Ensuring the environmental effectiveness of linked emissions trading schemes over time

Linking emissions trading schemes allows the combined emissions cap to be achieved at lower cost. Linking is usually environmentally neutral, but some design features can lead to higher aggregate emissions if schemes are linked. Technical solutions to limit the potential emissions increases due to design differences implemented when schemes are linked are not sufficient to ensure the environmental effectiveness of the linked schemes over time. Technological, economic, administrative and other changes that can lead to higher aggregate emissions are inevitable. The administrators of the linked schemes must ensure the stringency of the emissions cap relative to the “business as usual” emissions of affected sources, the accuracy of the emissions reported by affected sources, the integrity of the allowance registry, effective compliance enforcement, and the environmental integrity of the credits issued for emission reduction projects over time. This will require a process for agreeing on revisions to the regulations of the linked schemes, a mechanism to provide assurance of the environmental effectiveness of each of the linked schemes, and a procedure for terminating the linking agreement.

An improved and simple method for removal of arsenic from drinking water

<正>Arsenic (As) is a naturally occurring element. The toxicity of arsenic is dependent on the specific arsenic species, and the concentration and duration of exposure to the arsenic species(Moe et al., 2016). Chronic human exposure to high concentrations of inorganic arsenic species has been associated with     

Early responses of soil ammonium and nitrate nitrogen to forest gap harvesting of a Pinus massoniana plantation in the upper reaches of Yangtze River北大核心CSCD

To understand the short-term effects of forest gap by human harvesting on soil available nutrient in Pinus massoniana plantations, the variations of soil ammonium nitrogen (NH4+-N) and nitrate nitrogen (NO3-N) concentrations in the gap center and gap edge during growing season were observed in seven gaps of different size (Gl: 100 m2; G2:225 m2; G3:400 m2; G4:625 m2; G5:900 m2; G6:1225 m2; G7:1600 m2) and pure understory of a 39-year-old masson pine plantation in a hilly area of the upper reaches of Yangtze River. The results showed that in the early stage of gap formation, the gap size had significant effect on NH4+-N, the season changes on NP3--N, and the interaction effect of gap size and seasonal variation on NH4+-N and NO3--N. The difference of NH4+-N and NO3--N between the gap center and gap edge was not significant. (I) The NH4+-N content was 4.30-11.99 mg kg-1, and NO3--N content was 2.57-10.81 mg kg-1. There was no obvious difference in NH4+-N and N03--N among gaps of different size in early or late growing seasons, when both increased first and decreased afterwards in the middle of growing season. The gaps of 100∼400 m2 area had a higher content of available nitrogen. (2) The seasonal dynamic differed between NH4+-N and NO3--N, with the former lower in middle growing season whereas the latter higher in the middle growing season but lower in the end of growing season. The soil NH4+-N was higher than NO3- -N in the early and late periods, but lower in the middle period. (3) The soil NH4+-N and NO3--N in parts of gaps were lower than understory in the early and late growing season. (4) Correlation analyses showed that NH4+-N had significant positive correlation with microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN), and NO3--N with soil temperature, MBN and organic matter. But the impact of soil water content on available nitrogen was not significant. These results suggested that soil temperature and microbial activity variation caused by gap harvesting are the main factors affecting soil available nitrogen content of Pinus massoniana plantations.     

Identification of two alkane hydroxylases involved in long-chain n-alkane degradation by Dietzia sp. DQ12-45-1b北大核心CSCD

The aim of this study was to identify genes involved in long-chain alkane degradation in Dietzia sp. DQ12-45-1b. Functional genes were annotated by genome analysis. Induction of alkane hydroxylase genes by C28 n-alkane was analyzed by using quantitative real-time PCR in wild-type Dietzia sp. DQ12-45-1b and its alkW1 gene knockout mutant strain M 5-5. From the genome of Dietzia sp. DQ12-45-1b, two homologues, G1 and G2 genes were annotated, which showed 50% amino acid sequence similarity with AlmA from Acinetobacter sp. DSM17874, and 48% amino acid sequence similarity with LadA from Geobacillus thermodenitrificans NG80-2, respectively. In addition, G1 showed 71% amino acid sequence similarity with G1a, and G2 showed 34% and 87% amino acid sequence similarities with G2a and G2ß, respectively, which were annotated from Dietzia sp. E1 genome. In addition, the alkW1 gene knockout strain M 5-5 could grow with C28 n-alkane as the sole carbon source, indicating the presence of potential long-chain alkane hydroxylase gene(s) other than alkW1 in Diezia sp. DQ12-45-1b. Accordingly, induction of G1 and G2 genes was observed when Dietzia ap. DQ12-45-1b and alkW1 knockout mutant strain M 5-5 grew with C28 n-alkane as sole carbon source. The results indicated that G1 and G2 genes are mostly responsible for the degradation of long-chain alkanes in Dietzia sp. DQ12-45-1b, which has unique multiple alkane hydroxylase systems.     

Cyanobacterial bloom dynamics in Lake Taihu

<正>Lake Taihu is the third largest freshwater lake in China and serves as an important drinking water source for the local populace;however,decades of excessive nutrient loading fueled by anthropogenic activities have resulted in hypertrophic conditions,promoting the annual formation of nuisance phytoplankton blooms(Chen et al.,2003;Duan et al.,2009)     

CO2 adsorption using TiO2 composite polymeric membranes: A kinetic study

CO₂ is the main greenhouse gas which causes global climatic changes on larger scale. Many techniques have been utilised to capture CO₂. Membrane gas separation is a fast growing CO₂ capture technique, particularly gas separation by composite membranes. The separation of CO₂ by a membrane is not just a process to physically sieve out of CO₂ through the controlled membrane pore size. It mainly depends upon diffusion and solubility of gases, particularly for composite dense membranes. The blended components in composite membranes have a high capability to adsorb CO₂. The adsorption kinetics of the gases may directly affect diffusion and solubility. In this study, we have investigated the adsorption behaviour of CO₂ in pure and composite membranes to explore the complete understanding of diffusion and solubility of CO₂ through membranes. Pure cellulose acetate (CA) and cellulose acetate-titania nanoparticle (CA-TiO₂) composite membranes were fabricated and characterised using SEM and FTIR analysis. The results indicated that the blended CA-TiO₂ membrane adsorbed more quantity of CO₂ gas as compared to pure CA membrane. The high CO₂ adsorption capacity may enhance the diffusion and solubility of CO₂ in the CA-TiO₂ composite membrane, which results in a better CO₂ separation. The experimental data was modelled by Pseudo first-order, pseudo second order and intra particle diffusion models. According to correlation factor R², the Pseudo second order model was fitted well with experimental data. The intra particle diffusion model revealed that adsorption in dense membranes was not solely consisting of intra particle diffusion.     

Removal of nanoparticles by coagulation

<正>Nanoparticles(NPs)from anthropogenic sources have applications in several commercial products,including cosmetics,pharmaceuticals,and materials.There is evidence that during their usage and disposal,engineered nanoparticles can and will be released into wastewater(Gottschalk et al.,2013;Pasricha et al.,2012;Westerhoff et al.,2013;Zheng et al.,2015).If water and wastewater treatment plants are inefficient or incapable of removing NPs from water,NPs will be released with the treated effluent,entering drinking water sources and natural aquatic environments,increasing exposure for plants,microorganisms,     

Changes in distribution patterns of weed species richness in agricultural lands on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau under climate change北大核心CSCD

农田杂草是阻碍农业生产的主要因素之一.明确农田杂草丰富度分布格局对农业生产管理具有重要意义.以青藏高原农田杂草为研究对象,利用物种分布模型探讨基于县域尺度的农田杂草物种丰富度分布格局及其未来(2050s)的变化,利用逐步回归筛选影响物种丰富度的环境因子,基于传统最小二乘法(OLS)和地理加权回归模型(GWR)分析环境因子对农田杂草物种丰富度的影响,并对两种分析方法进行比较.结果显示:(1)分布在青藏高原的农田主要杂草有51科284种,其中59种单子叶杂草、222种双子叶杂草、135种一年生杂草和149种多年生杂草.青藏高原农田杂草物种丰富度呈由西向东递增的变化规律,物种丰富度中心(丰富度值为167-194)主要集中在一江两河、河湟谷地和川西北等地区;(2)全球气候变化背景下,未来(2050s)青藏高原农田杂草物种丰富度整体呈由东南向西北方向增加的趋势,其中SSP1-2.6情境下最多增加43种,SSP5-8.5情境下最多增加49种;(3)GWR模型优于OLS,其结果表明青藏高原农田杂草物种丰富度的主要驱动因子是最冷季平均温、太阳辐射和最干月降水量,上述变量对杂草丰富度的影响存在明显的空间差异性,其中最冷季平均温由南向北逐渐从负向影响转变为正向影响.太阳辐射整体在青藏高原东部边缘等地区对农田杂草丰富度起正向的影响,在藏东南、青藏高原北部边缘等地区起负向的影响.最干月降水量对整个研究区域起负向影响,并表现出影响力由南向北逐步递增的趋势.上述结果表明青藏高原农田杂草物种丰富度调查不足,实际观测到的丰富度值明显低于当前气候下潜在的丰富度值,存在低估现象.当前气候背景下的农田杂草物种丰富度中心分布地区在未来仍是重点监管对象,且未来青藏高原部分地区作物可能面临新的杂草入侵风险.建议未来研究应注重于青藏高原粮食主产区农田杂草群落结构和功能调查、杂草和作物种间关系、耕地尺度上丰富度驱动因子分析等方面,为区域杂草管理和防治提供充分科学依据.(图6表2参53)     

Spatiotemporal patterns and other impacting factors on wheat production of Tibet,China北大核心CSCD

Wheat is the second-largest food crop in Tibet, China. Along with economic development, the pattern of wheat production in Tibet has changed dramatically, potentially affecting the balance of grain supply and demand, as well as food security. A clear understanding of the spatiotemporal patterns and other factors affecting wheat production can provide a necessary basis for the scientific management and efficient production of wheat. Based on the wheat yield from 1990 to 2020 in 74 county-level units of Tibet, this study analyzed the spatial and temporal change patterns of Tibetan wheat production and its impacting factors using the Gini coefficient, center of gravity move method, advantage index, exploratory spatial data analysis (ESDA), and geographically weighted regression model (GWR). Results showed that: (1) the total wheat production in Tibet rose from 1990 to 1999, fluctuated, and then decreased from 1999 to 2020. The production areas are mainly concentrated in the southern Tibetan Valley and counties in the Three Rivers region of eastern Tibet. (2) The spatial distribution and agglomeration pattern of wheat in Tibet is relatively stable, and the production center shows a slight fluctuation trend from west to east during the 1990-2020 time period. (3) Based on the comprehensive advantage index (CAI), Tibet’s wheat production in advantaged areas, slightly advantaged areas, slightly disadvantaged areas, and disadvantaged areas accounted for 13.5%, 8.1%, 9.5%, and 40.5% of the total production, respectively; indicating that the regional distribution of CAI exhibits spatial agglomeration rather than sporadic distribution. The patterns are HH (high-high), LH (low-high), and random; 29 hot spots are mainly distributed in Lhasa, Shannan, and Nyingchi, while the cold spots are mainly distributed in Xigazê and Ngari; and (4) the impacting factors on Tibet’s wheat production mainly include effective irrigation areas and agricultural mechanization level as positive factors, and regional gross agricultural product as the main negative factor. In addition, rainfall, other grain output, livestock inventory at the end of the year, and the number of non-primary industries also have an impact on wheat production. Wheat planting area in Tibet has been declining in recent years, thus exhibiting a significant pattern of spatial agglomeration. The three dominant factors affecting the emerging spatiotemporal pattern of wheat production in Tibet are the irrigation condition, mechanization, and local economic development levels. Based on the above conclusions, the study suggests building a high-yield wheat area consistent with local conditions by strictly protecting arable land, improving irrigation conditions, and increasing machinery investment. Depending on the counties of high-yield areas, Tibetan farmers and herders should cultivate the bases of wheat production and build a wheat base for local wheat consumption. © 2022 Science Press. All rights reserved.     

Research progress on antimicrobial activities of sophorolipids and their synergistic effects with other antimicrobial substances北大核心CSCD

Sophorolipids (SLs), secondary metabolites of non-pathogenic yeasts, are glycolipid biosurfactants with wide applications. Research on the pharmaceutical activities of sophorolipids is important. In recent years, an increasing number of researchers have been interested in the antimicrobial activity of sophorolipids. In this study, the effects of sophorolipids on bacteria, fungi, and their biofilms were reviewed. Sophorolipids cause greater damage and better inhibition of gram-positive bacteria, and lactonic sophorolipids show stronger effects than acid sophorolipids. In addition, sophorolipids can disperse and destroy resistant biofilms, which are difficult to handle. Second, the synergistic effects of sophorolipids in combination with commonly used antibiotics and antimicrobial materials were reviewed. When sophorolipids and antibiotics are used together, the effective dosage of the antibiotics is significantly reduced. Sophorolipids can enhance the antimicrobial effects when used to synthesize or coat antimicrobial materials. Finally, we investigated the problems and development of the antimicrobial activities of sophorolipids, further expansion of the antimicrobial spectrum of sophorolipids, in-depth analysis of mechanisms of antimicrobial and synergistic effects, development and modification of new sophorolipids, and exploration of the water-solubility of sophorolipids. © 2022 Authors. All rights reserved.