锰基累托石低温NH3-SCR催化剂的制备方法

本文以天然累托石(REC)为载体,采用等体积浸渍法、共沉淀法和原位生长法负载MnOx制备Mn/REC催化剂用于烟气的低温SCR脱硝.采用XRD、SEM、TEM、BET、NH3-TPD和XPS等手段对催化剂的理化结构特性进行表征.考察制备方法及主要制备参数对催化剂理化性能及脱硝活性的影响,探讨影响催化剂低温SCR脱硝活性...     

蜂窝状Mnx/PG-CC催化剂中低温CH_4-SCR脱硝性能

采用悬浮浆液法将凹凸棒石(PG)涂覆于堇菁石(CC)表面,制备PG-CC载体.将PG-CC载体以过饱和浸渍法经Mn(NO_3)_2前驱体溶液处理后依次干燥、煅烧制得Mnx/PG-CC整体式催化剂,应用于柴油车尾气净化处理.考察了制备参数(锰负载量、煅烧温度)和工况条件(氧气含量,CH_4/NO)对Mnx/PG-CC催化剂在CH_4-SCR反应中脱硝活性的影响.采用BET、FE-SEM、XRD、XPS和NO吸脱附等表征手段对催化剂的结构和形貌进行表征.结果表明,在锰负载量为11%、煅烧温度为300℃下所制得的催化剂具有较佳的CH_4-SCR脱硝活性,O_2含量为5%、CH_4/NO为1,反应温度为300℃时反应条件最优.锰氧化物活性组分在催化剂表面的高度分散和均匀分布有利于催化剂的CH_4-SCR脱硝活性提高,且有助于NO吸附在载体表面并形成硝酸盐中间体参与催化反应.     

助剂Fe添加对柱状MnO_x/PG-AC催化剂低温选择性催化还原(SCR)性能影响

采用等体积浸渍法制备Mn Ox/PG-AC、Mn Ox-Fe Oy/PG-AC催化剂,并通过X射线衍射(XRD)、X射线光电能谱(XPS)及场发射扫描(FESEM)等表征手段分析了Fe的掺杂对催化剂低温脱硝活性的影响.分析表明,助剂Fe的加入促进活性组分锰氧化物具有更好的分散性,为催化剂提供了更多的催化活性位点,同时助剂Fe的掺杂明显调控了活性组分Mn4+/Mn3+的价态比.一定量Fe的掺杂显著提高了催化剂的低温选择性催化还原(SCR)性能.当Fe/Mn的物质的量之比为0.8时,Mn Ox-Fe Oy/PG-AC/300℃催化剂表现出最佳的低温SCR脱硝活性     

MnOx/PG低温SCR催化剂二氧化硫中毒及再生特性

采用等体积浸渍法制备了锰氧化物负载凹凸棒石(MnO_x/PG)低温SCR(Selective Catalytic Reduction)催化剂,在含硫气氛中进行低温SCR催化脱硝反应后受SO_2的毒化作用而失活.考察了热处理和水洗两种再生方式及再生工艺条件对中毒后的MnO_x/PG催化剂活性恢复的影响.结果表明,热处理不能有效恢复催化剂活性,而水洗再生可以使中毒催化剂的活性完全恢复;两种再生方法的工艺条件均对催化剂活性恢复效果不大.通过BET、SEM、元素分析等表征手段对催化剂中毒机理和中毒前后性能变化进行分析.结果表明,硫酸铵盐和多聚SO_4~(2-)的形成是导致MnO_x/PG催化剂活性降低的主要原因.热处理使催化剂部分活性恢复的原因在于表面硫酸铵盐的分解,而水洗再生可以有效的去除催化剂表面的硫酸铵盐和SO_4~(2-)聚合体,进而催化剂活性完全恢复.     

载体酸蚀预处理对CuMnCeOx/堇青石催化氧化甲苯性能的影响

为解决蜂窝堇青石载体比表面积小、活性组分难以负载等问题,采用硝酸酸蚀堇青石载体并负载金属氧化物,制备了Cu-Mn-Ce/堇青石催化剂.分析了不同酸蚀强度下催化剂对甲苯催化燃烧差异的原因,在40%wt硝酸溶液中、50℃下酸蚀4 h条件下得到的催化剂对甲苯的催化性能最佳,与其他催化剂相比,其表面平均孔径为38.31 nm并有更佳的孔隙率,且在12—14 nm处以及20—30 nm处有更佳的孔径分布,其上活性组分分布极为分散,具有更小的活性颗粒尺寸.在与未经酸蚀预处理催化剂的比较中发现,经酸蚀预处理的催化剂具有更大的比表面积和多样的氧化物晶体类型,更高的Cu/Mn比例(1.72∶1.26),其中Mn⁴⁺(31.1%)、Ce³⁺(27.5%)及Osur(50.9%)在其占比均高于未经酸蚀预处理催化剂.     

蜂窝状Ti_(0.14)Mn_(0.86)O_x/CH催化剂的制备及其低温NH_3-SCR脱硝性能

采用自蔓延高温合成法(SHS)以堇青石蜂窝陶瓷(CH)为基体制备了一系列Ti_(1-y)MnyO_x/CH整体式催化剂,应用于柴油车尾气氮氧化物净化.考察了制备参数(钛锰比、涂覆次数、点燃温度)和工况条件(空速,水蒸气)对催化剂低温SCR(选择性催化还原)脱硝活性的影响,采用X射线荧光光谱仪(XRF)、场发射扫描电镜(FE-SEM)、X射线衍射(XRD)、X射线光电子能谱(XPS)、比表面积(BET)等表征手段对催化剂的结构和形貌进行表征.结果表明,在Ti∶Mn=1∶6(物质的量之比),一次涂覆,点燃温度为350℃条件下所制备的催化剂具有最佳的NH_3-SCR脱硝活性,Ti_(0.14)Mn_(0.86)O_x/CH催化剂在空速为30000 h~(-1),氧气含量为3 vol%反应温度为150—250℃时反应条件为最优,催化剂在150℃以上具有良好的耐水性.Ti元素的添加提高了催化剂表面Mn~(4+)/Mn~(3+)比例,并使MnO_x呈无定形态均匀分散在Ti_(0.14)Mn_(0.86)O_x/CH催化剂表面,提高催化剂的低温SCR活性.     

Mnx/SEP(海泡石)催化剂低温NH_3-SCR脱硝性能

以Mn(CH_3COO)_2和KMnO_4为前驱体,采用原位生长法在海泡石(SEP)载体表面负载锰氧化物,制备Mnx/SEP催化剂应用于低温SCR脱硝反应.分别考察了制备工艺及反应条件等因素对Mnx/SEP催化剂低温NH_3-SCR脱硝活性的影响.采用BET、XRD、SEM、XPS等表征手段对催化剂的结构和形貌进行表征分析.结果表明,在锰负载量为8 wt%、n(Mn(CH_3COO)_2)/n(KMnO_4)为3∶2时所制备的催化剂具有较佳的NH_3-SCR低温脱硝活性.当空速为10000 h~(-1)、反应温度在100—250℃区间时,转化率为100%,表明该催化剂具有高空速适应性.锰氧化物活性组分在海泡石表面的均匀分布和高的分散性使催化剂具有较大的有效比表面积,有利于催化剂NH_3-SCR反应;此外n(Mn(AC)_2)/n(KMnO_4)对催化剂表面活性物种形态特别是表面Mn~(4+)/Mn~(3+)比具有显著影响,进而与催化剂的低温SCR脱硝活性紧密相关.     

Ce(x)Mn/TiO2-y催化剂低温NH3-SCR脱硝性能

以锐钛矿TiO₂(P25)为载体采用原位生长法负载锰氧化物制备了Mn/TiO₂催化剂,再以等体积浸渍-煅烧法对该催化剂掺杂氧化铈制备Ce(x)Mn/TiO₂-y催化剂用以烟气低温SCR脱硝.在固定锰负载量(质量分数为8%)的基础上,考察了铈掺杂量(铈锰摩尔比)、煅烧温度对催化剂SCR脱硝性能的影响.采用TEM、BET、XRD和XPS等手段表征了催化剂的理化结构特性.结果发现,当Ce/Mn的摩尔比例为1.0,煅烧温度为300℃时,Ce(1.0)Mn/TiO₂-300催化剂在150—300℃温度范围内、10500—27000 h^-1的空速范围内,能够保持90%以上的NO转化率.理化性能分析结果表明,煅烧温度对催化剂的微观形貌影响显著,随着煅烧温度的升高,Ce(1.0)Mn/TiO₂-500催化剂活性物种颗粒集聚明显、比表面积降低,且锰氧化物价态分布偏向于低价态;铈的掺杂有助于Ce(1.0)Mn/TiO₂-300催化剂活性物种在载体表面的均匀分散,可以促进产生更多的Mn4+物种和更多的吸附氧,有利于催化剂低温SCR脱硝性能的提升.     

Cu-ZSM-5/堇青石催化剂上同时消除烃和NO的研究

利用水热合成技术在堇青石蜂窝陶瓷载体上原位合成分子筛,分别通过离子交换法和浸渍法制备了整体式Cu-ZSM-5/堇青石催化剂,以丙烷为还原剂,在模拟柴油机尾气系统中评价了两类催化剂消除烃和NO的性能.结果表明,晶化时间48 h时,原位合成的ZSM-5/堇青石催化剂载体表面有形状规则的ZSM-5晶核生成,且具有较好的牢固度...     

钙钛矿型稀土催化剂负载方法的研究

研究了用溶液浸渍法在氧化铝球上负载钙钛矿型催化剂的方法,观察了载体负载活性组分后晶体结构的变化,并用EPMA测定了活性组分Cu,Mn,Co等在载体上的径向分布。在此基础上,利用先在氧化铝球上负载LaAlO_3,然后浸活性组分盐类溶液,再经灼烧的方法,制备了La(Cu,Mn,Co)O_3/LaAlO_3-Al_2O_3催化剂。     

Achieving Open Access to Conservation Science

Conservation science is a crisis discipline in which the results of scientific enquiry must be made available quickly to those implementing management. We assessed the extent to which scientific research published since the year 2000 in 20 conservation science journals is publicly available. Of the 19,207 papers published, 1,667 (8.68%) are freely downloadable from an official repository. Moreover, only 938 papers (4.88%) meet the standard definition of open access in which material can be freely reused providing attribution to the authors is given. This compares poorly with a comparable set of 20 evolutionary biology journals, where 31.93% of papers are freely downloadable and 7.49% are open access. Seventeen of the 20 conservation journals offer an open access option, but fewer than 5% of the papers are available through open access. The cost of accessing the full body of conservation science runs into tens of thousands of dollars per year for institutional subscribers, and many conservation practitioners cannot access pay‐per‐view science through their workplace. However, important initiatives such as Research4Life are making science available to organizations in developing countries. We urge authors of conservation science to pay for open access on a per‐article basis or to choose publication in open access journals, taking care to ensure the license allows reuse for any purpose providing attribution is given. Currently, it would cost $51 million to make all conservation science published since 2000 freely available by paying the open access fees currently levied to authors. Publishers of conservation journals might consider more cost effective models for open access and conservation‐oriented organizations running journals could consider a broader range of options for open access to nonmembers such as sponsorship of open access via membership fees. Obtención de Acceso Abierto a la Ciencia de la Conservación     

Rapid,recurring, structured survey versus bioblitz for generating biodiversity data and analysis with a multispecies abundance model

A bioblitz inexpensively and quickly generates biodiversity data, but bioblitzes are often conducted with haphazard, unreplicated sampling. Results tend to be taxonomically, geographically, or temporally biased, lack metadata, and consist of lists of observed taxa that do not enable further analyses or correction for imperfect detection. A rapid, recurring, structured survey (RRSS) uses a structured sampling design and temporal and spatial replication to survey randomly selected sites on a conservation property. We participated in a loosely structured bioblitz and a subsequent RRSS at Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve in Springville (St. Clair County), Alabama (USA) to compare observed richness derived from the 2 survey approaches. The RRSS data structure enabled us to fit models that accounted for imperfect detection to estimate abundances, occupancy probabilities, and habitat associations. The loosely structured bioblitz data could not be used in such models. We present a new integrated multispecies abundance model that we applied to avian RRSS data. Our model extension enables estimation for the community, employs data augmentation to estimate the number of undetected species, and incorporates covariates. The RRSS generated a more comprehensive and less biased list of observed taxonomic richness than the loosely structured bioblitz (e.g., 73 vs. 45 bird species and 104 vs. 63 insect families from the RRSS vs. loosely structured bioblitz, respectively). Models fit to the RRSS data identified seasonal patterns in avian community composition and allowed for estimation of habitat–occupancy relationships for insect taxa. The RRSS protocol has potential for broad transferability as a standardized, quick, and inexpensive way to inventory biodiversity and estimate ecological parameters while providing an outreach opportunity.     

Compliance with and ecosystem function of biodiversity offsets in North American and European freshwaters

Land-use change via human development is a major driver of biodiversity loss. To reduce these impacts, billions of dollars are spent on biodiversity offsets. However, studies evaluating offset project effectiveness that examine components such as the overall compliance and function of projects remain rare. We reviewed 577 offsetting projects in freshwater ecosystems that included the metrics project size, type of aquatic system (e.g., wetland and creek), offsetting measure (e.g., enhancement, restoration, and creation), and an assessment of the projects’ compliance and functional success. Project information was obtained from scientific and government databases and gray literature. Despite considerable investment in offsetting projects, crucial problems persisted. Although compliance and function were related to each other, a high level of compliance did not guarantee a high degree of function. However, large projects relative to area had better function than small projects. Function improved when projects targeted productivity or specific ecosystem features and when multiple complementary management targets were in place. Restorative measures were more likely to achieve targets than creating entirely new ecosystems. Altogether the relationships we found highlight specific ecological processes that may help improve offsetting outcomes.     

Some polyphagous Homoptera gain protection from their natural enemies by feeding on the toxic plantsSpartium junceum andErythrina corallodendrum (Leguminosae)

Summary Interactions were studied among alkaloid-containing legumes (Erythrina corallodendrum andSpartium junceum) and non-toxic plants (Citrus sinensis, Cucurbita moschata andEuphorbia tirucalli), several polyphagous homopterans,Aphis craccivora (Aphididae),Icerya purchasi, I. aegyptiaca (Margarodidae),Lepidosaphes ulmi (Diaspididae) andPlanococcus citri (Pseudococcidae), and some major natural enemies of these homopterans. Significant reductions in survival due to negative effects of alkaloid containing as compared with non-alkaloidal plants were recorded for the predatorsRodolia cardinalis andChilocorus bipustulatus, but not forCryptolaemus montrouzieri (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae),Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) andSympherobius sanctus (Neuroptera: Sympherobiidae). The development time of the larvae or pupae ofR. cardinalis, C. carnea andS. sanctus was longer on the toxic plants than on the non-toxic ones. The percentage of parasitism ofA. craccivora collected from the non-alkaloidal plantsVicia palaestina andMelilotus albus was much higher than that onS. junceum. The parasitoid complexes ofA. craccivora differed between both plant groups. The nutritive value of honeydew ofI. purchasi andA. craccivora, as expressed by the life span ofEncyrtus infelix (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) adults, was also investigated. Life spans were significantly longer when the wasps fed on honeydew produced on non-alkaloidal plants (C. sinensis andPittosporum tobira) than on alkaloid containing plants whenI. purchasi — but notA. craccivora — was the producer. It is suggested that the chemical defense ofE. corallodendrum andS. junceum is exploited by polyphagous phytophages to reduce predation. In nature, population growth and density of four of the investigated homopterans are conspicuously high when they developed on the alkaloid containing plant species, and very low on non-alkaloid plants. The efficiency of their natural enemies may be reduced by sequestration of alkaloids (or other toxic plant compounds) or their transfer into excreted honeydew. Therefore it is assumed that a generalist phytophagous homopteran may be protected from its natural enemies, although at different rates of efficiency, if it can safely sequester the host allelochemical when it develops on toxic species within its host range.     

A palaeo-hydrogeological model for arsenic contamination in southern and south-east Asia

An argument is presented in which areas of natural arsenic contamination of modern groundwaters throughout Asia have a common origin. Arsenic originally accumulated in oceanic ferro-manganoan sediments of the eastern Palaeo-Tethys. This was further concentrated through oceanic crustal extinction in what later became the south-east Chinese accreted mineralised terrain. Proto-Himalayan uplift of this area created the palaeo-drainage systems of the Ganges – Brahmaputra, Irrawaddy, Mekong, and Red Rivers, with consequent headwater erosion of arsenic-rich sediments. Their downstream deposition as immature and easily redistributed Neogene sandstones, silts, and iron-rich clays has created secondary and tertiary reservoirs of adsorbed and authigenic arsenic, from which the current arsenic-rich groundwaters have evolved. Considering river basins within the above palaeo-hydrogeological framework provides a basis for assessing the risk of arsenic in groundwater basins of south and south-eastern Asia.     

Sequestration of cucurbitacin analogs by New and Old World chrysomelid leaf beetles in the tribe Luperini

Summary Two South American polyphagous leaf beetles,Diabrotica speciosa andCerotoma arcuata, selectively accumulated the bitter tasting compound 23,24-dihydrocucurbitacin D in their body after ingesting root tissues of cucurbit plants. Similarly, three Asian Cucurbitaceae-feeding specialists in the genusAulacophora were found to sequester the same compound. Cucurbitacin analogs were shown to deter feeding by a bird predator, indicating an allomonal role for these compounds in cucurbitacin-associated chrysomelid leaf beetles both of New and Old Worlds. The strong affinity to cucurbitacins, selective sequestration of the analogs and consequent protection from predators suggested an ecological adaptation mechanism developed in common among these two geographically isolated subtribes in the Luperini.     

Threats to intact tropical peatlands and opportunities for their conservation

Large, intact areas of tropical peatland are highly threatened at a global scale by the expansion of commercial agriculture and other forms of economic development. Conserving peatlands on a landscape scale, with their hydrology intact, is of international conservation importance to preserve their distinctive biodiversity and ecosystem services and maintain their resilience to future environmental change. We explored threats to and opportunities for conserving remaining intact tropical peatlands; thus, we excluded peatlands of Indonesia and Malaysia, where extensive deforestation, drainage, and conversion to plantations means conservation in this region can protect only small fragments of the original ecosystem. We focused on a case study, the Pastaza‐Marañón Foreland Basin (PMFB) in Peru, which is among the largest known intact tropical peatland landscapes in the world and is representative of peatland vulnerability. Maintenance of the hydrological conditions critical for carbon storage and ecosystem function of peatlands is, in the PMFB, primarily threatened by expansion of commercial agriculture linked to new transport infrastructure that is facilitating access to remote areas. There remain opportunities in the PMFB and elsewhere to develop alternative, more sustainable land‐use practices. Although some of the peatlands in the PMFB fall within existing legally protected areas, this protection does not include the most carbon‐dense (domed pole forest) areas. New carbon‐based conservation instruments (e.g., REDD+, Green Climate Fund), developing markets for sustainable peatland products, transferring land title to local communities, and expanding protected areas offer pathways to increased protection for intact tropical peatlands in Amazonia and elsewhere, such as those in New Guinea and Central Africa which remain, for the moment, broadly beyond the frontier of commercial development.     

Effects of Controlled Fire and Livestock Grazing on Bird Communities in East African Savannas

Abstract: In East Africa fire and grazing by wild and domestic ungulates maintain savannas, and pastoralists historically set fires and herded livestock through the use of temporary corrals called bomas. In recent decades traditional pastoral practices have declined, and this may be affecting biodiversity. We investigated the effects of prescribed fires and bomas on savanna bird communities in East Africa during the first and second dry seasons of the year (respectively before and after the rains that mark the onset of breeding for most birds). We compared abundance, richness, and community composition on 9‐ha burned plots, recently abandoned bomas, and control plots in the undisturbed matrix habitat over a 3‐year period. Generally, recently burned areas and abandoned bomas attracted greater densities of birds and had different community assemblages than the surrounding matrix. The effects of disturbances were influenced by interactions between primary productivity, represented by the normalized difference vegetation index, and time. Bird densities were highest and a greater proportion of species was observed on burned plots in the months following the fires. Drought conditions equalized bird densities across treatments within 1 year, and individuals from a greater proportion of species were more commonly observed on abandoned bomas. Yearly fluctuations in abundance were less pronounced on bomas than on burns, which indicate that although fire may benefit birds in the short term, bomas may have a more‐lasting positive effect and provide resources during droughts. Several Palearctic migrants were attracted to burned plots regardless of rainfall, which indicates continued fire suppression may threaten their already‐declining populations. Most notably, the paucity of birds observed on the controls suggests that the current structure of the matrix developed as a result of fire suppression. Traditional pastoralism appears critical to the maintenance of avian diversity in these savannas.     

Cost‐effective conservation of an endangered frog under uncertainty

How should managers choose among conservation options when resources are scarce and there is uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of actions? Well‐developed tools exist for prioritizing areas for one‐time and binary actions (e.g., protect vs. not protect), but methods for prioritizing incremental or ongoing actions (such as habitat creation and maintenance) remain uncommon. We devised an approach that combines metapopulation viability and cost‐effectiveness analyses to select among alternative conservation actions while accounting for uncertainty. In our study, cost‐effectiveness is the ratio between the benefit of an action and its economic cost, where benefit is the change in metapopulation viability. We applied the approach to the case of the endangered growling grass frog (Litoria raniformis), which is threatened by urban development. We extended a Bayesian model to predict metapopulation viability under 9 urbanization and management scenarios and incorporated the full probability distribution of possible outcomes for each scenario into the cost‐effectiveness analysis. This allowed us to discern between cost‐effective alternatives that were robust to uncertainty and those with a relatively high risk of failure. We found a relatively high risk of extinction following urbanization if the only action was reservation of core habitat; habitat creation actions performed better than enhancement actions; and cost‐effectiveness ranking changed depending on the consideration of uncertainty. Our results suggest that creation and maintenance of wetlands dedicated to L. raniformis is the only cost‐effective action likely to result in a sufficiently low risk of extinction. To our knowledge we are the first study to use Bayesian metapopulation viability analysis to explicitly incorporate parametric and demographic uncertainty into a cost‐effective evaluation of conservation actions. The approach offers guidance to decision makers aiming to achieve cost‐effective conservation under uncertainty.