EXPOSURE ASSESSMENT OF POPULATIONS USING ENVIRONMENTAL MODELING,DEMOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS,AND GIS1

ABSTRACT: Simulation of ground-water flow and fate of contaminants in the subsurface environment constitutes a major phase of most environmental assessment and site remediation studies. These simulation studies yield information on spatial and temporal distributions of contaminants in the subsurface media. An important use of this information is to conduct exposure assessment studies. Spatial and temporal distributions of both chemical concentrations and exposed populations render this integrated exposure analysis task rather difficult. Geographic Information Systems (GIS), on the other hand, provide a platform in which layered, spatially distributed databases can be manipulated with ease, thereby simplifying exposure analysis tasks significantly. In this paper, we describe procedures that combine the simulation models and demographic databases under a GIS platform to automate the exposure assessment phase of a typical health assessment study. Procedures developed herein significantly simplify the post-processing phase of the analysis, and render the overall task more ‘user friendly.’ A site-specific application is included as a demonstration of the proposed process.     

LANDSAT MID-INFRARED DATA AND GIS IN REGIONAL SURFACE SOIL-MOISTURE ASSESSMENT1

ABSTRACT: Landsat satellite Thematic Mapper (TM) data were used to assess regional soil moisture conditions. The mid-infrared (MIR) data of TM band 7 were overlain onto four principal land-use categories (Agricultural/Irrigated, Urban/Clearings, Forest/ Wetlands, Water) using a geographic information system (GIS). M data were used to assess four qualitative surface soil-moisture conditions (water/very wet, wet, moist, and dry) within each land-use category of a 208,354 ha southwestern Florida study area. The MIR response was inversely related to the qualitative surface soil-moisture content. Integration of Landsat TM MIR data with land use through GIS appears to be a useful technique for high-resolution regional soil moisture assessment, and further research to reline this technique is recommended.     

DEVELOPMENT OF WATERSIIED MODELS FOR TWO SIERRA NEVADA BASINS USING A GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM1

ABSTRACT: Techniques were developed using vector and raster data in a geographic information system (GIS) to define the spatial variability of watershed characteristics in the north-central Sierra Nevada of California and Nevada and to assist in computing model input parameters. The U.S. Geological Survey's Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System, a physically based, distributed-parameter watershed model, simulates runoff for a basin by partitioning a watershed into areas that each have a homogeneous hydrologic response to precipitation or snowmelt. These land units, known as hydrologic-response units (HRU's), are characterized according to physical properties, such as altitude, slope, aspect, land cover, soils, and geology, and climate patterns. Digital data were used to develop a GIS data base and HRIJ classification for the American River and Carson River basins. The following criteria are used in delineating HRU's: (1) Data layers are hydrologically significant and have a resolution appropriate to the watershed's natural spatial variability, (2) the technique for delineating HRU's accommodates different classification criteria and is reproducible, and (3) HRU's are not limited by hydrographic-subbasin boundaries. HRU's so defined are spatially noncontiguous. The result is an objective, efficient methodology for characterizing a watershed and for delineating HRU's. Also, digital data can be analyzed and transformed to assist in defining parameters and in calibrating the model.     

USING A GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM TO DETERMINE THE RELATION BETWEEN STREAM QUALITY AND GEOLOGY IN THE ROBERTS CREEK WATERSHED,CLAYTON COUNTY,IOWA1

ABSTRACT: A geographic information system (GIS) was used to determine the relation between the stream-water quality and underlying geology in Roberts Creek watershed, Clayton County, Iowa, for base-flow conditions during the spring and summer of 1988–90. Geologic, stream, basin and subbasin boundaries, and water-quality sampling-site coverages were created by digitizing available maps. A contour coverage was created from digital line-graph data. The areal extent of geologic units subcropping in each subbasin was quantified with GIS, and the results then were output and joined with the discharge and water-quality data for statistical analyses. Illustrations showing the geology of the study area and the results of the study were prepared using GIS. By using GIS and a statistical software package, a weak but statistically significant relation was found between the water temperature, pH, and nitrogen concentrations in Roberts Creek and the underlying geology during base-flow conditions.     

Conceptual framework for evaluation of ecotourism carrying capacity for sustainable development of Karkheh protected area,Iran

The maintenance of natural and virgin ecosystems against an unnecessary influx of humans requires a modern and efficient model such as the carrying capacity model to optimize the management and development of ecotourism in these areas. The model is one of the key tools for conservation and sustainability of these areas. The present research attempts to formulate a framework for the ecotourism carrying capacity model for sustainable development of Karkheh protected area in Iran. The information was collected using a citation method as well as, interviews with experts, and visitors, and director of the region with 24 key indicators being regulated by field surveys and library studies. In this study, the network analysis process model, the Pressure-State-Response conceptual model, and Arc GIS_10.5 software were used to determine the potential for the establishment of ecotourism performance in the scale of 1: 50,000. In this research, 70 questionnaires were completed by experts in the field of environment and ecotourism to determine the relative importance of effective pressures. According to the results, the highest values belonged to physical carrying capacity (13,425,681 persons per day), ecological carrying capacity (2,482,226 persons per day), and social and culture (985,706 people per day), respectively. Based on the regional carrying capacity, the physical, ecological, and social carrying capacity index was calculated as 3356, 621, and 246 (greater than one), respectively. According to the results, the region has a high carrying capacity, which can accept visitors.     

Special needs hurricane shelters and the ageing population: development of a methodology and a case study application

Recent experience of hurricanes, particularly in the southeast United States, has heightened awareness of the multifaceted nature of and the challenges to effective disaster relief planning. One key element of this planning is providing adequate shelter at secure locations for people who evacuate. Some of these individuals will have ‘special needs’, yet there is little research on the relationship with shelter space. This study designed a geographic information systems‐based network optimisation methodology for the siting of special needs hurricane relief shelters, with a focus on the transportation component. It sought to find new locations for shelters that maximise accessibility by vulnerable populations, given capacity constraints, concentrating on the ageing population. The framework was implemented in a medium‐sized metropolitan statistical area in the state of Florida where data suggest a possible deficit in special needs shelter space. The study analysed options for increasing special needs shelter capacity, while considering potential uncertainties in transportation network availability.     

2011~2017年中国PM2.5多尺度时空分异特征分析

PM_2.5时空分异特征认知对大气污染联防联控意义重大,本文从空间多尺度的视角出发,利用空间模式分析方法与地理探测器,对2011~2017年中国大陆地区PM_2.5年均浓度时空分布格局及成因进行探究,从而揭示PM_2.5多尺度时空分异特征.结果表明：①2011~2017年PM_2.5年均浓度相对稳定,无明显趋势,国家与区域尺度PM_2.5变化特征基本一致,呈现"W"型变化,整体上看,污染程度由高到低依次为：中部、东部、西部与东北.②由空间模式分析结果可知,高值聚集区主要位于中国的东部、中部以及新疆的西南地区,低值聚集区则集中在青藏、云贵高原以及大兴安岭地区.③地理探测器分析结果证实：城市化因素中人口密度是国家与区域尺度上PM_2.5时空分异的主导因素,同时,产业、能耗与交通因素对PM_2.5分布格局存在不同程度影响.在区域尺度上,除了人口密度因素之外,工业用电量与公车总量对中部地区PM_2.5年均浓度影响较大,东部地区是工业烟粉尘排放量与道路面积,东北地区则为第二产业产值占比与城市绿地率,社会经济因素对西部地区的PM_2.5年均浓度影响不显著.     

基于随机森林模型的中国近地面NO2浓度估算

NH₃针对传统近地面NO₂浓度空间模拟过程中NO₂浓度与其影响要素之间关系的复杂非线性机制解释不充分的缺陷,本研究基于随机森林（RF）算法、融合多源地理要素开展了近地面NO₂浓度空间分布模拟研究.以卫星OMI对流层NO₂柱浓度数据和多源地理要素（道路交通、气象因子、土地利用/覆盖、地形高程、人口数量）为输入变量,近地面NO₂浓度为输出变量,利用RF算法构建近地面NO₂浓度反演模型.通过对比地面观测数据与传统土地利用回归模型（LUR）检验RF模型的有效性,基于所构建的最优RF模型在不同时间尺度下模拟分析中国大陆地区近地面NO₂浓度空间分布特征.结果表明：（1）集成多源地理要素的RF回归模型精度高,月均模型整体拟合度R² 0.85,RMSE 6.08μg/m³,交叉验证的R² 0.84,RMSE 6.33μg/m³,显著高于LUR模型（拟合R² 0.53,RMSE 10.48μg/m³,交叉验证的R² 0.53,RMSE 10.49μg/m³）; （2）地面NO₂浓度与预测变量呈现显著的复杂非线性与时间尺度依赖关系,卫星OMI柱浓度对模型影响程度最大,重要性指标IncMSE介于97.40%~116.54%,多源地理特征变量对RF模型同样具有不可忽视的贡献力（IncMSE在23.34%~47.53%之间）;（3）中国大陆地区NO₂污染程度较高,年均模拟浓度为24.67μg/m³,存在明显季节性空间差异,NO₂浓度冬季（31.85μg/m³） > 秋季（24.86μg/m³） > 春季（23.24μg/m³） > 夏季（18.75μg/m³）,呈现以华北平原为高值中心、向外围逐渐减轻的空间分布格局.较已有研究揭示对流层NO₂柱浓度宏观分布特征,本研究对近地面NO₂污染特征的研究成果对于合理制定污染防控策略、降低居民暴露健康损害具有指导意义.     

基于CSGD的排放清单处理工具研究

CSGD（crowd sourcing geographic data,众源地理数据）是通过互联网向大众或相关机构提供的一种开放地理空间数据,具有易获取、时效性好、准确性高等特点,在排放清单时空分配方面具有应用潜力.然而,现有排放清单处理工具不支持CSGD数据直接输入且难以满足排放清单空间分配和空气质量模式所需清单格式,因此,亟待开发一套可以拓展该类数据在排放清单领域应用的工具.以CSGD中的POI（城市设施兴趣点）数据为主要研究对象,基于QGIS平台、C++语言及Python语言,开发了在Windows系统下的ISAT（inventory spatial allocate tool,排放清单空间分配工具）工具及在Windows或Linux系统下的ISAT.M工具.结果表明:ISAT工具以POI数据为基础制作出的空间分配结果与排放源排放强度的空间分布特征的一致性较好;ISAT.M工具输出的inline清单可以作为CMAQ空气质量模式及其DDM敏感性分析模块的输入文件并开展模拟,通过与SMOKE模型的关闭源法模拟结果对比发现,二者在数据及空间分布上呈较好的一致性.研究显示,CSGD数据应用于排放清单空间分配可较好地反映排放源空间分布特征,同时由于此类数据存在信息冗杂、近郊区数据缺失等问题,在应用过程中应注意数据清洗及数据种类的选取工作.      

黄河流域地级城市土地集约利用效率与生态福利绩效的耦合性分析

通过构建包含时间趋势变量的超越对数生产函数形式的随机前沿分析模型,对黄河流域2008—2017年57个城市的土地集约利用效率与生态福利绩效进行了测度,借助偏离系数的耦合度模型、马尔科夫链以及地理探测器等方法从市域和省域层面探究了两者耦合度的动态演进规律,并阐明了耦合机理与驱动机制。研究发现：（1）各城市的土地集约利用效率稳中有进,而生态福利绩效却呈波动下降的态势,两者的耦合度经历了“先降后升”的阶段性演变过程。（2）大部分省份耦合度的变异系数表现出扩大的倾向,尚有近1/5的城市属于低发展度低协调度的耦合类型;耦合度在空间上呈现出“东北—西南”走向的分异格局,重心整体向西南方向移动,其类型演变以大概率保持原有类型和向相邻的类型转化为主。（3）在驱动因子探测中,经济发展解释力>自然条件解释力>社会文明解释力;因子交互作用以双因子增强效应为主,非线性增强效应为辅,且社会因子是最主要的交互对象。