Removal of elemental mercury by KI-impregnated clay

This study described the use of clay impregnated by KI in gas phase elemental mercury (Hg^o) removal in flue gas. The effects of KI loading, temperature, O₂, SO₂ and H₂O on Hg^o removal were investigated using a fixed bed reactor. The Hg^o removal efficiency of KI-clay with 3% KI loading could maintain at a high level (approximately 80 %) after 3 h. The KI-clay demonstrated to be a potential adsorbent for Hg^o removal when compared with activated carbon based adsorbent. O₂ was found to be an important factor in improving the Hg^o removal. O₂ was demonstrated to assist the transfer of KI to I₂ on the surface of KI-clay, which could react with Hg^o directly. NO and SO₂ could slightly improve Hg^o removal, while H₂O inhibited it greatly. The results indicated that after adsorption, most of the mercury escaped from the surface again. Some of the mercury may have been oxidized as it left the surface. The results demonstrated that the chemical reaction primarily occurred between KI and mercury on the surface of the KI-clay.     

Assessment of potentially toxic elements in Swiss chard and sediments of Akaki River,Ethiopia

For the determination of 15 potentially toxic elements (V, Cr, Fe, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Ag, Cd, Sn, Hg, and Pb) in plant and sediment samples of the Akaki River, Ethiopia, inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry, and a RA-915+ mercury analyzer were applied. Sediment and plant samples were mineralized using a closed-vessel microwave-assisted digestion system. The elemental concentrations varied considerably in plant and sediment samples. The minimum concentration was observed for known toxic elements (As, Hg, and Cd) while the highest concentration was observed for the elements of relatively low toxicity Zn, Mn, and Fe. The concentration of Cr, Fe, Pb, Zn, and As in Swiss chard surpassed the maximum permissible levels at specific sites. At some of the sites, the sediment quality guidelines are surpassed for Cu, Zn, and Pb.     

大气PM_（2.5）在线监测仪对SO_4~（2-）、NO_3~-和NH_4~＋的测定评价

通过两套大气细颗粒物（PM2.5）水溶性离子在线监测仪与蜂巢式固气分离器膜采样系统作对比,评估了在线监测仪器对主要水溶性组分SO24-、NO3-和NH4＋的测定结果.美国URG公司生产的在线连续监测分析系统（AIM URG-9000B）对NH4＋和NO3-的监测结果较好,但对SO24-的测定结果存在明显高估,其原因是AIM的平板溶蚀器系统无法完全去除大气中高浓度SO2,从而对SO24-的测定结果有干扰.为解决这一问题,进行了一系列实验,结果表明采用两个溶蚀器串联并用5 mmol.L-1H2O2＋5 mmol.L-1NaOH混合溶液作吸收液时,高浓度的SO2（甚至达到260μg.m-3）可以被完全吸收而对SO24-的测定结果不产生影响.由荷兰能源研究所（ECN）、Metrohm和Applikon共同研制的在线气体组分及气溶胶监测系统（MARGA,ADI2080）对NH4＋和SO24-的监测结果较好,可以满足实验要求;但NO3-的测定结果偏高,其准确性需作进一步评估.新型监测仪器在不同大气环境中投入使用前需进行对比测试,以确定其准确性和精确性.     

Effects of a diesel oxidation catalyst on gaseous pollutants and fine particles from an engine operating on diesel and biodiesel

The effects of a diesel oxidation catalytic (DOC) converter on diesel engine emissions were investigated on a diesel bench at various loads for two steady-state speeds using diesel fuel and B20. The DOC was very effective in hydrocarbon (HC) and CO oxidation. Approximately 90%–95% reduction in CO and 36%–70% reduction in HC were realized using the DOC. Special attention was focused on the effects of the DOC on elemental carbon (EC) and organic carbon (OC) fractions in fine particles (PM_2.5) emitted from the diesel engine. The carbonaceous compositions of PM_2.5 were analyzed by the method of thermal/optical reflectance (TOR). The results showed that total carbon (TC), OC and EC emissions for PM_2.5 from diesel fuel were generally reduced by the DOC. For diesel fuel, TC emissions decreased 22%–32% after the DOC depending on operating modes. The decrease in TC was attributed to 35%–97% decrease in OC and 3%–65% decrease in EC emissions. At low load, a significant increase in the OC/EC ratio of PM_2.5 was observed after the DOC. The effect of the DOC on the carbonaceous compositions in PM_2.5 from B20 showed different trends compared to diesel fuel. At low load, a slight increase in EC emissions and a significant decrease in OC/EC ratio of PM_2.5 after DOC were observed for B20.     

Characterization of humic acids extracted from the sediments of the various rivers and lakes in China

The humic acids (HAs) isolated from the sediments of the various rivers,lakes,and reservoirs in China were studied using elemental analyzer,fourier transform infrared (FT-IR),and CP/MAS 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.The results showed that the HAs were characterized by some common chemical and physicochemical properties,but they also pose some differences in the C-containing functional groups.The C/N,C/H,O/C,and O/H ratios differ widely for the various HAs,showing that the elemental comp...     

盐酸溶液改性蛭石对气态单质汞的吸附性能

采用盐酸溶液对蛭石进行浸渍处理,考察了盐酸溶液改性蛭石对气态单质汞的吸附能力。研究结果表明：盐酸溶液改性蛭石对气态单质汞的吸附效果好于未改性蛭石,盐酸浓度为4．0mol／L时,盐酸溶液改性蛭石对气态单质汞的吸附效果较佳;进气中气态单质汞的质量浓度越高,盐酸溶液改性蛭石对气态单质汞的去除率越低;适当提高吸附温度对盐酸溶液改性蛭石吸附气态单质汞较有利;降低蛭石粒径,盐酸溶液改性蛭石对气态单质汞的去除率提高。     

Ambient Aerosol and its Carbon Content in Gainesville, a Mid-Scale City in Florida

Ambient aerosols were collected during 2000–2001 in Gainesville, Florida, using a micro-orifice uniform deposit impactor (MOUDI) to study mass size distribution and carbon composition. A bimodal mass distribution was found in every sample with major peaks for aerosols ranging from 0.32 to 0.56 μm, and 3.2 to 5.6 μm in diameter. The two distributions represent the fine mode (<2.5 μm) and the coarse mode (>2.5 μm) of particle size. Averaged over all sites and seasons, coarse particles consisted of 15% carbon while fine particles consisted of 22% carbon. Considerable variation was noted between winter and summer seasons. Smoke from fireplaces in winter appeared to be an important factor for the carbon, especially the elemental carbon contribution. In summer, organic carbon was more abundant. The maximum secondary organic carbon was also found in this season (7.0 μg m⁻³), and the concentration is between those observed in urban areas (15–20 μg m⁻³) and in rural areas (4–5 μg m⁻³). However, unlike in large cities where photochemical activity of anthropogenic emissions are determinants of carbon composition, biogenic sources were likely the key factor in Gainesville. Other critical factors that affect the distribution, shape and concentration were precipitation, brushfire and wind.     

Results of An Indoor Size Fractionated PM School Sampling Program in Libby, Montana

Libby, Montana is the only PM_2.5 nonattainment area in the western United States with the exceptions of parts of southern California. During January through March 2005, a particulate matter (PM) sampling program was conducted within Libby’s elementary and middle schools to establish baseline indoor PM concentrations before a wood stove change-out program is implemented over the next several years. As part of this program, indoor concentrations of PM mass, organic carbon (OC), and elemental carbon (EC) in five different size fractions (>2.5, 1.0–2.5, 0.5–1.0, 0.25–0.5, and <0.25 μm) were measured. Total measured PM mass concentrations were much higher inside the elementary school, with particle size fraction (>2.5, 0.5–1.0, 0.25–0.5, and <0.25 μm) concentrations between 2 and 5 times higher when compared to the middle school. The 1.0–2.5 μm fraction had the largest difference between the two sites, with elementary school concentrations nearly 10 times higher than the middle school values. The carbon component for the schools’ indoor PM was found to be predominantly composed of OC. Measured total OC and EC concentrations, as well as concentrations within individual size fractions, were an average of two to five times higher at the elementary school when compared to the middle school. For the ultrafine fraction (<0.25), EC concentrations were similar between each of the schools. Despite the differences in concentrations between the schools at the various fraction levels, the OC/EC ratio was determined to be similar.     

Anthropogenic lead distribution in soils under arable land and permanent grassland estimated by Pb isotopic compositions

The role of land use on fate of metals in soils is poorly understood. In this work, we studied the incorporation of lead in two neighboring soils with comparable pedogenesis but under long-term different agricultural management. Distributions of anthropogenic Pb were assessed from concentrations and isotopic compositions determined on bulk horizon samples, systematical 5-10 cm increment samples, and on 24-h EDTA extracts. Minor amounts of anthropogenic lead were detected until 1-m depth under permanent grassland, linked to high earthworm activity. In arable land, exogenous Pb predominantly accumulated at depths <60 cm. Although the proximity between the two sites ensured comparable exposition regarding atmospheric Pb deposition, the isotopic compositions clearly showed the influence of an unidentified component for the cultivated soil. This work highlights the need for exhaustive information on historical human activities in such anthropized agrosystems when fate of metal pollution is considered.     

亚硝酸盐型同步脱氮除硫工艺单质硫产率及特性

采用SBR同步脱氮除硫反应器,设置了化学对照组(灭菌,不添加污泥)和生物试验组(添加污泥),以期研究亚硝酸盐型同步脱氮除硫工艺中S0的产率以及特性.发现化学对照组中NO2--N和S2--S的去除率最高可分别达到25.07％和62.26％,其主要产物为NH4+-N和S2SO32--S,并无S0生成.而在生物试验组中,NO...