China’s carbon neutrality: an extensive and profound systemic reform

● China has pledged ambitious carbon peak and neutrality goals for mitigating global climate change. ● Major challenges to achieve carbon neutrality in China are summarized. ● The new opportunities along the pathway of China’s carbon neutrality are discussed from four aspects. ● Five policy suggestions for China are provided. China is the largest developing economy and carbon dioxide emitter in the world, the carbon neutrality goal of which will have a profound influence on the mitigation pathway of global climate change. The transition towards a carbon-neutral society is integrated into the construction of ecological civilization in China, and brings profound implications for China’s socioeconomic development. Here, we not only summarize the major challenges in achieving carbon neutrality in China, but also identify the four potential new opportunities: namely, the acceleration of technology innovations, narrowing regional disparity by reshaping the value of resources, transforming the industrial structure, and co-benefits of pollution and carbon mitigation. Finally, we provide five policy suggestions and highlight the importance of balancing economic growth and carbon mitigation, and the joint efforts among the government, the enterprises, and the residents.     

Personal exposure to PM2.5-bound heavy metals associated with cardiopulmonary function in general population

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - To better understand the cardiopulmonary alterations associated with personal exposed PM2.5-bound heavy meals, we conducted a cross-sectional study in...     

Aerosol transmission,an indispensable route of COVID-19 spread: case study of a department-store cluster

• Aerosol transmission is an indispensable route of COVID-19 spread. • Different outbreak sites have different epidemiologic feature. • SRAS-CoV-2 can exist for a long time in aerosol. • SRAS-CoV-2 RNA can be detected in aerosol in diverse places. • Some environmental factors can impact SARS-CoV-2 transportation in aerosol. Patients with COVID-19 have revealed a massive outbreak around the world, leading to widespread concerns in global scope. Figuring out the transmission route of COVID-19 is necessary to control further spread. We analyzed the data of 43 patients in Baodi Department Store (China) to supplement the transmission route and epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 in a cluster outbreak. Incubation median was estimated to endure 5.95 days (2–13 days). Almost 76.3% of patients sought medical attention immediately upon illness onset. The median period of illness onset to hospitalization and confirmation were 3.96 days (0–14) and 5.58 days (1–21), respectively. Patients with different cluster case could demonstrate unique epidemiological characteristics due to the particularity of outbreak sites. SRAS-CoV-2 can be released into the surrounding air through patient’s respiratory tract activities, and can exist for a long time for long-distance transportation. SRAS-CoV-2 RNA can be detected in aerosol in different sites, including isolation ward, general ward, outdoor, toilet, hallway, and crowded public area. Environmental factors influencing were analyzed and indicated that the SARS-CoV-2 transportation in aerosol was dependent on temperature, air humidity, ventilation rate and inactivating chemicals (ozone) content. As for the infection route of case numbers 2 to 6, 10, 13, 16, 17, 18, 20 and 23, we believe that aerosol transmission played a significant role in analyzing their exposure history and environmental conditions in Baodi Department Store. Aerosol transmission could occur in some cluster cases when the environmental factors are suitable, and it is an indispensable route of COVID-19 spread.     

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...     

Magnetotactic bacteria: Characteristics and environmental applications

• Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) synthesize magnetic nanoparticle within magnetosomes. • The morphologic and phylogenetic diversity of MTB were summarized. • Isolation and mass cultivation of MTB deserve extensive research for applications. • MTB can remove heavy metals, radionuclides, and organic pollutants from wastewater. Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) are a group of Gram-negative prokaryotes that respond to the geomagnetic field. This unique property is attributed to the intracellular magnetosomes, which contains membrane-bound nanocrystals of magnetic iron minerals. This review summarizes the most recent advances in MTB, magnetosomes, and their potential applications especially the environmental pollutant control or remediation. The morphologic and phylogenetic diversity of MTB were first introduced, followed by a critical review of isolation and cultivation methods. Past research has devoted to optimize the factors, such as oxygen, carbon source, nitrogen source, nutrient broth, iron source, and mineral elements for the growth of MTB. Besides the applications of MTB in modern biological and medical fields, little attention was made on the environmental applications of MTB for wastewater treatment, which has been summarized in this review. For example, applications of MTB as adsorbents have resulted in a novel magnetic separation technology for removal of heavy metals or organic pollutants in wastewater. In addition, we summarized the current advance on pathogen removal and detection of endocrine disruptor which can inspire new insights toward sustainable engineering and practices. Finally, the new perspectives and possible directions for future studies are recommended, such as isolation of MTB, genetic modification of MTB for mass production and new environmental applications. The ultimate objective of this review is to promote the applications of MTB and magnetosomes in the environmental fields.     

Effect of pressure and atmosphere during hydrothermal treatment on the properties of sewage sludge-derived solid fuel

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - Efforts to improve the performance of hydrothermal treatment (HT) in producing high-quality solid fuel from sewage sludge were carried out by...     

脱氧雪腐镰刀菌烯醇、黄曲霉毒素B_1和玉米赤霉烯酮对秀丽隐杆线虫的联合毒性研究

脱氧雪腐镰刀菌烯醇(DON)、黄曲霉毒素B_1(AFB_1)和玉米赤霉烯酮(ZEN)是最为常见的粮食真菌毒素,易共存于谷物产品和动物饲料中,而目前对其联合毒性的研究较少,且研究结果并不完全一致。为探究DON、AFB_1和ZEN的联合毒性作用,本论文以秀丽隐杆线虫(C.elegans)为模型,分别评估了毒素混合物AFB_1+DON、AFB_1+ZEN、DON+ZEN和AFB_1+DON+ZEN对C.elegans的生长发育(体长)和生殖能力(产卵量)的毒性作用,并用Chou-Talalay模型来判定毒素混合物的相互作用类型。研究表明,AFB_1、DON和ZEN单独染毒C.elegans时,其毒作用强弱为AFB_1ZENDON。联合染毒时,AFB_1+DON对C.elegans产生协同作用,而DON+ZEN则产生拮抗作用;AFB_1+ZEN对体长(24 h)和产卵量的毒作用随着暴露浓度的增加,由弱拮抗变为协同作用,而在毒素暴露48 h后,对线虫的生长发育呈协同作用;AFB_1+DON+ZEN除在EC50-24 h和EC75-24 h时对体长产生明显的毒性增强作用外,其他普遍表现出拮抗作用。由此表明,DON、AFB_1和ZEN对C.elegans的联合毒性作用与剂量和时间相关。     

纳米氧化铝对斑马鱼幼鱼早期运动行为的影响

随着纳米技术的迅猛发展,纳米材料的安全性研究具有十分重要的意义。为探讨纳米氧化铝对斑马鱼幼鱼早期运动行为的影响,本研究将受精后6 h(6 hpf)的斑马鱼胚胎随机分成空白对照组(E3培养液)、纳米氧化铝组(12.5、25、50、100μg·mL~(-1))。采用6孔板染毒,每组160颗卵,共8个孔,每孔20颗卵/10 m L试液,染毒液更新周期为1 d。观察急性毒性和运动行为。结果显示,各纳米氧化铝组无明显的急性毒性;运动行为检测发现,25、50、100μg·m L~(-1)纳米氧化铝组受精后6 d幼鱼(6dpf)黑暗状态下的运动速度、运动距离、趋触性程度较空白对照组均显著下降(P0.05);在6 dpf幼鱼对强光刺激的惊恐逃避反射试验中发现,各组幼鱼在光照1 min内运动速度较光照前的黑暗期均明显下降(P0.05),但25μg·mL~(-1)和100μg·mL~(-1)浓度组在光照时速度下降得更慢(P0.05);关闭光源后,各组幼鱼的运动速度都会上升,但25μg·mL~(-1)和100μg·mL~(-1)浓度组在打开光源后速度上升得更慢(P0.05)。上述结果表明,纳米氧化铝可以影响斑马鱼幼鱼早期的运动行为。     

Seasonal variation in the occurrence of ischemic stroke: A meta-analysis

Stroke was demonstrated to correlate with seasonal variation. However, the relevant studies were incongruous. To better understand the rules of seasonal impact on ischemic stroke (IS) patients, we performed this meta-analysis. We systematically searched relevant observational studies in Pubmed, Web of science and Embase from January 1, 1980, to November 1, 2017, in English. Patients included in this study were adults who suffered from IS. Stata version 12.0 software was used to pool useful data and calculate incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We also performed heterogeneity and sensitivity analyses and evaluated publication bias. Thirty-three observational studies involving 234,196 participants were incorporated into the meta-analysis. Summer and December were regarded as reference, respectively. The IRRs were calculated showing: IRR_Winter 1.05 (95% CI 1.04–1.07), IRR_Autumn 1.03 (95% CI 1.02–1.04), IRR_Spring 1.02 (95% CI 1.01–1.03). No obvious difference existed among 12 months. Stratified analyses on Köppen classification were also conducted. Between-study heterogeneity was discovered; however, predefined stratified analyses and meta-regression could not reduce this heterogeneity. Our meta-analysis has revealed very little seasonal variation in the overall study. Both cold and hot months may be high risky for IS after stratified by Köppen Climate Classification. Thus, a rationale to environmental setting of risky patient management could be provided. More studies with specific assessments are warranted for further comprehensive investigation.

     

Distribution Characteristics and Implication of n-alkanes in Soils and Plants in Alpine Meadow

Russian Journal of Ecology - The present study was conducted to investigate the n-alkane composition of typical alpine meadows. Plant and soil samples were collected and analyzed to characterize...