Microbial Degradation of Organic Contaminants in Streambed/Floodplain Sediments in Passaic River—New Jersey Area

This paper is intended to explore soil organic matter and carbon isotope fractionation at three locations of the Passaic River to determine if microbial degradation of organic contaminants in soil is correlated to the surrounding physical environment. Microbial degradation of organic contaminants is important for the detoxification of toxic substances thereby minimizing stagnation in the environment and accumulating in the food chain. Since organic contaminants are not easily dissolved in water, they will penetrate sediment and end up enriching the adjacent soil. The hypothesis that we are testing is microbial activity and carbon isotope fractionation will be greater in preserved soils than urban soils. The reason why this is expected to be the case is the expectation of higher microbial activity in preserved environments due to less exposure to pollutants, better soil structure, higher organic matter content, and more favorable conditions for microbial growth. This is contrasted with urban soils, which are impacted by pollutants and disturbances, potentially inhibiting microbial activity. We wish to collect soil samples adjacent to the Passaic River at a pristine location, Great Swamp Wildlife Refuge, a suburban location, Goffle Brook Park, Hawthorne NJ, and an urban location, Paterson NJ. These soil samples will be weighed for soil organic matter (SOM) and weighed for isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) to test organic carbon isotopes. High SOM and δ13C depletion activity indicate microbial growth based on the characteristics of the soil horizon rather than the location of the soil sample which results in degradation of organic compounds.

Enhancing the Quality of Low-Light Printed Circuit Board Images through Hue, Saturation, and Value Channel Processing and Improved Multi-Scale Retinex

To address the issue of deteriorated PCB image quality in the quality inspection process due to insufficient or uneven lighting, we proposed an image enhancement fusion algorithm based on different color spaces. Firstly, an improved MSRCR method was employed for brightness enhancement of the original image. Next, the color space of the original image was transformed from RGB to HSV, followed by processing the S-channel image using bilateral filtering and contrast stretching algorithms. The V-channel image was subjected to brightness enhancement using adaptive Gamma and CLAHE algorithms. Subsequently, the processed image was transformed back to the RGB color space from HSV. Finally, the images processed by the two algorithms were fused to create a new RGB image, and color restoration was performed on the fused image. Comparative experiments with other methods indicated that the contrast of the image was optimized, texture features were more abundantly preserved, brightness levels were significantly improved, and color distortion was prevented effectively, thus enhancing the quality of low-lit PCB images.

Application of TLSER method in predicting the aqueous solubility and n-octanol/water partition coefficient of PCBs,PCDDs and PCDFs

The theoretical linear solvation energy relationship(TLSER) approach was adopted to predict the aqueous solubility and n -octanol/water partition coefficient of three groups of environmentally important chemicals-polychlorinated biphenyls(PCBs), polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and dibenzofurans(PCDDs and PCDFs). For each compound, five quantum parameters were calculated using AM1 semiempirical molecular orbital methods and used as structure descriptors: average molecular polarizability(α), energy of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbit( E _ LUMO ), energy of the highest occupied molecular orbit( E _ HOMO ), the most positive charge on a hydrogen atom( q _+), and the most negative atomic partial charge( q _-) in the solute molecule. Then standard independent variables in TLSER equation was extracted and two series of quantitative equations between these quantum parameters and aqueous solubility and n -octanol/water partition coefficient were obtained by stepwise multiple linear regression(MLR) method. The developed equations have both quite high accuracy and explicit meanings. And the cross-validation test illustrated the good predictive power and stability of the established models. The results showed that TLSER could be used as a promising approach in the estimation of partition and solubility properties of macromolecular chemicals, such as persistent organic pollutants.

Removal of PCDD/Fs and PCBs from sediment by oxygen free Pyrolysis

Few studies have dealt on the evaluation of volatilization and decomposition reactions of dioxins from sediment by oxygen free pyrolysis. In this study, the performance of pyrolysis on the removal of dioxins from sediment was investigated. Dioxin concentrations of the raw sediment and the solid residues after pyrolysis were analyzed at different conditions. Results showed a removal efficiency of 99.9999% for total dioxins at 800℃ and retention time of 30 min. All the polychlorinated dibenzo-furans （PCDFs） have been removed and were not formed in the solid residues at the retention time range of 30-90 min at 800℃. Close to 100% removal of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins （PCDDs） was also achieved. Only trace PCDDs were detected in the solid yields at a retention time of 60 min. The highest removal efficiency of polychlorinated biphenyls （PCBs） was more than 99.9994% at a retention time of 30 min. During cooling period following pyrolysis, however, the concentration of total dioxins in solid residues increased 130 times as compared to that of the raw sediment under air atmosphere. This confirmed that some complex reactions do occur to form PCDD/Fs and PCBs from 800 to 400℃ in the presence of oxygen. Oxygen-free atmosphere therefore can prevent formation of dioxin during thermal process thus generating clean solid residues.

Atmospheric concentration characteristics and gas/particle partitioning of PCBs from the North Pacific to the Arctic Ocean

Polychlorinated biphenyls （PCBs） were measured in atmospheric samples collected from the North Pacific to the Arctic Ocean between July and September 2012 to study the atmospheric concentration characteris-tics of PCBs and their gas/particle partitioning. The mean concentration of 26 PCBs （vapor plus particulate phase） （∑PCBs） was 19.116 pg/m^3with a standard deviation of 13.833 pg/m^3. Three most abundant conge-ners were CB-28, -52 and -77, accounting for 43.0% to∑PCBs. The predominance of vapor PCBs （79.0% to∑PCBs） in the atmosphere was observed.∑PCBs were negative correlated with the latitudes and inverse of the absolute temperature （1/T）. The significant correlation for most congeners was also observed between the logarithm of gas/particle partition coefficient （logKp） and 1/T. Shallower slopes （from ∑0.15 to ∑0.46, average ∑0.27） were measured from the regression of the logarithm of sub-cooled liquid vapor pressures （logpoL） and logKP for all samples. The difference of the slopes and intercepts among samples was insignifi-cant （p〉0.1）, implying adsorption and/or absorption processes and the aerosol composition did not differ significantly among different samples. By comparing three models, the J-P adsorption model, the octanol/air partition coefficient （KOA） based model and the soot-air model, the gas/particle partitioning of PCBs in the Arctic atmosphere was simulated more precisely by the soot-air model, and the adsorption onto el-emental carbon is more sensitive than the absorption into organic matters of aerosols, especially for low-chlorinated PCB congeners.

Correlations of PCBs, DIOXIN, and PBDE with TSH in Children's Blood in Areas of Computer E-waste Recycling

Objective To study correlations of polychlorinated biphenyls （PCBs）, DIOXIN, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers （PBDE） with thyroid stimulating hormone（TSH） in children, and assess the impact on children＇s health. Methods Three hundred and sixty nine children aged from 6 to 8, including 195 from Luqiao, the computer E‐waste recycling area, and 174 from Longyou, the control area, were selected for this investigation to elucidate the correlation of PCBs, DIOXIN, and PBDE with TSH in children’s blood samples. The children had a physical examination and their blood levels of PCBs, DIOXIN, PBDE, and TSH were detected after sample collection. Results In the E‐waste recycling area, the contents of PCBs, PBDE, DIOXIN, and TSH in the blood samples of children were 484.00±84.86 ng·g ‐1 lipid weight, 664.28±262.38 ng·g ‐1 lipid weight, 26.00±19.58 ng·g ‐1 lipid weight and 1.88±0.42 μIU/mL （serum） respectively, while in the control area, the PCBs, PBDE, DIOXIN, and TSH contents were 255.38±95 ng·g ‐1 lipid weight, 375.81±262.43 ng·g ‐1 lipid weight, 39.64±31.86 ng·g ‐1 lipid weight, and 3.31±1.04 μIU/mL respectively. Conclusion The health status of children in the control area are better than that in the contaminated area. Among children who are exposed to persistent organic pollutants, the pollutant content increases significantly in their serum, and the distribution of TSH levels in their bodies are also affected.

Spatial Distribution of Polychlorinated Biphenyls(PCBs)Contaminants in the Tidal-flat Sediments of Yangtze Estuary

PCBs pollutants are measured on tidal-flat sediments of Yangtze estuary by a high resolution capillary column gas chromatography ( HP6890 ) equipped with an 63Ni electron capture detector ( ECD ). The concentration tendency of PCBs is Phragmites zone > Scirpus zone > bare mudflats. There are linear relations between PCBs and TOC and > 63μm grain size percentage ( in volume ). The low chlorinated congeners may be more important than the high chlorinated congeners in this area. PCBs prefer to accumulate in the sediments near sewage outlets and Phragmites zone. The sediments’ PCBs pollution ( 10.7 ~ 28.6 ng/g, dry weight ) in the Yangtze estuary tidal-flat is less serious than that of the most of other areas in the world .But the detected ratio is 100%, even the Jiuduansha shoal has detected PCBs, so much attention should be paid to this area for PCBs.

Biodegradation of Tritium Labeled Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBS) by Local Salt Tolerant Mesophylic Bacillus Strains

Salt-resistant Bacillus strains, isolated from agricultural soils in Uzbekistan, were tested for degradation activity towards a mixture of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) under aerobic conditions. The study employed the use of tritium labeled PCB congeners and traced the tritium label in cultures with high salt content. The experiments show that most of the selected strains were able to adsorb a part of the radioactivity, indicating transformation of the added PCBs. Gas chromatography demonstrated transformation of PCBs. The radioactive label was removed from several cultures by up to 91%, indicating also mineralization of PCBs. The study suggests that the isolated strains might be good candidates for the bioremediation of contaminated high-salt soils in Uzbekistan and other Central-Asian countries.

Study on Reductive Dechlorination of PCBs in Groundwater by Fe/Zn Bimetal

[Objective] The research aimed to study reductive dechlorination effect of PCBs in groundwater by Fe/Zn bimetal. [Method] Fe/Zn bi- metal as reduction system, PCBs degradation ratio as inspected index, degradation effect of PCBs by Fe/Zn bimetallic system when adding self- made hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextdn （HP-β-CD） was studied. Meanwhile, we investigated the influences of loading ratio and Fe-Zn dosage on PCBs dechlorination. [ Result] PCBs was significantly solubilized by the synthesized HP-β-CD. With increase of the HP-β-CD concentration, the apparent solubility of PCBs increased linearly, forming 1：1 inclusion complex. When Fe-Zn dosage was 10 g, and mass fraction of Zn was 7%, the dechlori- nation efficiency of 321 μg/L PCBs was 47.6% after degrading for 7 d at 10 ℃. [ Condusion] The research provided theoretical guiding for in situ remediation of the qroundwater contaminated bv PGBs.

Distribution of endocrine-disrupting PCBs in hard roes of loaches and their potential ecological effects in Weishanhu Lake,China

Preliminary study is carried out on the endocrine-disrupting organic chemicals of polychlorinated biphenyls(PCBs: PCB-28, 60, 104, 153, 190) in hard roes of loaches( Misgurnus anguillicaudatas ) in Weishanhu Lake, China. Results showed that the hard roes of loaches collected from the areas near the influx(such as Pengkou T-PCB=0.243 μg/g) or efflux(such as Hanzhuang T-PCB=0.221 μg/g) are characterized by higher PCB contents, about 4 times that from the central lake(T-PCB=0.066 μg/g), suggesting great difference between their pollutions. The PCB distributions indicated that PCB congeners with more chlorine are more easily accumulated in roes of loaches. The microscopic characteristics reveal that the PCB contents at present cannot lead the roes of loaches to be abnormal. However, the roes with higher PCBs in Pengkou and Hanzhuang are obviously bigger than those with lower PCBs(T-PCBs≤0.176 μg/g) in other localities. It is suggested that PCBs have a stronger estrogenic activity on the roes of loaches, and the phenomenon is likely premonitory for the abnormal development of the hard roes.

Bioconcentration kinetics of PCBs in various parts of the lifecycle of the tadpoles Xenopus laevis

Polychlorinated biphenyls （PCBs） in Xenopus laevis have been reported only for a few congeners. Additionally, there is very little information on the ability of Xenopus laevis to bioconcentrate PCBs. To address these issues, the tadpole Xenopus laevis was exposed to Aroclor 1254 mixtures in water at room temperature for 110 d followed by an additional 110 d of nonspiked PCBs in the water for the control group. During the whole process, bioconcentration factors （BCFs） of PCBs ranged from 1180 to 15670. For most PCB congeners, the highest and lowest bioconcentrations of the kinetic curves were found to be remarkably simultaneous, respectively. All 141 PCB congeners under the same experimental conditions had no linear correlation on the lgBCF versus lgKow relationship. The relationship between lgBCFs and lgKow followed a parabolic pattern indicative of selective bioconcentration, suggesting that the kinetic curves of the PCB congeners observed in the lifecycle of the tadpoles may be concentrated due to the amphibian special species and internal metabolism. In contrast, lgBCFs for PCBs were inversely related to lgKow, suggesting that a metabolism of the higher Kow PCB congeners occurred. These results support the author＇s conclusion that the tadpole Xenopus laevis plays major roles in the bioconcentration of PCB congeners, and demonstrated that the exposure kinetic curves of PCB congeners are complex. Besides the amphibian metamorphous development, the lifecycle of the tadpole Xenopus laevis also may be of importance in determining the bioconcentration of PCB congeners.

Pollution of HCHs,DDTs and PCBs in tidal flat of Hangzhou Bay 2009–2013

The concentration and distribution of three persistent organic pollutants(hexachlorocyclohexanes(HCHs),dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes(DDTs) and polychlorinated biphenyls(PCBs)) was assessed in tidal flat sediments collected from the south bank of Hangzhou Bay,China from 2009 to 2013.Gas chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole mass spectrometry(GC-MS/MS) was used for analysis,based on United States Environmental Protection Agency methods EPA8080 A,EPA8081 B,and EPA3550 B.The results showed that the levels of HCHs,DDTs and PCBs decreased in the order of DDTs > HCHs > PCBs,and their mass fractions ranged from 0.29–32.91,0.09–13.19 and 0.16–4.10 μg/kg(dry mass),respectively.The levels of HCHs,DDTs and PCBs decreased slowly from 2009 to 2013,with considerably greater concentrations in winter than in spring and summer.In this study area,the concentrations of DDTs and HCHs decreased gradually towards the mouth of Hangzhou Bay,while the concentrations of PCBs were related to changes in the local economy.In addition,the sources of HCHs and DDTs were identified as atmospheric precipitation and historical residues.Finally,we predicted that PCBs pollution primarily originated from Aroclor 1254(Lot A4),which might root in the illegal demolition and stacking of abandoned paint,transformer or electronic equipment in the south bank of Hangzhou Bay.

Residues of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) in Fish, Water and Sediment from Shing Mun River

The level and pattern of contamination by polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were investigated in tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus (Peters), sediment, and water from the Shing Mun River. The range of total PCBs was 12.9 ng/g to 181.6 ng/g wet weight in tilapia, 12.7 ng/g to 46.0 ng/g freeze-dried weight in sediment, and 3.8 ng/L to 13.6 ng/L in water. The effect of biomagnification was also observed, PCB concentrations increased from water to sediment to tilapia. PCB congeners occurred in such a way that lower chlorinated PCBs comprised a higher fraction of the total PCBs in water, sediment, and tilapia muscle, whereas higher chlorinated PCBs were more commonly found only in tilapia.

Modification by Polychlorinated Biphenyls(PCBs)of Cadmium Induced Lesions in the Planarian Model,Dugesia dorotocephala

The appearance of abnormal growths on the planarian, Dugesia dorotocephala, in response to cadmium with and without pre-exposure to L-buthionine-R, S-sulfoximine (BSO) and concurrent exposure to the polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) Aroclor 1254, PCB 28, PCB 110 or PCB 126 is described. Pigmented rose thorn (PRT) lesions were non-invasive and appeared in response to PCBs. Post-head (PH) lesions developed in up to 100% of the animals within 6-20 days post-dosing, progressed rather rapidly and were highly invasive. Round tail tip (RTT) lesions appeared in lower frequencies within 10-30 days, but progressed extremely rapidly resulting in tail loss within 48 h. We have referred to these types of lesions as 'tumors', but they are not necessarily characteristic of vertebrate neoplasms.PCBs interacted with cadmium in a complex way, in some cases increasing total lesions and decreasing time-to-lesion and in other cases having the opposite effects. A three-factor (PCB, PCB dose, Cd dose) nested analysis of variance model was used to determine lesion rates in order to compare PCB potencies as potentiators or antagonists. The Aroclor mixture was always the least potent co-toxicant but appeared to be the most potent antagonist; the coplanar PCB 126 was the most potent co-toxicant. The complex response surfaces and the lack of stoichiometry in dose-response relationships indicate that multiple mechanisms are responsible for PH and RTT lesions in planarians. These results emphasize the complexity of PCB toxicities and suggest further studies to validate the planarian model as a screen for combinations or environmental mixtures which may have altered biological potency in other species.

Development of Different Strategies for the Clean-Up of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) Congeners Using Pressurized Liquid Extraction

The extracted fish samples (w/w) using pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) were cleaned up by applying different adsorbent materials such as: combination of acidic/ basic silica and alumina, florisil, and silica gel either alone or in combination with another sort of sorbent. Different solvents such as hexane (H), dichloromethane (DCM), with different compositions were used to elute the PCBs target compounds from the spiked fish samples. Overall the mean percentage recoveries for all PCBs congeners using PLE were ranging from 78.6% to 98.7%;from 79.4% to 91.8%;from 65.8% to 104.5% and from 82.4% to 100.9% for cases A, B, C, D and E, respectively. However, the overall mean percentage recoveries for the 13C-PCBs surrogate including: 101, 138, 153, 180 and 209 were ranging from 88.2% to 97.6%;from 79.4% to 90.2%, from 88.3% to 96.4%, from 79.8% to 90.4% and from 83.9% to 95.9%, for cases A, B, C, D and E, respectively. The limits of detection of the proposed method were varied from 0.01 to 0.28 ng/g (w/w) for different PCBs congeners. The proposed method has linear dynamic range from 21.5 ng/g to 109 ng/g. This method was applied to fish samples for the determination of the target PCBs components.

Investigation of the Photosensitized Mechanisms of PCBs in the Presence of Natural Organic Matter

The structures of 26 different congeners of polychlorinated biphenyls（PCBs, including monothrough deca-chlorinated） were optimized using density functional theory（DFT） calculations with the 6-31＋G（d,p） basis set. The activation energies for the dechlorination of these systems were calculated for direct photodegradation and photosensitized degradation reaction pathways in the presence of natural organic matter（NOM）. The dechlorination mechanism of these PCBs and the ring-opening reaction mechanisms（using QST3 method） of the photosensitive degradation products were analyzed. The results showed that（i） the activation energy for the photosensitized degradation of PCBs was much lower than that of direct photodegradation;（ii） the degradation activities（i.e., C–Cl bond cleavage energies） were the same for both degradation pathways and followed the order ortho 〉 meta 〉 para;（iii） the degradation activities of asymmetric PCBs were higher than those of the corresponding symmetrical PCBs for the direct photodegradation and it was completely opposite in the photosensitive degradation;（iv） there was no correlation between the dissociation energy and the number of C–Cl bonds for the direct photodegradation and dechlorination products were all biphenyl;（v） the degradation activity of PCBs decreased as the number of C–Cl bonds increased in the presence of NOM; and（vi） even when the dechlorination reaction was incomplete, it produced chlorophenol. Furthermore, the free radicals of NOM led to the ring-opening reactions of PCBs via an initial addition step. The main site of these ring-opening reactions was the ortho position. Notably, the likelihood of ring-opening reactions occurring involving the degradation products increased as the degradation degree of PCBs increased.

Determination of 7 Indictor Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) Residues in Porphyra by Ultrasonic Extraction and Gas Chromatography (GC)

A method was developed for determination of 7 indictors the polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) residues in porphyra by gas chromatography (GC) with electron capture detector (ECD). The PCBs were extracted with hexane/methylene chloride (1:1, v/v) by ultrasonic extraction and the samples were cleaned up by concentrated sulfuric acid and Alumina-N solid phase extraction cartridge. The analytes were quantified by an internal standard method. Under optimal experimental conditions, good linearity was observed in the range of 5 - 200 ng/mL and the correlation coefficients were 0.9994 - 0.9998. The limit of quantitation (LOQ) for target analytes ranged from 6.0 to 10.0 μg/kg. At the spiked levels of 10, 50, 100 μg/kg, the average recoveries ranged from 90.9% to 102% with the relative standard deviations 2.12% - 6.32%. The result showed that the proposed method was rapid, and could be used for the determination of the PCBs in porphyra.

Modeling of Micropores Drilling Force for Printed Circuit Board Micro-holes Based on Energy Method

The quality of printed circuit board(PCB)micro-hole processing directly determines the stability of the inner and outer circuit connections.Micro-hole drilling technology is a typical method for PCB micro-hole processing.The problem of optimal control of its drilling force is one of the main factors affecting the quality of micro-hole machining.To address this problem,the thrust forces and torques in PCB drilling were first modeled and analyzed,and the corresponding prediction models were established.The drilling force analysis was carried out through the micro-hole drilling experiment,the specific cutting energy under different feed rates was calculated,the influence of the size effect was clarified,and the accuracy of the prediction model was verified.The result shows that during the drilling of glass fiber cloth,changes in the material removal mechanism are induced as the feed per revolution is varied.When the feed per revolution is less than the tool edge radius,the glass fiber is not cut by the main cutting edge,but is crushed and broken.When the feed per revolution is greater than the radius of the tool edge,the glass fiber is cut by the main cutting edge.At the same time,the established analytical model can accurately reflect the influence of the size effect on the drilling torque in PCB micro-hole drilling,and the error is within 10%.This method has certain practical application value in controlling PCB micro hole processing quality.

三相CLLC谐振变换器磁集成平面变压器设计与优化

三相CLLC谐振变换器凭借其高效率、大容量、低器件应力等优势而受到广泛关注。然而,多相结构的磁性元件数量多、体积大,是制约功率变换器尺寸的主要因素。随着宽禁带(WBG)半导体器件的出现,功率变换器的开关频率显著提高,这也为印制电路板(PCB)绕组的使用提供了有利条件。与传统绕线式绕组相比,PCB绕组的扁平特性更适用于平面磁性元件。此外,由于高频带来的低电感需求也使得基于PCB绕组的平面磁性元件更有利于实现集成。该文提出一种新型的基于PCB绕组的电感和变压器的集成结构,详细分析磁心结构的磁路模型,并给出集成磁件的优化设计方法,最后通过搭建一台基于SiC器件的800 V/10 kW的实验样机进行验证。实验结果表明,该集成方案可有效减小变换器的体积和损耗,具有高功率密度和高效率。

一种基于模式布线的柔性电路板布线规划算法

为解决柔性电路板整板自动化布线算法布线效率低、布线效果较差的问题,提出基于模式布线的柔性电路板布线规划算法,采用模式布线近似拟合详细布线,缩小详细布线和布线规划之间的精度误差。同时,根据人工经验设计4种布线模式和若干扇出模式,模拟扇出区内部资源分配和扇出区间排列组合可能出现的情况。针对层分配问题,设计了根据当前布线结果以及未来对其他线网的影响综合评价的层分配算法,针对通道区不允许打孔的约束,根据通道连接扇出区的位置顺序求得通道内布线线网拓扑不交叉序列,并作为分割线上过点位置排列顺序约束。最后,综合比较每个模式下的结果,选择代价最小的结果作为最终布线规划的结果。使用多个工业用例进行测试,实验结果表明,与已有柔性电路板布线规划算法相比,本文布线规划算法可以提升详细布线效率和布线结果。