Even sampling designs generation by charges repulsion simulation

Evenly distributed sampling design is generally considered as an efficient sampling design. It is widely used in sampling for the environmental survey. In this paper, we present a novel method for generating N evenly distributed samples within a given irregular polygon via simulating the movements of some ideal homogeneous point charges. Initially, charges are randomly put into the sampling region; then, they are freed and held orderly; and after enough runs, the charges will finally reach a stable state with all of them having a zero resultant force and velocity; and so they distribute evenly within the region. Their layout can thus be considered as an evenly distributed sampling design. The main advantages of this method are: (1) it is easy to understand and implement; (2) it is efficient in both running and generating better designs. Analysis and experimental results indicate that this method is an efficient and robust method for generating even sampling designs for 2D polygonal sampling region.     

Optimal Sampling and Problematic Likelihood Functions in a Simple Population Model

Markov chains provide excellent statistical models for studying many natural phenomena that evolve with time. One particular class of continuous-time Markov chain, called birth–death processes, can be used for modelling population dynamics in fields such as ecology and microbiology. The challenge for the practitioner when fitting these models is to take measurements of a population size over time in order to estimate the model parameters, such as per capita birth and death rates. In many biological contexts, it is impractical to follow the fate of each individual in a population continuously in time, so the researcher is often limited to a fixed number of measurements of population size over the duration of the study. We show that, for a simple birth–death process, with positive Malthusian growth rate, subject to common practical constraints, there is an optimal schedule for measuring the population size that minimises the expected confidence region of the parameter estimates. Throughout our exposition of the optimal experimental design, we compare it to a simpler equidistant design, where the population is sampled at regular intervals. This is an experimental design worthy of comparison since it can represent a much simpler design to implement in practice. In order to find optimal experimental designs for our population model, we make use of a combination of useful statistical machinery. Firstly, we use a Gaussian diffusion approximation of the underlying discrete-state Markov process, which allows us to obtain analytical expressions for Fisher’s information matrix (FIM), which is crucial to optimising the experimental design. We also make use of the cross-entropy method of stochastic optimisation for the purpose of maximising the determinant of FIM to obtain the optimal experimental designs. Our results show that the optimal schedule devised by others for a simple model of population growth without death can be extended, for large populations, to the two-parameter model that incorporates both birth and death. For the simple birth–death process, we find that the likelihood surface is also problematic and poses serious problems for point estimation and easily defining confidence regions. A Bayesian approach to inference is proposed as a way in which these problems could be circumvented.     

Electrofishing in boatable rivers: Does sampling design affect bioassessment metrics?

Data were collected from 60 boatable sites using an electrofishing design that permitted comparisons of the effects of designs and distances on fish assemblage metrics. Sites were classified a priori as Run-of-the-River (ROR) or Restricted Flow (RF). Data representing four different design options (i.e., 1000 and 2000 m for both single and paired banks) were extracted from the dataset and analyzed. Friedman tests comparing metric values among the designs detected significant differences for all richness metrics at both types of sites and for catch per unit effort and percent tolerant species at ROR sites. Richness metrics were generally higher for the two 2000-m designs than for the two 1000-m designs. When plotted against cumulative electrofishing distance, the percent change in metrics declined sharply within approximately 1000 m, after which metrics usually varied by less than 10%. These data demonstrate that designs electrofishing 1000 m of shoreline are sufficient for bioassessments on boatable rivers similar to those in this study, regardless of whether the shoreline is along a single bank or distributed equally among paired banks. However, at sites with depths greater than 4 m, it may be advisable to employ nighttime electrofishing or increase day electrofishing designs to 2000 m.The U.S. Governments right to retain a non-exclusive, royalty free licence in and to any copyright is acknowledged.     

Trends in motor-vehicle related air pollutants in central London

Results of intermittent monitoring of six aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene, toluene, ethyl-benzene, m-xylene, p-xylene and o-xylene), carbon monoxide and oxides of nitrogen over a thirteen year period at a site in central London (Exhibition Road) are presented. Four monitoring regimes were undertaken; namely, 1979, 1982/83, 1986/87 and 1991/92. The summertime daytime mean ambient concentrations of the measured parameters at this site are presented. The reported concentrations show a reduction from 1979 to 1992 by approximately a factor of two, despite national increases in motor fuel consumption and the volume of traffic. Relevant European Community legislation covering emissions from motor-vehicles are outlined and comparisons are made with emissions from motor vehicles predicted from the UK national inventory. The importance of the frequency of measurements was also noted.     

Statistical Issues for Monitoring Ecological and Natural Resources in the United States

The United States funds a number of national monitoring programs to measure the status and trends of ecological and natural resources. Each of these programs has a unique focus; the scientific objectives are different as are the sample designs. However, individuals and committees, all well aware of the cost of ecological monitoring, have called for more effective monitoring programs. The objective of this paper is to summarize existing programs' statistical designs and discuss potential alternatives for improvement in national monitoring. Can we improve the current situation by providing an overall framework for the design or analysis of data from these disparate surveys? First, the paper summarizes the objectives of these surveys, compares and contrasts their survey designs as currently implemented, and determines what variables they collect. Through this process we identify commonalities and issues that impact our ability to combine information across one or more of the surveys. Three potential alternatives are presented, leading to comprehensive monitoring in the United States.     

Review of environmental monitoring methods: survey designs

During the past decade and a half, environmental monitoring programshave increased in numberand importance. Large scale environmental monitoring programs often present design difficulties because they tend to measure many(sometimes hundreds) of parameters through space and time. Thispaper reviewed and summarized one important component of environmental monitoring programs, the statistical survey design. Survey designsused for long-term monitoring programs lasting multiple (3)occasions were reviewed, paying specialattention to those published after 1985. During this review, two key components of the overall survey design were identified. The first key component wasthe membership design. Groups of population units sampled the same occasionwere called panels here, and the membership design specified which units were members of which panels. The second component was the revisit design that specified when panels were to be revisited. Membership designs varied, butsome form of simple random or systematic design was popular.Among revisit designs, four basicpatterns were found in the literature and their relative strengths andweaknesses were summarized. To efficiently discuss revisit designs, anew unified short-hand notation was proposed and adopted.     

基于激光雷达技术的粉尘污染源监测

针对粉尘污染点源数量多、夜间偷排偷放监测难等问题,环保监测迫切需要发展新一代遥感监测技术,为环境保护提供技术支撑。激光雷达具有远距离、全天时监测的优势,可实现对污染源的客观、全天时监测。为了验证激光雷达主动遥感技术监测粉尘污染源排放的可行性,在河北省组织了一次粉尘污染源的Lidar监测实验,在进行距离校正的基础上,发展了Lidar点源污染监测指数因子方法。结果表明:烟尘排放浓度与Lidar指数因子具有较好的一致性,校正决定系数可达0.94。在稳定排污的情况下研究Lidar指数因子的限值,结果显示,将指数因子的限值设为2.3时,与在线监测的一致性可以达到99%以上。     

Assessing a Quick Monitoring Method Using Rocky Intertidal Communities as a Bioindicator: A Multivariate Approach in Algeciras Bay

A multivariate approach was used to test the value of intertidal communities as a bioindicator of environmental conditions at Algeciras Bay, southern Spain. The study area is located in the Strait of Gibraltar and it is subjected to a variety of anthropic impacts. Eight localities (5 inside and 3 outside the bay) were selected, and four transects were undertaken in each locality to characterise the fauna and flora. The spatial distribution of the intertidal species reflected the physico-chemical conditions of Algeciras Bay. The stations located outside the bay, characterised by high hydrodynamism and dissolved oxygen and low sedimentation and turbidity, had a higher diversity and species richness than the inner stations. According to the BIO-ENV procedure and CCA, water turbidity was the factor which best correlated with the intertidal assemblages. SIMPER showed that the molluscs Chtamalus stellatus, Mytilus cf edulis, Littorina neritoides and Balanus perforatus, and the algae Gelidium pusillum, Corallina elongata, Asparagopsis armata, Colpomenia sinuosa and Fucus spiralis were the species that most contributed to the dissimilarity between internal and external sites. The present study, based on the spatial distribution of intertidal taxa, yielded similar results to those previously obtained in the area with costly physico-chemical analysis based on complex matrices of subtidal epifaunal communities. Consequently, the intertidal sampling method proposed in this study is presented here as a quick, effective alternative strategy, and can be useful in environmental monitoring programs, since these communities are easily accessible and amenable to sample, and the sessile nature of the majority of the species makes future, long-term monitoring relatively simple.     

人工神经网络用于铅的化学形态模拟计算

用前馈线性网络法求解水体系中Ｐｂ（２＋）与ＯＨ－之间的反应常数，不同训练算法对求解结果的精度、收敛速度及权值均有影响．结果表明，批处理算法的精度最好，权值不出现负值，但运算时间最长；在线算法的精度虽不如批处理算法，而比数据变换－在线算法好，权值有时会出现负值．运算时间较长；数据变换－在线算法的优点是运算时间短，但相对误差较大，权值出现负值的机会多。采用反馈网络模拟计算铅的各种化学形态的浓度．用物料核算的方法对反馈网络模型进行检验表明，此种模型用于平衡计算是可行的，详细分析了理论模拟和实验曲线的差异的原因，温度的影响最小，在４＜ｐＨ＜９时，ＣＯ有重要的影响．在国代检验时，ｎ值取整所引入的误差的影响亦不可忽视。从本文的结果可以看到，采用前馈网络和反馈网络相结合的方法考察水体中的化学形态是可行的．从而为解决这一类问题提供了一种可能的途径．     

Strategically designed sample composition for fastest screening of polychlorinated biphenyl congeners in water samples

A new strategy for preparing composite samples of special interest and applicability in environmental screening studies is presented. The use of supersaturated experimental design matrices to conduct the sample composition of water sample specimens in screening studies is demonstrated. In contrast to well known conventional sample composition, this strategic approach provides analytical objects allowing the accurate prediction of analyte concentration levels in the original individual sample specimens while fixing the number of experiments to be carried out down to the very number of sample specimens. This will be of special importance when dealing with analytes that require complicated, labour intensive and expensive analytical processes. To reach this goal, two main conditions must be fulfilled. The first one is the sparsity effect (Pareto principle) which holds for the specimens in the sampling campaign. This means that the number of really anomalous or contaminated specimens, as compared to the total number of specimens to be analysed, is low. In environmental screening studies, frequently this situation can be reasonably assumed. The second condition is to have an effective manner to develop and solve the experimental designs required to build-up the composite samples. The challenging problem of screening PCBs in water samples has been tackled to show the usefulness of this strategic approach by combining chemometrically assisted sample composition and rapid analysis using solid-phase microextraction of the composite samples.     

Rate-Limited Desorption of Volatile Organic Compounds from Soils and Implications for the Remediation of a Louisiana Superfund Site

The rates of desorption of trichloroethylene (TCE) and 1,3-dichlorobenzene (DCB) from a silty soil at a Superfund site and a silty-clayey soil from an uncontaminated bottomland hardwoodswamp in Baton Rouge, Louisiana were studied in laboratory batchsystems. The effect of the age of soil contamination was studiedusing a laboratory-spiked soil incubated for 3 days, 3 months and5 months. An empirical non-linear model was used to describe thebi-phasic nature of desorption with one fraction (labile) beingreleased in relatively short periods of time (typically 24–100 hr) and a second fraction (non-labile or irreversible) beingresistant to desorption. The non-linear model parameters, viz.,the fraction of the chemical released rapidly (F), and the firstorder desorption rate coefficients, k ₁ and k ₂respectively for the labile and slowly released fractions weredetermined by fitting the experimental data to the model. Thedata fit the model well as indicated by the high r ² values.The estimate of k ₁ was good. However, the values of k ₂are known with less precision due to the limited duration of theexperiment and number of samples taken at long times. In addition, desorption kinetics of 3 and 5-month old contaminatedsoils showed that progressively less amount of contaminant was available for facile desorption (lower F) compared to freshly contaminated soil. The labile fraction had desorption rate constants of the order of 10^-1 h^-1, whereas the slowlyreleased fraction had rate constants of the order of 10^-4 h^-1 in accord with literature reported values for a varietyof other compounds and soils. Possible mechanisms describing these rates and implications for the site clean up are discussed.     

Spatial analysis for spring bloom and nutrient limitation in Xiangxi bay of three Gorges Reservoir

The spatial and temporal dynamics of physical variables, inorganic nutrients and phytoplankton chlorophyll a were investigated in Xiangxi Bay from 23 Feb. to 28 Apr. every six days, including one daily sampling site and one bidaily sampling site. The concentrations of nutrient variables showed ranges of 0.02–3.20 mg/L for dissolved silicate (Si); 0.06–2.40 mg/L for DIN (NH₄N + NO₂N + NO₃N); 0.03–0.56 mg/L for PO₄P and 0.22–193.37 μg/L for chlorophyll a, respectively. The concentration of chlorophyll a and inorganic nutrients were interpolated using GIS techniques. The results indicated that the spring bloom was occurred twice in space during the whole monitoring period (The first one: 26 Feb.–23 Mar.; the second one: 23 Mar.–28 Apr.). The concentration of DIN was always high in the mouth of Xiangxi Bay, and PO₄P was high in the upstream of Xiangxi Bay during the whole bloom period. Si seems no obvious difference in space in the beginning of the spring bloom, but showed high heterogeneity in space and time with the development of spring bloom. By comparing the interpolated maps of chlorophyll a and inorganic variables, obvious consumptions of Si and DIN were found when the bloom status was serious. However, no obvious depletion of PO₄P was found. Spatial regression analysis could explained most variation of Chl-a except at the begin of the first and second bloom. The result indicated that Si was the factor limiting Chl-a in space before achieved the max area of hypertrophic in the first and second bloom period. When Si was obviously exhausted, DIN became the factor limiting the Chl-a in space. Daily and bidaily monitoring of Site A and B, representing for high DIN: PO₄P ratio and low DIN:PO₄P ratio, indicated that the concentration of Si was decreased with times at both site A and B, and the dramatically drop of DIN was found in the end monitoring at site B. Multiple stepwise regression analysis indicated that Si was the most important factor affect the development of spring bloom both at site A and B in time series.     

会泽某铅锌矿周边农田土壤重金属风险评价研究

采用现场采样与室内测试方法测定了会泽某铅锌矿周边农田土壤中Cd、As、Pb、Cr、Cu、Zn、Ni的含量,利用地积累指数法、潜在生态指数法对其土壤环境质量进行了评价,并应用US EPA推荐的健康风险评价法对重金属的健康风险进行了初步评价。结果表明,7种重金属均存在不同程度的富集或污染。多种重金属潜在生态风险指数属于中等及以上的风险状态,重金属潜在生态风险指数排序为CdPbAsCuNiZnCr。7种重金属在3种暴露途径下对儿童的非致癌健康风险均大于成人,但对成人、儿童均不存在显著的非致癌健康影响、非致癌健康总风险。As、Ni、Cr、Cd重金属的致癌风险值与4种元素总致癌风险值均未超出10-6~10-4的范围,尚不具备致癌风险。     

Robust graphical methods for diagnosing trend in irregularly spaced water quality time series

Graphical methods can play an important role in the reliable assessment of trends in typically ill behaved river quality data series both as diagnostic tools and as visual corroborative evidence when assumptions required for formal statistical tests are not met. Robust, graphically-oriented trend diagnosis procedures are presented for data series characterized by nonnormal populations, uneven time spacing, nonmonotonic trend and other factors which can create serious problems for standard parametric time series methods. Cleveland's robust locally weighted regression (RLWR) developed for investigating nonlinearity in x-y scatterplots is adapted as a robust/resistant smoothing filter for the analysis of irregular time series comprising quantitative observations. Low powered RLWR trend lines reveal temporally local phenomena, e.g. abrupt jumps (often associated with point source impacts) and periodicities, while higher powered RLWR yields smooth lines characterizing medium and longer term trends. Simple variants of Tukey smoothing concepts are developed for series with censored observations. Applications to Ontario river quality series reveal that graphical evidence is frequently sufficient to obviate the need for formal trend testing. The methods are generally applicable to most time series.     

Environmental Isotopes for Resolution of Hydrology Problems

The use of environmental isotopes as tracers in the hydrosphere is increasing as analytical instrumentation improves and more applications are discovered. There exists still misconceptions on the role of isotopes in resolving hydrology problems. Naturally occurring isotopes in the environment describe hydrological processes, estimate ages, fingerprint sources and pathways, yet are not subject to the regulatory restraints of artificial isotope injections nor the limited extent of many chemical tracers, particularly dyes and particulates. A short review is presented for practicing hydrologists on the basis for employing stable and radioactive isotopes and a synopsis of recent isotope hydrology applications is provided. Special focus is presented on the emergent role of water isopopes (¹⁸O, ²H, ³H) in wet-weather flow research in urban watersheds. A brief technical approach for an experimental site in the Mill Creek Watershed, Ohio is outlined.     

Evaluation of Caging Designs and a Fingernail Clam for Use in an In Situ Bioassay

Two cage designs and fingernail clams(Sphaerium fabale) were evaluated for theirsuitability for use in in situ bioassays toassess the ecological condition of a stream andpredict ecological recovery potential. One design(referred to as tray design) was a modified plastictray about one-fourth full of small gravels andcovered with 1 mm fiberglass mesh. The second design(referred to as tube-plates) consisted of shortplexiglass tubes about one-third full of small gravelsand attached horizontally to a plexiglass plate. Oneend of each tube faced into the current; both endswere covered with mesh. Cages containing clams weredeployed at reference and impacted (test) sites forperiods of 70 to 135 d. Growth and survival were theprimary endpoints evaluated, but the tube-platesallowed isolation of individual clams so that natalityalso could be evaluated as an endpoint. Results ofbenthic macroinvertebrate surveys, performed foranother study, were included to help validate bioassayresults. Both cage designs yielded good quantitative,site-specific results for clam survival and growth;results for natality, though, were less conclusive. Clam survival and growth results were in good generalagreement with the results for the benthicmacroinvertebrate community surveys. At a site wherethe macroinvertebrate community was the mostdepauperate, clam mortality was always rapid. At asite where the condition of the macroinvertebratecommunity was only slightly less impacted than themost impacted site, clam growth was almost alwayssignificantly lower than at reference sites. Survivalof clams was significantly reduced in <25 d at thissite in some trials, but in other trials there waslittle mortality. At a minimally impacted site, clamsurvival was similar to that found at reference sites,and differences in clam growth were not detectableuntil after 40 to 50 d of exposure. The tube-platedesign was easier to use, allowed more flexibility inselection of response parameters, and required lesshandling time of test animals, thus, this was thepreferred design. Our results demonstrated thateither in situ bioassay design can be used toaugment monitoring and assessment programs. Their useas a predictor of ecological recovery, however,requires further evaluation.     

Inorganic chemical composition of native trees of the Atlantic Forest

The Atlantic Forest with its exuberant vegetation of high level of biodiversity is classified as one hotspot of the world. Chemical composition of leaves from native trees and underlying soils was evaluated by INAA. The predominant species Euterpe edulis, Bathysa meridionalis, Hyeronima alchorneoides, Marlierea tomentosa, Gomidesia flagellaris, and Gomidesia spectabilis belonging to the diverse plant families were studied. Euterpe edulis, the most abundant understory specie, presented the lowest element concentrations except for Zn. Some variation in chemical composition was noted, however, the chemical specificity of tree species can be more predominant than the soil variability for the obtained leaf concentrations. Factor values obtained through the Monte-Carlo assisted factor analysis were used for species discrimination. The results indicate that chemical investigation of native trees is a quite promising tool for biodiversity studies in the Atlantic Forest.     

Appraising the role of relationships between regulators and consultants for effective EIA

The role of relationships between regulators and consultants engaged in environmental impact assessment (EIA) is explored. A Partnering Agreement between Western Australian regulators and consultants gave rise to a survey and interviews with representatives of these EIA practitioners to understand levels of cooperation between them and ways to improve EIA practice locally. A mixture of quantitative and qualitative responses are presented with an emphasis on practitioner comments reproduced in their own words and ‘voice’. The results suggest that while relationships are strained because of staff resources and levels of expertise brought about by a major resource boom in recent years, there is a great desire for cooperation and collaboration. Greater clarification and understanding of each stakeholder's purpose and role in the EIA process along with opportunities for EIA practitioners to interact, communicate and socialise are identified as positive ways forward. The value of establishing the relatively simple Partnering Agreement approach is demonstrated and is put forward as something that practitioners internationally might equally benefit from as a means of improving the effectiveness of EIA practice.     

Intervention analysis in environmental engineering

Intervention analysis techniques are described for identifying and statistically modelling trends which may be present in water quality time series. At the exploratory data analysis stage, simple graphical and modelling methods can be employed for visually detecting and examining trends in a time series caused by one or more external interventions. For instance, a plot of a robust locally weighted regression smooth through a graph of the observations over time may reveal trends and other interesting statistical properties contained in the time series. In addition, statistical tests, such as different versions of the nonparametric Mann-Kendall test, can be used to detect the presence of trends caused by unknown or known external interventions. To characterize rigorously and estimate trends which may be known in advance or else detected using exploratory data analysis studies, different parametric methods can be utilized at the confirmatory data analysis stage. Specifically, the time series modelling approach to intervention analysis can be employed to estimate the magnitudes of the changes in the mean level of the series due to the interventions. Particular types of regression models can also be used for estimating trends, especially when there are many missing observations. To demonstrate how intervention analysis methods can be effectively used in environmental impact assessment, representative applications to water quality time series are presented.Invited Paper for Presentation at The Workshop on Statistical Methods for the Assessment of Point Source Pollution, The Canada Centre for Inland Waters, Burlington, Ontario, Canada, L7R 4A6, September 12–14, 1988.     

Respirometric Monitoring for the Determination of Effective Height and Reaction Rate Constant in Up-Flow Autotrophic Denitrification Reactor Packed with Sulfur

A novel technology for the removal of nitrogen from wastewater, autotrophic denitrification process with sulfur particle, has been developed. A respirometer was employed for the monitoring of nitrogen gas produced in the reactor. It was found that the autotrophic denitrification studied by gas production rate and nitrate depletion rate followed a first order reaction from the relationship. The reaction rate constant based on effective volume, k_N was ranged from 2.67 to 3.07 h^–1. The effective height was around 23.8 and 50% of the total height for 11.8 and 5.9 h of packed bed contact time, respectively. It was assumed that the reaction rate constants were similar in each experimental condition, PBCT = 11.9 and 5.9 h because there was little gradient of biomass concentration within 50% of the total height. The respirometry was found to be a simple and fast way to monitor the denitrification process. The method was especially useful for the determination of kinetic parameters.