Utilization of waste product (tamarind seeds) for the removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions: Equilibrium, kinetics, and regeneration studies

In the present study, an adsorbent was prepared from tamarind seeds and used after activation for the removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions. The tamarind seeds were activated by treating them with concentrated sulfuric acid (98% w/w) at a temperature of 150 °C. The adsorption of Cr(VI) was found to be maximum at low values of initial pH in the range of 1–3. The adsorption process of Cr(VI) was tested with Langmuir, Freundlich, Redlich–Peterson, Koble–Corrigan, Tempkin, Dubinin–Radushkevich and Generalized isotherm models. Application of the Langmuir isotherm to the system yielded a maximum adsorption capacity of 29.7 mg/g at an equilibrium pH value ranging from 1.12 to 1.46. The adsorption process followed second-order kinetics and the corresponding rate constants obtained were 2.605 × 10⁻³, 0.818 × 10⁻³, 0.557 × 10⁻³ and 0.811 × 10⁻³ g/mg min⁻¹ for 50, 200, 300 and 400 mg/L of initial Cr(VI) concentration, respectively. The regenerated activated tamarind seeds showed more than 95% Cr(VI) removal of that obtained using the fresh activated tamarind seeds. A feasible solution is proposed for the disposal of the contaminants (acid and base solutions) containing high concentrations of Cr(VI) obtained during the regeneration (desorption) process.     

Conservation of indigenous plants to support community livelihoods: the MGU – Useful Plants Project

Through the MGU – Useful Plants Project (2007–2015) led by the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, high-quality seed collections and research information have been gathered on useful indigenous plants selected by communities in Botswana, Kenya, Mali, South Africa, and Mexico. Local communities were trained in seed conservation, plant propagation, and planting activities, while revenue generation was promoted directly through the sustainable use of plants and plant products and indirectly through wider environmental and cultural services. The success of this project was determined by its participative approach, involving local communities in plant conservation activities and using plant research to support it. However, the promotion of sustainable use and income generation highlighted issues that confirmed the importance of using a ‘holistic approach’ to address the objective of poverty reduction and contribute to improved livelihoods in the communities.     

Effects of Smoke Emissions from a Charcoal Kiln on the Functioning of Forest Soil Systems: A Microcosm Study

Long-term charcoal production in small private charcoal kilns (CK) in Eastern Bieszczady Mts. (SE Poland) can cause local smoke contamination of the ambient forest environment. Responses of model soil systems, contaminated or not contaminated by CK smoke, to contrasting combinations of hydrothermic regimes were compared in laboratory microcosms (respiration of soil community, decomposition rate of soil organic matter and cotton stripes, herb seeds germination were studied). The majority of the obtained data show a markedly higher level of soil biological activity in the CK versus the control series. In some cases CK and control soil systems show different patterns of reactions to the tested combinations of microclimate regime. These phenomena should at least partly be attributed to the effects of CK pollution.     

污染稻、麦籽实中Cd、Cu、Pb的分布及其存在形态初探

采用组织化学及溶剂提取法研究了污染水稻、小麦籽实中Cd、Cu、Pb的分布及存在形态．结果表明,3种金属元素在水稻、小麦籽实各形态结构中的浓度具有明显不均一性,胚中浓度显著高于胚乳,颖壳,皮层中浓度也较高;糙米、麦粒中的Cd、Cu、Pb在去离子水、0.1mol EDTA、1％醋酸、2.5％　NaCl、0.2％NaOH、70％乙醇中的溶出比例有显著差异;综合2项试验结果可以看出Cd、Cu、Pb在籽实中主要与谷物成分结合形成配合物,其优势形态是蛋白质结合态．     

Cd对野茼蒿种子发芽的影响

为了研究重金属Cd在野茼蒿生长初期所产生的毒性效应,本文以野茼蒿种子为实验材料,分别设定了低浓度组(0、0.2、0.5、0.8、1.0和5.0 mg·L-1)和高浓度组(0、10、25、50和100 mg·L-1)2组实验,对在Cd胁迫作用下野茼蒿种子的萌发生长进行了研究.结果表明:在低浓度(＜5 mg·L-1)下,C...     

1,4-二氯苯对小白菜种子萌发和幼苗的毒性

采用室内模拟染毒法,研究1,4-DCB(1,4-二氯苯)对3种小白菜种子(矮青6号、上海青和秦白2号)萌发和蔬菜幼苗的毒性作用. 结果表明:1,4-DCB作用后,3种小白菜种子的发芽势、种子发芽率、发芽指数和活力指数均降低,并呈现一定的剂量-效应关系;种子受1,4-DCB胁迫后,小白菜幼苗的根和苗生长都受到了抑制,根长和苗高降低,根苗比显著下降;随着ρ(1,4-DCB)的升高,受胁迫后的幼苗叶片的w(游离脯氨酸)呈现先升高后降低的趋势,而MDA(丙二醛)含量逐渐升高,与ρ(1,4-DCB)呈正相关;幼苗叶片SOD(超氧化物歧化酶)活性在ρ(1,4-DCB)为5 mg/L时升高,在ρ(1,4-DCB)为10和50 mg/L时明显降低;与对照组相比,各处理组幼苗叶片POD(过氧化物酶)活性均升高,但是ρ(1,4-DCB)为50mg/L时酶活性比ρ(1,4-DCB)为10 mg/L时下降. 表明水体中1,4-DCB污染对蔬菜种子萌发和幼苗生长产生毒性,其毒性机制与膜脂质过氧化有关.      

客土喷播-高速公路边坡绿化防护新技术

客土喷播是高速公路边坡绿化防护的一门新技术，本文以探索其生态效益、经济效益及社会效益为目的，着重阐述了客士喷播的工程技术、工艺流程、施工过程及方案，并通过试点工程试验结果，证实了该项技术的可行性和优越性．     

麻疯树籽壳生物质炭的制备及对六价铬离子的吸附研究

以麻疯树籽壳为原料经磷酸活化后炭化处理制备了生物质炭吸附剂。以六价铬离子为目标对象,考察了磷酸浓度、活化时间、炭化温度、炭化时间等制备条件对生物质炭吸附六价铬离子的能力,并探讨了生物质炭的投加量、溶液pH值等工艺条件对六价铬离子吸附能力的影响。结果表明:在磷酸浓度为2 mol/L,活化18 h,600℃下炭化1.5 h时所制得的生物质炭在投加量为5 g/L、溶液pH值为3时对铬离子的吸附效果最佳,铬离子去除率为74.5%。     

封闭循环海水育苗系统生物滤池的应用

针对循环海水育苗系统,进行了高效硝化菌剂在天然植物载体填料上的人工挂膜及生物滤池运行实验.结果表明,该系统在低温条件下,人工挂膜仍能快速有效地达到一定的运行效果,并能维持较长的时间.初步探讨了在极低的氨氮负荷和水温条件下,水力停留时间.进水氨氮浓度及温度对生物滤池硝化效果的影响.通过育苗过程的长期运行,证明该系统能够有效去除氨氮,使NH₄⁺-N,NO₂^--N,NO₃^--N及COD浓度长期维持在较低水平上.