Heterogeneous alternative catalysts: A bibliometric and systematic evaluation of their application in solar photocatalytic processes

The present study sought to objectively demonstrate how a researcher can, in a structured way, select relevant articles about alternative heterogeneous catalysts in photocatalytic processes. Therefore, the ProKnow-C (Knowledge Development Process – Constructivist) method was used to systematize the results found, with the application bibliometric and systematic analysis techniques for the evaluation of the results. The search string adopted as criteria was: solar photocatalysis AND heterogeneous catalysts OR alternative catalysts AND effluents. The databases were Web of Science, Science Direct and Scopus. The final bibliographic portfolio obtained for the research theme was made up of 19 articles. It was possible to verify advances in the number of publications on the theme over the evaluated period, with the Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A: Chemistry standing out in the final portfolio. Evaluating each article in the portfolio individually, it was possible to verify that most studies use combinations of catalysts already reported to create an alternative material to those already investigated in the literature. Those that use waste as catalysts chose to source this material from treatment plants and the steel industry. Around 58% of the papers used hydrogen peroxide in their processes, while 42% chose not to use it. Finally, approximately 63% of the papers in the portfolio used synthetic effluent in their processes, while the rest (37% of the research) chose to use real effluent. The results obtained in this research by applying the method can contribute to studies related to heterogeneous photocatalysis by alternative means over the years.     

Spatio-temporal variations in water quality of Nullah Aik-tributary of the river Chenab, Pakistan

This study reports the spatio-temporal changes in water quality of Nullah Aik, tributary of the Chenab River, Pakistan. Stream water samples were collected at seven sampling sites on seasonal basis from September 2004 to April 2006 and were analyzed for 24 water quality parameters. Most significant parameters which contributed in spatio-temporal variations were assessed by statistical techniques such as Hierarchical Agglomerative Cluster Analysis (HACA), Factor Analysis/Principal Components Analysis (FA/PCA), and Discriminant Function Analysis (DFA). HACA identified three different classes of sites: Relatively Unimpaired, Impaired and Less Impaired Regions on the basis of similarity among different physicochemical characteristics and pollutant level between the sampling sites. DFA produced the best results for identification of main variables for temporal and spatial analysis and separated eight parameters (DO, hardness, sulphides, K, Fe, Pb, Cr and Zn) that accounted 89.7% of total variations of spatial analysis. Temporal analysis using DFA separated six parameters (E.C., TDS, salinity, hardness, chlorides and Pb) that showed more than 84.6% of total temporal variation. FA/PCA identified six significant factors (sources) which were responsible for major variations in water quality dataset of Nullah Aik. The results signify that parameters identified by statistical analyses were responsible for water quality change and suggest the possibility of industrial, municipal and agricultural runoff, parent rock material contamination. The results suggest dire need for proper management measures to restore the water quality of this tributary for a healthy and promising aquatic ecosystem and also highlights its importance for objective ecological policy and decision making process.     

Trophic transfer of pyrene metabolites and nonextractable fraction from Oligochaete (Lumbriculus variegatus) to juvenile brown trout (Salmo trutta)

Cell lines of Etroplus suratensis established in our laboratory were evaluated for their potential use as screening tools for the ecotoxicological assessment of tannery effluent. The cytotoxic effect of tannery effluent in three cell lines derived from eye, kidney and gill tissue of E. suratensis was assessed using multiple endpoints such as Neutral Red (NR) assay, Coomassie Blue (CB) protein assay and Alamar Blue (AB) assay. Acute toxicity tests on fish were conducted by exposing E. suratensis for 96 h to tannery effluent under static conditions. The toxic effect of tannery effluent on the survival of fish was found to be concentration and time dependent. The tannery effluent at the concentration of 15% caused 100% mortality at 96 h whereas the lower concentration (0.5%) caused 13.33% mortality. The cytotoxicity of tannery effluent was found to be similar in the three cell lines tested, independent of the toxic endpoints employed. EC₅₀ values, the effective concentration of tannery effluent resulting in 50% inhibition of cytotoxicity parameters after 48 h exposure to tannery effluent were calculated for eye, kidney and gill cell lines using NR uptake, AB and cell protein assays. Statistical analysis revealed good correlation with r² = 0.95-0.99 for all combinations between endpoints employed. Linear correlations between each in vitro EC₅₀ and the in vivo LC₅₀ data, were highly significant p < 0.001 with r² = 0.977, 0.968 and 0.906 for AB₅₀, NR₅₀, and CB₅₀, respectively.     

Validation and use of in vivo solid phase micro-extraction (SPME) for the detection of emerging contaminants in fish

A variety of emerging chemicals of concern are released continuously to surface water through the municipal wastewater effluent discharges. The ability to rapidly determine bioaccumulation of these contaminants in exposed fish without sacrificing the animal (i.e. in vivo) would be of significant advantage to facilitate research, assessment and monitoring of their risk to the environment. In this study, an in vivo solid phase micro-extraction (SPME) approach was developed and applied to the measurement of a variety of emerging contaminants (carbamazepine, naproxen, diclofenac, gemfibrozil, bisphenol A, fluoxetine, ibuprofen and atrazine) in fish. Our results indicated in vivo SPME was a potential alternative extraction technique for quantitative determination of contaminants in lab exposures and as well after exposure to two municipal wastewater effluents (MWWE), with a major advantage over conventional techniques due to its ability to non-lethally sample tissues of living organisms.     

Chromium Removal from Soil by Phytoremediation with Weed Plant Species in Thailand

The possibility of using phytoremediation with weed plant species in Thailand to remove chromium (Cr) from soil was investigated. Six plant species, Cynodon dactylon, Pluchea indica, Phyllanthus reticulatus, Echinochloa colonum, Vetiveria nemoralis, and Amaranthus viridis, were chosen for their abilities to accumulate total chromium (TCr) at tanning industry sites. These plant species were studied in pots at a nursery. Cynodon dactylon and Pluchea indica provided highest TCr accumulation capacities of 152.1 and 151.8 mg/kg of plant on a dry weight basis, respectively, at a pulse hexavalent Cr [Cr(VI)] input of 100 mg Cr(VI)/kg soil. Most of the Cr uptake occurred within 30 days after the input. The TCr accumulation by Pluchea indica was observed in roots, stems, and leaves at 27%, 38%, and 35% of the TCr mass uptake, respectively, whereas 51%, 49% and 0% of the TCr mass uptake accumulated in roots, stems, and leaves of Cynodon dactylon, respectively. The results on Cr accumulation and translocation in plant tissues suggest that Cr was removed mainly via phytoaccumulation and Pluchea indica is more suitable than Cynodon dactylon for the phytoremediation of Cr contaminated soil.     

The Water Quality of some Tropical Freshwater Bodies in Uyo (Nigeria) Receiving Municipal Effluents, Slaughter-House Washings and Agricultural Land Drainage

The water quality of some tropical fresh-water bodies in Uyo (Nigeria) was investigated for two years in relation to point and non-point source city effluents and slaughter-house washings discharged into them. Streams which received city effluents and slaughter-house washings were degraded in quality with acidic water (pH =5.26±0.83 to 6.20±0.56), low oxygenation (2.46±1.30 to 3.88±0.29 mgl^–1), high biochemical oxygen demand (4.96±0.66 to 8.20±0.82 mgl^–1) and chemical oxygen demand (88.60±3.50 to 146.36±9.86 mgl^–1) than non-effluent receiving streams. High acidity in streams is due mainly to the acidic nature of underground water which replenishes the streams. Nutrient levels were high indicating enrichment from highly fertilized farmlands and slaughter-house washings. The concentrations of most of the hydrochemical variables were significantly lower in non-effluent than effluent-receiving streams. Some of the hydrochemical variables (total alkalinity, dissolved oxygen, nitrate, phosphate and conductivity) exhibited pronounced seasonality regimes with significant correlations with rainfall indicating its influence on the chemical hydrology of the water bodies. Land use in the catchment influenced water quality through inflow of nutrients, organic and inorganic contaminants and siltation. Pollution in the impacted streams is attributed mainly to episodic events.     

Comparative growth response of two varieties of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vigna radiata</Emphasis> L. (var. PDM 54 and var. NM 1) grown on different tannery sludge applications: effects of treated wastewater and ground water used for irrigation

This study evaluates the possibility of using contaminated soil by treated tannery wastewater and the use of tannery sludge in agriculture. The plants of Vigna radiata var. PDM 54 grown on contaminated soil and irrigated with ground water have not shown the translocation of toxic metal (Cr) in the upper part. The biomass of the plant increased when irrigated with treated tannery wastewater compared to ground water, whereas no significant change was observed in chlorophyll and protein contents. In both the varieties (var. PDM 54 and var. NM 1) of V. radiata grown on tannery sludge amendments, the growth parameters exhibited a pronounced positive growth response up to 35% tannery sludge amendments compared with the plants grown on garden soil. Despite the Cr accumulation at lower amendments, no toxicity symptoms were observed in both the varieties of the plants. Higher amendments affected various growth parameters, NR activity, and carbohydrate content of the plants. The results suggest that the plants of V. radiata (var. PDM 54) may be grown on contaminated soil or lower sludge amendments and irrigated with ground water. No translocation of toxic metal Cr was found in the seeds of the plants grown in up to 25% tannery sludge. However, periodical monitoring is required before the consumption of seeds. Overall, the results showed that plant growth patterns were influenced to some extent by the level of soil contamination and the water used for irrigation.     

Vertical distribution of nonylphenol and nonylphenol ethoxylates in sedimentary core from the Beipaiming Channel, North China

The vertical profiles of nonylphenol （NP） and nonylphenol ethoxylates （NPEOs） were investigated in a sediment core from the Beipaiming Channel, North China using high sensitive LC-MS and GC-MS metthods In this core, relatively high concentrations of NP and NPEOs occurred in the surface sediment （≤40 cm）, with the maximum value of NP and NPEOs reaching 3539 and 12735 mg/g, respectively, whereas, no NP or NPEOs were detected in deeper sediments （〉40 cm）. The high concentrations of NP and NPEOs in the surface layers suggested recent inputs in this area. NPEOs with short ethoxy chains （NPnEO, n=0-3） were dominant in the NPEO mixture with percentages from 54% to 78%, which were similar to the distribution of homolog NPEO in effluents from nearby sewage treatment plants （STPs）, indicating that the channel received the effluents from these STPs. The sewage treatment ratio was quite similar to that found in North America before the 1980s. Finally, the concentrations of NP and NPEOs were related to the total organic carbon （TOC） （p〈0.001）, suggesting that TOC was an important factor for vertical distribution of NPEOs and NP from the Beipaiming Channel.     

经济快速增长地区污水排放特征案例分析

以深圳为例，探索经济快速增长地区污水排放特征，重点关注不同组合 企业污水排放与区域整体排污特征的响应关系“特征企业组合”，可以作为衡量区域整体排污特征的特征指标。     

絮凝和生化一体化反应器处理纸浆漂白废水

絮凝、厌氧酸化、生物接触氧化一体化反应器处理造纸制浆含氯漂白废水研究表明,在水力停留时间为１５ｈ 时,ＣＯＤ总去除率达８３．９％ ,毒性去除率９２％ ． ＧＣ－ＭＳ、超滤实验结果表明：原废水污染物是以氯代酚为主的氯代有机物,其中毒性物质主要来源于相对分子质量小于１０００的低分子物质． 絮凝单元去除的主要是大分子氯代有机物,厌氧单元通过还原脱氯及酸性水解,氯代有机物得到了基本的去除． 好氧单元对ＣＯＤ有较高的去除率,低分子量的酸性组分和烷烃类明显增加,表明污染物得到了进一步的氧化降解．