Linking empirical estimates of body burden of environmental chemicals and wellness using NHANES data

Biomonitoring of industrial chemicals in human tissues and fluids has shown that all people carry a “body burden” of synthetic chemicals. Although measurement of an environmental chemical in a person's tissues/fluids is an indication of exposure, it does not necessarily mean the exposure concentration is sufficient to cause an adverse effect. Since humans are exposed to multiple chemicals, there may be a combination effect (e.g., additive, synergistic) associated with low-level exposures to multiple classes of contaminants, which may impact a variety of organ systems. The objective of this research is to link measures of body burden of environmental chemicals and a “holistic” measure of wellness. The approach is demonstrated using biomonitoring data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES). Forty-two chemicals were selected for analysis based on their detection levels. Six biological pathway-specific indices were evaluated using groups of chemicals associated with each pathway. Five of the six pathways were negatively associated with wellness. Three non-zero interaction terms were detected which may provide empirical evidence of crosstalk across pathways. The approach identified five of the 42 chemicals from a variety of classes (metals, pesticides, furans, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) as accounting for 71% of the weight linking body burden to wellness. Significant interactions were detected indicating the effect of smoking is exacerbated by body burden of environmental chemicals. Use of a holistic index on both sides of the exposure-health equation is a novel and promising empirical “systems biology” approach to risk evaluation of complex environmental exposures.     

典型城内过富营养湖泊沉积物和间隙水中各形态磷的相关性研究

研究了武汉市繁华市中心典型过富营养湖泊沉积物—间隙水体系磷形态的相关性。对沉积物—间隙水中磷形态的连续提取分析发现,自然粒度下,沉积物中有机质含量与沉积物中有机/细菌聚合磷存在很好的线性相关性,说明沉积物中有机质是有机/细菌聚合磷的源;沉积物中总磷决定间隙水中总溶解性磷和溶解性磷酸盐的含量,并且总磷与间隙水中总溶解性磷和溶解性磷酸盐存在很好的相关性;沉积物中Fe P和Al P分别与间隙水中的Eh和溶解性磷酸盐存在相关性,说明Eh的大小严重影响Fe P和Al P的含量,但是Fe P和Al P含量之和又主导着间隙水中溶解性磷酸盐的含量。对典型市内过富营养湖泊的沉积物－间隙水体系中形态磷的相关性研究,旨在为控制这种典型过富营养湖泊沉积物中磷向水体释放提供理论参考。     

鄱阳湖流域面源污染负荷模拟与氮和磷时空分布特征

基于气象、土壤、土地利用、数字高程模型和农业管理等数据基础上,对输入鄱阳湖赣江、抚河、信江、饶河、修水等"五河"上的7个水文站的径流、泥沙和面源氮(N)和磷(P)污染负荷进行参数的敏感性分析,利用实测数据对参数校准和验证,通过SWAT模型对2003—2012年十年间入湖的径流、泥沙和面源N、P污染负荷进行了模拟.2003—2012年面源总氮(TN)、总磷(TP)、硝氮(NO-3-N)、有机氮(ON)和有机磷(OP)面源污染负荷入湖特征呈现出:时间变化上,年际间变化大、年内集中在4—7月入湖,鄱阳湖N、P污染负荷主要来自于面源污染,入湖面源TN组份中NO-3-N所占比重较高,TP组份中OP所占比重较高的特征;空间分布上,"五河"中赣江流量和流域面积最大,流域各项面源N、P污染物入湖量最大;修水流量和流域面积最小,流域各项面源N、P污染物入湖量最小的特征.     

海河流域碳、氮、硫、磷及生态环境数据库

介绍了海河流域碳、氮、硫、磷及生态环境数据库的建库目标,指导系统分解的概念模型,选择录入数据的指标体系,数据库系统构成及所含6个子库典型输出表。做为数据库的必要功效补充,还建立了地理信息系统。整个数据库系统是在DBASE-Ⅲ、汉化地理信息系统工具和FORTRAN-77统计与模式程序包支持下,在PC/AT微机上实现的。     

构建湿地堵塞问题的研究

研究了复合垂直流构建湿地(IVCW)中与填料堵塞相关的填料粒径、渗透性能、有机质含量等因素的变化.经过颗粒分析得知填料粒径在2～5mm间,运用自制的砂样管对填料进行原位采样,渗透试验结果表明IVCW填料层的渗透系数随填料深度的增加而增加.IVCW填料各层中,渗透系数最小值存在于表层以下15～30cm处.IVCW系统运行52个月后,仅填料表面至15cm深处有少量有机质存在,15cm深度以下有机质含量极少,表明IVCW系统运行稳定,未出现堵塞现象.文中通过分析填料堵塞的影响因素提出相应的预防措施和对策.     

Substance use among populations displaced by conflict: a literature review

This paper reviews the literature on substance use among populations displaced by conflict. Of the 17 publications presenting primary data retained for review, all consider populations in or recovering from protracted conflict, the majority (10) in non-camp settings. Most studies (10) offer prevalence estimates, suggesting that substance use (such as of alcohol, opiates, or minor tranquilizers) is common in some displaced settings. Five describe harmful consequences of substance use among displaced populations (such as HIV transmission, tuberculosis treatment failure, gender-based violence, and economic problems). Three studies suggest risk factors for substance use problems (such as gender, trauma-related conditions, pre-displacement substance use, and socio-economic factors); two examine qualitatively the gendered nature of alcohol-related harm and its links with gender-based violence. One study examines an intervention. The evidence base is weak. Findings are used to develop a conceptual framework emphasizing the risk environment to inform further research, to encourage debate among researchers and practitioners, and to enable the development of interventions.     

影响旁路净化含油循环水达标时间的主要因素

基于循环冷却水旁路净化含油水的模拟装置,研究了旁路流速、各次料水比、旁路吸附塔填料换料时间间隔、吸附塔填料填装形式、系统温度对系统含油水浓度达标时间的影响.结果表明:净化达标时间随旁路流速的增加呈先减少后增加趋势,旁路流速为1.68 ×10-3 m/s时,净化达标时间最短;选择适当的各次料水比1/2 400,保证较短的净化达标时间和较低的经济成本;换料时间间隔为△tn+1=1.2nh时,较其他方式更有效合理;吸油填料的填装形式为混合式,系统运行温度为35℃时,净化达标时间最短.     

Enhanced coagulation of ferric chloride aided by tannic acid for phosphorus removal from wastewater

Phosphorus removal from wastewater is of great importance. In the present study, ferric chloride was selected as the coagulant, and tannic acid (TA), a natural polymer, as the coagulant aid to develop an effective coagulation process with the emphasis of phosphorus recovery from different types of wastewater. The results showed that TA can accelerate the settling speed by forming flocs with large size, reduce the residual Fe(III) to eliminate the yellow color caused by Fe(III), and slightly increase the phosphorus removal efficiency. The precipitate formed by TA-aided coagulation showed the advantage of releasing phosphorus faster than ferric phosphate, indicating the possibility of phosphorus recovery from wastewater as slow release fertilizer. To further understand the structural characteristics of the precipitate, analytical techniques such as Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry were employed. The analytical results indicated that TA–Fe–P complex was formed during the coagulation/flocculation processes. Solid phase in the precipitate consisted of TA–Fe–P complex, Fe–TA complex and/or ferric hydroxyphosphate.     

Direct and indirect methods for chromium identification in industrial wastes

The examinations of selected wastes and stream sediments from the vicinity of a chemical plant by sequential extraction procedures and direct methods, SEM/EDX and XRD, were carried out in order to identify the different forms of chromium, particularly as they are released to potential mobility. The results show that the top and bottom waste samples contain 37,756 and 53,650 μg g¹ Cr, respectively, but about 7% and 2% of the total chromium type Cr(VI). The chemical extraction results show that the mobility of Cr in the upper part of the waste pile is significantly higher than in the bottom section; the exchangeable form of Cr accounts for 25% and < 1%, respectively, the last one irrespective of redox conditions. About 50% of Cr is associated with the reducible fraction of the top waste, and similar with the residual fraction in the bottom waste. Oxidation of the bottom waste shift some portion of Cr from residual to the moderately reducible fraction. The major Cr-forms in the river sediments are compounded with Fe-oxides. The < 2 μm size fraction of the selected sediment sample, particular enriched in chromium contained up to 73,000 μg g¹ Cr with about 95% of this in the moderately reducible fraction, predominantly bound with oxyhydroxides. SEM/EDX and XRD analysis of wastes and river sediment indicate that the main insoluble Cr-phase is ferroan — (Mg, Fe) (Cr, Al)²O⁴ which would be dissolved mainly in the residual fraction.     

铁电絮凝去除磷酸盐性能及影响因素研究

不同水质条件下,铁板作为阳极电絮凝时会产生不同形态的絮体,而絮体种类对磷酸盐去除效果尚不明确.利用铁板作为阳极进行电絮凝,考察溶解氧对电絮凝过程中生成絮体种类的影响,进一步研究电流密度和初始pH值对磷酸盐去除效果的影响.结果表明,低溶解氧（DO）条件下絮体成分主要为磁铁矿,高DO条件下可能为无定型三价铁氧化物/氢氧化物;电流密度越大(2.5、5和10 mA·cm^-2),磷酸盐去除效率越高,同时,低DO条件下磷酸盐去除效率高于高DO条件;而初始pH值（4、5、6、7和8）虽不影响不同溶解氧条件下所产絮体的除磷效果,但DO浓度高时,酸性条件下磷酸盐去除效率更高.当前污水处理厂二级出水存在磷浓度较高的问题(TP> 0.5 mg·L^-1),采用实际污水在2.5 mA·cm^-2电流密度下进行电絮凝,10 min后,初始浓度为1.307 mg·L^-1磷酸盐去除效率达98%以上.研究结果将为电絮凝产不同形态铁去除磷酸盐提供理论支持.