Particulate matter in the Cairo atmosphere. 1. Dustfall and its chemical constituents

Dustfall, sampled in different parts of Cairo, has been analysed for selected constituents in soluble and insoluble fractions. We show that the rate of total particulate deposition over Cairo increased from 27 g/m² · 30 days during 1962 to 57 g/m² · 30 days in 1983; the highest rates of deposition were recorded during winter and spring months, while the maximum concentrations of soluble compounds were found during the summer season. The high concentrations of ammonium and sulphates detected in dustfall over Cairo during summer indicates that atmospheric chemical reactions play an important role in this increase of soluble compounds concentration. The rate of deposition in different districts and the chemical composition indicate that particulate matter in Cairo atmosphere is influenced by urban activities and winds loaded with dust from the industrial areas north and south of the city. Furthermore, i.r. spectroscopic analysis show absorption bands at about 2950, 2920, 2820, 2720, 1720, 1465, 1385, 1300 and 1100 cm⁻¹ which are characteristic bands for aliphatic hydrocarbons, aldehydes, and ketones. The presence of these compounds and the high concentration of tarry matter confirm the role of combustion processes in polluting the atmosphere of Cairo.     

Water vapor in polluted Cairo atmosphere

Hourly measurements for each of the five solar bands selected by the filters of the Volz multichannel sunphotometer together with ambient air temperature and relative humidity are carried out. Figures and tables are given to show variation of precipitable water, relative, humidity, vapor pressure, ambient air temperature, and turbidity. An empirical relation is obtained to show the variation of vapor pressure at ground surface with precipitable water layer through the atmosphere of Cairo.     

流域绿水管理博弈建模及应用分析

绿水资源表示水循环通过降水渗透入土壤非饱和层并由植物蒸腾或土壤蒸发返回大气层的水汽,是农业作物生产的重要基础,但是通常被传统流域水资源管理所忽视。基于流域水量平衡和蓝水绿水综合思维,将绿水资源纳入流域水资源管理体系。在绿水信贷理念和博弈建模分析框架下,结合SWAT分布式水文模型、多目标优化及情景比较分析,利用绿水管理措施合理优化配置流域蓝水绿水资源,采用绿水生态补偿协调处理上下游利益冲突的博弈问题,探索性地提出了流域绿水管理博弈框架。该框架通过博弈建模可以识别分析流域绿水管理问题的博弈空间、博弈结构和纳什均衡等博弈特征;通过合作博弈约束条件改进的多目标优化,可以计算流域绿水管理情景的绿水补偿标准和帕累托最优收益。将建立的绿水管理博弈框架应用于涟水流域实例研究,NSE、R2、PBIAS、p-factor与r-factor等模拟效果评价和不确定性分析结果表明,涟水流域SWAT分布式水文模型的蓝水绿水模拟均达到可信程度。上下游收益变化、绿水补偿标准与帕累托最优解集等博弈分析结果显示,涟水流域整体社会经济与生态环境收益明显改善,其帕累托最优收益平均增长2.72亿元/a,年均绿水补偿标准折合1.94、1 253.7元/hm²。实例分析表明提出的绿水管理博弈框架在涟水流域具有较好的适用性和可行性。因此,该方法可以为流域蓝水绿水管理试点研究及其绿水补偿标准核定提供相关理论依据和技术参考,具有一定程度的的应用价值和现实意义。     

Adverse health effects of outdoor air pollutants

Much research on the health effects of outdoor air pollution has been published in the last decade. The goal of this review is to concisely summarize a wide range of the recent research on health effects of many types of outdoor air pollution. A review of the health effects of major outdoor air pollutants including particulates, carbon monoxide, sulfur and nitrogen oxides, acid gases, metals, volatile organics, solvents, pesticides, radiation and bioaerosols is presented. Numerous studies have linked atmospheric pollutants to many types of health problems of many body systems including the respiratory, cardiovascular, immunological, hematological, neurological and reproductive/ developmental systems. Some studies have found increases in respiratory and cardiovascular problems at outdoor pollutant levels well below standards set by such agencies as the US EPA and WHO. Air pollution is associated with large increases in medical expenses, morbidity and is estimated to cause about 800,000 annual premature deaths worldwide [Cohen, A.J., Ross Alexander, H., Ostro, B., Pandey, K.D., Kryzanowski, M., Kunzail, N., et al., 2005. The global burden of disease due to outdoor air pollution. J Toxicol Environ Health A. 68: 1-7.]. Further research on the health effects of air pollution and air pollutant abatement methods should be very helpful to physicians, public health officials, industrialists, politicians and the general public.     

Treatment of oily refinery wastes using a dissolved air flotation process

Refinery wastewater from Moustorod oil refinery, Cairo, Egypt, was treated by chemical coagulation. This step was followed by rapid solid-liquid separation using flotation under pressure of 4 atm. A flotation tank was designed for this purpose. Gas liquid chromatography was used for determination and identification of hydrocarbon compounds in refinery wastewater. The treatment technique proved to be very promising for reducing the hydrocarbon compounds, as well as other pollutants, to a very low concentration. The results obtained showed that some of the hydrocarbon compounds were completely removed.     

基于实测光谱分析和MODIS数据鄱阳湖叶绿素a浓度估算

基于遥感的大面积水体监测技术为水环境监测提供了一种有效手段。以鄱阳湖为研究区,以反映水体营养状态的重要指标叶绿素a为研究对象,在测定研究区水体光谱及叶绿素a浓度和收集了相应时间的MODIS数据的基础上,采用浮游藻类指数法（Floating Algae Index,FAI）提取鄱阳湖水体范围,对鄱阳湖水体实测光谱数据进行剔除异常、归一化及光谱微分处理,构建波段差值、比值、归一化差值等光谱指数,利用最小二乘原理迭代分析水体叶绿素光谱响应特征,得出敏感波段范围：673～680 nm与650～665 nm、680～710 nm与650～670 nm、662～671 nm与700～720 nm光谱区间组合。选择最佳通道组合,建立基于MODIS影像的鄱阳湖叶绿素a浓度反演模型,相关系数为067。应用该模型得到2011年秋季鄱阳湖的叶绿素浓度估算值,反演结果显示湖区水体叶绿素浓度总体不高,且在空间分布上湖区水体周边与陆地交界处比湖中心区浓度偏高。分析认为：通过对实测光谱的定量分析,获得对鄱阳湖地区水体叶绿素浓度的光谱特征认识,揭示出其反射光谱的长波漂移现象,为鄱阳湖这一富营养化程度底,且水体分布不均匀区域建立一种叶绿素浓度反演方法,可为该区域长期的水环境管理提供方法借鉴     

Air pollution in the semitropical Saudi urban area

This paper presents the outcome of research conducted in the city of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Analysis of recorded meteorological elements shows that the atmosphere of the area favors the accumulation of air pollutants. Dustfall rates were measured at 22 stations in different districts. High rates of dustfall were found in all districts, with maximum recorded values in central urban and industrial districts. Collected samples were analyzed to determine the causes of these excessive precipitations. Suspended particulate matter and other pollutants were found to exceed air quality standards set to meet environmental requirements. Carbon monoxide was found to exceed the air quality standard of 9 μL/L. Concentrations of photochemical oxidants indicated the possibility of Los Angeles-type photochemical smog formation. Geographic distribution of pollutant concentrations and chemical constituents of particulates were found to be influenced by both manmade and natural causes. Results are discussed and several conclusions are given.     

气候变化对涟水流域蓝水绿水资源的影响

利用SWAT分布式水文模型模拟分析1996~2015年过去20 a及2020~2079年未来60 a长期气候变化背景下涟水流域蓝水绿水资源的时空分布变化特征。将气候变化划分为1996~2015年、2020~2049年、2050~2079年三段气象背景时期,选用Had GEM2-AO大气模式的RCP2.6、RCP4.5、RCP6、RCP8.5四种典型浓度路径作为未来时期的气象输入条件,并细分为9种气候变化情景。运用PSO粒子群优化算法,以KGE克林效率系数为目标函数,采用湘乡站实测径流量及MOD16蒸散发数据并行校准模型参数,通过p-factor、r-factor、R2、NSE和PBIAS评价模型模拟效果和不确定性,评价结果表明校准期及验证期蓝水绿水模拟均达到可信程度。情景分析结果表明,对比1996~2015年、2020~2049年、2050~2079年三段气候背景时期,在各RCP浓度路径下蓝水均呈现了不同程度的下降趋势,大约降低了1.4%~17.3%,绿水流均表现出一定的上升趋势,约增长3.5%~12.4%,绿水蓄量则在持续降低,大致下降了7.8%~19.7%,即使将95PPU模拟不确定性范围考虑进来,绿水流的增长趋势也较为明显。因此,将绿水资源纳入涟水流域未来水资源评价体系,实现蓝水绿水综合规划管理具有实际意义。     

南京市植物叶面颗粒物的黑碳含量及时空分布特征

黑碳是大气气溶胶的重要组成部分,能够吸收太阳辐射产生温室效应,并对人体健康产生负面影响。选取了南京市的6个典型功能区,研究不同污染水平和不同季节下植物叶面颗粒物黑碳含量的时空分布特征,并将其与地面尘和表层土壤中的黑碳含量进行比较,探讨黑碳在多介质中的分布规律。结果表明:(1)城市植物叶面颗粒物的黑碳含量呈现冬季秋季春季≈夏季的季节变化特征;(2)工业区植物叶面颗粒物的黑碳含量最高,并与其他功能区的差异达显著水平;(3)城市植物叶面颗粒物黑碳含量越高,BC/OC值也越大,城市植物叶面颗粒物的黑碳主要来源于化石燃料的燃烧;(4)黑碳气溶胶通过植被表层到达地表的过程中其含量逐渐下降,植物叶面颗粒物可作为监测大气黑碳污染的有效手段。     

Natural outdoor environments and mental and physical health: Relationships and mechanisms

BackgroundEvidence is growing for the beneficial impacts of natural outdoor environments on health. However, most of the evidence has focused on green spaces and little evidence is available on health benefits of blue spaces and about possible mediators and modifiers of such impacts. We investigated the association between natural outdoor environments (separately for green and blue spaces) and health (general and mental) and its possible mediators and modifiers.MethodsCross-sectional data from adults interviewed in Catalonia (Spain) between 2010 and 2012 as part of the Catalonia Health Survey were used. The collected data included sociodemographic characteristics, self-perceived general health, mental health, physical activity and social support. Indicators of surrounding greenness and access to natural outdoor environments within 300 m of the residence and degree of urbanization were derived for residential addresses. Associations were estimated using logistic regression and negative binominal models.ResultsGreen spaces were associated with better self-perceived general health and better mental health, independent of degree of urbanization. The associations were more consistent for surrounding greenness than for access to green spaces. The results were consistent for different buffers, and when stratifying for socioeconomic status. Slightly stronger associations were found for women and residents of non-densely populated areas. No association was found between green spaces and social contacts and physical activity. The results for blue spaces were not conclusive.ConclusionGreen spaces are associated with better general and mental health across strata of urbanization, socioeconomic status, and genders. Mechanisms other than physical activity or social support may explain these associations.     

Ecological effects of sulfur dioxide,fluorides, and minor air pollutants: recent trends and research needs

The regulation of the emissions of 'traditional' primary air pollutants (fluorides, sulfur dioxide) has changed the pattern of exposure of ecological systems, with greatly reduced exposure close to sources, but with a smaller effect in some remote areas. Measurements show that recovery is occurring at some sites, in fresh water chemistry (reduced acidity) and in sensitive biota (sustainable fish populations). However, the pattern of change in exposure has not always been simply related to emission reductions. An understanding of responses to recent changes will improve our predictions of the response to future emission changes, both locally and globally. As exposure to 'traditional' pollutants is reduced, the potential for other pollutants to have effects becomes more evident. In the aqueous phase, we need to understand the role of soluble and suspended organics, but this also means explicit recognition of the possibility of phase exchange, and the role of photolytic reactions on plant, soil, and water surfaces. Do highly reactive free radicals in the atmosphere, formed by the action of sunlight on volatile organic compounds, have direct effects on plants? Organic compounds and heavy metals may be bioactive as gases and particles, but for many potentially toxic compounds, the experimental evidence for biotic response is very limited. To evaluate the potential effects of pollutants, we need to understand the pathways by which airborne pollutants enter and react within ecosystems. For vegetation, we have to consider bidirectional fluxes, and distinguish among uptake through stomata, through leaf surfaces, or through roots. There are several challenges for the future. (1) Can we devise experiments that permit exposure of vegetation to gases, particles, and/or aqueous pollutants at 'realistic' concentrations? (2) Can we include the potential interactions with photolytically derived free radicals, and the dynamics of exchange? (3) How do we allow for responses to pollutant mixtures, or the simultaneous exposure to pollutants in gas, particle, and aqueous phases? The recognition of the importance of the dynamic exchange of pollutants between phases will be the key to the development of effective experimental approaches to evaluating cause-effect relationships between pollutant mixtures and ecosystem responses.     

Oil pollution studies in the Nile River. I. Survey of oil and grease in Nile water

A survey of oil and grease along the Nile River indicated the presence of variable concentrations of these pollutants. It was found that some stations along the Nile are more polluted than others. These are located mostly at lake Nasser port (Aswan segment); oil distribution centers and ship waiting areas (Assiut segment); boat docks, a ship yard, and an electric power station (Cairo segment); and at factory areas (Rossetta segment). The level of oil and grease decreased significantly when moving downstream. In addition, the level of oil and grease along the river was lower in summer than in winter and spring. This may be attributed to the decrease of activities and increase of vaporization processes.     

南京市资源环境承载力监测预警研究

以南京市为案例,在资源环境承载力评价的基础上,结合各区环境胁迫压力变化趋势,综合判定南京市资源环境承载力监测预警等级,并对超载成因进行解析,提出相应的管控对策建议。该研究将南京市资源环境承载力监测预警等级划分为红色预警区、橙色预警区、黄色预警区、蓝色预警区和绿色无警区五级,结果显示目前南京市资源环境承载力预警等级总体处于较高水平。尽管南京市总体社会经济发展的环境胁迫压力相对不大,且具有减缓的趋势,但资源环境承载力的超载状态决定了主城区为红色预警区,江宁区、六合区、浦口区为橙色预警区,溧水区和高淳区则为黄色预警,全市没有分布蓝色预警区和绿色无警区。     

Economic liabilities of environmental pollution by coal mining: Indian scenario

India is the first country to introduce environmental legislation in the constitution but because of lengthy legal procedures, it is very difficult to control environmental deterioration. There are many factors responsible for this deterioration. Coal mining is one such activity where deterioration is very severe and the present communication aims this aspect. Coal is the one of the most essential mineral having large reserves in India. It’s mining and beneficiation produce a variety of pollutants. The main pollutants emitted during the processing of coal are green house gases, coal dust and acid mine drainage. Many reports on different aspects of coal mining are available including reports on emission of different pollutants but the present work is probably only of it’s kind in which the authors have tried to determine environment liability directly in terms of economy. It was found that greenhouse liabilities, coal dust liability and sulphur liability are accounted for 12.07, 5.0 and 101.97 US$, making an overall 2.4% of the total economic gains due to coal mining. During the calculations approximate number of total workers and other parameters have been taken into consideration. Who pays for this irreversible damage is a question. Readers should send their comments on this paper to: BhaskarNath@aol.com within 3 months of publication of this issue.     

Influence of atmospheric stability on the mass concentration and chemical composition of atmospheric particles: a case study in Rome, Italy

PM(10) concentration and chemical composition (ions and carbon compounds) at three sampling stations in Rome and in its surroundings was determined daily during a one-month field study, carried out during December 2003. PM concentration at the traffic station was considerably higher than at the urban background and semi-rural stations; elemental carbon was detected as one of the chemical components responsible for this increase. The difference in the concentration of sulphate and ammonium was negligible, as it was expected for secondary pollutants. A negative artefact in the determination of ammonium nitrate by means of heated automatic monitors was highlighted. The dilution properties of the lower atmosphere were traced by means of a natural radioactivity monitor. This parameter has been found to play an essential role in pollution buildup. A considerable increase in PM concentration was observed to coincide with periods of atmospheric stability. The main difference in PM composition between periods of high concentration and periods of "clean" air was found to be in the increase of ammonium nitrate concentration.     

Sources of air pollution due to coal mining and their impacts in Jharia coalfield

Indian coal consumption is about 5.5% of the world and the share of coal as energy went up to 66%. The increasing trend of opencast coal mining lead to release of dust and gaseous pollutants. The Indian reserve of coking coal is mainly located in Jharia coalfield and having reserves upto a depth of 1219m are 19339 Mt. The coalfield is subjected to intensive mining activities and accounts for 30% of the total Indian coal production. Coal mining in Jharia coalfield and the sources of air pollution along with the production of air pollutants have been described. The dust particles act as centres of catalysis for many of the chemical reactions taking place in the atmosphere. Characteristics and effects of the pollutants have been discussed. An estimate of the dust generated and discharged into the atmosphere can be made by using emission factor or prediction type equations. It is disirable that this exercise is to be undertaken in planning stage so that adequate and appropriate mitigating measures can be incorporated into the project at least cost.     

Air pollution and the demand for hospital services: a review

Time-series studies published since 1993 on the association between short-term changes in air quality and use of hospital services, including both inpatient and emergency room use, are reviewed. The use of nonparametric analysis, often incorporating generalized additive models (GAMs), has increased greatly since the early 1990s. There have also been three major multi-city studies, which together analyzed data from well over 100 cities in Europe and North America. Various air pollutants, especially ozone (O(3)), particulate matter (PM), nitrogen dioxide (NO(2)) and sulfur dioxide (SO(2)), were generally found to be significantly associated with increased use of hospital services. Ozone tends to have stronger effects in the summer during periods of higher concentrations. Several studies revealed synergistic effects between pollutants such as PM and SO(2). Overall, short-term exposure to air pollutants is found to be an important predictor of increased hospital and emergency room use around the world.     

基于SWAT模型的细河流域蓝水绿水资源量时空分布研究

利用SWAT（Soil and Water Assessment Tool,SWAT）模型、SUFI-2算法对细河流域水文过程进行了模拟,评估了1977~2015年及典型年份流域蓝水、绿水资源量时空间分布状况。研究结果表明：（1）细河流域多年平均水资源量953.24 mm,其中蓝水资源量290.9 mm,绿水资源量662.33 mm,流域水资源构成以绿水资源为主;（2）典型年份蓝水资源变化较大,特枯水年、平水年和特丰水年分别为86、277和656 mm;绿水系数在特枯水年、平水年和特丰水年差异亦较为明显,分别为87.12%、69.78%和49.31%;（3）在空间上,细河流域蓝水呈现由东向西减少的趋势,绿水流呈现由四周向中部减少的趋势,绿水储呈现由东向西减少的趋势,在特枯水年尤为显著。     

Trace metal concentrations in marine macroalgae from different biotopes in the Aegean Sea

The commonest species of red, brown, and green macroalgae were sampled from a range of biotopes in the Aegean Sea and analysed for five different trace metals. Significant differences in metal concentrations were found among different seaweed species from the same biotope. The concentrations of metals in the various seaweed species may reflect their morphology, with those having a larger surface area having a greater internal content. Different species of seaweed have different affinities for different heavy metals. This may reflect competition between metals for binding or uptake sites in the seaweed. Comparing metal concentrations in algae among the studied sampling stations clearly indicates that the degree of accumulation depends not only on human activities but also on the geology of the specific area. While seaweed can be used successfully to assess the levels of heavy metals in the marine environment, not all elevated concentrations of heavy metals necessarily reflect increased levels of pollution. Indeed, the high concentrations of certain metals, e.g., Ni, found in our seaweed samples reflected the metaliferrous nature of the rock. It is therefore important to take account of a region's geology before attempting to interpret the data.     

Technogenic morphological variation of the pygmy wood mouse (Sylvaemus uralensis pall.) in the Urals

Methods of geometric morphometrics have been used to compare the ranges and directions of geographic and technogenic forms of variation in the morphology of the mandible in Ural populations of pygmy wood mice (Sylvaemus uralensis Pall.) exposed to different types of pollutants (radionuclides, fluorides, and toxic petrochemical products). The range of variation in the mandible morphology consequent to chronic radiation exposure in the zone of the Eastern Ural Radioactive Trace is commensurate to the range of geographic variation of the species observed in the Middle and Southern Urals. Unspecific manifestations of variation have been revealed, which apparently result from exposure to technogenic pollutants of different origin. A probable contribution of technogenic variation to rapid morphogenetic rearrangements in populations is discussed.