Changes in distribution and microstructure of bauxite residue aggregates following amendments addition

Bauxite residue is a highly alkaline byproduct which is routinely discarded at residue disposal areas. Improving soil formation process to revegetate the special degraded lands is a promising strategy for sustainable management of the refining industry. A laboratory incubation experiment was used to evaluate the effects of gypsum and vermicompost on stable aggregate formation of bauxite residue. Aggregate size distribution was quantified by fractal theory, whilst residue microstructure was determined by scanning electron microscopy and synchrotron-based X-ray micro-computed tomography. Amendments addition increased the content of macro-aggregates( 250 μm) and enhanced aggregate stability of bauxite residue. Following gypsum and vermicompost addition, fractal dimension decreased from 2.84 to 2.77, which indicated a more homogeneous distribution of aggregate particles. Images from scanning electron microscopy and three-dimensional microstructure demonstrated that amendments stimulate the formation of improved structure in residue aggregates. Pore parameters including porosity, pore throat surface area, path length, and path tortuosity increased under amendment additions. Changes in aggregate size distribution and microstructure of bauxite residue indicated that additions of gypsum and vermicompost were beneficial to physical condition of bauxite residue which may enhance the ease of vegetation.     

载铜氮化碳纳米片对单质汞的吸附脱除特性

用简易热剥离法合成了氮化碳纳米片（CNNS）,再通过等体积浸渍法将铜负载于CNNS表面合成了载铜CNNS吸附剂,用于低温下吸附脱除气态单质汞（Hg⁰）.利用氮气吸附-脱附、X射线衍射（XRD）、扫描电子显微镜（SEM）、透射电子显微镜（TEM）、X射线光电子能谱（XPS）等手段对吸附剂进行表征.结果表明：CNNS对Hg⁰具有良好的吸附性能,吸附温度为120℃时,脱汞效率约为54.2%;载铜修饰可极大提高CNNS的脱汞活性,脱汞效率在40~240℃温度范围内均大于82.3%,这归因于铜与氮化碳间的紧密接触.煅烧温度对载铜CNNS的脱汞活性影响较大,最佳煅烧温度为200℃.通过载铜修饰可有效活化CNNS,提高其对Hg⁰的氧化能力,这可能归因于铜离子与氮化碳之间的莫特-肖特基电子转移效应.SO₂和水蒸气对载铜CNNS的脱汞性能有抑制作用.     

One-step synthesis of Cu(II) metal–organic gel as recyclable material for rapid, efficient and size selective cationic dyes adsorption

Efficient removal of non-biodegradable and hazardous dyes from wastewater remains a hot research topic. Herein, a rationally designed a Cu(Ⅱ)-based metal–organic gel(Cu-MOG) with a nanoporous 3 D network structure prepared via a simple one-step mixing method was successfully employed for the removal of cationic dyes. The Cu-MOG exhibited high efficiency, with an adsorption capacity of up to 650.32 mg/g, and rapid adsorption efficiency, with the ability to adsorb 80% of Neutral Red within 1 min. The high adsorption efficiency was attributed to its large specific surface area, which enabled it to massively bind cationic dyes through electrostatic interaction, and a nanoporous structure that promoted intra-pore diffusion. Remarkably, the Cu-MOG displayed size-selective adsorption, based on adsorption studies concerning dyes of different sizes as calculated by density functional theory. Additionally, the adsorption performance of the Cu-MOG still maintained removal efficiency of 100% after three regeneration cycles. These results suggested that the Cu-MOG could be expected to be a promising and competitive candidate to conveniently process wastewater.     

Scarce water resources and priority irrigation schemes from agronomic crops

Global environmental change places unavoidable pressure on water resources and agronomic crop production systems. Irrigation development is a credible measure to alleviate the challenge of food safety under water shortages, but it needs sufficient basis. The aim of this study is to address the problem of balancing water scarcity with food requirements, which are the key components of water security in regions with population growth. Marginal water productivity (MWP) indices for irrigation water performance and productivity evaluation were established in the current study. Based on the analysis of the regional water-crop relationship and spatial differences of MWP in China, the priorities for developing irrigation areas in different types of regions are discussed in this study. The results show that high MWPs are mainly in semi-arid regions with precipitation (P) between 500 and 1000 mm, while low MWPs mostly occur in areas with P more than 1000 and less than 500 mm. The significance and spatial distribution patterns of MWP are different than those of conventional irrigation water use efficiency evaluation indices, so its role cannot be replaced for the real production capacity of irrigation water evaluation. The strategies for global environmental change adaptation suggested in this study are taking MWP for irrigation water productivity evaluation and the priority irrigation schemes for agronomic crop determination; increasing MWP by means of irrigation efficiency and crop variety improvement worldwide; and raising global food production through the expansion of irrigation area in the regions hold high MWP and abundant water resources.

     

SIL评估技术在柴油加氢装置的应用

介绍了安全仪表系统安全完整性等级(SIL)评估方法,并将SIL评估技术在柴油加氢装置进行应用,系统全面分析了装置安全仪表系统的可靠性,并提出合理可行的建议措施,对于提高装置安全稳定运行水平具有重要作用。     

人口与可持续发展

有限的资源不能支撑无限增加的人口，面对高速增长的人口，人们产生了种种不同的认识。本文分析了人口增长与食物供给，人口增长与生态环境和经济发展的矛盾；阐述了最大人口容量及经济最优人口计算需要考虑的因素和基本；提出我国必须坚持严格控制人口增长的政策，这是可持续发展的需要。     

油码头污染防治对策初探

随着石油化工企业规模的扩大和进出口油品的需要，海上油品运输量的比例越来越大，油码头的规模也在不断扩大。近年来油码头在储运过程中也经常发生一些环境污染事故。根据油码头储运过程中发生的环境问题，通过对油码头生产工艺流程、设备及储运过程中主要污染物产生来源的分析基础上，提出了油码头烃类大气污染物、含油污水、噪声等的污染防治措施。     

Female sex pheromone of Ostrinia orientalis – throwing a light on the relationship between O. orientalis and the European corn borer, O. nubilalis

Summary. The sex pheromone of Ostrinia orientalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) was analyzed by gas chromatography–electroantennographic detection (GC–EAD), GC–mass spectrometry and a series of bioassays. Three EAD-active compounds were detected in the female sex pheromone gland extract, and identified as tetradecyl acetate (14:OAc), (Z)-11-tetradecenyl acetate (Z11-14:OAc) and (E)-11-tetradecenyl acetate (E11-14:OAc). The titers (ratio) of 14:OAc, Z11-14:OAc and E11-14:OAc in 3-day-old virgin females were 0.49 ng (10), 4.86 ng (98) and 0.10 ng (2), respectively. In a wind-tunnel bioassay, the 98:2 blend of Z11- and E11-14:OAc, but not Z11-14:OAc alone, elicited the same male behavioral responses as virgin females and crude gland extracts. 14:OAc was inactive by itself, and did not show any synergistic effect on the binary blend. Field trapping experiments also confirmed the attractiveness of the binary blend to O. orientalis males. Based on these results, we concluded that the sex pheromone of O. orientalis is a 98:2 mixture of Z11-14:OAc and E11-14:OAc. This sex pheromone is very similar to that of the Z-type European corn borer, O. nubilalis. The present finding raises the question of whether O. orientalis , which is indistinguishable from O. nubilalis based on external morphology, is a biologically distinct species independent from O. nubilalis.     

The legal frameworks that govern fetal surgery in the United Kingdom,European Union,and the United States

The specialty of fetal surgery or fetal intervention is one of the most exciting emerging fields of modern medicine. It is made possible by decades of major developments in antenatal imaging, obstetric anaesthesia, fetal medicine, paediatric surgery, and of course by the bold and novel practitioners willing to take new steps to advance the field. Beginning in the 1970s, it has now reached a stage of maturity where there are several established in utero procedures and countless clinical trials and studies to develop more. But what is the legal situation that fetal surgeons find themselves in? What are the rights and legal protections for the fetus and the mother, both of which are arguably the patient? This article will address this question, discussing and summarising the current legal frameworks governing fetal surgery in the jurisdictions of the United Kingdom, European Court of Human Rights, and the United States of America as well as discuss what the future may hold and how researchers and physicians in the specialty can best navigate the legal environment.