Seasonal aerosol sulfate trends for selected regions of the United States

Site and regional trends in seasonally averaged particle SO4(2-) concentrations were examined for a large portion of the United States using data collected by the CASTNet air monitoring network. Trends were analyzed for overlapping periods of 1988-1999 and 1992-1999. The largest absolute SO4(2-) decreases--approximately -0.4 microg/m3/yr--between 1988 and 1999 occurred in summer for sites in the Ohio River Valley and areas to the east. Generally, the largest SO4(2-) reductions were found for summer, but larger relative reductions often occurred for spring and autumn. Sulfate changes during 1992-1999 were quite different from those found for 1988-1999 and were not entirely consistent with changes in SO2 emissions. In some locations, the 1992-1999 period saw smaller declines in SO4(2-), while in other places seasonal SO4(2-) actually increased. Increases were mostly confined to summer and autumn across the southern and southwestern states. Multivariate analysis of ambient sulfur levels, by region, versus SO2 emissions reveals that annual emissions are associated with more than 80% of the variance in seasonal sulfur (SO2 and SO4(2-)) in more than three-quarters of the cases examined. The weakest associations were found for the southeastern United States.     

PCDD/F reduction in incinerator flue gas by adding urea to RDF feedstock

The effect of urea on PCDD/F formation in a pilot incinerator was studied by incinerating urea with refuse-derived fuel (RDF) at three concentrations (0.1%, 0.5% and 1.0%, of the fuel feed). A distinct reduction in both PCDD/F and chlorophenol concentrations could be noticed when urea was introduced into the system. Partial-least-square (PLS) analysis of the data showed the importance of certain chlorophenol isomers as PCDD/F precursors, pointing to the possibility that the impact point of the urea inhibitor could be before the precursor molecules, i.e. chlorophenols, have been formed.     

Design and startup of a membrane-biological-reactor system at a Ford-engine plant for treating oily wastewater.

A wastewater-treatment facility at Ford (Dearborn, Michigan) was recently upgraded from chemical de-emulsification to ultrafiltration (UF) followed by a membrane-biological reactor (MBR). This paper describes the design, startup, and initial operational performance of the facility. Primary findings are as follows: (1) the MBR proved resilient; (2) the MBR removed approximately 90% of chemical-oxygen demand (COD) after primary UF; (3) the removal of total Kjeldahl nitrogen by MBR appeared to be more sensitive to operating conditions than COD removal; (4) nitrification and denitrification were established in one month; (5) the MBR removed oil and grease and phenolics to below detection levels consistently, in contrast to widely fluctuating concentrations in the past; (6) permeate fluxes of the primary and MBR UF were adversely affected by inadvertent use of a silicone-based defoamer; and (7) zinc concentrations in the effluent increased, which might have been a result of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid used in membrane washing solutions and/or might have been within typical concentration ranges.     

PAH dissipation in spiked soil: impacts of bioavailability, microbial activity, and trees

While trees have demonstrated potential in phytoremediation of several organic contaminants, little is known regarding their ability to impact the common soil contaminant PAHs. Several species of native North American trees were planted in soil artificially contaminated with three PAHs. Plant biomass, PAH dissipation, and microbial mineralization were monitored over the course of one year and environmental conditions were allowed to follow typical seasonal patterns. PAH dissipation and mineralization were not affected by planting. Extensive and rapid loss of PAHs was observed and attributed to high bioavailability and microbial activity in all treatments. The rate of this loss may have masked any significant planting effects. Anthracene was found to be more recalcitrant than pyrene or phenanthrene. Parallel soil aging studies indicated that sequestration to soil components was minimal. Contrary to common inferences in literature, amendment with decaying fine roots inhibited PAH degradation by the soil microbial community. Seasonal variation in environmental factors and rhizosphere dynamics may have also reduced or negated the effect of planting and should be taken into account in future phytoremediation trials. The unique root traits of trees may pose a challenge to traditional thought regarding PAH dissipation in the rhizosphere of plants.     

氧氟沙星与聚苯乙烯微塑料复合污染对剩余污泥厌氧消化的影响

为探究抗生素与微塑料复合污染对厌氧消化的作用影响,采用BMP实验考察了不同质量浓度氧氟沙星(OFL)、聚苯乙烯(PS)微塑料对剩余污泥厌氧消化产甲烷的影响行为,并通过分析溶解性有机物(DOM)、胞外聚合物(EPS)变化规律、厌氧发酵4阶段代谢以及微生物群落探讨其影响机理。结果表明,与对照组相比,单一OFL和单一PS微塑料污染使甲烷累积产量分别下降了15.95%~81.36%、4.25%~5.78%;而在复合条件下,两者表现出协同效应,故导致产甲烷速率的进一步下降和有效产气时间的缩短,其中OFL胁迫占主导。机理探究发现,不论单一OFL还是复合污染,DOM中腐殖质类物质均明显增加,EPS组分结构趋于复杂化,厌氧消化4阶段均受到明显抑制。单一PS微塑料污染在反应初期可提高产甲烷速率,且对厌氧消化4阶段的影响相对较小。微生物群落分析发现,复合组与单一OFL组群落分布更为相近,产酸细菌与嗜乙酸产甲烷菌的相对丰度均明显下降,这导致乙酸营养型产甲烷途径受到严重抑制。本研究结果可为复杂污染情况下剩余污泥资源化处理的工艺调控提供参考。     

Toxic equivalent concentrations (TEQs) for baseline toxicity and specific modes of action as a tool to improve interpretation of ecotoxicity testing of environmental samples

The toxic equivalency concept is a widely applied method to express the toxicity of complex mixtures of compounds that act via receptor-mediated mechanisms such as induction of the arylhydrocarbon or estrogen receptors. Here we propose to extend this concept to baseline toxicity, using the bioluminescence inhibition test with Vibrio fischeri, and an integrative ecotoxicity endpoint, algal growth rate inhibition. Both bioassays were validated by comparison with literature data and quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSARs) for baseline toxicity were developed for all endpoints. The novel combined algae test, with Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, allows for the simultaneous evaluation of specific inhibition of photosynthesis and growth rate. The contributions of specific inhibition of photosynthesis and non-specific toxicity could be differentiated by comparing the time and endpoint pattern. Photosynthesis efficiency, measured with the saturation pulse method after 2 h of incubation, served as indicator of specific inhibition of photosynthesis by photosystem II inhibitors. Diuron equivalents were defined as toxicity equivalents for this effect. The endpoint of growth rate over 24 h served to derive baseline toxicity equivalent concentrations (baseline-TEQ). By performing binary mixture experiments with reference compounds and complex environmental samples from a sewage treatment plant and a river, the TEQ concept was validated. The proposed method allows for easier interpretation and communication of effect-based water quality monitoring data and provides a basis for comparative analysis with chemical analytical monitoring.     

Combining passive sampling and toxicity testing for evaluation of mixtures of polar organic chemicals in sewage treatment plant effluent

Effluent from sewage treatment plants has been associated with a range of pollutant effects. Depending on the influent composition and treatment processes the effluent may contain a myriad of different chemicals which makes monitoring very complex. In this study we aimed to monitor relatively polar organic pollutant mixtures using a combination of passive sampling techniques and a set of biochemistry based assays covering acute bacterial toxicity (Microtox), phytotoxicity (Max-I-PAM assay) and genotoxicity (umuC assay). The study showed that all of the assays were able to detect effects in the samples and allowed a comparison of the two plants as well as a comparison between the two sampling periods. Distinct improvements in water quality were observed in one of the plants as result of an upgrade to a UV disinfection system, which improved from 24x sample enrichment required to induce a 50% response in the Microtox assay to 84x, from 30x sample enrichment to induce a 50% reduction in photosynthetic yield to 125x, and the genotoxicity observed in the first sampling period was eliminated. Thus we propose that biochemical assay techniques in combination with time integrated passive sampling can substantially contribute to the monitoring of polar organic toxicants in STP effluents.     

三峡水库忠县至秭归县段消落带植被群落特征研究

为了研究三峡水库周期性的水位调节对消落带植被群落特征的影响,选择重庆忠县至宜昌秭归段的消落带植被群落进行研究,运用重要值和多样性指数分析不同高程的植物种类组成、生活型分布特征及物种多样性。结果表明：（1）研究区域统计植物共32科70属73种,禾本科、菊科和豆科是3个优势科,单种、属现象明显;狗牙根、苍耳、鬼针草、苘麻、鳢肠、酸模叶蓼、莲子草是3个高程的共存种,其中,狗牙根和苍耳在3个高程均为优势物种。（2）研究区域共统计11种植物生活型,在消落带下部和中部,一年生草本植物占绝对优势;在消落带上部,多年生草本植物成为优势生活型,生活型类型多样化,蕨类、藤本、灌木以及乔木植物开始出现。（3）消落带植物群落的丰富度、多样性、均匀度指数均随海拔变化表现出显著差异,并且随海拔升高呈现上升趋势。由此可见,水位变化对植物群落结构和物种多样性产生很大影响,在低海拔区段,消落带物种组成简单化,耐水淹和繁衍能力强的植物成为优势物种;随着海拔上升,水淹胁迫减弱,出现更多适应水位变化的植物种类,使植物群落沿海拔变化形成不同的分布特征。这些研究结果对三峡库区消落带生态修复植物的筛选,以及物种多样性的提高具有参考价值。     

湖北网湖沉积物重金属分布特征、源解析及风险评价

为揭示湖北网湖沉积物重金属污染特征,采用空间插值法、主成分分析法和地累积指数对其污染特征、来源识别及生态风险状况进行分析。结果表明：5种重金属的平均浓度从高到低依次为Zn>Cr>Cu>Pb>Cd,且浓度均超过湖北省土壤背景值;Pearson相关性分析表明,Zn与Cd、Pb浓度呈正相关（P<0.05),Cu与Zn、Cr浓度呈负相关（P<0.05)。主成分分析发现,主成分1由Pb、Cd、Zn构成,主要来源于河流运输和农业活动影响;主成分2由Cr和Cu构成,主要来源于矿物风化等自然背景和工业活动及水产养殖等人类活动污染影响。地累积指数结果显示,网湖沉积物中重金属处于低风险状态,但Cd和Cu达到中度污染,为主要污染物,应予以关注。