Efficient degradation of organic pollutants by S-NaTaO3/biochar under visible light and the photocatalytic performance of a permonosulfate-based dual-effect catalytic system

Removing large concentrations of organic pollutants from water efficiently and quickly under visible light is essential to developing photocatalytic technology and improving solar energy efficiency. This study used a simple hydrothermal method to prepare a non-metallic, S-doped NaTaO₃ (S-NTO) photocatalyst, which was then loaded onto biochar (BC) to form a S-NTO/BC composite photocatalyst. After uniform loading onto BC, the S-NTO particles transformed from cubic to spherical. The photogenerated electron-hole pair recombination probability of the composite photocatalyst was significantly lower than those of the NTO particles. The light absorption range of the catalyst was effectively widened from 310 nm UV region to visible region. In addition, a dual-effect catalytic system was constructed by introducing peroxymonosulfate (PMS) into the environment of the pollution to be degraded. The Rhodamine B, Methyl Orange, Acid Orange 7, tetracycline, and ciprofloxacin degradation efficiency at 40 mg/L reached 99.6%, 99.2%, 84.5%, 67.1%, and 70.7%, respectively, after irradiation by a 40 W lamps for 90 min. The high-efficiency visible-light catalytic activity of the dual-effect catalytic system was attributed to doping with non-metallic sulfur and loading of catalysts onto BC. The development of this dual-effect catalytic system provides new ideas for quickly and efficiently solving the problem of high-concentration organic pollution in aqueous environments, rationally and fully utilizing solar energy, and expanding the application of photocatalytic technology to practice.     

Decomplexation of Cu-1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid by a three-dimensional electrolysis system with activated biochar as particle electrodes

The feasibility of decomplexation removal of typical contaminants in electroplating wastewater, complexed Cu(II) with 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid (Cu-HEDP), was first performed by a three-dimensional electric reactor with activated biochar as particle electrodes. For the case of 50 mg/L Cu-HEDP, Cu(II) removal (90.7%) and PO initial pH 7, acid-treated almond shell biochar (AASB) addition 20 g/L, and reaction time 180 min, with second-order rate constants of 1.10 × 10⁻³ and 1.94 × 10⁻⁵ min⁻¹respectively. The growing chelating effect between Cu(II) and HEDP and the comprehensive actions of adsorptive accumulation, direct and indirect oxidation given by particle electrodes accounted for the enhanced removal of Cu-HEDP, even though the mineralization of HEDP was mainly dependent on anode oxidation. The performance attenuation of AASB particle electrodes was ascribed to the excessive consumption of oxygen-containing functionalities during the reaction, especially acidic carboxylic groups and quinones on particle electrodes, which decreased from 446.74 to 291.48 µmol/g, and 377.55 to 247.71 µmol/g, respectively. Based on the determination of adsorption behavior and indirect electrochemical oxidation mediated by in situ electrogenerated H₂O₂ and reactive oxygen species (e.g., •OH), a possible removal mechanism of Cu-HEDP by three-dimensional electrolysis was further proposed.     

Connecting sources, fractions and algal availability of sediment phosphorus in shallow lakes: An approach to the criteria for sediment phosphorus concentrations

Although point and nonpoint sources contribute roughly equal nutrient loads to lakes, their relative role in supporting algae growth has not been clarified. In this research, we have established a quantitative relationship between algae-available phosphorus (P) and P chemical fractions in sediments; the latter indicates the relative contribution of point versus nonpoint sources. Surface sediments from three large shallow lakes in eastern China, namely, the Chaohu, Taihu and Hongzehu Lakes, were sampled to assess their algae-available P and chemically extracted P fractions. The algae-available P primarily comes from iron/aluminium (hydr)oxide-bound P (Fe/Al-bound P), 45% of which is algae-available P. The ratio of Fe/Al-bound P to calcium compound-bound P (Ca-bound P) indicated the relative contribution of point to nonpoint sources, with the point sources contributing the majority of increased Fe/Al-bound P in sediments. Therefore, the reduction of point sources from urbanized areas, rather than nonpoint sources from agricultural areas that primarily contribute to the Ca-bound P fraction, should be prioritized to alleviate cyanobacterial algal blooms (CyanoHABs) in shallow lakes with sediment P as a potential source to support algae growth. With these important results, we proposed a conceptual model for “P-pumping suction” from sediments to algae to aid in the development of the criteria for sediment P concentrations in shallow lakes.     

Insights into multidimensional transport flux from vertical observation and numerical simulation in two cities in North China

This study represents the first quantitative evaluation of pollution transport budget within the boundary layer of typical cities in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) region from the perspective of horizontal and vertical exchanges and further discusses the impact of the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL)-free troposphere (FT) exchange on concentration of fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) within the ABL during heavy pollution. From the perspective of the transport flux balance relationship, differences in pollution transport characteristics between the two cities is mainly reflected in the ABL-FT exchange effect. The FT mainly flowed into the ABL in BJ, while in SJZ, the outflow from the ABL to the FT was more intense. Combined with an analysis of vertical wind profile distribution, BJ was found to be more susceptible to the influence of northwest cold high prevailing in winter, while sinking of strong cold air allowed the FT flowing into the ABL influence the vertical exchange over BJ. In addition, we selected a typical pollution event for targeted analysis to understand mechanistic details of the influence of ABL-FT exchange on the pollution event. These results showed that ABL-FT interaction played an important role in PM_2.5 concentration within the ABL during heavy pollution. Especially in the early stage of heavy pollution, FT transport contributed as much as 82.74% of PM_2.5 within the ABL. These findings are significant for improving our understanding of pollution transport characteristics within the boundary layer and the effect of ABL-FT exchange on air quality.     

精品意识在教学过程中的实施

以教师、课程与教材、课堂、科研等要素为出发点,提出了精品意识在教学过程中的实施方法。     

In situ preparation of g-C3N4/Bi4O5I2 complex and its elevated photoactivity in Methyl Orange degradation under visible light

A graphite carbon nitride(g-C_3N_4) modified Bi_4O_5I_2 composite was successfully prepared insitu via the thermal treatment of a g-C_3N_4/Bi OI precursor at 400°C for 3 hr.The as-prepared g-C_3N_4/Bi_4O_5I_2 showed high photocatalytic performance in Methyl Orange(MO) degradation under visible light.The best sample presented a degradation rate of 0.164 min~(-1),which is 3.2 and 82 times as high as that of Bi_4O_5I_2 and g-C_3N_4,respectively.The g-C_3N_4/Bi_4O_5I_2 was characterized by X-ray powder diffractometer(XRD),scanning electron microscopy(SEM),transmission electron microscopy(TEM),Raman,X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS),ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectra(DRS),electrochemical impedance spectroscopy(EIS) and transient photocurrent response in order to explain the enhanced photoactivity.Results indicated that the decoration with a small amount of g-C_3N_4 influenced the specific surface area only slightly.Nevertheless,the capability for absorbing visible light was improved measurably,which was beneficial to the MO degradation.On top of that,a strong interaction between g-C_3N_4 and Bi_4O_5I_2 was detected.This interplay promoted the formation of a favorable heterojunction structure and thereby enhanced the charge separation.Thus,the g-C_3N_4/Bi_4O_5I_2 composite presented greater charge separation efficiency and much better photocatalytic performance than Bi_4O_5I_2.Additionally,g-C_3N_4/Bi_4O_5I_2 also presented high stability.·O_2~-and holes were verified to be the main reactive species.     

Comparison of mesophilic and thermophilic anaerobic digestions of thermal hydrolysis pretreated swine manure: Process performance, microbial communities and energy balance

Anaerobic digestion (AD) of swine manure (SM) commonly shows low biogas output and unsatisfactory economic performance. In this study, thermophilic AD (TAD, 50 ± 1 °C) was combined with thermal hydrolysis pretreatment (THP, 170 °C/10 bar), to investigate its potential for maximizing biogas yield, securing successful digestion and microbial diversity, as well as improving energy balance. Four lab-scale continuously stirred tank reactors were operated for 300 days and compared with each other, i.e., reactor 1 (raw SM fed in mesophilic AD: RSM-MAD), reactor 2 (THP-treated SM fed in MAD: TSM-MAD), reactor 3 (RSM-TAD), and reactor 4 (TSM-TAD). The results showed that THP was efficient to increase methane production of SM, TSM-TAD mode led to the highest methane yield (129.8 ± 40.5 mL-CH₄/g-VS/day) among the tests (p < 0.05). Although TAD was more likely to induce free ammonia (> 700 mg/L) or volatile fatty acids (> 6000 mg/L) accumulation compared with MAD in start-up phase, TSM-TAD treatment mode behaved a sustainable digestion process in a long-term operation. For TSM-TAD scenario, higher Shannon–Weaver (3.873) and lower Simpson index (0.061) indicated this mode ensured and enlarged the diversity of bacteria communities. Phylum Bathyarchaeota was dominant (59.3%−90.0%) in archaea community, followed by Euryarchaeota in the four reactors. RSM-MAD treatment mode achieved the highest energy output (4.65 GJ/day), TSM-TAD was less effective (−17.38 GJ/day) due to increased energy demands. Thus improving the energetic efficiency of THP units is recommended for the development of TSM-TAD treatment mode.     

提高环境科研和监测工作质量和效能的探讨

西部大开发中，就如何提高内蒙古自治区环境科技和环境监测工作质量和效能的问题，本文围绕在工作定位，工作重点及实施措施等方面进行了探讨，供同仁们讨论。     

滇池湖滨区新农村建设中的污染防治工程技术方案研究

对滇池湖滨区农村环境现状及主要环境问题进行了详细分析，就工程总体思路、设计原则及主要考核指标体系等进行了探讨，提出沿湖农村非点源污染防治工程技术方案，即通过以沼气池为纽带的农村能源结构改造、村级污水处置处理和配套沟渠系统建设、村内垃圾处理处置以及普及卫生旱厕、村庄道路修缮及绿化等工程和管理措施，从源头上控制污染物产生量，减少入湖污染负荷，有效地解决滇池环湖新农村建设中的环境保护问题。