[Source Apportionment and Health Risk Assessment of VOCs During the Haze Period in the Winter in Beijing].

A method for determining volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by cryogenic dynamic adsorption in solid adsorbent tubes, subsequent thermal desorption with cryofocusing in a cold trap and analysis by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry was adapted for continuous ambient air monitoring. VOCs pollution characteristics and health risk assessment (HRA)were researched in detail. Moreover, the sources apportionment was reliably analyzed by positive matrix factorization (PMF) model.

Enhanced phosphorus flux from overlying water to sediment in a bioelectrochemical system.

This report proposed a novel technique for the regulation of phosphorus flux based on a bioelectrochemical system. In the simulated water system, a simple in situ sediment microbial fuel cell (SMFC) was constructed. SMFC voltage was increased with time until it was 0.

Enhancement of biomass conversion in catalytic fast pyrolysis by microwave-assisted formic acid pretreatment.

This study investigated microwave-assisted formic acid (MW-FA) pretreatment as a possible way to improve aromatic production from catalytic fast pyrolysis (CFP) of lignocellulosic biomass. Results showed that short duration of MW-FA pretreatment (5-10min) could effectively disrupt the recalcitrant structure of beech wood and selectively remove its hemicellulose and lignin components. This increased the accessibility of cellulose component of biomass to subsequent thermal conversion in CFP.

A comprehensive emission inventory of multiple air pollutants from iron and steel industry in China: Temporal trends and spatial variation characteristics.

China has become the largest producer of iron and steel throughout the world since 1996. However, as an energy-and-pollution intensive manufacturing sector, a detailed comprehensive emission inventory of air pollutants for iron and steel industry of China is still not available. To obtain and better understand the temporal trends and spatial variation characteristics of typical hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) emissions from iron and steel production in China, a comprehensive emission inventory of multiple air pollutants, including size segregated particulate matter (TSP/PM10/PM2.

Temporal trends and spatial variation characteristics of primary air pollutants emissions from coal-fired industrial boilers in Beijing, China.

Coal-fired combustion is recognized as a significant anthropogenic source of atmospheric compounds in Beijing, causing heavy air pollution events and associated deterioration in visibility. Obtaining an accurate understanding of the temporal trends and spatial variation characteristics of emissions from coal-fired industrial combustion is essential for predicting air quality changes and evaluating the effectiveness of current control measures. In this study, an integrated emission inventory of primary air pollutants emitted from coal-fired industrial boilers in Beijing is developed for the period of 2007-2013 using a technology-based approach.

A benzo-15-crown-5-modifying ratiometric-absorption and fluorescent OFF-ON chemosensor for Cu(2.).

One new benzo-15-crown-5-modifying fluorene Schiff base (FBC), together with the CN-linked fluorene-3,4-dimethoxybenzene (FBDMO) and fluorene-benzene (FB) references, has been designed and facilely synthesized. The binding of Cu(2+) with nitrogen atom of CN moiety in these three compounds can inhibit the photo-induced electronic transition process and induce the ratiometric-absorption and fluorescent OFF-ON response to Cu(2+). Whereas the employment of benzo-15-crown-5 moiety in FBC as additional binding platform for Cu(2+) not only amplifies the fluorescent enhancement of FBCvia preventing the isomerization of CN moiety, but also endows this compound high selectivity and rapid response towards Cu(2+) over the references FB and FBDMO.

Characteristics of particulate-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons emitted from industrial grade biomass boilers.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are carcinogenic or mutagenic and are important toxic pollutants in the flue gas of boilers. Two industrial grade biomass boilers were selected to investigate the characteristics of particulate-bound PAHs: one biomass boiler retro-fitted from an oil boiler (BB1) and one specially designed (BB2) biomass boiler. One coal-fired boiler was also selected for comparison.

Determination of greenhouse gas emission reductions from sewage sludge anaerobic digestion in China.

Sewage sludge is a considerable source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission in the field of organic solid waste treatment and disposal. In this case study, total GHG emissions from sludge anaerobic digestion, including direct and indirect emissions as well as replaceable emission reduction due to biogas being reused instead of natural gas, were quantified respectively. The results indicated that no GHG generation needed to be considered during the anaerobic digestion process.

Heavy haze episodes in Beijing during January 2013: Inorganic ion chemistry and source analysis using highly time-resolved measurements from an urban site.

The heavy air pollution that occurred in Beijing in January of 2013 attracted intense attention around the world. During this period, we conducted highly time-resolved measurements of inorganic ions associated with PM2.5 at an urban site of Beijing, and investigated ion chemistry and potential sources.

Correlation between DNAPL distribution area and dissolved concentration in surfactant enhanced aquifer remediation effluent: A two-dimensional flow cell study.

During the process of surfactant enhanced aquifer remediation (SEAR), free phase dense non-aqueous phase liquid (DNAPL) may be mobilized and spread. The understanding of the impact of DNAPL spreading on the SEAR remediation is not sufficient with its positive effect infrequently mentioned. To evaluate the correlation between DNAPL spreading and remediation efficiency, a two-dimensional sandbox apparatus was used to simulate the migration and dissolution process of 1,2-DCA (1,2-dichloroethane) DNAPL in SEAR.

Remediation of arsenic-contaminated groundwater using media-injected permeable reactive barriers with a modified montmorillonite: sand tank studies.

A modified montmorillonite (MMT) was prepared using an acid activation-sodium activation-iron oxide coating method to improve the adsorption capacities of natural MMTs. For MMT, its interlamellar distance increased from 12.29 to 13.

A Petroleum Vapor Intrusion Model Involving Upward Advective Soil Gas Flow Due to Methane Generation.

At petroleum vapor intrusion (PVI) sites at which there is significant methane generation, upward advective soil gas transport may be observed. To evaluate the health and explosion risks that may exist under such scenarios, a one-dimensional analytical model describing these processes is introduced in this study. This new model accounts for both advective and diffusive transport in soil gas and couples this with a piecewise first-order aerobic biodegradation model, limited by oxygen availability.

Physico-chemical characterization and source tracking of black carbon at a suburban site in Beijing.

Particles from ambient air and combustion sources including vehicle emission, coal combustion and biomass burning were collected and chemically pretreated with the purpose of obtaining isolated BC (black carbon) samples. TEM (transmission electron microscopy) results indicate that BC from combustion sources shows various patterns, and airborne BC appears spherical and about 50 nm in diameter with a homogeneous surface and turbostratic structure. The BET (Barrett-Emmett-Teller) results suggest that the surface areas of these BC particles fall in the range of 3-23 m2/g, with a total pore volume of 0.

Evaluation of site-specific lateral inclusion zone for vapor intrusion based on an analytical approach.

In 2002, U.S. EPA proposed a general buffer zone of approximately 100 feet (30 m) laterally to determine which buildings to include in vapor intrusion (VI) investigations.

Cadmium exposure via diet and its implication on the derivation of health-based soil screening values in China.

The cadmium (Cd) intake rates via diet of adults from different regions in China were between 0.160 and 0.557 μg/(kg BW·day), which were less than the provisional tolerable monthly intake (0.

Application of positive matrix factorization to source apportionment of surface water quality of the Daliao River basin, northeast China.

Surface water monitoring networks play an important role in the stream water quality management. Since a time series of data is obtained from the monitoring network, multivariate statistical techniques can be used to identify important factors or pollution sources of water system. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) is an improved factor analysis tool that has had limited application to water systems.

Effective solidification/stabilisation of mercury-contaminated wastes using zeolites and chemically bonded phosphate ceramics.

In this study, two kinds of zeolites materials (natural zeolite and thiol-functionalised zeolite) were added to the chemically bonded phosphate ceramic processes to treat mercury-contaminated wastes. Strong promotion effects of zeolites (natural zeolite and thiol-functionalised zeolite) on the stability of mercury in the wastes were obtained and these technologies showed promising advantages toward the traditional Portland cement process, i.e.

Effects of phosphogypsum and superphosphate on compost maturity and gaseous emissions during kitchen waste composting.

This study investigated the effects of phosphogypsum and superphosphate on the maturity and gaseous emissions of composting kitchen waste. Two amended compost treatments were conducted using phosphogypsum and superphosphate as additives with the addition of 10% of initial raw materials (dry weight). A control treatment was also studied.

Radial growth of two dominant montane conifer tree species in response to climate change in North-Central China.

North-Central China is a region in which the air temperature has clearly increased for several decades. Picea meyeri and Larix principis-rupprechtii are the most dominant co-occurring tree species within the cold coniferous forest belt ranging vertically from 1800 m to 2800 m a.s.

Evaluation of performance in a combined UASB and aerobic contact oxidation process treating acrylic wastewater.

The lab-scale and full-scale performance of a combined mesophilic up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) and aerobic contact oxidation (ACO) process for treating acrylic wastewater was studied. During lab-scale experiment, the overwhelmed volumetric load for UASB was above 6 kg chemical oxygen demand (COD) ·(m(-3)·d(-1)) since COD removal efficiency dropped dramatically from 73% at 6 kg COD·(m(-3)·d(-1)) to 61% at 7 kg COD·(m(-3)·d(-1)) and 53% at 8 kg COD·(m(-3)·d(-1)). Further results showed that an up-flow fluid velocity of 0.

Effects of metal and acidic sites on the reaction by-products of butyl acetate oxidation over palladium-based catalysts.

Catalytic oxidation is widely used in pollution control technology to remove volatile organic compounds. In this study, Pd/ZSM-5 catalysts with different Pd contents and acidic sites were prepared via the impregnation method. All the catalysts were characterized by means of N2 adsorption-desorption, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), H2 temperature programmed reduction (H2-TPR), and NH3 temperature programmed desorption (NH3-TPD).

[Application of multiple lines of evidence analysis technology in the assessment of sites contaminated by heavy metals].

A multiple lines of evidence analysis technology was applied to assess whether sites were contaminated by heavy metals (HMs). Firstly, the baseline upper limit concentration for As and Cr6+ were derived for the two investigated sites based on the analysis of the relative cumulative probability plots of the two metals and their spatial distribution in the soil. The results indicated that the baseline upper limit concentrations for As and Cr6+ at site 1 were 29.

Adsorption of fluoranthene in surfactant solution on activated carbon: equilibrium, thermodynamic, kinetic studies.

Adsorption of fluoranthene (FLA) in surfactant solution on activated carbon (AC) was investigated. Isotherm, thermodynamic, and kinetic attributes of FLA adsorption in the presence of the surfactant on AC were studied. Effects of AC dosage, initial concentration of TX100, initial concentration of FLA, and addition of fulvic acid on adsorption were studied.

[Application and benefit evaluation of tiered health risk assessment approach on site contaminated by benzene].

The procedures of implementing tiered health risk assessment approach were introduced in detail, and took a large-scale site polluted by benzene in Beijing as an example, the difference on the remediation target of benzene in soil, as well as the corresponding soil remediation volume and costs, were compared. The results indicate that the benzene concentration in soil within 1.5 m in depth and the one below should be remediated to 0.

[Application of tiered approach to assess the impact of backfilling remediated soil on groundwater].

The tiered approach for assessing the impact of backfilling treated contaminated soil on groundwater was presented in details with a case study. The soil was contaminated by 1,2-dicholorenthane and 9 other organic pollutants and had been remediated before backfilling to meet the pre-set remediation goals based on health risk assessment. The results from tiered I assessment indicate that the concentrations of 8 contaminants in the leachate of the backfilling soil layer would exceed the assessment standards probably leading to groundwater contamination.