Significant emission reductions of carbonaceous aerosols from residential coal burning by a novel stove

Carbonaceous aerosols (CA) are crucial components in the atmospheric PM_2.5 and derived from diverse sources. One of the major sources for CA is from the incomplete combustion of bituminous coal that has been prevailingly used by household stoves in rural areas for heating during winter. To efficiently eliminate the CA emission, a new household stove (NHS) was developed based on a novel combustion technology and CA emissions from the NHS and a traditional household stove (THS) were comparably investigated under the actual stove operation conditions in a farmer's house. Compared with the THS, the emission factors of organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), and water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) from the NHS were reduced by 96%±1%, 98%±1%, and 91%±1% under the flaming process and 95%±1%, 96%±2%, and 83%±4% under the smoldering process, respectively. Additionally, the mass absorption efficiency of WSOC from the NHS reduced by 3 folds and the radiative forcing by WSOC relative to EC shrank remarkably by a factor of 3-8. Based on the reduction of emissions and light absorption of WSOC, the promotion of the NHS offers a possible solution to achieve the clean combustion of residential solid fuel.     

Application of aluminosilicate clay mineral-based composites in photocatalysis

Aluminosilicate clay mineral (ACM) is a kind of typical raw materials that used widely in manufacturing industry owing to the abundant reserve and low-cost exploring. In past two decades, in-depth understanding on unique layered structure and abundant surface properties endows ACM in the emerging research and application fields. In field of solar-chemical energy conversion, ACM has been widely used to support various semiconductor photocatalysts, forming the composites and achieving efficient conversion of reactants under sunlight irradiation. To date, classic ACM such as kaolinite and montmorillonite, loaded with semiconductor photocatalysts has been widely applied in photocatalysis. This review summaries the recent works on ACM-based composites in photocatalysis. Focusing on the properties of surface and layered structure, we elucidate the different features in the composition with various functional photocatalysts on two typical kinds of ACM, i.e., type 1:1 and type 2:1. Not only large surface area and active surface hydroxyl group assist the substrate adsorption, but also the layered structure provides more space to enlarge the application of ACM-based photocatalysts. Besides, we overview the modifications on ACM from both external surface and the inter-layer space that make the formation of composites more efficiently and boost the photo-chemical process. This review could inspire more upcoming design and synthesis for ACM-based photocatalysts, leading this kind of economic and eco-friendly materials for more practical application in the future.     

Synergistic cytotoxicity of binary combinations of inorganic and organic disinfection byproducts assessed by real-time cell analysis

Chlorine, chlorine dioxide, and ozone are widely used as disinfectants in drinking water treatments. However, the combined use of different disinfectants can result in the formation of various organic and inorganic disinfection byproducts (DBPs). The toxic interactions, including synergism, addition, and antagonism, among the complex DBPs are still unclear. In this study, we established and verified a real-time cell analysis (RTCA) method for cytotoxicity measurement on Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell. Using this convenient and accurate method, we assessed the cytotoxicity of a series of binary combinations consisting of one of the 3 inorganic DBPs (chlorite, chlorate, and bromate) and one of the 32 regulated and emerging organic DBPs. The combination index (CI) of each combination was calculated and evaluated by isobolographic analysis to reflect the toxic interactions. The results confirmed the synergistic effect on cytotoxicity in the binary combinations consisting of chlorite and one of the 5 organic DBPs (2 iodinated DBPs (I-DBPs) and 3 brominated DBPs (Br-DBPs)), chlorate and one of the 4 organic DBPs (3 aromatic DBPs and dibromoacetonitrile), and bromate and one of the 3 organic DBPs (2 I-DBPs and dibromoacetic acid). The possible synergism mechanism of organic DBPs on the inorganic ones may be attributed to the influence of organic DBPs on cell membrane and cell antioxidant system. This study revealed the toxic interactions among organic and inorganic DBPs, and emphasized the latent adverse outcomes in the combined use of different disinfectants.     

Distribution of mercury and methylmercury in river water and sediment of typical manganese mining area

Manganese (Mn) ores contain substantial concentrations of mercury (Hg), and mining and smelting of Mn ores can bring Hg into the surrounding aquatic environment through atmospheric deposition, leaching of electrolytic Mn residue and Mn gangue dump. However, limited is known that how these processes influence the environmental behaviors of Hg in waterbody. Therefore, the seasonal distribution and existing form of Hg in water and sediment in one Mn ore area in Xiushan County, Chongqing were investigated. Our results showed that the mean Hg and methylmercury (MeHg) concentrations in water (n=35) were 5.8 ± 4.6 ng/L and 0.22 ± 0.14 ng/L, respectively. The mean Hg concentrations in retained riverbed and fluvial bank sediment (n=35) were 0.74 ± 0.26 mg/kg and 0.63 ± 0.27 mg/kg, respectively (the mean MeHg concentrations were 0.64 ± 0.40 µg/kg and 0.51 ± 0.30 µg/kg, respectively). It indicated that the mining and smelting of Mn ores were the main sources of anthropogenic Hg, and Mn may inhibit Hg methylation in rivers in Mn ore areas. Mercury in the bound to iron/ Mn (Fe/Mn) oxides of low crystallinity fraction (Hg-OX) accounted for 4.01% and 5.25% of the total Hg concentrations in the retained riverbed and fluvial bank sediment, respectively. The amount of Hg bound to Fe/Mn oxides in sediment increased significantly due to the manganese mining activities in the investigated area. Therefore, it could be hypothesized that high Hg concentrations in river sediment in Mn mining areas are closely related to high Mn concentration in sediment.     

Iodoacetic acid exposure alters the transcriptome in mouse ovarian antral follicles

Iodoacetic acid (IAA) is an unregulated water disinfection byproduct that is an ovarian toxicant. However, the mechanisms of action underlying IAA toxicity in ovarian follicles remain unclear. Thus, we determined whether IAA alters gene expression in ovarian follicles in mice. Adult female mice were dosed with water or IAA (10 or 500 mg/L) in the water for 35-40 days. Antral follicles were collected for RNA-sequencing analysis and sera were collected to measure estradiol. RNA-sequencing analysis identified 1063 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the 10 and 500 mg/L IAA groups (false discovery rate FDR < 0.1), respectively, compared to controls. Gene Ontology Enrichment analysis showed that DEGs were involved with RNA processing and regulation of angiogenesis (10 mg/L) and the cell cycle and cell division (500 mg/L). Pathway Enrichment analysis showed that DEGs were involved in the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and protein kinase B (PI3K-Akt), gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), estrogen, and insulin signaling pathways (10 mg/L). Pathway Enrichment analysis showed that DEGs were involved in the oocyte meiosis, GnRH, and oxytocin signaling pathways (500 mg/L). RNA-sequencing analysis identified 809 DEGs when comparing the 500 and 10 mg/L IAA groups (FDR < 0.1). DEGs were related to ribosome, translation, mRNA processing, oxidative phosphorylation, chromosome, cell cycle, cell division, protein folding, and the oxytocin signaling pathway. Moreover, IAA exposure significantly decreased estradiol levels (500 mg/L) compared to control. This study identified key candidate genes and pathways involved in IAA toxicity and can help to further understand the molecular mechanisms of IAA toxicity in ovarian follicles.     

Occurrence and ecotoxicological risk assessment of pesticides in sediments of the Rosetta branch, Nile River, Egypt

This study aimed to (1) monitor the occurrence and spatiotemporal variations of 100 pesticides in sediments collected monthly from July 2018 to June 2019 from sampling sites in El-Rahawy, Sabal, and Tala, along the Rosetta branch of the Nile River, Egypt, and (2) perform an ecological risk assessment for aquatic organisms upon exposure to the detected sediment pesticides based on the risk quotient (RQ) method. Out of the 100 pesticides monitored, 16 pesticides belonging to seven chemical families were detected, and 55% of the sediment samples were contaminated with one or more pesticide residues. The mean concentration (mg/kg dry weight (dw)) and detection frequency (%) of the four most frequently detected pesticides in the sediment samples were as follows: chlorpyrifos (0.18 mg/kg dw and 34%), p,p′-DDE (0.018 mg/kg dw and 30%), cypermethrin (0.03 mg/kg dw and 14%), and deltamethrin (0.026 mg/kg dw and 13%). The spatial distribution exhibited that El-Rahawy had the highest pesticide load (2.86 mg/kg dw) among the studied sites, whereas the temporal variations revealed that the highest total pesticide concentrations were detected in winter season (1.73 mg/kg dw). Meanwhile, 12 pesticides showed high RQs (>1), posing a potential ecological risk to aquatic species that live and feed on such sediments.     

Promotion mechanism of self-transmissible degradative plasmid transfer in maize rhizosphere and its application in naphthalene degradation in soil

Rhizospheres can promote self-transmissible plasmid transfer, however, the corresponding mechanism has not received much attention. Plant-microbe remediation is an effective way to promote pollutant biodegradation; however, some pollutants, such as naphthalene, are harmful to plants and result in inefficient plant-microbe remediation. In this study, transfer of a TOL-like plasmid, a self-transmissible plasmid loaded with genetic determinants for pollutant degradation, among different bacteria was examined in bulk and rhizosphere soils as well as addition of maize root exudate and its artificial root exudate (ARE). The results showed that the numbers of transconjugants and recipients as well as bacterial metabolic activities, such as xylE mRNA expression levels and catechol 2,3-dioxygenase (C23O) activities of bacteria, remained high in rhizosphere soils, when compared with bulk soils. The number of transconjugants and bacterial metabolic activities increased with the increasing exudate and ARE concentrations, whereas the populations of donor and recipient bacteria were substantially unaltered at all concentrations. All the experiments consistently showed that a certain number of bacteria is required for self-transmissible plasmid transfer, and that the increased plasmid transfer might predominantly be owing to bacterial metabolic activity stimulated by root exudates and ARE. Furthermore, ARE addition increased naphthalene degradation by transconjugants in both culture medium and soil. Thus, the combined action of a wide variety of components in ARE might contribute to the increased plasmid transfer and naphthalene degradation. These findings suggest that ARE could be an effectively alternative for plant-microbe remediation of pollutants in environments where plants cannot survive.     

Secondary organic aerosol formation from straw burning using an oxidation flow reactor

Herein, we use an oxidation flow reactor, Gothenburg: Potential Aerosol Mass (Go: PAM) reactor, to investigate the secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation from wheat straw burning. Biomass burning emissions are exposed to high concentrations of hydroxyl radicals (OH) to simulate processes equivalent to atmospheric oxidation of 0-2.55 days. Primary volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were investigated, and particles were measured before and after the Go: PAM reactor. The influence of water content (i.e. 5% and 11%) in wheat straw was also explored. Two burning stages, the flaming stage, and non-flaming stages, were identified. Primary particle emission factors (EFs) at a water content of 11% (∼3.89 g/kg-fuel) are significantly higher than those at a water content of 5% (∼2.26 g/kg-fuel) during the flaming stage. However, the water content showed no significant influence at the non-flaming stage. EFs of aromatics at a non-flaming stage (321.8±46.2 mg/kg-fuel) are larger than that at a flaming stage (130.9±37.1 mg/kg-fuel). The OA enhancement ratios increased with the increase in OH exposure at first and decreased with the additional increment of OH exposure. The maximum OA enhancement ratio is ∼12 during the non-flaming stages, which is much higher than ∼ 1.7 during the flaming stages. The mass spectrum of the primary wheat burning organic aerosols closely resembles that of resolved biomass burning organic aerosols (BBOA) based on measurements in ambient air. Our results show that large gap (∼60%-90%) still remains to estimate biomass burning SOA if only the oxidation of VOCs were included.     

How well does XAD resin extraction recover halogenated disinfection byproducts for comprehensive identification and toxicity testing?

Halogenated disinfection byproducts (DBPs) are an unintended consequence of drinking water disinfection, and can have significant toxicity. XAD resins are commonly used to extract and enrich trace levels of DBPs for comprehensive, nontarget identification of DBPs and also for in vitro toxicity studies. However, XAD resin recoveries for complete classes of halogenated DBPs have not been evaluated, particularly for low, environmentally relevant levels (ng/L to low µg/L). Thus, it is not known whether levels of DBPs or the toxicity of drinking water might be underestimated. In this study, DAX-8/XAD-2 layered resins were evaluated, considering both adsorption and elution from the resins, for extracting 66 DBPs from water. Results demonstrate that among the 7 classes of DBPs investigated, trihalomethanes (THMs), including iodo-THMs, were the most efficiently adsorbed, with recovery of most THMs ranging from 50%-96%, followed by halonitromethanes (40%-90%). The adsorption ability of XAD resins for haloacetonitriles, haloacetamides, and haloacetaldehydes was highly dependent on the individual species. The adsorption capacity of XAD resins for haloacetic acids was lower (5%-48%), even after adjusting to pH 1 before extraction. Recovery efficiency for most DBPs was comparable with their adsorption, as most were eluted effectively from XAD resins by ethyl acetate. DBP polarity and molecular weight were the two most important factors that determine their recovery. Recovery of trichloromethane, iodoacetic acid, chloro- and iodo-acetonitrile, and chloroacetamide were among the lowest, which could lead to underestimation of toxicity, particularly for iodoacetic acid and iodo-acetonitrile, which are highly toxic.     

Gas-phase catalytic hydration of I2O5 in the polluted coastal regions: Reaction mechanisms and atmospheric implications

Marine aerosols play an important role in the global aerosol system. In polluted coastal regions, ultra-fine particles have been recognized to be related to iodine-containing species and is more serious due to the impact of atmospheric pollutants. Many previous studies have identified iodine pentoxide (I₂O₅, IP) to be the key species in new particles formation (NPF) in marine regions, but the role of IP in the polluted coastal atmosphere is far to be fully understood. Considering the high humidity and concentrations of pollutants in the polluted coastal regions, the gas-phase hydration of IP catalyzed by sulfuric acid (SA), nitric acid (NA), dimethylamine (DMA), and ammonia (A) have been investigated at DLPNO-CCSD(T)//ωB97X-D/aug-cc-pVTZ + aug-cc-pVTZ-PP with ECP28MDF (for iodine) level of theory. The results show that the hydration of IP involves a significant energy barrier of 22.33 kcal/mol, while the pollutants SA, NA, DMA, and A all could catalyze the hydration of IP. Especially, with SA and DMA as catalysts, the hydration reactions of IP present extremely low barriers and high rate constants. It is suggested that IP is unstable under the catalysis of SA and DMA to generate iodic acid, which is the key component in NPF in marine regions. Thus, the catalytic hydration of IP is very likely to trigger the formation of iodine-containing particles. Our research provides a clear picture of the catalytic hydration of IP as well as theoretical guidance for NPF in the polluted coastal atmosphere.