零价铁对土壤中间氯硝基苯和间硝基甲苯的还原研究

常温常压下,利用零价铁(ZVI)对土壤中间氯硝基苯(MCNB)和间硝基甲苯(MNT)2类污染物进行了修复研究.结果表明:ZVI能有效将MCNB和MNT还原为相应的苯胺类化合物,无进一步脱氯或脱甲基反应发生.反应时间、土壤含水量、土壤初始pH值、ZVI用量和反应温度均对还原效果有较明显的影响,当土壤中2种污染物各自浓度约为2.5×10-6 mol·g-1,ZVI加入量为25 mg·g-1,土壤含水量为0.75 mL·g-1,初始pH值为6.8时,(25±1) ℃条件下反应5 h后,2种化合物的还原率均达到80%以上,较长的反应时间、偏酸性的土壤、较高的温度、ZVI用量的增加以及饱和的土壤含水量均能显著提高还原率.     

Fe^0对土壤中对氯硝基苯和对硝基甲苯的还原

采用零价铁(Fe0)还原技术,在25℃和常压下修复受对氯硝基苯(PCNB)和对硝基甲苯(PNT)混合污染的土壤,研究不同反应条件对还原反应的影响及产物在反应历程中的变化.实验结果表明:零价铁能够有效地将土壤中PCNB和PNT还原为其对应的苯胺化合物.在PCNB和PNT的初始含量约为2.5×106mol·g-1,Fe0加人最为25 mg·g-1,土壤水分含量为0.75 mL·g-1,土壤初始pH值为6.8,于25℃下反应5 h,PCNB和PNT的还原率都可达93%以上.Fe0用量、土壤初始pH值、温度和土壤含水量均对Fe0还原硝基苯类化合物有较明显影响,偏酸性的土壤、较高的温度、增加Fe0用量和饱和的土壤含水量能显著提高还原率.     

强化的零价铁PRB技术对PCBs污染地下水的修复

本实验强化了零价铁可渗透反应墙（Permeable Reactive Barrier,PRB）技术,分别用还原铁粉、还原铁粉＋锌粉、还原铁粉＋活性炭为主要的反应介质,以Arcolor1242为靶污染物,对强化的零价铁PRB技术治理多氯联苯污染的地下水的可行性和有效性进行了模拟研究。实验结果表明：在温度10℃,有效孔隙率为61%~67%,水的渗透速度为0.7~0.8 m.d-1的条件下,3个反应柱稳定期对PCBs的去除率分别达到94%、85%、79%,pH值从6.87升高到8.78、10.2、7.93;氧化还原电位从-48.6 mV降到-135、-107、-86.4 mV;出水铁离子的平均质量浓度为0.241、0.129和0.201 mg.L-1,脱氯率平均值为49.6%、72.6%、58.6%。综合考虑处理效果与成本,用零价铁PRB技术治理PCBs污染的地下水是可行的。     

零价铁对土壤中4-氯苯酚还原脱氯研究

氯苯酚是常见的环境污染物，它们在土壤中的加速分解可以减少对人类健康的危害。以恒温培养为方法，GC-MS为检测手段，研究了在常温常压下土壤中4-氯苯酚(4-CP)在零价铁作用下的还原脱氯反应。结果表明：4-CP可以被来自零价铁的电子还原，零价铁能够有效促进土壤中的4-CP脱除苯环上的氯原子，从而达到降低毒性、增加可生化性目的。反应条件如初始pH、时间、零价铁用量等均对4-CP还原脱氯效率有重要影响，特别是当初始pH值控制在偏酸时更有利于反应的进行。在零价铁加入量500mg、初始pH=4、反应时间7d的条件下，零价铁对土壤中4-CP还原脱氯效率最高可以达到65％。利用实验数据，对零价铁作用下4-CP还原脱氯的反应机理也进行了初步探讨。     

pH值对零价铁还原降解模拟地下水中硝基苯的影响

通过批次实验,研究了不同pH值对零价铁还原模拟地下水中硝基苯的影响,结果表明:零价铁通过还原反应可有效降解地下水中的硝基苯,在控制pH值为3-12的硝基苯还原降解试验中,反应的最佳pH值为3;随着反应的进行pH值呈现逐渐升高的趋势;在各种pH值条件下,硝基苯的还原速率符合假一级动力学模型,表观速率常数kobs随pH值的降低而增加;硝基苯的还原速率和苯胺的生成速率都随pH值升高而减小;另外,零价铁还原硝基苯的最终还原产物为苯胺.     

中性条件下超声波/零价铁协同降解活性艳红X-3B

考察了中性条件下超声波降解、零价铁还原及超声波-零价铁联用对活性艳红X-3B模拟废水的降解效果,通过对比降解过程中UV-Vis光谱的变化,探讨了超声波-零价铁协同处理活性艳红X-3B的可行性.结果表明,在中性条件下超声波对活性艳红X-3B降解缓慢,经过25min辐射后,活性艳红X-3B的分解率不足7.5%;零价铁直接还原速率较慢,反应25min后,活性艳红X-3B的分解率仅为48.82%;"超声波/零价铁"对降解活性艳红X-3B有明显的协同效应,25min后分解率达99.42%(600W),反应符合准一级动力学过程.与零价铁直接还原相比,在200W,400W和600W超声波的协同作用下,X-3B降解的表观反应速率常数分别提高了2.12,2.76和4.00倍,半衰期相应缩短.另外,添加H2O2会抑制协同效应.     

纳米Fe~0协同微生物对PCB77的降解研究

研究了纳米零价铁协同微生物降解水溶液中的PCB77。从污染土样中分离出一株多氯联苯（PCBs）降解菌,对其进行革兰氏染色形态观察,并用降解菌降解PCB77。结果表明：培养温度30℃、溶液pH 7.0、微生物接种量109 cfu·mL-1、PCB77初始质量浓度1.0 mg·L-1时,降解菌对PCB77的降解率为58.63%。纳米零价铁对PCB77的降解是一个还原脱氯过程,7 d时的降解率为82.99%。采用纳米零价铁/微生物联合体系降解水溶液中PCB77,降解率显著高于微生物和纳米零价铁单一体系,降解率可达93.30%。研究结果将为环境中PCBs残留提供了一种高效去除的方法,并为PCBs污染土壤的修复提供理论依据。     

弱磁场强化零价铁去除水中砷的效果

砷是一种有毒的类金属污染元素,许多工业场地土壤与地下水发现砷严重超标.本文对20 mT弱磁场促进零价铁去除砷的效果、影响因素和机理进行了实验室研究.结果表明,当初始pH=5—9时,外加弱磁场对零价铁除砷反应动力学影响显著,尤其在pH=7时,反应动力学速率常数从0.21 s~(-1)升高到1.14 s~(-1),增大了443%;2 h内去除率由30.9%提升至89.1%,提高了189%.在初始pH=7,更小粒径(5—9μm)的零价铁条件下,弱磁场促进零价铁除砷的效果更显著.由反应后剩余固体的SEM图可知,外加弱磁场下,零价铁颗粒表面的腐蚀产物明显增多.XPS分析结果表明,弱磁场环境下更多的氧气参与反应,促进了零价铁的腐蚀,生成更多的铁氧化物和氢氧化物,从而加速了砷在零价铁及其氧化物、氢氧化物表面的吸附和共沉淀.弱磁场可以显著促进零价铁对砷的去除,且无需外加能源和药剂投入,绿色环保,具有良好的发展前景.     

纳米零价铁对溶液中PCB77的降解及其影响因素

设计了以溶液初始pH值、3,3’,4,4’-四氯联苯(PCB77)初始浓度、纳米零价铁(Fe0)投加量、纳米零价硅(Si0)投加量、腐殖酸和环糊精浓度为影响因素的正交试验,研究纳米Fe0降解PCB77时各因素对反应体系中PCB77残留率、氢离子浓度及氧化还原电位变化的影响及其相互关系。结果表明,在溶液初始pH值为4.5,初始ρ(PCB77)为1 mg.L-1,纳米Fe0投加量为10 g.L-1,纳米Si0投加量为0,ρ(腐殖酸)为0.25 g.L-1,ρ(环糊精)为1 g.L-1时,反应2 h后,PCB77残留率最低,为35.2%。溶液初始pH值对反应体系中PCB77的残留率影响最大,纳米Fe0投加量次之;溶液初始pH值对反应体系中氢离子浓度变化影响最大,环糊精投加量次之;PCB77初始浓度对反应体系中氧化还原电位变化影响最大,纳米Fe0投加量次之。     

黑炭/零价铁复合材料耦合金属还原菌对溶液中Cr(Ⅵ)的去除

针对黑炭/零价铁复合材料(BF)、金属还原菌(GY~(-1))单独使用修复Cr(Ⅵ)污染环境存在的问题,构建了黑炭零价铁与金属还原菌的耦合体系,考察了耦合体系中溶液pH值、Cr(Ⅵ)浓度、反应时间、温度对微生物生长和溶液中Cr(Ⅵ)去除的影响,并且研究了耦合体系中铁的动态变化。实验结果表明:黑炭/零价铁复合材料可作为金属还原菌的固定化载体,为金属还原菌提供繁殖场所的同时,提高其对Cr(Ⅵ)的抗性。耦合体系中Cr(Ⅵ)的去除效果明显优于单独使用零价铁/黑炭和单独铬还原菌的效果。在耦合体系中,3 mL细胞培养液(OD_(600)为1.2—1.6)和0.1 g黑炭负载零价铁材料,Cr(Ⅵ)初始质量浓度为100mg·L~(-1)条件下,反应24h后可将溶液中Cr(Ⅵ)完全去除。XPS结果显示,反应阶段Cr(Ⅵ)和Cr(Ⅲ)共同存在于耦合体系中,但大部分的Cr(VI)会被零价铁和铬还原菌还原为Cr(Ⅲ),此外,存在黑炭和菌体对Cr(Ⅵ)的吸附作用。耦合体系中Fe(Ⅱ)含量高于单独黑炭负载零价铁材料,说明微生物能还原零价铁钝化层的Fe(Ⅲ)为Fe(Ⅱ),使Fe(II)继续参与还原反应,产生循环效果,增强耦合体系对Cr(Ⅵ)的去除效果。同时,铁离子作为一种电子传递介质增强微生物对Cr(Ⅵ)还原过程中的电子传递,加速反应进行的同时,解决零价铁表面易钝化问题。     

Achieving Open Access to Conservation Science

Conservation science is a crisis discipline in which the results of scientific enquiry must be made available quickly to those implementing management. We assessed the extent to which scientific research published since the year 2000 in 20 conservation science journals is publicly available. Of the 19,207 papers published, 1,667 (8.68%) are freely downloadable from an official repository. Moreover, only 938 papers (4.88%) meet the standard definition of open access in which material can be freely reused providing attribution to the authors is given. This compares poorly with a comparable set of 20 evolutionary biology journals, where 31.93% of papers are freely downloadable and 7.49% are open access. Seventeen of the 20 conservation journals offer an open access option, but fewer than 5% of the papers are available through open access. The cost of accessing the full body of conservation science runs into tens of thousands of dollars per year for institutional subscribers, and many conservation practitioners cannot access pay‐per‐view science through their workplace. However, important initiatives such as Research4Life are making science available to organizations in developing countries. We urge authors of conservation science to pay for open access on a per‐article basis or to choose publication in open access journals, taking care to ensure the license allows reuse for any purpose providing attribution is given. Currently, it would cost $51 million to make all conservation science published since 2000 freely available by paying the open access fees currently levied to authors. Publishers of conservation journals might consider more cost effective models for open access and conservation‐oriented organizations running journals could consider a broader range of options for open access to nonmembers such as sponsorship of open access via membership fees. Obtención de Acceso Abierto a la Ciencia de la Conservación     

Some polyphagous Homoptera gain protection from their natural enemies by feeding on the toxic plantsSpartium junceum andErythrina corallodendrum (Leguminosae)

Summary Interactions were studied among alkaloid-containing legumes (Erythrina corallodendrum andSpartium junceum) and non-toxic plants (Citrus sinensis, Cucurbita moschata andEuphorbia tirucalli), several polyphagous homopterans,Aphis craccivora (Aphididae),Icerya purchasi, I. aegyptiaca (Margarodidae),Lepidosaphes ulmi (Diaspididae) andPlanococcus citri (Pseudococcidae), and some major natural enemies of these homopterans. Significant reductions in survival due to negative effects of alkaloid containing as compared with non-alkaloidal plants were recorded for the predatorsRodolia cardinalis andChilocorus bipustulatus, but not forCryptolaemus montrouzieri (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae),Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) andSympherobius sanctus (Neuroptera: Sympherobiidae). The development time of the larvae or pupae ofR. cardinalis, C. carnea andS. sanctus was longer on the toxic plants than on the non-toxic ones. The percentage of parasitism ofA. craccivora collected from the non-alkaloidal plantsVicia palaestina andMelilotus albus was much higher than that onS. junceum. The parasitoid complexes ofA. craccivora differed between both plant groups. The nutritive value of honeydew ofI. purchasi andA. craccivora, as expressed by the life span ofEncyrtus infelix (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) adults, was also investigated. Life spans were significantly longer when the wasps fed on honeydew produced on non-alkaloidal plants (C. sinensis andPittosporum tobira) than on alkaloid containing plants whenI. purchasi — but notA. craccivora — was the producer. It is suggested that the chemical defense ofE. corallodendrum andS. junceum is exploited by polyphagous phytophages to reduce predation. In nature, population growth and density of four of the investigated homopterans are conspicuously high when they developed on the alkaloid containing plant species, and very low on non-alkaloid plants. The efficiency of their natural enemies may be reduced by sequestration of alkaloids (or other toxic plant compounds) or their transfer into excreted honeydew. Therefore it is assumed that a generalist phytophagous homopteran may be protected from its natural enemies, although at different rates of efficiency, if it can safely sequester the host allelochemical when it develops on toxic species within its host range.     

Rapid,recurring, structured survey versus bioblitz for generating biodiversity data and analysis with a multispecies abundance model

A bioblitz inexpensively and quickly generates biodiversity data, but bioblitzes are often conducted with haphazard, unreplicated sampling. Results tend to be taxonomically, geographically, or temporally biased, lack metadata, and consist of lists of observed taxa that do not enable further analyses or correction for imperfect detection. A rapid, recurring, structured survey (RRSS) uses a structured sampling design and temporal and spatial replication to survey randomly selected sites on a conservation property. We participated in a loosely structured bioblitz and a subsequent RRSS at Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve in Springville (St. Clair County), Alabama (USA) to compare observed richness derived from the 2 survey approaches. The RRSS data structure enabled us to fit models that accounted for imperfect detection to estimate abundances, occupancy probabilities, and habitat associations. The loosely structured bioblitz data could not be used in such models. We present a new integrated multispecies abundance model that we applied to avian RRSS data. Our model extension enables estimation for the community, employs data augmentation to estimate the number of undetected species, and incorporates covariates. The RRSS generated a more comprehensive and less biased list of observed taxonomic richness than the loosely structured bioblitz (e.g., 73 vs. 45 bird species and 104 vs. 63 insect families from the RRSS vs. loosely structured bioblitz, respectively). Models fit to the RRSS data identified seasonal patterns in avian community composition and allowed for estimation of habitat–occupancy relationships for insect taxa. The RRSS protocol has potential for broad transferability as a standardized, quick, and inexpensive way to inventory biodiversity and estimate ecological parameters while providing an outreach opportunity.     

Compliance with and ecosystem function of biodiversity offsets in North American and European freshwaters

Land-use change via human development is a major driver of biodiversity loss. To reduce these impacts, billions of dollars are spent on biodiversity offsets. However, studies evaluating offset project effectiveness that examine components such as the overall compliance and function of projects remain rare. We reviewed 577 offsetting projects in freshwater ecosystems that included the metrics project size, type of aquatic system (e.g., wetland and creek), offsetting measure (e.g., enhancement, restoration, and creation), and an assessment of the projects’ compliance and functional success. Project information was obtained from scientific and government databases and gray literature. Despite considerable investment in offsetting projects, crucial problems persisted. Although compliance and function were related to each other, a high level of compliance did not guarantee a high degree of function. However, large projects relative to area had better function than small projects. Function improved when projects targeted productivity or specific ecosystem features and when multiple complementary management targets were in place. Restorative measures were more likely to achieve targets than creating entirely new ecosystems. Altogether the relationships we found highlight specific ecological processes that may help improve offsetting outcomes.     

Sequestration of cucurbitacin analogs by New and Old World chrysomelid leaf beetles in the tribe Luperini

Summary Two South American polyphagous leaf beetles,Diabrotica speciosa andCerotoma arcuata, selectively accumulated the bitter tasting compound 23,24-dihydrocucurbitacin D in their body after ingesting root tissues of cucurbit plants. Similarly, three Asian Cucurbitaceae-feeding specialists in the genusAulacophora were found to sequester the same compound. Cucurbitacin analogs were shown to deter feeding by a bird predator, indicating an allomonal role for these compounds in cucurbitacin-associated chrysomelid leaf beetles both of New and Old Worlds. The strong affinity to cucurbitacins, selective sequestration of the analogs and consequent protection from predators suggested an ecological adaptation mechanism developed in common among these two geographically isolated subtribes in the Luperini.     

Effects of Controlled Fire and Livestock Grazing on Bird Communities in East African Savannas

Abstract: In East Africa fire and grazing by wild and domestic ungulates maintain savannas, and pastoralists historically set fires and herded livestock through the use of temporary corrals called bomas. In recent decades traditional pastoral practices have declined, and this may be affecting biodiversity. We investigated the effects of prescribed fires and bomas on savanna bird communities in East Africa during the first and second dry seasons of the year (respectively before and after the rains that mark the onset of breeding for most birds). We compared abundance, richness, and community composition on 9‐ha burned plots, recently abandoned bomas, and control plots in the undisturbed matrix habitat over a 3‐year period. Generally, recently burned areas and abandoned bomas attracted greater densities of birds and had different community assemblages than the surrounding matrix. The effects of disturbances were influenced by interactions between primary productivity, represented by the normalized difference vegetation index, and time. Bird densities were highest and a greater proportion of species was observed on burned plots in the months following the fires. Drought conditions equalized bird densities across treatments within 1 year, and individuals from a greater proportion of species were more commonly observed on abandoned bomas. Yearly fluctuations in abundance were less pronounced on bomas than on burns, which indicate that although fire may benefit birds in the short term, bomas may have a more‐lasting positive effect and provide resources during droughts. Several Palearctic migrants were attracted to burned plots regardless of rainfall, which indicates continued fire suppression may threaten their already‐declining populations. Most notably, the paucity of birds observed on the controls suggests that the current structure of the matrix developed as a result of fire suppression. Traditional pastoralism appears critical to the maintenance of avian diversity in these savannas.     

A palaeo-hydrogeological model for arsenic contamination in southern and south-east Asia

An argument is presented in which areas of natural arsenic contamination of modern groundwaters throughout Asia have a common origin. Arsenic originally accumulated in oceanic ferro-manganoan sediments of the eastern Palaeo-Tethys. This was further concentrated through oceanic crustal extinction in what later became the south-east Chinese accreted mineralised terrain. Proto-Himalayan uplift of this area created the palaeo-drainage systems of the Ganges – Brahmaputra, Irrawaddy, Mekong, and Red Rivers, with consequent headwater erosion of arsenic-rich sediments. Their downstream deposition as immature and easily redistributed Neogene sandstones, silts, and iron-rich clays has created secondary and tertiary reservoirs of adsorbed and authigenic arsenic, from which the current arsenic-rich groundwaters have evolved. Considering river basins within the above palaeo-hydrogeological framework provides a basis for assessing the risk of arsenic in groundwater basins of south and south-eastern Asia.     

What Every Conservation Biologist Should Know about Economic Theory

Abstract: The last century has seen the ascendance of a core economic model, which we will refer to as Walrasian economics. This model is driven by the psychological assumptions that humans act only in a self‐referential and narrowly rational way and that production can be described as a self‐contained circular flow between firms and households. These assumptions have critical implications for the way economics is used to inform conservation biology. Yet the Walrasian model is inconsistent with a large body of empirical evidence about actual human behavior, and it violates a number of basic physical laws. Research in behavioral science and neuroscience shows that humans are uniquely social animals and not self‐centered rational economic beings. Economic production is subject to physical laws including the laws of thermodynamics and mass balance. In addition, some contemporary economic theory, spurred by exciting new research in human behavior and a wealth of data about the negative global impact of the human economy on natural systems, is moving toward a world view that places consumption and production squarely in its behavioral and biophysical context. We argue that abandoning the straightjacket of the Walrasian core is essential to further progress in understanding the complex, coupled interactions between the human economy and the natural world. We call for a new framework for economic theory and policy that is consistent with observed human behavior, recognizes the complex and frequently irreversible interaction between human and natural systems, and directly confronts the cumulative negative effects of the human economy on the Earth's life support systems. Biophysical economics and ecological economics are two emerging economic frameworks in this movement.     

Effects of Coffee Management on Deforestation Rates and Forest Integrity

Knowledge about how forest margins are utilized can be crucial for a general understanding of changes in forest cover, forest structure, and biodiversity across landscapes. We studied forest‐agriculture transitions in southwestern Ethiopia and hypothesized that the presence of coffee (Coffea arabica)decreases deforestation rates because of coffee's importance to local economies and its widespread occurrence in forests and forest margins. Using satellite images and elevation data, we compared changes in forest cover over 37 years (1973–2010) across elevations in 2 forest‐agriculture mosaic landscapes (1100 km² around Bonga and 3000 km² in Goma‐Gera). In the field in the Bonga area, we determined coffee cover and forest structure in 40 forest margins that differed in time since deforestation. Both the absolute and relative deforestation rates were lower at coffee‐growing elevations compared with at higher elevations (?10/20% vs. ?40/50% comparing relative rates at 1800 m asl and 2300–2500 m asl, respectively). Within the coffee‐growing elevation, the proportion of sites with high coffee cover (>20%) was significantly higher in stable margins (42% of sites that had been in the same location for the entire period) than in recently changed margins (0% of sites where expansion of annual crops had changed the margin). Disturbance level and forest structure did not differ between sites with 30% or 3% coffee. However, a growing body of literature on gradients of coffee management in Ethiopia reports coffee's negative effects on abundances of forest‐specialist species. Even if the presence of coffee slows down the conversion of forest to annual‐crop agriculture, there is a risk that an intensification of coffee management will still threaten forest biodiversity, including the genetic diversity of wild coffee. Conservation policy for Ethiopian forests thus needs to develop strategies that acknowledge that forests without coffee production may have higher deforestation risks than forests with coffee production and that forests with coffee production often have lower biodiversity value. Efectos de la Administración Cafetalera sobre las Tasas de Deforestación y la Integridad de los Bosques     

Cost‐effective conservation of an endangered frog under uncertainty

How should managers choose among conservation options when resources are scarce and there is uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of actions? Well‐developed tools exist for prioritizing areas for one‐time and binary actions (e.g., protect vs. not protect), but methods for prioritizing incremental or ongoing actions (such as habitat creation and maintenance) remain uncommon. We devised an approach that combines metapopulation viability and cost‐effectiveness analyses to select among alternative conservation actions while accounting for uncertainty. In our study, cost‐effectiveness is the ratio between the benefit of an action and its economic cost, where benefit is the change in metapopulation viability. We applied the approach to the case of the endangered growling grass frog (Litoria raniformis), which is threatened by urban development. We extended a Bayesian model to predict metapopulation viability under 9 urbanization and management scenarios and incorporated the full probability distribution of possible outcomes for each scenario into the cost‐effectiveness analysis. This allowed us to discern between cost‐effective alternatives that were robust to uncertainty and those with a relatively high risk of failure. We found a relatively high risk of extinction following urbanization if the only action was reservation of core habitat; habitat creation actions performed better than enhancement actions; and cost‐effectiveness ranking changed depending on the consideration of uncertainty. Our results suggest that creation and maintenance of wetlands dedicated to L. raniformis is the only cost‐effective action likely to result in a sufficiently low risk of extinction. To our knowledge we are the first study to use Bayesian metapopulation viability analysis to explicitly incorporate parametric and demographic uncertainty into a cost‐effective evaluation of conservation actions. The approach offers guidance to decision makers aiming to achieve cost‐effective conservation under uncertainty.