Equilibrium and kinetics of adsorption of phosphate onto iron-doped activated carbon

Purpose

Two series of activated carbons modified by Fe (II) and Fe (III) (denoted as AC/N-Fe^II and AC/N-Fe^III), respectively, were used as adsorbents for the removal of phosphate in aqueous solutions.

Method

The synthesized adsorbent materials were investigated by different experimental analysis means. The adsorption of phosphate on activated carbons has been studied in kinetic and equilibrium conditions taking into account the adsorbate concentration, temperature, and solution pH as major influential factors.

Results

Maximum removals of phosphate are obtained in the pH range of 3.78?C6.84 for both adsorbents. Langmuir isotherm adsorption equation well describes the experimental adsorption isotherms. Kinetic studies revealed that the adsorption process followed a pseudo-second order kinetic model. Results suggest that the main phase formed in AC/N-Fe^II and AC/N-Fe^III is goethite and akaganeite, respectively; the presence of iron oxides significantly affected the surface area and the pore structure of the activated carbon.

Conclusions

Studies revealed that iron-doped activated carbons were effective in removing phosphate. AC/N-Fe^II has a higher phosphate removal capacity than AC/N-Fe^III, which could be attributed to its better intra-particle diffusion and higher binding energy. The activation energy for adsorption was calculated to be 22.23 and 10.89 kJ mol^?1 for AC/N-Fe^II and AC/N-Fe^III, respectively. The adsorption process was complex; both surface adsorption and intra-particle diffusion were simultaneously occurring during the process and contribute to the adsorption mechanism.     

Assessment of typical pollutants in waterborne by combining active biomonitoring and integrated biomarkers response

Organic pollutants, heavy metals and pharmaceuticals are continuously dispersed into the environment and have become a relevant environmental emerging concern. In this study, a situ assay to assess ecotoxicity of mixed pollutants was carried out in three typical sites with different priority contaminations in Guangzhou, China. Chemical analysis of organic pollutants, metals and quinolones in three exposure sites were determined by GC-ECD/MS, ICP-AES and HPLC, as well as, a combination of biomarkers including: ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD); aminopyrine N-demethylase (APND); erythromycin N-demethylase (ERND); glutathione S-transferase (GST); malondialdehyde (MDA); CYP1A; and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) mRNA expressions were evaluated in Mugilogobius abei. Results of chemical analysis in sediment samples revealed that the dominant chemicals were organic pollutants and heavy metals in Huadi River while quinolones in the pond. Bioassays indicated that differences among sites were in relation to some specific biomarkers. EROD and GST activities significantly increased after 72 h in situ exposure, but no difference was observed among the exposure sites. APND, ERND and MDA exhibited dissimilar change patterns for different priority pollutants. CYP1A and P-gp mRNA expressions were significantly induced at all exposure sites, whilst P-gp activity was typical for S2 with the highest levels of quinolones. The molecular biomarkers seemed to be more susceptible than enzyme activities. These assays confirmed the usefulness of applying a large array of various combined biomarkers at different levels, in assessing the toxic effects of mixed pollutants in a natural aquatic environment.     

Plants' use of different nitrogen forms in response to crude oil contamination

In this study, we investigated Phragmites australis’ use of different forms of nitrogen (N) and associated soil N transformations in response to petroleum contamination. ¹⁵N tracer studies indicated that the total amount of inorganic and organic N assimilated by P. australis was low in petroleum-contaminated soil, while the rates of inorganic and organic N uptake on a per-unit-biomass basis were higher in petroleum-contaminated soil than those in un-contaminated soil. The percentage of organic N in total plant-assimilated N increased with petroleum concentration. In addition, high gross N immobilization and nitrification rates relative to gross N mineralization rate might reduce inorganic-N availability to the plants. Therefore, the enhanced rate of N uptake and increased importance of organic N in plant N assimilation might be of great significance to plants growing in petroleum-contaminated soils. Our results suggest that plants might regulate N capture under petroleum contamination.     

Distribution characteristics and source analysis of dioxins in sediments and mussels from Qingdao coastal sea

Seven of surface sediments, one sediment core and two mussel samples were collected from the Qingdao coastal sea of the western Yellow Sea and analyzed to determine the horizontal distribution, deposition flux, and toxicity equivalency (TEQs) of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs). The total PCDD/Fs concentrations in the surface sediments ranged between 10.7 and 428 ng kg(-1) dry wt. The horizontal distribution of PCDD/F congeners in the sediments was characterized by elevated concentrations at the locations in the east of Jiaozhou Bay with the highest concentration occurring near the Haibo River mouth. Physical parameters (total organic carbon contents and sediment types) and the current circulation systems in Jiaozhou Bay can be important factors controlling the horizontal distribution pattern of PCDD/Fs in the bay. The influence of the Haibo River as a source of pollution was evidenced by PCDD/F homologue profiles, indicating a contribution from sewage sludge in addition to other possible sources. Records from the sediment core revealed that the total PCDD/Fs in the Qingdao coastal sea were nearly constant since 1951 till 1980s and increased remarkably after 1980s. The total 2,3,7,8-substituted PCDD/Fs and total TEQs of PCDD/Fs on the lipid basis in the mussel sample inside the bay were significantly higher than in the adjacent sediment. The homologue profiles of PCDD/Fs in the mussels were quite different from those of the sediments, characterized by high TCDF (50% of the total PCDD/Fs).     

有机氯农药硫丹的生殖毒性及其机制研究进展

硫丹作为一种广谱有机氯农药,在农业区域周边的土壤和水体中都存在较高残留,2011年被斯德哥尔摩公约列入持久性有机污染物(POPs)名单。硫丹已被证实对神经系统、心血管系统、肝、肾等具有毒性作用,关于其生殖毒性的研究很多,但潜在机制尚不完全清楚。本文总结了硫丹导致的不同动物的生殖毒性,并从生殖器官和生殖细胞损伤、氧化应激以及DNA损伤、生殖细胞周期阻滞及细胞凋亡等方面,对近年来硫丹生殖毒性及其作用机制研究进展进行综述,并对其中存在的问题进行讨论,以期有助于深入了解硫丹的毒性效应。     

Characteristics and impacts of trace elements in atmospheric deposition at a high-elevation site,southern China

To investigate the regional background trace element (TE) level in atmospheric deposition (dry and wet), TEs (Fe, Al, V, Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Mo, Cd, Ba, and Pb) in 52 rainwater samples and 73 total suspended particles (TSP) samples collected in Mt. Lushan, Southern China, were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results showed that TEs in wet and dry deposition of the target area were significantly elevated compared within and outside China and the volume weight mean pH of rainwater was 4.43. The relative contributions of wet and dry depositions of TEs vary significantly among elements. The wet deposition fluxes of V, As, Cr, Se, Zn, and Cd exceeded considerably their dry deposition fluxes while dry deposition dominated the removal of pollution elements such as Mo, Cu, Ni, Mn, and Al. The summed dry deposition flux was four times higher than the summed wet deposition flux. Prediction results based on a simple accumulation model found that the content of seven toxic elements (Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb) in soils could increase rapidly due to the impact of annual atmospheric deposition, and the increasing amounts of them reached 0.063, 0.012, 0.026, 0.459, 0.076, 0.004, and 0.145 mg kg^?1, respectively. In addition, the annual increasing rates ranged from 0.05% (Cr and Ni) to 2.08% (Cd). It was also predicted that atmospheric deposition induced the accumulation of Cr and Cd in surface soils. Cd was the critical element with the greatest potential ecological risk among all the elements in atmospheric deposition.     

Thermogravimetric and XRD study of the effects of chloride salts on the thermal decomposition of mercury compounds

In this paper, the effects of chloride salt (MgCl₂, CaCl₂ or NaCl) addition on the thermal decomposition of five inorganic mercury compounds (HgCl₂, HgS, Hg(NO₃)₂·H₂O, HgO, and HgSO₄) were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis. Mercury-contaminated soil samples collected from Inner Mongolia were used to verify the results. The desorption temperatures of the mercury compounds increased in the following order: HgCl = HgCl₂ < HgS < Hg(NO₃)₂·H₂O < HgO < HgSO₄. Among the chloride salts, MgCl₂ had the greatest effect on thermal desorption of the mercury compounds, with the greatest reduction in the initial temperature of thermal desorption. After MgCl₂ treatment, the mercury removal rates for the soil were 65.67–81.35 % (sample A), 70.74–84.91 % (sample B), and 69.08 % (sample C). The increase in the mercury removal rate for sample C with addition of MgCl₂ was particularly large (34.96–69.08 %). X-Ray diffraction analysis of white crystals from the thermal desorption with MgCl₂ indicated that MgCl₂ promoted conversion of the mercury compounds in the soil to mercury(II) chloride and dimercury dichloride. This transformation is beneficial for applying thermal desorption to remedy mercury-contaminated soils and treat of mercury containing waste.     

沸石负载Fe_3O_4光催化氧化去除水中苯酚

为了对水中苯酚的去除进行研究,通过离子交换法及液相沉积法在天然沸石上负载Fe3O4制备出一种具有较高反应活性的复合催化剂,采用X-射线衍射仪(XRD)、扫描电镜(SEM)等仪器对其结构和形貌进行表征,并利用复合催化剂进行非均相UV/Fenton反应处理模拟苯酚废水,考察不同因素对苯酚降解效果的影响。实验结果表明,在催化剂投加量为0.4 g/L,H2O2投加量为二分之一理论投加量,pH为3~10且室温的条件下,处理100 mg/L的模拟苯酚废水,60 min之内苯酚去除率可达90%以上。通过对催化剂的稳定性研究,发现经5次循环使用后,苯酚去除率均可保持在90%以上,具有良好的循环使用性能。     

Remedial Strategies for Municipal Solid Waste Management in China

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this investigation is to evaluate the current status and to identify the problems of municipal solid waste (MSW) management in China to determine appropriate remedial strategies. This is the second of two papers proposed on this topic. Major problems or difficulties identified in MSW management in China include MSW land, air, and water pollution, commingled collection, poor administration, shortage of funds, lack of facilities, and problems of training and public awareness.

In order to solve these problems and to improve MSW management in China, remedial strategies in three areas are recommended: institutional reform, technology development, and legislation and administrative improvement. The primary principle involved in institutional reform is unifying legislative responsibilities into one body and developing a market mechanism for handling MSW. Composting, landfills, and incineration should be equally developed in accordance with China's needs. The feasibility of developing technology to handle MSW in China is discussed. Also recommended is the establishment of sound regulatory systems, including a service fee system, a source separation system, and a training program. China is presently undergoing economic and institutional reform at the national and local levels. Results of this study will provide useful information on MSW management in China.     

氮源对克雷伯氏菌NIII2分泌絮凝剂特性的影响

实验研究了蔗糖为碳源,硝酸钠、脲、蛋白胨、硫酸铵和氯化铵等氮源对NIII2发酵产絮凝剂的影响。结果表明,发酵液起始pH值为7.50,以硝酸钠为氮源,发酵液pH会上升,升至7.60～8.34时,NⅢ2菌株开始大量分泌微生物絮凝剂,发酵72 h,产量可达7.5 g/L,该产量是目前报道的克雷伯氏菌产絮凝剂的最高值。脲为氮源,pH则下降,降至5.04～6.49时,大量分泌絮凝剂,发酵72 h产量达5.2 g/L。蛋白胨、氯化铵和硫酸铵等为氮源时,pH下降十分明显,pH小于3.71时有絮凝剂分泌,发酵72 h产量约2.0 g/L或更小。以硝酸钠和脲为氮源时,发酵液中有黄色物质分泌,该黄色物质出现或黄色逐渐加深,是NIII2菌高产絮凝剂的标志。除硫酸铵外,其他氮源发酵所产絮凝剂为O-糖蛋白。当以硝酸钠、脲、蛋白胨、硫酸铵和氯化铵为氮源时,絮凝剂中蛋白的含量分别为9.55%、33.28%、19.39%、13.81%和15.51%,且蛋白含量越高,絮凝剂活性越大。