Contamination characteristics and degradation behavior of low-density polyethylene film residues in typical farmland soils of China

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) film residues left in farmlands due to agricultural activities were extensively investigated to evaluate the present pollution situation by selecting the typical areas with LDPE film application, including Harbin, Baoding, and Handan of China. The survey results demonstrated that the film residues were ubiquitous within the investigated areas and the amount reached 2,400-8,200 g ha(-1). Breakage rates of the film residues were almost at the same level in the studied fields. There were relatively small amounts of film residues remaining in neighboring farmland fields without application of LDPE film. The studies showed that the sheets of LDPE residues had the same oxidative deterioration, which was probably due to photodegradation instead of biodegradation. The higher molecular weight components of the LDPE film gradually decreased, which were reflected by the appearance of some small flakes detached from the film bodies. LDPE films in the investigated fields gradually deteriorated and the decomposing levels developed with their left time increasing. The degradation behaviors of LDPE films were confirmed by using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscopic (SEM), and gel permeation chromatography analyses.     

Contamination Characteristics and Degradation Behavior of Low-Density Polyethylene Film Residues in Typical Farmland Soils of China

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) film residues left in farmlands due to agricultural activities were extensively investigated to evaluate the present pollution situation by selecting the typical areas with LDPE film application, including Harbin, Baoding, and Handan of China. The survey results demonstrated that the film residues were ubiquitous within the investigaed areas and the amount reached 2400–8200 g ha^?1. Breakage rates of the film residues were almost at the same level in the studied fields. There were relatively small amounts of film residues remaining in neighboring farmland fields without application of LDPE film. The studies showed that the sheets of LDPE residues had the same oxidative deterioration, which was probably due to photodegradation instead of biodegradation. The higher molecular weight components of the LDPE film gradually decreased, which were reflected by the appearance of some small flakes detached from the film bodies. LDPE films in the investigated fields gradually deteriorated and the decomposing levels developed with their left time increasing. The degradation behaviors of LDPE films were confirmed by using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscopic (SEM), and gel permeation chromatography analyses.     

Assessment of aliphatic-aromatic copolyester biodegradable mulch films. Part II: laboratory simulated conditions

In a previous paper, we demonstrated that the main mechanism of degradation of poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) biodegradable mulch films when exposed to field conditions was crosslinking due to the photodegradation from solar radiation. The aim of this work was to determine the effect of crosslinking on the biodegradability of PBAT samples. PBAT films were subjected to UV photodegradation in laboratory simulated conditions to investigate the effects of crosslinking and other major changes in the structure and mechanical properties of the films. Crosslinking caused the films to become more brittle and produced a reduction of the tensile strength and percent elongation. Besides the crosslinking degradation mechanism, chain scission also occurred in the samples. After 45d of biodegradation test, the non-crosslinked PBAT sample reached 60% of mineralization. However, the percent mineralization was reduced when samples were crosslinked. The percent mineralization of samples with 10%, 30%, 50%, and 70% gel content was 36%, 43%, 21%, and 24%, respectively. Our results indicate that crosslinking is a key process underlying the degradation of the PBAT film and did affect the biodegradability of the films, since the samples with greater amount of gel content generally showed less percent mineralization in the biodegradation tests.     

Bioconversion of olive-mill dry residue by Fusarium lateritium and subsequent impact on its phytotoxicity

The present study investigated the ability of the non-pathogenic fungus Fusarium lateritium to either degrade or modify aromatic substances in olive-mill dry residue (DOR) and to reduce its phytotoxicity. The 80% reduction of ethylacetate extractable phenols in DOR colonized by the fungus for 20 weeks appeared to be due to polymerization reactions of phenol molecules as suggested by mass-balance ultrafiltration and size-exclusion chromatography experiments. Several lignin-modifying oxidases, including laccase, Mn-peroxidase and Mn-inhibited peroxidase were detected in F. lateritium solid-state cultures. Tests performed with tomato seedlings in soils containing 6% (w/w) sterilized non-inoculated DOR showed that the waste was highly phytotoxic. By contract, F. lateritium growth on DOR for 20 weeks led to a complete removal of the waste toxicity and to a higher shoot dry weight of tomato plants than that obtained in the absence of DOR.     

Direct VUV photodegradation of gaseous α-pinene in a spiral quartz reactor: intermediates, mechanism, and toxicity/biodegradability assessment

Photodegradation of gaseous α-pinene by a vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) in a spiral reactor was investigated under various gaseous reaction media and residence time, and their respective effects on types and biodegradability of the intermediates were studied. Analysis of carbon amounts showed that about 33% and 43% of total carbon were converted to soluble organic carbon in the air medium with a relative humidity (RH) of 35-40% at empty bed residence times (EBRTs) of 18 and 45 s. Based on the identified intermediates by GC/MS and IC, a photodegradation pathway was proposed by the combined roles of photolysis, OH. photooxidation and O? photooxidation. Biodegradability to active sludge, toxicity to Chlorella vulgaris and 96-well microplates showed that α-pinene could be largely converted to more biodegradable and less toxic compounds through photodegradation in the air reaction medium with a RH of 35-40% at an EBRT of 18s, in which the initial concentration was 600 mg m?3. Therefore, VUV photodegradation could be applied as an effective pre-treatment method for detoxification and biodegradability improvement under the optimized photodegradation conditions. Such results supported the potential use of VUV photodegradation to improve the removal capacity of conventional biological treatments for hydrophobic and poorly biodegradable compounds.     

Phototransformation of alphacypermethrin as thin film on glass and soil surface

Photodegradation of alphacypermethrin ((RS)-alpha cyano-3-phenoxy benzyl (1RS) cis-3-(2,2,dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethyl cyclopropane carboxylate) was studied as a thin film on glass surface and on black and red soil surfaces. A number of photoproducts from glass surfaces have been isolated, characterized and identified by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). However, only two of them viz. 3-phenoxy benzyl alcohol and [2,2-dichlorovinyl-3(2,2,dimethyl) cyclopropane carboxylate] could be identified from both the soil. Rate of photodegradation on glass and soil surface under UV and sunlight followed first order kinetics with significant correlation coefficients. The rate of photodegradation was greater on black than on red soil.     

Phototransformation of Alphacypermethrin as Thin Film on Glass and Soil Surface∗

Photodegradation of alphacypermethrin ((RS)-α cyano-3-phenoxy benzyl (1RS) cis-3-(2,2,dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethyl cyclopropane carboxylate) was studied as a thin film on glass surface and on black and red soil surfaces. A number of photoproducts from glass surfaces have been isolated, characterized and identified by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). However, only two of them viz. 3-phenoxy benzyl alcohol and [2,2-dichlorovinyl-3(2,2,dimethyl) cyclopropane carboxylate] could be identified from both the soil. Rate of photodegradation on glass and soil surface under UV and sunlight followed first order kinetics with significant correlation coefficients. The rate of photodegradation was greater on black than on red soil.

     

Heterogeneous photocatalytic decomposition of benzene on lanthanum-doped TiO2 film at ambient temperature

Lanthanum-doped anatase TiO₂ thin films on glass prepared via a sol–gel process have been shown to have much higher photocatalytic activity for the degradation of gaseous benzene than pure anatase TiO₂ thin film. The photodecomposition of benzene on both types of TiO₂ films follows the first-order kinetics while the CO₂ and CO formation followed the zero-order kinetics. GC/MS identification of the intermediates produced during the photodegradation of benzene revealed that doping lanthanum into TiO₂ thin film favors a cleavage of benzene ring. An optimal lanthanum amount with respect to photocatalytic activity was about 2.5 wt% (La₂O₃/TiO₂).     

纳米TiO2薄膜在不同陶瓷表面的负载及其光催化性能研究

利用2种不同表面处理的陶瓷作为载体,用溶胶凝胶法在其表面进行了纳米TiO2光催化薄膜的负载.采用X射线衍射法(XRD)、X射线光电子能谱仪(XPS)和扫描电镜(SEM)对薄膜的粒径、横断面及表面组成进行了表征和分析,结果表明,TiO2的平均粒径约为15 nm,釉面陶瓷TiO2薄膜分布均匀,膜厚约为300 nm;无釉陶瓷TiO2薄膜分布不均,膜层不明显;2种载体中的一些基质离子在TiO2薄膜有渗透.苯酚的降解实验表明,以2种不同表面处理的陶瓷为载体的TiO2薄膜对苯酚的降解均符合一级反应动力学,就催化活性而言,TiO2/釉面陶瓷＞TiO2/无釉陶瓷,分析认为基质渗透的Ca2 有降低TiO2光催化活性的作用;该薄膜对实际生产多菌灵废水具有催化降解作用.重复降解实验20次,TiO2/釉面陶瓷和TiO2/无釉陶瓷对苯酚的去除率仅分别降低9%和6%.     

TiO_2膜光催化降解4,4’-二溴联苯的研究

研究了负载于玻璃上的同定化催化剂TiO2膜光催化降解水中4,4'-二溴联苯(4,4'-DBB)的效果,考察了溶液pH值和4,4'-DBB初始浓度等对TiO2膜光催化降解4,4'-DBB的影响,探讨了降解机理.结果表明.TiO2膜光催化降解水中4,4'-DBB的效果良好,紫外光照射8 b,初始浓度为4 mg/L的4,4'-DBB的降解率高达94%,降解速率随着4,4'-DBB初始浓度的增大而下降.在溶液pH=1时,4,4'-DBB的降解效率最高.超声的加入使降解反应的速率加快.经拟合发现4,4'-DBB的降解符合拟一级反应规律,并推导出动力学方程.     

Degradation of MCPA by photochemical methods

The photodegradation of 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxyacetic acid (MCPA) by U.V. radiation has been studied. A possible sequence of photodecomposition has been postulated throught the characterization of the main photoproducts.The photodegradation can also be carried out by simulated sunlight and sensitizers from agricultural wastes. It has been proved that riboflavine, contained in husk rice, is one of the most effective sensitizers to degrade MCPA     

Photodegradation of Dyes in Aqueous Solutions containing Fe(III) -hydroxy Complex II. Solar Photodegradation Kinetics

The solar photodegradation of five dyes, C.I. reactive red 2, C.I. reactive blue 4, C.I. reactive black 8, C.I. basic red 13, and C.I. basic yellow 2, were studied in a sunlight/Fe(III)-hydroxy system. It was observed that the photodegradation of these five dyes were pseudo-first order reactions, which has a little difference with the photodegradation kinetics of the dyes with UV-light as the irradiation source. The comparison between the two studies is also conducted.     

液晶显示器玻璃基板回收工艺

利用无机溶液对废液晶显示屏的玻璃基板回收工艺作了初步的探索,根据回收处理的难易,简单地将废弃液晶显示屏分为3类:含树脂黑色矩阵膜的上层玻璃基板可以采用氢氧化钠直接浸泡处理、含铬黑矩阵膜的上层玻璃基板和下层玻璃基板可以先用氢氧化钠溶液浸泡去除偏光片,再用氢氟酸溶液浸泡处理。结果表明,利用无机溶液处理可以较快得到干净的玻璃基板,而且工艺简单、成本低。     

A field comparison of ethylene vinyl acetate and low-density polyethylene thin films for equilibrium phase passive air sampling of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) were compared as thin film polymer passive air samplers for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). These samplers were co-deployed for periods of up to 27 days at an urban field site in Brisbane. Despite demonstrated air side resistance to mass transfer, sampling rate ratios indicate rapid accumulation kinetics for EVA compared with LDPE. Confirming theoretically predicted values, sampler-air partition coefficients were greater for EVA as compared with LDPE. The relatively high capacity of EVA films may be an advantage in terms of sensitivity, when film thickness and hence amounts accumulated at equilibrium, are low.Predictions of times to effective equilibrium $(t_{\mathrm{eq}(95\%)})$ were made for a nominal film thickness of 1 μm. These predictions indicate that both types of films would be effective equilibrium phase samplers for predominantly vapour phase PAHs with log octanol-air partition coefficients $(\log K_{\mathrm{OA}})$ values of ⩽8.7 (pyrene). Despite comparatively rapid linear stage kinetics for EVA, the predicted times to effective equilibrium for PAHs are less for LDPE. This arises due to the relative magnitude of their respective K_SA values. The predicted times to equilibrium (25 °C) for pyrene for example are approximately 94 and 34 days for EVA and LDPE, respectively.     

Psychophysics,visibility and perceived atmospheric transparency

Layered or regional haze often appears to be a separate, semi-transparent layer overlying a background of mountains and sky. When perceived in this way, the apparent brightness and color of the haze layer and features seen through the haze can be profoundly influenced by the perception of transparency and depth in the scene. Changes in achromatic brightness related to perceived transparency can be quantitatively estimated by the theory of color scission. This theory predicts, for example, that mountains seen through a veil of white haze appear darker than they would if transparency and depth perception were not involved. Also, using the theory, an index of perceptual transparency of the haze can be defined. The results of an experiment to test predictions of the theory are reported. Observers estimated the apparent brightness of distant mountains using a 32-step Munsell brightness scale while a teleradiometer recorded physical light intensities from the mountain and nearby sky. Calculations based on the experimental observations support the theory of color scission as an explanation of perceived transparency. Transparency effects typically alter subjectively determined brightness of mountains seen through haze by 10–40 % with changes as large as 60% observed. As such, these perceptual effects are as large or larger than those expected from changes in pollution levels. Also, the calculated index of perceptual transparency is seen to be related to physical contrast, although further work is needed to fully explore its connections with this and other physical parameters.     

Fate of azadirachtin A and related azadirachtoids on tomatoes after greenhouse treatment

The degradation of the main azadirachtoids on tomatoes was studied after greenhouse treatment. These experiments were carried out at 1 and 5× the concentration recommended by the manufacturer. In all experiments the deposition of azadirachtin A (AZA-A) was below the maximum residue level (MRL). Even if at the highest dose, AZA-A half-life time calculated as pseudo first order kinetic was 1.2 days in agreement with the recommended preharvest interval (PHI) of 3 days. Experiments with a model system showed that sunlight photodegradation is the main factor influencing the rate of disappearance of AZA-A after greenhouse treatment while tomato epicuticular waxes doubled the photodegradation rate of AZA-A in a commercial formulation.     

TiO2膜光催化降解4，4’-二溴联苯的研究

研究了负载于玻璃上的固定化催化剂TiO2膜光催化降解水中4,4’-二溴联苯（4,4’-DBB）的效果,考察了溶液pH值和4,4’-DBB初始浓度等对TiO2膜光催化降解4,4’-DBB的影响,探讨了降解机理。结果表明,TiO2膜光催化降解水中4,4’-DBB的效果良好,紫外光照射8h,初始浓度为4mg／L的4,4’-DBB的降解率高达94％,降解速率随着4,4’-DBB初始浓度的增大而下降。在溶液pH：1时,4,4’-DBB的降解效率最高。超声的加入使降解反应的速率加快。经拟合发现4,4’-DBB的降解符合拟一级反应规律,并推导出动力学方程。     

Trichloroethylene degradation by photocatalysis in annular flow and annulus fluidized bed photoreactors

The effects of trichloroethylene (TCE) gas flow rate, relative humidity, TiO(2) film thickness, and UV light intensity on photodegradation of TCE have been determined in an annular flow type photoreactor. Phosgene and dichloroacetyl chloride formation could be controlled as a function of TCE gas flow rate and photodegradation of TCE decreased with increasing relative humidity. The optimum thickness of TiO(2) film was found to be approximately 5 mum and the photocatalytic reaction rate of TCE increased with square root of UV light intensity. In addition, the effects of the initial TCE concentration, phase holdup ratio of gas and solid phases (epsilon(g)/epsilon(s)), CuO loading on the photodegradation of TCE have been determined in an annulus fluidized bed photoreactor. The TCE photodegradation decreased with increasing the initial TCE concentration. The optimum conditions of the phase holdup ratio (epsilon(g)/epsilon(s)) and CuO wt.% for the maximum photodegradation of TCE was found to be 2.1 and 1.1 wt.%, respectively. Therefore, an annulus fluidized bed photoreactor is an effective tool for TCE degradation over TiO(2)/silica gel with efficient utilization of photon energy.     

Emerging trends in photodegradation of petrochemical wastes: a review

Various human activities like mining and extraction of mineral oils have been used for the modernization of society and well-beings. However, the by-products such as petrochemical wastes generated from such industries are carcinogenic and toxic, which had increased environmental pollution and risks to human health several folds. Various methods such as physical, chemical and biological methods have been used to degrade these pollutants from wastewater. Advance oxidation processes (AOPs) are evolving techniques for efficient sequestration of chemically stable and less biodegradable organic pollutants. In the present review, photocatalytic degradation of petrochemical wastes containing monoaromatic and poly-aromatic hydrocarbons has been studied using various heterogeneous photocatalysts (such as TiO₂, ZnO and CdS. The present article seeks to offer a scientific and technical overview of the current trend in the use of the photocatalyst for remediation and degradation of petrochemical waste depending upon the recent advances in photodegradation of petrochemical research using bibliometric analysis. We further outlined the effect of various heterogeneous catalysts and their ecotoxicity, various degradation pathways of petrochemical wastes, the key regulatory parameters and the reactors used. A critical analysis of the available literature revealed that TiO₂ is widely reported in the degradation processes along with other semiconductors/nanomaterials in visible and UV light irradiation. Further, various degradation studies have been carried out at laboratory scale in the presence of UV light. However, further elaborative research is needed for successful application of the laboratory scale techniques to pilot-scale operation and to develop environmental friendly catalysts which support the sustainable treatment technology with the “zero concept” of industrial wastewater. Nevertheless, there is a need to develop more effective methods which consume less energy and are more efficient in pilot scale for the demineralization of pollutant.     

自固定化微生物降解工业废水中的2-氯苯甲酸

经微生物自固定化的反应器启动快,只需1周时间COD去除率即稳定在86％以上,而接种一般污泥的对照反应器至少需4周时间才能达到该效果;且经微生物自固定化的反应器能够稳定地降解含易降解基质(葡萄糖)的混合配水,2-氯苯甲酸与总COD去除率均稳定在90％左右。对处理含单一基质和混合基质废水的膜生物相观察表明：二者差异很大,前者以球状菌为主,同时也有大量的短杆菌;后者主要以丝状菌为主,同时也有相当数量的球菌、杆菌。