Advances in emission control of diesel vehicles in China

Diesel vehicles have caused serious environmental problems in China. Hence, the Chinese government has launched serious actions against air pollution and imposed more stringent regulations on diesel vehicle emissions in the latest China VI standard. To fulfill this stringent legislation, two major technical routes, including the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and high-efficiency selective catalytic reduction (SCR) routes, have been developed for diesel engines. Moreover, complicated aftertreatment technologies have also been developed, including use of a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) for controlling carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbon (HC) emissions, diesel particulate filter (DPF) for particle mass (PM) emission control, SCR for the control of NOx emission, and an ammonia slip catalyst (ASC) for the control of unreacted NH₃. Due to the stringent requirements of the China VI standard, the aftertreatment system needs to be more deeply integrated with the engine system. In the future, aftertreatment technologies will need further upgrades to fulfill the requirements of the near-zero emission target for diesel vehicles.     

Recent advances and perspectives towards emission inventories of mobile sources: Compilation approaches, data acquisition methods, and case studies

In recent years, great efforts have been devoted to reducing emissions from mobile sources with the dramatic growth of motor vehicle and nonroad mobile source populations. Compilation of a mobile source emission inventory is conducive to the analysis of pollution emission characteristics and the formulation of emission reduction policies. This study summarizes the latest compilation approaches and data acquisition methods for mobile source emission inventories. For motor vehicles, a high-resolution emission inventory can be developed based on a bottom-up approach with a refined traffic flow model and real-world speed-coupled emission factors. The top-down approach has advantages when dealing with macroscale vehicle emission estimation without substantial traffic flow infrastructure. For nonroad mobile sources, nonroad machinery, inland river ships, locomotives, and civil aviation aircraft, a top-down approach based on fuel consumption or power is adopted. For ocean-going ships, a bottom-up approach based on automatic identification system (AIS) data is adopted. Three typical cases are studied, including emission reduction potential, a cost-benefit model, and marine shipping emission control. Outlooks and suggestions are given on future research directions for emission inventories for mobile sources: building localized emission models and factor databases, improving the dynamic updating capability of emission inventories, establishing a database of emission factors of unconventional pollutants and greenhouse gas from mobile sources, and establishing an urban high temporal-spatial resolution volatile organic compound (VOC) evaporation emission inventory.     

Understanding primary and secondary sources of ambient oxygenated volatile organic compounds in Shenzhen utilizing photochemical age-based parameterization method

Oxygenated volatile organic compounds(OVOCs) are key intermediates in the atmospheric photooxidation process. To further study the primary and secondary sources of OVOCs,their ambient levels were monitored using a proton-transfer reaction mass spectrometer(PTR-MS) at an urban site in the Pearl River Delta of China. Continuous monitoring campaigns were conducted in the spring, summer, fall, and winter of 2016. Among the six types of OVOC species, the mean concentrations of methanol were the highest in each season(up to 13–20 ppbv), followed by those of acetone, acetaldehyde and acetic acid(approximately 2–4 ppbv), while those of formic acid and methyl ethyl ketone(MEK) were the lowest(approximately 1–2 ppbv). As observed from a diurnal variation chart, the OVOCs observed in Shenzhen may have been affected by numerous factors such as their primary and secondary sources and photochemical consumption. The photochemical age-based parameterization method was used to apportion the sources of ambient OVOCs. Methanol had significant anthropogenic primary sources but negligible anthropogenic secondary sources during all of the seasons. Acetone, MEK and acetic acid were mostly attributed to anthropogenic primary sources during each season with smaller contributions from anthropogenic secondary sources. Acetaldehyde had similar contributions from both anthropogenic secondary and anthropogenic primary sources throughout the year.Meanwhile, anthropogenic primary sources contributed the most to formic acid.     

TiO2/Schwertmannite nanocomposites as superior co-catalysts in heterogeneous photo-Fenton process

The heterogeneous photo-Fenton reaction is an effective technique in combating organic contaminants for both soil and water remediation,and extensive studies have focused on enhancing its efficiency and reducing its costs.In this work,we developed novel photoFenton catalysts by simply milling commercially available TiO_2(P25)with Schwertmannite(Sh),a natural iron-oxyhydroxysulfate nanomineral.We expect that the photo-generated electrons from TiO_2could continuously migrate to Sh,which then could enhance the separation of electron-hole pairs on TiO_2and accelerate the reduction of Fe(III)to Fe(II)on Sh,leading to high degradation efficiency of the target organic contaminants.SEM and TEM results showed the distribution of TiO_2on Sh surface for the nanocomposites(TiO_2/Sh).Under simulated sunlight irradiation,the much higher content of Fe(II)was determined on TiO_2/Sh than on Sh via a common method in the iron ore,and the consumption of H_2O_2and the production of·OH were more significant in the TiO_2/Sh system than those in the TiO_2and Sh systems.These results well support our hypothesis that the photo-generated electrons could migrate from TiO_2to Sh on the composites,and can also explain the much higher degradation efficiency of Rhodamine B(RhB)in the TiO_2/Sh system.Besides,TiO_2/Sh had lower Fe dissolution as compared with Sh,and retained high catalytic stability after four repeated cycles.Above merits of the TiO_2/Sh composites,in combining with their simple synthesis method and low-cost property,indicated that they should have promising applications as heterogeneous photo-Fenton catalysts.     

Transformation of sulfamethazine during the chlorination disinfection process: Transformation, kinetics, and toxicology assessment

Various disinfection byproducts(DBPs) form during the process of chlorination disinfection,posing potential threats to drinking water safety and human health. Sulfamethazine(SMT),the most commonly used and frequently detected veterinary antibiotic, was investigated in detail with regard to its transformation and kinetics in reactions with free available chlorine(FAC). Using liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry, several DBPs were identified based on different confidence levels, and a variety of reaction types, including desulfonation, S–N cleavage, hydroxylation, and chlorine substitution, were proposed. The kinetic experiments indicated that the reaction rate was FAC-and pH-dependent, and SMT exhibits low reactivity toward FAC in alkaline conditions. The DBPs exhibited a much higher acute toxicity than SMT, as estimated by quantitative structure activity relationship models. More importantly, we observed that the FAC-treated SMT reaction solution might increase the genotoxic potential due to the generation of DBPs. This investigation provides substantial new details related to the transformation of SMT in the chlorination disinfection process.     

Ecological wetland paradigm drives water source improvement in the stream network of Yangtze River Delta

Jiaxing created a precedent using bypass riparian marshes to purify micro-polluted water sources in China. Pond-wetland complex with constructed root channel technology becomes a paradigm which can be analogized as “human-body wetland model” based on bionics or biomimetics. Heterogeneous plant-bed/ditch system with highly active land/water ecotone interfaces, especially meandering boundaries, breeds many biochemical reactions “living areas”. Optimization of hydraulic regulation promotes redox environment alternations and wetland treatment efficiency. Here we reported a series of upgrades and performances in Guanjinggang wetland after the Shijiuyang prototype. Morphological reform of plant-bed/ditch system played a vital role. Spatially root channel zone was main force of wetland purification, and temporally the treatment effect was higher in low-temperature seasons indicating non-temperature dependent mechanisms worked. Water pollution comprehensive index improved steadily from IV to III, and comprehensive pollution load was reduced by ca. 40%–60%. Comprehensive evaluation function value further showed the gradients purification effect of the upgraded wetland. Ecological wetlands ameliorated source water quality, and reduced drinking water treatment reagents, thereby bringing about economic benefits. Through wetlands operation, people can see how the micro-polluted surface water becomes clear and clean, so promoting a significant social benefit. As a viable component of urban green space, wetlands could beautify regional eco-environment, freshen the air, increase urban ecological taste, and enhance the eco-environmental protection publicity. Thus, the multifunctional service values and indirect benefits are substantial. Jiaxing ecological wetlands provide a typical paradigm for water pollution remediation in developing countries and plays a leading role in technology engineering radiation effect.     

Characteristics, sources and health risks assessment of VOCs in Zhengzhou, China during haze pollution season

Zhengzhou is one of the most haze-polluted cities in Central China with high organic carbon emission, which accounts for 15%-20% of particulate matter (PM2.5) in winter and causes significantly adverse health effects. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are the precursors of secondary PM2.5 and O3 formation. An investigation of characteristics, sources and health risks assessment of VOCs was carried out at the urban area of Zhengzhou from 1st to 31st December, 2019. The mean concentrations of total detected VOCs were 48.8 ± 23.0 ppbv. Alkanes (22.0 ± 10.4 ppbv), halocarbons (8.1 ± 3.9 ppbv) and aromatics (6.5 ± 3.9 ppbv) were the predominant VOC species, followed by alkenes (5.1 ± 3.3 ppbv), oxygenated VOCs (3.6 ± 1.8 ppbv), alkyne (3.5 ± 1.9, ppbv) and sulfide (0.5 ± 0.9 ppbv). The Positive Matrix Factorization model was used to identify and apportion VOCs sources. Five major sources of VOCs were identified as vehicular exhaust, industrial processes, combustion, fuel evaporation, and solvent use. The carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk values of species were calculated. The carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks of almost all air toxics increased during haze days. The total non-carcinogenic risks exceeded the acceptable ranges. Most VOC species posed no non-carcinogenic risk during three haze events. The carcinogenic risks of chloroform, 1,2-dichloroethane, 1,2-dibromoethane, benzyl chloride, hexachloro-1,3-butadiene, benzene and naphthalene were above the acceptable level (1.0 × 10?6) but below the tolerable risk level (1.0 × 10?4). Industrial emission was the major contributor to non-carcinogenic, and solvent use was the major contributor to carcinogenic risks.     

Bamboo charcoal enhances cellulase and urease activities during chicken manure composting: Roles of the bacterial community and metabolic functions

Microbial enzymes are crucial for material biotransformation during the composting process. In this study, we investigated the effects of adding bamboo charcoal (BC) (i.e., at 5%, 10%, and 20% corresponding to BC5, BC10, and BC20, respectively) on the enzyme activity levels during chicken manure composting. The results showed that BC10 could increase the cellulose and urease activities by 56% and 96%, respectively. The bacterial community structure in BC10 differed from those in the other treatments, and Luteivirga, Lactobacillus, Paenalcaligenes, Ulvibacter, Bacillus, Facklamia, Pelagibacterium, Sporosarcina, Cellvibrio, and Corynebacterium had the most important roles in composting. Compared with other treatments, BC10 significantly enhanced the average rates of degradation of carbohydrates (D-xylose (40%) and α-D-lactose (44%)) and amino acids (L-arginine (16%), L-asparagine (14%), and L-threonine (52%)). We also explored the associations among the bacterial community and their metabolic functions with the changes in the activities of enzymes. Network analysis demonstrated that BC10 altered the co-occurrence patterns of the bacterial communities, where Ulvibacter and class Bacilli were the keystone bacterial taxa with high capacities for degrading carbon source, and they were related to increases in the activities of cellulase and urease, respectively. The results obtained in this study may help to further enhance the efficiency of composting.     

浙江省主要优势农产品产地土壤-农作物镉含量空间分布及相关性研究

针对目前土壤-农作物镉污染问题,以浙江省40个县（市、区）主要优势农产品产区为研究对象,在粮食、油菜、蔬菜种植地以及茶园和果园土壤中共采集898个单元土壤样品及相对应的五大类农作物,并对其镉含量进行分析评价;同时采用富集系数比较不同农作物对土壤重金属镉的吸收差异。结果表明,研究区产地土壤和农作物的镉含量存在一定程度超标,土壤超标率为10.69%,农作物超标率为4.57%。不同农作物对土壤镉的富集系数差异较大,变化范围在0.002～0.257之间。土壤-农作物镉含量的相关性并不显著。     

乡村转型发展影响因素及其作用效应的空间分异——以陕西省为例

以陕西省为例,围绕人口、土地、产业等乡村社会经济发展要素构建乡村转型发展评价指标体系,借助ArcGIS平台分析陕西省乡村转型发展时空格局演化特征;利用逐步回归、地理加权回归模型（GWR模型）对陕西省乡村转型发展影响因素及作用效应的空间分异进行探究,以期为陕西省乡村高质量发展路径设计与政策制订提供参考依据。研究结论如下：（1）2005—2017年间,陕西省乡村转型发展程度呈现持续上升趋势,在空间上整体呈现西安及其周边以及榆林北部能源区发展程度高,其余地区发展程度低的特点,且乡村转型发展经历了低度转型主导到较低、中度转型主导的发展过程。（2）地均固定资产投入、加权路网密度、人均生产总值、规模以上工业企业个数和人均耕地资源量是陕西省乡村转型发展的主要影响因素。（3）影响因素中除人均耕地资源量对乡村转型发展整体呈现负向影响外,其余因素均呈现正向影响,且对不同县域影响程度不同,影响效应的空间分异明显。研究对因地制宜地制定陕西省乡村转型发展的差异化政策措施具有重要的参考意义。