Decline in Endangered Species as an Indication of Anthropic Pressures: The Case of European Mink Mustela lutreola Western Population

Populations of threatened species, especially predators at the top of the food chain, may be affected by anthropic pressures. The endangered western population of European mink Mustela lutreola has shown a large decline over 50% of its natural range. M. lutreola disappeared from northwestern France between 1984 and 1997, and the decline was associated with an increase in mustelid trapping, changes in watercourse quality, and habitat modifications due to agricultural practices. The pattern of decline showed a fragmentation restricting the minks into very small areas. Trapping was the first known cause of mortality. Although feral American mink Mustela vison may compete with autochthonous carnivores, M. lutreola had disappeared from streams before the introduction of the American species, suggesting that competitive interactions were not responsible. Furthermore, American mink has never been found or has remained rare in 62.4% of the area from which M. lutreola has disappeared. During the past 25 years, permanent grassland surfaces were reduced by 40%, whereas fodder culture increased by 470%, causing considerable habitat changes. Furthermore, 55.7% of water courses were classified as being of bad quality or polluted. Therefore, our data suggests that a conjunction of intensive trapping, alterations in water quality and habitat modification was critical for the European mink's decline. Although there are difficulties in ascribing specific cause to distribution changes in a top predator, this decline can be regarded as an indication for anthropic pressures on natural habitats.     

Computerized Map of Risk to Manage Wildlife Species in Urban Areas

For the last 20 years, human–wildlife conflicts have been rapidly increasing in towns. Although people want “greener” cities, the expansion of disliked species causes problems that are difficult to manage and to reduce. The complexity of the numerous factors involved in these human–wildlife relations needs the development of a comprehensive tool for urban planners. Today, with the development of computers and geographical information systems, it is easier to analyze and combine different spatial data as methods used for the management of risks in studies of natural hazards. Here we present a method for assessing and mapping the risk in cases of human–wildlife conflict. An application to starling management in a town in western France will show the efficiency of our methods to combine information given by a network of experts and to highlight higher risk sites. The map of risk provides a spatial result useful for comprehension, communication between people and agencies, and public education.     

Strategies for controlling hazards at work

This paper presents an heuristic framework for analyzing hazards (potential for loss or harm) and strategies that may be developed to control their realization. Two basic forms of intervention for hazard control (anticipation and reaction) are identified. Three broad anticipative strategies are discussed: (1) elimination of the source of the hazard, (2) containment of the risk of its realization, and (3) mitigation of likely consequences. The communication and judgmental processes involved in decisions about strategies are shown to be embedded in the organizational “political” context, in which a variety of interests backed by varying sources of power and influence are represented. The development, implementation, and monitoring of any strategies that are decided upon are then discussed, including the fact that such actions and events may not produce the intended results. Comments are also made on the need for data provided by monitoring to be evaluated and appropriate adaptations made. Finally, a brief section of the paper discusses reactive strategies.     

Bifocal/varifocal spectacles, lighting and missed-step accidents

Good lighting and the correct use of spectacles generally improve vision and presumably reduce the risk of accidents. However, bifocal and varifocal spectacles can increase the risk of misjudging distances when negotiating underfoot hazards. In some circumstances, the portion of the lens used for close work may inadvertently be used where accurate judgement of distance is necessary. This paper reports results from two studies of patient interviews using the Merseyside Accident Information Model; the first a study of accidents which occurred during paid employment (1504 cases) and the second of 1326 accidents mainly in domestic and leisure activities. Underfoot accidents were identified by the first unforeseen event perceived by the patient. The relationship between underfoot events and the type of spectacles worn by the patient at the time of accident was analysed. In both studies there was a significant association between accidents where the first event was ‘missed edge of’ (step) and wearing bifocal/varifocal spectacles. Corporal movements reported in both studies indicated that ‘stepping down’ when wearing bifocal/varifocal spectacles, increased the risk of ‘missed edge’ accidents. In the work environment corporal movements associated with manual handling of loads also increased the risk of ‘missed edge’ accidents when wearing bifocal/varifocal spectacles.     

蒸发-固化法处理垃圾渗滤液反渗透浓缩液的研究

采用蒸发-固化工艺处理垃圾渗滤液反渗透浓缩液。蒸发工艺可将反渗透浓缩液减量化,固化工艺可将蒸发残留液中的污染物稳定化。研究表明,蒸发残留液宜采用水泥和石灰混合料进行固化,混合料最佳水泥与石灰质量比约为1︰2,每100 mL蒸发残留液(质量约为120 g)最佳投加量为50 g。固化体含水率低于40%,抗压强度高于1.0 MPa,适合填埋处置,其浸出液污染物含量较低。采用硅酸钠和硫酸钙作为添加剂可加快固化速度,提高固化体的抗压强度。利用蒸发-固化工艺处理反渗透浓缩液可取得良好的经济和社会效益。     

实时合成水滑石分离模拟放射性核素锶的研究

采用实时合成水滑石的方法从高放废液中分离模拟放射性核素锶,通过单因素实验并借助XRD分析确定了最佳分离实验条件,同时,运用FTIR、SEM等技术手段对合成的含锶水滑石的结构、形貌进行了分析.结果表明,当Sr2+初始浓度为70mg.L-1、pH值为10.5、n(Mg+Sr)/n(Al)为3时,锶的去除率最高可达95%以上;XRD和SEM分析结果表明,锶嵌入了水滑石的晶格中,合成的含锶水滑石形貌为层状六边形;含锶水滑石煅烧产物主要为尖晶石,且煅烧产物中未见氧化锶,表明嵌入到水滑石晶格中的锶在煅烧后存在于尖晶石的晶体结构中.     

水质对UV/H2O2降解17α-乙炔基雌二醇（EE2）的影响

采用UV/H₂O₂间歇式光氧化反应器,研究了溶液pH值、腐殖酸及水中常见阴离子HCO₃^-、NO₃^-、CO₃^2-、Cl^-和SO₄^2-对UV/H₂O₂工艺降解17α-乙炔基雌二醇(EE2)的影响.结果表明,UV/H₂O₂工艺可以有效地去除水中的EE2,光降解过程符合一级反应动力学模型.双氧水投加量为5 mg/L时,在14W低压汞灯照射下,EE2在自来水和蒸馏水中的光降解一级反应速率常数为0.063 0min^-1和0.132 4min^-1.溶液中的腐殖酸和阴离子HCO₃^-、NO₃^-、Cl^-、SO₄^2-对EE2的光降解反应有抑制作用,4种阴离子浓度为5 mmol/L时,抑制作用依次为HCO₃^->SO₄^2->Cl^->NO₃^-,HCO₃^-可使光降解速率常数降低到50%.自来水中的光降解速率常数低于蒸馏水中的光降解速率常数是水中多种离子影响的结果.