An ensemble Kalman filter for atmospheric data assimilation: Application to wind tunnel data

In the previous work (Zheng et al., 2007, Zheng et al., 2009), a data assimilation method, based on ensemble Kalman filter, has been applied to a Monte Carlo Dispersion Model (MCDM). The results were encouraging when the method was tested by the twin experiment and a short-range field experiment. In this technical note, the measured data collected in a wind tunnel experiment have been assimilated into the Monte Carlo dispersion model. The uncertain parameters in the dispersion model, including source term, release height, turbulence intensity and wind direction have been considered. The 3D parameters, i.e. the turbulence intensity and wind direction, have been perturbed by 3D random fields. In order to find the factors which may influence the assimilation results, eight tests with different specifications were carried out. Two strategies of constructing the 3D perturbation field of wind direction were proposed, and the result shows that the two level strategy performs better than the one level strategy. It is also found that proper standard deviation and the correlation radius of the perturbation field play an important role for the data assimilation results.     

Modeling human exposures to air pollution control (APC) residues released from landfills in England and Wales

Human exposures to air pollution control (APC) residues released from 6 landfills were modeled and assessed. Following a qualitative risk characterisation, direct and indirect exposures were quantified. Site-specific air dispersion modeling was conducted for PM(10), PCDDs/PCDFs, Pb, Cd, As and Cr(VI) concentrations at the closest residential points of exposure for 4 landfill sites accepting, in total, 75% w/w of the APC residues disposed of in 2000-2001 (UK). Inhalation risks, assessed by reference to air quality standards at residential exposure points, were assessed as insignificant. Preliminary modeling suggested that indirect exposures from PCDDs/PCDFs at the 95th percentile level for the site where APC deposition rates were highest could potentially exceed the tolerable daily soil intake (TDSI) but this warrants further study given the model limitations. These results offer an initial screen of the significance of potential risks from APC disposal, which is of value in addressing concerns about the uncertainty of potential risks to human health from bulk APC disposal at strategic locations.     

中国大气汞排放变化的社会经济影响因素

基于投入产出模型,从生产和最终需求角度计算了1997～2017年中国大气汞排放量;并结合结构分解分析方法,定量分析了各种社会经济因素对大气汞排放变化的相对贡献.结果表明:生产端大气汞排放较多的行业主要是水泥、石灰和石膏制造业(135t)、有色金属冶炼及压延加工业(86t)等重工业;消费端对大气汞排放贡献较多的行业主要是...     

The relative contribution of visual and auditory cues to environmental perception

This study assesses the relative dominance of vision and hearing in judgments of environments, and examines whether the sound sensitivity of the judge alters relative sensory dominance. Six sets of four composite (auditory-plus-visual) videotaped environmental displays were created from unisensory visual and auditory components with known levels of evoked affect. These displays, in a 2 (high, low) × 2 (high, low) Pleasure and/or Arousal format, were presented to 70 participants. The results indicate that visual cues dominate auditory cues in judgments of Pleasure, but that the degree of dominance is highly variable. Arousal judgments were not consistently related to visual or auditory cues. Sound sensitivity does not appear to influence the relative dominance of vision.     

PESTICIDE ACCUMULATION IN A NEW IMPOUNDMENT IN IOWA1

ABSTRACT: Estimates were made of the amounts of selected pesticides entering and leaving Saylorville Reservoir, a new partly filled impoundment on the Des Moines River. Samples were collected at 1– or 2-week intervals at stations above, in, and below the reservoir. Atrazine, alachlor, and cyanazine were found only in the dissolved state, and dieldrin and p, p′ -DDE in both the, dissolved and suspended state. Heptachlor epoxide, p,p-DDT. p, p′ -DDD, 2,4-D, 2,4,5-TP, endrin, lindane, methoxychlor, propachlor, and toxaphene were not detected or were at very low concentrations. Estimated deposition in the reservoir from September 1977 to October 1978 was 281 kg atrazine, 251 kg alachlor, 26 kg cyanazine, 16 kg dieldrin, and 20 kg p, p′ -DDE.