Adsorption behavior of 17α-ethynylestradiol onto soils followed by fluorescence spectral deconvolution

In this study, a simple and rapid procedure for monitoring adsorption of 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2) onto soil samples was developed. The used method is based on a multiwavelength fluorescence spectral deconvolution (FSD) where the emission fluorescence spectrum of a sample is considered as a linear combination of emission spectra, named reference spectra. The combination of the reference spectra allows the restitution of the shape of the emission spectrum of any unknown sample. This approach was applied to follow EE2 adsorption onto four soil samples and is an easy and low cost alternative.Adsorption experimental data showed a good fit with the Hill equation, mathematically equivalent to the Langmuir-Freundlich model assuming that the adsorption is a cooperative process influenced by adsorbate-adsorbate interactions. Molecular modelling studies clearly support the “co-operative adsorption” model, showing that after the adsorption of the first layer of EE2 molecules onto the soil, at least one more layer of EE2 is adsorbed, due to interactions established with the first adsorbed layer. Notwithstanding, packing a third row would imply interactions between two EE2 molecules that differ from the ones verified in the lowest energy structure, which also explains the plateau achieved in the adsorption curve.     

Alteration of acetylcholinesterase activity in Semele solida (MOLLUSCA: SEMELIDAE) as a biochemical response to coastal anthropogenic impact

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity was analyzed as a molecular marker indicative of exposure to organophosphorus pesticide residues in individuals of the endemic clam species Semele solida in selected coastal locations of Chile's VIII Region. AChE activity was assayed in clams from (i) Penco Beach near the mouth of the Andalién River (Concepción Bay), (ii) Lenga Beach, near the mouth of the Lenga Estuary (San Vicente Bay), and (iii) Coliumo Beach, near the mouth of the Coliumo Estuary (Coliumo Bay). We also analyzed variations in protein content of clam hemolymph, and variability in the activity of AChE in relation to the sizes of the individual clams sampled. Collection of the clams was done using routine methods, during the spring of 2005, the period during which the use of pesticides is typically intensified in the surrounding forestry and agriculture. The results showed no significant correlation of AChE activity with either the size of the clam, or with the concentration of proteins in the hemolymph. The lowest AChE activity was observed in clams from mouth of the Andalién River (187.5 ± 34.9 Umin^?1) which was significantly less than that measured in specimens collected near the mouth of the Coliumo Estuary and the mouth of the Lenga Estuary. A very close relation was observed between the degree of anthropogenic inputs, ocean dynamics, and alterations in AChE activity in S. solida. This clam appears to be a useful indicator species, and AChE activity a sensitive marker for the presence of xenobiotics.     

电气石自发电极性对溶液pH和亚硝化胞菌生长影响研究

电气石具有自发电极性,利用傅里叶变换红外光谱分析不同煅烧温度处理下电气石的变化,研究并探讨电气石自发电极性对溶液pH的影响;并借助微生物检测手段,研究电气石自发电极性对微生物生长的影响.结果表明,电气石能调节溶液pH至弱碱性,煅烧温度为800℃时,由于电气石晶胞体积的缩小,电极性增强,pH显著上升(9.8);煅烧温度为1 000℃时,BO3原子团振动峰消失,羟基振动峰和Si-O-Si对称伸缩振动峰强度明显减弱,自发电极性消失,不再具有调节pH的作用.电气石可明显促进亚硝化细菌生长繁殖,缩短细菌适应期,提前进入稳定期,大幅增加细菌数量,5d后投加电气石组中亚硝化单胞菌数量为9.66×108个/mL,远多于对照组中亚硝化单胞菌的数量(8.04×10 7个/mL).     

Political ideology and views about climate change in the European Union

There is a strong political divide on climate change in the US general public, with Liberals and Democrats expressing greater belief in and concern about climate change than Conservatives and Republicans. Recent studies find a similar though less pronounced divide in other countries. Its leadership in international climate policy making warrants extending this line of research to the European Union (EU). The extent of a left–right ideological divide on climate change views is examined via Eurobarometer survey data on the publics of 25 EU countries before the 2008 global financial crisis, the 2009 ‘climategate’ controversy and COP-15 in Copenhagen, and an increase in organized climate change denial campaigns. Citizens on the left consistently reported stronger belief in climate change and support for action to mitigate it than did citizens on the right in 14 Western European countries. There was no such ideological divide in 11 former Communist countries, likely due to the low political salience of climate change and the differing meaning of left–right identification in these countries.     

Molecular characterization of root exudates using Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry

The release of root exudates (REs) provides an important source of soil organic carbon. This work revealed the molecular composition of REs of different plant species including alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), maize (Zea mays), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) using electrospray ionization coupled with Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (ESI FT-ICR MS). The combination of positive ion mode (+ESI) and negative ion mode (-ESI) increased the number of the molecules detected by ESI FT-ICR MS, and a total of 8758 molecules were identified across all the samples. In detail, lipids and proteins and unsaturated hydrocarbons were more easily detected in +ESI mode, while aromatic compounds with high O/C were readily ionized in -ESI mode, and only 38% of the total assigned formulas were shared by -ESI and +ESI modes. Multivariate statistical analysis of the formulas indicated that the close related plants species secreted REs with similar molecular components. Moreover, the unsaturation degree and nitrogen content were the two key parameters able to distinguish the similarities and differences of molecular components of REs between plant species. The results provided a feasible analysis method for characterization of the molecular components of REs and for the first time characterized the molecular components of REs of a variety of plant species using ESI FT-ICR MS.     

分子生物学技术在污水处理微生物检测中的应用

对现代分子生物学技术在污水生物处理系统微生物检测和群落分析中的应用进行了系统总结,重点对应用较多的PCR技术、FLSH技术进行了介绍并对其优缺点进行了探讨.通过对生物处理系统中微生物检测和生态学研究,可以分析确定系统中功能微生物的数量,群体结构和活性,从而实现构建人工强化生态系统,提高废水生物处理效率的目的.分析认为,以DNA序列和相关的结构基因为基础的分子生物学技术已经在污水生物处理系统的种群分析方面得到了广泛和成功的应用,而且必将会对深入认识和优化污水生物处理过程,加快新工艺的开发和应用以及强化处理工艺的过程控制方面起到更大的作用.     

Adsorption behavior of condensed phosphate on aluminum hydroxide

Sodium pyrophosphate （pyro-P, Na4P2OT）, sodium tripolyphosphate （tripoly-P, Na3P3O10）, and sodium hexametaphosphate （meta-P, （NaPO3）6） were selected as the model compounds of condensed phosphate to investigate the adsorption behavior of condensed phosphate on aluminum hydroxide. The adsorption was found to be endothermic and divisible into two stages： （1） fast adsorption within 1 h; and （2） slow adsorption between 1 and 24 h. The modified Freundlich model simulated the fast adsorption stage well; the slow adsorption stage was described well by the first-order kinetics. The activation energies of pyro-P, tripoly-P, and meta-P adsorption on aluminum hydroxide were determined to be 20.2, 22.8 and 10.9 kJ/mol P adsorbed, respectively, in the fast adsorption stage and to be 66.3, 53.5 and 72.5 kJ/mol P adsorbed, respectively, in the slow adsorption stage. The adsorption increased the negative charge of the aluminum hydroxide surface. Transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis analyses provided evidence that the adsorption was not uniform on the surface and that the small crystals contributed more to the fast adsorption than the normal sites did. The results from X-ray fluorescence spectrometry and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy tests also revealed the uneven adsorption of condensed phosphate as a function of the penetration depth. More condensed phosphates were adsorbed on the outer surface of aluminum hydroxide than in its inner parts.     

Metabolites change of Scenedesmus obliquus exerted by AgNPs

With increasing emission of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) into the environment, it is important to understand the effects of ambient concentration of AgNPs. The biological effects of AgNPs on Scenedesmus obliquus, a ubiquitous freshwater microalgae, was evaluated. AgNPs exerted a minor inhibitory effect at low doses. Non-targeted metabolomic studies were conducted to understand and analyze the effect of AgNPs on algal cells from a molecular perspective. During the 48?hr of exposure to AgNPs, 30 metabolites were identified, of which nine had significant changes compared to the control group. These include d-galactose, sucrose, and d-fructose. These carbohydrates are involved in the synthesis and repair of cell walls. Glycine, an important constituent amino acid of glutathione, increased with AgNP exposure concentration increasing, likely to counteract an increased intracellular oxidative stress. These results provide a new understanding of the toxicity effects and mechanism of AgNPs. These metabolites could be useful biomarkers for future research, employed in the early detection of environmental risk from AgNPs.     

基于下垫面遥感资料的海河流域水文类型分区划分

以海河流域为研究对象,根据1956—2005年的年降雨量和水面蒸发资料、DEM、土地利用、土壤和植被覆盖遥感图,提取了反映下垫面条件和气候特征的物理因子,并以此作为分区指标,以子流域为划分单元,依据下垫面条件和气候因子的相似性和差异性,采用地理信息系统和多元统计分析的方法,将海河流域内1 399个子流域划分7类水文类型分区(HTR),并分析了各水文类型分区的空间分布特征及产汇流机制。其中HTR1、HTR2和HTR4位于平原地区,土地利用类型以耕地为主,其他水文类型分区位于山区和丘陵区。HTR1耕地面积比例最大;HTR2土壤透水性最差,易产生超渗地表径流;HTR3土壤透水性最好,易产生地下径流和壤中流;HTR4年蒸发量较大,年降雨量较小,气候最干旱;HTR5和HTR6土地利用类型分别以草地和林地为主;HTR7年降雨量较大,年蒸发量较小,气候最湿润。分区成果明确地反映了流域的下垫面情况及气候条件,分区结果与流域的地形地貌非常吻合,也反映了流域水文特征的分布规律。通过分析水文类型分区内典型流域的下垫面和气候情况以及水文特征,阐述了分区结果的准确性及合理性,为海河流域水文特征的研究及水资源评价提供了依据。     

Oxidation of As(Ⅲ) by potassium permanganate

The oxidation of As(Ⅲ) with potassium permanganate was studied under conditions including pH, initial As(Ⅲ) concentration and dosage of Mn(Ⅶ). The results have shown that potassium permanganate was an effective agent for oxidizing of As(Ⅲ) in a wide pH range. The pH value of tested water was not a significant factor affecting the oxidation of As(Ⅲ) by Mn(Ⅶ). Although theoretical redox analyses suggest that Mn(Ⅶ) should have better performance in oxidization of As(Ⅲ) within lower pH ranges, the experimental results show that the oxidation efficiencies of As(Ⅲ) under basic and acidic conditions were similar, which may be due to the adsorption of As(Ⅲ) on the Mn(OH)2 and MnO2 resulting from the oxidation of As(Ⅲ).