镉污染区水稻土磷素含量特征及其形态分布规律

以湖南省常德市Cd污染水稻土为供试土壤,研究了该区域土壤磷(P)元素含量状况、形态分布特征及其相关关系.结果表明,水稻土全磷含量范围为318.3—2016.2 mg·kg~(-1),总体上表现为适宜和丰富水平.然而,土壤有效磷的含量偏低,50%的土壤有效磷含量低于正常值(10 mg·kg~(-1)).在酸性水稻土中,无机磷含量依次为Al-PCa-PO-PFe-P;而在碱性水稻土中,土壤无机磷含量为Al-PCa10-PO-PCa2-PFe-PCa8-P.碱性水稻土有机磷占全磷比例高于酸性水稻土,达到30.1%—75.5%.土壤pH与Al-P、Ca-P之间存在极显著正相关关系(P0.01),而与O-P之间具有显著负相关关系(P0.05);土壤全磷与有机磷、Al-P之间存在极显著正相关性关系(P0.01),而与有效磷、Ca-P具有显著正相关性关系(P0.05);土壤有效磷与Al-P、有机磷含量之间分别表现为极显著和显著正相关关系.     

酸性水稻土有效硒提取剂的比较研究

采集12种肥力水平和含硒量差异较大的酸性土壤,连续两季(次)用盆栽方法种植水稻,测定植株含硒量(mgkg-1)、硒累积量(mg /盆)以及7种提取剂浸提的土壤硒量,检验两者间的相关程度。结果表明,0.1 molL-1 KH2PO4浸提土壤硒的操作简便,提取量较多,与植株含硒量间有极显著的相关性,适合作稻田土壤有效硒的提取剂;0.2 molL-1 K2SO4对土壤硒的浸提量低,与植株含硒量间的相关性不显著,不适宜作水稻土有效硒的提取剂。     

外源磷对消落区土壤性质及磷释放的影响

选取三峡库区消落区万州段的紫色冲积土,对消落区土壤添加磷的变化及磷的释放进行实验室模拟试验.结果表明,当外源磷添加量较小(＜50 mgP·kg-1土干重)时,上覆水中磷浓度表现为持续上升.当外源磷添加量较大(＞50 mgP·kg-1土干重)时,在淹水4周左右达到平衡.随着外源磷添加量的增加,无机磷呈增加趋势;Ca2-P,Fe-P,Ca8-P和Al-P增加程度较大;外源磷添加量较大(＞50 mgP·kg-1土)时,O-P也有上升,Ca10-P变化较小.土壤干样与鲜样中磷的最大吸附量(Qm)在不同添加磷情况下变化不显著,磷吸附指数(PSI)、磷最大缓冲能力(MBC)均有显著的下降.表明土壤添加外源磷后土壤有效磷水平增大,同时土壤对磷的吸持能力降低,添加外源磷将增大土壤磷释放的风险.     

秸秆生物炭对水稻土和赤红壤磷素有效性及化学形态的影响北大核心CSCD

为探讨生物炭对土壤磷素转化的影响,选择华南地区两种典型土壤(高磷水稻土和低磷赤红壤),通过土壤培养试验,研究添加不同剂量(0%、1%、2%和4%,分别用CK、T1、T2、T4表示)秸秆生物炭对土壤磷素有效性及不同磷组分随时间变化的动态影响.结果表明,不同剂量秸秆生物炭处理均能显著提高水稻土和赤红壤的全磷及有效磷含量,且增加幅度随生物炭添加剂量的增加而升高,培养第40天T4处理的水稻土及赤红壤的有效磷含量相比对照分别增加118.45%和6432.08%,赤红壤效果更为明显.不同剂量秸秆生物炭处理均能显著增加两种土壤的Fe-P和Ca-P含量,其中T4处理效果最为显著.培养第40天T4处理的水稻土中水溶性磷、Al-P、Fe-P、Ca-P含量较对照分别增加233.53%、14.95%、8.82%和55.65%,O-P含量则降低2.74%;赤红壤的Al-P、Fe-P、Ca-P含量分别增加71.35%、80.15%和124.73%,水溶性磷和O-P含量则降低7.14%和0.52%.随着培养时间推移,秸秆生物炭处理的水稻土和赤红壤酸性磷酸酶活性逐渐降低,碱性磷酸酶活性则逐渐升高.此外,培养初期添加秸秆生物炭显著降低了两种土壤的微生物量磷含量,但该抑制作用随时间推移逐渐减弱直至消失.综上所述,秸秆生物炭处理显著影响水稻土和赤红壤磷素的化学形态、微生物活性及磷素转化,增加磷素有效性,尤其对赤红壤作用效果更为明显,因此在化肥减施增效中值得进一步推广应用.(图7表3参50)     

长期不同施肥措施对红壤水稻土有机碳和养分含量的影响

将红壤丘陵地区的荒地开垦为水田不仅可以防治土壤侵蚀,而且能增加土壤肥力,提高农田生产力.本文研究了红壤荒地垦殖为稻田,长期定位施肥15年后不同施肥措施下水稻土的有机碳和养分含量特征.结果表明:不同施肥措施包括不施肥条件下,15年水稻垦殖都提高了土壤肥力.不同施肥措施水稻土的pH提高了0.9～1.3个单位.耕层土壤有机碳含龟达到8.19～1O.13 g·kg-1,全氮含量达到0.89～1.20 g·kg-1,有机碳与全氮含最都有明显提高,且有机碳和全氮含量之间相关性极显著.水稻土耕层全磷含量在0.25～0360 g·kg-1之间,有效磷含量在2.2～20.9 mg·kg-1之间,化学磷肥的培肥效果好于有机肥(猪粪),有机无机磷肥配施能显著提高土壤全磷和有效磷库.土壤全钾还未有明显变化,土壤速效钾含量在40.4～142.5 mg·kg-1之间,不同施肥措施除氮钾肥处理外都造成了土壤速效钾含量下降,秸秆还田到目前为止对于土壤速效钾含量还没有明显作用.     

pH和添加有机物料对3种酸性土壤中磷吸附-解吸的影响

研究了pH和添加有机物料对红壤、砖红壤和水稻土中磷吸附-解吸的影响。结果表明,砖红壤和水稻土中磷的吸附量和解吸量均随pH的升高而降低,pH对红壤中磷吸附和解吸的影响很小。土壤阳离子交换量(CEC),铁、铝氧化物含量和有机质含量是影响磷吸附的主要因素。红壤的CEC和有机质含量很低,铁、铝氧化物含量高,因而对磷的吸附量最高。砖红壤和水稻土CEC较高,土壤表面对磷的排斥作用较大,而且较高含量的有机质覆盖了土壤表面的磷吸附位,因此这2种土壤对磷的吸附量低于红壤。添加稻草并进行恒温培养可使红壤和水稻土对磷的吸附量显著减少,但对砖红壤中磷吸附的影响较小。添加稻草使土壤磷的解吸量和解吸率增加,从而增加了土壤中吸附性磷的活性。     

湖北省土壤有效硅含量分布

在全省主要土壤上布点，取土壤样品529个．全省土壤有效硅（SiO2）平均含量为202.6mg／kg，含量变化范围为15．7－725.5mg／kg，低于缺硅临界值（＜95mg／kg）的样点占总样点的38.2％．其土壤有效硅平均含量高的有：黄褐土（471．3mg／kg）、石灰土（377.3mg／kg）和灰潮土（332.7mg／kg）；平均含量中等的有：紫色土（189、5mg／kg）、水稻土（174.7mg／kg）、潮土（110.7mg／kg）、黄棕壤（106.0mg／kg）；平均含量低于缺硅临界值的有红壤（89.1mg／kg）和黄壤（41.4mg／kg）土壤有效硅含量对土壤母质有依赖关系．土壤pH值及水稻上不同水型对土壤有效硅含量也有影响，土壤有效硅含量与土壤有效磷、铁、锰存在着相关关系．     

崇明县土壤主要理化指标的空间分布与变异特征

于上海市崇明县(崇明岛、长兴岛、横沙岛3岛)采集0～20 cm表层土壤样品128个,采用经典统计学和地统计学相结合的方法,分析土壤有机质、全氮、有效磷、有效钾含量和土壤电导率、容重、pH值等数据,研究土壤特性的空间分布规律.结果表明:崇明3岛有效磷和电导率的分布具有强变异性,pH值的变异强度最弱,其他土壤特性均具有中等变异强度.土壤容重和pH值具有很强的空间相关性.而土壤有机质、全氮、有效磷和有效钾的空间相关性最弱,其分布受随机因素影响较大.Kriging空间插值分析表明,受农事活动和城镇效应的影响,崇明岛土壤有机质和全氮含量高值区主要集中于人为活动比较密集的地区,土壤容重和pH值分布趋势基本一致,呈现由东西两端向岛中央递减的趋势.崇明岛土壤有机质、全氮、有效磷和有效钾含量两两间呈显著相关关系(α=0.01).     

溶磷菌剂对施磷复垦土壤无机磷形态及油菜磷吸收的影响

磷的有效化是限制复垦土壤肥力提升的主要因素,溶磷菌能够活化土壤中的难溶态的磷,增强土壤磷的供给能力,研究其对复垦土壤无机磷形态及生物有效性的影响,可为矿区复垦土壤熟化和肥力提升提供科学依据.通过盆栽试验,研究混合溶磷菌剂对施用磷矿粉和磷酸钙的复垦土壤中有效磷含量、磷酸酶活性、无机磷形态及其转化以及盆栽油菜磷素吸收的影响.结果显示:与未接种溶磷菌剂的处理相比,接种溶磷菌剂后复垦土壤中有效磷含量和磷酸酶活性分别提高了61.44%-65.77%和95.49%-104.75%(P 0.05);土壤油菜鲜重和吸磷量分别增加了28.07%-33.89%和25.53%-33.33%(P 0.05).等磷量施用磷酸钙和磷矿粉,复垦土壤中的无机磷均以Ca_(10-P)为主要形态.在施用磷矿粉的土壤中接种溶磷菌剂能够显著降低Ca_(10)-P含量和转化率,提高Ca_8-P含量和转化率,促进Ca_(10)-P向Ca_8-P转化;在施用磷酸钙的土壤中接种溶磷菌剂能够促进Ca_(10)-P向Ca_2-P、Ca_8-P转化,O-P向Al-P转化.土壤有效磷和磷酸酶以及油菜吸磷量的增加与Ca_(10)-P的减少以及Ca_2-P、Ca_8-P、Al-P和Fe-P的增加有关.本研究表明溶磷菌剂能够促进磷矿粉和磷酸钙在复垦土壤中由Ca_(10)-P向Ca_2-P和Ca_8-P转化,提高土壤磷的生物有效性;另外,在施用磷酸钙的土壤中,溶磷菌剂的溶磷能力和对油菜的促生效果优于施用磷矿粉的土壤.(图1表6参35)     

滨海滩涂湿地不同植被土壤磷的生物有效性及其影响因子分析

滨海湿地是全球磷主要的源汇转换器之一,土壤磷的生物有效性对滨海湿地的结构、功能有着决定性作用。研究滨海湿地土壤磷的生物有效性及影响因子对滨海湿地的保护和修复具有重要意义。以江苏大丰麋鹿自然保护区的湿地土壤为研究对象,对互花米草(Spartina alterniflora)、海三棱藨草(Scirpus mariqueter)、白茅(Imperata cylindrica)、芦苇(Phragmites australis)4种植物群落及裸地下土壤进行分层采样,采用模拟生物活化过程的磷素分级方法(biologically based P,BBP法),分析环境因子对不同植物土壤磷素组分的影响。结果表明,(1)大丰麋鹿自然保护区滨海湿地土壤磷素组分含量表现为:CaCl_2-PCitrate-PEnzyme-PHCl-P。(2)无植被覆盖裸地土壤的CaCl_2-P和Citrate-P含量显著高于植被覆盖下土壤的含量(P0.05),植物的生长会显著降低土壤中根系可截留磷素和有机酸可提取磷素的含量。(3)芦苇0—20 cm土层内的CaCl_2-P含量显著最低,与其他3种植物相比,芦苇根系对表层的磷素的截留能力更强;海三棱藨草的Enzyme-P在两个土层都显著最低(P0.05),与其他3种植物相比,海三棱藨草根系发生的酶活化磷素的过程较激烈。(4)土壤Citrate-P含量与含水率显著相关(P0.05),影响土壤Citrate-P含量的主要环境因子是土壤含水率;HCl-P含量与有机质显著相关(P0.01),影响土壤HCl-P含量的主要环境因子是有机质。(5)土壤速效磷与Citrate-P含量显著相关(P0.05),说明大丰麋鹿自然保护区土壤中速效磷主要来自于土壤中有机酸活化释放的无机磷。综上,研究区中生物有效态的磷主要来自于土壤中有机酸活化的无机磷,不同植物土壤磷的生物有效性有显著差异,而含水率和有机质是影响江苏大丰麋鹿自然保护区土壤磷生物有效性的主要环境因子。     

Updated evaluation of exergy and emergy driving the geobiosphere: A review and refinement of the emergy baseline

Crucial to the method of emergy synthesis are the main driving emergy flows of the geobiosphere to which all other flows are referenced. They form the baseline for the construction of tables of Unit Emergy Values (UEVs) to be used in emergy evaluations. We provide here an updated calculation of the geobiosphere emergy baseline and UEVs for tidal and geothermal flows. First, we recalculate the flows using more recent values that have resulted from satellite measurements and generally better measurement techniques. Second, we have recalculated these global flows according to their available energy content (exergy) in order to be consistent with Odum's (1996) definition of emergy. Finally, we have reinterpreted the interaction of geothermal energy with biosphere processes thus changing the relationship between geothermal energy and the emergy baseline. In this analysis we also acknowledge the significant uncertainties related to most estimates of global data. In all, these modifications to the methodology have resulted in changes in the transformities for tidal momentum and geothermal energy and a minor change in the emergy baseline from 15.8E24 seJ/J to 15.2E24 seJ/J. As in all fields of science basic constants and standards are not really constant but change according to new knowledge. This is especially true of earth and ecological sciences where a large uncertainty is also to be found. As a consequence, while these are the most updated values today, they may change as better understanding is gained and uncertainties are reduced.     

云南松根际与非根际磷酸酶活性与磷的有效性

通过对采集自滇中红壤区域的不同林龄云南松的根际与非根际土，以及不同磷补充量下根袋法培养的距云南松幼苗不同距离土壤的磷酸酶和有效磷的测定，探讨了根际与非根际土的磷酸酶变化及其与有效磷之间的关系。云南松根际及非根际都含有大量的磷酸酶，且这些磷酸酶的活性在根际土中较高。酸性磷酸酶是云南松土壤中的主要酶类，中性磷酸酶次之。培养实验结果显示，无论是根际土、近根际土还是远根际土，外界补充的磷量越低，其酸性和中性磷酸酶的活性越高，反映出磷饥饿对磷酸酶的诱导。但磷酸酶的变化同土壤有效磷的相关性不显著。因而酶数量增加不是云南松对磷饥饿的唯一适应性机制，它的变化或许只是磷胁迫下的一种症状。     

生物炭对土壤水肥热效应的影响试验研究

本文通过野外大田小区试验以番茄（Lycopersicon esculentum Mill）为供试作物,通过在土壤中施加不同含量生物炭（Biochar）研究生物炭对土壤含水率、有机碳、速效养分含量和土壤温度的影响,从而寻求一个较为合适的施用量,为生物炭在内蒙古地区的大面积推广提供科学的理论依据。试验共设5个处理,3个重复：不施加生物炭（CK）,生物炭使用量分别为10 t·hm^-2（A）,20 t·hm^-2（B）,40 t·hm^-2（C）,60 t·hm^-2（D）,在各生育期取土样测定土壤含水率、有机碳、速效养分含量,并在各生育期连续3天测定土壤地表温度。试验结果表明：不同处理下土壤含水率随生物炭施用量增加呈先增加后减小的趋势,且均高于对照组,其中施炭量为40 t·hm^-2处理的土壤含水率增幅最明显,0～10 cm土层各生育期土壤含水率较对照组最大增幅分别为20.8%、13.7%、21.8%,10～20 cm土层各生育期土壤含水率较对照组最大增幅分别为33.9%、17.1%、21.3%;不同处理下土壤温度随着生物炭施用量的增加而升高,两者具有显著的正相关关系,各生育期各处理土壤地表温度较对照组最大增幅分别为58.1%、31.3%、55.8%;不同处理土壤有机碳含量随着生物炭施用量的增加而增大,番茄各生育期各处理土壤有机碳含量较对照组最大增幅分别为80.9%、62.7%、63.9%;不同处理土壤中碱解氮、速效钾、速效磷含量均随生物炭施用量的增加而呈现先增大后减小的趋势,且均大于对照组,各生育期各处理土壤碱解氮较对照组最大增幅分别为92.7%、45.7%、106.5%,速效磷最大增幅分别为120.1%、39.3%、250.4%,速效钾最大增幅分别为86.2%、118.5%、203.4%。综上所述,生物炭对于砂壤土具有保水、保肥、保温的特性,对于提高土壤水肥利用效率,增加土壤有机碳具有重要的作用,而且通过试验验证40 t·hm^-2的施?     

The distribution and availability of phosphorus fractions in restored cut slopes soil aggregates: a case study of subalpine road,Southwest China

● There was no significant difference in soil aggregates TP along altitude gradient. ● Overall, PAC dropped steadily as aggregate size increased. ● In soil aggregate sizes, TPi > TPo > R-P at 3009,3347 and 3654 m except 3980 m. ● Active NaHCO₃-Pi was the main AP source. ● Proportion of small aggregate sizes was emphasized to increase AP storage. The distribution and availability of phosphorus (P) fractions in restored cut slope soil aggregates, along altitude gradients, were analyzed. Samples were collected at 3009, 3347, 3654 and 3980 m of altitude. We examined soil aggregates total phosphorus (TP), available phosphorus (AP) and phosphorus activation coefficient (PAC), and discovered that there was no significant difference in TP levels between all four altitudes samples (p > 0.05). However, there was a significant difference in AP at 3009, 3347 and 3980 m of altitude (p < 0.05). At the altitudes of 3009, 3347 and 3654 m, the AP accumulation in small size aggregates was more advantageous. Overall, PAC dropped steadily as soil aggregates sizes increased, as shown: PAC (3654 m) > PAC (3347 m) > PAC (3009 m) > PAC (3980 m). In all particle size soil aggregates, the distribution of the P fractions was as follows: total inorganic phosphorus (TPi) > total organic phosphorus (TPo) > residual phosphorus (R-P), at 3009, 3347 and 3654 m, but a different registry was observed at 3980 m of altitude: TPo > TPi > R-P. Through correlation and multiple stepwise regression analysis, it was concluded that active NaHCO₃-Pi was the main AP source. It was also suggested that more attention should be given to the ratio of small particle size aggregates to increase soil AP storage. In order to improve the activation capacity and supply of soil P, along with promotion of the healthy development of soil ecosystem on slope land, it was suggest that inorganic P fertilizer and P activator could be added to soil at both low (3009 m) and high altitudes (3980 m).     

Rapid,recurring, structured survey versus bioblitz for generating biodiversity data and analysis with a multispecies abundance model

A bioblitz inexpensively and quickly generates biodiversity data, but bioblitzes are often conducted with haphazard, unreplicated sampling. Results tend to be taxonomically, geographically, or temporally biased, lack metadata, and consist of lists of observed taxa that do not enable further analyses or correction for imperfect detection. A rapid, recurring, structured survey (RRSS) uses a structured sampling design and temporal and spatial replication to survey randomly selected sites on a conservation property. We participated in a loosely structured bioblitz and a subsequent RRSS at Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve in Springville (St. Clair County), Alabama (USA) to compare observed richness derived from the 2 survey approaches. The RRSS data structure enabled us to fit models that accounted for imperfect detection to estimate abundances, occupancy probabilities, and habitat associations. The loosely structured bioblitz data could not be used in such models. We present a new integrated multispecies abundance model that we applied to avian RRSS data. Our model extension enables estimation for the community, employs data augmentation to estimate the number of undetected species, and incorporates covariates. The RRSS generated a more comprehensive and less biased list of observed taxonomic richness than the loosely structured bioblitz (e.g., 73 vs. 45 bird species and 104 vs. 63 insect families from the RRSS vs. loosely structured bioblitz, respectively). Models fit to the RRSS data identified seasonal patterns in avian community composition and allowed for estimation of habitat–occupancy relationships for insect taxa. The RRSS protocol has potential for broad transferability as a standardized, quick, and inexpensive way to inventory biodiversity and estimate ecological parameters while providing an outreach opportunity.     

Compliance with and ecosystem function of biodiversity offsets in North American and European freshwaters

Land-use change via human development is a major driver of biodiversity loss. To reduce these impacts, billions of dollars are spent on biodiversity offsets. However, studies evaluating offset project effectiveness that examine components such as the overall compliance and function of projects remain rare. We reviewed 577 offsetting projects in freshwater ecosystems that included the metrics project size, type of aquatic system (e.g., wetland and creek), offsetting measure (e.g., enhancement, restoration, and creation), and an assessment of the projects’ compliance and functional success. Project information was obtained from scientific and government databases and gray literature. Despite considerable investment in offsetting projects, crucial problems persisted. Although compliance and function were related to each other, a high level of compliance did not guarantee a high degree of function. However, large projects relative to area had better function than small projects. Function improved when projects targeted productivity or specific ecosystem features and when multiple complementary management targets were in place. Restorative measures were more likely to achieve targets than creating entirely new ecosystems. Altogether the relationships we found highlight specific ecological processes that may help improve offsetting outcomes.     

Representation of the world's biophysical conditions by the global protected area network

Protected areas (PAs) are often implemented without consideration of already existing PAs, which is likely to cause an overrepresentation of certain biophysical conditions. We assessed the representativeness of the current PA network with regard to the world's biophysical conditions to highlight which conditions are underprotected and where these conditions are located. We overlaid terrestrial and marine PAs with information on biophysical conditions (e.g., temperature, precipitation, and elevation) and then quantified the percentage of area covered by the PA network. For 1 variable at a time in the terrestrial realm, high temperature, low precipitation, and medium and very high elevation were underrepresented. For the marine realm, low and medium sea surface temperature (SST), medium and high sea surface salinity (SSS), and the deep sea were underrepresented. Overall, protection was evenly distributed for elevation across the terrestrial realm and SST across the marine realm. For 2 variables at a time, cold and very dry terrestrial environments had mostly low protection, which was also the case for low SST and low and medium SSS across most depths for marine environments. Low protection occurred mostly in the Sahara and the Arabian Peninsula for the terrestrial realm and along the Tropic of Capricorn and toward the poles for the marine realm. Although biodiversity measures are of prime importance for the design of PA networks, highlighting biophysical gaps in current PAs adds a frequently overlooked perspective. These gaps may weaken the potential of PAs to conserve biodiversity. Thus, our results may provide useful insights for researchers, practitioners, and policy makers to establish a more comprehensive global PA network.     

Quantitative composition of the defensive secretion ofBledius species (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Oxytelinae) is adapted to naturally occurring predators

Summary The adaptation of defensive secretions to their target organisms was examined for the abdominal gland secretions ofBledius furcatus, B. spectabilis andB. arenarius. Therefore the target organisms of the secretion of theseBledius species (i.e. their predators) had to be identified. At the collection sites examined these were the earwigLabidura riparia, the antCataglyphis bicolor, the flyLispe candicans, different carabids of the generaPogonus, Dichirotrichus, Dyschirius, Bembidion andCalathus and the wading birdsHaematopus ostralegus andCalidris alba. The secretion of the abdominal glands contains the toxin ptoluquinone dissolved in either-dodecalactone and 1-undecene (B. furcatus andB. spectabilis) or in octanoic acid and octyloctanoate (B. arenarius). The ratio of these solvents is species-specific. Application experiments using some of the natural insect predators (L. riparia, C. bicolor, Pogonus, Di. gustavii, Dyschirius) revealed that these solvent ratios provided a more effective deterrent than other possible ratios. Thus by combining the solvents in certain ratios, the capability of cuticular penetration and therefore the effectiveness of the defensive secretions are adapted to their natural targets.     

Democracy versus development: New urban debates

The politics of development includes subtexts of choice, as underpinned by community consensus (or lack of it), against the larger backdrop of a liberal democracy, with its intricate power structures that influence the choice of concepts and often lead to complicity rather than consent. A dilemma exists between the understanding of field-level practitioners and that of academics, whose understandings of progress differ. Progress can (and often does) imply long-term change across generations whereas development is often more a matter of crisis management and delivering tangible results to end-users. This makes it a bone of contention across political systems, irrespective of local or global dynamics. Development can emerge as a tool to be wielded for power and further political mileage at the expense of progress. Progress cannot be studied as a counterpoint to development as the sense of history is often missing in development interventions. Development tends to be piecemeal as its very logic often stems from the rationale of power. This is not to suggest, however, that development is only about politics; it is definitely more than the politics of everyday life and involves all of civil society that requires its critical and immediate attention. In this sense, it has become a priority for politicians with an underlying agenda designed to out-manouevre dissent and all statements of protest.     

A palaeo-hydrogeological model for arsenic contamination in southern and south-east Asia

An argument is presented in which areas of natural arsenic contamination of modern groundwaters throughout Asia have a common origin. Arsenic originally accumulated in oceanic ferro-manganoan sediments of the eastern Palaeo-Tethys. This was further concentrated through oceanic crustal extinction in what later became the south-east Chinese accreted mineralised terrain. Proto-Himalayan uplift of this area created the palaeo-drainage systems of the Ganges – Brahmaputra, Irrawaddy, Mekong, and Red Rivers, with consequent headwater erosion of arsenic-rich sediments. Their downstream deposition as immature and easily redistributed Neogene sandstones, silts, and iron-rich clays has created secondary and tertiary reservoirs of adsorbed and authigenic arsenic, from which the current arsenic-rich groundwaters have evolved. Considering river basins within the above palaeo-hydrogeological framework provides a basis for assessing the risk of arsenic in groundwater basins of south and south-eastern Asia.