Molecular changes of aquatic humic substances formed from four aquatic macrophytes decomposed under different oxygen conditions

Aquatic macrophytes’ decomposition is a source of recalcitrant carbon in the long term contributing to humic substances (HS) formation. Understanding the influence of plant detritus quality and oxygen availability over molecular changes of these compounds provides ecological information related to their cycling. This study described the molecular variation of dissolved HS from Eichhornia azurea, Egeria najas, Oxycaryum cubense and Salvinia molesta decomposition under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The aquatic HS formed from the four aquatic macrophytes showed similar features (e.g. molecular weight and aromaticity). This fact indicates little influence of the detritus quality or availability of oxygen on the fulvic acids (FA) and humic acid characteristics. Under aerobic condition a decrease in the polysaccharides content in FA occurred. HS from E. najas were related to less-recalcitrant features, while HS from S. molesta were related to recalcitrant.     

Artisanal and small-scale gold mining in Burkina Faso: Suggestion of multi-agent methodology as a complementary support in elaborating a policy

In order to better manage artisanal and small-scale gold mining, the Burkinabe authorities have planned to build a suitable methodological support as an aid to elaborating appropriate policies and actions. The developed methodology concerns (a) at a spatial level, the generation and analysis of a geological resources map needed by the artisanal miners and (b) at a socioeconomic level, analysis of the miners' activity. This paper reports and discusses the results of our suggestion to also introduce the use of an approach known as multi-agent system (MAS) as a complementary part of this initial methodology, at a downstage level to the above two analysis stages. MAS methodology could be used to develop simulation models to forecast the future of the activity. MAS is appropriate for describing the dynamics of systems where it is impossible to obtain all output data of a model from a purely mathematical or statistical transformation of input data. Our suggestion involves (i) demonstrating the capacity of the approach to simulate all parameters needed by mining policy makers and (ii) evaluating to what extent the methodology is accepted by them, as well as, at a more scientific level, the literature regarding mining system simulation.     

疫情背景下生鲜电商企业车辆路径优化研究

为解决疫情背景下复工难导致的配送能力受限,从而影响生鲜电商企业为居家消费者配送生鲜物资的问题,基于疫情下居家消费者以小区为单位的团购特点以及生鲜物资的保鲜时长与防疫用品的有效防护时长限制,构建疫情背景下生鲜物资配送车辆路径优化模型,以求解并优化生鲜电商企业配送车辆行驶路径,使其在完成配送任务的前提下,使用最少配送车辆完成以小区为单位数量激增的需求订单,在履行生鲜电商企业社会责任的同时实现末端配送总成本最小化。最后通过新冠肺炎疫情下的算例分析验证模型的有效性。结果表明:构建的模型具有现实可行性,为疫情下面临复工难问题的生鲜电商企业物资配送路径优化提供思路。     

Long-Term Variability in Bioassessments: A Twenty-Year Study from Two Northern California Streams

Long-term variability of bioassessments has not been well evaluated. We analyzed a 20-year data set (1984–2003) from four sites in two northern California streams to examine the variability of bioassessment indices (two multivariate RIVPACS-type O/E scores and one multimetric index of biotic integrity, IBI), as well as eight metrics. All sites were sampled in spring; one site was also sampled in summer. Variability among years was high for most metrics (coefficients of variation, CVs ranging from 16% to 246% in spring) but lower for indices (CVs of 22–26% for the IBI and 21–32% for O/E scores in spring), which resulted in inconsistent assessments of biological condition. Variance components analysis showed that the time component explained variability in all metrics and indices, ranging from 5% to 35% of total variance explained. The site component was large (i.e., >40%) for some metrics (e.g., EPT richness), but nearly absent from others (e.g., Diptera richness). Seasonal analysis at one site showed that variability among seasons was small for some metrics or indices (e.g., Coleoptera richness), but large for others (e.g., EPT richness, O/E scores). Climatic variables did not show consistent trends across all metrics, although several were related to the El Ni?o Southern Oscillation Index at some sites. Bioassessments should incorporate temporal variability during index calibration or include climatic variability as predictive variables to improve accuracy and precision. In addition, these approaches may help managers anticipate alterations in reference streams caused by global climate change and high climatic variability.     

Investigating the Fate and Transport of Escherichia coli in the Charles River,Boston, Using High‐Resolution Observation and Modeling1

Abstract: The processes affecting the fate and transport of Escherichia coli in surface waters were investigated using high‐resolution observation and modeling. The concentration patterns in Boston’s Charles River were observed during four sampling events with a total of 757 samples, including two spatial surveys with two along‐river (1,500 m length) and three across‐river (600 m length) transects at approximately 25‐m intervals, and two temporal surveys at a fixed location (Community Boating) over seven days at hourly intervals. The data reveal significant spatial and temporal structure at scales not resolved by typical monitoring programs. A mechanistic, time‐variable, three‐dimensional coupled hydrodynamic and water quality model was developed using the ECOMSED and RCA modeling frameworks. The computational grid consists of 3,066 grid cells with average length dimension of 25 m. Forcing functions include upstream and downstream boundary conditions, Stony Brook, and Muddy River (major tributaries) combined sewer overflow (CSO) and non‐CSO discharge and wind. The model generally reproduces the observed spatial and temporal patterns. This includes the presence and absence of a plume in the study area under similar loading, but different hydrodynamic conditions caused by operation of the New Charles River Dam (downstream) and wind. The model also correctly predicts an episode of high concentrations at the time‐series station following seven days of no rainfall. The model has an overall root mean square error (RMSE) of 250 CFU/100 ml and an error rate (above or below the USEPA‐recommended single sample criteria value of 235 CFU/100 ml) of 9.4%. At the time series station, the model has an RMSE of 370 CFU/100 ml and an error rate of 15%.     

Phase partitioning modeling of ethanol, isopropanol, and methanol with BTEX compounds in water

This study investigates the equilibrium phase partitioning behavior of ethanol, isopropanol, and methanol in a two-phase liquid-liquid system consisting of water and an individual BTEX (Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, and Xylenes) compound. A previously developed computer program is enhanced to generate ternary phase diagrams for analysis of each three-component cosolvent-nonaqueous phase liquid (NAPL)-water mixture combination. The required activity coefficients are estimated using the UNIFAC (Universal Quasichemical Functional group Activity Coefficient) model. The UNIFAC-derived ternary phase diagrams generally show good agreement against published experimental data, and similar phase partitioning behavior is observed for every BTEX compound in the presence of the same cosolvent. Furthermore, a set of laboratory experiments is conducted to determine the maximum single-phase water content for every mixture combination considered in this study where the volume composition of the cosolvent and the NAPL components is a blend of 85% alcohol and 15% BTEX compound. Comparison of experimentally-derived maximum single-phase water contents against UNIFAC-derived results shows good agreement for mixtures containing ethanol and methanol, but relatively poor agreement for mixtures containing isopropanol.     

Effects of prevalent freshwater chemical contaminants on in vitro growth of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae

Many surface and ground waters in the continental US are contaminated with a variety of chemical pollutants, which are usually present in concentrations in the ppm and ppb range. The effects of these pollutants on coliform bacteria, which are prominent members of the aquatic flora, are poorly understood. Using a microtiter plate assay, isolates of Escherichia coli (from chicken intestine and fresh water), and an isolate of Klebsiella pneumoniae (from bovine milk) were exposed to varying concentrations of common pollutants over a 24 h period. The herbicides/pesticides simazine, atrazine, and diazinon; the VOCs trichloroethene and MTBE; the estrogens estradiol and estrone; and caffeine, all failed to inhibit bacterial growth at ppm levels. Only ethylene glycol, and the herbicide 2,4-D, significantly inhibited bacterial growth compared to controls. These results suggest that the replication of coliform bacteria in fresh waters is not adversely impacted by many common pollutants.     

基于响应面法优化污水中雌酮的固相萃取条件

为提高污水样品中雌酮(E1)的固相萃取回收率,应用响应面法(RSM)对影响固相萃取的关键参数进行了优化,建立了固相萃取回收率的二次多项式模型,分析了模型有效性和因子交互作用,确定了最佳固相萃取条件;并对实际污水处理厂进、出水样品中的E1进行了固相萃取和浓度检测。结果表明,影响E1固相萃取回收率的因素重要性依次为:洗脱体积>进样速率>洗脱速率。最佳固相萃取条件为:洗脱体积11.15 mL;进样速率10.62mL/min;洗脱速率4.15 mL/min;在此条件下,预测回收率最大可达81.82%。分别采用SBR、氧化沟和A2/O工艺的3座污水处理厂进水E1浓度分别为36.8⁸9.0、24.189.0、24.1²8.4和27.828.4和27.8⁵8.1 ng/L,对应去除率分别为62.8%58.1 ng/L,对应去除率分别为62.8%⁷7.0%、49.3%77.0%、49.3%⁶3.6%和56.1%63.6%和56.1%⁷4.9%。3种污水处理工艺对E1均有一定的去除能力,但出水中残余E1仍远超过预测无效应浓度。     

紫外线和次氯酸钠对Escherichia coli和Poliovirus的消毒作用

本研究选用大肠杆菌(Escherichia coli)和脊髓灰质炎病毒(poliovirus)分别作为典型的细菌和病毒,利用培养和定量PCR的检测技术,对比研究紫外线消毒和次氯酸钠消毒对细菌和病毒的作用特点.结果表明:脊髓灰质炎病毒比大肠杆菌更难被灭活,达到1-log所需的氯剂量分别为19.2 mg·L~(-1)·min和10.14 mg·L~(-1)·min;所需的紫外线剂量分别为6.37 m J·cm~(-2)和1.81 m J·cm~(-2).定量PCR方法检测大肠杆菌和脊髓灰质炎病毒达到1-log的核酸损伤所需的紫外线剂量和氯剂量要比培养法高出1~2数量级,紫外线消毒对脊髓灰质炎病毒的RNA损伤量明显大于对大肠杆菌的DNA损伤,病毒的单链RNA对紫外线的敏感性更强,该结果与培养法正好相反.达到1-log核酸损伤脊髓灰质炎病毒所需的紫外线剂量为135 m J·cm~(-2),大肠杆菌所需的剂量为270.3 m J·cm~(-2),核酸损伤需要更多的消毒剂量,可能由于消毒过程微生物进入活性但处于非可培养状态(VBNC),以及灭活对微生物其他分子的损伤和微生物死后核酸的持续性.     

A sex pheromone component novel to Ostrinia identified from Ostrinia latipennis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

Summary. Extracts from the sex pheromone gland of Ostrinia latipennis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) were analyzed by gas chromatography-electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD) and GC-mass spectrometry. Only an EAD-active compound was detected in the extract, and it was identified as (E)-11-tetradecenol (E11-14:OH). In a wind-tunnel bioassay, E11-14:OH elicited a series of mate finding behaviors from males, although it was far less active than virgin females and crude extract of the pheromone gland. The attractiveness of E11-14:OH to O. latipennis males was confirmed by field trapping experiments. Based on these findings, we concluded that E11-14:OH, which is novel to the genus Ostrinia, is a major component of the sex pheromone in O. latipennis. The significance of the use of alcohol in place of the usual acetates in Ostrinia is discussed in relation to the pheromone biosynthesis system. Received 9 December 1999; accepted 14 March 2000