Carbon isotope analysis for source identification of atmospheric formaldehyde and acetaldehyde in Dinghushan Biosphere Reserve in South China

Formaldehyde and acetaldehyde are two most abundant carbonyls in ambient air. Biogenic emission has been proposed as a significant source other than anthropogenic emissions and atmospheric secondary formation. Here at a forest site in South China, the carbon isotopic compositions of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde emitted from leaves of three tree species (Litsea rotundifolia, Canarium album and Castanea henryi) were measured in comparison with the bulk carbon isotopic compositions of tree leaves. δ¹³C data of the emitted aldehydes (from ?31‰ to ?46‰) were quite different for tree species, which were all more depleted in ¹³C than the tree-leaf bulk δ¹³C values (from ?27‰ to ?32‰). Formaldehyde in ambient air at the forest site had δ¹³C values different from those of leaf-emitted formaldehyde, indicating other sources for ambient formaldehyde apart from direct emission from leaves, most probably the photooxidation of biogenic hydrocarbon like isoprene and monoterpene. The δ¹³C differences of acetaldehyde between ambient data and those of tree leaves emission were less than 1‰, implying direct biogenic emission as the dominant source.     

脂肪酰基氨基酸对矿物润滑油生物降解性的影响研究

通过生物降解试验研究了N-月桂酰基谷氨酸、N-月桂酰基甘氨酸、N-月桂酰基丙氨酸和N-油酰基甘氨酸4种脂肪酰基氨基酸对HVI 350矿物润滑油生物降解性的影响,采用高倍电子显微镜分析了生物降解过程中微生物数量和形态变化。结果表明,在矿物润滑油中添加少量脂肪酰基氨基酸后,矿物润滑油的生物降解性能明显改善,且生物降解过程中微生物数量增多、形态发生变化,这可能是脂肪酰基氨基酸增加了微生物的营养,且具有表面活性,有利于细胞的吸收,从而促进了矿物润滑油生物降解。     

Incorporating layer- and local-scale heterogeneities in numerical simulation of unsaturated flow and tracer transport

This study characterizes layer- and local-scale heterogeneities in hydraulic parameters (i.e., matrix permeability and porosity) and investigates the relative effect of layer- and local-scale heterogeneities on the uncertainty assessment of unsaturated flow and tracer transport in the unsaturated zone of Yucca Mountain, USA. The layer-scale heterogeneity is specific to hydrogeologic layers with layerwise properties, while the local-scale heterogeneity refers to the spatial variation of hydraulic properties within a layer. A Monte Carlo method is used to estimate mean, variance, and 5th, and 95th percentiles for the quantities of interest (e.g., matrix saturation and normalized cumulative mass arrival). Model simulations of unsaturated flow are evaluated by comparing the simulated and observed matrix saturations. Local-scale heterogeneity is examined by comparing the results of this study with those of the previous study that only considers layer-scale heterogeneity. We find that local-scale heterogeneity significantly increases predictive uncertainty in the percolation fluxes and tracer plumes, whereas the mean predictions are only slightly affected by the local-scale heterogeneity. The mean travel time of the conservative and reactive tracers to the water table in the early stage increases significantly due to the local-scale heterogeneity, while the influence of local-scale heterogeneity on travel time gradually decreases over time. Layer-scale heterogeneity is more important than local-scale heterogeneity for simulating overall tracer travel time, suggesting that it would be more cost-effective to reduce the layer-scale parameter uncertainty in order to reduce predictive uncertainty in tracer transport.     

Simulating the fate and transport of TCE from groundwater to indoor air

This work provides an exploratory analysis on the relative importance of various factors controlling the fate and transport of volatile organic contaminants (in this case, TCE) from a DNAPL source zone located below the water table and into the indoor air. The analysis is conducted using the multi-phase compositional model CompFlow Bio, with the base scenario problem geometry reminiscent of a field experiment conducted by Rivett [Rivett, M.O., (1995), Soil–gas signatures from volatile chlorinated solvents: Borden field experiments. Groundwater, 33(1), 84–98.] at the Borden aquifer where groundwater was observed to transport a contaminant plume a substantial distance without vertical mass transport of the contaminant across the capillary fringe and into the vadose zone. Results for the base scenario model indicate that the structure of the permeability field was largely responsible for deflecting the groundwater plume upward towards the capillary fringe, permitting aqueous phase diffusion to transport the TCE into the vadose zone. Alternative permeability realizations, generated as part of a Monte Carlo simulation process, at times deflected the groundwater plume downwards causing the extended thickness of the saturated zone to insulate the vadose zone from exposure to the TCE by upward diffusive transport. Comparison of attenuation coefficients calculated using the CompFlow Bio and Johnson and Ettinger [Johnson, P.C. and Ettinger, R.A., (1991), Heuristic model for predicting the intrusion rate of contaminant vapors into buildings. Environmental Science and Technology, 25, 1445–1452.] heuristic model exhibited fortuitous agreement for the base scenario problem geometry, with this agreement diverging for the alternative permeability realizations as well as when parameters such as the foundation slab fracture aperture, the indoor air pressure drop, the capillary fringe thickness, and the infiltration rate were varied over typical ranges.     

Influence of Suwannee River humic acid on particle properties and toxicity of silver nanoparticles

Adsorption of natural organic matter (NOM) on nanoparticles can have dramatic impacts on particle dispersion resulting in altered fate and transport as well as bioavailability and toxicity. In this study, the adsorption of Suwannee River humic acid (SRHA) on silver nanoparticles (nano-Ag) was determined and showed a Langmuir adsorption at pH 7 with an adsorption maximum of 28.6 mg g⁻¹ nano-Ag. It was also revealed that addition of <10 mg L⁻¹ total organic carbon (TOC) increased the total Ag content suspended in the aquatic system, likely due to increased dispersion. Total silver content decreased with concentrations of NOM greater than 10 mg TOC L⁻¹ indicating an increase in nanoparticle agglomeration and settling above this concentration. However, SRHA did not have any significant effect on the equilibrium concentration of ionic Ag dissolved in solution. Exposure of Daphnia to nano-Ag particles (50 μg L⁻¹ and pH 7) produced a linear decrease in toxicity with increasing NOM. These results clearly indicate the importance of water chemistry on the fate and toxicity of nanoparticulates.     

Evaluation of effects of exposure time on aquatic toxicity with zooplanktons using a reduced life expectancy model

Traditionally in toxicological studies time is not studied as quantifiable variable but as a fixed endpoint. The Reduced Life Expectancy (RLE) model which relates exposure time and exposure concentration with lethal toxic effects was tested previously using fish data. In this current paper the effects of exposure time on aquatic toxicity with zooplanktons and various toxicants were evaluated using the RLE model based on ambient exposure concentration. The model was evaluated by plotting ln LT₅₀ against LC₅₀ using toxicity data with zooplanktons from the literature for metal, metalloid and organic compounds. Most of the experimental data sets can be satisfactorily correlated by use of the RLE model, but deviations occurred for some data sets. Those data sets were satisfactorily fitted by a two stage RLE model. This model was based on two phases: one in the peripheral system and other in the central system. Both the single and two stage RLE model support the hypothesis that toxicity is time dependent and decreases in a systematic way with increasing exposure time. A calculated normal life expectancy (NLT) can be obtained from the single stage model and is in accord with reported NLT but those obtained from the two stage RLE model are in excellent agreement.     

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.     

脂肽类生物表面活性剂液体发酵条件的响应面优化

通过Plackett-Burman和Box-Behnken实验对解淀粉芽孢杆菌XZ-173液体发酵生产表面活性素进行了响应面优化研究。首先使用Plackett-Burman实验对影响表面活性素产量的17个因素进行显著性筛选,结果表明,MnSO4、CuSO4、温度和转速为显著性因素。再运用Box-Behnken实验对这4个显著因素的取值进一步优化,得到各因素优化后的数值分别为4.4 mg/L(MnSO4)、0.18 mg/L(CuSO4)、29℃(温度)和163 r/min(转速)。响应面分析结果表明:该菌株产生表面活性素的最佳培养基为:葡萄糖15 g/L,蛋白胨5 g/L,L-谷氨酸钠6 g/L,KH2PO40.8 g/L,MgSO40.4 g/L,KCl 0.4 g/L,酵母提取物3 g/L,L-苯丙氨酸2.5 mg/L,MnSO44.4 mg/L,CuSO40.18 mg/L,FeSO40.12 mg/L;最适培养条件:pH 7.5,温度29℃,转速163 r/min,接种量5%,装液量50 mL/250 mL,摇床培养36 h。在优化后的条件下,表面活性素实际产量为336 mg/L,实际实验结果与模型预测结果相一致。表面活性素采用HPLC技术分离,发现其在浓度仅为50 mg/L时EI24就可达到70%以上,反映了表面活性素优异的乳化活性以及广阔的应用前景。     

Characteristics of precipitation chemistry at Lushan Mountain, East China: 1992–2009

Introduction

Trends in precipitation pH and conductivity during 1992?C2009, and in ionic compositions from January 2007 to June 2009, are reported from Lushan Mountain, one of the highest mountains in mid-east China. Annual mean pH was in the range of 4.35?C5.01 and showed a statistically very significant (P?P?Results and discussions Over the period of study, Lushan Mountain received more rainfall in spring and summer. The pH values varied seasonally with winter minima. The winter multiyear seasonal mean pH was 4.35. The corresponding summer value was 4.88. SO ₄ ^2? and NO ₃ ^? were the main anions, and NH ₄ ⁺ and Ca²⁺ the main cations. The anion to cation ratio was 0.8?C1.0, and that of [SO ₄ ^2? ] to [NO ₃ ^? ] was 2.4-3.0, much lower than that of the 1980s. However, sulfuric acid was still the main acid present. The ratio of [NH ₄ ⁺ ] to [Ca²⁺] was about 1.0, suggesting that these two alkaline substances provided close acid neutralizing capacity. The ratio of [Cl^?] to [Na⁺] was about 0.67, somewhat lower than that of natural precipitation.

Conclusions

Ionic composition varied seasonally and was closely correlated to the amounts of rainfall and pollution. Trajectory analyses showed that the trajectories to Lushan Mountain could be classified in six clusters and trajectories originating from the South Sea and the areas surrounding Lushan Mountain had the greatest impacts on precipitation chemistry.     

氨水土壤混合物脱除CO2温室气体的实验研究

为了脱除CO2温室气体,提出了利用氨水土壤混合物去除CO2的新方法.分别考察了土壤颗粒粒径、CO2初始流量、氨水浓度(质量比)和温度对CO2脱除量和脱除率的影响.实验结果表明,该方法去除CO2的量较土壤物理吸附量和氨水化学吸收量的总和提高了大约15%;随着氨水浓度的增大,CO2的脱除率和脱除量都增大;随着土壤颗粒粒径和CO2初始流量的增大,CO2的脱除率和脱除量都减小;当温度由22℃升高到31℃,CO2的脱除率随着温度的升高而增大,但是继续升高温度到40 ℃,CO2的脱除率反而下降.