Recent biosensing developments in environmental security

Environmental security is one of the fundamental requirements of our well being. However, it still remains a major global challenge. Therefore, in addition to reducing and/or eliminating the amounts of toxic discharges into the environment, there is need to develop techniques that can detect and monitor these environmental pollutants in a sensitive and selective manner to enable effective remediation. Because of their integrated nature, biosensors are ideal for environmental monitoring and detection as they can be portable and provide selective and sensitive rapid responses in real time. In this review we discuss the main concepts behind the development of biosensors that have most relevant applications in the field of environmental monitoring and detection. We also review and document recent trends and challenges in biosensor research and development particularly in the detection of species of environmental significance such as organophosphate nerve agents, heavy metals, organic contaminants, pathogenic microorganisms and their toxins. Special focus will be given to the trends that have the most promising applications in environmental security. We conclude by highlighting the directions towards which future biosensors research in environmental security sector might proceed.     

Land desertification monitoring and assessment in Yulin of Northwest China using remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS)

The objective of this study is to develop techniques for assessing and analysing land desertification in Yulin of Northwest China, as a typical monitoring region through the use of remotely sensed data and geographic information systems (GIS). The methodology included the use of Landsat TM data from 1987, 1996 and 2006, supplemented by aerial photos in 1960, topographic maps, field work and use of other existing data. From this, land cover, the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), farmland, woodland and grassland maps at 1:100,000 were prepared for land desertification monitoring in the area. In the study, all data was entered into a GIS using ILWIS software to perform land desertification monitoring. The results indicate that land desertification in the area has been developing rapidly during the past 40 years. Although land desertification has to some extent been controlled in the area by planting grasses and trees, the issue of land desertification is still serious. The study also demonstrates an example of why the integration of remote sensing with GIS is critical for the monitoring of environmental changes in arid and semi-arid regions, e.g. in land desertification monitoring in the Yulin pilot area. However, land desertification monitoring using remote sensing and GIS still needs to be continued and also refined for the purpose of long-term monitoring and the management of fragile ecosystems in the area.     

Dry deposition study by using dry deposition plate and water surface sampler in Shalu, central Taiwan

This study presents the chemical composition of dry deposition by using dry deposition plate and water surfaces sampler during daytime and nighttime sampling periods at a near highway traffic sampling site. In addition, the characterization for mass and water soluble species of total suspended particulate (TSP), PM2.5 and PM10 were also studied at this sampling site during August 22 to October 31 of 2006 around central Taiwan. The samples collected were analyzed by using Ion Chromatography (DIONEX 100) for the ionic species analysis. Results of the particulate dry deposition fluxes are higher in the water surfaces sampler than that of the dry deposition plate. In other words, the results also indicated that water surface can absorb more ambient dry deposition inorganic pollutants than that of dry deposition plate in this study. The results obtained in this study indicated that the ionic species of Cl(-), NO3(-) and SO4(2-) occupied about average 60-70% downward flux out of total ionic species for either dry deposition plate or water surfaces sampler during August to October of 2006 at this near highway traffic sampling site.     

Seasonal variations in microcystin concentrations in Lake Taihu, China

An enzyme-limited immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to monitor spatial and temporal variation of microcystins (MCs) in Lake Taihu. MC concentrations were higher in summer and autumn than in other seasons. Maximal MC concentration was 15.6 mug L(-1). Compared to central Lake Taihu and Wuli Bay, Meiliang Bay had higher MC concentrations due to high biomass of Microcystis.     

水生金针菜对食品废水的净化

本文介绍了金针菜在水面上无土栽培技术和对食品废水的净化功能.试验结果证明,金针菜是净化食品废水的一种优良植物,其经济效益也很显著.     

湘南红壤对NO_3~-和SO_4~(2-)的吸附机理研究

本文研究了湘南第四纪红粘土发育的红壤对NO_3和SO_4~(2-)的吸附等温线。结果表明红壤对NO_3~-的吸附在浓度低时为负吸附,浓度高时为正吸附,吸附机理为非专性吸附,红壤对SO_4~(2-)的吸附等温式以Freundlich方程最好,在达到最大吸量(X_m)之前,SO_4~(2-)以置换羟基(—OH)的配位吸附为主;而在达到最大吸附量以后,以非专性物理吸附为主。     

广西涠洲岛沉凝灰岩土壤粘粒矿物的研究

用X射线衍射分析和电子显微镜分析,对涠洲岛沉凝灰岩母质发育土壤的两个典型剖面八个土样的粘粒矿物进行分析研究。结果表明,离火山口距离不同的两个剖面土壤粘粒矿物组成不同,1号剖面以2:1型粘粒矿物为主,2号剖面则以1:1型粘粒矿物为主;结合其它分析结果,讨论了两个剖面土壤粘粒矿物组成不同的原因、对土壤有关特性的影响及其与土壤形成和分类的关系。     

合成有机物结构-生物降解性关系的研究

本文综述了合成有机物生物降解性的研究方法.以及定性结构-生物降解性关系(SBR).重点综述了芳香类化合物的结构与生物降解性的关系.研究这一关系有助于有毒化学品生物降解性的预测.     

湘南第四纪红壤吸附SO_4~(2-)的机理研究

本文研究了湖南第四纪红粘土及其发育的旱地和水田表层土壤对SO_4~2的吸附.结果表明这三种土壤吸附SO_4~2的顺序为;红粘土>旱地红壤>红壤性水稻土.而且随介质pH的升高,SO_4~2吸附量减少,吸附机理也发生改变:当介质pH6.5以后,解吸占优势.     

广西山地漂白黄壤的理化性质及合理利用

广西山地漂白黄壤分布在中、低山地的上部，即海拔１２００ｍ以上的山体坡面和山顶部位，成为广西土壤垂直带谱最上层结构的主要土壤类型．在温暖多雨、多云雾的亚热带季风气候条件下，以常绿阔叶林为主的自然森林植被生长茂密，土壤矿物分解较为彻底，成土过程主要是旺盛的生物富集过程、明显的脱硅富铅化与水化过程以及强烈的淋浴侧渗漂洗过程。土壤剖面层次发育明显，具Ａ１－Ａ２－Ｅ－Ｂ－Ｃ或ＡＨ－Ａ－Ｅ－Ｂ－Ｃ构型。土壤质地多为重壤土至中粘土，呈强酸性反应。表土阳离子代换量中等，有机质含量丰富，肥力高，适于发展林业，特别是发展水源林和水土保持林，它是广西最重要的水源林区。