Consistency of ozone and nitrogen oxides standards at tropospherically relevant mixing ratios

The absolute accuracy and long-term precision of atmospheric measurements hinge on the quality of the instrumentation and calibration standards. To assess the consistency of the ozone (O3) and nitrogen oxides (NO(x)) standards maintained at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), these standards were compared through the gas-phase titration of O3 with nitric oxide (NO). NO and O3 were monitored using chemiluminescence and UV absorption, respectively. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) was monitored directly by laser-induced fluorescence and indirectly by catalytic conversion to NO, followed by chemiluminescence. The observed equivalent loss of both NO and O3 and the formation of NO2 in these experiments was within 1% on average over the range of 40-200 nmol mol(-1) of NO in excess O3, indicating that these instruments, when calibrated with the NIST O3 and NO standards and the NO2 permeation calibration system, are consistent to within 1% at tropospherically relevant mixing ratios of O3. Experiments conducted at higher initial NO mixing ratios or in excess NO are not in as good agreement. The largest discrepancies are associated with the chemiluminescence measurements. These results indicate the presence of systematic biases under these specific conditions. Prospects for improving these experiments are discussed.     

Characteristics of Resuspension,Settling and Diffusion of Particulate Matter in a Water Column

Experiments were conducted in order to characterize the distributions of concentrations of suspended particulate matter (SPM) in water columns of lakes and reservoirs. The experiments, in a reduced model of the water column, used a set of oscillating grids. Runs were done with particles denser than water as well as with light particles. The results were in good agreement with analytical solutions for steady-state, and non-steady-state conditions. An approximate analytical solution was derived and found to be in agreement with the full solution. The threshold for resuspension was measured, and characterized in terms of a modified Shields parameter, which is appropriate to a zero-shear environment. All experiments showed that the distribution of SPM exhibited a layer near the bottom that is thought to be analogous to the benthic nepheloid layer (BNL) observed in larger lakes. The thickness of the nepheloid layer increases with the turbulence intensity.     

The use of Monte Carlo simulation techniques to predict population blood lead levels

Effective management of the risks posed by lead depends on an understanding of the relationship between exposure (the presence and accessibility of lead in the environment) and dose (blood lead levels). Our paper begins by outlining the type of information most valuable to a decision maker addressing the lead problem. A useful exposure-dose characterisation must address multiple contamination sources simultaneously, provide estimates of the number of people with blood lead levels exceeding critical thresholds, and assess the influence of modifying factors (e.g. the soil and dust ingestion rate) on population blood lead variability. We describe a pilot effort to develop an urban setting lead exposure-dose model, and use this model to compare three approaches for generating model input quantities: (1) worst-case estimates, (2) central estimates and (3) Monte Carlo simulation. Using the criteria outlined above, we find that the Monte Carlo technique provides the most useful model output. We describe the population blood lead level distribution generated by the model, as well as the relative influence of environmental and behavioural factors on the variability of the population distribution. Finally, we assess the impact of parameter uncertainty on the model output, and contend this type of information can help identify areas in which further empirical study would be most valuable.     

Comparative Analysis of Inundation Mapping Approaches for the 2016 Flood in the Brazos River,Texas

Accurate and timely flood inundation maps serve as crucial information for hydrologists, first‐responders, and decision makers of natural disaster management agencies. In this study, two modeling approaches are applied to estimate the inundation area for a large flooding event that occurred in May 2016 in the Brazos River: (1) Height Above the Nearest Drainage combined with National Hydrograph Dataset Plus (NHDPlus‐HAND) and (2) International River Interface Cooperative — Flow and Sediment Transport with Morphological Evolution of Channels (iRIC‐FaSTMECH). The inundation extents simulated from these two modeling approaches are then compared against the observed inundation extents derived from a Landsat 8 satellite image. The simulated results from NHDPlus‐HAND and iRIC‐FaSTMECH show 56% and 70% of overlaps with the observed flood extents, respectively. A modified version of the NHDPlus‐HAND model, considering networked catchment behaviors, is also tested with an improved fitness of 67%. This study suggests that NHDPlus‐HAND has the potential for real‐time continental inundation forecast due to its low computational cost and ease to couple with the National Water Model. Better performance of NHDPlus‐HAND can be achieved by considering the inter‐catchment flows during extreme riverine flood events. Overall, this study presents a comprehensive examination made of remote sensing compared with HAND‐based inundation mapping in a region of complex topography.     

A guidance framework for mainstreaming resource efficiency and sustainable consumption and production in a developing country context

Mainstreaming represents an integrated, cross government agency approach to incorporating an issue into programmes and policies. Mainstreaming of resource efficiency and sustainable consumption and production (SCP and RE) has been identified to be essential to ensuring the development of policies, programmes, actions and initiatives with a wider reaching set of outcomes than if these were to be undertaken on their own. This paper outlines a guidance framework which was developed to support practitioners, champions and UN support teams on mainstreaming of SCP and RE. The framework is based on the programmatic approach to environmental mainstreaming which has been developed through wide-ranging experience on other environment and poverty-environment related topics. The approach presented here is not linear, and each of the elements requires ongoing evaluation and updating. In addition, it is identified that mainstreaming of SCP and RE should form part of overall environmental mainstreaming efforts. Furthermore, unless a country has already developed a national SCP programme, the development of such a programme and the mainstreaming process discussed in this current document should be done in parallel, not as separate processes.     

Pesticides in ground water in the united states: Monitoring,modeling, and risks from the U.S. perspective

Abstract

Scientific and regulatory interest in ground water contamination by pesticides increased significantly in 1979. This was prompted by findings of the nematicide 1,2‐dibromo‐3‐chloropropane (DBCP) and the nematicide/insecticide aldicarb (Temik®) in ground water in several states. Since that time, at least 130 pesticides and pesticide metabolites have been detected in ground water in over 150 studies, but detection frequencies are 4–10% nationally. Detection frequencies of pesticides over Health Advisory Levels are generally lower. Screening‐level models and detailed computer simulation models are useful for risk assessments and regulatory decisions. Attenuation Factor, CMLS, PRZM2, GLEAMS, and LEACHM are all useful models.