Impacts of climate change and CO2 increase on agricultural production and adaptation options for Southern Québec, Canada

This study involves the assessment of the potential impacts of greenhouse gas climate change and changing ambient carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels on crop yields in Quebec, Canada. The methodology involves coupling the transient diagnostics of two Atmosphere-Ocean General Circulation Models, namely the Canadian CGCM1 and the British HadCM3, to the Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) 3.5 crop models to simulate current (1961–1990) and future (2040–2069) crop yields and changes. This is done for four different crop species, namely spring wheat, maize, soybean, and potato, and for seven agricultural regions of Southern Quebec. The results of this study focus on the main causative factors influencing crop yields, namely the direct CO₂ fertilization effect, the influence of the increase in growing season temperature, including optimal thermal conditions and acceleration in crop maturation, soil moisture availability, as influenced by precipitation and evapotranspiration, and nitrogen uptake by crops. Our results show that crop yield changes may vary according to climate scenario, crop species, and agricultural region. Consistent with other similar research, it would seem that these multiple causative factors very often seem to cancel each other out and dilute the impacts of climate change on crop yields.     

Life cycle assessment of lithium-ion batteries for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles – Critical issues

The main aim of the study was to explore how LCA can be used to optimize the design of lithium-ion batteries for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Two lithium-ion batteries, both based on lithium iron phosphate, but using different solvents during cell manufacturing, were studied by means of life cycle assessment, LCA. The general conclusions are limited to results showing robustness against variation in critical data. The study showed that it is environmentally preferable to use water as a solvent instead of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, NMP, in the slurry for casting the cathode and anode of lithium-ion batteries. Recent years’ improvements in battery technology, especially related to cycle life, have decreased production phase environmental impacts almost to the level of use phase impacts. In the use phase, environmental impacts related to internal battery efficiency are two to six times larger than the impact from losses due to battery weight in plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, assuming 90% internal battery efficiency. Thus, internal battery efficiency is a very important parameter; at least as important as battery weight. Areas, in which data is missing or inadequate and the environmental impact is or may be significant, include: production of binders, production of lithium salts, cell manufacturing and assembly, the relationship between weight of vehicle and vehicle energy consumption, information about internal battery efficiency and recycling of lithium-ion batteries based on lithium iron phosphate.     

Source-receptor relationships for wet SO42− and NO3− production

Precipitation chemistry data for the years 1982–1985 from 110 stations distributed across the continental U.S. and southern Ontario Province are used to describe the geographic distributions of SO₄²⁻ and NO₃⁻ in precipitation. Volume-weighted, wet SO₄²⁻ and NO₃⁻ concentrations, averaged over the 4 years of observation by season and annullly, show coherent patterns with maxima in the northeastern U.S. and southeastern Canada about ten times greater than the minima observed in the Intermountain and Pacific Northwest regions.Tests for empirical source-receptor relationships indicate that, in land areas with relatively low emissions of SO₂ and NO_x, the associations between wet SO₄²⁻ concentrations and SO₂ emissions and between wet NO₃⁻ concentrations and NO_x emissions within 560 km of each precipitation chemistry station are weak or nonexistent (r²⩽0.42). The remaining land areas show moderate to strong associations between SO₂ and SO₄²⁻ and NO_x and NO₃⁻ during the spring and summer, but only weak to nonexistent associations during the winter. The associations between emissions and concentrations, e.g. SO₂ and SO₄²⁻, are equally well represented by either a linear or a power law function. However, at the level of aggregation employed, the data do not substantiate a linear-proportional relationship between concentrations and anthropogenic emissions. Furthermore, emissions of SO₂ and NO_x are highly correlated, as are the emissions of RHC and NO_x.     

Treatment of 2-phenylamino-3-methyl-6-di-n-butylaminofluoran production effluent by combination of biological treatments and Fenton’s oxidation

High strength refractory organic stream is produced during the production of 2-phenylamino-3-methyl-6-di-n-butylaminofluoran (One Dye Black 2,abbr.ODB 2),a novel heat-sensitive material with a promising market.In this study,a combination of acidification- precipitation,primary biological treatment,Fenton's oxidation and another biological treatment was successfully used for the removal of COD from 18000-25000 mg/L to below 200 mg/L from the ODB 2 production wastewater in a pilot experiment.A COD removal of 70%-80% was achieved by acidification-precipitation under a pH of 2.5-3.0.The first step biodegradation permitted an average COD removal of 70% under an hydraulic residence time (HRT) of 30 h.By batch tests,the optimum conditions of Fenton's oxidation were acquired as:Fe~(2 ) dose 6.0 mmol/L;H_2O_2 dose 3000 mg/L;and reaction time 6 h.The second step biological treatment could ensure an effluent COD below 200 mg/L under an HRT of 10 h following the Fenton's treatment.     

Treatment of 2-phenylamino-3-methyl-6-di-n-butylaminofluoran production effluent by combination of biological treatments and Fenton＇s oxidation

High strength refractory organic stream is produced during the production of 2-phenylamino-3-methyl-6-di-n-butylaminofluoran （One Dye Black 2, abbr. ODB 2）, a novel heat-sensitive material with a promising market. In this study, a combination of acidificationprecipitation, primary biological treatment, Fenton＇s oxidation and another biological treatment was successfully used for the removal of COD from 18000-25000 mg/L to below 200 mg/L from the ODB 2 production wastewater in a pilot experiment. A COD removal of 70%-80% was achieved by acidification-precipitation under a pH of 2.5-3.0. The first step biodegradafion permitted an average COD removal of 70% under an hydraulic residence time （HRT） of 30 h. By batch tests, the optimum conditions of Fenton＇s oxidation were acquired as： Fe^2＋ dose 6.0 mmol/L; H2O2 dose 3000 mg/L; and reaction time 6 h. The second step biological treatment could ensure an effluent COD below 200 mg/L under an HRT of 10 h following the Fenton＇s treatment.     

Preparation and characterization of Fe2O3-CeO2-TiO2/γ-Al2O3 catalyst for degradation dye wastewater

In order to develop a catalyst with high activity for catalytic wet oxidation (CWO) process at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, Fe2O3-CeO2-TiO2/γ-Al2O3 catalyst was prepared by consecutive impregnation method and the prepared parameters were optimized. The structure of the catalyst was characterized by BET, XRF, SEM and XPS technologies, and the actual wastewater was used to investigate the catalytic activity of Fe2O3-CeO2-TiO2/γ-Al2O3 in CWO process. The experimental results showed that the prepared catalyst exhibited good catalytic activity when the doping amount of Ti was 1.0 wt% (the weight ratio of Ti to carriers), and the middle product, CeO2-TiO2/γ-Al2O3, was calcined in 450℃ for 2 h. The CWO experiment for treating actual dye wastewater indicated that the COD, color and TOC of actual wastewater were decreased by 62.23%, 50.12% and 41.26% in 3 h,respectively, and the ratio of BOD5/COD was increased from 0.19 to 0.30.     

Reduction of NO by CO using Pd–CeTb and Pd–CeZr catalysts supported on SiO_2 and La_2O_3–Al_2O_3

The catalytic activity of Pd catalysts supported on Ce0.73Tb0.27 O x/Si O2, Ce0.6Zr0.4O x/Si O2,Ce0.73Tb0.27 O x/La2O3–Al2O3and Ce0.6Zr0.4O x/La2O3–Al2O3was studied using the reduction of NO by CO. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray fluorescence, surface area, X-ray diffraction, temperature-programmed reduction, CO chemisorption and oxygen storage capacity. Temperature-programmed reduction results indicated that Tb or Zr incorporation improves the reducibility and oxygen storage capacity. CO chemisorption data suggested the presence of large Pd O particles due to the low CO/Pd ratio. No significant differences were obtained in light off temperatures(T Light off) for all Pd catalysts and the most active was1.5%Pd/Ce0.6Zr0.4O x/Si O2.     

Rate constants for the gas-phase reactions of OH and NO3 radicals and O3 with sabinene and camphene at 296±2 K

The rate constants for the gas-phase reactions of sabinene and camphene, two monoterpenes emitted from vegetation, with OH and NO₃ radicals and O₃ have been determined at 296±2 K and one atmosphere total pressure of air. The OH and NO₃ radical reaction rate constants were determined using relative rate techniques. Using rate constants of k(OH + isoprene) = 1.01 × 10⁻¹⁰ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, k(NO₃ + trans-2-butene) = 3.87 × 10⁻¹³ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ and k(NO₃ + 2-methyl-2-butene) = 9.33 × 10⁻¹² cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, the following OH and NO₃ radical reaction rate constants (in cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ were obtained: OH radical reaction; sabinene, 1.17 × 10⁻¹⁰ and camphene, 5.33 × 10⁻¹¹; NO₃ radical reaction; sabinene, 1.01 × 10⁻¹¹, and camphene, 6.54 × 10⁻¹³. The absolute O₃ reaction rate constants determined were (in cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ units): sabinene, 8.07 × 10⁻¹⁷, and camphene, 9.0 × 10⁻¹⁹. These rate constants are compared to literature data for other structural-related alkenes and monoterpenes.     

Preparation and luminescence properties of Zn3 （BO3）2 doped with Ce3＋and Mn2＋

采用共沉淀法在700℃和较短的烧结时间下制备了Zn3（BO3）2和不同浓度的Ce3＋、Mn2＋离子掺杂的Zn3（BO3）2纳米晶粉末,对合成产物的发光性质及发光机理进行了研究。利用荧光分光光度计、X射线粉末衍射仪以及透射电镜对其光学性能和纳米晶形貌进行了表征。结果表明Ce3＋离子掺杂的Zn3（BO3）2样品在340～400nm之间有强的荧光发射,其最高发射峰峰位为365nm,在Ce3＋掺量为0.5%（摩尔分数,下同）时发光强度达到最高值。Ce3＋取代Zn2＋离子作为发光中心,Mn2＋离子作为激活剂加入,并不影响荧光发射峰的位置,但能够有效增强其发光强度。当Mn2＋离子掺量为0.7%（摩尔分数）时,Ce3＋、Mn2＋共掺杂的Zn3（BO3）2纳米晶发光强度达到最高值。     

Investigation in the sorption mechanism and behavior of nano γ-Al2O3 for the removal of fluorine ions

研究了纳米γ-Al2O3吸附剂对氟离子的吸附行为,考查了吸附平衡时间、温度、溶液的pH等对吸附过程的影响.结果表明,在室温下,纳米γ-Al2O3对氟离子的吸附在3min基本达到平衡;在pH3～9范围内,吸附率达95%以上;吸附过程符合准二级反应动力学模型,其反应的表观活化能（Ea）为10.99kJ.mol-1;颗粒内扩散过程是吸附的主要控制步骤,而颗粒外扩散过程对吸附也有影响;吸附过程符合Langmuir、D-R等温模型,常温下,纳米γ-Al2O3对氟离子的平均吸附能为11.15kJ.mol-1.吸附反应的ΔGθ〈0,ΔHθ〉0,说明该吸附过程是自发的吸热反应.共存阴离子HCO3-和PO43-、阳离子Cu2＋对氟离子的吸附影响较大.纳米γ-Al2O3在动态和静态吸附实验中的除氟效果相近.     

FTIR spectroscopic measurements of surface bond products of nitrogen oxides on aerosol surfaces—implications for heterogeneous HNO2 production

FTIR spectroscopy measurements have been made to investigate the products of heterogeneous reactions of nitrogen oxides like NO₂, N₂O₅ and HNO₂ in the presence of water vapour on artificial and natural aerosol surfaces. Surface species on NaCl particles differ significantly from those on urban aerosols or fly ash. Evidence for a nighttime production of NO₂⁻ on sea-salt surfaces from reactions of N₂O₅ and water vapour is given.     

Choice of precipitant and calcination temperature of precursor for synthesis of NiCo2O4 for control of CO–CH4 emissions from CNG vehicles

Compressed natural gas(CNG)is most appropriate an alternative of conventional fuel for automobiles.However,emissions of carbon-monoxide and methane from such vehicles adversely affect human health and environment.Consequently,to abate emissions from CNG vehicles,development of highly efficient and inexpensive catalysts is necessary.Thus,the present work attempts to scan the effects of precipitants(Na_2CO_3,KOH and urea)for nickel cobaltite(Ni Co_2O_4)catalysts prepared by co-precipitation from nitrate solutions and calcined in a lean CO-air mixture at 400°C.The catalysts were used for oxidation of a mixture of CO and CH_4(1:1).The catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffractometer,Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface-area,X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy;temperature programmedreductionandScanningelectronmicroscopycoupledwith Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy.The Na_2CO_3was adjudged as the best precipitant for production of catalyst,which completely oxidized CO-CH_4mixture at the lowest temperature(T_(100)=350°C).Whereas,for catalyst prepared using urea,T_(100)=362°C.On the other hand the conversion of CO-CH_4mixture over the catalyst synthesized by KOH limited to 97%even beyond 400°C.Further,the effect of higher calcination temperatures of 500 and600°C was examined for the best catalyst.The total oxidation of the mixture was attained at higher temperatures of 375 and 410°C over catalysts calcined at 500 and 600°C respectively.Thus,the best precipitant established was Na_2CO_3and the optimum calcination temperature of 400°C was found to synthesize the Ni Co_2O_4catalyst for the best performance in CO-CH_4oxidation.     

Environmental performance evaluation of agro-industrial innovations – Part 2: methodological approach for performing vulnerability analysis of watersheds

Environmental vulnerability analysis has been sparsely used in environmental performance evaluation (EPE) of technological innovations. The present paper proposes a methodological approach to carry out vulnerability analysis of watersheds and to integrate this analysis into methods of environmental performance evaluation of agro-industrial innovations. This approach is applied to the Ambitec-Life Cycle method, described in Part 1 (this issue) of this study. The case study of green coconut substrate compared to ripe coconut substrate, also described in Part 1 (this issue), is now presented considering the vulnerability analysis of the watersheds where the life cycle stages of these products occur. The integration of vulnerability analysis in Ambitec-Life Cycle contributes to a better understanding of the environmental aspects of agro-industrial technological innovations with potential to cause significant impacts in watersheds where these innovations are implemented.     

Steady-state kinetics and osillation phenomena for complete oxidation of benzene over Pt/Al_2O_3 catalyst

The steady-state kinetics for complete oxidation of benzene over has been investigated by the external recycling reactor. The kinetics equation was described by the L-H model of adsorption of benzene and oxygen with the inhibition of carbon dioxide. The parameters of the kinetics model were estimated by the method of orthogonal design. The heats of adsorption of benzene, oxygen and carbon dioxide were determined by the method of gas-adsorption chromatography. The details of oscillations of complete oxidation of benzene were investigated.     

Insights into the interface of NiCo2O4 spinel/LaCoO3 perovskite nano-composite for CO and soot oxidation

In the quest for the development of thermally stable, highly active and low-cost catalysts for use in catalyzed diesel particulate filter, nano-composites are new areas of research. Therefore, we reported the easy synthesis of spinel NiCo₂O₄/perovskite LaCoO₃ nano-composite,and its individual oxides NiCo₂O₄and LaCoO₃ for comparison. The detailed insights into the physio-chemical characteristics of formed NiCo₂O₄     

Global implications of biomass and biofuel use in Germany – Recent trends and future scenarios for domestic and foreign agricultural land use and resulting GHG emissions

The global land area required to meet the German consumption of agricultural products for food and non-food use was quantified, and the related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, particularly those induced by land-use changes in tropical countries, were estimated. Two comprehensive business-as-usual scenarios describe the development corridor of biomass for non-food use in terms of energetic and non-energetic purposes. In terms of land use, Germany was already a net importer of agricultural land in 2004, and the net additional land required by 2030 is estimated to comprise 2.5–3.4 Mha. This is mainly due to biofuel demand driven by current policy targets. Meeting the required biodiesel import demand would result in an additional GWP of 23–37 Tg of CO₂ equivalents through direct and indirect land-use changes. Alternative scenario elements outline the potential options for reducing Germany's land requirement, which reflect future global per capita availability.     

Hygroscopicity measurement of sodium carbonate, β-alanine and internally mixed β-alanine/Na2CO3 particles by ATR-FTIR

Water-uptakes of pure sodium carbonate(Na_2CO_3),pure β-alanine and internally mixedβ-alanine/Na_2CO_3 aerosol particles with different mole ratios are first monitored using attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(ATR-FTIR) technique.For pure Na_2CO_3 aerosol particles,combining the absorptions at 877 and 1422 cm-1 with abrupt water loss shows the efflorescence relative humidity(ERH) of 62.9%–51.9%.Upon humidifying,solid Na_2CO_3 firstly absorbs water to from Na_2CO_3·H2 O crystal at 72.0% RH and then deliquesces at 84.5% RH(DRH).As for pure β-alanine particles,the crystallization takes place in the range of 42.4%–33.2% RH and becomes droplets at ～ 88.2% RH.When β-alanine is mixed with Na_2CO_3 at various mole ratios,it shows no efflorescence of Na_2CO_3 whenβ-alanine to Na_2CO_3 mole ratio(OIR) is 2:1.For 1:1 and 1:2 β-alanine/Na_2CO_3 aerosols,the ERHs of Na_2CO_3 are 51.8%–42.3% and 57.1%–42.3%,respectively.While β-alanine crystal appears from 62.7% RH for 2:1 and 59.4% RH for both 1:1 and 1:2 particles and lasts to driest state.On hydration,the DRH is 44.7%–75.2% for Na_2CO_3 with the OIR of 1:1 and 44.7%–69.0%for 1:2 mixture,and those of β-alanine are 74.8% for 2:1 mixture and 68.9% for two others.After the first dehumidification–humidification,all the water contents decrease despite of constituent fraction.And at ～ 92% RH,the remaining water contents are 92%,89% and 82%at ～ 92% RH,corresponding to OIR of 2:1,1:1 and 1:2 mixed system,respectively.     

Coupled effects of methane monooxygenase and nitrogen source on growth and poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) production of Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b

The coupled effects of nitrogen source and methane monooxygenase(MMO) on the growth and poly-β-hydroxybutyrate(PHB) accumulation capacity of methanotrophs were explored.The ammonia-supplied methanotrophs expressing soluble MMO(s MMO) grew at the highest rate, while N_2-fixing bacteria expressing particulate MMO(p MMO) grew at the lowest rate. Further study showed that more hydroxylamine and nitrite was formed by ammonia-supplied bacteria containing p MMO, which might cause their slightly lower growth rate. The highest PHB content(51.0%) was obtained under nitrogen-limiting conditions with the inoculation of nitrate-supplied bacteria containing p MMO. Ammoniasupplied bacteria also accumulated a higher content of PHB(45.2%) with the expression of p MMO, while N_2-fixing bacteria containing p MMO only showed low PHB production capacity(32.1%). The maximal PHB contents of bacteria expressing s MMO were low, with no significant change under different nitrogen source conditions. The low MMO activity,low cell growth rate and low PHB production capacity of methanotrophs continuously cultivated with N_2 with the expression of p MMO were greatly improved in the cyclic NO_3-N_2 cultivation regime, indicating that long-term deficiency of nitrogen sources was detrimental to the activity of methanotrophs expressing p MMO.     

Contribution of industrial and developing countries to the atmospheric CO2 concentrations: — impact of the Kyoto protocol

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto protocol made under the Convention, aim at controlling the greenhouse gas emissions and their concentrations in the atmosphere. The contributions of fossil fuel use in industrial and developing countries to the atmospheric CO₂ concentration are calculated using estimates for emission developments and a simple carbon cycle model. The contribution of the industrial countries to the CO₂ concentration increase, above the preindustrial level, is estimated to be about 50 ppm in 1990 if only the emissions from fossil fuels are considered. The contribution from developing countries is about 15 ppm. The contribution from industrial countries would increase by about 20 ppm between 1990 and 2010 if no emission reductions were assumed and by about 15 ppm in the considered rather strict reduction scenario. According to the Kyoto protocol the emissions from industrial countries should be reduced by 5.2% from the 1990 level in about 20 years. This development of the emissions would cause a concentration increase of 18 ppm. The concentration increase due to developing countries between 1990 and 2010 would be about 15 ppm. In order that the present global increase rate of CO₂ concentration 1.5 ppm/a would not be exceeded, steeper reductions than those made in Kyoto should be agreed. Increasing global emissions and slow removal of CO₂ from the atmosphere makes it difficult to reach the ultimate objective of the Climate Convention, the stabilisation of the atmospheric concentration.