Watershed-based management strategies for the prevention and abatement of polluted agricultural runoff

An increase in the average size of individual livestock production operations coupled with local and regional concentrations of these operations tend to increase negative environmental impacts in many watersheds. Environmental compliance strategies developed by the Texas Institute for Applied Environmental Research (TIAER) can be applied to reduce the negative impacts caused by livestock production and other types of agricultural activities. Further, the Institute's planned intervention/micro-watershed approach may provide the foundation for comprehensive solutions to environmental problems within a broad ecosystem management context.     

The distribution of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons in ambient air particulates in Singapore

Ambient air particulates were collected using high volume samplers at seven locations throughout Singapore. The particulates were analyzed for eleven polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection. Several sample preparation techniques were used to determine which method would yield the most PAHs from the bulk sample matrix. PAH profiles (standardised against the concentration of benzo(a)pyrene) were obtained to characterise the different sampling sites chosen.     

The role of SEA in integrating and balancing high policy objectives in European cohesion funding programmes

Funding programmes for European cohesion policy are a crucial tool to support the sustainability goals of the European Union and national policies of its member states. All these funding programmes require a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) to enhance sustainable development. This article compares five first SEA applications at cohesion policy level to discuss challenges, limitations and benefits of this instrument. In order to support the SEA-process a “Handbook on SEA for Cohesion Policy 2007–13” (GRDP 2006) was developed. The paper examines the special requirements and challenges at the programme level given the special conditions for stakeholder involvement, integration of SEA in the programme development process and strategies to cope with uncertainties to ensure real compatibility with policy goals. Using action research and in-depth interviews with SEA planners and programme managers enabled us to analyse the suitability of the methodology proposed by the handbook. The results show that some recommendations of the handbook should be changed in order to increase the transparency and to enhance the standard and comparability of the SEA-documents.Overall the SEA proved to be a rather successful tool for the integration of sustainability goals at the EU and national policy levels. Its particular strengths emerged as the process makes uncertainties visible and leads to possible redefinitions while maintaining actual policy goals.     

不同粒径空气颗粒物中11种多环芳烃的分析测定

将五段多孔冲击分级器 (粒径分级 :≤ 1 .1 ,1 .1～ 2 .0 ,2 .0～ 3 .3 ,3 .3～ 7.0 ,≥ 7.0μm)与大流量采样器连接 ,采集呼和浩特市冬夏两季空气颗粒物样品 ,用高压液相色谱仪 (HPLC)测定样品中的蒽 (An)、菲 (Ph)、萤蒽 (Fl)、芘 (Py)、(Ch)、苯并 [a]蒽 (Ba A)、苯并 [a]芘 (Ba P)、二甲基苯并 [a]蒽 (DMBa A)、二苯并 [ah]蒽 (DBah A)、苯并 [ghi] (Bghi P)和晕苯 (Cor)等 1 1种多环芳烃化合物 (PAHs)。数据表明 :呼和浩特市空气颗粒物中 PAHs的浓度较高 ;有约 97%的 PAHs富集于可吸入颗粒中。     

The role of metadata and strategies to detect and control temporal data bias in environmental monitoring of soil contamination

It is crucial for environmental monitoring to fully control temporal bias, which is the distortion of real data evolution by varying bias through time. Temporal bias cannot be fully controlled by statistics alone but requires appropriate and sufficient metadata, which should be under rigorous and continuous quality assurance and control (QA/QC) to reliably document the degree of consistency of the monitoring system. All presented strategies to detect and control temporal data bias (QA/QC, harmonisation/homogenisation/standardisation, mass balance approach, use of tracers and analogues and control of changing boundary conditions) rely on metadata. The Will Rogers phenomenon, due to subsequent reclassification, is a particular source of temporal data bias introduced to environmental monitoring here. Sources and effects of temporal data bias are illustrated by examples from the Swiss soil monitoring network. The attempt to make a comprehensive compilation and assessment of required metadata for soil contamination monitoring reveals that most metadata are still far from being reliable. This leads to the conclusion that progress in environmental monitoring means further development of the concept of environmental metadata for the sake of temporal data bias control as a prerequisite for reliable interpretations and decisions.     

Assessing the effects of domestic and international energy scenarios and emission reduction strategies on acidification in Finland

An integrated model system was developed and used to assess the effects of alternative energy production scenarios and reduction policies on acidification of lakes and forest soils in Finland. The analysis covered different energy scenarios and resulting emissions of sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides in Finland, as well as ammonia emissions with various control requirements. In addition, emission reduction scenarios of varied ambition levels in the bordering areas of Finland and in other parts of Europe were included in the analysis. The impacts of the different scenarios were quantified with exceedances of critical loads for acidification and with the total areas where the critical loads are exceeded. The possibilities for reducing the areas with critical load exceedances with national or bilateral measures were investigated. The differences in areas at risk, if depositions from domestic and nearby sources are estimated with a regional model and point-source databases or with a continental scale model and coarser-scale emission data, were analyzed. The reasons for the differences and the implications for national-level assessment are discussed.     

Source apportionment of personal exposure of fine particulates among school communities in India

Source contribution estimates (SCE) of school community personal Respirable Particulate Matter (RPM) have been investigated. Reported relationships of personal RPM with Ambient-outdoors and indoor RPM levels have given the concept of defining the sources of personal exposure. Ambient-outdoors, indoors, soils and local road- traffic dusts were identified as main routes and principal sources of fine particulates at personal exposure levels. Fifteen subjects (05 from each of three schools) were selected from previous conducted study of interrelationships among classified atmospheric receptors in theses schools located in Bhilai-Durg, District Durg, India. Samples of RPM collected from identified receptors and sources were analyzed for selected chemical constituents and the chemical data has been utilized in preparation of source-receptor profiles. Chemical mass balance (CMB8) model has been used for source apportionment study. Major dominating source is ambient-outdoors in case of school located near to steel plant downwind. Indoors and road-traffic dusts have also played dominating role in case of school located near to National Highways. Indoor ventilation properties have played an important role in source contribution estimates.     

The combined influence of SO2 and heavy metal-containing particulates on beans,carrots and parsley

The effects of various concentrations of air pollutants on crop losses were investigated. Parsley, bean and carrots were fumigated using SO₂ in concentrations ranging from 0.35 mg m^-3 (0.13 ppm) to 4.5 mg m^-3 (1.7 ppm) with and without lead/zinc/cadmium-containing particulate matter. It was concluded that a long-term exposure to low levels of SO₂, even without visible plant injuries, resulted in more significant crop losses than short-term, high concentrations.Measurements of root and leaf weight in carrot and parsley fumigated in exposure chambers with SO₂ show that the ratio of root to leaf weight is dependent on the type and concentration of pollutants. This result leads to the conclusion that a mathematical model describing the above phenomena might be an useful tool in the assessment of crop losses due to known concentrations of air pollutants during the growth period.     

The characteristics of size distribution of suspended particulates in the air for sulphates and selected metals in different areas and seasons

The characteristics of the distribution of particles by size were investigated for sulphates and selected metals (Pb, Fe, Mn, and Cu) in the air in two urban and an industrial area during the winter and summer periods using an Andersen cascade impactor.In the case of metals, but not sulphates, the character of the area affected the value of mass median diameter. Lowest values were obtained in a sparsely populated urban area, whereas in a densely populated urban area and in the industrial area the values were higher.In the industrial area a high correlation coefficient was found between sulphate and manganese, and between sulphate and lead, as well as a high value of the equivalent Mn²⁺/SO _inf4 ^sup2- ratio for the total sample. It may therefore be assumed that in the industrial area manganese produces a catalytic effect on SO₂ conversion to sulphate. Among the investigated metals lead stands out as a dominant cation which binds to the sulphate ion in the industrial and densely populated areas.     

Distributions of phthalic esters carried by total suspended particulates in Nanjing, China

Atmospheric trace phthalic esters (PAEs) carried by total suspended particulates were systematically investigated. A total of 450 air samples were collected at six typical locations and three specific micro-environmental sites (a stadium with a new plastic track, new cars, and a farming greenhouse with plastic film) in Nanjing metropolitan area of China from April 2009 to January 2010. The samples were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography and ultraviolet detection. The results are summarized as follows: (1) The dominant PAEs are dimethyl phthalate (DMP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), and diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), which were found in the atmosphere of Nanjing. The average concentrations of DMP, DBP, and DEHP were 10.5?±?1.2, 62.3?±?4.5, and 33.3?±?2.5?ng?m(-3), respectively, constituting 9.9%, 58.7%, and 31.4% of total PAEs (106?±?8.2?ng?m(-3)). (2) The dynamic variations of atmospheric PAEs in the three specific micro-environmental sites showed that the PAE concentrations in the stadium with a new plastic track reduced to normal after 1?month remediation, while new cars need 6?months to remove their effect. The levels of PAEs in a farming greenhouse with plastic film were relatively high, but little PAEs accumulated in vegetables. (3) The vertical profiles from 1.5 to 40?m above ground display some fluctuations in PAE concentration, but no significant height dependence. This information will make a valuable contribution to the examination of the influence of atmospheric PAEs on the environment and human health.     

Dynamics of traffic noise in a tropical city Varanasi and its abatement through vegetation

Noise level monitoring and its reduction with different width and height of vegetation belt were studied in the Varanasi city. Noise level monitoring of the Varanasi city revealed the fact that area category A (without vegetation) was highly polluted as compare to area category B (with vegetation) having less fluctuation of traffic load. Four plant species Putranjeva roxburghi, Cestrum nocturnum, Hibiscus rosasinensis and Murraya peniculata were tested for noise reduction study at different frequencies. Experiment revealed the fact that H. rosasinensis reduced noise highest at both low and high frequencies (100-500 Hz, 22 dB and 2.5-6.3 KHz 26 dB), followed by M. peniculata (100-500 Hz, 18 dB and 2.5-6.3 KHz 20 dB), P. roxburghi (100-500 Hz 15 dB and 2.5-6.3 KHz 17 dB) and C. nocturnum (100-500 Hz 9 dB and 2.5-6.3 KHz 14 dB). Significance of vegetation belt in noise reduction was established with multiple regression models.     

柳州市大气颗粒物中多环芳烃的种类和时空分布特征及来源

采用气相色谱/质谱联用技术(GC/MS)检测了柳州市大气颗粒物样品中的PAHs,比较了柳州市各区大气颗粒物中多环芳烃含量的差异以及不同季节对多环芳烃含量的影响,讨论了其分布规律及污染源.     

深圳市汽车排气污染的管制与防治

深圳地狭人多,特区人口密度高达7310人/平方公里,是中国人口密度最大的城市之一。随着社会经济的高速发展,汽车拥有量的急剧增加,汽车排气污染已成为深圳市最主要的大气污染问题。文章分析了深圳市汽车排气污染的状况及其对城市空气质量的影响,简要介绍了近年来深圳市在控制汽车排气污染方面所做的工作。     

Assessing the effects of noise abatement measures on health risks: A case study in Istanbul

In recent decades, noise pollution caused by industrialization and increased motorization has become a major concern around the world because of its adverse effects on human well-being. Therefore, transportation agencies have been implementing noise abatement measures in order to reduce road traffic noise. However, limited attention is given to noise in environmental assessment of road transportation systems. This paper presents a framework for a health impact assessment model for road transportation noise emissions. The model allows noise impacts to be addressed with the health effects of air pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions from road transportation. The health damages assessed in the model include annoyance, sleep disturbance, and cardiovascular disease in terms of acute myocardial infarction. The model was applied in a case study in Istanbul in order to evaluate the change in health risks from the implementation of noise abatement strategies. The noise abatement strategies evaluated include altering pavement surfaces in order to absorb noise and introducing speed limits. It was shown that significant improvements in health risks can be achieved using open graded pavement surfaces and introducing speed limits on highways.     

Analysis of heavy metals in atmospheric particulates in relation to their bioaccumulation in explanted Pseudevernia furfuracea thalli

Lichens explants and airborne particulates were analysed for Cr, Zn, Cd, Pb, Ni, Fe, Mn and Cu content in a rural site in the province of Vercelli (Piedmont, N. Italy). Thalliof the fruticose lichen Pseudevernia furfuracea were collected from an uncontaminated area and exposed for one yearusing two different techniques. Particulates were collected using a continuously operating particulate sampler set up nearthe lichens explanted throughout the experiment survey.The results confirm both the importance of assessing contamination in rural areas corroborated by the analysis of the presence of the heavy metals in particulates in relationto the main wind directions and the validity of this lichen asbiomonitor of airborne metal pollution, although meaningfuldifferences were pointed out between the two different techniques of exposure. The significant correlation between most of the metals accumulated by lichens and the metal air concentrations shows a good evidence of their ability to represent atmospheric contamination.     

The ability of biological and organic synthetic materials to accumulate atmospheric particulates containing copper, lead, nickel and strontium

This work was aimed at finding materials that could be used as alternatives to lichens as air quality monitors since the high natural variability and the large amount of lichen collected are two drawbacks of the use of these organisms. Lichen Flavoparmelia caperata(L.) Hale was exposed in three different forms (transplant, detached from the substratum and as a biomass-ground and homogeneized) and compared to the planetree bark (Platanus hybrida Brot.), exposed as a biomass, and two organic synthetic materials (Chelex(R) 100 resin and cellulose acetate). Materials were exposed for two months in the winter, spring and summer, at three Portuguese coastal cities. The results showed that the airborne accumulations of Cu, Ni, Pb and Sr were partially dependent on the meteorological conditions but mainly dependent on the nature of the exposed material. The standard deviations of the synthetic materials or homogenized biomass were the same or greater than lichen transplants or detached. The accumulation by biological materials, of the four studied elements, was comparable to the lichen transplant accumulation. The replacement of the traditional transplants by the biomass was not considered advantageous, since their preparation is time-consuming. Therefore lichens remain the most suitable in biomonitoring studies. The exposure of detached lichen allows the accurate measurement of the exposed area/volume so it can be useful to relate atmospheric deposition rates with the lichen metal content. The synthetic materials accumulated Cu and Ni and should only be used as an alternative to traditional transplants when these are the elements of interest.     

空气颗粒物中铅、镉超声浸取-原子吸收测定方法研究

用超声波震荡方法对大气滤膜样品进行前处理,提取待测元素。研究了浸取液种类、酸度、浸取时间和干扰因素等,确定了颗粒物样品溶液制备的最佳条件,与流动注射在线富集——原子吸收技术结合,建立了大气颗粒物样品测定Pb、Cd方法。结果表明,方法快速、准确,标准样品测定回收率在97％以上,6次测定方目对标准偏差小于2.6％。     

PM sources in a highly industrialised area in the process of implementing PM abatement technology. Quantification and evolution

Principal component analysis (PCA) coupled with a multilinear regression analysis (MLRA) was applied to PM(10) speciation data series (2002-2005) from four sampling sites in a highly industrialised area (ceramic production) in the process of implementing emission abatement technology. Five common factors with similar chemical profiles were identified at all the sites: mineral, regional background (influenced by the industrial estate located on the coast: an oil refinery and a power plant), sea spray, industrial 1 (manufacture and use of glaze components, including frit fusion) and road traffic. The contribution of the regional background differs slightly from site to site. The mineral factor, attributed to the sum of several sources (mainly the ceramic industry, but also with minor contributions from soil resuspension and African dust outbreaks) contributes between 9 and 11 microg m(-3) at all the sites. Source industrial 1 entails an increase in PM(10) levels between 4 and 5 microg m(-3) at the urban sites and 2 microg m(-3) at the suburban background site. However, after 2004, this source contributed less than 2 microg m(-3) at most sites, whereas the remaining sources did not show an upward or downward trend along the study period. This gradual decrease in the contribution of source industrial 1 coincides with the implementation of PM abatement technology in the frit fusion kilns of the area. This relationship enables us to assess the efficiency of the implementation of environmental technologies in terms of their impact on air quality.     

The effect of temperature on PAHs emission from incineration of acrylic waste

Incineration of acrylic waste solution in a lab scale quartz tube vertical incinerator showed the presence of 12–15 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from a list of 16 priority pollutants at 700–1100^˚C after an interval of 50^˚C. The amount of total 16 PAHs at 900 and 1100^˚C was about 8.5 and 1.25 times higher than those at 700^˚C (739.48 μg g⁻¹) respectively. The amount of total probable (2A) and possible (2B) human carcinogenic PAHs was minimum at 700^˚C.     

The role of monitoring in economic management,ecological standardization

It is quite clear that economy management requires diverse information. Monitoring systems provide valuable information on the state of the biosphere, including observational data, analysis, and prediction of this state. These data are used (with due account of scientific technological, and material rescources) for implementing decisions aimed at economy development and nature protection, both at the levels of man-made impact restriction or suspension and biogeocoenosis recovery and restoration.Monitoring implementation has been proven economically effective. The role of the Global Monitoring System is most specific in revealing new ecological problems in the analysis of the measures to be accepted requiring international cooperation.Recently, a need has arisen to expand ecological monitoring, transforming it to an ecological service which would involve the system of observations, analysis, and prediction not only of the state of the biosphere, but also of the state and utilization of renewable natural resources as well.Ecological standardization (restriction of man-made impacts with regard for ecological reserves) should play an ever growing role in economy management to optimize human society/nature interactions and utilization of renewable natural resources. Ecological standardization is aimed at nature and human health protection and, thus, supplements sanitary-hygienic standardization.