Hexabromocyclododecanes in soils and plants from a plastic waste treatment area in North China: occurrence,diastereomer- and enantiomer-specific profiles,and metabolization

Plastic waste is a source of organic contaminants such as hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs). HBCDs have been found to cause developmental and reproductive toxicity; it is important to investigate the occurrence and metabolization of HBCDs in the soil environments with plastic waste contamination. This work analyzed HBCDs and their metabolites in soil and plant samples collected from Xinle and Dingzhou—the major plastic waste recycling centers in North China. Results showed that total HBCD concentrations in soils followed the order: plastic waste treatment site (11.0–624 ng/g) > roadside (2.96–85.4 ng/g) ≥ farmland (8.69–55.5 ng/g). HBCDs were detected in all the plant samples with total concentrations ranging from 3.47 to 23.4 ng/g. γ-HBCD was the dominant congener in soils, while α-HBCD was preferentially accumulated in plants. Compositions of HBCD isomers in soils and plants were significantly different (P < 0.05) among sampling sites and among plant species. HBCDs in farmland soil and all plant samples exhibited high enantio-selectivity based on the enantiomeric fractions (EFs). Furthermore, metabolites of pentabromocyclododecenes (PBCDEs) were frequently identified in soils, and mono-OH-HBCDs were the most common ones in plants. This study for the first time provides evidences of HBCD contamination in the soil-plant system caused by plastic waste, their stereo-selectivity, and metabolization behavior, improving our understanding of the environmental behavior and fate of HBCDs.     

Anti-oviposition activities of used sock media against a dengue vector: prospects of eco-friendly control and solutions to pollution

Yearly, huge amounts of sock refuse are discarded into the environment. Socks contain many molecules, and worn ones, which are rich in smell-causing bacteria, have a strong influence on animals’ behaviors. But the impacts of sock odor on the oviposition behavior of dengue vectors are unknown. We assessed whether Aedes albopictus changes its oviposition activity in response to the presence of used socks extract (USEx) in potential breeding grounds, using choice and no-choice bioassays (NCB). When furnished even chances to oviposit in two sites holding USEx and two others containing water (control), Ae. albopictus deposited significantly less eggs in USEx than in water sites. A similar pattern of oviposition preference was also observed when there were more oviposition options in water. When there were greater oviposition opportunities in USEx sites, Ae. albopictus oviposited preferentially in water. Females laid significantly more eggs during the NCB involving water than USEx. Also, significantly more mature eggs were retained by females in the NCB with USEx than in that with water. These observations strongly suggest the presence of molecules with either repellent or deterrent activities against Ae. albopictus females and provide an impetus to advocate the integration of used socks in dengue control programs. Such applications could be a realistic end-of-life recourse to reroute this waste from landfills.

     

Occurrence of benzotriazoles (BTRs) in indoor air from Albany,New York,USA, and its implications for inhalation exposure

Despite the widespread use of benzotriazoles as corrosion inhibitors in many household goods, studies on the occurrence of these compounds in indoor air are scarce. In this study, five benzotriazole derivatives were measured in 83 indoor air samples collected from various locations in Albany, New York, USA. Benzotriazoles were found in a majority of the indoor air samples, and the concentrations of their sum in bulk (vapor plus particulate phases) indoor air ranged from below the method limit of quantification to 492 ng·m^?3 (geometric mean: 5.8 ng·m^?3). The highest geometric mean concentration was found in air samples collected in parking garages (155 ng·m^?3), followed by barbershops (13.6), public places (11.5), auto repair shops (5.2), automobiles (4.5), homes (4.5), offices (3.7), and laboratories (2.8). Inhalation exposure to benzotriazoles was calculated on the basis of the measured geometric mean concentrations and air inhalation rate. The highest exposure dose was found for teenagers, with a geometric mean inhalation exposure dose of 79 ng·day^?1. The body-weight normalized exposure dose, however, was the highest for infants, at 3.2 ng·(kg bw)^?1·day^?1.     

颗粒状污泥活性炭流化床吸附处理含铜矿山废水

以城市污水处理厂活性污泥为原料,通过高温热解制备了颗粒状污泥活性炭吸附剂。在自制的流化床吸附装置上研究了该吸附剂对含铜矿山废水的吸附处理效果。实验结果表明：在初始废水pH6、吸附剂加入量15g/L、废水循环流量6.0L/min、吸附时间120min的最佳吸附条件下,废水中Cu²⁺去除率达98.2%。     

Kinetics of peanut shell pyrolysis and hydrolysis in subcritical water

Biomass is recognized as an important solution to energy and the environmental problems related to fossil fuel usage. The rational utilization of biomass waste is important not only for the prevention of environmental issues, but also for the effective utilization of natural resources. Pyrolysis and hyrolysis in subcritical water are promising processes for biomass waste conversion. This paper deals with hydrolysis and pyrolysis of peanut shells. Hydrolysis and pyrolysis kinetics of peanut shell wastes were investigated for the in-depth exploration of process mechanisms and for the control of the reactions. Hydrolysis kinetics was conducted in a temperature range of 180–240 °C. A simplified kinetic model to describe the hydrolysis of peanut shells was proposed. Hydrolysis activation energy as well as the pre-exponential factor was determined according to the model. The target products of peanut shell hydrolysis, reducing sugars, can reach up to 40.5 % (maximum yield) at 220 °C and 180 s. Pyrolysis characteristics were investigated. The results showed that three stages appeared in this thermal degradation process. Kinetic parameters in terms of apparent pyrolysis activation energy and pre-exponential factor were obtained by the Coats–Redfern method.     

Simazine biodegradation and community structures of ammonia-oxidizing microorganisms in bioaugmented soil: impact of ammonia and nitrate nitrogen sources

The objective of the present study was to investigate the impact of ammonia and nitrate nitrogen sources on simazine biodegradation by Arthrobacter sp. strain SD1 and the community structures of ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) and bacteria (AOB) in non-agricultural soil. Soil microcosms with different treatments were constructed for herbicide biodegradation test. The relative abundance of the strain SD1 and the structures of AOA and AOB communities were assessed using quantitative PCR (q-PCR) and terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (TRFLP), respectively. The co-existence of two inorganic nitrogen sources (ammonia and nitrate) had certain impact on simazine dissipation by the strain SD1. Bioaugmentation could induce a shift in the community structures of both AOA and AOB, but AOA were more responsive. Nitrogen application had significant impacts on AOA and AOB communities in bioaugmented soils. Moreover, in non-bioaugmented soil, the community structure of AOA, instead of AOB, could be quickly recovered after herbicide application. This study could add some new insights towards the impacts of nitrogen sources on s-triazine bioremediation and ammonia-oxidizing microorganisms in soil ecosystem.     

微磁场条件下pH冲击对微氧活性污泥表面性质的影响

研究了微磁场条件下pH冲击对处理低负荷葡萄糖废水的微氧活性污泥表面性质的影响。在pH=6.0和9.0的条件下对添加磁粉和无磁粉反应器微氧活性污泥进行15 d的冲击,而后调整pH=7.5进行5 d的恢复实验。对pH冲击下污泥絮凝能力FA、疏水性RH和表面电荷SC的变化情况进行考察,结果表明,有磁粉反应器的各项指标均优于无磁粉反应器。经过5 d的恢复实验,添加磁粉反应器污泥的各指标均能恢复到接近初始值,而无磁粉反应器污泥难以恢复到接近初始值。     

Electrochemical oxidation of herbicide bifenox acid in aqueous medium using diamond thin film electrode

The electrochemical oxidation of bifenox acid was studied at a boron-doped diamond thin film by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic electrolysis. The course of the electrolysis was monitored by measurement of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC / MS) analysis. It was found that exhaustive electrolysis leads to degradation and, ultimately, to mineralization of the starting herbicide. The degradation intermediates were identified showing that the oxidation process begins with the fragmentation of the molecule followed by reactions involving the hydroxyl radical, which is generated by the discharge of water. The study of the effect of current density and concentration showed that the degradation efficiency increases with decreasing current densities and increasing concentrations. The whole results were interpreted in a mechanistic scheme involving two oxidation pathways, the first is a direct oxidation at the electrode and the second uses hydroxyl radical as mediator of the oxidation. Finally, a kinetic study based on spectrophotometric measurements showed that the degradation process is pseudo first order.     

Oxidative stress and biochemical perturbations induced by insecticides mixture in rat testes

The joint action of pyrethroids, lambda-cyhalothrin (LC) in combination with organophosphates, fenitrothione (FNT) on antioxidant defense system and lipid peroxidation biomarkers in rat testes was studied. The results suggest that incubation of testes homogenate with different concentrations of insecticide mixture for different time intervals significantly decreased the activity of antioxidant enzymes, like glutathione S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), and the level of reduced glutathione (GSH). In addition, a significant inhibition in transaminases (AST, ALT), phosphatases (AcP, AlP) activity and protein content were observed. On the other hand, FNT plus LC increased the cellular lipid peroxidation (LPO) level and the activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). In conclusion, the use of insecticides mixture might cause marked oxidative damage in a concentration and time-dependent manner.