Preparation of Clay/Biochar Composite Adsorption Particle and Performance for Ammonia Nitrogen Removal from Aqueous Solution

This study aimed to present a novel clay/biochar composite adsorption particle, which made from abandoned reed straw and clay to remove ammonia nitrogen(NH4^+-N) from micro-contaminated water. The removal performance of NH4^+-N by composite adsorption particle was monitored under different raw material proportions and initial NH4^+-N concentration. Besides, adsorption kinetics and adsorption isotherms were investigated to reveal the adsorption mechanisms. The results showed that NH4^+-N was effectively removed under optimal proportion of biochar, foaming agent and crosslinker with 20%, 3%, and 3%, respectively. The optimal contact time was 150 min and the best removal efficiency was 88.6% at initial NH4^+-N concentration of 20 mg L^-1. The adsorption performance was well described by the second order kinetic model and Freundlich model. The novel clay/biochar composite adsorption particle in this study demonstrated a high potential for NH4^+-N removal from surface water.

Removal of Sulfamethazine by Corn Biochars from Aqueous Solution:Sorption Mechanisms and Efficiency

Sorption mechanisms of sulfamethazine(SMT)in different pH solutions are complicated.It has not been sufficiently investigated to enhance removal of SMT from alkalescent aqueous solution.In this study,sorption isotherms and kinetics of SMT by corn biochars pyrolyzed at 300℃ and 600℃(300C,600C)under diverse pH conditions were compared.In order to improve the sorption efficiency of SMT from alkalescent aqueous solution,the biochar 300C was modified by acid or base.Different mathematic models were used to describe sorption driving force and sorption process.Results showed that the biochar 300C possessed more amorphous organic carbon and polar functional groups,which led to a higher sorption capacity than biochar 600C.The sorption rate of biochar 300C was greater than 600C under diverse pH as the physisorption of 300C outweighed 600C.The SMT presented stronger hydrophobicity at pH 5 and higher electrostatic repulsion at pH 1 or 8,which resulted in a higher combining capacity of SMT with both biochars at pH 5 than other pH values.In addition,the acid modified biochar had better removal effect on SMT than alkali at pH solution around 8.The research provides a theoretical basis for the removal of SMT from alkalescent aqueous solution.

Impact of Phenanthrene on Denitrification Activity and Transcription of Related Functional Genes in Estuarine and Marine Sediments

The effects of phenanthrene(Phe)on the denitrification activity and denitrifying genes(narG,nirS and nosZ)were evaluated by dose-response experiments in sediments of Dagu River Estuary(DRE)and Jiaozhou Bay(JZB).The results showed that potential denitrification activity(PDA),N2O,NO3−and NO2−reduction rates of both areas were inhibited with an increase of Phe concentrations.The PDA,N2O,NO3−and NO2−reduction rates of both areas was highest and lowest in the control(DRE:0.453,0.427,7.439 and 3.222mgNkg−1 h−1,JZB:0.592,0.555,8.470 and 3.793mgNkg−1 h−1)and highest Phe amended treatments(DRE:0.069,0.001,4.486,and 1.563 mgNkg−1 h−1;JZB:0.114,0.024,5.527 and 2.200 mgNkg−1 h−1).The inhibition rate of PDA was highest,follow by NO2−reduction and then NO3−reduction.Moreover,with the increasing of Phe concentrations,total bacteria count and the abundance of denitrifying genes were decreased.And N2O accumulation was promoted with the addition of Phe for both areas.Based on the comparison of EC50 values,denitrifiers harboring three genes were more sensitive to Phe than PDA,and denitrifiers harboring nirS gene were more sensitive,followed by nosZ gene,and then narG gene.Furthermore,according to correlation analysis,the relative abundance of denitrifying genes was much more positively correlated with PDA,NO3−and NO2−reduction than total bacteria count.In addition,the denitrification activity and total bacteria count in JZB were more inhibited than that of DRE.This study is useful for understanding the impact of Phe pollution on denitrification in estuary and marine sediments,with profound implications for the management of aquatic ecosystems regarding eutrophication(N-removal)and greenhouse effect.

Effects of Silver Nanoparticles on Denitrification and Associated N_(2)O Release in Estuarine and Marine Sediments

Silver nanoparticles(AgNPs)have been widely used in medicine and consumer products.And it enters the river in dif-ferent ways,then finally converges to the ocean through the estuary.AgNPs polution can affect NO_(2)−and N_(2)O production by denitri-fiers in aquatic system.The effects of AgNPs on denitrification activity,nitrogen transformation and nitrous oxide(N_(2)O)emission were investigated in Dagu River Estuary(DRE)and Jiaozhou Bay(JZB).The results showed that the potential denitrification activity(PDA),NO_(3)−and NO_(2)−reduction rates decreased with an increase of AgNPs concentration in DRE and JZB.However,the N_(2)O ac-cumulation was significantly increased at AgNPs concentrations above 5 mg kg^(−1)in both areas,and the accumulation rate was greater in estuary than in bay(P<0.05).Moreover,the total bacterial count showed a slightly increasing trend with an increase of AgNPs concentration(P>0.05)in DRE and JZB.Importantly,the relative abundance of narG,nirS and nosZ gene in two areas decreased with the increase of AgNPs concentration,and the negative effect of AgNPs varied in order:nosZ>nirS>narG,inferring that the expression of denitrifying related genes could be significantly and differently inhibited by AgNPs addition.Thus,this study demon-strated that the inhibitory effect of AgNPs on different denitrification process,which may lead to the increase of inorganic nitrogen accumulation and N_(2)O realease.This study provides a scientific basis for the further studies of AgNPs on the ecological impact mechanism and environmental effects of offshore sedimentary environment.