Dairy manure as a potential source of crop nutrients and environmental contaminants

Although animal manure is applied to agricultural fields for its nutrient value, it may also contain potential contaminants. To determine the variability in such contaminants as well as in valuable nutrients, nine uncomposted manure samples from Idaho dairies collected during 2.5 years were analyzed for macro- and micro-nutrients, hormones, phytoestrogens, antibiotics, veterinary drugs, antibiotic resistance genes, and genetic elements involved in the spread of antibiotic resistance. Total N ranged from 6.8 to 30.7 (C:N of 10 to 21), P from 2.4 to 9.0, and K from 10.2 to 47.7 g/kg manure. Zn (103 – 348 mg/kg) was more abundant than Cu (56 – 127 mg/kg) in all samples. Phytoestrogens were the most prevalent contaminants detected, with concentrations fluctuating over time, reflecting animal diets. This is the first study to document the presence of flunixin, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, in solid stacked manure from regular dairy operations. Monensin was the most frequently detected antibiotic. Progesterones and sulfonamides were regularly detected. We also investigated the relative abundance of several types of plasmids involved in the spread of antibiotic resistance in clinical settings. Plasmids belonging to the IncI, IncP, and IncQ1 incompatibility groups were found in almost all manure samples. IncQ1 plasmids, class 1 integrons, and sulfonamide resistance genes were the most widespread and abundant genetic element surveyed, emphasizing their potential role in the spread of antibiotic resistance. The benefits associated with amending agricultural soils with dairy manure must be carefully weighed against the potential negative consequences of any manure contaminants.     

有机污染土壤植物修复机理的研究现状

综述了国内外有机污染土壤植物修复机理的研究现状,并从植物直接修复和植物增强的根际修复两方面具体介绍了植物修复有机污染土壤的机理。对今后有机污染土壤植物修复研究的重点作了展望。     

长江南京段水、悬浮物及沉积物中多氯有毒有机污染物

对长江南京段水、悬浮物及沉积物中多氯有毒有机污染物进行了分析测定,由色谱/质谱测得的结果表明,水和沉积物中多氯有机污染物的浓度较低,低于欧洲主要河流中的含量水平.悬浮物中这类污染物总含量较高,为56.45～62.35μg/kg,而水中总含量仅为14.61～15.83ng/L.由于长江中污染物被充分稀释与混匀,各采样点的水和悬浮物中该类污染物的浓度变化不大,两相间具有较好的相关性.但各采样点的沉积物中多氯有机污染物含量差异甚大,表明悬浮物的沉积极不均一.沉积物中主要污染物是六氯苯（HCB）和它的代谢产物五氯苯（PeCB）以及滴滴涕（DDT）的代谢产物,其他多氯有机污染物含量很低.     

Spatial Patterns and Rankings of Contaminant Concentrations in Herring Gull Eggs from 15 Sites in the Great Lakes and Connecting Channels, 1998–2002

Mean values of eight contaminants in Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) eggs were calculated for 15 Great Lakes sites for the 5 year period 1998–2002. The sites were ranked according to the concentrations of each of seven compounds relative to fish flesh criteria for the protection of piscivorous wildlife, and a single overall rank of contamination was calculated for each site. Based on this weighted ranking scheme, we found that sum PCBs, dioxin and DDE contributed the most (60.2, 30.5% and 8.5%, respectively) to the overall rankings. The weighted ranking scheme showed that eggs from Channel-Shelter Island (Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron), Strachan Island (St. Lawrence River) and Gull Island (northern Lake Michigan) ranked as the three most contaminated sites, while Agawa Rocks (eastern Lake Superior), Chantry Island (southern Lake Huron) and Port Colborne (eastern Lake Erie) ranked as the three least contaminated sites. Two of the three most contaminated sites are Areas of Concern; none of the three least contaminated sites are Areas of Concern.     

Visitor-induced changes in the chemical composition of soils in backcountry areas of Mt Robson Provincial Park, British Columbia, Canada

Balancing recreation and conservation is an important issue in Canada's parks and protected areas. Increased levels of visitation to parks, especially to backcountry areas, create undue pressure on natural resources, resulting in a variety of ecological impacts. This paper illustrates the issue of visitor-induced changes on the chemical composition of soils in Mt Robson Provincial Park, British Columbia. Soil samples were collected from dish wash stations and fire pits (disturbed sites) at seven campgrounds located along two popular backcountry trails, and were compared to samples obtained from adjacent undisturbed control sites. Analysis of soil samples suggest that the lower amounts of aluminum, potassium, magnesium and sodium in many of the 'disturbed' samples can be related to intense leaching in dish wash stations, and can be attributed to frequent disposal of waste water from washing and cooking activities. Soils in wash stations generally had higher phosphorus, copper and zinc contents as compared to controls. Soils in fire pits were elevated in copper, relative to controls. Results of this study support park regulations that waste water disposal and camp fires be restricted to designated areas. Informing the public of scientific studies helps them understand the consequences of their activities; this may help persuade them to observe park rules and regulations.     

2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) micropollutant herbicide removing from water using granular and powdered activated carbons: a comparison applied for water treatment and health safety

Abstract

Activated carbons are well-known porous materials as an effective adsorbent used for the removal of emerging contaminants, such as herbicides, which are increasingly present in water bodies. Most water treatment plants, specially in Brazil, are unable to completely remove such contaminants by the conventional process and advanced treatment using activated carbons is required. The aim of this paper was to verify the influence of the activated carbons granulometry and specific surface area on the 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) herbicide removal efficiency using distilled-deionized water and filtered water collected from a conventional Water Treatment Plant. Commercial activated carbons samples used in this work were obtained from two different manufacturers. Activated carbons were analyzed by the specific surface area, pore size and volume distribution, nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared and x-ray spectroscopy, moisture, volatile matter and ash contents. Batch adsorption isotherms experiments were used and performed by Langmuir and Freundlich models. Granular and powdered activated carbons removed over 99% of 2,4-D in distilled water and near to 99% using filtered water. The activated carbons evaluated in this work presented high performance and played a key role in water treatment by removing 2,4-D herbicide, ensuring the protection of human health and the ecosystem.     

人工湿地型微生物燃料电池研究进展述评

湿地型微生物燃料电池(Constructed Wetland-Microbial Fuel Cell,CW-MFC)由人工湿地和微生物燃料电池耦合而成,因其具有丰富的微生物种群和较强的电极催化活性,在水质净化和生物产电领域有着良好的应用前景。从CWMFC反应器结构、电极材料及电极布置、填充材料、湿地植物、微生物和运行参数等几个方面对其研究和应用现状进行述评。总体上,大多数CW-MFC系统的产电效果并不理想,普遍净能量回收率小于0.050(kW·h)/kg COD,但在污染物处理去除方面效果显著,COD去除率基本可以达到80%以上。目前,上流式的垂直流运行模式是最合理且常用的运行模式,颗粒状的石墨或者活性炭与金属集电器的组合则是理想的电极材料,较小电极间距、多电极和扩大阴极的电极布置可有效提高系统产电性能,脱水明矾污泥是最具有研究价值的填料。此外,湿地植物会明显提高CW-MFC产电性能,其影响因素包括根际微生物活性、根际分泌物、根际沉积物、径向泌氧、光合作用;湿地植物和电系统还会促进微生物种群增长从而提高系统性能。CW-MFC中的污染物负荷、HRT(大多为3 d)、运行温度(20~40℃)和pH值(7~9)也是提高系统性能的关键因素。总结了未来CW-MFC所面临的挑战及研究方向,包括如何提高产电效率补充能源消耗、新兴污染物的降解及降解机理的研究,以及与其他工艺的联合应用。     

SENSORY RESEARCH FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SECONDARY MAXIMUM CONTAMINANT LEVELS1

ABSTRACT: Individuals naturally engage in sensory evaluation of water quality during daily consumption. Efforts to ensure that all consumers receive high quality water must attend to sensory evaluation; otherwise individuals can obtain repeated evidence of compromised quality that reduces confidence in public purveyors and regulating agencies. Sensory quality is currently regulated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) by promulgation of secondary maximum contaminant levels (SMCLs) governing taste and odor in drinking water. Efforts to establish new SMCLs for identified organic contaminants has been thwarted by a lack of research data even though standardized methods for sensory evaluation presently exist. The present paper recommends a broad based national research program designed to produce odor detection thresholds, flavor detection thresholds, flavor acceptability functions, flavor recognition thresholds, and flavor intensity functions for each current contaminant of concern which will provide a substantial basis for the desired SMCLs, and offer an unprecedented comparative evaluation of currently standardized sensory evaluation procedures.     

INORGANIC CONTAMINANTS IN DRINKING WATER CORRELATED WITH DISEASE OCCURRENCE IN NEBRASKA1

ABSTRACT: Levels of nitrate and other inorganic contaminants in the drinking water of 453 Nebraska communities in 1986 were compared with health data for counties in which these communities were located. Data used included death rates per 100,000 population from heart disease, cancer, cerebrovascular disease, pneumonia and chronic lung disease, plus the rate of birth defects. Water samples from 42 communities exceeded the 0.01 mg/liter state and federal standards for selenium while 19 exceeded the 10 mg/liter NO₃-N standard. Statistical analysis using Pearson's correlation coefficient method showed no significant relationship between nitrate or selenium and any of the health effects studied. Only barium, fluoride, and chromium were weakly but significantly (P<0.05) correlated to one or more of the health effects. Approximately one-third of the water samples high in NO₃-N also had high levels of selenium. In some communities, the presence of nitrate also signaled the presence of barium, chromium, or arsenic. Results appear to indicate no immediate health risks related to levels of nitrate, selenium, or other inorganic contaminants in Nebraska drinking water. However, this type of statistical analysis cannot be interpreted as proving or disproving a cause and effect relationship.     

岩溶裂隙含水层中石油类污染物的迁移与水力截获

对淄博市岩溶地下水遭受石油类污染的研究结果表明，在石灰岩含水层中，岩溶裂隙的发育对石油类污染物侵入地下水的运移过程具有控制作用，石油类污染物沿岩溶裂隙通道运移，在通道延伸的深部可以有高于浅层的检出，水力截获方法去除地下水中石油类污染物是有效的，但水力截获孔的位置应就近污染物集中检出带布置，尽量远离水源地，并正常运行。