Metabolomic modulations in a freshwater microbial community exposed to the fungicide azoxystrobin

An effective broad-spectrum fungicide, azoxystrobin (AZ), has been widely detected in aquatic ecosystems, potentially affecting the growth of aquatic microorganisms. In the present study, the eukaryotic alga Monoraphidium sp. and the cyanobacterium Pseudanabaena sp. were exposed to AZ for 7 days. Our results showed that 0.2–0.5 mg/L concentrations of AZ slightly inhibited the growth of Monoraphidium sp. but stimulated Pseudanabaena sp. growth. Meanwhile, AZ treatment effectively increased the secretion of total organic carbon (TOC) in the culture media of the two species, and this phenomenon was also found in a freshwater microcosm experiment (containing the natural microbial community). We attempted to assess the effect of AZ on the function of aquatic microbial communities through metabolomic analysis and further explore the potential risks of this compound. The metabonomic profiles of the microcosm indicated that the most varied metabolites after AZ treatment were related to the citrate cycle (TCA), fatty acid biosynthesis and purine metabolism. We thereby inferred that the microbial community increased extracellular secretions by adjusting metabolic pathways, which might be a stress response to reduce AZ toxicity. Our results provide an important theoretical basis for further study of fungicide stress responses in aquatic microcosm microbial communities, as well as a good start for further explorations of AZ detoxification mechanisms, which will be valuable for the evaluation of AZ environmental risk.     

Analytical methods and environmental processes of nanoplastics

The degradation of plastic debris may result in the generation of nanoplastics (NPs). Their high specific surface area for the sorption of organic pollutions and toxic heavy metals and possible transfer between organisms at different nutrient levels make the study of NPs an urgent priority. However, there is very limited understanding on the occurrence, distribution, abundant, and fate of NPs in the environment, partially due to the lack of suitable techniques for the separation and identification of NPs from complex environmental matrices. In this review, we first overviewed the state-of-the-art methods for the extraction, separation, identification and quantification of NPs in the environment. Some of them have been successfully applied for the field determination of NPs, while some are borrowed from the detection of microplastics or engineered nanomaterials. Then the possible fate and transport of NPs in the environment are thoroughly described. Although great efforts have been made during the recent years, large knowledge gaps still exist, such as the relatively high detection limit of existing method failing to detect ultralow masses of NPs in the environment, and spherical polystyrene NP models failing to represent the various compositions of NPs with different irregular shapes, which needs further investigation.     

UASB启动运行特征及互营丙酸氧化菌定量分析

为揭示升流式厌氧污泥床（UASB）反应器启动运行效能与互营丙酸降解菌群数量之间的关系,以稀释的玉米淀粉生产废水为底物,考察了UASB启动期的运行特征,并采用实时荧光定量PCR技术（qPCR）分析了互营丙酸降解菌群（丙酸氧化菌和产甲烷菌）的演替规律.结果表明,在进水COD 2000mg/L和水力停留时间（HRT）24h条件下,经过38d的连续运行,COD去除率达到了91.9%.当HRT分阶段缩短至8h时,比产甲烷速率达到了315LCH₄/（kg COD·d）,且形成了沉降性能良好的颗粒污泥.qPCR检测结果表明,至少有5种已鉴定的丙酸氧化菌存在于UASB反应器中.Pelotomaculum propionicum为接种污泥中的主要丙酸氧化菌,约占检测到丙酸氧化菌总数的45.7%.它的数量随着HRT缩短不断减少.而Syntrophobacter sulfatireducens和S.wolinii的数量随着HRT缩短不断增加,并在启动完成时达到最大值,分别为1.3×10³,5.5×10³个16S rRNA基因拷贝数/ng DNA,演替成为成熟颗粒污泥中的优势丙酸氧化菌群.Methanobacterium和Methanosarcina为接种污泥中的主要氢营养型产甲烷菌和乙酸营养型产甲烷菌,其数量随着HRT的缩短而逐渐减少,而Methanospirillum和Methanosaeta的数量随HRT的缩短逐渐增加,成为成熟颗粒污泥中的优势产甲烷菌群.     

石油污染土壤多酚氧化酶的动力学及热力学特征

土壤多酚氧化酶是一种氧化还原酶,能够将土壤中芳香族化合物氧化成醌,促进土壤中石油类物质的分解转化.以距大庆油田工作区不同距离（1、5、15 km）的石油污染地为对象,研究不同温度下石油污染裸地及羊草（Leymus chinensis）修复地的土壤多酚氧化酶活性及其动力学和热力学特征的变化.结果表明:土壤多酚氧化酶活性随温度和底物浓度的增加而逐渐增大,在温度为30℃或40℃、底物浓度为80 mmol/L或160 mmol/L时达到最大值;各样地土壤酶的动力学参数K_m（Mihaelis常数）随温度的变化规律不同,V_max（酶促反应最大速度）和V_max/K_m（催化效率）随温度升高而逐渐增大,均在30℃或40℃时达到最大值;热力学参数Q₁₀（温度系数）、ΔH（活化焓）、ΔS（活化熵）随温度变化差异不显著,ΔG（活化自由能）随温度升高呈逐渐增加趋势.在同一温度下,石油污染裸地土壤多酚氧化酶活性高于羊草修复地;K_m和V_max/K_m在各样地均表现为无规律性变化,V_max最大值出现在距油田工作区5 km处的裸地（BMP）,最小值出现在距油田工作区5 km处的羊草修复地（LMP）;Q₁₀、E_a（活化能）、ΔH、ΔS的最大值均出现在距油田工作区1 km处的裸地（BVP）,最小值均出现在距油田工作区1 km处的羊草修复地（LVP）.研究显示,升温和植物修复对土壤多酚氧化酶活性的反应特征有较大影响.      

Can a low-carbon development path achieve win-win development: evidence from China’s low-carbon pilot policy

Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change - Low-carbon pilot (LCP) policy aims to not only achieve economic development but also address climate change problems in China. With a...     

Evaluating national hydrogen refueling infrastructure requirement and economic competitiveness of fuel cell electric long-haul trucks

This study explored the national hydrogen refueling infrastructure requirement along major United States (US) interstate highway corridors to support the deployment of fuel cell electric trucks (FCETs) for the national long-haul trucking fleet. Given the long-haul trucking shipment demand in 2025 projected by the Freight Analysis Framework, locations and capacities of hydrogen stations were identified for inter-zone freight flows, and the total daily refueling demand was estimated for intra-zone flows for each FAF zone. Based on the infrastructure deployment results, we conducted an economic feasibility analysis of FCETs by evaluating the total ownership cost. We found that when the FCET penetration is relatively high (e.g., 10% penetration), FCETs become more competitive in terms of fuel cost and idling cost and could be economic viable if the incremental vehicle cost is reduced to meet the near-term FCET technology cost targets and the liquefaction cost is reduced to an optimal case. We also observed that the station cost depends on regional factors, particularly regional demand, which is used to determine station capacity. Thus, one possible strategy for station roll-out is to have early investment in target regions where station costs are expected to be relatively low such as the Pacific and West South Central regions.

     

Effect of TiO2 nanoparticle aggregation on marine microalgae Isochrysis galbana

TiO_2 nanoparticles(NPs) could adversely impact aquatic ecosystems. However, the aggregation of these NPs could attenuate this effect. In this work, the biological effects of TiO_2 NPs on a marine microalgae Isochrysis galbana were investigated. The aggregation kinetics of TiO_2 NPs under different conditions was also investigated to determine and understand these effects. Results showed that, though TiO_2 NPs had no obvious impact on the size and reproducibility of algal cells under testing conditions, they caused a negative effect on algal chlorophyll, which led to a reduction in photosynthesis. Furthermore, fast aggregation of TiO_2 NPs occurred under all conditions, especially at the pH close to the p Hzpc. Increasing ionic strength and NP concentration also enhanced the aggregation rate.The aggregation and the following sedimentation of TiO_2 NPs reduced their adverse effects on I. galbana.     

Relationship between physicochemical properties and dewaterability of hydrothermal sludge derived from different source

Sewage sludge (SS) and deinking sludge (DS) were used to comparatively study the hydrothermal dewatering of sludge with different components. For a better overview, an insight into the relationship between physicochemical properties and dewaterability of hydrothermal sludge was provided. Results found that not all kinds of sludge were suitably conditioned by hydrothermal treatment (HT) in term of the elevation of dewaterability. Higher hydrothermal temperature tended to enhance the dewaterability of SS rather than DS, which was supported by the variation of their physicochemical properties (including water distribution, bonding energy, extracellular polymeric substance (EPS), particles size, acid functional groups and zeta potential in this study). In addition, the changes in surface morphology suggested that the reverse effect of HT on sludge dewaterability was mainly due to their dewatering behavior. For SS, the destruction of EPS structure leaded to the release of bound water, thereby strengthening sludge dewatering. Conversely, “Bridging effect” generated by lignocellulose in DS was beneficial for sludge dewatering; however, the increasing hydrothermal temperature degraded part of lignocellulose and weakened “bridging effect”, finally resulting in worse dewaterability of DS.     

广东省生活垃圾焚烧设施环境与健康风险评估构架研究

生活垃圾焚烧设施的建立是解决城市生活垃圾逐年增多的有效方式之一,但其所引发的环境与健康问题成为公众关注的热点。基于广东省对生活垃圾焚烧设施的研究,以环境管理为目标,结合国内外在该领域的研究现状,提出广东省生活垃圾焚烧设施环境与健康风险评估构架。通过该构架的多年实践,总结了广东省生活垃圾焚烧设施环境与健康风险评估研究所取得的成效,有望将该成果推而广之,从而使该行业实现绿色生态的蓬勃发展。     

重庆九龙坡城区和城郊大气污染物浓度特征研究

为了解重庆市九龙坡区城区和城郊大气污染物浓度特征,分析了城区和城郊国控空气站点2014年3月~2015年2月典型污染物的浓度变化。结果表明,除O_3表现出夏高冬低的季节变化趋势外,其它污染物均表现出冬高夏低的季节变化趋势。PM_(2.5)污染最严重,城区和郊区日均值超标率分别为31.4%和33.4%。城区和城郊的PM_(2.5)浓度之间没有显著性差异(p0.05),城郊O_3浓度显著高于城区(p0.01),NO_2、SO_2、CO和PM_(10)则是城区显著高于城郊(p0.01)。