EFFECTS OF BUILDING CONSTRUCTION NOISE ON RESIDENTS: A QUASI-EXPERIMENT

Noise pollution is an environmental problem in cities. Although recent field research has focused on transportation noises, the effects of exposure to building construction noise have not been studied. In a quasi-experiment, residents of a three-wing residence hall for female students located near a construction site served as subjects in three comparison groups. Information about their personal characteristics and perceived effects of construction noise on studying and other behaviours were gathered in a questionnaire (n=94) and an activity log (n=14). In addition, sound level measurements and records of resident turnover and systematic observations of windows open or closed were analysed. As expected, the results of chi-square tests, one-way ANOVAs and MANOVAs show significant wing effects (p<0·05) on frequency heard, distractability, and several perceived behavioural effects, such as being awakened, difficulty with relaxation and studying-related activities, and interference with conversation and television-watching. These effects were significantly more severe for residents closest to the construction site than those further away. Residents coped with noise by speaking louder, keeping windows closed, and leaving the room.     

Biological effects of wood ash application to forest and aquatic ecosystems

The present review aims to summarize current knowledge in the topic of wood ash application to boreal forest and aquatic ecosystems, and the different effects derived from these actions. Much research has been conducted regarding the effects of wood ash application on forest growth. Present studies show that, generally speaking, forest growth can be increased on wood ash-ameliorated peatland rich in nitrogen. On mineral soils, however, no change or even decreased growth have been reported. The effects on ground vegetation are not very clear, as well as the effects on fungi, soil microbes, and soil-decomposing animals. The discrepancies between different studies are for the most part explained by abiotic factors such as variation in fertility among sites, different degrees of stabilization, and wood ash dosage used, and different time scales among different studies. The lack of knowledge in the field of aquatic ecosystems and their response to ash application is an important issue for future research. The few studies conducted have mainly considered changes in water chemistry. The biotoxic effects of ash application can roughly be divided into two categories: primary and secondary. Among the primary effects is toxicity deriving from compounds in the wood ash and cadmium is probably the worst among these. The secondary effects of wood ash are generally due to its alkaline capacity and a release of ions into the soil and soil water, and finally, watercourses and lakes. Given current knowledge, we would recommend site- and wood ash-specific application practices, rather than broad and general guidelines for wood ash application to forests.     

Lethal and sublethal toxicity of 4-nonylphenol to the common mussel (Mytilus edulis L.)

The toxicity of nonylphenol to the common mussel (Mytilus edulis L.) has been determined in both semistatic and continuous flow test systems. The LC50 values obtained were for 96 h, 30 mg litre(-1); 360 h, 0.5 mg litre(-1); and 850 h, 0.14 mg litre(-1). Sublethal effects, manifested as decreased byssus strength and change of scope for growth, were obtained at a concentration as low as 0.056 mg litre(-1). Fertilization and early developmental success were not affected at the highest concentration tested (0.2 mg litre(-1)).     

广州市大气中过氧化物的研究

采用高效液相色谱(HPLC)荧光法于1998年7月和10月测定了广州市大气中的5种过氧化 物:过氧化氢(H₂O₂)、羟甲基过氧化氢(HMHP)、甲基过氧化氢(MHP)、1-羟乙基过氧化氢(1-H EHP)及乙基过氧化氢(EHP).其中主要过氧化物是H₂O₂、HMHP和MHP,其最高浓度分别为1.6(10 ^-9、0.67(10^-9和0.54(10^-9(V/V).在光照强,相对湿度低的情况下,H₂O₂和MHP呈现明显的日 变化规律,早晚浓度低,最大值多出现在14:00～16:00.同时测定了大气温度,湿度和紫外辐射U VB及大气中O₃, NO_X和SO₂,发现H₂O₂和MHP与O₃、温度和UVB具有一定的正相关关系,而与NO_X, SO₂ 和相对湿度具有一定的负相关关系.     

吸气式感烟火灾探测系统采样管网模拟仿真

通过对吸气式感烟火灾探测系统采样管网进行流体力学分析,建立了采样管网系统力学数学模型,采用了面向对象的编程技术,编制了工程管网设计模拟仿真软件,实现各采样点的探测灵敏度及探测响应时间的计算和对采样孔径的优化调整,在实际应用中取得良好效果。