A combined radical and non-radical oxidation processes for efficient degradation of Acid Orange 7 in the homogeneous Cu(II)/PMS system: important role of chloride

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Trace copper ion (Cu(II)) in water and wastewater can trigger peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation to oxidize organic compounds, but it only works under...     

Conversion of waste plastics into value-added carbon materials

Plastic pollution is a major environmental issue worldwide, calling for advanced methods to recycle waste plastics in the context of the circular economy. Here we review methods and strategies to convert waste plastics into value-added carbon materials, with focus on sources, properties, pretreatment of waste plastics, and on preparation of carbon materials. Pretreatment techniques include mechanical crushing, plastic stabilization and electrospinning. Carbon materials such as carbon nanotubes, graphene, carbon nanosheets, carbon spheres and porous carbon are prepared by oxygen-limited carbonization, catalytic carbonization, the template-based method, and pressure carbonization. We emphasize the conversion of polyethene terephthalate, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, halogenated plastics, polyurethane and mixed plastics.

     

Diversity of antibiotic resistance genes and encoding ribosomal protection proteins gene in livestock waste polluted environment

The rapid development and increase of antibiotic resistance are global phenomena resulting from the extensive use of antibiotics in human clinics and animal feeding operations. Antibiotics can promote the occurrence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), which can be transferred horizontally to humans and animals through water and the food chain. In this study, the presence and abundance of ARGs in livestock waste was monitored by quantitative PCR. A diverse set of bacteria and tetracycline resistance genes encoding ribosomal protection proteins (RPPs) from three livestock farms and a river were analyzed through denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). The abundance of sul(I) was 10³ to 10⁵ orders of magnitude higher than that of sul(II). Among 11 tet-ARGs, the most abundant was tet(O). The results regarding bacterial diversity indicated that the presence of antibiotics might have an evident impact on bacterial diversity at every site, particularly at the investigated swine producer. The effect of livestock waste on the bacterial diversity of soil was stronger than that of water. Furthermore, a sequencing analysis showed that tet(M) exhibited two genotypes, while the other RPPs-encoding genes exhibited at least three genotypes. This study showed that various ARGs and RPPs-encoding genes are particularly widespread among livestock.     

三峡水库蓄水期不同调度方案对洞庭湖出口水位的影响

洞庭湖水情受到长江和四水的综合影响，因此三峡水库蓄水运行必将对洞庭湖出口水位产生影响。通过构建模型对洞庭湖出口的水位过程进行模拟，以三峡出库日均流量、洞庭湖四水合成日均流量为输入，城陵矶站日水位过程为输出，以量化和分析城陵矶水位变化受三峡水库调度的影响。通过三峡入库流量代替出库流量，还原自然状态下的水位过程，并根据各调度方案计算的出库流量模拟各调度方案下城陵矶的水位变化过程。对比各调度方案下三峡水库蓄泄水对洞庭湖出口水位的影响可以发现：各蓄水方案对洞庭湖出口水位都造成了一定的影响，起蓄时间较早的方案影响时间较长，整体上平均水位变化也较大，但起蓄后水位变化较为平缓；起蓄时间较晚的方案影响时间较短，整体上平均水位变化相对较小，但起蓄后水位变化较为剧烈。考虑到不同年份和不同来水类型情况对洞庭湖出口水位的影响存在差异，各蓄水方案的优劣需要具体分析和讨论     

Enhanced debromination of 2,2′,4,4′-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47) by zero-valent zinc with ascorbic acid

• Highly efficient debromination of BDE-47 was achieved in the ZVZ/AA system. • BDE-47 debromination by the ZVZ/AA can be applied to a wide range of pH. • AA inhibits the formation of (hydr)oxide and accelerates the corrosion of ZVZ. • Reduction mechanism of BDE-47 debromination by the ZVZ/AA system was proposed. A new technique of zero-valent zinc coupled with ascorbic acid (ZVZ/AA) was developed and applied to debrominate the 2,2′,4,4′-Tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47), which achieved high conversion and rapid debromination of BDE-47 to less- or non-toxic forms. The reaction conditions were optimized by the addition of 100 mg/L ZVZ particles and 3 mmol/L AA at original solution pH= 4.00 using the solvent of methanol/H₂O (v:v= 4:6), which could convert approximately 94% of 5 mg/L BDE-47 into lower-brominated diphenyl ethers within a 90 min at the ZVZ/AA system. The high debromination of BDE-47 was mainly attributed to the effect of AA that inhibits the formation of Zn(II)(hydr)oxide passivation layers and promotes the corrosion of ZVZ, which leads to increase the reactivity of ZVZ. Additionally, ion chromatography and gas chromatography mass spectrometry analyses revealed that bromine ion and lower-debromination diphenyl ethers formed during the reduction of BDE-47. Furthermore, based on the generation of the intermediates products, and its concentration changes over time, it was proposed that the dominant pathway for conversion of BDE-47 was sequential debromination and the final products were diphenyl ethers. These results suggested that the ZVZ/AA system has the potential for highly efficient debromination of BDE-47 from wastewater.     

A comparative study of vocational education and occupational safety and health training in China and the UK

In order to enhance Chinese workers’ occupational safety awareness, it is essential to learn from developed countries’ experiences. This article investigates thoroughly occupational safety and health (OSH) in China and the UK; moreover, the article performs a comparison of Chinese and British OSH training-related laws, regulations and education system. The following conclusions are drawn: China’s work safety continues to improve, but there is still a large gap compared with the UK. In China a relatively complete vocational education and training (VET) system has been established. However, there exist some defects in OSH. In the UK, the employer will not only pay attention to employees’ physiological health, but also to their mental health. The UK’s VET is characterized by classification and grading management, which helps integrate OSH into the whole education system. China can learn from the UK in the development of policies, VET and OSH training.     

含氮生物降解促进剂对土壤吸附正十六烷的影响

选用正十六烷模拟润滑油,通过振荡平衡实验,考察了两种含氮脂肪酸型生物降解促进剂（甲基二乙醇胺油酸酯（MDEAO）和油酸二乙醇酰胺（ODEA））对水土体系中正十六烷吸附行为的影响。实验结果表明：正十六烷在水土体系中的有机质标化分配系数与土壤种类无关,与生物降解促进剂种类有关;土壤对正十六烷的吸附过程更符合Freundlich等温吸附模型;MDEAO的临界胶束浓度为2.0 mg/L,对土壤吸附正十六烷有一定的促进作用,ODEA的临界胶束浓度为0.7 mg/L,形成的胶束对正十六烷的增溶效果明显,促进了正十六烷在土壤中的解吸。     

底泥性质对重金属生物淋滤效果的影响

生物淋滤技术是一项可以将重金属从污染底泥或土壤中分离出来的环境修复技术,具有反应温和、耗酸少、运行成本较低、去除效率高,以及脱毒后底泥的脱水性能好等优点。然而,底泥成分复杂、流域特异性高,这使得相似的生物淋滤工艺对不同底泥的重金属去除效果不尽相同、淋滤技术的工艺参数标准化难度增加。综述了底泥性质对淋滤反应的3方面影响:底泥中的有机质与酸可挥发性硫化物(AVS)会改变重金属的形态;pH、可还原性硫、水溶性有机物(DOM)会对淋滤功能菌的活性产生影响;底泥粒度和耗酸能力(ACC)也会影响重金属的化学淋出效果。在此基础上提出今后该技术有待开展的研究内容,以期为该技术的进一步推广应用提供理论依据和技术支撑。