Producing biodiesel from waste animal oil by modified ZnO

Biodiesel produced by transesterification of waste animal oil is a promising green fuel in the future. ZnO-Al₂O₃ and ZnO/Zn₂Al composition oxides were prepared by co-precipitation method and impregnation method, respectively. The above catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer--Emmett--Teller (BET) and CO₂ adsorption and temperature-programmed desorption (CO₂-TPD) and show that the high activity for the catalyst is attributed to its high alkalinity. The reaction parameters were optimized and the results show that the transesterification ratio of waste animal oil can reach 98.7% with 10% ZnO/Zn₂Al catalyst after 2 h. Moreover, 10%ZnO/Zn₂Al compound oxides can be active for the successive cycles. The glycerol as a predominant by-product after transesterification is of high purity with high use value.     

Modeling the impacts of calcite precipitation on the epilimnion of an ultraoligotrophic, hard-water lake

A mass-balance model of calcite precipitation was developed to investigate the interactions of the varied processes governing the generation and fate of calcite in lakes. The model was used in conjunction with data to assess the evolution and impact of calcite precipitation for calcareous, ultraoligotrophic Torch Lake, Michigan (USA). This lake is an ideal setting for implementation of a baseline modeling study of calcite precipitation where the physical drivers could be evaluated without being dominated, as in many systems, by biological processes. The model provides a representation of calcite precipitation with particulate surface area changing over time, and demonstrates that it is possible for the change in water clarity to be explained by calcite precipitation employing standard optical models. Using the mass balance model to quantify the roles of the various chemical, biological and physical processes interacting in the lake's epilimnion, it was shown that the seasonal temperature rise and air-water CO₂ exchange drive calcite precipitation much more than primary production for this ultraoligotrophic system.     

A graphical screening method for assessing stream water quality using specific conductivity and alkalinity data

In areas of varying geology, it is difficult to infer water quality from specific conductance or electrical conductivity (EC) data without an understanding of the expected range of EC values based on local bedrock composition. This paper describes a user-friendly graphical screening method that addresses this issue by plotting the EC against concurrent alkalinity data, which correlates well with the presence of carbonate bedrock under natural conditions, and thus serves as an index of bedrock type. The upper limit of EC vs. alkalinity expected in a stream is determined using regional groundwater quality data, based on the assumption that stream chemistry reflects groundwater under baseflow conditions. Stream samples with EC/alkalinity values that consistently plot above this limit are considered impacted by anthropogenic sources. The effect of dilution and runoff on the EC vs. alkalinity plot of stream samples is considered using a simple baseflow/storm runoff-mixing model. The graphical method's utility as a screening tool is demonstrated by application to stream chemistry data from watersheds of southeastern Pennsylvania and northwestern New Jersey in several distinct geologic settings; however the method is general and widely applicable to watersheds in humid temperate regions. Its use is intended for watershed stewards of both professional and nonprofessional qualification.     

Arsenic concentration in porewater of an alkaline coal ash disposal site: Roles of siderite precipitation/dissolution and soil cover

The geochemical behavior of As in porewaters of an alkaline coal ash disposal site was investigated using multilevel samplers. The disposal site was in operation from 1983 until 1994 and was covered with 0.3–0.5 m thick soils in 2001 when this study was initiated. Sequential extraction analyses and batch leaching experiments were also performed using the coal ash samples collected from the disposal site. The results suggest the important roles of siderite (FeCO₃) precipitation/dissolution and soil cover, which have been ignored previously. Arsenic levels in the porewater were very low (average of 10 μg L⁻¹) when the site was covered with soil due to coprecipitation with siderite. The soil cover enabled the creation of anoxic conditions, which raised the Fe concentration by the reductive dissolution of Fe-(hydr)oxides. Because of the high alkalinity generated from the alkaline coal ash, even a small increase in the Fe concentration (0.66 mg L⁻¹ on average) could cause siderite precipitation. When the soil cover was removed, however, an oxidizing condition was created and triggered the precipitation of dissolved Fe as (hydr)oxides. As a result, the dissolution of previously precipitated As-rich siderite caused higher As concentration in the porewater (average of 345 μg L⁻¹).     

Internal eutrophication: How it works and what to do about it—a review

In the 1980s and 1990s, it became increasingly clear that changes in external nutrient loads alone could not entirely explain the severe eutrophication of surface waters in the Netherlands. Nowadays, 'internal eutrophication' has become a widely accepted term in Dutch water management practice to describe the eutrophication of an ecosystem without additional external input of nutrients (N, P, K). This review surveys the principal mechanisms involved in this process. It also discusses possible remedies to combat internal eutrophication.     

低浓度氨氮硝化过程中影响因素的研究

一般来说硝化细菌对环境条件的变化比较敏感,而在低浓度氨氮系统中,硝化细菌对环境条件变化的敏感度比高浓度系统更大,而且其影响规律也有所不同.用富集培养的硝化细菌就温度、pH和碱度对高、低浓度氨氮硝化的影响做了研究.结果表明,低浓度氨氮硝化的温度系数(θ＝1.105)大于高浓度(θ＝1.099),温度对低浓度氨氮硝化的影响较高浓度大;偏碱性的环境更有利于低浓度氨氮硝化的进行,因此低浓度氨氮硝化的最优pH和Alk/N值都较高浓度高.和温度相比,pH和碱度是影响低浓度氨氮硝化过程的主要因素.     

完全混和式和阶段曝气组合工艺中微生物常见的冲击及对策

活性污泥法完全混和式和阶段曝气组合工艺，具有抗冲击能力强，有机物去除率高等特点。该工艺组合中微生物经常受到的冲击有进水ＣＯＤ、ＢＯＤ、碱度和曝气池低溶解氧。所采取的措施分别有：终水回流稀释、ＰＨ值控制、营养盐浓度控制、原水预曝气等。     

碳酸盐体系天然水体多指标酸化模型

本文以碳酸盐体系为基础提出适于区域环境水体酸化敏感性多指标评价模型,利用该模型结合各评价指标的标准化体系可进行大尺度范围水体酸化敏感性评价。     

炼油厂柴油碱洗废渣的分析

通过对炼油厂柴油碱洗废渣的分析，先后测定了碱渣的COD值、硫醇硫含量、碱度和含油量。测定结果表明。柴油碱渣中含浓度很高的恶臭物质和大量的有机物盐。为了进一步鉴定碱渣的成份，分别利用红外光谱和紫外光谱进行分析。结果显示，柴油碱渣中的恶臭污染物主要为硫醇硫、噻吩、酚、环烷酸、脂肪酸等酸性有机物。为废碱渣的处理提供了重要的依据。     

Throughfall chemistry in a spruce chronosequence in southern Poland

The chemical composition of throughfall and canopy leaching, as well as the acid neutralizing capacity and alkalinity depended on the age of Norway spruce (Picea abies Karst) stands and season of the year. A higher amount of sulphur and strong acids was deposited to the soil in the older age classes. Concentrations of SO(4)(2)(-), K(+), H(+), Mn(2+), Fe(2+) and Zn(2+) in throughfall were higher than in bulk precipitation in any season. This suggests that these ions were washed out or washed from the surface of needles and/or barks. The other ions NO(3)(-), NH(4)(+), Ca(2+) and Mg(2+) were retained by the canopy, in particular Ca(2+) and Mg(2+) during the growing season in young stands. Principal component analysis identified five factors responsible for the data structure and suggested the major anthropogenic emission sources were acidic emission (SO(4)(2)(-)+NO(3)(-)), heavy metals-dust particles (Fe(2+)+Mn(2+)+Zn(2+)), ammonium (NH(4)(+)) and H(+), while the natural-origin emission was mineral dust (Na(+)+K(+)+Ca(2+)+Mg(2+)).