PROFILE: Wetland Mitigation Banking: A Framework for Crediting and Debiting

Biological Report 88(41):1–103), assessment of credits and determination of a compensation ratio that reflects existing and/or potential functional condition in a mitigation bank has been a formidable task. This study presents a framework for a systematic approach for determination of credits and debits and subsequently the compensation ratio. A model for riparian systems is developed based on this framework that evaluates credits and debits for spatial and structural diversity, contiguity of habitats, invasive vegetation, hydrology, topographic complexity, characteristics of flood-prone areas, and biogeochemical processes. The goal of developing this crediting and debiting framework is to provide an alternative to the current methods of determining credits and debits in a mitigation bank and assigning mitigation ratios, such as best professional judgement or use of preset ratios. The purpose of this crediting and debiting framework is to develop a method that (1) can be tailored to evaluate ecological condition based on the target resources of a specific mitigation bank, (2) is flexible enough to be used for evaluation of existing or potential ecologic condition at a mitigation bank, (3) is a structured and systematic way to apply data and professional judgment to the decision-making process, (4) has an ecologically defensible basis, (5) has ease of use such that the level of expertise and time required to employ the method is not a deterrent to its application, and (6) provides a semiquantitative measure of the condition of aquatic resources that can be translated to a mitigation ratio.     

MUNICIPAL POINT SOURCE AND AGRICULTURAL NONPOINT SOURCE CONTRIBUTIONS TO COASTAL EUTROPHICATION1

ABSTRACT: Tidally influenced reaches of several coastal rivers in eastern North Carolina are suffering from very serious water quality problems — massive surface blooms of noxious blue-green algae, major fish kills from anoxic water, epidemics of red sore disease among fish, fresh water intrusion into estuarine waters, and declining commercial and sports fisheries. An intensive investigation of point source and nonpoint source inputs of nutrients was conducted in one of the eutrophic rivers, the Chowan River. Nonpoint source loading dominated the estimated annual flu of nutrients from the river basin. Automated water quality samplers were utilized to record nutrient levels in stormflow and baseflow from several small agricultural watershed in the basin. Levels of nitrate nitrogen and total phosphorus were from five to 40 times greater in these agricultural watersheds than levels in mostly forested watersheds. Existing water quality data in these eutrophic river basins implicate agricultural activities – particularly animal operations and cropland in watersheds with extensive drainage improvements – as the major contributing factor to the water quality problems.     

Impacts of bioethanol on gasoline prices in the Philippines: an econometric analysis

The rising prices of crude oil in the world market and the continuing global trend to mainstream renewable energy use have prompted the Philippines to consider alternative fuels. Since 2006 when a new law was implemented requiring a 10 % blend to unleaded gasoline, the use of ethanol has increased significantly. Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.), cassava (Manihot esculenta ) and sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) have been the major feedstock in ethanol production. This analysis focused on the impacts of E10 (10 % ethanol content) on the retail price of gasoline and how this might affect gasoline prices. Recognizing the direct dependence of the price of E10 on gasoline prices, the analysis focused on analyzing the price of ethanol. The hypothesis is that since ethanol is what makes E10 cheaper than gas given the lower cost of its production i.e., domestically grown raw materials, then cheaper ethanol should depress the price of E10 and therefore gas, ceteris paribus. The price of E10 is endogenous since it is a function of the price of gasoline, being a major input to its production, 90 % in fact. Using fixed-effects, 2007–2009 provincial panel data, from second stage least squares econometric estimation, the impact of ethanol use on retail regular gasoline prices is quantified. The partial effect analysis indicates that a 1-peso (rate: 1USD - PhP 41.96) increase in the price of feedstock prices as inputs to the production of E10 increases the price of gasoline by 37 centavos per liter. The analysis shows the positive relationship between the prices of E10 and gasoline.     

生物炭负载氮还田对水稻生长、根系形态及氮素利用的影响

建立连接富营养化水体养分与农田养分的枢纽是减少农田养分投入、缓解水体富营养化的难点.为探明生物炭材料负载氮还田的可行性,开展了基于溶液氮及生物炭负载氮两种氮源添加方式的水稻根箱试验.结果表明,生物炭负载氮添加方式分别较溶液氮添加方式降低了水稻地上部分生物量及氮累积16%及14%,提高了生物量根冠比25%～27%,降低了氮利用效率.不定根的根长及体积是两种氮源添加方式在水稻地下部分差异的体现,地下部分生物量及氮累积与土壤铵态氮含量呈正相关关系,而地上部分氮累积与根尖数呈负相关关系.生物炭负载氮完全替代化学肥料施用农田会影响水稻生物量及氮素利用.但生物炭负载氮与普通化学肥料共同施用,水稻并不会显现利用偏好.生物炭负载氮对水稻氮素利用无不良影响,且能有效提高土壤矿质态氮固持量.因此,生物炭可以作为载体实现水体到农田土壤的氮素迁移,鉴于化肥氮替代比例对作物生长的影响,适宜替代比例还需进一步研究确定.     

北京夏季高温高湿和降水过程对大气颗粒物谱分布的影响

2004-07-13～2004-08-23使用TDMPS-APS系统在线测量颗粒物的数浓度谱分布,并于07-16～07-18选取了高温闷热夜晚、日间高温高湿和雨后晴朗干洁3种天气条件,使用多级串联撞击式采样器(MOUDI)测量颗粒物的质量浓度谱分布,结果表明,高温高湿天气条件下颗粒物的污染、尤其细粒子污染严重,导致很低的能见度(2.5km);PM_1.8和PM₁₀的质量浓度分别为170.68μg/m³和249.35μg/m³,细粒子质量浓度占PM10的68%;粒径为50～100nm颗粒物的数浓度最高,为2×10⁴～3×10⁴个/cm³;降雨过程对粗粒子和细粒子均有去除作用,对细粒子的去除作用尤为明显;降雨后PM₁₀和PM_1.8浓度分别比降雨前降低3倍和6倍;降雨过后的晴朗干洁天气有利于新粒子(3～20nm)的生成,生成的新粒子快速长大到50～100nm;随着污染物的累积,以后几天内又变为污染天气.     

Reinvestigating the pollution haven hypothesis: the nexus between foreign direct investments and environmental quality in G-20 countries

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - One of the most commonly debated concerns regarding foreign direct investment inflows is the associated environmental adversities that accompany the...