Copper binding by peat fulvic and humic acids extracted from two horizons of an ombrotrophic peat bog

We studied the binding of Cu(II) to humic acids and fulvic acids extracted from two horizons of an ombrotrophic peat bog by metal titration experiments at pH 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, and 6.0 and 0.1 M KNO3 ionic strength. Free metal ion concentrations in solution were measured using an ion selective electrode. The amounts of base required to maintain constant pH conditions were recorded and used to calculate H+/Cu2+ exchange ratios. The amount of Cu(II) bound to the humic fractions was greater than the amount bound to the fulvic fractions and only at the highest concentrations of metal ion the amount of Cu(II) sorbed by both fractions became equal. The proton to metal ion exchange ratios are similar for all humic substances, with values ranging from 1.0 to 2.0, and decreasing with increased pH. The amount of Cu(II) bound is practically independent of the horizon from which the sample was extracted. The results indicate that the humic substances show similar cation binding behaviour, despite the differences in chemical composition. The copper binding data are quantitatively described with the NICA-Donnan model, which allows to characterize only the carboxylic type binding sites. The values of the binding constants are higher for the humic acids than for the fulvic acids.     

Effects of medetomidine, a novel antifouling agent, on the burrowing bivalve Abra nitida (Müller)

The effects of medetomidine, a novel antifouling candidate, on the burrowing bivalve Abra nitida were studied. The burrowing behaviour, sediment reworking activity and faeces production were assessed after 24 h exposure of A. nitida to sublethal concentrations of medetomidine. Medetomidine caused a significant decrease in the burrowing response and in the sediment reworking activity. The median effective concentrations (EC50) were 430 nM (86 microg/l) and 4.4 nM (0.9 microg/l), respectively. No effects on the faeces production were detected. Although significant effects of medetomidine on A. nitida were registered, a reversibility of the effects was observed when 24 h-exposed animals were incubated in clean seawater and sediment for 24 h. Considerations relating to the future commercialisation of medetomidine for antifouling purposes are discussed.     

Analysis of aerosol particles and coarse particulate matter concentrations in Chillán, Chile, 2001-2003

Daily particle samples were collected in Chillán, Chile, at six urban locations from September 1, 2001, through September 30, 2003. Aerosol samples were collected using monitors equipped with a Sierra Andersen 246-b cyclone inlet on Teflon filters. Average concentrations of coarse particulate matter (PM10) for the 2001-2003 period ranged from 43.4 microg/m3 to 81.8 microg/m3 across the six sites. Annual PM10 concentration levels exceeded the European Union concentration limits. Mean PM10 levels during the cold season (April through September) were more than twice as high as those observed in the warm season (October through March). Average contributions to PM10 from organic matter, soil dust, nitrate (NO3-), elemental carbon, ammonium (NH4+), and sulfate (SO4(2-)) were 31%, 27%, 11%, 8%, 7%, and 5%, respectively. The chemical analyses indicated that carbonaceous substances were the most abundant components of PM10 in cold months, whereas crustal material was the most abundant component of PM10 during warm months. Higher concentration levels were observed in the downtown area suggesting a clear anthropogenic origin, whereas in the rural sites the source was mainly natural, such as resuspended soil dust associated with traffic on unpaved roads and agricultural activities.     

Evaluation of heavy metal acute toxicity and bioaccumulation in soil ciliated protozoa

Laboratory toxicity tests, using ciliated protozoa, are scarce and they have been carried out usually with freshwater species. In this study, we have analysed the acute cytotoxicity of Cd, Zn and Cu in five different strains of very common soil ciliate species (Colpoda steinii, Colpoda inflata and Cyrtolophosis elongata), which were isolated from very different soil samples (polluted or not with heavy metals). Soil ciliates are quite resistant to heavy metals pollution with regard to ciliates from other habitats. The toxicity sequence was Cd>Cu>Zn. Results from Cd+Zn mixtures indicated that Cd cytotoxicity decreases in the presence of low or moderate Zn concentrations. A broad heavy metal resistance level diversity exists among isolates of colpodid ciliates and it is seen to be a genetic feature rather than a habitat dependence. Bioaccumulation is seen to be the main mechanism involved in the metal resistance, except for Cu. For the first time in ciliates, a fluorescent method has been applied to detect Zn intracellular deposits. This methodology might be an useful tool for monitoring heavy metal pollution in soils.     

江苏沿江开发研究

随着中国加入WTO和经济全球化进程的加快,长江三角洲以其独特的滨江临海的区位和发达的制造业基础,正在成为新的投资热点地区。江苏省沿江地区是长江三角洲重要的组成部分,拥有800多km的长江岸线和8个经济发达、人才资源优势明显的经济中心城市。传统的制造业基础和相对低廉的加工成本、商务成本,使江苏沿江开发既有对外来资本的吸引力,又有自我发展的内生机制。重点研究了全球化背景下江苏沿江开发的战略问题,主要包括：①江苏沿江地区开发的环境和条件比较分析;②沿江产业带重组与实施跨江开发;③再造新战略据点;④打破行政区界限沿江联动实施区域一体化,等等。最后指出：加快江苏沿江开发,必须科学规划、统筹安排,做到空间合理、时间有序,同时考虑沿江的环境容量有限,应实施可持续发展和南北联动的开发战略,拓展沿江的开发空间,提升沿江的产业发展水平。     

Biohydrogen production using waste activated sludge as a substrate from fructose-processing wastewater treatment

Biohydrogen production by dark fermentation in a series of batch tests under different environmental control conditions was evaluated to determine the optimal initial cultivation pH and temperature for a continuous-flow kinetic test to validate the kinetic model system. The waste activated sludge (WAS) from fructose-processing manufacturing was used as the model substrate for biohydrogen production. The batch experiments for biohydrogen production were conducted in a 6 l bioreactor. Fifteen batch kinetic tests were investigated when pH was controlled at 6, 7, 8 and 9 as well as the temperature was controlled at 37 °C, 45 °C and 55 °C, respectively. The experimental results indicated that the optimal operational condition for hydrogen production occurred while pH was 7 and temperature was 55 °C with the highest hydrogen production of 7.8 mmol. The optimal recovery time for hydrogen was 25 h in the batch experiments. Furthermore, the kinetic test of biohydrogen production was performed by anaerobic mixed microbial culture in the continuous-flow experiment when pH and temperature was maintained at 7 and 55 °C. Approximately 60% and 7% of substrate solution was converted into acetate and hydrogen, respectively, at the steady state. Roughly only 0.77% and 2.7% of substrate solution was converted into propionate and butyrate, respectively, at a steady-state condition. The experimental and modeling approaches presented in this study could be employed for the design of pilot-scale and full-scale anaerobic biohydrogen fermentors using food-processing waste activated sludge (WAS) as a substrate solution.     

腐殖酸吸附水中铀的特性与机理

通过序批式试验研究了腐殖酸(Humic Acid,HA)对铀的吸附行为及时间、吸附剂用量、铀的初始质量浓度、pH值、温度和共存离子等试验条件对吸附的影响,分析了其热力学和动力学过程,用扫描电镜(SEM)、红外光谱(FT-IR)手段分析了相关吸附机理.结果表明,吸附过程在60 min后达到动态平衡,吸附率最高达99％以上.当pH值在5左右时,HA投加量越大,吸附效率越高.体系中HCO3-、H2PO4-;的存在对HA吸附U(Ⅵ)有促进作用,而柠檬酸根离子、EDTA2-及Cr6+、Mn2+使HA对U(Ⅵ)的吸附率降低,影响程度与其离子浓度正相关.准二级吸附动力学方程可以较好地描述HA吸附U(Ⅵ)的动力学规律,R2=0.9951.当温度为25℃时,U(Ⅵ)质量浓度与吸附量之间的关系符合Langmuir经验公式,饱和吸附容量为170.94 mg/g.HA吸附U(Ⅵ)前后的IR光谱分析表明,HA主要含有—OH、—COOH、—NH2、—C—N、苯环等结构,推断与U(Ⅵ)相互作用的主要基团为—OH、—C=O、—C—N—、—NH2.     

基于云模型的油气管道坡面水毁安全评价

针对在管道坡面水毁评价过程中定性概念的随机性和模糊性共存的特性,提出了一种基于云模型的综合评价方法,用于油气管道坡面水毁安全评价.首先,建立管道坡面水毁因素集、因素评价云模型、分值集和分值评价云模型;其次将管道坡面水毁各因素基础数据输入云不确定性推理发生器,得出分值云滴;再次将分值云滴输入逆向云发生器进行推算,得到带有“危险等级”属性的分值云模型;最后综合各因素分值云模型得到管道坡面水毁综合分值云模型.该方法评价结果直观、灵活,符合实际情况.     

高层学生公寓防火体系构建

归纳总结学生高层公寓火灾伤亡事故致因因素,利用事故树分析法对其进行定性分析,得出最小径集,找出控制事故发生的途径,并利用“瑟利模型”建立防火体系,得到此类火灾事故防控措施,即一要通过培训和教育的手段,提高人感觉火灾危险的敏感性,使人处于安全状态并能够迅速、敏捷、正确地做出行为响应;二要保证物处于安全状态,确保电气设备、建筑物本质处于安全状态,并使建筑物能发挥性能化灭火作用,能在一定程度上控制火势,为疏散争取时间.本文能为高校高层学生公寓预防和控制火灾伤亡事故工作提供一定的借鉴作用.