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.     

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.     

Factors affecting the quantitative uncertainty of the estimated short-term intake. Part I—Calculation methods

ABSTRACT

The calculation of the combined uncertainty of the international estimated short-term intake (IESTI) of ethephon residues in apples is shown as an example. The ethephon residues in apples were reported by the Joint FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations)/WHO (World Health Organization) Meeting on Pesticide Residues (JMPR). The apple consumption data were taken from the IESTI (international short-term intake) calculation template used by the JMPR. The IESTI was calculated with the currently used method (case 2a) and a proposed one recommended by the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority)/RIVM (Dutch National Institute for Public Health) Scientific Workshop co-sponsored by FAO and WHO. In this example, the ratio of IESTI_proposed/IESTI_current and their combined relative uncertainty are about 2.8, and 1.7, respectively. The larger IESTI and uncertainty obtained with the proposed equation are the consequence of calculation only with the large portion (LP) instead of its combination with unit mass, and the MRL instead of the highest residue (HR). The LP is the major contributor to the combined uncertainty. Both the calculated IESTI and its combined uncertainty depend on the actual food – pesticide residue combination, and should be calculated for each case.     

活性焦联合脱硫脱硝技术及发展方向

本文介绍了活性焦特点、活性焦联合脱硫脱硝技术的反应机理及工艺流程、活性焦联合脱硫脱硝技术的优缺点及发展方向。指出了活性焦联合脱硫脱硝工艺具有可以实现同时脱除S02、NOx和粉尘,脱除效率高,投资小等优点,通过加热再生活性焦,可获得高浓度的SO2气体,用于生产硫酸、液体二氧化硫或硫磺,有效回收硫资源。该技术具有流程简单、占地面积小、无二次污染、费用低、应用范围广等特点。     

铅锌尾矿重金属渗漏污染土壤和地下水的电动修复技术研究

随着生产的发展,中国地下水重金属污染问题日益严重,特别是尾矿重金属渗漏污染地下水尤引人注目,地下水和土壤相互作用,导致重金属离子发生迁移和再分配。电动修复技术作为一种新兴绿色技术,因其高效、节能、成本低、无二次污染,具有很好发展前景。本文对土壤和地下水重金属污染电动修复技术的原理、实际研究应用、技术优势及缺点进行论述,为进一步研究铅锌尾矿重金属渗漏污染地下水电动修复技术提供理论依据。     

Efficient dechlorination of chlorinated solvent pollutants under UV irradiation by using the synthesized TiO2 nano-sheets in aqueous phase

Titanium dioxide(TiO2), which is the widely used photo-catalyst, has been synthesized by simple hydrothermal solution containing tetrabutyl titanate and hydrofluoric acid. The synthesized product has been applied to photo-degradation in aqueous phase of chlorinated solvents, namely tetrachloroethene(PCE), trichloroethene(TCE) and 1,1,1-trichloroethane(TCA). The photo-degradation results revealed that the degradation of these harmful chemicals was better in UV/synthesized TiO2 system compared to UV/commercial P25 system and UV only system. The photo-catalytic efficiency of the synthesized TiO2 was 1.4, 1.8 and 3.0 folds higher compared to the commercial P25 for TCA, TCE and PCE degradation, respectively. Moreover, using nitrobenzene(NB) as a probe of hydroxyl radical(.OH), the degradation rate was better over UV/synthesized TiO2, suggesting the high concentration of.OH generated in UV/synthesized TiO2system. In addition,.OH concentration was confirmed by the strong peak displayed in EPR analysis over UV/synthesized TiO2system. The characterization result using XRD and TEM showed that the synthesized TiO2 was in anatase form and consisted of well-defined sheet-shaped structures having a rectangular outline with a thickness of 4 nm, side length of 50 nm and width of 33 nm and a surface 90.3 m2/g. XPS analysis revealed that ≡Ti-F bond was formed on the surface of the synthesized TiO2. The above results on both photocatalytic activity and the surface analysis demonstrated the good applicability of the synthesized TiO2 nano-sheets for the remediation of chlorinated solvent contaminated groundwater.     

挥发性有机物污染场地挖掘过程中污染扩散特征

我国城市工业污染场地主要受挥发性及半挥发性有机污染物(VOCs/SVOCs)的污染.挥发性有机污染物挥发性大,在环境中容易迁移,土壤被挖掘和扰动时,土壤中VOCs很容易形成短时间内的相对较高浓度释放;如果施工人员没有进行适当防护,极易产生健康危害.本研究通过现场快速监测与采样管采样技术相结合,研究污染场地修复开挖过程中气态污染物的分布规律.监测结果表明,在场地开挖的主导风向上,气态污染物浓度分布随距离而下降,并呈现波峰和波谷交替出现的特征.监测结果可以用多个高斯烟团的叠加来拟合.本研究结合工业场所职业健康与安全有关限值,推导污染土壤修复开挖现场安全区域划分的方法,并提出相应分区的个人安全防护响应措施.     

多级强化地下水修复技术对NH_4~+-N的去除机制

为解决地下水污染修复技术中PT(抽出处理)和PRB(渗透性反应墙)存在的一些不足,搭建了MET(多级强化地下水修复技术)小试装置,以NH4+-N为目标污染物,研究MET对地下水中NH4+-N的去除效果及机制.结果表明,在进水水力负荷为14.68 m3/(m2·d)、ρ(NH4+-N)为25.0 mg/L的条件下,装置连续运行45 d,NH4+-N去除率呈先降后升、平稳后再下降的趋势,平均值达90%以上.出水ρ(NH4+-N)平均值为2.0 mg/L,其中,硝化作用和微生物同化作用使ρ(NH4+-N)平均下降13.9和5.2mg/L,分别占进水ρ(NH4+-N)的54%和20%;植物作用、基质永久吸附作用和挥发作用分别使ρ(NH4+-N)下降2.9、0.7和0.7mg/L,占进水ρ(NH4+-N)的12%、3%和3%.综上,MET对地下水中NH4+-N的去除率可达90%,实现了高效去除NH4+-N的目标.     

铜-磺胺嘧啶复合胁迫对蔬菜种子发芽的急性毒性效应

研究了黄潮土中常用兽药磺胺嘧啶(SD)与重金属铜(Cu)单一及复合污染对小白菜和西红柿种子发芽(发芽率、根伸长、芽伸长)的影响,分析了土壤中药物浓度与作物生长抑制的剂量-效应关系及复合污染的毒性效应。结果表明,无论是在Cu或SD单一污染物作用下,根伸长和芽伸长抑制率与污染物浓度显著相关(P0.01),发芽抑制率与污染物浓度不相关(P0.05);污染物对根伸长及芽伸长的抑制高于对种子发芽的抑制;SD对2种作物的毒性效应明显强于Cu,SD对小白菜和西红柿根伸长的ID50(抑制率为50%时污染物浓度)分别为1.7和33.6 mg·kg~(-1),而Cu为273.6和457.7 mg·kg~(-1)。Cu-SD复合污染,对西红柿的根和芽伸长的拮抗作用显著(P0.01);但对小白菜来说,在低浓度Cu(100 mg·kg~(-1))作用下,二者的联合拮抗作用不显著(P0.05),随Cu的增加,拮抗作用显著(P0.01)。     

Fenton法和类Fenton法降解土壤中的二苯砷酸

本文对Fenton法与类Fenton法降解土壤中的二苯砷酸(diphenylarsinic acid,DPAA)进行了研究.考察了H2O2投加量和催化剂种类(Fe2+/Fe3+)对红壤及黑土中DPAA降解效果的影响,并采用高效液相色谱-质谱联用法(HPLC-MS/MS)对降解中间产物进行了初步鉴定.结果显示,针对红壤与黑土分别采用类Fenton法与Fenton法,在H2O2投加浓度为1 mol·L-1,含铁催化剂浓度为0.25 mol·L-1,土水比为1∶3,反应时间为1h的条件下,红壤及黑土中DPAA的降解率均可达到65%以上.HPLC-MS/MS的分析结果表明,DPAA可脱苯环形成降解产物苯砷酸(phenylarsinic acid,PAA),而PAA进一步氧化生成无机砷,这可能是Fenton/类Fenton法降解DPAA的途径之一.