Efficient dechlorination of 2,4-dichlorophenol in an aqueous media with a mild pH using a Pd/TiO2NTs/Ti cathode

In this study, palladium-loaded titania nanotubes was fabricated on a titanium plate (Pd/TiO₂NTs/Ti) for efficient electrodechlorination of 2,4-chlorophenol with a mild pH condition. The nature of Pd/TiO₂NTs/Ti electrodes was characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and cyclic voltammetry (CV) techniques. The characterization results indicated the generation of Pd⁰ nanoparticles which were evenly dispersed on titania nanotubes arrays on the Pd/TiO₂NTs/Ti surface. An effective degradation efficiency of up to 91% was achieved within 60 min at cathode potential of −0.7 V (vs. SCE) and initial pH of 5.5. The effects of the applied cathode potential and initial pH on the degradation efficiency were studied. A near neutral condition was more favorable since very low and very high pHs were not conducive to the dechlorination process. Furthermore, the intermediates analysis showed that the Pd/TiO₂NTs/Ti electrode could completely remove chlorine from 2, 4-dichlorophenol since only phenol was detected as the byproduct and the concentration of released chlorine ions indicated near-complete dechlorination. This work presents a good alternative technique for eliminating persistent chlorophenols in polluted wastewater without maintaining strong acidic environment.     

Effects of nano-silicon and common silicon on lead uptake and translocation in two rice cultivars

The current study investigated the effects of nano-silicon (Si) and common Si on lead (Pb) toxicity, uptake, translocation, and accumulation in the rice cultivars Yangdao 6 and Yu 44 grown in soil containing two different Pb levels (500 mg·kg⁻¹ and 1000 mg·kg⁻¹). The results showed that Si application alleviated the toxic effects of Pb on rice growth. Under soil Pb treatments of 500 and 1000 mg·kg⁻¹, the biomasses of plants supplied with common Si and nano-Si were 1.8%–5.2% and 3.3%–11.8% higher, respectively, than those of plants with no Si supply (control). Compared to the control, Pb concentrations in rice shoots supplied with common Si and nano-Si were reduced by 14.3%–31.4% and 27.6%–54.0%, respectively. Pb concentrations in rice grains treated with common Si and nano-Si decreased by 21.3%–40.9% and 38.6%–64.8%, respectively. Pb translocation factors (TFs) from roots to shoots decreased by 15.0%–29.3% and 25.6%–50.8%, respectively. The TFs from shoots to grains reduced by 8.3%–13.7% and 15.3%–21.1%, respectively, after Si application. The magnitudes of the effects observed on plants decreased in the following order: nano-Si treatment>common Si treatment and high-grain-Pb-accumulating cultivar (Yangdao 6)>low-grain-Pb-accumulating cultivar (Yu 44) and heavy Pb stress (1000 mg·kg⁻¹)>moderate Pb stress (500 mg·kg⁻¹)>no Pb treatment. The results of the study indicate that nano-Si is more efficient than common Si in ameliorating the toxic effects of Pb on rice growth, preventing Pb transfer from rice roots to aboveground parts, and blocking Pb accumulation in rice grains, especially in high-Pb-accumulating rice cultivars and in heavily Pb-polluted soils.     

Characteristics of geological hazards in South China coastal areas and impact on regional sustainable development

Prevention and treatment of geological hazards is important for the sustainable development of human society. Surface geological hazards alone caused direct economic losses of ¥3.47 billion, with 768 deaths and 785 injuries in Guangdong Province, South China, from 1994 to 2005. The major factors causing geological hazards can be categorised into three types: geo-environmental, climatic-meteorological and human activity. Accompanied by rapid economic development and population growth, human activities can cause geological hazards that are as serious as those caused by natural factors. The authors propose some suggestions for prevention and treatment of geological hazards to achieve sustainable development on the Chinese coast.     

Characteristic volume fractions of different grains in porous media for anomalous dispersion

Anomalous solute transport in porous media is an important issue in groundwater research. In this paper, we explore the relationship between the anomalous solute transport and the volume fractions of different grains in the porous media. Via simulation, we find that there is a maximum and a minimum in the degree of anomalous transport when changing the volume fractions of different grains. Moreover, the characteristic volume fractions corresponding to the anomalous transport maximum and minimum vary little with the flow field and diffusion coefficient of the solute. We also find that the volume fraction corresponding to the most anomalous dispersion is close to the threshold of the site percolation for simple-cubic networks.     

基于RepastS平台的太湖水环境系统承载力研究

运用计算实验方法,以计算机为工具,构造太湖水环境系统承载力模型,通过研究水和人类的各主体行为得出太湖水环境系统的整体特征,并通过人口、TP、TN、CODMn承载度来反映。研究结果表明太湖目前点源污染得到了有效控制,但面源污染和城镇生活用水污染尚需要重点治理。实验显示:通过系统参数的调整,将大大改善太湖现有水环境系统。     

入田泥沙对黄河三角洲地区土壤物理性状的影响——以小开河引黄灌区为例

为研究人田泥沙对小开河灌区自然土壤的影响,用分析化验和工程测试等方法,分析了引黄泥沙和输沙人田后土壤颗粒组成、容重、孔隙状况等物理性状。结果表明：引黄泥沙中0．02～0．002mm的细粉粒比例最高,平均39-31％。小开河自然土壤中0．05-0．02mm的粗粉粒比例最高,为53．41％,泥沙中细粉粒和粘粒含量明显高于当地土壤。输沙人田使灌区土壤中0．02—0．002mm的细粉粒和〈0．002mm的粘粒比例明显增加,〉0．02mm的颗粒比例下降,虽有效避免了因渠首集中沉沙造成的土壤沙化和生态环境恶化,但增加了土壤的粘重程度。农田耕作在一定程度上增加土壤通气孔隙比例、降低土壤容重,但土壤毛管孔隙度依旧稳定在40％左右,毛管作用旺盛,使土壤通气状况不能满足作物需求。在黄河三角洲地区输沙入田的泥沙处理,应结合当地土壤的基本性质和水盐运动规律配置泥沙,以免增强当地土壤紧实、通透性差的性状。     

入田泥沙对黄河三角洲地区土壤物理性状的影响——以小开河引黄灌区为例

为研究入田泥沙对小开河灌区自然土壤的影响,用分析化验和工程测试等方法,分析了引黄泥沙和输沙入田后土壤颗粒组成、容重、孔隙状况等物理性状。结果表明:引黄泥沙中0.02～0.002mm的细粉粒比例最高,平均39.31%。小开河自然土壤中0.05～0.02mm的粗粉粒比例最高,为53.41%,泥沙中细粉粒和粘粒含量明显高于当地土壤。输沙入田使灌区土壤中0.02～0.002mm的细粉粒和﹤0.002mm的粘粒比例明显增加,0.02mm的颗粒比例下降,虽有效避免了因渠首集中沉沙造成的土壤沙化和生态环境恶化,但增加了土壤的粘重程度。农田耕作在一定程度上增加土壤通气孔隙比例、降低土壤容重,但土壤毛管孔隙度依旧稳定在40%左右,毛管作用旺盛,使土壤通气状况不能满足作物需求。在黄河三角洲地区输沙入田的泥沙处理,应结合当地土壤的基本性质和水盐运动规律配置泥沙,以免增强当地土壤紧实、通透性差的性状。     

Fabrication and characterization of lightweight aggregate prepared from steel mill sludge in one step

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - The qualified green lightweight aggregate (LWA) was successfully prepared from steel mill sludge (SMS) and fly ash (FAS) in one step using the...     

The interception effect of heavy metals in different types of Chinese fir plantations

Environmental Geochemistry and Health - The aim of this research is to investigate the interception effect of heavy metals, such as zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), arsenic (As), and cadmium (Cd)...