A conceptual framework: Redefining forest soil's critical acid loads under a changing climate

Federal agencies of several nations have or are currently developing guidelines for critical forest soil acid loads. These guidelines are used to establish regulations designed to maintain atmospheric acid inputs below levels shown to damage forests and streams. Traditionally, when the critical soil acid load exceeds the amount of acid that the ecosystem can absorb, it is believed to potentially impair forest health. The excess over the critical soil acid load is termed the exceedance, and the larger the exceedance, the greater the risk of ecosystem damage. This definition of critical soil acid load applies to exposure of the soil to a single, long-term pollutant (i.e., acidic deposition). However, ecosystems can be simultaneously under multiple ecosystem stresses and a single critical soil acid load level may not accurately reflect ecosystem health risk when subjected to multiple, episodic environmental stress. For example, the Appalachian Mountains of western North Carolina receive some of the highest rates of acidic deposition in the eastern United States, but these levels are considered to be below the critical acid load (CAL) that would cause forest damage. However, the area experienced a moderate three-year drought from 1999 to 2002, and in 2001 red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) trees in the area began to die in large numbers. The initial survey indicated that the affected trees were killed by the southern pine beetle (Dendroctonus frontalis Zimm.). This insect is not normally successful at colonizing these tree species because the trees produce large amounts of oleoresin that exclude the boring beetles. Subsequent investigations revealed that long-term acid deposition may have altered red spruce forest structure and function. There is some evidence that elevated acid deposition (particularly nitrogen) reduced tree water uptake potential, oleoresin production, and caused the trees to become more susceptible to insect colonization during the drought period. While the ecosystem was not in exceedance of the CAL, long-term nitrogen deposition pre-disposed the forest to other ecological stress. In combination, insects, drought, and nitrogen ultimately combined to cause the observed forest mortality. If any one of these factors were not present, the trees would likely not have died. This paper presents a conceptual framework of the ecosystem consequences of these interactions as well as limited plot level data to support this concept. Future assessments of the use of CAL studies need to account for multiple stress impacts to better understand ecosystem response.     

Elimination kinetics of perfluorohexanoic acid in humans and comparison with mouse,rat and monkey

Major fluorinated chemical manufacturers have developed new short-chain per- and polyfluorinated substances with more favorable environmental, health and safety profiles. This study provides the first evaluation of the elimination half-life of perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) from the blood of humans. PFHxA biomonitoring data were obtained from a recently published study of professional ski wax technicians. These data were analyzed to provide estimates of the apparent half-life of PFHxA from humans, and comparisons were made with kinetic studies of PFHxA elimination from mice, rats and monkeys. The apparent elimination half-life of PFHxA in highly exposed humans ranged between 14 and 49 d with a geomean of 32 d. The half-lives of PFHxA in mice, rats, monkeys and humans were proportional to body weight with no differences observed between genders, indicating similar volumes of distribution and similar elimination mechanisms among mammalian species. Compared to long-chain perfluoroalkyl acid analogs, PFHxA is rapidly cleared from biota. The consistent weight-normalized elimination half-lives for PFHxA in mammalian species indicates that results obtained from animal models are suitable for establishment of PFHxA benchmark dose and reference dose hazard endpoints for use in human risk assessments.     

Antioxidants in Hot Pepper: Variation Among Accessions

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) pepper (Capsicum spp.) germplasm collection contains several thousand members or accessions. Many of these species and cultivars have not been analyzed for their concentrations of ascorbic acid, capsaicin, and total phenolic compounds, which are important antioxidants having a number of benefits for human health. The objective of this investigation was to select candidate accessions of hot pepper having high concentrations of ascorbic acid, capsaicin, free sugars, and total phenols for use as parents in breeding for these compounds. Seventeen accessions of pepper from the core Capsicum germplasm collection (four accessions of Capsicum chinense; five accessions of C. baccatum; six accessions of C. annuum; and two of C. frutescens) were field grown and their mature fruits were analyzed for their antioxidant composition. Concentrations of these compounds tended to be higher in C. chinense and C. baccatum, than in C. annuum and C. frutescens. Across all accessions the concentration of total phenols was correlated with ascorbic acid (r = 0.97) and free sugars (r = 0.80). Concentrations of total phenols (1.4, 1.3, and 1.3 mg g^?1 fruit) and ascorbic acid (1.6, 1.2, and 1.3 mg g^?1 fruit) were significantly greater in PI-633757, PI-387833, and PI-633754, respectively, compared to other accessions analyzed. Total capsaicinoids concentrations were greatest (1.3 mg g^?1 fruit) in PI-438622 and lowest (0.002 mg g^?1 fruit) in Grif-9320. The great variability within and among Capsicum species for these phytochemicals suggests that these selected accessions may be useful as parents in hybridization programs to produce fruits with value-added traits.     

Persistence and mobility of 2,4-D in unsaturated soil zone under winter wheat crop in sub-tropical region of India

The present study was undertaken to determine the persistence and mobility of 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D) in unsaturated soil zone under real field conditions for the wheat crop in Roorkee, India. Three experimental plots were chosen in the agricultural field itself to represent the real field conditions in the study area and the potential movement and persistence of herbicide 2,4-D was investigated under three different irrigation treatments. The presence of herbicide along with soil water content was determined in soil at different depths at a temporal scale. The movement of the herbicide was also simulated numerically by solving the coupled soil water content movement and mass transport equations using HYDRUS-1D. The measured soil water content trends and the 2,4-D concentration profiles showed a good agreement with the numerically simulated results. The maximum effect of the herbicide was primarily retained up to 15 cm of the soil profile. The current existing dosage of 0.5 kg ha⁻¹ of pesticide was found to be safe to avoid soil contamination as no residue of 2,4-D was traced at the end of the wheat crop season in any of the plots. Higher concentrations of 2,4-D were also simulated numerically and the simulated results showed that the safe dosage of pesticide application would depend on irrigation treatments.     

改性粉煤灰处理含铬(Ⅵ)地下水的实验研究

用硫酸改性的粉煤灰作为吸附剂,处理含铬(Ⅵ)为5mg/L地下水,最佳条件为:pH=2,液固比10000:3,25℃下反应3h。处理后水样铬(VI)浓度0.03mg/L,满足(GB/T 14848-93)《地下水环境质量标准》。在不改变原水pH条件下,增加粉煤灰用量,水样中铬(VI)浓度也可由5mg/L降至0.05mg/L。同时,吸附剂对铬(VI)的吸附符合Freundlich和Langmuir等温线。     

基于最优分割理论的酸雨监控点位的分类研究

Fisher最优分割法是用离差平方和来表示同类样本之间的差异程度,通过简便的计算步骤和作图,确定最优分类数,使同类样本间的差异最小,各类别样本间的差异最大,并用F检验法检验最优分类数的合理性。文章根据Fisher最优分割法的理论内涵,研究其应用于酸雨环境监测优化布点的可行性。以漳州市沿海区域监测点为研究实例,用Fisher最优分割法确定最优的分类情况和最优的优化布点方案。结果表明,原布设的9个监测点用Fisher最优分割法优化为3个典型点位,可客观地反映漳州市酸雨控制区的整体污染状况和污染趋势,该方法理论内涵直观、计算简便、重复性好,对环境质量监测有重要的意义。     

载银活性炭活化过硫酸钠降解酸性橙7

采用硝酸氧化的颗粒活性炭浸渍制备Ag/GAC活化剂,利用N₂吸附、 SEM、 FT-IR及XRD对Ag/GAC进行表征,得出Ag成功负载于颗粒活性炭上,并以Ag/GAC在常温常压下活化过硫酸钠(PS)产生硫酸根自由基(SO^－4 ·)降解偶氮染料酸性橙7(AO7). 考察了Ag负载量、 PS浓度、 Ag/GAC投加量、 初始pH对AO7降解效果的影响. 结果表明,当Ag负载量为12.7 mg ·g^-1、 n(PS) :n(AO7)为120 :1、 Ag/GAC投加量为1.0 g ·L^-1,降解180 min后AO7降解率达95.0%以上. 初始pH对Ag/GAC活化PS降解AO7有较大影响,pH为5.0时降解效果最优. 通过紫外可见光谱、 气相色谱-质谱(GC/MS)对AO7降解过程进行了探讨,在降解过程中AO7的偶氮键和萘环结构均被破坏,并检测出主要降解产物有邻苯二甲酸和乙酰苯.     

Visible-light-driven photocatalytic inactivation of bacteriophage f2 by Cu-TiO2 nanofibers in the presence of humic acid

Pathogenic viruses in drinking water are great threats to public health. Visible-light-driven photocatalysis is a promising technology for virus inactivation. However, the existing photocatalytic antiviral research studies have mostly been carried out in single-component systems, neglecting the effect of natural organic matter, which exists widely in actual water bodies. In this paper, electrospun Cu-TiO₂ nanofibers were prepared as photocatalysts, and their photocatalytic antiviral performance in the presence of humic acid (HA) was comprehensively studied for the first time. The properties of the reaction mixture were measured during the reaction. In addition, the safety, reliability and stability of photocatalytic disinfection in the mixed system were evaluated. The results showed that the virus removal efficiency decreased with the increase of the HA concentration. The type of reaction solution, such as PBS buffer solution or water, did not affect the removal efficiency noticeably. Under acidic conditions, the electrostatic forces between photocatalysts and viruses were strengthened, leading to higher virus removal efficiency. As the reaction time went on, the pH value in the solution increased first and then tended to be stable, the conductivity remained stable, and the dissolved oxygen increased first and then decreased. The safety test showed that the concentration of Cu ions released into the solution was lower than specified by the international standards. No photoreactivation was observed, and the addition of HA significantly reduced the reutilization efficiency of the photocatalysts.     

污泥与秸秆共基质中温两相厌氧消化特性

以污泥和秸秆为共基质,以沼气产量、ρ（VFA）（VFA为挥发性脂肪酸）和COD_Cr去除率等为指标,探究污泥与秸秆配比（以COD_Cr计,质量比分别为1:0、1:1、2:1、3:1）对中温两相厌氧消化工艺运行效能的影响,以及最佳配比时SRT（污泥停留时间）对产甲烷相厌氧消化稳态特性的影响.结果表明:与污泥试验组相比,添加秸秆试验组的厌氧消化效能均较好;污泥与秸秆的最佳配比为2:1,该稳定状态下产酸相COD_Cr的去除率最高,为17.5%,ρ（VFA）为752 mg/L;产甲烷相COD_Cr的去除率为33.5%,ρ（VFA）为250 mg/L,产气量为47.7 mL/d,总体运行效能较高.在最佳污泥与秸秆配比（2:1）并设定产甲烷相反应器的SRT为20 d时,稳定状态下产甲烷相各组分的变化情况:COD_Cr去除率为41.20%,ρ（VFA）为238 mg/L,产气量为51.3 mL/d,沼气产率为8.4 mL/（d·g）.研究显示,当控制污泥与秸秆配比为2:1、SRT为20 d时,中温两相厌氧消化工艺运行效果良好.