Seasonal Differences in the Levels of Gaseous Air Pollutants in the Vicinity of a Waste Dump

Hydrogen sulphide, ammonia, nitrogen dioxide, mercaptans and sulphur dioxide (H₂S, NH₃, NO₂, R-SH, SO₂) concentrations were measured at the location in the vicinity of the waste dump to determine the air pollution level of these pollutants prior to the operation of the Mobile Thermal Treatment Plant. Samples were collected over one year period. Seasonal differences, and the influence of meteorological parameters (temperature, relative humidity, pressure and wind direction) on the air pollution levels were studied. Results show relatively low concentrations of H₂S, NO₂, R-SH and SO₂, while NH₃ levels were higher compared to the guideline values. Good weather conditions (high air pressure and low relative humidity) are connected to long range transport of NO₂, while higher temperatures result in elevated NH₃ and R-SH concentrations. Because of the predominant northeast wind direction (the same as the waste dump direction), the contribution of air pollution from the direction of the waste dump at the measuring site is significant, but that does not necessarily mean that the pollutants originated from that source.     

Mitigation of hydrogen fluoride aerosols by dry powders

Fluid bed tests were used to determine overall reaction rates for eight different dry powders of low hazard and toxicity before and after reaction with HF. In flow chamber tests, a representative oxide, hydroxide and carbonate were used to measure the efficiency of mitigation of an HF aerosol cloud. The results show that dry powders provide a valid alternative to water spray mitigation. Powder efficiencies are higher than water efficiencies at constant weight ratio.

At present, no attempt has been made to provide any technical designs or layouts for powder mitigation systems. However, the technology for smaller systems is available through manufacturers of dry powder chemical fire extinguisher equipment. When these powders are kept dry and under nitrogen atmosphere, a shelf life of several years can be expected.     

非热强介质等离子体反应器用于臭味气体的分解

对非热强介质等离子体反应器用于臭味气体———氨、硫化氢、甲基硫醇的分解进行了试验研究。研究了施加电压、停留时间、初始浓度对臭味气体分解率的影响 ,并对氨的分解产物进行了初步分析。结果表明 ,在这 3种气体的初始体积分数分别为 2 5× 10 -6和 5 0× 10 -6的条件下 ,当施加电压为 16kV、停留时间为 0 .2 3s时 ,氨的分解率达到 97%以上 ;当停留时间为0 .2 3s时 ,硫化氢和甲基硫醇分别在 10kV和 8kV时达到 10 0 %的分解。     

ACID PRECIPITATION AND WEATHERING BY ORGANIC ACIDS IN LABRAI)OR LAKE BASINS1

ABSTRACT: Thirty-five lakes in southern Labrador sampled in 1981 were resampled in 1989 and water chemistry values were compared between visits. Results showed higher pH, specific conductance, acid neutralization capacity, color, and base cations values in 1989, though sulfate, the ion most likely to reflect acid precipitation impacts, did not vary. The major ion changes measured were probably due to natural hydrological variations and not to changes in acid inputs. Results from the 1989 data showed a slight, but significant, decrease in water sulfate concentration trend from western to eastern Labrador, though most values, even in the western portion of the study area, fell close to the values considered “background” by Brakke et at. (1989). Base cation concentrations exceeded those which could be predicted from weathering by carbonic and bicarbonic acid. Assuming that little weathering is generated by acid precipitation in this region, the excess cations measured are probably a result of bedrock dissolution from organic acids generated by plant decomposition. Calculations showed that organic acid effect could be responsible for 9 to 52 percent of total weathering in the study basins.     

Investigation of sustainable energy alternatives for powering remote communities in northern Ontario

ABSTRACT

Remote communities in the North of Ontario survive in isolation as their proximity to the southern industrial sector of the province limits their accessibility to the major grid. The lack of grid connection has led to antiquated methods of power generation which pollute the environment and deplete the planet of its natural resources. Aside from the primary means of electricity generation being by diesel generators, generation infrastructure is deteriorating due to age and the stagnation of the power supply has led to communities facing load restrictions. These challenges may be resolved by introducing clean energy alternatives and providing a fuel blend option. The primary energy sources investigated in this research are solar, wind, and hydrogen. To assess the viability of these energy production methods in Northern communities, an exergy analysis is employed as it utilizes both the first and second law of thermodynamics to determine systems’ efficiency and performance in the surroundings. Local weather patterns were used to determine the viability of using wind turbines, solar panels and/or hydrogen fuel cells in a remote community. Through analysis of the resources available at the community, it was determined that the hydrogen fuel cell was best suited to provide clean energy to the community. Wind resulted in low efficiency in the range of 2–3% while solar efficiencies resulted in ranges of 18 – 19%, as the seasonal variations between the three years is not very great. Due to the higher operating efficiencies observed of the PV panels it would also be an attractive alternative to diesel generators however, the lack of consistent operation above 30% efficiency throughout the year, resulted in hydrogen fuel cells being a better alternative.     

用改性活性碳纤维去除CO2原料气中的H2S

采用固定床动态吸附实验，用改性活性碳纤维（ACF）吸附去除CO2原料气中的H2S。通过改变改性剂种类、反应温度和原料气中CO2浓度，找出用改性ACF去除CO2原料气中H2S的规律。实验结果表明：常温下，可用NaON改性的ACF来消除CO2的酸性对去除H2S的不利影响；随着反应温度的升高，CO2与ACF形成的C（O＊）中间产物增多，CO2的存在有利于改性ACF去除H2S；而当反应温度过高时，CO2与ACF形成的C（O＊）中间产物发生分解，导致ACF碳化，不利于H2S的吸附去除。     

化学事故救援方舱舱室环境安全性模拟研究

运用计算流体动力学(CFD)方法,对具有超压防护功能的某化学事故应急救援手术方舱室内气体污染物运动扩散的规律以及对人员安全的影响进行了数值模拟,其研究结果表明:当大气环境中氢氰酸(HCN)浓度为5mg/L时,前10s从常规进风口进入舱室的HCN在滤毒通风装置开启后,随气流运动逐渐向整个舱室扩散,经净化空气的混合稀释作用,绝大部分通过舱体缝隙排出舱室,30min内舱室HCN浓度的总量下降了95.1%,说明超压防护很好地保证了舱室环境的安全性。     

过氧化氢对铜绿微囊藻的损伤效应研究

采用室内培养的方法研究了不同浓度H2O2对铜绿微囊藻(Microcystic aeruginosa)藻细胞的损伤效应.结果表明,H2O2浓度越大,对藻细胞的毒害作用越大.24 h之后,铜绿微囊藻藻细胞数、叶绿素a、类胡萝卜素和蛋白质含量及总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)都快速下降,而MDA含量显著增加,同时培养基中的H2O2含量也迅速降低;随着处理时间的增加,毒性效应逐渐增强;72 h之后,藻细胞各指标值都降得很低,MDA含量也增加到最大,培养基中H2O2也逐渐被消耗和分解,藻细胞的损伤效应也达到最大.其中,H2O2浓度为50 mg·L-1时,能够有效的去除藻细胞,并且对藻细胞的生理指标及抗氧化能力都有很强的损伤效应.     

北京市PM_(2.5)主要化学组分浓度水平研究与特征分析

为研究北京市大气环境PM_(2.5)中主要化学组分特征,于2012年8月—2013年7月期间,在北京市定陵、车公庄、东四、石景山、通州、房山、亦庄和榆垡等8个点位开展为期1年的样品采集,共计采集472组样品,分析每组样品中OC、EC、水溶性离子和18种无机元素等组分.研究结果表明,本次研究的组分重建后和实际PM_(2.5)浓度相关性显著,相关系数为0.94,所测组分平均占PM_(2.5)总量的90%;各点位不同季节PM_(2.5)中主要的组分均为OC、NO_3~-、SO_4~(2-)、NH_4~+,呈南高北低的趋势,冬季OC是夏季的1.7倍,NO_3~-和SO2--4在四季呈交替状态,除榆垡点位的SO_4~(2-)NO_3~-外,其他点位均是NO_3~-SO_4~(2-),4种主要的组分质量浓度分别为(23.1±21.4)、(20.3±23.4)、(19.4±22.2)、(13.6±15.2)μg·m-3,占PM_(2.5)总含量的18.5%、16.3%、15.6%、10.9%;研究水溶性离子发现,8个点位全年SNA/PM_(2.5)比例为42.8%,其中,夏季最高(49.9%),秋季较低(31.1%),NO_3~-/SO_4~(2-)比值平均为1.05,相对往年研究结果 NO_3~-/SO_4~(2-)比值有增加的趋势.     

Cu(II), Fe(III) and Mn(II) combinations as environmental stress factors have distinguishing effects on Enterococcus hirae

Pollution by various heavy metals as environmental stress factors might affect bacteria. It was established that iron (Fe(III)), manganese (Mn(II)) and copper (Cu(II)) ion combinations caused effects on Enterococcus hirae that differed from the sum of the effects when the metals were added separately. It was shown that the Cu²⁺-Fe³⁺ combination decreased the growth and ATPase activity of membrane vesicles of wild-type E. hirae ATCC9790 and atpD mutant (with defective F_oF₁-ATPase) MS116. Addition of Mn²⁺-Fe³⁺ combinations within the same concentration range had no effects on growth compared to control (without heavy metals). ATPase activity was increased in the presence of Mn²⁺-Fe³⁺, while together with 0.2 mmol/L N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD), ATPase activity was decreased compared to control (when only 0.2 mmol/L DCCD was present). These results indicate that heavy metals ion combinations probably affect the FOF1-ATPase, leading to conformational changes. Moreover the action may be direct or be mediated by environment redox potential. The effects observed when Fe³⁺ was added separately disappeared in both cases, which might be a result of competing processes between Fe³⁺ and other heavy metals. These findings are novel and improve the understanding of heavy metals ions effects on bacteria, and could be applied for regulation of stress response patterns in the environment.