Description:    Adsorption of fluoroquinolone antibiotics using sludge-derived biochar made of various wastewater sludges was investigated. The sludge-derived biochar had relatively large Brunauer–Emmet–Teller specific surface areas that were beyond 110.0 m 2  g −1 except the biochar made from the sludge collected from traditional sludge drying bed. The mesopore capacity was more than 57 % of the total pore capacity of all sludge-derived biochar except that made from the sludge dried through traditional sludge drying bed technique. High adsorption capacity of sludge-derived biochar was observed with a highest adsorption capacity of 19.80 ± 0.40 mg g −1 . High correlation between the adsorption capacity of sludge-derived biochar and the volatile content in the sludge source was observed. The Freundlich model ( r 2 values were in the range of 0.961–0.998) yielded the best fit with the experimental data of all the produced biochar. Fluoroquinolone antibiotics were readily adsorbed onto sludge-derived biochar. These findings suggest a new approach for the pollution control of fluoroquinolone antibiotics using low-cost sludge-derived biochar. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s11270-012-1370-7 Authors Hong Yao, School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Beijing Jiao Tong University, Beijing, 100044 People’s Republic of China Jian Lu, Indian River Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Fort Pierce, FL 34945-3138, USA Jun Wu, Indian River Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Fort Pierce, FL 34945-3138, USA Zeyu Lu, School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Beijing Jiao Tong University, Beijing, 100044 People’s Republic of China P. Chris Wilson, Indian River Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Fort Pierce, FL 34945-3138, USA Yan Shen, School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Beijing Jiao Tong University, Beijing, 100044 People’s Republic of China Journal Water, Air, & Soil Pollution Online ISSN 1573-2932 Print ISSN 0049-6979 Journal Volume Volume 224 Journal Issue Volume 224, Number 1

Description:    The present study analyzes the acute and behavioral toxicity of two commercial formulations of endosulfan and atrazine (Gesaprim 90 WDG® and Zebra Ciagro®, respectively) on the cyclopoid copepod Mesocyclops longisetus . The studied behavior was the “escape ability” because of its ecological importance in natural predator–prey interactions. This was investigated using two experimental designs: (1) a simulated predator (applying a hydraulic device) and (2) a real one (the zooplanktophagous fish Cnesterodon decemmaculatus ). Both pesticides resulted highly toxic to adults and nauplii at even relatively low concentrations and similar to those found in field studies. Copepods’ survival was not only directly affected but also indirectly through altering their escape behavior, which may have increased their vulnerability to predation. The escape ability, measured with the simulated predator was stimulated early (up to 6 h of exposition) but inhibited later (after 24 h of exposition). The predation experiments with the real predator were in accordance with these results. The comparison of both experimental designs corroborates the effectiveness of the hydraulic mechanism as a testing method. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s11270-012-1375-2 Authors María Florencia Gutierrez, Instituto Nacional de Limnología (CONICET-UNL), Ciudad Universitaria, 3000 Santa Fe, Argentina Ana María Gagneten, Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias (UNL), Ciudad Universitaria, 3000 Santa Fe, Argentina Juan Cesar Paggi, Instituto Nacional de Limnología (CONICET-UNL), Ciudad Universitaria, 3000 Santa Fe, Argentina Journal Water, Air, & Soil Pollution Online ISSN 1573-2932 Print ISSN 0049-6979 Journal Volume Volume 224 Journal Issue Volume 224, Number 1

Description:    In this study, high surface area porous carbons were synthesized by chemical activation using petroleum coke as the precursor and KOH as the activation agent. The pore structure of the as-synthesized activated carbons was characterized by nitrogen adsorption, and their CO 2 sorption capacities were measured by a magnetic suspension balance at 1 and 10 bar, respectively. The effects of activated carbon preparation parameters (preheating temperature, preheating time, activation time, heating rate during the pyrolysis, and particle size of the precursor) on porous texture, CO 2 adsorption capacity, and CO 2 /N 2 selectivity of the activated products were investigated. It has been found that at 1 bar, the CO 2 adsorption capacity is determined by the micropore contribution, i.e., the ratio between micropore surface area and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area of the sorbents, while at 10 bar, CO 2 adsorption capacity is related to the BET surface area of the activated products. The maximum CO 2 adsorption uptake of 15.1 wt% together with CO 2 /N 2 selectivity of 9.4 at 1 bar were obtained for a sample activated at 700 °C indicating its high potential in the capture of CO 2 . Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s11270-012-1387-y Authors Xupei Zhu, College of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, Zhejiang 321004, People’s Republic of China Yi Fu, College of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, Zhejiang 321004, People’s Republic of China Gengshen Hu, Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Advanced Catalysis Materials, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Zhejiang Normal University, Zhejiang Jinhua, 321004 People’s Republic of China Yang Shen, College of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, Zhejiang 321004, People’s Republic of China Wei Dai, College of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, Zhejiang 321004, People’s Republic of China Xin Hu, College of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, Zhejiang 321004, People’s Republic of China Journal Water, Air, & Soil Pollution Online ISSN 1573-2932 Print ISSN 0049-6979 Journal Volume Volume 224 Journal Issue Volume 224, Number 1

Description:    The potential for climatic factors as well as soil–plant–climate interactions to change as a result of rising levels of atmospheric CO 2 concentration is an issue of increasing international environmental concern. Agricultural and forest practices and managements may be important contributors to mitigating elevated atmospheric CO 2 concentrations. A computer model was developed using the Structural Thinking and Experiential Learning Laboratory with Animation (STELLA) software for soil CO 2 emissions from a short-rotation woody crop as affected by soil water and temperature regimes, root and microbial respiration, and surficial processes such as rainfall, irrigation, and evapotranspiration. The resulting model was validated with good agreement between the model predictions and the experimental measurements prior to its applications. Two scenarios were then chosen to estimate both diurnal and annual soil CO 2 emissions from a 1-ha mature cottonwood plantation as affected by soil temperature, soil (i.e., root and microbial) respiration, and irrigation. The simulation resulted in typical diurnal soil respiration and CO 2 emission patterns, with increases from morning to early afternoon and decreases from early afternoon to midnight. This pattern was driven by diurnal soil temperature variations, indicating that soil temperature was the main influence on soil respiration and CO 2 efflux into the atmosphere. Our simulations further revealed that the average seasonal soil respiration rate in summer was 1.6 times larger than in winter, whereas the average seasonal CO 2 emission rate in summer was 1.77 times larger than in winter. Characteristic annual variation patterns for soil respiration and CO 2 emission also were modeled, with both increasing from January 1 through June 30 followed by steady declines from September 1 through December 31. These results suggest that the STELLA model developed is a useful tool for estimating soil CO 2 emission from a short-rotation woody crop plantation. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s11270-012-1392-1 Authors Ying Ouyang, USDA Forest Service, Center for Bottomland Hardwoods Research, 100 Stone Blvd., Thompson Hall, Room 309, Mississippi State, MS 39762, USA Theodor D. Leininger, USDA Forest Service, Center for Bottomland Hardwoods Research, 432 Stoneville Road, Stoneville, MS 38776, USA Jeff Hatten, Department of Forestry, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762, USA Prem B. Parajuli, Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762, USA Journal Water, Air, & Soil Pollution Online ISSN 1573-2932 Print ISSN 0049-6979 Journal Volume Volume 224 Journal Issue Volume 224, Number 1

Description:    Adsorption together with size exclusion and charge attraction/repulsion has to be taken into account when considering removal of pharmaceuticals as emerging contaminants from water by reverse osmosis and nanofiltration membranes. Glucocorticosteroids (hydrocortisone (HYDRO), dexamethasone (DEXA)), anesthetics (procaine, lidocaine) with relatively weak hydrophobicities (1 〈 log K O/W  〈 3), and membranes (XLE, LFC–1, CPA3, SWC1, NF90, and NF270) have been investigated in this study. Adsorption was studied by measuring the concentration of compounds in feed and permeate and by monitoring changes in membrane flux in the batch mode operation during 24 h. A decrease in the feed concentrations for HYDRO and DEXA (log K O/W  〈 2) was observed. The loss of these compounds in feed was associated with irreversible adsorption onto an NF270 and a CPA3 membrane. Therefore, when considering removal of pharmaceuticals with lower hydrophobicity, adsorption has to be particularly taken into account for membranes with bigger pores in the selective layer. Also, a high dipole moment and low water solubility affected adsorption on the membranes. For smaller and slightly more hydrophobic pharmaceuticals (log K O/W  〉 2), an increase in the feed concentration was obtained. Firstly, these compounds instantly adsorbed to the membrane. Secondly, the compounds diffused through the polymer matrix and desorbed to the permeate side after equilibrium had been reached. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-13 DOI 10.1007/s11270-012-1377-0 Authors Davor Dolar, Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Marulićev trg 19, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia Krešimir Košutić, Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Marulićev trg 19, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia Danijela Ašperger, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Marulićev trg 19, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia Journal Water, Air, & Soil Pollution Online ISSN 1573-2932 Print ISSN 0049-6979 Journal Volume Volume 224 Journal Issue Volume 224, Number 1

Description:    The impacts of dissolved organic matter (DOM) on the removal of 17β-estradiol (E2) in horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-mediated oxidative coupling systems were investigated in this study. The results showed that the removal rate of E2 and the affinity of HRP to E2 had been significantly decreased in the presence of DOM. Compared with urban sludge DOM (USDOM), river sediment DOM (RSDOM), which features relatively low aromaticity and molecular weight and a large number of O-containing groups, more strongly inhibited the E2–HRP–H 2 O 2 reactions than USDOM. The products were analyzed with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The results suggested that the self-coupling of E2 was suppressed in the presence of DOM, likely resulting from cross-coupling between DOM and E2 or self-coupling of DOM in the HRP system. The results are useful in understanding the fate of estrogens in natural systems. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s11270-012-1359-2 Authors Wei Huang, School of Chemistry and Environment, South China Normal University, Universities Town, Guangzhou, 510006 People’s Republic of China Haiyan Song, School of Chemistry and Environment, South China Normal University, Universities Town, Guangzhou, 510006 People’s Republic of China Hongqin Xie, Dongguan Environmental Monitoring Station, Dongguan, 523009 People’s Republic of China Youyi Yin, School of Chemistry and Environment, South China Normal University, Universities Town, Guangzhou, 510006 People’s Republic of China Erwen Yuan, School of Chemistry and Environment, South China Normal University, Universities Town, Guangzhou, 510006 People’s Republic of China Hong Xiao, School of Chemistry and Environment, South China Normal University, Universities Town, Guangzhou, 510006 People’s Republic of China Jianzhong Wu, School of Chemistry and Environment, South China Normal University, Universities Town, Guangzhou, 510006 People’s Republic of China Guangying Zhou, School of Chemistry and Environment, South China Normal University, Universities Town, Guangzhou, 510006 People’s Republic of China Journal Water, Air, & Soil Pollution Online ISSN 1573-2932 Print ISSN 0049-6979 Journal Volume Volume 224 Journal Issue Volume 224, Number 1

Description:    This paper examined the ability of honeycomb biomass (HC), a by-product of the honey industry, to remove Pb(II), Cd(II), Cu(II), and Ni(II) ions from aqueous solutions. The equilibrium adsorptive quantity was determined as a function of the solution pH, amount of biomass, contact time, and initial metal ion concentration in a batch biosorption technique. Biosorbent was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray, and X-ray diffraction studies. FTIR spectral analysis confirmed the coordination of metals with hydroxyl, carbonyl, and carboxyl functional groups present in the HC. The metals uptake by HC was rapid, and the equilibrium time was 40 min at constant temperature and pH. Sorption kinetics followed a nonlinear pseudo-second-order model. Isotherm experimental data were fitted to Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin–Radushkevich, and Temkin isotherm models in nonlinear forms. The mechanism of metal sorption by HC gave good fits for Langmuir model, and the affinity order of the biosorbent for four heavy metals was Pb(II)〉Cd(II)〉Cu(II)〉Ni(II). The thermodynamic studies for the present biosorption process were performed by determining the values of ΔG°, ΔH°, and ΔS°, and it was observed that biosorption process is endothermic and spontaneous. This work provides an efficient and easily available environmental friendly honeycomb biomass as an attractive option for removing heavy metal ions from water and wastewater. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-16 DOI 10.1007/s11270-012-1332-0 Authors Desireddy Harikishore Kumar Reddy, Department of Environmental Engineering, Kwandong University, Gangneung-si, 210 701 South Korea Seung-Mok Lee, Department of Environmental Engineering, Kwandong University, Gangneung-si, 210 701 South Korea Kalluru Seshaiah, Department of Chemistry, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati, 517 502 India Journal Water, Air, & Soil Pollution Online ISSN 1573-2932 Print ISSN 0049-6979

Description:    In the present study, a novel synthesized adsorbent material based on 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes was used to increase the Pb 2+ adsorption from aqueous solutions in a flow injection solid-phase extraction system coupled to flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Spectroscopic and microscopic techniques (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy) were employed to confirm the chemical modification of the adsorbent surface. Preconcentration conditions (sample pH, flow rate, buffer solution, and eluent concentrations) were optimized using factorial and Doehlert matrix designs that made it possible to construct a linear graph in the 5.0- to 130.0-μg L −1 range ( r  = 0.9999) and estimate detection and quantification limits (1.7 and 5.7 μg L −1 , respectively). The method precision was found to be 4.20 and 1.97 % for 5.0 and 100.0 μg L −1 Pb 2+ solutions, respectively. When using the 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes, the sensitivity for the Pb 2+ trace determination was improved to 95 % compared with the oxidized multi-walled carbon nanotubes, thus evidencing the significant enhancement of the adsorption capacity. The developed method was successfully applied to the analysis of Pb 2+ species in different water samples and the PACS-2 marine sediment-certified reference material. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-13 DOI 10.1007/s11270-012-1341-z Authors Bruna Fabrin Somera, Departamento de Química, Centro de Ciências Exatas, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid, Universidade Estadual de Londrina (UEL), PR 445 Km 380, Londrina, PR 86050-482, Brazil Marcela Zanetti Corazza, Departamento de Química, Centro de Ciências Exatas, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid, Universidade Estadual de Londrina (UEL), PR 445 Km 380, Londrina, PR 86050-482, Brazil Maria Josefa Santos Yabe, Departamento de Química, Centro de Ciências Exatas, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid, Universidade Estadual de Londrina (UEL), PR 445 Km 380, Londrina, PR 86050-482, Brazil Mariana Gava Segatelli, Departamento de Química, Centro de Ciências Exatas, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid, Universidade Estadual de Londrina (UEL), PR 445 Km 380, Londrina, PR 86050-482, Brazil Evgeny Galunin, Departamento de Química, Centro de Ciências Exatas, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid, Universidade Estadual de Londrina (UEL), PR 445 Km 380, Londrina, PR 86050-482, Brazil César Ricardo Teixeira Tarley, Departamento de Química, Centro de Ciências Exatas, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid, Universidade Estadual de Londrina (UEL), PR 445 Km 380, Londrina, PR 86050-482, Brazil Journal Water, Air, & Soil Pollution Online ISSN 1573-2932 Print ISSN 0049-6979

Description:    Nutrient (C, N and P) and metal (Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) content and dynamics of suspended and channel bed sediments were analysed within the rural Attert River basin (Luxembourg). This basin is representative of the main physiographic characteristics of the country, where there is currently little information available on the composition and dynamics of fluvial sediment. Stream bed fine-grained sediment samples ( n  = 139) collected during low flow conditions and time-integrated suspended sediment samples ( n  = 183) collected during storm runoff events (October 2005 to April 2008) in seven nested basins ranging from 0.45 to 247 km 2 were analysed. Nutrient and metal spatial patterns, temporal trends and the relationship between their content and storm runoff characteristics (e.g. maximum discharge and sediment concentration) were assessed. Results showed a high spatial and temporal variability, mainly associated with basin characteristics and local inputs. Higher values of total C were measured in the highly forested basins located in the northern part of the Attert River basin, whereas the highest values of total P were mainly associated with material coming from grassland and with the inflow of wastewater treatment plants (i.e. higher values of total P were measured in the southern part of the basin). The abundance of metals, not only in suspended but also in channel bed sediments, was generally as follows: Zn 〉 Cr 〉 Ni 〉 Pb 〉 Cu. Both nutrient and metal concentrations were at a maximum at the beginning of the wet season, after having been accumulated during the summer. These values tended to decrease during autumn and winter due to sediment mobilisation, and a higher flow capacity to transport coarser particle fractions from the sources. In general, concentrations of nutrients and metals on suspended sediment were negatively correlated with antecedent precipitation, total precipitation, total specific discharge and maximum discharge, which has been previously associated to a ’dilution’ effect during storm runoff events. Results show that both sediment sources and hydrologic events play an important role on the spatial and temporal variability of sediment-associated nutrient and metal contents. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-21 DOI 10.1007/s11270-012-1307-1 Authors Núria Martínez-Carreras, Department of Environment and Agro-biotechnologies, Centre de Recherche Public - Gabriel Lippmann, 41 rue du Brill, 4422 Belvaux, Luxembourg Andreas Krein, Department of Environment and Agro-biotechnologies, Centre de Recherche Public - Gabriel Lippmann, 41 rue du Brill, 4422 Belvaux, Luxembourg Francesc Gallart, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA), CSIC, Jordi Girona 18, 08034 Barcelona, Spain Jean-François Iffly, Department of Environment and Agro-biotechnologies, Centre de Recherche Public - Gabriel Lippmann, 41 rue du Brill, 4422 Belvaux, Luxembourg Christophe Hissler, Department of Environment and Agro-biotechnologies, Centre de Recherche Public - Gabriel Lippmann, 41 rue du Brill, 4422 Belvaux, Luxembourg Laurent Pfister, Department of Environment and Agro-biotechnologies, Centre de Recherche Public - Gabriel Lippmann, 41 rue du Brill, 4422 Belvaux, Luxembourg Lucien Hoffmann, Department of Environment and Agro-biotechnologies, Centre de Recherche Public - Gabriel Lippmann, 41 rue du Brill, 4422 Belvaux, Luxembourg Philip N. Owens, Environmental Science Program and Quesnel River Research Centre, University of Northern British Columbia, 3333 University Way, Prince George, BC V2N 4Z9, Canada Journal Water, Air, & Soil Pollution Online ISSN 1573-2932 Print ISSN 0049-6979

Description:    The Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) developed as a system with waters low in nutrients. Today, the Refuge wetlands are impacted by inflows containing elevated nutrient concentrations originating from agricultural sources. We analyzed water quality sampled at 54 sites in the Refuge. The Refuge was divided into northern, central, and southern latitudinal areas and then perimeter, transition, and the interior zones based on distance from the canal towards the Refuge interior. In the perimeter zone, total dissolved solids (TDS), silicon (Si), and total phosphorus (TP) concentrations in water were higher in the northern than the central area and TDS, Si, SO 4 , and TP concentrations in water were higher in the central than the southern area. In general TDS, Ca, Cl, Si, SO 4 , and TP loads in the northern perimeter, transition, and interior zones decreased from 2005 to 2009. The decrease is less pronounced in the central and southern areas than the northern area. As water flowed southward for over 30 km from the northern to the southern area in the perimeter zone, most water quality parameters analyzed were reduced in the water column. However, large amounts of Ca and Cl were added to the water column indicating that canal water is continually diffusing and intruding into the Refuge in all zones. In the perimeter zone, and to a lesser degree in the transition zone, the Refuge has accumulated substantial amounts of Ca, Si, SO 4 , and TP in vegetation and soils during the sampling period. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-13 DOI 10.1007/s11270-012-1344-9 Authors James A. Entry, Department of Interior, Everglades Restoration Team, Everglades National Park, 950 N. Krome Avenue, Homestead, FL 33030, USA Journal Water, Air, & Soil Pollution Online ISSN 1573-2932 Print ISSN 0049-6979