A data synthesis on the biochar properties and implications for air,soil, and water quality in Brazil

Biochar has been intensively researched worldwide. In Brazil, there is a variety of feedstock production that can be turned into soil amendments of high performance through biochar conversion, especially solid wastes. However, advances in biochar research in Brazil have not been systematically evaluated to indicate possible gaps and suggest future research for eco-friendly applications. Thus, in this work we evaluated biochar properties and effects on air, water, and soil quality based on data gathered from researches performed in Brazil. Biochar has been mainly evaluated as soil conditioner (37%), material characterization (17%), water treatment (12%), and greenhouse gases emissions (9%). Based on the data synthesis of 68 feedstocks used for biochar production, we observed that the pyrolysis temperature profoundly affects biochar properties. Meta-analysis indicated benefits of biochar addition to soils for chemical, physical, microbiological and biochemical attributes that have resulted in increases in root growth (+30%), and plant shoots (+45%). Pyrolysis temperature and feedstock are key choices to design biochar properties aiming to retain dyes, aromatic hydrocarbon, pesticides, and metals in water and wastewater treatment. It was also observed an increase in CO₂ and a decrease in N₂O emissions after biochar application to soils in short-term experiments. Although there is a growing interest in the development of electrochemical sensors and biochar-based fertilizers, technological applications of biochar are still incipient in Brazil. Future research should prioritize long-term and mechanistically evaluations of biochar under field conditions and the development of eco-friendly technological applications.     

高发期海浪河流域水节霉生长变化及影响因素

海浪河流域2006年2月曾发生水节霉污染事件,目前每年的水节霉高发期(1—2月)在海浪河流域河夹村大坝河段仍有少量水节霉滋生.为了防止水节霉再次大规模爆发,通过显微镜观察及现场水质监测方法,研究了高发期海浪河流域水节霉生长变化及其影响因素. 结果表明,具有明显“缩缢”态的水节霉开始出现于1月下旬,约9 d后开始在微生物共生体中占优势,再经过21 d后(即2月底)由优势转为不占优势;“缩缢”态水节霉出现时间段为1月26日—2月24日,约1个月左右,是水节霉污染防治重点时段. 1—2月河夹村大坝水节霉出现与溶解氧,pH和一定浓度的碳及氮有机物等因素相关,上述因素共同作用导致水节霉滋生.      

密云水库上游流域不同林分土壤有机碳分布特征

在全球气候变化背景下,森林土壤有机碳库作为全球土壤碳库的重要组成部分,已成为全球碳循环研究的重点之一。以密云水库上游流域天然次生山杨（Populus davidiana Dode）、白桦（Betula platyphylla Suk.）混交林、天然次生辽东栎（Quercus wutaishanica Blume）林、人工华北落叶松（Larix principis-rupprechtii Mayr.）林、人工油松（Pinus tabulaeformis Carr.）林和灌丛等5种典型林分为研究对象,选取典型样区,进行密集采样和试验分析,探讨了不同林分土壤有机碳质量分数和密度的分布特征。结果表明：在整个土壤剖面上（0~40 cm）,不同林分土壤有机碳质量分数和密度大小顺序均为：杨桦林〉辽东栎林〉灌丛〉落叶松林〉油松林,总体上呈现出随土地利用强度和人为干扰程度增加而降低的变化趋势,即天然次生林比人工林更有利于土壤有机碳的储存和积累;不同林分类型土壤有机碳质量分数和密度均在表层（0~10 cm）最大,并随着土层深度的增加呈下降趋势,剖面分布差异明显;此外,不同林分在0~20 cm土层中的单位面积土壤有机碳储量均占其剖面总储量的57%以上,即土壤有机碳富集在0~20 cm深的表层土体中。因此,为增加森林土壤固碳,应加强对天然次生林的保护,减少人类活动对森林及其表土层的干扰。     

纳米氧化锌对羊角月牙藻毒性效应及其在藻细胞内外的分布

为研究纳米氧化锌(ZnO NP)的毒性效应及其在细胞内外分布,以羊角月牙藻(Selenastrum capricornutum)为模型藻类,研究了不同浓度ZnO NP对羊角月牙藻生长、叶绿素含量、可溶性蛋白含量、超氧化物岐化酶(SOD)及过氧化物酶(POD)活性、丙二醛(MDA)含量及细胞内外ZnO NP含量变化。结果表明,ZnO NP对羊角月牙藻的生长抑制与处理浓度呈现正相关。在45 mg·L~(-1)ZnO NP暴露24 h后,其生长抑制率已达到95%。当ZnO NP处理藻细胞72 h后,羊角月牙藻细胞的叶绿素含量与处理浓度之间存在剂量-效应关系。低浓度(0.5 mg·L~(-1))ZnO NP处理后藻细胞可溶性蛋白质含量、SOD和POD活性明显下降,MDA含量升高,其产生的毒性效应高于高浓度组(5 mg·L~(-1)、45 mg·L~(-1))。细胞培养液溶出Zn2+量及藻细胞外吸附的ZnO NP量与ZnO NP处理浓度成正比,但是藻细胞内ZnO NP量与ZnO NP浓度没有相关性,胞内积累量基本维持不变。研究表明,各浓度组对藻细胞毒性的差异,不仅与细胞内Zn2+量有关,还与细胞外粘附的ZnO NP有关。     

Cd,Pb, and Cu in water and sediments and their bioaccumulation in freshwater fish of some lakes in Hanoi,Vietnam

The seasonal variations of Cd, Pb, and Cu in the water, sediments, and freshwater fish (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, Cirrhinus molitorella, and Oreochromis mossambicus) of four lakes in Hanoi, Vietnam, were investigated. Samples for analysis were taken four times from April 2010 to March 2011. The levels in water were lower than the Vietnamese standards, except for Pb, but they were all much higher than the Canadian standards for protection of aquatic life; in the sediments, they were higher than world average levels. Bioaccumulation of the three metals in fish was site-dependent and species-dependent, but correlations of their levels in fish to those in water and sediments were weak. Levels of Pb in fish exceeded those of the UK and the WHO standards, and the recommended values of Vietnam for human consumption. Overall, the results show that the lakes are polluted with these metals, and consumption of high quantities of fish from them may be problematic. The outcome of this research helps to establish background data for future monitoring.     

节球藻毒素对斑马鱼胚胎发育的毒性效应

研究了节球藻毒素对斑马鱼(Danio rerio)胚胎的急性毒性效应。采用水浴染毒法,将受精后2h的斑马鱼卵分别暴露于含有0、50、100、200、400、800、1600及3200μg·L-1节球藻毒素的试液中,显微观察不同浓度节球藻毒素对斑马鱼受精卵及其胚胎发育过程的影响,并通过累计孵化率、死亡率、发育畸形率的比较,评价节球藻毒素对斑马鱼胚胎的发育毒性。结果显示:随着节球藻毒素浓度的增加,斑马鱼胚胎的孵化率降低、死亡率和畸形率增加。与对照组比较,浓度≥1600μg·L-1的实验组胚胎发育明显迟缓。浓度≥400μg·L-1时,胚胎孵化率显著降低,72hpf的孵化率由对照组的87%降低到高浓度组(3200μg·L-1)的7%。浓度≥800μg·L-1时,斑马鱼的死亡率、畸形率明显升高;144hpf的死亡率由对照组的7%增加到73%;144hpf的畸形率由对照组的0%增加到93%,畸形主要表现为脊柱弯曲,心包囊肿,尾畸弯曲等。节球藻毒素暴露48hpf对斑马鱼半致死浓度LC50为2572.76μg·L-1,暴露144hpf时为1056.33μg·L-1。节球藻毒素对斑马鱼早期生命发育阶段有一定的抑制效应,高浓度亦会导致死亡。     

Response of hydrothermal vent vestimentiferan <Emphasis Type="Italic">Riftia pachyptila</Emphasis> to differences in habitat chemistry

Vestimentiferan tubeworms, which rely on intracellular sulfide-oxidizing autotrophic bacteria for organic carbon, flourish at deep-sea hydrothermal vents despite the erratic nature of their habitat. To assess the degree to which differences in habitat chemistry (sulfide, pH/CO₂) might impact host and symbiont metabolic activity, Riftia pachyptila tubeworms were collected from habitats with low (H₂S < 0.0001 mM) and high (up to 0.7 mM) sulfide concentrations. The elemental sulfur content of the symbiont-containing trophosome organ was lower in specimens collected from the low-sulfide site. Symbiont abundance, RubisCO activity, and trophosome carbon fixation rates were not significantly different for individuals collected from low- versus high-sulfide habitats. Carbonic anhydrase activities were higher in the anterior gas exchange organs of R. pachyptila from the low-sulfide habitat. Despite large differences in habitat chemistry, symbiont abundance and autotrophic potential were consistent, while the host appears to tailor carbonic anhydrase activity to environmental CO₂ availability.     

Foraging strategies of male Adélie penguins during their first incubation trip in relation to environmental conditions

Knowledge of habitat use by top marine predators in response to environmental conditions is crucial in the current context of global changes occurring in the Southern Ocean. We examined the at-sea locations of male Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) breeding at Dumont d’Urville during their first, long incubation trip. Compared with the chick-rearing period, penguins performed longer trips, going to oceanic waters as far as 320 km from the colony. We observed 3 strategies: (1) five individuals covered large distances to the north, targeting open-ocean areas and following the currents of two persistent eddies; (2) five individuals foraged to the north-west, close to the Antarctic shelf slope at the limit of the pack ice; and (3) three individuals covered much shorter distances (northwards or eastwards). The foraging range also seemed to be limited by the body condition of the penguins before their departure to sea.     

Combining data and simulated data for space–time fields: application to ozone

This paper presents a theory for modeling random environmental spatial-temporal fields that allows simulated data (numerical-physical model output) to be combined with measurements made at fixed monitoring sites. That theory involves Bayesian hierarchical models that provide temporal forecasts and spatial predictions along with appropriate credibility intervals. A by-product is a method for re-calibrating the simulated data to bring it into line with the measurements for certain applications. While the approach covers a broad domain of potential applications, this paper addresses a field of particular importance, ground level ozone concentrations over the eastern and central USA. A univariate model is developed and illustrated with hourly ozone fields. A multivariate alternative is also provided and illustrated with daily concentration fields. The forecasts and predictions they provide are compared with those from other approaches.     

Diesel particulate matter exposure and risk control measures

This paper describes the environmental health problem of exposure to diesel particulate matter(DPM) in an underground mine in Western Australia.It contains recommendations for innovative equipment and management improvements in risk control for employees who work in underground mines and for companies who use machines that are powered by diesel fuel.