Stearyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (STAC) and ethylenediamine (En) were successfully implanted into montmorillonite (MMt) interlayer to fabricate the novel adsorbent STAC-En-MMt for the simultaneous adsorption of Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, and p-nitrophenol (PNP). X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, elemental analyzer, zeta potential analyzer, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and UV–visible spectrophotometer were used to investigate the microstructure characteristics of STAC-En-MMt and their adsorption capacity of target contaminants. Four factors such as pH, the molar ratio between En and STAC (REₙ/STAC), the adsorption time (ATᵢₘₑ), and the adsorption temperature (ATₑₘₚ) were selected to investigate the adsorption capacities of Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, and PNP onto STAC-En-MMt in ternary solution. The results indicated that the total simultaneous adsorption of Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, and PNP onto STAC-En-MMt adsorbent with REₙ/STAC = 0.75 reached up to 260.27 mmol·kg⁻¹ under the condition of pH = 6, ATₑₘₚ = 40 °C, and ATᵢₘₑ = 60 min. After three regenerations, there was still a good performance in the adsorption of STAC-En-MMt. The Langmuir adsorption isotherm indicated that the adsorption of heavy metals and PNP onto adsorbents were single-layer surface adsorption. Nonlinear adsorption kinetics simulation indicated that chemical adsorption occupied a predominant position in Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ adsorption, while PNP adsorption depended on physical adsorption. Compared with Zn²⁺, Cu²⁺ had higher affinity for the adsorption sites on STAC-En-MMt. However, the pore blocking caused by the Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ adsorption had a remarkably adverse effect on PNP adsorption.

The deammonification process is a promising technology, while achieving stable performance is still a challenge for domestic sewage treatment. To investigate the stability of deammonification in the plug flow system, which can be updated from A/O or A/A/O bioreactor, a plug flow fixed biofilm reactor was started-up and fed with synthetic low-strength wastewater. As a result, average ammonium removal efficiency of 90.0 ± 10.0% and total nitrogen removal efficiency of 79.4 ± 9.3% were achieved, while the nitrate production ratio (∆Nitrate/∆Ammonium) was at superior levels (9.5 ± 3.4%). Candidatus Jettenia and Candidatus Brocadia were the anammox bacteria in this reactor, and Candidatus Jettenia was the predominant anammox bacteria. Anammox bacteria were dominated in three of the four sampling points except the first one. Relative abundance of NOB increased along the reactor. The result of the present work implied that the plug flow system was able to maintain stable deammonification process, and NOB was suppressed by higher residual ammonium concentration in the front of reactor while the suppression weakened along the reactor.

To evaluate the potential applicability of carbon load in airway macrophages as a marker of exposure to traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) and its association with parameters of comet assay as a marker of DNA damage, and pulmonary function tests (PFTs) in the group of taxi drivers in Iran. One hundred four male taxi drivers with at least 1-year job history were randomly selected from registered drivers in the taxi union. Airway macrophages were obtained via sputum induction, and then the area of airway macrophages occupied by carbon was measured. DNA damage was determined by comet assay. PFTs were measured by the spirometer. Most of the participants (89.4%) were non-smoker. In this study, 52.7% of non-smoker participants were able to give a sample of sputum with macrophage. Carbon content of airway macrophages was 0.2 μm². There was no significant difference in pulmonary function and comet assay parameters in terms of smoking status. There was an inverse correlation between carbon load with each of comet assay and PFTs parameters, although not statistically significant. This study identified that long-term exposure to TRAP can be a risk factor for pulmonary disorders.

External nitrogen (N) supply has been testified to exert important impacts on plant residue decomposition. The influence of N may be interactive with soil contact in terrestrial ecosystems. However, the joint mechanisms of decomposition of plant residues driven by soil contact and N addition remain incomplete. Using contrasting residues, including needles of Chinese fir (Cuninghamia lanceolata) (Cl) (relatively hard to degrade) vs. leaves of eucalyptus (Eucalyptus urophylla) (Eu) (relatively easy to degrade), a full factorial experiment was conducted by 360-day experiment to investigate the combined effect of N addition and soil contact on residue decay. As the microbe-manipulated decomposition could leave an imprint on the residue carbon (C) and N stable isotope, variations of the two signatures (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N) were synchronously monitored. Our results firstly showed that added N sped up initial decomposition, while it played an opposite role in subsequent stage, and soil contact always stimulated decay. Under soil contact condition, we found a markedly more accelerating effect of N addition on decay of Cl than without soil contact. Linking with residue N dynamics, we thought that although N immobilized from soil could not completely meet microbial needs for decay of Cl, this N limitation was just relieved by added N, leading to this synergistic effect. At late decay stage, the N inhibiting influence was partly offset under soil contact condition, and this phenomenon was more dramatic for Eu. Our results lastly revealed that the ¹³C and ¹⁵N signatures mirrored and explained the underlying mechanisms of the above interactions. Overall, we concluded that external N and soil contact could interactively affect decay, depending on plant residue decomposability. These results would be used to accurately predict C sequestration for terrestrial ecosystems under heightened N scenario in the future.

Unfortunately, we encountered an error with units of measure in reporting data in the last two columns of Table 3 (on page 28814 in the printed version), so that those data should be changed as reported in the following corrected version of the Table

A tertiary treatment of effluent from a biological domestic wastewater treatment plant was tested by combining filtration and solar photocatalysis. Adsorption was carried out by a sequence of two column filters, the first one filled with granular activated carbon (GAC) and the second one with granulated nano-composite of micelle-montmorillonite mixed with sand (20:100, w/w). The applied solar advanced oxidation process was homogeneous photo-Fenton photocatalysis using peroxymonosulfate (PMS) as oxidant agent. This combination of simple, robust, and low-cost technologies aimed to ensure water disinfection and emerging contaminants (ECs, mainly pharmaceuticals) removal. The filtration step showed good performances in removing dissolved organic matter and practically removing all bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis from the secondary treated water. Solar advanced oxidation processes were efficient in elimination of trace levels of ECs. The final effluent presented an improved sanitary level with acceptable chemical and biological characteristics for irrigation.

This paper involves discovering effective and better reaction of the diesel engine at various velocities by having ideal values in a short period. Therefore, gene expression programming is used for modeling and presenting governing expression for the related factors. The effective parameters consist of engine speed, intake air temperature, rate of air over fuel, fuel mass, NOx emission, mechanical efficiency, and immediate infusion diesel engine used as a part of demonstrating. Gene expression programming and its values exactly predict output results and present precise formula. Moreover, the sensitivity analysis was performed to recognize the effectiveness of the factors for reducing NOx and increasing mechanical efficiency. In the sensitivity analysis, the methods such as partial correlation coefficient, standard regression coefficient, and the Sobol’-Jansen and distributed evaluation of local sensitivity analysis are all used. The obtained results show that air/fuel rate is more influential factor in both NOx emission and mechanical efficiency. Moreover, the difference between results of standard regression or partial correlation coefficients and Sobol’-Jansen or distributed evaluation methods is in nonlinearity effect or interactions among the factors.

There is an increasing number of citizens’ complaints about odor nuisance due to production or service activity. High social awareness imposes pressure on entrepreneurs and service providers forcing them to undertake effective steps aimed at minimization of the effects of their activity, also with respect to emission of malodorous substances. The article presents information about various technologies used for gas deodorization. Known solutions can be included into two groups: technologies offering prevention of emissions, and methodological solutions that enable removal of malodorous substances from the stream of emitted gases. It is obvious that the selection of deodorization technologies is conditioned by many factors, and it should be preceded by an in-depth analysis of possibilities and limitations offered by various solutions. The aim of the article is presentation of the available gas deodorization technologies as to facilitate the potential investors with selection of the method of malodorous gases emission limitation, suitable for particular conditions.

The objective of this study was to investigate the concentration distribution of indoor air pollutants in taxis and ships (passengers) which are frequently used for public transportation and recreational activities in South Korea. In addition, it aimed to assess air quality factors to establish and evaluate the health risks of exposure to polluted indoor air. Particulate matter (PM₁₀) concentrations were not affected by the number of passengers, time of day, and driving characteristics because there were only a few passengers (2 to 4 people) and the space was confined. In the ships, indoor air pollutants responded more sensitively to the operation characteristics depending on the time of sailing (i.e., anchoring and departure, movement of vehicles on the ship, movement of passengers, combustion in the shop, and ventilation) than to the number of people boarding and alighting. The carbon dioxide concentrations in different ship rooms did not vary according to season and degree of congestion; however, there were differences between different ships. These differences may result from the size, type, and operating characteristics of the ships. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and aldehydes in new taxis exceeded the standard levels during summer. VOC concentrations in ships were particularly high during summer when the outdoor temperature was high. Similar observations were made for other means of transportation. The risk assessment depended on the means of transportation and demonstrated that mortality risks due to PM₁₀ and excess carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks from VOCs and aldehydes were within safety levels.

Jinsha (JSH) is one of the regional background sites in Central China. In this study, eight polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were measured in atmospheric deposition samples (dry particle, wet particle, and wet dissolved), air (gaseous and particle) samples, and soil samples that were collected from March 2012 to March 2013. Of all eight PBDEs, BDE-209 was the most abundant congener in both deposition samples and air/soil samples. Average dry particle, wet particle, and wet dissolved deposition fluxes of Σ₈PBDEs were 270 ± 310 pg m⁻² day⁻¹, 130 ± 210 pg m⁻² day⁻¹, and 250 ± 330 pg m⁻² day⁻¹, respectively, while those of BDE-209 were 210 ± 290 pg m⁻² day⁻¹, 80 ± 120 pg m⁻² day⁻¹, and 160 ± 290 pg m⁻² day⁻¹, respectively. Dry deposition velocities of individual PBDE ranged from 0.11 ± 0.15 cm s⁻¹ (BDE-183) to 0.24 ± 0.38 cm s⁻¹ (BDE-209), and total washout ratios ranged from 5.0 × 10³ (BDE-28) to 4.2 × 10⁴ (BDE-209). The calculated net air–soil gas exchange flux of Σ₈PBDEs was − 16 ± 13 pg m⁻² day⁻¹, suggesting the deposition status of PBDEs. The gas exchange flux at the air–soil interface was significantly lower than the deposition flux, which only accounted for 2.5% of the total deposition flux, implying that atmospheric deposition was an important input pathway for PBDEs to soils. Overall, the pollution level of the soil was relatively low, and the soil serves as a sink for PBDEs from adjacent regions.