Modeling Biodegradation of Nonylphenol

Nonylphenol is the primary breakdown product of nonylphenol ethoxylates, a certain class of nonionic surfactants. Nonylphenol has been found to be toxic to aquatic organisms and has been suspected of being harmful to humans due to its xenoestrogenic properties. Although there are known releases of nonylphenol to the environment, there is a lack of data describing the extent of biodegradation. This study thus focuses on much needed information on the biodegradation kinetics of nonylphenol. Oxygen uptake, cell growth and nonylphenol removal data were collected using batch reactors in an electrolytic respirometer. Nonylphenol removal, cell growth and substrate removal rates were modeled by the Monod, Haldane, Aiba, Webb, and Yano equations. The differential equations were solved by numerical integration to simulate cell growth, substrate removal, and oxygen uptake as a function of time. All models provided similar results with the Haldane model providing the best fit. The values of the kinetic parameters and the activation energy for nonylphenol were determined. These values can be used for predicting fate and transport of nonylphenol in the environment. The validity of applying each model to the biodegradation of nonylphenol was analyzed by computing the R ² values of each equation.     

EPIC modeling of soil organic carbon sequestration in croplands of Iowa

Depending on management, soil organic carbon (SOC) is a potential source or sink for atmospheric CO(2). We used the EPIC model to study impacts of soil and crop management on SOC in corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) croplands of Iowa. The National Agricultural Statistics Service crops classification maps were used to identify corn-soybean areas. Soil properties were obtained from a combination of SSURGO and STATSGO databases. Daily weather variables were obtained from first order meteorological stations in Iowa and neighboring states. Data on crop management, fertilizer application and tillage were obtained from publicly available databases maintained by the NRCS, USDA-Economic Research Service (ERS), and Conservation Technology Information Center. The EPIC model accurately simulated state averages of crop yields during 1970-2005 (R(2) = 0.87). Simulated SOC explained 75% of the variation in measured SOC. With current trends in conservation tillage adoption, total stock of SOC (0-20 cm) is predicted to reach 506 Tg by 2019, representing an increase of 28 Tg with respect to 1980. In contrast, when the whole soil profile was considered, EPIC estimated a decrease of SOC stocks with time, from 1835 Tg in 1980 to 1771 Tg in 2019. Hence, soil depth considered for calculations is an important factor that needs further investigation. Soil organic C sequestration rates (0-20 cm) were estimated at 0.50 to 0.63 Mg ha(-1) yr(-1) depending on climate and soil conditions. Overall, combining land use maps with EPIC proved valid for predicting impacts of management practices on SOC. However, more data on spatial and temporal variation in SOC are needed to improve model calibration and validation.     

除草剂草甘膦在土壤中的吸附行为

研究了除草剂草甘膦在3种土壤中的吸附行为, 观察了pH和离子强度等因素对吸附的影响. 结果表明:草甘膦在3种土壤中的吸附过程均符合一级动力学规律, 吸附等温线均为直线,吸附常数K_d 2.2207～3.5280mL/g; 随着离子强度的降低, 草甘膦在3种土壤中的吸附量明显增大; 随着pH(9～3)逐渐减小, 草甘膦在呼和浩特特市土壤和东胜土壤中的吸附量增大, 在杭锦2号土中的吸附量先增大, 在pH=7时达到最大值, pH=5时开始下降, 下降到4时的吸附量与pH=9时的相等.     

The use of recreation planning tools in U.S. Forest Service NEPA assessments

U.S. Forest Service managers are required to incorporate social and biophysical science information in planning and environmental analysis. The use of science is mandated by the National Environmental Policy Act, the National Forest Management Act, and U.S. Forest Service planning rules. Despite the agency’s emphasis on ‘science-based’ decision-making, little is known about how science is actually used in recreation planning and management. This study investigated the perceptions of Forest Service interdisciplinary (ID) team leaders for 106 NEPA projects dealing with recreation and travel management between 2005 and 2008. Our survey data show how managers rate the importance of social and biophysical science compared to other potential ‘success factors’ in NEPA assessments. We also explore how team leaders value and use multi-disciplinary tools for recreation-related assessments. Results suggest that managers employ a variety of recreation planning tools in NEPA projects, but there appears to be no common understanding or approach for how or when these tools are incorporated. The Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (ROS) was the most frequently used planning tool, but the Visitor Experience and Resource Protection (VERP) framework was the most consistently valued tool by those who used it. We recommend further evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of each planning tool and future development of procedures to select appropriate planning tools for use in recreation-related NEPA assessments.     

SPATIALLY DISTRIBUTED MODELING OF STREAM FLOW DURING STORM EVENTS1

ABSTRACT: The purpose of this paper is to present a new approach for the spatially distributed modeling of water flow during storm events. Distributed modeling of flow during storm events is an important basis for any environmental modeling, including turbidity or sediment transport. During the initial phase of a rainstorm, surface runoff is the main contributor of flow. To provide the spatial components for distributed hydrological modeling a Geographic Information System (GIS) was used to map and visualize contributing areas around a stream channel. Stream segments were defined using the hydrologic response unit (HRU) concept. Lateral flows were derived from GIS output for each segment of the stream and at each time interval of the rain storm and were routed using the kinematic routing equation. This approach is new in hydrological modeling and can be used to enhance many existing simulations. The model is also unique in the fine time scale (i.e., intervals are on the order of minutes). Model results showed good correlation with measured discharge values; however, further studies of contributing area behavior, its relationship with soil types and slope categories, and the influence of watershed size are needed to improve model performance. This model will be used in the future as the basis to model turbidity in streams.     

Reduction in Residential Chromium Following Site Remediation

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of chromate production waste site remediation on residential Cr concentrations in house dust. Twenty-three homes in Jersey City, NJ, were identified as having had high (>500 u,g/gm, median 739 u,g/gm), medium (100-400 u,g/gm, median 245 u,g/gm), or low (<100 u,g/gm, median 48 u,g/ gm) Cr in house dust during a study conducted in 19921993 prior to site remediation. House dust samples were collected on four visits from each home between November 1996 and February 1998, extracted with HNO₃, and analyzed for Cr with an inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer. Homes that had low Cr concentrations in 1992-1993 continued to have low Cr concentrations (median 1 u,g/g). In contrast, substantial declines in Cr concentrations were found in the house dust collected from homes located near the remediated waste sites: previously high-level homes had a median of 50 u,g/g and mid-level homes had a median of 34 u,g/g. Site remediation had a beneficial effect on household loadings of Cr, since no differences in post-remediation house dust Cr concentrations were found among the three groups.     

Validity of ambient levels of fine particles as surrogate for personal exposure to outdoor air pollution--results of the European EXPOLIS-EAS Study (Swiss Center Basel)

To evaluate the validity of fixed-site fine particle levels as exposure surrogates in air pollution epidemiology, we considered four indicator groups: (1) PM2.5 total mass concentrations, (2) sulfur and potassium for regional air pollution, (3) lead and bromine for traffic-related particles, and (4) calcium for crustal particles. Using data from the European EXPOLIS (Air Pollution Exposure Distribution within Adult Urban Populations in Europe) study, we assessed the associations between 48-hr personal exposures and home outdoor levels of the indicators. Furthermore, within-city variability of fine particle levels was evaluated. Personal exposures to PM2.5 mass were not correlated to corresponding home outdoor levels (n = 44, rSpearman (Sp) = 0.07). In the group reporting neither relevant indoor sources nor relevant activities, personal exposures and home outdoor levels of sulfur were highly correlated (n = 40, rSp = 0.85). In contrast, the associations were weaker for traffic (Pb: n = 44, rSp = 0.53; Br: n = 44, rSp = 0.21) and crustal (Ca: n = 44, rSp = 0.12) indicators. This contrast is consistent with spatially homogeneous regional pollution and higher spatial variability of traffic and crustal indicators observed in Basel, Switzerland. We conclude that for regional air pollution, fixed-site fine particle levels are valid exposure surrogates. For source-specific exposures, however, fixed-site data are probably not the optimal measure. Still, in air pollution epidemiology, ambient PM2.5 levels may be more appropriate exposure estimates than total personal PM2.5 exposure, since the latter reflects a mixture of indoor and outdoor sources.     

对比研究槽式堆肥处理不同畜禽粪便对植物毒性的影响

为揭示槽式堆肥过程中不同畜禽粪便堆肥理化性质的变化及其对植物毒性的影响,分别开展了以羊、牛、鸡、猪粪便与木屑为堆料、为期44 d的好氧槽式堆肥对比试验,采集了不同堆肥期的堆肥样品,测定了堆肥的pH、电导率（EC）、可溶性有机碳（DOC）、硝氮（NO₃^--N）、氨氮（NH₄⁺-N）、全氮（TN）、碳氮比（C/N）、全磷（TP）、全钾（TK）、铜（Cu）、锌（Zn）含量及水堇的相对生长指数（RGI）和种子发芽指数（GI）,并通过相关分析和线性回归拟合,分析了堆肥过程粪便对水堇种子植物毒性的影响机制.结果表明,槽式堆肥过程中,羊粪的高温期持续时间最长,牛粪其次,猪粪和鸡粪最短;堆肥结束时4种粪便均呈弱碱性.堆肥过程中猪粪和鸡粪的EC降低,其他粪便的EC变化幅度较小,各粪便的DOC、NH₄⁺-N含量降低,NO₃^--N、TP、TK、Cu和Zn含量增加,牛粪和鸡粪的C/N逐渐降低,而猪粪和羊粪的C/N呈先升后降的趋势,羊粪和猪粪的TN含量下降,鸡粪和牛粪的TN含量缓慢上升.堆肥过程中4种粪便对水堇种子的植物毒性均降低,且RGI和GI升幅由高到低为：牛粪 > 羊粪 > 鸡粪 > 猪粪.相关分析表明,堆肥过程中羊粪的TP、Cu、Zn,牛粪的Zn、TK、TP、NO₃^--N,鸡粪的NO₃^--N、TN、Cu,猪粪的NO₃^--N、TP、Zn、TK与RGI呈显著正相关（p<0.01）;而羊粪的Cu、TP、TK,牛粪的Zn、TK、TP,鸡粪的Cu、TN、NO₃^--N、TK,猪粪的TP、Zn、NO₃^--N与GI呈显著正相关（p<0.01）.由此表明,不同粪便堆肥的以上指标促进了植物的根伸长和种子发芽.但堆肥过程中羊粪的NH₄⁺-N、TN、DOC,牛粪的NH₄⁺-N、DOC、C/N、EC,鸡粪的C/N、EC、DOC,猪粪的NH₄⁺-N、DOC、EC与RGI呈显著负相关（p<0.01）;羊粪的NH₄⁺-N、TN、DOC,牛粪的NH₄⁺-N、DOC、C/N,鸡粪EC、DOC、C/N,猪粪的NH₄⁺-N、DOC、EC与GI呈显著负相关（p<0.01）.由此表明,不同粪便的以上指标显著抑制了植物的根伸长和种子发芽.多元回归分析说明,堆肥过程羊粪和牛粪的NH₄⁺-N,鸡粪的NO₃^--N、Cu、C/N和EC,猪粪的NO₃^--N和TK对水堇种子根伸长具有显著的影响,而羊粪的NH₄⁺-N和TK,牛粪的DOC、pH和EC,鸡粪Cu、TN和NO₃^--N,猪粪的TK对水堇种子发芽具有显著的影响.以上对比研究结果可为不同畜禽粪便槽式堆肥处理和土地利用提供重要的理论依据和决策支持.