Longitudinal‐Vertical Hydrodynamic and Turbidity Simulations for Prediction of Dam Reconstruction Effects in Asian Monsoon Area1

Abstract: This research investigates possible impacts of enlarged water body according to dam reconstruction on the hydrodynamics and water quality of the reservoir using a laterally averaged, two‐dimensional hydrodynamic and transport model, CE‐QUAL‐W2. The lake was formed by the artificial dam in 1983 for agricultural water supply and is currently under consideration of reconstruction so as to expand the volume of reservoir for flood control as well as water supply in downstream areas. To calibrate and validate the model, field‐collected data were compared with model predictions for water level fluctuations and water temperature during the years of 2001 (from January to December) and 2003 (from March to November). The model results showed a good agreement with field measurements both in calibration and verification. Utilizing the model, impacts of dam reconstruction on the thermal hydrodynamics and turbid current were predicted. From the model results, dam reconstruction limited the depth of thermal stratification below 10 meter and formed steep temperature gradient between epilimnion and hypolimnion. The restricted thermal stratification persisted up to the end of September. This result indicated that thermal stratification would become stronger during summer and stay longer after dam reconstruction. In addition, the restricted thermal stratification caused vertical circulation of water mixing lower than 10 meter and isolated the upper water layer from the lower water layer which increased the volume of hypolimnetic water with low temperature. The vertical circulation near the surface also mitigated propagation of density plume within the depth of 10 m which would remain the hypolimnetic water clean.     

碳底物含量对厌氧条件下水稻土N2、N2O、NO、CO2和CH4排放的影响

理解底物碳氮对厌氧条件下水稻土排放氮素气体——氮气(N2)、氧化亚氮(N2O)和一氧化氮(NO)以及二氧化碳(CO2)和甲烷(CH4)的影响,有助于制定合理的温室气体减排措施,定量了解反硝化产物组成对碳底物水平的依赖性,也有助于氮转化过程模型研发中制定正确的关键过程参数选取方法或参数化方案.本研究采用粉砂壤质水稻土为研究对象,设置对照(CK)和加碳(C+)两个处理,前者的初始硝态氮和可溶性有机碳(DOC)含量分别为~50 mg·kg-1和~28 mg·kg-1,后者的分别为~50 mg·kg-1和~300 mg·kg-1.采用氦环境培养-气体及碳氮底物直接同步测定系统,研究了完全厌氧条件下碳底物水平对上述气体排放的影响.结果表明,CK处理无CH4排放,而C+处理可观测到CH4排放;C+处理的综合增温潜势显著高于CK处理(P<0.01);NO、N2O和N2排放量占这3种氮素气体排放总量的比重,在CK处理分别约为9%、35%和56%,在C+处理分别约为31%、50%和19%,处理间差异显著(P<0.01).由此表明,碳底物水平可显著改变所排放氮素气体的组成;对于旱地阶段硝态氮比较丰富的水稻土,避免在淹水前或淹水期间施用有机肥,有利于削减温室气体排放.     

CO2 emission assessment of lightweight aggregate concrete using artificial lightweight and bottom ash particles

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - This paper proposes empirical models to straightforwardly assess the CO2 emissions of artificial lightweight aggregate concrete (ALWC) and bottom...     

Investigating supportive conditions for participation in voluntary environmental programs

Voluntary environmental programs (VEPs) are commonly construed as contracts between industry and government that encourage businesses to voluntarily mitigate their environmental impacts beyond legal requirements. This research explores conditions under which polluting firms are likely to participate in VEPs. We analyze 34 comparable VEPs whose shared goal is to reduce greenhouse gases emissions, with focus on the alleged influences of three factors drawn from existing scholarship: government supervision; economic instruments; and public disclosure of participants' environmental records. The statistical results show a greater effect from government supervision than complete voluntarism and the positive effect of financial subsidies on firms' participation in VEPs. Although recent debates over regulatory reform have been oriented towards vesting greater discretion in regulatees to better address environmental harms, the findings imply that even in a highly privatized form of regulation, government oversight and assistance are necessary for promoting this new mode of environmental regulation.     

Methods for measuring denitrification: diverse approaches to a difficult problem.

Denitrification, the reduction of the nitrogen (N) oxides, nitrate (NO3-) and nitrite (NO2-), to the gases nitric oxide (NO), nitrous oxide (N2O), and dinitrogen (N2), is important to primary production, water quality, and the chemistry and physics of the atmosphere at ecosystem, landscape, regional, and global scales. Unfortunately, this process is very difficult to measure, and existing methods are problematic for different reasons in different places at different times. In this paper, we review the major approaches that have been taken to measure denitrification in terrestrial and aquatic environments and discuss the strengths, weaknesses, and future prospects for the different methods. Methodological approaches covered include (1) acetylene-based methods, (2) 15N tracers, (3) direct N2 quantification, (4) N2:Ar ratio quantification, (5) mass balance approaches, (6) stoichiometric approaches, (7) methods based on stable isotopes, (8) in situ gradients with atmospheric environmental tracers, and (9) molecular approaches. Our review makes it clear that the prospects for improved quantification of denitrification vary greatly in different environments and at different scales. While current methodology allows for the production of accurate estimates of denitrification at scales relevant to water and air quality and ecosystem fertility questions in some systems (e.g., aquatic sediments, well-defined aquifers), methodology for other systems, especially upland terrestrial areas, still needs development. Comparison of mass balance and stoichiometric approaches that constrain estimates of denitrification at large scales with point measurements (made using multiple methods), in multiple systems, is likely to propel more improvement in denitrification methods over the next few years.     

Sequential soil washing techniques using hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide for remediating arsenic-contaminated soils in abandoned iron-ore mines

Sequential washing techniques using single or dual agents [sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and hydrochloric acid (HCl) solutions] were applied to arsenic-contaminated soils in an abandoned iron-ore mine area. We investigated the best remediation strategies to maximize arsenic removal efficiency for both soils and arsenic-containing washing solution through conducting a series of batch experiments. Based on the results of a sequential extraction procedure, most arsenic prevails in Fe-As precipitates or coprecipitates, and iron exists mostly in the crystalline forms of iron oxide. Soil washing by use of a single agent was not effective in remediating arsenic-contaminated soils because arsenic extractions determined by the Korean standard test (KST) methods for washed soils were not lower than 6mg kg(-1) in all experimental conditions. The results of X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicated that iron-ore fines produced mobile colloids through coagulation and flocculation in water contacting the soils, containing dissolved arsenic and fine particles of ferric arsenate-coprecipitated silicate. The first washing step using 0.2M HCl was mostly effective in increasing the cationic hydrolysis of amorphous ferrihydrite, inducing high removal of arsenic. Thus, the removal step of arsenic-containing flocs can lower arsenic extractions (KST methods) of washed soils. Among several washing trials, alternative sequential washing using 0.2M HCl followed by 1M HCl (second step) and 1M NaOH solution (third step) showed reliable and lower values of arsenic extractions (KST methods) of washed soils. This washing method can satisfy the arsenic regulation of washed soil for reuse or safe disposal application. The kinetic data of washing tests revealed that dissolved arsenic was easily readsorbed into remaining soils at a low pH. This result might have occurred due to dominant species of positively charged crystalline iron oxides characterized through the sequential extraction procedure. However, alkaline extraction using NaOH was effective in removing arsenic readsorbed onto the surface of crystalline minerals. This is because of the ligand displacement reaction of hydroxyl ions with arsenic species and high pH conditions that can prevent readsorption of arsenic.     

Assessment of degradation of 18 antibiotics in the Closed Bottle Test

Large quantities of antibiotics are used in health care. After administration, they are discharged into the effluent and reach sewage treatment plants (STPs); if they are not degraded, they will eventually enter the environment. Antibiotics can affect bacteria in the environment and thus disturb natural elemental cycles. For this reason, it is necessary to take a closer look at the fate and effects of these substances in the environment. The biodegradability of 18 clinically important antibiotics and their effects on environmental bacteria was studied using the Closed Bottle Test (CBT) (OECD 301 D 1992). In addition, a toxicity control was performed in the CBT and the colony forming units (CFUs) were monitored. Disappearance of some of the 18 antibiotics was monitored by HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography) analysis. The antibiotics were used in two concentrations: (a) according to OECD 301 D in the mg/l-range and (b) on the basis of calculated concentrations in the influent of STPs in the microg/l-range. None of the 18 antibiotics were readily biodegradable. The HPLC analysis showed that some substances were partially or even completely disappeared by a non-biotic mechanism. In the case of some antibiotics, partial biological removal took place in test vessels containing readily biodegradable sodium acetate and the test compound. However, in the toxicity control, toxicity had not been eliminated.