Response characteristics of MAPbBr3 direct conversion X-ray detectors based on measurements and Monte Carlo simulation.

In recent years, higher requirements have been placed on the response characteristics of X-ray detectors in the field of medical diagnostic imaging. Due to this, high sensitivity, high attenuation coefficient and low cost detection materials need to be developed. In this paper, the geometric model of a detector was established by Geant4 code. The absorption efficiency and mass attenuation coefficient of MAPbBr3 crystals were calculated in the energy range of 30 keV to 100 keV. Compared with the mass attenuation coefficient of the NIST database, the deviation was within 1.39%. The signal charge number and detection sensitivity of the X-ray interaction with the MAPbBr3 crystal ware calculated. Compared with the CdTe crystal and α-Se, the MAPbBr3 crystal still had a larger detection sensitivity under a smaller applied electric field, which was approximately 9 times higher than that of α-Se. This result indicated that the detection sensitivity could be greatly improved by using a high atomic number and high charge mobility-lifetime product. Based on the simulation results, the 2 mm thick MAPbBr3 crystal exhibited the highest detection sensitivity at 60 keV X-rays, which was in agreement with the experimental results.

[Vertical Distribution Profiles and Release Potential of Mainstream Column Sediments in the Three Gorges Reservoir After Impoundment to 175 m].

To investigate the vertical distribution characteristics of phosphorus in the main stream sediments of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR), column sediment samples were collected from 5 sites in October 2010, and sediment particle size, organic matter contents, and mineral compositions were analyzed. Investigation of the contribution rate of phosphorus released from column sediments in the TGR was also conducted. The results show that the sediment pH is between 7.3-7.8. The mainstream column sediment is mainly constituted by silt and clay, which account for 49.4%-78.6% and 20.6%-50.6% of total sediments, while sand represents less than 4.4%. Median grain size of each sampling site presented a phased increase or decrease trend. The organic matter content was between 12.94 g·kg-1 and 53.43 g·kg-1, and it tended to slightly increase from upstream to downstream. The C/N ratio in the sediment was between 4.00 and 11.64, and organic matter content was mainly affected by terrigenous input. Total phosphorus (TP) content was between 861.86 mg·kg-1 and 1024.54 mg·kg-1, and it exhibited negligible change in vertical distribution. There is no obvious enrichment phenomenon of phosphorus for column sediment. The major component of sediment TP is calcium bound phosphorus (Ca-P, 47.83%-73.90%), and there are various trends for phosphorus distribution in different sampling sites. Exchangeable phosphorus (Ex-P), aluminum-bound phosphorus (Al-P), and iron-bound phosphorus (Fe-P) in the 0-4 cm surface sediment of each sampling sites was relatively high. For most sampling sites, no obvious change of phosphorus fractions in 16-20 cm of sediment was detected. Bioavailable phosphorus (the sum of Ex-P, Al-P, and Fe-P) accounted for 2.78%-7.05% of TP, indicating that bioavailability of phosphorus in the column sediments is low. The contents of bioavailable phosphorus and organic matter were significantly and positively correlated (P<0.05, N=50). The distribution and transformation of organic matter will affect the migration and transformation of sediment phosphorus in the TGR.

[Pollution Characteristics and Source Identification of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Phthalic Acid Esters During High Water Level Periods in the Wuhan Section of the Yangtze River, China].

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) have been detected extensively in water and sediments in China, causing potential risks to the environment and human beings. In this study, the content level, distribution characteristics, and pollution sources of PAHs and PAEs in the water and sediments collected from 15 sites in the Wuhan section of the Yangtze River in August of 2016 were analyzed systematically. The following conclusions were made. The total PAHs concentrations were 20.8-90.4 ng·L-1 (mean value 40.7 ng·L-1) in water and 46.1-424.0 ng·g-1 (mean value 191.8 ng·g-1) in the sediments, while for PAEs, they were 280.9-779.0 ng·L-1 (mean value 538.6 ng·L-1) in water and 1346.2-7641.1 ng·g-1 (mean value 3699.5 ng·g-1) in the sediment. Both PAH and PAE concentrations in water meet the Chinese national water environmental quality standard (GB 3838-2002) with a low degree of pollution. PAH monomers with two to three rings were dominant in water, while those with two to three rings and four rings were dominant in the sediment. DEHP and DBP were the dominant PAE pollutants in both the water and sediment. The ratio and principal component analysis showed that the main source of PAHs in water and the sediment were the emission from coal, biomass combustion, and petroleum sources, while the main sources of PAEs include the plastic and chemical industries and municipal solid wastes. Two types of POPs (PAHs and PAEs) in water and sediment have potentially detrimental effects on human health and monitoring needs to be strengthened. This research provides basic data and technical support for the protection of the Yangtze River.

[Assessment of Physico-chemical Properties and Phosphorus Fraction Distribution Characteristics in Sediments after Impounding of the Three Gorges Reservoir to 175 m].

In order to understand the characteristics of the distribution of sediment total phosphorus (TP) and phosphorus fractions in the mainstream sediments in the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) after impounding the water level to 175 m, 13 surface sediment samples were collected from the Wujiang to Maoping sections in October 2010. The physico-chemical properties, including organic matter content, particle grain size distribution, and major mineral analysis, as well as total phosphorus and its fractions in the sediment, were determined. Moreover, the relationships among phosphorus fractions, organic matter contents, and particle grain size were discussed, and the effect of the impoundment on sediment phosphorus accumulation and bioavailability was also evaluated. Results indicated that the sediment organic matter content of the TGR was between 7.79 g·kg-1 and 55.63 g·kg-1, and the main mineral components were chlorite, illite, and quartz. The sediments were dominated with clayey silt with a median diameter (d50) ranging from 3.84 µm to 23.65 µm. The measured total phosphorus content of the sediments were between 557.06 g·kg-1 and 837.92 g·kg-1, and the total phosphorus enrichment index of each sampling site is greater than 1, demonstrating a potential risk for phosphorus pollution. The calcium bound phosphorus (Ca-P) and the reductant soluble phosphorus (Oc-P) were the dominant sediment phosphorus fractions, while the exchangeable phosphorus (Ex-P), the iron bound phosphorus (Fe-P), and aluminum bound phosphorus (Al-P) content were relatively low. Bioavailable P only accounts for 2%-8% of the total phosphorus content. When referring to previous studies, the sediment particle size tended to be smaller and the content of comparatively easy-to-weather minerals slightly increased with the increase of the impoundment water level. However, the increase in the impoundment water level did not result in a significant increase tendency in sediment TP content. In the future, a reduction in sediment input and a decline in sediment particle size may facilitate the accumulation of phosphorus in the sediments in the broad valley section of the TGR. Moreover, large scale dry-wet alternation in the water level fluctuation zone and resuspension of floating mud near the dam both potentially impact the bioavailability of phosphorus in the sediments.

[Effect of intermittent artificial aeration on nitrogen and phosphorus removal in subsurface vertical-flow constructed wetlands].

Shale and T. latifolia were used as subsurface vertical-flow constructed wetland substrate and vegetation for eutrophic Jin River water treatment, and investigate the effect of intermittent aeration on nitrogen and phosphorus removal. In this study, hydraulic loading rate was equal to 800 mm/d, and ratio of air and water was 5:1. During the entire running period, maximal monthly mean ammonia-nitrogen (NH4+ -N), total nitrogen (TN), soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) and total phosphorus (TP) removal rates were observed in August 2006. In contrast to the non-aerated wetland, aeration enhanced ammonia-nitrogen, total nitrogen, soluble reactive phosphorus and total phosphorus removal: 10.1%, 4.7%, 10.2% and 8.8% for aeration in the middle, and 25.1%, 10.0%, 7.7% and 7.4% for aeration at the bottom of the substrate, respectively. However, aeration failed to improve the nitrate-nitrogen removal. During the whole experimental period, monthly mean NO3(-) -N removal rates were much lower for aerated constructed wetlands (regarding aeration in the middle and at the bottom) than those for non-aerated system. After finishing the experiment, aboveground plant biomass (stems and leaves) of T. latifolia was harvested, and its weight and nutrient content (total nitrogen and total phosphorus) were measured. Analysis of aboveground plant biomass indicated that intermittent aeration restrained the increase in biomass but stimulated assimilation of nitrogen and phosphorus into stems and leaves. Additional total nitrogen removal of 11.6 g x m(-2) and 12.6 g x m(-2) by aboveground T. latifolia biomass for intermittent artificial aeration in the middle and at the bottom of the wetland substrate, respectively, was observed.

[Optimization of nitrogen and phosphorus removal in vertical subsurface flow constructed wetlands by using polypropylene pellet as part of substrate].

Constructed wetlands experiments were conducted by using shale and Typha latifolia L. as vertical subsurface flow constructed wetland substrate and plant for eutrophic Jin River water treatment, and part of shale with polypropylene pellet was replaced to investigate its effect on nitrogen and phosphorus removal. In this study, hydraulic loading rate was equal to 800 mm/d, theoretic residence time was equal to 12 h. During the entire running period, maximal monthly mean ammonia-nitrogen (NH(4+) -N), total nitrogen (TN), soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) and total phosphorus (TP) removal rates were observed in August 2006. In contrast to the full shale used wetland, polypropylene pellet enhanced ammonia-nitrogen, total nitrogen, soluble reactive phosphorus and total phosphorus removal by 13.38%, 8.9%, 9.29% and 8.25% respectively. After finishing the experiment, aboveground plant biomass (stems and leaves) of Typha latifolia L. was harvested, and its weight and nutrient content (total nitrogen and total phosphorus) were measured. Analysis of aboveground plant biomass indicated that polypropylene pellet restrained the increase in biomass but stimulated assimilation of nitrogen and phosphorus into stems and leaves. The subsequent harvesting of the plants resulted in the additional removal of total nitrogen and phosphorus of about 29.382 g x m(-2) and 13.469 g x m(-2), respectively.