PHYSICAL DETERMINANTS OF ECONOMIC VALUE OF RIPARIAN BUFFERS IN AN AGRICULTURAL WATERSHED1

ABSTRACT: Economic values of riparian buffers in a watershed are evaluated by the changes in the net economic return for farming with and without riparian buffers when achieving the same water quality objectives. The simulated water quality impacts of alternative farming systems using SWAT and experimental data for riparian buffers are used in a mathematical optimization model to estimate net economic return for farming subject to a water quality objective. Physical characteristics such as stream length, channel slope, average land slope, cropland percentage and several soil attributes are identified in the watershed using ARC/INFO GIS. A regression model is then used to evaluate the impacts of these physical characteristics on the estimated economic values of buffers. The study is conducted in Goodwater Creek watershed, Missouri. The results show the estimated economic value of buffers is significantly affected by some soil properties, stream length, and cropland percentage in watershed and can be used to improve the effectiveness of riparian buffers at watershed and regional levels.     

Influence of Restoration Age and Riparian Vegetation on Reach‐Scale Nutrient Retention in Restored Urban Streams

In urban watersheds, stormwater inputs largely bypass the buffering capacity of riparian zones through direct inputs of drainage pipes and lowered groundwater tables. However, vegetation near the stream can still influence instream nutrient transformations via maintenance of streambank stability, input of woody debris, modulation of organic matter sources, and temperature regulation. Stream restoration seeks to mimic many of these functions by engineering channel complexity, grading stream banks to reconnect incised channels, and replanting lost riparian vegetation. The goal of this study was to quantify these effects by measuring nitrate and phosphate uptake in five restored streams in Charlotte and Raleigh, North Carolina, with a range of restoration ages. Using nutrient spiraling methods, uptake velocity of nitrate (0.02‐3.56 mm/min) and phosphate (0.14‐19.1 mm/min) was similar to other urban restored streams and higher than unimpacted forested streams with variability influenced by restoration age and geomorphology. Using a multiple linear regression approach, reach‐scale phosphate uptake was greater in newly restored sites, which was attributed to assimilation by algal biofilms, whereas nitrate uptake was highest in older sites potentially due to greater channel stability and establishment of microbial communities. The patterns we observed highlight the influence of riparian vegetation on energy inputs (e.g., heat, organic matter) and thereby on nutrient retention.     

改造滤岸对城市降雨径流中氮磷去除的中试研究

选择煤渣、锯末、沸石、麦饭石、土壤和马尼拉草构建了城市河岸带改造滤岸中试模型,并对其去除城市降雨径流中氮磷污染物能力进行了研究.结果表明,改造滤岸对表面径流和下渗径流中NH4+-N和TP具有良好的净化效果和较强的去除能力;NH4+-N平均去除率分别为66.5％和83.7％,TP平均去除率分别为42.6％和96.2％,出水水质分别可达国家地表水Ⅳ类和Ⅲ类水标准,模型稳定后对表层径流和下渗径流中TN的去除率可达20％左右;模型对NH4+-N、TN和TP的处理负荷分别为634.1～1114.5 mg-m-2·h-1、102.2 ～594.2mg· m-2·h-1和20.6～ 209.0 mg·m-2· h-1,表面径流大于下渗径流.模型内碳源(锯末)以及其他介质的添加虽然能够提高氮的转化能力,但也会影响模型对TN的去除率;下凹断面和末端断面对氮磷的去除率和去除负荷间存在一定的差异,但随着模型的稳定其差异逐渐降低.模型对氮磷的处理负荷与入水氮磷浓度呈显著正相关,说明模型具有一定的抗冲击能力.     

中国八大经济区GPP变化及影响因子协同机制

以中国和八大综合经济区为研究区,全面分析人文因子、土地利用类型、气候因子和地形因子对植被总初级生产力(GPP)空间分异的影响差异.利用MODIS GPP数据、气象数据、土地利用类型、DEM数据、夜间灯光和人口密度数据等,基于Theil-Sen Median趋势分析、Mann-Kendall显著性检验和地理探测器模型,在全国和经济区尺度上分析2000～2020年植被GPP时空变化特征,探测植被空间分异的影响因子及影响因子间的协同机制.结果表明,2000～2020年中国及八大经济区植被GPP整体呈波动上升趋势,呈上升趋势的区域占总面积的84.46%,其中,呈极显著上升区域占19.86%,主要分布在黄河中游综合经济区中部和大西北综合经济区东部.影响因子探测结果表明,湿度、日照时数、降水和土地利用类型是中国植被GPP空间分异的主要影响因子,其中,湿度的影响力最高,q值为0.64.经济区尺度上,湿度、日照时数、降水是影响东北、黄河中游、大西南和大西北综合经济区植被GPP空间分异的主导因子,而人文因子对东部和南部沿海综合经济区植被空间分异的影响较大.交互作用探测结果表明,中国植被GPP空间分异主要...     

丹江口库区库滨带植被土壤细菌群落多样性及PICRUSt功能预测分析

微生物是土壤元素生物地球化学循环的主要驱动力,目前库滨带植物截留和消减污染物质过程中细菌群落及其功能研究尚未清楚.本研究选取适宜丹江口库区库滨带生长的4种典型植物(草本植物香根草、芦苇、乔木植物杜梨和灌木植物假奓包叶),采用16S r DNA Miseq高通量测序技术研究根际细菌群落组成,发现其主要由变形菌门、拟杆菌门、放线菌门等31个门、343个属的细菌组成,表现出群落组成的丰富性.细菌群落分析表明香根草和芦苇细菌群落结构较为相似,但和杜梨细菌群落结构差异最大.PICRUSt功能预测分析表明,库滨带植物根际细菌主要涉及次生产物代谢的生物合成、转录、多糖生物合成和代谢、细胞生长和死亡等38个子功能,表现出功能上的丰富性.库滨带植物根际细菌代谢能力整体趋势为假奓包叶芦苇香根草杜梨.本研究初步探讨了丹江口库区库滨带不同植物根际细菌群落和功能,为丹江口水库库滨带植被构建及其水环境保护提供了参考依据.     

LNG accident dynamic simulation: Application for hazardous consequence reduction

The evaluation of exclusion (hazard) zones around the LNG stations is essential for risk assessment in LNG industry. In this study, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations have been conducted for the two potential hazards, LNG flammable vapor dispersion and LNG pool fire radiation, respectively, to evaluate the exclusion zones. The spatial and temporal distribution of hazard in complex spill scenario has been taken into account in the CFD model. Experimental data from Falcon and Montoir field tests have been used to validate the simulation results. With the valid CFD model, the mitigation of the vapor dispersion with spray water curtains and the pool fire with high expansion foam were investigated. The spray water curtains were studied as a shield to prevent LNG vapor dispersing, and two types of water spray curtain, flat and cone, were analyzed to show their performance for reduction and minimization of the hazard influencing distance and area. The high expansion foam firefighting process was studied with dynamic simulation of the foam action, and the characteristics of the foam action on the reduction of LNG vaporization rate, vapor cloud and flame size as well as the thermal radiation hazard were analyzed and discussed.     

Tamarix and Diorhabda Leaf Beetle Interactions: Implications for Tamarix Water Use and Riparian Habitat

Tamarix leaf beetles (Diorhabda carinulata) have been widely released on western United States rivers to control introduced shrubs in the genus Tamarix, with the goals of saving water through removal of an assumed high water‐use plant, and of improving habitat value by removing a competitor of native riparian trees. We review recent studies addressing three questions: (1) to what extent are Tamarix weakened or killed by recurrent cycles of defoliation; (2) can significant water salvage be expected from defoliation; and (3) what are the effects of defoliation on riparian ecology, particularly on avian habit? Defoliation has been patchy at many sites, and shrubs at some sites recover each year even after multiple years of defoliation. Tamarix evapotranspiration (ET) is much lower than originally assumed in estimates of potential water savings, and are the same or lower than possible replacement plants. There is concern that the endangered southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax trailli extimus) will be negatively affected by defoliation because the birds build nests early in the season when Tamarix is still green, but are still on their nests during the period of summer defoliation. Affected river systems will require continued monitoring and development of adaptive management practices to maintain or enhance riparian habitat values. Multiplatform remote sensing methods are playing an essential role in monitoring defoliation and rates of ET on affected river systems.     

Environmental management policy in a coastal tourism municipality: the case study of Cervia (Italy)

The sustainability concept applied to human activities implies the need to harmonise the protection of environment with a satisfactory economic and social development. This is particularly true for tourism development: a misuse of the natural resources can cause a degradation of the tourist appeal of the destination, bringing it finally to its economic decline. This problem is particularly important in coastal tourism destinations. The implementation of an environmental management system is a powerful way for progressing towards better environmental performances. In this paper, the main results obtained in applying the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme procedure to the municipality of Cervia, a well-known tourist destination located on the Adriatic coast of Italy are described. This research puts into evidence that the main environmental pressures in the summer season are related to the supply of potable water, the production of solid wastes and wastewater air pollution and noise, etc. However, if correctly planned and managed, tourism can also contribute to environmental protection, to the conservation of biodiversity and to a sustainable use of natural resources.     

长江汉口边滩防洪及环境综合治理的研究

武汉市国管院批准的防洪重点城市，长江武汉河段是重点治理河段之一。该河段河道演变复杂，洲滩冲淤，是影响主流，航道变迁及汛期泄洪。左岸汉口边滩上密集的房屋，杂乱无序，成为行洪障碍及污染污染源，破坏环境及景观。市政府决定实施防洪及环境综合治理，该工程属省，部级重大科研项目。从定，动床河工模型试验及环境保护进行分析研究。定床试验，研究工程实施后，本河段的水位，流速，流态及天兴洲左右汊分流比的变化；动床试验，研究在不同典型水文年条件下的河势，河道冲淤变化及疏浚区的回淤回，为治理方案的优化比选及工程决策提供科学依据。这是长江干流滨江城市河道整治的先声，是城市规划建设中环境保护工程实施的首例，意义非常和重大。     

蓄滞洪区可持续发展评价指标体系及案例研究

本文以蓄滞洪区复合系统为评价对象，在对相关子系统进行综合分析的基础上，设计了可持续发展评价指标体系，并以洪湖蓄滞洪区为实例，对其发展资本、发展水平、防洪情势和综合发展度进行了评价，分析了洪湖蓄滞洪区各个子系统之间的协调关系。评价结果表明：洪湖蓄滞洪区的发展资本和发展水平都处于比较良好的状态，防洪情势为风险型，是洪湖蓄滞洪区可持续发展的制约因素。洪湖蓄滞洪区实现可持续发展的重点是解决社会经济与防洪子系统之间的矛盾，加强防洪子系统的发展，改善社会经济结构，同时注意保护和利用环境。