Biodegradation of indole by a newly isolated Cupriavidus sp. SHE

Indole, a typical nitrogen heterocyclic aromatic pollutant, is extensively spread in industrial wastewater. Microbial degradation has been proven to be a feasible approach to remove indole, whereas the microbial resources are fairly limited. A bacterial strain designated as SHE was isolated and found to be an efficient indole degrader. It was identified as Cupriavidus sp. according to 16S rRNA gene analysis. Strain SHE could utilize indole as the sole carbon source and almost completely degrade 100 mg/L of indole within 24 hr. It still harbored relatively high indole degradation capacity within pH 4–9 and temperature 25°C–35°C. Experiments also showed that some heavy metals such as Mn^2 +, Pb^2 + and Co^2 + did not pose severe inhibition on indole degradation. Based on high performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrum analysis, isatin was identified as a minor intermediate during the process of indole biodegradation. A major yellow product with m/z 265.0605 (C₁₅H₈N₂O₃) was generated and accumulated, suggesting a novel indole conversion pathway existed. Genome analysis of strain SHE indicated that there existed a rich set of oxidoreductases, which might be the key reason for the efficient degradation of indole. The robust degradation ability of strain SHE makes it a promising candidate for the treatment of indole containing wastewater.     

Bioreduction of vanadium (V) in groundwater by autohydrogentrophic bacteria: Mechanisms and microorganisms

As one of the transition metals, vanadium (V) (V(V)) in trace amounts represents an essential element for normal cell growth, but becomes toxic when its concentration is above 1 mg/L. V(V) can alter cellular differentiation, gene expression, and other biochemical and metabolic phenomena. A feasible method to detoxify V(V) is to reduce it to V(IV), which precipitates and can be readily removed from the water. The bioreduction of V(V) in a contaminated groundwater was investigated using autohydrogentrophic bacteria and hydrogen gas as the electron donor. Compared with the previous organic donors, H₂ shows the advantages as an ideal electron donor, including nontoxicity and less production of excess biomass. V(V) was 95.5% removed by biochemical reduction when autohydrogentrophic bacteria and hydrogen were both present, and the reduced V(IV) precipitated, leading to total-V removal. Reduction kinetics could be described by a first-order model and were sensitive to pH and temperature, with the optimum ranges of pH 7.5–8.0 and 35–40°C, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis by clone library showed that the dominant species in the experiments with V(V) bioreduction belonged to the β-Proteobacteria. Previously known V(V)-reducing species were absent, suggesting that V(V) reduction was carried out by novel species. Their selective enrichment during V(V) bioreduction suggests that Rhodocyclus, a denitrifying bacterium, and Clostridium, a fermenter known to carry out metal reduction, were responsible for V(V) bioreduction.     

Development and preliminary application of a method to assess river ecological status in the Hai River Basin, north China

The river ecosystem in the Hai River Basin(HRB), an important economic region in China, is seriously degraded. With the aim of river restoration in the HRB, we developed a method to assess the river's ecological status and conducted a preliminary application of the method.The established method was a predictive model, which used macroinvertebrates as indicator organisms. The river's ecological status was determined by calculating the ratio of observed to expected values(O/E). The method included ecoregionalization according to natural factors, and the selection of reference sites based on combinations of habitat quality and macroinvertebrate community. Macroinvertebrate taxa included Insecta,Crustacea, Gastropoda, and Oligochaeta, with 39 families and 95 genera identified in the HRB. The HRB communities were dominated by pollution tolerant taxa, such as Lymnaeidae, Chironomus, Limnodrilus, Glyptotendipes, and Tubifex. The average Shannon–Wiener index was 1.40 ± 0.5, indicating a low biodiversity. In the river length of 3.31 × 10~4 km, 55% of the sites were designated poor, with a bad ecological status. Among nine secondary river systems, Luan and Zi-ya had the best and worst river conditions,respectively. Only 17 reference site groups were selected for river management in the 41 ecoregions examined. This study lays the foundation for river restoration and related research in the HRB, and we anticipate further developments of this novel method.     

Synthesis, characterization and application of Lagerstroemia speciosa embedded magnetic nanoparticle for Cr(VI) adsorption from aqueous solution

Lagerstroemia speciosa bark (LB) embedded magnetic nanoparticles were prepared by co-precipitation of Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ salt solution with ammonia and LB for Cr(VI) removal from aqueous solution. The native LB, magnetic nanoparticle (MNP), L. speciosa embedded magnetic nanoparticle (MNPLB) and Cr(VI) adsorbed MNPLB particles were characterized by SEM–EDX, TEM, BET-surface area, FT-IR, XRD and TGA methods. TEM analysis confirmed nearly spherical shape of MNP with an average diameter of 8.76 nm and the surface modification did not result in the phase change of MNP as established by XRD analysis, while led to the formation of secondary particles of MNPLB with diameter of 18.54 nm. Characterization results revealed covalent binding between the hydroxyl group of MNP and carboxyl group of LB particles and further confirmed its physico-chemical nature favorable for Cr(VI) adsorption. The Cr(VI) adsorption on to MNPLB particle as an adsorbent was tested under different contact time, initial Cr(VI) concentration, adsorbent dose, initial pH, temperature and agitation speed. The results of the equilibrium and kinetics of adsorption were well described by Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order model, respectively. The thermodynamic parameters suggest spontaneous and endothermic nature of Cr(VI) adsorption onto MNPLB. The maximum adsorption capacity for MNPLB was calculated to be 434.78 mg/g and these particles even after Cr(VI) adsorption were collected effortlessly from the aqueous solution by a magnet. The desorption of Cr(VI)-adsorbed MNPLB was found to be more than 93.72% with spent MNPLB depicting eleven successive adsorption–desorption cycles.     

Effect of nitrogen/phosphorus concentration on algal organic matter generation of the diatom Nitzschia palea: Total indicators and spectroscopic characterization

Critical algal blooms in great lakes increase the level of algal organic matters(AOMs),significantly altering the composition of natural organic matters(NOMs) in freshwater of lake.This study examined the AOM's characteristics of Nitzschia palea(N.palea),one kind of the predominant diatom and an important biomarker of water quality in the great lakes of China,to investigate the effect of AOMs on the variation of NOMs in lakes and the process of algal energy.Excitation–emission matrix fluorescence(EEM) spectroscopy,synchronous fluorescence(SF) spectroscopy and deconvolution UV–vis(D-UV) spectroscopy were utilized to characterize AOMs to study the effects of nutrient loading on the composition change of AOMs.From results,it was revealed that the phosphorus is the limiting factor for N.palea's growth and the generation of both total organic carbon and amino acids but the nitrogen is more important for the generation of carbohydrates and proteins.EEM spectra revealed differences in the composition of extracellular organic matter and intracellular organic matter.Regardless of the nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations,aromatic proteins and soluble microbial products were the main components,but the nitrogen concentration had a significant impact on their composition.The SF spectra were used to study the AOMs for the first time and identified that the protein-like substances were the major component of AOMs,creating as a result of aromatic group condensation.The D-UV spectra showed carboxylic acid and esters were the main functional groups in the EOMs,with –OCH_3,–SO_2NH_2,–CN,–NH_2,–O– and –COCH_3functional groups substituting into benzene rings.     

城市地表径流污染物浓度数学模型的建立及验证

针对目前描述城市地表径流污染物排放过程的数学模型不能完全适用于不同降雨过程的情况,本研究建立了一个全新的P/r模型.P/r模型以地表沉积物量(P)与降雨强度(r)的比值为主要参数,描述了降雨过程产生的地表径流中污染物的排放规律.基于对发生在陕西省西安市的3场降雨事件的实测数据的模拟,本研究建立的P/r模型的预测值与实测值的归一化目标函数、相关系数和相关指数均优于Sartor-Boyd冲刷模型.根据对P/r模型进行的不确定性分析,当Nash-Sutcliffe效率系数为0.46时,采用P/r模型对陕西省西安市地表径流中的污染物浓度进行模拟时应采用的最大比浓度常数(Km)和径流冲刷能力半饱和常数(KS)的取值范围分别为0.65~1.35 kg·min·L-1和0.16~0.22kg·min·mm-1·L-1.P/r模型的预测带平均相对宽度(ARIL)为1.21,预测带对实测值的覆盖度为67%.Sartor-Boyd冲刷模型对具有地表径流初期冲刷效应且降雨强度波动较小的降雨事件的模拟结果较好,但对于不具有地表径流初期冲刷效应的降雨事件、间歇性降雨事件及降雨强度波动较大的降雨事件并不适用.本研究建立的P/r模型的适用范围广泛,对于上述Sartor-Boyd冲刷模型不能适用的降雨事件均可适用.与Sartor-Boyd冲刷模型相比,P/r模型能够更好的描述城市地表径流的污染物排放规律.P/r模型的提出能够进一步推动地表径流排污过程数学模型的发展.     

Differences in nitrite-oxidizing communities and kinetics in a brackish environment after enrichment at low and high nitrite concentrations

Nitrite accumulation in shrimp ponds can pose serious adverse effects to shrimp production and the environment.This study aims to develop an effective process for the enrichment of ready-to-use nitrite-oxidizing bacteria(NOB)inocula that would be appropriate for nitrite removal in brackish shrimp ponds.To achieve this objective,the effects of nitrite concentrations on NOB communities and nitrite oxidation kinetics in a brackish environment were investigated.Moving-bed biofilm sequencing batch reactors and continuous moving-bed biofilm reactors were used for the enrichment of NOB at various nitrite concentrations,using sediment from brackish shrimp ponds as seed inoculum.The results from NOB population analysis with quantitative polymerase chain reaction(q PCR)show that only Nitrospira were detected in the sediment from the shrimp ponds.After the enrichment,both Nitrospira and Nitrobacter coexisted in the reactors controlling effluent nitrite at 0.1 and 0.5 mg-NO_2~--N/L.On the other hand,in the reactors controlling effluent nitrite at 3,20,and 100 mg-NO_2~--N/L,Nitrobacter outcompeted Nitrospira in many orders of magnitude.The half saturation coefficients(Ks)for nitrite oxidation of the enrichments at low nitrite concentrations(0.1 and 0.5 mg-NO_2~--N/L)were in the range of 0.71–0.98 mg-NO_2~--N/L.In contrast,the Ksvalues of NOB enriched at high nitrite concentrations(3,20,and 100 mg-NO_2~--N/L)were much higher(8.36–12.20 mg-NO_2~--N/L).The results suggest that the selection of nitrite concentrations for the enrichment of NOB inocula can significantly influence NOB populations and kinetics,which could affect the effectiveness of their applications in brackish shrimp ponds.     

Optimization of the T3-induced Xenopus metamorphosis assay for detecting thyroid hormone signaling disruption of chemicals

T3-induced Xenopus metamorphosis is an ideal model for detecting thyroid hormone(TH)signaling disruption of chemicals. To optimize the T3-induced Xenopus assay and improve its sensitivity and reproducibility, we intend to develop quantitatively morphological endpoints and choose appropriate concentrations and exposure durations for T3 induction.Xenopus laevis at stage 52 were exposed to series of concentrations of T3(0.31–2.5 nmol/L)for 6 days. By comparing morphological changes induced by T3, we propose head area,mouth width, unilateral brain width/brain length, and hindlimb length/snout-vent length as quantitative parameters for characterizing T3-induced morphological changes, with body weight as a parameter for indicating integrated changes. By analyzing time-response curves, we found that following 4-day exposure, T3-induced grossly morphological changes displayed linear concentration–response curves, with moderate morphological changes resulting from 1.25 nmol/L T3 exposure. When using grossly morphological endpoints to detect TH signaling disruption, we propose 4 days as exposure duration of T3, with concentrations close to 1.25 nmol/L as induction concentrations. However, it is appropriate to examine morphological and molecular changes of the intestine on day 2 due to their early response to T3. The quantitative endpoints and T3 induction concentrations and durations we determined would improve the sensitivity and the reproducibility of the T3-induced Xenopus metamorphosis assay.     

Uptake of radioiodide by Paenibacillus sp., Pseudomonas sp., Burkholderia sp. and Rhodococcus sp. isolated from a boreal nutrient-poor bog

Radionuclides, like radioiodine(~(129)I), may escape deep geological nuclear waste repositories and migrate to the surface ecosystems. In surface ecosystems, microorganisms can affect their movement. Iodide uptake of six bacterial strains belonging to the genera Paenibacillus,Pseudomonas, Burkholderia and Rhodococcus isolated from an acidic boreal nutrient-poor bog was tested. The tests were run in four different growth media at three temperatures. All bacterial strains removed iodide from the solution with the highest efficiency shown by one of the Paenibacillus strains with 99% of iodide removed from the solution in one of the used growth media. Pseudomonas, Rhodococcus and one of the two Paenibacillus strains showed highest iodide uptake in 1% yeast extract with maximum values for the distribution coefficient(K_d) ranging from 90 to 270 L/kg DW. The Burkholderia strain showed highest uptake in 1% Tryptone(maximum K_d170 L/kg DW). The Paenibacillus strain V0-1-LW showed exceptionally high uptake in 0.5% peptone + 0.25% yeast extract broth(maximum K_d 1,000,000 L/kg DW). Addition of 0.1% glucose to the 0.5% peptone + 0.25% yeast extract broth reduced iodide uptake at 4℃ and 20℃ and enhanced iodide uptake at 37℃ compared to the uptake without glucose. This indicates that the uptake of glucose and iodide may be competing processes in these bacteria. We estimated that in in situ conditions of the bog,the bacterial uptake of iodide accounts for approximately 0.1%–0.3% of the total sorption of iodide in the surface, subsurface peat, gyttja and clay layers.     

Performance of low temperature Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) catalyzed by mixed bacterial consortia

Microbial Fuel Cells(MFCs) are a promising technology for treating wastewater in a sustainable manner. In potential applications, low temperatures substantially reduce MFC performance. To better understand the effect of temperature and particularly how bioanodes respond to changes in temperature, we investigated the current generation of mixed-culture and pure-culture MFCs at two low temperatures, 10°C and 5°C. The results implied that the mixed-culture MFC sustainably performed better than the pure-culture(Shewanella) MFC at 10°C, but the electrogenic activity of anodic bacteria was substantially reduced at the lower temperature of 5°C. At 10°C, the maximum output voltage generated with the mixed-culture was 540–560 m V, which was 10%–15% higher than that of Shewanella MFCs. The maximum power density reached 465.3 ± 5.8 m W/m~2 for the mixed-culture at10°C, while only 68.7 ± 3.7 m W/m~2 was achieved with the pure-culture. It was shown that the anodic biofilm of the mixed-culture MFC had a lower overpotential and resistance than the pure-culture MFC. Phylogenetic analysis disclosed the prevalence of Geobacter and Pseudomonas rather than Shewanella in the mixed-culture anodic biofilm, which mitigated the increase of resistance or overpotential at low temperatures.     

Activity and hydrothermal stability of CeO2–ZrO2–WO3 for the selective catalytic reduction of NOx with NH3

A series of CeO_2–ZrO_2–WO_3(CZW)catalysts prepared by a hydrothermal synthesis method showed excellent catalytic activity for selective catalytic reduction(SCR)of NO with NH_3 over a wide temperature of 150–550°C.The effect of hydrothermal treatment of CZW catalysts on SCR activity was investigated in the presence of 10% H_2O.The fresh catalyst showed above 90% NO_x conversion at 201–459°C,which is applicable to diesel exhaust NO_x purification(200–440°C).The SCR activity results indicated that hydrothermal aging decreased the SCR activity of CZW at low temperatures(below 300°C),while the activity was notably enhanced at high temperature(above 450°C).The aged CZW catalyst(hydrothermal aging at 700°C for 8 hr)showed almost 80% NO_x conversion at 229–550°C,while the V_2O_5–WO_3/TiO_2 catalyst presented above 80% NO_x conversion at 308–370°C.The effect of structural changes,acidity,and redox properties of CZW on the SCR activity was investigated.The results indicated that the excellent hydrothermal stability of CZW was mainly due to the CeO_2–ZrO_2 solid solution,amorphous WO_3 phase and optimal acidity.In addition,the formation of WO_3 clusters increased in size as the hydrothermal aging temperature increased,resulting in the collapse of structure,which could further affect the acidity and redox properties.     

Biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles by Trichoderma sp. WL-Go for azo dyes decolorization

Developing an eco-friendly approach for metallic nanoparticles synthesis is important in current nanotechnology research. In this study, green synthesis of gold nanoparticles(AuNPs) was carried out by a newly isolated strain Trichoderma sp. WL-Go. UV–vis spectra of Au NPs showed a surface plasmon resonance peak at 550 nm, and transmission electron microscopy images revealed that the Au NPs were of varied shape with well dispersibility.The optimal conditions for Au NPs synthesis were HAuCl_4 1.0 mmol/L, biomass 0.5 g and pH 7–11. Moreover, the bio-Au NPs could efficiently catalyze the decolorization of various azo dyes. This research provided a new microbial resource candidate for green synthesis of Au NPs and demonstrated the potential application of bio-Au NPs for azo dye decolorization.     

The importance of glutathione and phytochelatins on the selenite and arsenate detoxification in Arabidopsis thaliana

We investigated the role of glutathione(GSH) and phytochelatins(PCs) on the detoxification of selenite using Arabidopsis thaliana. The wild-type(WT) of Arabidopsis thaliana and its mutants(glutathione deficient Cad 2–1 and phytochelatins deficient Cad 1–3) were separately exposed to varying concentrations of selenite and arsenate and jointly to both toxicants to determine their sensitivities. The results of the study revealed that, the mutants were about 20-fold more sensitive to arsenate than the WT, an indication that the GSH and PCs affect arsenate detoxification. On the contrary, the WT and both mutants showed a similar level of sensitivity to selenite, an indication that the GSH and PCs do not significantly affect selenite detoxification. However, the WT is about 8 times more sensitive to selenite than to arsenate, and the mutants were more resistant to selenite than arsenate by a factor of 2. This could not be explained by the accumulation of both elements in roots and shoots in exposure experiments. The co-exposure of the WT indicates a synergistic effect with regards to toxicity since selenite did not induce PCs but arsenic and selenium compete in their PC binding as revealed by speciation analysis of the root extracts using HPLC–ICP–MS/ESI–MS. In the absence of PCs an antagonistic effect has been detected which might suggest indirectly that the formation of Se glutathione complex prevent the formation of detrimental selenopeptides. This study, therefore, revealed that PC and GSH have only a subordinate role in the detoxification of selenite.     

新冠肺炎疫情期间我国居民洗手行为研究

直接接触和飞沫传播等方式是新型冠状病毒传播的主要途径,合理的洗手行为是切断暴露途径和降低病毒感染风险的有效防控措施,对于新型冠状病毒肺炎（COVID-19,简称“新冠肺炎”）疫情的防控具有重要的作用.该研究于2020年2月25日—3月14日,采用电子问卷的方式调查了覆盖我国31个省（自治区、直辖市）1 728个县（区）18岁及以上的居民,收集共计8 330名成人的洗手情形及洗手时长等信息,分析不同暴露情景下的洗手行为及其影响因素.结果表明:女性、城市地区居民在洗手比例和洗手时长上均分别高于男性、农村地区居民.人群在一般暴露情景下的洗手比例较高,而对于病毒感染风险较高的暴露情景（如咳嗽或打喷嚏后、接触他人后等）的洗手率（分别为73.6%和83.9%）排名靠后,说明人群对病毒的传播途径和防护措施有待深入理解;在洗手时间上,根据WHO规定的洗手时长标准（20 s）,仅有41.7%的人群洗手时长合格（大于20 s）,城区居民洗手时长的合格率（42.0%）显著高于农村地区（39.7%）;总体上,具有外出经历的人群洗手比例较未曾外出的人群高,新冠肺炎疫情期间居住地是否存在新冠肺炎疑似和确诊病例显著影响居民的洗手行为,但是疫情最严重的地区居民的洗手时长合格率（37.2%）最低,反而疫情最轻的地区居民的洗手时长合格率（43.6%）最高,说明居民的洗手行为可能受疫情等多方面的影响.研究显示,相比于非疫情期间而言,疫情期间我国居民洗手行为发生率提高,洗手时长合格率提高,但是仍然水平偏低.应提高居民洗手行为意识,科学地执行洗手这一防护措施,相关政策制定以及个人防护应当进一步关注和重视洗手行为的防疫作用.      

Distinct potential aerosol masses under different scenarios of transport at a suburban site of Beijing

In order to evaluate the secondary aerosol formation potential at a suburban site of Beijing,in situ perturbation experiments in a potential aerosol mass(PAM) reactor were carried out in the winter of 2014.The variations of secondary aerosol formation as a function of time,OH exposure,and the concentrations of gas phase pollutants and particles were reported in this study.Two periods with distinct secondary aerosol formation potentials,marked as Period Ⅰ and Period Ⅱ,were identified during the observation.In Period Ⅰ,the secondary aerosol formation potential was high,and correlated well to the air pollutants,i.e.,SO_2,NO_2,and CO.The maximal secondary aerosol formation was observed with an aging time equivalent to about 3 days of atmospheric oxidation.In period Ⅱ,the secondary aerosol formation potential was low,with no obvious correlation with the air pollutants.Meanwhile,the aerosol mass decreased,instead of showing a peak,with increasing aging time.Backward trajectory analysis during the two periods confirmed that the air mass in Period Ⅰwas mainly from local sources,while it was attributed mostly to long distance transport in Period Ⅱ.The air lost its reactivity during the long transport and the particles became highly aged,resulting in a low secondary aerosol formation potential.Our experimental results indicated that the in situ measurement of the secondary aerosol formation potential could provide important information for evaluating the contributions of local emission and long distance transport to the aerosol pollution.     

人为排放及气象因素对空气质量影响的定量分析——以疫情期间邢台市为例

选择河北省邢台市作为研究对象,将2020疫情作为一个极限管控措施下的极限减排实验情景,把2021疫情作为未来常态化疫情防控实验分析情景.与疫情前期对比,两次疫情期间臭氧浓度均有提升且2021疫情时期颗粒物浓度同样有提高,2020疫情时期其他污染物浓度均有不同程度的改善,而与2019历史同期相比,两次疫情期间臭氧浓度同样有升高现象,除此以外,2021疫情时期污染物改善较好.利用长短期记忆网络（LSTM）算法和空气质量预报模式系统（WRF-CMAQ）量化了两次疫情时期气象因素对于污染物浓度变化的影响,根据空气质量模拟法反推了不同污染物受人为影响的浓度变化.实验结果表明,LSTM算法在两次疫情期间的模拟均显示人为影响对污染物产生了负影响（降低了污染物浓度）且在总变化影响中占比较高,而CMAQ模式模拟结果中的气象因素影响占比远高于LSTM算法.CMAQ模式在两次疫情模拟中表现出了不同的结果,在2020疫情中人为影响占据了主导,而在2021疫情中,相比较2020疫情时期,除NO₂外,人类活动对其他污染物的影响均为正值（促进了污染物浓度升高）.     

Absorption and recovery of n-hexane in aqueous solutions of fluorocarbon surfactants

n-Hexane is widely used in industrial production as an organic solvent. As an industrial exhaust gas, the contribution of n-hexane to air pollution and damage to human health are attracting increasing attention. In the present study, aqueous solutions of two fluorocarbon surfactants(FSN100 and FSO100) were investigated for their properties of solubilization and dynamic absorption of n-hexane, as well as their capacity for regeneration and n-hexane recovery by thermal distillation. The results show that the two fluorocarbon surfactants enhance dissolution and absorption of n-hexane, and their effectiveness is closely related to their concentrations in solution. For low concentration solutions(0.01%–0.30%), the partition coefficient decreases dramatically and the saturation capacity increases significantly with increasing concentration, but the changes for both are more modest when the concentration is over 0.30%. The FSO100 solution presents a smaller partition coefficient and a greater saturation capacity than the FSN100 solution at the same concentration,indicating a stronger solubilization for n-hexane. Thermal distillation is a feasible method to recover n-hexane from these absorption solutions, and to regenerate them. With 90 sec heating at 80–85°C, the recovery of n-hexane ranges between 81% and 85%, and the regenerated absorption solution maintains its original performance during reuse. This study provides basic information on two fluorocarbon surfactants for application in the treatment of industrial n-hexane waste gases.     

Re-evaluation of thyroid hormone signaling antagonism of tetrabromobisphenol A for validating the T3-induced Xenopus metamorphosis assay

We developed the T3-induced Xenopus metamorphosis assay, which is supposed to be able to sensitively detect thyroid hormone(TH) signaling disruption of chemicals. The present study aimed to validate the T3-induced Xenopus metamorphosis assay by re-evaluating the TH signaling antagonism of tetrabromobisphenol A(TBBPA), a known TH signaling disruptor. According to the assay we developed, Xenopus tadpoles at stage 52 were exposed to 10–500 nmol/L TBBPA in the presence of 1 nmol/L T3. After 96 hr of exposure, TBBPA in the range of 10–500 nmol/L was found to significantly inhibit T3-induced morphological changes of Xenopus tadpoles in a concentration-dependent manner in term of body weight and four morphological endpoints including head area(HA), mouth width(MW), unilateral brain width/brain length(ULBW/BL), and hind-limb length/snout-vent length(HLL/SVL).The results show that these endpoints we developed are sensitive for characterizing the antagonistic effects of TBBPA on T3-induced metamorphosis. Following a 24-hr exposure,we found that TBBPA antagonized expression of T3-induced TH-response genes in the tail,which is consistent with previous findings in the intestine. We propose that the tail can be used as an alternative tissue to the intestine for examining molecular endpoints for evaluating TH signaling disruption. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that the T3-induced Xenopus metamorphosis assay we developed is an ideal in vivo assay for detecting TH signaling disruption.     

Characterization of odorous charge and photochemical reactivity of VOC emissions from a full-scale food waste treatment plant in China

Food waste treatment plants (FWTPs) are usually associated with odorous nuisance and health risks, which are partially caused by volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions. This study investigated the VOC emissions from a selected full-scale FWTP in China. The feedstock used in this plant was mainly collected from local restaurants. For a year, the FWTP was closely monitored on specific days in each season. Four major indoor treatment units of the plant, including the storage room, sorting/crushing room, hydrothermal hydrolysis unit, and aerobic fermentation unit, were chosen as the monitoring locations. The highest mean concentration of total VOC emissions was observed in the aerobic fermentation unit at 21,748.2–31,283.3 μg/m³, followed by the hydrothermal hydrolysis unit at 10,798.1–23,144.4 μg/m³. The detected VOC families included biogenic compounds (oxygenated compounds, hydrocarbons, terpenes, and organosulfur compounds) and abiogenic compounds (aromatic hydrocarbons and halocarbons). Oxygenated compounds, particularly alcohols, were the most abundant compounds in all samples. With the use of odor index analysis and principal components analysis, the hydrothermal hydrolysis and aerobic fermentation units were clearly distinguished from the pre-treatment units, as characterized by their higher contributions to odorous nuisance. Methanthiol was the dominant odorant in the hydrothermal hydrolysis unit, whereas aldehyde was the dominant odorant in the aerobic fermentation unit. Terpenes, specifically limonene, had the highest level of propylene equivalent concentration during the monitoring periods. This concentration can contribute to the increase in the atmospheric reactivity and ozone formation potential in the surrounding air.     

Optimization of CO2 adsorption capacity and cyclical adsorption/desorption on tetraethylenepentamine-supported surface-modified hydrotalcite

The objective of this research was to investigate CO_2adsorption capacity of tetraethylenepentamine-functionalized basic-modified calcined hydrotalcite(TEPA/b-c HT)sorbents at atmospheric pressure formed under varying TEPA loading levels,temperatures,sorbent weight to total gaseous flow rate(W/F)ratios and CO_2concentrations in the influent gas.The TEPA/b-c HT sorbents were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction(XRD),Fourier transform infrared spectrometry(FT–IR),thermal gravimetric analysis(TGA),Brunauer–Emmet–Teller(BET)analysis of nitrogen(N_2)adsorption/desorption and carbon–hydrogen–nitrogen(CHN)elemental analysis.Moreover,a full 2~4factorial design with three central points at a 95%confidence interval was used to screen important factor(s)on the CO_2adsorption capacity.It revealed that85.0%variation in the capacity came from the influence of four main factors and the15.0%one was from their interactions.A face-centered central composite design response surface method(FCCCD–RSM)was then employed to optimize the condition,the maximal capacity of 5.5–6.1 mmol/g was achieved when operating with a TEPA loading level of 39%–49%(W/W),temperature of 76–90°C,W/F ratio of 1.7–2.60(g·sec)/cm~3and CO_2concentration of 27%–41%(V/V).The model fitted sufficiently the experimental data with an error range of±1.5%.From cyclical adsorption/desorption and selectivity at the optimal condition,the 40%TEPA/b-c HT still expressed its effective performance after eight cycles.