Urea formation from carbon dioxide and ammonia at atmospheric pressure

Urea synthesis, currently the largest use of carbon dioxide in organic synthesis, is conventionally operated at high pressure and high temperature. Here, we report for the first time that urea forms at atmosphere and ambient temperatures by negative corona discharge in gas phase. The conversion of CO₂ and yields of a solid mixture of urea and ammonium carbamate, which was identified by the ¹³C NMR spectrum, rise with reducing temperatures and increasing molar ratios of NH₃/CO₂ and discharge frequencies. The conversion of carbon dioxide was found to be 82.16?% at 20?°C and 1?atm with a molar flow ratio of n(NH₃)/n(CO₂) of 2.5. High pressure and high temperature as energy inputs are not necessary.     

Mechanisms mediating plant distributions across estuarine landscapes in a low-latitude tidal estuary

Understanding of how plant communities are organized and will respond to global changes requires an understanding of how plant species respond to multiple environmental gradients. We examined the mechanisms mediating the distribution patterns of tidal marsh plants along an estuarine gradient in Georgia (USA) using a combination of field transplant experiments and monitoring. Our results could not be fully explained by the "competition-to-stress hypothesis" (the current paradigm explaining plant distributions across estuarine landscapes). This hypothesis states that the upstream limits of plant distributions are determined by competition, and the downstream limits by abiotic stress. We found that competition was generally strong in freshwater and brackish marshes, and that conditions in brackish and salt marshes were stressful to freshwater marsh plants, results consistent with the competition-to-stress hypothesis. Four other aspects of our results, however, were not explained by the competition-to-stress hypothesis. First, several halophytes found the freshwater habitat stressful and performed best (in the absence of competition) in brackish or salt marshes. Second, the upstream distribution of one species was determined by the combination of both abiotic and biotic (competition) factors. Third, marsh productivity (estimated by standing biomass) was a better predictor of relative biotic interaction intensity (RII) than was salinity or flooding, suggesting that productivity is a better indicator of plant stress than salinity or flooding gradients. Fourth, facilitation played a role in mediating the distribution patterns of some plants. Our results illustrate that even apparently simple abiotic gradients can encompass surprisingly complex processes mediating plant distributions.     

Systematical strategies for wastewater treatment and the generated wastes and greenhouse gases in China

China now faces double challenges of water resources shortage and severe water pollution. To resolve Chinese water pollution problems and reduce its impacts on human health, economic growth and social development, the situation of wastewater treatment was investigated. Excess sludge and greenhouse gases (GHGs) emitted during wastewater treatment were also surveyed. It is concluded that Chinese water pollution problems should be systematically resolved with inclusion of wastewater and the solid waste and GHGs generated during wastewater treatment. Strategies proposed for the wastewater treatment in China herein were also adequate for other countries, especially for the developing countries with similar economic conditions to China.     

An approach to calculating allowable watershed pollutant loads

To improve the management of discharge pollutants loads in the reservoirs’ watershed, an approach of the allowable pollutants loads calculation and its allocation, based on the water environment model, was proposed. Establishment of the approach framework was described at first. Under the guidance of this framework, two major steps were as follows: modeling and scenario analysis were involved and should be applied to support the decision of discharge loads management; Environmental Fluid Dynamic Code (EFDC) model was selected as the kernel model in this framework. In modeling step, spatial discretization for establishing cell map in model, data preprocessing, parameter calibration and uncertainty analysis (which is considered as the significantly relevant factor of the margin of safety (MOS)), were conducted. As a result of the research, the model-based approach presented as a combination of estimation and precise calculation, which contributed to scenario analysis step. Some integrated modules, such as scenario simulation, result analysis and plan optimization were implemented as cycles in the scenario analysis. Finally, allowable pollutant loads under various conditions were calculated. The Chaihe Reservoir in Liaoning Province, China was used as a case study for an application of the approach described above. Results of the Chaihe reservoir water quality simulation, show good agreement with field data and demonstrated that the approach used in the present study provide an efficient and appropriate methodology for pollutant load allocation.     

发酵液回流对餐厨垃圾厌氧消化的影响

针对厌氧发酵液回流可提高厌氧系统性能,而不适的回流比例又会造成系统酸化的现象,采用单相连续反应器研究了发酵液回流及不同回流比对餐厨垃圾厌氧消化过程的影响。结果表明:在1 gVS/L的有机负荷下进行三种比例(10%、30%、50%)的发酵液回流使系统日平均产气量比不回流阶段分别提高0.7%、13.0%、4.9%,且对气体甲烷含量无显著影响。回流使VFA降解更充分,也使系统缓冲能力得到调节,但在较高的回流比(50%)下会造成Na+积累从而抑制系统产气性能。     

臭氧/高锰酸钾/BAF工艺污水深度处理研究

采用O3/KMnO4化学氧化法与曝气生物滤池(BAF)联用工艺处理生活污水二级出水,进行长期连续实验,考察pH、O3/KMnO4投加顺序和投加量对氧化效果的影响。结果表明:采用O3/KMnO4化学氧化法在pH为7.2～7.6的条件下,当O3和KMnO4投加量分别为10和1.5 mg/L时,ρ(BOD)/ρ(COD)由0.13提升至0.26,COD和UV254的去除率分别为30.90%和31.97%。在此基础上采用O3/KMnO4/BAF联用工艺,COD和UV254去除率分别提高至71.30%和74.86%。     

河源城南污水处理厂尾水深度处理效果的研究

河源市城南污水处理厂利用垂直流人工湿地对该厂A2-O工艺处理的尾水进行深度处理,研究了人工湿地对尾水中TN、NH4+-N、TP、COD、BOD5的去除效果。结果表明:人工湿地对污水处理厂尾水具有较好的深度处理效果,垂直流人工湿地处理系统对尾水中TN、NH4+-N、TP、COD和BOD5平均去除率分别达到97.4%、97.8%、95.06%、91.87%和95.87%以上,其出水水质基本达GB 18918—2002《城镇污水处理厂污染物排放标准》一级A标准,地表水Ⅲ类标准。     

Metals and metalloids in PM10 in Nandan County,Guangxi, China,and the health risks posed

Intense mining, smelting, and tailing activities of polymetallic ore deposits have affected the environment in Nandan County, Guangxi, China. Samples of particulates with aerodynamic diameters low or equal 10 μm (PM₁₀) were collected in Nandan County to investigate the concentrations of and health risks posed by 17 metals and metalloids in the PM₁₀. The metal and metalloid concentrations were lower than those found in other industrial cities. The mean Cr concentration was 7.48 ng/m³. Significant higher metal and metalloid concentrations were found in PM₁₀ from mining areas (Dachang and Chehe) than from the control area (Liuzhai) (p < 0.05). Principal component analysis indicated that the main sources of Ba, Co, Cr, Fe, K, Mg, Mo, Na, and Sr were resuspension of the soil produced through mineral erosion, the main sources of As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Sb, and Zn were smelting and mining activities, and the main source of Ni was fossil fuel combustion. Higher non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks were posed in Dachang and Chehe than in Liuzhai. The non-carcinogenic risks posed to adults and children by individual metals and metalloids in PM₁₀ at all the sites were low, but the non-carcinogenic risks posed to children by all the metals and metalloids together exceeded the safe level (i.e., risk value > 1). The carcinogenic risks posed by Cd, Ni, and Pb were negligible at all sites, while As, Co, and Cr posed potential carcinogenic risks to the residents.

     

Epigenetic effect of long-term bisphenol A exposure on human breast adenocarcinoma cells

In this research, epigenetic effects of bisphenol A (BPA) on human breast cancer MCF-7 cells were analyzed. Genome-wide DNA methylation and gene expression were analyzed in MCF-7 cells exposed to BPA (10^?5 and 10^?6 mol/L for 5 weeks). No significant changes in the global level of 5-methyl-2′-deoxycytidine and 5-hydroxymethyl-2′-deoxycytidine were observed. DNA methylation profiling analysis indicated that BPA exposure resulted in the hypermethylation of FOXK2, LKB1, LMX1A and CUGBP2 and the hypomethylation of PTPRN2, TRIM27, BCAS3 and ZNF423. Decreased expression of apoptosis genes (P38 and BCL2L1) and increased expression of chemokine (Cxcl2 and ccl20) were detected. Changes of these genes were speculated to affect the ERα-related cell growth as well as cell apoptosis.