Newsletter 02 ACE MEMBER n¡ European Association of Chemistry and the Environment March 2002

Welcome! to this, the second issue, of the newsletter, designed to distribute information and news relating to chemistry and environment. We hope you enjoy reading. Please forward this letter to colleagues you think may be interested. European Association of Chemistry and the Environment Newsletter, n¡2, pp. 1-8, 2002.

new friends. We hope you will join us at the 2002 CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE meeting in Geneva, Switzerland.

Best wishes, 1. What is the ACE? Stephanie DUDD (Editor) http://www.u-bourgogne.fr/ACE 2. A novel Award for young scientists http://www.u-bourgogne.fr/ACE 3. ACE Environmental Chemistry Award 2001 4. A novel ACE collaboration network 2. A NOVEL AWARD FOR 5. Employment: positions available 6. Reports from the 2nd ACE meeting, Dijon, 2001 YOUNG SCIENTISTS 7. Past meetings reviews ACE European Young Researcher of the Year Award 8. Next ACE meetings Deadline for nominations: July 1, 2002 9. Other forthcoming meetings 10. ACE member publications A special Stable Isotope session was 11. Thesis reviews organised at the 2001 ACE symposium in Dijon 12. Forthcoming ACE Springer book in the memory of Dr. Gareth RIELEY (1969 Ð 13. European projects update 1998). Gareth was a bright and committed young 14. Feedback request British scientist who’s outstanding contribution to 15. New ACE members environmental and biogeochemical sciences 16. Humour (e.g. Nature 352, 425, 1991) should stand as a 17. Editorial information benchmark to other young researchers. In his memory, the ACE European Young Researcher of the Year Award has been established. The 1. WHAT IS THE ACE? award is aimed at recognising the achievements EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: of young researchers in improving our scientific DUDD Stephanie N. A very warm welcome to all members understanding of environmental processes. Nominations for the award are invited before ASSOCIATE-EDITOR: of the Association of Chemistry and the st LICHTFOUSE Eric Environment (ACE) and everyone who joined 1 July 2002. The award together with a prize of us at the recent symposium held in Dijon. 500 Euro and a free meeting registration, will be ART-EDITOR: ELBISSER Brigitte If you are hearing about the association presented at the 2002 meeting in Geneva. for the first time then please read For further details see: CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS: http://www.u-bourgogne.fr/ACE/ Achim ALBRECHT, on. We encourage you to participate in this Michele ARESTA, highly successful and rapidly expanding Gisèle BOUCHARD, organisation. New members to the association Frederic J. DOUCET, Stephanie DUDD, are always welcome and details regarding Montserrat FILELLA, membership are available at: Mark FITZSIMONS, http://www.u-bourgogne.fr/ACE Mehran HABIBI-REZAEI, Daniel HUNKELER, The ACE is primarily educational Andrew HURSTHOUSE, Branimir JOVANCICEVIC, training focused, providing a responsive, Roland KALLENBORN, enthusiastic and open forum encompassing Uuve KIRSO, all aspects of environmental chemistry. We Adrian P. KYBETT, Keith B. LODGE, concentrate on the promotion of interaction Eric LICHTFOUSE, between different disciplines, and provide Marie Joëlle MENU, backing to a number of European and Eric MEUX, International projects. For example, we are Jean-Pierre Le MOING, 3. ACE ENVIRONMENTAL Soltan MONTASER, collaborating with Molecular Diversity Bernd NOWACK, Preservation International (MDPI) to CHEMISTRY AWARD 2001 Edwin De PAUW, establish an International archive centre for Anatoly RESHETILOV, The 2nd ACE Environmental Chemistry Award, Didier ROBERT, pure compound samples of pollutants, Pascal ROCHE, operated by the MDPI samples handling in the form of a Daum artwork, was presented Philippe SCHMITT-KOPPLIN, centre in Basel, Switzerland. during the 2001 meeting to Céline XHROUET, Jan SCHWARZBAUER, Caroline NADIN and Edwin De PAUW from the Kristiina WÄHÄLÄ, Nicky WARREN The diverse scope of interest of our University of Liège, Belgium, in recognition of members is highlighted at the ACE their poster presentation entitled “Prevention of symposium, held in December each year. dioxins de novo formation on sintering process The meeting is renowned as a leading forum fly ash using amine compounds”. for the communication of ideas, promoting Congratulations to you Céline and good luck new collaborative projects and making writing up your PhD! 4. A NOVEL ACE COLLABORATION referees, should be included. Review will begin NETWORK immediately and continue until the position is filled. An International Collaboration Network Database maintained by the ACE will be installed [email protected], [email protected] in 2002. The aim of the Network is to be an nd information-based platform for collaborations 6. REPORTS FROM THE 2 ACE among ACE members. It will be particularly MEETING, DIJON, 2001 useful for members who are willing to build international projects; for young scientists who are looking for employment and useful contacts; and for members who are willing to work abroad. The database will be available to all ACE members. The basis of any scientific co- operation is useful information about potential co-operation partners, e.g. about research fields, future research interests, and analytical or technical equipment/facilities. Therefore the database will contain all such information as electronic files with a restricted access for ACE members.

Contact: Dr. Jan SCHWARZBAUER [email protected]

5. EMPLOYMENT: Environmental Chemistry POSITIONS AVAILABLE Participants enjoyed steaming local mulled wine at the opening “ice-breaking” party Look at the ACE web site for our full list of vacancies... of the 2nd European Meeting on Environmental http://www.u-bourgogne.fr/ACE Chemistry in Dijon in December 2001. The Ph.D. Fellowship conference attracted representatives from The Botanical Institute, University of Bergen, thirty-one European and other nations, with Norway is offering Visiting Fellowships for 3 - 280 participants in total. Around 50% of the 9 months duration for doctoral students as part attendees were Ph.D. students and younger of the European Union 5th Framework Marie scientists, attracted by the low registration fee for Curie Host Fellowship Scheme. Fellowships students (149 Euros), the promise of quality job are available for 2002 and 2003 in the opportunities in the environmental sciences, and quantitative palaeoecology and ecology in the opportunity to keep up to date with all northern and arctic areas (QPALEN) and the major themes topical in environmental quantitative palaeoclimatic reconstruction from science today. lake sediments (QPALCLIM) training sites. Applicants must be nationals of a European The meeting and poster sessions covered Union Member State or be able to provide proof both fundamental and applied aspects of the of having resided in a Member State for at least environment: air, water, soil, sediment and food the last five years prior to their application and pollution, green chemistry, ecotoxicology, toxic must be under the age of 35. metals, organic pollutants, stable isotope, and analytical methods for environmental science. In http://www.uib.no/bot/mcts/qpalen/index.htm an invited lecture, Prof. Dr. Antonius KETTRUP http://www.uib.no/bot/mcts/qpalclim/index.htm. from the Inst. of Ecological Chemistry, Munich, [email protected], [email protected] described environmental sample banking in Post-Doctoral Position . He stressed the need to couple trace A one year position for a plant biologist in the analysis and ecotoxicological tests in order to field of photosynthesis and leaf gas exchange give a realistic evaluation of pollutant toxicity. is available beginning 2002 in the framework of In an era where organisations are retreating a European Community program. The research into quite narrow areas of environmental is based at the Laboratoire d'Ecophysiologie de chemistry, it was refreshing to see such a breadth la Photosynthèse, UMR 163 CNRS-CEA, DEVM, of interesting topics, which also demonstrated CEA/Cadarache, 13108 St-Paul-lez-Durance the importance of integrating chemical research cedex, France. The project will use original with other environmental processes. This is a biophysical approaches developed by the host real strength of ACE and laboratory combining gas exchange participants found it measurements, mass spectrometry and leaf enjoyable and thought chlorophyll fluorescence. Project will benefit provoking to listen to talks from resources of the host laboratory for on subjects outside of their biochemical and molecular approaches. own area of specialisation. Candidate should possess some background in the field of photosynthesis and interest in gas Mark FITZSIMONS exchange or in mass-spectrometry. As it is an European Community position, the candidate Green Chemistry must be a national from EC or from an The topics covered in the “Green chemistry” Associated State or have resided in the EC for sessions of the recent 2nd European Meeting of at least five years prior to his appointment. Environmental Chemistry (Dijon 2001) are Applications should be addressed to Bernard particularly noteworthy, as they brought to Genty or Gilles Peltier. CV, summary of the fore the importance of green synthesis in research experience and names, addresses, e- the minimisation of pollution, particularly for mail and phone numbers of two academic industrial organic synthesis. 2 The use of the carbon dioxide as a reactant team, who together studied the photocatalytic was presented by Angela DIBENEDETTO and degradation of humic acids in aqueous solution Michele ARESTA (Bari, Italy) in the synthesis of with illuminated titanium dioxide. cyclic carbonates, either from optically active or Didier ROBERT racemic epoxides. A further application of CO2 in green synthesis was shown by the groups from 50% of young scientists Dijon and Toulouse, France, concerning the Despite the cold weather and with the industrial syntheses of urea, cyclic carbonates, help of a local hot wine at the "ice-breaking salicylic acid and methanol. The main party", 280 participants attended the second advantages of carbon dioxide are that it is non European Meeting on Environmental Chemistry, toxic, easy to handle, to transport and to store, which was held at the historic Grévin Cellar of and CO2 is a renewable resource of carbon. The Dijon, France. 31 European and International replacement of organic solvents (frequently nations were represented: Argentina, Algeria, expensive, environmentally undesirable and Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Czech difficult to remove from the reaction products) by Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, supercritical carbon dioxide was developed in France, Germany, Greece, Iran, Israel, Italy, Korea by J.O. BAEK (Yusong). The method Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Nigeria, Poland, involves the hydroformylation of olefins in Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, South Korea, supercritical carbon dioxide using a novel Switzerland, Tunisia, United Kingdom, United regioselective rhodium-catalyst. States of America, Spain. Noteworthy, around 50% of the attendees were Ph.D. students and young scientists. This can be explain by the low registration fee for students (149 Euros), by the promotion of employment by ACE (adverts on website), and by the presence of one Ph.D. student (Nathalie GROVA) as well as several talented young scientists in the ACE Board, e.g. Dr. Stephanie DUDD (Science 282, 1478, 1998). Several job positions were posted during the meeting. The organisers also provided help to participants from poor and southern countries, e.g. Egypt, Russia and Mexico. Many fruitful contacts were established during the meeting, one of the most remarkable being a contract between a French academic laboratory and an Italian industrial partner for the use of a novel method to remediate polluted soils. Michel LACROIX (Villeurbanne, France) presented an oral communication on zero emission process for the catalytic transformation of dimethyldisulfide into methylmercaptan. The challenge of this research was to find a selective catalytic process that would work in mild conditions and where the catalyst was stable in a sulfur-containing atmosphere. In addition, the valorisation of biomass wastes like vegetable oils can be considered a green syntheses process. A research group of the University of Poitiers (France) have replaced classical catalysts used for the reactions of transesterification and esterification of glycerol, by some basic solids such as metal oxides. These solid catalysts are 74 Conferences, 161 Posters reusable, do not generate toxic wastes and can 74 Conferences and 161 posters covered perform similar activities and selectivities as the fundamental and applied aspects of those of homogeneous catalysts. the following topics: air, water, soil, sediment and food pollution, green chemistry ecotoxicology, Flavio Aparecido RODRIGUES and toxic metals, organic pollutants, stable isotope, Lucilene Butega De PAIVA (Brazil) presented a and analytical methods for environmental science. poster on the physical and chemical behaviour of An agreement has been settled with the cements obtained from rice hull ash, illustrating international publisher Springer to publish the intelligent use of a natural resource. selected articles from the meeting in book, which In addition to the use of biomass as a is scheduled to be issued in 2002. natural resource, solar energy was also Eric LICHTFOUSE discussed. This renewable energy can be used for the generation of hydrogen through the Comments from the meeting's participants photocatalysis of water by a novel SnxCuyS semiconductor. In this work, Dae-Chul PARK et "I wish to congratulate you for the quality of the al. from Korea have sought to photochemically organisation of this European meeting. In fact, it generate hydrogen from water, under was an international meeting because I illumination with UV or visible light. Indeed, the discussed with colleagues from other continents" semiconductor-mediated conversion of solar Jean-Pierre LE MOING Micromass FRANCE energy into electric or chemical energy has attracted considerable research efforts in recent "Thanks for your welcome and for the good years. This has been substantiated by the oral meeting organisation" presentation of a young Polish researcher Marie-Joëlle MENU (J. WISNIOWSKI) in collaboration with a French University of Toulouse, FRANCE 3 "Thanks for the meeting mug" multidisciplinary character. I found great the Gisèle BOUCHARD participation of Junior Scientists. This aspect is University of Burgundy, FRANCE very positive and should be encouraged. Best wishes for the New Year." "Many thanks for this well-organised meeting" Michele ARESTA Eric MEUX METEA Research Centre, Bari, ITALY Electrochemistry lab., University of Metz, FRANCE "Just a note to thank you for the Dijon meeting, "Bravo for your enthusiasm and dynamism which which went very well, giving us a lot to live up to. have fully contributed to the success of this meeting." You and Brigitte did a great job and it gives great Pascal ROCHE hope for the future of ACE" Anjou Research Vivendi Water Ltd., Mark FITZSIMONS Maisons-Laffitte, FRANCE University of Plymouth, UNITED KINGDOM

"Many thanks for this well-organised meeting, "I think that the idea of ACE and this kind of congratulations and cheers from Attaching!" European meeting is something very good and I hope that it will have success." Philippe SCHMITT-KOPPLIN Bernd NOWACK Inst. for Ecological Chemistry, Attaching, GERMANY Inst. of Terrestrial Ecology, Schlieren, SWITZERLAND "Thank you very much for your help at Dijon. "Thank you and your colleagues for organizing I arrived at Aswan at 18/12/2001 at 12 30 am. that interesting and useful ACE meeting." The travel was very easy and the stay at Dijon Uuve KIRSO was very nice. All greetings for the all peoples at National Institute of Chemical Physics and France and Dijon and all thanks for you and your Biophysics, Tallinn, ESTONIA wife. I hope to see you and your wife at Aswan, Egypt. Thank you again." Soltan MONTASER Scientific program Faculty of Science, Aswan, EGYPT The meeting scientific program can be downloaded for free. The meeting’s abstracts "Just to say thanks for all the organising you did on CD-ROM can be purchased via the ACE for the conference last week. I really enjoyed it, website: http://www.u-bourgogne.fr/ACE. but I'm sure it was very hard work for you!" Nicky WARREN 7. Inst. for Sedimentology, Reading, PAST MEETINGS REVIEWS UNITED KINGDOM September 2001 "I was at the ACE conference in Dijon last week Radioecology and Ecotoxicology and would like to thank you for organising a very The French Nuclear Protection and Safety interesting conference." Institute (IPSN) organised an international Daniel HUNKELER congress on the Radioecology and Ecotoxicology Centre for Hydrogeology, University of Neuchatel, of Continental and Estuarine Environments SWITZERLAND (EcoRad). The meeting took place in Aix en Provence in September 2001. A wide spectrum of research "Thank you much for organisation of the ACE topics on the subject of the transfer of meeting. In addition I wish to say that I was radionuclides in soils, plants, aquatic systems impressed by your nice town Dijon. Merry and also biotic transfer in animals, was Christmas and best wishes." Anatoly RESHETILOV presented to more than 500 participants from all Inst. of Biochemistry and Physiology of continents. Microorganisms, Moscow, RUSSIA Radioecology has developed as a need to "Let me first congratulate and thank you for the understand the impact of radioactivity on organisation of a remarkable meeting in Dijon. humans. In most countries it is still attached to I really enjoyed the meeting which was held both the departments or ministries of energy that on a high scientific and social level." partition it from other environmental fields. The Roland KALLENBORN need to remove radioecology from such isolation Norwegian Inst. for Air Research, Troms¿, NORWAY was discussed during several topical sessions. "The purpose of this note is to thank you, your The other major aspect of this meeting was staff and the organising committee for the ecotoxicology, which deals with the environmental Herculean efforts that you made to produce a impact of all toxins, with the exception of very successful, enjoyable and stimulating radionuclides. Synergies between radioecology conference. Dijon is an excellent place for such a and ecotoxicology are obvious, but rarely meeting. Many thanks." endeavored. The move to a consideration of Keith B. LODGE multi-pollution scenarios, as discussed on several Dept. of Chemical Engineering, University of occasions, may help in developing stronger links Minnesota Duluth, OF AMERICA between the two fields. Notable at this meeting was the new focus of radioecology on the "I would like to wish you and your colleagues a environment, rather than on Man alone and the shift belated Happy New Year and prosperous from studies of acute to chronic exposures to Holiday season. Also I have to announce my contamination highlights the effort of radioecologists nd best thanks for the 2 European Conference on to move away from classical ideas. Environmental Chemistry held last month in http://www.ipsn.fr/ecorad2001/default.htm Dijon. With my best wishes for the New Year." Mehran HABIBI-REZAEI Achim ALBRECHT Faculty of Science, University of Tehran, IRAN September 2001 - Environmental Geochemistry "My best wishes and congratulation for the Dijon In September 2001 more than 400 meeting". Edwin DE PAUW participants met at the 20th International Meeting Mass Spectrometry Lab., Univ. of Liege, BELGIUM on Organic Chemistry in Nancy. This fiveÐday meeting organised by the European Association "First of all let me thank you for having organised of Organic Geochemistry included presentations the ACE meeting: it was interesting for its to all aspects of organic geochemistry. A special 4 environmental session included both oral and on phasing out CFC, HCFC & HFCs). Clear poster presentations and addressed aspects of needs of developing countries were mapped out, petroleum pollution, anthropogenic molecular including networking, funding and technical markers and their application, transport assistance for surveys to develop and implement processes and interactions of organic pollutants measures on climate change mitigation. in soils, occurrence and fate of individual organic Stephanie DUDD pollutants (e.g. DDT, musks, PAH, fluorescent whitening agents), microbial degradation processes and isotopic studies. Notably, all 8. NEXT ACE MEETINGS contributions demonstrated the usefulness of 'traditional' geochemical methods in order to 11-14 December 2002 improve our insight into the fate of organic 3rd European Meeting on Environmental Chemistry pollutants within the geosphere. GENEVA, SWITZERLAND The quantity of high quality presentations to the environmental sessions and the high number of participants demonstrated a growing interest of organic geochemists in environmental research. Organisers expect an even greater number of "environmental" contributions at the next IMOG in Krakow (2003) http://www.eaog.org

Jan SCHWARZBAUER

November 2001 - Rhizosphere Research The French Societies of microbiology and phytopathology organized a scientific meeting on the multidisciplinary subject of rhizosphere research, held in Dijon. Besides issues of The conference will take place from the biological interest, several aspects relevant to 11th to the 14th December 2002 and NOT from environmental chemists were discussed, in the 18th to the 21st December 2002, as initially particular, the chemical environment in the root announced. The University of Geneva was zone and fluxes and exchanges in the founded in 1559, and has a truly International rhizosphere are of utmost importance, not only attendance, with students from 130 different for soil-root-plant transfer of chemical countries and a long tradition in environmental substances (nutrients and/or contaminants) but scientific study. This lively city and the also for contaminant leaching to groundwater. outstanding natural beauty that surrounds it This issue is particularly relevant for pesticides promises to provide the perfect setting for the and nitrates in agricultural soils. Discussions also next European Meeting on Environmental focussed on the use of bioremediation using Chemistry. plants to clean up contaminated soils or to Dr. Monserrat FILELLA stabilize contamination. CABE, Sciences II, Quai Ernest-Ansermet 30, http://www.dijon.inra.fr/congres/rhizosphere/programme.htm CH-1211 Geneva 4, SWITZERLAND. Achim ALBRECHT [email protected] http://www.u-bourgogne.fr/ACE January 2002 - Non-CO2 Greenhouse Gases 10-13 December 2003 - 4th European Meeting rd The 3 International Symposium on Non- on Environmental Chemistry CO2 Greenhouse Gases (NCGG-3) took place in PLYMOUTH, UNITED KINGDOM Maastricht, The Netherlands. Topics included: (1) emission inventories, scenarios and scientific Looking ahead to December 2003, understanding of sources, sinks and atmospheric Mark FITZSIMONS from the Department of processes, (2) technological options, and (3) policy Environmental Science, Plymouth, UK is already aspects. During the conference a round table making preparations for the 4th ACE meeting. discussion took place, to discuss International Allow yourself to be stunned by picturesque co-operation in the mitigation of emissions of Dartmoor, the breathtaking coastline and greenhouse gases. The discussion rounded up combine that with deliciously fresh seafood, the major climate issues faced in the developing traditional beers and ciders and seasonal world, focussing on three agenda: issues entertainment from Christmas classical concerts. surrounding greenhouse gas emissions and Not to be missed! initiatives to reduce climate change, the specific Dr. Mark FITZSIMONS needs of developing countries, and areas where [email protected] developing countries could have something to offer in return. December 2004 - 5th European Meeting on Environmental Chemistry Major points that emerged included the BARI, ITALY necessity to address the lack of real measures Dr. Michele ARESTA for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in some [email protected] countries, and the clear increase in non-CO2 greenhouse gas emissions in developing 9. OTHER FORTHCOMING countries, regarding which much interest was expressed in initiating extensive research. The MEETINGS need for rapid implementation of the Kyoto 4-8 March 2002 - International seminar on Protocol in light of the recent agreement reached nuclear waste management in Marrakech was also discussed; steps meant Saclay, France primarily for vulnerable countries have been [email protected] urged for immediate execution (with emphasis http://www-instn.cea.fr/html/F_inter/adeni/Start.htm 5 7-8 March 2002 - Advances and perspectives Environmetal Chemistry (B.EN.A), the meeting in radiotracer development will accommodate around 450-500 participants Dresden, Germany from all the Balkanian countries. The conference http://www.fz-rossendorf.de/FWB will bring together scientists, politicians and public administrators from the S.E. European 20 March 2002 - Sustainable Development Countries with the aim of improving mutual relations and the Environment Seminar as well as to enhance scientific cooperation, and A day meeting to be held at Loughborough to create and maintain better environmental University, Loughborough, UK. The seminar conditions for all countries in the region. aims to promote the development of business [email protected] and industry whilst protecting the environment. www.gen.teithe.gr/~bena/ [email protected] http://www.lboro.ac.uk/research/cens/susdev_sem.htm 10. ACE MEMBER PUBLICATIONS 4-19 April 2002 - MECT 02 Antalya, Turkey A. Albrecht, U. Schultze, M. Liedgens, H. Flühler, International Symposium on micro/nanoscale and E. Frossard (2002). Incorporating soil energy conversion and transport structure and root distribution into plant uptake [email protected] models of radionuclides; toward a more http://ichmt.me.metu.edu.tr/Mect-02 physically based transfer model. 17 April 2002 - Environment and Health Seminar J. Environ. Radioactivity 59, 329-350. The Institute for Environment and Health in H. Arakawa, M. Aresta, J.N. Armor et al. (2001) Leicester is hosting a one-day seminar at Catalysis research of relevance to carbon Leicester University to debate how public, management: progress, challenges, and special interest groups, scientific and policy opportunities. Chem. Rev. 101, 953-996. concerns and decisions made in developed countries can influence decision-making and M. Aresta, M. Boscolo and D.W. Franco (2001) subsequent impacts on environment and health Copper(II) Catalysis in cyanide Conversion into in developing countries. Ethyl Carbamate in Spirits and Relevant Reactions. http://www.le.ac.uk/ieh/news/courses_opensems.html J. Agric. and Food Chem. 49, 2819-2824. 15-20 April 2002 - TEFRATRACE M. Aresta, A. Dibenedetto and I. Tommasi (2001) Towards a European Framework for Correlating Developing Innovative Synthetic Technologies of Records of Abrupt Environmental Change. Industrial Relevance based on Carbon Dioxide Department of Geography, Royal Holloway, as Raw material. Energy & Fuels 15, 269-273. University of London, UK [email protected] M. Aresta, A. Dibenedetto, E. Quaranta, http://www.gg.rhul.ac.uk/inquatephra/tefratrace M. Boscolo and R. Larsson (2001) The Kinetics and Mechanism of the Reaction between Carbon 21-26 April 2002 - European Geophysical Dioxide and a series of Amines. Observation and Society XXVII General Assembly interpretation of an Isokinetic Effect. Nice, France J. Mol. Catalysis 174, 7-13. http://www.copernicus.org/EGS/egsga/nice02/nice02.htm M. Aresta, I. Tommasi, C. Dileo, A. Dibenedetto, 1-3 May 2002 - ECE 2002 M. Narracci, J. Ziolkowski and A. Jezierski External combustion engines 2002: new (2001) Synthesis and spectroscopic (1H NMR, strategies for efficient, green power generation. ESR) characterization of new aryloxy-Mn(II) Los Angeles, CA USA complexes: steric control over O- vs phenyl-π-co- [email protected] http://www.intertechusa.com ordination of ArO- ligands (ArO- = C6H5O-, 4-

methyl-C6H4O-, 3,5-dimethyl-C6H3O-, 2,6-di-tert- 2-5 September 2002 - International Conference butyl-C6H3O-, 2,6-dimethyl-C6H3O-) to the on Radioactivity in the Environment Mn(II)Cp moiety and their reactivity with carbon Monaco dioxide. J. Canad. Chem. 9, 570-577. http://www.iur-uir.com/ M.A. Borowiak, M.H Jamroz, J.Cz. Dobrowolski, 8-13 September 2002 - Gordon Research K. Bajdor, J.K. Kazimirski, J. Mascetti, M. Aresta, Conference on Green Chemistry I. Tommasi and E. Quaranta (2001) Application Queen's College, Oxford, UK of the impulse oscillation model for modelling the [email protected] formation of peroxocarbonates via carbon www.grc.uri.edu/programs/2002/green.htm dioxide reaction with dioxygen transition metal 21-26 September 2002 - Soil-plant transfer complexes. A comparison with the experimental η 2 workshop results obtained for R (h -O2)ClP3 [P = Monte Verita near Ascona, Switzerland phosphane ligand]. J. Mol. Catalysis, 165, 45-54. Rhizosphere, preferential flow and bioavailability: A holistic view of the soil-plant transfer. The goal C. Cayet, E. Lichtfouse (2001) 13C/12C variations of the workshop will be to raise conscience of of plant-derived n-alkanes in soil particle-size scientists regarding the multidisciplinary fractions. Organic Geochemistry 32, 253-258. complexity of the soil-to-plant transfer and to P. J. Harvey, B. F. Campanella, P. M. L. Castro, make a major step forward in formulating an H. Harms, E. Lichtfouse, A. R Schaeffner, overall synthesis relevant to risk assessment S. Smrcek, D. Werck-Reichhart (2002) studies for contaminated sites. Phytoremediation of polyaromatic hydrocarbons, [email protected] anilines and phenols. Environmental Science http://www.csf-mv.ethz.ch/ and Pollution Research 9, 29-47. 7-10 November 2002 - 5th Conference of Environmental Chemistry and Transboundary A. Piscopo, D. Robert and J.V. Weber (2001) pollution Comparison between the reactivity of commercial Belgrade, Yugoslavia and synthetic TiO2 photocatalysts. J. of Photochem. Organised by the Balkanian Association of Photobiol. A: Chemistry, 139, 253-256. 6 A. Piscopo, D. Robert and J.V. Weber (2001) phase reaction of hydroxyl radical and ozone Influence of pH and chloride anion on the with monoterpene were analysed by high- photocatalytic degradation of organic performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and compounds. Part 1. Effect on the benzamide and by 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR).

parahydroxybenzoic acid in TiO2 aqueous solution. Applied catalysis B. 35, 117-124. Synthesis of isoflavonoid metabolites

J. Schwarzbauer, M. Ricking, S. Franke and W. Auli SALAKKA University of Helsinki, Finland Francke (2001) Halogenated organic [email protected] contaminants in sediments of the Havel and Spree This study forms part of the research rivers (Germany). Part V of organic compounds project Phytoestrogens and Human Health. The as contaminants of the Elbe river and its first task of this study was to clarify how tributaries. Environ. Sci. Technol. 35, 4015-4025. isoflavones are reduced by various hydride reducing agents. The second task was to R.T.W. Siegwolf et al. (2001) Stable isotope analysis synthesise potential isoflavone metabolites, reveals differential effects of soil nitrogen and which could be used as authentic reference nitrogen dioxide on the water use efficiency of compounds in clinical studies analysing them in hybrid poplar leaves. New Phytologist 149, 233-246. human fluids and tissues. Two new metabolites of daidzein were synthesised and demonstrated 11. THESIS REVIEWS effective antitumour activity against human prostate cancer cell. Synthesis of the mammalian lignans enterolactone and enteroldiol and related Identification, characterisation and mechanism compounds. of formation of hydroxyaluminosilicates (HAS) of biological and geological significance. Taru MÄKELÄ, University of Helinski, Finland [email protected] Frédéric Jules DOUCET, University of Keele UK The present research is part of an [email protected] international project entitled Lignans, The inorganic chemistry of silicic acid with Phytoestrogens and Human Health. Lignans of aluminium to form hydroxyaluminosilicates medicinal and biological interest were (HAS) has recently emerged as a scientific synthesised for use as reference compounds in challenge. This is essentially due to the widely studies aimed at clarifying the metabolism of acknowledged toxicity of aluminium in biota and dietary based lignans in mammals, and in the flourishing evidence of the role for HAS in the humans in particular, and the effect of these abolition of aluminium toxicity by silicon. lignans on human health. A series of various However to date there is little consensus substituted lignan lactones and diols, theoretical concerning the chemistry underlying the precursors of enterolactone and enterodiol, were formation of HAS. A better understanding of its prepared for identification and assay in human chemistry could certainly help to comprehend the fluids and tissues. All compounds, along with full extent of their role in controlling the biological enterolactone and enterodiol, were found to be availability of aluminium in the natural moderate or weak inhibitors of human aromatase environment and ultimately the solubility of activity. A sensitive and specific analytical aluminium in soil and surface waters. method was developed for the quantitative detection of enterolignans in human body fluids The present research has revealed a and food samples, based on isotope dilution gas unique insight into the formation of HAS in acidic chromatography-mass spectrometry using solution both in the laboratory and in the natural deuterated standards. Time-resolved fluoro- environment. Firstly the formation of the immunoassay was also found particularly fluorescent morin-aluminium complex has been suitable for epidemiological studies. successfully applied as an indirect method of Enterolactone derivatives were prepared for the identifying HAS formation in acidic solution and purpose of creating an antiserum and a tracer has unveiled that their formation was dependent with europium label. upon the prior formation of hydroxyaluminium templates. Secondly atomic force microscopy Biogenic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) has been used to provide the first direct emissions from boreal deciduous trees and visualisation of HAS of varying morphology in their atmospheric chemistry. solution and to confirm the applicability of the morin-reactive aluminium method to identify their Hannele HAKOLA, University of Helsinki, Finland formation. Thirdly the detailed structures of a [email protected] number of precipitated HAS have been Plants emit various kinds of volatile elucidated and their stability towards dissolution organic compounds into the atmosphere. The in both acidic and near-neutral conditions has amount of biogenic VOCs is estimated to been tested. These three studies have combined surpass the anthropogenic emissions, although to reveal a unique insight into the hitherto emission rates from many plant species are yet unproven mechanism of formation of HAS of unknown. Accurate estimates of the emissions of varying structure and stoichiometry both in the the biogenic hydrocarbons are needed because laboratory and in the natural environment. they have an important effect on atmospheric Finally, the new knowledge that has been gained chemistry. They are highly reactive toward on the chemistry of HAS has been used to both hydroxyl and nitrate radicals and ozone and in explain and predict their role in controlling the presence of nitrogen oxides they contribute aluminium solubility in soil and surface waters. to ozone and aerosol formation. The rates of Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 65, 2461-2467. emission of isoprene and monoterpene from boreal deciduous trees were measured, and Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry 87, 71-79. were affected by treebreak, genetic origin, and temperature. Products formed from the gas- Atmospheric Environment 35, 21, 3681-3690. 7 16. HUMOUR 12. FORTHCOMING ACE SPRINGER BOOK Novel theories From a newspaper in Johannesburg there was a Springer-Verlag, , and the ACE will column with the following: Results of a 'contest' publish a selection of the proceedings from for people to submit their theories on any subject. the 2nd European Meeting on I do not want to withhold these great theories Environmental Chemistry from you, scientists. Science can be awful (Dijon, 2001) in a book, simple, just read and see. Winners were: due to be issued in 2002. Runner-up - Subject: Probability theory. If an infinite number of rednecks riding in an infinite number of pick-up trucks fire an infinite number of shotgun rounds at an infinite number of highway signs, they will eventually produce all the world's great literary works in Braille. 13. EUROPEAN PROJECTS UPDATE Runner-up - Subject: Bio-mechanics. Launch of the URBSOIL project Why yawning is contagious: You yawn to On 21-22 January 2002, the URBSOIL equalise the pressure on your eardrums. This project was launched at a kick-off meeting held pressure change outside your eardrums at the City of Glasgow Council Chambers in unbalances other people's ear pressures, so George Square, Glasgow, jointly organised by they then yawn to even it out. the Universities of Paisley and Strathclyde. URBSOIL is a research project funded by the EU Runner-up - Subject: Newtonian mechanics. Fifth Framework Programme theme Energy The earth may spin faster on its axis due to Environment and Sustainable Development, deforestation. Just as a figure skater's rate of through the 4th Key Action: the City of Tomorrow spin increases when the arms are brought in & Cultural Heritage. The project will study urban close to the body, the cutting of tall trees may soils as a potential source or sink for pollution cause our planet to spin dangerously fast. and investigate methods of evaluating soil quality Grand prize winner - Subject: Perpetual motion. across as an aid to sustainable urban When a cat is dropped it always lands on its feet management. The project will compile and and when a toast is dropped it always lands generate new environmental data and provide buttered side down. it was proposed to strap novel methods to support the diverse groups giant slabs of hot buttered toast to the back of a responsible for management of urban hundred cats; the two opposing forces will cause environments. Funding for the project totals 1.66 the cats to hover, spinning inches above the million Euro. Over a three year period, the ground. Using the giant buttered toast/cat array, project, co-ordinated by the University of Turin, a highspeed monorail could easily link New York Italy, will involve the study of the urban soils of with Chicago. the cities of Glasgow, Seville, Aveiro, Uppsala and Turin. 17. EDITORIAL INFORMATION Contacts: Dr Franco Ajmone-Marsan: [email protected] New subscribers to the newsletter or Dr Andrew Hursthouse: [email protected] contributions in the form of announcements, Prof Armando Da Costa Duarte: [email protected] reviews or comment are invited and should Dr Erasmus Otabbong: [email protected] contact the e-news desk at: Prof Luis Madrid: [email protected] [email protected] Dr Christine Davidson: [email protected] To UNSUBSCRIBE from this Newsletter at any 14. FEEDBACK REQUEST time please write to: [email protected] stating "REMOVE" as the subject. If you would Feedback/discussion from anyone attending the like to contribute to the next edition of the meeting on “Chemistry of Clean Reactions and newsletter or have any comments or suggestions Processes”, 28th February Ð 1st March 2002 in please contact us. Details of ACE board member Milan, or any other recent symposia on aspects are available on the web site. We hope you have of Environmental Chemistry are invited. enjoyed reading! Please forward to: [email protected] Stephanie DUDD [email protected] 15. NEW ACE MEMBERS PS. If you think that a friend or colleague might find New members to the association are always http://www.u-bourgogne.fr/ACE/ useful, don't forget to welcome and details regarding membership are forward them this message. available at: http://www.u-bourgogne.fr/ACE

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