Algal-bacterial interactions in metal contaminated floodplain sediments

The aim of the present study was to investigate algal-bacterial interactions in a gradient of metal contaminated natural sediments. By means of multivariate techniques, we related the genetic structure (denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, DGGE) and the physiological structure (community-level physiological profiling, CLPP) of the bacterial communities to the species composition of the algal communities and to the abiotic environmental variables, including metal contamination. The results revealed that genetic and physiological structure of the bacterial communities correlated with the species composition of the algal community, but hardly to the level of metal pollution. This must be interpreted as an indication for a strong and species-specific linkage of algal and bacterial species in floodplain sediments. Metals were, however, not proven to affect either the algal or the bacterial communities of the Dutch river floodplains.     

Sustainable forest management in a mountain region in the Central Western Carpathians,northeastern Slovakia: the role of climate change

European forestry is facing many challenges, including the need to adapt to climate change and an unprecedented increase in forest damage. We investigated these challenges in a Norway spruce-dominated mountain region in Central Europe. We used the model Sibyla to explore forest biomass production to the year 2100 under climate change and under two alternative management systems: the currently applied management (CM), which strives to actively improve the forest’s adaptive capacity, and no management (NM) as a reference. Because biodiversity is thought to have mostly positive effects on the adaptive capacity of forests and on the quality of ecosystem services, we explored how climate change and management affect indicators of biodiversity. We found a differential response across the elevation-climatic gradient, including a drought-induced decrease in biomass production over large areas. With CM, the support of non-spruce species and the projected improvement of their growth increased tree species diversity. The promotion of species with higher survival rates led to a decrease in forest damage relative to both the present conditions and NM. NM preserved the high density of over-matured spruce trees, which caused forest damage to increase. An abundance of dead wood and large standing trees, which can increase biodiversity, increased with NM. Our results suggest that commercial spruce forests, which are not actively adapted to climate change, tend to preserve their monospecific composition at a cost of increased forest damage. The persisting high rates of damage along with the adverse effects of climate change make the prospects of such forests uncertain.     

Consumer attitudes on the use of plastic and cloth bags

This paper examines consumer attitudes and behavior on the use of plastic and cloth bags in Eski?ehir, Turkey. To this end, a structural equation model is proposed. Environmental consciousness regarding the use of plastic bags, social pressure, support for the banning of plastic bags, the intention to use cloth bags and behavior to reduce plastic bag use are employed as latent variables in the model. The intention to use cloth bags and the behavior to reduce the use of plastic bags are defined as endogenous latent variables in the structural model. In the conclusion of the study, it is identified that consumers who are environmentally conscious and feel under social pressure, tend to reduce the use of plastic bags and switch to using cloth bags.     

Effects of compression ratio,swirl augmentation techniques and ethanol addition on the combustion of CNG–biodiesel in a dual-fuel engine

The diminishing resources and continuously increasing cost of petroleum in association with their alarming pollution levels from diesel engines has led to an interest in finding alternative fuels to diesel. Emission control and engine efficiency are two of the most important parameters in current engine design. The impending introduction of emission standards such as Euro IV and Euro V has forced research towards developing new technologies for combating engine emissions. This paper examines the effects of compression ratio, swirl augmentation techniques and ethanol addition on the combustion of compressed natural gas (CNG) blended with Honge oil methyl esters (HOME) in a dual fuel engine. The present results show that the combustion of HOME and 15% ethanol blend with CNG induction in a dual-fuel engine operated in optimized parameters at an injection timing of 27° Before Top Dead Centre and a compression ratio of 17.5 resulted in acceptable combustion emissions and improved brake thermal efficiencies. The implementation of swirl augmentation techniques increased brake thermal efficiencies (BTEs) and considerably reduced combustion emissions such as smoke, HC, CO and NO_x. The addition of ethanol also increased BTEs. However, at more than 15% of ethanol in HOME, NO_x emissions increased dramatically.     

Short-term effects and economic burden assessment of ambient air pollution on hospitalizations for schizophrenia

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The evidence on the health and economic impacts of air pollution with schizophrenia is scarce, especially in developing countries. In this...     

Exploring the embodied carbon flow interactive relationships in China from an ecological network perspective: a model framework and application at provincial level

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Energy-related carbon emissions take a large proportion in China, and the interregional trade caused by provincial disparities has led to significant...     

P204-P507-HCl体系回收废FCC催化剂中稀土的优化

针对废流化催化裂化(FCC)催化剂的资源化利用问题,采用溶剂萃取法从废FCC催化剂中高效回收稀土。对无机酸浸出过程、二(2-乙基己基)磷酸(P204)和2-乙基己基膦酸单2-乙基己基酯(P507)单独萃取稀土过程以及P204-P507复合萃取稀土过程分别进行了研究。结果表明,盐酸为最佳浸出剂,在最佳浸出条件(4 mol·L⁻¹盐酸溶液、浸出时间为4 h、60 ℃、固液比为1∶15)下,Ce和La的浸出率分别为99.7%和97.7%。萃取过程的最佳条件为萃取剂浓度1.5 mol·L⁻¹、浸出液初始pH=2.5,P204和P507对Ce和La的萃取率均较高,而P507对杂质铝的萃取率远低于P204。P204-P507复合萃取体系中P507体积比为0.2时,Ce和La的回收率分别达到80.4%和75.3%,略低于纯P204萃取体系,而杂质铝的回收率小于10.0%。P204-P507复合萃取体系能有效降低回收稀土中杂质铝的萃取量。本研究可为从废FCC催化剂中回收高纯度稀土提供参考。     

简化一维水质模型在突发水污染事故模拟预测中的应用

传统水质模拟预测模型对突发水污染事故事发地的水文、水下地形等资料要求较高,在缺乏相应资料时会影响对水污染事故的可靠预测和预警。为解决问题,亟需建立在应急条件下能快速预测预警的简化水质模型。以传统一维水质模型为基础,通过人工测量河流沿程流速,自动插值获得流场以替代模型中对流场的求解,再求解一维对流扩散方程,以此获得简化的一维水质模拟预测模型。模拟计算结果表明,相对于传统水质模型,简化后一维水质预警模型可快速准确地预测突发水污染事故后污染态势。     

Immune responses,DNA damage and ultrastructural alterations of gills in the marine mussel Lithophaga lithophaga exposed to CuO nanoparticles

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Nanoparticle (NP) pollution is a worldwide problem. Copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) are one of the most used NPs in a variety of applications,...     

Microwave regeneration of activated carbon used for removal of solvents from vented air

A microwave regeneration of activated carbon used to remove organic solvents from vented air has been investigated. Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), acetone, and tetrachloroethylene (TCE) vapors were removed from vented air through adsorption onto granular activated carbon. The saturated carbon was then regenerated in a microwave field, where the solvent was quickly desorbed and recovered from the inner pores of the carbon granules. The microwave-induced regeneration restored the original adsorption capacity and surface area of the activated carbon.