Sources of anthropogenic platinum-group elements (PGE): Automotive catalysts versus pge-processing industries

Soil samples from the area of Hanau (Hessen, Germany) were analyzed for anthropogenic platinum-group elements (PGE). The results confirm the existence of two different sources for anthropogenic PGE: 1. automotive catalysts, and 2. PGE-processing plants. Both sources emit qualitatively and quantitatively different PGE spectra and PGE interelemental ratios (especially the Pt/Rh ratio). Elevated PGE values which are due to automotive catalysts are restricted to a narrow-range along roadside soil, whereas those due to PGE-processing plants display a large-area dispersion. The emitted PGE-containing particles in the case of automotive catalysts are subject to transport by wind and water, whereas those from PGE-processing plants are preferably transported by wind. This points to a different aerodynamic particle size. Pt, Pd, and Rh concentrations along motorways are dependent on the amount of traffic and the driving characteristics.     

Assessment of trace metal contamination in a historical freshwater canal (Buckingham Canal), Chennai, India

The present study was done to assess the sources and the major processes controlling the trace metal distribution in sediments of Buckingham Canal. Based on the observed geochemical variations, the sediments are grouped as South Buckingham Canal and North Buckingham Canal sediments (SBC and NBC, respectively). SBC sediments show enrichment in Fe, Ti, Mn, Cr, V, Mo, and As concentrations, while NBC sediments show enrichment in Sn, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, and Hg. The calculated Chemical Index of Alteration and Chemical Index of Weathering values for all the sediments are relatively higher than the North American Shale Composite and Upper Continental Crust but similar to Post-Archaean Average Shale, and suggest a source area with moderate weathering. Overall, SBC sediments are highly enriched in Mo, Zn, Cu, and Hg (geoaccumulation index (I_geo) class 4–6), whereas NBC sediments are enriched in Sn, Cu, Zn, and Hg (I_geo class 4–6). Cu, Ni, and Cr show higher than Effects-Range Median values and hence the biological adverse effect of these metals is 20%; Zn, which accounts for 50%, in the NBC sediments, has a more biological adverse effect than other metals found in these sediments. The calculated I_geo, Enrichment Factor, and Contamination Factor values indicate that Mo, Hg, Sn, Cu, and Zn are highly enriched in the Buckingham Canal sediments, suggesting the rapid urban and industrial development of Chennai Metropolitan City have negatively influenced on the surrounding aquatic ecosystem.     

Carbon Budget for Basic Needs:Implications of International Equity and Sustainability

The fundamental way of satisfying the basic needs of human development is to secure the basic needs,limit luxurious and wasteful emissions,and ensure the fulfillment of climate targets,so as to achieve intra-and intergenerational equity.In this paper,the author discusses and analyzes a series of challenges that the development has to face,such as poverty elimination,urbanization,and industrialization,and the problems of increased consumption that is brought about by the improvement of living standards;the author distinguishes the stock emission,which does not need annual updating,and the flow emission of regular consumption;the author also defines the standards of energy consumption and carbon emissions that can meet the basic needs.On this basis,the author proposes the concept and method of carbon budget,compares this method with other means,and in particular,studies and analyzes the implications of international equity and sustainability of carbon budget as part of the international climate regime design.     

The Concept and Theoretical Implications of Carbon Emissions Rights Based on Individual Equity

Climate change has become a hot topic in international environmental negotiations.For post-Kyoto international climate regime negotiations,many countries have proposed a variety of frameworks to share the emission reduction responsibilities and allocate carbon emission rights,and have tried to quantify the emission reduction obligations of all countries based on the perspectives of international equity and individual equity.In this paper,the authors have distinguished the concepts of carbon emissions rights based on these two perspectives respectively,have analyzed the relationship between carbon emissions per capita and economic development,and have calculated and compared the proportion of cumulative emissions per capita of different countries in history and future,and then authors conclude that emission reduction obligations should be allocated based on each country’s conditions,including historical emissions,development stage,and future demands.Developed countries should take the initiative to significantly reduce their emissions because they have already accomplished their industrialization process.However,developing countries are still in the process of industrialization,which requires more emission rights to meet their development needs.For China,the concept of carbon emissions based on individual equity can be used as a theoretical tool for the allocating the international carbon emissions rights.     

Changes versus homeostasis in alpine and sub-alpine vegetation over three decades in the sub-arctic

Plant species distributions are expected to shift and diversity is expected to decline as a result of global climate change, particularly in the Arctic where climate warming is amplified. We have recorded the changes in richness and abundance of vascular plants at Abisko, sub-Arctic Sweden, by re-sampling five studies consisting of seven datasets; one in the mountain birch forest and six at open sites. The oldest study was initiated in 1977-1979 and the latest in 1992. Total species number increased at all sites except for the birch forest site where richness decreased. We found no general pattern in how composition of vascular plants has changed over time. Three species, Calamagrostis lapponica, Carex vaginata and Salix reticulata, showed an overall increase in cover/frequency, while two Equisetum taxa decreased. Instead, we showed that the magnitude and direction of changes in species richness and composition differ among sites.     

2005年城市生活垃圾处理行业发展综述

本文对我国目前城市生活垃圾处理水平进行了评价与分析，并展望了该行业未来的发展情况。     

海平面上升的影响及损失预测

气候变化引起的海平面上升对沿海国家和地区构及极大的威胁，造成了不同程度的破坏和损失，通过对海平面上升的可能影响进行了分析，提出了影响及损失的几种估算和评价方法。     

我国城市生活垃圾处理行业2004年发展报告

本文介绍了2004年我国城市生活垃圾处理情况,并对城市生活垃圾处理行业的发展作了展望。     

UV/Fenton法处理高浓度香料废水的试验研究

研究了UV/Fenton法处理高浓度废水的新技术以及有关影响因素。试验:pH在2－4，COD／H2O2＝1：1.5,Fe^2 浓度为1.7g／L的条件下，反应时间90min，COD去除率可达99.6%。