Methylation of tin by estuarine microorganisms

Mixed inoculums of microorganisms from Chesapeake Bay sediments transformed inorganic tin (SnCl(4) . 5H(2)O) to organotin compounds. Dimethyltin and trimethyltin species were identified as products by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Methylated tin species were not observed in sterile controls or in poisoned controls. Thus, estuarine microorganisms have the potential for transforming tin to toxic organotins and for mobilizing tin in the ecosystem.     

Nitrogen oxide reactions in the urban plume of Boston

The rate of removal or conversion of nitrogen oxides has been determined from airborne measurements in the urban plume of Boston. The average pseudo-first-order rate constant for removal was 0.18 per hour, with a range of 0.14 to 0.24 per hour under daylight conditions for four study days. The removal process is dominated by chemical conversion to nitric acid and organic nitrates. The removal rate suggests an atmospheric lifetime for nitrogen oxides of about 5 to 6 hours in urban air.