Benthic macrophyte communities in the Ghar El Melh lagoon (North Tunisia)

This work deals with the biodiversity and distribution of benthic macrophytes in the Ghar El Melh lagoon, a Mediterranean coastal lagoon located in the North of Tunisia. An inventory was made of the benthic flora and submerged macrophyte communities were mapped during two successive campaigns (the summer of 1999 and the winter of 2000). The following 24 macrophyte species were identified: seven red algae, two brown algae, 11 green algae, and four marine angiosperms. The results were compared with available data from the literature. Ruppia cirrhosa is the most dominant species. It is found in all lagoon parts, except in the west sector.Ruppia beds are usually associated withCladophora forming heterogeneous communities. During summerRuppia cirrhosa shows a large distribution, covering an area of ca. 21.4 km², with dense, extensive beds covering 80–100%. In winter, severalCladophora species have a very large distribution as well, covering nearly an area of 28.5 km² with an average cover of 46%. The green algaeCaulerpa prolifera is confined to the eastern part of the lagoon which is mainly affected by seawater. In comparison with previous situations, many transformations were observed in biodiversity and spatial distribution of the dominant communities. Thus,Cymodocea nodosa andZostera beds, which dominated in the 1970s, were replaced byZostera andCaulerpa prolifera in the 1980s and are currently succeeded byRuppia cirrhosa andCladophora. Restoration of the Ghar El Melh lagoon will enable an increase in the exchange with the open sea and the circulation of water, in particular in the confined zones. This should considerably improve the water quality and would positively influence the phytobenthic communities.     

Reduced costs of mixed-species pairings in flycatchers: by-product or female strategy?

Heterospecific matings are generally assumed to be unconditionally disadvantageous due to reduced viability or fertility of hybrid offspring. For female collared flycatchers (Ficedula albicollis) mated to male pied flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca), the cost of heterospecific pair formation is reduced due to high levels of conspecific extra-pair paternity and a male-biased offspring sex ratio. In order to investigate whether these cost-reducing mechanisms are the result of female mating strategies, rather than being a by-product of species incompatibilities, we manipulated the plumage of male collared flycatchers before pair formation to make them resemble male pied flycatchers. Since species incompatibilities are absent in this design, any systematic effect of manipulation on sex ratio or paternity would indicate a role of female mating strategy. Paternity was determined by means of a likelihood approach that controls the errors made in assigning a chick to be ‘within-pair’ or ‘extra-pair’. Neither the sex ratio nor the male share of paternity was affected by the manipulation in a systematic manner. We therefore conclude that our experimental data provide no support for the suggestion that female behavioural strategies are markedly adjusted in response to formation of mixed-species pairs. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

The use of commercial and industrial waste in energy recovery systems - A UK preliminary study

With 2020 energy targets set out by the EU fast approaching, the UK is trying to source a higher proportion of its energy from renewable resources. Coupled with this, a growing population and increasing trends in consumer demand have resulted in national waste loads increasing. A possible solution to both issues is energy-from-waste (EfW) technologies. Many studies have focused on municipal solid waste (MSW) as a potential feedstock, but appear to overlook the potential benefits of commercial and industrial waste (C&IW). In this study, samples of C&IW were collected from three North West waste management companies and Lancaster University campus. The samples were tested for their gross and net calorific value, moisture content, ash content, volatile matter, and also elemental composition to determine their suitability in EfW systems. Intra-sample analysis showed there to be little variation between samples with the exception two samples, from waste management site 3, which showed extensive variation with regards to net calorific value, ash content, and elemental analysis. Comparisons with known fuel types revealed similarities between the sampled C&IW, MSW, and refuse derived fuel (RDF) thereby justifying its potential for use in EfW systems. Mean net calorific value (NCV) was calculated as 9.47 MJ/kg and concentrations of sulphur, nitrogen, and chlorine were found to be below 2%. Potential electrical output was calculated using the NCV of the sampled C&IW coupled with four differing energy generation technologies. Using a conventional incinerator with steam cycle, total electrical output was calculated as 24.9 GWh, based on a plant operating at 100,000 tpa. This value rose to 27.0 GWh when using an integrated gasification combined cycle. A final aspect of this study was to deduce the potential total national electrical output if all suitable C&IW were to be used in EfW systems. Using incineration coupled with a steam turbine, this was determined to be 6 TWh, 1.9% of the national demand thereby contributing 6.5% towards the UK’s 2020 renewable electricity target.     

A field method using microcosms to evaluate transfer of Cd,Cu, Ni,Pb and Zn from sewage sludge amended forest soils to Helix aspersa snails

Juvenile Helix aspersa snails exposed in field microcosms were used to assess the transfer of Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn from forest soils amended with liquid and composted sewage sludge. Zn concentrations and contents were significantly higher in snails exposed to liquid and composted sludge after 5 and 7 weeks of exposure, when compared with control. Trends were less clear for the other metals. Present results show that Zn, among the cocktail of metallic trace elements (MTE) coming from sewage sludge disposal, represents the principal concern for food chain transfer and secondary poisoning risks. The microcosm design used in this experiment was well suited for relatively long-term (about 2 months) active biomonitoring with H. aspersa snails. The snails quickly indicated the variations of MTE concentrations in their immediate environment. Therefore, the present study provides a simple but efficient field tool to evaluate MTE bioavailability and transfer.     

钦州湾近20 a来水环境指标的变化趋势Ⅰ平水期营养盐状况

根据 198 3、1990年和 1998～ 1999年平水期 (春、秋季 )的调查资料 ,分析了钦州湾水域的营养盐状况及其与环境因子的关系。结果表明 :本湾营养盐含量变化显著 ,无机氮呈明显递增趋势 ,无机磷则与此相反 ,而活性硅的最低值则出现在浮游植物量最高的 1990年度 ;相关分析显示 ,陆源输入的多寡和浮游植物的丰度是导致本湾N、P、Si含量变化的主要因素 ;Si/N/P值分析则体现了本湾从明显N限制到显著P限制的演化规律 ,而Si限制状态只有在浮游植物异常丰富的情况下才出现 ;通过营养状态综合指数计算 ,表明本湾水体已由明显贫营养状态上升为中营养和富营养状态     

Delineation of groundwater potentials of Sfax region,Tunisia, using fuzzy analytical hierarchy process,frequency ratio,and weights of evidence models

Environment, Development and Sustainability - Groundwater in semiarid regions is of extreme importance due to limited water resources and increasing population demand. Hence, a better knowledge of...     

燃煤过程中微量元素砷和硒形态转化的热力学平衡模拟

砷和硒是煤中的易挥发有毒微量元素。由于砷和硒在燃煤烟气中的浓度极低以及实验条件的限制 ,目前化学热力学平衡分析已成为预报烟气中砷和硒等有毒元素形态分布的主要理论分析方法。本文综述了热力学平衡分析方法应用于砷和硒在燃煤过程中形态转化和平衡分布等方面的研究进展。首先用于热力学平衡分析的是只含有砷或硒一种微量元素和煤中主量元素及氯元素的简单体系 ,并假设烟气中只有理想气体组成的气相和纯凝聚相的理想模型。然而是否考虑砷和硒与其他微量、主量或次量元素的相互作用 ,砷和硒所有可能存在的反应 ,以及在熔融相砷和硒与熔融物的结合会严重地影响模型的预报结果 ,因此 ,目前热力学平衡体系已发展成为含有包括砷和硒在内的多个微量元素和煤中所有主量、次量元素 ,以及包括熔融相在内的非理想多相复杂体系     

Effects of Cd and Zn on physiological and anatomical properties of hydroponically grown Brassica napus plants

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Clarifying the connection between metal exposure and anatomical changes represents an important challenge for a better understanding of plant...     

论安全技术咨询系统

初步提出在一定范围内建立“安全技术咨询服务公司”的设想。当今是知识爆炸，信息大交流的时代，计算机技术的普及应用，为这种设想提供了实现的条件。人们在咨询服务系统中能方便、迅捷获得技术服务信息，帮助解决在工程施工中的各种问题。在技术力量薄弱的中、小型施工企业，将是这种服务的最大受益者。