Insights into the phenomenon of an explosive growth and sharp decline in haze: A case study in Beijing

A severe haze episode occurred in winter in the North China Plain(NCP),and the phenomenon of an explosive growth and sharp decline in PM_(2.5)(particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter equal to or less than 2.5μm)concentration was observed.To study the systematic causes for this phenomenon,comprehensive observations were conducted in Beijing from November 26 to December 2,2015;during this period,meteorological parameters,LIDAR data,and the chemical compositions of aerosols were determined.The haze episode was characterized by rapidly varying PM2.5 concentration,and the highest PM_(2.5) concentration reached 667μg/m~3.During the haze episode,the NCP was dominated by a weak high-pressure system and continuously low PBL(planetary boundary layer)heights,which are unfavorable conditions for the diffusion of pollutants.The large increases in the concentrations of SNA(SO_4~(2-),NO_3~-and NH_4~+)during the haze implied that the formation of SNA was the largest contribution.Water vapor also played a vital role in the formation of haze by promoting the chemical transformation of secondary pollutants,which led to higher PM_(2.5) concentrations.The spatial distributions of PM_(2.5) in Beijing at different times and the backward trajectories of the air masses also indicated that pollutants from surrounding provinces in particular,contributed to the higher PM_(2.5)concentration.     

泥沙灾害链及其在灾害过程规律研究中的应用

泥沙灾害是地球表层的主要灾害之一.泥沙灾害具有链锁式反应机制,在一定条件下构成泥沙灾害链.阐述了泥沙灾害链的概念、特点及类型,并以黄河与长江流域的泥沙灾害为例,对其链式特征进行了深入分析.研究表明,泥沙灾害链是泥沙灾害过程的主要表现形式之一,反映了泥沙灾害中隐含的渐发特征和强次生灾害特征,泥沙灾害链是研究泥沙灾害过程规律和特征的重要基础.     

北京市石景山区PM2.5中典型水溶性离子分布特征及其致敏效应研究

为了考察大气细颗粒物水溶性成分与过敏性疾病的相关性,对北京市石景山区PM_2.5中水溶性离子分布特征进行分析,对文献中报道的有机酸浓度进行总结,选取其中9种典型水溶性无机盐（硝酸铵、硫酸铵、氯化铵、硝酸钠、无水硫酸钠、硝酸钾、硫酸钾、硝酸钙、硫酸钙）及3种水溶性有机酸（丙二酸、丁二酸、乙二酸）进行肥大细胞激活实验,观察上述成分经IgE及非IgE途径对肥大细胞β-Hex释放率的影响.结果表明：铵离子、硝酸离子和硫酸离子是研究区PM_2.5中占比最大的3种离子,丙二酸、丁二酸、乙二酸是北京市PM_2.5中3种浓度较高的水溶性有机酸.非IgE途径下,100μg·mL^-1的9种水溶性无机盐和80μg·mL⁽-1(的3种水溶性有机酸均无法提高肥大细胞β-Hex释放率.IgE途径下,仅观察到80μg·mL^-1丙二酸能使肥大细胞β-Hex释放率提高约3%,其增敏作用还需进一步研究证实.本研究将为进一步研究PM_2.5水溶性成分诱发或加重过敏性疾病的潜在机制...     

Distinctive differences in the granulation of saline and non-saline enriched anaerobic ammonia oxidizing (AMX) bacteria

The growing interest in the anaerobic ammonium oxidizing (AMX) process in treating high nitrogen containing wastewaters and a comprehensive study into the granulation mechanism of these bacteria under diverse environmental conditions over the years have been unequal. To this effect, the distinctive differences in saline adapted AMX (S_AMX) and non-saline adapted AMX (NS_AMX) granules are presented in this study. It was observed that substrate utilisation profiles, granule formation mechanism, and pace towards granulation differed marginally for the two adaptation conditions. The different microbial dominant aggregation types aided in splitting the 471 days operated lab-scale SBRs into three distinct phases. In both reactors, phase III (granules dominant phase) showed the highest average nitrogen removal efficiency of 87.9% ± 4.8% and 85.6% ± 3.6% for the S_AMX and NS_AMX processes, respectively. The extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) quantity and major composition determined its role either as a binding agent in granulation or a survival mechanism in saline adaptation. It was also observed that granules of the S_AMX reactor were mostly loosely and less condensed aggregates of smaller sub-units and flocs while those of the NS_AMX reactor were compact agglomerates. The ionic gradient in saline enrichment led to an increased activity of the Na⁺/K⁺ – ATPase, hence enriched granules produced higher cellular adenosine triphosphate molecules which finally improved the granules active biomass ratio by 32.96%. Microbial community showed that about three to four major known AMX species made up the granules consortia in both reactors. Proteins and expression of functional genes differed for these different species.     

Inefficient cooking systems a challenge for sustainable development: a case of rural areas of Sub-Saharan Africa

Environment, Development and Sustainability - The use of low efficient cookstoves has several severe negative impacts. Burning solid fuels kills about 4 million people every year, a number which is...     

Organoiodines in effluents of a shale-fracturing wastewater treatment plant

Environmental Chemistry Letters - Shale gas extraction is increasing worldwide in the context of the energy crisis, yet the associated pollution by this industrial activity is poorly known. Here we...     

Red mud-modified biochar reduces soil arsenic availability and changes bacterial composition

Environmental Chemistry Letters - Worldwide arsenic (As) contamination in soils induces pollution of surface and ground waters, reduces crop quality and yield, and threatens human health....     

·OH自由基介导2,4-二氯酚光降解机理及产物毒性变化特征的理论研究

由于2,4-二氯酚(2,4-dichlorophenol,简称2,4-DCP)具有"三致"作用及潜在的生态风险,其光化学降解机理及产物的生态毒理效应目前成为人们关注的焦点。本研究采用理论化学计算手段,系统阐明了2,4-DCP在水环境中·OH介导的间接光化学转化机理、动力学和转化产物的生态毒性变化特征。结果表明2,4-DCP很容易被·OH氧化降解,其降解主要通过·OH-加成和H-迁移路径进行。在低温条件下·OH-加成路径将占主导,主要形成4,6-二氯苯-1,3-二酚;而当温度超过313 K时,·OH提取酚羟基上的氢原子为主要降解途径,主要形成2-氯苯-对苯醌。尤其在活性物种浓度较低的高温环境中,H-迁移路径有可能生成二噁英。计算毒理学结果表明:H-迁移产物的水生毒性超过·OH-加成产物,甚至超出母体2,4-DCP一个毒性等级。因此,我们建议在以后的环境监测以及风险评估过程中,关注2,4-DCP及其转化产物特别是H-迁移路径的转化产物的生态毒理学问题。     

生物节律对矿井生产的影响及安全策略研究

根据生物节律的起源、定义及本质,将生物节律从人体三节律和频度两个角度分类,概述其参数变化规律,并阐明矿井生产环境中导致生物节律偏移的因素。简述生物节律的计算方法,提出运用现代计算机技术,即excel表格的编程功能建立节律预测表,对职工进行安全评价。通过对矿井伤亡事故实例的计算与分析,探求生物节律和矿井生产事故之间的关联度。在充分考虑生物节律的基础下,提出现实可行的安全策略,降低矿井安全事故的发生率