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.     

The need for bioaugmentation after thermal treatment of a TCE-contaminated aquifer: Laboratory experiments

A microcosm study was conducted to evaluate the need for bioaugmentation after a thermal treatment to anaerobically dechlorinate trichloroethene (TCE) to ethene. The microcosms were either: heated to 100 degrees C and slowly cooled to simulate thermal remediation while bioaugmenting when the declining temperature reached 10 degrees C; or kept at ambient groundwater temperatures (10 degrees C) and bioaugmented for comparison. Aquifer samples from three sediment locations within a TCE-polluted source zone were investigated in duplicate microcosms. In biostimulated (5 mM lactate) and heated microcosms, no conversion of TCE was observed in 4 out of 6 microcosms, and in the remaining microcosms the dechlorination of TCE was incomplete to cDCE (cis-dichloroethene). By comparison, complete TCE dechlorination to ethene was observed in 4 out of 6 heated microcosms that were bioaugmented with a highly enriched dechlorinating mixed culture, KB-1, but no electron donor, and also in 4 of 6 microcosms that were augmented with KB-1 and an electron donor (5 mM lactate). These data suggest that electron donor released during heating, was capable of promoting complete dechlorination coincident with bioaugmentation. Heated microcosms demonstrated less methanogenesis than unheated microcosms, even with elevated H2 concentrations and addition of KB-1, which contains methanogens. This suggests that the heating process suppressed the native microbial community, which can decrease competition with the bioaugmented culture and increase the effectiveness of dechlorination following a thermal treatment. Specifically, cDCE removal rates were four to six times higher in heated than unheated bioaugmented microcosms. This study confirms the need for bioaugmentation following a laboratory thermal treatment to obtain complete dechlorination of TCE.     

Experimental hazardous risk investigation of energetic styphnic acid analytical reagent in calorimetric analysis

Analytical reagents identify and manage metal pollution, a major environmental issue. Regrettably, these compounds' safety concerns, especially when heated, have been neglected. This research examines the thermal hazard of the extremely reactive analytical reagent styphnic acid. Differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and accelerating rate calorimetry examined styphnic acid's thermodynamics. Thermogravimetric analysis showed weight loss reactions starting at 127 °C and peaking at 208 °C. Differential scanning calorimetry showed an endothermic peak at 176 °C. The accelerating rate calorimetry test showed that styphnic acid self-accelerates at 237 °C after 196.5 °C. Kissinger, Ozawa-Flynn-Wall, and Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose thermokinetic models calculated apparent activation energy from 131.677 to 155.718 kJ/mol. A nonlinear regression analysis showed that styphnic acid undergoes a two-step autocatalytic reaction during heat degradation. Thermal safety was assessed by measuring time to conversion limit, maximum rate, total energy release, self-accelerating decomposition temperature, and adiabatic temperature rise. Styphnic acid is less stable at higher temperatures and its thermal hazards depend on heating rate. The computed SADT was 109.04 °C, with alarm and control temperatures of 104.04 and 99.04 °C, respectively. The risk matrix analysis based on T_ad and TMR_ad suggests reducing thermal instability. This study on styphnic acid's thermal risks and safe storage and transit during analytical applications is beneficial.     

古商业街木结构建筑防火间距的数值模拟研究

古商业街木结构建筑较多,防火间距先天不足,发生火灾后蔓延迅速,有必要开展木结构建筑引燃特性研究以获得合理的防火间距设置参数.以古商业街为研究对象,以临界温度和热辐射强度作为着火建筑对面木结构建筑被引燃的判定指标,综合考虑环境风速、建筑间距、火源功率、喷淋系统等因素,运用火灾动力学模拟软件FDS分析系列火灾场景下的温度和...