Adsorption of aqueous Pb(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) ions by amorphous tin(VI) hydrogen phosphate: an excellent inorganic adsorbent

Amorphous tin(VI) hydrogen phosphate (ATHP) was synthesized using the liquid phase precipitation method and served as an adsorbent to remove Pb(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) from aqueous solutions. The ATHP was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and nitrogen adsorption–desorption techniques. Adsorption properties were evaluated as a function of pH, reaction time, concentration of reactants, and salinity. Their equilibrium adsorption data were modeled using Freundlich, Langmuir, and Dubinin–Kaganer–Radushkevich isotherms, respectively. The results revealed that adsorption equilibrium reached within 180 min. ATHP indicated good adsorption even below the pH_ZPC, and best adsorption at pH 5 for Pb(II) and Cu(II) and at pH 5.5 for Zn(II) was observed. Equilibrium data fitted better to the Langmuir model for Pb(II) and Cu(II) and fitted better to the Freundlich model for Zn(II). The saturated adsorption capacities deduced from the Langmuir model were 2.425, 1.801, and 0.600 mmol/g for Cu(II), Pb(II), and Zn(II), respectively, indicating an adsorption affinity order of Cu > Pb > Zn. There is a negative correlation between the concentration of NaCl and adsorption capacity of ATHP, yet ATHP still exhibited excellent adsorption having an adsorption capacity of 19.35, 15.16, 6.425 mg/g when the concentration of NaCl was 0.6 mol/L. The free energy (E) was 12.33, 10.70, and 14.74 kJ/mol for Pb(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II), respectively. An adsorption mechanism based on ion exchange between heavy metal ions and H⁺ in the ATHP is proposed. Furthermore, the used ATHP was regenerated by HCl solution and the adsorbent was used repeatedly.     

Field investigation of erosion resistance of common grass species for soil bioengineering in Hong Kong

Grass cover is considered as a sustainable means of controlling soil erosion and enhancing durability of soil slopes. A number of grass species are commonly available for soil bioengineering in Hong Kong, but their capacities to control soil erosion have not been characterized quantitatively. The main objectives of this paper are to study the influence of soil density on characteristics of grass roots, to measure the erodibility parameters of the root-permeated soils at two growth stages, and to select the proper Hong Kong grass species that effectively control soil erosion. Three types of Hong Kong turf grass including Cynodon Dactylon, Paspalum Notatum, and Zoysia Matrella were planted on three soil grounds with degrees of compaction of 80, 90, and 100 %, respectively. The featural parameters of grass roots on each compacted ground, including root mass density, root volume density, and root depth, were measured in two growth stages. A jet index apparatus was applied to measure two erodibility properties (i.e., coefficient of erodibility and critical shear stress) of these vegetated soils in the two test stages. Cynodon Dactylon and Zoysia Matrella have higher root mass density values than Paspalum Notatum does, and reduce the susceptibility of soil erosion more effectively. Therefore, the two grass species are suggested for soil bioengineering in Hong Kong.     

Safety Assessment of Buried Pipeline during Pile Driving Vibration in Offshore Engineering

To assess the impact of pile driving on adjacent submarine pipelines during the reconstruction of a pier berth, the local damage model of submarine pipelines is established to explore the safety thresholds of the particle peak velocity and horizontal displacement. The results are analyzed and adjusted by the existing standards and the corresponding literatures. Then, a three-dimensional numerical model is presented to assess the feasibility of the construction of piles by the obtained safety limits, in which the nonlinear behavior of the soil and stress–seepage coupling analysis are considered. After the construction, the safety of submarine pipelines is rechecked by the measured value of the particle peak velocity and horizontal displacement. Meanwhile, the propagation law of vibration, the horizontal displacement of underground soil, and the pore pressure during pile driving are explored. The results indicate that the construction of piles of 2# mooring pier did not cause damage to adjacent submarine pipelines. However, the construction of piles of 1# mooring pier which is nearer may cause damage to submarine pipelines.     

Emissions of biogenic sulfur gases (H<Subscript>2</Subscript>S,COS) from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phragmites australis</Emphasis> coastal marsh in the Yellow River estuary of China

Emissions of biogenic sulfur gases (hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) and carbonyl sulfide (COS)) from Phragmites australis coastal marsh in the Yellow River estuary of China were determined during April to December in 2014 using static chamber-gas chromatography technique with monthly sampling. The results showed that the fluxes of H₂S and COS both had distinct seasonal and diurnal variations. The H₂S fluxes ranged from 0.09 μg/(m²·h) to 7.65 μg/(m²·h), and the COS fluxes ranged from–1.10 μg/(m²·h) to 3.32 μg/(m²·h). The mean fluxes of H₂S and COS from the P. australis coastal marsh were 2.28 μg/(m²·h), and 1.05 μg/(m²·h), respectively. The P. australis coastal marsh was the emission source of both H₂S and COS over the whole year. Fluxes of H₂S and COS were both higher in plant growing season than in the non-growing season. Temperature had a dramatic effect on the H₂S emission flux, while the correlations between COS flux and the environmental factors were not found during sampling periods. More in-depth and comprehensive research on other related factors, such as vegetation, sediment substrates, and tidal action is needed to discover and further understand the key factors and the release mechanism of sulfur gases.