Integral assessment of pollution in the Suquía River (Córdoba, Argentina) as a contribution to lotic ecosystem restoration programs

The Suquía River lower-middle basin (Córdoba, Argentina) is subject to a strong anthropic impact because it receives pollutants from different sources (industries, wastewaters, heavy traffic, agricultural land use, etc.) We have assessed the degree of watershed degradation of Suquía River lower-middle sections through the analysis of different ecosystem compartments (air, water, riparian soil, sediments and biota), in order to provide useful data to be considered in future river restoration programs. Four study sites were selected along the river (La Calera city, Córdoba city, Corazón de María village and Río Primero city) which were sampled during the low- and high-water flow periods. We analyzed: a) chemical and physical characteristics of water, sediments, and riparian soil; b) heavy metal content of water and sediments, and c) semi-volatile organic compounds in air. Besides, pollutant bioindicators such as fish assemblages, lichens (Usnea amblyoclada), vascular plants (Tradescantia pallida), and microorganisms (fecal coliform and Escherichia coli) were used to further assess the status of the river. All analyzed ecological compartments were affected by water pollution, particularly, fish assemblages, sediments and riparian soils by heavy metal and coliform bacteria. Moreover, we detected a possible contribution of sulfur and a high pollutant content in air that merit further research about other air-water exchanges. Accordingly, we strongly suggest that an action to restore or remediate the anthropic effect on the Suquía River be extended to all possible compartments along the river.

Molecular Structure, Spectroscopy and Matrix Photochemistry of Fluorocarbonyl Iodide, FC(O)I

The molecular structure of FC(O)I has been determined by gas electron diffraction. High-level ab initio methods, including coupled-cluster and the new correlation-consistent basis sets for fourth row elements, have been used to calculate the structure of FC(O)I. A comprehensive vibrational spectroscopic study (both IR and Raman) complemented by high-level calculations has also been performed. Furthermore, UV, mass, and NMR spectra have been recorded for FC(O)I. The matrix photochemistry of FC(O)I has been studied with a low-pressure mercury lamp and with a high-pressure xenon lamp in combination with interference and cut-off filters. UV photolysis revealed the formation of the OC. IF and OC.FI complexes and further photolysis of these complexes at lambda>320 nm resulted in a re-formation of FC(O)I. The structural conformation of the complexes has been characterized by comparing shifts in their CO and IF vibrational modes with respect to those of the free species. The structures, vibrational properties, and stability of the complexes were analyzed with the aid of coupled-cluster ab initio calculations.