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The temporal variations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in 33 agricultural soil samples in the vicinity of a municipal solid waste incinerator (MSWI) in Eastern China were determined one year after the initial investigation in 2006. The soil PCDD/F concentrations in 2007 ranged from 73.6 to 377ngkg¿1 (0.60¿6.38ngI-TEQkg¿1). During 2006¿2007, the overall soil PCDD/F levels increased significantly, i.e., 33% and 39% for total concentration and I-TEQ (median value), respectively. Moreover, soils in the study area are proved to be almost free from previously suspected PCDD/F sources, i.e., pentachlorophenol/sodium penta-chlorophenate (PCP/PCP-Na) and 1,3,5-trichloro-2-(4-nitrophenoxy) benzene (CNP) contaminations. Furthermore, the results from a congener-specific factor analysis between soils (collected in two investigations) and dioxin emission sources suggest that diffuse sources including open burning of wastes, traffic and hot water boilers are major contributors that are responsible for the accumulation of PCDD/Fs in soils. By contrast, the impact of the presumably major PCDD/F source identified in our previous study, i.e., the MSWI, seems to be limited. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Municipal solid waste (MSW) source-classified collection represents a change in MSW management in China and other developing countries. Comparative experiments were performed to evaluate the effect of a newly established MSW source-classified collection system on the emission of PCDDs/Fs (polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans) and heavy metals (HMs) from a full-scale incinerator in China. As a result of presorting and dewatering, the chlorine level, heavy metal and water content were lower, but heat value was higher in the source-classified MSW (classified MSW) as compared with the conventionally mixed collected MSW (mixed MSW). The generation of PCDDs/Fs in flue gas from the classified MSW incineration was 9.28ng I-TEQ/Nm3, only 69.4% of that from the mixed MSW incineration, and the final emission of PCDDs/Fs was only 0.12ng I-TEQ/Nm3, although activated carbon injection was reduced by 20%. The level of PCDDs/Fs in fly ash from the bag filter was 0.27ng I-TEQ/g. These results indicated that the source-classified collection with pretreatment could improve the characteristics of MSW for incineration, and significantly decrease formation of PCDDs/Fs in MSW incineration. Furthermore, distributions of HMs such as Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, Cr, As, Ni, Hg in bottom ash and fly ash were investigated to assess the need for treatment of residual ash. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In 2004, it is estimated that 1.18kg I-TEQ of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs) emitted from medical waste incinerators (MWIs) in China, accounting for 11.5% of the total PCDD/Fs emissions. So it is essential to assess the environmental impact of MWIs. A new MWI of China was started operation in May 2007, and implemented an advanced technology in the combustion and air pollution control system by the BAT/BEP guideline in August 2008. From 2007 to 2009, levels of PCDD/Fs were determined in soil collected in the vicinity of this MWI. The blank survey (2007) was conducted before the start-up operation of this plant. After the operation, soil samples were collected again at the same sampling sites as the blank survey. The average concentration of PCDD/Fs in soil increased from 1.13pg I-TEQg−1 to 2.29pg I-TEQg−1 after 1 year operation of the MWI (2007–2008), and a marked decrease (0.50pg I-TEQg−1) was observed during 2008–2009. In addition, the current level (2009) was still higher than the blank value (2007). The composited analysis of the experimental results indicated levels of PCDD/Fs were still comparative lower and a limited neighbourhood of the MWI was slightly affected by the emission from this incinerator, meanwhile other un-known PCDD/Fs sources and potential influenced factors could not be neglected in this investigated region. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The emission characteristics of volatile compounds (VCs) during municipal sewage sludge (MSS) and paper mill sludge (PMS) drying process were investigated through experiments conducted on a lab-scale tubular drying furnace and a pilot-scale paddle dryer, respectively. The result indicated that five kinds of VCs, i.e. CO2, NH3, C7H16 (n-heptane), volatile fatty acids (VFAs) and CH4 were emitted during the drying process. It was found that the NH3 and CO2 were the primary compound released from the MSS drying process. In the case of the PMS, the VFAs and CO2 were the main compounds released. The temperature and water content of sludge had great effects on the emission rates of NH3, C7H16, CO2 and VFAs. The pH and chemical oxygen demand (COD) of condensate from the paddle dryer were also studied. It showed that pH and COD of condensate from MSS were much higher than that from the PMS, and that the higher COD value of the MSS condensate interrelated to the higher ammonium and sulfur content of it. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The effect of water vapor on catalyzed de novo formation of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDF) was investigated through experiments conducted on a fixed-bed apparatus. The results indicated that water vapor could promote the formation of PCDD and PCDF. The dominant pathway was activating fly ash in this work, while water also reacted with chlorine to change the equilibrium of Deacon reaction, which influenced the final yield of PCDD/PCDF. Also a suppression effect of water on CuCl2 was found according to the values of the catalysis indicator. It is possible that water reduced the catalysis of CuCl2 or prevented its direct chlorination. But the overall effect of water on the formation of PCDD and PCDF was promotion rather than inhibition. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]