A 73-day field study of in situ aerobic biodegradation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the Hudson River shows that indigenous aerobic microorganisms can degrade the lightly chlorinated PCBs present in these sediments. Addition of inorganic nutrients, biphenyl, and oxygen enhanced PCB biodegradation, as indicated both by a 37 to 55 percent loss of PCBs and by the production of chlorobenzoates, intermediates in the PCB biodegradation pathway. Repeated inoculation with a purified PCB-degrading bacterium failed to improve biodegradative activity. Biodegradation was also observed under mixed but unamended conditions, which suggests that this process may occur commonly in river sediments, with implications for PCB fate models and risk assessments.

A novel method for the postcombustion capture of CO 2 from coal-fired power plants has been described utilizing an aminosilicone absorbent. 1,3-Bis(3-aminopropyl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyldsiloxane (GAP-0) rapidly transforms from a low viscosity liquid to a friable solid upon exposure to CO 2 in simulated flue gas. This material has excellent thermal stability, low vapor pressure, high CO 2 loading capability, and a large dynamic CO 2 capacity between rich and lean solvent loadings. Preliminary plant and process models assembled from experimental data show a decrease in parasitic energy loss from 30% to 18% when compared to the benchmark monoethanolamine (MEA) process and a concomitant lowering of the cost of electricity (COE) from 74% to 44% increase versus a plant without carbon capture.

These findings have significant implications for the use of CO2 insufflation for laparoscopy in patients with a compromised respiratory or cardiac status.

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