Nitrogen removal in laboratory model leachfields with organic-rich layers

Septic system leachfields can release dissolved nitrogen in the form of nitrate into ground water, presenting a significant source of pollution. Low cost, passive modifications, which increase N removal in traditional leachfields, could substantially reduce the overall impact on ground water resources. Bench-scale laboratory models were constructed to evaluate the effect of placing an organic layer below the leachfield on total N removal. The organic layer provides a carbon source for denitrification. Column units representing septic leachfields were constructed with sawdust-native soil organic layers placed 0.45 m below the influent line and with thicknesses of 0.0, 0.3, 0.6, and 0.9 m. Using a synthetic septic tank effluent, NO(3)-N concentrations at 3.8 m below the influent line were consistently below 1 mg L(-1) during 10 months of operation compared with a NO(3)-N concentration of nearly 12 mg L(-1) in the control column. The average total N removal increased from 31% without the organic layer to 67% with the organic layer. Total N removal appeared limited by the extent of organic N oxidation and nitrification in the 0.45-m aerobic zone. Design modifications targeted at improving nitrification above the organic layer may further increase total N removal. Increased organic layer thicknesses from 0.3 m to 0.9 m did not significantly improve average total N removal, but caused a shift in residual nitrogen from organic N to ammonia N. Results indicate that addition of a layer of carbon source material at least 0.3 m thick below a standard leachfield substantially improves total N removal.     

A Concentric Analysis of the Impact of Urbanization on the Threatened European Tree Frog in an Agricultural Landscape

Abstract:  Pond-breeding amphibians are affected by site-specific factors and regional and landscape-scale patterns of land use. Recent anthropogenic landscape modifications (drainage, agriculture intensification, larger road networks, and increased traffic) affect species by reducing the suitable habitat area and fragmenting remaining populations. Using a robust concentric approach based on permutation tests, we evaluated the impact of recent landscape changes on the presence of the endangered European tree frog ( Hyla arborea ) in wetlands. We analyzed the frequency of 1 traffic and 14 land-use indices at 20 circular ranges (from 100-m up to 2-km radii) around 76 ponds identified in western Switzerland. Urban areas and road surfaces had a strong adverse effect on tree frog presence even at relatively great distances (from 100 m up to 1 km). When traffic measurements were considered instead of road surfaces, the effect increased, suggesting a negative impact due to a vehicle-induced effect. Altogether, our results indicate that urbanization and traffic must be taken into account when pond creation is an option in conservation management plans, as is the case for the European tree frog in western Switzerland. We conclude that our easy-to-use and robust concentric method of analysis can successfully assist managers in identifying potential sites for pond creation, where probability of the presence of tree frogs is maximized.     

1999年委内瑞拉阿维拉山北坡入海型泥石流

委内瑞拉阿维拉山呈东一西走向，北坡濒临加勒比海．１９９９年１２月１６日，阿维拉山北坡２０多条沟谷暴发泥石流，使沿海的城镇、村庄、港口、公路及各种设施遭到毁灭性破坏，造成数万人死亡，直接经济损失超过刀亿美元．泥石流发生在森林植被良好的山区，具低频率和群发性特征，规模大，直接入海．分析这次泥石流灾害，对我国的防灾减灾工作具有启示意义．     

稻田土壤种子库研究进展

土壤种子库是指存在于土壤表面和土壤中全部存活种子的总和。稻田土壤种子库是地上杂草产生的根本来源。我国是一个水稻种植大国,目前关于稻田土壤种子库的研究还不够全面和深入。研究稻田土壤种子库对于防治稻田草害具有重要指导意义,同时也是种子库研究领域的一个重要补充。取样方法和取样时间是研究土壤种子库的关键所在。而萌发法是最常见的判定方法。关于稻田土壤种子库大小的结论相差很大,从103~105 m-2不等。稻田土壤种子库中的杂草主要有19科55种,一般的稻田可检出10科或20种左右。种子的垂直分布格局主要受耕作强度的影响。70%~80%甚至更多的杂草种子分布在0~10 cm。稻田土壤种子库由于萌发、捕食、衰老和种子散布等原因具有季节动态。轮作制度、耕作方式、不同施肥处理以及除草方式等对稻田土壤种子库有重要影响。连续多年的田间管理会使种子库的大小、分布和物种组成产生年际变化。目前,需要加强长期定位研究,扩大研究区域和研究内容,重点研究杂草种子的休眠萌发机制和种子命运研究,为杂草治理提供更准确的信息。     

Pilot-scale constructed wetlands for petroleum-contaminated groundwater.

A pilot study was conducted to determine the feasibility of using constructed treatment wetlands to remediate recovered groundwater from the subsurface of a former refinery site. The pilot system consisted of four subsurface flow treatment cells operated in an upward vertical flow mode and equipped with subsurface aeration lines. The treatment system showed minimal capability for methyl-tert-butyl ether removal, but did effectively remove total petroleum hydrocarbons-deisel range organics and total benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and o-, m-, and p-xylenes (total BTEX). Effluent benzene concentrations were less than 0.05 mg/L in 70% of the samples from a treatment cell using subsurface aeration and a wetland sod amendment. Based on 1 year of operating data, cumulative mass removal approached 80% for benzene and 88% for total BTEX.