Abstract  Diffusion, rheology, and small angle neutron scattering (SANS) data for organic phase 30 v/v %tributyl phosphate (TBP) samples containing varying amounts of water, nitric acid, and uranium or zirconium nitrate were interpreted from a colloidal perspective to give information on the types of structures formed by TBP under different conditions. Taken as a whole, the results of the different analyses were contradictory, suggesting that these samples should be treated as molecular solutions rather than colloids. This conclusion is supported by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations showing the existence of small, molecular aggregates in TBP samples containing water and nitric acid. Interpretation of TBP and nitric acid diffusion measurements from a molecular perspective suggest that nitric acid and metal species formed are consistent with the stoichiometric solvates that have traditionally been considered to exist in solution. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Abstract  Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS such as H2O2, nitric oxide) confer redox regulation of essential cellular functions (e.g. differentiation, proliferation, migration, apoptosis), initiate and catalyze adaptive stress responses. In contrast, excessive formation of RONS caused by impaired break-down by cellular antioxidant systems and/or insufficient repair of the resulting oxidative damage of biomolecules may lead to appreciable impairment of cellular function and in the worst case to cell death, organ dysfunction and severe disease phenotypes of the entire organism. Therefore, the knowledge of the severity of oxidative stress and tissue specific localization is of great biological and clinical importance. However, at this level of investigation quantitative information may be enough. For the development of specific drugs, the cellular and subcellular localization of the sources of RONS or even the nature of the reactive species may be of great importance, and accordingly, more qualitative information is required. These two different philosophies currently compete with each other and their different needs (also reflected by different detection assays) often lead to controversial discussions within the redox research community. With the present review we want to shed some light on these different philosophies and needs (based on our personal views), but also to defend some of the traditional assays for the detection of RONS that work very well in our hands and to provide some guidelines how to use and interpret the results of these assays. We will also provide an overview on the "new assays" with a brief discussion on their strengths but also weaknesses and limitations.

Abstract  Glassy carbon electrodes were modified with composites containing cobalt tetraaminophenoxy phthalocyanine nanoparticles (CoTAPhPcNP), multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and gold nanorods (AuNRs). The modified electrodes were studied for their electrocatalytic behavior towards the reduction of hydrogen peroxide. Phthalocyanine nanoparticles significantly improved electron transfer kinetics as compared to phthalocyanines which are not in the nanoparticle form when alone or in the presence of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). CoTAPhPcNP-MWCNT-GCE proved to be suitable for hydrogen peroxide detection with a catalytic rate constant of 3.45 x 10(3) M-1 s(-1) and a detection limit of 1.61 x 10(-7) M. Adsorption Gibbs free energy Delta G degrees was found to be -19.22 kJ mol(-1) for CoTAPhPcNP-MWCNT-GCE.

Abstract  The photochemical degradation of two azo and two anthraquinonic dyes was performed using potassium peroxymonosulphate (Oxone®) activated by UV radiation. The fast decolourization of all dyes was observed within 6 min of UV irradiation, with corresponding dye decays higher than 80%. The kinetic rate constants of the dyes' decay were determined, along with the energetic efficiency of the photochemical treatment, taking into account the influence of a few anions commonly present in real wastewaters (i.e., chloride, nitrate, carbonate/bicarbonate and phosphate ions). Chloride and carbonate/bicarbonate ions enhanced dye degradation, whereas phosphate ions exerted an inhibitory effect, and nitrates did not have a predictable influence. The dye decolourization was not associated with efficient mineralization, as suggested by the lack of a significant total organic carbon (TOC) decrease, as well as by the low concentrations of a few detected low molecular weight by-products, including nitrate ions, formaldehyde and organic acids. High molecular weight by-products were also detected by mass spectrometry analysis. The investigated process may be proposed as a convenient pre-treatment to help dye degradation in wastewater during combined treatment methods.

Abstract  This study aims to explore which radicals dominate sodium nitroprusside (SNP)-induced cytotoxicity in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells (HepG2 and Hep3B). Exposure of SNP to cell medium produced abundant nitric oxide (NO), superoxide anion (O2•-), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and iron ions. SNP potently induced caspases activation, mitochondrial membrane permeabilization and apoptosis in HCC cells. In Hep3B cells, pretreatment with NO scavenger (PTIO) did not prevent SNP-induced cytotoxicity. However, in HepG2 cells, SNP-induced cytotoxicity was prevented significantly by pretreatment with PTIO and O2•- scavenger, and especially was almost completely blocked by pretreatment with FeTPPS (peroxynitrite scavenger). In contrast, although H2O2 scavenger potently scavenged SNP-induced H2O2 production, it did not prevent SNP-induced cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells. In addition, pretreatment with DFO (iron ions chelator) and iron-saturated DFO respectively completely prevented SNP-induced cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells. Collectively, peroxynitrite from the reaction between NO and O2•- elicited from SNP dominates the SNP-induced apoptosis of HepG2 cells, in which both iron ions and H2O2 are not involved.

Abstract  A dynamic model based on the activated sludge model 1 (ASM1) of IWA, complemented with a microalgal population and its associated processes, is proposed. The critical parameters of the model are fitted to experimental data from batch experiments inoculated with microalgae-bacteria aggregates from a stable high-rate algal pond laboratory bioreactor and fed with real wastewater from a nearby WWTP. The results show a good fit with experimental data, when the model uses a Contois law for the COD uptake rate and Monod kinetics for the other rates. The model considers bacterial nitrification and denitrification, as well as ammonia and nitrate uptake by the microalgae.

Abstract  The aim of the study was to evaluate selected changes of the quality of light soil in a layer of 0-90 cm, under cultivation of willow coppice (Salix viminalis) in the 4-year cycle, due to fertilization with compost from municipal sewage sludge and mineral fertilizers. The experiment was carried out in 2006-2009 on the experimental field of Koszalin University of Technology in Kosciernica, Polanow municipality (16 degrees 24'N and 54 degrees 8'E). The experiment was established on light soil of class IVb-V, of good rye complex, and granulometric composition of light loamy sand to a depth of 100 cm and light loam below 100 cm.

The experiment factors were: fertilization (I) - (a) objects without fertilization, (b) fertilized with compost from municipal sewage sludge (10 t.ha(-1) d.m.), (c) fertilized with compost from municipal sewage sludge (10 t.ha(-1) d.m.) and mineral nitrogen in the amount of 90 kg N.ha(-1), and (d) fertilized with compost from municipal sewage sludge (10 t.ha(-1) d.m.) and mineral nitrogen in the amount of 180 kg N.ha(-1) and clones of willow (II) - 1047, 1054, 1023, 1013, 1052, 1047D, 1056, 1033 and 1018. Compost characterized by: pH(KCl) - 6.63, dry mass content - 68.42%, and content in dry mass was as follows: organic matter - 39.06%, N - 1.75%, P - 1.60%, K - 0.112%, Ca - 3,426% and Mg - 0.325%. Compost was applied in the spring of 2006, and nitrogen fertilizer was applied each year before start of vegetation of willow in the years 2006-2009. The field area was 34.5 m2, it was planted 120 cuttings (34782) pieces.ha(-1). Each year, after vegetation period of willow soil samples were taken from each plot from three depths: 0-30 cm, 31-60 cm, 61-90 cm. Analysis of soil after first (2006), second (2007), third (2008) and fourth year (2009) the willow vegetation periods included assessment of the content of dry matter, humus and organic carbon, total, ammonium, nitrate and mineral nitrogen and soil pH. Studies show that during years of shoots regrowth of willow content of total, nitrate and mineral nitrogen decreased in soil and content of ammonium nitrogen, organic carbon and humus increased. Fertilization of willow with compost from municipal sewage sludge caused increase of the content of humus and organic carbon in soil and raised soil pH. It did not affect the content of mineral nitrogen forms. Fertilization of willow with mineral nitrogen caused increase of nitrate and mineral nitrogen content in the soil, and decrease of soil pH, and did not affect the content of humus, organic carbon, total and ammonium nitrogen.

Abstract  The electrochemical treatment as an alternative technological resource for the treatment of industrial effluents has attracted considerable attention through the last years because of important characteristics such as easy automation, high efficiency and versatility in a short period of time besides requiring less physical space for its units. As the electron is the main "reagent" in an electrochemical process, the use of chemicals is reduced. This and the possibility of using coproducts generated during the electrochemical treatment processes configure relevant opportunities in the actual global energy and sustainability scenario. These technologies may include the use of renewable energy sources such as Hydrogen, a cathodic coproduct of great ambiental and economical interest that could be obtained and stored.

In this context, the selection of electrodes materials, especially those for anodic steps, are fundamental. The efficiency and sustainability of the electrochemical processes relies on materials with properties such as low electrochemical impedance and high corrosion resistance besides high electro activity for the oxidation of the compounds of interest.

The purpose of this article is to present some of the results of the electrochemical treatment developed by Labcorr aiming the removal of NH3-N and COD from industrial effluents. Electrochemical techniques were used for anodic and cathodic materials selection. The use of NaOCl as indirect oxidant was evaluated. Results indicated that a parallel plate reactor with DSA anodes and carbon steel cathodes and NaOCl injections at the beginning of the treatment process and in an intermediary point was an effective configuration for the removal of the compounds of interest. There is also a good indication of the possibility of nitrite and Hydrogen obtainment. The former could be used as corrosion inhibitor and the later as an energy source for the electrochemical treatment system in a semi-autonomous way.

Abstract  The article deals with justification to choose optimal thermodynamic condiions to generate porous ammonium nitrate in the vortex granulators. Advantages of granules modification are justified by way of humidification and further thermal treatment. The necessity to improve technologies for porous ammonium nitrate generation is shown with aim to form meso- and macropores on the surface of the granule and inside it. The internal and surface structure of granules is studied under different thermal treatment regimes. The results of experimental research allow to define the temperature of heat transfer agent in the working area of the vortex granulator during the proper time and to implement this index to calculate heating up kinetics and granule dehydration. Specification of the heat transfer agent's temperature index lets to perform computations, determining minimum time for granule drying, in order to avoid its unintended overheating and core destruction.

Abstract  An intensive measurement campaign was conducted in Beijing during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit 2014 to investigate the effectiveness of stringent emission controls on aerosol optical properties and direct radiative forcing (DRF). Average values of PM2.5, light scattering (b(scat)), and light absorption (b(abs)) coefficients decreased by 40, 64, and 56%, respectively, during the APEC control period compared with noncontrol periods. For the APEC control period, the PM2.5 mass scattering and absorption efficiencies were both smaller than the noncontrol period by a factor of similar to 2. Calculations based on a revised IMPROVE method and linear regression showed that sulfate, nitrate, organic matter, elemental carbon, and fine soil contributed comparably to the light extinction coefficient (b(ext)) in both periods, but the b(ext) values were 27-64% lower during the APEC period. A positive matrix factorization receptor model showed that b(ext) from two secondary aerosol sources, biomass burning, traffic-related emissions, and coal burning decreased by 26-87% during the APEC control period. The average DRF calculated from the Tropospheric Ultraviolet and Visible radiation model was -11.9 and -4.6 W m(-2) at the surface during the noncontrol and APEC control periods, respectively, suggesting an overall cooling effect. The reduction of DRF from each emission source ranged from similar to 30-80% during the APEC control period. The results suggest that the pollution control measures implemented for APEC substantially reduced air pollution and could help mitigate the cooling effects of aerosols at the surface in Beijing.

Abstract  Here we characterized wet deposition National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP) species and Clean Air Status and Trends Network (CASTNET) dry deposited particle and gas species across New York over the last 2-3 decades. In addition measurements of NH3 from the Ammonia Monitoring Network (AMoN) were analyzed. In general decreasing annual trends are observed for wet deposition SO42+ and NO3+ species and dry deposited particle SO42-, NO3- and NH4+ as well as gas phase SO2 and HNO3 consistent with reductions in SO2 and NOx emissions. Wet deposited NH4+ however does not show consistent trends with most sites showing little trend across the region and an indication that levels at some sites maybe increasing. NH3 concentrations also appear to be increasing although the data record is only 8 years. Base cations, Ca2+ and Mg2+ show some decreases in the 1980s but concentrations are relatively uniform since the mid-1990s. Na+ and K+ show large year to year variations, by more than an order of magnitude for Na+ due to influence of marine air at a near coastal site. In general there was a balance between the sum of cations and the sum of anions earlier in the record but the tendency has been for a cation excess in the more recent 5-10 years. Understanding the deposition of reduced nitrogen species is likely to be of concern for the foreseeable future. Such data are important in understanding acidification recovery in response to emission controls. (C) 2017 Turkish National Committee for Air Pollution Research and Control. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Abstract  Background: Biogas plays a worthwhile role as a renewable, storable energy source. Anaerobic digestion (AD) is the core process in biogas production. The two most common process upsets that occur during this biotechnological process in practice are over-acidification and foam formation. Several research projects have been carried out so far to identify the causes of these upsets and to develop early warning indicators. However, the relevant laboratory results have not yet been verified in practice. Accordingly, the aim of this work was to study the practical application of the published tools in the case of a full-scale biogas plant.

Methods: A full-scale AD plant utilizing cattle manure and energy crops was sampled over a period of 12 weeks. During this time, over-acidification and foam formation occurred in the primary digester.

Results: The sum of acetate, propionate and butyrate (VFAS) and the ratios of VFAS to magnesium (VFAS/Mg), calcium (VFAS/Ca), and phosphorus (VFAS/P) were found to be good predictive tools to identify over-acidification for the given AD system. Their values increased by factors of 6 (VFAS/Mg and VFAS/Ca) and 13 (VFAS, VFAS/P) in the early over-acidification phase. In contrast, the VFA/TIC ratio, which is a common indicator in practice, increased only by a factor of 2 during this phase. An ammonium-nitrate-urea solution proved to be an effective agent for foam suppression when sugar beet was used as a substrate. Its application showed no negative effect on the daily electricity production and the achieved long-term foam elimination.

Conclusions: Several parameters were verified to be able to serve as an early warning indicator of over-acidification, but not one was found to be able to serve as an early warning indicator of foam formation in AD. Further research is needed to identify parameters with predictive potential for indicating foaming in AD.

Abstract  This paper proposes a Lyapunov-based adaptive controller with fuzzy setpoint regulator for biological wastewater treatment. In such systems biological organisms remove unwanted substances including nitrates, ammonia, and organic material. The feedback controls manipulate aeration and flow rates in order to affect the growth rate of the biological organisms. Our Lyapunov-based method aims to reject disturbances i.e. influent flow during weather events. Using a fuzzy logic controller to manipulate the setpoint, in response to changes in weather conditions, further enhances performance. Simulation results with Benchmark Simulation Model 1 (BSM1) demonstrate improved effluent quality during weather events compared to PI control.

Abstract  The highly energetic electrons in non-thermal plasma generated by gas phase pulsed corona discharge (PCD) produce hydroxyl (OH) radicals via collision reactions with water molecules. Previous work has established that OH radicals are formed at the plasma-liquid interface, making it an important location for the oxidation of aqueous pollutants. Here, by contacting water as aerosol with PCD plasma, it is shown that OH radicals are produced on the gas side of the interface, and not in the liquid phase. It is also demonstrated that the gas-liquid interfacial boundary poses a barrier for the OH radicals, one they need to cross for reactive affinity with dissolved components, and that this process requires a gaseous atomic H scavenger. For gaseous oxidation, a scavenger, oxygen in common cases, is an advantage but not a requirement. OH radical efficiency in liquid phase reactions is strongly temperature dependent as radical termination reaction rates increase with temperature.

Abstract  Water oxidation (WO) is a central reaction in the photo- and electro-synthesis of fuels. Iridium complexes have been successfully exploited as water oxidation catalysts (WOCs) with remarkable performances. Herein, we report a systematic study aimed at benchmarking well-known Ir WOCs, when NaIO4 is used to drive the reaction. In particular, the following complexes were studied: cis-[Ir(ppy)2 (H2 O)2 ]OTf (ppy=2-phenylpyridine) (1), [Cp*Ir(H2 O)3 ]NO3 (Cp*=1,2,3,4,5-pentamethyl-cyclopentadienyl anion) (2), [Cp*Ir(bzpy)Cl] (bzpy=2-benzoylpyridine) (3), [Cp*IrCl2 (Me2 -NHC)] (NHC=N-heterocyclic carbene) (4), [Cp*Ir(pyalk)Cl] (pyalk=2-pyridine-isopropanoate) (5), [Cp*Ir(pic)NO3 ] (pic=2-pyridine-carboxylate) (6), [Cp*Ir{(P(O)(OH)2 }3 ]Na (7), and mer-[IrCl3 (pic)(HOMe)]K (8). Their reactivity was compared with that of IrCl3 ⋅n H2 O (9) and [Ir(OH)6 ]2- (10). Most measurements were performed in phosphate buffer (0.2 m), in which 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 10 showed very high activity (yield close to 100 %, turnover frequency up to 554 min-1 with 10, the highest ever observed for a WO-driven by NaIO4 ). The found order of activity is: 10>2≈4>6>5>7>1>9>3>8. Clues concerning the molecular nature of the active species were obtained, whereas its exact nature remains doubtfully.

Abstract  INTRODUCTION: Some skin diseases are incurable and modern medicine can only control them. In addition, alternative treatment remedies including balneotherapy can be effective in improving skin conditions. However, there are only a limited number of studies on particular mineral or trace elements of mineral sources that have been identified in Iran. In this respect, the amount of minerals and trace elements in Mamasani thermal source, Fars Province, Iran, was measured using electrochemical, titration, and spectrophotometric methods and evaluated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The amount of minerals and trace elements in Mamasani thermal source, Fars Province, Iran, was measured using electrochemical, titration, and spectrophotometric methods.

RESULTS: The concentrations of natural gases such as H2S and NO3 in Mamasani thermal source were measured to be 22.10 mg/L and 42.79 mg/L, respectively. The source also contained major ions such as chloride, sulfate, sodium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and carbonate. Due to the high concentration of chloride, sulfate, and sodium ions in comparison with other major ions, the water source is also classified as sulfide water. The existing trace elements in this thermal water source are iron, zinc, copper, selenium, cobalt, chromium, boron, silisium, aluminum, magnesium, and molybdenum.

CONCLUSION: We concluded that bathing in this source could be beneficial. As nitrate concentration is close to the highest standard concentration for drinking water, it can be used in chronic dermatitis, psoriasis, burns, and allergy. Furthermore, the antibacterial and antifungal effects of sulfur-containing water in this source can be helpful in the treatment of leg ulcers, tinea versicolor, tinea corporis, and tinea capitis.

Abstract  The availability of high-quality drinking water is currently the one out of the most acute problems in the Russian Federation. There was performed an analysis of the chemical composition of drinking water from sources of decentralized supply of inhabitants of the city of Yekaterinburg and the surrounding areas. Average values of indices of the water quality in the wells for individual use in the district of the city of Yekaterinburg not go beyond the standards, with the exception of manganese content. In some sources there were revealed elevated values of chromatic level, oxidability, hardness, content of iron, nitrates, barium, dry residue, ammonium nitrogen, silicon. Percentage of sources that do not meet hygienic requirements on a number of indices can reach 21-23%.

Abstract  The contamination level of oxbows depends on both natural and anthropogenic effects. The aim of our study was to identify those abiotic and biotic factors that determine the contamination level of oxbows. The effect of anthropogenic activities, seasonality, and vegetation types was studied on the contamination level of surface water of oxbows. The following chemical variables were measured: suspended solid, ammonium, nitrate, chlorophyll-a, Al, Ba, Fe, Mn, Pb, Sr and Zn from eight oxbows from 2013 summer to 2014 autumn in the Upper Tisza region in Eastern Hungary. Three of the studied oxbows were protected, four oxbows were used for fishing and one oxbow was contaminated with wastewater. Our findings revealed that anthropogenic activities had remarkable effect on the contamination level of oxbows. Seasonality also influenced the contamination level, except the concentration of suspended solid, chlorophyll-a and manganese. Significant differences were found among vegetation types for the concentration of suspended solids, aluminium, iron, manganese and lead. The high level of iron concentration was not explained by the anthropogenic activities, suggesting that the quality of oxbows depends on both natural and anthropogenic effects.

Abstract  Many exotic species have little apparent impact on ecosystem processes, whereas others have dramatic consequences for human and ecosystem health. There is growing evidence that invasions foster eutrophication. We need to identify species that are harmful and systems that are vulnerable to anticipate these consequences. Species' traits may provide the necessary insights. We conducted a global meta-analysis to determine whether plant leaf and litter functional traits, and particularly leaf and litter nitrogen (N) content and carbon: nitrogen (C : N) ratio, explain variation in invasive species' impacts on soil N cycling. Dissimilarity in leaf and litter traits among invaded and noninvaded plant communities control the magnitude and direction of invasion impacts on N cycling. Invasions that caused the greatest increases in soil inorganic N and mineralization rates had a much greater litter N content and lower litter C : N in the invaded than the reference community. Trait dissimilarities were better predictors than the trait values of invasive species alone. Quantifying baseline community tissue traits, in addition to those of the invasive species, is critical to understanding the impacts of invasion on soil N cycling.

Abstract  Bioaugmentation was used to upgrade the nitrification process in a full-scale municipal WWTP with an A2/O system. A mixture of nitrifying bacteria was inoculated into the bioreactor for a final concentration of 1% (v/v). The upgrade process took 25 days, and the NH4+-N removals reached 94.6% (increased at least by 75%). The effluent concentrations of COD and NH4+-N stabilized at <30 mg/L and <4 mg/L even when the corresponding influent concentrations were over 300 mg/L and 60 mg/L, which met the first-class requirement of the National Municipal Wastewater Discharge Standards of China (COD ≤ 50 mg/L, NH4+-N ≤ 5 mg/L). The succession of the microbial community showed the enhanced NH4+-N removal efficiency mainly resulted from the persistence of introduced ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB), which increased from 0% to 0.4% and from 0.01% to 2.1%, respectively. This bioaugmentation was shown as an effective technology for upgrading or retrofitting conventional systems to tertiary-level.

Abstract  Water-soluble organic matter (WSOM) represents a critical fraction of fine particles (PM2.5) in the air, but its changing behaviors and formation mechanisms are not well understood yet, partly due to the lack of fast techniques for the ambient measurements. In this study, a novel system for the on-line measurement of water-soluble components in PM2.5, the particle-into-liquid sampler (PILS)-Nebulizer-aerosol chemical speciation monitor (ACSM), was developed by combining a PILS, a nebulizer, and an ACSM. High time resolution concentrations of WSOM, sulfate, nitrate, ammonium, and chloride, as well as mass spectra, can be obtained with satisfied quality control results. The system was firstly applied in China for field measurement of WSOM. The mass spectrum of WSOM was found to resemble that of oxygenated organic aerosol, and WSOM agreed well with secondary inorganic ions. All evidence collected in the field campaign demonstrated that WSOM could be a good surrogate of secondary organic aerosol (SOA). The PILS-Nebulizer-ACSM system can thus be a useful tool for intensive study of WSOM and SOA in PM2.5.

Abstract  Mountain ecosystems are sensitive and reliable indicators of climate change. Long-term studies may be extremely useful in assessing the responses of high-elevation ecosystems to climate change and other anthropogenic drivers from a broad ecological perspective. Mountain research sites within the LTER (Long-Term Ecological Research) network are representative of various types of ecosystems and span a wide bioclimatic and elevational range. Here, we present a synthesis and a review of the main results from ecological studies in mountain ecosystems at 20 LTER sites in Italy, Switzerland and Austria covering in most cases more than two decades of observations. We analyzed a set of key climate parameters, such as temperature and snow cover duration, in relation to vascular plant species composition, plant traits, abundance patterns, pedoclimate, nutrient dynamics in soils and water, phenology and composition of freshwater biota.& para;& para;The overall results highlight the rapid response of mountain ecosystems to climate change, with site-specific characteristics and rates. As temperatures increased, vegetation cover in alpine and subalpine summits increased as well. Years with limited snow cover duration caused an increase in soil temperature and microbial biomass during the growing season. Effects on freshwater ecosystems were also observed, in terms of increases in solutes, decreases in nitrates and changes in plankton phenology and benthos communities. This work highlights the importance of comparing and integrating long-term ecological data collected in different ecosystems for a more comprehensive overview of the ecological effects of climate change. Nevertheless, there is a need for (i) adopting co-located monitoring site networks to improve our ability to obtain sound results from cross-site analysis, (ii) carrying out further studies, in particular short-term analyses with fine spatial and temporal resolutions to improve our understanding of responses to extreme events, and (iii) increasing comparability and standardizing protocols across networks to distinguish local patterns from global patterns. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Abstract  PM10 and PM2.5 were collected during spring at East ("Gangneung") and West ("Taean") coastal sites of the Korean peninsula to investigate chemical characteristics and likely formation routes of their water-soluble inorganic species. The Gangneung site is inland, about 4.5-5.0 km from the East Sea; the Taean site is about 200 m from the coastline and about 400 km from eastern China. The total water-soluble ionic species contributions to PM10 and PM2.5 were respectively 28.8 and 37.4% at the Gangneung site and 46.8 and 53.1% at the Taean site. Concentrations of SO42-, NH4+, and NO3- in both PM10 and PM2.5 were found to be two times higher at the Taean site than at the Gangneung site. The potential source contribution function (PSCF) maps indicate that the enhancement of PM10 and its secondary aerosol species concentrations at two sites were primarily the result of atmospheric processing during long-range transport from the polluted regions of eastern China. Also upwind sources ("the capital region of Korea") and local emissions influenced the concentration levels of secondary inorganic species at Gangneung. SO42- events, defined by PM10 SO42- concentrations exceeding the average by one standard deviation, were identified at the two sites - six at Gangneung and four at Taean - to investigate possible mechanisms for the formation of SO42- and NO3-. High SO42- and high NO3- at the Gangneung site were strongly associated with either high RH (89-94%) and low wind speed or high O-3 (62-103 ppb), suggesting that either gas-phase oxidation or aqueous phase oxidation played a critical role in the enhanced SO42- production. On the other hand, at the Taean site the association was with both high RH (76-92%) and high O3 (53-79 ppb), indicating that these conditions trigger aqueous-phase and gas-phase reactions to produce secondary SO42- and NO3- particles. Also long-range transport of air masses could be one possible factor for enhanced SO42- and NO3- concentrations during the events at the two coastal sites, as evidenced by PSCF maps. Copyright (C) 2015 Turkish National Committee for Air Pollution Research and Control. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Abstract  To obtain a better understanding of effect of sulfate in the treatment of high strength ammonia organic wastewater, we mainly studied the critical concentration of sulfate sludge could endure, the transformation of main microbial phases and the effluent parameters with the sulfate concentration of influent water increasing in anaerobic-aerobic (A/O) process. The results showed that the activated sludge could endure the sulfate concentration up to utmost 6500 mg/L as removal ratios of CODcr, NH4+ and TN attained 90%, 92% and 85%, respectively. With the increase of the sulfate concentration, SOUR of sludge weakened gradually due to inhibition of sulfate and sulfide, and main microbial phases changed from metazoan to protozoa, eventually to planktons. After innovatively analyzing the metabolic balance (metabolic pathways and intermediate products) of CODcr and NO3- with mathematical method, results indicated that heterotrophic sulfate reduction and autotrophic denitrification-desulfurization gradually strengthened and heterotrophic denitrification weakened. NO3- reduced via autotrophic denitrification-sulfurization increased from 28.76% in phase 1 all the way to 62.69% in phase 4, while NO3- reduced via heterotrophic denitrification decreased from 71.24% in phase 1 all the way to 37.31% in phase 4 simultaneously.

Abstract  A comparative study of the trends in ion exchange of NaX zeolite (molar ratio Si/Al = 1.34) pelletized without binder has been performed using successive treatment with calcium, lanthanum, and ammonium nitrate solutions at 80A degrees C with intermediate calcination after each ion exchange stage or by ion exchange in an autoclave at 180A degrees C with calcium nitrate and lanthanum and ammonium nitrate solutions without intermediate calcinations. It has been found that for the complete replacement of sodium cations in the zeolite framework (less than 1 wt % residual sodium oxide), a fourfold ion exchange at 80A degrees C with vigorous stirring and intermediate calcinations or a twofold ion exchange at 180A degrees C in an autoclave without intermediate calcinations is required. Comparison of the physicochemical and catalytic properties of the obtained catalyst samples with almost identical chemical composition has shown a significant advantage of ion exchange in the autoclave, since the zeolite retains its initial structural characteristics.