Persistent free radicals in humin under redox conditions and their impact in transforming polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

• Regulation of redox conditions promotes the generation of free radicals on HM. • HM-PFRs can be fractionated into active and inactive types depending on stability. • The newly produced PFRs readily release electrons to oxygen and generate ROS. • PFR-induced ROS mediate the transformation of organic contaminants adsorbed on HM. The role of humic substance-associated persistent free radicals (PFRs) in the fate of organic contaminants under various redox conditions remains unknown. This study examined the characterization of original metal-free peat humin (HM), and HM treated with varying concentrations of H₂O₂ and L-ascorbic acid (VC) (assigned as H₂O₂-HM and VC-HM). The concentration of PFRs in HM increased with the addition of VC/H₂O₂ at concentrations less than 0.08 M. The evolution of PFRs in HM under different environmental conditions (e.g., oxic/anoxic and humidity) was investigated. Two types of PFRs were detected in HM: a relatively stable radical existed in the original sample, and the other type, which was generated by redox treatments, was relatively unstable. The spin densities of VC/H₂O₂-HM readily returned to the original value under relatively high humidity and oxic conditions. During this process, the HM-associated “unstable” free radicals released an electron to O₂, inducing the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS, i.e., ^•OH and ^•O₂⁻). The generated ROS promoted the degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons based on the radical quenching measurements. The transformation rates followed the order naphthalene>phenanthrene>anthracene>benzo[a]pyrene. Our results provide valuable insight into the HM-induced transformation of organic contaminants under natural conditions.     

Optimized determination of airborne tetracycline resistance genes in laboratory atmosphere

• Sampling parameters with high efficiency was determined. • Operational process to detect airborne ARGs was optimized. • Providing research basis to control airborne ARGs of a laboratory atmosphere Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) have been detected in various atmospheric environments. Airborne ARGs transmission presents the public health threat. However, it is very difficult to quantify airborne ARGs because of the limited availability of collectable airborne particulate matter and the low biological content of samples. In this study, an optimized protocol for collecting and detecting airborne ARGs was presented. Experimental results showed that recovery efficiency tended to increase initially and then declined over time, and a range of 550–780 copies/mm² of capture loading was recommended to ensure that the recovery efficiency is greater than 75%. As the cell walls were mechanically disrupted and nucleic acids were released, the buffer wash protects ARGs dissolution. Three ratios of buffer volume to membrane area in buffer wash were compared. The highest concentrations of airborne ARGs were detected with 1.4 µL/mm² buffer wash. Furthermore, the majority of the cells were disrupted by an ultrasonication pretreatment (5 min), allowing the efficiency ARGs detection of airborne samples. While, extending the ultrasonication can disrupt cell structures and gene sequence was broken down into fragments. Therefore, this study could provide a theoretical basis for the efficient filter collection of airborne ARGs in different environments. An optimized sampling method was proposed that the buffer wash was 1.4 µL/mm² and the ultrasonication duration was 5 min. The indoor airborne ARGs were examined in accordance with the improved protocol in two laboratories. The result demonstrated that airborne ARGs in an indoor laboratory atmosphere could pose the considerable health risk to inhabitants and we should pay attention to some complicated indoor air environment.     

上海市第三方环境检测机构发展现状研究

基于2017—2019年上海市环境检验检测行业资源统计数据,分析了第三方环境检测机构的发展现状及细分领域的营收情况,发现了以大气环境、土壤环境和污染源检测为增长热点等特征。基于对机构改革与市场准入情况、行业集中度与市场竞争关系、机构规模与营收关系等方面的分析,提出第三方环境检测领域存在着诚信机制缺位、机构资质能力薄弱、管理体系运行乏力等风险,提出了提升质量管理和资质建设两大核心竞争力、掌握行业监管动向和重点、参与行业协会建设构建诚信自治模式等对策。     

活性污泥胞外聚合物提取方法优化

试验对比了不同离子交换树脂(CER)含量和pH条件下胞外聚合物(EPS)的提取效果差异。结果表明,EPS各组分提取浓度均随离子交换树脂用量增加而增加,但各组分趋势不同。TOC的最佳树脂剂量为100 g CER/g VSS,而蛋白质、多糖和DNA的最佳树脂剂量约为70 g CER/g VSS。pH值对TOC、DNA和多糖的提取浓度影响较小,但对蛋白质影响比较大。各提取条件下,EPS各组分提取浓度随时间的变化过程可以分为平稳增长期、快速增长期及稳定期。     

超声波净化石油污染土壤实验研究

为研究超声波技术处理石油污染土壤的影响因素,选取了土壤含油量、土水比、土壤类型、超声处理时间和超声功率5个因素进行了具有交互作用的正交实验,并讨论了各因素对土壤中石油污染物清除率的影响。实验结果表明超声波对土壤中石油污染物的净化效果明显,总石油烃(TPH)的清除率在23.0%到77.3%之间,土壤类型对净化效果的影响最为显著,粘土中的TPH清除率显著低于砂土。由超声空化引起的解吸作用和真空抽滤是实验过程中土壤TPH减少的主要途径。研究结果表明超声波技术用于石油污染土壤修复是可行并且有效果的。     

低C/N比水产养殖废水生物脱氮实验研究

随着短程硝化-反硝化理论研究的发展,在低C/N比条件下,实现污水的生物脱氮处理已成为可能。为此,设计了水产养殖用水的三级生物膜短程硝化-反硝化处理工艺,并对该工艺在去除模拟水产养殖废水主要污染物的作用进行了初步研究。研究结果表明,在进水pH值7.5~8.5,温度为28~32℃,溶解氧为0.5~1 mg/L,游离氨浓度为5~10 mg/L的条件下,模拟废水的COD、NH4+-N和TN的平均去除率分别达到94.4%、91.6%和70.1%;并且低C/N比对出水氨氮NH4+-N的去除率影响不大,NO2--N的平均浓度控制在5.2 mg/L以下,低于鱼类的耐受浓度。表明该短程硝化-反硝化工艺设计,可用于低C/N比水产养殖废水主要污染物的生物处理,尤其是可消除NO2--N对水产养殖的潜在威胁,基本达到养鱼回用标准。     

造纸污泥固化/稳定化处理技术研究

为了能更好地无害化处理造纸污泥,对造纸污泥的固化/稳定化处理技术进行了研究。以水泥、粉煤灰和煤渣作为固化剂对造纸污泥进行固化/稳定化处理。通过抗压强度评价污泥固化块的力学性质;并对固化块浸出液的COD浓度与重金属质量浓度进行了检测。当水泥、粉煤灰和煤渣的掺量分别为0.12、0.02和0.10 kg/kg,养护时间为6 d时,固化块抗压强度达到360 kPa。结果表明,水泥和煤渣对提高造纸污泥固化块的抗压强度具有促进作用,而它们与粉煤灰对造纸污泥中的有机质和重金属均具有一定的固化作用。在以上条件下,固化块浸出液中COD浓度约为115.7 mg/L,重金属浓度符合国家标准。经养护后的固化块含水率均保持在35%~40%,符合填埋场的进场标准。     

改性腐植酸盐-丙烯酰胺-丙烯酸复合吸水树脂制备及性能研究

以改性腐植酸盐、丙烯酰胺、丙烯酸为原料,采用水溶液聚合法制备了复合高吸水性树脂PAAH,考察了交联剂用量、引发剂用量、单体配比和反应温度对产品性能的影响,得到了最佳反应条件:交联剂和引发剂分别占单体总质量分数的0.6%和0.9%;丙烯酸与丙烯酰胺摩尔比为9;反应温度60℃。在此条件下制备的高吸水性树脂具有良好的耐温耐盐性,对纯水吸收倍率为1 298.22 g/g,盐水吸收倍率为261.53 g/g。     

The distribution of radon in tunnels with different geological characteristics in China

In China, as the economy is developing and the population is expanding, some underground buildings have been used as supermarkets, restaurants and entertainment places. Tunnels in mountains are one type of underground building, and the radon (²²²Rn) level in tunnels is an important issue. Radon levels in different type tunnels appear to differ, and relatively higher levels of ²²²Rn are associated with particular types of bedrock. The ²²²Rn levels in tunnels in five different geological characteristics were analyzed. Those built in granite had the highest ²²²Rn levels with a geometric mean (GM) of 280 Bq m⁻³, while those built in limestone (GM: 100 Bq m⁻³) and andesitic porphyry (GM: 96 Bq m⁻³) were lower. The sequence of ²²²Rn concentrations was: granite > tuff > quartz sandstone > limestone > andesitic porphyry, and the ²²²Rn in granite was statistically significantly higher than in limestone and andesitic porphyry. Tunnels built in granite, tuff, quartz sandstone, limestone tended to have higher ²²²Rn concentrations in summer than in winter, while the reverse tendency was true in andesitic porphyry tunnels. Only the difference in limestone was statistically significant.     

Impact of dissolved organic matter on bioavailability of chlorotoluron to wheat

Chlorotoluron (Chl) is a phenylurea herbicide and is widely used for controlling weeds. While it has brought great benefits to crop production, it has also resulted in contamination to ecosystem. In this study, we investigated accumulation of chlorotoluron (Chl) and biological responses of wheat plants as affected by dissolved organic matter (DOM). Wheat seedlings grown under 10 mg kg⁻¹ Chl for 4 d showed a low level of chlorophyll accumulation and damage to plasma membrane. The growth was inhibited by exposure of chlorotoluron. Treatment with 50 mg DOC kg⁻¹ DOM derived either from sludge (DOM-SL) or straw (DOM-ST) attenuated the chlorotoluron toxicity to plants. Both DOMs decreased activities of catalase, peroxidase and superoxide dismutase in Chl-treated seedlings. However, an increased glutathione S-transferases activity was observed under the same condition. Wheat plants treated with Chl in the presence of DOM accumulated less Chl than those treated with Chl alone. Moreover, in the presence of DOM, bioconcentration factor (BCF) decreased whereas translocation factors increased. Analyses with FT-IR spectra confirmed the regulatory role of DOMs in reducing Chl accumulation in wheat.