Siberian musk deer in the diets of tiger and bears in the Sikhote-Alin

The role of the Siberian musk deer in the diets of the Amur tiger, brown bear, and Asian black bear has been studied in the Sikhote-Alin State Biosphere Reserve in 1992 to 2016. Information has been collected from 763 tiger feeding sites, and the contents of tiger feces have been analyzed. Radiotelemetry has been used to evaluate tiger–musk deer relationships. The musk deer accounted for 0.26% of all animal species found to be eaten by the tiger. Musk deer remains in feces of the tiger, brown bear, and Asian black bear occurred with frequencies of 1.3, 0.2, and 0.3%, respectively. A case of musk deer avoiding the presence of brown bear is described.     

Trade-offs in linking adaptation and mitigation in the forests of the Congo Basin

Regional Environmental Change - Recent discussions on forests and climate change have highlighted the potential for conservation of tropical forests to contribute synergistically to both mitigation...     

Radionuclide tracing of water masses and processes in the water column and sediment in the Algerian Basin

Caesium-137 and (239,240)PU were analysed in the water column along the Algerian coast. The (137)Cs activity concentration in surface water increased from the west to the east from 1.6 to 3.3 mBq L(-1), documenting a presence of Modified Atlantic Water (MAW) in the region. Higher concentrations observed in deep waters may be due to an intrusion of Levantine Intermediate Water (LIW), which has been carrying higher levels of (137)Cs from Chernobyl accident. The (239,240)Pu sub-surface concentration peaked at about 250 m water depth as a result of biogeochemical processes in the water column. The observed (239,240)Pu/(137)Cs activity ratio at the surface (0.003) was significantly lower than that in global fallout (0.04). This decrease exceeds that expected from radioactive decay of (137)Cs, and confirms that Pu due to its adsorption on sinking particles is more effectively removed from surface layers than is (137)Cs. An increase of the (239,240)Pu/(137)Cs activity ratio with depth suggests that (239,240)Pu, similarly as (137)Cs, should be also transported by advection to maintain the observed ratios in deep waters. An intrusion of LIW may enhance therefore both the (137)Cs and (239,240)Pu concentrations in deep waters. The average (238)Pu/(239+240)Pu activity ratio in seawater was 0.03+/-0.02, confirming a global fallout origin of Pu in the Algerian Basin. Caesium-137 and (239,240)Pu inventories in the water column were estimated to be from 2.7+/-0.5 kBq m(-2) to 3.8+/-0.7 kBq m(-2), and from 13.8+/-2.6 Bq m(-2) to 41+/-7B qm(-2), respectively. The (137)Cs massic activities in surface sediment were almost constant, the average activity was 9.0+/-0.8 Bq kg(-1). Sedimentation rates obtained using the (210)Pb method were from 0.1 to 0.7 cm y(-1), and resulting penetration depths of (137)Cs in the sediment cores were from 15 to over 40 cm. The (137)Cs peaks found in the sediment cores were associated with the Chernobyl accident (1986) and global fallout (1964). The (137)Cs inventories in the sediment were increasing from the west (180 Bq m(-2)) to the east (350 Bq m(-2)).     

Difference among the Growth of GDP and Urbanization of the Provinces and the Cities in West China since the Reform and Opening-up

Since the reform and opening-up, the difference between the development of the west region and the other regions in China is increasing. In addition, the condition of the development of cities in west China needs amelioration. Developing conditions of the west provinces and its cities using economic barometers (e.g. gross domestic product (GDP) and per capita GDP) and urban population datum (e.g. urbanization level and city primary degree) have been analyzed in this article. Five indexes have been chosen to work on the development of the provinces, for example, the contribution degree of the increment in GDP, the contribution degree of the increment of per capita GDP, urbanization level, city primary degree, city primacy ratio. Conclusions are as follows. (1) The growth of the GDP and per capita GDP of the western provinces is in a poor way; moreover, it is not steady going. (2) The comparability among the characteristics of the urbanization level growth of the provinces is at a low level. (3) The urbanization levels of Inner Mongolia province and Sinkiang province are more-sensitive responders to the growth of per capita GDP, whereas those of Guangxi province and Tibet province are less-sensitive responders. (4) The urban population in most of the provinces are highly concentrated, which can be shown by city primary degrees and city primacy ratios. While working on these cities in west China, some earlier zone-organic cities are chosen as sample cities, and these cities are also analyzed using economic barometers and population datum. By analyzing the difference among the cities and comparing the research findings of Professor Zhou and the author, the following conclusions are made: (1) the growth of the GDP and per capita GDP of the cities are mostly not steady going; (2) the middle and big cities are more-sensitive responders to the growth of economy, whereas the small and mega cities are less-sensitive responders; (3) the sizes of southwest cities have a higher speed than those of northwest ones, and furthermore, the differences between them are still increasing.     

西南地区不同地形降水稳定同位素特征及其水汽来源

为阐明西南地区不同地形对于降水稳定同位素的影响以及各个水汽团在地理上的分界线,选取四川盆地、云贵高原、青藏高原东部及横断山脉3个地区共10个研究点作为本次研究的对象,分析了西南地区大气降水中δD、δ18O的时空变化特征,并初步建立了3个地区大气降水线,探讨了降水稳定同位素与温度、降水量及水汽来源之间的关系,并利用HYSPLIT4.9模型分析追踪冬夏半年降水事件的水汽来源及运移路径。结果表明：西南地区降水稳定同位素存在显著的高程效应;δ18O=-0.0028H-3.93,R=0.89,降水中δ18Ｏ和δＤ值表现出由四川盆地-云贵高原-青藏高原东部与横断山脉地区逐渐贫化的趋势,季节变化规律特征为冬半年整体偏重,而夏半年整体偏轻。同时西南地区除昆明与成都地区外,d值整体上表现出夏低冬高的特征,符合我国季风降水影响区域的特点。3处地区大气降水线（LMWL）与全球大气降水线（GMWL）相比,四川盆地、青藏高原东部及横断山脉地区斜率与截距明显偏小,而云贵高原斜率与截距偏大,其主要与水汽凝结时温度、蒸发条件、水汽来源以及输送方式有关。温度效应和降水量效应在不同地区主导性存在差异,四川盆地地区、云贵高原地区、青藏高原东部以及横断山脉地区整体上不存在温度效应,存在显著降水量效应。西南各地区主导型水汽团也存在差异性,通过对不同地区冬夏季风期间主导型水汽团初步分析,受单一性水汽团影响的区域主要分布于西南部与东北部,而受多种水汽团影响的区域主要分布于西北部与东南部;贵阳-安顺一线处于西太平洋水汽团与孟加拉湾水汽团交界处,成都-卧龙-黄龙一线处于西太平洋水汽团与西风带水汽团的交界处。 关键词： 大气降水;稳定同位素;水汽来源;不同地形;西南地区     

Monitoring of radiation and radioactivity in the environment

This report lists the programs for monitoring radiation and radioactivity in the environment that are known to be in operation or to have been in operation recently. It is intended as a guide to be used when seeking information on the programs of other institutions. Sources of the data have been the literature and personal correspondence and discussions.The programs are divided into the categories of weapons test fallout, natural activity and environmental monitoring of releases from specific facilities. Where possible, the types of measurements being made are also listed. While the data are as up to date as possible the field is changing rapidly and there may be ommissions.     

Altitudinal and horizontal shifts of the upper boundaries of open and closed forests in the Polar Urals in the 20th century

In the Polar Urals (the Rai-Iz massif and Mounts Tchernaya and Malaya Tchernaya), altitudinal and horizontal shifts of the upper boundary of open and closed larch forests in the 20th century have been studied. Spatiotemporal parameters of these shifts have been assessed with the aid of the ARC/INFO geographic information system (ESRI Inc., United States), using our original large-scale geobotanical maps showing the distribution of different types of forest-tundra communities in the early 1910s and 2000s. The results show that tree vegetation has been actively expanding to higher elevations over the past 90 years. On average, the upper boundaries of open and closed forests have ascended 26 and 35 m and shifted horizontally 290 and 520 m, respectively. These shifts have been conditioned by climate warming and increasing humidity observed since the 1920s.     

洞庭湖通江水道鱼类资源周年动态及其洄游特征研究

为了解洞庭湖通江水道鱼类资源的周年动态及其洄游特征,2017年5月～2018年6月,对洞庭湖通江水道的仔鱼和幼鱼、成鱼进行了逐月调查。(1)共采集仔鱼19种,数量以■(Hemiculter leucisculus)最多(占总数的76. 6%),其次为子陵吻虾虎鱼(Rhinogobius giurinus)(占8. 8%)和似鳊(Pseudobrama simoni)(占4. 3%);仔鱼主要出现在4～9月,密度以6月最高(848. 8 Ind./1 000 m~3)。(2)采集幼鱼、成鱼42种,数量以短颌鲚(Coilia brachygnathus)(占总数的30. 3%)最多,其次为贝氏■(Hemiculter bleekeri)(占15. 3%)和■(占12. 2%);幼鱼、成鱼丰度以8月最高(为729尾/船/日)。(3) 4～7月,江湖洄游型鱼类的运动指数在0. 1～0. 7之间,呈现入湖趋势; 9～次年3月,江湖洄游型鱼类的运动指数在-0. 4～-0. 1之间,呈现出湖趋势;径流量是幼鱼、成鱼出、入湖的主要驱动因子。     

秦岭-淮河南北高温高湿天气时空演变分析

基于1960~2017年秦岭-淮河196个气象站点逐日最高温、最低温、相对湿度数据,以表观温度指数为基础,采用极点对称模态分解（ESMD）及专用气象要素空间插值软件ANUSPLIN,对秦岭-淮河南北高温高湿天气时空变化特征进行分析,进而利用小波相干方法探讨该区高温高湿天气与赤道东太平洋海温异常的多时间尺度响应关系。结果表明：(1) 以20世纪80年代中期及2010年为时间节点,秦岭-淮河以北及秦巴山区高温高湿天气日数呈“下降-缓慢上升-快速上升”阶段性变化特征,秦岭-淮河以南及淮河平原呈“下降-缓慢上升-下降”趋势;(2) 秦岭-淮河南北高温高湿天气呈“东多西少、南多北少”的空间分布特征,且影响范围向北扩大;(3)赤道东太平洋东部地区海温异常对秦岭-淮河南北各区高温高湿天气的影响比西部地区更显著且长时间周期尺度比短时间周期尺度更稳定。     

Methods and results of studying the geographical trends in the structure of single-tree biomass of larches and two-needled pines in Eurasia

First transcontinental changes in fractional composition of sample tree biomass of larches (Larix Mill.) and two-needled pines (subgenus Pinus) are reported, taking into account their regional differences by age, tree height, stem diameter, and volume, as well as tree density. All components of the tree biomass of larches and pines monotonically increases from the North to the South. Dynamics of pine biomass in the direction from the Atlantic and Pacific coasts to the continentality pole in Siberia is characterized by monotonous decrease of all components, including the roots. The latter is in contradiction with the change of the larch root biomass across the same gradient of climate continentality, which, unlike the mass of pine roots, is not reduced, but increased. The system of the transcontinental dependencies obtained allows its use in estimating forest biomass based on the local data of a tree enumeration per ha.     

Concentrations of Cu and Pb in the offshore and intertidal sediments of the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia

Malaysia is now a developing country and on her way towards being an industrialised one by the year 2020. Most of her industries and urban areas are located on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. In addition, the offshore area of the west coast is now one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. These two phenomena make the intertidal and offshore areas of the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia interesting for scientific studies. Therefore, this study focused on both the offshore and intertidal sediments of the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Sampling for sediment samples were done from the northern to the southern ends of the peninsula and these sediment samples were analysed for Cu and Pb. It was found that total Cu concentrations ranged from 0.25 to 13.8 and 0.40 to 315 microg/g dry weight (dw) for offshore and intertidal sediments, respectively. For Pb, it ranged from 3.59 to 25.4 and 0.96 to 69.8 microg/g dw for the offshore and intertidal sediments, respectively. The ranges of Cu and Pb found from the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia were low in comparison to regional data. However, some intertidal areas were identified as receiving anthropogenic Cu and Pb. Geochemical studies revealed that the 'nonresistant' fraction for Pb contributed about 70.0% to 75.0% and 54.0% of the total Pb concentration in the offshore and intertidal sediments, respectively. As for Cu, the 'nonresistant' fraction contributed about 46.2% to 60.4% and 46.3% of the total Cu concentration in the offshore and intertidal sediments, respectively. The 'nonresistant' fraction contained mostly of anthropogenic metals besides natural origins. These 'nonresistant' percentages indicated that both the offshore and intertidal areas could have received anthropogenic-derived metals, which could be influenced by physico-chemical properties of the sediments. Although the present data indicated that contamination due to Cu and Pb in the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia especially in the offshore areas were not serious, regular biomonitoring studies along the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia are recommended.     

Radionuclide contamination of sediment deposits in the Ob and Yenisey estuaries and areas of the Kara Sea

The Ob and Yenisey rivers are major contributors to total riverine discharge to the Arctic Ocean. Several large nuclear facilities discharge into these rivers, which could affect actual and potential discharges of radionuclides to the Arctic region. This article presents new radionuclide concentration and grain-size data resulting from analyses of several sediment samples collected during research cruises in the Ob and Yenisey estuaries and adjacent areas during 2000 and 2001. Results indicate that discharges from the main nuclear facilities do not constitute a major contribution to the level of radioactive contamination in the marine areas studied, though Co-60 was detected at low concentrations in some sediment horizons. However, the aggregate contamination from different sources is not radioecologically significant in sediments within the study area, maximum Cs-137 levels being approximately 80 Bq kg(-1) dry weight.     

武汉市一次污染过程的局地流场和边界层结构的数值模拟

利用2013年11月武汉市逐日空气质量资料、地面气象观测资料、NCEP/NCAR再分析资料和L波段雷达探空资料,通过WRF模式模拟空气污染生消过程中的局地气象条件变化,探讨特殊地形条件下边界层结构变化和局地环流在污染物生消过程中的作用和影响。结果表明：（1）武汉地区当背景环流场强的时候,由地形引起的局地流场对污染物扩散的影响就弱,反之当背景环流场弱的时候, 地形对流场影响明显:夜间为山风,白天为谷风。夜间山风与偏西北气流及偏东气流在武汉及周边地区辐合,形成气流汇聚带,在武汉地区形成一个反复污染带,即由地形引起的局地流场对污染物扩散的贡献就大;（2）武汉地区发生空气污染时,地面湿度较高,边界层呈上干下湿状态,其特征为暖而干且有偏东小风,这导致污染物不断堆积和重污染过程的形成。     

Concentrations and activity ratios of uranium isotopes in the groundwater of the Okchun Belt in Korea.

Groundwater samples obtained from the Okchun Belt in Korea were separated into particulate and filtered fraction using a 0.45 microm membrane filter and concentrations and activity ratios of uranium isotopes in the fractions were determined by chemical separation and alpha-spectrometric measurements. Most of the uranium isotopes in the groundwater were found in the filtered water. Only less than 1% of the total uranium was detected in the particulate fraction. The concentrations and activity ratios of uranium isotopes in the groundwater measured in this study were variable, depending upon sampling site. Owing to a rapid material exchange between the subterranean hot waters and the rock strata, the concentrations of 238U in the groundwater in the hot spring area were found to be about four times higher than those elsewhere. Because of the alpha-particle recoil effect, the activity ratios of 234U/238U in the groundwater taken at "cold" spring sites were variable within the range 1.20 to 3.58, depending on the residence time of the groundwater. In the hot spring area, the activity ratios of 234U/238U were close to the equilibrium value (1.10 +/- 0.07) due to rapid erosion of the rock strata by the hot spring water.     

Quality assurance for the measurements and monitoring of radioactivity in the environment

During the Fifth Framework Programme (FP5) of the European Commission--according to an institutional programme in support to the policy of the European Commission for the implementation of Art. 35 and 36 of the Euratom Treaty as well as in the framework of the OSPAR Convention for the protection of marine environment of the north-east Atlantic--at the Institute for Transuranium Elements (ITU--General Directorate Joint Research Centre--European Commission), a reference laboratory for the measurement of radioactivity in the environment (MaRE laboratory) has been set up. In this paper, the principles and philosophy in order to improve the quality and reliability of analytical data for the measurement and monitoring of radioactivity in the environment under a quality assurance (QA) programme are presented. Examples of how a QA programme at the MaRE laboratory is developed and applied are given. Internal and external quality control (QC) programmes are also discussed.     

Dealing with uncertainty in the assessment of human exposure to radioactivity in food and the environment

This paper presents an overview of the approach used to assess radiation dose and risk to members of the public from radioactivity in food and the environment. It describes uncertainties in the process and suggests ways of dealing with them to improve the risk assessment process. It also explains how uncertainty in the assessed dose/risk can be communicated to non-expert audiences such as members of the public. The issues covered in this paper apply to risk assessment of any contaminant and not only radioactivity.     

Management of risks in the chemical and nuclear areas

A comparative overiew is provided of some major aspects concerning assessment and management of chemical and nuclear risks arising as a consequence of accidents. Statutory procedures for constructing and running nuclear and chemical plants in Italy are discussed in detail. Special attention is given to the major changes that are likely to occur after the adoption of the EEC Council Directive 82/501, designed to prevent major accidents which might result from certain industrial activities and to limit their consequences for humans and their environment. Present status and future trends of accident analysis and risk assessment are also been dealt with, and special emphasis is placed on aspects common to both nuclear and chemical plants. Lastly, managerial aspects of contingency planning for, and response to, emergencies and accidents involving toxic chemical and/or ionizing radiations are examined with the aim of identifying more critical steps.     

我国减缓碳排放的近期形势与远期趋势分析

近3年来我国面临GDP能源强度呈上升趋势，能源消费及相应CO2排放增长对世界减缓碳排放的形势产生了更大影响的新的形势，从长远发展趋势看，我国当前由于工业特别是重化工业在国民经济结构中急剧增加引起的GDP能源强度阶跃性增长将随产业结构的稳定两平缓，并且随产业结构的优化和产业技术升级及高附加值产品比例提高而再度呈持续稳定下降的趋势。我国在现代化道路中与发达国家的历程相比，可以走更为节约能源和减少CO2排放的道路。但由于中国人口众多，和平发展的规模大、速度快，而且时间比发达国家滞后半个世纪以上，我国为实现现代化所必需的能源消费和CO2排放的增长会对全球的碳排放增长产生重大影响。这将使我国未来经济发展面临极为不利的外部环境。     

Climate changes in the past century and radial increment of pine in the Southern Ural steppe

Changes in the main climatic factors (air temperature and total precipitation) and their effect on the radial increment of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) over the period from 1933 to 2002 were studied in an insular pine forest growing in the steppe zone of the Southern Urals. Evidence for a significant increase in the amount of precipitation and air temperature in the second half of this period was obtained. Functions of response of radial increment indices to climatic parameters were analyzed. Relative contributions of air temperature and precipitation to variation in the radial increment of pine in different time intervals proved to differ in relation to climate changes during the past century.     

Poverty and the Deterioration of Natural Soil Capital in the Peruvian Altiplano

The Peruvian altiplano is a marginal agricultural region with limited infrastructure, climate constraints, and high levels of poverty. Data were collected from 265 farms in four different agricultural regions, and data from three of those regions are analyzed here. Regressions were run with soil nutrient loss, soil depth loss, and yield loss over the past 20 years, as perceived by farmers. Location, topographical and management factors were considered. Additional regressions were run to examine the determinants of two agricultural management practices which were found to affect soil quality, namely fallowing and ploughing vertical furrows. Use of traditional fallowing (aynoca) was associated with helping to preserve soil quality, and was practiced by households with more education, with higher non-farm income, and in villages which had benefitted from natural resource development projects. Vertical furrowing similarly was associated with helping preserve soil quality, and was practiced by households with fewer unmet basic needs. These results have implications for the agricultural and development strategies to be followed in the region.