Perfluorinated acids as novel chemical tracers of global circulation of ocean waters

Perfluorinated acids (PFAs) such as perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) are global environmental contaminants. The physicochemical properties of PFAs are unique in that they have high water solubilities despite the low reactivity of carbon-fluorine bond, which also imparts high stability in the environment. Because of the high water solubilities, the open-ocean water column is suggested to be the final sink for PFOS and PFOA. However, little is known on the distribution of PFAs in the oceans around the world. Here we describe the horizontal (spatial) and vertical distribution of PFAs in ocean waters worldwide. PFOS and PFOA concentrations in the North Atlantic Ocean ranged from 8.6 to 36pg l(-1) and from 52 to 338pg l(-1), respectively, whereas the corresponding concentrations in the Mid Atlantic Ocean were 13-73pg l(-1) and 67-439pg l(-1). These were completely different from the surface waters of the South Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean (overall range of <5-11pg l(-1) for PFOS and PFOA). Vertical profiles of PFAs in the marine water column were associated with the global ocean circulation theory. Vertical profiles of PFAs in water columns from the Labrador Sea reflected the influx of the North Atlantic Current in surface waters, the Labrador Current in subsurface waters, and the Denmark Strait Overflow Water in deep layers below 2000m. Striking differences in the vertical and spatial distribution of PFAs, depending on the oceans, suggest that these persistent acids can serve as useful chemical tracers to allow us to study oceanic transportation by major water currents. The results provide evidence that PFA concentrations and profiles in the oceans adhere to a pattern consistent with the global "Broecker's Conveyor Belt" theory of open ocean water circulation.     

Photostabilization of the herbicide bensulfuron-methyl by using organoclays

Photostable formulations of the herbicide bensulfuron-methyl [BSM, 2-(4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-carbamoylsulfamoyl)-o-toluic acid methyl ester] were achieved by adsorbing it on clays or on clays pre-adsorbed with the organic cation malachite green (MG). Fourier-transform infra-red (FTIR) spectra showed the existence of strong interactions between the pre-adsorbed MG and the herbicide. The photostabilization of BSM obtained with clay-MG was mainly due to pacification of clay surface by MG and a deactivation mechanism via energy transfer between the two organic molecules adsorbed on the surface of the clay.     

南京市不同功能区PM10中多环芳烃的污染特征

PM10是衡量大气环境质量好坏的重要指标之一;多环芳烃(PAHs)是具有强烈致癌性的有机污染物,大多吸附在粒径小于10 μm颗粒物上.利用长期定位实验采集了南京市两典型功能区--大厂地区和山西路的PM10样品,对其PAHs质量浓度进行了分析测定,研究了不同功能区PM10中PAHs的时空污染特性.研究结果表明:南京市PM10污染比较严重,其质量浓度变化范围在0.1157 mg·m-3～0.3913 mg·m-3之间;经分析PM10中16种优控多环芳烃(PAHs)发现,全年大厂地区的PAHs的质量浓度与山西路PAHs的质量浓度没有明显的高低之分;PAHs总质量浓度的空间变化不明显,时间变化也没有规律性;比较PM10与PAHs的月平均质量浓度变化趋势,两者之间的变化没有相关性,各自的质量浓度变化也没有规律性,分析其结果可能是由于PAHs的不稳定性造成的.     

The convergence of alternative food networks within “rural development” initiatives: the case of the New Rural Reconstruction Movement in China†

Rural sociologists and geographers have conceptualised different rural development trajectories including “the agri-industrial model”, “the post-productivist model” and “the rural development model”. Alternative food networks (AFNs) are increasingly recognised as a “forerunner” and a critical component of the emerging “rural development model” in the West. Meanwhile, Marsden and Franklin [2013. Replacing neoliberalism: theoretical implications of the rise of local food movements. Local Environment, 18 (5), 636–641] pointed out that there is a “local trap” in the current conceptualisation of AFNs that overemphasises their local embeddedness and heterogeneity. This “local trap” marginalises AFNs and, therefore, hinders their potential for transforming the industrialised conventional food system. The convergence and scaling-up of fragmented AFNs have been recognised as important ways to address this marginalisation issue and thus have attracted considerable attention. However, current studies of the convergence of AFNs focus mainly on the role of food-centred organisations without recognising the role of the emerging “rural development” initiatives in the convergence of AFNs. Based on in-depth interviews with key stakeholders and analysis of secondary data, this paper uses the New Rural Reconstruction Movement (NRRM), an emerging alternative rural development movement in China, as an example to illustrate how the NRRM opens up a novel space for the convergence of AFNs. We argue that the interrelationship between AFNs and rural development is indeed reciprocal. The NRRM, following the “rural development” trajectory, functions as a hub for the convergence and scaling-up of various alternative food initiatives. Strategies for achieving convergence include constructing a “common ground” for these initiatives, establishing national alliances and organisations, sharing knowledge and exchanging personnel among them.     

Proteomics and 1H NMR-based metabolomics analysis of pathogenic Vibrio vulnificus aquacultures isolated from sewage drains

Vibrio bacteria live in both marine and freshwater habitats and are associated with aquatic animals. Vibrio vulnificus is a pathogenic bacterium that infects people and livestock. It is usually found in offshore waters or within fish and shellfish. This study presents a comparative proteomic analysis of the outer membrane protein (OMP) changes in V. vulnificus proteins after stimulation with sewage from sewage drains. Using two-dimensional electrophoresis followed by MALDI-TOF MS/MS, 32 protein spots with significant differences in abundance were identified and characterized. These identified proteins were found to be involved in various functional categories, including catalysis, transport, membrane proteins progresses, receptor activity, energy metabolism, cytokine activity, and protein metabolism. The mRNA expression levels of 12 differential proteins were further assessed by qRT-PCR. Seven genes including carboxypeptidase, hemoglobin receptor, succinate dehydrogenase iron-sulfur subunit, ATP synthase subunit alpha, thioredoxin, succinyl-CoA synthetase subunit, and alanine dehydrogenase were downregulated upon stimulation, whereas the protein expression levels HupA receptor, type I secretion outer membrane protein, glutamine synthetase, superoxide dismutase, OmpU, and VuuA were upregulated. ¹H NMR spectra showed 18 dysregulated metabolites from V. vulnificus after the sewage stimulation and the pathogenicity was enhanced after that.

     

基于溶解度参数的计算检测沉积物中微塑料

目前,密度分离法广泛应用于各种环境介质中微塑料的提取.为了进一步准确测量沉积物中微塑料的质量浓度,本研究开发了一种基于溶解度参数(δ)计算的选择性检测方法,建立了加速溶剂萃取(ASE)-微塑料选择性析出-傅里叶变换红外光谱仪(FTIR)检测的技术路线.6种微塑料[聚丙烯(PP)、聚乙烯(PE)、聚苯乙烯(PS)、聚碳酸...     

室内木柴燃烧排放水溶性离子粒径分布特征

基于实验室模拟燃烧和稀释通道采样系统,采用荷电低压撞击采样器采集了6种典型木柴燃烧排放的14级粒径段颗粒物.采用离子色谱分析了8种水溶性离子,获得水溶性离子的分粒径排放因子和排放特征.结果表明,Ca²⁺的排放因子呈双峰分布,在0.25~0.38和2.5~3.6μm粒径段出现峰值,分别为0.14和0.16mg/kg.其余离子的排放因子为单峰分布.NH₄⁺、NO₃^-和SO₄^2-的排放因子在0.25~0.38μm粒径段出现峰值,分别为0.41、0.58和0.84mg/kg.K⁺和Cl^-的排放因子在0.15~0.25μm内出现峰值,分别为0.89和0.99mg/kg.木柴燃烧排放总水溶性离子的质量中值粒径为（0.30±0.07）μm,各离子的质量中值粒径范围为0.24~0.44μm.PM_0.094、PM_0.94、PM_2.5和PM₁₀中水溶性离子的排放因子变化范围分别为1.04~9.33、5.00~48.87、5.46~52.00和6.14~53.68mg/kg.木柴燃烧排放颗粒物中K⁺/Cl^-、K⁺/NO₃^-、K⁺/SO₄^2-和SO₄^2-/NO₃^-比值随粒径变化而变化,其排放初始值在应用于源解析和生物质燃烧排放气溶胶传输老化研究时需引起关注.木柴燃烧排放PM₁₀中的阴阳离子当量比值为0.80±0.11,颗粒物的酸度随颗粒物粒径而改变,亚微米颗粒物和细颗粒物的酸度高于超细颗粒物和粗颗粒物的酸度.本研究对构建生物质燃烧排放分粒径水溶性离子清单,更新和改进相关气候和空气质量模型的参数设置,识别烟气传输过程中的老化具有重要意义.     

Effect of NOx and RH on the secondary organic aerosol formation from toluene photooxidation

The secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation mechanism and physicochemical properties can highly be influenced by relative humidity (RH) and NOx concentration. In this study, we performed a laboratory investigation of the SOA formation from toluene/OH photooxidation system in the presence or absence of NOx in dry and wet conditions. The chemical composition of toluene-derived SOA was measured using Aerodyne high-resolution time-of-flight aerosol mass spectrometer (HR-ToF-AMS). It was found that the mass concentration of toluene decreased with increasing RH and NOx concentration. However, the change of SOA chemistry composition (f₄₄, O/C) with increased RH was not consistent in the condition with or without NOx. The light absorption and mass absorption coefficient (MAC) of the toluene-derived SOA only increased with RH in the presence of NOx. In contrast, MAC is invariant with RH in the absence of NOx. HR-ToF-AMS results showed that, in the presence of NOx, the increased nitro-aromatic compounds and N/C ratio concurrently caused the increase of SOA light absorption and O/C in wet conditions, respectively. The relative intensity of CHON and CHO_xN family to the total nitrogen-containing organic compounds (NOCs) increased with the increasing RH, and be the major components of NOCs in wet condition. This work revealed a synergy effect of NOx and RH on SOA formation from toluene photooxidation.     

Removal of refractory organics and heavy metals in landfill leachate concentrate by peroxi-coagulation process

Landfill leachate is a complex effluent and it is difficult to deal with. Electrochemical methods have been considered as a promising alternative technology for treatment of landfill leachate with refractory organic contaminants and heavy metals. Peroxi-coagulation (PC) process with iron anode and modified graphite felt cathode was developed for efficient landfill leachate concentrate treatment. Compared to electro-Fenton (EF) and electrocoagulation (EC) processes, the PC process was more cost-effective due to the combined action of ^•OH oxidation and iron hydroxides coagulation. A maximal TOC removal of 77.2% ± 1.4% was obtained after 360 min at initial pH = 5.0 and current density of 10 mA/cm². After the PC process, concentrations of all seven heavy metals in the final effluents were below the allowable emission limits given by the present regulatory standards. The method preference for heavy metal removal was PC > EC > EF. Based on the three-dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy coupled with regional integration analysis during the PC treatment, the florescence peaks of both humic acids and fulvic acids disappeared after treatment for 360 min. Decreasing trends were observed in the fluorescent regional standard volumes for aromatic protein I (31.4%), aromatic protein II (63.7%), fulvic acid-like (69.5%), soluble microbial by-product-like (75%) and humic acid-like regions (76.3%). The results indicate that comparing to the EF and EC process, the PC process provide a promising and more cost-effective alternative for the treatment of landfill leachate concentrate.     

Deactivation of Cu-SAPO-34 by urea-related deposits at low temperatures and the regeneration

Selective catalytic reduction(SCR) with urea catalyzed by Cu-SAPO-34 is an effective method to eliminate NO_x from diesel exhaust. However, urea-related deposits may form during cold-start and urban driving due to low exhaust temperatures. The activity of CuSAPO-34 at 175°C is significantly degraded by urea exposure, and 300°C is required for regeneration. Through in-situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy(DRIFTS) and temperature-programmed hydrolysis studies, the dominant stable deposit at 175°C is identified as biuret, which can be eliminated at 300°C. The urea-derived deactivation and regeneration mechanisms of Cu-SAPO-34 were compared with those of anatase-supported catalysts.