Chemical techniques for assessing bioavailability of sediment-associated contaminants: SPME versus Tenax extraction

The traditional approach for predicting the risk of hydrophobic organic contaminants (HOCs) in sediment is to relate organic carbon normalized sediment concentrations to body residues or toxic effects to organisms. However, due to the multiple variables controlling bioavailability, this method has limitations. A matrix independent method of predicting bioavailability needs to be used in order to be universally applicable. Both chemical activity (freely dissolved chemical concentrations) measured by solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and bioaccessibility (rapidly desorbing fraction) estimated by Tenax extraction have been developed to predict bioavailability of sediment-associated HOCs. The objectives of this review are to summarize a number of studies using matrix-SPME or Tenax extraction to estimate bioavailability and/or toxicity of different classes of HOCs and evaluate the strengths and weakness of these two techniques. Although the two chemical techniques assess different components of the matrix, estimates obtained from both techniques have been correlated to organism body residues. The advantages of SPME fibers are their applicability for use in situ and their potential usage for a wide array of contaminants by selection of appropriate coatings. Single time-point Tenax extraction, however, is more time- and labor-effective. Tenax extraction also has lower detection limits, making it more applicable for highly toxic contaminants. This review also calls for additional research to evaluate the role of sequestrated contaminants and ingestion of sediment particles by organisms on HOC bioavailability. The use of performance reference compounds to reduce SPME sampling time and linking chemical based bioavailability estimates to toxicological endpoints are essential to expand the applications of these methods.     

Short-range transport of contaminants released from e-waste recycling site in South China

The transport behaviors of a suite of contaminants released from electronic waste (e-waste) recycling operations, including polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and heavy metals, were evaluated by analyzing the contaminant residues in surface soils sampled in the surrounding area of an e-waste recycling site in South China. Concentrations of PBDEs and PCBs in the soil samples ranged from 0.565 to 2908 ng g(-1) dw and from 0.267 to 1891 ng g(-1) dw, respectively, while soil residues were 0.082-2.56, 3.22-287, and 16.3-162 μg g(-1) dw for Cd, Cu, and Pb, respectively. Concentrations of PBDEs and PCBs in soil decreased with increasing distance from the source of pollution, indicating possible PBDE and PCB contamination in the surrounding areas due to the short-range transport of these compounds from the e-waste recycling site. Although no significant difference in the short-range transport potential among PBDE and PCB congeners was observed, reductions in concentrations of the highly-brominated-BDEs and highly-chlorinated-CBs were slightly quicker than those of their less-halogen-substituted counterparts. Conversely, heavy metals showed the lowest transport potential due to their low vapor pressure, and results showed metals would remain near the pollution source instead of diffusing into the surrounding areas. Finally, mass inventories in areas near the e-waste site were 0.920, 0.134, 0.860, 4.68, 757, and 673 tons for BDE209, PBDEs (excluding BDE209), PCBs, Cd, Cu, and Pb, respectively.     

Research progress on distribution,sources, identification,toxicity, and biodegradation of microplastics in the ocean,freshwater, and soil environment

• Microplastics are widely found in both aquatic and terrestrial environments. • Cleaning products and discarded plastic waste are primary sources of microplastics. • Microplastics have apparent toxic effects on the growth of fish and soil plants. • Multiple strains of biodegradable microplastics have been isolated. Microplastics (MPs) are distributed in the oceans, freshwater, and soil environment and have become major pollutants. MPs are generally referred to as plastic particles less than 5 mm in diameter. They consist of primary microplastics synthesized in microscopic size manufactured production and secondary microplastics generated by physical and environmental degradation. Plastic particles are long-lived pollutants that are highly resistant to environmental degradation. In this review, the distribution and possible sources of MPs in aquatic and terrestrial environments are described. Moreover, the adverse effects of MPs on natural creatures due to ingestion have been discussed. We also have summarized identification methods based on MPs particle size and chemical bond. To control the pollution of MPs, the biodegradation of MPs under the action of different microbes has also been reviewed in this work. This review will contribute to a better understanding of MPs pollution in the environment, as well as their identification, toxicity, and biodegradation in the ocean, freshwater, and soil, and the assessment and control of microplastics exposure.     

化工园区大气环境风险评估与预警平台设计研究

通过分析国内外化工园区大气环境风险评估与预警平台构建技术的现状、研究进展,提出了化工园区大气环境风险评估与监控预警体系,选取典型示范研究区长寿经济技术开发区,以"平战结合"的化工园区大气环境风险评估与预警平台的总体设计思路,构建化工园区大气环境风险评估与预警平台,为中小尺度的化工园区突发大气环境风险防范及应急管理提供科学支撑。     

Recent advances in antimony removal using carbon-based nanomaterials: A review

• The synthesis and physicochemical properties of various CNMs are reviewed. • Sb removal using carbon-based nano-adsorbents and membranes are summarized. • Details on adsorption behavior and mechanisms of Sb uptake by CNMs are discussed. • Challenges and future prospects for rational design of advanced CNMs are provided. Recently, special attention has been deserved to environmental risks of antimony (Sb) element that is of highly physiologic toxicity to human. Conventional coagulation and ion exchange methods for Sb removal are faced with challenges of low efficiency, high cost and secondary pollution. Adsorption based on carbon nanomaterials (CNMs; e.g., carbon nanotubes, graphene, graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide and their derivatives) may provide effective alternative because the CNMs have high surface area, rich surface chemistry and high stability. In particular, good conductivity makes it possible to create linkage between adsorption and electrochemistry, thereby the synergistic interaction will be expected for enhanced Sb removal. This review article summarizes the state of art on Sb removal using CNMs with the form of nano-adsorbents and/or filtration membranes. In details, procedures of synthesis and functionalization of different forms of CNMs were reviewed. Next, adsorption behavior and the underlying mechanisms toward Sb removal using various CNMs were presented as resulting from a retrospective analysis of literatures. Last, we prospect the needs for mass production and regeneration of CNMs adsorbents using more affordable precursors and objective assessment of environmental impacts in future studies.     

Study of water quality response to water transfer patterns in the receiving basin and surrogate model

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The spatio-temporal response of water quality in the receiving basins to water transfer remains unclear when considering more practical factors....     

Does leakage exist in China’s typical protected areas? Evidence from 13 national nature reserves

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - There is profound interest in knowing the degree to which the effectiveness of China’s nature reserves, and whether leakage is common around the...     

煤灰预处理-好氧生物技术处理有机废水的研究

介绍了煤灰预处理-好氧生物技术对有机废水的处理研究。结果表明,当有机废水中COD_Cr为1162mg/L,SS为382mg/L时,该技术对有机废水COD_Cr的去除率达96.9%,悬浮物的去除率达91.5%,处理废水的运行费用为0.22元/t。      

德阳市旅游特色及其开发对策

以德阳市旅游资源为研究对象,进行了旅游资源评价,并剖析了旅游产业发展过程中出现的问题,提出了具体对策。     

前混合式磨料射流系统的容积效应及有关安全问题

前混合式磨料射流系统具有明显的容积效应。通常情况下 ,系统在停止工作压力降低时 ,磨料罐将排出约 1 L的浆液 ,在长 5 m以上的管路中淤积 ;重新工作时 ,将造成喷嘴和管路的严重磨损 ,甚至造成堵塞 ,使系统不能正常工作。为此 ,笔者提出了一种新型的射流发生系统 ,改善系统的容积效应 ,在其停止工作时 ,采用了磨料罐从上方排出清水以降低系统压力方法 ,改善磨料大量涌出和管路淤积现象 ,同时也对管接头等磨蚀引起的有关安全问题进行了讨论。