Reuse of nickel recovered from spent Ni–Cd batteries for the preparation of C/Ni and C/Ni/Pd layered electrodes for energy sources

Nickel recovered in the recycling process of Ni–Cd batteries was used as a main component of bath for electrodeposition of nickel onto carbon fabric in order to obtain C/Ni composite. A part of the obtained composite was additionally coated with a thin layer of palladium (C/Ni/Pd composite). All the materials were investigated to assess the possibility of their use in the processes of electrochemical storage (sorption/desorption) of hydrogen and electrochemical oxidation of methanol. The obtained results showed the composites to be active electrode materials in these processes. The electrodes exhibited high activity and cyclability, especially in the process of methanol oxidation due to electrocatalytic activity of both nickel deposited onto carbon fabric and the outer layer of porous palladium coating nickel substrate.     

Innovative combined technique for high concentration of azo dye AR18 wastewater treatment using modified SBR and enhanced Fenton process as post treatment

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the performance of combined biological/advanced oxidation process (AOP) system for treatment of wastewater containing high concentration (500 mg/L) of azo dye Acid Red 18 (AR18). Two alternating anaerobic–aerobic sequencing batch reactors (SBR1 and SBR2 without and with external feeding at the beginning of aeration cycle, respectively) were operated. The effluent of the SBRs was then post treated through enhanced Fenton process (using zero-valent iron combined with ultrasonic irradiation). More than 90% and 97% of COD was removed in the combined SBR/AOP system without external carbon source (CTS1) and with external feeding (CTS2), respectively. The analysis of dye and its metabolites using UV–vis and HPLC analysis also proved that 99% of the original dye was decolorized and more than 89% of its metabolites were degraded through CST2 which is significantly higher than the reported values in the literature. Besides, more than 87% of phosphorus removal efficiency was obtained in CST2 compared to only 54.5% removal efficiency in CST1. Regarding the findings of this study, the proposed combined treatment system (CTS2) can be suggested as an effective technique for treatment of high azo dye AR18 concentration wastewater.     

A study on the dilemmas of resource utilization and tourism in Africa

This paper explores, explains and discusses issues around the dilemma between local conservation of natural resources (often, endangered species and habitats) and tourism needs in Africa. Often and in constitutional terms, local people have a right to exploit and use resources endowed in their local area. However, tourists often are interested in viewing the vegetation and animal resources undisturbed. Inevitably, there is an undeclared animosity of values and interests between local communities and tourists and state agencies. As a result, the dilemma is thus of governance. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the governance dilemma of resource utilization and tourism in Africa in a bid to create an informed stewardship framework for sustainability. This is achieved by way of case studies and narratives from Africa. As such, this paper will be a review literature on how different communities perceive tourism and derive livelihoods from their immediate environment. It also explains how the external factors influence local needs and interests. A more sustainable and operational framework that reduces friction among stakeholders is suggested.     

松叶中有机氯农药HCH、DDT的研究

利用气相色谱-电子捕获检测(GC-ECD)方法对我国华北、华东、华南和西南地区松叶中六六六(HCH)和滴滴涕(DDT)的残留量进行了测定,结果表明,松叶中HCH 4种异构体(a,b,g,d)的含量以b-HCH为最高,占HCH总量的38%～46%.HCH、DDT和滴滴伊(DDE)的含量范围分别为24.7～35.5ng/g干重,2.4～7.0ng/g干重,2.4～2.8ng/g干重.DDE的含量趋势为华北>华东>华南>西南.总HCH为华东>华北>华南>西南.华北和华东地区DDE/DDT>1,华南和西南地区DDE/DDT<1,这表明在华南和西南地区大气中新近有DDT的输入.     

管理措施对黄土高原油松人工林土壤水溶性碳氮及其三维荧光特征的影响

为研究不同管理措施(凋落物去除、油松幼林、灌木和草地)下土壤水溶性碳、氮含量的变化以及土壤溶解性有机质(SDOM)的组分,选取黄土高原油松人工林为研究对象,以未皆伐油松人工林作为对照,对土壤水溶性碳、氮以及SDOM荧光组分等相关重要特征量进行研究分析.结果表明,灌木和油松幼林的土壤水溶性有机碳含量显著高于其他管理措施,并且土壤水溶性有机碳含量随土层深度的增加而降低,土壤水溶性有机碳/土壤有机碳(WSOC/SOC)值随深度增加呈上升趋势;土壤水溶性氮含量的变化和水溶性碳的变化趋势一致,油松幼林土壤水溶性氮组分含量高于其他管理措施,总体上随深度的增加而降低.不同管理措施对SDOM组分影响显著,基于三维荧光光谱技术结合平行因子(EEM-PARAFAC)分析可知SDOM有4种组分,主要分为类腐殖质、类蛋白和可溶性微生物代谢产物三大类,其中SDOM的主要成分为富里酸类腐殖质,油松幼林土壤中富里酸含量最高.本研究表明,管理措施对土壤水溶性碳氮含量变化和SDOM组分具有一定的影响,特别是油松幼林和灌木影响较大.两种管理措施提高了土壤水溶性有机碳以及水溶性氮组分的含量,增强其在土壤中的迁移转化能力,同...     

离子强度、pH值和Ca2+/Al3+对马尾松幼苗的铝毒影响

测定了在不同溶液酸度、不同离子强度和Ca²⁺/Al³⁺比下,铝对马尾松幼苗生长状况的影响。结果表明,溶液酸度增加,离子强度减小时,铝的毒害作用增大。钙对铝毒有明显缓解作用,当Ca²⁺/Al³⁺增大时,铝的毒性减小,但其缓解作用与铝浓度有关,当铝浓度增加,钙的缓解能力下降。     

Shift in ectomycorrhizal community composition in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) seedling roots as a response to nickel deposition and removal of lichen cover

Scots pine seedlings were exposed to wet-deposited nickel (Ni) and removal of lichen cover in a dry heath Scots pine forest. Ni deposition affected the colonization of roots by indigenous ectomycorrhizal fungi in contrasting ways in intact and skimmed quadrats. Highest frequencies of tubercle morphotypes of ectomycorrhiza were found in quadrats exposed to 100 mg m⁻² year⁻¹ Ni in lichen covered treatment, while in skimmed quadrats these peaked after the treatment with 10 mg Ni m⁻² year⁻¹. Removal of the lichen layer increased the value of diversity index (H′) of ectomycorrhizal fungal community, probably due to the increase in the evenness of the morphotype distribution. Lichen removal seemed also to improve the condition of the short roots, as the frequencies of poor and senescent short roots were decreased by the removal.     

Scaling up site disputes: strategies to redefine ‘local’ in the fight against fracking

Plans to replace an aging diesel backup energy plant with liquid natural gas (LNG) generators in Whitehorse, Yukon, resulted in a public outcry, involving community meetings, massive petitions, and demonstrations. Are these civil society protests just a case of a local siting dispute – a response to an unwanted industrial site in an urban neighborhood? Here, it is argued that siting debates are not the driver of these campaigns, but instead are harnessed by activists to advance a broader environmental movement. By linking the LNG project to more distant extraction, involving hydraulic fracturing (‘fracking’), movement leaders portray the entire territory as part of the ‘local’ for Whitehorse residents. Movement leaders rely upon two key mechanisms: claiming insider status, and identifying visible symbols. This case reveals the strategic use by environmental movements of local concerns to recruit support for broader campaigns, and the value of local, place-based activism for broader environmental movements.     

EFFECT OF SULFOMETURON METHYL ON GROUND WATER AND STREAM QUALITY IN COASTAL PLAIN FOREST WATERSHEDS1

ABSTRACT: Sulfometuron methyl [methyl 2-[[[[4,6-dimethly 2-(pyrimidinyl) a-mino] carbony l]amino] sulfonyl] benzoate] was applied by a ground sprayer at a maximum labeled rate of 0.42 kg ha^-1 a.i. to a 4 ha Coastal Plain flatwoods watershed as site preparation for tree planting. Herbicide residues were detected in Streamflow for only seven days after treatment and did not exceed 7 mg m^-3. Sulfometuron methyl was not detected in any stormflow and was not found in any sediment (both bedload and suspended). Sampling of a shallow ground water aquifer, > 1.5 m below ground surface, did not detect any sulfometuron methyl residues for 203 days after herbicide application. Lack of herbicide residue movement was attributed to low application rates, rapid hydrolysis in acidic soils and water and dilution in streamflow.