Probability law of concentration in plumes dispersing in an urban area

The relationships between various normalized higher-order concentration moments in plumes dispersing in a built-up (urban) environment have been investigated using a large concentration data set obtained in a boundary-layer water channel. This data set consists of measurements of plume dispersion in a number of idealized obstacle arrays (e.g., cubical and non-cubical obstacles in aligned and staggered arrangements with uniform, random and alternating heights). A remarkably robust feature of all the concentration data was the observed collapse of the third- and fourth-order normalized concentration moments on the second-order normalized concentration moment. The data are shown to collapse to a series of universal curves (independent of the geometry of the obstacle array) and these curves were found to be identical to those observed previously for open-terrain plumes. The results imply that the probability law of concentration in a plume dispersing in either a built-up environment or open terrain has a universal form that can be specified by at most two independent parameters. The universal functions representing the relationships between the normalized concentration moments were found to be well modeled (approximated) using a two-parameter clipped-gamma probability law for the concentration. Finally, the clipped-gamma distribution was found to be in very good conformance with the measured probability distribution of concentration for plumes dispersing in a built-up environment.     

A review on environmental distributions and risk management of phenols pertaining to the endocrine disrupting chemicals in Taiwan

Some phenols, including pentachlorophenol, dichlorophenol, alkylphenols (nonylphenol & octylphenol) and bisphenol-A, have been identified as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). These phenolic EDCs are extensively used in a wide range of household products, thus posing potential health risks for humans exposed to them. From the viewpoints of ecotoxicology, human health and regulations, it is urgent to restrict the emissions and releases of these estrogenic chemicals from the industrial processes and commercial products. This review article first focused on the physicochemical properties of phenolic EDCs and their industrial/commercial uses. Furthermore, their environmental distributions and regulatory frameworks for integrated risk management of these chemicals in Taiwan were conducted as a case study. Emphasis was thus put on the cross-ministerial joint venture (i.e., environment, health, agriculture, labor, and industry authorities), and the government policy on the risk management of EDCs. Finally, some recommendations for pollution prevention and toxicity reduction of phenolic EDCs were also addressed and analyzed to progress towards a sustainable society in Taiwan.     

Arsenic species in the well water and sediments of the blackfoot disease area in Taiwan

The blackfoot disease (BFD) observed in southwestern Taiwan is due to drinking high arsenic concentrations in well water. This paper presents some results concerning the distributions of arsenic species in water and sediments collected in the BFD (well, river and coastal) area and the background (lake and ocean) area for comparison. The results show that the concentrations of arsenate (870 ± 26 ug/L) and arsenite (70.2 ± 2.6 ug/ L) in well waters, and the contents of arsenic (1640 ug/g) with high percentage of easily reducible (Fe and Mn oxides, 91.7%) and exchangeable and carbonate (4.6%) phases in well sediments were much higher than those in river, lake and coastal samples. Low arsenic (3.46–31.8 ug/g) with high percentages (73.8–97.3%) of detritus and minerals phase with low percentages (0.4–9.8%) of total carbonate and exchangeable phases were found in the river and coastal samples in the BFD area as well as the lake and ocean samples in background area. It might suggest that the higher concentrations of toxic As(III) in well water and arsenic with higher values of easily reducible, carbonate and exchangeable phases in the well sediments, combined with the higher values of dissolved organic carbon, humic and fulvic acids and aromatic carbon as well as the higher fluorescence indensity in the well water are the key factors to cause the BFD in Taiwan.     

太湖地区稻田氮素损失特征及环境效应分析

通过氮肥减量小区试验,研究了太湖地区稻田氮素径流损失、渗漏损失、氨挥发损失以及氨挥发通量的动态变化特征,阐述了氮素损失量、水稻产量与施氮量之间的关系。结果表明：稻季氮素径流损失和氨挥发损失均随施氮量的增加不断增加,而渗漏损失与施氮量没有显著相关性。综合整个稻季,氨挥发损失以分蘖肥期最高,基肥期次之,穗肥期最低。稻季氮素总损失为13.7～59.8 kg·hm-2,占总施氮量的16.5%～22.2%,且随施氮量的增加而不断增加,其中氨挥发损失占42.2%～72.0%,径流损失占22.2%～38.4%,渗漏损失占5.8%～22.7%。稻季181 kg·hm-2的氮肥用量,较常规施氮量减少了33%的氮肥,增加了10.3%的产量,降低了48.5%的氮素损失,较好地兼顾了粮食产量和环境效应;而对于重要环境区域或高污染区域,还可以尝试更低的氮肥投入,以达到更好的环境效益。     

衍生液注入控制-离子色谱法同时测定环境水样中的三价铬和六价铬

以2,6-吡啶二羧酸和1,5-二苯碳酰二肼为衍生试剂,采用柱前和柱后衍生的方式建立了离子色谱法同时测定环境水样中三价铬和六价铬的方法.通过六通阀控制1,5-二苯碳酰二肼注入系统的时间,避免了六价铬衍生液本底对三价铬测定的干扰,提高了三价铬检测的灵敏度,将三价铬的检出限由原来的0.17 mg·L-1降低至5.9μg·L-1.同时,对检测波长、淋洗液浓度、衍生液流速和定量环体积进行了选择优化.该方法对0.72 mg·L-1Cr(Ⅲ)和0.24 mg·L-1Cr(Ⅵ)峰面积测定值的相对标准偏差分别为0.34%和0.65%,六价铬的检出限为3.2μg·L-1.测定了含铬污染废水、电镀厂处理前后的废水和河水共9个样品中Cr(Ⅲ)和Cr(Ⅵ)的含量,并进行了加标回收实验.结果表明,在0.02—0.48 mg·L-1加标范围内,Cr(Ⅲ)的加标回收率在83.7%—117.0%;在0.02—0.24 mg·L-1加标范围内,Cr(Ⅵ)的加标回收率在96.0%—104.5%.     

A study of biochemical parameters among individuals residing in a fluoride endemic area in India

Fluoride (Fl) exerts an inhibitory effect on many metabolic enzymes of various tissues. A study was carried out among individuals residing in a Fl-affected area in India. The biochemical parameters including serum enzyme activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALKP), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and serum creatinine (CRTN) were estimated in 259 subjects compared to 233 controls. The results showed that among the Fl-exposed population, ALKP and SGPT were significantly increased compared to control. The CRTN levels were also significantly increased compared to the control subjects. LDH levels were not markedly altered. Data suggest that Fl exposure affects renal and hepatic functions in endemic areas of India.     

Exposure assessment of particulate matter and blood chromium levels in people living near a cement plant

This study evaluates the effect of air pollution caused by cement plants on nearby residential areas and performs an exposure assessment of particulate matter (PM) and total Cr, Cr⁶⁺, Pb, and Al. Further, the blood Cr levels of residents exposed to PM released by cement plants are also assessed. Nine buildings (eight residential and one elementary school building) close to cement plants were selected for this study, which were located in Pyeongtaek port, in west of Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. A total of 51 suspended particulate samples were collected at a flow rate of 2.0 L/min. Total Cr was more widely detected in residents’ houses and elementary schools. PM levels were higher at distances of 4.1 and 4.8 km than those at closer distances of 2.7 km. This was due to the influence of wind direction. The estimated mean blood level of Cr for the study participants was 3.80 μg/L, which is higher than levels estimated by other studies on Cr blood levels. Therefore, cement plants could cause an increase in total Cr and blood Cr levels in residential areas, and more continuous monitoring is necessary to better understand their impacts.     

南方丘陵区土壤潜育化的发生与生态环境建设

依据近年来潜育化土壤的研究资料,分别就南方丘陵区土壤潜育化的主要影响因素,潜育化土壤主要类型及诊断指标,生态环境建设等进行了综合讨论。     

辽宁中部地区灰霾天气气候环境特征

利用的1961—2007年辽宁中部地区6个城市的地面常规气象资料以及2002—2007年的东亚地面和高空天气形势资料,2005—2007污染监测资料,统计分析了辽宁中部地区气候环境特征对灰霾天气形成的有利形势与不利的地面天气形势,对比颗粒物资料与实况资料分析了灰霾天气常见的天气形势。结果表明：由于特殊的环境特征与气象条件,灰霾易发时期为秋冬春季节。不利于大气扩散易形成灰霾天气的地面天气形势可分为高压类、低压类、均压类。蒙古高压、东北地形槽以及长白山小高压等局地不利的天气形式对灰霾天气产生有重要影响。常见灰霾天气形势为冷高压型、占65%左右,低压槽型、占13.5%,冷锋过境型,冷锋前部型以及长白山小高压等。     

台湾泥岩地区不同刺竹林景观下之土壤与植被变异

台湾西南部泥岩恶地,由于其特殊之土壤,地力流失消耗与区域微气候型态之间的因果循环,在水土保持与景观上形成不易植生绿化的地区及特殊之世界地形。泥岩地区之不同刺林林相之土壤,其林相皆伐后复层植被区土壤性质变异高于其它位置,而其它区之土壤理化性质在时间及空间上之变异不大,可明显区分林相不同之显著差异。不同林相对泥岩地浅层土壤(0~20cm)理化性质的差异,以植物营养元素与植生覆盖因子可充分说明(约占变异范围之62%)。泥岩试区区中移动性物质(交换性钙、钠与镁)明显较少出现在复层林相处区,而易出现于淋洗、冲蚀量较大之刺林相保留区与隔丛择伐区。长效性植物营养元素因子(pH值与有效性磷),因长时间之林相不同,使其较明显趋于复层林相区堆积,并影响地表植生之种类、分布与覆盖情形。0～20cm土壤性质的分布和离子间的移动特性有关,移动性高的钠、镁离子会在冲蚀量高之区域出现,20～40cm土壤性质的分布则和土壤中之母质与植生有关并与因素分析结果相似,其次为可移动性离子的影响,且应用地理统计印证土壤性质在空间之变化,其分布确实与不同林相位置有关,即植生营养元素(pH值、有效性磷)大都朝向复层植被区之趋势。典型相关分析结果,地表覆盖度与入侵植物数量两变量主要系透过第一个典型因素与第二个典型因素而影响到复层植被区之pH值、有机质等土壤理化性质。     

苦草光合作用日变化对水体环境因子及磷质量浓度的影响

在静态实验系统中通过水下饱和脉冲荧光仪（Diving-PAM）和多参数水质监测仪（YSI）监测沉水植物苦草（Vallisneria natans）叶绿素荧光参数与水质物理指标的日变化,并同时跟踪测定水体中各形态磷的质量浓度,以研究苦草光合作用日变化对水体物理因子和磷质量浓度的影响。结果表明,苦草叶片光合作用的相对电子传递速率（rETR）,非光化学淬灭系数（qN）及快速光响应曲线的变化趋势和叶片表明的光照强度日变化同步,呈单峰曲线变化;光系统Ⅱ（PSⅡ）实际量子产量（Yield）和光化学淬灭系数（qP）与叶片表明的光照强度日变化相反,呈单槽型曲线变化。水体中溶解氧（DO）、pH和氧化还原电位（Eh）的日变化趋势和与苦草光合作用趋势一致,也呈单峰曲线,均在12：00—13：00时达到最高值。水体总磷（TP）与溶解性总磷（DTP）质量浓度在14：00达到最低值（TP 0.015 mg.L-1,DTP 0.010 mg.L-1）,在24：00达到最大值（TP 0.031 mg.L-1,DTP 0.025 mg.L-1）,溶解性活性磷（SRP）质量浓度在6：00—18：00保持在较低的水平,且无明显波动（0.38~2.46μg.L-1）,在24：00达到最大值（9.62μg.L-1）。水体各形态磷的质量浓度变化呈白天降低、夜间升高趋势,水体中各形态磷的质量浓度变化与苦草光合作用日变化趋势相反。实验结果表明,苦草光合作用引起的水体中环境因子的日变化影响了沉积物磷释放的动态平衡过程,从而引起水体磷质量浓度的日变化。     

A medical geology study of an arsenic-contaminated area in Kouhsorkh, NE Iran

High concentrations of arsenic were determined in sediments from the Kouhsorkh area, Khorasan province, NE Iran. The main rock formations in the area consist of Tertiary volcanic rocks as Tuffaceous sandstone, polymictic conglomerate and andesite. Furthermore, some As–Sb–Au mineralization occurred in this area. Concentrations of arsenic in sediments were determined to range between 4.2 and 268.2 ppm, exceeding US EPA (2004) limits. It seems that young volcanic activity is one of the most important factors for arsenic contamination in this area. The first stage of this medical geology study was done at 2 villages in the Kouhsorkh area in which the arsenic concentration in water is high. People in this residential area suffer from skin diseases including hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, keratosis on head, hands, and feet. The 24-h urine specimens were tested for arsenic, the level of total arsenic in urine were determined to range between 13.66 and 75.92 μg/l day, exceeding permissible limits from 5 to 40 μg/day. More systematic studies are needed to determine the link between As exposure and its related diseases.     

Characterization of dissolved organic carbon and Humic substances in the well water of the Blackfoot disease area in Taiwan

Since the early 1960s, many investigators have reported that blackfoot disease, a peripheral vascular disease, observed in southwestern Taiwan is due to drinking the higher arsenic concentration in well water. However, recent studies indicated that the relationship with blackfoot disease is not only with arsenic but also humic substances. This paper presents some results concerning the characterization (such as fluorescence, elemental composition, molecular weight and carbon distribution) of humic substances isolated from the Fuhsing well water of the blackfoot disease area. For comparison, the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and humic substances in the normal well water from Chiuying and the Nanwan coastal water were also analyzed. In general, in the well water of the blackfoot disease area, extremely high concentrations of DOC (18.5mg/L) and fulvic acid (7.54mg/L) with high fluorescence intensity (59.1, equivalent to 0.0282uM quinine sulfate solution) and high percentages (over 50%) of low molecular weights of less than 1,000 were obtained compared with those of normal waters. C‐13 Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy showed a high content (37.2%) of aromatic carbon. These higher concentrations of DOC and fulvic acid with the higher content of aromatic carbon in well water might be one of the key factors causing the blackfoot disease in Taiwan.     

稀土尾矿区土壤重金属污染与优势植物累积特征

矿山废弃地不仅占用大量土地,而且还是严重的污染源,因此,矿山废弃地的生态恢复己成为一项紧迫而重要的研究课题。对广东省河源市和平县下车镇内的稀土矿区土壤的重金属污染情况进行调查,并对该区优势植物对重金属的富集特征进行分析,以期对稀土尾矿区的生态系统的恢复和重建提供理论依据。主要研究的3种植物分别是：马唐草（Digitaria sanguinalis）,香根草（Vetiveria zizanioides）,望江南（Cassia occidentalis）。采用原子吸收分光光度法测定稀土矿区废弃地土壤和植被中Mn、Pb、Zn的含量,并计算优势植物对重金属的生物富集系数BAC（Biological Accumulating Coefficient）和生物转移系数BTC（Biological Transfer Coefficient）。结果表明：研究区域的土壤中重金属含量Mn、Pb、Zn的平均含量均超出广东省土壤背景值和中国土壤背景值,土壤受Mn污染最严重,其次是Pb、Zn的污染。3种草本植物对于Pb的BAC和BTC均小于1,说明这3种植物对Pb的富集和运输能力都很弱。香根草对于Mn和Zn的BAC分别为0.9和0.4,小于1,BTC分别为3.7和1.1,大于1,说明香根草对Mn和Zn的富集能力不强,但吸收后的运输能力很强。马唐草和望江南2种植物对于Mn和Zn的BAC和BTC均大于1,说明它们对重金属Mn和Zn具有较强的吸收和转移能力,是Mn和Zn的超富集植物。马唐草覆盖率高,抗病虫能力强,可作为该矿区生态恢复的先锋植物,望江南可以间作种植。     

Emerging conservation challenges and prospects in an era of offshore hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation

Globally, extensive marine areas important for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem functioning are undergoing exploration and extraction of oil and natural gas resources. Such operations are expanding to previously inaccessible deep waters and other frontier regions, while conservation‐related legislation and planning is often lacking. Conservation challenges arising from offshore hydrocarbon development are wide‐ranging. These challenges include threats to ecosystems and marine species from oil spills, negative impacts on native biodiversity from invasive species colonizing drilling infrastructure, and increased political conflicts that can delay conservation actions. With mounting offshore operations, conservationists need to urgently consider some possible opportunities that could be leveraged for conservation. Leveraging options, as part of multi‐billion dollar marine hydrocarbon operations, include the use of facilities and costly equipment of the deep and ultra‐deep hydrocarbon industry for deep‐sea conservation research and monitoring and establishing new conservation research, practice, and monitoring funds and environmental offsetting schemes. The conservation community, including conservation scientists, should become more involved in the earliest planning and exploration phases and remain involved throughout the operations so as to influence decision making and promote continuous monitoring of biodiversity and ecosystems. A prompt response by conservation professionals to offshore oil and gas developments can mitigate impacts of future decisions and actions of the industry and governments. New environmental decision support tools can be used to explicitly incorporate the impacts of hydrocarbon operations on biodiversity into marine spatial and conservation plans and thus allow for optimum trade‐offs among multiple objectives, costs, and risks.     

A geochemical study of overbank sediments in an urban area (Madrid,Spain)

Overbank and stream sediments have been studied in the Community of Madrid. Four vertical profiles have been sampled corresponding to Guadarrama, Jarama, and finally Manzanares River, where two profiles have been studied upstream (El Pardo profile) and downstream (Rivas profile) Madrid city. Sieved samples (<63 µm) were subjected to total (ICP-MS/ICP-OES and INAA) and partial analysis (ICP-MS). AMS radiocarbon dating techniques revealed a young age (170 ± 40 years BP) at 2.40–2.65 m depth for Rivas profile. It has not been possible to detect pristine or pre-industrial overbank sediments, since in the rest of the studied profiles, anthropogenic wastes were found even in the lower levels. Three main sources of sediment have been detected in the area. Granitic and arkosic geology, located in the northern part of Madrid (U, Th, W, K, Na, or rare earth elements); clays located in the southeast of Madrid (Ni, Cr, or V), and finally an anthropogenic source has been identified (Au, Ag, Pb, Zn, or Sb) in Rivas profile. The influence of the anthropogenic activity has been established based on the contents distribution of contaminant elements in the profile. This can be associated to the growth of industrial activities and population in the city of Madrid during the last decades. The comparison of the profiles by a k-means cluster analysis showed some similarities for these samples that could have analogous sources (anthropogenic and geological).     

Stable lead isotope profiles in smelter and general urban communities: a comparison of environmental and blood measures

High-precision lead isotope ratios and lead concentrations have been compared statistically and graphically in women of child-bearing age (n = 77) from two smelter communities and one general urban community to evaluate the relative contributions to blood lead of tissue lead stores and lead from the contemporaneous environment (soil, floor dust, indoor airborne dust, water, food). Blood lead (PbB) contents were generally low (e.g. <10 g dL^–1). Statistically significant isotopic differences in blood and environmental samples were observed between the three cities although isotopic differences in blood for individual subjects living in close proximity (200 m radius) was as large as the differences within a city. No single environmental measure dominated the biological isotope profile and in many cases the low levels of blood lead meant that their isotopic profiles could be easily perturbed by relatively small changes of environmental exposure. Apportioning of sources using lead isotopes is possibly not feasible, nor cost effective, when blood lead levels are <5 g dL^–1. Interpretations based on statistical analyses of city-wide data do not give the same conclusions as when the houses are considered individually. Aggregating data from multiple subjects in a study such as this obscures potentially useful information. Most of the measures employed in this study, and many other similar studies, are markers of only short-to-medium integration of lead exposure. Serial sampling of blood and longer sampling times, especially for household variables, should provide more meaningful information.     

铜尾矿区9种优势植物体内重金属和氮磷含量研究

以杨山冲铜尾矿废弃地人工覆土上生长的9种优势植物为研究对象,探讨不同植物对尾矿基质中重金属和氮磷的吸收特性以及与基质理化性质之间的关联。土壤样品采集时沿基质垂直方向分为4层：A层（覆土层0~5 cm）、B层（覆土层5~20 cm）、C层（尾砂层20~25 cm）、D层（尾砂层25~40 cm）,植物样品采集时草本植物分地上和地下2部分、木本植物分根、茎和叶3部分采集。结果表明：随着9种植物生长,A层和B层基质理化性质得到明显的改善。主要表现在A层中w（总氮）、w（氨氮）、w（硝氮）、w（有效磷）和w（有机质）显著高于C、D层（P〈0.05）,B层中w（有效态Cu）、w（有效态Zn）显著低于A、C、D层（P〈0.05）。9种优势植物对Cu、Pb、Zn的吸收和积累能力具有明显差异性,其中草本植物以根系积累为主,木本植物以叶片积累为主。草本植物对尾矿基质表现出较强的适应性和耐性,其中毛叶荩草（Arthraxon prionodes）根系中Cu、Pb、Zn的富集量均最大,耐性表现最突出,是较为理想的铜尾矿基质的修复物种。另外,本研究还发现,9种植物体内氮磷质量分数也各不相同,其中木本植物叶中氮磷质量分数均大于根、茎。木本植物体内w（总氮）与w（总磷）、w（Cu）、w（Zn）相关性较好,草本植物体内w（Cu）、w（Pb）、w（Zn）之间相关性较好,表明彼此之间存在一定的促进作用。