The effect of temperature on the rate of cyanide metabolism of two woody plants

The response of cyanide metabolism rates of two woody plants to changes in temperature is investigated. Detached leaves (1.0 g fresh weight) from weeping willow (Salix babylonica L.) and Chinese elder (Sambucus chinensis Lindl.) were kept in glass vessels with 100ml of aqueous solution spiked with potassium cyanide for a maximum of 28 h. Ten different temperatures were used ranging from 11 degrees C to 32 degrees C. The disappearance of aqueous cyanide was analyzed spectrophotometrically. The cyanide removal rate of Chinese elder was higher than that of weeping willow at all temperatures. The highest cyanide removal rate for Chinese elder was found at 30 degrees C with a value of 12.6 mg CN kg(-1) h(-1), whereas the highest value of the weeping willow was 9.72 mg CN kg(-1) h(-1) at 32 degrees C. The temperature coefficient values, Q10, which are the ratio of removal rates at a 10 degree difference, were determined for Chinese elder and weeping willow to 1.84 and 2.09, respectively, indicating that the cyanide removal rate of weeping willow was much more susceptible to changes in temperature than that of the Chinese elder. In conclusion, changes in temperature have a substantial influence on the removal rate of cyanide by plants.     

Removal of cyanide from liquid wastes by modified clinoptilolite

This paper describes the preparation and evaluation of various cationic forms of clinoptilolite for removal of cyanide from aqueous solutions. The cobalt form of the zeolite showed the highest uptake of 1.95 meq of cyanide per gram of zeolite, whereas the uptake of natural forms is 0.070 meq g^-1. The kinetics of cyanide desorption into solutions with different ionic strength were studied. Modified clinoptilolite is a good candidate for the removal and immobilisation of cyanide.     

Possible evidence for transport of an iron cyanide complex by plants

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), oat (Avena sativa L.), and wild cane (Sorghum bicolor L.), were exposed to 15N-labeled ferrocyanide to determine whether these plant species can transport this iron cyanide complex. Plants were treated with ferrocyanide in a nutrient solution that simulated iron cyanide contaminated groundwater and soil solutions. This nutrient solution has been shown to maintain ferrocyanide speciation with minimal dissociation to free cyanide. Following treatment, all three plants showed dramatic enrichments in roots (delta 15N per thousand =1000-1500) and shoots (delta 15N per thousand =500). Barley and oat showed enrichment primarily in roots while wild cane showed a near equal enrichment in root and shoot tissues. Nitrogen-deficient barley plants treated with ferrocyanide showed a significantly greater 15N enrichment as compared to nitrogen-sufficient plants. While the results are suggestive of ferrocyanide transport by these plant species, additional study will be required to verify these results.     

Autoradiographic studies of ethylenediurea distribution in woody plants

Carbon-14-labelled ethylenediurea (EDU), synthesised from diethylenetriamine and (14)C-urea, was stem-injected into 2-year-old seedlings of sugar maple, white ash, flowering dogwood and flowering crabapple. At time intervals ranging from 1 h to 42 days after treatment, macroautoradiographs of leaf, stem and root tissue were made to determine relative distribution patterns of labelled chemical. Translocation of (14)C-EDU was very rapid and predominantly acropetal, especially after the first few hours. Maximum quantities of (14)C were found in leaf tissue approximately 7-10 days following injection, after which the intensity of the labelled chemical declined over the remainder of the study (42 days). Distribution patterns of (14)C-EDU were correlated with observed levels of protection afforded most plants when the chemical is injected 7 days before fumigation with ozone.     

四种植物潜流人工湿地脱氮除磷的研究

分别以薏苡、风车草、茭白和美人蕉为植被构建潜流人工湿地(植物床),研究其对生活污水氮磷的净化功能及其去除率与水力停留时间(HRT)的变化规律.研究结果表明,各种植物床对TN、TP的去除率随HRT的延长而增加,不同植物床的脱氮除磷效果是不同的.美人蕉植物床对TN的去除效果最好,HRT为3 d时,TN去除率为56%;HRT为6 d时,TN去除率达76%.茭白植物床对TP的去除效果最好,HRT为3 d时,TP去除率达76%;HRT为6 d时,TP去除率达93%.其他植物床也有较好的脱氮除磷效果.各种植物床处理后出水TN、TP均较低, HRT为2 d时,出水TN均低于<城镇污水处理厂污染物排放标准>(GB 18918-2002)一级标准A标准;HRT为5 d时,出水TP均低于二级标准,其中茭白、美人蕉植物床处理后出水TP低于一级标准B标准.4种植物构建的潜流人工湿地对TN、TP的去除均满足一级反应动力学方程,且相关性显著.     

8种植物床人工湿地脱氮除磷的研究

分别以水葫芦、西洋芹、空心菜、水芹、混合种(黄菖蒲、千屈菜、再力花)、千屈菜、再力花、黄菖蒲等植物床构建潜流人工湿地,研究其对生活污水氮、磷的净化功能及其去除率与水力停留时间(HRT)的变化规律。结果表明,各种植物床对TN、TP的去除率随HRT的延长而增加,不同植物床的脱氮除磷效果是不同的。千屈菜植物床对TN的去除效果最好,HRT为3d时,TN去除率为56%;HRT为6d时,TN去除率达77%。再力花植物床对TP的去除效果最好,HRT为3d时,TP去除率达78%;HRT为6d时,TP去除率达96%。其他植物床也有较好的脱氮除磷效果。各种植物床处理后出水TN、TP均较低,HRT为3d时,出水TN均低于《城镇污水处理厂污染物排放标准》(GB 18918—2002)一级A标准规定的限值(15mg/L),出水TP均低于GB 18918—2002二级标准规定的限值(3mg/L);7种植物床构建的潜流人工湿地(水葫芦的数据丢失)对TN、TP的去除均满足一级反应动力学方程,且相关性显著。     

Metabolism of cyanide by Chinese vegetation

Cyanide is a high-volume production chemical and the most commonly used leaching reagent for gold and silver extraction. Its environmental behavior and fate is of significant concern because it is a highly toxic compound. Vascular plants possess an enzyme system that detoxifies cyanide by converting it to the amino acid asparagine. This paper presents an investigation of the potential of Chinese vegetation to degrade cyanide. Detached leaves (1.5 g fresh weight) from 28 species of 23 families were kept in glass vessel with 100 ml of aqueous solution spiked with potassium cyanide at 23.5 degrees C for 28 h. Cyanide concentrations ranged from 0.83 to 1.0 CN mg l(-1). The disappearance of cyanide from the aqueous solution was analyzed spectrophotometrically. The fastest cyanide removal was by Chinese elder, Sambucus chinensis, with a removal capacity of 8.8 mg CN kg(-1) h(-1), followed by upright hedge-parsley (Torilis japonica) with a value of 7.5 mg CN kg(-1) h(-1). The lowest removal capacity had the snow-pine tree (Credrus deodara (Roxb.) Loud). Results from this investigation indicated that a wide range of plant species is able to efficiently metabolize cyanide. Therefore, cyanide elimination with plants seems to be a feasible option for cleaning soils and water contaminated by cyanide from gold and silver mines or from other sources.     

Removal characteristics of sulfuric acid aerosols from coal-fired power plants

With increasing attention on sulfuric acid emission, investigations on the removal characteristics of sulfuric acid aerosols by the limestone gypsum wet flue gas desulfurization (WFGD) system and the wet electrostatic precipitator (WESP) were carried out in two coal-fired power plants, and the effects of the WFGD scrubber type and the flue gas characteristics were discussed. The results showed that it was necessary to install the WESP device after desulfurization, as the WFGD system was inefficient to remove sulfuric acid aerosols from the flue gas. The removal efficiency of sulfuric acid aerosols in the WFGD system with double scrubbers ranged from 50% to 65%, which was higher than that with a single scrubber, ranging from 30% to 40%. Furthermore, the removal efficiency of WESP on the sulfuric acid aerosols was from 47.9% to 52.4%. With increased concentrations of SO₃ and particles in the flue gas, the removal efficiencies of the WFGD and the WESP on the sulfuric acid aerosols were increased.

Implications: Investigations on removal of sulfuric acid aerosols by the WFGD and the WESP in the power plants were aimed at the control of sulfuric acid emission. The results showed that the improvement of the WFGD system was beneficial for the reduction of sulfuric acid emission, while the WESP system was essential to control the final sulfuric acid aerosol concentration.     

Phytoremediation of petroleum hydrocarbons in tropical coastal soils I. selection of promising woody plants

GOAL, SCOPE AND BACKGROUND: This glasshouse study is aimed at evaluating tropical plants for phytoremediation of petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated saline sandy subsurface soils. Tropical plants were selected for their ability to tolerate high salinity and remove No. 2 diesel fuel in coastal topsoil prior to further investigation of the phytoremediation feasibility in deep contaminated soils. The residual petroleum-hydrocarbon contaminant at the John Rogers Tank Farm site, a former petroleum storage facility, at Hickam Air Force Base, Honolulu, Hawaii, is located in a coastal area. It lies below a layer of silt in the subsurface, in loamy sand characterized by moderate salinity and high pH. Little is known regarding the ability of tropical plants to remediate petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated subsurface soil in Hawaiian and other Pacific Island ecosystems although suitable plants have been identified and utilized for bioremediation in surface soil or marine sediments. METHODS: The experiments were conducted in long narrow pots under glasshouse conditions in two phases. A preliminary experiment was done with nine tropical plants: kiawe (Prosopis pallida), milo (Thespesia populnea), common ironwood (Casuarina equisetifolia), kou (Cordia subcordata), tropical coral tree (Erythrina variegata), false sandalwood (Myoporum sandwicense), beach naupaka (Scaevola sericea), oleander (Nerium oleander), and buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris). These plants were screened for resistance to high salinity treatment (2% NaCl) and two diesel fuel levels (5 and 10 g No. 2 diesel fuel/kg soil) in separate treatments. Plants that showed good tolerance of both factors were further evaluated in a second phase for their efficacy in the phytoremediation of diesel-fuel petroleum hydrocarbons under moderate salinity treatment (1% NaCl). RESULTS: Tropical coral tree and buffelgrass were susceptible to either 2% NaCl or diesel fuel at 10 g/kg soil, but tolerant of diesel fuel at 5 g/kg soil. Kiawe, milo, kou, common ironwood, N. oleander, beach naupaka and false sandalwood were tolerant of high salinity (2% NaCl) or high diesel fuel level (10 g/kg soil). These seven plants were also tolerant of the combined adverse effects of a moderate salinity (1% NaCl) and 10 g diesel fuel/kg soil. Three trees, kiawe, milo and kou significantly accelerated the degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in the soil spiked with 10 g diesel fuel/kg soil under a moderate salinity treatment (1% NaCl). CONCLUSION: Thus the tropical woody plants, kiawe, milo and kou showed potential for use in phytoremediation of petroleum hydrocarbons in coastal tropical soils. RECOMMENDATIONS AND OUTLOOK: Two fast growing trees, milo and kou, appeared promising for further phytoremediation evaluation in experiments that simulate the soil profile at the field site.     

Removal of heavy metals from a metaliferous water solution by Typha latifolia plants and sewage sludge compost

Typha latifolia plants, commonly known as cattails, were grown in a mixture of mature sewage sludge compost, commercial compost and perlite (2:1:1 by volume). Four Groups (A, B, C and D) were irrigated (once every two weeks) with a solution containing different concentrations of Cu, Ni, and Zn, where in the fifth (group M) tap water was used. At the end of the 10 weeks experimental period substrate and plants were dried, weighed and analysed for heavy metals. The amounts of all three metals removed from the irrigation solution, were substantial. In the roots and leaves/stems of T. latifolia the mean concentration of Zn reached values of 391.7 and 60.8 mg/kg of dry weight (d.w.), respectively. In the substrate of Group D all three metals recorded their highest mean concentrations of 1156.7 mg/kg d.w. for Cu, 296.7 mg/kg d.w. for Ni and 1231.7 mg/kg d.w. for Zn. Linear correlation analyses suggested that there was a linear relationship between the concentration of metals in the solutions and the concentration of metals in the substrates at the end of the experiment. The percentage removal of the metals in the substrate was large, reaching 100% for Cu and Zn in some groups and almost 96% for Ni in group D. The total amount of metals removed by the plants was considerably smaller than that of the substrate, due mainly to the small biomass development. A single factor ANOVA test (5% level) indicated that the build up in the concentration of metals in the roots and the leaves/stems was due to the use of metaliferous water solution and not from the metals pre-existing in the substrate. The contribution of the plants (both roots and leaves/stems) in the removing ability of the system was less than 1%.     

铜氰溶液的电子束辐照降解

研究了铜氰溶液中总氰初始浓度、pH、铜浓度等对总氰降解效率的影响,比较了KCN溶液和铜氰溶液的总氰降解率,初步推断了铜氰溶液在辐照过程中的降解机制.实验结果表明,在同样的辐照剂量下,随着总氰初始浓度的增加,总氰降解率降低,相应的总氰降解G值增大;铜浓度越低,总氰降解率越高;pH越小的铜氰溶液总氰降解率越高.电子束辐照KCN溶液和铜氰溶液的总氰降解反应属于表观一级反应.在相同的辐照剂量下,KCN溶液的总氰降解率比铜氰溶液要高得多.铜氰溶液的电子束辐照降解过程非常复杂,主要是铜氰络合离子逐步离解出的CN-与·OH的反应.     

Removal efficiency of emerging micropollutants in biofilter wastewater treatment plants in tropical areas

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - We studied the removal of 61 emerging micropollutants, including illicit drugs, in a biofilter wastewater treatment plant located in the French Indies...     

Removal ratio of gaseous toluene and xylene transported from air to root zone via the stem by indoor plants

This work was designed to investigate the removal efficiency as well as the ratios of toluene and xylene transported from air to root zone via the stem and by direct diffusion from the air into the medium. Indoor plants (Schefflera actinophylla and Ficus benghalensis) were placed in a sealed test chamber. Shoot or root zone were sealed with a Teflon bag, and gaseous toluene and xylene were exposed. Removal efficiency of toluene and total xylene (m, p, o) was 13.3 and 7.0 μg·m^?3·m^?2 leaf area over a 24-h period in S. actinophylla, and was 13.0 and 7.3 μg·m^?3·m^?2 leaf area in F. benghalensis. Gaseous toluene and xylene in a chamber were absorbed through leaf and transported via the stem, and finally reached to root zone, and also transported by direct diffusion from the air into the medium. Toluene and xylene transported via the stem was decreased with time after exposure. Xylene transported via the stem was higher than that by direct diffusion from the air into the medium over a 24-h period. The ratios of toluene transported via the stem versus direct diffusion from the air into the medium were 46.3 and 53.7 % in S. actinophylla, and 46.9 and 53.1 % in F. benghalensis, for an average of 47 and 53 % for both species. The ratios of m,p-xylene transported over 3 to 9 h via the stem versus direct diffusion from the air into the medium was 58.5 and 41.5 % in S. actinophylla, and 60.7 and 39.3 % in F. benghalensis, for an average of 60 and 40 % for both species, whereas the ratios of o-xylene transported via the stem versus direct diffusion from the air into the medium were 61 and 39 %. Both S. actinophylla and F. benghalensis removed toluene and xylene from the air. The ratios of toluene and xylene transported from air to root zone via the stem were 47 and 60 %, respectively. This result suggests that root zone is a significant contributor to gaseous toluene and xylene removal, and transported via the stem plays an important role in this process.     

Trace element accumulation in woody plants of the Guadiamar Valley, SW Spain: a large-scale phytomanagement case study

Phytomanagement employs vegetation and soil amendments to reduce the environmental risk posed by contaminated sites. We investigated the distribution of trace elements in soils and woody plants from a large phytomanaged site, the Guadiamar Valley (SW Spain), 7 years after a mine spill, which contaminated the area in 1998. At spill-affected sites, topsoils (0-25 cm) had elevated concentrations of As (129 mg kg(-1)), Bi (1.64 mg kg(-1)), Cd (1.44 mg kg(-1)), Cu (115 mg kg(-1)), Pb (210 mg kg(-1)), Sb (13.8 mg kg(-1)), Tl (1.17 mg kg(-1)) and Zn (457 mg kg(-1)). Trace element concentrations in the studied species were, on average, within the normal ranges for higher plants. An exception was white poplar (Populus alba), which accumulated Cd and Zn in leaves up to 3 and 410 mg kg(-1) respectively. We discuss the results with regard to the phytomanagement of trace element contaminated sites.     

Biotransformation of cyanide to methane and ammonia by Klebsiella oxytoca

Klebsiella oxytoca, isolated from cyanide-containing industrial wastewater, was shown to be able to biodegrade cyanide to non-toxic endproducts using cyanide as the sole nitrogen source. In this study, ammonia was one of the detected endproduct of cyanide biodegradation by the concentrated resting cells of K. oxytoca. Moreover, cyanide has been shown to be biotransformed to methane through the actions of concentrated resting cells. Biodegradation of cyanide by cell-free extracts was not observed, which might be due to the inactivation of nitrogenase (an oxygen-labial enzyme) caused by the oxygen exposure after cell disruption. Results show that the cyanide consumption by resting cells of K. oxytoca was induced when the pretreatment of these cells with cyanide was conducted. However, the cyanide-degrading capability of resting cells pretreated with ammonia was inhibited. The inhibition of cyanide degradation by resting cells of K. oxytoca was affected by the ammonia concentration. This might result from the suppression of nitrogenase activity of K. oxytoca by ammonia since nitrogenase was suggested to be the sole cyanide-degrading enzyme during the cyanide degradation process. Results from this study also show that the processes of cyanide biodegradation and ammonia production by resting cells occurred simultaneously. This suggests that the utilization of cyanide as nitrogen source by K. oxytoca might proceed using ammonia as an assimilatory substrate.     

N-亚硝基二甲胺及其前体物在污水处理厂中去除的研究进展

N-亚硝基二甲胺(NDMA)是近年来发现的水或废水氯消毒的副产物,被美国环境保护署认定为可疑致癌化合物.介绍了NDMA的形成机制及其与NDMA前体物的来源.综述了NDMA及其前体物在污水处理厂中的去除现状和去除技术.在此基础上,展望了NDMA及其前体物的未来研究方向,提出了开展国内NDMA研究工作的必要性.     

天然黄铁矿的除磷性能

除磷是控制水体富营养化的重要手段。为了考察黄铁矿的除磷特征,采用序批实验,分别研究了反应时间、初始磷浓度和干扰离子（NH4＋、NO3- 和SO24-）对黄铁矿除磷的影响。动力学表明,黄铁矿的除磷过程符合伪二级动力学模型。pH=6．5时,磷的平衡去除量为6．82mg／kg。Langmuir方程能较好描述黄铁矿除磷的吸附等温过程,其磷的饱和吸附量为11．01mg／kg。NH4＋、NO3-和SO24- 对黄铁矿除磷基本没有影响。磷的去除主要是通过铁磷沉淀和铁氧化物及氢氧化物的吸附,去除的磷主要以可被生物利用的Fe、Al-P形态存在。黄铁矿的这些除磷性能和机制对选取黄铁矿作为人工湿地填料实现同步脱氮除磷具有重要指导作用。     

Removal of aqueous lead by poorly-crystalline hydroxyapatites

The use of a phosphorus amendment in altering Pb to a chemically less mobile phase is a promising strategy based on minimizing ecotoxicological risk and improving time and cost efficiency. This study evaluated crystalline and poorly-crystalline hydroxyapatite sorbents on removal of aqueous Pb in response to reaction time, solution pH, and Pb concentration. Batch experiments were conducted using a commercially-available crystalline hydroxyapatite (HA), and two poorly-crystalline hydroxyapatites synthesized from gypsum waste (CHA) and incinerated ash of poultry waste (MHA). Poorly-crystalline hydroxyapatites had greater capacity for Pb removal from a solution with a wider pH range as compared to a crystalline hydroxyapatite. The maximum sorption capacity of Pb determined by the Langmuir model was 500 mg g⁻¹ for CHA, 277 mg g⁻¹ for MHA and 145 mg g⁻¹ for HA. Removal of aqueous Pb by CHA was not dependent on solution pH, with a 98.8% reduction throughout the solution pH range of 2–9, whereas aqueous Pb removal by HA and MHA was pH-dependent with less removal in the neutral solution pH. Poorly-crystalline hydroxyapatites may provide an effective alternative to existing remediation technologies for Pb-contaminated sites.     

强化混凝去除尖针杆藻

嘉陵江水系藻类暴发,水源水中的藻类在水厂前处理工艺中难以去除,造成该流域附近10余个水厂发生滤池堵塞现象,其中个别水厂滤池反冲洗周期由正常情况的24 h缩短至2~3 h,严重影响净水厂的正常运行,使得制水能力大幅降低。针对藻类（优势藻为硅藻中的针杆藻）暴发问题,通过对比PAFS、PAC和PFC3种混凝剂的除藻除浊效果,选取PAFS为最佳混凝剂;通过添加预氧化剂和助凝剂强化混凝除藻效果,其结果表明,使用助凝剂PDMDAAC的对PAFS的助凝效果最好,其余药剂结合PAFS的除藻效果为PPC〉ClO2〉PAM〉H2O2〉HCA-1,并将其应用到现有水厂,结果表明,0.6mg/L PDMDAAC＋25 mg/L PAFS在水厂混凝沉淀,尖针杆藻含量降至49×104~55×104cells/L,其除藻率可达70%~75%,大大减轻了滤池的运行负荷,使得水厂运行恢复到正常水平。     

Removal of aqueous lead by poorly-crystalline hydroxyapatites

The use of a phosphorus amendment in altering Pb to a chemically less mobile phase is a promising strategy based on minimizing ecotoxicological risk and improving time and cost efficiency. This study evaluated crystalline and poorly-crystalline hydroxyapatite sorbents on removal of aqueous Pb in response to reaction time, solution pH, and Pb concentration. Batch experiments were conducted using a commercially-available crystalline hydroxyapatite (HA), and two poorly-crystalline hydroxyapatites synthesized from gypsum waste (CHA) and incinerated ash of poultry waste (MHA). Poorly-crystalline hydroxyapatites had greater capacity for Pb removal from a solution with a wider pH range as compared to a crystalline hydroxyapatite. The maximum sorption capacity of Pb determined by the Langmuir model was 500 mg g⁻¹ for CHA, 277 mg g⁻¹ for MHA and 145 mg g⁻¹ for HA. Removal of aqueous Pb by CHA was not dependent on solution pH, with a 98.8% reduction throughout the solution pH range of 2–9, whereas aqueous Pb removal by HA and MHA was pH-dependent with less removal in the neutral solution pH. Poorly-crystalline hydroxyapatites may provide an effective alternative to existing remediation technologies for Pb-contaminated sites.