John Yang

Uranium(VI) removal by nanoscale zerovalent iron in anoxic batch systems.

This study investigated the influences of pH, bicarbonate, and calcium on U(VI) removal and reduction by synthetic nanoscale zerovalent iron (nanoFe(0)) particles under anoxic conditions. The results showed that the rates of U(VI) removal and reduction by nanoFe(0) varied significantly with pH and concentrations of bicarbonate and/or calcium. For instance, at pH 6.92 the pseudo-first-order rate constants of U(VI) removal decreased by 78.5% and 81.3%, and U(VI) reduction decreased by 90.3% and 89.3%, when bicarbonate and calcium concentrations were increased from 0 to 1 mM, respectively. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis confirmed the formation of UO(2) and iron (hydr)oxides as a result of the redox interactions between U(VI) and nanoFe(0). The study demonstrated the potential of using nanoFe(0) for U(VI)-contaminated site remediation and highlighted the impacts of pH, bicarbonate, and calcium on the U(VI) removal and reduction processes.

Heavy metal in surface sediments of the Liaodong Bay, Bohai Sea: distribution, contamination, and sources

In an effort to assess the potential contamination and determine the environmental risks associated with heavy metals, the surface sediments in Liaodong Bay, northeast China, were systematically sampled and analyzed for the concentrations of Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr, Ni, As, and Hg. The metal enrichment factor (EF) and geoaccumulation index (Igeo) were calculated to assess the anthropogenic contamination in the region. Results showed that heavy metal concentrations in the sediments generally met the criteria of China Marine Sediment Quality (GB18668-2002); however, both EF and Igeo values suggested the elevation of Pb concentration in the region. Based on the effect-range classification (TEL-PEL SQGs), Cu, Pb, Ni, and As were likely to pose environment risks, and the toxic units decreased in the order: Ni > Pb > Cr > Zn > As > Cu > Hg. The spatial distribution of ecotoxicological index (mean-ERM-quotient) suggested that most of the surface sediments were “low–medium” priority zone. Multivariate analysis indicated that the sources of Cr, Ni, Zn, Cu, and Hg resulted primarily from parent rocks, and Pb or As were mainly attributed to anthropogenic sources. The results of this study would provide a useful aid for sustainable marine management in the region.

Enhanced mercury ion adsorption by amine-modified activated carbon

Mercury (Hg) is one of the most toxic metals found in water and sediments. In an effort to develop an effective adsorbent for aqueous Hg removal, activated carbon (AC) was modified with an amino-terminated organosilicon (3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, APTES). Surface properties of the APTES-modified AC (MAC) were characterized by the scanning electron microscopy in conjunction with the energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and potentiometry. The impacts of solvent, APTES concentration, reactive time and temperature on the surface modification were evaluated. The aqueous Hg adsorptive kinetics and capacity were also determined. Results demonstrated that the strong Hg-binding amine ligands were effectively introduced onto the AC surfaces through the silanol reaction between carbon surface functional groups (-COOH, -COH) and APTES molecules. The modification lowered the pH at the point of zero charge (pH(pzc)) to 4.54 from 9.6, favoring cation adsorption. MAC presented a faster rate of the Hg (II) adsorption and more than double adsorptive capacity as compared with AC.

Effects of Biomass Types and Carbonization Conditions on the Chemical Characteristics of Hydrochars

Effects of biomass types (bark mulch versus sugar beet pulp) and carbonization processing conditions (temperature, residence time, and phase of reaction medium) on the chemical characteristics of hydrochars were examined by elemental analysis, solid-state ¹³C NMR, and chemical and biochemical oxygen demand measurements. Bark hydrochars were more aromatic than sugar beet hydrochars produced under the same processing conditions. The presence of lignin in bark led to a much lower biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) of bark than sugar beet and increasing trends of BOD after carbonization. Compared with those prepared at 200 °C, 250 °C hydrochars were more aromatic and depleted of carbohydrates. Longer residence time (20 versus 3 h) at 250 °C resulted in the enrichment of nonprotonated aromatic carbons. Both bark and sugar beet pulp underwent deeper carbonization during water hydrothermal carbonization than during steam hydrothermal carbonization (200 °C, 3 h) in terms of more abundant aromatic C but less carbohydrate C in water hydrochars.

Parallel factor analysis of fluorescence EEM spectra to identify THM precursors in lake waters

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) can react with chlorine and yield undesirable disinfection byproducts (DBPs), e.g., trihalomethanes (THMs). Numerous studies have demonstrated that various DOM constituents have DBP formation potentials. We explored in this study the use of fluorescence excitation–emission (EEM) spectroscopy to identify THM precursors in 55 lakes in Missouri, USA. EEMs of the lake waters were decomposed into five factors of different origins through parallel factor analysis. The correlations between the component scores of the factors and THM formation potentials reveal that factors 1 and 2 are likely THM precursors and provided better surrogates than SUVA (dissolved organic carbon-normalized UV254) for predicting DBP formation potential. Thus, monitoring the component scores of the DOM-origin factors would provide a practical tool to identify THM precursors and facilitate utilities to choose appropriate techniques for DBP mitigation and optimize the degree of water treatment.

Reducing arsenic accumulation in rice grain through iron oxide amendment.

Effects of soil-arsenic (As), phosphorus and iron oxide on As accumulation in rice grain were investigated. Cultivars that have significantly different sensitivity to As, straighthead-resistant Zhe 733 and straighthead-susceptible Cocodrie, were used to represent different cultivar varieties. The grain accumulation of other elements of concern, selenium (Se), molybdenum (Mo), and cadmium (Cd) was also monitored. Results demonstrated that high soil-As not only resulted in high grain-As, but could also result in high grain-Se, and Zhe 733 had significantly less grain-As than Cocodrie did. However, soil-As did not impact grain-Mo and Cd. Among all elements monitored, iron oxide amendment significantly reduced grain-As for both cultivars, while the phosphate application only reduced grain-Se for Zhe 733. Results also indicated that cultivar type significantly impacted grain accumulation of all monitored trace elements. Therefore, applying iron oxide to As-contaminated land, in addition to choosing appropriate rice cultivar, can effectively reduce the grain accumulation of As.

Long-term stability and risk assessment of lead in mill waste treated by soluble phosphate

In an effort to address public concerns of the long-term stability and ecological risk reduction of phosphate (P)-stabilized lead (Pb) in mine wastes, mill tailings located at the Jasper County Superfund Site of southwest Missouri, containing ~4000 mg Pb kg(-1), were treated in situ by phosphoric acid at three rates: 0; 7.5; and 10.0 g P kg(-1) soil. Field experiment consisted of 2- by 4-m plots arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replicates of each P level. Soil and plant samples were collected at a 3-month interval during five to six (5-6) years post treatments and analyzed for Pb bioaccessibility and leachability, microbial toxicity, Pb chemical fraction, and elemental composition of Pb solids, and Pb concentration in plant tissue. Results indicated that the P treatments significantly reduced bioaccessible and leachable Pb in the mill waste, and the reductions were maintained during the sampling period. Lead concentration in plant tissue was positively related to the Pb bioaccessibility. There was no significant toxicological effect of the treatments on soil microbial community. The treatment using 10 g P kg(-1) appeared to be most effective for overall risk reduction. The Pb stabilization and risk reduction by the P treatments were accomplished by the induced transformation of labile Pb species to relatively insoluble forms, probably pyromorphite-like minerals. This study illustrated that in situ Pb stabilization by soluble phosphate would be long-term and ecologically-safe, which could safeguard human health and ecosystem from Pb contamination in mining areas.

Seasonal variability and flux of particulate trace elements from the Yellow River: Impacts of the anthropogenic flood event

In this study, the suspended particulate matter (SPM) of the Yellow River (Huanghe) was collected biweekly at the outlet and analyzed for particulate trace element contents. The seasonal variations of the trace elements were primarily controlled by hydrological processes, which determined different sources of the SPM. Moreover, As, Co, Cr, and Ni primarily originated from lithogenic sources, whereas Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn were influenced by anthropogenic activities. The Yellow River has suffered moderate to considerable ecological risk during the late stage of Water and Sediment Regulation (WSR). Using the discharge-weighted contents method, the annual trace element fluxes were estimated, with ca. 30% of the annual fluxes occurring within the short WSR period (6% of one year). More specifically, 75% of the Cd flux was from an anthropogenic source, which likely posed a significant threat to the estuary and the adjacent coastal ecosystems.

One hundred-year sedimentary record of heavy metal accumulation in the southeastern Liaodong Bay of China

Integrated analyses of grain size, 210Pb stable isotope, and heavy metals were performed to characterize the sedimentary core LDC30 collected from the southeastern Liaodong Bay of China and investigate the 100-year history of heavy metal accumulation. The aluminum-normalized enrichment factors and the excess metal fluxes (MFxs) indicated that the metal accumulation in the southeastern Liaodong Bay occurred in three stages: a pre-industrial stage (prior to 1960s) with natural accumulation, an initial industrial stage (1960–1990) with slowly elevated accumulation, and an industrialized stage (post-1990s) with accelerated accumulation. A moderate enrichment of Cd and Pb (up to 4.1- and 2.6-fold over the baseline, respectively) and a slight enrichment of Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn (up to 1.3-fold) were measured in the recent sediments. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn were from the natural origin, whereas Cd and Pb from the anthropogenic origin. The MFxs of Cd and Pb showed a drastically increasing trend since 1990s, which could result from the intensive application of fertilizers and combustion of fossil fuels.

Rapid simultaneous analysis of 17 haloacetic acids and related halogenated water contaminants by high-performance ion chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

AbstractHaloacetic acids (HAAs), which include chloroacetic acids, bromoacetic acids, and emerging iodoacetic acids, are toxic water disinfection byproducts. General screening methodology is lacking for simultaneously monitoring chloro-, bromo-, and iodoacetic acids. In this study, a rapid and sensitive high-performance ion chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for simultaneous determination of chloro-, bromo-, and iodo- acetic acids and related halogenated contaminants including bromate, bromide, iodate, and iodide was developed to directly analyze water samples after filtration, eliminating the need for preconcentration, and chemical derivatization. The resulting method was validated in both untreated and treated water matrices including tap water, bottled water, swimming pool water, and both source water and drinking water from a drinking water treatment facility to demonstrate application potential. Satisfactory accuracies and precisions were obtained for all types of tested samples. The detection limits of this newly developed method were lower or comparable with similar techniques without the need for extensive sample treatment requirement and it includes all HAAs and other halogenated compounds. This provides a powerful methodology to water facilities for routine water quality monitoring and related water research, especially for the emerging iodoacetic acids. Graphical abstractHigh performance ion chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for detection of haloacetic acids in water