Influences of adding easily degradable organic waste on the minimization and humification of organic matter during straw composting

To find a better composting process with low greenhouse gas emission and high humus production, the effect of adding kitchen waste on reduction and humification of organic matter during straw composting was studied. Three processes were compared, consisting of different ratios of straw and kitchen waste (1:2, 1:1, and 2:1). At four time points over a 62-d incubation, the reduction and humification of compost was evaluated by measuring the total mass, carbon content, and humic material content of the compost. Treatment 1 (straw/kitchen waste ratio of 1:2) reduced the total mass of compost the most. Treatment 2 (straw/kitchen waste ratio of 1:1) reduced the total carbon content the most, reflecting the highest emission of greenhouse gas. Treatment 3 produced the most humic acid material and released the lowest amount of carbon. Hence, from the point of view of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing stable organic matter such as humus and humic acid during composting, treatment #3 was optimal. The three treatments resulted in significant differences in microbial biomass and enzyme activity during composting. The highest amount of active microbial biomass was associated with the largest reduction in compost mass (treatment 1). Higher proportions of straw (treatments 2 and 3), which contains more lignin, were associated with greater β-glycosidase activity, which may generate more humus that can improve soil quality. Dehydrogenase activity seemed to be the most important microbial factor in organic carbon catabolism or humification.     

Joint action and lethal levels of toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene on midge (Chironomus plumosus) larvae

Aquatic ecosystems are vulnerable to the exposure with petrochemicals such as toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (o-, m-, and p-xylene) (TEX) and their adverse effects. Considering the widespread use, occurrence, and high toxicity of TEX, the aim of this work was to investigate the differential toxicity of TEX against midge (Chironomus plumosus) larvae and reveal the joint action of binary and ternary mixtures of TEX using the predictive concentration addition model. More importantly, this research can afford the basic toxicity data and scientific reference for the establishment of water quality criteria or benchmark, water pollution control, and aquatic risk assessment. Single and joint toxic effects of TEX on C. plumosus larvae were investigated using a semi-static bioassay, and the type of joint effects of TEX was ascertained. In the single toxicant experiments, the toxicity of the three pollutants could be sequenced as ethylbenzene > xylene > toluene. Specifically, LC_50s of T, E, and X after a 48-h exposure were 64.9, 37.8, and 42.0 mg/L, respectively. In the binary mixture experiments, the interaction between toluene and ethylbenzene, ethylbenzene and xylene, and toluene and xylene was largely in conformity with partial additive or additive effect as determined by isobologram representation and toxic unit models. In the ternary mixture experiments, the interaction was basically dependent on the use of additive index and mixture toxicity index methods. However, the antagonistic and synergistic actions were not significant. Thus, the tertiary mixture interaction could be regarded as additive action. The concentration addition model could successfully predict the joint action of TEX mixtures on C. plumosus larvae. Particularly, the additive action of TEX on C. plumosus larvae can be further recommended to evaluate water quality criteria of TEX.     

Temporal patterns of atmospheric mercury species in northern Mississippi during 2011–2012: Influence of sudden population swings

Gaseous elemental mercury (GEM), gaseous oxidized mercury (GOM) and particulate bound mercury (PBM) were measured on the University of Mississippi campus from July 2011 to June 2012. It is believed to be the first time that concentrations of atmospheric mercury species have been documented in northern Mississippi, and at a location with relatively large and sudden swings in population. The mean concentration (±1SD) of GEM was 1.54 ± 0.32 ng m⁻³; levels were lower and generally more stable during the winter (1.48 ± 0.22) and spring (1.46 ± 0.27) compared with the summer (1.56 ± 0.32) and fall (1.63 ± 0.42). Mean concentrations for GOM and PBM were 3.87 pg m⁻³ and 4.58 pg m⁻³, respectively; levels tended to be highest in the afternoon and lowest in the early morning hours. During the fall and spring academic semesters concentrations and variability of GOM and PBM both increased, possibly from vehicle exhaust. There were moderate negative correlations with wind speed (all species) and humidity (GOM and PBM). Backward air mass trajectory modeling for the ten highest peaks for each mercury species revealed that the majority of these events occurred from air masses that passed through the northern continental US region. Overall, this study illustrates the complexity of temporal fluctuations of airborne mercury species, even in a small town environment.     

Bioaccessibility of polychlorinated biphenyls in workplace dust and its implication for risk assessment

Human exposure to bioaccessible PCBs via indoor dust is limited around the world. In the present study, the workplace dust sample from commercial office, hospital, secondary school, shopping mall, electronic factory and manufacturing plant were collected from Hong Kong for PCBs analyses. Total PCBs concentrations ranged from 46.8 to 249 ng g⁻¹, with a median of 107 ng g⁻¹. Manufacturing plant showed the highest concentration among all of sampling sites. PCB 77 was found as the dominant congeners. The bioaccessibility of PCBs in small intestinal juice ranging from 8.3% to 26.0% was significantly higher than that in gastric condition, ranging from 4.8% to 12.4%. In addition, significant negative correlations (p < 0.05) were observed between K_OW and bioaccessibility for all workplace dust samples. Risk assessment indicated that the averaged daily dose of dioxin-like PCBs via non-dietary intake of workplace dust, considering the bioaccessibility of PCBs, were much lower than the TDI of dioxins (2.3 pg WHO-TEQ kg bw⁻¹ d⁻¹) established by Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives.     

新型β-PbO2电极电解处理茜素红废水的研究

采用高压塑片工艺制备新型β-PbO2电极,该工艺简单易行,且所得β-PbO2电极具有很好的抗腐蚀性能.为研究该电极的电催化性能,探讨了电极间距、电解时间、茜素红初始浓度、外加电压、初始pH等条件对该电极降解茜素红染料效果的影响,并与石墨电极进行对比.结果表明,β-PbO2电极在脱色和COD去除方面都有明显的优越性.根据茜素红的分子结构和电解产物气相色谱—质谱联用(GC/MS)仪分析结果,初步探讨了茜素红降解的反应机制.     

云母钛珠光颜料的应用研究

介绍了一种不使用有机溶剂获得云母钛珠光颜料、水性金属效果云母钛珠光浆、珠光涂料的环保型制备工艺和性能.采用液相沉积法获得了不同厚度的纳米TiO2薄膜包覆层而显示银白、金、红、紫、蓝、绿等各种色彩的系列珠光云母颜料;应用珠光云母颜料与分散剂等水性助剂混合,获得了水性金属效果云母钛珠光浆的制备工艺;应用云母钛珠光浆与乳液配合,获得了云母钛珠光涂料的制备工艺.制备的云母钛珠光涂料系列多彩,白度高、反射率大、珠光效果好,硬度、附着力、耐候性等指标优异.     

再生白土无污染生产技术的研究

用低浓度的废酸水对废白土进行活化,并采用洗涤水循环漂洗的方法,对再生白土无污染生产技术进行研究,以期循环利用废白土,保护环境,节约资源。结果表明：废酸水浓度为15％,固液比1：3,酸化时间3h时,再生白土脱色率为98．0％。     

转基因食品安全评价及其市场前景

介绍了转基因食品的分类和来源,探讨了转基因食品的价值、潜在威胁以及目前世界各国对转基因食品的安全评价与监督管理,分析了转基因食品的市场前景。总体看,转基因食品的市场前景非常广阔。     

浅谈外墙保温材料对建筑防火的影响

本文通过对几种外墙保温材料及国内外外墙保温技术的介绍,从中分析出引起建筑耐火极限降低的原因,找到在目前条件下,最适合外墙保温的材料及技术,以降低火灾的发生。     

基于人工神经网络理论的建筑物火灾安全评价研究

依据建筑物火灾危险性的影响因素,应用人工神经网络理论及系统安全方法,建立了建筑物火灾危险性的评价指标体系,该方法摆脱了评价过程中的随机性和参评人员主观上的不确定性及其认识上的模糊性等缺点,大大提高了准确性。为了验证评价模型的准确性,将该理论应用到某高校图书馆火灾危险性评价中,快速、准确地得到了安全评价结果,取得了满意效果,为建筑物防火设计以及安全管理提供了可行的依据。