Cr(VI) uptake mechanism of Bacillus cereus

In this study, we investigated the Cr(VI) uptake mechanism in an indigenous Cr(VI)-tolerant bacterial strain -Bacillus cereus through batch and microscopic experiments. We found that both the cells and the supernatant collected from B. cereus cultivation could reduce Cr(VI). The valence state analysis revealed the complete transformation from Cr(VI) into Cr(III) by living B. cereus. Further X-ray absorption fine structure and Fourier transform infrared analyses showed that the reduced Cr(III) was coordinated with carboxyl and amido functional groups from either the cells or supernatant. Scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy observation showed that noticeable Cr(III) precipitates were accumulated on bacterial surfaces. However, Cr(III) could also be detected in bacterial inner portions by using transmission electron microscopy thin section analysis coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Through quantitative analysis of chromium distribution, we determined the binding ratio of Cr(III) in supernatant, cell debris and cytoplasm as 22%, 54% and 24%, respectively. Finally, we further discussed the role of bacterium-origin soluble organic molecules to the remediation of Cr(VI) pollutants.     

Source attribution for mercury deposition in the contiguous United States: regional difference and seasonal variation

Quantifying the contribution of emission sources responsible for mercury deposition in specific receptor regions helps develop emission control strategies that alleviate the impact on ecosystem and human health. In light of the maximum available control technology (MACT) rules proposed by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the ongoing intergovernmental negotiation coordinated by United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) for mercury, the Community Multiscale Air Quality Modeling System (CMAQ-Hg) was applied to estimate the source contribution in six subregions of the contiguous United States (CONUS). The considered source categories include electric generating units (EGU), iron and steel industry (IRST), other industrial point sources excluding EGU and IRST (OIPM), the remaining anthropogenic sources (RA), natural processes (NAT), and out-of-boundary transport (BC). It is found that, on an annual basis, dry deposition accounts for two-thirds of total annual deposition in CONUS (474 Mg yr(-1)), mainly contributed by reactive gaseous mercury (about 60% of total deposition). The contribution from large point sources can be as high as 75% near the emission sources (< 100 km), indicating that emission reduction may result in direct deposition decrease near the source locations. Out-of-boundary transport contributes from 68% (Northeast) to 91% (West Central) of total deposition. Excluding the contribution from out-of boundary transport, EGU contributes to about 50% of deposition in the Northeast, Southeast, and East Central regions, whereas emissions from natural processes are more important in the Pacific and West Central regions (contributing up to 40% of deposition). This suggests that the implementation of the new EPA MACT standards will significantly benefit only these three regions. Emission speciation is a key factor for local deposition. The source contribution exhibits strong seasonal variation. Deposition is greater in warm seasons due to stronger Hg0 oxidation. However, the contribution from anthropogenic sources is smaller in warm seasons because of larger emissions from natural processes and stronger vertical mixing that facilitates transport.     

Acid neutralization of precipitation in Northern China

There is an increasing concern over the impact of human-related emissions on the acid precipitation in China. However, few measurements have been conducted so far to clarify the acid-neutralization of precipitation on a regional scale. Under a network of 10 sites across Northern China operated during a 3-year period from December 2007 to November 2010, a total of 1118 rain and snow samples were collected. Of this total, 28% was acid precipitation with pH < 5.6. Out of these acid samples, 53% were found heavily acidic with pH value below 5.0, indicating significantly high levels of acidification of precipitation. Most of the acidity of precipitation was caused by H2SO4 and HNO3, their relative contribution being 72% and 28%, respectively. However; the contribution of HNO3 to precipitation acidity will be enhanced due to the increasing NO(x) and stable SO2 emissions in future. Neutralization factors for K+, NH4+, Ca2+, Na+, and Mg2+ were estimated as 0.06, 0.71, 0.72, 0.15, and 0.13, respectively. The application of multiple regression analysis further quantified higher NH4+ and Ca2+ contribution to the neutralization process, but the dominant neutralizing agent varied from site to site. The neutralization was less pronounced in the rural than urban areas, probably due to different levels of alkaline species, which strongly buffered the acidity. Presence of high concentrations of basic ions was mainly responsible for high pH of precipitation with annual volume-weighted mean (VWM) values larger than 5.6 at several sites. It was estimated that in the absence of buffering ions, for the given concentration of SO4(2-) and NO3-, the annual VWM pH of precipitation would have been recorded around 3.5 across Northern China. This feature suggested that emissions of particles and gaseous NH3 played very important role in controlling the spatial variations of pH of precipitation in the target areas.     

超声波-缺氧／好氧污泥消化反应器中氨氧化细菌群落结构的演变

为了揭示超声波-缺氧／好氧污泥消化反应器中氨氧化细菌群落结构多样性的演变过程,采用变性梯度凝胶技术（PCR—DGGE）研究不同运行时期氨氧化细菌群落结构的变化。DGGE分析表明,反应器中氨氧化细菌群落比较丰富。在反应器运行的不同时期,氨氧化细菌的群落结构发生了一定的变化,反映了种群的动态演变。UPGMA聚类分析将DGGE图谱分为3大类群并对应于各自的运行时期。测序结果表明,反应器中的优势种群属于变形菌门（Proteobacteria）,包括α-proteobacteria,β-proteobacteria,γ-proteobacteria和ε-proteobacteria4个纲,其中β-proteobacteria占45％,γ-proteobacteria占40％。在始终保持明显优势地位的种属中,5株为反硝化细菌,它们对提高反应器脱氮效率具有重要作用。     

Study on the Effect of Dicumyl Peroxide on Structure and Properties of Poly(Lactic Acid)/Natural Rubber Blend

In attempt to enhance the compatibility of NR in PLA matrix, and furthermore to enhance mechanical properties of PLA, PLA/NR blends with strong interaction were prepared in Haake internal mixer, using dicumyl peroxide (DCP) as cross-linker. The effects of dicumyl peroxide on morphology, thermal properties, mechanical properties and rheological properties of PLA and PLA/NR blends were studied. The results indicated that dicumyl peroxide could increase the compatibility of poly(lactic acid) and natural rubber. With small amount of dicumyl peroxide, the effect on NR toughening PLA was enhanced and the tensile toughness of PLA/NR blends was improved. When the DCP content was up to 0.2 wt%, the PLA/NR blend reached the maximum elongation at break (26.21 %) which was 2.5 times of that of neat PLA (the elongation at break of neat PLA was 10.7 %). Meanwhile, with introducing 2 wt% DCP into PLA/NR blend, the maximum Charpy impact strength (7.36 kJ/m²) could be achieved which was 1.8 times of that of neat PLA (4.18 kJ/m²). Moreover, adding adequate amount of DCP could improve the processing properties of blends: the viscosity of PLA/NR blend decreased significantly and the lowest viscosity of the blends could be achieved when the DCP content was 0.5 wt%.     

Biodegradation of Chlorimuron-ethyl by the Bacterium Klebsiella jilinsis 2N3

Enrichment culturing of sludge taken from an industrial wastewater treatment pond led to the identification of a bacterium (Klebsiella jilinsis H. Zhang) that degrades chlorimuron-ethyl with high efficiency. Klebsiella jilinsis strain 2N3 grows with chlorimuron-ethyl as the sole nitrogen source at the optimal temperature range of 30–35°C and pH values between 6.0–7.0. In liquid medium, the degradation activity was further induced by chlorimuron-ethyl. Degradation rates followed the pesticide degradation kinetic equation at concentrations between 20 and 200 mg L^?1. Using initial concentrations of 20 and 100 mg L^?1, the degradation rates of chlorimuron-ethyl were 83.5 % and 92.5 % in 12 hours, respectively. At an initial concentration higher than 200 mg L^?1, the degradation rate decreased slightly as the concentration increased. The 2N3 strain also degraded the sulfonylurea herbicides ethametsulfuron, metsulfuron-methyl, nicosulfuron, rimsulfuron, and tribenuron-methyl. This study provides scientific evidence and support for the application of K. jilinsis in bioremediation to reduce environmental pollution.     

Biological response of high-back crucian carp (Carassius auratus) during different life stages to wastewater treatment plant effluent

This study presents the adverse effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in effluent of wastewater treatment plants (WwTPs) on fish health. A study of chronic exposure to WwTPs effluent for 10 months was undertaken in high-back crucian carp (Carassius auratus) during different life stages, covering early-life-stage (ELS), prespawning period, and postspawning period. Condition factor (CF), gonadosomatic index (GSI), hepatosomatic index (HSI), and plasma vitellogenin (VTG) levels were employed as indicators to assess biological effects of effluent on this gynogenesis species. Meanwhile, some high-back crucian carp were caged in Demonstration Base of Biological Purification for Filter-feeding Fish (hereinafter, Demonstration Base), as WwTPs effluent exposure controls. In the meantime, a depuration study was carried out to determine whether or not the estrogenic effects caused by effluent exposure could be reduced after moving fish into EDCs-free water. CF, HSI, GSI, and plasma Vtg levels of high-back crucian carp caged in Demonstration Base were generally in accordance with seasonal change. Effluent exposure inhibited gonadal growth, reducing GSI in ELS while increasing it around spawning, sharpened liver burdens, increasing HSI, and induced abnormal Vtg expression in juvenile high-back crucian carp, augmenting Vtg concentrations in plasma. Around spawning period, Vtg in high-back crucian carp were mainly induced by endogenous estrogens, and EDCs in effluent had less influence on them. Staying in EDCs-free water for 30 days made high-back crucian carp recover from effects of previous effluent exposure, relieving inhibition of gonadal development and hypertrophy of liver as well as reducing Vtg induced by EDCs in effluent. The results revealed that high-back crucian carp in ELS are more sensitive to WwTPs effluent exposure. Additionally, the depuration study showed a clearance of the estrogenic effects caused by effluent.     

两相厌氧消化工艺处理鸡粪

以鸡粪为发酵原料,采用序批式两相厌氧消化工艺在中温条件(37℃)下对其进行消化处理。分别将水解酸化相和产甲烷相pH值控制在5.5±0.3和7.0±0.3,通过改变进样含固率(TS)研究有机负荷(OLR)对两相消化系统处理鸡粪过程中污染物转化和去除效果的影响。结果表明,水解酸化相出水总有机碳(TOC)、挥发酸(VFAs)和氨氮(NH4+-N)浓度都随OLR升高而升高。VFAs组成相对稳定,其中乙酸占总VFAs浓度的57%～64%,其次为正丁酸和丙酸。产甲烷相出水TOC和VFAs稳定在较低水平,TOC去除率最大达到90%以上。产甲烷相进水氨氮主要以NH4+形式在反应器内不断积累。实验后期产甲烷相生物气中甲烷体积分数维持在64%上,证明两相消化系统在实验条件下良好运行。     

微波辅助Fe-H2O2联合处理罗丹明B废水

对微波辅助Fe-H2O2联合处理罗丹明B废水进行了研究,分别考察了废水pH、H2O2加入量、铁粉加入量、初始罗丹明B质量浓度以及反应时间等因素对罗丹明B去除率的影响。实验结果表明,对于100mg/L的罗丹明B废水,当加入50mg/L铁粉、10.0mL/LH2O2,反应12min后,罗丹明B去除率达到98.7%,并且拓宽了反应的pH范围。     

生态修复植物蜈蚣草中砷的回收

采用管式炉高温热解-NaOH-Na₂CO₃混合液碱浸-CuSO₄·5H₂O沉淀的方法回收生态修复植物蜈蚣草中的砷,最终得到产品砷酸铜。该方法的最佳工艺条件为：热解温度600 ℃,热解时间30 min,CaO加入量（CaO与蜈蚣草的质量比）8%; m（NaOH）∶m（Na₂CO₃）=1∶3,碱浸温度70 ℃, 碱浸时间2 h, 固液比1∶10; 沉淀反应pH 5, 沉淀反应温度70 ℃。采用该方法处理生态修复植物蜈蚣草,得到产品砷酸铜的纯度为93%,砷回收率达88%。