Rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta) and willow ptarmigan (L. lagopus) are Arctic birds with a circumpolar distribution but there is limited knowledge about their status and trends across their circumpolar distribution. Here, we compiled information from 90 ptarmigan study sites from 7 Arctic countries, where almost half of the sites are still monitored. Rock ptarmigan showed an overall negative trend on Iceland and Greenland, while Svalbard and Newfoundland had positive trends, and no significant trends in Alaska. For willow ptarmigan, there was a negative trend in mid-Sweden and eastern Russia, while northern Fennoscandia, North America and Newfoundland had no significant trends. Both species displayed some periods with population cycles (short 3–6 years and long 9–12 years), but cyclicity changed through time for both species. We propose that simple, cost-efficient systematic surveys that capture the main feature of ptarmigan population dynamics can form the basis for citizen science efforts in order to fill knowledge gaps for the many regions that lack systematic ptarmigan monitoring programs.
In the present study, the distribution patterns of various metals were analyzed and compared using PM samples collected concurrently from three monitoring sites located in Korea (Seoul, Busan, and Jeju island) in December 2002. As these sites can represent metal pollution with different degrees of anthropogenic activities, their concentration levels were distinguished in a systematic manner in the order of Jeju, Busan, and Seoul. By comparing the present data sets with those measured previously from other locations in Korea and around the world, we attempted to diagnose the general status of elemental pollution on the Korean peninsula. Through an application of different statistical approaches, the major processes controlling elemental levels were assessed for each of the three study sites. The results indicated the importance of both crustal and anthropogenic sources in all sites with their relative roles varying significantly from each other. The results of the metal analysis data, when examined in relation to back trajectory analysis, confirmed that their concentration changes are affected quite sensitively with air mass movement patterns. The overall results of this study consistently indicated the contribution of a strong anthropogenic source area (e.g., China) to the observed metal concentration levels in the study area, but the strengths of such signals vary considerably across the Korean peninsula. 相似文献
Extremely high concentrations of cadmium (3.5 μg/g dry wgt.) and elevated concentrations of chromium (>10 μg/g dry wgt.) and mercury (1.6 μg/g dry wgt.) were reported in waterbird tissues at Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge in northwestern Minnesota in 1994. Tree
swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) were studied during 1998–2001 at three drainages into the Refuge, two pools on the Refuge, and at a nearby reference location
to document whether high levels of contaminants were still present, and if so to quantify the source and severity of the contamination.
Trace elements were measured in tree swallow eggs, livers, and diet. Reproductive success and bioindicator responses were
monitored. In 2000, water was drawn down on Agassiz Pool, one of the main pools on the Refuge. This presented an opportunity
to evaluate the response of trace element concentrations in the diet and tissues of tree swallows after reflooding. High concentrations
of trace elements were not detected in swallow tissues, nor were there differences among locations. Less than 20% of swallow
samples had detectable concentrations of cadmium or chromium. Mercury concentrations were low and averaged <0.25 μg/g dry wgt. in swallow tissues. Trace elements, including mercury, did not increase in tree swallows following the 2000 drawdown
at Agassiz Pool. Hatching success and survival of nestlings to 12 days-of-age for tree swallows on the Refuge were similar
to the national average and consistent with background trace element concentrations. Bioindicator measurements were within
the normal ranges as well. 相似文献
Steroid estrogens such as estrone (E1), 17β-estradiol (E2), estriol (E3), and 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2) have been suspected to be the main contaminants, which can affect the endocrine system of animals. Many authors have investigated these chemicals in the domestic wastewater treatment plants (WTP). However, wastewater from industries producing steroid contraceptives has not got ample attention. From the environmental point of view, the four steroids are very significant because even very low concentrations (ng/L) can cause reproductive disturbances in human, livestock and wildlife. The main purpose of the present investigation was to develop an analytical method for the determination of the four steroid estrogens present in WTP of a pharmacy factory, mainly producing contraceptive medicine in Beijing, China. Analysis was performed by solid-phase extraction (SPE) system and liquid chromatography combined with tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). The average recoveries from effluent samples ranged from 88% to 103% and the precision of the method ranged from 9% to 4%. Based on 0.5-L wastewater samples, the limit of quantification (LOQ) was determined at 0.7 ng/L for E1, 0.8 for E2, 0.9 ng/L for E3, and 0.5 ng/L for EE2 in influent, and 1.0 ng/L for E2 and EE2, and 2.0 ng/L for E1 and E3 in effluent. In the influent samples, average concentrations of 80, 85, 73 and 155 ng/L were determined for E1, E2, E3 and EE2, respectively, showing that they were removed in this WTP to the extent of 79, 73, 85 and 67%, respectively. 相似文献
Anupgarh is the most fertile area of Rajasthan state where a variety of seasonal crops are grown. The availability of three
manmade canals has enhanced the agricultural activities in this area. The farmers use huge amounts of pesticides to increase
the crop productivity. Exposure of humans to these hazardous chemicals occurs directly in the fields and indirectly due to
consumption of contaminated diet, or by inhalation or by dermal contact. The organochlorine pesticides are reported to be
lipophilic and their presence in human milk and blood has been documented in different parts of the world. Blood and milk
samples were collected from lactating women who were divided into four groups on the basis of different living standards viz
residence area, dietary habits, working conditions and addiction to tobacco. The level of total organochlorine pesticides
in blood ranged from 3.319mg/L—6.253mg/L while in milk samples it ranged from 3.209Mdash;4.608 mg/L. The results are in concurrence
with the reports from other countries. 相似文献
The rapidly developing Asian countries may face threatening environmental contamination, that however remains largely unassessed.
We studied persistent trace elements in three wetlands, Poyang Lake, relatively unpolluted, and Tai Lake, and Pearl River
Delta, selected as hotspots of pollution in Central China. We adopted as indicator the Little Egret, a widespread colonial
waterbird, and during 1999 and 2000 we collected and analysed the same samples as for a parallel study we conducted in Pakistan,
e.g. eggs, body feathers of chicks, prey spontaneously regurgitated by the chicks, and sediments at the areas most used by
foraging egrets. The levels of trace-metals at our three study areas were similar, or within the range, of those found in
the few other studies for East Asia, with few exceptions. The concentrations of the various elements were below the threshold
that may affect the survival or reproduction of the birds, and even the highest concentrations relative to background, i.e.
Se in eggs, and Hg in feathers at Pearl Delta, do not pose toxic hazards. In sediments, the levels of trace elements were
lower than the critical levels assumed for contaminated soil, except for alarming high levels of As at Poyang. These results
do not confirm our expectation, that Poyang was relatively uncontaminated, while Tai and Pearl were polluted. Although trace
metal concentration differed significantly among the three study areas, these differences were minor and were not consistent
among elements and samples. The bioaccumulation ratios from sediments through prey, feather and egg, were consistent with
our previous findings for Pakistan. Only Hg exhibited high bioaccumulation, while Se and Zn had low accumulation, and the
other elements no accumulation. This reasserts that feathers of predators such as egrets, may be more sensitive indicators
of environmental contamination for the elements subject to bioaccumulation, whereas the sediments or the organisms low in
the food chain are better indicators for the other elements. 相似文献
In this study, dry season radon flux densities and radon fluxes have been determined at the rehabilitated Nabarlek uranium mine in northern Australia using conventional charcoal canisters. Environmental background levels amounted to 31± 15 milli Becquerel per m2 per second (mBq m−2 s−1). Radon flux densities within the fenced rehabilitated mine area showed large variations with a maximum of 6500 mBq m−2 s−1 at an area south of the former pit characterised by a disequilibrium between 226Ra and 238U. Radon flux densities were also high above the areas of the former pit (mean 971 mBq m−2 s−1) and waste rock dump (mean 335 mBq m−2 s−1). The lower limit for the total pre-mining radon flux from the fenced area (140 ha) was estimated to 214 kBq s−1, post-mining radon flux amounted to 174 kBq s−1.Our study highlights that the results of radon flux studies are vitally dependant on the selection of individual survey points. We suggest the use of a randomised system for both the selection of survey points and the placement of charcoal canisters at each survey point, to avoid over estimation of radon flux densities. It is also important to emphasize the significance of having reliable pre-mining radiological data available to assess the success of rehabilitation of a uranium mine site.2006 Springer. The Australian Government's right to retain a non-exclusive, royalty free licence in and to any copyright is acknowledged. 相似文献
Urban trees serve important environmental, social and economic functions, but similar to other natural endowments they are
not customarily depicted in monetary terms. The needs to augment protection, funding and community support for urban greening
call for proper valuation. Heritage trees (HTs), the cream of urban-tree stock, deserve special attention. Existing assessment
methods do not give justice to outstanding trees in compact cities deficient in high-caliber greenery, and to their social-cultural-historical
importance. They artificially separate evaluation from valuation, which should be a natural progression from the former. Review
of tree valuation methods suggested the formula approach to be more suitable than contingent valuation and hedonic pricing,
and provided hints on their strengths and weaknesses. This study develops an alternative formulaic expert method (FEM) that
integrates evaluation and valuation, maximizes objectivity, broadly encompasses the key tree, tree-environment and tree-human
traits, and accords realistic monetary value to HTs. Six primary criteria (dimension, species, tree, condition, location,
and outstanding consideration) branched into 45 secondary criteria, each allocated numerical marks. Each primary criterion
was standardized to carry equal weight, and a tree's maximum aggregate score is capped at 100. A Monetary Assignment Factor
(MAF) to consign dollar value to each score unit was derived from three-year average per m2 sale price of medium-sized residential flats. The applicability of FEM was tested on selected HTs in compact Hong Kong. The
aggregate score of a tree multiplied by MAF yielded monetary value, which was on average 66 times higher than the result from
the commonly-adopted Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers method. The computed tree values could be publicized together
with multiple tree benefits to raise understanding and awareness and rally support to protect HTs. The property-linked FEM
could be flexibly applied to other cities, especially to assess HTs in compact developing cities. 相似文献
Efficient removal of chlorine from PVC achieved by two-stage heat-treatment (280 and 410 degrees C) provided chlorine-free isotropic pitch containing additive. The pitch was stabilized and carbonized into porous carbons with surface areas of approximately 300 m2/g. Resultant porous carbons showed three pore structures of supermicropore, micropore and mesopore. The generation of CO2 from the decomposition of the CaCO3 additive in waste PVC is responsible for the development of porous structures. The surface area of the carbonized product increased after the removal of CaO. 相似文献
The regional-scale importance of an aquatic stressor depends both on its regional extent (i.e., how widespread it is) and
on the severity of its effects in ecosystems where it is found. Sample surveys, such as those developed by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency’s Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP), are designed to estimate and compare the extents,
throughout a large region, of elevated conditions for various aquatic stressors. In this article, we propose relative risk
as a complementary measure of the severity of each stressor’s effect on a response variable that characterizes aquatic ecological
condition. Specifically, relative risk measures the strength of association between stressor and response variables that can
be classified as either “good” (i.e., reference) or “poor” (i.e., different from reference). We present formulae for estimating
relative risk and its confidence interval, adapted for the unequal sample inclusion probabilities employed in EMAP surveys.
For a recent EMAP survey of streams in five Mid-Atlantic states, we estimated the relative extents of eight stressors as well
as their relative risks to aquatic macroinvertebrate assemblages, with assemblage condition measured by an index of biotic
integrity (IBI). For example, a measure of excess sedimentation had a relative risk of 1.60 for macroinvertebrate IBI, with
the meaning that poor IBI conditions were 1.6 times more likely to be found in streams having poor conditions of sedimentation
than in streams having good sedimentation conditions. We show how stressor extent and relative risk estimates, viewed together,
offer a compact and comprehensive assessment of the relative importances of multiple stressors. 相似文献