Incorporating layer- and local-scale heterogeneities in numerical simulation of unsaturated flow and tracer transport

This study characterizes layer- and local-scale heterogeneities in hydraulic parameters (i.e., matrix permeability and porosity) and investigates the relative effect of layer- and local-scale heterogeneities on the uncertainty assessment of unsaturated flow and tracer transport in the unsaturated zone of Yucca Mountain, USA. The layer-scale heterogeneity is specific to hydrogeologic layers with layerwise properties, while the local-scale heterogeneity refers to the spatial variation of hydraulic properties within a layer. A Monte Carlo method is used to estimate mean, variance, and 5th, and 95th percentiles for the quantities of interest (e.g., matrix saturation and normalized cumulative mass arrival). Model simulations of unsaturated flow are evaluated by comparing the simulated and observed matrix saturations. Local-scale heterogeneity is examined by comparing the results of this study with those of the previous study that only considers layer-scale heterogeneity. We find that local-scale heterogeneity significantly increases predictive uncertainty in the percolation fluxes and tracer plumes, whereas the mean predictions are only slightly affected by the local-scale heterogeneity. The mean travel time of the conservative and reactive tracers to the water table in the early stage increases significantly due to the local-scale heterogeneity, while the influence of local-scale heterogeneity on travel time gradually decreases over time. Layer-scale heterogeneity is more important than local-scale heterogeneity for simulating overall tracer travel time, suggesting that it would be more cost-effective to reduce the layer-scale parameter uncertainty in order to reduce predictive uncertainty in tracer transport.     

鼠李糖脂洗脱氯丹和灭蚁灵污染场地土壤的工艺参数

优化了鼠李糖脂洗脱氯丹、灭蚁灵污染土壤的工艺条件,为开展有机氯农药污染场地土壤洗脱修复工程实践提供科学依据和技术参数。实验结果表明,随着洗脱剂———鼠李糖脂浓度的增加,氯丹和灭蚁灵的洗脱量呈现先增加后降低的趋势;洗脱时间和液固比对洗脱效果的影响趋势与浓度相同;在0~120 r/min范围内,氯丹和灭蚁灵洗脱量随着搅拌速度的增加而增大,80、120和200 r/min的洗脱量间差异不显著;单次洗脱量随洗脱次数的增加而降低,累计洗脱量则逐渐增大。综上所述,氯丹、灭蚁灵污染场地土壤鼠李糖脂洗脱的适宜工艺参数为鼠李糖浓度10 mmol/L,搅拌速度80 r/min,固液比1∶10,洗脱时间20 min,洗脱3次。     

油茶果壳炭对低浓度油烟的吸附行为

利用油茶果壳直接炭化法制备油茶果壳炭,其BET比表面积和孔容积测定结果分别为1 244 m2·g-1和1.02 cm3·g-1,SEM的分析表明,油茶果壳炭含有不同孔径的孔隙和裂缝,有利于油烟这种含有复杂组分污染物分子的吸附作用;等温吸附实验结果表明,低温低油烟浓度有利于油茶果壳炭对油烟的吸附作用,吸附量可达378.79 mg·g-1,其吸附等温线符合Langmuir吸附模型,热力学参数ΔG0、ΔH0、ΔS0均为负值,表明油茶果壳炭对油烟的吸附是一个自发的放热的物理过程。     

Effect of tracer dyes on initial deposits and persistence of bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki toxin after application of two commercial formulations onto spruce trees

Abstract

The effect of two tracer dyes [Erio Acid Red (EAR) and Acid Black 48 (AB‐48)] on initial deposits and persistence of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki (Btk) toxin (delta‐endotoxin) was studied after spraying two commercial formulations, Foray® 48B and Foray® 76B, over potted white spruce [Picea glauca (Moench) Voss] seedlings, at a dosage rate of 30 billion international units (BIU) per ha. Spray was applied using a spinning disc atomizer calibrated to deliver droplet sizes similar to those utilized in ultra‐low‐volume (ULV) treatments in operational insect control programs. The sprayed seedlings were left outdoors at the Sault Ste. Marie laboratory for 18 days under natural conditions of sunlight, wind and rainfall. Initial deposits and persistence of delta‐endotoxin protein in spruce foliage were determined by immunoassay [enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)] quantification of the delta‐endotoxin. The total protein (inactive plus active) and delta‐endotoxin (active protein) concentrations in the two formulations were determined by a gravimetric procedure and by ELISA respectively.

The initial deposit levels of the toxin on foliage were not markedly affected by the addition of either of the two tracer dyes, and showed only a narrow range of 1521 to 1625 ng/g foliage (fresh weight) for Foray 48B, and 1789 to 2056 ng/g for Foray 76B. However, the persistence of the toxin was significantly influenced by the presence of the dyes. The toxin persisted in foliage only for 7 d post‐spray When the EAR dye was added to Foray 48B, compared to 10 d when no dye was added. The average half‐life (DT₅₀) of disappearance was 17.4 h for Foray 48B with EAR, and 20.9 h when no dye was present. In contrast, the situation was reversed in Foray 76B, since the duration of persistence was 10 d when EAR was added to Foray 76B, compared to 7 d when no dye was added. The average DT₅₀ was 27.9 h for Foray 76B with EAR, and 22.2 h without the dye. Persistence was the longest (14 d) when the AB‐48 dye was added to Foray 76B, and the DT₅₀ was 44.9 h.     

缺失烟囱参数估算及其应用对空气质量模拟结果的改进

针对源清单中部分点源烟囱参数缺失而采用源排放模型SMOKE(Sparse Matrix Operator Kernel Emissions)默认的烟囱参数对空气质量模型模拟结果造成的不利影响,综合考虑气象观测数据、空气质量监测数据、源排放强度以及相关标准和规范对烟囱设计的要求,分别基于最大落地浓度法和基于统计方法对2009年珠三角地区源清单中缺失烟囱参数点源的烟囱参数进行了估算,并将估算烟囱参数用在WRF/SMOKE-PRD/CMAQ空气质量模型系统分析其对模型模拟的改善情况.相比于采用SMOKE默认烟囱参数,基于最大落地浓度估算烟囱参数对NO2、NOx、SO2、PM10及O3的模拟结果均具有一定改善作用,而基于统计方法估算烟囱参数仅对SO2、O3的模拟结果有所提高.结果表明,使用基于最大落地浓度法估算得到的烟囱参数更为合理,使污染物的垂直排放分配更加合理,可以应用于空气质量模型输入源清单中缺失烟囱参数点源的估算,从而一定程度上改善空气质量模型的模拟效果.     

基于UASB-缺氧好氧-混凝沉淀工艺处理印染废水的中试研究

采用UASB-缺氧好氧-混凝沉淀组合工艺处理以印染纯棉纤维、涤纶、腈纶和棉混纺织物为主的综合性印染废水。结果表明,控制UASB反应器水力负荷为0.4 m3·（m2·h）-1（冬季反应器温度低于15℃时降至0.3 m3·（m2·h）-1）、UASB进水pH=7.0~8.0、活性污泥A反应器DO=0.5~0.8 mg·L-1、B反应器DO=0.2 mg·L-1、接触氧化反应器采用渐减曝气且气水比12：1、混凝剂PAC（配制浓度10%）和PAM（配制浓度0.1%）投加1.2 mL·L-1和0.9 mL·L-1、絮凝30 min,可以实现COD、色度、氮和硫化物的同步去除,出水指标达到并优于《纺织染整工业水污染物排放标准》（GB 4287-2012）表2的直接排放标准,处理效果好。同时,工艺直接运行成本仅为0.624元·m-3废水,普遍低于同类印染废水处理工程。     

Environmental Isotopes for Resolution of Hydrology Problems

The use of environmental isotopes as tracers in the hydrosphere is increasing as analytical instrumentation improves and more applications are discovered. There exists still misconceptions on the role of isotopes in resolving hydrology problems. Naturally occurring isotopes in the environment describe hydrological processes, estimate ages, fingerprint sources and pathways, yet are not subject to the regulatory restraints of artificial isotope injections nor the limited extent of many chemical tracers, particularly dyes and particulates. A short review is presented for practicing hydrologists on the basis for employing stable and radioactive isotopes and a synopsis of recent isotope hydrology applications is provided. Special focus is presented on the emergent role of water isopopes (¹⁸O, ²H, ³H) in wet-weather flow research in urban watersheds. A brief technical approach for an experimental site in the Mill Creek Watershed, Ohio is outlined.     

Reproductive parameters and disturbances of embryonic development in the fieldfare (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Turdus pilaris</Emphasis> L.) in the zone of impact from the nuclear fuel industry

The impact of emissions from the Siberian Chemical Plant (Tomsk oblast) on reproduction and embryonic development of the fieldfare was studied. Bird abundance, clutch size, and egg volume in the impact and background (control) zones were similar, but partial brood mortality in the impact zone proved to be significantly higher, and the frequency of embryonic pathologies (including developmental abnormalities) was also several times higher than in the control.     

Radiocesium in North San Francisco Bay and Baja California coastal surface waters

Radiocesium, 137Cs, and rare earth elements (REEs) were determined in suspended material and dissolved fractions of waters across the salinity gradient in North San Francisco Bay (estuary). We describe the variation of this conservative isotope tracer with salinity and sediment load. REE data are used to differentiate marine and terrigenous source terrains for suspended material and dissolved fractions. We estimate that about 1-4 x 10(10) Bq of 137Cs migrates annually on suspended material through the North Bay. In addition, 137Cs concentrations were measured in surface waters off Baja California. Combined in situ water density (sigma(t)) and 137Cs data distinguish between California Current and Gulf of California water, and delineate areas of upwelling, where nutrient-rich, deep Pacific Intermediate water, with little or no 137Cs, is brought to the surface off promontories along Baja California.