BACKGROUND:Isaria cicadae was well known as a rare entomogenous fungus with various pharmacological activities in traditional Chinese medicine, but less attention was paid to its other biological characteristics rather than the medical applications. METHODS: In the present study, the bio?occulation ability of total 36 Isaria cicadae strains were investigated. For the first time, Isaria cicadae GZU6722 was screened as a novel fungus strain that shows high potential of bioflocculation. From the time course of bioflocculant production, the bioflocculant was assumed a kind of the secondary metabolite. Then, the bioflocculant named as IC-1 produced by Isaria cicadae GZU6722 was purified and mainly consisted of protein (4%) and polysaccharides (91%), which contained 52.75% of neutral sugar and 38.14% of uronic acid. RESULTS: IC-1 showed high ?occulating rate in kaolin suspension in a wide range of temperature, suggesting its storage potential in cold and hot conditions and a potential application for the wastewater treatment. Furthermore, the cation addition could enhance the ?occulating rate, even up to 96.08% in the case of addition of CaCl2. In the present work, IC-1 demonstrated its thermo-stability over wide range of temperatures, and also suggests its storage potential in cold and hot conditions. CONCLUSIONS: In the present work, IC-1 from Isaria cicadae GZU6722, has exhibited its excellent flocculating performance under various conditions, and also suggests its storage potential in cold and hot conditions. These findings imply that the application potential of this novel bioflocculant for wastewater bioremediation. Key Words: Cation-dependent; Flocculanting activity; Isaria cicadae; Microbial flocculant.

We often have geometric measurement, quantitative calculation and other requirements for the electronic images, formed by digital polarizing microscope or scanning electron microscope and so on. The specific image analysis method relies on their supporting accessories and software; some of them are limited or expensive. ImageJ, a free application and designed with an open architecture, can solve almost any image processing or analysis problem, widely used in biological science, material science, medicine, and aviation. We tried to apply the ImageJ to image analysis of the rock sample, starting from the separation and quantitative calculation of the crystal-glass two phases. We verify the reliability of this method, by two groups’ proportion-known samples, the mixture of potassium feldspar and glass powder glued by epikote and crystalbond509 respectively, and draw the following conclusions:(1) This method of the quantitative calculation of the crystal-glass two phases is reliable; (2) We recommend using machine recognition with a gray value around 70-80 for quantitative calculation; (3) If we want to verify this method, the selection of materials and adhesives as well as the observation conditions need to be carefully prepared. We hope the method and the ImageJ are helpful for researchers to make qualitative or quantitative judgments conveniently and there will be more extensive application space to be expected. Keywords: Crystal-glass two phases; ImageJ; Image analysis; Quantitative calculation

Smog, a severe threat to people’s health, has emerged as an intractable issue that both the government and the public cannot afford to ignore. PM2.5 is the key component of smog which includes CO2 and NH3/NOx, and could cause many diseases. Vehicle exhausts contribute 31- 42 percent to the source of smog, and we have found that many students from both elementary and middle schools prefer to take private vehicles to commute to school in Beijing. However, there is not enough quantitative evidence to evaluate the emission of private vehicles and the reduction we do as a student. Our research shows 39% high school students in Beijing from elementary and middle schools preferred to take private vehicles to school. This transportation style will emit lots of CO2 and NH3/NOx. Based on the formula of C footprint, the emission of CO2 from private vehicles was approximately 700,000t, which is 23 times higher than that of public transportation, and the estimated CO2 and NH3/NOx emission contribution to PM2.5 are about 6.0-10.0%. Therefore, the compound of CO2 and NH3/NOx emitted from student’s traffic played an important role in increasing smog level. This article argues that carpooling could serve as a solution to air pollution by reducing vehicle exhausts, easing traffic jam and promoting green lifestyle. We also explore new approaches to contribute to environment protection by low cost. This work provides a better understanding of the effects of CO2 and NH3/NOx emission from private vehicles to commute school on smog in Beijing and can benefit both air quality management by low cost. Key words: Smog, CO2 and NH3/NOx Emission, Private Vehicles, Commute School, Solution impact

The present study was carried out to assess the physico-chemical analysis of sugar mill effluent and its impact on soil and seed germination of okra and tomato plants. Total 12 samples of sugar mill effluents were collected from different points. Similarly, 12 soil samples were collected from the fields irrigated with sugar mills effluents in radius of 500 meters and at a depth of 8 inches. All the analysis for both the effluents and soil were performed according to the Standard Methods. Mean values of the selected parameters in the effluents were of pH 6.67, total suspended solids (366 mg/L), total dissolved solids (5248 mg/L), biological oxygen demand (475 mg/L), chemical oxygen demand (2662 mg/L), electrical conductivity (3865 µS/m), temperature (55 °C), turbidity (118 NTU), dissolved oxygen (1.8 mg/L), sodium (163 mg/L), calcium (160 mg/L), magnesium (63 mg/L), chlorine (535 mg/L) and bicarbonates (332 mg/L). With respect to heavy metals the value differ iron (1.45 mg/L), zinc (1.51 mg/L), lead (0.18 mg/L), cadmium (0.21 mg/L), copper (0.52 mg/L) and chromium (0.17 mg/L). Most of the parameters mean values were greater than the WHO permissible limits. The results of soil samples analysis indicated that mean values of all the parameters were in permissible limits. Seeds of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) showed maximum germination (95% and 90% respectively) at control condition. While at 10% concentration, seed germinated 95% and 90% respectively. At 25% concentration okra showed 90% seed germination concentration while 70% tomato seeds germinated. Okra plant is more vassal as compare to tomato with respect to effluent concentration. Sugar mill effluents are good for vegetation if diluted before irrigation. Crops and soil fertility could be increased by applying environment friendly techniques during effluent discharge. Keyword: Heavy metals, sugar mill effluents, world health organization, permissible limits, physico-chemicals, germination

Urban sediments in Wenzhou City were found polluted with heavy metals (As, Hg, Cr, Pb, Cu, Cd, and Zn) and organic matter. Metal speciation also showed environmental risks of heavy metals in river sediments. Heat energy in the sediment can amount to 47% of that in standard coal. Investigations revealed 35 urban wetlands of 15 big cities in southern China were at ecological risks posed by heavy metals and excessive nutrients in sediments. Toxic metals and organic carbon must be taken into consideration when planning to project urban wetlands.The dredging of such sediments could possibly increase greenhouse gases emission that should be further investigated. It is also suggested to examine energy recycling from these wetland sediments. KEYWORDS Urban sediment, Heavy metals, Organic carbon, South China, Greenhouse gas emission