Arsenic and antimony distribution in the Ría de Arousa: before and after the Prestige oil tanker sinking

The behaviour of arsenic and antimony in the Ría de Arousa (Galicia, north west of Spain) and the influence of the Prestige accident in the estuary is evaluated. As and Sb were simultaneously determined by HG-ICPOES in seawater samples after a preconcentration with La in a knotted reactor. The highest As concentration is in the inner and middle parts of the ría where the current is weaker and next to the main ports of the area. The largest Sb concentrations were found in the bay of the ría. Linear variation of concentration vs. salinity for As and As/Sb ratios indicated that there was no pollution in the waters of Arousa. The Prestige oil spillage had no serious influence and the values of arsenic (most of them <1.5 microg L(-1)) are similar to the average oceanic concentration, whereas concentrations for antimony (most of them <0.15 microg L(-1)) are less than the oceanic ones.     

Simple Model of Dissolved Oxygen Consumption in a Bay within High Organic Loading: An Applied Remediation Tool

San Vicente Bay is a coastal shallow embayment in Central Chile with multiple uses, one of which is receiving wastewater from industrial fisheries, steel mill effluents, and domestic sewage. A simulation model was developed and applied to dissolved oxygen consumption by organic residues released into this embayment. Three compartments were established as function of: depth, circulation and outfall location. The model compartments had different volumes, and their oxygen saturation value was used as baseline. The parameters: (a) BOD₅ of the industrial and urban effluents, (b) oxygen demand by organic sediments, (c) respiration, (d) photosynthesis and (e) re-aeration were included in the model. Iteration results of the model showed severe alterations in Compartment 1, with a decrease of 65% in the oxygen below saturation. Compartment 2 showed a small decline (10%) and compartment 3 did not show apparent changes in oxygen values. Measures recommended for remediation were to decrease the BOD₅ loading by 30% in the affected sector. Iteration of the model for 200 h following recommendations derived from the preceding results produced an increase in saturation of 60% (5 ml O₂ L⁻¹), which suggested an improvement of the environmental conditions.     

Kinetics and thermodynamic studies of Methyl Orange removal by polyvinylidene fluoride-PEDOT mats

We report the preparation of poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene) (PEDOT)-modified polyvinylidene fluoride electrospun fibers and their use as a novel adsorbent material for the removal of the anionic dye Methyl Orange (MO) from aqueous media. This novel adsorbent material can be used to selectively remove MO on a wide pH range (3.0–10.0), with a maximum capacity of 143.8 mg/g at pH 3.0. When used in a recirculating filtration system, the maximum absorption capacity was reached in a shorter time (20 min) than that observed for batch mode experiments (360 min). Based on the analyses of the kinetics and adsorption isotherm data, one can conclude that the predominant mechanism of interaction between the membrane and the dissolved dye molecules is electrostatic. Besides, considering the estimated values for the Gibbs energy, and entropy and enthalpy changes, it was established that the adsorption process is spontaneous and occurs in an endothermic manner. The good mechanical and environmental stability of these membranes allowed their use in at least 20 consecutive adsorption/desorption cycles, without significant loss of their characteristics. We suggest that the physical-chemical characteristics of PEDOT make these hybrid mats a promising adsorbent material for use in water remediation protocols and effluent treatment systems.     

Effects of the forced ventilation on composting of a solid olive-mill by-product ("alperujo") managed by mechanical turning

The evaluation of the most suitable aeration technology for olive-mill by-product "alperujo" (AL) composting was carried out by using two identical piles prepared by mixing AL with a bulking agent (fresh cow bedding) and a mature compost (as inoculant). Forced ventilation was employed in conjunction with mechanical turning in one of the piles, whereas only mechanical turning was used in the other pile. These two treatment methods were evaluated by assessing process efficiency and end-product quality. The results show that the composting process was completed in less time when forced ventilation was coupled with mechanical turning. A slight delay in the evolution of pH, C/N ratio, and biodegradation of fats and organic matter was observed when only turning was employed. However, the recommended method for composting AL was mechanical turning without forced ventilation since the composition of the end-product in this case was comparable to the composted AL using forced ventilation coupled with mechanical turning. Furthermore, there were substantial economic savings by selecting mechanical turning alone, which included capital costs for equipment.     

Modelling Phosphorus Retention in Lakes and Reservoirs

Steady-state models for the prediction of P retention coefficient (R) in lakes were evaluated using data from 93 natural lakes and 119 reservoirs situated in the temperate zone. Most of the already existing models predicted R relatively successfully in lakes while it was seriously under-estimated in reservoirs. A statistical analysis indicated the main causes of differences in R between lakes and reservoirs: (a) distinct relationships between P sedimentation coefficient, depth, and water residence time; (b) existence of significant inflow–outflow P concentration gradients in reservoirs. Two new models of different complexity were developed for estimating R in reservoirs: , where τ is water residence time (year), was derived from the Vollenweider/Larsen and Mercier model by adding a calibrated parameter accounting for spatial P non-homogeneity in the water body, and is applicable for reservoirs but not lakes, and , where [P_in] is volume-weighted P concentration in all inputs to the water body (μg l⁻¹), was obtained by re-calibrating the OECD general equation, and is generally applicable for both lakes and reservoirs. These optimised models yield unbiased estimates over a large range of reservoir types.     

重庆市大气污染物的空间统计分析

利用空间统计分析方法(spatial statistics analysis),借助GIS,分析了重庆市3种主要大气污染物TSP,SO₂和NO_x质量浓度在空间上的分布特点.研究表明,在"九五"期间和2002年2个时期,重庆市大气污染物在空间上均呈不均衡分布.整体上,SO₂的空间自相关性很强,属集中分布模式;TSP的空间自相关性较弱,属于随机分布模式;NO_x处于二者之间.局部相关性分析表明,大部分区县的大气污染物之间相关性较弱.此外,利用缓冲区和内插浓度表面法分析了2个时期的污染物质量浓度随离行政中心距离变化的趋势,发现ρ(TSP)和ρ(SO₂)在各地带内均有明显削减,而ρ(NO_x)削减不显著;ρ(SO₂)和ρ(NO_x)随距行政中心距离增大下降,但ρ(TSP)随距离增大而增加.3种污染物质量浓度都在离行政中心50～60 km的地带发生明显变化,由此得出目前重庆市大气污染物空间分布的特征距离为50～60km.      

LB复合膜选择性检测水中痕量镉离子的方法研究

开发了一种利用LB复合膜选择性地检测水中痕量镉离子的技术方法,研究了最佳LB复合膜检测器的制作条件.用表面活性剂十二烷基-(2-噻唑偶氮)间苯二酚(DTAR)作显色剂,对乙烯基硬脂酸盐(PVS)、十八烷基异丁烯酸盐(PMOA)、乙烯基-N-氨基甲酸十八烷基酯(PVOC)和顺丁烯二酸酐-1-十八烯(PMO)4种聚合物进行了强度实验,得出稳定的检测器结构,即偶数层DTAR上附着单层PVOC的LB复合膜.经过灵敏度实验,制作出最佳LB复合膜检测器DTAR6-PVOC1,在pH为7.5,温度40℃且搅拌的反应条件下,该检测器可以在10 min之内检出10-7mol/L镉,并可目视定性及半定量检测出水中痕量镉离子.水中可能共存的离子中只有CU2+和Zn2+会干扰镉离子的检测,需要抑制.      

上海市能耗与GDP大气污染的协整关系研究

采用计量经济学中的协整理论考察上海市能源消费量与经济增长、废气排放量、二氧化硫排放量之间的关系。结果显示,上海市能源消费只与经济增长、废气排放量之间存在长期协整关系,并建立了相应的长期均衡方程及误差修正模型。另外,对1978～2003年的能源消费与经济增长之间进行Granger因果关系检验,提出实现上海市经济-能源-环境和谐发展的措施。     

Fish mercury increase in Lago Manso, a new hydroelectric reservoir in tropical Brazil

It has been frequently demonstrated that mercury (Hg) concentrations in fish rise in newly constructed hydroelectric reservoirs in the Northern Hemisphere. In the present work, we studied whether similar effects take place also in a tropical upland reservoir during impoundment and discuss possible causes and implications. Total Hg concentrations in fish and several soil and water parameters were determined before and after flooding at Rio Manso hydroelectric power plant in western Brazil. The Hg concentrations in soil and sediment were within the background levels in the region (22-35 ng g(-1) dry weight). There was a strong positive correlation between Hg and carbon and sulphur in sediment. Predatory fish had total Hg concentrations ranging between 70 and 210 ng g(-1) f.w. 7 years before flooding and between 72 and 755 ng g(-1) f.w. during flooding, but increased to between 216 and 938 ng g(-1) f.w. in the piscivorous and carnivorous species Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum, cachara, and Salminus brasiliensis, dourado, 3 years after flooding. At the same time, concentrations of organic carbon in the water increased and oxygen concentrations decreased, indicating increased decomposition and anoxia as contributing to the increased Hg concentrations in fish. The present fish Hg concentrations in commonly consumed piscivorous species are a threat to the health of the population dependent on fishing in the dam and downstream river for sustenance. Mercury exposure can be reduced by following fish consumption recommendations until fish Hg concentrations decrease to a safe level.