Changes in electrical generator cooling systems: Are they cost-effective sources of water now and under climate change?

In the United States, thermal power plant electrical generators (EGs) are large water diverters and consumptive users who need water for cooling. Retrofitting existing cooling systems to dry cooling and building new facilities with dry cooling can save water and reduce EG's vulnerability to drought. However, this can be an expensive source of water. We estimate that the cost of water saved by retrofitting cooling in existing EGs ranges from $0.04/m³ to $18/m³ depending on facility characteristics. Also water savings from building new EGs with dry cooling ranges in cost per unit water from $1.29/m³ to $2.24/m³. We compare costs with that for water development projects identified in the Texas State Water Plan. We find the water cost from converting to dry cooling is lower than many of the water development possibilities. We then estimate the impact of climate change on the cost of water saved, finding climate change can increase EG water use by up to 9.3% and lower the costs of water saved. Generally, it appears that water planners might consider cooling alterations as a cost competitive water development alternative whose cost would be further decreased by climate change.     

Aerosol transmission,an indispensable route of COVID-19 spread: case study of a department-store cluster

• Aerosol transmission is an indispensable route of COVID-19 spread. • Different outbreak sites have different epidemiologic feature. • SRAS-CoV-2 can exist for a long time in aerosol. • SRAS-CoV-2 RNA can be detected in aerosol in diverse places. • Some environmental factors can impact SARS-CoV-2 transportation in aerosol. Patients with COVID-19 have revealed a massive outbreak around the world, leading to widespread concerns in global scope. Figuring out the transmission route of COVID-19 is necessary to control further spread. We analyzed the data of 43 patients in Baodi Department Store (China) to supplement the transmission route and epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 in a cluster outbreak. Incubation median was estimated to endure 5.95 days (2–13 days). Almost 76.3% of patients sought medical attention immediately upon illness onset. The median period of illness onset to hospitalization and confirmation were 3.96 days (0–14) and 5.58 days (1–21), respectively. Patients with different cluster case could demonstrate unique epidemiological characteristics due to the particularity of outbreak sites. SRAS-CoV-2 can be released into the surrounding air through patient’s respiratory tract activities, and can exist for a long time for long-distance transportation. SRAS-CoV-2 RNA can be detected in aerosol in different sites, including isolation ward, general ward, outdoor, toilet, hallway, and crowded public area. Environmental factors influencing were analyzed and indicated that the SARS-CoV-2 transportation in aerosol was dependent on temperature, air humidity, ventilation rate and inactivating chemicals (ozone) content. As for the infection route of case numbers 2 to 6, 10, 13, 16, 17, 18, 20 and 23, we believe that aerosol transmission played a significant role in analyzing their exposure history and environmental conditions in Baodi Department Store. Aerosol transmission could occur in some cluster cases when the environmental factors are suitable, and it is an indispensable route of COVID-19 spread.     

基于GIS与栅格数据的安徽省人居环境自然适宜性测评

科学度量人居环境自然背景的适宜性，有助于合理引导人口分布与流动，促进区域人口、资源环境协调发展。运用GIS技术，以250 m×250 m栅格为基本单元，选取气候、地形、水文、地被、自然灾害等因子，构建人居环境自然适宜性评价模型，定量测评安徽省人居环境自然适宜程度，剖析各类型区的适宜性和限制性。研究表明：安徽省人居环境指数介于33.64～74.58之间，人居环境自然适宜性总体较好，绝大部分地区适宜人类居住，适宜性在空间上大体呈现南高北低的态势，与现有人口分布格局相反。一般适宜区面积最广，占安徽省总面积的46.08%；比较适宜区次之，占31.29%；高度适宜区占22.54%；临界适宜区面积最小，仅占0.08%。安徽省近61.16%的人口分布在一般适宜区，高度适宜区与比较适宜区人口所占比例不足40%，临界适宜区人口极为稀少。地形起伏度和水文指数是造成全省人居环境自然适宜性分异的主要因子，测评结果较为客观地反映了安徽省人居环境的自然本底。全省人口生存与发展的空间较大，人口流动与集聚的适宜范围较广。 关键词： 人居环境；自然适宜性；栅格；GIS；安徽省     

基于关联性及趋势性分析的AVHRR NDVI及#br# MODIS NDVI数据产品比较

针对AVHRR NDVI和MODIS NDVI数据集中不同数据产品间的差异和区域适应性问题，利用2003~2013年重叠时间段MODIS Terra/Aqua的NDVI Collection 5(C5)和Collection 6(C6)产品以及AVHRR NDVI中的GIMMS NDVI3g产品，选择汉江流域典型区域进行数据对比分析。通过关联指数IOAs(Index of Association)来评价各数据在季节波动上的一致性；采用Mann Kendall检验分析各数据的长期趋势差异。结果表明，在季节性变化上，同一卫星不同版本产品之间的关联性相对较高。在年际变化上，GIMMS产品相对MODIS 产品，仅能检出部分NDVI变化趋势。在地表覆被异质性相对较高地区，GIMMS产品的长期变化趋势检出率较低。MODIS Terra的NDVI C5产品受传感器退化影响，表现出相对较高的减少趋势。 关键词： GIMMS NDVI；MODIS NDVI；Mann Kendall检验；趋势分析     

A comparative study of vocational education and occupational safety and health training in China and the UK

In order to enhance Chinese workers’ occupational safety awareness, it is essential to learn from developed countries’ experiences. This article investigates thoroughly occupational safety and health (OSH) in China and the UK; moreover, the article performs a comparison of Chinese and British OSH training-related laws, regulations and education system. The following conclusions are drawn: China’s work safety continues to improve, but there is still a large gap compared with the UK. In China a relatively complete vocational education and training (VET) system has been established. However, there exist some defects in OSH. In the UK, the employer will not only pay attention to employees’ physiological health, but also to their mental health. The UK’s VET is characterized by classification and grading management, which helps integrate OSH into the whole education system. China can learn from the UK in the development of policies, VET and OSH training.     

升金湖湿地景观格局变化对越冬鹤类地理分布的影响

升金湖湿地是安徽省内的唯一以越冬鹤类为保护对象的国家级自然保护区。研究湿地景观格局变化对越冬鹤类地理分布的影响在恢复湿地生态系统、保护鹤类种群等方面具有重要参考价值。该文对升金湖湿地的白头鹤、白鹤、灰鹤及白枕鹤越冬鹤类的地理分布特征进行了分析,结合升金湖湿地1986～2017年间的8期遥感影像分析景观格局变化特征,并探讨了景观格局变化对越冬鹤类地理分布特征的影响。结果表明:1986～2017年间,升金湖湿地景观格局变化显著,斑块数量增加,景观破碎化严重。泥滩地、草滩地、建设用地、水田面积总体呈增加态势,旱地、林地、芦苇滩地及水域面积总体呈减少态势;4种鹤类数量总体呈减少趋势。鹤类主要地理分布区域为水域、水田、芦苇滩地、泥滩地及草滩地;升金湖湿地景观破碎化不断加剧,鹤类地理分布区域面积整体上在逐渐减少,适宜鹤类生境面积减少,直接导致近30年来鹤类数量逐渐减少。     

Study of the adsorption of endocrine disruptor compounds on typical filter materials using a quartz crystal microbalance

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Drinking water containing environmental endocrine disruptor compounds (EDCs) endangers human health, and researching the purification process of...     

磷酸三苯酯(TPP)和磷酸三(2-氯异丙基)酯(TCPP)诱导人胚肾细胞HEK293凋亡的机制研究

磷系阻燃剂对人体的潜在毒性作用引起了国内外研究者的广泛关注。肾脏是机体重要的排毒器官,若肾脏细胞受损,可能影响肾脏功能的正常发挥。本研究以人胚肾细胞HEK293为研究对象,结合传统毒理学实验,筛选出磷酸三苯酯(TPP)及磷酸三(2-氯异丙基)酯(TCPP)诱导人胚肾细胞HEK293凋亡的关键靶标基因p53。在此基础上采用分子对接模拟和光谱法分析发现,TPP和TCPP分别以嵌插方式和沟槽方式结合p53-DNA,改变基因片段的框架结构,启动分子起始事件,通过影响相关基因(Bax、Hrk、Bcl-2和Bad)的表达量,导致线粒体途径释放cyt c,最终激活Caspase 7实现细胞凋亡。研究结果阐明了此类污染物诱导凋亡的作用机制,为毒害化学品的污染防控提供理论依据。     

鄂西长江小流域土地利用方式对土壤团聚体稳定性的影响

探究土地利用方式对长江中游小流域土壤团聚体稳定性的影响,为鄂西地区土地合理利用与管理以及土壤结构改良提供借鉴.以下牢溪小流域5种不同土地利用方式(柏树林、蔬菜地、石坎农田、撂荒地、天然林)土壤为研究对象,对比分析各土地利用方式间土壤团聚体粒径组成及稳定性差异.结果 表明:(1)柏树林、石坎农田、撂荒地和天然林土壤团聚体以＞2 mm为优势粒级,平均为57.66％,蔬菜地以＜0.25 mm微粒径团聚体为主,均值为60.86％;(2)林地(柏树林和天然林)土壤稳定性和抗蚀性要优于农用地(石坎农田和蔬菜地),耕地撂荒提升团聚体稳定性;(3)分形维数D与破坏率PAD、可蚀性K呈正相关,与团聚体直径(MWD和GMD)和水稳性大团聚体WR0.25呈负相关,分形维数较好反映小流域土壤团聚体的稳定性和抗侵蚀性.对流域内林区的封育是提升土壤结构稳定性的最优管理方式.     

神农架大九湖移民搬迁居民能源替代探讨

自2013年开始,神农架大九湖湿地启动生态移民工程.为了解大九湖生态搬迁后居民用火用电情况以及资源消耗情况变化,采用样地调查和走访调查的方法,对搬迁户、未搬迁户的能源消耗情况进行收集和分析.结果 表明:除了人口和牲畜数量,海拔也是家庭影响能源消耗的重要因素,薪柴量和用电量相差84％和62.1％,因此搬迁工作可以优先考虑高海拔地区;搬迁前后,居民做饭消耗从基本完全依赖薪柴转变为燃气和电混用,取暖消耗由薪柴转变为燃煤,搬迁后,居民实现了薪柴的零消耗和森林零砍伐,用电量大幅增加,相比搬迁前生活成本增加了折合3450元左右;搬迁后居民居住条件、生活条件、交通设施、创收机会均有所改善;搬迁的431户居民相当于每年保护森林47.08 hm2,对于封山育林和生态恢复工作起到了积极作用.