Mobilization of natural colloids from an iron oxide-coated sand aquifer: effect of pH and ionic strength

Field and laboratory column experiments were performed to assess the effect of elevated pH and reduced ionic strength on the mobilization of natural colloids in a ferric oxyhydroxide-coated aquifer sediment. The field experiments were conducted as natural gradient injections of groundwater amended by sodium hydroxide additions. The laboratory experiments were conducted in columns of undisturbed, oriented sediments and disturbed, disoriented sediments. In the field, the breakthrough of released colloids coincided with the pH pulse breakthrough and lagged the bromide tracer breakthrough. The breakthrough behavior suggested that the progress of the elevated pH front controlled the transport of the mobilized colloids. In the laboratory, about twice as much colloid release occurred in the disturbed sediments as in the undisturbed sediments. The field and laboratory experiments both showed that the total mass of colloid release increased with increasing pH until the concurrent increase in ionic strength limited release. A decrease in ionic strength did not mobilize significant amounts of colloids in the field. The amount of colloids released normalized to the mass of the sediments was similar for the field and the undisturbed laboratory experiments.     

Field and laboratory investigations of inactivation of viruses (PRD1 and MS2) attached to iron oxide-coated quartz sand

Field and laboratory experiments were conducted to investigate inactivation of viruses attached to mineral surfaces. In a natural gradient transport field experiment, bacteriophage PRD1, radiolabeled with 32P, was injected into a ferric oxyhydroxide-coated sand aquifer with bromide and linear alkylbenzene sulfonates. In a zone of the aquifer contaminated by secondary sewage infiltration, small fractions of infective and 32P-labeled PRD1 broke through with the bromide tracer,followed bythe slow release of 84% of the 32P activity and only 0.011% of the infective PRD1. In the laboratory experiments, the inactivation of PRD1, labeled with 35S (protein capsid), and MS2, dual radiolabeled with 35S (protein capsid) and 32P (nucleic acid), was monitored in the presence of groundwater and sediment from the contaminated zone of the field site. Release of infective viruses decreased at a much faster rate than release of the radiolabels, indicating that attached viruses were undergoing surface inactivation. Disparities between 32P and 35S release suggest that the inactivated viruses were released in a disintegrated state. Comparison of estimated solution and surface inactivation rates indicates solution inactivation is approximately 3 times as fast as surface inactivation. The actual rate of surface inactivation may be substantially underestimated owing to slow release of inactivated viruses.     

Microbes enhance mobility of arsenic in pleistocene aquifer sand from Bangladesh

Dissimilatory metal-reducing bacteria can mobilize As, but few studies have studied such processes in deeper orange-colored Pleistocene sands containing 1-2 mg kg(-1) As that are associated with low-As groundwater in Bangladesh. To address this gap, anaerobic incubations were conducted in replicate over 90 days using natural orange sands initially containing 0.14 mg kg(-1) of 1 M phosphate-extractable As (24 h), >99% as As(V), and 0.8 g kg(-1) of 1.2 M HCl-leachable Fe (1 h at 80 °C), 95% as Fe(III). The sediment was resuspended in artificial groundwater, with or without lactate as a labile carbon source, and inoculated with metal-reducing Shewanella sp. ANA-3. Within 23 days, dissolved As concentrations increased to 17 μg L(-1) with lactate, 97% as As(III), and 2 μg L(-1) without lactate. Phosphate-extractable As concentrations increased 4-fold to 0.6 mg kg(-1) in the same incubations, even without the addition of lactate. Dissolved As levels in controls without Shewanella, both with and without lactate, instead remained <1 μg L(-1). These observations indicate that metal-reducers such as Shewanella can trigger As release to groundwater by converting sedimentary As to a more mobilizable form without the addition of high levels of labile carbon. Such interactions need to be better understood to determine the vulnerability of low-As aquifers from which drinking water is increasingly drawn in Bangladesh.     

铁蛋白铁释放机理的研究进展

铁蛋白是一种广泛存在于生命体中的铁贮藏蛋白,具有调节机体铁代谢平衡和去除二价铁毒性的双重功能。缺铁严重影响着全球近一半人的健康,研究表明,铁蛋白具有良好的补铁活性而且安全、高效,能够取代具有毒副作用的传统补铁试剂。因此,寻求并开发以铁蛋白为原料的新型补铁功能食品已成为一种趋势。为了更科学地应用于实践和开发,对铁蛋白理化性质及其生物学功能的阐明显得颇为重要。目前,关于铁蛋白铁释放机理的研究分为体外和体内两个方面,体外机理涉及还原剂和螯合剂的共同作用,而体内机理主要涉及降解途径和酶介导的还原释放途径。综述了国内外有关铁蛋白铁释放机理的研究进展,以期为新型补铁功能食品的开发提供理论依据。     

Effects of advanced oxidation on green sand properties via iron casting into green sand molds

The effects of advanced oxidation (AO) processing on the properties of green sand were studied via pouring cast iron into green sand molds. Upon cooling, the green sand molds were autopsied at various distances from the metal-sand interface. Autopsy green sand samples collected from a mold that incorporated AO water were characterized and compared to controlled samples collected from a similar autopsied mold made with conventional tap water (TAP). It was found that the AO processing removed a coating of coal pyrolysis products from the clay surface that typically accumulated on the clay surface. As a result, the AO-conditioned green sand retained 10-15% more active clay as measured bythe standard ultrasonic methylene blue titration than did the TAP-conditioned green sand. The AO processing also nearly doubled the generation of activated carbon from the normalized amount of coal composition of the green sand during the casting process. The AO-enhanced activated carbon generation and the AO-incurred clay surface cleaning provided the AO-conditioned green sand with higher normalized pore volume, and thus higher normalized m-xylene adsorption capacity, i.e., relative to before-metal-pouring conditions. Furthermore, mathematical analysis indicated that the AO-conditioned green sand better retained its important properties after pouring than did the TAP-conditioned green sand. Effectively, this meant after metal pouring, the AO-conditioned sample offered about the same net properties as the TAP-conditioned sample, even though the AO-conditioned sample contained less clay and coal before metal pouring. These results conformed to the full-scale foundry empirical finding that when AO is used, foundries need less makeup clay and coal addition through each casting cycle, and they release less air emissions.     

Use of pretreatment zones and zero-valent iron for the remediation of chloroalkenes in an oxic aquifer

Pretreatment zones (PTZs) composed of sand, 10% zero-valent iron [Fe(0)]/sand, and 10% pyrite (FeS2)/sand were examined for their ability to prolong Fe(0) reactivity in above ground column reactors and a subsurface permeable reactive barrier (PRB). The test site had an acidic, oxic aquifer contaminated with tetrachloroethylene (PCE) and trichloroethylene (TCE). The 10% FeS2 and 10% Fe(0) PTZs removed dissolved oxygen and affected the pH and E(h) in the PTZ. None of the PTZs had any effect on pH or E(h) in the 100% Fe(0) zone. Nitrate and sulfate were removed more quickly in the Fe(0) zones preceded by either the 10% Fe(0) PTZ or 10% FeS2. PCE first-order degradation rate constants (k(obs)) decreased significantly (> 80%) with increasing column pore volumes regardless of the PTZ material used. k(obs) finally leveled off after approximately 1 yr of operation. The column results predict that the PRB will experience a breakthrough of PCE in 3-5 yr and illustrate the importance of incorporating temporal variations in degradation rate constants when designing PRBs.     

Microbial removal of Fe(III) impurities from clay using dissimilatory iron reducers

Fe(III) impurities, which detract refractoriness and whiteness from porcelain and pottery, could be biologically removed from low-quality clay by indigenous dissimilatory Fe(III)-reducing microorganisms. Insoluble Fe(III) in clay particles was leached out as soluble Fe(II), and the Fe(III) reduction reaction was coupled to the oxidation of sugars such as glucose, maltose and sucrose. A maximum removal of 44-45% was obtained when the relative amount of sugar was 5% (w/w; sugar/clay). By the microbial treatment, the whiteness of the clay was increased from 63.20 to 79.64, whereas the redness was clearly decreased from 13.47 to 3.55.     

Effect of fat content on flavour release from sausages

The influence of fat content (5%, 10% and 15%) of sausage on the release of 10 volatile compounds with different physicochemical properties (log P and log ρL ranged between 1.01 and 4.23, and −0.66 and 1.69, respectively) was studied under static headspace (raw and cooked sausages) and in-mouth conditions (cooked sausages). Increasing fat content caused a general increase in the volatile compound concentrations of the sausages (fat acted as a reservoir) but a decrease in the compound concentration in the headspace and in the nosespace. The opposite effect was found for 3-methylbutanal and ethyl-2-methylbutanoate, which are more polar (low values for log P) and volatile (large values for log ρL) than the other compounds. Static headspace data revealed that the effect of fat content was larger in the raw samples than in the cooked sausages. The time to reach the maximum response for the compounds in the nosespace during mastication was not affected by fat content.     

Effects of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate on the sorption of Brij 30 and Brij 35 onto aquifer sand

Surfactant sorption is of considerable importance to environmental applications, including surfactant flushing to mobilize hydrophobic contaminants; effects of surfactants on the transport of dissolved contaminants, microorganisms, and colloids through porous media; and bioremediation of hydrophobic organic compounds, as well as understanding the fate and transport of surfactants as environmental contaminants themselves. Although most sorption studies consider pure surfactants, commercial detergent formulations typically consist of mixtures of nonionic and anionic surfactants. In this study, the effects of varying concentrations of the anionic surfactant linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) on micelle formation and sorption behavior of the two commonly used nonionic surfactants Brij 30 and Brij 35 onto aquifer sand were examined. A strong linear relationship was observed between the critical micelle concentration (CMC) of the Brij surfactants and the concentration of LAS in the mixture, with the CMC decreasing with increasing concentration of LAS. The relative change in CMC as a function of the LAS concentration was identical forthe two Brij surfactants, indicating that LAS interacted with their common alkyl chains. Sorption isotherms were developed for Brij 30 and Brij 35 present as single surfactants in an aqueous solution as well as when present with LAS. Although LAS had minor effects on the maximum sorption plateaus of the Brij surfactants, Brij sorption at was significantly enhanced as a function of the LAS concentration for Brij aqueous concentrations below the CMC. Application of a multi-interaction isotherm model indicated that the formation of surface aggregates (e.g., hemimicelles) decreased with increasing LAS concentration. Overall, these results provide insight into the complex sorption behavior of surfactant mixtures.     

Effect of exposure history on microbial herbicide degradation in an aerobic aquifer affected by a point source

The effects of in situ exposure to low concentrations (micrograms per liter) of herbicides on aerobic degradation of herbicides in aquifers were studied by laboratory batch experiments. Aquifer material and groundwater were collected from a point source with known exposure histories to the herbicides mecoprop (MCPP), dichlorprop, BAM, bentazone, isoproturon, and DNOC. Degradation of the phenoxy acids, mecoprop and dichlorprop, was observed in five of six sampling points from within the plume. Mecoprop was mineralized, and up to 70% was recovered as 14CO2. DNOC was degraded in only two of six sampling points from within the plume, and neither BAM, bentazone, nor isoproturon was degraded in any sampling point. A linear correlation (R2 > or = 0.83) between pre-exposure and amount of herbicide degraded within 50 days was observed for the phenoxy acids, mecoprop and dichlorprop. An improved model fit was obtained from using Monod degradation kinetics compared to zero- and first-order degradation kinetics. An exponential correlation (R2 > or = 0.85) was also found between numbers of specific phenoxy acid degrading bacteria and pre-exposure. Combination of these results strongly indicates that the low concentration exposure to phenoxy acids in the aquifer resulted in the presence of acclimated microbial communities, illustrated bythe elevated numbers of specific degraders as well as the enhanced degradation capability. The findings support application of natural attenuation to remediate aerobic aquifers contaminated by phenoxy acids from point sources.     

Effect of microbial activity on trace element release from sewage sludge

The microbial role in mobilization of trace elements from land-applied wastewater sludge is not well-defined. Our study examined the leachability of trace elements (Cd, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ni, P, Pb, S, and Zn) from dewatered sludge as affected by treatments designed to alter microbial activity. Different levels of microbial activity were achieved by incubating sludge columns at 4, 16, 28, and 37 degrees C and by the addition of AgNO3 biocide at each temperature. Columns (with inert glass bead support beds) were subjected to six consecutive incubation-leaching cycles, each consisting of 7.3-d incubation followed by 16-h leaching with synthetic acid rain. Glucose mineralization tests were used to assess overall microbial activity. Significant acidification and trace element leaching occurred when conditions favored microbial activity (16 and 28 degrees C). Extent of mobilization was element-specific with Zn, Ni, and Cu showing the greatest mobilization (99, 67, and 57%, respectively). Mobilization was reduced but still substantial at 4 degrees C. Conditions that best inhibited microbial activity (37 degrees C or biocide at any temperature) resulted in the least mobilization. Characterization of enrichments performed using thiosulfate as the sole energy source revealed the presence of both known and putative S-oxidizing bacteria in the sludge. The results suggest that microbial acidification via S oxidation can mobilize trace elements from sludge. Elemental mobility in field situations would also be governed by other factors, including the capacity of soil to buffer acidification and to adsorb mobilized elements.     

壳聚糖对川芎提取液澄清效果的影响

采用壳聚糖对川芎提取液进行澄清,通过单因素实验和正交实验对其工艺进行了优化,探讨了壳聚糖用量、p H和温度对提取液透光率和川芎嗪保留率的影响。结果表明:川芎提取液澄清的最佳条件是壳聚糖用量1.33g/L,p H4.0,温度50℃,在此条件下,川芎澄清液透光率高达62.7%,川芎嗪保留率为72.3%,壳聚糖澄清川芎提取液的效果较好,川芎的有效成分也得到了较好的保留。      

Effect of iron supplementation during pregnancy on birthweight: evidence from Zimbabwe

BACKGROUND: Iron deficiency in pregnant women has been shown to reduce the oxygen supply to the fetus, cause intrauterine growth retardation, and increase the risk of premature delivery and reduced birthweight. Yet the effects of iron supplementation programs on pregnancy outcomes are not well documented for developing countries. OBJECTIVE: To examine the relation between iron supplementation of mothers during pregnancy and children's birthweight using data from a national population-based survey in Zimbabwe. METHODS: The analysis uses information on 3559 births during the five years preceding the 1999 Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey. The effect of iron supplementation during pregnancy on birthweight was estimated by multiple regression, controlling for potential confounding effects of prenatal care, child's sex and birth order, mother's education and nutritional status (measured by body-mass index), household living standard, smoke exposure, and other variables. RESULTS: Babies born to mothers who received iron supplementation during pregnancy were 103 g heavier (95% confidence interval, 42-164; p = .001), on average, than babies born to mothers who did not receive iron supplementation during pregnancy. The difference was 64 g (95% confidence interval, 2-125; p = .043) for children whose birthweights were taken from health cards and 163 g (95% confidence interval, 44-281; p = .008) for children whose birthweights were reported by their mothers. CONCLUSIONS: Iron supplementation during pregnancy is associated with significantly higher birthweight, independent of other pregnancy care factors, mother's nutritional status, smoke exposure, and a number of demographic and socioeconomic factors. Prenatal iron supplementation programs can improve pregnancy outcomes and promote child survival in developing countries.     

壳聚糖对鱼腥草提取液絮凝除杂效果的研究

研究了壳聚糖用量、p H和温度对鱼腥草提取液絮凝除杂效果的影响,并对其工艺进行了正交实验优化。实验结果表明最佳的工艺条件是壳聚糖用量为0.04g/100m L,提取液p H为6.0,温度为30℃;在此条件下,鱼腥草澄清液的黄酮保留率为80.0%,透光率高达68.1%。该工艺在絮凝除杂的同时又较好地保留了鱼腥草有效成分,具有良好的应用前景。      

Effect of ozone on nicotine desorption from model surfaces: evidence for heterogeneous chemistry

Assessment of secondhand tobacco smoke exposure using nicotine as a tracer or biomarker is affected by sorption of the alkaloid to indoor surfaces and by its long-term re-emission into the gas phase. However, surface chemical interactions of nicotine have not been sufficiently characterized. Here, the reaction of ozone with nicotine sorbed to Teflon and cotton surfaces was investigated in an environmental chamber by monitoring nicotine desorption over a week following equilibration in dry or humid air (approximately 0% or 65-70% RH, respectively). The Teflon and cotton surfaces had N2-BET surface areas of 0.19 and 1.17 m2 g(-1), and water mass uptakes (at 70% RH) of 0 and 7.1% respectively. Compared with dry air baseline levels in the absence of O3, gas-phase nicotine concentrations decreased by 2 orders of magnitude for Teflon after 50 h at 20-45 ppb O3, and by a factor of 10 for cotton after 100 h with 13-15 ppb O3. The ratios of pseudo first-order rate constants for surface reaction (r) to long-term desorption (k) were r/k = 3.5 and 2.0 for Teflon and cotton surfaces, respectively. These results show that surface oxidation was competitive with desorption. Hence, oxidative losses could significantly reduce long-term re-emissions of nicotine from indoor surfaces. Formaldehyde, N-methylformamide, nicotinaldehyde, and cotinine were identified as oxidation products, indicating that the pyrrolidinic N was the site of electrophilic attack by O3. The presence of water vapor had no effect on the nicotine-O3 reaction on Teflon surfaces. By contrast, nicotine desorption from cotton in humid air was unaffected by the presence of ozone. These observations are consistent with complete inhibition of ozone-nicotine surface reactions in an aqueous surface film present in cotton but not in Teflon surfaces.