Climate Change and Climate Variability: Adaptations to Reduce Adverse Health Impacts

Global climate change is likely to have a range of consequences for human health as a result of disturbance or weakening of the biosphere's natural or human-managed life support systems. The full range of potential human health impacts of global climate change is diverse and would be distributed differentially spatially and over time. Changes in the mortality toll of heatwaves and changes in the distribution of vector-borne infectious diseases may occur early. The public health consequences of sea level rise and of regional changes in agricultural productivity may not occur (or become apparent) for several decades. Vulnerability is a measure of both sensitivity to climate change and the ability to adapt in anticipation of, or in response to, its impacts. The basic modes of adaptation to climate-induced health hazards are biological, behavioural and social. Adaptation can be undertaken at the individual, community and whole-population levels. Adaptive strategies should not introduce new health hazards. Enhancement of the acknowledged public health infrastructure and intervention programmes is essential to reduce vulnerability to the health impacts of climate change. In the longer-term, fundamental improvements in the social and material conditions of life and in the reduction of inequalities within and between populations are required for sustained reduction in vulnerability to environmental health hazards.     

Phytoremediation of Nickel-Contaminated Soils by Brassica Species

Two Brassica species Brassica juncea and Brassica carinata of the Indian mustard, were grown in an artificially Ni-contaminated soil to study the tolerance and Ni accumulation. Chelating agent, EDTA was applied at the rosette stage for enhancing the metal uptake. Nickel concentration over almost double that in control was observed in both the species with Ni contamination along with EDTA application. Specie B. juncea appeared to be slightly more tolerant and higher accumulator of Ni. In agreement with the earlier reports, the translocation of the pollutant metal to the shoot from the root seemed to be restricted in both of Brassica species at higher rate of Ni application plus EDTA. The results of the present study indicated that B. juncea has the potential to be hyperaccumulator of Ni.     

Rapid shoreline retreat along the Esmeraldas coast, Ecuador: natural and man-induced processes

Along the coast facing the Pacific Ocean in the province of Esmeraldas (Ecuador) one can observe some stretches where a process of rapid erosion is currently in progress. If it is not prevented, it seriously risks compromising the development of any form of utilization. In this paper, which summarizes the observations carried out in three different periods (1989, 1992 and 1999), we express the opinion that this process is the product of two distinct main causes. Along the Atacames bay, which may be considered as the main seaside resort of Quito, the capital of Ecuador, progressive cliff retreat is not only very dangerous for the existing tourist settlements, but also hinders their further development. The shoreline dynamics that seems to be due only to ‘natural’ causes (sea level rising, or the lastEl Niño event) are so active that defence works are not recommended. At Camarones the erosion of the coast is clearly due to the systematic destruction of mangroves by man. Also as a result of the lastEl Niño event, the situation has become alarming and it could rapidly get worse. By means of the present contribution, the Authors intend to attract the attention of the international scientific community upon the processes, not surveyed so far, affecting the ‘weakest’ stretches of the Ecuadorian coast.     

Associations of Decadal to Multidecadal Sea‐Surface Temperature Variability with Upper Colorado River Flow1

Abstract: The relations of decadal to multidecadal (D2M) variability in global sea‐surface temperatures (SSTs) with D2M variability in the flow of the Upper Colorado River Basin (UCRB) are examined for the years 1906‐2003. Results indicate that D2M variability of SSTs in the North Atlantic, North Pacific, tropical Pacific, and Indian Oceans is associated with D2M variability of the UCRB. A principal components analysis (with varimax rotation) of detrended and 11‐year smoothed global SSTs indicates that the two leading rotated principal components (RPCs) explain 56% of the variability in the transformed SST data. The first RPC (RPC1) strongly reflects variability associated with the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation and the second RPC (RPC2) represents variability of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation, the tropical Pacific Ocean, and Indian Ocean SSTs. Results indicate that SSTs in the North Atlantic Ocean (RPC1) explain as much of the D2M variability in global SSTs as does the combination of Indian and Pacific Ocean variability (RPC2). These results suggest that SSTs in all of the oceans have some relation with flow of the UCRB, but the North Atlantic may have the strongest and most consistent association on D2M time scales. Hydroclimatic persistence on these time scales introduces significant nonstationarity in mean annual streamflow, with critical implications for UCRB water resource management.     

Climate change and changes in global precipitation patterns: what do we know?

The objective of this paper is to synthesize the large literature recording changing patterns of precipitation in the observed data, thus indicating that climate change is already a reality. Such a synthesis is required not only for environmental researchers but also for policy makers. The key question is the broad picture at major regional and continental levels. Some interesting conclusions for this survey are emerging. For example, the review shows increased variance of precipitation everywhere. Consistent with this finding, we observe that wet areas become wetter, and dry and arid areas become more so. In addition, the following general changing pattern is emerging: (a) increased precipitation in high latitudes (Northern Hemisphere); (b) reductions in precipitation in China, Australia and the Small Island States in the Pacific; and (c) increased variance in equatorial regions. The changes in the major ocean currents also appear to be affecting precipitation patterns. For example, increased intensity and frequency of El Ni?o and ENSO seem associated with evidence of an observed "dipole" pattern affecting Africa and Asia, although this time series is too short so far. But the changing pattern calls for renewed efforts at adaptation to climate change, as the changing precipitation pattern will also affect the regional availability of food supply.     

FORECASTING DRY SEASON STREAMFLOW ON THE PEACE RIVER AT ARCADIA,FLORIDA, USA1

ABSTRACT: The Peace River at Arcadia, Florida, is a municipal water supply supplement for southwestern Florida. Consequently, probabilities of encountering low flows during the dry season are of critical importance. Since the association between Pacific Ocean sea surface temperatures (SSTs) and seasonal streamflow variability in the southeastern United States is well documented, it is reasonable to generate forecasts based on this information. Here, employing historic records of minimum, mean, and maximum flows during winter (JFM) and spring (AMJ), upper and lower terciles define “above normal,”“normal,” and “below normal” levels of each variable. A probability distribution model describes the likelihood of these seasonal variables conditioned upon Pacific SSTs from the previous summer (JAS). Model calibration is based upon 40 (of 50) years of record employing stratified random sampling to ensure equal representation from each decade. The model is validated against the remaining 10 samples and the process repeated 100 times. Each conditional probability distribution yields varying probabilities of observing flow variables within defined categories. Generally, a warm (cold) Pacific is associated with higher (lower) flows. To test model skill, the forecast is constrained to be the most probable category in each calibration year, with significance tested by chi‐square frequency tables. For all variables, the tables indicate high levels of association between forecast and observed terciles and forecast skill, particularly during winter. During spring the pattern is less clear, possibly due to the variable starting date of the summer rainy season. This simple technique suggests that Pacific SSTs provide a good forecast of low flows.     

生物炭和草酸活化磷矿粉对镉镍复合污染土壤的应用效果

采用室内培养实验,利用生物炭和草酸活化磷矿粉对镉镍复合污染土壤进行修复,比较两者不同配比对土壤重金属镉镍的修复效果及对土壤无机氮和微生物量氮(MBN)转化的影响.结果表明,随着草酸活化磷矿粉和生物炭施用量的增加,土壤p H逐渐增加,镉和镍均由弱酸提取态逐渐向可还原态、可氧化态和残渣态转化,生物有效性降低.其中,C50P3(50 g·kg~(-1)生物炭与3 g·kg~(-1)草酸活化磷矿粉)配施的修复效果最好,弱酸提取态Ni占全量的质量分数降低了37.0%,残渣态Ni增加了14.8%,弱酸提取态Cd含量占全量的质量分数降低了40.2%,残渣态增加了35.2%.施用修复剂40 d后,相较于C0P0(空白对照)处理,C50P0(单施50 g·kg~(-1)生物炭)处理与C0P3(单施3 g·kg~(-1)草酸活化磷矿粉)处理微生物量氮含量均分别增加了1.5倍和1倍;铵态氮含量分别减少了12.5%和6.4%,硝态氮含量分别降低了11.6%和10.2%.综合比较可知,生物炭和草酸活化磷矿粉配施对土壤重金属镉镍复合污染的修复效果要优于单施,且50 g·kg~(-1)生物炭与3 g·kg~(-1)草酸活化磷矿粉(C50P3)配施的修复效果最好,修复剂的加入促进了土壤无机氮向有机氮的转化.     

微波消解－ICP－AES法测底泥中的铜、镍等金属元素

采用微波消解－ICP－AES法测定底泥中的铜、镍等金属元素。通过实验和加标回收率的测定,回收率在88～102％之间。     

Zn/Ni/Cu-BTC强化吸附刚果红性能研究

运用水热合成法制备了一种新型三金属单配体多孔材料Zn/Ni/Cu-BTC,运用氮气吸脱附、扫描电镜、X射线衍射等对材料进行了表征.研究了其常温常压条件下（25℃,1atm）静态吸附刚果红的性能.结果表明,由于三金属不饱和配位点的协同效应导致刚果红在Zn/Ni/Cu-BTC多孔材料上的吸附容量从630mg/g增加到1250mg/g,增加了98.4%.准二级动力学模型和Langmuir吸附模型较好地描述了Zn/Ni/Cu-BTC对刚果红的吸附行为.     

Understanding the electrode reaction process of dechlorination of 2,4-dichlorophenol over Ni/Fe nanoparticles: Effect of pH and 2,4-dichlorophenol concentration

Herein,with the exploitation of iron and nickel electrodes,the 2,4-dichlorophenol(2,4-DCP)dechlorinating processes at the anode and cathode,respectively,were separately studied via various electrochemical techniques(e.g.,Tafel polarization,linear polarization,electrochemical impedance spectroscopy).With this in mind,Ni/Fe nanoparticles were prepared by chemical solution deposition,and utilized to test the dechlorination activities of 2,4-DCP over a bimetallic system.For the iron anode,the results showed that higher 2,4-DCP concentration and solution acidity aggravated the corrosion within the electrode.The charge transfer resistance(R_(ct))values of the iron electrode were 703,473,444,and 437Ω·cm~2 for the initial 2,4-DCP concentrations of0,20,50,and 80 mg/L,respectively.When the bulk pH of the 2,4-DCP solution varied from 3.0,5.0to 7.0,the corresponding R_(ct) values were 315,376,and 444Ω·cm~2,respectively.For the nickel cathode,the reduction current densities on the electrode at-0.75 V(vs.saturated calomel electrode)were 80,106,and 111μA/cm~2,for initial 2,4-DCP concentrations of 40,80,and125 mg/L.The dechlorination experiments demonstrated that when the initial pH of the solution was 7.0,5.0,and 3.0,the dechlorination percentage of 2,4-DCP by Ni/Fe nanoparticles was 62%,69%,and 74%,respectively,which was in line with the electrochemical experiments.10 wt.%Ni loading into Ni/Fe bimetal was affordable and gave a good dechlorination efficiency of 2,4-DCP,and fortunately the Ni/Fe nanoparticles remained comparatively stable in the dechlorination processes at pH 3.0.