Reduction of hexavalent chromium with scrap iron in a fixed bed reactor

The reduction of hexavalent chromium by scrap iron was investigated in continuous long-term fixed bed system. The effects of pH, empty bed contact time (EBCT), and initial Cr(VI) concentration on Cr(VI) reduction were studied. The results showed that the pH, EBCT, and initial Cr(VI) concentration significantly affected the reduction capacity of scrap iron. The reduction capacity of scrap iron were 4.56, 1.51, and 0.57 mg Cr(VI)·g^-1 Fe⁰ at pH 3, 5, and 7 (initial Cr(VI) concentration 4 mg·L^-1, EBCT 2 min, and temperature 25°C), 0.51, 1.51, and 2.85 mg Cr(VI)·g^-1 Fe⁰ at EBCTs of 0.5, 2.0, and 6.0 min (initial Cr(VI) concentration 4 mg·L^-1, pH 5, and temperature 25°C), and 2.99, 1.51, and 1.01 mg Cr(VI)·g^-1 Fe⁰ at influent concentrations of 1, 4, and 8 mg·L^-1 (EBCT 2 min, pH 5, and temperature 25°C), respectively. Fe(total) concentration in the column effluent continuously decreased in time, due to a decrease in time of the iron corrosion rate. The fixed bed reactor can be readily used for the treatment of drinking water containing low amounts of Cr(VI) ions, although the hardness and humic acid in water may shorten the lifetime of the reactor, the reduction capacity of scrap iron still achieved 1.98 mg Cr⁶⁺·g^-1 Fe. Scanning electron microscope equipped with energy dispersion spectrometer and X-ray diffraction were conducted to examine the surface species of the scrap iron before and after its use. In addition to iron oxides and hydroxide species, iron-chromium complex was also observed on the reacted scrap iron.     

桂林岩溶表层带土壤CO2体积分数时空变化规律及其意义

通过2010—2011年的监测建立了桂林盘龙洞坡地和洼地不同深度土壤CO2体积分数的季节性变化。监测土壤CO2体积分数空间上变化为:坡地80 cm>50 cm>30 cm;洼地80 cm>100 cm>50 cm>30 cm。监测土壤CO2体积分数时间上变化为2010年7月和2011年6月未CO2体积分数达到最高值,2010到2011年冬季为土壤CO2达到最低值。由于受到大气降水量急剧减少的影响2011年土壤CO2体积分数整体比2010年低。显示大气降水量也是影响土壤CO2体积分数的重要环境因素。为我国固碳减排科学的选择时间和空间提供有力的依据。     

低含量Pb对Cd处理下冬小麦根际土壤氧化还原酶活性、BIF及C/N的影响

为正确评价重金属污染下冬小麦根际土壤微生态系统的安全性和稳定性,采用盆栽试验法研究了铅(Pb)含量低于国家"土壤环境质量标准(GB 15618-1995)"规定的Ⅱ类土壤环境基准值(350.00 mg/kg,干土)时,与镉(Cd)复合处理对冬小麦幼苗根际土壤氧化还原酶活性、肥力指数(Biological index of fertility,BIF)及碳/氮(C/N)的影响.结果表明:(1)幼苗生长3周时,Cd处理下过氧化氢酶和多酚氧化酶活性显著(P<0.05)增加,脱氢酶活性显著(P<0.05)降低;7周时多酚氧化酶和过氧化氢酶活性显著(P<0.05)降低;12周时,多酚氧化酶和脱氢酶活性显著(P<0.05)降低.此外,根际土壤生物学肥力指标BIF值主要表现为降低,而根际土壤C/N值在幼苗生长3周和12周时显著(P<0.05)降低,7周时却极显著(P<0.01)升高.(2)低含量Pb与Cd对脱氢酶和过氧化氢酶活性、BIF值主要起协同抑制效应,对多酚氧化酶活性表现出拮抗效应.幼苗生长3周和12周时,低含量Pb可减轻Cd对C/N值的降低效应,7周时,低含量Pb和Cd协同促进C/N值升高.土壤Pb含量低于国家"土壤环境质量标准"规定的Ⅱ类土壤环境基准值时,仍会明显影响Cd污染下冬小麦幼苗根际土壤的生化功能特征.     

Characterization of soil low-molecular-weight organic acids in the Karst rocky desertification region of Guizhou Province, China

Soil low-molecular-weight (LMW) organic acids play important roles in the soil-forming process and the cycling of nutrients in Karst regions. In this study, we quantified the contents of LMW organic acids (including lactate, acetate, formate, malate, and oxalate) in soil solution over the Karst region of Guizhou Province, China using ion chromatography. The concentration of total LMW organic acids in topsoil solution ranged from 0.358 to 1.823 μmol·g^-1, with an average of 0.912 μmol·g^-1. The mean concentrations of lactate, acetate, formate, malate, and oxalate were 0.212±0.089, 0.302±0.228, 0.301±0.214, 0.014±0.018 and 0.086±0.118 μmol·g^-1, respectively. There were also significant difference in the contents of these acids among four phases of rocky desertification, and their concentrations decreased with the aggravation of rocky desertification. The concentrations of the LMW organic acids were significantly positive correlated each other. Significant positive correlations were also observed among individual LMW organic acids in soil solution, and between them and soil available P, available K, exchangeable Ca, respectively. Furthermore, the concentrations of LMW organic acids were significantly positively correlated with inorganic anions (chlorides, nitrates, and sulfates) in Karst topsoil solution. Therefore, the concentrations of soil LMW organic acids might be one of driving force in the Karst rock desertification process in Guizhou Province.     

石家庄地区雾霾天气下云滴和云凝结核的分布特征

2009年5~10月在石家庄地区对雾霾天气下的近地面到高空的云雾滴和云凝结核(CCN)进行了7架次飞机探测.利用PMS云粒子测量仪器、机载温湿仪和连续气流纵向热梯度云凝结核仪获得的云雾粒子和云凝结核(CCN)探测资料,分析了层积云(Sc)和高积云(Ac)中云粒子浓度、液态含水量、粒子算术平均直径和粒子有效平均直径的垂直分布特征;分析了CCN垂直和水平分布特征以及谱分布.结果表明雾霾天气状况下,云滴数浓度在102个/cm3量级上.高云粒子粒径总体大于低云粒子.云含水量平均值范围为0.03~0.14g/m3;地面到600 m高度内, CCN值的平均值为3034cm-3(过饱和度S=0.3%).对CCN的活化谱进行拟合表明石家庄属于典型大陆性核谱,云对CCN有消耗作用,逆温层的存在使得该区CCN浓度累积增加.     

Blood concentrations of lead,cadmium, mercury and their association with biomarkers of DNA oxidative damage in preschool children living in an e-waste recycling area

Reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced DNA damage occurs in heavy metal exposure, but the simultaneous effect on DNA repair is unknown. We investigated the influence of co-exposure of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg) on 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and human repair enzyme 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase (hOGG1) mRNA levels in exposed children to evaluate the imbalance of DNA damage and repair. Children within the age range of 3–6 years from a primitive electronic waste (e-waste) recycling town were chosen as participants to represent a heavy metal-exposed population. 8-OHdG in the children’s urine was assessed for heavy metal-induced oxidative effects, and the hOGG1 mRNA level in their blood represented the DNA repair ability of the children. Among the children surveyed, 88.14% (104/118) had a blood Pb level >5 μg/dL, 22.03% (26/118) had a blood Cd level >1 μg/dL, and 62.11% (59/95) had a blood Hg level >10 μg/dL. Having an e-waste workshop near the house was a risk factor contributing to high blood Pb (r _s  = 0.273, p < 0.01), while Cd and Hg exposure could have come from other contaminant sources. Preschool children of fathers who had a college or university education had significantly lower 8-OHdG levels (median 242.76 ng/g creatinine, range 154.62–407.79 ng/g creatinine) than did children of fathers who had less education (p = 0.035). However, we did not observe a significant difference in the mRNA expression levels of hOGG1 between the different variables. Compared with children having low lead exposure (quartile 1), the children with high Pb exposure (quartiles 2, 3, and 4) had significantly higher 8-OHdG levels (β _Q2 = 0.362, 95% CI 0.111–0.542; β _Q3 = 0.347, 95% CI 0.103–0.531; β _Q4 = 0.314, 95% CI 0.087–0.557). Associations between blood Hg levels and 8-OHdG were less apparent. Compared with low levels of blood Hg (quartile 1), elevated blood Hg levels (quartile 2) were associated with higher 8-OHdG levels (β _Q2 = 0.236, 95% CI 0.039–0.406). Compared with children having low lead exposure (quartile 1), the children with high Pb exposure (quartiles 2, 3, and 4) had significantly higher 8-OHdG levels.     

Metals and metalloids in PM10 in Nandan County,Guangxi, China,and the health risks posed

Intense mining, smelting, and tailing activities of polymetallic ore deposits have affected the environment in Nandan County, Guangxi, China. Samples of particulates with aerodynamic diameters low or equal 10 μm (PM₁₀) were collected in Nandan County to investigate the concentrations of and health risks posed by 17 metals and metalloids in the PM₁₀. The metal and metalloid concentrations were lower than those found in other industrial cities. The mean Cr concentration was 7.48 ng/m³. Significant higher metal and metalloid concentrations were found in PM₁₀ from mining areas (Dachang and Chehe) than from the control area (Liuzhai) (p < 0.05). Principal component analysis indicated that the main sources of Ba, Co, Cr, Fe, K, Mg, Mo, Na, and Sr were resuspension of the soil produced through mineral erosion, the main sources of As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Sb, and Zn were smelting and mining activities, and the main source of Ni was fossil fuel combustion. Higher non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks were posed in Dachang and Chehe than in Liuzhai. The non-carcinogenic risks posed to adults and children by individual metals and metalloids in PM₁₀ at all the sites were low, but the non-carcinogenic risks posed to children by all the metals and metalloids together exceeded the safe level (i.e., risk value > 1). The carcinogenic risks posed by Cd, Ni, and Pb were negligible at all sites, while As, Co, and Cr posed potential carcinogenic risks to the residents.

     

Community structure and biotic integrity of aquatic plants along the North Canal in Beijing北大核心CSCD

Aquatic plants along the North Canal in Beijing were studied to identify the community structure of aquatic plants and vegetation index of biotic integrity (VIBI), and to provide scientific basis for the management and protection of urban rivers. Aquatic plants from 49 sampling sites along the North Canal were investigated during June 2015. Based on the field data, distributing range analysis, discriminatory power analysis, and correlation analysis were used stepwise to select core metrics from candidate metrics to establish the VIBI assessment system. The VIBI value of each sampling site was calculated as the average of the scaled values of all core metrics. Thirty-six aquatic plant species, including 14 hygrophytes, 13 emergent species, 6 submergent species, 2 floating-leaved species, and 1 floating species were collected. Species diversity was low in the North Canal, and no aquatic plants were recorded in 28 sampling sites, of which 9 sampling sites were dried up. Five sites were in excellent condition (VIBI > 0.60), 5 were good (0.60 > VIBI > 0.38), 7 were fair (0.38 > VIBI > 0.23), and 4 were poor (VIBI < 0.23). Based on the distribution of VIBI, Shahe River and Wenyu River upstream, and Fenghe River located in suburbs had a higher VIBI. Downstream tributaries, such as Qinghe River, Bahe River, and Liangshui River, had a lower VIBI. Correlation analysis showed that habitat quality, habitat complexity, and vegetation diversity along riparian zones were the important factors affecting VIBI along the North Canal, Beijing. Aquatic plants along the North Canal showed low species diversity owing to human disturbance. VIBI along tributaries with limited disturbance from human activities was higher; however, VIBI along tributaries disturbed by frequent human activities was lower. © 2018 Science Press. All rights reserved.     

High zinc removal from water and soil using struvite-supported diatomite obtained by nitrogen and phosphate recovery from wastewater

Zinc is known as an essential element of human life. However, excessive zinc discharge into water and soil causes water pollution, leading to serious health issues such as septicemia, meningitis and iron-deficiency anemia. Here, a novel material made of struvite-supported diatomite was obtained from eutrophic water treated by mesoporous MgO-modified diatomite. This material was applied for zinc remediation in aqueous solutions and contaminated soils to test the reuse of P-containing products. Struvite-supported diatomite was characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Results show that the maximum removal efficiency of Zn(II) from wastewater streams reached 90.54% at an initial pH of 5 and struvite-supported diatomite dosage of 0.3 g/L. Moreover, the X-ray diffraction patterns of precipitates after Zn(II) sorption show that the combination between zinc and the phosphate group played a key role for zinc removal in solution. For Zn-contaminated soils amended with 10% struvite-supported diatomite, available Zn decreased by 65.38% and acid soluble Zn decreased by 56.9% after 56 days.     

稻米来源镉对生长期猪的生长特性及不同脏器组织镉蓄积的影响

环境中的镉污染对动植物及人类都带来了极大的危害。目前,多数镉毒理研究关注其无机状态,而来源于稻米的有机态镉的毒害作用报道较少。为评估稻米来源镉对生长期猪的毒性作用,选用初始体重为30 kg左右的健康生长猪28头,随机分为体重无明显差异的2组,即对照组与稻米来源镉组(试验组),研究稻米来源镉对生长期猪(生长及育肥全阶段)的生长特性及不同脏器组织镉蓄积的影响。结果表明,在生长及育肥阶段,试验组与对照组相比:1)生长特性无显著差异(P0.05);2)育肥期组织游离氨基酸含量,除肌肉中的赖氨酸显著降低外(P0.05),血浆、肝脏、肾脏及肌肉中其他游离氨基酸水平均无显著差异(P0.05);3)心脏、肝脏、脾脏、肾脏、肺脏、胃、小肠、大肠、骨骼中镉蓄积量显著增高(P0.05),而肌肉、血液中无显著差异(P0.05),脂肪、皮中未检出镉。日粮使用大比例镉超标稻米后镉在各脏器和组织中的蓄积规律为肾脏肝脏小肠脾肺大肠胃血液骨头心腿肌背肌脂肪、皮。由此可见,镉超标稻米对生长期猪的生长特性未产生显著的影响,稻米来源镉主要蓄积于肝脏和肾脏,而主流食用组织肌肉和血液中镉的蓄积量较少。