Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) test of dioxin emission monitors

The performance of four dioxin emission monitors, including two long-term sampling devices, the Dioxin-MonitoringSystem (DMS) and AMESA (the adsorption method for sampling dioxins and furans), and two semireal-time continuous monitors, the resonance ionization with multimirror photon accumulation time-of-flight mass spectrometer (RIMMPA-TOFMS) and the jet resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (jet-REMPI) system were tested. A package boiler burning a simulated chlorinated hazardous waste was used for a total of nine tests. Reference samples were collected during each test and analyzed for polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDDs/Fs) using gas chromatography mass spectrometry. The PCDD/F concentrations of the reference samples measured by EPA Method 23 ranged from 0.9 to 6.0 ng toxic equivalence (TEQ)/dry standard cubic meter. The relative accuracies achieved by DMS, AMESA, and jet-REMPI varied from 22.6% to 78.2%, with 100% data completeness. The RIMMPA-TOFMS produced no quantifiable results due to various difficulties associated with the instrument during the testing. The two long-term samplers were easy to install and operate and provided a cumulative, averaged emission for the sampling period. The operations of the two semi-real-time continuous monitors were relatively complex, but one of them provided on-site, real-time data for PCDD/F emissions from measurement of a TEQ correlative indicator compound. This article summarizes results from the individual Environmental Technology Verification reports for the four dioxin monitors. This work was presented, in part, at the Fourth International Conference on Combustion, Incineration/Pyrolysis and Emission Control (i-CIPEC)     

Major and trace elements of selected pedons in the USA

Few studies of soil geochemistry over large geographic areas exist, especially studies encompassing data from major pedogenic horizons that evaluate both native concentrations of elements and anthropogenically contaminated soils. In this study, pedons (n = 486) were analyzed for trace (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn) and major (Al, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Na, P, Si, Ti, Zr) elements, as well as other soil properties. The objectives were to (i) determine the concentration range of selected elements in a variety of U.S. soils with and without known anthropogenic additions, (ii) illustrate the association of elemental source and content by assessing trace elemental content for several selected pedons, and (iii) evaluate relationships among and between elements and other soil properties. Trace element concentrations in the non-anthropogenic dataset (NAD) were in the order Mn > (Zn, Cr, Ni, Cu) > (Pb, Co) > (Cd, Hg), with greatest mean total concentrations for the Andisol order. Geometric means by horizon indicate that trace elements are concentrated in surface and/or B horizons over C horizons. Median values for trace elements are significantly higher in surface horizons of the anthropogenic dataset (AD) over the NAD. Total Al, Fe, cation exchange capacity (CEC), organic C, pH, and clay exhibit significant correlations (0.56, 0.74, 0.50, 0.31, 0.16, and 0.30, respectively) with total trace element concentrations of all horizons of the NAD. Manganese shows the best inter-element correlation (0.33) with these associated total concentrations. Total Fe has one of the strongest relationships, explaining 55 and 30% of the variation in total trace element concentrations for all horizons in the NAD and AD, respectively.     

Nutrient-impregnated charcoal: an environmentally friendly slow-release fertilizer

The widespread contamination of surface and ground water quality from the heavy use of fertilizer in modern agriculture is the current concern. Therefore, this study was carried out to develop a slow-release fertilizer using charcoal. The morphology of the charcoal impregnated fertilizer was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). This study also evaluated the release patterns of N, P, and K from impregnated charcoal using a simulated soil solution and distilled water as leaching solutions. The patterns of N, P, and K releases were examined in both static and continuous-flow conditions for 360 h. Releases of N, P, and K from impregnated charcoal were found to be slow and steady. However, the release trends of N, P, and K were higher in soil solution than distilled water under both the above conditions. Dissolution occurred when N, P, and K were released in the above leached solutions. As a result, the fertilizer impregnated charcoal could be developed as slow-release type fertilizer to minimize the contamination.     

Bird species migration ratio in East Asia, Australia, and surrounding islands

Bird migration and its relationship with the contemporary environment have attracted long-term discussion. We calculated the avian migration ratio (the proportion of breeding species that migrate) in the areas from 70°E to 180°E and examined its relationship with the annual ranges of ambient temperature, primary productivity (estimated by the Enhanced Vegetation Index), and precipitation, along with island isolation and elevational range. The avian migration ratio increased with increasing latitude in general but varied greatly between the two hemispheres. Additionally, it showed minimal differences between continents and islands. Our analyses revealed that the seasonality of ambient temperature, which represents the energy expenditure of birds, is the dominant factor in determining bird species migration. Seasonality in primary productivity and other environmental factors play an indirect or limited role in bird species migration. The lower avian migration ratio in the Southern Hemisphere can be attributed to its paleogeographical isolation, stable paleoclimate, and warm contemporary environment. Under current trends of global warming, our findings should lead to further studies of the impact of warming on bird migration.     

The difference of morphological characteristics and population structure in PAO and DPAOgranular sludges

We examined how long-term operation of anaerobic–oxic and anaerobic–anoxic sequencing batch reactors(SBRs) affects the enhanced biological phosphorus removal(EBPR)performance and sludge characteristics. The microbial characteristics of phosphorus accumulating organism(PAO) and denitrifying PAO(DPAO) sludge were also analyzed through a quantitative analysis of microbial community structure. Compared with the initial stage of operation characterized by unstable EBPR, both PAO and DPAO SBR produced a stable EBPR performance after about 100-day operation. From day 200 days(DPAO SBR)and 250 days(PAO SBR) onward, sludge granulation was observed, and the average granule size of DPAO SBR was approximately 5 times larger than that of PAO SBR. The DPAO granular sludge contained mainly rod-type microbes, whereas the PAO granular sludge contained coccus-type microbes. Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis revealed that a high ratio of Accumulibacter clade I was found only in DPAO SBR, revealing the important role of this organism in the denitrifying EBPR system. A pyrosequencing analysis showed that Accumulibacter phosphatis was present in PAO sludge at a high proportion of 6%,whereas it rarely observed in DPAO sludge. Dechloromonas was observed in both PAO sludge(3.3%) and DPAO sludge(3.2%), confirming that this organism can use both O_2 and NO_3~- as electron acceptors. Further, Thauera spp. was identified to have a new possibility as denitrifier capable of phosphorous uptake under anoxic condition.     

Characteristics of contaminants in water and sediment of a constructed wetland treating piggery wastewater effluent

Constructed wetland (CW) is the preferred means of controlling water quality because of its natural treatment mechanisms and function as a secondary or tertiary treatment unit. CW is increasingly applied in Korea for secondary effluent of livestock wastewater treatment. This study was conducted to recognize the characteristics of contaminants in the accumulated sediment at the bottom soil layer and to reduce the phosphorus release from sediments of the free water surface CW for the treatment of secondary piggery wastewater effluent from a livestock wastewater treatment facility. The results revealed that the dominant phosphorus existence types at near the inlet of the CW were non-apatite phosphorus (59%) and residual phosphorus (32%) suggesting that most of the particles of the influent are made up of inorganic materials and dead cells. Sediment accumulation is important when determining the long-term maintenance requirements over the lifetime of CW. Continuous monitoring will be performed for a further assessment of the CW system and design.     

Comparative toxicity of silver nanoparticles and silver ions to Escherichia coli

With the increase in silver(Ag)-based products in our lives, it is essential to test the potential toxicity of silver nanoparticles(Ag NPs) and silver ions(Ag ions) on living organisms under various conditions. Here, we investigated the toxicity of Ag NPs with Ag ions to Escherichia coli K-12 strain under various conditions. We observed that both Ag NPs and Ag ions display antibacterial activities, and that Ag ions had higher toxicity to E. coli K-12 strain than Ag NPs under the same concentrations. To understand the toxicity of Ag NPs at a cellular level, reactive oxygen species(ROS) enzymes were detected for use as antioxidant enzymatic biomarkers. We have also studied the toxicity of Ag NPs and Ag ions under various coexistence conditions including: fixed total concentration, with a varied the ratio of Ag NPs to Ag ions; fixed the Ag NPs concentration and then increased the Ag ions concentration; fixed Ag ions concentration and then increasing the Ag NPs concentration.Exposure to Ag NPs and Ag ions clearly had synergistic toxicity; however, decreased toxicity(for a fixed Ag NPs concentration of 5 mg/L, after increasing the Ag ions concentration) to E. coli K-12 strain. Ag NPs and Ag ions in the presence of L-cysteine accelerated the bacterial cell growth rate, thereby reducing the bioavailability of Ag ions released from Ag NPs under the single and coexistence conditions. Further works are needed to consider this potential for Ag NPs and Ag ions toxicity across a range of environmental conditions.Environmental Significance Statement: As silver nanoparticles(Ag NPs)-based products are being broadly used in commercial industries, an ecotoxicological understanding of the Ag NPs being released into the environment should be further considered. Here, we investigate the comparative toxicity of Ag NPs and silver ions(Ag ions) to Escherichia coli K-12 strain, a representative ecotoxicological bioreporter. This study showed that toxicities of Ag NPs and Ag ions to E. coli K-12 strain display different relationships when existing individually or when coexisting, and in the presence of L-cysteine materials. These findings suggest that the toxicology research of nanomaterials should consider conditions when NPs coexist with and without their bioavailable ions.     

Study on the removal of NOx from simulated flue gas using acidic NaClO2 solution

The study on the removal of NOx from simulated flue gas has been carded out in a lab-scale bubbling reactor using acidic solutions of sodium chlorite. Experiments were performed at various pH values and inlet NO concentrations in the absence or presence of SO2 gas at 45℃. The effect of SO2 on NO oxidation and NO2 absorption was critically examined. The oxidative ability of sodium chlorite was investigated at different pH values and it was found to be a better oxidant at a pH less than 4. In acidic medium, sodium chlorite decomposed into C102 gas, which is believed to participate in NO oxidation as well as in NO2 absorption. A plausible NOx removal mechanism using acidic sodium chlorite solution has been postulated. A maximum NOx removal efficiency of about 81% has been achieved.     

Recent developments in Korea’s Framework Act on Resource Circulation: toward a resource-circulating society

Korea is moving toward a sustainable resource-circulating society to fight climate change and resource scarcity. To achieve this goal, the Framework Act on Resource Circulation (FRC) was enacted on May 29, 2016 and came into effect on January 1, 2018. This act not only acknowledges the importance of resource efficiency and the transition to a resource-circulating society, but also plays a significant role in the progress of important and relevant market and industry developments. This study primarily focuses on an analysis of the FRC. It aims to evaluate key concepts such as a resource-circulating society, circular resources, important provisions including major principles and allocation of responsibilities, and measures to be taken to promote resource circulation. In addition, it explores whether the FRC is sufficiently comprehensive and ambitious to contribute to the transition to a more resource-circulating society.     

Drying characteristics of thickened sewage sludge in oil vacuum evaporation system

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - In the current work, drying characteristics of thickened sludge was investigated with respect to drying conditions in oil vacuum evaporation...