Ammonium-dependent regulation of aerobic methane-consuming bacteria in landfill cover soil by leachate irrigation

The impacts of landfill leachate irrigation on methane oxidation activities and methane-consuming bacteria populations were studied by incubation of landfill cover soils with leachate and (NH₄)₂SO₄ solution at different ammonium concentrations. The community structures and abundances of methane-oxidizing bacteria (MOB) and ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) were examined by PCRDGGE and real-time PCR. Compared with the pure (NH₄)₂SO₄ solution, leachate addition was found to have a positive effect on methane oxidation activity. In terms of the irrigation amount, ammonium in leachate was responsible for the actual inhibition of leachate. The extent of inhibitory effect mainly depended on its ammonium concentration. The suppression of the predominant methaneconsuming bacteria, type I MOB, was responsible for the decreased methane oxidation activity by ammonium inhibition. Methaneconsuming bacteria responded diversely in abundance to ammonium. The abundance of type I MOB decreased by fivefold; type II MOB showed stimulation response of fivefold magnification upon the first addition but lessened to be lower than the original level after the second addition; the amount of AOB was stimulated to increase for 20-30 times gradually. Accumulated nitrate from nitrification strengthened the ammonium inhibition on type I and type II MOB, as a result, repetitive irrigation was unfavorable for methane oxidation.     

Operating condition influences on PCDD/Fs emissions from sinter pot tests with hot flue gas recycling

This study was designed to clarify the influence of operating conditions on the formation and emissions of polychlorinated-pdibenzodioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) from a sintering process with hot flue gas recycling. A pilot scale sinter pot with simulated flue gas recycling was developed, and four key operational parameters, including temperature, oxygen content of the simulated waste flue gas, the coke rate of the sintering mixture, and the quicklime quality, were selected for exploring PCDD/Fs formation. The results showed that the temperature of the recycled flue gas had a major affect on PCDD/Fs formation, and a high temperature could significantly increase their formation during sintering. A clear linear correlation between the temperature of recycling flue gas and PCDD/Fs emission (r = 0.93) was found. PCDD/Fs could be reduced to a certain extent by decreasing the level of oxygen in the recycled flue gas, while sintering quality was unchanged. The coke rate had no significant influence on the formation of PCDD/Fs, but the quality of quicklime used in the sintering mixture could affect not only the amount of PCDD/Fs emissions but also the sintering productivity. Compared with a benchmark sinter pot test, PCDD/Fs emissions markedly decreased with improvements to quicklime quality. However, the reduction in PCDD/Fs emissions realized by using high-quality quicklime was limited by the temperature of the inlet gas. The highest reduction achieved was 51% compared with conventional quicklime when the temperature of the inlet gas was 150°C.     

Transverse approach between real world concentrations of SO2, NO2, BTEX, aldehyde emissions and corrosion in the Grand Mare tunnel

With regard to automotive traffic, a tunnel-type semi enclosed atmosphere is characterized by a higher concentration of gaseous pollutants than on urban traffic roads and highlights the gaseous effluent species having an impact on material degradation. Therefore, a transverse approach between air quality and its consequences upon the longevity of materials is necessary, implying better knowledge of tunnel atmosphere and a better understanding of material degradation inside a tunnel for operating administration. Gaseous pollutant measurements carried out in a road tunnel in Rouen (Normandy) give the real world traffic concentrations of experimental exposure conditions. The sampling campaigns, achieved in summer and winter include SO₂, NO₂, BTEX and aldehyde analyses. Effluent profiles in the upward and downward tubes have been established. The current work shows that SO₂, NO₂, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, propanal and butanal must be considered in the degradation process of materials in a stuffy environment. As regards NO₂, its concentration depends on the modification of the automotive fleet. The total aldehyde concentrations indicate no particular trend between the two bores. Formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, propanal, butanal and acrolein species are the most abundant species emitted by vehicles and represent 90% to 95% of the total aldehyde emissions.     

Effect of CeO2 and Al2O3 on the activity of Pd/Co_3O_4/cordierite catalyst in the three-way catalysis reactions (CO/NO/CnHm)

The present article studies the effect of CeO₂ and Al₂O₃ on the activity of Pd/Co₃O₄/cordierite catalyst in conversion of NO, CO, C_nH_m. The catalysts were characterized by temperature programmed reduction with hydrogen, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. It is shown that the effect of CeO₂ on the properties of Pd/Co₃O₄/cordierite catalyst depends on preparation method. The catalyst obtained by co-deposition of cerium and cobalt oxides has higher activity in CO oxidation (CO + O₂ and CO + NO) and total hexane oxidation (C₆H₁₄ + O₂). Such phenomenon is probably caused by more than stoichiometric amount of formed oxygen vacancies, an increase in both mobility of surface oxygen and dispersity of components in the catalytic composition. It is demonstrated that CeO₂ addition promotes the SO₂ resistance of Pd/Co₃O₄/cordierite. The second support decreases the activity of Pd/Co₃O₄/cordierite catalyst in the reactions of CO and C₆H₁₄ with oxygen because of CoAl₂O₄ formation.     

pH-dependent leaching behaviour and other performance properties of cement-treated mixed contaminated soil

Portland cement has been widely used for stabilisation/solidification (S/S) treatment of contaminated soils. However, there is a dearth of literature on pH-dependent leaching of contaminants from cement-treated soils. This study investigates the leachability of Cu, Pb, Ni, Zn and total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) from a mixed contaminated soil. A sandy soil was spiked with 3000 mg/kg each of Cd, Cu, Pb, Ni and Zn, and 10,000 mg/kg of diesel, and treated with ordinary Portland cement (CEM I). Four different binder dosages, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% (m/m) and different water contents ranging from 13%-19% dry weight were used in order to find a safe operating envelope for the treatment process. The pH-dependent leaching behaviour of the treated soil was monitored over an 84-day period using a 3-point acid neutralisation capacity (ANC) test. The monolithic leaching test was also conducted. Geotechnical properties such as unconfined compressive strength (UCS), hydraulic conductivity and porosity were assessed over time. The treated soils recorded lower leachate concentrations of Ni and Zn compared to the untreated soil at the same pH depending on binder dosage. The binder had problems with Pb stabilisation and TPH leachability was independent of pH and binder dosage. The hydraulic conductivity of the mixes was generally of the order, 10^-8 m/sec, while the porosity ranged from 26%-44%. The results of selected performance properties are compared with regulatory limits and the range of operating variables that lead to acceptable performance described.     

Biological sulfate removal from acrylic fiber manufacturing wastewater using a two-stage UASB reactor

A two-stage UASB reactor was employed to remove sulfate from acrylic fiber manufacturing wastewater. Mesophilic operation (35±0.5℃) was performed with hydraulic retention time (HRT) varied between 28 and 40 hr. Mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) in the reactor was maintained about 8000 mg/L. The results indicated that sulfate removal was enhanced with increasing the ratio of COD/SO₄^2-. At low COD/SO₄^2-, the growth of the sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) was carbon-limited. The optimal sulfate removal efficiencies were 75% when the HRT was no less than 38 hr. Sulfidogenesis mainly happened in the sulfate-reducing stage, while methanogenesis in the methane-producing stage. Microbes in sulfate-reducing stage performed granulation better than that in methane-producing stage. Higher extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) content in sulfate-reducing stage helped to adhere and connect the flocculent sludge particles together. SRB accounted for about 31% both in sulfate-reducing stage and methane-producing stage at COD/SO₄^2- ratio of 0.5, while it dropped dramatically from 34% in sulfate-reducing stage to 10% in methane-producing stage corresponding to the COD/SO₄^2- ratio of 4.7. SRB and MPA were predominant in sulfate-reducing stage and methane-producing stage respectively.     

Heavy metal phytoextraction by Sedum alfredii is affected by continual clipping and phosphorus fertilization amendment

Improving the efficacy of phytoextraction is critical for its successful application in metal contaminated soils. Mineral nutrition affects plant growth and metal absorption and subsequently the accumulation of heavy metal through hyper-accumulator plants. This study assessed the effects of di-hydrogen phosphates (KH₂PO₄, Ca(H₂PO₄)₂, NaH₂PO₄ and NH₄H₂PO₄) application at three levels (22, 88 and 352 mg P/kg soil) on Sedum alfredii growth and metal uptake by three consecutive harvests on aged and Zn/Cd combined contaminated paddy soil. The addition of phosphates (P) significantly increased the amount of Zn taken up by S. alfredii due to increased shoot Zn concentration and dry matter yield (DMY) (P<0.05). The highest phytoextraction of Zn and Cd was observed in KH₂PO₄ and NH₄H₂PO₄ treatment at 352 mg P/kg soil. The amount of Zn removed by phytoextraction increased in the order of 1st clipping<2nd clipping<3rd clipping, and for Cd extraction the order was 2nd clipping<1st clipping<3rd clipping. These results indicate that the application of P fertilizers coupled with multiple cuttings can enhance the removal of Zn and Cd from contaminated soils by S. alfredii, thus shortening the time needed for accomplishing remediation goals.     

虹鳟鱼鳃及肝脏多种CYP1基因表达模式作为生物标志物监测海河水污染状况

以虹鳟鱼为受试生物,以鳃与肝脏多种CYP1基因为生物标志物,在天津境内开展了野外监测实验,分析多种CYP1转录物的表达量变化及它们在不同监测位点的表达模式.实验通过鱼类吊网在特定水域进行野外监测.结果表明,葛沽与海河入海口的6种CYP1基因表达模式很相近,但表达量不同,表明两地的污染成分相近似但水中污染物负荷不同.除了在马厂减河外,CYP1C1/C3在葛沽与入海口受到明显诱导作用,表明马厂减河中存在的污染物种类不同于其它监测位点.因此,利用虹鳟鱼鳃与肝脏中多种CYP1基因表达模式作为生物标志物监测污染物有着很好的前景,不仅可以作为研究环境污染物对水环境和鱼类健康影响的重要手段,还可以为进一步解释化学混合物成分与多种生物反应之间关系提供理论基础.     

有关一些金属毒性的介绍

一、绪言环境普遍存在各种金属。极毒的金属实际上与无毒的、必需的和非必需的金属共同存在。在毒理学上令人关心的将近80种金属及其化合物中,约有45种广泛地被应用于工业生产中。已知这45种中约有20种会对人体产生特殊的作用。     

锡的地球化学测量数据的解释—水系沉积物中水力学因素的评价及校正

<正> 对水系沉积物中的重矿物部分进行测量,是区域地球化学普查中的常用手段。在水系发育的山区,陡峭的山崖,茂密的灌木给地质工作者进行野外物化探工作带来一定的困难。因此,把这一手段有效地用于这类地区的找矿勘探,是地质工作者的当务之急。然而,山区的水流受季节的影响较大,间歇性流水以及局部