Effect of plant harvest on methane emission from two constructed wetlands designed for the treatment of wastewater

The emission of methane from two constructed wetlands [a free water surface flow system (FWS) and a subsurface flow system (SF)], constructed for the treatment of waste water, was evaluated at different sites inhabited by reeds (Phragmites communis), to test the effects of plant harvest. High methane emission was recorded immediately after harvesting in both wetlands. Several days after harvesting, the emission decreased in the FWS but remained high in the SF. The variation was significantly influenced by temperature, with lower emission and higher dissolved CH(4) in water occurring at lower temperatures. Both the emission and concentration of dissolved CH(4) were also influenced significantly by water quality, wetland design, level of stalk butt left above the water level, etc. The methane flux was explained on the basis of rizhospheric methanogenic and methanotrophic microbial populations. FISH analysis indicated the presence of Type A and Type B methanotrophs in both wetlands, and the methane flux was directly influenced by the quantitative variation in methanogenic and methanotrophic bacteria in both wetlands.     

Prenatal diagnosis and management of twin pregnancies complicated by a co-existing molar pregnancy

Recent advances in ultrasound and molecular genetics have increased our understanding and hence enhanced the perinatal management of complete and partial hydatidiform mole. By contrast, the management of a twin pregnancy combining a normal pregnancy with a normal fetus and a complete hydatidiform mole (CHM) remains complex and controversial due to conflicting data from different parts of the world. The aim of this review is to analyse the international literature on twin pregnancies that include a mole, present the complications and outcome of pregnancy and to discuss the perinatal management. Management is complicated and women should be counselled about the maternal and fetal complications, and the pregnancy monitored carefully by a perinatal team with experience in high-risk obstetrics and access to neonatal care. The data reviewed here suggest that a woman who decides to continue with the pregnancy including a CHM must be aware that, overall, she only has a one in four chance of live birth and in around 35% of cases she will develop persistent trophoblastic disease (PTD) after delivery. In ongoing pregnancies, there will be, in at least 20% of the cases, an early onset of pre-eclampsia (PET) and a 29% risk of fetal loss due to late miscarriage, intrauterine death and neonatal death. Maternal serum human chorionic gonadotrophin (MShCG) could be useful in predicting outcome in twin pregnancy combining normal pregnancy and CHM, but this needs to be investigated prospectively. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

粉煤灰负载壳聚糖对磷吸附的热力学研究

以粉煤灰负载壳聚糖作为吸附剂,在静态吸附条件下,研究了其对磷的吸附行为,并对吸附过程的热力学进行了分析。结果表明,吸附平衡数据都能够较好地符合Langmuir和Freundlich吸附等温方程,但Langmuir方程能够更好地描述吸附等温线。在20～35℃范围内,磷在粉煤灰负载壳聚糖上的吸附是一个吸热过程,反应的吉布斯自由能变小,同时伴随着熵值的增加,吸附焓变为44.36 kJ/mol。     

Fluroxypyr biodegradation in soils by multiple factors

Fluroxypyr (4-amino-3,5-dichloro-6-fluoro-2-pyridinyl-1-methylheptyl ester) is a widely used herbicide for controlling weeds, fungi, and insects. However, extensive use of the herbicide has led to its high accumulation in ecosystems and contamination to soils and crops. Environmental behaviors and fate of herbicides are dependent on many physiochemical and biological factors. Whether fluroxypyr is significantly affected and how it is degraded under the environmental conditions is largely unknown. The present study investigated the effects of soil microbe, soil type, dissolved organic matter (DOM), temperature, soil moisture, and surfactant on fluroxypyr degradation in soils. Application of DOM derived from sludge and straw to fluroxypyr-contaminated soils increased degradation of fluroxypyr. Environmental factors such as temperature, moisture, soil microbe and soil type could affect the rate of fluroxypyr dissipation. Also, the microorganism affected the degradation of fluroxypyr. Analysis by gas chromatography-mass revealed that the reaction in soils might include the removal of 1-methylheptyl ester to generate fluroxypyr acid (4-amino-3,5-dichloro-6-fluoro-2-pyridiny). Our results provided initial data that a set of biological and physiochemical factors coordinately regulates the decay of fluroxypyr in soils.     

A CRAZY IDEA ON URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT?1

ABSTRACT. High percentage of imperviousness in the city is the source of storm runoff. Roof area contributes significantly to the imperviousness. An attempt to make use of roofs as urban flood control device and water conservation measure is advocated. Two different schemes, one for built-up industrial-commercial area, the other for residential area, are suggested. The former utilizes the roof as detention reservoir for flood control, the latter employs recharge pit to convert runoff into ground water resource. The proposed schemes are not only hydrologically, hydraulically and structurally sound but also economically feasible. It is worth considering in the future planning of urban renewal and urban development.     

Effects of organic acids on copper and cadmium desorption from contaminated soils

A study was conducted to investigate the effect of organic acids on Cd and Cu desorption from natural contaminated soils (NCS) with permanent contamination by metal smelters and from artificial contaminated soils (ACS) derived from an artificial amendment of Cd to three representative zonal soils in Central China. Results showed that the desorption of Cd in either NCS or ACS, with the increment of tartrate or citrate concentration in desorption solution, can be characterized as a valley-like curve. The presence of tartrate or citrate at a low concentration (< or =0.5 mmol/l) inhibited Cd desorption from these two types of soils, whereas the presence of organic acids at high concentrations (> or =2 mmol/l for citrate and about > or =15 mmol/l for tartrate) apparently promoted Cd desorption. The desorption curve of Cu by tartrate solution with different tartrate concentrations can also be characterized as a valley-like curve, while the desorption of Cu in the presence of citrate was directly enhanced with the increment of citrate concentration. With the enhancement of initial pH value from 2 to 8 in the presence of citrate, Cu desorption ratio decreased at the first stage, then increased, and then decreased again. A valley and a peak sequentially appeared in the Cd or Cu desorption curve with initial pH value increment. Compared with citrate, the desorption ratio of Cd or Cu from NCS or ACS was directly decreased in the presence of tartrate, with the enhancement of the pH value from 2 to 8. Cd or Cu desorption was clearly enhanced when the electrolyte concentration of KNO3 or KCl increased in the presence of 2 mmol/l tartrate. Moreover, a higher desorption ratio of Cd or Cu was shown with KCl electrolyte than with KNO3 electrolyte with the same concentration. Based on these observations, we suggest that bioavailabilities of heavy metal can be promoted with selected suitable types and concentrations of organic acid amendment and reasonable field condition.     

赣中南柑橘果实生长发育规律与栽培技术关系

通过果实体积的累积生长量,日均生长速度和相对生长速率三个指标的测定。可得到各类果实生长的“Ｓ”形曲线。生长呈三个时期,第一期为细胞分裂期,这个时期,生长速度较慢,而相对生长速率最高,是是实生长能力最高阶段;第二期为细胞膨大期,生长速度最快时期,而相对生长速率则呈下降趋势;第三期为成熟期,日均生长速度和相对生长速率都是低速和稳定时期。主要内部生理变化,柑橘各类果 个指标各异,此外,果实生长过程中,有     

Groundwater monitoring plans at small-scale sites--an innovative spatial and temporal methodology

An innovative methodology for improving existing groundwater monitoring plans at small-scale sites is presented. The methodology consists of three stand-alone methods: a spatial redundancy reduction method, a well-siting method for adding new sampling locations, and a sampling frequency determination method. The spatial redundancy reduction method eliminates redundant wells through an optimization process that minimizes the errors in plume delineation and the average plume concentration estimation. The well-siting method locates possible new sampling points for an inadequately delineated plume via regression analysis of plume centerline concentrations and estimation of plume dispersivity values. The sampling frequency determination method recommends the future frequency of sampling for each sampling location based on the direction, magnitude, and uncertainty of the concentration trend derived from representative historical concentration data. Although the methodology is designed for small-scale sites, it can be easily adopted for large-scale site applications. The proposed methodology is applied to a small petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated site with a network of 12 monitoring wells to demonstrate its effectiveness and validity.