A prediction-based approach to modelling temporal and spatial variability of traffic-related air pollution in Montreal, Canada

Concentrations of traffic-related air pollution can be highly variable at the local scale and can have substantial seasonal variability. This study was designed to provide estimates of intra-urban concentrations of ambient nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) in Montreal, Canada, that would be used subsequently in health studies of chronic diseases and long-term exposures to traffic-related air pollution. We measured concentrations of NO₂ at 133 locations in Montreal with passive diffusion samplers in three seasons during 2005 and 2006. We then used land use regression, a proven statistical prediction method for describing spatial patterns of air pollution, to develop separate estimates of spatial variability across the city by regressing NO₂ against available land-use variables in each of these three periods. We also developed a “pooled” model across these sampling periods to provide an estimate of an annual average. Our modelling strategy was to develop a predictive model that maximized the model R². This strategy is different from other strategies whose goal is to identify causal relationships between predictors and concentrations of NO₂.Observed concentrations of NO₂ ranged from 2.6 ppb to 31.5 ppb, with mean values of 12.6 ppb in December 2005, 14.0 ppb in May 2006, and 8.9 ppb in August 2006. The greatest variability was observed during May. Concentrations of NO₂ were highest downtown and near major highways, and they were lowest in the western part of the city. Our pooled model explained approximately 80% of the variability in concentrations of NO₂. Although there were differences in concentrations of NO₂ between the three sampling periods, we found that the spatial variability did not vary significantly across the three sampling periods and that the pooled model was representative of mean annual spatial patterns.     

Regional trends in soil acidification and exchangeable metal concentrations in relation to acid deposition rates

The deposition of high levels of reactive nitrogen (N) and sulphur (S), or the legacy of that deposition, remain among the world's most important environmental problems. Although regional impacts of acid deposition in aquatic ecosystems have been well documented, quantitative evidence of wide-scale impacts on terrestrial ecosystems is not common. In this study we analysed surface and subsoil chemistry of 68 acid grassland sites across the UK along a gradient of acid deposition, and statistically related the concentrations of exchangeable soil metals (1 M KCl extraction) to a range of potential drivers. The deposition of N, S or acid deposition was the primary correlate for 8 of 13 exchangeable metals measured in the topsoil and 5 of 14 exchangeable metals in the subsoil. In particular, exchangeable aluminium and lead both show increased levels above a soil pH threshold of about 4.5, strongly related to the deposition flux of acid compounds.     

Responses of herbaceous plants to urban air pollution: Effects on growth, phenology and leaf surface characteristics

Vehicle exhaust emissions are a dominant feature of urban environments and are widely believed to have detrimental effects on plants. The effects of diesel exhaust emissions on 12 herbaceous species were studied with respect to growth, flower development, leaf senescence and leaf surface wax characteristics. A diesel generator was used to produce concentrations of nitrogen oxides (NO_x) representative of urban conditions, in solardome chambers. Annual mean NO_x concentrations ranged from 77 nl l^−l to 98 nl l⁻¹, with NO:NO₂ ratios of 1.4-2.2, providing a good experimental simulation of polluted roadside environments. Pollutant exposure resulted in species-specific changes in growth and phenology, with a consistent trend for accelerated senescence and delayed flowering. Leaf surface characteristics were also affected; contact angle measurements indicated changes in surface wax structure following pollutant exposure. The study demonstrated clearly the potential for realistic levels of vehicle exhaust pollution to have direct adverse effects on urban vegetation.     

Cu and Zn mobilization in soil columns percolated by different irrigation solutions

We investigated the effects of different concentrations of nitrate and ammonium in irrigation water on the mobilization of Zn and Cu in repacked soil columns with a metal-polluted topsoil and unpolluted subsoils over two and a half years. Soil solution samples were collected by suction cups installed at vertical distances of a few centimeters and analyzed for dissolved organic carbon (DOC), Cu, and Zn (total and labile). During high N treatments the pH decreased and the presence of exchangeable cations resulted in Zn mobilization from the surface soil. The nitrogen input stimulated the biological activity, which affected both concentration and characteristics of DOC and consequently Cu speciation. Metal leaching through the boundary between the polluted topsoil and the unpolluted subsoils increased soil-bound and dissolved metals within the uppermost 2 cm in the subsoils. Our study shows that agricultural activities involving nitrogen fertilization can have a strong influence on metal leaching and speciation.     

How do long-term development and periodical changes of river-floodplain systems affect the fate of contaminants? Results from European rivers

In many densely populated areas, riverine floodplains have been strongly impacted and degraded by river channelization and flood protection dikes. Floodplains act as buffers for flood water and as filters for nutrients and pollutants carried with river water and sediment from upstream source areas. Based on results of the EU-funded “AquaTerra” project (2004-2009), we analyze changes in the dynamics of European river-floodplain systems over different temporal scales and assess their effects on contaminant behaviour and ecosystem functioning. We find that human-induced changes in the hydrologic regime of rivers have direct and severe consequences on nutrient cycling and contaminant retention in adjacent floodplains. We point out the complex interactions of contaminants with nutrient availability and other physico-chemical characteristics (pH, organic matter) in determining ecotoxicity and habitat quality, and draw conclusions for improved floodplain management.     

Interactive effects of nitrogen deposition and fire on plant and soil chemistry in an alpine heathland

The response of alpine heathland vegetation and soil chemistry to N additions of 0, 10, 20 and 50 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ in combination with simulated accidental fire (+/−) was monitored over a 5-year period. N addition caused rapid and significant increases in plant tissue N content and N:P and N:K of Calluna vulgaris, suggesting increasing phosphorus and potassium limitation of growth. Soil C:N declined significantly with N addition, indicating N saturation and increasing likelihood of N leakage. Fire further decreased soil C:N and reduced potential for sequestration of additional N. This study shows that alpine heathlands, which occupy the headwaters of many rivers, have limited potential to retain deposited N and may rapidly become N saturated, leaking N into downstream communities and surface waters.     

水质总氮测定中影响因素分析

通过大量水质中总氮的测定实践，总结出蒸馏水纯度、加热氧化时间、试剂纯度及储存时间、波长的准确定位以及实验室环境等因素均会对测定结果的准确性产生影响。对以上影响因素进行逐一分析和实验对比，提出改进建议，以减少分析误差提高测试准确性。     

城市污水灌溉对地下水水质的影响分析

污水灌溉在一定程度上能缓解水资源紧张的局面，对保护水资源有一定的益处，又能给农作物带来养分，增加产量。利用河海大学水资源开发利用国家专业实验室的汉王野外基地一汉王试验站，选择以生活污水为主的奎河污水为灌溉水源，通过田间污水灌溉模拟实验，探讨了污染物质在土壤及地下水中的转化规律，为充分利用土地污水处理系统、科学地指导污水灌溉具有实际意义，为污灌的科学管理提供依据。     

高浓度含氮废水生物脱氮新工艺研究

采用厌氧氨氧化-UASB工艺处理高浓度含氮废水,这是一种全新的生物脱氮工艺。厌氧氨氧化-UASB反应器、厌氧氨氧化-UASB-生物膜反应器在相同的进水条件和温控条件下稳定运行,实现了对氮素的持续去除能力,NH4^＋-N、NO2^--N、TN去除率分别保持在99．9％、99．9％、90．0％以上,稳定运行阶段出水pH值均保持在8．5附近。NH4^＋-N去除量与NO2^--N去除量、NO2^--N生成量的比值可以指示厌氧氨氧化反应器性能的演变。ANAMMOX菌在生长过程中需消耗碱度,因此反应器内pH值的变化可以反映生物反应的相对强度。生物膜的培养有利于ANAMIVIOX菌积累,UASB-生物膜反应器运行效果明显优于不具有生物膜的普通UASB反应器。     

农业非点源氮污染研究进展分析

概述了非点源污染的概念、特征及非点源氮素对水环境的影响,阐述了两种形态的非点源氮素NH+4-N和NO-3-N的迁移机理、流失途径(地表径流和渗漏淋失)及其自然和人为影响因素;非点源污染负荷定量计算的方法,及计算非点源污染负荷模型的发展趋势。提出了控制农田非点源氮素的措施。