Pollution levels and characteristics of phthalate esters in indoor air of offices

The pollution status and characteristics of PAEs(phthalate esters) were investigated in indoor air of offices, and PAEs of both gas-phase and particulate-phase were detected in all the samples. The concentration(sum of the gas phase and the particulate phase) was4748.24 ng/m3, ranging between 3070.09 and 6700.14 ng/m3. Diethyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate, and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate were the most abundant compounds, together accounting for 70% of the ∑ 6PAEs. Dividing the particulate-phase PAEs into four size ranges( 2.5, 2.5–5, 5–10, 10 μm), the result indicated that PAEs in PM2.5were the most abundant,with the proportion of 72.64%. In addition, the PAE concentration in PM2.5correlated significantly with the total particulate-phase PAEs(R2= 0.85). Thus, the amount of PAEs in PM2.5can be estimated from the total amount of particulate-phase PAEs using this proportion. In a comparison between the offices and a newly decorated study room, it was found that pollution characteristics were similar between these two places. Thus, it is implied that the PAE concentration decreased by 50% 2 yr after decorating.     

Experimental study of humidity influence on triboelectric charging of particle-laden duct flows

Electrostatic charge on powders arises during pneumatic transport due to particle–particle and particle–surface interactions via triboelectrification. This is a potential threat to the safety of industrial production and the source of numerous fires and dust explosions in the past. Triboelectric charges are affected by environmental conditions, such as ambient temperature and relative humidity. In this work, we experimentally investigated the influence of ambient humidity on the particle charge of gas–solid flows in a square-shaped duct. Monodisperse PMMA particles are fed into a fully developed airflow in a PMMA duct and then pass through a metallic duct section. The charge of particles is measured at the outlet of the metallic duct via a Faraday cup. By measuring the electrostatic charge under various environmental conditions, we observed that the electrostatic charge first increases with the humidity and then decreases when the humidity becomes higher.     

跟踪拍照识别白鱀豚的研究

作者从１９８６年起开展了照相识别白豚的研究。通过反复试验，采用多船弧形跟踪、单船切入拍照的方法，在观察到白豚的４８天中，共拍得１６００张照片并从中识别出１０头白暨豚。除了白暨豚背鳍上的自然标记能有效地用于个体识别之外，豚体上的色斑、图象等亦能用于个体识别。作者由此获得了白豚群体组成变化和迁移距离等科学资料，对深入研究白暨豚生态学有重要意义。     

基于FIB的北京温榆河流域粪便污染物分布特征和源解析

目前,北京市温榆河流域存在着较为严重的粪源微生物污染问题,对流域周边暴露人群的健康带来了潜在的威胁.为了明确温榆河粪便污染的分布特征及宿主来源,本研究采用传统培养法与定量聚合酶链式反应(qPCR)分别对常规粪便指示细菌(Fecal indicator bacteria, FIB),包括粪大肠菌群(Fecal Coliform, FC)、大肠杆菌(Escherichia coli, EC)与肠球菌(Enterococcus,ENT)和溯源FIB,包括不同宿主来源的特异性生物标记进行检测,并探究其相关性.研究结果表明,流域内粪源微生物污染较为严重,常规FIB浓度介于0～4.38×10~7 CFU·L~(-1)之间,溯源FIB处于1.37×10~6～4.29×10~(10) copies·L~(-1)之间.从时空分布来看,由于来水中各大支流及污水处理厂的贡献,从温榆河起点沙河闸至终点北关闸,所有的指示菌浓度呈现出大幅度的升高趋势.其中,龙道河为干流来水中粪便污染的首要地域,污水处理厂的尾水可能是清河河口及坝河处微生物污染的主要来源;降雨径流对粪源微生物含量的时空变化存在着非常显著的影响,使得FIB最高可达2个数量级的增长.微生物溯源结果显示温榆河流域内的粪源微生物来源主要为人类粪便污染,而非畜禽粪便污染,这同北京市近年来有关畜禽养殖管控密切相关.相关性分析表明,虽然FC与EC、ENT之间皆存在着统计学意义上的显著正相关性,但传统的FIB指标与拟杆菌及人源拟杆菌指标之间不存在显著相关性.本研究通过传统FIB培养和微生物溯源方法结合,明确了北京温榆河粪源污染程度及其主要来源,为北京温榆河污染防控提供了新的思路.     

The role of humic substances in chromium sorption onto natural organic matter (peat)

To elucidate mechanisms of Cr³⁺ sorption onto the unaltered solid natural organic matter, the comparative studies of this ion binding from a solution at pH 4.0 onto three selected particle size fractions: 2000–1000 μm, 630–200 μm and 63–20 μm of markedly different HS content and structure, separated by a wet sieving from an overall sample of peat (Brushwood Peat Humus) were carried out. Comparable patterns of COOH groups and CEC_t confirmed that for cation exchange capacity were responsible mainly cations connected with COO⁻ functional groups. It was though found that aliphatic acids in the solid state did not take part in Cr³⁺ binding, thus the finest studied fraction 63–20 μm of the highest contents of functional groups showed the lowest sorption capacity for Cr³⁺, while similar patterns of sorbed Cr³⁺, soluble HS content and base CEC₀ indicated that these parameters were directly interrelated. The base ion exchange processes determined by CEC₀ (with Ca²⁺ as a predominant exchangeable cation) appeared to be not the major mechanisms responsible for Cr³⁺ sorption. For this metal, strong binding to insoluble large molecular weight organic pool two- to threefold prevailed over the ion exchange processes. Very low acid desorption indicated generally low mobility of Cr³⁺-organic compounds.     

Formation and growth of indoor air aerosol particles as a result of d-limonene oxidation

Oxidation of d-limonene, which is a common monoterpene, can lead to new aerosol particle formation in indoor environments. Thus, products containing d-limonene, such as citrus fruits, air refresheners, household cleaning agents, and waxes, can act as indoor air aerosol particle sources. We released d-limonene into the room air by peeling oranges and measured the concentration of aerosol particles of three different size ranges. In addition, we measured the concentration of d-limonene, the oxidant, and the concentration of ozone, the oxidizing gas. Based on the measurements we calculated the growth rate of the small aerosol particles, which were 3–10 nm in diameter, to be about , and the losses of the aerosol particles that were due to the coagulation and condensation processes. From these, we further approximated the concentration of the condensable vapour and its source rate and then calculated the formation rate of the small aerosol particles. For the final result, we calculated the nucleation rate and the maximum number of molecules in a critical cluster. The nucleation rate was in the order of and the number of molecules in a critical-sized cluster became 1.2. The results were in agreement with the activation theory.     

Importance of incorporation of personal communication devices in evacuation simulators

The importance of the incorporation of personal communication devices in emergency evacuation simulators will be discussed. Four case studies are examined to identify usage statistics and human behavior when using the devices in an emergency. The case studies are: 9/11 World Trade Center Attacks, London train bombings, Virginia Tech shooting and United Flight #93. The case studies’ findings are implemented into the Vacate evacuation simulator, which uses particle swarm optimization to mimic human pedestrian behavior. The physical actions of using a device, as well as the reaction to the information transmitted during usage, are examined. Findings show that the effects of the personal communication devices can affect individuals that are close to the user of the device, as well as those not in the local vicinity of the user. These effects, combined with the rapid mainstream acceptance of communication technologies, justify the implementation of personal communication devices into evacuation simulators.     

Theoretical equation of gas desorption of particle coal under the non-uniform pressure condition and its analytical solution

Based on the second Fick’s law, the theoretical equation of gas desorption of particle coal under the non-uniform pressure condition was developed in this paper. The analytical solution of the theoretical equation and the method of gas desorption quantity of particle coal under non-uniform pressure condition were obtained.     

Numerical simulation of far-field blast loads arising from large TNT equivalent explosives

Large TNT equivalent explosions usually arise from accidents occurring during the transportation, storage, and manufacturing of chemicals relevant to process industries. The blast wave generated by the explosion will spread and interact with the surrounding factories and storehouses, damaging the building structures within several kilometers and causing significant casualties and property losses. This study aims to develop an efficient numerical simulation method to predict blast loads to estimate the consequences of accidents involving far-field free air bursts or surface burst explosions. Before its interaction with the interested target, a blast wave is generated in the numerical model by specifying the initial and boundary conditions of the disturbed air. Based on empirical data of incident overpressure, an explicit formula to calculate the air particle velocity is derived from the governing equations of a perfect inviscid gas. A simplified path line method is proposed to calculate the air density. The proposed method is applied to the LS-DYNA CESE solver to simulate the blast loads on building structures in the far field. Validations against empirical data and experiments indicate that the proposed method is sufficiently accurate for engineering applications and, through a case study, presents a more efficient performance than the LOAD_BLAST_ENHANCED (LBE) and mapping methods.     

Evaluation of the spontaneous combustion characteristics of coal of different metamorphic degrees based on a temperature-programmed oil bath experimental system

Research on the micro- and macrocharacteristics of different metamorphic degrees of coal helps improve the control and protection techniques used during spontaneous combustion. Nine coals with different properties were thoroughly investigated in this study. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and a self-designed temperature-programmed oil bath experimental system were adopted to analyze the molecular structure and macrocharacteristic parameters of the spontaneous combustion of coal. Additionally, the influence of particle size on spontaneous combustion was considered. Various functional groups were employed as microcharacteristic parameters to capture the principal active groups in oxidation. The gas production rate, oxygen consumption rate, gas concentration, heat energy release rate, and characteristic temperatures were evaluated as macrocharacteristic parameters to investigate the changes in coal during oxidation. The results establish that the microcharacteristics of coal molecules determine the degree of spontaneous combustion based on intrinsic properties and that changes in the macrocharacteristics of the spontaneous combustion of coal reflect the microstructural changes. The contents of the hydroxyl groups, carbonyl groups, alkyl ether and aryl ether in the coal molecules gradually decrease with the metamorphic increase. Oxygen-containing functional groups have higher reactivities and easily react with oxygen, causing the macroparameters, such as the oxygen consumption rate, the gas generation rate and the heat energy release rate, to consistently decrease with the increase of the metamorphic degree. Small-particle-size coal molecules have more active aliphatic hydrocarbons, oxygen-containing functional groups and a larger specific surface area, increasing the chances of adsorbing the oxygen of active groups and promoting the reaction between coal and oxygen. The experimental results indicate that coal samples with higher metamorphic degrees or larger sizes exhibit lower tendencies toward spontaneous combustion. Evaluation of the spontaneous combustion of coal based on a temperature-programmed oil bath experimental system is of great practical importance for preventing the spontaneous combustion of coal during storage, processing and utilization and can serve as a convenient reference for production safety in mining applications.