Multivariate optimization of Cd(II) biosorption onto Ulmus tree leaves from aqueous waste

Ulmus tree leaves were successfully used as a novel and efficient biosorbent for removing cadmium, (Cd(II)), from aqueous solutions in a batch system. A multivariate strategy for optimization of removal efficiency conditions of Cd(II) was carried out. A 2³ full factorial design with three center points (9 runs) was performed for screening the main variables and reducing the large number of experimental runs. Initial concentration of metal ion (C _m), amount of sorbent (m), and pH were considered as the three main variables at two different levels. The maximum removal efficiency of Cd(II) was achieved within 1 h contact time. It was found that all the main factors and their interactions were significant at p < 0.05. Doehlert response surface methodology was utilized (13 runs) for finding a suitable mathematical model. The analysis of variance and some statistical tests such as lack-of-fit, coefficient of determination (R ²), and residual distribution plot confirmed the validity of the model. The optimum conditions for maximum removal of Cd(II) by Ulmus tree leaves were found as pH = 3.4, m (amount of sorbent) = 0.128 g, C _m (initial concentration of metal ion) = 12.1 mg L^?1.     

Seasonal behaviour of lead concentration in poplar leaves∗

Seasonal variation of lead concentration in urban area in poplar leaves, is discussed as part of the more general problem of the interactions of gaseous and nongaseous air pollutants with terrestrial vegetation.     

阻燃涤棉混纺织物的研究与发展

对阻燃涤棉混纺织物的国内外研究状况、生产和应用中存在的问题,进行了论述,并提出了今后的发展方向。     

交通污染对城市土壤和植物的影响

以我国西北地区大气污染严重的兰州市为研究区,分别采集了交通主干道两侧及远离交通主干道的公园及大学校园里的槐树(Sophora japonica L.)叶片和土壤样品,研究了交通污染对城市土壤理化性质和重金属积累以及植物叶片中重金属、氮、磷积累的影响.结果表明:①交通主干道两侧土壤的电导率和有机碳含量显著高于公园土壤而pH值显著低于公园土壤;②交通主干道两侧土壤中Zn、Cd、Hg、Pb、Cu、Cr和As等7种微量元素的含量显著高于公园土壤,表明交通污染导致了这些元素在土壤中的异常积累;③生长在交通主干道两侧的槐树叶片中Zn、Cd、As、Hg、Pb、Ni、Co、Cr、N等9种元素的含量显著高于生长在公园的槐树叶片,同样表明交通污染导致了这些元素在槐树叶片中的异常积累,但是不同元素在土壤和植物叶片中的积累程度存在着差异.     

贵州喀斯特山区植物叶片碳同位素组成研究

通过测定贵州喀斯特山区灌丛12种主要植物叶片的δ13C值,研究了该区植物叶片碳同位素组成特征,以及种间、生境差异和时空变化特征。研究结果表明:该区植物叶片的碳同位素组成的变化范围为-26.98‰--29.15‰,平均值为-28.14‰。研究区δ13C值的分布相对均匀,除高于我国热带雨林区植物外,低于其它地区。研究结果还表明,种间碳同位素组成存在较大的差异。生境的变化对蕨的碳同位素组成影响较大,而对渐尖毛蕨、盐肤木、火棘、马桑影响较小。盐肤木、渐尖毛蕨、云南鼠刺、火棘叶片的δ13C值从生长初期到末期有降低的趋势,但降低的幅度存在差异。植物的δ13C值随小尺度海拔的变化规律与随大尺度海拔变化的规律一致,都是随着海拔的增加δ13C值增大,但不同植物种间变化的幅度是不一样的。     

Soil to leaf transfer factor for the radionuclides ²²⁶Ra, ⁴⁰K, ¹³⁷Cs and ⁹⁰Sr at Kaiga region, India

Transfer factors are the most important parameters required for mathematical modeling used for environmental impact assessment of radioactive contamination in the environment. In this paper soil to leaf transfer factor for the radionuclides ⁴⁰K, ²²⁶Ra, ¹³⁷Cs and ⁹⁰Sr is estimated for Kaiga region in Karnataka state, India. Among the plants in which study is carried out, ²²⁶Ra, ⁴⁰K, ¹³⁷Cs and ⁹⁰Sr activity in leaves of herbaceous plants is higher than that of tree leaves. Soil to leaf transfer factor for ²²⁶Ra, ⁴⁰K, ¹³⁷Cs and ⁹⁰Sr was found to be in the range of 0.03-0.65, 0.32-8.04, 0.05-3.03 and 0.42-2.67 respectively.     

A Preliminary Evaluation of the DDT Contamination of Sediments in Lakes Natron and Bogoria (Eastern Rift Valley,Africa)

Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) is still used in Africa for the indoor control of malaria and it may represent a potential hazard for wildlife. The littoral sediments of two alkaline-saline lakes, Natron (Tanzania) and Bogoria (Kenya), in the Eastern Rift Valley, supporting large populations of lesser flamingos (Phoeniconaias minor), were analysed for DDT residues. Physical–chemical analyses (temperature, conductivity, pH and dissolved oxygen) were also performed on the water of the two lakes and in the tributaries of Lake Natron, to evaluate the influence of the environmental variables on pollutant occurrence. At Lake Natron, around 1 km from the sediment collection sites, tree leaves of Acacia tortilis were also collected. The main metabolite found in all sediment samples was pp’DDE, whilst equal concentrations of pp’DDT and pp’DDE were measured in acacia leaves. The levels of DDTs measured in the sediments were within 5.9–30.9 ng g⁻¹ d.w., reaching the maximum value in a tributary of Lake Natron. On the whole, the contamination of Lake Natron and Lake Bogoria basins seems to be quite moderate. Nevertheless, the pp’DDE/pp’DDT ratio equals 1 in the Acacia tortilis leaves, which makes one suppose that the input of the parent compound was rather recent and could have been from aerial transport or dust from relatively close-by old pesticides storage sites.     

Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) leaves as biomonitors of atmospheric metal pollution in arid and semi-arid environments

The leaves of date palms were evaluated as a possible biomonitor of heavy metal contamination in Ma’an city, Jordan. Concentrations of (Fe), (Pb), (Zn), (Cu), (Ni), and (Cr) were determined in washed and unwashed leaves and soil samples collected from different sites with different degrees of metal contamination (urban, suburban, industrial, highway and rural sites); separate leaves were taken from outside the city to be used as a control sample. Samples collected from industrial sites were found to have high concentrations of all metals except those of Cu, Ni and Pb, which were found at high levels in the highway site samples which is associated with the road traffic. The difference between unwashed and washed samples showed that metal pollutants exist as contaminants, particularly Pb, Zn and Ni, which varied in concentration, depending on the source of the metal.     

植物作为反硝化碳源

研究得到一种新型的筛选反硝化碳源的方法:可以通过比较材料浸出液的C/N值,筛选出有效的反硝化碳源;对芦苇秸秆、梧桐黄叶、梧桐绿叶、橘树叶、玉米秸秆和玉米芯6种材料浸出液的C/N值进行了研究,其中当以叶片作为反硝化固相碳源时,应该选取新鲜叶片作为研究对象。橘树叶和玉米芯均属于良好的反硝化碳源。以驯化后的河泥作为反硝化污泥,可以利用橘树叶或者玉米芯作为反硝化固相碳源,进行持续脱氮除磷反应,其中橘树叶脱氮效果强于玉米芯,而玉米芯除磷能力强于橘树叶。扫描电镜实验表明,橘树叶和玉米芯均适合作为生物膜载体。     

Accumulation and distribution of90Sr and137Cs in birch in the zone affected by liquid discharge from the Beloyarskaya Nuclear Power Plant

The data are presented that concern the accumulation and distribution of artificial radionuclides (⁹⁰Sr and¹³⁷Cs) in the aboveground organs of birch growing in the vicinity of the Beloyarskaya Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in the permanently inundated part of the Ol'khovka swamp, on its banks periodically flooded with water, and in watershed areas not influenced by the swamp (control). Concentrations of both radionuclides in birch trees from the swamp and its banks were several times as high as in trees from the watershed. The distribution of⁹⁰Sr in birch trunk proved to be acropetal. Trees growing on the inundated part of the swamp and on dry land significantly differed in the distribution of¹³⁷Cs. The factors controlling the distribution and accumulation of both radionuclides in birch trees growing in these areas are discussed.