The inactivation of bacteriophages MS2 and PhiX174 by nanoscale zero-valent iron: Resistance difference and mechanisms

• The resistance of phage PhiX174 to nZVI was much stronger than that of MS2. • The nZVI damaged the surface proteins of both bacteriophages. • The nZVI could destroy the nucleic acid of MS2, but not that of PhiX174. •The phage inactivation was mainly attributed to the damage of the nucleic acid. Pathogenic enteric viruses pose a significant risk to human health. Nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI), a novel material for environmental remediation, has been shown to be a promising tool for disinfection. However, the existing research has typically utilized MS2 or f2 bacteriophages to investigate the antimicrobial properties of nZVI, and the resistance difference between bacteriophages, which is important for the application of disinfection technologies, is not yet understood. Here, MS2 and PhiX174 containing RNA and DNA, respectively, were used as model viruses to investigate the resistances to nZVI. The bacteriophage inactivation mechanisms were also discussed using TEM images, protein, and nucleic acid analysis. The results showed that an initial concentration of 10⁶ PFU/mL of MS2 could be completely inactivated within 240 min by 40 mg/L nZVI at pH 7, whereas the complete inactivation of PhiX174 could not be achieved by extending the reaction time, increasing the nZVI dosage, or changing the dosing means. This indicates that the resistance of phage PhiX174 to nZVI was much stronger than that of MS2. TEM images indicated that the viral particle shape was distorted, and the capsid shell was ruptured by nZVI. The damage to viral surface proteins in both phages was examined by three-dimensional fluorescence spectrum and sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). However, the nucleic acid analysis demonstrated that the nucleic acid of MS2, but not PhiX174, was destroyed. It indicated that bacteriophage inactivation was mainly attributed to the damage of nucleic acids.     

Ultrasonic-assisted synthesis of highly stable RuPd bimetallic catalysts supported on MgAl-layered double hydroxide for N-ethylcarbazole hydrogenation

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - N-Ethylcarbazole (NEC), as a promising liquid organic hydrogen carrier (LOHC), can store and release hydrogen through a reversible catalytic...     

Urinary concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and phthalate metabolite mixtures in relation to semen quality among men attending an infertility clinic

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Previous studies have reported that exposure to phthalates and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is individually associated with altered semen...     

Interactions between tannins allelochemicals and extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) of Microcystis aeruginosa

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The protective mechanism of extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) secreted by a harmful cyanobacteria against tannins allelochemicals was explored...     

Preparing porous Cu/Pd electrode on nickel foam using hydrogen bubbles dynamic template for high-efficiency and high-stability removal of nitrate from water

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Electrochemical reduction is a promising technology to remove nitrate from water. The metallic composition and geometry of electrodes usually dominate...     

Poly (Vinyl Alcohol) Composite Membrane with Polyamidoamine Dendrimers for Efficient Separation of CO2/H2 and CO2/N2

Journal of Polymers and the Environment - Although polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) membranes are commonly used for CO2 separation, there is still large development space in mechanical properties and high...     

Thermally chargeable supercapacitor based on nickel-coated nanoporous carbon

Nanoporous carbon is coated by pure nickel via an electroless plating method. The nanoporous carbon provides a high-surface-area substrate, leading to a large capacitance; the nickel surface layer is of a high work function, resulting in a thermally sensitive electrode potential. Such a system is ideal for thermally chargeable supercapacitor (TCS) system, which converts low-grade heat (LGH) to electrical energy. The specific energy per thermal cycle per gram of electrode mass is ~1.8 mJ, with a temperature difference of 50°C.     

中国水土流失及其对旱涝灾害的影响

人口膨胀对土地的压力增长，导致水土流失面积扩大，土壤侵蚀量增多，目前我国水蚀面积已达１７９万平方公里，每年流失土壤５０亿吨。水土流失减薄土层，阻碍植被恢复，大大降低土地的蓄水库容，造成水文干旱和农业干旱；同时，河床淤积使河流泄洪能力降低，洪水水位抬高，加剧洪涝灾害的发展，在同样降雨情况下，洪涝灾情比以往增加１倍。对水土流失采取综合治理可有效地减轻水旱灾害。江西兴国通过十年的综合治理，使兴国县水旱灾害频率下降４８．８％，成灾面积减少５０．７％。     

北京市园林植物吸附PM_(10)与SO_2总量及其健康效益

PM10和SO2是目前城市主要的大气污染物,严重危害居民健康。城市园林植物通过叶片和枝干表面能有效吸附大气污染物。采用大气污染物干沉降通量模型和暴露-反应关系模型定量评估了2003年北京市园林植物吸附PM10与SO2总量及其健康效益。北京市园林植物2003年吸附PM1030,415,563～38,019,454kg和SO23,057,173～3,821,466kg,导致减少死亡312～390人,呼吸系统入院286～357.5人,折合经济价值约为280,265,180～350,331,475元,约占国民生产总值的0.7‰～1.0‰。     

稀土催化剂在环保领域中的研究和应用

综述了稀土材料在催化剂中的作用机理,介绍了稀土催化剂在汽车尾气治理、烟气脱硫脱硝治理、室内空气净化、焦化污水处理以及其他领域的研究与应用进展,展望了稀土催化剂在环保产业中的发展前景。