Migration of natural estrogens around a concentrated dairy-feeding operation

Concentrated animal feeding operations have been recognized as one of the most important contributors of natural estrogens which show significant endocrine-disrupting properties in aquatic environments. In this study, the concentrations of 17α-estradiol (17α-E2), 17β-estradiol (17β-E2), estrone (E1), and estriol (E3) in several matrices, including soils (surface and deep), sediments (surface and deep), and groundwaters, around a typical dairy farm were surveyed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Of the two farmlands, surface and subsurface sediments in waste lagoon and along effluent drainage drench, the concentrations of 17α-E2, 17β-E2, and E1 ranged from below detection limit to the highest level of 6.60 μg/kg, except that E3 was not detectable. Three estrogens of 17α-E2, 17β-E2, and E1 with the concentrations of 3.18-31.61 ng/L were observed in two groundwater samples. The results clearly demonstrated the vertical migration and horizontal transport of estrogens in the investigated area. Within 750-m distance, it was observed the attenuation of 17α-E2, 17β-E2, and E1 along the effluent route and the horizontal migration of estrogens was less than 1,350 m in this survey.     

Research on the alternatives in a strategic environmental assessment based on the extension theory

The main purpose of a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) is to facilitate the early consideration of potential environmental impacts in decision-making processes. SEA alternative identification is a core issue within the SEA framework. However, the current methods of SEA alternative formulation and selection are constrained by the limited setting range and lack of scientific evaluation. Thus, the current paper attempts to provide a new methodology based on the extension theory to identify a range of alternatives and screen the best one. Extension planning is applied to formulate a set of alternatives that satisfy the reasonable interests of the stakeholders. Extension priority evaluation is used to assess and optimize the alternatives and present a scientific methodology for the SEA alternative study. Thereafter, the urban traffic plan of Dalian City is used as an example to demonstrate the feasibility of the new method. The traffic planning scheme and the environmental protection scheme are organically combined based on the extension theory, and the reliability and practicality of this approach are examined.     

Investigation into organic phosphorus species in sediments of Baiyangdian Lake in China measured by fractionation and 31P NMR

Organic phosphorus (OP) species in sediments of the Baiyangdian Lake in China was investigated via fractionation and phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance ((31)P NMR) spectroscopy. Results of chemical fractionation showed that different OP fractions ranked in the order: humic acid-P?>?HCl-OP?>?fulvic acid-P?≈?NaHCO(3)-OP?>?residual OP. Labile OP and moderately labile OP, which can be degraded for phytoplankton uptake, contributed to 58.7-68.5% of total extracted OP, indicative of the potential P release from sediments in the lake. (31)P NMR spectroscopy results suggested the rank order of P species present in the NaOH-EDTA extractant of the sediments: orthophosphate?>?monoester-P?>?DNA-P?>?pyrophosphate-P. Phytate, polyphosphates, and phosphonates, which appeared in sediments of some deeper lakes, were not detected in the shallow lake. Significant correlations were identified between total P (TP) in water column and sediment TP, monoester-P and DNA-P, positively indicating that sediment P species, especially OP components, should probably contribute to the contents of P in water column and further to the lake eutrophication.     

Comparative assessments of VOC emission rates and associated health risks from wastewater treatment processes

With the growing concern regarding emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), the relationship between the VOC emission rates and the associated public health risks has been rarely discussed. The objective of this study was to examine and compare the VOC emission rates and cancer and non-cancer risks by inhalation intake, using a municipal WWTP in China as an example, with respect to the effects of treatment technologies, VOC species, and seasonal variation. Given the treatment technology considered, the emission rates of VOCs in this study were estimated by means of mass balance or calculated on the molecular level. From the viewpoints of both emission rates and cancer and non-cancer risks, sedimentation was the treatment technology with the highest health risks to the workers. Slightly lower VOC emission rates and health risks than those for sedimentation were observed in anaerobic treatment. Although the aeration significantly enhanced the VOC emission rates in the aerobic treatment process, the associated health risks were limited due to the low VOC concentrations in the gas phase, which were likely attributed to the strong mixing and dilution with fresh air by aeration. Amongst the VOCs investigated, benzene was the VOC with both a relatively high emission rate and health risk, while trichloroethylene possessed a high emission rate but the lowest health risk. Without strong interfacial aeration and turbulence between the water and atmosphere, the effects of treatment technology and seasonal variation on the health risks might be connected to the VOC emission rates, while the effect of VOC species depended considerably on the respective cancer slope factors and reference concentrations; the employment of aeration provided a different conclusion in which the emission rates were enhanced without a significant increase in the related cancer risks. These findings can provide insight into future health risk management and reduction strategies for workers in WWTPs.     

A novel approach to rapid detection of acute water toxicity and its policy implications for grassroots sustainable environmental monitoring

Unknown chemicals, emerging contaminants, and the resulting reactions among them make early detection and warning of acute water toxicity extremely challenging. The conventional approach using small fish for toxicity monitoring normally requires a designated species of fish and over a week's time to complete, including dilution of the wastewater, a pre-test, and a full test. It often increases chances for error and delays emergency management. This paper reports a novel approach, based on grassroots knowledge and field and lab experience in Jilin, China. This approach uses a combination of different species of aquarium fish to achieve fast and reliable monitoring. It tests the original source water directly without going through the dilution procedure, while paying attention to the time factor. The approach does not require a pre-test and may shorten the time needed for detecting acute toxicity to a few minutes, using a new classification of aquatic toxicity levels. It is inexpensive to use and may be easily adopted by grassroots organizations. The approach is "greener" and more financially and socially sustainable than traditional approaches. The wide use of the approach has the potential to encourage policy innovations for making toxicity monitoring grassroots based and more effective in reducing acute contamination emergencies.     

“十一五”期间重点流域化学需氧量排放及减排潜力分析

根据"十一五"期间七大流域化学需氧量(COD)排放总量、工业COD排放量及生活COD排放量的变化情况对各流域的减排幅度进行了综合评价,根据单位水资源COD负荷、单位工业产值COD排放强度及人均生活COD排放强度对各流域的污染压力进行了综合评价,以七大流域的减排幅度和污染压力为基础分析了各流域COD的减排潜力,并对各流域的重点防控领域和配套减排措施等方面提出了政策建议。     

季节性Kendall检验分析湘江长沙段水质变化趋势

季节性Kendall检验是一种广泛应用于河流水质变化趋势分析的非参数检验。以湘江长沙段三汊矶断面2001—2011年水质监测结果为样本,运用季节性Kendall检验分析湘江长沙段水质变化趋势及影响因素,结果表明:氨氮浓度呈显著上升趋势,总磷浓度呈高度显著上升趋势,总镉、总砷浓度呈高度显著下降趋势,湘江长沙段水质主要受城市生活、工业和农业面源污染物排放的影响,河水流量对水质的影响相对较小。     

镇江地区土壤中重金属Cu和Pb污染状况与空间分布

为了锯镇江地区土壤中重金属Cu和Ph的污染状况与空间分布,对镇江地区表层土壤中的Cu和Pb进行了采样监测。结果表明,镇江地区表层土壤中cu的含量为19．2～273mg／kg,Pb的含量为20．6～3846mg／kg。与全省土壤背景值相比,均有一定程度的富集。对cu和Pb的相互关系进行分析可得出,镇江地区土壤在一定程度上受到农业面源的污染。     

基于灰关联分析的天津市气溶胶消光特征研究

根据天津市秋季(2006年10月10日～20日)消光系数(bext)、PM2.5、SO2、NOX、NO2、O3质量浓度及相对湿度监测结果,利用灰色关联分析法分析大气消光系数同空气中的几种主要污染要素的相关性。结果表明,与消光系数有关的几种主要指标的灰关联度序为PM2.5NOXRHNO2O3,其中PM2.5与消光系数的灰关联系数达到0.905,远高于其他相关指标。同时对PM2.5和消光系数相关分析表明,监测期间天津市PM2.5质量消光系数为6.04m2/g。     

Baseline values for metals in soils on Fildes Peninsula, King George Island, Antarctica: the extent of anthropogenic pollution

Metal contents (Al, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Ti, and Zn) have been measured in 30 surface soils on Fildes Peninsula, King George Island, Antarctica, yielding values (in milligrams kilogram(-1)) of 41.57-80.65 (Zn), 2.76-60.52 (Pb), 0.04-0.34 (Cd), 7.18-25.03 (Ni), 43,255-70,534 (Fe), 449-1,401 (Mn), 17.10-64.90 (Cr), 1,440-25,684 (Mg), 10,941-49,354 (Ca), 51.10-176.50 (Cu), 4,388-12,707 (Ti), 28,038-83,849 (Al), and for Hg (in nanograms gram(-1)) 0.01-0.06. Relative cumulative frequency analysis was used to determine the baseline values for the 13 metals. Compared with adjacent areas in Antarctica, Mg and Ni are significantly lower, but Cu is significantly higher than that of McMurdo Station. Enrichment factor analysis and the geo-accumulation index method were applied in order to determine the extent of anthropogenic contamination, and both show that Pb, Cd, and Hg have been significantly increased by human activities. Principal component analysis was used to identify the sources of metals in these soil samples.