Anaerobic degradation of hexachlorocyclohexane isomers in liquid and soil slurry systems

Gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane (gamma-HCH or lindane), one of the most commonly used insecticides, has been mainly used in agriculture. Organochloride compounds are known to be highly toxic and persistent, causing serious water and soil pollution. The objective of the present study is the evaluation of the anaerobic degradation of alpha-, beta-, gamma-, delta-HCH in liquid and slurry cultures. The slurry system with anaerobic sludge appears as an effective alternative in the detoxification of polluted soils with HCH, as total degradation of the four isomers was attained. While alpha- and gamma-HCH disappeared after 20-40d, the most recalcitrant isomers: beta- and delta-HCH were only degraded after 102d. Intermediate metabolites of HCH degradation as pentachlorocyclohexane (PCCH), tetrachlorocyclohexene (TCCH), tri-, di- and mono-chlorobenzenes were observed during degradation time.     

武汉市城郊乡村旅游地的类型划分及时空分布特征研究

在对武汉市城郊534个乡村旅游地进行类型划分的基础上，运用数理统计和空间分析法，对其时空分布特征和影响因素进行研究，得出以下结论：(1）武汉市城郊乡村旅游地在发展过程中，呈现出四个明显的发展时段，旅游极化发展形成的空间冷热点区随时间而发生变化，现已在武汉市西北、西部和南部形成三大旅游集聚区。（2）武汉市城郊乡村旅游地类型日益多元化，从发展初期的休闲观光和乡村文化两种类型逐步增加至休闲观光、乡村文化、农事体验、农业科技、特色村镇等五种类型；不同类型的乡村旅游地发展速度、规模、极化趋势各异。(3）与中心城区距离、相关政策、道路交通条件、水文因素、旅游资源禀赋等均对乡村旅游地的时空分布特征产生影响，各个因素对不同类型旅游地时空分布的影响存在一定差别。     

Statistical evaluation of chronic toxicity data on aquatic organisms for the hazard identification: the chemicals toxicity distribution approach

Presently, in the Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals the classification of substances for long-term effects to aquatic life is based on acute toxicity in combination with degradation and/or bioaccumulation potential. Recently an OECD Working Group was created to develop the classification scheme to accommodate chronic toxicity data related to aquatic organisms for assigning a chronic hazard category. This study focuses on a new approach for setting chronic toxicity cut-off values based on Chemicals Toxicity Distributions (CTDs). A CTD is obtained through statistical fitting of the data used by regulatory bodies for setting hazard-based classifications. The CTDs were made using the lowest aquatic NOEC value of each chemical. A review of different toxicological sources reporting acute aquatic toxicities was carried out. Initially, the data were arranged according to the specific source and distributions for key taxonomic groups (i.e. fishes, crustaceans and algae) were evaluated separately. In most cases, no significant departures from normality were observed. Thereafter, a compiled database containing >900 values was developed and the CTDs were constructed for each taxonomic group. Significant deviation from normality (P < 0.05) was observed in the fishes and crustaceans' CTDs. However, this deviation was apparently produced by the presence of only seven values with NOECs <1 x 10(-5) mg l(-1), while high correlation between the data and the normal scores (r-values>or= 0.989) indicated that the data were samples from normal distributions. From these observations, potential cut-off values would allow quantitative estimations of the percentage of chemicals falling into each specific category. This approach results in a simple classification hazard scheme where most chemicals are covered in one of the categories, allowing a clear distribution of the chemicals among three categories for chronic toxicity.     

Copper binding by peat fulvic and humic acids extracted from two horizons of an ombrotrophic peat bog

We studied the binding of Cu(II) to humic acids and fulvic acids extracted from two horizons of an ombrotrophic peat bog by metal titration experiments at pH 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, and 6.0 and 0.1 M KNO3 ionic strength. Free metal ion concentrations in solution were measured using an ion selective electrode. The amounts of base required to maintain constant pH conditions were recorded and used to calculate H+/Cu2+ exchange ratios. The amount of Cu(II) bound to the humic fractions was greater than the amount bound to the fulvic fractions and only at the highest concentrations of metal ion the amount of Cu(II) sorbed by both fractions became equal. The proton to metal ion exchange ratios are similar for all humic substances, with values ranging from 1.0 to 2.0, and decreasing with increased pH. The amount of Cu(II) bound is practically independent of the horizon from which the sample was extracted. The results indicate that the humic substances show similar cation binding behaviour, despite the differences in chemical composition. The copper binding data are quantitatively described with the NICA-Donnan model, which allows to characterize only the carboxylic type binding sites. The values of the binding constants are higher for the humic acids than for the fulvic acids.     

Effects of medetomidine, a novel antifouling agent, on the burrowing bivalve Abra nitida (Müller)

The effects of medetomidine, a novel antifouling candidate, on the burrowing bivalve Abra nitida were studied. The burrowing behaviour, sediment reworking activity and faeces production were assessed after 24 h exposure of A. nitida to sublethal concentrations of medetomidine. Medetomidine caused a significant decrease in the burrowing response and in the sediment reworking activity. The median effective concentrations (EC50) were 430 nM (86 microg/l) and 4.4 nM (0.9 microg/l), respectively. No effects on the faeces production were detected. Although significant effects of medetomidine on A. nitida were registered, a reversibility of the effects was observed when 24 h-exposed animals were incubated in clean seawater and sediment for 24 h. Considerations relating to the future commercialisation of medetomidine for antifouling purposes are discussed.     

卷烟厂通风空调系统中聚积物燃烧特性研究

选取某烟厂车间通风空调系统,分别对风管内表面及设备部件表面附着的聚积物进行实测与分析.通过对所采集样品的C、H、N、S等的元素分析、工业分析、自然状态下的着火点参数以及灰熔融性参数等的实验分析,得到了烟厂建筑的通风空调系统中聚积物的燃烧特性,为工业建筑火灾的预测评价及防排烟设计提供了参考.     

Analysis of aerosol particles and coarse particulate matter concentrations in Chillán, Chile, 2001-2003

Daily particle samples were collected in Chillán, Chile, at six urban locations from September 1, 2001, through September 30, 2003. Aerosol samples were collected using monitors equipped with a Sierra Andersen 246-b cyclone inlet on Teflon filters. Average concentrations of coarse particulate matter (PM10) for the 2001-2003 period ranged from 43.4 microg/m3 to 81.8 microg/m3 across the six sites. Annual PM10 concentration levels exceeded the European Union concentration limits. Mean PM10 levels during the cold season (April through September) were more than twice as high as those observed in the warm season (October through March). Average contributions to PM10 from organic matter, soil dust, nitrate (NO3-), elemental carbon, ammonium (NH4+), and sulfate (SO4(2-)) were 31%, 27%, 11%, 8%, 7%, and 5%, respectively. The chemical analyses indicated that carbonaceous substances were the most abundant components of PM10 in cold months, whereas crustal material was the most abundant component of PM10 during warm months. Higher concentration levels were observed in the downtown area suggesting a clear anthropogenic origin, whereas in the rural sites the source was mainly natural, such as resuspended soil dust associated with traffic on unpaved roads and agricultural activities.     

Evaluation of heavy metal acute toxicity and bioaccumulation in soil ciliated protozoa

Laboratory toxicity tests, using ciliated protozoa, are scarce and they have been carried out usually with freshwater species. In this study, we have analysed the acute cytotoxicity of Cd, Zn and Cu in five different strains of very common soil ciliate species (Colpoda steinii, Colpoda inflata and Cyrtolophosis elongata), which were isolated from very different soil samples (polluted or not with heavy metals). Soil ciliates are quite resistant to heavy metals pollution with regard to ciliates from other habitats. The toxicity sequence was Cd>Cu>Zn. Results from Cd+Zn mixtures indicated that Cd cytotoxicity decreases in the presence of low or moderate Zn concentrations. A broad heavy metal resistance level diversity exists among isolates of colpodid ciliates and it is seen to be a genetic feature rather than a habitat dependence. Bioaccumulation is seen to be the main mechanism involved in the metal resistance, except for Cu. For the first time in ciliates, a fluorescent method has been applied to detect Zn intracellular deposits. This methodology might be an useful tool for monitoring heavy metal pollution in soils.     

Biohydrogen production using waste activated sludge as a substrate from fructose-processing wastewater treatment

Biohydrogen production by dark fermentation in a series of batch tests under different environmental control conditions was evaluated to determine the optimal initial cultivation pH and temperature for a continuous-flow kinetic test to validate the kinetic model system. The waste activated sludge (WAS) from fructose-processing manufacturing was used as the model substrate for biohydrogen production. The batch experiments for biohydrogen production were conducted in a 6 l bioreactor. Fifteen batch kinetic tests were investigated when pH was controlled at 6, 7, 8 and 9 as well as the temperature was controlled at 37 °C, 45 °C and 55 °C, respectively. The experimental results indicated that the optimal operational condition for hydrogen production occurred while pH was 7 and temperature was 55 °C with the highest hydrogen production of 7.8 mmol. The optimal recovery time for hydrogen was 25 h in the batch experiments. Furthermore, the kinetic test of biohydrogen production was performed by anaerobic mixed microbial culture in the continuous-flow experiment when pH and temperature was maintained at 7 and 55 °C. Approximately 60% and 7% of substrate solution was converted into acetate and hydrogen, respectively, at the steady state. Roughly only 0.77% and 2.7% of substrate solution was converted into propionate and butyrate, respectively, at a steady-state condition. The experimental and modeling approaches presented in this study could be employed for the design of pilot-scale and full-scale anaerobic biohydrogen fermentors using food-processing waste activated sludge (WAS) as a substrate solution.