Below-ground carbon allocation in mature beech and spruce trees following long-term, experimentally enhanced O3 exposure in Southern Germany

Canopies of adult European beech (Fagus sylvatica) and Norway spruce (Picea abies) were labeled with CO₂ depleted in ¹³C to evaluate carbon allocation belowground. One-half the trees were exposed to elevated O₃ for 6 yrs prior to and during the experiment. Soil-gas sampling wells were placed at 8 and 15 cm and soil CO₂ was sampled during labeling in mid-late August, 2006. In beech, δ¹³CO₂ at both depths decreased approximately 50 h after labeling, reflecting rapid translocation of fixed C to roots and release through respiration. In spruce, label was detected in fine-root tissue, but there was no evidence of label in δ¹³CO₂. The results show that C fixed in the canopy rapidly reaches respiratory pools in beech roots, and suggest that spruce may allocate very little of recently-fixed carbon into root respiration during late summer. A change in carbon allocation belowground due to long-term O₃ exposure was not observed.     

Belowground effects of enhanced tropospheric ozone and drought in a beech/spruce forest (Fagus sylvatica L./Picea abies [L.] Karst)

The effects of experimentally elevated O₃ on soil respiration rates, standing fine-root biomass, fine-root production and δ¹³C signature of newly produced fine roots were investigated in an adult European beech/Norway spruce forest in Germany during two subsequent years with contrasting rainfall patterns. During humid 2002, soil respiration rate was enhanced under elevated O₃ under beech and spruce, and was related to O₃-stimulated fine-root production only in beech. During dry 2003, the stimulating effect of O₃ on soil respiration rate vanished under spruce, which was correlated with decreased fine-root production in spruce under drought, irrespective of the O₃ regime. δ¹³C signature of newly formed fine-roots was consistent with the differing g_s of beech and spruce, and indicated stomatal limitation by O₃ in beech and by drought in spruce. Our study showed that drought can override the stimulating O₃ effects on fine-root dynamics and soil respiration in mature beech and spruce forests.     

Elevated CO2 response of photosynthesis depends on ozone concentration in aspen

The effect of elevated CO₂ and O₃ on apparent quantum yield (?), maximum photosynthesis (P_max), carboxylation efficiency (V_cmax) and electron transport capacity (J_max) at different canopy locations was studied in two aspen (Populus tremuloides) clones of contrasting O₃ tolerance. Local light climate at every leaf was characterized as fraction of above-canopy photosynthetic photon flux density (%PPFD). Elevated CO₂ alone did not affect ? or P_max, and increased J_max in the O₃-sensitive, but not in the O₃-tolerant clone. Elevated O₃ decreased leaf chlorophyll content and all photosynthetic parameters, particularly in the lower canopy, and the negative impact of O₃ increased through time. Significant interaction effect, whereby the negative impact of elevated O₃ was exaggerated by elevated CO₂ was seen in Chl, N and J_max, and occurred in both O₃-tolerant and O₃-sensitive clones. The clonal differences in the level of CO₂ × O₃ interaction suggest a relationship between photosynthetic acclimation and background O₃ concentration.     

The growth response of Alternanthera philoxeroides in a simulated post-combustion emission with ultrahigh [CO2] and acidic pollutants

Although post-combustion emissions from power plants are a major source of air pollution, they contain excess CO₂ that could be used to fertilize commercial greenhouses and stimulate plant growth. We addressed the combined effects of ultrahigh [CO₂] and acidic pollutants in flue gas on the growth of Alternanthera philoxeroides. When acidic pollutants were excluded, the biomass yield of A. philoxeroides saturated near 2000 μmol mol⁻¹ [CO₂] with doubled biomass accumulation relative to the ambient control. The growth enhancement was maintained at 5000 μmol mol⁻¹ [CO₂], but declined when [CO₂] rose above 1%, in association with a strong photosynthetic inhibition. Although acidic components (SO₂ and NO₂) significantly offset the CO₂ enhancement, the aboveground yield increased considerably when the concentration of pollutants was moderate (200 times dilution). Our results indicate that using excess CO₂ from the power plant emissions to optimize growth in commercial green house could be viable.     

Diurnal changes in photosynthetic parameters of Populus tremuloides, modulated by elevated concentrations of CO2 and/or O3 and daily climatic variation

The diurnal changes in light-saturated photosynthesis (Pn) under elevated CO₂ and/or O₃ in relation to stomatal conductance (g_s), water potential, intercellular [CO₂], leaf temperature and vapour-pressure difference between leaf and air (VPD_L) were studied at the Aspen FACE site. Two aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) clones differing in their sensitivity to ozone were measured. The depression in Pn was found after 10:00 h. The midday decline in Pn corresponded with both decreased g_s and decreased Rubisco carboxylation efficiency, Vc_max. As a result of increasing VPD_L, g_s decreased. Elevated [CO₂] resulted in more pronounced midday decline in Pn compared to ambient concentrations. Moreover, this decline was more pronounced under combined treatment compared to elevated CO₂ treatment.The positive impact of CO₂ on Pn was relatively more pronounced in days with environmental stress but relatively less pronounced during midday depression. The negative impact of ozone tended to decrease in both cases.     

Degassing of H/He, CFCs and SF6 by denitrification: Measurements and two-phase transport simulations

The production of N₂ gas by denitrification may lead to the appearance of a gas phase below the water table prohibiting the conservative transport of tracer gases required for groundwater dating. We used a two-phase flow and transport model (STOMP) to study the reliability of ³H/³He, CFCs and SF₆ as groundwater age tracers under agricultural land where denitrification causes degassing. We were able to reproduce the amount of degassing (R² = 69%), as well as the ³H (R² = 79%) and ³He (R² = 76%) concentrations observed in a ³H/³He data set using simple 2D models. We found that the TDG correction of the ³H/³He age overestimated the control ³He/³He age by 2.1 years, due to the accumulation of ³He in the gas phase. The total uncertainty of degassed ³H/³He ages of 6 years (± 2 σ) is due to the correction of degassed ³He using the TDG method, but also due to the travel time in the unsaturated zone and the diffusion of bomb peak ³He. CFCs appear to be subject to significant degradation in anoxic groundwater and SF₆ is highly susceptible to degassing. We conclude that ³H/³He is the most reliable method to date degassed groundwater and that two-phase flow models such as STOMP are useful tools to assist in the interpretation of degassed groundwater age tracer data.     

Effects of carboxylic acids on nC60 aggregate formation

The discovery that negatively charged aggregates of C₆₀ fullerene (nC₆₀) are stable in water has raised concerns regarding the potential environmental and health effects of these aggregates. In this work, we show that nC₆₀ aggregates produced by extended mixing in the presence of environmentally relevant carboxylic acids (acetic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid) have surface charge and morphologic properties that differ from those produced by extended mixing in water alone. In general, aggregates formed in the presence of these acids have a more negative surface charge and are more homogeneous than those produced in water alone. Carboxylic acid identity, solution pH, and sodium ion concentration, which are all intricately coupled, play an important role in setting the measured surface charge. Comparisons between particle sizes determined by analysis of TEM images and those obtained by dynamic light scattering (DLS) indicate that DLS results require careful evaluation when used to describe nC₆₀ aggregates.     

银钛共负载型光催化材料降解甲基橙废水简

以膨胀珍珠岩为载体，采用溶胶凝胶法对其进行负载，制备出不同类型的光催化材料（TiO₂-EP、Ag⁺-TiO₂-EP），并在模拟日光条件下，研究其对甲基橙溶液的降解效果。结果表明，浸渍3次且担载0.04% Ag⁺的负载型TiO₂光催化活性最高，在光催化剂用量为0.3 g，20 mL初始浓度为10 mg/L甲基橙溶液光照4 h后降解率可达81.6%，且甲基橙的光催化降解服从一级动力学方程。回收3次后仍有较强的活性，其2 h降解率为24.8%。     

掺Al-TiO2改性膨润土去除微污染水中COD和NH4-N

采用掺Al-TiO2作为改性剂制备改性膨润土,考察了微波辐射功率、辐射时间、TiO2改性剂用量、铝盐掺杂量、pH值对微污染水中COD和NH4-N去除效果的影响。实验表明,微波辐射功率为460 W,辐射时间为8 min,TiO2改性剂用量为1.3 mmol/g,铝盐掺杂量为0.2 mmol/g为最佳制备条件。pH值为6.0,改性膨润土投加量为40 mg/L,沉淀时间为30min时,对微污染水中初始浓度15 mg/L的COD和5 mg/L的NH4-N去除率分别达到92%和59%以上。     

铁氧化物复合氧化铝催化臭氧化过程中溴酸盐的生成控制简

以市售活性炭、硅藻土和氧化铝小球为载体，考察了负载铁基活性组分对催化臭氧化过程中溴酸盐的控制情况，其中，铁基复合氧化铝小球体现出更好的溴酸盐还原特性和催化剂稳定性，证实催化剂中铁氧化物是溴酸盐得到有效控制的主要活性组分。进一步考察了铁基复合氧化铝小球催化臭氧化处理实际原水过程中对溴酸盐的生成控制，以及反应过程中溶解性有机碳（DOC）的去除情况。结果表明，与单独臭氧化相比，该催化剂既能有效去除水中的溶解性有机物，又能明显抑制溴酸盐的生成，反应50 h，其活性并没有明显下降。催化剂失活主要归因于吸附位点数量的下降，可以通过负载铁氧化物来实现催化剂的再生。     

Effects of high atmospheric CO2 concentration on root hydraulic conductivity of conifers depend on species identity and inorganic nitrogen source

We examined root hydraulic conductivity (L_p) responses of one-year-old seedlings of four conifers to the combined effects of elevated CO₂ and inorganic nitrogen (N) sources. We found marked interspecific differences in L_p responses to high CO₂ ranging from a 37% increase in P. abies to a 27% decrease in P. menziesii, but these effects depended on N source. The results indicate that CO₂ effects on root water transport may be coupled to leaf area responses under nitrate (NO₃⁻), but not ammonium (NH₄⁺) dominated soils. To our knowledge, this is the first study that highlights the role of inorganic N source and species identity as critical factors that determine plant hydraulic responses to rising atmospheric CO₂ levels. The results have important implications for understanding root biology in a changing climate and for models designed to predict feedbacks between rising atmospheric CO₂, N deposition, and ecohydrology.     

倒置A~2/O-MBR(平板膜)处理城市污水的中试研究

针对城市生活污水,研究了两点进水倒置A2/O-MBR(平板膜)系统(以下简称系统)对COD、NH+4-N、TN、TP、出水SS影响。结果表明,该系统对COD、NH+4-N具有较高的去除率,出水符合GB18918-2002中一级A标准;当混合液回流比为200%时,系统出水TN浓度小于15 mg/L;正常排泥后,系统对TP的去除率达83%左右;平板膜破损会导致出水SS、COD会受到影响。膜对COD、TP、SS有直接截留作用,由于系统出水几乎没有固体损失,可以精确控制污泥龄,有利于世代周期较长的硝化菌和反硝化菌生长;系统中的污泥浓度可以提高至15 000 mg/L,此时,即使进水量提高0.5倍,出水水质仍保持良好。     

人工湿地基质对 NH+4-N 吸附性能简

为研究建筑废物红砖和工业废物煤渣用作人工湿地脱氮基质的可行性，分别通过静态吸附实验和动态NH₄⁺-N去除效果实验进行考察。结果表明，红砖和煤渣对NH₄⁺-N最大静态吸附量分别为0.2533 mg/g和0.0533 mg/g，其吸附等温曲线均符合Freundlich型吸附方程，吸附常数分别为0.0419和0.0091；红砖煤渣组合对污水中NH₄⁺-N平均动态脱除率达到41.18%，高于红砖的37.63%和煤渣的30.92%。     

Tree and stand growth of mature Norway spruce and European beech under long-term ozone fumigation

In a 50- to 70-year-old mixed stand of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) in Germany, tree cohorts have been exposed to double ambient ozone (2×O₃) from 2000 through 2007 and can be compared with trees in the same stand under the ambient ozone regime (1×O₃). Annual diameter growth, allocation pattern, stem form, and stem volume were quantified at the individual tree and stand level. Ozone fumigation induced a shift in the resource allocation into height growth at the expense of diameter growth. This change in allometry leads to rather cone-shaped stem forms and reduced stem stability in the case of spruce, and even neiloidal stem shapes in the case of beech. Neglect of such ozone-induced changes in stem shape may lead to a flawed estimation of volume growth. On the stand level, 2×O₃ caused, on average, a decrease of 10.2 m³ ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ in European beech.     

Toxicity of nanoparticulate and bulk ZnO, Al2O3 and TiO2 to the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans

Limited information is available on the environmental behavior and associated potential risk of manufactured oxide nanoparticles (NPs). In this research, toxicity of nanoparticulate and bulk ZnO, Al₂O₃ and TiO₂ were examined to the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans with Escherichia coli as a food source. Parallel experiments with dissolved metal ions from NPs were also conducted. The 24-h median lethal concentration (LC₅₀) and sublethal endpoints were assessed. Both NPs and their bulk counterparts were toxic, inhibiting growth and especially the reproductive capability of the nematode. The 24-h LC₅₀ for ZnO NPs (2.3 mg L⁻¹) and bulk ZnO was not significantly different, but significantly different between Al₂O₃ NPs (82 mg L⁻¹) and bulk Al₂O₃ (153 mg L⁻¹), and between TiO₂ NPs (80 mg L⁻¹) and bulk TiO₂ (136 mg L⁻¹). Oxide solubility influenced the toxicity of ZnO and Al₂O₃ NPs, but nanoparticle-dependent toxicity was indeed observed for the investigated NPs.     

Distribution coefficients (Kd) and desorption rates of Cs and Am in Black Sea sediments

The distribution coefficients (K_d) and desorption rates of ¹³⁷Cs and ²⁴¹Am radionuclides in bottom sediments at different locations in the Black Sea were studied under laboratory conditions. The K_d values were found to be 500 for ¹³⁷Cs and 3800 for ²⁴¹Am at the steady state and described exponential curves. Rapid uptake of the radionuclides occurred during the initial period and little accumulation happened after four days. The desorption rates for ¹³⁷Cs in different bottom sediments were best described by a three-component exponential model. The desorption half-times of ¹³⁷Cs ranged from 26 to 50 d at the slow components. However, the desorption rate of ²⁴¹Am described one component for all sediment samples and desorption half-time was found to be 75 d. In general, the results showed that the ²⁴¹Am radionuclide is more effectively transferred to bottom sediment and has longer turnover time than ¹³⁷Cs under Black Sea conditions.     

纯二氧化碳条件下小球藻固定CO2

微藻固碳已经成为消减温室气体排放的新的研究热点。利用静态吸收方法，考查了通人纯CO2对普通小球藻生长特点、固定CO2效率以及藻液pH值变异的影响。结果表明：通入纯CO2使小球藻生长延滞期显著延长，比普通培养延长10～12d，对其他生长阶段的影响不大；小球藻固定CO2速率可分为2个过程，即物理固碳过程和生物固碳过程，前者在藻细胞延滞期发生，峰值由CO。溶解于培养液造成，后者在藻细胞生长的指数期、稳定期和衰退期发生，峰值由藻细胞指数生长造成，2个过程中，固定CO2速率的变化趋势都是先增大后降低；纯CO2条件下，藻液pH值变化速率高，4d内，藻液即被酸化，随后藻液pH值变化速率逐渐降低，且pH值稳定在适宜水平。因此，采用小球藻固定高浓度CO2时，建议提高接种量并加强培养前期的pH值监测和调控，以保证藻液保持适宜的pH值，并缩短培养时间，提高生物固碳效率。     

废水中KMnO4对生物处理效果的影响

为减轻和消除含高浓度KMnO4的牛仔服加工废水对生物处理系统的毒害作用,采用模拟序批式活性污泥法,研究KMnO4对活性污泥微生物生长的影响及COD和NH4+-N的降解规律。结果表明,当处理进水COD浓度500 mg/L,NH4+-N浓度23.5 mg/L,污泥浓度为2 000 mg/L时,曝气时间为4 h,KMnO4质量浓度增加对COD和NH4+-N的降解影响很大;同样条件下曝气时间改为8 h,对NH4+-N的降解影响显著减小,但对COD的降解影响减少不多;并且,高浓度KMnO4对NH4+-N去除效果的抑制作用比对COD的大。因此,处理含高浓度KMnO4的废水需要延长一倍曝气时间,可以获得良好的COD和NH4+-N的降解效果。同时,KMnO4对活性污泥的抑制影响较好地吻合非竞争性抑制机理修正莫若特方程的规律。     

粉煤灰沸石负载Ce3+/TiO2光催化降解水中的菲和荧蒽

以钛酸四丁酯为前驱体，粉煤灰合成沸石为载体，采用溶胶-凝胶方法，在低温条件下制备了稀土铈掺杂的TiO₂光催化剂。利用SEM-EDS、XRD、FTIR对催化剂进行了分析和表征。以高压汞灯为灯源，对多环芳烃菲、荧蒽的降解进行了研究。实验考查了稀土铈掺杂质量分数、催化剂用量、溶液pH、目标物初始质量浓度等因素对光催化降解的影响，研究了其光降解动力学。结果表明，当稀土铈含量为0.5%，催化剂用量为3 g/L，pH偏碱性时，催化效果最佳。光催化反应符合Langmuir-Hinshelwood 动力学规律，菲、荧蒽的降解过程符合一级反应动力学，反应速率常数分别为0.0126 min^-1，0.0099 min^-1。