Impact of Pollution Caused by Uranium Production on Soil Macrofauna

Thirty years of mining and milling activities of the Priargunsky Mining-Chemical Production Company (South-Eastern Siberia, Russia) have resulted in an enrichment of uranium in adjacent steppe soils by a factor of up to 600. A number of attendant pollutants (thorium, arsenic and heavy metals) also have high concentrations in the soil. To estimate the effects of this pollution on soil-living macroinvertebrates, pitfall trapping and core sampling were applied. The element composition of four beetle species was analysed. Soil macroinvertebrates had 3–37 times lower abundance and biodiversity at the contaminated sites compared with the control. Ground beetle communities at the contaminated sites were reduced compared to the control site. The concentrations of uranium and arsenic in beetles collected at the contaminated sites were 2–41 and 2–26 times higher, respectively, than at the control site. There is strong evidence that the contamination caused by uranium production has severe negative biological effects on important groups of the soil food web.     

DEVELOPMENT OF ARSENIC TESTING FIELD KIT—A TOOL FOR RAPID ON-SITE SCREENING OF ARSENIC CONTAMINATED WATER SOURCES

Recognizing the enormity and severity of the problem of arsenic poisoning in ground water, the capabilities of commercially available arsenic detection field kits were critically evaluated. In the light of findings of the evaluation of these kits, their merits and limitations; a simple, efficient, prudent, userfriendly, indigenous field kit has been developed. The kit can be used for rapid on-site screening of arsenic contaminated water sources and is capable of detecting arsenic concentration as low as 0.01 mg L^–1, the guideline value for arsenic set by the WHO. The kit has been subjected to extensive laboratory and field testing. The details of development of the kit and its salient features are presented in the paper.     

三价铁促进生物氧化锰稳定土壤砷的效果和机制

通过室内模拟实验,研究了三价铁对生物氧化锰（BMO）稳定化砷污染土壤的促进效果与作用机制.实验结果表明：三价铁的添加提高了BMO对土壤中砷的稳定化效率,当三价铁以质量分数百分比（以Fe计）为0.5%、1%、2%和4%添加时,砷的稳定化效率由单独BMO处理的63.02%增加至86.04%、93.86%、96.56%和97.98%;由连续提取实验结果可知,添加三价铁能够促进土壤中砷的结合形态由可交换态、专属吸附态向无定型铁锰结合态和结晶型铁锰结合态转变,增强土壤中砷的稳定化作用;风险分析进一步表明添加三价铁后砷的环境风险由中风险转变为低风险;矿物晶体结构分析表明,添加三价铁后土壤中出现水铁矿、纤铁矿等次生铁氧化物,这些铁氧化物对土壤中砷有良好的吸附固定能力.总体而言,三价铁的存在能够提高BMO对砷污染土壤的稳定化效率,但三价铁的添加量不宜过高,否则会引起土壤酸化问题.     

Psychosocial risks in small enterprises: the mediating role of perceived working conditions in the relationship between enterprise size and workers’ anxious or depressive episodes

Purpose. The relationship between enterprise size and psychosocial working conditions has received little attention so far but some findings suggest that conditions are more favorable in small enterprises. This could have a positive impact on workers’ mental health. The objective of this study was to test the mediating effect of perceived working conditions in the relationship between enterprise size and anxious or depressive episodes. Methods. Data from the 2010 SUMER – Surveillance Médicale des Expositions aux Risques professionnels (French periodical cross-sectional survey) were analyzed; N?=?31,420 for the present study. Anxious or depressive episodes were measured with the hospital anxiety and depression scale and the perceived working conditions were psychological demand, decision latitude and social support as assessed with Karasek's job content questionnaire. The indirect effect was tested according to the method proposed by Preacher and Hayes. Results. In a multivariate logistic regression, the risk of anxious or depressive episodes was found to be lower in micro enterprises (2–9 employees). Formal tests pointed to a significant indirect effect of enterprise size on mental health through perceived working conditions, with a larger effect for psychological demand. Conclusion. This study highlights perceived working conditions as an explanation of the effects of enterprise size.     

Methylated and thiolated arsenic species for environmental and health research——A review on synthesis and characterization

Hundreds of millions of people around the world are exposed to elevated concentrations of inorganic and organic arsenic compounds, increasing the risk of a wide range of health effects. Studies of the environmental fate and human health effects of arsenic require authentic arsenic compounds. We summarize here the synthesis and characterization of more than a dozen methylated and thiolated arsenic compounds that are not commercially available. We discuss the methods of synthesis for the following14 trivalent(Ⅲ) and pentavalent() arsenic compounds: monomethylarsonous acid(MMA~Ⅲ), dicysteinylmethyldithioarsenite(MMA~Ⅲ(Cys)_2), monomethylarsonic acid(MMA~Ⅴ),monomethylmonothioarsonic acid(MMMTAⅤ) or monothio-MMA~Ⅴ, monomethyldithioarsonic acid(MMDTA~Ⅴ) or dithio-MMA~Ⅴ, monomethyltrithioarsonate(MMTTA~Ⅴ) or trithio-MMA~Ⅴ,dimethylarsinous acid(DMA~Ⅲ), dimethylarsino-glutathione(DMA~Ⅲ(SG)), dimethylarsinic acid(DMA~Ⅴ), dimethylmonothioarsinic acid(DMMTA~Ⅴ) or monothio-DMAⅤ, dimethyldithioarsinic acid(DMDTA~Ⅴ) or dithio-DMA~Ⅴ, trimethylarsine oxide(TMAO~Ⅴ), arsenobetaine(AsB), and an arsenicin-A model compound. We have reviewed and compared the available methods,synthesized the arsenic compounds in our laboratories, and provided characterization information. On the basis of reaction yield, ease of synthesis and purification of product, safety considerations, and our experience, we recommend a method for the synthesis of each of these arsenic compounds.     

平顶山东部矿区地应力场特征及其对煤与瓦斯突出的影响

为了研究平顶山东部矿区地应力场特征,以及地应力对煤与瓦斯突出的影响,利用地应力实测资料,运用理论分析和数理统计计算相结合的方法,系统研究了东部矿区地应力的分布规律;并且进行了地应力区块划分,揭示了东部矿区地应力在突出中的作用。结果表明:1)东部矿区地应力场以水平构造应力为主,最大主应力方向为NEE-SWW向,最大水平主应力百米梯度为5.4 MPa左右,该区域内集聚了较高的水平构造应力,应力场类型为大地动力场;2)依据最大水平主应力随埋深增加而增大的应力梯度线,将东部矿区划分为应力升高区和应力梯度区;3)应力升高区由于地应力集中,提供了突出的动力,构造煤的发育则减少了突出阻力,造成了该区域频繁发生突出事故,突出的主导因素为地应力。     

某系列飞机中央翼第三墙外置机匣接耳应力腐蚀裂纹的成因与预防

目的分析某系列飞机中央翼第三墙外置机匣接耳应力腐蚀裂纹的成因,并进行有针对性的预防。方法对发生裂纹的接耳进行端口检测,并对应力腐蚀条件和腐蚀环境进行分析。结果7B04铝合金在Cl-、超过应力腐蚀门槛值的应力和锻件夹杂的共同作用下,在表面氧化膜破裂的酸性环境下发生应力腐蚀。结论应当改进飞机修理过程中的工艺方法,并对接耳设计进行适当的修改。     

某型胶粘剂加速贮存试验及寿命评估

目的评估某型胶粘剂的寿命。方法通过恒定应力试验方法对某胶粘剂进行三个不同应力量级的高温加速贮存试验。结果胶粘剂在100,80,60℃三种高温老化温度下的老化90 d后的剪切强度均明显大于初始剪切强度12.225 MPa。结论高温老化过程中,胶粘剂发生了明显的退化现象。温度越高,性能退化越快。由性能退化曲线拟合得到了胶粘剂高温老化的加速因子,评估了胶粘剂的常温贮存寿命至少为17.1年。     

矿区土壤中砷污染对微生物群落的影响研究

采用梯度培养和PCR-DGGE技术,对大柳塔矿区矸石山及周边土壤的砷含量及其对土壤微生物群落的影响进行了研究,并通过测序研究了土壤微生物群落的结构。结果表明,矸石山及其周边自然表土的含水量较少,且十分相近;全磷和有机质含量普遍较高,p H呈中偏碱性;不同风化程度矸石山土壤砷含量对土壤微生物群落有显著的影响,不同砷污染负荷土壤中微生物群落的丰度存在差异;矸石山复垦年限不同,土壤理化性质会发生变化;土壤中砷含量的增高,对植物生长起关键作用的Gemmatimonas(甲烷单毛菌属)等微生物群落受到不同程度的抑制;Proteobacterium(变形菌门)具有较强的耐砷性;矸石山土壤特有的理化性质可为GASP-WA2W2_F11等微生物群落的演替创造了条件。     

以GDP-PM2.5达标为约束的东莞大气环境容量及承载力研究

东莞市计划到2017年PM_(2.5)年均浓度达到国家二级标准(35μg·m~(-3)),GDP年均增长率至少不低于7%.面对复合型为特征的PM_(2.5)大气污染,传统的环境容量和承载力计算方法具有局限性.因此,本文基于经济、气象、能源、环境等关键信息,利用系统动力学(SD)建立了GDPPM_(2.5)宏观动态统计模型.考虑到PM_(2.5)年均浓度等统计值本身就是污染物不断生成又不断扩散、沉降达到动态平衡的综合结果.因此,SD模型可不从理化角度去模拟复杂的大气传输和扩散过程,而是通过引入各污染物的比例系数μ,构建转化率η,建立GDP、PM_(2.5)年均浓度、五大污染物(VOCs、SO2、NOx、NH3、一次PM_(2.5))排放量等变量之间的逻辑联系,为分析和预测工作奠定基础.同时,本文梳理了大气环境压力、承载力和容量的定义,强调了三者之间的相互作用、密不可分的动态关系,建设性地提出了度量承载力的11项指标(5个显性、6个隐性).最后,利用模型模拟预测了"综合治理"模式下2012—2020年间以GDP-PM_(2.5)达标为约束的五大污染物的大气环境压力、容量和承载力.结果表明,预计PM_(2.5)浓度达标约在2017年上半年,对应的SO_2、NO_x、VOCs、NH_3、一次PM_(2.5)容量分别为84987、138849、100875、7751、17402 t;承载力隐性部分各项阈值分别为GDP总量7074亿元、新增绿色GDP 737亿元、煤炭2120万t(以标煤计)、石油552万t(以标煤计)、天然气663万t(以标煤计)、新能源630万t(以标煤计);承载力显性部分各阈值(相对于2012年5年累积减排量)分别为SO264271 t、NOx128831 t、VOCs 108337 t、NH34070 t、一次PM_(2.5)35863 t.本研究为东莞市大气减排提供了具体目标和参考数值.