A study of chemical and sedimentological parameters integrated with benthic foraminifera investigation was conducted along
the northern coast of Gabes Gulf. Thirty-two samples were studied and a total of 68 benthic foraminiferal species were identified.
Heavy metals enrichment factors and total hydrocarbon concentrations showed both metal and petrogenic pollution related mainly
to phosphogypsum, sewage, and fishing activities. Statistical analysis (bivariate correlation and hierarchical cluster analysis)
show a possible control of these pollutants on density, diversity, as well as the taxonomic composition of the benthic foraminiferal
assemblages. The extent to which the population was found less dense and less diversified corresponded to the degree to which
the sediment was contaminated. In these contaminated sites, an increase in relative abundance of opportunistic species such
Ammonia tepida and Haynesina germanica was found. Far from pollution, foraminiferal assemblages are dominated by species characteristic of Mediterranean shallow
water (Ammonia beccarii, Ammonia parkinsoniana, Elphidium crispum, Elphidium williamsoni, Elphidium advenum, Peneroplis planatus, Peneroplis pertesus). 相似文献
Traditional regression techniques such as ordinary least squares (OLS) are often unable to accurately model spatially varying
data and may ignore or hide local variations in model coefficients. A relatively new technique, geographically weighted regression
(GWR) has been shown to greatly improve model performance compared to OLS in terms of higher R2 and lower corrected Akaike information criterion (AICC). GWR models have the potential to improve reliabilities of the identified relationships by reducing spatial autocorrelations
and by accounting for local variations and spatial non-stationarity between dependent and independent variables. In this study,
GWR was used to examine the relationship between land cover, rainfall and surface water habitat in 149 sub-catchments in a
predominately agricultural region covering 2.6 million ha in southeast Australia. The application of the GWR models revealed
that the relationships between land cover, rainfall and surface water habitat display significant spatial non-stationarity.
GWR showed improvements over analogous OLS models in terms of higher R2 and lower AICC. The increased explanatory power of GWR was confirmed by the results of an approximate likelihood ratio test, which showed
statistically significant improvements over analogous OLS models. The models suggest that the amount of surface water area
in the landscape is related to anthropogenic drainage practices enhancing runoff to facilitate intensive agriculture and increased
plantation forestry. However, with some key variables not present in our analysis, the strength of this relationship could
not be qualified. GWR techniques have the potential to serve as a useful tool for environmental research and management across
a broad range of scales for the investigation of spatially varying relationships. 相似文献
The World Summit on Sustainable Development (Johannesburg, 2002) encouraged the application of the ecosystem approach by 2010. However, at the same summit, the signatory States undertook to restore and exploit their stocks at maximum sustainable yield (MSY), a concept and practice without ecosystemic dimension, since MSY is computed species by species, on the basis of a monospecific model. Acknowledging this gap, we propose a definition of “ecosystem viable yields” (EVY) as yields compatible (a) with biological safety levels (over which biomasses can be maintained for all times) and (b) with an ecosystem dynamics. The difference from MSY is that this notion is not based on equilibrium but on viability theory, which offers advantages for robustness. For a generic class of multispecies models with harvesting, we provide explicit expressions for the EVY. We apply our approach to the anchovy–hake couple in the Peruvian upwelling ecosystem. 相似文献
The technique of diffusion gradient in thin films (DGT) for assessing bioavailable metals has not been tested under field
conditions. We assessed the relationships of DGT- and cation exchange resin-membrane-measured concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb,
and Zn with plant uptake of the metals under greenhouse and field conditions. In the greenhouse, the effective concentrations
of Cu, Pb, and Zn by DGT correlated significantly with uptake by sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), but cation exchange resin-membrane-measured concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Zn did not correlate with sorghum uptake. In
the field, the DGT-measured concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Zn were not linearly related to uptake Cd, Pb, and Zn by lettuce
(Lactuca sativa) except for Cu uptake (r = 0.87, p < 0.05). Similarly, it was only the resin-membrane-extractable Pb that correlated with Pb uptake by lettuce (r = 0.77; p < 0.05). However, fitting non-linear regression models improved the plant metal uptake predictions by DGT-measured bioavailable
Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn under field conditions. In conclusion, the DGT technique was fairly predictive of bioavailability in the
greenhouse, but not in the field. 相似文献
Indiscriminate adoption and use of cell phone technology has tremendously increased the levels of electromagnetic field radiations
(EMFr) in the natural environment. It has raised the concerns among the scientists regarding the possible risks of EMFr to
living organisms. However, not much has been done to assess the damage caused to plants that are continuously exposed to EMFr
present in the environment. The present study investigated the biochemical mechanism of interference of 900 MHz cell phone
EMFr with root formation in mung bean (Vigna radiata syn. Phaseolus aureus) hypocotyls, a model system to study rhizogenesis in plants. Cell phone EMFr enhanced the activities of proteases (by 1.52
to 2.33 times), polyphenol oxidases (by 1.5 to 4.3 times), and peroxidases (by 1.5 to 2.0 times) in mung bean hypocotyls over
control. Further, EMFr enhanced malondialdehyde (an indicator of lipid peroxidation), hydrogen peroxide, and proline content,
indicating a reactive oxygen species-mediated oxidative damage in hypocotyls. It was confirmed by the upregulation in the
activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, guaiacol peroxidase, catalase, and glutathione
reductase) suggesting their possible role in providing protection against EMFr-induced oxidative damage. The study concluded
that cell phone radiations affect the process of rhizogenesis through biochemical alterations that manifest as oxidative damage
resulting in root impairment. 相似文献
The present study is aimed at analysing and comparing different soil enzymes in soil samples of native contaminated sites
of a Mathura refinery and adjoining agricultural land. Enzyme activities are considered as indicators of soil quality and
changes in biogeochemical function due to management or perturbations. Soil samples were collected from the premises and nearby
area of Mathura refinery, India. Biological health parameters (dehydrogenase, aryl esterase, aryl sulphatase,
\upbeta \upbeta -glucosidase, alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, lipase, laccase and catalase activity) were estimated in the soil samples.
Among all the samples, sewage sludge soil showed maximum activity of enzymes, microbial biomass carbon and most probable number
of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) degraders in soils spiked with three- to four-ring PAHs at 50 ppm. Available phosphorus,
potassium and nitrogen was also exceptionally high in this sample, indicating maximum microbial bioconversion due to presence
of nutrients stimulating potent PAH-degrading microorganisms. 相似文献
Sediment quality guidelines (SQGs) can be derived using different approaches and are commonly used in environmental management,
reclamation, and risk assessment. The screening-level concentration (SLC) approach has been used in Ontario, Canada, to derive
lowest effect levels (LELs) and severe effect levels for use as SQGs. This approach was adopted by the Canadian Nuclear Safety
Commission (CNSC) to set guidelines for metals (As, Cr, Cu, Pb, Mo, Ni, Se, U, and V) and radionuclides (Ra-226, Pb-210, and
Po-210) in sediment at northern Saskatchewan uranium mining and milling operations. The SLC approach is based on total metal
and radionuclide concentrations in sediment, and corresponding benthic community composition data for a specific sampling
site. In this study, sediment chemistry (total metals and radionuclides) and benthic community data from northern Saskatchewan
uranium operations were compiled and examined. Results indicate that the CNSC-derived SQGs had limited relationships to observed
effects, or lack thereof, on benthic invertebrate communities near uranium operations in Saskatchewan. The LELs were found
to correctly align with effects at 95% of the sites that had effects, on a general basis, but on an element-specific basis
many of the elements had concentrations at effect sites below their LELs. Furthermore, concentrations of the evaluated elements
exceeded at least one LEL at 60% of the no-effect sites. The high number of exceedences of LELs at reference and no-effect
sites (false-positives) calls to question the appropriateness of the CNSC-derived SQGs. It is suggested that alternatives
to the SLC approach be explored. 相似文献
Visibility degradation, one of the most noticeable indicators of poor air quality, can occur despite relatively low levels of particulate matter when the risk to human health is low. The availability of timely and reliable visibility forecasts can provide a more comprehensive understanding of the anticipated air quality conditions to better inform local jurisdictions and the public. This paper describes the development of a visibility forecasting modeling framework, which leverages the existing air quality and meteorological forecasts from Canada’s operational Regional Air Quality Deterministic Prediction System (RAQDPS) for the Lower Fraser Valley of British Columbia. A baseline model (GM-IMPROVE) was constructed using the revised IMPROVE algorithm based on unprocessed forecasts from the RAQDPS. Three additional prototypes (UMOS-HYB, GM-MLR, GM-RF) were also developed and assessed for forecast performance of up to 48 hr lead time during various air quality and meteorological conditions. Forecast performance was assessed by examining their ability to provide both numerical and categorical forecasts in the form of 1-hr total extinction and Visual Air Quality Ratings (VAQR), respectively. While GM-IMPROVE generally overestimated extinction more than twofold, it had skill in forecasting the relative species contribution to visibility impairment, including ammonium sulfate and ammonium nitrate. Both statistical prototypes, GM-MLR and GM-RF, performed well in forecasting 1-hr extinction during daylight hours, with correlation coefficients (R) ranging from 0.59 to 0.77. UMOS-HYB, a prototype based on postprocessed air quality forecasts without additional statistical modeling, provided reasonable forecasts during most daylight hours. In terms of categorical forecasts, the best prototype was approximately 75 to 87% correct, when forecasting for a condensed three-category VAQR. A case study, focusing on a poor visual air quality yet low Air Quality Health Index episode, illustrated that the statistical prototypes were able to provide timely and skillful visibility forecasts with lead time up to 48 hr.
Implications: This study describes the development of a visibility forecasting modeling framework, which leverages the existing air quality and meteorological forecasts from Canada’s operational Regional Air Quality Deterministic Prediction System. The main applications include tourism and recreation planning, input into air quality management programs, and educational outreach. Visibility forecasts, when supplemented with the existing air quality and health based forecasts, can assist jurisdictions to anticipate the visual air quality impacts as perceived by the public, which can potentially assist in formulating the appropriate air quality bulletins and recommendations. 相似文献
The study of static and dynamic behavior of environmentally conditioned fibre reinforced polymeric (FRP) composites is necessary and crucial to examine the durability, reliability and sustainability of these noble materials. FRP composites are being used all around the globe and substituting the conventional materials, starting from mini toys to large aerospace components. Present review has introduced to accumulate and understand the disseminate literature in concentrating the significance of understanding the static and dynamic behavior of FRPs with changing environmental conditionings (hygrothermal, low and high temperature, salt solution, freeze thaw, UV light) and with the interaction of different nano-fillers. Their stability and integrity in diverse service environments may be reformed by their reactions against different nature of loadings i.e. static or dynamic and the components such as fibre, matrix and fibre/matrix interfaces in those environments. The static and dynamic states of loading may come with a possible weaker region to encounter the durability and integrity of the composites. To understand the exact failure modes that correlates the position of environmentally conditioned interfaces and dynamic state of loadings, thus confusing the estimation of its overall performance and mechanical behavior. Interface reliability and durability is vital since in-service environments the degradation in the interfacial region leads to complete composite failure. Therefore, the study of combined effects of various in-service environmental conditions and the role of static and dynamic behavior on the interface will be a crucial part related to the multiaxial dynamic states of failures occurring in FRP’s. 相似文献
Mining and minerals industries are fast-growing, but at the same time, they have gained more attention due to their impacts over the environment and society. This research aims to provide new insights into the topic of perception and awareness toward sustainability in industrial mining in Brazil. The work included in-depth interviews with a set of companies’ managers/directors focusing in particular on aspects related to the social and environmental dimensions, including communication and relationship with the community, impact assessment and mitigation strategies. The knowledge and use of for formal indicators was also evaluated and analyzed through the proposed Model for Sustainability Assessment of Mining (SAoM model), which was applied to all participating companies. The results put in evidence the existing gap between large and small companies, with these last ones showing lower awareness for the impacts of their activities. The lack of community engagement and of local stakeholders’ involvement, as well as the disregard for actions to mitigate their environmental and social impacts, is the main challenges to be overcome by this sector. The sector has then a long path to go toward sustainability and an active involvement of public institutions is required to allow for its development without compromising locals welfare. 相似文献