Assessment of surface area normalisation for interpreting distribution coefficients (Kd) for uranium sorption

Adsorption of radionuclides on soils and sediments is commonly quantified by distribution coefficients (K_d values). This paper examines the relationship between K_d values for uranium(VI) adsorption and the specific surface area (SSA) of geologic materials. We then investigate the potential applicability of normalising uranium (U) K_d measurements using the SSA, to produce ‘K_a values’ as a generic expression of the affinity of U for the surface. The data for U provide a reasonably coherent set of K_a values on various solid phases, both with and without ligands. The K_a representation provides a way of harmonising datasets obtained for materials having different specific surface areas, and accounting for the effects of ligands in different systems. In addition, this representation may assist in developing U sorption models for complex materials. However, a significant limitation of the K_a concept is that sorption of radionuclides at trace levels can be dominated by interactions with specific surface sites, whose abundances are not reflected by the SSA. Therefore, calculated K_a values should be interpreted cautiously.     

Radionuclide applications in laboratory studies of environmental surface reactions

The advantages of using radionuclides for laboratory studies of environmental processes include the wide range of element concentrations that can be studied, the capability to simultaneously study several isotopes in a single experiment, the direct applicability to the behaviour of radioactive waste or fallout, and the ability to study the mechanisms, reversibility and kinetics of environmental reactions under controlled conditions. These attributes are demonstrated using specific examples drawn from case studies in Australia, including radionuclide fallout onto tropical soils, the association of trace metals with harbour sediments and the behaviour of uranium in natural and contaminated systems.     

Role stress—a methodological trap?

This study explores the notion that many existing studies which show moderate relationships between role variables and stress symptoms are doing so because of the operational similarity of independent and dependent variables. It was predicted that the removal of such an artefact by clearly separating the two sets of variables would result in a nil relationship. Matched ‘cases’ and ‘controls’ were compared in two different organizations. The independent judgments of occupational health specialists were used to measure stress on a number of agreed dimensions, and role measurements were taken by the researchers in three different ways. On all comparisons made there was a strong trend suggesting no role/stress associations. The implications of the results for role stress studies are discussed.     

推动中小建筑企业的革新:欧盟的一个案例研究

建筑业是最古老、最重要的工业之一.它提供了庇护,并为许多人类活动提供了物质框架和基础.它使我们得以生存、参加社会活动、利用我们的环境一总之,实现我们的潜力.但是,同时它也限制了我们的潜力,因为它限制了企业、革新、生产力和以及通过解决贫困、社会排斥和气候变化维持增长的能力.本文介绍了欧盟建筑部门的主要特点,探讨了与促进可持续建筑有关的一些问题.重点介绍了中小建筑企业的基本需求以及为满足这些需求而正在采取的措施.欧洲和其他大陆的发达国家可能还有许多东西要向发展中国家的发展途径和项目支持系统学习.     

Small habitat matrix: How does it work?

We present herein our perspective of a novel Small Habitats Matrix (SHM) concept showing how small habitats on private lands are untapped but can be valuable for mitigating ecological degradation. Grounded by the realities in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo, we model a discontinuous “stepping stones” linkage that includes both terrestrial and aquatic habitats to illustrate exactly how the SHM can be deployed. Taken together, the SHM is expected to optimize the meta-population vitality in monoculture landscapes for aerial, arboreal, terrestrial and aquatic wildlife communities. We also provide the tangible cost estimates and discuss how such a concept is both economically affordable and plausible to complement global conservation initiatives. By proposing a practical approach to conservation in the rapidly developing tropics, we present a perspective from “ground zero” that reaches out to fellow scientists, funders, activists and pro-environmental land owners who often ask, “What more can we do?”     

Convergence of per capita carbon dioxide emissions among developing countries: evidence from stochastic and club convergence tests

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This exploratory study extends the literature on the convergence of per capita carbon dioxide emissions in analyzing stochastic and club convergence...     

对比研究槽式堆肥处理不同畜禽粪便对植物毒性的影响

为揭示槽式堆肥过程中不同畜禽粪便堆肥理化性质的变化及其对植物毒性的影响,分别开展了以羊、牛、鸡、猪粪便与木屑为堆料、为期44 d的好氧槽式堆肥对比试验,采集了不同堆肥期的堆肥样品,测定了堆肥的pH、电导率（EC）、可溶性有机碳（DOC）、硝氮（NO₃^--N）、氨氮（NH₄⁺-N）、全氮（TN）、碳氮比（C/N）、全磷（TP）、全钾（TK）、铜（Cu）、锌（Zn）含量及水堇的相对生长指数（RGI）和种子发芽指数（GI）,并通过相关分析和线性回归拟合,分析了堆肥过程粪便对水堇种子植物毒性的影响机制.结果表明,槽式堆肥过程中,羊粪的高温期持续时间最长,牛粪其次,猪粪和鸡粪最短;堆肥结束时4种粪便均呈弱碱性.堆肥过程中猪粪和鸡粪的EC降低,其他粪便的EC变化幅度较小,各粪便的DOC、NH₄⁺-N含量降低,NO₃^--N、TP、TK、Cu和Zn含量增加,牛粪和鸡粪的C/N逐渐降低,而猪粪和羊粪的C/N呈先升后降的趋势,羊粪和猪粪的TN含量下降,鸡粪和牛粪的TN含量缓慢上升.堆肥过程中4种粪便对水堇种子的植物毒性均降低,且RGI和GI升幅由高到低为：牛粪 > 羊粪 > 鸡粪 > 猪粪.相关分析表明,堆肥过程中羊粪的TP、Cu、Zn,牛粪的Zn、TK、TP、NO₃^--N,鸡粪的NO₃^--N、TN、Cu,猪粪的NO₃^--N、TP、Zn、TK与RGI呈显著正相关（p<0.01）;而羊粪的Cu、TP、TK,牛粪的Zn、TK、TP,鸡粪的Cu、TN、NO₃^--N、TK,猪粪的TP、Zn、NO₃^--N与GI呈显著正相关（p<0.01）.由此表明,不同粪便堆肥的以上指标促进了植物的根伸长和种子发芽.但堆肥过程中羊粪的NH₄⁺-N、TN、DOC,牛粪的NH₄⁺-N、DOC、C/N、EC,鸡粪的C/N、EC、DOC,猪粪的NH₄⁺-N、DOC、EC与RGI呈显著负相关（p<0.01）;羊粪的NH₄⁺-N、TN、DOC,牛粪的NH₄⁺-N、DOC、C/N,鸡粪EC、DOC、C/N,猪粪的NH₄⁺-N、DOC、EC与GI呈显著负相关（p<0.01）.由此表明,不同粪便的以上指标显著抑制了植物的根伸长和种子发芽.多元回归分析说明,堆肥过程羊粪和牛粪的NH₄⁺-N,鸡粪的NO₃^--N、Cu、C/N和EC,猪粪的NO₃^--N和TK对水堇种子根伸长具有显著的影响,而羊粪的NH₄⁺-N和TK,牛粪的DOC、pH和EC,鸡粪Cu、TN和NO₃^--N,猪粪的TK对水堇种子发芽具有显著的影响.以上对比研究结果可为不同畜禽粪便槽式堆肥处理和土地利用提供重要的理论依据和决策支持.     

Alternative poultry litter storage for improved transportation and use as a soil amendment

Transportation of poultry litter out of nutrient limited watersheds such as the Illinois River basin (eastern Oklahoma) is a logical solution for minimizing phosphorus (P) losses from soils to surface waters. Transportation costs are basedon mass of load and distance transported. This study investigated an alternative litter storage technique designed to promote carbon (C) degradation, thereby concentrating nutrients for the purpose of decreasing transportation costs through decreased mass. Poultry litter was stored in 0.90-Mg conical piles under semipermeable tarps and adjusted to 40% moisture content, tested with and without addition of alum (aluminum sulfate). additional study was conducted using 3.6-Mg piles under the same conditions, except tested with and without use of aeration pipes. Samples were analyzed before and after (8 wk) storage. Litter mass degradation (i.e., loss in mass due to organic matter decomposition) was estimated on the basis of changes in litter total P contents. Additional characterization included pH, total nutrients, moisture content, total C, and degree of humification. Litter storage significantly decreased litter mass (16 to 27%), concentrated nutrients such as P and potassium (K) and increased proportion of fulvic and humic acids. The addition of aeration pipes increased mass degradationrelative to piles without aeration pipes. Nitrogen volatilization losses were minimized with alum additions. Increases in P and K concentrations resulted in greater monetary value per unit mass compared with fresh litter. Such increases translate to increased litter shipping distance and cost savings of $17.2 million over 25 yr for litter movement out of eastern Oklahoma.     

Beyond water data: benefits to volunteers and to local water from a citizen science program

Survey results of citizen science water data collection volunteers are presented, indicating personal benefits (e.g., being in nature, helping local water quality), and suggesting potential long-term benefits of improved watershed health (e.g., behavior change). These results can inform citizen science program development and contribute to watershed planners’ understanding of the broad benefits of such programs. We suggest that respondents’ positive feelings toward the watershed's major river and desire to learn about science and nature are place-specific elements that watershed and citizen science program managers could utilize in program development. Moreover, we explore the potential of social diffusion and behavior change and suggest the need for further research in these areas. We conclude that citizen science has potential not just as a means to collect large amounts of data (cheaply), but as a means to engage citizens to make environmentally friendly decisions.     

The persistence and disappearance by washoff and dryfall of methoxychlor from soybean foliage—a preliminary study

Abstract

The persistence and disappearance (washoff or dryfall) of methoxychlor [2,2‐bis(p‐methoxypheny1)‐1,1,1‐trichloroethane] from mature soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] foliage was investigated in a small field plot study under natural rainfall conditions in 1977 and 1978. Residue analyses were conducted using whole plant samples‐ Methoxychlor washoff rate was 8±4% of the amount on plants (prior to rain) per centimeter of rainfall, regardless of time after application. Total seasonal washoff for 1978 accounted for 33.5% of the applied pesticide; however, 30.5% of the total loss was removed by washoff on the second day after application. Dryfall or dislodgeable residue accounted for less than 1% of the amount applied. The amount of dryfall was significantly greater in plots entered by workers than in those where entry was avoided. More than 19% of the applied methoxychlor was lost as a result of through‐fall to the ground during application to the plots. Statistical analyses indicated that within‐sample variation for mechanical chopping of plant samples was significantly smaller at the 5% level than for a hand chopping method. Results from this study will be useful in defining research objectives for the development of algorithms to describe the behavior of foliar‐applied compounds. Such algorithms are necessary for estimating runoff losses of insecticides to water bodies.