Beyond hypoxia：Occurrence and characteristics of black blooms due to the decomposition of the submerged plant Potamogeton crispus in a shallow lake

Organic matter-induced black blooms(hypoxia and an offensive odor) are a serious ecosystem disasters that have occurred in some large eutrophic shallow lakes in China. In this study, we investigated two separate black blooms that were induced by Potamogeton crispus in Lake Taihu, China. The main physical and chemical characteristics, including color- and odor-related substances, of the black blooms were analyzed. The black blooms were characterized by low dissolved oxygen concentration(close to 0 mg/L), low oxidation-reduction potential, and relatively low pH of overlying water. Notably higher Fe2+and∑S2-were found in the black-bloom waters than in waters not affected by black blooms. The black color of the water may be attributable to the high concentration of these elements, as black FeS was considered to be the main substance causing the black color of blooms in freshwater lakes. Volatile organic sulfur compounds, including dimethyl sulfide, dimethyl disulfide, and dimethyl trisulfide, were very abundant in the black-bloom waters. The massive anoxic degradation of dead Potamogeton crispus plants released dimethyl sulfide, dimethyl disulfide, and dimethyl trisulfide, which were the main odor-causing compounds in the black blooms. The black blooms also induced an increase in ammonium nitrogen and soluble reactive phosphorus levels in the overlying waters. This extreme phenomenon not only heavily influenced the original lake ecosystem but also greatly changed the cycling of Fe, S, and nutrients in the water column.     

Inhibitory effects of nisin-coated multi-walled carbon nanotube sheet on biofilm formation from Bacillus anthracis spores

Multi-walled carbon nanotube（MWCNT） sheet was fabricated from a drawable MWCNT forest and then deposited on poly（methyl methacrylate） film. The film was further coated with a natural antimicrobial peptide nisin. We studied the effects of nisin coating on the attachment of Bacillus anthracis spores, the germination of attached spores, and the subsequent biofilm formation from attached spores. It was found that the strong adsorptivity and the super hydrophobicity of MWCNTs provided an ideal platform for nisin coating. Nisin coating on MWCNT sheets decreased surface hydrophobicity, reduced spore attachment, and reduced the germination of attached spores by 3.5 fold, and further inhibited the subsequent biofilm formation by 94.6% compared to that on uncoated MWCNT sheet. Nisin also changed the morphology of vegetative cells in the formed biofilm.The results of this study demonstrated that the anti-adhesion and antimicrobial effect of nisin in combination with the physical properties of carbon nanotubes had the potential in producing effective anti-biofilm formation surfaces.     

Seasonal and diurnal variations of atmospheric peroxyacetyl nitrate, peroxypropionyl nitrate, and carbon tetrachloride in Beijing

Atmospheric peroxyacetyl nitrate(PAN), peroxypropionyl nitrate(PPN), and carbon tetrachloride(CCl4) were measured from September 2010 to August 2011 in Beijing. PAN exhibited low values from mid-autumn to early spring(October to March) with monthly average concentrations ranging from 0.28 to 0.73 ppbV, and increased from early spring to summer(March to August), ranging from 1.37–3.79 ppbV. The monthly variation of PPN was similar to PAN, with low values(below detection limit to 0.18 ppbV) from mid-autumn to early spring, and a monthly maximum in September(1.14 ppbV). The monthly variation of CCl4was tightly related to the variation of temperature, exhibiting a minimum in winter(69.3 pptV) and a maximum of 180.6 pptV in summer. Due to weak solar intensity and short duration, PAN and O3showed no distinct diurnal patterns from morning to night during winter, whereas for other seasons, they both exhibited maximal values in the late afternoon(ca. 15:00 to 16:00 local time) and minimal values during early morning and midnight. Good linear correlations between PAN and PPN were found in autumn(R = 0.91), spring(R = 0.94), and summer(R = 0.81), with slopes of 0.130, 0.222, and 0.133, respectively, suggesting that anthropogenic hydrocarbons dominated the photochemical formation of PANs in Beijing. Positive correlation between PAN and O3 in summer with the low slopes( O3 / PAN) ranging from 9.92 to 18.0 indicated serious air pollution in Beijing, and strong negative correlation in winter reflected strong O3consumption by NO titration and less thermal decompositin of PAN.     

Compositions and sources of organic acids in fine particles (PM2.5) over the Pearl River Delta region, south China

Organic acids as important constituents of organic aerosols not only influence the aerosols' hygroscopic property, but also enhance the formation of new particles and secondary organic aerosols. This study reported organic acids including C14–C32fatty acids, C4–C9dicarboxylic acids and aromatic acids in PM2.5collected during winter 2009 at six typical urban, suburban and rural sites in the Pearl River Delta region. Averaged concentrations of C14–C32fatty acids, aromatic acids and C4– C9 dicarboxylic acids were 157, 72.5 and 50.7 ng/m3, respectively. They totally accounted for 1.7% of measured organic carbon. C20–C32fatty acids mainly deriving from higher plant wax showed the highest concentration at the upwind rural site with more vegetation around, while C14–C18fatty acids were more abundant at urban and suburban sites, and dicarboxylic acids and aromatic acids except 1,4-phthalic acid peaked at the downwind rural site. Succinic and azelaic acid were the most abundant among C4–C9dicarboxylic acids, and 1,2-phthalic and 1,4-phthalic acid were dominant aromatic acids. Dicarboxylic acids and aromatic acids exhibited significant mutual correlations except for 1,4-phthalic acid, which was probably primarily emitted from combustion of solid wastes containing polyethylene terephthalate plastics. Spatial patterns and correlations with typical source tracers suggested that C14–C32fatty acids were mainly primary while dicarboxylic and aromatic acids were largely secondary. Principal component analysis resolved six sources including biomass burning, natural higher plant wax, two mixed anthropogenic and two secondary sources; further multiple linear regression revealed their contributions to individual organic acids. It turned out that more than 70% of C14–C18fatty acids were attributed to anthropogenic sources, about 50%–85% of the C20–C32fatty acids were attributed to natural sources, 80%–95% of dicarboxylic acids and 1,2-phthalic acid were secondary in contrast with that 81% of 1,4-phthalic acid was primary.     

Fouling distribution in forward osmosis membrane process

Fouling behavior along the length of membrane module was systematically investigated by performing simple modeling and lab-scale experiments of forward osmosis （FO） membrane process. The flux distribution model developed in this study showed a good agreement with experimental results, validating the robustness of the model. This model demonstrated, as expected, that the permeate flux decreased along the membrane channel due to decreasing osmotic pressure differential across the FO membrane. A series of fouling experiments were conducted under the draw and feed solutions at various recoveries simulated by the model. The simulated fouling experiments revealed that higher organic （alginate） fouling and thus more flux decline were observed at the last section of a membrane channel, as foulants in feed solution became more concentrated. Furthermore, the water flux in FO process declined more severely as the recovery increased due to more foulants transported to membrane surface with elevated solute concentrations at higher recovery, which created favorable solution environments for organic adsorption. The fouling reversibility also decreased at the last section of the membrane channel, suggesting that fouling distribution on FO membrane along the module should be carefully examined to improve overall cleaning efficiency. Lastly, it was found that such fouling distribution observed with co-current flow operation became less pronounced in counter- current flow operation of FO membrane process.     

京津冀及周边地区低碳经济发展水平评价

随着应对全球气候变化进程的不断推进,“低碳经济”已逐渐成为世界各国实现经济社会可持续发展的必由之路.京津冀及周边地区社会经济发展较不平衡,整体推进低碳经济发展存在较大的困难,为有效促进低碳经济发展的策略选择,本文通过构建低碳经济发展水平评价指标体系,对京津冀及周边地区的低碳经济发展状况进行评价.结果显示,京津冀及周边地区低碳经济发展水平差异较大：北京低碳经济水平相对较高,其他地区距离低碳经济发展水平尚有较大差距.由此,京津冀及周边地区应根据地区经济发展特点及其低碳经济发展状况,采取不同的低碳发展策略选择,以有效推进低碳经济发展模式的顺利转型.     

重金属抗性解磷细菌的磷溶解特性研究

从湖南省湘西州花垣县的铅锌矿表层土壤中,筛选出两株具有重金属抗性和解磷特性的细菌T PSB1和T PSB2.通过16S rRNA基因序列比对,分别鉴定为嗜麦芽寡养单胞菌(Stenotrophomonas maltophilia)和唐菖蒲伯克霍尔德菌(Burkholderia gladioli).T PSB1和T PSB2在含有难溶性无机磷液体培养基中,其上清液的可溶性磷含量最高分别达到了402.9 mg·L-1和589.9 mg·L-1;在难溶性有机磷固体和液体培养基中,固体平板上均出现解磷圈,而液体培养基上清液中,可溶性磷含量也分别达到了2.97 mg·L-1和4.69 mg·L-1.另外,两株细菌对重金属Zn2+的抗性最高,在其浓度为2000 mg·L-1固体和液体培养基条件下均可以生长,磷溶解浓度分别为114.8 mg·L-1和125.1 mg·L-1.而在含铬和铅的浓度为1 000 mg·L-1的液体培养基中,两株细菌同样表现出重金属抗性.在Pb2+浓度为1000 mg·L-1的液体培养基中,磷溶解浓度分别达到了57.9 mg·L-1和71.7 mg·L-1;而在Cr2+浓度为1000 mg·L-1的培养基中磷溶解浓度分别为60.1 mg·L-1和98.4 mg·L-1.     

活性炭催化过氧化氢去除荧光增白剂

研究了活性炭(activated carbon,AC)吸附、改性活性炭(activated carbon modified,ACM)吸附、过氧化氢(H2O2)氧化、AC催化H2O2等方法对水体中荧光增白剂VBL的处理效果,并通过自由基俘获剂叔丁醇、催化过程气体分析等探讨了AC催化H2O2分解VBL的机制.结果表明,经硝酸铁[Fe(NO3)3]改性过的ACM对VBL的吸附去除率高于未改性的AC.活性炭催化H2O2对VBL的去除效果明显,但未改性AC催化去除率高于ACM.60 min时,AC催化氧化去除率即可达到95%以上,而ACM仅为58%.叔丁醇的加入降低了AC和ACM催化氧化对VBL的去除率,表明AC催化H2O2氧化能促进H2O2形成羟基自由基(·OH)和原子氧参与反应.AC催化H2O2分解及释放气体分析表明,AC能催化H2O2形成氧气并放热,且ACM明显快于AC.结合催化H2O2去除VBL效率的结果分析,ACM催化反应时活性中间物(自由基和原子氧等)产生速率快于AC,活性中间物自身消耗形成氧气,而不是用于分解VBL.催化反应中活性中间产物的形成速率与反应物供给速率的不匹配可能是导致ACM催化效果弱于AC的重要原因.     

磷回收对厌氧/好氧交替式生物滤池蓄磷/除磷的影响

为能提高生物除磷系统的除磷/回收磷效率,研究采用厌氧/好氧交替式生物滤池(AABF)处理低碳磷比废水,观察利用周期性扩增进水碳源进行磷回收时,生物滤池除磷效率及生物膜内微生物特性的变化.通过分析生物滤池除磷效率变化,生物膜多聚物染色、扫描电镜(SEM)观察以及荧光原位杂交(FISH)技术分析生物滤池系统实施周期性磷回收对生物膜内微生物菌群形态与组成的影响.结果发现,生物滤池在先后经历3次生物蓄磷-磷回收(PB-PR)的运行操作过程中,生物滤池除磷效率分别由磷回收前的60.3%、82.9%、86.6%提高到磷回收后的87.2%、91.2%、93.5%;生物滤池生物膜内优势菌群形态逐渐由大球菌演变为小球菌、杆菌与丝状菌;经过连续3个周期的PB-PR操作,生物滤池底部生物膜中聚磷菌所占比例由43%提高至70%;聚磷菌群在生物膜内混合菌群中的比例随着上流式生物滤池高度的增加而不断提高.结果表明,采用周期性的碳源扩增与回收磷的操作,可以提高生物滤池除磷效率;引起生物滤池生物膜内微生物菌群形态与组成发生变化,促进聚磷菌成为优势菌群.     

水稻光合同化碳在土壤中的矿化和转化动态

作物光合碳是"大气-植物-土壤"碳循环的重要组成部分,是农田土壤有机碳的重要来源,然而其在土壤碳库中的矿化和转化动态尚不清楚.应用室内模拟培养实验,研究水稻收获后输入土壤的光合同化碳在土壤碳库中的矿化及其转化特征.结果表明,100 d的培养期内,原有有机碳的平均矿化速率在4.44~17.8μg·(g·d)-1之间,而光合碳(新碳)的矿化速率则在0.15~1.51μg·(g·d)-1之间.光合同化碳的输入对土壤活性碳库(DOC、MBC)的转化产生显著影响,在培养期内,14C-DOC的转化量为1.89~5.32 mg·kg-1,转化速率的变化幅度为0.18~0.34 mg·(kg·d)-1,原有DOC则在61.13~90.65 mg·kg-1,减少幅度为4.10~5.48 mg·(kg·d)-1;14C-MBC和原有MBC的转化量分别为10.92~44.11 mg·kg-1和463.31~1 153.46mg·kg-1,转化速率变化幅度分别为0.80~2.87 mg·(kg·d)-1和41.60~74.46 mg·(kg·d)-1,说明水稻光合碳的输入对MBC的周转要大于DOC的周转.而且,与原有有机碳相比,输入的"新碳"易被微生物矿化分解,100 d的培养期内,有13.5%~20.2%的新碳被矿化分解,而仅2.2%~3.7%的原有有机碳被矿化分解,光合同化碳的输入对维持稻田土壤的碳汇功能具有重要作用.