Turnover mechanisms of organic conformation on turbidity in drinking water

The turbidity variation in artificial water and samples from a water plant was investigated in the presence of organics with different relative molecular mass. The results show that recessive turbidity existed when water chemical conditions were changing. The formation of turbidity depended on organic relative molecular mass and their conformations on particles. At higher pH and lower ionic strength, the organic chains with a more extended conformation resulted in rising turbidity of the suspension. At lower pH, the reconformation of organics took place due to charge neutralization by the proton, resulting in a decline in turbidity. The addition of NaCl and MgCl₂ at pH 7.00 also resulted in a decrease of turbidity in the suspension. It is believed that the occurrence of recessive turbidity has a significant influence on the stability of water supply quality.     

干化污泥制备节能烧结墙体材料

以干化污泥作为替代燃料和造孔剂加入到以页岩为主体的原料体系中,制备出具有节能效果的多孔污泥页岩烧结墙体材料,这是提高污泥利用效率和满足村镇建筑节能建材制备的有效手段,探究了城市污泥掺量、烧结温度和烧结保温时间对烧结墙体材料试样的物理性能、力学性能的影响规律。结果表明,在采用污泥和瘠性页岩为主要原料时不能满足多孔节能烧结墙体材料挤出成型要求,而应采用压制成型工艺,当污泥掺量为15%时,烧结温度为1 050 ℃,保温时间为6 h,可以制备出性能指标优异并满足工程实用的烧结墙体材料,且污泥中的重金属可有效固溶于材料内部,气体排放也可满足国家标准中的相关指标要求,研究结果对干化污泥的利用具有较好的指导意义。     

两相厌氧膜-生物系统处理造纸废水

采用传统两相厌氧工艺 ( BS)与膜分离技术相结合的系统 ( MBS)处理造纸黑液配制废水 .结果表明 :系统 COD去除率可以达到 73.1 % ,高于 BS系统 ( 4 8.6% ) ,且在厌氧污泥活性及运行稳定性方面优于 BS系统 ;在 COD负荷为 6kg·( m³·d)^-1时MBS酸化率为 20.1 % ,酸化水平为 7.5% ,略优于 BS系统 (分别为 7.0 %和 5.0 % ) .探讨了其原因及 MBS系统引入膜的作用 ,并对系统的评价体系进行了初步讨论 .     

Multigenerational cadmium acclimation and biokinetics in Daphnia magna

A Cd exposure (3 microg L(-1)) experiment was conducted for six successive generations to investigate the responses to chronic Cd stress in Daphnia magna. We observed a biphasic accumulation of Cd in the six generations and suggested a similar pattern with respect to daphnids' tolerance. Cd assimilation efficiencies, daphnid growth, and reproduction corresponded to the changes of tolerance, which was partially accounted for by metallothionein induction. When maternally exposed neonates grew in Cd-free water for one or two generations, their growth, MT concentration and biokinetic parameters partially or totally recovered. The rapid recovery suggests the high potential for ecological restoration from Cd pollution. Our results indicate that the tolerance of sensitive D. magna clones to Cd was dependent on long-term or multigenerational exposure. The tolerance developed within the first several generations might not be maintained, and the animals may become even more sensitive to Cd stress in subsequent generations.     

Water Remediation: PVA-Based Magnetic Gels as Efficient Devices to Heavy Metal Removal

Scientific and technological researches are devoted to obtain materials capable of retaining different kinds of pollutants, contributing to contamination solutions. In this context, hydrogels have emerged as great candidates because of their excellent absorption properties as well as good mechanical, thermal and chemical properties. More specifically, ferrogels (magnetic gels) present the extra advantage of being easily manipulated by a permanent magnet. Here, we present the results derived from the application of ferrogels as efficient tools to extract heavy metal pollutants from wastewater samples. The gels were prepared following the method of freezing and thawing of a polyvinyl alcohol aqueous solution with magnetic nanoparticles coated with polyacrylic acid. Ferrogels were fully characterized and their ability to retain Cu²⁺ and Cd²⁺, as model heavy metals, was studied. Thus kinetics and mechanisms of adsorption were evaluated and modeled. The concentration of MNPs on the PVA matrix was key to improve the adsorption capability (approximately the double of retention is improved by the MNPs addition). The adsorption kinetics was determined as pseudo-second order model, whereas the Langmuir model was the most appropriate to explain the behavior of the gels. Finally reuse ability was evaluated to determine the real potential of these materials, the ferrogels demonstrated high efficiency up to about five cycles, retaining about 80–90% of their initial adsorption capability. All the results indicated that the materials are promising candidates able to compete with the commercial technology regarding to water remediation.     

Effects of Natural and Artificial Weathering on the Physical Properties of Recycled Poly(ethylene terephthalate)

In accelerated weathering tests, specimens are exposed to higher radiation intensity, temperature and humidity than is likely under natural weathering in order to achieve rapid degradation of the polymer in a convenient short time. In the current work, a correlation between the two environments is attempted so that a prediction of lifetimes in the natural environment can be achieved. During aging, surface flaws are created due to the chain scission process. This is initiated by the absorption of ultra-violet light and directly affects visual appearance and impact strength. After natural weathering, the material shows only plastic deformation in an impact test. However, after artificial weathering to 5000 h of UV exposure, there is a decrease of 85% in impact strength. Colour change occurs at a high rate in the early stages of UV exposure. Beyond 2000 h of exposure, the colour change approaches a steady state and a correlation between the changes under natural and artificial weathering becomes apparent for a potential prediction of lifetimes. From the analysis including the specular component (SCI), taking surface roughening into account, 1 year under natural weathering was found to be equivalent to 25 days under accelerated weathering.     

Enhanced degradation of the antibiotic tetracycline by heterogeneous electro-Fenton with pyrite catalysis

There is actually increasing concern about the accumulation of antibiotics, such as tetracycline, in soil and water bodies. There is therefore a need for efficient methods to degrade antibiotics and thus clean waters. Here we tested the degradation of tetracycline using the heterogeneous electro-Fenton-pyrite method and compared the results with the conventional electro-Fenton method. The reaction was performed with a boron-doped diamond or Pt anode and carbon-felt cathode allowing electrogeneration of H₂O₂ from O₂ reduction. Results show an increasing tetracycline mineralization using the following methods: anodic oxidation with electrogenerated H₂O₂, electro-Fenton and then electro-Fenton-pyrite using boron-doped diamond. Ion-exclusion HPLC revealed the complete removal of malic malonic, succinic, acetic, oxalic and oxamic acids. Nitrogen present in tetracycline was mainly mineralized in NH₄ ⁺. The higher efficiency of electro-Fenton-pyrite is explained by self-regulation of soluble Fe²⁺ and pH to 3.0 from pyrite catalyst favoring larger ^·OH generation from Fenton’s reaction.     

Assessing the Influence of Social Responsibility on Reputation: An Empirical Case-Study in Agricultural Cooperatives in Spain

The attention to ethics has gradually become a concurrent topic of modern companies’ management. In the last years Social Responsibility has become a key issue in the strategic agenda of competitive agriculture cooperatives. However, reputation management has not been a visible strength in the cooperative enterprises. First of all, this work theoretically analyzes the relationship between Social Responsibility and reputation in cooperatives. Later, from a practical point of view, we carry on an empirical analysis focused on the olive oil cooperatives in the south of Spain, in the province of Jaén. With respect to the previous studies on the topic, this work reveals a main reason of interest reinforcing the role of research in addressing real problems of cooperatives. The article points out the characteristics of this kind of agribusiness and shows the importance of the adoption of a responsible orientation in fostering reputation for creating sustainable competitive advantages.