Effects of Cd2+ and Pb2+ on the substrate biofilms in the integrated vertical-flow constructed wetland

The effects of single Cd~(2+)and Pb~(2+),and combined Cd~(2+)and Pb~(2+)on dehydrogenase activity and polysaccharide content of the substrate biofilms in the integrated vertical-flow constructed wetland(IVCW)were studied.Dehydrogenase activities decreased linearly with the increasing concentrations of Cd~(2+)and Pb~(2+)at different times(6,24,72,and 120 h).The activities at both 6 and 24 h were significantly higher than that at 72 and 120 h in the case of single and combined treatments.The single Cd~(2+)...     

Co-exposure of sulfur nanoparticles and Cu alleviate Cu stress and toxicity to oilseed rape Brassica napus L.

Experiments were performed to explore the impact of sulfur nanoparticles (SNPs) on growth, Cu accumulation, and physiological and biochemical responses of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) inoculated with 5 mg/L Cu-amended MS medium supplemented with or without 300 mg/L SNPs exposure. Cu exerted severe phytotoxicity and inhibited plant growth. SNPs application enhanced the shoot height, root length, and dry weight of shoot and root by 34.6%, 282%, 41.7% and 37.1%, respectively, over Cu treatment alone, while the shoot and root Cu contents and Cu-induced lipid perodixation as the malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in shoots and roots were decreased by 37.6%, 35%, 28.4% and 26.8%. Further, the increases in superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) enzyme activities caused by Cu stress were mitigated in shoots (10.9%–37.1%) and roots (14.6%–35.3%) with SNPs addition. SNPs also positively counteracted the negative effects on shoot K, Ca, P, Mg, Mn, Zn and Fe contents and root K, Ca, Mg and Mn contents from Cu exposure alone, and significantly promoted the nutrients accumulation in plant. Additionally, in comparison with common bulk sulfur particles (BSPs) and sulfate, SNPs showed more positive effects on promoting growth in shoots (6.7% and 19.5%) and roots (10.9% and 15.1%), as well as lowering the shoot Cu content (40.1% and 43.3%) under Cu stress. Thus, SNPs application has potential to be a green and sustainable technology for increasing plant productivity and reducing accumulation of toxic metals in heavy metal polluted soils.     

Occurrence of human pathogenic bacteria carrying antibiotic resistance genes revealed by metagenomic approach: A case study from an aquatic environment

Antibiotic resistance genes(ARGs), human pathogenic bacteria(HPB), and HPB carrying ARGs are public issues that pose a high risk to aquatic environments and public health. Their diversity and abundance in water, intestine, and sediments of shrimp culture pond were investigated using metagenomic approach. A total of 19 classes of ARGs, 52 HPB species, and 7 species of HPB carrying ARGs were found. Additionally, 157, 104, and 86 subtypes of ARGs were detected in shrimp intestine, pond water, and sediment samples, respectively. In all the samples, multidrug resistance genes were the highest abundant class of ARGs. The dominant HPB was Enterococcus faecalis in shrimp intestine, Vibrio parahaemolyticus in sediments, and Mycobacterium yongonense in water, respectively. Moreover, E. faecalis(contig Intestine_364647)and Enterococcus faecium(contig Intestine_80272) carrying efr A, efr B and ANT(6)-Ia were found in shrimp intestine, Desulfosaricina cetonica(contig Sediment_825143) and Escherichia coli(contig Sediment_188430) carrying mex B and APH(3′)-IIa were found in sediments, and Laribacter hongkongensis(contig Water_478168 and Water_369477), Shigella sonnei(contig Water_880246),and Acinetobacter baumannii(contig Water_525520) carrying sul1, sul2, ere A, qac H, OXA-21, and mph D were found in pond water. Mobile genetic elements(MGEs) analysis indicated that horizontal gene transfer(HGT) of integrons, insertion sequences, and plasmids existed in shrimp intestine, sediment, and water samples, and the abundance of integrons was higher than that of other two MGEs. The results suggested that HPB carrying ARGs potentially existed in aquatic environments, and that these contributed to the environment and public health risk evaluation.     

Effects of soil water and nitrogen availability on photosynthesis and water use efficiency of Robinia pseudoacacia seedlings

The efficient use of water and nitrogen (N) to promote growth and increase yield of fruit trees and crops is well studied.However,little is known about their effects on woody plants growing in arid and semiarid areas with limited water and N availability.To examine the effects of water and N supply on early growth and water use efficiency (WUE) of trees on dry soils,one-year-old seedlings of Robinia pseudoacacia were exposed to three soil water contents (non-limiting,medium drought,and severe drought) as well as to low and high N levels,for four months.Photosynthetic parameters,leaf instantaneous WUE (WUEi) and whole tree WUE (WUEb) were determined.Results showed that,independent of N levels,increasing soil water content enhanced the tree transpiration rate (Tr),stomatal conductance (Gs),intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci),maximum net assimilation rate (Amax),apparent quantum yield (AQY),the range of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) due to both reduced light compensation point and enhanced light saturation point,and dark respiration rate (Rd),resulting in a higher net photosynthetic rate (Pn) and a significantly increased whole tree biomass.Consequently,WUEi and WUEb were reduced at low N,whereas WUE i was enhanced at high N levels.Irrespective of soil water availability,N supply enhanced Pn in association with an increase of Gs and Ci and a decrease of the stomatal limitation value (Ls),while Tr remained unchanged.Biomass and WUEi increased under non-limiting water conditions and medium drought,as well as WUEb under all water conditions;but under severe drought,WUEi and biomass were not affected by N application.In conclusion,increasing soil water availability improves photosynthetic capacity and biomass accumulation under low and high N levels,but its effects on WUE vary with soil N levels.N supply increased Pn and WUE,but under severe drought,N supply did not enhance WUEi and biomass.     

Effects of acid,acid-ZVI/PMS,Fe(Ⅱ)/PMS and ZVI/PMS conditioning on the wastewater activated sludge(WAS)dewaterability and extracellular polymeric substances(EPS)

The effects of four conditioning approaches:Acid,Acid-zero-valent iron(ZVI)/peroxydisulfate(PMS),Fe(Ⅱ)/PMS and ZVI/PMS,on wastewater activated sludge(WAS) dewatering and organics distribution in supernatant and extracellular polymeric substances(EPS) layers were investigated.The highest reduction in bound water and the most WAS destruction was achieved by Acid-ZVI/PMS,and the optimum conditions were pH 3,ZVI dosage 0.15 g/g dry solid(DS),oxone dosage 0.07 g/g DS and reaction time 10.6 min with the reductions in capillary suction time(CST) and water content(Wc) as 19.67% and 8.49%,respectively.Four conditioning approaches could result in TOC increase in EPS layers and supernatant,and protein(PN) content in tightly bound EPS(TB-EPS).After conditioning,organics in EPS layers could migrate to supernatant.Polysaccharide(PS) was easier to migrate to supernatant than PN.In addition,Acid,Acid-ZVI/PMS or Fe(Ⅱ)/PMS conditioning promoted the release of some polysaccharides containing ring vibrations v P=O,v C-O-C,v C-O-P functional groups from TB-EPS.ESR spectra proved that both radicals of SO_4~-· and·OH contributed to dewatering and organics transformation and migration.CST value of WAS positively correlated with the ratios of PN/PS in LB-EPS and total EPS,while it negatively correlated with TOC,PN content and PS content in TB-EPS,as well as PS content in supernatant and LB-EPS.BWC negatively correlated to zeta potential and TOC value,PN content,and HA content in supernatant.     

Preparation and characterization of a novel hybrid chelating material for effective adsorption of Cu(Ⅱ) and Pb(Ⅱ)

The discharge of heavy metal ions such as Cu~2+and Pb~2+poses a severe threat to public health and the environment owing to their extreme toxicity and bioaccumulation through food chains Herein, we report a novel organic–inorganic hybrid adsorbent, Al(OH)_3-poly(acrylamide dimethyldiallylammonium chloride)-graft-dithiocarbamate(APD), for rapid and effectiv removal of Cu~2+and Pb~2+. In this adsorbent, the "star-like" structure of Al(OH)3 poly(acrylamide-dimethyldiallylammonium chloride) served as the support of dithiocarbamat(DTC) functional groups for easy access of heavy metal ions and assisted development of larg and compact floccules. The synthesized adsorbent was characterized by scanning electron microscopy(SEM), transmission electron microscopy(TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR), and thermogravimetric analysis(TGA). APD was demonstrated to hav rapid adsorption kinetics with an initial rate of 267.379 and 2569.373 mg/(g·min) as well a superior adsorption capacities of 317.777 and 586.699 mg/g for Cu~2+and Pb~2+respectively. Th adsorption process was spontaneous and endothermic, involving intraparticle diffusion and chemical interaction between heavy metal ions and the functional groups of APD. To assess it versatility and wide applicability, APD was also used in turbid heavy metal wastewater, and performed well in removing suspended particles and heavy metal ions simultaneously through flocculation and chelation. The rapid, convenient and effective adsorption of Cu~2+and Pb~2+give APD great potential for heavy metal decontamination in industrial applications.     

An overview of emissions of SO2 and NOx and the long-range transport of oxidized sulfur and nitrogen pollutants in East Asia

The long-range transport of oxidized sulfur(sulfur dioxide(SO_2) and sulfate) and oxidized nitrogen(nitrogen oxides(NO_x ) and nitrate) in East Asia is an area of increasing scientific interest and political concern. This paper reviews various published papers, including ground- and satellite-based observations and numerical simulations. The aim is to assess the status of the anthropogenic emissions of SO_2 and NO_x and the long-range transport of oxidized S and N pollutants over source and downwind region. China has dominated the emissions of SO_2 and NO_x in East Asia and urgently needs to strengthen the control of their emissions, especially NO_x emissions. Oxidized S and N pollutants emitted from China are transported to Korea and Japan, due to persistent westerly winds, in winter and spring.However, the total contributions of China to S and N pollutants across Korea and Japan were not found to be dominant over longer time scales(e.g., a year). The source–receptor relationships for oxidized S and N pollutants in East Asia varied widely among the different studies. This is because:(1) the nonlinear effects of atmospheric chemistry and deposition processes were not well considered, when calculating the source–receptor relationships;(2) different meteorological and emission data inputs and solution schemes for key physical and chemical processes were used; and(3) different temporal and spatial scales were employed. Therefore, simulations using the same input fields and similar model configurations would be of benefit, to further evaluate the source–receptor relationships of the oxidized S and N pollutants.     

Briefing of Symposium on Environmental Protection and Ecology in Developing Countries

The symposium on Environmental Protection and Ecology in Developing Countries, orga-nized and financed by Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and Federation of Asian Scientific Academics and Societies (FASTS) and supported by American Association for the Advance-ment of Science (AAAS) and the UNEP Regional representative has held on November 2-4 in Beijing, China.     

Aerosol optical properties under different pollution levels in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region of China

To clarify the aerosol hygroscopic growth and optical properties of the Pearl River Delta(PRD)region,integrated observations were conducted in Heshan City of Guangdong Province from October 19 to November 17,2014.The concentrations and chemical compositions of PM_(2.5),aerosol optical properties and meteorological parameters were measured.The mean value of PM_(2.5) increased from less than 35(excellent) to 35-75 μg/m~3(good) and then to greater than 75 μg/m~3(pollution),corresponding to mean PM_(2.5) values of 24.9,51.2,and 93.3 μg/m~3,respectively.The aerosol scattering hygroscopic growth factor(f(RH = 80%)) values were 2.0,2.12,and 2.18 for the excellent,good,and pollution levels,respectively.The atmospheric extinction coefficient(σext)and the absorption coefficient of aerosols(σ_(ap)) increased,and the single scattering albedo(SSA)decreased from the excellent to the pollution levels.For different air mass sources,under excellent and good levels,the land air mass from northern Heshan had lower f(RH) and σ_(sp) values.In addition,the mixed aerosol from the sea and coastal cities had lower f(RH) and showed that the local sources of coastal cities have higher scattering characteristics in pollution periods.     

Comparison of different disinfection processes in the effective removal of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and genes

This study compared three different disinfection processes(chlorination, E-beam, and ozone) and the efficacy of three oxidants(H2O2, S2O-8, and peroxymonosulfate(MPS)) in removing antibiotic resistant bacteria(ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes(ARGs) in a synthetic wastewater. More than30 mg/L of chlorine was needed to remove over 90% of ARB and ARG. For the E-beam method, only1 dose(kGy) was needed to remove ARB and ARG, and ozone could reduce ARB and ARG by more than 90% even at 3 mg/L ozone concentration. In the ozone process, CT values(concentration × time)were compared for ozone alone and combined with different catalysts based on the 2-log removal of ARB and ARG. Ozone treatment yielded a value of 31 and 33(mg·min)/L for ARB and ARGs respectively. On the other hand, ozone with persulfate yielded 15.9 and 18.5(mg·min)/L while ozone with monopersulfate yielded a value of 12 and 14.5(mg·min)/L. This implies that the addition of these catalysts significantly reduces the contact time to achieve a 2-log removal, thus enhancing the process in terms of its kinetics.     

氯苯甲酸植物毒性实验中抗氧化酶变化的量化研究

为研究氯苯甲酸(CBA)的植物毒性,评估生物化学参数能否作为CBA植物毒性的指示因子,采用对CBA敏感的小白菜种子和大白菜种子进行暴露实验,在根伸长抑制率为10%～50%的质量浓度范围内,研究了CBA剂量-抗氧化酶活性的关系.结果表明:随着CBA质量浓度的升高,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性总体上呈逐渐上升至峰值然后下降趋势,过氧化物酶(POD)活性逐渐降低,过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性与SOD活性近似,呈先升后降趋势,但幅度大于SOD活性.对CBA剂量-酶活性抑制率进行了回归分析,对拟合效果进行了显著性检验(P<0.05),并求出相应的半效应浓度(EC50),实验材料的SOD和CAT活性的EC50均在实验区间之外,POD活性的EC50则在实验区间之内,表明在实验区间内,SOD和CAT活性不敏感,POD活性为有效指标      

人工合成麝香对小麦种子发芽的生态毒性

采用土培实验,研究了佳乐麝香(HHCB)和吐纳麝香(AHTN)对小麦种子发芽的生态毒性,测定了这2种人工合成麝香对小麦种子发芽率、根伸长抑制率和芽伸长抑制率的影响.结果表明,小麦种子的发芽率与这2种人工合成麝香浓度之间剂量-效应关系不明显,低剂量条件下(佳乐麝香≤150 mg·kg-1,吐纳麝香≤200 mg·kg-1...     

土壤四环素污染对小白菜幼苗生长发育的生态毒性

采用土培盆栽试验模拟研究了土壤四环素污染对小白菜幼苗生长发育的生态毒性.结果表明,1～100 mg/kg四环素暴露促进了小白菜的茎伸长,但抑制了小白菜的根伸长和鲜重.100 mg/kg四环素处理28 d后,小白菜根长抑制率达到36.0%,鲜重抑制率达到34.6%.随着四环素暴露时间的延长,100 mg/kg四环素处理的...     

十溴联苯醚对紫花苜蓿种子萌发及幼苗的影响

为评价十溴联苯醚(BDE-209)对植物的生态毒性效应,探明植物抵抗BDE-209胁迫的反应机制,文章选用紫花苜蓿作为受试植物,考察了不同浓度BDE-209污染土壤对紫花苜蓿种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响,并对幼苗体内的抗氧化酶活性(POD、CAT、SOD)及可溶性蛋白质(SP)对污染物胁迫的响应进行了研究,同时还对植株的根、叶片进行扫描电镜观察。结果表明,BDE-209胁迫处理与各项生长指标呈显著负相关,抑制作用强度依次为根长>鲜重>芽长>发芽率。植株体内的抗氧化酶活性和可溶性蛋白含量随污染物浓度的增加不断上升,符合线性关系,POD、CAT、SOD的活性最大可高达对照的3倍、1.77倍和2.81倍,可溶性蛋白含量可达到对照的1.89倍。扫描电镜结果显示,随着污染物浓度的提高,植物根部发根增多,叶片上气孔密度增大,气孔开度变小。     

异丙甲草胺对蚯蚓体重及酶活性的影响

采用自然土壤法,研究了异丙甲草胺对蚯蚓体重及体内纤维素酶、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)和过氧化物酶(POD)活性的影响.结果表明,蚯蚓体重及纤维素酶活性在异丙甲草胺作用下均受到抑制;蚯蚓体内SOD、CAT、POD活性对异丙甲草胺响应不同,CAT活性受影响最大,POD次之,SOD最小.异丙甲草胺浓度对蚯蚓体重及体内纤维素酶和CAT活性影响显著,对SOD和POD则无显著性影响;处理时间对蚯蚓体重及体内纤维素酶、SOD、CAT和POD活性均有极显著影响;而异丙甲草胺浓度和处理时间二者交互作用对蚯蚓体内CAT和POD活性有极显著影响,对蚯蚓体重及体内纤维素酶和SOD活性则影响不大.     

铅对赤子爱胜蚓抗氧化酶活性的影响

研究了老化和未经老化土壤中Pb(NO₃)₂对赤子爱胜蚓(Eisenia fetida)体内SOD(超氧化物歧化酶)、CAT(过氧化氢酶)、POD(过氧化物酶)活性的影响. 结果表明:在测试范围(w〔Pb(NO₃)₂〕为200~1000 mg/kg)内,Pb(NO₃)₂对蚯蚓体内3种抗氧化酶的活性均有显著性影响. 暴露于未经老化土壤1、14、21d时,蚯蚓体内SOD和CAT活性均随土壤中w〔Pb(NO₃)₂〕的增加而降低,高w〔Pb(NO₃)₂〕下,与对照组相比这2种抗氧化酶活性均降低了约40%. POD活性除第1、3天在高w〔Pb(NO₃)₂〕中显著变化外,其他暴露时间、暴露水平中均无显著性变化. 暴露于老化(28d)土壤1d后,蚯蚓体内SOD、POD、CAT活性均随土壤中w〔Pb(NO₃)₂〕的增加而升高,高w〔Pb(NO₃)₂〕下,与对照组相比这3种抗氧化酶活性分别升高了359%、147%和233%;然而,随着暴露时间的延长,3种抗氧化酶活性又呈显著降低趋势. 总体上,蚯蚓体内CAT和SOD活性变化趋势基本一致. 研究显示,土壤老化对铅毒性产生了影响,因此在进行毒性试验时应予以考虑.      

E ects of arsenic on seed germination and physiological activities of wheat seedlings

The effects of arsenic （As） were investigated on seed germination, root and shoot length and their biomass and some other factors to elucidate the toxicity of As. The results showed low concentrations of As （0-1 mg/kg） stimulated seed germination and the growth of root and shoot, however, these factors all decreased gradually at high concentrations of As （5-20 mg/kg）. The contents of O2^-, MDA, soluble protein and peroxidase （POD） activity all increased with increasing As concentrations. Soluble sugar content, ascorbate peroxidase （APX）, and superoxide dismutase （SOD） activities decreased at low concentrations of As, and increased at high concentrations of As. While acetylsalicylic acid （ASA） and chlorophyll contents, catalase （CAT） activity displayed increasing trend when the concentrations of As was lower than 1 mg/kg, and then decreasing trend. By polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis （PAGE）, As induced the expression of POD isozymes of wheat seedlings. As induced the expression of CAT isozymes but inhibited the expression of SOD isozymes of wheat seedlings at concentrations lower than 1 mg/kg. However, As inhibited the expression of CAT isozymes but induced the expression of SOD isozymes at concentrations higher than 5 mg/kg. The results indicated As could exert harmfulness in the early development stage of wheat at inappropriate concentrations.     

Effects of arsenic on seed germination and physiological activities in wheat seedlings

The effects of arsenic(As)were investigated on seed germination,root and shoot length and their biomass and some other factors to elucidate the toxicity of As.The results showed low concentrations of As(O-1 mg/kg)stimulated seed germination and the growth of root and shoot,however,these factors all decreased gradually at high concentrations of As(5-20 mg/kg).The contents Of O2-,MDA,soluble protein and peroxidase(POD)activity all increased with increasing As concentrations.Soluble sugar content,ascorbate peroxidase(APX),and superoxide dismutase(SOD)activities decreased at low concentrations of As,and increased at high concentrations of As.While acetylsalicylic acid(ASA)and chlorophyll contents,catalase(CAT)activity displayed increasing trend when the concentrations of As was lower than 1 mg/kg,and then decreasing trend.By polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis(PAGE).As induced the expression of POD isozymes of wheat seedlings.As induced the expression of CAT isozymes but inhibited the expression of SOD isozymes of wheat seedlings at concentrations lower than 1 mg/kg.However,As inhibited the expression of CAT isozymes but induced the expression of SOD isozymes at concentrations higher than 5 mg/kg.The results indicated As could exert harmfulness in the early development stage of wheat at inappropriate concentrations.     

商陆和烟草对锰胁迫的抗氧化响应研究

研究植物的重金属累积能力对于植物修复和植物冶金意义重大.Mn超累积植物商陆(Phytolacca americana L.)的耐性/累积机制至今还不清楚,为了研究商陆在Mn胁迫下的抗氧化酶作用,将萌发6周的商陆和烟草幼苗分别放入1 mmol·L~(-1)或3 mmol·L~(-1)的1/2 Hoagland营养液处理4 d,实验表明商陆叶片光合速率降低幅度显著低于烟草,而烟草MDA含量和电解质渗漏量增加幅度大于商陆.如1 mmol·L~(-1) Mn处理4 d后,与对照相比,商陆和烟草的光合速率分别降低13.3%和75.5%;烟草MDA含量和电解质渗漏量分别增加347.3%和120.1%,而商陆的MDA含量和电解质渗漏量没有明显增加,表明Mn胁迫对超累积植物引起的氧化损伤明显低于非累积植物.随着Mn处理浓度的提高和时间的延长,2种植物叶片SOD和POD活性均迅速增加,其中商陆SOD活性的增加幅度大于烟草;另外,商陆CAT活性持续上升,而烟草CAT活性显著下降.如在1 mmol·L~(-1) Mn处理下,商陆SOD、POD和CAT活性分别提高161.1%、 111.3%和17.5%;烟草SOD和POD提高55.5%和206.0%,而CAT下降15.6%,表明商陆的抗氧化酶,特别是CAT,能够有效地清除Mn毒产生的自由基.这些结果说明抗氧化酶的抗氧化能力是重金属累积植物商陆的Mn耐性机制之一.     

阴离子表面活性剂SDS对菲律宾蛤仔(Ruditapes philippinarum)的急性毒性效应及抗氧化酶活性的影响

选择阴离子表面活性剂十二烷基硫酸钠(SDS)作为污染物,以近海底栖双壳贝类菲律宾蛤仔为受试生物,研究了SDS胁迫对菲律宾蛤仔的急性毒性效应以及长期暴露后菲律宾蛤仔抗氧化酶(SOD,POD,CAT)活性的变化。结果表明,(1)随着SDS浓度的增加,对菲律宾蛤仔的毒性越强表现出"剂量-效应"关系,SDS对菲律宾蛤仔96 h的半数致死浓度LC50=1.466 mg/L;(2)SDS胁迫引起菲律宾蛤仔的SOD、POD、CAT活性显著变化,低浓度SDS对三种酶的活性均具有诱导作用,高浓度SDS对三种酶的活性均具有抑制效应,中浓度组的SOD和POD酶活性呈现先升后降的趋势,而CAT活性受到抑制;(3)不同组织的抗氧化酶活性对SDS的敏感性表现出一定的差异性,对于SOD与CAT,三种组织敏感性为内脏团>外套膜>肌肉组织,而POD敏感性为外套膜>内脏团>肌肉组织。