A fuzzy analytic network process for multi-criteria evaluation of contaminated site remedial countermeasures

The Analytic Network Process (ANP) has been proposed to incorporate interdependence and feedback effect in the prioritization of remedial countermeasures using a hierarchical network decision model, but this approach seems to be incapable of capturing the vagueness and fuzziness during value judgment elicitation. The aim of this paper is to present an evaluation method using a fuzzy ANP (FANP) approach to address this shortcoming. Triangular fuzzy numbers (TFN) and their degree of fuzziness are used in the semantic scale as human judgment expressed in natural language is most often vague and fuzzy. The method employs the alpha-cuts, interval arithmetic and optimism index to transform the fuzzy comparative judgment matrix into set of crisp matrices, and then calculates the desired priorities using the eigenvector method. A numerical example, which was drawn from a real-life case study of an uncontrolled landfill in Japan, is presented to demonstrate the process. Results from the sensitivity analysis describe how the fuzziness in judgment could affect the solution robustness of the prioritization method. The proposed FANP approach therefore could effectively deal with the uncertain judgment inherent in the decision making process and derive the meaningful priorities explicitly from a complex decision structure in the evaluation of contaminated site remedial countermeasures.     

Water Quality Improvement Policies: Lessons Learned from the Implementation of Proposition O in Los Angeles,California

This article evaluates the implementation of Proposition O, a stormwater cleanup measure, in Los Angeles, California. The measure was intended to create new funding to help the city comply with the Total Maximum Daily Load requirements under the federal Clean Water Act. Funding water quality objectives through a bond measure was necessary because the city had insufficient revenues to deploy new projects in its budget. The bond initiative required a supermajority vote (two-thirds of the voters), hence the public had to be convinced that such funding both was necessary and would be effective. The bond act language included project solicitation from the public, as well as multiple benefit objectives. Accordingly, nonprofit organizations mobilized to present projects that included creating new parks, using schoolyards for flood control and groundwater recharge, and replacing parking lots with permeable surfaces, among others. Yet few, if any, of these projects were retained for funding, as the city itself also had a list of priorities and higher technical expertise in justifying them as delivering water quality improvements. Our case study of the implementation of Proposition O points to the potentially different priorities for the renovation of urban infrastructure that are held by nonprofit organizations and city agencies and the importance of structuring public processes clearly so that there are no misimpressions about funding and implementation responsibilities that can lead to disillusionment with government, especially under conditions of fiscal constraints.     

Results from a national survey of Crown prosecutors and defense counsel on impaired driving in Canada: A “System Improvements” perspective

Introduction

This article summarizes the main findings from a study designed to examine the legal process in Canada as it applies to alcohol-impaired driving from the point of view of Crown prosecutors and defense counsel, and to identify evidentiary or procedural factors that may impact the legal process, the rights of the accused, and interactions of all parts in the legal process.

Method

The data in this study were collected by means of a survey that was mailed out to the population of Crown prosecutors and defense counsel in Canada. In total, 765 prosecutors and 270 defense lawyers or an estimated 33% of all Canadian prosecutors and 15% of defense lawyers completed and returned the questionnaire. The "systems improvement" paradigm was used to interpret the findings and draw conclusions. Such an approach acknowledges the importance of the context in which countermeasures are implemented and delivered and the structures or entities used to deliver countermeasures to a designated target group.

Results

Results on type of charges and breath alcohol concentration, caseload, case outcomes, case preparation time, conviction rate at trial and overall conviction rate, reasons for acquittals and time to resolve cases are described.

Discussion

The findings from this national survey suggest that there are important challenges within the criminal justice system that impede the effective and efficient processing of impaired driving cases. Some of these challenges occur as a function of practices and policies, while others occur as a function of legislation.

Impact on industry

This study illustrates that a "system improvements" approach that acknowledges the importance of all elements of the criminal justice system and the interaction between those elements, can be beneficial in overcoming the alcohol-impaired driving problem.     

基于改进灰色关联分析法的丹江口流域地表水环境质量评价

改进水环境质量评价方法对于提高水环境管理水平具有重要意义。根据传统灰色关联分析原理,采用"中心化"的灰色关联无量纲化处理方法,对丹江口流域2012年河流中11个典型断面水体污染因子进行评价。结果表明,参评的11个断面中有9个符合地表水Ⅱ类水质标准,2个断面符合地表水Ⅳ类水质标准,整体水质满足国家南水北调水源地水质标准要求,改进的灰色关联分析方法在评价水质时较为科学、合理。     

生物膜氧化沟污水处理性能的研究

生物膜氧化沟是在普通氧化沟内放置合适填料，使之成为活性污泥法与生物膜法相结合的混合污水处理工艺。本研究通过清水试验，选择出了生物膜氧人诉合适填料及其安装方式，并同时比较了生物膜氧化沟和普通氧化沟的传质效果，水流阻力、水力混合特性。通过污水试验，确定了生物膜氧化沟的填料最佳填充率。并比较了生物膜氧化沟和普通氧化沟的去除ＣＯＤ、ＳＳ、ＴＮ效率及两者的污泥性能。     

表面活性剂强化抽出处理含水层中DNAPL污染物的去除特征

为明确表面活性剂强化抽出处理含水层中DNAPL污染物过程中表面活性剂的增强修复效果,及DNAPL自身理化性质和介质孔径的影响,利用数码图像分析技术对1,2-二氯乙烷和四氯乙烯2种DNAPL在石英砂填充的二维砂箱中的抽取迁移过程进行了实验模拟研究,并对抽出水样中DNAPL的浓度进行了测试分析。结果表明,实验条件下加入低浓度(0.18%)的十二烷基苯磺酸钠(SDBS)大幅提高了对弱透水层截留的2种DNAPL聚集体的抽出处理效率。1,2-二氯乙烷在该表面活性剂溶液中的表观溶解度远高于四氯乙烯,因此其短时间内的绝对去除率更高。SDBS强化抽出处理DNAPL的作用机理以增溶作用为主,而其增流作用使DNAPL迁移流动后分布面积增大,增加了与表面活性剂溶液接触的面积,对增溶作用起到促进效果。细粒介质中DNAPL迁移后的最大分布面积较大,因此体系中DNAPL的溶解速率较高。在DNAPL聚集体质量与水力梯度固定的条件下,油水界面张力越低,DNAPL的密度越大,DNAPL垂向迁移的风险就越大。本研究为修复工程中如何依据DNAPL种类与场地多孔介质的情况选择表面活性剂提供了参考。     

微生物群落驱动AM真菌、生物炭及联合改良沙化土壤作用潜力

沙化土壤作为土地荒漠化的重要过渡形式,实现其有效恢复对减缓土地荒漠化进程意义重大.本研究显示,丛枝菌根（arbuscular mycorrhizal,AM）真菌和生物炭已应用于沙化土壤改良过程,但二者联合对沙化土壤改良影响研究较少;此外,细菌和真菌群落在沙化土壤改良过程中的作用尚不清楚.采用温室盆栽试验的方法,分别设置对照处理（CK）、单独接种AM真菌处理（RI）、单独施加生物炭处理（BC）和二者联合改良处理（BC_RI）,研究不同改良方式对小果白刺（Nitrariasi birica Pall.）菌根侵染率、生物量、矿质营养元素（N、P、K、Ca和Mg）含量及土壤有机碳、营养元素（全N、全P和全K）、水稳性团聚体组成影响.采用高通量测序技术,考察细菌和真菌群落在沙化土壤改良过程中的作用,结合多元分析手段,探究不同改良方式改良作用机制,旨在为合理有效改良沙化土壤提供基础数据和理论依据.结果表明,接种处理（RI和BC_RI）小果白刺根系均观察到明显的菌根侵染现象,但RI和BC_RI处理间菌根侵染率无显著性差异.与CK相比,RI处理显著增加了小果白刺地上部生物量和地上部N、K、Ca和Mg含量,BC和BC_RI处理显著增加了小果白刺地上部、根部生物量及N、P、K、Ca和Mg含量;BC_RI处理与RI和BC相比,根部生物量及P、K、Ca和Mg含量显著增加.与CK相比,BC和BC_RI处理显著增加了土壤有机碳含量,RI处理使得土壤全N含量显著增加了152.54%,BC处理使得土壤全P和全K含量分别显著降低了12.5%和18.18%.各处理0.25~0.05 mm粒径土壤团聚体比例最高,BC_RI处理能够显著促进大粒径（>0.25 mm）土壤团聚体形成.与CK相比,RI和BC_RI处理显著降低细菌、真菌群落Sobs指数和Shannon指数;各处理细菌及真菌菌门组成及丰度存在显著差异性.RDA及网络分析结果显示,AM真菌、生物炭及二者联合改良方式对土壤基质环境及土壤微生物群落结构影响显著,不同改良方式下微生物分子生态网络关系发生显著变化,不同改良处理中核心物种组成具有差异性;BC和BC_RI较RI处理,网络连接密集程度更高且核心物种组成更丰富;生物炭与AM真菌联合,弱化了Rhizophagus intraradices的核心作用,并增强其他微生物（特别是细菌菌种）的核心地位.SEM结果显示,AM真菌和生物炭施用通过直接影响土壤细菌和真菌群落结构,进而实现对植物生长及土壤性质变化的影响,微生物群落结构差异（特别是微生物间的互作关系变化）是导致土壤改良效果差异的主要驱动力.综上所述,不同改良方式对沙化土壤改良效果影响具有差异性,微生物群落在土壤改良过程中具有关键影响作用,AM真菌和生物炭联合对加速沙化土壤生态恢复具有潜在优势和应用价值.     

有机废弃物氢发酵制备生物氢气的研究

在批式培养实验中以有机废弃物为原料,通过厌氧生物发酵制备生物氢气研究了菌种来源、有机废弃物种类对产氢能力的影响,以及生物氢发酵过程中液相组成的变化以活性污泥为菌种来源,以淀粉为底物,在30L改进的UASB反应器中进行了放大实验,生物气中氢气浓度达40%～51%,CO₂浓度为49%～60%,且没有检测到甲烷气体,生物气经碱液吸收后氢气纯度大于97%持续产氢时间超过120d.     

桉树枝条生物炭输入对桂北桉树人工林酸化土壤的作用效果

探讨桉树枝条生物炭对桂北桉树人工林土壤理化性质的影响及其不同施用量的应用效果,为桉树人工林枝条等林业废弃物资源的合理利用以及土壤改良提供科学依据.选择广西北部低山丘陵地区4 a生桉树人工林土壤为研究对象,通过桉树枝条废弃物500℃厌氧制备生物炭,基于小区定位试验,分别输入质量分数为0(CK)、 0.5%(T1)、 1.0%(T2)、 2%(T3)、 4%(T4)和6%(T5)这6个比例的桉树枝条生物炭,输入1 a后对不同处理下桉树人工林土壤理化性质进行测定.结果表明,相对于对照0～30cm土层,随着桉树枝条生物炭输入量的增加,降低了土壤容重,平均降幅为3.82%～33.55%;增加了土壤自然含水量、毛管孔隙度和总毛管孔隙含量,增幅分别为7.67%～31.75%、 8.95%～33.19%和9.28%～35.86%,不同处理间差异显著.生物炭显著降低了土壤交换性酸、交换性铝、交换性氢和交换性钠含量,降幅分别为8.28%～70.03%、 5.55%～70.34%、 5.10%～21.78%和12.81%～49.27%;增加了土壤阳离子交换量、电导率、交换性钙和交换性镁含量,增幅分别为27.08%～160.39%、 117.00%～546.64%、 17.10%～66.14%和17.38%～71.38%;提高了土壤pH值,增加了0.17～1.29个单位.桉树枝条生物炭输入林地土壤后,显著增加了土壤有机碳、全磷、全钾、速效磷、速效钾和速效氮含量,增幅分别为10.94%～51.37%、 14.29%～59.45%、 6.48%～59.57%、 6.28%～29.41%、 4.79%～19.81%和7.72%～75.87%.土壤主要物理因子之间、化学因子之间、土壤理化指标两两之间绝大部分存在正相关关系,相互影响.总体上,桉树枝条生物炭短期内有利于缓解桉树人工林地土壤的酸化趋势,对改善土壤理化性质和提高养分含量有积极的正效应和调控作用,促进了土壤的保水保肥能力.综合考虑, 4%～6%的生物炭输入量是提高土壤肥力水平的最优处理,研究结果对土壤改良、林地生态环境改善以及桉树人工林可持续经营具有重要的实践意义.     

我国道路交通事故成因分析及预防对策

提出机动车驾驶员安全裕度的概念,对道路交通事故进行成因分析,在此基础上建立了事故成因层次结构模型,运用层次分析法确定道路交通事故成因权重,打破了以往只考虑数量的单一因素的分析方法,综合考虑了人、车、路、环境对交通事故的影响作用,比较客观地得出了道路交通事故主要成因,并提出预防对策.