Primary neuronal-astrocytic co-culture platform for neurotoxicity assessment of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

Plastics such as polyvinyl chlorides （PVC） are widely used in many indoor constructed environments; however, their unbound chemicals, such as di-（2-ethylhexyl） phthalates （DEHP）, can leach into the surrounding environment. This study focused on DEHP＇s effect on the central nervous system by determining the precise DEHP content in mice brain tissue after exposure to the chemical, to evaluate the specific exposure range. Primary neuronal-astrocyte co-culture systems were used as in vitro models for chemical hazard identification of DEHP. Oxidative stress was hypothesized as a probable mechanism involved, and therefore the total reactive oxygen species （ROS） concentration was determined as a biomarker of oxidative stress. In addition, NeuriteTracer, a neurite tracing plugin with ImageJ, was used to develop an assay for neurotoxicity to provide quantitative measurements of neurological parameters, such as neuronal number, neuron count and neurite length, all of which could indicate neurotoxic effects. The results showed that with 1 nmol/L DEHP exposure, there was a significant increase in ROS concentrations, indicating that the neuronal-astrocyte cultures were injured due to exposure to DEHP. In response, astrocyte proliferation （gliosis） was initiated, serving as a mechanism to maintain a homeostatic environment for neurons and protect neurons from toxic chemicals. There is a need to assess the cumulative effects of DEHP in animals to evaluate the possible uotake and effects on the human neuronal system from exoosure to DEHP in the indoor environment.     

Unregulated emissions from diesel engine with particulate filter using Fe-based fuel borne catalyst

The alteration and formation of toxic compounds and potential changes in the toxicity of emissions when using after-treatment technologies have gained wide attention. Volatile organic compound（VOC）, carbonyl compound and particle-phase polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon（PAH） emissions were tested at European Steady State Cycle（ESC） to study unregulated emissions from a diesel engine with a fuel-borne catalyst and diesel particulate filter（FBC–DPF）. An Fe-based fuel-borne catalyst was used for this study. According to the results, brake specific emissions of total VOCs without and with DPF were 4.7 and4.9 mg/kWh, respectively, showing a 4.3% increase. Benzene and n-undecane emissions increased and toluene emission decreased, while other individual VOC emissions basically had no change. When retrofitted with the FBC–DPF, total carbonyl compound emission decreased 15.7%, from 25.8 to 21.8 mg/kWh. The two highest carbonyls, formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, were reduced from 20.0 and 3.7 to 16.5 and 3.3 mg/kWh respectively. The specific reactivity（SR） with DPF was reduced from 6.68 to 6.64 mg/kWh. Total particle-phase PAH emissions decreased 66.4% with DPF compared to that without DPF. However, the Benzo[a]pyrene equivalent（BaPeq） with DPF had increased from 0.016 to 0.030 mg/kWh.Fluoranthene and Pyrene had the greatest decrease, 91.1% and 88.4% respectively. The increase of two- and three-ring PAHs with DPF indicates that the fuel-borne catalyst caused some gas-phase PAHs to adsorb on particles. The results of this study expand the knowledge of the effects of using a particulate filter and a Fe-based fuel-borne catalyst on diesel engine unregulated emissions.     

Compositions and sources of organic acids in fine particles (PM2.5) over the Pearl River Delta region, south China

Organic acids as important constituents of organic aerosols not only influence the aerosols' hygroscopic property, but also enhance the formation of new particles and secondary organic aerosols. This study reported organic acids including C14–C32fatty acids, C4–C9dicarboxylic acids and aromatic acids in PM2.5collected during winter 2009 at six typical urban, suburban and rural sites in the Pearl River Delta region. Averaged concentrations of C14–C32fatty acids, aromatic acids and C4– C9 dicarboxylic acids were 157, 72.5 and 50.7 ng/m3, respectively. They totally accounted for 1.7% of measured organic carbon. C20–C32fatty acids mainly deriving from higher plant wax showed the highest concentration at the upwind rural site with more vegetation around, while C14–C18fatty acids were more abundant at urban and suburban sites, and dicarboxylic acids and aromatic acids except 1,4-phthalic acid peaked at the downwind rural site. Succinic and azelaic acid were the most abundant among C4–C9dicarboxylic acids, and 1,2-phthalic and 1,4-phthalic acid were dominant aromatic acids. Dicarboxylic acids and aromatic acids exhibited significant mutual correlations except for 1,4-phthalic acid, which was probably primarily emitted from combustion of solid wastes containing polyethylene terephthalate plastics. Spatial patterns and correlations with typical source tracers suggested that C14–C32fatty acids were mainly primary while dicarboxylic and aromatic acids were largely secondary. Principal component analysis resolved six sources including biomass burning, natural higher plant wax, two mixed anthropogenic and two secondary sources; further multiple linear regression revealed their contributions to individual organic acids. It turned out that more than 70% of C14–C18fatty acids were attributed to anthropogenic sources, about 50%–85% of the C20–C32fatty acids were attributed to natural sources, 80%–95% of dicarboxylic acids and 1,2-phthalic acid were secondary in contrast with that 81% of 1,4-phthalic acid was primary.     

Fouling distribution in forward osmosis membrane process

Fouling behavior along the length of membrane module was systematically investigated by performing simple modeling and lab-scale experiments of forward osmosis （FO） membrane process. The flux distribution model developed in this study showed a good agreement with experimental results, validating the robustness of the model. This model demonstrated, as expected, that the permeate flux decreased along the membrane channel due to decreasing osmotic pressure differential across the FO membrane. A series of fouling experiments were conducted under the draw and feed solutions at various recoveries simulated by the model. The simulated fouling experiments revealed that higher organic （alginate） fouling and thus more flux decline were observed at the last section of a membrane channel, as foulants in feed solution became more concentrated. Furthermore, the water flux in FO process declined more severely as the recovery increased due to more foulants transported to membrane surface with elevated solute concentrations at higher recovery, which created favorable solution environments for organic adsorption. The fouling reversibility also decreased at the last section of the membrane channel, suggesting that fouling distribution on FO membrane along the module should be carefully examined to improve overall cleaning efficiency. Lastly, it was found that such fouling distribution observed with co-current flow operation became less pronounced in counter- current flow operation of FO membrane process.     

江苏如东互花米草盐沼湿地重金属分布及其污染评价

为了解互花米草(Spartina alterniflora)对盐沼湿地环境的影响,于2010年7月在江苏如东潮间带,依据互花米草的有无及其长势设置站点,对表层沉积物的8种重金属含量、粒度组成、总有机碳进行分析,采用地累积指数法(Igeo)和Hkanson潜在生态风险指数法进行污染评价.结果表明,如东滩涂表层沉积物中Pb、Cd、As、Hg、Cr、Cu、Ni、Zn的平均含量低于海洋沉积物标准I类,其中Cd、Hg、Ni、Zn的含量高于中国大陆沉积物-浅海粉砂背景值.整体上,8种元素在米草覆盖区平均含量均高于邻近光滩.地累积指数显示该盐沼带重金属为无污染状态,而Hkanson潜在生态风险评价显示为低污染和中度污染的临界状态,风险指数为低;两方法均显示该区域污染以Cd和Hg最重.由海向陆随米草长势渐好(垂直岸线断面),As、Cu及Hg元素的含量、地累积指数、潜在生态风险系数呈渐增趋势;拓殖1年左右的米草斑块区内(平行岸线断面),8种元素在植被覆盖区的含量、污染程度及潜在生态风险均高于邻近无植被覆盖区.此外,斑块分布区中,Cd、Cu含量显著低于垂直断面的茂盛分布区.互花米草是大部分重金属污染物在沉积物中富集的重要驱动力之一,且互花米草群落可阻滞污染物直接扩散入海,因而降低生态危害.互花米草对重金属分布的影响与米草的拓植年限、金属元素存在形态和来源有关.     

重金属抗性解磷细菌的磷溶解特性研究

从湖南省湘西州花垣县的铅锌矿表层土壤中,筛选出两株具有重金属抗性和解磷特性的细菌T PSB1和T PSB2.通过16S rRNA基因序列比对,分别鉴定为嗜麦芽寡养单胞菌(Stenotrophomonas maltophilia)和唐菖蒲伯克霍尔德菌(Burkholderia gladioli).T PSB1和T PSB2在含有难溶性无机磷液体培养基中,其上清液的可溶性磷含量最高分别达到了402.9 mg·L-1和589.9 mg·L-1;在难溶性有机磷固体和液体培养基中,固体平板上均出现解磷圈,而液体培养基上清液中,可溶性磷含量也分别达到了2.97 mg·L-1和4.69 mg·L-1.另外,两株细菌对重金属Zn2+的抗性最高,在其浓度为2000 mg·L-1固体和液体培养基条件下均可以生长,磷溶解浓度分别为114.8 mg·L-1和125.1 mg·L-1.而在含铬和铅的浓度为1 000 mg·L-1的液体培养基中,两株细菌同样表现出重金属抗性.在Pb2+浓度为1000 mg·L-1的液体培养基中,磷溶解浓度分别达到了57.9 mg·L-1和71.7 mg·L-1;而在Cr2+浓度为1000 mg·L-1的培养基中磷溶解浓度分别为60.1 mg·L-1和98.4 mg·L-1.     

活性炭催化过氧化氢去除荧光增白剂

研究了活性炭(activated carbon,AC)吸附、改性活性炭(activated carbon modified,ACM)吸附、过氧化氢(H2O2)氧化、AC催化H2O2等方法对水体中荧光增白剂VBL的处理效果,并通过自由基俘获剂叔丁醇、催化过程气体分析等探讨了AC催化H2O2分解VBL的机制.结果表明,经硝酸铁[Fe(NO3)3]改性过的ACM对VBL的吸附去除率高于未改性的AC.活性炭催化H2O2对VBL的去除效果明显,但未改性AC催化去除率高于ACM.60 min时,AC催化氧化去除率即可达到95%以上,而ACM仅为58%.叔丁醇的加入降低了AC和ACM催化氧化对VBL的去除率,表明AC催化H2O2氧化能促进H2O2形成羟基自由基(·OH)和原子氧参与反应.AC催化H2O2分解及释放气体分析表明,AC能催化H2O2形成氧气并放热,且ACM明显快于AC.结合催化H2O2去除VBL效率的结果分析,ACM催化反应时活性中间物(自由基和原子氧等)产生速率快于AC,活性中间物自身消耗形成氧气,而不是用于分解VBL.催化反应中活性中间产物的形成速率与反应物供给速率的不匹配可能是导致ACM催化效果弱于AC的重要原因.     

再悬浮过程中河流底泥PAHs的迁移与释放

利用再悬浮模拟(particle entrainment simulator,PES)装置模拟了河流底泥在受到上层扰动力后的再悬浮过程.结果表明,沉积物性质如粒径组成及PAHs含量对沉积物再悬浮过程中PAHs的释放影响显著.再悬浮过程中上覆水体总悬浮颗粒物(total suspended solids,TSS)含量与颗粒态PAHs之间存在极显著相关关系.切应力对再悬浮过程中PAHs释放的影响体现在两方面.一方面,单位体积的颗粒态PAHs随切应力增大而增大;另一方面,悬浮颗粒上PAHs的富集效应随切应力增大而减弱,是由于切应力强烈导致吸附作用弱的大颗粒进入水体.上覆水体中的PAHs总量在一段时间上升后于120 min或240min趋于稳定,而颗粒态与溶解态之间具有良好响应.高低环PAHs释放行为差异显著,由于中高环PAHs的疏水性,上覆水体中检测到的多为3~4环个体.     

微生物电解系统生物阴极的硫酸盐还原特性研究

针对传统硫酸盐生物还原方法中供氢体系能耗大和氢气利用率低的特点,构建双极室微生物电解系统(microbial electrolysis system,MES),研究了微生物利用阴极作为电子供体去除废水中硫酸盐及电子利用的特性.外加电压为0.8 V时,MES生物阴极在36 h内SO2-4平均去除量为109.8 mg·L-1,平均还原速率可达73.2 mg·(L·d)-1.运行时MES的最高电流密度为50~60 A·m-3,电子回收率为(43.3±10.7)%,约90%的电子被用于还原SO2-4.微生物利用MES阴极产生的H2作为电子供体还原SO2-4,主要还原产物为溶解态的S2-和气态的H2S,还原过程主要发生在前12 h.对MES施加不同外加电压的实验显示,外加电压为0.8 V时的SO2-4去除率和电荷量都比0.4 V时高;但0.4 V情形下MES的电子回收率可达到70%,且周期结束时阴极H2低于检出限,推测微生物可以直接利用阴极的电子从而提高了能量效率.实验结果最终表明,微生物可利用MES的阴极进行代谢去除废水中的SO2-4,阳极微生物产生电子降低了系统能耗,这为含硫酸盐废水的高效低耗处理提供了新的研究思路.     

北京市PM5.0可吸入颗粒物反演及其时空分布分析

分析城市可吸入颗粒物的空间特征及影响因素对于制定更为有效的可吸入颗粒物污染控制政策具有重要的现实意义.本研究在实际采样和遥感数据处理基础上,构造差值植被指数(DVI),通过建立TM影像与对应PM5.0颗粒物实测值之间的相关关系模型,对北京市2008~2010年3 a的PM5.0的分布进行了反演计算和精度分析;研究了NDBI和NDMI对PM5.0浓度的影响,进一步揭示了北京五环区域范围内可吸入颗粒物的时空分布特征.结果表明,采用DVI反演PM5.0分布的方法可行,反演精度在可接受范围内;整体上研究区2008年PM5.0颗粒物污染最轻,西南三环和四环以及东南三四环之间为颗粒物污染的高值区,西北五环附近颗粒物污染较轻;NDBI(归一化建筑指数)、NDMI(归一化水汽指数)与PM5.0可吸入颗粒物的分布分别呈现显著的负相关和正相关关系,且二者对PM5.0的影响相近.