Comment on "Removal of heavy metals from aqueous solution by carbon nanotubes: adsorption equilibrium and kinetics" by Li, Y. H., Di, Z.C., Luan, Z.K., Ding, J., Zuo, H., Wu, X.Q., Xu, C.L. and Wu, D.H.

Recently, Li et al. (Li, 2004 ) published the paper entitled as above. In section 2.2: Adsorption kinetics,authors mentioned three kinetic models, the first-order rate equation, pseudo-second-order rate equation, and secondorder rate equation citing a secondary reference (Benguella,2002). However, there are mistakes occurred in this reference(Ho,2004a).     

Chemical contamination of the East River (Dongjiang) and its implication on sustainable development in the Pearl River Delta

A recent survey reveals that water quality and river sediments of Dongjiang (the East River) have been mildly contaminated by heavy metals and organic chemicals, such as copper, lead, PCBs, PAHs and HCHs. According to photogrammertic surveys, the sources of contamination are closely related to human activities, such as domestic and industrial discharges, agricultural chemical applications and soil erosion due to deforestation. The level of water and sediment contamination is most serious at the mid-river section near the urban of Weizhou. Due to natural dilution and diffusion, the levels of contamination are slightly decreased at the medium low section of the River near Qiaotou and Matan. Nevertheless, the levels of contamination increase again in the lower river section near Shenzhen, which is a highly developed economic zone. Since Dongjiang is the major source of potable water supply for Hong Kong (nearly 80% of potable water of Hong Kong is abstracted from Dongjiang) and the other parts of the Pearl River Delta (PRD), such organic and inorganic pollution merit concern. Ironically, most of the industrial and commercial activities in the watershed of Dongjiang are business investments of Hong Kong citizens. Cross-border environmental efforts should be enhanced with collaboration of different jurisdictions to achieve targets of regional sustainability.     

Increased risk of preterm delivery among people living near the three oil refineries in Taiwan

The petrochemical and petroleum industries are two of the main sources of industrial air pollution in Taiwan. Data used in this study concern outdoor air pollution and the health of individuals living in communities in close proximity to oil refinery plants. The prevalence of delivery of preterm birth infants was significantly higher in mothers living near the oil refinery plants than in control mothers in Taiwan. After controlling for several possible confounders (including maternal age, season, marital status, maternal education, and infant sex), the adjusted odds ratio was 1.14 (95% CI=1.01-1.28) for delivery of preterm infants for mothers living near oil refinery plants. These data provide further support for the hypothesis that air pollution can affect the outcome of pregnancies.     

Analysis of Pesticides Using a Polyppyrole Modified Electrode

Electrochemical methods can provide fast, sensitive and sometimes real time detection of pesticides. In the course of this work, a dispersed mercury electrode has been used to detect pesticides electrochemically. The electrode was prepared by depositing a thin mercury film on a glassy carbon disc and then coating a layer of polypyrrole on the disc. The effect of coating thickness on detection sensitivity was studied. A thin mercury film of 0.34 µm dispersed by one cycle polymerization of pyrrole was preferred. The influence of electrolyte, pH and organic solvent content on pesticide response was also investigated. The polypyrrole dispersed mercury electrode (Hg-PPy/GC) was not suitable for a pH above 6 but it can tolerate acetonitrile up to 10% at which concentration the mercury film coated glassy carbon electrode (Hg/GC) failed to response. Methyl parathion, methyl azinphos, parathion and fenitrothion were detected. The sensitivity of the dispersed mercury electrode was similar to a normal thin mercury film electrode in this case. A good response can be obtained for 1 ppm pesticides using fast linear sweeping voltammetry.     

First-trimester screening for Down syndrome; the role of nasal bone assessment in the Korean population

Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of nasal bone assessment in first-trimester screening for Down syndrome (DS) in the Korean population. Methods From July 2004 to March 2006, we prospectively evaluated the fetal nasal bones at 11–14 weeks' gestation in the Korean population. Results A successful evaluation was possible in 6490 of 6787 fetuses (95.6%). Absent, hypoechoic, and short nasal bones were seen in 4 (26.7%), 4 (26.7%), and 1 (6.7%) of 15 fetuses with DS, respectively, whereas in 5 (0.1%), 11 (0.2%), and 246 (3.8%) of 6456 normal fetuses. The incidence of absent and hypoechoic nasal bone showed significant differences between normal fetuses and fetuses with DS (P < 0.0005, both). Screening for DS using an absent or hypoechoic nasal bone resulted in a sensitivity of 53.3%, a specificity of 99.8%, a positive likelihood ratio of 215.2, and a negative likelihood ratio of 0.5. Conclusion Our study showed that nasal bone abnormality at 11–14 weeks of gestation had a high association with DS in the Korean population. This suggests that nasal bone assessment can be used to supplement the current first-trimester screening for DS in the Korean population. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

环境补偿制度——解决环境问题的经济手段之一

为了保护环境，使环境资源可持续利用，应该建立环境补偿制度。环境补偿制度是解决环境问题的有效手段之一。本文从环境补偿的概念出发，对环境补偿制度的理论基础，建立目的、征收原则及对象等内容进行了探讨。     

环境补偿制度——解决环境问题的经济手段之一

为了保护环境，使环境资源可持续利用，应该建立环境补偿制度。环境补偿制度是解决环境问题的有效手段之一。从环境补偿的概念出发，对环境补偿制度的理论基础进行了探讨，为我国建立环境补偿制度提供依据。     

北疆250年地表水资源变化特征及未来趋势预测

本文从北疆年轮场重建了北疆２５０年的地表水资源，探讨气候－地表水资源－年轮之间的关系，分析地表水资源的长期变化特征，预测其变化趋势，为北疆地表水资源的研究与利用提供了新的参考依据。     

用大型底栖动物对珠江广州河段进行污染评价

本文利用大型底栖无脊椎动物对珠江广州河段的污染进行生物学评价。 两次调查中发现该河段底栖动物群落主要由水栖寡毛类、多毛类和软体动物中的河蚬(Corbicula fluminea)等三大类群组成。在多毛类少于40%情况下,寡毛类与河蚬的数量百分数呈显著的负相关。相关系数γ=-0.9639。 Shannon-Weaver种类多样性指数不能反映本河段底栖动物群落特征与污染的关系。根据本河段底栖动物群落结构的实际情况,提出下列生物污染指数公式。 生物污染指数=log(N_1 2)/[log(N_2 2) log(N_3 2)](N_1、N_2、N_3分别为寡毛类、多毛类和河蚬的数量)对本河段的污染现状予以评价。文中还就公式存在的问题作了简要讨论。