Continuous biohydrogen production from diluted molasses in an anaerobic contact reactor

An anaerobic contact reactor (ACR) system comprising a continuous flow stirred tank reactor (CSTR) with settler to decouple the hydraulic retention time (HRT) from solids retention time (SRT) was developed for fermentative hydrogen production from diluted molasses by mixed microbial cultures. The ACR was operated at various volumetric loading rates (VLRs) of 20–44 kgCOD·m^-3·d^-1 with constant HRT of 6 h under mesophilic conditions of 35°C. The SRT was maintained at about 46–50 h in the system. At the initial VLR of 20 kgCOD·m^-3·d^-1, the hydrogen production rate dropped from 22.6 to 1.58 L·d^-1 as the hydrogen was consumed by the hydrogentrophic methanogen. After increasing the VLR to 28 kgCOD·m^-3·d^-1 and discharging the sludge for 6 consecutive times, the hydrogentrophic methanogens were eliminated, and the hydrogen content reached 36.4%. As the VLR was increased to 44 kgCOD·m^-3·d^-1, the hydrogen production rate and hydrogen yield increased to 42.1 L·d^-1 and 1.40 mol H₂·molglucose-consumed^-1, respectively. The results showed that a stable ethanol-type fermentation that favored hydrogen production in the reactor was thus established with the sludge loading rate (SLR) of 2.0–2.5 kgCOD·kgMLVSS^-1·d^-1. It was found that the ethanol increased more than other liquid fermentation products, and the ethanol/acetic acid (mol/mol) ratio increased from 1.27 to 2.45 when the VLR increased from 28 to 44 kgCOD·m^-3·d^-1, whereas the hydrogen composition decreased from 40.4% to 36.4%. The results suggested that the anaerobic contact reactor was a promising bioprocess for fermentative hydrogen production.     

Automated indirect fluoride determination by ICP-OES using discontinuous-flow analysis

An automated method for the indirect determination of fluoride by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry using discontinuous-flow analysis has been developed. A modified flow injection analysis system was used for sample preparation. The method is based on the determination of excess cerium(III) ion after precipitation of CeF₃. Separation of the precipitate is performed online on a syringe membrane filter that is cleaned each analysis cycle by 1 M nitric acid, ensuring a long life-time for the filter. As a result of the short reaction time, a detection limit of 9.5 mg L^?1 was obtained. The precision (RSD) of the proposed method is 1.02% at fluoride concentration of 28 mg L^?1. The applicability of the technique for groundwater monitoring of fluoride-contaminated area is demonstrated.     

Producing Cu-loaded algae for feeding experiments: effects of copper on Parachlorella kessleri

Microalgae require several essential metals for optimum growth, which at elevated concentrations may interfere with biochemical and physiological processes, one of them being copper (Cu). The aim of this study is to raise Cu-loaded Parachlorella kessleri as feed for mussels. In order to spike the algae with Cu without lowering their nutritional quality, it is important to know the highest Cu-concentration at which the main parameters remain unaffected, especially in respect to proteins and polysaccharides. The dependence of growth rate, biomass, chlorophyll-a and -b, pheophytin-a, protein, and polysaccharide contents on Cu concentrations are determined. The tests show that P. kessleri is largely unchanged in its nutritional value when exposed to Cu at levels of up to 6?µmol?L^?1. Above 10?µmol?L^?1, toxic effects become obvious, with chlorophyll contents and growth rate being the most sensitive indicators.     

全球沙尘气溶胶源汇分布及其变化特征的模拟分析

根据全球沙尘气溶胶气候模式GEM-AQ/EC模拟的1995~2004年的沙尘起沙量和干湿沉降量,分析了沙尘气溶胶源汇的全球时空变化特征.全球沙尘起沙量集中在各个主要沙漠地区,北非对全球沙尘气溶胶贡献最大为66.6%.沙尘气溶胶沉降的高值区分布在沙漠源区及其紧临的下风地区.最大净沙尘气溶胶接收主要分布在沙漠周围地区并形成净接收量大于10t/(km2×a)的位于0°N~60°N之间的北非、欧亚大陆、西太平洋、北印度洋、北美和大西洋的带状分布.在北非、阿拉伯半岛、中亚、东亚和澳大利亚5个主要沙漠地区中,起沙量和沉降量都存在明显的季节变化,除中亚其他4个区域干湿沉降量和起沙的季节变化基本一致;东亚地区沙尘气溶胶起沙量和总沉降量的季节变化最为明显,而北非沙漠起沙量和总沉降量的季节变化最小,其他3个区域的季节变化幅度基本相同.中亚起沙峰值和阿拉伯半岛起沙次峰值出现在夏季,其他区域的峰值均出现在春季.10年间全球陆地年平均起沙量为(1500±94)Mt,保持略微上升趋势.以北非沙漠起沙量年际变化率最低(6.3%), 而以东亚(28.3%)和澳大利亚(45.0%)起沙量年际变化最为明显;全球陆地的沙尘气溶胶沉降量以约9.9Mt/a的速率递减,全球海洋的沙尘气溶胶沉降递增.     

Assessment of potentially toxic elements in Swiss chard and sediments of Akaki River,Ethiopia

For the determination of 15 potentially toxic elements (V, Cr, Fe, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Ag, Cd, Sn, Hg, and Pb) in plant and sediment samples of the Akaki River, Ethiopia, inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry, and a RA-915+ mercury analyzer were applied. Sediment and plant samples were mineralized using a closed-vessel microwave-assisted digestion system. The elemental concentrations varied considerably in plant and sediment samples. The minimum concentration was observed for known toxic elements (As, Hg, and Cd) while the highest concentration was observed for the elements of relatively low toxicity Zn, Mn, and Fe. The concentration of Cr, Fe, Pb, Zn, and As in Swiss chard surpassed the maximum permissible levels at specific sites. At some of the sites, the sediment quality guidelines are surpassed for Cu, Zn, and Pb.     

Effects of the level of dietary protein on the toxicity of hexachlorocyclohexane in rats

Male albino rats were fed for 28 days from weaning on diets containing 5% (group 1), 10% (group 2) and 21% (group 3, normal protein) protein as casein. At the end of dietary period, HCH was administered daily for 30 days to investigate the interaction between protein deficiency and pesticide toxicity. The results indicated that rats fed a lower protein diet and HCH had a higher mortality, lower rate of growth, increased liver weight and deposition of the pesticide in blood and tissues in larger amounts. Blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) was significantly increased and the heart rate showed tachycardia in low protein exposed animals. A significant increase of total lipids, cholesterol, triglycirides, free fatty acids in serum and tissues of animals exposed to low protein was observed. A close correlation existed between lipid accumulation and storage of HCH in tissues and dietary protein seemed to play an important role in detoxification.     

Assessment of hydrocarbon emissions from diesel invert mud residues treated in a bioreactor

Hydrocarbon emissions from a diesel invert mud residue (DIMR) were monitored while the hydrocarbons were being biodegraded in a solid‐phase bioreactor. Five to twenty percent of the reduction in diesel hydrocarbons was attributed to evaporation depending on the treatment, i.e. homogenization, cultivation, and aeration. Most of these volatile hydrocarbons were linear C₈ — C₁₂ alkanes and one‐ring aromatics. Of the treatments aeration had the largest effect on emissions; forced air through the bottom of the bioreactor cells increased emissions by three times over that of the non‐aerated cells. Cultivation increased hydrocarbon emission concentration as much as twofold over the pre‐cultivation value, however, emissions returned to the original levels within 12 hours. Homogenization had the least effect of all treatments. Diurnally, the emission rate was 40% higher in late afternoon than at midnight; the cause of which was probably atmospheric fluctuations such as temperature and solar radiation. The effects of daily atmospheric fluctuations were empirically modeled and taken into account for determining the total volume of emissions.     

Particulate and semivolatile associated aliphatic hydrocarbon exhaust emission from heavy duty diesel vehicles

The exhaust emissions from two heavy duty diesel vehicles running on eight different fuel compositions were investigated regarding their content of high molecular weight (≥ C₁₂) aliphatic/ olefinic hydrocarbons. It was concluded that the emitted amount of semi‐volatile associated aliphatic hydrocarbons (range C₁₂‐C₂₂) depend on the fuel used in the engines and that these emissions mainly consisted of uncombusted fuel components. It was also found that uncombusted engine lubrication oil was the main constituent of the emitted particulate associated aliphatic hydrocarbons (C₁₇‐C₄₀). These constituted between 58% and 95% of the total emissions of the high molecular weight aliphatic compounds. Emission factors for the total of high molecular aliphatic hydrocarbons (C₁₂‐C₄₀) were demonstrated to be in the range of 15–100 mg/km. Some individual aliphatic hydrocarbons with cocarcinogenic effects were identified and quantified in both particulate and semi‐volatile phases of the exhaust. Multivariate data analysis was used to investigate the relationship between fuel parameters and emission of semi‐volatile aliphatic emission.     

太原市多环芳烃(PAHs)排放清单与分布特征分析

根据太原市11种主要排放源的排放因子和活动量数据,估算了美国国家环境保护局(US EPA)优先控制污染物清单中16种多环芳烃(PAHs)的年排放量.结果表明2010年太原市16种PAHs的排放量约为332.10t,其中7种致癌性PAHs排放总量为35.11t.从排放源看,生活燃煤和炼焦煤是太原市排放PAHs的主要来源,占总排放量的65%以上.从各地区的PAHs排放情况看,排放量最大的地区是清徐县(87t/a),占总排放的27%.其次为古交市(54t/a)、晋源区(44t/a)、尖草坪区(40t/a).各地区人均收入与单位GDP排放量之间呈负相关 (R2=0.727);各地区PAHs排放量与农村人口之间呈正相关(R2=0.813),从排放谱看,排放以低环PAHs为主(81%),致癌性PAHs占总排放量的10.6%.结果表明,太原市PAHs的排放与太原市特殊的能源结构和人群结构有关.     

多基质时厌氧氨氧化菌、异养反硝化污泥活性及抑制特征

以厌氧氨氧化污泥(AAOB)和各种有机物混合,AAOB分别与异养甲醇反硝化菌和城市污水处理厂活性污泥相混合为研究对象,考察了多种基质(醇类、糖类)时自养、异养反硝化菌群的活性及其相应的抑制特征.结果表明,醇类有机物对AAOB的活性有明显抑制作用,甲醇的抑制性最强,当甲醇为5.48mmol/L时,AAOB活性了损失2/3.而乙酸钠对AAOB有一定的促进作用,另外,葡萄糖、乳糖和蔗糖等糖类有机物对AAOB的影响较小.此外,试验发现经驯化的甲醇反硝化菌能利用各种醇类完成异养短程反硝化.对于活性污泥,利用乙酸钠实现短程反硝化的能力优于甲醇、乙醇、葡萄糖和乳糖.混合试验中,正丙醇导致AAOB和甲醇反硝化菌混合菌群中AAOB活性下降,并且在与甲醇反硝化菌的竞争中处于劣势.乙酸钠对于AAOB和活性污泥混合菌群中AAOB的影响较小.