Peifang Wang

Preparation, characterization, photocatalytic properties of titania hollow sphere doped with cerium.

Ce-doped titania hollow spheres were prepared using carbon spheres as template and Ce-doped titania nanoparticles as building blocks. The Ce-doped titania nanoparticles were synthesized at low temperature. The prepared hollow spheres were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectrum (DRS). The effect of Ce content on the physical structure and photocatalytic properties of doped titania hollow sphere samples was investigated. Results showed that there was an optimal Ce-doped content (4%) for the photocatalytic activity of X-3B degradation. The apparent rate constant of the best one was almost 31 times as that of P25 titania. The mechanism of photocatalytic degradation of dyes under visible light irradiation was also discussed.

Growth kinetics and phenol biodegradation of psychrotrophic Pseudomonas putida LY1

This study investigated the growth kinetics of a psychrotroph, Pseudomonas putida LY1, while growing on phenol as a sole carbon and energy source. This bacterium could completely biodegrade 200mg/L phenol across a temperature range from 2.5 to 35 degrees C, with an optimum temperature of 25 degrees C. High initial phenol concentrations (800 mg/ml) were inhibitory to bacterial growth. At lower concentrations of phenol, the growth kinetics correlated well with the Haldane model. The Haldane parameters of psychrotrophic P. putida LY1 were almost within the range reported for other organisms in previous literature. This information on a psychrotrophic organism is of great importance for low temperature bioremediation of contaminated environments.

Effect of CuO nanoparticles on the production and composition of extracellular polymeric substances and physicochemical stability of activated sludge flocs.

The effects of CuO nanoparticles (NPs) on the production and composition of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and the physicochemical stability of activated sludge were investigated. The results showed enhanced production of loosely bound extracellular polymeric substances (LB-EPS), protecting against nanotoxicity. Specifically, polysaccharide production increased by 89.7% compared to control upon exposure to CuO NPs (50mg/L). Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy analysis revealed changes in the polysaccharide COC group and the carboxyl group of proteins in the EPS in the presence of CuO NPs. The sludge flocs were unstable after exposure to CuO NPs (50mg/L) because of excess LB-EPS. This also corresponded with decreased cell viability of the sludge flocs, as determined by the production of reactive oxygen species and the release of lactate dehydrogenase. These results are key to assessing the adverse effects of the CuO NPs on activated sludge in wastewater treatment plants.

Enhanced photoelectrocatalytic activity for dye degradation by graphene-titania composite film electrodes.

Graphene-titania composite film electrodes have been fabricated by a dip-coating method. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images show that the titania nanoparticles were dispersed uniformly, with only a little aggregation on the surface and edges of the graphene sheets. XRD analysis showed that the composite electrodes comprised the anatase phase of titania with just a little rutile phase. The photoelectrocatalytic activities of the as-prepared samples were investigated by studies of the degradation of Reactive Brilliant Red dye X-3B (C.I. reactive red 2). An enhancement of the photocurrents was observed using the graphene-titania composite electrodes, compared with pure titania film electrodes, under UV light irradiation. This improvement is attributed to the following two reasons: enhanced migration efficiency of the photo-induced electrons and enhanced adsorption activity of the dye molecules. In addition, we investigated the effects of graphene content and pH values on the photoelectrocatalytic activity of the as-prepared composite film electrodes. Results showed that there was an optimal amount of 5% (initial graphite oxide content).

Effects of Pb stress on nutrient uptake and secondary metabolism in submerged macrophyte Vallisneria natans

For better understanding the metabolic adaptations to Pb stress in submerged plants, the alterations in mineral elements uptake and in secondary metabolism were studied in leaves of Vallisneria natans (Lour.) Hara exposed to 0-100μM Pb for 0-7d. Pb content increased in leaves in a dose-dependent way. The increase of calcium, magnesium and iron content and the decrease of phosphorus, potassium and manganese content were detected in leaves of V. natans under Pb stress, while no significant changes were detected in copper and zinc concentration. Meanwhile, there was an increase in the concentrations of total phenolic and flavonoids. Pb treatment caused an increase in the catalytic activities of shikimate dehydrogenase, phenylalanine ammonialyase and polyphenol oxidase. The results suggest that nutrient uptake and secondary metabolism were actively regulated by V. natans plants in response to Pb stress.

Effects of CeO2 nanoparticles on production and physicochemical characteristics of extracellular polymeric substances in biofilms in sequencing batch biofilm reactor

Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) are a major component of biofilms that act as a gel-like matrix, binding the cells together to form their three-dimensional structure. The effects of ceria nanoparticles (CeO2 NPs) on the production and physicochemical characteristics of EPS in biofilms in a sequencing batch biofilm reactor were investigated. Total EPS production, including loosely bound EPS (LB-EPS) and tightly bound EPS (TB-EPS), increased by 35.41% compared to in control tests without CeO2 NPs. Protein production increased by 47.02% (LB-EPS) and 58.83% (TB-EPS) after 50 mg/L CeO2 NP exposure. Three-dimensional excitation-emission fluorescence spectra revealed that tyrosine (LB-EPS) and aromatic (TB-EPS) protein-like substances formed after CeO2 NP exposure. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results indicated the susceptibility of -OH and -NH2 in EPS hydroxyl and amine groups to CeO2 NPs. Exposure to 50 mg/L CeO2 NPs reduced the flocculating capacity of LB-EPS (51.78%) and TB-EPS (17.14%), consistent with the decreased zeta potential.

Visible light activated photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline by a magnetically separable composite photocatalyst: Graphene oxide/magnetite/cerium-doped titania

In this study, magnetic graphene oxide-loaded Ce-doped titania (MGO-Ce-TiO2) hybridized composite was prepared by a facile method. The as-prepared samples exhibited good adsorption capacity, high visible-light photoactive and magnetic separability as a novel photocatalyst in the degradation of tetracyclines (TC). The intermediate products and photocatalytic route of TC were proposed based on the analysis results of LC-MS. Moreover, the repeatability of the photoactivity with the use of MGO-Ce-TiO2 was investigated in the multi-round experiments with the assistance of an applied magnetic field. Therefore, the prepared composite photocatalysts were considered as a kind of promising photocatalyst in a suspension reaction system, in which they can offer effectively recovery ability. The effect of MGO content on the photocatalytic performance was also studied, and an optimum content was obtained.

Effects of Pb on the oxidative stress and antioxidant response in a Pb bioaccumulator plant Vallisneria natans

The effects of Pb on photosynthetic pigments, oxidative stress and antioxidant response were assayed using biochemical and histochemical methods in leaves of Vallisneria natans (Lour.) Hara treated with 0-100 μM Pb(2+) for 0-6d. The Pb content increased with the increase of exposure duration and a highest Pb uptake value (about 9.4 mg Pbg(-1) dry weight) was obtained at 6d. Pb induced the accumulation of H(2)O(2) and O(2)(-). The increase of malondialdehyde content and the decrease of total chlorophyll and carotenoids were detected in V. natans under Pb stress. Activities of NAD(P)H oxidase, guaiacol peroxidase, glutathione reductase and ascorbate peroxidase increased at 75 μM Pb(2+) for 2-6 days, while activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase and the content of ascorbic acid increased within two days in plants exposed to 75 μM Pb(2+) and decreased thereafter. The Pb uptake and accumulation mechanism were discussed.

Water Quality Modeling and Pollution Control for the Eastern Route of South to North Water Transfer Project in China

South to North Water Transfer Project in China is the largest project over centuries to solve the water shortage problem in vast areas of northern China. It comprises of three routes: the eastern, central and western route and this study mainly focused on the eastern route. As water quality is the key factor for the eastern route, this paper examined the main factors influencing water quality of the main route south of the Yellow River, by investigating the point source, non-point source (diffusive source) and internal source pollutions along the main eastern route and in its drainage basins, and assessing the current water quality in the waterways. According to the complicated and combined systems of rivers and lakes in this route, one-dimensional water quantity and quality model for rivers and two-dimensional model for lakes were developed to simulate the hydrodynamic and pollutant transport processes. The numerical method and model algorithm were described. The values of model parameters were estimated by using field-monitoring data along the main route and the inverse modeling technique. Established models were employed to predict the degradations of CODMn and NH4+-N in the main stream, under the conditions of current pollution loads and different hydrologic conditions. Schemes were present for controlling total quantities of pollutants from point source and non-point source along the main route to secure water quality for the eastern route.

Effects of CeO2 nanoparticles on biological nitrogen removal in a sequencing batch biofilm reactor and mechanism of toxicity

The effects of CeO2 nanoparticles (CeO2 NPs) exposure on biological nitrogen removal in a sequencing batch biofilm reactor (SBBR) were investigated. At low concentration (1 mg/L), no significant effect was observed on total nitrogen (TN) removal. However, at high concentrations (10 and 50 mg/L), the TN removal efficiency reduced from 74.09% to 64.26% and 55.17%, respectively. Scanning electron microscope imaging showed large amounts of CeO2 NPs adsorbed on the biofilm, which increased the production of reactive oxygen species. The exposure at only 50 mg/L CeO2 NPs measurably affected the lactate dehydrogenase release. Confocal laser scanning microscopy showed that high concentrations of CeO2 NPs reduced bacterial viability. Moreover, after a short-term exposure, extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) were observed to increase, forming a compact matrix to protect the bacteria. The activities of nitrate reductase and ammonia monooxygenase were inhibited, but there was no significant impact on the activity of nitrite oxidoreductase.