This edited volume presents new data and insights from the most internationally respected PGE experts, representing a variety of disciplines ranging from chemistry, geochemistry, biology, environmental science to toxicology and environmental health. It builds upon three previous co-edited books published by Springer, Zereini and Alt (Eds.) (1999, 2000 and 2006), incorporating the most recent advances on the topic. The book covers the following topical areas related to PGE: sources and applications, analytical methods, environmental fate, bioavailability and chemical behaviour, use of bioindicators and human exposures and health risk potential. Highly interdisciplinary in orientation, this book is a comprehensive guide to academics, students and professionals working in a number of different scientific fields, who are interested in topics related to platinum metal emissions in the environment.

This volume presents the latest research related to the current water situation, as well as its significance for the peaceful coexistence of the neighbouring countries. The book focuses on crucial topics: water resources, water protection, water management and water as a source of conflict. Topics such as sewage disposal and soil protection, as well as the transfer of environmental technology are also discussed.

"Climatic Change and Water Resources in the Middle East and North Africa" is dedicated to high-priority topics related to the impact of climate change on water resources in a water scarce region. The subject is described and discussed in three main chapters and different case studies. The three main chapters are (1) Climatic changes - sources and effects on the water cycle, (2) Impact of climate change on water resources, (3) Water resources and water management. These chapters are split up into further 26 sections. A total of 64 individuals from many countries have made contributions to this book. All topics in this book are complimentary and contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the interactions between global climate change, world water cycle and water resources. A valuable and meaningful interdisciplinary mixture of topics is combined in this book which will be of great interest to many scientists.

In 2004 an amount of 187 tons of palladium has been sold in world market. The main demands were automotive catalyst (58%), electronics (14%), jewellery (14%) and dental practises (13%). Especially, the increasing use of palladium in catalytic converters is a reason for substantial research in this field. Emission, environmental distribution and possible health effects of pla- num have been summarized detailed in two recent books "Emissionen von Platinmetallen: Analytik, Umwelt- und Gesundheitsrelevanz" and "Anth- pogenic Platinum Group Emissions - Their Impact on Man and Envir- ment" published by Springer in 1999 and 2000 (Zereini & Alt (Eds)). But there is a clear lack of information concerning palladium. It is very imp- tant to condense the present state of research findings from emission to potential health risks for the environment and humans. Very important is the chapter about analytical determination of pal- dium, which shows clearly the problems of several analytical techniques. Some data published during the last decade have to be re-evaluated because of insufficient analytical techniques. Also the finding that palladium c- pounds are relatively soluble and mobile in environmental settings is a great issue for further investigations. I think it is the right time for such a comprehensive book about palladium research and I am sure that readers with different scientific background like chemists, biologists, geologists medical doctors e.g. will benefit very much from reading this book.

This edited volume presents new data and insights from the most internationally respected PGE experts, representing a variety of disciplines ranging from chemistry, geochemistry, biology, environmental science to toxicology and environmental health. It builds upon three previous co-edited books published by Springer, Zereini and Alt (Eds.) (1999, 2000 and 2006), incorporating the most recent advances on the topic. The book covers the following topical areas related to PGE: sources and applications, analytical methods, environmental fate, bioavailability and chemical behaviour, use of bioindicators and human exposures and health risk potential. Highly interdisciplinary in orientation, this book is a comprehensive guide to academics, students and professionals working in a number of different scientific fields, who are interested in topics related to platinum metal emissions in the environment.

This book presents the most up-to-date research and information regarding the origin, chemistry, fate and health impacts of airborne particulate matter in urban areas, a topic which has received a great deal of attention in recent years due to documented relationships between exposure and health effects such as asthma. With internationally recognised researchers and academics presenting their work and key concepts and approaches from a variety of disciplines, including environmental and analytical chemistry, biology, toxicology, mineralogy and the geosciences, this book addresses the topic of urban airborne particulate matter in a comprehensive, multidisciplinary manner. Topics and research addressed in the book range from common methodological approaches used to sample and analyse the composition of airborne particulates to our knowledge regarding their potential to impact human health and the various policy approaches taken internationally to regulate particulate matter levels.

"Climatic Change and Water Resources in the Middle East and North Africa" is dedicated to high-priority topics related to the impact of climate change on water resources in a water scarce region. The subject is described and discussed in three main chapters and different case studies. The three main chapters are (1) Climatic changes - sources and effects on the water cycle, (2) Impact of climate change on water resources, (3) Water resources and water management. These chapters are split up into further 26 sections. A total of 64 individuals from many countries have made contributions to this book. All topics in this book are complimentary and contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the interactions between global climate change, world water cycle and water resources. A valuable and meaningful interdisciplinary mixture of topics is combined in this book which will be of great interest to many scientists.

Since the implementation of catalysts containing platinum-group-elements (PGE) for the control of vehicle emissions in 1975, a controversial discussion has begun on PGE emissions and eventual consequences for the environment. However, a comprehensive overview of the various works and results in different scientific areas is still lacking. This book covers all aspects of anthropogenic PGE emissions and their consequences for man and environment. The interdisciplinary approach is substantiated by contributions from the fields of environmental geosciences, analytical chemistry, biology and occupational medicine. The articles mirror the actual status of scientific work and discuss environmentally related topics. Modern analytical methods for various environmental matrices as well as models of the current and future geochemical behaviour of PGE in the environment are presented. Bioavailability and toxicological and allergic potentials are discussed.

In 2004 an amount of 187 tons of palladium has been sold in world market. The main demands were automotive catalyst (58%), electronics (14%), jewellery (14%) and dental practises (13%). Especially, the increasing use of palladium in catalytic converters is a reason for substantial research in this field. Emission, environmental distribution and possible health effects of pla- num have been summarized detailed in two recent books "Emissionen von Platinmetallen: Analytik, Umwelt- und Gesundheitsrelevanz" and "Anth- pogenic Platinum Group Emissions - Their Impact on Man and Envir- ment" published by Springer in 1999 and 2000 (Zereini & Alt (Eds)). But there is a clear lack of information concerning palladium. It is very imp- tant to condense the present state of research findings from emission to potential health risks for the environment and humans. Very important is the chapter about analytical determination of pal- dium, which shows clearly the problems of several analytical techniques. Some data published during the last decade have to be re-evaluated because of insufficient analytical techniques. Also the finding that palladium c- pounds are relatively soluble and mobile in environmental settings is a great issue for further investigations. I think it is the right time for such a comprehensive book about palladium research and I am sure that readers with different scientific background like chemists, biologists, geologists medical doctors e.g. will benefit very much from reading this book.

This volume presents the latest research related to the current water situation, as well as its significance for the peaceful coexistence of the neighbouring countries. The book focuses on crucial topics: water resources, water protection, water management and water as a source of conflict. Topics such as sewage disposal and soil protection, as well as the transfer of environmental technology are also discussed.

This book presents the most up-to-date research and information regarding the origin, chemistry, fate and health impacts of airborne particulate matter in urban areas, a topic which has received a great deal of attention in recent years due to documented relationships between exposure and health effects such as asthma. With internationally recognised researchers and academics presenting their work and key concepts and approaches from a variety of disciplines, including environmental and analytical chemistry, biology, toxicology, mineralogy and the geosciences, this book addresses the topic of urban airborne particulate matter in a comprehensive, multidisciplinary manner. Topics and research addressed in the book range from common methodological approaches used to sample and analyse the composition of airborne particulates to our knowledge regarding their potential to impact human health and the various policy approaches taken internationally to regulate particulate matter levels.

1 Analysenmethoden.- 1.1 Anwendung der Sektorfeld-ICP-MS zur Bestimmung der Hintergrundbelastung der Bevoelkerung mit Platinmetallen.- 1.2 Voltammetrische Bestimmung von Platin- und Rhodiumspuren in Umweltkompartimenten und biologischen Materialien.- 1.3 Platin-Speziation in pflanzlichen Materialien mittels HPLC-ICP-MS.- 1.4 Platin Speziesanalytik mit Hilfe der on-line Kopplung von Kapillarelektrophorese und ICP-MS: Entwicklung, Vorteile und Anwendung dieser schnellen und nachweisstarken Methode.- 1.5 Bestimmung von Palladium in Umweltkompartimenten.- 1.6 Bestimmung von Palladium in biologischen Proben.- 1.7 Trennverfahren fur Platin-Spezies.- 1.8 Trennungen der Metalle der Platingruppe (PGE) mit HPLC und Vergleich mehrerer Probenvorbereitungstechniken.- 1.9 Anwendung der Nickelsulfid-Dokimasie zur Bestimmung von Platingruppenelementen (PGE) in Umweltmaterialien mittels Graphitrohr-AAS.- 2 Stand der Katalysator-Technik.- 2.1 Schadstoff-Verminderung in Kfz-Abgasen durch Regelung des Kraftstoff-Gemisches mit der Lambda-Abgas-Sonde.- 2.2 Quantitative Motorstand-Reihenuntersuchungen zur Bestimmung der Platinemissionen aus Automobilabgaskatalysatoren.- 3 Piatin(metalle) in Umweltkompartimenten.- 3.1 Platinkonzentrationen in Staubproben aus Frankfurt am Main und Umgebung.- 3.2 Verteilung und Konzentrationen von Platin, Palladium und Rhodium in Umweltmaterialien entlang der Bundesautobahn A 5 (Akm 459 - Akm 524).- 3.3 PGE-Konzentrationen in Boeden entlang der Autobahnen A 45 und A 3 im Vergleich zu Boeden im Einflussbereich der edelmetallverarbeitenden Industrie in Hanau.- 3.4 Platin in kommunalen Klaranlagen.- 3.5 Biomonitoring verkehrsbedingter Platin-Immissionen.- 3.6 Relevanz von Platinemissionen durch Krankenhauser.- 3.7 Verteilung und Konzentration von Platingruppenelementen (PGE) im Boden entlang der Autobahn Frankfurt-Mannheim.- 4 Bioverfugbarkeit von Platin(metallen).- 4.1 Automobilverkehr und Stoerungen im Wasserhaushalt von Pflanzen.- 4.2 Pflanzenverfugbarkeit, Boden - Pflanze Transfer.- 4.3 Zum Transformationsverhalten Kfz-emittierten Platins in einem Boden und Platinaufnahme durch Pflanzen.- 4.4 Zur Loeslichkeit und Speziestransformation von Platin aus Autoabgaskatalysatoren durch Huminsaure.- 4.5 Geochemisches Verhalten von Platinmetallen aus Autoabgaskatalysatoren in Sedimenten und im Wasser aus einem Versickerbecken.- 5 Toxikologisches und allergologisches Gefahrdungspotential von Platin und anderen Platinmetallen (Arbeitsmedizin).- 5.1 Toxikologisches Gefahrdungspotential der Platingruppenelemente Platin, Palladium und Rhodium.- 5.2 Arbeitsmedizinische Aspekte der Platinsalzallergie: Krankheitsbild, Diagnostik, Prognose, Pravention und Therapie.- 5.3 Abschatzung des Gesundheitsrisikos von Platinemissionen aus Automobilabgaskatalysatoren.- 5.4 Biomonitoring von Platin im Urin in der Arbeitsmedizin.

Mit Einfuhrung des Abgas-Katalysators setzte die Diskussion uber die moeglichen Folgen von Platinmetall-Emissionen fur die Umwelt ein. Nun liegt erstmals eine zusammenfassende Darstellung der bisherigen Forschungsergebnisse zu diesem aktuellen Thema vor. Anhand hochkaratiger Forschungsbeitrage aus Chemie, Geowissenschaften, Biologie und Medizin werden alle Aspekte der Platinmetall-Emissionen und ihre Auswirkungen auf Mensch und Natur zusammengestellt und diskutiert. Neben der Darstellung modernster Verfahren der Platinmetall-Analytik in verschiedenen Umweltkompartimenten und biologischen Materialien werden auch das geochemische Verhalten der Platinmetalle in Bezug auf ihre Mobilitat, Loeslichkeit und Bioverfugbarkeit in der Umwelt sowie ihr toxikologisches und allergologisches Gefahrdungspotential aufgezeigt.