Modified ADM1 for modeling free ammonia inhibition in anaerobic acidogenic fermentation with high-solid sludge

Anaerobic acidogenic fermentation with high-solid sludge is a promising method for volatile fatty acid (VFA) production to realize resource recovery. In this study, to model inhibition by free ammonia in high-solid sludge fermentation, the anaerobic digestion model No. 1 (ADM1) was modified to simulate the VFA generation in batch, semi-continuous and full scale sludge. The ADM1 was operated on the platform AQUASIM 2.0. Three kinds of inhibition forms, e.g., simple inhibition, Monod and non-inhibition forms, were integrated into the ADM1 and tested with the real experimental data for batch and semi-continuous fermentation, respectively. The improved particle swarm optimization technique was used for kinetic parameter estimation using the software MATLAB 7.0. In the modified ADM1, the K_s of acetate is 0.025, the k_m,ac is 12.51, and the K_{I_NH3} is 0.02, respectively. The results showed that the simple inhibition model could simulate the VFA generation accurately while the Monod model was the better inhibition kinetics form in semi-continuous fermentation at pH 10.0. Finally, the modified ADM1 could successfully describe the VFA generation and ammonia accumulation in a 30 m³ full-scale sludge fermentation reactor, indicating that the developed model can be applicable in high-solid sludge anaerobic fermentation.     

Development of metal organic framework-199 immobilized zeolite foam for adsorption of common indoor VOCs

Reticulated foam shaped adsorbents are more efficient for the removal of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particularly from low VOC-concentration indoor air streams. In this study composite structure of zeolite and metal organic frameworks (MOFs), referred as ZMF, has been fabricated by immobilization of fine MOF-199 powder on foam shaped Zeolite Socony Mobil-5 (ZSM-5) Zeolitic structure, referred as ZF. The ZMF possess a uniform and well-dispersed coating of MOF-199 on the porous framework of ZF. It shows higher surface area, pore volume, and VOCs adsorption capacity, as compared to ZF-structure. Post-fabrication changes in selective adsorption properties of ZMF were studied with three common indoor VOCs (benzene, n-hexane, and cyclohexane), using gravimetric adsorption technique. The adsorption capacity of ZMF with different VOCs follow the order of benzene > n-hexane > cyclohexane. In comparison with MOF-199 and ZF, the composite structure ZMF shows improvement in selectivity for benzene from other two VOCs. Further, improvement in efficiency and stability of prepared ZMF was found to be associated with its high MOF loading capacity and unique morphological and structural properties. The developed composite structure with improved VOCs removal and recyclability could be a promising material for small to limited scale air pollution treatment units.     

我国北方四类土壤中氨氧化古菌和氨氧化细菌的活性及对氨氧化的贡献

氨氧化古菌(ammonia-oxidizing archaea,AOA)与氨氧化细菌(ammonia-oxidizing bacteria,AOB)是目前已知的两类好氧氨氧化微生物,广泛分布于各类生态系统中.采用双氰胺(dicyandiamide;DCD)和1-辛炔(1-octyne)抑制剂的方法对我国北方湿地、草原、农田、沙漠4类生态系统的土壤中AOA和AOB的氨氧化速率(ammonia oxidation rate,AR)分别进行定量测定,剖析AOA、AOB对不同土壤中氨氧化的贡献.结果表明:在氨氮含量较高的湿地土壤((32.58±1.38)mg·kg~(-1))中氨氧化速率由AOB主导(ARAOB占AR的86.19%),而在氨氮含量较低的草原土壤((10.40±0.69)mg·kg~(-1))、农田土壤((5.09±0.25)mg·kg~(-1))中氨氧化速率则由AOA主导(ARAOA分别占AR的65.50%、62.20%).氨氮含量是影响AOA、AOB相对活性的主要限制性因素.湿地土壤中氨氧化速率最高,为3.22 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)(以N计),其次是草原土壤和农田土壤,其AR分别为1.11、1.00 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1),沙漠土壤中未检测到氨氧化速率.对氨氧化古菌、细菌的amoA基因进行定量分析的结果表明:在氨氮含量最高的湿地土壤和最低的沙漠土壤((1.27±0.05)mg·kg~(-1))中AOA丰度高于AOB丰度,在草原、农田土壤中AOB丰度高于AOA丰度.amoA基因生物多样性分析表明,377个古菌amoA序列以85%相似度可以划分为19个独立操作单元(operational taxonomic unit,OTU),具有较高的生物多样性,其Shannon指数为1.51~1.73.直接通过氨氧化微生物amoA基因丰度来推测AOA、AOB的活性具有一定的缺陷,而依靠AOA、AOB分别的氨氧化速率能够准确地衡量其在不同生态系统中对氨氮去除的相对贡献,对于理解不同生态系统中氨氮去除过程和效应有着重要的意义.     

乌鲁木齐不同功能区昼间臭氧浓度变化特征分析

为了研究乌鲁木齐市昼间的近地层大气臭氧浓度变化特征,利用靛蓝二磺酸钠分光光度法(IDS法)对乌鲁木齐市不同功能区在采暖期前期、采暖期与采暖期后期昼间的小时臭氧浓度进行监测,分析与温度、太阳辐射、相对湿度的相关性。结果表明:乌鲁木齐市不同功能区昼间的小时臭氧浓度变化具有明显的"单峰型"变化规律,从早上09:00开始,臭氧浓度明显上升,最高的小时臭氧浓度出现在午后,其中,交通区、工业区昼间的小时臭氧浓度较高。不同时间段臭氧总平均浓度依次为采暖期前期>采暖期后期>采暖期,不同时间段昼间的小时臭氧浓度变化与太阳辐射、温度呈显著的正相关性,与相对湿度呈显著的负相关性。     

Pork knocking in the land of many waters: Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) in Guyana

The growth of artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) in Guyana has received little attention in the literature, despite its rapid growth and now central importance in this small country's socioeconomic fortunes. Although the activity in Guyana shares commonalities with ASM activity elsewhere in the world, it also displays some unique characteristics. This article builds upon existing debates and current issues surrounding Guyanese ASM. A lack of baseline data and research on the dynamics, underlying forces and various outcomes of the ASM sector has acted as a significant constraint on the regulation and development of the sector in a completely desirable fashion. This has been the result of, but has also been exacerbated by, the ineffective nature of intervention, enforcement and assistance. This paper aims to demonstrate and argue for the need for developing much clearer understandings of and effective interactions with the ASM sector in Guyana. Such all developments are the more pressing given future policies, which may represent potentially sizeable challenges for the continued vibrancy of ASM operations.     

Co-digestion of pig manure and glycerine: experimental and modelling study

It is a fact that the rapid increase of biodiesel production over the last years has resulted in the generation of large and constant amounts of glycerine, which is causing an oversupply problem. Since glycerine is a biodegradable organic compound exempt of nitrogen, it can be applied as a co-substrate in the anaerobic digestion process of pig manure (PM). In order to analyze the feasibility of a mixture of pig manure and glycerine in anaerobic processes and to define the effect originated by the nitrogen limitation when large amounts of glycerine are added, several biodegradability batch tests were performed with different mixtures. These were named as: 100% PM, 80% PM, 60% PM, 40% PM and 20% PM, in pig manure wet weight-basis. Furthermore, a modified model based on anaerobic digestion model no.1 (ADM1) was used to simulate the methane production profiles for the mixtures tested. Specifically, both experimental and model results show the power of the co-digestion technology. In particular, the mixture of 80% PM produced the highest methane production with 215 mL CH(4) g(-1) COD, almost 125% more methane than when pig manure was mono-digested. In contrast, the one with 20% PM was clearly inhibited by the volatile fatty acid due to the low nitrogen concentration of the mixture. In addition, the specific methane production predicted by the model was in good agreement with the experimental results, although in some samples the shape of the profiles did not match perfectly. Moreover, the modified ADM1 appears to be a useful tool to predict the methane production and the limitations related to the lack/excess of nitrogen during the co-digestion process of pig manure and glycerine.     

Modeling of Escherichia coli Fluxes on a Catchment and the Impact on Coastal Water and Shellfish Quality1

Bougeard, Morgane, Jean‐Claude Le Saux, Nicolas Pérenne, Claire Baffaut, Marc Robin, and Monique Pommepuy, 2011. Modeling of Escherichia coli Fluxes on a Catchment and the Impact on Coastal Water and Shellfish Quality. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 1‐17. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752‐1688.2011.00520.x Abstract: The simulation of the impact of Escherichia coli loads from watersheds is of great interest for assessing estuarine water quality, especially in areas with shellfish aquaculture or bathing activities. For this purpose, this study investigates a model association based on the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) coupled with a hydrodynamic model (MARS 2D; IFREMER). Application was performed on the catchment and estuary of Daoulas area (France). The daily E. coli fluxes simulated by SWAT are taken as an input in the MARS 2D model to calculate E. coli concentrations in estuarine water and shellfish. Model validation is based on comparison of frequencies: a strong relationship was found between calculated and measured E. coli concentrations for river quality (r² = 0.99) and shellfish quality (r² = 0.89). The important influence of agricultural practices and rainfall events on the rapid and large fluctuations in E. coli fluxes from the watershed (reaching three orders of magnitude in <24 hours) is one main result of the study. Response time in terms of seawater quality degradation ranges from one to two days after any important rainfall event (greater than 10 mm/day) and the time for estuary to recover good water quality also mainly depends on the duration of the rainfall. In the estuary, three effects (rainfall, tidal dilution, and manure spreading) have been identified as important influences.     

1甲-基环己烯气相臭氧氧化生成二次有机气溶胶产物的研究

采用烟雾箱实验模拟了大气中1-甲基环己烯臭氧氧化生成二次有机气溶胶的化学过程.采用衍生化方法和气质联用仪对反应中生成的低挥发性有机酸产物进行了定性定量研究.通过研究.OH自由基清除剂和相对湿度对产物产率的影响,检验了文献中提出的假设反应机理,并提出了各产物的详细形成机理.     

Incorporating effectiveness of community-based management in a national marine gap analysis for Fiji

Every action in a conservation plan has a different level of effect and consequently contributes differentially to conservation. We examined how several community-based, marine, management actions differed in their contribution to national-level conservation goals in Fiji. We held a workshop with experts on local fauna and flora and local marine management actions to translate conservation goals developed by the national government into ecosystem-specific quantitative objectives and to estimate the relative effectiveness of Fiji's community-based management actions in achieving these objectives. The national conservation objectives were to effectively manage 30% of the nation's fringing reefs, nonfringing reefs, mangroves, and intertidal ecosystems (30% objective) and 10% of other benthic ecosystems (10% objective). The experts evaluated the contribution of the various management actions toward national objectives. Scores ranged from 0 (ineffective) to 1 (maximum effectiveness) and included the following management actions: permanent closures (i.e., all extractive use of resources prohibited indefinitely) (score of 1); conditional closures harvested once per year or less as dictated by a management plan (0.50-0.95); conditional closures harvested without predetermined frequency or duration (0.10-0.85); other management actions, such as regulations on gear and species harvested (0.15-0.50). Through 3 gap analyses, we assessed whether the conservation objectives in Fiji had been achieved. Each analysis was based on a different assumption: (1) all parts of locally managed marine areas (including closures and other management) conserve species and ecosystems effectively; (2) closures conserve species and ecosystems, whereas areas outside closures, open to varying levels of resource extraction, do not; and (3) actions that allow different levels of resource extraction vary in their ability to conserve species and ecosystems. Under assumption 1, Fiji's national conservation objectives were exceeded in all marine ecosystems; under assumption 2, none of Fiji's conservation objectives were met; and under assumption 3, on the basis of the scores assigned by experts, Fiji achieved the 10% but not the 30% objectives for ecosystems. Understanding the relative contribution of management actions to achieving conservation objectives is critical in the assessment of conservation achievements at the national level, where multiple management actions will be needed to achieve national conservation objectives.