Geosmin degradation by seasonal biofilm from a biological treatment facility

Introduction  

Initial geosmin degradation was closely related to water temperature and natural geosmin concentration of sampling environment. Here, for the first time, we evaluated the biodegradation of geosmin by microorganisms in biofilm from biological treatment unit of actual potable water treatment plant.     

Restoration of Koggala lagoon： Modelling approach in evaluating lagoon water budget and flow characteristics

Groyne system modification is described related to restoration e orts to Koggala lagoon, Sri Lanka.The large-scale unplanned sand removal at the lagoon mouth shifted the formation of sand bar towards the lagoon and made adverse e ects on its ecosystem. After the removal of the natural sand bar, groyne system was constructed to avoid sand deposition in the lagoon and to protect the highway bridge (across the lagoon outlet channel) from the wave attack. The existing groyne system resulted the lagoon mouth being permanently open to sea which in turn led to many environmental problems. Groyne system modification is proposed in this study to reduce the sea water intrusion.Water budget and two-dimensional depth averaged hydrodynamic model were developed for understanding the hydrologic and flow characteristics of the lagoon. Numerical experiments was performed at lagoon mouth area for two cases: (1) existing condition and (2) proposed rubble mound groyne system condition. Comparison of results was obtained for both cases to describe flow pattern at lagoon mouth. Results further showed, the width should be reduced to a maximum of 40 m. Proposed mouth width (40 m) pushed the salting factor towards 0.5 from 0.68. Salting factor reduction with the groyne modification may result a predominant influence of fresh water which may in turn lead lagoon to a fresh water ecosystem.     

Adapting the bioblitz to meet conservation needs

When conservation strategies require new, field‐based information, practitioners must find the best ways to rapidly deliver high‐quality survey data. To address this challenge, several rapid‐assessment approaches have been developed since the early 1990s. These typically involve large areas, take many months to complete, and are not appropriate when conservation‐relevant survey data are urgently needed for a specific locale. In contrast, bioblitzes are designed for quick collection of site‐specific survey data. Although bioblitzes are commonly used to achieve educational or public‐engagement goals, conservation practitioners are increasingly using a modified bioblitz approach to generate conservation‐relevant data while simultaneously enhancing research capacity and building working partnerships focused on conservation concerns. We term these modified events expert bioblitzes. Several expert bioblitzes have taken place on lands of conservation concern in Southern California and have involved collaborative efforts of government agencies, nonprofit organizations, botanic gardens, museums, and universities. The results of expert bioblitzes directly informed on‐the‐ground conservation and decision‐making; increased capacity for rapid deployment of expert bioblitzes in the future; and fostered collaboration and communication among taxonomically and institutionally diverse experts. As research and conservation funding becomes increasingly scarce, expert bioblitzes can play an increasingly important role in biodiversity conservation.     

珠穆朗玛峰地区近200年冰芯草酸根记录及其环境意义

 1997年5月中美联合珠峰地区绒布冰川考察期间，在远东绒布冰川海拔6500m北支冰流粒雪盆内钻取到一支41m长冰芯.该冰芯定年至1814年．远东绒布冰芯中近200年来草酸根浓度变化与Ca²⁺和NH₄浓度变化一致性较差，表明草酸根的来源有别于大气尘埃和生物来源．草酸根浓度与冰芯中气温指标δ¹⁸O的变化具有一致性,说明气温是影响大气中草酸根浓度变化的因素之一，但非主导因素.远东绒布冰芯记录的20世纪以来草酸根浓度的迅速升高反映了人类工业活动对大气环境的污染．20世纪50～80年代，大气中受人类工业活动污染的草酸根浓度约为19世纪自然本底值的3倍，其中60年代人类活动排放的草酸盐类对大气的污染最为严重.     

Ti/RuO_2-Pt电极电化学降解苯酚废水研究

研究以典型的难降解有机污染物苯酚为对象,用Ti/RuO2-Pt阳极进行电催化氧化降解研究,讨论了电解质、苯酚初始浓度、电流密度以及氨氮对苯酚降解效果的影响。研究结果表明:以NaCl为电解质比Na2SO4为电解质时处理苯酚的效果明显,而且电流密度越大、NaCl的添加量越多,苯酚全部降解所需的时间越短;在10mA/cm2的电流密度,0.3g/L氯化钠的添加量下,将苯酚从8mg/L降解为0需要30min。在电流浓度10mA/cm2,氯化钠添加量1.0g/L下,苯酚由20、40、80mg/L降解为0分别需要30、60、130min,降解时间随着浓度的增加呈接近正比增加;氨氮的存在不影响苯酚的电化学降解,而且苯酚优先降解,然后氨氮降解。     

Regional climate change projections for the Northeast USA

Climate projections at relevant temporal and spatial scales are essential to assess potential future climate change impacts on climatologically diverse regions such as the northeast United States. Here, we show how both statistical and dynamical downscaling methods applied to relatively coarse-scale atmosphere-ocean general circulation model output are able to improve simulation of spatial and temporal variability in temperature and precipitation across the region. We then develop high-resolution projections of future climate change across the northeast USA, using IPCC SRES emission scenarios combined with these downscaling methods. The projections show increases in temperature that are larger at higher latitudes and inland, as well as the potential for changing precipitation patterns, particularly along the coast. While the absolute magnitude of change expected over the coming century depends on the sensitivity of the climate system to human forcing, significantly higher increases in temperature and in winter precipitation are expected under a higher as compared to lower scenario of future emissions from human activities.     

Mainstreaming climate change adaptation in least developed countries in South and Southeast Asia

This paper undertakes an in-depth analysis of six least developed countries (LDCs) in South and Southeast Asia to assess the extent of mainstreaming climate change adaptation into national development plans by reviewing their National Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPAs), national development plans, and Strategic Programs for Climate Resilience (SPCRs) (where available). The paper proposes two perspectives to analyze the level of mainstreaming and five factors that may affect such a level. The results show that there is a significant difference in the success of their mainstreaming efforts: mainstreaming is relatively advanced in Bangladesh, limited in Lao People’s Democratic Republic, the Maldives, and Nepal, and still minimal in Bhutan and Cambodia. Among the factors, the study finds that the inter-ministerial coordination supported by the highest levels of government is most relevant to the success of mainstreaming, which is measured by the integration of climate adaptation consideration into development priorities and a country’s own initiatives, particularly those involving budget allocation. Recognition of the need for mainstreaming and monitoring and evaluation also affect the success of mainstreaming efforts in LDCs. Another important factor is to make adaptation plans compatible with national development plans in terms of their time horizon, and SPCRs effectively facilitate this process. As all countries still require external support for advancing mainstreaming, the role of development partners is instrumental. The paper points to issues that need to be incorporated in the relevant NAPAs including updating to facilitate mainstreaming.