Ecological literacy and beyond: Problem-based learning for future professionals

Ecological science contributes to solving a broad range of environmental problems. However, lack of ecological literacy in practice often limits application of this knowledge. In this paper, we highlight a critical but often overlooked demand on ecological literacy: to enable professionals of various careers to apply scientific knowledge when faced with environmental problems. Current university courses on ecology often fail to persuade students that ecological science provides important tools for environmental problem solving. We propose problem-based learning to improve the understanding of ecological science and its usefulness for real-world environmental issues that professionals in careers as diverse as engineering, public health, architecture, social sciences, or management will address. Courses should set clear learning objectives for cognitive skills they expect students to acquire. Thus, professionals in different fields will be enabled to improve environmental decision-making processes and to participate effectively in multidisciplinary work groups charged with tackling environmental issues.     

Presenting Triple-Wins? Assessing Projects That Deliver Adaptation,Mitigation and Development Co-benefits in Rural Sub-Saharan Africa

The concept of climate compatible development (CCD) is increasingly employed by donors and policy makers seeking ‘triple-wins’ for development, adaptation and mitigation. While CCD rhetoric is becoming more widespread, analyses drawing on empirical cases that present triple-wins are sorely lacking. We address this knowledge gap. Drawing on examples in rural sub-Saharan Africa, we provide the first glimpse into how projects that demonstrate triple-win potential are framed and presented within the scientific literature. We identify that development projects are still commonly evaluated in terms of adaptation or mitigation benefits. Few are framed according to their benefits across all three dimensions. Consequently, where triple-wins are occurring, they are likely to be under-reported. This has important implications, which underestimates the co-benefits that projects can deliver. A more robust academic evidence base for the delivery of triple-wins is necessary to encourage continued donor investment in activities offering the potential to deliver CCD.     

Geogenic Distribution of Arsenic (As) and Antimony (Sb) in Soils of the Murcia Region in Spain

The objective of this study was to determine the As and Sb contents in soils from the Murcia Region of Spain and the possible relationship between the mineralogical composition, soil properties, and As and Sb concentrations. In this study, 490 samples were selected from areas with different characteristics in order to study As and Sb variability. Results show that As and Sb concentrations are positively correlated with the phyllosilicate and quartz content but negatively correlated with the calcite content. The generic reference level (GRL) for these elements was determined according to the Spanish legislation. Established GRL values vary according to the established mineralogical groups, suggesting that GRL has to be determined considering the lithological characteristics of the study area.     

添加炭基材料对蔬菜废物好氧堆肥进程和腐熟度的影响

以蔬菜废弃物辣椒秸秆和树叶为堆肥原料(CK),采用密闭式好氧堆肥工艺,研究了添加5%木本泥炭(T1)、5%活性炭(T2)和10%木本泥炭(T3)等炭基材料对堆肥p H、EC、CO2累积量、物料损失率、T值、C/N和发芽率指数的影响。结果显示,T2处理的p H在60 d后维持在8~9之间;EC值随着堆肥进行呈现先下降后升高再下降的趋势,最终CK、T1、T2和T3处理的EC值(m S/cm)分别降低了1.02、0.76、0.33和0.48;T2和T3处理的CO2累积量一直高于其他处理;所有处理的物料损失率均在20%以上;4个处理堆肥产品的T值分别为0.56、0.65、0.68和0.69;堆肥产品的发芽率指数分别为63.2%、69.3%、93.5%和86.1%。T值和发芽率指数显示T2和T3处理达到了腐熟阶段。结果表明,在蔬菜堆肥处理中添加炭基材料可改善堆肥产品的理化性质,加速堆肥物料的分解,有效地缩短堆肥周期和提高堆肥产品的腐熟度。     

Estimating Remediation and Contaminant Respiration Emissions for Alternatives Comparisons at Petroleum Spill Sites

Greenhouse gas emissions assessments for site cleanups typically quantify emissions associated with remediation and not those from contaminant biodegradation. Yet, at petroleum spill sites, these emissions can be significant, and some remedial actions can decrease this additional component of the environmental footprint. This article demonstrates an emissions assessment for a hypothetical site, using the following technologies as examples: excavation with disposal to a landfill, light nonaqueous‐phase liquid (LNAPL) recovery with and without recovered product recycling, passive bioventing, and monitored natural attenuation (MNA). While the emissions associated with remediation for LNAPL recovery are greater than the other considered alternatives, this technology is comparable to excavation when a credit associated with product recycling is counted. Passive bioventing, a green remedial alternative, has greater remedial emissions than MNA, but unlike MNA can decrease contaminant‐related emissions by converting subsurface methane to carbon dioxide. For the presented example, passive bioventing has the lowest total emissions of all technologies considered. This illustrates the value in estimating both remediation and contaminant respiration emissions for petroleum spill sites, so that the benefit of green remedial approaches can be quantified at the remedial alternatives selection stage rather than simply as best management practices. ©2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

用膨润土处理油田污水的研究进展

介绍了膨润土的基本特性及其存油田污水处理中的研究情况。天然膨润土经改性后,可吸附去除油田污水中的油、烃类衍生物、注聚残留聚合物及表面活性剂;负载金属氧化物的改性膨润土可对光催化氧化产生协同效应,提高光催化氧化油田污水中有机物的能力;在高压下将膨润土制成薄膜,对油田污水中的无机离了有一定的截留去除作用。     

上海市PM2.5的物理化学特征及其生物活性研究

采集了上海市区和郊区春季和夏季的大气PM2.5样品,分析了市区和郊区春夏2季PM2.5质量浓度变化的规律,使用PIXE(Proton Induced X-ray Emission)分析技术获得S、K、Ca、Ti、Cr、Mn、Fe、Ni、Cu、Zn、As、Se、Br、Sr、Pb等15种元素的质量浓度.结果表明,上海PM2.5中化学元素的质量浓度在春季(5038.6ng·m-3)比在夏季(3810.6ng·m-3)高,春季郊区(2528.9ng·m-3)和市区(2509.7ng·m-3)PM2.5中化学元素的质量浓度相当,夏季市区样品(1674.2ng·m-3)中化学元素质量浓度的总量比郊区(2136.3 ng·m-3)的低,但来自人为污染的化学元素(Cr、Mn、Ti、Ni、Cu、Zn、As、Br、Sr、Pb)在市区PM2.5中的含量较高;场发射扫描电镜(FESEM)分析显示,上海PM2.5主要由烟尘集合体、燃煤飞灰、矿物颗粒、生物质颗粒和不明物质组成,质粒DNA评价揭示上海市区PM2.5比郊区的具有更强的生物活性,主要原因可能在于市区样品中含有较高的重金属元素和较多的烟尘集合体.     

厌氧-好氧生物反应器填埋工艺特性研究

基于生物反应器填埋技术,研究1种填埋场地循环操作的厌氧-好氧生物反应器填埋工艺,设计了该工艺模拟装置并研究了其运行工艺特性.厌氧阶段主要通过渗滤液回灌控制反应器工艺条件,主要试验结果为,pH值,R1在 6周后可上升至6.7～7.8,R2在17周内一直低于6.8;渗滤液COD浓度,R1在13周时下降至10?617 mg/L,R2在5周后上升至60?000 mg/L后长期趋于稳定;填埋气累计产量,R1在8周达到44%,R2几乎不产气.衡量稳定化可以分别采用渗滤液pH、COD浓度及BOD₅/COD的减少率、填埋气的累计产率等指标来判断,并据此转换为好氧填埋运行.好氧阶段主要是通过强制通风来减少恶臭和水分,主要试验结果为,通风19d氨气浓度降为1.16 mg/m³,通风23d后恶臭浓度降为19;通风14d后含水率降为26%.完成此阶段的工艺指标值可依据矿化垃圾开采的最终用途确定.对主要试验数据进行了数值模拟.厌氧-好氧填埋过程的微生物演替经RISA分析,有4个优势菌群,一些兼性菌群在厌氧-好氧阶段起着重要的承前启后作用.     

硫酸铵气溶胶对甲苯-NOx-空气体系光化学反应的影响

利用大气模拟烟雾箱,研究了硫酸铵气溶胶对甲苯-NOx-空气体系光化学反应的影响.结果表明,硫酸铵作为气溶胶种子,其存在可以加快反应过程中颗粒物(particle matter,PM)的生成速度,并提高甲苯的气溶胶产率.在高浓度的硫酸铵气溶胶种子条件下,其初始浓度对反应过程中NOx、NO和O3的浓度变化没有明显的影响,但对二次有机气溶胶(secondary organic aemsol,SOA)的生成有显著影响.在硫酸铵气溶胶种子浓度小于160 μg·m-3时,SOA的产率随初始气溶胶种子浓度的增大而增大,从最小7.2%到最大11.7%,其增幅超过60%.