Residues of persistent organic pollutants in frequently-consumed vegetables and assessment of human health risk based on consumption of vegetables in Huizhou,South China

Concentrations of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), 16 phthalate esters (PAEs), eight organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and seven polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in 17 frequently-consumed varieties of vegetables collected from 48 sites in Huizhou were measured. Concentrations of PAHs and PAEs of leafy vegetables were higher than those of gourd and fruit vegetables but it was the opposite for OCPs and PCBs. A questionnaire of 450 local residents on vegetable consumption showed that the total vegetable ingested rates of females and males were 278.80 g person⁻¹ d⁻¹ and 282.92 g person⁻¹ d⁻¹, respectively. The weight-specific daily intakes of pollutants by females were higher than those by males because of differences in body weight. Twenty-seven pollutants were used to assess the potential risk to human health by calculating target hazard quotient (THQ) values. Results showed that the risk to females was higher than for males. OCPs were the major contributors to the risk for both females and males. The main risks were from consumption of eggplant, Chinese lettuce and luffa and were significantly related to the contents of di-nonyl phthalate, β-hexachlorocyclohexane, γ-hexachlorocyclohexane, p,p-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and p,p-dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethane in vegetables. Although the THQ values induced by individual pollutants were relatively low, the total THQ values induced by 27 pollutants were above 1 in some administrative regions of Huizhou, which might give cause for concern.     

Historical reconstruction of atmospheric lead pollution in central Yunnan province, southwest China: an analysis based on lacustrine sedimentary records

Atmospheric lead (Pb) pollution during the last century in central Yunnan province, one of the largest non-ferrous metal production centers in China, was reconstructed using sediment cores collected from Fuxian and Qingshui Lakes. Lead concentrations and isotopic ratios (²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁶Pb) were measured in sediment cores from both lakes. The operationally defined chemical fractions of Pb in sediment core from Fuxian Lake were determined by the optimized BCR procedure. The chronology of the cores was reconstructed using ²¹⁰Pb and ¹³⁷Cs dating methods. Similar three-phase variations in isotopic ratios and enrichment factors of Pb were observed in the sediment cores from both lakes. Before the 1950s, the sediment data showed low ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ratios and enrichment factors (EFs?=?~1), indicating that the sedimentary Pb was predominantly of lithogenic origin. However, these indices were increased gradually between the 1950s and the mid-1980s, implying an atmospheric Pb deposition. The EFs and isotopic ratios of Pb reached their peak during recent years, indicating aggravating atmospheric Pb pollution. The average anthropogenic Pb fluxes since the mid-1980s were estimated to be 0.032 and 0.053 g m^?2 year^?1 recorded in Fuxian and Qingshui cores, respectively. The anthropogenic Pb was primarily concentrated in the reducible fraction. Combining the results of Pb isotopic compositions and chemical speciations in the sediment cores and in potential sources, we deduced that recent aggravating atmospheric Pb pollution in central Yunnan province should primarily be attributed to regional emissions from non-ferrous metal production industries.     

天然和CPB改性沸石对Hg^2＋的吸附特征

通过静态实验研究溴代十六烷基吡啶（CPB）改性沸石和天然沸石对废水中Hg^2＋的吸附特性,探讨了吸附动力学、吸附平衡和吸附热力学机制。研究表明：Langmuir方程能较好地描述2种沸石对Hg^2＋的吸附,CPB改性沸石对Hg^2＋的吸附率得到显著提高。实验条件下,改性沸石对Hg^2＋的吸附率从67．5％提高到98．9％,吸附容量从0．521mg／g提高到3．07mg／g。利用准一级动力学方程、假二级动力学方程、颗粒内扩散模型和Elovich方程分别对动力学过程进行拟合,发现2种沸石对Hg^2＋的吸附均满足假二级动力学方程,且离子的颗粒内扩散对整个吸附过程有影响。动力学拟合、D-R方程拟合和热力学研究综合表明：2种沸石对Hg^2＋的吸附既存在化学吸附又存在物理吸附,吸附吉布斯自由能变（△G^0）、焓变（△H^0）、熵变（△S^0）均小于0,反应为自发的放热反应,低温有利于吸附的进行。     

Adsorption of basic dye from aqueous solution onto fly ash

The fly ash treated by H₂SO₄ was used as a low-cost adsorbent for the removal of a typical dye, methylene blue, from aqueous solution. An increase in the specific surface area and dye-adsorption capacity was observed after the acid treatment. The adsorption isotherm and kinetics of the treated fly ash were studied. The experimental results were fitted using Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. It shows that the Freundlich isotherm is better in describing the adsorption process. Two kinetic models, pseudo-first order and pseudo-second order, were employed to analyze the kinetic data. It was found that the pseudo-second-order model is the better choice to describe the adsorption behavior. The thermodynamic study reveals that the enthalpy (ΔH⁰) value is positive (5.63 kJ/mol), suggesting an endothermic nature of the adsorption.     

日照市畜牧业生产对环境的污染及其防治措施研究

畜禽粪便中大量有机污染物污染着人们赖以生存的土壤和水体,粪尿分解产生的大量有害气体污染了大气。本文结合日照市畜牧业生产的实际,对日照市畜牧业生产对环境的污染现状进行了分析,找出了日照市畜牧业生产对环境污染产生的主要原因和存在问题,提出畜牧业生产对环境污染的防治对策。     

Cadmium stress alters gene expression of DNA mismatch repair related genes in Arabidopsis seedlings

Cadmium (Cd) is a non essential element, and is a widespread environmental pollutant. Exposure to Cd can result in a variety of adverse health effects in plant and humans. In the current study, Arabidopsis seedlings were used as a bio-indicator of Cd pollution. Seedlings were grown on MS media containing 0-6.0 mg L(-1) Cd for 18 days, and the gene expression patterns were used to link increased Cd exposure with progressive biological effects. Reduction of total soluble protein content in shoots of the Arabidopsis seedlings occurred with increase in Cd concentrations. For the gene expression patterns, seven genes known to be involved in cell division and DNA mismatch repair (MMR) system were investigated by semi-quantitative RT-PCR, and normalized using 18S rRNA gene expression. Expression of the proliferating cell nuclear antigen 2 (atPCNA 2), MutS 3 homolog (atMSH 3) and MutL1 homolog (atMLH1) genes in shoots of Arabidopsis was strongly induced by exposure to 0.75 mg L(-1) Cd, but were repressed by other Cd concentrations whereas exposure to 0.75-6 mg L(-1) of Cd resulted in a decreased expression of atPCNA1, atMSH 2, 6 and 7 genes independently of any observable biological effects, including survival, fresh weight and chlorophyll level of shoots. This work demonstrated that specific gene expression changes could serve as useful molecular biomarkers indicative of Cd exposure and related biological effects.     

Simultaneous treatment of PVC and oyster-shell wastes by mechanochemical means

This work presents a new process for dechlorinating poly-vinyl chloride (PVC) by the use of oyster-shell waste. The process consists of milling of PVC waste with oyster-shell waste, followed by washing the milled sample with water. The milling of PVC and oyster-shell mixture results in size reduction and rupture in bonds, leading to mechanically induced reactions between the two to form CaCl2 and hydrocarbon with C=C bonds. Washing the milled mixtures with water at room temperature allows complete removal of chlorine from the milled sample. More than 95% of chlorine in PVC was removed when 2h grinding is conducted for the mixture. The present process could offer a potential route to the handling and disposal of oyster-shell and PVC wastes.     

Improvements of nano-SiO2 on sludge/fly ash mortar

Sewage sludge ash has been widely applied to cementitious materials. In this study, in order to determine effects of nano-SiO(2) additives on properties of sludge/fly ash mortar, different amounts of nano-SiO(2) were added to sludge/fly ash mortar specimens to investigate their physical properties and micro-structures. A water-binding ratio of 0.7 was assigned to the mix. Substitution amounts of 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% of sludge/fly ash (1:1 ratio) were proposed. Moreover, 0%, 1%, 2%, and 3% of nano-SiO(2) was added to the mix. Tests, including SEM and compressive strength, were carried out on mortar specimens cured at 3, 7, and 28 days. Results showed that sludge/fly ash can make the crystals of cement hydration product finer. Moreover, crystals increased after nano-SiO(2) was added. Hence, nano-SiO(2) can improve the effects of sludge/fly ash on the hydration of mortar. Further, due to the low pozzolanic reaction active index of sludge ash, early compressive strengths of sludge/fly ash mortar were decreased. Yet, nano-SiO(2) could help produce hydration crystals, which implies that the addition of nano-SiO(2) to mortar can improve the influence of sludge/fly ash on the development of the early strength of the mortar.     

Characterization of food waste generators: a Hawaii case study

Information on food waste disposal and on recycling methods and recycled amounts is reported. Data were obtained from a mail and phone survey of all licensed food establishments in Hawaii conducted in 2004 and 2005. Of 8253 licensed food establishments, 5033 completed surveys. It was found that relationships exist between food establishment size (measured by the number of meals served per day or the number of employees) and the amount of food an establishment recycled; establishment type and recycling behavior; and establishment type and amount recycled. The amount of food waste recycled in the state of Hawaii was estimated to be 264,000 L/day and annual food waste generation was estimated to be 336,000 tonnes.     

环境影响预测中基准值问题的探讨

鉴于目前环境影响预测中基准值取法存在的问题,提出了结合目前通用做法与灰色预测的灰靶方案,该方案使得环境影响预测结果在一定范围内变化,从而更为切合评价实际。