Determination of the applicability of CERCLA's petroleum exclusion at contaminated sites – focus on metals

Areas impacted by petroleum refining and handling operations may become subject to CERCLA enforcement. Because of CERCLA's petroleum exclusion clause, determining whether contamination in a CERCLA Site originated from petroleum products or hazardous wastes becomes important. Because certain metals are typically enriched in wastes relative to petroleum products and background soils, knowledge of metal contents in these potential end member metal sources is an important step towards contaminant source identification in soils and sediments. In LNAPL plumes, metal content, particularly lead, may be claimed to be the result of wastes mishandling and not due only to the presence of leaded gasoline in the plume. Analysis of the percent gasoline in the plume and accounting for weathering are steps to determining whether the lead content in an LNAPL plume is within the historical lead concentration ranges in gasolines. In addition to metals analyses, understanding of operational parameters such as the history of petroleum refining and handling operations, leaks, spills, and cleanup activities are needed for successful conclusion of the applicability of the petroleum exclusion.     

不同轮作和管理措施下根系呼吸对土壤呼吸的贡献

根系呼吸对土壤呼吸的贡献是研究土壤碳排放和土壤碳平衡的重点和难点.本研究采用根系排除法联合运用Li-8100土壤碳通量系统测定了华北平原冬小麦-夏玉米一年两熟传统管理体系(Con.W/M)、冬小麦-夏玉米一年两熟优化管理体系(Opt.W/M)、冬小麦-夏玉米(或夏大豆)-春玉米两年三熟优化管理体系(W/M-M、W/S-M)和春玉米一年一熟优化管理体系(M)作物根区土壤呼吸和非根区土壤呼吸,以根区和非根区土壤呼吸差异除以根区土壤呼吸计算根系呼吸的贡献.结果表明,根区土壤呼吸和非根区土壤呼吸具有明显的季节变化特征,二者具有显著的拟合关系.Con.W/M和Opt.W/M处理小麦季非根区土壤呼吸可分别解释根区土壤呼吸变异的65%和87%,玉米季非根区土壤呼吸的分别解释根区土壤呼吸变异的48%和65%.W/M-M、W/S-M和M处理春玉米非根区土壤呼吸可分别解释根区土壤呼吸变异的68%、76%和58%.Con.W/M处理小麦和玉米季根系呼吸对土壤呼吸贡献分别为25.0%和29.6%,Opt.W/M处理则分别为31.1%和35.0%.不同轮作和管理措施对春玉米根系呼吸的贡献无显著影响,W/M-M、W/S-M和M处理春玉米季根系呼吸贡献分别为23.7%、24.8%和24.9%.5 cm土壤温度对根区土壤呼吸的影响程度大于非根区土壤呼吸.     

The impact of workplace exclusion on the humanitarian response to the refugee crisis in Lebanon

A contemporary issue of major concern is the millions of people fleeing homelands owing to political and socioeconomic challenges and seeking assistance elsewhere throughout the world. An effective response to this crisis includes support models that meet the various needs of refugee populations. In the complex system of humanitarian action, aid workers, among a multiplicity of actors, are the most important assets. This study utilised an inclusion–exclusion theoretical lens to examine the impact of their workplace experiences on activities in the context of the refugee crisis in Lebanon. In-depth interviews were held with 36 humanitarian practitioners, representing five international organisations that are involved in refugee aid programmes in the country. The study led to a new understanding of the link between inclusion and exclusion and the effectiveness of the humanitarian response to emergencies. In addition, it yielded new insights into apprehension about the national–international divide and its consequences for humanitarian assistance.     

Prediction of DOM removal of low specific UV absorbance surface waters using HPSEC combined with peak fitting

High performance size exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) is used in water quality research primarily to determine the molecular weight distribution of the dissolved organic matter (DOM), but by applying peak fitting to the chromatogram, this technique can also be used as a tool to model and predict DOM removal. Six low specific UV absorbance (SUVA) source waters were treated using coagulation with alum and both the source and treated water samples were analysed using HPSEC. By comparing the molecular weight profiles of the source and treated waters, it was established that several DOM components were not effectively removed by alum coagulation even after high dosage alum treatment. A peak-fitting technique was applied based on the concept of linking the character (molecular weight profile) of the recalcitrant organics in the treated water with those of the source water. This was then applied to predict DOM treatability by determining the areas of the peaks which were assigned to removable organics from the source water molecular weight profile after peak fitting, and this technique quantified the removable and non-removable organics. The prediction was compared with the actual dissolved organic carbon (DOC) removal determined from jar testing and showed good agreement, with variance between 2% and 10%. This confirmed that this prediction approach, which was originally developed for high SUVA waters, can also be applied successfully to predict DOC removal in low SUVA waters.     

Effect of environmental factors on the complexation of iron and humic acid

A method of size exclusion chromatography coupled with ultraviolet spectrophotometry and off-line graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry was developed to assess the complexation properties of iron (Fe) and humic acid (HA) in a water environment. The factors affecting the complexation of Fe and HA, such as ionic strength, pH, temperature and UV radiation, were investigated. The Fe-HA complex residence time was also studied. Experimental results showed that pH could influence the deprotonation of HA and hydrolysis of Fe, and thus affected the complexation of Fe and HA. The complexation was greatly disrupted by the presence of NaCl. Temperature had some influence on the complexation. The yield of Fe-HA complexes showed a small decrease at high levels of UV radiation, but the effect of UV radiation on Fe-HA complex formation at natural levels could be neglected. It took about 10 hr for the complexation to reach equilibrium, and the Fe-HA complex residence time was about 20 hr. Complexation of Fe and HA reached a maximum level under the conditions of pH 6, very low ionic strength, in the dark and at a water temperature of about 25°C, for 10 hr. It was suggested that the Fe-HA complex could form mainly in freshwater bodies and reach high levels in the warm season with mild sunlight radiation. With changing environmental parameters, such as at lower temperature in winter or higher pH and ionic strength in an estuary, the concentration of the Fe-HA complex would decrease.     

Making space for social inclusion in conceptualising climate change vulnerability

Impacts from climate change pose a raft of challenges for societies, governments and policy-makers internationally. The anticipated changes are well documented, including rising sea levels, increased floods and other extreme weather conditions. Much research and policy emphasis has focused on technical and economic aspects. Less debated are questions about different communities' vulnerabilities, inequitable distributional impacts, social justice issues and how vulnerability links to social inclusion/exclusion. This paper explores a case study mapping social exclusion and vulnerability in Brisbane, Queensland, which found that while communities can be vulnerable through physical aspects of an area when social dimensions are added to the equation it amplifies or exacerbates the scale of vulnerability. The findings also suggest that in developing research agendas and policy debates around climate change, there could be benefits from interlinking the currently separate areas of work on social vulnerability to extreme weather events, to forms and processes of social inclusion/exclusion.     

Spatially identifying vulnerable communities to climate change impact in South Australia

The impending form and extent of climate change and its direct impacts present disproportionate challenges for the most socially and economically disadvantaged groups within populations. Evaluating the vulnerability of disadvantaged groups in the context of climate change has presented tremendous theoretical, methodological and policy challenges especially where vulnerability assessment research is focused at the local community level. This study addresses the challenges by developing an interdisciplinary methodology, based on expert knowledge, and uses the state of South Australia as a case study. It focuses on key indicators that measure the exposure of local communities to climate change and socio-economic vulnerabilities of local populations. A main contribution in this study is the novel incorporation of physical, environmental and socio-demographic data sets and extensive use of spatial modelling and estimation methods to spatially define climate change and social vulnerability “hot spots”. This paper assesses vulnerability under moderate and high Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change CO₂ emission scenarios in order to generate an assessment model to be used before planning is done. The result is the creation of a practical tool through which decision-makers can better understand how the complexity of one's local spatial context influences the unique exposure, which different vulnerable communities have, to the impacts of climate change. This paper presents a useful tool that can be used in the initial assessment phase by planners and policy-makers to better assist those who are limited in their ability to adapt to climate change.     

Partnerships for local sustainability and local governance in a Tasmanian settlement

This research is concerned with effects and actions at the local level, where it is argued that local governing processes are key to developing sustainable communities. The roles of the citizen and of formal government are changing such that the implementation of sustainability praxis at the local level requires that citizens and governments reconsider both the meaning and techniques of governance. Indeed, how we are governed, participate in governing processes and internalise and accept the need for change will affect how local communities make constant and lasting a dynamic praxis of sustainability. Actors in local governments and communities may be crucial in this task—especially as facilitators, enablers, leaders and partners. In this paper we focus on the Huon Valley Council and some members of one of its communities. We examine how they are experimenting with partnerships as a form of governance to unify, control, mobilise and regulate the conduct of various actors, and how such partnerships may foster sustainability praxis in the Valley's diverse communities of place and interest.     

土壤中重金属生物有效性与植物效应研究

植物效应为重金属的生物有效性评价提供了链接,本文就污染土壤中重金属生物有效性问题,探讨了植物效应和生物有效性的关联关系。阐述各种植物效应在重金属生物有效性评价、监测及应用领域的研究进展,探讨了目前存在的某些不足。根据重金属的生物有效性评价结论,可针对不同土壤污染类型采用不同的植物应对措施,如可以尝试应用避性排斥型植物在生物有效性低的污染土壤上生产出非污染的农产品,为进行安全农业生产提出了一条新的思路。     

从社会排斥的视角分析中国公众环境权益的缺失

社会排斥是近年来社会学研究中的重要概念。本文在对社会排斥内涵进行简要述评的基础上．探讨将这一独特视角用于公众环境权益诠释的可能性，并具体分析中国公众在环境权益实现过程中所面临的社会文化排斥、社会体制排斥、自我认同排斥等社会排斥现象及其三者之间的关系。公众在环境权益实现中所遇到的社会排斥包括两个方面：一是由消极排斥到积极排斥再到消极排斥的作用与反作用过程；二是自为排斥与自在排斥相互交错融合的过程。消除各种社会排斥的可行对策是：建立公众参与环境制度．促进环境NGO发展，强化环保执法能力．推动环保机制从政府主导型向社会制衡型转变。