低温等离子活化水对猕猴桃溃疡病菌抗菌活性及机制

为了探究低温等离子体活化水 (cold plasma activated water, PAW) 对丁香假单胞杆菌猕猴桃致病变种 (Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae, PSA) 的抗菌活性和潜在机制。该研究通过介质阻挡放电(dielectric barrier discharge, DBD) 低温等离子体发生装置制备不同激活时间的PAW,考察放电时间与杀菌效果之间的关系。此外,通过评估PSA形态特征,细胞粒径、DNA、细胞膜损伤情况和胞内活性氧积累 (reactive oxygen species,ROS) 情况探究PAW对PSA的杀菌机制。结果表明：PAW对PSA的杀灭效果与PAW激活时间呈依赖性,与对照相比PAW处理120 s后,PSA显著 (P<0.05) 减少了4.38 lg (CFU/mL)。扫描电子显微镜 (field emission scanning electron microscope, FESEM) 结果清楚地表明,由于PAW处理,PSA细胞发生了明显的质壁分离。荧光染色结果显示,PSA细胞DNA、膜渗透屏障被破坏程度、内容物泄漏量和ROS积累量与PAW激活时间表现为正相关关系。因此,推测PAW由于自身酸性、较高的氧化还原电位 (oxidation-reduction potential, ORP),以及水性活性物质导致细胞的氧化损伤,而且这可能是杀灭PSA的主要原因。研究结果可为PAW控制猕猴桃细菌性溃疡病提供参考。     

利用介质阻挡放电等离子体杀灭鲜榨果汁大肠杆菌

与传统热杀菌相比,非热杀菌能较大程度地保持食品中营养成分,节约能耗。为了进一步研究非热杀菌技术,利用自行设计的介质阻挡放电反应器（DBDR）,以鲜榨果汁为杀菌介质,研究了DBDR所产生的低温等离子体（LTP）的杀菌效果和对鲜榨果汁品质的影响。采用响应面法建立了介质阻挡放电等离子体（DBDP）杀灭鲜榨果汁饮料中大肠杆菌的二次多项数学模型,验证了模型的有效性,并探讨了循环次数、pH值、温度及电压对DBDP杀灭大肠杆菌的影响,优化出杀灭7个数量级大肠杆菌（E.coli）ATCC 8739的工艺参数为：循环次数6次,pH值 3.14,温度39.72℃,电压21.42 kV。为进一步研究DBDP的杀菌规律和探讨杀菌机理奠定了数学基础,同时,此模型的决定系数R2达到0.9817,可推广应用到其他果蔬汁的杀菌处理,提高鲜榨果蔬汁的品质和质量安全。     

微酸性电解水对受鸡粪液污染鸡蛋表面沙门氏菌的喷雾消毒效果

为验证仅采用微酸性电解水（Slightly Acidic Electrolyzed Water,SAEW）对污染鸡粪液鸡蛋进行喷雾清洗和消毒,能否缓解鸡粪等有机物对消毒效果干扰问题,同时找出最佳有效氯浓度和消毒时间。该研究采用喷雾方式,按先清洗后消毒的流程对比双蒸水（H2O）+H2O组（清洗和消毒都用灭菌过的H2O）、碱性电解水（Electronized Reduced Water,ERW）+ERW组（清洗和消毒都用ERW）、H2O+SAEW组（先用灭菌过的H2O清洗,再用SAEW消毒）、ERW+SAEW组（先用ERW清洗,再用SAEW消毒）、SAEW+SAEW组（清洗和消毒都用SAEW）等方式对污染鸡粪液鸡蛋表面沙门氏菌的杀灭效果,并采用多元非线性回归拟合杀菌模型,评估了有效氯浓度和消毒时间对SAEW+SAEW组和ERW+SAEW组的影响。结果发现,仅采用SAEW对污染鸡粪液的鸡蛋进行喷雾杀菌方式,可有效避免鸡粪液对SAEW杀菌效果干扰,当采用SAEW（ACC (Available Chlorine Concentration)= 25 mg/L）进行喷雾清洗和消毒,清洗时间10 s,消毒时间18 s时,可完全杀灭污染鸡粪液鸡蛋表面沙门氏菌,杀菌值达到6.26 lg cfu/个;SAEW+SAEW组模型决定系数和调整决定系数分别为0.933和0.930,ERW+SAEW组分别为0.926和0.923;验证试验中,SAEW+SAEW组和ERW+SAEW组实际值和预测值的相关系数分别为0.97和0.95;模型成立,该研究可为SAEW在鸡蛋消毒中的应用提供参考。     

脉冲强光对烤鳗的杀菌效果及感官品质的影响

为了在烤鳗加工中应用脉冲强光杀菌技术，试验分析了脉冲强光杀灭烤鳗表面染菌的效果，以及杀菌对烤鳗感官品质影响的情况。结果表明：脉冲强光可以有效的杀灭烤鳗表面染菌，闪照15 s，烤鳗表面大肠杆菌的杀菌率为99.99%；经过25 s的处理，烤鳗的感官品质（颜色、气味、质地、味道）没有显著变化；过氧化值、 酸价变化率都不超过0.35%。脉冲强光对烤鳗贮藏品质影响也较小，经过30 s的闪照，贮藏期间烤鳗感官品质没有显著影响，过氧化值、 酸价变化率不超过0.80%，变化幅度均低于0.50%。杀菌的工艺因素中，闪照时间对烤鳗杀菌效果和过氧化值、酸价变化率的影响最显著。     

光照强度对菌藻共生生物膜细菌群落结构的影响

为了探索3种不同光照强度对菌藻共生生物膜细菌群落结构的影响,该研究设计在淡水养殖池塘水质条件下,开展3种不同光照强度水平（CK组0,T1组4 750 lx,T2组7 580 lx）对菌藻共生生物膜内细菌的群落结构的研究。结果显示：菌藻生物膜细菌群落结构发育对不同的微生态环境有不同的响应,T1处理和T2处理的Alpha多样性指数,包括获得的OTUs数量（Number of Operational Taxonomic Units）（498.5±7.16、517.2±10.36）、Chao1指数（Chao1 index）（648.7±35.64、672.8±30.69）和Shannon指数（Shannon index）（4.68±0.01、4.85±0.03）显著高于CK处理（406.6±8.18,521.5±18.62,3.53±0.02）,CK组菌藻生物膜的细菌群落在总体数量上处于弱势,显著低于T1和T2处理;随着光照强度的增加,菌藻生物膜的优势细菌类群所占百分比的次序发生了改变;变形菌门（Proteobacteria）,拟杆菌门（Bacteroidetes）、绿弯菌门（Chloroflexi）和放线菌门（Actinobacteria）在3个处理中均为优势菌种,但丰度有显著差异。硝化螺菌属（Nitrospira）在CK组和T1处理的属水平相对丰度为2.72%±0.93%和2.57%±0.46%,显著高于T2组;红杆菌属（Rhodobacter）相对丰度随着光照强度的增大而逐渐升高,T1组假单胞菌属（Pseudomonas）的相对丰度平均值显著高于CK组及T2组,菌藻生物膜细菌群落结构发育对不同的光照强度有不同的响应,随着光照强度的变化,菌藻生物膜的优势细菌类群所占百分比的次序发生改变;T1组拥有较高的硝化和反硝化能力,CK组在降解多种有机物的能力方面较强。     

中性电解水对鸡蛋表面的清洗灭菌效果

为寻求一种高效、安全、无污染的禽蛋清洗消毒剂,采用无隔膜电解装置电解稀盐酸溶液制备中性电解水（pH值6.0～7.5）考查不同有效氯浓度、处理时间和温度条件下中性电解水对鸡蛋人工接种鸡白痢沙门氏菌（Salmonella pullorum,鸡蛋表面的初始菌落数对数为6.19～6.26 log10 (cfu/g)）和大肠杆菌O157:H7（鸡蛋表面的初始菌落数对数为6.12～6.19 log10 (cfu/g)）的杀灭效果。结果表明,中性电解水对2种病菌均具有较强的杀灭效果,其杀菌效果随着有效氯浓度和处理时间的增加而增强,但温度对中性电解水的杀菌效果影响不显著。对菌悬液的杀菌试验表明：当中性电解水有效氯质量浓度为1.5 mg/L时,可以在20℃下3 min内完全杀灭鸡白痢沙门氏菌（初始含菌数的对数为 8.12 log10 (cfu/mL)）;质量浓度为2 mg/L时,可以100%杀灭大肠杆菌O157:H7（初始含菌数的对数为7.78 log10 (cfu/mL)）。当中性电解水清洗消毒被人工污染的鸡蛋表面时,有效氯质量浓度为12 mg/L、处理3 min可将鸡蛋表面的鸡白痢沙门氏菌全部杀灭,大肠杆菌O157:H7菌落数对数降低到1.0 log10 (cfu/g) 以下,且处理废液中没有残存菌,无二次污染问题。因此,中性电解水可以代替化学杀菌剂应用于鸡蛋清洗消毒。     

食品温度及F值/C值计算机实时采集显示系统的研制

在流态化固体食品超高温杀菌中,可采用静态颗粒法记录杀菌全程颗粒的中心温度,尽管热电偶限制了颗粒运动及表面换热,但在颗粒之间传热学特性相同的情况下,被测定颗粒是系统最冷颗粒,这样首次出现的超高温杀菌条件下固体颗粒食品中心温度及杀菌动力学参数实时采集计算的需要.因此研制了一种基于Visual Basic6.0,能够完成数据采集和积分运算的食品温度和F值/C值计算机实时采集显示系统.温度传感器采用超细热电偶以适用于小尺寸颗粒.该系统的温度、压力及F值/C值测量准确度分别为±0.1℃、±0.005 MPa及±2.3%.在流态化固体食品超高温杀菌原理验证设备上应用该系统对马铃薯颗粒的进行多路温度采集,F值/C值计算及数据实时显示,证明该系统适用于超高温条件下的食品颗粒杀菌的验证和记录.     

蚯蚓粪和活性污泥浸提液对马铃薯致病菌的抑制作用

为探究有机废弃物蚯蚓粪和活性污泥浸提液对马铃薯致病菌立枯丝核菌（Rhizoctonia solani）和尖孢镰刀菌（Fusarium oxysporum）的抑制作用,该研究采用皿内生长速率法测定了蚯蚓粪和活性污泥浸提液及二者混和液的抑菌作用,并通过盆栽试验分析了它们对马铃薯促生抑病效果。结果表明,蚯蚓粪和活性污泥浸提液对立枯丝核菌和尖孢镰刀菌均有显著的抑制作用,浸提液的100倍稀释液对立枯丝核菌抑制作用分别可高达78.3%和98.8%,对尖孢镰刀菌的抑制作用分别为60.1%和75.8%;2种废弃物浸提液混合后具有协同增效作用,混合液稀释1000倍后,对立枯丝核菌的抑制率为98.6%,对尖孢镰刀菌的抑制率为72.6%。将有机废弃物浸提液高温灭菌后,对病原菌抑制效果极大的下降,与空白对照相比相差较小。盆栽试验结果表明,蚯蚓粪和活性污泥的浸提液能有效防治马铃薯茎溃疡病,2种浸提液1∶1混合稀释200倍后,防治效率高达75.0%。而且蚯蚓粪和活性污泥浸提液灌根施用能促进马铃薯幼苗的生长,浸提液1∶1混合稀释200倍后施用,与对照相比株高增长了56.8%。综上,有机废弃物蚯蚓粪和活性污泥浸提液对马铃薯致病菌具有显著抑制效果,2种废弃物浸提液混合施用对马铃薯茎溃疡病的防治有协同增效作用。     

介质阻挡放电降解果蔬贮藏环境中的乙烯

为了去除园艺产品贮运环境中的乙烯以达到保鲜效果,该研究采用一种介质阻挡放电（DBD）反应器对乙烯进行降解,对影响乙烯降解的各主要因素进行了考察。结果表明,放电间隙1 mm、放电功率大于15 W、气体流量1.5 L/min时乙烯的降解效果较好,30 min内乙烯被完全降解;产生的臭氧能够更好促进乙烯的降解,但也存在随功率增加臭氧含量突增的缺陷。低温等离子体技术在果蔬保鲜领域是有应用前景的。     

接触辉光放电等离子体对Fusarium solani的杀菌作用机制及动力学模型研究

为研究接触辉光放电等离子体（CGDP）对茄病镰刀菌（Fusarium solani）的杀菌作用及机制,本试验以Fusarium solani为试材,考察CGDP处理过程中电压、处理时间、抗坏血酸浓度、孢子初始浓度等因素对杀菌效果的影响;并对Fusarium solani生长、孢子形态、细胞膜完整性及过程中所产生的活性粒子进行分析。通过Linear、Weibull和Log-Logistic 3种数学模型分析不同电压下CGDP杀菌动力学特性,以相关系数（R2）、精确因子（Af）、偏差因子（Bf）和均方根方差（RMSE）4个参数评价拟合效果。结果表明,CGDP对Fusarium solani孢子有着明显的杀菌效果;升高电压、延长处理时间、降低抗坏血酸浓度和孢子初始浓度均能有效抑制孢子生长,使杀菌效率提高（P<0.05）;CGDP处理30 min,活性物质（·OH、H2O2、NO3-）浓度分别增加至1.57 mg·L-1、73.89 mmol·L-1和12.72 mg·L-1,pH值由7.07降至4.66;孢内核酸和蛋白质的渗漏量以及PI染色和扫描电镜结果表明,CGDP对Fusarium...     

蔬菜育苗高压静电吸附播种机理及系统参数优化

针对现有气吸式穴盘育苗播种机对含杂较多且没有丸粒化的不规则小颗粒蔬菜种子存在吸孔堵塞而导致排种精度下降的技术难题,该研究摒弃小孔径、长导程吸孔,设计了一种基于高压静电吸附特性的蔬菜育苗播种机。通过理论分析及电势等值线分布仿真试验确定介电绝缘层材料;构建静电吸附力学模型,明确影响静电吸附力的主要因素及其相互关系,确定影响播种性能的电参数及范围;以型孔加工直径、正向高压静电发生器输出电压和种箱底面倾斜角度为试验因素,以播种合格指数、重播指数和漏播指数为响应指标进行三因素三水平Box-Behnken中心组合试验,得到各试验因素与响应指标间的数学模型,应用 Design-Expert 10.0.4 软件对数学模型进行多目标优化,得到最佳参数组合为：型孔加工直径5.91 mm、正向高压静电发生器输出电压17.67 kV、种箱底面倾斜角度14.69°,此时播种合格指数为91.13%、重播指数为3.02%、漏播指数为5.85%。播种性能验证试验的播种合格指数相较于优化结果降低了0.61%、重播指数相较于优化结果降低了0.17%、漏播指数相较于优化结果增加了0.78%。试验误差在允许范围内,参数优化结果可靠,满足精量播种技术要求。研究结果可为不规则小颗粒蔬菜种子精量播种机械装备的研发提供参考,同时也可为不规则小颗粒物料定量吸附和快速分离方法研究及设备开发提供学术参考。     

Lethal Effects of Pulsed High-Voltage Discharge on Marine Plankton and Escherichia coli

Ballast seawater is considered globally as a major vector for invasions of non-indigenous organisms. Several technologies have been tested for their ability to remove organisms from ballast water. In the present study, we constructed a novel pulsed high-voltage discharge (PHVD) system that could operate in either high current mode with several hundred amperes or shockwave generating mode with relatively lower current in seawater. In laboratory-scale experiments, the PHVD system with shockwave-generating mode was found to be more effective in killing zooplankton (1.9- to 4.0-fold) and phytoplankton (3.3-fold) than high current mode at discharge with 300–500 pulses at 7.1 kV. Further experiments were carried out at different voltages and pulse-numbers to examine effects of the shockwave-generating PHVD system on viabilities of one zooplankton larva, two phytoplankton species, and an indicator bacterium suspended in seawater in a static chamber. For zooplankton, live cells were not detected at discharge with 400 pulses at 13 kV. For phytoplankton, the initial live cells of a dinoflagellate was decreased by 77?±?0.5%, and the initial chl a concentration of a diatom was decreased by 76?±?6% at discharge with 700 pulses at 13 kV. For an indicator bacterium Escherichia coli, live cells were not detected at discharges with 200 or 700 pulses at 13 kV. Measurements of ATP content of organisms showed congruent results with those obtained by the above methods, suggesting it may be a rapid method for evaluating treatment efficiency. Though further scale-up studies are necessary, these results suggest that the PHVD system have a high potential for applying to ballast seawater treatment.     

60Co γ射线辐照预处理对甘薯热风干燥特性的影响

采用60Co γ射线对甘薯进行辐照预处理,考察辐照、热风温度和切片厚度对其干燥特性和表面温度的影响,同时对不同剂量辐照的甘薯样品进行了显微观察和水分活度测定。结果表明,甘薯的干燥速率和表面温度随着辐照剂量的升高而升高。当干基含水率为150%时,辐照剂量为0、2、5、8和10kGy的样品干燥速率分别为1.92、1.97、2.05、2.28和3.12%/min,表面温度分别为48.5℃、46.3℃、44.5℃、42.2℃和41.5℃;热风温度越高,切片越薄,辐照后甘薯失水速率越大。热风温度为85℃的样品比热风温度为65℃的样品干燥时间缩短170min,切片厚度为3mm的样品比切片厚度为7mm的样品干燥时间缩短了228min;辐照后的甘薯细胞壁变薄出现断裂,液泡破裂,水分活度也随辐照剂量的升高而增大。辐照剂量为0、2、5、8、10kGy的样品水分活度分别为0.92、0.945、0.958、0.969、0.979。辐照对甘薯热风干燥速率表面温度和水分活度等有显著影响,为进一步研究甘薯辐照与热风干燥结合加工工艺提供理论基础。     

樱桃番茄清洗杀菌工艺优化

清洗杀菌可提高樱桃番茄的食用安全和商业价值,使得樱桃番茄外观口味俱佳、保存期更长、好果质量分数更高,该研究以宁夏樱桃番茄为试验对象,利用多槽自动输送式蔬菜清洗机和次氯酸杀菌消毒制备设备进行清洗和杀菌,通过清洗杀菌试验的测试结果来确定合理的清洗和杀菌工艺参数。试验结果表明:清洗机清洗樱桃番茄单槽喂入量最大值为15kg;清洗用时170s即可达到理想的清洗效果,洗净质量分数可达99.3%;杀菌水有效氯浓度为100μg/mL,消毒时间为85s,可使樱桃番茄表面菌落总数降低1.128个对数值;用有效氯质量100μg/mL次氯酸杀菌水清洗后的果实,在10℃的冷库环境保存下,18d后好果质量分数仍能达到77%。本研究结果可为工业化生产中樱桃番茄清洗杀菌工艺的提供参考。     

Distribution of ascorbic acid in potato tubers and in home-processed and commercial potato foods

HPLC was used to analyze the content of ascorbic acid (AA) in tubers of four Korean potato cultivars (Chaju, Sumi, Deso, and Dejima), in a series of baked, boiled, braised, fried, microwaved, pressure-cooked, and sauteed potato slices from the Dejima cultivar and in 14 commercial Korean and 14 processed potato foods sold in the United States (chips, snacks, mashed potatoes, fries). The AA content for the four cultivars ranged from 16 to 46 mg/100 g of fresh weight. The distribution of AA in each of the eight potato slices (sticks, plugs) cut horizontally from the stem end of the Dejima potato ranged from 6.8 to 19.3% of the total. The corresponding distribution in seven sticks cut vertically was much narrower, ranging from 11.7 to 17.5% of the total. Losses of AA in water (pH 5.2) were significantly greater than in 5% metaphosphoric acid (pH 1.0). Less degradation occurred in water solutions of the vitamin stored at 1 degree C than at 25 degrees C. Losses of AA observed during home-processing of three varieties with low (Dejima, 16 mg/100 g), intermediate (Sumi, 32 mg/100 g), and high (Chaju, 42 mg/100 g) AA contents were as follows: boiling in water, 77-88%; boiling in water containing 1-3% NaCl, 61-79%; frying in oil, 55-79%; sauteing, 61-67%; pressure-cooking in water, 56-60%; braising, 50-63%; baking, 33-51%; and microwaving, 21-33%. The content of the Korean foods ranged from trace amounts to 25 mg/100 g and that of the U.S. foods from 0.4 to 46 mg/100 g. These results permit optimization of the vitamin C content of the diet by (a) using high-vitamin C potato varieties such as Chaju, (b) selecting sticks cut horizontally for frying, (c) baking or microwaving rather than boiling or frying, and (d) selecting commercial potato foods with a high vitamin C content.     

氧气/空气源低温等离子体发生器的性能对比分析

为对比不同气源的介质阻挡放电型低温等离子体发生器的性能参数,分别以氧气和空气为气源,对发生器进行了静态对比试验,研究了放电电极面积、放电电压峰峰值、气体体积流量对放电功率、单周期电荷传输量、O_3浓度、O_3产量和O_3产率的影响。结果表明,当放电电极面积增大时,放电功率和单周期电荷传输量均线性增大,但空气源对应的放电功率和单周期电荷传输量及其增长速率较低;此时,氧气和空气源的O_3浓度整体呈上升趋势而O_3产率则呈下降趋势。当放电电压峰峰值增大时,氧气和空气源的放电功率和单周期电荷传输量均显著增大,且后期增大速率加快;O_3浓度均先升后降而O_3产率则逐渐减小,高浓度和高产率不可兼得。不同放电频率下,氧气源的最大臭氧浓度大于55 mg/L,空气源的最大臭氧质量浓度在4~8 mg/L之间。当气体体积流量增大时,氧气源的放电功率和单周期电荷传输量均先上升后趋于平缓,而空气源的放电功率和单周期电荷传输量则逐渐增大;氧气源的O_3浓度下降,O_3产量上升直至平缓,而空气源的O_3浓度则先增后减,O_3产量逐渐上升但上升速率放缓;氧气源和空气源的O_3产率均随气体体积流量的增大而缓慢上升。以氧气为气源时,气体体积流量不宜超过10 L/min;以空气为气源时,气体体积流量可选取为9 L/min左右。研究结果可为低温等离子体喷射系统优化及柴油机颗粒物捕集器的再生研究提供参考。     

Corn yield variation as related to soil water fluctuation and nitrogen fertilizer. II. Soil water‐nitrogen‐yield relationships

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the relationships between soil water and nitrogen fertilizer and their effect on grain corn yield (Zea mays L.) in a zone where the limiting factor of yield and nitrogen efficiency is the water supply. The experiments were carried out for 10 years on a deep‐permeable well—drained chernozem in a temperate—continental dry climate with annual precipitation of about 500 mm.

Different nitrogen rates were applied and plant available soil water (PAW) was determined every year before and during the growing season. Multiple regressions were fitted for nitrogen rate, soil water and corn yield.

The results show that there is a significant interaction between soil water content, applied nitrogen and corn yield. The soil water explains the greatest part of yield variation, followed by the soil water‐added nitrogen interaction effect and the direct effect of added nitrogen. The PAH on July 1st gave a better correlation (R² = 0.88) than June 1st (R² = 0.85) or March 1st PAW (R² = 0.72). But the best correlation was obtained when both June and July PAW were taken together in the regression (R² = 0.914). July PAW was also more efficient in terms of yield per PAW. Thus, 1 mm of PAW on March, June and July 1st increased the control yield by 12.5, 14.6, and 18.3 kg grain/ha respectively, and by 18.0, 22.0 and 32.0 kg grain/ha for the fertilized yield (with 60 kg N/ha). At low soil moisture content, the applied N had no or even negative effect on water use efficiency and yield while at high PAW the water use efficiency was greatly increased by the applied N.     

Corn yield variation as related to soil water fluctuation and nitrogen fertilizer. I. Soil water‐yield relationships

Abstract

The objective of this work was to study the effect of plant available soil water (PAW) in different soil layers before and during the growing season on corn yields (Zea mays L.) and to determine if the soil water may be a reliable index in forecasting the grain yield. The experiments were carried out for 10 years at the same site on a deep‐permeable well‐drained chernozem with good physico‐chemical and biological properties situated in a temperate‐continental dry climate with annual precipitation of about 500 mm and wide seasonal and annual fluctuation.

The results show that the maximum yields (MY) were highly correlated to water stored in the soil as well at the beginning as during the growing season. In most cases the yields were better correlated to PAW at the beginning of June (r = 0.96**) than at the beginning of March (r = 0.87**) or July (r = 0.91**). Nevertheless, the July PAW was more efficient in terms of yield per unit of PAW. Thus, 1 mm of PAW within 0–150 cm in March, June and July 1^st increases the MY by 16, 21 and 30 kg/ha of grain, respectively. The MY was more related to March and especially to June 1^st PAW (0–150 cm) than to June‐July precipitation.

The PAW from deeper soil layers was in almost all cases better correlated with MY and more efficient. Thus, for the PAW within 0–70 cm on March, June and July 1^st the simple correlation coefficients with yields were 0.69, 0.87** and 0.76* respectively while for the PAW within 0–150 cm the correlation coefficients were 0.87**, 0.96** and 0.91** respectively. Also, 1 mm of PAW within 0–100 cm on March, June and July 1st increases the yields by 23, 34 and 39 kg/ha while the PAW within 100–150 cm increases the yields by 40, 56 and 78 kg/ha respectively.

The results suggest that in this dry area the amount of yield is highly related to PAW at the beginning as well as during the growing season and that soil water may be a good index for forecasting yields as early as three month prior to harvest, except for years with weather accidents in late summer. They also show that PAW from deeper soil layers has a paramount effect on maximum corn yield.     

Remediation of PAH-contaminated soil by pulsed corona discharge plasma

Purpose

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are hydrophobic organic pollutants of great environmental and health concern. PAHs are very persisted in soils and sediments which make it very difficult to remove them from soil. Therefore, remediation of PAH-contaminated sites has become an important environmental issue. The objective of this work was to study PAH degradation by pulsed corona discharge plasma system.

Materials and methods

Phenanthrene (Phe) was used as the model pollutant. The Phe-contaminated soil samples were prepared by adding appropriate amount of Phe dichlormethane solution (200 mg/L) into a given amount of pretreated soil, and Phe distributed uniformly in the soil at about 100 mg/kg. The experimental system mainly consisted of a pulse high-voltage power supply and a reactor vessel. The high-voltage electrode comprised of six stainless-steel needles and the ground electrode was a stainless-steel plate. The concentration of Phe was determined by HPLC system after being extracted out from soil. Effect of run parameters such as pulse voltage, pulse frequency, air flow rate, gas atmosphere, and initial concentration of Phe on Phe degradation was investigated, and the consumption of ozone during discharge process was also studied.

Results and discussion

The results showed that degradation efficiency of Phe (initial concentration 100 mg/kg) approached approximately 70 % after 40 min of discharge treatment under the conditions of pulse voltage 18 kV, pulse frequency 70 Hz, and air flow rate 0.8 L/min, which increased with the pulse voltage and pulse frequency due to the enhancement of input energy. An optimal air flow rate of 0.8 L/min was observed to obtain a maximum Phe degradation efficiency. Oxygen atmosphere favored Phe degradation due to high concentration of generated O-reagents, and ozone was found to act on Phe degradation. The concentration of Phe had influence on remediation capacity that increased with the amount of Phe in soil.

Conclusions

The results confirmed that pulsed corona-discharge plasma was a potential method for remediation of PAH-contaminated soil. This study offered a viable treatment option for remediation of Phe-contaminated soil, which was expected to remove PAHs other than Phe from soil with further development.