Optimization of co-digestion of various industrial sludges for biogas production and sludge treatment: Methane production potential experiments and modeling

Optimal biogas production and sludge treatment were studied by co-digestion experiments and modeling using five different wastewater sludges generated from paper, chemical, petrochemical, automobile, and food processing industries situated in Ulsan Industrial Complex, Ulsan, South Korea. The biomethane production potential test was conducted in simplex-centroid mixture design, fitted to regression equation, and some optimal co-digestion scenarios were given by combined desirability function based multi-objective optimization technique for both methane yield and the quantity of sludge digested. The co-digestion model incorporating main and interaction effects among sludges were utilized to predict the maximum possible methane yield. The optimization routine for methane production with different industrial sludges in batches were repeated with the left-over sludge of earlier cycle, till all sludges have been completely treated. Among the possible scenarios, a maximum methane yield of 1161.53 m³ is anticipated in three batches followed by 1130.33 m³ and 1045.65 m³ in five and two batches, respectively. This study shows a scientific approach to find a practical solution to utilize diverse industrial sludges in both treatment and biogas production perspectives.     

Living the green city: Freiburg's Solarsiedlung between narratives and practices of sustainable urban development

The solar settlement (Solarsiedlung) in Freiburg, Germany, has been widely hailed as an eco-city or green city neighbourhood and a blueprint for sustainable urban development. However, as there is a noticeable lack of critical analysis of what constitutes Solarsiedlung as an “eco-city”, this paper studies narratives and practices of sustainable urban development. First, we look at Solarsiedlung as a best-practice model – a narrative that was produced and perpetuated by architects, urban planners, investors and academics celebrating this neighbourhood as a technologically leapfrogging, economically sound and socially integrated project. Second, we explore the everyday practices and lived experience of the residents in Solarsiedlung. Bringing together these two perspectives, we contribute to a more comprehensive understanding and critical reading of the interplay between the ecological, economic and social dimensions of sustainable development as seen from different viewpoints. Findings indicate that Solarsiedlung as a best-practice model is embedded in growth-oriented neoliberal strategies that are in conflict with the everyday practices and lived experience of the residents. Our findings put into question the widely assumed transferability of best-practice models in sustainable urban development.     

Evaluation of the impact of matrix effects in LC/MS measurement on the accurate quantification of neonicotinoid pesticides in food by isotope-dilution mass spectrometry

The use of isotope-labeled internal standards is the most widely accepted approach to overcome the matrix effects on quantification of pesticides in food by LC/MS. We evaluated the impact of the matrix effects on quantification of six neonicotinoid pesticides, acetamiprid, clothianidin, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, thiacloprid, and thiamethoxam, in food by using deuterated internal standards. The calibration curves for each pesticide were obtained by using matrix-free and matrix-matched calibration solutions with blank brown rice, carrot, and green onion extracts. For brown rice and carrot, the matrix effects were not observed. In contrast, the slopes of calibration curves for each pesticide were influenced by presence of green onion extracts in calibration solutions (variability of the slopes was 4–9%), because the ratios of peak area for native pesticide to those for internal standards were influenced by matrix. The spike-and-recovery test with green onion was also performed. The analytical values obtained by using matrix-free calibration solution were biased from the spiked concentration, whereas those obtained by using matrix-matched calibration solution were comparable to the spiked concentration. These results indicate that matrix-matched calibration solution should be used for accurate quantification of neonicotinoid pesticides in food by LC/MS using deuterated internal standards.     

两相厌氧工艺处理高浓度丙烯酸生产废水

利用两相厌氧工艺处理高浓度丙烯酸生产废水。实验结果表明：在较高进水COD和容积负荷的条件下，系统具有良好、稳定的处理效果;在负荷提高及稳定运行阶段，将生活污水与丙烯酸生产废水的体积比调整为5∶1，容积负荷最大提高至12.3 kg/（m3·d），两相厌氧反应器可长期稳定运行，总COD去除率基本维持在90%以上，出水COD小于323 mg/L;当进水甲醛质量浓度为800~1 733 mg/L时，总甲醛去除率基本稳定在95.6%~99.3%;在负荷提高及稳定运行阶段，水解酸化相反应器和产甲烷相反应器的出水pH分别为6.2~7.6和7.6~8.1，出水总碱度分别为1 220~1 820 mg/L和1 800~2 620 mg/L。     

Infiltrating citizen-driven initiatives for sustainability

To examine how citizen-driven initiatives for sustainability strive to bring about change and spread their practices, efforts to link social movement, grassroots innovation and green-consumption movements theory are built upon. Göteborg’s citizen-driven waste-prevention initiatives, such as food waste recovery, creating common reuse spaces in housing blocks, exchanging used toys and repairing abandoned bicycles, are considered with data from observations, workshops, documents, social media communications and in-depth interviews. Citizen-driven initiatives succeeded in mobilizing material resources, displaying and reframing various rationales, and creating collaborative local networks to develop their waste-prevention practices. These practices infiltrated the municipal administration, matching incipient institutional mandates to minimize waste. By so doing, they bring within mainstream institutions radical rationales that can become activated in the future, contributing to diachronic change.     

初始pH对产氢发酵液厌氧产甲烷的影响研究

以啤酒厂厌氧颗粒污泥为接种物,对葡萄糖废水产氢后的发酵液进行间歇式中温厌氧发酵产甲烷实验.研究了不同的进水初始pH为5.5±0.2、6.0±0.2、6.5±0.2和7.0±0.2时对产氢发酵液产甲烷的影响,并以产氢发酵液的原始pH(4.2～4.4)作为对照.结果表明:产氢发酵液厌氧产甲烷必须添加一定量的碱加以调节,进水...     

双赢目标约束下中国能源结构调整测算

中国碳排放的主要来源是能源消费,能源消费又是经济增长的重要驱动因素,因而如何进行能源结构调整成为我国能否如期实现经济增长和碳减排双赢目标的关键。考虑技术进步的动态条件,基于1991-2013年中国的数据,采用超越对数生产函数对我国GDP增长中不同能源要素的贡献率进行了分解,并在2020年实现双赢目标的约束下,对不同能源2014-2020年期间的增长率在技术进步动态条件下进行了估算,分析了实现双赢目标的路径条件。研究结果显示:1综合要素、煤炭、石油、天然气、非化石能源等驱动因素1991-2013年期间对GDP的年均贡献率分别为:36.38%、13.03%、16.99%、12.00%、21.60%,中国经济增长对能源投入的依赖较强;2煤炭、石油、天然气对非化石能源的替代弹性较小,可替代性较差,但非化石能源对煤炭的替代弹性从2007年开始逐步增大,同时,煤炭、石油利用的技术进步慢于非化石能源,这有利于我国双赢目标的实现;3为实现2020年的双赢目标,煤炭、石油、天然气和非化石能源2020年的投入量需要比2013年分别增长26.43%、26.92%、57.53%、64.27%,2020年的能源消费结构比例为:0.63∶0.18∶0.07∶0.12,各种能源增长幅度不同,保持平稳调整;4在双赢目标约束条件下,从非化石能源、煤炭、石油、天然气四种能源角度分析了实现该目标的路径条件。从整体上看,在技术进步推动下,到2020年中国可以实现经济年均增长7%、碳排放强度下降44%的双赢目标。     

基于能值的中国农业绿色经济增长与空间收敛

构造合理的评价指标,对农业绿色经济增长现状及其演变进行客观评估与分析,是实现传统农业向绿色农业转变,促进农业经济可持续发展的迫切要求。本文基于能值理论,对2003—2014年中国及各省域单元农业绿色GDP进行了测算,在此基础上,利用空间分析方法研究我国农业绿色经济增长的空间格局与收敛特征。结果表明:1相较于传统农业GDP,中国人均农业绿色GDP增长相对缓慢,农业绿色GDP占农业传统GDP的比重在80%—85%之间,并呈下降趋势。2我国农业绿色经济增长存在显著的空间集聚,且集聚效应逐渐增强。3人均农业绿色GDP并未打破传统经济增长东部高、西部低的整体格局。东部经济发达地区更高的农业生产效率和西部相对粗放的生产方式是形成这种空间格局的主要原因。4农业人均绿色GDP的收敛分析适用于空间误差自回归模型,考虑了空间自相关因素后得出的收敛速度快于普通收敛分析的收敛速度。因此,准确评价农业经济增长水平需要充分考虑农业增长中的资源环境代价。在今后的发展过程中,我国应实施差别化的农业绿色发展政策,经济发达地区需要进一步减少农业经济增长中的资源环境成本,在继续扩大高增长优势下,促进农业发展的绿色转型。而欠发达地区则应在稳定粮食生产的同时更加注重生态环境保护,努力实现整体跨越式发展。各地区还应加快现代农业技术的转移与扩散,通过增强技术知识的空间溢出效应来提高农业绿色经济增长的收敛速度,尤其是农业发展落后地区应加强与先进地区的交流合作,大力引进先进的农业生产技术与管理经验,提升人力资本水平,以逐步缩小差距,促进农业绿色经济的协调发展。     

Natural and Anthropogenic Effects On Phytoplankton Primary Productivity in Mangroves

Spatial and temporal variations and the factors influencing primary production have been studied in three different mangrove waters (Pichavaram, Ennore Creek and Adyar Estuary) of South India characterised by different anthropogenic impacts. the gross primary productivity in the unpolluted Pichavaram mangrove was 113 g Cm^-2yr^-1 exhibiting natural variability with the environmental forcing factors. Human activities have elevated primary productivity in the Ennore Creek mangrove (157g Cm^-2yr^-1) primarily through the direct discharge of fertilizer effluents. By contrast, a combination of domestic and industrial effluent discharges into the Adyar Estuary mangrove has considerably reduced phytoplankton primary productivity 83g Cm^-2yr^-1 the Redfield N: P ratio varies from 0.96 N: 1P at Ennore Creek, 1.75N: 1P at Adyar Estuary to 15.2 N: 1P at Pichavaram mangroves. This suggests that the Pichavaram mangroves represent a well equilibrated ecosystem with N: P ratio close to steady-state values in contrast to the anthropogenically altered mangrove ecosystems studied. Results show a significant temporal variability in nutrient concentration in the three mangrove areas. Distinct differences in nutrient concentrations between the dry and the wet seasons have been observed.     

Population biology of the annual grassTriplasis purpurea in relation to distance from shore on Staten Island, New York

Four populations of the native annual grassTriplasis purpurea were surveyed on coastal beaches along the south shore of Staten Island, NY, to determine the potential of this species to colonize shoreline habitats mostly devoid of other vegetation. If the species can establish and maintain dense populations, it may have conservation value for urban beaches disturbed by human activities. For two populations, survivorship, growth, and reproduction were monitored at different distances from shore to determine the ability of this species to maintain viable populations. At three sites,T. purpurea occurred in >75% of all quadrats and the highest density was 1195 plants/m² at 74 m from shore in one recently disturbed site. Density generally increased with increasing distances from shore at low tide (from ca. 40 – 90 m). Plants showed the greatest growth and reproduction at close distances to shore (30 – 40 m); part of this effect was due to density in one population, but when density effects were removed statistically, there still remained a decline in growth and reproduction with increasing distance from shore. Improved vigor nearest to shore may be due to continual sand deposition. Survivorship showed a Type I pattern, with low mortality throughout the growing season. By colonizing newly-deposited and continually shifting sands,T. purpurea can contribute to the earliest stages of ecological succession along disturbed beaches in eastern North America and may be valuable to the development and management of urban coastal plant communities.