A multi-process phytoremediation system for removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from contaminated soils

To improve phytoremediation processes, multiple techniques that comprise different aspects of contaminant removal from soils have been combined. Using creosote as a test contaminant, a multi-process phytoremediation system composed of physical (volatilization), photochemical (photooxidation) and microbial remediation, and phytoremediation (plant-assisted remediation) processes was developed. The techniques applied to realize these processes were land-farming (aeration and light exposure), introduction of contaminant degrading bacteria, plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), and plant growth of contaminant-tolerant tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea). Over a 4-month period, the average efficiency of removal of 16 priority PAHs by the multi-process remediation system was twice that of land-farming, 50% more than bioremediation alone, and 45% more than phytoremediation by itself. Importantly, the multi-process system was capable of removing most of the highly hydrophobic, soil-bound PAHs from soil. The key elements for successful phytoremediation were the use of plant species that have the ability to proliferate in the presence of high levels of contaminants and strains of PGPR that increase plant tolerance to contaminants and accelerate plant growth in heavily contaminated soils. The synergistic use of these approaches resulted in rapid and massive biomass accumulation of plant tissue in contaminated soil, putatively providing more active metabolic processes, leading to more rapid and more complete removal of PAHs.     

高岭土对不同污染物微滤过程的影响

本研究采用原子力显微镜(AFM)结合自制的膜探针以及Zeta电位仪通过分别测量不同有机污染物,即腐殖酸(HA)、牛血清蛋白(BSA)和海藻酸钠(SA)与微滤膜之间的粘附力以及相应污染物的Zeta电位,对高岭土在不同有机物微滤过程的影响进行了系统性研究。结果表明,高岭土对污染膜通量衰减的影响主要发生在膜过滤的初期阶段,其存在使HA污染膜的初期通量衰减幅度增加,BSA和SA污染膜的初期通量衰减幅度减缓;清洗后HA污染膜的通量恢复率降低,而BSA和SA污染膜的通量恢复率增大。而且,高岭土的存在使膜-HA之间的粘附力变大以及HA溶液的Zeta电位变小,膜-BSA、SA之间的粘附力变小以及相应污染物的Zeta电位都增大。因此,膜-污染物之间粘附力以及溶液的Zeta电位的变化可以指示膜污染的变化趋势。     

Emission characterization of unintentionally produced persistent organic pollutants from iron ore sintering process in China

Emission of unintentionally produced persistent organic pollutants (Unintentional POPs), including polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), polychorinated biphenyls (PCBs), hexachlorobenzene (HxCBz) and pentachlorobenzene (PeCBz), were investigated in four typical iron ore sintering plants in China. The emission factors and annual mass releases of the Unintentional POPs were calculated. The results indicated that PCDFs contributed more than 60% to the overall toxic equivalent quantity (TEQ) values, while the contribution of the dl-PCBs is relatively low, and only in the range of 8-9%. The dominant congeners of PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs contributing most to the total TEQ were 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDD, 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF and PCB-126. With regard to the TEQ contributions, the most abundant homologues were PeCDFs and HxCDD/Fs, followed by PeCDDs and non-ortho dl-PCB, whereas HpCDD/Fs, OCDD/Fs and mono-ortho dl-PCBs almost made no contributions. Due to the massive use of recycled waste in the feeding materials, the average emission factor of PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs of the four plants was 3.95 μg WHO-TEQ ton⁻¹. Based on the results, the annual release of PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs in 2007-2009 were estimated to be 2070 g, 2212 g, and 2307 g WHO-TEQ, respectively.     

Role of goethite dissolution in the oxidation of 2-chlorophenol with hydrogen peroxide.

It is well known that the dissolution of goethite plays an important role in catalyzing the oxidation of organic chemicals. Therefore, this study investigates how surface dissolution of goethite affects 2-chlorophenol oxidation in the goethite/H2O2 process. Experimental results indicate that ligand and reductant can enhance the dissolution rate of goethite, which is surface-controlled. Our results further indicate 2-chlorophenol degradation depends on goethite concentration. In addition, the oxidation rate of 2-CP is correlated with reductive dissolution rate at various dosages of goethite. Moreover, the oxidation mechanism of 2-CP is also a surface-controlled reaction. A mechanism proposed herein indicates that, in addition to the contaminant, its intermediate species affect the oxidation rate as well.     

公路两侧土壤中铅和镉污染以及存在形态分布的分析

测定了土壤中铅、镉总量,并采用五级连续浸提法和石墨炉原子吸收分光光度法对北京市3条典型公路两侧的土壤样品中铅和镉的存在形态分布进行了测定.结果表明,所选3条公路出京方向右侧的土壤铅和镉污染严重,其铅、镉总量分别是北京地区土壤铅和镉含量背景值的1.62～6.69、5.97～18.74倍.土壤中铅主要以铁锰氧化物结合态、碳酸盐结合态、有机结合态和残渣态等形式存在,镉主要以铁锰氧化物结合态和残渣态形式存在,而活性强的离子交换态浓度均较低.不容忽视的是,铅和镉的碳酸盐结合态在碱性条件下稳定,但是具有遇酸释放的隐患.     

Biomarker responses and reproductive toxicity of the effluent from a Chinese large sewage treatment plant in Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes)

The present study was conducted to assess the potential toxicity of the effluent from a large sewage treatment plant (GBD-STP) in Beijing. Japanese medakas (Oryzias latipes) at reproduction active period were exposed to a serial of graded concentrations of the effluent or 100 ng l-1 of 17-alpha-ethinylestradiol (EE2, positive control). Growth, gonadosomatic index (GSI), hepatosomatic index (HSI), reproductive success, induction potency of vitellogenin (VTG) in male fish and that of 7-ethoxyresorufin-o-deethylase activity (EROD) in male fish liver were used as test endpoints. The growth suppression of fish was observed in a dose-dependent manner, resulting in significant differences in both body length and body weight of medaka above 5% effluent. This effluent can inhibit the growth of gonad of medakas and are more sensitive to male than to female. At exposure concentration of 40% and higher, there was an unexpected decrease of HSI values, which may be resulted from sub-lethal toxicity of effluent to fish liver. VTG of plasma in males were induced in all exposure concentration levels, but not in a dose-dependent manner. The concentration of 5% effluent would be the lowest observed adverse effect level (LOAEL) affecting reproductive success when examining fertile individuals, fecundity and fertilization rate. The overt CYP1A response and higher reproductive toxicity may be indicative of low process efficiency of this STP.     

厌氧氨氧化菌活性恢复及富集培养研究

为了防止微生物流失,向厌氧序批式反应器(ASBR)中投加纤维膜(无纺布)作为厌氧氨氧化菌的载体,而使ASBR改为厌氧序批式生物膜反应器(ASBBR),研究了厌氧氨氧化菌活性恢复及富集培养过程中氮负荷提高对ASBBR的影响。经过23d的培养,厌氧氨氧化菌的活性恢复到原有的水平,然后提高TN容积负荷培养厌氧氨氧化菌。至132d时,反应器TN容积去除负荷达到了2.060kg/(m3·d)。整个过程中NH4+-N和NO2--N去除率一直保持在98%以上。当厌氧氨氧化菌活性恢复后,NH4+-N、NO2--N消耗量与NO3--N生成量之比最终趋于一定值(1.00∶1.30∶0.25)。在培养过程中,污泥颜色逐渐由灰色变为红棕色,最终变为浅红色。结果表明,反应器运行很稳定,NH4+-N、NO2--N出水浓度非常低,在短时间内能提高到较高的容积去除负荷。可见,ASBBR很适合厌氧氨氧化菌的富集培养。     

Cytotoxicity and DNA damage of five organophosphorus pesticides mediated by oxidative stress in PC12 cells and protection by vitamin E

Previous studies have demonstrated that pesticides could induce cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in vivo and in vitro, and that oxidative stress may be an important factor involved. However, investigations comparing the capability of different organophosphorous (OP) compounds to induce cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and oxidative stress are limited. Hence, the aim of this paper was to access the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of five OPs or metabolites, Acephate (ACE), Methamidophos (MET), Chloramidophos (CHL), Malathion (MAT) and Malaoxon (MAO), and to clarify the role of oxidative stress, using PC12 cells. The results demonstrated that MET, MAT and MAO caused significant inhibition of cell viability and increased DNA damage in PC12 cells at 40 mg L^?1. MAO was more toxic than the other OPs. ACE, MET, MAT and MAO increased the levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA), and decreased the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione (GSH) at 20 mg L^?1 and 40 mg L^?1 to different degrees. Pre-treatment with vitamin E(600 μM)caused a significant attenuation in the cytotoxic and genotoxic effect; pre-treatment reversed subsequent OP-induced elevation of peroxidation products and the decline of anti-oxidant enzyme activities. These results indicate that oxidative damage is likely to be an initiating event that contributes to the OP-induced cytotoxicity.     

气升回流一体化工艺处理生活污水简

针对分散型生活污水处理开发了气升回流一体化工艺,以校园生活污水为对象,研究其对生活污水中污染物的去除效果。该系统由好氧区、厌氧区、沉淀区和气升室组成,以曝气的剩余气体的气升作用实现混合液的回流,节省动力消耗。结果表明,本工艺对COD、氨氮及悬浮物（SS）有较好的去除效果,去除率分别达到80%、90%和75%左右,出水COD、NH₄⁺-N及SS平均浓度在40 mg/L、6.5 mg/L和10 mg/L左右。当进水COD在100~1 000 mg/L之间波动时,出水水质稳定。该工艺有较强的抗冲击负荷能力,且可实现剩余污泥的自消解。本工艺具有结构紧凑、占地少,运行费用低,维护简单的特点。     

Chlorobenzenes removal from municipal solid waste incineration fly ash by surfactant-assisted column flotation

The organic contaminants in municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) fly ash, including chlorinated aromatic compounds and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, have high toxicity and a potential negative impact on the environment. An effective and low energy consumption technique to remove the organic contaminants from MSWI fly ash is required urgently. Organic contaminants, such as chlorobenzenes (CBzs), in MSWI fly ash are known to become enriched in the unburnt carbon (UC) fraction. It is proposed that removal of UC from fly ash will result in the effective removal of most organic micropollutants. In this research, we use a technique of surfactant-assisted column flotation to decontaminate MSWI fly ash by removal of the CBzs-enriched UC from MSWI fly ash. We find that 39.8% of CBzs can be removed from fresh MSWI fly ash with 61.7% UC removal efficiency, whereas only 33.2% of CBzs can be removed from weathered MSWI fly ash with a low UC removal efficiency of 33.7%. By adding a mixture of two kinds of surfactants: sorbitan mono-oleate and polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan mono-oleate to the weathered fly ash, 47.0% of CBzs were removed at the hydrophile lipophile balance value of 13.5, while the UC removal efficiency increased to 49.0%. The results show that surfactants can enhance CBzs and UC removal efficiencies during the column flotation process. Higher CBzs and UC removal efficiencies can be expected by further optimizing the conditions of surfactant-assisted column flotation.