Effectiveness of buffer strips in removing pollutants in runoff from a cultivated field in North-East Italy

Buffer strips are an efficient and economical way to reduce agricultural nonpoint source pollution. Local researches are necessary to gain information on buffer performance, with particular emphasis on narrow buffers. The effect of a 6 m buffer strip (BS) in reducing runoff, suspended solids and nutrients from a field growing maize, winter wheat and soybean was assessed in a field experiment conducted in North-East Italy during 1998–2001. The BS was composed of two rows of regularly alternating trees (Platanus hybrida Brot.) and shrubs (Viburnum opulus L.), with grass (Festuca arundinacea L.) in the inter-rows.The BS reduced total runoff by 78% compared to no-BS, in which cumulative runoff depth was 231 mm over 4 years. With no-BS runoff appeared to be influenced mostly by total rainfall, while with BS maximum rainfall intensity was more important. The filtering effect of the BS reduced total suspended solids (TSS), particularly after the second year, when the median yearly concentrations ranged from 0.28 to 0.99 mg L⁻¹ and were smaller than 0.14 mg L⁻¹, with no-BS and with BS respectively. The combination of lower concentrations and runoff volumes significantly reduced TSS losses from 6.9 to 0.4 t ha⁻¹ over the entire period.A tendency to increased concentrations of all forms of N (total, nitrate and ammonium) while passing through the BS was observed, but total N losses were reduced from 17.3 to 4.5 kg ha⁻¹ in terms of mass balance. On the contrary, P concentrations were unmodified (soluble P), or lowered (total P) by the BS, reducing total losses by about 80%. The effect on total P, composed mainly of sediment-bound forms, was related to particulate settling when passing through the BS.A numerical index (Eutrophic Load Index), integrating water quality and runoff volumes, was created to evaluate the eutrophication risk of runoff with or without the BS. It showed that the BS effect was mostly due to a reduction of runoff volumes rather than improving the overall water quality.     

流域尺度氮流失的环境风险评价

采用故障树及概率分析方法,对九龙江流域氮的流失风险进行定性与定量评价.通过建立故障树定性分析了九龙江流域氮流失的主要风险来源.结果表明,氮流失风险大小主要与肥料施用、畜禽养殖废物的处置及农田耕作有关.在GIS技术支持下,通过土地利用、土壤等数据的计算,结合田间调查结果与专家意见,确定故障树基本故障事件概率,继而对氮流失风险进行定量评价.最佳管理措施模拟评价结果表明,降低施肥水平,在养殖场周边建立植被过滤带,增加河岸林截留入河沉积物等措施可以有效降低氮流失风险,在九龙江流域可以考虑优先实施.      

不同草皮缓冲带对径流污染物的去除效果试验研究

选择上海地区常见的5种草皮植被,利用自行设计的试验装置构建草皮缓冲带,模拟上海地区农业面源污染和降雨特征,进行缓冲带污染物净化效果试验研究。结果表明,草皮的存在明显提高缓冲带对污染物的净化效果,并且能增强缓冲带土壤的渗透能力;百慕大缓冲带对径流SS的截留能力最强,平均去除率达到71.86%;草皮缓冲带对渗流水营养物质的净化效果明显高于径流,渗流水TN、TP平均去除率以白花三叶草最高,分别为58.27%和60.49%;综合考虑降雨特征和污染物净化效果等因素,百慕大、白花三叶草和高羊茅等3种草皮,可以作为上海地区缓冲带草皮植被的优先选择种类。     

Environmental and economic assessment of biomass sourcing from extensively cultivated buffer strips along water bodies

Buffer strips represent oblong land elements along water bodies playing an important role for the water quality management of the surface water. In the policy context buffer strips are referred to as land with defined farming restrictions aiming at protecting the water course. In the current EU agricultural policy framework the majority of the decisions regarding subsidy schemes for buffer strips is taken on the member country level, which results in great differences between the EU members with regard to this water protection measure. If incentives for farmers for establishing and maintaining buffer strips are in place, they are usually linked to the harvest ban on the buffer strip. Such protection model can be endangered by volatile and rising prices for agricultural products. However, buffer strip can represent a valuable source of different ecosystem services, including biomass provision. If harvesting under certain restrictions would be allowed, the biomass could generate additional revenue that might contribute to securing buffer strips existence and consequently maintaining their protection function.This study aimed at assessing the costs and environmental consequences of biomass mobilizing from buffer strips. It dealt with different scenarios of biomass sourcing from extensively cultivated buffer strips in the Netherlands. In 12 scenarios, the cultivation of grass or cereal mixes (including multiple harvesting or perennial cultivation) for different valorisation chains (ensiling or fodder & bedding) was assessed. Both total net cultivation costs as well as the hectare based environmental performance (using the Life Cycle Assessment methodology) were evaluated. Additionally, the environmental impact of electricity production through anaerobic digestion of biomass from buffer strips was compared with the impact from digestion of classic grass silage and the impact profile of Dutch electricity mix.The results indicate ensiling as the scenario generating more net costs and higher environmental impacts as compared to fodder & bedding. In the latter, the cereal cultivation represents a better solution from economic perspective, while grass shows lower environmental impacts. Moreover, optimizing grass cultivation through switching to perennial mode contributes to strong improvements of the economic performance and contributes to additional reduction of environmental impacts, and consequently delivers the best environmental and economic solution. Moreover, the comparison with the Dutch electricity mix shows that biomass from buffer strips, if used in anaerobic digestion, can, in terms of environmental performance, compete with classic silages and contribute to reduced environmental damage.     

植被缓冲带径流渗流水量分配及氮磷污染物去除定量化研究

利用构建的缓冲带现场试验基地和设计的径流流量测定装置,对植被缓冲带滞缓径流和农田氮磷污染物去除能力开展定量化试验研究.结果表明,植被缓冲带有效滞缓了径流速度,并显著提高了缓冲带土壤的水力渗透能力,19m长的百慕大、高羊茅、白花三叶草缓冲带径流出水时间分别是空白对照的2.46倍、1.72倍和2.03倍,渗流水量分别是空白对照的3.01倍、2.16倍和2.45倍;植被缓冲带能有效去除农田径流氮磷污染物,百慕大、高羊茅、白花三叶草缓冲带对NH4+-N、TN、TP的总去除率分别比空白对照提高了237%、268%和274%;植被缓冲带渗流对氮磷污染物的去除能力显著高于径流,渗流水量越大,缓冲带氮磷污染物的总去除率和单位面积去除负荷越高,试验各植被缓冲带TN、NH4+-N、TP渗流去除量与径流去除量的比值分别达到2.79、2.02和2.83.     

Comparison of riparian plant communities under four land management systems in southwestern Wisconsin

Riparian plant community composition is influenced by moisture, erosion, original native plant communities, and current and past land use. This study compared riparian plant communities under four types of management: woody buffer strip, grassy buffer strip, rotational grazing, and continuous grazing. Study sites were located along spring-fed streams in the unglaciated region of southwestern Wisconsin, USA. At each site, plant community surveys were conducted using a point transect method. Among the treatments, woody buffer strips, rotationally grazed and continuously grazed riparian areas had greater plant species richness than grassy buffer strips, and woody buffer strips had the greatest native plant species richness. Reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) was prevalent in grassy buffer strips (44% of all observations), common in woody buffer strips (15%), and rare in sites that were rotationally or continuously grazed (3 and 5%, respectively). Pasture sites had greater proportions of native grasses and grass relatives and moderate levels of overall native species richness. Considered a water quality best management practice, well-managed rotational grazing may be a reasonable alternative to buffer strips which can contribute to protection and enhancement of native vegetation biodiversity.     

河岸草本缓冲带对模拟径流中污染物的净化

选择华北地区3种常见草本植物——狗牙根、虎尾草和天堂草,通过人工配水模拟地表径流,在北京潮白河河岸设置径流试验,研究河岸带宽度、水力负荷和进水浓度对不同缓冲带截污能力的影响。结果表明:模拟径流中污染物均随缓冲带沿程距离增加有降低趋势,且前段下降较快,后段下降逐渐趋缓。SS的去除主要发生在沿程前3 m,TP和COD的去除主要发生在前6 m,TN的去除主要发生在9 m以内。若缓冲带的宽度设置受限,为保证一定的截污效果,宽度不应小于9 m。狗牙根、虎尾草和天堂草缓冲带在沿程15 m处对NH_4~+-N的去除率分别为50.6%、32.0%和40.4%,总体上狗牙根和天堂草对N、P的去除能力优于虎尾草。不同水力负荷和进水浓度下,草本缓冲带均能有效截留径流中的SS,去除率均在70%以上,而NH_4~+-N的去除受进水浓度的影响较大。由于模拟径流中NO_3~--N和溶解性磷(DP)进水浓度低于1 mg/L,缓冲带对两者的去除效果较差,特别是虎尾草缓冲带,出现了出水浓度高于进水的情况。     

不同降雨特征下缓冲带水分及TN分配规律

以3种典型植被缓冲带为研究对象,基于现场监测、质量平衡、相关分析等方法,探明缓冲带水分分配与降雨、土壤因子的关联性,确定水分及总氮(TN)污染负荷去除分配系数.结果表明,径流与降雨量呈高度正相关(0.980～0.987,P<0.01),渗流与降雨量、降雨历时呈显著正相关(0.595～0.828,P<0.01).植被缓冲...     

福州市山仔水库植被缓冲带建设研究

水源地生态系统在水分调节、水质净化等服务功能方面有更高的要求,水源地生态保护问题受到国家高度重视和社会各界的广泛关注。本研究根据福建省县级水源地分布情况及环境现状,选择典型、具有代表性的敖江流域内山仔水库周边植被缓冲带进行研究,分析植被缓冲带对地表径流泥沙、氮、磷的截留和消减效果．在此基础上提出植被缓冲带的建设管理和保护措施。本研究对于保护水源地水质,保障饮水安全和人民身体健康,促进资源的可持续利用和生态、环境的可持续保护有着重要的作用。     

福建省饮用水源地植被缓冲带建设规划研究

饮用水水源地是水环境的重要组成部分,是水环境功能区划中具有最高使用功能的水域。本研究通过对福建省饮用水源地保护区周边不同类型植被缓冲带的生态调查的基础上,对植被缓冲带的结构和布局、缓冲带宽度要求以及缓冲带植被选择和配置等要素方面进行设计,提出三种不同类型饮用水源地的植被缓冲带规划建设。本研究对于保护水源地水质,保障饮水安全和人民身体健康,促进资源的可持续利用和生态、环境的可持续保护有着重要的作用。     

Runoff and sediment losses from 27 upland catchments in Southeast Asia: Impact of rapid land use changes and conservation practices

Rapid changes in upland farming systems in Southeast Asia generated predominantly by increased population pressure and ‘market forces’ have resulted in widespread land degradation that has been well documented at the plot scale. Yet, the links between agricultural activities in the uplands and downstream off-site effects remain largely unknown because of the difficulties in transferring results from plots to a larger scale. Many authors have thus pointed out the need for long-term catchment studies. The objective of this paper is to summarize the results obtained by the Management of Soil Erosion Consortium (MSEC) over the last 5 years from 27 catchments in five countries (Indonesia, Laos, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam). The purpose of the study was to assess the impacts of cultivation practices on annual runoff and erosion rates. Initial surveys in each catchment included topography, soils and land use. Monitoring included climatic, hydrologic and erosion (total sediment yield including bed load and suspended sediment load) data, land use and crop yields, and farmers’ income. In addition, new land management options were introduced through consultations with farmers and evaluated in terms of runoff and erosion. These included tree plantations, fruit trees, improved fallow with legumes, maize intercropped with legumes, planted fodder, native grass strips and agro-ecological practices (direct sowing and mulch-based conservation agriculture). Regressions analyses showed that runoff during the rainy season, and normalized runoff flow coefficient based on erosive rainfall during the rainy season (rainfall with intensity exceeding 25 mm h⁻¹) increase with the percentage of the catchment covered by maize. Both variables decrease with increasing soil depth, standard deviation of catchment slope (that reflects terrain roughness), and the percentages of the catchment covered by fallow (regular and improved), tree plantations and planted fodder. The best predictors of sediment yield were the surface percentages of maize, Job's tears, cassava and footpaths. The main conclusions generated from this study were: (i) soil erosion is predominantly influenced by land use rather than environmental characteristics not only at the plot scale but also at the catchment scale; (ii) slash-and-burn shifting cultivation with sufficiently long rotations (1 year of cultivation, 8 years of fallow) is too often unjustly blamed for degradation; (iii) in its place, continuous cropping of maize and cassava promotes high rates of soil erosion at the catchment scale; (iv) conservation technologies are efficient in reducing runoff and total sediment yield at the catchment scale; (v) the adoption of improved soil management technologies by upland farmers is not a function of the degree of intensification of their farming system and/or of their incomes. The results suggest that if expansion of maize and cassava into already degraded upland systems were to occur due to increased demand for biofuels, there is a risk of higher runoff and sediment generation. A failure to adopt appropriate land use management strategies will result in further rapid resource degradation with negative impacts to downstream communities.     

Effects of cattle,sheep and deer grazing on soil physical quality and losses of phosphorus and suspended sediment losses in surface runoff

Livestock grazing and treading is strongly linked to a decrease in freshwater quality and promotes eutrophication. A two-year field trial was carried out to investigate the influence cattle, sheep and deer have on soil physical quality and the loss of phosphorus (P) and suspended sediment (SS) in surface runoff. Surface runoff plots (4 m long by 1 m wide) were installed within areas designated as stock or ungrazed (control). Surface runoff was collected and analysed for concentrations and loads of P fractions (dissolved reactive P-DRP, dissolved unreactive P-DUP, total dissolved P-TDP, particulate P-PP and total P-TP) and SS. Grazed at equivalent stocking density, soil physical samples (macroporosity, bulk density, and saturated hydraulic conductivity K_sat) were taken after each grazing event (n = 11). Soil physical data indicated differences between cattle, sheep and deer with cattle having greater negative effects. However, these differences had no impact on P and SS losses between stock types in surface runoff. Significant relationships showed that an increase in macroporosity, K_sat, and time (days) since grazing decreased concentrations and loads of P and SS losses. A separate rainfall simulation study also revealed that an increase in simulated cattle treading intensity increased the volume of surface runoff and SS losses. Most surface runoff (> 90%) occurred in winter when soil moisture was at or above field capacity. A seasonal effect was observed and showed that although the greatest P loads occurred in winter, the greatest P concentrations occurred in summer months, under infiltration-excess conditions. These summer losses could pose a risk to receiving waterways because increased light and warmth may induce an algal response compared to winter. While there is limited scope to manage for infiltration-excess surface runoff losses from pasture, with most runoff occurring in winter, these findings reinforce the use of mitigation strategies such as restricted or nil grazing in winter when soil moisture has reached field capacity to minimise P and SS loss to surface water, regardless of stock type.     

不同治理度下小流域正态整体模型试验——林草措施对小流域径流泥沙的影响

首次运用正态整体模型模拟试验方法研究不同林草植被覆盖度下小流域径流泥沙变化规律,结果表明 :小流域林草植被具有良好的减水减沙效益 ,初步得出小流域治理水土保持林草措施最低下限值为60 % ,取得最佳水保效益的林草覆盖度值为78% ,流域径渗比临界值为林草覆盖度65%。     

四川盆地紫色丘陵区不同种植模式下氮流失特征

氮素流失是农业面源污染的重要来源.为了解四川盆地紫色丘陵区不同种植模式下氮的流失特征,以四川盆地紫色丘陵区4种典型耕作模式紫云英-水稻(M1)、空地-大豆-空地(M2)、空地-生姜(M3)、空地-玉米+红薯(M4)等为研究对象,研究了4种模式从2008年12月到2009年8月共8次有效降雨中氮通过地表径流和渗透水的流失特征.研究期间,4种模式下氮流失量随着降雨量的增加而增加,总氮流失量表现为:M3((30.388±2.86)kg·hm-2)M4((17.118±1.677)kg·hm-2)M2((10.987±1.108)kg·hm-2)M1((6.090±1.051)kg·hm-2).相对于其它模式,M4模式下地表径流量和渗透水量在研究期间均最大,但M3模式下氮通过地表径流和渗透水的流失量最大.另外,非生长季节4个模式下氮流失量相对较低且各模式间差别较小,生长季节4个模式间可溶性氮和总氮通过地表径流和渗透水流失量均表现为M3M4M2M1.4种种植模式下氮通过地表径流和渗透水的流失形态均以硝态氮为主.渗透水中铵态氮和可溶性总氮占总氮的比例高于地表径流.这些结果为该区区域合理选择耕作模式、优化耕作方式、加强管理以控制区域农业面源污染提供了一定的基础数据.     

官厅水库库滨带非点源污染控制效应的遥感分析

选取官厅水库库滨带为研究区域,应用SPOT5遥感数据对其结构进行了解析,建立了高分辨率的Quick Bird遥感数据与SPOT数据的尺度转化关系,对SPOT信息提取结果进行了校核,以提高SPOT卫星对库滨带结构的解译精度;最后结合点上的实验结果对流域尺度上的库滨带的环境效益进行了分析.研究结果表明:(1)官厅水库陆相库滨带的结构不利于非点源污染的防治,应该适当增加林地的比例,同时提高林地、草地的植被覆盖度;(2)按照官厅水库流域非点源区年均TN量为188.1×104 t、TP量为101.2×104 t计算,库岸库滨带对TN、TP的去除率分别为11.6%和0.4%;(3)为了有效地防止官厅水库流域的非点源污染,必须加强水库流域的农业管理和库岸库滨带的科学建设与管理.     

Using a reverse auction to promote household level stormwater control

Phase II of the US Environmental Protection Agency's (USEPA) National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) stormwater regulations requires communities smaller than 100 000 residents to meet new criteria for stormwater runoff reduction. In many cases these smaller communities have no established stormwater utility, and are investigating alternatives for complying with these new, sometimes expensive requirements. We note that it might be cost effective for some communities to encourage homeowners to control stormwater runoff at the parcel level instead of, or in conjunction with more traditional large, infrastructural best management practices (BMP). We go onto argue that in the absence of a strict regulatory cap, an auction is a cost-effective tool for implementing controls on stormwater runoff quantity at the parcel level. In this paper, we test the effectiveness of a procurement auction as the coordinating mechanism for encouraging installation of parcel-scale rain gardens and rain barrels within a small suburban watershed in the Midwest. The auction, which was conducted in spring 2007 and 2008, resulted in installation of 81 gardens and 165 barrels on 107 of the 350 eligible properties. Average cost per liter of runoff detention in both years was $0.36 for gardens and $0.59 for barrels. Interestingly, approximately 55% of the bids were for $0, suggesting that an educational campaign may result in substantial runoff mitigation if utilities paid for the installation of stormwater management practices. However, we found that an auction promoted more participation than education alone and at a cheaper per-unit control cost than a flat stormwater control payment plan. Overall, this study demonstrates that relatively minimal financial incentives can result in homeowners’ willingness-to-accept stormwater management practices on their property, thus opening an important avenue for retrofitting watersheds that are largely in private ownership.     

The impact of non-invasive prenatal testing on anxiety in women considered at high or low risk for aneuploidy after combined first trimester screening

Objective: The aim of this study was to (1) examine the psychological impact of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) in women with a high-risk (≥1 : 300) and low-risk (≤1 : 301) result on combined first trimester screening (cFTS) and (2) to examine factors influencing anxiety and decision-making in both risk populations. Method: Questionnaires and structured interviews were administered to low (n = 50) and high (n = 63) risk women at the time of NIPT blood draw (point A) and again at least 1 week after receiving their NIPT result (point B). Anxiety levels were measured at these two time points using the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory. Results: Both high-risk and low-risk cFTS groups demonstrated similar intrinsic (trait) anxiety levels (36 ± 10 vs 35 ± 10; p = 0.70). High-risk women had significantly higher levels of state anxiety at point A than low-risk women (42 ± 11 vs 36 ± 11; p < 0.01). Both groups had a statistically significant reduction (p < 0.01), to similar final levels of state anxiety at point B (30 ± 11 vs 29 ± 8; p = 0.61). Conclusion: Women receiving a high-risk result on cFTS have higher levels of state anxiety than their low-risk counterparts. Following a low-risk NIPT result, the anxiety levels in both populations are reduced to similar levels. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

基于模型模拟的城市非点源污染控制措施设计

目前针对城市小流域进行非点源污染控制措施去污效果的模拟研究处于起步阶段.利用L-THIA模型模拟武汉市汉阳地区三角湖流域2个小汇水单元（Sj1、Sj2）不同土地利用类型上的非点源污染物累积量,模拟得出1次典型降雨前Sj1和Sj2中污染物总量分别为1 .82×10⁴ kg、1 .38×10⁵ kg.基于“源-汇”和格局与过程相互作用理论,针对降雨前2 h内产生的径流,从源、污染物迁移过程和汇3个阶段采取绿色屋顶、草地、多孔路面、渗透渠、植被过滤带和湿塘等多种BMPs及其组合,进行去污效果模拟.结果显示经系列化BMPs处理后进入三角湖的污染物量占Sj1、Sj2总污染物量的14 .65%和6 .57%,控制措施效果比较明显.在流域或区域尺度上,利用L-THIA模型可以在工程建设之前进行效果预测模拟,以减少不必要的风险.     

不同类型植被河岸缓冲带对模拟径流及总磷的消减研究

在九龙江上游北溪流域,选择杂交狼尾草(Pennisetum americanum×P.purpureum)、红花檵木(Loropetalum chinense var.rubrum)、红叶石楠(Photinia fraseri)3种植物及原生撂荒杂草地,构建对照(A)、草本(B)、灌草(C)和灌木(D)4种不同处理的植被缓冲带,通过模拟不同浓度面源污染下的农田径流,探讨不同植被组合对径流量及总磷的消减效果.结果表明:各缓冲带不同植被对径流量及总磷的消减效果均表现为草本灌草灌木,其中,草本缓冲带对径流量的消减率最高,达到86.93%,在高、低浓度进水时对总磷浓度的消减分别为95.20%、80.69%;4种不同植被缓冲带对总磷浓度的消减效果随缓冲带宽度的增加均出现上升的趋势,其中,前半段消减效果最佳,后半段消减趋势减缓;高浓度污染进水条件下缓冲带对总磷的消减效率高于低浓度进水;4种缓冲带对磷总量的消减量分别为27.70、28.02、28.06和26.94 g.研究成果可为九龙江上游河岸缓冲带建设及流域氮磷污染率治理和生态评价提供科学示范及理论依据.     

Prenatal detection of aortic coarctation in a well-organized screening setting: Are we there yet?

Objective

We aimed to assess current prenatal detection rate (DR) of aortic coarctation (CoA) and its impact on neonatal outcome in the Netherlands to evaluate the efficacy of the Dutch screening protocol in which the cardiac four-chamber view, outflow tracts and three-vessel view are compulsory.

Methods

All prenatally and postnatally diagnosed CoA cases between 2012 and 2021 were extracted from our PRECOR-registry. Annual DRs were calculated with a focus on the trend over time and attributing factors for detection. Postnatal outcome was compared between prenatally detected and undetected cases.

Results

49/116 cases (42.2%) were detected prenatally. A higher chance of detection was found for cases with extracardiac malformations (71.4%; p = 0.001) and the more severe cases with an aortic arch hypoplasia and/or ventricular septal defect (63.2%; p = 0.001). Time-trend analysis showed no improvement in DR over time (p = 0.33). Undetected cases presented with acute circulatory shock in 20.9% and were more likely to have severe lactic acidosis (p = 0.02) and impaired cardiac function (p < 0.001) before surgery.

Conclusion

Even in a well-organized screening program, the DR of CoA still requires improvement, especially in isolated cases. The increased risk of severe lactic acidosis in undetected cases stresses the need for urgent additions to the current screening program, such as implementation of the three-vessel trachea view and measurement of outflow tracts.