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.     

Environmental demand effects on the energy generation of Karkheh reservoir: Base and climate change conditions

Environment, Development and Sustainability - Reservoir is a hydraulic structure that regulates river water to supply different sectors’ demands such as municipal, agricultural, and...     

Effects of coal spoil amendment on heavy metal accumulation and physiological aspects of ryegrass (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lolium perenne</Emphasis> L.) growing in copper mine tailings

Copper mine tailings pose many threats to the surrounding environment and human health, and thus, their remediation is fundamental. Coal spoil is the waste by-product of coal mining and characterized by low levels of metals, high content of organic matter, and many essential microelements. This study was designed to evaluate the role of coal spoil on heavy uptake and physiological responses of Lolium perenne L. grown in copper mine tailings amended with coal spoil at rates of 0, 0.5, 1, 5, 10, and 20%. The results showed that applying coal spoil to copper mine tailings decreased the diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)-extractable Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn contents in tailings and reduced those metal contents in both roots and shoots of the plant. However, application of coal spoil increased the DTPA-extractable Cr concentration in tailings and also increased Cr uptake and accumulation by Lolium perenne L. The statistical analysis of physiological parameters indicated that chlorophyll and carotenoid increased at the lower amendments of coal spoil followed by a decrease compared to their respective controls. Protein content was enhanced at all the coal spoil amendments. When treated with coal spoil, the activities of superoxide dismutases (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) responded differently. CAT activity was inhibited, but POD activity was increased with increasing amendment ratio of coal spoil. SOD activity increased up to 1% coal spoil followed by a decrease. Overall, the addition of coal spoil decreased the oxidative stress in Lolium perenne L., reflected by the reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA) contents in the plant. It is concluded that coal spoil has the potential to stabilize most metals studied in copper mine tailings and ameliorate the harmful effects in Lolium perenne L. through changing the physiological attributes of the plant grown in copper mine tailings.     

PW_(12)/g-C_3N_4光催化降解甲基橙

采用浸渍法制备了磷钨酸(PW12)/g-C3N4复合光催化剂,并将其用于溶液中甲基橙的光催化降解,运用IR技术对使用前后的光催化剂进行了表征。表征结果显示,PW12和g-C3N4的结构未在浸渍负载中发生改变,且PW12和g-C3N4结合牢固。实验结果表明:最佳的PW12负载量(光催化剂中PW12的质量分数)为50%;光催化降解甲基橙的优化反应条件为初始甲基橙质量浓度5 mg/L、光催化剂加入量0.6 g/L、初始溶液p H=7;在优化条件下,分别采用紫外光、模拟太阳光、可见光照射120 min后,甲基橙的降解率分别为96.59%,82.23%,42.78%;该光催化剂固载良好,使用中不易发生溶脱,稳定性好,可重复使用。     

Mitigating Impact of Devils Lake Flooding on the Sheyenne River Sulfate Concentration

Devils Lake is a terminal lake located in northeast North Dakota. Because of its glacial origin and accumulated salts from evaporation, the lake has a high concentration of sulfate compared to the surrounding water bodies. From 1993 to 2011, Devils Lake water levels rose by ~10 m, which flooded surrounding communities and increased the chance of an overspill to the Sheyenne River. To control the flooding, the State of North Dakota constructed two outlets to pump the lake water to the river. However, the pumped water has raised concerns about of water quality degradation and potential flooding risk of the Sheyenne River. To investigate these perceived impacts, a Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model was developed for the Sheyenne River and it was linked to a coupled SWAT and CE‐QUAL‐W2 model that was developed for Devils Lake in a previous study. While the current outlet schedule has attempted to maintain the total river discharge within the confines of a two‐year flood (36 m³/s), our simulation from 2012 to 2018 revealed that the diversion increased the Sheyenne River sulfate concentration from an average of 125 to >750 mg/L. Furthermore, a conceptual optimization model was developed with a goal of better preserving the water quality of the Sheyenne River while effectively mitigating the flooding of Devils Lake. The optimal solution provides a “win–win” outlet management that maintains the efficiency of the outlets while reducing the Sheyenne River sulfate concentration to ≤600 mg/L.     

区块链技术在环保领域的应用

近年来,区块链技术快速发展,被广泛应用于多个领域,发挥了不错的成效,比如推动公共服务质量的提升。环保领域中,区块链技术的应用处于探索阶段,还面临着诸多挑战和困难需要加以克服。环保领域对区块链技术的需求很大,若能够切实发挥技术的优势,可有效推动环保事业的发展。现结合具体研究,作如下论述。     

Environmental concerns and switching toward electric vehicles: geographic and institutional perspectives

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Smog pollution deteriorates environmental quality and has severe health risks. This affects the daily lives of people in China, particularly in urban...     

O3/H2O2降解水中扑灭通效能研究

利用拟一级降解速率常数表征O3/H2O2对扑灭通(Prometon)的氧化效能,探讨了n(H2O2)/n(O3)、pH值、水质和碳酸氢根离子对去除的影响,对有机氧化产物进行了气相和液相质谱分析,以离子色谱法测定了反应过程中产生的NO3-,在此基础上对扑灭通降解途径进行了研究.结果表明,扑灭通初始浓度2 mg.L-1,反应温度25℃,O3投量13 mg.L-1时,最佳反应条件为n(H2O2)/n(O3)=0.7,体系pH为7～8;扑灭通在自来水中的去除效果好于纯水;HCO3-浓度>50 mg.L-1时,对扑灭通的氧化有明显的抑制作用.液质和气质的分析结果表明扑灭通并未开环,氧化过程中扑灭通三嗪环支链上的2个异丙基首先被氧化脱去,离子色谱检测到的NO3-是三嗪环支链胺基氧化的产物.     

低温水解酸化-A~2/O（PACT）-混凝沉淀处理印染废水

低温条件下对水解酸化-A2/O（PACT）-混凝沉淀组合工艺处理印染废水进行了中试研究。考察印染废水中COD和色度去除效果,结果表明：低温对工艺负面影响较大,未加粉末活性炭时好氧段COD和色度的去除率分别为42.6%和58.9%;投加粉末活性炭后,去除率分别达55.8%和65.4%,提高了13.2%和6.5%,显示出低...