Reduction of photoreactivation with the combined UV/peracetic acid process or by delayed exposure to visible light.

Photoreactivation of microorganisms following UV inactivation is a well-known, but complex, phenomenon. It is affected by several factors, including UV fluence, wavelength, light intensity, and exposure time to photoreactivating light. The effect on photoreactivation of a combined peracetic acid (PAA)/UV process has not been investigated. Accordingly, this study compared the degree of photoreactivation, under both sunlight and artificial lights, following UV and combined PAA/UV inactivation of fecal coliforms. Effluent samples from the Montreal Wastewater Treatment Plant (MWTP) (Quebec, Canada) were exposed, for 3 hours, to both low- and high-intensity artificial lights and sunlight. All resulted in similar photoreactivation levels. However, average photoreactivation for UV-treated wastewater samples was 1.2 logs, compared with 0.1 log for the combined PAA/UV treatment. Hence, the use of PAA in combination with UV can significantly reduce the potential for photoreactivation. To simulate the photoreactivation conditions of the MWTP effluent (which passes through a 4-km outfall tunnel with approximately 3 hours detention time), UV-treated samples were kept in the dark for 3 hours before photoreactivating light exposure. After this period, photoreactivation levels were close to zero. Hence, the effects of photoreactivation may be diminished by use of a combined disinfection scheme and/or by delaying exposure of the disinfected wastewater to light.     

Photostabilizers for azadirachtin-A (a neem-based pesticide)

Photostability of azadirachtin-A (a neem based pesticide) has been studied without and with adding stabilizers such as ter. butyl-p-cresol, 8-hydroxy quinoline and ter. butyl hydroquinone as thin film on glass surface and on leaf surface under sunlight and UV light. Half-life of azadirachtin has been found to be 48 min and 3.98 days as thin film under UV light and sunlight and 2.47 days on leaf surface, respectively. 8-Hydroxy quinoline and ter. butyl hydroquinone have been found effective in controlling degradation of azadirachtin under both sunlight and UV light with half-life of 44.42 and 35.90 days under sunlight, and 55.80 and 48.50 h under UV light, respectively. Whereas ter. butyl-p-cresol has been found effective A only under sunlight. Significant decreases in antifeedant and insect growth regulatory activity against third instar larvae of Spodopterra litura has been observed with azadirachtin when exposed to sunlight and UV light. However, by the addition of above stabilizers, the biological activity of azadirachtin-A has been retained even after 24 h of irradiation under UV light and up to 30 days of exposure to sunlight.     

Response of Bean and Tobacco to Ozone: Effect of Light Intensity,Temperature and Relative Humidity

Pinto bean (Phaseolus vulgaris, L.) and Bel W₃ tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum, L.) were grown and exposed to 40 pphm ozone for 1 hr under a range of light intensities, temperatures, and relative humidities. Foliar injury to the more sensitive plant leaves was determined on the third day after exposure. Each atmospheric factor was independently assessed. Two significant three-way interactions were found: exposure light intensity by growth light intensity by species, and growth temperature by exposure temperature by species. Three significant two-way interactions were found for humidity: growth humidity by exposure humidity, growth humidity by species, and exposure humidity by species. The sensitivity of each species to ozone changed with changes in each environmental condition.     

The stability of butyltin compounds in a dredged heavily-contaminated sediment

A treatment process for marine sediment heavily contaminated with tributyltin (TBT) was designed that included dehydrating, sunlight drying and dumping processes. The time course in butyltin (BTs) compounds, TBT, dibutyltin (DBT) and monobutyltin concentrations were investigated in the sediment treated under various conditions (light (UV, sunlight and light exclusion), moisture (air-drying and water saturation) and wetting and drying cycles). Significant changes in all the BT compound concentrations with time were not found regardless of the sediment conditions for light and moisture. The results indicated the high stabilities of TBT and DBT in the sediments versus light and moisture condition changes, probably taking place in the treatment process. It is also estimated that the BTs in the sediment are resistant to photo-degradation and biochemical degradation and their half lives are relatively long. In contrast, the decreases in the TBT and DBT were observed during the wetting and drying cycle treatment for the water saturated sediment both during exposure to sunlight and under a dark condition. This result suggested the hypothesis that the TBT degradation could be accelerated by the high microbial activity induced by the moisture changing treatments.     

Effect of experimental factors on nitrobenzaldehyde photoisomerization

The objective of this study was to compare the effect of various experimental factors on the photoisomerization of nitrobenzaldehyde. The experimental factors included light source, light energy, exposure time, light path distance and the concentration of nitrobenzaldehyde. The results showed that the photoisomerization of nitrobenzaldehyde increased with increasing light exposure. Different light sources and light path distances demonstrated significant impact on the reaction rate constants and half-lives of nitrobenzaldehyde. Although the light energy of UV photoreactor was 47% lower than that of xenon photoreactor, quantum yield and UV/VIS absorption pattern confirmed the finding that the effect of ultraviolet photoreactor on nitrobenzaldehyde was similar to that of xenon photoreactor with the light path of 17 cm. It was caused by the shorter wavelength of UV photoreactor mainly on 254 nn. The product of nitrobenzaldehyde photoisomerization, nitrosobenzoic acid, was detected from samples after 5 or 10 min exposure of three light sources. The concentrations of nitrosobenzoic acid increased with the increasing of exposure time up to 20 or 60 min.     

Decolourisation of simulated reactive dyebath effluents by electrochemical oxidation assisted by UV light

This study is focused on the optimisation of the electrochemical decolourisation of textile effluents containing reactive dyes with the aim of making feasible-technically and economically-this method at industrial scale. Coloured waters were treated in continuous at low current density, to reduce the electrical consumption. Ti/PtO(x) electrodes were used to oxidize simulated dyebaths prepared with an azo/dichlorotriazine reactive dye (C.I. Reactive Orange 4). The decolourisation yield was dependent on the dyeing electrolyte (NaCl or Na(2)SO(4)). Dyeing effluents which contained from 0.5 to 20 gl(-1) of NaCl reached a high decolourisation yield, depending on the current density, immediately after the electrochemical process. These results were improved when the effluents were stored for several hours under solar light. After the electrochemical treatment the effluents were stored in a tank and exposed under different lighting conditions: UV light, solar light and darkness. The evolution of the decolourisation versus the time of storage was reported and kinetic constants were calculated. The time of storage was significantly reduced by the application of UV light. A dye mineralization study was also carried out on a concentrated dyebath. A TOC removal of 81% was obtained when high current density was applied for a prolonged treatment with recirculation. This treatment required a high electrical consumption.     

Comparison of calculated and measured foliar O3 flux in crop and forest species

We designed a new gas exchange system that concurrently measures foliar H2O, O3, and CO2 flux (HOC flux system) while delivering known O3 concentrations. Stomatal responses of three species were tested: snapbean, and seedlings of California black oak (deciduous broadleaf) and blue oak (evergreen broadleaf). Acute O3 exposure (120-250 ppb over an hour) was applied under moderate light and low vapor pressure deficits during near steady state conditions. The rate of stomatal closure was measured when the whole plant was placed in the dark. An adjacent leaf on each plant was also concurrently measured in an O3-free cuvette. Under some conditions, direct measurements and calculated foliar O3 flux were within the same order of magnitude; however, endogenously low gs or O3 exposure-induced depression of gs resulted in an overestimation of calculated O3 fluxes compared with measured O3 fluxes. Sluggish stomata in response to light extinction with concurrent O3 exposure, and incomplete stomatal closure likewise underestimated measured O3 flux.     

活性炭纤维负载TiO2光催化降解甲醛的影响因素

利用自制光催化气体反应器体系,以活性炭纤维负载TiO2作催化剂,在紫外光照射下模拟降解室内污染气体甲醛,测试了活性炭纤维负载TiO2催化剂的催化活性,探讨了紫外光光强、催化剂的酸度、反应器内湿度及反应时间等控制反应的主要因素对甲醛降解率的影响。结果表明,活性炭纤维与TiO2的协同作用大大提高了对甲醛的降解效果;紫外光强增倍对甲醛降解率有一定提高,但提高幅度仅为11.71%;活性炭纤维用pH=5的TiO2溶胶浸泡做催化剂对甲醛的降解效果最好,60 min内降解率达到68.37%;反应器内的湿度为81%甲醛降解率最高,反应60 min后达82.2%;随着反应时间的延长,甲醛降解率的上升幅度不断减小,最高只能达到94.59%。     

Effect of chlorination and ultraviolet disinfection on tetA-mediated tetracycline resistance of Escherichia coli

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are an emerging threat to public health during drinking water consumption and reclaimed water reuse. Several studies have shown that the proportions of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in waters may increase when exposed to low doses of UV light or chlorine. In this study, inactivation of tetracycline-resistant Escherichia coli and antibiotic-sensitive E. coli by UV disinfection and chlorination was compared to determine the tolerance of tetracycline-resistant E. coli to UV light and chlorine, and tetracycline resistance of a tetracycline-resistant E. coli population was studied under different doses of the disinfectants. Our results showed that relative to antibiotic-sensitive E. coli, tetracycline-resistant E. coli had the same tolerance to UV light and a potentially higher tolerance to chlorination. The mortality frequency distributions of tetracycline-resistant E. coli exposed to tetracycline were shifted by both chlorination and UV disinfection. When compared to the hemi-inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀) of tetracycline-resistant E. coli with no exposure to UV or chlorination, the IC₅₀ of tetracycline-resistant E. coli treated with tetracycline was 40% lower when inactivation by UV light or chlorination reached 3-log but was 1.18 times greater when inactivation by chlorination reached 4.3-log. Chlorination applied to drinking water or reclaimed water treatment may increase the risk of selection for highly tetracycline-resistant E. coli.     

Comparative phototoxicity of nanoparticulate and bulk ZnO to a free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans: the importance of illumination mode and primary particle size

The present study evaluated phototoxicity of nanoparticulate ZnO and bulk-ZnO under natural sunlight (NSL) versus ambient artificial laboratory light (AALL) illumination to a free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Phototoxicity of nano-ZnO and bulk-ZnO was largely dependent on illumination method as 2-h exposure under NSL caused significantly greater mortality in C. elegans than under AALL. This phototoxicity was closely related to photocatalytic reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation by the ZnO particles as indicated by concomitant methylene blue photodegradation. Both materials caused mortality in C. elegans under AALL during 24-h exposure although neither degraded methylene blue, suggesting mechanisms of toxicity other than photocatalytic ROS generation were involved. Particle dissolution of ZnO did not appear to play an important role in the toxicity observed in this study. Nano-ZnO showed greater phototoxicity than bulk-ZnO despite their similar size of aggregates, suggesting primary particle size is more important than aggregate size in determining phototoxicity.     

PLATIN (plant-atmosphere interaction) II: Co-occurrence of high ambient ozone concentrations and factors limiting plant absorbed dose

There is an ongoing debate as to which components of the ambient ozone (O3) exposure dynamics best explain adverse crop yield responses. A key issue is regarding the importance of peak versus mid-range hourly ambient O3 concentrations. While in this paper the importance of peak atmospheric O3 concentrations is not discounted, if they occur at a time when plants are conducive for uptake, the corresponding importance of more frequently occurring mid-range O3 concentrations is described. The probability of co-occurrence of high O3 concentrations and O3 uptake limiting factors is provided using coherent data sets of O3 concentration, air temperature, air humidity, mean horizontal wind velocity and global radiation measured at representative US and German air quality monitoring sites. Using the PLant-ATmosphere INteraction (PLATIN) model, the significance of the aforementioned meteorological parameters on ozone uptake is examined. In addition, the limitations of describing the O3 exposure for plants under ambient, chamberless conditions by SUM06, AOT40 or W126 exposure indices are discussed.     

活性炭纤维负载TiO2光催化降解甲醛的影响因素

利用自制光催化气体反应器体系,以活性炭纤维负载TiO₂作催化剂,在紫外光照射下模拟降解室内污染气体甲醛,测试了活性炭纤维负载TiO₂催化剂的催化活性,探讨了紫外光光强、催化剂的酸度、反应器内湿度及反应时间等控制反应的主要因素对甲醛降解率的影响。结果表明,活性炭纤维与TiO₂的协同作用大大提高了对甲醛的降解效果;紫外光强增倍对甲醛降解率有一定提高,但提高幅度仅为11.71%;活性炭纤维用pH=5的TiO₂溶胶浸泡做催化剂对甲醛的降解效果最好,60 min内降解率达到68.37％;反应器内的湿度为81%甲醛降解率最高,反应60 min后达82.2%;随着反应时间的延长,甲醛降解率的上升幅度不断减小,最高只能达到94.59%。     

Effect of fatty acids and oils on photodegradation of azadirachtin‐A

Abstract

Azadirachtin‐A on exposure to UV‐light (254 nm) as a thin film on glass surface gave a isomerised (Z)‐2‐ methylbut‐2‐enoate product. Half‐life of azadirachtin‐A as thin film under UV light was found to be 48 min. Azadirachtin ‐A was irradiated along with saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, and fatty oils under ultra‐violet light as thin film. Saturated fatty acid increased the rate of photodegradation of azadirachtin‐A, whereas unsaturated fatty acids such as oleic, linoleic and elaidic acid reduced the rate of degradation. Castor, linseed and olive oil accelerated the rate of degradation, whereas neem oil showed no or little change in the rate of degradation of azadirachtin‐A. None of these fatty acids and fatty oils were effective in controlling the rate of degradation of azadirachtin‐A under UV‐light as thin film.     

Photocatalytic degradation of an organophosphorus pesticide phosalone in aqueous suspensions of titanium dioxide

The present work deals with photocatalytic degradation of an organophosphorus pesticide, phosalone, in water in the presence of TiO2 particles under UV light illumination (1000 W). The influence of the basic photocatalytic parameters such as pH of the solution, amount of TiO2, irradiation time, stirring rate, and distance from UV source, on the photodegradation efficiency of phosalone was investigated. The degradation rate of phosalone was not high when the photolysis was carried out in the absence of TiO2 and it was negligible in the absence of UV light. The half-life (DT50) of a 20 ppm aqueous solution of phosalone was 15 min in optimized conditions. The plot of lnC (phosalone) vs. time was linear, suggesting first order reaction (K=0.0532 min(-1)). The half-life time of photomineralization in the concentration range of 7.5-20 ppm was 13.02 min. The efficiency of the method was also determined by measuring the reduction of Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD). During the mineralization under optimized conditions, COD decreased by more than 45% at irradiation time of 15 min. The photodegradation of phosalone was enhanced by addition of proper amount of hydrogen peroxide (150 ppm).     

Dispersion over and around a steep obstacle for varying thermal stratification—numerical simulations

A rather steep dump of an open-cast working area for lignite is situated close to the nuclear research installation of Juelich. This dump is more than 200 m high; under light wind conditions the air flow goes around this obstacle during night-time (stable stratification) and over it in the early morning hours when the stratification is destabilized. This air flow is simulated by the non-hydrostatic mesoscale numerical model FITNAH; for the time 0500–0900 LST the concentration field (of a point source) is simulated with a Lagrangian particle model. The computed flow behaviour causes a bifurcation of the plume during night while after 0900 LST dispersion is nearly unaffected by topography.     

Factors Affecting Ozone Sensitivity and Susceptibility Of Cotton Plants

Cotton plants were investigated to ascertain the growth period of maximum sensitivity to ozone. Plants were grown from seed in the greenhouse to obtain a two-day interval age series to about three months old. Before fumigation with 0.2 to 1.0 ppm ozone for 1 hr, plants were preconditioned under standard growth chamber conditions with day temperatures of 32°, night temperatures of 21°, relative humidity of 50%, and a light intensity of 6 X 10⁴ ergs/cm²/sec. Also, stomatal opening was monitored with a resistance hygrometer. Ozone damage to leaves was assessed by rating per cent visible damage with an arbitrary scale. Approximately 0.6-0.7 ppm ozone exposure for 1 hr was necessary for visible damage. Leaves were susceptible to ozone when about three-quarters fully expanded. Leaves appearing on older plants became progressively less sensitive. Diurnally, susceptible leaves were only sensitive after several hours in the light and then lost sensitivity toward the end of a normal day. The two most critical questions concerning the nature of ozone sensitivity and susceptibility are: (7) what is the nature of susceptibility, and (2) what is the nature of sensitivity of susceptible leaves?     

The effects of prior exposure to sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide on the water relations of timothy grass (Phleum pratense) under drought conditions

Studies of the growth and water relations of the grass Phleum pratense L. (Timothy) were made after simultaneous exposure to SO(2) and NO(2) at concentrations ranging from 80 + 57.4 microg m(-3) to 240 + 172.2 microg m(-3) (SO(2) + NO(2)). Decreased partitioning to the roots was evident during exposure to the pollutants, but when the plants were returned to clean air restrictions in root growth did not persist. Shoot to root partitioning was, however, complicated by the additional factor of changes in the nutritional status of the soil after additional columns of fresh soil were attached to the original tubes. The rate of use of soil water was nevertheless substantially increased by the pollution treatment and after a period of 23 days in which water was withheld, a clear pollution x water stress interaction was seen. The ability of polluted leaves to conserve water under severe water stress was tested by excising the leaves and measuring their water loss over time. The results from this second experiment showed that conservation of water by the leaves was appreciably affected after exposure to 80 + 57.4 microg m(-3) or 133.3 + 95.6 microg m(-3) SO(2) + NO(2). It seems likely that damage to the cells in the epidermal layer, leading to malfunctioning of stomata, is mainly responsible for the reduced ability to conserve water under conditions of extreme stress.     

Photocatalytic oxidation of volatile organic compounds using fluorescent visible light

Photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is a highly attractive alternative technology for purification and deodorization of indoor air. The main objectives of this study were to demonstrate that a common fluorescent visible light (FVL) lamp can be used to effectively remove by PCO low concentrations of VOCs from slightly contaminated air and to provide some fundamental and technical details on the process. The target VOC was n-butanol, which is a standard reference odorant. Its PCO was studied under a long residence time in a 3.7-L cylindrical reactor with commercial titanium dioxide (TiO2) as the reference photocatalyst and using mostly FVL for illumination. For comparison only, a UV (black) light lamp was used. The gas-phase products were detected and quantified online by gas chromatography (GC). The effects of reactor residence time, of inlet concentration, and of the relative light intensity on the efficiency of the process were also evaluated. At a high n-butanol concentration (0.1 vol %), butanal and propanal were identified as the intermediate products of the process; ethanal appeared when the initial concentration was < or = 850 ppm(v). This indicates that PCO leading to CO2 and H2O is relatively slow and proceeds in a stepwise manner. Although the efficiency of the process with an FVL lamp was significantly lower than when using a UV black light, complete PCO of low concentrations was achieved for 100 ppm(v). In a search for a material with photoactivation extended to higher wavelengths or increased photoactivity, several samples of transition metal- or silver ion-doped (2 atomic %) TiO2 as well as SrTi(1-x-)Fe(x)O3 (x = 0.1 and 0.15) perovskites were included in the study. None of these materials was more active than pure TiO2. The results of this study open new horizons in the area of in door air quality (IAQ) control.     

Effect of fatty acids and oils on photodegradation of azadirachtin-A

Azadirachtin-A on exposure to UV-light (254 nm) as a thin film on glass surface gave a isomerised (Z)-2-methylbut-2-enoate product. Half-life of azadirachtin-A as thin film under UV light was found to be 48 min. Azadirachtin-A was irradiated along with saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, and fatty oils under ultra-violet light as thin film. Saturated fatty acid increased the rate of photodegradation of azadirachtin-A, whereas unsaturated fatty acids such as oleic, linoleic and elaidic acid reduced the rate of degradation. Castor, linseed and olive oil accelerated the rate of degradation, whereas neem oil showed no or little change in the rate of degradation of azadirachtin-A. None of these fatty acids and fatty oils were effective in controlling the rate of degradation of azadirachtin-A under UV-light as thin film.