The risks of sulfur addition on cadmium accumulation in paddy rice under different water-management conditions

Recently, the application of sulfur (S) has been recommended to control the accumulation of cadmium (Cd) in rice in contaminated paddy soil. However, the effects of exogenous S on Cd transfer in paddy rice systems under different water-management practices have not been systematically investigated. Pot experiments were performed to monitor the composition of soil pore water and the Cd accumulation in iron plaque and rice tissue were compared under different S (0 and 200 mg/kg Na₂SO₄) and water (continuous and discontinuous flooding) treatments. Sulfur application significantly increased Cd concentrations in soil pore water under discontinuous flooding conditions, but slightly reduced them under continuous flooding. Moreover, the oxidation/reduction potential (Eh) was the most critical factor that affected the Cd levels. When the Eh exceeded −42.5 mV, S became the second critical factor, and excessive S application promoted Cd dissolution. In addition, S addition elevated the Cd levels in iron plaque and reduced the Cd transfer from the iron plaque to rice roots. In rice, S addition inhibited Cd transfer from the rice roots to the straw; thus, more Cd was stored in the rice roots. Nevertheless, additional S application increased the Cd content in the rice grains by 72% under discontinuous flooding, although this effect was mitigated by continued flooding. Under simulated practical water management conditions, S addition increased the risk of Cd contamination in rice, suggesting that S application should be reconsidered as a paddy fertilization strategy.     

Review on corrosion and corrosion scale formation upon unlined cast iron pipes in drinking water distribution systems

The qualified finished water from water treatment plants (WTPs) may become discolored and deteriorated during transportation in drinking water distribution systems (DWDSs), which affected tap water quality seriously. This water stability problem often occurs due to pipe corrosion and the destabilization of corrosion scales. This paper provides a comprehensive review of pipe corrosion in DWDSs, including corrosion process, corrosion scale formation, influencing factors and monitoring technologies utilized in DWDSs. In terms of corrosion process, corrosion occurrence, development mechanisms, currently applied assays, and indices used to determine the corrosion possibility are summarized, as well as the chemical and bacterial influences. In terms of scale formation, explanations for the nature of corrosion and scale formation mechanisms are discussed and its typical multilayered structure is illustrated. Furthermore, the influences of water quality and microbial activity on scale transformation are comprehensively discussed. Corrosion-related bacteria at the genus level and their associated corrosion mechanism are also summarized. This review helps deepen the current understanding of pipe corrosion and scale formation in DWDSs, providing guidance for water supply utilities to ensure effective measures to maintain water quality stability and guarantee drinking water safety.     

太钢“十一五”污染减排工作

近几年,我国钢铁工业发展很快,但是,钢铁产业长期粗放发展积累的矛盾日益突出。除了产能过剩、产业集中度低、创新能力不强、资源控制力弱等问题外,更为突出的矛盾是钢厂的发展越来越受到环境容量、能源资源等因素的严重制约。如何颠覆传统的"高耗能、高污染"发展方式,走出一条钢厂和谐发展的绿色之路,是实现可持续发展所面临的重大难题。     

Accumulation and elimination of iron oxide nanomaterials in zebrafish (Danio rerio) upon chronic aqueous exposure

A 52-day continuous semi-static waterborne exposure (test media renewed daily) regimen was employed to investigate the accumulation and elimination profiles of two iron oxide nanomaterials (nano-Fe₂O₃ and nano-Fe₃O₄) in zebrafish (Danio rerio). Adult zebrafish were exposed to nanomaterial suspensions with initial concentrations of 4.0 and 10.0 mg/L for 28 days and then were moved to clean water for 24 days to perform the elimination experiment. Fe content was measured in fish body and feces to provide data on accumulation and elimination of the two iron oxide nanomaterials in zebrafish. The experiment revealed that: (1) high accumulation of nano-Fe₂O₃ and nano-Fe₃O₄ were found in zebrafish, with maximum Fe contents, respectively, of 1.32 and 1.25 mg/g for 4.0 mg/L treatment groups and 1.15 and 0.90 mg/g for 10.0 mg/L treatment groups; (2) accumulated nanoparticles in zebrafish can be eliminated efficiently (the decrease of body burden of Fe conforms to a first-order decay equation) when fish were moved to nanoparticle-free water, and the elimination rates ranged from 86% to 100% by 24 days post-exposure; and (3) according to analysis of Fe content in fish excrement in the elimination phase, iron oxide nanomaterials may be adsorbed via the gastrointestinal tract, and stored for more than 12 days.     

Effect of environmental factors on the complexation of iron and humic acid

A method of size exclusion chromatography coupled with ultraviolet spectrophotometry and off-line graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry was developed to assess the complexation properties of iron (Fe) and humic acid (HA) in a water environment. The factors affecting the complexation of Fe and HA, such as ionic strength, pH, temperature and UV radiation, were investigated. The Fe-HA complex residence time was also studied. Experimental results showed that pH could influence the deprotonation of HA and hydrolysis of Fe, and thus affected the complexation of Fe and HA. The complexation was greatly disrupted by the presence of NaCl. Temperature had some influence on the complexation. The yield of Fe-HA complexes showed a small decrease at high levels of UV radiation, but the effect of UV radiation on Fe-HA complex formation at natural levels could be neglected. It took about 10 hr for the complexation to reach equilibrium, and the Fe-HA complex residence time was about 20 hr. Complexation of Fe and HA reached a maximum level under the conditions of pH 6, very low ionic strength, in the dark and at a water temperature of about 25°C, for 10 hr. It was suggested that the Fe-HA complex could form mainly in freshwater bodies and reach high levels in the warm season with mild sunlight radiation. With changing environmental parameters, such as at lower temperature in winter or higher pH and ionic strength in an estuary, the concentration of the Fe-HA complex would decrease.     

Cobalt induced changes in immune response and adenosine triphosphatase activities in rats

Abstract

The immuno‐biochemical effects of cobaltous chloride in rats receiving iron‐sufficient and deficient diets were investigated. Rats receiving 100 ppm or more cobalt showed a significant reduction in thymus and body weights along with a marked decrease in hemoglobin, hematocrit, sheep agglutinins and plaque forming cells. These effects were more pronounced in rats receiving cobalt mixed with iron‐deficient diet than those fed on iron‐sufficient diet. The Na⁺‐K⁺ and mitochondrial (Oligomycin‐sensitive) Mg²+ATPase activities in brain and liver of rats fed with iron‐deficient diets were decreased significantly. However, the ATPase activities in these tissues from rats fed with cobalt mixed with iron‐sufficient diets were not altered.     

进一步保持和发扬我党的“真正优势”

本文在全面论述邓小平同志关于“共同的理想”和“铁的纪律”是我党“真正优势”光辉论断的基础上，指出目前我们在保持和发扬“真正优势”方面存在的不足，并认为中国共产党要顺利解决“两大历史性课题”，必须进一步保持和发扬自己的“真正优势”。     

铁水包底粘铁所引发的一起重伤事故分析

介绍了一起铁水包底粘铁所引发的事故经过,进行了事故原因分析,指出了事故教训和预防措施。     

The steel industry, abiotic resource depletion and life cycle assessment: a real or perceived issue?

Time and again, there has been a hue and a cry that the world is running out of natural resources and the most prominent among those is the famous study entitled ‘The Limits to Growth’ by the ‘Club of Rome’. Since then the fear of scarcity of abiotic resources has been challenging human societies around the globe, particularly the research community. In this paper we will examine the case of the steel industry to argue how and why mineral resources depletion is an issue that needs to be addressed through life cycle assessment in more detail. This paper shows that a more comprehensive understanding about the current production trends of iron ore and steel, which also requires several vital metals such as copper, manganese, nickel and so on, can provide useful insights in assessing the potential future threat of shortages due to depletion of abiotic mineral resources.     

Phosphorus mobility in dam reservoir affected by redox oscillations: An experimental study

The internal sedimentary phosphorus(P) load of aquatic systems is able to support eutrophication, especially in dam–reservoir systems where sedimentary P stock is high and where temporary anaerobic conditions occur. The aim of this study therefore is to examine the response of sedimentary P exposed to redox oscillations. Surface sediments collected in the Champsanglard dam–reservoir(on the Creuse River, France) were subjected to two aerobic phases(10 and 12 days) alternated with two anaerobic periods(21 and 27 days)through batch incubations. The studied sediment contained 77 ± 3 μmol/g DW of P, mainly associated with the ascorbate fraction(amorphous Fe/Mn oxyhydroxides). The used sediment was rich in organic matter(OM)(21% ± 1%) with primarily allochthone signature.Our results showed that redox oscillations enhance dissolved inorganic phosphorus release at sediment/water interface. During the first anaerobic stage, the P release was mainly controlled by the dissolution/precipitation of iron minerals. The more pronounced increase of P release during the second anaerobic stage(44%) was due to various mechanisms related to the change in quality of dissolved organic matter(DOM), namely a higher SUVA254 and humification indices. The release of more refractory DOM(rDOM) served to lower the microbial metabolism activity, possibly favored iron oxyhydroxide aggregation and thus limiting iron reduction. In addition, rDOM is able to compete for mineral P sorption sites,leading to a greater P release. In reservoir with predominant allochthone OM input, the release of more aromatic DOM therefore plays an important role in P mobility.