鸡粪与中药渣共堆肥对抗生素抗性基因的影响

畜禽粪便是抗生素抗性基因(antibiotic resistant genes,ARGs)进入环境的重要途径,为了削减畜禽粪便中的ARGs,在为期46 d的鸡粪与中药渣共堆肥后,对不同阶段ARGs和可移动基因元件(mobile gene elements,MGEs)的丰度通过实时定量PCR进行检测. 100种ARGs中检测到21种,以及2种整合酶基因(int I1和int I2)和3种转座酶基因(tnp A-01、tnp A-02和tnp A-03).结果表明,在堆肥过程中5种MGEs均显著降低,其中tnp A-01和tnp A-02去除效果最好,减少了两个数量级;氨基糖苷类抗性基因aac A/aph D和aad E显著性降低(P 0. 05);β-内酰胺类抗性基因bla OXA1与堆肥天数显著相关(P=0. 016),其去除率为78. 63%;林可酰胺类抗性基因均随堆肥时间显著降低,平均去除率为90. 39%;四环素类抗性基因的去除效果相差较大,tet G降低了99. 77%,tetR仅降低了31. 72%;喹诺酮类抗性基因qnr D去除率最高为99. 89%;磺胺类中sulⅢ的去除率高达99. 88%,而sulⅠ呈增长趋势. ARGs与MGEs相关性表明tnp A-01与ARGs之间具有显著相关性(P 0. 05). ARGs随堆肥时间的变化趋势表明,中药渣与鸡粪共堆肥可显著降低ARGs丰度,从而降低畜禽粪便在农田施用中ARGs扩散的风险.     

Macroscale and microscale analysis of Anammox in anaerobic rotating biological contactor

Inoculated with conventional anaerobic activated sludge, the Anammox process was successfully developed in an anaerobic rotating biological contactor (AnRBC) fed with a low ratio of C/N synthetic wastewater. Operated in a single point feed mode, the AnRBC removed 92.1% (n = 126) of the influent N at the highest surface load of 12 g/(m².day). The biomass increased by 25% and 17.1 g/(m².day) of maximum N removal surface load was achieved by elevating flow rate with another feed point. Fluorescence in situ hybridization and polymerase chain reaction analysis indicated that the Anammox genus Candidatus Kuenenia stuttgartiensis dominated the community. Both Anammox and denitrifying activity were detected in biofilm by the application of microelectrodes. In the outer layer of the biofilm (0-2500 μupm), nitrite and ammonium consumed simultaneously in a ratio of 1.12/1, revealing the occurrence of Anammox. In the inner layer (> 2500 μupm), a decrease of nitrate was caused by denitrification in the absence of nitrite and ammonium.     

Current status and perspectives of accelerated carbonation processes on municipal waste combustion residues

The increasing volumes of municipal solid waste produced worldwide are encouraging the development of processes to reduce the environmental impact of this waste stream. Combustion technology can facilitate volume reduction of up to 90%, with the inorganic contaminants being captured in furnace bottom ash, and fly ash/APC residues. The disposal or reuse of these residues is however governed by the potential release of constituent contaminants into the environment. Accelerated carbonation has been shown to have a potential for improving the chemical stability and leaching behaviour of both bottom ash and fly ash/APC residues. However, the efficacy of carbonation depends on whether the method of gas application is direct or indirect. Also important are the mineralogy, chemistry and physical properties of the fresh ash, the carbonation reaction conditions such as temperature, contact time, CO₂ partial pressure and relative humidity. This paper reviews the main issues pertaining to the application of accelerated carbonation to municipal waste combustion residues to elucidate the potential benefits on the stabilization of such residues and for reducing CO₂ emissions. In particular, the modification of ash properties that occur upon carbonation and the CO₂ sequestration potential possible under different conditions are discussed. Although accelerated carbonation is a developing technology, it could be introduced in new incinerator facilities as a “finishing step” for both ash treatment and reduction of CO₂ emissions.     

Agriculture, pesticides, food security and food safety

Decades ago, agrochemicals were introduced aiming at enhancing crop yields and at protecting crops from pests. Due to adaptation and resistance developed by pests to chemicals, every year higher amounts and new chemical compounds are used to protect crops, causing undesired side effects and raising the costs of food production. Eventually, new techniques, including genetically modified organisms (GMOs) resistant to pests, could halt the massive spread of agrochemicals in agriculture fields. Biological chemical-free agriculture is gaining also more and more support but it is still not able to respond to the need for producing massive amounts of food. The use of agrochemicals, including pesticides, remains a common practice especially in tropical regions and South countries. Cheap compounds, such as DDT, HCH and lindane, that are environmentally persistent, are today banned from agriculture use in developed countries, but remain popular in developing countries. As a consequence, persistent residues of these chemicals contaminate food and disperse in the environment. Coordinated efforts are needed to increase the production of food but with a view to enhanced food quality and safety as well as to controlling residues of persistent pesticides in the environment.