Modelling the impact of nitrogen deposition, climate change and nutrient limitations on tree carbon sequestration in Europe for the period 1900-2050

We modelled the combined effects of past and expected future changes in climate and nitrogen deposition on tree carbon sequestration by European forests for the period 1900-2050. Two scenarios for deposition (current legislation and maximum technically feasible reductions) and two climate scenarios (no change and SRES A1 scenario) were used. Furthermore, the possible limitation of forest growth by calcium, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus is investigated. The area and age structure of the forests was assumed to stay constant to observations during the period 1970-1990. Under these assumptions, the simulations show that the change in forest growth and carbon sequestration in the past is dominated by changes in nitrogen deposition, while climate change is the major driver for future carbon sequestration. However, its impact is reduced by nitrogen availability. Furthermore, limitations in base cations, especially magnesium, and in phosphorus may significantly affect predicted growth in the future.     

The impact of nitrogen deposition on acid grasslands in the Atlantic region of Europe

A survey of 153 acid grasslands from the Atlantic biogeographic region of Europe indicates that chronic nitrogen deposition is changing plant species composition and soil and plant-tissue chemistry. Across the deposition gradient (2-44 kg N ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹) grass richness as a proportion of total species richness increased whereas forb richness decreased. Soil C:N ratio increased, but soil extractable nitrate and ammonium concentrations did not show any relationship with nitrogen deposition. The above-ground tissue nitrogen contents of three plant species were examined: Agrostis capillaris (grass), Galium saxatile (forb) and Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus (bryophyte). The tissue nitrogen content of neither vascular plant species showed any relationship with nitrogen deposition, but there was a weak positive relationship between R. squarrosus nitrogen content and nitrogen deposition. None of the species showed strong relationships between above-ground tissue N:P or C:N and nitrogen deposition, indicating that they are not good indicators of deposition rate.     

Impacts of atmospheric pollution on the plant communities of British acid grasslands

Air pollutants are recognised as important agents of ecosystem change but few studies consider the effects of multiple pollutants and their interactions. Here we use ordination, constrained cluster analysis and indicator value analyses to identify potential environmental controls on species composition, ecological groupings and indicator species in a gradient study of UK acid grasslands. The community composition of these grasslands is related to climate, grazing, ozone exposure and nitrogen deposition, with evidence for an interaction between the ecological impacts of base cation and nitrogen deposition. Ozone is a key agent in species compositional change but is not associated with a reduction in species richness or diversity indices, showing the subtly different drivers on these two aspects of ecosystem degradation. Our results demonstrate the effects of multiple interacting pollutants, which may collectively have a greater impact than any individual agent.     

曝气强度对同时硝化反硝化（SND）脱氮过程中N2O排放的影响

为了控制污水脱氮中N2O排放,在不同曝气强度下研究了好氧硝化段同时硝化反硝化（SND）系统的N2O排放特性,并采用PCR—DGGE技术分析微生物群落特征。结果发现,随着曝气强度的增强,系统总氮去除率下降,但脱氮中N2O—N所占比例则上升,实验中从低到高3个曝气强度下,总氮去除率分别为80．01％、65．28％和58．62％,脱氮中N2O—N所占的比例为1．89％、7．84％和9．20％。PCR—DGGE分析显示,和低曝气强度下相比中、高曝气强度下系统微生物群落发生明显变化,但中曝气强度和高曝气强度下系统微生物群落表现出较高相似性。这表明,不同曝气强度下系统N2O排放受到氮素转化和微生物群落变化的影响。适宜曝气强度不仅提高总氮去除率,还可有效控制N2O排放。     

Atmospheric bulk deposition of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in the vicinity of an iron and steel making plant

An IRA-743 resin bulk sampler was validated to monitor long-term bulk deposition of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs). Six consecutive sampling campaigns (2008-2009) were conducted at four sites around steel complexes in Pohang, South Korea to investigate spatial and seasonal variations of PCDD/F bulk deposition. The bulk deposition within the steel complex showed the highest ∑_4-8PCDD/F (Tetra-Octa) fluxes, ranging from 204 to 608 (mean: 352) pg m⁻² d⁻¹, indicating steel complexes were major sources of PCDD/Fs. The homologue profiles were dominated with lower chlorinated PCDFs. Furthermore, the prevailing winds were confirmed to influence the spatial distribution of PCDD/F deposition. There were apparent seasonal variations of the bulk deposition at each site, and seasonal homologue patterns of PCDD/Fs were clearly observed. According to the passive air sampling, however, no significant seasonal change of ambient air concentrations of PCDD/Fs was observed. Therefore, it was concluded that the seasonal variations of deposition fluxes of PCDD/Fs probably resulted from temperature-dependent gas/particle partitioning.     

Deposition and Retention of Ultrafine Aerosol Particles in the Human Respiratory System. Normal and Pathological Cases

The particle number concentration in ambient air is dominated by nanometersized particles. Recent epidemiological studies report an association between the presence of nanoparticles in inhaled air at the workplace and acute morbidity and even mortality in the elderly. A theoretical model of deposition of 20 nm particles in the human alveolus was formulated. Gas flow structure and deposition rate were calculated for alveoli with different elastic properties of lung tissue. Data obtained in the paper show increased convective effects and diffusional rate of deposition of nanoparticles for alveoli with higher stiffness of the alveolar wall. The retention of deposited particles is also higher in these pathological alveoli. Results of our calculations indicate a possibility of existence of a positive loop of coupling in deposition and retention of nanoparticles in the lung with pathological changes.     

短程硝化反硝化工艺处理低C/N餐厨废水

针对餐厨废水的水质特点,提出低C/N下的短程硝化反硝化餐厨废水处理组合工艺。通过控制微氧区、好氧区DO分别为0.5 mg/L和2.5 mg/L;硝化液,微氧区混合液和污泥回流比分别为200%、100%和100%,可以实现NO2--N累积率达到90%以上,COD、氨氮平均去除率为73.42%和98.57%。较低的C/N使得反硝化效果不佳,对反应器进水补充适量的甲醇作为碳源,在COD/TN约为4的情况下,以NO2--N为主的反硝化可以使反应器对TN的去除率达到94%,出水各项指标符合相关排放标准,实现了餐厨废水高效和经济的生物脱氮。     

基于改进灰色模型的管壁蜡沉积厚度预测研究

为对含蜡原油管道中的蜡沉积厚度进行准确预测,在函数cot(x2)变换的基础上,结合平移变换思想,利用cot(x2+c)变换建立新的改进GM(1,1)模型。以现场管道结蜡数据和室内环道结蜡数据为例,对比改进GM(1,1)模型、基于函数cot(x2)变换建立的GM(1,1)模型及传统GM(1,1)模型之间的预测精度,并分析平移量c对改进GM(1,1)模型预测精度的影响。结果表明:改进GM(1,1)模型的预测精度最高,其次是基于函数cot(x2)变换建立的GM(1,1)模型,而传统GM(1,1)模型的预测精度最低;随着平移量的增大,改进GM(1,1)模型的平均相对预测误差呈现出先减小后增大的趋势,因此合理的平移量有助于模型精度的提高。应用改进GM(1,1)模型来预测管道蜡沉积厚度是可行的,该方法可为含蜡原油管道蜡沉积厚度的准确预测提供参考和借鉴。     

Co-composting of Paper Mill Sludge and Hardwood Sawdust Under Two Types of In-Vessel Processes

Abstract

Recycling of organic residues by composting is becoming an acceptable practice in our society. Co-composting dewatered paper mill sludge (PMS) and hardwood sawdust, two readily available materials in Canada, was investigated using uncontrolled and controlled in-vessel processes. The composted materials were characterized for total C and N, water-soluble, acid-hydrolyzable, and non-hydrolyzable N, extractable lipids, and by Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectrophotometry. In the controlled scale process, the loss of organic matter was approximately 65% higher than in the uncontrolled process. After undergoing initial fluctuations in N fractions during the first two days of composting, by the end of the process, concentrations of water-soluble N decreased while those of acid-hydrolyzable and nonhydrolyzable N increased in the controlled process, whereas in the uncontrolled process, water-soluble N increased, but N in the other two fractions decreased continuously, indicating that the biochemical transformations of organic matter were not completed. Data on extractable lipids and FT-IR spectra suggest that the compost produced from the controlled process was bio-stable after 14 days, while the uncontrolled process was not stabilized after 18 days. In addition, FT-IR data suggest the biological activity during composting centered mainly on the degradation of aliphatic structures while aromatic structures were preserved. The co-composting of the PMS and hardwood sawdust can be successfully achieved if aeration, moisture, and bio-available C/N ratios are optimized to reduce losses of N.     

N,N-双(二硫代羧基)乙二胺对微量络合镍的深度脱除特性研究

以柠檬酸镍(CA-Ni)、酒石酸镍(TA-Ni)、焦磷酸镍(SP-Ni)3种低浓度模拟络合镍废水为研究对象,选用自制的重金属捕集剂N,N-双(二硫代羧基)乙二胺(EDTC),对废水中的Ni进行深度脱除.重点研究了EDTC投加量、初始p H、反应时间对Ni去除效果的影响及螯合沉淀物的沉淀性能和溶出特性,同时分析了EDTC去除络合Ni的机理.研究结果表明,处理初始浓度5 mg·L~(-1)的CA-Ni、TA-Ni、SP-Ni,p H为4~8,EDTC最佳投加量分别为60 mg·L~(-1)、55 mg·L~(-1)和70 mg·L~(-1),PAM(聚丙烯酰胺)为1 mg·L~(-1),反应时间2 min,Ni的出水浓度均低于0.05mg·L~(-1),去除率达99%以上.螯合沉淀物沉降性能好且在弱酸弱碱条件下能稳定存在.红外光谱图和元素分析结果表明:EDTC与Ni发生螯合反应,即EDTC直接脱除络合镍中的Ni2+,并与Ni2+生成更稳定的螯合产物EDTC-Ni,进而有效地去除废水中Ni.