A Zr-based stable metal-organic frameworks DUT-67 (Zr) was successfully synthesized as an adsorbent to remove trace mercury and methylmercury ions in aqueous solution. The removal efficiency of 90% and 55% of Hg2+ and CH3Hg+ was respectively achieved at pH 6 and 55°C. The S in thiophene has a relatively weak adsorption capacity for mercury and there could be the slight π-complexation between thiophere ring of DUT-67 (Zr) and Hg2+ besides physical absorption, while there only was physical adsorption between DUT-67 (Zr) and CH3Hg+. The developed methods were applied to remove trace Hg2+ and CH3Hg+ in the real water samples, and the removal efficiency was from 69% to 90% and from 30% to 77% respectively; when the concentrations of Hg2+ was lower than 20 μg L−1 in the samples, the remaining mercury concentration was lower than 1 μg L−1，which can meet the standard of the World Health Organization.
This study was aimed to analyze the thallium pollution and assess the potential ecological risks in the vicinity of coal mines in Henan province, China. We studied 90 surface farmland soil samples from 9 representative coal mines. The Tl concentrations were determined and the potential ecological risks were evaluated. Investigations revealed the farmland soils were modestly contaminated and the trace elements in coal mining areas transferred to the surface soils. Soil Tl contents and potential ecological risks in coal mining areas were significantly increased compared with the original soils which came from the villagers’ mud houses built 40 years ago. The soil Tl concentrations ranged from 0.25 to 0.77(mean = 0.46) mg∙kg−1, which were higher than the original level (0.42 mg∙kg−1). The potential ecological risk index of Tl ranged from 24.00 to 73.2 (mean 44.08), representing a moderate pollution level as a whole of the soils in Henan. In general, high Tl concentrations and high potential ecological risk were found around SHQ and DTG. The soil Tl concentrations exceed the original level and pose noticeable ecological risks.
The yak manure based biochar was produced at different temperatures of 300, 500 and 700 ℃ held for 3 h, which was characterized by BET surface area, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, pH measurement, analysis, scanning electron microscopy and ultimate analysis. The resultant biochar had characteristics of high surface area, high pH, porous structure and rich nutrients such as N, P, Ca, Mg, and K, inferring that the yak manure-derived biochar could be used as a soil conditioner. The field experiment was conducted to study the effect of yak manure derived biochar amendment on the yield and biological traits of highland barley, revealing that adding biochar to soil could increase the yield and growth of highland barley in short-term although the long-term benefits remain to be quantified. The present results can be useful to fill the knowledge gap regarding the potential of yak manure derived biochar to soil improvement.
The effects of adding larch (Larix kaempferi) leaf litter and nitrogen (N) on microbial activity and phosphorus (P) fractions in forest soil were examined in a short-term (28-d) laboratory incubation study. The soil was analyzed using a modified Hedley sequential extraction procedure and an acid phosphatase assay. The addition of larch litter and N increased the acid phosphatase activity and decreased the labile P (H2O-P+NaHCO3-P) concentration. Compared with addition of larch litter only, addition of both inputs decreased the proportion of inorganic P (Pi) and increased that of organic P (Po) in the NaOH fraction, bound to aluminum and iron oxides. The results of nutrient (carbon, N, or P) addition indicated that acid phosphatase was synthesized to acquire P. This study suggests that, in this forest soil, P in the H2O-P+NaHCO3-P and in the NaOH-Pi fractions was available for soil microorganisms to decompose leaf litter and that increase in microbial activity eventually translated in an increase in the proportion of Po found in the NaOH fraction in this forest soil.
Adsorption of levofloxacin (LEV) onto four types of magnesium (Mg)-impregnated biochars, fabricated via thermal pyrolysis of wood chips pretreated with MgSO4 was investigated. The Mg-impregnated biochars were characterized with various tools and techniques. Batch sorption experiments were conducted to determine the sorption kinetics and isotherms of LEV onto the Mg-impregnated biochars. The pseudo-second order kinetic model described the adsorption kinetic data better than the pseudo-first order kinetic model and the Elovich equation. Due to multi-mechanisms, the Freundlich model described the experimental isotherms better than the Langmuir model. The Langmuir maximum adsorption capacities of the Mg-impregnated biochars to LEV ranged from 7.38 to 25.2 mg g(-1). In the fixed-bed column experiment, higher bed height and lower flow rate led to greater LEV removal. Findings from this work indicate that Mg-impregnated biochars can be used as an alternative adsorbent to effectively remove LEV from aqueous solutions.
Columnar sediment samples were collected from five representative river inflow areas of Dianchi Lake, China. The vertical distribution of each form of P were tested. Results showed that the concentration of TP in the sediments from areas A, B, C, D and E in the order of D > B > A > C > E, and the average concentration of D, B, A, C and E were 2991, 2064, 1308, 879, and 759 mg•kg−1, respectively. The concentration of Ex-P, Fe/Al-P, Ca-P and Org-P all decreased with increasing depth. The release of Ex-P was significantly related to TP whereas the Fe/Al-P was not significantly related to TP in the samples from areas polluted by domestic sewage. However, the release of Ex-P and Fe/Al-P were both significantly related to TP in the samples from areas polluted by phosphate mining and phosphate fertilizer application. The results of equilibrium P concentration (EPC0) analysis showed that P in the sediments of areas A, D and E were the source of P in Dianchi Lake, and the P in the sediments of areas B and C were in relative equilibrium with the overlying water.
Soil humus degradation strengthens nutrient mining, especially phosphorus. This study was carried out on the Ukrainian Forest-Steppe Zone (UFSZ). A total of 21 soil profiles have been investigated: 11 Phaeozems, 6 Luvisols, and 4 Chernozems. Soils were tested for particle size distribution, calcium carbonate (CC), pH, and organic carbon (Corg). The evaluation of humus degradation as a reason of P depletion was performed based on indicators such as Humus Stock Gap (HSG), Humus Stability Index (S), and Yield Gap/Gain (YG/G). In order to evaluate the degree of P depletion, total phosphorus (Ptot) and its five fractions: water soluble – PH2O, exchangeable – PEX, bound to Fe and Al – PFe/Al, bound to Ca – PCa, and residual P – Pres, have been determined. Data revealed that in 14 of 21 investigated soils, S indices were below the threshold its value of nine, considered as the balanced content of humus with respect to soil texture. Next, in 11 of 21 cases, the negative humus balance indicates the yield gap in Phaeozems and Chernozems. The first three P pools (PH2O, PEX and PAl/Fe) in Phaeozems were exhausted, constituting less than 10% of the Ptot. In Phaeozems, PAl/Fe, in Luvisols, PEX, and in Chernozems, PH2O fractions were basic indicators of available P status. Their pools were directly or indirectly controlled by PCa. Humus content in Phaeozems and Chernozems revealed as the key factor impacting both total P and/or its available resources. Amelioration of P depletion requires efforts oriented on restoration of soil humus stock, concomitant with P fertilization.
The transport of Pb(II) or Cd(II) in subsurface has been studied in the literature; however; their co-transport in porous media in presence of colloids has not been clearly understood. In this work, a series of column experiments were conducted to study Pb(II) and Cd(II) co-transport in saturated porous media under various experimental conditions with different combination of colloidal solution (montmorillonite colloid, manual loessial soil colloid and humic acid), flow rate (0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 ml min−1) and sand grain size (0.4–0.8mm and 0.8–2.0mm). The results showed that increase of flow rate and grain size promoted the mobility of Pb(II) and Cd(II), furthermore, the presences of mobile colloids also enhanced the mobility of the two heavy metals, meanwhile, Cd(II) showed higher mobility than Pb(II) in the columns. Findings from this work enhanced current understanding of the competitive transport and colloid-facilitated transport of heavy metals in saturated porous media.
The interactive effects of straw-derived biochar and bio-based polymer-coated urea (BPCU) was examined with a pot experiment conducted in 2014 and 2015. Using a split-plot design, the main plot factor was the form of straw use and the sub-plot factor was the type of N fertilizer. The soil inorganic nitrogen (N), organic carbon and lint yield of biochar treatments were significantly higher than for straw treatments. Meanwhile, the BPCU treatments enhanced nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and yield over urea treatments. Biochar combined with BPCU resulted in the highest lint yield, 14.3–108.2% increasing over the other treatments, with NUE 27.1–63.5% increased. We attributed this superior performance to the interactive effects between BPCU’s controlled supply of N according to cotton’s N requirements and biochar’s functionalities in enhancing soil quality. Thus, the application of biochar and BPCU is a sustainable strategy to improve soil quality and increase cotton yield.
With the fast-developing nanotechnology, metal based nanoparticles (NPs) production and application are increased significantly. These metal based NPs can enter agricultural land through both direct and indirect pathways. This review presents an overview of the fate and transport of metal based NPs and their interactions with plants in agricultural ecosystem system. The physical chemical properties of both metal based NPs (e.g. size, surface charge, surface coating) and soil matrix (e.g. pH, ionic strength, mineral composition, dissolved organic matter) all play important roles in determining the mobility, transformation and potential risks of metal based NPs in plant and soil system. NPs can be accumulated to plant roots and translocated to other parts of the plants. The properties of both plant and metal based NPs are playing critical roles to this process. Systematic research of metal based NPs in environmentally relevant concentrations and conditions is needed for the future study.
Chemical speciation was carried out on trace and rare earth elements on trace and rare earth elements data on water samples in Oban Massif and Mamfe Mbayment southeastern Nigeria. Product moment correlation showed significant correlation at r>0.7 between REEs Pr and Nd, Pr and Lu, Sm and Nd, Sm and Pr, Tb and Nd, Tm and Tb, and Yb and Nd. Speciation modeling result showed that free metal ionic species dominated boreholes and spring water samples. The predominant trace metal complex is the OH- ligand. Trace elements mineral saturation indexes in boreholes at oversaturation (S>1) predicted more mineral species than equilibrium saturation (S=0). Rare earth elements mineral oversaturation (S>1) in boreholes predicted least mineral species. Undersaturation (S<1) predicted highest range of rare earth elements minerals. Springs and streams at S>1, predicted more mineral range than equilibrium (S=O) while mineral prediction at S<1 were the highest. Rare earth elements are precipitated at undersaturated condition in the study area.
A total of eight military shooting ranges were used for this study. Soil samples were collected at each of the eight shooting ranges at the berm, target line, 50 and 100 m from berm. In all of the shooting ranges investigated the highest total lead (Pb) concentrations were found in the berm soils. Elevated Pb concentrations of 38 406.87 mg kg(-1) were found in the berm soils of TAB shooting range. Most of the shooting range soils contained high levels of Pb in the range above 2000 mg kg(-1) far exceeding the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) critical value of 400 mg kg(-1) . The predominant weathering products in these shooting ranges were cerussite(PbCO3) and hydrocerussite (Pb-3(CO3)(2)(OH)(2)). The Synthetic Precipitation Leaching Procedure (SPLP) Pb concentrations exceeded the USEPA 0.015 mg kg(-1) critical level of hazardous waste indicating possible contamination of surface and groundwater.
This study aims to determine the sediment changes and the trends in TOC, BC and TN before and after restoration of the mangrove wetland in the Jinjiang Estuary and to determine the effect of the wetland restoration process on the biogeochemical cycle of carbon and nitrogen. The results suggest that the sediments were mainly silt-sized. Among different sites with different types of plants and vegetation densities, the adsorptive ability of N in the plots in plantations of Kandelia obovata, Avicennia marina and Acanthus ilicifolius was the highest. The TOC content differed (p < 0.05) with the density of the plot and significantly differed (p < 0.01) with the mangrove species at the densities of 0.5 × 1 m and 0.5 × 0.5 m. There was a positive relationship between the TOC and TN and the TOC and carbon-nitrogen ratio (C/N) (P < 0.05).
Trace metal species in the water column of a canal system forming a wetland filled with wastewater were analyzed to determine their correlation with metal accumulation in the gills of locally fished Oreochromis niloticus. The metal concentrations in the suspended particles and water dissolved were analyzed. The metal species were calculated using Windermere Humic Aqueous Model version VII showing that the high organic matter and major cation contents were important parameters. Also, the free ion metal concentration was expected to correlate with the organic matter aromaticity; however, organic compounds other than humic susbtances seem to be complexing the metals in the system. Additionally, no clear correlation could be found between metal accumulation in gills and any of the dissolved metal species. Nonetheless, certain trends could be seen between the calculated metal species and metal accumulation in the tilapia from the suspended particles.
The investigations of nanotechnology with the application on agricultural products also have been few reported, especially the plant regeneration. The effects of activated charcoal and nanocarbon on the callus induction and plant regeneration of aromatic rice were studied. Activated charcoal was added into the callus induction and regeneration medium. The presence of activated charcoal in the callus induction medium (100–500 mg L−1), activated charcoal significantly reduced the percentage of the callus induction and biomass accumulation (fresh weight, dry weight and size). Whereas, the regeneration medium supplemented with 100 mg L−1 of activated charcoal showed the highest percentage of plant regeneration (61.90%) and the ratio of the number of seedlings to the number of regenerated calli (RSR; 3.06) that derived from the callus induction medium (without activated charcoal). Moreover, the induced calli derived from the callus induction medium supplemented with nanocarbon at 5 mg L−1 showed the highest percentage of callus induction (94.70%), the percentage of green spots (95.83%), the percentage of plant regeneration (60.42%) and the RSR (3.12) when transferred the calli into the regeneration medium (without nanocarbon). After that, nanocarbon was also added into the regeneration medium. The percentage of green spots (96.08%), the percentage of plant regeneration (62.75%) and the RSR (3.16) obtained from the regeneration medium supplemented with 20 mg L−1 of nanocarbon showed the highest values. This experiment showed that the optimum concentration of activated charcoal and nanocarbon had potential to enhance the callus induction and plant regeneration frequencies in tissue culture medium of aromatic rice.
In this work, ceramic pellets were used as packing material to establish a biotrickling filter (BTF) with acclimated sludge being inoculated on the surface of the packing to purify waste gas containing styrene. A method of toluene-styrene secondary acclimation was applied to achieve rapid formation of biological films. Results showed that the total time of start-up was 48 days and the removal efficiency (RE) of styrene reached up to 95%. The suitable empty bed residence time (EBRT) was obtained that is 57 s for higher RE of styrene with the inlet loading rates of 6.7–271.6 g/m3/h. The pH and moisture content showed small effect on styrene removal indicating that the operation of BTF was stable. Biomass accumulation was normal and its rising velocity under the condition of short EBRT was faster than that of long EBRT.
To understand the effects of ionic strength and pH on the transport of natural soil nanoparticles (NS) in saturated porous media, aeolian sandy soil nanoparticles (AS), cultivated loessial soil nano particles (CS), manural loessial soil nanoparticles (MS) and red soil nanoparticles (RS) were leached with solutions of varying pH and ionic strength. The recovery rate of soil nanoparticles decreased in the order AS > RS > MS > CS. Transport of soil nanoparticles was enhanced with increasing pH and decreasing ionic strength and was attributable to changes in the Zeta potential of NS. Deposition of NS was also affected by the composition of soil nanoparticles and the surface charge. Column experiments showed that the interaction between soil nanoparticles and saturated quartz sand was mainly due to the physical and chemical properties of soil nanoparticles. The Derjaguin–Landau–Verwey–Overbeek interaction energies between NS and sand were affected by pHs and ionic strengths. Soil nanoparticles transport through saturated porous media could be accurately simulated by the one-dimensional advection-dispersion-reaction equation.
Adsorption of Hg2+ and methylmercury (MeHg) to multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) modified, respectively, with hydroxyl, amine and carboxyl groups was studied. The effect of various factors like the initial pH, natural organic matter (NOM), Cl- and adsorbent dose on the sorption efficiency were evaluated. It was found that amine-modified MWCNTs showed a strong adsorption capacity to Hg2+ and MeHg, and the removal efficiency could reach up to 92% (0.5 g/L MWCNTs, and 100 μg/L Hg2+ and MeHg) which is independent of pH. NOM had complex effects on the adsorption of Hg2+ and MeHg to MWCNTs. Cl- inhibited the adsorption of Hg2+ and MeHg to MWCNTs. The adsorption of Hg2+ and MeHg was found to be inhomogeneous and homogeneous chemisorption, respectively. Our results suggested that MWCNTs modified with different functional groups can efficiently adsorb both Hg2+ and MeHg in aqueous environment.
