drinking water (blank), tested positive for SBR particles and/or PMB only. Treated leachate samples exhibited lower total microplastic’s counts than untreated, up to several orders of magnitude. National waste management practices over time, landfill age or operational status do not seem to explain differences in microplastic abundance or counts between leachates. Particle count and calculated loads of microplastic emissions through leachates differed several orders of magnitude between landfills. Results indicate that landfill leachates might be a relatively small source of microplastics (>50 µm) to surface waters compared to untreated and treated sewage or road runoff. Continued data acquisition, improved sample preparation and understanding of variability of microplastics in landfill leachate are necessary, including particles smaller than 50 µm.

Device for Suppression of Aerosol Transfer in Close Proximity Settings

Here we present a device that suppresses transfer of aerosol between nearby seating areas through the use of optically transparent, sound transmitting barriers and HEPA fan filter unit (FFU). A potential application of this device is to lower the risk of respiratory disease transmission in face-to-face, maskless meetings between individuals in a university setting. We evaluate overall aerosol transmission between users of the device. This is done for two different physical settings: a large space, such as a library, and a small space, such as an enclosed study room. We find that the device can provide lower aerosol transmission compared to the typical transmission between two individuals wearing surgical face masks separated by six feet.

FEATURES OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF A LYOPHILIZED INJECTABLE DOSAGE FORM OF THE ORIGINAL ANTICANCER DRUG LCS-1208

Objective: Development of a lyophilized injectable dosage form LCS-1208, an original antitumor drug based on an indolocarbazole derivative. Methods: The prepared solution of the injectable dosage form LCS-1208 is transferred to sterilizing filtration, which is carried out under vacuum on a «Stericup» filter unit with a filter pore size of 0.22 μm. The sterile solution of the injectable dosage form LCS-1208 is poured into sterile vials using a dispenser and lyophilized in a freeze-drying chamber. At the end of drying, the preparation is corked in the chamber of a sublimation unit using a hydraulic device and transferred to crimping with aluminum caps using a seaming machine. Quantitative determination of the drug content was determined by spectrophotometry using a standard sample at λ = 320±2 nm. The pH was determined by potentiometry. Results: A freeze-drying regimen for the injectable dosage form LCS-1208 has been developed. The required solution freezing temperature was established taking into account the presence of 2 eutectic zones: a solution of LCS-1208 in DMSO (-35 ÷-32) °С, an aqueous solution of Kollidon 17PF (-10 ÷-8) °С. As a result of a series of experiments, the optimal lyophilization regime was chosen that does not require preliminary freezing in a low-temperature chamber, with freezing on the shelves of freeze-drying at a temperature of-47 °C without their preliminary cooling. The most acceptable vial filling volume was determined, amounting to 3 ml, and the rate of temperature rise during secondary drying of the preparation was justified. When using the developed regime of lyophilization of the LCS-1208 solution, it was shown that it can be sublimated while preserving the initial qualitative and quantitative characteristics. Conclusion: In this article, using the example of creating a lyophilized injectable dosage form LCS-1208 (the original antitumor drug from the indolocarbazole group), the main problems that arose during the lyophilization of the selected composition of the model solution, as well as ways to improve the process.

RANCANG BANGUN DAN UJI KINERJA MESIN PENYARING SISTEM GETAR UNTUK MEMISAHKAN BIJI DAN KULIT HANJELI HASIL PROSES PENGUPASAN

Hanjeli (Coixlacryma-jobiL.) is a cereal plant which has potential in producing carbohydrate. The high nutrient content of this plant has not been utilized optimally. In Indonesia, most of the hanjeli seed peeling processes are still using the manual way (pounding), so after the peeling process we have to do seeds and peel separating process. The purpose of this research is to devise a seed and peel filter machine occupied the results of the peeling process with vibrating screen which have been adjusted for the characteristic of hanjeli seeds. The method used in this research is engineering process, which is an activity to devise a hanjeli filter machine. The result of this research was the machine which has been designed with hopper, framework, filter unit, activator, seeds outlet, husk outlet and crank shaft as the main components. The main dimensions of the machine were 1340 mm long, 610 mm wide, 1000 mm high, the machine’s actual capacity was 29.024kg/h and the activator is 0.5 HP. The results of the hanjeli filter engine test are: the actual engine capacity is 29.024 kg / hour, the engine efficiency is 38.7%, the pulley rotation speed is 305 rpm, the electric motor power is 0.138 kW, and the noise level is 62.78 dB. Keywords: designing, hanjeli seed, hanjeli peel, performance test, vibrating screen

Investigation on the Organic Acid Content inside the Storage of a Woodblock Print Collection and Evaluation on the FFU System as a Mitigation Strategy

This paper describes an investigation on the storage environment of an Edo period woodblock print collection in terms of volatile organic acid content, using active air sampling and precision gas detector tubes that can measure organic acid emissions in the low microgram range, and evaluates an organic acid mitigation method based on the fan filter unit (FFU) system. Ion-exchange chromatography method was also employed for estimation of acetic and formic acid ratio. Findings revealed an organic acid-concentrated microclimate inside the storage box, nevertheless, the off-gassing rates of the woodblock prints were low, with the exception of a print positioned in the middle of the stack. The acetic acid/formic acid ratio was similar between the storage room environment and inside the storage box, but comparatively higher levels of formic acid were identified in the mulberry paper folder housing the prints. Finally, the FFU system was able to reduce organic acid concentrations inside the storage box for a 5-month observation period, but it did not eliminate the tendency of the storage materials to create organic acid-concentrated microclimates.

Identification of Metal Pollutants in Ambient Air (Case Study: West Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia)

Surabaya City, especially the western area of Surabaya, is utilized for industrial space, warehousing, final disposal sites (FDS), and port areas. Activities in these areas produce emissions, particularly PM2.5 (particulate matter smaller than 2.5 µm) and PM10 (particulate matter smaller than 10 µm). PM2.5 and PM2.5−10 contain metals and can cause respiratory disorders and death. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the concentrations of PM2.5 and PM2.5−10 and the heavy metals contained in the PMs. Sampling for PM2.5 and PM2.5−10 was conducted using a Gent Stacked Filter Unit (Gent SFU) every six (6) days between October 2019–April 2020. The samples were then analyzed using gravimetry to determine mass concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 and analyzed using XRF (X-Ray Fluorescence) to determine the elements contained within PM2.5 and PM2.5−10 and their concentrations. The elemental concentrations were used as Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) inputs to identify potential pollutant sources. The results of the PMF analysis were then used to determine the source locations of pollutants by using a Conditional Probability Function (CPF). The observed concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 are 11.47 µg/m3 and 27.49 µg/m3, or 11.45 µg/Nm3 and 26.98 µg/Nm3. 18 elements are identified in the PM, namely Na, Mg, Al, Si, S, K, Cl, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Br, and Pb. Potential sources of PM2.5 pollutants are a combination of Cu industries, biomass burning, Ni industries, non-ferrous metal industries, transportation activities, iron and steel industries, construction activities, dust, port activities, and Pb industries. Potential sources of PM2.5−10 pollutants are construction activities, dust, transportation activities, non- ferrous metals industries, and Ni industries. The estimated source locations of the pollutants contributing to PM2.5 and PM2.5−10 are spread out from north to southwest. Based on this analysis, the concentrations of PM2.5, PM2.5−10, and metal elements met air quality standards.

Highly Sensitive and Rapid Quantitative Detection of Plasmodium falciparum Using an Image Cytometer

The gold standard for malaria diagnosis is microscopic examination of blood films by expert microscopists. It is important to detect submicroscopic and asymptomatic Plasmodium infections in people, therefore the development of highly sensitive devices for diagnosing malaria is required. In the present study, we investigated whether an imaging cytometer was useful for the highly sensitive quantitative detection of parasites. Whole blood samples were prepared from uninfected individuals spiked with Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes. Thereafter, erythrocytes were purified using a push column comprising of a syringe filter unit with SiO2-nanofiber filters. After adding the erythrocytes, stained with nuclear stain, to a six-well plate, quantitative detection of the parasites was performed using an image cytometer, CQ1. Imaging of 2.6 × 106 erythrocytes was completed in 3 min, and the limit of detection indicated parasitemia of 0.00010% (≈5 parasites/μL of blood). In addition to rapid, highly sensitive, and quantitative detection, the ease of application and economic costs, image cytometry could be efficiently applied to diagnose submicroscopic parasites in infected people from endemic countries.

Ballast Water Treatment Performance Evaluation under Real Changing Conditions

We conducted a shipboard ballast water test using seawater of extreme turbidity collected from Shanghai Port (China) (>300 mg total suspended solids (TSS)/L), and normal seawater collected in other ports (<100 mg TSS/L). All three types of International Maritime Organization (IMO)-approved ballast water management system (BWMS) tested failed to properly operate because of filter clogging or insufficient generation of oxidants under near-fresh water conditions with extremely high concentration of suspended solid during ballasting. It was also found that the number of microorganisms increased with longer ballast water retention time, with higher numbers in the treated discharge water. The results suggest that when operating a BWMS involving a filter unit in areas with water having high concentrations of suspended solids, the filter unit should be used during ballast water discharge, rather than during ballasting. This method has the advantage of removing ≥50 µm organisms at discharge that could not be removed by a filter during ballasting. For ballast water retained for long storage times, the results suggest the use of BWMSs involving UV units or electrolysis during deballasting. In addition, BWMSs involving electrolysis units provide the opportunity to maintain residual total residual oxidant (TRO) levels, using a partial ballast tank. Although the BWMSs tested are a small subset of the large number of IMO-approved BWMSs, the results demonstrate that there is a significant gap between the technology currently available and capacity to meet IMO and US Coast Guard standards.