Improved mapping of National Atmospheric Deposition Program wet-deposition in complex terrain using PRISM-gridded data sets

High-elevation regions in the United States lack detailed atmospheric wet-deposition data. The National Atmospheric Deposition Program/National Trends Network (NADP/NTN) measures and reports precipitation amounts and chemical constituent concentration and deposition data for the United States on annual isopleth maps using inverse distance weighted (IDW) interpolation methods. This interpolation for unsampled areas does not account for topographic influences. Therefore, NADP/NTN isopleth maps lack detail and potentially underestimate wet deposition in high-elevation regions. The NADP/NTN wet-deposition maps may be improved using precipitation grids generated by other networks. The Parameter-elevation Regressions on Independent Slopes Model (PRISM) produces digital grids of precipitation estimates from many precipitation-monitoring networks and incorporates influences of topographical and geographical features. Because NADP/NTN ion concentrations do not vary with elevation as much as precipitation depths, PRISM is used with unadjusted NADP/NTN data in this paper to calculate ion wet deposition in complex terrain to yield more accurate and detailed isopleth deposition maps in complex terrain. PRISM precipitation estimates generally exceed NADP/NTN precipitation estimates for coastal and mountainous regions in the western United States. NADP/NTN precipitation estimates generally exceed PRISM precipitation estimates for leeward mountainous regions in Washington, Oregon, and Nevada, where abrupt changes in precipitation depths induced by topography are not depicted by IDW interpolation. PRISM-based deposition estimates for nitrate can exceed NADP/NTN estimates by more than 100% for mountainous regions in the western United States.     

Analysis of the Threshold and Expected Coverage Approaches to the Probabilistic Reserve Site Selection Problem

Two approaches to formulating the reserve site selection problem when species occurrence data is probabilistic were solved for terrestrial vertebrates in a small set of potential reserve sites in Oregon. The expected coverage approach, which maximizes the sum of the occurrence probabilities, yielded solutions that covered more species on average in Monte Carlo simulations than the threshold approach, which maximizes the number of species for which the occurrence probability exceeds some threshold.     

Monitoring in the Tualatin River Basin to assess the effectiveness of the Oregon Forest Practicers Program: Preliminary results of phosphorus monitoring

The Oregon Department of Forestry is a designated management agency to provide a forestry program to assist in bringing the Tualatin River into complicance with pH and dissolved oxygen water quality standards. The Oregon Environmental Quality Commission set a total maximum daily load (TMDL) of 70 µg/l total phosphorus to control algae growth and meet these standards. The Department of Forestry has a basin effectiveness monitoring plan to determine that the Oregon Forest Practice Rules' BMPs are maintaining adequate control of phosphorus loadings from forest operations. Three sites monitored during May to October of 1990 were augmented by eight more sites in 1991. As laboratory methods were refined, the results became more accurate. The 1991 monitoring showed lower phosphorus levels that were consistent for each tributary. Mean total phosphorus levels ranged from 17 to 65 µg/l. Preliminary field reconnaissance suggests a correlation between phosphorus levels and underlying geology. Concentrations were lowest at sites underlain by tertiary intrusive basalts, next higher for sites with terrestrial basalt, next higher for one site with a basalt-sandstone bedrock mix, and highest for sites underlain predominately by sandstone. These results may be modified by 1992 monitoring and further analysis.     

马鞍山市酸雨污染分析及控制对策研究

从马鞍山市降水常规监测数据资料入手 ,比较详细地分析了该市酸雨时空分布特征、原因以及降水酸度和酸雨频率年度变化情况 ,并结合马鞍山市有关环境资料对该市酸雨发展趋势作了较深的分析 ,也对酸雨污染控制对策作了一定的研究探讨。研究结果表明 ,该市存在酸雨污染问题 ,上半年比下半年污染重 ,主要集中在一中点 ,二氧化硫是影响降水酸度的主要因素 ,酸雨类型以硫酸型为主。随着经济发展 ,酸雨污染有扩大趋势 ,必须采取果断措施进行治理。     

电导率加和性质及其在降水监测数据处理中的应用

采用相对电导率差（CPD）法、电导率-pH不等式法对某监测站大气降水的实测电导率和pH值等数据进行质量分析。根据分析结果认为可用CPD法来检验、评估降水中各种离子成分的分析是否完整、准确，用电导率-pH不等式法来检验电导率和pH值的测定值是否存在明显的误差。     

Investigation of impact of environmental changes on precipitation pattern of Pakistan

In this paper, variability in precipitation pattern of Pakistan due to environmental and climatic changes has been studied. Maps have been generated to depict global precipitation variation. Precipitation data of 25 stations of Pakistan have been used. These data were taken from Meteorological Department, Islamabad, Pakistan. The results of two global climate models, namely Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research’s third generation general circulation model and National Center for Atmospheric Research’s first generation precipitation circulation model for A2 scenario have been applied to investigate the changes. It is observed that precipitation pattern will change significantly in the future. The occurrence of precipitation in all seasons for Pakistan is expected to increase with almost uniform distribution across a season. Average annual precipitation of the country will undergo an increase in the range of +57 to +71 % as compared to average of the base period.     

长江入海口北岸单站降水组分10年变化状况探讨

分析2001—2010年南通市区城中子站降水监测点位数据,得出降水中起致酸作用的阴离子硫酸根、硝酸根、氟离子和氯离子中除硝酸根呈现显著性上升趋势,其余上升趋势不明显;氯离子、钠离子与降水量存在高度线性负相关,硫酸根、硝酸根与降水量分别为低度非线性负相关和正相关,其他项目与降水量为显著性非线性负相关;将pH分5级,pH<4.7为重酸雨频率,pH4.7～5.0为较重酸雨频率,pH5.0～5.3为中度酸雨频率,pH5.3～5.6为轻度酸雨频率,pH≥0.56为非酸雨频率,其结果表明:南通市区2009、2010年酸雨频率降低,分别为44.1%和38.2%,主要是重酸雨频率减少,非酸雨频率增加;2003、2007年酸雨频率升高,分别为67.4%和69.8%,主要是重酸雨频率增加,非酸雨频率减小;降水量大小与电导率浓度高低没有对应性;阴阳离子浓度总量逐年、逐月同步变化;阴离子中硫酸根、硝酸根浓度逐年、逐月变化量与幅度较大;阳离子中钙离子、铵离子浓度逐年、逐月变化量与幅度较大;阴阳离子浓度逐年、逐月占比呈准对称形。     

荆门市近十年大气降雨的变化特征分析

利用荆门市2001—2010年对城区和石化区的降水监测资料,研究分析了荆门市近十年来的大气降水量、pH及电导率的变化情况。结果表明:荆门市近十年来的年均降水量为793.27 mm,降水主要集中在5—8月,年降水量变化较大,基本呈周期性的波动趋势。荆门市城区降水的pH和电导率比较稳定,没有出现酸雨。石化区的降水年平均pH比城区低,年平均电导率比城区高,有酸雨发生,但污染并不严重。     

北京城区降水对PM2.5和PM10清除作用分析

基于北京市PM_2.5和PM₁₀质量浓度、组分浓度以及降水数据,利用数理统计、相关性分析等方法分别从降水总量、降水时长和降水前颗粒物浓度3个角度研究降水对PM_2.5、PM₁₀的清除作用,同时以一次典型降水过程为例,具体分析降水对颗粒物的影响。结果表明：降水总量的增加有助于促进PM_2.5、PM₁₀的清除,随着降水总量增加,PM_2.5、PM₁₀的平均清除率提高,有效清除的比例增加;连续降水可增强对大气颗粒物的湿清除作用,连续降水达3d可有效降低PM_2.5、PM₁₀浓度;降水对PM_2.5、PM₁₀浓度的清除率和大气颗粒物前一日的平均浓度有较好的正相关性。降水对大气颗粒物的清除可分为清除、回升和平稳3个阶段,各个阶段大气颗粒物的变化趋势不同。降水对于大气气溶胶化学组分和酸碱性的改变具有明显作用,对于大气颗粒物各种组分的清除效果不完全相同。对于大气中OC、NO₃^-、SO₄^2-和NH₄⁺去除率较高,且这4种组分主要以颗粒态形式被冲刷进入降水中,加剧了北京市降水酸化程度。     

Economic and Spatial Impacts of an Existing Reserve Network on Future Augmentation

An optimization model for land reservation was developed that explicitly selects parcels in the most compact or contiguous manner possible while meeting habitat requirements and a budget limitation. The model was used to compare the effects of an existing reserve network on future parcel spatial locations and total cost. Using habitat and land value data from Josephine County, Oregon, it was found that a system of existing reserves created by various policies and overseen by different agencies can decrease future reserve compactness and contiguity, and increase total cost. This work suggests that coordinated planning can result in more efficient conservation efforts for less cost.     

Data,data everywhere but not a byte to read: Managing monitoring information

The problem of managing scientific information for widespread availability and use can be overwhelming. At Oregon State University, the Quantitative Sciences Group has found a workable solution. The group has developed a Forest Science Data Bank (FSDB) to house data generated by scientists and collaborating researchers in the Andrews Long-Term Ecological Research program. Today the FSDB houses some 2400 data sets from over 350 existing ecological studies and adds about 20 new studies yearly. This paper describes what we have learned in setting up the FSDB as a facility that can be used by researchers who both deposit information in and retrieve information from the FSDB.     

南充市酸雨的时空分布及其形成机制的初步探讨

以四川南充市为研究对象,笔者于2003-2004年连续两年对降水进行采样分析,共获取降雨数据520个,对该市酸雨的变化趋势进行了分析和讨论,并采用统计学上的主成分分析法确定该市近几年来降水化学成分中主要污染物.通过对降水中化学离子物的分析,阐明了该市酸雨的主要成因;从大气相对湿度及其颗粒物与降水pH值、[SO42-]等的对照关系对该区域的酸雨形成机制问题进行了初步探讨.     

Assessment of the Usefulness of Semipermeable Membrane Devices for Long-Term Watershed Monitoring in an Urban Slough System

Semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) were deployed at eight sites within the Buffalo Slough, near Portland, Oregon, to (1) measure the spatial and seasonal distribution of dissolved polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) and organochlorine (OC) compounds in the slough, (2) assess the usefulness of SPMDs as a tool for investigating and monitoring hydrophobic compounds throughout the Columbia Slough system, and (3) evaluate the utility of SPMDs as a tool for measuring the long-term effects of watershed improvement activities. Data from the SPMDs revealed clear spatial and seasonal differences in water quality within the slough and indicate that for hydrophobic compounds, this time-integrated passive-sampling technique is a useful tool for long-term watershed monitoring. In addition, the data suggest that a spiking rate of 2–5 μg/SPMD of permeability/performance reference compounds, including at least one compound that is not susceptible to photodegradation, may be optimum for the conditions encountered here.     

湖南省大气湿沉降化学研究

以湖南省1999～2001年的酸雨监测数据为基础,运用统计学和线性回归分析方法研究了位于中国中南部的重酸雨区湖南省的大气降水的酸度和化学组成的分布特征以及季节变化规律。结果表明,大气降水以SO_4~(2-)为主,占总离子量的31％,大气降水阴阳离子基本平衡。降水年平均pH值为4.86,以春季酸度最大,降水离子总量以冬季最大。研究结果同时表明,降水酸度是主要酸性离子和主要碱性离子共同作用的结果,而且([H~+]+[NH_4~+])/([SO_4~(2-)]+[NO_3~-])比值的变化能较好的反映降水过程中强酸离子的中和现象。     

Monitoring new forestry

Techniques to monitor growth and mortality of live trees, and longevity of snags were developed and tested on 8 units in the Oregon and Washington Cascades where new forestry (structural retention) cuttings were utilized. Time and costs were quantified. The total area of three aggregated units and five dispersed units was 27.8 ha, with 2407 trees and snags measured on 25.1 ha of sample area. Cost of field work was approximately $4590 (4 person crew at 6 weeks) while costs of data entry, analysis and report writing were approximately $2000 (250 person hours). Monitoring is an important component of adaptive management and is essential if we are to understand the ramifications of new silvicultural systems.     

Penetration patterns of monomeric and polymeric 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate monomer in human skin

We investigated penetration patterns of monomeric and polymeric 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI), experimentally and as part of commercial products, in excised full-thickness human skin at 5, 10, 30, or 60 min after exposure. We observed that both monomeric and polymeric HDI were readily absorbed into the skin and that the clearcoat composition affects the penetration rate of the individual isocyanates. The short-term absorption rates for HDI monomer, biuret, and isocyanurate were determined and used to estimate the exposure time required to reach a body burden equal to the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) inhalation threshold limit value (TLV) or Oregon State occupational exposure limit (OEL). Oregon is the only government entity in the United States to promulgate a short-term exposure limit (STEL) for HDI-based polyisocyanates biuret and isocyanurate. Based on these absorption rates for a slow-drying clearcoat after 10 min (1.33 μg cm(-2) h(-1)) or 60 min (0.219 μg cm(-2) h(-1)), we calculated that 6.5 and 40 min dermal exposure, respectively, is required to achieve a dose of HDI equivalent to the ACGIH TLV. For biuret, the time to achieve a dose equivalent to the Oregon OEL for slow-drying clearcoat was much shorter (<31 min) than that for fast-drying clearcoat (618 min). Isocyanurate had the shortest skin absorption times regardless of clearcoat formulation (14 s-1.7 min). These results indicate that the dose received through dermal exposure to HDI-containing clearcoats has a significant potential to exceed the dose equivalent to that received through inhalation exposure at established regulatory limits. A critical need exists to monitor dermal exposure quantitatively in exposed workers, to use proper protective equipment to reduce dermal exposure, and to re-evaluate regulatory exposure limits for isocyanates.     

Evaluation of Metric Precision for a Riparian Forest Survey

This article evaluates the performance of a protocol to monitor riparian forests in western Oregon, United States based on thequality of the data obtained from a field survey. Precision isthe criteria used to determine the quality of 19 field and 6 derived metrics. The derived metrics were calculated from thefield data. The survey consisted of 110 riparian sites on publicand private lands that were sampled during the summers of 1996 and 1997. In order to calculate metric precision, some of the field plots were re-measured. Metric precision was defined in terms of the coefficient of variability (CV) and standard deviation and then compared with a pre-defined data quality objective (DQO). A metric was considered precise if the CV met or exceeded the DQO. The geomorphology metrics were not precisewhile the forest stand inventory metrics and forest cover metrics, with some exceptions, were precise. The precision formany of the field and derived metrics compared favorably withthe level of precision for similar metrics reported in the literature. Recommendations are made to improve the precision for some metrics and they include changing the way precision is calculated, re-defining the field protocol, or improving field training.     

Precipitation Modeling by Polyhedral RCMARS and Comparison with MARS and CMARS

Climate change is becoming an ever important issue due to the possibility that it may result in extreme weather events such as floods or droughts. Consequently, precipitation forecasting has similarly gained in significance as it is a useful tool in meeting the increasing need for the efficient management of water resources as well as in preventing disasters before they happen. In the literature, there are various statistical and computational methods used for this purpose, including linear and nonlinear regression, kriging, time series models, neural networks, and multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS). Among them, MARS stands out as the better performing precipitation modeling method. In this article, we used a recently developed method called robust conic mars (RCMARS), based on MARS (also on CMARS), to forecast precipitation owing to its ability to model complex uncertain data. In CMARS, which was developed as a powerful alternative to MARS, the model complexity is penalized in the form of Tikhonov regularization and studied as a conic quadratic programming. In RCMARS, on the other hand, CMARS is refined further by including the existence of uncertainty in the future scenarios and robustifying it with a robust optimization technique. To evaluate the performance of the RCMARS method, it was applied to build a precipitation model constructed as an early warning system for the continental Central Anatolia Region of Turkey, where drought has been a recurrent phenomenon for the last few decades. Furthermore, the performance of the RCMARS precipitation model was also compared to that of MARS and CMARS. The results indicated that RCMARS builds more accurate, precise, and stable precipitation models compared to those of MARS and CMARS. In addition to these advantageous features of the RCMARS precipitation model, it also provided a good fit to the data. As a result, we propose its use in precipitation forecasting for the region studied.     

Novel operations research methods for efficiently determining irreplaceable sites for conservation

We examine the irreplaceability of sites in the context of the species set covering problem and the maximal covering species problem. We show that a succession of 0-1 programming problems can be solved to quickly determine the set of irreplaceable sites. For the widely available Oregon data set, we find a general lack of trend in the number of irreplaceable sites with the number of sites available for selection used. Moreover, we observe that irreplaceability at one level of resource may not be a predictor of irreplaceability at a higher or a lower level of resource. Finally, we investigate the economic value of irreplaceable sites by trial removals of those sites. This paper is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Charles S. ReVelle.     

Frequency Analysis for Precipitation Events and Dry Durations of Virginia

Stormwater Control Measures (SCMs) are widely used to control and treat stormwater runoff pollution. The first step in SCM design is to evaluate the precipitation patterns at a site. SCMs are normally designed using a storm with a specific return period. A robust design process that uses frequency distribution of precipitation and monitoring of performance could improve our understanding of the behavior and limitations of a particular design. This is not the current norm in the design of SCMs. In this research, frequency analyses (FA) of precipitation events was conducted using hourly precipitation data from 1948 to 2010 for eight sites representing the four major physiographic regions of Virginia. The available data were treated using an inverse distance method to eliminate missing gaps before processing into events determined by minimum inter-event times. FA was at each site to develop frequency plots of precipitation and dry duration. FA of the eight locations indicates a range of rainfall depths from 22.9 mm in Bristol to 35.6 mm in Montebello, compared to the nominal “water quality storm” of 25.4 mm (i.e., 1 in.). Similarly, for dry duration, for a 10 % exceedance probability, the range is from 16.8 days in Richmond and Norfolk to 19.5 days in Montebello. Dry duration provides guidance for vegetation selection, which is important for some SCMs. The degree of variability in both parameters argues for consideration of site-specific information in design. FA was also used to provide guidance to improve monitoring programs. Monte Carlo simulations demonstrated that performance monitoring programs applied in different regions would likely encounter more than 30 % of precipitation events less than 6.35 mm, and 10 % over 25.4 mm under various sampling regimes. The percentages of precipitation events encountered in the Coastal Plain and Piedmont regions are not impacted by sampling regimes, however the Blue Ridge Mountains and Valley and Ridge regions are likely impacted. Anticipating event occurrences improves the chances of implementing a successful monitoring program. The use of these results could enhance the performance of SCMs with consideration of local conditions for both monitoring SCMs and their design basis.