Urban land use,mobility and theory of science: exploring the potential for critical realism in empirical research

Academic discussion where the adequacy of positions within theory of science is illustrated by means of examples from empirical research studies seems to be an area of neglect. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to such a debate, using examples from investigations into the relationship between urban structure and travel behaviour. The main research question of these investigations was whether, and to what extent, urban structural conditions are influencing residents' transportation activity. In other words, is there a causal relationship between urban structure and travel behaviour? Furthermore, we asked whether results from studies of the relationship between land use and transport can provide a basis for predictions about the likely consequences of alternative land-use strategies. The methodology and empirical findings of the studies are discussed in the light of the theory of science position labelled ‘critical realism’, in an attempt to relate theory of science to empirical research, but also in order to contribute to the discussion of the usefulness of this specific approach. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Chromium exhibits adverse effects at environmental relevant concentrations in chronic toxicity assay system of nematode Caenorhabditis elegans

Here we investigated whether the assay system (10-d) in Caenorhabditis elegans can be used to evaluate chronic toxicity of chromium (Cr(VI)) at environmental relevant concentrations ranging from 5.2 μg L⁻¹ to 260 μg L⁻¹. The results indicated that lethality, locomotion behavior as revealed by head thrash, body bend, and forward turn, metabolism as revealed by pumping rate and mean defecation cycle length, intestinal autofluorescence, and ROS production were severely altered in Cr chronically exposed nematodes at environmental relevant concentrations. The most surprising observations were that head thrash, body bend, intestinal autofluorescence, and ROS production in 13 μg L⁻¹ Cr exposed nematodes were significantly influenced. The observed adverse effects of Cr on survival, locomotion behavior, and metabolism were largely due to forming severe intestinal autofluorescence and ROS production. Therefore, our findings demonstrate the usefulness of chronic toxicity assay system in C. elegans in evaluating the chronic toxicity of toxicants at environmental relevant concentrations.     

Eichhornia crassipes capability to remove naphthalene from wastewater in the absence of bacteria

The aim of the current study was to investigate the potential of an aquatic plant, the water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) devoid rhizospheric bacteria, to reduce naphthalene (a polyaromatic hydrocarbon) present in wastewater and wetlands.The capability of sterile water hyacinth plants to remove naphthalene from water and wastewater was studied in batch systems. Water hyacinths enhance the removal of pollutants through their consumption as nutrients and also through microbial activity of their rhizospheric bacteria.Experimental kinetics of naphthalene removal by water hyacinth coupled with natural rhizospheric bacteria was 100% after 9 d. Plants, decoupled of rhizospheric bacteria, reduced naphthalene concentration up to 45% during 7 d. Additionally, naphthalene uptake by water hyacinth revealed a biphasic behavior: a rapid first phase completed after 2.5 h, and a second, considerably slower rate, phase (2.5-225 h). In conclusion, water hyacinth devoid rhizospheric bacteria reduced significantly naphthalene concentration in water, revealing a considerable plant contribution in the biodegradation process of this pollutant.     

厌氧滤池处理纺织印染废水的中试研究

对厌氧滤池反应器处理难降解印染废水进行中试研究。结果表明,厌氧滤池反应器水力停留时间(HRT)在8.1～14.6 h之间,进水COD浓度波动较大(500～1 000 mg/L)时,对COD平均去除率为20%。印染废水的BOD5/COD由0.23提高到0.35,废水可生化性明显改善。印染废水中硫酸根浓度略有下降,去除浓度为70 mg/L左右。厌氧滤池进出水颜色明显变化,由紫红色变为蓝黑色,紫外可见光谱分析表明废水中的有机物结构发生变化。     

MBR在橡胶废水处理中的应用

橡胶废水具有含盐量高、色度高、有机污染成分含量高且难于生化降解等特点。膜生物反应器(MBR)技术的核心是生化处理加微滤膜过滤,通过将MBR技术应用于橡胶废水处理的实践表明,该技术对COD、氨氮、磷酸盐的平均去除率都达到了85%以上,再辅之以药剂处理后,降低了色度和难降解有机物含量,出水水质完全符合排放标准的要求,是一种解决橡胶污水处理难题的有效途径。     

全球环境变化对土壤有机碳库影响的研究进展

全球环境变化对土壤生态系统有机碳库的影响是当前研究的热点。本文综述了大气CO2浓度升高、温度上升、氮沉降等环境因素变化对土壤有机碳输入与土壤呼吸可能的影响,介绍了关于全球环境变化对土壤有机碳库影响的研究手段及其存在的问题,并就今后研究土壤有机碳对全球变化的响应提出了几点建议。     

采油用油田化学剂对鱼类的急性毒性实验研究

以白鲢鱼为实验生物,采用半静态实验方法,研究了几种油田化学剂的半致死浓度和安全浓度。研究表明:防膨剂、杀菌剂K、杀菌剂L、清蜡剂、四氟硼酸、酸化缓蚀剂、阻垢剂、阻垢缓蚀剂、缓蚀阻垢剂和破乳剂的96h半致死浓度LC50值分别为0.68、1.6、9.3、25、123、510、620、3240、4570、7410mg/L。根据化学物质对鱼类毒性物质分级标准,防膨剂属于剧毒物质;杀菌剂K、杀菌剂L和清蜡剂属于高毒物质;四氟硼酸、酸化缓蚀剂和阻垢剂属于中毒物质;阻垢缓蚀剂、缓蚀阻垢剂和破乳剂属于低毒物质。这几种油田化学剂的安全浓度为0.068～741mg/L。此研究可为评价油田化学剂对水生生物的影响,制定废水排放浓度标准提供依据。     

火电厂电除尘器电控系统的节能改造

电除尘器是火力发电厂的高能耗设备,从细节入手,挖掘电除尘器节能潜力,利用原有设备进行改造,采用简易脉冲供电方式和临界反电晕供电方式可以提高电除尘器电能的利用率,大幅度地降低电除尘器的能耗,实现节能。通过对电除尘器电控系统改造实例的前后电场参数进行比较,说明这种改造方法是可行的,实现了经济、节能与环保三者的兼顾与统一。     

基于因子分析法优选河流水体中氮浓度预测方法的研究

定量的河流水体中氮浓度预测方法有很多种,如何优选出预测精度较高的方法一直是学术界多年来致力于研究的重点。本研究采用因子分析法对预测方法的精度评价指标进行分析,并建立了预测方法精度的评价模型,对回归分析法、神经网络法、灰色系统法和增长率统计法4种水体氮浓度预测方法进行综合评估,优选出精度较高的河流水体氮浓度预测模型——BP神经网络预测模型。结果表明,此评估模型对类似研究具有一定的参考价值,能为选择出合适的河流水体氮浓度预测方法提供依据。     

ASBBR-二级SBBR-化学除磷组合工艺处理榨菜腌制废水

针对榨菜腌制废水高盐高氮磷高有机物浓度的特征,提出"厌氧序批式生物膜反应器(ASBBR)-二级序批式生物膜反应器(SBBR)-化学除磷"组合处理工艺,在前期对组合工艺中单元工艺的关键工况参数研究的基础上,考察组合工艺的处理效能。实验结果表明,采用该组合工艺,可使进水COD、NH4+-N、TN及PO43--P分别为10 000、345、550和38.5mg/L的榨菜腌制废水,处理出水COD、NH4+-N、TN及PO43--P分别达到93.6、12.3、18和0.1 mg/L,去除率分别为99.1%、96.4%、96.7%和99.9%,出水达到污水综合排放一级标准。