Keeping the Books for Environmental Systems: An Emergy Analysis of West Virginia

Emergy provides a general accounting mechanism that allows us to view the economy and the environment on the same income statement and balance sheet. This allows an auditor to verify the economic picture by checking it against a more complete representation of the flows and storages of real wealth as measured by emergy. In this study, we constructed emergy accounts for the state of West Virginia in 1997. The income statement showed annual production, consumption, and flows of emergy and dollars into and out of the state. The balance sheet evaluated the storage of emergy in some of the state's assets. Emergy indices were used to answer questions posed by managers and gain insight into the state's economic and environmental strengths and weaknesses. West Virginia has great wealth in nonrenewable resources (9E14 sej m-2 or 17 times the U.S. average). The investment ratio of emergy purchased outside to indigenous renewable and nonrenewable emergy was 2.2:1, which indicates a high potential for future development. However, the environmental loading ratio (14:1) was already 1.5 times higher than that found at an average location in the U.S. Twice as much emergy was exported as received and standard of living indicators showed that people have largely failed to benefit from their state's wealth. We propose that, just as in business, where decisions made using financial accounts ensure solvency; decisions governing the environment should be made based on an emergy accounting of activities, assets, and liabilities for the combined system of humanity and nature.     

Emergy Analysis of Human Carrying Capacity and Regional Sustainability: an Example Using the State of Maine

The human carrying capacity for a region at a specified standard of living depends on the economic and environmental resources of the region and the exchange of resources across regional boundaries. The length of time that a human population living at a given standard can be sustained depends on the rates of use and renewal of the resource base. All environmental, economic, and social resources are produced as a result of energy transformations; therefore, the energy required for their production can be specified and evaluated in common terms by converting their energy values into emergy. Emergy is defined as the available energy of one kind, previously used up directly and indirectly to make a product or service. Its unit is the emjoule. Emergy values and indices are used to evaluate the resource base for Maine, a politically defined region, and to estimate its human carrying capacity at the 1980 standard of living and for possible future resource bases. Emergy indices for Maine are compared with similar indices for Florida, Texas, and the United States to demonstrate variations in human carrying capacity and sustainability among different regions. The 1980 standard of living for Maine, Florida, Texas, and the Nation as measured by emergy use per person fell within a relatively narrow range of 3.4E16 to 4.3E16 solar emjoules y-1. The human carrying capacity for a region is considered within a pulsing paradigm for sustainability and within the constraints provided by a renewable resource base. For example, in the short-term the developed human carrying capacity for Maine is largely determined by the fuel emergy inflow relative to renewable emergy resources. If purchased emergy inflows relative to Maine's renewable emergy increase to the average ratio for a developed country around 1980, the population living in Maine at 1980 standards could increase to 2.9 million or 2.6 times Maine's 1980 population. In contrast, the human carrying capacity based on Maine's renewable resources alone was 0.37 million people at the 1980 standard of living or 33% of the 1980 population.     

Relationships between watershed emergy flow and coastal New England salt marsh structure, function, and condition

This study evaluated the link between watershed activities and salt marsh structure, function, and condition using spatial emergy flow density (areal empower density) in the watershed and field data from 10 tidal salt marshes in Narragansett Bay, RI, USA. The field-collected data were obtained during several years of vegetation, invertebrate, soil, and water quality sampling. The use of emergy as an accounting mechanism allowed disparate factors (e.g., the amount of building construction and the consumption of electricity) to be combined into a single landscape index while retaining a uniform quantitative definition of the intensity of landscape development. It expanded upon typical land use percentage studies by weighting each category for the intensity of development. At the RI salt marsh sites, an impact index (watershed emergy flow normalized for marsh area) showed significant correlations with mudflat infauna species richness, mussel density, plant species richness, the extent and density of dominant plant species, and denitrification potential within the high salt marsh. Over the 4-year period examined, a loading index (watershed emergy flow normalized for watershed area) showed significant correlations with nitrite and nitrate concentrations, as well as with the nitrogen to phosphorus ratios in stream discharge into the marshes. Both the emergy impact and loading indices were significantly correlated with a salt marsh condition index derived from intensive field-based assessments. Comparison of the emergy indices to calculated nitrogen loading estimates for each watershed also produced significant positive correlations. These results suggest that watershed emergy flow is a robust index of human disturbance and a potential tool for rapid assessment of coastal wetland condition.     

生物监测中叶绿素a浓度与藻类密度的关联性研究

通过测定叶绿素a浓度、藻类密度和藻类分类计数等,获取"水华"水体生物监测数据。统计分析结果表明,叶绿素a浓度和藻类密度在蓝藻"水华"(微囊藻为优势种)暴发期间存在显著相关,并拟合出了回归直线。且叶绿素a浓度和藻类密度的自然对数比值也与藻类发生和兴衰存在着规律性联系。     

An Integrated Framework for Regional Studies: Emergy Based Spatial Analysis of the Province of Cagliari

This research proposes an integrated framework to investigate human-dominated systems and provide a basic approach to urban and regional studies in which the multiple interactions between economic and ecological processes are considered as a whole. Humans generate patterns of land use, infrastructures and other settings and redistribute ecosystem functions as flows of energy and matter for self-maintenance. To understand these emerging interactions between humans and ecological processes, human activities (e.g. transformation processes, land conversions, use of resources) and biophysical agents such as geomorphology, climate and natural cycles need to be considered. Emergy Analysis (spelled with an “m”) is then used as an environmental accounting method to evaluate different categories of resource use with reference to their environmental cost. A case study of the Province of Cagliari (in the island of Sardinia, Italy) is reported and the procedure for allocating emergy flows, assigning them to districts and managing point data is discussed. Outcomes plotted on a map showed non-homogeneous spatial distribution of emergy flows throughout the region, suggesting the way ecosystem functions are affected and restructured by the human economy.     

土壤中环境散落放射性核素含量测定方法探讨

利用环境中散落的放射性核素示踪研究土壤侵蚀是近几十年来应用比较广泛的方法之一。介绍了^137Cs测量的原理、过程和仪器对核素计数效率的计算,影响核素测量分析精度的主要因素是样品质量、计数时间和样品的核素比活度的大小,并分析了这3个因素各自对分析精度的影响程度,对尽量减少测量中的人为误差、提高结果的精度所应注意的问题进行了讨论。     

Advances in the determination of inorganic ions in potable waters by ion chromatography

Ion chromatography (IC) is now a well-established methodology for the analysis of ionic species. The technique is applicable to the determination of a wide range of solutes in many sample types, although the determination of inorganic ions in potable waters continues to be the most widely used application of ion chromatography. Many standardization and regulatory bodies, such as the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), have approved methods of analysis based upon IC, most of which have been published within the last decade. Recent developments in the field of IC, such as the use of higher capacity columns, larger loop injections, more complex sample preparation and detection schemes, have been incorporated into these new approved methods. These advances allow the determination of environmentally significant contaminants, such as common inorganic anions, bromate, perchlorate and chromate, at trace levels in potable waters using ion chromatography.     

基于深度学习技术的藻类智能监测系统开发

浮游藻类对水环境的变化非常敏感,是评价水环境质量的重要指示生物.传统的浮游藻类监测依靠人工采样分析,需要专业检测人员使用显微镜对藻细胞逐一鉴定并计数,耗时耗力且严重依赖检测人员的专业知识与鉴定经验,限制了浮游藻类监测工作的标准化推广和普及应用.利用神经网络模型建立了一套浮游藻类智能监测系统,该系统能够实现浮游藻类检测的...     

Cover estimation versus density counting in species-rich pasture under different grazing intensities

Two methods for monitoring of grassland vegetation were compared: visual estimation of plant cover (C) and plant densities counting (D). C and D were performed in monthly intervals for three vegetation growing seasons after imposing different grazing regimes on abandoned grassland in 1998. Species scores obtained from paired redundancy analyses (RDA) of C and D data were compared and Spearman's rank correlations were used to show if the two methods give comparable results. Results of C and D were highly correlated in the first two growing seasons only. In the third season, correlation was substantially lower as the sward structure was more heterogeneous due to creation of differently defoliated patches especially under extensive grazing. Presence of the same plant species with different habit in frequently and in infrequently grazed patches, reduced significance of Spearman's rank correlations. Cover estimation can fully substitute plant density counting in grassland with lower proportion of frequently and infrequently grazed patches only, but caution should be used when comparing different management regimes in long term analyses.     

水中消毒副产物的监测方法研究进展

含氯、含氧等杀菌类消毒剂在饮用水生产、废水排放、再生水利用等环节应用广泛,会与水中的前驱物通过取代、氧化还原、水解、加成等反应形成种类繁多的消毒副产物(DBPs).DBPs的靶标监测基于已知DBPs的特性如挥发性、半挥发性、不挥发性等,采取相应的前处理和仪器分析方法;非靶标鉴别可对大量未知的DBPs进行筛查.综述了三卤...     

利用流式影像术(FlowCAM)分析淡水浮游藻类群落特征 ——以北京城区主要河流为例

浮游藻类是水生态系统的重要初级生产者,对其进行分类鉴定和定量分析是开展生态研究的基础.选取北京城区主要河流为研究对象,于2020年6—7月(夏季)、10月(秋季)对北运河水系22个站位的表层水进行采样调查,探究利用流式影像术(FlowCAM)分析浮游藻类群落结构的可行性.结果表明,浮游藻类的细胞丰度和粒径组成均存在着明...     

Validation of evacuated canisters for sampling volatile organic compounds in healthcare settings

Healthcare settings present a challenging environment for assessing low-level concentrations of specific volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the presence of high background concentrations of alcohol from the use of hand sanitizers and surface disinfectants. The purposes of this laboratory-based project were to develop and validate a sampling and analysis methodology for quantifying low-level VOC concentrations as well as high-level alcohol concentrations found together in healthcare settings. Sampling was conducted using evacuated canisters lined with fused silica. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis was performed using preconcentration (for ppb levels) and loop injection (for ppm levels). For a select list of 14 VOCs, bias, precision, and accuracy of both the preconcentration and loop injection methods were evaluated, as was analyte stability in evacuated canisters over 30 days. Using the preconcentration (ppb-level) method, all validation criteria were met for 13 of the 14 target analytes-ethanol, acetone, methylene chloride, hexane, chloroform, benzene, methyl methacrylate, toluene, ethylbenzene, m,p-xylene, o-xylene, alpha-pinene, and limonene. Using the loop injection (ppm-level) method, all validation criteria were met for each analyte. At ppm levels, alpha-pinene and limonene remained stable over 21 days, while the rest of the analytes were stable for 30 days. All analytes remained stable over 30 days at ppb levels. This sampling and analysis approach is a viable (i.e., accurate and stable) methodology that will enable development of VOC profiles for mixed exposures experienced by healthcare workers.     

2 20 kV高压输电线电磁辐射水平及防护距离预测

依据<500 kV超高压送变电工程电磁辐射环境影响评价技术规范>(HJ/T 24-1998)中的预测模式对监测点周围地面1.5 m处工频电场进行了验证性监测,表明实际测定结果与理论计算结果基本吻合.通过对220 kV双回同相、双回逆相和单回线路下地面1.5 m、4.5 m、和7.5 m处工频电场变化趋势分析,预测了220 kV高压输电线产生的电磁辐射水平,以及不同房屋结构的防护距离.提出了220 kV高压输电线电磁辐射的防护措施.     

显微镜计数法测定浮游植物的研究进展及修订建议

介绍了国内外淡水浮游植物密度的测定——显微镜计数法的规范和标准。提出了国外有关标准中关于浮游植物在计数框中的分布要求、计数量与测定精密度的关联、检出限的计算方法等是值得借鉴的内容。通过实验验证了浮游植物在计数框中越符合随机分布，测定的精密度越好；随计数量的增加，观察到的浮游植物种类越多且测定精密度越好。借鉴英国标准BS/EN 15204：2006中关于检出限的定义和计算方法，得出了适用于中国规范中4种常用计数方式的检出限计算方法，并得出4种计数方式的检出限分别为对角线计数4.6×10⁵个/L、行格计数1.5×10⁵个/L、全片计数4.6×10⁴个/L、随机视野计数6.8×10⁵个/L。最后提出了应在中国相关规范中补充浮游植物在计数框中的分布要求、最少计数量与精密度的关联和确定检出限的方法等建议。     

Statistical models for evaluating suspected artefacts in long-term environmental monitoring data

Long-term water quality monitoring is of high value for environmental management as well as for research. Artificial level shifts in time series due to method improvements, flaws in laboratory practices or changes in laboratory are a common limitation for analysis, which, however, are often ignored. Statistical estimation of such artefacts is complicated by the simultaneous existence of trends, seasonal variation and effects of other influencing factors, such as weather conditions. Here, we investigate the performance of generalised additive mixed models (GAMM) to simultaneously identify one or more artefacts associated with artificial level shifts, longitudinal effects related to temporal trends and seasonal variation, as well as to model the serial correlation structure of the data. In the same model, it is possible to estimate separate residual variances for different periods so as to identify if artefacts not only influence the mean level but also the dispersion of a series. Even with an appropriate statistical methodology, it is difficult to quantify artificial level shifts and make appropriate adjustments to the time series. The underlying temporal structure of the series is especially important. As long as there is no prominent underlying trend in the series, the shift estimates are rather stable and show less variation. If an artificial shift occurs during a slower downward or upward tendency, it is difficult to separate these two effects and shift estimates can be both biased and have large variation. In the case of a change in method or laboratory, we show that conducting the analyses with both methods in parallel strongly improves estimates of artefact effects on the time series, even if certain problems remain. Due to the difficulties of estimating artificial level shifts, posterior adjustment is problematic and can lead to time series that no longer can be used for trend analysis or other analysis based on the longitudinal structure of the series. Before carrying out a change in analytic method or laboratory, it should be considered if this is absolutely necessary. If changes cannot be avoided, the analysis of the two methods considered, or the two laboratories contracted, should be run in parallel for a considerable period of time so as to enable a good assessment of changes introduced to the data series.     

湖泊微生物群落构建机制及研究展望

湖泊微生物生态过程研究是深入了解湖泊生态系统结构与功能的关键。论述了湖泊微生物多样性时空分布规律及群落构建机制研究进展,总结了微生物群落构建机制的分析方法,介绍了微生物生态网络构建原理及应用。群落构建机制分析方法分为统计分析法、模型推断法和生态网络分析法。统计分析法包括群落结构差异分析、群落结构-环境因子关联分析和方差分解分析等,此类方法能够初步识别驱动群落组成与结构时空差异的影响因子,判别空间因素与已知环境变量对群落构建过程的相对贡献;模型推断法包括中性群落模型方法和零模型方法等,能够进一步实现对群落构建生态过程的区分,量化和比较随机性因素及确定性因素的相对重要性;生态网络分析法可用于揭示物种共现模式,探究作为确定性因素的生物相互作用,也可用于物种-环境响应关系的研究,探究环境选择过程对群落结构的影响。     

Review of indicators and field methods for monitoring biodiversity within national forest inventories. Core variable: Deadwood

Deadwood is one of the four elements taken into account in this review of indicators and field methods and is often considered as a key indicator of forest biodiversity. We have analysed the main types of surveys and have realised how greatly the needs and constraints used to monitor deadwood can vary among them. For instance, classical National Forest Inventories usually tend to avoid time-consuming collecting methods. In the wide variety of existing definitions of deadwood, such inventories require simple and clear definitions, especially in terms of quantified thresholds. Thus, deadwood is properly described by characterising several components, such as snags, logs, stumps, branches and fine woody debris. Deadwood sampling methods alter depending on the different components and dimensions considered (standing dead trees, lying dead trees and branches, etc. assessed quantitatively). Attributes such as tree species and stage of decay are used mainly to qualify the deadwood components. The deadwood volume estimations are usually based on classical approaches already applied to living or felled trees: volume equations and/or formulas giving the volumes of common geometric solids. The purpose of this paper is to focus on different deadwood assessment techniques and to provide the information necessary to identify the most relevant methods for collecting deadwood data. The latter is used to build indicators that characterise the evolution of forest biodiversity at the scale of large forest territories.     

玄武湖引水工程的环境效益分析

从现有引水工程环境实施效果入手，通过小试试验，响应模型计算及投资效益分析，提出了引水工程的改进方案。     

A low cost instrument based on a solid state sensor for balloon-borne atmospheric O(3) profile sounding

The design of an instrument based on a solid state tungsten oxide sensor for making profile measurements of atmospheric ozone from balloon platforms is described. The sensor is operated at a constant temperature, typically 530 [degree]C. The importance of a detailed consideration of the electronic design is demonstrated, with particular reference to the circuit to control the sensor heater. Calibration methods which are straightforward to implement are illustrated, and the results of a test flight alongside an electrochemical ozonesonde are shown. Quantitative agreement within 25% for most of the profile demonstrates the potential of this type of sensor for ozone sounding. Future improvements from manufacture to analysis are expected to improve on this.     

4-APP萃取蒸馏法测定地表水中挥发酚的改进

改进了4-APP萃取蒸馏法测定水中酚的方法,以100 mL馏出液代替250 mL馏出液,改变了原方法实验过程时间长、费时费力的缺点,特别适合地表水大批量样品的分析。经两种方法测定结果比对,吸光值变化不大,标准曲线相似,回收率符合规范要求;经t检验,测定结果无显著性差异。测定时间由原来的45 min缩短至25 min左右,大大提高了工作效率。