Using nighttime light data to estimate water evaporation inside buildings in China's urban areas

Urbanization has a great impact on urban evapotranspiration. Water evaporation inside buildings is an important part of urban water vapor resources and a crucial core of urban hydrological processes. The systematic studies on building water evaporation (BWE) are mostly the method of experimental monitoring. This study proposed a new method to simulate and estimate water evaporation flux inside buildings in urban areas. Based on the nighttime light data and urban per capita gross domestic product (GDP), a new modeling system was built to simulate the total BWE. Building area was calculated using the nighttime light data. And the BWE coefficient D_f was estimated according to the important indicator of economic development per capita GDP value. Then the water evaporation inside urban buildings and the spatial distribution of water evaporation inside buildings in typical cities could be obtained. The results showed that the total amount of water evaporation inside buildings in China's urban areas was 24.5 billion m³. Among the 31 provincial capitals in China, Shanghai had the largest BWE of 1.08 billion m³. The minimum water evaporation of buildings in Lhasa was 20.0 million m³. Studies of BWE can assess urban water budgets, support on-demand allocation of water resources, and provide a fundamental understanding of the relationship between water resources and energy heat island effects in urban areas.     

Elemental analysis of the edible fruit of Carpobrotus dimidiatus (from Kwazulu-Natal,South Africa) and the influence of soil quality on its elemental uptake

Abstract

Carpobrotus dimidiatus is an indigenous South African medicinal plant species from the Aizoaceae family that bears edible fruit that is consumed for nutritional value. In this study, the elemental distribution in C. dimidiatus fruit and growth soil from fifteen sites in KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa) was determined along with soil pH, soil organic matter and cation exchange capacity, to assess for nutritional value and the effect of soil quality on elemental uptake. The results showed elemental concentrations in fruit to be in decreasing order of Ca (6235–32755?mg kg^?1) > Mg (2250–5262?mg kg^?1) > Fe?>?Mn?>?Zn (20.9–50.6?mg kg^?1) > Cu (3.83–20.6?mg kg^?1) > Pb?>?Cr?>?Cd?>?As?～?Co?～?Ni?～?Se and no potential health risk due to metal toxicity from average consumption. For sites that had high levels of Cd and Pb, bioaccumulation occurred from atmospheric deposition. Concentrations of elements in soil were found to be in decreasing order of Fe (1059–63747?mg kg^?1) > Ca (1048–41475?mg kg^?1) > Mg?>?Mn (9.76–174?mg kg^?1) > Cr (1.55–135?mg kg^?1) > Zn (0.76–58.2?mg kg^?1) > Se?>?Cu?>?Ni?>?Pb?>?Co?>?As?～?Cd with no evidence of heavy metal contamination. This study revealed that the plant inherently controlled uptake of essential elements according to physiological needs and that the concentrations of essential elements in the fruit could contribute positively to the diet.     

张家口地区枯水期地下水水化学特征及其成因机制分析

为更好支撑首都水源涵养功能区和生态环境支撑区建设,开展张家口地区枯水期地下水水化学特征及其形成机制研究,对地下水资源合理开发利用具有重要参考意义.采集41组地下水样品,运用描述性统计分析、Piper三线图、相关性分析、Gibbs图及离子比值等方法,分析了研究区地下水水化学类型、组成特征和控制因素.结果表明,研究区地下水整体呈弱碱性,总硬度变化范围为105.00~1 433.00 mg·L^-1,ρ（TDS）变化范围在137.00~2 286.00 mg·L^-1,坝上地区地下水中总硬度和TDS质量浓度均高于坝下地区.研究区地下水中HCO₃^-和Na⁺为主要优势阴、阳离子.地下水中主要组分超标率最高的为总硬度,超标率为36.59%,坝上地区地下水中各组分的超标率和最大超标倍数均大于坝下地区.研究区地下水水化学类型以HCO₃-Ca·Mg·Na型为主,坝上地区和坝下地区水化学类型差异较小,SO₄^2-、Cl^-、HCO₃^-、Na⁺和Mg²⁺对TDS的贡献最大.地下水水化学特征受盐岩、钠长石和白云岩等岩石矿物风化溶滤作用、阳离子交换作用和人类活动的共同影响,蒸发结晶和大气降水对研究区地下水主要离子来源贡献较小.坝上地区地下水受人类活动影响要大于坝下地区,其中NO₃^-主要来源于农业活动.     

长江下游典型水域湿地近百年变化分析

湿地是水域和陆地系统交互接壤地带形成的一种特殊类型的生态系统,具有十分重要的生态服务功能。长江中下游地区分布着以湖泊和河流湿地为主的大面积湿地,同时也是人口密集区,水域湿地在近百年发生了巨大变化。选择长江下游太湖平原上的典型湿地为例,根据历史史料记载和近代精确的地形图、遥感资料,首次得出了研究区近百年水域湿地的精确面积和空间分布状况,并对影响其变化的因素进行了分析。对揭示长江下游湿地环境的变化规律做了有益的探索。     

An Overall Index of Environmental Quality in Coal Mining Areas and Energy Facilities

An approach to measuring environmental quality and trends in coal mining and industrial areas was attempted in this work. For this purpose, the establishment of a reference scale characterizing the status of environmental quality is proposed by developing an Environmental Quality Index (EQI). The methodology involves three main components: social research, the opinion of environmental experts, and the combination of new or existing indices. A survey of public opinion was carried out to identify the main environmental problems in the region of interest. Environmental experts carried out a survey, and the weights of specific environmental problems were obtained through a fuzzy Delphi method and pairwise comparison. The weight attributed to each environmental problem was computed, using new or existing indices (subindices) in the relevant literature. The EQI comprises a combination of the subindices with their own weights. The methodology was applied to a heavily industrialized coal basin in northwestern Macedonia, Greece. The results show that the new index may be used as a reliable tool for evaluating environmental quality in different areas. In addition, the study of EQI trends on an interannual basis can provide useful information on the efficiency of environmental policies already implemented by the responsible authorities.     

Evaluation of anthropogenic atmospheric inputs on US national park ecosystems

It is estimated that more than half the threats to national park resources originate outside park boundaries, and most threats are attributable to degradation of air and water quality. Atmospheric contaminants are the principal source of external threats to national park ecosystems. This article examines the potential impact to national park resources by anthropic atmospheric inputs and summarizes present research methods and results regarding impacts. Air quality monitoring currently receives much more emphasis and support than effects research. Present research on effects focuses on vegetation impact, biomonitoring, and acid rain. This research and that of other investigators suggest that the most likely impacts will not be direct cause-effect situations, but indirect, incremental, and possibly synergistic effects on the interactions of ecosystem components. Conceptually, such alteration of interactions can be measured through long-term observation of biogeochemical cycles, energy transfer, and community structure and function. But traditional Park Service research has not emphasized the ecosystem and especially ecosystem processes and component interactions. Most research on effects, then, must begin with baseline data acquisition. A research program to mitigate present national data base deficiencies would require a fundamental change in present research priorities, administration, and funding.     

SUITABILITY ANALYSIS FOR SELECTION OF PIPELINE ROUTES1

ABSTRACT: A brief review of environmental assessment methods is presented as an introduction to a study of environmental management problems in a coastal area of southern Louisiana. The assessment method used in the study is called suitability analysis and involves the use of matrices. The matrix approach is simply a convenient method for organizing all factors representing environmental concerns in a region. The matrices proved to be very useful in defining the present state of an environmental regime and in maintaining an inventory of regional features and potential impacts. The method is described in detail and illustrated by evaluating the potential impacts of a major pipeline construction job in the area. Of major concern is the potential impact on the water resources of the region. Disruption to the natural drainage could be detremental, and affect the suitability of available water for a given use. Limitations of the method are discussed and potential areas for improvement and research are noted. Coupled with an economic assessment, the suitability analysis method should prove beneficial for selecting development sites for industries, residential areas, and other construction activities.     

FOCUSED AND DIFFUSE PATTERNS OF AQUATIC RECREATION BEHAVIOR1

ABSTRACT: Recreation behavior can be examined by identifying characteristics of participants, activities, and places. Two distinct houschold types (social groups) were examined relative to their participation in water based recreation: households whose participation occurs exclusively in water based recreation, and those reporting participation in both water and nonwater activities. These households were compared in terms of preference for and specialization in water recreation, the relationship of water activity selected and resource (place) preference and intensity of participation in water activities. Attention by managers, planners, and social scientists to the interplay of participant group, activity, and place upon behavioral outcomes is important to the future development of recreation opportunities. It is one thing to design a facility for water based recreation; it is another to design a facility knowing the behavioral outcomes occurring and how they will be affected. Similarly, to implement a management strategy without knowing how behavior of participants will be modified as a result of the strategy can lead to failure of the management objective.     

黄河口滨岸潮滩湿地泥沙沉积及外源镉Cd输入对碱蓬物质量分配及抗氧化酶活性的影响

近年来黄河三角洲面临退化等的生态问题,调水调沙为湿地补充淡水恢复退化湿地的同时,也改变了沉积环境,并带来大量外源重金属,从而对植被生长产生影响.为此本文选择黄河口滨岸潮滩湿地先锋植被碱蓬(Suaeda salsa)为研究对象,基于微区试验研究了不同泥沙沉积深度(0、3、6、12 cm)及不同Cd输入量(0、0.5、1.0、1.5 mg·kg~(-1))对碱蓬物质量分配及抗氧化酶活性的影响.结果表明:适当的浅层埋深叶绿素含量高,利于碱蓬生长,而过量的埋深叶绿素含量低,并对碱蓬生长产生抑制作用;随着Cd输入量的增加,碱蓬叶绿素含量和生物量呈现出减小的趋势.泥沙沉积为0 cm、3 cm及Cd输入为0 mg·kg~(-1)、0.5 mg·kg~(-1)时,CAT和SOD活性增强,但随着胁迫的增加,SOD活性减弱,且在最大埋深处理(12 cm)时,大量的Cd输入(1.0 mg·kg~(-1)、1.5 mg·kg~(-1))时CAT活性分别比对照高62.66%和58.56%,CAT活性在最大埋深(12 cm)和最大Cd输入(1.5 mg·kg~(-1))时取得最大值(15.76 U·mg-1).方差分析结果表明Cd输入对碱蓬蛋白含量、CAT和SOD活性具有显著的影响,泥沙埋深对蛋白含量及SOD活性具有显著影响,两者的交互作用对CAT和SOD的影响达到显著水平(P0.05).以上结果表明调水调沙带来的泥沙沉积和外源重金属输入对黄河口滨岸潮滩湿地先锋植被碱蓬生长带来一定的影响,在一定范围内碱蓬也能够通过改变生物量分配及调节体内抗氧化酶活性来适应不同的生存环境.     

短时间高强度旅游活动下洞穴空气环境变化特征及其影响因素分析——以绥阳大风洞为例

文章通过对大风洞2017年、2018年十一"黄金周"洞内外温度、CO_2浓度、相对湿度、游客量等为期7天的连续监测,并运用系统分析方法对各个监测指标进行综合分析。结果表明:(1)监测期间,受洞穴通风效应和游客量等的影响,大风洞空气环境要素(温度、湿度、CO_2浓度)呈现明显昼夜变化,表现为白昼夜晚;(2)洞道结构对洞穴空气环境空间变化具有重要影响,表现为神泉玉露洞道结构较夜明珠更为复杂,在2017年、2018年的温度、湿度、CO_2浓度等均要比夜明珠的高;(3)洞外空气环境变化对洞穴通风效应具有重要的影响,表现为降雨导致洞外温度、湿度降低,虚拟温差发生改变,促使气流方向由限制性通风模式向积极性通风模式转变;(4)受气候及游客因素影响,2017年洞内温度、CO_2浓度的昼夜变化特征较2018年更明显,且当游客产生的CO_2浓度大于洞穴空气环境的自净能力时,CO_2会出现累积效应,进而影响洞穴旅游景观及洞穴环境的舒适性,建议景区在进行旅游活动时要充分考虑短时间尺度游客人数高峰期对CO_2的影响及岩溶景观的合理保护。