Pollution levels and characteristics of phthalate esters in indoor air of offices

The pollution status and characteristics of PAEs (phthalate esters) were investigated in indoor air of offices, and PAEs of both gas-phase and particulate-phase were detected in all the samples. The concentration (sum of the gas phase and the particulate phase) was 4748.24 ng/m³, ranging between 3070.09 and 6700.14 ng/m³. Diethyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate, and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate were the most abundant compounds, together accounting for 70% of the Σ6PAEs. Dividing the particulate-phase PAEs into four size ranges (<2.5, 2.5-5, 5-10, >10 μm), the result indicated that PAEs in PM_2.5 were the most abundant, with the proportion of 72.64%. In addition, the PAE concentration in PM_2.5 correlated significantly with the total particulate-phase PAEs (R² = 0.85). Thus, the amount of PAEs in PM_2.5 can be estimated from the total amount of particulate-phase PAEs using this proportion. In a comparison between the offices and a newly decorated study room, it was found that pollution characteristics were similar between these two places. Thus, it is implied that the PAE concentration decreased by 50% 2 yr after decorating.     

Pollution levels and characteristics of phthalate esters in indoor air of offices

The pollution status and characteristics of PAEs(phthalate esters) were investigated in indoor air of offices, and PAEs of both gas-phase and particulate-phase were detected in all the samples. The concentration(sum of the gas phase and the particulate phase) was4748.24 ng/m3, ranging between 3070.09 and 6700.14 ng/m3. Diethyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate, and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate were the most abundant compounds, together accounting for 70% of the ∑ 6PAEs. Dividing the particulate-phase PAEs into four size ranges( 2.5, 2.5–5, 5–10, 10 μm), the result indicated that PAEs in PM2.5were the most abundant,with the proportion of 72.64%. In addition, the PAE concentration in PM2.5correlated significantly with the total particulate-phase PAEs(R2= 0.85). Thus, the amount of PAEs in PM2.5can be estimated from the total amount of particulate-phase PAEs using this proportion. In a comparison between the offices and a newly decorated study room, it was found that pollution characteristics were similar between these two places. Thus, it is implied that the PAE concentration decreased by 50% 2 yr after decorating.     

Insights into metals in individual fine particles from municipal solid waste using synchrotron radiation-based micro-analytical techniques

Excessive inter-contamination with heavy metals hampers the application of biological treatment products derived from mixed or mechanically-sorted municipal solid waste (MSW). In this study, we investigated fine particles of < 2 mm, which are small fractions in MSW but constitute a significant component of the total heavy metal content, using bulk detection techniques. A total of 17 individual fine particles were evaluated using synchrotron radiation-based micro-X-ray fluorescence and micro-X-ray diffraction. We also discussed the association, speciation and source apportionment of heavy metals. Metals were found to exist in a diffuse distribution with heterogeneous intensities and intense hot-spots of < 10 μm within the fine particles. Zn-Cu, Pb-Fe and Fe-Mn-Cr had significant correlations in terms of spatial distribution. The overlapped enrichment, spatial association, and the mineral phases of metals revealed the potential sources of fine particles from size-reduced waste fractions (such as scraps of organic wastes or ceramics) or from the importation of other particles. The diverse sources of heavy metal pollutants within the fine particles suggested that separate collection and treatment of the biodegradable waste fraction (such as food waste) is a preferable means of facilitating the beneficial utilization of the stabilized products.     

纳米Ag粒子在我国主要类型土壤中的迁移转化过程与环境效应

随着纳米技术的快速发展,纳米材料进入环境并不断累积,因此开展纳米材料的环境安全性研究具有重要意义.纳米银(Ag NP)是目前应用最广泛的人工纳米材料之一.本课题组拟以Ag NP为研究对象,系统研究其在我国主要类型土壤中的迁移、转化过程及其生态环境效应;基于同步辐射技术、同位素技术和量子化学计算等方法,揭示Ag NP与土壤中主要矿物或有机质之间的相互作用规律;探明Ag NP对土壤中微生物、动物和植物的致毒过程及其作用机制;发展Ag NP在土壤中迁移的数学模型,预测其在土壤中的迁移、滞留通量进而评价其淋溶风险,为Ag NP的安全利用提供重要理论基础和技术支撑.     

Geographic range size and extinction risk assessment in nomadic species

Geographic range size is often conceptualized as a fixed attribute of a species and treated as such for the purposes of quantification of extinction risk; species occupying smaller geographic ranges are assumed to have a higher risk of extinction, all else being equal. However many species are mobile, and their movements range from relatively predictable to‐and‐fro migrations to complex irregular movements shown by nomadic species. These movements can lead to substantial temporary expansion and contraction of geographic ranges, potentially to levels which may pose an extinction risk. By linking occurrence data with environmental conditions at the time of observations of nomadic species, we modeled the dynamic distributions of 43 arid‐zone nomadic bird species across the Australian continent for each month over 11 years and calculated minimum range size and extent of fluctuation in geographic range size from these models. There was enormous variability in predicted spatial distribution over time; 10 species varied in estimated geographic range size by more than an order of magnitude, and 2 species varied by >2 orders of magnitude. During times of poor environmental conditions, several species not currently classified as globally threatened contracted their ranges to very small areas, despite their normally large geographic range size. This finding raises questions about the adequacy of conventional assessments of extinction risk based on static geographic range size (e.g., IUCN Red Listing). Climate change is predicted to affect the pattern of resource fluctuations across much of the southern hemisphere, where nomadism is the dominant form of animal movement, so it is critical we begin to understand the consequences of this for accurate threat assessment of nomadic species. Our approach provides a tool for discovering spatial dynamics in highly mobile species and can be used to unlock valuable information for improved extinction risk assessment and conservation planning.     

天津近岸表层沉积物重金属和放射性核素分布特征

对渤海湾天津海域14个表层沉积物样品进行粒度、重金属和核素放射性活度测量,结果显示,沉积物组成以粉砂为主,其粒径在研究区横纵向上分别呈由南至北、由东至西逐渐变粗的分布特征.重金属元素含量为Cu:25.6~35.1mg/kg、Pb:44.1~67.7mg/kg、Zn:60~73.5mg/kg;210Pb活度为13.2~35.3Bq/kg,137Cs活度为0.05~1.28Bq/kg,重金属含量和放射性活度随粒径减小而增大,总体上呈由北至南逐渐增大的分布特征,在中部和南部分别呈由西北至东南和由西至东逐渐增大的分布特征.这主要是因为细颗粒组分对Cu、Pb、Zn、210Pb和137Cs的吸附作用大于粗颗粒组分,因此,其分布受渤海湾水流及其所导致的粒径变化所影响.     

Investigation on the changes effected by tool profile on mechanical and tribological properties of friction stir processed AZ31B magnesium alloy

The present study investigates the effect of tool shoulder profile on the mechanical and tribological properties of friction stir processed AZ31B magnesium alloy. The tool rotational speed and feed rate are the chosen process parameters. The experiments were conducted with 3 level 2 factors full factorial design. The recorded responses were tensile strength, wear losses and corrosion rate. The results were analyzed with the help microstructures of the processed samples. The study reveals that, for concave shoulder tool, the strain hardening effect was playing a major role in determining the properties of the processed materials and for the step shoulder tool, the grain size plays a major role in determining the properties of the processed materials.     

宿州市街尘重金属的粒径分布特征及污染评价

在宿州市不同功能区采集23个街尘样品,利用X-Ray荧光光谱法测定了样品中重金属Cu、Zn、Pb、Mn、Cr、V的含量,分析了街尘重金属的粒径分布特征,并利用地累积指数法对其污染状况进行了评价。结果表明:(1)宿州市街尘中细颗粒质量比重较高,在<75μm、75～150μm、150～250μm、250～500μm四个粒径段的街尘质量比例分别为39.73%、27.52%、22.57%和10.18%;(2)街尘中各重金属元素的含量最大值均出现在<75μm和75～150μm粒径范围内,说明重金属易在细颗粒中富集;(3)各重金属元素在<75μm粒径范围内的赋存比例均高于其他3个粒径级别,达40%左右;(4)随着街尘粒径的由粗到细,其重金属污染程度从无污染到轻度污染,各重金属元素的污染程度依次为:Zn>Pb>Cr>Cu>V>Mn。     

亚青会期间南京市气溶胶中OC和EC的粒径分布

采用Anderson 9级撞击式采样器和DRI Model 2001A热/光碳分析仪对南京2013年8月10~28日亚青会期间不同粒径段气溶胶中有机碳(OC)和元素碳(EC)的质量浓度进行了观测分析.结果表明,51.55%和54.81%的OC和EC富集于粒径<1.1μm的细粒子中,亚青会期间OC和EC的最大浓度分别位于0~0.43μm和0.43~0.65μm粒径段,占总浓度的比例分别为20.90%±5.02%和22.68%±9.90%.PM1.1、PM1.1~2.1和PM2.1~10中OC和EC的浓度在亚青会期间比亚青会前分别减少了43.44%~56.17%和59.17%~73.55%.亚青会期间OC的谱分布没有变化,均为双峰型分布;EC的谱分布由双峰型变为单峰型.观测期间不同粒径段的EC和OC具有较好的同源性.亚青会前OC和EC主要来自汽车尾气;亚青会期间PM1.1中OC和EC主要来自汽车尾气,PM1.1~2.1和PM2.1~10中OC和EC主要来自汽车尾气和燃煤.     

杭州灰霾天气超细颗粒浓度分布特征

利用快速迁移率粒径谱仪(FMPS)对杭州2013年12月6～11日连续灰霾天气和灰霾消退过程超细颗粒进行监测,分析颗粒物浓度变化和粒径谱分布特征及其与气象的相关性.结果表明,颗粒物日变化特征为夜晚数浓度较高,凌晨数浓度开始降低,08:00和18:00上下班高峰期出现一个小峰值,体现出明显的交通源峰值,表明交通排放对大气污染影响较大.灰霾天气下颗粒物最高数浓度达到8.0×104cm-3.粒径谱呈双峰分布,峰值粒径分别为15 nm和100 nm,粒径在100 nm附近的粒子占大多数,粒子以爱根核模态和积聚模态为主,平均数量中位径CMD(count medium diameter)为85.89 nm.而在灰霾消退过程,颗粒物数浓度降低,峰值粒径向小粒径演变,粒径在100 nm附近的粒子逐渐减少,核模态粒子增多,大于积聚模态,平均CMD为58.64 nm.气象因素中能见度和风力与数浓度主要呈负相关,相关系数R分别为-0.225和-0.229,相对湿度与数浓度正相关,相关系数R为0.271,冬季大气比较稳定,水平温度与数浓度的相关性较小.研究灰霾天气数浓度分布和气象因素的综合影响对其形成机制及控制有重要意义.