Surface characterization of metal oxides-supported activated carbon fiber catalysts for simultaneous catalytic hydrolysis of carbonyl sulfide and carbon disulfide

The sol–gel method was used to synthesize a series of metal oxides-supported activated carbon fiber (ACF) and the simultaneous catalytic hydrolysis activity of carbonyl sulfide (COS) and carbon disulfide (CS₂) at relatively low temperatures of 60°C was tested. The effects of preparation conditions on the catalyst properties were investigated, including the kinds and amount of metal oxides and calcination temperatures. The activity tests indicated that catalysts with 5 wt.% Ni after calcining at 400°C (Ni(5)/ACF(400)) had the best performance for the simultaneous catalytic hydrolysis of COS and CS₂. The surface and structure properties of prepared ACF were characterized by scanning electron microscope-energy disperse spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), X-ray diffraction (XRD), carbon dioxide-temperature programmed desorption (CO₂-TPD) and diffuse reflectance Fourier transform infrared reflection (DRFTIR). And the metal cation defects were researched by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) method. The characterization results showed that the supporting of Ni on the ACF made the ACF catalyst show alkaline and increased the specific surface area and the number of micropores, then improved catalytic hydrolysis activity. The DRFTIR results revealed that -OH species could facilitate the hydrolysis of COS and CS₂; -COO and -C–O species could facilitate the oxidation of catalytic hydrolysate H₂S. And the EPR results showed that high calcination temperature conditions provide more active reaction center for the COS and CS₂ adsorption.     

石家庄城市地表灰尘中多环芳烃的污染特征及来源

采用高效液相色谱法,对2017年2月12~19日所采集的石家庄市64个地表灰尘样品中16种优先控制的多环芳烃(PAHs)的含量和组分特征进行分析,并运用比值法和主成分因子载荷法揭示其污染来源。结果表明,16种PAHs的总量(Σ16PAHs)范围为0.897~81.458 mg/kg,平均值为8.138 mg/kg,其中Fla的含量最高为1.136 mg/kg,Flu最低为0.129 mg/kg,强致癌物质Bap为0.567 mg/kg。7种致癌多环芳烃(Σ7CPAHs)的含量范围为0.213~43.690 mg/kg,平均值为3.402 mg/kg,占Σ16PAHs的41.80%。与国内外其他城市相比,石家庄城市地表灰尘中PAHs含量处于较高水平,且以4环为主。来源分析结果表明,石家庄市地表灰尘中PAHs主要来源于化石燃料的燃烧,以石油燃烧为主,其方差贡献率为69.30%,柴油燃烧和石油泄漏的方差贡献率分别为8.67%和7.43%。由石家庄灰尘中PAHs的空间分布分析得出交通源对石家庄二环内冬季灰尘中PAHs贡献显著。     

基于STAMP模型的丰城坍塌事故原因分析

为了系统地分析建筑施工事故原因、有效预防同类事故,运用STAMP模型从控制角度详细分析了一起特别重大坍塌事故,分别从物理过程及环境因素、基层操作原因以及管理层原因3方面分析了导致事故的控制缺陷,并且根据分析结果,提出事故控制措施及建议。结果表明:STAMP模型不仅可以分析各个层级的原因,还可以找出层级之间以及层级内不同组织之间的交互影响原因;建设方、施工方、监理方以及承包方对项目管理内容交叉与重叠,且沟通与协调缺失是导致错误决策和不恰当控制动作产生的主要因素;基层不安全控制动作直接导致事故发生,但取决于管理因素,管理层的原因是预防同类事故的重点。     

安全与危险纠缠理论创建及其研究

针对安全概念不统一,安全科学与技术发展相对滞后,重特大安全事故频发等问题,通过借鉴量子纠缠理论,提出了安全与危险纠缠理论学说。建立了安全与危险纠缠理论模型,阐述了其纠缠机制,明确了一个系统中的安全与危险在不同时段内存在的方式和状态:通常人们所认知的安全或危险均是系统在过去时段内以“一显一隐”的方式塌缩成确定的状态,而在现在与未来时段,它们分别是以“显性”、“隐性”的方式纠缠为不确定的状态;若该系统的“安全与危险纠缠”状态向安全方向塌缩时,系统则表现为安全,若向危险转化时,则系统表现为事故。同时,分析了“安全与危险纠缠”理论建立的对安全科学及安全生产实际意义与理论价值,及其未来展望和存在问题。     

Comparison of surface water chemistry and weathering effects of two lake basins in the Changtang Nature Reserve, China

The geochemistry of natural waters in the Changtang Nature Reserve,northern Tibet,can help us understand the geology of catchments,and provide additional insight in surface processes that influence water chemistry such as rock weathering on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau.However,severe natural conditions are responsible for a lack of scientific data for this area.This study represents the first investigation of the chemical composition of surface waters and weathering effects in two lake basins in the reserve(Lake Dogaicoring Qiangco and Lake Longwei Co).The results indicate that total dissolved solids(TDS)in the two lakes are significantly higher than in other gauged lakes on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau,reaching 20–40 g/L,and that TDS of the tectonic lake(Lake Dogaicoring Qiangco)is significantly higher than that of the barrier lake(Lake Longwei Co).Na+and Cl-are the dominant ions in the lake waters as well as in the glacier-fed lake inflows,with chemical compositions mainly affected by halite weathering.In contrast,ion contents of inflowing rivers fed by nearby runoff are lower and concentrations of dominant ions are not significant.Evaporite,silicate,and carbonate weathering has relatively equal effects on these rivers.Due to their limited scope,small streams near the lakes are less affected by carbonate than by silicate weathering.     

A preliminary analysis of the surface chemistry of atmospheric aerosol particles in a typical urban area of Beijing

Atmospheric aerosol particle samples were collected using an Ambient Eight Stage(Non-Viable) Cascade Impactor Sampler in a typical urban area of Beijing from 27 th Sep.to 5th Oct.,2009.The surface chemistry of these aerosol particles was analyzed using Static Time of Flight-Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry(Static TOF-SIMS).The factors influencing surface compositions were evaluated in conjunction with the air pollution levels,meteorological factors,and air mass transport for the sampling period.The results show that a variety of organic ion groups and inorganic ions/ion groups were accumulated on the surfaces of aerosol particles in urban areas of Beijing;and hydrophobic organic compounds with short-or middle-chain alkyl as well as hydrophilic secondary inorganic compounds were observed.All these compounds have the potential to affect the atmospheric behavior of urban aerosol particles.PM1.1–2.1and PM3.3–4.7had similar elements on their surfaces,but some molecules and ionic groups demonstrated differences in Time of Flight-Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry spectra.This suggests that the quantities of elements varied between PM1.1–2.1and PM3.3–4.7.In particular,more intense research efforts into fluoride pollution are required,because the fluorides on aerosol surfaces have the potential to harm human health.The levels of air pollution had the most significant influence on the surface compositions of aerosol particles in our study.Hence,heavier air pollution was associated with more complex surface compositions on aerosol particles.In addition,wind,rainfall,and air masses from the south also greatly influenced the surface compositions of these urban aerosol particles.     

Role of Crab Herbivory in Die-Off of New England Salt Marshes

Abstract:  Die-offs of cordgrass are pervasive throughout western Atlantic salt marshes, yet understanding of the mechanisms precipitating these events is limited. We tested whether herbivory by the native crab , Sesarma reticulatum , is generating die-offs of cordgrass that are currently occurring on Cape Cod, Massachusetts (U.S.A.), by manipulating crab access to cordgrass transplanted into die-off areas and healthy vegetation. We surveyed 12 Cape Cod marshes to investigate whether the extent of cordgrass die-off on creek banks, where die-offs are concentrated, was related to local Sesarma grazing intensity and crab density. We then used archived aerial images to examine whether creek bank die-off areas have expanded over the past 2 decades and tested the hypothesis that release from predation, leading to elevated Sesarma densities, is triggering cordgrass die-offs by tethering crabs where die-offs are pervasive and where die-offs have not yet been reported. Intensity of crab grazing on transplanted cordgrass was an order of magnitude higher in die-off areas than in adjacent vegetation. Surveys revealed that Sesarma herbivory has denuded nearly half the creek banks in Cape Cod marshes, and differences in crab-grazing intensity among marshes explained >80% of variation in the extent of the die-offs. Moreover, the rate of die-off expansion and area of marsh affected have more than doubled since 2000. Crab-tethering experiments suggest that release from predation has triggered elevated crab densities that are driving these die-offs, indicating that disruption of predator–prey interactions may be generating the collapse of marsh ecosystems previously thought to be exclusively under bottom-up control .     

Application of Automated Mass Spectrometry Deconvolution and Identification Software for Pesticide Analysis in Surface Waters

A new approach to surface water analysis has been investigated in order to enhance the detection of different organic contaminants in Nathan Creek, British Columbia. Water samples from Nathan Creek were prepared by liquid/liquid extraction using dichloromethane (DCM) as an extraction solvent and analyzed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry method in scan mode (GC-MS scan). To increase sensitivity for pesticides detection, acquired scan data were further analyzed by Automated Mass Spectrometry Deconvolution and Identification Software (AMDIS) incorporated into the Agilent Deconvolution Reporting Software (DRS), which also includes mass spectral libraries for 567 pesticides. Extracts were reanalyzed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry single ion monitoring (GC-MS-SIM) to confirm and quantitate detected pesticides. Pesticides: atrazine, dimethoate, diazinone, metalaxyl, myclobutanil, napropamide, oxadiazon, propazine and simazine were detected at three sampling sites on the mainstream of the Nathan Creek. Results of the study are further discussed in terms of detectivity and identification level for each pesticide found. The proposed approach of monitoring pesticides in surface waters enables their detection and identification at trace levels.     

The legacy of surface mining: Remediation,restoration, reclamation and rehabilitation

Surface mining is a global phenomenon. When dealing with the land disturbances caused by surface mining operations, the terms remediation, reclamation, restoration and rehabilitation (R4) are commonly used interchangeably or otherwise vaguely defined. Expectations associated with these terms may differ significantly from one stakeholder to another, however. Regulators, industry, environmental practitioners, local communities and the general public therefore stand to benefit from a precise terminology based on agreed-upon end-goals. The latter range from the avoidance of exposure to pollutants (remediation) to the full recovery of the original ecosystem (restoration). Although frequently claimed as the end-goal, restoration may often not be unachievable, because of altered hydrology, habitat fragmentation, contamination, climate change, prohibitive costs and other environmental and socio-economic boundary conditions. Mostly, the definitions of reclamation and rehabilitation may overlap in their definitions and approaches. Here we attempt the creation of a road-map that can clearly translate end-goals for each of the R4 terms. According to the definitions encountered and exposed here, reclamation, which aims to recover key ecosystem services and biogeochemical functions within a replacement ecosystem or rehabilitation, which implies a repurposing of the landscape, may be the best approaches to deal with surface mining legacies.     

Siting restrictions and proximity of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations to surface water

Proximity and connections to surface waters may play significant roles in determining impacts of manure spills. As occurred in many U.S. states, Minnesota adopted in 2000 more stringent regulations on Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) including restrictions on siting new facilities near surface waters. The objectives of this study were to determine whether CAFO proximity to surface waters decreased following the siting restrictions and to evaluate implications of siting restrictions. Permit dates, locations, and distances to nearest surface water bodies for 111 west central Minnesota CAFOs were determined based on satellite imagery, historical records, and correspondence with regulatory officials. Average distance between surface waters and facilities permitted after 2000 was greater than for facilities permitted before 2000. The increase in average distance between CAFOs and public surface waters was significant for open water (1790 m, p = 0.03), but not for streams (280 m, p = 0.47). Decreased CAFO proximity to surface waters should benefit water quality, but after 2000 facilities continued to be permitted close to hydraulic connections not covered by the siting restriction. Comprehensive manure spill tracking and long term targeted water quality monitoring are needed to evaluate effectiveness of siting restrictions and other strategies for protecting surface waters from manure spills.