Modified potential ecological risk index (MRI) was proposed based on the potential ecological risk index (RI) and risk assessment code (RAC) by modifying an index. The modified index was relevant to the chemical speciation of heavy metals. Xiawan Port, a typical region contaminated by industrial production, was selected as a case study area. The total concentrations and chemical speciation of heavy metals in sediments of Xiawan Port were analyzed. The experimental data indicate that Xiawan Port is seriously polluted by heavy metals, especially by Cd. The risks of heavy metals are evaluated by RI, RAC and MRI, respectively. The resluts of MRI show that the risks of heavy metals are in the decreasing order of Cd〉Pb〉Cu〉Zn. Comparison of results by different methods reveals that MRI integrates the characters of RI and RAC. MRI is recognized to be useful for risk managemnt of heavy metals in sediments.
With the development of colloid interface and enzyme technologies,enzyme-containing reversed micellar system has been receiving much attention in bioseparation and bioconversion. Because of its high efficiency,it has brought new opportunities for the development of molecular biotechnology. Reversed micelles represent nano-sized aqueous droplets stabilized by surfactant amphiphiles inside the bulk organic solvents. The entrapped enzymes have enhanced activities under those conditions as suited in the lipid bilayers of biological membranes. The fundamentals of enzyme-containing reversed micellar system are described in this paper,with special emphasis on the effects of surfactants varying in concentrations and structures. The latest study progress on the surfactants application in enzyme-containing reversed micelles is reviewed. The introduction of novel functional surfactants in micellar enzymology and their future development are also discussed.
LIANG YunShan,YUAN XingZhong,ZENG GuangMing,ZHONG Hua,LI Hui & WANG WeiWei Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University),Ministry of Education
A simple and rapid strategy to construct laccase biosensor for determination of catechol was investigated. Magnetic multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MMCNT) which possess excellent capability of electron transfer were prepared by chemical coprecipitation method. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) were used to identify its surfacetopography and magnetization, respectively. Laccase was immobilized on the MMCNT modified magnetic carbon paste electrode by the aid of chitosan/silica (CS) hybrid membrane. Using current-time detection method, the biosensor shows a linear response related to the concentration of catechol in the range from 10-7 to 0.165×10-3 mol/L. The corresponding detection limit is 3.34×10-8 mol/L based on signal-to-noise ratios (S/N) ≥3 under the optimized conditions. In addition, its response current retains 90% of the original after being stored for 45 d. The results indicate that this proposed strategy can be expected to develop other enzyme-based biosensors.
This study describes a new effective adsorbent for cadmium removal from aqueous solution synthesized by coating a shellac layer, a natural biodegradable and renewable resin with abundant hydroxyl and carboxylic groups, on the surface of iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) imaging showed shellac-coated magnetic nanoparticle (SCMN) adsorbents had a core-shell structure with a core of 20 nm and shell of 5 nm. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopic analysis suggested the occurrence of reaction between carboxyl groups on the SCMN adsorbent surface and cadmium ions in aqueous solution. Kinetic data were well described by pseudo second-order model and adsorption isotherms were fitted with both Langmuir and Freundlich models with maximum adsorption capacity of 18.80 mg]g. SCMN adsorbents provided a favorable adsorption capacity under high salinity conditions, and cadmium could easily be desorbed using mild organic acid solutions at low concentration.
Jilai GongLong ChenGuangming ZengFei LongJiuhua DengQiuya NiuXun He