Research progress on distribution,sources, identification,toxicity, and biodegradation of microplastics in the ocean,freshwater, and soil environment

• Microplastics are widely found in both aquatic and terrestrial environments. • Cleaning products and discarded plastic waste are primary sources of microplastics. • Microplastics have apparent toxic effects on the growth of fish and soil plants. • Multiple strains of biodegradable microplastics have been isolated. Microplastics (MPs) are distributed in the oceans, freshwater, and soil environment and have become major pollutants. MPs are generally referred to as plastic particles less than 5 mm in diameter. They consist of primary microplastics synthesized in microscopic size manufactured production and secondary microplastics generated by physical and environmental degradation. Plastic particles are long-lived pollutants that are highly resistant to environmental degradation. In this review, the distribution and possible sources of MPs in aquatic and terrestrial environments are described. Moreover, the adverse effects of MPs on natural creatures due to ingestion have been discussed. We also have summarized identification methods based on MPs particle size and chemical bond. To control the pollution of MPs, the biodegradation of MPs under the action of different microbes has also been reviewed in this work. This review will contribute to a better understanding of MPs pollution in the environment, as well as their identification, toxicity, and biodegradation in the ocean, freshwater, and soil, and the assessment and control of microplastics exposure.     

Enhanced activation of peroxymonosulfate by CNT-TiO2 under UV-light assistance for efficient degradation of organic pollutants

CNT-TiO₂ composite is used to activate PMS under UV-light assistance. Superior performance is due to the enhanced electron-transfer ability of CNT. SO₄•⁻, •OH and ¹O₂ play key roles in the degradation of organic pollutants. In this work, a UV-light assisted peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation system was constructed with the composite catalyst of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNT) - titanium dioxide (TiO₂). Under the UV light irradiation, the photoinduced electrons generated from TiO₂ could be continuously transferred to CNT for the activation of PMS to improve the catalytic performance of organic pollutant degradation. Meanwhile, the separation of photoinduced electron-hole pairs could enhance the photocatalysis efficiency. The electron spin resonance spectroscopy (EPR) and quenching experiments confirmed the generation of sulfate radical (SO₄•⁻), hydroxyl radical (•OH) and singlet oxygen (¹O₂) in the UV/PMS/20%CNT-TiO₂ system. Almost 100% phenol degradation was observed within 20 min UV-light irradiation. The kinetic reaction rate constant of the UV/PMS/20%CNT-TiO₂ system (0.18 min⁻¹) was 23.7 times higher than that of the PMS/Co₃O₄ system (0.0076 min⁻¹). This higher catalytic performance was ascribed to the introduction of photoinduced electrons, which could enhance the activation of PMS by the transfer of electrons in the UV/PMS/CNT-TiO₂ system.     

高锰酸盐复合剂强化饮用水除污染生产性研究

采用依时间序列进行对比的方法,考察了高锰酸盐复合剂(PPC)对饮用水源的强化除污染效能。生产性实验结果表明,PPC具有优良的强化混凝和强化过滤效能,能显著降低水厂沉后水和滤后水的浊度、COD_Mn、UV₂₅₄等水质指标。与未投加时相比较,水厂投加PPC后沉后水和滤后水浊度分别降低了25%和33.3%,沉后水和滤后水COD_Mn去除率分别提高了15.3%和11.5%,UV₂₅₄去除率分别提高了16.3%和9.5%。同时,GC/MS分析表明PPC能有效去除水源水中的多种微量有机污染物,显著提高饮用水的化学安全性。PPC通过高锰酸钾的氧化作用,水合二氧化锰的吸附作用,以及各组分间的协同强化作用,显著提高了对水中污染物质的去除效率。     

苇浆造纸黑液的Fenton预处理研究

采用Fenton试剂预处理高浓度苇浆造纸黑液,经正交设计得出各因素对黑液COD去除率的影响顺序为:pH＞[H2O2]＞[Fe2 ]＞反应时间.确定最佳操作条件为:初始pH=4、[H2O2]=0.088 mol/L、[Fe2 ]=14.39 mmol/L、反应40 min,此条件下废水COD去除率可达80%以上,色度及浊度去除率达96%.动力学表明:Fenton试剂预处理高浓度苇浆造纸黑液的表观过程近似符合一级反应规律.废水经处理后可生化性指标BOD/COD平均从0.303升高到0.558.     

Source and persistence of pesticides in a semi-confined chalk aquifer of southeast England

Pesticide contamination in groundwater is an increasing problem that poses a significant long-term threat to water quality. Following the detection of elevated concentrations of diuron in boreholes in a semi-confined chalk aquifer from southeast England, a sampling programme was undertaken. Between 2003 and 2004 diuron was observed in 90% of groundwaters analysed. In 60% of groundwater samples metabolites of diuron were more prevalent than the parent compound. Longer-term (1989-2005) monitoring shows that pollution of the aquifer by atrazine, simazine, and more recently diuron, shows a positive correlation with periods of high groundwater levels. Results from groundwater residence time indicators suggest that the highest diuron concentrations are associated with waters containing the greatest proportion of recent recharge. There is some evidence to indicate that diuron occurrence can be spatially related to areas of urban and industrial development and is probably correlated with amenity usage.     

琼脂碳源生物反硝化去除水源水中硝酸盐

针对受硝酸盐污染的水源水,以琼脂为反硝化细菌的碳源和微生物载体,通过生物反硝化作用脱除水源水中的硝酸盐,并利用曝气生物滤池(BAF)去除琼脂反应器出水中残留的少量CODMn和NO2--N等污染物。实验结果表明,水源水自然接种的条件下,可以顺利启动琼脂反应器;在温度为25℃左右,琼脂反应器在进水NO3--N约25 mg/L、水力停留时间1.5 h时,能获得70%的硝酸盐氮去除率;曝气生物滤池在水力停留时间0.5 h、气水比2.8时,可控制最终出水的CODMn和NO2--N分别在5.0 mg/L和0.10 mg/L以下;琼脂反应器的脱氮效果与温度、进水NO3--N浓度及水力停留时间等有关。研究指出,琼脂反应器与曝气生物滤池构成的组合系统能较好地脱除水源水中的硝酸盐并且能控制最终出水水质,不会导致二次污染,从而获得合格的饮用水源水。     

PM10-PM2.5冲击采样器的研制与开发

在颗粒物研究中,分级采样是一种常用的监测方法,而冲击采样器是颗粒物分级采样的重要仪器.根据斯托克斯数,对PM10-PM2.5冲击采样器设计参数进行了详细分析,并对PM10-PM2.5的捕集效率特征进行了分析.结果表明,PM10-PM2.5冲击采样器具备理想的PM10和PM2.5捕集效率,PM10冲击采样器、PM2.5冲击采样器切割粒径分别为9.94、2.43μm,均在其允许误差范围内.     

Ammonia emission from grassland and livestock production systems in the UK

Emissions of ammonia were measured from livestock excreta and fertilisers applied to grass swards, from grazed paddocks, from decomposing grass herbage and from an animal house containing dairy cows. Emissions from urine, dung, slurry and fertilisers were determined using a system of wind tunnels with each tunnel covering an area of 1 m(2). Emissions from grazed swards were determined using a micrometeorological mass balance method. From the results of these measurements, together with other published information, an inventory for ammonia emissions has been calculated for grassland and livestock production systems over the UK as a whole. It is estimated that emissions from grassland and cattle and sheep production amount to about 230 kt NH(3)-N annually, while emissions from pig and poultry production amount to about 40 kt and 80 kt NH(3)-N, respectively.     

Distribution of fission products in dust samples from the region of Thessaloniki, Greece, after the Chernobyl nuclear accident

The distribution of the fission products (95)Zr, (95)Nb, (103)Ru, (106)Ru (determined through (106)Rh), (125)Sb, (129m)Te, (134)Cs, (137)Cs, (140)Ba, (140)La, (141)Ce and (144)Ce has been determined in dust samples from the region of Thessaloniki, Greece, after the nuclear accident at Chernobyl. The samples studied also included (110m)Ag, not belonging to the products of (235)U fission. Samples showing higher concentrations of radionuclides also show a higher content in clay minerals, whereas samples having low concentrations of radionuclides usually contain large amounts of quartz and feldspars. Desorption and leaching experiments using solutions of chlorides of sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium (0.5 N), as well as distilled and tap water, were also performed. Sodium and potassium chloride solutions were found to be efficient in desorbing and/or leaching of caesium and ruthenium isotopes to an extent of about 30%.     

Response of thermal stressed bobwhite to organophosphorus exposure

Constant and intermittent cold stressed juvenile northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) were exposed to chlorpyrifos, an organophosphorus insecticide, following avian dietary LC(50) test procedures. Chlorpyrifos concentrations ranged from 100 to 1000 ppm; ambient temperatures (T(a)) included 35.0 (control), 32.5, 30.0 and 27.5 degrees C. Survival decreased significantly under constant cold conditions. Non-survivors averaged 33% weight loss, but survivor weight dropped with increasing dose and decreasing T(a). Control quail at all temperatures maintained a constant body temperature (T(b)); however, T(b) of dosed quail fell with increasing dose and decreasing T(a). Non-surviving cold stressed quail had higher cholinesterase (ChE) activity that non-survivors at 35 degrees C; in addition, dead quail failed to average the 50% inhibition of ChE used to implicate a ChE depressant in death. Daily exposure of quail to 12 h of warmth increased survival. Survivors of intermittent cold stress experienced less weight loss than constant cold survivors due to reduced metabolic costs. Synergistic effects were evident in juvenile northern bobwhite exposed simultaneously to chlorpyrifos and cold stress; however, mortality and certain sublethal effects were mitigated when cold exposure was intermittent.