Debromination of decabromodiphenyl ether by organo-montmorillonite-supported nanoscale zero-valent iron：Preparation, characterization and influence factors

An organo-montmorillonite-supported nanoscale zero-valent iron material(M-NZVI) was synthesized to degrade decabromodiphenyl ether(BDE-209). The results showed that nanoscale zero-valent iron had good dispersion on organo-montmorillonite and was present as a core-shell structure with a particle size range of nanoscale iron between 30–90 nm, characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, XRF, ICP-AES, and XPS. The results of the degradation of BDE-209 by M-NZVI showed that the efficiency of M-NZVI in removing BDE-209 was much higher than that of NZVI. The efficiency of M-NZVI in removing BDE-209 decreased as the pH and the initial dissolved oxygen content of the reaction solution increased, but increased as the proportion of water in the reaction solution increased.     

Primary neuronal-astrocytic co-culture platform for neurotoxicity assessment of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

Plastics such as polyvinyl chlorides （PVC） are widely used in many indoor constructed environments; however, their unbound chemicals, such as di-（2-ethylhexyl） phthalates （DEHP）, can leach into the surrounding environment. This study focused on DEHP＇s effect on the central nervous system by determining the precise DEHP content in mice brain tissue after exposure to the chemical, to evaluate the specific exposure range. Primary neuronal-astrocyte co-culture systems were used as in vitro models for chemical hazard identification of DEHP. Oxidative stress was hypothesized as a probable mechanism involved, and therefore the total reactive oxygen species （ROS） concentration was determined as a biomarker of oxidative stress. In addition, NeuriteTracer, a neurite tracing plugin with ImageJ, was used to develop an assay for neurotoxicity to provide quantitative measurements of neurological parameters, such as neuronal number, neuron count and neurite length, all of which could indicate neurotoxic effects. The results showed that with 1 nmol/L DEHP exposure, there was a significant increase in ROS concentrations, indicating that the neuronal-astrocyte cultures were injured due to exposure to DEHP. In response, astrocyte proliferation （gliosis） was initiated, serving as a mechanism to maintain a homeostatic environment for neurons and protect neurons from toxic chemicals. There is a need to assess the cumulative effects of DEHP in animals to evaluate the possible uotake and effects on the human neuronal system from exoosure to DEHP in the indoor environment.     

Efectiveness of national air pollution control policies on the air quality in metropolitan areas of China

Understanding the efectiveness of national air pollution controls is important for control policy design to improve the future air quality in China. This study evaluated the efectiveness of major national control policies implemented recently in China through a modeling analysis. The sulfur dioxide(SO2) control policy during the 11th Five Year Plan period(2006–2010) had succeeded in reducing the national SO2emission in 2010 by 14% from its 2005 level, which correspondingly reduced ambient SO2and sulfate(SO4 2) concentrations by 13%–15% and 8%–10% respectively over east China. The nitrogen oxides(NOx) control policy during the 12th Five Year Plan period(2011–2015) targets the reduction of the national NOx emission in 2015 by 10% on the basis of 2010. The simulation results suggest that such a reduction in NOx emission will reduce the ambient nitrogen dioxide(NO2), nitrate(NO3), 1-hr maxima ozone(O3) concentrations and total nitrogen deposition by 8%, 3%–14%, 2% and 2%–4%, respectively over east China. The application of new emission standards for power plants will further reduce the NO2, NO3, 1-hr maxima O3concentrations and total nitrogen deposition by 2%–4%, 1%–6%, 0–2% and 1%–2%, respectively. Sensitivity analysis was conducted to evaluate the inter-provincial impacts of emission reduction in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei and the Yangtze River Delta, which indicated the need to implement joint regional air pollution control.     

Nitrogen mass balance in a constructed wetland treating piggery wastewater effluent

The nitrogen changes and the nitrogen mass balance in a free water surface flow constructed wetland （CW） using the four-year monitoring data from 2008 to 2012 were estimated. The CW was composed of six cells in series that include the first settling basin （Cell 1）, aeration pond （Cell 2）, deep marsh （Cell 3）, shallow marsh （Cell 4）, deep marsh （Cell 5） and final settling basin （Cell 6）. Analysis revealed that the NH4＋-N concentration decreased because of ammonification which was then followed by nitrification. The NO4＋-N and NO4＋-N were also further reduced by means of microbial activities and plant uptake during photosynthesis. The average nitrogen concentration at the influent was 37,819 kg/year and approximately 45% of that amount exited the CW in the effluent. The denitrification amounted to 34% of the net nitrogen input, whereas the accretion of sediment was only 7%. The biomass uptake of plants was able to retain only 1% of total nitrogen load. In order to improve the nutrient removal by plant uptake, plant coverage in four cells （i.e., Cells 1, 3, 4 and 5） could be increased.     

SBR法处理低C/N污水的工程应用——以某基地污水处理站改造工程为例

低C/N污水的生化处理过程中,由于碳源不足,不能满足硝化和反硝化的要求,造成出水NH3-N超标。采用SBR工艺对某基地污水处理站厌氧处理后的低C/N污水进行改造,处理后出水COD去除率达到97%以上,NH3-N去除率达到93%以上。     

江苏如东互花米草盐沼湿地重金属分布及其污染评价

为了解互花米草(Spartina alterniflora)对盐沼湿地环境的影响,于2010年7月在江苏如东潮间带,依据互花米草的有无及其长势设置站点,对表层沉积物的8种重金属含量、粒度组成、总有机碳进行分析,采用地累积指数法(Igeo)和Hkanson潜在生态风险指数法进行污染评价.结果表明,如东滩涂表层沉积物中Pb、Cd、As、Hg、Cr、Cu、Ni、Zn的平均含量低于海洋沉积物标准I类,其中Cd、Hg、Ni、Zn的含量高于中国大陆沉积物-浅海粉砂背景值.整体上,8种元素在米草覆盖区平均含量均高于邻近光滩.地累积指数显示该盐沼带重金属为无污染状态,而Hkanson潜在生态风险评价显示为低污染和中度污染的临界状态,风险指数为低;两方法均显示该区域污染以Cd和Hg最重.由海向陆随米草长势渐好(垂直岸线断面),As、Cu及Hg元素的含量、地累积指数、潜在生态风险系数呈渐增趋势;拓殖1年左右的米草斑块区内(平行岸线断面),8种元素在植被覆盖区的含量、污染程度及潜在生态风险均高于邻近无植被覆盖区.此外,斑块分布区中,Cd、Cu含量显著低于垂直断面的茂盛分布区.互花米草是大部分重金属污染物在沉积物中富集的重要驱动力之一,且互花米草群落可阻滞污染物直接扩散入海,因而降低生态危害.互花米草对重金属分布的影响与米草的拓植年限、金属元素存在形态和来源有关.     

活性炭催化过氧化氢去除荧光增白剂

研究了活性炭(activated carbon,AC)吸附、改性活性炭(activated carbon modified,ACM)吸附、过氧化氢(H2O2)氧化、AC催化H2O2等方法对水体中荧光增白剂VBL的处理效果,并通过自由基俘获剂叔丁醇、催化过程气体分析等探讨了AC催化H2O2分解VBL的机制.结果表明,经硝酸铁[Fe(NO3)3]改性过的ACM对VBL的吸附去除率高于未改性的AC.活性炭催化H2O2对VBL的去除效果明显,但未改性AC催化去除率高于ACM.60 min时,AC催化氧化去除率即可达到95%以上,而ACM仅为58%.叔丁醇的加入降低了AC和ACM催化氧化对VBL的去除率,表明AC催化H2O2氧化能促进H2O2形成羟基自由基(·OH)和原子氧参与反应.AC催化H2O2分解及释放气体分析表明,AC能催化H2O2形成氧气并放热,且ACM明显快于AC.结合催化H2O2去除VBL效率的结果分析,ACM催化反应时活性中间物(自由基和原子氧等)产生速率快于AC,活性中间物自身消耗形成氧气,而不是用于分解VBL.催化反应中活性中间产物的形成速率与反应物供给速率的不匹配可能是导致ACM催化效果弱于AC的重要原因.     

再悬浮过程中河流底泥PAHs的迁移与释放

利用再悬浮模拟(particle entrainment simulator,PES)装置模拟了河流底泥在受到上层扰动力后的再悬浮过程.结果表明,沉积物性质如粒径组成及PAHs含量对沉积物再悬浮过程中PAHs的释放影响显著.再悬浮过程中上覆水体总悬浮颗粒物(total suspended solids,TSS)含量与颗粒态PAHs之间存在极显著相关关系.切应力对再悬浮过程中PAHs释放的影响体现在两方面.一方面,单位体积的颗粒态PAHs随切应力增大而增大;另一方面,悬浮颗粒上PAHs的富集效应随切应力增大而减弱,是由于切应力强烈导致吸附作用弱的大颗粒进入水体.上覆水体中的PAHs总量在一段时间上升后于120 min或240min趋于稳定,而颗粒态与溶解态之间具有良好响应.高低环PAHs释放行为差异显著,由于中高环PAHs的疏水性,上覆水体中检测到的多为3~4环个体.     

电化学氧化PFOA阳极材料筛选及其机制研究

全氟辛酸(PFOA)具有环境持久性及内分泌干扰性,传统的生物降解及高级氧化法对PFOA的去除效果微弱.本研究采用电化学氧化法降解PFOA,选取BDD(掺硼金刚石电极)、Pt、Ti、Ti/RuO2、Ti/RuO2-IrO2、Ti/In2O3、Ti/SnO2-Sb2O5-IrO2、Ti/SnO2-Sb2O5-RhO2、Ti/SnO2-Sb2O5、Ti/SnO2-Sb2O5-CeO2和Ti/SnO2-Sb2O5-Bi2O3这11种阳极材料为备选电极.采用线性扫描伏安法测试析氧电位(OEP),评价11种电极对PFOA的降解效果和脱氟效果,并采用超声-电化学协同方法间接证明PFOA分子在电极表面的直接电子转移是降解反应的第一步.Ti/SnO2-Sb2O5-Bi2O3、Ti/SnO2-Sb2O5-CeO2、Ti/SnO2-Sb2O5和BDD对PFOA有较好的电氧化效果,降解率分别是89.8%、89.8%、93.3%和98.0%.Pt、Ti/SnO2-Sb2O5-RhO2、Ti/SnO2-Sb2O5-IrO2和Ti/In2O3对PFOA的电氧化效果微弱,降解率分别是2.1%、2.3%、12.5%和3.1%.而Ti、Ti/RuO2和Ti/RuO2-IrO2对PFOA没有电氧化能力.PFOA分子经过电极表面的直接电化学氧化发生脱羧反应,后经过逐步脱掉CF2单元的循环生成短链的全氟羧酸类化合物C6F13COO-、C5F11COO-、C4F9COO-和C3F7COO-.     

微生物电解系统生物阴极的硫酸盐还原特性研究

针对传统硫酸盐生物还原方法中供氢体系能耗大和氢气利用率低的特点,构建双极室微生物电解系统(microbial electrolysis system,MES),研究了微生物利用阴极作为电子供体去除废水中硫酸盐及电子利用的特性.外加电压为0.8 V时,MES生物阴极在36 h内SO2-4平均去除量为109.8 mg·L-1,平均还原速率可达73.2 mg·(L·d)-1.运行时MES的最高电流密度为50~60 A·m-3,电子回收率为(43.3±10.7)%,约90%的电子被用于还原SO2-4.微生物利用MES阴极产生的H2作为电子供体还原SO2-4,主要还原产物为溶解态的S2-和气态的H2S,还原过程主要发生在前12 h.对MES施加不同外加电压的实验显示,外加电压为0.8 V时的SO2-4去除率和电荷量都比0.4 V时高;但0.4 V情形下MES的电子回收率可达到70%,且周期结束时阴极H2低于检出限,推测微生物可以直接利用阴极的电子从而提高了能量效率.实验结果最终表明,微生物可利用MES的阴极进行代谢去除废水中的SO2-4,阳极微生物产生电子降低了系统能耗,这为含硫酸盐废水的高效低耗处理提供了新的研究思路.