Underwater towed video: a useful tool to rapidly assess elasmobranch populations in large marine protected areas

Elasmobranch stock assessment studies are usually made through fisheries surveys data. However, in large marine protected areas (MPAs) the use of destructive techniques must be dismissed in order to avoid population impacts. In 2005, while conducting a marine habitat survey in two marine Special Areas of Conservation (Sebadales de Playa de Inglés and Franja Marina de Mogán) in south Gran Canary Island (Canary Islands, Spain) with underwater towed video (UTV) and underwater visual census (UVC) transects, we recognized the opportunity rose to assess elasmobranch populations through UTV. Number of observed species and specimens, overall field work effort and total surveyed area were determined and compared between methods. Mean observations per day per unit of time (MOPUT) and mean observations per day per unit of surveyed area (MOPUA) were also compared through Mann–Whitney rank sum statistical test (α = 0.05). Data analysis demonstrated that UTV is a very useful tool to rapidly assess elasmobranch populations in large MPAs in good visibility underwater environments. It can assess larger areas than UVC with the same effort (statistically significant difference found for the MOPUT; p =< 0.001), leading to more observed species (5 vs 2) and specimens (46 vs 3) per day of work, with no loss in resolution power (MOPUA values were not significantly different between UTV and UVC; p = 0.104).     

Evaluating Management of Protected Areas: Integrating Planning and Evaluation

/ An approach to evaluating the effectiveness of management of protected areas is proposed. This approach has been used in developing an evaluation strategy for the Fraser Island World Heritage Area in Australia. The main component of the strategy is built upon the desired outcomes specified in the management plan for the area and thus provides a basis for assessing the extent to which the plan's objectives are being achieved. A series of monitoring programs have been proposed to enable this assessment. Examples of monitoring programs developed as part of the evaluation strategy are presented. A second component of the strategy monitors the implementation of the management plan. A management information system has been developed to record and report on the extent to which the specific actions specified in the management plan have been implemented. The strategy is discussed in relation to seven objectives set for the evaluation program in its design phase.KEY WORDS: Planning; Evaluation; Monitoring; Management; Protected areas     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, black carbon, and molecular markers in soils of Switzerland

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) were analysed in 23 soil samples (0–10 cm layer) from the Swiss soil monitoring network (NABO) together with total organic carbon (TOC) and black carbon (BC) concentration, as well as some PAH source diagnostic ratios and molecular markers. The concentrations of the sum of 16 EPA priority PAHs ranged from 50 to 619 μg/kg dw. Concentrations increased from arable, permanent and pasture grassland, forest, to urban soils and were 21–89% lower than median numbers reported in the literature for similar Swiss and European soils. NABO soils contained BC in concentrations from 0.4 to 1.8 mg/g dw, except for two sites with markedly higher levels. These numbers corresponded to 1–6% of TOC and were comparable to the limited published BC data in soil and sediments obtained with comparable analytical methods. The various PAH ratios and molecular markers pointed to a domination of pyrogenically formed PAHs in Swiss soils. In concert, the gathered data suggest the following major findings: (1) gas phase PAHs (naphthalene to fluorene) were long-range transported, cold-condensated at higher altitudes, and approaching equilibrium with soil organic matter (OM); (2) (partially) particle-bound PAHs (phenanthrene to benzo[ghi]perylene) were mostly deposited regionally in urban areas, and not equilibrated with soil OM; (3) Diesel combustion appeared to be a major emission source of PAH and BC in urban areas; and (4) wood combustion might have contributed significantly to PAH burdens in some soils of remote/alpine (forest) sites.     

污染源在线监测系统（CEMS）的验收比对监测

随着节能减排的开展,各重点污染源企业,特别是SO2等标排放负荷较大的热电、钢铁等使用燃煤锅炉的企业,都按照环保局的要求安装了污染源在线监测系统CEMS。CEMS数据的可靠性、正确性、稳定性对于污染减排有着决定性作用,CEMS已成为一种最有效的定量和监控管理手段。本文介绍了CEMS系统的组成及功能,以及验收监测比对法规依据,并根据《固定污染源烟气排放连续监测技术规范》（HJ／T75—2007）（试行）和《固定污染源烟气排放连续监测系统技术要求及检测方法》（HJ／T75—2007）（试行）验收监测比对指标,简要说明了验收比对的方法并分析了在实际监测中遇到的问题,提出了需要注意的事项。     

环境监测数据结果评价

环境监测是为了获得准确的环境信息数据,以便为环境评价、环境管理和环境治理提供依据。监测数据是否具有代表性,必须通过数据分析才能确定。文章通过介绍对监测数据的精密性、准确性和合理性检验,论述了监测数据的代表性。     

基于神经网络的城市夜间环境监控与预测

因夜间天空亮度分布具有非线性变化特点,故引入神经网络算法,建立基于时间序列的夜天空亮度预测模型,夜天空亮度预测模型可为城市光污染防治提供评价依据.文章对神经网络的原理进行了论述,建立了基于时间序列预测模型.以测试数据为训练样本集,基于MATLAB(矩阵实验室,Matrix Laboratory的简称),采用改进的BP算法(误差反向传播算法)对网络进行学习训练,并对存在的误差进行了分析.基于时间序列BP神经网络的夜天空预测模型,当隐含层神经元数目为5,训练函数为L-M优化算法(trainlm)时,最大绝对误差可达到0.003 6 cd/m2,最大相对误差达到2.361 4%.结果表明,模型的运行结果与试验数据比较吻合,输出与目标矢量之间相关性也较好.     

中国环境监测总站内蒙古生态监测分站介绍

2009年12月25日,环保部复函批转了《中国环境监测总站转型发展纲要》,纲要提出,加强“天地一体化”的生态环境监测与评价技术研究,推动国家生态环境监测网络建设,在重要生态功能保护区和典型地区7—9个有条件的环境监测站加挂总站生态环境监测分站牌子,开展遥感与地面监测相结合的生态监测。2010年5月底长沙会议提出,将全面启动能力评价和筛选工作,力争在今明年选出一批挂牌。本文详细介绍了争取加挂总站生态监测分站的内蒙古生态监测分站情况。     

论市（县）级环境应急监测的管理

环境污染突发事件的发生,影响广、危害大,迫切需要发生地的环境监测部门迅速反应,进行快速监测,迅速报出监测结果,为污染物的控制提供科学依据。因此对环境应急监测的管理就显得非常重要,不仅要对技术人员进行培训,还要准备仪器设备;不仅要准备应急监测预案,还要准备查询、应用工具,包括查询应用软件,只有进行充分的环境应急监测管理,才能有效地进行环境应急监测响应,才能为污染物应急控制决策、为保护环境质量、保护人民的生命财产安全作出贡献。     

国内外地下水环境监测工作研究进展

由于自然条件和经济社会发展条件的不同,使得不同国家和地区的地下水监测工作差别很大。文章在系统整理总结美国、欧盟、台湾等主要国家和地区地下水监测工作有关的论文、规章等成果基础上,对地下水监测工作研究现状进行了概述,结合我国地下水监测工作开展的实际情况,进行对比和分析;提出了目前我国在地下水监测工作中存在的不足,并对如何提高和促进我国地下水监测工作提出了对策建议。     

环境水样前处理技术的探讨

环境水样前处理对监测结果准确度的影响不容忽视,是保证监测结果准确度的一个重要环节,样品前处理技术方法及需要注意的问题是保证监测结果真正可靠的保障。