DIGITAL SIMULATION OF THE EFFECT OF THERMAL DISCHARGE ON STREAM WATER QUALITY1

A modified transient version of the Streeter-Phelps model along with the energy balance equation is employed to analyze the effects of waste heat discharge from power plants on stream water quality. Analysis is also made to examine the effects of the upstream water quality and stream velocity on the downstream DO concentration level. The resulting coupled nonlinear hyperbolic partial differential equations representing the energy, BOD and DO concentrations are solved by the method of characteristics and simulated on a digital computer. Final numerical results indicate that the allowable quantity of thermal discharge does heavily depend on the upstream quality.     

STABILITY AND REACH LENGTH IN WATER SURFACE PROFILE DETERMINATION1

ABSTRACT: Extension of basic step methods of backwater computation to reaches of finite length is examined. Accuracies of commonly accepted hydraulic loss equations under particular water surface profile conditions are compared. Simulation of energy lines within a reach by parabolic curves is found to minimize error provided orientation of the axis of the parabola is selected in accordance with prevailing hydraulic conditions. Theoretical basis for an index reach length beyond which single-step computation from end to end of the reach must be in error is developed. Reduction of this reach length by suitable factors tailored to hydraulic conditions yields a mathematically defined allowable reach length for backwater computation. When reach length does not exceed this allowable reach length, no significant error may be detected. Automatic insertion of synthetic cross sections interpolated between surveyed cross sections when these are inadvertently spaced too far apart enables computation to proceed. This device is error-free for prismatic channls but may introduce error for irregular natural channels. Preliminary trials indicate that results so obtained may be accepted provided the fall in the original reach does not exceed from one to two feet. When this is exceeded, additional cross sections should be surveyed.     

SEDIMENT ROUTING FOR AGRICULTURAL WATERSHEDS1

ABSTRACT: A sediment routing technique was developed to route sediment yield from small watersheds through streams and valleys to the outlet of large watersheds. The technique is based on the modified universal sol loss equation and a first order decay function of travel time and particle size. Deposition is dependent upon settling velocities of sediment particles, travel time, and the amount of sediment in suspension. Sediment routing increases sediment yield prediction accuracy and allows determination of subwatershed contributions to the total sediment yield. Also, the locations and amounts of floodplain scour and deposition can be predicted. Another advantage of sediment routing is that measured sediment yield data are not required. The procedure performed satisfactorily in test routings on two Texas blackland watersheds Sediment routing will be useful in flood control evaluation, reservoir and channel design, water quality calculations, environmental impact assessment, and land-use planning.     

COMPARISON OF METHODS TO ESTIMATE DEEP PERCOLATION RATES1

ABSTRACT: Deep percolation rates are normally estimated from a water balance. Results are presented of a study undertaken to evaluate three alternative methods of estimating percolation below the root zone when knowledge about the history of applied water and evapotranspiration are not available. The alternative methods are: 1) use of Darcy's equation to calculate deep percolation rate; 2) measurement of the soil temperature prof and calculation of the deep percolation rate from the shape of the temperature depth curve; and 3) measurement of the tritium concentration in the soil water and its relationship to the history of the tritium concentration in rainfall. At the principal study site, the Darcy velocity of flow ranged from 9 cm per year determined by the temperature method, to 40 cm per year determined by the tritium method. Darcy's equation to calculate seepage rates resulted in an estimation of deep seepage of 18 cm per year. An average deep percolation rate at the principal study site of 22 cm per year was determined using the average of all three methods. Results for other sites based on the temperature method indicated a lower seepage rate.     

Risk factors for driving into flooded roads

Motor vehicle-related deaths account for more than half of all flood fatalities in the United States, but to date, very little is known about the risk factors associated with why people drive into flooded roads. Using data from survey questionnaires administered in Denver, CO, and Austin, TX, this paper suggests that people who do not take warnings seriously are more likely to drive through flooded roads, as are people aged 18–35, and those that do not know that motor vehicles are involved in more than half of all flood fatalities. In Denver, people who have not experienced a flood previously and those who do not know they live in flood-prone areas are also more likely to drive into flooded roads.     

Sorption of chlorpyrifos and fonofos on four soils and turfgrass thatch using membrane filters

Abstract

Chemical transport in soil is a major factor influencing soil and water contamination. Four soils and turfgrass thatch, representing a wide range of organic carbon OC content were studied to determine sorption K_d and K_f parameters for the insecticides chlorpyrifos and fonofos. The batch equilibrium method was used. The concentration of insecticide was measured in the solution as well as in the solid phase to determine the most accurate sorption data. Four soils and thatch were equilibrated for 24 h at 22 ± 1^OC with aqueous insecticide solutions. Four concentrations of the insecticides, each <50% of their respective water solubilities, were selected for the experiments. After extraction with an organic solvent, the concentration of insecticides in the aqueous solution was determined by gas liquid chromatography using electron capture detection for chlorpyrifos, and nitrogen/phosphorus detection for fonofos. Data obtained were fitted to the log and simple linear form of the Freundlich equation. Mass balance Freundlich isotherm exponents n ranged between 0.82 and 0.93 for chlorpyrifos. 0.82 and 1.21 for fonofos, with r² ≥ 0.97. K_oc (percent of organic carbon %OC normalized Sorption coefficient) values were calculated by using experimentally developed K_d and K_f coefficients in relation to OC levels from 0.29 to 34.85%. K_d and K_f coefficients of both insecticides were positively correlated with OC (r² ≥ 0.96). organic matter OM (r² ≥ 0.96), and cation exchange capacity CEC (r² ≥ 0.90).     

The relationship between light intensity and nutrient uptake kinetics in six freshwater diatoms

In order to find effective measures to control diatom blooms, a better understanding of the physiological characteristics of nutrient uptake in diatoms is needed. A study of P and Si-uptake kinetics for diatom species from two light regimes was conducted at low (LL), moderate (ML) and high light intensities (HL) (2, 25 and 80 μmol photons/(m²·sec)), respectively. The results showed that P uptake of diatoms was heavily influenced by historic light regimes. P affinity changed with growth and photosynthetic activity. The lowest half saturation constant for P uptake (K_m(P)) was under HL for high-light adapted diatoms while the lowest half-saturation constant for low-light adapted diatoms was observed under LL. The Si half-saturation constant (K_m(Si)) increased with increasing light intensities for pennate diatoms but decreased for centric diatoms. Diatom volumes were correlated with the maximum Si uptake rates (V_m(Si)) at HL and K_m(Si) at ML and HL for six diatom species. Our results imply that when we assess the development of diatom blooms we should consider light intensity and cell volume in addition to ambient Si or P concentration. The relationship between light intensity and P-uptake suggests that we can find suitable methods to control diatom blooms on the basis of reducing phytoplankton activity of P-uptake and photosynthesis simultaneously.     

Structural equation model of the influence of noise annoyance on miners’ unsafe behavior in coal mines

Miners' unsafe behavior (UB) is the main cause of coal mine accidents. Previous research has suggested that excessive noise in tunnels impacts miners' temperaments and safe production behavior. To explore the influence of noise on UB, four different dimensions of noise annoyance were identified: cognitive, emotional, communication, and physical mechanism annoyance. The coal mine noise annoyance scale, miners' unsafe behavior intention (UBI) scale, and miners’ UB scale were developed according to different dimensions. In the first survey, a total of 200 questionnaires were distributed in the two coal mines, and 193 valid questionnaires were recovered. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted, and invalid items were removed according to the analysis results to form the final scale. Then, 500 final scales were distributed in two Chinese coal mines, and 482 valid questionnaires were collected. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted by collating the data of the second questionnaire. Based upon the structural equation model (SEM), the SEM of the influence of noise annoyance degree on UB and the path analysis with latent variable path analysis with the latent variables (PA-LVs) mediating model of the effect of UBI on UB were established, and the path coefficients with fitting data of the model were analyzed. The results indicated that the four dimensions of coal mine noise annoyance had a strong positive impact on UB, which was reduced by less noise annoyance. In addition, the Bootstrap method was used to verify the mediating method among the four dimensions of noise annoyance, cognitive annoyance, emotional annoyance, with communication annoyance indirectly affecting UB through UBI. The research results provide theoretical support for reducing the UB of miners and improving coal mine safety levels.     

Environmental risk perception, environmental concern and propensity to participate in organic farming programmes

This paper aims to identify the factors underlying farmers' propensity to participate in organic farming programmes in a Romanian rural region that confronts non-point source pollution. For this, we employ structural equation modelling with latent variables using a specific data set collected through an agri-environmental farm survey in 2001. The model includes one 'behavioural intention' latent variable ('propensity to participate in organic farming programmes') and five 'attitude' and 'socio-economic' latent variables ('socio-demographic characteristics', 'economic characteristics', 'agri-environmental information access', 'environmental risk perception' and 'general environmental concern'). The results indicate that, overall, the model has an adequate fit to the data. All loadings are statistically significant, supporting the theoretical basis for assignment of indicators for each latent variable. The significance tests for the structural model parameters show 'environmental risk perception' as the strongest determinant of farmers' propensity to participate in organic farming programmes.     

生物炭施用对黄壤土壤养分及酶活性的影响

生物炭因其具有特殊的理化性质,作为土壤改良剂或调理剂被广泛应用于改善土壤质量;土壤养分与土壤酶活性是表征土壤质量化学性质和生物学性质的重要指标.采用大田试验,研究生物炭不同施用水平：0（CK）、5（B5）、10（B10）、20（B20）和50（B50） t·hm^-2对黄壤养分和土壤酶活性的影响,运用结构方程模型（SEM）定量分析生物炭处理对土壤养分和酶活性的直接或间接影响及其作用大小.结果表明,生物炭显著增加土壤pH值、电导率、有机碳、碱解氮、有效磷和速效钾（P<0.05）;随生物炭施用量的增加,土壤过氧化氢酶和脲酶活性先增加后降低,磷酸酶和蔗糖酶活性增加（P<0.05）;B10处理下,土壤过氧化氢酶、脲酶和磷酸酶的活性均达到最大值,蔗糖酶活性也相对较高.随生物炭作用时间增加,土壤pH值、碱解氮、有效磷和速效钾含量均增加,而电导率和有机碳与之相反;过氧化氢酶活性降低,脲酶和磷酸酶活性升高,蔗糖酶活性无明显变化规律.SEM结果显示,生物炭施用对过氧化氢酶具有直接的负效应;通过提升pH、电导率、有机碳和碱解氮含量间接影响过氧化氢酶活性,通过提升pH和电导率间接促进蔗糖酶活性,通过提高电导率以及碱解氮和有效磷含量间接增加磷酸酶活性.综上,生物炭施用量及作用时间显著影响土壤养分含量,进而间接作用于土壤酶活性;酸性黄壤施用10 t·hm^-2的生物炭较为适宜.