Utilization of Arachis hypogaea hull,an agricultural waste for the production of activated carbons to remove phenol from aqueous solutions

Arachis hypogaea hulls, an agricultural waste, were used to prepare activated carbon by chemical activation with zinc chloride under four different activation atmospheres. The most important parameter in chemical activation was found to be the chemical ratio (activating agent/precursor). Carbonization temperature and time are the other two important variables, which had significant effect on the pore structure of carbon. The maximum Brunquer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area and micropore volume of the activated carbon was found to be 418 m²/g and 0.28 cm³/g, respectively. The activated carbon developed shows substantial capability to adsorb phenol from aqueous solutions. The kinetic data were fitted to the models of intraparticle diffusion, pseudo-second-order, and Lagergren, and followed more closely the pseudo-second-order chemisorption model. The isotherm equilibrium data were well fitted by the Langmuir and Freundlich models. Solution pH has significant effect on adsorption and the maximum uptake of phenol was reported at pH 3.5.     

Residues of organochlorine and organophosphorus pesticides in sugarcane crop soils and river water

The presence of residual organochlorine and organophosphorus pesticides was evaluated at different periods of sugarcane cultivation in agricultural soil and water samples from the town of Tlaltizapan, which is located in the state of Morelos in Mexico, to determine the presence and persistence of these compounds and their possible effects on the region. The compounds p,p′-DDE, p,p′-DDD (metabolites of p,p′-DDT), γ-HCH and heptachlor were found in more of 95% of the sampling zones in the three monitoring periods performed along 2 years. The highest concentration detected (129.6 μg/kg _{dry soil}) was for α-HCH, but its frequency of detection was ～5%. The low detection frequency of α-HCH and the high concentration values of γ-HCH indicate the repeated use of technical-grade HCH and Lindane (γ-HCH) in the region. Among the organophosphorus pesticides, ethyl parathion was the compound with the highest soil concentration, at ～2000 μg/kg_{dry soil}, during the initial monitoring. However, this compound was detected in the second monitoring with a concentration of ～4 μg/kg_{dry soil}, but it was not detected in the third, indicating that is was not accumulated in the environment. The heptachlor was the compound most commonly found in all water samples, within a range of 0.45–1.25 ng/L. The presence of this organochlorine compound in the water samples indicated a possible migration from the soil to water bodies due to soil erosion. The presence of organophosphorus compounds was not detected in the water samples, which could be attributed to the moderate persistence of these compounds and their consequent degradation before arriving at the water bodies.     

Dissolved Organic Carbon and Estrogen Transport in Surface Runoff From Agricultural Land Receiving Poultry Litter1

Dutta, Sudarshan, Shreeram Inamdar, Jerry Tso, Diana S. Aga, and J. Tom Sims, 2012. Dissolved Organic Carbon and Estrogen Transport in Surface Runoff from Agricultural Land Receiving Poultry Litter. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 48(3): 558-569. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752-1688.2011.00634.x Abstract: Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) provides a reactive substrate for the transport of organic contaminants with runoff. Very few studies have investigated the export of DOC from agricultural land, especially those receiving manure applications. We investigated exports of DOC in surface runoff from agricultural fields receiving various treatments of poultry litter (raw vs. pelletized). In addition, we also investigated how estrogens in runoff were associated with DOC. Different forms of estrogens studied were: estrone, 17β-estradiol, estriol, and their conjugates. Experimental agricultural plots were 12 m × 5 m long and had reduced tillage and no-till management practices. The aromatic content of DOC was characterized using specific ultraviolet absorbance (SUVA). Flow-weighted concentrations of DOC and SUVA in surface runoff from plots with poultry litter were significantly (p ≤ 0.10) greater than the control (no litter) plots. Compared to pelletized poultry litter, reduced-tillage plots with raw litter yielded higher DOC concentrations and SUVA values. No significant differences (p ≥ 0.10) in DOC and SUVA were observed between litter treatments for plots with no-till. Total estrogen concentrations (including all forms) were positively and significantly (p ≤ 0.10) correlated with DOC. These results can help select and guide agricultural management practices that can reduce the exports of DOC and associated contaminant from agricultural land receiving manure applications.     

湘中丘陵区不同经营目标毛竹林年龄结构、生物量分配与碳贮量格局

经营模式对毛竹林生物量、碳贮量具有重要影响。研究了湘中丘陵区毛竹笋用林(Ⅰ)、笋材兼用林 (Ⅱ)和材用林(Ⅲ) 3种不同经营目标下的竹林年龄结构、生物量分配及碳贮量格局。结果表明：应减少1～2 a、增加5～6 a生竹的留养比例，控制达到1～2 a、3～4 a、5～6 a各占1/3左右的立竹年龄结构。不同层次生物量表现为乔木层＞凋落物层＞林下植被层，毛竹笋用林经营有利于增加乔木层生物量。乔木层生物量及所占比例分别为5183～5566 t/hm2、8895%～9293%，林下植被层生物量及所占比例分别为154～258 t/hm2、258%～443%，凋落物层生物量及所占比例分别为269～386 t/hm2、449%～662%。毛竹林总碳贮量排队顺序为Ⅱ（14263 t/hm2）＞Ⅰ（13389 t/hm2）＞Ⅲ（13004 t/hm2），笋材兼用林有利于提高竹林碳贮能力。不同层次碳贮量排列顺序总体均表现为土壤层＞乔木层＞凋落物层＞林下植被层。湘中丘陵区毛竹林生物量、碳贮量较低，应提高集约经营水平     

有机固废热解反应器研究进展

热解技术是一种优秀的有机固废处理技术,其具有环保、减量化、资源化等优点,热解技术的核心是热解反应器。通过介绍不同类型热解反应器的特点及其研究与工程应用的进展,为下一步引进与开发热解工艺提供技术支撑。     

粪便中温好氧堆肥过程有机物的降解研究

为了生态厕所的推广使用、便于操作和节约能耗,多采用无加热的设施,即在自然条件下(对于小型生态厕所,接近中温条件)的好氧堆肥处理.了解中温好氧堆肥过程有机物的降解特性,对于生态厕所的推广使用和简化设计、操作等具有重要意义.采用密闭式好氧堆肥反应器,模拟中温(35℃)的堆肥温度,以新鲜锯末为空白载体,在含水率为60％以及连...     

Detection of residual organochlorine and organophosphorus pesticides in agricultural soil in Rio Verde region of San Luis Potosi,Mexico

Organochlorine pesticides were intensively used in Mexico from 1950 until their ban and restriction in 1991. However, the presence of these compounds is commonly reported in many regions of the country. The aim of the present study was to identify and quantify residual organochlorine and organophosphorus pesticides in agricultural soil in Rio Verde region, San Luis Potosi state, which has been identified as possibly polluted by pesticides. Composed samples from 24 zones covering an area of approximately 5,440 ha were analyzed. The most frequently found pesticides were p,p´-DDT followed by ,p,p´-DDE, heptachlor, endosulfan and γ-HCH whose frequency rates were 100, 91, 83 and 54%, respectively. The concentration of p,p´-DDT in the crops grown in these soils was in the following order: chili > maize > tomato > alfalfa. The results obtained in this study show that p,p´-DDT values are lower or similar to those found in other agricultural regions of Mexico. Methyl and ethyl parathion were the most frequent organophosphate pesticide detected in 100% and 62.5% of the samples with average concentrations of 25.20 and 47.48 μg kg^–1, respectively. More research is needed to establish the background levels of pesticides in agricultural soils and their potential ecological and human health effects in this region.     

太湖流域农业面源污染及控制研究进展

太湖及其流域的水环境质量呈现严重恶化趋势,农业面源污染是太湖流域水体环境恶化的主要原因之一.论文通过文献分析,总结了太湖流域农业面源污染的影响因素、相应的治理措施以及农业面源污染控制的特点.结果表明:①虽然太湖流域典型区域的面源污染影响及排污系数的研究较多,但是着眼于太湖流域整体的农业面源污染负荷总量的研究并没有明确答案:②农业面源污染的治理技术研究较多,但将这些自然科学成果应用到实际的管理实践中的政策研究较少;③对农田面源污染的研究较多,对畜禽渔业养殖废弃物处理的研究比较薄弱,并且两者没有很好地结合起来进行研究;④虽然已经有了一些关于农业面源污染控制管理的讨论,但缺乏管理实施标准的研究;⑤围绕农业面源污染治理的主要手段都与农户行为有关,例如土地利用方式、耕作方式等,但现在很少有从环境污染主体即农户行为的角度去研究如何减少环境污染.     

Toxic effects of four sulphonylureas herbicides on soil microbial biomass

The effect of four triazinyl-sulfonylurea herbicides (cinosulfuron, prosulfuron, thifensulfuron methyl, triasulfuron) on soil microbial biomass, soil respiration, metabolic activity, metabolic quotient, and some enzymatic activities (acid and alkaline phosphatase, β-glucosidase, arylsulphatase, and fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis) were monitored under controlled conditions over 30 days. The herbicides were applied at the normal field dose (FD) and at ten-fold (10 FD) the field dose, in order to mimic a long term toxic effect. The measured soil microbial parameters showed that the FD had slight effects on soil microflora, while at 10 FD the tested herbicides exerted a stronger detrimental effect on soil microbial biomass and its biochemical activities.