Counting of visitors in the Meijendel dunes, The Netherlands

Accurate and sufficiently detailed information about recreation-related use of dune areas is necessary for their management. Long-term monitoring can provide this information. This paper presents the visitor counting programme used in the Meijendel dune area since 1992. The data collected during the first ten years are used to evaluate the method. The combination of mechanical vehicle counts and additional visual counts proved to be reliable and produced an accurate data set. Costs could be reduced through eventually reducing the number of counting locations and limiting the number of visual counts.     

高架复合道路噪声声场分布研究

高架复合道路有效地缓解了交通拥挤的问题，但随之也带来了严重的噪声污染，以几何声学和衍射声学为理论基础，利用声级叠加原理，建立了高架复合道路噪声对临街建筑立面影响的预测模式。预测值与实测值基本相符，可直接应用于城市噪声预测。为城市发展规划尤其是城市高架复合道路的发展提供了科学依据。     

Shifted power-law relationship between NO2 concentration and the distance from a highway: A new dispersion model based on the wind profile model

In this paper, a shifted power-law model, based on the wind profile model, had been supposed to simulate concentration gradient of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) with distance from a highway. Field experiments were performed for NO₂ gradients from a highway in Shanghai by using passive samplers. The shifted power-law model was fitted well with experimental results of field experiments both in this study and in the literature. The results not only verified the validity of shifted power-law relationship between NO₂ concentration and the distance from a highway, but also partially demonstrated that there were some significant similarities between wind profile and air pollutants concentration profile near highway. With known concentration of chosen reference point and appropriate value of the parameter k, the model could be practically applied for predicting the NO₂ distributions near a highway. The methods of determining the parameter k were also discussed for further detailed studies.     

重庆市主要公共集会场所、交通道路和风景旅游区环境空气质量的研究

通过对满足选点标准的5个调查点和7个空气质量质控对照点，一年四个季度每季度抽样5d以上连续自动监测环境空气质量的科研性监测方式，共获取各类有效数据约20万个，从而以定量的方式确定了重庆市主要公共集会场所，交通道路和风景旅游区的环境空气质量水平。     

上海市浦东新区2014-2018年声环境质量状况分析

上海市浦东新区作为承接国家自由贸易区的先行试点地区,近年来吸引大批国内外企业入驻,同时经济发展与环境友好型社会矛盾依然突出。本文以2014年-2018年来浦东新区区域噪音与交通噪数据为依据,分析本地区声环境状况,结果表明声环境质量有所下降,一类功能区及交通噪音需进一步加强治理。通过源头屏蔽,大力发展张江、周浦、滴水湖等科技园区建设,阻断企业对居民区的噪声影响等措施,进而提升和改善浦东新区声环境质量状况。     

全氟和多氟化合物替代品的研究进展

全氟和多氟化合物(per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances,PFASs)是一类新型持久性有机污染物(POPs),广泛应用于工业和人类日常生活用品中。此类化合物具有高能量的C-F共价键,因此具有优良的理化特性和生物稳定性。由于存在持久性、生物累积性、长距离迁移以及毒性等问题,长链PFASs(C7)已经成为全世界关注的焦点之一,寻找能够替代PFASs的新型化合物具有重要意义。本文介绍了几种可能替代PFASs的新型氟化替代品,PFASs替代品在各类环境介质中的分布、持久性、人体暴露及毒性等几个方面进行了综述,特别对目前存在的问题及今后的研究方向进行了讨论和展望,以期为PFASs替代品的环境污染及风险评估提供参考。     

Genotoxic effect of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the metropolitan area of Porto Alegre, Brazil, evaluated by Helix aspersa (Müller, 1774)

The purpose of this study was to biomonitor metropolitan areas of Porto Alegre (Brazil) for PAHs associated with atmospheric particles and check their effects on the DNA of the land mollusk Helix aspersa. The sampling sites are located in an urban area with heavy traffic: (i) Canoas, (ii) Sapucaia do Sul, and (iii) FIERGS/Porto Alegre. The samples were collected during a continuous period of 24 hours during 15 days using Stacked Filter Units (SFU) on polycarbonate filters (two separated size fractions: PM_10-2.5 and PM_<2.5). The concentrations of 16 major PAHs were determined according to EPA. Comet assay on H. aspersa hemolymph cells was chosen for genotoxicity evaluation. This evaluation shows that, in general, the smaller PM-size fractions (PM_<2.5) have the highest genotoxicity and contain higher concentrations of extractable organic matter. In addition, associations between chemical characteristics and PM carcinogenicity tend to be stronger for the smaller PM-size fractions.     

Drowsy drivers: The effect of light and circadian rhythm on crash occurrence

Drowsiness has been recognized as a pervasive problem for drivers, with effects comparable to alcohol. Alcohol, however, has a clear legal limit for impairment; there are no comparable criteria to suggest sleepiness. Drowsiness has been associated with light and circadian rhythm. To investigate the joint effects of these factors on crash occurrence, along with other factors, single vehicle crashes reported in Ontario (1999–2004) were analyzed. Crashes occurring at four times of day, when light varies and circadian rhythm is low (2–5 a.m. and 2–4 p.m.) and with similar light conditions and higher circadian rhythm (9–11 p.m. and 10 a.m.–12 noon). Logistic regression was used to see how light and other factors are associated with single vehicle crashes occurring at times of low circadian rhythm, when drowsiness is more likely.Initial results indicated many circumstances associated with occurrence at these times: the age and sex of the driver and reported driver condition as well as weather. There is, however, an interaction between light and presumed alertness. In separate analyses for daytime and night time crashes most variables were significant for nighttime crashes but not for daytime events. The effects of alcohol and youth remained. A lack of light may exacerbate the effects of other factors at times of low alertness; this should be further investigated in controlled environments such as sleep laboratories and/or driving simulators.     

Assessment of a General Finite Line Source Model and CALINE4 for Vehicular Pollution Prediction in Ireland

A comparative evaluation of two Gaussian-based line source models namely, California line source dispersion model version 4 and the general finite line source model, is presented. The concentrations predicted by these models are compared with background-corrected ambient concentrations measured at three different distances from a motorway and performance of both models assessed in the context of integrated transport–environment modelling for regulatory purposes.     

Traffic mortality and the role of minor roads

Roads have large impacts on wildlife, as they form one of the principal causes of mortality, and disturbance and fragmentation of habitat. These impacts are mainly studied and mitigated on major roads. It is, however, a widespread misconception that most animals are killed on major roads. In this paper, we argue that minor roads have a larger impact on wildlife with respect to habitat destruction, noise load and traffic mortality. We use data on traffic related deaths in badgers (Meles meles) in The Netherlands to illustrate that traffic mortality is higher on minor roads. We ask for a more extensive investigation of the environmental impacts of minor roads. Moreover, we argue that the success of mitigation on roads drastically increases when both major and minor roads are integrated in the planning of traffic flows. Therefore, we propose a strategy based on the concept of a "traffic-calmed area". Traffic-calmed areas create opportunities for wildlife by decreasing limitations for animal movement. We ask for further studies to estimate what size traffic-calmed areas should be to maintain minimum viable animal populations.