Interaction of bisphenol A with dissolved organic matter in extractive and adsorptive removal processes

The fate of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in natural and engineered systems is complicated due to their interactions with various water constituents. This study investigated the interaction of bisphenol A (BPA) with dissolved organic matter (DOM) and colloids present in surface water and secondary effluent as well as its adsorptive removal by powdered activated carbons. The solid phase micro-extraction (SPME) method followed by thermal desorption and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was utilized for determining the distribution of BPA molecules in water. The BPA removal by SPME decreased with the increased DOM content, where the formation of BPA-DOM complexes in an aqueous matrix was responsible for the reduced extraction of BPA. Colloidal particles in water samples sorbed BPA leading to the marked reduction of liquid phase BPA. BPA-DOM complexes had a negative impact on the adsorptive removal of BPA by powered activated carbons. The complex formation was characterized based on Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, along with the calculation of molecular interactions between BPA and functional groups in DOM. It was found that the hydrogen bonding between DOM and BPA would be preferred over aromatic interactions. A pseudo-equilibrium molecular coordination model for the complexation between a BPA molecule and a hydroxyl group of the DOM was developed, which enabled estimation of the maximum sorption site and complex formation constant as well as prediction of organic complexes at various DOM levels.     

Silica nanoparticles and silver-doped silica nanoparticles induce endoplasmatic reticulum stress response and alter cytochrome P4501A activity

Engineered silica nanoparticles (SiO₂-NPs) find widespread application and may lead to exposure of humans and the environment. Here we compare the effects of SiO₂-NPs and SiO₂-NPs doped with silver (SiO₂-Ag-NPs) on survival and cellular function of human liver cells (Huh7) and Pimephales promelas (fathead minnow) fibroblast cells (FMH). In Huh7 cells we investigate effects on the endoplasmatic reticulum (ER), including ER stress, and interactions of nanoparticles (NPs) with metabolizing enzymes and efflux transporters. The NPs formed agglomerates/aggregates in cell culture media as revealed by SEM and TEM. SiO₂ and SiO₂-1% Ag-NPs were taken up into cells as demonstrated by agglomerates occurring in vesicular-like structures or freely dispersed in the cytosol. Cytotoxicity was more pronounced in Huh7 than in FMH cells, and increased with silver content in silver-doped NPs. Dissolved silver was the most significant factor for cytotoxicity. At toxic and non-cytotoxic concentrations SiO₂-NPs and SiO₂-1% Ag-NPs induced perturbations in the function of ER. In Huh7 cells NPs induced the unfolded protein response (UPR), or ER stress response, as demonstrated in induced expression of BiP and splicing of XBP1 mRNA, two selective markers of ER stress. Additionally, SiO₂-1% Ag-NPs and AgNO₃ induced reactive oxygen species. Pre-treatment of Huh7 cells with SiO₂-1% Ag-NPs followed by exposure to the inducer benzo(a)pyrene caused a significant reduced induction of CYP1A activity. NPs did not alter the activity of ABC transporters. These data demonstrate for the first time that SiO₂-NPs and SiO₂-1% Ag-NPs result in perturbations of the ER leading to the ER stress response. This represents a novel and significant cellular signalling pathway contributing to the cytotoxicity of NPs.     

A2O氧化沟缺氧区三维流场模拟及结构形式优化

以FLUENT软件为工具,选用三维RNG k-ε紊流数学模型对重庆井口污水厂A2O氧化沟缺氧区内的流场进行模拟,分析了缺氧区内流场分布不均匀及沉泥的原因,提出了水下推进器的合理设置位置与导流墙的合理设置方式,并对优化后的缺氧区进行了模拟计算。通过优化后模拟的结果可见,在相同的功率密度下,缺氧区内的流场得到了较均匀的分布,流速从原来的0.131 m/s提升到0.204 m/s,减少了能量的损失。底部的流速也从原来的0.140 m/s提升到0.226 m/s,有效的防止或减少了沟中的污泥沉积。优化的结果对实际工程的设计也有一定的指导意义。     

改进型A~2/O工艺处理城市生活污水的脱氮除磷效能研究

在分析传统A2/O工艺缺陷的基础上,提出了一种改进型A2/O工艺。为了防止回流污泥中的硝酸盐进入厌氧区,在传统A2/O工艺的厌氧区后面增加一个体积较小的缺氧选择池,回流污泥进入缺氧选择池,并进行反硝化消耗回流污泥中的硝酸盐;同时,在缺氧区通过反硝化除磷实现"一碳两用"。结果表明,改进型A2/O工艺有较好的脱氮除磷效果,在COD为298mg/L、TN为55mg/L左右、TP为7mg/L左右时,系统对COD、TN、TP的平均去除率分别为88.44%、77%、95%。     

A2O氧化沟缺氧区三维流场模拟及结构形式优化

以FLUENT软件为工具,选用三维RNG k-ε紊流数学模型对重庆井口污水厂A²O氧化沟缺氧区内的流场进行模拟,分析了缺氧区内流场分布不均匀及沉泥的原因,提出了水下推进器的合理设置位置与导流墙的合理设置方式,并对优化后的缺氧区进行了模拟计算。通过优化后模拟的结果可见,在相同的功率密度下,缺氧区内的流场得到了较均匀的分布,流速从原来的0.131 m/s提升到0.204 m/s,减少了能量的损失。底部的流速也从原来的0.140 m/s提升到0.226 m/s,有效的防止或减少了沟中的污泥沉积。优化的结果对实际工程的设计也有一定的指导意义。     

A/O生化池和BAF生物滤池的组合应用

较为全面地介绍了A/O生化池和BAF生物滤池两级生化合并的应用原理和效果,对两级生化的进出水水质进行了分析,并对系统运行中存在的问题进行了阐述。     

国内外绿色创新与发展研究动态综述

创新和绿色已经成为今后驱动经济转型的两个最重要的因子。从绿色创新发展的资源环境维度、经济社会文化维度出发,以区域绿色创新与发展为主线,按照文献的发展脉络与逻辑关系,旨在系统梳理区域绿色创新的微观影响因素与过程,分析绿色发展问题的内涵与演变。绿色创新发展来自于多重因素与制度在生产、扩散和使用新知识与新技术等方面的相互作用,而绿色发展的最终目的是有限资源条件下的可持续现代化与城市转型。在国内外的绿色实践中,总结了能源可持续利用、节能服务业与低碳城市建设等研究的前沿问题。     

PCDDs/PCDFs in ambient air (<1 fg m(-3)) - the CTDEP long term sampling (30 d) method

The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (CTDEP) commenced monitoring for PCDDs/PCDFs (polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans) in ambient air in 1987 and adopted the long term (30 d) sampling approach in 1993. The CTDEP method represents the first use of isotopically labeled PCDDs/PCDFs as field surrogates to monitor the behavior of native PCDDs/PCDFs present in actual ambient air samples. This feature first introduced in 1987 was later adopted by US EPA in revisions to sampling methods for PCDDs/PCDFs in ambient air (EPA Method TO9A) as well as development of EPA Reference Method 23 for measurement of PCDDs/PCFDs in stationary source emissions. Results are provided here for a total of twenty-three (23) samples (reported as pairs) representing twelve (12) 30 d sampling events conducted at a site located in metropolitan Hartford CT. Samples were collected in winter months during calendar years 2002-2008. PCDDs/PCDFs concentration data (pg m⁻³) are reported as both congener sums (Cl₄-Cl₈) and 2378-substitued congeners. Total PCDDs/PCDFs concentrations for these twelve (12) sampling events ranged from 0.68 pg m⁻³ (2003) to 4.18 pg m⁻³ (2004) with a mean concentration of 2.04 pg m⁻³.Method performance was monitored through use of collocated samples, in field isotopically labeled compounds, isotopically labeled laboratory applied internal standards and field blank samples. Method performance consistently exceeded goals established in USEPA Method TO9A for these same parameters. Average recoveries of in field labeled PCDDs/PCDFs ranged from 97.5% to 104.2%. Average (mean) recoveries for each of the ten (10) isotopically labeled internal standards ranged from 77.0% (¹³C-OCDF) to 95.5% (¹³C-2,3,7,8-TCDF). Method precision defined as % RPD data for collocated sampler pairs ranged from 8% to 14% for PCDDs and from 5% to 12% for PCDFs. The mean RPD for all PCDDs/PCDFs combined is 9.6%. Field monitoring results demonstrate method sensitivity for all PCDDs/PCDFs congeners and 2378-substituted congeners to be well below concentrations typically found for these compounds in ambient air (all reported data represent measured concentrations). Quantities (pg) found in field blanks represent the major determinant to achieving further enhancements in method sensitivity for selected congeners (OCDD < 42 fg m⁻³; 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDD < 5.7 fg m⁻³; and 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDF < 2.1 fg m⁻³). The CTDEP method represents a highly sensitive and reliable technique for monitoring of PCDDs/PCDFs congeners and other persistent organic pollutants (POPs) at ultra trace levels in ambient air (fg m⁻³).     

Assessment of thyroid hormone activity of halogenated bisphenol A using a yeast two-hybrid assay

The thyroid hormone agonist/antagonist activities of halogenated derivatives of bisphenol A (BPA) were assessed using a yeast two-hybrid assay incorporating the human thyroid hormone α (TRα), both with and without possible metabolic activation by rat liver S9 preparation. In the absence of the rat liver S9 preparation, 3,3′,5,5′-tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), 3,3′,5,5′-tetrachlorobisphenol A (TCBPA), and 3,3′,5-trichlorobisphenol A (3,3′,5-triClBPA) exhibited agonist activity, whereas 3-chlorobisphenol A (3-ClBPA), 3,5-dichlorobisphenol A (3,5-diClBPA), 3,3′-dichlorobisphenol A (3,3′-diClBPA), and BPA did not. The activities of TBBPA and TCBPA increased markedly (7.6-fold and 3.1-fold, respectively) after their metabolic activation with the rat liver S9 preparation. TBBPA, TCBPA, and 3,3′,5-triClBPA inhibited the binding of triiodothyronine (T3) to TRα at 2 × 10⁻⁵ M without rat liver S9 treatment and 4 × 10⁻⁶ M with rat liver S9 treatment, demonstrating their T3 antagonist activity. These results revealed that metabolic activation by rat liver S9 significantly increased the agonist/antagonist potential of some halogenated BPAs.     

Assessment of bisphenol A released from reusable plastic, aluminium and stainless steel water bottles

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a ubiquitous high volume industrial chemical that is an estrogen and an environmental endocrine disrupting chemical. Bisphenol A is used extensively in the production of consumer goods, polycarbonate plastics, epoxy resins and coatings used to line metallic food and beverage cans. There is great concern regarding the possible harmful effects from exposures that result from BPA leaching into foods and beverages from packaging or storage containers. The objective of this study was to independently assess whether BPA contamination of water was occurring from different types of reusable drinking bottles marketed as alternatives to BPA-containing polycarbonate plastics. Using a sensitive and quantitative BPA-specific competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay we evaluated whether BPA migrated into water stored in polycarbonate or copolyester plastic bottles, and different lined or unlined metallic reusable water bottles. At room temperature the concentration of BPA migrating from polycarbonate bottles ranged from 0.2 to 0.3 mg L⁻¹. Under identical conditions BPA migration from aluminium bottles lined with epoxy-based resins was variable depending on manufacturer ranging from 0.08 to 1.9 mg L⁻¹. Boiling water significantly increased migration of BPA from the epoxy lined bottles. No detectable BPA contamination was observed in water stored in bottles made from Tritan™ copolyester plastic, uncoated stainless steel, or aluminium lined with EcoCare™. The results from this study demonstrate that when used according to manufacturers’ recommendations reusable water bottles constructed from “BPA-free” alternative materials are suitable for consumption of beverages free of BPA contamination.