A Semianalytical Solution for Residual Drawdown at a Finite Diameter Well in a Confined Aquifer

After the end of pumping the water level in the observation well starts to recover and the reduced drawdown during the recovery period is named as the residual drawdown. Traditional approaches in analyzing the data of residual drawdown for estimating the aquifer hydraulic parameters are mostly based on the application of superposition principle and Theis equation. In addition, the effect of wellbore storage is commonly ignored in the evaluation even if the test well has a finite diameter. In this article, we develop a mathematical model for describing the residual drawdown with considering the wellbore storage effect and the existing drawdown distribution produced by the pumping part of the test. The Laplace‐domain solution of the model is derived using the Laplace transform technique and the time‐domain result is inverted based on the Stehfest algorithm. This new solution shows that the residual drawdown associated with the boundary and initial conditions are related to the well drawdown and the aquifer drawdown, respectively. The well residual drawdown will be overestimated by the Theis residual drawdown solution in the early recovery part if neglecting the wellbore storage. On the other hand, the Theis residual drawdown solution can be used to approximate the present residual drawdown solution in the late recovery part of the test.     

Estimating biodegradation half-lives for use in chemical screening

Biodegradation half-lives are needed for many applications in chemical screening, but these data are not available for most chemicals. To address this, in phase one of this work we correlated the much more abundant ready and inherent biodegradation test data with measured half-lives for water and soil. In phase two, we explored the utility of the BIOWIN™ models (in EPI Suite™) and molecular fragments for predicting half-lives. BIOWIN™ model output was correlated directly with measured half-lives, and new models were developed by re-regressing the BIOWIN™ fragments against the half-lives. All of these approaches gave the best results when used for binary (fast/slow) classification of half-lives, with accuracy generally in the 70–80% range. In the last phase, we used the collected half-life data to examine the default half-lives assigned by EPI Suite™ and the PBT Profiler™ for use as input to their level III multimedia models. It is concluded that estimated half-lives should not be used for purposes other than binning or prioritizing chemicals unless accuracy improves significantly.     

Modelling radionuclide transport for time varying flow in a channel network

Water flowrates and flow directions may change over time in the subsurface for a number of reasons. In fractured rocks flow takes place in channels within fractures. Solutes are carried by the advective flow. In addition, solutes may diffuse in and out of stagnant waters in the rock matrix and other stagnant water regions. Sorbing species may sorb on fracture surfaces and on the micropore surfaces in the rock matrix. We present a method by which solute particles can be traced in flowing water undergoing changes in flowrate and direction in a complex channel network where the solutes can also interact with the rock by diffusion in the rock matrix. The novelty of this paper is handling of diffusion in the rock matrix under transient flow conditions. The diffusive processes are stochastic and it is not possible to follow a particle deterministically. The method therefore utilises the properties of a probability distribution function for a tracer moving in a fracture where matrix diffusion is active. The method is incorporated in a three dimensional channel network model. Particle tracking is used to trace out a multitude of flowpaths, each of which consists of a large number of channels within fractures. Along each channel the aperture and velocity as well as the matrix sorption properties can vary. An efficient method is presented whereby a particle can be followed along the variable property flowpath. For stationary flow conditions and a network of channels with advective flow and matrix diffusion, a simple analytical solution for the residence time distribution along each pathway can be used. Only two parameter groups need to be integrated along each path. For transient flow conditions, a time stepping procedure that incorporates a stochastic Monte-Carlo like method to follow the particles along the paths when flow conditions change is used. The method is fast and an example is used for illustrative purposes. It is exemplified by a case where land rises due to glacial rebound. It is shown that the effects of changing flowrates and directions can be considerable and that the diffusive migration in the matrix can have a dominating effect on the results.     

State-of-the-art of ecological modelling with emphasis on development of structural dynamic models

The paper deals with two major problems in ecological modelling today, namely how to get reliable parameters? and how to build ecosystem properties into our models? The use of new mathematical tools to answer these questions is mentioned briefly, but the main focus of the paper is on development of structural dynamic models which are models using goal functions to reflect a current change of the properties of the biological components in the models. These changes of the properties are due to the enormous adaptability of the biological components to the prevailing conditions. All species in an ecosystem attempt to obtain most biomass, i.e. to move as far away as possible from thermodynamic equilibrium which can be measured by the thermodynamic concept exergy. Consequently, exergy has been proposed as a goal function in ecological models with dynamic structure, meaning currently changed properties of the biological components and in model language currently changed parameters. An equation to compute an exergy index of a model is presented. The theoretical considerations leading to this equation are not presented here but references to literature where the basis theory can be found are given. Two case studies of structural dynamic modelling are presented: a shallow lake where the structural dynamic changes have been determined before the model was developed, and the application of biomanipulation in lake management, where the structural dynamic changes are generally known. Moreover. it is also discussed how the same idea of using exergy as a goal function in ecological modelling may be applied to facilitate the estimation of parameters.     

Mid‐Range Streamflow Forecasts Based on Climate Modeling – Statistical Correction and Evaluation1

Abstract: Mid‐range streamflow predictions are extremely important for managing water resources. The ability to provide mid‐range (three to six months) streamflow forecasts enables considerable improvements in water resources system operations. The skill and economic value of such forecasts are of great interest. In this research, output from a general circulation model (GCM) is used to generate hydrologic input for mid‐range streamflow forecasts. Statistical procedures including: (1) transformation, (2) correction, (3) observation of ensemble average, (4) improvement of forecast, and (5) forecast skill test are conducted to minimize the error associated with different spatial resolution between the large‐scale GCM and the finer‐scale hydrologic model and to improve forecast skills. The accuracy of a streamflow forecast generated using a hydrologic model forced with GCM output for the basin was evaluated by forecast skill scores associated with the set of streamflow forecast values in a categorical forecast. Despite the generally low forecast skill score exhibited by the climate forecasting approach, precipitation forecast skill clearly improves when a conditional forecast is performed during the East Asia summer monsoon, June through August.     

Influence of hydrodynamic conditions on the production and fate of Posidonia oceanica in a semi-enclosed shallow basin (Stagnone di Marsala, Western Sicily)

An integrated approach using hydrodynamic and transport numerical models, lepidochronology and stable isotope analysis was used to investigate how local hydrodynamic conditions influence the primary production and fate of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica in a Mediterranean semi-enclosed marine system (Stagnone di Marsala). The water mass exchange aptitude of different sectors of the basin was analysed, and data collected were used to select two sectors (colonized by Posidonia oceanica showing the lowest and highest water exchange values) for biological analyses. According to the mean dispersal coefficient differences simulated by the hydrodynamic model, growth rate and primary production of P. oceanica differed between sectors, with average values lower in the central sector where water exchange is lower than in the southern sector. Although P. oceanica coverage and primary production were higher in the southern sector, carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analysis suggests that the transfer of seagrass organic matter to higher trophic levels of the food web was higher in the central sector. The possibility of a link between hydrodynamism, production and fate of organic matter is proposed to explain the observed patterns.     

Using Scalar Models for Precautionary Assessments of Threatened Species

Abstract:  Scalar population models, commonly referred to as count-based models, are based on time-series data of population sizes and may be useful for screening-level ecological risk assessments when data for more complex models are not available. Appropriate use of such models for management purposes, however, requires understanding inherent biases that may exist in these models. Through a series of simulations, which compared predictions of risk of decline of scalar and matrix-based models, we examined whether discrepancies may arise from different dynamics displayed due to age structure and generation time. We also examined scalar and matrix-based population models of 18 real populations for potential patterns of bias in population viability estimates. In the simulation study, precautionary bias (i.e., overestimating risks of decline) of scalar models increased as a function of generation time. Models of real populations showed poor fit between scalar and matrix-based models, with scalar models predicting significantly higher risks of decline on average. The strength of this bias was not correlated with generation time, suggesting that additional sources of bias may be masking this relationship. Scalar models can be useful for screening-level assessments, which should in general be precautionary, but the potential shortfalls of these models should be considered before using them as a basis for management decisions.     

真空紫外-亚硫酸盐法降解PFOS影响因素

通过试验,考察了亚硫酸盐浓度、pH值、全氟辛烷磺酸(perfluorooctane sulfonate,PFOS)初始质量浓度及共存物质对真空紫外-亚硫酸盐法降解PFOS的影响.结果表明,亚硫酸盐浓度的增加有利于提高活性物种水合电子的量,PFOS降解率及脱氟率均随之提高,亚硫酸盐浓度从1 mmol·L~(-1)增加至20 mmol·L~(-1)时,PFOS降解率及脱氟率分别从45%及40%提高至97%及63%;随着原水pH值的升高,水合电子的生成量也随之增加,PFOS的降解率及脱氟率均提高,且脱氟率对pH值的变化更敏感;PFOS初始质量浓度的提高降低了PFOS的降解率及脱氟率,但PFOS的绝对降解量却大幅提高,当PFOS初始质量浓度从1 mg·L~(-1)提高至50 mg·L~(-1)时,PFOS在4 h内的降解量提高了约50倍,这主要是由于高污染物浓度条件下水合电子的利用率较高;Cl~-或HCO_3~-的存在对PFOS降解率影响较小,但对脱氟的影响较为明显,在试验研究的浓度范围内,PFOS脱氟率随Cl~-浓度的增加而提高,随HCO_3~-浓度的增加呈现先升高后降低的规律;腐殖酸的存在屏蔽了部分用于光化学反应的光,而且可以捕获体系的活性物种,从而降低了降解率及脱氟率.     

黄铁矿光化学氧化降解微囊藻毒素-LR的机制

在可见光(λ420 nm)照射和中性条件(p H=6.8)下,采用天然黄铁矿降解微囊藻毒素MC-LR,XRD和SEM检测表明黄铁矿为层状结构,反应前后黄铁矿表面XPS的表征说明矿物表面存在着S缺陷和缺陷位点Fe(Ⅱ)到Fe(Ⅲ)的转化过程.ESR检测显示黄铁矿光化学反应体系涉及·OH机制.HPLC和LC-MS结果显示可见光照射能有效活化黄铁矿降解MC-LR,反应10 h时能完全降解MC-LR,20 h时对MC-LR矿化率达到约60%,据实验结果推测出黄铁矿光化学氧化MC-LR的两条反应途径.     

低碳经济下的智能用电技术与环境安全

智能用电作为建设坚强智能电网的重要组成部分,具有高度的自动化水平和很强的自愈能力。采用智能用电技术可以将各种分布式再生能源迅速接入电网,对环境安全具有重要的促进作用。通过介绍智能用电这一新技术的发展现状和及其关键技术,从能源防御体系、土地利用和电力生产等方面对智能用电与环境安全之间的关系进行了分析。采用智能用电技术可以减少碳排放,提高用电系统的抗击灾害能力,保护环境、集约利用土地,是环境安全体系中非常重要的组成环节。