Toxicity of organic mixtures saturated in water to Daphnia magna. Effect of compositional changes

The toxicity of aqueous solutions saturated with mixtures of hydrophobic organic liquids is contrasted to that of solutions prepared from solids. Data for a variety of mixtures are presented and are related to the solubilities of the components. It is shown that in the absence of biological interactive effects, the toxicity of a component in a saturated mixture of liquids will be equal to or less than that of a corresponding solution of its most toxic component. In contrast, for solutions derived from a mixture of solids, the toxicity will equal or exceed that of a corresponding saturated solution of its most toxic component, and will tend to increase with the complexity of the mixture.     

几种不同处理方法对活性炭表面化学性质的影响

活性炭表面官能团的种类和数量决定了活性炭的表面化学性质,而化学性质决定了活性炭的表面吸附特性。使用5种常见的处理方法处理活性炭,采用Boehm滴定法,XPS对活性炭进行表征,通过单因素实验系统地考察了活性炭表面含氧官能团及碱度随处理条件的变化,同时通过碱度变化讨论了部分处理方法对于原活性炭表面灰分的去除。结果表明:在处理液150 mL、20℃、200 r/min条件下:50 g活性炭经0.01～5 mol/L HCl处理4 h,活性炭表面碱度降低范围63.2%～76.5%,灰分去除效果好,低浓度的盐酸就能达到较好的灰分去除效果,活性炭表面没有形成大量的含氧官能团;在HNO3浓度1～12 mol/L、处理时间1～8 h、活性炭量25～75 g条件下处理后总碱度降低显著,灰分去除效果优于HCl处理,HNO3氧化作用使活性炭表面形成了大量含氧官能团,总酸度、羧基、内酯基、酚羟基含量均相对于原活性炭增加明显;在H2O2质量浓度5%～20%、处理时间0.5～4 h、活性炭量25～75 g条件下处理后碱性灰分去除不好,活性炭表面没有形成大量含氧官能团,H2O2处理引起活性炭表面化学性质变化较小;在NaOH浓度0.1～2 mol/L、处理时间1～8 h、活性炭量25～75 g条件下处理后碱度增加明显,酸度减小明显,羧基、酚羟基含量降低。50 g活性炭在微波功率100～500 W、处理时间2～10 min、载气流量600～1 400 mL/min条件下经微波处理后,微波热效应导致含氧官能团分解,总碱度增加,总酸度下降,羧基含量、内酯基含量降低,酚羟基含量因条件的不同而变现出不同的变化。     

Dust Scrubber Design—A Critique on the State of the Art

Geographic variation in the prevalence of respiratory disease between communities has been used to incriminate air pollution at low concentrations in the production of disease. Though demographic factors and the design and conduct of survey research affect the validity of these observations, there are other complex factors which are often neglected. From several community studies planned or conducted by the authors, illustrations will be given of the effect of the following six frequently neglected factors: the reliability of the air pollution monitoring network; the validity of the air pollution monitoring network; the competing effect of differential migration of population; the competing effect of occupational pollution of members of the population; the competing effect of socioeconomic factors; and the competing effect of personal air pollution—tobacco smoking.     

Phytoremediation of textile effluent and mixture of structurally different dyes by Glandularia pulchella (Sweet) Tronc

Plants of Glandularia pulchella (Sweet) Tronc. performed decolorization of structurally different dyes to varying extent because of induction of different set of enzymes in response to specific dyes. Differential pattern of enzyme induction with respect to time was obtained for lignin peroxidase, veratryl alcohol oxidase, tyrosinase and dichlorophenolindophenol reductase during the decolorization of dye mixture, whose combined action resulted in greater and faster decolorization of dyes. HPLC, FTIR and High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) analysis confirmed degradation of dyes from textile effluent and mixture. HPTLC demonstrated progressive decolorization of dye mixture along with preferential degradation of the dyes. G. pulchella showed reduction in American Dye Manufacturer's Institute from 405 to 21 and 418 to 22, in case of textile effluent and mixture of dyes respectively. The non-toxic nature of the metabolites of degraded textile dye effluent and mixture of dyes was revealed by phytotoxicity studies.     

Effect of organic acids on adsorption and desorption of rare earth elements

Effect of citric, malic, tartaric and acetic acids on adsorption of La, Ce, Pr and Nd by and desorption from four typical Chinese soils was studied. Generally, adsorption capacities of rare earth elements (REEs) were significantly correlated with the cation exchange capacity (CEC) of soils. In the presence of acetic acids adsorption of REEs was similar to that in the presence of Ca(NO3)2. However, in the presence of citric, malic and tartaric acids adsorption of REEs by Heilongjiang, Zhejiang and Guangdong soils decreased to varying extents if compared with that in the presence of nitrate and acetic acid. The significance of suppression followed the order of citric acid > malic acid > tartaric acid > acetic acid, which was consistent with the order of stability of complexes of REEs with these organic acids. However, the adsorption increased with increasing equilibrium solution pH. For Jiangxi soil with low soil pH, CEC and organic matter these organic acids exerted an even more serious suppression effect on the adsorption of REEs. Another feature of the relationship between the adsorption of REEs and equilibrium solution pH was that the adsorption of REEs decreased with increase of pH from 2 to 4.5 and then slightly increased with further increase of pH. Desorption of REEs varied with soils and with organic acids as well. REEs were released easily from Heilongjiang, Zhejiang and Guangdong soils in the presence of organic acid. Generally, desorption of REEs decreased with increasing equilibrium solution pH. Effect of organic acids on desorption of REEs from Jiangxi soil was more complicated. In the presence of citric and malic acids no decrement and/or slight increase in desorption of REEs were observed over the equilibrium solution pH from 3 to 6.5. The reasons for this were ascribed to the strong complexing capacity of citric and malic acids and low soil pH, CEC and organic matter of Jiangxi soil.     

红土吸附砷对其动电电位的影响

研究了遵义红土吸附砷对其动电电位的影响 ,从砷酸根浓度和体系pH对红土动电电位影响的角度作了探讨 ,结果表明 ,砷酸根离子浓度越大 ,Zata电位下降幅度越大 ,Zata电位也越低 ;随着体系pH的升高 ,氧化铁胶体动电电位逐渐下降 ,甚至改变了表面电位的符号。由此得出了红土吸附砷属于专性吸附的结论。     

Decolorization of direct dyes by salt fractionated turnip proteins enhanced in the presence of hydrogen peroxide and redox mediators

The present paper demonstrates the effect of salt fractionated turnip (Brassica rapa) proteins on the decolorization of direct dyes, used in textile industry, in the presence of various redox mediators. The rate and extent of decolorization of dyes was significantly enhanced by the presence of different types of redox mediators. Six out of 10 investigated compounds have shown their potential in enhancing the decolorization of direct dyes. The performance was evaluated at different concentrations of mediator and enzyme. The efficiency of each natural mediator depends on the type of dye treated. The decolorization of all tested direct dyes was maximum in the presence of 0.6mM redox mediator at pH 5.5 and 30 degrees C. Complex mixtures of dyes were also maximally decolorized in the presence of 0.6mM redox mediator (1-hydroxybenzotriazole/violuric acid). In order to examine the operational stability of the enzyme preparation, the enzyme was exploited for the decolorization of mixtures of dyes for different times in a stirred batch process. There was no further change in decolorization of an individual dye or their mixtures after 60 min; the enzyme caused more than 80% decolorization of all dyes in the presence of 1-hydroxybenzotriazole/violuric acid. However, there was no desirable increase in dye decolorization of the mixtures on overnight stay. Total organic carbon analysis of treated dyes or their mixtures showed that these results were quite comparable to the loss of color from solutions. However, the treatment of such polluted water in the presence of redox mediators caused the formation of insoluble precipitate, which could be removed by the process of centrifugation. The results suggested that catalyzed oxidative coupling reactions might be important for natural transformation pathways for dyes and indicate their potential use as an efficient means for removal of dyes color from waters and wastewaters.     

Formation behavior of PCDD/Fs in PVC pyrolysis with copper oxide

Formation and decomposition behaviors of PCDD/Fs during pyrolysis of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) with CuO have been investigated. These reactions proceed simultaneously, and the rate of decomposition exceeds that of formation with further retention. More 2,3,7,8-TCDD is formed when the dechlorination of PCDD/Fs proceeds significantly. Homologue profile patterns of PCDD/Fs show that the fractions of O8CDD and H6CDFs are relatively larger within PCDDs and PCDFs, respectively. Extremely large amounts of PCDD/Fs are obtained with the long retention time at 200 degrees C. The formation of PCDD/Fs decreases drastically with increase in the molar ratio of CuO/PVC. The acceptability of thermodynamic calculations on the formation of PCDD/Fs is also investigated. The thermodynamic calculated tendency of the effect of oxygen on the formation of PCDD/Fs agrees well with the experimental results, although absolute values of the amount of PCDD/Fs are much different.     

Analysis of stability of silica nano-particle-laden microbubble dispersion

Microbubbles are small gas-filled bubbles which have wide application in various industries. The stability of microbubble is of primary concern for the application of microbubble. In this research, the stability of microbubble dispersion generated using CTAB surfactant is analyzed by drainage mechanism. The stability of microbubble dispersion is studied on the basis of the half-life of microbubble dispersion. Microbubble dispersion gas fraction and apparent rise velocity of interface of microbubble dispersion are also calculated. The size of microbubble is estimated from the apparent rise velocity of interface of microbubble dispersion. Further, silica nano-particles are added to the surfactants to study their effect on the stability of microbubble dispersion. The observed results clearly indicate that the stability of microbubble dispersion is significantly affected by the surfactant concentration and the weight of silica nano-particle in the liquid. Similar results were observed for the apparent rise velocity of interface and bubble size of dispersion. The present work may be beneficial for the application of microbubble in various chemical and biochemical industries and scientific community.

     

2-氯酚在超临界水-NaOH体系中的脱氯特性

研究了2-氯酚在超临界水-NaOH体系中的脱氯特性,考察了NaOH添加对2-氯酚转化率、Cl-生成率、脱氯选择性等的影响。实验结果表明,NaOH的添加能够显著提高2-氯酚的转化率、Cl-的生成率和脱氯选择性。2-氯酚的转化率随着NaOH添加量的增大而增大,460℃、25 MPa条件下,NaOH添加量与2-氯酚的摩尔比为1∶1时,停留时间27 s时可实现2-氯酚的完全转化。     

南京市区植物叶片氮、硫、铅含量与大气污染评价

通过对南京市区的各功能区植物叶片中的氮、硫、铅元素含量的分析，研究了植物大气环境污染指数，探讨了植物叶片的氮、硫、铅元素含量的季节变化，以及与城市大气环境污染之间的关系。结果表明，植物叶片中，硫、铅元素的含量随季节变化不断增加，而氮元素含量相应减少；各功能区的硫、铅元素含量明显高于清洁对照区；用植物污染指数可以综合评价大气环境的质量状况。     

The influence of maize residues on the mobility and binding of benazolin: investigating physically extracted soil fractions

The amount of non-extractable residues and the distribution of benazolin and its metabolites were evaluated three months after herbicide application (14C-labelled) in physically extracted soil fractions of topsoil layers of undisturbed soil columns with and without incorporated maize straw (14C-labelled). In addition, a variety of wet-chemical and spectroscopic methods were used to characterise the structure of organic carbon within the different soil fractions. The addition of crop residues increased the amount of dissolved organic carbon, enhanced the aromaticity of the organic carbon structure and enforced the aggregation of organomineral complexes. After incorporation of crop residues, an increase in the formation of metabolic compounds of benazolin and of non-extractable residues was detected. These results indicate that the addition of crop residues leads to a decrease in mobility and bioaccessibility of benazolin and its metabolites.     

The Institute of Hydrobiology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (1 p.)

- The Institute of Hydrobiology (IHB), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) is located at the foot of Luojia Hill and beside the beautiful Donghu Lake in the City of Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. It was founded in 1930 as the Natural History Museum of Academia Sinica, and renamed as the Institute of Zoology and Botany of Academia Sinica in 1934. In 1944, it was divided into two institutes: The Institute of Zoology and Institute of Botany. In 1950, the main part of the Institute of Zoology, the sections of phycology in the Institute of Botany, and some members from other institutes and universities were merged into the Institute of Hydrobiology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Shanghai. The institute was moved from Shanghai to Wuhan in 1954.     

Studies on the Measurement of Fluoride in Air and Plant Tissues By the Willard-Winter and Semiautomated Methods

Determinations of F in plant tissues by the Willard-Winter and semiautomated methods have been studied for the presence of determinate and indeterminate errors by multiple linear regression analysis. The results have provided a better understanding of the magnitude of differences between tissue samples required for statistical significance and have suggested that the errors involved are much greater both in number and magnitude than usually assumed. The results have also established that the semiautomated method is a satisfactory alternative to the Willard-Winter method for determining the F content of plant tissues. Investigations of the sources of error in F determinations by the semi-automated method were carried out, and the results indicated a number of ways of reducing errors. Determinations of the F content of air by three methods were compared and studied to estimate the magnitude and locate the sources of error. Here, too, the results indicated that present estimates of the reliability of determinations of the F content of air may be overrated, and they have suggested that improvement in the means of collection of HF is the best way of improving reproducibility.     

Fate of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons during composting of lagooning sewage sludge

The fate of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), targeted by the USEPA agency, has been investigated during composting of lagooning sludge. Composting shows efficient decrease of the content and the bioavailability of each PAH. Biodegradation and sorption are suggested as the main mechanisms contributing to this decrease. During the stabilization phase of composting, extensive microbial degradation of PAHs, mainly those with a low number of aromatic rings, was achieved following development of intense thermophilic communities. However, partial sorption of PAH to non-accessible sites temporarily limits the mobility mainly of PAHs with a high number of aromatic rings plus acenaphthene and acenaphthylene, and allows them to escape microbial attack. During the maturation phase, the development of a mesophilic population could play an important role in the degradation of the remaining PAH. During this phase of composting, PAH sequestration and binding of their oxidative metabolites within new-formed humic substances might also explain PAH decrease at the end of composting. The tendency of change of content or bioavailability of various PAH compounds during composting is found to be strongly related to the number of their aromatic rings, their molecular weight and structure.     

A new method for testing the sensitivity of active biomonitoring: an example of its application to a terrestrial moss

For the first time, the concepts of limit of detection and limit of quantification, commonly used in analytical chemistry, are applied to the field of active biomonitoring with terrestrial mosses, using the controls as blanks so that the limits indicate the error associated with the transplant technique. The application of these concepts to data corresponding to Hg concentrations in the surroundings of a chlor-alkali plant and a power plant, makes interpretation of the results easier by providing better spatial and temporal coherence. This procedure may allow improvement in the standardization of active biomonitoring techniques as it is applicable to all kinds of biomonitors. One disadvantage of the application of the limit of detection and limit of quantification is that they only take into account the alpha error, or risk of false positives, and do not take into account the beta error, or risk of false negatives.     

Acid generation upon thermal concentration of natural water: The critical water content and the effects of ionic composition

Thermal evaporation of a variety of simulated pore waters from the region of Yucca Mountain, Nevada, produced acidic liquids and gases during the final stages of evaporation. Several simulated pore waters were prepared and then thermally distilled in order to collect and analyze fractions of the evolved vapor. In some cases, distillates collected towards the end of the distillation were highly acidic; in other cases the pH of the distillate remained comparatively unchanged during the course of the distillation. The results suggest that the pH values of the later fractions are determined by the initial composition of the water. Acid production stems from the hydrolysis of magnesium ions, especially at near dryness. Near the end of the distillation, magnesium nitrate and magnesium chloride begin to lose water of hydration, greatly accelerating their thermal decomposition to form acid. Acid formation is promoted further when precipitated calcium carbonate is removed. Specifically, calcium chloride-rich pore waters containing moderate (10–20 ppm) levels of magnesium and nitrate and low levels of bicarbonate produced mixtures of nitric and hydrochloric acid, resulting in a precipitous drop in pH to values of 1 or lower after about 95% of the original volume was distilled. Waters with either low or moderate magnesium content coupled with high levels of bicarbonate produced slightly basic fractions (pH 7–9). If calcium was present in excess of bicarbonate, waters containing moderate levels of magnesium produced acid even in the presence of bicarbonate, due to the precipitation of calcium carbonate. Other salts such as halite and anhydrite promote the segregation of acidic vapors from residual basic solids. The concomitant release of wet acid gas has implications for the integrity of the alloys under consideration for containers at the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository. Condensed acid gases at very low pH, especially mixtures of nitric and hydrochloric acid, are capable of corroding even alloys, such as nickel-based Alloy 22, which are considered to be corrosion-resistant under milder conditions.     

Effects of ultraviolet-B radiation (UV-B) on growth and physiology of the dune grassland species Calamagrostis epigeios

Seedlings of Calamagrostis epigeios were exposed to four levels of UV-B radiation (280-320 nm), simulating up to 44% reduction of stratospheric ozone concentration during summertime in The Netherlands, to determine the response of this plant species to UV-B irradiation. After six weeks of UV-B treatment, total biomass of all UV-B treated plants was higher, compared to plants that had received no UV-B radiation. The increase of biomass did not appear to be the result of a stimulation of net photosynthesis. Also, transpiration rate and water use efficiency were not altered by UV-B at any exposure level. Pigment analysis of leaf extracts showed no effect of enhanced UV-B radiation on chlorophyll content and accumulation of UV absorbing pigments. UV-B irradiance, however, did reduce the transmittance of visible light (400-700 nm) of intact attached leaves, suggesting a change in anatomical characteristics of the leaves. Additionally, the importance of including an ambient UV-B treatment in indoor experiments is discussed.     

Oxidation of elemental mercury using atmospheric pressure non-thermal plasma

The oxidation of gas phase elemental mercury (Hg0) by atmospheric pressure non-thermal plasma has been investigated at room temperature, employing both dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) of the gas mixture of Hg0 and injection of ozone (O3) into the gas mixture of Hg0. Results have shown that the oxidative efficiencies of Hg0 by DBD and the injection of O3 are 59% and 93%, respectively, with energy consumption of 23.7 J L(-1). This combined approach has indicated that O3 plays a decisive role in the oxidation of gas phase Hg0. Also the oxidation of Hg0 by injecting O3 into the gas mixture of Hg0 proceeds with better efficiency than DBD of the gas mixture of Hg0. These results have been explained by the incorporation of the competitive reaction pathways between the formation of HgO by O3 and the decomposition of HgO back to Hg0 in the plasma environment.     

Effect of surfactants at low concentrations on the sorption of atrazine by natural sediment.

A series of experiments were carried out to determine the effect of surfactants at low concentrations on the sorption of atrazine by natural sediments. With surfactant concentrations ranging from 0 to 20 mg/ L, anionic and cationic surfactants appreciably reduce the adsorption of atrazine, while nonionic surfactant decreases the adsorption of atrazine at concentrations equal to or less than 1 mg/L and increases adsorption at higher concentrations. Desorption of atrazine in the presence of different sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS) concentrations shows that a portion of the bound pesticide resists desorption in the SDBS free system. However, the addition of SDBS accelerates the desorption of atrazine. Furthermore, the nature of sediment and the contacting sequence of SDBS, at 10 mg/L, with the sediment, also influence the adsorption of atrazine. The conclusions in this study could be explained partially by the effect of the type and concentration of surfactants and the characteristics of sediments.