Photocatalytic remediation of γ-hexachlorocyclohexane contaminated soils using TiO2 and montmorillonite composite photocatalyst

TiO2 and montmorillonite composite photocatalysts were prepared and applied in degrading γ-hexachlorocyclohexane(γ-HCH)in soils.After being spiked with γ-HCH,soil samples loaded with the composite photocatalysts were exposed to UV-light irradiation.The results indicated that the photocatalytic activities of the composite photocatalysts varied with the content of TiO2 in the order of 10%＜70%＜50%＜30%.Moreover,the photocatalytic activity of the composite photocatalysts with TiO2 content 30% was higher than that of the pure P25 with the same mass of TiO2.The strong adsorption capacity of the composite photocatalysts and quantum size effect may contribute to its increased photocatalytic activities.In addition,effect of dosage of composite photocatalysts and soil pH on γ-HCH photodegradation was investigated. Pentachlorocyclohexene,trichlorocyclohexene,and dichlorobenzene were detected as photodegradation intermediates,which were gradually degraded with tlle phOtOdegradation evolution.     

Heavy metal availability and impact on activity of soil microorganisms along a Cu/Zn contamination gradient

All the regulations that define a maximum concentration of metals in the receiving soil are based on total soil metal concentration. However, the potential toxicity of a heavy metal in the soil depends on its speciation and availability. We studied the effects of heavy metal speciation and availability on soil microorganism activities along a Cu/Zn contamination gradient. Microbial biomass and enzyme activity of soil contaminated with both Cu and Zn were investigated. The results showed that microbial biomass was negatively affected by the elevated metal levels. The microbial biomass-C （Cmic）/organic C （Corg） ratio was closely correlated to heavy metal stress. There were negative correlations between soil microbial biomass, phosphatase activity and NH4NO3 extractable heavy metals. The soil microorganism activity could be predicted using empirical models with the availability of Cu and Zn. We observed that 72% of the variation in phosphatase activity could be explained by the NH4NO3-extractable and total heavy metal concentration. By considering different monitoring approaches and different viewpoints, this set of methods applied in this study seemed sensitive to site differences and contributed to a better understanding of the effects of heavy metals on the size and activity of microorganisms in soils. The data presented demonstrate the relationship between heavy metals availability and heavy metal toxicity to soil microorganism along a contamination gradient.     

Effects of the new nitrification inhibitor 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP) on nitrate and potassium leaching in two soils

In this study, soil column was used to study the new nitrification inhibitor 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP) on nitrate (NO3--N) and potassium (K) leaching in the sandy loam soil and clay loam soil. The results showed that DMPP with ammonium sulphate nitrate (ASN) ((NH4)2SO4 and NH4NO3) or urea could reduce NO3--N leaching significantly, whereas ammonium (NH4 -N) leaching increased slightly. In case of total N (NO3--N NH4 -N), losses by leaching during the experimental period (40 d) were 37.93 mg (urea), 31.61 mg (urea DMPP), 108.10 mg (ASN), 60.70 mg (ASN DMPP) in the sandy loam soil, and 30.54 mg (urea), 21.05 mg (urea DMPP), 37.86 mg (ASN), 31. 09 mg (ASN DMPP) in the clay loam soil, respectively. DMPP-amended soil led to the maintenance of relatively high levels of NH4 -N and low levels of NO3--N in soil, and nitrification was slower. DMPP supplementation also resulted in potassium leached less, but the difference was not significant except the treatment ASN and ASN DMPP in the sandy loam soil. Above results indicate that DMPP is a good nitrification inhibitor, the efficiency of DMPP seems better in the sandy loam soil than in the clay loam soil and lasts longer.     

太湖五里湖底泥污染特性研究

五里湖是太湖污染最严重的水域。为对其治理提供依据,在该湖区设置了4个采样点,对底泥的表层样、柱状样、间隙水样和上覆水体作了重金属和营养盐分布测试,并作了数据统计分析。结果表明：以地积累指数评价,五里湖底泥的重金属污染程度为轻度,总体可达到《土壤环境质量标准》（GB15618-1995）三级标准,根据超出背景值的倍数分析,五里湖重金属含量顺序为Cu>Cd>Pb>Hg>As>Cr。重金属含量表层（0～5 cm）相对较低,第二层（5～10 cm）和第三层（10～20 cm）是主要的污染沉积层,这与底泥沉积特征是相对应的。表层底泥总氮、总磷和有机质含量较高并具有明显的相关性,相关系数介于0.757 6～0.862 2之间,显示了污染物质的同源性。表层底泥和间隙水中营养盐含量明显高于湖水,相对于湖水呈可释放状态,是湖体内源污染之一。     

Management of an Agroecosystem

Agroecosystems (AESs) are autotrophic ecosystems managed by man. The goal of the management is to obtain the maximum possible amount of high-quality agricultural products while preserving agricultural resources, primarily the soils and biodiversity. The main components of the management of AES structures and functions, including primary and secondary biological production, the ratio between the energy flows in the plant–man and plant–livestock–man food chains, the efficiency of energy transfer in the plant–livestock link, and conservation of agricultural resources, are considered.     

降雨过程中红壤团聚体粒径变化对溅蚀的影响

为揭示团聚体粒径动态变化对溅蚀的影响,通过室内人工模拟降雨试验,以第四纪粘土、泥质页岩发育红壤为研究对象,研究了酒精预湿润后的2~5 mm团聚体在降雨过程中粒径动态变化及溅蚀率的变化。试验结果表明：在60 mm/h雨强下,团聚体受雨滴机械打击破碎主要发生在降雨的最初阶段,团聚体＞0.25 mm百分含量（P＞0.25）及平均重量直径（M）均随降雨时间（T）增加呈幂函数减小,溅蚀率（Dr）随降雨时间（T）增加呈幂函数增加,而溅蚀率（Dr）随团聚体平均重量直径（M）减小呈幂函数增大。为揭示不同土样在降雨溅蚀过程中溅蚀率的变化规律,利用团聚体稳定性特征参数-机械破碎指数（R）及降雨时间（T）,建立了不同团聚体稳定性土样溅蚀率随降雨时间变化的经验方程,且方程可决系数较高（R2=0.82）,揭示出团聚体稳定性越好,其破碎过程越缓慢,溅蚀率越小。研究结果为红壤区土壤侵蚀的防治及侵蚀机理研究提供了新思路     

Getting caught up in the game: managing non-formal dynamics in the remediation of contaminated sediments in Oslo harbor

This study aims at describing, analyzing and evaluating the relation between management styles and process dynamics of a complex planning process confronted with unexpected dynamics. The development of an aquatic disposal site for dredged contaminated sediments in Oslo was managed by a project management style focused on timely and cost-effective implementation. Coupling the remediation project with another infrastructural project and the actual construction of the site led to unexpected dynamics in terms of resistance and controversy. Project management had difficulties in adjusting its style accordingly, resulting in even more delay and resistance. Managing complex planning projects requires a style suitable to the characteristics of the project and the capability of adjusting it to changing circumstances. The paper concludes with some explanations why it is difficult to change management styles in complex planning and implementation processes and complexity-embracing approaches to deal with this.     

Bison and cattle grazing management,bare ground coverage,and links to suspended sediment concentrations in grassland streams

This study quantified the impact of bison and cattle grazing management practices on bare ground coverage at the watershed, riparian, and forested riparian scales within the Flint Hills ecoregion in Kansas. We tested for correlations between bare ground coverage and fluvial suspended sediment concentrations during base‐flow and storm‐flow events. We used remotely sensed imagery combined with field surveys to classify ground cover and quantify the presence of bare ground. Base‐flow water samples were collected bi‐monthly during rain‐free periods and 24 h following precipitation events. Storm‐flow water samples were collected on the rising limb of the hydrograph, using single‐stage automatic samplers. Ungrazed treatments contained the lowest coverage of bare ground at the watershed, riparian, and forested riparian scales. Bison treatments contained the highest coverage of bare ground at the watershed scale, while high‐density cattle treatments contained the highest coverage of bare ground at the riparian and forested riparian scales. In bison and cattle‐grazed treatments, a majority of bare ground was located near fence lines, watershed boundaries, and third‐ and fourth‐order stream segments. Inorganic sediment concentrations at base flow were best predicted by riparian bare ground coverage, while storm‐flow sediment concentrations were best predicted by watershed scale bare ground coverage.     

绵阳市代表性点位土壤多环芳烃剖面分布特征

通过挑选绵阳市有代表性的点位土壤柱,应用GC MS分析土壤柱垂直剖面中多环芳烃的含量水平,得出其垂直剖面分布特征。结果表明：5~20 cm深度中的PAHs含量最高,40 cm以下则含量锐减。由于表层（0～5 cm）土壤与大气之间的土气交换频繁,PAHs含量相对较低,而5~20 cm处土壤受到表层土壤的遮盖,PAHs富集较高,含量达到整个土壤柱最高值。多环芳烃总体垂直剖面分布特征表现出随深度增加含量减少的趋势。PAHs总含量以江油市点位(33024 ng/g)最高,其次是三台县点位(29989 ng/g),最低是游仙区点位(11274 ng/g)。研究区主要污染物为Nap、Phe和Chr/y。其中不同的土质、种植物都能影响PAHs的富集和迁移速率,导致含量在不同深度上产生变化。此外,参照有关环境质量标准,发现PAHs总量上江油市点位与三台县点位属于轻微污染、游仙区点位则属于无污染。     

Modelling the long-term soil response to atmospheric deposition at intensively monitored forest plots in Europe

The dynamic soil chemistry model SMART was applied to 121 intensive forest monitoring plots (mainly located in western and northern Europe) for which both element input (deposition) and element concentrations in the soil solution were available. After calibration of poorly known parameters, the model accurately simulated soil solution concentrations for most plots as indicated by goodness-of-fit measures, although some of the intra-annual variation especially in nitrate and aluminium concentrations could not be reproduced. Model evaluations of two emission-deposition scenarios (current legislation and maximum feasible reductions) for the period 1970-2030 show a strong reduction in sulphate concentrations between 1980 and 2000 in the soil due to the high reductions in sulphur emissions. However, current legislation hardly reduces future nitrogen concentrations, whereas maximum feasible reductions reduces them by more than half. Maximum feasible reductions are also more effective in increasing pH and reducing aluminium concentrations, mostly below ‘critical’ values.