Dielectric barrier discharge plasma-assisted modification of g-C3N4/Ag2O/TiO2-NRs composite enhanced photoelectrocatalytic activity

Dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma applied as surface treatment technology was employed for the modification of Ag₂O and graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) powders. Subsequently, the pretreated powders were sequentially loaded onto TiO₂ nanorods (TiO₂-NRs) via electro-deposition, followed by calcination at N₂ atmosphere. The results indicated that at the optimal plasma discharge time of 5 min for modification of g-C₃N₄ and Ag₂O, photocurrent density of ternary composite was 6 times to bare TiO₂-NRs under UV-visible light irradiation. Phenol was degraded by using DBD plasma-modified g-C₃N₄/Ag₂O/TiO₂-NRs electrode to analyze the photoelectrocatalytic performance. The removal rate of phenol for g-C₃N₄-5/Ag₂O-5/TiO₂-NRs electrode was about 3.07 times to that for TiO₂-NRs electrode. During active species scavengers’ analysis, superoxide radicals and hydroxyl radicals were the main oxidation active species for pollutants degradation. A possible electron-hole separation and transfer mechanism of ternary composite with high photoelectrocatalytic performance was proposed.     

炼油装置塔顶回流系统腐蚀及控制

针对塔顶回流管线腐蚀泄漏导致的严重着火爆炸事故,对装置塔顶回流管线腐蚀情况进行排查及管控工作,及时获得易腐蚀部位的运行情况。通过排查典型炼油装置塔顶回流系统运行情况,采用涡流扫查、超声定点测厚、电磁超声等在线监测技术对各装置塔顶回流系统腐蚀减薄情况进行检测,建立炼化装置塔顶回流系统腐蚀控制系列措施和管理系统,提前发现、预防、处置因腐蚀而导致塔顶回流管线泄漏等问题,管理前移,达到预防塔顶回流系统腐蚀效果。     

Seasonal variation of nitrogen and phosphorus in Xiaojiang River—A tributary of the Three Gorges Reservoir

A yearlong monitoring program in the backwater area of Xiaojiang River (XBA) was launched in order to investigate the eutrophication of backwater areas in tributaries of the Yangtze River in the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) in China, starting after the impoundment water level of the TGR reached 156 m. From March 2007 to March 2008, the average concentration of total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) were (1553±484) μg·L⁻¹ and (62±31) μg·L⁻¹, respectively. The mean value of chlorophyll was (9.07±0.91) μg·L⁻¹. The trophic level of XBA was meso-eutrophic, while the general nutrient limitation was phosphorus. The results indicated that XBA has a strong ability to purify itself and has non-point source pollution from terrestrial runoff. The variation of TN/TP ratio was caused by a variation in TN rather than in TP when TN/TP < 22. N-fixation from cyanobacteria occurred and became an important process in overcoming the nitrogen deficit under a low TN/TP ratio. When TN/TP ⩾ 22, the variation of TP affected the TN/TP ratio more significantly than TN. The increase of TP in XBA was caused mainly by particulate phosphorus, which could originate from a non-point source as adsorptive inorganic forms after heavy rainfall and surface runoff. An increase in the river’s flow could also contribute to an unstable environment for the growth of phytoplankton.     

土壤阳离子交换量的测定方法

土壤阳离子交换量(CEC)的测定具有分析步骤繁琐、分析周期长等特点,为了提高分析效率,缩短分析周期,我们做了一系列的条件试验,目的是为了加快样品的分析速度,保证样品分析质量。     

Deciphering biodegradable chelant-enhanced phytoremediation through microbes and nitrogen transformation in contaminated soils

Biodegradable chelant-enhanced phytoremediation offers an alternative treatment technique for metal contaminated soils, but most studies to date have addressed on phytoextraction efficiency rather than comprehensive understanding of the interactions among plant, soil microbes, and biodegradable chelants. In the present study, we investigated the impacts of biodegradable chelants, including nitrilotriacetate, S,S-ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid (EDDS), and citric acid on soil microbes, nitrogen transformation, and metal removal from contaminated soils. The EDDS addition to soil showed the strongest ability to promote the nitrogen cycling in soil, ryegrass tissue, and microbial metabolism in comparison with other chelants. Both bacterial community-level physiological profiles and soil mass specific heat rates demonstrated that soil microbial activity was inhibited after the EDDS application (between day 2 and 10), but this effect completely vanished on day 30, indicating the revitalization of microbial activity and community structure in the soil system. The results of quantitative real-time PCR revealed that the EDDS application stimulated denitrification in soil by increasing nitrite reductase genes, especially nirS. These new findings demonstrated that the nitrogen release capacity of biodegradable chelants plays an important role in accelerating nitrogen transformation, enhancing soil microbial structure and activity, and improving phytoextraction efficiency in contaminated soil.     

Identifying relationships between baseflow geochemistry and land use with synoptic sampling and R-mode factor analysis

The relationship between land use and stream chemistry is often explored through synoptic sampling of rivers at baseflow conditions. However, baseflow chemistry is likely to vary temporally and spatially with land use. The purpose of our study is to examine the usefulness of the synoptic sampling approach for identifying the relationship between complex land use configurations and stream water quality. This study compares biogeochemical data from three synoptic sampling events representing the temporal variability of baseflow chemistry and land use using R-mode factor analysis. Separate R-mode factor analyses of the data from individual sampling events yielded only two consistent factors. Agricultural activity was associated with elevated levels of Ca2+, Mg2+, alkalinity, and frequently K+, SO4(2-), and NO3-. Urban areas were associated with higher concentrations of Na+, K+, and Cl-. Other retained factors were not consistent among sampling events, and some factors were difficult to interpret in the context of biogeochemical sources and processes. When all data were combined, further associations were revealed such as an inverse relationship between the proportion of wetlands and stream nitrate concentrations. We also found that barren lands were associated with elevated sulfate levels. This research suggests that an individual sampling event is unlikely to characterize adequately the complex processes controlling interactions between land use and stream chemistry. Combining data collected over two years during three synoptic sampling events appears to enhance our ability to understand processes linking stream chemistry and land use.     

ASSESSING LAND USE IMPACTS ON WATER QUALITY USING MICROBIAL SOURCE TRACKING1

ABSTRACT: A renewed emphasis on source water protection and watershed management has resulted from recent amendments and initiatives under the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Clean Water Act. Knowledge of the impact of land use choices on source water quality is critical for efforts to properly manage activities within a watershed. This study evaluated qualitative relationships between land use and source water quality and the quantitative impact of season and rainfall events on water quality parameters. High levels of specific conductance tended to be associated with dense residential development, while organic carbon was elevated at several forested sites. Turbidity was generally higher in more urbanized areas. Source tracking indicators were detected in samples where land use types would predict their presence. Coliform levels were statistically different at the 95 percent confidence levels for winter versus summer conditions and dry versus wet weather conditions. Other water quality parameters that varied with season were organic carbon, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, and specific conductance. These results indicate that land use management can be effective for mitigating impacts to a water body; however, year‐ round, comprehensive data are necessary to thoroughly evaluate the water quality at a particular site.