Distribution of Poly(β-propiolactone) Aerobic Degrading Microorganisms in Different Environments

The distribution of degading microorganisms of high molecular weight poly(-propiolactone) (PPL), whose individual structural units are similar to those of poly(-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) and poly(€-caprolactone) (PCL), was examined. Despite the fact that PPL is a chemosynthetic polymer, many kinds of PPL-degrading microorganisms were found to be distributed as resident populations widely in natural environments. A total of 77 strains of PPL-degrading microorganisms was isolated. From standard physiological and biochemical tests, at least 41 strains were referred to as Bacillus species. Microbial degradation of fibrous PPL proceeded rapidly in some enrichment cultures but was not as complete as that of PHB. Most of the isolated PPL-degrading microorganisms were determined to be PCL degraders and/or PHB degraders. Therefore, it can be assumed that mostly PPL is recognized by the microorganisms as PHB or another natural substrate of the same type as which PCL is regarded. Microbial degradation of PPL was confirmed by some Bacillus strains from type culture collections. The similarity of microbial degradation between PPL and PCL was found to be very close.     

ECONOMIC AND WATER QUALITY EFFECTS OF VARIABLE AND UNIFORM APPLICATION OF NITROGEN1

ABSTRACT: Nitrogen (N) fertilizer rates for achieving optimum crop yields often vary within a field due to spatial variability in soil moisture and nitrogen content and other crop growth factors. When there is substantial within-field variability in these factors, uniform application of N (UAN) may not be economically efficient in terms of maximizing net return because N is likely to be over-applied in some areas and under-applied in other areas of the field. In addition, over-application can adversely affect water quality. A sample of fields in a Midwestern agricultural watershed is used to test for statistically significant differences in N application rates, crop yields, surface and ground water quality and net returns between UAN and variable application of N (VAN) for four cropping systems. Profitability and water quality benefits of VAN are sensitive to the distribution of soil types within a field. Water quality effects and profitability of UAN and VAN vary with cropping systems. VAN is not uniformly superior to UAN in terms of increasing net returns and improving water quality for the farming systems and watershed evaluated in this study.     

NONLINEAR MODELING AND PREDICTION OF A RIVER FLOW SYSTEM1

ABSTRACT: Model estimation and prediction of a river flow system are investigated using nonlinear system identification techniques. We demonstrate how the dynamics of the system, rainfall, and river flow can be modeled using NARMAX (Nonlinear Autoregressive Moving Average with eXogenuous input) models. The parameters of the model are estimated using an orthogonal least squares algorithm with intelligent structure detection. The identification of the nonlinear model is described to represent the relationship between local rainfall and river flow at Enoree station (inputs) and river flow at Whitmire (output) for a river flow system in South Carolina.     

水质对UV/H_2O_2降解2,4-二氯酚的影响

研究了UV/H2O2工艺对2,4-二氯酚(2,4-DCP)的去除效果和水中阴离子、腐殖酸对该工艺降解2,4-DCP的影响。结果表明:UV/H2O2工艺可以有效的去除水中2,4-DCP,光降解过程符合一级反应动力学模型;在H2O2投加量为8mg/L,1个30W低压汞灯照射下,2,4-DCP在蒸馏水和自来水中光降解速率常数分别为0.0232/min和0.0162/min;NO3-、Cl-、HCO3-对2,4-DCP光降解有抑制作用;当3种离子浓度为0.5mmol/L、10mmol/L、20mmol/L时,对2,4-DCP光降解的抑制程度为HCO3->NO3->Cl-;随着离子浓度增大,抑制作用增强;自来水中的光降解速率常数低于蒸馏水中的光降解速率常数是由于水中多种离子影响的结果;腐殖酸在低浓度时,促进光降解反应的进行,在高浓度时,2,4-DCP的光降解氧化受到抑制。     

CH_4火焰中CO_2对NO行为影响的实验研究

针对CH4 火焰中CO2 浓度对于NO降解的影响进行了详细地分析研究。结果表明 :过量空气系数对于NO的降解有着很大的影响。和氧化性气氛相比 ,还原性气氛更有利于NO的降解。同时还原性气氛中CO2 的存在降低了NO的降解率 ,而氧化性气氛中CO2 的存在能够促进NO的降解。在还原性气氛中 ,随着CO2 浓度的升高 ,其继续减少NO降解率的作用也越来越不明显     

多环芳烃的零阶价分子连接性指数与正-辛醇/水分配系数

本文建立了准确预测多环芳烃(PAHs)及其烷基衍生物的正-辛醇/水分配系数(Kow)模型。模型表明PAHs的分配性质可用零阶价分子连接性指数(~°x~v)描述,~°x~v数值与PAHs的logKow成正比。应用本模型可以预测大范围PAHs的logKow值。     

活性污泥二次污染问题的探讨(Ⅱ)

讨论了城市污水经过A／O工艺处理时活性污泥的二次污染问题。将原水、处理后的出水及活性污泥用甲苯萃取，萃取相经过真空浓缩后，采用GC／MS测定了样品中的有机化合物，结果表明，在A／O工艺处理城市污水过程中，活性污泥的吸附作用是主要的，降解作用是次要的；A／O工艺所排放的活性污泥仍然是一种危险的污染物。     

Particle emissions of a railway line determined by detailed single particle analysis

The goal of this study was to identify and quantify particles emitted from railway traffic. For that purpose PM10 samples were collected near a busy railway line using a wind direction and speed controlled sampling equipment consisting of five devices. Measurements taken perpendicular to the railway lines at 10, 36 and 120 m distance enable an identification and separation of particles caused by the railway traffic from background particles. Morphology and chemistry of more than 11,000 particles were analysed by computer controlled scanning electron microscopy (CCSEM). Based on chemical composition five particle classes are defined and assigned to their sources. The mass of the individual particles is determined by multiplying their volumes, calculated based on their morphology with a density assigned specifically to each particle class. The density of the particle classes is derived from their chemical composition. To estimate the PM10 contributions of the railway lines, the mass of PM10 at 120 m (background, not influenced by the railway lines) is subtracted from the mass of PM10 at 10 m. The emissions of the railway lines are dominated by ‘iron’ particles, which contribute 2.9 μg m⁻³ or 67% to the railway related PM10. In addition, ‘aluminium’ and ‘calcium’ particles contribute also to the railway related PM10 (1.0 μg m⁻³ or 23% for the ‘aluminium’ and 0.4 μg m⁻³ or 10% for the ‘calcium’ particles). These particles are assigned to abrasion of the gravel bed and re-suspension of mineral dust.Long-term gravimetric results of the contribution of iron to the mass of railway related PM10 from a study performed earlier at the same site are in good agreement with the data presented in this study.     

Criteria for the evaluation of dioxins in the environment

In FRG and other countries unequivocal criteria for the limitation of dioxins (PCDD's/PCDF's) in food like vegetables and fruits are lacking. These have to be directly associated with the limitation of dioxins in the soil and the deposition of particulate matter as the two main pathways for plant contamination. Based on recent investigations in the vicinity of cable-waste incinerators in Northrhine-Westphalia with comparatively high contents of dioxins in garden plants and soils and other sources of dioxins, considerations are given for the establishment of the criteria urgently needed.     

Determination of dibenzo-p-dioxin (DBD) and dibenzofuran (DBF) in paper pulp mill defoamer additives and in paper pulp samples

An analytical procedure has been developed for quantitatively measuring dibenzo-p-dioxin (DBD) and dibenzofuran (DBF) present at part-per-billion levels in paper mill defoamers and paper pulp using gas chromatography coupled with either low resolution mass spectrometry (GC-LRMS) or high resolution mass spectrometry (GC-HRMS).