Analytical methods and environmental processes of nanoplastics

The degradation of plastic debris may result in the generation of nanoplastics (NPs). Their high specific surface area for the sorption of organic pollutions and toxic heavy metals and possible transfer between organisms at different nutrient levels make the study of NPs an urgent priority. However, there is very limited understanding on the occurrence, distribution, abundant, and fate of NPs in the environment, partially due to the lack of suitable techniques for the separation and identification of NPs from complex environmental matrices. In this review, we first overviewed the state-of-the-art methods for the extraction, separation, identification and quantification of NPs in the environment. Some of them have been successfully applied for the field determination of NPs, while some are borrowed from the detection of microplastics or engineered nanomaterials. Then the possible fate and transport of NPs in the environment are thoroughly described. Although great efforts have been made during the recent years, large knowledge gaps still exist, such as the relatively high detection limit of existing method failing to detect ultralow masses of NPs in the environment, and spherical polystyrene NP models failing to represent the various compositions of NPs with different irregular shapes, which needs further investigation.     

Water chemistry controlled aggregation and photo-transformation of silver nanoparticles in environmental waters

The inevitable release of engineered silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) into aquatic environments has drawn great concerns about its environmental toxicity and safety. Although aggregation and transformation play crucial roles in the transport and toxicity of AgNPs, how the water chemistry of environmental waters influences the aggregation and transformation of engineered AgNPs is still not well understood. In this study, the aggregation of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) coated AgNPs was investigated in eight typical environmental water samples (with different ionic strengths, hardness, and dissolved organic matter (DOM) concentrations) by using UV–visible spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering. Raman spectroscopy was applied to probe the interaction of DOM with the surface of AgNPs. Further, the photo-transformation and morphology changes of AgNPs in environmental waters were studied by UV–visible spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and transmission electron microscopy. The results suggested that both electrolytes (especially Ca^2 + and Mg^2 +) and DOM in the surface waters are key parameters for AgNP aggregation, and sunlight could accelerate the morphology change, aggregation, and further sedimentation of AgNPs. This water chemistry controlled aggregation and photo-transformation should have significant environmental impacts on the transport and toxicity of AgNPs in the aquatic environments.     

基于可拓理论与区间赋权的煤矿水害安全评价

煤矿水害是煤矿安全生产过程中的五大灾害之一。本文针对煤矿水害系统的复杂性,在建立科学合理的煤矿水害评价指标体系的基础上,将区间赋权法与可拓综合评价法相结合,建立了煤矿水害综合评价的物元模型,并以福建省龙岩市某煤矿为实例,运用该方法对该煤矿水害进行了安全评价。结果表明:该煤矿水害安全等级为安全,基于区间赋权的可拓综合评价方法在一定程度上克服了评价的主观性,不但可以准确地反映煤矿水害的安全等级,而且还能反映与相邻安全等级的距离。     

Geochemistry and health risk assessment of arsenic exposure to street dust in the zinc smelting district, Northeast China

The aim of this study was to investigate arsenic (As) accumulation in street dust and health risk of population. The investigation concentrated on: a. pollution levels of As in street dust; b. spatial distribution of As in street dust; c. physicochemical properties analysis of street dust; and d. assessment of population health risk due to As exposure to street dust. As concentration in street dust ranged from 3.33 to 185.1?mg?kg^?1, with a mean of 33.10?mg?kg^?1, which was higher than the background value of Liaoning soil. As contamination level of the area closing to Huludao Zinc Plant (HZP) was highest. Spatial variation showed that the pollution center was close to HZP, formed radial distribution pattern and extended to the northeast and southwest of HZP. The pH and organic matter of street dust were both higher than the background values of soil in Liaoning. There was significantly negative correlation between As concentration and the pH. The mass percentages of particles 180?C100,?<100?C75,?<75?C63, and?<63???m were 29.8, 3.7, 21.3, and 4.2?%, respectively. The highest of As concentration was found in the smallest particle size (<63???m). As loadings in the particles of grain size 180?C100 and?<75?C63???m were higher than other particle fractions. Results of the risk assessment indicated that the highest risk was associated with the ingestion of street dust particles. Health risk for different use scenarios to human decreased in the order of HZP?>?Industrial district?>?School?>?Commercial center?>?Residential area. Around HZP, Hazard Index (HI) for children and cancer risk of As by street dust exposure exceeded the acceptable values. It indicated that there was a potential adverse effect on children health by As exposure to the street dust of Huludao.     

Cell wall surface layer (S-layer) promotes colony formation in Microcystis: comparison of S-layer characteristics between colonial and unicellular forms of Microcystis and function conformation

Colony is a key to Microcystis becoming a dominant population and forming blooms. To find the mechanism of colony formation, we investigated cell wall structures of colonial and unicellular strains. Results showed that colonial strains had significant surface layer protein (S-layer) on the surface of cells than unicellular strains by transmission electron microscopy. Western blot showed colonial strains had more S-layer than the unicellular strains. When the S-layer gene (GenBank accession number CAO89090.1) of Microcystis aeruginosa PCC7806 was expressed in Synechocystis sp. PCC6803, PCC6803 aggregated into colonial morphology. The results indicated that the S-layer could promote colony formation in Microcystis. Based on the S-layer sequences of PCC6803 and PCC7806, nine S-layer genes in other Microcystis strains were screened from the GenBank. Sequence comparing showed that the S-layers conserved regions were all located in N-terminal. The S-layers contain repeats-in-toxin (RTX) sequences with Ca²⁺-binding site, and their amino acid composition, hydrophobicity, isoelectric point, etc. were consistent with the characteristics of RTX-type S-layer in bacteria.

     

土壤对煤矸石填充时地下水中F-、SO42-的吸附规律

通过室内静态模拟浸泡试验,文章探讨了平煤集团十二矿附近的土壤对该矿煤矸石井下填充过程中地下水溶出的F-和SO42-的吸附性能.研究发现:土壤对F-吸附效果较好,而对SP42-较差;改性土壤对F-和SO42-的吸附效果均较好,均能使其在地下水中的含量达到地下水Ⅲ类标准;F-和SO42-在改性土壤上的吸附等温模型分别符合Freundlich、Temkin等温式;改性土壤对F-和SO42-的解吸过程分为快速和慢速两个反应阶段.通过试验数据分析得出:井下填充时煤矸石和改性土壤的最佳配比为1∶0.26.     

Response of extracellular and intracellular alkaline phosphatase in Microcystis aeruginosa to organic phosphorus

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Cyanobacterial blooms caused by Microcystis have become a menace to public health and water quality in the global freshwater ecosystem. Alkaline...     

活化处理活性炭纤维的表面特性及其汞吸附性能

选用了3种比表面积不同的粘胶基活性炭纤维(ACF-1、ACF-2和ACF-3),并对样品ACF-1进行了浓硝酸和氨水活化处理,获得样品ACF-N和ACF-NH3,最后对这5种ACF样品进行表面特性表征和单质汞的吸附实验.氮分子吸附(77.4K)实验结果表明,ACF-N和ACF-NH3的微孔容积与ACF-1相比有所减小,各样品的微孔(d2nm)分布有一定差异.ACF含有许多不规则的表面微结构,其X射线光电子能谱(XPS)分析表明,ACF-N的含氧官能团(CO、COOH)和ACF-NH3的含氮官能团含量与ACF-1相比均有明显增加.X射线衍射(XRD)分析结果表明,ACF-2和ACF-3的石墨化程度和晶体化程度较ACF-1有所提高.汞吸附实验表明,由于受到ACF表面微结构的影响,微孔容积与吸附能力之间并非简单的依附关系,增加含氧、含氮基团含量在一定程度上能提高ACF的汞吸附容量.     

An assessment of the effectiveness and impact of electrokinetic remediation for pyrene-contaminated soil

The effectiveness of electrokinetic remediation for pyrene-contaminated soil was investigated by an anode-cathode separated system using a salt bridge. The applied constant voltage was 24 V and the electrode gap was 24 cm. Two types of soil （sandy soil and loam soil） were selected because of their different conductive capabilities. The initial concentrations of pyrene in these soil samples were 261.3 mg/kg sandy soil and 259.8 mg/kg loam soil After treatment of the sandy soil and loam soil for seven days, 56.8% and 20.1% of the pyrene had been removed respectively. Under the same power supply voltage, the removal of the pollutant from the sandy soil was greater than that from the loam soil, due to the higher current and lower pH. Further analysis revealed that the effectiveness of electrokinetic remediation was affected by the energy expenditure, and was associated with changes in soil properties.     

河北省承德地区秸秆堆肥特性及腐熟度评价

以河北省承德地区的油葵秸秆、玉米秸秆、大豆秸秆与鸡粪为原料,设置4种不同配比（F1、F2、F3、F4）,于2009年秋末接种EM菌进行堆肥试验.通过对堆肥过程中堆体的温度、含水率、NH4＋-N、NO3--N、pH值、C/N、T值的测定,研究了不同配比对堆肥腐熟度的影响.采用大白菜种子发芽指数（GI）评价了堆肥的腐熟度和...