[Effect of ultrasonic energy on the characteristics of waste activated sludge].

Seven ultrasonic energy levels ranging from 0 to 26 000 kJ x kg(-1) were used to disintegrate excess sludge to investigate the changes in physical characteristics. The results indicated that the ultrasonication process destroys floc structure, facilitates the transfer of matter into the aqueous phase, and breaks up cell walls, which facilitated the improvement of settleability and biodegradability. Low ultrasonic energies could improve the settleability and supernatant turbidity.

Successful micropropagation of the cadmium hyperaccumulator Viola baoshanensis (Violaceae).

Viola baoshanensis is one of the most rare cadmium (Cd) hyperaccumulators, however, it is hard to propagate. Micropropagation has been applied to solve the problems with propagation of a few heavy metal hyperaccumulators. Therefore there is a high likelihood that micropropagation may offer a suitable method for large-scale propagation of V.

Accumulation of zinc, cadmium, and lead in four populations of Sedum alfredii growing on lead/zinc mine spoils.

Sedum alfredii Hance is a newly reported zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd) hyperaccumulator native to China. In this study, four populations of S. alfredii were collected from Yejiwei (YJW), Jinchuantang (JCT) and Qiaokou (QK) lead (Pb)/Zn mines located in Hunan Province as well as Quzhou (QZ) Pb/Zn mine located in Zhejiang Province for exploring the intraspecies difference of this plant in metal accumulation.

Selection of appropriate organic additives for enhancing Zn and Cd phytoextraction by hyperaccumulators.

Chelant-enhanced phytoextraction is one of the most promising technologies to remove heavy metals from soil. The key of the technology is to choose suitable additives in combination with a suitable plant. In the present study, laboratory batch experiment of metal solubilization, cress seeds germination were undertaken to investigate the metal-mobilizing capability and the phytotoxicity of organic additives, including ethylene diamine triacetic acid (EDTA), citric acid, acetic acid, oxalic acid, glutamine and monosodium glutamate waste liquid (MGWL) from food industry.