无锡市区域噪声现状及防治对策

城市区域噪声体系是一个复杂的噪声污染系统。由于噪声污染的偶发性,分散性等原因,现阶段有效控制措施较薄弱,噪声污染已经影响到人们的生活、工作、学习。由于城镇化的推进,人们生活质量的提高,人们对噪声污染控制和治理要求越来越高,噪声污染的投诉也成为环境保护部门关注对象。本文针对无锡市区区域噪声现状开展评价,从评价结果来看,无锡市区区域噪声呈逐年改善趋势,并对改善城市区域噪声环境现状提出了防治建议。     

基于BP神经网络城市环境噪声预测及实证研究

城市噪声污染严重影响着人们的生活与工作,采用合适的方法对噪声污染进行评价并预测,进而提出有效的预防及治理措施是噪声污染防治的关键问题,文章利用灰色关联分析选取了影响环境噪声的主要因素,采用BP(Back propagation,BP)神经网络对北京市1994~2006年的环境噪声污染进行评价并预测,验证结果误差较小,说明基于灰色关联的BP神经网络能够有效地对城市环境噪声污染进行评价和预测。     

城市快速路交通噪声影响分析——以深圳市罗湖区罗沙路为例

城市快速路是城市交通运输网的重要组成部分,其产生的交通噪声相当严重。评价城市快速路交通噪声对其两侧交通噪声敏感点的污染状况是目前面临的一个难题。文章以深圳市罗湖区罗沙路为例,对其周边的交通噪声敏感点进行现状调查,利用SoundPLAN软件模拟噪声污染状况,并对安装声屏障前后的降噪效果进行评价,为城市快速路交通噪声污染防治措施的制定提供基础数据和建议。     

家用空调噪声监测与评价

为解决家用空调器噪声污染纠纷日益增多的问题,以一居民住宅楼为例,对家用空调噪声影响进行了监测与评价,并提出了防治措施。     

兰州市交通噪声污染现状及评价

分析了兰州市交通噪声污染现状和危害，并运用模糊数学原理对兰州市交通噪声污染现状进行评价。得出兰州市总体交通噪声目前属于中度污染，在总结国内外城市交通噪声最新研究成果的基础上。提出了提高兰州市声环境质量的综合治理思路。     

浅析新疆城市声环境现状与对策

研究了新疆近五年来的城市声环境变化趋势,并对城市噪声污染现状进行综合分析评价,提出相关的治理对策与建议.从区域环境噪声状况看,噪声值呈下降趋势;从声源强度看,对城市声环境冲击最大的是交通噪声源;从道路交通噪声状况看,近五年交通噪声污染呈逐年下降趋势,但全区各年度均有超标路段,全区城市道路交通噪声仍存在污染.因此,整治城市噪声污染应贯彻"预防为主、防治结合"的方针,综合利用科技、法律手段来改善城市声环境.     

城市道路交通噪声分布模拟研究

通过对梅州市中心城区7条道路的噪声监测,分析了中心城区道路的噪声污染水平。采用道路交通噪声预测模型,以实测交通流数据对中心城区的噪声污染进行模拟和减噪措施评估。结果表明,采用限速措施和安装声屏障措施均有降低噪声污染的效果,为管理部门防治噪声污染提供了参考。     

基于GIS的区域环境噪声分析与评价

噪声污染具有复杂的空间分布特征,传统的噪声评价方法难以达到准确、直观的效果。噪声分布的空间特性和GIS强大的空间数据处理和分析功能及可视化图像操作界面,使得GIS在处理与空间位置有关的环境噪声问题方面体现出巨大优势。以大学校园为例,探讨了GIS方法在区域环境噪声评价方面的应用。研究结果表明,GIS 方法评价噪声高效、准确、直观,是区域环境噪声评价理想的技术工具并具有良好的应用前景。     

3S技术支持下的云南旱灾损失实时评价研究

旱灾经济损失实时评价是灾害经济学研究的重要内容之一。针对云南百年一遇大旱,从旱情综合信息空间数据库建立、旱灾的监测预测、干旱灾害评估系统的建立、旱灾调度分配保障方案和技术等进行了可行性分析,并简单介绍了旱灾经济损失估值程序、旱灾经济损失估值指标体系、旱灾经济损失估值方法,旨在为正确制定减灾决策和评估减灾经济效益提供依据。     

广州白云国际机场噪声污染评价

通过对广州白云国际机场噪声污染现状的分析和评价,表明,飞机起飞和降落时产生的噪声污染严重。地处航线下的荔湾区10多家中小学的教学活动、医院的医疗活动以及居民的生活、学习、工作由于飞机的频繁升降,均受到了不同程度的影响。对拟建的新白云国际机场噪声污染的预测表明,2005年在LWECPN>85dB环境下生活的人数约1.35万,80dB～85dB环境下生活的人数约2.3万,75dB～80dB环境下生活的人数约5.1万,70dB～75dB环境下生活的人数约10.1万。     

Community analysis in stream biomonitoring: what we measure and what we don't

Diatom assemblages from 83 epilithic samples taken from the Mesta River, Bulgaria, were regressed against three sets of predictor variables, i.e. environmental, spatial, and temporal. Redundancy analysis (RDA) of species and environmental data explained 36% of the diatom variance and extracted several important gradients of species distribution, associated with a downstream increase in nutrient levels, pH, temperature, and organic pollution. The inclusion of spatial and temporal variables in the RDA model captured additional 24% of the diatom variance and revealed three more gradients, a spatial gradient represented by higher order polynomial terms of latitude and longitude, and two temporal gradients of annual and seasonal variation. Partial RDAs demonstrated that the unique contribution of each predictor set to the explained diatom variance was the highest in the spatial dataset (16%), followed by the environmental (9%), and the temporal (7%) datasets. The remaining 28% of the variance was explained by the covariance of the predictor sets. This suggests that in biomonitoring of single stream basins, the cheap and simple account of space and time would explain most of the variance in assemblage composition obviating the necessity of expensive and time-consuming environmental assessments. The nature of the underlying environmental mechanisms can be easily inferred from the diatom composition itself.     

Monitoring morphological and vegetation changes and flow events in dryland river channels

Monitoring of impacts of floods in river valleys of dryland regions has become important with the onset and threats of desertification and is likely to become even more vital with predictions of increased effects of climate and land use change. It is also needed in order to conform to requirements of the EU Water Framework Directive. Monitoring in such regions sets particular challenges. This paper explains a system of low-cost monitoring of changes in morphology, vegetation and sediment cover in channels and valley floors of ephemerally flowing streams. It has been applied in SE Spain for 10 years and has proved very effective. In particular, the use of simple crest-stage recorders for measuring flow height and the use of real-time differential GPS for rapid and accurate survey and for relocating points have proved very valuable. Part of the monitoring is focused on the interaction of plants and channel processes. Small changes in and around vegetation associated with flow events have been detected by a combination of quadrat surveys and cross-profiling of the channel. A range of flow events has been measured over the period of monitoring, demonstrating their differing effects and the varying sensitivity and responsiveness of different sites. The sporadic occurrence of flood events in such an environment means that a strategy of monitoring several sites and of continuation over many years has great benefits.     

Development and Parameterization of a Rain- and Fire-driven Model for Exploring Elephant Effects in African Savannas

We describe the development and parameterization of a grid-based model of African savanna vegetation processes. The model was developed with the objective of exploring elephant effects on the diversity of savanna species and structure, and in this formulation concentrates on the relative cover of grass and woody plants, the vertical structure of the woody plant community, and the distribution of these over space. Grid cells are linked by seed dispersal and fire, and environmental variability is included in the form of stochastic rainfall and fire events. The model was parameterized from an extensive review of the African savanna literature; when available, parameter values varied widely. The most plausible set of parameters produced long-term coexistence between woody plants and grass, with the tree–grass balance being more sensitive to changes in parameters influencing demographic processes and drought incidence and response, while less sensitive to fire regime. There was considerable diversity in the woody structure of savanna systems within the range of uncertainty in tree growth rate parameters. Thus, given the paucity of height growth data regarding woody plant species in southern African savannas, managers of natural areas should be cognizant of different tree species growth and damage response attributes when considering whether to act on perceived elephant threats to vegetation.     

Distribution of Iron, Manganese, Zinc and Atrazine in Groundwater in Parts of Palar and Cheyyar River Basins, South India

A study was carried out in a part of Palar and Cheyyar river basin to evaluate the current status of iron, manganese, zinc and atrazine concentrations, their origin and distribution in groundwater. Groundwater samples were collected during post-monsoon (March 1998 and February 1999) and pre-monsoon (June 1999) periods from 41 sampling wells distributed throughout the study area. The groundwater samples were analyzed for trace metals using AAS and atrazine using HPLC. The concentration of the trace elements in groundwater is predominant during pre-monsoon period. Distribution pattern indicates that the concentration of these elements increases from west to northeast and towards Palar river. Lower concentrations in the central part may be due to recharge of fresh water from the lakes located here. During most of the months, as there is no flow in Palar river, the concentrations of trace elements in groundwater are high. Drinking water standards indicate that Mn and Zn cross the permissible limit recommended by EPA during the pre-monsoon period. A comparison of groundwater data with trace element chemistry of rock samples shows the abundance of trace elements both in the rock and water in the order of Fe > Mn > Zn and Fe > Zn > Mn. This indicates that iron in groundwater is derived from lithogenic origin. Further, Fe, Mn and Zn have good correlation in rock samples, while it is reverse in the case of water samples, indicating the non-lithogenic origin of Mn and Zn. Atrazine (a herbicide) was not detected in any of the groundwater samples in the study area, perhaps due to low-application rate and adsorption in the soil materials.     

Distribution and abundance of western gray whales during a seismic survey near Sakhalin Island, Russia

Exxon Neftegas Limited, operator of the Sakhalin-1 consortium, is developing oil and gas reserves on the continental shelf off northeast Sakhalin Island, Russia. DalMorNefteGeofizika (DMNG), on behalf of the Sakhalin-1 consortium, conducted a 3-D seismic survey of the Odoptu license area during 17 August–9 September 2001. A portion of the primary known feeding area of the endangered western gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) is located adjacent to the seismic block. The data presented here were collected as part of daily monitoring to determine if there was any measurable effect of the seismic survey on the distribution and abundance of western gray whales. Mitigation and monitoring program included aerial surveys conducted between 19 July and 19 November using the methodology outlined by the Southern California High Energy Seismic Survey team (HESS). These surveys provided documentation of the distribution, abundance and bottom feeding activity of western gray whales in relation to seismic survey sounds. From an operations perspective, the aerial surveys provided near real-time data on the location of whales in and outside the feeding area, and documented whether whales were displaced out of an area normally used as feeding habitat. The objectives of this study were to assess (a) temporal changes in the distribution and abundance of gray whales in relation to seismic survey, and (b) the influence of seismic survey, environmental factors, and other variables on the distribution and abundance of gray whales within their preferred feeding area adjacent to Piltun Bay. Multiple regression analysis revealed a limited redistribution of gray whales southward within the Piltun feeding area when the seismic survey was fully operational. A total of five environmental and other variables unrelated to seismic survey (date and proxies of depth, sea state and visibility) and one seismic survey-related variable (seg3d, i.e., received sound energy accumulated over 3 days) had statistically significant effects on the distribution and abundance of gray whales. The distribution of two to four gray whales observed on the surface (i.e., about five to ten whales in total) has likely been affected by the seismic survey. However, the total number of gray whales observed within the Piltun feeding area remained stable during the seismic survey. M. W. Newcomer, Deceased.     

Forest Health Assessment and Monitoring – Issues for Consideration

Part of this paper has been prepared for the lecture Forest Health Assessment-Criteria,Methods and Problems given by the author at the UIMPuniversity course Sanidad Forestal en el Bosques Mediterraneos yTemplados. Implicacion de la Contaminacion Atmosferica y del Cambio Global, held in Valencia, Spain, October, 1995. Assessment and monitoring of forest health representsa key point for environmental policy and for the management ofenvironmental resources. With the renewed interest in assessment andmonitoring of forest health generated by the suspected occurrence ofa widespread forest decline in Europe and North America, manyactivities have been undertaken: however, some questions should beconsidered and clarified when attempting to estimate forest health.Particularly, the objective(s) of the assessment and monitoringprogram should be carefully identified. Identification of a program‘stask has a number of implications and consequences: it implies adefinition of what concept of forest health (forest ecosystem health,forest health or forest trees health?) is assumed, what will be thetarget entity to be monitored, and therefore the identification of therelevant assessment questions and assessment endpoints.Consequences concern the definition of the spatial scale (frominternational to landscape and plot scale monitoring) and ecologicalcoverage (from single species population to population ofecosystems) of the program, which can have a considerable influenceon the choice of the proper sampling strategy and tactic, as well ason the most suitable methods, indicators and indices to be used.Although much of the work in the field of forest health and airpollution has concentrated on surveys on crown transparency anddiscoloration, there is an entire range of methods, indicators andindices developed to assess the health status of forests. The decisionas to which ones should be used will depend on the aim of theprogram and on economic and practical considerations. A furtherconsideration concerns the time span of the program, but anydecision in this field is subject to many limitations due to difficultiesin predicting future monitoring needs. All these points should becarefully considered and implemented according to a rigorousQuality Assurance procedure since any decision will influence futurework for many years.     

Evaluating greywater reuse potential for sustainable water resources management in Oman

This study aims to evaluate the potential of greywater availability in Muscat Governorate in the Sultanate of Oman, to establish a methodology for greywater quantity estimation, to test greywater quality in order to assess reuse potential, and to examine public acceptance for reuse.Total fresh water consumption and greywater generation from different household sources were measured by water meters in five selected households during summer and winter. Additionally, a survey was designed and conducted in five administrative areas of Muscat Governorate, with the objective of testing a methodology for estimating greywater generation potential in these areas. Collected data were compared with that used by the Ministry of Housing, Electricity and Water, Sultanate of Oman. The survey covered a total of 169 houses and 1,365 people. Greywater samples were collected and analyzed from showers, laundries, kitchens and sinks in some of these households to determine their water quality parameters. Statistical analysis results indicated that there is no significant variance in the total fresh water consumption between data used by the ministry and those measured and estimated during this study, highlighting the applicability of the tested method. The study concluded that the average per capita greywater generation rate is 151 Lpcd. Greywater production ranged from 80 to 83% of the total fresh water consumption and most of the greywater is generated from showers. Further, 55 to 57% of the greywater generated in a typical Omani household originated from the shower, 28 to 33% originated from the kitchen, 6 to 9% originated from laundry, and 5 to 7% originated from sink, which constitutes approximately 81% of the total fresh water consumption. The physical, chemical, and biological analyses of the grab samples revealed that greywater contains significant levels of suspended solids, inorganic constituents, total organic carbon, chemical and biochemical oxygen demands, total Coliforms and Escherichia Coliform bacteria. The public acceptance survey illustrated that approximately 76% of the respondents accepted the reuse of greywater for gardening, 53% for car washing and 66% for toilet flushing.     

An assessment and monitoring program for birds in the Lower Urubamba region,Peru

We developed an assessment and monitoring plan for birds in connection with the exploration and potential development of a large natural gas field in the Lower Urubamba drainage of Peru, a project of Shell Prospecting and Development Peru (SPDP). Our objectives were to: (1) inventory the birds in the area, including information on habitat use and abundance, and (2) devise long-term monitoring protocols for birds. We sampled birds through a combination of visual and auditory surveys and mist-netting at 4 well sites and 3 sites along the Urubamba and Camisea rivers. We recorded 420 speciesduring 135 days of field work. We consider the highest prioritiesfor a future monitoring program to be: (1) establish whether edge effects are occurring at well sites, along roads and alongthe planned pipeline route and determine the significance and extent of these effects and (2) assess the impact of increased human access to the area on game and other exploited species. The remoteness of the area, its rugged terrain and dense vegetation and the lack of trained personnel limit the choice of survey and monitoring methods. We recommend use of mist-netting and transects for monitoring edge effects and useof transects for monitoring game and other exploited species.     

Operational and Design Considerations of a Trickling Filter for Ammonia Removal from Potable Water

We studied the steady-state behavior of a mathematical model of a nitrifying trickling filter. In particular, we studied the effect of the operating conditions of the filter on the complete and safe nitrification. We presented the results with the help of the operating diagram of the system and we determined the range of operating conditions resulting in optimal operation. We also computed biofilm thickness along the filter depth and concentration profiles inside the biofilm, and compared them with experimental results found in the literature. The comparison shows very good qualitative agreement between model predictions and experimental data.