Emission estimation and congener-specific characterization of polybrominated diphenyl ethers from various stationary and mobile sources

Here we show that combustion sources, including waste incinerators, metallurgical processes, power-heating systems and so on, are also important emitters of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) to the atmosphere. Geometric mean PBDE concentrations in the stack flue gases of the combustion sources ranged from 8.07 to 469 ng/Nm³. The sinter plants (24.7 mg/h), electric arc furnaces (EAFs) (11.3 mg/h) and power plants (50.8 mg/h) possessed the largest PBDE emission rates, which were several orders higher than those of the other reported sources. The occurrences of the PBDEs in the flue gases of the power plants and vehicles, as well as their PBDE concentrations statistically highly correlated with combustion-originated PCDD/Fs, revealing that PBDEs should be the products of combustion. The ranking of major PBDE emission sources in Taiwanese PBDE inventory for combustion sources was power plants (30.85 kg/year), vehicles (14.9 kg/year) and metallurgical processes (5.88 kg/year).     

可燃气体(液体蒸气)爆炸测试装置的改进研究

以可燃气体(液体蒸气)爆炸测试装置改进为主线,综述国内外各种测试装置的优缺点。对不同装置、测试方法以及测试原理进行比较分析,研讨可燃气体爆炸的特点和爆炸参数测试方法以及对现有测试装置的改进方案。即对20 L爆炸测试装置的配气系统和控制系统进行了合理改进,使引射混合配气与循环混合配气相结合,使可燃气体(液体蒸气)与空气混合更均匀,控制操作更简便,还指出了今后研究工作中应注意的一些问题和研究重点。     

Greenhouse Gases as Clues to Permanence of Farmlands

Abstract:  Farmlands are expansive, diverse, and intensively managed ecosystems. These lands, so critical to human welfare, are threatened by growing stresses as demand for food escalates, fresh water wanes, cheap fuels deplete, and other uses jostle for space. With these coming pressures, how can we foster permanence on the lands that sustain us? In this essay I contemplate the hypothesis that the greenhouse gases, because they emanate from the interwoven flows of C, N, and energy in ecosystems, can help steer us toward permanence (sustainability). Alongside other indicators these emissions may detect the ecosystem's pulse, alerting us to inefficiencies and guiding us to better practices. To be effective signals, however, the greenhouse gases will need to be considered in their local settings, monitored longer and in more "listening places," and measured across boundaries of disciplines and biomes. This approach may help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from our farmlands. But we may find that, in the long run, the main beneficiaries of our inquiry have been, not just the atmosphere, but our fragile lands, perhaps in ways we cannot yet foresee.     

甲烷-空气预混气体泄爆过程的实验研究

对甲烷-空气预混气体在球形容器和球形管道连通容器内的泄爆过程进行实验研究,根据实验结果得出在较小的泄压面积时,与密闭容器爆炸实验比较,不能降低容器内的最大压力,反而会增大容器内的最大压力。通过实验结果分析,泄爆口安装在远离点火源的位置,当发生预混气体爆炸时能较好地降低容器内的最大压力,起到保护容器的作用。     

The Potential of Soil Carbon Sequestration Through Improved Management Practices in Norway

The study was conducted to assess the potential of Norwegian agricultural ecosystems to sequester carbon (C) based on the data from some long-term agronomic and land use experiments. The total emission of CO₂ in Norway in 1998 was 41.4 million metric ton (MMT), of which agriculture contributed only 0.157 MMT, or <0.4% of the total emissions. With regards to methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) gases, however, agricultural activities contributed 32.5% and 51.3% of their respective emissions in Norway. The soil organic carbon (SOC) losses associated with accelerated soil erosion in Norway are estimated at 0.475 MMTC yr^–1. Land use changes and soil/crop management practices with potential for SOC sequestration include conservation tillage methods, judicious use of fertilizers and manures, use of crop residues, diverse crop rotations, and erosion control measures. The potential for SOC sequestration is 0.146 MMTC yr^–1 for adopting conservation tillage, 0.011–0.035 MMTC yr^–1 for crop residue management, 0.026 MMTC yr^–1 for judicious use of mineral fertilizer, 0.016–0.135 MMTC yr^–1 for manure application, and 0.036 MMTC yr^–1 for adopting crop rotations. The overall potential of these practices for SOC sequestration ranges from 0.591 to 1.022 MMTC yr^–1 with an average value of 0.806 MMTC yr^–1. Of the total potential, 59% is due to adoption of erosion control measures, 5.8% to restoration of peat lands, 21% to conversion to conservation tillage and residue management, and 14% to adoption of improved cropping systems. Enhancing SOC sequestration and improving soil quality, through adoption of judicious land use and improved system of soil and crop management, are prudent strategies for sustainable management of soil, water and environment resources.Readers should send their comments on this paper to: bhaskarn ath@aol.com within 3 months of publication of this issue.     

METHANE FORMATION BY LAKE SEDIMENTS DURING IN VITRO INCUBATION1

ABSTRACT: Renewed (de novo) synthesis of methane gas was shown to occur when samples of lake sediment were dispersed on glass beads and incubated in a helium atmosphere at 23°C. Under the above conditions, sediment samples from hardwater and softwater lakes generated up to 440 nanomoles and 80 nanomoles per ml of sediment per two days, respectively. At the time of collection, sediment samples possessed approximately similar amounts of “native” methane. Nitrate, sulfate, and acetylene were shown to suppress methane synthesis by sediment incubated as described.     

矿井火区可燃性混合气体爆炸三角形判断法及其爆炸危险性分析

矿井火区可燃性混合气体爆炸危险性的判断 ,目前常用单纯的瓦斯爆炸三角形判别法。此法对实际的判断往往未综合考虑火区温度的影响。为此 ,笔者论述了矿井火区多种可燃性气体同时存在时 ,其混合气体爆炸三角形各参数的工程计算方法 :爆炸界限可用 Le Chatelier法 ,但需根据火区实测温度进行修正 ;爆炸时的临界氧浓度 ,则需用另一种三角形图示法予以确定。由此画出的混合气体爆炸三角形分析图 ,可用于矿井火区 ,尤其是矿井大面积火区的密闭和启封过程中 ,作为可燃性混合气体爆炸危险性的综合判断及其防爆措施的制定 ,都具有实用价值和指导意义     

涡旋脉冲反应器用于含粉尘废气的净化实验研究

提出了一种新型涡旋脉冲式反应器的结构设计。用在实验室条件下通过PVC反应器进行了含粉尘HCl废气净化试验。系统地考察了操作温度、液气比及吸收液中的HCl含量对HCl脱除率R的影响。结果表明:涡旋脉冲式反应器可以高效率地脱除废气中的HCl和粉尘,在适宜的操作条件下,HCl脱除率可达99.5%以上;粉尘去除率接近100%。     

Mitigation of methane emission from an old unlined landfill in Klintholm,Denmark using a passive biocover system

Methane generated at landfills contributes to global warming and can be mitigated by biocover systems relying on microbial methane oxidation. As part of a closure plan for an old unlined landfill without any gas management measures, an innovative biocover system was established. The system was designed based on a conceptual model of the gas emission patterns established through an initial baseline study. The study included construction of gas collection trenches along the slopes of the landfill where the majority of the methane emissions occurred. Local compost materials were tested as to their usefulness as bioactive methane oxidizing material and a suitable compost mixture was selected. Whole site methane emission quantifications based on combined tracer release and downwind measurements in combination with several local experimental activities (gas composition within biocover layers, flux chamber based emission measurements and logging of compost temperatures) proved that the biocover system had an average mitigation efficiency of approximately 80%. The study showed that the system also had a high efficiency during winter periods with temperatures below freezing. An economic analysis indicated that the mitigation costs of the biocover system were competitive to other existing greenhouse gas mitigation options.     

Key role for nuclear energy in global biodiversity conservation

Modern society uses massive amounts of energy. Usage rises as population and affluence increase, and energy production and use often have an impact on biodiversity or natural areas. To avoid a business‐as‐usual dependence on coal, oil, and gas over the coming decades, society must map out a future energy mix that incorporates alternative sources. This exercise can lead to radically different opinions on what a sustainable energy portfolio might entail, so an objective assessment of the relative costs and benefits of different energy sources is required. We evaluated the land use, emissions, climate, and cost implications of 3 published but divergent storylines for future energy production, none of which was optimal for all environmental and economic indicators. Using multicriteria decision‐making analysis, we ranked 7 major electricity‐generation sources (coal, gas, nuclear, biomass, hydro, wind, and solar) based on costs and benefits and tested the sensitivity of the rankings to biases stemming from contrasting philosophical ideals. Irrespective of weightings, nuclear and wind energy had the highest benefit‐to‐cost ratio. Although the environmental movement has historically rejected the nuclear energy option, new‐generation reactor technologies that fully recycle waste and incorporate passive safety systems might resolve their concerns and ought to be more widely understood. Because there is no perfect energy source however, conservation professionals ultimately need to take an evidence‐based approach to consider carefully the integrated effects of energy mixes on biodiversity conservation. Trade‐offs and compromises are inevitable and require advocating energy mixes that minimize net environmental damage. Society cannot afford to risk wholesale failure to address energy‐related biodiversity impacts because of preconceived notions and ideals.