Collaborative networks and new ways of knowing

To move beyond legal and regulatory gridlock around water issues in the California Bay-Delta, a new inter-agency initiative, commonly known as CALFED, was created in 1994. CALFED has been an ongoing experiment in policy innovation. Part of the change in management practice has involved constructing new arenas that engage multiple perspectives and transform regulatory impasse into provisional steps forward. We examine the construction of so-called boundary objects, which are forums and policy instruments that cross group boundaries and foster integrative deliberation. We compare the design and action of two boundary objects created by CALFED, namely the Environmental Water Account (EWA) and the Water Use Efficiency (WUE) program. We find that the presence of the boundary object, in itself, does little to explain the success of each policy experiment. Rather, the answer lies in the types of network interactions that result, along with the way meaning is coproduced. In fact, rather than create new patterns of interrelationship (e.g., between fish habitat advocates and pump station operators), the boundary object might further embed institutionalized routines. To more deeply understand what makes the new institution an integrative one, we introduce the concept of Ways of Knowing which explains how new knowledge emerges from the network of new relationships.     

Collectively engaging complex socio-ecological systems: re-envisioning science, governance, and the California Delta

We address the future of science and governance for the California Delta, focusing on the CALFED Bay-Delta Program, an interagency, multi-stakeholder effort to understand and manage the Delta for multiple purposes. We portray a Delta history as a coevolutionary process between science, governance and ecosystems. Global integrated environmental assessments (IEA) provide insights into understanding complex, dynamic socio-ecological systems. Many of the discursive stakeholder and scientific activities that have arisen under CALFED are similar to IEA and remain essential to the shared learning needed to effectively interact with a dynamic Delta. More deliberately enmeshing environmental monitoring, analysis, and collective learning into Delta governance will improve outcomes.     

Ingredients in sustainably managing water in semi-arid environments

The lessons learned from CALFED indicate that ingredients important in the long-term resolution of water management issues may not result in short-term “solutions”. The value of this special issue lies in its identification of ingredients that stimulate re-framing of issues, adapting to new knowledge and innovative decisions. But sustainable water management also requires the political patience to sustain those processes as a means of perpetuating the long-term decision-making necessary to anticipate and/or respond to an ever-changing environment.     

新标准下垃圾焚烧飞灰化学稳定技术的比选和研究

研究了新的生活垃圾填埋场污染控制标准(GB168892008)实施后,飞灰要进入生活垃圾卫生填埋场时传统的重金属稳定方法可行性,并在此基础上提出了新的复合药剂稳定法.研究结果表明,已经报道的化学药剂稳定法均有必要重新检验其对重金属的稳定效果是否满足新的填埋标准的要求.绿矾与TMT-18配合使用、绿矾用量为25%（质量分数）以下、TMT-18的用量为8‰左右时完全可以使飞灰中所有重金属浸出浓度满足新的填埋标准要求,是处理二噁英含量不高于3 ng·g-1(以TEQ计)飞灰的一种经济处理技术.对二噁英含量高于3 ng·g-1 (TEQ)的飞灰,采用绿矾辅助水热处理的方法可以稳定包括Pb、Cd在内的所有重金属和降解二噁英使之符合新填埋标准对飞灰填埋的要求.     

A methodology for assessment of long-term exposure to whole-body vibrations in vehicle drivers to propose preventive safety measures

Introduction: The appearance of musculoskeletal disorders (MDs) in professional drivers due to exposition to whole-body vibration (WBV) makes it relevant to assess this exposure. The European Directive 2002/44/EC has two methods to evaluate exposure to WBV (defined in ISO2631-1:2008). These methods evaluate the exposure associated with an 8-hour working day; however, MDs due to WBV could also be caused by accumulated exposure to vibrations over long term, and hence, the methods defined in the European directive may be limited in their ability to ensure the safety of workers exposed to WBV throughout their years of employment. Method: A detailed comparison and discussion of methods defined in the European Directive and the ISO2631-5:2018 was used as a starting point of the main results of this paper. On this basis, a new methodology for the management and organization of preventive measures is proposed to consider the assessment of ISO2631-5:2018 standard and the full working life of workers. Experimental data to assess exposure to WBV in heavy equipment vehicle (HEV) drivers under different road surface conditions and range of velocities were considered to illustrate the process of the proposed methodology. Results: The methods defined in the standards provide different assessments leading to a different possible consideration of safe operations when the risks associated with them may actually be high. The proposed methodology can be used with the aim of ensuring safety of workers throughout their working lives and providing an easy implementation of the calculations of ISO2631-5:2018 standard. Conclusions: A procedure to assess the health risk probability to which the HEV worker is exposed in terms of the exposure years and a different range of operational vehicle speeds is proposed and exemplified with a study case. Practical applications: This study provides a practical tool for the management of WBV exposure related to work-tasks in HEV drivers. Safety managers should consider the global exposition to WBV throughout their working life, and this research provides an easy tool to accomplish it.     

Performance of a diesel engine with water emulsified diesel prepared with optimized process parameters

An attempt has been made to produce stable water–diesel emulsion with optimal formulation and process parameters and to evaluate the performance and emission characteristics of diesel engine using this stable water–diesel emulsion. A total of 54 samples were prepared with varying water/diesel ratio, surfactant amount and stirring speed and water separation was recorded after 24 and 48 hr of emulsification. The recorded data were used in artificial neural network (ANN)-particle swarm optimization (PSO) technique to find the optimal parameters to produce water–diesel emulsion for engine testing. The predicted optimal parameters were found as 20% water to diesel ratio, 0.9% surfactant and 2200 rpm of stirrer for a water separation of 14.33% in one day with a variation of 6.54% against the actual value of water separation. Water–diesel emulsion fuel exhibited similar fuel properties as base fuel. The peak cylinder gas pressure, peak pressure rise rate and peak heat release rate for water–diesel were found higher as compared to diesel at medium to full engine loads. The improved air-fuel mixing in water–diesel emulsion enhanced brake thermal efficiency (BTE) of engine. The absorption of heat by water droplets present in water–diesel emulsion led to reduced exhaust gas temperature (EGT). With water–diesel emulsion fuel, the mean carbon monoxide (CO), unburned hydrocarbon and oxides of nitrogen (NO_x) emissions reduced by 8.80, 39.60, and 26.11%, respectively as compared to diesel.     

Internal short circuit and accelerated rate calorimetry tests of lithium-ion cells: Considerations for methane-air intrinsic safety and explosion proof/flameproof protection methods

Researchers with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) studied the potential for lithium-ion cell thermal runaway from an internal short circuit in equipment for use in underground coal mines. In this third phase of the study, researchers compared plastic wedge crush-induced internal short circuit tests of selected lithium-ion cells within methane (CH₄)-air mixtures with accelerated rate calorimetry tests of similar cells. Plastic wedge crush test results with metal oxide lithium-ion cells extracted from intrinsically safe evaluated equipment were mixed, with one cell model igniting the chamber atmosphere while another cell model did not. The two cells models exhibited different internal short circuit behaviors. A lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO₄) cell model was tolerant to crush-induced internal short circuits within CH₄-air, tested under manufacturer recommended charging conditions. Accelerating rate calorimetry tests with similar cells within a nitrogen purged 353-mL chamber produced ignitions that exceeded explosion proof and flameproof enclosure minimum internal pressure design criteria. Ignition pressures within a 20-L chamber with 6.5% CH₄-air were relatively low, with much larger head space volume and less adiabatic test conditions. The literature indicates that sizeable lithium thionyl chloride (LiSOCl₂) primary (non rechargeable) cell ignitions can be especially violent and toxic. Because ignition of an explosive atmosphere is expected within explosion proof or flameproof enclosures, there is a need to consider the potential for an internal explosive atmosphere ignition in combination with a lithium or lithium-ion battery thermal runaway process, and the resulting effects on the enclosure.     

论"水十条"对中国水体污染防治的意义

2015年4月16日,国务院正式发布《水污染防治行动计划》,《水污染防治行动计划》为了与一年前出台的"大气十条"相对应,故亦简称"水十条".这将是今后很长一段时期中国治理水环境的纲领性文件."水十条"对中国水污染治理工作提出了总体目标,同时作为新环保法的延伸,"水十条"将强调市场机制在治理水体污染中的作用、促进环境需求的多样化.总的来说,"水十条"的发布,标志着中国将对水污染防控治理进行强力监管,铁腕治污将进入"新常态".     

沈阳市大气PM_(10)中水溶性无机阴离子的分布特征研究

2014年7月和12月分别对沈阳市大气污染物PM_(10)(可吸入颗粒物)进行采样分析,采样期内PM_(10)浓度全部超过国家一级标准,最大值超出国家二级标准3.3倍。用离子色谱法分析了PM_(10)中的水溶性无机阴离子,结果表明:4种阴离子浓度之和的变化总趋势为7月12月;各离子浓度的关系为SO_4~(2-)NO_3~-Cl~-F~-,4种离子浓度均为冬季高于夏季;对PM_(10)及4种阴离子进行相关性分析,得出NO_3~-、SO_4~(2-)浓度与PM_(10)浓度呈显著正相关,是PM_(10)的重要组分,并通过NO_3~-与SO_4~(2-)的质量比得出沈阳市大气污染物中水溶性组分主要来自于固定排放源。     

再生水中的Pb对萝卜根际土壤微生物群落结构的影响研究

采用盆栽方法研究再生水、再生水+Pb、清水+Pb处理浇灌萝卜,以清水浇灌为对照对萝卜根际土壤微生物群落的影响进行研究。结果表明:(1)土壤总PLFA含量及各菌群生物量从大到小依次为:再生水再生水+Pb清水清水+Pb。再生水灌溉有利于萝卜根际微生物各类群数量的增加,丰富微生物多样性。用含铅的溶液(再生水+Pb、清水+Pb)浇灌萝卜,可抑制土壤微生物各类群的数量,G-受到的抑制尤为明显。(2)主成分分析表明,再生水灌溉与对照相比,土壤微生物群落结构差异最大。(3)土壤微生物各类群与土壤速效钾、硝酸盐氮含量呈极显著正相关(P0.01),真菌、放线菌与土壤有机质含量,G~+、G~-菌与p H均呈极显著正相关(P0.01)。G~+、G~-与萝卜地下鲜重均呈极显著负相关(P0.01),土壤微生物各类群与地上部分硝酸盐含量、与根冠比呈极显著正相关(P0.01)。