Biosorption of nickel(II) from aqueous solution by Aspergillus niger: Response surface methodology and isotherm study

In the present study, the effects of biosorbent Aspergillus niger dosage, initial solution pH and initial Ni(II) concentration on the uptake of Ni(II) by NaOH pretreated biomass of A. niger from aqueous solution were investigated. Batch experiments were carried out in order to model and optimize the biosorption process. The influence of three parameters on the uptake of Ni(II) was described using a response surface methodology (RSM) as well as Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. Optimum Ni(II) uptake of 4.82 mg Ni(II) g⁻¹ biomass (70.30%) was achieved at pH 6.25, biomass dosage of 2.98 g L⁻¹ and initial Ni(II) concentration of 30.00 mg L⁻¹ Ni(II). Langmuir and Freundlich were able to describe the biosorption isotherm fairly well. However, prediction of Ni(II) biosorption using Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms was relatively poor in comparison with RSM approaches. The biosorption mechanism was also investigated by using Fourier transfer infrared (FT-IR) analysis of untreated, NaOH pretreated, and Ni(II) loaded A. niger biomass.     

Degradation of pentachlorobiphenyl by a sequential treatment using Pd coated iron and an aerobic bacterium (H1)

The reductive dechlorination and biodegradation of 2,2^′4,5,5^′-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB#101) was investigated in a laboratory-scale. Palladium coated iron (Pd/Fe) was used as a catalytic reductant for the chemical degradation of 2,2^′4,5,5^′-pentachlorobiphenyl, and an aerobic bacteria was used for biodegradation following the chemical reaction in this study. Dechlorination was affected by several factors such as Pd loading, initial soil pH and the amount of Pd/Fe used. The results showed that higher Pd loading, higher dosage of Pd/Fe and slightly acid condition were beneficial to the catalytic dechlorination of 2,2^′,4,5,5^′-pentachlorobiphenyl. In laboratory batch experiments, 2,2^′4,5,5^′-pentachlorobiphenyl was reduced in the presence of Pd/Fe bimetal, which was not further degraded by aerobic bacteria. 2,2^′,4-trichlorobiphenyl (PCB#17), a reduction product from 2,2^′4,5,5^′-pentachlorobiphenyl, was readily biodegraded in the presence of a aerobic bacterial strain. It is suggested that an integrated Pd/Fe catalytic reduction-aerobic biodegradation process may be a feasible option for treating PCB-contaminated soil.     

Levels of PCDD/F in adipose tissue on non-occupationally exposed subjects living near a hazardous waste incinerator in Catalonia, Spain

The potential adverse effects on human health of hazardous waste incinerators (HWIs) are a subject of concern. The construction of the first and till now only HWI in Spain finished in 1999. In 2007, after approximately 9 years of regular operations in the facility, the concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/F) were determined by HRGC/HRMS in samples of adipose tissue of 15 autopsied subjects living in the area under potential impact of the HWI (Constantí, Tarragona County, Catalonia). These data were compared with the levels found in two previous surveys performed in 1998 (baseline) and 2002. The current mean PCDD/F concentration in adipose tissue was 14.6 pg WHO-TEQ/g of fat (range: 3.3–55.4 pg WHO-TEQ/g of fat). It means significant changes (a reduction of 64% and an increase of 47%) in the mean PCDD/F levels in comparison to those found in 1998 and 2002: 40.1 and 9.9 pg WHO-TEQ/g of fat, respectively. Women showed higher levels of PCDD/F than men (23.8 vs 11.2 pg WHO-TEQ/g of fat). The increase in the last 5 years would not be directly attributable to exposure to PCDD/F emitted by the HWI, as other biological monitors such as human plasma and milk decreased during the same period.     

Effects of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid formulation on medulla spinalis of Poecilia reticulata: A histopathological study

This study investigated the possible effects of a commonly used foliar herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) formulation on medulla spinalis of lebistes. Fish were exposed to 2,4-D (15, 30, 45 mg L⁻¹), behavioral changes were monitored. Fish were fixed, histopathological examination was carried out on sections taken from the upper parts of the fish body. Histopathology showed increase in neuronal loss, swelling indicating formation of intracellular edema, vacuolization noticed as the formation of vacuoles within or adjacent to cells, deformation in the Nissl granules, pyknosis and gliosis in medulla spinalis. Behavioral changes were decreased general activity, grouping, shortness in breath, sudden rotations and jumping, loss of equilibrium and colour. In conclusion, this commercial formulation of 2,4-D is considerably neurotoxic to lebistes. Fish constitute the last link in the chain of the feeding cycle in aquatic eco-system, number of studies investigating acute and chronic neurotoxicity of various herbicides in fish should be increased.     

Cation exchange in a glacial till drumlin at a road salt storage facility

At a former wood preservation plant severely contaminated with coal tar oil, in situ bulk attenuation and biodegradation rate constants for several monoaromatic (BTEX) and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) were determined using (1) classical first order decay models, (2) Michaelis–Menten degradation kinetics (MM), and (3) stable carbon isotopes, for o-xylene and naphthalene. The first order bulk attenuation rate constant for o-xylene was calculated to be 0.0025 d^− 1 and a novel stable isotope-based first order model, which also accounted for the respective redox conditions, resulted in a slightly smaller biodegradation rate constant of 0.0019 d^− 1. Based on MM-kinetics, the o-xylene concentration decreased with a maximum rate of k_max = 0.1 µg/L/d. The bulk attenuation rate constant of naphthalene retrieved from the classical first order decay model was 0.0038 d^− 1. The stable isotope-based biodegradation rate constant of 0.0027 d^− 1 was smaller in the reduced zone, while residual naphthalene in the oxic part of the plume further downgradient was degraded at a higher rate of 0.0038 d^− 1. With MM-kinetics a maximum degradation rate of k_max = 12 µg/L/d was determined. Although best fits were obtained by MM-kinetics, we consider the carbon stable isotope-based approach more appropriate as it is specific for biodegradation (not overall attenuation) and at the same time accounts for the dominant electron-accepting process. For o-xylene a field based isotope enrichment factor ε_field of − 1.4 could be determined using the Rayleigh model, which closely matched values from laboratory studies of o-xylene degradation under sulfate-reducing conditions.     

Temporal and spatial patterns of micropollutants in urban receiving waters

Based on a monitoring program over the course of a year, we characterize the temporal and spatial distribution of selected micropollutants in an urban watershed within the city of Leipzig, Germany. Micropollutants revealed a ubiquitous presence in untreated and treated wastewater, surface water and groundwater. The loads of 4-nonylphenol in the effluents of the municipal wastewater treatment plant followed a seasonal trend, whereas the loads of all other micropollutants were highly variable and not correlated to seasons. In the surface water, load seasonality of caffeine, galaxolide and tonalide resulted from a rapid removal with increased water temperature. The loads of 4-nonylphenol and of caffeine in the colder months increased when rainfall occurred. In the groundwater, complex spatial and temporal patterns were apparent and were related to varying input, retardation and removal processes. As a consequence, an assessment of micropollutants in urban waters should consider different micropollutants' temporal and spatial variability.     

The Effect of Masterbatch Addition on the Mechanical, Thermal, Optical and Surface Properties of Poly(lactic acid)

There has been considerable interest in the use of the biodegradable polymer poly(lactic acid) (PLA) as a replacement for petroleum derived polymers due to ease of processability and its high mechanical strength. Other material properties have however limited its wider application. These include its brittle properties, low impact strength and yellow tint. In an attempt to overcome these drawbacks, PLA was blended with four commercially available additives, commonly known as masterbatches. The effect of the addition of 1.5 wt% of the four masterbatches on the mechanical, thermal, optical and surface properties of the polymer was evaluated. All four masterbatches had a slight negative effect on the tensile strength of PLA (3–5% reduction). There was a four fold increase in impact resistance however with the addition of one of the masterbatches. Differential scanning calorimetry demonstrated that this increase corresponded to a decrease in the polymer crystallinity. However there was an associated increase in polymer haze with the addition of this masterbatch. The clarity of PLA was improved through the addition of an optical brightener masterbatch, but the impact resistance remained low. The glass transition and melting temperatures of PLA were not affected by the addition of the masterbatches, and no change was observed in surface energy. Some delay in PLA degradation, in a PBS degradation medium at 50 °C, was observed due to blending with these masterbatches.     

Experimental study of recycling lightweight concrete with aggregates containing expanded glass

The focus is on the issue of waste management when constructing and recycling lightweight concrete (LWC) with aggregates containing expanded glass. The paper analyses the recycling of concrete from lightweight aggregates, and on the important issue of environmental and waste management. The characteristics of recycling LWC such as density, compressive strength and thermal conductivity are investigated, and compared with normal existing concrete from lightweight aggregates. The results indicate that it is possible to recycle lightweight concrete construction waste. The described method shows great possibilities for increasing the use of construction waste materials from LWC containing expanded glass, in order to benefit from better use of the available capacity from existing construction waste. The characteristics of density, compressive strength and thermal conductivity from the new recycled material were compared with normal existing concrete from lightweight aggregates, such as changes in dependency on the type and parts of waste as well as its new binding components. Thus, a new recycled material has been created with new characteristics of density, compressive strength and thermal conductivity, which is conform to the compressive strength class and rules on heat protection and energy efficiency use in buildings (SI OJ RS No. 42/2002). Laboratory density, compressive strength, and thermal conductivity tests results showed that LWC can be produced by the use of waste LWC with aggregates containing expanded glass. However, the use of waste LWC with aggregates containing expanded glass seems to be necessary for the production of cheaper and environmentally friendly LWC.     

拒绝服务攻击/分布式拒绝服务攻击防范技术的研究

研究常见的拒绝服务攻击和分布式拒绝服务攻击方法,深入分析各种相关防护技术,提出了从设备自身加固入手,以分布式检查,管理和技术双管齐下的思路。给出了应对这种目前开放网络中的顽疾的综合解决方案。笔者提及的相关解决方案涉及到安全评估加固技术、攻击检测技术、流量清洗技术、安全管理技术;也给出了各种不同职责岗位的工作职责,提出了防止拒绝服务攻击必须从做好安全加固,采用积极的方式应对这种攻击的思路。笔者提出的观点可用于指导企业进行综合的拒绝服务攻击防御,也可以作为安全技术及理论的研究者的参考,提到的各种防范技术均经过了实践的验证。