Strategies to evaluate biodegradability: application to chlorinated herbicides

The biodegradability of nitrochlorinated (diuron and atrazine) and chlorophenoxy herbicides (2,4-D and MCPA) has been studied through several bioassays using different testing times and biomass/substrate ratios. A fast biodegradability test using unacclimated activated sludge yielded no biodegradation of the herbicides in 24 h. The inherent biodegradability test gave degradation percentages of around 20–30 % for the nitrochlorinated herbicides and almost complete removal of the chlorophenoxy compounds. Long-term biodegradability assays were performed using sequencing batch reactor (SBR) and sequencing batch membrane bioreactor (SB-MBR). Fixed concentrations of each herbicide below the corresponding EC₅₀ value for activated sludge were used (30 mg L^?1 for diuron and atrazine and 50 mg L^?1 for 2,4-D and MCPA). No signs of herbicide degradation appeared before 35 days in the case of diuron and atrazine and 21 days for 2,4-D, whereas MCPA was partially degraded since the early stages. Around 25–36 % degradation of the nitrochlorinated herbicides and 53–77 % of the chlorophenoxy ones was achieved after 180 and 135 days, respectively, in SBR, whereas complete disappearance of 2,4-D was reached after 80 days in SB-MBR.     

A new bioseed for determination of wastewater biodegradability: analysis of the experimental procedure

A new bioassay proposed in the patent P201300029 was applied to a pre-treated wastewater containing a mixture of commercial pesticides to simulate a recalcitrant industrial wastewater in order to determine its biodegradability. The test uses a mixture of standardized inoculum of the lyophilized bacteria Pseudomonas putida with the proper proportion of salts and minerals. The results highlight that biodegradation efficiency can be calculated using a gross parameter (chemical oxygen demand (COD)) which facilitates the biodegradability determination for routine water biodegradability analysis. The same trend was observed throughout the assay with the dehydrated and fresh inoculums, and only a difference of 5 % in biodegradation efficiency (E _f) was observed. The obtained results showed that the P. putida biodegradability assay can be used as a commercial test with a lyophilized inoculum in order to monitor the ready biodegradability of an organic pollutant or a WWTP influent. Moreover, a combination of the BOD₅/COD ratio and the P. putida biodegradability test is an attractive alternative in order to evaluate the biodegradability enhancement in water pre-treated with advanced oxidation processes (AOPs).     

Persistently elevated AFP and AChE in amniotic fluid from a normal fetus following demise of its twin

Intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD) in one of twins at 12 weeks of gestation was accompanied by markedly elevated maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) at 17 and 18 weeks. Amniotic fluid AFP from the healthy surviving twin's sac at 18·5 and 23 weeks was also greatly increased along with a positive acetylcholinesterase (AChE) band. Persistently elevated AFP and positive AChE so long after fetal demise–-6·5 and 11 weeks post IUFD–-has not, to our knowledge, been previously described. In similar cases, high level ultrasound and careful placental examination at birth should be utilized to search for fetal abnormalities or multiple pregnancy with IUFD.     

Estimated crop yield losses due to surface ozone exposure and economic damage in India

In this study, we estimate yield losses and economic damage of two major crops (winter wheat and rabi rice) due to surface ozone (O₃) exposure using hourly O₃ concentrations for the period 2002–2007 in India. This study estimates crop yield losses according to two indices of O₃ exposure: 7-h seasonal daytime (0900–1600 hours) mean measured O₃ concentration (M7) and AOT40 (accumulation exposure of O₃ concentration over a threshold of 40 parts per billion by volume during daylight hours (0700–1800 hours), established by field studies. Our results indicate that relative yield loss from 5 to 11 % (6–30 %) for winter wheat and 3–6 % (9–16 %) for rabi rice using M7 (AOT40) index of the mean total winter wheat 81 million metric tons (Mt) and rabi rice 12 Mt production per year for the period 2002–2007. The estimated mean crop production loss (CPL) for winter wheat are from 9 to 29 Mt, account for economic cost loss was from 1,222 to 4,091 million US$ annually. Similarly, the mean CPL for rabi rice are from 0.64 to 2.1 Mt, worth 86–276 million US$. Our calculated winter wheat and rabi rice losses agree well with previous results, providing the further evidence that large crop yield losses occurring in India due to current O₃ concentration and further elevated O₃ concentration in future may pose threat to food security.     

Radiation modeling of a photo-reactor using a backward ray-tracing method: an insight into indoor photocatalytic oxidation

This article aims to understand the radiation behavior within a photo-reactor, following the ISO 22197-1:2007 standard. The RADIANCE lighting simulation tool, based on the backward ray-tracing modeling method, is employed for a numerical computation of the radiation field. The reflection of the glass cover in the photo-reactor and the test sample influence the amount of irradiance received by the test-sample surface in the photo-reactor setup. The reflection of a white sample limits the irradiance reduction by the glass cover to 1.4 %, but darker samples can lead to an overestimation up to 9.8 % when used in the same setup. This overestimation could introduce considerable error into the interpretation of experiments. Furthermore, this method demonstrates that the kinetics for indoor photocatalytic pollutant degradation can be refined through radiation modeling of the reactor setup. In addition, RADIANCE may aid in future modeling of the more complex indoor environment where radiation affects significantly photocatalytic activity.     

Heterogeneous photocatalytic degradation of pesticides using decatungstate intercalated macroporous layered double hydroxides

Decatungstate W₁₀O₃₂ ^4? was efficiently intercalated between the layers of three-dimensionally ordered macroporous Mg₂Al-layered double hydroxide. The structural and textural properties of as-prepared intercalated compound were characterized using different solid-state characterization techniques such as X-ray powder diffraction, FTIR and Raman spectroscopies and electronic microscopy. The photocatalytic properties of immobilized W₁₀O₃₂ ^4? within Mg₂Al structure were investigated using 2-(1-naphthyl) acetamide (NAD) as a model of pesticide. The influence of different parameters such as amount of catalyst, pH and oxygen concentration were investigated. An optimal NAD degradation was obtained for a photocatalyst concentration of 60 mg l^?1. Under our experimental conditions, this heterogeneous photocatalyst induces photodegradation of 60 % of NAD after 17 h of irradiation at 365 nm and at pH 6.6. Interestingly, pesticide photodegradation leads to the mineralization of substrates to H₂O and CO₂ and the photocatalyst can be recycled and reused without any loss of activity over four cycles.     

Indication of airborne pollution by birch and spruce in the vicinity of copper smelter

The aim of the study was determination of air pollution impact of the copper smelter in Bor and its surroundings (Serbia) by assessing the suitability of birch (Betula pendula Roth.) and spruce (Picea abies L.) for the purposes of biomonitoring and comparing it with previously published data from the same study area. The concentrations of Cu, Zn, Pb and Mn in leaves/needles, branches, roots and soil were determined. Sampling was performed during 2009 in two zones with high load of air pollution due to copper mining and smelting activities, and one background zone. Metal accumulation and translocation was evaluated in terms of biological factors. In addition, plant enrichment factor was calculated. According to the results, plant foliage was not enriched through soil, which indicates absorption from the air, with both species acting as excluders of Cu, Pb, Zn and Mn. Leaves were more enriched with all the metals than needles, indicating a better response of birch to airborne pollution than spruce. Cluster analysis showed different level of pollution at the sites, while correlations between Cu and Pb obtained by Principal Component Analysis indicated their anthropogenic origin. Regarding previously published results, beside birch leaves, pine needles (which showed higher level of response to pollution compared to linden leaves) could be applied in air biomonitoring surveys near copper smelters.     

阴离子粘土(LDH)吸附腐殖酸的动力学研究

利用实验室制备的镁铝阴离子粘土材料,研究其吸附水中腐殖酸的动力学.研究结果表明:在初始浓度10～40 mg/L及温度298～323 K的范围内,阴离子粘土对水中腐殖酸的吸附动力学符合拟二级速率方程;阴离子粘土对腐殖酸的吸附符合Langmuir和Freundlich等温吸附方程,吸附是吸热反应,吸附量随温度升高而略有增加,但吸附表观活化能只有15.36 kJ/mol,说明温度对此吸附的影响并不显著.