Recent developments in immobilizing titanium dioxide on supports for degradation of organic pollutants in wastewater- A review

This review focuses on the various types of supports used for immobilization of titanium dioxide nanomaterial catalyst for degradation of organic pollutants in wastewater. Several supports suitable to particular immobilization technique used for the degradation of pollutants in wastewater streams are explained. In general, a coating of catalyst on supports is carried out either by physical (e.g., thermal treatment) or by chemical (e.g., sol–gel). Among a range of the supports used, some of the prominent ones include glass, silica, activated carbon, stainless steel, cellulose, clay. Also, characterization methods in use such as X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscope, scanning electron microscope, and UV-spectroscopy are discussed. The operating parameters such as temperature for the selected immobilization techniques are also explained.     

氯化法钛白粉生产项目放射性环境影响评价

在放射性核素走向分析和环境现状调查的基础上,对某氯化法钛白粉生产项目的放射性环境影响进行了分析、预测与评价。放射性环境现状调查表明,评价因子总体在区域环境本底范围内,经分析确定了放射性敏感点。经放射性环境影响预测,工作人员和公众所受的附加剂量分别为0.59mSv/a和9.28×10-4mSv/a,均低于年有效剂量管理限值。在落实辐射防护和环境保护措施并加强放射性环境监测后,该项目的放射性环境影响符合国家有关法规和标准限值要求。     

ICP-AES法测定凤阳县灵山-木屐山矿区硅质原料中三氧化二铬和二氧化钛含量的应用讨论

本方法(ICP-AES)试样经盐酸、硝酸、氢氟酸、高氯酸冷溶过夜,次日加热分解并溶解盐类后,转移至50mL容量瓶中定容。采用电感耦合等离子体发射光谱仪测量试样溶液中铬(铬267.716﹛126﹜nm光谱线)和钛(钛323.452﹛104﹜nm光谱线)的特征光谱强度,由仪器自动校正基体的影响,计算试样中三氧化二铬和二氧化...     

Investigation of the photoluminescence properties of Urfa stone powder doped with chromium oxide

In this study, the structural properties of Urfa stone (US) doped with chromium oxide (Cr₂O₃) were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and FT-IR spectroscopy. The photoluminescence properties of US doped with varying amounts of Cr₂O₃ (5, 10, 20, 30, and 40%) were also investigated. US powder was obtained via grinding with an agate mortar, and Cr₂O₃ was then added as a dopant to the US powder. The samples were sintered at 1000 °C for 1 h. The XRD results of the US powder doped with Cr₂O₃ via mechanical alloying showed the presence of some crystalline phases: calcite (CaCO₃) and eskolate (Cr₂O₃). Furthermore, it was found that calcium oxide (CaO) and tongbaite (Cr₃C₂) were also present in the sintered samples. The photoluminescence analysis results indicated that the emission and excitation bands of the US-Cr complex shifted to longer and shorter wavelengths in the solid state (non-aqueous media), respectively.     

Characterization and photocatalytic activities of nanosized titanium dioxide thin films

Thin films of titanium dioxide with high surface area are prepared by sol-gel dip-coating technique. In this regards, Titania nano sols with high photocatalytic activity were prepared by dissolving titanium alkoxide in alcohol and water under acidic conditions. Photocatalytic activities of titanium dioxide thin films were measured in the presence of methylene blue. Microstructure and photocatalytic activity of the films, nanopowders and titanium dioxide sols were investigated using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, specific surface area, zeta sizer and ultraviolet-visible spectrometry techniques. Particle size analysis of sols showed that the mean particle sizes were 15 to 128 nm. X-ray diffraction analyses revealed that anatase crystal structure was produced with crystallite size below 11 nm. Increasing mass percent of anatase phase and specific surface area, enhance the photocatalytic activity. Scanning electron microscopy images showed that the addition of methylcellulose as a dispersant, not only produced rough texture in the thin film, but also enhanced photocatalytic activity. The thin films prepared by using nitric acid as a stabilizer, revealed higher photocatalytic activity, surface area and sol stability and these data were more than those prepared with acetic acid.     

柱撑粘土复合材料的研究进展及其在环境污染物治理方面的应用

以具有片状或层状结构以及较为规整的大孔结构的粘土材料为母体,在其层间引入不同阳离子化合物为柱化剂而合成出性能各异的新型柱撑粘土 (pillared clay)复合材料及其应用是目前环境地球化学研究中备受瞩目的研究前沿之一.对柱撑粘土复合材料的制备进展及其在环境污染治理中的应用进展进行了系统的综述,详细探讨了各种合成影响因素如有机阳离子、无机阳离子以及两者联用柱化剂的选择、复合材料热处理过程、表面酸化预处理等手段对合成柱撑粘土复合材料的制备及性能的影响,同时还对柱撑粘土复合材料在水体和大气环境中毒害有机污染物治理方面的应用进行了比较详细的综述.     

Residues of environmental pollutants and necropsy data for Eastern United States ospreys, 1964–1973

Thirty-three ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) that were found dead or moribund in the Eastern United States between 1964 and 1973 were necropsied. The brains and carcasses of 26 of these birds were analyzed for organochlorines. The livers of 18 and the kidneys of 7 were analyzed for selected metals. Most adults were recovered in April and May and most immatures were recovered in August through October. The adult sex ratio was highly unbalanced in favor of females. Major causes of mortality were impact injuries, emaciation, shooting, and respiratory infections. Of special interest were two birds with malignant tumors and one with steatitis. Many birds had undergone marked weight losses resulting in mobilization and redistribution of organochlorine residues. Organochlorines were detected in the birds at the following percentages: DDE 100%, PCB 96%, DDD 92%, dieldrin 88%, chlordanes (including nonachlors) 82%, DDT 65%, and heptachlor expoxide 38%. Organochlorine levels tended to be higher in adults than in immatures. One adult from South Carolina had a potentially dangerous level of dieldrin in its brain, which might have contributed to its death. Immature ospreys from Maryland had extremely elevated levels of copper in their livers compared with immatures from other areas and all adults. One immature from Maryland had an elevated level of arsenic in its liver, which might have contributed to its death. One adult from Florida that had died of impact injuries had potentially dangerous levels of mercury in both liver and kidney and slightly elevated levels of cadmium in these tissues. Additional birds appeared to have been exposed to contamination of the environment by arsenic and mercury. The levels of chromium, zinc, and lead in livers appeared normal.     

多年冻土退化下碳、氮和污染物循环研究进展

多年冻土储存了大量的有机碳、氮素以及持久性有机污染物和汞等污染物.全球变暖背景下,目前全球大部分的多年冻土都处于退化状态.多年冻土区土壤温度升高、多年冻土层解冻后,土壤温度水分会发生变化,从而改变微生物的生长代谢过程,进而改变多年冻土区的物质循环.通过综述多年冻土区的碳、氮及污染物的储量及其在多年冻土退化下的迁移转化及输出特征,研究发现:多年冻土退化增加活动层厚度、形成热喀斯特地貌,一方面导致碳基和氮基温室气体快速释放到大气中,另一方面也向水生系统中输出溶解性碳氮组分及可溶性污染物,这些过程会导致多年冻土由碳、氮和污染物储存的"汇"转变为"源",并最终影响全球生物地球化学循环.明确多年冻土区碳、氮和污染物的生物地球化学循环过程对于全面理解气候变化对自然和人类社会系统的影响具有重要作用.未来研究中,还需要结合多学科技术手段,开展多年冻土退化过程、水文过程与生物化学循环过程的系统集成研究,此外,还需加强汞、POPs等污染物的二次释放过程与碳氮循环的耦合关系研究,定量多年冻土中污染物二次释放的环境效应,以深刻认识多年冻土中物质循环过程并为气候和环境变化提供预测依据.     

静电自组装制备斜发沸石负载纳米TiO2吸附及光催化降解甲基橙染料研究

为了实现纳米TiO2的固定化负载,提高材料对污染物的光催化效率,采用静电自组装方法制备了天然斜发沸石负载纳米TiO2光催化材料。采用硅烷偶联剂(OCH3)3Si(CH2)3SH干法改性斜发沸石,采用30%H2O2/HOAc氧化剂将偶联剂巯基基团(—SH)氧化为易电离的磺酸基基团(—SO3H),带负电荷的沸石与钛聚合阳离子在静电引力的作用下自发地组装在一起,经一定温度的焙烧得到斜发沸石负载纳米TiO2光催化材料。采用XRD和SEM对材料进行分析和表征,采用甲基橙染料评价材料的吸附和光催化性能,结果表明:沸石负载纳米TiO2对甲基橙染料具有吸附与光催化的协同作用,静电自组装方法制备的材料的光催化性能较传统方法有所提高。     

Synthesis of novel potassium peroxodisulfate-modified titanium dioxide for photocatalytic oxidation of acetaminophen under visible light irradiation

In recent years, traces of acetaminophen, a widely used analgesic and anti-inflammatory and known to be an over-the-counter drug, have been detected unaltered in effluents of conventional wastewater treatment facilities. About 58–68% released through excretion during patient’s therapeutic treatment, and only about 80–86% were removed by the wastewater treatment facility. This study investigated the improved performance of photocatalysis in degrading or removing acetaminophen. The visible light active potassium peroxodisulfate-doped titanium dioxide photocatalysts synthesized via sol–gel method was used to eliminate acetaminophen from aqueous solutions through photocatalytic oxidation. The effects of the amount of dopant, calcination temperature and calcination time on the properties and visible light photocatalytic activity of potassium peroxodisulfate-doped titanium dioxide were also investigated. Increasing the amount of the dopant and calcination temperature up to a certain extent increases removal efficiency while further decreased the removal rate. Potassium peroxodisulfate-doped titanium dioxide photocatalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, ultraviolet–visible light diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller method and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Potassium peroxodisulfate-doped titanium dioxide with 0.5%_w dopant and calcined at 300 °C for 3 h degrades about 100% acetaminophen in aqueous solution within 540 min. The reaction of acetaminophen with the photocatalyst has an apparent rate constant of 8.39 × 10^?3 min^?1.     

Behaviour of chromium VI in a multilayer aquifer in the industrial zone of Annaba,Algeria

Industrial wastewater is characterised by the presence of a great quantity of metallic micro-pollutants, among which chromium by its mobility, contaminates the surface and groundwater. The study of different aquifers within the area of Annaba (Algeria) shows extremely variable chromium concentrations in the unconfined aquifer (0–0.22 mg l⁻¹), which becomes practically null in dry period; on the other hand, they remain relatively constant in the deep confined aquifer (about 0.04 mg l⁻¹). To specify the mechanisms of chromium migration in the aquifer system, a study of space–time evolution of chromium concentrations in unconfined aquifer was undertaken, while considering the kinetics of diffusion in the deeper aquifer. Chromium, indirectly reduced microbiologically by sulphate-reducer bacteria in the upper aquifer, is likely to anticipate the auto-depuration capacity of the ground and to reduce the quality of groundwater.     

Human perceptions of environmental degradation in a part of the Kalahari ecosystem

This paper is based on data on human perceptions of environmental degradation generated using the rapid rural appraisal approach in a part of Botswana's Kalahari environment. The data revealed a high level of respondent awareness of local resource use problems related to negative environmental change. However, respondent perceptions of the causes of, and solutions to, to environmental degradation were found to be mainly outward oriented; the possibility of local human contribution to the problem and its solution was widely down-played. The data point to the need for measures to bring about correct perceptions so that people can see where their own activities fit in the causal nexus of environmental degradation and acknowledge their power to contribute to solutions thereof.     

Surface and subsurface environmental degradation in the karst of Apulia (southern Italy)

Karst environments are highly vulnerable to a variety of degradation and pollution problems. Geology (fractured carbonate rocks), morphology (presence of a network of cavities produced by karst processes), and hydrogeology (rapid concentrated flow through fractures and conduits) of karst carbonates strongly favour the movement of contaminants towards the water table. In particular, poor quality of subsurface water can derive from polluting substances flowing at the surface, and/or by direct immission of liquid and solid waste into the water table through the systems of conduits and joints in the rock mass. As a consequence, water quality can deteriorate severely, which implies very high economic and social costs in order to clean the polluted sites and restore the original situation. In some cases, such as when the original karst morphology is changed because of anthropogenic interventions, the variations created in the landscape are not recoverable, and a loss of sites of naturalistic interest has to be registered. High vulnerability of a typical karst region of the Mediterranean area is illustrated in this paper by describing some case studies from Apulia, southern Italy. The Apulia region, where karst processes have had a prominent role in the development of the present landscape, is mostly underlain by intensely karstified limestone. Two cases of pollution due to solid waste into karst cavities (Grave di S. Leonardo in the Gargano Promontory and Grave Pelosello in the Murge plateau), landscape transformation in the Minervino Murge area, and degradation of Gravina Monsignore, a typical karst valley in southeastern Murge, are described in the paper. In two out of four cases, degradation of the sites was discovered thanks to activity from local speleologists, who also acted as promoters for cleaning and safeguarding the polluted sites. These examples underline well the mismanagement of karst territories (in particular, the common practice to dump refuse into sinkholes and caves), the pollution of limestone aquifers, and the effects that such pollution in karst areas might have in terms of the risk to public health.     

Migration of total chromium and chloride anion in the Rocha River used for estimating degradation of agricultural soil quality at the Thiu Rancho zone

The Rocha River is a receptor to receive wastewater from household, hospital and industry, from where contaminants are transported in the river, affecting biodiversity and the ecosystem of the area. In this paper we estimated the maximum transport of total chromium and chloride anion by applying the analytical model of Ogata & Banks (1961), and the results obtained are grouped into three zones: Contaminated, transition, and uncontaminated. The analytical model was applied with 13 samples collected from the river piezometers installed near Rocha, where they are arranged in two lines, i.e. RH-1 to RH-6 as the first line and RH-9 to RH-12 as the second line. The total chromium concentrations range from 0.16 mg/L (RH-1) and 0.11 mg/L (RH-9) at the closest points to Rocha River, to 0.13 mg/L (RH-7) and 0.03 mg/L (RH-12) at the most remote points to the river. The advance of the pollutants does not exceed 50 meters with respect to the axis of the Rocha River.     

Selective digestion of industrial potato wastes for efficient biomethanation: a sustainable solution for safe environmental disposal

Potato being the staple vegetable in India is widely cultivated and processed for different value additions. During processing of potato, a huge amount of waste is generated in the form of peel and meat (mash). These wastes constitute a potential feedstock for biogas generation. The present study is focused on mitigation of acidogenesis that occurs during early stages of anaerobic digestion (AD) of potato waste which eventually inhibits the process of methanogenesis. A novel strategy of selective digestion was adopted in which the leachate and solid slurry resulting from the first stage digestion were further subjected to second stage by separating the solid and liquid phases. The obtained results indicated that stepwise digestion enhanced biomethane yield with an increase in methane percent from 46.47 to 60.4 % and reduction in total COD to about 94 %. Another novel strategy adopted in this study was the use of specifically developed microbial consortia for AD of potato wastes instead of conventional inoculum for production of biogas. The obtained yield is at par with the conventional inoculums which suggests that the developed consortia could act as potential substitute. The present study paves the way for sustainable utilization of industrial potato wastes for bioenergy production by overcoming the problems associated with conventional processes.     

Natural minerals and divided solids: methodology for understanding surface phenomena related to industrial uses and environmental problems

This introductory paper aims at presenting the series of articles in this special issue of Comptes Rendus Geoscience devoted to the study and use of natural minerals. The research methodology that can be applied to the investigation of surface phenomena related to adsorption, exchange and retention onto the surface of natural minerals and divided solids is presented. A special focus is given to the retention of surfactant molecules, in view of their considerable importance in numerous industrial fields, such as, for instance, mineral flotation and enhanced oil recovery. Throughout this introductory paper, the relevance of this research approach to the field of geosciences is stressed by listing various applications where it can provide conclusive answers, especially for environmentally related issues. To cite this article: J.-M. Cases, C. R. Geoscience 334 (2002) 585–596.     

Variability in oxidative degradation of charcoal: Influence of production conditions and environmental exposure

Charcoal is a key component of the Black Carbon (BC) continuum, where BC is characterized as a recalcitrant, fire-derived, polyaromatic material. Charcoal is an important source of palaeoenvironmental data, and of great interest as a potential carbon sink, due to its high apparent environmental stability. However, at least some forms of charcoal are clearly susceptible to environmental alteration and degradation over relatively short timescales. Although these processes have importance for the role of charcoal in global biogeochemistry, they remain poorly understood.Here we present results of an investigation into the susceptibility of a range of charcoal samples to oxidative degradation in acidified potassium dichromate. The study examines both freshly-produced charcoal, and charcoal exposed to environmental conditions for up to 50,000 years. We compare the proportion of carbon present in different forms between the samples, specifically with respect to the relative chemical resistance of these forms. This was undertaken in order to improve understanding of the post-depositional diagenetic changes affecting charcoal within environmental deposits.A wide range in chemical compositions are apparent both within and between the sample groups. In freshly-produced charcoal, material produced at 300 °C contains carbon with more labile forms than charcoal produced at ?400 °C, signifying a key chemical change over the 300-400 °C temperature range. Charcoal exposed to environmental depositional conditions is frequently composed of a highly carboxylated aromatic structure and contains a range of carbon fractions of varying oxidative resistance. These findings suggest that a significant number of the environmental charcoals have undergone post-depositional diagenetic alteration. Further, the data highlight the potential for the use of controlled progressive oxidative degradation as a method to characterize chemical differences between individual charcoal samples.