Characterization of plutonium in deep-sea sediments of the Sulu and South China Seas

Anthropogenic Pu isotopes are important geochemical tracers for sediment studies. Their distributions and sources in the water columns as well as the sediments of the North Pacific have been intensively studied; however, information about Pu in the Southeast Asian seas is limited. To study the isotopic composition of Pu, and thus to identify its sources, we collected sediment core samples in the South China Sea and the Sulu Sea during the KH-96-5 Cruise of the R/V Hakuho Maru. We analysed the activities of ^239+240Pu and the atom ratios of ²⁴⁰Pu/²³⁹Pu using isotope dilution sector-field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SF-ICP-MS). The ²⁴⁰Pu/²³⁹Pu atom ratios in the sediments of both areas (inventory weighted mean: 0.251 for the South China Sea and 0.280 for the Sulu Sea) were higher than the global fallout value (0.178 ± 0.019), suggesting the existence of Pu from the Pacific Proving Grounds in the North Pacific. Low inventories of ^239+240Pu in sediments were observed in the South China Sea (3.75 Bq/m²) and the Sulu Sea (1.38 Bq/m²). Most of the Pu input is still present in the water column. Scavenging and benthic mixing processes were considered to be the main processes controlling the distribution of Pu in the deep-sea sediments of both study areas.     

The Effects of Hypoxia on Sediment Nitrogen Cycling in the Baltic Sea

Primary production in the eutrophic Baltic Sea is limited by nitrogen availability; hence denitrification (natural transformation of nitrate to gaseous N₂) in the sediments is crucial in mitigating the effects of eutrophication. This study shows that dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA) process, where nitrogen is not removed but instead recycled in the system, dominates nitrate reduction in low oxygen conditions (O₂ <110 μM), which have been persistent in the central Gulf of Finland during the past decade. The nitrogen removal rates measured in this study show that nitrogen removal has decreased in the Gulf of Finland compared to rates measured in mid-1990s and the decrease is most likely caused by the increased bottom water hypoxia.     

Offshore wind power potential of the Black Sea region in Turkey

Majority of the studies on offshore wind power potential assessment is limited to the examination of the wind speed only. This study examines the offshore wind power potential of the Black Sea coastal region in Turkey based on location selection criteria including territorial waters, military areas, civil aviation, shipping routes, pipelines and underground cables, social, and environmental concerns. Wind Atlas Analysis and Application Program (WAsP) is used to do the statistical analysis of wind speed and wind direction data for 20 locations in the Black Sea coastal region. WAsP results are then elaborated based on the location selection criteria for better assessment of offshore wind power utilization. The study reveals that there are limited numbers of locations for offshore wind power generation in the Black Sea region in spite of its long coastline. Moreover, there is a high need for a zoning change for Amasra shores in order to utilize high offshore wind power potential of Amasra. Our finding suggests that location selection criteria other than wind speed should definitely be considered for better assessment of the wind power potential of a region.     

黄河断流与黄河的水资源承载力

分析了黄河断流的时空特征、根源和危害，提出了水资源承载力的概念。黄河的水资源承载力即指在生态系统良性循环的条件下，黄河对人类取用水资源的最大承受能力。只有建立起水资源承载力的概念，人类才会谨慎地取用水资源，小心地保护水资源。     

黄河三角洲地区东亚飞蝗灾害及防御对策

通过对黄河三角洲地区东亚飞蝗的调查研究，分析了其发育的气象和环境条件，提出了对东亚飞蝗灾害的防御对策。     

黄河下游泥沙灾害与减灾对策(Ⅰ)——泥沙灾害分类与侵蚀型泥沙灾害

从泥沙研究的角度概述了与河流泥沙有关的灾害及其分类，将黄河下游的泥沙灾害分成侵蚀型泥沙灾害与堆积型泥沙灾害两种情况，讨论了侵蚀型泥沙灾害，包括滩岸坍塌、河道整治工程出险，初步提出了侵蚀型泥沙灾害的减灾方略。     

长江口地区的盐水入侵灾害及变化趋势

本文在总结长江口地区现状盐水入侵时空变化规律的基础上,着重分析了在未来海平面上升、长江东线南水北调和三峡水利枢纽工程以及长江口北支综合整治等因素影响下,南支河段盐水入侵强度的变化趋势。     

Monitoring of eutrophication and nutrient limitation in the Izmir Bay (Turkey) before and after Wastewater Treatment Plant

The distribution of inorganic nutrients and phytoplankton chlorophyll-a was investigated and N/P ratios were determined in Izmir Bay during 1996-2001. The average concentrations showed ranges of 0.01-0.19 and 0.01-10 microM for phosphate-phosphorus; 0.11-1.8 and 0.13-27 microM for (nitrate+nitrite)-nitrogen, 0.30-4.1 and 0.50-39 microM for silicate and 0.02-4.3 and 0.10-26 microg l(-1) for chlorophyll-a in the outer and middle-inner bays, respectively. The results are compared with the values obtained from the relatively unpolluted waters of the Aegean Sea. The N/P ratio is significantly lower than the assimilatory optimal (N/P=15:1) in conformity with Redfield's ratio N/P=16:1. Nitrogen is the limiting element in the Izmir Bay. Phosphate, which originates from detergents, is an important source for eutrophication in the bay, especially in the inner bay. In early 2000, a Wastewater Treatment Plant (WTP) began to treat domestic and industrial wastes. This plant treats the wastes about 60% capacity between 2000 and 2001. The sampling periods cover before and after treatment plant. Although the capacity of wastewater plant is sufficient for removal of nitrogen from the wastes, it is inadequate for removal of phosphate. This is also in accordance with the decreasing N/P ratios observed during 2000-2001 (after WTP) in the middle-inner bays.     

黄河拉西瓦水电站建设对区域景观格局的影响

本根据水利水电工程对景观格局的影响特征,从拼块类型尺度和景观尺度选出优势度、多样性、均匀度、分离度等8个能全面反映景观格局变化的数量化指数,完善了水利水电工程环境影响评价内容。以黄河拉西瓦水电站为例,对该区域LandsatTM7图像解译和GIS处理,结合工程设计规划,绘制建设前后区域景观格局图,建立空间信息数据库,计算各景观指数,分析其变化趋势。结果表明,黄河拉西瓦水电站区域有16种景观类型,分别属于6种生态系统,拼块类型多样,景观格局复杂,其中草地景观优势度最高,接近80％;建成后拼块类型的景观比例、密度、优势度、分离度等都有一定变化;景观均匀度、多样性指数和人为干扰强度都相应增加。总体上,景观格局没有发生大的变化,区域生态系统的功能和性质也不会改变。     

Observations on the workshop as a means of improving communication between holders of traditional and scientific knowledge

Traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) and the information and insights it offers to natural resource research and management have been given much attention in recent years. On the practical question of how TEK is accessed and used together with scientific knowledge, most work to date has examined documentation and methods of recording and disseminating information. Relatively little has been done regarding exchanges between scientific and traditional knowledge. This paper examines three workshop settings in which such exchanges were intended outcomes. The Barrow Symposium on Sea Ice, the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Restoration Program Synthesis/Information Workshops, and the Alaska Beluga Whale Committee illuminate certain features of the preparation, format, and context of workshops or series of workshops and their eventual outcomes and influence. The examples show the importance of long-term relationships among participants and thorough preparation before the actual workshop. Further research should look more systematically at the factors that influence the success of a given workshop and the various ways in which participants perceive success.