Bio-Hydrogen Synthesis from Wastewater by Anaerobic Fermentation Using Microflora

Biological hydrogen production was investigated using biomass in palm oil mill effluent (POME) and artificial wastewater containing 10g glucose under anaerobic fermentation in a batch process. Activated POME sludge and different types of composts were collected as sources of inocula for the study. The anaerobic microflora was found to yield significant amounts of hydrogen. The experimental results show that the gas composition contained hydrogen (66–68%) and carbon dioxide (32–34%). Through out the study, methane gas was not observed in the evolved gas. The hydrogen production was accompanied with the formation of acetate and butyrate. Furthermore, the cumulative hydrogen data were fitted to a simple model developed from Gompertz Equation, where the lag phase time, hydrogen production potential and hydrogen production rate at various conditions were quantitatively estimated.     

Sustainable consumption and production: Trends, challenges and options for the Asia-Pacific region

This paper highlights current trends in consumption and production patterns in Asian developing countries and emerging economies. It describes the main challenges and opportunities for Asian countries making the transition towards sustainable consumption and production patterns. The main challenge for Asian economies is to address the unsustainable consumption patterns of urban consumers, which entails a policy shift from the current focus on pollution and inefficient industrial production. In view of future consumption trends and the global convergence of consumption patterns, the characteristics of the emerging 'global consumer class' are examined, with particular focus on urban ecological footprints and carbon emissions. Furthermore, the difference between urban and rural consumption is discussed, together with opportunities for low-carbon urban development in the megacities of Asian developing countries. To conclude, the paper presents an overview of current policy measures taken in Asian countries to green economic development and realise sustainable consumption and production patterns.     

Recovery of different waste vegetable oils for biodiesel production: A pilot experience in Bahia State,Brazil

In Brazil, and mainly in the State of Bahia, crude vegetable oils are widely used in the preparation of food. Street stalls, restaurants and canteens make a great use of palm oil and soybean oil. There is also some use of castor oil, which is widely cultivated in the Sertão Region (within the State of Bahia), and widely applied in industry. This massive use in food preparation leads to a huge amount of waste oil of different types, which needs either to be properly disposed of, or recovered. At the Laboratorio Energia e Gas-LEN (Energy & Gas lab.) of the Universidade Federal da Bahia, a cycle of experiments were carried out to evaluate the recovery of waste oils for biodiesel production. The experiences were carried out on a laboratory scale and, in a semi-industrial pilot plant using waste oils of different qualities. In the transesterification process, applied waste vegetable oils were reacted with methanol with the support of a basic catalyst, such as NaOH or KOH. The conversion rate settled at between 81% and 85% (in weight). The most suitable molar ratio of waste oils to alcohol was 1:6, and the amount of catalyst required was 0.5% (of the weight of the incoming oil), in the case of NaOH, and 1%, in case of KOH.The quality of the biodiesel produced was tested to determine the final product quality. The parameters analyzed were the acid value, kinematic viscosity, monoglycerides, diglycerides, triglycerides, free glycerine, total glycerine, clearness; the conversion yield of the process was also evaluated.     

闽江口鳝鱼滩芦苇湿地沉积物甲烷产生与氧化潜力对外源物质输入的响应

研究河口湿地沉积物甲烷(CH4)产生和氧化对外源物质输入的响应,对环境保护及温室气体减排具有重要意义.本研究基于室内培养-气相色谱法,探讨了闽江河口半咸水芦苇(Phragmites australis)沼泽湿地沉积物CH4产生与氧化对不同外源物质(底物、电子受体和营养物质)输入的响应.结果表明:CH3OH(500 mg·kg-1)、C3H9N(500 mg·kg-1)和Fe2+(0~500 mg·kg-1)对CH4产生潜力起促进作用(p0.05);NO-3(0~500 mg·kg-1)、NO-2(0~500 mg·kg-1)、Fe3+(50 mg·kg-1)和NH+4(50~500 mg·kg-1)表现为抑制CH4产生潜力(p0.05);而0~50 mg·kg-1的CH3OH和C3H9N、0~500 mg·kg-1的CH3COOH、SO2-4、Mn4+、PO3-4和低剂量的NH+4(0~5 mg·kg-1)对CH4产生的影响不显著(p0.05).实验剂量内(0~500 mg·kg-1),Fe3+和Mn4+的添加可促进CH4氧化(p0.05);CH3COOH、CH3OH、C3H9N、NO-3、NO-2、SO2-4、NH+4和低剂量的PO3-4(0~50 mg·kg-1)对沉积物CH4氧化潜力均有显著的抑制作用(p0.05);而Fe2+对CH4氧化没有显著影响(p0.05).综合分析表明,CH3COOH、CH3OH、C3H9N、NO-3、NO-2、SO2-4、PO3-4、NH+4和Fe2+的输入对沉积物CH4产生和氧化的综合作用为增加CH4排放通量,而Fe3+和Mn4+输入的综合作用则与之相反.     

安全社区居民满意度评估模型的构建与应用

为弥补安全社区现场评定指标体系中过多依靠人为主观因素的不足,客观反映并优化安全社区建设成效的评价结果,构建安全社区居民满意度(SCRSI)评估模型。运用AMOS17.0和SPSS17.0l软件分析从不同类型安全社区回收的280份调查问卷,验证该模型的合理性,得出SCRSI回归方程,并以此作为安全社区评估标准进行实例验证。结果表明,在安全社区建设过程中,应重视对居民期望的管理,确保宣传信息是准确和客观的,抓住影响居民满意度的关键因素,重点根据居民意见、建议和抱怨情况制定相应的预防和纠正措施。     

基于粗糙集和IPA的煤矿生产物流系统安全影响因素分析

针对煤矿生产物流系统安全影响因素众多、各因素对煤矿安全影响作用复杂的问题,提出基于粗糙集和IPA定位分析法的煤矿生产物流系统安全影响因素分析模型。首先运用粗糙集属性重要度思想对煤矿安全影响因素进行排序,然后采用IPA定位分析法识别不同安全状态煤矿安全生产的制约因素,最后通过对河南义马煤业集团跃进煤矿进行实证分析验证模型的可行性。结果表明,各因素对煤矿安全影响的重要度由大到小排序为通风设施、通风安全监控、通风技术管理、排水设备配置、机电安全管理、排水技术人员配备(采掘关系)、采掘机械、排水机构设置、安全运输、应急救援、采掘技术管理,且对于不同安全状态等级的煤矿而言,制约其安全的主要因素也不相同。     

厌氧发酵连续运行中有机负荷与工艺参数相互作用研究

以餐厨垃圾为研究对象,在高温(55±1)℃条件下,采用连续湿式厌氧发酵技术研究发酵过程中进料有机负荷、日产气量、pH值、挥发性有机酸(VFA)质量浓度等参数的变化情况及相互作用关系.结果表明:厌氧消化过程中出现了4个阶段,即适应阶段、提高阶段、稳定阶段和超负荷阶段;反应达到稳定阶段时,反应器运行有机负荷为3.9 kg/(m3·d),系统pH值稳定在7.8左右,平均产气速率达到5.26L/d;负荷达到4.2 kg/(m3·d)时,对系统产生明显抑制作用.     

Greener growing: assessing the influence of gardening practices on the ecological viability of community gardens in South East Queensland,Australia

While claims about the environmental benefits of community gardens abound, few researchers have systematically assessed the ecological integrity of gardening practices. This study investigated gardening practices in 50 community gardens in Brisbane and Gold Coast cities, Australia. The study aimed to better understand how gardening practices might affect the ecological viability of community gardens. Factors investigated included: garden bio-physical characteristics, operators’ motivations, gardeners’ socio-demographic backgrounds, garden facilities and types of plants grown. Two broad types of gardens were identified: permaculture (21 gardens) and non-permaculture (29 gardens). Permaculture gardens used lower-impact gardening practices. Findings have policy implications for environmental planning and management.     

我国煤矿生产与安全投入的计量分析

煤炭生产活动中既有市场产出又有安全输出,而煤炭生产和安全投入之间的关系反映了经济发展和职业安全之间的关系。在近二十年国内煤矿生产数据的基础上,分析煤炭生产和安全之间长期的相互作用关系,根据多元统计回归分析,建立了煤炭生产模型,并使用Eviews软件进行了脉冲曲线分析和方差分解分析。最后基于分析结果,对我国煤矿生产和安全投入现状提出了改进意见。     

平衡分配法在土壤环境质量基准推导中的相关问题研究

为了促进土壤环境质量标准的修订进程,势必要全面系统地开展土壤环境质量基准的研究工作。理论上,水、土之间是一个相互联系、互相依赖和关系密切的系统;同时,水生态毒理及其质量基准研究起步早,研究方法相对成熟。因此,从水质基准来推导土壤环境质量基准具有一定的科学依据与实践意义。本文首先从土-水系统中污染物分布的影响因素及其环境行为两方面简要阐述污染物在土-水系统中的分布规律;然后,扼要介绍了平衡分配(Eq P)理论及其在环境质量基准研究中的应用;之后,从Eq P方法的不确定性、毒理数据选用的争议性、Koc的局限性和分配系数的确定方法选择性等方面,探讨了平衡分配法在土壤环境质量基准研究中应用的瓶颈问题;最后,对此项研究进行了总结与展望。