Foliar uptake and metal(loid) bioaccessibility in vegetables exposed to particulate matter

At the global scale, high concentrations of particulate matter (PM) enriched with metal(loid)s are currently observed in the atmosphere of urban areas. Foliar lead uptake was demonstrated for vegetables exposed to airborne PM. Our main objective here was to highlight the health risk associated with the consumption of vegetables exposed to foliar deposits of PM enriched with the various metal(loid)s frequently observed in the atmosphere of urban areas (Cd, Sb, Zn and Pb). Leaves of mature cabbage and spinach were exposed to manufactured mono-metallic oxide particles (CdO, Sb₂O₃ and ZnO) or to complex process PM mainly enriched with lead. Total and bioaccessible metal(loid) concentrations were then measured for polluted vegetables and the various PM used as sources. Finally, scanning electronic microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis was used to study PM–phyllosphere interactions. High quantities of Cd, Sb, Zn and Pb were taken up by the plant leaves. These levels depended on both the plant species and nature of the PM, highlighting the interest of acquiring data for different plants and sources of exposure in order to better identify and manage health risks. A maximum of 2 % of the leaf surfaces were covered with the PM. However, particles appeared to be enriched in stomatal openings, with up to 12 % of their area occupied. Metal(loid) bioaccessibility was significantly higher for vegetables compared to PM sources, certainly due to chemical speciation changes. Taken together, these results confirm the importance of taking atmospheric PM into account when assessing the health risks associated with ingestion of vegetables grown in urban vegetable crops or kitchen gardens.     

Investigation of fluorescence characterization and electrochemical behavior on the catalysts of nanosized Pt-Rh/γ-Al2O3 to oxidize gaseous ammonia

This work describes the environmentally friendly technology for oxidation of ammonia (NH₃) to form nitrogen at temperatures range from 423K to 673K by selective catalytic oxidation (SCO) over a nanosized Pt-Rh/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst prepared by the incipient wetness impregnation method of hexachloroplatinic acid (H₂PtCl₆) and rhodium (III) nitrate (Rh(NO₃)₃) with γ-Al₂O₃ in a tubular fixed-bed flow quartz reactor (TFBR). The characterization of catalysts were thoroughly measured using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), threedimensional excitation-emission fluorescent matrix (EEFM) spectroscopy, UV-Vis absorption, dynamic lightscattering (DLS), zeta potential meter, and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The results demonstrated that at a temperature of 673K and an oxygen content of 4%, approximately 99% of the NH₃ was removed by catalytic oxidation over the nanosized Pt-Rh/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst. N₂ was the main product in NH₃-SCO process. Further, it reveals that the oxidation of NH₃ was proceeds by the over-oxidation of NH₃ into NO, which was conversely reacted with the NH₃ to yield N₂. Therefore, the application of nanosized Pt-Rh/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst can significantly enhance the catalytic activity toward NH₃ oxidation. One fluorescent peak for fresh catalyst was different with that of exhausted catalyst. It indicates that EEFM spectroscopy was proven to be an appropriate and effective method to characterize the Pt clusters in intrinsic emission from nanosized Pt-Rh/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst. Results obtained from the CV may explain the significant catalytic activity of the catalysts.     

Non-photosynthetic oxygen production and non-respiratory oxygen uptake in the dark: a theory of oxygen dynamics in plankton communities

Plankton respiration is commonly measured in terms of oxygen uptake, usually employing the Winkler method, much less commonly the polarographic method. Both methods produce results that can be misinterpreted when H₂O₂ production and decomposition are ignored. This paper: (1) presents experimental evidence of significant H₂O₂ involvement during plankton incubation in dark bottles, (2) explains how results differ between the Winkler and polarographic methods in the presence of H₂O₂, (3) discusses how this difference is clouded by side issues of variability inherent in the Winkler technique and the use of different bottle sizes, and (4) shows that unexpected and variable results of light-/dark-bottle incubations can all be explained by a theory of H₂O₂ production and decomposition. During an initial period in the dark, when plankton respiration has been poisoned by mercuric chloride or chloroform, O₂ increase can be measured with a polarographic oxy‐gen sensor (POS). The trend in O₂ changes is linear for several days when only respiration is occurring, but curvilinear when there is concurrent O₂ production. O₂ production in the dark and H₂O₂ decomposition are one and the same process. Measurement of oxygen by Winkler analysis and POS produce different results when H₂O₂ is present because the former method measures oxidizing equivalent while a POS measures O₂ pressure. A real difference in results between the two methods is prima facie evidence that H₂O₂ is involved. The synthesis of this new empirical evidence with diverse knowledge from various fields shows that the common practice of estimating gross community primary production from oxygen changes in light and dark bottles is based on untenable assumptions. Received: 15 April 1997 / Accepted: 17 June 1997     

Acute toxicity of potassium permanganate to Caspian roach Rutilus rutilus caspicus in two size classes and under different aeration conditions

Caspian roach, Rutilus rutilus caspicus, might experience potassium permanganate (PM) toxicity, because it is common and widely used disinfectant in fish rearing and propagation centers in Iran. Thus, acute toxicity (24-h-LC₅₀) of PM was determined on Caspian roach in two size classes (small and large groups), under aerated and non-aerated conditions, using static non-renewal system. 24-h-LC₅₀ for PM in Caspian roach was 3.2, 3, 3.2, and 2.8?mg?L^?1 in large-aerated, large-non-aerated, small-aerated, and small-non-aerated groups, respectively. Results indicated that aeration was led to decrease in PM toxicity, regardless of size class. However, large fish showed more tolerance to PM toxicity compared to small ones, under non-aerated condition. It is concluded that aeration could decrease the toxicity of PM that seems to be due to the increase in PM degradation, derived from increase in water turbulence. It is suggested that 96-h-LC₅₀ may be more suitable to determine the effects of fish size on PM toxicity than 24-h-LC₅₀.     

Photochemical indicators of ozone sensitivity: application in the Pearl River Delta,China

Surface O₃ production has a highly nonlinear relationship with its precursors. The spatial and temporal heterogeneity of O₃-NO _x -VOC-sensitivity regimes complicates the control-decision making. In this paper, the indicator method was used to establish the relationship between O₃ sensitivity and assessment indicators. Six popular ratios indicating ozone-precursor sensitivity, HCHO/NO _y , H₂O₂/ HNO₃, O₃/NO _y , O₃/NO _z , O₃/HNO₃, and H₂O₂/NO _z , were evaluated based on the distribution of NO_x- and VOC-sensitive regimes. WRF-Chem was used to study a serious ozone episode in fall over the Pearl River Delta (PRD). It was found that the south-west of the PRD is characterized by a VOCsensitive regime, while its north-east is NO _x -sensitive, with a sharp transition area between the two regimes. All indicators produced good representations of the elevated ozone hours in the episode on 6 November 2009, with H₂O₂/HNO₃ being the best indicator. The threshold sensitivity levels for HCHO/NO_y, H₂O₂/HNO₃, O₃/NO _y , O₃/NO _z , O₃/HNO₃, and H₂O₂/NO _z were estimated to be 0.41, 0.55, 10.2, 14.0, 19.1, and 0.38, respectively. Threshold intervals for the indicators H₂O₂/HNO₃, O₃/NO _y , O₃/NO _z , O₃/HNO₃, and H₂O₂/NO _z were able to identify more than 95% of VOC- and NO _x -sensitive grids. The ozone episode on 16 November 16 2008 was used to independently verify the results, and it was found that only H₂O₂/HNO₃ and H₂O₂/NO _z were able to differentiate the ozone sensitivity regime well. Hence, these two ratios are suggested as the most appropriate indicators for identifying fall ozone sensitivity in the PRD. Since the species used for indicators have seasonal variation, the utility of those indicators for other seasons should be investigated in the future work.

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O3对水稻叶片氮代谢、脯氨酸和谷胱甘肽含量的影响

臭氧(O3)被认为是重要的气污染物之一,水稻又是主要的粮食作物,因而准确地评估O3浓度升高对水稻生长发育的影响具有十分重要的意义。采用开顶式气室法模拟研究了O3对水稻叶片可见伤害症状、氮代谢、脯氨酸和谷胱甘肽含量的影响。结果显示,O3污染胁迫会导致水稻叶片产生明显的伤害症状,具体表现为:老叶叶鞘褪绿,有褐斑,直至完全干枯;稻穗小且黄化,籽粒不饱满;水稻成熟期提前等。O3浓度升高对水稻叶片的硝酸还原酶活性有显著影响。当O3浓度为40、80和120nL.L-1时,水稻叶片硝酸还原酶活性与对照组相比均降低,其中,分蘖期分别降低了25.3%、67.4%和86.3%;拔节期分别降低了57.4%、75.7%和97.8%;抽穗期分别降低了91.0%、97.2%和99.3%;乳熟期分别降低了89.5%、89.5%和96.7%。水稻叶片铵态氮和硝态氮含量随着O3浓度的升高而显著地降低,例如当O3浓度为40、80和120nL.L-1时,与对照相比,水稻叶片硝态氮含量分别降低46.3%、52.7%和65.7%,铵态氮含量分别降低6.5%、12.9%和43.4%。O3污染胁迫下水稻叶片脯氨酸含量在不同生长期变化不同,分蘖期、拔节期和抽穗期脯氨酸含量在40nL.L-1浓度O3熏蒸下急剧地提高,但是随着O3浓度的增加,脯氨酸含量又不断地降低。在水稻乳熟期,脯氨酸含量均随着O3浓度的增加而显著地下降。O3污染胁迫导致水稻叶片还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量显著低于对照组,而氧化型谷胱甘肽(GSSG)含量显著高于对照组。当O3浓度为40、80和120nL.L-1时,乳熟期水稻叶片GSH含量分别比对照组降低68.7%、80.2%和78.2%,GSSG含量分别比对照提高494.4%、527.2%和439.8%。研究表明,O3污染胁迫对水稻叶片氮代谢和抗氧化系统产生了极显著的影响。     

Troposphärisches Ozon: Entstehung, Konzentrationsvariabilität und Wirkung unter dem Gesichtspunkt der Ozonminderung

This paper is an attempt to summarise and critically assess our knowledge on the formation, variation in concentrations and impact of ozone under the aspect of abatement strategies. The present ozone budget is determined to about 50% through human activities where methane and carbon monoxide contribute more than 80% to ozone formation. This “residual” or “background” ozone determines the annual mean ozone concentration. Due to the long time period (months and years) required for CH₄ and CO oxidation, both compounds do not contribute to the excessive ozone concentrations often found in the summer. Moreover, the increase in tropospheric ozone is becoming a global problem. Because emissions of CH₄ and CO are increasing globally, the “background” ozone will also increase in the future. Non-methanehydrocarbons (NMHC) may produce O₃ within a few days because of their high reactivity concerning oxidants. For photochemical O₃ formation, the source-sink budget has to be taken into account for making an estimation of the net ozone formation. Ozone accumulation only occurs when the removal potential (especially heterogeneous processes within clouds, but also a reduction in the net photochemical formation) of the air mass is small. This “excess” ozone has been reduced successfully within the last decade, most likely as a result of automobile catalyst use. An impact of O₃ on humans has been found only for concentrations >100 ppb. Thus, O₃ should not be a problem for people. Although vegetation is much more sensitive (esp. conifers), it is not possible to present reliable thresholds at present. There is evidence that the dose (accumulation exposure) is an important criterion. Therefore, a mean annual concentration which may possibly be increasing further should be the target of air pollution controls. Former measures and ideas of ozone controlling have no usefulness in this sense.     

Sensitivity of air quality model prediction to parameterization of vertical eddy diffusivity

This paper investigates the effects of vertical eddy diffusivities derived from the 3 different planetary boundary layer (PBL) schemes on predictions of chemical components in the troposphere of East Asia. Three PBL schemes were incorporated into a regional air quality model (RAQM) to represent vertical mixing process and sensitivity simulations were conducted with the three schemes while other options are identical. At altitudes <2km, all schemes exhibit similar skill for predicting SO₂ and O₃, but more difference in the predicted NO_x concentration. The Gayno–Seaman scheme produces the smallest vertical eddy diffusivity (Kz) among all schemes, leading to higher SO₂ and NO_x concentrations near the surface than that from the other 2 schemes. However, the effect of vertical mixing on O₃ concentration is complex and varies spatially due to chemistry. The Gayno–Seaman scheme predicts lower O₃ concentrations than the other two schemes in the parts of northern China (generally VOC-limited) and higher ones in most parts of southern China (NO_x-limited). The Byun and Dennis scheme produces the largest mixing depth in the daytime, which bring more NO_x into upper levels, and the mixing depth predicted by the Gayno–Seaman scheme is the smallest, leading to higher NO_x and lower O₃ concentrations near the surface over intensive emission regions.     

Catalytic ozonation performance and surface property of supported Fe3O4 catalysts dispersions

Fe₃O₄ was supported on mesoporous Al₂O₃ or SiO₂ (50 wt.%) using an incipient wetness impregnation method, and Fe₃O₄/Al₂O₃ exhibited higher catalytic efficiency for the degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and para-chlorobenzoic acid aqueous solution with ozone. The effect and morphology of supported Fe₃O₄ on catalytic ozonation performance were investigated based on the characterization results of X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, BET analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results indicated that the physical and chemical properties of the catalyst supports especially their Lewis acid sites had a significant influence on the catalytic activity. In comparison with SiO₂, more Lewis acid sites existed on the surface of Al₂O₃, resulting in higher catalytic ozonation activity. During the reaction process, no significant Fe ions release was observed. Moreover, Fe₃O₄/Al₂O₃ exhibited stable structure and activity after successive cyclic experiments. The results indicated that the catalyst is a promising ozonation catalyst with magnetic separation in drinking water treatment.     

Models for the physiological effects of short O3 exposures on plants

Some published effects of ozone on plant photosynthesis and evaporation are detailed, and attempts were made to develop explanatory models of increasing complexity. Stomatal regulation, which keeps the CO₂ concentration inside the lead constant, is assumed. The O₃ concentration inside the leaf is assumed to be neglible, so O₃ uptake, CO₂ uptake and stomatal conductance must be proportional. The suppression of photosynthesis is assumed to be proportional to the integrated effective O₃ uptake. For a first model, a differential equation is derived from these assumptions and a simple analytical solution is found. A second model includes a threshold O₃ flux. The repair process is discussed and three models are investigated with a constant repair rate, a repair rate dependent on the stage of injury, and with a repair rate dependent on the photosynthetic rate. A comparison of the analytical solutions of the appropriate differential equations with literature data shows that the model with repair dependent on photosytheesis is the most successful one, but a constant repair rate also gives a fair approximation. The model with repair dependent on photosynthesis implies the existence of a threshold level for the suppression of photosynthesis which separates reversible and irreversible O₃ effects. With the assumption of an inhomogeneous leaf a model to predict visible leaf injury is derived. The possible existence of a maximum leaf injury index for one exposure concentration is explained from the properties of the models. The restrictions and possible extensions of the models are discussed. The concept of a threshold O₃ flux and of a critical suppression of photosynthesis are shown to give possible explanations of antagonistic and synergistic effects of O₃, SO₂ and NO₂.     

Study on degradation process of famotidine hydrochloride in aqueous samples

The kinetics of famotidine (FAM) transformation under the influence of various factors, important from the environmental point of view, was investigated in aqueous solutions. The degradation processes using UV, H₂O₂, UV/H₂O₂, H₂O₂/Fe²⁺, and UV/H₂O₂/Fe²⁺ were studied. Direct photolysis and H₂O₂-assisted photolysis showed a pseudo-first-order kinetics, while the Fenton and the photo-Fenton processes fit second-order kinetics. The provided experiments proved a high resistance of FAM to direct photolysis. Its stability depends highly on the pH of the reaction solutions. The rate of FAM direct photolysis in acidic solutions was almost negligible. The reaction rate of FAM photolysis at pH 8–9 was 3.7 × 10^?3 min^?1 with DT₅₀ about 3 h 7 min. It was found that the presence of H₂O₂ in the reaction environment enhances the rate of photolysis of FAM. The observed rates of reaction were 5.1 × 10^?3 min^?1 and 3.7 × 10^?3 min^?1 in acidic and basic solutions, respectively. The used Fenton systems appeared to be the most efficient in FAM removal. The rate of reaction depends on concentration of Fe²⁺ and H₂O₂. It was observed that the presence of UV-light enhances the reaction rate by two to six times in comparison to the classical Fenton system. Additionally, FAM behavior in natural water under solar irradiation was examined. The irradiation experiments were carried out in batch experiments with simulated sunlight.     

Removal of elemental mercury by KI-impregnated clay

This study described the use of clay impregnated by KI in gas phase elemental mercury (Hg^o) removal in flue gas. The effects of KI loading, temperature, O₂, SO₂ and H₂O on Hg^o removal were investigated using a fixed bed reactor. The Hg^o removal efficiency of KI-clay with 3% KI loading could maintain at a high level (approximately 80 %) after 3 h. The KI-clay demonstrated to be a potential adsorbent for Hg^o removal when compared with activated carbon based adsorbent. O₂ was found to be an important factor in improving the Hg^o removal. O₂ was demonstrated to assist the transfer of KI to I₂ on the surface of KI-clay, which could react with Hg^o directly. NO and SO₂ could slightly improve Hg^o removal, while H₂O inhibited it greatly. The results indicated that after adsorption, most of the mercury escaped from the surface again. Some of the mercury may have been oxidized as it left the surface. The results demonstrated that the chemical reaction primarily occurred between KI and mercury on the surface of the KI-clay.     

五氧化二钒类Fenton降解邻苯二甲酸二乙酯的机制研究

发展了基于五氧化二钒(V_2O_5)和过氧化氢(H_2O_2)的新型类Fenton体系,探索了此体系产生羟基(·OH)的机制及降解邻苯二甲酸二乙酯(DEP)的效率;并考察了V_2O_5投加量、H_2O_2浓度,以及草酸对DEP降解的影响。结果表明,当V_2O_5投加量为0.1 g·L-1,H_2O_2浓度为2.0 mmol·L-1,反应24 h后,对DEP(25 mg·L-1)的降解率可达61.1%,增加或降低V_2O_5投加量和H_2O_2浓度均不利于DEP的降解。利用电子顺磁共振技术(Electron Paramagnetic Resonance,EPR)耦合5,5-二甲基-1-吡咯啉氮氧化物(DMPO)为捕获剂对反应体系中的主导自由基进行鉴定,发现·OH是体系降解DEP的主要活性物种,利用苯甲酸作为探针分子实现了·OH的间接定量,并初步推测了V_2O_5活化H_2O_2的过程。     

Cytotoxicity and cell membrane depolarization induced by aluminum oxide nanoparticles in human lung epithelial cells A549

The cytotoxicity of 13 and 22 nm aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) nanoparticles was investigated in cultured human bronchoalveolar carcinoma-derived cells (A549) and compared with 20 nm CeO₂ and 40 nm TiO₂ nanoparticles as positive and negative control, respectively. Exposure to both Al₂O₃ nanoparticles for 24 h at 10 and 25 µg mL^?1 doses significantly decreased cell viability compared with control. However, the cytotoxicity of 13 and 22 nm Al₂O₃ nanoparticles had no difference at 5–25 µg mL^?1 dose range. The cytotoxicity of both Al₂O₃ nanoparticles were higher than negative control TiO₂ nanoparticles but lower than positive control CeO₂ nanoparticles (TiO₂ < Al₂O₃ < CeO₂). A real-time single cell imaging system was employed to study the cell membrane potential change caused by Al₂O₃ and CeO₂ nanoparticles using a membrane potential sensitive fluorescent probe DiBAC₄(3). Exposure to the 13 nm Al₂O₃ nanoparticles resulted in more significant depolarization than the 30 nm Al₂O₃ particles. On the other hand, the 20 nm CeO₂ particles, the most toxic, caused less significant depolarization than both the 13 and 22 nm Al₂O₃. Factors such as exposure duration, surface chemistry, and other mechanisms may contribute differently between cytotoxicity and membrane depolarization.     

Transport and Diffusion of Ozone in the Nocturnal and Morning Planetary Boundary Layer of the Phoenix Valley

The evolution of ozone (O ₃) in the nocturnal and morning-transitional planetary boundary layer (PBL) of the Phoenix valley was measured as a part of the `Phoenix Sunrise Experiment 2001' of the U.S. Department of Energy conducted in June 2001. The goal of the field program was to study the transport, distribution and storage of ozone and its precursors in the urban boundary layer over a diurnal cycle. The ground level O <sub>3</sub> as well as mean meteorological variables and turbulence were measured over the entire period, and vertical profiling (using a tethered balloon) was made during the morning transition period. Approximately half of the observational days showed the usual diurnal cycle of high O <sub>3</sub> during the day and low O <sub>3</sub> at night, with nitrogen oxides (NO <sub>x</sub> = NO <sub>2</sub> + NO) showing an out of phase relationship with O <sub>3</sub>. The rest of the days were signified by an anomalous increase of O <sub>3</sub> in the late evening ( 2200 LST), concomitant with a sudden drop of temperature, an enhancement of wind speed and Reynolds stresses, a positive heat flux and a change of wind direction. NO <sub>x</sub> measurements indicated the simultaneous arrival of an `aged' air mass, which was corroborated by the wind predictions of a mesoscale numerical model. In all, the results indicate that the recirculation of O ₃ rich air masses is responsible for the said high-O ₃ events. Such air masses are produced during the transport of O ₃ precursors by the upslope flow toward mountainous suburbs during the day, and they return back to the city at night via downslope winds (i.e. mountain breeze). The corresponding flow patterns, and hence the high-O ₃ events, are determined by background meteorological conditions. The vertical profiling of O ₃ and flow variables during the morning transition points to a myriad of transport, mixing and chemical processes that determine the fate of tropospheric O ₃. How well such processes are incorporated and resolved in predictive O ₃ models should determine the accuracy of their predictions.     

Complete oxidation of methane on Co3O4-SnO2 catalysts

Co₃O₄-SnO₂ hybrid oxides were prepared by the coprecipitation method and were used to oxidate methane (CH₄) in presence of oxygen. The Co₃O₄-SnO₂ with a molar ratio of Co/(Co + Sn) at 0.75 exhibited the highest catalytic activity among all the Co₃O₄-SnO₂ hybrid oxides. Experimental results showed that the catalysts were considerably stable in the CH₄ combustion reaction, and were verified by X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS). It was found that Co₃O₄ was the active species, and SnO₂ acted as a support or a promoting component in the Co₃O₄-SnO₂ hybrid oxides. The surface area was not a major factor that affected catalytic activity. The hydrogen temperatureprogrammed reduction (H₂-TPR) results demonstrated that the interaction between cobalt and tin oxides accelerated the mobility of oxygen species of Co₃O₄-SnO₂, leading to higher catalytic activity.     

Imaging of surface O2 dynamics in corals with magnetic micro optode particles

We present a new method for quantifying spatio-temporal O₂ distribution and dynamics at biologically active surfaces with a complex surface topography. Magnetized O₂ optode microparticles (~80–100?μm) containing the NIR-emitting luminophore platinum (II) meso-tetra(4-fluorophenyl) tetrabenzoporphyrin (PtTPTBPF; ex. max. 615?nm; em. max. 780?nm) were distributed across the surface tissue of the scleractinian coral Caulastrea furcata and were held in place with a strong magnet. The O₂-dependent luminescence of the particles was mapped with a lifetime imaging system enabling measurements of the lateral surface heterogeneity of the O₂ microenvironment across coral polyps exposed to flow. Mapping steady-state O₂ concentrations under constant light and O₂ dynamics during experimental light–dark shifts enabled us to identify zones of different photosynthetic activities within a single coral polyp linked to the distribution of coral host pigments. Measurements under increasing irradiance showed typical saturation curves of O₂ concentration and estimates of gross photosynthesis that could be spatially resolved at ~100?μm pixel resolution. The new method for O₂ imaging with magnetized optode particles has much potential to be used in studies of the surface microenvironment of other aquatic systems such as sediments, biofilms, plant, and animal tissue.     

Allelopathic inhibition on red tide microalgae Skeletonema costatum by five macroalgal extracts

This study aims to identify effective antialgal allelochemicals from marine macroalgae that inhibit the growth of red tide microalgae. Practically, new algicidal agents were developed to control red tide. The growth inhibitory effects of 5 marine macroalgae Porphyra tenera, Laminaria japonica, Ulva pertusa, Enteromorpha clathrata, and Undaria pinnatifida on Skeletonema costatum were evaluated by adding crude seawater extracts of macroalgal dry tissue into the culture medium containing S. costatum. The half-effective concentrations at 120 h (EC_{50, 120 h}) of the seawater extracts were 0.6, 0.9, 1.0, 1.0, and 4.7 g/L for the five macroalgae above, respectively. E. clathrata, L. japonica and U. pertusa showed strong allelopathic effect on the growth of S. costatum. There have been no previous reports with regard to the allelopathic effects of the former two macroalgae so far. The possible allelochemicals of 21 compounds of the E. clathrata were detected using Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Unsaturated fatty acids, acrylic acid (C₃H₄O₂), and linolenic acid (C₁₈H₃₀O₂) were the most likely allelochemicals in E. clathrata.     

NO conversion by positive streamer discharge—effects of gas compositions and reaction conditions

The effects of gas compositions and reaction conditions on NO conversion by positive streamer discharge were experimentally investigated by using a link tooth wheel-cylinder reactor. The results showed that NO conversion increased with increasing O₂ concentration and NH₃ concentration, but decreased with increasing inlet NO concentration and gas flow rate. The addition of CO₂ or H₂O to the feed gas promoted NO conversion by increasing the maximum discharge voltage, and NH₄NO₃ was formed in the presence of NH₃. There was a most suitable range interval between discharge tooth wheels if both NO conversion and energy consumption were considered. Increasing applied voltage resulted in the increase in the amount of O₃ generated by streamer discharge.     

Removal of olive mill waste water phenolics using a crude peroxidase extract from onion by-products

Olive mill waste water (OMWW) originating from a two-phase olive oil-producing plant was treated with a crude peroxidase extract prepared from onion solid by-products. The treatments were based on a 3 × 3 factorial design, employing a series of combinations of pH and H₂O₂, in order to identify optimal operational conditions. The treatment performance was assessed by estimating the removal percentage of total polyphenols. The model established produced a satisfactory fitting of the data (R ² = 0.94, p = 0.0158), while the second-order polynomial equation used to describe the process indicated that peroxidase-catalysed polyphenol removal in diluted OMWW is facilitated at relatively low pH and intermediate H₂O₂ values. A predicted value of 50.7 ± 9.5% removal was calculated under optimal operational conditions (pH 2.76, [H₂O₂] = 3.56 mM). Analysis of an untreated and an optimally treated sample by high performance liquid chromatography revealed that enzyme treatment brought about alteration in the original OMWW polyphenolic profile. The use of peroxidase from onion solid by-products is proposed as an alternative means that could have a prospect in bioremediation applications.