Contrasting structure and composition of the understory in species-rich tropical rain forests

In large samples of trees > or = 1 cm dbh (more than 1 million trees and 3000 species), in six lowland tropical forests on three continents, we assigned species with >30 individuals to one of six classes of stature at maturity (SAM). We then compared the proportional representation of understory trees (1-2 cm dbh) among these classes. The understory of the three Asian sites was predominantly composed of the saplings of large-canopy trees whereas the African and American sites were more richly stocked with trees of the smaller SAM classes. Differences in class representation were related to taxonomic families that were present exclusively in one continent or another. Families found in the Asian plots but not in the American plot (e.g., Dipterocarpaceae, Fagaceae) were predominantly species of the largest SAM classes, whereas families exclusive to the American plots (e.g., Melastomataceae sensu stricto, Piperaceae, and Malvaceae [Bombacacoidea]) were predominantly species of small classes. The African plot was similar to Asia in the absence of those American families rich in understory species, while similar to America in lacking the Asian families rich in canopy species. The numerous understory species of Africa were chiefly derived from families shared with Asia and/or America. The ratio of saplings (1-2 cm dbh) to conspecific canopy trees (>40 cm dbh) was lower in American plots than in the Asian plots. Possible explanations for these differences include phenology, moisture and soil fertility regimes, phyletic constraints, and the role of early successional plants in forest development. These results demonstrate that tropical forests that appear similar in tree number, basal area, and the family taxonomy of canopy trees nonetheless differ in ecological structure in ways that may impact the ecology of pollinators, dispersers, and herbivores and might reflect fundamental differences in canopy tree regeneration.     

Application of SO(4)(2-)/TiO2 solid superacid in decontaminating radioactive pollutants

Polyaniline doped with SO(4)(2-)/TiO(2) superacid shows good conductive ability. When used in a strippable coating film for decontaminating radioactive pollutants, the SO(4)(2-)/TiO(2) solid superacid replacing HCl exhibits higher electrical conductivity (7.01 s/cm) and a decontamination ratio higher than 97%. Coating and electrolyzing the film in solution or in dry medium were effective methods, the latter was more promising for decontaminating radioactive pollutants which were attached to the surface or within the body of equipments used in nuclear industry.     

Relation of lead adsorption on birnessites with different average oxidation states of manganese and release of Mn^2＋/H^＋/K^＋

The characteristics of Pb2+ adsorption on the surface of birnessites with different average oxidation states (AOS) of Mn, synthesized under acidic and alkali conditions, were investigated. The results indicated that the amount of adsorbed Pb2+ increased with the increase of Mn AOS in birnessites. The amount of Pb2+ adsorbed positively correlated with the amount of released Mn2+, H+, and K+ (r = 0.9962 > 0.6614, n = 14, α = 0.01). The released Mn2+, H+, and K+ were derived mostly from the corresponding catio...     

某厂氩气纯化器失效分析及对策

某厂氩气纯化器是由1Cr18Ni9不锈钢制成,在使用过程中出现致密性的网状裂纹开裂。详细论述了氩气纯化器开裂失效的原因,并通过理论分析及实践摸索,找出了应对氩气纯化器失效的对策。并在实际运行中得到了验证,确保了新制氩气纯化器的安全可靠运行。     

多元可燃性混合气体临界氧浓度的测定

可燃性气体(蒸气)的临界氧浓度目前只限于对单元气体混合物的研究,且影响因素较少提及。通过实验测定了人工煤气、液化石油气的爆炸极限和临界氧浓度,对可燃性气体(蒸气)临界氧浓度的影响因素进行了研究,所测定的数据为煤气、液化石油气的安全防爆工作提供了依据。     

Enhanced arsenate removal from aqueous solution by Mn-doped MgAl-layered double hydroxides

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - In this study, Mn-doped MgAl-layered double hydroxides (LDHs) were successfully synthesized for efficient removal arsenate from aqueous solution. The...     

Morphology,pore size distribution,and nutrient characteristics in biochars under different pyrolysis temperatures and atmospheres

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - To evaluate the agronomic potential of biochar, we prepared a series of biochars using rice straw waste under the limited oxygen cracking condition...     

The toxicity of cadmium ion (Cd2+) to phycocyanin: an in vitro spectroscopic study

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The pollution of heavy metals is a severer problem for the ecosystems in waters. The toxicity of Cd2+ on phycocyanin (PC) is studied in molecular...     

Recycling sewage sludge into ceramic materials: A review

Environmental Chemistry Letters - Huge amounts of unwanted sewage sludge are generated in the process of wastewater treatment, calling for methods to recycle sewage sludges into value-added...     

我国腈纶废水物化预处理方法的研究进展

结合我国腈纶废水的特征,系统归纳了近年来我国腈纶废水常用物化预处理方法的研究进展。物化预处理方法包括内电解法、混凝法、Fenton氧化法、电解法、臭氧氧化法、光催化氧化法、微波法等。这些方法普遍存在高成本、高能耗、实际运行费用大等问题。对未来物化预处理方法的研究方向提出了建议。最后指出,腈纶废水的处理应朝着节能高效和资源化的方向发展,推动我国腈纶废水处理技术的不断进步和完善。