In this work, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the ambient air of a secondary fiber paper mill were analyzed. For the sake of studying pollution comprehensively, four sites in the paper mill were analyzed and active sampling methods were used. Desorption was carried out with two solvents, carbon disulfide and dichloromethane. The compositions of VOCs were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method. The main identified substances in the four sites were as follows: (1) waste paper sorting room: alkanes, phenols, and esters; (2) papermaking workshop: benzene series, alkanes, ethers, and phenols; (3) vacuum pump outlet: benzene series and phenols; and (4) office area: benzene series and phenols. Two main toxic substances in VOCs, the benzene series and phenols, were detected in the ambient air of the paper mill. The benzene series existed in three places along the main process of the paper mill and even existed in the office area, which was far away from the production line. Additionally, phenols were detected in all sampling locations in the paper mill.

No abstract

Organic fertiliser produced by waste paper and its influence on plant growth and heavy metal uptake by plants were investigated in this study. The Fourier transform infrared spectra of the fertiliser showed that it contained many syringy units and carboxyl groups. The root tolerance index and transport factor of plants for Pb(II) and Cd(II) were analysed. Pb(II) and Cd(II) inhibited the growth of plant roots. The contents of the Pb(II) and Cd(II) in plant roots and shoots were measured. Results showed that the Pb(II) and Cd(II) contents in root were significantly higher than aerial part. The use of fertilisers promoted the uptake of Pb(II) and Cd(II) by plant root. The inhibition of plant growth by Pb(II) and Cd(II) did not change significantly with increasing fertiliser concentrations. However, the application of fertiliser promoted the growth of plant aerial part. Results indicated that fertiliser made of waste paper may be used as a soil modifier in heavy-metal contaminated soil. 60S. Chen et al.