Non-targeted metabolomics reveals the stress response of a cellulase-containing penicillium to uranium

Human industrial activities have caused environmental uranium (U) pollution, resulting in uranium(VI) had radiotoxicity and chemical toxicity. Here, a cellulase-producing Penicillium fungus was screened and characterized by X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and Fourier transform infrared reflection (FT-IR), as well as by GC/MS metabolomics analysis, to study the response to uranium(VI) stress. The biomass of Penicillium decreased after exposure to 100 mg/L U. Uranium combined with carboxyl groups, amino groups, and phosphate groups to form uranium mineralized deposits on the surface of this fungal strain. The α-activity concentration of uranium in the strain was 2.57×10⁶ Bq/kg, and the β-activity concentration was 2.27×10⁵ Bq/kg. Metabolomics analysis identified 118 different metabolites, as well as metabolic disruption of organic acids and derivatives. Further analysis showed that uranium significantly affected the metabolism of 9 amino acids in Penicillium. These amino acids were related to the TCA cycle and ABC transporter. At the same time, uranium exhibited nucleotide metabolism toxicity to Penicillium. This study provides an in-depth understanding of the uranium tolerance mechanism of Penicillium and provides a theoretical basis for Penicillium to degrade hyper-enriched plants.     

Impact of carbon-based nutrient enhancement on biofiltration performance for drinking water treatment

Incorporation of a carbon-based nutrient enhancement strategy for drinking water biofiltration is an attractive option, especially for source waters which contain recalcitrant organics. This study compared biofilters that were operated in parallel and individually enhanced with amino acids (including alanine, phenylalanine, and tryptophan), inulin, and sucrose to increase biomass concentration and promote biodegradation of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in the source water, including disinfection by-product (DBP) precursors. Biomass activity was characterized by measuring adenosine tri-phosphate (ATP), dissolved oxygen (DO) consumption, and through the use of laccase and esterase enzyme assays. Performance was evaluated in terms of headloss, turbidity, pH, DOC, UV₂₅₄, and DBP formation potential (DBP FP). The introduction of carbon-based nutrients significantly increased biomass activity, where ATP values peaked at 976?ng/g of filter media, 853?ng/g, and 513?ng/g for amino acids, inulin, and sucrose-spiked biofilters, respectively, while a non-spiked control only reached 104?ng/g. DO utilization by the enhanced biofilters was significantly higher than the control, with a strong correlation between ATP and DO uptake observed for all filters (R²?>?0.74). Laccase and esterase enzyme activities of enhanced biofilters were also elevated (p?> 0.05), suggesting greater biodegradation potential. Operational parameters such as headloss development and turbidity control were not impaired by carbon supplementation strategies or an increase in biomass concentration and activity. However, the enhancement strategy did not provide improvement in terms of source water carbon removal (DOC and UV₂₅₄) or DBP FP when treated filters were compared to a control.     

A survey on heavy metal concentrations in residential neighborhoods: The influence of secondary water supply systems

Water quality deterioration often occurs in secondary water supply systems (SWSSs), and increased heavy metal concentrations can be a serious problem. In this survey, twelve residential neighborhoods were selected to investigate the influence of SWSSs on the seasonal changes in heavy metal concentrations from input water to tank and tap water. The concentrations of nine evaluated heavy metals in all groups of water samples were found to be far below the specified standard levels in China. The concentrations of Fe, Mn, and Zn increased significantly from the input water samples to the tank and tap water samples in spring and summer (p < 0.05), especially for the water samples that had been stagnant for a long time. Negative correlations were found between most of the heavy metals and residual chlorine (Fe, Cu, Zn, and As, r = -0.186 to -0.519, p < 0.05). In particular, a high negative correlation was observed between Fe and residual chlorine (r = -0.489 to -0.519, p < 0.01) in spring and summer. Fe and Mn displayed positive correlations with turbidity (r = 0.672 and 0.328, respectively; p < 0.05). In addition, Cr and As were found to be positively associated with some nutrients (NO₃⁻, TN, and SO₄²⁻; r = 0.420-0.786, p < 0.01). The material of the storage tanks had little influence on the difference in heavy metal concentrations. Overall, this survey illustrated that SWSSs may pose a chronic threat to water quality and could provide useful information for practitioners.     

Application of the health risk assessment of acetochlor in the development of water quality criteria

Acetochlor is a widely used herbicide in agricultural production. Studies have shown that acetochlor has obvious environmental hormone effects, and long-term exposure may pose a threat to human health. To quantify the hazards of acetochlor in drinking water, a health risk assessment of acetochlor was conducted in major cities of China based on the data of acetochlor residue concentrations in drinking water. The approach of the Species Sensitivity Distributions (SSD) method is used to extrapolate from animal testing data to reflect worst case human toxicity. Results show that hazard quotients related to acetochlor residues in drinking water for different age groups range from 1.94 × 10^?4 to 6.13 × 10^?4, so, there are no indication of human risk. Compared to the total estimated hazard quotient from oral intake of acetochlor, the chronic exposure imputed to acetochlor residues in drinking water in China accounts for 0.4%. This paper recommends 0.02 mg/L to be the maximum acetochlor residue concentration level in drinking water and source water criteria.     

Modeling iron release from cast iron pipes in an urban water distribution system caused by source water switch

Significant iron release from cast iron pipes in water distribution systems (WDSs), which usually occurs during the source water switch period, is a great concern of water utilities because of the potential occurrence of “red water” and customer complaints. This study developed a new method which combined in-situ water stagnation experiments with mathematical models and numerical simulations to predict the iron release caused by source water switch. In-situ water stagnation experiments were conducted to determine the total iron accumulation in nine cast iron pipes in-service in Beijing when switching the local water to treated Danjiangkou Reservior water. Results showed that the difference in the concentration increment of total iron in 24 hr (ΔCI_TI,24), i.e. short-term iron release, caused by source water switch was mainly dependent on the difference in the key quality parameters (pH, hardness, nitrate, Larson Ratio and dissolved oxygen (DO)) between the two source waters. The iron release rate (R_Fe) after switch, i.e. long-term iron release, was closely related to the pipe properties as well as the DO and total residual chlorine (TRC) concentrations. Mathematical models of ΔCI_TI,24 and R_Fe were developed to quantitatively reveal the relationship between iron release and the key quality parameters. The R_Fe model could successfully combine with EPANET-MSX, a numerical simulator of water quality for WDSs to extend the iron release modeling from pipe level to network level. The new method is applicable to predicting iron release during source water switch, thus facilitating water utilities to take preventive actions to avoid “red water”.     

Nontargeted identification of peptides and disinfection byproducts in water

A broad range of organic compounds are known to exist in drinking water sources and serve as precursors of disinfection byproducts(DBPs).Epidemiological findings of an association of increased risk of bladder cancer with the consumption of chlorinated water has resulted in health concerns about DBPs.Peptides are thought to be an important category of DBP precursors in water.However,little is known about the actual presence of peptides and their DBPs in drinking water because of their high sample complexity and low concentrations.To address this challenge and identify peptides and non-chlorinated/chlorinated peptide DBPs from large sets of organic compounds in water,we developed a novel high throughput analysis strategy,which integrated multiple solid phase extraction(SPE),high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC)separation,and non-target identification using precursor ion exclusion(PIE)high resolution mass spectrometry(MS).After MS analysis,structures of candidate compounds,particularly peptides,were obtained by searching against the Human Metabolome Database(HMDB).Using this strategy,we successfully detected 625 peptides(out of 17,205 putative compounds)and 617 peptides(out of 13,297)respectively in source and finished water samples.The source and finished water samples had 501 peptides and amino acids in common.The remaining 116 peptides and amino acids were unique to the finished water.From a subset of 30 putative compounds for which standards were available,25 were confirmed using HPLC-MS analysis.By analyzing the peptides identified in source and finished water,we successfully confirmed three disinfection reaction pathways that convert peptides into toxic DBPs.     

Disinfection byproducts in indoor swimming pool water: Detection and human lifetime health risk assessment

Quantification of regulated and emerging disinfection byproducts (DBPs) in swimming pool water, as well as the assessment of their lifetime health risk are limited in China. In this study, the occurrence of regulated DBPs (e.g., trihalomethanes, haloacetic acids) and emerging DBPs (e.g., haloacetonitriles, haloacetaldehydes) in indoor swimming pool water and the corresponding source water at a city in Eastern China were determined. The concentrations of DBPs in swimming pool water were 1-2 orders of magnitude higher than that in source water. Lifetime cancer and non-cancer risks of DBPs stemming from swimming pool water were also estimated. Inhalation and dermal exposure were the most significant exposure routes related to swimming pool DBP cancer and non-cancer risks. For the first time, buccal and aural exposure were considered, and were proven to be important routes of DBP exposure (accounting for 17.9%-38.9% of total risk). The cancer risks of DBPs for all swimmers were higher than 10⁻⁶ of lifetime exposure risk recommended by United States Environmental Protection Agency, and the competitive adult swimmers experienced the highest cancer risk (7.82 × 10⁻⁵). These findings provide important information and perspectives for future efforts to lower the health risks associated with exposure to DBPs in swimming pool water.     

Effect of intermittent aeration mode on nitrogen concentration in the water column and sediment pore water of aquaculture ponds

Nitrogen in pond sediments is a major water quality concern and can impact the productivity of aquaculture. Dissolved oxygen is an important factor for improving water quality and boosting fish growth in aquaculture ponds, and plays an important role in the conversion of ammonium-nitrogen (NH₄⁺-N) to nitrite-nitrogen (NO₂^?-N) and eventually nitrate-nitrogen (NO₃^?-N). A central goal of the study was to identify the best aeration method and strategy for improving water quality in aquaculture ponds. We conducted an experiment with six tanks, each with a different aeration mode to simulate the behavior of aquaculture ponds. The results show that a 36 hr aeration interval (T_c = 36 hr: 36 hr) and no aeration resulted in high concentrations of NH₄⁺-N in the water column. Using a 12 hr interval time (T_c = 12 hr: 12 hr) resulted in higher NO₂^?-N and NO₃^?-N concentrations than any other aeration mode. Results from an 8 hr interval time (T_c = 8 hr: 8 hr) and 24 hr interval time (T_c = 24 hr: 24 hr) were comparable with those of continuous aeration, and had the benefit of being in use for only half of the time, consequently reducing energy consumption.     

Comparison of mesophilic and thermophilic anaerobic digestions of thermal hydrolysis pretreated swine manure: Process performance, microbial communities and energy balance

Anaerobic digestion (AD) of swine manure (SM) commonly shows low biogas output and unsatisfactory economic performance. In this study, thermophilic AD (TAD, 50 ± 1 °C) was combined with thermal hydrolysis pretreatment (THP, 170 °C/10 bar), to investigate its potential for maximizing biogas yield, securing successful digestion and microbial diversity, as well as improving energy balance. Four lab-scale continuously stirred tank reactors were operated for 300 days and compared with each other, i.e., reactor 1 (raw SM fed in mesophilic AD: RSM-MAD), reactor 2 (THP-treated SM fed in MAD: TSM-MAD), reactor 3 (RSM-TAD), and reactor 4 (TSM-TAD). The results showed that THP was efficient to increase methane production of SM, TSM-TAD mode led to the highest methane yield (129.8 ± 40.5 mL-CH₄/g-VS/day) among the tests (p < 0.05). Although TAD was more likely to induce free ammonia (> 700 mg/L) or volatile fatty acids (> 6000 mg/L) accumulation compared with MAD in start-up phase, TSM-TAD treatment mode behaved a sustainable digestion process in a long-term operation. For TSM-TAD scenario, higher Shannon–Weaver (3.873) and lower Simpson index (0.061) indicated this mode ensured and enlarged the diversity of bacteria communities. Phylum Bathyarchaeota was dominant (59.3%−90.0%) in archaea community, followed by Euryarchaeota in the four reactors. RSM-MAD treatment mode achieved the highest energy output (4.65 GJ/day), TSM-TAD was less effective (−17.38 GJ/day) due to increased energy demands. Thus improving the energetic efficiency of THP units is recommended for the development of TSM-TAD treatment mode.     

Occurrence, partition behavior, source and ecological risk assessment of nitro-PAHs in the sediment and water of Taige Canal, China

Nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (NPAHs) are widespread organic pollutants that possess carcinogenic and mutagenic properties, so they may pose a risk to the environment and human health. In this study, the concentrations of 15 NPAHs and 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in 30 surface water samples and 26 sediment samples were measured in 2018 from the Taige Canal, one of the main rivers flowing into Taihu Lake, China. The total NPAH concentrations in water and sediment ranged from 14.7 to 235 ng/L and 22.9 to 96.5 ng/g dw, respectively. 9-nitrophenanthrene (nd–76.3 ng/L) was the dominant compound in surface water, while 2+3-nitrofluoranthene (1.73–18.1 ng/g dw) dominated in sediment. Among PAHs, concentration ranging from 1,097 to 2,981 ng/L and 1,089 to 4,489 ng/g dw in surface water and sediment, respectively. There was a strong positive correlation between the log octanol-water partition coefficient (K_ow) and log sediment-water partition coefficient due to hydrophobic interaction. The fugacity fraction value increased with the decrease of log K_ow, and chrysene was transferred from water into sediment. The residual NPAHs in surface water and sediment of the Taige Canal have partial correlation. Diesel engine and coal combustion emissions were probably the principal sources of NPAHs in surface water and sediment. The results of ecological risk assessment showed that some NPAHs in water (e.g, 1-nitropyrene and 6-nitrochrysene) and sediment (e.g., 2-nitrobiphenyl, 5-nitroacenaphthene, 9-nitrophenanthrene and 2+3-nitrofluoranthene) had moderate ecological risks, which should be of concern.     

土壤整体质量的生态毒性评价

土壤样品采自沈阳西部污灌区 .进行了污染物 (重金属和矿物油 )含量分析和生态毒性试验 .重金属采用原子吸收分光光度仪测定 ,矿物油采用紫外分光光度计测定 .生态毒性试验分别参照国际标准组织 (ISO)和OECD指南 ,进行了植物毒性试验、蚯蚓毒性试验和蚕豆根尖微核试验 .植物试验以小麦种子发芽根伸长抑制率为试验终点 ,试验周期50h ,蚯蚓毒性试验以蚯蚓死亡率、体重增长抑制率为试验终点 ,试验周期28d .土壤中矿物油含量在145mg/kg～1121mg/kg ,重金属Cd为0.34mg/kg～1.81mg/kg .土壤对植物和蚯蚓显示不同程度的毒性效应 ,土壤的蚕豆根尖微核率明显高于对照 .种子发芽根伸长抑制率为2.0%至-35.1% ,蚯蚓死亡率为0%～40%.体重增长抑制率由14d的-2.3%～-19.4%在28d增加到-2.1%～10.7% ,蚕豆根尖微核率最高达6.62/100.研究表明 ,土壤中的污染物积累较低 ,但具有明显的生态毒性 .     

国际化学危险品分类体系简介

介绍了当前国际化学危险品的各种分类体系,对比了GHS与TDG、EU_CLP、DOT、WHMIS等对化学危险品的具体分类。有助于GHS的理解与掌握,全面推进GHS在我国的实施。     

多目标规划在预测区域总产值-排污-水质协调解中的应用研究

以某区域水环境－经济系统为研究实例，寻求值－排污－水质综合协调解方法，寻求净收益最大时的总体规划方案。建立目标参数规划模型，寻求不同生产规模条件下的产值－排污－水质协调解，又探讨了水环境标准约束下的某化工区废水治理费用的计算方法，提出了以供决策者选择的方案。     

滇池富营养化特性评价

介绍了滇池水质状况,对滇池富营养化特性进行了分析和评价,并提出了对策.     

氯苯类化合物的生物降解

经过2个月的驯化,从某染料厂和某毛纺厂活性污泥中分离出能够生长于1,4-二氯苯、1,2,4-三氯苯和六氯苯的4种微生物.通过测定该混合菌降解氯苯类化合物过程中的累积好氧量、微生物生长曲线及降解产物Cl^-的释放,证明在好氧条件下该混合菌能够以1,4二氯苯和1,2,4-三氯苯为唯一碳源和能源,降解产物Cl^-浓度的变化与微生物生长周期有关.通过好氧振荡瓶培养法测得3种氯苯的生物降解顺序为:1,4-二氯苯[356.7μg/(L·d)]>1,2,4-三氯苯[110.4μg/(L·d)]>六氯苯[～6μg/(L·d)],说明氯取代数越多,氯苯类化合物越难被好氧降解.     

燃煤电厂脱硫副产物资源化利用可行性分析——上海案例研究

未来5年(2006～2010年)上海进行脱硫的机组将达957.2万kW,文章对上海市未来5年中脱硫副产物的资源化利用,进行了技术、经济分析,预计每年可节省SO2排污费用约1.02、1.28亿元,如以原煤计,则为1.51亿元/a和1.89亿元/a,到2010年将达1.67～2.09亿元/a,折成原煤则为2.34～2.93亿元/a,如排污费提高,效益还将扩大;电厂脱硫石膏销售将获得约2160～2880万元/a,折算成原煤应为3024万元/a和4032万元/a,如加工成球或利用余热烘干成粉,利润还会增加;到2010年脱硫石膏销售收入还将进一步放大。上海石膏板或水泥企业利用54～72万t的脱硫石膏,可使企业的原料购买成本节约3250～3650万元/a,如将FGD石膏40%SO3含量与天然石膏34%相比算入成本,使用FGD石膏的水泥生产企业原料购置费节约将更显著。     

哈尔滨松北区城市湿地的生态安全分析

以哈尔滨松北区城市湿地为研究对象,选择10个指标,采用因子分析法和聚类分析法,研究了松花江发生污染事故前后城市湿地的生态安全状况.结果表明:发生污染前哈尔滨松北区城市湿地东区的生态安全程度最高,发生污染后中区的生态安全程度最低;西区的抗干扰能力较差.各主因子中以水因子的下降幅度最大,说明水污染直接影响了哈尔滨松北区城市湿地的生态安全.最后有针对性地提出了哈尔滨松北区城市湿地的生态安全对策.      

城镇污水处理厂进、出水COD浓度变化规律分析

通过对某城镇污水处理厂进出水COD浓度进行手工与在线仪器24小时的对比监测,利用该厂在线监测数据,分析了城镇污水处理厂进出水COD浓度的日、周变化规律以及进水浓度与降水量的变化关系,明确了样品的代表性,为COD总量减排和环境管理提供了技术参考。     

生态保护地协同管控成效评估

分区分类管理是我国生态保护的重要管控制度,生态保护地是事关国家生态安全的关键区域,开展生态保护地保护成效评估及不同类型生态保护地之间的协同管控成效评估具有重要意义。以吉林省自然保护地和重点生态功能区等生态保护地（即禁止开发区和限制开发区）为研究对象,以重要生态空间、植被生态、水源涵养功能为主要内容,基于“禁止开发区—限制开发区—省域”的管控梯度差异,评估分析了生态保护地的协同管控成效。结果表明：（1）从重要生态空间协同管控成效来看,自然保护地的重要生态空间面积比例最高、人类活动干扰指数最低,这与生态保护管控严格程度呈现很好地正相关。但是1980—2015年间重要生态空间面积比例均有所减少,减少幅度与管控严格程度没有表现出正相关。（2）从植被生态协同管控成效来看,植被覆盖总体呈现出自东向西逐步降低的特点,与东部分布有重点生态功能区和森林类自然保护区、西部分布较多的湿地类自然保护地的空间特征一致。但是,由于湿地及水域类型自然保护地面积占比较高,且分布在吉林西部草原和平原区的面积比例较高,自然保护地的年际变化较大、且植被覆盖稳定度低于重点生态功能区。（3）从水源涵养功能协同管控成效来看,水源涵养能力呈现出东部和西部高、中部低的特点,与这两个区域主要分布有森林、草地和湿地等重要生态空间密切相关,也与分布着大面积的重点生态功能区和各类自然保护地密切相关。自然保护区的水源涵养能力最高,且年际变化最小、稳定性最高。     

工业锅炉烟尘浓度测量的不确定度评定

如何对测量结果的不确定度进行合理评定,一直是困扰检测实验室的一个难题。根据环境检测的特点,通过实例,阐述了烟尘排放浓度测量的不确定度评定的方法,对监测领域测量不确定度评定具有现实意义。