Evaluation of municipal sewage treatment systems for pollutant removal efficiency by measuring levels of micropollutants

In order to evaluate the municipal sewage treatment systems used at Harbin municipal sewage treatment plant for their pollutant removal efficiency, raw sewage and effluent samples at different treatment stages from the sewage treatment systems were taken, priority pollutants (PPs) were identified and quantified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrograph (ICP-AES). The test results indicated that there were one hundred and fifty species of organic pollutants identified in the raw sewage sample, and only ten species of PPs in all the sewage samples. The levels of dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP) in the sewage samples were 0.779-0.111 microg l(-1), 1.977-0.022 microg l(-1), 6.411-2.194 microg l(-1) and 7.152-2.953microg l(-1), respectively, and most of these phthalate esters (PAEs) were removed through anaerobic/aerobic (A/O) process; The levels of alachlor, acetochlor, atrazine were 0.074-0.021 microg l(-1), 0.160-0.096 microg l(-1) and 0.238-0.184 microg l(-1), respectively, and the total removal efficiency of atrazine was poorest through the sewage treatment systems. The levels of Cu, Cr, Se, Hg, Ni and Zn were 0.0030-0.2327 mg l(-1). It is therefore concluded from these results that the sewage treatment systems were efficient in removing most of the organic and inorganic compounds in this study, and so, the discharged effluent could cause little of the secondary pollution of the aquatic environment.     

Short-term effects of gaseous pollutants on cause-specific mortality in Wuhan, China

In Asia, limited studies have been published on the association between daily mortality and gaseous pollutants of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), and sulfur dioxide (SO2). Our previous studies in Wuhan, China, demonstrated long-term air pollution effects. However, no study has been conducted to determine mortality effects of air pollution in this region. This study was to determine the acute mortality effects of the gaseous pollutants in Wuhan, a city with 7.5 million permanent residents during the period from 2000 to 2004. There are approximately 4.5 million residents in Wuhan who live in the city's core area of 201 km2, where air pollution levels are highest, and pollution ranges are wider than the majority of the cities in the published literature. We used the generalized additive model to analyze pollution, mortality, and covariate data. We found consistent NO2 effects on mortality with the strongest effects on the same day. Every 10-microg/m3 increase in NO2 daily concentration on the same day was associated with an increase in nonaccidental (1.43%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.87-1.99%), cardiovascular (1.65%; 95% CI: 0.87-2.45%), stroke (1.49%; 95% CI: 0.56-2.43%), cardiac (1.77%; 95% CI: 0.44-3.12%), respiratory (2.23%; 95% CI: 0.52-3.96%), and cardiopulmonary mortality (1.60%; 95% CI: 0.85-2.35%). These effects were stronger among the elderly than among the young. Formal examination of exposure-response curves suggests no-threshold linear relationships between daily mortality and NO2, where the NO2 concentrations ranged from 19.2 to 127.4 microg/m3. SO2 and O3 were not associated with daily mortality. The exposure-response relationships demonstrated heterogeneity, with some curves showing nonlinear relationships for SO2 and O3. We conclude that there is consistent evidence of acute effects of NO2 on mortality and suggest that a no-threshold linear relationship exists between NO2 and mortality.     

Eutrophication conditions and ecological status in typical bays of Lake Taihu in China

Sampling was conducted at three site groups, group E (in East Taihu Bay), G (in Gonghu Bay) and M (in Meiliang Bay) in Lake Taihu. TN and TP concentrations among site groups was in the increasing order of E < G < M. TP level at G sites is at the critical threshold for loss of submersed macrophytes. Mean values of DO and Transparence showed different trend, i.e., E > G > M. The mean phytoplankton fresh-weight biomass at M sites was 5.81 mg/l, higher than that at E sites (4.96 mg/l) and G sites (5.18 mg/l). Mean zooplankton fresh-weight biomass was in the decreasing order of M (6.4 mg/l) > G (4.9 mg/l) > E (2.7 mg/l). However, Rotifera density was in the sequence of E > G > M. Both zooplankton biomass and phytoplankton biomass increased with the rise of TN and TP concentrations. Relationships between zooplankton biomass and phytoplankton biomass showed that zooplankton played a limited role in the control of algae in eutrophic lakes. Nutrient availability is much more important than zooplankton grazing pressure in controlling phytoplankton growth in lakes. For most sites in Lake Taihu, reduction of nutrient loading, as well as macrophyte conservation, zappears to be especially important in maintaining high water quality and regulating lake biological structure, but for M sites, it’s urgent to control nutrient inputs rather than to restore macrophyte community.     

超临界CO2回收线路板工艺研究

采用正交试验设计进行了超临界CO₂回收废弃印刷线路板的实验。以温度、压强、时间和夹带剂为实验因素,通过对实验前后样本在重量、厚度、弯曲强度和断裂强度四方面变化的分析考察了各实验因素对实验效果的影响。实验结果表明,影响超临界CO₂法回收印刷线路板的最主要因素为温度、时间和夹带剂,超临界CO₂法回收废弃印刷线路板的最佳工艺条件：温度270℃,压强大于7.38 MPa,时间3 h,夹带剂(水)160 mL。实验进一步验证了压强对实验结果的非显著性影响。     

磺胺类抗生素在斑马鱼体内的生物富集性及模型预测评估

针对磺胺类抗生素在鱼体内的生物富集特性,采用半静态生物富集测试法,研究磺胺二甲嘧啶(SMT)和磺胺甲恶唑(SMX)在斑马鱼(Brachydanio rerio)体内的生物富集规律及生物富集系数(bio-concentration factor,BCF),并选用3种常用预测模型对2种磺胺类抗生素的BCF值进行估算,比较了估算值与实际测定值,为磺胺类抗生素生物富集性的预测提供依据。研究结果表明,当暴露浓度为0.01 mg·L~(-1)~1.00 mg·L~(-1)时,鱼体对SMT的最大生物富集系数BCF值为1.11,最大富集量出现在暴露24~48 h期间;SMX的最大BCF值为1.15,最大富集量处于暴露96~168 h之间。根据磺胺类抗生素的理化性质,通过比较3种生物富集预测模型获得SMT和SMX的BCF值,发现其中Kow预测模型所得估算值最为接近实测值。因此可利用该模型作为磺胺类抗生素富集性的预测工具,为我国兽药抗生素的环境风险预测和评价提供依据。     

全氟化合物对水生植物的生态效应研究Ⅱ——金鱼藻对水中PFOS的生物富集及生理响应

为探究全氟化合物对水生植物的生态效应,选择金鱼藻(Ceratophyllum demersum L.)为受试生物,设定5、100、1 000、10 000、50 000、100 000μg·L-1以及对照共7个PFOS浓度梯度进行水培,分析包括超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、过氧化物酶(POD)在内的抗氧化系统酶和细胞色素含量等生理响应特征,并研究金鱼藻对PFOS的生物有效性及富集能力。结果表明:金鱼藻对PFOS的富集量最高可达3 180 mg·kg-1dw,最大富集系数高达40.7倍,可作为PFOS污染水体植物修复的遴选物种。随PFOS浓度升高,SOD活力总体上没有明显变化,但POD活力表现为双重效用,即低浓度促进酶活力积累,而高浓度抑制酶活力积累。CAT活力在低浓度组(0、5、100、1 000μg·L-1),未表现出明显异常,在高浓度组(10 000、50 000、100 000μg·L-1),出现先升高后降低的趋势。色素含量也反应较为敏感,低浓度处理后色素含量升高,高浓度处理则导致色素含量先升高后降低,最高浓度处理下一直处于较低水平,可作为评价PFOS污染水体的生理敏感性指标。     

全氟化合物对水生植物的生态效应研究Ⅰ——典型城市河道全氟化合物的暴露水平及植物富集特征

全氟化合物(perfluorinated compounds,PFCs)近年来得到国内外广泛关注,针对工业源排放区域的环境暴露、来源解析以及动物层面的生态效应有较多研究,但对于普遍存在于非工业源(生活源)的城市河道PFCs暴露及水生植物富集等研究较为缺乏。本研究选择位于北京北部东西贯通的城市河道——清河水体为对象,分析结果表明,清河水体中12种目标PFCs均有检出(总量最高为65.45 ng·L-1),并以全氟丁烷磺酸盐(perfluorobutane sulfonate,PFBS)为主(最高达45.63 ng·L-1);6种水生植物(篦齿眼子菜、黑藻、金鱼藻、芦苇、菖蒲及水葱)的富集物质均以全氟辛烷磺酸盐(perfluorooctane sulfonate,PFOS)和全氟辛酸(perfluorooctanoic acid,PFOA)为主,沉水植物中金鱼藻对于PFOS的蓄积效果优于黑藻及篦齿眼子菜,挺水植物中根部PFCs含量高于茎叶,根部PFOA及PFOS含量高于茎叶,但全氟丁酸(perfluorobutanoic acid,PFBA)含量茎叶则高于根部。整体来看,尽管芦苇、菖蒲和水葱3种挺水植物尚不能作为PFCs的超富集植物,但其根部对PFCs均有显著的吸收效果,具有一定的生态修复潜质;沉水植物中金鱼藻是北方自然河道的优势物种,且对PFOS具有显著的富集效应,因此有必要进一步探索其PFCs生物指示和生态修复功能。     

铬渣的热解无害化处理

采用热解工艺无害化处理铬渣,探讨了稻秆在铬渣无害化处理中的作用.研究了热解温度、稻秆与铬渣质量比、铬渣粒径及保温时间对铬渣热解无害化处理的影响,并分析了热解前后热解产物中铬元素形态的变化.结果表明,热解工艺能有效地将铬渣中Cr(Ⅵ)还原,稻秆热解过程中产生的气相挥发分对Cr(Ⅵ)的还原起核心作用.较为适宜的热解条件:热解温度为400 ℃,稻秆与铬渣质量比为0.10,铬渣粒径<2 000 μm,保温时间为10 min.在该热解条件处理下,热解产物中的Cr(Ⅵ)质量浓度为121 mg/kg,低于热解前铬渣中的Cr(Ⅵ)(3 400 mg/kg).热解后,可交换态及碳酸盐结合态铬含量降低,大部分铬转化成了稳定的有机结合态和残渣态,极大地降低了铬渣的危害.第一作者:张大磊,男,1982生,博士研究生,研究方向为固体废弃物热处理.     

Cadmium (Cd) distribution and contamination in Chinese paddy soils on national scale

Rice is a staple food by an increasing number of people in China. As more issues have arisen in China due to rice contaminated by cadmium (Cd), Cd contamination in arable soils has become a severe problem. In China, many studies have examined Cd contamination in arable soils on a national scale, but little studies have focused on the distribution of Cd in paddy fields. This study explored the spatial pattern of Cd in paddy soils in China, made a preliminary evaluation of the potential risk, and identified the most critically contaminated regions based on the domestic rough rice trade flow. The results showed that Cd concentrations in paddy soils in China ranged from 0.01 to 5.50 mg/kg, with a median value of 0.23 mg/kg. On average, the highest Cd concentrations were in Hunan (0.73 mg/kg), Guangxi (0.70 mg/kg), and Sichuan (0.46 mg/kg) provinces. Cd concentrations in paddy soils in central and western regions were higher than those in eastern regions, especially the southeastern coastal regions. Of the administrative regions, Cd standard exceedance rate was 33.2 %, and the heavy pollution rate was 8.6 %. Regarding to Cd of paddy soil, soil environmental quality was better in Northeast China Plain than in Yangtze River Basin and southeastern coastal region. Mining activities were the main anthropogenic pollution source of Cd in Chinese paddy soil. Based on rice trade, more of the Chinese population would be exposed to Cd through intake of rice produced in Hunan province. Certain regions that output rice, especially Hunan province, should be given priority in the management and control of Cd contamination in paddy soil.     

Genotoxicity of two novel pesticides for the earthworm, Eisenia fetida

In this paper, several studies were conducted to evaluate the genotoxicity of two pesticides, Imidacloprid and RH-5849, for earthworm (Eisenia fetida). Earthworms were exposed in different exposure systems to evaluate their acute toxicity and the genotoxicity of the two pesticides was evaluated by using the method of sperm deformity assessment, micronucleus test of root tip cells in Vicia faba, a mouse bone-marrow micronucleus test, and comet assay. LC(50) (interpolated concentration at which 50% mortality of test population occurs) for earthworms varied in different exposure systems. The results indicated that Imidacloprid was consistently more toxic than RH-5849 in all exposure systems. In this study, sperm deformity test was used to detect the potential adverse influences of pesticides on the reproduction of earthworms. The results demonstrated that significant induction of sperm deformity (p<0.01) and a dose-effect relationship displayed at Imidacloprid concentrations higher than 0.5 mg/kg dry soil. However, the sperm deformity frequency of groups exposed to RH-5849 did not show significant difference (p>0.05) from the control until the dose reached 100 mg/kg dry soil. The results of the V. faba micronucleus tests showed that micronuclei frequency of the exposed group did not show significant difference (p>0.05) from the control until the concentration of Imidacloprid and RH-5849 reached 100 mg/ml. The results of the mouse bone-marrow micronuclei test also indicate that two pesticides did not show significant effects (p>0.05) on the micronuclei frequency in mice bone-marrow cells until the dose reached 100 mg/kg for Imidacloprid and 300 mg/kg for RH-5849 (2/3 LD(50)). Although no genotoxicity was detected by using the micronucleus tests, the results of the comet assay showed that the two pesticides induce significant DNA damage (p<0.01) in earthworms and dose-effect relationships were displayed. The 'earthworm comet assay' is a rapid and sensitive way to screen chemicals or terrestrial environments for their DNA-damaging properties.