Enzyme-Retted Flax Fiber and Recycled Polyethylene Composites

Municipal solid wastes generated each year contain potentially useful and recyclable materials for composites. Simultaneously, interest is high for the use of natural fibers, such as flax (Linum usitatissimum L.), in composites thus providing cost and environmental benefits. To investigate the utility of these materials, composites containing flax fibers with recycled high density polyethylene (HDPE) were created and compared with similar products made with wood pulp, glass, and carbon fibers. Flax was either enzyme- or dew-retted to observe composite property differences between diverse levels of enzyme formulations and retting techniques. Coupling agents would strengthen binding between fibers and HDPE but in this study fibers were not modified in anyway to observe mechanical property differences between natural fiber composites. Composites with flax fibers from various retting methods, i.e., dew- vs. enzyme-retting, behaved differently; dew-retted fiber composites resulted in both lower strength and percent elongation. The lowest level of enzyme-retting and the most economical process produces composites that do not appear to differ from the highest level of enzyme-retting. Flax fibers improved the modulus of elasticity over wood pulp and HDPE alone and were less dense than glass or carbon fiber composites. Likely, differences in surface properties of the various flax fibers, while poorly defined and requiring further research, caused various interactions with the resin that influenced composite properties.     

浙江省生态环境可持续发展评价指标体系的建立

生态环境的可持续发展评价是生态安全与生态建设中的重要内容。本研究应用主成分分析法，收集浙江省1990～2000年的数据，对评价指标进行初步筛选．同时采用德尔斐法进行专家咨询，得到评价指标的分层排序。最后从初选的54个评价指标中，根据主成分分析法、专家咨询法的指标筛选结果，结合有关国家及地方生态环境建设规划，建立了由40个指标组成的浙江省生态环境可持续发展评价指标体系。     

典型杀虫剂类内分泌干扰物对水生溞类的毒性效应研究进展

内分泌干扰物(endocrine disrupting chemicals, EDCs),尤其是具有内分泌干扰效应的杀虫剂,因能显著影响水生生物的生长发育和生殖系统,其潜在生态毒性效应引起了人们的广泛关注。溞类在水生生态系统食物链中起着重要的连接作用,更易受到水体中残留的杀虫剂类EDCs的影响,其毒性效应在水生生态系统毒理学研究中有着重要的意义。本文重点综述了杀虫剂类EDCs对溞类产生的生长发育毒性和生殖毒性,从酶活性变化角度分析由此产生的氧化应激和神经毒性,并在基因表达水平上揭示其毒性作用机制,发现杀虫剂类EDCs通过扰乱神经系统和内分泌系统发挥作用,并展望了杀虫剂EDCs在联合毒性、多代效应的研究前景,旨在为研究杀虫剂类EDCs对大型溞的毒性作用和生态环境风险评估提供依据。     

缅怀中国环境科学研究院环境基准与风险评估国家重点实验室学术委员会副主任傅家谟院士

正2015年6月11日,中国地球化学学科奠基人、中国科学院院士、中国环境科学研究院环境基准与风险评估国家重点实验室学术委员会副主任傅家谟先生因病医治无效在广州逝世。一位中国环境保护的学术泰斗、有机石油地球化学的奠基人与开拓者,温和可亲的谦谦长者离我们而去。听到这个悲痛的消息,不敢也不愿意相信。我与傅先生相识多年,这位亦师亦友的前辈像父亲一样给予我很多指导、关怀和帮助,回想与傅先生相识的点点滴滴,他满头白发、精神矍铄的音容笑貌仿佛又出现在我的眼前,永远无法忘怀。     

Spatial sampling and the environment: some issues and directions

In this paper we summarize research issues for spatial environmental sampling stemming from a NISS/USEPA workshop held on 21-22 September 1994 at Chapel Hill, NC.     

Ammonia emission from grassland and livestock production systems in the UK

Emissions of ammonia were measured from livestock excreta and fertilisers applied to grass swards, from grazed paddocks, from decomposing grass herbage and from an animal house containing dairy cows. Emissions from urine, dung, slurry and fertilisers were determined using a system of wind tunnels with each tunnel covering an area of 1 m(2). Emissions from grazed swards were determined using a micrometeorological mass balance method. From the results of these measurements, together with other published information, an inventory for ammonia emissions has been calculated for grassland and livestock production systems over the UK as a whole. It is estimated that emissions from grassland and cattle and sheep production amount to about 230 kt NH(3)-N annually, while emissions from pig and poultry production amount to about 40 kt and 80 kt NH(3)-N, respectively.     

Trace metals in the hair of habitants of the Ok Tedi region, Papua New Guinea

It has long been known that mining activity can markedly change the level and distribution of certain heavy metals in the adjacent environment. This pollution can be quite widespread and long lasting and often has deleterious effects on the health of local populations. In the present study scalp hair was used as the biopsy material because of its ease of collection and long history of use in this connection. Hair was collected from all the local villages in the vicinity of the mine site, as well as from Papua New Guinean nationals from other provinces, and European expatriates who were employed by the mining company and who were resident in the area. Hair from local people showed a remarkably high iron content by comparison with previously studied populations. The extreme variations in hair iron levels were reflected in the differential distribution of levels according to location, age and sex. Hair cadmium was also high in the population studied. Hair copper, lead, zinc and mercury all appeared to be within 'normal' limits by comparison with other general populations. These results are discussed in the context of the environmental and social impact of the mining operations on the local people.     

The fate of metal contaminated sediments in Foundry Cove, New York

The distribution of heavy metal contaminated sediments in Foundry Cove, a freshwater embayment of the Hudson River, was examined twelve years after the discharging of wastes from a battery factory had ceased. Concentrations of Cd, Ni and Co were measured in surficial sediments (top 5 cm) and seven detailed depth profiles. Comparison with earlier surveys showed that metal levels of surficial sediments have been considerably reduced throughout the cove. Evidence suggests that this reduction may be largely due to burial rather than transport of metals out of the cove or a redistribution (via sediment resuspension and redeposition) within the cove. This is suggested by the presence of a peak in metal concentrations at a depth of several centimetres in depositional environments, a calculation showing the loss of waterborne cadmium to be much less than the amount of cadmium lost from the surficial sediment, and the absence of increased pollution in the cleaner parts of the cove. Despite improvement, metal levels remain extremely high, including a persistent 'hot-spot' with levels higher than 10 000 ppm Cd.     

C/N比和曝气量影响MBR同步硝化反硝化的研究

通过连续运行MBR研究了C/N比和曝气量对同步硝化反硝化的影响,结果表明,在环境温度13～23℃,MLSS为6.0～6.8 g/L,进水NH⁺₄-N浓度50 mg/L,曝气量0.5 m³/h,HRT为6 h实验条件下,总氮去除率随着进水C/N比的增加而增加,在C/N比为6∶1～8∶1时,TN去除率达到79%～89%,低的C/N比抑制反硝化,过高的C/N比增加了碳源补加的成本。改变反应曝气量,当C/N比为6∶1,曝气量为0.4 m³/h时,TN的去除率达到了最大值85%。曝气量过高或过低,TN去除率均下降。并对在不同曝气量下MBR 内的DO 值分布进行了初步研究。     

Hydrocarbon emission fingerprints from contemporary vehicle/engine technologies with conventional and new fuels

The present paper presents results from the analysis of 29 individual C₂–C₉ hydrocarbons (HCs) specified in the European Commission Ozone Directive. The 29 HCs are measured in exhaust from common, contemporary vehicle/engine/fuel technologies for which very little or no data is available in the literature. The obtained HC emission fingerprints are compared with fingerprints deriving from technologies that are being phased out in Europe. Based on the total of 138 emission tests, thirteen type-specific fingerprints are extracted (Mean ± SD percentage contributions from individual HCs to the total mass of the 29 HCs), essential for receptor modelling source apportionment. The different types represent exhaust from Euro3 and Euro4 light-duty (LD) diesel and petrol-vehicles, Euro3 heavy-duty (HD) diesel exhaust, and exhaust from 2-stroke preEuro, Euro1 and Euro2 mopeds. The fuels comprise liquefied petroleum gas, petrol/ethanol blends (0–85% ethanol), and mineral diesel in various blends (0–100%) with fatty acid methyl esters, rapeseed methyl esters palm oil methyl esters, soybean oil methyl or sunflower oil methyl esters. Type-specific tracer compounds (markers) are identified for the various vehicle/engine/fuel technologies.An important finding is an insignificant effect on the HC fingerprints of varying the test driving cycle, indicating that combining HC fingerprints from different emission studies for receptor modelling purposes would be a robust approach.The obtained results are discussed in the context of atmospheric ozone formation and health implications from emissions (mg km^?1 for LD and mopeds and mg kW h^?1 for HD, all normalised to fuel consumption: mg dm^?3 fuel) of the harmful HCs, benzene and 1,3-butadiene.Another important finding is a strong linear correlation of the regulated “total” hydrocarbon emissions (tot-HC) with the ozone formation potential of the 29 HCs (ΣPO₃ = (1.66 ± 0.04) × tot-RH; r² = 0.93). Tot-HC is routinely monitored in emission control laboratories, whereas C₂–C₉ are not. The revealed strong correlations broadens the usability of data from vehicle emission control laboratories and facilitates the comparison of the ozone formation potential of HCs in exhaust from of old and new vehicle/engine/fuel technologies.