Precipitation, pH and metal load in AMD river basins: an application of fuzzy clustering algorithms to the process characterization

In the present work, Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) processes in the Chorrito Stream, which flows into the Cobica River (Iberian Pyrite Belt, Southwest Spain) are characterized by means of clustering techniques based on fuzzy logic. Also, pH behavior in contrast to precipitation is clearly explained, proving that the influence of rainfall inputs on the acidity and, as a result, on the metal load of a riverbed undergoing AMD processes highly depends on the moment when it occurs. In general, the riverbed dynamic behavior is the response to the sum of instant stimuli produced by isolated rainfall, the seasonal memory depending on the moment of the target hydrological year and, finally, the own inertia of the river basin, as a result of an accumulation process caused by age-long mining activity.     

The sensitivity of mussel-watch programmes to detect temporal trends in the bio-availability of metals. A case study of the Saronicos Gulf of Greece

Statistical power analysis has been used to determine the sensitivity of the mussel-watch programme in Hellenic seas, with particular focus placed on the data obtained for metal content in mussels from the Saronicos Gulf during the period 1985-1997. Sample collection was carried out quarterly. Soft tissues of 60-100 similarly sized mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) were pooled into six composite samples and analysed by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). The study concludes that the resolution of monitoring programmes employed thus far is sufficiently high to detect temporal trends related to changes in contaminant levels caused either by drastic environmental control (such as those imposed on point-source pollutants) or by sudden increases in contaminant load. However, the detection of more subtle trends, which may be expected in the near future as a result of global pollution-control policies, is likely to require the adoption of much more sensitive programmes. In addition, the review of up-to-date knowledge on metal biology in mussels suggests that factors related to growth and reproduction should be taken into account to remarkably increase the resolution of mussel-watch programmes. Indicative maximum values for components of error to be complied with during routine monitoring are suggested.     

Exposure and inhalation risk assessment in an aluminium cast-house

To date the exposure, absorption and respiratory health effects of cast-house workers have not been described since most studies performed in the aluminium industry are focused on exposure and health effects of potroom personnel. In the present study, we assessed the external exposure and the absorbed dose of metals in personnel from the aluminium cast house. This was combined with an evaluation of respiratory complaints and the lung function of the personnel. 30 workers from an aluminium casting plant participated and 17 individuals of the packaging and distribution departments were selected as controls. The exposure was assessed by the quantification of total inhalable fume with metal fraction and by the determination of urinary aluminium, chromium, beryllium, manganese and lead concentration. Carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), aldehydes and polyaromatic hydrocarbons and man-made mineral fibres concentration were assessed as well. In order to evaluate their respiratory status each participant filled out a questionnaire and their lung function was tested by forced spirometry. Total inhalable fume exposure was maximum 4.37 mg m(-3). Exposure to the combustion gases, man-made mineral fibres and metal fume was well below the exposure limits. Beryllium could not be detected in the urine. The values of aluminium, manganese and lead in the urine were all under the respective reference value. One individual had a urinary chromium excretion above the ACGIH defined biological exposure index (BEI) of 30 microg g(-1) creatinine. There was no significant difference in any of the categories of the respiratory questionnaire and in the results of the spirometry between cast house personnel and referents (Chi-square, all p > 0.05). Exposure in cast houses seem to be acceptable under these conditions. However, peak exposure to fumes cannot be excluded and the potential risk of chromium and beryllium exposure due to the recycling of aluminium requires further attention.     

Assessing land use impacts on flood processes in complex terrain by using GIS and modeling approach

A distributed hydrologic modeling and GIS approach is applied for the assessment of land use impact in the Steinsel sub-basin, Alzette, Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg. The assessment focuses on the runoff contributions from different land use classes and the potential impact of land use changes on runoff generation. The results show that the direct runoff from urban areas is dominant for a flood event compared with runoff from other land use areas in this catchment, and tends to increase for small floods and for the dry season floods, whereas the interflow from forested, pasture and agricultural field areas contributes to the recession flow. Significant variations in flood volume, peak discharge, time to the peak, etc., are found from the model simulation based on the three hypothetical land use change scenarios.     

低中放废物处置场核素经地下水迁移对环境影响预测

研究了我国某民用低中放固体废物处置场核素迁移的途径，对核素在地下水中的迁移进行了详细分析与计算，假定正常释放或一次降水量达到６００ｍｍ，处置场底浸泡一个月，存在６ｍ的包气带时，对该处置场处置的７种核素进行预测，结果表明，包气带是延迟核素迁移的主要屏障，在５００年内，可以使＾６０Ｃｏ＾１３７Ｃｓ＾９０Ｓｒ、＾６３Ｎｉ等核素延迟，其中＾２３９Ｐｕ降低６个月数量级，但不能延迟＾３Ｈ和＾１４Ｃ的迁移，穿过     

海滩旅游资源质量评比体系

论文回顾了当前国内外海滩旅游资源质量评价体系的发展现状 ,并依据我国具体状况 ,提出了适合我国国情的新的评价体系。新体系选择80个评价因子 ,分为旅游资源条件和可利用条件两个大类 ,前者包括地貌、水体、气候气象、生物、人文等5个亚类 ;后者包括基础设施及管理、安全、卫生等3个亚类。论文建立的新的海滩质量评比展示模式将有利于国内外海滩的质量对比 ,可促使我国海滩旅游业与国际接轨、能够向人们提供较多的海滩质量信息并利于海滩的经营管理     

Approaches to developing risk management objectives: an analysis of international strategies

Risk assessment/management frameworks employed around the world to guide environmental decision-making were analyzed for their approaches to developing risk management objectives and the decision criteria necessary for environmental policy implementation. Frameworks from the Netherlands, the UK, Sweden, Australia/New Zealand, Canada, and the USA were considered. Progress in refining the scientific basis for risk assessment/management has been made, but there has been little parallel development in defining the mechanisms by which available scientific information may be used to define risk management goals or identify and select between management options using a priori decision criteria. The lack of detailed guidance on the setting and achievement of risk management goals that appropriately balance technical information and public input remains an important challenge to the use and practice of all risk assessment/management frameworks.     

First observation of different diffusion coefficients for two conformers in a neat liquid

 Self-diffusion coefficients were studied for the highly polar liquid N-methylformamide at pressures up to 200 MPa between the melting pressure curves and 420 K by the spin-echo method. N-Methylformamide exists as a mixture of two conformers in the neat liquid. These conformers have large differences at lower temperatures in their dynamic and structural properties. The self-diffusion coefficient of the cis-conformer being 17% lower than that of the trans-conformer at the same T and p. This is the first observation of such an effect. The experimental study is supported by Monte Carlo (MC) calculations which show that the first neighbors around a cis conformer are arranged differently than in an all trans liquid. The difference leads in the simulations to a much lower dielectric constant for the trans-cis mixture and might also explain the retardation of diffusion for the cis conformer. Received: 15 November 1999 / Accepted in revised form: 28 February 2000     

A Multi‐Scale Analysis of Single‐Family Residential Water Use in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area

Studies that evaluate determinants of residential water demand typically use data from a single spatial scale. Although household‐scale data are preferred, especially when econometric models are used, researchers may be limited to aggregate data. There is little, if any, empirical analysis to assess whether spatial scale may lead to ecological fallacy problems in residential water use research. Using linear mixed‐effects models, we compare the results for the relationship of single‐family water use with its determinants using data from the household and census tract scales in the city of Phoenix. Model results between the household and census tract scale are similar suggesting the ecological fallacy may not be significant. Common significant determinants on these two spatial scales include household size, household income, house age, pool size, irrigable lot size, precipitation, and temperature. We also use city/town scale data from the Phoenix metropolitan area to parameterize the linear mixed‐effects model. The difference in the parameter estimates of those common variables compared to the first two scales indicates there is spatial heterogeneity in the relationship between single‐family water use and its determinants among cities and towns. The negative relationship between single‐family house density and residential water use suggests that residential water consumption could be reduced through coordination of land use planning and water demand management.     

环戊酮和环己酮的微生物降解途径、相关酶和基因研究进展

简略介绍了环戊酮和环己酮的应用及危害,综述了目前国内外在环戊酮和环己酮微生物降解方面的研究进展.具体介绍了环戊酮和环己酮降解代谢的过程及其相关的酶类和编码这些酶的基因,重点阐述了环戊酮1,2-单加氧酶和环己酮1,2-单加氧酶及其编码基因.图4参19