Quality Science in the Courtroom: U.S. EPA Data Quality and Peer Review Policies and Procedures Compared to the Daubert Factors

Protection of the environment is critically dependent on the quality of data used in decision making. Whether the decisions are part of the scientific process or relate to application of the laws governing people and their living conditions, good quality data are required/needed by two disciplines with distinct differences. This paper examines some differences between science and the law, provides a brief history of science in law, discusses the effects of law on science, compares United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) guidance and U.S. Supreme Court credible science criteria. This paper further speculates on the future use of science data by the courts.     

Alteration of acetylcholinesterase activity in Semele solida (MOLLUSCA: SEMELIDAE) as a biochemical response to coastal anthropogenic impact

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity was analyzed as a molecular marker indicative of exposure to organophosphorus pesticide residues in individuals of the endemic clam species Semele solida in selected coastal locations of Chile's VIII Region. AChE activity was assayed in clams from (i) Penco Beach near the mouth of the Andalién River (Concepción Bay), (ii) Lenga Beach, near the mouth of the Lenga Estuary (San Vicente Bay), and (iii) Coliumo Beach, near the mouth of the Coliumo Estuary (Coliumo Bay). We also analyzed variations in protein content of clam hemolymph, and variability in the activity of AChE in relation to the sizes of the individual clams sampled. Collection of the clams was done using routine methods, during the spring of 2005, the period during which the use of pesticides is typically intensified in the surrounding forestry and agriculture. The results showed no significant correlation of AChE activity with either the size of the clam, or with the concentration of proteins in the hemolymph. The lowest AChE activity was observed in clams from mouth of the Andalién River (187.5 ± 34.9 Umin^?1) which was significantly less than that measured in specimens collected near the mouth of the Coliumo Estuary and the mouth of the Lenga Estuary. A very close relation was observed between the degree of anthropogenic inputs, ocean dynamics, and alterations in AChE activity in S. solida. This clam appears to be a useful indicator species, and AChE activity a sensitive marker for the presence of xenobiotics.     

一株高效MC—RR降解菌的分离鉴定及其降解特性

为了得到一株具有降解微囊藻毒素一RR（MC—RR）特性的产芽孢菌株,采用加热富集芽孢菌的方法,从太湖分离到一株MC．RR降解菌CMl,该菌对MC—RR具有强烈的降解特性。通过形态学特征、生理生化特征及16SrDNA序列分析鉴定该菌株属于耐硼赖氨酸芽孢杆菌（Lysinibacillusb oronitolerans）。通过研究温度和pH值对菌株CMl降解MC—RR能力的影响,发现菌株CMl在60h将MC—RR由12．77μg／mL降解到1．67μg／mL,降解率达86．90％,最适降解温度为37℃,最适pH值为7．0。CMl菌株的胞外物质和胞内物质均能降解MC—RR,但胞内物质具有更强烈的降解特性,12h可以将7．27μg／mL的MC-RR完全降解。为丰富MC-RR降解菌纯菌种研究以及在去除水体中MC—RR应用研究方面提供了理论基础。     

微波热解城市污水污泥的H2S释放影响因素研究

利用微波热解城市污水污泥是实现污泥无害化、减量化和资源化的有效出路之一,但热解过程中产生的恶臭气体(如H2S等)也会对大气环境造成严重的影响.以微波热解城市污水污泥10 min所收集的气体为研究对象,研究了热解终温、污泥含水率、升温速率及矿物催化剂种类4个因素对热解过程中H2S产量的影响.结果表明,随着热解终温的升高,城市污水污泥微波热解过程中的H2S产量逐渐上升,800℃时H2S产量为5.86 mg/g(以干污泥计,下同);含水率在50％～80％时,随着含水率的增加,城市污水污泥微波热解过程中的H2S产量逐渐上升,当含水率增至90％时,污泥出现了泥水分层现象,致使后续热解反应无法进行,故没有H2S产生;升温速率越快,热解反应的活化能越高,反应不易进行,H2S产量降低;添加矿物催化剂能有效固硫,且雷尼镍基催化剂的效果更好,热解终温为800℃时的H2S产量为4.15 mg/g,较不添加矿物催化剂时降低约30％;可通过铜铁吸收法和活性炭吸附两步工艺对热解产生的H2S加以吸收处理,处理后的H2S排放浓度满足《恶臭污染物排放标准》(GB 14554-93)中的厂界一级标准限值.     

Biodegradation of Chlorimuron-ethyl by the Bacterium Klebsiella jilinsis 2N3

Enrichment culturing of sludge taken from an industrial wastewater treatment pond led to the identification of a bacterium (Klebsiella jilinsis H. Zhang) that degrades chlorimuron-ethyl with high efficiency. Klebsiella jilinsis strain 2N3 grows with chlorimuron-ethyl as the sole nitrogen source at the optimal temperature range of 30–35°C and pH values between 6.0–7.0. In liquid medium, the degradation activity was further induced by chlorimuron-ethyl. Degradation rates followed the pesticide degradation kinetic equation at concentrations between 20 and 200 mg L^?1. Using initial concentrations of 20 and 100 mg L^?1, the degradation rates of chlorimuron-ethyl were 83.5 % and 92.5 % in 12 hours, respectively. At an initial concentration higher than 200 mg L^?1, the degradation rate decreased slightly as the concentration increased. The 2N3 strain also degraded the sulfonylurea herbicides ethametsulfuron, metsulfuron-methyl, nicosulfuron, rimsulfuron, and tribenuron-methyl. This study provides scientific evidence and support for the application of K. jilinsis in bioremediation to reduce environmental pollution.     

亚铁离子生物氧化-还原法连续脱除硫化氢

为了降低工业废气中的硫化氢去除工艺成本和运行费用,对三价铁盐吸收与氧化亚铁硫杆菌对Fe²⁺的生物氧化联合作用脱除H₂S进行了研究。通过生物氧化塔中的固定化氧化亚铁硫杆菌细胞再生的Fe³⁺溶液,在H₂S还原吸收塔中脱除H₂S。通过单因素实验分别优化了生物氧化塔和H₂S吸收塔的运行参数,在生物氧化塔曝气量为150 L/h,停留时间为11 h,吸收液中Fe³⁺浓度为0.121~0.143 mol/L,吸收液流量为0.3 L/h,进气量为100 L/h条件下,进气中H₂S浓度分别为2.28和9.11 mg/L,系统连续运行至200 min时趋于相对稳定,当系统连续运行稳定时,H₂S的脱除率可分别达到95%和91%,脱除效果显著。     

降解SO_2功能菌的16S rRAN基因测序及降解特性

用低浓度SO2诱导驯化方法获得高效脱硫菌群,并用分离培养与16S rRNA基因测序技术相结合的方法鉴定菌群种属,分析驯化过程中种群结构的动态变化,同时研究分离纯菌种的脱硫性能。结果表明,从诱导驯化7 d和14 d菌液中分别分离出23株菌和22株菌,16S rRNA序列分析发现这些菌归属于13个种,其中有6个种（Rhodococcus erythropolis、Pseudomonas putida、Microbacterium oxydans、Sphingomonas koreensis、Acinetobacter junii、Acinetobacter johnsonii）对SO2-3有较强的降解能力,并在持续驯化过程中稳定的生长传代,降解产物以硫酸根为主,还有极少量的单质硫。与含混合菌的驯化菌液降解SO2-3的能力相比,单一脱硫菌的脱硫性能较弱。脱硫功能菌株及其基本特性的研究为微生物处理SO2烟气提供了丰富的菌源信息和理论基础。     

夏季太湖梅梁湾水体中细菌的群落结构

利用高通量测序技术,选择16S rRNA V6区作为目标片段,对夏季太湖梅梁湾水体中的细菌群落结构进行了分析,结果表明,共产生了101 427条优质序列,细菌为100 935条,占99.5%;在蓝藻暴发期间,共检测到14门,55属,610个操作分类单位。优势门类为蓝藻门(39.7%),放线菌门(27.2%)和变形菌门(23.4%),微囊藻属(21.0%)和聚球藻属(15.9%)为主要优势种。     

城市声环境功能区划中的3S技术应用探索

探索3S技术在声环境功能区划中的应用.根据噪声的相关标准规范,应用3S技术开展桂林城区声环境普查和声功能区划的划分.结合传统的噪声监测评价方法和模糊数学聚类方法,探讨3S资源利用和精度控制、GPS应用、影像解译和GIS空间分析中的作用、特点及问题.3S技术使监测部门拥有获取城市基础数据的能力.     

一种新厌氧氨氧化菌的16S rRNA基因序列测试

运用序批式试验测定厌氧氨氧化污泥的氨氮和亚硝态氮消耗量,求得厌氧氨氧化活性为9.84×10-4 mg·(mg·h)-1,厌氧氨氧化菌消耗NO-2-N与NJ 4-N之比为1.311;采用分子生物学方法从EGSB反应器颗粒污泥中提取细菌总DNA,经纯化、特异引物PCR扩增、克隆、测序等过程,得到厌氧氨氧化菌部分16S rDNA序列;通过系统发育树分析可以发现,在EGSB反应器中富集得到的厌氧氨氧化菌种(anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing Planctomycete cquenviron-1)与Candidatus"Anammoxoglobus propionicus"和Candidatus"Jettenia asiatica"同属,arnaerobic ammonium-oxidizing Planctomycete cquenviron-1与其他厌氧氨氧化菌基因序列的同源性最大为93%.结果表明,前期EGSB反应器富集得到了一种新型厌氧氨氧化菌,该菌株命名为anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing Planctomycete cquenviron-1.