Future research needs for environmental science in China

Environmental science is an interdisciplinary science developed in the process of understanding and solving ecolog-ical and environmental problems.In order to tackle these problems,environmental science research is expected to reveal the source,behavior,fate,exposure,and risks of pollutants in the environment and develop potential solutions to control pollution.It provides the scientific basis for decision-makers to establish environmental and economic poli-cies,and promote concerted efforts for the sustainable development of society.Here,we articulate the development patterns,challenges,and future research needs of environmental science in China based on literature review and expert panel discussion.Environmental science research has evolved significantly in the past decade with an increas-ing diversity of environmental pollutants and health impacts,new technologies and methods,deepening fusion of multiple disciplines,and emerging solutions for pollution control.Its future development relies on the advances in our knowledge on the fate and transport of pollutants,regional environmental processes,ecotoxicological effects,environmental exposure and health effects,environmental analysis and monitoring,source control and reduction,environmental remediation,as well as environmental risk management.For each of these fields,we summarize the significant challenges and highlight the research demands for China.Based on the status quo of China’s environmen-tal science research and future needs,we provide recommendations to promote its future development,including encouraging innovation and interdisciplinary research,providing decision support for national needs,encouraging international collaboration,and improving collaboration mechanisms.

Energetic,bio-oil,biochar,and ash performances of co-pyrolysis-gasification of textile dyeing sludge and Chinese medicine residues in response to K_(2)CO_(3),atmosphere type,blend ratio,and temperature

Hazardous waste stream needs to be managed so as not to exceed stock-and rate-limited properties of its recipient ecosystems.The co-pyrolysis of Chinese medicine residue(CMR)and textile dyeing sludge(TDS)and its bio-oil,biochar,and ash quality and quantity were characterized as a function of the immersion of K_(2)CO_(3),atmosphere type,blend ratio,and temperature.Compared to the mono-pyrolysis of TDS,its co-pyrolysis performance with CMR(the comprehensive performance index(CPI))significantly improved by 33.9%in the N_(2)atmosphere and 33.2%in the CO_(2)atmosphere.The impregnation catalyzed the co-pyrolysis at 370℃,reduced its activation energy by 77.3 kJ/mol in the N_(2)atmosphere and 134.6 kJ/mol in the CO_(2)atmosphere,and enriched the degree of coke gasification by 44.25%in the CO_(2)atmosphere.The impregnation increased the decomposition rate of the co-pyrolysis by weakening the bond energy of fatty side chains and bridge bonds,its catalytic and secondary products,and its bio-oil yield by 66.19%.Its bio-oils mainly contained olefins,aromatic structural substances,and alcohols.The immersion of K_(2)CO_(3)improved the aromaticity of the copyrolytic biochars and reduced the contact between K and Si which made it convenient for Mg to react with SiO_(2)to form magnesium-silicate.The co-pyrolytic biochar surfaces mainly included-OH,-CH_(2),C=C,and Si-O-Si.The main phases in the co-pyrolytic ash included Ca_(5)(PO_(4))_(3)(OH),Al_(2)O_(3),and magnesium-silicate.

Influence of surface properties and antecedent environmental conditions on particulate-associated metals in surface runoff

Particulate-associated trace metals have been regarded as an important pollution source for urban surface runoff.Cd,Pb,Cu,Zn and total solids(TS)washed off two different surfaces(low-elevated facade and road surfaces)under two kinds of antecedent environmental conditions(dry and snow-melting)were determined in this study.Wet-vacuuming sweeping(WVS)and surface washing(SW)methods,representing the maximum pollution potential and common rainfall-induced wash-off condition respectively,were used to collect the particulate matters.The result shows that the wash-off concentrations of trace metals were found in the order of Cd(2.28±2.08 mg/l)<Pb(435.85±412.61 mg/l)<Cu(0.93±0.61 mg/l)<Zn(2.52±2.30 mg/l).The snow-melting process had a considerable influence on the wash-off concentrations of the trace metals on both road and facade surfaces.It reduced >38% and >79% of metals and TS concentrations in the facade surface and road surface runoff respectively.The wash-off concentrations of Cd,Cu,and Zn on the road surface 45e780% higher than those on the facade surfaces.The sensitivity analysis based on the Bayesian network indicates that the wash-off concentrations of metals were mainly dependent on the antecedent environmental conditions or the surface properties while the sampling methods had a minor influence.Therefore,to accurately model the pollutant migration in the surface runoff requires an improving method considering different surfaces and antecedent environment conditions.