Facile synthesis of nanosheet-assembled γ-Fe2O3 magnetic microspheres and enhanced Sb(III) removal

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The development and utilization of magnetic nanoadsorption materials with large adsorption capacity and easy separation are the research hotspot...     

Application of polyaniline-based adsorbents for dye removal from water and wastewater—a review

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Several industries release varying concentration of dye-laden effluent with substantial negative consequences for any receiving environmental...     

Application of ozone for the removal of bisphenol A from water and wastewater – A review

The extensive use of Bisphenol A (BPA) in the plastics industry has led to increasing reports of its presence in the aquatic environment, with concentrations of ng L^?1 to μg L^?1. Various advanced oxidation processes, including ozonation, have been shown to effectively degrade BPA. This paper reviews the current advancements in using ozone to remove BPA from water and wastewater.Most of the published work on the oxidation of BPA by ozone has focused on the efficiency of BPA removal in terms of the disappearance of BPA, and the effect of various operational parameters such as ozone feed rate, contact time and pH; some information is available on the estrogenic activity of the treated water. Due to increasing operational reliability and cost effectiveness, there is great potential for industrial scale application of ozone for the treatment of BPA. However, there is a significant lack of information on the formation of oxidation by-products and their toxicities, particularly in more complex matrices such as wastewater, and further investigation is needed for a better understanding of the environmental fate of BPA.     

NiFe2O4/ZnAl-LDH吸附去除水中Cr(VI)

采用共沉淀法合成磁性复合材料NiFe2O4/ZnAl-LDH,通过静态吸附试验考察复合材料去除水中Cr（VI）的性能,系统地研究了溶液初始pH值、吸附剂投加量、吸附时间和温度等因素对Cr（VI）去除效果的影响。结果表明,当溶液初始pH值为2、初始Cr（VI）浓度为50 mg·L-1、吸附剂投加量为4 g·L-1时,吸附过程在240 min内达到平衡,此时Cr（VI）的去除率为89.5%。动力学和吸附等温式的研究表明：NiFe2O4/ZnAl-LDH吸附Cr（VI）的过程符合准二级动力学和Langmuir等温吸附模型。热力学参数表明该吸附过程为自发、放热的反应过程,低温有利于吸附剂对Cr（VI）的吸附。吸附剂经4次再生后对Cr（VI）仍有83.1%的去除率,且其在外加磁场的作用下能快速与水溶液分离,因此NiFe2O4/ZnAl-LDH可作为去除水中Cr（VI）的良好吸附剂。     

Evaluation of removal efficiency for acute toxicity and genotoxicity on zebrafish in anoxic–oxic process from selected municipal wastewater treatment plants

The anoxic–oxic (A/O) process has been extensively applied for simultaneous removal of organic contaminants and nitrogen in wastewater treatment. However, very little is known about its ability to remove toxic materials. Municipal wastewater contains various kinds of pollutants, some of which have recalcitrant genotoxicity and may cause potential threat to environment, and even can lead to extinction of many species. In this study, we have selected three municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) employing anoxic–oxic (A/O) process to evaluate their ability to remove acute toxicity and genotoxicity of wastewater. Mortality rate of zebrafish (Danio rerio) was used to evaluate acute toxicity, while micronucleus (MN) and comet assays were used to detect genotoxicity. Results showed that in this process the acute toxicity was completely removed as the treatment proceeded along with decrease in chemical oxygen demand (COD) (<50 mg L^?1) in the effluent. However, in these treatment processes the genotoxicity was not significantly reduced, but an increase in genotoxicity was observed. Both MN and comet assays showed similar results. The eliminated effluent may pose genotoxic threaten although its COD level has met the Chinese Sewage Discharge Standard. This study suggests that further treatment of the wastewater is required after the A/O process to remove the genotoxicity and minimize the ecotoxicological risk.     

Synthesis of γ-Fe2O3/La/Bi2WO6 composites for enhanced visible light-driven photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - γ-Fe2O3/La/Bi2WO6 heterojunction composites have been successfully synthesized by simple and convenient hydrothermal method. The photocatalytic...     

Effects of γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles on the survival and reproduction of Biomphalaria glabrata (Say, 1818) and their elimination from this benthic aquatic snail

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This study aims to evaluate the effects of maghemite nanoparticles (γ-Fe2O3) coated with meso-2, 3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) stabilizer on...     

Pseudomonas S2-3菌株对Cr(VI)的耐受性及去除

针对分离得到的Cr(VI)耐受菌株S2-3进行了基本生长特征、16S rRNA序列分析、Cr(VI)对菌株生长影响、菌株生长代谢与铬的去除的关系等研究。结果表明:该菌株属于假单胞菌,与Pseudomonas chlororaphis(Z76673)相似性最高(99.8%);Cr(VI)对菌株生长有着明显的抑制作用,其耐受上限可达到1500 mg/L左右;Cr(VI)导致菌体细胞大小分布变宽,同时使得细胞表面的-OH和-NH基团减少。当初始Cr(VI)浓度为100 mg/L时,48 h内菌株S2-3对Cr(VI)去除效率可达到85.9%,对总铬去除率为24.1%。在高Cr(VI)浓度(1000 mg/L)下,菌株对Cr(VI)和总铬仍有一定的去除效果,分别为58.7%和3.3%。菌株S2-3主要通过还原Cr(VI)的方式去除Cr(VI)。Cr(VI)的还原与菌液ORP以及细胞表面的-OH和-NH有关;总铬的去除不是因为形成了氢氧化铬沉淀,而是Cr(III)被吸附在了细胞表面的-C=O上。     

The climatology of summertime O3 and SO2 (1977–1981)

The mean monthly distribution of the diurnal maximum O₃ and of the SO₂ in the eastern two-thirds of the U.S. was determined for the summer (July and August) of 1977–1981. Highest O₃ concentrations varied from 60 to 90 ppbv and covered an area of about 2 to 5 × 10⁶ km²; and that for SO₂ varied from values greater than 10 ppbv to values about 25 ppbv and covered an area of 0.3–1.3 × 10⁶ km². The geographical locations of the centers of high O₃ concentrations were related to the path of the anticyclones. The centers of high SO₂ concentration were affected by the path of anticyclones but to a lesser extent. The SO₂ distribution was controlled to a significant extent by the location of major SO₂ sources. The data suggested that highpressure systems that become stationary, weaken and dissipate in the eastern two-thirds of the U.S. have a profound effect on the O₃ and SO₂ distribution.     

Synthesis and optimization of spherical nZVI (20–60 nm) immobilized in bio-apatite-based material for efficient removal of phosphate: Box-Behnken design in a fixed-bed column

In the present study, bio-apatite/nZVI composite was synthesized through Fe(III) reduction with sodium borohydride and was fully characterized by FTIR, XRD, SEM–EDX, TEM, BET, BJH, and pH_PZC. Column experiments were carried out for the removal of phosphate as a function of four operational parameters including initial phosphate concentration (100–200 mg L^?1), initial solution pH (2–9), bed height (2–6 cm), and influent flow rate (2.5–7.5 mL min^?1) using a response surface methodology (RSM) coupled with Box-Behnken design (BBD). 2D contour and 3D surface plots were employed to analyze the interactive effects of the four operating parameters on the column performance (e.g., uptake capacity and saturation time). According to ANOVA analysis, the influent flow rate and bed height are the most important factor on phosphate uptake capacity and saturation time, respectively. A quadratic polynomial model was excellently fitted to experimental data with a high coefficient of determination (>?0.96). The RSM-BBD model predicted maximum phosphate adsorption capacity of 85.71 mg g^?1 with the desirability of 0.995 under the optimal conditions of 135.35 mg L^?1, 2, 2 cm, and 7.5 mL min^?1 for initial phosphate concentration, initial solution pH, bed height, and influent flow rate, respectively. The XRD analysis demonstrated that the reaction product between bio-apatite/nZVI composite and phosphate anions was Fe₃ (PO₄)₂. 8H₂O (vivianite). The suggested adsorbent can be effectively employed up to five fixed-bed adsorption–desorption cycles and was also implemented to adsorb phosphate from real samples.

     

Impact of δ-MnO2 on the chemical speciation and fractionation of Cr(III) in contaminated soils

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Oxidation of Cr(III) by birnessite (δ-MnO2) was an important geochemical reaction determining the toxicity and mobility of dissolved Cr(III) in...     

Behaviour and variability of local and regional oxidant levels (OX = O3 + NO2) measured in a polluted area in central-southern of Iberian Peninsula

The purpose of this work is to contribute to the understanding of the photochemical air pollution in central-southern of the Iberian Peninsula, analysing the behaviour and variability of oxidant levels (OX?=?O₃?+?NO₂), measured in a polluted area with the highest concentration of heavy industry in central Spain. A detailed air pollution database was observed from two monitoring stations. The data period used was 2008 and 2009, around 210,000 data, selected for its pollution and meteorological statistics, which are very representative of the region. Data were collected every 15 min, however hourly values were used to analyse the seasonal and daily ozone, NO, NO₂ and OX cycles. The variation of OX concentrations with NO _x is investigated, for the first time, in the centre of the Iberian Peninsula. The concentration of OX was calculated using the sum of a NO _x -independent ‘regional’ contribution (i.e. the O₃ background), and a linearly NO _x -dependent ‘local’ contribution. Monthly dependence of regional and local OX concentration was observed to determine when the maximum values may be expected. The variation of OX concentrations with levels of NO _x was also measured, in order to pinpoint the atmospheric sources of OX in the polluted areas. The ratios [NO₂]/[OX] and [NO₂]/[NO _x ] vs. [NO _x ] were analysed to find the fraction of OX in the form of NO₂, and the possible source of the local NO _x -dependent contribution, respectively. The progressive increase of the ratio [NO₂]/[OX] with [NO _x ] observed shows a greater proportion of OX in the form of NO₂ as the level of NO _x increases. The higher measured values in the ratio [NO₂]/[NO _x ] should not be attributed to NO _x emissions by vehicles; they could be explained by industrial emission, termolecular reactions or formaldehyde and HONO directly emitted by vehicles exhausts. We also estimate the rate of NO₂ photolysis, J _NO2?=?0.18–0.64 min^?1, a key atmospheric reaction that influence O₃ production and then the regional air quality. The first surface plot study of annual variation of the daily mean oxidant levels, obtained for this polluted area may be used to improve the atmospheric photochemical dynamic in this region of the Iberian Peninsula where there are undeniable air quality problems.     

Partitioning, sources and variability of regional and local oxidant (OX = O3 + NO2) in a coastal rural area in the southwest of Iberian Peninsula

The purpose of this work is to investigate the behaviour and variability of oxidant levels (OX?=?NO₂?+?O₃), for the first time, in a rural coastal area in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula, affected by several air masses types. Detailed database (built-up over the years 2008 to 2011, and containing around 500,000 data) from the Atmospheric Sounding Station “El Arenosillo” was used. The observed daily cycles of NO _x and OX were influenced by air masses coming from industrial and urban area. It can be seen that the concentration of OX is made up of a NO _x -independent ‘regional’ contribution (i.e. the O₃ background), and a linearly NO _x -dependent ‘local’ contribution from primary emissions, such as traffic. The local emission is very low in this area. Also, the regional contribution is similar to unpolluted sites and presents seasonal variation, being higher in May. However, our measurements showed that the proportion of OX in the form of NO₂ increases with the increase in NO _x concentration during the day. The higher proportion of NO₂ observed at night must be due to the conversion of NO to NO₂ by the NO?+?O₃ reaction. With regards to the source of the local NO _x -dependent contribution, it may be attributed to industrial emission, or the termolecular reaction 2NO?+?O₂?=?2NO₂, at high-NO _x levels and stagnant air during several days. Finally, we estimated the photolysis rate of NO₂, J _NO2, an important key atmospheric reaction coupled with ozone. We also present surface plots of annual variation of the daily mean NO _x and OX levels, which indicate that oxidants come from transport processes instead of local emissions associated as local photochemistry.     

Overview on recent advances of magnetic metal–organic framework (MMOF) composites in removal of heavy metals from aqueous system

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Developing a novel, simple, and cost-effective analytical technique with high enrichment capacity and selectivity is crucial for environmental...     

The treatment of wastewater containing pharmaceuticals in microcosm constructed wetlands: the occurrence of integrons (int1–2) and associated resistance genes (sul1–3, qacEΔ1)

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The aim of this study was to analyze the occurrence of sulfonamide resistance genes (sul1–3) and other genetic elements as antiseptic resistance...     

Cr(VI) sorption by free and immobilised chromate-reducing bacterial cells in PVA–alginate matrix: equilibrium isotherms and kinetic studies

Chromate-resistant bacterial strain isolated from the soil of tannery was studied for Cr(VI) bioaccumulation in free and immobilised cells to evaluate its applicability in chromium removal from aqueous solution. Based on the comparative analysis of the 16S rRNA gene, and phenotypic and biochemical characterization, this strain was identified as Paenibacillus xylanilyticus MR12. Mechanism of Cr adsorption was also ascertained by chemical modifications of the bacterial biomass followed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis of the cell wall constituents. The equilibrium biosorption analysed using isotherms (Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin–Redushkevich) and kinetics models (pseudo-first-order, second-order and Weber–Morris) revealed that the Langmuir model best correlated to experimental data, and Weber–Morris equation well described Cr(VI) biosorption kinetics. Polyvinyl alcohol alginate immobilised cells had the highest Cr(VI) removal efficiency than that of free cells and could also be reused four times for Cr(VI) removal. Complete reduction of chromate in simulated effluent containing Cu²⁺, Mg²⁺, Mn²⁺ and Zn²⁺ by immobilised cells, demonstrated potential applications of a novel immobilised bacterial strain MR12, as a vital bioresource in Cr(VI) bioremediation technology.     

Diurnal variation in the concentration of α- and β-pinene in the landes forest (France)

The study deals with the identification and the determination of the main monoterpenes (α- and β-pinene) released by the pines in the Landes Forest in France. The measurements were taken after preconcentration using TENAX-GC and thermal desorption. The diurnal variation of atmospheric concentration of α- and β-pinene is established; it is less than 0.5 ppbV in the daytime and varies from 2 to 4 ppbV in the night-time. These variations are explained by the fact that the photochemical reactions and the turbulence phenomena to which the terpenes are exposed change quite radically from day to night. The terpene concentration, higher at 5 m than at 25 m, would seem to confirm the existence of a terpene source at ground level.     

Relationship between geographical origin and contents of Pb,Cd, and Cr in honey samples from the state of Paraná (Brazil) with chemometric approach

The aim of this study was to determine the trace elements, Pb, Cd, and Cr in honey samples from eight different regions from the state of Paraná (Brazil), using slurry sampling graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Chemometric analysis (principal component analysis (PCA)) was applied to classify honey samples according to their levels of the trace elements Pb, Cd, and Cr, which is also related to the geographical origin of honey samples. The mean concentration for the elements followed the order Pb?>?Cr >?>?Cd. The mean values were 200?±?76, 88?±?14, and 4.1?±?4 ng g^?1 for Pb, Cr, and Cd, respectively. It could be verified that honey samples are geographically separated, especially with regard to Pb and Cd contents. Thus, honey can be considered a bioindicator of environmental contamination, suggesting possible contamination in soil, water, and air. This contamination can be related to natural or anthropogenic sources present in the study regions.