Decomposition of perfluorooctanoic acid by microwaveactivated persulfate: Effects of temperature, pH, and chloride ions

Microwave-hydrothermal treatment of persistent and bioaccumulative perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in water with persulfate (S₂O ₈ ^2? ) has been found effective. However, applications of this process to effectively remediate PFOA pollution require a better understanding on free-radical scavenging reactions that also take place. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of pH (pH = 2.5, 6.6, 8.8, and 10.5), chloride concentrations (0.01?C0.15 mol·L^?1), and temperature (60°C, 90°C, and 130°C) on persulfate oxidation of PFOA under microwave irradiation. Maximum PFOA degradation occurred at pH 2.5, while little or no degradation at pH 10.5. Lowering system pH resulted in an increase in PFOA degradation rate. Both high pH and chloride concentrations would result in more scavenging of sulfate free radicals and slow down PFOA degradation. When chloride concentrations were less than 0.04 mol·L^?1 at 90°C and 0.06 mol·L^?1 at 60°C, presence of chloride ions had insignificant impacts on PFOA degradation. However, beyond these concentration levels, PFOA degradation rates reduced significantly with an increase in chloride concentrations, especially under the higher temperature.     

The effect of limiting nutrient on metal toxicity to selenastrum capricornutum

Metal toxicity on selenastrum capricornutum were examined by batch culture and chemostat culture system. EC₅₀ values under nutrient‐limited condition and saturated condition were compared. The two EC_5Os differed by a factor of 10.6 for Cd in batch test, and differed by a factor of 6.5 in continuous test. Both batch and continuous test results indicate that inhibition on algal growth is more severe under nutrient‐limited conditions compared to that under near saturation conditions.

Strong correlation, as characterized by the correlation coefficient ρ, were found between the activation level (nutrient requirement) and the tolerance of microorganisms to the toxicant. ρ is equal to 0.9 for the case of Cd in batch test and 0.6 in continuous test. The theory in this study provides generally good estimations to the dose‐response relationship at limiting nutrient conditions. The study indicate that nutrient conditions constitute an important factor in algal toxicity tests.     

Toxicity of propargylic alcohols on green alga--Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata

The present study evaluates the toxicity of 34 propargylic alcohols, including primary, primary homo-, secondary, and tertiary alcohols, based on their effects on phytoplankton. A closed-system algal toxicity test was applied because the closed-system technique presents more realistic concentration-response relationships for the above compounds than the conventional batch tests. The green alga, Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, was the test organism and final yield and growth rate were chosen as the test endpoints. Among all the propargylic alcohols tested, 1-pentyn-3-ol is the most toxic compound with its EC50 equal to 0.50 mg L(-1), which can be classified as a "R50" compound (very toxic to aquatic organisms, EC50/LC50 < 1 mg L(-1)), following the current practice for classification of chemicals in the European Union (EU). There are several other compounds including 2-decyn-1-ol, 3-decyn-1-ol, 1-hexyn-3-ol, 3-butyn-2-ol, and 3-hexyne-2,5-diol, which deserve more attention for their possible adverse impact on the aquatic environment, because these alcohols can be classified as "R51" compounds (toxic to aquatic organisms, EC50/LC50 between 1 and 10 mg L(-1)). Compared to the base-line toxicity relationship (narcosis QSAR) derived previously, tertiary propargylic alcohols can be identified as nonpolar narcotic chemicals, while secondary alcohols and primary alcohols with low molecular weight generally exhibit obvious excess toxicity in relation to the base-line toxicity. Finally, quantitative structure-activity relationships were established for deriving a preliminary estimation of the toxicity of other propargylic alcohols.     

Real-time discharge measurement in tidal streams by an index velocity

Discharge measurement in a tidal stream is always a difficult task. Owing to the complex flow conditions, discharge measurement in tidal streams has to be finished quickly, and must be highly efficient in order to yield an accurate measurement of real-time discharge. Measuring the discharge of tidal streams is done in three steps: (1) establishing the stage and cross-sectional area relation, (2) estimating the index velocity by using a velocity distribution equation based on the probability concept, (3) establishing the relationship between the index and mean velocities. Then the cross-sectional area and mean velocity can be estimated by the gage height and index velocity, respectively. The discharge of tidal streams is computed as the product of the cross-sectional area and mean velocity. The velocity distribution of the Taipei Bridge and Guan-du Bridge in the Tanshui River were established and analyzed to demonstrate the use of discharge measurement by index velocity for estimating the discharge of this tidal stream. The results reveal no large difference between the discharges measured by the conventional methods and the index velocity. This pilot study proposed a cost-effectiveness and efficient method. It is an easy, quick, and accurate model for measuring the real-time discharge of a tidal stream. It makes automatic, real-time, and continuous monitoring of the discharge in a tidal stream become possible.     

Evaluation of marine outfall with three-dimensional hydrodynamic and water quality modeling

Numerical models are often used to evaluate the potential impact of human alternation of natural water bodies and to help the design of the alternation to mitigate its impacts. In the past decade, three-dimensional hydrodynamic and reactive transport modeling has matured from a research subject to a practical analysis technology. This paper presents a practical study in which a three-dimensional hydrodynamic and water quality model [hydrodynamic eutrophication model (HEM-3D)] was applied to determine the optimal location for treated wastewater discharged from marine outfall system in the Keelung harbor and the adjacent coastal sea. First, model validation was conducted with respect to surface elevation, current, and water quality variables measured in the Keelung harbor station and its coastal sea. The overall performance of the model was in qualitative agreement with the available field data. The model was then used to evaluate several scenarios of the locations from marine outfall system. Based on model simulation results, a location at the northeast of Ho-Ping Island was recommended for adoption because the environmental impact is smaller than any other alternative.

Estimation of phosphorus flux in rivers during flooding

Reservoirs in Taiwan are inundated with nutrients that result in algal growth, and thus also reservoir eutrophication. Controlling the phosphorus load has always been the most crucial issue for maintaining reservoir water quality. Numerous agricultural activities, especially the production of tea in riparian areas, are conducted in watersheds in Taiwan. Nutrients from such activities, including phosphorus, are typically flushed into rivers during flooding, when over 90 % of the yearly total amount of phosphorous enters reservoirs. Excessive or enhanced soil erosion from rainstorms can dramatically increase the river sediment load and the amount of particulate phosphorus flushed into rivers. When flow rates are high, particulate phosphorus is the dominant form of phosphorus, but sediment and discharge measurements are difficult during flooding, which makes estimating phosphorus flux in rivers difficult. This study determines total amounts of phosphorus transport by measuring flood discharge and phosphorous levels during flooding. Changes in particulate phosphorus, dissolved phosphorus, and their adsorption behavior during a 24-h period are analyzed owing to the fact that the time for particulate phosphorus adsorption and desorption approaching equilibrium is about 16 h. Erosion of the reservoir watershed was caused by adsorption and desorption of suspended solids in the river, a process which can be summarily described using the Lagmuir isotherm. A method for estimating the phosphorus flux in the Daiyujay Creek during Typhoon Bilis in 2006 is presented in this study. Both sediment and phosphorus are affected by the drastic discharge during flooding. Water quality data were collected during two flood events, flood in June 9, 2006 and Typhoon Bilis, to show the concentrations of suspended solids and total phosphorus during floods are much higher than normal stages. Therefore, the drastic changes of total phosphorus, particulate phosphorus, and dissolved phosphorus in rivers during flooding should be monitored to evaluate the loading of phosphorus more precisely. The results show that monitoring and controlling phosphorus transport during flooding can help prevent the eutrophication of a reservoir.     

基于蒙特卡洛模拟与PMF模型的黄河流域沉积物重金属污染评价及源解析

沉积物是河流的重要组成部分,而沉积物中重金属的富集严重威胁着水环境安全.黄河流域沿程分布着众多工业城市,且流域水土流失量大,泥沙携带重金属进入河流导致沉积物重金属污染问题日趋严重,研究黄河流域沉积物中重金属污染状况对流域生态安全具有重要意义.收集2000~2020年发表的关于黄河流域沉积物中重金属（铅、镉、铬、砷、锌、铜、镍和汞）含量的数据,首先基于描述性统计及地统计法分析重金属的空间分布特征,进一步采用蒙特卡洛法进行地累积指数（I_geo）、潜在生态风险及毒性单位概率的评价,最后结合正定矩阵因子分解模型（PMF）与Pearson相关性分析确定污染源个数及贡献率.结果发现,黄河流域沉积物中ω（Pb）、ω（As）、ω（Zn）、ω（Ni）、ω（Cu）、ω（Hg）、ω（Cr）和ω（Cd）的均值分别为26.92、11.78、87.17、31.13、24.96、0.07、73.36和0.58 mg·kg^-1,分别超过黄河流域各省土壤背景值均值1.27、1.08、1.26、1.05、1.09、2.32、1.14和5.95倍,其中Cd超标倍数最大,应当引起重视;I_geo：Cd>Hg>Cr>Cu>Pb>Zn>As>Ni,Cd和Hg存在中度-严重污染;数据表明黄河流域上、中和下游沉积物重度生态风险占比分别为18.6%、15.7%和7.1%,呈递减趋势;黄河流域沉积物中重金属处于低毒性状态;溯源分析表明黄河流域沉积物重金属的4个来源分别是矿业源（42.2%）、自然活动（38.3%）、农业活动（11.6%）和电镀废水（7.9%）.研究结果可为黄河流域制定相关污染防控措施提供依据.     

The application and evaluation research of coffee residue ash into mortar

Coffee residue is usually regarded as a kind of agriculture waste; as its quantity increases the treatment of coffee residue will become an environmental problem. This research is innovative in that it derives the possibility of recycle application using coffee residue ash for cement replacement. In this research, coffee residue is burned in an electronic oven to three kinds of coffee residue ash at 500, 600 and 700 °C, and then appropriate apparatus is used to check the chemical and physical properties of these three types of coffee residue ash. After a general comparison, this study selected 500 and 600 °C coffee residue ashes with 2, 3, 5, 10 and 15 % cement replacements to make 5 cm³ cube mortar specimen to test different curing ages’ compressive strength. Through measurement and experiment, this research found that the compressive strength decreased by adding 500 or 600 °C coffee residue ash into the mortar. By considering waste reduction and practice application, this research derives that using the 600 °C coffee residue ash with 10 % replacement is better than others application, such using result also can get valuable efficiencies of financial and CO₂ reduction.