Field crops (Ipomoea aquatica Forsk. and Brassica chinensis L.) for phytoremediation of cadmium and nitrate co-contaminated soils via rotation with Sedum alfredii Hance

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Phytoremediation coupled with crop rotation (PCC) is a feasible strategy for remediation of contaminated soil without interrupting crop production....     

Individual and combined inhibition of phenol and thiocyanate on microbial activity of partial nitritation

This study evaluated the individual and interactive effect of phenol and thiocyanate (SCN⁻) on partial nitritation (PN) activity using batch test and response surface methodology. The IC₅₀ of phenol and SCN⁻ on PN sludge were 5.6 and 351 mg L⁻¹, respectively. The PN sludge was insensitive to phenol and SCN⁻ at levels lower than 1.77 and 43.3 mg L⁻¹, respectively. A regression model equation was developed and validated to predict the relative specific respiration rate (RSRR) of PN sludge exposed to different phenol and SCN⁻ concentrations. In the range of independent variables, the most severe inhibition was observed with a valley value (17%) for RSRR, when the phenol and SCN⁻ concentrations were 4.08 and 198 mg L⁻¹, respectively. An isobole plot was used to judge the combined toxicity of phenol and SCN⁻, and the joint inhibitory effect was variable depending on the composition and concentration of the toxic components. Furthermore, the toxic compounds showed independent effects, which is the most common type of combined toxicity.

     

Optimum ridge-to-furrow ratio in ridge-furrow mulching systems for improving water conservation in maize (Zea may L.) production

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Water-saving cultivation techniques have been attracting increased attention worldwide. Ridge-furrow mulching system (RFMS), as a prospective...     

Are we planning for sustainable disaster recovery? Evaluating recovery plans after the Wenchuan earthquake

This article examines local recovery plans that were created in response to the Wenchuan earthquake and then suggests ways that planners can better apply the concept of sustainability to the recovery process. We utilize a plan evaluation protocol to analyze 16 recovery plans in counties and towns that were severely affected by the earthquake. We also conducted semi-structured interviews with public officials and planners, with the qualitative data gleaned from these interviews being used to supplement the plan quality assessment. The results reveal that local recovery plans do not appear to have incorporated sufficiently the concepts of sustainability. We conclude the paper with the following recommendations: emphasizing sustainability as a policy priority during vision and goal development; developing solid databases and planning techniques; designing a diversified set of regulatory- and incentive-based policy tools suitable for local governments; enhancing social and institutional learning; and further integrating multi-level and interagency governmental units.     

Partitioning and bioaccumulation of metals from oil sands process affected water in indigenous Parachlorella kessleri

This paper studies the partitioning and bioaccumulation of ten target metals (⁵³Cr, Mn, Co, ⁶⁰Ni, ⁶⁵Cu, ⁶⁶Zn, As, ⁸⁸Sr, ⁹⁵Mo and Ba) from oil sands tailings pond water (TPW) by indigenous Parachlorella kessleri. To determine the role of extracellular and intracellular bioaccumulation in metal removal by P. kessleri, TPW samples taken from two oil sands operators (Syncrude Canada Ltd. and Albian Sands Energy Inc.) were enriched with nutrient supplements.Results indicate that intracellular bioaccumulation played the main role in metal removal from TPW; whereas extracellular bioaccumulation was only observed to some extent for Mn, Co, ⁶⁰Ni, ⁶⁵Cu, ⁸⁸Sr, ⁹⁵Mo and Ba. The FTIR scan and titration of functional groups on the cell surface indicated low metal binding capacity by indigenous P. kessleri. However, it is believed that the dissolved cations and organic ligand content in TPW (such as naphthenic acids) may interfere with metal binding on the cell surface and lower extracellular bioaccumulation. In addition, the total bioaccumulation and bioconcentration factor (BCF) varied during the cultivation period in different growth regimes.     

Biofiltration Control of Hydrogen Sulfide 1. Design and Operational Parameters

Laboratory scale biological filter systems for control of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) in waste gas have been studied and the optimum design and operating parameters determined. Extensive tests have been conducted to evaluate the effect of various filter bed operating parameters such as temperature, retention time, H₂S concentration, and H₂S loading rate. Variable properties of new and used composts such as sulfate content, acidity, and water content have been studied for their influence on H₂S removal efficiency. The effects of compost particle size distribution on system pressure drop and the maximum H₂S elimination capacity were examined. Biofiltration systems containing various types of yard waste compost as the filter material have been observed to remove hydrogen sulfide with efficiencies greater than 99.9 percent for H₂S inlet concentrations in the range from 5 to 2650 ppmv.     

微电解预处理靛蓝牛仔布印染废水

靛蓝牛仔布印染废水组分复杂,浓度高、水量大,属于难处理的工业废水,为了有效降低后续生物处理单元的负荷,采用铁炭微电解工艺对该废水进行预处理;通过正交实验考察pH、反应时间及铁炭比处理效果的影响规律及COD去除反应动力学,并对各因素作了单因素影响实验,确定了最佳工艺条件.结果表明,铁炭微电解法是预处理靛蓝牛仔布印染废水的一种有效方法,在Fe/C为2:1、pH为3的条件下反应90 min,铁炭微电解出水COD的去除率在49.2％,色度去除率达到80％,该印染废水经微电解处理后,BOD5/COD比值可从原来的0.248上升至0.436,可生化性明显提高.此外,微电解预处理靛蓝牛仔布印染废水中COD的去除反应符合二级反应动力学规律.     

改良型AO法组合工艺中有机物的三维荧光分析

采用三维荧光(EEM)光谱技术,对上海竹园第二污水处理厂改良型AO法组合工艺运行过程中的各种溶解性有机物(DOM)进行分析,并对比研究传统好氧活性污泥法曝气池出水和A/O脱氮工艺硝化池出水DOM的EEM光谱的迁移变化特性.结果表明,各种DOM中主要的荧光物质有类蛋白质(荧光峰A和B)及类腐殖质(荧光峰C),经改良型AO法组合工艺处理后,荧光峰的强度降低了14％～60％,同时类蛋白质和腐殖质的结构也发生了变化;腐殖酸溯源表明DOM中的腐殖酸以微生物代谢产生的带有荧光基团的腐殖酸类为主.     

过硫酸钾去除水中的TCE

以地水中的氯代烃污染物三氯乙烯(TCE)为目标污染物,以过硫酸钾溶液为氧化剂,探讨了不同条件下过硫酸钾对TCE的去除效果。实验结果表明,在40℃,过硫酸钾初始浓度为2.43 g/L条件下,反应2 h后,TCE的去除率就可达到96.8%;过硫酸钾对TCE的去除符合一级反应动力学方程,速率常数(K)为1.3364 h-1,半衰期(t1/2)为0.51 h;过硫酸钾对TCE的去除速率在pH为中性附近时最大,其后无论pH升高或降低去除速率均减小;受温度和pH影响较明显,并且反应温度越高,受pH的影响越明显;随离子强度的增加而减小;反应活化能为119.6 kJ/mol;过硫酸钾溶于水生成过硫酸根离子(S2O28-),S2O28-会进一步生成硫酸根自由基(SO4-.),在碱性条件下,SO4-.与OH-反应会进一步生成羟基自由基(.OH)。过硫酸钾对于TCE的去除主要源自SO4-.和.OH的强氧化性。     

Fenton氧化法深度处理抗生素废水二级出水

采用Fenton氧化法对青霉素和土霉素混合废水二级处理出水进行深度处理,通过正交和单因素实验研究了废水初始反应pH值、H2O2投加量、Fe2+/H2O2摩尔比及反应时间等因素对废水处理效果的影响。实验结果表明,Fenton氧化法处理的最佳反应条件为:初始pH值4、H2O2(30%)投加量50 mL/L、Fe2+/H2O2摩尔比1/20和反应时间60 min,处理后出水COD小于120 mg/L,COD去除率在75%以上,急性毒性(HgCl2毒性当量)小于0.07 mg/L,满足《发酵类制药工业水污染物排放标准》(GB21903-2008)表2标准要求。