A room-temperature continuous-wave (CW) quantum cascade laser (QCL)-based methane (CH₄) sensor operating in the mid-infrared near 8 μm was developed for continuous measurement of CH₄ concentrations in ambient air. The well-isolated absorption line (7F_2,4 ← 8F_1,2) of the ν₄ fundamental band of CH₄ located at 1255.0004 cm⁻¹ was used for optical measurement of CH₄ concentration by direct absorption in a White-type multipass cell with an effective path-length of 175 m. A 1σ (SNR = 1) detection limit of 33.3 ppb in 218 s was achieved with a measurement precision of 1.13%. The developed sensor was deployed in a campaign of measurements of time series CH₄ concentration on a site near a suburban traffic road in Dunkirk (France) from 9th to 22nd January 2013. An episode of high CH₄ concentration of up to ~3 ppm has been observed and analyzed with the help of meteorological parameters combined with back trajectory calculation using the Hybrid Single Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) model of NOAA.

PM_2.5 and PM_>2.5 samples were collected in Cotonou (Benin) using high volume cascade impaction air samplers. The samplings were based on continuous collection over twelve days. Physical and chemical characteristics of samples were determined by size distribution (laser granulometry), specific surface areas (BET method), inorganic elements (ICP-MS), water-soluble ions (IC), CHNS analysis and organic compounds (GC-MS). Average concentrations of air particulate matter were 180.9 µg/m³ and 94.5 µg/m³ in PM_2.5 and PM_>2.5, respectively. The higher water-soluble ions recorded were Ca²⁺,SO₄²⁻,NO₃⁻, Na⁺ and Cl⁻ for both PM. Moreover, concentrations were almost two-fold higher for PM_2.5 compared to PM_>2.5, with 10.7 µg/m³ of total metals found in PM_2.5 versus 5.6 µg/m³ in PM_>2.5. Both PM samples under study presented similar repartition of elements considering their percentages. Results suggested that PM_>2.5 samples contain agglomerates of fine particles. Identification tools of major pollution source as inorganic elements, paraffins, fatty acids ratios and PAHs ratios indicated that PM under study originated from traffic exhaust.

The cultivation of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) destined for essential oils production was recently presented as an innovative and economically viable alternative for the phytomanagement of trace elements (TE)-polluted soils. However, Cd accumulation in shoots has proven to be an obstacle in the valorization of the distillation residues and the development of these phytotechnologies. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (Funneliformis mosseae) inoculation and organic amendment application on the soil TE bioavailability and plant uptake, as well as on the soil quality and health improvement. The application of compost and sewage sludge improved the growth of coriander and Cd and Zn immobilization in soil, resulting in reduced Cd plant uptake. A synergistic effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation and organic amendments was observed in the decrease in the extractable soil Cd and Zn concentrations, but not in the Cd plant uptake. Despite a significant decrease in Cd accumulation in shoots, coriander retained its accumulative phenotype, with a metal bioconcentration factor close to 1. Furthermore, both the vegetation and the organic amendments improved the soil quality and health by increasing its microbial biomass, as estimated by phospholipid fatty acids, soil enzyme activities (dehydrogenase, phosphatase, β-glucosidase, and cellubiosidase), and the bacterial metabolic function and diversity. The findings demonstrate the potential of C. sativum, particularly in combination with organic amendments and AMF inoculation, for the phytomanagement of TE-polluted soils and soil quality and health improvement.