一体化生物膜技术处理滨海农村污水

对厌氧-3级好氧/缺氧生物膜工艺进行技术改进,并对改进后的"一体化生物膜技术"处理低碳氮比农村生活污水进行了实际应用。新工艺增设了回流泵(回流比2∶1),且厌氧段悬浮填料装填率由原来的15%提高到30%,3级好氧/缺氧段YDT型弹性立体填料装填率依次由原来的50%、40%、25%提高到70%、60%和40%。装置连续稳定运行12个月,平均进水量为18 m3/d,HRT为3.7 d,监测结果表明:对COD、BOD、NH3-N、TN、TP和SS平均去除率分别为75.6%、85.9%、86.7%、63.9%、69.3%和85.5%;出水COD、BOD、NH3-N、TN、TP和SS的平均浓度分别在34.9、8.9、3.4、9.9、0.9和6.9 mg/L以下。改进后出水BOD和TN的去除能力有较大提高,除TP外其他各项指标均达到了设计要求。     

Adsorption of sulfamethoxazole on functionalized carbon nanotubes as affected by cations and anions

The environmental risks of antibiotics have attracted lots of research attention, but their environmental behavior is not clear yet. Functionalized carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were used as model adsorbents and sulfamethoxazole (SMX) was used as a model antibiotic to investigate the effect of both cations (Ca²⁺, Cs⁺) and anions (phosphate) on antibiotics adsorption. Various mechanisms (such as electrostatic interaction, hydrophobic interaction, π-π and hydrogen bonds) play roles in SMX adsorption. Cations and anions could “wedge into” these mechanisms and thus alter SMX adsorption. This study emphasized that both increased and decreased SMX adsorption could be observed with the addition of cations/anions, depending on environmental conditions (such as pH in this current study). The net effect is the balance between the increased and decreased effects. The contribution of different mechanisms to the overall antibiotic adsorption on solid particles should be identified to accurately predict the apparent effect by cations and anions.     

Effect of aging on catalytic properties in mechanochemical degradation of pentachlorophenol by birnessite

Mechanochemistry, a technique concerning with milling contaminated samples for prolonged times, induces massive degradation of pollutants by grinding them in ball mills with different soil components or additives. In the present study, laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of aging on the mechanochemical efficiency of the Mn-oxide birnessite in degrading pentachlorophenol (PCP). A comparative study on an aged birnessite (KBiA), used after 3 years from synthesis, and a fresh birnessite (KBiF), employed immediately after synthesis, was carried out. The differences between the two birnessites, evidenced by spectroscopic and diffractometric techniques, are mainly relative to reduction of the Mn(IV) centered at the MnO₆ octahedra layers from the birnessite structure, which represent the most reactive sites for PCP degradation. The long term air drying at room temperature, by favouring reduction of Mn(IV) to Mn(III), produces an inorganic substrate that offers paucity of the less reactive sites for PCP degradation, thus reducing the oxidative potential of the KBiA. Accordingly, the more reactive fresh birnessite was employed in the experiment with a polluted soil. Adding a small amount of KBiF to soil only induces a light increase in PCP removal, probably due to the mechanically induced PCP adsorption and transformation onto clay minerals present in the soil. Besides, adding a higher dose of birnessite causes a stronger degradation of PCP.     

Influences of sediment dessication on phosphorus transformations in an intertidal marsh: formation and release of phosphine

This study investigated the effects of sediment dewatering on the phosphorus transformations concerning about the production and emission of phosphine in the intertidal marsh of the Yangtze Estuary. The concentrations of matrix-bound phosphine ranged from 18.62-72.53 ng kg⁻¹ and 31.14-61.22 ng kg⁻¹ within the August and January exposure incubations, respectively. The responses of matrix-bound phosphine concentrations to sediment dessication demonstrate that the production (or accumulation) of matrix-bound phosphine significantly increased with water loss at the start of the emersion incubations. However, further dehydration inhibited the formation of matrix-bound phosphine in sediments. The significant correlations of matrix-bound phosphine with the organic-P bacteria abundance and alkaline phosphatase activities implicate that the production of matrix-bound phosphine within the dessication incubations was linked closely to the microbial decomposition of organic P. The emissions of phosphine generally decreased with sediment dewatering, with the fluxes of 7.51-96.73 ng m⁻² h⁻¹ and 5.34-77.74 ng m⁻² h⁻¹ over the exposure incubations of both August and January, respectively. Also, it is observed that the releases of phosphine during the entire exposure periods were affected not only by its production but also by sediment water and redox conditions.     

Oxidative degradation of chlorophenol derivatives promoted by microwaves or power ultrasound: a mechanism investigation

Background, aim, and scope

Phenols are the most common pollutants in industrial wastewaters (particularly from oil refineries, resin manufacture, and coal processing). In the last two decades, it has become common knowledge that they can be effectively destroyed by nonconventional techniques such as power ultrasound (US) and/or microwave (MW) irradiation. Both techniques may strongly promote advanced oxidation processes (AOPs). The present study aimed to shed light on the effect and mechanism of US- and MW-promoted oxidative degradation of chlorophenols; 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), a pesticide widespread in the environment, was chosen as the model compound.

Materials and methods

2,4-D degradation by AOPs was carried out either under US (20 and 300 kHz) in aqueous solutions (with and without the addition of Fenton reagent) or solvent-free under MW with sodium percarbonate (SPC). All these reactions were monitored by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis and compared with the classical Fenton reaction in water under magnetic stirring. The same set of treatments was also applied to 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) and phenol, the first two products that occur a step down in the degradation sequence. Fenton and Fenton-like reagents were employed at the lowest active concentration.

Results

The effects of US and MW irradiation were investigated and compared with those of conventional treatments. Detailed mechanisms of Fenton-type reactions were suggested for 2,4-D, 2,4-DCP, and phenol, underlining the principal degradation products identified. MW-promoted degradation under solvent-free conditions with solid Fenton-like reagents (viz. SPC) is extremely efficient and mainly follows pyrolytic pathways. Power US strongly accelerates the degradation of 2,4-D in water through a rapid generation of highly reactive radicals; it does not lead to the formation of more toxic dimers.

Discussion

We show that US and MW enhance the oxidative degradation of 2,4-D and that a considerable saving of oxidants and cutting down of reaction times is thereby achieved. The results support the interpretation of previously published data and improve the understanding of the factors of direct degradation along different pathways.

Conclusions

Oxidative pathways for 2,4-D, 2,4-DCP, and phenol were proposed by a careful monitoring of the reactions and detection of intermediates by GC–MS.

Recommendations and perspectives

The understanding of the factors that affect chlorophenols degradation along different pathways may facilitate the optimization of the treatment. Type of energy source (US or MW), power, and frequency to be applied could be designed in function of the operative scenario (amount of pollutant in soil, water, or oils).     

Hydroxylated and methoxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers and polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins in red alga and cyanobacteria living in the Baltic Sea

Hydroxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers (OH-PBDEs) and methoxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers (MeO-PBDEs) are present in the ecosystem of the Baltic Sea. OH-PBDEs are known to be both natural products from marine environments and metabolites of the anthropogenic polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), whereas, MeO-PBDEs appear to be solely natural in origin. Polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PBDDs) are by-products formed in connection with the combustion of brominated flame retardants (BFRs), but are also indicated as natural products in a red alga (Ceramium tenuicorne) and blue mussels living in the Baltic Sea. The aims of the present investigation were to quantify the OH-PBDEs and MeO-PBDEs present in C. tenuicorne; to verify the identities of PBDDs detected previously in this species of red alga and to investigate whether cyanobacteria living in this same region of the Baltic Sea contain OH-PBDEs, MeO-PBDEs and/or PBDDs. The red alga was confirmed to contain tribromodibenzo-p-dioxins (triBDDs), by accurate mass determination and additional PBDD congeners were also detected in this sample. This is the first time that PBDDs have been identified in a red alga. The SigmaOH-PBDEs and SigmaMeO-PBDEs concentrations, present in C. tenuicorne were 150 and 4.6 ng g(-1) dry weight, respectively. In the cyanobacteria 6 OH-PBDEs, 6 MeO-PBDEs and 4 PBDDs were detected by mass spectrometry (electron capture negative ionization (ECNI)). The PBDDs and OH-PBDEs and MeO-PBDEs detected in the red alga and cyanobacteria are most likely of natural origin.     

Seasonal, spatial and inter-annual variations of trace metals in mussels from the Adriatic sea: a regional gradient for arsenic and implications for monitoring the impact of off-shore activities

Mussels are widely used as bioindicator organisms for monitoring chemical pollutants including trace metals. These elements are natural constituents in the marine environment and their basal concentrations in the organisms can be influenced by several environmental and biological factors. The aim of this work was to extend our knowledge on the natural variability of trace metals in mussels tissues, focusing on seasonal and inter-annual fluctuations in a coastal reference site of the Adriatic coast (Portonovo); a total of 39 samplings were performed during 5 years, providing an extended data-set for tissue levels of As, Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, V and Zn. Concentrations of trace metals in mussels tissues revealed marked seasonal fluctuations with significant differences between various sampling years. Such fluctuations appeared mostly related to phytoplanctonic blooms and especially to reproductive cycle which exhibited a certain inter-annual shift of the gametogenesis period. Lower concentrations were measured in summer months for the majority of elements while a different seasonal cycle was observed for arsenic, not correlated with gonadic development, neither with other elements. Chemical speciation of arsenic was characterized to distinguish compounds of natural origin from those potentially reflecting an anthropogenic impact. Arsenobetaine and arsenocholine were always the predominant forms (up to 85% of total arsenic), while a significant increase of dimethylarsine and trimethylarsine oxide in spring (24% of total arsenic) might reflect the effect of phytoplanctonic bloom on both geochemistry and trophic transfer of this element. A significant inter-annual variability was observed for both the seasonal cycle and the range of values measured for all the elements, with particularly marked differences for arsenic, ranging from less than 10 to more than 40 microg/g in summer periods of different years. Data obtained on reference mussels were used to assess the impact of 41 off-shore platforms distributed along 5 nautical districts in the Northern and Central Adriatic Sea. Organisms sampled on these structures from 2001 to 2005 exhibited a certain enrichment of cadmium and zinc, probably associated to the use of anodic electrodes. Marked annual and geographical variations were measured for concentrations of arsenic in mussels of different platforms. However, the comparison with results of Portonovo, allowed to exclude the anthropogenic impact of exploitation activities and revealed a natural regional gradient of arsenic levels in mussels tissues associated to the changing influence of the Po river runoff on seawater salinity. In particular the higher concentrations measured in organisms sampled from platforms in the Central compared to Northern Adriatic confirmed a significant relationship between salinity and arsenic bioaccumulation, consistent with a role of arsenobetaine as an acquired osmolyte for mussels. The overall results confirmed the importance of natural variability when assessing the potential impact of anthropogenic activities.     

几种阴阳离子对磷钨酸光催化降解甲基橙的影响

以磷钨酸为光催化剂,在紫外灯照射下,对甲基橙溶液进行光催化降解,考察了几种阴阳离子对磷钨酸光催化降解甲基橙溶液的影响。结果表明：Mg²⁺、Ca²⁺、NO^-₃、SO^2-₄和CO^2-₃均对催化活性有促进作用,其中Mg²⁺和Ca²⁺仅有微弱的促进作用;NO^-₃和SO^2-₄随着浓度的增加促进作用也有所增加;CO^2-₃则随着浓度的增加促进作用呈下降趋势;Mn²⁺、Al³⁺和Cl^-对光解反应存在较强的抑制作用,且Al³⁺和Cl^-随着其浓度的增加,抑制作用增强。     

Thermodynamic analysis of the energy recovery from the aerobic bioconversion of solid urban waste organic fraction

Waste management is of the utmost importance for many countries and especially for highly developed ones due to its implications on society. In particular, proper treatment before disposal of the solid urban waste organic fraction is one of the main issues that is addressed in waste management. In fact, the organic fraction is particularly reactive and if disposed in sanitary landfills without previous adequate treatment, a large amount of dangerous and polluting gaseous, liquid and solid substances can be produced. Some waste treatment processes can also present an opportunity to produce other by-products like energy, recycled materials and other products with both economic and environmental benefits. In this paper, the aerobic treatment of the organic fraction of solid urban waste, performed in a biocell plant with the possibility of recovering heat for civil or industrial needs, was examined from the thermodynamic point of view. A theoretical model was proposed both for the biological process of the organic fraction, as well as for the heat recovery system. The most significant results are represented and discussed.     

Slurry phase bioremediation of PAHs in industrial landfill samples at laboratory scale

The effect of Tween 80 and selected bacteria additions on the bioremediation of PAH contaminated landfill soil (70.38mgkg(-1)) was evaluated in a slurry phase bioreactor. A phenanthrene-degrading consortium was selected by enrichment cultures and used as autochthonous inoculum. The Tween 80 addition increased the aqueous concentration of both high and low molecular weight PAHs. In the experiment with Tween 80 and inoculum addition, added microorganisms improved (>90%) the biodegradation of two- and three-ring PAHs as well as of the four-ring PAHs pyrene and fluoranthene. Biodegradation of the higher molecular weight PAHs was about 30% in experiments with Tween 80 addition, with and without inoculum addition.