Simultaneous Total Oxidant and Chemiluminescent Ozone Measurements in Ambient Air

The purpose of this project was to investigate the relationship of ambient air quality measurements between two analytical methods, referred to as the total oxidant method and the chemiluminescent method. These two well documented analytical methods were run simultaneously, side by side, at a site on the Houston ship channel. They were calibrated daily. The hourly averages were analyzed by regression techniques and the confidence intervals were calculated for the regression lines. Confidence intervals for point estimates were also calculated. These methods were used with all data sets with values greater than 10 parts per billion and again with values greater than 30 parts per billion. A regression line was also calculated for a second set of data for the preceding year. These data were generated before a chromium triox-ide scrubber was installed to eliminate possible chemical interferences with the Kl method.

The results show that in general the chemiluminescent ozone method tends to produce values as much as two times higher than the simultaneous total oxidant values. In one set of data collected an 80 ppb chemiluminescent ozone value predicted a value of 43.9 ppb total oxidant with a 95% confidence interval of 7.7 to 80.4 ppb. In the second set of data an 80 ppb chemiluminescent ozone value predicted a value of 78 ppb total oxidant with a 95% confidence interval of 0.4 to 156 ppb. Other statistical analyses confirmed that either measurement was a very poor predictor of the other.     

Quantitative Determination of Gaseous Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations over Long Path Lengths by Selective Absorption of Argon Ion Laser Emission

An argon ion laser emits several laser lines In the visible region of the optical spectrum. The absorption coefficients of N0₂ at these laser emissions were measured in a multiple pass absorption cell. A differential technique, in which the ratio of the transmitted intensities of the argon laser emissions is measured, is described to determine the concentration of N0₂ in a polluted atmosphere over path lengths of several kilometers. Measurement of ratios eliminates interferences from particle scattering and thermal index gradients. Evaluation of the data taken in the 48 meter multipass cell indicates that concentrations of N0₂ less than one part per million could be determined in a 1 km optical path.     

A Framework for Evaluating the Effects of Human Factors on Wildlife Habitat: the Case of Giant Pandas

Abstract: To address the complex interactions between humans and wildlife habitat, we developed a conceptual framework that links human factors with forested landscapes and wildlife habitat. All the components in the framework are integrated into systems models that analyze the effects of human factors and project how wildlife habitat would change under different policy scenarios. As a case study, we applied this framework to the Wolong Nature Reserve in Sichuan Province (southwestern China), the largest home of the giant panda ( Ailuropoda melanoleuca ). We collected ecological and socioeconomic data with a combination of various methods ( field observations, aerial photographs, government documents and statistics, interviews, and household surveys) and employed geographic information systems and systems modeling to analyze and integrate the data sources. Human population size has increased by 66% and the number of households in the reserve has increased by 115% since 1975, when the reserve was established. During the same period, the quality and quantity of the giant panda habitat dramatically decreased because of increasing human activities such as fuelwood collection. Systems modeling predicted that under the status quo, human population in the reserve would continue to grow and cause more destruction of the remaining panda habitat, whereas reducing human birth rates and increasing human emigration rates would lower human population size and alleviate human impacts on the panda habitat. Furthermore, our simulations and surveys suggested that policies encouraging the emigration of young people would be more effective and feasible than relocating older people in reducing human population size and conserving giant panda habitat in the reserve.     

Diversion from landfill: quality products from valuable plastics

Mechanical recycling of 100% post-consumer plastic waste into high-quality products has been performed. The chemical and physical properties of these recycled materials have been compared with similar products manufactured from virgin resins. The properties of a blow-moulded bottle prepared from 100% post-consumer high-density polyethylene (HDPE) showed that this recycled polymer exceeded the materials specifications for virgin plastic designs. Similarly, a sample of thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO, 100% polypropylene), obtained entirely from shredder residue (SR) displayed sufficient material strength for future separation and reprocessing.