Peroxidase-mediated removal of endocrine disrupting compound mixtures from water

Several classes of oxidative enzymes have shown promise for efficient removal of endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) that are resistant to conventional wastewater treatments. Although the kinetics of reactions between individual EDCs and selected oxidative enzymes are well documented in the literature, there has been little investigation of reactions with EDC mixtures. This makes it impossible to predict how enzyme-mediated treatment systems will perform since wastewater effluents generally contain multiple EDCs. This paper reports pseudo-first order rate constants for a model oxidative enzyme, horseradish peroxidase (HRP), during single-substrate (k₁) and mixed-substrate (k_1-MIX) reactions. Measured values are compared with literature values of three Michaelis-Menten parameters: half-saturation constant (K_M), enzyme turnover number (k_CAT), and the ratio k_CAT/K_M. Published reports had suggested that each of these could be correlated with HRP reactivity towards EDCs in mixtures, and empirical results from this study show that K_M can be used to predict the sequence of EDC removal reactions within a particular mixture. We also observed that k_1-MIX values were generally greater than k₁ values and that compounds exhibiting greatest estrogenic toxicities reacted most rapidly in a given mixture. Finally, because K_M may be tedious to measure for every EDC of interest, we have constructed a quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) model to predict these values. This model predicts K_M quite accurately (R² = 89%) based on two molecular characteristics: molecular volume and hydration energy. Its accuracy makes this QSAR a useful tool for predicting which EDCs will be removed most efficiently during enzyme treatment of EDC mixtures.     

Tracing the sources of refractory dissolved organic matter in a large artificial lake using multiple analytical tools

Structural and chemical characteristics of refractory dissolved organic matter (RDOM) from seven different sources (algae, leaf litter, reed, compost, field soil, paddy water, treated sewage) were examined using multiple analytical tools, and they were compared with those of RDOM in a large artificial lake (Lake Paldang, Korea). Treated sewage, paddy water, and field soil were distinguished from the other sources investigated by their relatively low specific UV absorbance (SUVA) values and more pronounced fulvic-like versus humic-like fluorescence of the RDOM samples. Microbial derived RDOM from algae and treated sewage showed relatively low apparent molecular weight and a higher fraction of hydrophilic bases relative to the total hydrophilic fraction. For the biopolymer types, the presence of polyhydroxy aromatics with the high abundance of proteins was observed only for vascular plant-based RDOM (i.e., leaf litter and reed). Molecular weight values exhibited positive correlations with the SUVA and the hydrophobic content among the different RDOM, suggesting that hydrophobic and condensed aromatic structures may be the main components of high molecular weight RDOM. Principal component analysis revealed that approximately 77% of the variance in the RDOM characteristics might be explained by the source difference (i.e., terrestrial and microbial derived) and a tendency of further microbial transformation. Combined results demonstrated that the properties of the lake RDOM were largely affected by the upstream sources of field soil, paddy water, and treated sewage, which are characterized by low molecular weight UV-absorbing and non-aromatic structures with relatively high resistance to further degradation.     

Modifications of black carbons and their influence on pyrene sorption

Sorption of pyrene on black carbons (BCs) obtained by heating sawdust at two temperatures (400 and 700 °C, denoted as 400BC and 700BC, respectively), as well as on modified BCs (via oxidation, oximation, and hydrolysis) was studied to investigate the role of BC structural characteristics in sorption of hydrophobic organic compounds. Pyrene was bound strongly by 700BC and 400BC, with organic carbon normalized distribution coefficients (K_oc) of 10^5.04-10^5.86 and 10^4.65-10^5.16, respectively, at equilibrium pyrene concentrations of 10-100 μg L⁻¹. Both chemical composition and pore distribution of the two BCs changed after modifications, which led to changes in their sorption characteristics for pyrene. After modifications, the linearity of pyrene sorption isotherm increased for 700BC but decreased for 400BC. For 700BC, both oxidation and oximation reduced pyrene sorption, with K_oc decreasing by 69.1-73.7% and 18.7-33.9%, respectively, whereas hydrolysis did not exert a significant influence. For 400BC, oxidation and hydrolysis reduced K_oc by 2.28-25.9% and 29.2-33.9%, respectively, while oximation increased K_oc. In most cases, the change in sorption capacity could be explained by the changes in C content and type, polarity, surface area, and micropore volume of the BCs; however, the role of conformation (the accessibility to sorption sites) could not be ignored.     

The presence of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) protein in earthworms Eisenia fetida has no deleterious effects on their growth and reproduction

Earthworms Eisenia fetida, bred in substances with stover of two genetically-engineered Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corns (5422Bt1 (Event Bt11) and 5422CBCL (MON810)) expressing Cry1Ab and their near-isogenic non-Bt corn (5422), were used to investigate the non-target effects of Bt corn on soil-dwelling organisms. Cry1Ab concentrations in substances, casts and guts of E. fetida were also investigated by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). More than 90% individuals of E. fetida survived over a period of 30 d, irrespective of whether they received Bt corn or non-Bt corn. Compared to 5422 treatments, significantly higher relative growth rate and more number of new offspring and cocoons of E. fetida were found in 5422Bt1 and 5422CBCL treatments. These results were unlikely to be directly caused by Cry1Ab released from Bt corns but rather by differences in other factors of plants such as plant components (soluble sugar, total organic carbon, total protein and available phosphorus of Bt corns were more than 5422). ELISA results indicated immunoreactive Cry1Ab was detectable in substances, and the casts, guts of E. fetida from Bt corns treatments, of which the highest levels were detected in substances under the corresponding experimental conditions. With the increase of treated time, a strong decline was observed in Cry1Ab from substances and casts of E. fetida, whereas Cry1Ab in guts of E. fetida from 5422Bt1 treatments gradually increased and that from 5422CBCL treatments increased between 14 and 30 d. Therefore, the presence of Cry1Ab in E. fetida had no deleterious effects on their growth and reproduction.     

Plant communities in relation to flooding and soil contamination in a lowland Rhine River floodplain

Using canonical correspondence analysis (CCA), relationships were investigated between plant species composition and flooding characteristics, heavy metal contamination and soil properties in a lowland floodplain of the Rhine River. Floodplain elevation and yearly average flooding duration turned out to be more important for explaining variation in plant species composition than soil heavy metal contamination. Nevertheless, plant species richness and diversity showed a significant decrease with the level of contamination. As single heavy metal concentrations seemed mostly too low for causing phytotoxic effects in plants, this trend is possibly explained by additive effects of multiple contaminants or by the concomitant influences of contamination and non-chemical stressors like flooding. These results suggest that impacts of soil contamination on plants in floodplains could be larger than expected from mere soil concentrations. In general, these findings emphasize the relevance of analyzing effects of toxic substances in concert with the effects of other relevant stressors.     

新型结构ABR的设计与水力特性研究

针对ABR自身的缺点,设计出一种新型结构的ABR.该反应器为双层结构,共有5部分组成,各部分容积各不相同.该反应器的设计思想是将ABR与生物滤池以及活性炭吸附等工艺相联合.这种设计能够最大程度地发挥各工艺的优势,进而达到更好的处理效果.通过脉冲响应实验对该反应器的水力特性进行研究,得出不同水力停留时间(HRT)下的停留...     

IC反应器处理高浓度硫酸盐废水的启动研究

采用木糖生产废水,进行了(IC)反应器处理高浓度硫酸盐有机废水的启动研究.结果表明,接种厌氧颗粒污泥,当进水COD/SO2-4值约为3.5时,控制COD负荷提高幅度为每次20%左右,经过26 d的驯化培养,COD和SO2-4负荷分别可达20 kg/(m3·d)和5.5 kg/(m3·d),COD去除率达到80%以上,硫...     

MBR工艺中溶解性有机物的分子量和EEM解析

采用凝胶过滤色谱(GFC)分子量测定技术和三维荧光(EEM)光谱技术,对平板膜-生物反应器工艺应用于餐饮废水和粪便污水处理的工程实例进行研究,对比分析2套工艺中的调节池水和出水的溶解性有机物(DOM)及污泥胞外聚合物(EPS)的性质变化.研究表明,餐饮废水处理过程的调节池水DOM中大分子(＞100 kDa)物质比例为6...     

投加聚氨酯泡沫微生物固定化载体的SBBR脱氮除磷实验研究

研究投加聚氨酯泡沫微生物固定化载体的SBBR脱氮除磷效果及机理.在SBR中填充聚氨酯泡沫微生物固定化载体,形成序批式生物膜反应器(SBBR).SBBR以实际生活污水为处理对象,在A/O运行工况下对微生物进行培养驯化,并在SBBR运行稳定时研究其脱氮除磷效果.研究结果表明,SBBR中的聚氨酯泡沫微生物固定化载体在空间上形...     

沈阳市固定燃烧源挥发性有机化合物2007年排放清单研究

挥发性有机化合物(VOCs)与.OH的反应是对流层臭氧形成的重要化学过程,是导致城市光化学烟雾的根本原因。为建立沈阳市固定燃烧源VOCs排放清单,选取了电力热力行业、钢铁行业和秸秆燃烧3个主要排放源进行研究。结果表明:(1)2007年,沈阳市固定燃烧源VOCs排放总量为8 544.539 t,其中排放量最大的是秸秆燃烧,为6 317.115 t;其次是电力热力行业,为2 225.780 t;最小的是钢铁行业,为1.644 t。(2)沈阳市各区县固定燃烧源VOCs排放量由大到小排序依次为新民市、法库县、东陵区、康平县、辽中县、于洪区、苏家屯区、大东区、沈北新区、铁西区、沈河区、皇姑区、和平区;VOCs排放强度由大到小排序依次为大东区、沈河区、铁西区、东陵区、皇姑区、和平区、于洪区、苏家屯区、法库县、康平县、辽中县、沈北新区、新民市。