Catalytic reduction for water treatment

Treating water contaminants via heterogeneously catalyzed reduction reaction is a subject of growing interest due to its good activity and superior selectivity compared to conventional technology, yielding products that are non-toxic or substantially less toxic. This article reviews the application of catalytic reduction as a progressive approach to treat different types of contaminants in water, which covers hydrodehalogenation for wastewater treatment and hydrogenation of nitrate/nitrite for groundwater remediation. For hydrodehalogenation, an overview of the existing treatment technologies is provided with an assessment of the advantages of catalytic reduction over the conventional methodologies. Catalyst design for feasible catalytic reactions is considered with a critical analysis of the pertinent literature. For hydrogenation, hydrogenation of nitrate/nitrite contaminants in water is mainly focused. Several important nitrate reduction catalysts are discussed relating to their preparation method and catalytic performance. In addition, novel approach of catalytic reduction using in situ synthesized H₂ evolved from water splitting reaction is illustrated. Finally, the challenges and perspective for the extensive application of catalytic reduction technology in water treatment are discussed. This review provides key information to our community to apply catalytic reduction approach for water treatment.

Open image in new window

     

Field-breeding birds on organic and conventional arable farms in the Netherlands

In this study territory densities of field-breeding farmland birds were compared on pairwise-selected organic and conventional arable farms for two years. Differences in territory densities between the two farm types were explained examining the effects of three factors on territory densities: (1) non-crop habitats, (2) crop types and (3) within-crop factors. In both years, densities of most species did not differ between organic and conventional farms. Only skylark and lapwing were more abundant on organic farms, but only skylarks showed a consistent pattern over both years. Differences in crop types grown between the two systems were the only explaining factor for differences in densities of skylark. For lapwing, the difference was only partly due to differences in crop type, but differences in within-crop factors (probably as a result of crop management) were likely to have had an effect as well. There were no significant differences in abundance of non-crop habitats between the two farming systems, so this could not explain differences in territory densities.     

太湖流域有机毒物污染现状与控制对策

富营养化控制一直以来是太湖水污染防治的重中之重,但太湖流域的有机毒物污染也不容忽视,已对饮用水安全构成潜在的威胁。从分析太湖流域工业污染现状入手,提出了化工、印染为太湖流域有机毒物污染的重要来源,阐述了对太湖流域进行有机毒物污染控制的重要性,总结了太湖流域有机毒物污染控制存在的问题,在此基础上,提出了太湖流域工业污染源有机毒物控制对策建议。     

Bioremediation of Acidic and Metalliferous Drainage (AMD) through organic carbon amendment by municipal sewage and green waste

Pit lakes (abandoned flooded mine pits) represent a potentially valuable water resource in hot arid regions. However, pit lake water is often characterised by low pH with high dissolved metal concentrations resulting from Acidic and Metalliferous Drainage (AMD). Addition of organic matter to pit lakes to enhance microbial sulphate reduction is a potential cost effective remediation strategy. However, cost and availability of suitable organic substrates are often limiting. Nevertheless, large quantities of sewage and green waste (organic garden waste) are often available at mine sites from nearby service towns. We treated AMD pit lake water (pH 2.4) from tropical, North Queensland, Australia, with primary-treated sewage sludge, green waste, and a mixture of sewage and green waste (1:1) in a controlled microcosm experiment (4.5 L). Treatments were assessed at two different rates of organic loading of 16:1 and 32:1 pit water:organic matter by mass. Combined green waste and sewage treatment was the optimal treatment with water pH increased to 5.5 in only 145 days with decreases of dissolved metal concentrations. Results indicated that green waste was a key component in the pH increase and concomitant heavy metal removal. Water quality remediation was primarily due to microbially-mediated sulphate reduction. The net result of this process was removal of sulphate and metal solutes to sediment mainly as monosulfides. During the treatment process NH(3) and H(2)S gases were produced, albeit at below concentrations of concern. Total coliforms were abundant in all green waste-treatments, however, faecal coliforms were absent from all treatments. This study demonstrates addition of low-grade organic materials has promise for bioremediation of acidic waters and warrants further experimental investigation into feasibility at higher scales of application such as pit lakes.     

Ligand-assisted degradation of carbon tetrachloride by microscale zero-valent iron

Degradation of carbon tetrachloride (CT) by microscale zero-valent iron (ZVI) was investigated in batch systems with or without organic ligands (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), citric acid, tartaric acid, malic acid and oxalic acid) at pHs from 3.5 to 7.5. The results demonstrated that at 25°C, the dechlorination of CT by microscale ZVI is slow in the absence of organic ligands, with a pseudo-first-order rate constant of 0.0217 h(-1) at pH 3.5 and being further dropped to 0.0052 h(-1) at pH 7.5. However, addition of organic ligands significantly enhanced the rates and the extents of CT removal, as indicated by the rate constant increases of 39, 31, 32, 28 and 18 times in the presence of EDTA, citric acid, tartaric acid, malic acid and oxalic acid, respectively, at pH 3.5 and 25°C. The effect of EDTA was most significant; the dechlorination of CT at an initial concentration of 20 mg l(-1) increased from 16.3% (no ligands) to 89.1% (with EDTA) at the end of 8h reaction. The enhanced CT degradation in the presence of organic ligands was primarily attributed to the elimination of a surface passivation layer of Fe(III) (hydr)oxides on the microscale ZVI through chelating of organic ligands with Fe(III), which maintained the exposure of active sites on ZVI surface to CT.     

有机废气治理技术的研究进展

有机废气治理问题是当前废气处理的难点问题之一。本文首先介绍了几类传统有机废气处理技术的发展现状,包括吸附法、吸收法、催化氧化法、生物处理法等。对这几类有机废气治理技术的应用机理、适用范围以及现存问题进行了综合地比较与分析。最后,对于近年来出现的几类新型有机废气处理技术,如膜分离法、光催化氧化法、综合处理法的发展前景进行了一定的展望并列举了几类新技术的工程应用实例。     

Kinetic parameter estimation for decomposition of organic peroxides by means of DSC measurements

The thermal stability of organic peroxides (cumene hydroperoxide 80 wt% and dicumyl peroxide) was studied by means of calorimetric measurement (DSC, TA Q1000) in an isotherm mode and a dynamic mode. Analysis of power profiles released in the isothermal mode was combined with the analysis of the decomposed compounds by a gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer (GC/MS) to determine the reaction mechanisms corresponding to each of the two reactions. In this work, a methodology for estimating kinetic parameters was based on the comparison of the power profile (dynamic mode) given by the model to that obtained experimentally by changing the parameters values. Parameter estimation is achieved using the mixed estimation method where a genetic algorithm is combined with a locally convergent method.     

Dairy manure as a potential source of crop nutrients and environmental contaminants

Although animal manure is applied to agricultural fields for its nutrient value, it may also contain potential contaminants. To determine the variability in such contaminants as well as in valuable nutrients, nine uncomposted manure samples from Idaho dairies collected during 2.5 years were analyzed for macro- and micro-nutrients, hormones, phytoestrogens, antibiotics, veterinary drugs, antibiotic resistance genes, and genetic elements involved in the spread of antibiotic resistance. Total N ranged from 6.8 to 30.7 (C:N of 10 to 21), P from 2.4 to 9.0, and K from 10.2 to 47.7 g/kg manure. Zn (103 – 348 mg/kg) was more abundant than Cu (56 – 127 mg/kg) in all samples. Phytoestrogens were the most prevalent contaminants detected, with concentrations fluctuating over time, reflecting animal diets. This is the first study to document the presence of flunixin, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, in solid stacked manure from regular dairy operations. Monensin was the most frequently detected antibiotic. Progesterones and sulfonamides were regularly detected. We also investigated the relative abundance of several types of plasmids involved in the spread of antibiotic resistance in clinical settings. Plasmids belonging to the IncI, IncP, and IncQ1 incompatibility groups were found in almost all manure samples. IncQ1 plasmids, class 1 integrons, and sulfonamide resistance genes were the most widespread and abundant genetic element surveyed, emphasizing their potential role in the spread of antibiotic resistance. The benefits associated with amending agricultural soils with dairy manure must be carefully weighed against the potential negative consequences of any manure contaminants.     

气相色谱／质谱（GC／MS）联用在我国大气有机污染监测中的应用

概述ＧＣ／ＭＳ联用在我国大气有机污染监测中的应用，介绍大气中有机污染物，如多环芳烃、硝基多环芳烃、多氯二苯并二恶英、多氯二苯并呋喃、碳氢化合物、苯系物、恶臭、有机硫化合物、多组分有机污染物的测定。     

Long-term variation of PM2.5 levels and composition at rural, urban, and roadside sites in Hong Kong: Increasing impact of regional air pollution

Long-term study of air pollution plays a decisive role in formulating and refining pollution control strategies. In this study, two 12-month measurements of PM_2.5 mass and speciation were conducted in 00/01 and 04/05 to determine long-term trend and spatial variations of PM_2.5 mass and chemical composition in Hong Kong. This study covered three sites with different land-use characteristics, namely roadside, urban, and rural environments. The highest annual average PM_2.5 concentration was observed at the roadside site (58.0±2.0 μg m⁻³ (average±2σ) in 00/01 and 53.0±2.7 μg m⁻³ in 04/05), followed by the urban site (33.9±2.5 μg m⁻³ in 00/01 and 39.0±2.0 μg m⁻³ in 04/05), and the rural site (23.7±1.9 μg m⁻³ in 00/01 and 28.4±2.4 μg m⁻³ in 04/05). The lowest PM_2.5 level measured at the rural site was still higher than the United States’ annual average National Ambient Air Quality Standard of 15 μg m⁻³. As expected, seasonal variations of PM_2.5 mass concentration at the three sites were similar: higher in autumn/winter and lower in summer. Comparing PM_2.5 data in 04/05 with those collected in 00/01, a reduction in PM_2.5 mass concentration at the roadside (8.7%) but an increase at the urban (15%) and rural (20%) sites were observed. The reduction of PM_2.5 at the roadside was attributed to the decrease of carbonaceous aerosols (organic carbon and elemental carbon) (>30%), indicating the effective control of motor vehicle emissions over the period. On the other hand, the sulfate concentration at the three sites was consistent regardless of different land-use characteristics in both studies. The lack of spatial variation of sulfate concentrations in PM_2.5 implied its origin of regional contribution. Moreover, over 36% growth in sulfate concentration was found from 00/01 to 04/05, suggesting a significant increase in regional sulfate pollution over the years. More quantitative techniques such as receptor models and chemical transport models are required to assess the temporal variations of source contributions to ambient PM_2.5 mass and chemical speciation in Hong Kong.