Development of a bio-physicochemical technique for arsenic removal from groundwater

Oxidation of ferrous ions by iron-oxidizing bacteria facilitates adsorption of arsenic on iron and subsequent co-precipitation. Based on this technique, a novel treatment process has been developed and tested under field conditions for simultaneous iron and arsenic removal from groundwater. In this study, a biological fixed bed reactor containing coconut husk and subsequent layers of iron matrix, charcoal and sand filter combined the biological and physicochemical treatment processes in a single system. Experimental results showed that arsenic could be efficiently treated from initial concentration of 500 μg L^− 1 to residual (effluent) concentrations lower than 15 μg L^− 1. Simultaneous significant iron removal efficiency (over 95%) was also achieved. Microbial water quality examination confirmed absence of any contamination in the treated water. Simple and inexpensive construction using locally available materials, considerable treatment performance as well as ease of operation and maintenance present the developed system as a promising one.     

Effect of operating conditions on iron corrosion rates in zero-valent iron systems for arsenic removal

Owing to newly established water quality standards, the use of the zero-valent iron (ZVI) method for arsenic removal is gaining attention. The spontaneous chemical oxidation of ZVI by dissolved oxygen, a complex process involving a variety of metastable ferrous–ferric intermediate species, was studied in short-term batch experiments using two different commercially available ZVI materials. Differences in corrosion rates may be attributed to the different specific reactivity of these materials. The effects of pH, ZVI loading, initial conductivity and dissolved oxygen concentration on both Fe(II) and Fe(III) kinetic profiles were investigated. ZVI corrosion rates in the presence of As(III) and As(V) were also studied. Depending on the pH, the concentrations of Fe(II) and Fe(III) are significantly influenced by the presence of As(III) and As(V). Our results may be important from a technological point of view, since it is well known that iron corrosion rates govern the generation of sites for arsenic removal.     

Effect of operating conditions in removal of arsenic from water by nanofiltration membrane

The removal of arsenic from synthetic waters and surface water by nanofiltration (NF) membrane was investigated. In synthetic solutions, arsenic rejection experiments included variation of arsenic retentate concentration, transmembrane pressure, crossflow velocity and temperature. Arsenic rejection increased with arsenic retentate concentration. Arsenic was removed 93-99% from synthetic feed waters containing between 100 and 382 μg/L as V, resulting in permeate arsenic concentrations of about 5 μg/L. Under studied conditions, arsenic rejection was independent of transmembrane pressure, crossflow velocity and temperature. In surface water, the mean rejection of As V was 95% while the rejection of sulfate was 97%. The co-occurrence of dissolved inorganics does not significantly influence arsenic rejection. The mean concentration of As in collected permeated was 8 μg/L. The mean rejection of TDS, total hardness and conductivity were 75, 88 and 75% respectively.     

The Effect of NaCl on the Krafft Temperature and Related Behavior of Cetyltrimethylammonium Bromide in Aqueous Solution

This paper presents the effect of NaCl on the Krafft temperature (T _K), surface adsorption and bulk micellization of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) in aqueous solution. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) of CTAB in the presence of NaCl increased and then decreased with increasing temperature. Thus, the CMC–temperature data can be represented by a bell-shaped curve. The micellar dissociation (fraction of counterion binding) and energetic parameters (free energy, enthalpy and entropy changes) of both adsorption and micellization were calculated. The processes were found to be both enthalpy and entropy controlled and appeared to be more and more enthalpy driven with increasing temperature. An enthalpy–entropy compensation rule was observed for both adsorption and micelle formation. The T _K of the surfactant decreased significantly in the presence of NaCl, which is a sharp contrast to the usual behavior of the effect of electrolytes on the T _K of classical ionic surfactants. The surface excess concentrations decreased with increasing temperature. However, the values were much higher in the presence of NaCl compared to the corresponding values in pure water. The solubilization behavior of a water-insoluble dye, Sudan red B (SRB), in the micellar system was studied by the UV–visible spectrophotometric technique. The molar solubilization ratio in the presence of NaCl was found to be about three times higher than that in pure water, indicating that the solubilization of SRB in the CTAB micelles significantly increases in the presence of NaCl.     

The adsorptive properties of UiO-66 towards organic dyes: A record adsorption capacity for the anionic dye Alizarin Red S.

In order to decisively determine the adsorption selectivity of zirconium MOF(UiO-66) towards anionic versus cationic species, the adsorptive removal of the anionic dyes(Alizarin Red S.(ARS), Eosin(E), Fuchsin Acid(FA)and Methyl Orange(MO)) and the cationic dyes(Neutral Red(NR), Fuchsin Basic(FB), Methylene Blue(MB),and Safranine T(ST)) has been evaluated. The results clearly reveal a significant selectivity towards anionic dyes. Such an observation agrees with a plethora of reports of UiO-66 superior affinity towards other anionic species(Floride, PO_4~(3-), Diclofenac sodium, Methylchlorophenoxy-propionic acid, Phenols, CrO_4~(2-), SeO_3~(2-), and AsO_4~-). The adsorption process of ARS as an example has been optimized using the central composite design(CCD). The resultant statistical model indicates a crucial effect of both pH and sorbent mass. The optimum conditions were determined to be initial dye concentration 11.82 mg.L~(-1), adsorbent amount 0.0248 g, shaking time of 36 min and pH 2. The adsorption process proceeds via pseudo-second order kinetics(R~2= 0.999). The equilibrium data were fit to Langmuir and Tempkin models(R~2= 0.999 and 0.997 respectively). The results reveal an exceptional removal for the anionic dye(Alizarin Red S.) with a record adsorption capacity of400 mg·g~(-1). The significantly high adsorption capacity of UiO-66 towards ARS adds further evidence to the recently reported exceptional performance of MOFs in pollutants removal from water.     

The effect of corrosion particles present in water solutions on the behavior of strong acid cation-exchange resins during the process of cobalt removal

The effect of the presence of corrosion particles on the behavior of different structure types of cation-exchange resins during the adsorption process of ⁶⁰Co from water solutions was studied. Comparative valuation of sorption behavior and capacity of polyreticular and monoreticular structure type cation-exchangers was carried out. It was found that the ion-exchange filtration efficieny depends upon the presence of corrosion particles on the surface of ion-exchange beads and in their pore structure. The cation-exchange process of ⁶⁰Co is affected differently by different structure type ion-exchange resins. The fouling phenomenon caused by iron-corrosion particles during the water clean-up process at a RWCU system in BWR and by CVSE demineralizers in PWR dose not affect negative phenomenon for ion-exchange behavior of ion-exchange resins to remove polyvalent ions from the water. The polyreticular cation exchanger Amberlite 200C can better remove ⁶⁰Co cations from water solutions than the monoreticular (gel type) cation-exchanger Amberlite IR 120. Evidently this is due to the true porous macroreticular structure of the cation-exchange beads. In parallel with the ion-exchange processes, the sorption process of the corrosion products situated on the larger surface area of the true physical pore structure of Amberlite 200C also plays an important role. The information obtained will be very useful to the technological service of nuclear power stations.     

The ion-exchange properties of the Tournemire argillite: I. Study of the H, Na, K, Cs, Ca and Mg behaviour

The main goal of this study is to understand the mechanisms of adsorption of major cations occurring in groundwater on the Tournemire argillite. The Tournemire argillite contains illite, kaolinite, montmorillonite, quartz and calcite and some traces of pyrite. After calcite removal the mineralogical composition is kaolinite 47%, illite 26%, mixed-layer illite/montmorillonite 6%, montmorillonite 4%, chlorite 4% and quartz 13% with some traces of pyrite. The material was conditioned under homoionic form using Na, K, Cs, Ca and Mg. H was taken into account as a competitor ion for each case. For each cation-exchanged argillite, sorption edges were obtained as a function of pH. The “intrinsic” ion-exchange properties of this material, i.e. the concentrations of the different types of sites and the associated selectivity coefficients for H, Na, K, Cs, Ca and Mg were determined. The Tournemire argillite displays four kinds of sorption sites with respective concentrations of 0.04, 0.043, 0.046 and 0.078 mmol g⁻¹. Besides, some sites in very low concentration (5×10⁻⁴ mmol g⁻¹) have been revealed by performing adsorption isotherms of Cs.     

湿法烟气脱硫技术的应用概述

分析了湿法烟气脱硫的基本原理、脱硫剂的要求、脱硫的类型、工艺和主要的设备。重点分析了石灰石/石灰—石膏法湿法烟气脱硫技术的应用。     

The underpotential deposition of Sn on Pt in acid media. Cyclic voltammetric and electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance studies

This work describes the studies of tin underpotential deposition on Pt electrodes in acid media by using cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance techniques. The voltammetric results were analyzed and it was verified the same values of anodic charge densities for the Sn in the solutions of perchloric acid with tin sulfate or chloride. The charge density value found (380 μC cm⁻²), in the potential region from 0.4 to 0.8 V, was attributed to the oxidation of Sn to Sn⁴⁺ (0.9 monolayer). The electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance results showed a mass-charge ratio of 16 g mol⁻¹ (43 ng cm⁻²) and 8 g mol⁻¹ (50 ng cm⁻²) in the same potential region for tin oxidation in different electrolyte solutions. These relationships are due to the formation of Sn(OH)₄ and SnO₂, respectively. The differences observed in relation to the formation of Sn(OH)₄ in solutions containing SnSO₄ and SnCl₂ were due to the presence of HSO₄⁻ in these solutions. In this manner the OH^- can adsorb on Sn in perchloric acid media with SnSO₄. The tin hydroxide and oxide are reduced in the scanning to the potentials between 1.55 and 0.05 V.     

The first measurement of an absolute surface concentration of reaction intermediates in ethylene hydrogenation

The first measurement of a turnover rate with respect to surface intermediate concentration in a high pressure heterogeneous catalytic reaction is reported. By using infrared-visible sum frequency generation to study the hydrogenation of ethylene on Pt(111), it was found that the surface concentration of -bonded ethylene, the key reaction intermediate, represented approximately 4% of a monolayer. Thus the absolute turnover rate per surface adsorbed ethylene molecule is 25 times faster than the rate measured per platinum atom. To explain these results, we propose a model of weakly adsorbed ethylene intermediates reacting on atop sites.     

Hybrid PAC-submerged membrane system for trace organics removal: I. Adsorption kinetics study of PAC in a bubbled solution

Part I of this study presents a theoretical method combined with experiments to determine the adsorption kinetics of powdered activated carbon (PAC) in the hybrid PAC-submerged membrane (SM) system with air bubbling for trace organics removal. The homogeneous surface diffusion model (HSDM) was applied to describe the kinetics of the adsorbate uptake. The differences between the model solutions and the corresponding experimental results were minimized by means of Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm so that two kinetic parameters D_S and k_f involved in HSDM were obtained simultaneously. The D_S was found to be 1.14 × 10⁻¹⁶ m²/s and the k_f value was correlated with the bubbling rate (Q_b) and carbon dosage (C_c), which are required in the modeling of the hybrid PAC-SM system presented in Part II of this study. The k_f was enhanced from 1.18 × 10⁻⁴ to 4.18 × 10⁻⁴ m/s when the bubbling intensity increased in the intermittent bubbling tests, suggesting that from energy consumption point of view, the high intensity intermittent bubbling is more efficient in improving the liquid film mass transfer than continuous bubbling with the same net bubbling rate.     

Determination of nitrogen reduction levels necessary to reach groundwater quality targets in large river basins: the Weser basin case study,Germany

We used the interdisciplinary model network REGFLUD to predict the actual mean nitrate concentration in percolation water at the scale of the Weser river basin (Germany) using an area—differentiated (100 m × 100 m) approach. REGFLUD combines the agro-economic model RAUMIS for estimating nitrogen surpluses and the hydrological models GROWA/DENUZ for assessing the nitrate leaching from the soil. The areas showing predicted nitrate concentrations in percolation water above the EU groundwater quality standard of 50 mg NO₃/l, have been identified as priority areas for implementing nitrogen reduction measures. For these “hot spot” areas a backward modelling approach was used to quantify the maximal permissible nitrogen surplus levels in agriculture to guarantee a mean long-term nitrate concentration in percolation water below 50 mg NO₃/l. Research work will directly support the implementation of the EU-Water Framework Directive in the Weser basin, e.g. by using the maximal permissible nitrogen surplus levels as a framework for the derivation of regionally adapted and hence effective nitrogen reduction measures.     

The influence of food emulsifiers on fat and sugar dispersions in oils. I. Adsorption,sedimentation

The adsorption isotherms of several emulsifiers to fat and sugar crystals dispersed in oils have been determined. Further, the influence of the emulsifiers on the interactions between the crystals has been estimated in sedimentation experiments, where an increased sediment volume due to adsorption corresponds to an increased adhesion between the crystals andvice versa. Most of the emulsifiers examined adsorb weakly to fat crystals and form tight monolayers, resulting in increased adhesion between the crystals at high concentrations. On the other hand, loosely packed layers are formed at low concentrations, and a decreased adhesion is observed. Unsaturated monoglycerides and phospholipids cause a decrease in adhesion for all concentrations examined. The emulsifiers adsorb more strongly to sugar crystals than to fat crystals and form tightly packed monolayers with hydrocarbon chains directed to the oil. The crystals are then stabilized sterically—the adhesion between them is weaker and the sediments are more compact. At low concentrations, the opposite behavior often occurs. Monoglycerides interact in a specific way with sugar and cause increased adhesion between the crystals for all concentrations examined. Phospholipids reduce the adhesion between sugar crystals, resulting in much denser sediments. Saturated monoglycerides in amounts over the solubility limit tend to precipitate as a network between fat or sugar crystals, which causes bulky sediments and results in better stability against oiling out.     

栲胶脱硫堵塔因素的探讨

从脱硫塔的主要技术参数、填料面积以及富氧气化系统,煤气先脱硫后进气柜的流程选用,与日常的溶液管理等方面阐述它与堵塔的关系,力求能引起人们的重视,从而根除硫堵之害。     

The Quality and Fertilizing Potential of Red Deer (Cervus elaphus L.) Epididymal Spermatozoa Stored in a Liquid State

The aim of this study was to assess the quality and fertilizing potential of red deer epididymal spermatozoa stored in a liquid state for up to 11 days (D11). In Experiment 1, sperm quality was determined. In Experiment 2, the efficiency of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and artificial insemination (AI) of stored sperm were evaluated. An analysis of sperm quality on D5 of storage revealed a decrease (p < 0.05) in motility and morphology, and a higher proportion of apoptotic spermatozoa. On D1, D7 and D10, the total motility of sperm for IVF and AI was determined to be 82.6%, 71.0% and 64.8%, respectively. The results of IVF and AI demonstrated that the fertilizing potential of spermatozoa differs between days of storage. The percentage of blastocysts was higher when oocytes were fertilized on D1 (17.4 %) compared to D7 (8.5%) and D10 sperm (10.5%). Differences were noted in the pregnancy rates of inseminated hinds. The insemination with D1, D7 and D10 sperm led to live births (33% from D7 and D10). The results indicate that the quality of red deer epididymal spermatozoa remains satisfactory during ten days of storage in a liquid state, and that these spermatozoa maintain their fertility potential.     

小球藻深度脱氮除磷能力研究

将小球藻包埋于海藻酸钠和壳聚糖胶球中,对市政污水进行深度处理.实验研究了细胞负载、固定化载体、饥饿处理对污水深度处理的影响.结果表明,在一定的细胞负载范围内,对氮、磷的去除率随细胞负载的增加而增加.由叶绿素a含量得知,两种载体均不影响细胞增长.相同细胞负载,壳聚糖作为固定化载体的藻细胞对氮、磷的去除率及叶绿素a增长量高于海藻酸钠载体,但对磷的去除率不明显.壳聚糖作为固定化载体,500万个藻细胞/胶球氮磷去除率最大,5天氮和磷的去除率分别为93.6％和97.5％,饥饿处理48h后,细胞增殖未受影响,氮、磷去除率有所提高,3天氮和磷的去除率分别净增12.3％和7.5％.     

Murine Animal Models in Osteogenesis Imperfecta: The Quest for Improving the Quality of Life

Osteogenesis imperfecta is a rare genetic disorder characterized by bone fragility, due to alterations in the type I collagen molecule. It is a very heterogeneous disease, both genetically and phenotypically, with a high variability of clinical phenotypes, ranging from mild to severe forms, the most extreme cases being perinatal lethal. There is no curative treatment for OI, and so great efforts are being made in order to develop effective therapies. In these attempts, the in vivo preclinical studies are of paramount importance; therefore, serious analysis is required to choose the right murine OI model able to emulate as closely as possible the disease of the target OI population. In this review, we summarize the features of OI murine models that have been used for preclinical studies until today, together with recently developed new murine models. The bone parameters that are usually evaluated in order to determine the relevance of new developing therapies are exposed, and finally, current and innovative therapeutic strategies attempts considered in murine OI models, along with their mechanism of action, are reviewed. This review aims to summarize the in vivo studies developed in murine models available in the field of OI to date, in order to help the scientific community choose the most accurate OI murine model when developing new therapeutic strategies capable of improving the quality of life.     

The use of CO2 for reversible pH shifting,and the removal of succinic acid in a polymer‐based two‐phase partitioning bioreactor

BACKGROUND: Succinic acid (SA) is an intermediate in the production of commodity chemicals, but SA bioproduction has not yet been commercialized due to end product inhibition and high product separation costs. Two‐phase partitioning bioreactors (TPPBs) can increase volumetric productivity through in situ product removal, although SA uptake by polymers requires a pH below the pK_A2 of SA (4.2). It was proposed to reversibly reduce the pH with CO₂ sparging for absorption of SA, followed by nitrogen stripping to allow continued bioproduction after returning to metabolic pH levels. RESULTS: At 1 atm CO₂ sparging lowered the pH of RO water to 3.8 but only to 4.75 in medium, requiring acid/base pH adjustment in subsequent experiments. Actinobacillus succinogenes was temporarily exposed to pH 4.2 for between 5 min and 4 h to observe the effect on subsequent growth; cells could grow after up to 4 h of low pH exposure, sufficient time for SA uptake. Because atmospheric CO₂ could not adequately lower the pH of medium, a TPPB was operated with the pH being shifted using strong acid/base; SA was recovered in situ, however, the accumulation of salts hindered further cell growth. CONCLUSION: Several key elements of this novel processing strategy were successfully demonstrated, and work is continuing with high pressure CO₂ to achieve the desired pH adjustment levels. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

不同磷质量浓度下溶藻细菌L7对铜绿微囊藻的溶藻特性研究

为了探索溶藻细菌L7在不同ρ(磷)下对铜绿微囊藻(Microcystis aeruginosa)的溶藻特性,实验研究了在3种ρ(磷)(1.77、7.13和17.70 mg/L)的铜绿微囊藻培养液中添加固定浓度溶藻细菌L7菌液进行共培养,测定了藻细胞脱氢酶活性、ρ(叶绿素a)、菌-藻细胞密度、藻细胞Zeta电位以及培养液和藻细胞内ρ(总磷)等指标。结果表明,溶藻细菌L7在实验设置的ρ(磷)下对铜绿微囊藻的溶藻效应无显著性差异(n=3,P0.05),溶藻细菌L7通过降低铜绿微囊藻细胞脱氢酶活性、抑制藻细胞叶绿素a色素合成、提高藻细胞表面Zeta电位而抑制其生长;实验过程中,溶藻细菌L7细胞密度维持在(2.60~3.21)×107cfu/mL水平,铜绿微囊藻细胞密度逐步下降;溶藻细菌L7不抑制铜绿微囊藻对磷的吸收,且在后期能促进磷在铜绿微囊藻细胞内的积聚。     

Project Tocoen. The Fate of Selected Organic Compounds in the Environment. Part XXVIII. Levels of PAHs and Some Halogenated POPs in Ambient Air in Czech Republic

Abstract

Concentrations of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), chlorinated pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls, dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzo-p-furans (PCDDs/Fs) in ambient air in Ko?etice, a background locality in the South Bohemia, have been estimated in the period from July to December 1994. The 24-hours samples have been taken by the means of a high-volume sampler. Sample analysis involved Soxhlet extraction of polyurethane foam, extract preconcentration and chromatographic clean-up procedure followed by HPLC determination of PAHs with fluorescence detection, GC/ECD determination of chlorinated pollutants, and GC/MS determination of PCDDs/Fs. The results of this first detailed study undertaken in Czech Republic are compared with the data obtained by similar projects in industrial and/or urban areas in the Czech Republic and in rural or urban areas in other European countries.