Sulphate, Nitrogen and Base Cation Budgets at 21 Forested Catchments in Canada, the United States and Europe

To assess the concern over declining base cation levels in forest soils caused by acid deposition, input-output budgets (1990s average) for sulphate (SO₄), inorganic nitrogen (NO₃-N; NH₄-N), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and potassium (K) were synthesised for 21 forested catchments from 17 regions in Canada, the United States and Europe. Trend analysis was conducted on monthly ion concentrations in deposition and runoff when more than 9 years of data were available (14 regions, 17 sites). Annual average SO₄ deposition during the 1990s ranged between 7.3 and 28.4 kg ha⁻¹ per year, and inorganic nitrogen (N) deposition was between 2.8 and 13.8 kg ha⁻¹ per year, of which 41–67% was nitrate (NO₃-N). Over the period of record, SO₄ concentration in deposition decreased in 13/14 (13 out of 14 total) regions and SO₄ in runoff decreased at 14/17 catchments. In contrast, NO₃-N concentrations in deposition decreased in only 1/14 regions, while NH₄-N concentration patterns varied; increasing at 3/14 regions and decreasing at 2/14 regions. Nitrate concentrations in runoff decreased at 4/17 catchments and increased at only 1 site, whereas runoff levels of NH₄-N increased at 5/17 catchments. Decreasing trends in deposition were also recorded for Ca, Mg, and K at many of the catchments and on an equivalent basis, accounted for up to 131% (median 22%) of the decrease in acid anion deposition. Base cation concentrations in streams generally declined over time, with significant decreases in Ca, Mg and K occurring at 8, 9 and 7 of 17 sites respectively, which accounted for up to 133% (median 48%) of the decrease in acid anion concentration. Sulphate export exceeded input at 18/21 catchments, likely due to dry deposition and/or internal sources. The majority of N in deposition (31–100%; median 94%) was retained in the catchments, although there was a tendency for greater NO₃-N leaching at sites receiving higher (<7 kg ha^-1 per year) bulk inorganic N deposition. Mass balance calculations show that export of Ca and Mg in runoff exceeds input at all 21 catchments, but K export only exceeds input at 16/21 sites. Estimates of base cation weathering were available for 18 sites. When included in the mass balance calculation, Ca, Mg and K exports exceeded inputs at 14, 10 and 2 sites respectively. Annual Ca and Mg losses represent appreciable proportions of the current exchangeable soil Ca and Mg pools, although losses at some of the sites likely occur from weathering reactions beneath the rooting zone and there is considerable uncertainty associated with mineral weathering estimates. Critical loads for sulphur (S) and N, using a critical base cation to aluminium ratio of 10 in soil solution, are currently exceeded at 7 of the 18 sites with base cation weathering estimates. Despite reductions in SO₄ and H⁺ deposition, mass balance estimates indicate that acid deposition continues to acidify soils in many regions with losses of Ca and Mg of primary concern. The U.S. Government's right to retain a non-exclusive, royalty free licence in and to any copyright is acknowledged. The Canadian Crown reserves the right to retain a non-exclusive, royalty free licence in and to any copyright.     

Large-scale mercury variations in Lake Vänern (Sweden) 1974-98

Lake V?nern, the largest lake in Sweden, has been seriously contaminated with mercury during the 20th century. In the 1970's and 80's the direct load, mainly from a chlor-alkali industry in the area, of mercury was drastically reduced as a response to new legislation, from three to five tons down to between five and ten kg yr(-1). Large amounts of the disposed pollutant have accumulated in the sediments. The question posed in this work is now, is the effect of the drastic load reduction after more than two decades visible in the sediments? The question is relevant as large areas still are blacklisted for fishing, but also as a follow-up of a major remedy action. The lake also serves as a freshwater reservoir for even Sweden's second largest city. This work synthesises and compares data of mercury in the sediments from three major field programs, in 1974, 1984 and 1998. The interest is focused on both spatial heterogeneity and temporal trends. In 1974, the surface concentrations are significantly higher than in subsequent surveys. Significant differences are also found between 1984 and 1998. Significant spatial differences within the lake are found for respective year. The most contaminated area is located in the north, close to the major point source (a former chlor-alkali industry). This is also the area with the largest improvement, as a direct response to the reduction in load. Further from the outlet, the recovery is more affected by burial and transport processes out into the deeper basins.     

博乐市空气质量变化趋势分析

分析了博乐市2001-2005年空气质量监测数据在不同月份、不同年份、不同污染因子的变化趋势，并结合当地能源结构、地理位置、气候特征、城市环境综合发展水平。指出影响博乐市空气质量的主要因素，为防治或减轻博乐地区的空气污染提供了科学依据。     

地下水环境质量变化动态研究

以邢台市环境保护监测站１０年来的监测资料为依据，运用单因子比值法，环比发展速率外推法和直线回归法，对地下水环境质量现状及１０年的动态变化进行了分析，研究和评述，并对发展趋势做了预测性评价。     

兰州市空气质量预报系统研究

从潜势预报、统计预报、数值预报三方面介绍了兰州市空气质量预报系统的研究方法和结构特点,并检验分析了2001年4～10月兰州市空气质量预报,结果表明,此系统具有较强的预报能力,适用于兰州市空气质量预报业务。     

灰色模型在确定关键污染因子中的应用

将灰色模型引入水环境质量评价中 ,通过对某个时间段内污染物原始监测数据的灰色处理 ,从动态演变中找出关键因子 ,客观地判定各污染因子所起的作用 ,并对各因子在下一个时间段的发展趋势作出判断 ,增加了评价的准确性。经过实例运用分析表明 ,该方法物理意义明确 ,简便易用     

珠江三角洲地区酸雨污染趋势初探

本文从珠江三角洲地区酸雨监测数据资料入手，对本地区酸雨状况及其趋势进行探讨，研究结果表明，本地区酸雨依然严重，且广泛存在。     

透明度作为赤潮预警监测参数的初步研究

调查实验 数据显示，在一定条件下，透明度和浮游植物密度和种类之间有着一定的关系。浮游植物密度低时透明度高，浮游植物密度高时透明度低。认为可以尝试使用透明度作为赤潮预警监测或短期预报的参数。透明度值1.6m可以作为 赤潮预警的标准值进行试点。     

中国黄土元素背景值分异规律研究

报道了中国黄土中40个元素的背景值,并以F、Cr、Mn、Co、Ni、V、Cu、Zn、As、Se、Cd、Pb、Hg等13个元素为例,讨论了其在黄土高原的分布与含量。利用趋势面分析等数理统计方法,揭示了黄土中元素的某些环境地球化学特征及元素背景值的分异规律。结果表明,黄土的元素背景值具有三维的分异特征,黄土的质地及沉积的生物气候环境黄土是影响背景值分异的主要因素。为中国黄土的风成学说提供了佐证。     

城市人居环境的协调发展度研究——以上海市青浦区为例

城市人居环境的可持续发展体系是一个由人口、社会、资源、环境与经济5个子系统构成的开放巨系统。通过提出综合衡量系统“协调性”和“发展水平”的“协调发展度”模型，研究人居环境复合系统内5个子系统之间协调发展度情况。并运用灰色预测理论构建GM（1，N）动态模型，预测未来几年各子系统之间协调发展的状况。