Effects of low temperature on aluminum(Ⅲ) hydrolysis:Theoretical and experimental studies

In this study,the effects of low temperature on aluminum(Ⅲ)(Al)hydrolysis were examined both theoretically and experimentally by constructing a solubility diagram for amorphous aluminum hydroxide(Al(OH)_3(am))and a distribution diagram of hydrolyzed Al species.First,thermodynamic data of Al species at 4℃were calculated from that at 25℃.A well confirmed polymeric Al species, AlO_4Al_(12)(OH)_(24)~(7+)(Al_(13)),was involved in building the diagrams and,correspondingly,the non-linear simultaneous equations ...     

Effects of temperature on population growth and intake of food by the army worm, Mythimna separata (Walker)

Population life tables of the army worm, Mythimna separata, were constructed and nutritional parameters of food for the larvae were examined at 5 temperatures from 16℃ to 32℃. The temperature suitable for growth and reproduction of the insect ranged from 20℃ to 28℃ with the optimum of 24℃. Their survivalship and fecundity were much poorer at 32℃ than at 16℃. Indices of population trend of the insect at these temperatures could well fitted with the parabolic curve which theoretically indicated that the population density would multiply by some 660 after one generation circle at the optimal temperature, 22.6℃, and it would decline at temperatures higher than 32.9℃ or lower than 12.3℃. Larval food intake and their AD tended to go up while their ECI and ECD to go down with a rise in temperature. These alterations in population size and feeding behavior caused by temperature would exert an important effect on their damage to crops.     

Comparison of the effects of aluminum and iron(Ⅲ) salts on ultrafiltration membrane biofouling in drinking water treatment

Coagulation plays an important role in alleviating membrane fouling, and a noticeable problem is the development of microorganisms after long-time operation, which gradually secrete extracellular polymeric substances(EPS). To date, few studies have paid attention to the behavior of microorganisms in drinking water treatment with ultrafiltration(UF)membranes. Herein, the membrane biofouling was investigated with different aluminum and iron salts. We found that Al_2(SO_4)_3·18 H_2O performed better in reducing membrane fouling due to the slower growth rate of microorganisms. In comparison to Al_2(SO_4)_3·18H_2O,more EPS were induced with Fe_2(SO_4)_3·x18H_2O, both in the membrane tank and the sludge on the cake layer. We also found that bacteria were the major microorganisms, of which the concentration was much higher than those of fungi and archaea. Further analyses showed that Proteobacteria was dominant in bacterial communities, which caused severe membrane fouling by forming a biofilm, especially for Fe_2(SO_4)_3·x18H_2O. Additionally, the abundances of Bacteroidetes and Verrucomicrobia were relatively higher in the presence of Al_2(SO_4)_3·18 H_2O,resulting in less severe biofouling by effectively degrading the protein and polysaccharide in EPS. As a result, in terms of microorganism behaviors, Al-based salts should be given preference as coagulants during actual operations.     

Optimization of experimental conditions in studies on metabolism of 4 nitrobiphenyl

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On the effect of Fe(Ⅲ) on proliferation of Microcystis aeruginosa at high nitrate and low chlorophyll condition

The impact of Fe concentrations on the growth of Microcystis aeruginosa in aquatic systems under high nitrate and low chlorophyll conditions was studied. The responses of cell density,total and cell chlorophyll-a intracellular Fe content and organic elemental composition of M.aeruginosa to different concentration gradients of Fe(Ⅲ) in the solutions were analysed. The results showed that the proliferation speeds of M. aeruginosa were:(1) decelerated when the Fe(Ⅲ) concentration was lower than 50 μg/L in the solutions,(2) promoted and positively related to the increase of Fe(Ⅲ) concentration from 100 to 500 μg/L in the solutions over the experimental period, and(3) promoted in the early stage but decelerated in later stages by excess adsorption of Fe by cells when the Fe(Ⅲ) concentration was higher than 500 μg/L in the solutions. The maximum cell density, total and cell chlorophyll-a were all observed at 500 μg Fe(Ⅲ)/L concentration. The organic elemental composition of M. aeruginosa was also affected by the concentration of Fe(Ⅲ) in the solutions, and the molecular formula of M. aeruginosa should be expressed as C_(7–7.5)H_(14)O_(0.8–1.3)N_(3.5–5)according to the functions for different Fe(Ⅲ)concentrations. Cell carbon and oxygen content appeared to increase slightly, while cell nitrogen content appeared to decrease as Fe(Ⅲ) concentrations increased from 100 to 500 μg/L in the solutions. This was attributed to the competition of photosynthesis and nitrogen adsorption under varying cell Fe content.     

Effects of β-cyclodextrins on the enzymatical hydrolysis of chiral dichlorprop methyl ester

The effect of β-cyclodextrins(β-CDs) on the enzymatical hydrolysis of chiral dichlorprop methyl ester (DCPPM) was studied.Four kinds of β-cyclodextdns(β-cyclodextrin, Partly methylated-CD(PM-β-CD), hydroxypropyl-cyclodextdn(HP-β-CD) and carboxymethyl-cyclodextdn(CM-β-CD) ) were used. Compared with 100% DCPPM in the absence of β-cyclodextrins, the activity of lipase decreased with the increase of β-cycledextrin and PM-β-cyclodextrin. However, CM-β-cyclodextrin stimulated the lipase activity. The inhibition effect of cyclodextrin and PM-β-cyclodextdn on the hydrolysis of DCPPM is affected by many factors other than degree of the methylation blockingthe active site of lipase. UV-Vis and Fourier transform infrared(FTIR) spectroscopy studies of the complexation of aqueous DCPPM with β-CDs provide fresh insight into the molecular structure of the complex and explain the effects of β-CDs on enzymatical hydrolysis of chiral DCPPM. Data showed that inclusion complexes had formed by complexation of the CM-β-CD with DCPPM and the solubility of DCPPM was increased in water, which leaded to the increased lipase activity.     

Effects of β-cyclodextrins on the enzymatical hydrolysis of chiral dichlorprop methyl ester

The effect of β-cyclodextrins(β-CDs) on the enzymatical hydrolysis of chiral dichlorprop methyl ester (DCPPM) was studied.Four kinds of β-cyclodextrins(β-cyclodextrin, Partly methylated-CD( PM-β-CD), hydroxypropyl-cyclodextrin(HP-β-CD) and carboxymethylcyclodextrin(CM-β-CD) ) were used. Compared with 100% DCPPM in the absence of β-cyclodextrins, the activity of lipase decreased with the increase of β-cyclodextrin and PM-β-cyclodextrin. However, CM-β-cyclodextrin stimulated the lipase activity. The inhibition effect of β-cyclodextrin and PM-β-cyclodextrin on the hydrolysis of DCPPM is affected by many factors other than degree of the methylation blocking the active site of lipase. UV-Vis and Fourier transform infrared(FTIR) spectroscopy studies of the complexation of aqueous DCPPM with β-CDs provide fresh insight into the molecular structure of the complex and explain the effects of β-CDs on enzymatical hydrolysis of chiral DCPPM. Data showed that inclusion complexes had formed by complexation of the CM-β-CD with DCPPM and the solubility of DCPPM was increased in water, which leaded to the increased lipase activity.     

Oxidation of Cr(Ⅲ) on birnessite surfaces: The effect of goethite and kaolinite

Oxidation of Cr(Ⅲ) by manganese oxides may pose a potential threat to environments due to the formation of toxic Cr(Ⅵ) species. At present, it was still unclear whether the extent of Cr(Ⅲ) oxidation and fate of Cr(Ⅵ) would be changed when manganese oxides co-exist with other minerals, the case commonly occurring in soils. This study investigated the influence of goethite and kaolinite on Cr(Ⅲ) oxidation by birnessite under acidic p H condition(p H 3.5)and background electrolyte of 0.01 mol/L Na Cl. Goethite was found not to affect Cr(Ⅲ)oxidation, which was interpreted as the result of overwhelming adsorption of cationic Cr(Ⅲ) onto the negatively-charged birnessite(point of zero charge(PZC) 3.0) rather than the positively-charged goethite(PZC = 8.8). However, more Cr(Ⅵ) would be retained by the surface with the increase in addition of goethite because of its strong ability on adsorption of Cr(Ⅵ) at low p H. Moreover, either Cr(Ⅲ) oxidation or distribution of the generated Cr(Ⅵ)between the solid and solution phases was not affected by kaolinite(PZC 3.0), indicating its low affinity for Cr species. Reactions occurring in the present mixed systems were suggested, which could be partly representative of those in the soils and further indicates that the mobility and risk of Cr(Ⅵ) would be decreased if goethite was present.     

Cytogenetic studies of chromium(Ⅲ) oxide nanoparticles on Allium cepa root tip cells

The current study evaluates the cytogenetic effects of chromium(Ⅲ) oxide nanoparticles on the root cells of Allium cepa.The root tip cells of A.cepa were treated with the aqueous dispersions of Cr_2O_3 nanoparticles(NPs) at five different concentrations(0.01,0.1,1,10,and 100 μg/m L) for 4 hr.The colloidal stability of the nanoparticle suspensions during the exposure period were ascertained by particle size analyses.After 4 hr exposure to Cr_2O_3 NPs,a significant decrease in mitotic index(MI) from 35.56%(Control) to 35.26%(0.01 μg/m L),34.64%(0.1 μg/m L),32.73%(1 μg/m L),29.6%(10 μg/m L) and 20.92%(100 μg/m L) was noted.The optical,fluorescence and confocal laser scanning microscopic analyses demonstrated specific chromosomal aberrations such as—chromosome stickiness,chromosome breaks,laggard chromosome,clumped chromosome,multipolar phases,nuclear notch,and nuclear bud at different exposure concentrations.The concentration-dependent internalization/bio-uptake of Cr_2O_3 NPs may have contributed to the enhanced production of anti oxidant enzyme,superoxide dismutase to counteract the oxidative stress,which in turn resulted in observed chromosomal aberrations and cytogenetic effects.These results suggest that A.cepa root tip assay can be successfully applied for evaluating environmental risk of Cr_2O_3 NPs over a wide range of concentrations.     

Effect of ionic strength on adsorption of As(Ⅲ) and As(V) on variable charge soils

The study was to investigate the adsorption behavior of arsenite (As(III)) and arsenate (As(V)) on two variable charge soils, i.e., Haplic Acrisol and Rhodic Ferralsol at dierent ionic strengths and pH with batch methods. Results indicated that the amount of As(III) adsorbed by these two soils increased with increasing solution pH, whereas it decreased with increasing ionic strength under the acidic condition. This suggested that As(III) was mainly adsorbed on soil positive charge sites through electrostati...     

Release kinetics of vanadium from vanadium(Ⅲ, Ⅳ and Ⅴ) oxides: Effect of pH,temperature and oxide dose

Batch experiments were performed to derive the rate laws for the proton-promoted dissolution of the main vanadium(Ⅲ, Ⅳ and Ⅴ) oxides at pH 3.1–10.0. The release rates of vanadium are closely related to the aqueous pH, and several obvious differences were observed in the release behavior of vanadium from the dissolution of V_2O_5 and vanadium(Ⅲ, Ⅳ) oxides. In the first 2 hr, the release rates of vanadium from V_2O_3 were r = 1.14·([H~+])~0.269 at pH 3.0–6.0 and r = 0.016·([H~+])~(-0.048) at pH 6.0–10.0; the release rates from VO_2 were r = 0.362·([H~+])~0.129 at pH 3.0–6.0 and r = 0.017·([H~+])~(-0.097) at pH 6.0–10.0; and the release rates from V_2O_5 were r = 0.131·([H~+])-~(0.104) at pH 3.1–10.0. The release rates of vanadium from the three oxides increased with increasing temperature, and the effect of temperature was different at pH 3.8, pH 6.0 and pH 7.7. The activation energies of vanadium(Ⅲ, Ⅳ and Ⅴ) oxides(33.4–87.5 kJ/mol) were determined at pH 3.8, pH 6.0 and pH 7.7, showing that the release of vanadium from dissolution of vanadium oxides follows a surface-controlled reaction mechanism. The release rates of vanadium increased with increasing vanadium oxides dose,albeit not proportionally. This study, as part of a broader study of the release behavior of vanadium, can help to elucidate the pollution problem of vanadium and to clarify the fate of vanadium in the environment.     

Experimental and theoretical studies on NO selective catalytic oxidation over α-MnO2

Based on the experimental and theoretical methods, the NO selective catalytic oxidation process was proposed. The experimental results indicated that lattice oxygen was the active site for NO oxide over the $\mathrm{\alpha }$-MnO₂(110) surface. In the theoretical study, DFT (density functional theory) and periodic slab modeling were performed on an $\mathrm{\alpha }$-MnO₂(110) surface, and two possible NO oxidation mechanisms over the surface were proposed. The non-defect $\mathrm{\alpha }$-MnO₂(110) surface showed the highest stability, and the surface O_s (the second layer oxygen atoms) position was the most active and stable site. O₂ molecule enhanced the joint adsorption process of two NO molecules. The reaction process, including O₂ dissociation and O=N-O-O-N=O formation, was calculated to carry out the NO catalytic oxidation mechanism over $\mathrm{\alpha }$-MnO₂(110). The results showed that NO oxidation over the $\mathrm{\alpha }$-MnO₂(110) surface exhibited the greatest possibility following the route of O=N-O-O-N=O formation. Meanwhile, the formation of O=N-O-O-N=O was the rate-determining step.     

Effects of low pH on zooplankton in some suburban waterbodies of Chongqing City

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Effects of aluminum on NAD kinase activity in chloroplast fraction from leaves of rice seedlings

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Development of LnMnO3+σ perovskite on low temperature Hg0 removal

LnMnO_3+σ (Ln = La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd or Dy) perovskites synthesized by sol-gel method were employed for gaseous elemental mercury (Hg⁰) removal from coal-fired flue gas. Characterization results revealed the structure of the perovskites presented a phase transition process from rhombohedral system to O- and O'-orthorhombic structure with the change of A-site rare earth elements. The perovskites showed satisfactory Hg⁰ removal capacity in a narrow temperature range of 100–150°C. NdMnO_3+σ with an O-O’ orthorhombic structure presented the best Hg⁰ removal performance, which markedly depends on four factors: crystal structure, oxygen vacancy density, Mn⁴⁺/Mn³⁺ ratio and surface element segregation. The Hg⁰ removal mechanism was illustrated based on the mercury temperature programmed desorption experiment and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy characterization. Both chemisorption and catalytic oxidation played a role in the Hg⁰ removal process. Chemisorption dominated the Hg⁰ removal, due to the slow catalytic oxidation rate at low temperature. This work preliminarily established the relation between the structure of rare earth manganese perovskite and Hg⁰ removal performance.     

Effects of alternating temperatures on development and reproduction of the armyworm,Mythimna separata (Walker)

Effects of cycling and constant temperature on development and reproduction of the armyworm, Mythimna separata (Walker) were investigated by rearing the insects on the artificial diet under temperatures covering low(16-24℃ vs. 20 ℃ ), medial(20-28℃ vs. 24℃ ) and high(24-32 ℃ vs. 28 ℃) regions. In the low region, all the immature stages of the insect developed significantly faster under alternating temperatures than at corresponding constant temperatures. For the medial region, their development was little affected by variable temperatures. For the high region, developmental durations tended to be longer under cycling temperatures except egg stage.Mean fecundities of the adult moths markedly increased under cycling temperatures as compared with those at respective constant temperature in all regions.Possible reasons for effect of alternating temperatures on insect development are discussed in some details.     

Effects of fluoride on growth and reproduction of the army worm, Mythimna separata (Walker)

This paper deals with effects of airborne fluorine on the army worm, Mythimna separata (Walker), by rearing the larvae on the wheat foliage exposed to HF or fumigating the larvae on the artificial diet with the pollutant. Larval relative growth rate (GR) and index of population trend of the insect reduced by 5% and 11%, respectively, when the larvae were reared on the foliage taken from the wheat plants exposed to 0.87 g·dm-2·day-1 of fluorine compared with those of the control. An extra instar appeared in a majority of the larvae treated. Survival rate and GR of the larvae on the wheat plant being exposure to the same concentration of fluorine in field open-top fumigation device were 40% and 15% lower than that of the control, respectively. Similar experiment with the insect on the artificial diet also showed that direct impact of the pollutant on the army worm was greater than its indirect effect via their host plant.     

Bacterial reduction and release of adsorbed arsenate on Fe(Ⅲ)-, Al- and coprecipitated Fe(Ⅲ)/Al-hydroxides

Mobilization of arsenic under anaerobic conditions is of great concern in arsenic contaminated soils and sediments. Bacterial reduction of As(V) and Fe(Ⅲ) influences the cycling and partitioning of arsenic between solid and aqueous phase. We investigated the impact of bacterially mediated reductions of Fe(Ⅲ)/Al hydroxides-bound arsenic(V) and iron(Ⅲ) oxides on arsenic release. Our results suggested that As(V) reduction occurred prior to Fe(Ⅲ) reduction, and Fe(Ⅲ) reduction did not enhance the release of arsenic. Instead, Fe(Ⅲ) hydroxides retained their dissolved concentrations during the experimental process, even though the new iron mineral-magnetite formed. In contrast, the release of reduced As(Ⅲ) was promoted greatly when aluminum hydroxides was incorporated. Thus, the substitution of aluminum hydroxides may be responsible for the release of arsenic in the contaminated soils and sediments, since aluminum substitution of Fe(Ⅲ) hydroxides universally occurs under natural conditions.     

Effects of alternating temperatures on development and reproduction of the armyworm,Mythimna separata (Walker)

Effects of cycling and constant temperature on development and reproduction of the armyworm, Mythimna separata (Walker) were investigated by rearing the insects on the artificial diet under temperatures covering low(16-24℃ vs. 20 ℃ ), medial(20-28℃ vs. 24℃ ) and high(24-32 ℃ vs. 28 ℃) regions. In the low region, all the immature stages of the insect developed significantly faster under alternating temperatures than at corresponding constant temperatures. For the medial region, their development was little affected by variable temperatures. For the high region, developmental durations tended to be longer under cycling temperatures except egg stage.Mean fecundities of the adult moths markedly increased under cycling temperatures as compared with those at respective constant temperature in all regions.Possible reasons for effect of alternating temperatures on insect development are discussed in some details.