Determination of Water-soluble Atmospheric Aerosols Using Ion Chromatography

A field study was established to investigate the chemical composition of atmospheric aerosols in Chicago, IL. One goal of this study was to determine the influence of precursor trace gases and local meteorology on concentrations of secondary aerosol ionic species. This paper describes the method details, shows the method is analytically valid, and reports overall as well as some specific results found during the field study. Two particulate air samples were collected per day onto quartz fiber filters at the Loyola University Chicago Air Station during the summer months in 2002–2004. In parallel, mixing ratios of ozone and nitrogen oxides were monitored and weather parameters were recorded. Particulates were extracted from the filter substrates and the subsequent solutions were analyzed by ion chromatography for anions, including low molecular weight organic acids, and cations. A washing procedure was implemented to reduce the high background values of the quartz fiber filters. Method validation showed that the collection method was efficient for all ions with exception of nitrate, whose efficiency of 70% indicated losses caused by volatilization. The extraction method also proved efficient for both field and laboratory samples, and the repeatability of the method was high with relative standard deviations less than 10% for all ions. Reproducibility of the results was determined by comparison of sulfate to sulfur analyzed by total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometry and proved to be high as well. Concentrations differed significantly between the three summer studies due to varying levels of precursor species as a consequence of distinct temperatures and wind direction profiles.     

Nitrate reductase for nitrate analysis in water

Nitrate analysis in water is one of the most frequently applied methods in environmental chemistry. Current methods for nitrate are generally based on toxic substances. Here, we show that a viable alternative method is to use the enzyme nitrate reductase. The key to applying this Green Chemistry solution for nitrate analysis is plentiful, inexpensive, analytical grade enzyme. We demonstrate that recombinant Arabidopsis nitrate reductase, expressed in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris, is a highly effective catalyst for nitrate analysis at 37°C. Recombinant production of enzyme ensures consistent quality and provides means to meet the needs of environmental chemistry.     

硝酸盐浓度及投加方式对反硝化除磷的影响

采用SBR反应器，详细研究了硝酸盐浓度及其投加方式对反硝化除磷过程的影响。结果表明，缺氧环境下的反硝化吸磷速率与作为电子受体的硝酸盐浓度有很大的关系，硝酸盐浓度越高．吸磷速率越快。当硝酸盐浓度较低．不足以氧化反硝化聚磷菌细胞内的PHB从而导致体系反硝化除磷效率的下降。相同浓度的硝酸盐，采用流加的方式可以获得比一次性投加更高的反硝化吸磷速率。缺氧环境下，反硝化脱氮量与磷的吸收量成良好的线性关系．借助于反硝化聚磷菌，反硝化脱氮与除磷可在一种环境中完成，有效解决了废水中COD不足的问题．同时达到了节省能源和降低污泥产量的目的。     

含氮杂环化合物吡啶缺氧降解过程中硝酸还原酶活性研究

在实验室中，采用摇床试验，在保证缺氧的条件下。研究了含氮杂环化合物吡啶缺氧反硝化降解过程中，硝酸还原酶的适宜作用条件、吡啶降解过程中硝酸还原酶活性变化情况及吡啶和硝态氮等的降解情况。结果表明，C／N对吡啶缺氧反硝化降解具有重要意义，pH和温度均对硝黧还原酶活性具有一定影响。硝酸还原酶的适宜作用条件为：温度25—30℃，pH7．5。吡啶降解过程中，硝酸还原酶活性由低到高逐渐提高，最后达到一个相对稳定的数值。在适宜的碳氮比条件下，吡啶起始浓度越高，硝酸还原酶最后稳定活性越高。     

Nitrate removal from aqueous solutions by magnetic cationic hydrogel: Effect of electrostatic adsorption and mechanism

Excessive nitrate(NO_3~-) is among the most problematic surface water and groundwater pollutants.In this study,a type of magnetic cationic hydrogel(MCH) is employed for NO_3~-adsorption and well characterized herein.Its adsorption capacity is considerably pHdependent and achieves the optimal adsorption(maximum NO_3~--adsorption capacity is95.88±1.24 mg/g) when the pH level is 5.2-8.8.The fitting result using the homogeneous surface diffusion model indicates that the surface/film diffusion controls the adsorption rate,and NO_3~-approaches the center of MCH particles within 30 min.The diffusion coefficient(D_s) and external mass transfer coefficient(k_F) in the liquid phase are1.15 × 10~(-6) cm~2/min and 4.5 × 10~(-6) cm/min,respectively.The MCH is employed to treat surface water that contains 10 mg/L of NO_3~-,and it is found that the optimal magnetic separation time is 1.6 min.The high-efficiency mass transfer and magnetic separation of MCH during the adsorption-regeneration process favors its application in surface water treatment.Furthermore,the study of the mechanism involved reveals that both-N~+(CH_3)_3 groups and NO_3~-are convoluted in adsorption via electrostatic interactions.It is further found that ion exchange between NO_3~-and chlorine occurs.     

Assessment of sources and transformation of nitrate in the alluvial-pluvial fan region of north China using a multi-isotope approach

A multi-isotope approach and mixing model were combined to identify spatial and seasonal variations of sources,and their proportional contribution to nitrate in the Hutuo River alluvial-pluvial fan region.The results showed that the NO_3~- concentration was significantly higher in the Hutuo River valley plain(178.7 mg/L) region than that in the upper and central pluvial fans of the Hutuo River(82.1 mg/L and 71.0 mg/L,respectively)and in the river(17.0 mg/L).Different land use types had no significant effect on the groundwater nitrate concentration.Based on a multi-isotope approach,we confirmed that the main sources of groundwater nitrate in different land use areas were domestic sewage and manure,followed by soil nitrogen,ammonia fertilizer,nitrate fertilizer and rainwater,and there were no significant spatial or seasonal variations.Combining δ~(15)N-NO_3,δ~(18)O-NO_3~- and δ~(37)Cl results can increase the accuracy of traceability.Nitrification could be the most important nitrogen migration and transformation process,and denitrification did not significantly affected the isotopic composition of the nitrate.The SIAR model outputs revealed that the main nitrate pollution sources in groundwater and river water were domestic sewage and manure,accounting for 55.9%-61.0% and 22.6%(dry season),50.3%-60.4% and 34.1%(transition season),42.7%-47.6% and 35.6%(wet season 2016) and 45.9%-46.7% and 38.4%(wet season 2017),respectively.This work suggests that the random discharge and disposal of domestic sewage and manure should be the first target for control in order to prevent further nitrate contamination of the water environment.     

Adsorption mechanisms of PFOA onto activated carbon anchored with quaternary ammonium/epoxide-forming compounds: A combination of experiment and model studies

When wood-based activated carbon was tailored with quaternary ammonium/epoxide (QAE) forming compounds (QAE-AC), this tailoring dramatically improved the carbon's effectiveness for removing perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) from groundwater. With favorable tailoring, QAE-AC removed PFOA from groundwater for 118,000 bed volumes before half-breakthrough in rapid small scale column tests, while the influent PFOA concentration was 200 ng/L. The tailoring involved pre-dosing QAE at an array of proportions onto this carbon, and then monitoring bed life for PFOA removal. When pre-dosing with 1 mL QAE, this PFOA bed life reached an interim peak, whereas bed life was less following 3 mL QAE pre-dosing, then PFOA bed life exhibited a steady rise for yet subsequently higher QAE pre-dosing levels. Large-scale atomistic modelling was used herein to provide new insight into the mechanism of PFOA removal by QAE-AC. Based on experimental results and modelling, the authors perceived that the QAE's epoxide functionalities cross-linked with phenolics that were present along the activated carbon's graphene edge sites, in a manner that created mesopores within macroporous regions or created micropores within mesopores regions. Also, the QAE could react with hydroxyls outside of these pore, including the hydroxyls of both graphene edge sites and other QAE molecules. This latter reaction formed new pore-like structures that were external to the activated carbon grains. Adsorption of PFOA could occur via either charge balance between negatively charged PFOA with positively charged QAE, or by van der Waals forces between PFOA's fluoro-carbon tail and the graphene or QAE carbon surfaces.     

HPLC determination of chlorate metabolism in bovine ruminal fluid

Salmonella and Escherichia coli are two bacteria that are important causes of human and animal disease worldwide. Chlorate is converted in the cell to chlorite, which is lethal to these bacteria. An HPLC procedure was developed for the rapid analysis of chlorate (ClO₃ ^?), nitrate (NO₃ ^?), and nitrite (NO₂ ^?) ions in bovine ruminal fluid samples. Standard curves for chlorite, nitrite, nitrate, and chlorate were well defined linear curves with R² values of 0.99846, 0.99106, 0.99854, and 0.99138, respectively. Concentrations of chlorite could not be accurately determined in bovine ruminal fluid because chlorite reacts with or binds a component(s) or is reduced to chloride in bovine ruminal fluid resulting in low chlorite measurements. A standard curve ranging from 25 to 150 ppm ClO₃ ^? ion was used to measure chlorate fortified into ruminal fluid. The concentration of chlorate was more rapidly lowered (P < 0.01) under anaerobic compared to aerobic incubation conditions. Chlorate alone or chlorate supplemented with the reductants sodium lactate or glycerol were bactericidal in anaerobic incubations. In anaerobic culture, the addition of sodium formate to chlorate-fortified ruminal fluid appeared to decrease chlorate concentrations; however, formate also appeared to moderate the bactericidal effect of chlorate against E. coli. Addition of the reductants, glycerol or lactate, to chlorate-fortified ruminal fluid did not increase the killing of E. coli at 24 h, but may be useful when the reducing equivalents are limiting as in waste holding reservoirs or composting systems required for intense animal production.     

Effects of wavelength and water quality on photodegradation of N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA)

N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) is a potent carcinogen that yields a cancer risk of 10⁻⁶ at concentrations as low as 0.7 ng L⁻¹. Tentative guideline values are set at 3 ng L⁻¹ in California, USA; 9 ng L⁻¹ in Ontario, Canada; 40 ng L⁻¹ nationwide in Canada; and 100 ng L⁻¹ by the World Health Organization. NDMA is a great concern in treating reclaimed water as well as drinking water. UV degradation can be considered effective degradation method. A 1-log reduction of NDMA is achieved by 1000 mJ cm⁻² of a 254-nm low pressure (LP) mercury UV lamp. However, a higher degradation efficiency than that provided by LP lamps is desired in practical treatment. In this study, the effects of wavelength and water quality were investigated to achieve higher degradation efficiency. The effects of wavelength were examined by comparing three UV lamps: a 222-nm Kr Cl Excimer UV lamp, a 254-nm LP mercury UV lamp, and a 230- to 270-nm filtered medium pressure (FMP) mercury UV lamp. The 222-nm lamp and FMP lamp achieved 4 times and 2.8 times higher degradation efficiency, respectively, than the conventional 254-nm LP lamp. Effects on water quality were also simulated by using absorption spectrum data of nitrate solutions and process water from a drinking-water treatment plant. In the simulation, the 222-nm lamp was affected by UV-absorbing compounds in the water, whereas the FMP lamp showed more stable degradation efficiency. Appropriate use of these three types of lamps could enhance the efficiency of degradation of NDMA.     

A GIS-based technique for linking landscape characteristics to non-point source nitrogen export potential: implications for contributing areas management

A Nitrate-N Leaching Index (NLI) is calculated and the results indicate that nitrogen loss in the study area occurs through both leaching and surface runoff. A non-linear regression model of trapping efficiency was combined with a first order decay model to examine the impact of soil characteristics, slope, vegetative cover, land use and distance to streams on the spatial pattern of non-point source nitrogen inputs to streams. The model evaluates the statistical significance of each landscape factor and provides an easy interpretation of the landscape delivery ratio of nitrogen based on a pixel-based characterisation of the watershed. The model was validated by comparing the distributions of the observed and estimated monthly nitrogen concentrations. The exploratory GIS-based method presented here can improve the understanding of the impact of landscape characteristics on nitrate-nitrogen contributing areas and therefore assist watershed management efforts.