Bio-immobilization and recovery of chromium using a denitrifying biofilm system: Identification of reaction zone, binding forms and end products

Chromium is an important resource in strategic metals. Different from most studies focusing on the bio-reduction of hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)], this study aims to achieve the immobilization and recovery of chromium using a sequencing batch biofilm reactor. Results showed that Cr(VI) removal efficiency remained more than 99%, and 97% of reduced Cr(III) was immobilized in the biofilm. Immobilization zone, chromium forms and extracellular polymeric substances composition changes were combined to reveal the mechanism of Cr(VI) reduction and immobilization. The chromium distribution in biofilm demonstrated that intercellular layer was the main active zone with an immobilization amount of 891.70±126.32 mg/g-VSS. The reduced products analysis confirmed that trivalent chromium [Cr(III)] chelated with carboxyl, amino and other functional groups and immobilized in the form of organic Cr(III). The digestion method realized a chromium recovery efficiency of 74.59%. This study provides an alternative method for the bioremediation and resources recovery in chromium polluted wastewater.     

Dissimilatory Fe(III) reduction characteristics of paddy soil extract cultures treated with glucose or fatty acids

Dissimilatory Fe(Ⅲ) reduction is a universal process with irreplaceable biological and environmental importance in anoxic environments. Our knowledge about Fe(Ⅲ) reduction predominantly comes from pure cultures of dissimilatory Fe(Ⅲ) reducing bacteria (DFRB). The objective of this study was to compare the effects of glucose and a selection of short organic acids (citrate, succinate, pyruvate, propionate, acetate, and formate) on Fe(Ⅲ) reduction via the anaerobic culture of three paddy soil solutions with Fe(OH)3 as the sole electron acceptor. The results showed significant differences in Fe(Ⅲ) reduction among the three paddy soil solutions and suhstrate types. Bacteria from the Sichuan paddy soil responded quickly to substrate supply and showed higher Fe(Ⅲ) reducing activity than the other two soil types. Bacteria in the Jiangxi paddy soil culture solution could not use propionate as a source of electrons for Fe(Ⅲ) reduction. Similarly, bacteria in the Jilin paddy soil culture could not use succinate effectively. Pyruvate was readily used by cultures from all three paddy soil solutions, thus indicating that there were some similarities in substrate utilization by bacteria for Fe(Ⅲ) reduction. The use of glucose and citrate as substrate for dissimilatory Fe(Ⅲ) reduction indicates important ecological implications for this type of anoxic respiration.     

In situ construction of Z-scheme FeS2/Fe2O3 photocatalyst via structural transformation of pyrite for photocatalytic degradation of carbamazepine and the synergistic reduction of Cr(VI)

Pyrite is the most abundant sulfide semiconductor mineral with excellent optical properties. However, few reports have investigated its photocatalytic activity because of the low photogenerated carrier separation efficiency. In this work, a Z-scheme FeS₂/Fe₂O₃ composite photocatalyst was fabricated in situ via structural transformation of pyrite through heat treatment. A remarkably enhanced photocatalytic performance was observed over the FeS₂/Fe₂O₃ composite photocatalyst. Compared with the pristine pyrite, the degradation efficiency of carbamazepine (CBZ) reached 65% at the added hexavalent chromium (Cr(Ⅵ)) concentration of 20 mg/L and the Cr(Ⅵ) was nearly completely reduced in the mixed system using FeS₂/Fe₂O₃ within 30 min under simulated solar light irradiation. The enhanced photocatalytic activity can be attributed to the efficient separation and transfer of photogenerated carriers in the FeS₂/Fe₂O₃ composite photocatalyst. This facilitated the generation of ?OH, hole (h⁺) and ?O₂^? species, which participated in the photocatalytic reaction with CBZ. Based on the measurement of the active species and electric properties, a Z-scheme electron transfer pathway was proposed for the FeS₂/Fe₂O₃ composite photocatalyst. This work broadens the application potential of pyrite in environmental remediation.     

Arsenic and cadmium removal from water by a calcium-modified and starch-stabilized ferromanganese binary oxide

A new calcium-modified and starch-stabilized ferromanganese binary oxide (Ca-SFMBO)sorbent was fabricated with different Ca concentrations for the adsorption of arsenic (As)and cadmium (Cd) in water.The maximum As(Ⅲ) and Cd(Ⅱ) adsorption capacities of 1%CaSFMBO were 156.25 mg/g and 107.53 mg/g respectively in single-adsorption systems.The adsorption of As and Cd by the Ca-SFMBO sorbent was pH-dependent at values from 1 to 7,with an optimal adsorption pH of 6.In the dual-adsorbate system,the pres...     

Sodium citrate and biochar synergistic improvement of nanoscale zero-valent iron composite for the removal of chromium (Ⅵ) in aqueous solutions

Sodium citrate (SC) is a widely-used food and industrial additive with the properties of complexation and microbial degradation. In the present study, nano-zero-valent iron reaction system ([email protected]) was successfully established by modifying nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) with SC and biochar (BC), and was employed to remove Cr(Ⅵ) from aqueous solutions. The nZVI, SC-nZVI and [email protected] were characterized and compared using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analyses (TGA), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results showed that nZVI was successfully loaded on the biochar, and both the agglomeration and surface passivation problems of nanoparticles were well resolved. The dosage of SC, C:Fe, initial pH and Cr(Ⅵ) concentration demonstrated direct effects on the removal efficiency. The maximum Cr(Ⅵ) removal rate and the removal capacity within 60 min were 99.7% and 199.46 mg/g, respectively (C:Fe was 1:1, SC dosage was 1.12 mol.%, temperature was 25°C, pH = 7, and the original concentration of Cr(Ⅵ) was 20 mg/L). The reaction confirmed to follow the pseudo-second-order reaction kinetics, and the order of the reaction rate constant k was as follows: [email protected] > [email protected] > SC-nZVI > nZVI. In addition, the mechanism of Cr(Ⅵ) removal by [email protected] mainly involved adsorption, reduction and co-precipitation, and the reduction of Cr(Ⅵ) to Cr(Ⅲ) by nano Fe⁰ played a vital role. Findings from the present study demonstrated that the [email protected] exhibited excellent removal efficiency toward Cr(Ⅵ) with an improved synergistic characteristic by SC and BC.     

Clean and effective removal of Cl(-I) from strongly acidic wastewater by PbO2

Recycling strongly acidic wastewater as diluted H₂SO₄ after contaminants contained being removed was previously proposed, however, Cl(-I), a kind of contaminant contained in strongly acidic wastewater, is difficult to remove, which severely degrades the quality of recycled H₂SO₄. In this study, the removal of Cl(-I) using PbO₂ was investigated and the involved mechanisms were explored. The removal efficiency of Cl(-I) reached 93.38% at 50℃ when PbO₂/Cl(-I) mole ratio reached 2:1. The identification of reaction products shows that Cl(-I) was oxidized to Cl₂, and PbO₂ was reduced to PbSO₄. Cl₂ was absorbed by NaOH to form NaClO, which was used for the regeneration of PbO₂ from the generated PbSO₄. Cl(-I) was removed through two pathways, i.e., surface oxidation and •OH radical oxidation. •OH generated by the reaction of PbO₂ and OH⁻ plays an important role in Cl(-I) removal. The regenerated PbO₂ had excellent performance to remove Cl(-I) after six-time regeneration. This study provided an in-depth understanding on the effective removal of Cl(-I) by the oxidation method.     

Influence of the structure and composition of Fe–Mn binary oxides on rGO on As(III) removal from aquifers

Fe–Mn binary oxide (FMBO) possesses high efficiency for As(III) abatement based on the good adsorption affinity of iron oxide and the oxidizing capacity of Mn(IV), and the composition and structure of FMBO play important roles in this process. To compare the removal performance and determine the optimum formula for FMBO, magnetic graphene oxide (MRGO)–FMBO and MRGO–MnO₂ were synthesized with MRGO as a carrier to improve the dispersity of the adsorbents in aquifers and achieve magnetic recycling. Results indicated that MRGO–FMBO had higher As(III) removal than that of MRGO–MnO₂, although the ratios of Fe and Mn were similar, because the binary oxide of Fe and Mn facilitated electron transfer from Mn(IV) to As(III), while the separation of Mn and Fe on MRGO–MnO₂ restricted the process. The optimal stoichiometry x for MRGO–FMBO (Mn_xFe_3-xO₄) was 0.46, and an extraordinary adsorption capacity of 24.38 mg/g for As(III) was achieved. MRGO–FMBO showed stable dispersive properties in aquifers, and exhibited excellent practicability and reusability, with a saturation magnetization of 7.6 emu/g and high conservation of magnetic properties after 5 cycles of regeneration and reuse. In addition, the presence of coexisting ions would not restrict the practical application of MRGO–FMBO in groundwater remediation. The redox reactions of As(III) and Mn(IV) on MRGO–FMBO were also described. The deprotonated aqueous As(III) on the surface of MRGO–FMBO transferred electrons to Mn(IV), and the formed As(V) oxyanions were bound to ferric oxide as inner-sphere complexes by coordinating their “–OH” groups with Mn(IV) oxides at the surface of MRGO–FMBO. This work could provide new insights into high-performance removal of As(III) in aquifers.     

Annual variations of black carbon over the Yangtze River Delta from 2015 to 2018

In this study,the black carbon (BC) measurements in the atmosphere of Nanjing,China were continuously conducted from 2015 to 2018 using a Model AE-33 aethalometer.By combining dataset of PM_2.5,PM₁₀,CO,NO₂,SO₂,O₃ and meteorological parameters,the temporal variations and the source apportionment of BC were given in this study.The results showed that the PM_2.5 mass concentrations decreased in Nanjing,with an average annual rate of va...     

Methane emission via sediment and water interface in the Bohai Sea, China

Sediment is recognized as the largest reservoir and source of methane (CH₄) in the ocean, especially in the shallow coastal areas. To date, few data of CH₄ concentration in sediment have been reported in the China shelf seas. In this study, we measured CH₄ concentration in sediment and overlying seawater columns, and conducted an incubation experiment in the Bohai Sea in May 2017. CH₄ concentration was found to be ranged from 3.075 to 1.795 μmol/L in sediment, which was 2 to 3 orders of magnitude higher than that in overlying seawater columns. The surface sediment was an important source of CH₄, while bottom seawater acted as its sink. Furthermore, the net emission rate via sediment water interface (SWI) was calculated as 2.45 μmol/(m²∙day) based on the incubation experiment at station 73, and the earthquake may enhance CH₄ release from sediment to seawater column in the eastern Bohai Sea.     

Patterns and drivers of CH4 concentration and diffusive flux from a temperate river–reservoir system in North China

Freshwater reservoirs are regarded as an important anthropogenic source of methane (CH₄) emissions. The temporal and spatial variability of CH₄ emissions from different reservoirs results in uncertainty in the estimation of the global CH₄ budget. In this study, surface water CH₄ concentrations were measured and diffusive CH₄ fluxes were estimated via a thin boundary layer model in a temperate river–reservoir system in North China, using spatial (33 sites) and temporal (four seasons) monitoring; the system has experienced intensive aquaculture disturbance. Our results indicated that the dissolved CH₄ concentration in the reservoir ranged from 0.07 to 0.58 µmol/L, with an annual average of 0.13 ± 0.10 µmol/L, and the diffusive CH₄ flux across the water–air interface ranged from 0.66 to 3.61 μmol/(m²•hr), with an annual average of 1.67 ± 0.75 μmol/(m²•hr). During the study period, the dissolved CH₄ concentration was supersaturated and was a net source of atmospheric CH₄. Notably, CH₄ concentration and diffusive flux portrayed large temporal and spatial heterogeneity. The river inflow zone was determined to be a hotspot for CH₄ emissions, and its flux was significantly higher than that of the tributary and main basin; the CH₄ flux in autumn was greater than that in other seasons. We also deduced that the CH₄ concentration/diffusive flux was co-regulated mainly by water temperature, water depth, and water productivity (Chla, trophic status). Our results highlight the importance of considering the spatiotemporal variability of diffusive CH₄ flux from temperate reservoirs to estimate the CH₄ budget at regional and global scales.     

草酸盐影响污染土壤中砷释放的研究

选取3种砷污染土壤,以草酸钾为提取剂在pH为5.5时解吸污染土壤中的砷,研究了草酸盐从0～10.0mmol·L-1浓度范围内对污染土壤中砷的释放和化学形态的影响.研究结果表明,土壤中砷的释放量随提取时间的增加而增加,在提取时间6h左右砷释放量最大.3价砷、5价砷的释放量随草酸盐浓度的增加而增大,5价砷释放量较3价砷大.同时发现土壤中Fe、Al的共同释放量与砷的释放量存在显著的线性关系.     

异化Mn(IV)还原耦合降解卡马西平及双氯芬酸

本文以卡马西平（CBZ）和双氯芬酸（DCF）2种代表性有机药物作为目标污染物,嘉陵江沉积物中提取的微生物作为菌源,利用锰矿物为填料的厌氧生物滤柱探究了异化锰还原过程对CBZ和DCF的处理效果.同时研究了外加有机碳源（乙酸钠）和MnO₂对异化锰还原去除CBZ和DCF过程的影响.结果表明,在无外加乙酸钠和MnO₂时,厌氧生物滤柱对10μg/L的CBZ和DCF能分别实现25.23%和32.44%的去除.其中异化锰还原贡献的去除率分别为2.81%和14.87%,而外加0.5g/L乙酸钠和25g MnO₂均能提高异化锰还原过程中对CBZ的处理效果（分别提高6.35%和4.63%）,但对DCF的去除无显著影响.本试验可为难降解有机药物的降解提供新的思路.     

异化Mn(IV)还原菌激活及其对有机药物去除

以嘉陵江沉积物为菌源,利用荧光绝对定量（qPCR）技术探究了不同碳源（葡萄糖和乙酸钠）和不同形态的锰氧化物（δ-MnO₂和锰矿粉）对异化Mn（IV）还原菌激活效果的影响.在此基础上,研究了激活效果最佳的异化Mn（IV）还原菌对卡马西平、布洛芬、萘普生、雌激素和双氯芬酸5种有机药物的去除效果.结果表明,葡萄糖作为碳源,δ-MnO₂作为电子受体时激活效果最佳,Mn²⁺10d累计生成浓度达416.03mg/L,TOC消耗率达88.24%.激活后的异化金属还原菌在有无外加碳源时对卡马西平和布洛芬均无明显去除,对萘普生在外加碳源时能实现11.88%的去除.雌二醇和双氯芬酸可以作为异化Mn（IV）还原菌唯一碳源,其去除率可达75.70%和58.25%.     

利用皂土吸附和介电泳方法间接去除水中的Mn2+

水中重金属去除一直是水处理的技术难点.锰虽然是动物必需的微量元素之一,但是人和动物摄入过量的锰会对神经系统等产生毒害.利用皂土吸附水中的重金属Mn2+,在装有微电极阵列芯片的介电泳池研究装置中,通过调节外加交流电压,捕获悬浮液中的皂土从而间接去除Mn2+.吸附了微量重金属离子的皂土被捕获到电场强度较大的区域,发生了正介电泳.该研究为建立一种从废水中间接去除重金属离子的实际可行方法奠定了实验基础,不存在二次污染.     

Phase transformation of Cr(VI)-adsorbed ferrihydrite in the presence of Mn(II): Fate of Mn(II) and Cr(VI)

Ferrihydrite is an important sink for the toxic heavy metal ions, such as Cr(VI). As ferrihydrite is thermodynamically unstable and gradually transforms into hematite and goethite, the stability of Cr(VI)-adsorbed ferrihydrite is environmentally significant. This study investigated the phase transformation of Cr(VI)-adsorbed ferrihydrite at different pH in the presence of aqueous Mn(II), as well as the fate of Mn(II) and Cr(VI) in the transformation process of ferrihydrite. Among the ferrihydrite transformation products, hematite was dominant, and goethite was minor. The pre-adsorbed Cr(VI) inhibited the conversion of ferrihydrite to goethite at initial pH 3.0, whereas little amount of adsorbed Mn(II) favored the formation of goethite at initial pH 7.0. After the aging process, Cr species in solid phase existed primarily as Cr(III) in the presence of Mn(II) at initial pH 7.0 and 11.0. The aqueous Mn concentration was predominantly unchanged at initial pH 3.0, whereas the aqueous Mn(II) was adsorbed onto ferrihydrite or form Mn(OH)₂ precipitates at initial pH 7.0 and 11.0, promoting the immobilization of Cr(VI). Moreover, the oxidation of Mn(II) occurred at initial pH 7.0 and 11.0, forming Mn(III/IV) (hydr)oxides.     

The effect of light on the Mn(II) or Fet(lll)-catalyzed oxidation of aqueous S(IV)

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Adsorption and desorption of Cu(Ⅱ) and Pb(Ⅱ) in paddy soils cultivated for various years in the subtropical China

The adsorption and desorption of Cu(Ⅱ) and Pb(Ⅱ) on upland red soil,and paddy soils which were originated from the upland soil and cultivated for 8,15,35 and 85 years,were investigated using the batch method.The study showed that the organic matter content and cation exchange capacity (CEC) of the soils are important factors controlling the adsorption and desorption of Cu(Ⅱ) and Pb(Ⅱ).The 15-Year paddy soil had the highest adsorption capacity for Pb(Ⅱ),followed by the 35-Year paddy soil.Both the 35-Year paddy soil and 15-Year paddy soil adsorbed more Cu(Ⅱ) than the upland soil and other paddy soils.The 15-Year paddy soils exhibited the highest desorption percentage for both Cu(Ⅱ) and Pb(Ⅱ).These results are consistent with the trend for the CEC of the soils tested.The high soil CEC contributes not only to the adsorption of Cu(Ⅱ) and Pb(Ⅱ) but also to the electrostatic adsorption of the two heavy metals by the soils.Lower desorption percentages for Cu(Ⅱ) (36.7% to 42.2%) and Pb(Ⅱ) (50.4% to 57.9%) were observed for the 85-Year paddy soil.The highest content of organic matter in the soil was responsible for the low desorption percentages for the two metals because the formation of the complexes between the organic matter and the metals could increase the stability of the heavy metals in the soils.     

Migration and transformation of Sb are affected by Mn(III/IV) associated with lepidocrocite originating from Fe(II) oxidation

Antimony (Sb) is a recognized priority pollutant with toxicity that is influenced by its migration and transformation processes. Oxidation of Fe(II) to Fe(III) oxides, which is a common phenomenon in the environment, is often accompanied by the formation of Mn(III/IV) and might affect the fate of Sb. In this study, incorporated Mn(III) and sorbed/precipitated Mn(III/IV) associated with lepidocrocite were prepared by adding Mn(II) during and after Fe(II) oxidation, respectively, and the effects of these Mn species on Sb fate were investigated. Our results indicated that the association of these Mn species with lepidocrocite obviously enhanced Sb(III) oxidation to Sb(V), while concomitantly inhibiting Sb sorption due to the lower sorption capacity of lepidocrocite for Sb(V) than Sb(III). Additionally, Mn oxide equivalents increased in the presence of Sb, indicating that Sb oxidation by Mn(III/IV) associated with lepidocrocite was a continuous recycling process in which Mn(II) released from Mn(III/IV) reduction by Sb(III) could be oxidized to Mn(III/IV) again. This recycling process was favorable for effective Sb(III) oxidation. Moreover, Sb(V) generated from Sb(III) oxidation by Mn(III/IV) enhanced Mn(II) sorption at the beginning of the process, and thus favored Mn(III/IV) formation, which could further promote Sb(III) oxidation to Sb(V). Overall, this study elucidated the effects of Mn(III/IV) associated with lepidocrocite arisen from Fe(II) oxidation on Sb migration and transformation and revealed the underlying reaction mechanisms, contributing to a better understanding of the geochemical dynamics of Sb.     

Induced transformation of antimony trioxide by Mn(II) oxidation and their co-transformed mechanism

Antimony (Sb) is a toxic and carcinogenic element that often enters soil in the form of antimony trioxide (Sb₂O₃) and coexists with manganese (Mn) in weakly alkaline conditions. Mn oxides such as birnessite have been found to promote the oxidative dissolution of Sb₂O₃, but few researches concerned the co-transformations of Sb₂O₃ and Mn(II) in environment. This study investigated the mutual effect of abiotic oxidation of Mn(II) and the coupled oxidative dissolution of Sb₂O₃. The influencing factors, such as Mn(II) concentrations, pH and oxygen were also discussed. Furthermore, their co-transformed mechanism was also explored based on the analysis of Mn(II) oxidation products with or without Sb₂O₃ using XRD, SEM and XPS. The results showed that the oxidative dissolution of Sb₂O₃ was enhanced under higher pH and higher Mn(II) loadings. With a lower Mn(II) concentration such as 0.01 mmol/L Mn(II) at pH 9.0, the improved dissolution of Sb₂O₃ was attributed to the generation of dissolved intermediate Mn(III) species with strong oxidation capacity. However, under higher Mn(II) concentrations, both amorphous Mn(III) oxides and intermediate Mn(III) species were responsible for promoting the oxidative dissolution of Sb₂O₃. Most released Sb (∼72%) was immobilized by Mn oxides and Sb(V) was dominant in the adsorbed and dissolved total Sb. Meanwhile, the presence of Sb₂O₃ not only inhibited the removal of Mn(II) by reducing Mn(III) to Mn(II) but also affected the final products of Mn oxides. For example, amorphous Mn oxides were formed instead of crystalline Mn(III) oxides, such as MnOOH. Furthermore, rhodochrosite (MnCO₃) was formed with the high Mn(II)/Sb₂O₃ ratio_, but without being observed in the low Mn(II)/Sb₂O₃ ratio. The results of study could help provide more understanding about the fate of Sb in the environment and the redox transformation of Mn.     

Cu(II), Fe(III) and Mn(II) combinations as environmental stress factors have distinguishing effects on Enterococcus hirae

Pollution by various heavy metals as environmental stress factors might affect bacteria. It was established that iron (Fe(III)), manganese (Mn(II)) and copper (Cu(II)) ion combinations caused effects on Enterococcus hirae that differed from the sum of the effects when the metals were added separately. It was shown that the Cu^2 +–Fe^3 + combination decreased the growth and ATPase activity of membrane vesicles of wild-type E. hirae ATCC9790 and atpD mutant (with defective F_oF₁-ATPase) MS116. Addition of Mn^2 +–Fe^3 + combinations within the same concentration range had no effects on growth compared to control (without heavy metals). ATPase activity was increased in the presence of Mn^2 +–Fe^3 +, while together with 0.2 mmol/L N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD), ATPase activity was decreased compared to control (when only 0.2 mmol/L DCCD was present). These results indicate that heavy metals ion combinations probably affect the F_OF₁-ATPase, leading to conformational changes. Moreover the action may be direct or be mediated by environment redox potential. The effects observed when Fe^3 + was added separately disappeared in both cases, which might be a result of competing processes between Fe^3 + and other heavy metals. These findings are novel and improve the understanding of heavy metals ions effects on bacteria, and could be applied for regulation of stress response patterns in the environment.