Influences of adding easily degradable organic waste on the minimization and humification of organic matter during straw composting

To find a better composting process with low greenhouse gas emission and high humus production, the effect of adding kitchen waste on reduction and humification of organic matter during straw composting was studied. Three processes were compared, consisting of different ratios of straw and kitchen waste (1:2, 1:1, and 2:1). At four time points over a 62-d incubation, the reduction and humification of compost was evaluated by measuring the total mass, carbon content, and humic material content of the compost. Treatment 1 (straw/kitchen waste ratio of 1:2) reduced the total mass of compost the most. Treatment 2 (straw/kitchen waste ratio of 1:1) reduced the total carbon content the most, reflecting the highest emission of greenhouse gas. Treatment 3 produced the most humic acid material and released the lowest amount of carbon. Hence, from the point of view of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing stable organic matter such as humus and humic acid during composting, treatment #3 was optimal. The three treatments resulted in significant differences in microbial biomass and enzyme activity during composting. The highest amount of active microbial biomass was associated with the largest reduction in compost mass (treatment 1). Higher proportions of straw (treatments 2 and 3), which contains more lignin, were associated with greater β-glycosidase activity, which may generate more humus that can improve soil quality. Dehydrogenase activity seemed to be the most important microbial factor in organic carbon catabolism or humification.     

Measurements of surface contamination of spray equipment with pesticides after various methods of application

Abstract

A traditional method to determine operator dermal exposure is to quantify the amount of pesticide coming into contact with specific body regions and then to integrate the deposition density values with the total body surface. It is known that extremely high deposition values may occur in the hand region; however, the source of contamination is generally assumed to be direct splash or contact with the pesticide container. One of the parameters affecting operator/pilot exposure could be the transfer of pesticide residue, particularly in the case of pesticides with a longer half‐life, from contaminated surfaces of spray equipment by direct contact over extended periods. If the rate of skin absorption of pesticide is readily known, the expected values of daily dose for an operator or pilot may significantly rise due to the extended contact period. This study produced field data on the surface contamination of spray equipment used for ground and aerial applications. If field data on precise work practice (time‐motion) observations are incorporated, it may be possible to estimate the potential exposure of operator/pilot due to hand contact with contaminated surfaces.     

Simulation of a Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS) spill in the marine environment: Lethal and sublethal effects of acrylonitrile to the European seabass

Despite the extensive maritime transportation of Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS), there is a current lack of knowledge on the effects posed by HNS spills on the marine biota. Among the HNS identified as priority, acrylonitrile was selected to conduct ecotoxicological assays. We assessed the acute and subletal effects of acrylonitrile in seabass, followed by a recovery phase to simulate the conditions of a spill incident. The work aimed at testing a broad range of biological responses induced by acrylonitrile. Sublethal exposure to the highest two doses increased the fish mortality rate (8.3% and 25% mortality in 0.75 and 2 mg L⁻¹ acrylonitrile concentrations), whereas no mortality were observed in control and 0.15 mg L⁻¹ treatments. Additionally, important alterations at sub-individual level were observed. Acrylonitrile significantly induced the activities of Catalase– CAT and Glutathione S-Transferase – GST; and the levels of DNA damage were significantly increased. Conversely, Superoxide Dismutase– SOD – activity was found to be significantly inhibited and no effects were found on Lipid Peroxidation– LPO and ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase – EROD – activity. Following a 7 d recovery period, the levels of CAT, GST and EROD fell to levels at or below those in the control. In the 2 mg L⁻¹ group, SOD remained at the levels found during exposure phase. This study has gathered essential information on the acute and subletal toxicity of acrylonitrile to seabass. It also demonstrated that 7 d recovery allowed a return of most endpoints to background levels. These data will be useful to assist relevant bodies in preparedness and response to HNS spills.     

生态土壤渗滤系统启动周期研究

利用室内模拟试验装置,考察了4种生态土壤渗滤系统在0.1 m3/(m2·d)的水力负荷条件下对生活污水中TP、COD和NH3-N的去除效果及启动周期; 同时对整个系统及同类生态工艺启动周期的判断方法做了探讨.研究结果表明,生态土壤渗滤系统对TP、COD和NH3-N的启动周期分别为15～27 d、24～40 d和24～26 d; 土壤渗滤系统对TP的启动周期最短,对COD的启动周期最长; 处理系统启动周期的判断原则是综合考察系统对主要污染物各自的启动周期,以最长的作为系统启动周期.4组试验中,1#和2#系统的启动周期为40 d; 3#和4#的为24 d.     

垃圾堆肥场堆肥废气环境影响评价分析

垃圾堆肥场的建设将改变目前垃圾任意堆放的局面 ,堆肥产品可用于林业使垃圾得到无害化处理 ,并变废为宝。尽管如此在垃圾堆肥过程中还将释放出有害气体和垃圾渗透液等影响环境质量。针对堆肥所产生的大气污染物进行源强确定、扩散计算 ,分析其影响范围并推算卫生防护距离。     

基于轮廓似然函数的PM_(10)极值浓度分析

以R软件为分析工具,选择GEV(generalized extreme value distribution)模型拟合四川省泸州市2003～2007年期间PM10每月最高日平均浓度数据,采用极大似然法估计模型的3个参数即位置参数、尺度参数、形状参数,利用所得的参数估计值计算得出某一标准值(如GB3095—1996)的重现期;进一步利用参数估计值计算轮廓似然函数,估计某一段固定时间间隔的PM10浓度的重现值以及其置信区间。结果表明,GEV模型能很好地拟合泸州市PM10数据,利用轮廓似然函数估计的不同时间间隔的重现值准确度高,统计结果可以为环境主管部门发布污染状况预警信息提供参考。     

浅析总量监测中"生产周期"的确定及频次优化

根据排污周期确定加密监测采样频次,用实例说明有规律排污过程的生产特点,提出固定频次法进行监测频次优化的应用建议。     

中国转型期水环境治理中的政府责任研究

水环境问题已成为制约我国长期可持续发展的主要瓶颈.如何有效治理水环境问题已引起全社会的普遍关注.本文在全面分析水环境公共物品属性以及水环境问题的客观现实的基础上,论证了政府承担治理水环境责任的必要性.进而对现阶段政府承担的水环境治理责任进行研究,归纳出其环境治理责任主要有财政责任、制度责任、监管责任和社会整合责任.然后对水环境治理中政府责任存在的现实问题进行深入分析,揭示其问题主要表现为:责任主体边界模糊、责任分布以“行政”为主导、责任履行中“越位”与“缺位”并存、责任种类中重直接投入轻间接引导.最后,提出水环境治理中的政府责任应该在坚持财权与事权统一、政府主导与责任分担统一、制度设计、监管与实施合理分离、政府引导与社会参与相结合的原则基础上,按照分类、分项、分级来构建转型期水环境治理中政府的应然责任框架体系.     

暴雨泥石流暴发的准周期性探讨

泥石流是山区的主要灾害类型，其发生条件和暴发规律尚在探索之中，泥石流过程本质上并不是纯随机事件，地形坡度，暴雨强度和风化岩土物质积累的组合决定了泥石流的规模，人们推测其暴发具有周期性，但并没有得到直接的证据。作者从山坡松散物质积累条件和泥石流暴发的概率分布出发，在考虑其发生规模的前提下，论证了泥石流暴发风险具有周期性，并且给出了其风险度及暴大风险重现期的估算公式，理论研究和调查结果表明，泥石流间隔期越长，其发长的规模将越大，这在制定山区防灾对策中应该特别注意。     

Degradation of Polylactic Acid (PLA) Plastic in Costa Rican Soil and Iowa State University Compost Rows

In this study the degradation of polylactic acid (PLA) plastic films in Costa Rican soil and in a leaf composting environment was investigated. Three types of PLA films were used: Ch-I, (PLA monolayer plastic films from Chronopol, Golden, CO), GII (PLA trilayer plastic films from Cargill Dow Polymers LLC, Minnetonka, MN), and Ca-I (PLA monolayer plastic films from Cargill Dow Polymers LLC). The average soil temperature and moisture content in Costa Rica were 27°C and 80%, respectively. The average degradation rate of PLA plastic films in the soil of the banana field was 7675 M _w/week. Two compost rows were set up at the Iowa State University (ISU) (Ames) compost site. Temperature and relative humidity of the compost rows were kept at 55 ± 5°C and 50 ± 10% RH, respectively. The degradation rates of GII and Ca-I in the compost rows were 113,290 and 71,283 M _w/week, respectively. Therefore, it was estimated that in Costa Rican soil and in compost rows, PLA would be visibly degraded in 6 months and in 3 weeks, respectively.