monitoring bioaccumulation of contaminants in the belted kingfisher (ceryle alcyon)

The belted kingfisher (Ceryle alcyon), acommon piscivore in the eastern United States, hasbecome a common endpoint in ecological riskassessments (ERA) because of their high consumptionof potentially contaminated aquatic prey. Whilebioaccumulation data and biosurveys may be used tosupport conclusions of ERAs for kingfishers, thereare currently no published data on contaminantconcentrations in kingfishers. Additionally,methods available for collecting biological samples(e.g., feathers, eggs, food debris, etc.) fromkingfisher burrows can be detrimental to thereproductive success of the birds. We present amethod for obtaining samples from burrows during orfollowing the nesting season. The method wasapplied to kingfisher burrows on the Oak RidgeReservation (ORR) in eastern Tennessee. Feathers,eggshells, and nestlings were collected from burrows and analyzed. In addition, carcasses ofthree adult kingfishers found dead on the ORR wereanalyzed. Metals and radionuclides were accumulatedby both juvenile and adult birds. Body burdens ofcadmium, lead, and cesium-137 in adult birds were belowlevels associated with toxicity. Concentrations of selenium and mercury were observed at potentiallytoxic levels. Contaminants in eggshells andnestling feathers indicate exposure, however, thereis insufficient information to evaluate thetoxicological significance of this contamination.National Laboratory Oak Ridge National Laboratory is managed for the U.S. Department of Energy by Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corp. under contract DE-AC05-96OR22464     

A Socio-Ecological Assessment Aiming at Improved Forest Resource Management and Sustainable Ecotourism Development in the Mangroves of Tanbi Wetland National Park, The Gambia, West Africa

Although mangroves dominated by Avicennia germinans and Rhizophora mangle are extending over 6000 ha in the Tanbi Wetland National Park (TWNP) (The Gambia), their importance for local populations (both peri-urban and urban) is not well documented. For the first time, this study evaluates the different mangrove resources in and around Banjul (i.e., timber, non-timber, edible, and ethnomedicinal products) and their utilization patterns, including the possibility of ecotourism development. The questionnaire-based results have indicated that more than 80% of peri-urban population rely on mangroves for timber and non-timber products and consider them as very important for their livelihoods. However, at the same time, urban households demonstrate limited knowledge on mangrove species and their ecological/economic benefits. Among others, fishing (including the oyster—Crassostrea cf. gasar collection) and tourism are the major income-generating activities found in the TWNP. The age-old practices of agriculture in some parts of the TWNP are due to scarcity of land available for agriculture, increased family size, and alternative sources of income. The recent focus on ecotourism (i.e., boardwalk construction inside the mangroves near Banjul city) received a positive response from the local stakeholders (i.e., users, government, and non-government organizations), with their appropriate roles in sharing the revenue, rights, and responsibilities of this project. Though the guidelines for conservation and management of the TWNP seem to be compatible, the harmony between local people and sustainable resource utilization should be ascertained.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s13280-012-0248-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Effect of inoculation methods on the composting efficiency of municipal solid wastes

Four types of inoculation methods were studied during the composting of municipal solid wastes and dry grass (MSWG). The methods included a control group as well as initial-stage, two-stage, and multi-stage inoculations. Fulvic acids were extracted from the composting materials and characterized by spectroscopic techniques. The results showed that inoculation of microbes in MSWG enhanced the biodegradation of aliphatics, proteins, and polysaccharides. The inoculation also increased the molecular weight, humic- and fulvic-like compound content, as well as humification degree of the composting products. The inoculation of microbes in MSWG significantly improved composting process and efficiency. The improvement efficiency was in the order of initial-stage < two-stage < multi-stage inoculations. Inoculation of microbes based on composting organic matter composition and temperature enhanced composting efficiency.     

排污申报数据审核的一般方法

排污申报登记工作具有数据量大、逻辑性强、专业要求高的特点,环保部门必须力求通过强化数据的审核来获得完整、准确的排污申报数据。     

作业疲劳测量方法对比研究

作业疲劳是导致生产效率下降、事故发生的重要原因之一。研究作业疲劳对提高生产效率、减少事故的发生,以及保护劳动者安全和健康具有重要意义。而作业疲劳测量方法是作业疲劳研究的前提和基础。因此,本文首先对作业疲劳的分类及其导致疲劳的原因进行了简单概述,并归纳总结了目前常用的几种作业疲劳测量方法,包括：主观感觉询问表评价法、生理参数测试法、生物化学测试法、心理学测试方法以及几种方法相结合的综合测试方法,并分析了上述几种作业疲劳测量方法的测量目的、适用范围、以及各自的优缺点,且针对不同研究目的提出了作业疲劳测量方法的选择和使用原则,并探讨了几个重点作业疲劳测量方法的研究方向,以及作业疲劳测量方法的完善方法。     

论舰船设备的湿热试验

湿热环境是海军舰船设备所需承受的重要环境条件之一。论述了湿热试验目的、物理现象。针对海军舰船设备以往采用的几种湿热试验方法存在的严酷度差异,着重对GB2423-81《电工电子产品基本环境试验规程试验Db：交变湿热试验》、GIB150．9-86《军用设备环境试验方法湿热试验》、IB839-75《电工产品湿热试验》和《实船环境试验条件》的试验严酷度进行了验证比对并得出结论。     

不同培养方式下絮状污泥颗粒化特性和灰色关联度分析

为探索好氧颗粒污泥形成机理,开展了不同培养方式下絮状污泥颗粒化特性研究.选取3种培养方式:人工配水培养、海藻酸钠强化培养和农村模拟污水培养,利用灰色关联分析法,对比3种不同培养方式下,污泥颗粒化过程中各影响因素灰色关联度系数,筛选好氧颗粒污泥培养的关键因素.研究发现,人工配水培养方式下经过40 d成功出现好氧颗粒污泥,投加海藻酸钠强化培养方式下经过20 d出现好氧颗粒污泥,农村模拟污水经过55 d培养出好氧颗粒污泥.3种培养方式下出现的好氧颗粒污泥均具有密实的结构和较好的沉降性能,同时可实现对污染物的高效去除.利用数据处理系统(Data Processing System,DPS)对各影响因素的灰色关联度进行分析,发现不同培养方式下污泥颗粒化过程中起主导作用的影响因素并非唯一,水力停留时间和胞外聚合物在各培养方式中均具有较高的关联度系数,对好氧颗粒污泥的形成具有关键作用.     

欧美等发达国家水环境监测方法体系

分别简述了美国、欧盟和日本等发达国家或组织水环境监测方法体系发展历程,分析了其各自水环境监测方法体系特点。对中国水环境监测方法体系的制定与实施提出了建议。     

天堂河河道治理工程水质改善预测分析

河道治理工程重在改善河道的水质,以恢复河流生态系统。本文以北京市大兴区天堂河河道治理工程为例,介绍了河道治理工程环境影响评价中的水质改善预测分析,首先分析生态需水量和供氧量是否满足河流生态需水要求,后又利用地面水环评助手软件预测了河流水质,预测分析了天堂河水质目标的可达性,旨在为以后的河道治理类工程环境影响评价提供参考。