Enhancing the adsorption function of biochar by mechanochemical graphitization for organic pollutant removal

• Mechanochemical treatment reduced the calcination temperature for biochar synthesis. • Biochar is converted to graphite after mechanochemical treatment. • Biochar was reduced to nanoscale after mechanochemical treatment. Biochar (BC) has been extensively studied as adsorbent for the treatment of water pollution. Despite the distinct advantages, the high calcination temperature and low adsorption capacity of pristine BC limit its practical applications. Most of the former studies focused on the structure and/or surface modification to improve the adsorption capacity of BC. However, the harsh experiment conditions involved in the biochar modification limited the application in industrial level. Herein, we introduced mechanical treatment into BC preparation to reduce the calcination temperature and improve the adsorption capacity simultaneously. The results indicated that the calcination temperature was reduced and the adsorption capacity of the treated BC was improved after mechanochemical treatment. Characterization of the samples disclosed that BCs were graphitized with the particle size reduced to nanoscale after treatment. Adsorption tests indicated that the mechanochemically treated BCs showed much better removal performance of organic contaminants than that of pristine BCs. For instance, among four pristine BCs (BC600, BC700, BC800, and BC900), only BC900 has strong adsorption capacity for MB, while BC600 has low adsorption capacity (1.2 mg/g). By comparison, the adsorption capacity of MB increased greatly to 173.96 mg/g by BC600-500/1 (treated at 500 r/min for 1 hour). To optimize the mechanochemical treatment, the effects of rotation speed and agitation duration were also investigated.     

Preliminary studies on potential remediation of acid mine drainage‐impacted soils by amendment with drinking‐water treatment residuals

Mining operations result in a wide range of environmental impacts: acid mine drainage (AMD) and acid sulfate soils being among the most common. Due to their acidic pH and high soluble metal concentrations, both AMD and acid sulfate soils can severely damage the local ecosystems. Proper post‐mining management practices are necessary to control AMD‐related environmental issues. Current AMD‐impacted soil treatment technologies are rather expensive and typically not environmentally sustainable. We conducted a 60‐day bench‐scale study to evaluate the potential of a cost‐effective and environment‐friendly technology in treating AMD‐impacted soils. The metal binding and acid‐neutralizing capacity of an industrial by‐product, drinking water treatment residuals (WTRs) were used for AMD remediation. Two types of locally generated WTRs, an aluminum‐based WTR (Al‐WTR) and a lime‐based WTR (Ca‐WTR) were used. Highly acidic AMD‐impacted soil containing very high concentrations of metals and metalloids, such as iron, nickel, and arsenic, was collected from the Tab‐Simco coal mine in Carbondale, Illinois. Soil amendment using a 1:1 Al‐ and Ca‐WTR mix, applied at 5 and 10 percent rates significantly lowered the soluble and exchangeable fractions of metals in the AMD‐impacted soil, thus lowering potential metal toxicity. Soil pH increased from an extremely acidic 2.69 to a near‐neutral 6.86 standard units over the 60‐day study period. Results from this preliminary study suggest the possibility of a successful scale‐up of this innovative, cost‐effective, and environmentally sustainable technology for remediating AMD‐impacted acid sulfate soils.     

高效率颗粒物微物理模型简介与重污染过程应用分析

中国细颗粒物(PM2.5)导致的空气污染和雾霾天气问题越来越突出,在低层对流层中很多地方都有显著的二次颗粒物生成过程,因此对颗粒物物理化学转化过程的研究具有重要意义,其转化过程对空气质量模式模拟和预报的准确性有重要影响。高效率颗粒物微物理(APM)模型经过近20多年的研究和发展,在全球化学传输模型(GEOS-Chem)、区域性气象和化学预报模型(WRF-Chem)通用地球系统模型(CESM-CAM5)等气象及环境空气质量预报模型中取得了很好的应用验证,能够在全球/区域等不同尺度对粒子生成、长大、凝聚、消除等微物理过程以及气溶胶光学厚度(AOD)、直接/间接辐射强迫等进行模拟。应用GEOS-Chem-APM模式模拟了2014年2月京津冀区域的重污染过程。结果显示,湿度模拟的准确性对其他物理和污染物浓度等模拟结果有重要作用;2月20—26日的重污染过程模拟结果与实际观测较为吻合,主要污染特点是较高的湿度(90%以上),同时,二次颗粒物和包裹了二次物种的一次颗粒物(黑碳/有机碳)是低能见度的最大贡献者。     

The effects of the Fukushima disaster on nuclear energy debates and policies: a two-step comparative examination

Under what conditions do critical events trigger large-scale public discussion and mobilisation, and can these lead to policy change? In a comparative study of nuclear energy policy after the Japanese Fukushima disaster in March 2011, a theory-development approach is adopted, mobilising data collected from national news agencies’ newswires, public surveys, legislation and parliamentary databases, and newspaper editorials in 12 established democracies between March 2011 and March 2013. The analysis suggests two main hypotheses that can guide future research: critical events are more likely to trigger policy change when intense (contentious) mobilisation from policy challengers aligns with the views of the general public, and is backed by major political allies; and critical events are more likely to trigger intense (contentious) mobilisation when policy challengers articulate their opposition around pre-existing policy debates on the issue and resort to pre-existing organisational and mobilisation resources.     

Innovative applications of subgrade biogeochemical reactors: Three case studies

Subgrade biogeochemical reactors (SBGRs) are an in situ remediation technology shown to be effective in treating contaminant source areas and groundwater hot spots, while being sustainable and economical. This technology has been applied for over a decade to treat chlorinated volatile organic compound source areas where groundwater is shallow (e.g., less than approximately 30 feet below ground surface [ft bgs]). However, this article provides three case studies describing innovative SBGR configurations recently developed and tested that are outside of this norm, which enable use of this technology under more challenging site conditions or for treatment of alternative contaminant classes. The first SBGR case study addresses a site with groundwater deeper than 30 ft bgs and limited space for construction, where an SBGR column configuration reduced the maximum trichloroethene (TCE) groundwater concentration from 9,900 micrograms per liter (μg/L) to <1 μg/L (nondetect) within approximately 15 months. The second SBGR is a recirculating trench configuration that is supporting remediation of a 5.7‐acre TCE plume, which has significant surface footprint constraints due to the presence of endangered species habitat. The third SBGR was constructed with a new amendment mixture and reduced groundwater contaminant concentrations in a petroleum hydrocarbon source area by over 97% within approximately 1 year. Additionally, a summary is provided for new SBGR configurations that are planned for treatment of additional classes of contaminants (e.g., hexavalent chromium, 1,4‐dioxane, dissolved explosives constituents, etc.). A discussion is also provided describing research being conducted to further understand and optimize treatment mechanisms within SBGRs, including a recently developed sampling approach called the aquifer matrix probe.     

Aerobic treatment of swine manure to enhance anaerobic digestion and microalgal cultivation

Aerobic treatment of swine manure was coupled with anaerobic digestion and microalgal cultivation. A 14-day aerobic treatment reduced the total solid content of swine manure by >15%. Ammonia and carbon dioxide were stripped by the air supplied, and this off-gas was further used to aerate the culture of Chlorella vulgaris. The microalgal growth rates in Bristol medium and the wastewater with the off-gas increased from 0.08 to 0.22 g/L/d and from 0.15 to 0.24 g/L/d, respectively. Meanwhile, the aerobically treated swine manure showed a higher methane yield during anaerobic digestion. The experimental results were used to establish a demonstration unit consisting of a 100 L composter, a 200 L anaerobic digester, a 60 L tubular photobioreactor, and a 300 L micro-open raceway pond.     

废水中甲基橙的电化学降解

以FTO导电玻璃作为阳极、石墨电极作为阴极电解模拟甲基橙废水,优化了工艺条件,并对甲基橙的降解机理进行了初步探究。实验结果表明,在NaCl投加量5 g/L、电压8 V、废水pH 6、初始甲基橙质量浓度6.0 mg/L的优化条件下电解30 min,废水的脱色率达91.3%,COD降低了62%。机理研究结果表明,电解产生的羟基自由基与甲基橙发生氧化还原反应,破坏了甲基橙的显色基团,使其内部某些化学键发生断裂,从而达到脱色的目的。     

水处理中微生物絮凝剂产生菌的选育及应用

综述了微生物絮凝剂产生菌筛选和培育方面的研究进展,介绍了微生物絮凝剂在给水和饮用水、乳化液的油水分离、污水处理等领域的应用,以及廉价培养基的探索实践。提出针对影响微生物絮凝剂产生菌生长代谢的环境条件开展深入研究,同时寻找或设计廉价培养基,降低生产成本,推动其工业化应用。     

制药废水生化出水的强化混凝—高级氧化深度处理组合工艺比较

采用强化混凝和高级氧化法对制药废水生化出水进行深度处理,比较了不同混凝剂、不同氧化方法（包括Na₂S₂O₈氧化、电化学氧化、Fenton/类Fenton氧化）的处理效果。实验结果表明：经聚合硫酸铁与聚丙烯酰胺强化混凝处理后,废水的COD去除率达18.5%;强化混凝与不同氧化方法联用均可使废水脱色至无色,COD去除率达70.1%~92.4%。强化混凝—电化学氧化组合工艺的出水COD为27.1 mg/L,达到GB 8978—1996《污水综合排放标准》一级标准限值要求,且成本较低,适于实际应用。     

过氧化钙降解有机污染物研究进展

CaO₂具有很好的稳定性,可在水和土壤中逐步分解生成H₂O₂成为氧化反应的氧化剂,已作为H₂O₂的替代物用于环保领域的研究中。介绍了CaO₂的作用机理,综述了CaO₂用于处理含卤代物、染料、抗生素、苯系物等废水的研究进展,以及CaO₂用于治理含石油烃、多环芳烃、苯系物和农药的污染土壤的研究进展。提出未来的研究方向：充分利用CaO₂水解生成O₂和H₂O₂的特性,探索化学与生物联合修复技术;探究CaO₂与其他氧化剂联用技术,从而增加CaO₂修复技术的适用性和经济性。