Investigation on sampling artifacts of particle associated PAHs using ozone denuder systems

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons （PAHs） are complex organic compounds which are identified as significant carcinogenic to human health. PAHs （mainly in particle phase） are susceptible to atmospheric oxidant gases, especially ozone, nitrogen oxides （NOx）, hydroxyl radical （OH）, and could be degraded on filters during sampling process, leading to an underestimation of ambient PAH concentrations. The goal of this work was to investigate particle associated PAHs sampling artifacts caused by ozone in summer of Beijing. Comparative sampling systems were operated simultaneously during the whole campaign, one with activated carbon ozone denuder, the other being set as conventional sampling system. Activated carbon denuder was testified to be highly efficient to eliminate ozone from air stream. In general, nine particle-bound PAHs observed from conventional sampler were all lower than those from ozone denuder system. The total PAHs （particle phase） concentration was averagely underestimated by 35.9% in conventional sampling procedure. Benzo[a]pyrene （BaP） had the highest percentage of mass loss. founded to have influences Ambient temperature was on PAHs sampling artifacts. High temperature can increase loss of particle associated PAHs during sampling.     

Employment of passive sampling in monitoring indoor air quality in selected residences in a Tri-city area in Poland

Time-weighted average concentrations of selected volatile compounds were measured in chosen residences in a Tri-City area of Poland by means of passive sampling. The results were compared to those obtained by dynamic technique – sorption tubes filled with Tenax TA sorbent. Results obtained by employing the two techniques were similar. Total volatile organic compound (TVOC) parameters were also determined. An attempt was also made to evaluate the influence of outdoor air pollutants on indoor air quality.     

Assessing citizen contributions to butterfly monitoring in two large cities

Citizen science may be especially effective in urban landscapes due to the large pool of potential volunteers. However, there have been few evaluations of the contributions of citizen scientists to knowledge of biological communities in and around cities. To assess the effectiveness of citizen scientists' monitoring of species in urban areas, we compared butterfly data collected over 10 years in Chicago, Illinois (U.S.A.), and New York City, New York (U.S.A.). The dates, locations, and methods of data collection in Chicago were standardized, whereas data from New York were collected at any location at any time. For each city, we evaluated whether the number of observers, observation days (days on which observations were reported), and sampling locations were associated with the reported proportion of the estimated regional pool of butterfly species. We also compared the number of volunteers, duration of volunteer involvement, and consistency of sampling efforts at individual locations within each city over time. From 2001 to 2010, there were 73 volunteers in Chicago and 89 in New York. During this period, volunteers observed 86% and 89% of the estimated number of butterfly species present in Chicago and New York, respectively. Volunteers in New York reported a greater proportion of the estimated pool of butterfly species per year. In addition, more species were observed per volunteer and observation day in New York, largely due to the unrestricted sampling season in New York. Chicago volunteers were active for more years and monitored individual locations more consistently over time than volunteers in New York. Differences in monitoring protocol--especially length of sampling season and selection protocol for monitoring locations--influenced the relationship between species accrual and sampling effort, which suggests these factors are important in volunteer-based species-monitoring programs.     

活性炭辅助微波热解污泥反应条件的试验研究

针对微波不能直接实现原污水污泥高温热解的问题,采用活性炭作为微波能吸收物质辅助污泥热解。对影响污泥热解效能的3个主要因素：污泥样品量、活性炭掺杂量和微波辐射功率,各做了3个水平的考察,得到了试验条件下的最优方案：污泥样品量30g、活性炭掺杂量6g、微波辐射功率1200W。结果表明：在最优试验方案下,污泥能在7min内升至920℃的高温,实现污泥快速、高效热解。通过分析3个因素对污泥热解效能的影响,进一步对最优试验方案下的固体产物吸收微波的性能及用其作为掺杂物辅助微波热解污水污泥的可行性进行了研究,结果表明：固体残渣吸收微波性能良好,可以代替活性炭作为更经济、高效的污泥微波热解辅助材料。     

基于活性微生物特征的供水管壁生物膜生长特性

管网生物膜由各种活性微生物、微生物残体及有机无机杂质组成,管网生物膜的生长会导致机会致病菌寄居、管道腐蚀以及水质恶化等系列饮用水卫生问题.为研究供水管壁生物膜形成过程和附着生长活性微生物的分布特征,采用异养菌平板计数(HPC)、流式细胞术(FCM)和16S rRNA高通量测序对3种典型室内供水管材:聚氯乙烯(PVC)、无规共聚聚丙烯(PPR)、不锈钢(STS)内壁活性微生物的生长特性和群落多样性进行了分析.结果表明,PVC管壁生物量在第73 d最先达到峰值,3种管材内壁单位面积最大生物量、生物膜成熟时期生物量均呈现PVC PPR STS的规律. 3种管材表面活性细菌群落结构组成上,PVC管表面主要以硝化螺旋菌门为主,PPR和STS管以疣微菌门为主,其中STS管壁上生物膜物种丰富度最低、多样性最小,群落结构最简单. PVC和PPR管内壁表面相较STS管存在更多的蓝藻细菌和放线菌,在饮用水输配过程中更易引发饮用水嗅味问题.管材介质对管壁生物膜上微生物群落结构存在一定影响.     

Identification of Driver Model Parameters

The paper presents a driver model, which can be used in a computer simulation of a curved ride of a car. The identification of the driver parameters consisted in a comparison of the results of computer calculations obtained for the driver-vehicle-environment model with different driver data sets with test results of the double lane-change manoeuvre (Standard No. ISO/TR 3888:1975, International Organization for Standardization [ISO], 1975) and the wind gust manoeuvre. The optimisation method allows to choose for each real driver a set of driver model parameters for which the differences between test and calculation results are smallest. The presented driver model can be used in investigating the driver-vehicle control system, which allows to adapt the car construction to the psychophysical characteristics of a driver.     

A System for Measuring Vertical Concentration Profiles of Gaseous Pollutants,Using Carbon Dioxide as a Case Study

An electronically-controlled sampling system, characterised by its organ pipe design, has been developed for sampling air sequentially, at different heights within the breathing zone. Data are automatically logged at the different receptor levels, for the determination of the average vertical concentration profile of gaseous pollutants. The system has been coupled to a carbon dioxide monitor and used in a brief study of the spatial and temporal variation of indoor carbon dioxide concentration. The system can easily be extended for different heights or modified for use with other types of gas monitor. The results of a trial run, which was carried out in a coffee room, are presented and applications of the Organ Pipe Sequential Sampling (OPSS) system are discussed.     

Escherichia coli Concentrations in Urban Watersheds Exhibit Diurnal Sag: Implications for Water‐Quality Monitoring and Assessment

The variability of indicator bacteria over a fine resolution time scale on the order of minutes has yet to be fully understood. In this study, we collected more than 700 Escherichia coli samples at a 10‐ and 30‐min resolution in an urban watershed in Houston. A Bacteria Diurnal Sag (BDS) marked with daytime exponential decay followed by an exponential nighttime regeneration was observed. This pattern was observed during all sampled events but varied depending on other variables. The concentrations during a 24‐h period varied 1 to 5 orders of magnitude and the fecal load was at least 10 times lower than what would be obtained using a single morning E. coli measurement, the typical sampling scheme in most monitoring programs. Decay rates, ranging from 3.67 to 24.7/day, decreased E. coli concentrations to below the water‐quality standards from 14:00 to 18:00 h and were strongly influenced by water temperatures and solar radiation intensities. Rapid regeneration occurred on the order of 9.41 to 64.1/day allowing E. coli concentrations to return to their pre‐decay levels. The data indicated that four to six samples taken between 06:00 and 18:00 h may be sufficient to define the BDS depending on stream conditions, and that a threshold concentration of approximately 100 MPN/dl (most probable number in a deciliter) existed for the studied urban watershed. These findings have significant implications for water‐quality monitoring, regulation, and compliance.     

固定燃烧源颗粒物稀释采样系统的研制与应用

为研究固定燃烧源颗粒物排放特征,研制开发了稀释烟道采样系统.该系统能模拟高温烟气排放到大气中的冷却、稀释、凝结等物理化学过程,捕集燃烧源排放的一次颗粒物.详细阐述了采样系统的结构并对系统进行了检验.整个采样系统稳定度高,测量结果可靠,操作简便.采样系统小型化设计,适合于现场应用.该系统已成功应用于我国典型燃烧源颗粒物排放特征研究.