影响街区峡谷浓度扩散的因素

对街区峡谷内污染扩散规律的研究是城市空气质量预测的主要内容之一。应用现代流体力学数值模拟方法进行大量算例的计算和分析,研究了城市街区峡谷污染物二维扩散的规律。在分析二维街区峡谷内浓度扩散的规律时,发现对街区峡谷浓度扩散的两个影响因素,其中定量分析了湍流脉动对浓度扩散的影响,与层流时得到的浓度扩散进行了通量积分的比较;此外,定性分析了不同类型的街区峡谷对扩散的影响。     

街区交通污染物光化学反应及其自然通风稀释

随着城市化进程的加剧,汽车尾气在太阳辐射作用下发生光化学反应,生成的气态污染物NO_x会在街区中扩散造成环境污染,这也是光化学烟雾形成的重要环节.本文通过数值模拟的方法,将风洞实验对比验证典型高宽比1的街区峡谷模型计算的可靠性和准确性,再运用RNG k-ε湍流模型耦合NO_x化学反应模型进行数值计算,探究存在光化学反应下的气态污染物在城市六街区中的扩散迁移规律.结果发现,上游街区的光化学反应程度要大于下游街区,但是因为街区自身涡旋结构的流动以及自然通风的稀释作用会慢慢将生成气态污染物迁移到下游街区中,且气态污染物会在街区背风侧形成积聚达到一定的浓度后会沉积在整个街区中.     

不同结构形状的街道峡谷内污染物扩散

针对不同的城市街道峡谷结构形状,通过求解二维不可压缩N-S方程和K-ε湍流模型方程及污染物对流扩散方程,数值模拟了街道峡谷内的流场及机动车排放污染物浓度场,从而说明了街道峡谷的结构是影响街道峡谷内污染气体扩散的主要因素之一。     

机动车污染模拟和地理信息系统支持

机动车污染是城市大气污染物的重要来源,对街区机动车污染排放量的预测和排放模拟对了解城市街区环境污染状况有重要价值。文章中将ＣＡＲ模式的模拟计算和ＧＩＳ集成在一起,通过ＶｉｓｕａｌＢａｓｉｃ进行了一个样例开发,其中ＧＩＳ功能由ＭａｐＸ控件实现。     

街道峡谷内汽车排放污染物浓度分布的观测与数值模拟

在上海某典型街道峡谷内按一定的空间布点,在一定时段内同时对各布点进行采样并做一氧化碳浓度分析,同时记录车辆种类、车流量、气象条件等,分析街道峡谷内污染物浓度的分布.运用风向频率加权(WDFW)方法,结合大气流动和污染物扩散的CFD模型进行数值模拟计算.结果表明,数值模拟结果和现场观测结果较吻合,建筑物低的一侧污染物浓度远高于建筑物高的一侧污染物浓度,两侧的污染物浓度随着高度的增加而降低.     

土壤污染物运移轨迹模拟研究

研究土壤污染物的运移轨迹,可以掌握污染物在土壤中迁移的时空规律,为土壤环境质量评价及污染预测、污染防治提供科学的根据与途径,具有重要的理论和实际意义.本文以对流扩散传输理论为依据,建立了土壤环境下污染物运移的数学模型,然后基于COMSOL对几种特定初始及边界条件下的对流扩散问题进行数值模拟,计算了稳定连续、指数变化、瞬时释放三种典型污染源排放模型,并探讨模型中的一些因子对污染物浓度分布的影响,最后对污染物浓度分布的计算结果进行了相关分析.     

城市街道空气质量与道路绿化型式的关系

通过对街区中茂密行道树对空气污染物扩散的利弊进行理论分析的基础上，以CO为自然示踪气体，对西安市几个典型街道中的气态污染物浓度分布做了实测。实测结果指出，道路车流量的大小是行道树树冠的净化功能和对污染物扩散的阻碍作用所占权重的主要影响因素，行道树对污染物扩散的阻碍作用主要受控于树木郁闭度而非绿量，指出城市道路绿化不应盲目追求绿量的提高，并据此提出在街道绿化中应根据车流量的大小采取不同绿化方案的建议。     

建筑动力学作用对近地面短历时点源污染扩散的影响

利用一次示踪剂扩散外场实验获得的数据,对城市小区尺度模式USSM在模拟短历时点源方面的能力进行了验证,结果表明USSM能较为合理地描述城区短历时点源的扩散特征。利用USSM进行了3个案例的情景模拟分析,得出结论:1)街区内建筑群的平均高度越高,建筑群之间的流场越紊乱,并且越容易形成涡旋型环流,同时建筑群之间的风速会变得越来越小。除此之外,随着建筑群平均高度的增加,受建筑群影响风场出现扰动现象的范围越大。2)建筑群平均高度的增高会显著降低街区内的扩散能力,并且这种影响可能是非线性的,当街区由小高层建筑为主变为高层建筑为主时,污染物输送扩散效率会急剧下降。     

城市街道内机动车排放污染物NO对流扩散的特征

采用现场观测和数值模拟的方法研究了城市街道内机动车排放污染物中的NO扩散特征。结果表明:城市街道中机动车排放污染物的对流扩散取决于屋顶风向和风速,随着建筑物顶部气流速度的增大,街道内同样位置的污染物浓度相对减小;当风向垂直于街道轴线时,街道内同样位置的污染物浓度最大;同时街道内机动车排放的污染物浓度与车流量成正比关系,即机动车流量越大污染物浓度越高。     

非抗生素类新污染物影响质粒携带的抗生素抗性基因(ARGs)水平转移研究进展

人们通常认为抗生素的选择压力是造成抗生素抗性基因快速扩散的原因,但是越来越多的研究表明环境中非抗生素类新污染物也能够造成抗生素抗性基因快速扩散。本文对非抗生素类新污染物影响质粒携带抗性基因水平转移规律和机制研究进展进行了归纳总结。目前的研究大多集中在内分泌干扰物、药品及个人护理产品以及纳米材料影响R质粒携带抗生素抗性基因水平转移,相关机制主要关注非抗生素类新污染物对活性氧、应激反应以及细胞膜通透性的影响。持久性有机污染物影响质粒携带抗性基因水平转移规律以及非抗生素类新污染物对其他质粒携带的抗生素抗性基因水平转移规律和其他类型的机制可以作为未来的研究方向。     

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.     

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.     

Threats to intact tropical peatlands and opportunities for their conservation

Large, intact areas of tropical peatland are highly threatened at a global scale by the expansion of commercial agriculture and other forms of economic development. Conserving peatlands on a landscape scale, with their hydrology intact, is of international conservation importance to preserve their distinctive biodiversity and ecosystem services and maintain their resilience to future environmental change. We explored threats to and opportunities for conserving remaining intact tropical peatlands; thus, we excluded peatlands of Indonesia and Malaysia, where extensive deforestation, drainage, and conversion to plantations means conservation in this region can protect only small fragments of the original ecosystem. We focused on a case study, the Pastaza‐Marañón Foreland Basin (PMFB) in Peru, which is among the largest known intact tropical peatland landscapes in the world and is representative of peatland vulnerability. Maintenance of the hydrological conditions critical for carbon storage and ecosystem function of peatlands is, in the PMFB, primarily threatened by expansion of commercial agriculture linked to new transport infrastructure that is facilitating access to remote areas. There remain opportunities in the PMFB and elsewhere to develop alternative, more sustainable land‐use practices. Although some of the peatlands in the PMFB fall within existing legally protected areas, this protection does not include the most carbon‐dense (domed pole forest) areas. New carbon‐based conservation instruments (e.g., REDD+, Green Climate Fund), developing markets for sustainable peatland products, transferring land title to local communities, and expanding protected areas offer pathways to increased protection for intact tropical peatlands in Amazonia and elsewhere, such as those in New Guinea and Central Africa which remain, for the moment, broadly beyond the frontier of commercial development.     

Cost‐effective conservation of an endangered frog under uncertainty

How should managers choose among conservation options when resources are scarce and there is uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of actions? Well‐developed tools exist for prioritizing areas for one‐time and binary actions (e.g., protect vs. not protect), but methods for prioritizing incremental or ongoing actions (such as habitat creation and maintenance) remain uncommon. We devised an approach that combines metapopulation viability and cost‐effectiveness analyses to select among alternative conservation actions while accounting for uncertainty. In our study, cost‐effectiveness is the ratio between the benefit of an action and its economic cost, where benefit is the change in metapopulation viability. We applied the approach to the case of the endangered growling grass frog (Litoria raniformis), which is threatened by urban development. We extended a Bayesian model to predict metapopulation viability under 9 urbanization and management scenarios and incorporated the full probability distribution of possible outcomes for each scenario into the cost‐effectiveness analysis. This allowed us to discern between cost‐effective alternatives that were robust to uncertainty and those with a relatively high risk of failure. We found a relatively high risk of extinction following urbanization if the only action was reservation of core habitat; habitat creation actions performed better than enhancement actions; and cost‐effectiveness ranking changed depending on the consideration of uncertainty. Our results suggest that creation and maintenance of wetlands dedicated to L. raniformis is the only cost‐effective action likely to result in a sufficiently low risk of extinction. To our knowledge we are the first study to use Bayesian metapopulation viability analysis to explicitly incorporate parametric and demographic uncertainty into a cost‐effective evaluation of conservation actions. The approach offers guidance to decision makers aiming to achieve cost‐effective conservation under uncertainty.     

Human Influence and Classical Biogeographic Predictors of Rare Species Occurrence

Biogeographic theory predicts that rare species occur more often in larger, less‐isolated habitat patches and suggests that patch size and connectivity are positive predictors of patch quality for conservation. However, in areas substantially modified by humans, rare species may be relegated to the most isolated patches. We used data from plant surveys of 81 meadow patches in the Georgia Basin of Canada and the United States to show that presence of threatened and endangered plants was positively predicted for patches that were isolated on small islands surrounded by ocean and for patches that were isolated by surrounding forest. Neither patch size nor connectivity were positive predictors of rare species occurrence. Thus, in our study area, human influence, presumably due to disturbance or introduction of competitive non‐native species, appears to have overwhelmed classical predictors of rare species distribution, such that greater patch isolation appeared to favor presence of rare species. We suggest conservation planners consider the potential advantages of protecting geographically isolated patches in human‐modified landscapes because such patches may represent the only habitats in which rare species are likely to persist. Influencia Humana y Predictores Biogeográficos Clásicos de la Ocurrencia de Especies Raras     

Seasonal dynamics of macro-algae in the South Lake of Tunis

The macro-algae communities observed in the south lake of Tunis are characterized by the predominance of nitrophilous algae which are in the order of biomass importance:Ulva, Cladophora andEnteromorpha. We have noted seasonal changes of alga distribution. The wind appears to be one of the most important factors influencing this distribution. The total biomass reaches a maximum in the spring. Rapid decomposition of the biomass leads to a severe ecological imbalance, resulting in crises of anoxia and fish death. A restoration project has already started. It aims at removal of contaminated muds and the introduction of a new circulation system. The main objectives of this work were to collect information on the distribution and biomass of the phytobenthic communities as a first step in the constitution of a database for further comparison.     

Patterns and biases of climate change threats in the IUCN Red List

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List assessments rely on published data and expert inputs, and biases can be introduced where underlying definitions and concepts are ambiguous. Consideration of climate change threat is no exception, and recently numerous approaches to assessing the threat of climate change to species have been developed. We explored IUCN Red List assessments of amphibians and birds to determine whether species listed as threatened by climate change display distinct patterns in terms of habitat occupied and additional nonclimatic threats faced. We compared IUCN Red List data with a published data set of species’ biological and ecological traits believed to infer high vulnerability to climate change and determined whether distributions of climate change‐threatened species on the IUCN Red List concur with those of climate change‐threatened species identified with the trait‐based approach and whether species possessing these traits are more likely to have climate change listed as a threat on the IUCN Red List. Species in some ecosystems (e.g., grassland, shrubland) and subject to particular threats (e.g., invasive species) were more likely to have climate change as a listed threat. Geographical patterns of climate change‐threatened amphibians and birds on the IUCN Red List were incongruent with patterns of global species richness and patterns identified using trait‐based approaches. Certain traits were linked to increases or decreases in the likelihood of a species being threatened by climate change. Broad temperature tolerance of a species was consistently related to an increased likelihood of climate change threat, indicating counterintuitive relationships in IUCN assessments. To improve the robustness of species assessments of the vulnerability or extinction risk associated with climate change, we suggest IUCN adopt a more cohesive approach whereby specific traits highlighted by our results are considered in Red List assessments. To achieve this and to strengthen the climate change‐vulnerability assessments approach, it is necessary to identify and implement logical avenues for further research into traits that make species vulnerable to climate change (including population‐level threats).     

Parasitic wasps orient to green leaf volatiles

Summary Undamaged plants emit low levels of green leaf volatiles (GLVs), while caterpillar-damaged and artificially damaged plants emit relatively higher levels of certain GLVs. Female braconid parasitoids,Microplitis croceipes, oriented to both damaged plants and to individual GLVs in no-choice tests in a wind tunnel, but seldom oriented to undamaged plants. Female ichneumonid parasitoids,Netelia heroica, also oriented to individual GLVs in a wind tunnel. Males of both wasp species failed to orient to the GLVs. These data show that leaf-feeding caterpillars can cause the release of GLVs, and that parasitic wasps can respond to these odors by flying upwind (chemoanemotactic response), which brings the wasps to their caterpillar hosts. This supports the hypothesis that plants communicate with members of the third trophic level,i.e., plants under herbivore attack emit chemical signals that guide natural enemies of herbivores to sites of plant damage. In this interaction, the GLVs serve as tritrophic plant-to-parasitoid synomones. That parasitoids from two different wasp families oriented to GLVs suggests that the response may be widespread among the Hymenoptera.Mention of a commercial or proprietary product does not constitute an endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture