On the mechanism of the enrichment in radiocesium of near-bottom water in Lake Juodis, Lithuania

Evidence of the thermodynamic origin of a mechanism for radiocesium enrichment of near-bottom water based on the analysis of vertical profiles of standard water variables (pH, temperature, oxygen concentrations and conductivity) in Lake Juodis is presented. This mechanism is shown to be related to disturbances in the thermohalinic stability (buoyancy effects) of sediment interstitial liquids inducing their interfacial transfer. The mechanism reveals itself even in aerobic waters during cooling processes in autumn under weather conditions inducing the formation of a steep temperature gradient in the surface sediments. These gradients may be formed due to intense sediment cooling as well as in cases of cooling interruptions owing to the arrival of warm air masses inducing temperature stratification of the water column. In the latter case, a sharp decrease in the heat flux from sediments through the stagnant water column promotes relative overheating of the sediment surface layer and the consequent initiation of buoyancy forces inducing interfacial transfer of sediment interstitial liquids enriched in dissolved material. Intrusions of interstitial liquids and their vertical thermodynamic transfer through the water column are followed by the formation of a specific vertical structure consisting of a set of evenly mixed water layers which are especially distinctly observable under ice cover in winter. The mechanism is responsible for lake water contamination by radiocesium and other pollutants dissolved in interstitial liquids. The investigation results explain the phenomenon of “super warm” lakes where temperatures of near-bottom waters under ice in winter are higher than 4 °C.     

Selection of poly(R)-3-hydroxybutyric acid utilising bacteria by enrichment,optimisation and compatibility testing for consortia development

Bacterial strains with poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) degradation potential were isolated from waste yard soil samples of selected industrial sites in Uttarakhand, India, and two microbial consortia were developed, i.e. Consortium I comprises Pseudomonas sp. strain Rb10, Pseudomonas sp. strain Rb11 and Bacillus sp. strain Rb18, and Consortium II is composed of Lysinibacillus sp. strain Rb1, Pseudomonas sp. strain Rb13 and Pseudomonas sp. strain Rb19. The current study involved enrichment selection via liquid and semi-solid media, followed by isolation and screening of bacterial strains using PHB pellets and films. Furthermore, the identification and characterisation was done by triphasic approach. The utilisation of PHB by the characterised strains was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Moreover, the minimum inhibitory concentration of solubilised PHB was found to be 2.5?mg/mL, which was detected through ‘clear zone assay’. Further, the selection and biocompatibility testing of potential isolates were performed for the formation of bacterial consortia. Thus, the present work would provide direct and standardised protocol for screening and selection of potential microbiomes for biodegradation of polymers by overcoming the negative effect of organic solvents. Moreover, indigenously developed consortia would be evaluated for their in situ biodegradation potential against various bioplastic films.     

Toxic mine drainage from Asia’s biggest copper mine at Malanjkhand,India

This paper has studied the environmental deterioration due to copper mining in Malanjkhand at Central-east India. No data is available on environmental degradation at the studied site although geological aspects are well studied. Mine drainage from the mines is definitively toxic. The site is also undergoing various stages of acid mine drainage (AMD) particularly from the heap leaching sites and the tailing area. AMD impacted water steam and sediment were also analysed. Results show substantial level of contamination of almost all segments of environment. Presence of elevated level of other heavy metal viz. Au, Ag, Pb, Cr, Cd, Fe, Cu and base metals like Na, K in AMD impacted water and sediments is due to metal leaching effect of AMD. Bio monitoring with the help of benthic macro invertebrates and metal accumulation in plants was also carried to know the impact of the toxic drainage. Results prove a very significant impact on the environmental health.     

Size distribution and anthropogenic sources apportionment of airborne trace metals in Kanazawa, Japan

Aerosol samples were collected from Kanazawa, Japan to examine the size distribution of 12 elements and to identify the major sources of anthropogenic elements. Key emission sources were identified and, concentrations contributed from individual sources were estimated as well. Concentrations of elements V, Ca, Cd, Fe, Ba, Mg, Mn, Pb, Sr, Zn, Co and Cu in aerosols were determined with ICP-MS. The results showed that Ca, Mg, Sr, Mn, Co and Fe were mainly associated with coarse particles (>2.1 μm), primarily from natural sources. In contrast, the elements Zn, Ba, Cd, V, Pb and Cu dominated in fine aerosol particles (<2.1 μm), implying that the anthropogenic origin is the dominant source. Results of the factor analysis on elements with high EF_Crust values (>10) showed that emissions from waste combustion in incinerators, oil combustion (involving waste oil burning and oil combustion in both incinerators and electricity generation plants), as well as coal combustion in electricity generation plants were major contributors of anthropogenic metals in the ambient atmosphere in Kanazawa. Quantitatively estimated sum of mean concentrations of anthropogenic elements from the key sources were in good agreement with the observed values. Results of this study elucidate the need for making pollution control strategy in this area.     

Trace elements in atmospheric particulate matter over a coal burning power production area of western Macedonia, Greece

Total suspended particle (TSP) concentrations were determined in the Eordea basin (western Macedonia, Greece), an area with intensive lignite burning for power generation. The study was conducted over a one-year period (November 2000–November 2001) at 10 sites located at variable distances from the power plants. Ambient TSP samples were analyzed for 27 major, minor and trace elements. Annual means of TSP concentrations ranged between 47 ± 33 μg m⁻³ and 110 ± 50 μg m⁻³ at 9 out of the 10 sites. Only the site closest to the power stations and the lignite conveyor belts exhibited annual TSP levels (210 ± 97 μg m⁻³) exceeding the European standard (150 μg m⁻³, 80/779/EEC). Concentrations of TSP and almost all elemental components exhibited significant spatial variations; however, the elemental profiles of TSP were quite similar among all sites suggesting that they are affected by similar source types. At all sites, statistical analysis indicated insignificant (P < 0.05) seasonal variation for TSP concentrations. Some elements (Cl, As, Pb, Br, Se, S, Cd) exhibited significantly higher concentrations at certain sites during the cold period suggesting more intense emissions from traffic, domestic heating and other combustion sources. On the contrary, concentrations significantly higher in the warm period were found at other sites mainly for crustal elements (Ti, Mn, K, P, Cr, etc.) suggesting stronger influence from soil resuspension and/or fly ash in the warm months. The most enriched elements against local soil or road dust were S, Cl, Cu, As, Se, Br, Cd and Pb, whereas negligible enrichment was found for Ti, Mn, Mg, Al, Si, P, Cr. At most sites, highest concentrations of TSP and elemental components were associated with low- to moderate-speed winds favoring accumulation of emissions from local sources. Influences from the power generation were likely at those sites located closest to the power plants and mining activities.     

宜宾江安桐梓镇土地整理区耕地土壤重金属富集因子评价

文中采用富集因子分析方法,结合MapGIS空间分析技术,对宜宾江安桐梓镇某地区耕地土壤进行了系统的土壤重金属现状评价。评价结果一致表明,桐梓镇土地整理地区有不同程度的砷、镉、铬、铜、汞、镍、铅和锌重金属富集现象,尤其是以桐梓镇九台村为中心的周围区域富集较为明显,而铅富集程度小。此外,老王村燕子岩附近、九台村观山附近、大路村板板桥至瓦窑山一带和中心村的鸡婆山附近均有不同程度的重金属汞的富集现象。     

Effects of different pretreatment methods on anaerobic mixed microflora for hydrogen production and COD reduction from palm oil mill effluent

Effects of different pretreatment methods on sludge inocula were evaluated with respect to hydrogen (H₂) production enhancement using palm oil mill effluent (POME) in a batch system. The experimental results showed that the pretreatment methods (chemical, acid, heat-shock, freezing and thawing, and base) at 35 °C and initial pH 5.5 had a positive influence on H₂ production yield and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency during the fermentative H₂ production as compared to the control experiments (without pretreatment). Heat-shock pretreatment method was shown to be a simple and useful method for enhancing both H₂ producing and COD removal processes from POME with highest H₂ yield and COD removal efficiency at 0.41 mmol H₂/g COD and 86%, respectively.     

植物净化空气中汞污染的研究

对上海市常见易生长的22种植物进行了现场采样测试，结果发现，瓜子黄杨、广玉兰、海桐、蚊母、墨西哥落叶杉及棕榈对汞蒸气具有很强的吸收富集能力及抗毒性能．然后采用富集能力最强的瓜子黄杨进行一系列试验，结果显示，汞浓度随接触瓜子黄杨时间的延长而降低，而瓜子黄杨叶片的汞含量随时间的延长而增加。根据吸汞实验，计算得瓜子黄杨叶面积的吸气速率为0.133m     

硝化细菌富集技术分析及方法研究

在分析硝化细菌特性的基础上,研究探讨了利用提高基质浓度来富集硝化细菌的可行性,并比较了不同培养方式及富集前后活性污泥中硝化细菌的浓度。试验结果表明,当温度为30℃、pH=6.5～8.0、DO>2mg/L时,经过12～13周的富集培养,污泥中硝化菌浓度可达2.0×18~8(MPN)/g(MLSS),是未经富集污泥中硝化菌浓度的12.5～20倍。