A Comparison of Swine Wastewater Treatment Using Real-Time and Fixed-Time Two-Stage Sequencing Batch Reactors

Abstract

This study compared the swine wastewater treatment of two identical lab-scale two-stage sequencing batch reactors (TSSBR) under similar conditions except that one was operated on a fixed-time mode and the other on a real-time mode. While both TSSBR systems performed very well, the real-time TSSBR performed far better then the fixed-time TSSBR, in every aspect of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorous removal. The removals of COD, TOC, were at 97% and for BOD₅ even at 99.7%. In terms of NH₄-N and TKN removals, the real-time TSSBR achieved removal of over 98%. For phosphorus removals (Ortho-P and total P) the results from the real-time TSSBR was quite remarkable at 97.7%.     

The Fate of the Recombinant DNA in Corn During Composting

Abstract

In order to make regulations that safeguard food and the environment, an understanding of the fate of transgenes from genetically modified (GM) plants is of crucial importance. A compost experiment including mature transgenic corn plants and seeds of event Bt 176 (Zea mays L.) was conducted to trace the fate of the transgene cryIA(b) during the period of composting. In bin 1, shredded corn plants including seeds were composted above a layer of cow manure and samples from the corn layer were collected at intervals during a 12-month period. The samples were tested for the transgene persistence and microbial counts and also the compost was monitored for temperature. In bin 2, piles of corn seeds, surrounded by sheep manure and straw, were composted for 12 months. A method combining nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and southern hybridization was developed for detection of the transgene in compost. The detection sensitivity was 200 copies of the transgene per gram of dry composted corn material. Composting commenced on day 0, and the transgene was detected in specimens from bin 1 on days 0 and 7 but not on day 14 or thereafter. The transgene in corn seeds was not detectable after 12 months of composting in bin 2. Temperatures in both bins rose to about 50°C within 2 weeks and remained above that temperature for about 3 months, even when the ambient temperature dropped below ?20°C. Extracts from compost were inoculated onto culture plates and then were incubated at 23 to 55°C. Within the first 2 weeks of composting in bin 1, the counts of bacteria incubated at 55°C increased from 3.5 to 7.5 log ₁₀, whereas those incubated at 23°C remained at about 7.5 log ₁₀. The counts of fungi incubated at 45°C increased slightly from 2.5 to 3.1 log₁₀, but those incubated at 23°C decreased from 6.3 to 3.0 log ₁₀. The rapid degradation of the transgene during composting of Bt corn plants suggested that the composting process could be used for safe disposal of transgenic plant wastes.     

人类特异性粪厌氧菌基因标记物实时荧光定量PCR检测方法的建立和应用

针对人类粪便污染,选择来源于拟杆菌和双歧杆菌16S rRNA的基因片段作为标记物,分别建立了相应的实时荧光定量PCR检测方法.选取不同来源的粪便样品进行检测,证实了引物的特异性.回收纯化从污水中扩增所得的目标PCR片段,经过连接转化,筛选阳性克隆提取其重组质粒作为实时荧光定量PCR的标准品.通过检测一系列梯度稀释的标准品,确定了拟杆菌基因标记物和双歧杆菌基因标记物定量PCR检测方法分别在1.98×102～1.98×107 copy/μL和2.12×101～2.12×107 copy/μL范围内具有良好的线性关系.     

Altitudinal and thermal gradients of hepatic Cyp1A gene expression in natural populations of Salmo trutta from high mountain lakes and their correlation with organohalogen loads

The biomarker of xenobiotic exposure cytochrome p450A1 (Cyp1A) was used to analyze the biological response to chemical pollution in Salmo trutta (brown trout) from nine high mountain European lakes in Norway, Tatras, Tyrol, and central Pyrenees. Hepatic Cyp1A mRNA levels correlated both with the reciprocal of absolute annual average air temperatures of the sampled lakes and with muscle concentrations of several hydrophobic organohalogen compounds (OC), including chlorinated polychlorobiphenyls (PCB), DDE, and DDT. The correlation between Cyp1A expression and OC content was observed across the whole temperature range (between −0.7 °C and +6.2 °C), but also in the absence of any thermal gradient. We concluded that airborne pollutants accumulate in high mountain lake fish at concentrations high enough to increase Cyp1A expression, among other possible effects. As geographical distribution of semi-volatile OC is strongly influenced by air temperatures, future climate modifications will potentially enhance their physiological effects in lake ecosystems.     

The detection of dioxin- and estrogen-like pollutants in marine and freshwater fishes cultivated in Pearl River Delta, China

In this study we aimed to assess the dioxin- and estrogen-like activities of contaminants extracted from twenty species of freshwater and seawater fishes, using luciferase reporter assays. Transfected MCF7 cells were treated with sample extracts and luciferase activities were then measured at 24-h of post-treatment. The mean values of the detected dioxin- and estrogen-like activities in the freshwater fishes were 25.3 pg TEQ/g ww and 102.3 pM EEQ/g ww whereas in the seawater fishes, the values were 46.2 pg TEQ/g ww and 118.8 pM EEQ/g ww. Using sample-relevant dosage of estrogen, inductions of cell proliferation markers (i.e. retinoblastoma, cyclin D) and stimulations of cell growth were revealed by Western blotting, colony formation and BrdU uptake assays. A cotreatment with TCDD significantly reduced these effects. Using the sample extracts with different dioxin- and estrogen-like activities, similar observation was revealed. The data highlighted the mixture effect of food contaminants on human health.     

Community analysis of ammonia and nitrite oxidizers in start-up of aerobic granular sludge reactor

A lab-scale sequencing batch reactor (SBR) was setup and the aerobic granular sludge was successfully incubated by using anaerobic granular sludge as seed sludge. Nitrogen was partially removed by simultaneous nitrification and denitrification (SND) via nitrite with free ammonia (FA) of about 10 mg/L. The denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) method was used to investigate community structure of α-Proteobacteria, β-Proteobacteria, ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB), and Nitrospira populations during start-up. The population sizes of bacteria, AOB and Nitrospira were examined using real-time PCR method. The analysis of community structure and Shannon index showed that stable structure of AOB population was obtained at the day 35, while the communities of α-Proteobacteria, β-Proteobacteria, and Nitrospira became stable after day 45. At stable stage, the average cell densities were 1.1×1012, 2.2×1010 and 1.0×1010 cells/L for bacteria, AOB and Nitrospira, respectively. The relationship between characteristics of nitrifying bacteria community and nitrogenous substrate utilization constant was discussed by calculating Pearson correlation. Certain correlation seemed to exist between population size, biodiversity, and degradation constant. And the influence of population size might be greater than that of biodiversity.     

利用信息技术完善应急预警体系

从化工企业安全生产事故调查分析中发现,生产装置发生事故前瞬间波动的数据变化已在DCS控制系统上出现,提示已出现故障将导致事故发生。如何根据出现故障时的瞬间变化数据做出正确的判断,是遏制或控制安全生产事故发生的关键。因此,本文采用OPC标准通讯接口,建立与生产系统的数据链接,通过网关机和防火墙技术隔离,保证数据的安全性。利用移动公司提供的Socket接口,采用面向对象语言DELPH自主开发短信模块接口程序,通过系统调用实现预警模块的自动短信报警和手工短信报警功能,实现短信等多渠道监报,建成安全管理系统中对危险源生产装置的实时监控,完成与应急预警信息系统的有效链接使用,建立安全生产事故应急预警信息平台,对瞬间应急预警指令所作出的反应,以迅速作出反应,有效地解决问题,遏制事故的发生。     

降温过程对ANAMMOX工艺城市污水处理系统中微生物群落的影响

厌氧氨氧化是污水脱氮工艺中的重要环节,系统中的菌群结构决定了其处理效果.低温厌氧氨氧化技术因节省大量能源更具有良好的发展前景,厌氧氨氧化细菌在其中起着至关重要的作用.为了探讨降温过程中(由30℃降为20℃时)厌氧氨氧化反应器处理城市污水时微生物群落的变化,利用磷脂脂肪酸(PLFA),定量PCR和PCR-DGGE分析方法对城市生活污水厌氧氨氧化系统中的微生物的量、厌氧氨氧化菌的量以及功能微生物菌群的变化进行了研究.磷脂脂肪酸分析结果显示当温度由30℃降为20℃时,微生物的总量首先降低,随着运行时间的延续逐渐升高.定量PCR结果显示厌氧氨氧化菌16S rRNA基因拷贝数由30℃的1.19×108m L-1增至20℃的1.86×108m L-1,系统出水氨氮降低.PCR-DGGE结果显示降温过程中颗粒污泥中厌氧氨氧化菌群由Candidatus Kuenenia sp.为主,转变为Candidatus Brocadia sp.和Candidatus Kuenenia sp.为主的混合菌.     

南京地区污水厂、自来水厂及长江中抗性基因MCR-1和NDM-1的污染特征

近年来,新型抗性基因以其易传播和耐药广等特性,展现出比传统抗性基因更严峻的健康风险,在临床卫生领域受到广泛关注,但目前对其在环境中的行为和风险研究很少.为此,考察了2种有代表性的新型抗性基因MCR-1和NDM-1的污染特征,并借助荧光定量PCR探索了长江下游（南京段）及附近污水厂和自来水厂中MCR-1和NDM-1的分布特征,进而采用RDA（冗余性分析）评价了分布特征受水质指标的影响效果.结果表明:①污水厂进水中MCR-1和NDM-1绝对丰度较高,且随处理流程呈下降趋势,总去除率分别为92.5%和92.7%,但出水中MCR-1和NDM-1绝对丰度仍分别达2.5×108和7.0×106 copies/L.②长江下游（南京段）各采样点MCR-1和NDM-1绝对丰度的范围分别为8.5×107~3.5×109和4.3×105~2.1×107 copies/L,随水流方向呈降低趋势,但在个别采样点出现异常升高的情况,主要受该区域人为污染的影响.③自来水厂处理工艺对MCR-1和NDM-1去除率分别为75.0%和70.6%,但出水中存留的MCR-1和NDM-1绝对丰度分别达1.4×107和6.3×104 copies/L,且MCR-1和NDM-1在排泥水中大量富集.④MCR-1绝对丰度与ρ（COD_Cr）、ρ（NH₃-N）、电导率呈正相关,而NDM-1绝对丰度仅和浊度存在弱相关关系,与其他水质指标无明显相关性.研究显示,污水处理工艺无法有效去除MCR-1和NDM-1,大量抗性基因通过污水厂出水排入长江,同时自来水厂以含有较高绝对丰度抗性基因的长江水作为水源水,最终自来水厂出水中残存的抗性基因可能进入人体,生态健康风险较大.      

机动车尾气实时监测、管理及信息系统的应用

介绍了"机动车尾气实时监测管理信息系统",阐述了系统的构成、主要功能和实现方法.