Bio-monitoring for uranium using stream-side terrestrial plants and macrophytes

This study evaluated the abilities of various plant species to act as bio-monitors for environmental uranium (U) contamination. Vegetation and soil samples were collected from a U processing facility. The water-way fed from facility storm and processing effluents was the focal sample site as it represented a primary U transport mechanism. Soils and sediments from areas exposed to contamination possessed U concentrations that averaged 630 mg U kg(-1). Aquatic mosses proved to be exceptional accumulators of U with dry weight (dw) concentrations measuring as high as 12,500 mg U kg(-1) (approximately 1% of the dw mass was attributable to U). The macrophytes (Phragmites communis, Scripus fontinalis and Sagittaria latifolia) were also effective accumulators of U. In general, plant roots possessed higher concentrations of U than associated upper portions of plants. For terrestrial plants, the roots of Impatiens capensis had the highest observed levels of U accumulation (1030 mg kg(-1)), followed by the roots of Cyperus esculentus and Solidago speciosa. The concentration ratio (CR) characterized dry weight (dw) vegetative U levels relative to that in associated dw soil. The plant species that accumulated U at levels in excess of that found in the soil were: P. communis root (CR, 17.4), I. capensis root (CR, 3.1) and S. fontinalis whole plant (CR, 1.4). Seven of the highest ten CR values were found in the roots. Correlations with concentrations of other metals with U were performed, which revealed that U concentrations in the plant were strongly correlated with nickel (Ni) concentrations (correlation: 0.992; r-squared: 0.984). Uranium in plant tissue was also strongly correlated with strontium (Sr) (correlation: 0.948; r-squared: 0.899). Strontium is chemically and physically similar to calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg), which were also positively-correlated with U. The correlation with U and these plant nutrient minerals, including iron (Fe), suggests that active uptake mechanisms may influence plant U accumulation.     

Validation of evacuated canisters for sampling volatile organic compounds in healthcare settings

Healthcare settings present a challenging environment for assessing low-level concentrations of specific volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the presence of high background concentrations of alcohol from the use of hand sanitizers and surface disinfectants. The purposes of this laboratory-based project were to develop and validate a sampling and analysis methodology for quantifying low-level VOC concentrations as well as high-level alcohol concentrations found together in healthcare settings. Sampling was conducted using evacuated canisters lined with fused silica. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis was performed using preconcentration (for ppb levels) and loop injection (for ppm levels). For a select list of 14 VOCs, bias, precision, and accuracy of both the preconcentration and loop injection methods were evaluated, as was analyte stability in evacuated canisters over 30 days. Using the preconcentration (ppb-level) method, all validation criteria were met for 13 of the 14 target analytes-ethanol, acetone, methylene chloride, hexane, chloroform, benzene, methyl methacrylate, toluene, ethylbenzene, m,p-xylene, o-xylene, alpha-pinene, and limonene. Using the loop injection (ppm-level) method, all validation criteria were met for each analyte. At ppm levels, alpha-pinene and limonene remained stable over 21 days, while the rest of the analytes were stable for 30 days. All analytes remained stable over 30 days at ppb levels. This sampling and analysis approach is a viable (i.e., accurate and stable) methodology that will enable development of VOC profiles for mixed exposures experienced by healthcare workers.     

连云港市空气质量变化趋势分析

依据连云港市2002—2011年空气质量监测数据,对连云港市空气质量现状及其变化趋势进行系统的分析,并结合实际提出相应对策建议。结果表明,近年来连云港市空气质量总体良好,SO2浓度逐年下降,NO2浓度变化较平稳,PM10浓度下降显著。污染物浓度表现出明显的季节性特征,夏季浓度较低,春冬季较高;主城区各污染物浓度高于其他地区,但总体呈下降趋势。     

A Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis Model Based on ELECTRE TRI-C for Erosion Risk Assessment in Agricultural Areas

This paper deals with a real-world decision-aiding problem for zoning the risk of erosion, total suspended solids emissions, and ecological consequences of their transfers towards the streams. One of these consequences is the decrease of fishes into the streams in agricultural watersheds, because of the clogging of spawning areas. Given the multiple criteria nature of the problem, the originality of our research is to adapt a new decision-aiding sorting method, ELECTRE TRI-C, for identifying risk zones in rural areas, where measures must be taken. The developed model was applied in a small watershed (Low Normandy, France) where the objective was to assess the most appropriate intervention for protecting the reproduction habitat of the salmonid fishes. Agricultural parcels were evaluated on multiple criteria for grouping them into four risk categories, which are related to risk levels as well as priorities on the improvement works. The decision-aiding sorting model is co-constructed, within a constructive approach, through an interaction process between decision-aiding analysts, environmental experts, and local actors for improving transparency and communication on the results. This model is linked with a geographical information system (GIS) for assessing a set of criteria and the visualization of the farming parcels along with their type of intervention they should be submitted to best practices. The assignment results were validated by the environmental experts. These results have a strong impact on the agricultural practices of the farmers into the watersheds. The model proposed in this paper can be considered as a useful decision aid tool in any regions for implementing public agricultural and environmental policies for protecting the ecological areas.     

火力发电行业主要气态污染物排放量计算方法研究

针对目前我国火力发电行业气态污染物排放量计算方法使用混乱的情况,根据欧盟《空气污染物排放清单指南》和美国《空气污染物排放因子汇编》,介绍了火电行业主要气态污染物排放量的实际测量及理论计算方法。提出我国火电行业应根据实际情况,选择实际测量、排放因子或经验公式等方法计算污染物排放量;使用排放因子方法计算SO2排放量时,应开展S元素转化率的研究;火电厂应增加燃料中N元素的分析,以利于NOx排放量的准确估算。     

Large and mesoscale meteo-oceanographic patterns in local responses of biogeochemical concentrations

Investigations surrounding the variability of productivity in upwelling regions are necessary for a better understanding the physical-biological coupling in these regions by monitoring systems of environmental impacts according to the needs of the regional coastal management. Using a spatial and temporal database from National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) and National Center for Atmospheric (NCAR) Research reanalysis, Quick Scatterometer vector wind, and surface stations from the Southeast coast of Brazil, we investigate the meteorological influences due to the large-scale systems in the variability of the nutrient and larvae concentration, and chlorophyll a, describing statistically relationships between them in upwelling regions. In addition, we used multivariate analysis, such as PCA and clustering to verify spatial and temporal variances and describe more clear the structure and composition of the ecosystem. Correlation matrix analyses were applied for different water masses present in the study area to identify the relations between physical and biogeochemical parameters in a region, where frequently upwelling occur. Statistical approaches and seasonal variability show that the period of November to March is more sensitive to nutrients (1.20?mg/m(3) for chlorophyll a, 2.20?μmol/l for total nitrogen and 5.5?ml/l for DO) and larvae concentrations (120 org/m(3) for most of the larvae, except for cirripedia that presented values around 370 org/m(3)) relating to the influence of large and mesoescale meteorological patterns. The spatial and temporal variables analyzed with multivariate approach show meaningful seasonality variance of the physical and biological samples, characterizing the principal components responsible for this variance in spring and summer (upwelling period), emphasizing the monitoring of species as crustaceans and mussels that are present in the local economy. Then, the spring and summer season are characterized by high productivity due to the occurrence of upwelling in this period.     

南通市降尘时空分布特征及影响因素

对2004年—2009年南通市降尘监测数据进行分析,结果表明,市区降尘污染较轻,年均值全部达标,在6年间呈波状变化态势;从各月分布来看,3—7月降尘污染较为严重;在各功能区中,受降尘污染程度从大到小依次为:居民区>工业区>商业交通区>文教区。提出,应继续推进城区企业工艺改造升级,加快燃煤锅炉淘汰;施工(运输)期间对易产生扬尘的建筑材料应采取密闭存储、设置围挡等有效措施并保证建筑垃圾及时清运、施工车辆及道路及时清扫冲洗;加大城市的绿化建设和道路的硬化建设,尽量避免道路开挖。     

Occurrence of organotins in the Yangtze River and the Jialing River in the urban section of Chongqing, China

The occurrence of organotins in the Yangtze River and the Jialing River in the urban section of Chongqing, China and their impact on drinking water waterworks are reported in this study. Water samples were extracted by solid-phase microextraction and measured using a gas chromatograph with mass spectrometer. The results showed that the rivers studied were polluted by both butyltins and phenyltins and that the butyltin species was the dominant pollutant. Butyltins, especially monobutyltin, were detected in all 18 sampling stations, and phenyltins were detected only in 11 sampling stations. Majority of the organotins were MBTs with concentrations varying from 27.3 to 1,145.8 ng Sn L^?1. Diphenyltin and dibutyltin were the second most common with the highest levels of 113.7 and 202.5 ng Sn L^?1, respectively. Monophenyltin, tributyltin, and triphenyltin had the lowest detection rates with concentration levels of 9.7, 161.8, and 37.2 ng Sn L^?1, respectively. Some of the organotins were also detected in drinking water waterworks, which posed a threat to the water quality of Chongqing.     

欧盟和美国温室气体排放监测对中国的借鉴意义

欧盟出台的《第2003/87号指令:温室气体监测和报告指南》和美国环保署颁布的《温室气体强制性申报:最终条例》中,监测计划、监测技术装置、一般监测方法、最佳可用监测方法、不确定性分析、数据验证、经济成本分析等内容都对中国进行温室气体监测和报告具有借鉴意义。在此基础上,提出了温室气体监测的作用和对中国进行温室气体监测、报告的建议。     

天津城市污水泵站恶臭气体组分浓度及污染现状

为了解天津城市污水泵站恶臭的污染程度,选取天津市一个典型的城市污水泵站进行为期3天的采样,采集该污水泵站距离污染源强不同距离处的恶臭气体样品,用气相色谱-质谱联用仪（GS-MS）和分光光度法对采集样品的组分含量进行检测,比较了恶臭排放源点和不同距离处的恶臭组分的浓度特征和污染现状。结果表明,该泵站恶臭污染物质以硫化氢、二氯甲烷和苯系物为主,还有一些烯烃和芳香烃衍生物;恶臭物质的浓度变化范围是n.d.~0.073 7 mg/m³,大部分恶臭物质浓度一般由高至低表现为源点>下风向5 m,源点>背景值,环境空气采样点与恶臭排放源相比,其降幅明显;虽然检测到的恶臭组分较多,但是其浓度与《恶臭污染物排放标准》（GB 14554—1993）等标准中规定的排放限值相比,均未超标。