Chlorination-induced cellular damage and recovery in marine microalga, Chlorella salina

Power plants employ chlorination for controlling biofouling in the cooling water system. Phytoplankton drawn into the cooling water system could be impacted by chemical stress induced by the oxidizing biocide. It is likely that microalgae, being sensitive to chlorine, could suffer damage to their cellular structure and function. In this study, we present data on the effect of in-use concentrations of chlorine on the unicellular microalga, Chlorella salina. Chlorophyll autofluorescence was measured in terms of mean fluorescence intensity per cell for rapid assessment of toxicity. Viability of the cells exposed to chlorine was determined by fluorescein diacetate staining. Functionality of the photosynthetic machinery was assessed by gross primary productivity. Results from the study, which combined confocal laser scanning microscopy with image analysis, showed a significant dose-dependant reduction in chlorophyll autofluorescence, esterase activity and gross primary productivity in chlorine-treated cells. Interestingly, the cells injured by chlorination could not recover in terms of autofluorescence, esterase activity or productivity even after 18 h incubation in healthy media. Among the test points evaluated, esterase activity appeared to be sensitive for determining the chlorination-induced impact. Our results demonstrate that low-dose chlorination causes significant decrease in chlorophyll autofluorescence, intracellular esterase activity and primary productivity in Chlorella cells.     

Selection of poly(R)-3-hydroxybutyric acid utilising bacteria by enrichment,optimisation and compatibility testing for consortia development

Bacterial strains with poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) degradation potential were isolated from waste yard soil samples of selected industrial sites in Uttarakhand, India, and two microbial consortia were developed, i.e. Consortium I comprises Pseudomonas sp. strain Rb10, Pseudomonas sp. strain Rb11 and Bacillus sp. strain Rb18, and Consortium II is composed of Lysinibacillus sp. strain Rb1, Pseudomonas sp. strain Rb13 and Pseudomonas sp. strain Rb19. The current study involved enrichment selection via liquid and semi-solid media, followed by isolation and screening of bacterial strains using PHB pellets and films. Furthermore, the identification and characterisation was done by triphasic approach. The utilisation of PHB by the characterised strains was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Moreover, the minimum inhibitory concentration of solubilised PHB was found to be 2.5?mg/mL, which was detected through ‘clear zone assay’. Further, the selection and biocompatibility testing of potential isolates were performed for the formation of bacterial consortia. Thus, the present work would provide direct and standardised protocol for screening and selection of potential microbiomes for biodegradation of polymers by overcoming the negative effect of organic solvents. Moreover, indigenously developed consortia would be evaluated for their in situ biodegradation potential against various bioplastic films.     

Cl-作用下AerMet100钢在盐雾环境中的 微区电化学行为

目的对Cl~-作用下AerMet100钢在盐雾环境中的腐蚀和微区电化学行为进行研究。方法通过开展盐雾腐蚀试验,对AerMet100钢的腐蚀形貌和腐蚀产物进行研究分析。盐雾试验不同时间后,通过SKP测试,得到试样的表面电位分布,通过Gauss拟合,对试样表面扫描开尔文电位的分布和变化情况进行分析。结果 AerMet100钢在盐雾腐蚀试验过程中的腐蚀行为从点蚀开始,逐渐发展为均匀腐蚀。腐蚀产物分为内外两层,外层疏松,内层致密。由于腐蚀反应过程中生成大量铁的氧化物及羟基氧化物,因此,内外层腐蚀产物中含有大量的Fe、O元素;内外锈层中均含有少量的Cl元素,表明Cl~-参与了腐蚀反应过程;内外锈层中Cr、Co、Ni等合金元素的存在,使得锈层具有离子选择性、致密性,加速了锈层的产生。未腐蚀的试样表面电位分布比较均匀,集中程度较高,即电位差较小,总体电位差为152 mV,有少量表面活性点随机分布,此时试样表面阴极和阳极分布不规则。盐雾试验3天后,试样表面电位正移,分布趋于分散,电位差增大,总体电位差为270m V,产生较为明显的阴极区和阳极区,由于吸附在试样表面活性点附近的Cl~-破坏了表面的氧化膜,腐蚀情况逐渐发生。盐雾试验6天后,试样表面电位进一步升高,分布更为分散,电位差略有减小,总体电位差为180 mV,由于腐蚀产物层的不断扩展,试样表面已经分为明显的较大面积的阴极区和阳极区。结论 Cl~-的侵蚀作用破坏了基体表面的氧化膜,使得AerMet100钢的腐蚀在夹杂物处发生。腐蚀产物能够阻碍Cl~-的渗透,对基体具有保护作用。     

Effects of UV-B radiation on the gills of Catla catla during early development

Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) study of gills of Catla catla catla (17-day-old) exposed to UV-B radiation (145?µW?cm^?2 at the water surface) for three different exposure times: 5, 10 and 15?min was conducted. Fish without UV-B exposure served as control. UV-B radiation damaged both gill filaments and lamellae. The intensity of damage was minimal in 5?min exposed fish, followed by 10?min exposed fish and maximal in 15?min. The gill epithelium was severely damaged in 15?min irradiated fish compared to control. Pavement cells (PVCs) were damaged and the numbers of microridges within PVCs decreased. The deep boundary of PVC was not clear. In some area of gill epithelium, PVCs were destroyed and mitochondrion-rich cells (MRCs) were exposed. The 5?min exposure reduced the number of microridges in the PVCs, but the boundary of PVCs was still visible. MRCs in the gill epithelium were not exposed in 5?min exposed fish. The damage to PVCs and subsequent exposure of MRCs in UV-B irradiated fish may hamper respiratory functions and disturb osmoregulation in catla.     

Reactive chemical hazards of diazonium salts

Many diazonium salts are thermally unstable and sensitive to friction and shock. Most diazonium salts are known for their violent decomposition hazard in the solid state. There are many industrial and laboratory incidents caused by this group of chemicals. For safety purposes, the hazards related to the preparation and the handling of diazonium salts are discussed. Twelve cardinal rules are provided:1. Use only a stoichiometric amount of sodium nitrite when generating diazonium salts, avoiding excess sodium nitrite.2. Check for the excess of nitrous acid by starch–potassium iodide papers and neutralize it.3. Minimize the presence of nitrous acid by combining amine and acid first, then subsequently adding the sodium nitrite.4. Keep the temperature below 5 °C.5. Always vent the gases generated.6. Determine the thermal stability of diazonium compounds in your system.7. Understand the explosive properties of diazonium salts. If unknown, always assume they are explosive.8. Never allow the undesired precipitation of diazonium salts out of solution.9. Analyze the residual diazo compounds in the final product, especially for new process conditions.10. Quench the remaining diazonium salts before any further treatments.11. Isolate no more than 0.75 mmol of explosive diazonium salts at one time; also consider the addition of an inert material to stabilize the diazonium salts.12. Use a plastic spatula when handling the solid. The dried powder should not be “scratched” with a metal spatula or ground finely.An example of a testing strategy and data interpretation is provided for a process which has multiple steps and two diazonium compounds. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Heat of Mixing calorimetry (HOM) successfully serve as efficient tests to screen thermal stability and gas generation, identifying the candidates for advanced tests.     

Mapping eucalypt forest susceptible to dieback associated with bell miners (Manorina melanophys) using laser scanning, SPOT 5 and ancillary topographical data

Mapping the location and extent of forest at risk from damaging agents or processes assists forest managers in prioritizing their planning and operational mitigation activities. In Australia, Bell Miner Associated Dieback (BMAD) refers to a form of canopy decline observed in eucalypt crowns occupied by colonies of bell miners (Manorina melanophrys). High densities of bell miners are associated with decreased avian abundance and diversity and an increase in psyllid abundance on crown foliage. BMAD has recently been nominated as a key threatening process in New South Wales (NSW). Consequently, a modelling system for predicting bell miner distribution in coastal eucalypt forests of NSW has been developed. The presence or absence of bell miners was recorded in 130 plots located within a 12,800 ha catchment study area containing a range of eucalypt forest types. The modelling system was produced by integrating a machine learning software suite (WEKA), and the statistical software R within the geographic resources analysis support system (GRASS) geographical information system (GIS). The variable modelled was the binary variable: presence or absence of bell minors. Six modelling techniques (Logistic regression; generalised additive models; two tree-based ensemble classification algorithms, random forest and Adaboost and Neural Networks) were integrated with airborne laser scanning; SPOT 5 and topographic derived variables. Model evaluation and parameter selection were measured by three threshold dependent measures (sensitivity, specificity and kappa) and the threshold independent Receiver Operator Curve (ROC) analysis. The final presence and absence maps were obtained through maximisation of the kappa statistic and applied at a resolution of 10 m across the entire catchment study area. For this data set, the most accurate algorithm for predicting the distribution of bell miner colonies was random forest (kappa = 0.84; ROC area under curve = 0.97). Variables most commonly selected in the six models were the laser scanning metrics; coefficient of variation, skewness, and the 10th and 90th percentiles derived from the shape of the height frequency distribution which, in turn, is directly influenced by vertical structure of the forest. An image textural statistic based on the shortwave infrared (SWIR) band of SPOT 5 was also commonly selected by the models. The SWIR band is sensitive to vegetation and soil moisture content. These models predicted that forest stands with a sparse eucalypt canopy over a moist, dense understorey were susceptible to being colonised by bell miners and hence BMAD.     

基于热爆炸理论的煤燃点确定及动力学分析

为准确判断煤燃点,提高煤自燃灾害防治能力,依据热爆炸理论,结合煤自燃过程放热曲线,将煤自燃升温过程中微分热流曲线上第1处极小值点作为煤的燃点,计算煤着火前后放热过程动力学参数变化.结果表明:随升温速率增加,煤自燃反应放热过程逐渐向高温区域移动,煤燃点逐渐增大,反应的活化能逐渐减小;同一升温速率下燃点之后煤的活化能增大;...     

Heavy Metals in Moss and Bark From Urban Area of Florence: A New Cleaness Procedure for Removing Superficial Particulate Matter

Hypnum cupressiforme epiphytic moss and tree bark (elm and holm oak) samples have been collected in three sites of the city of Florence in the period 1995-1998. Lead, zinc, copper, and cadmium were determined by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV) in about 200 samples collected at different heights above ground. A new clean-up procedure by nitrogen jet has been followed and its efficiency has been also verified by electron microscopy (SEM and ESEM techniques). Lead median contents in moss and bark samples fall within the ranges of 0.052-0.86 and 0.20-1.30 μmoles g^-1 (dry weight), resulting values for moss and bark are proportional to the vehicular traffic density. the increasing use of lead-free gasoline has not been followed by a decrease of lead moss concentration.     

陶瓷涂层性能影响因素及工艺优化研究

为了提高Al2O3陶瓷涂层的综合性能,对陶瓷涂层性能影响因素进行了正交试验设计。以磨损量、结合强度和耐腐蚀性为评价指标,得出了在Al2O3陶瓷颗粒粒径为160目,颗粒填入量为125%,涂层厚度为1 mm时,综合性能最好。同时利用差示扫描量热（DSC）技术推算出胶粘剂体系的最佳固化工艺为50℃（1h）→100℃（2 h）→225℃（1h）;采用磷酸阳极化（PAA）方法对铝合金基体表面进行处理,使其与涂层之间获得最好的结合强度。     

滇中抚仙湖沉积物元素特征与流域侵蚀研究

通过对云南滇中盆地高原深水湖泊抚仙湖沉积岩芯进行X射线荧光光谱（XRF）元素与磁化率连续扫描,结合聚类分析、主成分分析方法和其它相关环境代用指标,探讨了抚仙湖流域自1840年以来的流域侵蚀与人类活动特征.研究结果表明,抚仙湖XRF元素扫描的聚类分析结果具有明显的阶段性特征,可将其大致划分为3个阶段,即34~24cm（约1715~1813年）,24~9cm（约1813~1947年）和9~0cm（约1947~2018年）.基于抚仙湖沉积物岩芯中元素比值和低频磁化率的主成分分析,识别出的主成分1与主成分2的方差贡献分别为37.72%和25.73%.指示抚仙湖流域侵蚀强度的元素比值Rb/Sr、Ti/Sr、Ti/Rb公因子载荷较大（>0.6）,该结果表明,抚仙湖外源碎屑沉积物的元素比值对流域侵蚀与人类活动具有良好的指示意义.因此,本文使用湖相沉积中的环境代用指标对抚仙湖流域侵蚀与人类活动强度进行重建.研究结果表明,1840年以来人类活动加剧了流域侵蚀强度.自1990年以来随着流域生态环境的逐步恢复,侵蚀强度总体较弱.