Optimal conditions of Al and Fe extraction from laterite soil using D-optimal design

This paper reports pioneering work in identifying an alternative coagulation agent of wastewater treatment, given the availability of commonly used agents are of a higher cost relative to more natural sources, such as soil. The alternative proposed is laterite soil from northern Malaysia because it contains high amounts of Al and Fe, which are well-known coagulants. The soil was grinded and sieved to obtain uniform particle sizes of <250???m. Al and Fe were extracted from the soil. Extraction agents: (1) HCl, (2) NaOH, and (3) HCl?+?NaCl were chosen. It was found that the most effective agent to extract Fe was 5?N HCl while to extract Al was HCl?+?NaCl, 2 and 4?N, respectively. D-optimal design observed that extraction time t, temperature T, and ratio of amount of laterite soil to amount of extractants r, showed a significant effect on Al extraction. In contrast, the combination of factors t and r exhibited insignificant effect on Fe extraction while other factors were significant. The optimum conditions for extraction of both Al and Fe were 90?°C, 40?min, for r?=?1:15, which gave [Fe]?=?1,870?mg/l and [Al]?=?0.17?mg/l and 90?°C, 90?min, for r?=?1:10, which gave [Fe]?=?2,900?mg/l and [Al]?=?0.130?mg/l. Since concentration of Fe extracted from laterite soil was high, it was concluded that laterite soil can be considered as an alternative and novel source of coagulant applicable in a wastewater treatment coagulation process.     

Influence of operational key parameters on the photocatalytic decolorization of Rhodamine B dye using Fe2+/H2O2/Nb2O5/UV system

The present research deals with the development of a new heterogeneous photocatalysis and Fenton hybrid system for the removal of color from textile dyeing wastewater as Rhodamine B (RhB) solutions by using Fe²⁺/H₂O₂/Nb₂O₅ as a photocatalytic system. The application of this photocatalytic system for the decolorization of dye contaminants is not reported in the literature yet. Different parameters like dye concentration, Nb₂O₅/Fe²⁺ catalyst amount, pH, and H₂O₂ concentration have been studied. The optimum conditions for the decolorization of the dye were initial concentration of 10 mg L^?1 of dye, pH 4, and Nb₂O₅/Fe²⁺ catalyst concentration of 0.5 g L^?1/50 mg L^?1. The optimum value of H₂O₂ concentration for the conditions used in this study was 700 mg L^?1. Moreover, the efficiency of the Nb₂O₅/photo-Fenton hybrid process in comparison to photo-Fenton alone and a dark Fenton process as a control experiment to decolorize the RhB solution has been investigated. The combination of photo-Fenton and Nb₂O₅ catalysts has been proved to be the most effective for the treatment of such type of wastewaters. The results revealed that the RhB dye was decolorized in a higher percent (78 %) by the Nb₂O₅/photo-Fenton hybrid process (Fe²⁺/H₂O₂/Nb₂O₅/UV) than by the photo-Fenton process alone (37 %) and dark Fenton process (14 %) after 120 min of treatment. Moreover, the Nb₂O₅ catalyst as a heterogeneous part of the photocatalytic system was demonstrated to have good stability and reusability.     

高DOM渗滤液厌氧-好氧-混凝处理工艺

采用厌氧-好氧-混凝工艺,对垃圾焚烧厂高DOM渗滤液进行处理,当进水ρ(COD_Cr)平均值为10 800 mg/L时,出水ρ(COD_Cr)平均值可达208 mg/L;同时,着重针对各工艺单元出水DOM不同分子质量分布区间的ρ(COD_Cr)以及DOM组成成分的变化进行了研究.结果表明:该处理工艺对DOM分子质量＜50 ku的有机物去除率均可达到94.7%以上,而对分子质量＜2 ku的有机物的去除率可达99.0%;对渗滤液DOM组成成分〔腐殖酸(HA)、富里酸(FA)和亲水性有机质(HyI)〕的去除率均达到90.0%以上,表明该组合工艺用于处理垃圾焚烧厂渗滤液是可行的.      

Survey and determination of Anzali wetland trophic state through geographic information systems (GIS)

The trophic state of the Anzali wetland was determined by nutrient analysis, indicating an alarming hypertrophic state. The Anzali wetland is environmentally and economically one of the most important ecosystems that is located in north-west Iran. This wetland was registered as a Ramsar site in September 1975, but due to many problems, particularly eutrophication created by excessive amounts of nutrients, it was registered in the Montreux record. This study was conducted for a year on 21 stations in three zones including receiving rivers, surface water and exiting rivers. Geographic information systems were used to better understand the prevailing situation. Analysis was conducted according to international standards and classification of OECD for freshwaters. The indicators used were levels of total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorous (TP), and the trophic state index (TSI). Data showed an increase of excess nutrients from domestic and agricultural sources, leading to human, cultural eutrophication processes rather than natural eutrophication.     

Release of beryllium from mineral ores in artificial lung and skin surface fluids

Exposure to some manufactured beryllium compounds via skin contact or inhalation can cause sensitization. A portion of sensitized persons who inhale beryllium may develop chronic beryllium disease (CBD). Little is understood about exposures to naturally occurring beryllium minerals. The purpose of this study was to assess the bioaccessibility of beryllium from bertrandite ore. Dissolution of bertrandite from two mine pits (Monitor and Blue Chalk) was evaluated for both the dermal and inhalation exposure pathways by determining bioaccessibility in artificial sweat (pH 5.3 and pH 6.5), airway lining fluid (SUF, pH 7.3), and alveolar macrophage phagolysosomal fluid (PSF, pH 4.5). Significantly more beryllium was released from Monitor pit ore than Blue Chalk pit ore in artificial sweat buffered to pH 5.3 (0.88 ± 0.01% vs. 0.36 ± 0.00%) and pH 6.5 (0.09 ± 0.00% vs. 0.03 ± 0.01%). Rates of beryllium released from the ores in artificial sweat were faster than previously measured for manufactured forms of beryllium (e.g., beryllium oxide), known to induce sensitization in mice. In SUF, levels of beryllium were below the analytical limit of detection. In PSF, beryllium dissolution was biphasic (initial rapid diffusion followed by latter slower surface reactions). During the latter phase, dissolution half-times were 1,400 to 2,000 days, and rate constants were ~7 × 10⁻¹⁰ g/(cm²·day), indicating that bertrandite is persistent in the lung. These data indicate that it is prudent to control skin and inhalation exposures to bertrandite dusts.     

Distribution,geochemistry, and mineralogy of aerosols in the Angouran Mine area,northwest Iran

The Angouran Mine, located in northwest Iran, is the largest Zn–Pb producer in the Middle East. This study was designed to investigate the distribution, geochemistry, and mineralogy of the aerosols in the mining area and to assess their likely health impacts on the local residents. For this purpose, 36 aerosol samples were collected from 2014 to 2015 at nine sites located in mine district and upwind and downwind directions. The concentration of potentially toxic elements in the aerosols was determined using AAS instrument. Size, morphology, and mineralogy of the particles were studied using SEM and EDX spectra. The results indicate that the amount of total suspended particles in upwind, mine district, and downwind sites is 95.5, 463.4 and 287.5 µg/m³, respectively. The concentrations of PM_2.5 in the three locations are 8.9, 134.7, and 51.8 µg/m³, whereas the PM₁₀ contents are 2.9, 74.4, and 15.5 µg/m³, respectively. These observations point to the impact of mining activities on the concentration of aerosols in the local atmosphere. The values of air quality index also show the probable effects of the mining activities on the health of the local populations, especially for allergic peoples. The average concentration of Zn in the samples collected from the mining district (290 µg/kg) is much higher than its value in the upwind sites (27 µg/kg). The highest concentration of As (70 µg/kg), Cd (10 µg/kg), and Pb (3 µg/kg) is in downwind sites, which shows the negative impact of mining activities on the local air quality. Temporally, the highest concentration of the studied elements is recorded in spring season, especially for PM_2.5 collected in downwind stations. Based on the results of SEM and EDX spectra, three groups of minerals, i.e., carbonates, silicates, and sulfides, are present in the aerosol particles, confirming the local source for the aerosols. SEM analyses showed that the aerosol particles with dissimilar chemical composition have different morphologies such as irregular, rounded, elongated, and angular. On the basis of the results, the mining activities in the Angouran Zn–Pb Mine may have various short- and long-term consequences on the public health, especially due to high amount of the finer particles (PM_2.5) and the higher concentration of the potentially toxic elements in PM_2.5 which can penetrate into the lungs.

     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon derivatives in airborne particulate matter: sources,analysis and toxicity

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are worldwide pollutants produced mainly during incomplete combustion and pyrolysis of organic substances. PAH derivatives are components with hydrogen on the aromatic ring substituted by carbonyl-, nitro- and hydroxyl-functional groups (N-PAH, O-PAH or OH-PAH), or a group of heterocyclic PAHs containing one sulfur atom in place of a carbon atom in the aromatic ring. PAHs and their derivatives can be either introduced in the atmosphere directly in this form as primary pollutants, or formed by homogenous and heterogeneous oxidation reactions. During the last decades, interest on studying PAH derivatives has increased because derivatives may be more harmful than parent compounds. PAH derivatives have been detected in the atmospheric particulate matter in numerous cities worldwide. PAH derivatives enter living organisms by inhalation, oral ingestion and dermal contact. In vivo and in vitro experiments together with epidemiological studies have shown the toxic effects of PAH derivatives, notably for compounds present in airborne and diesel exhaust particles. Here we review the sources, the mechanisms of formation, the physicochemical properties, the analytical methods, and the toxicological effects of PAHs and their derivatives in airborne particulate matter.     

Enhanced catalytic complete oxidation of 1,2-dichloroethane over mesoporous transition metal-doped γ-Al2O3

High-surface-area mesoprous powders of γ-Al₂O₃ doped with Cu²⁺, Cr³⁺, and V³⁺ ions were prepared via a modified sol-gel method and were investigated as catalysts for the oxidation of chlorinated organic compounds. The composites retained high surface areas and pore volumes comparable with those of undoped γ-Al₂O₃ and the presence of the transition metal ions enhanced their surface acidic properties. The catalytic activity of the prepared catalysts in the oxidation of 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE) was studied in the temperature range of 250-400℃. The catalytic activity and product selectivity were strongly dependent on the presence and the type of dopant ion. While Cu²⁺- and Cr³⁺-containing catalysts showed 100% conversion at 300℃ and 350℃, V³⁺-containing catalyst showed considerably lower conversion. Furthermore, while the major products of the reactions over γ-alumina were vinyl chloride (C₂H₃Cl) and hydrogen chloride (HCl) at all temperatures, Cu- and Cr-doped catalysts showed significantly stronger capability for deep oxidation to CO₂.     

An intelligent disaster decision support system for increasing the sustainability of transport networks

The increase in extreme weather events arising from climate change is posing serious threats to the sustainability of transport systems, creating the need for improved tools for decision support for more effectively managing natural disasters. There are numerous transport‐related decisions that are required during the response, recovery and preparedness stages of the disaster management cycle. This paper describes the development and application of the Intelligent Disaster Decision Support System (IDDSS), which provides a platform for integrating a vast range of road network, traffic, geographic, economic and meteorological data, as well as dynamic disaster and transport models. Initial applications to the response and planning for floods and fires are presented to illustrate some of its capabilities. The IDDSS can be used to improve disaster management, which in turn will increase the sustainability of transport networks.     

Citizens’ perceptions of trust relationships in the environmental management process in North Lebanon

This research investigates how trust plays a role in environmental management in North Lebanon, which has suffered repeated episodes of armed conflict in recent times. Previous studies have shown that environmental problems have increased and that the government has been unable to address these, even during periods of relative peace. We examined trust as a factor that contributes to, or hampers, environmental management. Our analysis drew on a survey in 2011 involving 499 citizens. The results demonstrated that, according to citizens, the lack of trust between citizens, and between citizens and the public sector, is a key factor obstructing effective environmental management. The results indicate the level of correlation between how trusting people are; how citizens participate; and how people perceive government legitimacy.