Co-development of an integrated assessment framework to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of selected nature-based water treatment technologies in Sri Lanka,The Philippines,and Vietnam

Water quality is a critical challenge in Asia in the context of growing industrialization, urbanization, and climate change. Nature-based solutions (NbS) could play an important role in reducing urban water pollution, while generating multiple co-benefits that could make cities more liveable and resilient. In this regard, a number of pilot and demonstration projects have been set up to explore their potential across cities in Asia. Their effectiveness and impacts, however, have not been adequately documented, thus how they can be sustained, replicated and up-scaled remain poorly understood. This study aims to contribute to addressing this challenge by co-developing an integrated assessment framework and employing it to understand how existing evaluations of NbS in the region can be improved. It focuses specifically on a set of nature-based solutions that have been employed for water treatment across six cities in Southeast Asia (two in each Sri Lanka, the Philippines, and Vietnam), namely, floating wetlands, constructed wetlands and maturation ponds. The study also suggests specific methodologies for capturing a set of core indicators considered relevant for assessing the effectiveness and capturing the multi-faceted impacts of the examined NbS.     

Trace elements and microbiological parameters in farmed Nile tilapia with emphasis on muscle,water, sediment and feed

Fish may bioaccumulate contaminants from the aquatic environment and extend them to the food chain provoking risks to human health. This study evaluated the microbiological parameters of the pond´s water and trace elements concentrations in samples of water, sediment, feed and muscle of farmed Nile tilapia used for human consumption in southern Brazil. A total of 240 fish were collected from 12 tilapia farms. Sediment, tank water and dry ration used in the animals' diet were collected for analysis. Analysis were performed by Energy Dispersion X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF), Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS), Induced Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES), and Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS-VGA). In addition, the microbiological analysis of the water was carried out. The concentrations of Se, I, Fe, Cu and Zn in fish muscle were higher than the recommended by the Brazilian legislation, considering the advised daily intake for adults. The arsenic element had concentrations above the limit stipulated by the present Brazilian legislation, observed in all samples of muscle, sediment and tank water highlighting a possible environmental and fish contamination by the toxic element. Moreover, the arsenic concentration in the water presented a positive correlation (ρ?=?0.33) with arsenic in the muscle, suggesting that tilapia is a good environmental bioindicator, once they properly reflect the levels of arsenic in the water. It is suggested to perform an arsenic speciation for quantification of the inorganic form and accurate assessment of the degree of toxicity in the muscle samples and risks it can bring to human health. Regarding the other potentially toxic elements (Hg, Pb and Cd), and microbiological analysis of water it was verified that the consumption of the fish in question does not raise risks, since the values are within a quality benchmark established by law. The concentration of total and fecal coliforms in pond´s water in the facilities was in agreement with the microbiological indexes required by the legislation of CONAMA class II. Western region presented the lowest concentrations of fecal coliforms when compared to the other regions. There was no significant difference in the microbiological counts of total heterotrophic bacteria, Vibrio spp. and Pseudomonas spp. among the regions.     

Effectiveness of a physical activity program on weight,physical fitness,occupational stress,job satisfaction and quality of life of overweight employees in high-tech industries: a randomized controlled study

Introduction. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of a physical activity (PA) program on weight control, physical fitness, occupational stress, job satisfaction and quality of life of overweight and sedentary employees in high-tech industries. Methods. Participants in the intervention group (n?=?37) were instructed to carry out a PA program at moderate intensity for 60?min/session, 3 sessions/week for 12 weeks. Those in the control group (n?=?38) received no PA program and were asked to continue their routine lifestyle. Evaluations were performed at baseline and at the end of the intervention. Results of structured questionnaires and blood biochemistry tests and evaluations of physical fitness were analyzed. Results. The PA program effectively reduced the number of risk factors for metabolic syndrome and body fat percentage, and improved physical fitness such as flexibility, muscular strength and endurance and cardiorespiratory endurance. The intervention also significantly decreased levels of serum triglyceride, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Significant positive effects on work control, interpersonal relationships at work, global job satisfaction and quality of life were also demonstrated. Conclusion. This study showed that a PA program can be helpful in improving physical, physiological and psychological outcomes for overweight and sedentary employees in high-tech industries.     

气相色谱法测定水质中的内吸磷

优化了气相色谱法测定水质中的内吸磷,当取样量为100 m L时,内吸磷-O方法检出限为0. 30μg/L,测定下限为1. 20μg/L;内吸磷-S方法检出限为0. 80μg/L,测定下限为3. 20μg/L。内吸磷-O和内吸磷-S标准曲线线性良好,相关系数分别为0. 999 2和0. 999 8。不同水质中内吸磷-O的加标回收率为90. 3%～104%,相对标准偏差为3. 6%～9. 2%;内吸磷-S的加标回收率为92. 1%～94. 9%,相对标准偏差为4. 6%～8. 7%。该方法灵敏度高,能有效分离内吸磷-O和内吸磷-S,同时能将内吸磷-O、内吸磷-S与其他有机磷农药类干扰物分离。     

水质丁基黄原酸测定难点探讨

丁基黄原酸是水质监测的重要项目之一。水中丁基黄原酸的测定,在样品采集保存、前处理及仪器分析各阶段都存在一定的技术难点。实际分析时很容易出现测定结果不理想,甚至定性定量错误等问题。结合实验对丁基黄原酸测定中容易出现的问题及注意事项进行探讨,正确区分丁基黄原酸及其盐,有效保存样品,采用低损失的前处理方法以及选择性好的分析仪器,有利于提高丁基黄原酸测定的准确性。众多丁基黄原酸测定方法中,液相色谱质谱法、离子色谱法以及液相色谱法在选择性和灵敏度方面更具优势,也可用于其他方法检出丁基黄原酸时对测定进行确认。     

河流型饮用水水源保护区划分比较

比较分析了国内外河流型水源保护区划分的原则、方法和标准,例证了我国不同省份的划分实践。指出,我国各省多采用经验值划分水源保护区范围,部分省份划分方案久未更新,没有充分发挥保护区的作用。提出,应进一步细化水源保护区划分规范指导要求,及时修订省级水源保护区划分方案,并借鉴国外水源保护区划分经验,通过调整水质标准、重视公众参与、利用地理信息系统等方式划分水源保护区,从源头上预防水源污染,降低饮用水公共风险,保障饮用水安全。     

河流水质自动监测站选址适宜性评价

为建立和量化适于河流水质自动监测站选址的评价方法体系,提出了河流水质自动监测站选址一致性、可行性和适宜性评价问题,并建立了选址可行性和适宜性评价2套指标体系。以自动站选址与手工断面位置不一致为前提,利用累乘指数判断选址可行性,在可行的基础上利用模糊综合评价进一步分析选址的适宜性。应用案例显示,罗汉大桥断面水质自动站选址于手工断面下游150 m处是可行的,并且此选址高度适宜,在具有水质代表性的同时兼顾成本和运维管理需求。     

氨气敏电极法和纳氏试剂分光光度法对地表水中氨氮的比对测试

采用不同质量浓度的氨氮标准样品和实际样品,用氨气敏电极法和纳氏试剂分光光度法进行同步测试。结果表明,2种分析方法在水样氨氮质量浓度在0. 159～2. 81 mg/L范围内具有良好的可比性、精密性和准确性。氨气敏电极法的检出限为0. 03 mg/L,平行6次测定样品的相对标准偏差为0. 4%～4. 2%,加标回收率为85. 0%～110%;纳氏试剂分光光度法的检出限为0. 025 mg/L,平行6次测定样品的相对标准偏差为0. 5%～6. 4%,加标回收率为93. 0%～99. 8%。同时氨气敏电极法在样品预处理、试剂配制和分析时间上要优于纳氏试剂分光光度法。氨气敏电极法能够满足地表水自动监测在线比对实际工作的需求,该方法具有良好的适用性。     

Environmental justice in Nigeria: A narration of residents’ experience in Ile-Ife

The sharing of environmental cost by residents in various residential areas in the developing world is perceived to be unfair. This study therefore assessed residents’ experiences of environmental justice in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Three residential areas were identified in the study area and samples were selected using systematic sampling. Using availability and condition of urban infrastructure, severity of environmental problems and residents’ involvement in environmental issues, the study examined environmental justice in the study area. The study established a variation in environmental issues across identified residential areas. The severity of environmental problem measured through an index tagged Severity of Environmental Problem (SEPI) revealed that environmental problems was most severe in the core (SEPI = 4.00), followed by the peripheral area (SEPI = 3.71) and least in the transition area (SEPI = 3.56). On the condition of available environmental infrastructure, the study revealed that the conditions of infrastructure were most improved in the peripheral area (ICI = 3.07), followed by the core (ICI = 2.67) and the least in the transition area (ICI = 2.42). The study concluded that residents’ experiences of environmental justice differ significantly across the different residential zones as reflected by residents’ socio-economic characteristics. Furthermore, it established that age, gender, educational status, and number of years spent in the area can be used to explain the differences in residents’ experience of environmental justice in the study area. To enhance the liveability, the study recommends adequate provision of environmental amenities needed by each category of people in the city.     

高效复合菌在木薯酒精废液处理中的应用研究

对酒精废液生物处理反应器内颗粒污泥中的微生物进行分离纯化.分离出的8株高效优势菌,初步鉴定结果:1号为皮杆菌属;2号为棒杆菌属;3号、4号为微小杆菌属;5号为乳杆菌属;6号为纤维单胞菌属;7号为丙酸杆菌属;8号为红长命菌属.对8种纯化后的菌株进行混合培养,确定了复合菌群生长最佳培养温度为37℃,最适pH值为6.8.在处理过程中投加适量葡萄糖、硝酸铵和微量元素能够提高复合菌群的处理效果.最佳添加量为:葡萄糖0.5g/L,硝酸铵1g/L,Fe2 5mg/L和Ca2 25mg/L.在日处理量100 m3的UASB生物反应器中投加该复合菌群后,木薯酒精废液的COD去除率明显提高,达到90%以上.处理系统运行稳定.