Environmental risk assessment of genetically engineered herbicide-tolerant Zoysia japonica

Herbicide-tolerant Zoysia grass (Zoysia japonica Steud.) has been generated previously through Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. The genetically modified (GM) Zoysia grass survived Basta spraying and grew to maturity normally while the wild-type (WT) grass stopped growing and died. GM Zoysia grass will permit more efficient weed control for various turf grass plantings such as home lawns, golf courses, and parks. We examined the environmental/biodiversity risks of herbicide-tolerant GM Zoysia before applying to regulatory agencies for approval for commercial release. The GM and WT Zoysia grass' substantial trait equivalence, ability to cross-pollinate, and gene flow in confined and unconfined test fields were selectively analyzed for environmental/biodiversity effects. No difference between GM and WT Zoysia grass in substantial traits was found. To assess the potential for cross-pollination and gene flow, a non-selective herbicide, Basta, was used. Results showed that unintended cross-pollination with and gene flow from GM Zoysia grass were not detected in neighboring weed species examined, but were observed in WT Zoysia grass (on average, 6% at proximity, 1.2% at a distance of 0.5 m and 0.12% at a radius of 3 m, and 0% at distances over 3 m). On the basis of these initial studies, we conclude that the GM Zoysia grass generated in our laboratory and tested in the Nam Jeju County field does not appear to pose a significant risk when cultivated outside of test fields.     

主分量分析法在环境空气监测数据分析中的应用

根据西宁市13个环境空气监测站点2013—2017年大气污染物细颗粒物(PM2. 5)、可吸入颗粒物(PM10)、二氧化硫(SO_2)、二氧化氮(NO_2)、臭氧最大8 h平均(O_3-8h)和一氧化碳(CO)的监测数据,采用主分量分析法对西宁市环境空气质量进行了综合评估。结果表明,2013—2017年西宁市大部分环境空气监测站点周边环境空气质量逐渐提升,4个国控站综合得分(F)趋势变化幅度较大,其周边环境空气质量状况改善较为明显;城南新区、湟源县气象局和西钢监测站点周边环境空气质量呈逐年下降趋势,与其附近工业生产有关。     

Spatial and temporal patterns of microclimates at an urban forest edge and their management implications

Fragmented forests generate a variety of forest edges, leading to microclimates in the edge zones that differ from those in the forest interior. Understanding microclimatic variation is an important consideration for managers because it helps when making decisions about how to restrict the extent of edge effects. Thus, our study attempted to characterize the changing microclimate features at an urban forest edge located on Mt. Gwanak, Seoul, South Korea. We examined edge effects on air temperature, relative humidity, soil temperature, soil moisture, and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) during the hottest three consecutive days in August 2016. Results showed that each variable responded differently to the edge effects. This urban forest edge had an effect on temporal changes at a diurnal scale in all microclimate variables, except soil moisture. In addition, all variables except relative humidity were significantly influenced by the edge effect up to 15 m inward from the forest boundary. The relative humidity fluctuated the most and showed the deepest extent of the edge effect. Moreover, the edge widths calculated from the relative humidity and air temperature both peaked in the late afternoon (16:00 h). Our findings provide a reference for forest managers in designing urban forest zones and will contribute to the conservation of fragmented forests in urban areas.     

Multifunctional metal-organic frameworks in oil spills and associated organic pollutant remediation

The release of toxic organic compounds into the environment in an event of oil spillage is a global menace due to the potential impacts on the ecosystem. Several approaches have been employed for oil spills clean-up, with adsorption technique proven to be more promising for the total reclamation of a polluted site. Of the several adsorbents so far reported, adsorbent-based porous materials have gained attention for the reduction/total removal of different compounds in environmental remediation applications. The superior potential of mesoporous materials based on metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) against conventional adsorbents is due to their intriguing and enhanced properties. Therefore, this review presents recent development in MOF composites; methods of preparation; and their practical applications towards remediating oil spill, organic pollutants, and toxic gases in different environmental media, as well as potential materials in the possible deployment in reclaiming the polluted Niger Delta due to unabated oil spillage and gas flaring.

     

Seasonal variation of net ecosystem CO2 exchange and its influencing factors in an apple orchard in the Loess Plateau

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The Loess Plateau is the largest apple cultivation region in the world. However, the role of rain-fed apple orchards as carbon sinks or sources,...     

Biomineralization-based conversion of carbon dioxide to calcium carbonate using recombinant carbonic anhydrase

Recently, as a mimic of the natural biomineralization process, the use of carbonic anhydrase (CA), which is an enzyme catalyzing fast reversible hydration of carbon dioxide to bicarbonate, has been suggested for biological conversion of CO₂ to valuable chemicals. While purified bovine CA (BCA) has been used in previous studies, its practical utilization in CO₂ conversion has been limited due to the expense of BCA preparation. In the present work, we investigated conversion of CO₂ into calcium carbonate as a target carbonate mineral by using a more economical, recombinant CA. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the usage of recombinant CA for biological CO₂ conversion. Recombinant α-type CA originating in Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NCA) was highly expressed as a soluble form in Escherichia coli. We found that purified recombinant NCA which showed comparable CO₂ hydration activity to commercial BCA significantly promoted formation of solid CaCO₃ through the acceleration of CO₂ hydration rate, which is naturally slow. In addition, the rate of calcite crystal formation was also accelerated using recombinant NCA. Moreover, non-purified crude recombinant NCA also showed relatively significant ability. Therefore, recombinant CA could be an effective, economical biocatalyst in practical CO₂ conversion system.     

城市可持续发展能力及其影响因素的实证

应用DEA方法构建了一个综合评价城市可持续发展能力的指标——资源与环境效率系数,利用除拉萨以外的全国30个直辖市、省会城市、自治区首府2005-2008年的面板数据,计算了城市资源与环境效率系数,并对资源与环境效率的影响因素进行了实证检验。城市资源与环境效率系数的计算显示:就单个城市而言,资源与环境效率最高的城市是合肥,其次是沈阳、长春、长沙、济南,最低的是贵阳、兰州、西宁、银川、乌鲁木齐;分区域来看,资源与环境效率最高的是位于东北的城市,其次是位于东部和中部的城市,最低的是位于西部的城市。资源与环境效率影响因素的实证检验显示:产业结构对资源与环境效率有显著影响;政府财力对资源与环境效率的影响并不显著;经济外向度、人口质量对资源与环境效率有显著的正向影响。     

基于国产自主新能源汽车电驱动系统量产关键技术研究

新能源汽车电驱动系统实现了量产,进行了产品深度集成技术研究、物料技术研究、总成验证技术研究、产品量产阶段的质量控制研究以及电装工艺评价技术研究等并实现了低成本与高可靠的总体要求,用户反馈良好。     

从矿区土壤中筛选微生物对Pb^2＋、Zn^2＋吸附的研究

从铅锌矿区土壤中分离到12株细菌和10株真菌,通过其干菌体对Pb^2＋和Zn^2＋的吸附试验,筛选出具有较强生物吸附能力的细菌菌株B6和真菌菌株F1。探讨了pH值、吸附时间、菌量和Pb^2＋、Zn^2＋的初始浓度对B6和F1菌株的吸附影响,结果表明：2株菌对Pb^2＋、Zn^2＋吸附是一个快速的过程,pH值为5.0-6.0是菌体吸附的较适范围。Pb^2＋、Zn^2＋初始浓度在150-300 mg/L内,B6和F1菌株吸附效果明显。当B6菌株的菌量超过0.1 g,F1菌株的菌量超过0.2 g后吸附率趋于平缓。应用Langmuir和Freundlich吸附等温线研究,Langmuir吸附等温线更为适合模拟B6和F1菌株的吸附过程。B6和F1菌株吸附Pb^2＋、Zn^2＋的动力学过程都可以用准二级动力学方程进行描述。16S rDNA基因序列分析表明,B6菌株属于里拉微球菌（Micrococcus lylae）。用形态及理化特征鉴定,F1菌株属于镰刀霉菌属（Fusarium sp.）。     

从矿区土壤中筛选微生物对Pb2+、Zn2+吸附的研究

从铅锌矿区土壤中分离到12株细菌和lO株真菌,通过其干菌体对Pb2+和Zn2+的吸附试验,筛选出具有较强生物吸附能力的细菌菌株B6和真菌菌株F1.探讨了pH值、吸附时间、菌量和Pb2+、Zn2+的初始浓度对B6和F1菌株的吸附影响,结果表明:2株菌对Ph2+、Zn2+吸附是一个快速的过程,pH值为5.0～6.0是菌体吸附的较适范围.Pb2+、Zn2+初始浓度在150～300 mg/L内,B6和F1菌株吸附效果明显.当B6菌株的菌最超过0.1 g,F1菌株的菌量超过0.2 g后吸附率趋于平缓.应用Langmuir和Freundlich吸附等温线研究,Langmuir吸附等温线更为适合模拟B6和F1菌株的吸附过程.B6和Fl菌株吸附Pb"、zn"的动力学过程都可以用准二级动力学方程进行描述.16S rDNA基因序列分析表明,B6菌株属于里拉微球菌(Micrococcus lylae).用形态及理化特征鉴定,F1菌株属于镰刀霉菌属(Fusarium sp.).