Effect of organic material on field-scale emissions of 1,3-dichloropropene

Soil fumigation is important for growing many fruits and vegetable crops, but fumigant emissions may contaminate the atmosphere. A large-scale field experiment was initiated to test the hypothesis that adding composted municipal green waste to the soil surface in an agricultural field would reduce atmospheric emissions of the 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D) after shank injection at a 133 kg ha(-1) application rate. Three micrometeorological methods were used to obtain fumigant flux density and cumulative emission values. The volatilization rate was measured continuously for 16 d, and the daily peak volatilization rates for the three methods ranged from 12 to 24 μg m(-2) s(-1). The total 1,3-D mass that volatilized to the atmosphere was approximately 14 to 68 kg, or 3 to 8% of the applied active ingredient. This represents an approximately 75 to 90% reduction in the total emissions compared with other recent field, field-plot, and laboratory studies. Significant reductions in the volatilization of 1,3-D may be possible when composted municipal green waste is applied to an agricultural field. This methodology also provides a beneficial use and disposal mechanism for composted vegetative material.     

Species diversity and leaf functional traits of understory vegetation one year after severe burning北大核心CSCD

以北京油松(Pinus tabuliformis)人工林为研究对象,采用独立样本T检验、冗余分析等方法,分析重度火烧1年后林下植被(灌木层和草本层)的物种多样性、叶功能性状及其与土壤因子的关系.结果显示:(1)与对照样地相比,重度火烧后灌木层物种丰富度指数极显著降低(P <0.01),但Shannon指数、Simpson指数以及Pielou指数虽呈下降趋势但未达显著水平(P> 0.05);草本层除Pielou指数外,各物种多样性指数均显著增加(P <0.05).(2)重度火烧样地灌木层和草本层的叶厚度(LT)、叶干物质含量(LDMC)、叶碳含量(LCC)、叶磷含量(LPC)均高于对照样地,而比叶面积(SLA)、叶氮含量(LNC)、叶片氮磷比(N:P)、叶绿素含量(CHL)低于对照样地,除灌木层LPC和N:P及草本层SLA、LCC和LPC外,其他各叶功能性状在火烧与对照间差异均达显著水平.对于不同生活型而言,对照样地的LDMC、LNC、LCC、CHL存在显著差异,而在重度火烧后差异不显著;LT、SLA在重度火烧和对照样地上均呈现显著差异;而LPC、N:P在重度火烧与对照样地上均无显著差异.(3)重度火烧后1年,灌木层和草本层的叶功能性状均仅与土壤含水率、容重和非毛管孔隙度密切相关.本研究表明在油松人工林重度火烧后1年,灌木层物种多样性降低,而草本层物种多样性增加,灌草层的各叶功能性状主要受土壤物理性质的影响呈现不同的变化规律.(图4参45)     

Comparison of macroinvertebrate community structure in urban (Shenzhen City) streams with typical habitat characteristics北大核心CSCD

2020年12月在深圳市城市区域典型生境特征溪流——城市山区源头溪流金龟河、国家地质公园保护区入海溪流杨梅坑河与黑臭水体治理后溪流石溪河,开展底栖动物多样性与生境质量状况取样,通过多元统计分析探明各溪流底栖动物群落结构差异及其主要环境影响因子.结果表明:(1)金龟河底质异质性(SI)最高;杨梅坑河水质最好且流态异质性(Fr)最优,石溪河水质最差且底质异质性(Fr)最低.(2)共采集鉴定大型底栖动物118个分类单元,隶属于3门6纲14目87科.水生昆虫均占绝对优势,其中金龟河67属(81.7%),杨梅坑河62属(95.4%),石溪河12属(52.2%).金龟河中底栖动物Shannon-Wiener多样性指数、改进的Shannon-Wiener多样性指数、Pielou均匀度均高于杨梅坑河与石溪河.(3)金龟河的主要功能摄食类群是滤食者(45.5%),杨梅坑河(38.3%)与石溪河(58.7%)的主要功能摄食类群均为收集者.(4)冗余分析(RDA)结果显示,氨氮、海拔、湿宽、水温、溶氧、底质异质性(SI)、电导率和流态异质性(Fr)为影响深圳市溪流的大型底栖动物群落结构的主要环境因子.研究表明:(1)深圳市的山区溪流可作为深圳市生物多样性保护的重点区域.(2)在城市溪流生态系统中,水环境化学因子并非为主要影响因子,生境多样性发挥了重要作用.(图6表3参43)     

Occurrence and treatment trials of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in wastewaters

This study demonstrates that both synthetic and natural endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) (e.g., bisphenol A, estrone and 17beta-estradiol) were found in the crude wastewaters from two wastewater treatment works (WwTWs). Conventional biological processes can lower EDCs concentrations to several tens to hundreds ngl(-1). Since natural EDCs (e.g., estrone and 17beta-estradiol) have biological activity and adverse impact on the environment at extremely low concentrations (several tens of ngl(-1)), further treatment after conventional biological processes is required. Preliminary trials with ferrate(VI) and electrochemical oxidation process demonstrated that both processes can effectively reduce EDCs to very low levels, ranging between 10 and 100ngl(-1), but the former is more effective than the latter to reduce COD concentration in wastewater for given studying conditions.     

Photocatalytic oxidation of triclosan

In the spring of 2003, there was an outbreak of the severe respiratory syndrome (SARS) in Hong Kong. Health concerns have thus triggered an increased and predominant use of various types of household cleansing agents such as triclosan (5-chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenol). However, it has been reported recently that triclosan could be photochemically converted to toxic 2,8-dichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (2,8-Cl(2)DD) in the environment. It is therefore necessary to develop environmentally friendly methods for the treatment of triclosan. To this end, photocatalytic degradation of triclosan in aqueous solution was conducted using TiO(2) (Degussa P25) under irradiation of UV light (lambda < 365 nm). It was found that triclosan could be degraded by this approach. Hydrogen peroxide was added to enhance the degradation process, and the optimal initial hydrogen peroxide concentration for triclosan degradation was 0.005% (w/v). Product identification indicated that triclosan oxidation occurred at its phenol moiety and yielded quinone and hydroquinone intermediates. The formation of a dichlorophenol intermediate in triclosan degradation suggested bond-breaking of the ether linkage occurred during the process. Moreover, no chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin congener was detected. These findings confirm that the photocatalytic degradation of triclosan is an environmentally friendly process.     

Mechanisms of lead, copper, and zinc retention by phosphate rock

The solid-liquid interface reaction between phosphate rock (PR) and metals (Pb, Cu, and Zn) was studied. Phosphate rock has the highest affinity for Pb, followed by Cu and Zn, with sorption capacities of 138, 114, and 83.2 mmol/kg PR, respectively. In the Pb-Cu-Zn ternary system, competitive metal sorption occurred with sorption capacity reduction of 15.2%, 48.3%, and 75.6% for Pb, Cu, and Zn, respectively compared to the mono-metal systems. A fractional factorial design showed the interfering effect in the order of Pb>Cu>Zn. Desorption of Cu and Zn was sensitive to pH change, increasing with pH decline, whereas Pb desorption was decreased with a strongly acidic TCLP extracting solution (pH = 2.93). The greatest stability of Pb retention by PR can be attributed to the formation of insoluble fluoropyromorphite [Pb(10)(PO(4))(6)F(2)], which was primarily responsible for Pb immobilization (up to 78.3%), with less contribution from the surface adsorption or complexation (21.7%), compared to 74.5% for Cu and 95.7% for Zn. Solution pH reduction during metal retention and flow calorimetry analysis both supported the hypothesis of retention of Pb, Cu, and Zn by surface adsorption or complexation. Flow calorimetry indicated that Pb and Cu adsorption onto PR was exothermic, while Zn sorption was endothermic. Our research demonstrated that PR can effectively remove Pb from solutions, even in the presence of other heavy metals (e.g. Cu, Zn).     

Source apportionment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface soil in Tianjin, China

Principal component analysis and multiple linear regression were applied to apportion sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in surface soils of Tianjin, China based on the measured PAH concentrations of 188 surface soil samples. Four principal components were identified representing coal combustion, petroleum, coke oven plus biomass burning, and chemical industry discharge, respectively. The contributions of major sources were quantified as 41% from coal, 20% from petroleum, and 39% from coking and biomass, which are compatible with PAH emissions estimated based on fuel consumption and emission factors. When the study area was divided into three zones with distinctive differences in soil PAH concentration and profile, different source features were unveiled. For the industrialized Tanggu-Hangu zone, the major contributors were cooking (43%), coal (37%) and vehicle exhaust (20%). In rural area, however, in addition to the three main sources, biomass burning was also important (13%). In urban-suburban zone, incineration accounted for one fourth of the total.     

Cytotoxicity and DNA damage of five organophosphorus pesticides mediated by oxidative stress in PC12 cells and protection by vitamin E

Previous studies have demonstrated that pesticides could induce cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in vivo and in vitro, and that oxidative stress may be an important factor involved. However, investigations comparing the capability of different organophosphorous (OP) compounds to induce cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and oxidative stress are limited. Hence, the aim of this paper was to access the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of five OPs or metabolites, Acephate (ACE), Methamidophos (MET), Chloramidophos (CHL), Malathion (MAT) and Malaoxon (MAO), and to clarify the role of oxidative stress, using PC12 cells. The results demonstrated that MET, MAT and MAO caused significant inhibition of cell viability and increased DNA damage in PC12 cells at 40 mg L^?1. MAO was more toxic than the other OPs. ACE, MET, MAT and MAO increased the levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA), and decreased the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione (GSH) at 20 mg L^?1 and 40 mg L^?1 to different degrees. Pre-treatment with vitamin E(600 μM)caused a significant attenuation in the cytotoxic and genotoxic effect; pre-treatment reversed subsequent OP-induced elevation of peroxidation products and the decline of anti-oxidant enzyme activities. These results indicate that oxidative damage is likely to be an initiating event that contributes to the OP-induced cytotoxicity.     

Lead,zinc and copper accumulation and tolerance in populations of Paspalum distichum and Cynodon dactylon

Both Fankou and Lechang lead/zinc (Pb/Zn) mine tailings located at Guangdong Province contained high levels of total and DTPA-extractable Pb, Zn and Cu. Paspalum distichum and Cynodon dactylon were dominant species colonized naturally on the tailings. Lead, zinc and copper accumulation and tolerance of different populations of the two grasses growing on the tailings were investigated. Tillers of these populations including those from an uncontaminated area were subjected to the following concentrations: 5, 10, 20, 30 and 40 mg l(-1) Pb, 2.5, 5, 10, 20 and 30 mg (l-1) Zn, or 0.25, 0.50, 1 and 2 mg l(-1) Cu for 14 days, respectively, then tolerance index (TI) and EC50 (the concentrations of metals in solutions which reduce 50% of normal root growth) were calculated. The results indicated that both Lechang and Fankou populations of the two grasses showed a greater tolerance to the three metals than those growing on the uncontaminated area, which suggested that co-tolerant ecotypes have evolved in the two grasses. P. distichum collected from Fankou tailings had the highest tolerance to Cu while Lechang population the highest tolerance to Pb and Zn among the tested populations, and tolerance levels in P. distichum were related to metal concentrations in the plants. P. distichum had a better growth performance than C. dactylon when both of them were grown on the tailings sites. Tolerant populations of these species would serve as potential candidates for re-vegetation of wastelands contaminated with Pb, Zn and Cu.     

Status of trace elements in paddy soil and sediment in Taihu Lake region

Thirteen paddy soil profiles and river sediments which are sources of irrigation water were collected around the Taihu Lake, and the trace elements were estimated. The content of La and Ce in paddy soil and sediment were 39.3 and 68.6 mg/kg soil and 36.9 and 65.1 mg/kg soil, being within the range of background values. The values for Pb, Cu, Ni, Cr, Co, Mn, Zn, Se in paddy soil were 23.3, 27.8, 25.5, 63.5, 10.2, 386, 68.7 and 0.25 mg/kg soil respectively, all below the national permission level. There was a decline of Zn in paddy soil. Some of the river sediments were seriously polluted. The river in Yangjin site was most contaminated with 5.47 g Cu/kg and 7.4 g Zn/kg. The high concentration of Pb and Ni also was observed in this sediment. River in Weitang, Huashi, Xinzhuang and Meiyan were contaminated with Pb, Cu and Ni to some extent. Zn, Cu and Pb were the main pollutants in present experiment sites. The fast development of village/township industries have caused severe environmental pollution in the Taihu Lake region, especially irrigation river sediments. Se content in plant and seed was 0.04 and 0.03 mg/kg respectively, showed Se-deficiency in paddy soil in the Taihu Lake region.