水热法制备PbMoO4微晶体及其光催化降解灭幼脲

以水热法合成的PbMoO4微晶体为催化剂,考察了反应溶液pH、污染物初始浓度和催化剂用量对光催化降解灭幼脲的影响,研究了光催化降解过程的反应动力学和作用机理.结果表明,最佳反应溶液pH 6.0、污染物初始浓度20 mg.L-1、催化剂用量0.4 g.L-1.反应4 h灭幼脲降解率达99.96%,矿化率达66.4%,降解反应符合一级动力学.通过加入自由基清除剂对比实验发现,PbMoO4微晶体主要通过空穴和.OH的氧化作用使灭幼脲降解,其中空穴起主要作用.     

水浮莲干体对甲基橙的吸附研究

研究了水浮莲干体对模拟染料废水中甲基橙(MO)的吸附行为,考察吸附时间、溶液初始pH值、水浮莲干体用量和MO初始质量浓度等因素对MO吸附的影响.结果表明,在MO溶液初始pH值为5.5、初始质量浓度为25 mg·L-1条件下,添加12.5g·L-1粒径为0.250～0.425 mm的水浮莲干体,于25℃条件下以120 r·min-1振荡吸附90 min后,MO吸附率可达72.1％.酸性环境有利于MO吸附;一定范围内,水浮莲干体用量的增加以及MO初始浓度的升高都会导致吸附率升高.水浮莲干体对MO的吸附过程更符合Freundlich吸附等温方程,Lagergren准二级动力学方程更适合模拟其吸附动力学行为.随温度升高,MO平衡吸附量呈减少趋势.水浮莲干体及浸出液中Cr、Ni、Cu、As、Cd和Pb含量远低于GB 5085.3-2007 《危险废物鉴别标准浸出毒性鉴别》中的限量值,因此将水浮莲干体作为新型吸附剂应用于染料废水处理,不会导致二次污染.     

TiO2/粉煤灰的制备及光催化性能研究

以钛酸丁酯为原料,以粉煤灰微珠为载体,采用溶胶-凝胶法制备了TiO2/粉煤灰光催化剂.负载于粉煤灰表面的TiO2平均粒径约为7nm,晶型为锐钛矿型,该催化剂在太阳光下降解初始浓度为10mg·l-1的甲基橙,经6h,甲基橙的降解率可达98.9%,将其应用于实际样品的测定,经3h降解率可达96.1%,显示出优越的光催化降解性能.     

Bi_2MoO_6可见光催化去除4BS染料实验研究

以Bi(NO_3)_3·5H_2O和(NH_4)_6M_o7O_(24)·4H_20为原料,采用预超声-水热法合成可见光催化剂Bi_2MoO_6,考察了在可见光催化条件下,催化剂的用量、污染物初始浓度、溶液pH值等因素对偶氮染料直接耐酸大红4BS去除效果的影响.结果表明,4Bs溶液初始浓度为20mg·l~(-1)、原始pH值6.90条件下,催化剂的最佳投加量为2g·l~(-1),光照60min后,4BS去除率达到92.7%;在实验浓度20-100mg·l~(-1)的范围内,催化剂投加量为2.0g·l~(-1),光照210min后染料去除量最大可达到约50mg·l~(-1),溶液在弱酸或弱碱性条件下脱色较为稳定,在强酸或强碱性条件下脱色较快,效果明显;催化剂重复使用前后结构和成分稳定,但光催化活性有所下降.     

染料化合物在改性介孔TiO_2上的吸附

以聚乙烯醇-碘复合物修饰的介孔TiO2纳米材料为吸附剂,研究了介孔TiO2对亚甲基蓝、甲基橙、茜素红和二甲酚橙染料化合物的吸附作用.考察了4种染料初始浓度和初始pH值对吸附的影响.实验结果表明,染料化合物的结构和性质影响介孔TiO2对它们的吸附平衡时间和吸附量.二甲酚橙、甲基橙、茜素红和亚甲基蓝有最佳吸附去除率的初始pH值分别为2.0、2.0、3.0和8.0;平衡吸附时间分别为100 min、10 min、100 min和60 min.介孔TiO2对亚甲基蓝、茜素红、二甲酚橙的饱和吸附量分别为80.32 mg·g-1、78.72 mg·g-1、71.64 mg·g-1,甲基橙的饱和吸附量超过200 mg·g-1.改性介孔TiO2对亚甲基蓝、茜素红、二甲酚橙的吸附符合二级动力学方程.     

HCO_3~-对Co~(2+)催化HSO_5~-降解水中偶氮染料酸性橙7的影响

以典型难生化降解偶氮染料酸性橙7(AO7)为目标污染物,研究了HCO-3(1.7×10-5mol·L-1—1.7×10-1mol·L-1)对痕量Co2+(10μg·L-1)催化过一硫酸氢盐(HSO-5,PMS)氧化降解水中酸性橙7(AO7)的影响,并探讨了其初始反应机理.结果发现,HCO-3可以提高痕量Co2+催化PMS降解AO7的能力,也可以通过直接活化PMS实现对AO7的降解,还可以作为缓冲溶剂维持体系的碱度,通过碱活化PMS间接参与AO7的降解过程.这些效应与[n(HCO-3):n(Co2+)]浓度比直接相关.当[n(HCO-3):n(Co2+)]较小时,Co2+-PMS-HCO-3体系的主要活性物种为SO-·4和1O2,当[n(HCO-3):n(Co2+)]较大时,体系遵循HCO-4氧化降解机理,主要活性物种为1O2.     

Fe（0）/H_2O_2协同降解亚甲基蓝的研究

进行了Fe（0）和H2O2协同催化降解亚甲基蓝的研究,分析了Fe（0）投加量、H2O2投加量、溶液初始pH值和染料初始质量浓度等因素的影响。研究表明：Fe（0）和H2O2协同可有效催化降解亚甲基蓝;在pH为4.5,Fe（0）用量为2.0 g.L-1,H2O2用量为3.0 mmol.L-1时对10 mg.L-1亚甲基蓝的去除率在60 min内达到90%以上。MB的降解去除率随着Fe（0）投加量与H2O2用量的增加而增加,但随着其初始质量浓度的增大而降低。研究结果还表明,Fe（0）和H2O2可在接近中性条件下有效协同催化降解亚甲基蓝。UV-Vis光谱在反应过程的变化说明亚甲基蓝降解生成了一些小分子物质。     

纳米零价铁对溶液中PCB77的降解及其影响因素

设计了以溶液初始pH值、3,3’,4,4’-四氯联苯(PCB77)初始浓度、纳米零价铁(Fe0)投加量、纳米零价硅(Si0)投加量、腐殖酸和环糊精浓度为影响因素的正交试验,研究纳米Fe0降解PCB77时各因素对反应体系中PCB77残留率、氢离子浓度及氧化还原电位变化的影响及其相互关系。结果表明,在溶液初始pH值为4.5,初始ρ(PCB77)为1 mg.L-1,纳米Fe0投加量为10 g.L-1,纳米Si0投加量为0,ρ(腐殖酸)为0.25 g.L-1,ρ(环糊精)为1 g.L-1时,反应2 h后,PCB77残留率最低,为35.2%。溶液初始pH值对反应体系中PCB77的残留率影响最大,纳米Fe0投加量次之;溶液初始pH值对反应体系中氢离子浓度变化影响最大,环糊精投加量次之;PCB77初始浓度对反应体系中氧化还原电位变化影响最大,纳米Fe0投加量次之。     

串珠状InNbO4光催化剂可见光下降解盐酸达克罗宁

采用柠檬酸溶胶-凝胶法制备了串珠状InNbO4光催化剂,利用X射线衍射仪(XRD)、透射电镜(TEM)、紫外-可见漫反射(UV-vis DRS)和比表面积测定仪(BET)等手段对样品进行了表征.以盐酸达克罗宁为模型污染物考察了样品的可见光催化活性.结果表明,合成的串珠状InNbO4为单斜相结构,禁带宽度约为2.91 eV,比表面积为74.1 m2·g-1.串珠状InNbO4具有较高的光催化活性,在可见光下,pH值为7.35,催化剂用量为0.5 g·L-1时,能够有效地降解起始浓度为25 mg·L-1的盐酸达克罗宁溶液,并且降解速率可用一级动力学方程来描述.     

ZnO-MgO/Al2O3吸附-臭氧催化氧化处理难降解有机废水

以活性氧化铝为载体,采用浸渍法制备催化剂,对甲基橙及草酸模拟废水进行处理.在中性条件下,臭氧催化氧化比单独臭氧氧化能提前30 min使得甲基橙溶液褪色,反应105 min时,臭氧催化氧化对TOC的去除率高达96.53%,比单独使用臭氧氧化对甲基橙TOC去除率提高了47.19%,在处理草酸废水时臭氧催化氧化对TOC去除率高达80.59%,比单独使用臭氧氧化对草酸TOC去除率提高了59.14%.在处理甲基橙及草酸的小试实验中催化剂对有机污染物的吸附作用起到了加快反应进行的作用.在对垃圾渗滤液超滤出水时,O₃与COD质量比为1:1时,臭氧催化氧化对COD去除率为49.09%,比单独使用臭氧氧化提高36.37%,臭氧催化氧化对TOC的去除率是单独使用臭氧氧化的2.54倍,在处理垃圾渗滤液纳滤浓水时,臭氧催化氧化对COD去除率高达88.72%,比单独使用臭氧氧化提高37.60%,并且臭氧催化氧化对TOC的去除率是单独臭氧氧化的1.6倍.臭氧催化氧化反应过程中产生的羟基自由基对有机物更快的反应速率.     

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.