Predicting Ringelmann Number and Optical Characteristics of Plumes

Methods have been developed for calculating the Ringelmann number, opacity, and other optical characteristics of stack plumes from information on particulate properties, concentrations, and system geometry. Such calculations can be used in selecting clean-up equipment to improve stack appearance required to meet Ringelmann number and opacity pollution regulations. Methods were developed for white plumes caused by water drops or crystalline material and for black plumes containing carbon emissions. The Mie theory of light scattering was utilized to calculate plume optical properties which were related to Ringelmann number through psycophysically significant correlations. A computer program was written to perform the Mie theory and related calculations. Graphical methods were developed for plumes with log-probability size distributions composed of water drops, dusts with refractive index of 1.50 or carbon type emissions of refractive index 1.59-0.66i. Agreement of Ringelmann numbers predicted by these techniques and those observed for large stacks is excellent.     

Rehabilitation of the chernoistochinskii drinking water system,Nizhnii Tagil,Russia

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) performed a reservoir diagnosis and developed low-cost recommendations to improve drinking water quality for the city of Nizhnii Tagil, Russia. Despite widespread regional pollution, water quality within the drinking water supply source can be summarized as generally good. Sampling and analysis efforts did not reveal appreciable amounts of hazardous chemicals or metals. The major water quality problem stems from an abundance of blue-green algae during the summer months, causing drinking water taste and odor problems and filter clogging at the water treatment plant. City water treatment officials also frequently experience difficulties with maintaining an effective disinfection residual in the distribution system because it spans more than 30 kilometers in length. Regrowth of microorganisms in the distribution system often causes coliform bacteria counts to exceed standards. The implementation of a watershed protection and management program, and the installation of a new disinfection system, to purify drinking water and to reduce bacterial growth in the distribution system should improve drinking water quality for the city residents.     

A test for phylogenetic constraints on behavioral adaptation in a spider system

Summary A population of a desert spider species (Agelenopsis aperta) that is located in an unusually favorable thermal and feeding environment (AZ riparian), fails to exhibit territorial, foraging and antipredatory behaviors that are appropriate to its environment. Study of the behavior of this spider species is extended to another population that occupies a similar environment but where there is not potential gene flow from individuals occupying more arid habitats (TX riparian). The two populations are shown to experience similar prey availabilities and predation pressures when compared to a third more arid population (NM desert grassland). Analyses of the relevant behavior patterns demonstrate that the TX riparian population is well-adjusted to the ameliorated conditions. Thus, phylogenetic constraints do not appear to underlie the observed maladaptive behavior of the AZ riparian population and credibility is given to potential gene flow influences.     

Taxonomic revisions in the marine biflagellate fungi: The ultrastructural evidence

The ultrastructure of the genera Althornia, Aplanochytrium, Japonochytrium, Schizochytrium and Thraustochytrium is described, and all are regarded as members of the new order Thraustochytriales Sparrow. Species considered are Althornia crouchii, Aplanochytrium kerguelensis, Hyalochlorella marina, Japonochytrium sp., Schizochytrium aggregatum, Thraustochytrium kinnei and T. striatum. All but H. marina are, on ultrastructural evidence, related genera, and some speculative suggestions are made about possible interrelationships both between the species discussed, between the Thraustochytriales and Labyrinthulales, and between these two and other major taxa.     

Introduction: Natural Capital, Poverty and Development

Can development occur without running down natural resources in an unsustainable way? The concept of natural capital offers a way for those with divergent views (ecologists and economists for example) to discuss this difficult question. Four aspects are examined in detail. First, the role of institutions in facilitating sustainable development is discussed, with examples from forestry. Then examples from (eco)tourism illustrate the potential – and limits – of applicability of the concept. Measurement issues for natural capital are then considered in detail. Finally, the concept is applied to agricultural strategy in fragile lands, where the tradeoff between the environment and development is likely to be most severe. Some implications for future research and policy are developed.