Applications of nanomaterials in water treatment and environmental remediation

Nanotechnology has revolutionized plethora of scientific and technological fields; environmental safety is no exception. One of the most promising and well- developed environmental applications of nanotechnology has been in water remediation and treatment where different nanomaterials can help purify water through different mechanisms including adsorption of heavy metals and other pollutants, removal and inactivation of patho- gens and transformation of toxic materials into less toxic compounds. For this purpose, nanomaterials have been produced in different shapes, integrated into various composites and functionalized with active components. Nanomaterials have also been incorporated in nanostructured catalytic membranes which can in turn help enhance water treatment. In this article, we have provided a succinct review of the most common and popular nanomaterials （titania, carbon nanotubes （CNTs）, zero-valent iron, dendrimers and silver nanomaterials） which are currently used in environmental remediation and particularly in water purification. The catalytic properties and functionalities of the mentioned materials have also been discussed.     

Recent advances in antimony removal using carbon-based nanomaterials: A review

• The synthesis and physicochemical properties of various CNMs are reviewed. • Sb removal using carbon-based nano-adsorbents and membranes are summarized. • Details on adsorption behavior and mechanisms of Sb uptake by CNMs are discussed. • Challenges and future prospects for rational design of advanced CNMs are provided. Recently, special attention has been deserved to environmental risks of antimony (Sb) element that is of highly physiologic toxicity to human. Conventional coagulation and ion exchange methods for Sb removal are faced with challenges of low efficiency, high cost and secondary pollution. Adsorption based on carbon nanomaterials (CNMs; e.g., carbon nanotubes, graphene, graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide and their derivatives) may provide effective alternative because the CNMs have high surface area, rich surface chemistry and high stability. In particular, good conductivity makes it possible to create linkage between adsorption and electrochemistry, thereby the synergistic interaction will be expected for enhanced Sb removal. This review article summarizes the state of art on Sb removal using CNMs with the form of nano-adsorbents and/or filtration membranes. In details, procedures of synthesis and functionalization of different forms of CNMs were reviewed. Next, adsorption behavior and the underlying mechanisms toward Sb removal using various CNMs were presented as resulting from a retrospective analysis of literatures. Last, we prospect the needs for mass production and regeneration of CNMs adsorbents using more affordable precursors and objective assessment of environmental impacts in future studies.     

Aggregation and dissolution of silver nanoparticles in a laboratory-based freshwater microcosm under simulated environmental conditions

Silver nanoparticles (NP) are used in several applications, including their use as antimicrobial agents in textiles, personal care, and other domestic products. As such, there is a high potential for the release of silver nanoparticles (AgNP) in the aquatic environment. In aquatic ecosystems, nanomaterials are affected by abiotic factors, such as temperature, that alter their chemistry and influence their fate in the environment. Preliminary studies indicate that NP tend to form aggregates which are potentially more recalcitrant than unaggregated NP. These and other fate processes are largely dependent on both the characteristics of the NP and that of the environment. In this study, lab experiments were conducted to investigate the physicochemical properties and temperature solubility of AgNP (<100 nm) that may potentially influence the fate and behavior of AgNP in the aqueous environment. Results indicated that, under these tested conditions, AgNP may be transformed in size and thereby affect fate, bioavailability, and toxicity. In this study, a novel method was used to determine whether AgNP would form agglomerates, or behave as isolated particles, or dissolve when in aqueous media and under different environmental conditions. The new aspects evaluated in this study demonstrated that AgNP are transformed in both size and state under variable environmental conditions.     

中空纤维膜辅助离子液体液相微萃取-高效液相色谱法测定环境水体中的水杨酸

分别以l-辛基-3-甲基咪唑六氟磷酸离子液体([C8MIM][PF6])和三辛基氧化膦(TOPO)作为萃取剂与辅助萃取剂,建立了中空纤维膜辅助的两相液液微萃取-高效液相色谱测定环境水体中水杨酸(Salicylicacid,SA)的新方法.通过对中空纤维膜种类、萃取剂、供体相体积、供体相pH、离子强度和萃取时间相关参数进行优化,获得了较高的富集倍数(1653倍).方法的检出限为0.1μg.L-1,线性范围为0.5—1000μg.L-1.方法对实际样品的加标回收率为89.6%—102.4%,可应用于环境水体中痕量SA的测定.     

大宝山矿水外排的环境影响:Ⅲ.综合治理对策

大宝山外排酸性矿水对下游水生生态系统及周边农村地区农业生态系统带来严重影响，并可能已危及当地人民的健康。文章根据大宝山矿所在地区的实际情况，对大宝山矿区及周围地区生态退化和环境污染的综合治理途径进行探讨，提出：(1)必须走系统整治的路径才能做到既治标又治本；(2)治理污染源是整个治理方案的关键环节；(3)为了使深受污染之害的矿区周边人民尽快脱离危险，近期最迫切的治理地段是受矿水严重污染的农田，尤其是重污染区一上坝村；(4)在治理方法上，必须将化学治理、生物治理与工程治理相结合；(5)为了更好地实施各项治理工程，可考虑运用经济杠杆，以便有效地筹集足够的矿山治理资金；(6)着眼于未来更严格的环境质量标准，建立水质的生物预警系统；(7)目前制约大宝山矿地区生态环境治理的主要瓶颈之一是缺乏适合中国国情的高效低投入治理技术，政府应考虑提供研究经费支持相关的应用基础研究和技术开发，以便能加快治理的步伐。     

3S与在线监测技术在环境模型研究中的应用

结合环境信息系统的研究现状和研究实例，首先分析了3S和在线监测技术与环境模型研究结合的必要性，并分析指出了3S、在线监测技术在环境模型研究中潜在的应用范围，然后剖析了3S技术与环境模型研究结合的三阶水平，最后介绍了3S在环境规划模型研究中的理想结合框架。     

Effects of manufactured nanomaterials on algae: Implications and applications

● Summary of positive and negative effects of MNMs on algae. ● MNMs adversely affect algal gene expression, metabolite, and growth. ● MNMs induce oxidative stress, mechanical damage and light-shielding effects on algae. ● MNMs can promote production of bioactive substances and environmental remediation. The wide application of manufactured nanomaterials (MNMs) has resulted in the inevitable release of MNMs into the aquatic environment along their life cycle. As the primary producer in aquatic ecosystems, algae play a critical role in maintaining the balance of ecosystems’ energy flow, material circulation and information transmission. Thus, thoroughly understanding the biological effects of MNMs on algae as well as the underlying mechanisms is of vital importance. We conducted a comprehensive review on both positive and negative effects of MNMs on algae and thoroughly discussed the underlying mechanisms. In general, exposure to MNMs may adversely affect algae’s gene expression, metabolites, photosynthesis, nitrogen fixation and growth rate. The major mechanisms of MNMs-induced inhibition are attributed to oxidative stress, mechanical damages, released metal ions and light-shielding effects. Meanwhile, the rational application of MNMs-algae interactions would promote valuable bioactive substances production as well as control biological and chemical pollutants. Our review could provide a better understanding of the biological effects of MNMs on algae and narrow the knowledge gaps on the underlying mechanisms. It would shed light on the investigation of environmental implications and applications of MNMs-algae interactions and meet the increasing demand for sustainable nanotechnology development.     

包装材料及食品中纳米材料的检测与表征技术

随着纳米技术的发展,纳米材料在包装行业及食品工业中得到了广泛的应用。然而,纳米材料的安全应用高度依赖于对其生物及环境效应的了解。有研究表明,纳米材料对人类健康及生态环境存在着潜在危害,这使得纳米材料的安全性成为毒理学领域的热点研究课题。同时纳米材料的安全性问题也成为纳米复合包装材料及纳米食品研究和开发的新瓶颈。在对纳米材料没有充分认识的情况下,为了消费者和生态环境的安全,必须控制包装材料及食品中纳米颗粒的种类、来源、含量及可能的释放,这就需要可靠的方法对纳米颗粒的性质和结构进行检测及表征。首先,综述了目前纳米材料在复合包装材料及食品加工中的应用,然后总结了包装材料及食品中纳米材料的检测技术及表征方法,例如显微技术、色谱分离技术、光谱与质谱技术等。由于纳米材料的理化性质参数众多,应用多种分析手段来检测和表征纳米材料成为必然。最后对目前检测技术及表征方法的不足和今后发展方向进行了探讨。     

Lignin modification and valorization in medicine,cosmetics, environmental remediation and agriculture: a review

Environmental Chemistry Letters - The circular economy requires advanced methods to recycle biomass into value-added materials, such as lignin extraction and modification. Here, we review lignin...     

城市大气环境监测优化布点模糊优选模型及应用实例

文章根据城市大气环境监测优化布点的模糊性,提出了一种模糊环境条件下的模糊聚类与模糊识别理论模型,并且在山东省肥城等市成功应用。结合统计方法确定出的大气监测优化点位,不但具有代表性和整体性,而且具有较高的分辨率,能快速准确地、最大范围地反映出该区域的环境空气质量状况、大气污染扩散规律、污染源分布特点、污染气象及地理位置特征,为环境管理和政府决策提供可靠依据。     

典型土壤持久性有机污染物空间分布特征及环境行为研究进展

持久性有机污染物(POPs)由于具有致癌性、致畸性和致突变效应的"三致性",近年来已经越来越受到人们的关注.本文综合分析了有机氯农药(OCPs)、多氯联苯(PCBs)、二英类(PCDD/Fs)、多环芳烃(PAHs)及多溴联苯醚(PBDEs)等几种典型土壤持久性有机污染物的空间分布特征.同时,对土壤POPs的挥发作用、吸附/解吸、迁移、生物降解、化学降解等环境行为进行了深入分析,并指出了这些环境行为的影响因素,包括POPs的物质属性、土壤理化性质及周围环境等共性影响因素及其它因素.此外,针对国内外研究现状中存在的问题,提出了相关建议,指出控制土壤POPs污染的根本手段在于管理措施的完善.     

农田土壤重金属污染状况及修复技术研究

重金属污染因具有毒性、易通过食物链在植物,动物和人体内累积,对生态环境和人体健康构成严重威胁。随着工业快速发展、农药及化肥的广泛使用,农田土壤重金属污染越来越严重,研究农田土壤重金属污染现状及修复技术对农产品安全具有重要意义。综合国内外农田土壤重金属污染状况,农田土壤重金属污染主要来源于固体废弃物堆放及处置、工业废物大气沉降、污水农灌和农用物质的不合理施用。该文综述了国内外有关农田重金属污染土壤修复技术（物理修复、化学修复、生物修复、农业生态和联合修复）的研究进展,并针对各种修复方法,阐述了其原理、修复条件、应用实例及其优缺点,重点论述了植物修复的机理和应用,提出了草本与木本联合修复可有效提高农田土壤重金属复合污染的修复效率,为农田土壤土壤重金属复合污染修复提出了新的途径。最后在对已有研究分析的基础上,提出了联合修复技术（如生物联合技术、物理化学联合技术和物理化学-生物联合技术）可以在一定程度上克服使用单一修复手段存在的缺点,可提高复合污染的修复效率、降低修复成本,未来应深入探索联合修复技术间的相互作用机理,以期为农田土壤重金属综合治理与污染修复提供科学依据。     

纳米材料的环境行为及其毒理学研究进展

随着纳米科技的迅速发展,纳米材料被广泛应用于工业、农业、食品、日用品、医药等领域.在纳米材料广泛应用的同时,其不可避免地会被释放到环境中(包括水体、空气和土壤),对生态系统产生不利影响.与常规物质相比,纳米材料具有独特的物理、化学性质,其对生态系统生物种群和个体的潜在负面影响不容忽视.在总结国内外相关研究基础上,论文对纳米材料在水体、大气和土壤中的环境行为和生态毒性进行了综述.     

土壤原位修复技术研究与应用进展

土壤原位修复技术是指不经挖掘,直接在污染场地就地修复污染土壤的土壤修复技术,具有投资低,对周边环境影响小的特点,是土壤修复的研究热点。土壤原位修复技术主要有淋洗,气相抽提（SVE）,多相抽提（MPVE）,气相喷射（IAS）,生物降解,原位化学氧化（ISCO）,原位化学还原,污染物固定,植物修复等。淋洗法主要用于治理高渗透性土壤中的重金属和难挥发降解的有机物。土壤气相抽提和喷射技术适用于处理土壤中的易挥发污染物,并有常与加热技术,生物处理技术等联用,可以起到促进污染物挥发,增氧促分解的作用。多相抽提法主要用于治理存在大量非水相流体的污染场地,可将土壤中有机相污染物直接抽出。生物降解有生物好氧降解、生物厌氧降解、生物还原降解多种,降解方式由污染物种类和地质条件决定。化学方法可将污染物氧化或还原为低毒无毒物质,周期一般较短。固定污染物可以直接加入药剂反应生成沉淀,也可制造合适条件使微生物生成可沉淀重金属的离子。植物修复主要用于富集重金属,成本低廉,但富集了重金属的植物体的有效利用尚待进一步研究。土壤原位修复需要因地制宜,灵活结合工期、污染情况、地质条件、地面设施等,得出最经济实用的修复方法,并在辅助提高技术上展开更多研究,使原位修复技术更经济有效。     

荧光量子点在神经毒理学研究中的应用及前景

如今纳米生物技术的研究正以迅猛的势头不断发展。量子点作为一种新型的纳米荧光探针,由于其优越的光电学特性在生物学和毒理学领域有着广阔的应用前景。神经毒理学作为毒理学的一个重要分支,量子点的应用也给该领域带来了技术上的革命。本文重点阐述了量子点作为一种新型单分子技术和一种优秀的荧光探针在神经毒理学研究中的应用。同时,作者还简要介绍了量子点进入机体神经系统的途径和影响其应用的一些因素,为今后量子点的生物安全性研究和更好地应用提供了有价值的参考。     

An emerging market for groundwater remediation in China: Policies,statistics, and future outlook

There is a rapidly emerging and potentially huge market for the remediation of contaminated groundwater in China. The Chinese government published a Water Action Plan in April 2015, a Soil Action Plan in May 2016, and a draft Soil Pollution Prevention and Control Law in June 2017. All of these new policies and regulations put pressures on local governments and contaminated site owners, obliging them to conduct site investigation and to cleanup contaminated groundwater. The Chinese population in northern regions heavily depend on groundwater, with nearly 70% of water supply coming from aquifer sources in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. However, poor groundwater quality due to natural geochemical background and anthropogeic pollution is a serious concern, with poor or very poor quality water observed in nearly 80% of groundwater monitoring wells in 17 northern provinces. Shallow groundwater in many areas has been contaminated by toxic pollutants such as heavy metals and chlorinated organic compounds. There is an urgent need to better understand the situation and to conduct groundwater remediation at contaminated sites. The Chinese government is investing heavily in the research and development for groundwater remediation, which is expected to greatly add to the quality and quantity of groundwater remediation projects in the near future.     

In situ immobilisation remediation of cadmium in artificially contaminated soil: a chemical and ecotoxicological evaluation

A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of sepiolite-induced immobilisation remediation of Cd contaminated soil. The results demonstrated that adding sepiolite significantly increased the soil pH and resulted in 35.1–66.0%, 30.3–48.9%, and 31.6–51.6% reduction in toxicity characteristic leaching procedure of Cd (TCLP-Cd), respectively, for the Cd levels of 1.25, 2.5, and 5?mg/kg compared with the no-sepiolite controls. These decreases in TCLP-Cd were associated with reductions in plant phyotoxicity and Cd absorption, and sepiolite-treated soils resulted in increases of 3.2–38.0%, 34.2–52.3%, and 8.4–51.5% in shoot biomass, respectively, and in decreases of 26.7–39.6%, 17.3–28.5%, and 6.1–21.8% in shoot Cd contents, respectively, under soil Cd concentration of 1.25, 2.5 and 5?mg/kg compared to the unamended soils. The greater microbial biomass and catalase and urease activities after applying sepiolite implied a certain degree of recovery in metabolic function recovery during soil remediation. These results demonstrated that the application of sepiolite not only was effective at reducing Cd bioavailability and the rate of Cd accumulation in plants, but also improved soil environmental quality.     

Fenton氧化法修复石油污染土壤的研究进展

传统的Fenton氧化法（Fe2＋/H2O2）因反应速度过快、需要定期补充Fe2＋、控制pH值≤3等方面的限制而影响到石油烃类污染土壤的修复效果.本文综述了近年来Fenton反应中氧化剂、催化剂的改进及其对土壤中石油污染物的去除效率,揭示了土壤性质、反应条件、污染物结构及非均相催化剂比表面积等因素对去除效率的影响,介绍了超声波前置处理后,Fenton试剂与土壤上解吸的石油污染物接触几率的增加及石油烃类可生物降解性的提高,促进了微生物的后续处理效果,并对该领域的研究趋势进行了展望.     

二氧化锰基纳米材料对重金属离子的去除及机理研究进展

重金属离子对人类健康和环境安全产生了严重威胁,因此重金属废水高效处理成为了环境领域最具挑战性的热点问题之一.二氧化锰(MnO_2)是一种环境友好型金属氧化物,具有来源广泛、成本低廉、形貌多样、晶型丰富、结构稳定、粒径可控等优异的性质,在重金属离子的去除应用上展现出巨大的潜力.近年来,人们利用MnO_2基纳米材料在重金属离子的有效治理方面开展了大量的研究.本文综述了MnO_2基纳米材料在重金属离子环境修复方面取得的研究进展,包括MnO_2的制备和改性方法,MnO_2基纳米材料在水溶液重金属离子去除中的应用及吸附作用机制,并对研究方向进行了总结和展望,旨在为进一步设计合成对重金属离子的吸附去除具有实际应用价值的MnO_2基纳米材料提供参考.