THE EFFECTS OF WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ON ESTUARINE ENVIRONMENTS1

ABSTRACT. The Texas Water Development Board, the principal water resource planning agency of the State, has been conducting extensive estuarine data collection activities and associated research to determine the required quantity and quality of fresh water inflows necessary to maintain various environmental conditions in Texas estuaries to preserve the estuarine ecosystems. These activities are a consequence of a statutory directive to the Board to make provisions in its State Water Plan for the effects of upstream water resource development on the associated estuaries. This paper reports on the results of the first phase of an extensive estuarine research project. The objectives of the research project are to (1) define the interrelationships between estuarine ecosystems and fresh water and nutrient inflows, and (2) develop and test quantitative simulation techniques which describe these relationships. In order to accomplish the first objective, physical and chemical water quality data and biological data on the estuarine ecosystems are being collected, compiled and analyzed. The second objective is being satisfied by the development of hydrodynamic and ecologic simulation models of the estuarine environment.     

海洋石油开发中含油污水处理与溢油防治技术

海洋石油工业清洁生产的关键是防止油污染,而油污染的主要来源是日常排放的含油污水中的油及事故性溢油。首先概述了海上含油污水的处理方法及其原理,并结合实际论述了主要采用的处理工艺,并分析了各工艺技术的处理效果和存在的问题。文章还叙述了海上溢油事故及防止溢油事故发生所应采取的多方位预防措施;建立管理体系,加强管理,通过培训来提高全员操作管理水平,建立溢油处置应急计划和组织系统。在溢油控制方面建立海上溢油漂移模拟程序,对溢油进行实时监控,并对采用的溢油处理装置及方法进行了评述     

Of Bodies, Place, and Culture: Re-Situating Local Food

In the US, an increasingly popular local food movement is propelled along by structural arguments that highlight the inequity and unsustainablity of the current agri-food system and by individually based arguments that highlight personal health and well-being. Despite clear differences in their foci, the deeper values contained in each argument tend to be neglected or lost, while local innovations assume instrumental and largely market-based forms. By narrowing their focus to the rational and the economic, movement activists tend to overlook (or marginalize) the role of the sensual, the emotional, the expressive for maintaining layered sets of embodied relationships to food and to place. This paper seeks to show that cultural and nonrational elements are fundamental to local food discussions. It proceeds from the assumption that, without them as full partners, the movement cannot be sustained in any felt, practiced, or committed way. To this end, it discusses the concept of place and bodies in place, as well as the connections between the ecological and the cultural, the sensual and the scientific. It offers a new set of questions and conceptual tools with which advocates and activists may “ground,” and thereby revalue and restore, the promise and practice of local food.     

Sustainability of the dimension stone industry in Zimbabwe—challenges and opportunities

The rapid expansion of the dimension stone and black granite industry in Zimbabwe in the 1990s, a result of increasing domestic and international demand for black granite, has ushered in new challenges and opportunities for producers and beneficiaries alike. This article investigates the social, environmental and economic challenges emanating from the export boom, the economic opportunities presented by the expanding market and the potential role the robust industry could play in regional economic development and poverty alleviation. The article evaluates the long-term sustainability of the dimension stone industry and recommends the reinvestment of revenues into diversification of the regional economic base, upgrading of local infrastructure, further processing of rough stone before export and encouragement of micro-businesses to enhance sustainability. The author argues for modification of economic incentives to incorporate environmental and social objectives in order to enhance sustainability. The need for a holistic approach to policies affecting the exploitation, processing and marketing of granite resources and their products is recognized. More research on the operations of the industry is called for.     

Issues and impacts of Redwood National Park expansion

In 1968, Redwood National Park was created in an atmosphere of controversy and compromise to preserve remnants of the coastal redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) ecosystems and the streams and seashores with which they are associated. The 1968 boundary included the lower portions of several watersheds in the park, which meant that potential impacts from upstream, privately owned lands might occur. Between 1968 and 1978, controversy continued between preservation and forest industry interests over the impacts of harvesting old growth timber upslope and upstream from the park. In 1978, the southern portion of the park around Redwood Creek was expanded by 48,000 acres, moving the boundary from a narrow, one-half mile riparian corridor to ridgelines, but still leaving two-thirds of the total watershed outside of the park. The park expansion has generated biological and social impacts and opportunities. Meeting the objectives of the 1978 legislation will require close coordination between federal and state government and local communities.     

黄曲霉侵染对不同品种花生生理特性的影响

以高抗黄曲霉花生品种J11、中抗品种HY22和敏感性品种JH1012为材料进行黄曲霉侵染,在不同时间段取样测定各品种花生种皮和籽仁的毒素含量,并同时测定籽仁中脂肪酸和亚油酸、油酸含量。结果表明,各花生品种的种皮内毒素含量随侵染时间增加而升高,到最大值后保持稳定;而籽仁中的毒素含量较低,不同品种花生受侵染后毒素含量大小表现为高抗品种〈普通品种〈高感品种。亚油酸和脂肪含量与黄曲霉毒素含量呈显著正相关,而油酸呈显著负相关,说明高油酸含量和低脂肪、亚油酸含量的花生品种对黄曲霉毒素的侵染有一定抵抗作用。     

我国噪声与振动控制行业2012年发展综述

综述了2012年我国噪声与振动控制行业的发展环境以及行业的生产经营情况;阐述了行业总体技术进展、新技术的开发应用概况,以及行业市场特点及重要动态;分析了行业主要骨干企业的发展情况及企业的国内国际竞争力状况;针对行业发展中存在的主要问题,提出了解决对策和建议,并对行业的发展进行了展望。     

Evaluation of Flood and Landslide Risk to the Population of Italy

We have compiled a database of floods and landslides that occurred in Italy between AD 1279 and 2002 and caused deaths, missing persons, injuries, and homelessness. Analysis of the database indicates that more than 50,593 people died, went missing, or were injured in 2580 flood and landslide events. Harmful events were inventoried in 26.3% of the 8103 Italian municipalities. Fatal events were most frequent in the Alpine regions of northern Italy and were caused by both floods and landslides. In southern Italy, landslides were the principal agents of fatalities and were most numerous in the Campania region. Casualties were most frequent in the autumn. Fast-moving landslides, including rock falls, rockslides, rock avalanches, and debris flows, caused the largest number of deaths. In order to assess the overall risk posed by these processes, we merged the historical catalogs and identified 2682 “hydrogeomorphological” events that triggered single or multiple landslides and floods. We estimated individual risk through the calculation of mortality rates for both floods and landslides and compared these rates to the death rates for other natural, medical, and human-induced hazards in Italy. We used the frequency distribution of events with fatalities to ascertain the magnitude and frequency of the societal risks posed by floods and landslides. We quantified these risks in a Bayesian model that describes the probabilities of fatal flood and landslide events in Italy.     

Review of studies on environmental impacts of recreation and tourism in Australia

The paper provides a review of available information on the impact of recreation and tourism on environments, particularly on vegetation and soil, in Australia, with an emphasis on forests. Efforts have been made to compare the current research and development situation in Australia with some overseas countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom. While many documents reveal that Australia has been experiencing an increasingly high level of recreation and tourism use in its environments, only limited studies of environmental impacts of recreation and tourism have been published. Compared with other developed countries, particularly the United Kingdom and the United States, Australia lags behind in undertaking research in this area. The results of these limited studies and some observations indicate that the most common recreational and tourist activities (such as bush walking, camping, horse-riding) can, if not well managed, adversely affect the values of Australian natural and semi-natural resources. Overall, they can affect the vegetation and other recreational sites physically and biologically. Physical effects include track formation, soil loss and/or compaction and an increase in fire frequency. Littering and water pollution are also seen as impacts associated with bush walking and camping. Biological effects include causing damage to vegetation, increasing risk of myrtle wilt disease and the spread of the soil pathogen,Phytophthora cinnamomi, as well as assisting weed dispersal. Based on the information reviewed, the authors suggest the following areas as priorities for future research into the environmental impact of recreation and tourism in Australia: determine the type of natural features that attract recreation use; determine the quantitative relationship between the impact and the level of recreation and tourism use for different activities within major vegetation habitats; ascertain site carrying capacity or environment thresholds for major vegetation habitats and recreation activities; and determine the impacts of recreation and tourism for major regions and major vegetation habitats where there have been considerable nature-based recreation and tourism activities.1998 Academic Press     

防治油气集输过程中烃类污染的主要途径

烃类是油气田主要的大气污染物,主要来源于油气集输过程中的烃类损耗。降低烃类损耗,回收挥发气体,是减少大气污染的重要途径。孤东油田应用大罐抽气、原油稳定、轻烃回收等工艺对烃类进行回收治理,文章介绍了使用的工艺系统,分析了治理技术的经济效益,得出结论：采用大罐抽气、原油稳定和轻烃回收技术防治油气田烃类污染是可行的,技术成熟,工艺较简单,投资少,见效快,效益明显。在油气田全面推广应用,可以大大降低油气田的烃类污染负荷     

英国、印度和美国生物多样性法律保护概况及其借鉴意义

生物多样性的保护问题是全人类共同面临的严峻现实。对英国、印度及美国的生物多样性法律保护情况进行的调查研究表明,这些国家的保护对象非常广泛,注重对生物多样性典型地区的保护,重视教育与宣传,加强各国间的合作。他们的许多经验值得我们在制定有关生物多样性保护法律、法规时加以借鉴。     

AFTER THE 1993 FLOOD: A WATER AND SURFICIAL BED SEDIMENT QUALITY SCENARIO ON THE ILLINOIS AND UPPER MISSISSIPPI RWERS1

ABSTRACT: Effects of the 1993 flood on river water and sediment quality were investigated using historical data and data collected from the Illinois River and Upper Mississippi River in a post‐flood period. Overall the post‐flood results showed systematic reductions and individual changes in the water and sediment constituents. The reductions in sediment metals and nutrients were most obvious at the Keokuk and Lock and Dam 26 stations. By analyzing and comparing the physical changes to the changes in water and sediment constituents at each station, it was found that physical processes such as sediment entrainment and, more importantly, the removal of fine sediment to be the main causes for the reduced concentrations in sediment constituents. On the other hand, sediment redistribution and associated secondary contamination could have caused the emergence of several water and sediment constituents that were undetected before the flood.     

Temperature, Salinity, and Fluorescence in Southern North Sea: High-Resolution Data Sampled from a Ferry

/ In 1991 and 1992, temperature, salinity, and fluorescence were measured by automatic continuous registration using instrumentation on a ferry crossing the southern North Sea daily along a transect between Zeebrugge, Belgium, and Hull, United Kingdom. The temperature ranged between 4 and 21 degrees C off the Belgian coast and between 6 and 17 degrees C in the middle of the transect. Salinity varied between 34 and 35.5 PSU in the offshore part of the transect, but showed much larger variation along the Belgian and UK estuarine coasts. Fluorescence, which was used as a measure of phytoplankton biomass, was highest at the continental coast and lowest near the English coast. Spring blooms of phytoplankton were found along the continental coast and in the channel-influenced water; in 1991 the blooms were denser than in 1992. Some summer blooms were also recorded. Water masses could be distinguished on the basis of salinity and fluorescence patterns. The general patterns in the data are compared with the literature and discussed in relation to river discharge, light penetration, and wind speed and direction. Finally, the value of automatic and frequent measurements of fluorescence for monitoring phytoplankton is compared with less frequent observations at selected stations. It is concluded that accurate information about phytoplankton biomass can only be established from the high-frequency data. KEY WORDS: Monitoring; Sampling; North Sea; Ferry; Fluorescence; Salinity; Temperature     

Variability of soil-water quality due to Tsunami-2004 in the coastal belt of Nagapattinam district, Tamilnadu

In this study, the Tsunami-caused deterioration of soil and groundwater quality in the agricultural fields of coastal Nagapattinam district of Tamilnadu state in India is presented by analyzing their salinity and sodicity parameters. To accomplish this, three sets of soil samples up to a depth of 30cm from the land surface were collected for the first six months of the year 2005 from 28 locations and the ground water samples were monitored from seven existing dug wells and hand pumps covering the study region at intervals of 3 months. The EC and pH values of both the soil and ground water samples were estimated and the spatial and temporal variability mappings of these parameters were performed using the geostatistical analysis module of ArcGIS((R)). It was observed that the spherical semivariogram fitted well with the data set of both EC and pH and the generated kriged maps explained the spatial and temporal variability under different ranges of EC and pH values. Further, the recorded EC and pH data of soil and ground water during pre-Tsunami periods were compared with the collected data and generated variability soil maps of EC and pH of the post-Tsunami period. It was revealed from this analysis that the soil quality six months after the Tsunami was nearing the pre-Tsunami scenario (EC< 1.5dSm(-1); pH<8), whereas the quality of ground water remained highly saline and unfit for irrigation and drinking. These observations were compared with the ground scenarios of the study region and possible causes for such changes and the remedial measures for taking up regular agricultural practices are also discussed.     

Wastewater Reuse Practices in Kuwait

Water is a scarce commodity in Kuwait. With rapid growth of population coupled with increasing urbanization and agriculture, the demand for water in Kuwait is continually on the increase. The main water source in the country is from desalination with small quantities from underground aquifers. Wastewater effluent at least for irrigation purposes, could be a valuable source to augment this dwindling water supply, and should not continue to be wasted. Reuse of wastewater effluent could both minimize the disposal of water to the environment and reduce the demand on fresh water supplies. This paper discusses the features of reuse, the processes used and standards adopted. Design data, operational results, and physical characteristics for the three wastewater treatment plants (Ardiya, Jahra, and Riqqa) in Kuwait are discussed. In addition, the paper reports on the results of a research study undertaken to determine the willingness, level of awareness and knowledge among the people of Kuwait in using wastewater effluent for different purposes. Cost and benefit analyses were conducted on wastewater effluent and reuse. The study concludes with useful recommendations to both the authorities and the citizens of Kuwait.     

Considering Climate Change in the Estimation of Long‐Term Flood Risks of Devils Lake in North Dakota

Terminal lakes are impacted by regional changes in climate. Devils Lake (DL), North Dakota, United States (U.S.), is a case in which a prolonged shift in the precipitation pattern resulted in a 10‐m water‐level rise over the past two decades, which cost over one billion U.S. dollars in mitigation. Currently, DL is 1.5 m from an uncontrolled overspill to the nearby Sheyenne River, which could lead to unprecedented environmental, social, and economic costs. Water outlets recently implemented in the lake to slow the water‐level rise and prevent an uncontrolled overspill are subject to significant concerns over the introduction of invasive species and downstream water quality. We developed a hydrological model of the DL basin using the soil and water assessment tool and analyzed DL's overspill probability using an ensemble of statistically downscaled General Circulation Model (GCM) projections of the future climate. The results indicate a significant likelihood (7.3‐20.0%) of overspill in the next few decades in the absence of outlets; some members of the GCM integration ensemble suggest an exceedance probability of over 85.0 and 95.0% for the 2020s and 2050s, respectively. Full‐capacity outlets radically reduce the probability of DL overspill and are able to partially mitigate the problem by decreasing the average lake level by approximately 1.9 and 1.5 m in the 2020s and 2050s, respectively.     

Effects of Changing Environments of Mangrove Creeks on Fish Communities at Trat Bay, Thailand

Effects of changing environments of riverside mangroves, coastal land uses, and water quality on fish communities were studied in Bangphra and Thaprik creeks, Trat Bay, Thailand. Regression analysis revealed that fish species richness in the wet season had a negative relationship with water transparency, nitrate, and phosphate and a positive relationship with zooplankton. In the dry season, species richness had a negative relationship with nitrate and phosphate and a positive relationship with salinity, pH, and zooplankton. Abundances and species richness of fish declined over distance from downstream to upstream in both creeks. Riparian mangroves and water quality also declined with distance upstream in both creeks. Results from one-way analysis of variance and Tukey’s HSD test revealed that the highest zooplankton volume with the lowest amounts of nitrate and phosphate were observed at the downstream station in both creeks in each season. Low zooplankton volume with high amounts of nitrate and phosphate were found at the midstream and upstream stations of the creeks. The midstream and upstream stations of Bangphra Creek had low to moderate abundance of mangroves along the riversides, whereas shrimp farms were mainly found along the riversides at the midstream and upstream stations of Thaprik Creek. Correlation analysis results of land-use types and the significant habitat factors were discussed. This study found that mangrove degradation, shrimp farming, and residential and agricultural areas altered water quality and the health of fish habitats, causing the decreases in fish abundance and species richness.     

Exergy analysis of the transcritical N2O refrigeration cycle with a vortex tube

In this article, a comparative study is presented for the transcritical cycle with expansion valve (TCEV) and transcritical cycle with vortex tube (TCVT) mainly based on the second law of thermodynamics. Natural refrigerant nitrous oxide (N₂O) is used in both the cycles for analysis. The evaporator and gas cooler temperatures are varied from ?55°C to 5°C and 35°C to 60°C, respectively. The effects of various operating and design parameters on the optimum heat rejection pressure, coefficient of performance (COP), exergy loss (irreversibility), and the exergetic efficiency are studied. Exergy analysis of each component in TCEV and TCVT is performed to identify the amount and locations of irreversibility. It is observed that the use of the vortex tube in place of the expansion valve reduces the total exergy losses and increases the exergetic efficiency as well as COP. The exergetic efficiency and COP of the TCVT are on average 10–12% higher compared to TCEV for the considered operating conditions. The computed values of the exergetic efficiency for TCVT using refrigerant N₂O are the highest at an evaporator temperature of ?55°C, and the corresponding values of exergetic efficiency and exergy losses varies between 25.35% and 15.67% and between 74.65% and 84.33%, respectively. However, COP at the same evaporator temperature of ?55°C varies between 0.83 and 0.51. Furthermore, the optimum heat rejection pressure in TCVT is lower compared to that in TCEV. The results offer significant help for the optimum design and operating conditions of TCVT with refrigerant N₂O.     

Nutrient Sources and Transport in the Missouri River Basin,with Emphasis on the Effects of Irrigation and Reservoirs1

Brown, Juliane B., Lori A. Sprague, and Jean A. Dupree, 2011. Nutrient Sources and Transport in the Missouri River Basin, With Emphasis on the Effects of Irrigation and Reservoirs. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 47(5):1034‐1060. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752‐1688.2011.00584.x Abstract: SPAtially Referenced Regressions On Watershed attributes (SPARROW) models were used to relate instream nutrient loads to sources and factors influencing the transport of nutrients in the Missouri River Basin. Agricultural inputs from fertilizer and manure were the largest nutrient sources throughout a large part of the basin, although atmospheric and urban inputs were important sources in some areas. Sediment mobilized from stream channels was a source of phosphorus in medium and larger streams. Irrigation on agricultural land was estimated to decrease the nitrogen load reaching the Mississippi River by as much as 17%, likely as a result of increased anoxia and denitrification in the soil zone. Approximately 16% of the nitrogen load and 33% of the phosphorus load that would have otherwise reached the Mississippi River was retained in reservoirs and lakes throughout the basin. Nearly half of the total attenuation occurred in the eight largest water bodies. Unlike the other major tributary basins, nearly the entire instream nutrient load leaving the outlet of the Platte and Kansas River subbasins reached the Mississippi River. Most of the larger reservoirs and lakes in the Platte River subbasin are upstream of the major sources, whereas in the Kansas River subbasin, most of the source inputs are in the southeast part of the subbasin where characteristics of the area and proximity to the Missouri River facilitate delivery of nutrients to the Mississippi River.     

Environmental politics in post-World War II America

America has always had to confront environmental problems, but it wasn't until after World War II that most Americans began to develop the kind of consciousness about environmental issues that has played such a role in domestic politics over the past quarter century. After the surge of post war growth, we began to recognize the limits of our ability to exploit our environment for private gain, thus creating environmental awareness and ultimately a political movement. In 1970, President Nixon created the Environmental Protection Agency, and appointed William Ruckelshaus as Director. Ruckelshaus was succeeded by Russell Train and Douglas Coste, and all three men began to make serious headway in the effort to clean up the nation's environment. In 1980, however, President Ronald Reagan, taking an anti-Federal government involvement in the private sector stance, began to seriously cut the budget of the EPA. He appointed Ann Gorsuch, who cut the budget as she believed the President wished, but her poor relationship with the Congress eventually forced her to resign. President Reagan requested that Bill Ruckelshaus return, and EPA has been blessed with good leadership ever since. During the Bush years, EPA director William Reilly even managed to pass sweeping acid rain control legislation. When Bill Clinton was elected President in 1992, he did not possess a strong environmental record, however his running mate, Al Gore, most certainly did. EPA administrator Carole Browner, in fact, was a former Gore staffer and the White House environmental office is led by former Gore people. Clinton and Gore have attempted to bring a degree of flexibility to environmental regulation, and have also involved themselves personally in resolving environmental disputes. For instance, they and Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbit worked to fashion a long-term plan for the Florida Everglades that helped warring groups and interests come to consensus. With the 1994 Republican victory in the Congressional elections, it appeared that the environment may once again be in danger, as the Contract with America pledged to reduce or eliminate environmental controls. Popular opinion, however, caused the Congress to change their views and even directed them to pass environmental legislation that has won the support of both the business and environmental protection sectors. These developments have displayed that Americans care deeply about the environment and provide the basis for a genuine bipartisan consensus on environmental issues which will increasingly emphasize thoughtful and effective technological solutions in the future. Although the benefits of this legislation have been drastic, we are now dealing with problems requiring more subtle and sophisticated answers than we needed in the past. Because of this, political leaders will look to the classrooms and laboratories to produce the answers to the environmental problems of the future, and in turn will be willing to support educators and researchers with resources and political clout. Neither the politicians nor the business community can solve these problems without a close working relationship with the world of environmental and biotechnology. Building that collaborative relationship is one of the most important challenges we face as we approach the 21st century. It is also, particularly for those of us who have been laboring in the environmental vineyard for years, one of the most exciting.