IMPACT OF COAL SURFACE MINING ON THREE OHIO WATERSHEDS - SURFACE-WATER HYDROLOGY1

ABSTRACT: A study was conducted to determine the effects of mining and reclaiming originally undisturbed watersheds on surface-water hydrology in three small experimental watersheds in Ohio. Approximately six years of data were collected at each site, with differing lengths of premining (Phase 1), mining and reclamation (Phase 2), and post-reclamation (Phase 3) periods. Mining and reclamation activities showed no consistent pattern iii base-flow, and caused slightly more frequent higher daily flow volumes. Phase 2 activities can cause reductions in seasonal variation in double mass curves compared with Phase 1. Restoration of seasonal variations was noticeably apparent at one site during Phase 3. The responses of the watersheds to rainfall intensities causing larger peak flow rates generally decreased due to mining and reclamation, but tended to exceed responses observed in Phase 1 during Phase 3. Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) curve numbers increased due to mining and reclamation (Phase 2), ranging from 83 to 91. During Phase 3, curve numbers remained approximately constant from Phase 2, ranging from 87 to 91.     

THE ARMA MODELS APPLIED TO THE FLOW OF KARSTIC SPRINGS1

ABSTRACT: Autoregressive moving average (ABMA) models have been applied to study the flow series of the karstic springs of La Villa, Fuente Mayor (Spain), and Aliou (France). The theoretical meaning of the parameters involved in the model upon applying it to a simplified scheme of the emptying of a karstic aquifer is first analyzed. The types of transformations necessary to apply these models to the flow series that lack normality and have strong periodic components are also indicated, as are the advantages of this type of model and the physical significance of the parameters obtained, with respect to the standpoint of hydraulics, ranging from rather homogeneous aquifers (La Villa) to extremely karstic (Aliou), including aquifers with intermediate characteristics (Fuente Mayor).     

Tracking a half century of media reporting on gray wolves

Natural resource and wildlife managers must balance the disparate priorities of a diversity of stakeholders. To manage these priorities, a firm understanding of topics salient to the public is needed. The media often report on issues of importance to the public; therefore, these reports may be a useful measure of public interest. However, efficient methods for distinguishing diverse topics related to a wildlife management issue reported in the media and changes in the salience of those topics have been lacking. We used latent Dirichlet allocation, a Bayesian mixture model, to quantitatively assess the salience of topics surrounding the gray wolf (Canis lupus), which was reintroduced to Idaho (U.S.A.) in 1995. We analyzed articles published from 1960 to 2015 in an Idaho newspaper. We identified 6 distinct topics associated with gray wolves: policy, hunting, biological status, implementation of management, recovery, and human-wolf conflict. The salience of topics pre- and postreintroduction of wolves (1995) and pre- and postdelisting of wolves from the U.S. Endangered Species Act (2009) differed significantly, underscoring that these events were turning points in how issues were being publicly discussed and framed. Articles written by the local reporters were more likely to report on topics regarding conflict between humans and wolves, whereas articles sourced from a national outlet reported more on topics pertaining to wolf policy and biological status. In the context of managing a contentious, far-ranging, and long-lived wildlife species, our methods can help guide the location and timing of a suite of management strategies (e.g., media relation plans and stakeholder engagement) that promote human-wildlife coexistence across different landscapes.     

Targeted Application of Seasonal Load Duration Curves Using Multivariate Analysis in Two Watersheds Flowing Into Lake Houston1

Teague, Aarin, Philip B. Bedient, and Birnur Guven, 2011. Targeted Application of Seasonal Load Duration Curves Using Multivariate Analysis in Two Watersheds Flowing Into Lake Houston. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 47(3):620‐634. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752‐1688.2011.00529.x Abstract: Water quality is a problem in Lake Houston, the primary source of drinking water for the City of Houston, Texas, due to pollutant loads coming from the influent watersheds, including Spring Creek and Cypress Creek. Statistical analysis of the historic water quality data was developed to understand the source characterization and seasonality of the watershed. Multivariate analysis including principal component, cluster, and discriminant analysis provided a custom seasonal assessment of the watersheds so that loading curves may be targeted for season specific pollutant source characterization. The load duration curves have been analyzed using data collected by the U.S. Geologic Survey with corresponding City of Houston water quality data at the sites to characterize the behavior of the pollutant sources and watersheds. Custom seasons were determined for Spring Creek and Cypress Creek watersheds and pollutant source characterization compared between the seasons and watersheds.     

Combined Effects of Levels of Protection and Environmental Variables at Different Spatial Resolutions on Fish Assemblages in a Marine Protected Area

Abstract: The links between species–environment relations and species’ responses to protection are unclear, but the objectives of marine protected areas (MPAs) are most likely to be achieved when those relations are known and inform MPA design. The components of a species’ habitat vary with the spatial resolution of the area considered. We characterized areas at two resolutions: 250 m² (transect) and approximately 30,000 m² (seascape). We considered three categories of environmental variables: substrate type, bottom complexity, and depth. We sought to determine at which resolution habitat characteristics were a better predictor of abundance and species composition of fishes and whether the relations with environmental variables at either resolution affected species’ responses to protection. Habitat features accounted for a larger proportion of spatial variation in species composition and abundances than differences in protection status. This spatial variation was explained best by habitat characteristics at the seascape level than at the transect level. Species’ responses to protected areas were specific to particular seascape characteristics, primarily depth, and bottom complexity. Our method may be useful for prioritizing marine areas for protection, designing MPAs, and monitoring their effectiveness. It identified areas that provided natural shelter, areas acting as buffer zones, and areas where fish species were most responsive to protection. The identification of such areas is necessary for cost‐effective establishment and monitoring of MPAs.     

供水管网铁释放的影响因素相对重要性分析

供水管网的铁释放问题近年来日益受到关注.影响供水管网铁释放的因素众多,本研究选取了pH、溶解氧(DO)、碱度(Alk)、硬度、氯离子(Cl~-)、硫酸根(SO_4~(2-))、温度(T)和水力停留时间(HRT)这8个影响因素,利用逐步回归和偏相关分析,建立了铁释放的非线性幂指数模型,并用标准化回归系数和偏相关系数比较了这些因素的相对重要性.结果表明,铁释放模型拟合效果良好;用标准化回归系数衡量影响因素相对重要性时,SO_4~(2-)、HRT、Cl~-和T是相对重要的因素,相对重要性排序为SO_4~(2-)≈HRTCl~-T;用偏相关系数衡量时,HRT、SO_4~(2-)、Alk、Cl~-和T是相对重要的因素,排序为HRTSO_4~(2-)AlkCl~-T.综合两种系数的分析结果,HRT、SO_4~(2-)和Cl~-是本研究条件下相对重要的因素,T和Alk的相对重要性视实际情况变动.     

自养脱氮污泥的亚硝化活性恢复策略

为考察自养脱氮污泥亚硝化活性快速恢复的策略,在3个反应器内分别采用不同的方法对经过长期冷冻保存后的污泥进行了恢复活性的研究.其中R1为MBR(膜生物反应器),采用低ρ(DO)(0.30 mg/L)连续流恢复策略;R2为SBR(序批式反应器),采用低ρ(DO)(0.30 mg/L)间歇流恢复策略;R3为SBR,采用低ρ(NH₄+-N)预培养-高曝气-低ρ(DO)运行三阶段的恢复策略.结果表明,R1的恢复时间为46 d,NH₄+-N氧化速率达到4.99 mg/(h·g)(以N计),最终ρ(MLSS)达到5.43 g/L;R2的恢复时间为39 d,NH₄+-N氧化速率达到4.61 mg/(h·g),最终ρ(MLSS)达到4.47 g/L;R3的恢复时间为48 d,NH₄+-N氧化速率达到5.64 mg/(h·g),最终ρ(MLSS)达到5.16 g/L. 3个反应器均能长期抑制亚硝酸盐氧化细菌的活性,使亚硝化稳定运行. 3个反应器中,R3恢复所需时间最长,但污泥活性最好; R1中的污泥活性较低,但是膜组件有效截留了污泥,达到了最高的ρ(MLSS).研究显示,通过厌氧预培养后转为膜生物反应器连续流运行的策略,可有助于污泥的极大保留及污泥活性的最大恢复.      

臭氧污染对不同品种小麦养分吸收与分配的影响

近地层臭氧(O3)污染会危害植物生长,势必间接影响氮素吸收利用.本研究利用开放式臭氧污染(Free-air O3 concentration enrichment,O3FACE)研究平台,研究了大气O3浓度增加(比周围大气高50％)对长江三角洲地区5个冬小麦(Tritcium aestivum L.)主栽品种(扬麦15、扬麦16、烟农19、扬幅麦2号和嘉兴002)的物质积累、氮素吸收与分配的影响.结果显示,O3浓度升高对秸秆和籽粒的影响远大于根系.烟农19、嘉兴002和扬麦16的产量因O3浓度升高而减少,而扬麦15和扬幅麦2号产量则变化不大.扬幅麦2号与嘉兴002的秸秆干物重因O3浓度升高而显著增加,扬麦15与烟农19分别呈增大与降低趋势,而扬麦16则无变化表明O3污染对小麦干物质积累与分配的影响存在品种差异.O3浓度升高影响氮素在小麦根、秸秆和籽粒中的含量与分配趋势,但影响程度因品种而异.O3浓度升高导致扬幅麦2号的总吸氮量显著增加30.6％及烟农19的总吸氮量呈增加趋势,并使嘉兴002的总吸氮量显著降低34.8％及扬麦16总吸氮量呈降低趋势,但扬麦15的总吸氮量则不受影响.除扬麦15外,O3浓度升高具有减少籽粒氮占总氮比例的趋势,表明小麦响应O3污染对氮素吸收与分配调整机制存在品种差异.扬麦16、烟农19和嘉兴002的氮肥偏生产力因O3浓度升高而显著降低,而扬麦15和扬幅麦2号则无明显变化.扬麦16和嘉兴002的氮肥利用率因O3浓度升高显著降低,而扬幅麦2号呈增加趋势,扬麦15、烟农19呈降低趋势.综合来看,小麦扬麦15抗O3污染能力强于其它品种,而嘉兴002则最易遭受臭氧污染危害.评价O3污染对小麦干物质与产量的形成与分配、氮素在植物-土壤系统周转的影响应综合考虑品种差异.     

重庆城口地区下寒武统黑色岩系重金属富集特征及其生态环境效应

重庆城口地区广泛发育有下寒武统黑色岩系。测定了城口地区下寒武统黑色岩系中多金属富集层、黑色岩系岩石及其风化土壤、硅质岩样品中Cr、Co、Ni、Cu、Zn、As、Cd、Sb、Pb含量。结果表明多金属富集层中重金属相对比较富集,其中Cd、Zn、As的富集程度较高,富集系数平均分别为119.67,10.73,7.30。运用地质累积指数法和生态危害指数法评价了重金属的潜在生态环境效应,其中Cd、As的生态危害较大,黑色岩系尤其以多金属富集最为明显,在未来的研究中关注多金属富集层中Cd、As的生态环境效应。     

Population dynamics and regulation in the cave salamander <Emphasis Type="Italic">Speleomantes strinatii</Emphasis>

Time series analysis has been used to evaluate the mechanisms regulating population dynamics of mammals and insects, but has been rarely applied to amphibian populations. In this study, the influence of endogenous (density-dependent) and exogenous (density-independent) factors regulating population dynamics of the terrestrial plethodontid salamander Speleomantes strinatii was analysed by means of time series and multiple regression analyses. During the period 1993–2005, S. strinatii population abundance, estimated by a standardised temporary removal method, displayed relatively low fluctuations, and the autocorrelation function (ACF) analysis showed that the time series had a noncyclic structure. The partial rate correlation function (PRCF) indicated that a strong first-order negative feedback dominated the endogenous dynamics. Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that the only climatic factor influencing population growth rate was the minimum winter temperature. Thus, at least during the study period, endogenous, density-dependent negative feedback was the main factor affecting the growth rate of the salamander population, whereas stochastic environmental variables, such as temperature and rainfall, seemed to play a minor role in regulation. These results stress the importance of considering both exogenous and endogenous factors when analysing amphibian long-term population dynamics.