Nanosensors and nanobiosensors in food and agriculture

The food and agriculture sector controls the economic growth of a developing country. The food industries have practices of growing crops, raising livestock and sea foods, food processing and packaging, regulating production and distribution with quality and safety. The process control and monitoring quality are crucial steps. Here we review nanosensors and nanobiosensors as alternative of classical quantification methods. Nanoscale dimensions of metal nanoparticles, metal nanoclusters, metal oxide nanoparticles, metal and carbon quantum dots, graphene, carbon nanotubes, and nanocomposites expand the sensitivity by signal amplification and integrate several novel transduction principles such as enhanced electrochemical, optical, Raman, enhanced catalytic activity, and superparamagnetic properties into the nanosensors. The electrochemical nanosensors, optical nanosensors, electronic nose and electronic tongue, nanobarcode technology, and wireless nanosensors have revolutionized the sensing in food and agriculture sectors with multiplex and real-time sensing capabilities. Despite previous success stories of the remunerative health sector, the approaches are transferred subsequently to food and agriculture sector; with potential application in detection of food contaminants such as preservatives, antibiotics, heavy metal ions, toxins, microbial load, and pathogens along with the rapid monitoring of temperature, traceability, humidity, gas, and aroma of the food stuff.     

中小企业财务管理存在的问题与战略对策

中小企业是国民经济中一支重要的经济力量，在我国发展社会主义市场经济中发挥着重要的作用．财务问题是所有企业成败的关键，对中小企业尤其如此．本文从简述我国现阶段中小企业财务管理现状人手，揭示当前中小企业财务管理存在的问题．结合实际，分析其发生、存在的原因，并为解决这些问题，提出了相应的战略对策．     

Cadmium and chromium in human lung tissue in relation to smoking and lung cancer

The pulmonary Cd and Cr content was determined from 53 lung cancer patients operated for cancer and from 39 patients who died of non‐malignant diseases. The results were correlated with smoking habits, pulmonary emphysema and occupational history. Both the pulmonary Cd and Cr increased with the amount of smoking. In ex‐smokers the Cr content in lung tissue did not diminish with the time since stopping smoking, but the Cd did follow the half‐life of about 9 years. The pulmonary Cd, compared with smoking habits, behaved similarly in both the lung cancer and control patients, whereas Cr in the lung cancer patients could not be explained solely by smoking, but some of the cancer patients may have been occupationally exposed to Cr. Speciation was not studied.     

氯虫苯甲酰胺在甘蓝和土壤中的残留及消解动态

参照《农药残留试验准则》,采用田间试验方法,研究了济南和杭州两年两地的氯虫苯甲酰胺在甘蓝和土壤中的消解动态和最终残留。结果表明,氯虫苯甲酰胺最终残留在甘蓝、土壤中的质量分数分别是〈0.297 mg.kg-1,〈0.097 mg.kg-1;在甘蓝、土壤中的降解均符合一级动力学方程,降解半衰期分别为7.2～8.9 d和6.9～10.7 d;统计分析表明,两地区甘蓝中的残留消解行为无显著性差异,土壤中的残留消解行为差异性显著,土壤性质的不同是影响消解过程的主要因素。文章为制定该农药在甘蓝上最大残留限量标准和合理使用准则以及风险评估提供了科学依据。     

Cd,Pb, and Cu in water and sediments and their bioaccumulation in freshwater fish of some lakes in Hanoi,Vietnam

The seasonal variations of Cd, Pb, and Cu in the water, sediments, and freshwater fish (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, Cirrhinus molitorella, and Oreochromis mossambicus) of four lakes in Hanoi, Vietnam, were investigated. Samples for analysis were taken four times from April 2010 to March 2011. The levels in water were lower than the Vietnamese standards, except for Pb, but they were all much higher than the Canadian standards for protection of aquatic life; in the sediments, they were higher than world average levels. Bioaccumulation of the three metals in fish was site-dependent and species-dependent, but correlations of their levels in fish to those in water and sediments were weak. Levels of Pb in fish exceeded those of the UK and the WHO standards, and the recommended values of Vietnam for human consumption. Overall, the results show that the lakes are polluted with these metals, and consumption of high quantities of fish from them may be problematic. The outcome of this research helps to establish background data for future monitoring.     

Haloacetic acids in swimming pool and spa water in the United States and China

The objective of this study is to investigate the occurrence of haloacetic acids （HAAs）, a group of disinfection byproducts, in swimming pool and spa water. The samples were collected from six indoor pools, six outdoor pools and three spas in Pennsylvania, the United States, and from five outdoor pools and nine indoor pools in Beijing, China. Five HAAs （HAA5）, including monochloroacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, monobromoacetic acid, and dibromoacetic acid were analyzed. Total chlorine, pH and total organic carbon concentration were analyzed as well. Results indicated that the levels of HAA5 in swimming pools and spas in the United States ranged from 70 to 3980μg·L^-1, with an arithmetic average at 1440μg·L^-1 and a median level at 1150μg·L^-1. These levels are much higher than the levels reported in chlorinated drinking water and are likely due to organic matters released from swimmers＇ bodies. The levels of HAA5 in swimming pools in China ranged from 13 to 332μg·L^-1, with an arithmetic average at 117μg·L^-1 and a median level at 114μg·L^-1. The lower HAA levels in swimming pools in China were due to the lower chlorine residuals. Results from this study can help water professionals to better understand the formation and stability of HAAs in chlorinated water and assess risks associated with exposures to HAAs in swimming pools and spas.     

北京市场常见水产品中总汞、甲基汞分布特征及食用风险

以甲苯二次萃取-直接测汞的方法对北京市场常见水产品中的甲基汞进行分析测定,并评价了食用人群的暴露风险。分析样品包括大黄鱼（Pseudosciaena crocea）、虾（Penaeus chinensis）等9种常见海产品以及武昌鱼（Megalobrama amblycephala Yih）、鳙鱼（Aristichthys nobilis）2种淡水海产品。测定结果表明：海产品中总汞和甲基汞质量分数要远高于淡水鱼中的总汞和甲基汞质量分数,总汞绝大多数是以甲基汞的形式存在,所占比例从74.7%到96.0%不等;对其中3种鱼类的鱼体甲基汞分布研究表明：肌肉中的甲基汞质量分数最高,肝脏中次之,鱼鳃中质量分数最低。根据我国水产品甲基汞标准,本研究中水产品甲基汞质量分数均低于国家标准,但根据世界卫生组织（WHO）和美国环保署EPA颁布的甲基汞摄入量参考值,食用银鳕鱼等甲基汞质量分数相对较高的水产品仍然存在一定的风险,应注意限量。     

顺式和反式氯丹在家鸡体内的分布和转运

通过工业氯丹口服暴露实验,研究了顺式氯丹(CC)和反式氯丹(TC)在家鸡体内的吸收、代谢、排泄和在各个器官组织内富集的动态过程.分别测定了未暴露个体和一次性暴露后60、120、160、200、300、500、1000和2000min时脑、肝、肠、肌肉、皮、脂肪等组织和器官样品以及胃部和肠道残余物、排泄物中的氯丹含量.研究发现,暴露2000min后,95%以上的氯丹通过代谢途径被消除,只有少量氯丹通过排泄方式被消除;体内氯丹的消除满足一级反应动力学.研究还发现,在代谢过程中,反式氯丹快于顺式氯丹.另外,在吸收和代谢的过程中,有明显的手性特征,(+)-CC和(-)-TC更易被消除,但各个器官组织存在明显差异.     

Arsenic,antimony and bismuth in soil and pasture herbage in some old metalliferous mining areas in England

Soil and pasture herbage samples from some historical metalliferous mining and smelting areas in England were analysed for As, Sb and Bi by ICP-AES using a hydride generation method after ashing with Mg(NO₃)₂. The results showed that As, Sb and Bi concentrations in soils were elevated because of their associations with the Pb-Zn mineralisation in Derbyshire and Somerset, and Sn-Cu mineralisation in Cornwall. The distribution of As, Sb and Bi in soils reflected the chemical nature of different mine waste materials, and on a regional basis clearly reflected the geochemistry of the three mineral provinces. Historical smelting and calcination have caused intensive contamination in soils in the immediate vicinity of these activities. Antimony was highly elevated in soils at an old Pb smelter site in Derbyshire. Although the concentrations of As, Sb and Bi were generally low in the pasture herbage samples examined, the concentrations of As and Sb in herbage often reflected those of the corresponding soils. Soil pH had a large effect on the plant uptake of Bi from soils. The pasture herbage contaminated by soil can be an important exposure pathway of these elements to livestock grazing on contaminated land.     

Response in germination and seedling growth in Phaseolus mungo under salt and drought stress

The effect of salt and drought stress at the water potentials of-2, -4,-6and -8 bars induced by NaCl and PEG 6000 (Polyethylene glycol 6000) each, on germination and early seedling growth, were investigated for two varieties (PU-19 and Type-9). Electrical conductivity (EC) value of the NaCl solutions were 4.5, 8.8, 12.7 and 16.3 dS m(-1). Germination percentage, root and shoot length, and seedling fresh and dry weight were measured in the study. The objective was to determine genotypic differences among P. mungo varieties in terms of salt and drought stress and to determine factors (salt toxicity or osmotic stress due to PEG) inhibiting seed germination. The germination results revealed that the genotypes significantly differed for salt and drought stress. PU-19 appeared to be more tolerant to salt and drought stress comparable to var Type-9. Both NaCl and PEG inhibited germination and seedling growth in both the varieties, but the effects of NaCI compared to PEG was less on germination and seedling growth. All varieties were able to germinate at all NaCl levels without significant decrease in germination, while a drastic decrease in germination was recorded at -6 and -8 bars of PEG. It was concluded that inhibition in germination at equivalent water potential of NaCl and PEG was mainly due to an osmotic effect rather than salt toxicity.     

Changes in chemical forms of lead in temperate and semiarid soils in sterile and unsterile conditions

Sequential extraction has been used as a suitable method for fractionation of chemical forms of trace elements and study of their plant availability. Surface soils were sampled from Guilan and Hamadan provinces in north and northwest of Iran with temperate and semiarid climates. The chemical forms of Pb in the Pb(NO₃)₂-treated (400 μg Pb g⁻¹) soils have been studied in solid state incubation (FC) at 27°C in sterile and unsterile conditions. After 20 min and 3600 h a sequential extraction scheme was also used to fractionate Pb of incubated samples into soluble-exchangeable (Sol-Exch), carbonates associated (ACar), organic matter associated (AOM), Mn oxide associated (AMnOx), Fe oxide associated (AFeOx), and residual (Res) forms. Temperate soil samples had higher clay content, cation exchange capacity (CEC), dichromate oxidable organic carbon (OC), total Kjeldahl-nitrogen (TN), biological activity, amorphous and crystalline Fe and Al, but semiarid soil samples had higher sand content, pH, equivalent calcium carbonate (ECC), available P and K. Soil lead fractionation revealed that in both groups of soils Pb largely changed to exchangeable, carbonates associated and organic associated forms after 20 min. The chemical forms of Pb differed widely among soils after 3600-h incubation. The conversion rate of Pb from more available forms to less available forms was higher in temperate soils with higher Fe–Mn oxides and OM contents compared to semiarid soils. In temperate soils after 3600-h incubation, greater content of Pb was observed in Res (68%), AOM (14%), ACar (7%), and AMnOx (5%) fractions. However, in semiarid soils greater content of Pb was observed in Res (61%), ACar (16%), Sol-Exch (8%), and AOM (8%) fractions. The sum of AMnOx and AFeOx chemical forms for Pb in semiarid soils compared to temperate soils was lower. It was only 7% against 9% in temperate soils. Soil microorganisms in unsterile soils had significant effect on AOM, AFeOx and Res fractions of Pb. They not only increased AOM and AFeOx fractions of Pb in soils but also decreased Res fraction of Pb significantly.     

Occurrence and migration of microplastics and plasticizers in different wastewater and sludge treatment units in municipal wastewater treatment plant

● Reduce the quantifying MPs time by using Nile red staining. ● The removal rate of MPs and PAEs in wastewater and sludge were investigated. ● MPs and PAEs were firstly analyzed during thermal hydrolysis treatment. ● The removal of PAEs from wastewater and sludge was mainly biodegradation. Microplastics (MPs) and plasticizers, such as phthalate esters (PAEs), were frequently detected in municipal wastewater treatment plants (MWTP). Previous research mainly studied the removal of MPs and PAEs in wastewater. However, the occurrence of MPs and PAEs in the sludge was generally ignored. To comprehensively investigate the occurrence and the migration behaviors of MPs and PAEs in MWTP, a series of representative parameters including the number, size, color, shape of MPs, and the concentrations of PAEs in wastewater and sludge were systematically investigated. In this study, the concentrations of MPs in the influent and effluent were 15.46±0.37 and 0.30±0.14 particles/L. The MP removal efficiency of 98.1% was achieved and about 73.8% of MPs were accumulated in the sludge in the MWTP. The numbers of MPs in the sludge before and after digestion were 4.40±0.14 and 0.31±0.01 particles/g (dry sludge), respectively. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR FT-IR) analysis showed that the main types of MPs were polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), and polystyrene (PS). Six PAEs, including phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP), ortho dibutyl phthalate (DBP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), and bis(2-ethyl) hexyl phthalate (DEHP), were detected in the MWTP. The concentrations of total PAEs (ΣPAEs) in the influent and effluent were 76.66 and 6.28 µg/L, respectively. The concentrations of ΣPAEs in the sludge before and after digestion were 152.64 and 31.70 µg/g, respectively. In the process of thermal hydrolysis, the number and size of MPs decreased accompanied by the increase of the plasticizer concentration.     

天津城区秋冬季黑碳气溶胶观测与分析

利用天津大气边界层观测站2010年9月—2011年1月黑碳气溶胶、PM2.5质量浓度、大气能见度及常规气象观测数据,研究天津城区秋冬季黑碳气溶胶污染特征.结果表明,天津秋冬季黑碳气溶胶质量浓度均值7.24μg.m-3和6.46μg.m-3,分别占PM2.5质量的9.42%和7.98%,其吸收作用分别贡献大气消光的17.2%和17.6%;采用最大频数浓度法计算黑碳浓度本底值为2.50μg.m-3;黑碳浓度的日变化特征与天气过程有关,雾和霾天气下黑碳浓度较高,降水利于清除黑碳污染,秋季高浓度黑碳除局地源污染外,可能还与河北、山西、天津等地燃烧秸秆有关.     

春、夏季长江口海域营养盐的时空分布特征及营养结构分析

2009年春季（5月）和夏季（8月）分别对长江口海水中的营养盐（DIN、SiO32--Si、PO43--P）进行调查,分析其时空分布特征,探讨其影响机理,并对富营养化水平进行了评价。结果表明：春、夏季表、底层DIN、SiO32--Si的平面分布有从近岸向离岸逐渐降低的特点,而PO43--P则表现出一种缓冲现象;各营养盐在表、底层的质量浓度春季均小于夏季,且DIN的主要存在形式均为NO3-_N;DIN、SiO32--Si主要来源于径流输入,PO43--P则有多种来源。春、夏季表、底层SiO32--Si/PO43--P、DIN/PO43--P均远大于Redfield值,具有营养盐比例不平衡的特征,且DIN/PO43--P、SiO32--Si/DIN、SiO32--Si/PO43--P在长江口海域的分布不均匀;从浮游植物吸收DIN/PO43--P的配比分析,PO43--P是春、夏季长江口海域潜在性营养限制因子;春、夏季E值均远大于富营养化阀值,该海域富营养化现象严重。     

Ecoregions and ecosystem management in China

Ecological regionalization is a base for rational management and sustainable utilization of ecosystems and natural resources. It can provide a scientific basis for constructing healthy ecological environments and making policies of environmental management. In this paper, based on synthetic analysis of the characteristics of the ecology and environments of China, the principles of ecological regionalization are discussed, and indices and nomenclature of ecological regionalization are proposed. The ecoregions on a national scale are divided. The results show that there are 3 domains, 13 ecoregions and 57 ecodistricts. The present scheme can be used as a framework for ecosystem assessment and management. Based on the ecoregions, measurements of management for forest, grassland, agriculture and wetland ecosystems are recommended. The experience and information can be used within and beyond the national scale for land-use planning, biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration.     

城市绿地土壤呼吸时空变异及其影响因素

2012年7月-2012年12月,采用LI—COR-8100测定了柳树、圆柏和杏树3种北京绿化树木的土壤呼吸速率,并分析了生物因子和非生物因子对土壤呼吸的影响。结果表明：3个树种的土壤呼吸速率平均值为：柳树3．53μmol／（m2·s）,圆柏2．68μmol（m2·s）,杏树2．38μmol／（m2·s）;3种树木土壤呼吸速率呈现相似的月动态,与温度呈极显著指数相关,而与土壤水分相关性不显著。8月柳树和圆柏的土壤呼吸显著高于杏树;9月柳树的土壤呼吸显著高于圆柏和杏树;10—11月3种树木之间差异性不显著。8—9月土壤呼吸速率和温度、树木胸径、总碳、总氮、有机碳及硝态氮显著相关,而与碳氮比、叶面积指数呈极显著负相关。逐步回归分析表明,8—9月间3种树木的土壤呼吸主要受到树木胸径和叶面积指数的影响,模型解释率为42．0％（p=0．001）。     

Occurrence and distribution of organochlorine residues in fish from the magdalena and meta rivers in Colombia

From sexually mature female fish of 32 different species muscle tissues and eggs were collected at four sites in the Magdalena and Meta rivers in Colombia. In most of the fishes, organochlorine residues were found both in the muscle tissues and in the eggs. On a fat basis, the level of SDDT and PCBs in the muscle tissues ranged from 55–10 700 and 5–5610 ng/g lipid weight, respectively. The concentration of these compounds in the fish eggs were generally lower than those in the tissues. The levels of the residues in the fish were highest in the middle and lower part of the Magdalena River, indicating a contamination of the whole fish community. The results show that this river, especially its lower part after merging with the River Bogotá, is heavily influenced by anthropogenic persistent compounds. The pollution of lakes, dams, rivers and coastal areas with sewage, pesticides and industrial wastes is one of the most pressing environmental problems in Colombia. Since there are no statistics or other material that permit a diagnosis of the problem and its magnitude, it is urgent to carry out such investigations to identify sources and take appropriate measures. The responsibility for the use and control of industrial and agricultural chemicals is today shared among many regional corporations. We suggest the establishment of an authority at high technical and govermental level that can initiate monitoring and coordinate actions to alleviate the present situation.     

Toxicity and bioaccumulation of cadmium and lead in Salvinia cucullata

The toxicity and accumulation of heavy metals, cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in aquatic fern, Salvinia cucullata were studied. Plants were cultured in Hoagland's medium which was supplemented with 0.5,1,2, and 4 mg/l of Cd and 5, 10, and 40 mg/l of Pb and were separately harvested after 2,4,6, and 8 days. The toxicity symptoms of Cd and Pb to S. cucullata showed chlorosis on leaves. There were significant derceases in the relative growth, biomass productivity and total chlorophyll content when the exposure time and concentration were increased. The accumulation study showed the significant increases of both metals when the exposure time and concentration were increased. The roots of S. cucullata had higher Cd and Pb contents than leaves suggesting that the metals were bound to the root cells and were partially transported to the leaves.     

攀枝花市水系沉积物与土壤中重金属的地球化学特征比较

水系沉积物和土壤都是表生作用的产物,是环境中污染物质的重要受纳体,但两者在物质来源和受纳污染物方面又有不同。重金属通过不同方式进入到水系沉积物和土壤之中产生污染,对于区域环境具有重要的影响。为了了解攀枝花市水系沉积物和土壤中重金属元素地球化学特征的异同和污染状况,在攀枝花市范围内系统采集了水系沉积物和土壤样品,从环境地球化学角度,应用地球化学方法研究了攀枝花市水系沉积物及土壤中重金属的地球化学特征,应用地质累积指数法评价了污染情况,并对二者进行了比较研究。结果表明,攀枝花市水系沉积物中重金属的含量普遍高于土壤;水系沉积物和土壤中重金属的分布具有相似的特征;水系沉积物中重金属的污染程度高于土壤,但总体上来说,重金属的污染程度较小。两者的污染程度不同是因为接受污染物的方式不同;两者的分布趋势相同,说明具有相同或相近的污染来源。     

氟铃脲在棉花和土壤中的残留与降解行为研究

利用高效液相色谱分析方法,考查氟铃脲在棉叶及土壤上使用后的降解和残留行为,为安全施药提供依据。采用田间试验法研究氟铃脲在棉叶和土壤中的残留消解动态。氟铃脲在棉叶中的消解动态均满足一级降解动力学过程及其降解常数。按照试验要求,氟铃脲在棉籽中的最终残留均未检出,低于日本规定的最大残留限量值（0.05 mg·kg-1）。该分析方法操作简单,精密度、准确度和灵敏度都符合农药残留标准要求,适用于棉花和土壤中的氟铃脲残留测定;建议2%氟铃脲乳油在棉花上防治病害,用药次数1次,使用剂量是22.5～30.0 g·a·i·hm-2,在棉花上的安全间隔期可定为10 d。