Assessing Spatial Scale Effects on Hydrometric Network Design Using Entropy and Multi‐objective Methods

In order to facilitate water resources decisions, it is important that accurate and informative hydrometric data are collected. Combining information theory with multi‐objective optimization has led to methods of optimizing the information content provided by hydrometric networks; however, there is no available study on the effects of spatial scale and data limitation on these methods. Herein, a dual entropy multi‐objective optimization (DEMO) and a transinformation (TI) analysis were done to recommend optimal locations for additional hydrometric stations in the Madawaska Watershed. This analysis was designed to be comparative to a similar study conducted on the Ottawa River Basin which encompasses the Madawaska Watershed to allow for an investigation of the spatial scale effects in this type of network design. This study concludes that TI analysis is not adversely affected by scaling; however, the DEMO analysis is sensitive to the placement of potential station locations and the size of the study area. This study also examines the benefit of including nearby stations when the area of interest does not have a sufficient number of existing hydrometric stations for analysis. It is shown that these stations can provide useful information because their inclusion in the analysis increased the average TI in the watershed. Recommendations were made as to the ideal locations of additional stations in the Madawaska Watershed hydrometric network.     

Assessment and management of air quality for an opencast coal mining area

A study for the assessment and management of the air quality was carried out at Lakhanpur area of Ib Valley Coalfield in Orissa state in India. The 24-h average concentrations of total suspended particulate (TSP) matter, respirable particulate matter (PM10), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) were monitored during 1 year period. Samplings were done at a regular interval through out the year at 13 monitoring stations in the residential areas and four monitoring stations in the mining/industrial areas. The 24-hr average TSP and PM10 concentrations ranged from 338.8 to 799.8 microg m(-3) and 102.5-425.6 microg m(-3) for industrial area, and 72.3-497.1 microg m(-3) and 40.8-171.9 microg m(-3) for residential area, respectively. During the study period 24-hr and annual average TSP and PM10 concentrations exceeded the respective standards set in the national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) protocol at most residential and industrial areas. However, 24-hr and annual average concentrations of SO2 and NOx were well within the prescribed limit of NAAQS both in the residential and industrial areas. The annual and 24-hr average concentrations varied from 23.3 to 36.8 microg m(-3) and 16.0-55.2 microg m(-3) for SO2 and 23.9-41.9 microg m(-3) and 19.0-58.1 microg m(-3) for NOx, respectively. The temporal variations of TSP and PM10 fitted polynomial trend with an average correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.77 (+/-0.17) for TSP and 0.85 (+/-0.10) for PM10. On average the PM10 in the ambient air of the mining area constituted 31.94 (+/-1.76)% of the TSP. The linear regression correlation coefficient (R2) between TSP with PM10 and NOx with SO2 was 0.86 (+/-0.12) and 0.57 (+/-0.20), respectively. Maximal concentrations of TSP and PM10 occurred within the mining site based on the kriging technique. A management strategy is formulated for effective control of air pollution at source and other mitigative measures recommended including implementation of green belts around the sensitive areas where the concentration of air pollutants exceeded the standard limit.     

Spatial variations of human health risk associated with exposure to chlorination by-products occurring in drinking water

During disinfection, chlorine reacts with organic matter present in drinking water and forms various undesirable chlorinated by-products (CBPs). This paper describes a study of the spatial variability of human health risk (i.e., cancer effects) from CBP exposure through drinking water in a specific region. The region under study involves nine drinking water distribution systems divided into several zones based on their characteristics. The spatial distribution of cancer risk (CR) was estimated using two years of data (2006-2008) on various CBP species. In this analysis, trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs) served as surrogates for CBPs. Three possible routes of exposure (i.e., via ingestion, inhalation and dermal contact) were considered for each selected compound. The cancer risk assessment involved estimating a unit risk (R(T)) in each zone of the selected distribution systems. A probabilistic analysis based on Monte Carlo simulations was employed. Risk assessment results showed that cancer risk varied between systems, but also within individual systems. As a result, the population of the same region was not exposed to the same risk associated with CBPs in drinking water. Unacceptable levels (i.e., R(T) > 10(-4)) for the estimated CR were determined for several zones in the studied region. This study demonstrates that a spatial-based analysis performed to represent the spatial distribution of risk estimates can be helpful in identifying suitable risk management strategies. Suggestions for improving the risk analysis procedure are also presented.     

Assessing the impact of petrol stations on their immediate surroundings

This paper describes a novel methodology for evaluating the extent to which petrol stations affect their surroundings. The method is based on the fact that the ratio of the concentrations of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbon pollutants in the air of the petrol stations and their surroundings (basically determined by vapor emissions from unburned gasoline) differs from the ratio found in urban air, which is mainly influenced by traffic emissions. Bearing this in mind, the spatial limit of influence of petrol stations in any direction would be the first point, moving away from the station, where the ratio becomes equal to the urban background ratio. Application of the methodology involves multipoint measuring campaigns of the air at the studied petrol station and built-up area in general and processing the data with software capable of providing isoconcentration contours. The procedure should help local authorities in terms of land management, so that a “belt” can be established around petrol stations where housing or vulnerable populations and activities such as those in schools, hospitals and community centers should be restricted.     

OPTIMIZATION OF THE HYDROMETRIC NETWORK OPERATION BY A HEURISTIC TRAVELING SALESMAN ALGORITHM1

ABSTRACT: The problem of determining the optimal route to operate a network of hydrometric gauges within a given area is formulated and solved by an original heuristic traveling salesman algorithm. The algorithm used for solving the problem takes into account the variation of station service time, the eight-hour maximum working day, existence of more than one home base, and the budget constraint. The traveling salesman algorithm is used to solve the optima! assignment problem within a one-day time limit, locating a starting base, stations to visit, and the closest home base. The ending base for the previous day becomes the starting base for the next day, and the assignment procedure is repeated. The computation proceeds from day to day, until all the stations in the considered region are serviced. The solution obtained presents the optimal route to operate a network of hydrometric gauges. The optimization procedure has been applied to the Dauphin hydrometric field area in Manitoba.     

基于Moran’s I指数的京津冀地区PM2.5空间自相关分析

选取2014~2018年京津冀地区环境监测站点PM_2.5浓度观测数据,基于Moran's I指数,分析了该地区PM_2.5浓度的时空变化特征以及空间相关性。研究表明:2014~2018年京津冀地区PM_2.5浓度空间分布差异显著,2014年良、轻度、中度污染面积约占1/3,降至2018年以“良”为主;PM_2.5浓度空间分布北部、西部优于南部、东部地区,山区优于平原地区;PM_2.5浓度年平均值、IQR、Q1、Q3值及标准差均呈下降趋势,达到且接近于“良”以上程度的站点,从2014年2成增长至2018年8成;通过对历年及各月PM_2.5浓度全局Moran's I指数分析,I值(除7月外)均超过0.5,生成的P值均小于显著水平0.01,Z得分均超过了临界值2.58;年、月平均值均呈显著的集聚效应,年值集聚效应呈减弱趋势,月值集聚效应秋、冬季大于春、夏季,空间集聚效应与污染程度呈显著正相关;局部空间自相关历年、各月H-H集聚主要出现在京津冀南部地区,L-L集聚主要出现在北部地区。京津冀地区PM_2.5浓度值分布存在空间异质性,主要影响因素为地理、气候和经济环境。     

Multicriteria Relocation Analysis of an Off-site Radioactive Monitoring Network for a Nuclear Power Plant

Due to increasing environmental consciousness in most countries, every utility that owns a commercial nuclear power plant has been required to have both an on-site and off-site emergency response plan since the 1980s. A radiation monitoring network, viewed as part of the emergency response plan, can provide information regarding the radiation dosage emitted from a nuclear power plant in a regular operational period and/or abnormal measurements in an emergency event. Such monitoring information might help field operators and decision-makers to provide accurate responses or make decisions to protect the public health and safety. This study aims to conduct an integrated simulation and optimization analysis looking for the relocation strategy of a long-term regular off-site monitoring network at a nuclear power plant. The planning goal is to downsize the current monitoring network but maintain its monitoring capacity as much as possible. The monitoring sensors considered in this study include the thermoluminescence dosimetry (TLD) and air sampling system (AP) simultaneously. It is designed for detecting the radionuclide accumulative concentration, the frequency of violation, and the possible population affected by a long-term impact in the surrounding area regularly while it can also be used in an accidental release event. With the aid of the calibrated Industrial Source Complex–Plume Rise Model Enhancements (ISC-PRIME) simulation model to track down the possible radionuclide diffusion, dispersion, transport, and transformation process in the atmospheric environment, a multiobjective evaluation process can be applied to achieve the screening of monitoring stations for the nuclear power plant located at Hengchun Peninsula, South Taiwan. To account for multiple objectives, this study calculated preference weights to linearly combine objective functions leading to decision-making with exposure assessment in an optimization context. Final suggestions should be useful for narrowing the set of scenarios that decision-makers need to consider in this relocation process.     

Analysis of Changes in Farm Pond Network Connectivity in the Peri-Urban Landscape of the Taoyuan Area,Taiwan

The farm pond system for irrigation is the most prominent feature in the Taoyuan area, Taiwan, giving the region a unique landscape and hydrological character. Although this area had more than 3,290 ponds in the 1970s, fewer than 1,800 now remain. This study analyzes changes in irrigation farm ponds and the canal network landscape in the Taoyuan area. The spatial and temporal changes to ponds and the canal network on the Taoyuan plain were examined graphically for each spatial unit (2,765 m × 2,525 m) using aerial photographs for 1979 and 2005. Landscape metrics were calculated to analyze landscape change associated with increased urbanization. Landscape indices of connectivity and circuitry were utilized to describe changes in the configuration of ponds and canal networks. The total length of canals and total number of ponds in the study area decreased significantly during 1979-2005. The average values of connectivity indices (γ- and α-index) also decreased during 1979-2005, reflecting degradation of canal networks due to urban sprawl. A multivariate technique was applied to portion the study area into three zones according to changes to land cover, ponds, and canal networks. The effects of urban sprawl on the spatial pattern of ponds and canal networks are discussed.     

Spatial analysis of land use impact on ground water nitrate concentrations

In spatial analyses of causes or health effects of environmental pollutants, small units of analyses are usually preferred for internal environmental homogeneity reasons but can only be done when fine resolution data are available for most units. Objectives of this study were to determine which land use practices were spatially associated with ground water nitrate concentrations across Prince Edward Island (PEI), Canada, and which spatial aggregation is the preferred unit of analyses. Nitrate concentrations were determined for 4855 samples from private wells. Validated field-by-field land use data were available. Average nitrate concentration and percentage of area for the 14 major land use categories in PEI were determined for each of three spatial aggregations: watersheds based on topography and hydrology; freeform polygon boundaries based on similar neighboring nitrate concentrations; and 500-m buffer zones around each well. Results showed that the percentages of potato, grain, and hay coverage were positive predictors of ground water nitrate concentrations. Percentage of blueberry was a marginally significant negative predictor in the watershed and freeform polygon models, and percentage of residential coverage was a positive predictor in the freeform polygon and buffer zone models. Spatial autocorrelation was present in the freeform polygon and buffer zone models even after land use was taken into account. In conclusion, analyses based on watersheds produced the best predictive model with the percentages of land cover of potato, hay, and grain being significantly associated with ground water nitrate concentrations, and the percentages of blueberry, clear-cut woodland, and other agriculture being marginally significant.     

Application of Artificial Neural Networks to Predict Total Dissolved Solids at the Karaj Dam

We applied multilayer perceptron (MLP) and radial basis function (RBF) neural networks using data from two water quality monitoring stations at the Karaj Dam in Iran. Input data were calcium ions (Ca²⁺), magnesium ions (Mg²⁺), sodium ions (Na⁺), chloride ions (Cl^?), sulfate (), and pH, and the output data were total dissolved solids (TDS). An MLP with one hidden layer containing eight neurons was selected for the upstream water quality station using normalized input data. We developed a second MLP neural network for the downstream station with one hidden layer containing 10 neurons in the hidden layer using normalized input data. Considering applying normalized input data and one hidden layer, the coefficient of determination (R ²) and index of agreement (IA) between the observed and the predicted data for the upstream and downstream monitoring stations using the MLP neural networks were 0.985, 0.84, 0.99, and 0.92, respectively. The RBF neural network with 100 neurons in its hidden layer reached the minimum errors between the observed and the predicted results in upstream and downstream stations. The R ² between observed and predicted data for upstream and downstream monitoring stations for the RBF was 0.999 and 0.998, respectively. Data normalization improved the performance of the MLP neural networks. Sensitivity analysis indicated that magnesium is the most effective water quality parameter for predicting TDS, and sulfate is the second most effective water quality parameter affecting TDS prediction at the Karaj Dam.     

济南市大气污染时空特征研究

为不断改善济南市大气环境质量,在广泛收集与整理相关资料和数据基础上,基于综合污染指数评价法及Arc-GIS平台空间插值法研究并表征了济南市“十一五”期间大气主要污染物的时、空变化特征及发展趋势;研究结果表明：济南市“十一五”期间大气环境质量变化较大,2007～2009年污染较为严重,之后有所改善;大气污染物浓度呈明显的季节变化特征,冬季污染最严重,夏季空气质量最好;首要污染物为PM10;污染较严重区域集中在济南市东北部地区;其变化原因受地理气候条件、产业结构和能源结构影响较大.该研究方法及结论对其他大中城市大气环境质量时空变化研究具有一定借鉴价值.     

长沙市空气自动站周边区域大气污染物排放源清单

以长沙市空气自动站周边3 km为研究对象,基于统计年鉴和实地调查,获得了该地区2015年储存运输源、废弃物处理源、工艺过程源、化石燃料固定燃烧源、农业源、生物质燃烧源、扬尘源、移动源8个源类的活动水平数据。以大气污染物排放源清单编制技术指南为依据,建立了2015年长沙市空气自动站周边3 km区域NH_3、NO_x、PM_(10)、PM_(2.5)、SO_2、VOCs等6项污染物的源排放清单。结果表明,2015年长沙空气自动站周边3 km内,8类大气污染源排放的NH_3、NO_x、PM_(2.5)、PM_(10)、SO_2、VOCs总量分别为53.65t、4 899.35t、1 846.09t、6 257.75t、989.49t、4 383.31t。NH_3、NO_x、PM_(2.5)、PM_(10)、SO_2、VOCs排放量最大的源分别是农业源、移动源、扬尘源、扬尘源、化石燃料固定燃烧源和移动源,贡献率分别为98.45%、84.24%、60.82%、85.90%、97.33%、49.88%。优化道路交通、减少燃煤、减少建筑工地扬尘排放可促进长沙市空气自动站周边空气质量改善。     

基于Models-3的自修正空气质量预报系统及其效果检验

本文介绍了一个以Models-3为基础的自动化空气质量数值预报系统,该系统通过Gambas、Yabasic和R语言等工具进行开发,集成WRF-SMOKE-CMAQ三个模式,可通过监测数据进行自动修正,完成空气质量业务数值预报,并将结果发布到Web服务器上进行呈现。该系统对硬件的要求较低,将部署于一台DELL Optiplex 9010工作站上,设置6km—2km双层嵌套,进行成都市空气质量数值预报。本文分析了成都市2014年1月1日至2014年12月31日的空气质量数值预报结果,评价系统对成都市NO_2、SO_2、PM_(10)、PM_(2.5)、O_3、CO以及空气质量指数(AQI)的预报效果。结果显示,系统对于成都市2014年空气质量变化情况趋势的预报效果较好,302天有效预报中,24小时直接预报的空气质量等级准确率为58.27%,AQI预报相关系数0.71,观测值自动修正预报对24小时空气质量预报具有明显改善效果,使其等级预报准确率达到64.9%,相关系数提高到0.89。     

Optimal estuarine sediment monitoring network design with simulated annealing

An objective function based on geostatistical variance reduction, constrained to the reproduction of the probability distribution functions of selected physical and chemical sediment variables, is applied to the selection of the best set of compliance monitoring stations in the Sado river estuary in Portugal. These stations were to be selected from a large set of sampling stations from a prior field campaign. Simulated annealing was chosen to solve the optimisation function model. Both the combinatorial problem structure and the resulting candidate sediment monitoring networks are discussed, and the optimal dimension and spatial distribution are proposed. An optimal network of sixty stations was obtained from an original 153-station sampling campaign.     

Statistical approach for evaluating the significance of generating new data to the management of the brackish groundwater fields in Kuwait

The brackish groundwater production fields in Kuwait have been drilled intensively during the past three decades. However, poor spatial distribution of some of the measured parameters and limited measurements of others are forcing extended extrapolation during numerical simulations of management schemes. On the other hand, operational, time and budget constraints allow only limited additional field-generated data, raising the question of the significance of their impact on numerical modeling results. This study evaluates this significance by using nearest neighbor statistics and a synthesized data set to assess the impacts of a proposed field investigation on the spatial distribution and kriged values of transmissivity and storage coefficient arrays of the brackish groundwater production fields. A scale for the significance of the impacts was prepared based on the sensitivity of the aquifer system towards the studied properties. The transmissivity data array indicated a 25% reduction in the maximum distance and an 8% increase in the interquartile of the nearest neighbor analysis. The storage coefficient data arrays indicated the extension of the covered area to reach the southern boundary of the study area, which was reflected in more than doubling the maximum distance between the nearest neighbors. For the kriged values of the transmissivity, about 35% of the study area was significantly changed due to the addition of the new data points, while only 10% of the study area was significantly changed for the storage coefficient values. Overall, while the spatial distribution indicators were not conclusive, the significance of the new data was clear in the changes in the kriged values of the aquifer properties. Additionally, this approach highlights the aquifer test locations where the generated data had no impact on the kriged values, which may be utilized for optimizing the allocation and number of the aquifer tests.     

SPATIAL ANALYSIS FOR MONTHLY RAINFALL IN SOUTH FLORIDA1

ABSTRACT: Several methods have been developed to interpolate point rainfall data and integrate areal rainfall data from any network of stations. From previous studies, it can be concluded that models for spatial analysis of rainfall are dependent on topography, area of analysis, type of rainfall, and density of gauging network. The purpose of this study is to evaluate a set of six appropriate models for point and areal rainfall estimations over a 4000 square mile area in South Florida. In this study, a case of developing spatial continuity model for monthly rainfall from a database that had various lengths of records and missing data is documented. The spatial correlation and variogram models for monthly rainfall were developed. Six methods of spatial interpolation were applied and the results validated with historical observations. The results of the study indicate that the multiquadric, kriging, and optimal interpolation schemes are the best three methods for interpolation of monthly rainfall within the study area. The optimal and kriging methods have the advantage of providing estimates of the error of interpolation. The optimal interpolation method uses the spatial correlation function and the kriging method uses the variogram function. The two spatial functions are related. Either of the two methods provide good estimates of monthly point and areal rainfall in the study area.     

Application of Index Procedures to Flood Frequency Analysis in Turkey1

Abstract: This study investigates the regional analysis of annual maximum flood series of 48 stream gauging stations in the basins of the West Mediterranean Region in Turkey. The region is divided into three homogeneous subregions according to both Student‐t test and Dalrymple homogeneity test. The regional relationships of mean annual flood per unit area‐drainage area and coefficient of skew‐coefficient of variation are obtained. Two statistically meaningful relationships of the mean flood per unit area‐drainage area and a unique relationship between skewness and variation coefficients exist. Results show that the index‐flood method may be applicable to each homogenous subregion to estimate flood quantiles in the study area.     

Spatio-temporal patterns of soil phosphorus enrichment in Everglades water conservation area 2A

The Florida Everglades have undergone significant ecological change resulting from anthropogenic manipulation of historical regimes of hydrology, nutrient loading, and fire. Water Conservation Area 2A (WCA-2A) in the northern Everglades has been a focal point for the study of ecological effects of nutrient loading, especially phosphorus (P), from the nearby Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA). The overall objective of our study was to evaluate recent (1990 to 1998) changes in the spatial extent and patterns of soil P enrichment in Everglades WCA-2A. Surface soil was sampled to a depth of 10 cm at 62 sites within WCA-2A during 1998 for analysis of total phosphorus (TP) content. Geostatistical methods were used to create an interpolated grid of soil TP values across WCA-2A. Comparison of the results of this study with a similar study performed in 1990 showed that the extent of soil P enrichment in surface soil and sediments increased between 1990 and 1998, as evidenced by increased coverage of highly P-enriched soil near the primary surface inflows and a general increase in the concentration of soil TP in the interior regions of WCA-2A. Approximately 73% (31 777 ha) of the total land area of WCA-2A was considered P-enriched (soil total P > 500 mg kg(-1)) in 1998, compared with 48% of the land area (20,829 ha) in 1990, an average increase of 1,327 ha yr(-1). Study results indicate that the soil P enrichment "front" has advanced further into the relatively unimpacted interior of WCA-2A during the past several years.     

OPTIMIZATION PROCEDURE FOR COST EFFECTIVE BMP PLACEMENT AT A WATERSHED SCALE1

ABSTRACT: A combinatorial optimization procedure for best management practice (BMP) placement at the watershed level facilitates selection of cost effective BMP scenarios to control non point source (NFS) pollution. A genetic algorithm (GA) was selected from among several optimization heuristics. The GA combines an optimization component written in the C++ language with spatially variable NFS pollution prediction and economic analysis components written within the Arc View geographic information system. The procedure is modular in design, allowing for component modifications while maintaining the basic conceptual framework. An objective function was developed to lexicographically optimize pollution reduction followed by cost increase. Scenario cost effectiveness is then calculated for scenario comparisons. The NPS pollutant fitness score allows for evaluation of multiple pollutants, based on prioritization of each pollutant. The economic component considers farm level public and private costs, cost distribution, and land area requirements. Development of a sediment transport function, used with the Universal Soil Loss Equation, allows the optimization procedure to run within a reasonable timeframe. The procedure identifies multiple near optimal solutions, providing an indication of which fields have a more critical impact on overall cost effectiveness and flexibility in the final solution selected for implementation. The procedure was demonstrated for a 1,014‐ha watershed in the Ridge and Valley physiographic region of Virginia.     

Satellite-based indices in the analysis of land cover for municipalities in the province of Siena, Italy

Territorial indicators based on the satellite measured reflected or emitted energy can provide valuable information on the spatial evolution of a territory. Information regarding land use, biomass coverage and radiant temperature were obtained from remotely obtained measurements for each municipality in the Province of Siena. Remotely sensed data were combined into different indices to compare characteristics of land cover between territories and create an information base for continued study. A classification was performed on a municipal level and land use classes were grouped together and a general index of use pressure was created. A vegetation index was used to compare biomass densities. A radiant temperature index was calculated using measure thermal infrared emissions. The results of these analyses allowed researchers to examine the intra and inter-municipal spatial heterogeneity within the Province. A comparison between the results of each index was made and the problems related to the use of such indices were examined.