Characterisation of Organic Matter and Carbon Cycling in Rehabilitated Lignite-rich Mine Soils

Open-cast lignite mining in the Lusatian mining district resulted in rehabilitated mine soils containing up to four organic matter types: (1) recent plant litter, (2) lignite deposited by mining activity, (3) carbonaceous ash particles deposited during amelioration of the lignite-containing parent substrate and (4) airborne carbonaceous particles deposited during contamination. The influence of lignite-derived carbon types on the organic matter development and their role in the soil carbon cycle was unknown. This paper presents the findings obtained during a six year project concerning the impact of lignite on soil organic matter composition and the biogeochemical functioning of the ecosystem. The organic matter development after rehabilitation was followed in a chronosequence of rehabilitated mine soils afforested in 1966, 1981 and 1987. A differentiation of the organic matter types and an evaluation of their role within the ecosystem was achieved by the use of ¹⁴C activity measurements, ¹³C CPMAS NMR spectroscopy and wet chemical analysis of plant litter compounds. The results showed that the amount and degree of decomposition of the recent organic matter derived from plant material of the 30 year old mine soil was similar to natural uncontaminated forest soil which suggests complete rehabilitation of the ecosystem. The decomposition and humification processes were not influenced by the presence of lignite. On the other hand it was shown that lignite, which was thought to be recalcitrant because of its chemical structure, was part of the carbon cycle in these soils. This demonstrates the need to elucidate further the stabilisation mechanisms of organic matter in soils.     

Off-site emergency scenario, a case study from a LPG Bottling Plant

After Bhopal disaster, emergency planning in an industrial area has become inevitable. The off-site emergency plan is an integral part of any major hazard control system. Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapour Explosion (BLEVE) leads to fatal consequences. This paper highlights some salient features of the emergency scenario, which ultimately leads to fireball with enormous pressure wave all around.     

对替代方案编写中应考虑环境风险因素的几点建议

提出替代方案对于环境影响评价工作是非常重要的工作内容,但目前环评中的替代方案往往未考虑环境风险因素,对此本文论述了在替代方案编写过程中应考虑环境风险因素的必要性,并对如何将环境风险因素纳入替代方案的编写过程提出了相关建议.     

王心芳会长在2006年全国环保产业协会工作会议上的讲话(摘录)

中国环境保护产业协会王心芳会长在2006年7月18-19日在北京召开的全国环境保护产业协会工作会议上，就我国环保产业的现状及存在的主要问题、环保产业“十一五”期间面临的形势及“十一五”期间中国环境保护产业协会主要的工作思路做了讲话（本文为讲话摘录）。     

应急预案的形式化描述

为了更好地利用信息技术支持应急管理，将应急预案与应急信息系统有机地关联起来，需要对应急预案进行形式化描述。应急预案形式化描述是建立应急预案理论框架的前提和基础。本文基于对应急预案和应急响应过程的分析，提出对应急预案的描述方法，包括组织结构描述、应急资源描述和应急过程描述。     

城市重大事故应急救援预案研究

根据国家有关法律法规的规定，对城市重大事故进行了界定，阐述了建立城市重大事故应急救援预案的必要性、原则、依据、级别和内容。对应急救援指挥系统、信息系统和安全文化进行了初步探讨.     

城市公共安全规划与灾害应急管理的集成研究

随着城市公共安全理论研究与应用的不断深入,对于安全规划与灾害应急管理的孤立研究已渐露弊端.探讨了研究城市公共安全规划与灾害应急管理的融合模式,剖析了城市公共安全规划的空间范围与应变管理空间需求之间的关系,提出了以整合观和可持续发展观构建城市公共安全规划,以空间观构建城市应急管理机制的设想.在此基础上,根据有效服务范围和资源量,提出了城市各类防救灾设施的规划标准与建构模式,以建立城市救灾单元区域.     

对"十一五"期间加快环保产业结构调整的有关思考

通过介绍“十一五”期间加快进行我国环保产业结构调整的迫切性,提出了应当采取的措施及要处理好的几个关系。     

Societal implications of sustainable energy action plans: from energy modelling to stakeholder learning

This article investigates the potential impact of sustainable energy action plans (SEAPs) on local development through a two-step methodology involving participatory planning and quantitative analysis. The first phase relies on a participatory system mapping (PSM) approach and generates a causal structure at the basis of the urban model. In the second phase, we transform the qualitative map into a system dynamic model which evaluates the effect of the SEAP on social, economic and environmental indicators. This methodology was applied to the case of Cascina Municipality (Italy). Through scenario analysis, we show that some indirect feedback can harm the achievement of the 20% emission reduction target. This process allows the local authority and stakeholders to evaluate the impact of emission reduction policies on CO₂ emissions and local development, thereby generating collective learning on the systemic implications of the plan. We show that this method can enhance the ambition of emission mitigation efforts by small towns.     

Predictive Model of Avian Electrocution Risk on Overhead Power Lines

Electrocution on overhead power structures negatively affects avian populations in diverse ecosystems worldwide, contributes to the endangerment of raptor populations in Europe and Africa, and is a major driver of legal action against electric utilities in North America. We investigated factors associated with avian electrocutions so poles that are likely to electrocute a bird can be identified and retrofitted prior to causing avian mortality. We used historical data from southern California to identify patterns of avian electrocution by voltage, month, and year to identify species most often killed by electrocution in our study area and to develop a predictive model that compared poles where an avian electrocution was known to have occurred (electrocution poles) with poles where no known electrocution occurred (comparison poles). We chose variables that could be quantified by personnel with little training in ornithology or electric systems. Electrocutions were more common at distribution voltages (≤33 kV) and during breeding seasons and were more commonly reported after a retrofitting program began. Red‐tailed Hawks (Buteo jamaicensis) (n = 265) and American Crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos) (n = 258) were the most commonly electrocuted species. In the predictive model, 4 of 14 candidate variables were required to distinguish electrocution poles from comparison poles: number of jumpers (short wires connecting energized equipment), number of primary conductors, presence of grounding, and presence of unforested unpaved areas as the dominant nearby land cover. When tested against a sample of poles not used to build the model, our model distributed poles relatively normally across electrocution‐risk values and identified the average risk as higher for electrocution poles relative to comparison poles. Our model can be used to reduce avian electrocutions through proactive identification and targeting of high‐risk poles for retrofitting. Modelo Predictivo del Riesgo de Electrocución de Aves en Líneas Eléctricas Elevadas