Bioassay: A useful tool for evaluating reclaimed water safety

Wastewater reclamation and reuse has been proved to be an effective way to relieve the fresh water crisis. However, toxic contaminants remaining in reclaimed water could lead to potential risk for reuse, and the conventional water quality standards have difficulty guaranteeing the safety of reclaimed water. Bioassays can vividly reflect the integrated biological effects of multiple toxic substances in water as a whole, and could be a powerful tool for evaluating the safety of reclaimed water. Therefore, in this study, the advantages and disadvantages of using bioassays for evaluating the safety of reclaimed water were compared with those of conventional water quality standards. Although bioassays have been widely used to describe the toxic effects of reclaimed water and treatment efficiency of reclamation techniques, a single bioassay cannot reflect the complex toxicity of reclaimed water, and a battery of bioassays involving multiple biological effects or in vitro tests with specific toxicity mechanisms would be recommended. Furthermore, in order to evaluate the safety of reclaimed water based on bioassay results, various methods including potential toxicology, the toxicity unit classification system, and a potential eco-toxic effects probe are summarized as well. Especially, some integrated ranking methods based on a bioassay battery involving multiple toxicity effects are recommended as useful tools for evaluating the safety of reclaimed water, which will benefit the promotion and guarantee the rapid development of the reclamation and reuse of wastewater.     

Hygroscopicity measurement of sodium carbonate, β-alanine and internally mixed β-alanine/Na2CO3 particles by ATR-FTIR

Water-uptakes of pure sodium carbonate(Na_2CO_3),pure β-alanine and internally mixedβ-alanine/Na_2CO_3 aerosol particles with different mole ratios are first monitored using attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(ATR-FTIR) technique.For pure Na_2CO_3 aerosol particles,combining the absorptions at 877 and 1422 cm-1 with abrupt water loss shows the efflorescence relative humidity(ERH) of 62.9%–51.9%.Upon humidifying,solid Na_2CO_3 firstly absorbs water to from Na_2CO_3·H2 O crystal at 72.0% RH and then deliquesces at 84.5% RH(DRH).As for pure β-alanine particles,the crystallization takes place in the range of 42.4%–33.2% RH and becomes droplets at ～ 88.2% RH.When β-alanine is mixed with Na_2CO_3 at various mole ratios,it shows no efflorescence of Na_2CO_3 whenβ-alanine to Na_2CO_3 mole ratio(OIR) is 2:1.For 1:1 and 1:2 β-alanine/Na_2CO_3 aerosols,the ERHs of Na_2CO_3 are 51.8%–42.3% and 57.1%–42.3%,respectively.While β-alanine crystal appears from 62.7% RH for 2:1 and 59.4% RH for both 1:1 and 1:2 particles and lasts to driest state.On hydration,the DRH is 44.7%–75.2% for Na_2CO_3 with the OIR of 1:1 and 44.7%–69.0%for 1:2 mixture,and those of β-alanine are 74.8% for 2:1 mixture and 68.9% for two others.After the first dehumidification–humidification,all the water contents decrease despite of constituent fraction.And at ～ 92% RH,the remaining water contents are 92%,89% and 82%at ～ 92% RH,corresponding to OIR of 2:1,1:1 and 1:2 mixed system,respectively.     

Development of a static test apparatus for evaluating the performance of three PM2.5 separators commonly used in China

PM_(2.5) separator directly affects the accuracy of PM_(2.5) sampling.The specification testing and evaluation for PM_(2.5) separator is particularly important,especially under China's wide variation of terrain and climate.In this study,first a static test apparatus based on polydisperse aerosol was established and calibrated to evaluate the performance of the PM_(2.5) separators.A uniform mixing chamber was developed to make particles mix completely.The aerosol concentration relative standard deviations of three test points at the same horizontal chamber position were less than 0.57%,and the particle size distribution obeyed logarithmic normal distribution with an R~2 of 0.996.The flow rate deviation between the measurement and the set point flow rate agreed to within ± 1.0% in the range of -40 to 50℃.Secondly,the separation,flow and loading characteristics of three cyclone separators(VSCC-A,SCC-A and SCC112) were evaluated using this system.The results showed that the 50% cutoff sizes(D_(50)) of the three cyclones were 2.48,2.47 and 2.44 μm when worked at the manufacturer's recommended flow rates,respectively.The geometric standard deviation(GSD) of the capture efficiency of VSCCA was 1.23,showed a slightly sharper than SCC-A(GSD = 1.27),while the SCC112 did not meet the relevant indicator(GSD = 1.2 ± 0.1) with a GSD = 1.44.The flow rate and loading test had a great effect on D_(50),while the GSD remained almost the same as before.In addition,the maintenance frequency under different air pollution conditions of the cyclones was summarized according to the loading test.     

Effect of NOx and SO2 on the photooxidation of methylglyoxal: Implications in secondary aerosol formation

Methylglyoxal(CH_3COCHO,MG),which is one of the most abundant α-dicarbonyl compounds in the atmosphere,has been reported as a major source of secondary organic aerosol(SOA).In this work,the reaction of MG with hydroxyl radicals was studied in a 500 L smog chamber at(293±3) K,atmospheric pressure,(18±2)% relative humidity,and under different NOx and SO_2.Particle size distribution was measured by using a scanning mobility particle sizer(SMPS) and the results showed that the addition of SO_2 can promote SOA formation,while different NOx concentrations have different influences on SOA production.High NOx suppressed the SOA formation,whereas the particle mass concentration,particle number concentration and particle geometric mean diameter increased with the increasing NOx concentration at low NOx concentration in the presence of SO_2.In addition,the products of the OH-initiated oxidation of MG and the functional groups of the particle phase in the MG/OH/SO_2 and MG/OH/NOx/SO_2 reaction systems were detected by gas chromatography mass spectrometry(GC-MS) and attenuated total reflection fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy(ATR-FTIR) analysis.Two products,glyoxylic acid and oxalic acid,were detected by GC-MS.The mechanism of the reaction of MG and OH radicals that follows two main pathways,H atom abstraction and hydration,is proposed.Evidence is provided for the formation of organic nitrates and organic sulfate in particle phase from IR spectra.Incorporation of NOx and SO_2 influence suggested that SOA formation from anthropogenic hydrocarbons may be more efficient in polluted environment.     

武当山夏季颗粒物数浓度谱分布特征及气团来源影响研究

为研究大气边界层中上层大气颗粒物的数浓度谱分布特征及气团来源的影响,于2018年6月利用3080型SMPS粒径谱仪对武当山14.6~660 nm颗粒物数浓度谱进行观测,分析和探讨了其数浓度谱分布及日变化特征,并结合后向轨迹、潜在源贡献因子法（PSCF）与浓度权重轨迹分析法（CWT）探讨对武当山颗粒物数浓度影响较大的外源输送路径和贡献源区.结果表明:①武当山大气颗粒物主要以爱根模态为主,平均数浓度为2 500个/cm3,积聚模态、核膜态平均数浓度分别为2 265、359个/cm3,3种模态数浓度分别占总数浓度的48.79%、44.21%、7.01%.②在新粒子生成日,核膜态数浓度于10:00开始上升,11:00—17:00的核膜态数浓度相对较高,约2 000个/cm3.新粒子生成日ρ（SO₂）与ρ（O₃）的日变化趋势均与核模态数浓度较为相似,表明SO₂和O₃参与光化学反应后的产物（硫酸及有机物）有利于新粒子的生成与增长.新粒子生成日风速、温度均大于非新粒子生成日,但相对湿度较低.③在东部及局地气团影响下大气颗粒物主要以积聚模态为主,数浓度分别为2 311和2 596个/cm3;核模态、爱根模态数浓度在受西北气团影响时最大,数浓度分别为806和3 078个/cm3.④潜在源区分析表明,影响武当山积聚模态数浓度的主要源区为十堰市本地及襄阳市,二者贡献值在840个/cm3以上.研究显示,武当山颗粒物主要以爱根模态为主,颗粒物数浓度日变化主要受大气边界层发展及山谷风的影响,较高的ρ（SO₂）与ρ（O₃）以及高温、低湿及较大的风速均有利于新粒子的生成,周边城市的区域性传输对武当山颗粒物的影响较大.      

多环芳烃污染与儿童内暴露负荷的关系

为了更好地了解环境空气PAHs污染与儿童内暴露负荷之间的关系,该研究在儿童尿液中未代谢PAHs以及代谢PAHs研究的基础上,同时获取了连续3 d空气中PAHs污染浓度。对环境空气中PAHs和尿液中未代谢的PAHs的分析表明:除Nap和Phe以外的其它PAHs单体在环境空气和尿液中占比一致,而且环境空气和尿液中PAHs组成特征一致,均表现为2环PAHs>3环PAHs>4环PAHs的规律;3 d中仅有A-Nap和U-Nap之间存在相关性(P<0.05,R~2=0.999 6)。对尿液中代谢的PAHs和尿液中未代谢的PAHs分析表明:儿童尿液中排出的Nap、Flu和Phe主要以羟基代谢物为主,仅Pyr与OHPyr基本一致。尿液中未代谢PAHs与代谢的PAHs组成特征一致,表现为Nap>Phe>Flu>Pyr和OHNap>OHPhe>OHFlu>OHPyr的规律;仅U-Nap和OHNap 3 d中均存在相关性,U-Phe和OHPhe、U-Pyr和OHPyr仅1 d存在相关性。结合PAHs污染与儿童内暴露负荷的共同研究表明,PAHs内暴露标志物可以在一定程度上反映环境PAHs污染的时间变异性。     

专家笔谈：资源环境热点问题

重大的资源开发利用工程建设设想或实施往往容易引起社会各界的广泛关注。如何正确认识和科学评价各种资源环境热点问题是大家讨论的重点。文章认为任何重大资源开发工程必须遵循自然规律、生态规律、资源规律和经济规律,必须结合国家战略需求和地缘政治关系,开展前期深入的系统性综合调查,进行生态安全与资源工程安全评价和交叉学科论证,并对其科学价值、社会价值和经济价值等做出正确的判断。建议：未来的资源环境工程建设要谨防“大跃进”,要科学认识自然资源系统规律,守护好美丽的地球家园;要切实履行资源科学家的社会责任,提倡基于科学研究和科学态度的学术争鸣,科学问题最好还是由科学家去讨论;一些争议大的科研课题慎用公益性研发经费来支持。     

污染物在地下水毛细饱水带的运移规律浅释

分析了毛细饱水带的水动力学特性，指出在地下水污染研究中，污染物在毛细饱和水带和潜水怪具有相同的水平运动规律，并以实例分析说明该带对污染物运移的重要性。建议在研究和一非饱和条件地下水及污染物运动问题时把毛细饱水带与潜水含水层统一为饱马毛细饱水带顶面作为饱水面。     

A/O和A2/O法除磷脱氮工艺影响因素及除磷动力学的研究

重点介绍A/O除磷工艺和A~2/O除磷脱氮工艺,以及影响除磷脱氮工艺因素和除磷动力学的研究。工艺研究采用了动态与静态实验方法,采用色质联机研究了有毒有机物的降解情况。试验结果表明,A/O、A~2/O工艺的BOD_5去除率近于二级污水处理厂,A~2/O法TP去除率近于三级污水处理厂,且去除难降解有毒有机物的效率高于传统的活性污泥法。动力学公式的修正使之更适于低碳源的情况。八种影响因素的研究为工艺的设计与运行提供了依据。     

赣西北中部逆冲推覆构造的形成时间和形成模式

江西九岭地体南缘武功山地体北侧以及其间的萍乐盆地内，有大量的逆冲推覆构造分布。逆冲推覆构造的类型有两种──逆冲推覆型和重力滑覆型。逆冲推覆构造具有横向上对冲挤压，纵向上多层滑动的特征，据此笔者建立了一个可能的多层滑动──对冲挤压模式，并根据地质和同位素年龄资料讨论了逆冲推覆构造的演化历史，指出区内大规模逆冲推覆构造的形成时间为中生代晚期（119.6Ma）。