Removal and fate of endocrine disruptors chemicals under lab-scalepostreatment stage. Removal assessment using light, oxygen and microalgae

[EN] The aim of this study was to assess the effect of light, oxygen and microalgae on micropollutants removal. The studied micropollutants were 4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenol (OP), technical-nonylphenol (t-NP), 4-n-nonylphenol (4-NP), Bisphenol-A (BPA). In order to study the effect of the three variables on the micropollutants removal, a factorial design was developed. The experiments were carried out in four batch reactors which treated the effluent of an anaerobic membrane bioreactor. The gas chromatography mass spectrometry was used for the measurement of the micropollutants. The results showed that light, oxygen and microalgae affected differently to the degradation ratios of each micropollutant. The results showed that under aerated conditions removal ratios higher than 91% were achieved, whereas for non-aerated conditions the removal ratios were between 50% and 80%, except for 4-NP which achieved removal ratios close to 100%. Besides, mass balance showed that the degradation processes were more important than the sorption processes. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.This research work has been supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO, Projects CTM2011-28595-C02-01/02) jointly with the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), The Government of the Region of Valencia (Generalitat Valenciana), within the research project "Application of Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC on endocrine disruptors and priority substances in coastal areas in the Comunitat Valenciana" and by the Spanish Research Foundation (MINECO, project CTM2008-060809-C02-01/TECNO), within the research project "Feasibility of the SAnMBR technology to treat urban wastewater, and the technical and economic feasibility to industrial implementation" which are gratefully acknowledged.Abargues Llamas, MR.; Ferrer, J.; Bouzas Blanco, A.; Seco Torrecillas, A. (2013). Removal and fate of endocrine disruptors chemicals under lab-scalepostreatment stage. Removal assessment using light, oxygen and microalgae. Bioresource Technology. 149:142-148. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2013.09.051S14214814

Bulgarian sport policy 1945-1989: A strategic relation perspective

The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games have stimulated discussions about the success of different sport systems and the Chinese model in particular. Revisiting explanations of sport in the former communist countries of Eastern Europe during the Cold War seems timely, as the current Chinese model of sport was largely designed after the Soviet example established in this period. This paper examines Bulgarian sport policy between 1945 and 1989. It employs a Strategic Relation approach (Jessop, 1990) to analyse sport policy making as a strategic relation closely linked to the dominant state project of building a new stateness. It goes beyond ideological interpretations and argues that the state represents a strategic terrain where these relations have to be established in struggles, the outcomes of which are always uncertain. Furthermore, past and present struggles and their outcomes create various socio-political environments that presuppose the forms of state selectivity and intervention in sport. The process of constructing sport policy was influenced by two main categories of strategic relations: intra-state, including political, organisational and personal relations between the Party, state apparatus and various sport and non-sport organisations and their managers, and transnational, concerning ideological, political, economic and organisational relations with both communist and western countries and international sport organisations

Oxide Layers on Rapidly Solidified and Bulk Al-Si-Zr Alloys Formed by Oxidation in Air and Anodizing Process

Al-Si-Zr alloys have been studied as bulk samples and as rapidly solidified ribbon. Non-homogeneous structure in cross section of the ribbon has been observed. Authors are reporting significantly different nano- and microstructure of the “wheel” and “air” side of the ribbon samples. Some oxidation studies at 5000C in air have been performed. Results on both ribbons and bulk samples in as-cast state and after heat treatment are discussed. Ribbon surfaces are characterized mainly by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and oxide layers are studied in scanning electron microscope. High temperature oxidation experiments in air show appearance of non-uniform oxide layers on the free surface of specimens. By anodizing process a thick continuous oxide layer was found to form on Al-Si-Zr alloys. The thickness of the layer is varying around 80 μm according to SEM study. Results are discussed in terms of the above findings

Phase Composition and High-Temperature Oxidation Behaviour of Nano-Microcrystalline Al-Si11-Zr Alloys

Zr-alloyed nano-sized Al-Si ribbons have been synthesized by means of rapid solidification technique. Bulk specimens have been obtained as well by melt casting in metal molds. X-ray diffraction method has been applied to identify the phase composition and grain size. Microstructure studies of “annealed” and “as-obtained” material have been done, finding out that some phases are nano sized. Hightemperature air oxidation kinetics of bulk alloys and ribbons has been studied. In both cases a parabolic kinetic law has been followed but the velocity coefficient depends on the cooling rate applied during the alloys’ solidificatio

Inorganic mercury and methylmercury in surface sediments and mussel tissues from a microtidal lagoon (Bizerte, Tunisia)

cited By 18International audienceThe aim of this study was to investigate the distribution of mercury compounds in marine sediments and mussel tissues collected in the lagoon of Bizerte, Tunisia, during two seasons (summer and winter). Inorganic mercury (Hg2+) concentrations in sediments were found to be highly variable, ranging from 0.04 nmol.g-1 to 3.22 nmol.g-1 (dry weight) with a mean value of 0.52 nmol.g-1. Anthropogenic sources of Hg2+, most probably metallurgy or tire production industries, have been evidenced. The mean concentration of monomethylmercury (MeHg+) in the surface sediments is 2.32 pmol g-1 ranging from below the detection limit (0.45 pmol.g-1) to 14.6 pmol.g-1. No significant variation was observed between winter and summer seasons for both mercury species concentration in the sediments. The Hg2+ concentrations in mussel tissues are also variable, ranging from 0.007 to 1.347 nmol.g-1 (dry weight). The mean concentration is 0.70 nmol.g-1. In these tissues, Hg2+ is generally the major compound, making up ca. 88% of total mercury concentrations. However, methylmercury concentrations are significant and homogeneous, ranging from 62 to 121 pmol.g-1 (mean 96 pmol.g-1 . The results suggest that a fraction of the inorganic mercury load in the sediments of the lagoon undergoes methylation pathways. MeHg+ produced is assimilated in the mussels more readily than Hg2+

Influence of Zr on structure development in rapidly solidified AI-Si alloys

The method of rapid solidification from the melt enables a nano-structured zone to develop that is clearly visible in cross-section of ribbon-like specimens. The study of this zone (referred to earlier as structureless) is performed on a model Al-Si eutectic alloy with different Zr-additions. Due to the low Zrconcentration in equilibrium Al-solid solution, rapidly solidified ribbons are obtained and processed. The structure of a ribbon reveals two different zones. The first (near to the cooling surface) has shown nanosized intermetallic phases and Si-particles, which are easy to change during thermal treatment. Zr-additives to the Al-Si eutectic influence the solidification mechanism, and change the quantity, the composition and crystallography of the phase's comparing its state as-cast and after thermal treatment. There is evidence for the processes obtained by DSC analyses and by light microscopy. Thermal treatment at elevated temperature was used to detect changes, which could take place if hot-extrusion processing was used to compact chopped ribbon to bulk material. The micro-hardness tests were used to reveal new properties of compacts and oxidation experiments

Dynamics of mercury species in surface sediments of a macrotidal estuarine-coastal system (Adour River, Bay of Biscay)

cited By 54International audienceEstuarine and coastal surface sediments from the Adour estuary and adjacent coastal area (South Bay of Biscay) have been investigated to establish mercury species variability in a macrotidal system submitted to contrasted seasonal river discharges and downstream urbanisation. Surface sediments were sampled during three campaigns in the major sediment deposits of the Adour estuary and at selected discharge points. Concentrations of Hg2+ and MeHg+ in Adour estuarine sediments average 1600 and 1.3 pmol g -1, and range from <2 to 7300 pmol g-1 and from <0. 5 to 8.0 pmol g-1, respectively. The concentrations of inorganic ionic mercury (Hg2+) and monomethylmercury (MeHg+) in the surface sediments display large seasonal variation, being one order of magnitude higher in June 2001 for Hg2+ and in October 2000 for MeHg+. The results show that Hg2+ can be accumulated in the estuarine sediments after seasonal river inputs and both remobilised and methylated during dry period. Mercury species concentrations in coastal sediments collected in June 2001 assessed the impact of estuarine inputs on the nearby coastal area. Except direct anthropogenic discharge points, the variability and transfer of Hg2+ and MeHg+ in surface sediments of the whole estuarine-coastal macrotidal system can be depicted by simple geochemical parameters of the bulk sediments, such as grain size distribution, organic carbon and total sulphur. © 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Priming of Pisum sativum seeds with stabilized Pluronic P85 nanomicelles: effects on seedling development and photosynthetic function

Natural and synthetic polymers are widely explored for improving seed germination and plant resistance to environmental constraints. Here, for the first time, we explore stabilized nanomicelles composed of the biocompatible triblock co-polymer Pluronic P85 (SPM) as a priming agent for Pisum sativum (var. RAN-1) seeds. We tested a wide concentration range of 0.04-30 g(SPM) L-1. Applying several structural and functional methods we revealed that the utilized nanomicelles can positively affect root length, without any negative effects on leaf anatomy and photosynthetic efficiency at 0.2 g L-1, while strong negative effects were recorded for 10 and 30 g(SPM) L-1 concerning root length, leaf histology, and photoprotection capability. Our data strongly suggest that SPM can safely be utilized for seed priming at specific concentrations and are suitable objects for further loading with plant growth regulators