The Impact of Agriculture On Dissolved Nitrogen and Phosphorus Cycling in Temperate Ecosystems

Although most research has focussed on inorganic nutrient forms of nitrate (NO^-₃) and phosphorus (PO³₄) in runoff and receiving waters, nitrogen loss from agricultural land can also occur in organic and ammonium-nitrogen form; phosphorus losses, although often dominated by particulate transport, may occur in soluble organic and inorganic form. Furthermore, fluxes between different species may take place during transport from the land to the stream and as a result of in-stream, in-river or in-lake transformations. Knowledge of the spatial and temporal variation in all nitrogen species and phosphorus fractions in a drainage basin is therefore essential if the wider environmental significance of elevated nutrient concentrations in natural waters are to be assessed. This paper reviews recent work on N and P losses from agricultural land and presents some results from two intensive agricultural catchments: Slapton, Devon and the river Windrush catchment in the Cotswolds.     

大气污染对城市能见度影响研究的理论与实践

首先从理论上探讨了颗粒物及气态污染物对能见度的影响．论述了城市大气光化学反应过程中的气粒转化过程。此外．选取4个气象参数：风速、气温、气压和相对湿度．及3个大气污染指标：SO2、NOx、PM10，与晴天水平能见度进行了相关分析．并建立回归方程。初步分析表明．城市能见度除受大气污染的影响外．还与湿度、风速．风向等气象条件及雾、降水、浮尘等天气有密切关系，它主要是大中小尺度天气和大气环境共同作用的结果．在一定条件下．它与PM10和SO2有较为明显的相关性。     

Ancillary benefits of reduced air pollution in the US from moderate greenhouse gas mitigation policies in the electricity sector

Actions to slow atmospheric accumulation of greenhouse gases also would reduce conventional air pollutants yielding “ancillary” benefits that tend to accrue locally and in the near-term. Using a detailed electricity model linked to an integrated assessment framework to value changes in human health, we find a tax of $25 per metric ton of carbon emissions would yield NO_x-related health benefits of about $8 per metric ton of carbon reduced in the year 2010 (1997 dollars). Additional savings of $4–$7 accrue from reduced investment in NO_x and SO₂ abatement in order to comply with emission caps. Total ancillary benefits of a $25 carbon tax are $12–$14, which appear to justify the costs of a $25 tax, although marginal benefits are less than marginal costs. At a tax of $75, greater total benefits are achieved but the value per ton of carbon reductions remains roughly constant at about $12.     

Quantification of hydrochloric acid and particulate deposition resulting from space shuttle launches at John F. Kennedy space center,Florida, USA

Observations of damage to vegetation, acute reductions in surface water pH, and kills of small fish prompted the Biomedical Operations and Research Office at the John F. Kennedy Space Center to initiate intensive environmental evaluations of possible acute and long-term chronic impacts that may be produced by repeated launches of the space shuttle. An important step in this evaluation was the identification of deposition patterns and the quantification of ecosystem loading rates of exhaust constituents from the solid rocket motors (SRMs) in the area of the launch pad. These constituents are primarily aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) and hydrochloric acid (HCl). During three launches of the space transportation system (STS-11, 13, and 14) up to 100 bulk deposition collectors, 83 mm in diameter containing 100 ml of deionized water, were deployed in a grid pattern covering 12.6 ha north of launch pad 39-A. Estimates of HCl and particulate deposition levels were made based on laboratory measurements of items entrained in the collectors. Captured particulates consisted of a variety of items including Al₂O₃, sand grains, sea shell fragments, paint chips, and other debris ablated from the launch pad surface by the initial thrust of the SRMs. Estimated ranges of HCl and particulate deposition in the study area were 0–127 g/m² and 0–246 g/m², respectively. Deposition patterns were highly influenced by wind speed and direction. These measurements indicate that, under certain meteorological conditions, up to 7.1 × 10³ kg of particulates and 3.4 × 10³ kg of HCl can be deposited to the near-field environment beyond the launch pad perimeter fence.     

我国主要城市的大气质量的反演、重建与分析

该文收集有关城市的1959~1979年逐年的晴天太阳辐射资料,根据辐射传输方程扣除水汽和CO₂的吸收效应,利用各地区污染物浓度垂直分布和混合层高度规律,再同已有的TSP监测资料分区分析,可得到有关地区的大气TSP质量的逐年反演值。      

沈阳市环境空气中可吸入颗粒物污染现状分析

应用近两年沈阳市大气自动监测系统监测的环境空气中可吸入颗粒物的大量资料,分析总结可吸入颗粒物的 污染现状、时空分布规律,同时阐述可吸入颗粒物的危害、来源及防止措施。     

Peat soils as a source of lead contamination to upland fluvial systems

Upland peat soils are generally regarded as effective sinks of atmospherically deposited lead. However, the physical process of erosion has the potential to transform peat soils from sinks to sources of lead contamination. Lead input and fluvial lead outputs (dissolved+particulate) were estimated for a contaminated and severely eroding peatland catchment in the southern Pennines, UK. Lead input to the catchment is 30.0+/-6.0gha(-1)a(-1) and the output from the catchment is 317+/-22.4gha(-1)a(-1). Suspended particulate matter accounts for 85% of lead export. Contaminated peat soils of the catchment are a significant source of lead to the fluvial system. This study has demonstrated strong coupling between the physical process of erosion and the mobilization of lead into the fluvial system. The process of peat erosion should therefore be considered when estimating lead outputs from peatland catchments, especially in the context of climate change.     

Estimating the reduction of urban PM10 concentrations by trees within an environmental information system for planners

Trees have been widely quoted as effective scavengers of both gaseous and particulate pollutants from the atmosphere. Recent work on the deposition of urban aerosols onto woodland allows the effect of tree planting strategies on airborne aerosol concentrations to be quantified and considered within the planning process. By identifying the potential planting locations in the local authority area, and applying them within a dispersion and deposition model, the potential magnitude of reduction in the ambient concentration of PM(10), achievable through urban tree planting, has been quantified for two UK cities. As part of the Environmental Information Systems for Planners (EISP), flow diagrams, based on planning decisions, have incorporated output from the model to make decisions on land use planning ranging from development plans and strategic planning, to development control. In this way, for any new developments that contribute to the local PM(10) level, the mitigation by planting trees can be assessed, and in some cases, reductions can be sufficient to meet air quality objectives for PM(10).     

Development of baseline (air quality) data in Pakistan

During 2003–2004, SUPARCO, the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission has conducted a year long baseline air quality study in country’s major urban areas (Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, Rawalpindi, Islamabad and Peshawar). The objective of this study was to establish baseline levels and behavior of airborne pollutants in urban centers with temporal and spatial parameters. This study reveals that the highest concentrations of CO were observed at Quetta (14 ppm) while other pollutants like SO₂ (52.5 ppb), NO _x (60.75 ppb) and O₃ (50 ppb) were higher at Lahore compared to other urban centers like Karachi, Peshawar etc. The maximum particulate (TSP) and PM10 levels were observed at Lahore (996 ug/m³ and 368 ug/m³ respectively), Quetta (778 ug/m³, 298 ug/m³) and in Karachi (410 ug/m³, 302 ug/m³). In all major cities the highest levels were recorded at major intersections and variations were directly correlated with traffic density. These pollutants showed highest levels in summer and spring while lowest were observed in winter and monsoon. A data bank has been generated for future planning and air pollution impact studies.     

Removal of atmospheric particles by leaves and twigs of urban trees: Some preliminary observations and assessment of research needs

This paper reviews the various lines of evidence that support the hypothesis that above-ground plant parts remove particulates from the atmosphere. Some scanning electron microscope observations of the particulate burden on leaves of London planetree are discussed. The authors present an outline of the kinds of research required to support or reject the hypothesis that urban woody plants are important air filters.