Lead sorption onto ferrihydrite. 3. Multistage contacting

Few studies have demonstrated the practical application of surface complexation models, calibrated with fundamental macroscopic and spectroscopic metal sorption data, in helping to solve industrial trace metal emissions problems. In this work, multistage ferrihydrite sorption systems are evaluated for their effectiveness in reducing single-solute lead(II) [Pb(II)] concentrations in contaminated water streams to very low levels. Experimental data and modeling results indicate that a multistage sorption system can significantly reduce Pb(II) effluent concentrations for the same total amount of sorbent or, alternatively, dramatically lower total sorbent consumption for the same effluent Pb(II) concentration. Model predictions were generated using a steady-state, multistage, equilibrium adsorber model that was specifically developed for and integrated into 0LI Systems' Environmental Simulation Program. The modified triple-layer model was used to simulate Pb(II) surface-liquid equilibria within the adsorber model. Engineering screening evaluations indicate that a 2-3-stage sorption process can provide significant economic savings when compared to a 1-stage process operating with the same target effluent Pb(II) concentration. Additional equilibrium stages beyond 2 or 3 provide diminishing economic returns. The major economic driver for multiple contacting stages is reduced capital investment and operating costs for sludge handling, dewatering, and disposal.     

The fertiliser nitrogen requirement of cereals grown on sandy soils

The responses to fertiliser‐N of winter wheat and winter barley grown on sandy soils were measured in 72 experiments in England from 1990 to 1994. Yield without fertiliser‐N (Y₀) was c 1.1 t ha⁻¹ greater following root crops than following cereals. Following potato crops given organic manures, Y₀ was c 1.2 t ha⁻¹ greater than following unmanured potato crops, but Y₀ was no greater following sugarbeet to which organic manures had been applied. Only after the two driest winters was there sufficient variation in soil N supply in spring (SNS_s) for this to show a relationship with Y₀. However, Y₀ increased with increasing N mineralisation during the growing season (AM) in the three years it was measured. There was no consistent effect of sowing date on Y₀. Following potatoes, yield at optimum fertiliser‐N (Y_opt) decreased as sowing date was delayed, but this was not so after cereals, sugarbeet or overall. There was no increase in Y_opt with SNS_S or AM, but Y_opt decreased with increasing moisture stress (S) in June. The mean yield response to N_opt (Δ_Y) was c 0.4 and 0.8 t ha⁻¹ smaller following potatoes and sugarbeet respectively than following cereals, but not consistently so as there were large interactions between site, year and previous crop. Following root crops, Δ_Y was c 0.6 and 1.4 t ha⁻¹ less after sugarbeet and potatoes respectively that had been given organic manures. Without the addition of organic manures, Δ_Y following potatoes was similar to that following cereals. Regression on SNS_S and AM accounted for 28 and 15% respectively of the variance in Δ_Y. The optimum economic fertiliser‐N application (N_opt) was similar, at c 140 kg ha⁻¹, following cereals and potatoes. Following sugarbeet, cereal N_opt was only c 110 kg ha⁻¹. The differences according to previous crop reported here are consistent with mineralisation of crop residues on sandy soils being more rapid than on other soils; the potato residues were rapidly mineralised in autumn and lost by leaching over winter. Residues from later‐harvested sugarbeet were mineralised during the growing season of the subsequent cereal crop. Fertiliser‐N requirements were, at c 110–140 kg ha⁻¹, smaller than has been found on other soil types, and less than current recommendations for wheat. Requirements were significantly reduced in years of drought stress. No differences were found in N_opt between wheat and barley. These data do not justify the current advice to invariably reduce fertiliser‐N to cereals following potatoes by 20–25 kg ha⁻¹ on these sandy soils. On average a reduction of c 20 kg ha⁻¹ could be made following sugarbeet, with a further reduction of c 40 kg ha⁻¹ N if manures had been applied to the previous sugarbeet crop. A reduction of 40 kg ha⁻¹ N could also be made where cereals followed a potato crop to which manures had been applied. Further refinements on the basis of measurements of soil mineral N could not be justified. Seasonal variation in N response due to drought stress makes recommendations difficult on these soils. Adopting the fertiliser‐N recommendations proposed here would produce N surpluses to the soil of c 37, 10 and 27 kg ha⁻¹ respectively following cereals, sugarbeet and potatoes when cereal grain is removed but straw incorporated. On farms where straw is removed, N surplus would be largely eliminated. Our recommendation that no reduction in fertiliser‐N application to cereal crops grown on sandy soils should be made following potatoes will not increase fertiliser‐N use and is not expected to increase nitrate leaching. Some reduction in nitrate leaching may be achieved if recommendations following cereal crops and sugarbeet are made in accordance with the results reported here. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Arsenate adsorption mechanisms at the allophane-water interface

We investigated arsenate (As(V)) reactivity and surface speciation on amorphous aluminosilicate mineral (synthetic allophane) surfaces using batch adsorption experiments, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). The adsorption isotherm experiments indicated that As(V) uptake increased with increasing [As-(V)]0 from 50 to 1000 microM (i.e., Langmuir type adsorption isotherm) and that the total As adsorption slightly decreased with increasing NaCl concentrations from 0.01 to 0.1 M. Arsenate adsorption was initially (0-10 h) rapid followed by a slow continuum uptake, and the adsorption processes reached the steady state after 720 h. X-ray absorption spectroscopic analyses suggest that As(V) predominantly forms bidentate binuclear surface species on aluminum octahedral structures, and these species are stable up to 11 months. Solubility calculations and powder XRD analyses indicate no evidence of crystalline Al-As(V) precipitates in the experimental systems. Overall, macroscopic and spectroscopic evidence suggest that the As(V) adsorption mechanisms at the allophane-water interface are attributable to ligand exchange reactions between As-(V) and surface-coordinated water molecules and hydroxyl and silicate ions. The research findings imply that dissolved tetrahedral oxyanions (e.g., H2PO42- and H2AsO4(2-)) are readily retained on amorphous aluminosilicate minerals in aquifer and soils at near neutral pH. The inner-sphere adsorption mechanisms might be important in controlling dissolved arsenate and phosphate in amorphous aluminosilicate-rich low-temperature geochemical environments.     

An overview of molecular stress response mechanisms in Escherichia coli contributing to survival of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli during raw milk cheese production

The ability of foodborne pathogens to survive in certain foods mainly depends on stress response mechanisms. Insight into molecular properties enabling pathogenic bacteria to survive in food is valuable for improvement of the control of pathogens during food processing. Raw milk cheeses are a potential source for human infections with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). In this review, we focused on the stress response mechanisms important for allowing STEC to survive raw milk cheese production processes. The major components and regulation pathways for general, acid, osmotic, and heat shock stress responses in E. coli and the implications of these responses for the survival of STEC in raw milk cheeses are discussed.     

The thymol method for glucosinolate determination

This paper details experiments aimed at optimising the conditions for the determination of glucosinolates in rapeseed (Brassica napus L) using the colorimetric thymol procedure. Glucose could not be substituted for sinigrin when preparing a standard curve for glucosinolate determination unless a correction factor was employed. The value of this factor was found to depend on the concentration of sulphuric acid. Although the coloured complexes formed between thymol and either glucose or sinigrin were found to be unstable at 100°C, the sinigrin/ glucose colour ratio remained relatively constant for incubation times from 40 to 60 min. It was found necessary to increase the amount of thymol present to a final value of 0.23% to ensure complete reaction of glucosinolates. The revised method can be employed successfully for the analysis of glucosinolates in both seed and meal.     

Evaluation of patient improvement in a token economy treatment program.

Investigated various indices of improvement in 20 female chronic mental patients (mean age = 36 yrs) who were randomly assigned to a token economy treatment ward as compared with 20 control patients who received typical custodial treatment. All Ss were given standardized interviews consisting of 5 experimental tasks. Segments of the interviews were video-recorded and rated by naive raters on a 20-item questionnaire. Results indicate that the token-economy Ss were better oriented, had more skill in making business purchases and discriminations, and were better able to follow commands. Token economy Ss were rated as being more cooperative and communicative, more socially desirable, more appropriate in mood, and as exhibiting less psychotic behavior. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Personal space.

Reviews major findings of personal-space research in clinical psychology, personality, demographic studies (including sex, age, cross-cultural studies), and studies of the effects of familiarity and affinity. The substantial lack of consistent findings in the literature is attributed to the lack of experimental controls in most of the personal-space research. It is suggested that researchers explore personal space using multivariate techniques. In addition to a brief exposition of theoretical developments, a theory is presented which suggests that personal space is a functional, mediating, cognitive construct which allows the human organism to operate at acceptable stress levels and aids in the control of intraspecies aggression. (3 p. ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Nitrogen narcosis and rat behavior on fixed ratio and differential-reinforcement-of-low-rate schedules.

Investigated changes in response rate of 8 male Fisher rats to increases in air pressure. 2 groups were exposed for 30 min to 0, 90, 135, and 180 psig via a counterbalanced Latin square design. 1 group was stabilized on a fixed-ratio (FR) 30-sec schedule while the other was stabilized on a differential-reinforcement-of-low-rate (DRL) 15-sec schedule. As pressure was increased: (a) DRL 15-sec response rate increased while FR 30-sec remained unchanged; and (b) time spent responding was less for both groups, with FR 30-sec showing the greater reduction. Behavior changes during the 1st 15 min were attributed to environmental changes accompanying pressurization and increased pressure of nitrogen; changes during the 2nd 15 min were attributed primarily to increased pressure of nitrogen. (20 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Copper accumulation in soils from two different‐aged apricot orchards in Central Otago,New Zealand

In recent years there has been a move in New Zealand to convert small, uneconomic orchards to other agricultural uses. Overseas research has demonstrated that copper from fungicide sprays often accumulates in the soils of orchards and can cause certain problems for plant growth and livestock. To date, no assessments appear to have been made of the degree of copper accumulation in such older orchards in New Zealand. This study presents the results of an assessment of two well‐established apricot orchards in the Central Otago region of South Island, New Zealand.

Two aspects of the results are surprising. The first is the relatively low levels of copper in the soil when compared with results from another orchard in the region. That orchard is 18 years old and mean soil copper has already reached 100.0 μg/g, indicating a much faster rate of accumulation than in the two orchards in the current study. The second unexpected result is that the younger orchard has a significantly higher level of copper than the older orchard. Reasons for these findings are discussed in relation to apparent differences in soil properties.     

Water treatment with silicofluorides and lead toxicity

Toxic metals like lead, manganese, copper and cadmium damage neurons and deregulate neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine (which are essential to normal impulse control and learning). Earlier studies show that — controlling for socio‐economic and demographic factors — environmental pollution with lead is a highly significant risk factor in predicting higher rates of crime, attention deficit disorder or hyperactivity, and learning disabilities. Exposure and uptake of lead has been associated with industrial pollution, leaded paint and plumbing systems in old housing, lead residues in soil, dietary habits (such as shortages of calcium and iron), and demographic factors (such as poverty, stress, and minority ethnicity). We report here on an additional “risk co‐factor” making lead and other toxic metals in the environment more dangerous to local residents: the use of silicofluorides as agents in water treatment. The two chemicals in question — fluosilicic acid and sodium silicofluoride — are toxins that, despite claims to the contrary, do not dissociate completely and change water chemistry when used under normal water treatment practices. As a result, water treatment with siliconfluorides apparently functions to increase the cellular uptake of lead. Data from lead screening of over 280,000 children in Massachusetts indicates that silicofluoride usage is associated with significant increases in average lead in children's blood as well as percentage of children with blood lead in excess of 10μg/dL. Consistent with the hypothesized role of silicofluorides as enhancing uptake of lead whatever the source of exposure, children are especially at risk for higher blood lead in those communities with more old housing or lead in excess of 15 ppb in first draw water samples where silicofluorides are also in use. Preliminary findings from county‐level data in Georgia confirm that silicofluoride usage is associated with higher levels of lead in children's blood. In both Massachusetts and Georgia, moreover, behaviors associated with lead nurotoxicity are more frequent in communities using silicofluorides than in comparable localities that do not use these chemicals. Because there has been insufficient animal or human testing of silicofluoride treated water, further study of the effect of silicofluorides is needed to clarify the extent to which these chemicals are risk co‐factors for lead uptake and the hazardous effects it produces.