The expected impact of the “Peace Conduit” project (the Red Sea - Dead Sea pipeline) on the Dead Sea

The Dead Sea is a severely disturbed ecosystem, greatly damaged by anthropogenic intervention in its water balance. During the 20th century, the Dead Sea level dropped by more than 25 meters, and presently (2003) it is at about 416 meters below mean sea level. This negative water balance is mainly due to the diversion of water from the catchment area of the lake by Israel, Jordan and Syria. During the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development Israel and Jordan jointly announced their interest in saving the Dead Sea by constructing the “Peace Conduit” that will pipe water from the Red Sea to the Dead Sea. The inflow of seawater (or reject brine after desalinization) into the Dead Sea will have a major impact on its limnology, geochemistry and biology. During the filling stage, relatively diluted surface water will form and the rate of evaporation will therefore increase. Dilution of the surface water will most likely result in microbial blooming whose duration is not known, while the lower water layer is likely to develop reducing conditions, including bacterial sulfate reduction and presence of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S). Mixing between the calcium-rich Dead Sea brine and the sulfate-rich seawater will result in gypsum precipitation (CaSO₄⋅ 2H₂O). Once the target level is reached, inflow will be outbalanced by evaporation and salinity of the surface water will increase due to accumulation of seawater-salts. The water column will re-mix when the density of the surface water will equal that of the lower water column. In spite of its large volume and high salinity relative to that of the inflowing water, over the long run the composition of this unique lake will change. Before a decision is made on the planning and construction of the Conduit, it is essential that the long term evolution and characteristics of the “renewed” Dead Sea be known and anticipated changes examined. Once decided upon, the planning and construction of the Conduit should be conducted so as to minimize possible negative impacts of seawater introduction on the Dead Sea. This can only be achieved through a thorough understanding of the expected changes in the limnological physical/chemical characteristics of the Dead Sea and its unique brine.     

Impact of solids on biphasic biodegradation of phenanthrene in the presence of hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPCD)

The consequence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the environment is of great concern. The hydrophobic properties of PAHs significantly impact phase distribution causing limited bioavailability. Enhanced biodegradation has been extensively carried out by surfactants and the redeployment effect was recognized. However, the quantitative relationship concerning the impact of solids was rarely reported. A batch of biphasic tests were carried out by introducing Mycobacterium vanbaalenii PYR-1 and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPCD) into a mixture of phenanthrene solution and various glass beads (GB37-63, GB105-125, and GB350-500). The comparative results demonstrated that HPCD had little effect on microbial growth and was not degradable by bacterium. A model was proposed to describe the biodegradation process. The regression results indicated that the partition coefficient k _d (1.234, 0.726 and 0.448 L·g⁻¹) and the degradation rate k (0 mmol·L⁻¹: 0.055, 0.094, and 0.112; 20 mmol·L⁻¹: 0.126, 0.141, and 0.156; 40 mmol·L⁻¹: 0.141, 0.156 and 0.184 d⁻¹) were positively and negatively correlated with the calculated total surface area (TSA) of solids, respectively. Degradation enhanced in the presence of HPCD, and the enhancing factor f was calculated (20 mmol·L⁻¹: 15.16, 40.01, and 145.5; 40 mmol·L⁻¹: 13.29, 37.97, and 138.4), indicating that the impact of solids was significant for the enhancement of biodegradation.     

The effect of light on the Mn(II) or Fet(lll)-catalyzed oxidation of aqueous S(IV)

ＴｈｅｅｆｆｅｃｔｏｆｌｉｇｈｔｏｎｔｈｅＭｎ（ＩＩ）ｏｒＦｅｔｌｌｌ）ｘａｔａｌｙｚｅｄｏｘｉｄａｔｉｏｎｏｆａｑｕｅｏｕｓＳ（ＩＶ）ＸｕＹｏｎｇｆｕ（ＩｎｓｔｉｔｕｔｅｏｆＡｔｍｏｓｐｈｅｒｉｃＰｈｙｓｉｃｓ，ＣｈｉｎｅｓｅＡｃａｄｅｍｙｏｆＳｃ...     

Uncertainties in the assessment of “significant effect” on the Dutch Natura 2000 Wadden Sea site – The mussel seed fishery and powerboat race controversies

Natura 2000, the nature network based on the European Bird and Habitat Directives, is explicitly grounded on ecological science. To acquire a permit under the Dutch Nature Conservation Act, an appropriate assessment of significant effects must be conducted based on the best available scientific knowledge. In this way the scientific and policy world are directly linked. This article focuses on ‘significant effect’ as a boundary object to analyse how science–policy interactions shape the meaning and assessment of significant effect and how these interpretations influence the decision-making process. To this end, two conflicts over significant effect are investigated: the conflict over the 2006-spring permit for the mussel seed fishery, and the 2011 permit for the planned World Championship powerboat races. In both cases nature organisations started a court process against the government-granted permits in protest to the “no significant effect” claim, stating that there was insufficient certainty for this conclusion. These conflicts are approached as controversies between discourse coalitions with different interpretations of the ecological knowledge. We show how significant effect became a focal point in the controversies, limiting the debate to ecological arguments and science-based expertise, but also creating options for parties to advance their protest by articulating uncertainties. Only uncertainty of incomplete knowledge was explicitly addressed, excluding ambiguity of values and unpredictability of the actual ecosystem. We suggest that acknowledging the value aspect in disputes on significant effect would leave more space for effective solutions of the problems under debate.     

The effect of freezing on the composition of supercooled droplets—II. Retention of S(IV)

S(IV) dissolved in droplets is partially evolved as SO₂ during freezing. A spray of droplets with average diameter 39μm, produced by an ultrasonic transducer, was let to fall through a controlled atmosphere with known SO₂ concentration, at varying temperatures between −8 and −23°C, attaining thermal and chemical equilibrium. In a first arrangement, the droplets fell by gravitation on an ice surface. Two other arrangements simulated the riming ventilation conditions: in one series of experiments, the droplets were projected by a gas jet at several m s⁻¹ against a target; in another, the droplets were caught by rotating rods. The fraction of S(IV) retained in the ice Γ was determined by analysis of the samples and comparison with the equilibrium concentration in the liquid droplets. Samples collected by gravitation showed a retention coefficient Γ = 0.25 + 0.012 T_s (T_s = supercooling); rime samples showed large dispersion in the results, the retention coefficient being best represented by an average value Γ = 0.62, independent of temperature.     

Oxidation of Cr(Ⅲ) on birnessite surfaces: The effect of goethite and kaolinite

Oxidation of Cr(Ⅲ) by manganese oxides may pose a potential threat to environments due to the formation of toxic Cr(Ⅵ) species. At present, it was still unclear whether the extent of Cr(Ⅲ) oxidation and fate of Cr(Ⅵ) would be changed when manganese oxides co-exist with other minerals, the case commonly occurring in soils. This study investigated the influence of goethite and kaolinite on Cr(Ⅲ) oxidation by birnessite under acidic p H condition(p H 3.5)and background electrolyte of 0.01 mol/L Na Cl. Goethite was found not to affect Cr(Ⅲ)oxidation, which was interpreted as the result of overwhelming adsorption of cationic Cr(Ⅲ) onto the negatively-charged birnessite(point of zero charge(PZC) 3.0) rather than the positively-charged goethite(PZC = 8.8). However, more Cr(Ⅵ) would be retained by the surface with the increase in addition of goethite because of its strong ability on adsorption of Cr(Ⅵ) at low p H. Moreover, either Cr(Ⅲ) oxidation or distribution of the generated Cr(Ⅵ)between the solid and solution phases was not affected by kaolinite(PZC 3.0), indicating its low affinity for Cr species. Reactions occurring in the present mixed systems were suggested, which could be partly representative of those in the soils and further indicates that the mobility and risk of Cr(Ⅵ) would be decreased if goethite was present.     

The influence of science on Canada's foreign policy on persistent organic pollutants (1985–2001)

The role of science in environmental foreign policymaking has received little attention in the international environmental politics literature, and systematic, in-depth case studies of the influence of science on environmental foreign policy with respect to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are entirely missing. We present a case study of the influence of science on Canada's foreign policy on POPs from the discovery of the transboundary nature of the POPs problem around 1985 to the signing of the United Nations Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants in 2001. Influence was analyzed in terms of a knowledge–action methodology that focused on the types of scientific knowledge and the actions taken by scientists that were influential. Data were collected through interviews and extensive document analysis. We conclude that, while individual knowledge types and actions were influential during various periods (single-factor explanations), it was an increasingly layered and integrated “package” of knowledge types and actions, with human health impacts as its touchstone and partnering between scientists and non-scientists as its watchword, that propelled and sustained Canada's foreign policy on the POPs issue.     

Effect of sorbed and desorbed Zn(Ⅱ) on the growth of a green alga (Chlorella pyrenoidosa)

Toxic effect of Zn(Ⅱ) on a green alga (Chlorella pyrenoidasa) in the presence of sepiolite and kaolinite was investigated.The Zn-free clays were found to have a negative impact on the growth of C.pyrenoidosa in comparison with control samples (without adding any clay or Zn(Ⅱ)).When Zn(Ⅱ) was added,the algae in the presence of clays could be better survived than the control samples,which was actually caused by a decrease in Zn(Ⅱ) concentration in the solution owing to the adsorption of Zn(Ⅱ) on the clays.When the solution system was diluted,the growth of algae could be further inhibited as compared to that in a system which had the same initial Zn(Ⅱ) concentration as in the diluted system.This in fact resulted from desorption of Zn(Ⅱ) from the zinc-contaminated clays,although the effect varied according to the different desorption capabilities of sepiolite and kaolinite.Therefore the adsorption and desorption processes of Zn(Ⅱ) played an important part in its toxicity,and adsorption and desorption of pollutants on soils/sediments should be well considered in natural eco-environmental systems before their risk of toxicity to aquatic organisms was assessed objectively.     

Effect of sorbed and desorbed Zn(Ⅱ) on the growth of a green alga (Chlorella pyrenoidosa)

Toxic effect of Zn(Ⅱ)on a green alga(ChloreUa pyrenoidosa)in the presence of sepiolite and kaolinite was investigated.The Zn-free clays were found to have a negative impact on the growth of C.pyrenoidosa in comparison with control samples(without adding any clay or Zn(Ⅱ)).When Zn(Ⅱ)was added,the algae in the presence of clays could be better survived than the control samples,which was actually caused by a decrease in Zn(Ⅱ)concentration in the solution owing to the adsorption of Zn(Ⅱ)on the clays.When the solution system was diluted,the growth of algae could be further inhibited as compared to that in a system which had the same initial Zn(Ⅱ)concentration as in the diluted system.This in fact resulted from desorption of Zn(Ⅱ)from the zinc-contaminated clays,although the effect varied according to the different desorption capabilities of sepiolite and kaolinite.Therefore the adsorption and desorption processes of Zn(Ⅱ)played an important part in its toxicity,and adsorption and desorption of pollutants on soils/sediments should be well considered in natural eco-environmental systems before their risk of toxicity to aquatic organisms was assessed objectively.     

Impact of shoreline changes on the costal water quality of Bohai Bay（2003—2011）

为研究渤海湾岸线对近岸海域水质的影响,本研究首先阐述了2003、2010和2011年的渤海湾海岸线变迁情况,采用数值模拟的方法研究了由岸线变迁引起的渤海湾水动力条件的变化情况,之后应用综合污染指数法筛选出渤海湾近岸海域的2003、2010、2011年的主要污染指标,并探讨了因岸线变化引起的渤海湾近岸海域主要污染指标污染范围的变化情况.结果表明,与2003年相比,2010年渤海湾的各个港口都有了很大程度的扩张,部分滩涂地区变成陆地;渤海湾余流场的主要变化是天津港北部存在的逆时针余流消失,天津港南部至黄骅港北部间的逆时针沿岸余流有所减小;渤海湾2003、2010和2011的水质的主要污染指标为营养盐类、重金属类的Zn和Pb;渤海湾近岸海域主要污染指标的污染范围有所扩大,污染物高值区有向渤海湾东北海域扩展的趋势.     

Environmental analysis of the production of natural cork stoppers in southern Europe (Catalonia – Spain)

The wine industry has developed greatly over recent years, and it could be stated that what was once a traditional industry has become a very productive and technical sector. One aspect that has not been studied until now is the cork stopper, despite the fact that most wine bottles are sealed with this product, and practically all corks are produced in the Iberian Peninsula.This study presents the environmental analysis of the production of natural cork stoppers, using life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. The research was supported by data from four Catalan representative companies and all the stages involved in the production after the forest management have been taken into account. The purpose of this research was to provide reference data for the Catalan cork industrial sector (Northeast Spain), and also contribute to deciding which aspects of natural cork stopper production must be improved and further researched. Another objective of this research was to emphasise and demonstrate that LCA methodology could be an interesting tool for improving traditional industry, from a cleaner production perspective.Results could be used by other sector companies to analyse and compare themselves with in order to know if they could improve their production with the current available technology. Impact assessment results indicate that the manufacturing stage was the stage causing the greatest impact, but also an evaluation of the influence of the initial transport from the forest reveals that this stage could notably increase the impact when raw cork was moved from distant forests.     

The effect of continuous Ni(Ⅱ) exposure on the organic degradation and soluble microbial product(SMP) formation in two-phase anaerobic reactor

A two-phase anaerobic reactor fed with glucose substrate (3 g chemical oxygen demand (COD)/L) was used to investigate the effects of toxic metals on the degradation of organics and the soluble microbial product (SMP) formation. Low concentrations of Ni(II) (5 and 10 mg/L) promoted the acid phase, whereas high concentrations (15, 20, and 25 mg/L) exhibited an inhibitory effect on, but did not alter the fermentative method, which mainly involved the fermentation of propionic acid. The methanogenic microorganism exhibited a strong capability adapting constantly increased Ni(II) levels. The acid phase was an accumulation stage of SMP. In the absence of Ni(II), the high-molecular-weight material in the effluent SMP mainly contained polysaccharide, tryptophan, and casein. Methanogens metabolized most of the polysaccharide, the whole tryptophan content, and part of the casein, leading to the presence of humic acid and protein in effluent. After Ni(II) dosage, the protein and polysaccharide of the acid phase increased, and tryptophan changed, while casein remained stable. More protein than polysaccharide was produced, suggesting the prominent function of protein when addressing the negative effect of toxic metals. The analysis of DNA confirmed the change of bacterial activity.     

The curve of ion exchange ratio(%)-pH of the interaction between suspended particles with Cd(Ⅱ) in the Yellow River

Ｔｈｅｃｕｒｖｅｏｆｉｏｎｅｘｃｈａｎｇｅｒａｔｉｏ（％）ｐＨｏｆｔｈｅｉｎｔｅｒａｃｔｉｏｎｂｅｔｗｅｎｓｕｓｐｅｎｄｅｄｐａｒｔｉｃｌｅｓｗｉｔｈＣｄ（Ⅱ）ｉｎｔｈｅＹｅｌｏｗＲｉｖｅｒＹａｎｇＨｏｎｇｗｅｉ，ＪｉａｏＸｉａｏｂａｏ，Ｇｕ...     

The curve of ion exchange ratio(%)-pH of the interaction between suspended particles with Cd(II) in the Yellow River

The curve of ion exchange ratio(%)-pH of the interactionbetween suspended particles with Cd(II) in the Yellow River wasstudied. The effects of lysine on this curve have been alsoinvestigated. The results showed that (1) Cadmium in Cd(OH)+ formin the suspended particles exchanges with the cations.The exchangeratio of Cd2+ is nearly at its greatest value in the range of pH(8.0-8.5) in natural aquatic system; (2) Ion exchange ratiodecreases as the concentration of Cd2+ raises from 8.9×10-6 mol/L to 2x8.9 x 10-6mol/L; (3) At the lysine concentration of 6.8x10-6 mol/L, it can promote the ion exchange ratio; (4) Adsorption of thesuspended particles to cadmium is weaker in seawater and Jin ShaRiver than in the Yellow River.     

Summary report on the activities of the first session of SCOPE China/CAST (1988.7-1992.6)

1 Founding of SCOPE China CAST supported the setting up of SCOPE China in early 1988. Mr. Lu Jingting, Professors Ma Shijun and Zhuang Yahui participated in the 7th SCOPE General As- sembly in June, 1988, at which SCOPE China/CAST was admitted as a SCOPE mem-ber. Then the first plenary meeting of SCOPE China was held in Beijing in July, 1988 and the Constitution of SCOPE China was adopted and the committee of     

The ecosystem and autonomy: A reconsideration of the ecosystem concept (I)

A critical review of the development of the ecosystem concept is presented in this paper. An attempt to define the concept is discussed in details with reference to autonomy.