Current status and historical variations of phthalate ester (PAE) contamination in the sediments from a large Chinese lake (Lake Chaohu)

The residual levels of phthalate esters (PAEs) in the surface and two core sediments from Lake Chaohu were measured with a gas chromatograph–mass spectrometer (GC–MS). The temporal–spatial distributions, compositions of PAEs, and their effecting factors were investigated. The results indicated that di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP), diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP), and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) were three dominant PAE components in both the surface and core sediments. The residual level of total detected PAEs (∑PAEs) in the surface sediments (2.146?±?2.255 μg/g dw) was lower than that in the western core sediments (10.615?±?9.733 μg/g) and in the eastern core sediments (5.109?±?4.741 μg/g). The average content of ∑PAEs in the surface sediments from the inflow rivers (4.128?±?1.738 μg/g dw) was an order of magnitude higher than those from the lake (0.323?±?0.093 μg/g dw), and there were similar PAE compositions between the lake and inflow rivers. This finding means that there were important effects of PAE input from the inflow rivers on the compositions and distributions of PAEs in the surface sediments. An increasing trend was found for the residual levels of ΣPAEs, DnBP, and DIBP from the bottom to the surface in both the western and eastern core sediments. Increasing PAE usage with the population growth, urbanization, and industrial and agricultural development in Lake Chaohu watershed would result in the increasing production of PAEs and their resulting presence in the sediments. The significant positive relationships were also found between the PAE contents and the percentage of sand particles, as well as TOC contents in the sediment cores.     

Influence of filtration velocity on DON variation in BAF for micropolluted surface water treatment

Biological aerated filters (BAFs) are widely used for the treatment of micropolluted surface water. However, the biological process produces dissolved organic nitrogen (DON), which, as precursors of nitrogenous disinfection by-products, pose potential threats to drinking water safety. Therefore, to control DON in BAF effluent, it is necessary to study the influence of BAF operation parameters on DON production. In this study, the influence of filtration velocity in a BAF on DON production was investigated. Under different filtration velocity (0.5, 2, and 4 m/h) conditions, profiles of DON concentrations along the media layer were measured. The profile at a filtration velocity of 0.5 m/h showed a decreasing trend, and the ones under filtration velocities of 2 and 4 m/h fluctuated in a small range (from 0.1 to 0.4 mg/L). Moreover, the relatively high filtration velocities of 2 and 4 m/h resulted in a lower level of DON concentration. Additionally, 3D excitation-emission matrix fluorescence spectroscopy was used to characterize DON. It is found that the patterns of DON at a relatively high filtration velocity condition (4 m/h) were obviously different from the ones under low filtration velocity conditions (0.5 and 2 m/h).     

The comparison of fossil carbon fraction and greenhouse gas emissions through an analysis of exhaust gases from urban solid waste incineration facilities

In this study, in order to understand accurate calculation of greenhouse gas emissions of urban solid waste incineration facilities, which are major waste incineration facilities, and problems likely to occur at this time, emissions were calculated by classifying calculation methods into 3 types. For the comparison of calculation methods, the waste characteristics ratio, dry substance content by waste characteristics, carbon content in dry substance, and ¹²C content were analyzed; and in particular, CO₂ concentration in incineration gases and ¹²C content were analyzed together. In this study, 3 types of calculation methods were made through the assay value, and by using each calculation method, emissions of urban solid waste incineration facilities were calculated then compared. As a result of comparison, with Calculation Method A, which used the default value as presented in the IPCC guidelines, greenhouse gas emissions were calculated for the urban solid waste incineration facilities A and B at 244.43 ton CO₂/day and 322.09 ton CO₂/day, respectively. Hence, it showed a lot of difference from Calculation Methods B and C, which used the assay value of this study. It is determined that this was because the default value as presented in IPCC, as the world average value, could not reflect the characteristics of urban solid waste incineration facilities. Calculation Method B indicated 163.31 ton CO₂/day and 230.34 ton CO₂/day respectively for the urban solid waste incineration facilities A and B; also, Calculation Method C indicated 151.79 ton CO₂/day and 218.99 ton CO₂/day, respectively.

Implications: This study intends to compare greenhouse gas emissions calculated using ¹²C content default value provided by the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) with greenhouse gas emissions calculated using ¹²C content and waste assay value that can reflect the characteristics of the target urban solid waste incineration facilities. Also, the concentration and ¹²C content were calculated by directly collecting incineration gases of the target urban solid waste incineration facilities, and greenhouse gas emissions of the target urban solid waste incineration facilities through this survey were compared with greenhouse gas emissions, which used the previously calculated assay value of solid waste.     

Suppression of precipitation by dust particles originated in the Tibetan Plateau

Dust aerosols play an important role in modulating the hydrologic cycle. The Tibetan Plateau (TP) is little polluted by human activities as an ideal site to study the effect of dust aerosol on precipitation. In this study, observational data of dust storms and precipitation in the TP and its vicinities as well as CALIPSO satellite data were used to analyze the distributions and vertical structure of dust storms on the plateau. The results showed that dust storms occur with high frequency and raise dust particles into the troposphere from ground level to a height of 5–9 km to modulate the hydrologic cycle in the TP. There are significant negative correlations between dust aerosol and precipitation in the dust source regions during the period of both 40 and 200 years. It is found that the role of precipitation in suppressing dust storms could be unimportant, while dust aerosol may play an important role in suppressing precipitation in the hinterland of the TP. Our study provides a potential approach to better understand the climate changes in the TP.     

三级串联人工快渗系统处理养殖废水

人工快速渗滤系统（constructed rapid infiltration,CRI）是在传统的污水快速渗透系统上发展起来的一种新的生物处理方法。采用猪粪浸泡污水模拟实际猪场处理系统的厌氧出水,研究三级串联人工快渗系统对其污染物的去除效果。试验结果表明,三级串联系统对废水COD、NH3N的去除率稳定在81%和94.5%,出水均满足了《畜禽养殖行业污染物排放标准》（GB18596-2001）的要求,同时三级串联系统还可以有效预防系统的堵塞。     

选择性催化还原烟气脱硝技术在玉环电厂4×1000MW机组上的应用

以华能玉环电厂4×1000MW机组增设烟气选择性催化还原法（SCR）脱硝装置的技术改造为例,简要介绍了玉环电厂原机组增加SCR脱硝系统的工艺构成和流程特点、设计参数、总体布置,并对该工程中相关设备的改造进行了描述,为我国大型燃煤机组的脱硝改造工程提供参考。     

Pilot study of the polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans level in agricultural soil in Shanghai, China

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) were analyzed in agricultural soil samples from Shanghai to determine levels and to identify possible dioxin sources. The dioxin level was measured by an enzyme immunoassay method, US EPA 4025 (modified), which provides results as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) equivalents. The Method 4025m results obtained from 60 soil samples displayed a normal distribution, ranging from 2.8 to 23.4 pg/g 2378-TCDD-equvalents, with an average of 11.0 pg/g. The result also revealed a similar PCDD/Fs concentration among crop usage patterns, but differences by geographic region, low in the southwest of Shanghai and considerably higher in the northwest region. In contrast, the dioxin concentrations on Chongming Island were fairly homogeneous, with a range 10–15 pg/g. This immunoassay method is an effective high throughput screening tool which helps to minimize the need for more expensive analyses.     

影响煤矿作业人员不安全行为的因素

本文论述了如何预防和消除煤矿作业人员的不安全行为,克服职工不健康的心理状态,改善作业环境,实行作业标准化和对作业人员的技能培训。