Changes in plasma thyroid hormones and cortisol levels in crucian carp (Carassius auratus) exposed to the extracted microcystins

The endocrine response of crucian carp injected intraperitoneally with extracted microcystins (MC) was investigated in this study. Fish were injected intraperitoneally either with 0.75% NaCl (control) and Microcystis extract corresponding to 150 and 600 microg microcystins per kg body weight. The plasma levels of triiodothyronine (T(3)), thyroxine (T(4)), free triiodothyronine (FT(3)), free thyroxine (FT(4)), and cortisol were determined at 0, 1, 3, 12, 24, and 48h post-administration of MC-containing extract. Treated fish displayed abnormal behaviors, such as a startle response and disoriented swimming, as well as changes in ventilation rates. Plasma cortisol concentrations of fish in both dose groups significantly increased after administration of extracted MC and remained high throughout the experiment, which suggested that MC elicited a stress response in treated fish. The profiles of cortisol changes in treated fish appeared to be dose dependent, indicating that fish in the high dose group experienced greater MC-induced disturbance. Mortality occurred after 12h in the high dose group. Plasma levels of T(4), T(3), FT(4), and FT(3) did not vary significantly between the control fish. In contrast to this, fish exposed to MC-containing extract showed significant declines in T(3), FT(4), and FT(3) levels in a dose-dependent manner throughout the experiment. Plasma T(4) levels, however, did not vary significantly in the low dose group, whereas they decreased significantly at 48h post injection in the high dose group. This study demonstrates that administration of microcystins-containing extract causes a stress response and reduces the plasma levels of thyroid hormones in crucian carp. These results illustrate that microcystins exerted potent effects on the endocrine system of crucian carp, through activating their hypothalamus-pituitary- interrenal axis and disturbing thyroid function.     

Sorption of polar and nonpolar organic contaminants by oil-contaminated soil

Sorption of nonpolar (phenanthrene and butylate) and polar (atrazine and diuron) organic chemicals to oil-contaminated soil was examined to investigate oil effects on sorption of organic chemicals and to derive oil–water distribution coefficients (K_oil). The resulting oil-contaminated soil–water distribution coefficients (K_d) for phenanthrene demonstrated sorption-enhancing effects at both lower and higher oil concentrations (C_oil) but sorption-reducing (competitive) effects at intermediate C_oil (approximately 1 g kg⁻¹). Rationalization of the different dominant effects was attempted in terms of the relative aliphatic carbon content which determines the accessibility of the aromatic cores to phenanthrene. Little or no competitive effect occurred for butylate because its sorption was dominated by partitioning. For atrazine and diuron, the changes in K_d at C_oil above approximately 1 g kg⁻¹ were negligible, indicating that the presently investigated oil has little or no effect on the two tested compounds even though the polarity of the oil is much less than soil organic matter (SOM). Therefore, specific interactions with the active groups (aromatic and polar domains) are dominantly responsible for the sorption of polar sorbates, and thus their sorption is controlled by available sorption sites. This study showed that the oil has the potential to be a dominant sorptive phase for nonpolar pollutants when compared to SOM, but hardly so for polar compounds. The results may aid in a better understanding of the role of the aliphatic and aromatic domains in sorption of nonpolar and polar organic pollutants.     

Odor Control for Land Application of Lime Stabilized Biosolids

Over three million dry metric tons of biosolids produced in the United States are land applied as Class B. Lime stabilization is employed for biosolids treatment at approximately 20% of the wastewater treatment plants because it is a simple and inexpensive process. During lime stabilization, the pH of sewage sludge is raised above 12 for pathogen inactivation and odor reduction. Lime dose and mixing have been found to greatly reduce odor generation from lime stabilized biosolids. A better quality biosolids product is less likely to create public opposition to land application programs. In this study, land application tests using Class B biosolids were conducted in order to determine whether better mixing can reduce odor generation during the land application of lime stabilized biosolids. The mixing quality of a treatment plant’s lime stabilized biosolids was improved by relocating the lime addition point, which prolonged the mixing time and produced a better mixed biosolids product. Based on field observations of land application, the poorly mixed biosolids were more odorous and offensive prior to incorporation. However, once incorporated into the soil, there was no appreciable odor difference between the biosolids. Another land application study was conducted to assess the odor of unincorporated Class A biosolids and compare it with incorporated Class A biosolids with the soil.     

Co3O4/介孔分子筛催化剂对苯催化完全氧化的研究

分别以介孔分子筛MCM-41、MCM-48、SBA-15为载体,采用等体积浸渍法制备了氧化钴/介孔分子筛催化剂,利用N₂吸附、X射线衍射、程序升温还原等技术对催化剂进行了表征,考察了Co₃O₄的负载量及载体的孔结构对催化剂完全催化氧化苯的性能的影响。结果表明,Co₃O₄的负载量为20%时,催化剂的催化活性最好;载体的孔径和催化剂的可还原性能是影响催化活性的主要因素,催化剂活性顺序为Co₃O₄ /SBA-15> Co₃O₄ /MCM41> Co₃O₄ /MCM-48。     

废食用油活性炭脱色工艺的研究

脱色处理是提高废食用油油品质量、利用其生产生物柴油的关键环节之一.研究餐饮废食用油活性炭吸附脱色工艺,考察典型木质活性炭和煤基活性炭对脱色效果的影响,并将活性炭结构、性能指标与其脱色能力进行关联.结果表明,以弱粘性煤和褐煤为原料制备的活性炭对废食用油脱色效果较好;活性炭的总孔容积、总比表面积、微孔比表面积、微孔容积、碘值和亚甲基蓝值等性能指标与脱色效果关联度不大,而活性炭的孔径和中孔容积是决定活性炭脱色效果的主要指标.优化后废食用油活性炭脱色工艺的主要参数是:活性炭用量7%,炭粒度100～300目,脱色温度90～120℃,吸附时间为30 min,搅拌速度为10 r/min,废食用油的脱色率在50%～65%.     

"城中村"改造中的城市抗震设防工作探讨——以西安市"城中村"改造和建设为例

在搜集西安市“城中村”现状资料的基础上,重点归纳总结了其房屋抗震设防方面存在的问题。通过简述政府对“城中村”改造建设的指导思想、规划计划、工作思路、组织领导、立项审批等,说明了改造建设后新区的房屋抗震设防情况,并对新区的防震保安工作进行了粗浅的探讨。     

Effects of fomesafen on soil enzyme activity,microbial population,and bacterial community composition

Fomesafen is a diphenyl ether herbicide that has an important role in the removal of broadleaf weeds in bean and fruit tree fields. However, very little information is known about the effects of this herbicide on soil microbial community structure and activities. In the present study, laboratory experiments were conducted to examine the effects of different concentrations of fomesafen (0, 10, 100, and 500 μg/kg) on microbial community structure and activities during an exposure period of 60 days, using soil enzyme assays, plate counting, and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). The results of enzymatic activity experiments showed that fomesafen had different stimulating effects on the activities of acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, and dehydrogenase, with dehydrogenase being most sensitive to fomesafen. On the tenth day, urease activity was inhibited significantly after treatment of different concentrations of fomesafen; this inhibiting effect then gradually disappeared and returned to the control level after 30 days. Plate counting experiments indicated that the number of bacteria and actinomycetes increased in fomesafen-spiked soil relative to the control after 30 days of incubation, while fungal number decreased significantly after only 10 days. The DGGE results revealed that the bacterial community varied in response to the addition of fomesafen, and the intensity of these six bands was greater on day 10. Sequencing and phylogenetic analyses indicated that the six excised DGGE bands were closely related to Emticicia, Bacillus, and uncultured bacteria. After 10 days, the bacterial community exhibited no obvious change compared with the control. Throughout the experiment, we concluded that 0–500 μg/kg of fomesafen could not produce significant toxic effects on soil microbial community structure and activities.     

Effects of pig manure containing copper and zinc on microbial community assessed via phospholipids in soils

Pig manure (PM) is widely used as an organic fertilizer to increase yields of crops. Excessive application of compost containing relatively great concentrations of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) can change soil quality. To clarify the effects of different rates of application and to determine the optimal rate of fertilization, PM containing 1,115 mg Cu kg^?1, dry mass (dm) and 1,497 mg Zn kg^?1, dm was applied to alkaline soil at rates of 0, 11, 22, 44, 88, and 222 g PM kg^?1, dm. Phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) were used to assess soil microbial community composition. Application of PM resulted in greater concentrations of total nitrogen (TN), NH₄ ⁺-N, NO₃ ^?-N, total carbon (TC), soil organic matter (SOM) but lesser pH values. Soils with application rates of 88–222 g PM kg^?1, dm had concentrations of total and EDTA-extractable Cu and Zn significantly greater than those in soil without PM, and concentrations of T-Cu and T-Zn in these amended soils exceeded maximum limits set by standards in china. Except in the soil with a rate of 11 g PM kg^?1, dm, total bacterial and fungal PLFAs were directly proportional to rate of application of PM. Biomasses of bacteria and fungi were significantly greater in soils with application rates of 44–222 g PM kg^?1, dm than in the soil without PM. SOM, TC and EDTA-Zn had the most direct influence on soil microbial communities. To improve fertility of soils and maintain quality of soil, rate of application should be 22–44 g PM kg^?1 dm, soil containing Cu and Zn.     

Contamination assessment of arsenic and heavy metals in a typical abandoned estuary wetland—a case study of the Yellow River Delta Natural Reserve

Coastal and estuarine areas are often polluted by heavy metals that result from industrial production and agricultural activities. In this study, we investigated the concentration trait and vertical pattern of trace elements, such as As, Cd, Ni, Zn, Pb, Cu, and Cr, and the relationship between those trace elements and the soil properties in coastal wetlands using 28 profiles that were surveyed across the Diaokouhe Nature Reserve (DKHNR). The goal of this study is to investigate profile distribution characteristics of heavy metals in different wetland types and their variations with the soil depth to assess heavy metal pollution using pollution indices and to identify the pollution sources using multivariate analysis and sediment quality guidelines. Principal component analysis, cluster analysis, and pollution level indices were applied to evaluate the contamination conditions due to wetland degradation. The findings indicated that the concentration of trace elements decreased with the soil depth, while Cd increases with soil depth. The As concentrations in reed swamps and Suaeda heteroptera surface layers were slightly higher than those in other land use types. All six heavy metals, i.e., Ni, Cu, As, Zn, Cr, and Pb, were strongly associated with PC1 (positive loading) and could reflect the contribution of natural geological sources of metals into the coastal sediments. PC2 is highly associated with Cd and could represent anthropogenic sources of metal pollution. Most of the heavy metals exhibited significant positive correlations with total concentrations; however, no significant correlations were observed between them and the soil salt and soil organic carbon. Soil organic carbon exhibited a positive linear relationship with Cu, Pb, and Zn in the first soil layer (0–20 cm); As, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn in the second layer (20–40 cm); and As, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn in the third layer (40–60 cm). Soil organic carbon exhibited only a negative correlation with Cd (P?I _geo values), which averaged less than 0 in the three soil layers, this finding indicates that the soils have remained unpolluted by these heavy metals. The mean concentrations of these trace elements were lower than Class I criteria. The degradation wetland restoration suggestions have also been provided in such a way as to restore the reserved flow path of the Yellow River. The results that are associated with trace element contamination would be helpful in providing scientific directions to restore wetlands across the world.     

三氯卡班对小鼠血浆内源性物质影响的代谢组学研究

三氯卡班被认定为一种新型的环境污染物,可能对动植物和人体产生危害,为探究三氯卡班的有害作用机制,选择C57BL6小鼠作为载体,利用分子生物学和报告基因方法考察了三氯卡班对肝脏的作用,同时利用代谢组学技术考察三氯卡班对血浆内源性代谢物变化的影响。结果表明,三氯卡班是核受体CAR的激活剂,可以提高肝脏CYP2b10的m RNA表达。同时血浆主要的内源性代谢物也产生了显著性变化,血浆中的脂肪酸比例都呈下降趋势,肉毒碱与乙酰肉碱的比例都呈上升趋势,花生四烯酸与肌酸的比例都呈上升趋势,这都与核受体CAR被激活密切相关,由此说明利用代谢组学技术能够全面地反映三氯卡班所造成的对机体的影响。