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Facial information plays an important role in human communication, e.g., rich and nuanced facial expressions effectively convey emotions. Traditional data such as 2D facial images and videos are susceptible to perturbation from lighting and occlusion, while 3D static data such as mesh models lack the temporal information which is necessary to describe facial dynamics. Therefore, researches on 4D facial data (3D facial models together with time as the fourth dimension) have received considerable attention in recent years. 4D data can simultaneously reflect the complex facial temporal and space information. To fully explore these characteristics, we present a systematic overview of the 4D facial research in this paper. We give a review in terms of historical development of 4D facial datasets, acquisition process of these datasets, related algorithms and applications, and discussion of outstanding issues. We also analyze the 4D facial research works by summarizing and comparing them; in particular, we present the results on three kinds of tasks conducted on the 4D facial datasets, i.e., expression-related tasks (AU detection, expression recognition and retrieval), generation tasks (3D facial reconstruction, facial expression and facial animation generation), and other tasks (facial registration, facial recognition and facial disease diagnosis). Finally, we summarize the future research directions. [Display omitted] • We provide a comprehensive overview of a 4D facial dataset. • We classified and elaborated on the different facial studies conducted using 4D facial datasets. • We summarize the future research direction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chromium oxide is widely used in national defense, hard alloy, alloy, pigment, vacuum plating, consumables and high purity alloy and belong to one of the main products of chromate production industry. In the present study, a novel cleaner process is proposed to synthesize nanostructure chromium oxide (Cr 2 O 3 ) from waste source containing chromium (VI). Hydrated chromic oxide was prepared by combination membrane and hydrothermal method. After calcined, chromium (III) compound: nanostructure chromium oxide (SNCO) was obtained. In the membrane electrolyte stage, this way can reduce the amount of acid added to adjust the solution pH. Besides, addition of CO 2 into the cathode compartment could improve the current efficiency and desalination efficiency, while decrease the energy consumption. Then the products were characterized. Combined with the experiment results of TGA and XRD, the potential formation mechanism of hydrated chromic oxide was proposed. The fine structure of the product was analyzed by SEM and TEM. It was proved that the nanostructure chromium oxide with good crystallinity was obtained. The UV–Vis was used for optical properties, which proved that it had good optical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vanadium is a component of different natural and industrial products and a widely used metal, which, nonetheless, has only garnered attention in recent years owing to its potential risks. Six sampling trips were conducted over different seasons and years, collecting 108 samples from rivers and 232 from the bays and analyzed using high-precision inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. This study investigated the sources, spatiotemporal characteristics, and risks of vanadium in the aquatic ecosystems of two typical bays of the Northwest Pacific that have strong links with vanadium-related industries. Likewise, the health and ecological risks were assessed using probabilistic and deterministic approaches. Overall, vanadium concentrations were higher in Jiaozhou Bay (JZB: 0.41–52.7 μg L−1) than in Laizhou Bay (LZB: 0.39–17.27 μg L−1), with concentrations higher than the majority of the worldwide studies. Vanadium-realted industries significantly impacted (p < 0.05) the metal concentrations in the rivers with 54.22% (40.73–150%) and 54.45% (27.66%–68.87%) greater concentrations in JZB and LZB rivers. In addition, vanadium exhibited significant seasonal variation, and higher values were quantified during the monsoon period at LZB owing to the greater catchment area. Impacted by smaller freshwater inputs, the post-monsoon period had substantial impacts on JZB, and vanadium in the rivers and bays was significantly higher during the winter. Despite some concentrations being higher than that indicated in the drinking water guidelines established by China, vanadium presents low to null risks to the population as per both approaches. Last, species with limited resilience are likely to face medium to high risks, with an incidence of 65–93% using the probabilistic method and 52–97% using the deterministic assessment. [Display omitted] • Concentrations in water near vanadium-related industries are up to 54.45% higher. • Seasonal variations in the vanadium concentrations linked with vanadium adsorption capacity. • Vanadium concentrations in both study areas higher than those found across China. • Medium and high ecological risks were estimated for both bays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies have suggested that rare earth elements (REEs) are contaminants of emerging concern. Moreover, the understanding of the occurrence and risks of REEs in river-estuary-bay systems is limited. The present study investigated the distributions, geochemical characteristics, and ecological risks of Y and 14 REEs (La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu) in sediments from the Yellow River to its estuary and adjacent Laizhou Bay. The average total concentrations of Y and REEs in the sediments generally increased from the Yellow River (149 mg/kg) to the estuary (165 mg/kg) and Laizhou Bay (173 mg/kg). In the estuarine core sediments, the concentrations of Y, light REEs (LREEs), and heavy REEs (HREEs) were in the ranges of 19.5–31.4 mg/kg, 58.6–156 mg/kg, and 12.3–19.1 mg/kg, respectively, from the 1700s to 2018, showing no obvious increasing or decreasing trends. The surface and core sediments from the river to the bay were characterized by obvious fractionation between LREEs and HREEs. In sediments, Fe minerals and clay are believed to promote the accumulation of REEs, especially HREEs. The enrichment levels of REEs generally increased from the middle reaches of the Yellow River to the bay, and Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Yb, and Lu were the most enriched elements in the sediments. Lu had moderate potential ecological risks in sediments of "the Yellow River−estuary−bay" system, and other REEs had relatively low ecological risks. The potential ecological risk indices of Y and REEs ranged from 78.7 to 144, showing increasing trends from the Yellow River to its estuary and adjacent bay, which should raise concerns regarding emerging contaminant management around estuarine and coastal regions. [Display omitted] • Concentrations of REEs increased from the Yellow River to estuary and Laizhou Bay. • Historical REE contents (1707–2018) of the estuarine sediment core were determined. • Fe minerals and clay promoted the REE accumulation in sediments. • Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Yb, and Lu were most enriched elements in the sediments. • Moderate ecological risks of REEs appeared and increased from the river to bay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fly ash is a kind of industrial waste and large amount of fly ash is produced by power plants throughout the world every year. It is a worldwide concern for disposal of fly ash and converse them into useful products instead of burying them to landfills. Zeolite 13X, a benchmark adsorbent for CO 2 capture has been successfully synthesized from solid waste fly ash by a hydrothermal treatment without adding any extra silica or alumina sources. Actually, CO 2 is believed to be the primary cause to the greenhouse effect, and a large portion of the CO 2 in the atmosphere is from the burning of fossil fuels. CO 2 capture from flue gases has been considered as a key measure to reduce this effect in the short term. The prepared zeolite 13X was characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, N 2 -adsorption-desorption measurements, X-ray fluorescence and scanning electron microscopy. The CO 2 adsorption performance of the zeolite 13X was examined by using thermogravimetric analysis. The zeolite 13X showed a high BET surface area of 643 m 2 /g with a microspore volume of 0.35 cm 3 /g, and gave high CO 2 adsorption capacity (223 mg/g) at 25 °C and normal atmosphere. Meanwhile, the prepared zeolite 13X showed stable CO 2 adsorption/desorption regenerability. The results indicate that the zeolite 13X synthesized by this environmentally friendly and cost effective method has potential application for low temperature CO 2 capture in terms of its outstanding features such as high capture capacity, fast sorption/desorption rate, infinite regenerability and cost-effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last decade, a significant increase in jellyfish blooms has been observed worldwide in marine ecosystems and is becoming seen as an indicator of a state shift in pelagic ecosystems. As large jellyfish blooms may have detrimental effects on fishery resources and ecosystem functioning. It is scenically valuable to understand the factors leading to jellyfish assemblage. Based on the survey of hydro-environmental parameters and jellyfish information in the Yangtze River Estuary in 2010-2011, spatial distribution of jellyfish was characterized, and then its relationships with environmental factors were analysed by employing Biota-Environment matching (BIOENV). There were totally 17 species, including 10 species of Hydrozoa, 4 species of Siphonophora and 3 species of Ctenophore, respectively. Muggiaea atlantica in spring, Diphyes chamissonis in summer and autumn were absolutely dominant species. Seasonal change of averaged abundance of jellyfish was in following order: summer (24 ind. •·m -3 ) > spring (20.8 ind. •·m -3 ) > autumn (7.6 ind. •·m -3 ); and it is summer (0.86) > spring (0.8) > autumn (0.52) for their diversity. The primarily important environmental factor impacting on jellyfish assemblage was temperature, silicate and dissolved inorganic nitrogen for the whole year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herbicides are ubiquitous pollutants in estuaries because of the increased demand for food and the need for intensive agricultural systems worldwide. Multi-interface partitioning processes are inadequate for the degradation products of herbicides, especially in sediment-laden river estuaries with intensive water and sediment partitioning. Therefore, the partition characteristics of atrazine and its degradation products at the surface water-suspended particulate matter (SPM), surface water-surface sediment, and SPM-surface sediment interfaces in a typical sediment-laden river estuary were analyzed, the dominant environmental factors were described, and the related mechanisms were explored. The results showed that the partitioning priority of atrazine and its degradation products was surface water > SPM > surface sediment. The partition coefficients of these three interfaces were significantly correlated. The primary degradation products and desisopropylhydroxyatrazine tended to partition into the SPM, and desethyldesisopropylatrazine tended to partition into the surface sediment. Canonical analysis and structural equation modeling indicated that temperature, salinity, sediment pH, and SPM concentrations were the main influencing factors. In the sediment-laden river estuary, the SPM concentration was the most dominant factor. The partition coefficients increased exponentially when the SPM concentration was <150 mg/L at the SPM-surface sediment interface, leading to a rapid shift in the interface proportion of atrazine and its degradation products. In the context of climate change and human activities, the SPM concentration in the estuary was decreasing, which hastened the release potential for atrazine and its degradation products from the estuarine sediment. The investigation of the partition traits of organic degradation pollutants promotes the understanding of the multi-interface transport processes in estuaries. [Display omitted] • The partitioning of atrazine among multi-interface was significantly correlated. • The partitioning priority of atrazine correlated with its degradation products. • SPM was the highest priority factor of partitioning in the sediment-laden estuary. • The partitioning of atrazine rapidly shifted with SPM concentration <150 mg/L. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

First principles calculations were carried out for α-Al 2 O 3 (0001) surface and γ-TiAl(111)/α-Al 2 O 3 (0001) interface to study the adhesion properties of the interface and to clarify the mechanisms that govern the adhesion of TiAl and its oxidation product Al 2 O 3 . Two type interface models, the TiAl(111) with Al- and O-terminated α-Al 2 O 3 (0001) surfaces denoted as T(A 1 )-type and T(O T )-type interface, respectively, were considered. The Universal Binding Energy Relation (UBER) was used to determine the separation between TiAl and Al 2 O 3 and the work of adhesion of the γ-TiAl(111)/α-Al 2 O 3 (0001) interface. Optimization was then performed for all interfaces considered here using the separation obtained with UBER. The lowest work of adhesion is −1.05 J/m 2 for the T(A 1 )-type interface and is −4.04 J/m 2 for the T(O T )-type interface. There exists competition between O–Ti and O–Al (on the TiAl side) interactions; however O–Al bond is stronger than O–Ti bond because the main body of the Al valences is involved in the hybriding with O p electrons, while only part of the Ti d valence is involved in the O–Ti bonding. Thus the O–Al interaction dominates the adhesion between TiAl(111) and Al 2 O 3 (0001) surfaces, and it can be inferred that an Al-rich TiAl surface will favor the adhesion between TiAl/Al 2 O 3 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organophosphate ester (OPE) levels, profiles, sources, spatial distribution, and partitioning were firstly studied in the rivers of the Shandong Peninsula. A total of 53 water samples and 45 sediment samples were collected from the rivers and the sewage treatment plant in the peninsula to quantitate levels of 13 targeted OPEs. Total OPE concentrations ranged from 263 to 6676 ng L−1 in the water, and 39.3–360 ng g−1 in the sediment. TEP, TCPP, and TCEP together contributed more than 90% of total OPE content. TCEP and TCPP concentrations in the Xiaoqing River sediment were increased by approximately two and seven times from 2014 to 2019, respectively. Total OPE concentrations generally increased from upstream regions to the estuaries. The main OPE sources were municipal effluent in the Jiaozhou Bay (JZB) watershed and chemical industrial wastewater in the Laizhou Bay (LZB) watershed. TCPP, TEP, and TCEP were generally approaching equilibrium between sediment and overlying water, while TNBP, TIBP, and TBOEP effectively transferred from the overlying water to the sediment. The riverine OPE flux was 0.66 ton/year to JZB and 3.58 ton/year to the LZB. TCPP and TCEP in municipal effluent, and TEP in chemical industrial wastewater should be regulated to protect Shandong Peninsula waters. [Display omitted] • Thirteen OPEs were detected and quantitated in Shandong Peninsula surface waters. • These surface waters were seriously contaminated with the targeted OPEs. • TEP, TCPP, and TCEP together contributed more than 90% of total OPEs. • OPEs originated primarily from municipal and chemical industrial effluents. • Total OPE concentrations generally increased from upstream locations to estuaries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] A breakthrough technology in sorbent production for CO2 capture has been developed successfully. [•] The sorbent can be synthesized from industrial waste fly ash by using this novel method. [•] The CO2 sorption capacity of the sorbent is highest among these solid amine sorbent derived by fly ash. [•] The preparing process of the solid amine sorbent was simplified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In order to improve the CO2 sorption performance of solid amine sorbent, the additives has been introduced into polyethylenimine (PEI) for reducing the diffusion resistance for CO2 molecular. Several additives have been added into the PEI in the sorbent to examine their effects on the sorption capacity and the sorption rate. The sorption performance of the sorbents with different additive in PEI was evaluated by using TGA, and the results show that only some additives can significant increase the sorption capacity, but not all of them. In order to understand how the additives improved the sorption performance, the viscosity of PEI with and without the additives was measured in the presence and absence of CO2. It was found that the decrease in viscosity after adding the additives may be one of the reasons for facilitating the diffusion of the sorbed CO2 molecules from the surface of PEI into the bulk of PEI, probably due to weakening the interaction of the CO2 molecule with the amine group. The additives may also provide some channels for CO2 moving into deeper PEI films, and thus increase the total accessible sites and improve the efficiency of amine. And this may be another reason for additives enhance sorption performance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The occurrence, spatiotemporal variations, influence factors and environmental risks of eight common neonicotinoids (NEOs), fipronil, and three fipronil metabolites (fipronil and its metabolites are collectively referred to as FIPs) in different seasons from the estuary to the inner area of Jiaozhou Bay, China were comprehensively investigated. First- and second-generation NEOs were found to be the predominant pesticides in this area. The average contents of ∑NEOs and ∑FIPs from the estuary to the inner bay decreased from 12.99 ng/L to 0.82 ng/L and from 1.10 ng/L to 0.17 ng/L, respectively. NEO and FIP concentrations were higher in summer and autumn. High ∑NEO content is distributed in main inflow rivers, such as Dagu River and Licun River, which are influenced by pesticide application. NEO concentrations in all rivers were high upstream and low downstream because of the influence of heavy rainfall and seawater dilution in summer. NEO concentrations were high along the coast and low at the mouth and center of Jiaozhou Bay in summer and autumn and evenly distributed in winter and spring. Temperature has a great influence on most NEOs and FIPs owing to its effect on their degradation. Nitrogen-containing nutrients have an important influence on the distribution of fipronil and acetamiprid, which may be due to the activity of nitrogen-containing functional groups in their structure. Only Licun River, Dagu River and Haibo river sewage treatment plant in summer posed a certain risk of chronic toxicity for NEOs using the new threshold established by the species sensitive distribution (SSD) method for Chinese native aquatic lives. These findings should arouse people's attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, water and sediment samples from the Jiaozhou Bay and surrounding rivers were collected to analyze the seasonal occurrence and allocation of 12 organophosphate esters (OPEs) and the associated ecological risk. The higher contamination of OPEs in the adjacent rivers indicated the impact of terrestrial input. Tris(1-chloropropan-2-yl) phosphate (TCIPP) was the predominant OPE in the four environmental sample groups investigated. The spatial distribution of OPEs in seawater varied greatly seasonally and was mainly affected by terrestrial input, with OPEs being redistributed under the influence of tidal currents. The partition coefficients (log K oc) of the OPEs were calculated, and their strong correlation with the log K ow (octanol-water) values suggested that the water-sediment allocation was significantly affected by hydrophobicity. The homologous relationships among the 7 OPEs with detection frequencies greater than 40% were identified by principal component analysis (PCA). The partial least squares regression (PLSR) model explicated that ∑OPEs cycling dynamics and principal controlling factors were dissimilar in the bay versus surrounding rivers. The risk quotient (RQ) faced by typical organisms in seawater and river water indicated that short-term OPEs exposure was safe for green algae, daphnia and fish. The organisms in rivers faced the higher ecological risk of OPEs in spring than in summer and winter. Therefore, the terrestrial transport of OPEs in spring should be controlled. [Display omitted] • The spatial distribution of OPEs in seawater showed seasonal variations. • The calculated log K oc of OPEs displayed significant correlation with log K ow. • The partial least squares regression explored ∑OPEs cycling dynamics. • Risk of OPEs was higher in rivers than in the bay for green algae, daphnia and fish. The partial least squares regression (PLSR) model indicated dissimilar source dynamics and principal controlling factors in the bay versus surrounding rivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in water are receiving particular attention as they pose adverse effects on aquatic systems, even at trace concentrations. A comprehensive study was conducted on 14 EDCs (five estrogens and nine household and personal care products (HPCPs)) in the water of the urbanized Jiaozhou Bay in the Yellow Sea during summer and winter. Results showed that the total concentration of 14 EDCs ranged from 100 to 658 ng L−1 and 56.7–212 ng L−1 in the estuarine and bay water, respectively. The average total concentration of five estrogens in summer was significantly (p < 0.05) lower than that in winter due to the higher precipitation dilution and degradations during summer, whereas the average total concentration of nine HPCPs was significantly (p < 0.05) higher during the summer than that during the winter because of the higher usage and emissions during the summer. Estrogens and HPCPs were dominated by 17α-ethinylestradiol and p-hydroxybenzoic acid (PHBA), respectively. High PHBA concentrations may be related to the hydrolysis of parabens. The total concentrations of EDCs were higher in the eastern coastal seawater of the bay due to the strong influence of domestic and industrial wastewater discharge. Estrogens may interfere with the endocrine system of aquatic organisms in the bay because the total estradiol equivalent concentration exceeded 1 ng L−1. 17α-ethinylestradiol was the main contributor to the estrogenic activity. The EDC mixtures posed high risks (RQ > 1) to mollusks, crustaceans, and fish, and low to moderate risks (RQ < 1) to algae. Fish was the most sensitive aquatic taxon to the EDC mixtures. Given the concentration and frequency of EDCs, the optimized risk quotient method revealed that 17α-ethinylestradiol, estrone, triclocarban, triclosan, and 17β-estradiol should be prioritized in ecological management because of their high risks (prioritization index of >1). [Display omitted] • Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are widely detected in an urbanized bay. • Estrogen concentration is lower in summer due to high rainfall and degradation. • Household and personal care products (HPCPs) was high in summer due to high use. • Impacted by riverine input, EDC concentration was high in the eastern bay coast. • Five priority EDCs with high ecological risks were identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pesticides are widely used to alleviate pest pressure in agricultural systems, and atrazine is a typical diffuse pollutant and serves a sensitivity index for environmental characteristics. Based on the physicochemical properties of parent substances, degradation products of pesticides may pose a greater threat to aquatic ecosystems than pesticides. Atrazine and three primary degradation products (deethylatrazine (DEA), deisopropylatrazine (DIA) and didealkylatrazine (DDA)) were investigated in a semienclosed bay of the western Pacific Ocean. Seasonal surface water and suspended particulate sediment (SPS) samples were collected from the estuary and bay in January, April, and August 2019. The level of pesticide contamination was lower in the bay than in the estuary, and the pesticide concentration in the dissolved phase was higher than that in the adsorbed phase. The average concentrations of atrazine and the three degradation products in the three seasons ranged from 2.42 to 328.46 ng/L in water and from 0.07 to 12.75 ng/L in SPS. The proportion of atrazine among the four detected pollutants decreased from 0.7 to 0.1 in surface water and from 0.3 to 0.1 in SPS over the seasons. As the main degradation products, the concentration proportions of DDA and DEA reached as high as 0.6 in August. The ratio of DEA to atrazine (DEA/ATR) increased from January to August, which indicated the progressive degradation process in the bay. Single-factor analysis of variance and principal component analysis indicated that atrazine degradation was sensitive to temperature, dissolved oxygen, and salinity. These three factors accounted for almost 70% of the seasonal variance in atrazine without a quantification assessment of photolysis or bacteria. The spatial distributions of DEA in the three seasons demonstrated that wind and currents also played important roles in pollutant redistribution. The seasonal temporal and spatial correlations between water and SPS demonstrated the degradation patterns of atrazine in marine conditions, supporting the need for future detailed toxicity studies. [Display omitted] • Seasonal concentrations variation of atrazine and three degradation products were figured. • Seasonal atrazine compositions proved the temporal degradation process in the bay. • Temperature, dissolved oxygen, and salinity were essential for degradation process. • Spatial distributions in water and suspended particulate sediment were compared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fourteen perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in fishery organism, surface seawater, river water, rainwater, and wastewater samples collected from Jiaozhou Bay (JZB) in China and its surrounding area were determined to understand their contamination status, sources, health risk, and causes of spatiotemporal variations in the aquatic environment of a temperate bay adjacent to a metropolis. The total concentration of PFASs in 14 species of fishery organisms ranged from 1.77 ng/g to 31.09 ng/g wet weight, and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) was the dominant PFAS. ∑PFASs concentration in surface seawater ranged from 5.54 ng/L to 48.27 ng/L over four seasons, and dry season (winter and spring) had higher levels than wet season (summer and autumn). Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was the predominant individual PFAS in seawater, indicating that notorious C8 homologs remained the major PFASs in this region. The seasonal variation in seawater concentrations of three major PFASs, namely, PFOA, perfluoroheptanoic acid, and perfluorononanoic acid, was similar to that of ∑PFASs. However, the seasonal variation of PFOS concentration was different from that of ∑PFASs, with the lowest in winter and the highest in spring. In general, seasonal variations of terrigenous input and water exchange capacity were the main reasons for the spatiotemporal variation of PFASs in the aquatic environment of JZB. Moreover, bioselective enrichment for individual PFAS affected the partition of PFASs in different environment medium. Wet precipitation, sewage discharge, and surface runoff were the main sources of PFASs in this area. Nevertheless, the contribution of different sources to individual PFAS indicated a clear difference, and wastewater and river water were not consistently the most important source for every PFAS. Preliminary risk assessment revealed that the consumption of seafood, especially fish, from JZB might pose a certain extent of health risk to local consumers based on their estimated daily intake of PFASs. Image 1 • Various PFASs occurred in the fishery organisms and aquatic environment of Jiaozhou Bay. • Notorious C8 homologs (PFOA and PFOS) were still the dominant PFASs. • The levels of PFASs in seawater evidently varied with the season and location. • Terrigenous input, tide, and rainfall affected the spatiotemporal variation of PFASs. • Health risks for PFAS exposure via fishery organism intake cannot be ignored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coppicing is a highly effective method of producing a great deal of fast growing, sustainable timber without the need for replanting. Tamarix chinensis , a native salt-tolerant species, plays an important role in the ecosystems of arid saline alkali soil and coastal wetlands in northern China. In this study, we conducted a coppicing field experiment on T. chinensis to study the vigor of resprouting over a 4-year monitoring period in the coastal wetland of Laizhou Bay, China. Results of this study show that the growth of coppiced T. chinensis was vigorous and conformed to an "S-curve" type growth pattern. The height and crown of coppiced T. chinensis recovered quickly to the initial level by the 2nd year of regrowth and its aboveground biomass regained 93.5% of the previous level by the 4th year. The carbon stock in the T. chinensis wetland was significantly increased by the coppicing operation. Carbon stocks in the aboveground parts and soil (0–100 cm) increased by 222.6 g m−2 and 588.9 g m−2, respectively, during the 4-year experimental period. These values are 43% and 74% higher, respectively, than those in the control plot over the same period. These results indicate that coppicing provides a practical means for promoting regeneration and rejuvenation of Tamarix spp. forests as well as a new approach to increasing biomass and carbon stocks in the coastal wetlands of northern China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lipophilic marine algal toxins (LMATs) pose a potential threat to the health of marine shellfish consumers and marine breeding industries. In this study, LMATs in dissolved phases (DP) and particulate phases (PP) in the seawater of Jiaozhou Bay were accurately determined over four seasons to understand their composition, level, phase partitioning, spatiotemporal variation, and potential sources in aquatic environments of a typical semi-closed mariculture bay. Various LMATs, such as okadaic acid (OA), dinophysistoxin-1 (DTX1), dinophysistoxin-2 (DTX2), gymnodimine (GYM), 13-desmethyl spirolide C (SPX1), pectenotoxin-2 (PTX2), pectenotoxin-2 seco acid (PTX2 SA), and pectenotoxin-11 (PTX11), were detected in DP and PP; of these, OA and PTX2 were the dominant LMATs in DP and PP, respectively. The average proportion of ΣLMATs in DP (97.5%) was significantly higher than that in PP (2.5%), which indicates that LMATs are predominantly partitioned into DP. The total concentrations of LMATs in DP ranged from 4.16 ng/L to 23.19 ng/L (mean, 13.35 ng/L) over four seasons. The highest levels of LMATs in DP and PP were found in summer (mean, 16.71 ng/L) and spring, respectively, while the maximum variety of LMATs was found in autumn. This result suggests that seasonal changes could influence the composition, concentration, and phase partitioning of LMATs in aquatic environments of a coastal semi-closed mariculture bay. ΣLMAT concentrations were higher in the western region than in the eastern region of the bay, where shellfish may have a greater risk of exposure. Dinophysis acuminata , Dinophysis fortii , and Prorocentrum minimum were the potential sources of LMATs in the aquaculture seawater. Overall, various LMATs occurred in the semi-closed mariculture bay, and the persistence and bioavailability of these toxins in aquaculture seawater should be determined in future research. Image 1 • LMATs in aquatic environments of Jiaozhou Bay in China, a typical mariculture bay, were accurately measured. • While several LMATs were found in both dissolved and particulate phases, these were dominant in the former. • The composition and level of LMATs in aquaculture seawater evidently varied with the season. • Spatial variations in LMAT level in the seawater of the coastal semi-closed bay were not remarkable. • Dinophysis acuminata , Dinophysis fortii , and Prorocentrum minimum may be the main sources of LMATs in Jiaozhou Bay. Various LMATs both in dissolved and particulate phases were distributed in the aquatic environments of a typical semi-closed mariculture bay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the previous decade, neonicotinoids (NEOs) and fipronil (FIP) have received increasing attention as environmental pollutants because the high toxicity of these insecticides to nontarget arthropods has been recognized. In this study, a new method was developed for the simultaneous determination of seven NEOs and FIP and its metabolites (FIPs) in seawater and river water samples using disk-based solid-phase extraction (SPE) and high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS/MS). The optimization of disk-based SPE extraction and HPLC separation parameters of target analytes was investigated. Under optimal conditions, the low limit of quantitation (LOQ) of 11 target analytes in actual water samples ranged from 0.05 ng/L to 0.50 ng/L. Satisfactory absolute recoveries (58.9%–109.9%), precision (relative standard deviations, ≤13.3%), and linearity (R 2 ≥ 0.995) were also achieved, thereby indicating that the developed method would be suitable to determine the target NEOs and FIPs in seawater and river water. Finally, the proposed method was applied to determine the amounts of these insecticides in authentic environmental water samples collected from Jiaozhou Bay, China, and its adjacent rivers. Nitenpyram, thiamethoxam, imidacloprid, clothianidin, and acetamiprid were detected, as well as FIPs in seawater and river water samples. This study is the first to report that NEOs and FIPs are detected in the coastal seawater. The total concentration of these insecticides ranged from ≤LOD to 11.19 ng/L, which indicates that these pesticides are eventually discharged into the marine environment. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the temporal spatial distribution, migration and transformation, environmental fate, and bioavailability of these pesticides in further studies. Image 1 • SPE disk had favorablerecoveries for simultaneous enrichment of trace NEOs and FIPs. • A reliable analytical method was developed for NEOs and FIPs in water samples. • Several NEOs, FIP, and its metabolites were detected in Jiaozhou Bay coastal water. • The analysis of NEOs and FIPs in seawater was reported for the first time. • More attention has to be focused on environmental risks of the coastal area posed by NEOs and FIPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Nb 2 O 5 addition improves the sulfur resistance of CeWTi catalyst in presence of H 2 O. • Ammonium hydrogen sulfate is preferentially formed on NbCeWTi catalyst. • More Ce x+ active sites are preserved from attack of SO x with niobia modification. • NO adsorption and nitrate formation are ensured on NbCeWTi in the presence of SO 2. CeO 2 /WO 3 -TiO 2 (CeWTi) and Nb 2 O 5 -CeO 2 /WO 3 -TiO 2 (NbCeWTi) catalysts were prepared by a sol-gel precipitation method. Both the catalysts exhibit high selective catalytic reduction of NO x with NH 3 (NH 3 -SCR) activities at 270–500 °C. The sulfur tolerances of the catalysts were evaluated at 270 °C by adding H 2 O and SO 2 in the feeding gas and NbCeWTi exhibited a significantly improved resistance. The thermogravimetric (TG) and mass spectrographic (MS) results indicated that much less sulfates formed on NbCeWTi and existed mainly in the form of ammonium hydrogen sulfate species which protected Ce x+ active sites effectively from attacking of SO 2. According to the results of temperature-programmed desorption of ammonia (NH 3 -TPD), H 2 temperature-programmed reduction (H 2 -TPR) and SO 2 oxidation, loading niobia on CeWTi inhibited the SO 2 oxidative adsorption and SO 3 production which basically reduced sulfur poisoning of the catalyst. Additionally, the niobia modification ensured the formation of nitrates from the competitive adsorption of SO 2 and hereby facilitated the nitrate SCR route based on the in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectra (DRIFTS). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protein-like substances produced by biochemical reactions after disinfection of Zooplankton like Cyclops and humic substances in natural water are the main components of NOM (Natural organic matter). To eliminate early warning interference in the fluorescence detection of organic matter in natural water, a clustered flower-like AlOOH (aluminum oxide hydroxide) sorbent was prepared. HA (humic acid) and amino acids were selected as mimics of humic substances and protein-like substances in natural water. The results demonstrate that the adsorbent can selectively adsorb HA from the simulated mixed solution and restore the fluorescence properties of tryptophan and tyrosine. Based on these results, a stepwise fluorescence detection strategy was developed and used in natural water rich in zooplanktonic Cyclops. The results show that the established stepwise fluorescence strategy can well overcome the interference caused by fluorescence quenching. The sorbent was also used for water quality control to enhance coagulation treatment. Finally, trial runs of the water plant demonstrated its effectiveness and suggested a potential control method for early warning and monitoring of water quality. [Display omitted] • Adsorption pre-treatment proposed to improve fluorescence monitoring accuracy. • Selective adsorption of adsorbents with flower-like cluster structures. • Investigation of the mechanism of protein quenching in natural water. • Adsorption coagulation has promising applications in practical water treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) producing algae are widely distributed in the global coastal aquatic environment, posing a threat to coastal ecosystem health and mariculture safety. However, the levels and potential environmental risks of PSTs frequently detected in shellfish remain largely unexplored in seawater of mariculture zones. In this study, a new method for trace detection of 13 common PSTs (<1.0 ng/L) in seawater was established based on off-line solid phase extraction (SPE) and on-line SPE-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (on-line SPE-LC-MS/MS), and a systematic investigation of PSTs in seawater of the Laizhou Bay, a typical aquaculture bay in China, was conducted to understand their pollution status, environmental impact factors and ecological risks for the first time. Eleven PSTs were detected in the seawater of Laizhou Bay with total concentrations ranging from 0.75 to 349.47 ng/L (mean, 176.27 ng/L), which indicates the rich diversity of PSTs in the mariculture bay and demonstrates the reliability of the proposed analytical method. C1, C2, GTX2, GTX3, dc GTX2, and dc GTX3 were found to be the predominant PSTs, which refreshed the knowledge of PST contamination in the coastal aquatic environment. PST levels in seawater exhibited the highest levels in the southeastern mouth of Laizhou Bay and decreased toward the inner bay. Correlation analyses showed that climatic factors, nutrient status and hydrological conditions had significant effects on the distribution of PST in mariculture bay. Preliminary environmental risk assessments revealed that aquatic organisms throughout the waters of Laizhou Bay are at risk of chronic PST toxicity. These findings imply that the risk of PST in seawater of mariculture bay has previously been grossly underestimated, and that the coastal aquatic environment in North China and even the world may be at more serious risk of PST pollution, which should be taken seriously. [Display omitted] • A new analytical method was developed for 13 trace PSTs in seawater (<1.0 ng/L). • Various PSTs widely distributed in nearshore water was reported for the fist time. • GTXs, dc GTXs, and C-toxins are the predominant PSTs in mariculture seawater. • Aquatic organisms in the Laizhou Bay are generally at risk of chronic PST toxicity. • Nutrient and hydrological conditions affect the distribution of PST in Laizhou Bay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coal fly ash (CFA), is a by-product of coal combustion which has been regarded as a recalcitrant solid waste. In this work, an effective and low-cost high alumina coal fly ash catalyst was synthesised by using of high alumina coal fly ash and Fe(II)/Fe(III) oxide and the catalytic capacity of o-methyl phenol (OMP) in the Oxidative degradation was investigated. XRD, SEM and XPS were used to characterize the catalyst and the results indicated that the Fe(II)/Fe(III) oxide was successfully introduced. The character results showed that the surface area of CFA increased with increasing the loading content of the Fe(II)/Fe(III) oxide and the biggest surface area is about 69.3 m 2 /g with the loading content of 15 wt.%. The degradation experiment results showed that the catalytic ozonation capacity was affected by the loading of Fe(II)/Fe(III) oxide and the solution pH. The biggest removal efficiency of OMP and the reveal rate of COD were 100.0% and 44.5% which appeared at pH of 11 with the loading content of Fe(II)/Fe(III) oxide of 15 wt.%. The kinetic study of the catalytic ozonation degradation process revealed that the degradation process follows the first order kinetic model. It is indicats that the degradation process of OMP was derived from the heterogeneous Fenton process and affected by the solution pH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecular dynamics simulation was used to study the adsorption of single wall carbon nanotubes (SCNT) in levofloxacin (LEV) solutions of different concentrations by Radial distribution function, mean square displacement and interaction energy. The results showed that levofloxacin molecules were adsorbed around the carbon nanotubes. The adsorption effect of large concentration solution was not as good as that of low concentration solution because of agglomeration. LEV molecules with different concentration were free diffusion within 15ns, and gradually agglomerated under the influence of adsorption. The energy change is proportional to the concentration of the molecule. The distance between benzene rings corresponding to the agglomeration effect of levofloxacin molecules was 0.4 nm, which should be the effect of parallel-slipped π−π electron-donor−acceptor (EDA) interactions. The simulation results are valuable to study the adsorption and removal of benzenes by adsorbent. [Display omitted] • The absorption of antibiotics by carbon nanotubes was simulated by molecular dynamics. • The agglomeration process of organic molecules was found in the process of molecular simulation. • By calculating the radial distribution between two levofloxacin molecules, it is concluded that the interaction is the parallel-slipped π−π electron-donor−acceptor interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, 26 surface seawater samples, 26 surface sediment samples and 114 organisms were collected to study the trophic transfer and dietary exposure risk of mercury (Hg) in organisms from the Jiaozhou Bay, which is a typical semi-enclosed urbanized bay. The total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) concentrations did not exceed the threshold limits and performed as: fish > crustaceans > mollusks. The trophic level values (TLs) were less than 3 in all the groups, indicating simple structure of food chain. With the increasing δ15N value, THg and MeHg were significantly biomagnified in the mollusks and fish but not in the crustaceans. In addition, the bioaccumulation and biomagnification of MeHg were higher than inorganic mercury (IHg) in the aquatic food chain. Target hazard quotient (THQ) and provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) indicated that Hg exposure via consumption of seafood from the Jiaozhou Bay did not pose significant health risks for general population. Consuming fish will face the higher health risk than crustaceans and mollusks, especially in urban regions. Moreover, the risk of MeHg caused by intaking seafood deserved more attention. Trophic transfer function (TTF) explicated the transfer of Hg in the ecosystem and higher trophic transfer efficiency of MeHg than IHg. TTF interpreted the terrestrial input of Hg should be controlled to ensure the safety of consuming seafood from the Jiaozhou Bay. [Display omitted] • Hg concentrations in aquatic samples did not exceed the threshold limit. • Hg biomagnification was observed in marine organisms in the Jiaozhou Bay. • Trophic transfer of MeHg was more obvious than IHg. • Health risk of consuming seafood was more significant in urban regions. • The terrestrial input of Hg should be controlled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Atrazine, a potent herbicide for weeds removal during the growing season, has been widely used in China. It is known to be distributed in aquatic ecosystems with a long half-life, thus presenting a potential risk to species and consumers. This study analyzed the concentrations of degraded atrazine residues in marine organisms (N = 129) including 3 species of mollusks, 2 species of crustaceans, and 15 species of fish from a semi-enclosed bay, Jiaozhou Bay (JZB), adjacent to the Northwest Pacific Ocean in China. The corresponding trophic magnification factors (TMF), bioaccumulation factors (BCFs), and subsequent risks to final consumers were also determined. The results showed an average atrazine concentration of (0.301 ± 0.03) ng g−1 and (0.305 ± 0.04) ng g−1 in fish and invertebrates, respectively. The BCFs were (5.23 ± 1.75) L kg−1 and (5.81 ± 1.31) L kg−1 for fish and invertebrates, respectively. Atrazine was significantly bio-diluted in JZB through the sampled marine organisms with increasing trophic levels, with a TMF value below 1 (P < 0.01). An analysis of the species sensitivity distribution (SSD) predicted that<0.02% of species were exposed to a dissolved concentration of atrazine (57.88 ng L−1) that would lead to detrimental effects, while risk quotients predicted low long-term risks for species in the bay. Finally, people with a diet limited to species from JZB were found to face no associated health risk due to a significantly small daily intake and target hazard quotient of atrazine. The corresponding non-carcinogenic effect showed no significant risk from seafood consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lipophilic marine algal toxins (LMATs) are highly toxic secondary metabolites produced by marine microalgae that pose a great threat to marine aquaculture organisms and human health. In this study, a novel and automated method for the simultaneous determination of six groups of LMATs in seawater was developed by on-line solid phase extraction (SPE) coupled with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Condition optimization and method validation were performed, and the recoveries of all 14 target LMATs featuring different properties ranged from 83.5% to 96.0%. The limits of detection of most target compounds were within ≤3.000 ng/L with good precision (relative standard deviation ≤ 12.1%) and linearity (R 2 ≥0.9916). Compared with off-line SPE methods, the proposed on-line SPE method has better recovery, sensitivity, repeatability, and throughput; in addition, the volume of seawater sample necessary to conduct determinations is greatly reduced in the present method. Finally, the method was applied to determine LMATs in actual seawater samples collected from the Bohai and South Yellow Seas of China in summer, and okadaic acid and pectenotoxin-2 were detected in all seawater samples. The highest concentration of ∑LMATs (22.23 ng/L) occurred in the coastal mariculture area of Shandong Province. Therefore, routine monitoring of LMATs in seawater of the coastal mariculture zone is necessary to prevent shellfish contamination especially in summer, and the proposed on-line SPE-LC-MS/MS method is a powerful way for direct and automatic detection of various LMATs in coastal mariculture area. A quantitative strategy of 14 common LMATs in seawater was developed with online-SPE-UHPLC-MS/MS using MRM mode. Image 1 • A novel and automated method was developed to detect LMATs in seawater simultaneously. • On-line SPE-LC-MS/MS could achieve the rapid detection of 6 groups of typical LMATs. • A single injection requires only 2.4 mL of seawater and a total analytical time of 25 min. • The method was successfully applied to detect LMATs in the Yellow and Bohai Seas in China. • Considerable attention should be paid to the occurrence of LMATs in mariculture zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In several watersheds, agricultural activities are the cause of pollution, mainly due to the discharge of herbicides. Often, these herbicide plumes are transported to the surrounding bays. Samples of water, suspended particulate sediments (SPSs), and sediments from 37 sites in the Jiaozhou Bay in the western Pacific Ocean were collected in April 2018. The total concentrations of atrazine and acetochlor in these samples were analyzed, that showed different patterns in each sampled area. Atrazine had 2–3 times higher concentrations in coastal areas and bays compared to the estuary, indicating that it had a higher residence time in the marine environment. In contrast, acetochlor concentration decreased with an increase in the depth of seawater. Both the spatial distributions and the vertical concentrations in water, SPS, and sediment proved that these two herbicides had different responses during transportation from the estuary to the bay. Despite the significant difference in concentration of the two herbicides in the water and sediment, their spatially averaged value in SPS was very close, indicating that the particles had saturated sorption capability. The organic carbon normalized partition coefficient (LogK oc) was used to explain the partitioning of the herbicides between water and sediment. The LogK oc difference between herbicides demonstrated that acetochlor was strongly phase partitioned in the coastal and the bay areas, thereby causing similar distributions of acetochlor in the three matrices. Atrazine had a higher LogK oc value in the estuary, which explained its higher concentration in the estuary SPS. The correlation and redundancy analyses both demonstrated that the concentrations of the herbicides in water were sensitive to dissolved organic carbon and dissolved oxygen. The current tides and bathymetry were the critical factors in determining the spatial distribution of herbicides in the water and sediment, resulting in a low herbicide load in the river mouth area. • Atrazine had higher concentrations in seawater and suspended sediment from estuary to bay. • Acetochlor has lower value in seawater and suspended sediment in the bay. • Organic carbon normalized partition coefficient proved acetochlor has strong partition process in bay. • Spatial patterns of two kinds of herbicides in the bay demonstrated their source and distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]