Ozonation of activated carbon and its effects on the adsorption of VOCs exemplified by methylethylketone and benzene

Ozonation can modify the surface property of an activated carbon such as specific surface area, pore volume, and functional group. Results indicate that ozonation can increase the specific surface area of an activated carbon from 783+/-51 to 851+/-25 m2/g due in part to increasing micropores (those below 15 A). However, there is no change in macropore and mesopore upon ozonation. The amount of oxygen functional group (OFG) increases from 197+/-4 to 240+/-4 microeq/g, mostly in hydroxyl and carboxyl groups upon ozone treatment. These oxygen-containing functional groups are stable in the temperature range 30-250 degrees C, but begin to decompose when temperature increases beyond 300 and 350 degrees C. When the temperature reaches 1200 degrees C, all OFGs virtually disappear. The effect of ozone treatment on the adsorption of volatile organic carbon (VOC) was exemplified by methylethylketone (MEK) and benzene. The adsorption density of MEK and benzene by ozone treated activated carbon (AC(O3)) are greater than that by the untreated (AC), with MEK being more adsorbable than benzene. Results of factorial analysis indicate that physical characteristics, namely, micropore, BET surface area, pore diameter (PD), micropore volume (MV) play an important role on benzene and MEK adsorption.     

Leaching behavior and chemical stability of copper butyl xanthate complex under acidic conditions

Although xanthate addition can be used for treating copper-containing wastewater, a better understanding of the leaching toxicity and the stability characteristics of the copper xanthate complexes formed is essential. This work was undertaken to evaluate the leaching behavior of copper xanthate complex precipitates by means of toxicity characteristics leaching procedure (TCLP) and semi-dynamic leaching test (SDLT) using 1 N acetic acid solution as the leachant. Also, the chemical stability of the copper xanthate complex during extraction has been examined with the studying of variation of chemical structure using UV-vis, Fourier transform infrared and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies (XPS).Both TCLP and SDLT results showed that a negligible amount of copper ion was leached out from the copper xanthate complex precipitate, indicating that the complex exhibited a high degree of copper leaching stability under acidic conditions. Nevertheless, chemical structure of the copper xanthate complex precipitate varied during the leaching tests. XPS data suggested that the copper xanthate complex initially contained both cupric and cuprous xanthate, but the unstable cupric xanthate change to the cuprous form after acid extraction, indicating the cuprous xanthate to be the final stabilizing structure. Despite that, the changes of chemical structure did not induce the rapid leaching of copper from the copper xanthate complex.     

Characteristics and clinical outcomes of head-injured cyclists with and without helmets in urban and rural areas of Taiwan: A 15-year study

Objective: Bicycle riding is increasingly popular in Taiwan, but the number of cyclists injured and cyclists' death rates are both increasing. The aim of this study was to investigate the different characteristics and clinical outcomes of traffic accident–related head injuries among cyclists in urban and rural areas.

Methods: Records of 812 patients (533 urban and 279 rural) admitted to 27 hospitals in Taipei City and Hualien County as the result of a traumatic head injury while bicycling between 1998 and 2013 were retrieved for study. Demographics, details about the accident, protective helmet use, and clinical outcomes were then subjected to analysis.

Results: Urban victims were more likely to be injured during morning and early evening rush hours and rural victims during the day; most urban victims were between 19 and 34 years of age and injured in the slow lane; rural victims tended to be younger or older and were injured in the fast lane (all P ≤.001). Riders who wore a helmet were less likely to suffer loss of consciousness (odds ratio [OR] = 0.31), amnesia (OR = 0.069), neurological disorders (OR = 0.205), or facial fractures (OR = 0.369). Older age, more severe head injuries, and bicycle–motor vehicle collisions influenced the severity of symptoms on admission and the residual effects at discharge.

Conclusions: Differences in the characteristics of injuries in urban and rural areas and the utilization of protective helmets may help government authorities adopt appropriate policies to promote safer and more enjoyable cycling.     

Characteristics of metal enrichment in Deep Bay, Hong Kong

Abstract: Sediment cores, suspended particles and overlying water were collected in Deep Bay, Hong Kong. Enrichment of Zn in surface sediments in the landward direction and the decreasing of exchangeable Cd, Ni and Zn in sediment from the inner bay to the outer bay indicated the influence of anthropogenic pollutants discharged from the riparian runoffs.     

Reproductive biology of the spiny lobster, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Panulirus Penicillatus</Emphasis>, in the southeastern coastal waters off Taiwan

The reproductive biology of spiny lobster, Panulirus penicillatus, was studied based on 2,068 lobsters, ranging from 34.28 to 131.60 mm carapace length (CL), sampled in Taitung coastal waters from September 2003 to December 2004. The overall sex ratio approximated 1:1 (χ² = 0.02, P > 0.05), but the monthly sex ratios in 2004 showed significant differences and males were predominant in sizes larger than 80 mm CL. Reproductive activity, assessed using histology, a gonadosomatic index and percentage of ovigerous females, indicated that the mature females could be found in every month and that the major spawning occurred from May to September. The presence of re-developing/re-ripe ovaries by month and size-specific spawning time suggest that larger mature females (>60 mm CL) spawn at least three times a year while smaller new mature females spawn at least once a year. For females, the estimated sizes at 50% physiological and functional maturity were (mean ± SE) 56.46 ± 0.56 mm CL and 66.63 ± 1.07 mm CL. The estimated sizes at functional maturity were between 72 and 74 mm CL for males. The number of eggs per spawning event (brood size, BS) was related to CL by the equation Y _BS = 2.4 × 10^-3CL^4.18 (r ² = 0.902, n = 12). Female lobsters with CL ranging from 60 to 80 mm made the greatest contributions to egg production because of their high brood size and active reproductive activity. A minimum legal size should be established for the fishery to protect egg production potential of lobster population in the southeastern coastal waters off Taiwan.     

Assessment of personal integrated exposure to fine particulate matter of urban residents in Hong Kong

Metropolitan residents are concerned about their exposure to airborne pollutants. But establishing these exposures is challenging. A compact personal exposure kit (PEK) was developed to evaluate personal integrated exposure (PIE) from time-resolved data to particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 μm (PM_2.5) in five microenvironments, including office, home, commuting, other indoor activities (other than home and office), and outdoor activities experienced both on weekdays and weekends. The study was conducted in Hong Kong. The PEK measured PM_2.5, reported location and several other factors, stored collected data, as well as reported the data back to the investigators using global system for mobile communication (GSM) telemetry. Generally, PM_2.5 concentrations in office microenvironment were found to be the smallest (13.0 μg/m³), whereas the largest PM_2.5 concentration microenvironments were experienced during outdoor activities (54.4 μg/m³). Participants spent more than 85% of their time indoors, including in offices, homes, and other public indoor venues. On average, 42% and 81% of the time were spent in homes, which contributed 52% and 79% of PIE (during weekdays and weekends, respectively), suggesting that improvement of air quality in homes may reduce overall exposures and indicating the need for actions to mitigate possible public health burdens in Hong Kong. This study also found that various indoor/outdoor microenvironments experienced by urban office workers cannot be accurately represented by general urban air quality data reported from the regulatory monitoring. Such personalized air quality information, especially while in transit or in offices and homes, may provide improved information on population exposures to air pollution.

Implications: A newly developed personal exposure kit (PEK) was used to monitor PM_2.5 exposure of metropolitan citizens in their daily life. Different microenvironments and time durations caused various personal integrated exposure (PIE). The stationary monitoring method for PIE was also compared and evaluated with PEK. Positive protection actions can be taken after understanding the major contribution to PM_2.5 exposure.     

Volatile organic profiles and photochemical potentials from motorcycle engine exhaust

This study surveyed emissions from 2- and 4-stroke new and in-use motorcycles. Emission tests were carried out on a dynamometer following the designated test procedure of the Economic Commission for Europe (ECE). Samples were derived during various driving stages, which included idle, acceleration, 30 km/hr cruise, 50 km/hr cruise, and deceleration. All test motorcycles (10 new and 15 in-use) complied with Taiwan Environmental Protection Administration's Phase III Motorcycle Emission Standards. The dominant volatile organic carbon (VOC) species were isopentane (53 and 295 mg/km, 2- and 4-stroke, respectively), 2-methylpentane (75 and 83 mg/km), 3-methylpentane (34 and 66 mg/km), and toluene (30 and 100 mg/km). The VOC emission factors for the 2-/4-stroke motorcycles were 311/344 (new) and 1479/433 (in-use) mg/km, respectively. In addition, the dominant carbonyl species for the new and in-use motorcycles were formaldehyde (0.4 and 0.7 mg/km, respectively), acetaldehyde (0.6 and 1.2 mg/km), and acetone (0.5 and 0.7 mg/km). The carbonyl compound emission factors for the 2- and 4-stroke motorcycles were 3.2/3.1 (new) and 5.3/4.6 (in-use) mg/km, respectively. The ozone formation potentials, based on an ECE test cycle, show that the values from the in-use motorcycles were higher than those from the new motorcycles. The dominant VOC species for the ozone formation potential were propylene (65 and 502 mg-O3/km, respectively), isopentane (98 and 501 mg-O3/km), 2-methylpentane (152 and 167 mg-O3/ km), 3-methylpentane (79 and 253 mg-O3/km), and toluene (127 and 398 mg-O3/km). Further, the dominant carbonyl species were formaldehyde (4.1 and 6.2 mg-O3/ km, new and in-use, respectively) and acetaldehyde (4.8 and 9 mg-O3/km).     

Monitoring long-term variation of aerosol composition: a dual particle-size approach applied to Hong Kong

The 1990's time series in Hong Kong for various components oftotal suspended particulate matter (TSP) and PM₁₀ have beenanalyzed in order to assess two distinct types of anthropogenicinput. The first of these relates to the immense reclamation andconstruction activities for new developments and airportconstruction. The concentrations of crustal components inPM₁₀ (= TSP – PM₁₀) were found to peak at the time ofthis maximum activity. A second type of anthropogenic input,ambient lead from petrol vehicles, has decreased in Hong Kongand now represents a regional background. Ambient bromine nowarises mainly from the seasalt source.     

胶州湾内外沉积物岩芯中多氯萘的分布特征研究

利用13 C同位素稀释-高分辨率气相色谱-高分辨率质谱法测定了胶州湾内、外沉积物岩芯中多氯萘(PCNs)异构体的含量,对其同系物分布、可能来源、沉积通量及毒性当量进行了初步探讨,并研究了由各类来源PCNs进入到胶州湾的历史沉积趋势.结果表明,胶州湾内、外沉积物岩芯中∑PCNs含量范围分别为3.9～56.4 Pg·g-1...     

Adsorption behaviors of activated carbons for the exhaust from spray painting booths in vehicle surface coating

Adsorption performance of activated carbon adsorbers in the downstream duct of vehicle spray painting booths has been studied to understand whether fine paint particles in the off-gas would deteriorate the adsorption capacity of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) on activated carbons. Three forms of activated carbons were selected and their properties were determined using nitrogen adsorption analysis, the measurement of pH value and total ash content, energy dispersion spectrometer, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. Results show that the adsorption capacity of activated carbon strongly depends upon its available specific surface area. When the total uptake on activated carbon approaches saturation, the vapors adsorbed would commence to get displaced by the paint particles gradually as time elapses and finally the uptake of vapors and paint particles reach equilibrium. Microporous carbons, in particular, were much more susceptible to paint particles. A Langmuir-type model for the uptake on activated carbons was suggested, which successfully described the adsorption behaviors of the off-gas released from vehicle spray painting booth.