Integrating soil carbon cycling with that of nitrogen and phosphorus in the watershed model SWAT: Theory and model testing

In this paper we describe and test a sub-model that integrates the cycling of carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in the Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) watershed model. The core of the sub-model is a multi-layer, one-pool soil organic carbon (S_C) algorithm, in which the decomposition rate of S_C and input rate to S_C (through decomposition and humification of residues) depend on the current size of S_C. The organic N and P fluxes are coupled to that of C and depend on the available mineral N and P, and the C:N and N:P ratios of the decomposing pools. Tillage explicitly affects the soil organic matter turnover rate through tool-specific coefficients. Unlike most models, the turnover of soil organic matter does not follow first order kinetics. Each soil layer has a specific maximum capacity to accumulate C or C saturation (S_x) that depends on texture and controls the turnover rate. It is shown in an analytical solution that S_x is a parameter with major influence in the model C dynamics. Testing with a 65-yr data set from the dryland wheat growing region in Oregon shows that the model adequately simulates the S_C dynamics in the topsoil (top 0.3 m) for three different treatments. Three key model parameters, the optimal decomposition and humification rates and a factor controlling the effect of soil moisture and temperature on the decomposition rate, showed low uncertainty as determined by generalized likelihood uncertainty estimation. Nonetheless, the parameter set that provided accurate simulations in the topsoil tended to overestimate S_C in the subsoil, suggesting that a mechanism that expresses at depth might not be represented in the current sub-model structure. The explicit integration of C, N, and P fluxes allows for a more cohesive simulation of nutrient cycling in the SWAT model. The sub-model has to be tested in forestland and rangeland in addition to agricultural land, and in diverse soils with extreme properties such high or low pH, an organic horizon, or volcanic soils.     

Different proxies for the reactivity of aquatic sediments towards oxygen: A model assessment

Information on benthic carbon mineralization rates is often derived from the analysis of oxygen microprofiles in sediments. To enable a direct comparison of different sediment environments, it is often desirable to characterize sediments by a single proxy that expresses their “reactivity” towards oxygen. For this, there are three commonly used proxies: the oxygen penetration depth (OPD), the oxygen flux at the sediment-water interface (DOU), and the maximum volumetric oxygen consumption rate (R_max). The OPD can be directly determined from the oxygen depth profile, while the DOU is usually obtained by a linear fit to the oxygen gradient either in diffusive boundary layer. The oxygen consumption rate R_max requires the fitting of a reactive-transport model to the data profile. This article shows that the OPD alone is a suboptimal proxy, because it shows a strong dependence on the half-saturation constant K_s, and secondly, because it is sensitive to the particular re-oxidation conditions right above the oxic-anoxic interface. Similarly, the volumetric oxygen consumption rate R_max is rather strongly dependent on the kinetic model formulation employed. To show this we fitted three different (Bouldin, Blackman and Monod) kinetics to the same oxygen data profiles. When fitting these models, the R_max values obtained differed by 20% for exactly the same oxygen profile. Accordingly, if one reports R_max values, it is crucial to specify the kinetic model alongside. Overall, DOU emerges as sediment reactivity proxy which is the least model dependent.     

Photodegradation of an azo dye by silver-doped nano-particulate titanium dioxide

The synthesis of silver doped nano-particulate titanium dioxide (Ag/TiO₂) using a microemulsion method and an investigation of its photocatalytic activity for the degradation of Acid Red 27 in distilled water under UV-irradiation is reported. The prepared Ag/TiO₂ is characterized using transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The size of the Ag nanoparticles is around 5–15?nm, with almost uniform distribution on the TiO₂ particles. The efficiency of the photocatalytic process is evaluated to establish the optimum conditions, found to be at 2?wt% of Ag loading on TiO₂, catalyst dosage of 400?mg?L^?1, and calcination temperature of 300°C. Complete decolorization of the dye solution on Ag/TiO₂ was observed in 20?min of UV irradiation in the optimum conditions.     

Interaction between cadmium,lead and potassium fertilizer (K<Subscript>2</Subscript>SO<Subscript>4</Subscript>) in a soil-plant system

A pot experiment was conducted to examine the influence of potassium (K) fertilizer (K₂SO₄) application on the phytoavailability and speciation distribution of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in soil. Spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was selected as the test plant. There were seven treatments including single and combined contamination of Cd and Pb. CdCl₂·2.5 H₂O and Pb(NO₃)₂ were added to the soil at the following dosages: Cd + Pb = 0.00 + 0.00, 5.00 + 0.00, 25.0 + 0.00, 0.00 + 500, 0.00 + 1000, 5.00 + 500 and 25.0 + 1000 mg kg⁻¹, denoted by CK, T1, T2, T3, T4, T5 and T6, respectively. The K fertilizer had five levels: 0.00, 50.0, 100, 200 and 400 mg K₂O kg⁻¹ soil, denoted by K0, K1, K2, K3 and K4, respectively. The results showed that the K fertilizer promoted the dry weight (DW) of wheat in all treatments and alleviated the contamination by Cd and Pb. The application of K₂SO₄ reduced the uptake of Cd in different parts including roots, haulms and grains of wheat; the optimum dosage was the K2 level. K supply resulted in a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in the soluble plus exchangeable (SE) fraction of Cd and there was a negative correlation (not significant, P > 0.05) between the levels of K and the SE fraction of Cd in soil. The application of the K fertilizer could obviously restrain the uptake of Pb by wheat and there were significant (P < 0.05) negative correlations between the concentrations of Pb in grains and the levels of K in soil. K supply resulted in a decrease in the SE fraction of Pb (except the K1 level) from the K0 to K4 levels. At the same time, the application of the K fertilizer induced a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in the weakly specifically adsorbed (WSA) fraction of Pb and a significant (P < 0.05) increase in the bound to Fe–Mn oxides (OX) fraction of Pb. At different K levels, the concentration of Pb in the roots, haulms and grains had a positive correlation with the SE (not significant, P > 0.05) and WSA (significant, P < 0.05) fractions of Pb in the soil. All the K application levels in this experiment reduced the phytoavailability of Cd and Pb. Thus, it is feasible to apply K fertilizer (K₂SO₄) to alleviate contamination by Cd and/or Pb in soil. Moreover, the level of K application should be considered to obtain an optimal effect with the minimum dosage.     

Aspects and prospects of algal carbon capture and sequestration in ecosystems: a review

Long-term storage of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and other forms of carbon in non-atmospheric reservoirs is called carbon sequestration. Selective anthropogenic enrichment of the atmospheric carbon pool is causing dire environmental problems, thereby necessitating remediation by mitigation. Algae possess efficient carbon concentrating mechanisms and consequently high photosynthetic rates which make them suitable candidates for biosequestration of CO₂. Globally, nearly half of the atmospheric oxygen is generated by algal photosynthesis despite the fact that algae account for less than 1% of photosynthetic biomass. In water bodies, algae are responsible for creating the ‘biological pump’ that transports carbon from the upper sunlit waters to the depth below. A diverse array of photoautotrophs ranging from prokaryotic cyanobacteria to eukaryotic algae such as Chlorophytes, and even protists like euglenoids, contribute to this ‘biological pump’. It operates in a variety of aquatic ecosystems ranging from small freshwater ponds to the oceans where it has been most extensively studied. Two separate but intricately linked processes constitute this ‘biological pump’, viz. the ‘organic carbon pump’ and the ‘calcium carbonate pump’. The present review discusses the natural CO₂ sequestration processes carried out by algae and cyanobacteria in their native ecosystems.     

Decolorisation of Acid Blue 74 by ultraviolet/H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript>

The photodegradation of Acid blue 74 in aqueous solution employing a H₂O₂/ultraviolet system in a photochemical reactor was investigated. The kinetics of decolorization were studied by application of a kinetic model. The results show that the reaction of decolorization followed pseudo-first order kinetics. We demonstrate that there is an optimum H₂O₂ concentration, at which the rate of the decolorization reaction is maximum. Irradiation at 253.7 nm of the dye solution in the presence of H₂O₂ results in complete discoloration after ten minutes of treatment.     

Sonocatalytic degradation of tetracycline antibiotic in aqueous solution by sonocatalysis

Tetracycline (TC), one of the most common antibiotics, is often poorly bio-degraded in conventional wastewater treatment plants. In this study, the sonocatalytic degradation of TC was investigated using TiO₂ nano-particles as catalyst. The effect of pH, initial TC concentrations, reaction times, and H₂O₂ concentrations were evaluated. The efficacy of ultrasonic irradiation alone in the removal of this pollutant was negligible but removal efficiency increased upon addition of TiO₂ up to 250 mg L^?1; increase of pH and initial TC concentration attenuated TC degradation. Addition of H₂O₂ raised the removal efficiency so that complete removal of TC was achieved within 75 min.     

纳米二氧化钛(nTiO_2)与双酚A对斜生栅藻(Scenedes-mus obliquus)的联合毒性效应

纳米二氧化钛(n Ti O2)在被人们广泛使用的同时,其潜在的环境影响也受到越来越多的关注。为深入探讨n Ti O2与环境中现有污染物的相互作用及生物效应,以斜生栅藻(Scenedesmus obliquus)为受试生物,按照毒性单位法、相加指数法和混合毒性指数法,研究了n Ti O2与双酚A(BPA,一种常见的环境类雌激素)的联合毒性效应。结果显示,n Ti O2与BPA对S.obliquus生长的72 h半抑制浓度(EC50)分别为28.7 mg·L-1与1.81 mg·L-1。而n Ti O2与BPA共存时,在不同毒性比(4:1,3:1,2:1,1:1,1:2和1:3)下,其联合毒性作用(以BPA计)的72 h EC50值分别为2.198,1.58,1.153,0.428,0.306和0.189 mg·L-1。两者的联合毒性作用不仅仅是简单的相加,而是随着两者毒性比的变化,由拮抗作用转变为相加作用,继而转变为协同作用。这表明,n Ti O2进入环境后与现有污染物的毒性比(浓度比)可能是其联合毒性作用模式的一个重要影响因素。     

培养基对大型溞(Daphnia magna)生长、繁殖和子代的影响

大型溞(Daphnia magna)急性活动抑制试验和繁殖试验是研究和评价新化学物质对水生生物危害性的重要手段之一。由于经济合作与发展组织(Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, OECD)测试导则推荐的Elendt M4培养基中含有的乙二胺四乙酸(EDTA)可能会影响金属离子的活性,不适合用于含有金属离子样品的毒理学测试。为选出合适的替代培养基,采用Elendt M4培养基、美国材料与试验协会(American Society for Testing and Materials, ASTM)推荐的ASTM培养基和国际标准化组织(International Organization for Standardization, ISO)推荐的ISO培养基进行大型溞繁殖试验,并收集繁殖试验中亲溞产下的非头胎幼溞进行重铬酸钾的急性活动抑制试验。结果表明,3种培养基对大型溞的生长、存活均无抑制作用,ASTM培养基和ISO培养基中大型溞的繁殖量分别为111±10和70±13,显著低于Elendt M4培养基的132±4 (P 0.05)。3种培养基中大型溞的繁殖量均能满足OECD 211-2012大型溞繁殖试验标准中繁殖量大于60的要求,但在ISO培养基中有死胎出现。重铬酸钾对Elendt M4培养基、ASTM培养基和ISO培养基中繁殖幼溞的24 h半数效应浓度(24 h-EC_(50))值分别为1.29、1.84和0.772 mg·L~(-1),均在OECD 202-2004大型溞急性活动抑制试验标准要求的0.6～2.1 mg·L~(-1)范围内,说明3种培养基中繁殖的大型溞均能用于大型溞急性活动抑制试验的标准测试中。综上所述,进行含有金属离子样品的毒理测试时,ASTM培养基和ISO培养基均可用于大型溞的短期驯养和急性活动抑制试验,ASTM培养基还可以用于长期驯养和繁殖试验。以上结果为大型溞毒性试验中试验培养基的选择提供理论依据。     

Histopathology of cerebro neuronal cells in freshwater snail Bellamya bengalensis: impact on respiratory physiology,by acute poisoning of mercuric and zinc chloride

Mercuric (Hg) and zinc (Zn) chloride toxicity was investigated in cerebroneuronal cells and gills of Bellamya bengalensis using sublethal concentrations under lab conditions. Freshwater snail B. bengalensis was exposed to mean LC₅₀ concentration (1.56 ppm and 12.7 ppm) of Hg and Zn chloride, respectively. Bioaccumulation of Hg and Zn was observed in nervous and gill tissue in proportion to the time of exposure. Respiratory mechanisms and rate of oxygen consumption was depleted by both metals. Histopathological alterations in cerebro neuronal cells (giant, large, medium, and small) and gill filamental epithelia were apparent in Hg and Zn-exposed snails. Histopathology demonstrated increased cytoplasmic basophilia, extreme indentation of plasma membrane, karyolitic and eccentric nuclei, nuclear envelope with irregular size, and shrunken appearance of cerebroneuronal cells. Histologically, gill filamental epithelia showed hypertrophy, enlarged ciliated margins reduced length of cilia, nuclear dilations, thickening of basal lamina, and hemocytic accumulations in induced cells and severe loss of goblet mucus cells at the tip. Histopathology was accompanied by dysfunctioning cilia with decreased rate of respiration. Overall, neuronal impairment with damaged gill filament produced improper gaseous exchange leading to sluggish movement.     

A modified steam distillation method for volatile acids determination in anaerobic digestors

A modified steam distillation method for the accurate determination of low levels of volatile acids found primarily in low rate anaerobic digestors has been developed. The interference of bicarbonate alkalinity is minimal with complete removal of carbon dioxide from the sample prior to distillation. This removal can be achieved by boiling the acidified sample for 30 min in an erlenmeyer flask with ground‐glass neck attached to a reflux condenser.     

过氧化氢和一氧化氮在小球藻抗阿特拉津胁迫中的作用

过氧化氢(H_2O_2)和一氧化氮(NO)作为信号分子,可调节植物生长、发育以及应对外源性胁迫。利用过氧化氢酶(CAT)以及NO清除剂(PTIO),研究了除草剂阿特拉津(atrazine,100μg·L~(-1))影响小球藻生长的机理,并分析内源性H_2O_2和NO在小球藻抗除草剂胁迫中的作用。研究结果表明,阿特拉津在诱发小球藻细胞死亡的过程中,不同程度促发了H_2O_2和NO生成;外源CAT可通过清除H_2O_2和诱导NO来缓解阿特拉津对小球藻的生长抑制;PTIO与阿特拉津的联合实验进一步证实,小球藻体内的NO诱导与H_2O_2的爆发无关,它们之间的合成没有相关性。因此,除草剂阿特拉津主要通过诱导小球藻体内的H_2O_2爆发来破坏藻细胞,抑制其生长,与NO的信号传递无关。     

铅与纳米SiO2联合染毒对A549细胞氧化损伤的影响

为了研究铅与纳米SiO2联合染毒所致的细胞损伤特征,并从氧化应激方面探讨其可能的作用机制。用铅和SiO2处理A549细胞,采用四唑盐(MTT)比色法检测细胞存活率,评价铅和SiO2联合染毒所致的细胞损伤特征;采用硫代巴比妥酸(TBA)比色法检测细胞内丙二醛(MDA)含量,评价铅与SiO2联合染毒所致细胞的氧化应激状态;检测了细胞内抗氧化物还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量以及细胞内抗氧化酶的活性,以评价铅与SiO2联合染毒对细胞抗氧化系统的影响。将实验数据进行ANOVA分析。结果表明,铅、SiO2单独染毒组各指标没有明显改变;而联合染毒能造成细胞氧化损伤,表现为细胞存活率、GSH水平、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)及谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活性显著低于对照组及2个单独染毒组(P<0.05),细胞内MDA含量显著高于对照组及各单独染毒组(P<0.05)。可见,联合染毒可引起明显的细胞毒性,氧化损伤可能是铅与SiO联合染毒致肺细胞毒性损伤的作用机制之一。     

Toxicity of nano-anatase TiO2 to mice: Liver injury,oxidative stress

There are concerns regarding the toxicity of nano-TiO₂, but data are limited on the mechanism underlying oxidative damage to liver of mice. In order to further study these mechanisms of nano-TiO₂ particles, nano-anatase TiO₂ (5 nm) were injected into the abdominal cavity of ICR mice daily for 14 days and biochemical parameters in liver were investigated. The increase of hepatic lipids peroxide produced by nano-anatase TiO₂ suggested an oxidative attack that was activated by a reduction of antioxidative defense mechanisms as measured by analyzing the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and glutathione peroxidase, as well as antioxidant levels such as glutathione and ascorbic acid. The antioxidative responses of liver were reduced in mice by nano-anatase TiO₂. The oxidative stress of nano-anatase TiO₂ on liver was greater than that seen with bulk-TiO₂.     

纳米二氧化硅对两性生殖和孤雌生殖卤虫无节幼体毒性影响的比较研究

研究了纳米二氧化硅(Nano-SiO_2)悬浮液对美国大盐湖两性生殖型卤虫(Artemia francisana,GSL)和渤海湾孤雌生殖型卤虫(Artemia parthenogenetica,BH)无节幼体的急性毒性和抗氧化酶系统的影响。研究结果表明,Nano-SiO_2对GSL和BH无节幼体24 h-LC50分别为23.02 mg·m L~(-1)和20.96 mg·m L~(-1),属低级毒性。Nano-SiO_2降低了GSL和BH无节幼体还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量,抑制了过氧化氢酶(CAT)和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性,致丙二醛(MDA)含量升高,表明氧化应激反应是导致Nano-SiO_2对卤虫无节幼体致死的作用机制之一。     

山西工矿区土壤二氧化硫与多环芳烃复合污染对小麦种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响

以小麦为供试植物,山西工矿区生黄土为供试土壤,进行了土壤中二氧化硫(SO2)与多环芳烃(PAHs)单一及复合污染对小麦种子萌发率及小麦幼苗株高、根伸长和地下生物量影响的研究,以期考察复合污染的生态毒性效应。结果表明,小麦种子萌发对SO2与PAHs单一及复合污染均不敏感;SO2和PAHs单一污染时,小麦幼苗的株高与根伸长均受到一定程度的影响,低浓度SO2或PAHs处理对小麦生长起促进作用,高浓度则为抑制作用;小麦幼苗株高与SO2浓度呈显著负相关(r=-0.954,P<0.05),但与PAHs浓度的相关性不显著;SO2与PAHs复合污染条件下,对小麦幼苗株高或根伸长的联合作用多体现为协同作用,在低浓度情况下(SO2<500mg·kg-1)表现为协同促进;当SO2达到500～1000mg·kg-1时,对小麦幼苗株高或根伸长的联合作用均体现为协同抑制。SO2和PAHs单一污染时,小麦幼苗地下生物量与SO2、PAHs浓度均为显著负相关(rPAHs=-0.953,rSO2=-0.916,P<0.05);复合污染条件下,在SO2浓度为10mg·kg-1时,对地下生物量的联合作用多体现协同促进作用;而在SO2浓度为1000mg·kg-1,PAHs为50～100mg·kg-1时,对地下生物量的联合作用均体现为协同抑制作用。多元逐步回归分析进一步表明,SO2与PAHs复合污染条件下,小麦幼苗株高、根伸长都受到了SO2及PAHs的共同影响,而SO2是影响小麦幼苗地下生物量的主要因素。     

纳米TiO2与重金属Cd对铜绿微囊藻生物效应的影响

为了更全面地评价纳米TiO2的生物效应,尤其是纳米TiO2与其他环境污染物的联合作用,以铜绿微囊藻为受试生物,探讨了不同浓度的纳米TiO2,以及纳米TiO2与Cd联合作用对藻生长的影响。根据叶绿素a及藻胆蛋白的含量变化,低浓度的纳米TiO2溶液(0～50mg.L-1)可以促进藻的生长,当纳米TiO2的浓度大于50mg·L-1时,藻细胞的生长有所抑制,生长减慢,并呈剂量-效应关系;当纳米TiO2与Cd离子同时存在时,由于纳米TiO2对Cd离子的吸附作用,水中游离态Cd离子浓度降低,Cd离子对藻的毒性明显降低。因此,纳米TiO2的生态毒性和环境效应不容忽视,同时,应重视纳米材料及与其他环境污染物质共同作用后的生物效应。     

Treatment of textile dye wastewater using ozone combined with photocatalyst

Ozonolysis combined with photocatalysis was used as a new approach for the treatment of textile dye wastewater containing azo dyes. The color reduction was very fast when only ozone was used for the treatment, but a 90% Total Organic Carbon (TOC) reduction was obtained only during a combined treatment. Reactive Black 5 dye containing two different percentages of NaCl was used for the experiment. The color reduction was fast in the neutral and basic pH. However for a fast TOC reduction acidic pH was found to be more effective. On‐line UV‐Vis spectrophotometry was used to measure the color reduction.