城市污泥和化肥对水稻土种植的通菜中邻苯二甲酸酯（PAEs）的影响

对水稻土施用城市污泥和化肥盆栽通菜,应用GC／MS联机检测技术对通菜中6种邻苯二甲酸酯化合物(PAEs)进行分析,探讨施肥对通菜中PAEs含量的影响,结果表明,各处理通菜中6种PAEs化合物的总含量(∑PAEs)在2．129～7.111mg·kg^-1之间,依次为广州污泥+化肥(7．111mg·kg^-1)>广州污泥(4．767mg·kg^-1)>佛山污泥(3;569mg·kg^-1)>佛山污泥+化肥(3．305mg·kg^-1)>化肥(2．638mg·kg^-1)>空白对照(2．129mg·kg^-1)。显示了施肥造成通菜中∑PAEs不同程度的提高,各处理通菜中的PAEs均以个别化合物为主,其中空白对照、化肥、佛山污泥和广州污泥处理的通菜中邻苯二甲酸丁基苄基酯(BBP)占∑PAEs的40％～81％。佛山污泥+化肥处理的通菜中邻苯二甲酸正二丁酯(DnBP)占∑PAEs的56％,而广州污泥+化肥处理的通菜中邻苯二甲酸丁基苄基酯(BBP)、邻苯二甲酸正二辛酯(DnOP)和邻苯二甲酸(2-乙基己基)酯(DEHP)各占∑PAEs的30％左右,通菜中∑PAEs和多数化合物的含量不同程度地大于其在根系中的含量。     

不同栽培方式对籼、粳稻根表铁膜和根铁、镉含量的影响

在Cd污染土壤中研究淹水、覆膜、覆草和湿润栽培对籼、梗稻不同生育时期根表铁膜Fe、Cd含量和根Cd含量的影响．结果表明,在分蘖期,梗稻根表铁膜Fe含量和根Cd含量在4种栽培方式中平均为6．37和25．49mg．kg^-1。分别比籼稻的4．52和16．37mg·kg^-1增加1．85和9．12mg·kg^-1．在孕穗期,粳稻根表铁膜Fe、Cd含量和根Cd含量在4种栽培方式中平均为1．60、16．35和54．68mg·kg^-1,分别比籼稻的1．06、9．56kg和43．31mg·kg^-1增加0．54、6．79和11．37mg·kg^-1．在灌浆期,梗稻根表铁膜Fe含量覆草和湿润栽培为0．89和1．00mg·kg^-1,分别比籼稻的0．63和0．30mg·kg^-1增加0．26和0．70mg·kg^-1;梗稻根表铁膜Cd和根Cd含量在4种栽培方式中平均为15．23和73．68mg·kg^-1,分别比籼稻的3．46和52．38mg·kg^-1增加11．77和21．30mg·kg^-1收获时。根表铁膜Fe含量淹水栽培的籼稻为1．21mg·g^-1,比梗稻的0．65mg·g^-1增加0．56mg·g^-1,覆草栽培的梗稻为0．94mg·g^-1,比籼稻0．55mg·g^-1增加0．39mg·g^-1;根表铁膜Cd含量湿润栽培的梗稻为7．96mg·kg^-1,比籼稻的5．09mg·kg^-1增加2．87mg·kg^-1;根Cd含量梗稻在4种栽培方式中平均为54．53mg·kg^-1,比籼稻的35．91mg·kg^-1增加18．62mg·kg^-1。     

山东省花生主产区土壤和花生籽粒中邻苯二甲酸酯的分布特征

在山东省四大花生主产区采集耕层土壤(0～20 cm)和花生籽粒,应用气相色谱测定样品中美国国家环保署(EPA)优先控制的6种邻苯二甲酸酯(PAEs)化合物的含量.结果表明: 山东省花生主产区土壤中6种PAEs化合物累计(∑PAEs)含量范围为0.34～2.81 mg·kg^-1,平均含量为1.22 mg·kg^-1;四大花生主产区土壤∑PAEs含量为：鲁中南山区＞鲁西平原＞胶东半岛＞鲁北平原;与美国土壤PAEs控制标准相比,山东省四大花生主产区土壤中的邻苯二甲酸正二丁酯(DBP)超标严重.花生籽粒中∑PAEs含量范围为0.17～0.66 mg·kg^-1,平均含量为0.34 mg·kg^-1,低于美国和欧洲的建议指标,健康风险很小.邻苯二甲酸二(2-乙基己基)酯(DEHP)和DBP在土壤和花生籽粒中占∑PAEs的百分比、检出率均较高,是主要的污染物组分.覆膜种植模式下土壤和花生籽粒中的∑PAEs显著高于露地种植模式.花生籽粒和土壤中的∑PAEs、DBP及DEHP存在显著正相关性,Pearson相关系数分别为0.786、0.747和0.511.     

猪粪和土霉素对不同肥力土壤微生物数量及活性的影响

在不施肥和施用猪粪两种情况下,采用培养试验研究了不同浓度土霉素污染(0、0.1、1、10、100和1000 mg·kg^-1)对土壤细菌丰度、酶活性和NO₃-N浓度等的影响.试验培养温度为25 ℃,培养时间为30 d,取样分析时间分别为1、4和30 d.结果表明：在不施肥条件下,土霉素污染对土壤细菌数量及微生物活性的影响较小,土壤S₁、S₂和S₃细菌数量、呼吸强度、酶活性和NO₃-N浓度下降10%时土霉素的剂量（EC₁₀）分别为36～1000 mg·kg^-1、20～1000 mg·kg^-1和4～1000 mg·kg^-1;而在施用猪粪的情况下,对应的数值分别为2～656 mg·kg^-1、2～81 mg·kg^-1和1～42 mg·kg^-1.添加土霉素对土壤细菌及酶活性的影响随土壤肥力的提高而增大,且其对土壤细菌数量和呼吸强度的影响大于对酶活性和NO₃-N浓度的影响.土霉素污染对土壤微生物数量和活性的影响随时间变化而变化,一般在培养4 d时的影响最为明显.土霉素对土壤微生物的影响总体上表现为抑制作用.     

长期施用有机肥和过磷酸钙对潮土有效磷积累与淋溶的影响

利用20年定位试验研究了施用化肥和有机肥对潮土耕层土壤有效磷（Olsen-P）含量与作物产量的关系及土壤Olsen-P积累和垂直移动规律的影响.结果表明：土壤Olsen-P含量在10～40 mg·kg^-1能保证小麦、玉米有较高的产量,土壤Olsen-P含量大于40 mg·kg^-1发生显著淋溶,轻壤质潮土Olsen-P发生淋溶的阈值为40 mg·kg^-1.连续施用化肥（NPK）和秸秆还田处理（SNPK）施磷量在77～90 kg·hm^-2,平均每100 kg P·hm^-2使耕层土壤Olsen-P提高0.63～0.72 mg·kg^-1,每年提高0.49～0.65 mg·kg^-1,达到淋失阈值需要45～60年.有机肥与化肥结合（MNPK、MNPK2和1.5 MNPK）,年施磷量为210 kg·hm^-2时,土壤Olsen-P（Y）与施肥年度（x）的关系为：Y_{1.5 MNPK}=4.506x+6.4464 (R²=0.8862),平均每年增加4.5 mg·kg^-1,连续施用8年可使耕层土壤Olsen-P达到淋失阈值;年施磷量为125和140 kg·hm^-2时,土壤Olsen-P与施肥年度的关系为：Y_MNPK2=2.4765x+13.563 (R²=0.9307)和Y_MNPK=3.1097x+6.9615 (R²=0.8562),平均每年增加2.47和3.1 mg·kg^-1,连续施用11年可使耕层土壤Olsen-P达到淋失阈值.有机无机肥结合处理土壤Olsen-P积累速度是化肥处理的3.5倍,过量施用有机肥增加了土壤Olsen-P的积累和淋失.     

锌对不同油菜品种的生理特性、光合作用、根尖细胞超微结构及籽粒锌积累的影响

 采用盆栽实验研究了Zn (0、1.0、5.0、10.0和20.0 mg·kg^–1)对不同油菜品种(‘罗平金菜子’ (Brassica juncea)、‘二牛尾’(B. juncea)、‘溧阳苦菜’ (B. juncea)、‘南通黄油菜’ (B. chinensis)、‘H33’ (B. napus))的光合特性、根尖细胞超微结构及籽粒富锌的影响。结果显示, 5个油菜品种在品种之间、Zn处理浓度之间, 根、茎、叶、籽粒及植株干重、光合特性、Zn含量和积累量的差异性均达到显著水平; 品种与Zn浓度的交互效应也达到显著水平。在Zn ≤ 5.0 mg·kg^–1范围内, Zn增加了超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)等抗氧化酶活性、净光合速率(P_n)、气孔导度(G_s)以及蒸腾速率(T_r), 提高了油菜茎、叶、籽粒干重及总干重。油菜产量(籽粒干重)在5.0 mg·kg^–1 Zn时达到最大值, 各品种分别较对照增加了37.7%、23.4%、29.5%、82.6%和18.0%。在Zn处理浓度为20.0 mg·kg^–1时, ‘罗平金菜子’、‘二牛尾’、‘南通黄油菜’和‘溧阳苦菜’根尖细胞出现不同程度的线粒体肿胀、细胞壁增厚、细胞核萎缩且内容物较少, 而‘H33’中根尖细胞结构较CK处理差异不明显, 细胞结构较为完整。5个品种的籽粒Zn积累量随Zn浓度先增加, 在5.0 mg·kg^–1 Zn时达到最大值, 然后下降。‘二牛尾’的籽粒Zn含量和籽粒Zn积累量在5.0和10.0 mg·kg^–1 Zn处理时为5个品种最高或次高, 分别为172.34和164.10 mg·kg^–1、2.932和2.575 mg·pot^–1。     

不同土地利用类型对丹江口库区土壤氮矿化的影响

 氮(N)素是陆地生态系统净初级生产力的重要限制因子, 土地利用类型的变化对生态系统氮循环过程有着重要的影响。采用PVC顶盖埋管原位培养的方法, 对丹江口库区清塘河流域相邻的侧柏(Platycladus orientalis)人工林、人工种植灌木林地和农田3种土地利用类型的氮素矿化和硝化作用进行了研究。结果表明, 侧柏人工林、灌木林地和农田的NH₄⁺-N浓度(mg·kg^–1)依次为1.33 ± 0.20、1.67 ± 0.17和1.62 ± 0.13, 不同土地利用类型间的NH₄⁺-N浓度无显著性差异; 而3种土地利用类型下土壤NO₃^–-N浓度(mg·kg^–1)差异显著, 农田NO₃^–-N浓度(9.00 ± 0.73)显著高于侧柏人工林(1.27 ± 0.18)和灌木林地(3.51 ±0.11)。NO₃^–-N在灌木林地和农田中分别占土壤无机氮库的67.8%和84.8%, 是土壤无机氮库的主要存在形式; 而侧柏人工林中NO₃^–-N和NH₄⁺-N浓度则基本相等。土壤硝化速率(mg·kg^–1·30 d^–1)从农田(7.13 ± 2.19)、灌木林地(2.56 ± 1.07)到侧柏人工林(0.85± 0.10)显著性降低。侧柏人工林、灌木林地和农田的矿化速率(mg·kg^–1·30 d^–1)依次为0.98 ± 0.12、2.52 ± 1.25和6.58 ± 2.29。矿化速率和硝化速率显著正相关, 但是矿化速率在不同的土地利用类型间差异不显著。培养过程中灌木林地和农田NH₄⁺-N的消耗大于积累, 氨化速率为负值, 导致灌木林地和农田矿化速率小于硝化速率。氮素的矿化和硝化作用受土壤含水量和土壤温度的影响, 并对土壤含水量更为敏感。土壤C:N与土壤矿化和硝化速率显著负相关。研究结果表明: 土地利用类型的变化会改变土壤微环境和土壤C:N, 进而会影响到土壤氮循环过程。     

外源碘在森林土壤中的残留及对山野菜植物的施用效果

以培育富碘山野菜为目标,在东北森林暗棕壤上进行了5种山野菜施碘试验。碘肥种类为碘化钾(KI),施碘剂量为1．00、3．33、10．00、16．67和50．00mg·kg^-1。结果表明,土壤施碘是培育富碘山野菜的有效途径,从低施用量到高施用量,不同山野菜植物的含碘量可达对照的2～40倍,但外源碘在土壤中的当年残留率并不高,仅有40％～5％残留,并且随着施入量增加而迅速降低;植物对碘的积累也并非总是随着施入量的增加而增加,施碘量达到10．00mg·kg^-1时,大部分植物的碘积累量趋于稳定。从施碘条件下外源碘的土壤残留率、植物碘积累特征及施用成本等方面综合考虑,适宜的施碘量上限大约为10mg·kg^-1．土壤因素显著影响施碘效果,栽培地应选择土质细腻、肥沃的中上坡地段,砂砾质土壤和易形成水分潜流的下坡土壤都不利于肥料碘的保持和植物吸收。     

表面活性剂对分枝杆菌KR2菌株降解菲的影响

采用同位素示踪方法,从表面活性剂的浓度、离子类型和直链长度三方面研究了表面活性剂对分枝杆菌KR2菌株降解菲的影响。结果表明,表面活性剂的存在不能促进KR2菌对菲的降解;高浓度表面活性剂(≥20mg·L^-1)的存在,使菲的降解出现延迟期,非离子表面活性剂Tween80在低浓度时(≤10mg·L^-1)可以优先作为营养基质被分枝杆菌KR2菌株利用,表面活性剂的离子类型对菲降解的抑制作用的顺序为阳离子表面活性剂TDTMA>阴离子表面活性剂LAS>非离子表面活性剂Tween80,表面活性剂的直链长度对菲降解的影响为直链越短,对微生物的毒性越大,菲降解得越不完全。     

中国南方典型地区油-稻轮作条件下大气SO2干沉降速率动态变化

以1998年11月～1999年10月中国科学院红壤生态试验站农田小气候观测站气象梯度资料(温度、风速、气压),计算近地面湍流特征参数(u^*、θ^*、L),然后采样阻力模式计算SO2干沉降速率(Vd)。研究了该地油-稻轮作条件下大气SO₂干沉降Vd动态变化．结果表明,一年中大气SO2干沉降Vd时平均年均值为0．124～0．897cm·s^-1(mean±SE=0．507±0．167cm·s^-1)．一年中大气SO2干沉降Vd存在如下规律性：白天>晚上．3～8月份SO2Vd平均值(0．611cm·s^-1)大于9～12、1～2月份SO2Vd平均值(0．401cm·s^-1)．水稻生长期间(0．605±0．093cm·s^-1)>油菜(0．491±0．166cm·s^-1)>休闲(0．342±0．174cm·s^-1)．     

广东省典型区域农业土壤中邻苯二甲酸酯含量的分布特征

采用气相色谱方法,对广东省典型区域农业表层土壤(0～20cm)样品中的6种邻苯二甲酸酯(PAEs)进行了测定.结果表明:6种PAEs化合物的总含量(∑PAEs)为nd(未检出)～25.99mg.kg-1,其中92.8%的样品分布在≤1mg.kg-1的范围;各种土地利用类型中∑PAEs的顺序依次为水田>香蕉地>菜地>甘蔗地>果园地;不同地区土壤中∑PAEs的顺序依次为东莞市>汕头市>佛山市顺德区>湛江市>中山市>珠海市>惠州市.邻苯二甲酸二(2-乙基已基)酯(DEHP)的检出率最高(85.1%),邻苯二甲酸二正丁酯(DnBP)含量最高(nd～17.51mg.kg-1).与美国土壤PAEs控制标准相比,除邻苯二甲酸二正辛酯(DnOP)外,其余5种PAEs化合物均有不同程度的超标,其中DnBP、邻苯二甲酸二甲酯(DMP)和邻苯二甲酸二乙酯(DEP)3种化合物超标率较高.广东省典型区域农业土壤受到不同程度的PAEs污染.     

Phthalic Acid Esters in Soils from Vegetable Greenhouses in Shandong Peninsula,East China

Soils at depths of 0 cm to 10 cm, 10 cm to 20 cm, and 20 cm to 40 cm from 37 vegetable greenhouses in Shandong Peninsula, East China, were collected, and 16 phthalic acid esters (PAEs) were detected using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). All 16 PAEs could be detected in soils from vegetable greenhouses. The total of 16 PAEs (Σ₁₆PAEs) ranged from 1.939 mg/kg to 35.442 mg/kg, with an average of 6.748 mg/kg. Among four areas, including Qingdao, Weihai, Weifang, and Yantai, the average and maximum concentrations of Σ₁₆PAEs in soils at depths of 0 cm to 10 cm appeared in Weifang, which has a long history of vegetable production and is famous for extensive greenhouse cultivation. Despite the different concentrations of Σ₁₆PAEs, the PAE compositions were comparable. Among the 16 PAEs, di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP), and diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP) were the most abundant. Compared with the results on agricultural soils in China, soils that are being used or were used for vegetable greenhouses had higher PAE concentrations. Among PAEs, dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP) and DnBP exceeded soil allowable concentrations (in US) in more than 90% of the samples, and DnOP in more than 20%. Shandong Peninsula has the highest PAE contents, which suggests that this area is severely contaminated by PAEs.     

地膜使用年限对遵义市烟田土壤和烟叶邻苯二甲酸酯累积的影响

研究地膜使用年限对土壤和烟叶邻苯二甲酸酯(PAEs)积累的影响,以明确地膜持续使用条件下PAEs的土壤污染分布特征及在烟叶中的富集状况.在遵义市连阡村和沙湾村采集了不同覆膜年限的烟田土壤及相应的烟叶,采用气相色谱仪质谱联用技术(GC-MS),对土壤-烟叶中6种优先控制PAEs含量进行了测定.结果表明: 所有土壤和烟叶样品中6种邻苯二甲酸酯化合物累计(∑PAEs)分别为(2.66±0.60)和(3.58±0.64) mg·kg^-1,其中,邻苯二甲酸二(2-乙基己)酯(DEHP)含量最高,邻苯二甲酸正二丁酯(DBP)次之,二者之和分别占土壤和烟叶∑PAEs的92.7%和88.9%.DEHP、DBP、邻苯二甲酸二乙酯(DEP)和邻苯二甲酸丁基苄基酯(BBP)检出率均为100.0%,邻苯二甲酸二甲酯(DMP)的检出率略低,邻苯二甲酸正二辛酯(DnOP)检出率最低.随着地膜使用年限的增加,土壤和烟叶中PAEs含量显著增加,且在地膜使用的前1~ 8年增加更为明显,后期趋于平缓.土壤和烟叶中的PAEs含量与覆膜年限呈显著正相关关系,覆膜年限的增加会显著促进土壤和烟叶中PAEs的积累.烟叶与土壤之间∑PAEs的累积量相关性不显著.     

城市污泥中邻苯二甲酸酯(PAEs)的厌氧微生物降解

邻苯二甲酸酯(PAEs)是城市污泥中普遍存在的一类具有内分泌干扰性作用的有机污染物.研究污泥厌氧生物处理过程中PAEs的微生物降解对保障污泥农用的安全性十分必要.本文以污泥中两种主要的PAEs——邻苯二甲酸二丁酯(DBP)和邻苯二甲酸(2-乙基己)酯(DEHP)为研究对象,通过比较PAEs在污泥厌氧消化系统与发酵产氢系统中降解过程的差异及系统污泥特性的变化,分析不同污泥厌氧生物处理系统中影响PAEs降解的可能因素.结果表明: 在污泥厌氧发酵系统中,DBP在6 d内降解率达99.6%, DEHP在整个14 d的培养期间也降解了46.1%;在发酵产氢系统中,在14 d培养过程DBP的降解率仅为19.5%,DEHP则没有明显的降解.与厌氧消化系统相比,PAEs在发酵产氢系统中的降解受到明显抑制,这与发酵产氢过程中微生物量下降、革兰氏阳性菌/革兰氏阴性菌(G⁺/G^-)和真菌/细菌变小及挥发性脂肪酸(包括乙酸、丙酸及丁酸)浓度升高有关.     

Long-term survival of pathogenic and sanitation indicator bacteria in experimental biowaste composts

For economic, agricultural, and environmental reasons, composting is frequently used for organic waste recycling. One approach to limiting the potential risk from bacterial food-borne illnesses is to ensure that soil amendments and organic fertilizers are disinfected. However, more knowledge concerning the microbiological safety of composted substrates other than sludge and manure is necessary. Experimental in-vessel biowaste composts were used to study the survival of seeded Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serotype Enteritidis, and Escherichia coli. Four organic waste mixtures, containing various proportions of paper and cardboard, fruits and vegetables, and green waste, were composted in laboratory reactors with forced aeration. The physicochemical and microbiological parameters were monitored for 12 weeks during composting. The survival of bacteria over a 3-month period at 25 degrees C was assessed with samples collected after different experimental composting times. Strain survival was also monitored in mature sterilized composts. Nonsterile composts did not support pathogen growth, but survival of seeded pathogens was observed. Salmonella serovar Enteritidis survived in all composts, and longer survival (3 months) was observed in mature composts (8 and 12 weeks of composting). Mature biowaste composts may support long-term survival of Salmonella serovar Enteritidis during storage at room temperature. E. coli and L. monocytogenes survival was observed only in 4-week-old composts and never in older composts. Proper composting may prevent long-term survival of E. coli and L. monocytogenes. These results suggest that like composted sewage sludge or manure, domestic waste composts may support pathogen survival. Survival was not related to the physicochemical characteristics of the composts.     

Estimation of phosphorus bioavailability from composted organic wastes

Sewage sludge derived from municipal sewage treatment plants is an important source of macronutrients, micronutrients and organic matter. For this reason composting of sewage sludge, along with combustion and co-combustion, is a new management priority in Poland. In this study six composts of different origin and composition were evaluated in terms of their abundance in phosphorus, because it is an essential nutrient for all living organisms. Analyses were conducted on the samples at the initial and at the maturation phase of composting. The bioavailability of phosphorus was estimated on the basis of amounts of the nutrient in isolated fractions using the sequential extraction method. First of all quantitative changes of the total nutrient content and its amounts in separated fractions were dependent on the mixture composition. Irrespective of compost type, 34.5–75.0% of the total amounts of phosphorus were found in hardly available combinations (Fr. III), while available phosphorus forms (Fr. I) accounted for only 6.6–21.6%. As a result of composting together different organic wastes an increase was observed both in the total content and the amounts of this nutrient in separated fractions. This phenomenon was observed particularly in composts with smaller levels of sewage sludge (30–40%), characterised by rapid organic matter decomposition, which was indicated by higher bioavailable amounts of phosphorus. Under such conditions the content of P ranged between 3.68 and 7.4 g kg^?1. In comparison to the labile pool of P obtained for matured composts C5 and C6 (65 and 75% of sewage sludge in their composition) amounting to 2.45–3.0 g kg^?1 the above values were considerable. Bioavailable phosphorus contents potentially introduced to soil with composts doses calculated at 170 kg total N/ha/yr ranged from 69.8 to 80.2 kg for compost with the lowest share of sewage sludge and from 11.2 to 20.7 kg for compost with the highest share of sewage sludge.     

Isolation of Thermus strains from hot composts (60 to 80 degrees C).

High numbers (10(7) to 10(10) cells per g [dry weight]) of heterotrophic, gram-negative, rod-shaped, non-sporeforming, aerobic, thermophilic bacteria related to the genus Thermus were isolated from thermogenic composts at temperatures between 65 and 82 degrees C. These bacteria were present in different types of wastes (garden and kitchen wastes and sewage sludge) and in all the industrial composting systems studied (open-air windows, boxes with automated turning and aeration, and closed bioreactors with aeration). Isolates grew fast on a rich complex medium at temperatures between 40 and 80 degrees C, with optimum growth between 65 and 75 degrees C. Nutritional characteristics, total protein profiles, DNA-DNA hybridization (except strain JT4), and restriction fragment length polymorphism profiles of the DNAs coding for the 16S rRNAs (16S rDNAs) showed that Thermus strains isolated from hot composts were closely related to Thermus thermophilus HB8. These newly isolated T. thermophilus strains have probably adapted to the conditions in the hot-compost ecosystem. Heterotrophic, ovalspore-forming, thermophilic bacilli were also isolated from hot composts, but none of the isolates was able to grow at temperatures above 70 degrees C. This is the first report of hot composts as habitats for a high number of thermophilic bacteria related to the genus Thermus. Our study suggests that Thermus strains play an important role in organic-matter degradation during the thermogenic phase (65 to 80 degrees C) of the composting process.     

Compost convective airflow under passive aeration

For composting, passive aeration can save energy costs while being just as efficient as forced or active aeration. Passive aeration requires the proper design of aeration ducts, and thus, the proper prediction of the convective airflow rates created by the temperature differential between the compost and the ambient air. To establish such relationship, the temperature and convective air flow regimes of composts were investigated using three bulking agents (wood shavings, hay and straw), each at three moisture contents (MC-60%, 65% and 70%) spanning the normal values. All bulking agent and aeration treatments were aerated in duplicate under passive and active regimes. Laboratory vessels of 105 L were used for all treatments. Passive aeration treatments produced temperatures above 57 degrees C, as did the treatments actively aerated at 4 mg of air s(-1) kg(-1) of initial dry compost material. Compost MC had an effect only on the peak compost temperature, occurring between day 2 and 6. After 6 days of composting, MC no longer had any effect on temperature regime because of the loss of moisture by each mixture. A relationship was established between the Grasholf number (Gr-ratio of buoyancy to viscous forces) and the convective airflow rates, to size the aeration ducts for passive aeration. In general, convective airflow rates ranged from 1.5 to 0.7 mg of dry air s(-1) kg(-1) of initial compost dry matter, from day 0 to day 20, respectively, and for all compost treatments. This airflow rate sizes the aeration ducts installed under compost piles for passive aeration. As compared to straw where airflow rate dropped over a given level of Gr, wood shavings and hay were found to be more effective as bulking agents, as their airflow rate increased constantly with Gr.     

Anaerobic degradation of phthalic acid esters during digestion of municipal solid waste under landfilling conditions

Anaerobic microorganisms in municipal solid waste samples from laboratory-scale landfill reactors and a pilot-plant biogas digestor were investigated with the aim of assessing their ability to transform four commercially used phthalic acid esters (PAEs) and phthalic acid (PA). The PAEs studied were diethyl phthalate (DEP), butylbenzyl phthalate (BBP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). No biological transformation of DEHP could be detected in any of the experiments. Together with waste samples from the simulated landfilling conditions, the PAEs (except DEHP) were hydrolytically transformed to their corresponding monoesters. These accumulated as end products, and in most cases they were not further degraded. During incubation with waste from the biogas digestor, the PAEs (except DEHP) were completely degraded to methane and carbon dioxide. The influence of the landfill development phase on the transformations was investigated utilizing PA and DEP as model substances. We found that during both the intense and stable methanogenic (but not the acidogenic) phases, the microoganisms in the samples had the potential to transform PA. A shorter lag phase was observed for the PA transformation in the samples from the stable methanogenic phase as compared with earlier phases. This indicates an increased capacity to degrade PA during the aging phases of the municipal solid waste in landfills. No enhancement of the DEP transformation could be observed as conditions in the methanogenic landfill model changed over a year's time. The results indicate that microorganisms developing in a methanogenic landfill environment have a substantially lower potential to degrade PAEs compared with those developing in a biogas reactor.Abbreviations BBP butylbenzyl phthalate - DEHP bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate - CoA coenzyme A - DBP dibutyl phthalate - DEP diethyl phthalate - DS dry solids - MBeP monobenzyl phthalate - MBuP monobutyl phthalate - MEP monoethyl phthalate - MSW municipal solid waste - PA phthalic acid - PAE(s) phthalic acid ester(s) - VFA volatile fatty acids