Advances of studies on biomonitoring of water pollution in China

The progress of biomonitoring on water pollution in recent years in China has been summarized in this paper.     

Redox potential E_H [Se(VI)/Se(IV)] of aqueous extractof soils from Yongshou Kaschin-Beck diseaseregion and the influence by humic acid

The relation between EH [Se(VI)/Se(IV)] and pH of soil aqueous extract in Kaschin-Beck disease region and the effects of natural redox agents, namely humic substances, MnO2 and Fe2+, on the redox property of the system were studied. The results indicated that both humic acid and Fe2+ could enhance the reducibility of Se(VI) and MnO2, a limited oxidizability for Se(IV). Fe2+ showed a weak reducibility only at low pH value. The reducibilities of three sulfur-containing compounds for Se(VI) were in following order:thioglycollic acid > L-cysteine > sulfide     

Atmospheric corrosion of carbon steel in acid rain by accelerated weathering test

In this work, the accelerated weathering test of immersion-wet-dry combined cycles was carried ont. The artificial acid rain of NaHSO3-(NH4)2SO4-H2SO4 solution system was selected as immersion solution. Acidity of artificial acid rain affected corrossion weight loss of carbon steel, and pH 4.1 was found to be a critical point. Anodic reaction resistance of the samples during accelerated weathering test increased with exposed time by electrochemical measurement.     

Decolorization and bio degradation metabolism of azo dyes by Pseudomonas S-42

A bacterial strain was isolated from activated sludge and has been identified as Pseudomonas sp. S-42 capable of decolorizing azo dyes such as Diamira Brilliant Orange RR (DBO-RR), Direct Brown M (DBM), Eriochrome Brown R (EBR) and so on. The growing cells, intact cells, cell-free extract and purified enzyme of strain S-42 could decolorize azo dyes under similar conditions at the optimum pH 7.0 and temperature of 37℃. The efficiencies of decolorization for DBO-RR, DBM, EBR with intact cells stood more than 90%. When the cell concentration was 15mg (wet)/ml and the reaction time was 5 hours, the decolorizing activities of intact cells for above three azo dyes were 1.75, 2.4, 0.95 μg dye/mg cell, respectively. Cell-free extract and purified enzyme belonged to azoreductase with molecular weight about 34000±2000 and Vmax and Km values for DBO-RR of 13μmol/mg protein/nun and 54μmol, respectively. The results from the detection of the biodegradation products of DBO-RR by spectrophotometric and NaNO2 reac     

Ecological and environmental characteristics and management planning of Mawei Economic Development District

The natural and social background of the district was described, and the major ecological and environmental problems were analysed. The measures and planning for the ecological and environmental protection were recommended. Systematic analysis method and environmental mathematical models were suggested to be used for the ecological and environmental general planning in this paper.     

Estimation of greenhouse gas emissions in China and the abatement measures

The major emission sources of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and CFCs in China have been identified, and the emission trends has been estimated. Besides fossil fuel combustion, human respiration and biomass burning are important sources. Some feasible abatement measures on energy conservation, afforestation and biomass recycling have been discussed.     

A study on the hydraulics of waste stabilization pond

In this study, tracer tests and organic removal tests were conducted on three different ponds in the purpose of evaluating the influence of the flow velocity and dispersion on the hydraulic efficiency of the pond. The authors have compared the hydraulic flow patterns among ponds with different configurations. Experimental and theoretical analyses were performed. This study indicated that the flow characteristics of square ponds are different from that of baffled ponds; the flow velocity and dispersion are equally important factors which affect the pond hydraulics; the number of inserting baffles can be optimized; and the hydraulic efficiency of multistage ponds is superior to that of baffled ponds.     

A study on "selenium-health" database in China

A database for "Se and health" has been established using DATA-TRIEVE data management system on a VAX-11/780 computer. Over 5000 pieces of information including 300 kinds of samples from 28 provinces in China were stored. The information relates to endemk diseases such as Keshan disease, Kaschin-Beck disease, Se-poison disease, cancers, heart disease and so on. The database can be accessed through keywords: samples, province, county, analytical method and the Se-content values can be obtained in tabulated form. The output includes primary statistics of the retrieved data sets. A multi-variable statistic program package featuring in pattern recognition is attached to the system.     

Influence of acid deposition on atmospheric corrosion of zinc

Site exposure tests both open and sheltered have been carried out in acid deposition area in Southwest China. Results from six sites show that acid deposition exerts a great influence on atmospheric corrosion of Zn, and it is more serious in wet condition. Basically, Zn corrosion is directly proportional to time of exposure. While SO2 is the main pollutant of the atmosphere environment, Zn corrosion has a linear relationship to SO2 depositing rate and a hyperbolic to rain pH value.Observations by SEM, EDAX and X-ray diffraction show that under sheltered exposure condition, the corrosion products of Zn in heavy acid deposition area principally are sulphates.Based on the corrosion rates measured, the working life of galvanized steel can be predicated.