改性沸石用于饮用水除氟的试验研究

试验针对存在的氟污染饮用水问题,将天然沸石用NaOH和Al2（SO4）3溶液改性制成除氟材料.静态试验研究表明：改性沸石除氟吸附反应快,其最佳pH值范围为5～9,而且对氟离子具有较好的离子选择性能.通过动态试验研究发现,降低进水流量和原水浓度可以增大滤层的吸附容量.两种再生方式对比试验表明：用Al2（SO4）3溶液再生效果优于用NaOH和Al2（SO4）3溶液联合再生.     

CPB与FIDTMA改性沸石处理含Cr（Ⅵ）废水性能比较

分别采用溴代十六烷基吡啶(CPB)与十六烷基三甲基溴化铵(HDTMA)改性的天然沸石处理含Cr(Ⅵ)废水。对其性能与影响因素进行了比较，实验结果表明：CPB改性沸石的性能优于HDTMA改性沸石。CPB改性沸石的最佳改性浓度为1．0％，最佳改性温度为30℃，吸附时间为20min，吸附容量为HDTMA改性沸石的4倍。     

斜发沸石的综合利用

中国地质大学材料科学与化学工程学院科研人员综合利用河南信阳上天梯斜发沸石制成浸渍液净化剂及缺铝型沸石.其工艺:将粗选后的上天梯斜发沸石矿粉碎至80目左右,按沸石（质量）:盐酸（体积）为1:3与2mol/L盐酸搅拌混合并加入适量的反应助剂,在微沸的温度下对混合液回流、浸渍约3h,然后过滤.将浸渍液加热、蒸发、浓缩,当浸渍液呈深黄色,密度为121g/mL时,即制成“沸石浸渍液净化剂”.用这种沸石浸渍液净化剂处理造纸废水,能大大降低造纸废水的COD浓度,使之达到国家2—3级行业排放标准(GB3544-92).净化后的沉淀物主要为可直接综合利用的半纤维素等,无其它固形尾渣.     

沸石吸附剂脱除炼油废水中低浓度氨氮试验研究

沸石(FYH)吸附剂是抚顺石油化工研究院环保所研制开发的一种交换容量大、可再生的吸附剂,用于处理炼油废水中的氨氮时,去除率可以达到90%以上。吸附剂的穿透时间与空速有着直接关系,空速越大,穿透时间越短。吸附剂的交换容量也与空速有关。本试验中,在空速1.2h-1的条件下,吸附剂达到最大交换容量。将氯化钠和氢氧化钠以一定配比配制的再生液可以对FYH吸附剂进行快速而有效的再生。汽提含铵再生液效果很好,脱铵后的再生液中氨氮的浓度为未检出,回收的氨水浓度0.47%～0.68%。经过小试证明该工艺是可行的。     

CPB与HDTMA改性沸石处理含Cr(Ⅵ)废水性能比较

分别采用溴代十六烷基吡啶(CPB)与十六烷基三甲基溴化铵(HDTMA)改性的天然沸石处理含Cr(Ⅵ)废水.对其性能与影响因素进行了比较,实验结果表明:CPB改性沸石的性能优于HDTMA改性沸石.CPB改性沸石的最佳改性浓度为1.0%,最佳改性温度为30℃,吸附时间为20min,吸附容量为HDTMA改性沸石的4倍.     

高原地区溶解氧浓度对A2／O工艺运行效果研究

针对我国低温地区的城市污水，开展了A2／O工工艺中试研究，考察溶解氧浓度对A2／O工工艺运行效果的影响。结果表明：采用A2／O工工艺并延长好氧池HRT，在系统水温为10℃-14℃的情况下可获得良好的污水处理效果。A2／O工工艺中好氧池末端的溶解氧浓度宜控制在2．8mg／L左右，此时的系统平均出水COD、氨氮、总氮和总磷浓度分别为40mg／L、3．8mg／L、13．0mg／L和0．7mg／L，平均COD、氨氮、总氮和总磷去除率分别为92．4％、83．8％、72．7％和87．1％。     

固定化高效石油降解生物制剂制备及效果评价

选取聚丙烯工业吸油棉为固定化生物载体材料,通过开展材料改性及固定化工艺优化研究,制备出适用于溢油污染海岸线环境的固定化高效石油降解生物制剂。结果表明:优选0.2mol/L NaOH溶液作为固定化载体材料改性液,改性前后比表面积由33.120m~2/g增至189.621m~2/g,平均孔径由16.997nm增至36.810nm;明确最优固定化参数:固定化初始pH值7~8、固定化初始温度28~32℃、载体投加量2.00~2.50g/L;固定化高效石油降解生物制剂TPHs降解率均高于游离菌群和未改性载体材料,环境耐受性及原油降解效率显著提升。     

有机高分子絮凝剂AUF的研制及其除油效果测定

以尿素、甲醛为原料合成脲醛树脂，加入环氧氯丙烷对树脂进行改性，再加入三乙铵进行季胺化，得到改性脲醛树脂季铵盐絮凝剂AUF。在WEMCO浮选机上考察AUF的除油性能及最佳合成条件。结果表明：AUF投药量为10mg／L时，出水中油浓度达到国家排放标准；当甲醛、尿素、环氧氯丙烷三者的摩尔比为2：1：0.5，季铵化温度为80～110C，反应时间为4～5h时，得到的絮凝剂AUF除油效果最好。     

填料塔胺法脱硫实验研究

建立了填料塔胺法脱硫实验装置,以乙二胺/磷酸溶液为吸收剂,通过条件实验,考察了操作参数对SO_2吸收率的影响。结果表明:脱硫率随液气比、填料层高度的增加而增大,随空塔气速、气相入口SO_2浓度及吸收贫液中四价硫S(IV)浓度的增大而减小,其中,空塔气速和贫液S(IV)浓度对吸收率的影响显著;实验条件下,吸收液气比不宜低于1.73L/m3,贫液S(IV)浓度宜控制在0.1mol/L以下;增大吸收液流量或降低贫液S(IV)浓度均会降低液相传质阻力。     

多花黄精总蛋白质提取工艺优化

对多花黄精主根与须根总蛋白质的提取工艺进行了研究.在对料液比、离心转速、NaCl溶液的浓度等进行单因素试验的基础上,通过正交试验确定了多花黄精主根与须根总蛋白质提取的最佳工艺条件,即对多花黄精主根蛋白质的提取最佳条件为料液比1:15、NaCl浓度0.10mol/L、转速为2500r/min;须根蛋白的提取最佳条件为料液比1:15、NaCl浓度0.20 mol/L、转速为4500r/min.在相同的提取条件下,多花黄精主根与须根的蛋白质得率差异显著.须根中蛋白质的含量与主根的差异性不显著,须根的利用价值也很高,有待于进一步开发利用.     

AN APPLICATION RUNOFF MODEL STRATEGY FOR UNGAGED WATERSHEDS1

ABSTRACT: Mathematical models for predicting watershed surface flow responses are available, most of which are elaborate nonlinear numerical surface and channel flow models linked with infiltration models. Such models may be used to make predictions for ungaged areas, assuming an acceptable fitting of the model to the topography and roughness of the real system. For some application purposes, these models are impractical because of their complexity and expensive computer solutions. A procedure is developed that uses a complex model of an ungaged area to derive a simpler parametric nonlinear system model for repetitious simulation with input sequences. The predicted flow outputs are obtained with the simpler model at significant savings of money and time. The procedures for constructing a complex kinematic model of a 40 acre (161,880 m²) reference watershed and deriving the simpler system model are outlined. The results of predictions from both models are compared with a selected set of measured events, all having essentially the same initial conditions. Peak discharges ranged from 3 to 118 ft³/sec (0.085 to 3.34 m³/sec), which includes the largest event of record. The inherent limitations of lumped systems models are demonstrated, including the bias caused by their inability to model infiltration losses after rainfall ceases. Computer costs and times for the models were compared. The derived simple model has a cost advantage when repeated use of a model is required. Such an applications hydrologic model has an engineering tradeoff of reduced accuracy, and lumping bias, but is more economical for certain design purposes.     

Conversion of temperate forests into heaths: Role of ecosystem disturbance and ericaceous plants

Fire and logging in nutrient-poor temperate forests with certain ericaceous understory plants may convert the forests into heaths. The process of disturbance-induced heath formation is documented by using examples ofCalluna in western Europe,Kalmia in Newfoundland, andGaultheria (salal) in coastal British Columbia. In a cool, temperate climate, rapid vegetative growth ofCalluna, Kalmia, and salal following disturbance results in increasing organic accumulation (paludification), nutrient sequestration, soil acidification, and allelochemicals. These are thought to be the main reasons to conifer regeneration failure in disturbed habitats. If continuation in forest is a land-use objective, then temperate forests with an ericaceous understory should not be logged unless effective silvicultural methods are devised to control the ericaceous plants and restore forest regeneration. Preharvest vegetation control may be considered as an option. Failure to control the understory plants may lead to a long-term vegetation shift, from forest to heathland, particularly in nutrient-poor sites. Successful methods of controllingKalmia andGaultheria, however, have yet to be developed. While theKalmia- andGaultheria- dominated heathlands are undesirable in Canada and the Pacific Northwest, a wide range ofCalluna heathlands of western Europe are being conserved as natural and seminatural vegetation.     

BIOLOGICAL INDICATORS AND BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF ESTUARINE/COASTAL POLLUTION1

ABSTRACT: Sustained interest in and concern about the health status of the aquatic environment has resulted in extensive research focused on (1) effects of pollution on survival, growth, and reproduction of resource species at all life stages; (2) diseases of fish and shellfish, as they may be related to pollution and as they may serve as indicators of environmental stress; and (3) contaminant body burdens in fish and shellfish - their effects on the aquatic animals and their potential effects on humans. Effects, lethal and sublethal, of pollutants on life history stages of fish and shellfish have been documented, as have impacts on local stocks in badly degraded habitats, but as yet there has been no adequate quantitative demonstration of effects on entire aquatic species - probably because of the difficulty in sorting out relative effects of the many environmental factors that influence abundance. Sublethal effects, especially those that result in disease, have been examined intensively, and some diseases and disease syndromes have been associated statistically with pollution. Other pollution indicators (biochemical, physiological, genetic, behavioral, and ecological) have also received some attention, as have body burdens of contaminants in aquatic species. Research, especially that conducted during the past decade, has done much to clarify the many pathways and toxic effects of contaminants on aquatic animals, and has also helped to identify mechanisms for survival of fish and shellfish in the presence of environmental changes caused by human activities.     

Using Paleo Reconstructions to Improve Streamflow Forecast Lead Time in the Western United States

In water stressed regions, water managers are exploring new horizons that would help in long‐range streamflow forecasts. Oceanic‐atmospheric oscillations have been shown to influence streamflow variability. In this study, long‐lead time streamflow forecasts are made using a multiclass kernel‐based data‐driven support vector machine (SVM) model. The extended streamflow records based on tree ring reconstructions were used to provide a longer time series data. Reconstructed data were used from 1658 to 1952 and the instrumental record was used from 1953 to 2007. Reconstructions for oceanic‐atmospheric oscillations included the El Niño‐Southern Oscillation, Pacific Decadal Oscillation, Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation, and North Atlantic Oscillation. Streamflow forecasts using all four oscillations were made with one‐year to five‐year lead times for 21 gages in the western United States. This is the first study that uses both instrumental and reconstructed data of oscillations in SVM model to improve streamflow forecast lead time. SVM model was able to provide “satisfactory” to “very good” forecasts with one‐ to five‐year lead time for the selected gages. The use of all the oscillation indices helped in achieving better predictability compared to using individual oscillations. The SVM modeling results are better when compared with multiple linear regression model forecasts. The findings are statistical in nature and are expected to be useful for long‐term water resources planning and management.     

Urban ecological systems: scientific foundations and a decade of progress

Urban ecological studies, including focus on cities, suburbs, and exurbs, while having deep roots in the early to mid 20th century, have burgeoned in the last several decades. We use the state factor approach to highlight the role of important aspects of climate, substrate, organisms, relief, and time in differentiating urban from non-urban areas, and for determining heterogeneity within spatially extensive metropolitan areas. In addition to reviewing key findings relevant to each state factor, we note the emergence of tentative "urban syndromes" concerning soils, streams, wildlife and plants, and homogenization of certain ecosystem functions, such as soil organic carbon dynamics. We note the utility of the ecosystem approach, the human ecosystem framework, and watersheds as integrative tools to tie information about multiple state factors together. The organismal component of urban complexes includes the social organization of the human population, and we review key modes by which human populations within urban areas are differentiated, and how such differentiation affects environmentally relevant actions. Emerging syntheses in land change science and ecological urban design are also summarized. The multifaceted frameworks and the growing urban knowledge base do however identify some pressing research needs.     

Journalists' views of advertiser pressures on agricultural news

All major journalism ethical codes explicitly state that journalists should protect editorial copy from undue influence by outside sources. However, much of the previous research on agricultural information has concentrated on what information various media communicate (gatekeeping studies) or communication's role in increasing innovation adoption (diffusion studies). Few studies have concentrated specifically on organizational and structural constraints that might adversely affect agricultural journalists' ethical standards; those that have, focus largely on farm magazines. A study of newspaper reporters who cover agricultural news found that the most pressing ethical concern is the effect of advertiser (agri-business) pressure on editorial copy, and that their concerns in general parallel those of farm magazine writers and editors. The majority reported being in situations in which they might be exposed to advertiser pressure, including pressures to change or withhold editorial copy. Large minorities suggested that advertising pressures affect the overall environment in which agricultural journalists work, and more than one in ten said they allow advertiser pressures to influence editorial decisions. The newspaper reporters who cover agricultural beats showed slightly more resistance to advertiser pressure than did farm magazine editors in a parallel study.     

Neighbourhood characteristics and urban gardens in the Toledo metropolitan area: staffing and voluntarism,food production,infrastructure, and sustainability practices

Urban gardens are important sources of sustenance for communities with limited access to food. Hence, this study focuses on food production in gardens in the Toledo metropolitan area in Northwest Ohio. We administered surveys to 150 garden managers from November 2014 to February 2015 in our attempt to better understand how neighbourhood racial composition and poverty levels are related to staffing and voluntarism, food production and distribution, the development of infrastructure, and the adoption of sustainability practices in urban gardens. The results from 30 gardens are presented in this paper. We used Geographic Information Systems to map the gardens and overlay the map with 2010 census data so that we could conduct demographic analyses of the neighbourhoods in which the gardens were located. Though the gardens were small – two acres or less – up to 46 varieties of food were grown in a single garden. Gardens also operated on small budgets. Food from the gardens was gifted or shared with friends, family, and neighbourhood residents. Gardens in predominantly minority neighbourhoods tended to have fewer institutional partners, less garden infrastructure, and had adopted fewer sustainable practices than gardens in predominantly White neighbourhoods. Nonetheless, residents of predominantly minority and high-poverty neighbourhoods participated in garden activities and influenced garden operations. Volunteering and staffing were racialised and gendered.     

Definition Procedures Have Little Effect on Performance of Environmental Classifications of Streams and Rivers

Mapped environmental classifications are defined using various procedures, but there has been little evaluation of the differences in their ability to discriminate variation in independent ecological characteristics. We tested the performance of environmental classifications of the streams and rivers of France that had been defined from the same environmental data using geographic regionalization and numerical classification of individual river valley segments. Test data comprised invertebrate assemblages, water chemistry, and hydrological indexes obtained from sites throughout France. Classification performance was measured by analysis of similarity (ANOSIM). Geometric regions defined by a regular grid and without regard to environmental variables and a posteriori classifications based on clustering the test datasets defined lower and upper bounds of performance for a given number of classes. Differences in classification performances were generally small. The ANOSIM statistics for the a posteriori classifications were around twice that of all environmental classifications, including geometrically defined regions. The hydro-ecoregions performed slightly better for the invertebrate data and the network classification performed slightly better for the chemistry and hydrological data. Our results indicate that environmental classifications that are defined using different procedures can be comparable in terms of their ability to discriminate variation of ecological characteristics and that alleged differences in performance arising from different classification procedures can be small relative to unexplained variation. We conclude that definition procedures might have little effect on the performance of large-scale environmental classifications and decisions over which procedures to use should be based primarily on pragmatic considerations.     

Predicting deer-vehicle collisions in an urban area

Collisions with deer and other large animals are increasing, and the resulting economic costs and risks to public safety have made mitigation measures a priority for both city and wildlife managers. We created landscape models to describe and predict deer-vehicle collision (DVCs) within the City of Edmonton, Alberta. Models based on roadside characteristics revealed that DVCs occurred frequently where roadside vegetation was both denser and more diverse, and that DVCs were more likely to occur when the groomed width of roadside right-of-ways was smaller. No DVCs occurred where the width of the vegetation-free or manicured roadside buffer was greater than 40 m. Landscape-based models showed that DVCs were more likely in more heterogeneous landscapes where road densities were lower and speed limits were higher, and where non-forested vegetation such as farmland was in closer proximity to larger tracts of forest. These models can help wildlife and transportation managers to identify locations of high collision frequency for mitigation. Modifying certain landscape and roadside habitats can be an effective way to reduce deer-vehicle collisions.     

Biodiversity and biotechnology

The maintenance of biodiversity is urged from many quarters and on grounds ranging from aesthetic considerations to its usefulness, particularly for biotechnology. But regardless of the grounds for preserving biodiversity, writers are generally in agreement that it should be preserved. But, in examining the various references biodiversity, such as species diversity, genetic diversity, and habitat diversity, it is apparent that we cannot aim to preserve biodiversityas such, since there are a number of conflicts in any such undertaking. In preserving one aspect of biodiversity, we damage another aspect. Five arguments which attempt to ground our moral concern for biodiversity are reviewed and critiqued, not only for their consistency but also for their power to move us to action. The final section of the paper shows how conflicts in the values of personal and environmental health can impair ethical action and especially policy formation.An earlier version of this paper was read at the conference on Agriculture, Food, and Human Values: Tradition and Change, Orlando, Florida, October 7–9, 1987.