Metabolic responses of weeping willows to selenate and selenite

Goal, Scope and Background Selenium (Se) is one of the most widely distributed elements of the earth’s crust at low concentrations. The extensive use of Se-containing chemicals due to anthropogenic activities has increased the ecological risk to environmental compartments. Plants, under unfavorable environmental conditions, often increase the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and consequently plant antioxidant enzymatic systems have been proposed to be important in plant stress tolerance. The goal of this study was to find out the metabolic responses of plants to Se, to provide quantitative information whether exogenous Se has a beneficial role in plants, and to investigate the potential of vegetation management of Se for potential phytoremediation. Material and Methods Pre-rooted plants of weeping willows (Salix babylonica L.) were grown hydroponically in growth chambers and treated with Na₂SeO₄ or Na₂SeO₃ at 24.0 ± 1°C for 168 h. Five different treatment concentrations were used, ranging from 0.44 to 8.72 mg Se/L for the treatments exposed to SeO₄²⁻ and from 0.50 to 10.0 mg Se/L for the treatments exposed to SeO₃²⁻, respectively. Transpiration rates, soluble protein contents and antioxidative enzyme activities of the plants were monitored to evaluate toxicity from exogenous Se exposure. At the end of the study, total Se in the hydroponic solution was analyzed by hydride generation-atomic fluorescence spectrometry (HG-AFS). Results Both chemical forms of Se at low concentrations showed growth-promoting effects on plants. A significant decrease of transpiration rates and of soluble protein contents of plants was observed at higher Se concentrations after 168 h of exposure. Measurable change of superoxide dismutases (SOD) activity in leaves was only detected under high Se treatments. Catalase (CAT) activity was significantly affected by the Se application. Slight change of peroxidase (POD) activity was measured in all treatments, whereas significant inhibition of POD activity was detected for the plants exposed to SeO₃²⁻ of 10.0 mg Se/L. Se-induced stress appeared in all treatments, thus resulting in measurable increase of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity of the plants. Although both chemical forms of Se were taken up by weeping willows efficiently, their uptake rates were different. Discussion Of all measured parameters, POD and CAT activities in leaves were noted the most sensitive indicator for the plants exposed to SeO₄²⁻ and SeO₃²⁻, respectively. Deleterious effects on plant physiological functions due to Se application were not observed over 168 h of exposure. This is largely due to the fact that well-established antioxidant enzymatic systems in plants and higher activities of GSH-Px largely reduced the negative effects on plants; SeO₃²⁻ caused much more severe stress to plants than SeO₄²⁻ at higher Se application rates. The uptake mechanisms between the two chemical species were quite different. Conclusions Neither visible toxic symptoms nor metabolic lesions were observed at low concentrations of Se, probably due to the effective established enzymatic systems in weeping willows. All selected parameters for toxicity determination were significantly correlated to Se application, but metabolic responses of plants to SeO₄²⁻ and SeO₃²⁻ were quite different. GSH-Px in leaves was probably the principle enzyme responsible for stress reduction from Se exposure. Due to their different chemical properties, weeping willows showed a faster uptake rate for SeO₄²⁻ than for SeO₃²⁻. Recommendations Exogenous Se has a beneficial role in plants and vegetation management of Se is a potential remediation strategy in cleaning up Se-contaminated sites. Further investigation on the biochemical mechanism of Se metabolism will provide insight to the specific interactions between Se and plants on the molecular level. Perspectives Weeping willow has a sound potential for phytoremediation of Se-contaminated sediment and groundwater because the tree is not only tolerant to Se but also uptakes chemical species from the environment.     

Understanding the anthropogenic phosphorus pathway with substance flow analysis at the city level

Excessive input of phosphorus into natural water bodies as a result of anthropogenic processes is an escalating factor that leads to eutrophication. Hence, quantifying the pathway of phosphorus throughout the socioeconomic system is essential for the selection of appropriate measures to mitigate phosphorus discharge. The study develops an analytical model of anthropogenic phosphorus flows within a socioeconomic system based on substance flow analysis. The model consists of five major subsystems: the phosphorous chemical industry, agriculture, animal feeding, human consumption, and waste management. The results show that the total input and output of phosphorus in Chaohu City over 2008 are 8517.70 ton (t) and 4682.76 t, respectively. The estimation of phosphorus discharged into local surface water is 544.22 t, which primarily comes from agriculture (391.99 t, 72.03%), followed by large-scale farming (55.70 t, 10.23%), rural consumption (56.81 t, 10.44%), urban consumption (30.42 t, 5.59%), and waste management (9.30 t, 1.71%). Intensive input of fertilizers in agricultural practices was identified as the most important source of phosphorus load on local surface water. Hence, we propose that the eutrophication of local water bodies could be addressed by optimizing local industrial structure, developing ecological and organic-based agriculture, and improving waste collection and disposal practices.     

Anthropogenic phosphorus flow analysis of Lujiang County, Anhui Province, Central China

Anthropogenic phosphorus load in the aquatic environment of Lujiang County, central China, may be a serious problem, greatly contributing to surface water eutrophication. Using substance flow analysis, this study develops a phosphorus-flow analytical model to trace the pathways of this limiting nutrient throughout Lujiang's socioeconomic system. The model includes six major subsystems: extraction, phosphorous chemical industry, agriculture, animal husbandry, human consumption, and phosphorous waste management. We conducted qualitative and quantitative analyses of the primary phosphorous flows and stocks within these subsystems in Lujiang County over 2008. Approaches to data include statistical reports and literature reviews, face-to-face interviews and questionnaire-based surveys. The results show the total phosphorus input and output were 8311.5 tons and 5664.6 tons, respectively, in Lujiang in 2008, resulting in a phosphorus surplus of 2646.9 tons in the socioeconomic system. The phosphorus load in the recipient waters, as part of the total phosphorus output, was estimated to be 1666.7 tons. Large-scale livestock operations contributed the most phosphorus to local surface waters, accounting for 55.8% and followed by human consumption (23.0%) and agriculture (21.2%). Consequently, it should be of central concern for policy makers to improve phosphorous reuse efficiency in order to reduce phosphorus release into the aquatic environment. Limitations of the methodology and data are also discussed.     

食物相暴露下三丁基锡(TBT)在疣荔枝螺(Thais clavigera)体内的吸收和代谢动力学

将牡蛎消化腺分别暴露在1000 ng·L-1和100 ng·L-1 TBT水溶液中4周,然后将染毒的牡蛎消化腺分别投喂疣荔枝螺(Thais clavigera).经过45 d的暴露和30 d的净化,我们发现雌雄疣荔枝螺的消化和生殖系统能较快地吸收TBT(吸收速率ku=0.004-0.022·d-1),并且其代谢(生物代...     

印染废水活性污泥代谢状态光偏转快速检测法

针对现有活性污泥检测方法过程繁琐、耗时长、检测结果滞后的局限,提出了光偏转快速检测法.在污泥负荷为0.33KgCOD/（kg MLSS·d）、水力停留时间为15h的印染废水完全混合式活性污泥系统中,投放粒径4mm、具有20μm微孔结构的聚乙烯醇（PVA）凝胶小球以负载微生物,并在小球达到稳定状态后,对其表面处因外界溶液与微生物代谢产物交换产生的浓度梯度变化,借助光斑分析仪进行光偏转检测,同时测定与光偏转检测结果相对应的15h后的出水COD及COD去除率.连续10个月的检测发现,小球中富集的主要为细菌,当进水COD由91.95mg/L增至519.4mg/L时,小球的光偏转值从229.51μm增加至299.97μm,COD去除率从16.03%提高至66.99%;当DO浓度为1.5mg/L~5mg/L时,小球光偏转值在DO=4mg/L时增至最大为309.3mg/L,对应状态下COD去除率增至最大为61.18%;在pH值为6~9时,小球光偏转值在pH=7时增至最大为293.96μm,对应状态下COD去除率也达到最大值为64.83%;当重金属Cr³⁺浓度增至50mg/L时,微生物活性逐渐受到抑制,小球光偏转值在Cr³⁺浓度为20mg/L时降至269.7μm,随后随着Cr³⁺浓度的增加,微生物细胞受损,胞内物质溶出,小球光偏转值有所增大,对应状态下COD去除率从52.5%持续降低至25.73%.结果表明：该方法可快速获得活性污泥代谢状态变化信息,且依据特定条件下小球光偏转值变化能够预测随后印染废水COD的去除效果.利用三维荧光光谱初步探究了微生物代谢引发光偏转的机理,发现参与微生物代谢的主要有机物为酪氨酸、芳香类蛋白及色氨酸.     

基于生态网络效用的昭通市“三生空间”碳代谢分析

解析“三生空间”碳代谢有助于实现区域“三生空间”要素整合和结构优化,是寻求城市绿色低碳发展的有效途径之一。以昭通市为例,通过计算垂直方向上碳通量,构建水平方向的碳流模型,系统分析了2010—2018年“三生空间”碳代谢的时空分布,利用生态网络分析方法评价了“三生空间”演化对城市碳代谢的综合影响。结果显示:（1）2010—2018年间昭通市垂直方向上净碳通量和水平方向上净碳流均为负值,“三生空间”演化对昭通市碳代谢平衡产生了消极作用,造成碳排放量的增加。（2）“三生空间”用地在碳代谢系统中的生态关系以限制掠夺关系为主,生态空间被生活空间和生产空间挤占,影响了昭通市的碳代谢平衡。（3）整体生态效用函数J的值为0.85,小于1,说明“三生空间”演化对区域整体碳代谢平衡的综合作用是消极的,这与净碳流显示的结果相同。研究结果可为昭通市国土空间利用优化与低碳发展提供理论依据,这种研究方法可为国土空间优化与“三生空间”优化提供前期支持。     

基于工业代谢的工业生态链梯级循环物质流研究

以工业代谢为理论基础,运用系统分析与建模的方法对工业生态系统中的企业及其所构建的工业生态链进行理论分析与描述,揭示了工业生态系统中物质代谢及循环流动机理,并提出了简化的工业生态链的梯级循环物质流模式及其数学表达模型,对我国开展工业生态研究具有一定的参考价值和指导意义。     

面向城市管理的城市建筑存量研究综述

城市建筑存量研究是为适应当前城市管理的需要而出现的理论研究,与国家制定的城市可持续发展战略具有内在一致性。本文对城市建筑存量的概念进行解析,全面阐述了城市建筑存量研究的意义,概述了城市建筑存量研究的系统边界、内涵和研究方法等,总结了城市建筑存量研究的三大领域：城市建筑存量时空演变及影响因素研究、城市建筑废弃物资源化开发潜力分析研究和城市可持续管理决策支持系统开发的研究现状。目前城市建筑存量理论体系尚不够完善、定量工具和基础数据库严重缺乏,对于城市决策支持不足,未来应在城市建筑存量时空演变及环境影响分析、开发融合多学科交叉及新技术应用的分析方法和辅助城市可持续管理决策三个领域加强和深化研究。