Windblown dust contributes to high PM2.5 concentrations

The revised National Ambient Air Quality Standards for PM include fine particulate standards based upon mass measurements of PM2.5. It is possible in arid and semi-arid regions to observe significant coarse mode intrusion in the PM2.5 measurement. In this work, continuous PM10, PM2.5, and PM1.0 were measured during several windblown dust events in Spokane, WA. PM2.5 constituted approximately 30% of the PM10 during the dust event days, compared with approximately 48% on the non-dusty days preceding the dust events. Both PM10 and PM2.5 were enhanced during the dust events. However, PM1.0 was not enhanced during dust storms that originated within the state of Washington. During a dust storm that originated in Asia and impacted Spokane, PM1.0 was also enhanced, although the Asian dust reached Washington during a period of stagnation and poor dispersion, so that local sources were also contributing to high particulate levels. The "intermodal" region of PM, defined as particles ranging in aerodynamic size from 1.0 to 2.5 microns, was found to represent a significant fraction of PM2.5 (approximately 51%) during windblown dust events, compared with 28% during the non-dusty days before the dust events.     

Cytochrome p450 induction and gonadal status alteration in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) associated with the discharge of dioxin contaminated effluent to the Hikiji River,Kanagawa Prefecture,Japan

Accumulations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans and coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls were analyzed in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) collected in the Hikiji River, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan in which dioxin contaminated effluent was released during the period starting from November 1992 to March 2000. Higher levels of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin toxic equivalents were observed in carps collected downstream to the dioxin release site (contaminated site) than the reference site. Modulations of cytochrome p450 (CYP) enzyme in liver, serum estrogen concentration and gonadal somatic index (GSI) were also measured as biomarkers for the contaminants. Total CYP content in livers was markedly higher in male and female carps from the contaminated site relative to the reference site fish. The expression level of the cytochrome p450 1A and Ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase activity were significantly higher in female carps from the contaminated site than from the reference site. A lower level of plasma estrogen was observed in carps from the contaminated site. The GSI in female carps from the contaminated site was smaller than that recorded at the reference site. The present study indicates that dioxins released to the Hikiji River might induce the CYP enzyme and inhibit the reproductive functions in common carps dwelling downstream from the release site.     

Mechanisms of lead, copper, and zinc retention by phosphate rock

The solid-liquid interface reaction between phosphate rock (PR) and metals (Pb, Cu, and Zn) was studied. Phosphate rock has the highest affinity for Pb, followed by Cu and Zn, with sorption capacities of 138, 114, and 83.2 mmol/kg PR, respectively. In the Pb-Cu-Zn ternary system, competitive metal sorption occurred with sorption capacity reduction of 15.2%, 48.3%, and 75.6% for Pb, Cu, and Zn, respectively compared to the mono-metal systems. A fractional factorial design showed the interfering effect in the order of Pb>Cu>Zn. Desorption of Cu and Zn was sensitive to pH change, increasing with pH decline, whereas Pb desorption was decreased with a strongly acidic TCLP extracting solution (pH = 2.93). The greatest stability of Pb retention by PR can be attributed to the formation of insoluble fluoropyromorphite [Pb(10)(PO(4))(6)F(2)], which was primarily responsible for Pb immobilization (up to 78.3%), with less contribution from the surface adsorption or complexation (21.7%), compared to 74.5% for Cu and 95.7% for Zn. Solution pH reduction during metal retention and flow calorimetry analysis both supported the hypothesis of retention of Pb, Cu, and Zn by surface adsorption or complexation. Flow calorimetry indicated that Pb and Cu adsorption onto PR was exothermic, while Zn sorption was endothermic. Our research demonstrated that PR can effectively remove Pb from solutions, even in the presence of other heavy metals (e.g. Cu, Zn).     

Lead,zinc and copper accumulation and tolerance in populations of Paspalum distichum and Cynodon dactylon

Both Fankou and Lechang lead/zinc (Pb/Zn) mine tailings located at Guangdong Province contained high levels of total and DTPA-extractable Pb, Zn and Cu. Paspalum distichum and Cynodon dactylon were dominant species colonized naturally on the tailings. Lead, zinc and copper accumulation and tolerance of different populations of the two grasses growing on the tailings were investigated. Tillers of these populations including those from an uncontaminated area were subjected to the following concentrations: 5, 10, 20, 30 and 40 mg l(-1) Pb, 2.5, 5, 10, 20 and 30 mg (l-1) Zn, or 0.25, 0.50, 1 and 2 mg l(-1) Cu for 14 days, respectively, then tolerance index (TI) and EC50 (the concentrations of metals in solutions which reduce 50% of normal root growth) were calculated. The results indicated that both Lechang and Fankou populations of the two grasses showed a greater tolerance to the three metals than those growing on the uncontaminated area, which suggested that co-tolerant ecotypes have evolved in the two grasses. P. distichum collected from Fankou tailings had the highest tolerance to Cu while Lechang population the highest tolerance to Pb and Zn among the tested populations, and tolerance levels in P. distichum were related to metal concentrations in the plants. P. distichum had a better growth performance than C. dactylon when both of them were grown on the tailings sites. Tolerant populations of these species would serve as potential candidates for re-vegetation of wastelands contaminated with Pb, Zn and Cu.     

Effects of heavy metals on growth and arsenic accumulation in the arsenic hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata L

The effects of Cd, Ni, Pb, and Zn on arsenic accumulation by the arsenic hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata were investigated in a greenhouse study. P. vittata was grown for 8 weeks in an arsenic-contaminated soil (131 mg As kg(-1)), which was spiked with 50 or 200 mg kg(-1) Cd, Ni, Pb, or Zn (as nitrates). P. vittata was effective in taking up arsenic (up to 4100 mg kg(-1)) and transporting it to the fronds, but little of the metals. Arsenic bioconcentration factors ranged from 14 to 36 and transfer factors ranged from 16 to 56 in the presence of the metals, both of which were reduced with increasing metal concentration. Fern biomass increased as much as 12 times compared to the original dry weight after 8 weeks of growth (up to 19 g per plant). Greater concentrations of Cd, Ni, and Pb resulted in greater catalase activity in the plant. Most of the arsenic in the plant was present as arsenite, the reduced form, indicating little impact of the metals on plant arsenic reduction. This research demonstrates the capability of P. vittata in hyperaccumulating arsenic from soils in the presence of heavy metals.     

Recycling EDTA solutions used to remediate metal-polluted soils

The objective of this research was to investigate the recycling of ethylenediamine-tetraacetic acid (EDTA) used for the removal of trace metals from contaminated soils. We successfully used Na2S combined with Ca(OH)2 to precipitate the trace metals allowing us to recycle the EDTA. The results of batch and column leaching experiments show that both Ca-EDTA and Na-EDTA are powerful chelating agents with a similar soil remediation potential. The major advantage of Ca-EDTA is the preservation of soil organic matter. We found that Na2S was capable of separating the metals Cd, Cu and Pb from EDTA; however, the precipitation of Zn required the addition of Ca(OH)2. After reusing the reclaimed EDTA seven times, over a 14-day period, EDTA reagent losses ranged from 19.5% to 23.5%. Successive washing cycles enhanced the removal of trace metals from contaminated soils. The metal sulfide precipitates contain high concentrations of metals and could potentially be recycled.     

三峡库区水华优势藻类生长动力学的普适性研究

从蓝绿藻中选取绿藻门的普通小球藻(Chlorella vulgaris,CV藻)为研究对象,应用Monod方程考察氮、磷营养盐对CV藻生长的影响,分别计算出CV藻对TP、TN的半饱和常数KSP和KSN结果表明KSN>>KSP,说明TP对CV藻生长的影响明显大于TN.CV藻生长速率对磷质量浓度反应很灵敏:与空白值相比,在0.002 mg·L-1的低浓度下u就有提高,而浓度到0.2 mg.L-1时,u明显增大;但在0.000-0.050 mg·L-1氮浓度范围内u几乎没有变化.通过系统比较CV藻与优势蓝绿藻,甚至海水藻的生长动力学特征,探讨了CV藻与其它蓝绿藻的动力学普适性和共同性,证实这些藻类都具有非常类似的生长动力学和生态学特征.因此,推测CV藻生长动力学模型可以从整体上反映和代表库区优势蓝绿藻的生长行为.同时分析和归纳了蓝绿藻生长模型的相似性和规律性,得出三峡库区优势藻类生长行为存在普遍一致性的初步结论.     

Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation in Hong Kong and Shanghai: A Cross-city Analysis

Cross-city analysis in environmental regulation within non-democratic political systems is a neglected area. Taking policy convergence and styles of regulation as the focus, this paper has taken an initial step to compare the environmental impact assessment (EIA) regulation in Hong Kong and Shanghai. In this comparative exercise, it is identified that policy convergence occurs more explicitly in policy ideology and policy consequences, whereas divergence takes place in policy content, regulatory process and public consultation. Convergence, however, is only superficial whereas divergence is substantial. Indeed EIA systems of these two jurisdictions have displayed contrasting styles of regulation. The formal EIA system in Shanghai is dominated by the environmental agency, which regulates informal politics in the EIA process within a legal format. The informal EIA system in Hong Kong is co-ordinated by the environmental agency, which seeks active co-operation with the clients in a consultative EIA process in an informal and discretionary manner. What makes the Hong Kong system superior to the Shanghai system is the existence of institutional channels for public consultation. Within a non-democratic political setting, the EIA process in Hong Kong is more transparent and the EIA system is more accountable to the public, whereas the EIA process in Shanghai is lacking in transparency and the EIA system is under tight bureaucratic control.     

Preparation and catalytic properties of ZrO2-Al2O3 composite oxide supported nickel catalysts for methane reforming with carbon dioxide

ZrO2-Al2O3 composite oxides and supported Ni catalysts were prepared, and characterized by N2 adsorption/desorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) techniques. The catalytic performance and carbon deposition was also investigated. This mesoporous composite oxide is shown to be a promising catalyst support. An increase in the catalytic activity and stability of methane and carbon dioxide reforming reaction was resulted from the zirconia addition, especially at 5wt% ZrO2 content. The Ni catalyst supported ZrO2-Al2O3 has a strong resistance to sintering and the carbon deposition in a relatively long-term reaction.