Risk assessment and binding mechanisms of potentially toxic metals in sediments from different water levels in a coastal wetland

The excessive accumulation of potentially toxic metals (Pb and Cd) in coastal wetlands is among the main factors threatening wetland ecosystems. However, the effects of water table depth (WTD) on the risk and binding mechanisms of potentially toxic metals in sediments remain unclear. Here, sediments from different WTD obtained from a typical coastal wetland were evaluated using a newly developed strategy based on chemical extraction methods coupled with high-resolution spectroscopy. Our findings indicated that the WTD of the coastal wetland fluctuates frequently and the average enrichment factor for Pb was categorized as minor, whereas Cd enrichment was categorized as moderate. High-resolution spectroscopy techniques also demonstrated that organic functional groups and partly inorganic compounds (e.g., Fe-O/Si-O) played a vital role in the binding of Pb and Cd to surface sediments. Additionally, mineral components rather than organic groups were mainly bound to these metals in the bottom sediments. Collectively, our findings provide key insights into the potential health effects and binding characteristics of potentially toxic metals in sediments, as well as their dynamic behavior under varying sediment depths at a microscale.     

Insights into metals in individual fine particles from municipal solid waste using synchrotron radiation-based micro-analytical techniques

Excessive inter-contamination with heavy metals hampers the application of biological treatment products derived from mixed or mechanically-sorted municipal solid waste (MSW). In this study, we investigated fine particles of < 2 mm, which are small fractions in MSW but constitute a significant component of the total heavy metal content, using bulk detection techniques. A total of 17 individual fine particles were evaluated using synchrotron radiation-based micro-X-ray fluorescence and micro-X-ray diffraction. We also discussed the association, speciation and source apportionment of heavy metals. Metals were found to exist in a diffuse distribution with heterogeneous intensities and intense hot-spots of < 10 μm within the fine particles. Zn-Cu, Pb-Fe and Fe-Mn-Cr had significant correlations in terms of spatial distribution. The overlapped enrichment, spatial association, and the mineral phases of metals revealed the potential sources of fine particles from size-reduced waste fractions (such as scraps of organic wastes or ceramics) or from the importation of other particles. The diverse sources of heavy metal pollutants within the fine particles suggested that separate collection and treatment of the biodegradable waste fraction (such as food waste) is a preferable means of facilitating the beneficial utilization of the stabilized products.     

Rapid and simple spectrophotometric determination of persulfate in water by microwave assisted decolorization of Methylene Blue

A rapid and simple method for determination of persulfate in aqueous solution was developed. The method is based on the rapid reaction of persulfate with Methylene Blue(MB) via domestic microwave activation, which can promote the activation of persulfate and decolorize MB quickly. The depletion of MB at 644 nm(the maximum absorption wavelength of MB) is in proportion to the increasing concentration of persulfate in aqueous solution. Linear calibration curve was obtained in the range 0–1.5 mmol/L, with a limit of detection of 0.0028 mmol/L. The reaction time is rapid(within 60 sec), which is much shorter than that used for conventional methods. Compared with existing analytical methods, it need not any additives, especially colorful Fe2+, and need not any pretreatment for samples, such as p H adjustment.     

Synergistic effect of ozonation and ionizing radiation for PVA decomposition

Ozonation and ionizing radiation are both advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) without chemical addition and secondary pollution. Also, the two processes'' efficiency is determined by different pH conditions, which creates more possibilities for their combination. Importantly, the combined process of ozonation and ionizing radiation could be suitable for treating wastewaters with extreme pH values, i.e., textile wastewater. To find synergistic effects, the combined process of ozonation and ionizing radiation mineralization was investigated for degradation of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) at different pH levels. A synergistic effect was found at initial pH in the range 3.0–9.4. When the initial pH was 3.0, the combined process of ozonation and ionizing radiation gave a PVA mineralization degree of 17%. This was 2.7 times the sum achieved by the two individual processes, and factors of 2.1 and 1.7 were achieved at initial pH of 7.0 and 9.4, respectively. The combined process of ozonation and ionizing radiation was demonstrated to be a feasible strategy for treatment of PVA-containing wastewater.     

Microwave-assisted continuous flow phytosynthesis of silver nanoparticle/reduced graphene oxide composites and related visible light catalytic performance

The creation of an environmentally friendly synthesis method for silver nanomaterials (AgNPs) is an urgent concern for sustainable nanotechnology development. In the present study, a novel straightforward and green method for the preparation of silver nanoparticle/reduced graphene oxide (AgNP/rGO) composites was successfully developed through the combination of phytosynthesis, continuous flow synthesis and microwave-assistance. Oriental persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.) extracts were used as both plant reducing and capping agents for fast online synthesis of AgNP/rGO composites. The experimental parameters were optimized and the morphologies of the prepared materials were investigated. The characterization results reveal that spherical AgNPs were quickly synthesized and uniformly dispersed on rGO sheets using the proposed online system. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis confirmed that phenols, flavonoids, and other substances in the plant extracts played a decisive role in the synthesis of AgNP/rGO composites. Using sodium borohydride (NaBH₄) degradation of p-nitrophenol (4-NP) as a model, the catalytic activity of the prepared AgNP/rGO materials was evaluated. The complete degradation of 4-NP was achieved within 12 min through the use of AgNP/rGO materials, and the composite had a much better catalytic activity than the bare AgNPs and rGO had. Compared with the conventional chemical method, our online method is facile, fast, cost-efficient, and environmentally friendly.     

热沉技术在高低温低气压试验箱中的应用

在高低温低气压试验中,由于空气稀薄,其温度均匀性试验已经无法用空气对流来实现了,只能通过的辐射和传导来实现和达到试验温度的均匀。在这种试验状况下,往往试验所得的温度、湿度的均匀性偏差很大。要实现较好的温度均匀性十分困难。我们将高真空领域中的热沉技术即辐射换热方式,运用到高(低)温低气压试验箱中,通过多个几何平面的辐射和传导,达到较为理想的试验参数。     

GSM移动通信基站电磁辐射环境影响分析

本文阐述了电磁辐射的相关理论、电磁辐射环境的评价标准以及基站的工作原理,对电磁环境进行了理论预测,对不同的天线增益下的电磁辐射功率密度值进行了计算,得到了在天线增益15dBi、17dBi和18dBi三种情况下与天线不同直线距离的预测点的功率密度预测值,并对功率密度预测值进行了分析。     

对定标用标准紫外辐射光源性能指标的探讨

紫外辐射是模拟环境条件测试的重要组成部分,对紫外辐射强度、剂量等的定标对于老化耐久实验数据的准确性和可靠性具有重要意义。本文通过实验手段对目前常见的定标用紫外标准光源的技术指标进行分析,同时对该类光源的性能指标未来的改进方向进行探讨,并提出了改进设计方案。     

Effect of Tinospora cordifolia on the reduction of ultraviolet radiation‐induced cytotoxicity and DNA damage in PC12 cells

The safety of Tinospora cordifolia and its potential to protect against ultraviolet radiation‐induced cytotoxicity and DNA damage in PC12 cells were investigated. To evaluate the safety of T. cordifolia, cell viability and agarose gel electrophoresis were carried out using PC12 cells treated with 0 to 100 μg mL^?1 of methanol extract of T. cordifolia. T. cordifolia extracts did not show cytotoxicity ranging 0 to 100 μg mL^?1. In addition, T. cordifolia extracts significantly increased cell viability at 1 ng, 10 ng and 1 μg mL^?1 concentrations in serum‐deprived medium compared to control. To confirm the protective role against UV‐induced damage, PC12 cells alone or in the presence of 10 ng, 100 ng, or 1 μg mL^?1 of T. cordifolia extract were exposed to 250, 270 and 290 nm of UV radiation, which corresponded to doses of 120, 150 and 300 mJ cm^?2, respectively. Treatment with T. cordifolia extracts significantly increased the cell survival rate irradiated at 290 nm. In addition, T. cordifolia extracts significantly reduced cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer formation induced by UV irradiation at all wavelengths. In conclusion, T. cordifolia is not toxic and safe for cells. Our findings can support its application as phototherapy in the medical sector.