Belowground effects of enhanced tropospheric ozone and drought in a beech/spruce forest (Fagus sylvatica L./Picea abies [L.] Karst)

The effects of experimentally elevated O₃ on soil respiration rates, standing fine-root biomass, fine-root production and δ¹³C signature of newly produced fine roots were investigated in an adult European beech/Norway spruce forest in Germany during two subsequent years with contrasting rainfall patterns. During humid 2002, soil respiration rate was enhanced under elevated O₃ under beech and spruce, and was related to O₃-stimulated fine-root production only in beech. During dry 2003, the stimulating effect of O₃ on soil respiration rate vanished under spruce, which was correlated with decreased fine-root production in spruce under drought, irrespective of the O₃ regime. δ¹³C signature of newly formed fine-roots was consistent with the differing g_s of beech and spruce, and indicated stomatal limitation by O₃ in beech and by drought in spruce. Our study showed that drought can override the stimulating O₃ effects on fine-root dynamics and soil respiration in mature beech and spruce forests.     

高氯酸钾项目生产过程中的环境风险及防范措施

根据国家环保总局发布的"高污染、高环境风险"产品名录(2009年),无机盐产品高氯酸钾属于高环境风险的产品,其生产存在较大风险。高氯酸钾项目在生产过程中的环境风险主要来源于强酸、强碱、有毒有害、易燃易爆等原辅材料、产品,运输、贮存和使用过程产生的燃爆、泄漏、贮运风险以及工艺废气治理措施失效等环节。识别项目产生的环境风险主要包括爆炸风险、泄漏风险、危险化学品贮运风险及氯气直排风险,并从生产管理、生产工艺及贮运等方面提出相应的防范措施。     

丁酸胁迫对产氢污泥以厨余为底物的产氢影响

采用丁酸对产氢污泥进行胁迫处理,经胁迫后的污泥接种厨余垃圾进行产氢实验,考察丁酸胁迫对提高产氢性能的影响。结果表明,低浓度胁迫能提高产氢污泥的耐丁酸性,从而提高产氢量,而胁迫浓度过高则抑制产氢污泥活性,胁迫浓度呈"horm esis"效应。实验采用的4 g/L胁迫浓度为最佳,反应结束后,丁酸浓度和产氢量分别为8 417.1 mg/L和63.72 mL/g VS,比空白提高了31.3%和114%。产氢过程中SCOD的主要来源是有机酸。对产氢污泥胞外多聚物(EPS)的测定表明,厨余垃圾酸化速率、氢气产生速率和EPS总量成正相关。     

Bioaccumulation and biological effects in the earthworm Eisenia fetida exposed to natural and depleted uranium

The accumulations of both natural (U) and depleted (DU) uranium in the earthworms (Eisenia fetida) were studied to evaluate corresponding biological effects. Concentrations of metals in the experimental soil ranged from 1.86 to 600 mg kg⁻¹. Five biological endpoints: mortality, animals’ weight increasing, lysosomal membrane stability by measuring the neutral red retention time (the NRRT), histological changes and genetic effects (Comet assay) were used to evaluate biological effects in the earthworms after 7 and 28 days of exposure. No effects have been observed in terms of mortality or weight reduction. Cytotoxic and genetic effects were identified at quite low U concentrations. For some of these endpoints, in particular for genetic effects, the dose (U concentration)-effect relationships have been found to be non-linear. The results have also shown a statistically significant higher level of impact on the earthworms exposed to natural U compared to depleted U.     

Solving Problems in Social–Ecological Systems: Definition, Practice and Barriers of Transdisciplinary Research

Translating policies about sustainable development as a social process and sustainability outcomes into the real world of social–ecological systems involves several challenges. Hence, research policies advocate improved innovative problem-solving capacity. One approach is transdisciplinary research that integrates research disciplines, as well as researchers and practitioners. Drawing upon 14 experiences of problem-solving, we used group modeling to map perceived barriers and bridges for researchers’ and practitioners’ joint knowledge production and learning towards transdisciplinary research. The analysis indicated that the transdisciplinary research process is influenced by (1) the amount of traditional disciplinary formal and informal control, (2) adaptation of project applications to fill the transdisciplinary research agenda, (3) stakeholder participation, and (4) functional team building/development based on self-reflection and experienced leadership. Focusing on implementation of green infrastructure policy as a common denominator for the delivery of ecosystem services and human well-being, we discuss how to diagnose social–ecological systems, and use knowledge production and collaborative learning as treatments.     

Novel Organisms: Comparing Invasive Species, GMOs, and Emerging Pathogens

Invasive species, range-expanding species, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), synthetic organisms, and emerging pathogens increasingly affect the human environment. We propose a framework that allows comparison of consecutive stages that such novel organisms go through. The framework provides a common terminology for novel organisms, facilitating knowledge exchange among researchers, managers, and policy makers that work on, or have to make effective decisions about, novel organisms. The framework also indicates that knowledge about the causes and consequences of stage transitions for the better studied novel organisms, such as invasive species, can be transferred to more poorly studied ones, such as GMOs and emerging pathogens. Finally, the framework advances understanding of how climate change can affect the establishment, spread, and impacts of novel organisms, and how biodiversity affects, and is affected by, novel organisms.     

Ti（Ⅳ）催化臭氧／过氧化氢预处理酸性难降解废水

在Ti（Ⅳ）和过氧化氢存在条件下,考察了臭氧化酸性苯乙酮溶液、硝基苯溶液和垃圾渗滤液（浙江衢州某垃圾填埋场）的预处理效能。结果表明,在pH2．86条件下,单独臭氧化处理对苯乙酮、硝基苯和垃圾渗滤液的COD去除率分别为10．1％、44％和28．6％。BOD,／COD值分别从原来的0．039、0．060和0．085提高到了0．130、0．158和0．174,仍属生化难降解废水。当体系加入Ti（Ⅳ）后,臭氧化苯乙酮和硝基苯的COD去除率分别达到了75．5％和65％,BOD;／COD则提高到了0．679和0．314,可生化性提升明显。对于垃圾渗滤液,只有当体系加入Ti（Ⅳ）和H22后,臭氧化COD的去除率达到66．6％,BOD、／COD提高至0．425。上述结果对酸性难降解废水的处理实际意义非常突出。     

季节性城市生活垃圾成分分析及厌氧消化特性研究

城市生活垃圾的成分及特性随着季节和人类在不同季节的生活习惯而变化,针对我国北方城市研究了一年中不同季节的城市生活垃圾成分特点,对影响厌氧发酵过程的相关成分如总有机碳（TOC）、总氮（TN）、蛋白质、脂肪和还原糖等进行了测定分析。通过厌氧消化实验,测得不同季节城市生活垃圾pH值、日产气量、沼气甲烷含量、甲烷累积量、挥发性脂肪酸（VFAs）和氧化还原电位（ORP）等参数的变化规律,分析相应变化的影响因素。结果表明,二、三季度的含水率分别为64．81％和67．50％,高于一、四季度,一季度发酵原料中蛋白质和脂肪含量分别为12．56％和8．86％,明显高于其他3个季度。一季度甲烷累积量最高,达到17616mL,单位发酵原料的产气量为204．8mL／g,也是4个季度中最高的,说明蛋白质、脂肪等有机成分含量对厌氧发酵过程及结果影响比较明显。为进一步的城市生活垃圾厌氧消化制取生物燃气的工艺条件提供依据。     

高气速间歇式生物过滤去除高负荷H2S

采用生物过滤法,以鸡粪堆肥和PE混合物为填料,在高气速条件下间歇式处理高负荷H2S废气。空床停留时间为20、15、10、6.7和5 s时,入口浓度3 000 mg/m3下的平均去除率分别为100%、100%、96.5%、89.2%和90.5%。高气速EBRT为5 s时,高入口负荷2 147 g/(m3.h)时的去除负荷为2 023 g/(m3.h),去除率达94%。采用Michaelis-Ment-en模型进行生物降解宏观动力学研究,其中Ks为550 mg/m3,Vm为6.8×104g/(m3.d)。结果表明,在实验温度17～24℃,湿度30%～50%下,生物过滤法间歇式处理高气速高负荷H2S的去除性能好。     

Hydroxytyrosol, the phenolic compound of olive oil protects human PBMC against oxidative stress and DNA damage mediated by 2,3,7,8-TCDD

The protective effect of hydroxytyrosol (HT), a strong antioxidant compound from extra virgin olive oil, against TCDD induced toxicity was investigated in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). PBMC (1 × 10⁶ cells mL⁻¹) were divided into four groups and were incubated in a CO₂ incubator (5% CO₂) for 12 h with vehicle, TCDD (10 nM), TCDD + HT (10 nM + 100 μM) and HT alone (100 μM) respectively. To clarify the role of HT against TCDD induced cytotoxicity, oxidative stress and the levels of antioxidant enzymes were assessed. Incubation of PBMC with TCDD significantly decreased cell viability, catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and increased the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR) and oxidative stress markers such as lipid peroxidation products (LPO), protein carbonyl content (PCC) and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Whereas, HT had an effective antioxidant property as observed by the increased cell viability, normalization of antioxidant enzymes and decreased levels of LPO, PCC and ROS in PBMC co-treated with HT and TCDD. Apoptosis detection and comet assay results shows that HT, by acting as an antioxidant, prevents the damage to DNA induced by TCDD. In addition light microscopic and histopathological observations revealed that the cells are apoptotic and degenerated during TCDD treatment, whereas cells showed intact morphology during co-treatment with HT. On the whole, the results reveal that HT exerts a promising antioxidant potential in protecting the PBMC against TCDD induced oxidative stress, which might be due to the presence of catechol moiety in its structure.