Dongyu Xu

Impact of Deashing Treatment on Biochar Structural Properties and Potential Sorption Mechanisms of Phenanthrene

Knowledge of the mineral effects of biochars on their sorption of hydrophobic organic contaminants (HOCs) is limited. Sorption of phenanthrene (PHE) by plant-residue derived biochars (PLABs) and animal waste-derived biochars (ANIBs) obtained at two heating treatment temperatures (HTTs) (450 and 600 °C) and their corresponding deashed biochars was investigated. The decreased surface polarity and increased bulk polarity of biochars after deashing treatment indicated that abundant minerals of biochars benefit external exposure of polar groups associated organic matter (OM). Organic carbon (OC)-normalized distribution coefficients (K(oc)) of PHE by biochars generally increased after deashing, likely due to enhancement of favorable and hydrophobic sorption sites caused by mineral removal. Positive correlation between PHE log K(oc) by PLABs and bulk polarity combined with negative correlation between PHE log K(oc) values by ANIBs and surface polarity suggested PLABs and ANIBs have different sorption mechanisms, probably attributed to their large variation of ash content because minerals influenced OM spatial arrangement within biochars. Results of this work could help us better understand the impact of minerals, bulk/surface polarity, and sorption domain arrangement of biochars on their HOCs sorption and predict the fate of HOCs in soils after biochar application.

Cadmium adsorption on plant- and manure-derived biochar and biochar-amended sandy soils: Impact of bulk and surface properties

To investigate the role of the bulk and surface composition of both biochar and biochar-amended soils in the adsorption of Cd(2+), as well as the influence of different biochars added to the soils on Cd(2+) adsorption, swine-manure-derived biochars (BSs) and wheat-straw-derived biochars (BWs) were produced at 300, 450, and 600°C. These biochars were added to a sandy soil to investigate the effect of biochars on the adsorption of Cd(2+) by soil. The significantly higher surface C content of the amended soils compared to their bulk C content suggests that the minerals of the biochar-amended soils are most likely covered primarily by biochars. The maximum adsorption capacity (Qmax,total) of the BSs was 10-15 times higher than that of the BWs due to the high polarity and ash content of the BSs. The polarity ((N+O)/C) of the low-temperature biochars greatly affected their Cd(2+) adsorption. The Qmax,total of the BS-amended soils increased with increasing dose, whereas the Qmax,total of the BW-amended soils showed the opposite behavior, which was attributed to the different surface composition characteristics of the two types of soil. The BSs were more effective in immobilizing Cd(2+) upon application to the soil relative to the BWs. This study elucidates the spatial distribution of biochars in biochar-amended soils and highlights the importance of the surface composition of the investigated samples in Cd(2+) adsorption.

Sorption of 17α-ethinyl estradiol, bisphenol A and phenanthrene to different size fractions of soil and sediment

The potential for negative effects caused by endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) release into the environment is a prominent concern and numerous research projects have investigated possible environmental fate and toxicity. However, their sorption behavior by size fractions of soil and sediment has not been systematically represented. The sorption of bisphenol A (BPA), 17α-ethinyl estradiol (EE2) and phenanthrene (Phen) by different size fractions of soil and sediment were investigated. Sorption isotherms of EE2, BPA, and Phen by size fractions of soil (SL) and sediment (ST) were well fitted to the Freundlich model. The positive correlation between EE2, BPA and Phen sorption capacity (logK(d)) of size fractions and their organic carbon (OC) content suggests that OC of size fractions in SL and ST should regulate sorption, while the surface area (SA) of size fractions may not account for sorption of EE2, BPA and Phen. Each size fraction of ST had higher sorption capacity (K(d) or K(OC)) of EE2 and BPA than that of SL due to their difference in the polarity of organic matter (OM) between terrestrial and aquatic sources. Sorption capacity logK(d) for size fractions of SL and ST did not follow the order: clay>silt>sand due to the difference in OM abundance and composition between the size fractions. Large particle fractions of ST contributed about 80% to the overall sorption for any EE2, BPA, and Phen. This study was significant to evaluate size fractions of soil and sediment as well as their associated OM affecting EE2 and BPA sorption processes.

Adsorption of diuron, fluridone and norflurazon on single-walled and multi-walled carbon nanotubes

The sorption behaviors of diuron (DIU), fluridone (FLU) and norflurazon (NOR) by a single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) and three multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) samples including MWCNT10 (<10nm, outer diameter), MWCNT20 (10-20 nm), and MWCNT40 (20-40 nm) were investigated. All adsorption isotherms were nonlinear and were well fitted with the Freundlich model and Dubinin Ashtakhov (DA) model. The linear relationships between the organic carbon (OC)-normalized saturated adsorption capacity (Q(0)(OC)) and surface area (SA) suggest that SA is presumably responsible for the adsorption of DIU and NOR on CNTs. While FLU, DIU, and NOR OC-normalized distribution coefficients (logK(OC)) of CNTs increased with increasing their hydrophobicity (logK(OW)) and the positive relationships between the logK(OW)-normalized logK(OC) (i.e., logK(OC)/logK(OW)) of FLU, DIU, and NOR and their hydrogen bonding ability indicate that the adsorption of FLU, DIU and NOR was mainly controlled by the hydrophobic interaction and hydrogen bonding. The higher logK(OC) or Q(0)(OC) values of MWCNT10 and SWCNT relative to other large MWCNTs and carbonaceous adsorbents suggest that MWCNT10 has the potential to serve as an adsorbent used to reduce the mobility of herbicides in agricultural and environmental applications.

Effect of cadmium on the physiological parameters and the subcellular cadmium localization in the potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

The pollution of agricultural soils with cadmium (Cd) has become a serious problem worldwide. The potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) was used to investigate how different concentrations of Cd (1, 5, and 25mgkg(-1)) affected the physiological parameters and the subcellular distribution of Cd in the potato. The analyses were conducted using scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX). The results suggest that the leaf is the organ with the highest accumulation of Cd. The malondialdehyde (MDA) content increased and the chlorophyll content decreased in response to high level of Cd. The SEM-EDX microanalysis revealed that Cd was primarily deposited in the spongy and palisade tissues of the leaf. Furthermore, Cd was also detected in the cortex and the adjacent phloem and was observed inside the intercellular space, the interior surface of the plasma membrane, and on the surface of the elliptical starch granules in the tubers of the potato. Although low concentrations of Cd migrated from the root to the tuber, the accumulation of Cd in the tuber exceeded the standard for food security. Therefore, the planting of potato plants in farmland containing Cd should be seriously evaluated because Cd-containing potatoes might present high health risk to humans.

The characteristic of Pb isotopic compositions in different chemical fractions in sediments from Three Gorges Reservoir, China.

To explore the distribution and sources of Pb within the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR), Pb concentrations and isotope ratios were measured in sediment cores collected from one mainstream and three tributaries. The results showed that sediments contained an average of 43.54xa0mgxa0kg(-1) of Pb, roughly 1.6 times higher than the geochemical background concentration. Mainstream sediments showed higher average Pb concentrations but slightly less (206)Pb/(207)Pb and more radiogenic (207)Pb/(208)Pb ratios than all tributaries. Most Pb occurred in reducible phases, with much less in exchangeable and oxidizable fractions; thus, Fe-Mn oxides may be the major sink of anthropogenic Pb. Bi-plots of (206)Pb/(207)Pb versus Pb content, and of (206)Pb/(207)Pb versus (207)Pb/(208)Pb, indicated that coal combustion was the predominant anthropogenic Pb source for exchangeable, reducible, and oxidizable fractions, while residual Pb mainly occurred naturally. The average percentage of coal consumption contribution was 61.1% for the Pb contamination in sediments in the lower reaches in the TGR region.

The spatial distribution, accumulation and potential source of seldom monitored trace elements in sediments of Three Gorges Reservoir, China

The alteration of hydrologic condition of Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) after impoundment has caused numerous environmental changes. This study investigated the distribution, accumulation and potential sources of the seldom monitored trace elements (SMTEs) in sediments from three tributaries (ZY, MX and CT) and one mainstream (CJ) in TGR during different seasons. The average contents of most SMTEs excluding Sb in the winter were similar to that in the summer. For Sb, its average concentrations in the summer and winter were roughly six and three times higher than its background value, respectively. Contamination factor (CF) and geoaccumulation index (Igeo) demonstrated that most of the sediments were obviously contaminated by Sb. The enrichment factors (EF) of Ga and Sb were higher than 2.0, revealing the possible anthropogenic inputs; However, the EFs of other SMTEs were lower than 1.5, indicating the natural inputs. Correlation and principal component analysis suggested the most SMTEs were positively correlated with major elements (Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn, As, Cd and Pb) and clay contents, which implies that SMTEs had the same sources with these major metals, and the fine particles might be a major carrier for transporting SMTEs from the rivers to the TGR.

Heavy metal pollution in sediments of the largest reservoir (Three Gorges Reservoir) in China: a review

The Three Gorges Dam in China is the world’s largest dam. Upon its completion in 2003, the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) became the largest reservoir in China and plays an important role in economic development and national drinking water safety. However, as a sink and source of heavy metals, there is a lack of continuous and comparative data on heavy metal pollution in sediments. This study reviewed all available literatures published on heavy metals in TGR sediments and further provided a comprehensive assessment of the pollution tendency of these heavy metals. The results showed that heavy metal concentrations in TGR sediments varied spatially and temporally. Temporal variations indicated that Hg in tributaries, as well as As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn in the mainstream, exhibited a higher probability to exceed background values after the impoundment of TGR. Pollution assessments by contamination factor, geoaccumulation index, and potential ecological risk were similar. High Cd and Hg concentrations in both the mainstream and tributaries are a cause for much concern. However, sediment quality guidelines produced different results, as most previous studies adopted different sampling and measurement strategies. The data inconsistencies and lack of continuity regarding the reservoir confirm the need for a continuous monitoring network and the development of quality criteria relevant to the sediments of the TGR in the future.

Pollution characteristics and source identification of trace metals in riparian soils of Miyun Reservoir, China

The South-to-North Water Diversion Project, one of Chinas largest water diversion projects, has aroused widespread concerns about its potential ecological impacts, especially the potential release of trace metals from shoreline soils into Miyun Reservoir (MYR). Here, riparian soil samples from three elevations and four types of land use were collected. Soil particle size distributions, contents and chemical fractionations of trace metals and lead (Pb) isotopic compositions were analyzed. Results showed that soil texture was basically similar in four types of land use, being mainly composed of sand, with minor portions of clay and silt, while recreational land contained more abundant chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd), suggesting a possible anthropogenic source for this soil pollution. The potential ecological risk assessment revealed considerable contamination of recreational land, with Cd being the predominant contaminant. Chemical fractionations showed that Cu, arsenic (As), Pb and Cd had potential release risks. Additionally, the 206Pb/207Pb and 208Pb/207Pb values of soils were similar to those of coal combustion. By combining principal component analysis (PCA) with Pb isotopic results, coal combustion was identified as the major anthropogenic source of Zn, Cr, Cu, Cd and Pb. Moreover, isotope ratios of Pb fell in the scope of aerosols, indicating that atmospheric deposition may be the primary input pathway of anthropogenic Zn, Cr, Cu, Cd and Pb. Therefore, controlling coal combustion should be a priority to reduce effectively the introduction of additional Zn, Cu, Cd, and Pb to the area in the future.

Spatial distribution, health risk assessment, and isotopic composition of lead contamination of street dusts in different functional areas of Beijing, China.

Street dusts from heavy density traffic area (HDTA), tourism area (TA), residential area (RA), and educational area (EA) in Beijing were collected to explore the distribution, health risk assessment, and source of lead (Pb). The average concentration of Pb in TA was the highest among the four areas. Compared with other cities, Pb concentrations in Beijing were generally at moderate or low levels. The average value (14.05) of ecological risk index (RI) indicated that Pb was at “low pollution risk” status. According to the calculation on hazard index (HI), the ingestion of dust particles of children and adults was the major route of exposure to street dusts in four studied areas, followed by dermal contact. The lower values of HI than 1 further suggested that non-carcinogenic risks of Pb in the street dusts were in the low range. Comparing 206Pb/207Pb and 208Pb/207Pb ratios of street dusts with other environmental samples, it was found that atmospheric deposition of coal combustion dust might be the main pathway for anthropogenic Pb input to the street dusts in four functional areas.