Science–policy processes for transboundary water governance

In this policy perspective, we outline several conditions to support effective science–policy interaction, with a particular emphasis on improving water governance in transboundary basins. Key conditions include (1) recognizing that science is a crucial but bounded input into water resource decision-making processes; (2) establishing conditions for collaboration and shared commitment among actors; (3) understanding that social or group-learning processes linked to science–policy interaction are enhanced through greater collaboration; (4) accepting that the collaborative production of knowledge about hydrological issues and associated socioeconomic change and institutional responses is essential to build legitimate decision-making processes; and (5) engaging boundary organizations and informal networks of scientists, policy makers, and civil society. We elaborate on these conditions with a diverse set of international examples drawn from a synthesis of our collective experiences in assessing the opportunities and constraints (including the role of power relations) related to governance for water in transboundary settings.     

活性污泥驯化技术与高浓度CTMP废水生物处理的研究

为探讨活性污泥处理高浓度ＣＴＭＰ制浆造纸废水,研究了活性污泥驯化工艺的良性对生物系统污泥沉降性能及处理效果产生的影响。３个月多的运行试验结果表明,改良后的污泥驯化工艺即间歇式与连续式进料相结合的污泥驯化工艺能够明显改善污泥沉降性能,污泥的ＳＶ３０为２９９０－３２０ｍｇ／Ｌ,ＳＶＩ为４８－５５ｍｌ／ｇ,并显著增加处理效果,ＣＯＤ去除率７７％－８５％,ＢＯＤ５去除率９０％－９５％,ＴＳＳ去除率７５％－     

Simultaneous chemical and sensory characterization of volatile organic compounds and semi-volatile organic compounds emitted from swine manure using solid phase microextraction and multidimensional gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-olfactometry

Swine manure is associated with emissions of odor, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other gases that can affect air quality on local and regional scales. In this research, a solid phase microextraction (SPME) and novel multidimensional gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-olfactometry (MDGC-MS-O) system were used to simultaneously identify VOCs and related odors emitted from swine manure. Gas samples were extracted from manure headspace using Carboxen/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) 85-microm SPME fibers. The MDGC-MS-O system was equipped with two columns in series with a system of valves allowing transfer of samples between columns (heartcutting). The heartcuts were used to maximize the isolation, separation, and identification of compounds. The odor impact of separated compounds was evaluated by a trained panelist for character and intensity. A total of 295 compounds with molecular weights ranging from 34 to 260 were identified. Seventy one compounds had a distinct odor. Nearly 68% of the compounds for which reaction rates with OH* radicals are known had an estimated atmospheric lifetime <24 h.     

Waste Management in Guangdong Cities: The Waste Management Literacy and Waste Reduction Preferences of Domestic Waste Generators

A questionnaire survey was conducted in 2002 on 1365 households in two prefectural-level cities in the Pearl River Delta, Jiangmen and Zhongshan. Three groups of issues are covered in this paper: 1) waste management literacy, concerns, and public participation; 2) waste recycling practices and the potential for waste avoidance; and 3) public environmental literacy. This study confirms findings from previous surveys and provides new information on important issues such as imposing monetary charges on waste and environmental activities, littering, source separation programs (SSPs), and public participation and expectations in local waste management. Saving up recyclable materials for redemption in waste depots is commonly practiced in mainland China regardless of the level of development of a city, although at the household level, high-income families tend to place less value on the revenues to be gained from redemption than lower income groups do. Data from the previous and the present studies indicate that such voluntary but largely economically driven waste recovery behavior diverts at least 10% of the household waste from the waste stream. Although uncompensated SSP is less appealing in the two cities than compensated SSP, it was found that when the median per capita income of a city reaches RMB2000 per month, a high participation rate for uncompensated waste recovery is more likely to occur. Education and income levels are the chief factors affecting littering behavior and the potential for waste avoidance. Contrary to general belief, the local Chinese community is active in microwaste management. The concern, however, is over the inability of the grassroots bureaucracy to deal with rising expectations for waste collection services and neighborhood cleanliness.     

Public Discourses of Climate Change in Hong Kong

The changing political environment in Hong Kong is likely to accelerate the transition in environmental policy discourse. Opportunities for critical public involvement are increasing and new environmental discourses are emerging. Yet, previous social surveys did not explore the range of these discourses and few focused on climate change. The paper outlines the public discourses of climate change in Hong Kong. Using Q-methodology, four distinctive discourses were identified, namely Pure Environmentalism, Political Pragmatism, Popular Optimism, and Fair Rationalism. While the first one is climate-centric, the other three are political or social in nature and do not indicate a clear or coherent climate orientation. This suggests that the climate change concern of the Hong Kong public is not tightly embedded into a coherent narrative of social and institutional transformation. Effective climate change governance and policies require strengthening the link between such concern and the public desires for social and institutional transformation. Bringing together the ongoing social movements and environmental campaigns will be instrumental to nurture an active climate citizenry.     

First trimester prenatal diagnosis of Sanfilippo disease (MPSIII) type B

Two pregnancies of a family at risk for Sanfilippo disease type B were monitored in the first trimester. In one case an affected fetus was diagnosed on chorionic villi by the assay of N-acetyl-a-D -glucosaminidase and confirmed on cultured fibroblasts from the aborted fetus. Pathological findings are also reported and compared with changes observed later in life. The disease was excluded in the second pregnancy.     

Swine wastewater treatment in a two stage sequencing batch reactor using real-time control

A laboratory scale two-stage sequencing batch reactor (TSSBR) was used to study the effectiveness of pH as a real-time control parameter in swine wastewater treatment. A Ringlace media was inserted into the A/O (Anoxic/Oxic) reactor for bacteria immobilization. The TSSBR was subjected to three levels of organic loading. The pH and ORP (Oxidation Reduction Potential) patterns obtained were consistent with distinct features, enabling the real-time control strategy to effectively set a flexible aeration time pending on influent concentration, hence resulting in flexible cycle time and HRT (Hydraulic Retention Time) for the system. The real-time process ensured a removal efficiency of over 99% and 95%, respectively, for ammonia and TOC (Total Organic Carbon). For NO3(-)-N and PO4(-3), the run with influent TOC = 4,000 mg/L yielded the most efficient removal of 61% and 95%, respectively. Test results suggest that pH can be a viable tool for on-line real-time control of a biological treatment process.     

Adsorption/desorption properties of copper ions on the surface of iron-coated sand using BET and EDAX analyses

This study was conducted to develop a heating process for coating hydrated iron oxide on the sand surface to utilise the adsorbent properties of the coating and the filtration properties of the sand. BET and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analyses were used to investigate the surface properties of the coated layer. An energy dispersive X-ray (EDAX) technique of analysis was used for characterising metal adsorption sites on the iron-coated sand surface. The results indicated that the iron-coated sand had more micropores and higher specific surface area because of the attachment of iron oxide. Copper ions could penetrate into the micropores and mesopores of iron oxide on sand surface, and the regeneration of the iron-coated sand could be achieved by soaking with pH = 3.0 acid solution. Besides, the results of EDAX analysis showed that copper ions were chemisorbed on the surface of iron-coated sand. Results of the study developed an innovative technology for coating iron oxide on sand surface for the treatment of heavy metal in water.     

APPLICATION OF A SINGLE RESERVOIR OPERATION POLICY TO A RAIN WATER CISTERN SYSTEM1

The operation policy for a single reservoir is applied to a rain water cistern system because the functions of a cistern are similar to a simple single reservoir. Since the cistern is a closed system, water loss is negligible. In this study, a dynamic programming analysis has been made to study the effects of the probable weekly rainfall and the water storage in the cistern towards the water consumption policy. The result of this study indicates that the water consumption rate should be adjusted into a lower rate when the water storage in the cistern is low and/or when the expected probable weekly rainfall is low if the owner of the cistern does not want to risk the chance of an empty cistern. The demand for a reliable method for forecasting weekly rainfall is evident in this study.