Enhancement of solubilization and acidification of waste activated sludge by pretreatment

The effects of various pretreatment methods, including thermo-acid, thermo-alkaline, ultrasonic-alkaline and ultrasonic-acid, on solubilization and subsequent acidification efficiency of waste activated sludge (WAS) were investigated. The results showed that both thermo-alkaline and ultrasonic-alkaline significantly improved the solubilization of WAS at a high concentration (7.4% of total solids). Solubilization of volatile solids (VS) and crude protein was 60.2-61.6% and 66.8-67.5%, respectively. Thermo-alkaline or ultrasonic-alkaline pretreatment also enhanced the efficiency of subsequent WAS acidification. Experimental results showed that they had similar effects on the acidification of WAS. The conversion ratio from VS to total volatile fatty acids (TVFAs) was 0.230 in the case of the ultrasonic-alkaline pretreatment. Through this pretreatment, the level of TVFAs was 68% more than the untreated WAS after 252 h of fermentation. The mechanism of TVFAs production under different pretreatment methods was further investigated and the results indicated that soluble protein was the main substrate for TVFAs production from the WAS after the thermo-alkaline or ultrasonic-alkaline pretreatment.     

兰克.施乐公司的产品管理

兰克．施乐公司的主要公司目标之一是“无废物产品和无废物设施”兰克．施乐公司多年来一直在研究其产品的寿命周期以及回收设备重复的可能性,客户对含有重复透彻呈再加工零部件的产品的认可,将是达到“无废物产品”这一目标所必需的。     

2，2‘,4,4’和3，3‘,4,4’—四氯联苯（TCB）对小白鼠体外受精的影响

采用体外受精技术评价环境污染物2,2',4,4'-和3,3',4,4'-四氯联苯对小白鼠卵母细胞受精能力和2-细胞胚胎发育的毒性作用,实验结果表明：ρ（PCB）=0.1,1.0,10.0mg/mL的2,2',4,4'-和3,3',4,4'-四氯联苯均显著降低小白鼠卵母细胞的受精能力;ρ（PCB）=1.0,10.0mg/mL的2,2',4,4'-和3,3',4,4'-四氯联苯使卵母细胞的退人弦和2-细胞的畸形率显著增加;两种四氯联苯对小白鼠卵母细胞体外受精能力、退化率和2-细胞胚胎的畸形率无统计差异。     

2,2’,4,4’-和3,3’,4,4’-四氯联苯(TCB)对小白鼠体外受精的影响(英文)

采用体外受精技术评价环境污染物 2 ,2’ ,4,4’ 和 3,3’ ,4,4’ 四氯联苯对小白鼠卵母细胞受精能力和 2 细胞胚胎发育的毒性作用 .实验结果表明 :ρ(PCB) =0 .1,1.0 ,10 .0mg/mL的 2 ,2’ ,4,4’ 和 3,3’ ,4,4’ 四氯联苯均显著降低小白鼠卵母细胞的受精能力 ;ρ(PCB) =1.0 ,10 .0mg/mL的 2 ,2’ ,4,4’ 和 3,3’ ,4,4’ 四氯联苯使卵母细胞的退化率和 2 细胞的畸形率显著增加 ;两种四氯联苯对小白鼠卵母细胞体外受精能力、退化率和 2 细胞胚胎的畸形率无统计差异 .表 2参 2 5     

南部非洲的一体化电力计划

本文概括了12个南部非洲国家电力联营的一体化电力计划(IEP)过程,阐述了使用IEP的长期计划,本文同时也着重讨论了关于未来生产量的决策过程,提出了有利于在南非采纳更清洁技术的角色和措施.     

Reproductive endocrine disruption in smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) in the Potomac River basin: spatial and temporal comparisons of biological effects

A high prevalence of intersex or testicular oocytes (TO) in male smallmouth bass within the Potomac River drainage has raised concerns as to the health of the river. Studies were conducted to document biomarker responses both temporally and spatially to better understand the influence of normal physiological cycles, as well as water quality and land-use influences. Smallmouth bass were collected over a 2-year period from three tributaries of the Potomac River: the Shenandoah River, the South Branch Potomac and Conococheague Creek, and an out-of-basin reference site on the Gauley River. The prevalence of TO varied seasonally with the lowest prevalence observed in July, post-spawn. Reproductive maturity and/or lack of spawning the previous spring, as well as land-use practices such as application of manure and pesticides, may influence the seasonal observations. Annual, seasonal, and site differences were also observed in the percentage of males with measurable concentrations of plasma vitellogenin, mean concentration of plasma vitellogenin in females, and plasma concentrations of 17β-estradiol and testosterone in both sexes. Bass collected in the South Branch Potomac (moderate to high prevalence of TO) had less sperm per testes mass with a lower percentage of those sperm being motile when compared to those from the Gauley River (low prevalence of TO). An inverse relationship was noted between TO severity and sperm motility. An association between TO severity and wastewater treatment plant flow, percent of agriculture, total number of animal feeding operations, the number of poultry houses, and animal density within the catchment was observed.     

Effects of pesticides used in agriculture on the development of precocious puberty

The present study aims to evaluate the effects of pesticides on premature breast development. Forty-five girls (group 1) with premature breast development living in the Menderes region, where greenhouse cultivation is the main income, 16 girls (group 2) living in Izmir city with early puberty, and 33 girls (group 3) who had no signs of puberty were included in the study. Endosulphan 1, endosulphan 2, endosulphan sulphate, methoxychlor, vinclozolin, 4,4-dichlorodiphenyldichlorethylene (DDE), 4,-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), and 2,4-DDT were evaluated in the serum and adipose tissues of the groups by using a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method. With the exception of 4,4'-DDE, the pesticides studied were undetectable in the serum and adipose tissue samples. The levels of basal luteinizing hormone (LH), stimulated LH, follicle-stimulating hormone, and the long axis of the uterus and both ovaries were significantly different in the girls who had premature thelarche and detectable 4,4'-DDE levels compared to the girls who had premature thelarche and undetectable 4,4'-DDE levels in serum and adipose tissues. The presence and levels of pesticides in serum and adipose tissues were not related to precocious puberty (PP). The mechanisms that lead to PP may also result in obesity, and obesity may be the underlying cause for PP in this group.     

Elemental composition of sediments in Lake Jinzai, Japan: Assessment of sources and pollution

Bottom sediments from Lake Jinzai in southwest Japan were analyzed to determine their chemical compositions and to assess the potential for ecological harm by comparison with sediment quality guidelines. The pollution status of lake sediments was evaluated by employing contamination factor (CF), pollution load index (PLI), and geoaccumulation index (I(geo)), focusing on a suite of elements in lakebed and core sediments. Elevated concentrations of As, Pb, Zn, Cu, TOC, N, and P were present in several layers of the upper core and other surface sediments. The elevated metal concentrations are likely related to the fine-grained nature of the sediments, reducing bottom conditions produced by abundant organic matter, and possibly minor non-point anthropogenic sources. Moreover, correlations between the concentrations of trace metals and organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and iron, suggest that these elements play a role in controlling abundances. Calculated CF, PLI, and I(geo) indicate that the sediments are strongly polluted with respect to As, moderately to strongly polluted with Zn, and moderately polluted with Pb and Cu. Metal concentrations exceed the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) lowest effect level and the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) interim sediment quality guidelines that indicate moderate impact on aquatic organisms in the study area.     

Organochlorine pesticide residue levels in blood serum of inhabitants from Veracruz, Mexico

The objective of the present study was to monitor the levels of organochlorine pesticides HCB; α-, β-, γ-HCH; pp'DDE; op'DDT; and pp'DDT in blood serum of Veracruz, Mexico inhabitants. Organochlorine pesticides were analyzed in 150 blood serum samples that constituted that which remained after clinical analyses, using gas chromatography-electron-capture detection (GC-ECD). The results were expressed as milligrams per kilogram on fat basis and micrograms per liter on wet weight. Only the following pesticides were detected: p,p'-DDE was the major organochlorine component, detected in 100% of samples at mean 15.8 mg/kg and 8.4 μg/L; p,p'-DDT was presented in 41.3.% of monitored samples at mean 3.1 mg/kg and 1.4 μg/L; β-HCH was found in 48.6% of the samples at mean 4.9 mg/kg and 2.7 μg/L; op'DDT was determined to be in only 3.3% of monitored samples at mean 2.7 mg/kg and 1.4 μg/L. The pooled samples divided according to sex showed significant differences of β-HCH and pp'DDE concentrations in females. The samples grouped according to age presented the third tertile as more contaminated in both sexes, indicating age as a positively associated factor with serum organochlorine pesticide levels in Veracruz inhabitants.     

Characteristics and assessment of phthalate esters in urban dusts in Guangzhou city, China

Phthalate esters (PAEs) were examined in indoor and outdoor dust samples from the subtropical city of Guangzhou, China. The ∑(16)PAEs concentrations ranged from 121 to 3,223 μg g(-1) dust, with the median concentration of 840 μg g(-1) dust. Significantly higher concentrations of PAEs in dust samples were found in offices where electrical and electronic devices, carpet pads, and office furniture were widely used. Of the 16 PAEs, diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP), and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) dominated the PAEs in indoor and outdoor dust samples, and accounted for >96.8% and >93.1% of the ∑(16)PAEs concentrations, respectively. The median daily inhalation exposure of ∑(16)PAEs were 3.53 and 0.247 μg kg(-1) body weight day(-1), and at the 95(th) percentile were 7.62 and 0.530 μg kg(-1) body weight day(-1), up on the measured concentrations and estimated dust ingestion rates, respectively, for toddles and adults. The ubiquitous distribution of PAEs as noted in this study suggests the need for detailed assessment of PAEs concentrations using more sites and to further investigate the factors influencing PAEs exposure in China.