Self Assembled Monolayers of Alkanethiolson Silver Surfaces

This short review compiles the studies on self assembled alkanethiol monolayers formed on silver surfaces with respect to their structure and stability. Alkanethiol-based assemblies on silver surfaces are poor cousins of thiol monolayers on gold. The formation of well-ordered monolayers on silver surfaces is relatively more difficult than the corresponding systems on gold since the inherent oxide film on silver interferes with the formation and stability of the assembly. There are contradictory reports on the nature and physicochemical characteristics of alkanethiol monolayers on silver surfaces. This review attempts to highlight various studies in the literature including our efforts in this area.

Limnological aspects of three man-made lakes in Sri Lanka

An investigation was undertaken to study the physicochemical characteristics, phytoplankton and fish fauna of three major deep lakes on the River Mahaweli: Kotmale, Victoria and Randenigala. These lakes were created mainly for hydroelectric purposes during the period 1984 to 1986. In all three lakes, thermoclines were present during most months of the year, but did not appear to be very stable. They tended to disappear during January - February but were well established in August - November. Fifteen species of blue-green algae were identified as well as 27 desmid species and 25 non-desmid green algae. Melosira granulata and M. undulata were the dominant diatom species. The family Cyprinidae dominated the fish fauna by number of species, but by biomass the exotic cichlids (tilapias) were dominant.

Caracterização físico-química e avaliação dos níveis de elementos-traço em sedimentos de manguezais das baías da Ilha Grande e de Sepetiba, RJ, por metodologias de digestão ácida assistidas por micro-ondas

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo principal comparar dois métodos de extração de elementos-traço em sedimentos que são assistidos por radiação micro-ondas. Foram coletadas amostras de sedimentos superficiais em um manguezal localizado na baía da Ilha Grande e em três manguezais localizados na baía de Sepetiba, RJ. As amostras de sedimentos coletadas foram secas, destorroadas e peneiradas. Sub-amostras foram submetidas a análises de caracterização física e química. Os métodos de extração de elementos-traço comparados foram o EPA-3051A e o método água régia assistido por micro-ondas. Os elementos-traço analisados foram: Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb e Zn. As concentrações dos elementos-traço nos extratos produzidos foram determinadas por FAAS (Espectrometria de absorção atômica com chama). Foram encontradas nos sedimentos dos manguezais estudados concentrações acima dos níveis estabelecidos pela Resolução CONAMA 344/2004 para os elementos-traço: Cd, Ni, Pb e Zn. Os resultados mostraram que as capacidades de extração de elementos-traço dos métodos EPA-3051A e água régia assistido por micro-ondas variam em função das características físico-químicas dos sedimentos. A análise estatística pela técnica de regressão linear simples mostrou que as duas metodologias são estatisticamente similares apenas para o Cr e os valores dos coeficientes de determinação (R2) obtidos obedeceram à seqüência: Cu > Pb > Zn > Ni > Cr > Cd. Na análise pela técnica estatística de regressão linear múltipla ocorreram melhorias estatisticamente significativas nos coeficientes de determinação quando foram incluídas as seguintes variáveis independentes: potencial redox e fósforo total para o Cd, argila para o Cr, areia para o Ni e fósforo total para o Pb e para o Zn

Reutilización de escoria negra de acería como soporte en biofiltros para la eliminación de H2S del biogás.

[EN]Due to the limitations associated with fossil fuels it is necessary to promote energy sources that are renewable as well as eco-friendly, such as biogas generated in anaerobic digesters. The biogas, composed principally of methane and CO2, is the result of the biodegradation of organic matter under anaerobic conditions. Its use as fuel is limited by the presence of minority compounds such as hydrogen sulphide (H2S); therefore, its pre-treatment is necessary. Currently there are various technologies for the removal of H2S from a gas stream, but most of them are based on physic-chemical treatments which have a number of drawbacks as reactive consumption, generation of secondary flows, etc. Biofiltration has been used as an efficient and low cost alternative to conventional purification processes, and excellent results for the degradation of H2S have been obtained. However process can be limited due to the progressive ageing of the support material, along with the loss of nutrients and other specific characteristics necessary for the good development of biomass. The purpose of this project is to develop a mixed support consisting of a mixture of an organic material and an inorganic support for its application in the removal of the H2S from biogas. This support material helps to optimize the characteristics of the bed and extend its lifespan. The development of such material will contribute to the implementation of biofiltration for treating biogas from anaerobic digesters for its use as biofuel. The inorganic material used is electric arc furnace (EAF) black slag, a by-product generated in large quantities in the production of steel in the Basque Country. Although traditionally the slag has been used in civil engineering, its physicochemical characteristics make it suitable for reuse as a filter medium in biofiltration. The main conclusion drawn from the experimental results is that EAF black slag is a suitable co-packing material in organic biofilters treating H2S-polluted gaseous streams. High pollutant removal rates have been achieved during the whole experimental period. The removal capacity recorded in biofilters with less inorganic material was higher than in those with higher slag portion. Nevertheless, all the biofilters have shown a satisfactory response even at high inlet loads (48 g·m-3·h-1), where the RE has not decreased over 82%.

Preparação e avaliação de hidrogéis nanocompósitos à base de alginato na remoção de Cu (II) e Zn (II) de soluções aquosas

Esta dissertação teve como objetivo, a preparação de hidrogéis à base de alginato contendo argila e material magnético em sua estrutura. Foram analisadas as modificações nas características físico-químicas dos hidrogéis preparados com diferentes reticulantes (CaCl2 e FeCl3) e diferentes concentrações de material magnético (1 e 3 % m/m) e argila (1, 5 e 10 %). Após isso, os hidrogéis foram avaliados quanto à capacidade de remoção de íons Cu2+ e Zn2+ de soluções aquosas. As amostras foram caracterizadas quanto à composição química por espectroscopia na região do infravermelho (FTIR), quanto à morfologia por microscopia óptica e microscopia eletrônica de varredura (SEM) e quanto às propriedades magnéticas por magnetometria de amostra vibrante (VSM). Através da técnica de difratometria de raios-X (XRD), foi possível verificar a natureza do material magnético e a dispersão da argila nos hidrogéis. A estabilidade térmica das amostras foi analisada por análise termogravimétrica (TGA). Os resultados mostraram que tanto a argila como o material magnético ficaram bem dispersos nas amostras. De forma geral, foram preparados hidrogéis com morfologia esférica, sendo que os hidrogéis de alginato de cálcio tenderam a apresentar maior resistência térmica do que os hidrogéis de alginato de ferro. Todas as amostras magnéticas apresentaram comportamento superparamagnético, porém as amostras de alginato de ferro mostraram-se quebradiças após o intumescimento em água. O tempo médio de equilíbrio de intumescimento foi de 240 minutos. Os resultados de cinética de adsorção mostraram que os hidrogéis de alginato de cálcio preparados nas condições avaliadas nesta Dissertação foram eficientes na remoção dos íons Cu2+ e Zn2+, sendo que o cobre apresentou maior afinidade pelo hidrogel do que o zinco

Use of microbial community to evaluate performance of a wetland system in treating Pb/Zn mine drainage

The performance of a wetland system in treating lead (Pb)/zinc (Zn) mine drainage was evaluated by using the polyurethane foam unit (PFU) microbial community (method), which has been adopted by China as a standardized procedure for monitoring water quality. The wetland system consisted of four cells with three dominant plants: Typha latifolia, Phragmites australis and Paspalum distichum. Physicochemical characteristics [pH, EC, content of total suspended solid (TSS) and metals (Pb, Zn, Cd, and Cu)] and PFU microbial community in water samples had been investigated from seven sampling sites. The results indicated that the concentrations of Pb, Zn, Cd, Cu, and TSS in the mine drainage were gradually reduced from the inlet to the outlet of the wetland system and 99%, 98%, 75%, 83%, and 68% of these metals and TSS respectively, had been reduced in concentration after the drainage passed through the wetland system. A total of 105 protozoan species were identified, the number of protozoa species and the diversity index (DI) gradually increased, while the heterotrophic index (HI) gradually decreased from the inlet to the outlet of the wetland system. The results indicated that DI, HI, and total number species of protozoa could be used as biological indicators indicating the improvement of water quality.

Influence of environmental variables on macroinvertebrates in a macrophyte-dominated Chinese lake, with emphasis on the relationships between macrophyte heterogeneity and macroinvertebrate patterns

The benthic community structure in Baoan Lake was examined in relation to lake water physicochemical characteristics and biological parameters. Seventy macroinvertebrate taxa were identified, and mollusks constituted the dominant group and accounted for more than 80% of the total abundance. Assemblages were composed mainly of scrapers (81.5%) and collector-gatherers (roughly 10%). Three plant variables (richness, total cover, and total biomass) were strongly correlated with the faunal gradient (p<0.05). Other predicator variables were Cl-, SiO2, and chemical oxygen demand. Because of the importance of macrophytes in structuring benthic assemblage in this lentic system, the spatial heterogeneity of macrophytes also influenced the pattern of macroinvertebrates. Seven lake regions were uniquely characterized according to primary macrophyte composition and biomass. There were significant differences for macroinvertebrate taxa richness, abundance, and biodiversity among the seven macrophyte regions.

The vertical microdistribution of cyanobacteria and green algae within desert crusts and the development of the algal crusts

Substantial amounts of algal crusts were collected from five different desert experimental sites aged 42, 34, 17, 8 and 4 years, respectively, at Shapotou ( China) and analyzed at a 0.1 mm microscale of depth. It was found that the vertical distribution of cyanobacteria and microalgae in the crusts was distinctly laminated into an inorganic-layer (ca. 0.00 - 0.02 mm, with few algae), an algae-dense-layer ( ca. 0.02 - 1.0 mm) and an algae-sparse-layer ( ca. 1.0 - 5.0 mm). It was interesting to note that in all crusts Scytonema javanicum Born et Flah ( or Nostoc sp., cyanobacterium), Desmococcus olivaceus (Pers ex Ach., green alga) Laundon and Microcoleus vaginatus Gom. ( cyanobacterium) dominated at the depth of 0.02 - 0.05, 0.05 - 0.1 and 0.1 - 1.0 mm, respectively, from the surface. Phormidium tenue Gom. ( or Lyngbya cryptovaginatus Schk., cyanobacterium) and Navicula cryptocephala Kutz.( or Hantzschia amphioxys (Ehr.) Grun. and N. cryptocephala together, diatom) dominated at the depth of 1.0 - 3.0 and 3.5 - 4.0 mm, respectively, of the crusts from the 42 and 34 year old sites. It was apparent that in more developed crusts there were more green algae and the niches of Nostoc sp., Chlorella vulgaris Beij., M. vaginatus, N. cryptocephala and fungi were nearer to the surface. If lichens and mosses accounted for less than 41.5% of the crust surface, algal biovolume was bigger when the crust was older, but the opposite was true when the cryptogams other than algae covered more than 70%. In addition to detailed species composition and biovolume, analyses of soil physicochemical properties, micromorphologies and mineral components were also performed. It was found that the concentration of organic matter and nutrients, electric conductivity, silt, clay, secondary minerals were higher and there were more micro-beddings in the older crusts than the less developed ones. Possible mechanisms for the algal vertical microdistribtion at different stages and the impact of soil topography on crust development are discussed. It is concluded that biomethods ( such as fine species distribution and biovolume) were more precise than mineralogical approaches in judging algal crust development and thus could be a better means to measure the potentiality of algal crusts in desert amelioration.

云雾山草地植被恢复过程土壤水库特性及影响因素

为了了解植被恢复过程土壤水库特征的变化及其驱动因子,为半干旱典型草原区植被恢复的土壤环境效应提供评价依据,研究了宁南半干旱典型草原区植被恢复80 a对土壤水库库容、实际贮水量和贮水效率的影响及驱动因子。结果表明:土壤水库总库容、吸持库容、实际贮水量、贮水效率以及土壤物理性质均在草原植被恢复25 a内不断提高,经37 a略微下降后随植被演替土壤水库特征和土壤物理性质继续改善。通过逐步回归分析,容重、有机质含量和水稳性团聚体分形维数是影响土壤水库总库容的主要因子,毛管孔隙度则是影响土壤实际贮水量和贮水效率的主要因子。土壤有机质含量与容重、分形维数呈显著负相关(P<0.05),与毛管孔隙度呈极显著正相关(P<0.01)。植被恢复促使有机质积累,从而改善了土壤结构状况,提高了土壤土壤贮水能力、贮水量和贮水效率。可以认为土壤有机质积累是土壤水库功能提高的直接动力。

黄土丘陵区植被次生演替灌木初期的土壤养分特征

对黄土丘陵区植被次生演替灌木初期的土壤养分特征进行了研究。结果表明:灌木初期土壤养分含量总体上表现出0~20 cm土层明显高于20~60 cm土层,而20~40 cm和40~60 cm间无显著差异。0~60 cm土壤深度内,土壤养分因子含量平均值变化范围分别为:有机质4.66~9.83 g.kg-1,全氮0.33~0.61 g.kg-1,全磷0.49~0.52 g.kg-1,有效氮21.56~41.80 mg.kg-1,有效磷0.73~1.31 mg.kg-1,有效钾58.31~102.01 mg.kg-1。灌木初期的土壤养分条件略好于草本阶段,说明植被演替草本阶段对土壤的培肥作用为群落向灌丛演替阶段发展提供了一个较好的土壤养分环境。灌木初期不同,灌木树种间的土壤养分条件存在一定差异,表明不同灌木树种定居所需适宜的土壤养分条件也不同;灌木初期除土壤全磷外,其他各养分因子间均表现出极显著线性相关关系(P<0.01)。

黄土高原水蚀风蚀交错带不同土地利用方式坡面土壤水分特性研究

为分析不同土地利用方式下坡面土壤水分特性的差异和规律,对黄土高原水蚀风蚀交错带典型坡面上农地、林地和草地的土壤水分特性进行了分析。结果表明:(1)苜蓿地土壤的持水能力和供水能力最强,其次是杏树林和长芒草地,谷子地最差;(2)通过土壤水分有效性分析发现,水蚀风蚀交错带田间持水量相当于-0.2×105Pa土壤基质势时的土壤含水量,永久凋萎点则低于-2.0×106Pa土壤基质势对应的土壤含水量;(3)苜蓿地有效水含量最高,谷子地有效水含量最低,而且苜蓿地土壤有效水含量的提高主要是提高了迟效水部分;(4)对不同土地利用方式下的土壤比水容量变化曲线研究表明,土壤比水容量在田间持水量附近随土壤含水量的降低减小的很快,而当土壤水分降低到田间持水量的50%~60%以下时,土壤比水容量基本不变。

辽东山区次生林生态系统主要林型土壤磷素特征

磷是植物生长发育所必需的营养元素之一，由于磷在土壤中的难溶性和难移动性，使得磷在陆地生态系统的循环越来越受到重视，尤其是在明确土壤磷素存在形态和分布特征的基础上，探讨土壤磷素与土地利用方式以及植被生长发育状况之间的关系，对于指导土地利用和恢复植被建设具有重要意义。本研究以辽东山区天然次生林主要林型胡桃楸林、杂木林（由蒙古栎、花曲柳和山杨等树种组成）和蒙古栎林为主要研究对象，系统研究了辽东山区天然次生林土壤磷素的分布特征，并比较研究了落叶松人工林取代天然次生林后土壤磷素的变化特征。主要结论如下： 1. 辽东山区天然次生林土壤磷素特征：（1）次生林0-30 cm土壤全磷含量的变化范围为326.5 mg kg-1-984.9 mg kg-1，土壤总有机磷含量、总无机磷含量、Olsen-P含量和土壤微生物量磷含量占全磷含量的比例变化范围分别为47%-76%、24%-53%、1.23%-1.40%和2.67%-3.45%，土壤全磷与土壤有机碳、全氮之间呈显著正相关，说明次生林土壤有机质含量是影响土壤磷素含量的主要因素之一；土壤Olsen-P和微生物量磷季节变化明显，均表现为夏季最高，且土壤Olsen-P和微生物量磷的季节变化规律不受植被类型的影响；另外，土壤Olsen-P、土壤微生物量磷的季节变化均与土壤含水量相关。（2）三个林型土壤酸性磷酸酶与土壤有机碳、全氮、全磷、Olsen-P和微生物量磷之间存在密切的相关性，酸性磷酸酶可以作为评价次生林土壤磷素状况的一个指标。（3）不同林型土壤各形态无机磷分布不同，胡桃楸林以Fe-P（铁结合的磷酸盐）和Ca-P（钙结合的磷酸盐）为主，杂木林和蒙古栎林以O-P（闭蓄态磷）为主；不同林型土壤各形态无机磷随季节的变化规律不同，与Olsen-P的关系也不同，胡桃楸林土壤Olsen-P与Al-P（铝结合的磷酸盐）之间具有显著的相关性，杂木林土壤Olsen-P与Fe-P和Ca-P之间相关性显著，蒙古栎林土壤Olsen-P与Ca-P之间显著相关，说明辽东山区不同林型土壤磷素的有效来源不同。（4）辽东山区有机磷各形态的分布特征为：中等活性有机磷 > 中等稳定性有机磷 > 高稳定性有机磷 > 活性有机磷；土壤活性有机磷的季节变化与Olsen-P变化一致，中等活性有机磷、中等稳定性有机磷和高等稳定性有机磷的含量随季节变化无此规律；胡桃楸林、蒙古栎林土壤Olsen-P与活性有机磷、中等稳定性有机磷和高等稳定性有机磷之间显著相关，杂木林土壤Olsen-P与活性有机磷、中等活性有机磷、中等稳定性有机磷和高等稳定性有机磷之间相关性显著，说明在本研究区土壤有机磷对磷素有效性的贡献较大。（5）三个林型内主要树种叶片磷含量均较高，且叶片N/P < 10，土壤磷素不是辽东山区次生林植被生长的限制性养分因子。 2. 落叶松人工林取代天然次生林后土壤磷素特征的变化：（1）和天然次生林相比，落叶松人工林土壤全磷、总有机磷、Olsen-P、土壤微生物量磷和磷酸酶活性均显著降低（P<0.05），土壤总无机磷含量无明显变化，这说明次生林转变为落叶松人工林后土壤磷素状况下降。（2）随着次生林转变为落叶松人工林和落叶松人工林连栽后，土壤无机磷各形态含量变化显著，土壤Fe-P和Ca-P含量逐渐降低，O-P含量升高，土壤Olsen-P与无机磷形态中的Fe-P和Ca-P之间显著正相关，表明了Fe-P和Ca-P是Olsen-P的主要无机磷来源。（3）落叶松人工林取代次生林后，土壤活性有机磷、中等活性有机磷、中等稳定性有机磷和高等稳定性有机磷含量均降低，土壤Olsen-P与活性有机磷显著正相关，活性有机磷是补充Olsen-P的直接有机磷源；土壤微生物量磷与各有机磷组分及 Olsen-P含量之间均呈显著正相关，这说明微生物量磷在有机磷转化中起着重要作用。

岷江干旱河谷典型阳坡土壤质量动态与评估

横断山区干旱河谷地区的土壤是制约植被恢复的一个关键要素，但干旱条件下土壤质量与动态演变状况并不清楚，本研究以岷江干旱河谷核心地段的土壤为对象，研究了阳坡褐土土壤的物理、化学以及生物学特征在海拔梯度（1800m、2000m、2200m）格局及其时间动态（2005-2007）变化，应用主成分分析综合评价了土壤质量及其时空差异性，明确了土壤质量的变化趋势。主要研究结论如下： 1) 海拔梯度上土壤物理性状的变化，2005 年和2007 年土壤物理性状综合质量随着海拔的升高均得到了优化，即海拔2200 m＞海拔2000 m＞海拔1800 m。 2) 海拔梯度上土壤化学性质的变化，土壤化学综合性质2005 年随海拔升高而趋于变得更优，而2007 年海拔2000 m 最优，海拔1800 m 则最差。 3) 海拔梯度上土壤生物学性质的变化，2005 年土壤生物学性质随海拔升高表现出趋于更好，2007 年海拔2000 m 最优而海拔1800 m 地段最差。 4) 从土壤物理、化学、生物学三方面出发，应用主成分分析，分别分析得出2005 年和2007 年不同海拔高度的土壤质量综合得分。根据综合得分得出土壤质量综合评价的排列顺序为：2005 海拔2200 m＞2007 年海拔2000 m＞2005 年海拔2000 m＞2007 年海拔1800 m＞2007 海拔2200 m＞2005 年海拔1800 m。2005年土壤综合质量随海拔升高而趋好，2007 年则以海拔2000 m 最优，海拔1800 m和2200 m 差异不大。 5）排除人为干扰后，干旱河谷土壤物理性状在海拔1800 m 略有恢复，海拔2000 m 变化不明显，而海拔2200 m 仍有退化趋势；土壤化学性质在海拔1800 m和2000 m 地段得到恢复，而海拔2200 m 处仍有退化；土壤生物学性质在海拔2000 m 地段呈恢复趋势，而1800 m 和2200 m 仍处于退化状态。综合质量分析表明，与2005 年相比，2007 年海拔1800 m 和2000 m 地段土壤质量趋于变优而海拔2200 m 地段仍有退化迹象。 Soil is a key factor that affect the restoration of vegetation in the Hengduan Mountains dry valley area. But the dynamics and quality of soil is not knowed in dry area. In this study, soil physiochemical and biological characteristics ranging from 1800~2200m above sea level from a typical south-facing slope at the Minjiang River dry valley area had been studied, and characteristics of changes in soil quality along altitudinal gradients and time scales were also discussed. The principal component analysis was used to assess the soil quality. The main results were as follows: 1) Changes in soil physical properties along altitudes. Soil physical properties obtained the optimization along with the elevation in 2005 and 2007. 2) Changes in soil chemical properties. It was summarized that soil chemical properties increased with elevation in 2005, but the soil of 2000 m was the best in 2007. 3) Changes in soil biological characteristics. Soil biological properties increased with elevation in 2005, but the soil of 2000 m was the best and 1800 m was the worst in 2007. 4) Change tendency of soil quality. With the soil physics, chemistry and biology characteristics, we analysised the change tendency of soil quality in altitudes. The result indicated that soil quality increased with altituded in 2005, and soil quality of 2000 m was the best in 2007. 5) In brief, the soil quality is by physics, chemistry as well as the biology synthesizes the influence the final outcome. And the soil quality's change was manifested by soil physics, chemistry and the biology characteristics. All the results indicated soil quality still degenerated at 2200 m in in the dry valley of Minjiang River. And soil quality of 1800 m and 2000 m resumed slight.

陕北水蚀风蚀交错区两种生物结皮对土壤理化性质的影响

以黄土高原陕北水蚀风蚀交错区六道沟小流域为例,研究了该区以苔藓为主要成分的沙土和黄土两种生物结皮对土壤理化性质的影响。结果显示:(1)两种生物结皮均能显著增加土壤饱和含水量和田间持水量,降低容重和饱和导水率,其中沙土生物结皮还可明显粘化0～25cm土壤质地;(2)两种生物结皮均能不同程度的增加土壤全量养分、速效养分以及有机质含量,降低pH值,但其影响多数集中在表层或结皮层;(3)土壤化学性质中,全氮、速效磷和有机质受生物结皮影响程度较大,而全氮、速效钾和有机质受生物结皮影响土层较深;(4)沙土生物结皮对土壤理化性质的影响程度大于黄土生物结皮。两种类型生物结皮对所研究土壤理化性质的影响总体有利于该区生态环境的改善,且沙土生物结皮较黄土生物结皮具有更为重要的生态功能。

半干旱典型草原区退耕地土壤结构特征及其对入渗的影响

坡地土壤降雨入渗、径流和侵蚀过程与土壤结构密切相关。试验样地为宁夏固原云雾山自然保护区的坡耕地、退耕6a、退耕11a(前8a放牧,后3a禁牧)和退耕16a坡地,室内测定土壤结构指标,野外采用基于径流-入流-产流方法的新型降雨仪器在17、43和56mm/h雨强下观测坡地土壤的入渗性能,分析土壤结构特征对入渗的影响。对土壤结构的稳定性指标、孔隙性指标和分形维数指标进行分析,结果表明,随着退耕年限的延长,土壤团聚体稳定性增强,土壤结构孔隙状况得到明显改善。模拟降雨结果显示,随着雨强的增大,退耕地的土壤入渗率增加,但坡耕地反而降低。退耕11a样地受放牧牲畜践踏影响,入渗性能最差。通过逐步回归分析可知,在17mm/h和56mm/h雨强下,影响土壤稳定入渗率的土壤结构因子主要是容重和有机碳含量,而在43mm/h雨强下主要是毛管孔隙度和非毛管孔隙度。土壤有机碳含量和孔隙状况的差异致使土壤结构特征不同,从而对入渗性能和过程产生明显的影响。