Performance of completely autotrophic nitrogen removal over nitrite process under different aeration modes and dissolved oxygen

In this study, three sequential batch biofilm reactors (SBBRs) were operated for 155 days to evaluate the performance of completely autotrophic nitrogen removal over nitrite (CANON) process under different aeration modes and dissolved oxygen (DO). Synthetic wastewater with 160-mg NH4 ⁺-N/L was fed into the reactors. In the continuously-aerated reactor, the efficiency of the ammonium nitrogen conversion and total nitrogen (TN) removal reached 80% and 70%, respectively, with DO between 0.8–1.0 mg/L. Whereas in the intermittently-aerated reactor, at the aeration/non-aeration ratio of 1.0, ammonium was always under the detection limit and 86% of TN was removed with DO between 2.0–2.5 mg/L during the aeration time. Results show that CANON could be achieved in both continuous and intermittent aeration pattern. However, to achieve the same nitrogen removal efficiency, the DO needed in the intermittently-aerated sequential batch biofilm reactor (SBBR) during the aeration period was higher than that in the continuously-aerated SBBR. In addition, the DO in the CANON system should be adjusted to the aeration mode, and low DO was not a prerequisite to CANON process.     

Enhanced atrazine removal using membrane bioreactor bioaugmented with genetically engineered microorganism

Bioaugmentation with genetically engineered microorganisms (GEMs) in a membrane bioreactor (MBR) for enhanced removal of recalcitrant pollutants was explored. An atrazine-degrading genetically engineered microorganism (GEM) with green fluorescent protein was inoculated into an MBR and the effects of such a bioaugmentation strategy on atrazine removal were investigated. The results show that atrazine removal was improved greatly in the bioaugmented MBR compared with a control system. After a start-up period of 6 days, average 94.7% of atrazine was removed in bioaugmented MBR when atrazine concentration of influent was 14.5 mg/L. The volumetric removal rates increased linearly followed by atrazine loading increase and the maximum was 65.5 mg/(L·d). No negative effects were found on COD removal although carbon oxidation activity of bioaugmented sludge was lower than that of common sludge. After inoculation, adsorption to sludge flocs was favorable for GEM survival. The GEM population size initially decreased shortly and then was kept constant at about 10⁴–10⁵ CFU/mL. Predation of micro-organisms played an important role in the decay of the GEM population. GEM leakage from MBR was less than 10² CFU/mL initially and was then undetectable. In contrast, in a conventionally activated sludge bioreactor (CAS), sludge bulking occurred possibly due to atrazine exposure, resulting in bioaugmentation failure and serious GEM leakage. So MBR was superior to CAS in atrazine bioaugmentation treatment using GEM.     

Socioeconomic potential of carbon sequestration through agroforestry in the West African Sahel

The recognition of agroforestry as a greenhouse-gas mitigation strategy under the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) offers an opportunity to agroforestry practitioners to benefit from the global Carbon (C) credit market. Our knowledge on this important topic from the semiarid regions such as the West African Sahel (WAS) is, however, very limited. In order to fill this gap, this study was undertaken in the Ségou region of Mali (annual temperature, 29°C; annual rainfall, 300–700 mm in 60 to 90 days), focusing on two improved agroforestry systems (live fence and fodder bank) along with traditional parkland agroforestry systems of the region. A cost–benefit analysis was conducted to assess the economic profitability and risks associated with the systems considering them as 25-year projects and their potential for participation in C credit market. The traditional systems had high C stock in their biomass and soil, but little potential for sequestering additional C; on the other hand, the improved systems had low C stock, but high sequestration potential. For the standard size live fence (291 m) and fodder bank (0.25 ha) projects, the estimated net present values (NPV) were $ 96.0 and $158.8 without C credit sale, and $109.9 and $179.3 with C sale, respectively. From the C sale perspective, live fence seemed less risky and more profitable than fodder bank. Carbon credit sale is likely to contribute to economic development of the subsistence farmers in the WAS.

An integrated assessment method of urban drainage system:A case study in Shenzhen City,China

In recent years, the urban drainage system in China is facing the dual pressure of renovation and construction. This requires that the integrated assessment for the planning and operation of the urban drainage system is obligatory. To evaluate the urban drainage system, an integrated assessment methodology based on the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), integrated simulation, and fuzzy assessment is established. This method is a multi-criteria decision adding app roach to the assessment of the urban drainage system comprehensively. Through the integration of the Storm Water Management Model (SWMM), a simple wastewater treatment plant model, and a surface water quality model, an integrated modelling system for the urban drainage system is developed and applied as a key tool for assessment. Using the established method, a case study in Shenzhen City has been implemented to evaluate and compare two urban drainage system reno vation plans, the distributed plan and the centralized plan. Because of the particularity of this case study, the established method is not applied entirely. Considering the water environ mental impact, ecological impact, technological feasibility, and economic cost, the integrated performance of the distri buted plan is better. As shown in this case study, the proposed method is found to be both effective and practical.     

Spectral characteristics of plant communities from salt marshes:A case study from Chongming Dongtan,Yangtzeestuary,China

The spectral reflectance of recently formed salt marshes at the mouth of the Yangtze River, which are undergoing invasion by Spartina alterniflora, were assessed to determine the potential utility of remotely sensed data in assessing future invasion and changes in species composition. Following a review of published research on remote sensing of salt marshes, 53 locations along three transects were sampled for paired data on plant species composition and spectral reflectance using a FieldSpec™ Pro JR Field Portable Spectroradiometer. Spectral data were processed concerning reflectance, and the averaged reflectance values for each sample were reanalysed to correspond to a 12-waveband bandset of the Compact Airborne Spectral Imager. The spectral data were summarised using principal components analysis (PCA) and the relationships between the vegetation composition, and the PCA axes of spectral data were examined. The first PCA axis of the reflectance data showed a strong correlation with variability in near infrared reflectance and ‘brightness’, while the second axis was correlated with visible reflectance and ‘greenness’. Total vegetation cover, vegetation height, and mudflat cover were all significantly related to the first axis. The implications of this in terms of the ability of remote sensing to distinguish the various salt marsh species and in particular the invasive species S. alterniflora were discussed. Major differences in species with various physiognomies could be recognised but problems occurred in separating early colonising S. alterniflora from other species at that stage. Further work using multi-seasonal hyperspectral data might assist in solving these problems.     

硫酸盐废水生物脱硫研究进展

含硫酸盐废水的污染是一个全球性的问题。生物脱硫技术处理该类废水具有投资少、成本低、去除率高,无二次污染等优点,而成为废水处理技术的前沿课题。文章简要介绍了生物脱硫技术的基本原理;描述了废水脱硫微生物种类及其影响因素;重点阐述了国内外硫酸盐废水生物脱硫工艺的沿革和最新进展,并在此基础上,提出了酸酸盐废水生物脱硫技术的发展前景。     

高含水率垃圾与污泥混合堆肥实验研究

采用好氧堆肥工艺处理高含水率城市生活垃圾和脱水污泥。高含水率垃圾(含水率≥65%)经过一段时间静置预处理,含水率降至55%左右,破碎筛分,取筛下物和脱水污泥进行好氧堆肥。结果显示预处理垃圾和污泥在质量比1～3之间时,堆肥过程可以达到卫生化和稳定化的处理要求,质量比为1时升温速度快,堆肥周期短,有较好的堆肥效果;回用部分处理后堆肥可以大大缩短堆肥启动时间。     

活性碳纤维对水中五氯酚的吸附性能研究

文章研究了活性碳纤维(ACFs)对水中五氯酚(PCP)的吸附行为、吸附条件及再生性能。结果表明,PCP在ACFs上的吸附容量较大,Langmuir及Freundlich等温线都能较好地反映其吸附行为;ACFs对水中分子和离子状态的PCP均可吸附,在最佳的静态吸附和动态吸附条件下,PCP去除率分别可以达到97%和99.8%;用0.01mol/L NaOH溶液进行再生,吸附量基本不变,五氯酚回收率可达90%以上。     

稀土镧(La)及La(POA)3对镉污染绿豆幼苗生理影响

以水培的方式研究了稀土元素镧及其配合物La(POA)3(HPOA=苯氧乙酸)对绿豆幼苗的生理生态影响。结果表明,单一镉(10mg/L)胁迫时,NR、CAT及POD活性下降,而MDA、Pro含量上升;较低浓度(5～30mg/L)的镧及其配合物能明显地促进绿豆幼苗生长,并且可以缓解镉对绿豆幼苗的胁迫作用,经镧及其配合物作用后,上述生理指标皆比单一镉胁迫时有明显的改善,而高浓度(100mg/L)的镧及其配合物对镉污染的缓解作用都减弱;另外,较低浓度(10、15、30mg/L)的La(POA)3对镉胁迫的缓解作用较镧更明显;随着作用时间的延长,镧及其配合物对绿豆幼苗镉污染的缓解作用均逐渐下降。     

广东大宝山矿区周围土壤重金属污染状况评价

在大宝山矿区及周边四个区域(Ⅰ区、Ⅱ区、Ⅲ区和Ⅳ区)共采集土壤表层样品52件。针对不同采样点和不同区段的整体研究,文章在单因子指数的基础上对研究区重金属复合污染分别采用内梅罗指数和综合污染负荷法综合进行研究。矿区土壤中重金属元素污染程度有差异,其中Cr、Ni、Hg、Sn、Pb、Zn、As等重金属元素无或轻污染,Cu、Cd等则对该区土壤环境有较大影响。研究矿区内4个地段土壤重金属污染的总体状况研究结果显示,Ⅳ区(矿部区)土壤污染最为严重,其次为Ⅲ区(鸡笼铺区)和Ⅰ区(沙溪镇区),Ⅱ区(梅子坑区)相对较轻。