Chemical Behaviour of Calcium in Stabilized Oil Ash Reef Blocks After Five Years in the Ocean

Abstract

Reef blocks made from stabilized oil ash were taken from the sea after five years in the ocean to examine the chemical behaviour of calcium. Experiments included (1) determination of the calcium leaching rate and a comparison with the rate for unexposed blocks to test the validity of a diffusion model for predicting long term (5 years) leaching rates, (2) determination of the effect of biological cover (shell) on the leaching rate, (3) determination of the leaching rate of the core of exposed reef blocks, (4) determination of the calcium content in ‘ring areas’ - regions of discoloration observed in sectioned exposed reef blocks, and (5) determination of the leachable fraction of the total calcium in exposed reef blocks. Results showed the presence of a pronounced calcium discontinuity zone located 3–7 cm from the outside surface of the reef blocks. Cumulated calcium release rates ranged from 2.81–3.14 μmol cm^?2 day^?1 for original unexposed reef blocks and the core of exposed (in the ocean for five years) blocks, respectively, to 0.47–0.50 μmol cm^?2 day^?1 for outside (facing sea water) surfaces of exposed reef blocks. Tank leaching studies also showed that the presence or absence of hard biological cover (shells) had little or no effect on the calcium release rate. the diffusion model normally used in modelling the chemical behaviour of calcium cannot be used to predict the long term (five years) leaching of calcium. the core of the exposed blocks released calcium at a rate similar to new, unexposed reef block material. Overall, it appears that the calcium discontinuity zone is probably responsible for restricting the release of calcium and hence the failure of the diffusion model.     

Acid Deposition in the Tuscan Appennines During the Dry Period 1988-89

The typical parameters of acid precipitation are evaluated in the forest of Vallombrosa (Tuscan Appennines) during the dry period 1988-89. Individual rain events (dry and wet deposition) were sampled in a clearing of the forest and below the canopy of an evergreen tree as well as a deciduous broadleaf tree.

In atmospheric precipitation the pH values usually vary around 4.4, with neutralization in the hot season due to calcareous material from distant sources. Relatively large concentrations of Pb and Cd are found in rain, but only in a small amount in canopy leachate. Aluminium, manganese and iron are more significantly washed off than Pb and Cd.     

Leaching Characteristics of Lead and Cadmium From Waste-To-Energy Residues in Sea Water

Laboratory studies were conducted to determine leaching characteristics of waste-to-energy (WTE) residues in sea water to provide initial evaluation on the potential impact of WTE residues on the marine environment. Both loose and stabilized WTE residues were investigated for the leachability of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in sea water. Results of the study showed that loose WTE fly ash was very reactive in sea water; release of Pb and Cd occurred immediately (<0.5 hr) after the ash came in contact with sea water. Stabilization (treated with Portland cement and other additives), however, significantly reduced leaching of Cd and Pb. While ocean disposal of untreated WTE residues would not be advisable, utilization of stabilized WTE residues for beneficial uses should be investigated.     

Oxidative stress and changes in locomotor behavior and gill morphology of Gambusia affinis exposed to chromium

Sublethal effects of chromium trioxide on mosquito fish, Gambusia affinis, were carried out for 28 days on day 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, and 28. The sublethal effects of chromium (LC₁₀, 77.62?mg?L^?1) on antioxidant enzymes, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), locomotor behavior, and gill morphology were studied. The antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase were induced throughout the exposure span of 28 days. Percent induction was also increase with the days of exposure. Lipid peroxidation product, malondialdehyde was enhanced in the viscera tissue of chromium-exposed fish. Perturbation of locomotor behavior like decrease in distance travelled (m?min^?1) and in swimming speed (cm?s^?1) was observed in exposed fish. Chromium toxicity caused alterations in gill morphology like hypertrophy and hyperplasia in secondary lamellae followed by detached epithelium with severe necrosis. It can be concluded from the results that Cr intoxication in Gambusia fish, caused induction in antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation, plus changes in gill morphology and locomotor behavior.     

Metal inclusion in expanded clays

The possibility to include in expanded clay little amounts of metallic ions present in waste material, without significant influence on the environment, was investigated. In this article, known quantities of cadmium(II), lead(II), chromium(III), and chromium(VI) were added to a mixture of raw pit clay, adding a small amount of mineral oil. The resultant paste was heated at 1200°C, in conditions to provide the commercial product with the best characteristics of lightness. The obtained pellets were analyzed in two ways. A sample of expanded clay was crushed, added to with KNaCO₃ and melted. The melted mass, after cooling, was dissolved in HCl or in water and analyzed. The composition of the raw pit clay was analyzed as a blank. In parallel, pellets were subjected to a leaching process and the eluate was analyzed for the added cations. The concentration of the metal ions in the leached water is negligible compared with that generally admitted in drinking water.     

Exploring price effects on the residential water conservation technology diffusion process: a case study of Tianjin city

Reforms of the water pricing management system and the establishment of a flexible water pricing system are significant for cities in northern China to tackle their critical water issues. The WATAP (Water conservation Technology Adoption Processes) model is developed in order to capture the water conservation technology adoption process under different price scenarios with disaggregate water demands down to the end use level. This model is explicitly characterized by the technological selection process under maximum marginal benefit assumption by different categories of households. In particular, when households need to purchase water devices in the provision market with the consideration of complex factors such as the life span, investment and operating costs of the device, as well as the regulated water price by the government. Applied to Tianjin city, four scenarios of water price evolutions for a long-term perspective (from year 2011 to 2030) are considered, including BAU (Business As Usual), SP1 (Scenario of Price increase with constant annual rate), SP2 (Scenario of Price increase every four years) and SP3 (Scenario of Price increase with affordable constraint), considering many factors such as historic trends, affordability and incentives for conservation. Results show that on aggregate 2.3%, 11.0% and 18.2% of fresh water can be saved in the residential sector in scenario SP1, SP2 and SP3, respectively, compared with the BAU scenario in the year 2030. The water price signals can change the market shares of different water appliances, as well as the water end use structure of households, and ultimately improve water use efficiency. TheWATAP model may potentially be a helpful tool to provide insights for policy makers on water conservation technology policy analysis and assessment.     

噻虫胺在土壤中的吸附和淋溶特性

采用室内模拟试验方法,研究了噻虫胺在3种不同类型土壤中的吸附特性、移动特性及其影响因素.结果表明,噻虫胺在江西红壤、太湖水稻土与东北黑土中的吸附较好地符合Freundlich方程,Kd值分别为0.49、1.99和4.42,Kd值大小次序依次为:江西红壤<太湖水稻土<东北黑土.影响噻虫胺土壤吸附性的主要因素为土壤有机质.薄层层析试验显示,当溶剂展开至12.0 cm处,噻虫胺在江西红壤、太湖水稻土和东北黑土中最远移至10—12 cm、8—10 cm、4—6 cm处.土柱试验表明噻虫胺在红壤淋出液中质量分数为56.04%,太湖水稻土和东北黑土中的噻虫胺最远已移至20.0—25.0 cm和15.0—20.0 cm处.影响噻虫胺在土壤中吸附性和移动性的主要因素为土壤有机质含量.噻虫胺存在对地下水污染的潜在风险性,特别是在红壤环境下使用噻虫胺应该引起足够重视.     

Acute hematological toxicity of ivermectin to juvenile Clarias gariepinus

Abstract

Acute behavioral and hematological toxicity of ivermectin to C. gariepinus juveniles were assessed under static conditions at concentrations of 9 to 25?µg L^?1 for up to 4?days. Juveniles were highly sensitive to ivermectin, with an LC50 of 15?µg L^?1, culminating in spasms and paralysis. The hematological responses of packed cell volume, hemoglobin and red blood cell count decreased when compared to the control while the white blood cell count showed a biphasic trend. The mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin showed a mixed trend, while mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration increased with increase in the concentration of the drug. Lymphocytes and neutrophils were also significantly (p?<?.05) increased. Ivermectin did not elicit any significant changes in monocytes, basophils and eosinophils. The observed changes confirm that ivermectin negatively affected the health of the fish. Therefore, real-time monitoring for early warning is recommended.     

全氟辛烷磺酸盐(PFOS)对土壤跳虫的生态毒性

将两种跳虫(Folsomia candida和Folsomia fimetaria)暴露在全氟辛烷磺酸盐(perfluorooctane sulfonate,PFOS)污染的人工土壤中,利用跳虫存活数量、繁殖数量与回避行为来评价PFOS对跳虫的生态毒性。结果表明,PFOS对F.candida和F.fimetaria急性毒性的LC50(7d)分别为4777和2219mg·kg-1,慢性毒性的EC50(28d)分别为0.13和0.05mg·kg-1。此外,PFOS对两种跳虫回避行为影响的EC50(48h)分别为0.51mg·kg-1(F.candida)和0.31mg·kg-1(F.fimetaria)。分析比较发现,PFOS对跳虫急性死亡率影响很小,但对跳虫的回避行为和繁殖率有显著影响,可用来表征土壤中PFOS的生态毒性,且选用有性生殖的F.fimetaria及其慢性毒性实验来评价土壤中PFOS的毒性相对最灵敏。     

氧化亚铁硫杆菌浸出废旧锂离子电池的工艺条件

考察了接种量、振荡条件、浸出液以及电池原料对氧化亚铁硫杆菌浸出废旧锂离子电池的影响.研究结果表明,浸出10 d,钴浸出率达到48.5%,之后,浸出率不再增加;当接种量在2.5%—12.5%之间时,钴浸出率在第10天都为47.6%,接种量对浸出率无影响;振荡过程中控制温度为35℃时,钴浸出率最佳,并随着振荡速率的升高而增加;浸出液中加入硫磺对浸出影响不大,初始pH值在1.5—2.5范围内,都适合钴酸锂的浸出,而初始亚铁离子浓度在45 g.L-1条件下浸出效果最好;选择固液比为3%最佳,并且钴酸锂粉末的粒度大小对浸出率无影响.