Sulfur-containing amino acid methionine as the precursor of volatile organic sulfur compounds in algea-induced black bloom

After the application of methionine, a progressive and significant increase occurred in five volatile organic sulfur compounds (VOSCs): methanethiol (MeSH), dimethyl sulfide (DMS), dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), dimethyl trisulfide (DMTS) and dimethyl tetrasulfide (DMTeS). Even in the untreated control without a methionine addition, methionine and its catabolites (VOSCs, mainly DMDS) were found in considerable amounts that were high enough to account for the water’s offensive odor. However, blackening only occurred in two methionine-amended treatments. The VOSCs production was observed to precede black color development, and the reaching of a peak value for total VOSCs was often followed by water blackening. The presence of glucose stimulated the degradation of methionine while postponing the occurrence of the black color and inhibiting the production of VOSCs. In addition, DMDS was found to be the most abundant species produced after the addition of methionine alone, and DMTeS appeared to be the most important compound produced after the addition of methionine+glucose. These results suggest that methionine acted as an important precursor of the VOSCs in lakes suffering from algea-induced black bloom. The existence of glucose may change the transformation pathway of methionine into VOSCs to form larger molecular weight compounds, such as DMTS and DMTeS.     

Allelopathic effects of gallic acid from Aegiceras corniculatum on Cyclotella caspia

High abundance of algae and eutrophication were observed in mangrove wetlands and these were estimated to be associated with root exudates of some specific mangrove plants to a certain extent.Root exudates form allelopathic effects from mangroves.The main secondary metabolites of Aegiceras corniculatum had been detected to be organic phenolic acids.Gallic acid had been isolated and identified from A.corniculatum.The half-maximal inhibitory concentration of gallic acid on alge Cyclotella caspia was tested as 15.46mg/L.The effects on algal cell morphology were mainly shown as elongated cells,with no apparent cell inclusions,such as oil droplets,chloroplast.At a dose of 2mg/L,gallic acid had a stimulative effect on the specific growth rate of algae on day 3.The contents of malondialdehyde,superoxide dismutase,soluble carbohydrates and chlorophyll a in algal cells showed an overall "low promotion and high suppression".Our results could provide preliminary and valuable reference on the complex influences of mangroves on microecology and microbial communities in the rhizosphere system.     

Influences of perfluorooctanoic acid on the aggregation of multi-walled carbon nanotubes

The aggregation of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in the aqueous phase not only inhibits their extensive utilization in various aspects but also dominates their environmental fate and transport.The role of surfactants at low concentration in the aggregation of MWCNTs has been studied,however the effect of perfluorinated surfactants at low concentration is uncertain.To understand this interfacial phenomenon,the influences of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA),and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as a control,on MWCNT aggregation in the aqueous phase were examined by the UV absorbency method.Influences of pH and cationic species on the critical coagulation concentration (CCC) value were evaluated.The CCC values were dependent on the concentration of PFOA,however a pronounced effect of SDS concentration on the CCC values was not observed.The CCC values of the MWCNTs were 51.6 mmol/L in NaCl and 0.28 mmol/L in CaCl 2 solutions,which suggested pronounced differences in the effects of Na+ and Ca2+ ions on the aggregation of the MWCNTs.The presence of both PFOA and SDS significantly decreased the CCC values of the MWCNTs in NaCl solution.The aggregation of the MWCNTs took place under acidic conditions and was not notably altered under neutral and alkaline conditions due to the electrostatic repulsion of deprotonated functional groups on the surface of the MWCNTs.     

Synthesis and characterization of agricultural controllable humic acid superabsorbent

Humic acid superabsorbent polymer (P(AA/AM-HA)) and superabsorbent polymer (P(AA/AM)) were synthesized by aqueous solution polymerization method using acrylic acid (AA), acrylamide (AM) and humic acid (HA) as raw material. The effects of N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) crosslinking agent, potassium peroxydisulfate (KPS) initiator, reaction temperature, HA content, ratio of AA to AM, concentration of monomer and neutralization of AA on water absorption were investigated. Absorption and desorption ratios of nitrogen fertilizer and phosphate fertilizer were also investigated by determination of absorption and desorption ratio of NH₄⁺, PO₄^3- on P(AA/AM-HA) and P(AA/AM). The P(AA/AM-HA) and P(AA/AM) were characterized by Fourier translation infrared spectroscopy, biological photomicroscope and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The optimal conditions obtained were as follows: the weight ratio of MBA to AA and AM was 0.003; the weight ratio of KPS to AA and AM was 0.008; the weight ratio of HA to AA was 0.1; the mole ratio of AM to AA is 0.1; the mole ratio of NaOH to AA is 0.9; the reaction temperature was 60℃. P(AA/AMHA) synthesized under optimal conditions, has a good saline tolerance, its water absorbency in distilled water and 0.9 wt.% saline solution is 1180 g/g and 110 g/g, respectively. P(AA/AM-HA) achieves half saturation in 6.5 min. P(AA/AM-HA) is superior to P(AA/AM) on absorption of NH₄⁺, PO₄^3-. The SEM micrograph of P(AA/AM-HA) shows a fine alveolate structure. The biological optical microscope micrograph of P(AA/AM-HA) shows a network structure. Graft polymerization between P(AA/AM) and HA was demonstrated by infrared spectrum. The P(AA/AM-HA) superabsorbent has better absorbing ability of water and fertilizer, electrolytic tolerance and fewer cost than P(AA/AM) superabsorbent.     

Effect of acid solutions on plants studied by the optical beam deflection method

The optical beam deflection method was applied to study the effects of acid solution on both a terrestial and aquatic plants Egeria and Cerastium, which are common aquatic plant and terrestial weed respectively. A probe beam from a He-Ne laser was passed through a vicinity of a leaf of the plants, which were put in culture dishes filled with acid solutions. Deflection signals of the probe beam were monitored and compared for acid solutions with different pH values. The results of Egria showed that the deflection signals changed dramatically when pH values of acid solutions were 2.0 and 3.0, while little at pH of 4.0 and 5.0. For Cerastium when pH were below 3.0, deflection signals changed greatly with time at the begining. After a certain period of time, deflection signals changed little with time. When pH value was above 4.0, deflection signals of Cerastium were still changing with time even after 20 hours. The results suggested that the damage threshold of pH was between 3.0 and 4.0 for both the land and aquatic plants.     

Formic acid as an alternative reducing agent for the catalytic nitrate reduction in aqueous media

Formic acid was used for the nitrate reduction as a reductant in the presence of Pd:Cu/γ-alumina catalysts. The surface characteristics of the bimetallic catalyst synthesized by wet impregnation were investigated by SEM, TEM-EDS. The metals were not distributed homogeneously on the surface of catalyst, although the total contents of both metals in particles agreed well with the theoretical values. Formic acid decomposition on the catalyst surface, its influence on solution pH and nitrate removal efficacy was investigated. The best removal of nitrate (50 ppm) was obtained under the condition of 0.75 g/L catalyst with Pd:Cu ratio (4:1) and two fold excess of formic acid. Formic acid decay patterns resembled those of nitrate removal, showing a linear relationship between kf (formic acid decay) and k (nitrate removal). Negligible amount of ammonia was detected, and no nitrite was detected, possibly due to buffering effect of bicarbonate that is in situ produced by the decomposition of formic acid, and due to the sustained release of H2 gas.     

Soil microbial community structure and function responses to successive planting of Eucalyptus

Many studies have shown soil degradation after the conversion of native forests to exotic Eucalyptus plantations. However, few studies have investigated the long-term impacts of short-rotation forestry practices on soil microorganisms. The impacts of Eucalyptus successive rotations on soil microbial communities were evaluated by comparing phospholipid fatty acid （PLFA） abundances, compositions, and enzyme activities of native Pinus massoniana plantations and adjacent 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th generation Eucalyptus plantations. The conversion from P. massoniana to Eucalyptus plantations significantly decreased soil microbial community size and enzyme activities, and increased microbial physiological stress. However, the PLFA abundances formed ＂U＂ shaped quadratic functions with Eucalyptus plantation age. Alternatively, physiological stress biomarkers, the ratios of monounsaturated to saturated fatty acid and Gram＋ to Gram- bacteria, formed ＂∩＂ shaped quadratic functions, and the ratio of cy17：0 to 16： 1ω7c decreased with plantation age. The activities of phenol oxidase, peroxidase, and acid phosphatase increased with Eucalyptus plantation age, while the cellobiobydrolase activity formed ＂U＂ shaped quadratic functions. Soil N：P, alkaline hydrolytic nitrogen, soil organic carbon, and understory cover largely explained the variation in PLFA profiles while soil N：P, alkaline hydrolytic nitrogen, and understory cover explained most of the variability in enzyme activity. In conclusion, soil microbial structure and function under Eucalyptus plantations were strongly impacted by plantation age. Most of the changes could be explained by altered soil resource availability and understory cover associated with successive planting of Eucalyptus. Our results highlight the importance of plantation age for assessing the impacts of plantation conversion as well as the importance of reducing disturbance for plantation management.     

离子色谱法测定环境空气中丁酸

建立了用离子色谱法测定环境空气中丁酸的新方法。对实际样品进行分析,丁酸的回收率为94．5％-103．8％,当采样体积为60L时环境空气中丁酸的检出限为0．003mg／m^3。本方法分析速度快,所需样品量少,且无需复杂的前处理,简便、灵敏、可靠。     

抚顺市酸雨污染特征及变化趋势

在抚顺市酸雨监测数据分析的基础上,对抚顺地区的酸雨污染特征及其变化趋势和污染来源进行了探讨。     

离子色谱法测定废气中硫酸雾实验研究

文章建立了离子色谱法测定废气中硫酸雾的分析方法,制备好的样品经0．45um微孔滤膜抽滤,采用AS14A阴离子交换色谱柱分离,电导检测器检测,以0．8mmol／L碳酸钠和0．1mmol／L碳酸氢钠混合溶液为流动相,流速为0．5ml／min进行测定,以保留时间定性,峰面积进行定量,方法的适用范围为0．50～50mg／m3。与铬酸钡分光光度法进行比对试验,无显著性差异。该方法操作简便、灵敏度高、准确度好,实用性强,适用于大批量环境样品的分析。