Advanced Materials Research Vol. 664

Abstract: Lead (Pb) is a highly toxic element because of its accumulative and persistent character in the environment. Especially, the risks of their potential entry into the food chain and pollution of heavy metal in an agricultural system will threaten to human health. Songsan wastewater irrigation region, a big rice production area of Anshan, Liaoning province, was polluted by containments of heavy metals for more than 80 years. The total Pb concentration in polluted soil sample was higher than in natural soil (value of environmental standard ≤35 mg•kg-1). In the study, the two chelating agents (EDTA and DTPA) were used to release Pb from the polluted soil. On the basis of single extraction procedures of Pb with two extracting agents, we found that EDTA had a significantly higher chelating capacity than DTPA (P<0.05). In addition, among our researches on releasing kinetics of lead with two reagents, the results indicated that the equilibrium action time was about 16 h.

Abstract: This study investigated the effect of aeration rates on the hydrolysis process of Waste Activated Sludge (WAS) with thermophilic aerobic microbes and explained by the change of solubilization of lipids, carbohydrates and proteins in sludge under different aeration rates (0.03 vvm, 0.05 vvm, 0.07 vvm, 0.09 vvm, 0.11 vvm). The results revealed that with the increase of aeration rate, the accumulation of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) in the treated sludge was decreased. Only 2 142 mg COD/L was accumulated at the ventilation rate of 0.11 vvm, while the highest accumulation which was 4 088 mg/L at the ventilation rate of 0.05 vvm. Further investigation showed that under optimal aeration rate which was 0.05 vvm, theromophilic aerobic microbes facilitated the organism hydrolysis and increased the biodegradability of WAS significantly. The concentration of carbohydrates was improved remarkably from 70 mg COD/L to 560 mg COD/L compared with the control (the process without aeration) at 65°C. Meanwhile, the concentration of protein was increased stably due to the high activity of protease, and reached the peak of 1 320 mg COD/L after 72h, then decline at the later period. The maximal soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD) was 5 600 mg/L and VFAs was 4 088 mg COD/L, which would be beneficial to the followed digestion process. Therefore, appropriate aeration is efficient to improve the accumulation of soluble organic matters and VFAs in WAS.

Abstract: Loess Plateau region has the severest problem of The Water Loss and Soil Erosion, not only in China, but around the world as well. Due to severe situation of soil erosion, the natural environment was badly damaged in this region and the economy was also deeply influenced. This paper analyses the present situation of soil erosion and controlling measure for erosion in Loess Plateau region, and concludes some valuable experience in managing small watershed of Loess Plateau region. Concluding、analyzing、advancing and extending these successful experiences will exert an important and directive significance for the ecological construction and sustainable development in China.

Abstract: Environmental issues constitute continuous concern for governments, societies and business organizations. Green supply chain management（GSCM） emerged as a new approach that extends environmental responsibility of organizations throughout their entire supply chain managements. In this paper, we first discuss the definitions of environmental sustainability and GSCM as well as the important differences between GSCM and SCM, then some latest research progresses on the deep relations between environmental sustainability and GSCM are briefly reviewed. Finally, possible future developments of green packaging are prospected.

Abstract: Ecological security is the basis of sustainable development.Ecological security assessment of land resources is a forefront research topic of sustainable utilization of land resources. A index system of twenty indicators on ecological security of land resources,including natural, economic and social aspects, is established. Using AHP method to determine the index weights and mathematical models to calculate ecological security values of land resources, Ecological security values of land resources are devided into five grades.

Abstract: Multi-cyclones is commonly usedin the palm oil mill industry as particulate pollution arrestor. However, its ability in capturing particulate matter (PM) especially the fine particulate size fraction is limited. Thus, study has been carried out to investigate and predict the performance of MR-deDuster, a multi-cyclones unit developed as particulate emission control device in palm oil mill plant. The MR-deDuster is intentionally developed to overcome particulate emission issue facing by industries that generate particulate especially the palm oil mill industry. A number of semi-empirical theories were used to predict the performance of MR-deDuster. Based on the prediction, the MR-deDuster manages to capture particulate size 3.8µm at 50% particulate collection efficiency. The MR-deDuster also manages to achieve more than 90% for total particulate collection efficiency with low pressure drop.

Abstract: In this paper, we collected 108 soil samples from four representative mining areas based on the selenium resources distribution in Enshi City. The contents of eight heavy metal elements including Pb, Cd, Hg, As, Cr, Cu, Zn and Ni were detected by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The compositive pollution effects in the four mining areas of the heavy metals were evaluated through the single factor index method and the Nemero synthesis index evaluation method. The accumulation characteristics of heavy metals in the vegetable soils were also analyzed in the four mining areas. The results shown that the pollution of the vegetable soils in the four mining areas were attributed to a multi-metals pollution mainly by the V, Cd, Hg and Ni. The vegetable soils in Enshi City have been polluted by heavy metals based on the results of the ayalasis of the single factor index method and the Nemero synthesis index evaluation method. The influence of the heavy metals to the pollution in Enshi City is Cd>Ni>Cr>Cu>Hg>As>Zn>Pb.

Abstract: In order to explore the variations and impact factors of soil nitrogen contents, 0-20 cm mineral soil under herb, shrub, Platycladus orientalis plantation of limestone mountains after restoration for 5 years and 10 years were collected and examined in Jinan, Shandong province. The results showed that there was different soil mineral nitrogen content under different vegetation during the natural succession and artificial restoration succession. Shrub community (14.35 mg/Kg) > herb community (12.73 mg/Kg); Platycladus orientalis plantation restored for 10 years (27.82 mg/Kg) > Platycladus orientalis plantation restored for 5 years (20.76 mg/Kg). NO₃--N has highly significant positive correlations with soil organic carbon and total nitrogen content (r = 0.626, 0.564, p 4⁺-N has not significantly correlated with total nitrogen and organic carbon content (r = 0.218, 0.155). However, it has highly significant positive correlation with the NO₃^--N (r = 0.531, p 3^--N and NH₄⁺-N have highly significant negative correlations with soil pH (r = -0.657, -0.605, p < 0.01), respectively. But the correlation with the soil moisture was not significant (r = -0.181, 0.114). The research provided base information for the evaluation of restoration effects and restoration practice on the limestone mountains.

Abstract: The quantitative index was confirmed by analysis of system of energy-saving and emission-reduction for Poyang Lake Ecological Economic Region (PLEER). Two factors of energy-saving and emission-reduction can be obtained by analyzing the quantitative index. The quantitative index was divided into two controllable factors according to the variance contribution rate and rotating load value. Countermeasures should be given after we point out the key of energy-saving and emission-reduction according to the controllable factors.

Abstract: The present study was designed to elucidate the Catalase (CAT) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents in gills and muscle tissues of Zebrafish in exposure to different concentrations of deicing salt. According to the value of 96 h LC50, five different concentration treatments (4.30, 5.38, 6.73, 8.41 and 10.51 g/L) of deicing salt were set up with no application of deicing salt (0 g/L) as control treatment, and the activity of CAT and MDA in the gills and muscle tissues of Zebrafish were measured at 1d, 4d, and 7 d exposure. The results showed that the 96 h LC50 value of deicing salt for Zebrafish was 13.49 g/L and the safe concentration was 4.26 g/L. The CAT activity in muscle tissues of Zebrafish was activated significantly (P<0.01) at 1d, and was inhibited significantly with the concentration of 10.51 g/L (P<0.05) by comparing with the control treatment during the whole experimental time. However, the CAT activity in gills was activated significantly (P<0.01) with the concentration of 5.38 g/L, and inhibited significantly (P<0.05) with the concentration of 10.51 g/L. The MDA contents in gills of Zebrafish enhanced gradually with the deicing salt concentration increased. In muscle tissues of Zebrafish, MDA contents decreased gradually during the whole experimental time.