The interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy geometric choquet aggregation operator based on the generalized banzhaf index and 2-additive measure

Based on the operational laws on interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy sets, the generalized Banzhaf interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy geometric Choquet (GBIVIFGC) operator is proposed, which is also an interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy value. It is worth pointing out that the GBIVIFGC operator can be seen as an extension of some geometric mean operators. Since the fuzzy measure is defined on the power set, it makes the problem exponentially complex. In order to overall reflect the interaction among elements and reduce the complexity of solving a fuzzy measure, we further introduce the GBIVIFGC operator w.r.t. 2-additive measures. Furthermore, if the information about weights of experts and attributes is incompletely known, the models of obtaining the optimal 2-additive measures on criteria set and expert set are given by using the introduced cross entropy measure and the Banzhaf index. Finally, an approach to pattern recognition and multi-criteria group decision making under interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy environment is developed, respectively

Historical variation of black carbon and PAHs over the last similar to 200 years in central North China: Evidence from lake sediment records

As the largest coal-producing province in China, the coal production of Shanxi Province accounts for one third of the country's total. Thus it is of great importance to study the pollution history of typical pollutants in Shanxi Province and their links with energy usage in North China. Sediment cores from two relatively remote lakes in central North China were retrieved to investigate historical evolutions of black carbon (BC) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the last similar to 200 years. The two records show several-fold increases in both concentrations and depositional fluxes of BC, char, soot, and PAHs in recent five decades, which were associated with the influence of anthropogenic activities resulting from socio-economic development in Shanxi Province. However, after similar to 2000 their fluxes decreased sharply due to China's effort on environmental protection. These changes indicate that atmospheric BC and PAHs loads in the region were affected significantly by recent anthropogenic activities and environmental policies. Ratios of individual PAHs and char/soot indicate pyrogenic sources of these increased pollutants in recent decades, with coking industry and coal combustion as the two major sources. Significant positive correlations between BC and PAHs were observed in both cores of Lake Gonghai and Lake Mayinghai, indicating that they were likely co-transported by BC particles from similar sources. This study provides new and important understanding of the atmospheric pollution history of BC and PAHs in North China. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Response of alkaline functional fertilizer on Cd absorption and transportation in soil-rice system

Reduction of cadmium accumulation in rice grain is of great significance for food safety. The purposes of this study were to investigate the efficacy and mechanism of alkaline functional fertilizer (AFF) on soil acid, available cadmium (Cd) and its and accumulation in rice through three field experiments in Hunan province with different soil type by use of conventional fertilizer as control. Results showed that soil pH value was increased with the amount of the AFF, the maximum increment of the pH was 1.65 units. Soil available Cd was reduced with increase of the AFF and soil pH value, and it decreased by 12 %, 38 % and 44 % in the three sites, respectively. The rice yield was related to the original or basal soil pH and available cadmium content. The yield increased by 4–16 %, 12–27 % and 9–24 %, respectively. Cd content of root, stem, leaf and polished rice reduced by 78.75 %, 88.05 %, 84.05 % and 80.38 % by use of the AFF in the three sites, respectively. The Cd content of polished rice would be declined below the allowable limit of food safety standard in China (0.2 mg·kg−1). The Cd enrichment coefficient (ERC) was in the order of root > stem > leaf > polished rice. The results of index of transport coefficient (TC) showed that Cd in polished rice mainly came from stem and leaf. The Cd content in the leaf and stem should be reduced first to reduce the Cd content of polished rice. The mechanism of the AFF reducing Cd uptake and accumulation lies in the fertilizer neutralizing both active and potential soil acid by slow release of OH–. The fertilizer was capable to increase soil cation exchange capacity and passivate Cd to reduce its bio-availability. Development and promotion of the AFF are significance to decline Cd transport in the soil–plant ecosystem and ensure food safety. The recommended economic fertilization rate of the AFF is 3000 to 4500 kg/ha

Characteristics and Source Analysis of Water-Soluble Inorganic Ions in PM10 in a Typical Mining City, Central China

A total of 61 PM10 samples in Huangshi (HS), Central China, were collected every sixth day from April 2012 to March 2013 and were analyzed for water-soluble inorganic ions (WSIIs) by ion chromatography. The sum of three major ions (SO42−, NO3−, and NH4+) accounted for 75.8% of the total WSIIs on average. The results of a non-parametric test (Kruskal-Wallis) show that, except for Na+ (p > 0.05), the other ions present a distinctly seasonal variation with a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05). The minimum concentrations of all ions were found in summer, while the maximum values presented in autumn (for Ca2+) and winter (for Cl−, NO3−, SO42−, K+, NH4+, Mg2+). Based on the highest ratio of Cl−/Na+ (3.02) and the highest concentration of K (4.37 μg·m−3), Ba (0.37 μg·m−3), and Sr (0.07 μg·m−3) in February 2013, it can be concluded that firework powders have aggravated the haze weather during the Spring Festival of 2013. The micro-equivalent concentrations of cations and anions were calculated and the comparisons between the calculated and measured NH4+ concentrations were conducted. The results illustrate that aerosol particles in HS are acidic and there may exist some other cationic ions not detected in this study. An obvious positive correlation and good linear regression among WSIIs suggest that the chemical forms in HS aerosols show a great variety of combinations, such as NH4NO3, NH4HSO4, (NH4)2SO4, NH4Cl, KCl, KNO3, NaCl, NaNO3, Ca(NO3)2, CaSO4, MgCl2, Mg(NO3)2, and MgSO4. The WSIIs have large positive correlation and linear regression with the elements, suggesting that WSIIs in mining cities are strongly influenced by element constituents. Principal component analysis implies that WSIIs in PM10 are probably from three sources. NH4+, Mg2+, NO3−, K and K+, Cl− and Cl, SO42−, and S accounted for 46.9% of the total variances, suggesting likely anthropogenic sources, especially coal combustion, vehicular exhaust, and biomass burning. Mg accounted for 23.3% of the total variances and Ca2+ and Ca explained 18.1% of the total variances, demonstrating that another important source is mineral dust from both natural and anthropogenic sources

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in atmospheric dustfall from the industrial corridor in Hubei Province, Central China

Thirty atmospheric dustfall samples collected from an industrial corridor in Hubei Province, central China, were analyzed for 16 USEPA priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to investigate their concentrations, spatial distributions, sources, and health risks. Total PAH concentrations (I PAHs) pound ranged from 1.72 to 13.17 A mu g/g and averaged 4.91 A mu g/g. High molecular weight (4-5 rings) PAHs averaged 59.67 % of the I PAHs pound. Individual PAH concentrations were not significantly correlated with total organic carbon, possibly due to the semi-continuous inputs from anthropogenic sources. Source identification studies suggest that the PAHs were mainly from motor vehicles and biomass/coal combustion. The incremental lifetime cancer risks associated with exposure to PAHs in the dustfall ranged from 10(-4) to 10(-6); these indicate potentially serious carcinogenic risks for exposed populations in the industrial corridor.</p

Characteristics, Sources and Health Risk of Heavy Metals in Road Dust in the Typical County Town, Central China

In this study, to investigate the contamination characteristics and potential health implications of heavy metals in road dust of the typical county in central China, heavy metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, V, Pb, Zn) in typical road dust with large traffic flow, in different functional areas of Yangxin County, were determined. The results of the geo-accumulation index (Igeo) showed that Co, Mn, Ni, and V were not polluted, while other heavy metals caused different degrees of pollution. According to principal component analysis (PCA), there were three main sources of heavy metals. The result of statistical analysis showed that heavy metal pollution in road dust mainly comes from traffic activities, industrial production activities, building pollution, and the natural environment. The carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks of children and adults were within the safe range, and hand–oral contact was the main exposure route of non-carcinogenic risks. The non-carcinogenic risk and carcinogenic effects of heavy metals in urban road dust were acceptable to children and adults. However, we should still pay attention to the impact of heavy metals on the ecological environment and human health

Characteristics, Sources and Health Risk of Heavy Metals in Road Dust in the Typical County Town, Central China

In this study, to investigate the contamination characteristics and potential health implications of heavy metals in road dust of the typical county in central China, heavy metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, V, Pb, Zn) in typical road dust with large traffic flow, in different functional areas of Yangxin County, were determined. The results of the geo-accumulation index (Igeo) showed that Co, Mn, Ni, and V were not polluted, while other heavy metals caused different degrees of pollution. According to principal component analysis (PCA), there were three main sources of heavy metals. The result of statistical analysis showed that heavy metal pollution in road dust mainly comes from traffic activities, industrial production activities, building pollution, and the natural environment. The carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks of children and adults were within the safe range, and hand&ndash;oral contact was the main exposure route of non-carcinogenic risks. The non-carcinogenic risk and carcinogenic effects of heavy metals in urban road dust were acceptable to children and adults. However, we should still pay attention to the impact of heavy metals on the ecological environment and human health

Seasonal variation and health risk assessment of atmosphericPM2.5-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in a classicagglomeration industrial city, central China

Sixty atmospheric sample concentrations of PM2.5 and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in PM2.5 were analyzed in distinct seasonal variations from a classic agglomeration industrial city. The concentrations of PM2.5 ranged from 6.96 to 260.06&nbsp;&mu;g/m3 with an average of 177.05&nbsp;&mu;g/m3. Only 38% of the sampling days were superior to the 24-h limit value (75&nbsp;&mu;g/m3) of ambient air quality standards (AAQs), and the samples from autumn and winter exceeded the limit value. The total PAHs ranged from 1.51 to 44.51&nbsp;ng/m3 with an average of 10.65&nbsp;ng/m3. The highest and lowest concentrations of total PAHs appeared in winter and summer with averages of 22.56 and 4.03&nbsp;ng/m3, respectively. Correlation analysis revealed that high-molecular-weight PAHs (HMW-PAHs) (4-, 5-, 6-ring PAHs) were significantly and negatively correlated with temperature and water-soluble total organic carbon (WTOC), and significantly correlated with water-soluble total nitrogen (WTN). The 4-, 5- and 6-ring PAHs were dominant, especially those of 4-ring PAHs, which were above 30% of the total PAHs in each season. Source apportionment indicated that PM2.5-bound PAHs in Huangshi were mainly derived from pyrogenic source, vehicle exhaust, coal combustion, and biomass burning. Incremental lifetime cancer risks (ILCRs) showed no potential carcinogenic risk from the PM2.5-bound BaP-eq. ILCRs in winter were the highest, and the risks for adults were approximately an order of magnitude higher than those for children

Characterization of carbonaceous fractions in PM2.5 and PM10 over a typical industrial city in central China

Aerosol samples of PM2.5 and PM10 were collected every 6days from March 2012 to February 2013 in Huangshi, a typical industrial city in central China, to investigate the characteristics, relationships, and sources of carbonaceous species. The PM2.5 and PM10 samples were analyzed for organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), char, and soot using the thermal/optical reflectance (TOR) method following the IMPROVE_A protocol. PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations ranged from 29.37 to 501.43gm(-3) and from 50.42 to 330.07gm(-3), with average levels of 104.90 and 151.23gm(-3), respectively. The 24-h average level of PM2.5 was about three times the US EPA standard of 35gm(-3), and significantly exceeds the Class II National Air Quality Standard of China of 75gm(-3). The seasonal cycles of PM mass and OC concentrations were higher during winter than in summer. EC and char concentrations were generally highest during winter but lowest in spring, while higher soot concentrations occurred in summer. This seasonal variation could be attributed to different seasonal meteorological conditions and changes in source contributions. Strong correlations between OC and EC were found for both PM2.5 and PM10 in winter and fall, while char and soot showed a moderate correlation in summer and winter. The average OC/EC ratios were 5.11 and 4.46 for PM2.5 and PM10, respectively, with individual OC/EC ratios nearly always exceeding 2.0. Higher char/soot ratios during the four seasons indicated that coal combustion and biomass burning were the major sources for carbonaceous aerosol in Huangshi. Contrary to expectations, secondary organic carbon (SOC) which is estimated using the EC tracer method exhibited spring maximum and summer minimum, suggesting that photochemical activity is not a leading factor in the formation of secondary organic aerosols in the study area. The contribution of SOC to OC concentration for PM2.5 and PM10 were 47.33 and 45.38%, respectively, implying that SOC was an important component of OC mass. The serious air pollution in haze-fog episode was strongly correlated with the emissions of pollutants from biomass burning and the meteorological conditions

Characterization of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), Iron and Black Carbon within Street Dust from a Steel Industrial City, Central China

Twenty-two street dust samples collected from a small steel city, central China, were analyzed for 16 USEPA priority PAHs to investigate the concentration, spatial distribution relationship with black carbon (BC) and Iron (Fe), and the source apportionment and to assess the health risk of these compounds. The mean contents of PAHs, BC and Fe were 4.43 µg g–1, 12837.97 mg kg–1, 70205.70 mg kg–1, respectively. The highest spot was in the surrounding of the E’zhou Steel Plant and the Steel Rolling Mill of E’zhou. The correlation analysis indicated that there was no obvious relationship between Fe with each other, the PAHs significantly correlated to black carbon (BC), which might be caused by the continuous emission sources of iron and steel production. The results of sources identification suggested that PAHs contaminations in street dust were a mixed source of industrial production and traffic emission combustion. The incremental lifetime and cancer risks (ILCRs) of exposing to PAHs in the street dust of the E’zhou city for the three age groups (namely childhood, adolescence, adulthood) fluctuated with in the range of 10–6 to 10–4, indicating a potential of carcinogenic risk for exposed populations