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Yes / Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) is a devastating cardiovascular disorder characterised by the remodelling of pre-capillary pulmonary arteries. The vascular remodelling observed in PAH patients results from excessive proliferation and apoptosis resistance of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle (PASMCs) and endothelial cells (PAECs). We have previously demonstrated that mutations in the type II receptor for bone morphogenetic protein (BMPRII) underlie the majority of the familial and inherited forms of the disease. We have further demonstrated that BMPRII deficiency promotes excessive proliferation and attenuates apoptosis in PASMCs, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The major objective of this study is to investigate how BMPRII deficiency impairs apoptosis in PAH. Using multidisciplinary approaches, we demonstrate that deficiency in the expression of BMPRII impairs apoptosis by modulating the alternative splicing of the apoptotic regulator, Bcl-x (B-cell lymphoma X) transcripts: a finding observed in circulating leukocytes and lungs of PAH subjects, hypoxia-induced PAH rat lungs as well as in PASMCs and PAECs. BMPRII deficiency elicits cell specific effects: promoting the expression of Bcl-xL transcripts in PASMCs whilst inhibiting it in ECs, thus exerting differential apoptotic effects in these cells. The pro-survival effect of BMPRII receptor is mediated through the activin receptor like kinase 1 (ALK1) but not the ALK3 receptor. Finally, we show that BMPRII interacts with the ALK1 receptor and pathogenic mutations in the BMPR2 gene abolish this interaction. Taken together, dysfunctional BMPRII responsiveness impairs apoptosis via the BMPRII-ALK1-Bcl-xL pathway in PAH. We suggest Bcl-xL as a potential biomarker and druggable target. / This work was supported by a fellowship (awarded to MTN) from the Department of Health via the NIHR Comprehensive Biomedical Research Centre award to Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with King’s College London, Heptagon Life Science Proof of Concept Fund (grant KCL24 to MTN), the Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation (grant B70 to MTN), the Royal Society (grant 43049 to MTN), the Medical Research Council (grant G900865 to RCT, MTN and NWM) and the University of Bradford (grants 003200, 66006/001NAS and DH005 to MTN). NS and MYB were supported by scholarships from the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, UK and Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK), respectively.

Les hydrocarbures aromatiques polycycliques (HAP) sont des polluants organiques, ubiquistes, potentiellement toxiques et cancérigènes. Dans les sols, la dégradation des HAP est principalement due à l'activité microbienne. Certaines études ont montré que la biodégradation des HAP pouvait être augmentée dans la rhizosphère des plantes où le nombre et l'activité microbienne sont stimulés, grâce aux exsudats racinaires. Cependant les bénéfices des plantes ne sont pas toujours observés, et les exsudats pourraient aussi modifier la biodisponibilité des HAP. Les objectifs de ce travail ont été de mieux comprendre ces interactions sol-plante-microorganismes qui conditionnent le devenir des HAP dans la rhizosphère en suivant notamment (i) les bactéries possédant les gènes codant une HAP-dioxygènase, (ii) les espèces bactériennes impliquées dans la dégradation du phénanthrène, et (iii) la disponibilité et la biodégradation des HAP dans des terres industrielles historiquement contaminées.Les expériences ont été conduites dans des dispositifs à compartiments, lesquels permettent une diffusion des exsudats racinaires dans le sol tout en retenant physiquement les racines, puis en microcosmes avec un ajout d'exsudats racinaires naturels produits à partir d'une culture hydroponique de ray-grass (Lolium perenne, L). Les expériences ont été réalisées dans un premier temps avec du sable en ajoutant du phénanthrène (PHE) et un inoculum bactérien issu d'un sol d'une ancienne cokerie puis directement avec des sols historiquement contaminés en HAP. Les nombres de copies de gènes codant pour l'ADNr 16S et pour des HAP-dioxygènases ont été quantifiés par PCR en temps réel pour estimer la proportion de bactéries dégradantes. Les structures des communautés ont été comparées par électrophorèses (TTGE). En plus de l'analyse des 16 HAP totaux, une extraction non exhaustive des HAP a été réalisée à la cyclodextrine pour en estimer la disponibilité. L'utilisation de la méthode SIP (stable isotope probing) avec du 13C-phénanthrène a permis d'identifier les bactéries directement impliqués sa dégradation dans un sol historiquement contaminé. Les expériences en dispositifs à compartiments ont confirmé que la dissipation du phénanthrène est plus importante lorsque la distance aux racines est plus faible, et montrent que le nombre de copies de gène 16S et de gène de HAP-dioxygénase varie avec l'âge des plantes et du temps de contact des compartiments latéraux avec le tapis racinaire. Mais elles montrent aussi que la dissipation du phénanthrène n'est pas plus importante dans les pots plantés, tandis que dans les expériences en microcosmes une inhibition de la dissipation du PHE a même été observée en présence d'exsudats. La présence d'exsudats racinaires a profondément modifié la structure des communautés dégradant les HAP, et l'expérience SIP a permis d'identifier les bactéries directement impliquées dans la dégradation du 13C-phénanthrène et de montrer qu'elles étaient différentes en présence ou non d'exsudats. En présence d'exsudats, la proportion des bactéries dégradantes dans la population totale est passée de 1 % dans la terre d'origine et dans les traitements sans exsudats à plus de 10 %. Même si les exsudats racinaires ralentissent la dissipation du phénanthrène, en fournissant une source de carbone plus facilement métabolisable, ils ont augmenté la quantité de HAP extractibles à la cyclodextrine dans deux des trois sols historiquement contaminés, suggérant un effet de ceux-ci sur la biodisponibilité des HAP / Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) are organics pollutants, ubiquitous, toxics and potentially carcinogenic. In soil, PAH degradation is mainly attributed to microbial organism. Several studies have thus reported enhanced PAH degradation in soil in the presence of plants. Rhizospheric soil increase the number et the activity of microorganisms in soil by the release of roots exudates. However, bene?cial effects of plants in the remediation are not always observed and roots exudates could be limited PAH biodegradation. The object of this study was to investigate the fate of PAHs in rhizosphere, following (i) the PAH-dioxygenase genes DNA to quantify the PAH-degrading bacteria, (ii) species implicated in phenanthrene biodegradation, and (iii) PAH availability and biodegradation from industrial soils.Different experimental devices have been designed to study detailed processes in the rhizosphere. First is a compartments devices were a nylon mesh permits diffusion of plant soluble substances towards the adjacent root free compartment as a rhizosphere. Secondly microcosms were enriched with natural roots exudates from hydroponic culture of ray-grass (Lolium perenne L.). In first time, experiments were conducted using sand and bacterial inoculum from an industrially PAH-contaminated soil and then directly with a soil historically contaminated by PAH. The Real-Time PCR quantification of 16S rRNA gene copy and of functional PAH-RHD? genes permitted to assess the proportion of a degrading bacteria. Bacterial community structure was approached from Temporal Thermal Gradient gel Electrophoresis (TTGE) fingerprinting, and bands sequencing. Nonexhaustive cyclodextrin-based extraction technique provided a estimate of the ?labile? or available pool of PAH in soil. Use of stable isotope probing (SIP) technique with [13C]phenanthrene allowed a bacterial identification of directly implicated in industrial soil.The presence of exudates modified microbial community of PAH-degrading bacteria. SIP experiment showed that 13C-labelled PHE-degrading bacteria was different depending on the exudates input. Many species having to degrade phenanthrene were able to use exudates. Presence of root exudates increased the proportion of PAH-RHD? genes compared to the bulk soil at the beginning and in microcosms without exudates (respectively 10% and 1 %). However, phenanthene dissipation in sand or soil were weaker with root exudates and aged PAH concentrations has not shifted during incubation time. Nevertheless, the root exudates increased the PAH labile fraction extract with cyclodextrin solution into two in three soils historically contaminated

Le polymère poreux (PM) associe les avantages double des matériaux poreux et des polymères, ayant la structure unique de pore, la porosité supérieure et la densité inférieure, ce qui possède une valeur d’application importante dans les domaines de l'adsorption, le soutien de catalyseur, le séparateur de batterie, la filtration, etc. Actuellement, il existe plusieurs façons de préparer le PM, comme la méthode de gabarit, la méthode de séparation de phase, la méthode d'imagerie respiratoire, etc. Chacune des méthodes ci-dessus existe ses propres avantages, mais la préparation à grande échelle de PM à structure de pore contrôlable et aux fonctions spécifiques est toujours un objectif à long terme sur le domaine et l'un des principaux objectifs de ce mémoire. La co-extrusion de microcouche est une méthode pour produire de façon efficace et successive des polymères avec des structures de couches alternées, ayant les avantages de haute efficacité et faible coût. Par conséquent, sur les exigences structurelles de PM de l’application spécifique, ce mémoire a conçu le PM avec une structure spécifique et une co-extrusion de microcouche de manière créative combinée avec la méthode traditionnelle de préparation de PM (méthode de gabarit, méthode de séparation de phase), en combinant les avantages des deux méthodes, les PM avec une structure de pore idéale peuvent être préparés en grande quantité et l’on peut également explorer son application dans les séparateurs de batteries au lithium-ion et l'adsorption d'hydrocarbures aromatiques polycycliques.Le plus important, dans la deuxième partie de cet essai, se trouve que la simulation micro-numérique est utilisée pour étudier le transport et le dépôt de particules dans des milieux poreux pour explorer le mécanisme des matériaux poreux dans les domaines de l'adsorption et du séparateur de batterie. Le code de 3D-PTPO (un modèle tridimensionnel de suivi des particules combinant Python® et OpenFOAM®) est utilisé pour étudier le transport et le dépôt de particules colloïdales dans des milieux poreux, l’on adopte trois modèles (colonne, venturi et tube conique) pour représenter différentes formes de matériaux poreux. Les particules sont considérées comme des points matériaux pendant le transport, le volume des particules sera reconstitué et déposé comme partie de la surface du matériau poreux pendant le dépôt, la caractéristique principale de ce code est de considérer l'influence du volume des particules déposées sur la structure des pores, les lignes d'écoulement et le processus du dépôt des autres particules. Les simulations numériques sont d'abord conduites dans des capillaires simples, le travail de chercheurs de Lopez et d’autres est réexaminé en établissant un modèle géométrique tridimensionnel plus réaliste et il explore les mécanismes cachés derrière les règles de transmission et de dépôt. Par la suite, des simulations numériques sont effectuées dans des capillaires convergents-divergents pour étudier la structure des pores et l'effet de nombre Peclet sur le dépôt de particules. Enfin, l’on étudie l’effet double de l'hétérogénéité de surface et de l'hydrodynamique sur le comportement de dépôt de particules. / Due to the combination of the advantages of porous media and polymer materials, polymeric porous media possess the properties of controllable porous structure, easily modifiable surface properties, good chemical stability, etc., which make them applicable in a wide range of industrial fields, including adsorption, battery separator, catalyst carrier, filter, energy storage, etc. Although there exist various preparation methods, such as template technique, emulsion method, phase separation method, foaming process, electrospinning, top-down lithographic techniques, breath figure method, etc., the large-scale preparation of polymeric porous media with controllable pore structures and specified functions is still a long-term goal in this field, which is one of the core objectives of this thesis. Therefore, in the first part of the thesis, polymeric porous media are firstly designed based on the specific application requirements. Then the designed polymeric porous media are prepared by the combination of multilayer coextrusion and traditional preparation methods (template technique, phase separation method). This combined preparation method has integrated the advantages of the multilayer coextrusion (continuous process, economic pathway for large-scale fabrication, flexibility of the polymer species, and tunable layer structures) and the template/phase separation method (simple preparation process and tunable pore structure). Afterwards, the applications of the polymeric porous media in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons adsorption and lithium-ion battery separator have been investigated.More importantly, in the second part of the thesis, numerical simulations of particle transport and deposition in porous media are carried out to explore the mechanisms that form the theoretical basis for the above applications (adsorption, separation, etc.). Transport and deposition of colloidal particles in porous media are of vital important in other applications such as aquifer remediation, fouling of surfaces, and therapeutic drug delivery. Therefore, it is quite worthy to have a thorough understanding of these processes as well as the dominant mechanisms involved. In this part, the microscale simulations of colloidal particle transport and deposition in porous media are achieved by a novel colloidal particle tracking model, called 3D-PTPO (Three-Dimensional Particle Tracking model by Python® and OpenFOAM®) code. The particles are considered as a mass point during transport in the flow and their volume is reconstructed when they are deposited. The main feature of the code is to take into account the modification of the pore structure and thus the flow streamlines due to deposit. Numerical simulations were firstly carried out in a capillary tube considered as an element of an idealized porous medium composed of capillaries of circular cross sections to revisit the work of Lopez and co-authors by considering a more realistic 3D geometry and also to get the most relevant quantities by capturing the physics underlying the process. Then microscale simulation is approached by representing the elementary pore structure as a capillary tube with converging/diverging geometries (tapered pipe and venturi tube) to explore the influence of the pore geometry and the particle Péclet number (Pe) on particle deposition. Finally, the coupled effects of surface chemical heterogeneity and hydrodynamics on particle deposition in porous media were investigated in a three-dimensional capillary with periodically repeating chemically heterogeneous surfaces.

Syftet med denna rapport var att utreda hur föroreningsmängder och föroreningskoncentrationer i dagvattendammars sediment påverkas av markanvändningen i avrinningsområdet. Sedimentprovtagning skedde under april 2019 i tre dagvattendammar i Gävle, med olika markanvändningar: industri, villaområde samt två avrinningsområden innehållande trafik. Markanvändningen ”trafik vid Västerbacken” hade en trafikintensitet på cirka 2000 bilar/dygn och ”trafik vid Hamnleden” en intensitet på 7000 bilar/dygn. Provtagningen utfördes med rysskannborr och sedimentdjup mättes för att kvantifiera sedimentvolymen i dagvattendammarna. Proverna skickades till laboratorie för analys av metaller, fosfor, alifater, aromater samt polycykliska aromatiska kolväten [PAH]. Dagvattendammen med markanvändning industriområde hade sedimentet med högst föroreningskoncentrationer, följt av villaområde – trafik vid Hamnleden – trafik vid Västerbacken. Resultaten för denna studie visar att inga markanta skillnader kan ses vid jämförelse av föroreningskoncentrationer i sedimentet, utifrån omgivande markanvändning. Markanvändningarna visade liknande koncentrationsmönster i de grafiska figurer som jämfördes. Resultatet kan bero på att dagvattendammarna ligger geografiskt nära och därmed kan bli påverkade av samma atmosfäriska nedfall och bakgrundshalter. Det förväntades inte att föroreningskoncentrationerna i villaområdets sediment skulle vara näst högst. En förklaring kan vara den högre halten organiskt material i villaområdets sediment, vissa föroreningar tenderar att binda starkt till organiskt material. Däremot sågs stora skillnader mellan dagvattendammarnas föroreningsmängder i sedimentet (jämförelsetalet ”fastlagd förorening per år”), vilket återspeglades av sedimentvolymen. Störst mängd föroreningar och störst sedimentvolym sågs i dagvattendammen med markanvändning industriområde. I fallande skala följde trafik vid Hamnleden – trafik vid Västerbacken – villaområde. Resultatet kan bero på skillnader i andel partikulära fraktioner i dagvattnet från respektive markanvändning, där industriområdet i så fall har störst andel partikulära fraktioner enligt resultatet i denna studie. Beräkningar utfördes i StormTac för teoretisk föroreningstransport i inkommande dagvatten till dagvattendammarna. Beräkningarna genererade i totalmängder (lösta och partikulära fraktioner). När föroreningstransporten jämfördes med ”fastlagd förorening per år” för villaområde sågs att föroreningstransportens mängder var markant större, vilket delvis kan förklaras med att totalmängder jämfördes med partikulära mängder. En slutsats som dras är att omgivande markanvändning påverkar föroreningsmängderna i sedimentet och sedimentvolymen, snarare än koncentrationerna. / This thesis addresses how human activities in the catchment area could influence the contaminant concentrations and amounts of contaminants in the sediments of stormwater ponds. Sediment sampling was done in April 2019. The storm water ponds had different land uses: industrial, residential (detached area) and two land uses of traffic with different intensities; “traffic by Hamnleden” (7000 cars/day) and “traffic by Västerbacken” (2000 cars/day). Samples were taken with a Russian corer and sediment depth was measured to quantify sediment volume. Samples were sent to laboratory for analysis of metals, phosphorus, aliphatics, aromatics and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons [PAH]. The stormwater pond with industry as land use had the highest concentration of contaminants in the sediment, followed by residential area – traffic by Hamnleden – traffic by Västerbacken. The results of this study showed that the land use concentrations of contaminants were all similar, and the patterns of concentration in the graphic figures were similar. The results could be explained by the narrow geographic area in which the three storm water ponds are situated. They could be affected by the same atmospheric downfall which could even out the concentrations. It was not expected that the residential area would have one of the highest concentrations in the sediment. This could be explained by the high content of organic matter, as some contaminants create strong chemical bonding with organic matter. Bigger differences were seen for the amounts of contaminants in the sediments and the comparative figure “fixated amount of contaminant per year”. The land use industry had the highest amount of contaminants followed by traffic by Hamnleden – traffic by Västerbacken – residential area. This is probably due to differences in particle quota in the storm water coming from the land uses. Calculations were done for the amount of transported contaminants in stormwater, via the watershed management tool and model StormTac. The calculated transportation of contaminants resulted in total amounts of contaminants, meaning both dissolved and particulate fractions. The calculations from StormTac were compared with the comparative figure “fixated amount of contaminant per year” for the land use residential area, and the amounts were significantly higher for the calculated transportation. This could partly be explained by comparing total amounts with particulate amounts. A conclusion of this report is that land use affects the amounts of contaminants and sediment volume in the studied storm water ponds, rather than the concentrations.

Cette thèse a été consacrée à l’étude en laboratoire plusieurs molécules d’intérêt astrophysique par spectroscopie par transformation de Fourier dans l’infrarouge lointain afin de montrer les possibilités offertes par cette gamme spectrale en matière de spectroscopie vibrationnelle et rotationnelle, notamment grâce à l’utilisation du rayonnement synchrotron. Nous nous sommes intéressés à des molécules relativement lourdes, dérivées du naphtalène, pour lesquelles nous avons pu observer les bandes de vibrations de plus basses fréquences. Nous avons également développé différents dispositifs de décharge permettant d’étudier la spectroscopie rotationnelle de molécules instables : molécules légères à haute température et radicaux de petite taille. / This thesis has been dedicated to the laboratory far-infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy of several molecules of astrophysical interest in order to demonstrate the interest of this spectral region for vibrational and rotational spectroscopy, in particular using synchrotron radiation. Low frequency vibrational spectra of nine naphthalene derivatives, relatively heavy molecules, have been studied. Several discharge set-ups have also been developed in order to study rotational spectroscopy of transient species: high temperature light molecules and small radicals.

At present, soils face great threats. Consequences of human activities, such as climate change, acidification and contamination result in decreased soil health. This is a threat to human health and well-being, since our society is dependent on soil ecosystem services. The soil ecosystems provide resources, such as food and fresh water, regulate the climate and play key parts in important life supporting biological processes, e.g. cycling of carbon and nutrients. Due to increased awareness of the threats that soils face, and its importance to humans, soil quality monitoring has recently received increased attention. Microorganisms run most biological processes in the soil, such as decomposition of organic material and nutrient cycling. Thus, microbial activity and diversity are considered useful biological indicators for soil quality monitoring. These biological properties can be examined using different methods. The aim of the project was to evaluate the potential of multiple substrate-induced respiration (MSIR), using the MicroRespTM system, and isothermal calorimetry for determining microbial activity and diversity in soils contaminated with copper (Cu) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). Thereby, the methods’ applicability in risk assessment of contaminated soil could be decided. MSIR is considered appropriate for determining microbial activity and functional diversity, while isothermal calorimetry has not been tested as much in this area. The calorespirometric ratio (produced heat per unit CO2) was calculated to evaluate potential relationships between heat and CO2 at different contamination levels. Although there was some variation between the methods, Cu had a clear effect on both microbial activity and functional diversity. Both methods were thus considered applicable in risk assessment of soil contaminated with Cu. The impact of PAH appeared to be more complex, the effects on microbial activity varied and PAH had little significant effect on functional diversity. Neither of the methods were therefore considered applicable for assessment of soil contaminated with PAH. The calorespirometric ratio did not provide useful results, and cannot be recommended for risk assessment purposes at present. / I dagsläget utsätts marken för stora hot. Följder av mänsklig aktivitet, så som klimatförändringar, försurning och förorening försämrar markens kvalitet. Detta är ett hot mot människors hälsa och välmående, eftersom vårt samhälle är beroende av markens ekosystemtjänster. Markens ekosystem förser oss med exempelvis mat och rent vatten, reglerar klimatet, och har nyckelroller i viktiga biologiska processer, exempelvis cirkulering av kol och näringsämnen. På grund av ökad medvetenhet om hoten mot marken samt dess betydelse för människan, har kontroll av markens kvalitet börjat få ökad uppmärksamhet. Mikroorganismer sköter de flesta biologiska processer som sker i marken, så som nedbrytning av organiskt material och cirkulering av näringsämnen. Därmed anses mikrobiell aktivitet och diversitet vara lämpliga biologiska indikatorer vid kontroll av markens kvalitet. Dessa biologiska egenskaper kan mätas med flera olika metoder. Syftet med projektet var att utvärdera potentialen i att använda multipla substrat-inducerad respiration (MSIR), genom att använda systemet MicroRespTM, samt isotermisk kalorimetri för att mäta mikrobiell aktivitet och funktionell diversitet i mark förorenad med koppar (Cu) och polycykliska aromatiska kolväten (PAH). Därmed kunde metodernas tillämplighet i riskbedömning av förorenad mark bestämmas. MSIR anses vara en lämplig metod i syfte att undersöka mikrobiell aktivitet och funktionell diversitet, medan isotermisk kalorimetri inte är lika beprövat. Kvoten mellan värmeproduktion och respirerad CO2, the calorespirometric ratio, beräknades för att utvärdera eventuella samband mellan värmeproduktion och respiration vid olika föroreningskoncentrationer. Trots att det förekom viss variation mellan metoderna, hade Cu en tydlig effekt på både mikrobiell aktivitet och funktionell diversitet. Båda metoder ansågs därför vara tillämpbara i riskbedömning av Cu-förorenad jord. PAH hade varierande effekt på mikrobiell aktivitet och liten signifikant effekt på funktionell diversitet. Ingen av metoderna ansågs därför tillämpbar i riskbedömning av jord förorenad med PAH. The calorespirometric ratio tillhandahöll ej användbara resultat, och kunde därmed inte rekommenderas i riskbedömningssyfte.

Die Arbeit untersucht den Einfluss des pH - Wertes auf die Fluoreszenzintensität von Multischichtsystemen während des Beschichtungsvorgangs von Siliziumdioxidpartikeln mit kovalent an Polyallylaminhydrochlorid (PAH) gebundenem Rhodamin - B - Isothiocyanat. Durch eine konsequente Pufferung mit 2 -(N - Morpholino)ethansulfonsäure während der Beschichtung kann eine Verbesserung der Homogenität der Schichtbildung und eine Erhöhung der Fluoreszenzintensität erreicht werden. Außerdem liegt eine lineare Steigerung der Fluoreszenzintensität proportional zur Anzahl der fluoreszenten Schichten vor. Weiterhin sollen kolloidale Partikel unter konstanter Pufferung zusätzlich zu Rhodamin – B – Isothiocyanat mit an PAH – gebundenem Fluoresceinisothiocyanat beschichtet werden. Dieses Farbstoffpaar weist bei Annäherung eine Fluoreszenzsteigerung durch einen Fluoreszenzresonanzenergietransfer aus. Durch Variation von Schichtanzahl und Abstand wurden verschiedene Partikelpopulationen hergestellt, die sich in Ihrer Fluoreszenzintensität analog zu einem Bead Array Assay im Durchflusszytometer klar differenzieren lassen und dabei auch eine gleichmäßige Steigerung der Fluoreszenzintensität analog zur Anzahl der fluoreszenten Schichten aufweisen.

Under våren 2021 upptäcktes förhöjda halter av polyaromatiska kolväten (PAH) i Björklinges dricksvattennät. Då ett vattenprov taget hos användare påvisade halter som låg över Livsmedelsverkets gränsvärden och källan till föroreningen inte identifierats, rekommenderades hushållen i Björklinge att inte använda kranvattnet till mat och dryck under en period. Efter sektionering av nätet och provtagning identifierades en äldre, nyligen reparerad, ledningssträcka av gjutjärn som trolig föroreningskälla. Denna typ av ledning är relativt vanligt förekommande i delar av Uppsala Vattens nät. Syftet med denna studie var att få en djupare förståelse för orsakerna till PAH-föroreningen i Björklinge och bedöma risken för att liknande föroreningar ska hända igen, samt att tillhandahålla ett beslutsunderlag för Uppsala Vattens hantering av äldre gjutjärnsledningar.En litteraturstudie genomfördes och data från Björklinge analyserades. Resultaten av litteraturstudien visade att frisättning av PAH från äldre gjutjärnsrör med korrosionsskydd innehållande stenkolstjära eller bitumen är ett välkänt fenomen. Biofilmen har en skyddande effekt och graden av frisättning kan därför påverkas av faktorer som klorering eller syrehalt i vattnet. Även mekaniskt slitage i form av reparationsarbete och tryckvågor kan leda till förhöjda nivåer av PAH. Korrosion av ledningarna är troligen också en viktig faktor.Utifrån litteraturstudien och resultaten från användarprover tagna i Björklinge respektive Skuttunge kunde det konstateras att problemen i Björklinge hade ett samband med frisättning av PAH från gjutjärnsrör. Vid tidpunkten för studien kunde ökande PAH-halter observeras på vissa platser i ledningsnätet även efter ledningsbytet i Björklinge våren 2021, vilket tydde på fortsatt kontaminering. Inga uppmätta halter i användarprover låg dock över något av Livsmedelsverkets gränsvärden och PAH i dricksvattnet anses inte vara ett stort hälsomässigt problem i dagsläget. Det är däremot viktigt att fortsätta monitorera halterna av PAH i Uppsala Vattens nät då denna typ av problem kan uppstå igen. Man bör också vara försiktig med åtgärder som kan påverka biofilmen samt vara återhållsam med spoling av denna typ av ledningar. De ledningar som identifierats som föroreningskällor bör åtgärdas. Med tanke på ledningarnas stigande ålder, begränsad kunskap om PAH och dess hälsoeffekter, samt WHOs rekommendationer bör man dock initiera ett långsiktigt arbete med att byta ut eller renovera denna typ av ledningar i Uppsala Vattens nät. / During the spring of 2021 elevated levels of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) were discovered in the drinking water supply network of Björklinge. Levels above the limit set by the Swedish Food Agency were observed in one user sample, which led to the inhabitants of Björklinge being recommended not to use the tap water for drinking or cooking while the source of the contamination was being identified. After sectioning and sampling the network, an older, recently repaired cast iron pipe was identified as the probable source of the contamination. This type of pipe is not uncommon in the drinking water network of Uppsala Vatten. The purpose of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of the causes of the PAH contamination in Björklinge and to determine the risk of similar contaminations happening again. Further, it aimed to provide a basis for future decisions regarding the handling of older cast iron pipes in the drinking water network of Uppsala Vatten.A literature study was done and data from Björklinge was analysed. The results of the literature study showed that the release of PAH from older cast iron pipes with coal tar or bitumen coating is a well-known phenomenon. The biofilm has protective properties, and the degree of PAH release can hence be affected by factors such as chlorination or oxygen concentration of the water. Mechanical wear in the form of repair work or pressure waves can also cause increased levels of PAH in the water.Based on the literature study as well as the results from the user samples of Björklinge and Skuttunge, it could be determined that the PAH contamination in Björklinge was related to the release of PAH from old cast iron pipes. At the time of this study, increasing levels of PAH could be observed in some parts of the drinking water network even after the suspected pipes had been replaced during the spring of 2021. This might indicate that the contamination was still ongoing. However, no samples were above the limits set by the Swedish Food Agency and PAH is currently not considered a major health problem. Despite this, it is important to keep monitoring the levels of PAH in the drinking water since the PAH levels might increase again. It is also important to be careful with measures that might affect the biofilm and when flushing cast iron pipes. The pipes that have already been identified as sources of contamination should be replaced. Given the increasing age of the cast iron pipes, the limited knowledge of PAH and its health effects, as well as the recommendations from the WHO, a long-term plan for how to remove or renovate this type of pipes from the drinking water network of Uppsala Vatten should be initiated.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a group of ubiquitous environmental contaminants with two or more aromatic rings and originating from different emission sources. They are extremely toxic, carcinogenic and mutagenic to human, animals and plants. Consequently, the need to expand economical and practical remediation technologies for PAH contaminated sites is evident. In this study, the effect of biotic and abiotic factors on degradation of PAH was studied. The degradation was studied on the key model PAH (phenanthrene, anthracene, fluoranthene and pyrene) in J. Arthur Bower’s top soil. The hypothesis for this study was that roadside soil would contain PAH degrading bacteria; pH would influence the microbial degradation of PAH, chemical oxidation of PAH would be as efficient as microbial breakdown of PAH and mobilising agents, would move PAH throughout soil, potentially making the PAH more available for biodegradation. The greatest degradations were found for the lowest molecular weight PAH, phenanthrene and anthracene; whilst lowest degradation was observed for higher molecular weight PAH, fluoranthene and pyrene. Twelve bacteria genera were isolated and identified by biochemical and molecular techniques from the roadside soil with the four PAHs as the sole carbon source. However, potentially new PAH biodegrader bacteria species and a novel were found in this study, which was not reported in the literature. The effect of pH between 5.0 and 8.0 at half pH intervals on biodegradation of the four PAHs and on bacterial populations in the soil over 32 days was monitored. The greatest population of bacteria and greatest biodegradation for the four PAHs was found at pH of 7.5. It is likely that the general increase in population was also linked with greater metabolic activities of bacteria at basic pHs which assists pollutant biodegradation. Although there is high pollutant mobility at low pHs, the biodegradation was limited due to reduced microbial activity. High pHs resulted in greater PAH biodegradation suggesting that pH manipulation by liming may be an effective way of stimulating biodegradation of PAH. The effect of potassium permanganate on oxidation of the four PAHs in the soil was examined. Studies in this thesis, indicated that potassium permanganate had a significant (p<0.05) effect on oxidation of the four PAHs at pH 7.5 over 35 days. However in comparison to biodegradation, chemical oxidation has significantly (p<0.05) less effect. Finally, the effect of Tween 20 only on translocation and biodegradation of the four PAHs at pH 7.5 over 35 days was examined. Studies indicated that Tween 20 had significantly (p<0.05) enhanced translocation of the four PAHs in the sterile soil. Moreover, the greatest biodegradation was found in the soil inoculated with only the roadside soil microorganisms but without Tween 20. This suggested that Tween 20 had a significant (p<0.05) inhibitory effect on the roadside soil microorganisms and therefore less microorganism were grown in the soil containing Tween 20. This indicated that Tween 20 was translocated PAH, but inhibited breakdown. This study indicated microbial biodegradation was the most effective technique for removing of the PAH from contaminated soil, which was cost effective and easier to perform in comparison to the other two techniques. Microbial biodegradation could be improved by adjusting pH through liming if soil was acid.