Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and related compounds: correlations of levels in human tissues and in blood

We investigated PCDDs and related compounds levels in human tissue and blood obtained from the general population, and the correlation factor was calculated from the findings. None of the congeners in brain, muscle and lung were correlated except for 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in the brain (p < 0.05). In other tissues, all congeners had relatively good correlations to those in blood (r > 0.707). These congeners detected in blood were at high concentrations in the environment and human body. Therefore, we concluded that these congener levels in the blood might be useful for estimating these congener levels in human tissue.     

Effects of chlortetracycline, Cu and their combination on the performance and microbial community dynamics in swine manure anaerobic digestion

Swine manure was typical for the combined pollution of heavy metals and antibiotics. The effects of widely used veterinary antibiotic chlortetracycline(CTC), Cu and their combination on swine manure anaerobic digestion performance and microbial community have never been investigated. Thus, four 2 L anaerobic digestion reactors were established including reactor A(control), B(CTC spiked by 0.5 g/kg dry weight, dw), C(Cu spiked by 5 g/kg dw) and D(combination of CTC, 0.5 g/kg dw, and Cu, 5 g/kg dw), and dynamics of bacterial and archaeal community structure was investigated using high throughput sequencing method. Results showed that addition of CTC and Cu separately could increase the total biogas production by21.6% and 15.8%, respectively, while combination of CTC and Cu severely inhibited anaerobic digestion(by 30.3%). Furthermore, corresponding to different stages and reactors, four kinds of microbes including bacteria and archaea were described in detail, and the effects of CTC, Cu and their combination mainly occurred at hydrolysis and acidification phases. The addition of Cu alone changed the dynamics of archaeal community significantly. It was genus Methanomassiliicoccus that dominated at the active methane production for A, B and D, while it was genus Methanobrevibacter and Methanoculleus for C.     

Scenario analysis for recovery of rare earth elements from end-of-life vehicles

End-of-life vehicles (ELVs) are increasingly being recognized as a possible future resource pool for rare earth elements (REEs). This study provides the amount of REEs that can be recovered from ELVs in Japan based on dismantling survey, chemical identification and substance flow analysis. The REEs were quantified from common passenger vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles. We targeted 17 REEs in estimation of REE contents in ELVs. Four scenarios were developed to explore the recovery of REEs from ELVs. In these scenarios, NiMH batteries and motors containing NdFeB magnets were identified as target components due to they are main REEs carriers; we focused on interpretation of neodymium (Nd) and dysprosium (Dy) owing to they are two of the most critical REEs. The results suggest that 2700 (±500) tons of REEs can be recovered, of which 520 (±100) tons and 31 (±7) tons will be contributed by Nd and Dy in 2030. Meanwhile, the Dy recovered from ELVs can satisfy 23 % (±6 %) of the demand for NdFeB magnets and NiMH battery cells in automobile production of Japan; the Nd recovered from ELVs can satisfy 49 % (±9 %) of the production demands.     

强降雨对北运河流域沙河水库水质的影响

随着北运河点源污染逐步得到有效治理,汛期面源污染成为北运河水质不达标的主要影响因素,而现阶段有关强降雨对北运河上游水质的影响研究尚匮乏.本文以北运河上游沙河水库为研究对象,开展了单场强降雨对北运河上游水质的影响研究.在强降雨后（降雨量达53.8 mm·d^-1）开展连续6 d跟踪采样,并对比强降雨前后该库区的水质监测数据,系统解析了强降雨对北运河上游水质的影响特征.结果表明,库区水质基本达到IV类水质标准（GB3838-2002）,总磷是雨后影响库区水质的主要因素.南沙河污染和富营养化程度严重,严重超出IV类水质标准,是主要的汇入污染源.再生水厂出水是库区水质硝态氮的主要贡献来源.汛期单次降水不会引起水质的显著恶化,大部分水质指标于3~4 d后降低,4~6 d逐渐恢复到降雨前水质,并趋于稳定.     

Relation between mechanochemical dechlorination rate of polyvinyl chloride and mill power consumption

A sample of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) powder was milled with CaO powder in a planetary mill for various mill operational parameters. The milled product consisted of dechlorinated hydrocarbon and water-soluble CaOHCl. The dechlorination rate of PVC was determined by the concentration of Cl⁻ ions measured in solution after dispersing the milled product in water. To evaluate the power consumption during PVC dechlorination, the mill power consumption was measured during each experimental run. In addition, media motion during planetary milling was simulated using the discrete element method (DEM), enabling calculation of the mill power consumption. The power consumption calculated by the DEM simulation compared well with the power consumption measured experimentally. The dechlorination rate correlated well with the specific mill power consumption, regardless of the sample weight. The dechlorination rate of PVC when milled with oyster shells (CaCO₃) was observed to be faster than that of the PVC/CaO system, and oyster shells could be used as a reactant for the treatment of PVC wastes. This work should be useful for the design of a reactor for the dechlorination of PVC. Chemical Feedstock Recycling & Other Innovative Recycling Techniques 6     

Aromatization of waste polyolefin pyrolysate over H-ZSM-5 zeolite-supported gallium oxide catalysts

H-ZSM-5 zeolite-supported gallium oxides were studied as aromatization catalysts for polyolefin pyrolysate. The catalysts were prepared by a conventional physical mixing method with a gallium content of 1.0 and 4.5 wt% and were reduced in flowing hydrogen at 585°C. To test their activity, a polyolefin sample was pyrolyzed and passed over a heated catalyst layer; the product was analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. A continuous-flow fixed-bed reactor was used for aromatization of a model gas of polyolefin pyrolysate. For chlorine-free sources at 450°C, the catalyst with only 1.0 wt% gallium exhibited activity comparable to a gallium silicate catalyst. For chlorine-contaminated sources, the catalyst with 4.5 wt% gallium sustained catalytic activity for long periods. From the activity test results, it was found that zeolite-supported gallium catalysts prepared by the physical mixing method are suitable for converting polyolefin into aromatic hydrocarbons.     

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and related compounds: the blood levels of young Japanese women.

We investigated PCDDs and related compounds in the blood of young Japanese women, approximately 20 years of age, who had not yet had children, and discussed how the TEQ level of PCDDs and related compounds in their blood may affect the next generation. Means of total TEQ levels were 0.063 pg/g for whole blood basis and 21 pg/g for lipid basis. TEQ of PCDDs, PCDFs and coplanar PCBs accounted for about 43, 34 and 23% of the total TEQ in the whole blood basis, respectively. In the lipid basis, their values were about 44, 34 and 22%, respectively. Previously, we investigated PCDDs and related compounds levels in mother's breast milk, lymphocyte subpopulation and thyroid function of their children, and found negative correlations between the TEQ level of PCDDs and related compounds and CD4+/CD8+, and/or the TEQ level of PCDDs and related compounds and the T₄ level in 36 mothers and children. Of these cases, the average age was approximately 28 years. PCDDs and related compounds may be related to immunopathy, such as atopic dermatitis. The effects of PCDDs and related compounds on babies of young Japanese women are important and must be further evaluated.     

镰刀菌(Fusarium sp.)对2,4,6-三氯苯酚的降解特性及其机制

为了解镰刀菌(Fusarium sp.)降解2,4,6-三氯苯酚(TCP)的因素影响规律,研究了温度、p H、外加碳源、氮源、氯离子及TCP浓度对其降解特性的影响,分析了其降解动力学与降解途径.结论:镰刀菌能以TCP为唯一碳源和能源物质进行生长繁殖,TCP降解最适条件为:氮源Na NO3(0.2 g·L~(-1)),30℃,p H=6~7.外加碳源葡萄糖对降解TCP具有明显的抑制作用.氯离子浓度低于0.2 g·L~(-1)时对降解TCP具有一定的促进作用,但随着氯离子浓度的增加,TCP的降解受到了抑制.镰刀菌对TCP降解速率随着其浓度的升高而减缓.镰刀菌能降解10~50 mg·L~(-1)的TCP,其降解反应符合零级降解动力学方程.镰刀菌降解TCP过程中检测到2,6-二氯苯酚(RT 12.521 min),可推测TCP是通过2,6-二氯苯酚途径进行降解的.     

Effect of additives on dechlorination of PVC by mechanochemical treatment

Polyvinyl chloride (–CH₂–CHCl–) _n (PVC) was ground with a powdered inorganic material (CaO, CaCO₃, SiO₂, Al₂O₃, or slag) in a planetary ball mill under atmospheric conditions to investigate the effect of additions on its dechlorination. The grinding causes a dehydrochlorinating reaction, forming a mixture of partially dechlorinated PVC and inorganic chloride, depending on the grinding time. The dechlorination increases as the grinding progresses, and is improved with increasing amounts of additives. The most effective additive is a mixture of CaO, SiO₂, and Al₂O₃, which has the same constituent components as blast furnace slag. CaO, a mixture of CaO, SiO₂, and blast furnace slag, are also effective, but CaCO₃ is the least effective additive tired. Received: August 3, 2000 / Accepted: September 21, 2000