Wet oxidation of recalcitrant lignin water solutions: experimental and reaction kinetics

The purpose of the research was to study the behavior of lignin degradation under different conditions (T 110–190°C, pO₂ 0.5–1.5 MPa, pH 5, 9 and 12) and to develop a predictive model. Temperature increase improved lignin removal from 75% at 110°C to 100% at 190°C (experimental). Increasing the pH enhanced the lignin removal efficiency from 30 to 97% (experimental). The developed model predicted the lignin degradation and changes in COD, BOD and TOC. The model agreed well with the experimental data (R ² = 0.93 at pH 5 and 12).     

Effects of ultraviolet-B radiation on behaviour and growth of three species of amphibian larvae

Effects of ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation on amphibian embryos have been investigated in a number of studies, but the effects on larvae have received less attention. We investigated the effects of UV-B radiation on the behaviour and growth of larvae of three amphibians (Rana arvalis, Rana temporaria and Bufo bufo) in two different experiments. First, we tested whether larvae of the three species actively avoid UV-B exposure if given a choice. We found no evidence for active avoidance of UV-B or changes in activity in the presence of UV-B in any of the species. Second, we assessed the effects of natural (1.25 kJm(-2)) and enhanced (1.58 kJm(-2)) UV-B radiation on the survival and growth of the three species and found that the exposure to UV-B radiation did not have any effect on survival rates of any of the species. However, UV-B radiation had a positive effect on the growth of R. arvalis and R. temporaria, whereas the growth of B. bufo tadpoles was unaffected by the UV-B treatments. Our results suggest that a short-term exposure to UV-B radiation does not induce any UV-B avoidance behaviour in tadpoles of these three species. Furthermore, unlike some previous studies, the results suggest that the young tadpoles of these species are not negatively affected by UV-B radiation. In fact, our results demonstrate that a moderate amount of UV-B radiation enhance tadpole growth rates in two of the three species.     

Impacts of urbanization at city cluster scale on ecosystem services along an urban–rural gradient: a case study of Central Yunnan City Cluster,China

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Urban agglomeration will be the main mode of future urbanization in China, greatly influencing social and economic development and ecosystem...