The possible association between selected sediment characteristics and the occurrence of benthic macroinvertebrates in a minimally affected river in South Africa

Forty-two families of which the vast majority associated with particles >2000?µm were found. Sediment particle sizes <2000?µm had a detrimental effect on biodiversity. The highest biodiversity was recorded at sites characterised by riffle and run habitats. Although relatively high concentrations of selected metals were present in the sediment, it was largely from geological origin and most probably not bioavailable. No significant correlation was demonstrated between variation in temperature, pH, and electrical conductivity and diversity and abundance of macroinvertebrates. Therefore, it can be concluded that, under these conditions, sediment particle size and biotope availability played a decisive role on the distribution and abundance of macroinvertebrate taxa.     

Assessment of Cs and Sr accumulation in two epiphytic species of Tillandsia (Bromeliaceae) in vitro

Multiple nuclides commonly occur together and exert toxicity simultaneously, but the difference between single and combined effects of the nuclides is rarely investigated. Epiphytic Tillandsia species are efficient air pollution biomonitors, but rarely used to monitor nuclide contamination. Two Tillandsia species, that is, T. brachycaulos and T. stricta, were chosen to test their capacity to accumulate Cs and Sr. Most plants were able to endure Cs and Sr stress for a long period, which suggested these species could resist toxic elements physiologically and metabolically. With the increasing Cs or Sr concentrations, nuclide contents in both species increased significantly, indicating the potential of Tillandsia species in monitoring nuclide pollutants. However, when the plants were treated with combined nuclides, the content of each ion decreased distinctly compared to those treated with single ion, which suggested Cs and Sr influenced and inhibited each other. In addition, T. brachycaulos seemed more efficient in the uptake of Sr, while T. stricta was more efficient for Cs. Both species accumulated more Sr than Cs at low concentrations, while more Cs than Sr at high concentrations. These results indicated that the uptake of Cs and Sr was related to both the concentrations of the nuclides and the plant species exposed.     

The effect of oxytetracycline on physiological and enzymatic defense responses in aquatic plant species Egeria densa,Azolla caroliniana,and Taxiphyllum barbieri

Oxytetracycline is an antibiotic widely employed in aquaculture to control and treat bacterial diseases of fish. Due to ineffective wastewater treatment, antibiotic residues from fish ponds are directly released into surface and groundwater affecting the environment. The Green Liver System® is a sustainable and cost-effective water treatment based on the ability of aquatic plants to biotransformation xenobiotics. To expand the application range of this system, Egeria densa, Azolla caroliniana, and Taxiphyllum barbieri were tested in response to oxytetracycline exposure. The aquatic plants were exposed to 0.5, 2.0, 5.0, and 25 μg/L oxytetracycline (n = 4) for 24 h in order to analyze the physiological responses (photosynthetic pigment contents and hydrogen peroxide formation -- H₂O₂), the biotransformation process (activity of glutathione S-transferase), and the antioxidant defense (glutathione reductase; peroxidase; and catalase) responses. There were no statistical differences in the photosynthetic pigment contents and H₂O₂ level between the treatment and control groups in the three aquatic plant species. It can be concluded that oxytetracycline does not provoke physiological damage to the tested species within 24 h of exposure. Nevertheless, the antioxidant defense mechanism was activated. Peroxidase and catalase were the most prominent antioxidant enzymes in the three plant species, whereas glutathione S-transferase activity was significantly increased in A. caroliniana and T. barbieri.     

常用农药助剂类产品对水生生物效应研究进展

农药助剂是在农药制剂加工和使用中加入的除农药有效成分以外的其他辅助物质的总称。农药助剂在提高农药制剂药效、改善药剂性能、稳定制剂质量和降低活性成分危害等方面都起着相当重要的作用。几乎所有化学合成的农药原药都需添加农药助剂成为具有实际使用价值的农药制剂。农药助剂本身虽不具备对靶标生物的杀灭作用,但并不意味着其对环境或人体不具有危害性,部分现今仍在流通使用的农药助剂可导致健康危害,如致癌、致畸、致突变、危害神经系统,具有内分泌干扰作用等。截止目前,由于农药施用带来的农药助剂的危害问题很少引起研究人员关注,我国在农药助剂管理方面还是空白,亟需引起管理部门的重视并制订相关的防控法规。农药助剂种类繁多,我国习惯上将其分为非表面活性剂和表面活性剂两大类。本文总结了包括常用溶剂,非离子型、阳离子型和阴离子型表面活性剂在内的常用助剂对藻类、大型溞和鱼类等水生生物的急慢性毒性效应,并综述了烷基酚聚氧乙烯醚类助剂及其降解产物对水生生物的内分泌干扰效应。鉴于农药助剂对生态环境和人类的健康风险,本文还提出了我国农药助剂环境安全管理策略建议。     

重金属对水生生物的生态毒理效应及生物耐受机制研究进展

近年来,随着国民经济的快速发展,重金属以其特有的性质而被大量的应用于生产生活当中,同时也由于各种原因造成了水体重金属污染现象。水体重金属污染不仅对水生生物的生长和繁殖造成了严重的威胁,同时也威胁到人类的健康。因此,重金属污染具有潜在的生态与健康风险。本文主要概括介绍了重金属对水生植物、动物、微生物的生态毒理效应以及水生生物对重金属的各种耐受机制,展望了重金属对水生生物生态毒理效应的未来研究重点和方向。     

CFD analysis on the performance of a solar chimney power plant system: Case study in Algeria

The solar chimney power plant (SCPP) is a power generator which uses solar radiation to increase the internal energy of the air circulating in the system, thereby transforming the useful gain of the solar collector into kinetic energy. The produced kinetic energy then can be converted into electrical energy by means of an appropriate turbine. In this paper, four locations in Algeria

(Constantine, Ouargla, Adrar, and Tamanrasset) were considered as case studies to describe the SCPP mechanism in detail. Numerical simulation of an SCPP which has the same geometrical dimensions was performed to estimate the power output of SCPP in these regions. Using the CFD software FLUENT we simulated a two-dimensional axisymmetric model of a SCPP with the standard k-ε turbulence model. The simulation results show that the highest power output produced monthly average value 68–73 KW over the year and the highest hourly power produced in June is around 109–113 KW.     

Evaluation of energy savings by using high efficiency motors in a thermal power station

This paper presents potential energy savings by installing high-efficiency motors instead of existing ones and their impact on greenhouse gases emissions reductions. This research study of the energy efficiency of electric motors has been performed in a typical thermal power plant. In the literature, the focus has been mainly on separate and away electric motors from operating facilities. The important advantage of this paper over other studies is that it uses the actual motors’ efficiency in the evaluation. The gains both in terms of electrical energy savings and in terms of financial economy by using high-efficiency motors have been discussed. As a result, the energy saving can be expected as 12.6% at the operating rate. This excellent result also reduces greenhouse gas emission by 1,423 tons every year. The analysis of the data provided an overview on energy losses often generated by the degradation and rewinding of electrical motors. This study represents very encouraging results that will help energy managers of industrial plants to become more involved in energy efficiency strategies.     

植物激素“802”对凤眼莲耐寒及去污能力的影响

叶面喷施“802”能提高凤眼莲耐寒和去污能力,“802”的喷施浓度以100mg/l为宜。但“802”不能提高凤眼莲对水温的极端忍受限,水温低于5℃时风眼莲仍会死亡。     

酸化模型及其发展趋势评述

本文将酸化模型分为指标评价模型、经验酸化模型和以湖泊－流域为基础的机理模型三大类。概述了几个典型的酸化模型的结构、对参数和过程的处理方法、存在的问题和应用范围并介绍了它们的一些具体应用。还以ＭＡＧＩＣ模型为例说明了酸化模型的发展及其趋势。作为模型的一个有机组成部分,本文还阐述了酸化模型的不确定性分析。     

氟化物对植物新陈代谢影响研究进展

本文从五个方面综述了氟化物对植物新陈代谢影响的研究进展。这五个方面分别为气孔反应、光合作用反应、呼吸作用反应、物质代谢变化和酶活性变化。