Role of extracellular polymeric substances in resistance to allelochemical stress on Microcystis aeruginsosa and its mechanism

Using allelochemicals to suppress cyanobacteria growth is a prospective method for its high efficiency and ecological safety.However,the suppression efficiency is affected inevitably by the extracellular polymeric substances(EPS)produced by cyanobacteria,and the knowledge about the roles of EPS in resistance to allelochemical stress is scarce.For the study,two typical anti-cyanobacterial allelochemicals were adopted to investigate the role of EPS in resistance to allelochemical stress on Microcystis aeruginosa.Results show that EPS was crucial in alleviating the toxicity of allelochemicals to algae,especially in stabilizing the metabolism and photosynthetic activity of algal cells.The aggregation rate of algal cells increased with the increase of EPS secretion,which alleviated the stress of allelopathy.Tryptophan proteins and humic acids in EPS provided a binding site for allelochemicals,and the EPS-allelochemicals complex were formed by chemical bonding.This study improved our comprehension of the role of EPS in algal inhibition by allelochemicals.

Preparation of a p-n heterojunction BiFeO_3@TiO_2 photocatalyst with a core–shell structure for visible-light photocatalytic degradation

Magnetically separable bismuth ferrite(BiFeO3)nanoparticles were fabricated by a citrate self‐combustion method and coated with titanium dioxide(TiO2)by hydrolysis of titanium butoxide(Ti(OBu)4)to form BiFeO3@TiO2core-shell nanocomposites with different mass ratios of TiO2to BiFeO3.The photocatalytic performance of the catalysts was comprehensively investigated via photocatalytic oxidation of methyl violet(MV)under both ultraviolet and visible‐light irradiation.The BiFeO3@TiO2samples exhibited better photocatalytic performance than either BiFeO3or TiO2alone,and a BiFeO3@TiO2sample with a mass ratio of1:1and TiO2shell thickness of50-100nm showed the highest photo‐oxidation activity of the catalysts.The enhanced photocatalytic activity was ascribed to the formation of a p‐n junction of BiFeO3and TiO2with high charge separation efficiency as well as strong light absorption ability.Photoelectrochemical Mott-Schottky(MS)measurements revealed that both the charge carrier transportation and donor density of BiFeO3were markedly enhanced after introduction of TiO2.The mechanism of MV degradation is mainly attributed to hydroxyl radicals and photogenerated electrons based on energy band theory and the formation of an internal electrostatic field.In addition,the unique core-shell structure of BiFeO3@TiO2also promotes charge transfer at the BiFeO3/TiO2interface by increasing the contact area between BiFeO3and TiO2.Finally,the photocatalytic activity of BiFeO3@TiO2was further confirmed by degradation of other industrial dyes under visible‐light irradiation.

Occurrence, partition behavior, source and ecological risk assessment of nitro-PAHs in the sediment and water of Taige Canal, China

Nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(NPAHs)are widespread organic pollutants that possess carcinogenic and mutagenic properties,so they may pose a risk to the environment and human health.In this study,the concentrations of 15 NPAHs and 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs)in 30 surface water samples and 26 sediment samples were measured in 2018 from the Taige Canal,one of the main rivers flowing into Taihu Lake,China.The total NPAH concentrations in water and sediment ranged from 14.7 to 235 ng/L and 22.9 to 96.5 ng/g dw,respectively.9-nitrophenanthrene(nd–76.3 ng/L)was the dominant compound in surface water,while 2+3-nitrofluoranthene(1.73–18.1 ng/g dw)dominated in sediment.Among PAHs,concentration ranging from 1,097 to 2,981 ng/L and 1,089 to 4,489 ng/g dw in surface water and sediment,respectively.There was a strong positive correlation between the log octanol-water partition coefficient(Kow)and log sediment-water partition coefficient due to hydrophobic interaction.The fugacity fraction value increased with the decrease of log Kow,and chrysene was transferred from water into sediment.The residual NPAHs in surface water and sediment of the Taige Canal have partial correlation.Diesel engine and coal combustion emissions were probably the principal sources of NPAHs in surface water and sediment.The results of ecological risk assessment showed that some NPAHs inwater(e.g,1-nitropyrene and 6-nitrochrysene)and sediment(e.g.,2-nitrobiphenyl,5-nitroacenaphthene,9-nitrophenanthrene and 2+3-nitrofluoranthene)had moderate ecological risks,which should be of concern.

Nitrated and parent PAHs in the surface water of Lake Taihu,China:Occurrence,distribution,source,and human health risk assessment

Nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(NPAHs)have toxic potentials that are higher than those of their corresponding parent polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs)and thus have received increasing attention in recent years.In this study,the occurrence,distribution,source,and human health risk assessment of 15 NPAHs and 16 PAHs were investigated in the surface water from 20 sampling sites of Lake Taihu during the dry,normal,and flood seasons of 2018.The PAH concentrations ranged from 255 to 7298 ng/L and the NPAH concentrations ranged from not-detected(ND)to 212 ng/L.Among the target analytes,2-nitrofluorene(2-n Flu)was the predominant NPAH,with a detection frequency ranging from 85%to 90%and a maximum concentration of 56.2 ng/L.The three-ringed and four-ringed NPAHs and PAHs comprised the majority of the detected compounds.In terms of seasonal variation,the highest levels of the NPAHs and PAHs were in the dry season and flood season,respectively.Diagnostic ratio analysis indicated that the prime source of NPAHs was direct combustion,whereas in the case of PAHs the contribution was predominantly from a mixed pattern including pollution from unburned petroleum and petroleum combustion.The human health risk of NPAHs and PAHs was evaluated using a lifetime carcinogenic risk assessment model.The carcinogenic risk level of the targets ranged from 2.09×10^(-7)to 5.75×10^(-5)and some surface water samples posed a potential health risk.

UV/H2O2 oxidation of tri(2-chloroethyl) phosphate: Intermediate products, degradation pathway and toxicity evaluation

Tri(2-chloroethyl) phosphate(TCEP) with the initial concentration of 5 mg/L was degraded by UV/H2O2 oxidation process. The removal rate of TCEP in the UV/H2O2 system was 89.1% with the production of Cl-and PO4^3- of 0.23 and 0.64 mg/L. The removal rate of total organic carbon of the reaction was 48.8% and the pH reached 3.3 after the reaction. The oxidative degradation process of TCEP in the UV/H2O2 system obeyed the first order kinetic reaction with the apparent rate constant of 0.0025 min^-1( R^2 = 0.9788). The intermediate products were isolated and identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometer. The addition reaction of HO · and H2O and the oxidation reaction with H2O2 were found during the degradation pathway of 5 mg/L TCEP in the UV/H2O2 system. For the first time, environment risk was estimated via the "ecological structure activity relationships" program and acute and chronic toxicity changes of intermediate products were pointed out. The luminescence inhibition rate of photobacterium was used to evaluate the acute toxicity of intermediate products. The results showed that the toxicity of the intermediate products increased with the increase of reaction time, which may be due to the production of chlorine compounds. Some measures should be introduced to the UV/H2O2 system to remove the highly toxic Cl-containing compounds, such as a nanofiltration or reverse osmosis unit.

Preparation of hapten-specific monoclonal antibody for cadmium and its ELISA application to aqueous samples

High-affinity and specific monoclonal antibodies against cadmium-ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid(EDTA)complex have been produced using the hybridoma technique.A hapten was synthesized and characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy(FT-IR)and UVVis.Competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)for quantitative detection of cadmium in aqueous sample was developed.The monoclonal antibody with high level of binding affinity for Cd-IEDTA-BSA and high specificity for soluble Cd-EDTA complex showed less than 0.99%cross-reactivity with other 11 metals.The limit of detection was 0.10μg·L^(-1),and the effective linear range was 10^(-1)-10^(3)μg·L^(-1).The intra-and inter-assay coefficient variations were 1.5%-6.3%and 3.2%-7.4%,respectively.The spike recovery in different water samples were between 98.5%and 110.3%.The detection limit of this assay was well below the allowable concentration of cadmium(3μg·L^(-1)),and the working range was wider than that of other methods which showed the range of 2.19-86.38 and 0-10^(3)μg·L^(-1).The competitive ELISA established in this paper was sensitive and accurate in the screening of cadmium in aqueous samples.The results will lay a solid foundation for construction of an immunoassay kit for cadmium.

Enhanced degradation of organic contaminants by Fe(Ⅲ)/peroxymonosulfate process with L-cysteine

The difficulty in Fe(Ⅲ)/Fe(Ⅱ) conversion in the Fe(Ⅲ)/peroxymonosulfate(PMS) process limits its efficiency and application.Herein,L-cysteine(Cys),a green natural organic ligand with reducing capability,was innovatively introduced into Fe(Ⅲ)/PMS to construct an excellent Cys/Fe(Ⅲ)/PMS process.The Cys/Fe(Ⅲ)/PMS process,at room temperature,can degrade a variety of organic contaminants,including dyes,phenolic compounds,and pharmaceuticals.In subsequent experiments with acid orange 7(A07),the AO7 degradation efficiency followed pseudo-first-order kinetic which exhibited an initial "fast stage" and a second "slow stage".The rate constant values ranged depending on the initial Cys,Fe(Ⅲ),PMS,and AO7 concentrations,reaction temperature,and pH values.In addition,the presence of Cl^(-),NO_(3)^(-),and SO_(4)^(2-) had negligible impact while HCO_(3)^(-) and humic acid inhibited the degradation of AO7.Furthermore,radical scavenger experiments and methyl phenyl sulfoxide(PMSO) transformation assay indicated that sulfate radical,hydroxyl radical,and ferryl ion(Fe(Ⅳ)) were the dominant reactive species involved in the Cys/Fe(Ⅲ)/PMS process.Finally,based on the results of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry,several AO7 degradation pathways,including N=N cleavage,hydroxylation,and ring opening were proposed.This study provided a new insight to improve the efficiency of Fe(Ⅲ)/PMS process by accelerating Fe(Ⅲ)/Fe(Ⅱ)cycle with Cys.

Investigation of the effects of humic acid and H_(2)O_(2) on the photocatalytic degradation of atrazine assisted by microwave

A solution of atrazine in a TiO_(2)suspension,an endocrine disruptor in natural water,was tentatively treated by microwave-assisted photocatalytic technique.The effects of mannitol,oxygen,humic acid,and hydrogen dioxide on the photodegradation rate were explored.The results could be deduced as follows:the photocatalytic degradation of atrazine fits the pseudo-first-order kinetic well with k=0.0328 s–1,and·OH was identified as the dominant reactant.Photodegradation of atrazine was hindered in the presence of humic acid,and the retardation effect increased as the concentration of humic acid increased.H_(2)O_(2)displayed a significant negative influence on atrazine photocatalysis efficiency.Based on intermediates identified with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS)and Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(LC-MS/MS)techniques,the main degradation routes of atrazine are proposed.

Degradation of Azo dye direct black BN based on adsorption and microwave-induced catalytic reaction

The novel microwave catalyst MgFe204-SiC was synthesized via sol-gel method, to remove azo dye Direct Black BN （DB BN） through adsorption and microwave-induced catalytic reaction. Microwave- induced catalytic degradation of DB BN, including adsorption behavior and its influencing Factors of DB BN on MgFc204-SiC were investigated. According to the obtained results, il indicated thai the pseudo-second-order kinetics model was suitable fbr the adsorption of DB BN onto MgFc204-SiC. Besides, the consequence of adsorption isotherm depicted that the adsorption of DB BN was in accordance with the Langmuir isotherm, which verified that the singer layer adsorption of MgF%O4- SiC was dominant than the multi-layer one. The excellent adsorption capacities of MgFe204-SiC were kept in the range of initial pH from 3 to 7. In addition, it could be concluded that the degradation rate of DB BN decreased over ten percent after the adsorption equilibrium had been attained, and thc results from the result of comparative experiments manitbsted that the adsorption process was not conducive to the process of microwave-induced catalytic degradation. The degradation intermediates and products of DB BN were identified and determined by GC-MS and LC-MS. Furthermore, combined with the catalytic mechanism of MgFe204-SiC, the proposed degradation pathways of DB BN were the involution of microwave-induced OH and holes in this catalytic system the breakage of azo bond, hydroxyl substitution, hydroxyl addition, nitration reaction, dcamination reaction, dcsorbate reaction, dehydroxy group and ring-opening reaction.