Jia Ru

Relationship of energy charge and toxin content of Microcystis aeruginosa in nitrogen-limited or phosphorous-limited cultures.

Effects of nitrogen-limitation and phosphorus-limitation on microcystin (MC) content and energy charge (EC) of the Microcystis aeruginosa were investigated in batch cultures and semi-continuous cultures. In batch cultures, nitrogen-limitation retarded the MC synthesis and phosphorus-limitation had little effects on MC production. The EC remained constant in nitrogen-limited cultures, while it decreased largely when phosphorus was extinct in phosphorus-limited culture. In the semi-continuous cultures, MC production in nitrogen- and phosphorus-limited cultures increased with the increase of dilution rate; however, MC content in phosphorus-limited cultures was more than that in nitrogen-limited cultures. The EC in nitrogen-limited cultures remained constant and in phosphorus-limited cultures increased with the increase of dilution rate. In phosphorus-limited semi-continuous cultures, a direct relationship between EC and MC content was demonstrated. No correlation was observed in nitrogen-limited semi-continuous cultures. Based on the above analysis, a mechanism of nitrogen and phosphorus effect on the MC synthesis was suggested, that the MC synthesis was determined by the combination of necessary enzymes and precursors and EC.

Effect of preozonation on the characteristic transformation of fulvic acid and its subsequent trichloromethane formation potential: Presence or absence of bicarbonate

The effects of bicarbonate on the characteristic transformation of fulvic acid (FA) and its subsequent trichloromethane formation potential (TCMFP) were investigated in the process of preozonation. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) removal rate and the residual aqueous ozone concentration during preozonation were measured with different bicarbonate concentration. The presence of bicarbonate inhibited DOC removal and decreased TCMFP yields in the initial oxidation period. In order to explain these phenomena, the molecular weight (MW) distribution (<5, 5-10, 10-30, and >30 kDa) and corresponding TCMFP were investigated for FA and its subsequent oxidation products. Furthermore, transformation of molecular structure, based on MW distribution, was also characterized with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum. Bicarbonate showed different inhibiting effects on TCMFP of organic species with different MW, and more significant TCMFP decrement was observed for the high MW fraction (>30 kDa) than for the low MW fractions. Preozonation led to obvious reduction on DOC and UV254 in most of MW fractions wherever bicarbonate was present or not, demonstrating that ozone contributed to both organics mineralization and structure variation, synchronously. As being indicated from the results of FTIR and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, the functional groups such as alcohols, epoxides and phenols, the formation of which was promoted with hydroxyl radicals (.OH) and would be remarkably inhibited by bicarbonate, were responsible for the increment of TCM precursors concentration during ozonation. Results of these studies confirmed low dosage bicarbonate affecting the ozonation pathways, influencing the intermediate species formation and impacting its subsequent TCMFP yields through inhibiting the .OH radicals reactions mainly occurred in high MW fractions.

Selective removal of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) from aqueous solution by triolein-embedded composite adsorbent

A novel composite adsorbent (CA-T) was used for the selective removal of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) from aqueous solution. The adsorbent was composed of the supporting activated carbon and the surrounding triolein-embedded cellulose acetate membrane. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), N2 adsorption isotherms and fluorescence methods were used to characterize the physicochemical properties of CA-T. Triolein was perfectly embedded in the cellulose acetate membrane and deposited on the surface of activated carbon. The adsorbent was stable in water and no triolein leakage was detected during the test periods. Some organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), such as dieldrin, endrin, aldrin, and heptachlor epoxide, were used as model contaminants and removed by CA-T in laboratory batch experiments. The adsorption isotherm followed the Freundlich equation and the kinetic data fitted well to the pseudo-second-order reaction model. Results also indicated that CA-T appeared to be a promising adsorbent with good selectivity and satisfactory removal rate for lipophilic OCPs from aqueous solutions when present in trace amounts. The adsorption rate and removal efficiency for lipophilic OCPs were positively related to their octanol-water partition coefficients (log K ow). Lower residual concentrations of OCPs were achieved when compared to granular activated carbon (GAC).

Preparation and characterization of a novel adsorbent for removing lipophilic organic from water

A novel composite adsorbent containing a kind of lipid-triolein is studied. The adsorbent is prepared by embedding triolein into cellulose acetate (CA) sphere. The preparation method, the physical-chemical properties of the adsorbent and the removal efficiency of two organochlorinated pesticides are studied. The adsorbent is stable in water and no triolein leaks into water for 465 h soaking. The adsorbent has high adsorption capacity for organochlorinated pesticides such as dieldrin and aldrin. The results suggest that triolein-containing adsorbent could serve as a good adsorbent for lipophilic organic pollutants. The adsorption rate for lipophilic pollutants is very fast and has relation with the logK ow of the compounds.