Exploring the risks and benefits of flexibility in biodiversity offset location in a case study of migratory shorebirds

Biodiversity offsets aim to counterbalance the residual impacts of development on species and ecosystems. Guidance documents explicitly recommend that biodiversity offset actions be located close to the location of impact because of higher potential for similar ecological conditions, but allowing greater spatial flexibility has been proposed. We examined the circumstances under which offsets distant from the impact location could be more likely to achieve no net loss or provide better ecological outcomes than offsets close to the impact area. We applied a graphical model for migratory shorebirds in the East Asian–Australasian Flyway as a case study to explore the problems that arise when incorporating spatial flexibility into offset planning. Spatially flexible offsets may alleviate impacts more effectively than local offsets; however, the risks involved can be substantial. For our case study, there were inadequate data to make robust conclusions about the effectiveness and equivalence of distant habitat-based offsets for migratory shorebirds. Decisions around offset placement should be driven by the potential to achieve equivalent ecological outcomes; however, when considering more distant offsets, there is a need to evaluate the likely increased risks alongside the potential benefits. Although spatially flexible offsets have the potential to provide more cost-effective biodiversity outcomes and more cobenefits, our case study showed the difficulty of demonstrating these benefits in practice and the potential risks that need to be considered to ensure effective offset placement.     

Experimental research of LNG accidental underwater release and combustion behavior

Evaluating potential hazards caused by accidental LNG release from underwater pipelines or vessels is a significant consideration in marine transportation safety. The aim of this study was to capture the dynamic behavior of LNG jet released under water and to analyze its vapor dispersion characteristics and combustion characteristics on the water surface during different release scenarios. Controlled experiments were conducted where LNG was jet released from a cryogenic storage tank. The dynamic process of LNG being jet released from orifices of different sizes and shapes, as well as the rising plume structure, were captured by a high-speed camera. The leakage flow rate and pipeline pressure were recorded by a flow meter and pressure gauge, respectively. The concentration distribution that emanated from the water surface was measured utilizing methane sensors in different positions with various wind speeds. The flame combustion characteristics of LNG vapor clouds, which immediately ignited upon the enclosed water tank, were also recorded. Additionally, the mass burning rate of the flame on the water surface was evaluated, and a new correlation between the ratio of flame length and width was established. The results indicated a large dimensionless heat release rate (Q*) and a continuous release flow rate in a limited burning area. This study could provide greater understanding of the mechanisms of LNG release and combustion behavior under water.     

三峡库区消落带农用坡地磷素径流流失特征

消落带是三峡库区重要的生态交错带，但自发农用和无序开发可能会造成更多的氮磷流失，进而加剧三峡库区水体富营养化。通过对库区连续3 a的定位监测（2011~2013年），研究了三峡库区消落带农用坡地的磷素流失特征。结果表明：次降雨事件中常规施肥处理的地表径流、壤中流总磷平均浓度分别为0.848±0.153、0.140±0.006 mg/L，其中地表径流中磷的形态以颗粒态为主，壤中流以溶解态的生物可利用磷为主。常规施肥下，地表径流、壤中流磷素年均流失通量分别为0.236±0.004、0.100±0.003 kg·hm 2，地表径流、壤中流磷素流失通量分别占总流失通量的70.2%、29.8%，地表径流是坡地磷素流失的主要途径，但壤中流也是不可忽视的重要途径。与常规施肥处理相比，减量施肥处理地表径流、壤中流磷素流失量分别降低了45.3%、40.0%。建议采取减量施肥的方式，以降低营养盐负荷，保护水环境。     

Assessing the Effectiveness of Winter Cover Crops for Controlling Agricultural Nutrient Losses

A nutrient loss reduction strategy is necessary to guide the efforts of improving water quality downstream of an agricultural watershed. In this study, the effectiveness of two winter cover crops, namely cereal rye and annual ryegrass, is explored as a loss reduction strategy in a watershed that ultimately drains into a water supply reservoir. Using a coupled optimization-watershed model, optimal placements of the cover crops were identified that would result in the tradeoffs between nitrate-N losses reduction and adoption levels. Analysis of the 10%, 25%, 50%, and 75% adoption levels extracted from the optimal tradeoffs showed that the cover crop placements would provide annual nitrate-N loss reductions of 3.0%–3.7%, 7.8%–8.8%, 15%–17.5%, and 20.9%–24.3%, respectively. In addition, for the same adoption levels (i.e., 10%–75%), sediment (1.8%–17.7%), and total phosphorus losses (0.8%–8.6%) could be achieved. Results also indicate that implementing each cover crop on all croplands of the watershed could cause annual water yield reduction of at least 4.8%, with greater than 28% in the months of October and November. This could potentially be detrimental to the storage volume of the downstream reservoir, especially in drought years, if cover crops are adopted in most of the reservoir's drainage area. Evaluating water yield impacts, particularly in periods of low flows, is thus critical if cover crops are to be considered as best management practices in water supply watersheds.     

城市燃气事故生命损失风险可接受标准研究

为提高我国城市燃气风险管理水平，帮助风险管理者科学地分配维护资源，探讨提出了我国城市燃气事故生命损失风险可接受标准；采用AIR指标法确定了个人风险可接受标准范围为(2.397 3×10-7,4.794 7×10-7)；运用F-N曲线法结合ALARP原则，确定了社会风险可接受标准，最大可接受风险的截距为4.794 7×10-7，可忽略风险的截距为4.794 7×10-8；利用生活质量指数推导模型，计算了达到城市燃气事故可忽略风险水平的最优安全投入成本；基于风险动态原则，分析提出了风险可接受标准的更新办法。研究结果表明:我国城市燃气行业可接受风险水平低于煤矿、大坝、化工等危险行业的可接受风险水平；虽然我国城市燃气事故死亡率逐年降低，但要达到可忽略的风险水平，每年还需大量安全资金投入。     

土地利用方式改变对红树林沉积物中营养元素含量的影响

以广西、广东、海南等地代表性红树林湿地为对象,研究红树林湿地利用方式的改变对沉积物有机碳、总硫、总氮和总磷等营养元素的含量变化和影响,结果表明：1）广东和海南红树林区总氮和总磷变化相似,均为：沉积物〉农田〉鱼塘〉光滩,广西大冠沙稍有不同,光滩的氮磷含量最低;有机碳和总硫含量各地稍有差异,但是红树林沉积物中的有机碳,总硫...     

pH值对纳米零价铁吸附降解2,4-二氯苯酚的影响

在不同pH条件下,对纳米铁(颗粒粒径为30～40 nm)及其降解2,4-二氯苯酚反应体系进行取样,并进行透射电子显微镜(TEM)、扫描电子显微镜-能谱联用(SEM-EDX)以及电感耦合等离子体发射光谱(ICP-OES)等形貌观测与分析表征,以考察pH值在纳米零价铁降解氯酚反应过程中的影响和作用.结果表明,在降解2,4-二氯苯酚的过程中纳米铁由分散的颗粒逐渐团聚,其表面逐渐氧化,并最终被呈针状结晶的碱式氧化亚铁(FeOOH)覆盖,从而阻碍了降解反应的进一步进行.在酸性体系中,纳米零价铁的氧化和团聚现象有所缓解,尽管会造成一部分铁量的损失,但反应产生大量的亚铁离子参与并促进了脱氯降解反应的进行,反应过程中溶液pH值有逐渐升高的趋势.不同pH条件下,纳米铁对氯酚的去除率随pH值的降低而升高,酸性条件有利于提高氯酚的还原降解速率,当pH=3时,24 h内氯酚的去除率可达到90%以上.     

高效木薯渣分解复合菌群RXS的构建及其发酵特性研究

从富含腐烂纤维质的环境中取样,通过以木薯渣及滤纸为碳源的蛋白胨纤维素培养基不断地富集培养,构建了一组高效稳定的纤维质分解复合菌群.考察了该复合菌群对不同纤维质底物的分解性能及其在木薯渣水解过程中主要参数的变化.研究发现该复合菌群对滤纸、脱脂棉、微晶纤维素、麦秸秆和木薯渣等原料均能够进行有效的降解.在该复合菌群应用于木薯渣的水解过程中,监测发现纤维素酶、半纤维素酶、果胶酶等关键酶的酶活力分别在第2～3 d达到最大值34.4、90.5和15.8U;经过10 d的发酵后,木薯渣中的纤维素、半纤维素及木质素分别降解了79.8%、85.9%和19.4%,且木薯渣的失重高达61.5%;此外,代谢产物主要是乙酸、丁酸、己酸和甘油;而溶解性COD、总糖和总挥发酸的变化表明第2 d时木薯渣的水解率最高.上述结果表明,该复合菌群能够有效地水解木薯燃料酒精生产过程中的废弃物木薯渣,并有望用于木薯渣高效沼气发酵的前处理中.     

沂蒙山区典型小流域特殊降雨的磷素输出特征

为揭示沂蒙山区不同降雨条件下的磷素流失规律,对当地孟良崮小流域2010年13场自然降雨径流量及磷素浓度的动态过程进行实地监测,研究了年内产生有效径流的首场和最大强度2场特殊降雨的径流、磷素输出负荷、初期冲刷效应及径流量同磷素负荷之间的关系.结果表明,首场降雨径流中溶解态有机磷(DOP)、溶解态无机磷(DIP)、溶解态全磷(DP)、颗粒态全磷(PP)和总磷(TP)浓度明显高于最大强度降雨,而其输出负荷分别为最大强度降雨的168%、54%、71%、48%和54%;2场降雨对小流域磷素年输出负荷有重要影响,DOP、DIP、DP、PP和TP的输出总量分别占整个雨季输出的48%、81%、70%、87%和81%,其中DIP占DP流失的77%,PP占TP流失的71%;2场降雨均存在污染物的初期冲刷效应,最大强度降雨的初期冲刷效应较首场降雨强烈;2场降雨的各磷素累积输出负荷同累积径流量之间均呈线性关系,且拟合度较好,但首场降雨各形态磷素直线方程的斜率均大于最大强度降雨.根据气象预报尽量减少在特殊降雨期间翻耕、施肥等农事活动,以及有针对性地建立沟渠、池塘等截污措施减少初期冲刷效应,是降低农业非点源污染的有效途径.     

温拌阻燃沥青混合料阻燃效果评价

通过氧指数、质量损失率及路用性能试验,研究EC130温拌剂、FRMAX型阻燃剂对沥青混合料阻燃效果的影响。试验结果显示,相比普通沥青混合料,阻燃沥青混合料、温拌阻燃沥青混合料氧指数分别增加23.3%、25.6%,质量损失率减小28.0%、32.0%,残留动稳定度增加14.0%、16.1%,残留最大弯拉应变增加14.1%、17.1%,冻融劈裂强度比增加5.3%、9.0%。相比普通沥青路面,阻燃沥青路面、温拌阻燃沥青路面发生火灾时能够减少34.0%、41.1%的毒害气体生成,并减少路面修补所需的混合料质量。其次得出普通沥青路面、阻燃沥青路面及温拌阻燃沥青路面的质量损失率、残留动稳定度、残留最大弯拉应变、残留冻融劈裂强度比与燃烧时间的关系模型。结果表明:阻燃剂对沥青混合料的阻燃效果显著;温拌剂有助于阻燃剂更好地发挥阻燃作用,降低火灾对道路的破坏,降低隧道火灾发生时有害气体的生成,提升隧道安全性。