Heavy metals in untreated/treated urban effluent and sludge from a biological wastewater treatment plant

Background, Aim and Scope

The presence of heavy metals in wastewater is one of the main causes of water and soil pollution. The aim of the present study was to investigate the removal of Cd, Cu, Pb, Hg, Mn, Cr and Zn in urban effluent by a biological wastewater treatment, as well as to quantify the levels of As, Be, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sn, Tl, V and Zn in dewatering sludge from the Biological Wastewater Treatment Plant to Ribeirão Preto (RP-BWTP), Brazil.

Materials and Methods

Concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn and Pb in wastewater and those of Ni in sludge were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry with graphite furnace atomization. Mercury concentrations in wastewater were measured by hydride generation atomic spectrophotometry, and Zn levels were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry using acetylene flame. In sludge, the levels of As, Be, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Pb, Sn, Tl, V and Zn were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry.

Results

The percentages of removal efficiency (RE) were the following: Hg 61.5%, Cd 60.0%, Zn 44.9%, Cu 44.2%, PB 39.7%, Cr 16,5% and Mn 10.4%. In turn, the mean concentrations (mg/kg) of metals in dewatering sludge followed this increasing order: Tl (<0.03), Hg (0.31), Be (0.43), As (1.14), Cd (1.34), V (59.2), Pb (132.1), Sn (166.1), Cr (195.0), Mn (208.1), Ni (239.4), Cu (391.7), Zn (864.4) and Fe (20537).

Discussion

The relationship between metal levels in untreated wastewater, as well as the removal efficiency are in agreement with previous data from various investigators, It is important to note that metal removal efficiency is not only affected by metal ion species and concentration, but also by other conditions such as operating parameters, physical, chemical, and biological factors.

Conclusions

Metal values recorded for treated wastewater and sludge were within the maximum permitted levels established by the Environmental Sanitation Company (CETESB), São Paulo, Brazil.

Recommendations

There is an urgent need for the authorities who are responsible for legislation on sludge uses in agriculture of establishing safety levels for As, Be, Hg, Sn, Tl and V.

Perspectives

According to the current metal levels, RP-BWTP sludge might be used for agriculture purposes. However, for an environmentally safe use of sewage sludge, further studies including systematic monitoring are recommended. Annual metal concentrations and predicted variations of those elements in the sludge should be monitored.

     

郑州市土壤与绿色植物中汞的分布特征

汞污染具有生物积累性,因而得到社会广泛关注。研究监测和评估了郑州市城区土壤和绿色植物叶片中汞浓度、分布、污染水平等。研究发现郑州市主城区土壤总汞浓度为0. 150～0. 958 mg/kg,平均浓度为0. 448 mg/kg;郑州市主城区绿色植物叶片总汞浓度为0. 017～0. 249 mg/kg,平均浓度为0. 107 mg/kg;土壤和叶片中汞浓度按功能区排序为交通枢纽区工业区商业区行政区高教区住宅区。采用地累积指数法对郑州市80个土壤样品的汞污染水平进行评估,结果显示60%受到轻度污染,35%受到偏中度污染,5%受到中度污染。研究较为全面地分析了土壤汞污染的现状及浓度,为郑州市土壤汞污染防治提供参考。     

南京仙林地区安置小区木本植物组成与多样性分析

对南京仙林地区12个安置小区的木本植物随机分层抽样调查,利用频度、多度及物种多样性指数对调查结果作分析研究。结果表明:12个安置小区乔木层和灌木层的物种组成简单,以常见的园林栽培植物为主,香樟、桂花、海桐和冬青卫矛有较大的优势,整体物种相似性水平为0. 41,物种多样性偏低。改善小区物种组成、提升物种多样性、加强绿化景观维护与建设是管理者后期应重点关注的问题。     

Portrayals of Endangered Species in Advertising: Exercising Intertextuality to Question the Anthropocentric Lens

This paper examines recent advertisements used by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to raise awareness about the predicament of endangered, vulnerable, and threatened species. By engaging in a critical discourse analysis of a selection of advertisements, this study demonstrates how the WWF uses intertextuality as a discourse strategy to articulate its message and objectives. In this paper, I argue that by engaging in the juxtaposition of various paratexts (“layers of meaning”), the WWF produces a narrative which reveals an anthropocentric lens through which we view the world. The advertisements are found to resort to paratexts of anthropomorphism with the intent of extending the bounds of personhood to non-human animal species. In closing, I maintain that intertextuality is employed not only to question the dominant human-centric paradigm, but serve the heuristic function of encouraging a more empathetic identification with the animals in question and the creation of a more holistic worldview.     

g-C_3N_4/C@Bi_2MoO_6复合光催化剂的制备及其光催化活性

通过水热合成法和液相沉积法制备g-C_3N_4/C@Bi_2MoO_6复合光催化剂,并采用X射线衍射、扫描电子显微镜、氮气吸脱附、紫外-可见漫反射等技术对其进行表征。研究了可见光下g-C_3N_4/C@Bi_2MoO_6催化降解罗丹明B(Rh B)的影响因素,并对其光催化反应机理进行初步探讨。实验结果表明:g-C_3N_4掺杂量为60%(w)时g-C_3N_4/C@Bi_2MoO_6的光催化活性最高;在60%g-C_3N_4/C@Bi_2MoO_6的投加量为1.00 g/L、初始Rh B质量浓度为2.50 mg/L、可见光照射150 min的条件下,Rh B的降解率达到97.90%;在g-C_3N_4/C@Bi_2MoO_6光催化降解体系中,h~+和·O_2~-是主要活性物种。     

Improving invasive species management by integrating priorities and contributions of scientists and decision makers

Managing invasive species is a major challenge for society. In the case of newly established invaders, rapid action is key for a successful management. Here, we develop, describe and recommend a three-step transdisciplinary process (the “butterfly model”) to rapidly initiate action for invasion management. In the framing of a case study, we present results from the first of these steps: assessing priorities and contributions of both scientists and decision makers. Both scientists and decision makers prioritise research on prevention. The available scientific knowledge contributions, however, are publications on impacts rather than prevention of the invasive species. The contribution of scientific knowledge does thus not reflect scientists’ perception of what is essentially needed. We argue that a more objective assessment and transparent communication of not only decision makers’ but also scientists’ priorities is an essential basis for a successful cooperation. Our three-step model can help achieve objectivity via transdisciplinary communication.     

Application of 1D and 2D MFR reactor technology for the isolation of insecticidal and anti-microbial properties from pyrolysis bio-oils

Valuable chemicals can be separated from agricultural residues by chemical or thermochemical processes. The application of pyrolysis has already been demonstrated as an efficient means to produce a liquid with a high concentration of desired product. The objective of this study was to apply an insect and microorganism bioassay-guided approach to separate and isolate pesticidal compounds from bio-oil produced through biomass pyrolysis. Tobacco leaf (Nicotianata bacum), tomato plant (Solanum lycopersicum), and spent coffee (Coffea arabica) grounds were pyrolyzed at 10°C/min from ambient to 565°C using the mechanically fluidized reactor (MFR). With one-dimensional (1D) MFR pyrolysis, the composition of the product vapors varied as the reactor temperature was raised allowing for the selection of the temperature range that corresponds to vapors with a high concentration of pesticidal properties. Further product separation was performed in a fractional condensation train, or 2D MFR pyrolysis, thus allowing for the separation of vapor components according to their condensation temperature. The 300–400°C tobacco and tomato bio-oil cuts from the 1D MFR showed the highest insecticidal and anti-microbial activity compared to the other bio-oil cuts. The 300–350 and 350–400°C bio-oil cuts produced by 2D MFR had the highest insecticidal activity when the bio-oil was collected from the 210°C condenser. The tobacco and tomato bio-oil had similar insecticidal activity (LC₅₀ of 2.1 and 2.2 mg/mL) when the bio-oil was collected in the 210°C condenser from the 300–350°C reactor temperature gases. The 2D MFR does concentrate the pesticidal products compared to the 1D MFR and thus can reduce the need for further separation steps such as solvent extraction.     

怀洪新河太湖新银鱼国家级水产种质资源保护区生境及渔业群落多样性研究

根据2014年6月和12月在怀洪新河太湖新银鱼国家级水产种质资源保护区现场调查数据,对保护区生境及渔业群落进行了研究。保护区主要水质指标达到Ⅲ类标准,TN为制约因素。保护区共分布有水生维管束植物24种,其中沉水植物、挺水植物、漂浮植物和浮叶植物分别占41.67%、33.33%、16.67%和8.33%。现场调查共采集到鱼、虾类37种,包括鱼类33种、虾类4种,分别隶属于8目15科35属。群落结构以淡水定居性物种及杂食性物种占优,夏季优势种为日本沼虾、红鳍原鲌和刀鲚,冬季为鲫、鲢和鳙。夏季各种网具中采集的渔获物均重变幅为0.12~114.32 g,冬季为4.07~696.70 g。保护区成鱼(虾)资源密度为20.18万尾/km2和10 440.8 kg/km2,幼鱼资源密度为534.58万尾/km2和587.8 kg/km2。冬季资源密度显著低于夏季,数量及重量密度仅分别为夏季的6.94%和30.93%。基于渔获尾数的多样性特征值为:丰富度指数(R)3.812 0,信息指数(H’)1.496 0,优势度指数(D)0.409 9,均匀度指数(E)0.124 0。克氏原螯虾在保护区内广泛分布,对其危害性应加以重视。     

工业搬迁区绿化带土壤铜污染及其在植物体内的迁移

老工业搬迁区主要道路两旁绿化带土壤由于历经老工业企业的变迁和环境的污染破坏,可在一定程度上对这一地区环境的历史变迁及重金属污染状况起到指示作用。采集沈阳铁西老工业搬迁区绿化带土壤及其绿化乔木和灌木植株样品,分析土壤中铜的总量及生物有效态含量,同时分别分析了绿化乔木(8种)和绿化灌木(6种)植株根、枝条和叶片的含铜量。结果表明,搬迁区绿化带土壤中含铜量为29.14~166.95mg/kg,显著高于沈阳市土壤铜元素的背景值;土壤有效态铜为0.23~1.72mg/kg,达到中等水平(0.3~1.0mg/kg)的占采样点总数的70.0%。数据还显示,绿化乔木和灌木对铜的蓄积能力依品种不同差异显著,同种植物不同部位(根、枝条和叶片)对铜的富集能力不同;总体上,绿化乔木植株体内含铜量的分布规律为根叶片枝条或叶片根枝条,绿化灌木植株体内含铜量的分布规律为根叶片枝条。对铜蓄积能力较强的绿化乔木为榆叶梅(Amygdalus triloba Lindl.)、垂柳(Salix babylonica Linn.)、旱柳(Salix matsudana Koidz.)和银杏(Ginkgo biloba),对铜蓄积能力较强的绿化灌木为大叶女贞(Ligustrum lucidum Ait.)、小叶女贞(Ligustrum quihoui Carr.)和紫叶小檗(Berberis thunbergii cv.Atropurpurea)。     

城市生活垃圾和污水处理厂剩余污泥混合发酵的原料配比优化研究

以城市生活垃圾和污水处理厂的剩余污泥为混合原料,研究了混合原料的不同配比对厌氧发酵过程及产气的影响。结果表明:城市生活垃圾与剩余污泥以挥发性固体(VS)质量比为2∶1混合后,厌氧发酵效果最好,累计产气量最高,达到8 721mL,发酵后的总固体(TS)、VS、COD去除率分别达43.65%、35.98%、47.88%;各实验组在发酵过程中的pH、氨氮浓度和碱度均在合理范围内,未对厌氧发酵反应造成影响;以适当配比的城市生活垃圾和剩余污泥为混合原料,进行中温联合厌氧发酵是可行的,联合厌氧发酵可以弥补单一原料的缺陷,在一定程度上改善厌氧发酵效果。