Particulate matter concentrations in a high-quality rubber-tyred metro system: the case study of Turin in Italy

Particulate matter concentrations measured in railway metro systems are consistently higher than at street level (up to an indoor/outdoor ratio equal to 10), with dangerous effects for passenger health. These concentrations are mainly produced both by the mechanical friction and wear processes at the rail-wheel-brake interfaces and by the re-suspension caused by the turbulence generated by the train transit. The literature abounds in case studies dealing with the elevated concentrations and the analysis of the atomic composition of particulate matter as well as the epidemiological studies regarding the effects on human health. By contrast, the problem of reducing particulate matter concentrations was not much discussed. Starting from these considerations, the aim of this research was to investigate the PM concentrations of a “high-quality” metro system equipped with useful devices for reducing these concentrations: rubber-tyred, platform screen doors, an advanced ventilation system and a variable slope of the longitudinal profile. A measurement campaign was performed in the metro of Turin (Italy). Experimental results show that the indoor concentrations are statistically lower than those measured in outdoors; that particulate matter levels are closely correlated to the train frequency; the particulate matter concentrations measured inside trains are lower than the ones measured at station platform. From these results, it is possible to note that particulate matter concentrations measured in a “high-quality” metro system are significantly lower than the ones measured in “traditional” railways. This result is significant and poses the bases for the definition of useful interventions for retrofitting metro systems.     

Catalytic oxidation of arsenite and reaction pathways on the surface of CuO nanoparticles at a wide range of pHs

Recently, the wide application of CuO nanoparticles (NPs) in engineering field inevitably leads to its release into various geologic settings, which has aroused great concern about the geochemical behaviors of CuO NPs due to its high surface reactivity and impact on the fate of co-existing contaminants. However, the redox transformation of pollutants mediated by CuO NPs and the underlying mechanism still remain poorly understood. Here, we studied the interaction of CuO NPs with As(III), and explored the reaction pathways using batch experiments and multiple spectroscopic techniques. The results of in situ quick scanning X-ray absorption spectroscopy (Q-XAS) analysis verified that CuO NPs is capable of catalytically oxidize As(III) under dark conditions efficiently at a wide range of pHs. As(III) was firstly adsorbed on CuO NPs surface and then gradually oxidized to As(V) with dissolved O₂ as the terminal electron acceptor. As(III) adsorption increased to the maximum at a pH close to PZC of CuO NPs (~?pH 9.2), and then sharply decreased with increasing pH, while the oxidation capacity monotonically increased with pH. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance characterization of samples from batch experiments indicated that two pathways may be involved in As(III) catalytic oxidation: (1) direct electron transfer from As(III) to Cu(II), followed by concomitant re-oxidation of the produced Cu(I) by dissolved O₂ back to Cu(II) on CuO NPs surface, and (2) As(III) oxidation by reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced from the above Cu(I) oxygenation process. These observations facilitate a better understanding of the surface catalytic property of CuO NPs and its interaction with As(III) and other elements with variable valence in geochemical environments.     

高速铁路高架线路列车运营对既有线路基的影响研究

为分析高速铁路高架线列车运行对既有线路基影响,建立桥墩-大地-既有线路基有限元模型,结合测试验证模型可靠性,分析不同行车条件对既有线路基应力状态的影响关系,讨论高速铁路轨道平顺性恶化和土体模量降低对既有线路基的影响,预测既有线路基表层累计变形。研究得到,既有线自身列车运行对路基应力状态的影响占主要地位,高速铁路运营对既有线路基应力状态的贡献度很小,不会对既有线路基使用寿命造成明显影响,高速铁路桥墩与既有线距离按限界控制即可满足要求;在轨道平顺性恶化和土体模量降低条件下,高速列车运营引起的既有线路基应力增加不超过0.5 kPa。     

大气环境中纳米颗粒物研究进展与存在问题

纳米颗粒物（Nanoparticles,NPs）因较同质量细颗粒物和粗颗粒物而言对人体健康危害大得多,日益受到国内外研究者的重视.结合研究结果,对国内外共87篇NPs相关文献进行调研,选取含有效数据文章进行统计分析.从NPs来源和形成机理、粒径分布和归宿、数浓度水平和化学组成及健康效应和研究手段等方面进行综述.针对我国NPs研究现状提出建议及研究重点:（1）开展NPs常规化监测及环境空气和排放源NPs理化性质研究;（2）系统研究NPs形成机理;（3）发展NPs离线及在线一体化源解析技术;（4）系统建立NPs采样及分析技术;（5）加强NPs毒理学、流行病学和防护研究.由于在采取措施降低TSP和PM_2.5过程中有可能导致NPs浓度大幅增加,对人体健康会产生较大危害,政府应同时加大对NPs来源和污染控制研究的投入力度.      

Investigation of the channelling effect on pollutants dispersion between adjacent roadway tunnels

The health risks presented by noxious vehicle emissions inside tunnels has been amplified due to the increasing use of roadway tunnels. Particularly, for adjacent roadway tunnels, vehicular emissions from the upstream tunnel can further deteriorate the air quality within the following tunnels. A scale vehicle tunnel model was designed to experimentally modelled the airflow and pollutants dispersion in contiguous roadway tunnels. The channelling effect on pollutants dispersion between adjacent roadway tunnels was studied, and factors such as ventilation speed, open road section length, traffic condition (e.g. car free, car running and traffic congestion) were considered. Pollutants mass flow rate ratio between downstream and upstream tunnels was calculated to evaluate the variation of the entrained pollutants amount. For the car free condition, pollutant can be easily entrained into the downwind tunnel when the gap distance between roadway tunnels decreased. For the car running condition with fixed tunnel gap distance, the traffic speed variation barely changed the pollutants mass flow rate ratio. Furthermore, evident influences on pollutants concentration were observed from continuous congestion and partial congestion. Lastly, numerical simulation using computational fluid dynamics approach was conducted for the car free scenario, and reasonably good agreements were found for pollutants concentration ratio compared with the experimental data. The results yielded from this study further quantified the relationships among different influential factors on the pollutants dispersion between roadway tunnels, and can contribute to an improved tunnel ventilation system design, especially for the downstream tunnel.     

Field investigation of force and displacement within a strata slope using a real-time remote monitoring system

Research on monitoring and forecasting technology for slope stability is important for ensuring railway operation. This paper presents field investigation of force and displacement within a strata slope using a real-time remote monitoring system. Based on the interactions of the landslide body, the landslide bed and the monitoring anchor of slope, the mechanical principle of relative movement between the landslide body and the landslide bed can be found. This paper puts forward stress data obtained from a monitoring anchor as the main criterion for landslide stability. The stress will change continually inside the slope mass before the occurrence of a landslide. When the sliding force is larger than the anti-sliding force, deformation and landslides will occur; thus, the change in stress occurs before the change in displacement. In this study, the internal stress, deep displacement and surface strain of a railway slope were measured by a real-time remote-monitoring system, and a vibration metre was installed on the surface of the railway slope to study the influence of the train vibration load on the stability of the slope. The monitoring results are synthetically analysed temporally and spatially, then a railway slope forecasting model is proposed. According to the railway slope field application, the forecasting model makes successful predictions.     

胶新铁路砂土液化区路基沉降规律研究

地震液化常给人们带来巨大损失,而剪切振动和循环荷载作用下的动力学效应常被认为是地震液化的主要原因,人们对剪切荷载作用下饱和砂土的液化问题进行了较多的研究,而对循环荷载作用下砂土液化的动力学效应研究较少。胶新铁路在DK39+000开始为高地震烈度区,DK283+550~DK283+770分布有地震可液化层,工程修建后列车动荷载的影响将会有诱发砂土液化的可能性。为了研究通车前自然沉降特征和通车后循环荷载作用下的路基沉降变形规律,本文在具体分析了砂土液化的概念和准则判别的基础上,重点分析了砂土液化区路基沉降特征,包括测试断面竖向分层沉降变形特征分析和路基水平位移特征分析。最后在试验的基础上,从理论上给出了循环荷载下砂土的本构关系。     

Polystyrene nanoplastics aggravated ecotoxicological effects of polychlorinated biphenyls in on zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos

In view of the accumulation of nanoplastics (NPs) in the food chain of environment and animals, and the good adsorption properties of nano-plastics to toxic substances, it is necessary to explore the influence of NPs in living organisms. In this study, single and joint toxicological effects of polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs, size 80 nm) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), were explored in freshwater aquatic animal model zebrafish (Danio rerio). Our study found that exposure to single PS-NPs induced mild acute toxicity, albeit the combined exposure of PS-NPs and polychlorinated biphenyls aggravated the toxicity of PCBs in a dose-dependent manner. Results from gene expression profiling showed that NPs exposure could activate detoxification process, resulting in a slight up-regulation of antioxidant genes (sod1, gstp1), bone development genes (bmp2, bmp4) and cardiac gene (tbx20); while PCBs suppressed the detoxification through down-regulation of these genes, and the addition of NPs will exacerbate the impact of PCBs on gene suppression. Importantly, the results of in vivo purification experiments found that NPs showed prolonged retention in liver, intestine and gills of zebrafish and they might have crossed biological barrier and accumulate in lipid-rich tissues and excretion does not appear as the significant pathway for their elimination. In conclusion, the toxic effects of polychlorinated biphenyls on chorionic protected embryos were not significant as zebrafish chorion plays an important role in resisting the invasion of pollutants; PCBs can seriously damage the bone and heart development of zebrafish, while the presence of NPs significantly enhanced the toxicity of PCBs in zebrafish, which is an alarming concern for growing NPs levels and ecological safety in aquatic environment.     

对矿类专业毕业生“断层”现象的思考与对策

在社会经济体制转型的过程中,矿类专业毕业生出现了人才的“断层”现象。通过对矿类专业人才“断层”现象形成的原因进行分析,认为缓解目前矿类专业人才短缺现象,要以矿山为主体采取内培外引、努力服务、“订单式”培养方式,长期克服类似的人才“断层”现象要以高校为主体,主动调整专业结构和招生规模,培养复合型人才校企合作,多形式、多渠道培养企业所需人才。     

Vibratory Influential Zoning for Grade-Separated Tunnels Under the Load of Trains

Grade-separated tunnels are even more vulnerable components in high-speed railway engineering structures. The dynamic characteristics of tunnels under a train load are key indicators that influence the safe operation and durability of the entire line. In this study, with consideration of the major factors influencing grade-separated tunnels for high-speed rails, such as train speed, traffic mode, surrounding rock type, between-tunnel height, and crossing angle, a parameterized finite element model is established based on an orthogonal experimental design. In the proposed model, tensile stress (under which any vibration-induced structural damage is caused) is defined as a main evaluation index, and thus the empirical formula for each influencing factor is obtained. When the index was determined under multiple factors and at different levels, rock height between tunnels is found to be the biggest factor influencing the response of grade-separated tunnels to the vibratory load of the trains, followed by train speed, surrounding rock level, and crossing angle. Finally, based on the relevant standards for concrete stress, the zoning of grade-separated tunnels under the vibratory load of trains is established by multiple factors. Such zoning provides important theoretical references for future structural design, maintenance, and reinforcement of grade-separated tunnels for high-speed rails.     

Semivolatile organic compounds removal and health risk reduction in drinking water treatment biofilters applying different backwashing strategies

This study aimed to investigate the removal of 24 semivolatile organic compounds in Yangtze River (China) source water treated by six biofilters using different backwashing methods. Health risks induced by the pollutants in the influent and effluent water were also assessed based on the chemical detections. Comparatively, the biofilter backwashed with both air (15?m/h, 3?min) and water (8?m/h, 5?min) was most efficient in removing semivolatile organic compounds and reducing health risk. PCR-denatured gradient gel electrophoresis showed that backwashing alterations posed considerable influences on microbial community structure in the six biofilters. About 72.4?% of di-n-butyl phthalate and 81.8?% of bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (two main semivolatile organic compounds in the river water) were removed under the optimal backwashing conditions. However, in the effluent of each biofilter, non-carcinogenetic risks of 2,6-dinitrotoluene and bis[2-ethylhexyl]phthalate and carcinogenetic risks of dibenz[a,h]anthracene and benzo[a]pyrene did not reach safety levels, revealing that these pollutants in the source water deserve more public health concerns. This study might serve as a basis for biofiltration process optimization and also as a benchmark for the authorities to reduce the health risk induced by exposure to the hazardous pollutants.     

An analysis of vehicular exhaust derived nanoparticles and historical Belgium fortress building interfaces

Air pollution monitoring is one of the most important features in contamination risk management. This is because many of the compounds contained within air pollution present a serious risk both for the preservation of open air cultural heritage and for human health. New particle formation is a major contributor to urban pollution, but how it occurs in cities is often puzzling. As more and more people enjoy an increased quality of life through outdoor activity, managing outdoor air quality is vital. This study presents the application of a low-cost system for monitoring the current level of road traffic passengers’ exposure to particulate air contamination. The global rise in tourism also leads to apprehension about its probable destructive influence on various aspects of global preservation. One of the major risks encountered by tourists, stemming from modes of transport, are nanoparticles (NPs) (≤100 ​nm) and ultra-fine particles (UFPs) (100–1000 ​nm) consisting of potentially hazardous elements (PHEs). This study examines Steen Castle, a medieval fortress located in Antwerp, Belgium. Significant NPs with PHEs, were found in the air sampled in this area. The self-made passive sampler (LSPS) described in this study, consisting of retainers specially designed for advanced microscopic analysis, is used for the first time as a simple way to characterize the surrounding atmospheric contamination caused by NPs and UFPs, without the need of other commonly employed more expensive particulate focused active samplers such as cascade impactors. This study aims to assess the result of the utilization of a low-cost, LSPS, to determine outdoor NPs and UFPs in a Belgian urban (Steen Castle) and rural area (Fort van Schoten). This work is the first to detail the usefulness of LSPS for the evaluation of Belgium’s outdoor air for NPs and UFPs, which contain PHEs.     

The impact of landslides and salt weathering on Roman structures at high latitudes—Conway Castle, Great Britain: a case study

Conway Castle is an immense historical structure, dating back to 1289 AC. It was built on highly dipping thickbeds of indurated shale (argillite) and sandstone. It is surrounded by Conway Bay, railway lines, and tall dense forests indicating high relative humidity and rainfall in this coastal area. The castle suffers from weathering noted as honeycomb, black crust, exfoliation, and discoloration with white salt efflorescence at some parts; these are diagnostic features for salt weathering as confirmed by the laboratory investigations using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), point XRD, and hydrochemical analysis. The salt is found to be from three sources, namely, water spray from Conway Bay that is part of the Irish Sea, chemical alteration of the mortars carbonate content into sulfate salts by acid rain, and wet deposition of air pollutants on the surface of the stone. The cracks noted in the southwestern tower of this castle are a result of landslides in this area that resulted from three factors: (a) high dip angle of the indurated sandstone and shale thickbeds (about 60–65° to the south) under this castle, (b) undercutting of these beds in the dip direction by the surface water of Conway Bay, and (c) seismic waves generated by the trains passing close to this castle. All these factors result in land sliding even at a low rate; however, the net result is cracks in the tower close to these factors.     

改良膨胀土填筑路基动力响应研究试验

结合合肥-南京高速客货共线铁路试验段进行路基原位动载试验,通过模拟测试路基在相同机车轴重不同通过车速情况下的弹性变形及振动加速度,对路基在不同行车速度条件下的动力响应加以研究。通过对循环荷载下沿线路横向不同距离路基弹性变形、加速度以及轨下不同深度动应力测试,获得路基弹性变形、加速度以及动应力衰减规律。研究表明,现有规范对弹性变形的建议值不尽合理。提出时速200 km/h及以上客运专线铁路弹性变形合理建议值,为新建铁路客运专线设计及规范提供依据。     

Behaviour of Track Ballast Under Repeated Loading

Najaf-sea quarry is located in Najaf city about 160 km south west of Baghdad the capital of Iraq. It is the main source that supplies track ballast for maintenance of existing railway network and construction of new railway lines in the middle and southern parts of Iraq. Track ballast experience a complex combination of stresses during its service lifetime, primarily from repeated axial loads of the trains in addition to stresses generated from the environmental conditions. The ideal evaluation of suitability of track ballast must be carried out under real field loading conditions, however such field tests are usually costly and time consuming. On the other hand laboratory model tests simulating field loads under limited boundary conditions can provide satisfactory indication about the suitability of the material. The present paper investigates the deformation characteristics of Najaf-sea track ballast, under repeated loading using model tests simulating ballast conditions under a selected track section. A test setup was designed and manufactured capable of applying both monotonic as well as repeated loading on the track section under different conditions. The repeated model tests which simulate as close as possible the field conditions shed the light on the generated settlement, modulus of deformation and degradation of the ballast particles under different repeated loading levels. Statistical analysis in terms of breakage index and repeated applied load revealed satisfactory correlations that help in understanding the overall performance of the ballast material. The results also demonstrate that 4–5 tamping are capable of controlling both the settlement and modulus of deformation of the ballast material.     

城市饮用水源地水环境健康风险评价及风险管理

环境健康风险评价是环境科学的一个新兴研究领域,在简要介绍水环境健康风险评价基本方法的基础上,建立了健康风险评价模式,并根据深圳市主要饮用水源地水质监测资料,进行分析与评价。研究结果表明:(1)深圳市7个主要水库由基因毒物质所产生的健康风险的数量级为1 0-5~1 0-4,而由躯体毒物质所产生的健康风险的数量级为1 0-11~1 0-10,因此,基因毒物质为优先控制污染物;(2)对于Cr、As、Cd这三种基因毒物质,这7个水库的优先控制污染物是Cr;(3)对于躯体毒物质,所有水库的优先控制污染物是氨;(4)饮用水源各类污染物所致健康危害的个人年总风险小于国际辐射防护委员会(ICRP)推荐的最大可接受值,但超过瑞典环保局、荷兰建设和环境部推荐的最大可接受水平。目前环境健康风险评价还没有包括在常规环境评价工作中,建议在今后的评价工作中应该逐步开展这方面的工作,以提高供水安全。     

列车激震荷载下地铁双圆隧道的动力响应研究

以上海地铁杨浦线(M8)黄兴绿地站到翔殷路站区间隧道双圆盾构工程为背景,研究了列车激震荷载作用下软土地铁双圆隧道的动力响应规律。通过对地铁盾构隧道-地层体系进行模态分析,得到地铁双圆隧道-围岩体系的振型和频率,以确定合理的阻尼系数和时间积分步长。采用车辆-轮轨模型,计算列车振动荷载,然后确定软土双圆隧道初始地应力,最后运用时程分析方法分别研究在单、双列列车动载两种情况下,软土地铁双圆隧道的随机动力响应及其薄弱部位和相应的位移场和应力场,从而为软土地铁双圆隧道的抗震设计提供借鉴。     

Research progress on aging of organic pollutants in geosorbents: a review

Geosorbents are the main host of anthropogenic organic pollutants and play a vital role in their fate and transport in the natural environment. Soil and sediment are the most common and abundant geosorbents in the natural environment; their interactions with organic pollutants, especially sorption and desorption processes, have been extensively studied from the perspectives of thermodynamics and kinetics. Recently, the aging of organic pollutants in geosorbents has drawn increased attention, leading to an improved understanding of interactions between organic pollutants and geosorbents and informing remediation criteria. Aging has been deemed important in accurately assessing ecologic and health risks of organic pollutants, and both positive and negative impacts have been reported in studies of natural and artificial sorbents. This paper summarizes recent research progress on organic pollutant aging in geosorbents, including related mechanism research, influence factors, bioavailability assessments, and biological and physicochemical remediation of aged organic pollutants. We also discuss issues in the current research and bring forward suggestions for future study.     

Deformation characteristics of fine-grained soil under cyclic loading with intermittence

Acta Geotechnica - Since there is an interval time between two trains traveling in the same direction on an automatically blocked line, the dynamic loading on the railway subgrade is composed of...     

有机污染物在含土工膜复合隔离墙和含水层系统的运移半解析模型

为评估土工膜与土-膨润土组成的复合隔离墙对有机污染物的防污性能,建立了污染物在源区域发生降解扩散时透过复合隔离墙的一维瞬态扩散模型。通过拉普拉斯变换和Talbot数值反演获得了模型解。第3类入流边界条件下,考虑源区的扩散和降解时,第1类隔离墙(土工膜/土-膨润土)和第2类隔离墙(土-膨润土/土工膜/土-膨润土)100 a的击穿浓度分别较源浓度恒定时减少了59%和53%。由于假设土工膜渗透系数高于10^–12 m/s,污染物在复合隔离墙中的对流作用不能忽略,因此,采用第2类复合隔离墙使土-膨润土能更好地发挥主导隔离作用。将土工膜的渗透系数从10^–10 m/s减少到10^–16 m/s,第1类复合隔离墙的击穿时间从26 a增加到188 a,第2类复合隔离墙的击穿时间从32 a增加到81 a。利用抽水井调整墙体内外为负水头差及提高源区的污染物降解能力,可使隔离墙的防污性能得到较大提升。