Ozone distribution in central Italy and its effect on crop productivity

The focus of the present study was to assess the ozone levels in a typical area of the Mediterranean basin, viz. Tuscany (central Italy). Eighty-thousand hourly mean ozone concentrations were recorded by 10 automatic analysers in the districts of Florence, Pisa, Lucca and Prato, from May to September 1995 to 1997. The highest daily mean concentrations were reached in Florence, with a maximum hourly average of 197 ppb. In Lucca and Pisa, the peaks were close to 100 ppb. Data from Prato were much lower. Long-term critical levels for vegetation, as set by United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), were constantly exceeded in Florence and Pisa, occasionally in Lucca, never in Prato. The results were used to fit exposure/yield response relationships proposed by UNECE and US National Crop Loss Assessment Network for some important crops. The estimated yield losses varied in Florence from 8% for corn and alfalfa to 27% for soybean, in Pisa from 5% for corn to 24% for soybean, in Lucca from 3% for corn to 17% for soybean. A preliminary economic estimate for corn, wheat, barley, soybean, tomato and alfalfa, calculated annual damage to be 4.6 M Euro in Florence, 0.5 M Euro in Lucca and 3 M Euro in Pisa. The picture must be regarded as only partial, as exposure/yield response relationships for important Italian crops (such as grapevine and vegetables) are not available.     

Policy and technological constraints to implementation of greenhouse gas mitigation options in agriculture

A recent assessment of agricultural greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions has demonstrated significant potential for mitigation, but suggests that the full mitigation will not be realized due to significant barriers to implementation. In this paper, we explore the constraints and barriers to implementation important for GHG mitigation in agriculture. We also examine how climate and non-climate policy in different regions of the world has affected agricultural GHG emissions in the recent past, and how it may affect emissions and mitigation implementation in the future. We examine the links between mitigation and adaptation and drives for sustainable development and the potential for agricultural GHG mitigation in the future.We describe how some countries have initiated climate and non-climate policies believed to have direct effects or synergistic effects on mitigating GHG emissions from agriculture. Global sharing of innovative technologies for efficient use of land resources and agricultural chemicals, to eliminate poverty and malnutrition, will significantly mitigate GHG emissions from agriculture.Previous studies have shown that as less than 30% of the total biophysical potential for agricultural GHG mitigation might be achieved by 2030, due to price- and non-price-related barriers to implementation. The challenge for successful agricultural GHG mitigation will be to remove these barriers by implementing creative policies. Identifying policies that provide benefits for climate, as well as for aspects of economic, social and environmental sustainability, will be critical for ensuring that effective GHG mitigation options are widely implemented in the future.     

Improving the environmental performance of the fishing fleet by use of Quality Function Deployment (QFD)

This article introduces Quality Function Deployment (QFD) as a method for improving the environmental performance of the Norwegian fishing fleet. Systems engineering has been introduced as a feasible process for handling sustainability issues in the fisheries, because it contains methods for general system design, operation, and support in a life-cycle perspective. QFD is related to systems engineering as a method for translating stakeholder needs into detailed system requirements at each life-cycle stage. Eco-QFD extends the scope of QFD, and combines QFD, Life-Cycle Cost (LCC), and Life-Cycle Analysis (LCA) to evaluate environmental effects and costs in the system development process. The article assesses the usefulness of Eco-QFD in fisheries management decision-making regarding sustainability in the fishing fleet, and for shipyards in their design of fishing vessels. It is concluded that Eco-QFD may be difficult to use for fisheries management in its present form, due to the complexity of sustainability, and the time and efforts demanded to carry out the analyses. Nevertheless, the structuring of the stakeholder needs and requirements may contribute to improved understanding of the decision-situation.     

Climate change, water availability and future cereal production in China

Climate scenarios from a regional climate model are used to drive crop and water simulation models underpinned by the IPCC A2 and B2 socio-economic development pathways to explore water availability for agriculture in China in the 2020s and 2040s. Various measures of water availability are examined at river basin and provincial scale in relation to agricultural and non-agricultural water demand and current and planned expansions to the area under irrigation. The objectives are to understand the influences of different drivers on future water availability to support China's food production. Hydrological simulations produce moderate to large increases in total water availability in response to increases in future precipitation. Total water demand increases nationally and in most basins, but with a decreasing share for agriculture due primarily to competition from industrial, domestic and municipal sectors. Crop simulations exhibit moderate to large increases in irrigation water demand which is found to be highly sensitive to the characteristics of daily precipitation in the climate scenarios. The impacts of climate change on water availability for agriculture are small compared to the role of socio-economic development.The study identifies significant spatial differences in impacts at the river basin and provincial level. In broad terms water availability for agriculture declines in southern China and remains stable in northern China. The combined impacts of climate change and socio-economic development produce decreases in future irrigation areas, especially the area of irrigated paddy rice. Overall, the results suggest that there will be insufficient water for agriculture in China in the coming decades, due primarily to increases in water demand for non-agricultural uses, which will have significant implications for adaptation strategies and policies for agricultural production and water management.     

国家行政征用海域使用权补偿标准法律问题探讨

根据2002年开始实施的《中华人民共和国海域使用管理法》,在海域使用管理法中关于国家行政征用海域使用权、进行清海补偿标准的未作规定,只在渔业管理法中规定参照土地管理法的补偿标准进行补偿,因此,各沿海地区确定征用补偿标准缺乏统一标准。本文根据国家行政征用海域使用权补偿存在的无专门系统的行政征用补偿法、海域征用补偿程序混乱、海域征用补偿救济手段不完善、海域管理适用法律冲突和安置补偿与生产损失补偿混淆在一起等问题进行了探讨,对于完善国家行政征用海域补偿制度提出了法律建议。     

象山港部分金属元素的百年沉积记录及物源指示意义

本文利用X荧光光谱仪测定了象山港沉积物柱状样中常量元素Ti、K、Ca、Fe、Mn和微量元素Pb、Rb的含量。通过210Pb定年,分析了象山港近百年来元素的沉积记录变化特征。结合沉积物粒径、有机碳、无机碳、总氮等理化参数,通过计算富集系数和主成分分析,探讨了沉积物中金属元素的物源和环境指示意义。研究结果表明:象山港沉积物中的金属元素Ti、K、Ca、Fe、Mn、Pb、Rb的含量分别为0.45%~0.52%、2.14%~2.58%、2.48%~3.13%、4.54%~5.83%、546×10-6~868×10-6、23×10-6~37×10-6、113×10-6~130×10-6,与中国其他近岸海域具有很好的可比性。象山港沉积物中的金属元素Ti、K、Ca、Fe、Mn、Rb主要来源于陆源碎屑物质,没有出现明显的富集;而沉积物中的Pb自1980年以来出现了富集现象,其含量在近年来可能受到了人类活动的影响。金属元素Ti、K、Fe、Mn、Rb、Pb易于在有机质含量丰富的沉积物中赋存,而Ca则以无机碳酸钙的形式赋存于象山港底质中。通过与百年来长江流域夏季降水变化的比较,发现陆源性金属元素的沉积记录异常与历史降水异常年份具有耦合性。     

The Impact-Likelihood Matrix: A policy tool for behaviour prioritisation

The proliferation of applied behaviour change science over the past decade has provided new ways of thinking about policy making. Policy makers now have a range of frameworks and methods to assist in formulating change for social and environmental benefits. However, the development of strategies for the identification and prioritisation of target behaviours has been less forthcoming. This paper outlines a tool to assist in behaviour selection. Behaviours are assessed for their potential impact on addressing a specific issue, the likelihood of adoption by the target audience and existing participation levels within the target audience. Each of these characteristics is scored, allowing behaviours to be mapped onto a meaningful, visual, matrix for prioritisation. Additional data on behaviour type and the key perceived barriers to participation in each behaviour are layered onto the matrix to provide direction for intervention design. An application of the prioritisation matrix is presented within an environmental context through a case study of water demand management behaviours for domestic consumers in Australia. The prioritisation matrix could provide a decision-making tool for policy makers to assist in the selection of target behaviours to address complex issues.     

基于MOS的杭州秋冬季空气污染预报和霾诊断

利用由数值预报模式WRF和辨识理论实时迭代统计方法RTIM组成的MOS方法对杭州市2013年2~3月和11~12月期间的空气污染物日平均浓度做预报,预报值与实测值之间相关系数都超过0.75 ,PM2.5、PM10、SO2、NO2、CO 24h平均浓度和O3 8h平均浓度分类预报临界成功指数(CSI)分别为89%、87%、100%、93%、100%和100%,命中率(POD)分别为93%、95%、100%、100%、100%和100%.分析表明,研究期间杭州地区气溶胶以细颗粒为主.根据PM2.5浓度、相对湿度及能见度预报值做霾日分类预报,临界成功指数为89%,命中率为93%.说明该MOS系统对污染物浓度及霾天气预报性能良好,可以为业务化预报提供参考.     

晋城市旅游气候条件及旅游舒适度特征分析研究

利用晋城所辖气象站1981年-2015年气象观测资料,分析晋城市旅游气象条件特征,用温湿指数、风效指数、穿衣指数综合指标,对晋城逐月旅游气候舒适性进行评价。分析结果表明:晋城旅游资源丰富,适宜旅游时间相对较长。晋城市区、高平、陵川、沁水旅游舒适期从4月开始至10月结束,阳城从3月延至10月。春季最佳旅游适宜地为阳城,夏季最佳旅游适宜地为陵川,5月和9月是晋城全域旅游非常舒适期。该分析结论为地方旅游发展规划和游客出行提供了依据和参考。     

再生资源回收企业在社区的营销策略

社区是再生资源回收企业开展回收业务的重要场所,回收企业在社区的宣传推广对于提升企业知名度、树立企业品牌、提高业务量具有重要作用。对再生资源回收企业在社区进行营销宣传的必要性进行了分析,提出了几种适于回收企业执行的营销策略,以期对再生资源回收企业有所帮助。     

EcoDesign and The Ten Golden Rules: generic advice for merging environmental aspects into product development

The most important moment in product development is when demands and specifications are decided for the product that is being planned. The specification defines the goal for the product development process. It is a very important steering opportunity for the continuing work and for environmentally driven demands that are to be addressed in the product development phase. The designers are said to have the key to sustainable product development through EcoDesign. Many tools have been developed in order to help them to achieve this objective. However, most tools are seldom used primarily because of a lack of sustainability oriented requirements in specifications for products. If there is no demand for improved environmental performance, then there is no need for EcoDesign tools. The lack of market demand for environmentally improved products is therefore, a crucial factor. In other words: It makes no sense to grab a screwdriver from your toolbox if you have a nail in your hand. On the other hand if you have a hammer in your hand you tend to see everything as nails! The hypothesis of this paper is that there is a strong need for a tool to facilitate the integration of reasonable environmental demands into the product development process. The presented tool, “The Ten Golden Rules,” can be helpful in this effort. A helpful tool must be well adapted to the task and therefore it is important that the individual product developer/designer can develop personal versions from the generic guidelines. The Ten Golden Rules provide such a possibility. They provide a common foundation, for all in the team, which can be used as a base and guidelines for development of situation specific product-design challenges.     

论我国用汞总量的削减

分析比较了我国的用汞数量、世界汞的产量及用量的统计数据,从汞本身的污染危害性,我国用汞和污染现状及发展趋势,以及应对全球限汞、禁汞趋势等方面论述了我国用汞总量亟待削减和削减的可行性。并以体温计行业为例,提出了我国削减用汞总量的具体建议:控制生产规模,慎批新建涉汞加工利用的生产项目,并逐渐淘汰生产规模过小的企业;充分运用法律和行政管理手段,逐渐提升对涉汞企业的要求,将最低环保门槛与择优审批相结合;严格限制某些含汞产品的销售和使用;大力推广替代产品和技术;组织对废弃产品中的汞进行集中回收和处置;修订和制订相关涉汞标准;制订我国涉汞行业的用汞削减规划和相应的产业调整计划,逐步限汞,最终禁汞。      

楚雄市道路交通噪声多元分析

利用楚雄市1997年、2002年道路交通噪声的例行监测资料进行了多元对数线性回归分析,用建立的对数线性模型对1996～2002年各类车流量平均值预测等效声级,并与实际值比较,结果表明全城测点在作重大调整后,必须重新建立模型.运用2002年监测数据进行了聚类分析,以期找到几类测点特性,为声环境规划提供参考.     

内分泌扰乱化学品活性筛选和测试方法

对近年来对内分泌扰乱化学品(EDCs)的筛选和测试方法进行了述评。目前倾向于采用包括与激素受体结合的亲和力测试、体外和活体测试在内的层式检测法对EDCs的活性进行筛选和测试,并评价人体和野生动物内分泌扰乱的性质、可能性和剂量-反应关系。目前也致力于EDCs的结构-效应关系特别是定量关系的研究,旨在提供一种简便低廉的筛选方法。总的说来,稳定可靠的标准化筛选和检测方法的建立仍待努力。      

An approach for estimating net primary productivity and annual carbon inputs to soil for common agricultural crops in Canada

The current interest in characterizing, predicting and managing soil C dynamics has focused attention on making estimates of C inputs to soil more accurate and precise. Net primary productivity (NPP) provides the inputs of carbon (C) in ecosystems and determines the amount of photosynthetically fixed C that can potentially be sequestered in soil organic matter. We present a method for estimating NPP and annual C inputs to soil for some common Canadian agroecosystems, using a series of plant C allocation coefficients for each crop type across the country. The root-derived C in these coefficients was estimated by reviewing studies reporting information on plant shoot-to-root (S:R) ratios (n = 168). Mean S:R ratios for annual crops were highest for small-grain cereals (7.4), followed by corn (5.6) and soybeans (5.2), and lowest for forages (1.6). The review also showed considerable uncertainty (coefficient of variation for S:R ratios of ∼50% for annual crops and ∼75% for perennial forages) in estimating below-ground NPP (BNPP) in agroecosystems; uncertainty was similar to that for Canadian boreal forests. The BNPP (including extra-root C) was lower for annual crops (∼20% of NPP) than for perennial forages (∼50%). The latter was similar to estimates for relative below-ground C allocation in other Canadian natural ecosystems such as mixed grasslands and forests. The proposed method is easy to use, specific for particular crops, management practices, and driven by agronomic yields. It can be readily up-dated with new experimental results and measurements of parameters used to quantify the accumulation and distribution of photosynthetically fixed C in different types of crops.     

Building low-carbon and disaster-resilient communities: integrating climate mitigation and adaptation into the assessment of self-help housing design

Housing is not only one of the major sources of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, but it has been increasingly vulnerable to climate-induced disasters, particularly those sheltering the urban poor. Both mitigation and adaptation measures are therefore required for the design and construction of low-income housing to encourage low carbon development and improve resilience to disasters. As self-help housing—the common type of housing for the urban poor in developing countries—is usually built by ordinary people with participatory approach, it is crucial to develop a low-carbon and disaster-resilient assessment tool for assisting them in making informed decisions during planning process. The objective of this article is to propose a new approach for developing a low-carbon and disaster-resilient assessment tool for self-help housing (LoDAT-SH) by combining opinions from experts and community residents to assign weights, identify indicators, and establish benchmarks with the aim to develop a simple, relevant, and practical tool for non-expert users like self-help residents. The application of the proposed methodology to a case study of a developing country, Thailand, shows the ability of LoDAT-SH, which contains 45 indicators in the four categories of low carbon development, disaster resilience, community participation, and financial consideration, in enabling self-help residents to assess the performance of their housing design, identify potential measures to create a low-carbon and disaster-resilient housing, and prioritize such actions. To support the creation of a low-carbon and disaster-resilient housing as the mitigation and adaptation strategy for urban development at the global level, the study suggests that the methodology of LoDAT-SH should be replicated to develop a more comprehensive assessment tool applicable for the use in self-help housing design in other developing countries, which will house about 900 million of the urban poor by 2020.     

Benefits and limitations of prenatal screening for Prader–Willi syndrome

This review summarizes the status of genetic laboratory testing in Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS) with different genetic subtypes, most often a paternally derived 15q11–q13 deletion and discusses benefits and limitations related to prenatal screening. Medical literature was searched for prenatal screening and genetic laboratory testing methods in use or under development and discussed in relationship to PWS. Genetic testing includes six established laboratory diagnostic approaches for PWS with direct application to prenatal screening. Ultrasonographic, obstetric and cytogenetic reports were summarized in relationship to the cause of PWS and identification of specific genetic subtypes including maternal disomy 15. Advances in genetic technology were described for diagnosing PWS specifically DNA methylation and high-resolution chromosomal SNP microarrays as current tools for genetic screening and incorporating next generation DNA sequencing for noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) using cell-free fetal DNA. Positive experiences are reported with NIPT for detection of numerical chromosomal problems (aneuploidies) but not for structural problems (microdeletions). These reports will be discussed along with future directions for genetic screening of PWS. In summary, this review describes and discusses the status of established and ongoing genetic testing options for PWS applicable in prenatal screening including NIPT and future directions for early diagnosis in PWS. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Development projects for small rural communities in the Brazilian Amazon region as potential strategies and practices of climate change adaptation

Climate scenarios for the Amazon region (Brazil) indicate an increase in temperature and a precipitation decrease, affecting society and economic activities, particularly small-scale rural communities. The research aims to identify, describe and evaluate factors present in sustainable development projects for small rural communities (Type- A Demonstration Projects - PDA and Alternatives to Deforestation and Burnt Projects - PADEQ), already implemented, for recognizing its potential use as strategies for adaptation to climate change for small rural communities in the Amazon region. The researches, concerning fifteen projects in Rondonia, Para and Mato Grosso States, were developed through document analysis, technical visits, and interviews with stakeholders of three projects about the community perception, vulnerability and adaptation capacity. The analysis of documents regarding the potential success of the projects highlights their short history, important in the local context, prospects for continuity, and community participation in decision making. Few activities developed in projects could be associated with climate change adaptation practices. Two strategies and practices are the most important: the social organization and the process of awareness and training of the community, and the diversification of the types and forms of agricultural production. The interviews indicate that adaptation is implemented in projects, but without considering the pressures of climate variability and change. While these projects were not planned in the context of climate change, the greatest role of the projects relates to the strengthening of the already existing adaptation capacity, creating good conditions for incorporation of new strategies and adaptation measures, now clearly associated to the objective to reduce the vulnerability to climate change and variability impacts.     

防二次污染蓄贮水装置研究与开发应用

解决饮用水在蓄贮过程中二次污染问题 ,是改善和保障我国城市供水水质的主要环节。影响蓄水装置水质变化的内部因素主要有材质、水力停留时间和水的流动特性。建造蓄水装置应采用食品卫生级的材料和防腐涂料 ;应严格控制蓄水装置容积 ,使其平均水力停留时间小于 6～ 8h ;应采取防止死水区和保证水体流动性措施。提出了一种防污染旋流式蓄水装置 ,并在实际工程中得到了示范应用     

基于环境恢复的环境污染损害责任与建立

环境本身损害的责任缺失是我国环境污染管理中亟待解决的突出问题。文章从社会经济系统与其支撑环境间作用关系过程链的三个响应环节出发,分析了建立环境本身损害责任机制的作用、意义及环境本身损害赔偿的内涵与构成。提出了围绕突发性污染排放问题,以恢复环境为目标,衔接我国环境应急管理系统实施环境本身损害责任的构架。结合突发性污染排放建立环境损害的恢复责任,对推进环境污染损害管理和深化污染事故应急处置具有重要支持作用。