Reducing the reproductive toxicity activity of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum: a review of mechanisms and prospects

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Food pollution can cause a variety of negative effects on human health, especially reproductive toxicity. Common food contaminants include biological...     

NO oxidation performance and kinetics analysis of BaMO3 (M=Mn,Co) perovskite catalysts

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Perovskite is an efficient and emerging catalyst for NO oxidation. In this study, BaMnO3 and BaCoO3 perovskite catalysts were synthesized by the...     

Effects of extracellular polymeric substances on aerobic granulation in sequencing batch reactors

The effects of extracellular polymeric substances on aerobic granulation in sequencing batch reactors were investigated by evaluating the content and compositions of extracellular polymeric substances, and the relationship between extracellular polymeric substances composition and surface properties of glucose-fed aerobic granules. The results showed that extracellular polymeric substances could affect surface properties of cells, such as surface charge and hydrophobicity, enhance polymeric interaction and promote aerobic granulation. Moreover, extracellular polymeric substances were produced mainly in the exponential phase, and served as carbon and energy source in starvation phase during granulation process, thus regulating the growth of bacteria in the interior and exterior of granules, and maintaining the integrality of granules.     

Estimation of septic tank setback distances based on transport of E. coli and F-RNA phages

Setback distances between septic tank systems and the shorelines of Lake Okareka, New Zealand were determined from model simulations for a worst-case scenario, using the highest hydraulic conductivity and gradient measured in the field, removal rates of the microbial indicators (Escherichia coli and F-RNA phages) determined from a column experiment, and maximum values of the design criteria for the disposal system, and assuming an absence of an unsaturated zone, a continuous discharge of the raw effluent from a failed or non-complying treatment system (both indicators at concentrations of 1x10(7) counts/100 ml) into the groundwater and no sorption of pathogens in the aquifer. Modelling results suggest that the minimal setback distances were 16 m to satisfy the New Zealand Recreational Water Quality Guidelines for E. coli <126 per 100 ml (Ministry for the Environment, 1999) and 48 m to meet the Drinking-Water Standards for New Zealand 2000 for enteric virus <1 per 100 l (Ministry of Health, 2000). These distances may be applicable for other lakeshores in pumice sand aquifers with groundwater velocities <7 m/day. Findings of laboratory column and batch experiments provided an insight into the microbial attenuation and transport processes in pumice sand aquifers. Bacterial removal was predominately through filtration (87-88%) and partially by die-off (12-13%), while viral removal was by both die-off (45%) and filtration (55%). In addition, microbial die-off in groundwater without aquifer material (i.e., free microbes) was much lower than die-off in groundwater with aquifer material (i.e., sorbed microbes) and contributed only 2-6% to the total removal. This implies that the setback distances estimated from die-off rates for the free microbes, determined in the laboratory without considering aquifer media and other removal processes, which are often reported in the literature, could be larger than necessary.     

四湖地区湿地资源及其开发

对四湖地区的湿地资源进行了三个方面的探讨和研究:湿地类型及其特征;湿地开发及其存在的问题;湿地资源合理开发模式研究。     

The behaviors and fate of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in a coking wastewater treatment plant

The occurrence, behaviors and fate of 18 PAHs were investigated in a coking wastewater treatment plant in Songshan coking plant, located in Shaoguan, Guangdong Province of China. It was found that the target compounds occurred widely in raw coking wastewater, treated effluent, sludge and gas samples. In raw coking wastewater, high molecular weight (MW) PAHs were the dominant compounds, while 3-6 ring PAHs predominated in the final effluent. The dominant compounds in gas samples were phenathrene, fluoranthene and pyrene, while they were fluoranthene, pyrene, chrysene and benzo[k]fluoranthene for sludge. The process achieved over 97% removal for all the PAHs, 47-92% of eliminations of these target compounds in liquid phase were achieved in biological stage. Different behaviors of PAHs were observed in the primary tank, anaerobic tank, aerobic tank, hydrolytic tank and coagulation tank units, while heavier and lower ones were mainly removed in anaerobic tank and aerobic tanks, respectively. Regarding the fate of PAHs, calculated fractions of mass losses for low MW PAHs due to transformation and adsorption to sludge accounted for 15-50% and 24-49%, respectively, while the rest was less than 1%. For high MW PAHs, the mass losses were mainly due to adsorption to sludge and separation with tar (contributing 56-76% and 22-39%, respectively), and the removal through transformation was less.     

Cultivation modes and deficit irrigation strategies to improve 13C carbon isotope,photosynthesis, and winter wheat productivity in semi-arid regions

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Determining the effect of ridge-furrow cultivation mode on 13C carbon isotope discrimination, photosynthetic capacity, and leaf gas exchange...     

Atmospheric deposition of polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in Guangzhou, China: seasonal variations and sources

The atmospheric deposition of polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PBDD/Fs) was investigated at four locations in different suburban and urban functional districts of Guangzhou City. The annual deposition fluxes of total PBDD/Fs (eight 2,3,7,8-substituted tetra- to hexa-BDD/Fs) were in the range of 36-51 (mean 46) pg m(-2) day(-1), and the corresponding TEQ fluxes were estimated to range between 7.9 and 11.3 (mean 10.3) pg I-TEQ m(-2) day(-1), indicating a noticeable pollution level. The deposition fluxes of PBDD/Fs during the wet season were 2-4 times as high as those during the dry season. Both rainfall and temperature positively correlated with PBDD/F deposition fluxes. Ambient gas/particle partition coefficients (K(p)) were predicted with SPARC. It appears seasonal variations of PBDD/F deposition fluxes were influenced by meteorological parameters and the local usage of brominated flame retardants (BFRs). The congener profiles of PBDD/Fs at four locations were similar either spatially or temporally, indicating that the main PBDD/F emission sources were similar to one another. Seasonal variations and congener patterns of PBDD/Fs indicated the possible sources included electronic waste recycling, industrial waste incinerators and products containing BFRs.     

Fractionation and ecological risk of metals in urban river sediments in Zhongshan City, Pearl River Delta

Surface sediments collected from nine urban rivers located in Zhongshan City, Pearl River Delta, were analyzed for total concentration of metals with digestion and chemical fractionation adopting the modified European Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) sequential extraction procedure. The results showed that concentration and fractionation of metals varied significantly among the rivers. The total concentration of eight metals in most rivers did not exceed the China Environmental Quality Standard for Soil, Grade III. The potential ecological risk of metals to rivers were related to the land use patterns, in the order of manufacturing areas > residential areas > agriculture areas. The concentration of Pb in the reducible fraction was relatively high (60.0-84.3%). The dominant proportions of Cd, Zn and Cu were primary in the non-residual fraction (67.0%, 71.8% and 81.4% on average respectively), while the percentages of the residual fractions of Cr and Ni varied over a wide range (43-85% and 24-71% respectively). The approaches of the H?kanson ecological risk index and Secondary Phase Enrichment Factor were applied for ecological risk assessment and metal enrichment calculation. The results indicated Hg and Cd had posed high potential ecological risk to urban rivers in this region. Meanwhile, there was widespread pollution and high enrichment of Cu in river sediments in this region. Multiple regression analysis showed that five water quality parameters (pH, DO, COD(Mn), NH(4)(+)-N, TP) had little influence on the distribution of metal fractionation. This result revealed that the ecological risk of metals was not eliminated along with the improvement in water quality. Correlation studies showed that among the metals, Group A (Cd, As, Pb, Zn Hg, r = 0.730-0.924) and Group B (Cr, Cu, Ni, r = 0.815-0.948) were obtained, and the metal contaminations were from industrial activities rather than residential.     

Fungal DNA and pet allergen levels in Swedish day care centers and associations with building characteristics

Pet allergens and mold growth related to damp are common phenomena in day care centers in Sweden but exposure measurements of these factors are lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between building construction and indoor environment quality in Swedish day care centers and the potential for exposure to fungi (analyzed by quantitative PCR) and animal allergens (analyzed by ELISA). Measurements were performed in 21 day care centers (103 rooms) from one municipality in Sweden, which were identified as constructions at risk of dampness (85% of the buildings) and with visible damage and mold growth (54% of the buildings). Dust samples were collected using cotton swab and Petri dishes. Total fungal DNA was detected in 99% and 100%, Aspergillus/Penicillium DNA in 54% and 68%, and Stachybotrys chartarum DNA in 4% and 9% of the investigated rooms in cotton swab and Petri dish samples, respectively. The total fungal DNA levels (Geometric Mean, GM) were 4.2 × 10(6) cell equivalents per m(2) and 2.9 × 10(5) cell equivalents per m(2) per day in the swab and Petri dish samples, respectively. The concentrations (GM) of cat (Fel d1), dog (Can f1), and horse (Equ cx) allergens were 9.4, 7.2 ng m(-2) day(-1), and 5.0 unit per m(2) per day, respectively. Total fungal DNA levels were higher in risk construction buildings (p = 0.01), in rooms with linoleum flooring material (p = 0.003), and in buildings with rotating heat exchangers (p = 0.02). There were associations between total fungal DNA levels and cat (p = 0.02), dog (p < 0.001), and horse (p = 0.001) allergens. In conclusion, risk constructions, damp constructions, mould growth, fungal DNA, and animal allergens were common exposure factors in Swedish day care centers. Building constructions that represent a high risk for internal dampness should be avoided in the future, and measures to reduce allergen levels should be considered to protect pet-allergic children from asthmatic problems.