Feasibility of honeycomb monolith supported sugar catalyst to produce biodiesel from palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD)

Carbon coated monolith was prepared by sucrose solution 65 wt.% via dip-coating method. Sulfonation of incomplete carbonized carbon coated monolith was carried out in order to synthesize solid acid catalyst. The textural structure characteristics of the solid acid catalyst demonstrated a low surface area and pore volume. Palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD), a by-product of palm oil refineries, was utilized as oil source in biodiesel production. The esterification reaction subjected to different reaction conditions was performed by using the sulfonated carbon coated monolith as heterogeneous catalyst. The sulfonation process had been performed by using vapour of concentrated H₂SO₄ that was much easier and efficient than liquid phase sulfonation. Total acidity value of carbon coated monolith was measured for unsulfonated sample (0.5 mmol/g) and sulfonated sample (4.2 mmol/g). The effect of methanol/oil ratio, catalyst amount and reaction time were examined. The maximum methyl ester content was 89% at the optimum condition, i.e. methanol/oil molar ratio (15:1), catalyst amount (2.5 wt.% with respect to PFAD), reaction time (240 min) and temperature 80 °C. The sugar catalyst supported on the honeycomb monolith showed comparable reactivity compared with the sugar catalyst powder. However, the catalyst reusability studies showed decrease in FFA% conversion from 95.3% to 68.8% after four cycles as well as the total acidity of catalyst dropped from the value 4.2 to 3.1 mmol/g during these cycles. This might be likely due to the leaching out of SO₃H group from the sulfonated carbon coated monolith surface. The leaching of active species reached a plateau state after fourth cycle.     

Traditional agriculture in transition: examining the impacts of agricultural modernization on smallholder farming in Ghana under the new Green Revolution

Following the renewed effort at achieving a new green revolution for Africa, emphasis has been placed on modernizing smallholder agriculture through the deployment of improved inputs especially mechanized technologies. In Ghana, the government has in the last decade emphasized the provision of subsidized mechanized ploughing services to farmers alongside a rapidly growing private sector tractor service market. While mechanized technology adoption rates have increased rapidly, the deployment of these technologies has been without critical analysis of the impacts on production patterns and local agrarian systems. This paper examines the distributional impacts of agriculture mechanization on cropping patterns and farm sizes of smallholder farmers in northern Ghana using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) techniques, and semi-structured interviews with smallholder farmers (n=60). Specifically, comparative analysis of the field sizes and cropping patterns of participant farmers prior to and after the adoption of mechanized technologies was conducted. In-depth interviews were used to contextualize the experiences of smallholder farmers toward understanding how mechanization may be impacting traditional agriculture. Our findings reveal a mechanization paradox in which farm sizes are expanding, while cropping patterns are shifting away from traditional staple crops (pearl millet and sorghum bicolor) to market-oriented crops (maize, rice and groundnuts). This transition we argue, has adverse implications on the cultural dimension of food security, the organization of social life, and climate change adaptation. We recommend a retooling of the current agricultural policy focus to ensure context sensitivity for a more robust battle against food insecurity.     

论生态园林及其建设的基本原则

生态园林是城市绿地建设的新思维,也是生态学具体应用的实践.生态园林建设应遵循生态优先、物种多样性保护和重建、因地制宜、处理好种间关系、建立群落自维持机制、重视生态文化内涵等六要素.     

β修正罗丹明B光度法测定工业废水中银

对β修正光度法测定废水中痕量银进行了研究，该方法能消除反应液中过量显色剂干扰，提高分析灵敏度和准确度。测定结果表明，银加标回收率９３．０－１０６．０％，精密度ＲＳＤ２．３％，银量低测定浓度０．０２ｍｇ／Ｌ。该方法适合于印相，电镀等行业废水银分析。     

模拟土壤淋洗废液中重金属的选择性去除与淋洗液的回收研究

土壤淋洗废液中污染物的选择性去除是实现淋洗液回收的关键.本文以硫化钠（Na₂S）、乙基黄原酸钾（PEX）、二甲基二硫代氨基甲酸钠（DTC）作为重金属沉淀剂处理电子垃圾污染土壤模拟淋洗废液,在筛选出Na₂S作为理想重金属沉淀剂的基础上,研究初始pH值、反应温度、沉淀剂浓度等因素对Na₂S分离络合态重金属的影响,并通过软件模拟和产物表征等方式推测反应机理.结果表明：Na₂S对柠檬酸络合态重金属的分离顺序依次为Cu、Pb、Cd,符合硫化物溶度积原则;反应温度、初始pH值对Na₂S处理络合态重金属无显著影响,重金属去除率均保持在90%以上,柠檬酸的回收率约为95%;Visual MINTEQ模拟结果显示,S^2-投加前液相中重金属主要以H₂CA^-、HCA^2-和CA^3-结合形式存在,S^2-投加后液相中重金属则以HS^-和S^2-结合形式存在;扫描电镜及能谱（SEM-EDS）表明,S^2-与金属阳离子按物质的量比1：1生成硫化物沉淀物,沉淀主要呈团聚、成簇和圆片状存在;X射线衍射（XRD）分析结果表明,沉淀产物中存在CuS、CdS、PbS和CuPbS₂.本研究结果可为化学沉淀法处理重金属污染土壤淋洗废液提供技术参考.     

中国工业园区绿色发展政策对比分析及对策研究

为了提升我国工业园区绿色发展水平,对目前我国工业园区发展历程、现状特征进行了分析,对工业园区绿色发展政策进行了梳理和对比,并结合工业园区绿色发展中存在的问题提出了对策建议.研究表明:①我国工业园区经历了快速发展、调整发展和科学发展等阶段,在经济发展、资源与能源优化利用、污染减排等方面成效显著.②我国工业园区绿色发展的相关政策主要体现在国家生态工业示范园区创建、园区循环化改造、国家低碳工业园区试点、绿色园区建设和UNIDO绿色工业园区创建等工作中,这些政策在推动主体、实施路径、侧重方向上各不相同又各有特色,对推动工业园区节能减排绩效明显.③目前,我国工业园区绿色发展存在的问题主要表现在重视程度有待提升、风险防范意识有待加强、创新能力有待提高等方面.为此,提出了我国工业园区绿色发展对策建议:积极践行绿色发展理念,推进园区绿色化、生态化、低碳化建设,实现经济环境双赢;注意环境风险防控,确保环境安全;创新管理机制,强化监督管理.      

The study of biological activity of transformation products of diclofenac and its interaction with chlorogenic acid

In the present work we compared the biological activity of DCF, 4′-OHDCF and 5-OHDCF as molecules of most biodegradation pathways of DCF and selected transformation products (2-hydroxyphenylacetic acid; 2,5-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and 2,6-dichloroaniline) which are produced during AOPs, such as ozonation and UV/H₂O₂. We also examined the interaction of DCF with chlorogenic acid (CGA). CGA is commonly used in human diet and entering the environment along with waste mainly from the processing and brewing of coffee and it can be toxic for microorganisms included in activated sludge. In the present experiment the evaluation of following parameters was performed: E. coli K-12 cells viability, growth inhibition of E. coli K-12 culture, LC₅₀ and mortality of Chironomus aprilinus, genotoxicity, sodA promoter induction and ROS generation. In addition the reactivity of E. coli SM recA:luxCDABE biosensor strain in wastewater matrices was measured. The results showed the influence of DCF, 4′-OHDCF and 5-OHDCF on E. coli K-12 cells viability and bacteria growth, comparable to AOPs by-products. The highest toxicity was observed for selected, tested AOPs by-products, in comparison to the DCF, 4′-OHDCF and 5-OHDCF. Genotoxicity assay indicated that 2,6-dichloroaniline (AOPs by-product) had the highest toxic effect. The oxidative stress assays revealed that the highest level of ROS generation and sodA promoter induction were obtained for DCF, 4′-OHDCF and 5-OHDCF, compared to other tested compounds. We have also found that there is an interaction between chlorogenic acid and DCF, which resulted in increased toxicity of the mixture of the both compounds to E. coli K-12, comparable to parent chemicals. The strongest response of E. coli SM biosensor strain with recA:luxCDABE genetic construct in filtered treated wastewaters, comparable to control sample was noticed. It indicates, that E. coli SM recA:luxCDABE biosensor strains is a good tool for bacteria monitoring in wastewater environment. Due to toxicity and biological activity of tested DCF transformation products, there is a need to use additional wastewater treatment systems for wastewater contaminated with pharmaceutical residues.     

石灰对生物炭和腐殖酸阻控水稻Cd吸收的效应

采用田间试验,研究了石灰-生物炭和石灰-腐殖酸两种联合修复剂及其不同施用量对酸性土壤中稻米Cd含量、产量和品质的影响,并对不同处理修复效果进行综合评估.结果表明,两种联合修复剂能显著降低稻米Cd含量17.39%~45.96%,降低土壤有效Cd含量18.29%~29.88%,.生物炭、腐殖酸施用量分别为5000,6000kg/hm²时,稻米Cd的降低效果最佳.石灰-生物炭处理中,降低稻米Cd含量的主要因子为土壤pH和土壤有效Cd含量（P<0.05）,而石灰-腐殖酸处理则为土壤有机质含量与土壤有效Cd含量（P<0.05）.施加修复剂后稻米产量可达6637~7890kg/hm²,直链淀粉含量达到19.47%~27.26%;当腐殖酸施用量为7500kg/hm²时可使稻米产量提高10.97%,而石灰-生物炭处理对稻米产量无显著影响;采用层次分析法确定了稻米Cd含量、稻米产量、稻米品质和修复费用在修复效应评估中所占权重为0.608、0.150、0.102、0.140,综合评估结果显示土壤-水稻系统Cd阻控效应的联合修复技术为：在施用1200kg/hm²石灰的基础上同时施加6000kg/hm²腐殖酸.     

基于土壤重金属特征的绿色食品产地环境评价——以重庆(江津)现代农业园区为例

以重庆市江津区现代农业园区内4种农用地类型的653个表层土样为研究对象,测定土壤重金属元素含量.依据绿色食品产地环境相关标准,采用重金属污染指数法对标准中所涉及的Cu、Cr、Cd、Hg、As和Pb共6种重金属元素开展土壤环境质量评价和潜在生态风险评价,并结合用地类型确定绿色农产品生产的适宜性土壤分区.结果表明：除元素Cu、Cr和As外,其他元素的平均含量均高于重庆市土壤背景值;除元素As和Hg外,其他元素的平均含量均高于我国土壤背景值.土壤重金属元素Cu、Cr、Cd、Hg、As和Pb的平均浓度均达到《绿色食品产地环境质量》标准要求,但Cd污染已处于安全警戒线内,应高度警惕和严格监管园区内该元素的污染.水田、旱地和果园的土壤环境均以尚清洁为主,其他园地的土壤环境以轻度污染水平为主.部分水田存在一定程度的Pb污染（轻度）、Hg污染（中度）和Cd污染（中度）,旱地存在一定程度的Hg污染（中度）和Cd污染（中度）,果园和其他园地的土壤存在一定程度的Cd的轻、中度污染.全区符合《绿色食品产地环境质量》标准要求的土壤面积为12.47km²,占农用地总面积的63.64%,旱地、果园、水田和其他园地中符合该标准的面积分别占各自总面积的84.83%、68.07%、56.51%和42.09%.4种用地类型的土壤环境生态风险水平均以低等为主,共占研究区总面积的74.70%.Cd和Hg在园区表层土壤重金属生态风险评估中占有较大的贡献率,应列为优先控制污染元素并对其生态效应开展进一步研究.     

氧基氯化铁非均相活化过一硫酸盐降解金橙Ⅱ

采用部分热分解法制备了氧基氯化铁（FeOCl）,用于活化过一硫酸盐（PMS）降解难降解偶氮染料金橙Ⅱ（AO7）.利用X射线光电子能谱分析（XPS）、扫描电镜（SEM）和X射线衍射光谱（XRD）对其进行了表征;通过实验评估FeOCl/PMS体系对AO7的降解效果并分析了影响AO7去除率的各种因素.结果表明：FeOCl活化PMS降解AO7效果良好,矿化率达44%.在中性条件下,当FeOCl投加量50mg/L、PMS浓度1.0mmol/L、AO7浓度0.05mmol/L时,AO7可在30min内完全降解.随PMS投加量、FeOCl投加量、Cl^-浓度和反应初始pH值的增大,AO7的脱色效果提高.FeOCl还具有良好的重复利用性.此外,通过自由基淬灭实验、EPR测试和XPS分析了反应的主要活性物种和反应机理：由PMS活化产生的SO₄^-·和·OH对污染物进行降解,其中主要活性物种为SO₄^-·.