不同电极材料对阴极硝化耦合阳极反硝化微生物燃料电池性能的影响

为解决传统MFC反硝化菌在好氧阴极难以富集且脱氮效果差的问题,通过构建石墨MFC和碳刷MFC以阴极硝化耦合阳极反硝化的方式脱氮除碳,并对比分析2种不同电极MFC的性能。结果表明:在相同条件下石墨MFC的最大功率密度为6.71 W·m~(-3)NC,开路电压为902.13 mV;碳刷MFC的最大功率密度为5.11 W·m~(-3)NC,开路电压819.04 m V。启动阶段前15 d碳刷MFC的总氮去除率更高,之后石墨MFC的总氮去除率接近100%,碳刷MFC的总氮去除率在95%左右。石墨MFC的COD去除率高达93%,碳刷MFC的COD去除率在83%左右。相比于传统MFC,阴极硝化耦合阳极反硝化MFC不需要调节pH。相比于碳刷电极,石墨电极MFC可以启动和挂膜同时进行,缩短挂膜时间,且产电性能和脱氮除碳效果更好。     

AC/PTFE微生物燃料电池阴极去除罗丹明B及同步产电性能

采用辊压成型法制备了活性炭(AC)/聚四氟乙烯(PTFE)质量比分别为6、5和3的AC/PTFE电极,并利用SEM对电极表面进行表征。结果表明,随着质量比的降低电极表面活性炭颗粒间的连接更为紧密。以制得的AC/PTFE电极,碳毡分别为微生物燃料电池(MFC)的阴极、阳极,利用AC/PTFE阴极在曝气条件下产生的过氧化氢在阴极处理模拟的罗丹明B废水。研究了不同质量比AC/PTFE阴极对罗丹明B的去除效果及同步产电情况,结果表明以AC/PTFE质量比为6的AC/PTFE阴极在96 h内对罗丹明B的去除率达到96%,MFC获得的最大功率密度为105 mW·m~(-2);同时研究了在阴极液加入0.2 g·L-1Fe~(2+)的条件下,阴极液为不同pH值时,阴极对罗丹明B的去除效果及MFC产电情况。结果表明在阴极液pH=3的情况下,罗丹明B的去除率在36 h内达到了98.9%,MFC的最大功率密度达到210 mW·m~(-2),罗丹明B的去除速率及MFC能量的输出得到了明显提高。     

反硝化生物滤池用于再生水脱氮效能及动力学研究

采用反硝化生物滤池处理城市污水厂二级出水,研究了反硝化生物滤池脱氮效能及其影响因素,构建了反硝化生物滤池脱氮动力学模型。结果表明,反硝化生物滤池启动7d后出水水质稳定,对NO-3-N的去除率达到90%以上,NO-2-N积累现象消失;当外加乙酸钠作碳源并使C/N≥4.7时,对NO-3-N的去除率达到90%以上,出水NO-3-N浓度在1.0mg/L以下;反硝化生物滤池具有较高的处理负荷,当HRT≥5 min时,对NO-3-N的去除率能达到90%以上;在实验水质条件下,滤池反硝化反应遵循一级反应动力学,且反应速率常数与流速成正比。     

微生物燃料电池处理含铜废水的研究

构建了以乙酸钠为阳极基质、Cu~(2+)为阴极电子受体的双室微生物燃料电池(MFC),考察了该MFC处理含铜废水的效果及Cu~(2+)浓度对MFC产电性能的影响。通过改变阴极液中CuSO_4的质量浓度(20~130mg/L),测试了MFC运行过程中的输出电压、输出功率密度、内阻、Cu去除率等指标。结果表明:Cu~(2+)可作为MFC的阴极电子受体;在外电路电阻为1 000Ω的条件下,Cu~(2+)质量浓度为130mg/L的MFC性能最佳,其稳定输出电压为0.33V、最大输出功率密度为114.42mW/m~2,内阻为231.62Ω,最高Cu去除率为84.59%;通过X射线衍射测试发现,阴极还原产物为Cu_2O。     

不同阴极对微生物燃料电池产电性能的影响比较

阴极催化性能及材料对微生物燃料电池(microbial fuel cells,MFCs)的产电特性及制造成本有很大影响。本研究选用金属铂(Pt)、活性炭作为催化剂、聚四氟乙烯(PTFE)和道康宁1-2577作为阴极的扩散层、碳布和不锈钢网作为阴极的基体材料制备得4种阴极,分别考察了相应MFC的产电性能和阴极特性。结果表明,采用传统Pt催化剂+PTFE扩散层+碳布制备成的阴极(Pt-PTC),MFC的最大输出电压为560 mV,最大功率密度为808 mW/m2,而采用活性炭+道康宁1-2577+不锈钢网制备成的阴极(AC-DCS),MFC的最大输出电压为510 mV,最大功率密度为726 mW/m2,两者的MFC产电性能极为接近。SEM结果表明,活性炭催化层表面和道康宁1-2577扩散层分别比Pt催化层及PTFE扩散层的更均匀光滑。阴极线性伏安测定结果表明,AC-DCS与Pt-PTC的电化学氧化性能较为接近。AC-DCS阴极成本仅为Pt-PTC的1/300左右,是一种低成本扩大化生产MFC阴极的新方法。     

回流式无膜生物阴极微生物燃料电池脱氮

为有效提高脱氮效率、降低MFC运行成本,设计了一种新构型回流式无PEM膜的生物阴极微生物燃料电池,处理生活污水,回收电能。研究了该系统的启动情况及稳定运行时的污水脱氮效果和产电性能。结果表明,系统稳定运行后,输出电压0.53 V,反应器内阻406.8Ω,最大功率密度201.9 mW/m3。连续进水、停留时间12 h、回流比为1及阴极连续曝气条件下,COD去除率85%以上,氨氮去除率93.94%,总氮去除率44.96%,总氮去除较作参比的A2/O系统提高8.17%。     

双室微生物燃料电池处理硝酸盐废水

基于双室微生物燃料电池(microbial fuel cell,MFC),针对阴极分别接种活性污泥(A-MFC)和反硝化细菌(D-MFC),研究其产电情况和硝酸盐废水去除效果。结果表明,在产电的同时都可有效去除废水中的硝酸盐污染物。在外接电阻100Ω的情况下,2种MFC均具有良好的产电性能,A-MFC和D-MFC达到的最大输出电压分别为119.6 mV和117.2mV,最大功率密度分别为23.40 mW/m2和26.63 mW/m2;同时两者在阴极室的平均反硝化速率分别为1.86 mg/(L.d)和2.19 mg/(L.d),阳极室的平均COD去除率分别为81.9%和82.4%。另外,通过扫描电镜观察可知,A-MFC和D-MFC阴极碳布表面形貌存在差异,并且阳极与阴极碳布表面形貌差异显著。     

微生物燃料电池阴阳两级分步降解对氯酚效果

构建一种微生物燃料电池(MFC),首先将对氯酚在阴极室降解为苯酚,随后将阴极处理液在阳极室降解。研究了对氯酚废水经过阴阳双室分步处理后的去除效果和该MFC的产电性能,结果表明,在外电阻1 000Ω时,阴极脱氯阶段最大输出电压为216 m V,产电周期为132 h;阳极降解阶段最大输出电压为277 m V,产电周期为48 h,对氯酚的总去除率为96.2%。实验结果表明该MFC能较好处理对氯酚废水,且与传统的生化处理技术相比,有较大的优势。     

MFC强化同步短程硝化反硝化工艺的启动

微生物燃料电池(MFC)可在阴极实现反硝化、短程反硝化和同步硝化反硝化并产生电能,但在MFC阴极实现同步短程硝化反硝化的研究尚未见到报道。为了探讨MFC阴极同步短程硝化反硝化工艺的性能,将双室曝气阴极MFC与A/O脱氮工艺结合处理人工模拟低碳氮比废水。通过静置运行15 d使得MFC阴极室亚硝态氮得以积累,氨氧化菌得以富集。随即改为连续运行后第21天成功启动同步短程硝化反硝化MFC;阴极出水氨氮浓度为0.3 mg/L,亚硝态氮浓度为15.9 mg/L,硝态氮浓度为0.6 mg/L,亚硝化率达到95%以上,阴极电极自养反硝化去除率达到50%以上,COD去除率达到85%以上。结果表明,将MFC与同步短程硝化反硝化工艺结合,通过阴极室中氧气得电子获得高p H,可以强化同步短程硝化反硝化工艺,完成生物脱氮的同时回收电能,并具有减少外加碱度的优势。     

微生物燃料电池化学阴极与生物阴极处理含铬废水

采用双室微生物燃料电池(MFC)反应器,考察了不同初始Cr(VI)浓度下化学阴极与生物阴极MFC的产电及Cr(VI)去除情况。结果表明,在各Cr(VI)浓度梯度(20、28、32、36、40和44mg/L)下生物阴极MFC的产电及Cr(VI)去除性能均较化学阴极MFC更优,生物阴极最大输出电压为180.1mV,是化学阴极的1.3倍。随着初始Cr(VI)浓度的递增,两者对Cr(VI)去除的差异越明显,最终在Cr(VI)浓度为44mg/L时,生物阴极MFC的Cr(VI)去除率为66.4%,较化学阴极提高了55.1%。进一步由循环伏安扫描、电镜扫描及X-射线能谱分析证实生物阴极MFC较化学阴极MFC产电及去铬性能优越的主要原因除了生物阴极电极上电化学活性微生物的催化作用外,Cr(VI)还原产生的不导电Cr(III)沉积物在其电极上附着较少也是一个关键因素,该Cr(III)沉积物中含有Cr2O3。     

Chloroaromatic pollutants in mussels incubated in two finnish watercourses polluted by industry

Concentrations of different chlorinated compounds were measured in mussels incubated in two polluted watercourses, a river (the River Kymijoki) and a lake (Lake Vanaja) for four weeks in summer 1995. The sum concentrations of polychlorinated phenols (PCP) and biphenyls (PCB) were both about 1 μg/g lipid weight (lw) in Lake Vanaja mussels, while in the River Kymijoki mussels PCPs were non-detectable and PCBs were measured 120 ng/g lIw. The concentrations of toxic polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin (PCDD) and dibenzofuran (PCDF) congeners ranged between <17 and 370 pg/g Iw in Lake Vanaja mussels and between <38 and 11,000 pg/g lw in the River Kymijoki mussels. Polychlorinated diphenyl ethers (PCDE) were detected in the mussels incubated in the River Kymijoki (0.4–1.1 ng/g Iw), but not in those incubated in Lake Vanaja. Polychlorinated phenoxyanisoles (PCPA) were measured 33 ng/g lw and polychlorinated phenoxyphenols (PCPP) 300 ng/g lw in the mussels incubated in the River Kymijoki. PCPAs were also detected in reference samples, which were sediment and pike from the River Kymijoki and Baltic salmon, seal and white-tailed sea eagle.     

Book review

The Pesticide Manual ‐ A World Compendium, 8th Edition, C.R. Worthing, Editor and S.B. Walker, Assistant Editor, British Crop Protection Council, BCPC Publications Sales, Bear Farm, Binfield, Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 5QE, England. 1987, 1100 pp., UK £50; Overseas £56. ISBN 0–948404–01–9.     

Organochlorine compounds in a three-step terrestrial food chain

The concentrations of 15 organochlorine chemicals (PCBs and pesticides) were studied in a Central European oak wood food chain system: Great tit (Parus major), caterpillars (Tortrix viridana, Operophtera brumata, Erannis defoliaria), and oak-leaves (Quercus robur). Juvenile tits receive organochlorines from the mother via egg transfer and, eventually to a greater extent, from the caterpillar food source during nestling period. The concentrations of PCB 153 (2,2′,4,4′,5,5′-hexachlorobiphenyl, the most abundant in this study) was found in leaf material at ca. 1 ng/g, in caterpillars 10 ng/g, and in bird eggs 170 ng/g on an average and on a dry mass basis.     

The chemical stability of formulations of some hydrolyzable insecticides in aqueous mixtures with hydrolysis catalysts

Abstract

The active ingredients in commercial formulations of malathion, oxamyl, carbaryl, diazinon, and chlorpyrifos diluted to “spray tank”; concentrations with buffered distilled or natural water of pH 4–9 were stable for at least 24 hr. Formulations of trichlorfon were not stable at pH 7 or above but disappearance rates were slower than for the pure chemical in homogeneous solution. Cupric ion was observed to be an effective catalyst for the hydrolysis of a variety of pure organophosphorus insecticides but did not catalyze hydrolysis of the active ingredients of the formulations examined. Increasing the dilution of the formulation increased the susceptibility of malathion, oxamyl, and carbaryl to hydrolysis.     

Observations on the influence of water and soil pH on the persistence of insecticides

Abstract

The pH‐disappearance rate profiles were determined at ca. 25°C for 24 insecticides at 4 or 5 pH values over the range 4.5 to 8.0 in sterile phosphate buffers prepared in water‐ethanol (99: 1 v/v). Half‐lives measured at pH 8 were generally smaller than at lower pH values. Changes in half lives between pH 8.0 and 4.5 were largest (>1000x) for the aryl carbamates, carbofuran and carbaryl, the oxime carbamate, oxamyl, and the organophosphorus insecticide, trichlorfon. In contrast, half lives of phorate, terbufos, heptachlor, fensulfothion and aldicarb were affected only slightly by pH changes. Under the experimental conditions described half lives at pH8 varied from 1–2 days for trichlorfon and oxamyl to >1 year for fensulfothion and cyper‐methrin. Insecticide persistence on alumina (acid, neutral and basic), mineral soils amended with aluminum sulfate or calcium hydroxide to different pH values and four natural soils of different pH was examined. No correlation was observed between the measured pH of these solids and the rate of disappearance of selected insecticides applied to them. These observations demonstrate the difficulty of extrapolating the pH dependent disappearance behaviour observed in homogeneous solution to partially solid heterogeneous systems such as soil.     

Evaluation of trichloroethene recovery processes in heterogeneous aquifer cells flushed with biodegradable surfactants

The ability of two biodegradable surfactants, polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate (Tween 80) and sodium dihexyl sulfosuccinate (Aerosol MA), to recover a representative dense non-aqueous-phase liquid (DNAPL), trichloroethene (TCE), from heterogeneous porous media was evaluated through a combination of batch and aquifer cell experiments. An aqueous solution containing 3.3% Aerosol MA, 8% 2-propanol and 6 g/l CaCl(2) yielded a weight solubilization ratio (WSR) of 1.21 g TCE/g surfactant, with a corresponding liquid-liquid interfacial tension (IFT) of 0.19 dyn/cm. Flushing of aquifer cells containing a TCE-DNAPL source zone with approximately two pore volumes of the AMA formulation resulted in substantial (>30%) mobilization of TCE-DNAPL. However, a TCE mass recovery of 81% was achieved when the aqueous-phase flow rate was sufficient to displace the mobile TCE-DNAPL toward the effluent well. Aqueous solutions of Tween 80 exhibited a greater capacity to solubilize TCE (WSR=1.74 g TCE/g surfactant) and exerted markedly less reduction in IFT (10.4 dyn/cm). These data contradict an accepted empirical correlation used to estimate IFT values from solubilization capacity, and indicate a unique capacity of T80 to form concentrated TCE emulsions. Flushing of aquifer cells with less than 2.5 pore volumes of a 4% T80 solution achieved TCE mass recoveries ranging from 66 to 85%, with only slight TCE-DNAPL mobilization (<5%) occurring when the total trapping number exceeded 2 x 10(-5). These findings demonstrate the ability of Tween 80 and Aerosol MA solutions to efficiently recover TCE from a heterogeneous DNAPL source zone, and the utility of the total trapping number as a design parameter for a priori prediction of DNAPL mobilization and bank angle formation when flushing with low-IFT solutions. Given their potential to stimulate microbial reductive dechlorination at low concentrations, these surfactants are well-suited for remedial action plans that couple aggressive mass removal followed by enhanced bioremediation to treat chlorinated solvent source zones.     

Radionuclides in pinon pine (Pinus edulis) nuts from los alamos national laboratory lands and the dose from consumption

Abstract

One of the dominant tree species growing within and around the eastern portion of Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM, lands is the pinon pine (Pinus edulis). Pinon pine is used for firewood, fence posts, and building materials and is a source of nuts for food—the seeds are consumed by a wide variety of animals and are also gathered by people in the area and eaten raw or roasted. This study investigated the (1) concentration of ³H, ¹³⁷Cs, ⁹⁰Sr, ^totU, ²³⁸Pu, ^{239, 240}Pu, and²⁴¹ Am in soils (0‐ to 12‐in. [31 cm] depth underneath the tree), pinon pine shoots (PPS), and pinon pine nuts (PPN) collected from LANL lands and regional background (BG) locations, (2) committed effective dose equivalent (CEDE) from the ingestion of nuts, and (3) soil to PPS to PPN concentration ratios (CRs). Most radionuclides, with the exception of ³H in soils, were not significantly higher (p < 0.10) in soils, PPS, and PPN collected from LANL as compared to BG locations, and concentrations of most radionuclides in PPN from LANL have decreased over time. The maximum net CEDE (the CEDE plus two sigma minus BG) at the most conservative ingestion rate (10 lb [4.5 kg]) was 0.0018 mrem (0.018 μSv); this is far below the International Commission on Radiological Protection (all pathway) permissible dose limit of 100 mrem (1000 μSv). Soil‐to‐nut CRs for most radionuclides were within the range of default values in the literature for common fruits and vegetables.     

Degradation and sorption of imidacloprid in dissimilar surface and subsurface soils

Degradation and sorption/desorption are important processes affecting the leaching of pesticides through soil. This research characterized the degradation and sorption of imidacloprid (1-[(6-chloro-3-pyridinyl)-methyl]-N-nitro-2-imidazolidinimine) in Drummer (silty clay loam) and Exeter (sandy loam) surface soils and their corresponding subsurface soils using sequential extraction methods over 400 days. By the end of the incubation, approximately 55% of imidacloprid applied at a rate of 1.0 mg kg^?1 degraded in the Exeter sandy loam surface and subsurface soils, compared to 40% of applied imidacloprid within 300 days in Drummer surface and subsurface soils. At the 0.1 mg kg^?1 application rate, dissipation was slower for all four soils. Water-extractable imidacloprid in Exeter surface soil decreased from 98% of applied at day 1 to > 70% of the imidacloprid remaining after 400 d, as compared to 55% in the Drummer surface soil at day 1 and 12% at day 400. These data suggest that imidacloprid was bioavailable to degrading soil microorganisms and sorption/desorption was not the limiting factor for biodegradation. In subsurface soils > 40% of ¹⁴C-benzoic acid was mineralized over 21 days, demonstrating an active microbial community. In contrast, cumulative ¹⁴CO₂ was less than 1.5% of applied ¹⁴C-imidacloprid in all soils over 400 d. Qualitative differences in the microbial communities appear to limit the degradation of imidacloprid in the subsurface soils.     

Biochemical interaction of six op delayed neurotoxicants with several neurotargets

Abstract

Five organophosphorous insecticides: Leptophos, EPN, Cyano‐fenphos, trichloronate and salithion proved to cause irreversible ataxia not only to chicken but also to mice and sheep. TOCP was included as a reference. Cyanofenphos blocked the catecholamine B‐receptor binding activity with ³H‐norepinephrine at a level similar to that of the specific inhibitor propranolol in the mouse heart preparation. In the lamb heart preparation, the B‐receptor was more sensitive to Leptophos, salithion and TOCP than to propranolol. The six compounds and their oxons were screened for their in‐vitro inhibition to monamine oxidase (MAO), acetyl cholinesterase (AChE) and neurotoxic esterase (NTE) in the brain of either mouse, lamb or chicken. It is believed that their AChE inhibition stands for their acute toxicity, while NTE inhibition is responsible for their paralytic ataxia.     

Phytoextraction of lead-contaminated soil using vetivergrass (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Vetiveria zizanioides</Emphasis> L.), cogongrass (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Imperata cylindrica</Emphasis> L.) and carabaograss (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Paspalum conjugatum</Emphasis> L.)

Background, Aims and Scope The global problem concerning contamination of the environment as a consequence of human activities is increasing. Most of the environmental contaminants are chemical by-products and heavy metals such as lead (Pb). Lead released into the environment makes its way into the air, soil and water. Lead contributes to a variety of health effects such as decline in mental, cognitive and physical health of the individual. An alternative way of reducing Pb concentration from the soil is through phytoremediation. Phytoremediation is an alternative method that uses plants to clean up a contaminated area. The objectives of this study were: (1) to determine the survival rate and vegetative characteristics of three grass species such as vetivergrass, cogongrass and carabaograss grown in soils with different Pb levels; and (2) to determine and compare the ability of the three grass species as potential phytoremediators in terms of Pb accumulation by plants. Methods The three test plants: vetivergrass (Vetiveria zizanioides L.); cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica L.); and carabaograss (Paspalum conjugatum L.) were grown in individual plastic bags containing soils with 75 mg kg⁻¹ (37.5 kg ha⁻¹) and 150 mg kg⁻¹ (75 kg ha⁻¹) of Pb, respectively. The Pb contents of the test plants and the soil were analyzed before and after experimental treatments using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. This study was laid out following a 3 × 2 factorial experiment in a completely randomized design. Results On the vegetative characteristics of the test plants, vetivergrass registered the highest whole plant dry matter weight (33.85–39.39 Mg ha⁻¹). Carabaograss had the lowest herbage mass production of 4.12 Mg ha⁻¹ and 5.72 Mg ha⁻¹ from soils added with 75 and 150 mg Pb kg⁻¹, respectively. Vetivergrass also had the highest percent plant survival which meant it best tolerated the Pb contamination in soils. Vetivergrass registered the highest rate of Pb absorption (10.16 ± 2.81 mg kg⁻¹). This was followed by cogongrass (2.34 ± 0.52 mg kg⁻¹) and carabaograss with a mean Pb level of 0.49 ± 0.56 mg kg⁻¹. Levels of Pb among the three grasses (shoots + roots) did not vary significantly with the amount of Pb added (75 and 150 mg kg⁻¹) to the soil. Discussion Vetivergrass yielded the highest biomass; it also has the greatest amount of Pb absorbed (roots + shoots). This can be attributed to the highly extensive root system of vetivergrass with the presence of an enormous amount of root hairs. Extensive root system denotes more contact to nutrients in soils, therefore more likelihood of nutrient absorption and Pb uptake. The efficiency of plants as phytoremediators could be correlated with the plants’ total biomass. This implies that the higher the biomass, the greater the Pb uptake. Plants characteristically exhibit remarkable capacity to absorb what they need and exclude what they do not need. Some plants utilize exclusion mechanisms, where there is a reduced uptake by the roots or a restricted transport of the metals from root to shoots. Combination of high metal accumulation and high biomass production results in the most metal removal from the soil. Conclusions The present study indicated that vetivergrass possessed many beneficial characteristics to uptake Pb from contaminated soil. It was the most tolerant and could grow in soil contaminated with high Pb concentration. Cogongrass and carabaograss are also potential phytoremediators since they can absorb small amount of Pb in soils, although cogongrass is more tolerant to Pb-contaminated soil compared with carabaograss. The important implication of our findings is that vetivergrass can be used for phytoextraction on sites contaminated with high levels of heavy metals; particularly Pb. Recommendations and Perspectives High levels of Pb in localized areas are still a concern especially in urban areas with high levels of traffic, near Pb smelters, battery plants, or industrial facilities that burn fuel ending up in water and soils. The grasses used in the study, and particularly vetivergrass, can be used to phytoremediate urban soil with various contaminations by planting these grasses in lawns and public parks. ESS-Submission Editor: Dr. Willie Peijnenburg (wjgm.peijnenburg@rivm.nl)