Performance of lime-BHA solidified plating sludge in the presence of Na2SiO3 and Na2CO3

This research investigated the performance of lime-BHA (black rice husk ash) solidified plating sludge with 2 wt% NaO from Na(2)SiO(3) and Na(2)CO(3) at the level of 0, 30 and 50 wt%. The sludge was evaluated for strength development, leachability, solution chemistry and microstructure. The lime-BHA solidified plating sludge with Na(2)SiO(3) and Na(2)CO(3) had higher early strength when compared to the control. The addition of Na(2)SiO(3) and Na(2)CO(3) increased the OH(-) concentration and decreased the Ca(2+) and heavy metal ions in solution after the first minute. The XRD patterns showed that the addition of Na(2)SiO(3) resulted in the formation of calcium silicate hydrates, while the addition of Na(2)CO(3) resulted in CaCO(3). The heavy metals from the plating sludge, especially Zn, were immobilized in calcium zincate and calcium zinc silicate forms for the lime-BHA with and without Na(2)SiO(3) solidified wastes, while samples with Na(2)CO(3) contained Zn that was fixed in the form of CaZnCO(3). The cumulative leaching of Fe, Cr and Zn from the lime-BHA solidified plating sludge decreased significantly when activators were added, especially Na(2)CO(3).     

Estimating the vulnerability of fifteen tree species under changing climate in Northwest North America

In the Pacific northwestern (PNW) region of North America, climatic conditions have significantly warmed since a predominantly cool phase of the Pacific North American circulation patterns between 1950 and 1975. What are the implications of this shift in climate for the vulnerability of native tree species? To address this question, we combined mechanistic and statistical models to assess where a variety of native tree species might be more vulnerable within their recorded ranges and where they might potentially migrate. For long-lived species that are well adapted to compete, seasonal differences in photosynthesis and water use offer insights helpful in predicting their distributions. To evaluate the general response of conifers to climatic variation across the region, we previously applied a process-based model (3-PG), to simulate the growth and maximum leaf area index that Douglas-fir could attain within recognized forested areas. We then constructed automated decision tree models to define and map the ecological distributions of 15 tree species based on differences in how photosynthesis was constrained by drought, daytime temperatures, high evaporative demand, and the frequency of frost. For the baseline climate period (1950-1975), the decision tree models predicted presence and absence of each species at ∼23,000 observations with an average accuracy of 81%, with an average kappa statistic of 0.74. In this paper the same models were run annually for the period between 1976 and 2006 for each species, and the areas defined as remaining suitable or becoming vulnerable to disturbance were identified based on whether more or less than half of the years fell within the originally defined limits. Based on these criteria, 70% of the species recorded ranges remained suitable, with 30% deemed vulnerable. Results varied notably by species with western red cedar and western hemlock remaining highly adapted, with potential for range expansion in area of up to 50% relative to the baseline period. In contrast, ponderosa pine, lodgepole pine, grand, and noble fir were classified as vulnerable with potential net contractions in their ranges. The analysis was extended through the rest of the 21st century using climatic projections from the Canadian global circulation model with a high fossil fuel emission scenario (A2) and compared to other previously published species range predictions.     

Scientists' opinions on the global status and management of biological diversity

The large investments needed if loss of biological diversity is to be stemmed will likely lead to increased public and political scrutiny of conservation strategies and the science underlying them. It is therefore crucial to understand the degree of consensus or divergence among scientists on core scientific perceptions and strategies most likely to achieve given objectives. I developed an internet survey designed to elucidate the opinions of conservation scientists. Conservation scientists (n =583) were unanimous (99.5%) in their view that a serious loss of biological diversity is likely, very likely, or virtually certain. Scientists' agreement that serious loss is very likely or virtually certain ranged from 72.8% for Western Europe to 90.9% for Southeast Asia. Tropical coral ecosystems were perceived as the most seriously affected by loss of biological diversity; 88.0% of respondents familiar with that ecosystem type agreed that a serious loss is very likely or virtually certain. With regard to conservation strategies, scientists most often viewed understanding how people and nature interact in certain contexts and the role of biological diversity in maintaining ecosystem function as their priorities. Protection of biological diversity for its cultural and spiritual values and because of its usefulness to humans were low priorities, which suggests that many scientists do not fully support the utilitarian concept of ecosystem services. Many scientists expressed a willingness to consider conservation triage, engage in active conservation interventions, and consider reframing conservation goals and measures of success for conservation of biological diversity in an era of climate change. Although some heterogeneity of opinion is evident, results of the survey show a clear consensus within the scientific community on core issues of the extent and geographic scope of loss of biological diversity and on elements that may contribute to successful conservation strategies in the future.     

Knowledge gain and behavioral change in citizen-science programs

Citizen-science programs are often touted as useful for advancing conservation literacy, scientific knowledge, and increasing scientific-reasoning skills among the public. Guidelines for collaboration among scientists and the public are lacking and the extent to which these citizen-science initiatives change behavior is relatively unstudied. Over two years, we studied 82 participants in a three-day program that included education about non-native invasive plants and collection of data on the occurrence of those plants. Volunteers were given background knowledge about invasive plant ecology and trained on a specific protocol for collecting invasive plant data. They then collected data and later gathered as a group to analyze data and discuss responsible environmental behavior with respect to invasive plants. We tested whether participants without experience in plant identification and with little knowledge of invasive plants increased their knowledge of invasive species ecology, participation increased knowledge of scientific methods, and participation affected behavior. Knowledge of invasive plants increased on average 24%, but participation was insufficient to increase understanding of how scientific research is conducted. Participants reported increased ability to recognize invasive plants and increased awareness of effects of invasive plants on the environment, but this translated into little change in behavior regarding invasive plants. Potential conflicts between scientific goals, educational goals, and the motivation of participants must be considered during program design.     

基于无人机的大气细颗粒物与臭氧污染探测与溯源研究进展

近年来,中国大气细颗粒物(PM_2.5)污染的治理已取得阶段性成效,但臭氧(O₃)污染快速上升,实现PM_2.5和O₃协同控制的基础与关键是针对大气污染物的精细化探测和污染溯源.随着无人机技术和传感器技术的迅速发展,基于无人机平台的大气污染探测可以有效获得近地层的PM_2.5和O₃结构特征,并结合计算机算法对大气污染事件进行精准溯源,具有高时效性、高灵活性和高时空分辨率的特征,有助于研究人员了解区域污染物的分布、变化以及来源,为大气复合污染的协同控制提供科学依据.通过回顾传统的大气污染探测方法,总结了污染探测领域常用的无人机飞行平台类型和探测仪器,归纳了基于无人机的PM_2.5和O₃污染探测应用与相关溯源算法,并展望了无人机大气探测的未来研究方向.     

Ag3PO4掺杂g-C3N4催化剂的制备及其可见光催化降解含碘类造影剂性能

以沉淀-回流方法于磷酸银(Ag₃PO₄)中掺杂氮化碳(g-C₃N₄)制备新型复合光催化剂,同时采用扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、透射电子显微镜(TEM)、X射线衍射图(XRD)等手段对合成催化剂的形态特征、晶型结构以及物理化学性质进行表征.以碘帕醇(IPM)作为目标污染物,通过改变催化剂的使用条件考察了氙灯光照下催化剂对水溶液中含碘类造影剂(ICMs)的光催化降解性能,并且分析了催化氧化过程中可能的污染物降解途径以及转化产物.结果表明,合成后的催化剂结构稳定,相对于使用单一催化剂(Ag₃PO₄或g-C₃N₄)条件下,复合催化剂对ICMs的光降解性能都得到大幅度提升,经条件优化后,确定Ag₃PO₄与g-C₃N₄的质量比例为0.15∶0.1时降解效果最佳,但不可超过0.2∶0.1,且降解性能与催化剂的投加浓度呈正相关,浓度在0.75 ...     

Promotional catalytic activity and reaction mechanism of Ag-modified Ce0.6Zr0.4O2 catalyst for catalytic oxidation of ammonia

Ce_1-xZr_xO₂ composite oxides (molar, x = 0-1.0, interval of 0.2) were prepared by a cetyltrimethylammonium bromide-assisted precipitation method. The enhancement of silver-species modification and catalytic mechanism of adsorption-transformation-desorption process were investigated over the Ag-impregnated catalysts for low-temperature selective catalytic oxidation of ammonia (NH₃-SCO). The optimal 5 wt.% Ag/Ce_0.6Zr_0.4O₂ catalyst presented good NH₃-SCO performance with >90% NH₃ conversion at temperature (T) ≥ 250°C and 89% N₂ selectivity. Despite the irregular block shape and underdeveloped specific surface area (∼60 m²/g), the naked and Ag-modified Ce_0.6Zr_0.4O₂ solid solution still obtained highly dispersed distribution of surface elements analyzed by scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM-EDS) (mapping), N₂ adsorption-desorption test and X-ray diffraction (XRD). H₂ temperature programmed reduction (H₂-TPR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results indicated that Ag-modification enhanced the mobility and activation of oxygen-species leading to a promotion on CeO₂ reducibility and synergistic Ag⁰/Ag⁺ and Ce⁴⁺/Ce³⁺ redox cycles. Besides, Ag⁺/Ag₂O clusters could facilitate the formation of surface oxygen vacancies that was beneficial to the adsorption and activation of ammonia. NH₃-temperature programmed desorption (NH₃-TPD) showed more adsorption-desorption capacity to ammonia were provided by physical, weak- and medium-strong acid sites. Diffused reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) experiments revealed the activation of ammonia might be the control step of NH₃-SCO procedure, during which NH₃ dehydrogenation derived from NH_x-species and also internal selective catalytic reduction (i-SCR) reactions were proposed.     

南京城市大气氨-铵的高频演化及其气粒转化机制

本研究于2018年秋季利用在线气体和气溶胶组分监测仪以高时间分辨率连续测定南京市大气中的气体(主要是NH_3)与二次无机气溶胶(主要是NH_4~+、NO_3~-和SO_4~(2-))浓度,借此研究污染和非污染期城市大气NH_3和NH_4~+的演化规律,进而探讨NH_3-NH_4~+气粒转化过程中的化学机制.结果表明,观测期间NH_3和NH_4~+浓度的平均值(±1σ)分别为(15. 3±6. 7)μg·m-3和(11. 3±7. 8)μg·m-3,且日变化在污染和非污染事件中呈现出显著的差异.综合在线观测的NH_3和NH_4~+浓度数据,通过计算潜在源贡献因子,分析了NH_3和NH_4~+的潜在贡献源区在重污染过程受长距离污染传输影响较小,证明城市也是NH_3排放的重要热点地区.进一步分析发现,NH_3-NH_4~+的气粒转化是影响NH_3和NH_4~+日变化的主要驱动因子.具体体现在:低温、高湿(温度在7. 5～12. 5℃,湿度在50%～90%)时,NH_3和NH_4~+的气固转化速度较快,NH_3与酸性物质反应生成更多的NH_4~+,使得(NH4)2SO4和NH4NO3的形成从而导致污染事件的加剧.研究结果有助于厘清城市大气NH_3的来源和转化机制及其对颗粒物的潜在贡献.     

3D打印技术在固体废弃物资源循环中的应用

打印材料是限制3D打印技术发展和推广应用的瓶颈问题,目前已经发现部分固体废弃物与3D打印的契合度很高,可以用于制备3D打印材料.本文综述了4类可以用于3D打印的固体废弃物,包括硅铝基废弃物、农林废弃物、废旧塑料和废旧金属,着重讨论了这4类废弃物制备3D打印材料的方法以及废弃物的添加对原打印材料造成的影响,同时分析了当前废弃物制备3D打印材料需要解决的问题,并对废弃物基3D打印材料的发展趋势进行了展望.