Applying a new method for direct collection,volume quantification and determination of N2 emission from water

The emission of N2 is important to remove excess N from lakes, ponds, and wetlands. To investigate the gas emission from water, Gao et al.(2013) developed a new method using a bubble trap device to collect gas samples from waters. However, the determination accuracy of sampling volume and gas component concentration was still debatable. In this study, the method was optimized for in situ sampling, accurate volume measurement and direct injection to a gas chromatograph for the analysis of N2 and other gases. By the optimized new method, the recovery rate for N2 was 100.28% on average; the mean coefficient of determination(R2) was 0.9997; the limit of detection was 0.02%. We further assessed the effects of the new method, bottle full of water, vs. vacuum bag and vacuum vial methods, on variations of N2 concentration as influenced by sample storage times of 1,2, 3, 5, and 7 days at constant temperature of 15°C, using indices of averaged relative peak area(%) in comparison with the averaged relative peak area of each method at 0 day.The indices of the bottle full of water method were the lowest(99.5%–108.5%) compared to the indices of vacuum bag and vacuum vial methods(119%–217%). Meanwhile, the gas chromatograph determination of other gas components(O2, CH4, and N2O) was also accurate. The new method was an alternative way to investigate N2 released from various kinds of aquatic ecosystems.     

Sulfide elimination by intermittent nitrate dosing in sewer sediments

The formation of hydrogen sulfide in biofilms and sediments in sewer systems can cause severe pipe corrosions and health hazards, and requires expensive programs for its prevention. The aim of this study is to propose a new control strategy and the optimal condition for sulfide elimination by intermittent nitrate dosing in sewer sediments. The study was carried out based on lab-scale experiments and batch tests using real sewer sediments. The intermittent nitrate dosing mode and the optimal control condition were investigated. The results indicated that the sulfide-intermittent-elimination strategy by nitrate dosing is advantageous for controlling sulfide accumulation in sewer sediment. The oxidation–reduction potential is a sensitive indicator parameter that can reflect the control effect and the minimum N/S(nitrate/sulfide)ratio with slight excess nitrate is necessary for optimal conditions of efficient sulfide control with lower carbon source loss. The optimal control condition is feasible for the sulfide elimination in sewer systems.     

Piriformospora indica confers cadmium tolerance in Nicotiana tabacum

Piriformospora indica, a root-colonizing endophytic fungus of Sebacinales, promotes plant growth and confers resistance against biotic and abiotic stresses. In order to confirm the influence of P. indica on growth, proline, malondialdehyde (MDA), chlorophyll, and cadmium (Cd) amounts in Nicotiana tabacum under Cd stress, hydroponics, pot and field trials were conducted. The results showed that P. indica can store Cd in plant roots and reduce leaf Cd content, reduce the concentration of MDA, and increase the proline and chlorophyll content and the activities of catalase, peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase under hydroponic Cd stress. RT-PCR analysis showed that the relative expression level of genes Gsh2, TaPCS1, oas1, GPX, and Hsp70 in colonized plants was 4.3, 1.4, 2.9, 1.7, and 6.9 fold higher than in un-colonized plants respectively. Cd exposure significantly reduced un-colonized plants'' agronomic traits compared to P. indica-colonized ones. Our results suggested that P. indica can sequester Cd in roots, so that much less cadmium was transported to leaves, and the increased concentrations of antioxidant enzymes, pigments and proline contents, as well as the higher expression of stress-related phytochelatin biosynthesis genes in P. indica-inoculated plants, may also serve to protect N. tabacum plants against oxidative damage, enhancing Cd tolerance.     

Heterogeneous oxidation of SO2 by O3-aged black carbon and its dithiothreitol oxidative potential

Ozone (O₃) is an important atmospheric oxidant. Black carbon (BC) particles released into the atmosphere undergo an aging process via O₃ oxidation. O₃-aged BC particles may change their uptake ability toward trace reducing gases such as SO₂ in the atmosphere, leading to different environmental and health effects. In this paper, the heterogeneous reaction process between O₃-aged BC and SO₂ was explored via in-situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS). Combined with ion chromatography (IC), DRIFTS was used to qualitatively and quantitatively analyze the sulfate product. The results showed that O₃-aged BC had stronger SO₂ oxidation ability than fresh BC, and the reactive species/sites generated on the surface had an important role in the oxidation of SO₂. Relative humidity or 254 nm UV (ultraviolet) light illumination enhanced the oxidation uptake of SO₂ on O₃-aged BC. The oxidation potentials of the BC particles were detected via dithiothreitol (DTT) assay. The DTT activity over BC was decreased in the process of SO₂ reduction, with the consumption of oxidative active sites.     

Excretion of manure-borne estrogens and androgens and their potential risk estimation in the Yangtze River Basin

The Yangtze River is the longest river in China, and the river basin spans one fifth of the area of the whole country. Based on statistical data, the excretion of manure-borne steroid hormones, including steroid estrogens(SEs) and steroid androgens(SAs), in 10 provinces of China within the region has been estimated. The potential environmental and ecological risk of manure-borne steroid estrogens to the surface water in this region was also assessed. The manure-borne SE and SA excretions in the 10 provinces and municipalities vary in the order: Sichuan Hunan Hubei Yunnan Jiangsu Anhui Jiangxi Chongqing Qinghai Shanghai. The highest increase of manure-borne SEs(1434.3 kg)and SAs(408.5 kg) was found in Hunan and Hubei provinces, respectively, and the total excretion in 2013 was 65% more than 15 years earlier in these two provinces. However, the emissions in Anhui and Shanghai decreased in this 15 year period of time. Swine urine,chicken feces, cattle urine, and laying hen feces were considered the dominant sources of manure-borne E1, βE2, αE2, and SAs, respectively. Although Jiangsu province did not have the largest excretion of manure-borne SEs, it had the highest level of predicted17β-estradiol equivalency(EEQs) value of 16.65 ng/L in surface water because of the limited surface water resources. According to the lowest observable effect level of 10 ng/L for17β-estradiol, the manure-borne SEs in Jiangsu province might potentially pose ecological risk to its wild aquatic organisms.     

河流线型对河流自净能力的影响

为研究河流线型对河流自净能力的影响,选取5条具有不同河流线型的河涌进行研究,以弯曲度和分形维数表征河流线型,以TP、NH 3-N、NO 2-N、NO 3-N、COD Cr、TOC、DOC、叶绿素(Chlorophyll)和蓝绿藻藻蓝蛋白(BGA-PC)等9项水质指标沿程削减率表征河流自净能力,并分析各研究河段的悬浮微生物生物量和生物活性,探讨河流线型影响河流自净能力的作用机制。结果表明:多项水质指标沿程削减率随河流线型蜿蜒程度的增加而提升。在直立式浆砌石挡墙河段,河流线型通过提高悬浮微生物生物活性,进而增强河流自净能力,使TP、NH 3-N、NO 3-N、DOC、Chlorophyll和BGA-PC的沿程削减率显著提升;而在格宾石笼挡墙河段,河流线型通过增加悬浮生物生物量和提高生物活性,进而增强河流自净能力,使NO 2-N、COD Cr、TOC和DOC的沿程削减率显著提高。     

东江源头区典型村庄厨余废水水质分析

在东江源头区选取了3个典型村庄,对其厨余废水的水质进行调查分析。结果表明:东江源头区沿江村庄农户家庭厨余废水中TP、NH 3-N和COD浓度远远超过《城镇污水处理厂污染物排放标准》中一级A标准限值,需经进一步处理后排放;夏秋季节,厨余废水中TP、NH 3-N、COD浓度高于春季;村庄的经济发展水平对厨余废水水质有一定影响,经济发展水平高的村庄排放的厨余废水中污染物的浓度较经济水平较低的村庄厨余废水中污染物的浓度低。     

我国环境保护科技创新工作“十二五”进展与“十三五”展望

推进环保科技创新是加快环境管理战略转型的重要基础和支撑。论述了科技创新在我国环境保护管理中的作用,回顾了"十二五"期间在水、大气、土壤、生态、固废与化学品等领域环保科技工作的进展与成效,提出了"十三五"环境保护科技工作的发展方向和重点任务。     

推进养殖污染防治,实现产业优化与环境保护双赢——对《水污染防治行动计划》的解读

针对《水污染防治行动计划》提出的畜禽养殖污染治理思路和措施,梳理了我国现阶段畜禽养殖污染防治中存在的问题,对《水污染防治行动计划》中提出的"调布局、建设施、促利用"三大举措进行了分析和解读,提出了落实《水污染防治行动计划》的几项重点工作,为地方推进畜禽养殖污染防治工作提供参考。     

电子产品故障物理模型研究与应用进展

提出了故障物理模型的基本概念,对几种常见的电子产品故障物理模型,包括互连热疲劳模型、互连振动疲劳模型、电迁移模型和与时间相关的介质击穿模型等进行了分析,总结提出了基于失效发生因素和失效发生过程的损伤模型建模等两种故障物理模型的建模方法。结合工程应用情况,对两种故障物理模型的应用方法——可靠性仿真分析方法和可靠性加速试验方法进行了讨论。最后对故障物理模型的研究进行了展望。