Synergetic degradation of Methylene Blue through photocatalysis and Fenton reaction on two-dimensional molybdenite-Fe

The greatest problem in conventional Fenton reaction is the slow production of ROS（reactive oxygen species） because of the inefficient Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺ conversion. Based on the extraordinary photo-response property of two-dimensional molybdenite（2DM）, photogenerated electrons can be easy separated to accelerate the regeneration of Fe²⁺ . In this work, Fe²⁺ -anchored2DM（2DM-Fe） was prepared and used as a heterogeneous Fenton catalyst to investigate the degrada...     

Dithizone-functionalized C18 online solid-phase extraction-HPLC-ICP-MS for speciation of ultra-trace organic and inorganic mercury in cereals and environmental samples

A simple and efficient dithizone-functionalized solid-phase extraction (SPE) procedure, online coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, was developed for the first time for enrichment and determination of ultra-trace mercury (Hg) species (inorganic divalent Hg (Hg(II)), methylmercury (CH₃Hg(II)) and ethylmercury (C₂H₅Hg(II)) in cereals and environmental samples. In the proposed method, functionalization of the commercial C₁₈ column with dithizone, enrichment, and elution of the above Hg species can be completed online with the developed SPE device. A simple solution of 2-mercaptoethanol (1% (V/V)) could be used as an eluent for both the SPE and HPLC separation of Hg species, significantly simplifying the method and instrumentation. The online SPE method was optimized by varying dithizone dose, 2-mercaptoethanol concentration, and sample volume. In addition, the effect of pH, coexisting interfering ions, and salt effect on the enrichment was also discussed. Under the optimized conditions, the detection limits of Hg species for 5 mL water sample were 0.15 ng/L for Hg(II), 0.07 ng/L for CH₃Hg(II), and 0.04 ng/L for C₂H₅Hg(II) with recoveries in the range of 85%–100%. The developed dithizone-functionalized C₁₈ SPE column can be reused after a single functionalization, which significantly simplifies the enrichment step. Moreover, the stability of Hg species enriched on the SPE column demonstrated its suitability for field sampling of Hg species for later laboratory analysis. This environment-friendly method offers a robust tool to detect ultra-trace Hg species in cereals and environmental samples.     

Research on the technology of detection and risk assessment of fire areas in gangue hills

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Coal gangue hills are prone to spontaneous combustion, thereby polluting the environment of mining areas such as the soil, groundwater, and...     

Mitigating the impact of oil‐palm monoculture on freshwater fishes in Southeast Asia

Anthropogenic land‐cover change is driving biodiversity loss worldwide. At the epicenter of this crisis lies Southeast Asia, where biodiversity‐rich forests are being converted to oil‐palm monocultures. As demand for palm oil increases, there is an urgent need to find strategies that maintain biodiversity in plantations. Previous studies found that retaining forest patches within plantations benefited some terrestrial taxa but not others. However, no study has focused on aquatic taxa such as fishes, despite their importance to human well‐being. We assessed the efficacy of forested riparian reserves in conserving freshwater fish biodiversity in oil‐palm monoculture by sampling stream fish communities in an oil‐palm plantation in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. Forested riparian reserves maintained preconversion local fish species richness and functional diversity. In contrast, local and total species richness, biomass, and functional diversity declined markedly in streams without riparian reserves. Mechanistically, riparian reserves appeared to increase local species richness by increasing leaf litter cover and maintaining coarse substrate. The loss of fishes specializing in leaf litter and coarse substrate decreased functional diversity and altered community composition in oil‐palm plantation streams that lacked riparian reserves. Thus, a land‐sharing strategy that incorporates the retention of forested riparian reserves may maintain the ecological integrity of fish communities in oil‐palm plantations. We urge policy makers and growers to make retention of riparian reserves in oil‐palm plantations standard practice, and we encourage palm‐oil purchasers to source only palm oil from plantations that employ this practice.     

A weighted fuzzy linear programming model in economic input–output analysis: an application to risk management of energy system disruptions

Climate change exposes economic systems to numerous risks, including reduced agricultural production and electric power supply shortages. The interdependent nature of economic systems causes disruptions in any sector to cascade to other sectors via forward and backward linkages. This work develops an optimization model with which allocation of scarce goods or resources can be optimized; the model uses an overall index of satisfaction of fuzzy economic output goals under conditions of scarcity caused by climatic disruptions. The proposed model includes a vulnerability measure that integrates information elicited from expert judgment. A case study based on a scenario of drought-induced electricity shortage in the Philippine economy is examined. Results show that trade, transportation and service-oriented industries suffer losses in gross domestic product in the Philippine case.     

A comparison of municipal solid waste management in Berlin and Singapore

A comparative analysis of municipal solid waste management (MSWM) in Singapore and Berlin was carried out in order to identify its current status, and highlight the prevailing conditions of MSWM. An overview of the various aspects of MSWM in these two cities is provided, with emphasis on comparing the legal, technical, and managerial aspects of MSW. Collection systems and recycling practiced with respect to the involvement of the government and the private sector, are also presented.Over last two decades, the city of Berlin has made impressive progress with respect to its waste management. The amounts of waste have declined significantly, and at the same time the proportion that could be recovered and recycled has increased. In contrast, although Singapore’s recycling rate has been increasing over the past few years, rapid economic and population growth as well as change in consumption patterns in this city-state has caused waste generation to continue to increase. Landfilling of MSW plays minor role in both cities, one due to geography (Singapore) and the other due to legislative prohibition (Berlin). Consequently, both in Singapore and Berlin, waste is increasingly being used as a valuable resource and great efforts have been made for the development of incineration technology and energy recovery, as well as climate protection.     

Life cycle assessment of sewage sludge co-incineration in a coal-based power station

A life cycle assessment was conducted to evaluate the environmental and economic effects of sewage sludge co-incineration in a coal-fired power plant. The general approach employed by a coal-fired power plant was also assessed as control. Sewage sludge co-incineration technology causes greater environmental burden than does coal-based energy production technology because of the additional electricity consumption and wastewater treatment required for the pretreatment of sewage sludge, direct emissions from sludge incineration, and incinerated ash disposal processes. However, sewage sludge co-incineration presents higher economic benefits because of electricity subsidies and the income generating potential of sludge. Environmental assessment results indicate that sewage sludge co-incineration is unsuitable for mitigating the increasing pressure brought on by sewage sludge pollution. Reducing the overall environmental effect of sludge co-incineration power stations necessitates increasing net coal consumption efficiency, incinerated ash reuse rate, dedust system efficiency, and sludge water content rate.     

改性污泥基生物炭的性质与重金属吸附效果

为提高污泥基生物炭在高钙溶液体系中对重金属阳离子的吸附能力,将Fe₂O₃、MnO₂、ZnO与市政污泥以质量比1 ∶10（以过渡金属元素质量计）混合共热解,制备改性生物炭;表征改性生物炭的组成、官能团分布和表面性质,考察其对典型重金属阳离子Cd²⁺的吸附效果.过渡金属氧化物可促进污泥的热解,改性生物炭的H/C原子比均低于0.31,碳链裂解脱氢更彻底.改性生物炭中Fe、Mn保留较好,分别主要以单质和氧化物形态存在;而Zn流失较多.改性生物炭中的孔隙以介孔为主,平均孔径约3.8 nm,比表面积在50 m²·g^-1以上.初始浓度约200 mg·L^-1的Cd²⁺溶液中,Ca²⁺初始浓度从0 mg·L^-1升高到约200 mg·L^-1,Fe改性生物炭对Cd²⁺的吸附容量从43.17 mg·g^-1降至27.88 mg·g^-1,但仍较未改性生物炭高10 mg·g^-1以上,在含钙溶液体系中表现出了对Cd²⁺更强的吸附性能.Fe₂O₃较MnO₂和ZnO对市政污泥基生物炭吸附重金属的强化效果更好.     

In situ preparation of g-C3N4/polyaniline hybrid composites with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic performance

The graphic carbon nitride/polyaniline (g-C₃N₄/PANI) hybrid composites were successfully synthesized by a facile in situ polymerization process under ice water bath. The photocatalytic activities of the g-C₃N₄/PANI composites were evaluated by using oxytetracycline (OTC) as model pollutants. The optimal g-C₃N₄/PANI composite (5%PANI: the g-C₃N₄/PANI hybrid with 5 wt.% of PANI) showed an enhancement degradation rate of 5-fold compared to that of conventional g-C₃N₄ under simulated-sunlight irradiation. In addition, the 5%PANI demonstrate significantly photocatalytic evolution H₂ rate (163.2 μmol/(g?hr)) under the visible light irradiation. Furthermore, based on the results of optical performance and electrochemical testing, a possible mechanism was proposed, indicating that the incorporation of PANI into the traditional g-C₃N₄ can effectively tune the electronic structures, improve the photo-generated electrons-holes separation and enhance extensive absorption of visible light. Such a g-C₃N₄/PANI hybrid nanocomposites could be envisaged to possess great potentials in practical wastewater treatment and water splitting.