Control strategies of atmospheric mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants in China

Atmospheric mercury (Hg) emission from coal is one of the primary sources of anthropogenic discharge and pollution. China is one of the few countries in the world whose coal consumption constitutes about 70% of total primary energy, and over half of coals are burned directly for electricity generation. Atmospheric emissions of Hg and its speciation from coal-fired power plants are of great concern owing to their negative impacts on regional human health and ecosystem risks, as well as long-distance transport. In this paper, recent trends of atmospheric Hg emissions and its species split from coal-fired power plants in China during the period of 2000-2007 are evaluated, by integrating each plant's coal consumption and emission factors, which are classified by different subcategories of boilers, particulate matter (PM) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) control devices. Our results show that the total Hg emissions from coal-fired power plants have begun to decrease from the peak value of 139.19 t in 2005 to 134.55 t in 2007, though coal consumption growing steadily from 1213.8 to 1532.4 Mt, which can be mainly attributed to the co-benefit Hg reduction by electrostatic precipitators/fabric filters (ESPs/FFs) and wet flue gas desulfurization (WFGD), especially the sharp growth in installation of WFGD both in the new and existing power plants since 2005. In the coming 12th five-year-plan, more and more plants will be mandated to install De-NO(x) (nitrogen oxides) systems (mainly selective catalytic reduction [SCR] and selective noncatalytic reduction [SNCR]) for minimizing NO(x) emission, thus the specific Hg emission rate per ton of coal will decline further owing to the much higher co-benefit removal efficiency by the combination of SCR + ESPs/FFs + WFGD systems. Consequently, SCR + ESPs/FFs + WFGD configuration will be the main path to abate Hg discharge from coal-fired power plants in China in the near future. However advanced specific Hg removal technologies are necessary for further reduction of elemental Hg discharge in the long-term.     

Lead Contamination of Urban Soils and Vegetation by Emissions from Secondary Lead Industries

The degree and extent of lead contamination of urban soils and vegetation in the vicinity of secondary lead industries are provided. These urban industries, a secondary smelter reprocessing lead from used batteries and scrap metal and a manufacturer of new storage batteries, were located near residential communities. Levels as high as 21,000 ppm of lead in the upper 5 cm of soil (based on air dried weight) and 3500 and 2700 ppm in willow foliage (not washed and washed, respectively, based on dry weight) were found adjacent to the secondary smelter, with the levels decreasing exponentially from the sources. The data on lead contamination of soils and vegetation at various distances and directions from the urban secondary lead industries were compared with levels of lead found in control urban and highway locations. In addition, arsenic levels in soil were examined as a tracer for the source of industrial lead emissions. High levels of lead found In both vegetation and soil in the vicinity of the urban industries reflected both historical and current emissions of lead in those areas. These studies were conducted for industrial abatement purposes; to assist medical related epidemiology studies; to define the areas of severe contamination for soil cleanup purposes; and to formulate guidelines for excessive levels of lead in soil and vegetation. Since lead in soil is persistent, concern arises with respect to pica for small children, contamination of edible vegetables grown in high-lead soil, and reentrainment of leaded particulate matter into the air.     

Field study of nitrous oxide production with in situ aeration in a closed landfill site

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) has gained considerable attention as a contributor to global warming and depilation of stratospheric ozone layer. Landfill is one of the high emitters of greenhouse gas such as methane and N₂O during the biodegradation of solid waste. Landfill aeration has been attracted increasing attention worldwide for fast, controlled and sustainable conversion of landfills into a biological stabilized condition, however landfill aeration impel N₂O emission with ammonia removal. N₂O originates from the biodegradation, or the combustion of nitrogen-containing solid waste during the microbial process of nitrification and denitrification. During these two processes, formation of N₂O as a by-product from nitrification, or as an intermediate product of denitrification. In this study, air was injected into a closed landfill site and investigated the major N₂O production factors and correlations established between them. The in-situ aeration experiment was carried out by three sets of gas collection pipes along with temperature probes were installed at three different distances of one, two and three meter away from the aeration point; named points A-C, respectively. Each set of pipes consisted of three different pipes at three different depths of 0.0, 0.75 and 1.5 m from the bottom of the cover soil. Landfill gases composition was monitored weekly and gas samples were collected for analysis of nitrous oxide concentrations. It was evaluated that temperatures within the range of 30–40°C with high oxygen content led to higher generation of nitrous oxide with high aeration rate. Lower O₂ content can infuse N₂O production during nitrification and high O₂ inhibit denitrification which would affect N₂O production. The findings provide insights concerning the production potentials of N₂O in an aerated landfill that may help to minimize with appropriate control of the operational parameters and biological reactions of N turnover.

Implications: Investigation of nitrous oxide production potential during in situ aeration in an old landfill site revealed that increased temperatures and oxygen content inside the landfill site are potential factors for nitrous oxide production. Temperatures within the range of optimum nitrification process (30–40°C) induce nitrous oxide formation with high oxygen concentration as a by-product of nitrogen turnover. Decrease of oxygen content during nitrification leads increase of nitrous oxide production, while temperatures above 40°C with moderate and/or low oxygen content inhibit nitrous oxide generation.     

A New Statistical Dynamic Analysis of Ecosystem Patterns

While phenomenological investigations of ecosystem patterns often fail to reveal underlying dynamic mechanisms, we highlight a universal principle for pattern formation in ecosystems. We consider ecosystems to be typical complex adaptive systems that seek an optimal process to obtain maximized flux under given constraints. An analysis of the optimal process reveals underlying microscopic dynamic mechanisms that induce complex patterns in ecosystems. We emulate ecosystem patterns using a Self-Organization Feature Map: an artificial neural network theoretical model by which evolution processes, structural classifications, and the fractal growth of ecosystem patterns can be simulated. The results help us analyze the formation and dynamics of ecosystem patterns, with attending implications for the classification, protection, and optimization of ecosystems.     

Size distribution, characteristics and sources of heavy metals in haze episod in Beijing

Size segragated samples were collected during high polluted winter haze days in 2006 in Beijing, China. Twenty nine elements and 9 water soluble ions were determined. Heavy metals of Zn, Pb, Mn, Cu, As, Cr, Ni, V and Cd were deeply studied considering their toxic effect on human being. Among these heavy metals, the levels of Mn, As and Cd exceeded the reference values of National Ambient Air Quality Standard （GB3095-2012） and guidelines of World Health Organization. By estimation, high percentage of atmospheric heavy metals in PM2.5 indicates it is an effective way to control atmospheric heavy metals by PM2.5 controlling. Pb, Cd, and Zn show mostly in accumulation mode, V, Mn and Cu exist mostly in both coarse and accumulation modes, and Ni and Cr exist in all of the three modes. Considering the health effect, the breakthrough rates of atmospheric heavy metals into pulmonary alveoli are： Pb （62.1%） 〉 As （58.1%） 〉 Cd （57.9%） 〉 Zn （57.7%） 〉 Cu （55.8%） 〉 Ni （53.5%） 〉 Cr （52.2%） 〉 Mn （49.2%） 〉 V （43.5%）. Positive matrix factorization method was applied for source apportionment of studied heavy metals combined with some marker elements and ions such as K, As, SO42- etc., and four factors （dust, vehicle, aged and transportation, unknown） are identified and the size distribution contribution of them to atmospheric heavy metals are discussed.     

微波活化中孔酸性生物质炭对亚甲基蓝的吸附行为与机理

以甘蔗渣为原料,采用微波辅助磷酸活化法制备了同时富含中孔结构和含氧酸官能团的生物质炭,以氮气吸附、红外光谱FT-IR等技术对炭样品表面物化性质进行了表征,通过静态实验法测定了生物质炭对水中亚甲基蓝的吸附特性,分析了溶液pH、初始浓度、温度对吸附的影响,研究了不同pH下蔗渣生物质炭对亚甲基蓝的吸附行为,并从热力学及动力学角度探讨了生物质炭对亚甲基蓝的吸附机理。结果表明,不同制备参数下生物质炭的得率均大于39.2%,但表面物化性质因参数变化有较大差异。在浸渍比1∶1,烘干时间10 h,活化功率900 W,活化时间22 min的条件下,制得的生物质炭的比表面积为1 021 m2/g,亚甲基蓝值超过国家一级品标准1.70倍,表面富含微中孔结构和羟基、羰基、羧基等酸性官能团,中孔约占总孔的40%。静态吸附实验表明,溶液初始浓度对吸附有较大的影响,吸附量随初始浓度的增加,pH的升高及温度的上升而增大,Freundlich方程、Redlich-Peterson方程与Temkin方程能较好地描述等温吸附行为;吸附动力学结果表明,数据符合Elovich方程,吸附行为更倾向于化学吸附;热力学研究表明,吸附吉布斯自由能(ΔG0)0,吸附标准焓变(ΔH0)70 kJ/mol,说明该吸附为自发的吸热反应,且化学反应在吸附过程中发挥了重要作用。     

改性枸杞枝作为反硝化脱氮碳源的研究

为提高枸杞枝作为反硝化碳源的效能,采用甲醇（体积占比分别为0、20%、50%、100%）-水-NaOH （0.01 g·mL^-1）体系（分别简称为0组、20%组、50%组、100%组）对枸杞枝进行改性处理,研究原枸杞枝的静态释碳、改性前后枸杞枝的静态反硝化特性、表面形态和脱氮动力学.结果表明,原枸杞枝释碳过程同时符合二级动力学方程和Ritger-Peppas方程;第I阶段（1~3 d）为碳源快速释放期,第II阶段（4~21 d）为碳源稳定释放期;改性后枸杞枝纤维素和半纤维素含量占比增加了8.7%~35.2%;不同甲醇-水-NaOH体系改性枸杞枝平均反硝化速率依次为20%组>50%组>0组>100%组>对照组,20%甲醇-水-NaOH组反硝化速率最高（0.76 mg·g^-1·d^-1）,表明20%甲醇-水-NaOH （0.01 g·mL^-1）是枸杞枝改性的最佳条件;改性后的枸杞枝表面结构粗糙、不规则且有大量的孔洞产生,适合脱氮微生物附着生长,其反硝化脱氮过程符合Monod动力学方程（R²=0.96）.     

中国排污许可证制度执行现状调查

本研究以广州、石家庄、兰州、哈尔滨和大同5个城市为调研对象,收集各城市20年来许可证相关的法规制度,并与各城市环境保护监管部门负责人及典型企业环保专职人员进行了访谈。研究表明,中国排污许可证制度在提高企业环保守法意识和推动总量减排上起到了明显作用,但也面临着法律体系不完善,行政资源不足、排放量核算方法不明确、处罚力度弱以及公众参与不充分等问题。在此基础上,本研究提出中国排污许可证制度的改进建议,为决策部门制定相应的政策提供科学和技术的支撑。     

Antimony (Sb) – pollution and removal techniques – critical assessment of technologies

In view of increasing emissions of antimony (Sb) into the environment due to industrialization and consequent carcinogenicity, it is essential to remove this metal from the ecosystem. Antimony and arsenic (As) are analogs. Although numerous studies examined arsenic removal, few reports are available on Sb removal. In this review, various Sb removal techniques are described to understand how this process occurs and what research gaps are needed to improve efficiency. At present, surface adsorption technique is the most widely used for Sb removal. Biological treatment namely phytoremediation is also a promising method and more investigations are required in this regard. The selection of a suitable technique for a given area depends on the conditions including economic, environmental, and social conditions.