An assessment of the risks associated with polychlorinated biphenyls found in the stomach contents of stranded Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphins (Sousa chinensis) and Finless Porpoises (Neophocaena phocaenoides) from Hong Kong waters

The risks to Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphins and Finless Porpoises associated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were assessed. Stomach contents from twelve stranded Humpback Dolphins and sixteen stranded Finless Porpoises were collected. Concentrations of total and isomer-specific PCBs in the stomach contents were determined using dual-column gas chromatography equipped with electron capture detectors (GC-ECD). Risks due to the PCBs were assessed in three scenarios, based on total PCBs (summation of 41 PCB congeners), total toxicity equivalency (TEQs) and PCB 118, using the toxicity reference values (TRVs) as the threshold effects benchmarks. The calculated risk quotients (RQs) showed that risks due to PCBs were generally low or negligible. Specifically, RQs from total TEQs and total PCBs for Finless Porpoises are below one, suggesting that PCBs should be a low risk for the Finless Porpoise in Hong Kong waters. However, the Humpback Dolphin has RQs larger than 1 for total TEQs and total PCBs when the 95th percentile data were used in the evaluation. This indicates that further investigation may be needed to examine more closely the potential impact of toxic contaminants in the habitat of the Humpback Dolphin.     

Potential contributions of clay minerals and organic matter to pentachlorophenol retention in soils

Sorption of pentachlorophenol (PCP) by pure minerals and humic acids were measured to obtain additional perspective on the potential contributions of both clay minerals and soil organic matter (SOM) to contaminants retention in soils. Four types of common soil minerals and two kinds of humic acids (HAs) were tested. The sorption affinity for PCP conformed to an order of HAs > K-montmorillonite > Ca-montmorillonite > goethite > kaolinite. Such a difference in sorption capacity could be attributed to the crucial control of HAs. Clay minerals also had their contribution, especially K-montmorillonite, which played an important, if not dominant, role in the controlling process of PCP sorption. By removing 80% (on average) of the organic carbon from the soils with H(2)O(2), the sorption decreased by an average of 50%. The sorption reversibility had been greatly favored as well. Considering the uncharged mineral fractions in soil before and after H(2)O(2)-treated, the main variation in sorption behavior of the soil might thus be related to the removed organic carbon and the reduced pH. This testified rightly the interactive effect of SOM and clay minerals on PCP sorption as a function of pH.     

Effect of copper on the adsorption of p-nitrophenol onto soils

The effect of copper on adsorption of p-nitrophenol on two typical Chinese soils was investigated using a batch-equilibration method. Adsorption experiments were carried out when both copper and p-nitrophenol were adsorbed simultaneously, and when copper was previously adsorbed on soils. It was observed that adsorption of p-nitrophenol decreased with increasing copper concentrations thereby indicating a competition between copper and p-nitrophenol for occupying the adsorption sites on soils. Moisture increased the hydrated sphere and the acidity of water surrounding the cation, which further reduced the adsorption of p-nitrophenol. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy study provided the direct evidence for the coordination of p-nitrophenol sorbed by soils with metal cation in n-hexane system. It was observed that the perturbations included a red shift of the nu(asym) (NO) band, a concomitant blue-shift of the nu(sym) (NO) band and a blue-shift of C-N band when compared with the infrared spectra obtained from water solution.     

Removal of cyanobacterial blooms in Taihu Lake using local soils. I. Equilibrium and kinetic screening on the flocculation of Microcystis aeruginosa using commercially available clays and minerals

Algal removal abilities of 26 clays/minerals were classified into three categories according to the 8-h equilibrium removal efficiency (Q8h) and removal rate at a clay loading of 0.7 g/L. Type I clays (sepiolite, talc, ferric oxide, and kaolinite) had a Q8h > 90%, a t50 (time needed to remove 50% of the algae) < 15 min, and a t80 < 2.5 h. Type II clays (6 clays) had a Q8h 50-90%, a t50 < 2.5 h, and a t80 > 2.5 h. Type III clays (14 clays) with Q8h < 50%, t50 > 8 h and t80 > 14 h had no practical value in removal of algal blooms. When the clay loading was reduced to 0.2 g/L, Q8h for all the 25 materials decreased to below 60%, except for sepiolite whose Q8h remained about 97%. The high efficiency for sepiolite to flocculate M. aeruginosa cells in freshwaters was due to the mechanism of netting and bridging effect.     

A study of daily and seasonal variations of radon concentrations in underground buildings

A study of daily and seasonal variations of radon concentrations in underground buildings in major cities of China was carried out. According to the data from the Model 1027 continuous monitor, radon concentrations in the underground buildings changed through two cycles each day. The first cycle was from 12:00 to 0:00 and the highest or lowest value, depending on location, was at about 19:00. The second cycle had a little change. Based on the data from solid state nuclear detectors (SSNTDs), it was concluded that the radon concentrations in underground buildings in winter were lower than in summer, which was opposite to that above the ground level. Similar to that above the ground level, the radon concentrations in spring were close to the year-round average radon concentrations.     

低压下聚乙烯绝缘层导线火蔓延熔融滴落实验分析

低压导线火蔓延的研究对于飞机和航天器的防火安全具有重要意义。针对镍铬合金线芯、聚乙烯(PE)绝缘层导线火蔓延过程中的熔融滴落现象,在低压舱内开展了不同气压、不同氧气浓度的大量实验研究,获得了导线熔融滴落频率、质量和火蔓延速度,以及不同氧浓度熔融滴落的上下限。结果表明:(1)在熔融滴落过程中,由于滴落会产生向上的动量,从而使火焰在滴落后发生突然的"跳动"现象,火焰高度先增加后降低;(2)滴落上限和滴落下限随着氧浓度的增加而降低,并且可以划分为3个不同的区域:火蔓延仅存区;滴落和火蔓延共存区;无滴落无火蔓延区。滴落上限和滴落下限下降曲线在50%氧浓度、5kPa压力发生会合,此后只有火蔓延而不存在滴落现象。(3)当压力降低时,由于线芯温度增加,线芯传导热量增加,导致绝缘层熔融速率加快,从而使得滴落频率增加,同时液滴的表面张力随着压力的降低而增加,使得低压下液滴的质量变大。     

西安城区冬季污染天单颗粒气溶胶的化学组分特征及混合状态

本研究利用单颗粒气溶胶质谱仪(SPAMS)于2018年12月6-12 日在西安市开展高时间分辨率的实时在线观测.观测期间颗粒物数浓度和PM2.5质量浓度变化趋势一致,表明颗粒物数浓度可以反映大气污染状况.结合自适应共振神经网络算法和人工分类方法,将颗粒物共分为7类,分别是元素碳颗粒(EC)、有机碳与元素碳混合颗粒(OC...     

矿用救生舱内二氧化碳净化特性研究

煤矿救生舱是在矿井下发生事故后保护被困矿工生存、等待救援的密闭舱室设备。在救援过程中,二氧化碳的处理是舱内空气净化系统的一项主要功能。本文对救生舱内二氧化碳净化装置的功率、吸收效率、药剂床层厚度等因素进行了一系列试验,确定了救生舱二氧化碳的最优净化方式,并通过救生舱内真人生存试验对其进行了验证。最终得出救生舱内处理二氧化碳最佳反应条件为:药剂量20kg,最佳功率为100W;间歇式工作的运行时间与停机时间比例为2:3;在救生舱内8人生存模拟实验中,得出8kg药剂可供8人使用6.1h,平均吸收速率为1.34L/min。     

固井水泥作业场所粉尘治理及效果评价

对油田固井水泥生产和使用作业场所进行了劳动卫生学调查,对粉尘污染严重的立式散装水泥储存罐尾气口排放、水泥裸口装卸、水泥与外加剂干混工艺进行了技术改造和粉尘治理,使作业场所空气中粉尘浓度由平均49.94 mg/m3降至1.19 mg/m3,除尘效率达97.81%,效果明显。     

加油站火灾爆炸故障树分析

采用安全系统工程的方法,对加油站的火灾爆炸事故进行了故障树分析。通过故障树分析,得出4个最小径集,指明了预防事故发生的可能途径;从而确定出加油站火灾爆炸事故的预防措施,并做出安全检查表,以供现场实施参考。