Photodecomposition of humic acid and natural organic matter in swamp water using a TiO2-coated ceramic foam filter: Potential for the formation of disinfection byproducts

This paper reports on the photodecomposition of aqueous humic acid (HA) by a TiO₂-coated ceramic foam filter (TCF) reactor and on the potential for the formation of disinfection byproducts (DBPs) upon chlorination of the photocatalytically treated solutions. This photocatalytic reactor can also be applied to the removal of natural organic matter (NOM) in swamp waters. The proposed photocatalytic reaction system was operated as per standardized methodologies. First, the ability of the TCF to decompose HA (a representative compound of NOM) was evaluated from the changes in the total organic carbon (TOC) and UV₂₅₄ with the reaction time. Remarkably, TOC removal and UV₂₅₄ values ranging from 44% to 61% and from 60% to 83%, respectively, were achieved. The potential for the formation of DBPs (total trihalomethane and total haloacetic acid) by chlorination of the phototreated solution was strongly dependent on the TOC removal and UV₂₅₄ values in the solution. The degree of photodecomposition of NOMs in the swamp water samples and the DBP formation potential showed similar trends as in the case of the standard solutions containing HA. The method used in this study could be effectively used to evaluate the efficiency of TCF for reducing HA and NOM, while suppressing the formation of DBP products.     

Postembryonic development of the bone-eating worm Osedax japonicus

Bone-eating worms of the genus Osedax exclusively inhabit sunken vertebrate bones on the seafloor. The unique lifestyle and morphology of Osedax spp. have received much scientific attention, but the whole process of their development has not been observed. We herein report the postembryonic development and settlement of Osedax japonicus Fujikura et al. (Zool Sci 23:733–740, 2006). Fertilised eggs were spawned into the mucus of a female, and the larvae swam out from the mucus at the trochophore stage. Larvae survived for 10 days under laboratory conditions. The larvae settled on bones, elongated their bodies and crawled around on the bones. Then they secreted mucus to create a tube and the palps started to develop. The palps of O. japonicus arose from the prostomium, whereas the anterior appendages of other siboglinids arose from the peristomium. The recruitment of dwarf males was induced by rearing larvae with adult females. Females started to spawn eggs 6 weeks after settlement.     

Degradation behaviors of nonylphenol ethoxylates by isolated bacteria using improved isolation method

Nonylphenol ethoxylate (NPEO)-degrading bacteria were isolated from activated sludge using an improved isolation method, and the corresponding degradation behaviours were investigated. Eight NPEO-degrading strains distributed in genera Pseudomonas, Sphingomonas, Sphingobium, Cupriavidus, Ralstonia, Achromobacter, and Staphylococcus were acquired. The latter five genera have never been reported for the degradation of NPEOs. Four degradation patterns were observed for the eight pure strains. In pattern A, NPE...     

Effects of humic substances on the decomposition of 2,4-dichlorophenol by ozone after extraction from water into acetic acid through activated carbon

The objectives of this study are to clarify the behavior of humic substances throughout the processes of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) adsorption on granular activated carbon (GAC) from water and extraction into acetic acid, and the influence of the extracted humic substances on the decomposition of 2,4-DCP by ozone in the acetic acid. The adsorption capacity of GAC for 2,4-DCP was not influenced by the humic substances preloaded to have equilibrium concentration of 24.9mg Cl(-1) (14.5mg Cg(-1)). The adsorption capacity of GAC for 2,4-DCP decreased to one tenth of new GAC after the first adsorption-extraction step because of only 16% desorption in the first step. However, 2,4-DCP adsorbed on GAC was completely extracted after the second step suggesting that GAC can be used as adsorbent to transfer 2,4-DCP from water to acetic acid. The concentration ratio of 2,4-DCP from water into acetic acid was around 2x10(5), whereas the concentration ratio of humic substances was about 3.5, indicating that 2,4-DCP was selectively adsorbed and extracted by this system. The first order degradation rate constant for 2,4-DCP by ozone in acetic acid increased with the addition of humic substances. The rate constant with 16mg Cl(-1) of humic substances was 2.6 times as high as that without humic substances. Humic substances behaved as a promoter for the degradation of 2,4-DCP by ozone.     

Syntheses of Biodegradable Functional Polymers by Radical Ring-Opening Polymerization of 2-Methylene-1,3,6-trioxocane

2-Methylene-1,3,6-trioxocane (MTC) was polymerized via ring-opening in the presence of a radical initiator and the obtained polyester was biodegradable. MTC could also copolymerize with various vinyl monomers such as styrene, vinyl acetate, methyl vinyl ketone, N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone, N-isopropyl acrylamide, and maleic anhydride. By copolymerizing MTC with these vinyl monomers in the presence of a radical initiator, we could obtain various biodegradable polymers with ester group introduced into the backbone. In addition the obtained copolymers exhibit certain functionalities such as photolysis, water-solubility, thermosensitivity, detergent builder, and water-absorbability.     

Abiotic reduction of antimony(V) by green rust (Fe(4)(II)Fe(2)(III)(OH)(12)SO(4).3H(2)O)

Green rust (Fe(4)(II)Fe(2)(III)(OH)(12)SO(4).3H(2)O) is an intermediate phase in the formation of iron (oxyhydr)oxides such as goethite, lepidocrocite, and magnetite. It is widely considered that green rust occurs in many soil and sediment systems. Green rust has been shown to reduce sorbed Se(VI), Cr(VI), and U(VI). In addition, it is also reported that green rust does not reduce As(V) to As(III). In this study, we have investigated for the first time the interaction between Sb(V) and green rust using XAFS and HPLC-ICP-MS. Most of the added Sb(V) was adsorbed on green rust, and Sb(III), a reduced form, was observed in both solid and liquid phases. Thus, it was shown that green rust has high affinity for Sb(V), and that Sb(V) was reduced to more toxic Sb(III) by green rust despite the high stability of the Sb(V) species even under reducing condition as reported in previous studies. Therefore, green rust can be one of the most important reducing agents for Sb(V), which can influence the Sb mobility in suboxic environments where green rust is formed.     

Comparative study of microbial dechlorination of chlorinated ethenes in an aquifer and a clayey aquitard

In order to determine whether natural attenuation of chlorinated ethenes by microbial activity occurs in aquitards, sediments at a site contaminated with tetrachloroethene were vertically studied by drilling. The distribution of microbes (Dehalococcoides group and anaerobic hydrogen producers) and the ability of the sediments to sustain microbial dechlorination were determined in an aquitard as well as in an aquifer. Close-spaced sampling revealed the existence of large populations of Dehalococcoides and H(2)-producing bacteria, especially in the organic-rich clayey aquitard rather than in the aquifer. The vinyl chloride reductase gene was also detected in the clay layer. Furthermore, incubation experiments indicated that the clay sediment could sustain transformations of tetrachloroethene at least to vinyl chloride. In contrast, no significant transformation was observed in the aquifer sand. Our results indicate that dechlorination of tetrachloroethene by bacteria can take place in an organic-rich clayey aquitard, and that organic-rich clay may also be important in the natural attenuation in an adjacent aquifer, possibly supplying a carbon source or an electron donor.     

The uncertainty of climate sensitivity and its implication for the Paris negotiation

Uncertainty of climate sensitivity is one of the critical issues that may affect climate response strategies. Whereas the equilibrium climate sensitivity (ECS) was specified as 2–4.5 °C with the best estimate of 3 °C in the 4th Assessment Report of IPCC, it was revised to 1.5–4.5 °C in the 5th Assessment Report. The authors examined the impact of a difference in ECS assuming a best estimate of 2.5 °C, instead of 3 °C. The current pledges of several countries including the U.S., EU and China on emission reductions beyond 2020 are not on track for the 2 °C target with an ECS of 3 °C but are compatible with the target with an ECS of 2.5 °C. It is critically important for policymakers in Paris to know that they are in a position to make decisions under large uncertainty of ECS.     

Electrochemical reduction of organohalogen compound by noble metal sintered electrode

1,2,3-Trichlorobenzene (1,2,3-TCB) was used as a model sample of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) which was dechlorinated by a closed electrochemical reduction system under an inert gas atmosphere. The effect of the electrode material was examined in the reaction. Dechlorination yields in different type of cathode electrodes using sintered RuO2 (major)/Pt/PdO, sintered Pt(major)/IrO2/RuO2, sintered RuO2, sintered PdO, sintered Pt, sintered PdO/Pt, sintered Pd/Pt and plain Pd plate were 91%, 81%, 59%, 96%, 53%, 97%, 82% and 70% respectively, at reaction times of 60 or 120 min. The reaction was exothermic after initially starting at room temperature. This electrochemical reduction system was friendly technology for environment using cation exchange membrane, supplying sodium ions from sodium hydroxide solution as anolyte. Trace amounts of dichlorobenzene, as products of stepwise dechlorination, were observed with different pathways, depending on the electrode material. Electrodes with Ru and Pd were selective mainly for meta-position dechlorination, while those with Pt groups selective mainly for ortho-position (o-position) dechlorination. A PdO sintered electrode had an especially high selectivity for meta-position (m-position) dechlorination. The results suggest that dechlorination is an electrocatalytic reduction in this cation supply system.