The impact of gasoline emission on plants – a review

This review presents the status of knowledge about gasoline exhaust pollution and its impact biochemical and physiological characteristics of plants. Parameters on such as leaf conductance, membrane permeability, ascorbic acid, chlorophyll and relative water content have been used as indicators to assess the impact of gasoline exhaust pollution on plant health. Tolerant plants such as Mangifera indica Linn. are reported showing an insignificant decrease in the percentage of chlorophyll content (3.6%) and a significant increase in the percentage of ascorbic acid (84.6%) and sensitive plants such as Cassia fistula are reported showing a significant decrease in the percentage of chlorophyll (66.4%) as well as ascorbic acid (32.9%). In the case of ornamental plants, Dracaena deremensis has been reported to show an insignificant decrease in the chlorophyll content but a significant increase in the ascorbic acid, pH and relative water content, which were found to be in tolerant category, while Dianthus caryophyllus showed sensitive characteristics. Such plants can be used as sinks and bioindicators for gasoline exhaust pollution. Though several studies reported biochemical impacts of individual or combined exhaust gases on plant species, the cumulative effect of gasoline exhaust on plant species has not been studied extensively, especially in the developing countries.     

Water spray geoengineering to clean air pollution for mitigating haze in China’s cities

In the past 30 years, China has suffered from air pollution and heavy haze created by fast industrial growth and economic expansion. This article reviews the techniques for remediation of air pollution. Then, I propose a geoengineering method for mitigating air pollution and haze in China’s cities by using water to scavenge air pollution. Here, water should be sprayed into the atmosphere like watering garden. The scientific rationale and mechanism for the geoengineering scheme are explained. It is found that precipitation scavenging coefficients are very sensitive to the size distributions of both aerosol and raindrops, and rain intensity. I found that the water spray geoengineering method can reduce the PM_2.5 pollution in the atmosphere very efficiently to 35 μg m^?3 level in a very short time period from few minutes to hours or days, depending on the precipitation characteristics. In addition, the water spray geoengineering method has excellent advantages such as rapidity, already available technology, low cost, and a nature-like process. This proposed geoengineering scheme can be one of the answers for fighting air pollution in the cities globally.     

氟污染对桑叶营养成分的影响

本文研究了氟污染对桑叶光合产物、氨基酸、有机酸含量及三种酶活性的影响,结果表明:氟污染能引起桑叶营养成分的改变。根据氟污染桑叶的生理、生化指标的变化情况,探讨了以植物氟含量、蔗糖含量变化情况及外观症状结合来监测大气氟污染对植物危害的可行性。     

兰坪铅锌尾矿区豆科植物根瘤菌的多样性及抗性研究

对兰坪铅锌尾矿区自然发生的植物进行调查,共发现18种植物,分属于10科。对野豇豆（Vigna vexiauata（Linn.）Bench.）、长波叶山蚂蝗（Desmodium sequax Wall.）、三叶草（Trifolium pratense Linn.）、白刺花（Sophora davii（franch.）Skeels）、密花序黄芪（Astragalus forrestii Simpson.）、美丽胡枝子（Lespedeza Formosa（Vog.）Koehne.）6种8株豆科植物根瘤进行根瘤菌的分离纯化,共得到419株细菌,经镜检初步确定有94株为根瘤菌。对其中31株根瘤菌的淀粉水解、糖发酵等12项生理生化指标进行测定,并以平均连锁法进行聚类分析。结果表明,兰坪铅锌尾矿区31株根瘤菌在50%的相似水平上可分为6个类群,其表型特性存在明显差异,同一种植物中可能存在不同代谢类型的根瘤菌,同一种代谢类型的根瘤菌也可与不同植物共生。抗逆性测定结果表明,菌株（4G.7、5.4.3、7.4.3）对温度、（4A.12、4G.7、4G.10、5.4.3）对pH、（3.7.9、5.4.3）对盐、（3.7.19、4A.12、6.1.2、6.1.13）对抗生素有较强耐受性或抗性,大多数菌株能在较宽的温度、盐度和pH范围内生长。     

A study on the activities of a few free radicals scavenging enzymes present in five roadside plants

The road side plants are continuously exposed to the high levels of oxides of nitrogen and sulphur dioxide, emitted from automobile. Resistance to automobile exhaust pollution was studied with Nerium indicum Mill, Boerhaavia diffusa L., Amaranthus spinosus L., Cephalandra indica Naud., and Tabernaemontana divaricata L., growing on the edges of Delhi Road, National Highway 2 (NH 2) near Dankuni, West Bengal. By analysing the activities of a few enzymes like superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase and phenolic peroxidase, it appears that among the five plants examined,Amaranthus and Cephalandra are equipped with a very good scavenging system to combat effects of air pollution.     

Evaluation of air pollution tolerance index of selected plant species along roadsides in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala

To develop the usefulness of plants as bioindicators requires an appropriate selection of plant species which entail an utmost importance for a particular situation. In the present study a periodic evaluation of air pollution tolerance index [APTI] of selected tree species such as Polyalthia longifolia, (Sonner) Thw., Alstonia scholaris, R. Br., Mangifera indica, L., and shrubs Clerodendron infortunatum, L., Eupatorium odoratum, L., and Hyptis suaveolens, (L.) Poit., growing adjacent to the National Highway-47 passing through Thiruvananthapuram District which lies on the south-west coast of India, was carried out with a view to find out the air pollution tolerance as well as sensitivity of the plant species during different seasons. Among the trees in the roadside areas studied, Polyalthia longifolia, (Sonner) Thw., expressed highest APTI values and proved to be a tolerant variety and the others as sensitive species to air pollutants. In the case of shrubs, Clerodendron infortunatum, L., exhibited highest APTI values (7.34) and found to be more tolerant compared to the other two shrub species studied.     

Biological treatments of textile industrial effluents in Lagos metropolis, Nigeria

The assessment of the effluents from two textile industries in Ilupeju in Lagos metropolis, Nigeria showed that they were high in conductivity, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total dissolved solids (TDS) and contained traces of heavy metals like Ca, Zn but high concentrations of Cr and Pb. These wastewaters are normally discharged into neighbouring water bodies. Five bacterial groups, namely Micrococcus sp., Enterobacter sp., Alcaligens sp., Bacillus sp. and Acinetobacter sp. were isolated from these effluents. They were used individually for biotreatment and found to be able to utilize the components of the wastewaters for growth, Bacillus sp. and Acinetobacter sp. being the most efficient utilizers as they were able to reduce BOD to zero. The total viable count (TVC) increased significantly depicting growth of the bacterial population. The pH was regulated from 3.4-6.80 for NSF effluent and 12.2-10.29 for STI effluent. The work emphasises the level of industrial pollution in our environment as wastes are indiscrimately dumped into surrounding water bodies in urban areas, the textile industry being a case study. The treatment of any form of waste before disposal into the environment is important and ensures safety of the populace.     

深圳市酸雨变化特征及形成原因分析

深圳市长年属于较重酸雨区,对城市生态带来重要影响,酸雨污染已经成为当前迫切需要解决的环境问题。为了了解近年来深圳市降水的变化特征及污染状况,利用2001—-2011年的降水监测数据,分析了降水酸化程度及化学组分特征,探讨了致酸原因,’为酸雨污染控制对策制定提供基础依据。研究结果表明,深圳市酸雨污染在2004--2006年达到较高水平（降水pH值4,49～4．59）,2007年以来明显有所改善（降水pH值4．73～5．02）,酸雨频率也显著降低。在时间变化上呈现夏季酸雨污染相对较严重,在空间变化上表现出宝安区和龙岗区酸雨污染相对较轻。相对于北京等城市,深圳市降水中离子浓度较低,同时大气中污染物浓度也较低,表明深圳市降水比较清洁,但由于大气中碱性物质含量较低,导致降水酸性较强。深圳市近年降水[SO42-]／[NO3-]的比值不断下降并低于2,硫酸硝酸混合型酸雨特征明显,表明机动车对降水酸性的影响不断增强。Cl-和Na＋对降水阴阳离子的贡献较高（分别达到24％和30％）,反映降水受海洋的影响较大。深圳与广州、东莞、佛山等城市的降水酸度和酸雨频率变化趋势较为一致,区域传输对酸雨形成也有重要影响。     

Physiological changes in certain test plants under automobile exhaust pollution

Plants are the only living organisms which have to suffer a lot from automobile exhaust pollution because they remain static at their habitat. But such roadside plants like Nerium indicum Mill., Boerhaavia diffusa L., Amaranthus spinosus L., Cephalandra indica Naud., and Tabemaemontana divaricata L. can easily avoid the effects of air pollution by altering their physiological pathways pertaining to photosynthesis and respiration. Stomatal closure in Boerhaavia, Amaranthus, Cephlandra and stomatal clogging in Nerium and Tabemaemontana help these plants in preventing the entry of poisonous gases. The increased activity of the enzyme Phosphoenol Pyruvate Carboxylase (PEPCase) belonging to C4 pathway helps Nerium and Boerhaavia (both C3 plants) in carbon fixation under stress condition. Photorespiration is favoured in Amaranthus, Cephalandra and Tabernaemontana to compensate for the over production of ATP in them. Owing an inefficient gaseous exchange in Boerhaavia and Tabemaemontana, the activity of Glucose 6--Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6-PD) also increases for the preferential shift to Pentose Phosphate Pathway to produce excess NADPH+H+ which are likely to re-oxidize by metabolic reactions not linked to electron transport chain.     

Epiphytische Flechten im Wandel von Immissionen und Klima • Ergebnisse einer Vergleichskartierung 1989/2007 in Nordwestdeutschland

Epiphytic lichens as indicators for changes in air pollution and climate. Results of a comparative survey 1989/2007 in north-west Germany Background, aim, and scope Lichens growing on tree bark (epiphytic lichens) respond very sensitively to environmental effects such as chemical substances and air temperature. Therefore, they are used as biomonitors for atmospheric pollution in environmental assessments. Based on a survey of epiphytic lichens in 1989, a repetition was performed in an intensively-used agricultural area of north-west Germany in 2007. The objective of this study was to assess possible changes in air pollution and climate. Materials and methods The study is based on a comparative inventory of epiphytic lichens, growing on 335 trees at 45 monitoring sites. A simplified half quantitative survey technique of the first survey was used. Results Indeed, major changes to the epiphytic lichen flora were found. Overall, nearly all monitoring points showed an increase in the level of lichen species. A sharp decrease in acidophileous species and a sharp increase in basidophileous and nitrophileous species were detected. In addition, an increase in thermophileous species which are mainly inhabitants of southern European countries was observed, combined with decreases in boreo-montanic species. Discussion These trends correspond with supra-regional observations. They are primarily attributed to changes in air pollution involving a decrease in SO₂ and an increase in NH₃ concentrations. Clear effects from climate change are evident as well. Conclusions Changes to epiphytic lichens over a 18-year period could be demonstrated using a relatively low-cost investigation. They are relevant for assessing the changing environmental situation, which is of great importance for other organism groups and ecosystems. Recommendations and perspectives Using standardized techniques epiphytic lichens are suitable bioindicators for obtaining different types of information about the air pollution in urban areas and in intensively-used agricultural regions. Furthermore they are obviously good indicators of temperature changes in their environment. More research is needed about the suitability of epiphytic lichens for a biomonitoring of climate changes.     

An improved index for monitoring metal pollutants in surface sediments

An approach for defining the quality of surface sediments of limited areas in terms of heavy metal contents is proposed. Sediments were taken on a bi‐dimensional mapping, for checking possible different sources of pollution in the case study, a harbour zone. Non residual metals were determined by ICP‐AES in cold diluted hydrochloric acid leachates of sediments. An “enrichment factor”;, r, can be computed for each metal: metals with r values exceeding unity can be considered as indicators of metal pollution. A “total enrichment factor”;, R, was proposed in order to assess the degree of pollution of sediments for each site. R is an adimensional value that accounts for the presence of metals that exceed threshold values determined by background concentrations.     

Umweltindikatoren für Immissionswirkungen

“In contrast to other fields of politics, a few, minor measurements (indicators) are still lacking in the environmental policies which enable one to evaluate the environmental situation and to consequently take over a major role in political discussions” (BMU 1998). There are a multitude of suggestions for such environmental indicators on both a national and an international level. To date, however, there are still no indicators through which the ecological effects of biosphere pollution can be evaluated. This work provides two examples how biomonitoring data can be connected to environmental indicators. Based on the background concentrations of a multitude of heavy metals and dioxins/furans in two individual bioindicators (standardized grass and kale cultures), which have been combined to act as indicators for the topic in question, indices have been calculated through the determination of reference values. The results are indicators for the pollution effects of traffic-related emissions, the pollution effects from the emissions of fossil fuels and the pollution effects of dioxins and furanes. These indicators may still be combined further through the methods of calculation which are described. The further, methodical development of bioindicators, however, turned out to be problematic. Only data whose survey methods have been standardized to such an extent that the results are comparable with each other over longer periods of time can be combined to represent indicators: an inalienable requirement for the presentation of trends.     

广州市区大气污染特征与影响因子分析

以2000—2004年广州市国控测点的空气环境质量自动监测结果为基础数据,以我国《大气环境质量标准》的日平均质量浓度二级标准为依据计算广州市2000—2004年的各大气污染物的指数及污染负荷率,阐明广州市区主要大气污染物SO2、NO2、PM10、CO的地域分布特征、季节变化特征、年际变化特征以及由于大气中的酸性物质而形成的酸雨的变化特征并提出研究对策。结果表明:各污染物质量浓度存在明显的季节变化规律,除SO2春夏秋季污染最严重,其余几项污染程度由高到低的顺序均为冬季,春季,秋季,夏季。近5年来空气中的一氧化碳呈显著下降趋势,但二氧化硫、二氧化氮和可吸入颗粒物则呈显著上升趋势,综合污染指数也呈明显上升趋势;酸雨频率呈不显著上升且夏秋季污染大于春冬两季。广州市大气污染分布规律与风向频率以北和东北偏北方向较大,东和东南方向次之的分布基本一致。     

Air pollution and its control in China

The rapid growth of China’s economy has led to severe air pollution characterized by acid rain, severe pollution in cities, and regional air pollution. High concentrations are found for various pollutants such as sulfur dioxides (SO₂), nitrogen oxides (NO_x), and fine particulates. Great efforts have thus been undertaken for the control of air pollution in the country. This paper discusses the development and application of appropriate technologies for reducing the major pollutants produced by coal and vehicles, and investigates air quality modeling as an important support for policy-making.     

Criteria for jurisdictional design: Issues in defining the scope and structure of river basin authorities and other public decision-making bodies

Multifunction decision-making bodies are often advocated for representative environmental authorities on the basis that by facilitating vote-trading they generate better social decisions. This paper demonstrates that vote-trading may in fact lead to suboptimal social decisions. From this conclusion, it is argued that consideration should be given to designing environmental authorities responsible for separate activities, i.e., water pollution control, air pollution control, land use, etc., rather than having only one authority responsible for these several functions. Criteria as to when a single function. authority is appropriate are provided.     

广州市区植物叶片重金属元素含量及其大气污染评价

文章通过对广州市区植物叶片中重金属元素含量的分析，研究了植物大气环境污染指数，探讨了植物叶片重金属元素含量与城市大气环境污染之间的关系。结果表明，植物叶片中Cu,Pb,Cd,Cr元素污染都较严重，在重污染区这些元素的含量明显高于清洁对照区；用植物污染指数可以综合评价大气环境质量状况；利用植物叶片内的重金属含量变化，为大气污染生物监测和环境质量评价提供了科学依据。     

深圳宝安垃圾压缩转运站环境污染分析

通过对不同类型的垃圾压缩转运站水、气、噪声污染的监测分析发现,转运站产生的渗滤液中有机和重金属污染严重,CODCr浓度高达32783～67867mg/L,站内混合废水约排放40kgCODCr/d;站内恶臭物质如三甲胺、甲硫醇、甲硫醚、二甲二硫等浓度严重超标,而转运站内、外臭气浓度均较高,可采用喷淋植物提取液除臭等控制手段;转运站厂界噪声L90测值约为65dB（A）,垃圾压缩时的瞬时噪声较大。     

哈尔滨市表土重金属地球化学基线的确定及污染程度评价

在实地采样测试的基础上,分别运用地质累积指数法和污染负荷指数法对哈尔滨市表土103个样品中的Hg、Cd、Pb、As元素的单因子污染程度和多元素综合污染状态进行了评价,并在ArcGIS平台下对区域污染程度进行空间可视化。地质累积指数法表明：哈尔滨市Hg、Cd、Pb和As的污染等级主要为1级和2级;各目标元素均有一定比例的3级污染等级,以Hg最为明显,其中Hg和Cd出现了4、5级污染,所占比例不大;污染负荷指数法的综合评价结果显示,点污染负荷指数（IPL）以Ⅰ级为主,呈中度污染,区域污染负荷指数（IPLzone）值为1.478,污染程度属于Ⅰ级。     

基于日平均养殖量的畜禽养殖排污系数法的改进

传统的畜禽养殖排污系数污染负荷计算方法受养殖规模浮动影响,计算结果精度不高,只能计算整年污染负荷且无法计算某时段污染负荷。在分析传统畜禽产污系数法缺陷的基础上,探讨了日平均养殖量取代年养殖量的计算模式。依据不同类型畜禽养殖的周期特点,提出了各种类型畜禽养殖排污系数污染负荷计算公式和方法。最后,利用2008—2009年天津市宁河县生猪养殖污染负荷计算实例,对比分析了两种计算方法。结果表明,基于日平均养殖量的产污系数计算方法可以有效地减少由于养殖规模波动造成的计算误差,同时还适用于年内某时段污染负荷的计算,克服了传统方法只能以年为计算基本单元的弊端。     

Development and application of a comprehensive ecological risk assessment indicator system in Xiamen,China

Urban ecological risk is one of the important factors that may restrict the social and economic development. Therefore, it is of great significance to carry out a comprehensive assessment of ecological risks so that an ecological risk prevention and control plan can be scientifically formulated. In this paper, a comprehensive ecological risk assessment indicator system of Xiamen was established based on local ecological properties and socioeconomic status. This indicator system covers seven indicators including air pollution, soil pollution, water pollution, fresh water consumption, change in land use, occupation of key zones with ecological functions, and road network expansion. Based on this indicator system and in conjunction with the single factor assessment of ecological risks, this study constructed a model of comprehensive ecological risk assessment and forecasted the comprehensive ecological risk of Xiamen in 2020. The results showed that the comprehensive ecological risk level of Xiamen in 2020 is medium and the main stressors are the discharge of air and water pollutants. From the perspective of risk receptors, i.e. the ecosystem services, the risk posed to the ecosystem services associated to the maintenance of air quality and water purification is the highest. Therefore, this study proposed the recommendations on ecological risk prevention and regulation in Xiamen based on the comprehensive assessment of ecological risks, in the hope to provide scientific support for local ecological protection and sustainable development.