Abundance and removal of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the rearing environments of intensive shrimp aquaculture in South China

Although research regarding antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in aquaculture environments has gained increasing scientific interest, further studies are required to understand the abundances and removal mechanisms of ARGs during the entire rearing period of shrimp aquaculture. Thus, in this study, abundances, distributions and removal rates of ARGs in different environmental compartments of intensive shrimp farms in South China were investigated during the entire rearing period. The results indicated that sul1 and cmlA were the predominant ARGs in the water and sediment samples. Additionally, the total abundance of ARGs was higher in shrimp pond water than in the source water and farm effluent. Moreover, sediment samples indicated significantly higher ARG abundances than water samples from the shrimp ponds (P?<?0.05). Environmental factors were found to significantly affect the distribution of ARGs in shrimp rearing environments. Furthermore, stable ponds aided the removal of ARGs from shrimp pond water. This study accounted for temporal variations in ARG abundances as well as removal of ARGs in different environmental compartments during the entire shrimp rearing period. However, additional research is required to optimize the water treatment process for removal of ARGs from the aquaculture.     

Association of exposure to multiple metals with papillary thyroid cancer risk in China

Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) has inflicted huge threats to the health of mankind. Metal pollution could be a potential risk factor of PTC occurrence, but existing relevant epidemiological researches are limited. The current case-control study was designed to evaluate the relationships between exposure to multiple metals and the risk of PTC. A total of 262 histologically confirmed PTC cases were recruited. Age- and gender-matched controls were enrolled at the same time. Urine samples were used as biomarkers to reflect the levels of environmental exposure to 13 metals. Conditional logistic regression models were adopted to assess the potential association. Single-metal and multi-metal models were separately conducted to evaluate the impacts of single and co-exposure to 13 metals. The increased concentration of urinary Cd, Cu, Fe, and Pb quartiles was found significant correlated with PTC risk. We also found the decreased trends of urinary Se, Zn, and Mn quartiles with the ORs for PTC. These dose-response associations between Pb and PTC were observed in the single-metal model and remained significant in the multi-metal model (OR_25-50th=1.39, OR_50-75th=3.32, OR_>75th=7.62, p for trend <0.001). Our study suggested that PTC was positively associated with urinary levels of Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb, and inversely associated with Se, Zn, and Mn. Targeted public health policies should be made to improve the environment and the recognition of potential risk factors. These findings need additional studies to confirm in other population.

     

生物滴滤塔处理模拟甲硫醚废气

在常温条件下,采用生物滴滤塔处理模拟甲硫醚废气,考察了气体空床停留时间(EBRT)、容积负荷、喷淋密度及营养液pH对生物滴滤塔性能的影响。实验结果表明:当EBRT为90 s、进气甲硫醚质量浓度为150 mg/m~3、喷淋密度为0.65 m~3/(m~2·h),营养液pH为6.8时,甲硫醚去除率为90%;容积负荷高于15 g/(m~3·h)时,对生物滴滤塔的性能产生抑制作用;EBRT为90 s及60 s时,最佳喷淋密度分别为0.56~0.65 m~3/(m~2·h)及0.65~0.75 m~3/(m~2·h);降解甲硫醚的微生物对pH的变化较敏感,最适营养液pH为6~7。     

Direct methanol fuel cell bubble removal mechanism using magnetic actuation

This article develops a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) with a magnet-actuated bubble removal mechanism. A micro-DC motor is used to control the bubble removal mechanism. The lower magnetic device is operated to extrude a Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) runner to compress the liquid fuel in the anode flow channel, forcing the CO₂ bubbles in the runner to flow toward the outlet end. The bubble retention in the anode flow channel is thereby improved, enhancing the cell performance. The proposed mechanism stability and performance and Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) runner are also discussed.     

超疏水沸石咪唑酯骨架材料ZIF-90的制备及其气体吸附性能

以自制沸石咪唑酯骨架材料ZIF-90为原料,自制2,3,4,5,6-五氟苄胺为修饰剂,通过后修饰法制备了超疏水ZIF-90,采用SEM、XRD、FTIR等技术对其进行了表征,并进行了气体吸附性能测试。表征结果显示:制备的超疏水ZIF-90晶体结构和形貌良好;水接触角高达152.1°;修饰剂分子与ZIF-90晶体上的自由醛基成功发生缩胺反应。气体吸附实验结果表明:当相对压力小于0.02时,超疏水ZIF-90的CO_2吸附量较ZIF-90明显增大,CO_2/N_2和CO_2/CH_4的理想吸附选择系数由修饰前的15.76和4.88分别提升至33.28和17.13;超疏水ZIF-90具有优异的憎水性能。     

2种反应器中好氧颗粒污泥培养的比较研究

以絮状活性污泥为接种污泥,采用人工配制的模拟生活污水,分别在气提式序批反应器(SBAR)和序批式活性污泥反应器(SBR)中成功地培养出了成熟的好氧颗粒污泥.SBAR和SBR中的好氧颗粒污泥都具有稳定的基本形态结构,其微生物主要由杆菌和球菌组成,对COD的去除率可达到93%左右.对NH+4-N的去除率可达到98%以上.SBAR中好氧颗粒污泥的粒径主要分布、污泥体积指数(SVI)、比耗氧速率(SOUR)、TN去除率和TP去除率分别为0.45～2.00 mm、19.97 mL/g、47.68 g/(kg·h)、82%和65%;而SBR中好氧颗粒污泥的粒径主要分布、SVI、SOUR、TN去除率和TP去除率分别为0.18～1.00 mm、29.12 mL/g、43.21 g/(kg·h)、58%和50%.相对而言,SBAR更有利于好氧颗粒污泥的培养和运行.     

负载TiO2浮石对污水处理厂二沉池出水的矿化与灭菌研究

城市污水处理厂第二沉淀池出水的污染物浓度较低,经过矿化及灭菌等深度处理后可以回用,从而减轻对淡水资源的需求。本实验采用溶胶-凝胶法制备了负载TiO2的浮石光催化剂,对城市污水处理厂第二沉淀池出水进行了矿化及灭菌处理研究。采用低压汞灯对处理水样照射2h,有机物降解率可以达到50％,灭菌效率达到100％。处理后的水可以作为农作物灌溉、城市绿化和娱乐用水。负载在浮石表面的TiO2薄膜经过10次的光催化循环实验后,没有明显破损,可以再次循环使用。TiO2浮石具有质轻、机械性能好和价格低等优点,该方法处理废水的适用浓度低,可以广泛应用于微污染水和城市污水处理厂出水的深度处理。     

An important pathway for ozonolysis of alpha-pinene and beta-pinene in aqueous phase and its atmospheric implications

The aqueous ozonolysis of α-pinene and β-pinene was conducted under simulated tropospheric conditions at different pHs and temperatures. Three kinds of products, peroxides, carbonyl compounds, and organic acids, were well characterized, and the detection of these products provides effective evidence for understanding the atmospheric aqueous reaction pathway. We have two interesting findings: (1) the unexpected formation of methacrolein (MACR), with a yield of ～40%, in the α-pinene–O₃ aqueous reaction indicates a potentially new SOA formation pathway, because MACR is one of the important precursors of SOA; and (2) the surprisingly high yields of H₂O₂, ～60% for the α-pinene–O₃ reaction and ～100% for the β-pinene–O₃ reaction, indicates that H₂O₂ can be a significant contributor to the origin and transformation of oxidants in the atmosphere, especially in the humid regions. Moreover, we have determined the rate constant for aqueous reaction between MACR and H₂O₂ in pH 2 to 7 and obtained its upper limit as 0.13 M L^?1 s^?1. A mechanism concerning the formation of the species mentioned above is proposed, and it differs from that in the gas-phase reaction. We suggest that water plays a key role in the mechanism, by participating in the reactions as a direct reactant and by removing the excess energy of intermediates formed in the reactions.     

Concentrations of volatile organic compounds,carbon monoxide,carbon dioxide and particulate matter in buses on highways in Taiwan

Although airborne pollutants in urban buses have been studied in many cities globally, long-distance buses running mainly on highways have not been addressed in this regard. This study investigates the levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO₂) and particulate matter (PM) in the long-distance buses in Taiwan. Analytical results indicate that pollutants levels in long-distance buses are generally lower than those in urban buses. This finding is attributable to the driving speed and patterns of long-distance buses, as well as the meteorological and geographical features of the highway surroundings. The levels of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) found in bus cabins exceed the proposed indoor VOC guidelines for aromatic compounds, and are likely attributable to the interior trim in the cabins. The overall average CO level is 2.3 ppm, with higher average level on local streets (2.9 ppm) than on highways (2.2 ppm). The average CO₂ level is 1493 ppm, which is higher than the guideline for non-industrial occupied settings. The average PM level in this study is lower than those in urban buses and IAQ guidelines set by Taiwan EPA. However, the average PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 is higher than the level set by WHO. Besides the probable causes mentioned above, fewer passenger movements and less particle re-suspension from bus floor might also cause the lower PM levels. Measurements of particle size distribution reveal that more than 75% of particles are in submicron and smaller sizes. These particles may come from the infiltration from the outdoor air. This study concludes that air exchange rates in long-distance buses should be increased in order to reduce CO₂ levels. Future research on long-distance buses should focus on the emission of VOCs from brand new buses, and the sources of submicron particles in bus cabins.     

几种试剂对硝酸根光催化脱色甲基橙的影响

以NO^-₃为光催化剂,在紫外灯照射下,对甲基橙溶液进行光催化脱色。结果表明,叔丁醇、甲醇和乙醇对催化脱色反应有抑制作用; KBr和Na₂SO₄对脱色反应均有促进作用;而且KBr的加入量存在最佳值; Na₂SO₄的促进作用随Na₂SO₄的量的增加逐渐增强。Na₂CO₃的存在对甲基橙的脱色反应没有影响。K₂S₃O₈和NO^-₃之间存在较强的协同作用;KIO₃和NO^-₃之间存在相加作用;KBrO₃和NO^-₃之间存在拮抗作用。