Cs, Pu concentrations and the Pu/Pu atom ratio in a sediment core from the sub-aqueous delta of Yangtze River estuary

A sediment core collected from the sub-aqueous delta of the Yangtze River estuary was subjected to analyses of ¹³⁷Cs and plutonium (Pu) isotopes. The ¹³⁷Cs was measured using γ-spectrometry at the laboratories at the Nanjing University and Pu isotopes were determined with Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS), measurements made at the Australian National University. The results show considerable structure in the depth concentration profiles of the ¹³⁷Cs and ^239+240Pu. The shape of the vertical ¹³⁷Cs distribution in the sediment core was similar to that of the Pu. The maximum ¹³⁷Cs and ^239+240Pu concentrations were 16.21 ± 0.95 mBq/g and 0.716 ± 0.030 mBq/g, respectively, and appear at same depth. The average ²⁴⁰Pu/²³⁹Pu atom ratio was 0.238 ± 0.007 in the sediment core, slightly higher than the average global fallout value. The changes in the ²⁴⁰Pu/²³⁹Pu atom ratios in the sediment core indicate the presence of at least two different Pu sources, i.e., global fallout and another source, most likely close-in fallout from the Pacific Proving Grounds (PPG) in the Marshall Islands, and suggest the possibility that Pu isotopes are useful as a geochronological tool for coastal sediment studies. The ¹³⁷Cs and ^239+240Pu inventories were estimated to be 7100 ± 1200 Bq/m² and 407 ± 27 Bq/m², respectively. Approximately 40% of the ^239+240Pu inventory originated from the PPG close-in fallout and about 50% has derived from land-origin global fallout transported to the estuary by the river. This study confirms that AMS is a useful tool to measure ²⁴⁰Pu/²³⁹Pu atom ratio and can provide valuable information on sedimentary processes in the coastal environment.     

Detection of tritium sorption on four soil materials

In order to measure groundwater age and design nuclear waste disposal sites, it is important to understand the sorption behavior of tritium on soils. In this study, batch tests were carried out using four soils from China: silty clays from An County and Jiangyou County in Sichuan Province, both of which could be considered candidate sites for Very Low Level Waste disposal; silty sand from Beijing; and loess from Yuci County in Shanxi Province, a typical Chinese loess region. The experimental results indicated that in these soil media, the distribution coefficient of tritium is slightly influenced by adsorption time, water/solid ratio, initial tritium specific activity, pH, and the content of humic and fulvic acids. The average distribution coefficient from all of these influencing factors was about 0.1-0.2 mL/g for the four types of soil samples. This relatively modest sorption of tritium in soils needs to be considered in fate and transport studies of tritium in the environment.     

漓江上游植被覆盖度时空变化对地表热场影响

自20世纪80年代以来,桂林漓江由于上游森林遭受破坏出现水生态环境快速恶化的趋势。地表热场的时空变化直接影响森林蒸散及水文效应。因此,对漓江上游1989~2006年5景TM/ETM+卫星图像,利用归一化植被指数反演植被覆盖度,利用单窗算法反演地表温度,提出归一化温度使不同时相地表热场具有可比性,分析植被覆盖度时空变化对地表热场的影响。结果表明,在空间上,地表温度随植被覆盖度的增加而降低,在植被覆盖度很高或很低时,这种影响相对变弱;在时间上,漓江上游1989~2000年植被中、高度覆盖面积从96.1%逐年下降到65.9%,导致归一化地表温度数值较高的像元比例相应增加;2000~2006年植被中、高度覆盖面积逐渐恢复上升到90.8%,但仍略低于1989年,使得归一化地表温度数值较高的像元比例相应减少。植被覆盖可以有效地降低漓江上游地表温度     

Reversed association between levels of prostate specific antigen and levels of blood cadmium and urinary cadmium

Prostate cancer associated with cadmium exposure may indicate a link between prostate specific antigen (PSA) and levels of blood cadmium (BCd) and urinary cadmium (UCd). Thus, these associations were investigated. We recruited 295 men, 50 years of age and above from a health check-up program at a health center as subjects of the study. They completed a self-reported questionnaire and provided fasting samples of blood and urine for cadmium assay. The assay was performed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Blood samples were also collected for the assays of total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein measures. The means of BCd and UCd increased with age and the means of all subjects were 1.19 ± 1.04 μg L⁻¹ and 1.37 ± 1.76 μg g⁻¹ creatinine, respectively. The PSA levels were positively associated with the lipid levels, but reversely associated with BCd and UCd levels. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that men with PSA ? 4.0 ng mL⁻¹ had an odds ratio (OR) of 0.4 (95% CI = 0.1-0.9) to have BCd > 0.49 μg L⁻¹, and an OR of 0.4 (95% CI = 0.2-1.0) to have UCd > 0.45 μg g⁻¹ creatinine. In conclusion, the PSA levels are reversely associated with BCd and UCd levels.     

基于变异系数法的安徽省节能减排评价研究

以行政区域为单位进行节能减排评价研究,分析其中的影响因素,便于因地制宜地采取措施开展节能减排工作。本文以安徽省为研究对象,运用变异系数法对节能减排作评价研究。研究表明,节能减排总体成效显著,但减排问题突出,其中污染物排放与产业结构存在密切关系,进一步的关联分析得出影响减排的主要行业因素。据此,提出从调整产业结构、加强科技创新、完善法规政策方面推进节能减排。     

新型结构ABR的设计与水力特性研究

针对ABR自身的缺点,设计出一种新型结构的ABR.该反应器为双层结构,共有5部分组成,各部分容积各不相同.该反应器的设计思想是将ABR与生物滤池以及活性炭吸附等工艺相联合.这种设计能够最大程度地发挥各工艺的优势,进而达到更好的处理效果.通过脉冲响应实验对该反应器的水力特性进行研究,得出不同水力停留时间(HRT)下的停留...     

不同氮磷比对多年生水生植物生长特性影响的研究

从氮、磷等植物生长的环境因子出发,研究了高低氮磷营养水平下,不同氮／磷比例的富营养化水体对聚草（Myriophyllum spicatum）、黄花水龙（Jussiaea stipulacea Ohwi）、喜旱莲子草（Alternanthera philoxeroides）生长特性的影响。结果表明,聚草在氮磷比2：1时生物量最大,且生物量在高浓度水平处理明显大于低浓度水平处理（P〈0．01）;黄花水龙在氮磷比10：1～20：1时生物量最大,高低浓度水平处理问生物量无显著性差异;喜旱莲子草在较高氮磷比20：l～40：1时生物量最大,高浓度水平处理时生物量显著性高于低浓度水平处理（P〈0．05）。在低浓度水平处理时,氮为黄花水龙和喜旱莲子草生长的主要限制因子,磷为聚草生长的主要限制因子,且喜早莲子草叶绿素增长期较其他处理提前,而黄花水龙的叶绿素变化在高低营养水平下差异不显著。营养盐水平对聚草茎长和生物量的影响较对黄花水龙和喜旱莲子草的影响明显。     

An assessment of indoor air quality in recent Mexican immigrant housing in Commerce City, Colorado

An indoor air quality assessment was conducted on 100 homes of recent Mexican immigrants in Commerce City, Colorado, an urban industrial community north of Denver. Head of households were administered a family health survey, filled out an activity diary, and participated in a home inspection. Carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) were measured for 24 h inside the main living area and outside of the homes. Harvard Impactors were used to collect 24-h samples of PM_2.5 at the same locations for gravimetric analysis. Dust samples were collected by vacuuming carpeting and flooring at four locations within the home and analyzed by ELISA for seven allergens. Mean indoor and outdoor PM_2.5 levels were 27.2 and 8.5 μg m⁻³, respectively. Indoor PM_2.5 and CO₂ were elevated in homes for which the number of hours with door/window open was zero compared to homes in which the number of hours was high (>15 h). Indoor PM_2.5 levels did not correlate with outdoor levels and tended to increase with number of inhabitants, and results indicate that the source of indoor particles were occupants and their activities, excluding smoking and cooking. Mean indoor CO₂ and CO levels were 1170 and 2.4 ppm, respectively. Carbon monoxide was higher than the 24-h National Ambient Air Quality Standard in 3 of the homes. The predominant allergens were cat (Fel d 1) and mouse (Mus m 1) allergens, found in 20 and 34 homes, respectively.     

微曝气Fenton氧化法处理模拟双酚A废水的效果及其生物验证

研究了微曝气Fenton氧化法关键工艺参数对模拟双酚A（BPA）废水处理效果的影响,并从活性污泥性质和污染物去除率两方面,采用膜生物反应器(membrane bioreactor, MBR)对微曝气Fenton氧化法的处理效果进行了实验验证,为实现BPA废水的生物处理奠定基础。结果表明,初始pH值、反应时间、H₂O₂/COD(质量浓度比)、H₂O₂/Fe²⁺ (摩尔浓度比)、反应温度及曝气量均对预处理效果有较大影响,在最佳条件下,COD去除率可达70%,BOD/COD值则由原废水的0.02提高到0.50以上。MBR处理上述出水的结果表明,经微曝气Fenton氧化处理BPA的废水,可较好地适应后续的生化处理。     

Spatial distribution of uranium and thorium in the surface soil around proposed uranium mining site at Lambapur and its vertical profile in the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam

The understanding and evaluation of the possible interactions of various naturally occurring radionuclides in the world's third largest man-made dam, Nagarjuna Sagar located in Andhra Pradesh, India and built on river Krishna assumed significance with the finding of uranium deposits in locations near the dam. For the present work, surface soil samples from the mineralized area of Lambapur, Mallapuram, Peddagattu and sediment core samples from the Nagarjuna Sagar dam were analyzed for naturally occurring radionuclides namely uranium and thorium using gamma spectrometric technique. Also toxic elements lead and chromium were analysed by the Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer (EDXRF) technique. Surface soil samples show a variation from 25 to 291 Bq/kg (2.02–23.5 mg/kg) for ²³⁸U and 32–311 Bq/kg (7.9–76.9 mg/kg) for ²³²Th. U/Th concentration ratio in surface soil samples ranged from 0.19 to 0.31 and was found comparable with the nation wise average of 0.26. The study of sediment core samples reflected higher U/Th concentration ratio of 0.30–0.33 in the bottom section of the core as compared to 0.22–0.25 in the upper section. The concentration ratio in the upper section of the core was similar to the ratio 0.23 found in the western Deccan Basalt region through which the river originates. A higher concentration of lead and chromium was observed in the upper section of the core compared to bottom section indicating the impact of river input on the geochemical character of dam sediment.