复合光催化材料Ag-AgCl/石墨烯的制备及性能

以原位化学沉淀;光还原法制备了Ag-AgCl/石墨烯复合光催化材料。以罗丹明B为模型降解物,研究了其可见光催化性能。实验结果表明：石墨烯的引入使Ag-AgCl/石墨烯催化剂催化活性提高;当初始罗丹明B质量浓度为5 mg/L时,可见光照射60 min后罗丹明B的降解率可达99%;降解率随初始罗丹明B质量浓度的增加而减小。Ag-AgCl/石墨烯具有很高的可见光催化活性和稳定性。     

Effects of a gradually increased load of fish waste silage in co-digestion with cow manure on methane production

This study examined the effects of an increased load of nitrogen-rich organic material on anaerobic digestion and methane production. Co-digestion of fish waste silage (FWS) and cow manure (CM) was studied in two parallel laboratory-scale (8 L effective volume) semi-continuous stirred tank reactors (designated R1 and R2). A reactor fed with CM only (R0) was used as control. The reactors were operated in the mesophilic range (37 °C) with a hydraulic retention time of 30 days, and the entire experiment lasted for 450 days. The rate of organic loading was raised by increasing the content of FWS in the feed stock. During the experiment, the amount (volume%) of FWS was increased stepwise in the following order: 3% – 6% – 13% – 16%, and 19%. Measurements of methane production, and analysis of volatile fatty acids, ammonium and pH in the effluents were carried out. The highest methane production from co-digestion of FWS and CM was 0.400 L CH4 gVS^?1, obtained during the period with loading of 16% FWS in R2. Compared to anaerobic digestion of CM only, the methane production was increased by 100% at most, when FWS was added to the feed stock. The biogas processes failed in R1 and R2 during the periods, with loadings of 16% and 19% FWS, respectively. In both reactors, the biogas processes failed due to overloading and accumulation of ammonia and volatile fatty acids.     

Silica nanoparticles and silver-doped silica nanoparticles induce endoplasmatic reticulum stress response and alter cytochrome P4501A activity

Engineered silica nanoparticles (SiO₂-NPs) find widespread application and may lead to exposure of humans and the environment. Here we compare the effects of SiO₂-NPs and SiO₂-NPs doped with silver (SiO₂-Ag-NPs) on survival and cellular function of human liver cells (Huh7) and Pimephales promelas (fathead minnow) fibroblast cells (FMH). In Huh7 cells we investigate effects on the endoplasmatic reticulum (ER), including ER stress, and interactions of nanoparticles (NPs) with metabolizing enzymes and efflux transporters. The NPs formed agglomerates/aggregates in cell culture media as revealed by SEM and TEM. SiO₂ and SiO₂-1% Ag-NPs were taken up into cells as demonstrated by agglomerates occurring in vesicular-like structures or freely dispersed in the cytosol. Cytotoxicity was more pronounced in Huh7 than in FMH cells, and increased with silver content in silver-doped NPs. Dissolved silver was the most significant factor for cytotoxicity. At toxic and non-cytotoxic concentrations SiO₂-NPs and SiO₂-1% Ag-NPs induced perturbations in the function of ER. In Huh7 cells NPs induced the unfolded protein response (UPR), or ER stress response, as demonstrated in induced expression of BiP and splicing of XBP1 mRNA, two selective markers of ER stress. Additionally, SiO₂-1% Ag-NPs and AgNO₃ induced reactive oxygen species. Pre-treatment of Huh7 cells with SiO₂-1% Ag-NPs followed by exposure to the inducer benzo(a)pyrene caused a significant reduced induction of CYP1A activity. NPs did not alter the activity of ABC transporters. These data demonstrate for the first time that SiO₂-NPs and SiO₂-1% Ag-NPs result in perturbations of the ER leading to the ER stress response. This represents a novel and significant cellular signalling pathway contributing to the cytotoxicity of NPs.     

Ti-天然沸石的钛掺杂取代法制备、表征和光催化性能

以酸处理脱铝后信阳天然斜发沸石为载体,硫酸钛、钛酸正丁酯和四氯化钛为钛源,分别采用浸渍法和气相法制备出钛掺杂沸石光催化剂。采用X-射线衍射和傅立叶红外光谱分析了沸石酸处理及钛取代前后结构。结果表明,80℃下,4 mol/L盐酸处理10 h后沸石结构发生了显著变化,但仍保持Al-O-Si骨架结构。红外光谱结果证明Ti4+与沸石形成稳定的Ti-O-Si键。在以300 W紫外灯为光源进行罗丹明B脱色反应,考察了含钛沸石的光催化活性。初始浓度为80 mg/L,光照1.5 h后罗丹明B的去除率为98.18%。     

微囊化生物流化床处理邻二氯苯废水

采用海藻酸钠—壳聚糖—活性炭(SA-CA-PAC)生物微胶囊包埋优势降解菌用于生物流化床处理邻二氯苯废水。比较了微囊化菌和悬浮菌对废水的降解效果,同时考察了初始浓度、接种量、pH值、温度和曝气量对降解率的影响。结果表明,微囊化菌比悬浮菌拥有更适宜的生长环境,具有更好的pH稳定性和热稳定性。微囊化菌的降解效果优于悬浮菌,处理150 mg/L的邻二氯苯废水的最佳接种量为10%,最适pH为7.5,最适温度为30℃。     

Photocatalytic removal of organic pollutants in aqueous solution by Bi(4)Nb(x)Ta((1-x))O(8)I

In this work, Bi₄Nb_xTa_(1−x)O₈I photocatalysts have been synthesized by solid state reaction method and characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope and UV-Vis near infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity of these photocatalysts was evaluated by the degradation of methyl orange (MO) in aqueous solutions under visible light, UV light and solar irradiation. The effects of catalyst dosage, initial pH and MO concentration on the removal efficiency were studied, and the photocatalytic reaction kinetics of MO degradation as well. The results indicated that Bi₄Nb_xTa_(1−x)O₈I exhibited high photocatalytic activity for the removal of MO in aqueous solutions. For example, the removal efficiency of MO by Bi₄Nb_0.1Ta_0.9O₈I was as high as 92% within 12 h visible light irradiation under the optimal conditions: initial MO concentration of 5-10 mg L⁻¹, catalyst dosage of 6 g L⁻¹ and natural pH (6-8), the MO molecules could be completely degradated by Bi₄Nb_0.1Ta_0.9O₈I within 40 min under UV light irradiation, and the photodegradation efficiency reaches to 60% after 7 h solar irradiation. Furthermore, the photocatalytic degradation of Bisphenol A (BPA) was also investigated under visible light irradiation. It is found that 99% BPA could be mineralized by Bi₄Nb_0.1Ta_0.9O₈I after 16 h visible light irradiation. Through HPLC/MS, BOD, TOC, UV-Vis measurements, we determined possible degradation products of MO and BPA. The results indicated that MO was degradated into products which are easier to be biodegradable and innocuous treated, and BPA could be mineralized completely. Furthermore, the possibility for the photosensitization effect in the degradation process of MO under visible light irradiation has been excluded.     

The influence of neighborhood traffic density on the respiratory health of elementary schoolchildren

Background

Several studies have found that living near major roadways is associated with an increase in respiratory illness but few studies have measured the volume and type of traffic.

Objective

We investigated the relation between traffic volume and respiratory health of 2328 children 9 to 11 years old in the city of Windsor, Canada.

Methods

We identified the roadways within a 200 meter radius of the child's neighborhood using the latitude and longitude of the residential postal code. Traffic exposure was defined as the sum of the annual volume of vehicles on all of these roadways. Volume was calculated using sensors to detect passing vehicles (simple traffic counts), and by counts and direction of traffic at intersections (turning movement counts). Ventilatory lung function was measured by spirometry and airway inflammation by exhaled nitric oxide (eNO).

Results

The odds ratio between an interquartile increase in truck turning movement counts and chest congestion was 1.20 (1.06-1.35). The percentage of predicted FVC declined 0.68%, (95% CI 1.32, 0.03) for an interquartile increase in simple traffic counts (33,787 vehicles daily). Among those with self-reported asthma, effect sizes were larger. Percentage predicted FEV₁ declined 1.84% (95% CI 0.07, 3.61) associated with an interquartile range increase in turning movement counts. No statistically significant change was detected between traffic measures and exhaled nitric oxide.

Conclusions

Our findings provide further support for the hypothesis that neighborhood exposure to traffic-related air pollution increases respiratory symptoms and reduces ventilatory function in children, especially those with self-reported asthma.     

N,N-二乙基对苯二胺分光光度法测定饮用水中的游离余氯

文中采用N,N-二乙基对苯二胺分光光度法测定饮用水中的游离余氯,实验结果表明,该方法可以准确测定水中的游离余氯且有好的线性,相关系数大于99%。方法检测限为0.01 mg/L,相对标准偏差为2.47～9.08%,回收率在92.5～105%之间,检测方法符合《生活饮用水卫生标准》(GB 5749-2006)的要求。     

Estimation of transport parameters of phenolic compounds and inorganic contaminants through composite landfill liners using one-dimensional mass transport model

One-dimensional (1D) advection–dispersion transport modeling was conducted as a conceptual approach for the estimation of the transport parameters of fourteen different phenolic compounds (phenol, 2-CP, 2-MP, 3-MP, 4-MP, 2-NP, 4-NP, 2,4-DNP, 2,4-DCP, 2,6-DCP, 2,4,5-TCP, 2,4,6-TCP, 2,3,4,6-TeCP, PCP) and three different inorganic contaminants (Cu, Zn, Fe) migrating downward through the several liner systems. Four identical pilot-scale landfill reactors (0.25 m³) with different composite liners (R1: 0.10 + 0.10 m of compacted clay liner (CCL), L_e = 0.20 m, k_e = 1 × 10⁻⁸ m/s, R2: 0.002-m-thick damaged high-density polyethylene (HDPE) geomembrane overlying 0.10 + 0.10 m of CCL, L_e = 0.20 m, k_e = 1 × 10⁻⁸ m/s, R3: 0.002-m-thick damaged HDPE geomembrane overlying a 0.02-m-thick bentonite layer encapsulated between 0.10 + 0.10 m CCL, L_e = 0.22 m, k_e = 1 × 10⁻⁸ m/s, R4: 0.002-m-thick damaged HDPE geomembrane overlying a 0.02-m-thick zeolite layer encapsulated between 0.10 + 0.10 m CCL, L_e = 0.22 m, k_e = 4.24 × 10⁻⁷ m/s) were simultaneously run for a period of about 540 days to investigate the nature of diffusive and advective transport of the selected organic and inorganic contaminants. The results of 1D transport model showed that the highest molecular diffusion coefficients, ranging from 4.77 × 10⁻¹⁰ to 10.67 × 10⁻¹⁰ m²/s, were estimated for phenol (R4), 2-MP (R1), 2,4-DNP (R2), 2,4-DCP (R1), 2,6-DCP (R2), 2,4,5-TCP (R2) and 2,3,4,6-TeCP (R1). For all reactors, dispersion coefficients of Cu, ranging from 3.47 × 10⁻⁶ m²/s to 5.37 × 10⁻² m²/s, was determined to be higher than others obtained for Zn and Fe. Average molecular diffusion coefficients of phenolic compounds were estimated to be about 5.64 × 10⁻¹⁰ m²/s, 5.37 × 10⁻¹⁰ m²/s, 2.69 × 10⁻¹⁰ m²/s and 3.29 × 10⁻¹⁰ m²/s for R1, R2, R3 and R4 systems, respectively. The findings of this study clearly indicated that about 35–50% of transport of phenolic compounds to the groundwater is believed to be prevented with the use of zeolite and bentonite materials in landfill liner systems.     

Mercury, lead and cadmium in human milk in relation to diet, lifestyle habits and sociodemographic variables in Madrid (Spain)

Background

Although breastfeeding is the ideal way of nurturing infants, it can be a source of exposure to toxicants. This study reports the concentration of Hg, Pb and Cd in breast milk from a sample of women drawn from the general population of the Madrid Region, and explores the association between metal levels and socio-demographic factors, lifestyle habits, diet and environmental exposures, including tobacco smoke, exposure at home and occupational exposures.

Methods

Breast milk was obtained from 100 women (20 mL) at around the third week postpartum. Pb, Cd and Hg levels were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. Metal levels were log-transformed due to non-normal distribution. Their association with the variables collected by questionnaire was assessed using linear regression models. Separate models were fitted for Hg, Pb and Cd, using univariate linear regression in a first step. Secondly, multivariate linear regression models were adjusted introducing potential confounders specific for each metal. Finally, a test for trend was performed in order to evaluate possible dose-response relationships between metal levels and changes in variables categories.

Results

Geometric mean Hg, Pb and Cd content in milk were 0.53 μg L⁻¹, 15.56 μg L⁻¹, and 1.31 μg L⁻¹, respectively. Decreases in Hg levels in older women and in those with a previous history of pregnancies and lactations suggested clearance of this metal over lifetime, though differences were not statistically significant, probably due to limited sample size. Lead concentrations increased with greater exposure to motor vehicle traffic and higher potato consumption. Increased Cd levels were associated with type of lactation and tended to increase with tobacco smoking.

Conclusions

Surveillance for the presence of heavy metals in human milk is needed. Smoking and dietary habits are the main factors linked to heavy metal levels in breast milk. Our results reinforce the need to strengthen national food safety programs and to further promote avoidance of unhealthy behaviors such as smoking during pregnancy.