Coexistence of Cr and Ni in anthropogenic soils and their chemistry: implication to proper management and remediation

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - In anthropogenic soils, there have been relatively limited studies focusing on Cr and Ni contaminants because they exhibit less toxic effects to...     

Effects of climate and land-cover change on the conservation status of gibbons

Species shift their distribution in response to climate and land-cover change, which may result in a spatial mismatch between currently protected areas (PAs) and priority conservation areas (PCAs). We examined the effects of climate and land-cover change on potential range of gibbons and sought to identify PCAs that would conserve them effectively. We collected global gibbon occurrence points and modeled (ecological niche model) their current and potential 2050s ranges under climate-change and different land-cover-change scenarios. We examined change in range and PA coverage between the current and future ranges of each gibbon species. We applied spatial conservation prioritization to identify the top 30% PCAs for each species. We then determined how much of the PCAs are conserved in each country within the global range of gibbons. On average, 31% (SD 22) of each species’ current range was covered in PAs. PA coverage of the current range of 9 species was <30%. Nine species lost on average 46% (SD 29) of their potential range due to climate change. Under climate-change with an optimistic land-cover-change scenario (B1), 12 species lost 39% (SD 28) of their range. In a pessimistic land-cover-change scenario (A2), 15 species lost 36% (SD 28) of their range. Five species lost significantly more range under the A2 scenario than the B1 scenario (p = 0.01, SD 0.01), suggesting that gibbons will benefit from effective management of land cover. PA coverage of future range was <30% for 11 species. On average, 32% (SD 25) of PCAs were covered by PAs. Indonesia contained more species and PCAs and thus has the greatest responsibility for gibbon conservation. Indonesia, India, and Myanmar need to expand their PAs to fulfill their responsibility to gibbon conservation. Our results provide a baseline for global gibbon conservation, particularly for countries lacking gibbon research capacity.     

Laboratory calibration of the seismo-acoustic response of CO2 saturated sandstones

Ultrasonic experiments were undertaken on CO₂ flooded sandstone core samples, both synthetic sandstones and core plugs from the CRC1 CO₂ injection well in the Otway Basin, Victoria, South Eastern. Australia. The aim of these laboratory tests was to investigate the effects of CO₂ as a pore fluid on the seismo-acoustic response of the sandstone and ultimately to provide an indication of the sensitivity of time-lapse seismic imaging of the eventual CO₂/CH₄ plume in the Otway, Waarre C formation.The synthetic sandstones were manufactured using both a proprietary calcium in situ precipitation (CIPS) process and a silica cementing technique. Samples were tested in a computer controlled triaxial pressure cell where pore pressures can be controlled independently of the confining pressures. The pressure cell is equipped with ultrasonic transducers housed in the loading platens. Consequently, effective pressures equivalent to those expected in the reservoir can be applied while ultrasonic testing is undertaken. Both compressional, P and shear waves, S were recorded via a digital oscilloscope at a range of effective pressure steps. Pore pressures were varied from 4 MPa to 17 MPa to represent both the gaseous and liquid phase regions of the CO₂ phase diagram. Similar experiments were conducted on core plugs from the Waarre C reservoir horizon obtained from the CRC1 injection well, but with an intervening brine-saturated step and in some cases with a CO₂/CH₄ mix of 80%/20% molar fraction which is representative of the field situation. However, the pore pressure in these experiments was held at 4 MPa. Finally, acoustic impedances and reflection coefficients were calculated for the reservoir using Gassmann theory and the implications for imaging the CO₂ plume is discussed.     

Political transition and emergent forest‐conservation issues in Myanmar

Political and economic transitions have had substantial impacts on forest conservation. Where transitions are underway or anticipated, historical precedent and methods for systematically assessing future trends should be used to anticipate likely threats to forest conservation and design appropriate and prescient policy measures to counteract them. Myanmar is transitioning from an authoritarian, centralized state with a highly regulated economy to a more decentralized and economically liberal democracy and is working to end a long‐running civil war. With these transitions in mind, we used a horizon‐scanning approach to assess the 40 emerging issues most affecting Myanmar's forests, including internal conflict, land‐tenure insecurity, large‐scale agricultural development, demise of state timber enterprises, shortfalls in government revenue and capacity, and opening of new deforestation frontiers with new roads, mines, and hydroelectric dams. Averting these threats will require, for example, overhauling governance models, building capacity, improving infrastructure‐ and energy‐project planning, and reforming land‐tenure and environmental‐protection laws. Although challenges to conservation in Myanmar are daunting, the political transition offers an opportunity for conservationists and researchers to help shape a future that enhances Myanmar's social, economic, and environmental potential while learning and applying lessons from other countries. Our approach and results are relevant to other countries undergoing similar transitions.