Three-Dimensional Modeling of an Urban Park and Trees by Combined Airborne and Portable On-Ground Scanning LIDAR Remote Sensing

In this study, we confirmed the utility of airborne and portable on-ground scanning light detection and ranging (LIDARs) for three-dimensional visualization of an urban park and quantification of biophysical variables of trees in the park. The digital canopy height model (DCHM) and digital terrain model generated from airborne scanning LIDAR data provided precise images of the ground surface and individual tree canopies. The heights of 166 coniferous and broadleaf trees of 11 species in the park were estimated from the DCHM images with slight underestimation (mean error = −0.14 m, RMSE = 0.30 m). Portable on-ground scanning LIDAR provided images of individual trees with detailed features. Tree height and trunk diameter were estimated to be within 0.31 m and 1 cm, respectively, from the on-ground LIDAR images. We combined airborne and on-ground LIDAR images to overcome blind regions and created a complete three-dimensional model of three standing trees. The model allowed not only visual assessment from all viewpoints but also quantitative estimation of canopy volume, trunk volume, and canopy cross-sectional area.     

Characteristics of biosolids in dimethyl ether dewatering method

In this study, a method for removing water from biosolids that uses dimethyl ether (DME) as an extractant was considered. This study evaluates the applicability of the DME dewatering method to biosolid cakes by using a DME flow-type experimental apparatus. It was found that a high dewatering ratio is clearly achieved by increasing the liquefied DME/biosolid ratio and lowering the liquefied DME linear velocity. As the liquefied DME/biosolid ratio was increased, the carbon content in dewatered biosolid showed a slight decrease and the TOC concentration in separated liquid increased significantly. Finally, the input energy Es to remove 1 kg of water from the biosolid cake, using both the DME dewatering method and the conventional drying method was estimated. The calculation shows that Es for the DME dewatering process is approximately a third of Es for the conventional thermal drying process.     

焚烧麦杆对稻田CH4 和N2O 排放的影响

采用3 种麦杆处理方式(不还田、均匀混施和原位焚烧)进行田间试验,观测稻田CH₄ 和N₂O 的排放情况,以探讨原位焚烧麦杆对稻田CH₄ 和N₂O 排放的影响.结果表明,与不还田处理相比,原位焚烧显著增加稻田CH₄ 排放量,同时显著减少稻田N₂O 排放量;与均匀混施处理相比,原位焚烧显著减少稻田CH₄ 排放量,二者的N₂O 排放量无明显差异.     

The effects of current water management practices on methane emissions in Japanese rice cultivation

Cultivated wetland rice fields are a source of methane (CH₄) emissions. To estimate CH₄ emissions and develop policies to reduce such emissions, information on water management at the farm level is crucial. It is known that farmers implement midseason drainage (MD) to increase rice yields and save water. However, little is known about whether MD is carried out in soils where CH₄ emissions are high and how part-time status will influence management. The objective of this study is to identify factors that determine MD implementation using a binomial logistic regression model based on a farm-level survey in Japan and to indicate possible changes in estimates of CH₄ emissions, accounting for current water management practices. The implementation rates were significantly higher where the soil types were classified as having the potential for high CH₄ emissions. Under current water management practices, the duration of MD and the percentage of continuous flooding were 5 to 7 days longer and approximately 7 % higher, respectively, than the values used by the Greenhouse Gas Inventory Office of Japan, which in turn are used to report greenhouse gas emissions to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. By accounting for current water conditions with the Tier 2 method, this study indicates that national estimates of CH₄ emissions from rice straw application areas could be lowered by 12.7 %. These results may contribute to the development of a mitigation policy that will help to further reduce CH₄ emissions.     

焚烧飞灰预处理工艺及其无机氯盐的行为研究

研究表明WCCB(水洗+烧结)预处理工艺能更高效更节能地去除飞灰中的氯化物,以利于其作为水泥原料的使用.水洗工艺条件为两次水洗、水固比均为3∶1,搅拌速度均为150 r.min-1,第一次水洗时间5 min,第二次水洗时间10 min;利用原焚烧炉进行烧结处理,温度为1 000℃,10%氧气含量,停留时间1 h.本研究尝试了3种焚烧飞灰:节煤器出来的飞灰、石灰干法中和酸性气体后布袋收集的飞灰、NaHCO3中和酸性气体后布袋收集的飞灰.经该工艺处理后,焚烧飞灰残渣量减少20%以上,氯减少94%以上,尤以NaHCO3中和得到的飞灰削减量为最,分别达到了72.1%和99.8%.采用同步辐射的X射线吸收近边精细结构(X-ray absorption near edge structure,XANES)和普通X射线衍射(X-ray Diffraction,XRD)相结合的方法研究分析无机氯盐在工艺过程中的行为,发现焚烧飞灰中主要的氯盐主要有NaCl、KCl和CaCl2.焚烧炉烟气净化系统的酸中和剂会影响无机氯盐的生成.焚烧飞灰中难溶性无机氯盐的结构与Friedel’s盐相似,并且与CaCl2有关系.     

The effect of copper speciation on the formation of chlorinated aromatics on real municipal solid waste incinerator fly ash

A limited amount of information exists regarding the relationship between the chemical form of copper and the formation of chlorinated aromatics in fly ash. To understand the effects of the various forms of copper on the formation of chlorinated aromatics in real fly ash, we determined the chemical forms of copper present in various types of real fly ash using X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) and evaluated the relationship between the chemical forms of copper and the formation of chlorinated aromatics. Copper chloride hydroxide (CuCl2 x 3Cu(OH)2) and cuprous chloride (CuCl) were the predominant copper species found in real fly ash. Although pure cupric chloride (CuCl2) is known to be the most active catalyst for the formation of chlorinated aromatics under experimental conditions with synthetic fly ash, CuCl2 was not found in every real fly ash sample. The amount of copper chloride hydroxide was positively correlated with the formation of chlorinated aromatics in real fly ash and is, consequently, considered to be one of the key species involved in the formation of chlorinated aromatics.     

Circatidal swimming activity rhythm in a subtidal cumacean Dimorphostylis asiatica (Crustacea)

Dimorphostylis asiatica, a cumacean crustacea inhabiting the sublittoral line of the Seto Inland Sea, shows a rhythmic pattern of swimming activity coinciding with daily and tidal components in the field. This activity pattern was bimodal at first, i.e., circatidal activity coinciding with high tides at their habitat. The mean free-running period (i.e., bitidal interval) of this endogenous rhythm was 23.1 h at 10°C, which was significantly shorter than the environmental tidal cycle. In most cases (90% of the records) this bimodal activity became unimodal within 10 d. The unimodal period was 24 to 27.5 h, which is markedly longer than the preceding bimodal period. The bimodal pattern observed in the present study was not observed in the field. The difference between field and laboratory activity patterns can be explained in terms of direct response of the bimodal circatidal rhythm to the day-night cycle in the field. Field observations were made and laboratory experiments conducted between 1988 and 1992.     

New technique using galactose-specific lectin for isolation of fetal cells from maternal blood

To isolate fetal cells from maternal blood, we developed a new method based on galactose-bearing conjugation. Nucleated red blood cells (NRBCs), which highly express galactose on their surface, were selectively attached to a substrate coated with a galactose-containing polymer via soybean agglutinin (SBA), a galactose-specific lectin. Cord blood samples were used to evaluate enrichment efficacy of NRBCs by this method. Blood samples were obtained from 131 pregnant women between 6 and 27 gestational weeks. After preliminary condensation of fetal cells by Ficoll gradient centrifugation, NRBCs were enriched using galactose-positive selection by adjusting SBA concentration. We isolated one to severalhundred NRBCs (mean±SD, 7.8±8.5) in 2.3 ml of peripheral blood samples from 96% of pregnantwomen. The isolated NRBCs were analyzed by a Y-chromosome FISH probe in eight cases carrying male fetuses. Y-signals were detected in all eight cases and more than half of the NRBCs wereoffetal origin. The study demonstrates that our new method using galactose-specific lectin provides effective enrichment of fetal NRBCs allowing non-invasive prenatal diagnosis. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mercury emission from sewage sludge incineration in Japan

Sewage sludge contains trace amounts of mercury, and sewage sludge incineration is a major source of mercury emissions. However, relatively few studies have reported on mercury emissions from sewage sludge incineration. Consequently, data on emissions from sewage sludge incinerators must be updated to estimate current emissions of mercury. In this study, we examined mercury emissions and speciation using continuous mercury analyzers in two incinerators. The mercury concentrations in stack gas from facilities A and B were 36.6 and 21.1???g/Nm³, respectively. As a result, the emission rate was calculated to be 0.282?C0.750?g/ton-dry sludge. Considering the total amount of sewage sludge incinerated in Japan, the mercury emissions from sewage sludge incinerators were estimated to be 0.49?C1.31?tons/year.     

3R strategies for the establishment of an international sound material-cycle society

Focusing on the promotion of the “3Rs” – reduce, reuse, and recycle – the authors summarize the policy that Japan has evolved in waste management and recycling policy over the years. To realize an international sound material-cycle society (SMS), the 3R approaches should first be implemented in each individual country. After each country has established an SMS to the best of its ability, contribution toward reducing the environmental load internationally, especially across all of East Asia, will be achieved by having waste and recyclable resources that cannot be handled in one country effectively used or processed in other countries. The current situation of international resource circulation is described and a concept of SMS at an international level is proposed. The views expressed herein are those of the authors and are not necessarily the official views of the organizations with which the authors are affiliated.