The catalytic effect of alumina on the destruction of toluene, benzene, acetone and methanol, in DC pulsed corona discharge reactor was studied. In the presence of alumina the inlet concentration of the VOCs was varied from 5 x 10-6 mol/L to 80% x 10-6 mol/L, and their decomposition efficiency (conversion %) was found to be 99%-80% for toluene, 99%-97% for benzene, 95%-92% for acetone, and 72%-85% for methanol. Corresponding decomposition in the absence of alumina was 90%-38% for toluene, 89%-57% forbenzene, 42%-30% for acetone, and 47%-19% for methanol. Feed gas flow rate was 400 cm3/min and power reading from DC source was 7.4 W in all of the experiments. Alumina also shifted the CO/CO2 ratio in the by-products in favor of CO2. Ozone concentration at the reactor outlet was higher in the presence of alumina. Enhancement in VOCs decomposition by alumina was explained on the basis of higher concentration of ozone and its precursor atomic oxygen [O].Decomposition efficiency (conversion %) for individual compounds was found to be inversely proportional to the ionization potential of the compound, under identical conditions. Double DC high voltage sources pulse generator was tested and found to improve VOCs decomposition compared with the conventional single DC high voltage source. 相似文献
Biomineralization, biosilicification in particular (i.e. the formation of biogenic silica, SiO2), has become an exciting source of inspiration for the development of novel bionic approaches following “nature as model”.
Siliceous sponges are unique among silica forming organisms in their ability to catalyze silica formation using a specific
enzyme termed silicatein. In this study, we review the present state of knowledge on silicatein-mediated “biosilica” formation
in marine sponges, the involvement of further molecules in silica metabolism and their potential application in nanobiotechnology
and medicine.
Werner E. G. Müller dedicated this study to Prof. Vera Gamulin (Rudjer Boskovic Institute, Zagreb, Croatia) in honour of her
unique contributions in molecular evolution. 相似文献
The Iraqi regime occupied the State of Kuwait for seven months. During this period the Iraqi Armed Forces brought into Kuwait massive quantities of army materials. These included heavy military equipment, armoured vehicles, tanks, missiles, munitions and mines. The worst of these were the mines and munitions. During the first five years of liberation, casualties in Kuwait were high and they reached hundreds of cases of both civilians and military personnel. Since 1995, the number of casualties has dropped sharply, largely as a result of the clearing efforts, but casualties are still occurring. This paper describes the type, quantities and distribution of the ordnance within the Kuwaiti desert, together with the clearance efforts. Because of the particularly adverse impacts of land mine use, strict international measures are required to prevent them being made. 相似文献
South Asia faces increasing flooding risks due to climatic and socio-economic changes. Various measures have been adopted by the governments of the countries in this region. However, these measures are not adequate to protect the vulnerable communities from ever-increasing flood losses. This study assesses the policy and planning processes and flood-related scientific research in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Based on a systematic review, a comparison of the existing flood management systems of the three countries is undertaken, and a framework for sustainable flood management in the region is suggested. Insights from the literature show that Bangladesh has been able to develop an effective governance structure to address flood hazards, while Pakistan’s approach to flood management planning is found to be largely inadequate. This inadequacy is mainly attributed to missing links in policy formulation and planning processes, along with a lack of institutional coordination. The results of the literature analysis reveal poor support from scientific research focusing on flooding issues in the case of Pakistan, while Bangladesh and India seem to have benefited from research support in formulating their flood management strategies. Based on these findings, an alternative framework is suggested, emphasizing the need to enhance institutional linkages, community participation and evidence-based research. 相似文献
This investigation describes the use of specially cultivated, nonliving biomass of Trichoderma harzianum as a biosorbent for the batch removal of Pb(II) from a stirred system under different experimental conditions. The metal removal depended upon pH, sorbent particle size, initial Pb(II) concentration, shaking speed, and sorption time. The optimal experimental conditions for the removal of Pb(II) by T. harzianum with an initial metal concentration of 100 mg L?1 were obtained at a particle size of 53 μm, a pH of 4.5, a shaking speed of 200 rpm, and a contact time of 720 min. The results were analyzed in terms of adsorption isotherms and kinetic models. The Freundlich isotherm model and pseudo second-order model fitted well in the data. T. harzianum proved to be a good biomaterial for accumulating Pb(II) from aqueous solutions (q = 460 mg g?1). 相似文献
This study was conducted to examine adsorption of pesticides bifenthrin, carbosulfan, λ-cyhalothrin, cypermethrin, endosulfan, parathion methyl, monocrotophos and 4-nitrophenol by sandy clay loam (S.C.L) and sandy loam (S.L) soils (with varying organic content). There was no significant difference between the observed soil water partitioning coefficient values (Kd) derived from linear and nonlinear Freundlich isotherms. Adsorption of pesticides on S.C.L soils was higher than those on S.L soils. Kd values showed significant correlations (r2?=?0.8???0.99 and 0.65???0.97) with soil organic carbon content (OC) and weak correlations (r2?=?0.2???0.29 and 0.1???0.18) with clay contents of S.C.L and S.L soil at p?≤?0.05, respectively for all pesticides (except monocrotophos). Observed Koc values (soil-water partitioning constants based on the organic C fraction of the soil) were in accordance with the literature values of Wauchope and Tomlin with a maximum deviation of less than 0.5 log units. Ten Quantitative Property-Property Relationships (QPPR) among water solubility, n-octanol water coefficient (Kow) and Koc were proposed for studied pesticides except monocrotophos. The models were considered acceptable when predicted-observed difference for log?Kow and log?Koc were ≤?0.3 and ≤?0.5?log units, respectively, during the validation procedure. This work indicates that the log?Koc derived from the log Kow, from some of existing relationships, may be a fair predictor where observed values (i.e., Kd and Koc) are not available. Furthermore, predicted leaching potential by groundwater ubiquity scores (GUS) equation was solved by using observed Koc values and literature reported half lives of pesticides. GUS ranked the mobility of nonvolatile compounds i.e., bifenthrin, λ-cyhalothrin, cypermethrin and endosulfan extremely low; methyl parathion very low; 4-nitrophenol low; carbofuran and monocrotophos very high in S.C.L and S.L soils, respectively. Results discussed in this paper provide background to prioritize pesticides or chemical groups that should be evaluated under field conditions with regard to their leaching potential to groundwater in arid climates. 相似文献
Radionuclide contamination in terrestrial ecosystems has reached a dangerous level. The major artificial radionuclide present in the environment is 137Cs, which is released as a result of weapon production related to atomic projects, accidental explosions of nuclear power plants and other sources, such as reactors, evaporation ponds, liquid storage tanks, and burial grounds. The release of potentially hazardous radionuclides (radiocesium) in recent years has provided the opportunity to conduct multidisciplinary studies on their fate and transport. Radiocesium’s high fission yield and ease of detection made it a prime candidate for early radio-ecological investigations. The facility setting provides a diverse background for the improved understanding of various factors that contribute toward the fate and transfer of radionuclides in the terrestrial ecosystem. In this review, we summarize the significant environmental radiocesium transfer factors to determine the damaging effects of radiocesium on terrestrial ecosystem. It has been found that 137Cs can trace the transport of other radionuclides that have a high affinity for binding to soil particles (silts and clays). Possible remedial methods are also discussed for contaminated terrestrial systems. This review will serve as a guideline for future studies of the fate and transport of 137Cs in terrestrial environments in the wake of the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant disaster in 2011. 相似文献
Environmental Science and Pollution Research - In a developing country such as Pakistan, adopting biogas technology is a complicated process. The government has taken several steps to address... 相似文献
The transportation sector is a crucial driver of energy intensity and environmental degradation. Therefore, we aim to explore the nexus of transportation taxes, energy intensity, and CO2 emissions for the BICS economies. The econometric approaches, CS-ARDL and PMG-ARDL, have been employed to compute the estimates. The long-run estimates of the green transportation tax variable are negatively significant in both energy intensity and CO2 emissions models irrespective of the estimation technique. These findings imply that green transportation taxes help reduce energy intensity and CO2 emissions in BICS economies. Conversely, in the short-run, the effects of transportation taxes on energy intensity and CO2 emissions are mixed and inconclusive. Hence, transportation taxes are necessary to keep the polluters under control not only from the transport sector but also serve as a deterrent for other sectors as well.