The Impact of Computers Upon Air Pollution Research

The electronic computer has had a profound effect upon air pollution research activities. This paper discusses some of the ways in which Public Health Service scientists routinely make use of the computer. It is used as a data processor to handle the large volumes of data resulting from continuous air monitoring devices. More importantly, it is used to perform the very complex computations involved in various statistical analyses and mathematical model building. In future years computers may be used on a real-time basis to control the sources which emit pollutants to the atmosphere.     

Effects of Water Withdrawal From Ice‐Covered Lakes on Oxygen,Temperature, and Fish1

Abstract: In northern regions, large volumes of water are needed for activities such as winter road construction. Such withdrawals, particularly from small lakes, can reduce oxygen concentrations and water levels, potentially affecting aquatic organisms. Withdrawal limits have been developed by regulatory agencies, but are largely theoretical. Water withdrawal thresholds were tested in two small lakes by removing 10% and 20% of their respective under‐ice volumes and comparing oxygen parameters, temperature, over‐wintering habitat, and northern pike (Esox lucius) abundance to reference conditions. Because of a milder winter, oxygen parameters were elevated in reference lakes in the period following withdrawal compared to the prewithdrawal period. The 10% withdrawal resulted in a ?0.2 m shift in the oxygen concentration profile at 4 mg/l in that lake, but had no effect on total volume‐weighted oxygen, or volume of over‐wintering habitat. In contrast, the 20% withdrawal caused 0.7 m reduction in the oxygen concentration profile at 4 mg/l compared to the previous year, a 26% decline in the volume‐weighted oxygen concentration, and a 23% reduction in the volume of over‐wintering habitat compared to prewithdrawal conditions. Water temperatures were slightly (≤ 10%) colder in the upper strata in the year following the withdrawal in both withdrawal and reference lakes. Northern pike abundance was not impacted by water withdrawals in either of the lakes. The results of this study show that the effects of water withdrawal on the parameters investigated reflected the characteristics of the lakes, and would therefore be expected to vary from lake to lake. Policy development to mitigate impacts must therefore reflect the site‐specific nature of water withdrawal.     

Veränderungen des NO/NO2-Verhältnisses in Nordrhein-Westfalen (1984–2004) und mögliche Ursachen

Objective and Background

The nitrogen oxides NO and NO₂ and, in particular, their ratio (NO/NO₂), play important roles in the radical-system of the atmospheric boundary layer. There were various indications upon a dropping NO/NO₂-ratio in citiex over the last years, however, no proof has been given yet Especially in densely populated areas such as the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), such a change can have significant influences upon various atmospheric reactions. The objective of this investigation was to prove the existence of a systematic change of the NO/NO₂-ratio, to describe the development of NO_x over the past 2 decades at different locations and to determine the causes for this development.

Methods

To detect changes of the NO/NO₂-ratio we processed the data of 11 continuously operating air quality stations of the State Environment Agency (LUA NRW) with time series reaching back up to 20 years. We investigated rural stations, stations in the urban background and heavily traffic influenced locations. It was possible to calculate and assess the NO/NO₂-ratio under consideration of the fast reaction of ozone with NO. There were clear indications towards existing trends and they could be determined as statistically significant using the nonparametric Mann-Kendall Test. The analysis of possible causes for the change of the NO/NO₂-ratio focused upon the change of the global radiation, the change of the patterns of the atmosphetic circulation, and the frequency of cyclones and anticyclones meteorological conditions in Central Europe, the introduction of automotive catalytic converters, and the development of the atmospheric oxidation-capacity.

Results and conclusions

The results are indicating a decline of the ratio at traffic-influenced stations with a statistical significance over 95%. The negative trend can also be detected at most urban background stations. It was problematic to perform the trend-analysis of the rural background station in the Egge-Mountains because of the fragmentary character of the dataset. Regional differences in the development of the NO/NO₂-ratio indicate towards various causes. Crucial for the situation at the rural areas are the changed trajectories of cyclones and anticyclones as well as the decline of the atmospheric oxidation-capacity, while the traffic plays another important role at urban stations. The negative trend at the traffic-stations was intensified by the introduction of catalytic converters, which lead to a reduction in emissions of NO_x

Recommendations and prospects

The significance of the NO/NO₂-ratio for the oxidation capacity of the atmosphere shows the necessity to further monitor this development. Previous investigations detected a decline in total NO_x without examining the relative development of the two nitrogen oxides towards each other. Gaining insight into the local differences of this ratio helps to allocate sources and to develop understanding of the atmospheric processes.     

If Stationarity is Dead,What Do We Do Now?1

Galloway, Gerald E., 2011. If Stationarity Is Dead, What Do We Do Now? Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 47(3):563‐570. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752‐1688.2011.00550.x Abstract: In January 2010, hydrologists, climatologists, engineers, and scientists met in Boulder, Colorado, to discuss the report of the death of hydrologic stationarity and the implications this might have on water resources planning and operations in the United States and abroad. For decades planners have relied on design guidance from the Interagency Advisory Committee on Water Data Bulletin 17B that was based upon the concept of stationarity. After 2½ days of discussion it became clear that the assembled community had yet to reach an agreement on whether or not to replace the assumption of stationarity with an assumption of nonstationarity or something else. Hydrologists were skeptical that data gathered to this point in the 21st Century point to any significant change in river parameters. Climatologists, on the other hand, point to climate change and the predicted shift away from current conditions to a more turbulent flood and drought filled future. Both groups are challenged to provide immediate guidance to those individuals in and outside the water community who today must commit funds and efforts on projects that will require the best estimates of future conditions. The workshop surfaced many approaches to dealing with these challenges. While there is good reason to support additional study of the death of stationarity, its implications, and new approaches, there is also a great need to provide those in the field the information they require now to plan, design, and operate today’s projects.     

Degree of phosphorus saturation thresholds in manure-amended soils of alberta

The risk of P losses from agricultural land to surface and ground water generally increases as the degree of soil P saturation increases. A single-point soil P sorption index (PSI) was validated with adsorption isotherm data for determination of the P sorption status of Alberta soils. Soil P thresholds (change points) were then examined for two agricultural soils after eight annual applications of different rates of cattle manure and for three agricultural soils after one application of different rates of cattle manure. Linear relationships were found between soil-test P (STP) levels up to 1000 mg kg(-1) and desorbed P in the five Alberta soils. Weak linear relationships were also found between STP and runoff dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP) in three of these soils. Change points for the degree of P saturation (DPS) were detected in four of the five soils at 3 to 44% for water-extractable P (WEP) and at 11 to 51% for CaCl(2)-extractable P (CaCl(2)-P). Change points were not found for DPS or runoff DRP. Overall DPS thresholds for the five soils combined were 27% for WEP and 44% for CaCl(2)-P at a critical desorbable-P value of 1 mg L(-1). The corresponding STP levels (44 mg kg(-1) for WEP and 71 mg kg(-1) for CaCl(2)-P) are similar to agronomic thresholds for crops grown on Alberta soils. Soluble P losses in overland flow and leaching may be greater in soils with DPS values that exceed these thresholds than in soils with lower DPS values.     

The future markets for minerals: Some causes of uncertainty

This paper argues that the major uncertainties surrounding the future markets for minerals derive from three serious lacunae in mineral intelligence – first, the altered investment climate for minerals, the undetermined magnitude and geography of its effects, and its prospective impact upon supply; second, the paucity of macroeconomic, medium-term forecasts for the OECD economies, a deficiency that has seriously undermined the possibility of generating useful resource demand forecasts; and third, the indeterminate speed at which changes in the geography of mineral processing activities and metal manufacture are likely to occur.     

LAND USE AND ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING: AN APPLICATION IN THE SOUTH CAROLINA COASTAL ZONE1

ABSTRACT: The purpose of this paper is to describe a land use and environmental planning model. Map overlays were used for analyzing and aggregating economic, social, and environmental data. Various land use categories were evaluated using a numerical scoring system. These scores were then used to assist in the development of land use regulations in a coastal county in South Carolina.     

FINANCING FEDERAL WATER DEVELOPEMNT PROJECTS AND SHARING THE COSTS1

ABSTRACT: The Federal Government's interest and involvement in water resource development in discussed in the context of project financing and cost sharing. After drawing a clear distinction between the two issues - who puts up the money, and who repays over time - the authors survey a number of Federal acts from which have evolved nearly 200 separate cost-sharing rules. Selected cost sharing and financing issues discussed include consistency in policies, rehabilitation of urban water supply systems, multipurpose water quality projects, and ground water management. Two proposals for cost/finance sharing reform introduced in the 96th Congress are discussed in detail and their impacts compared with current policy. The joint venture approach (Administration proposal) results in an effective composite cost share which changes significantly but not drastically (from 19 to 35 percent non-Federal share for a hypothetical project). The block grant approach (Domenici-Moynihan proposal) would alter the regional distribution of Federal water developement funding from the South and West to the Northwest and North Central States.     

SPATIAL VARIABILITY OF RANGELAND INFILTRATION RATES1

ABSTRACT: Spatial variability of infiltration rates was examined for a site in southern Idaho. Data used represented 13 sampling dates over a 5-year period. Samples initially were taken within a native big sagebrush community, again after plowing and seeding to crested and intermediate wheatgrass, and then while the seeded area was being grazed by domestic livestock. Results indicate that either a normal or log normal distribution may be adequate for describing measured infiltration rates.