Magnetic mapping of fly-ash pollution and heavy metals from soil samples around a point source in a dry tropical environment

The Singrauli region in the southeastern part of Uttar Pradesh, India is one of the most polluted industrial sites of Asia. It encompasses 11 open cast coalmines and six thermal power stations that generate about 7,500 MW (about 10% of India’s installed generation capacity) electricity. Thermal power plants represent the main source of pollution in this region, emitting six million tonnes of fly-ash per annum. Fly-ash is deposited on soils over a large area surrounding thermal power plants. Fly-ashes have high surface concentrations of several toxic elements (heavy metals) and high atmospheric mobility. Fly ash is produced through high-temperature combustion of fossil fuel rich in ferromagnetic minerals. These contaminants can be identified using rock-magnetic methods. Magnetic susceptibility is directly linked to the concentration of ferromagnetic minerals, primarily high values of magnetite. In this study, magnetic susceptibility of top soil samples collected from surrounding areas of a bituminous-coal-fired power plant were measured to identify areas of high emission levels and to chart the spatial distribution of airborne solid particles. Sites close to the power plant have shown higher values of susceptibility that decreases with increasing distance from the source. A significant correlation between magnetic susceptibility and heavy metal content in soils is found. A comparison of the spatial distribution of magnetic susceptibility with heavy-metal concentrations in soil samples suggests that magnetic measurements can be used as a rapid and inexpensive method for proxy mapping of air borne pollution due to industrial activity.     

带防腐层在役压力容器表面磁粉探伤灵敏度的试验研究

采用人工裂纹试样的方法 ,模拟压力容器涂刷油漆防腐层的状况进行磁粉探伤 ,得出了油漆防腐层厚度与裂纹检出灵敏度的定量关系 ;结合CVDA《压力容器缺陷评定》规范 ,探讨了试验方法对一般在役压力容器带有油漆的情况下 ,进行磁粉探伤检验的可行性。研究表明 :采用交流磁化法进行探伤 ,当漆层厚度大约小于2 5 0 μm时 ,灵敏度影响较小 ,同时亦表明不宜使用直流磁化方法。该结论对承受低应力工况条件下的压力容器安全质量检验和评估 ,具有重要参考价值     

Therapeutic application of static magnetic fields

The interest toward clinical application of magnetic and electromagnetic stimulation increases worldwide. Numerous publications discussed the possibility exogenous magnetic and electromagnetic fields to initiate effects on various biological processes, which are of critical importance for healing of different injuries and pathologies. Today, magnetic and electromagnetic fields are increasingly utilized for treatment of various musculoskeletal injuries and pathologies. For musculoskeletal injuries and post-surgical, post traumatic and chronic wounds, reduction of edema is a major therapeutic factor in the acceleration of pain and stress relief, and thus contribute to healing processes. Electromagnetic and magnetic fields appear to be unique in their safety during clinical use. The application of this new modality will be facilitated by searching for biophysical mechanisms of action as well as by establishing exact dosimetry of application. In that respect basic science research needs to be developed in parallel with clinical applications. Magnetotherapy provides a non-invasive, safe, and easy method to directly treat the site of injury, the source of pain and inflammation, and other types of injury. Unfortunately, there are many obstacles that magnetotherapy has to overcome—both from the mainstream medicine as well as from the manufacturers and distributors of magnetic devices. The physical principle of magnetism as well as the physiological bases for the use of magnetic field for tissue repair are subjects of this review.     

实时合成水滑石分离模拟放射性核素锶的研究

采用实时合成水滑石的方法从高放废液中分离模拟放射性核素锶,通过单因素实验并借助XRD分析确定了最佳分离实验条件,同时,运用FTIR、SEM等技术手段对合成的含锶水滑石的结构、形貌进行了分析.结果表明,当Sr2+初始浓度为70mg.L-1、pH值为10.5、n(Mg+Sr)/n(Al)为3时,锶的去除率最高可达95%以上;XRD和SEM分析结果表明,锶嵌入了水滑石的晶格中,合成的含锶水滑石形貌为层状六边形;含锶水滑石煅烧产物主要为尖晶石,且煅烧产物中未见氧化锶,表明嵌入到水滑石晶格中的锶在煅烧后存在于尖晶石的晶体结构中.     

Changes in earth’s dipole

The dipole moment of Earth’s magnetic field has decreased by nearly over the past 150 years and by about 30% over the past 2,000 years according to archeomagnetic measurements. Here, we explore the causes and the implications of this rapid change. Maps of the geomagnetic field on the core–mantle boundary derived from ground-based and satellite measurements reveal that most of the present episode of dipole moment decrease originates in the southern hemisphere. Weakening and equatorward advection of normal polarity magnetic field by the core flow, combined with proliferation and growth of regions where the magnetic polarity is reversed, are reducing the dipole moment on the core–mantle boundary. Growth of these reversed flux regions has occurred over the past century or longer and is associated with the expansion of the South Atlantic Anomaly, a low-intensity region in the geomagnetic field that presents a radiation hazard at satellite altitudes. We address the speculation that the present episode of dipole moment decrease is a precursor to the next geomagnetic polarity reversal. The paleomagnetic record contains a broad spectrum of dipole moment fluctuations with polarity reversals typically occurring during dipole moment lows. However, the dipole moment is stronger today than its long time average, indicating that polarity reversal is not likely unless the current episode of moment decrease continues for a thousand years or more.     

Orientation of juvenile barn swallows (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Hirundo rustica</Emphasis>) tested in Emlen funnels during autumn migration

Although hirundines have been used extensively in homing experiments, to date no investigation of their migratory orientation has been carried out, despite the well-known migratory habits of many species of this family. This paper reports on a study of the orientation of the barn swallow (Hirundo rustica), a typical diurnal trans-Saharan migrant. Modified Emlen funnels were used to verify the suitability of this species for cage experiments and investigate the role of visual and magnetic cues during the birds first migratory journey. Juvenile swallows were mist-netted at a roost site in central Italy and then tested in a site 19 km apart. Orientation experiments were performed under four experimental conditions: natural clear sky and simulated overcast, in both local and shifted magnetic fields (magnetic North=geographical West). Under clear sky, the swallows tended to orient phototactically toward the best-lit part of the funnel and failed to respond to the magnetic field shift. Under overcast conditions, they oriented northward and modified their directional choices as expected in response to the shifted magnetic North. On the whole, our data indicate that swallows can use magnetic information for compass orientation. Possible explanations for the northward orientation of birds tested under overcast conditions are discussed.Communicated by W. Wiltschko     

磁粉强化活性污泥法处理餐饮废水的研究

磁粉强化活性污泥化是在常规活性污泥法中加入适量强磁性粉末的废水生物处理方法。研究了用磁粉活性污泥法净化处理餐饮废水，通过与普通活性污泥法的平行试验，结果表明，磁粉强化活性污泥法适宜的磁粉加入量为700mg/L儿，磁粉粒度＜1μm，CODcr去除率和出水透光率都优于普通活性污泥法，活性污泥氮体结构和沉降性能明显改善。     

磁粉在一级强化混凝中的试验研究

在一级强化混凝实验的基础上.研究了磁粉的加入对强化混凝沉淀效果的影响,并确定出最佳温度的范围和最佳加药量.通过大量的试验证明了磁粉的加入对混凝沉淀有很强的促进作用,在一定程度上提高了出水的水质.     

磁性絮凝剂处理景观生态水的实验条件探讨

研究了利用粉煤灰制成的磁性絮凝剂处理景观生态水的各种单因素实验,并且用正交实验的方法对该磁性絮凝剂处理景观生态水的实验条件进行了优化选择,研究了该磁性絮凝剂处理景观生态水的一般规律。实验结果表明,当操作条件为：投加量为200mg/L,搅拌时间为1min,搅拌速度为300r/min和磁吸附时间为1.5min时,取得最佳处理效果。在此实验条件下,景观生态水的COD、总P及氨氮的去除率分别可达76.15%、59.54%与53.36%。     

Distribution and mode of occurrence of uranium in bottom ash derived from high-germanium coals

The radioactivity of uranium in radioactive coal bottom ash(CBA) may be a potential danger to the ambient environment and human health. Concerning the limited research on the distribution and mode of occurrence of uranium in CBA, we herein report our investigations into this topic using a number of techniques including a five-step Tessier sequential extraction, hydrogen fluoride(HF) leaching, Siroquant(Rietveld) quantification, magnetic separation, and electron probe microanalysis(EPMA). The Tessier sequential extraction showed that the uranium in the residual and Fe–Mn oxide fractions was dominant(59.1%and 34.9%, respectively). The former was mainly incorporated into aluminosilicates,retained with glass and cristobalite, whereas the latter was especially enriched in the magnetic fraction, of which about 50% was present with magnetite(Fe_3O_4) and the rest in other iron oxides. In addition, the uranium in the magnetic fraction was 2.6 times that in the non-magnetic fraction. The experimental findings in this work may be important for establishing an effective strategy to reduce radioactivity from CBA for the protection of our local environment.