Constructing a Raman and surface-enhanced Raman scattering spectral reference library for fine-particle analysis

Fine particles associated with haze pollution threaten the health of over 400 million people in China. Owing to excellent non-destructive fingerprint recognition characteristics, Raman and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) are often used to analyze the composition of fine particles to determine their physical and chemical properties as well as reaction mechanisms. However, there is no comprehensive Raman spectral library of fine particles. Furthermore, various studies that used SERS for fine-particle composition analysis showed that the uniqueness of the SERS substrates and different excitation wavelengths can produce a different spectrum for the same fine-particle component. To overcome this limitation, we conducted SERS experiments with a portable Raman spectrometer using two common SERS substrates (silver (Ag) foil and gold nanoparticles (Au NPs)) and a 785 nm laser. Herein, we introduced three main particle component types (sulfate-nitrate-ammonium (SNA), organic material, and soot) with a total of 39 chemical substances. We scanned the solid Raman, liquid Raman, and SERS spectra of these substances and constructed a fine-particle reference library containing 105 spectra. Spectral results indicated that for soot and SNA, the differences in characteristic peaks mainly originated from the solid-liquid phase transition; Ag foil had little effect on this difference, while the Au NPs caused a significant red shift in the peak positions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Moreover, with various characteristic peak positions in the three types of spectra, we could quickly and correctly distinguish substances. We hope that this spectral library will aid in the future identification of fine particles.     

Health risk assessment of dietary exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Taiyuan, China

Sixteen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons （PAHs） were determined in 24 duplicate-diet samples from people in Taiyuan during summer and winter in 2009. Dietary intake of PAHs for 2862 participants was subsequently estimated by a survey in Taiyuan. Results from these 24 samples were compared with a raw food study in Taiyuan in 2008. Three main sources of dietary PAHs are vegetables, wheat flour and fruits, the sum of which contributes 75.95% of PAHs in dietary food. Compared to the estimated value in raw food, much more B[a]Peq （benzo[a]pyrene equivalents） were detected in food samples collected in the duplicate-diet study in Taiyuan （60.75 ng/day）. The cooking process may introduce more B[a]Peq into food, and the relative contribution of 16 PAHs in the diet would be changed during the cooking procedure.     

Variations in seasonal and inter-annual carbon fluxes in a semi-arid sandy maize cropland ecosystem in China’s Horqin Sandy Land

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Sandy cropland ecosystems are major terrestrial ecosystems in semi-arid regions of northern China’s Horqin Sandy Land, where they play an...     

Influence of algal organic matter on metal accumulation in adjacent sediments of aquaculture from a tropical coast region

The rapid development of coastal aquaculture in recent decades has led to excessive discharge of organic matter and nutrients into surrounding waters, which could result in eutrophication and potentially affect metal cycling. In our study, the influence of algal organic matter on metal accumulation was examined in three coastal sediment cores taken from a tropical region, Hainan Island, China. Overall, metal pollution adjacent to aquaculture ponds remained at low levels on the coast, except Zn, Cd, and Sn were moderately to highly enriched in the Dongjiao sediments. The δ¹³C values and the atomic C/N ratios indicated a major contribution of phytoplankton to sedimentary organic matter at the Dongjiao site. Moreover, both the algae-derived organic matter and effluent nitrogen were significantly associated with the enriched Zn, Cd, and Sn, suggesting that nutrient-induced phytoplankton growth and its organic matter may act as a “biological pump” to enhance the accumulation of metals. Wastewater treatment for aquaculture ponds should include the control of algal organic matter.

     

Evaluation of historical CMIP6 model simulations and future projections of temperature over the Pan-Third Pole region

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The Pan-Third Pole (PTP) region, which encompasses the Eurasian highlands and their surroundings, has experienced unprecedented, accelerated warming...     

石家庄市PM_（2.5）的污染现状及防控对策

通过对石家庄市PM2.524 h质量浓度监测结果的分析,发现PM2.5的污染指数范围是84~242,污染指数最高点出现在高新区,最低点出现在封龙山。导致PM2.5高污染指数的影响因素有气象、地理、机动车保有量和石家庄工业结构。因此从减少扬尘、控制机动车尾气排放量、工业污染防治、环保及气象部门协作等方面提出了PM2.5的防控对策。     

Land Use and Climate Variability Amplify Carbon,Nutrient, and Contaminant Pulses: A Review with Management Implications

Nonpoint source pollution from agriculture and urbanization is increasing globally at the same time climate extremes have increased in frequency and intensity. We review >200 studies of hydrologic and gaseous fluxes and show how the interaction between land use and climate variability alters magnitude and frequency of carbon, nutrient, and greenhouse gas pulses in watersheds. Agricultural and urban watersheds respond similarly to climate variability due to headwater alteration and loss of ecosystem services to buffer runoff and temperature changes. Organic carbon concentrations/exports increase and organic carbon quality changes with runoff. Nitrogen and phosphorus exports increase during floods (sometimes by an order of magnitude) and decrease during droughts. Relationships between annual runoff and nitrogen and phosphorus exports differ across land use. CH₄ and N₂O pulses in riparian zones/floodplains predominantly increase with: flooding, warming, low oxygen, nutrient enrichment, and organic carbon. CH₄, N₂O, and CO₂ pulses in streams/rivers increase due to similar factors but effects of floods are less known compared to base flow/droughts. Emerging questions include: (1) What factors influence lag times of contaminant pulses in response to extreme events? (2) What drives resistance/resilience to hydrologic and gaseous pulses? We conclude with eight recommendations for managing watershed pulses in response to interactive effects of land use and climate change.     

Recent advances in ionic liquids-based hybrid processes for CO2 capture and utilization

CO₂ capture and utilization (CCU) is an effective strategy to mitigate global warming. Absorption, adsorption and membranes are methods used for CO₂ separation and capture, and various catalytic pathways have also been developed for CO₂ utilization. Although widely researched and used in industry, these processes are energy-intensive and this challenge needs to be overcome. To realize further optimization, novel materials and processes are continuously being developed. New generation materials such as ionic liquids (ILs) have shown promising potential for cost-effective CO₂ capture and utilization. This study reviews the current status of ILs-based solvents, adsorbents, membranes, catalysts and their hybrid processes for CO₂ capture and utilization. The special properties of ILs are integrated into new materials through hybridization, which significantly improves the performance in the process of CCU.     

泾阳、临猗地震的地下流体异常特征

总结了１９９８ 年泾阳Ｍｓ４．８ 及临猗Ｍｓ ４．６ 级地震的地下流体异常特征, 结果表明： 异常点数量有随震中距的增大而减少的趋势, 同时又受构造条件的制约; 异常时间以短临为主, 短期异常主要集中在震前３ 个月左右, 临震异常出现在震前１０ ｄ 左右; 异常幅度与地震三要素关系不明显。