Physiochemical properties influencing biomass abundance and primary production in Lake Hoare, Antarctica

The perennially ice-covered, closed basin lakes in the McMurdo Dry Valleys respond rapidly to environmental changes, especially climate. For the past 15 years, the McMurdo Dry Valleys Long-Term Ecological Research (MCM-LTER) program has monitored the physical, chemical and biological properties of the lakes in Taylor Valley. In order to better assess the physiochemical controls on the biological process within one of these lakes (Lake Hoare), we have used vertical profile data to estimate depth-dependent correlations between various lake properties. Our analyses reveal the following results. Primary production rates (PPR) are strongly correlated to light (PAR) at 12-15 m and to soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) at 8-22 m. Chlorophyll-a (CHL) is also positively correlated to PAR at 14 m and greater depths, and SRP from 15 m and greater. This preliminary statistical analysis supports previous observations that both PAR and SRP play significant roles in driving plant growth in Lake Hoare. The lack of a strong relationship between bacterial production (BP) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is an intriguing result of the analysis.     

An optimal level of dust explosion risk management: Framework and application

The current research provides guidance on the prevention and mitigation of dust explosion using a Quantitative Risk Management Framework (QRMF). Using concepts drawn from previous studies, the framework consists of three main steps: (i) a new combined safety management protocol, (ii) the use of DESC (Dust Explosion Simulation Code) and FTA (Fault Tree Analysis) to assess explosion consequences and likelihood, respectively, and (iii) application of the hierarchy of controls (inherent, engineered and procedural safety). QRMF assessment of an industrial case study showed that the original process was at high risk. DESC simulations and Probit equations determined the destructive percentages. FTAs revealed high probabilities of explosion occurrence; in addition, detailed individual and societal risks calculations were made, before and after the framework was applied. Based on the hierarchy of controls technique, the framework showed significant risk reduction to the point where the residual risk was acceptable for the process.     

A new approach for layout optimization in maintenance workshops with safety factors: The case of a gas transmission unit

In this study, an Integrated Simulation-Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) approach is presented for optimum facility layout of maintenance workshop in a gas transmission unit. The process of repair of incoming parts includes various operations on different facilities. The layout problem in this system involves determining the optimum location of all maintenance shop facilities. Layout optimization plays a crucial role in this type of problems in terms of increasing the efficiency of main production line. Standard types of layouts including U, S, W, Z and straight lines are considered. First, the maintenance workshop is modeled with discrete-event-simulation. Time in system, average waiting time, average machine utilization, average availability of facilities, average queue length of facilities (AL) and average operator utilization are obtained from simulation as key performance indicators (KPIs) of DEA. Also, safety index and number of operators are considered as other KPIs. Finally, a unified non-radial Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is presented with respect to the stated KPIs to rank all layouts alternatives and to identify the best configuration. Principle Component Analysis (PCA) is used to validate and verify the results. Previous studies do not consider safety factor in layout design problems. This is the first study that presents an integrated approach for identification of optimum layout in a maintenance workshop of gas transmission unit by incorporating safety and conventional factors.     

关于环境监测队伍组成结构的调查分析

对环境监测站人员年龄结构、岗位结构、学历结构、职称结构等的调查分析结果显示,为满足当前工作要求,监测站人员编制亟待增加、优胜劣汰的技术培训应成为制度。     

Environments,Risks, and the Limits of Representation: Examples from Nuclear Energy and Some Implications of Fukushima

This essay examines examples from the field of nuclear energy, including the 2011 disaster at Fukushima-Daiichi, through perspectives drawn from phenomenology, social systems theory, and constitutive communication theory. The essay argues that although prevailing approaches to nuclear risk analysis and risk communication seek to represent a world of preexisting phenomena, they also fundamentally constitute the world on which decision-makers, organizations, and communities act. Representations of nuclear risk are inevitably and problematically limited, with important implications for policy, practice, and communicative action.     

Assessing farming eco-efficiency: a Data Envelopment Analysis approach

This paper assesses farming eco-efficiency using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) techniques. Eco-efficiency scores at both farm and environmental pressure-specific levels are computed for a sample of Spanish farmers operating in the rain-fed agricultural system of Campos County. The determinants of eco-efficiency are then studied using truncated regression and bootstrapping techniques. We contribute to previous literature in this field of research by including information on slacks in the assessment of the potential environmental pressure reductions in a DEA framework. Our results reveal that farmers are quite eco-inefficient, with very few differences emerging among specific environmental pressures. Moreover, eco-inefficiency is closely related to technical inefficiencies in the management of inputs. Regarding the determinants of eco-efficiency, farmers benefiting from agri-environmental programs as well as those with university education are found to be more eco-efficient. Concerning the policy implications of these results, public expenditure in agricultural extension and farmer training could be of some help to promote integration between farming and the environment. Furthermore, Common Agricultural Policy agri-environmental programs are an effective policy to improve eco-efficiency, although some doubts arise regarding their cost-benefit balance.     

Responses of community to the possible use of recycled water for washing machines: A case study in Sydney, Australia

Recycled water is a valuable resource that has potential to free up potable water supplies and recharge systems while improving the environment. Recycled water for washing machine could be one of the options as new end use of recycled water to alleviate the demand on existing and limited water supplies. This paper summarizes the findings of a research survey in Sydney, Australia to explore the attitudes and opinions of community towards the use of recycled water for different purposes, especially for the washing machine. The survey showed that 97% of the respondents were aware of the persisting water shortage problem while more than 60% of the respondents supported the use of recycled water for washing clothes. This paper exposes the basic concern of participants for using recycled water in washing machine. Health issue was found as the most concerns of the community. The survey also presents the further conditions to be considered for using recycled water for washing machine according to the participants’ opinions. Correlation between knowledge and attitudes of respondents was also found in this survey.     

CaCl_2+磷酸盐法处理含氟废水的探讨

用向含氟废水中加入适量的钙盐和磷酸盐生成氟磷酸钙的方法除氟．结果表明，通过控制合适的ｐＨ值，钙盐和磷酸盐的投加量，反应时间和澄清时间，反应后可使氟的浓度降至５ｍｇ／Ｌ．     

森林、茶园和菜园3种土地利用类型下的蝴蝶群落物种与功能多样性比较研究

土地利用变化是蝴蝶多样性丧失的重要原因,为探究森林转变为茶园与菜园后蝴蝶多样性的变化特点,于2019年4—10月采用样线法在江苏宝华山逐月调查了上述3种土地利用类型下的蝴蝶多样性。调查结果显示,共监测到蝴蝶5科47属62种;森林的Shannon Wiener多样性指数、Margalef丰富度指数和Pielou均匀度指数均高于茶园和菜园,但Simpson优势度指数茶园最高;功能丰富度指数（F_ric）、二次熵指数（RaoQ）都是森林显著高于其他2种土地利用类型,但菜园的F_ric显著高于茶园;功能离散度指数（F_div）和功能均匀度指数（F_eve）3种土地利用类型间无显著差异。蝴蝶群落物种和功能多样性与植被类型及其时空变化有明显的相关性,土地利用变化等人类活动对蝶类群落多样性有破坏作用。     

福建省主要流域的暴雨洪涝特征

利用1989-1999年近11年的水文、气象资料分析了福建省6个主要流域主控站水位与降水量的关系和洪涝的时间变化规律,进而分析了暴雨致洪的特征,结果表明:(1)福建省6个主要流域洪峰水位与上游有关气象站前期平均总降水量相关显著,暴雨是福建省洪涝发生的主要原因;(2)根据闽江(竹歧站)、九龙江(浦南)、交溪(白塔)、木兰溪(濑溪)4个站的达警戒水位或危险水位的降水指标,可利用暴雨预报作为洪涝预警预测的依据。(3)上世纪80年代后,洪水的高低变化有增大的趋势,应进一步完善抗洪防洪预警系统,提高抗洪防洪的应变能力。