A GIS-Based Evaluation of Environmental Sensitivity for an Urban Expressway in Shenzhen, China

Urban eco-environmental degradation is becoming inevitable due to the extensive urbanization, popula- tion growth, and socioeconomic development in China. One of the traffic arteries in Shenzhen is an urban expressway that is under construction and that runs across environmentally sensitive areas （ESAs）. The environmental pollution from urban expressways is critical, due to the characteristics of expressways such as high runoff coefficients, considerable contaminant accumulation, and complex pollutant ingredi- ents. ESAs are vulnerable to anthropogenic disturbances and hence should be given special attention. In order to evaluate the environmental sensitivity along this urban expressway and minimize the influences of the ongoing road construction and future operation on the surrounding ecosystem, the environmental sensitivity of the relevant area was evaluated based on the application of a geographic information sys- tem （GIS）. A final ESA map was classified into four environmental sensitivity levels; this classification indicates that a large proportion of the expressway passes through areas of high sensitivity, representing 11.93 km or 52.3% of the total expressway, and more than 90% of the total expressway passes through ESAs. This study provides beneficial information for optimal layout schemes of initial rainfall runofftreatment facilities developed from low-impact development （LID） techniques in order to minimize the impact of polluted road runoff on the surrounding ecological environment.

A review on Bi_(2)WO_(6)-based photocatalysts synthesis, modification, and applications in environmental remediation, life medical, and clean energy

Photocatalysis has emerged a promising strategy to remedy the current energy and environmental crisis due to its ability to directiy convert clean solar energy into chemical energy.Bismuth tungstate(Bi_(2)WO_(6))has been shown to be an excellent visible light response,a well-defined perovskite crystal structure,and an abundance of oxygen atoms(providing efficient channels for photogenerated carrier transfer)due to their suitable band gap,effective electron migration and separation,making them ideal photocatalysts.It has been extensively applied as photocatalyst in aspects including pollutant removal,carbon dioxide reduction,solar hydrogen production,ammonia synthesis by nitrogen photocatalytic reduction,and cancer therapy.In this review,the fabrication and application of Bi_(2)WO_(6) in photocatalysis were comprehensively discussed.The photocatalytic properties of BizwO-based materials were significantly enhanced by carbon modification,the construction of heterojunctions,and the atom doping to improve the photogenerated carrier migration rate,the number of surface active sites,and the photoexcitation ability of the composites.In addition,the potential development directions and the existing challenges to improve the photocatalytic performance of Bi_(2)WO_(6)-based materials were discussed.

A seven-gene-deleted African swine fever virus is safe and effective as a live attenuated vaccine in pigs

African swine fever(ASF)is a devastating infectious disease in swine that is severely threatening the global pig industry.An efficacious vaccine is urgently required.Here,we used the Chinese ASFV HLJ/18 as a backbone and generated a series of genedeleted viruses.The virulence,immunogenicity,safety,and protective efficacy evaluation in specific-pathogen-free pigs,commercial pigs,and pregnant sows indicated that one virus,namely HLJ/18-7GD,which has seven genes deleted,is fully attenuated in pigs,cannot convert to the virulent strain,and provides complete protection of pigs against lethal ASFV challenge.Our study shows that HLJ/-18-7GD is a safe and effective vaccine against ASFV,and as such is expected to play an important role in controlling the spread of ASFV.

Emergence and prevalence of naturally occurring lower virulent African swine fever viruses in domestic pigs in China in 2020

African swine fever virus(ASFV)has been circulating in China for more than two years,and it is not clear whether the biological properties of the virus have changed.Here,we report on our surveillance of ASFVs in seven provinces of China,from June to December,2020.A total of 22 viruses were isolated and characterized as genotype II ASFVs,with mutations,deletions,insertions,or short-fragment replacement occurring in all isolates compared with Pig/HLJ/2018(HLJ/18),the earliest isolate in China.Eleven isolates had four different types of natural mutations or deletion in the EP402R gene and displayed a nonhemadsorbing(non-HAD)phenotype.Four isolates were tested for virulence in pigs;two were found to be as highly lethal as HLJ/18.However,two non-HAD isolates showed lower virulence but were highly transmissible;infection with 106 TCID50 dose was partially lethal and caused acute or sub-acute disease,whereas 103 TCID50 dose caused non-lethal,sub-acute or chronic disease,and persistent infection.The emergence of lower virulent natural mutants brings greater difficulty to the early diagnosis of ASF and creates new challenges for ASFV control.

Effect of ammonium on nitrous oxide emission during denitrification with different electron donors

Nitrous oxide （N2O） emission during denitrification is receiving intensive attention due to its high potential to cause greenhouse effects. In this study, denitrifiers were acclimated in sequencing batch reactors with methanol or acetate as the electron donor and nitrate as the electron acceptor. The effects of ammonium on NzO emission were examined in batch experiments with various electron donors. With the addition of ammonium, N2O emission increased under all the examined conditions compared to experiments without ammonium addition. With different electron donors, the highest ratio of N2O emission to the removed oxidized nitrogen was 0.70% for methanol, 5.34% for acetate, and 34.79% for polyhydroxybutyrate.

Determination of quorum-sensing signal substances in water and solid phases of activated sludge systems using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry

The detection of acyl homoserine lactones（AHLs） in activated sludge is essential for clarifying their function in wastewater treatment processes. An LC–MS/MS method was developed for the detection of AHLs in both the aqueous and solid phases of activated sludge. In addition, the effects of proteases and extracellular polymeric substances（EPS） on the detection of AHLs were evaluated by adding protease inhibitors and extracting EPS,respectively. Recoveries of each AHL were improved by adding 50 μL of protease inhibitor,and recoveries were also improved from 0 to 56.9% to 24.2%–105.8% by EPS extraction.Applying the developed method to determine the type and concentration of AHLs showed that C4-HSL, C6-HSL, C8-HSL and 3-oxo-C8-HSL were widely detected in a suspended activated sludge system. The dominant AHL was C8-HSL, with a highest concentration of304.3 ng/L. C4-HSL was mainly distributed in the aqueous phase, whereas C6-HSL, C8-HSL and 3-oxo-C8-HSL were preferentially distributed in the sludge phase.

Fabrication of highly efficient Bi2WO6/CuS composite for visible-light photocatalytic removal of organic pollutants and Cr(VI)from wastewater

A visible-light-driven Bi_(2)WO_(6)/CuS p-n heterojunction was fabricated using an easy solvothermal method.The Bi_(2)WO_(6)/CuS exhibited high photocatalytic activity in a mixed system containing rhodamine B(RhB),tetracycline hydrochloride(TCH),and Cr(VI)under natural conditions.Approximately 98.8%of the RhB(10 mg/L),87.6%of the TCH(10 mg/L)and 95.1%of the Cr(VI)(15 mg/L)were simultaneously removed from a mixed solution within 105 min.The removal efficiencies of TCH and Cr(VI)increased by 12.9%and 20.4%,respectively,in the mixed solution,compared with the single solutions.This is mainly ascribed to the simultaneous consumption electrons and holes,which increases the amount of excited electrons/holes and enhances the separation efficiency of photogenerated electrons and holes.Bi_(2)WO_(6)/CuS can be applied over a wide pH range(2–6)with strong photocatalytic activity for RhB,TCH and Cr(VI).Coexisiting dissolved organic matter in the solution significantly promoted the removal of TCH(from 74.7%to 87.2%)and Cr(VI)(from 75.7%to 99.9%)because it accelerated the separation of electrons and holes by consuming holes as an electron acceptor.Removal mechanisms of RhB,TCH,and Cr(VI)were proposed,Bi_(2)WO_(6)/CuS was formed into a p-n heterojunction to efficiently separate and transfer photoelectrons and holes so as to drive photocatalytic reactions.Specifically,when reducing pollutants(e.g.,TCH)and oxidizing pollutants(e.g.,Cr(VI))coexist in wastewater,the p-n heterojunction in Bi_(2)WO_(6)/CuS acts as a“bridge”to shorten the electron transport and thus simultaneously increase the removal efficiencies of both types of pollutants.

Novel P22-monoclonal antibody based blocking ELISA for the detection of African swine fever virus antibodies in serum

African swine fever(ASF)is a highly infectious,transboundary viral disease of domestic and wild pigs,and is currently the most serious threat to world swine production,resulting in significant economic loss.In the absence of vaccines and treatments,the control of the disease entirely depends on accurate and early diagnosis accompanied by the culling of infected pigs.Thus,a highly specific and sensitive diagnostic assay is required during an outbreak and surveillance of the disease.In this study,a highly sensitive,specific,rapid and repeatable P22-monoclonal antibody-based blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(bELISA)assay was developed for the detection of antibodies against genotype I and II African swine fever viruses(ASFVs).A total of 806 pig serum samples were tested to evaluate the performance of the diagnostic assay.To determine the PI(percent Inhibition)cut-off value,receiver-operating characteristic(ROC)analysis was applied.According to the ROC analysis of the data,98.10%specificity and 100%sensitivity were recorded when the threshold cut-off value of PI was established at 47%.In addition,the assay was able to detect ASFV antibodies as early as 9 days post-infection when serum samples from experimentally infected pigs were used.Taking all together,the results of the present study indicated that the P22-mAb based bELISA assay can be used for rapid and accurate detection of antibodies against ASFV,which could play a valuable role in the containment and prevention of ASFV as an alternative to other serological diagnostic methods.Also,this study will assist researchers to further investigate the immunogenic importance of P22 protein in ASFV infection.

Characterization of heavy metal desorption from road-deposited sediment under acid rain scenarios

Road-deposited sediments（RDS） on urban impervious surfaces are important carriers of heavy metals.Dissolved heavy metals that come from RDS influenced by acid rain,are more harmful to urban receiving water than particulate parts.RDS and its associated heavy metals were investigated at typical functional areas,including industrial,commercial and residential sites,in Guangdong,Southern China,which was an acid rain sensitive area.Total and dissolved heavy metals in five particle size fractions were analyzed using a shaking method under acid rain scenarios.Investigated heavy metals showed no difference in the proportion of dissolved fraction in the solution under different acid rain pHs above3.0,regardless of land use.Dissolved loading of heavy metals related to organic carbon content were different in runoff from main traffic roads of three land use types.Coarse particles（＆gt;150 μm） that could be efficiently removed by conventional street sweepers,accounted for 55.1%-47.1%of the total dissolved metal loading in runoff with pH 3.0-5.6.The obtained findings provided a significant scientific basis to understand heavy metal release and influence of RDS grain-size distribution and land use in dissolved heavy metal pollution affected by acid rain.

Removal of ammonium and nitrate through Anammox and FeS-driven autotrophic denitrification

An autotrophic denitrifying bioreactor with iron sulfide(FeS)as the electron donor was operated to remove ammonium(NH_(4)^(+))and nitrate(NO_(3)^(-))synergistically from wastewater for more than 298 d.The concentration of FeS greatly affected the removal of NH_(4)^(+)/NO_(3)^(-).Additionally,a low hydraulic retention time worsened the removal efficiency of NH_(4)^(+)/NO_(3)^(-).When the hydraulic retention time was 12 h,the optimal removal was achieved with NH_(4)^(+)and NO_(3)^(-)removal percentages both above 88%,and the corresponding nitrogen removal loading rates of NH_(4)^(+)and NO_(3)^(-)were 49.1 and 44.0 mg/(L·d),respectively.The removal of NH_(4)^(+)mainly occurred in the bottom section of the bioreactor through sulfate/ferric reducing anaerobic ammonium oxidation(Sulfammox/Feammox),nitrification,and anaerobic ammonium oxidation(Anammox)by functional microbes such as Nitrospira,Nitrosomonas,and Candidatus Kuenenia.Meanwhile,NO_(3)^(-)was mainly removed in the middle and upper sections of the bioreactor through autotrophic denitrification by Ferritrophicum,Thiobacillus,Rhodanobacter,and Pseudomonas,which possessed complete denitrification-related genes with high relative abundances.

N2O emission from a sequencing batch reactor for biological N and P removal from wastewater

Nitrous oxide （N2O） is a greenhouse gas that can be released during biological nitrogen removal from wastewater. N2O emission from a sequencing batch reactor （SBR） for biological nitrogen and phosphorus removal from wastewater was investigated, and the aims were to examine which process, nitrification or denitrification, would contribute more to N2Oemission and to study the effects of heterotrophic activities on N2O emission during nitrification. The results showed that N2O emission was mainly attributed to nitrification rather than to denitrification. N2O emission during denitrification mainly occurred with stored organic carbon as the electron donor. During nitrification, NaO emission was increased with increasing initial ammonium or nitrite concentrations. The ratio of N2O emission to the removed ammonium nitrogen （N2O- N/NH4-N） was 2.5% in the SBR system with high heterotrophic activities, while this ratio was in the range from 0.14% to 1.06% in batch nitrification experiments with limited heterotrophic activities.

Enhanced debromination of 2,2’,4,4’-tetrabromodiphenyl ether(BDE-47)by zero-valent zinc with ascorbic acid

A new technique of zero-valent zinc coupled with ascorbic acid(ZVZ/AA)was developed and applied to debrominate the 2,2,,4,4,-Tetrabromodiphenyl ether(BDE-47),which achieved high conversion and rapid debromination of BDE-47 to less-or non-toxic forms.The reaction conditions were optimized by the addition of 100 mg/L Z V Z particles and 3 mmol/L A A at original solution p H=4.00 using the solvent of methanol/H2O(v:v=4:6),which could convert approximately 94%of 5 mg/L BDE-47 into lower-brominated diphenyl ethers within a 90 min at the ZVZ/AA system.The high debromination of BDE-47 was mainly attributed to the effect of A A that inhibits the formation of Zn(Ⅱ)(hydr)oxide passivation layers and promotes the corrosion of ZVZ,which leads to increase the reactivity of ZVZ.Additionally,ion chromatography and gas chromatography mass spectrometry analyses revealed that bromine ion and lower-debromination diphenyl ethers formed during the reduction of BDE-47.Furthermore,based on the generation of the intermediates products,and its concentration changes over time,it was proposed that the dominant pathway for conversion of BDE-47 was sequential debromination and the final products were diphenyl ethers.These results suggested that the ZVZ/AA system has the potential for highly efficient debromination of BDE-47 from wastewater.

Occurrence and discharge of pharmaceuticals and personal care products in dewatered sludge from WWTPs in Beijing and Shenzhen

This study mainly focused on the occurrence of pharmaceutical and personal care products(PPCPs)in sewage dewatered sludge and their discharges through sludge disposal from wastewater treatment plants(WWTPs).The data were obtained and calculated from seven PPCPs in dewatered sludge collected from 12WWTPs in two typical cities,Beijing and Shenzhen in China.Four of seven PPCPs,diclofenac acid,carbamazepine,mefenamic acid and N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide were detectable in dewatered sludge from Beijing and Shenzhen with concentration up to 4240,11,060,92 and 219μg/kg respectively.While,the other three compounds,trimethoprim,chloramphenicol and bezafibrate were not detected in collected samples from these two cities.The highest discharge of diclofenac acid and carbamazepine were 1023 g/d and 494 g/d respectively.In addition,the total discharge of these four detected PPCPs from each plant ranged from 5 to 1092 g/d in Beijing and 4e497 g/d in Shenzhen.Thus,PPCP discharge through sludge disposal cannot be neglected,and further research on transfer of PPCPs during sludge disposal onto agriculture land and influence of sludge application is required and essential.

Aerobic N_2O emission for activated sludge acclimated under different aeration rates in the multiple anoxic and aerobic process

Nitrous oxide（N_2O） is a potent greenhouse gas that can be emitted during biological nitrogen removal. N_2O emission was examined in a multiple anoxic and aerobic process at the aeration rates of 600 m L/min sequencing batch reactor（SBRL） and 1200 m L/min（SBRH）.The nitrogen removal percentage was 89% in SBRLand 71% in SBRH, respectively. N_2O emission mainly occurred during the aerobic phase, and the N_2O emission factor was 10.1%in SBRLand 2.3% in SBRH, respectively. In all batch experiments, the N_2O emission potential was high in SBRLcompared with SBRH. In SBRL, with increasing aeration rates, the N_2O emission factor decreased during nitrification, while it increased during denitrification and simultaneous nitrification and denitrification（SND）. By contrast, in SBRHthe N_2O emission factor during nitrification, denitrification and SND was relatively low and changed little with increasing aeration rates. The microbial competition affected the N_2O emission during biological nitrogen removal.

Factors influencing volatile hydrocarbon pollution in urban areas

Volatile hydrocarbons in urban environments pose significant risks to human and ecosystem health,resulting from wash-off into receiving waters during storm events.Effective mitigation strategies require understanding of the significance of contributing factors to pollutant generation and their processes.This study employed Bayesian Network modelling to investigate how anthropogenic and environmental factors influence volatile hydrocarbons build-up.The volatile hydrocarbons investigated were,benzene,toluene,ethylbenzene and xylene and styrene.Most volatile hydrocarbons showed statistically significant relationships with environmental factors rather than with anthropogenic factors.Additionally,the research study found that anthropogenic factors could largely contribute to releasing volatile hydrocarbon into the urban environment,while environmental factors are likely to determine their prevalence.The research outcomes will contribute to improving stormwater quality modelling approaches and strengthen the assessment of risk associated with stormwater pollutants in order to enhance stormwater reuse.