Effects of sludge dredging on the prevention and control of algae-caused black bloom in Taihu Lake, China

Algae-caused black bloom (also known as black water agglomerate) has recently become a critical problem in some Chinese lakes.It has been suggested that the occurrence of algae-caused black bloom was caused by the cooperation of nutrient-rich sediment with dead algae,and sludge dredging was adopted to control black bloom in some lakes of China.In this article,based on the simulation of black bloom using a Y-shape apparatus for modeling natural conditions,both un-dredged and dredged sites in three areas of Taihu Lake,China were studied to estimate the effects of dredging on the prevention and control of black bloom.During the experiment,drained algae were added to all six sites as an additional organic load;subsequently,the dissolved oxygen decreased rapidly,dropping to 0 mg/L at the sediment-water interface.Black bloom did not occur in the dredged sites of Moon Bay and Nan Quan,whereas all three un-dredged sites at Fudu Port,Moon Bay and Nan Quan experienced black bloom.Black bloom also occurred at the dredged site of Fudu Port one day later than at the other sites,and the odor and color were lighter than at the other locations.The color and odor of the black water mainly result from the presence of sulfides such as metal sulfides and hydrogen sulfide,among other chemicals,under reductive conditions.The color and odor of the water,together with the high concentrations of nutrients,were mainly caused by the decomposition of the algae and the presence of nutrient-rich sediment.Overall,the removal of the nutrient-rich sediment by dredging can prevent the occurrence and control the degree of algae-caused black bloom in Taihu Lake.     

Effects of physical and chemical characteristics of surface sediments in the formation of shallow lake algae-induced black bloom

In page 2357 of the published paper(Shen Q S, et al. Effects of physical and chemical characteristics of surface sediments in the formation of shallow lake algae-induced black bloom. Journal of Environmental Sciences, 2013, 25(12): 2353-2360), the units of the Fe²⁺ and Oxal-Fe²⁺ in Fig. 3(a) and Fig. 5 should be "mg/g" rather than "mg/kg".     

An Optimization Method Based on Scenario Analysis for Watershed Management Under Uncertainty

In conjunction with socioeconomic development in watersheds, increasingly challenging problems, such as scarcity of water resources and environmental deterioration, have arisen. Watershed management is a useful tool for dealing with these issues and maintaining sustainable development at the watershed scale. The complex and uncertain characteristics of watershed systems have a great impact on decisions about countermeasures and other techniques that will be applied in the future. An optimization method based on scenario analysis is proposed in this paper as a means of handling watershed management under uncertainty. This method integrates system analysis, forecast methods, and scenario analysis, as well as the contributions of stakeholders and experts, into a comprehensive framework. The proposed method comprises four steps: system analyses, a listing of potential engineering techniques and countermeasures, scenario analyses, and the optimal selection of countermeasures and engineering techniques. The proposed method was applied to the case of the Lake Qionghai watershed in southwestern China, and the results are reported in this paper. This case study demonstrates that the proposed method can be used to deal efficiently with uncertainties at the watershed level. Moreover, this method takes into consideration the interests of different groups, which is crucial for successful watershed management. In particular, social, economic, environmental, and resource systems are all considered in order to improve the applicability of the method. In short, the optimization method based on scenario analysis proposed here is a valuable tool for watershed management.     

Development of indirect competitive fluorescence immunoassay for 2,2′,4,4′-tetrabromodiphenyl ether using DNA/dye conjugate as antibody multiple labels

An indirect competitive fluorescence immunoassay using a DNA/dye conjugate as antibody multiple labels was developed on 96-well plates for the identification and quantification of 2,2′,4,4′-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47) in aqueous samples. A hapten, 2,4,2′-tribromodiphenyl ether-4′-aldehyde, was synthesized, and was conjugated to bovine serum albumin to form a coating antigen. Specific recognition of the antigen by anti-PBDE antiserum was confirmed by a surface plasmon resonance measurement. In the immunoassay, the coating antigen was adsorbed on a 96-well plate first, and a sample, antiserum and biotinylated goat anti-rabbit secondary antibody were then added and reacted sequentially. A biotinylated, double-stranded DNA with 219 base pairs was attached to the secondary antibody by using streptavidin as a molecular bridge. In situ multiple labeling of the antibody was accomplished after addition of a DNA-binding fluorescent dye, SYBR Green I. The working range of the immunoassay for the BDE-47 standard was 3.1-390 μg/L, with an IC₅₀ value of 15.6 μg/L. The calculated LOD of the immunoassay is 0.73 μg/L. The immunoassay demonstrated relatively high selectivity for BDE-47, showing very low cross-reactivity (< 3%) with BDE-15, BDE-153 and BDE-209. With a spiked river water sample containing 50 μup g/L BDE-47, quantification by the immunoassay was 41.9 μg/L, which compared well with the standard GC-ECD method (45.7 μg/L). The developed immunoassay provides a rapid screening tool for polybrominated diphenyl ethers in environmental samples.     

Effects of ion concentration and natural organic matter on arsenic(V) removal by nanofiltration under different transmembrane pressures

The removal of As(V) from synthetic water was studied using four different nanofiltration (NF) membranes (ESNA-1-K1, NF270, ESNA-1-LF, and HODRA-CORE). The influences of ion concentration, transmembrane pressure (TMP), and the presence of natural organic matter (humic acid, HA) on the arsenic removal efficiency and permeate flux were investigated. The arsenic rejection of ESNA- 1-LF was higher than those of the other membranes in all experiments (> 94%), and the HODRA-CORE membrane gave the lowest removal of arsenic (< 47%). An increase in the ion concentration in the feed solution and addition of HA decreased the arsenic rejection of the HODRA-CORE membrane. However, both increasing of the ion concentration and addition of HA made the rejection increased for the other membranes (ESNA-1-K1, NF270, and ESNA-1-LF). With increasing TMP, for all four NF membranes, increases in both arsenic rejection and permeate flux were observed. The permeate fluxes of the four NF membranes decreased to some extent after addition of HA to the solutions for operating time of 6 hr.     

Synthesis of linear low-density polyethylene-g-poly (acrylic acid)-co-starch/organo-montmorillonite hydrogel composite as an adsorbent for removal of Pb(Ⅱ) from aqueous solutions

The purpose of this work is to remove Pb(II) from the aqueous solution using a type of hydrogel composite. A hydrogel composite consisting of waste linear low density polyethylene, acrylic acid, starch, and organo-montmorillonite was prepared through emulsion polymerization method. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Solid carbon nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (CNMR)), silicon^-29 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (Si NMR)), and X-ray diffraction spectroscope ((XRD) were applied to characterize the hydrogel composite. The hydrogel composite was then employed as an adsorbent for the removal of Pb(II) from the aqueous solution. The Pb(II)-loaded hydrogel composite was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)), scanning electron microscopy (SEM)), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy ((XPS)). From XPS results, it was found that the carboxyl and hydroxyl groups of the hydrogel composite participated in the removal of Pb(II). Kinetic studies indicated that the adsorption of Pb(II) followed the pseudo-second-order equation. It was also found that the Langmuir model described the adsorption isotherm better than the Freundlich isotherm. The maximum removal capacity of the hydrogel composite for Pb(II) ions was 430 mg/g. Thus, the waste linear low-density polyethylene-g-poly (acrylic acid)-co-starch/organo-montmorillonite hydrogel composite could be a promising Pb(II) adsorbent.     

Distributions of phthalic esters carried by total suspended particulates in Nanjing, China

Atmospheric trace phthalic esters (PAEs) carried by total suspended particulates were systematically investigated. A total of 450 air samples were collected at six typical locations and three specific micro-environmental sites (a stadium with a new plastic track, new cars, and a farming greenhouse with plastic film) in Nanjing metropolitan area of China from April 2009 to January 2010. The samples were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography and ultraviolet detection. The results are summarized as follows: (1) The dominant PAEs are dimethyl phthalate (DMP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), and diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), which were found in the atmosphere of Nanjing. The average concentrations of DMP, DBP, and DEHP were 10.5?±?1.2, 62.3?±?4.5, and 33.3?±?2.5?ng?m(-3), respectively, constituting 9.9%, 58.7%, and 31.4% of total PAEs (106?±?8.2?ng?m(-3)). (2) The dynamic variations of atmospheric PAEs in the three specific micro-environmental sites showed that the PAE concentrations in the stadium with a new plastic track reduced to normal after 1?month remediation, while new cars need 6?months to remove their effect. The levels of PAEs in a farming greenhouse with plastic film were relatively high, but little PAEs accumulated in vegetables. (3) The vertical profiles from 1.5 to 40?m above ground display some fluctuations in PAE concentration, but no significant height dependence. This information will make a valuable contribution to the examination of the influence of atmospheric PAEs on the environment and human health.     

Contamination of rivers in Tianjin, China by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Tianjin urban/industrial complex is highly polluted by some persistent organic pollutants. In this study, the levels of 16 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were tested in sediment, water, and suspended particulate matter (SPM) samples in 10 rivers in Tianjin. The total concentration of 16 PAHs varied from 0.787 to 1943 microg/g dry weight in sediment, from 45.81 to 1272 ng/L in water, and from 0.938 to 64.2 microg/g dry weight in SPM. The levels of PAHs in these media are high in comparison with values reported from other river and marine systems. Variability of total concentrations of PAHs in sediment, water, and SPM from nine different rivers is consistent with each other. No obvious trends of total PAHs concentration variations were found between upstream and downstream sediment, water, and SPM samples for most rivers, which indicate local inputs and disturbances along these rivers. The spatial distributions of three-phase PAHs are very similar to each other, and they are also similar to those found in topsoil. However, their chemical profiles are significantly different from that of topsoil. The change of profiles is consistent with the different aqueous transport capability of 16 PAHs. Low molecular weight PAHs predomination suggests a relatively recent local source and coal combustion source of PAHs in the study area.     

Assessment of heavy metal pollution in surface soils of urban parks in Beijing, China

Assessing the concentration of potentially harmful heavy metals in the soil of urban parks is imperative in order to evaluate the potential risks to residents and tourists. To date, little research on soil pollution in China's urban parks has been conducted. To identify the concentrations and sources of heavy metals, and to assess the soil environmental quality, samples were collected from 30 urban parks located in the city of Beijing. Subsequently, the concentrations of Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in the samples were analyzed. The investigation revealed that the accumulations of Cu and Pb were readily apparent in the soils. The integrated pollution index (IPI) of these four metals ranged from 0.97 to 9.21, with the highest IPI in the densely populated historic center district (HCD). Using multivariate statistic approaches (principal components analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis), two factors controlling the heavy metal variability were obtained, which accounted for nearly 80% of the total variance. Nickel and Zn levels were controlled by parent material in the soils, whereas Cu, Pb and, in part, Zn were accounted for mainly by anthropogenic activities. The findings presented here indicate that the location and the age of the park are important factors in determining the extent of heavy metal, particularly Cu and Pb, pollution. In addition, the accumulation of Zn did not appear to reach pollution levels, and no obvious pollution by Ni was observed in the soils of the parks in Beijing.     

Effect of loading rate on shear strength parameters of mechanically and biologically treated waste

● Mechanical behavior of MBT waste affected by loading rate was investigated. ● Shear strength ratio of MBT waste increases with an increase in loading rate. ● Cohesion is inversely related to loading rate. ● Internal friction angles are positively related to loading rate. ● MBT waste from China shows smaller range of φ. Mechanical biological treatment (MBT) technology has attracted increasing attention because it can reduce the volume of waste produced. To deal with the current trend of increasing waste, MBT practices are being adopted to address waste generated in developing urban societies. In this study, a total of 20 specimens of consolidated undrained triaxial tests were conducted on waste obtained from the Hangzhou Tianziling landfill, China, to evaluate the effect of loading rate on the shear strength parameters of MBT waste. The MBT waste samples exhibited an evident strain-hardening behavior, and no peak was observed even when the axial strain exceeded 25%. Further, the shear strength increased with an increase in the loading rate; the effect of loading rate on shear strength under a low confining pressure was greater than that under a high confining pressure. Furthermore, the shear strength parameters of MBT waste were related to the loading rate. The relationship between the cohesion, internal friction angle, and logarithm of the loading rate could be fitted to a linear relationship, which was established in this study. Finally, the ranges of shear strength parameters cohesion c and effective cohesion c ´ were determined as 1.0–8.2 kPa and 2.1–14.9 kPa, respectively; the ranges of the internal friction angle φ and effective internal friction angle φ ´ were determined as 16.2°–29° and 19.8°–43.9°, respectively. These results could be used as a valuable reference for conducting stability analyses of MBT landfills.