Fe2O3-CeO2-Bi2O3/γ-Al2O3 catalyst in the catalytic wet air oxidation (CWAO) of cationic red GTL under mild reaction conditions

Fe₂O₃-CeO₂-Bi₂O₃/γ-Al₂O₃, an environmental friendly material, was investigated. The catalyst exhibited good catalytic performance in the CWAO of cationic red GTL. The apparent activation energy for the reaction was 79 kJ·mol⁻¹. HO₂· and O₂·⁻ appeared as the main reactive species in the reaction. The Fe₂O₃-CeO₂-Bi₂O₃/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst, a novel environmental-friendly material, was used to investigate the catalytic wet air oxidation (CWAO) of cationic red GTL under mild operating conditions in a batch reactor. The catalyst was prepared by wet impregnation, and characterized by special surface area (BET measurement), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The Fe₂O₃-CeO₂-Bi₂O₃/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst exhibited good catalytic activity and stability in the CWAO under atmosphere pressure. The effect of the reaction conditions (catalyst loading, degradation temperature, solution concentration and initial solution pH value) was studied. The result showed that the decolorization efficiency of cationic red GTL was improved with increasing the initial solution pH value and the degradation temperature. The apparent activation energy for the reaction was 79 kJ·mol⁻¹. Hydroperoxy radicals (HO₂·) and superoxide radicals (O₂⁻·) appeared as the main reactive species upon the CWAO of cationic red GTL.     

Evaluating surrogates of genetic diversity for conservation planning

Protected-area systems should conserve intraspecific genetic diversity. Because genetic data require resources to obtain, several approaches have been proposed for generating plans for protected-area systems (prioritizations) when genetic data are not available. Yet such surrogate-based approaches remain poorly tested. We evaluated the effectiveness of potential surrogate-based approaches based on microsatellite genetic data collected across the Iberian Peninsula for 7 amphibian and 3 reptilian species. Long-term environmental suitability did not effectively represent sites containing high genetic diversity (allelic richness). Prioritizations based on long-term environmental suitability had similar performance to random prioritizations. Geographic distances and resistance distances based on contemporary environmental suitability were not always effective surrogates for identification of combinations of sites that contain individuals with different genetic compositions. Our results demonstrate that population genetic data based on commonly used neutral markers can inform prioritizations, and we could not find an adequate substitute. Conservation planners need to weigh the potential benefits of genetic data against their acquisition costs.     

旋转填充床中Fenton+O_3氧化降解模拟阿莫西林废水

以旋转填充床(RPB)作为反应装置,研究了Fenton工艺与Fenton+O3工艺处理模拟阿莫西林废水的效果,考察了FeSO4·7H2O的投加量、温度、旋转床转速、液体流量及pH对COD去除率的影响。实验表明,Fenton+O3工艺的COD脱除率及BOD5/COD相对于Fenton工艺分别提升26.7%和140%。该工艺在pH为3、温度为25℃、液体流量30 L/h、气体流量2.5 L/h、转速800 r/min、H2O2的投加量为1 mmol/L及Fe2+投加量为0.4 mmol/L的条件下,100 mg/L的模拟阿莫西林废水中COD的去除率达到57.9%,BOD5/COD从0增加到0.36,满足后续生化处理要求。     

Emotions drive attention: Effects on driver’s behaviour

Music is the favourite activity while driving. However, very few studies have investigated its impact on driving performances. This study was designed to assess the effect of music’s emotional valence on driving behaviour. Happy, sad and neutral music excerpts were alternated with no-music phases while driving in a simulator. Results showed that happy music distracted drivers the most as their mean speed unexpectedly decreased and their lateral control deteriorated. Sad music influenced drivers in a different way as they drove slowly and kept their vehicle in its lane. These findings were discussed within the framework of attentional orienting and emotions.     

流域水文过程对湖泊酸化的影响—ILWAS模型在老虎岭水库的应用

应用美国ILWAS酸雨模型,研究了南宁市老虎岭水库流域在酸雨输入条件下流域水文过程,特别是入湖总径流的构成,对湖水酸碱状态和酸化进程的影响.结果表明,酸雨通过集水区土壤的流动路径是影响地表水酸化的最重要因素之一.     

WATER RECLAMATION BY PHYSICOCHEMICAL TREATMENT OF WASTEWATER1

ABSTRACT. Treatment of a high strength acidic industrial chemical waste, which had a COD of about 3000 mg/1 and a pH of 3, was attempted by activated carbon adsorption to evaluate the feasibility of yielding effluents of reusable qualities. The experimental methods which were employed in this investigation included batch and column studies. The former was used to evaluate the rate and equilibrium of carbon adsorption while the latter was used to determine treatment efficiencies and performance characteristics. Parallel operations of fixed-bed and expanded-bed adsorbers were contrasted in the column study. Results of this investication indicate that activated carbon was very efficient in removing the COD of the chemical waste. Initial pH adjustments for the wastewater to 7.0 or 11.4 did not increase the COD removal efficiency. Turbidity and nitrogen (total Kjeldahl- and ammonia-N) were removed to some extents by the carbon bed adsorbers while phosphorus (total-and ortho-P) was totally unaffected by the carbon treatment.     

Conflicting energy and environmental policies: The portsmouth oil refinery

This case study presents the series of decision-making processes surrounding a current environmental issue—the Portsmouth oil refinery in Virginia. Crude oil must be refined before it can be used as fuel. Additionally, some oil must be desulfurized for use other than as gasoline. In 1977, the nation imported about one million barrels of oil a day. Although the US Department of Energy has emphasized the critical need for greater east coast refinery capability, the east coast is to supply only 25% of its refined oil needs. In the same year, the east coast met its demands for petroleum products from three sources: (a) refinery production, 22.7%, (b) product imports, 28.0%, and (c) products from the Gulf Coast, 49.3%.¹ The energy program after the Arab oil embargo has an objective of encouraging the construction of oil refineries and petrochemical plants in the United States rather than abroad. The tariff is higher on imports of refined oil products than of crude oil, and new refineries are allowed to import a large proportion of their requirements tarifffree.The US federal government does not directly regulate the locations for oil refineries or methods of desulfurization. The oil import program, however, does influence decisions concerning location of desulfurization facilities and refineries, and air and water pollution standards affect methods of refining, besides making desulfurization necessary.The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Department of Defense.     

Environmental quality criteria: Some considerations

The physicochemical characteristics of the recipient environment into which chemical contaminants are deposited may influence their chemical speciation, mobility, bioavailability, and toxicity. In formulating Water Quality Criteria, the Environmental Protection Agency of the United States (EPA) considered the modifying effect of abiotic environmental factors on pollutant toxicity in an innovative regulatory approach. Scientific knowledge of the interactions and correlations between pollutant toxicity and abiotic factors remains limited. Recognition of the influence of the physicochemical characteristics of the recipient environment on pollutant toxicity has implications for the eventual formulation of regional, rather than uniform and national, criteria. In addition, in developing Water Quality Criteria that incorporate the effects of pollutants on aquatic life, EPA primarily focused on toxicity to aquatic animals and plants (including unicellular algae). The effects of pollutants on microbe-mediated ecological processes that are necessary for maintaining the state and quality of the ecosphere (such as biogeochemical cyclings, litter decomposition, and mineralization) were not included in the formulation of the Water Quality Criteria. To facilitate the recognition and quantification of adverse effects of pollutants on these ecological processes, the development of a computation, termed the ecological dosage 50% (EcD₅₀) is recommended. Such a formulation could also be applied to setting environmental quality criteria for terrestrial ecosystems.     

干旱区植被与其地貌过程的相互作用

地貌过程与生态过程相结合的研究对于干旱区景观格局与功能规划具有十分重要的意义,且在近年来受到地貌学与生态学研究者的共同关注。干旱区地貌的分畀造成了地区气候的再分异与主导因子的再分配,决定了干旱地区植物群落分布及景观格局的形成。在未来,地貌与生物群落的协同进化以及人类在直接或间接改变景观格局中的作用将成为研究重点。     

北京市生活垃圾填埋场氨排放特征研究

氨是生活垃圾填埋场产生的主要恶臭物质之一,同时也是PM2.5的重要前体物.依据环境空气氨测定和无组织废气监测方法,研究了北京市两家垃圾填埋场的工艺关键点和厂界的氨浓度水平.结果表明填埋作业面、污泥处理车间和渗滤液调节池等工艺关键点的氨浓度为0.078~0.341 mg·m-3.工艺关键点的氨浓度呈现日间高、夜间低的特点,温度和湿度是主要气象影响因素,阴雨天气时监测结果明显偏低.氨浓度在厂界外有明显下降趋势,厂界下风向100 m处平均下降60.00%,300 m处平均下降69.90%.研究为北京市垃圾填埋场氨排放水平本地化和氨排放监测管理提供科研支持.