A qualitative sampling method for monitoring water quality in temporary channels or point sources and its application to pesticide contamination

A water-sampling device to monitor the quality of water periodically and temporarily flowing out of concrete tubes, sewers or channels is described. It inexpensively and easily enables a qualitative characterization of contamination via these point-source entry routes. The water sampler can be reverse engineered with different sizes and materials, once installed needs no maintenance, passively samples the first surge, and the emptying procedure is short. In an agricultural catchment area in Germany we monitored an emergency overflow of a sewage sewer, an outlet of a rainwater sewer and two small drainage channels as input sources to a small stream. Seven inflow events were analysed for 20 pesticide agents (insecticides, fungicides and herbicides). All three entry routes were remarkably contaminated. We found parathion-ethyl concentrations of 0.3 microg l(-1), diuron up to 17.3 microg l(-1), ethofumesate up to 51.1 microg l(-1), metamitron up to 92 microg l(-1) and prosulfocarb up to 130 microg l(-1).     

Valuing deaths or years of life lost? Economic benefits of avoided mortality from early heat warning systems

The study aims to explore the main drivers influencing the economic appraisal of heat warning systems by integrating epidemiological modelling and benefit-cost analysis. To shed insights on heat wave mortality valuation, we consider three valuation schemes: (i) a traditional one, where the value of a statistical life (VSL) is applied to both displaced and premature mortality; (ii) an intermediate one, with VSL applied for premature mortality and value of a life year (VOLY) for displaced mortality; and (iii) a conservative one, where both premature and displaced mortality are quantified in terms of loss of life expectancy, and then valued using the VOLY approach. When applying these three schemes to Madrid (Spain), we obtain a benefit-cost ratio varying from 12 to 3700. We find that the choice of the valuation scheme has the largest influence, whereas other parameters such as attributable risk, displaced mortality ratio, or the comprehensiveness and effectiveness of the heat warning system are less influential. The results raise the question of which is the most appropriate approach to value mortality in the context of heat waves, given that the lower bound estimate for the benefit-cost ratio (option iii using VOLY) is up to two orders of magnitude lower than the value based on the traditional VSL approach (option i). The choice of the valuation methodology has significant implications for public health authorities at the local and regional scale, which becomes highly relevant for locations where the application of the VOLY approach could lead to benefit-cost ratios significantly lower than 1. We propose that specific metrics for premature and displaced VOLYs should be developed for the context of heat waves. Until such values are available, we suggest testing the economic viability of heat warning systems under the three proposed valuation schemes (i–iii) and using values for VOLY commonly applied in air pollution as the health end points are similar. Lastly, periodical reassessment of heat alert plans should be performed by public health authorities to monitor their long-term viability and cost-effectiveness.     

秸秆还田配施化肥及微生物菌剂对水田土壤酶活性和微生物数量的影响

土壤微生物学特性是表征土壤质量的重要生物学指标。通过田间试验研究了秸秆还田配施不同配比化肥及微生物菌剂对水田土壤酶活性和微生物数量的影响。结果表明,与单施秸秆相比,秸秆还田配施N、P、K及微生物菌剂后,土壤过氧化氢酶、转化酶和尿酶活性分别提高了37.5%~68.8%、32.3%~61.5%和48.8%~102%,细菌和真菌数量分别提高了95.3%~174%、286%~351%,放线菌数量减少了34.5%~39.4%,差异显著。统计分析显示,土壤过氧化氢酶与尿酶活性之间及其酶活性与微生物数量之间关系密切。氨化细菌和硝化细菌数量主要控制土壤过氧化氢酶活性,真菌数量是转化酶活性的主要影响因素,而尿酶活性主要受细菌数量影响。秸秆还田配施微生物菌剂及平衡施肥可以促进酶活性的增强,使土壤微生物群落物种个体数增加更多,分布更为均匀。过量施用氮肥会抑制土壤酶活性和微生物的生长和繁殖。     

煤矿安全量化管理方法的深化研究

对煤矿安全量化管理方法进行了理论上的深化和手段上的完善,提出了利用层次分析法确定安全管理目标标准分的方法,研制了实用、有效的应用软件系统。