Biological Activity in a Heavily Organohalogen-Contaminated River Sediment (8 pp)

Background, Aims and Scope Sediments of the Spittelwasser creek are highly polluted with organic compounds and heavy metals due to the discharge of untreated waste waters from the industrial region of Bitterfeld-Wolfen, Germany over the course of more than one century. However, relatively few data have been published about the chloroorganic contamination of the sediment. This paper reports on the content of different (chloro)organic compounds with special emphasis on polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/F), and chlorobenzenes. Existing concepts for the remediation of Spittelwasser sediment include the investigation of natural attenuation processes, which largely depend on the presence of an intact microbial food web. In order to gain more insight in terms of biological activity, we analyzed the capacity of sediment microflora to degrade organic matter by measuring the activities of extracellular hydrolytic enzymes involved in the biogeochemical cycling of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur. Furthermore, the detection of physiologically active bacteria in the sediment, particularly of those known for their capability to reductively dehalogenate organochlorine compounds, illustrates the potential for intrinsic bioremediation processes. Methods PCDD/F and chlorobenzenes were analyzed by gas chromatography(GC)/mass spectrometry and GC/flame ionization detection, respectively. The activities of hydrolytic enzymes were determined from freshly sampled sediment layers using 4-methylumbelliferyl (MUF) or 7-amino-4-methylcoumarin-conjugated model compounds and kinetic fluorescence measurements. Physiologically active bacteria from different sediment layers were microscopically visualized by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Specific bacteria were identified by 16S rRNA gene amplification and sequencing. Results and Discussion The PCDD/F congener profile was dominated by dibenzofurans. In addition, the presence of specific tetra and pentachlorinated dibenzofurans supported the assumption that extensive magnesium production was one possible source for the high contamination. A range of other chloroorganic compounds, including several isomers of chlorobenzenes, hexachlorocyclohexane and 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis (p-chloro-phenyl)ethane (DDT), was present in the sediment. Activities of extracellular hydrolytic enzymes showed a strong decrease in those sediment layers that were characterized by high contents of absorbable organic halogen (AOX), indicating disturbed organic matter decay. Interestingly, an abnormal increase of cellulolytic enzyme activities below the organochlorine-rich layers was observed, possibly caused by residual cellulose from discharges of sulfite pulping wastes. FISH revealed physiologically active bacteria in most sediment layers from the surface down to the depth of about 60 cm, including members of Desulfitobacterium (D.) and Sulfurospirillum. The presence of D. dehalogenans was confirmed by its partial 16S rRNA gene sequence. Conclusions Results of chemical sediment analyses demonstrated high loads of organochlorine compounds, particularly of PCDD/F. Several years after stopping the waste water discharge to Spittelwasser creek, this sediment remains a main source for pollution of the downstream river system by way of the ongoing mobilization of sediment during high floods. As indicated by our enzyme activity measurements, the decomposition potential for organic matter is low in organochlorine-rich sediment layers. In contrast, the comparably higher enzyme activities in less organochlorine-polluted sediment layers as well as the presence of physiologically active bacteria suggest a considerable potential for natural attenuation. Recommendations and Perspectives From our data we strongly recommend to explore the degradative capacity of sediment microorganisms and the limits for in situ activity towards specific sediment pollutants in more detail. This will give a sound basis for the integration of bioremediation approaches into general concepts to reduce the risk that permanently radiates from this highly contaminated sediment. Submission Editor: Dr. Henner Hollert (Henner.Hollert@urz.uniheidelberg.de)     

Effects of SO2 and H2O on low-temperature NO conversion over F-V2O5-WO3/TiO2 catalysts

F-V_2 O_5-WO3/Ti02 catalysts were prepared by the impregnation method.As the content of F ions increased from 0.00 to 0.35 wt.%,the NO conversion of F-V_2 O_5-WO_3/TiO_2 catalysts initially increased and then decreased.The 0.2 F-V_2 O_5-WO_3/TiO_2 catalyst(0.2 wt.% F ion)exhibited the best denitration(De-NOx) performance,with more than 95% NO conversion in the temperature range 160-360℃,and 99.0% N2 selectivity between 110 and 280℃.The addition of an appropriate amount of F ions eroded the surface morphology of the catalyst and reduced its grain size,thus enhancing the NO conversion at low temperature as well as the sulfur and water resistance of the V_2 O_5-WO3/Ti02 catalyst.After selective catalytic reduction(SCR) reaction in a gas flow containing SO_2 and H_2 O,the number of NH3 adsorption sites,active component content,specific surface area and pore volume decreased to different degrees.Ammonium sulfate species deposited on the catalyst surface,which blocked part of the active sites and reduced the NO conversion performance of the catalyst.On-line thermal regeneration could not completely recover the catalyst activity,although it prolonged the cumulative life of the catalyst.In addition,a mechanism for the effects of S02 and H_2 O on catalyst NO conversion was proposed.     

Air Pollution and Heat Exposure Study in the Workplace in a Glass Manufacturing Unit in India

Air pollution in the workplace environment due to industrial operation have been found to cause serious occupational health hazard. Similarly, heat stress is still most neglected occupational hazard in the tropical and subtropical countries like India. The hot climate augments the heat exposure close to sources like furnaces. In this study an attempt is made to assess air pollution and heat exposure levels to workers in the workplace environment in glass manufacturing unit located in the State of Gujarat, India. Samples for workplace air quality were collected for SPM, SO₂, NO₂ and CO₂ at eight locations. Results of workplace air quality showed 8-hourly average concentrations of SPM: 165–9118 μg/m³, SO₂: 6–9 μg/m³ and NO₂: 5–42 μg/m³, which were below the threshold limit values of workplace environment. The level of CO₂ in workplace air of the plant was found to be in the range 827–2886 μg/m³, which was below TLV but much higher than the normal concentration for CO₂ in the air (585 mg/m³). Indoor heat exposure was studied near the furnace and at various locations in an industrial complex for glass manufacturing. The heat exposure parameters including the air temperature, the wet bulb temperature, and the globe parameters were measured. The Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), an indicator of heat, exceeded ACGIH TLVs limits most of the time at all the locations in workplace areas. The recommended duration of work and rest have also been estimated.     

烟气脱硫工艺的选择

论述了现今国内外烟气脱硫的现状及烟气脱硫工艺的分类，国内外较为先进的烟气脱硫工艺的机理及特点，且对不同的脱硫技术的优缺点进行了全面的比较，对需要进行脱硫的装置现状了科学地分析，并最终提出选择合理的脱硫工艺的方法及注意的问题。     

湿式高效除尘脱硫装置的试验研究

本文介绍了一种高效除尘脱硫装置──三相流化床的性能和原理，并对三相流化床除尘脱硫工业中试系统的试验结果进行了分析．试验表明三相流化床除尘效率可达９８％，脱硫效率达７０％，运行安全可靠．     

湿法烟气脱硫添加剂的试验研究

采用我校自主设计研制的水浴脱硫设备,以石灰石为脱硫剂,通过模拟烟气净化冷态模型试验研究了甲酸,乙酸,已二酸,草酸作为有机添加剂对湿法烟气脱硫的影响,并讨论了其机理.试验结果表明,有机酸添加剂能减缓脱硫液pH值的降低过程,能在较低的pH值时得到较高的脱硫率.实验结果为有机添加剂在湿法脱硫中的应用提供了理论依据.     

煤气洗涤废水的处理研究

本研究对特难处理的煤气洗涤废水，采用混凝──电化学氧化处理，可获得良好的处理效果．其ＣＯＤ、油、酚分别由１０３２２ｍｇ／Ｌ、１５０００ｍｇ／Ｌ、１５７０ｍｇ／Ｌ降至２８９ｍｇ／Ｌ、１００ｍｇ／Ｌ、０．５ｍｇ／Ｌ．去除率分别为９７．２％，９３．３％，９９．９７％．     

Effects of bifenthrin on Daphnia magna during chronic toxicity test and the recovery test

IntroductionWiththedevelopmentandapplicationofnewpesticide ,insecticidehasgreatlyreducedtheharmofpesttocrops .Bifenthrinisaneffectivepyrethroidinsecticideandacaricideagainstawiderangeofinsectpests ,anditisverypoisonoustomammal,aquatic .Thisinsecticideiswi…     

火电厂烟气脱硫工艺国产化初探

火电厂排放的SO2形成酸雨已严重危害人类生存环境。国家把解决烟气脱硫问题纳入大政方针之中，强制要求火电厂必须安装烟气脱硫装置。文章介绍了几种目前国际上较为成熟的脱硫工艺，并对各种工艺进行了比较，分析了国内烟气脱硫市场，并就脱硫技术国产化问题提出若干看法。     

用锅炉冲渣水为水源的湿式除尘器脱硫

通过对大连重工集团五台文丘里—麻石除尘器脱硫率的测定、各关键点pH值的测定、渣池中各金属含量的测定，说明了以锅炉冲渣水为水源进行湿法除尘，既经济又可达到稳定脱硫的目的。