Estimating abundance without recaptures of marked pallid sturgeon in the Mississippi River

Abundance estimates are essential for assessing the viability of populations and the risks posed by alternative management actions. An effort to estimate abundance via a repeated mark‐recapture experiment may fail to recapture marked individuals. We devised a method for obtaining lower bounds on abundance in the absence of recaptures for both panmictic and spatially structured populations. The method assumes few enough recaptures were expected to be missed by random chance. The upper Bayesian credible limit on expected recaptures allows probabilistic statements about the minimum number of individuals present in the population. We applied this method to data from a 12‐year survey of pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) in the lower and middle Mississippi River (U.S.A.). None of the 241 individuals marked was recaptured in the survey. After accounting for survival and movement, our model‐averaged estimate of the total abundance of pallid sturgeon ≥3 years old in the study area had a 1%, 5%, or 25% chance of being <4,600, 7,000, or 15,000, respectively. When we assumed fish were distributed in proportion to survey catch per unit effort, the farthest downstream reach in the survey hosted at least 4.5–15 fish per river kilometer (rkm), whereas the remainder of the reaches in the lower and middle Mississippi River hosted at least 2.6–8.5 fish/rkm for all model variations examined. The lower Mississippi River had an average density of pallid sturgeon ≥3 years old of at least 3.0–9.8 fish/rkm. The choice of Bayesian prior was the largest source of uncertainty we considered but did not alter the order of magnitude of lower bounds. Nil‐recapture estimates of abundance are highly uncertain and require careful communication but can deliver insights from experiments that might otherwise be considered a failure.     

Usage of polystyrene disposable food dishes in the lightweight concrete making

The increasing use and subsequent accumulation of polystyrene containers has triggered a substantial environmental problem. This study investigated using varied percentages of solid waste polystyrene disposable food dishes in the production of lightweight concrete samples with 350 kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m³) of cement and a density of 1,300 kg/m³. The polystyrene disposable dishes were ground into beads of 0–3 millimeters (mm) and 3–6 mm in size. First, the characteristics of Type II Portland cement, polystyrene, and aggregates were examined. The following characteristics of concrete using ASTM International and British Standards Institution standards were tested: slump, compressive strength, ability to resist chloride ion penetration, and resistance of concrete to rapid freezing and thawing cycles. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy analytical techniques were also used. The slump of samples varied between 40 and 70 mm and was not dependent on either the polystyrene percentage or the size of the polystyrene beads in the concrete samples (p‐value > .05). The compressive strength of the concrete samples after 90 days of curing, and using different percentages of polystyrene, varied between 96 and 113 kilograms per square centimeter (kg/cm²). The resistance of the samples to the freezing and thawing cycle and chloride ion penetration were affected unfavorably by the presence of the polystyrene. The SEM technique indicated that concrete samples containing 15% and 25% polystyrene had denser crystals and less void than concrete samples with 40% and 55% polystyrene.     

北京地区PM10与秸秆燃烧排放单颗粒对比分析

采用场发射带能谱扫描电镜(FESEM/EDS)法分析北京怀柔地区PM₁₀与秸秆燃烧排放颗粒的形貌特征和成分差异。结果显示:秸秆燃烧后排放颗粒物多为大粒径颗粒,成分上都含S、Cl和K元素。含有生物质燃烧标志元素K的PM₁₀颗粒物多为含Si、Al和Na元素的燃煤飞灰和矿物颗粒,与秸秆燃烧排放颗粒组成化学元素差异明显。据此推断,北京区域PM₁₀受秸秆燃烧排放影响相对较弱,化石燃料燃烧来源影响仍然显著。     

Optimization of capture–recapture monitoring of elusive species illustrated with a threatened grasshopper

Information on population sizes and trends of threatened species is essential for their conservation, but obtaining reliable estimates can be challenging. We devised a method to improve the precision of estimates of population size obtained from capture–recapture studies for species with low capture and recapture probabilities and short seasonal activity, illustrated with population data of an elusive grasshopper (Prionotropis rhodanica). We used data from 5 capture–recapture studies to identify methodological and environmental factors affecting capture and recapture probabilities and estimates of population size. In a simulation, we used the population size and capture and recapture probability estimates obtained from the field studies to identify the minimum number of sampling occasions needed to obtain unbiased and robust estimates of population size. Based on these results we optimized the capture–recapture design, implemented it in 2 additional studies, and compared their precision with those of the nonoptimized studies. Additionally, we simulated scenarios based on thresholds of population size in criteria C and D of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List to investigate whether estimates of population size for elusive species can reliably inform red-list assessments. Identifying parameters that affect capture and recapture probabilities (for the grasshopper time since emergence of first adults) and optimizing field protocols based on this information reduced study effort (−6% to −27% sampling occasions) and provided more precise estimates of population size (reduced coefficient of variation) compared with nonoptimized studies. Estimates of population size from the scenarios based on the IUCN thresholds were mostly unbiased and robust (only the combination of very small populations and little study effort produced unreliable estimates), suggesting capture–recapture can be considered reliable for informing red-list assessments. Although capture–recapture remains difficult and costly for elusive species, our optimization procedure can help determine efficient protocols to increase data quality and minimize monitoring effort.     

粗枝云杉不同径级根系分解过程中4种养分元素的释放特征

植物根系分解是养分元素进入土壤的重要途径之一.为了解径级对根系分解过程中养分元素释放的潜在影响,以川西亚高山针叶林中的粗枝云杉(Picea asperata)为对象,采用原位分解试验,研究云杉3个径级(0-2 mm,2-5 mm和5-10 mm)根系分解过程中钾(K)、钠(Na)、钙(Ca)和镁(Mg)元素的浓度、残留率和释放率动态特征.结果表明:4种元素在冬季和生长季节释放模式不同,除Na和Ca外,其他两种元素冬季的释放率大于生长季;径级对根系元素浓度和残留率有显著影响,随着径级的增大,元素浓度通常会降低,元素残留率则有增加的趋势,K和Ca尤为明显;分解两年后,K、Na、Ca和Mg分别释放了84%-87%、62%-70%、2%-26%和34%-56%.综上所述,径级显著影响川西亚高山粗枝云杉根系养分元素的释放特征,径级效应与元素种类和季节动态有关联.(图3表1参51)     

武汉市秋季PM2.5中硫酸盐、硝酸盐理化特征及影响因素

为了解武汉市秋季PM_(2.5)中硫酸盐、硝酸盐理化特征,2016年9—11月利用热还原法在线连续监测分析系统对此进行了采样分析,并同步收集气象因子和离子色谱方法监测结果。结果表明,硫酸盐、硝酸盐的热还原分析方法与离子色谱法的相关系数分别为0.88、0.94;PM_(2.5)中硫酸盐、硝酸盐的水溶性部分占比达92.5%,难溶性部分为7.5%;空气质量为优、良和轻度污染时,硫酸盐、硝酸盐与PM_(2.5)的占比分别为45%、42%、45%;硫酸盐、硝酸盐在降水日和非降水日平均质量浓度分别为(19.6±18.5)μg/m~3和(31.0±9.1)μg/m~3;硝酸盐与硫酸盐的质量比为1.1,高于国内其他城市,与武汉市机动车保有量大幅增加有关。     

300MW燃煤锅炉机组超细颗粒聚并器的实验研究

为了解决燃煤锅炉烟气中超细颗粒难以脱除的问题,基于流体动力学原理设计了一种超细颗粒聚并器,并在300 MW燃煤锅炉机组电除尘器的前置烟道中进行了实验研究。结果表明,聚并器内部存在超细颗粒之间以及超细颗粒与大颗粒之间的相互聚集行为,从而使超细颗粒数量显著减少。例如,对于粒径在2.65和10.48μm以下的颗粒,其体积比例在聚并器出口分别减少了56.7%和62.3%,在电除尘器出口的粉尘浓度减少了26.34 mg/Nm3,这表明,基于流体动力学原理的聚并器对超细颗粒的聚并作用明显,具有良好的应用前景。     

综合管廊内火灾自动报警探测器实验研究

为了能够有效提升综合管廊内火灾自动报警系统的准确性和可靠性,本文采用火灾实体试验的方法,通过对各类型火灾自动报警探测器响应时间的情况进行分析和比较,研究综合管廊电力舱内常用探测器的性能。研究结果表明:接触式缆式线型感温火灾探测器可以较早的探测到电缆温度异常变化的现象,可用于早期预警。点型感烟探测器对烟粒子浓度较为敏感,可用于综合管廊电力舱室的空间探测。分布式光纤型感温火灾探测器对明火温度的变化较为敏感,作为空间型的火灾探测器比较可靠。     

深部煤层钻屑粒度随钻进深度分布规律

为了研究煤层钻屑粒度随钻进深度分布规律，选取具有冲击危险性的平煤八矿己15煤作为研究对象，采取钻屑量测试和孔口瓦斯浓度监测，通过筛分实验煤样并应用Rosin Rammler分布模型，探究了钻屑粒度和钻屑量大小随孔深变化关系，分析不同点钻屑粒度分布特征。结果表明:小于0.075 mm钻屑粒度分布随孔深变化与钻屑量变化规律相吻合；不同钻孔随深度变化分别对应不同Rosin Rammler分布函数，随着应力过渡越平缓，粒径分布宽度系数n值越小，煤体应力越大粒径相关系数D越大；不同范围钻屑粒度占比大小也会影响钻屑量大小；在钻屑量较大时，孔口瓦斯体积分数会出现增高现象。通过对钻屑粒度分布规律分析，更好地了解深部煤体应力分布，有助于冲击危险的预警。     

灰霾天气成因危害及控制治理

随着经济社会发展、城市迅速扩大和城市化进程加快,大气气溶胶污染日趋严重,由气溶胶颗粒物造成能见度恶化事件越来越多,灰霾天气已成为一种常见环境灾害污染事件。简要概述了灰霾天气定义分级、分布特征与雾霾比较,深入研究了灰霾天气形成原因、影响因素与存在危害,系统探讨了灰霾天气控制措施、监测方法与治理对策。指出在现有灰霾天气成因危害及控制治理状况下,加强理念宣贯,建立预报预警,开展PM2.5防治,推进城区绿化,科学布设规划,可有效解决中国资源节约型、环境友好型、生态文明型可持续发展过程中所面临灰霾天气防控治理问题。