Removal potential of anti-estrogenic activity in secondary effluents by coagulation

Anti-estrogenic activity in wastewater is gaining increased attention because of its endocrine-disrupting function. In this study, the level and removal efficiency by coagulation of anti-estrogenic activity in secondary effluents of domestic wastewater treatment plants were studied. Anti-estrogenic activity was detected in secondary effluent samples at a tamoxifen (TAM) equivalent concentration level of 0.38–0.94 mg-TAM L⁻¹. Dissolved organic matters (DOM) with the molecular weight (MW) less than 3000 Da in hydrophobic acids (HOA) and hydrophobic neutrals (HON) fractions of the secondary effluent were the key fractions related to anti-estrogenic activity. Coagulation with FeCl₃ and polyaluminium chloride (PAC) can remove the anti-estrogenic activity of the secondary effluents, but the removal efficiency was limited. The removal efficiency using FeCl₃ coagulant was higher than that induced by PAC. Dissolved organic carbon was continuously removed with increased coagulant dose (0–120 mg L⁻¹ FeCl₃ or 0–60 mg L⁻¹ PAC). However, the removal of anti-estrogenic activity was not enhanced further when the coagulant concentration was beyond a critical value (30 mg L⁻¹ FeCl₃ or 10 mg L⁻¹ PAC). The highest removal of anti-estrogenic activity was about 36% by FeCl₃ and 20% by PAC. Size exclusion chromatography results indicated difficulty in removing DOM with MW less than 3000 Da in the secondary effluent during coagulation even at a high coagulant concentration, which led to low removal efficiency of anti-estrogenic activity.     

Food utilization and growth of cutworm Spodoptera litura Fabricius larvae exposed to nickel,and its effect on reproductive potential

Food utilization and growth of the 5th and 6th instar Spodoptera litura Fabricius larvae, and its effect on reproduction potential was evaluated by feeding larvae diets with different doses of Ni for 3 generations. Dose-dependent relationships between Ni levels and food consumption and growth were variable with different larval developmental period and Ni exposure duration. RCR, AD and RGR of the 6th instar larvae were much more affected by Ni exposure than those of 5th instar larvae, and the effects were strongest in the 3rd generation. It was found that RCR was significantly stimulated after 1 and 20 mg kg⁻¹ Ni exposure, while AD was significantly inhibited after 1, 5, 10 and 40 mg kg⁻¹ Ni exposure. However, lower levels of Ni (?5 mg kg⁻¹) significantly increased and higher levels of Ni (?10 mg kg⁻¹) significantly decreased RGR. In 3 successive generations, 10 mg kg⁻¹ Ni significantly increased the ECI and ECD of the 5th instar larvae, and 5 mg kg⁻¹ Ni significantly increased the ECD of the 6th instar larvae. However, ECD were all significantly inhibited with 20 mg kg⁻¹ Ni exposure. Results also revealed that durations of larvae were shortened at low levels of Ni, but extended at high levels of Ni. Fecundity was inhibited by the highest Ni doses in each generation, while improved by low Ni doses in the 3rd generation. Hatching rates in all treatments were significantly decreased in a Ni dose-dependent manner. Study indicated that effects of Ni on these parameters were predominant with the increasing Ni exposure period.     

Haloacetic acid removal by sequential zero-valent iron reduction and biologically active carbon degradation

An innovative haloacetic acid (HAA) removal process was developed. The process consisted of a zero-valent iron (Fe⁰) column followed by a biologically active carbon (BAC) column that were efficient in degrading tri- and di-HAAs, and mono- and di-HAAs, respectively. The merit of the process was demonstrated by its performance in removing trichloroacetic acid (TCAA). An empty bed contact time of 10 min achieved nearly complete removal of 1.2 μM TCAA and its subsequent products, dichloroacetic acid (DCAA) and monochloroacetic acid (MCAA). HAA removal was a result of chemical dehalogenation and biodegradation rather than physical adsorption. Preliminary kinetic analyses were conducted and the pseudo-first-order rate constants were estimated at ambient conditions for Fe⁰ reduction of TCAA and biodegradation of DCAA and MCAA by BAC. This innovative process is highly promising in removing HAAs from drinking water, swimming pool water, and domestic or industrial wastewater.     

Assessment and sources of heavy metals in surface sediments of Miyun Reservoir, Beijing

Heavy metals concentrations in surface sediments from Miyun Reservoir were determined to evaluate the pollution and identify the sources. The average content of metals in sediments from Miyun Reservoir followed the order Al>Fe>Ti>Mn>V>Zn>Cr>Ni>Cu>Pb>As>Cd>Hg, and the most mean values were lower than the globe average shale. Heavy metals concentrations at the inflow area of Baihe were higher than those at the inflow area of Chaohe. Heavy metals pollution assessment was carried out by factor enrichment (EF), geoaccumulation index (I _geo), and potential ecological risk (RI). The EF values for all heavy metals except Hg, Cd, and Cr at several sites were lower than 3, suggesting low anthropogenic impact on the metals level. The I _geo values of Pb indicated that half of the sites were unpolluted to moderately polluted and mainly located in the Baihe area of the reservoir. The RI showed that heavy metals of Miyun Reservoir were low potential risk, however, Hg approached or belonged to moderate ecological risk at sites of M5, M7, and M13. Correlation analysis and principal component suggested that Ni, Cu, V, Zn, Mn, Cr, Ti, and Pb were derived from soil erosion in upper reaches of the reservoir, while Fe, Cd, Hg, As, and partial Pb originated from anthropogenic sources, particularly industrial mining and gold tailings.     

秸秆覆盖对旱地红壤水分动态变化的影响

在中国科学院红壤生态实验站的猕猴桃园上进行秸秆覆盖改进方法的试验．结果表明,旱地红壤覆盖秸秆后再覆±5-10cm,与原来单纯覆盖秸秆相比,在干旱季节表层土壤水分含量可增加1．5％,凋萎含水量出现几率减少8％,抗旱效果大大增强,是一种值得推广的防旱措施．另外,与对照相比,深翻0．8m对改善土壤水分状况也有明显效果．不同覆盖物的试验结果表明,覆盖草本植物残体,在改善表层土壤水分状况、提高作物产量上的效果优于覆盖秸秆植物残体,建议在应用诸如玉米等稿秆作物的秸秆进行覆盖时应进行切碎处理并适当配施无机肥料．     

污水处理厂生物气溶胶抗生素抗性污染特征

为探究污水处理厂生物气溶胶抗生素抗性基因（ARGs）污染特征,在济南市某污水处理厂采用宏基因组测序技术对厂界内及周边生物气溶胶样本及污水或污泥样本进行分析.结果表明,相比于上风向,厂界内和下风向生物气溶胶具有更多的ARGs亚型种类数和更高的总相对丰度.厂界内与上风向生物气溶胶ARGs组成存在显著的差异性,差异度为47.57%;而厂界内与下风向生物气溶胶ARGs组成的差异性不显著,且差异度下降至33.98%.上风向背景空气和污水或污泥均是厂界内生物气溶胶ARGs的重要来源,两者总的源的贡献大于63.92%.共检测到43种ARGs亚型（8种ARGs主型）在至少一处污水处理单元极易负载于生物气溶胶颗粒逸出.本研究可为污水处理厂生物气溶胶抗生素抗性污染的风险评估和控制提供理论依据.     

Temporal trends of hydrocarbons in sediment cores from the Pearl River Estuary and the northern South China Sea

Concentrations and fluxes of unresolved complex mixture of hydrocarbons (UCM) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were analyzed for two ²¹⁰Pb dated sediment cores from the Pearl River Estuary (PRE) and the adjacent northern South China Sea (NSCS). Compound-specific stable carbon isotopic compositions of individual n-alkanes were also measured for identification of the hydrocarbon sources. The historical records of PAHs in the NSCS reflected the economic development in the Pearl River Delta during the 20th century. PAHs in the NSCS predominantly derive from combustion of coal and biomass, whereas PAHs in the PRE are a mixture of petrogenic and pyrogenic in origins. The isotopic profiles reveal that the petrogenic hydrocarbons in the PRE originate predominantly from local spillage/leakage of lube oil and crude oils. The accumulation rates of pyrogenic PAHs have significantly increased, whereas UCM accumulation has slightly declined in the NSCS in the recent three decades.     

钢筋混凝土结构抗火研究进展与趋势

火灾高温对钢筋混凝土结构材性有显著影响,极易造成结构损伤、破坏甚至倒塌。在大量阅读国内外文献的基础上,从建筑火灾发展过程研究、钢筋混凝土结构在火灾中的行为研究、钢筋混凝土结构抗火设计方法的研究、火灾后钢筋混凝土结构的损伤评估和加固方法的研究等4个方面对钢筋混凝土结构抗火研究进行了论述;总结了目前国内外钢筋混凝土结构抗火研究的主要进展及成果;指出了结构抗火研究尚存在的一些问题;最后,对结构抗火研究趋势进行了展望。     

强磁粉协同作用预处理垃圾渗滤液

研究了强磁粉(Fe3O4)与无机混凝剂Al2(SO4)3在垃圾渗滤液处理中的协同作用。结果表明:Fe3O4与Al2(SO4)3复合使用混凝效果优于单纯使用Al2(SO4)3的混凝效果。当Al2(SO4)32.0g/L,磁粉(Fe3O4)1.6g/L,搅拌强度150r/min,pH值3.0,沉降时间5min时,可使渗滤液的COD去除率达70%,混凝时的胶粒沉降速率明显加快。