Predicting the elemental compositions of solid waste using ATR-FTIR and machine learning

● A method based on ATR-FTIR and ML was developed to predict CHNS contents in waste. ● Feature selection methods were used to improve models’ prediction accuracy. ● The best model predicted C, H, and N contents with accuracy R ² ≥ 0.93, 0.87, 0.97. ● Some suitable models showed insensitivity to spectral noise. ● Under moisture interference, the models still had good prediction performance. Elemental composition is a key parameter in solid waste treatment and disposal. This study has proposed a method based on infrared spectroscopy and machine learning algorithms that can rapidly predict the elemental composition (C, H, N, S) of solid waste. Both noise and moisture spectral interference that may occur in practical application are investigated. By comparing two feature selection methods and five machine learning algorithms, the most suitable models are selected. Moreover, the impacts of noise and moisture on the models are discussed, with paper, plastic, textiles, wood, and leather as examples of recyclable waste components. The results show that the combination of the feature selection and K-nearest neighbor (KNN) approaches exhibits the best prediction performance and generalization ability. Particularly, the coefficient of determination (R²) of the validation set, cross validation and test set are higher than 0.93, 0.89, and 0.97 for predicting the C, H, and N contents, respectively. Further, KNN is less sensitive to noise. Under moisture interference, the combination of feature selection and support vector regression or partial least-squares regression shows satisfactory results. Therefore, the elemental compositions of solid waste are quickly and accurately predicted under noise and moisture disturbances using infrared spectroscopy and machine learning algorithms.     

Unveiling the interaction mechanisms of key functional microorganisms in the partial denitrification-anammox process induced by COD

● The availability of PD-anammox was investigated with higher NO₃^––N concentration. ● NO₃^––N concentration affects NO₃^––N accumulation during denitrification. ● COD concentration is determinant for N removal pathways in PD-anammox process. ● The synergy/competition mechanisms between denitrifiers and anammox was explored. Partial denitrification-anammox (PD-anammox) is an innovative process to remove nitrate (NO₃^––N) and ammonia (NH₄⁺–N) simultaneously from wastewater. Stable operation of the PD-anammox process relies on the synergy and competition between anammox bacteria and denitrifiers. However, the mechanism of metabolic between the functional bacteria in the PD-anammox system remains unclear, especially in the treatment of high-strength wastewater. The kinetics of nitrite (NO₂^––N) accumulation during denitrification was investigated using the Michaelis-Menten equation, and it was found that low concentrations of NO₃^––N had a more significant effect on the accumulation of NO₂^––N during denitrification. Organic matter was a key factor to regulate the synergy of anammox and denitrification, and altered the nitrogen removal pathways. The competition for NO₂^––N caused by high COD concentration was a crucial factor that affecting the system stability. Illumina sequencing techniques demonstrated that excess organic matter promoted the relative abundance of the Denitratesoma genus and the nitrite reductase gene nirS, causing the denitrifying bacteria Denitratisoma to compete with Cadidatus Kuenenia for NO₂^––N, thereby affecting the stability of the system. Synergistic carbon and nitrogen removal between partial denitrifiers and anammox bacteria can be effectively achieved by controlling the COD and COD/NO₃^––N.     

Assessment of dermal exposure to benzene and toluene in shoe manufacturing by activated carbon cloth patches

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this investigation was to use activated carbon cloth (ACC) patches to study the probability and extent of dermal exposure to benzene and toluene in a shoe factory. METHODS: Inhalation and dermal exposure loading were measured simultaneously in 70 subjects on multiple days resulting in 113 observations. Dermal exposure loading was assessed by ACC patches attached to likely exposed skin areas (e.g. the palm of the hand and abdomen). A control patch at the chest and an organic vapor monitor (OVM) were used to adjust the hand and abdomen patches for the contribution from the air through passive absorption of benzene and toluene on the ACC patches. Systemic exposure was assessed by quantification of unmetabolized benzene (UBz) and toluene (UTol) in urine. RESULTS: Mean air concentrations for the study population were 1.5 and 7.5 ppm for benzene and toluene, respectively. Iterative regression analyses between the control patch, OVM and the dermal patches showed that only a small proportion of the ACC patches at the hand had likely benzene (n = 4; mean 133 microg cm(-2) h(-1)) or toluene (n = 5; mean 256 microg cm(-2) h(-1)) contamination. Positive patches were exclusively observed among subjects performing the task of gluing. Significant dermal exposure loading to the abdomen was detected only for toluene (n = 2; mean 235 microg cm(-2) h(-1)). No relation was found between having a positive hand or abdomen ACC patch and UBz or UTol levels. In contrast a strong association was found between air levels of benzene (p = 0.0016) and toluene (p < 0.0001) and their respective urinary levels. CONCLUSIONS: ACC patches are shown to be a useful technique for quantifying the probability of dermal exposure to organic solvents and to provide estimates of the potential contribution of the dermal pathway to systemic exposure. Using ACC patches we show that dermal exposure to benzene and toluene in a shoe manufacturing factory is probably rare, and when it occurred exposures were relatively low and did not significantly contribute to systemic exposure.     

“Friendships” between new mothers and adult males: adaptive benefits and determinants in wild baboons (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Papio cynocephalus</Emphasis>)

Close associations between adult males and lactating females and their dependent infants are not commonly described in non-monogamous mammals. However, such associations [sometimes called “friendships” (Smuts 1985)] are regularly observed in several primate species in which females mate with multiple males during the fertile period. The absence of mating exclusivity among “friends” suggests that males should invest little in infant care, raising questions about the adaptive significance of friendship bonds. Using data from genetic paternity analyses, patterns of behavior, and long-term demographic and reproductive records, we evaluated the extent to which friendships in four multi-male, multi-female yellow baboon (Papio cynocephalus) groups in Amboseli, Kenya represent joint parental care of offspring or male mating effort. We found evidence that mothers and infants benefited directly from friendships; friendships provided mother–infant dyads protection from harassment from other adult and immature females. In addition, nearly half of all male friends were the genetic fathers of offspring and had been observed mating with mothers during the days of most likely conception for those offspring. In contrast, nearly all friends who were not fathers were also not observed to consort with the mother during the days of most likely conception, suggesting that friendships between mothers and non-fathers did not result from paternity confusion. Finally, we found no evidence that prior friendship increased a male’s chances of mating with a female in future reproductive cycles. Our results suggest that, for many male–female pairs at Amboseli, friendships represented a form of biparental care of offspring. Males in the remaining friendship dyads may be trading protection of infants in exchange for some resources or services not yet identified. Our study is the first to find evidence that female primates gain social benefits from their early associations with adult males. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

珠江口广州海域COD与DO的分布特征及影响因素

于2003-2007年2月(冬季)、5月(春季)、8月(夏季)、10月(秋季)调查了广州海域16个站位的COD、DO以及其它理化因子的时空分布特征.调查期间,COD质量浓度范围为0.76～9.12 mg·L~(-1),平均值为2.83 mg·L~(-1);溶解氧质量浓度范围为1.98～9.79 mg·L~(-1),平均值为5.27 mg·L~(-1).结果表明,COD与DO的时空分布特征主要受生活污水排放,陆源排污,降雨量以及水动力状况等因素的影响.COD质量浓度在冬季和秋季较高,春季和夏季较低,而DO质量浓度则是冬季和春季高于秋季和夏季.空间分布上,COD质量浓度从湾内向湾外逐步递减,而DO变化趋势则相反,湾内站位在夏季出现缺氧区.相关性分析中,COD质最浓度与氮营养盐及Chl-a显著正相关,而DO则与COD、Chl-a、Ph以及石油烃显著负相关.COD与DO分布特征对于河口地区的赤潮及碳循环研究有一定研究价值.     

混合菌群产氢特性研究

对产氢菌株进行筛选,得到一组可以在微氧条件下高效产氢的微生物菌群.此菌群在0～15%O2浓度下都可以产氢,具有较高的耐氧产氢特性.该混合菌群可利用甘露醇、葡萄糖、蔗糖、乳糖、淀粉为底物产氢,其中甘露醇为最适底物.最适产氢温度、pH值、仞始氧气浓度分别为33℃、7.0、2.72%.在此条件下,以片露醇为碳源(5.0 g/L),产氢效率可达到324.18 mL(H2)/g(甘露醇).对该产氢体系发酵末端产物的液相分析显示乙醇占76%～93%,表明该产氢体系为乙醇型发酵.通过PCR-DGGE方法进行菌群分析,发现不同初始氧浓度下菌群分布有一定差异,但克氏杆菌在各种氧浓度下的混合菌群中都占明显优势,是主要的产氢菌.图8表1参25     

基于生态足迹法的区域水资源生态承载力计算与评价——以珠海市为例

研究了人类社会对水资源的消耗、对自然生态环境的影响以及该影响的量化方法和量化指标,将生态足迹法引入区域水资源承载力系统,构建珠海市水资源生态承载力计算模型,分析计算水资源供给对区域经济社会发展的生态承载力,并对该地区的水资源生态承载力进行生态盈亏和敏感性评价.结果表明,总体上珠海市水资源系统呈现生态亏损,亏损率为37%,水资源生态承载呈现超载现象,珠海市城市化进程中流动人口增长对区域水资源的生态承载压力较大.研究结果还表明,将生态足迹模型运用到地区水资源承载力中具有较高的可信度,对地方尺度具有适用性.     

不同逆境条件下辣子草抗氧化酶系统的变化

辣子草(Galinsoga parviflora Cav.)原产南美洲,1915年在我国云南和四川等地被发现,是一种危害较严重的外来入侵种,研究其在逆境条件下的生理适应机制对于有效预警和治理该入侵种具有十分重要的意义.采用人工设置温度梯度和自然干旱方法,研究了在不同环境胁迫条件(温度和干旱)下辣了草抗氧化酶系统和丙二醛(MDA)的变化.结果表明:在10～30 ℃范围内,辣子草抗氧化酶系统变化趋势不一致,MDA含量未出现显著性变化;在5℃、35℃和45℃胁迫下,抗氧化酶系统受到损伤,MDA含量显著上升;在干旱胁迫条件下,抗氧化酶系统先上升,后下降,MDA含量在干旱胁迫后期含量显著上升.应用Fuzzy方法,对辣了草抗氧化酶在2种逆境不同水平胁迫下的动态进行综合评价,认为其对低温环境具有较强的耐受能力,对干旱环境的耐受性较差.     

镉胁迫对小白菜（Brassica campestris L.）抗氧化机理的影响

采用水培的方法,研究了不同Cd2 水平(0、1、2.5、5、10、15mg·L-1)对小白菜(Brassica campestris L.)抗氧化酶(SOD、POD、CAT)活性、非酶物质(SH、GSH、PCs)含晕以及生长的影响.结果表明,小白菜叶片和根系SOD活性随Cd处理质量浓度的增加呈降低的变化趋势,POD、CAT活性以及MDA含量随Cd处理质量浓度的增加而增加.小白菜的生物量、根长、株高、叶绿素质量分数随Cd处理质量浓度的增加显著降低(P<0.05),表明Cd抑制了小白菜的生长,破坏了叶绿素的合成.小白菜地上、地下部镉质量分数均随Cd处理质量浓度的增加而显著增加(P<0.05).当Cd处理质量浓度为15 mg·L-1,小白菜地上、地下部镉质量分数分别达到637.5、1 663.0 mg·kg-1,表明小白菜对Cd有良好的富集效果.小白菜根系与叶片中SH、GSH和PCs含量均随Cd处理质量浓度增加而增加的变化趋势,表明SH、GSH和PCs在解毒小白菜Cd毒害中起着重要作用.     

Accumulation of heavy metals in four grasses grown on lead and zinc mine tailings

A field experiment was conducted to compare the growth and metal accumulation of Vetiveria zizanioides, Paspalum notatum, Cynodon dactylon and Imperata cylindraca var. major on the tailings, amended with 10 cm domestic refuse complex NPK fertilizer(Treatment A), 10 cm domestic refuse(Treatment B) and complex NPK fertilizer(Treatment C) respectively, and without any amendment used as control (Treatment D). The results indicated that V. zizanioides was a typical heavy metal excluder, because the concentrations in shoots of the plants were the lowest among the four plants tested. The most of metal accumulated in V. zizanioides distributed in its root, and transportation of metal in this plant from root to shoot was restricted. Therefore, V. zizanioides was more suitable for phytostabilization of toxic mined lands than P. notatum and C. dactylon, which accumulated a relatively high level of metals in their shoots and roots. It was also found that I. cylindraca var. major accumulated lower amounts of Pb, Zn and Cu than C. dactylon and P. notatum, and could also be considered for phytostaliUsaton of tailings. Although the metal(Pb, Zn and Cu) concentrations in shoots and roots of V. zizanioides were the lowest, the total amounts of heavy metals accumulated in shoots of V. zizanioides were the highest among the four tested plants due to the highest dry weight yield of it. The results indicated that V. zizanioides was the best choice among the four species used for phytoremediation (for both phytostabilization and phytoextraction) of metal contaminated soils.