Biochar affects methylmercury production and bioaccumulation in paddy soils: Insights from soil-derived dissolved organic matter

Biochar has been used increasingly as a soil additive to control mercury (Hg) pollution in paddy rice fields. As the most active component of soil organic matter, soil dissolved organic matter (DOM) plays a vital role in the environmental fate of contaminants. However, there are very few studies to determine the impact of biochar on the Hg cycle in rice paddies using insights from DOM. This study used original and modified biochar to investigate their effect on DOM dynamics and their potential impact on methylmercury (MeHg) production and bioaccumulation in rice plants. Porewater DOM was collected to analyze the variations in soil-derived DOM in paddy soils. The results showed that the addition of biochar, whether in original or modified form, significantly reduced the bioaccumulation of MeHg in rice plants, especially in hulls and grains (p<0.05). However, MeHg production in soils was only inhibited by the modified biochar. Biochar addition induced a significant increase in DOM's aromaticity and molecular weight (p<0.05), which decreased Hg bioavailability. Furthermore, enhanced microbial activity was also observed in DOM (p<0.05), further increasing MeHg production in the soil. Thus, the effect of biochar on the fate of Hg cycle involves competition between the two different roles of DOM. This study identified a specific mechanism by which biochar affects Hg behavior in rice paddy soil and contributes to understanding the more general influence of biochar in agriculture and contaminant remediation.     

Dithizone-functionalized C18 online solid-phase extraction-HPLC-ICP-MS for speciation of ultra-trace organic and inorganic mercury in cereals and environmental samples

A simple and efficient dithizone-functionalized solid-phase extraction (SPE) procedure, online coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, was developed for the first time for enrichment and determination of ultra-trace mercury (Hg) species (inorganic divalent Hg (Hg(II)), methylmercury (CH₃Hg(II)) and ethylmercury (C₂H₅Hg(II)) in cereals and environmental samples. In the proposed method, functionalization of the commercial C₁₈ column with dithizone, enrichment, and elution of the above Hg species can be completed online with the developed SPE device. A simple solution of 2-mercaptoethanol (1% (V/V)) could be used as an eluent for both the SPE and HPLC separation of Hg species, significantly simplifying the method and instrumentation. The online SPE method was optimized by varying dithizone dose, 2-mercaptoethanol concentration, and sample volume. In addition, the effect of pH, coexisting interfering ions, and salt effect on the enrichment was also discussed. Under the optimized conditions, the detection limits of Hg species for 5 mL water sample were 0.15 ng/L for Hg(II), 0.07 ng/L for CH₃Hg(II), and 0.04 ng/L for C₂H₅Hg(II) with recoveries in the range of 85%–100%. The developed dithizone-functionalized C₁₈ SPE column can be reused after a single functionalization, which significantly simplifies the enrichment step. Moreover, the stability of Hg species enriched on the SPE column demonstrated its suitability for field sampling of Hg species for later laboratory analysis. This environment-friendly method offers a robust tool to detect ultra-trace Hg species in cereals and environmental samples.     

Regional differential decomposition and convergence of rural green development efficiency: evidence from China

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - An objective understanding of the current situation and influencing factors of rural green development in China is an important prerequisite for...     

辽宁中部地区地域功能的生成与演变机理研究

系统分析了辽宁中部地区地域功能的生成演变过程与影响机制.结果表明,在政府、市场和个体三大作用力的驱动下,辽宁中部地区由若干小城镇的稀疏分布到核心城市引导的一体化集约式布局,其地域功能由单一性、封闭性、简单化到综合性、开放性和专业化,经历由简单到复杂、低级到高级的不断演化过程,在东北老工业基地振兴中始终发挥着龙头带动作用.     

南水北调中线工程与汉江中下游地区农业的持续发展

南水北调中线工程是指从汉江的丹江口水库引水供给华北地区,同时考虑鄂,豫两省汉江唐白河流域和淮河流域的需水要求的战略性工程,是调整水资源的空白布局,解决我国北方缺水问题的紧迫任务。汉江中下游地区是湖北省的粮仓和重要的产业基地,是汉江流域经济发展的中心。由于调水的影响,汉江丹江口以下的流量及季节性分配将发生变化,航运,水质,农业灌溉,工业生产以及城市发展等将受到不同程度的影响,直接关系到汉江中下游地区     

Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis fingerprinting of soil bacteria in the vicinity of the Chinese Great Wall Station, King George Island, Antarctica

Bacterial diversity was investigated in soil samples collected from 13 sites around the Great Wall Station, Fildes Peninsula, King George Island, Antarctica, using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of 16S rRNA genes. The classes α-, β-, and γ-Proteobacteria, as well as the phylum Actinobacteria, were found to be the dominant bacteria in the soils around the Great Wall Station. Although the selected samples were not contaminated by oil, a relationship between soil parameters, microbial biodiversity, and human impact was still seen. Sample sites in human impacted areas showed lower bacterial biodiversity (average H′= 2.65) when compared to nonimpacted sites (average H′= 3.05). There was no statistically significant correlation between soil bacterial diversity and total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen, or total phosphorus contents of the soil. Canonical correlation analysis showed that TOC content was the most important factor determining bacterial community profiles among the measured soil parameters. In conclusion, microbial biodiversity and community characteristics within relatively small scales (1.5 km) were determined as a function of local environment parameters and anthropogenic impact.     

内黄县城市生活垃圾与处理对策分析

随着我县经济的快速发展,生活垃圾的产生量越来越大。本文对我县城市生活垃圾成分和处理技术对策进行了分析,并结合我县垃圾现状提出了处理对策的可行性及以后的发展趋势。     

机动车氮氧化物污染现状与减排措施

汽车尾气对空气的污染越来越严重,影响人们的健康生活,破坏生态环境。机动车尾气中的氮氧化物是大气污染的主要污染物之一,采取有效措施减少机动车氮氧化物排放对于空气质量的改善具有重要意义。     

中国跨区域水环境保护行政管理体制存在的问题探析及研究

中国以流域为单元实行的统一区域管理虽然已普遍被世界各国政府和学者接受,但在中国并没有形成一个具有统一职权和执行效力的跨区域水环境保护管理机构。以流域水资源管理为例,流域水资源保护机构名义上受水利部与环境保护部的双重领导,但在编制上却是水利部的派出事业单位,负责具体水污染管理事宜的环境保护部门的领导权在实际中并不容易落实。同时水利部和环保部门相应的受各级地方政府领导,其财政权和人事任免权由地方政府掌控,这种地位的不独立性容易使其行为受地方政府意志的支配。另外,在晋升激励和财政分税制的制度背景下,各流域地方政府有意愿和能力干涉环保部门的行为,使各种水环境保护事物让位和屈就于更实惠的地方经济发展。对于此种跨区域水环境保护行政管理体制现存的问题应当进行改善。     

Identification of optimal strategies for improving eco-resilience to floods in ecologically vulnerable regions of a wetland

In this study, a mixed integer fuzzy interval-stochastic programming model was developed for supporting the improvement of eco-resilience to floods in wetlands. This method allows uncertainties that are associated with eco-resilience improvement and can be presented as both probability distributions and interval values to be incorporated within a general modeling framework. Also, capacity-expansion plans of eco-resilience can be addressed through introducing binary variables. Moreover, penalties due to ecological damages which are associated with the violation of predefined targets can be effectively incorporated within the modeling and decision process. Thus, complexities associated with flood resistance and eco-resilience planning in wetlands can be systematically reflected, highly enhancing robustness of the modeling process. The developed method was then applied to a case of eco-resilience enhancement planning in three ecologically vulnerable regions of a wetland. Interval solutions under different river flow levels and different ecological damages were generated. They could be used for generating decision alternatives and thus help decision makers identify desired eco-resilience schemes to resist floods without causing too much damages. The application indicates that the model is helpful for supporting: (a) adjustment or justification of allocation patterns of ecological flood-resisting capacities, (b) formulation of local policies regarding eco-resilience enhancement options and policy interventions, and (c) analysis of interactions among multiple administrative targets within a wetland.