Levels of airborne man-made mineral fibres in U.K. dwellings. I—Fibre levels during and after installation of insulation

This paper gives the details of airborne levels of man-made mineral fibres (MMMF) found during installation of loft insulation in 12 dwellings. About 250 samples of air were collected and analyzed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM).Respirable fibre levels measured in static samples collected in the lofts during installation generally were < 0.1 f ml⁻¹. In living spaces respirable fibre levels were< 0.006 f ml⁻¹. Personal samples on the installers gave < 1 f ml⁻¹, with the exception of a fine glass fibre blanket. A few selected samples were also analyzed by phase contrast optical microscopy (PCOM) which showed lower values than those recorded by TEM. Static gravimetric concentrations in the lofts were in the 0.3–6.5 mg m⁻³ range, and in the living spaces 0.11–0.44 mg m⁻³, but in both environments most of this dust was not MMMF.     

Levels of airborne man-made mineral fibres in U.K. dwellings. II—Fibre levels during and after some disturbance of loft insulation

In this study airborne levels of MMMF were determined in 11 dwellings during and after disturbance of loft insulation. The disturbance was in two stages.

• 1.(a) Minor disturbance. Household items (such as suitcases) stored in the lofts were moved around for about 10 min. The disturbance to the insulation material was kept to a minimum.
• 2.(b) Major disturbance. Insulation wools were physically handled for about 30 min, simulating the disturbance associated with activities such as rewiring or plumbing.

About 250 samples of air were collected on membrane filters and analyzed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in conjunction with energy dispersive X-ray analysis. A few selected samples were analyzed by phase contrast optical microscopy (PCOM). During physical disturbance of the insulation, fibre levels in lofts measured over a 4-h period were up to 0.03 f ml⁻¹. Personal exposure during the disturbance activity was up to 0.2 f ml⁻¹. Contamination of the living space was not detected even though the access door to the loft remained open throughout the disturbance and sampling period.     

VxMn(4 − x)Mo3Ce3/Ti catalysts for selective catalytic reduction of NO by NH3

A series of vanadium based catalysts(VxMn(4-x)Mo3Ce3/Ti) with different vanadium(x wt.%) and manganese((4-x) wt.%) contents have been prepared by the wet impregnation method and investigated for selective catalytic reduction(SCR) of NO_x by NH_3 in the presence of 8 vol.% H_2O and 500 ppm V SO_2.The physicochemical characteristics of the catalysts were thoroughly characterized.The SCR of NO_x by NH_3(NH_3-SCR) activity, especially the low-temperature activity, significantly increased with increasing V_2O_5 content in the catalyst until the V_2O_5 content reached 1.5 wt.%, which corresponds well with the redox properties of the catalyst.All of the metal oxides were well dispersed and strongly interacted with each other on the catalyst surface.V mainly exists in the V~(5+)state in the catalysts.The strong synergistic effect between the vanadium and cerium species led to formation of more Ce~(3+)species, and that between the vanadium and manganese species contributed to formation of more manganese species with low valences.All of the catalysts exhibited strong acidity, while the redox properties determined the NH_3-SCR activity, especially the low-temperature activity.H_2O and SO_2 had severe inhibiting effects on the activity of V1.5Mn2.5Mo3Ce3/Ti.However, good H_2O and SO_2 resistance and high NO_x conversion by V1.5Mn2.5Mo3Ce3/Ti could be achieved in the presence of SO_2 and almost no decline was observed in a long-term test at 275℃ for 168 hr in the presence of SO_2 and H_2O, which can be attributed to the sulfate species formed on the catalyst surface.     

Government environmental control measures on CO2 emission during the 2014 Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing: Perspectives from a top-down approach

Strict air pollution control measures were conducted during the Youth Olympic Games（YOG） period at Nanjing city and surrounding areas in August 2014.This event provides a unique chance to evaluate the effect of government control measures on regional atmospheric pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.Many previous studies have observed significant reductions of atmospheric pollution species and improvement in air quality,while no study has quantified its synergism on anthropogenic CO₂...     

Promotional effect of cobalt doping on catalytic performance of cryptomelane-type manganese oxide in toluene oxidation

The cryptomelane-type manganese oxide (OMS-2)-supported Co (xCo/OMS-2; x = 5, 10, and 15 wt.%) catalysts were prepared via a pre-incorporation route. The as-prepared materials were used as catalysts for catalytic oxidation of toluene (2000 ppmV). Physical and chemical properties of the catalysts were measured using the X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopic (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and hydrogen temperature-programmed reduction (H₂-TPR) techniques. Among all of the catalysts, 10Co/OMS-2 performed the best, with the T_90%, specific reaction rate at 245°C, and turnover frequency at 245°C (TOF_Co) being 245°C, 1.23 × 10⁻³ mol_toluene/(g_cat·sec), and 11.58 × 10⁻³ sec⁻¹ for toluene oxidation at a space velocity of 60,000 mL/(g·hr), respectively. The excellent catalytic performance of 10Co/OMS-2 were due to more oxygen vacancies, enhanced redox ability and oxygen mobility, and strong synergistic effect between Co species and OMS-2 support. Moreover, in the presence of poisoning gases CO₂, SO₂ or NH₃, the activity of 10Co/OMS-2 decreased for the carbonate, sulfate and ammonia species covered the active sites and oxygen vacancies, respectively. After the activation treatment, the catalytic activity was partly recovered. The good low-temperature reducibility of 10Co/OMS-2 could also facilitate the redox process accompanied by the consecutive electron transfer between the adsorbed O₂ and the cobalt or manganese ions. In the oxidation process of toluene, the benzoic and aldehydic intermediates were first generated, which were further oxidized to the benzoate intermediate that were eventually converted into H₂O and CO₂.     

Particulate matter exchange between atmosphere and roads surfaces in urban areas

The deposition and the re-suspension of particulate matter(PM) in urban areas are the key processes that contribute not only to stormwater pollution, but also to air pollution. However, investigation of the deposition and the re-suspension of PM is challenging because of the difficulties in distinguishing between the resuspended and the deposited PM. This study created two Bayesian Networks(BN) models to explore the deposition and the re-suspension of PM as well as the important influential fact...     

Relationships between chemical elements of PM2.5 and O3 in Shanghai atmosphere based on the 1-year monitoring observation

Mass level of fine particles(PM_2.5) in main cities in China has decreased significantly in recent years due to implementation of Chinese Clean Air Action Plan since 2013,however,03 pollution is getting worse than before,especially in megacities such as in Shanghai.In this work,O₃ and PM_2.5 were continuously monitored from May 27,2018 to March 31,2019.Our data showed that the annual average concentration of PM_2.5 and O₃(O₃-8 hr,max...     

广州市多污染物联合暴露的健康效应评估

本研究应用贝叶斯核机器回归(BKMR)分析了广州市2015~2018年大气主要污染物(SO₂、NO₂、PM₁₀、PM_2.5、CO和O₃)与非意外死亡之间的联合健康效应。结果表明,6种污染物对健康结局均存在较大影响。随着其它污染物固定百分位数浓度的增加,SO₂、O₃或NO₂的浓度从第25百分位数变化到第75百分位数导致的效应值的绝对值逐渐升高;相反,PM_2.5、CO或PM₁₀的浓度从第25百分位数变化到第75百分位数导致的效应值的绝对值逐渐减少。在累积滞后0~1d时,多种空气污染物的混合暴露对非意外死亡人数的影响效应值为正,与最低浓度相较,当所有污染物的浓度增至第90百分位数时,人数非意外死亡人数将增加21.98%(95%CI:3.04%,44.41%)。通过应用BKMR模型,本研究证实多种污染物的暴露可对广州市人群公共健康造成联合的综合影响。在污染物的防控治理上,不仅需要针对当地主要空气污染物,还需加强对多污染物暴露的防控。     

Potential dissemination mechanism of the tetC gene in Aeromonas media from the aerobic biofilm reactor under oxytetracycline stresses

The tetC gene has been found to be one of the most widely distributed tetracycline resistance (tet) genes in various environmental niches, but the detailed dissemination mechanisms are still largely unknown. In the present study, 11 tetC-containing Aeromonas media strains were isolated from an aerobic biofilm reactor under oxytetracycline stresses, and the genome of one strain was sequenced using the PacBio RSII sequencing approach to reveal the genetic environment of tetC. The tetC gene was carried by an IS26 composite transposon, named Tn6434. The tetC-carrying Tn6434 structure was detected in all of the A. media strains either in a novel plasmid pAeme2 (n=9) or other DNA molecules (n=2) by PCR screening. The NCBI database searching result shows that this structure was also present in the plasmids or chromosomes of other 13 genera, indicating the transferability of Tn6434. Inverse PCR and sequencing confirmed that Tn6434 can form a circular intermediate and is able to incorporate into a preexisting IS26 element, suggesting that Tn6434 might be responsible for the dissemination of tetC between different DNA molecules. This study will be helpful in uncovering the spread mechanism of tet genes in water environments.     

Physiological and biochemical responses of Microcystis aeruginosa to phosphine (PH3) under elevated CO2

Phosphine(PH₃) is an important factor driving the outbreak of cyanobacterial blooms that produce toxic microcystin threating human health.To clarify the physiological and biochemical responses of cyanobacteria to PH₃ under elevated CO₂ concentration,Microcystis aeruginosa was used in the coupling treatment of 1000 ppmv CO₂ and PH₃ at different concentrations respectively.The chlorophyll a(Chl-a),carotenoid,net photosynthetic rate and total p...     

Studies on relationships between air pollutants and allergenicity of Humulus Scandens pollen collected from different areas of Shanghai

Pollen pollution and allergy are becoming prominent issues in China.However,few studies on pollinosis have been reported.As an allergen in the atmosphere,allergenic Humulus scandens pollen was collected from four districts of Shanghai,including Wusong(WS),Jiading(KD),Xujiahui(XJH) and Songjiang(SJ).The mass concentrations of SO₂,NO₂,O₃,PM₁₀,and PM_2.5(particulate matter with air dynamic diameter less than 10 and 2.5 um,respectively) near the ...     

Preliminary study on the electrocatalytic performance of an iron biochar catalyst prepared from iron-enriched plants

Eichhornia crassipes is a hyperaccumulator of metals and has been widely used to remove metal pollutants from water, but disposal of contaminated plants is problematic.Biochar prepared from plants is commonly used to remediate soils and sequester carbon.Here, the catalytic activity of biochar prepared from plants enriched with iron was investigated as a potentially beneficial use of metal-contaminated plants.In a 30-day hydroponic experiment, E.crassipes was exposed to different concentrations of Fe(Ⅲ)(0, 4, 8, 16, 32 and 64 mg/L), and Fe-biochar(Fe-BC) was prepared by pyrolysis of the plant roots.The biochar was characterized using X-ray diffraction(XRD), scanning electron microscopy(SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry(EDS), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller(BET) analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS) and atomic absorption spectrometry(AAS).The original root morphology was visible and iron was present as γ-Fe_2O_3 and Fe_3O_4.The biochar enriched with Fe(Ⅲ) at 8 mg/L(8-Fe-BC) had the smallest specific surface area(SSA, 13.54 m~2/g) and the highest Fe content(27.9 mg/g).Fe-BC catalytic activity was tested in the electrocatalytic reduction of H_2O_2 using cyclic voltammetry(CV).The largest reduction current(1.82 mA/cm~2) was displayed by 8-Fe-BC, indicating the highest potential catalytic activity.We report here, for the first time, on the catalytic activity of biochar made from iron-enriched plants and demonstrate the potential for reusing metalcontaminated plants to produce a biochar catalyst.