Diffusive gradients in thin films using molecularly imprinted polymer binding gels for in situ measurements of antibiotics in urban wastewaters

• Selective molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) binding gel was prepared. • MIP-DGT showed excellent uptake performance for antibiotics. • In situ measurement of antibiotics in wastewaters via MIP-DGT was developed. • The MIP-DGT method was robust, reliable, and highly sensitive. Urban wastewater is one of main sources for the introduction of antibiotics into the environment. Monitoring the concentrations of antibiotics in wastewater is necessary for estimating the amount of antibiotics discharged into the environment through urban wastewater treatment systems. In this study, we report a novel diffusive gradient in thin films (DGT) method based on molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) for in situ measurement of two typical antibiotics, fluoroquinolones (FQs) and sulfonamides (SAs) in urban wastewater. MIPs show specific adsorption toward their templates and their structural analogs, resulting in the selective uptake of the two target antibiotics during MIP-DGT deployment. The uptake performance of the MIP-DGTs was evaluated in the laboratory and was relatively independent of solution pH (4.0–9.0), ionic strength (1–750 mmol/L), and dissolved organic matter (DOM, 0–20 mg/L). MIP-DGT samplers were tested in the effluent of an urban wastewater treatment plant for field trials, where three SA (sulfamethoxazole, sulfapyridine, and trimethoprim) and one FQ (ofloxacin) antibiotics were detected, with concentrations ranging from 25.50 to 117.58 ng/L, which are consistent with the results measured by grab sampling. The total removal efficiency of the antibiotics was 80.1% by the treatment plant. This study demonstrates that MIP-DGT is an effective tool for in situ monitoring of trace antibiotics in complex urban wastewaters.     

Soil warming effect on net ecosystem exchange of carbon dioxide during the transition from winter carbon source to spring carbon sink in a temperate urban lawn

The significant warming in urban environment caused by the combined effects of global warming and heat island has stimulated widely development of urban vegetations. However, it is less known of the climate feedback of urban lawn in warmed environment. Soil warming effect on net ecosystem exchange (NEE) of carbon dioxide during the transition period from winter to spring was investigated in a temperate urban lawn in Beijing, China. The NEE (negative for uptake) under soil warming treatment (temperature was about 5℃ higher than the ambient treatment as a control) was -0.71 μmol/(m².sec), the ecosytem was a CO₂ sink under soil warming treatment, the lawn ecosystem under the control was a CO₂ source (0.13 μmol/(m².sec)), indicating that the lawn ecosystem would provide a negative feedback to global warming. There was no significant effect of soil warming on nocturnal NEE (i.e., ecosystem respiration), although the soil temperature sensitivity (Q₁₀) of ecosystem respiration under soil warming treatment was 3.86, much lower than that in the control (7.03). The CO₂ uptake was significantly increased by soil warming treatment that was attributed to about 100% increase of α (apparent quantum yield) and A_max (maximum rate of photosynthesis). Our results indicated that the response of photosynthesis in urban lawn is much more sensitive to global warming than respiration in the transition period.     

Modelling sulphate-enhanced cadmium uptake by Zea mays from nutrient solution under conditions of constant free Cd2+ ion activity

A controlled hydroponic experiment was undertaken to investigate Cd uptake in relation to the activity of Cd species in solution other than the free ion (Cd²⁺) by maintaining a constant Cd²⁺ activity under variable SO₄₂⁻ and Cl⁻ concentrations exposed to maize (Zea mays var. Cameron) plants. The objectives of these experiments were: (1) to distinguish and quantify the different uptake rates of free and inorganic-complexed Cd from nutrient solution, and (2) to model the uptake of Cd by maize with a Biotic Ligand Model (BLM) in a system which facilitates the close examination of root characteristics. Results of the current experiments suggest that, in addition to the free ion, CdSO₄⁰ complexes are important factors in determining Cd uptake in nutrient solution by maize plants. Higher nominal SO₄²⁻ concentrations in solution generally resulted in a greater Cd accumulation by maize plants than predicted by the Cd²⁺ activity. A better integration of the complete dataset for the 3 harvest times (6, 9 and 11 days after treatment) was achieved by including consideration of both the duration of Cd exposure and especially the root surface area to express Cd uptake. Similarly, the fit of the BLM was also improved when taking into account exposure time and expressing uptake in terms of root morphological parameters.     

Combined toxicity of copper and cadmium to six rice genotypes （Oryza sativa L.）

Accumulation of copper (Cu) and cadmium (Cd) in six rice cultivars (94D-22, 94D-54, 94D-64, Gui630, YY-1 and KY1360) was evaluated through exposure to heavy metal contamination (100 mg/kg Cu, 1.0 mg/kg Cd, and 100 mg/kg Cu + 1.0 mg/kg Cd) in a greenhouse. The dry weight of shoot and root, concentrations of Cu and Cd in plant tissues and the Cu, Cd, P, Fe concentrations in the root surface iron plaques were analyzed eight weeks later after treatment. The results indicated that the plant biomass was mainly determined by rice genotypes, not Cu and Cd content in soil. Separated treatment with Cu/Cd increased each metal level in shoot, root and iron plaques. Soil Cu enhanced Cd accumulation in tissues. In contrast, Cu concentrations in shoot and root was unaffected by soil Cd. Compared to single metal contamination, combined treatment increased Cd content by 110.6%, 77.0% and 45.2% in shoot, and by 112.7%, 51.2% and 18.4% in root for Gui630, YY-1 and KY1360, respectively. The content level of Cu or Cd in root surface iron plaques was not affected by their soil content. Cu promoted Fe accumulation in iron plaques, while Cd has no effect on P and Fe accumulation in it. The translocation of Cu and Cd from iron plaques to root and shoot was also discussed. These results might be beneficial in selecting cultivars with low heavy metal accumulation and designing strategies for soil bioremediation.     

Biodegradability of soil water soluble organic carbon extracted from seven di erent soils

Water soluble organic carbon (WSOC) is considered the most mobile and reactive soil carbon source and its characterization is an important issue for soil ecology study. A biodegradability test was set up to study WSOC extracted from 7 soils di erently managed. WSOC was extracted from soil with water (soil/water ratio of 1:2, W/V) for 30 min, and then tested for biodegradability by a liquid state respirometric test. Result obtained confirmed the finding that WSOC biodegradability depended on the both land use and management practice. These results suggested the biodegradability test as suitable method to characterize WSOC, and provided useful information to soil fertility.     

多环芳烃在土壤-蔬菜界面上的迁移与积累特征

研究了南京市工业区周边污染农田土壤中16种优先控制的多环芳烃（PAHs）污染物由土壤向蔬菜迁移的特征及其在蔬菜体内的积累规律.结果表明,蔬菜体内PAHs的浓度与其生长土壤环境中PAHs的浓度呈正相关关系,且土壤中PAHs的浓度显著高于生长在该土壤上的蔬菜根和茎叶组织中的浓度(p<0.05),根中PAHs的浓度显著高于茎叶组织中的浓度(p<0.05).蔬菜根中低环PAHs与PAHs总浓度的比值（∑LMW-PAHs∑PAHs）显著高于其土壤中相应的比例(p<0.05).与高环PAHs（HMW-PAHs）相比,LMW-PAHs易被蔬菜根部吸收,表现出较高的生物有效性.生长在同种污染土壤中的4种叶菜类蔬菜体内PAHs的浓度差异不显著,即这4种蔬菜吸收积累PAHs的差异较小.     

河岸缓冲区氮素截留研究进展

河岸缓冲区对氮素的有效截留以阻止其进入河流已得到广泛的认可,是美国资源局所认可的一种最佳管理措施。总结河岸缓冲区中氮素截留的主要机制、影响因素及缓冲区的管理原则。最主要截留机制为反硝化作用与植物吸收,相应的最主要影响因素是缓冲区的水文特征。为达到较好的氮素截留效率,必须重建退化的缓冲区、保护缓冲区的完整性与不受干扰,并与其他流域管理措施相结合。     

聚糖原菌富集实验及其内源过程探究

细胞衰减是微生物内源过程的一个重要组成部分,可分为由细胞死亡引起的数量衰减和由细胞活性降低引起的活性衰减两部分.通过挥发性脂肪酸（VFA）吸收速率(VFAUR)测定、荧光原位杂交技术（FISH）以及LIVE/DEAD细胞染色技术,研究了富集聚糖原菌（GAOs）在序批式反应器（SBR）系统中好氧环境下的衰减特征.结果表明,当T=30℃、进料中m(COD)∶m(P)=100时,SBR系统中GAOs富集比例达94%.测定和计算表明,SBR富集系统中GAOs衰减速率和死亡速率分别为0.132 d^-1和0.034 d^-1,其数量衰减和活性衰减占其细胞总衰减比例分别为26%和74%.可见,GAOs数量衰减只占其细胞总衰减中很小一部分,而绝大部分衰减由活性衰减所引起.     

农田施用水葫芦对水稻氮素吸收利用的影响

以粳稻品种运2645为供试材料,设计农田施用水葫芦(将晒干水葫芦按4 500 kg·hm-2农田施用)、不施用水葫芦处理和施N量为120 kg·hm-2(LN)、240 kg·hm-2(NN)处理,研究其对水稻不同生育时期N素含量、N素吸收、N素分配和N素利用效率的影响.结果表明:①农田施用水葫芦使水稻不同生育时期植株...     

金鱼藻对14CO2的吸收和积累动态

为了探明14CO2(14C)在环境中的行为,采用同位素示踪技术研究了金鱼藻对14CO2的吸收和积累动态,并探讨了金鱼藻作为监测大气14CO2污染指示植物的可能性.结果表明,生长在水中的金鱼藻会通过某些途径吸收空气中14CO2并形成积累趋势,吸收途径主要是金鱼藻通过光合作用从水体中吸收游离14CO2和H14CO3-.金鱼...