Hydrocarbons contamination and microbial degradation in mangrove sediments of the Niger Delta region (Nigeria)

The distribution of aliphatic hydrocarbons and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and their degradability by bacteria in epipelic and benthic sediments from Qua Iboe Estuary mangrove ecosystem and associated creeks were investigated. The research findings revealed that total aliphatic hydrocarbons in sediments ranged from 16.82 mg·kg ^?1 to 210 mg kg ^?1, wheras total PAHs ranged from 6.30 to 35.55 mg·kg ^?1 dry weight of sediment. Low molecular mass (i.e. the 2–3-ring) PAHs were predominant in almost all the sampling points, whereas the higher molecular masses (4-, 5- and 6-ring PAHs) had the lowest concentrations. In general, the sediment samples ES ₂ (39.7%), ES ₃ (24.8%), BS ₁ (46.7%), BS ₂ (49.9%) and BS ₃ (44.2%) showed<50% contributions of Σ combustion–derived PAH (COMP-PAH) concentration to the Σ PAH concentrations, whereas ES ₁ (57%) contained>50% of COMP-PAHs. Our results have also shown that many mangrove bacteria have strong capacity to utilise Qua Iboe Light (QL) crude oil as the sole source of carbon and energy, while lower number of bacterial species including Bacillus sp., Micrococcus sp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Alcaligenes sp. and Flavobacterium sp. exhibited detectable PAHs degradability; and as such may serve as efficient degraders of QL crude oil contamination of mangrove ecosystem.     

Thymic involution produced by diesel exhaust particles and their constituents in mice

Epidemiological studies suggest that diesel exhaust particles (DEP) contribute to an increase in allergic diseases. To assess the effects of DEP on the central immune system, mice were exposed to DEP by intraperitoneal (IP) administration. Exposure to DEP resulted in severe thymic involution accompanied by a reduction in the number of thymocytes, especially in cortical CD4⁺CD8⁺ double positive and double negative subsets. Core carbon particles associated with a mixture of chemical compounds in DEP did not appear to be responsible for the DEP-induced thymic involution because carbon graphite does not affect neither the number nor the CD4/CD8 profile of thymocytes. Extraction of DEP by ether, acidic and basic solvents showed that several independent fractions including the neutral ether fraction, which contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), induced thymic involution. Among major PAH components of DEP, benzo[b]fluoranthene (BbF), benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), and benzo[k]fluoranthene (BkF) were very potent inducers of thymic involution at an ED50 of less than 100?ng per mouse body. Nonetheless, DEP treatment of mice with targeted disruption of genes encoding the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), AHR nuclear translocator (ARNT), or microsomal epoxide hydolase (mEH) indicated that DEP produced thymic involution even in the absence of PAH-induced AHR/ARNT signal transduction or mEH-mediated PAH catabolism. On the other hand, BaP-mediated thymic involution was completely dependent on AHR, partially dependent on ARNT in T cells, and independent of mEH. These results indicate that DEP-induced thymic involution is mediated both by PAH-AHR/ARNT-dependent and -independent mechanisms.     

Dissipation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and microbial activity in a field soil planted with perennial ryegrass

Dissipation and plant uptake of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in contaminated agricultural soil planted with perennial ryegrass were investigated in a field experiment. After two seasons of grass cultivation the mean concentration of 12 PAHs in soil decreased by 23.4% compared with the initial soil. The 3-, 4-, 5-, and 6-ring PAHs were dissipated by 30.9%, 25.5%, 21.2%, and 16.3% from the soil, respectively. Ryegrass shoots accumulated about 280 μg·kg^-1, shoot dry matter biomass reached 2.48 × 10⁴ kg·ha^-1, and plant uptake accounted for about 0.99% of the decrease in PAHs in the soil. Significantly higher soil enzyme activities and microbial community functional diversity were observed in planted soil than that in the unplanted control. The results suggest that planting ryegrass may promote the dissipation of PAHs in long-term contaminated agricultural soil, and plant-promoted microbial degradation may be a main mechanism of phytoremediation.     

油田储油罐非甲烷总挥发实验及仿真模拟

针对油田单井拉油罐非密封生产带来的油气泄漏问题,建立小型原油储油罐挥发损耗实验模拟平台,通过气相色谱法探究各因素对其损耗的影响,利用Fluent仿真软件模拟储油罐的泄漏扩散。结果表明:储液温度和有无风环境对储油罐非甲烷总烃(NMHC)挥发影响较大,储液高度和环境温度对其影响较小;仿真模拟无风环境下,储油罐泄漏口短时间内存在油气积聚现象;有风环境下,当风速为1 m/s,油气积聚不明显;随风速增大,扩散浓度场面积不断增大,油品损耗量增大,在风速为5 m/s的环境下,扩散300 s时的浓度场面积相比扩散200 s时较小,但泄漏口处的油气积聚面积增大。     

Sources and spatial distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in coastal sediments of the Basque Country (Bay of Biscay)

This contribution characterises the sources and distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediments of the Basque coast (Bay of Biscay). Different source characterisation approaches (i.e. GIS assisted-chemometrics, PAH diagnostic ratios and analyses of composition profiles) were used in combination to successfully identify the factors determining the origin and distribution of PAHs. Urban/industrial combustion processes were identified as the main PAH source. However, the analysis of PAH composition patterns and diagnostic ratios identified secondary natural and petrogenic PAH sources on small spatial scales. The median ∑18PAH concentration ranged from 66 μg kg^?1 (d.w.) to 7021 μg kg^?1 (d.w.). The Ibaizabal estuary, which supports most of the anthropogenic pressure in the region (i.e. urban development, industrialisation, commercial and recreational harbours), also showed the highest PAH concentrations. On the shelf, human activities, hydrodynamic conditions and geomorphological features led to spatial differences in the PAH concentrations among sectors: the offshore and west sectors were characterised by higher concentrations, while the lowest values were found in the mid and east sectors. The results enhance the knowledge on PAH-related contamination processes and could be used to support the environmental assessment process required under current European marine legislation.     

蒙德法在液态烃罐区安全评价中的运用

液态烃罐区贮存高压、易爆危险品,为了有效地对该球罐区进行安全评价,有针对性地选择具有代表性的同一防火堤内的罐G1001～G1003,运用蒙德法进行安全评价,为罐区HSE管理提供了一定的理论依据。     

氯代烃在铜电极上的电还原特性和还原机理

采用循环伏安法,对氯代烃在铜电极表面上的电还原特性进行了研究,评价了它们在铜电极上的电还原反应活性,分析了此类化合物在铜电极上的还原机理,并且讨论了电还原反应活性和此类化合物结构之间的关系.结果表明,氯代烷烃和部分氯代芳烃在铜电极表面有还原电位,能在铜电极表面被直接还原.氯代芳烃不易在铜电极上被直接还原.实验结果为催化铁内电解法提供了理论依据.     

矿物油污染土壤中芳烃组分的生物降解与微生物生长动态

以石油污染土壤中分离的细菌和真菌为供试微生物,研究不同微生物组合对矿物油芳烃组分降解及降解率与微生物生长间的关系.将不同组合的微生物接种到加有柴油浓度为1 000mg/L的液体培养基中,25～30℃经摇床连续培养100d.于0～60h内连续取样,进行微生物生长动态检测;于5～100d定期取样,研究微生物生长状况与矿物油降解率动态变化.同时,以草甸棕壤(0～20cm)制备的土壤悬浮液为土壤微生物对照,以灭菌培养基为非生物降解对照.结果表明,试验前期(约20d)外源菌的降解效果优于土壤微生物,试验中、后期,土壤微生物降解优势增大且保持持续.试验结束时,土壤微生物处理的液体培养基中芳烃降解率最高达79.24%,显著高于其它3组处理.     

Monitoring and Assessment of Exhaust Emission in Bangkok Street Air

Measurement of the exhaust emission from gasoline-powered motor vehicles in Bangkok were performed on chassis dynamometer. A fleet of 10 vehicles of different model, years and manufacturers were selected to measure the air pollutants in the exhaust effluent. The study revealed that the carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions averaged 32.3–64.2 and 1.82–2.98 g km^–1, respectively, for 1990–1992 cars and decreased to 17.8–40.71 and 0.75–1.88 g km^–1, respectively, for 1994–1995 cars. A monitoring program for air pollutant concentrations in ambient air was also conducted to evaluate the air pollution problems in Bangkok arising from vehicle exhaust emission. Four air sampling stations were strategically established to cover the Bangkok Metropolitan Region (BMR). Composite air samples in this study area were collected during the day/night times and weekday/weekend. The average concentrations of suspended particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen dioxide in Bangkok street air were found to be 0.65 mg/m³ (24 hr ave.), 19.02 mg/m³ (8 hr ave.) and 0.021 mg/m³ (1 hr ave.), respectively. The average concentrations of benzene and toluene in the ambient air of the study area were found to be 15.07–50.20 and 25.76–130.95 g/mf³, respectively, for 8 hr average. These results indicated that there was a significant increase in air pollutant emissions with increasing car mileage and model year. Subsequent analysis of data showed that there were only 20% of the test vehicles complied to approved emission standard. The finding also revealed that there was a correlation between the average air pollutant concentrations with average traffic speed in each traffic zone of the Bangkok Metropolitan Region (BMR).     

石油污染土壤中高效石油烃降解菌Y-16的筛选及其降解性能

通过富集和驯化培养从石油污染的土样中筛选出一株高效石油烃降解菌Y-16,其对胜利原油7 d降解率达到51.98%。在好氧条件下,对Y-16菌株的最优降解条件进行了探索,结果表明,在pH值8.0,温度30℃,接种量10%,摇床转数160 r/m in和3 000~7 000 mg/L的底物浓度下,Y-16菌株的最高降解率可达到60.34%。通过Y-16菌株对石油烃降解规律的探索,发现Y-16菌株对石油烃的降解符合一级反应动力学模型。