Round Robin Study--Oil Spill Identification

As part of the ongoing work to develop new guidelines for oil spill identification for the European Committee for Standardization (CEN), a Round Robin test was arranged by SINTEF in co-operation with the Norwegian General Standardizing Body (NAS). Twelve laboratories from ten countries participated in the Round Robin study. They include: Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Scotland, Sweden, Wales, and the U.S.A. The analytical methodology used for the Round Robin testing is a result of the ongoing project "Revision of the Nordtest Methodology for Oil Spill Identification". The analytical methodology is described in the AMOP proceedings 2002. Seven oil samples (two artificially weathered "spill" samples and five possible sources) were analyzed following the recommended analytical protocols. The Round Robin study was a "difficult case", because the two spill samples and three of the suspected sources were highly correlated to one another. These samples were from the same oil field in the North Sea, but from different production wells. The present paper summarizes the Round Robin study, and demonstrates the potential of this methodology as a strong technically defensible tool in oil spill identification due to its ability to distinguish qualitatively similar oils from a spill and any available candidate source.     

New methodological improvements in the Microtox® solid phase assay

The classic Microtox® solid phase assay (MSPA) based on the inhibition of light production of the marine bacteria recently renamed Aliivibrio fischeri suffers from various bias and interferences, mainly due to physico-chemical characteristics of the tested solid phase. To precisely assess ecotoxicity of sediments, we have developed an alternative method, named Microtox® leachate phase assay (MLPA), in order to measure the action of dissolved pollutants in the aqueous phase. Two hypotheses were formulated to explain the observed difference between MSPA and MLPA results: a real ecotoxicity of the solid phase or the fixation of bacteria to fine particles and/or organic matter. To estimate the latter, flow cytometry analyses were performed with two fluorochromes (known for their ability to stain bacterial DNA), allowing correction of MSPA measurements and generation of new (corrected) IC50. Comparison of results of MLPA with the new IC50 MSPA allows differentiating real ecotoxic and fixation effect in classic MSPA especially for samples with high amount of fines and/or organic matter.     

基于产生来源的固体废物鉴别研究

通过对美国、欧盟和日本的固体废物定义和范围,以及已完成的固体废物鉴别实例的研究,指出固体废物鉴别的关键点在于产生来源分析。提出依据产生来源,固体废物可以分为丧失原有使用价值的物质、生产过程中产生的副产物类物质、环境治理和污染控制过程中产生的物质、其他类物质4大类。如果待鉴别物质的产生来源属于该4大产生来源中的任何一类,则其属于固体废物。     

进口含金属物料的固体废物鉴别方法研究

基于已完成的112例进口含金属物料的固体废物鉴别实践,系统地介绍了进口含金属物料的申报品名及各品名所占比例,种类及各种类的特征、固体废物鉴别关键方法和每种鉴别结果所占比例,其中申报品名主要为矿石(砂),所占比例为51.8%;鉴别结果主要为冶炼渣,所占比例为37.5%。提出对于进口的含金属物料,通过测量主要成分和含量、最主要金属元素及典型重金属元素的含量、物相组成、矿相组成,对于极细的粉末等特殊物料,还需要粒度分析等辅助试验,确定其产生来源。如果确定属于金属冶炼过程中产生的副产物、污染控制设施或环境治理过程中产生的物料、含金属废料简单加工处理产物、矿物采选过程中产生的废弃物,那么鉴别物料属于固体废物。     

论我国重大危险源辨识标准

简要介绍了国外重大危险设施的辨识标准研究情况,并结合我国重大危险源普查试点工作的初步辨识标准,以及几个试点城市普查的数据分析,提出了我国重大危险源辨识最小标准的建议     

The fungal colonisation of rock-art caves: experimental evidence

The conservation of rock-art paintings in European caves is a matter of increasing interest. This derives from the bacterial colonisation of Altamira Cave, Spain and the recent fungal outbreak of Lascaux Cave, France—both included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Here, we show direct evidence of a fungal colonisation of rock tablets in a testing system exposed in Altamira Cave. After 2 months, the tablets, previously sterilised, were heavily colonised by fungi and bacteria. Most fungi isolated were labelled as entomopathogens, while the bacteria were those regularly identified in the cave. Rock colonisation was probably promoted by the dissolved organic carbon supplied with the dripping and condensation waters and favoured by the displacement of aerosols towards the interior of the cave, which contributed to the dissemination of microorganisms. The role of arthropods in the dispersal of spores may also help in understanding fungal colonisation. This study evidences the fragility of rock-art caves and demonstrates that microorganisms can easily colonise bare rocks and materials introduced into the cavity.     

Identification and characterization of Fe3O4/peroxodisulfate advanced oxidation products from sulfameter

Sulfonamides (SAs) are one of the most widely used antibiotics and their residuals in the environment could cause some negative environmental issues. Advanced oxidation such as Fenton-like reaction has been widely applied in the treatment of SAs polluted water. Degradation rates of 95%-99.7% were achieved in this work for the tested 8 SAs, including sulfisomidine, sulfameter (SME), phthalylsulfathiazole, sulfamethoxypyridazine, sulfamonomethoxine, sulfisoxazole, sulfachloropyridazine, and sulfadimethoxine, in the Fe₃O₄/peroxodisulfate (PDS) oxidation system after the optimization of PDS concentration and pH. Meanwhile, it was found that a lot of unknown oxidation products were formed, which brought up the uncertainty of health risks to the environment, and the identification of these unknown products was critical. Therefore, SME was selected as the model compound, from which the oxidation products were never elucidated, to identify these intermediates/products. With liquid chromatography-high resolution tandem mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS/MS), 10 new products were identified, in which 2-amino-5-methoxypyrimidine (AMP) was confirmed by its standard. The investigation of the oxidation process of SME indicated that most of the products were not stable and the degradation pathways were very complicated as multiple reactions, such as oxidation of the amino group, SO₂ extrusion, and potential cross-reaction occurred simultaneously. Though most of the products were not verified due to the lack of standards, our results could be helpful in the evaluation of the treatment performance of SAs containing wastewater.     

Influence of large-spectrum environmental contamination on the micro-meiobenthic assemblages in harbour sediments of the ligurian sea (W Mediterranean)

The concentration of a large spectrum of environmental contaminants (PCBs, PAHs, pesticides and metals) was assessed in surface sediments of two Ligurian harbours (Sanremo and Alassio, NW Mediterranean Sea, Italy) and their relative impact on micro-meiobenthic assemblages was analysed. Concentration, distribution and relative importance of the different contaminants varied considerably between harbours in relation to the different anthropic activities and contamination sources. Results from Principal Component Analysis indicated that high levels of contaminants were typically correlated with low micro-meiobenthic abundance in the sediment. Heavy metals and the organic enrichment were the main factors affecting the distribution and abundance of the bacterial and meiofaunal assemblages in Alassio harbour, whereas hydrocarbons and pesticides played a major role in Sanremo sediments. Neither the bacteria density nor the meiofauna abundance were dependent on sediment grain size, suggesting that micro-meiobenthic parameters may be under the influence of other variables. Our results suggest that high concentrations of contaminants independently from their source or typology are responsible for the impact observed on micro-meiobenthic assemblages in these harbours.     

Mobilization of arsenic in groundwater of Bangladesh: evidence from an incubation study

The extensive extraction of arsenic (As)-contaminated groundwaters for drinking, household and agricultural purposes represents a serious health concern in many districts of Bangladesh. This laboratory-based incubation study investigated the sources and mechanisms of As mobilization in these groundwaters. Several incubation studies were carried out using sediments collected from the Bangladesh aquifer that were supplemented, or not, with different nutrients, followed by an analysis of the sediment suspensions for pH, ORP (oxidation-reduction potential), EC (electrical conductivity) and As and Fe(ΙΙ) concentrations. In the substrate-amended sediment suspensions incubated under anaerobic environment, there was a mobilization of As (maximum: 50–67 μg/l) and Fe(ΙΙ) (maximum: 182 μg/l), while the ORP value decreased immediately and drastically (as much as −468 mV to −560 mV) within 5–6 days. In the sediment suspensions incubated under control and aerobic conditions, no significant As mobilization occurred. The simultaneous mobilization of As and Fe(ΙΙ) from sediments is a strong indication that their mobilization resulted from the reduction of Fe oxyhydroxide by the enhanced activity of indigenous bacteria present in the sediments; this phenomenon also provides insights on the mobilization mechanism of As in groundwater. The concentrations of As in the sediments used in the incubation studies were strongly linked to the gradients of redox potential development that was stimulated by the quantity of organic nutrient (glucose) used. The penetration of surface-derived organic matter into the shallow aquifer may stimulate the activity of microbial communities, thereby leading to a reduction of iron oxyhydroxide and As release.     

186菌生物流化床处理甲醇废水

用三相生物流化床工艺处理甲醇废水COD_(cr)容积负荷达4.24～12.32kg/m~3·d,去除率达82.7％～93.1％;甲醇容积负荷达1.8～3.9kg/m~3·d,去除率达81.4％～98.1％。加186菌种后,甲醇的容积负荷可提高到3.02～3.36kg/m~3·d,COD_(cr)去除率可达到89.3～96.7％。