Prospects and limitations of phytoremediation for the removal of persistent pesticides in the environment

The environmental problems that have arisen from the use of persistent pesticides in the past, and potential sources of further contamination have been discussed. The potential and limitations of phytoremediation for removal of pesticides in the environment have been reviewed. The enzymatic processes in plants that are known to be involved in phytodegradation of pesticides, and possibilities for enhancing them have also been discussed.     

Historical evolution of radiative forcing of climate

We have compiled the evolution of the radiative forcing for several mechanisms based on our radiative transfer models using a variety of information sources to establish time histories. The anthropogenic forcing mechanisms considered are well-mixed greenhouse gases, ozone, and tropospheric aerosols (direct and indirect effect). The natural forcing mechanisms taken into account are the radiative effects of solar irradiance variation and particles of volcanic origin. In general there has been an increase in the radiative forcing during the 20th century. The exception is a decline in the radiative forcing in the 1945–1970 period. We have found that the evolution of anthropogenic particle emissions in the same period may have been a major cause of this decline in the forcing. We have discussed uncertainties in the various forcings and their evolution. The uncertainties are large for many forcing mechanisms, especially the impact of anthropogenic aerosols. In particular the indirect effect of aerosols on clouds is difficult to quantify. Several evolutions of their effect may have been possible, strongly influencing the evolution of the total anthropogenic radiative forcing.     

The roles of nuclear energy,renewable energy,and economic growth in the abatement of carbon dioxide emissions in the G7 countries

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - In the current century, the G7 countries have attached more importance to energy security, and have prioritized low-carbon sources which have...     

The application of piezoelectric detectors for investigations of environmental pollution

The general properties of piezoelectric sorption detectors utilised in the detection of air pollution have been characterised. Examples of detection, with the aid of these detectors, of the organophosphorus compounds, sulphur dioxide, ammonia, hydrocarbons and their derivatives and other air pollutants have been given. Based on information given in this paper, general conclusions including advantages, and difficulties of using piezoelectric detectors in practice have been described.     

The potential of diffuse reflectance spectroscopy for the determination of carbon inventories in soils

Investigations have shown that near- and mid-infrared reflectance spectroscopy can accurately determine organic-C in soil. Efforts have also demonstrated that both can differentiate between organic and inorganic-C in soils, but the mid-infrared produces more accurate calibrations. Nevertheless, the greatest benefit would come with in situ determinations where factors such as particle size, sample heterogeneity and moisture can be important. While the variations in large (> 20 mesh) particle size can adversely effect calibration accuracy, efforts have demonstrated that the scanning of larger amounts of sample can overcome this, but the effects of moisture have not been fully explored. While under in situ conditions C distribution and sample heterogeneity are a problem for any analytical method, the rapid analysis possible with spectroscopic techniques will allow many more samples to be analyzed. In conclusion, near- and mid-infrared spectroscopy have great potential for providing the C values needed for C sequestration studies.     

The changing sediment load of the Mekong River

The sediment loads of many of the world's major rivers have changed significantly in recent years due to land-use change, reservoir construction, and other human impacts on their drainage basins. For many rivers, the loads have decreased, whereas for others, they have increased. Such changes can have important implications for both the natural functioning of the system as well as for human exploitation of the river system. This paper considers the evidence for recent changes in the sediment load of the Mekong River. The available data have a number of limitations in terms of both sampling frequency and the period of coverage, but they have been processed to provide a basis for considering the changes in the sediment load of the river over the period extending from the early 1960s to 2002. Although there is evidence of increasing loads at some measuring stations, the overall trends show little evidence of major changes, and the system provides evidence of buffering through storage. As of 2002, the construction of major dams on the headwaters in China appears to have had little impact on the sediment load, although as further larger dams are commissioned, the sediment load of the Mekong can be expected to decrease.     

QSAR models for estimating properties of persistent organic pollutants required in evaluation of their environmental fate and risk

The molecular connectivity indices (MCIs) have been successfully used for over 20 years in quantitative structure activity relationships (QSAR) modelling in various areas of physics, chemistry, biology, drug design, and environmental sciences. With this review, we hope to assist present and future QSAR practitioners to apply MCIs more wisely and more critically. First, we have described the methods of calculation and systematics of MCIs. This section should be helpful in rational selection of MCIs for QSAR modelling. Then we have presented our long-term experience in the application of MCIs through several characteristic and successful QSAR models for estimating partitioning and chromatographic properties of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). We have also analysed the trends in calculated MCIs and discussed their physical interpretation. In conclusion, several practical recommendations and warnings, based on our research experience, have been given for the application of MCIs in the QSAR modelling.     

牛粪堆肥升温菌剂的筛选及其作用机制

以糖、淀粉、蛋白质、纤维素培养基及菌株增殖倍数、菌株性能等为筛选方法,从牛粪低温堆肥中筛选不同原料重要功能菌并组成功能菌剂;以不同类别原料菌及单菌株发酵实验对升温机制进行研究。结果表明,芽孢杆菌、假单胞菌、纤维单胞菌及小孢霉菌等为重要功能菌;菌剂起温快,升温效果好,48 h堆体即由低温进入中温,5 d达到高温,腐熟时间可缩短至约17~18 d;糖功能菌升温效果最为显著,淀粉及蛋白质功能菌次之,纤维素功能菌升温能力较弱;菌株利用各种原料能力越强,增殖速度越快,对升温作用越大。各菌株充分利用基质各成分,紧密协同和促进,是低温堆体发酵升温的主要作用机制。     

Characterisation of local and external contributions of atmospheric particulate matter at a background coastal site

This study applies a methodology for discriminating local and external contributions of atmospheric particulate matter (PM) at a rural background station in the North-western coast of Spain. The main inputs at the nearest scale have come from soil dust, marine aerosol and road traffic. At a larger scale, the highest contributions have come from fossil-fuel combustion sources, giving rise to relatively high ammonium sulphate background levels, mainly in summer. External contributions from long-range transport processes of African dust and nitrate have been detected. Morocco and Western Sahara have been identified as the main potential source regions of African dust, with a higher content of Al and Ti than other crustal components. Geographical areas from central and Eastern Europe have been identified as potential sources of particulate nitrate. The discrimination of the PM contribution from natural and anthropogenic sources at different geographical scales is a necessary information for establishing PM reduction strategies in specific areas.     

An assessment of frequencies of micronucleated erythrocytes in peripheral blood of pigeons (Columba livia Gm) living in the polluted radioactive area around the Siberian chemical plant

We have examined approximately 15,000 pigeons living in the radioactive area polluted by releases of the Siberian Chemical Plant (SChP) as a result of an accident in April 1993. We have detected that almost all of the population of pigeons have a high frequency of micronucleated erythrocytes in their peripheral blood. Moreover, we have found that pigeons living in the downwind cities and towns situated closest to the SChP, particularly in the northern districts of the city of Tomsk and in the closed-city of Tomsk-7 (Seversk), have a significantly high frequency of micronucleated erythrocytes. The assessment of the situation in other Siberian cities has shown that frequencies of micronucleated erythrocytes in pigeons living in Tomsk and Seversk are significantly higher than those in pigeons in the control cities. After the radiation accident the highest frequencies of micronucleated erythrocytes was detected after six months and it gradually decreased over three years but there has been no full normalization. However, full normalization in frequencies of micronucleated erythrocytes in pigeons placed in a vivarium occurred within six months. We have found that frequencies of micronucleated erythrocytes are significantly higher in female pigeons than in males.     

Atmospheric Chemistry of Chlorinated Phenols

The quantum yields for the photodegradation of a series of chlorophenols have been used to estimate their rates of solar photodegradation In the atmosphere. The photochemical rates have been compared with the calculated rates of attack by atmospheric hydroxyl radicals. These two processes are complementary, with photolysis being faster for pentachlorophenol, and OH attack being faster for monochlorinated phenols. As a result, it is predicted that most chlorophenol congeners will have quite similar atmospheric half-lives.     

污水处理一体化装置的研究现状与展望

污水处理一体化装置具有投资省、占地少、能耗低、处理效果好及管理简便等优点,是现代污水处理的新方向,有着广阔的应用前景。本文结合几种典型的污水处理工艺对污水处理一体化装置进行了概括性的介绍与展望。     

Utilization of agricultural and industrial waste as replacement of cement in pavement quality concrete: a review

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Over the years, supplementary cementitious materials (SCM) have been successfully utilized in concrete buildings, but they have been rarely exploited...     

Parasites and pollution: the effectiveness of tiny organisms in assessing the quality of aquatic ecosystems,with a focus on Africa

The aquatic environment represents the final repository for many human-generated pollutants associated with anthropogenic activities. The quality of natural freshwater systems is easily disrupted by the introduction of pollutants from urban, industrial and agricultural processes. To assess the extent of chemical perturbation and associated environmental degradation, physico-chemical parameters have been monitored in conjunction with biota in numerous biological monitoring protocols. Most studies incorporating organisms into such approaches have focussed on fish and macroinvertebrates. More recently, interest in the ecology of parasites in relation to environmental monitoring has indicated that these organisms are sensitive towards the quality of the macroenvironment. Variable responses towards exposure to pollution have been identified at the population and component community level of a number of parasites. Furthermore, such responses have been found to differ with the type of pollutant and the lifestyle of the parasite. Generally, endoparasite infection levels have been shown to become elevated in relation to poorer water quality conditions, while ectoparasites are more sensitive, and exposure to contaminated environments resulted in a decline in ectoparasite infections. Furthermore, endoparasites have been found to be suitable accumulation indicators for monitoring levels of several trace elements and metals in the environment. The ability of these organisms to accumulate metals has further been observed to be of benefit to the host, resulting in decreased somatic metal levels in infected hosts. These trends have similarly been found for host–parasite models in African freshwater environments, but such analyses are comparatively sparse compared to other countries. Recently, studies on diplozoids from two freshwater systems have indicated that exposure to poorer water quality resulted in decreased infections. In the Vaal River, the poor water quality resulted in the extinction of the parasite from a site below the Vaal River Barrage. Laboratory exposures have further indicated that oncomiracidia of Paradiplozoon ichthyoxanthon are sensitive to exposure to dissolved aluminium. Overall, parasites from African freshwater and marine ecosystems have merit as effect and accumulation indicators; however, more research is required to detail the effects of exposure on sensitive biological processes within these organisms.     

Identifying the local factors of resilience during cyclone Hudhud and Phailin on the east coast of India

Ambio - The vulnerabilities of coastal communities have increased in recent years, as more people have to live in hazard-prone areas due to population growth. The east coast of India is one such...     

Pesticide contamination of ground water in the United States--a review

Over 70 pesticides have been detected in ground water. Aldicarb and atrazine along with the soil fumigants EDB and DCP and DBCP have been the pesticides most frequently detected in ground water. Atrazine concentrations have been correlated with high nitrate concentrations. The triazine herbicides, simazine and cyanazine, have also been detected in ground water. The annual amount of recharge, soil type, depth of aquifer from the surface, nitrate contamination and soil pH are important field parameters in determining ground-water contamination potential by pesticides. Pesticide leaching is reduced by proper choice of crop rotation, increasing pesticide application efficiency, and integrated pest management.     

Effect of cold exposure and capsaicin on the expression of histone acetylation and Toll-like receptors in 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-induced colon carcinogenesis

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Previous studies have indicated that capsaicin-rich diet and cold weather have shown strong association with tumor incidence. Thus, we investigated...     

Application of rare-earth elements in the agriculture of China and its environmental behavior in soil

Rare-earth elements (REEs) have been used in fertilizers in the agriculture of China for about 20 years. They have been shown to be beneficial elements for plants. For example, they have improved the yield and quality for several kinds of crops. This paper reviews the current literature on studies of REEs being used as fertilizers. Some studies have focused on the effects of REEs on metabolic nutrients, photosynthesis and stress resistance of plants. Other studies have shown that the environmental behaviors of REEs in soil are dominated by their low solubility. Fluorides, carbonates, phosphates and hydroxides may form neutral complexes containing REEs with a low solubility. The amount of extraneous REEs demonstrate the following relationship: residual > bound to organic matter > bound to Fe-Mn oxides > bound to carbonate > exchangeable and water soluble forms. The adsorption capacity of REEs depends on the clay type and the content of amorphous and manganese oxides, whereas the desorption of REEs is usually very low. At the end of the paper, authors discuss the needs for future environmental research on REEs, which would shed new light on the effects of REEs on agriculture, environment and human health.     

Social perceptions of the impacts of Colombo water supply projects

The complexity of development activities, in which the interactions between various forces often mean that outcomes are unpredictable and unanticipated, highlights the importance of objective and comprehensive evaluations. In the specific case of the evaluation of towns east and south of Colombo water supply projects, the findings have major implications for the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals, if the water-related objectives are to be fulfilled. The study found that 30% of the households of these towns that are receiving clean, piped water are not using it for drinking. Instead, they are continuing to drink contaminated well water. Whereas it is considered that the main beneficiaries of water supply projects have been women and people who are sick, elderly, or disabled, the general perception is that the health conditions of the families have not improved with the provision of clean water (in fact, many claim that their health conditions have deteriorated). In spite of the higher cost of the supplied water, people are willing to pay for it as long as the supply is reliable.     

武钢焦化公司酚氰废水治理现状及改进措施

本文介绍了武钢焦化公司酚氰废水的来源、治理的原理、工艺流程及运行现状 ,并对一些环节提出了具体的改进措施和建议。