Dissolved organic matter and estrogenic potential of landfill leachate

The estrogenic potentials of leachate samples collected at Laogang Sanitary Landfill in Shanghai, China were measured together with the associated dissolved organic matter (DOM) in leachate samples. Over 99% of the DOM in fresh leachate was removed upon 3-7 years of landfill, leaving only DOM with strong fluorescent activity. Anoxic or aerobic treatment of landfill leachate can further degrade DOM of MW<300 Da and transform those with fluorescent activity of MW>10(5) Da to those of 2000-10(5) Da. Neither landfilling nor storage in anoxic pond effectively removed estrogenic potential of leachate. Fractionation test revealed that residual organic matters of MW 3000-14000 Da and of <600 Da with high UV254 contributed most of the estrogenic activities in leachate. Aerobic SBR treatment considerably reduced the estrogenic potential of these organic matters in leachate.     

LCA法在韩国环境标志产品评价中的应用研究

中国在大力发展和推广环境标志产品的同时,对环境标志产品的系统评价工作却显得薄弱,仍主要停留在能源消耗、污染物排放、废弃回收等单一因素或简单组合方式,缺乏客观性、全面性。因此借鉴国外有关先进经验,尽快建立系统的环境标志产品评价体系是很有必要的。韩国环境标志产品LCA评价的最大优点是将复杂、专业的数据转变为易于国民理解的简单形式,而有利于环境标志产品的宣传与发展。文章以LCA法在评价韩国环境标志产品中的应用为实例,系统说明其评价过程,并探讨其优势和不足,为中国相关工作的开展提供可借鉴的经验。     

液相色谱稳定特征峰比值鉴别模拟渤海溢油

考察室外自然风化对原油液相色谱稳定特征峰分布的影响,提出基于溢油液相色谱稳定特征峰比值结合聚类分析和"t-检验"分析进行模拟溢油鉴别.结果表明,液相色谱稳定特征峰比值结合聚类分析可以初步推测模拟溢油样品来源,进一步采用特征峰比值和"t-检验"分析可以实现模拟溢油样与可疑原油样品的成功判别.     

广州市夏季室内外PM2.5中有机碳、元素碳的分布特征

2004年7～8月在广州市9个采样点的室内、室室外同步采集了PM2 5样品,采用热光反射碳分析仪分析得到OC、EC的质量浓度,对OC、EC污染水平、空间分布、室内室外质量浓度关系、0C/EC质量浓度关系及二次有机碳等特征进行了深入细致的分析研究.结果表明,OC室内、外平均质量浓度为17.3和19.9μg·m-3,EC室内、室外平均质量浓度为6.5和6.6μg·m-3,总碳气溶胶占PM25质量的50%以上;在不同类型采样点0C、EC质量浓度存在区别;室内环境中OC、EC质量浓度相关性显著,室外环境中0C、EC质量浓度相关性不显著;0C、EC质量浓度比ρ(OC)/ρ(EC)超过2;室内、室外PM2 5中二次有机碳质量浓度是7.6和10.0μg·m-3,占总有机碳的比率为43.8%、45.5%.     

Effects of Urbanization on the Distribution and Abundance of Amphibians and Invasive Species in Southern California Streams

Abstract:  Urbanization negatively affects natural ecosystems in many ways, and aquatic systems in particular. Urbanization is also cited as one of the potential contributors to recent dramatic declines in amphibian populations. From 2000 to 2002 we determined the distribution and abundance of native amphibians and exotic predators and characterized stream habitat and invertebrate communities in 35 streams in an urbanized landscape north of Los Angeles (U.S.A.). We measured watershed development as the percentage of area within each watershed occupied by urban land uses. Streams in more developed watersheds often had exotic crayfish ( Procambarus clarkii ) and fish, and had fewer native species such as California newts ( Taricha torosa ) and California treefrogs ( Hyla cadaverina ). These effects seemed particularly evident above 8% development, a result coincident with other urban stream studies that show negative impacts beginning at 10–15% urbanization. For Pacific treefrogs ( H. regilla ), the most widespread native amphibian, abundance was lower in the presence of exotic crayfish, although direct urbanization effects were not found. Benthic macroinvertebrate communities were also less diverse in urban streams, especially for sensitive species. Faunal community changes in urban streams may be related to changes in physical stream habitat, such as fewer pool and more run habitats and increased water depth and flow, leading to more permanent streams. Variation in stream permanence was particularly evident in 2002, a dry year when many natural streams were dry but urban streams were relatively unchanged. Urbanization has significantly altered stream habitat in this region and may enhance invasion by exotic species and negatively affect diversity and abundance of native amphibians.     

Cultural Erosion and Biodiversity: Canoe-Making Knowledge in Pohnpei, Micronesia

Abstract:  Erosion of traditional knowledge and practice is a serious and accelerating problem, but quantitative work on traditional knowledge loss and its importance to biodiversity conservation is lacking. We investigated traditional knowledge of canoe making, a skill heavily dependent on plant biodiversity, on Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia, through a survey of 180 island residents. Our results showed that there has been an intergenerational erosion of canoe-making skills. Given current trends, the present generation of Pohnpeians may be the last to retain any knowledge of this traditional craft. We also identified several correlates of knowledge loss—including Western educational level and occupation—that highlight potential avenues for skill conservation via governments, traditional leadership, and schools. These institutions could intervene to emphasize traditional knowledge, which would reinforce institutional contexts in which traditional knowledge and practice is valued. The heightened awareness of the value of biodiversity that is linked to traditional knowledge is key to biological conservation on Pohnpei and can help support local conservation programs.     

Deforestation and Avian Extinction on Tropical Landbridge Islands

Abstract: There are few empirical data, particularly collected simultaneously from multiple sites, on extinctions resulting from human‐driven land‐use change. Southeast Asia has the highest deforestation rate in the world, but the resulting losses of biological diversity remain poorly documented. Between November 2006 and March 2008, we conducted bird surveys on six landbridge islands in Malaysia and Indonesia. These islands were surveyed previously for birds in the early 1900s, when they were extensively forested. Our bird inventories of the islands were nearly complete, as indicated by sampling saturation curves and nonparametric true richness estimators. From zero (Pulau Malawali and Pulau Mantanani) to 15 (Pulau Bintan) diurnal resident landbird species were apparently extirpated since the early 1900s. Adding comparable but published extinction data from Singapore to our regression analyses, we found there were proportionally fewer forest bird extinctions in areas with greater remaining forest cover. Nevertheless, the statistical evidence to support this relationship was weak, owing to our unavoidably small sample size. Bird species that are restricted to the Indomalayan region, lay few eggs, are heavier, and occupy a narrower habitat breadth, were most vulnerable to extinction on Pulau Bintan. This was the only island where sufficient data existed to analyze the correlates of extinction. Forest preservation and restoration are needed on these islands to conserve the remaining forest avifauna. Our study of landbridge islands indicates that deforestation may increasingly threaten Southeast Asian biodiversity.     

Phytoremediation of Atrazine by Poplar Trees: Toxicity,Uptake, and Transformation

Toxicity, uptake, and transformation of atrazine [2-chloro-4-(ethylamino)-6-(isopropylamino)-s-triazine] by three species of poplar tree were assessed. Poplar cuttings were grown in sealed flasks with hydrophonic solutions and exposed to various concentrations of atrazine for a period of two weeks. Toxicity effects were evaluated by monitoring transpiration and measuring poplar cutting mass. Exposure to higher atrazine concentrations resulted in decrease of biomass and transpiration accompanied by leaf chlorosis and abscission. However, poplar cuttings exposed to lower concentrations of atrazine grew well and transpired at a constant rate during experiment periods. Poplar cuttings could take up, hydrolyze, and dealkylate atrazine to less toxic metabolites. Metabolism of atrazine occurred in roots, stems, and leaves and became more complete with increased residence time in tissue. These results suggest that phytoremediation is a viable approach to removing atrazine from contaminated water and should be considered for other contaminants.     

Regenerable adsorbent for removing ammonia evolved from anaerobic reaction of animal urine

The waste gas evolved from biodegradation of animal urine contains ammonia causing environmental concerns. A new and effective method for removing ammonia from such waste gas using reactive adsorption is presented. In the process, activated carbon impregnated with H2SO4（H2SO4/C） is employed. Ammonia in the waste gas reacts with H2SO4 on the adsorbent instantaneously and completely to form （NIL）2SO4. The H2SO4/C adsorbent is high in NH3 adsorption capacity and regenerable. The NH3 removal capacity of this regenerable adsorbent is more than 30 times that of the adsorbents used normally in the industry. The spent H2SO4/C is regenerated by flowing low-pressure steam through the adsorbent bed to remove the （NH4）2SO4 from the adsorbent. The regeneration by-product is concentrated （NH4）2SO4 solution, which is a perfect liquid fertilizer for local use. Re-soaking the activated carbon with H2SO4 solution rejuvenates the activity of the adsorbent. Thus the H2SOJC can be reused repeatedly. In the mechanism of this reactive adsorption process, trace of H20 in the waste gas is a required, which lends itself to treating ammonia gas saturated with moisture from biodegradation of animal urine.