The microbial status of natural waters in a protected wilderness area

Waters derived from remote 'wilderness' locations have been assumed to be largely free of bacterial contamination and thus such, near-pristine, protected catchments, unused for agriculture, have been first in the multiple line of protection (pristine catchment-long storage-treatment-disinfection) employed by the water industry. This assumption is challenged by a bacterial survey of the waters derived from the New Cairngorm National Park, Scotland. Over 480 spot samples were taken for 59 sites between March 2001 and October 2002 during nine field campaigns each of three to five days duration. Over 75% of samples tested positive for Escherichia coli (E. coli) and 85% for total coliforms. Concentrations displayed both temporal and spatial patterns. Largest values occurred over the summer months and particularly at weekends at sites frequented by visitors, either for 'wild' camping or day visits, or where water was drawn from the river for drinking. Overall the spatial and temporal variations in bacterial concentrations suggest a relationship with visitor numbers and in particular wild camping. The implications of the results for drinking water quality and visitors health are discussed along with possible management options for the area in terms of improving the disposal of human waste.     

Environmental assessment of water-courses of the Turvo Limpo River basin at the Minas Gerais State, Brazil

A study was performed to evaluate the environmental contamination in the Turvo Limpo River basin which receives effluent discharges from domestic (residential and commercial) activities. The watercourses examined were the São Bartolomeu Stream, Turvo Sujo River, and Turvo Limpo River, located in the Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Water samples were collected at the river-side and analyzed for evaluation of pollutant inputs. The pH, temperature, electrical conductivity, redox potential (Eh), dissolved oxygen (DO), total and settleable solids, visual color, hardness, chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chloride, total phosphate, total nitrogen, ammonia nitrogen, nitrate, total coliforms and E. coli, as well as the Cd, Pb, Cu, and Zn speciation were determined in the watercourses. The data obtained were compared with those of the Brazilian Environmental Standards and with data from non-contaminated areas. River water characteristics in some sites were far from the limit values established for superficial waters with satisfactory quality. For instance, the BOD values reached 411 mg L^?1 for a maximum limit of 10.0 mg L^?1, while the ammonia nitrogen concentration reached 28 mg L^?1 for a maximum limit of 13.3 mg L^?1. Some sites showed E. coli values above those of non-contaminated regions. Besides the effects of sewage discharges into the water-courses, agriculture activities and the use of the area for cattle husbandry influenced the quality of the river waters, for instance, the pH of a spring-water sample reached the value of 4.3. The São Bartolomeu Stream has been contributing to the deterioration of the water quality of the Turvo Sujo River, while the Turvo Limpo River has also been affected by anthropogenic discharges in the Turvo Sujo River. The speciation of Cd, Cu and Pb showed that these metals were mainly found in the particulate fraction (i. e., associated with the suspended material). Fifty five percent of the water samples showed labile Zn concentrations greater than that of the nonlabile Zn.     

Factors related to seat belt use among fatally injured teenage drivers

PROBLEM: In the United States, teenage drivers have a higher crash risk and lower observed seat belt use than other age groups. METHOD: Seat belt use was examined for teenage (16-19 years) drivers who were fatally injured in traffic crashes occurring in the United States during the years 1995-2000. Vehicle, driver, and crash factors potentially related to belt use were examined. State differences in belt use rates among fatally injured teenage drivers were related to states' observed belt use rates for all ages and other state-level variables. RESULTS: During 1995-2000, mean belt use was 36% among fatally injured teenage drivers and 23% among fatally injured teenage passengers. One of the strongest predictors of higher belt use for both drivers and passengers was whether the crash occurred in a state with a primary seat belt law. Belt use rates for 1995-2000 for fatally injured teenage drivers ranged from 20% or less in six states to more than 60% in two states. States with the highest use rates were those with strong primary belt use laws and those with high rates of observed belt use for all ages. Lower belt use among fatally injured teenage drivers was associated with increasing age; male drivers; drivers of SUVs, vans, or pickup trucks rather than cars; older vehicles; crashes occurring late at night; crashes occurring on rural roadways; single vehicle crashes; and drivers with BACs of 0.10 or higher. Teenage driver belt use declined as the number of teenage passengers increased, but increased in the presence of at least one passenger 30 years or older. IMPACT ON TRAFFIC SAFETY: It is suggested that to increase teenage belt use, states should enact strong primary belt use laws and mount highly publicized efforts to enforce these laws. Graduated driver licensing systems should incorporate strong provisions that require seat belt use by teenage drivers and passengers.     

Undamming Rivers: A Review of the Ecological Impacts of Dam Removal

Dam removal continues to garner attention as a potential river restoration tool. The increasing possibility of dam removal through the FERC relicensing process, as well as through federal and state agency actions, makes a critical examination of the ecological benefits and costs essential. This paper reviews the possible ecological impacts of dam removal using various case studies. Restoration of an unregulated flow regime has resulted in increased biotic diversity through the enhancement of preferred spawning grounds or other habitat. By returning riverine conditions and sediment transport to formerly impounded areas, riffle/pool sequences, gravel, and cobble have reappeared, along with increases in biotic diversity. Fish passage has been another benefit of dam removal. However, the disappearance of the reservoir may also affect certain publicly desirable fisheries. Short-term ecological impacts of dam removal include an increased sediment load that may cause suffocation and abrasion to various biota and habitats. However, several recorded dam removals have suggested that the increased sediment load caused by removal should be a short-term effect. Preremoval studies for contaminated sediment may be effective at controlling toxic release problems. Although monitoring and dam removal studies are limited, a continued examination of the possible ecological impacts is important for quantifying the resistance and resilience of aquatic ecosystems. Dam removal, although controversial, is an important alternative for river restoration.     

景观型泻湖水体交换特性研究

以河北省七里海泻湖为例,建立了七里海泻湖及外海辽东湾的三维潮流数学模型,利用潮汐的实测数据对该模型进行了验证。结果表明,该模型能较好地模拟七里海泻湖及外海辽东湾的流场。为评价该泻湖的水体交换能力,选用溶解态保守型物质作为示踪剂,以更新时间来描述水体与外界交换的时间维特征。结果表明,无风情况下,泻湖末端水体交换能力差,水体交换时间大于800 d;考虑风向因素后,水体交换时间大幅缩短,以东北风作用尤为显著,水体交换时间均小于300 d,最有利于污染物的输移扩散。     

一次冷锋过程中我国区域空气污染边界层特征

利用常规地面气象和探空资料、ERA-interim再分析资料、以及全国PM_2.5浓度数据,针对2015年3月7~11日一次冷空气南下的锋面天气过程中,我国华北、华东地区出现的大范围空气污染,开展了高空各层天气形势分析,以及本次过程中污染区域由北至南6个城市（北京、章丘、郑州、南阳、武汉、长沙）边界层气象要素的垂直结构及其时空演变特征的研究.结果表明：在污染前期（3月7~8日）中高纬度500hPa平直的纬向环流和地面均压场,为污染天气的发生和维持以及空气污染物的集聚提供了有利的环流场.污染中期（3月8~10日）冷空气南下,地面冷高压向华东地区移动,重污染区域随冷高压前部的弱低压场或均压场由北向南移动.伴随着天气系统移动,六个地面观测站的边界层特征在时空上表现出相似性,由北向南各站在污染期间先后出现多层逆温,风速较小,逆温层下相对湿度较大.此次多层逆温的形成是由于夜间近地面辐射冷却、冷锋移动过程中产生的锋面逆温以及边界层以上的下沉运动造成的.本研究揭示了在天气系统移动中,位于天气系统相同部位站点的边界层结构具有共同的特征,及其与空气污染的关系.