Biomonitoring of Lead in Atmospheric Environment of An Urban Center of the Ganga Plain, India

Monitoring of atmospheric lead from the Dalbergia sissoo treewas undertaken at Lucknow urban centre of the Ganga Plain, India.Atotal of 26 leaf samples were collected in spring, monsoon and winter seasons from 16 sampling sites and was analysed by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry method. Lead concentrations were low in spring season, increased in monsoon to winter seasons and range from 2.1 to 28.2 μg/g (dry wt.). This accumulative response of lead in the tree leaves is directly linked with the exposure time of automobile emission that is considered to be the predominant source for it. Highway localities show higher lead concentrations by a factor of 2 as compared to urban localities. Highest concentration was recorded at Sitapur Road (National Highway No. 24) in winter season. A linear quantitative relationship between urban air-lead levels and lead-in-the Dalbergia sissoo leaves is used to infer the qualitative assessment of present day atmospheric lead pollution. Reported results suggest a drastic reduction in mean lead concentration in Lucknow urban air from 1.32μg/m3 in 1994 to 0.19μg/m3 in 2002. Similarly, mean lead concentration in the tree leaves during winter season also dropped from 17.9 μg/g in 1994 to 8.1 μg/g in 2004. Despite of increasing urban population, urban area, vehicle population and traffic density, the introduction of unleaded-petrol (vehicular fuel) keeps lead level in the urban environment of Lucknow much lower than the past. Like Lucknow, other urban centres of the Ganga Plain are also on way to the exponential increase in pressure of urbanization. An appropriate urban public transport planning is required to provide healthy atmospheric environment for millions of people especially future young generation.     

Sources and Concentrations of Mercury and Selenium In Compartments within the Las Vegas Wash During A Period of Rapid Change

The Las VegasWash, which drains the Las Vegas valley watershed and provides the second largest inflow to Lake Mead, is being dramatically altered with erosion control structures and wetland restoration efforts. The impact of these changes on the cycling and distribution of Hg and Se is of particular interest because of their tendency to bioaccumulate and because of a lack of information on these contaminants in the Wash. In this study, we determined concentrations of Hg and Se in surface water (monthly), groundwater (once) and sediments (quarterly) from strategic locations within and along theWash during 2002 and 2003. The data was used to characterize Se sources and loading into theWash. Samples containing resurfacing groundwater and urban runoff (LW10.75 and Duck Creek) had significantly higher yearly means (13.7 ± 4.4 and 23.8 ± 4.1μg/L, respectively) compared with mainstream samples containing primarily treated wastewater (2.8 ± 0.8μg/L). Investigation of Se in tributaries, street runoff and rain suggest that the source of the elevated Se is likely groundwater seeps located within a relatively narrow geographic band on the southeast side of the valley. Se content of sediments was similar, except for LW10.75 which was rich in organic matter. Hg concentrations in the water and sediments were low, averaging 4±5 ng/L and 34±20 ng/g, dw, respectively. Overall, this study suggests that water quality remains relatively stable despite changes in theWash and managers of developing wetlands should not use tributary water as source water.     

关于建立城市声环境自动监测系统的设想

文章以随机过程“各态历径”理论说明了“定点测量法”与“网格测量法”的内在联系 ,提出了以城市建成区内各类不同环境功能区为基础进行城市声环境自动监测系统监测点位布设的技术规范设想。     

Impervious Surface Area as a Predictor of the Effects of Urbanization on Stream Insect Communities in Maine, U.S.A.

The influence of urbanization on stream insect communities was determined by comparing physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of streams draining 20 catchments with varyinglevels of urban land-cover in Maine (U.S.A). Percent total impervious surface area (PTIA), which was used to quantify urbanland-use, ranged from 1–31% among the study catchments.Taxonomic richness of stream insect communities showed an abruptdecline as PTIA increased above 6%. Streams draining catchmentswith PTIA < 6% had the highest levels of both total insect and EPT (Ephemeroptera + Plecoptera + Trichoptera) taxonomic richness. These streams contained insect communities with a totalrichness averaging 33 taxa in fall and 31 taxa in spring; EPT richness ranged from an average of 15 taxa in fall and 13 taxa inspring. In contrast, none of the streams draining catchments with6–27% PTIA had a total richness > 18 taxa or an EPT richness> 6 taxa. Insect communities in streams with PTIA > 6% were characterized by the absence of pollution-intolerant taxa. The distribution of more pollution-tolerant taxa (e.g.Acerpenna (Ephemeroptera); Paracapnia, Allocapnia (Plecoptera); Optioservus, Stenelmis (Coleoptera); Hydropsyche, Cheumatopsyche (Trichoptera)), however, showed little relation to PTIA. In contrast to the apparent threshold relationship between PTIA and insect taxonomic richness, both habitat qualityand water quality tended to decline as linear functions of PTIA.Our results indicate that, in Maine, an abrupt change in stream insect community structure occurs at a PTIA above a threshold ofapproximately 6% of total catchment area. The measurement of PTIA may provide a valuable tool for predicting thresholds for adverse effects of urbanization on the health of headwater streams in Maine.     

Possible Routes for Lead Accumulation in Feral Pigeons (Columba Livia)

This study examined possible routes for lead (Pb) accumulation in resident pigeons collected from rural, urban, and four industrial sites in Korea. The accumulation pattern of Pb was comparable to the study sites. The highest Pb concentration was found in the bone, followed by kidney, liver, and lung of pigeons. Highest Pb residues in bones were found in urban (Seoul), and two industrial complex areas (Busan and Ulsan), which were about 15 times higher than rural area (Duckjuk island), and followed by Ansan and Yochon industrial areas. Regional Pb variations in liver, kidney, and lung tissues were also similar pattern with the bone Pb difference. These findings indicate that Pb accumulation in tissues of pigeons may be affected by the Pb exposure in their respective habitats. Crop contents and gizzard materials were investigated as representing the ingested items. No difference of Pb concentration was observed in major foods (maize and/or wheat) of crop contents in the study sites except Busan, whereas variations of Pb levels in gizzard materials were indicative of a similar pattern with tissue Pb differences. The Pb concentration in tissues of pigeons did not correspond well to the atmospheric Pb levels. With regard to possible Pb sources, ingested items especially materials present in the gizzard are important sources for Pb contamination to pigeons because Pb-containing sources may be expected to present in roadside particles, dusts, paint chips and building flakes. However, air Pb value being low may not affect significant as the regional variations in tissues of pigeons.     

济南市局地环流数值预报试验研究

利用多尺度气象耦合模式对济南市城市热岛和山谷风局地环流进行了数值预报试验,其预报和实测日均风速比值总体平均为1.18±0.39,风向差值总体平均为45±30°,温度差值总体平均为0.32±0.25(°C)。     

城市总体规划环境影响评价的探讨

我国城市总体规划的环境影响评价刚刚起步，其研究的技术方法体系还处于探讨阶段，这给城市总体规划环境影响评价的实施带来了理论和实践上的障碍。文中针对城市总体规划设计了评价指标体系，从规划分析、环境影响分析、减缓措施和环境管理计划4方面阐述了评价内容。并对现有的评价技术方法进行了总结。     

发展城市绿色流通的问题及对策研究

发展绿色流通是我国城市治理环境污染的新路径,也是一种既经济又高效的治污新举措。但目前发展城市绿色流通面临着诸多问题,需要树立绿色流通理念,实施绿色经营战略,强化流通企业责任,加快物流社会化建设,加大政府支持力度。     

抚顺市空气环境容量的测算

在建立空气污染物排放清单的基础上，利用ADMS-城市多元扩散模型，采用城市空气质量管理战略初步成果，测算了抚顺市二氧化硫、颗粒物的容量。     

中国城市地震灾害危险度评价

应用中国历史上发生的M≥4的6759条地震信息和2000年中国672个城市的有关信息,采用中国城市近源地震等效震级和城市地震灾害承灾体易损性指数CV,构建了中国城市地震灾害危险度指数W X,并编制了相应的分布图.研究表明:中国41.82%的城市历史上发生过≥4的近源地震.CV高值城市的分布与我国城市群、城市带的分布并不一致.华北地区、台湾岛地区是我国城市高危险度的高密集区,其次是福建广东沿海、云南省、新疆天山山脉等地区.WX值在3.0以上的37个城市应作为国家减轻地震灾害的重点城市.