Geochemical and mineralogical characteristics of elephant geophagic soils in Udawalawe National Park,Sri Lanka

Geophagy or deliberate ingestion of soils was observed among Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) in the Udawalwe National Park, Sri Lanka, for several years. The geochemical and mineralogical composition of the clayey soil layers which are purposefully selected and eaten by elephants in the park were studied, in order to identify the possible reasons for elephant geophagy. The concentrations of major and trace elements were determined by means of X-ray fluorescence spectrometry in 21 soil samples from eight geophagic sites and six soil samples collected from four non-geophagic sites. The mineralogical composition of selected soil samples was investigated using X-ray diffractometry (XRD). These geochemical analyses revealed that geophagic soils in the study areas are deeply weathered and that most of the elements are leached from the soil layers under extreme weathering conditions. The XRD data showed that the soils of the area consisted mainly quartz, feldspar, and the clay minerals kaolinite, Fe-rich illite, and smectite. Although no significant geochemical differences were identified between geophagic and non-geophagic soils, a clear difference was observed in their clay mineralogical content. Soils eaten by elephants are richer in kaolinite and illite than non-geophagic soils, which contain a higher amount of smectite. It is suggested that elephants in Udawalawe National Park ingest soils mainly not to supplement the mineral contents of their forage but to detoxify unpalatable compounds in their diet.     

What makes affirmative action‐based hiring decisions seem (un)fair? A test of an ideological explanation for fairness judgments

Studies show that Whites tend to show the lowest level of support for affirmative action (AA) policies. Opponents of AA often argue that this is because it violates principles of meritocracy. However, self‐interest (based on social identification with those adversely affected) could also explain their opposition. In three studies, we varied whether an Asian or White male is adversely affected by AA to test another explanation; namely, that Whites' fairness judgments are based on both the adversely affected person's race and the fairness evaluator's ideological beliefs. Although we found some support for the meritocratic explanation, this was not sufficient to explain why Whites view AA as (un)fair. Instead, we found strong support for our prediction that Whites who are opposed to equality perceive more unfairness when a White (vs. Asian) was harmed by AA, whereas Whites who endorse egalitarian ideologies perceive the opposite. This finding suggests that neither self‐interest nor meritocratic explanations can fully account for Whites' opposition to AA. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

我国腾冲大气PAHs的可能来源分析

2005年10月22日至2006年10月21日,在云南腾冲一典型背景点进行了每周一次的大气采样,以监测季风期东南亚地区生物质燃烧导致的多环芳烃(PAHs)的输入状况.结果表明,监测期内总PAHs含量为43.1~156ng/m3 (平均值为87.9ng/m3).其中气相PAHs均值为85.8ng/m3,无明显的季节变化;颗粒相PAHs均值为2.35ng/m3,在春季出现显著高值,可能与东南亚生物质燃烧释放的PAHs在南亚季风作用下向腾冲的跨境迁移有关.颗粒相PAHs以毒害性较大的高环PAHs化合物为主,其在偏远地区生态系统中的累积可能带来一定的生态风险.     

内河非溶解性危险化学品泄漏扩散过程影响因素

针对内河中非挥发性危险化学品（危化品）运输船舶的泄漏扩散问题,建立了一种通用数值模拟方法,研究了内河非溶解性危化品泄漏扩散过程的影响因素。结果表明：危化品的密度和黏度对内河危化品泄漏扩散过程的影响相对较小,而水流速率和危化品泄漏速率对危化品泄漏扩散过程的影响较大;水流速率对危化品泄漏扩散过程的影响主要表现在泄漏扩散范围（尤其是泄漏区域长度）方面,而危化品泄漏速率的影响主要表现在泄漏区域宽度、微团数量以及最大微团面积方面。建议应针对丰水期危化品大泄漏量的情况展开监管,并将其作为内河危化品泄漏应急工作的重点。     

Environmental regulation of exploration and mining operations in Asian countries

This paper offers a new perspective on the environmental laws in Asian nations affecting the exploration, mining, and reclamation activities of the mineral resource industry: the perspective of the senior government officials in those countries, whose job is to enforce these new environmental laws. The article presents the results of a 1998 survey of national environmental officials in Asia conducted by the Colorado School of Mines and the Metal Mining Agency of Japan. Officials in 10 diverse countries—Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Mongolia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam—responded to a detailed questionnaire covering applicable laws, agencies, protected areas, covered mineral activities, financial assurance, environmental impact assessment, public involvement, environmental standards, permit and reclamation requirements.
The survey confirms that Asian nations are part of the global trend towards national government regulatory structures that balance mineral development objectives with environmental considerations. The survey also shows developing regulatory systems (some embryonic, some more mature) utilizing a combination of mining and environmental acts, and often an 'insider' perspective of the national officials administering the laws. While that perspective is not without its biases (not least the rigor of enforcement), it may nevertheless be of use in company planning. The emerging regulatory picture contradicts the conventional notion that it is the 'lower' level of regulation in Asia that is attracting foreign direct investment in mining.     

抑制城市内涝的有效措施:雨水资源化

频繁发生的城市内涝灾害,成为城市建设管理工作中讫待解决的的重大问题。地面明流超量、城市大量蓄水场地被侵占、城市路面下渗能力降低是引发内涝的主要原因。城市雨水资源化是从雨水源头做起,增加雨水收集利用量,优化排蓄组合,增大渗透量。既有效地实现雨水资源化,又达到减排与缓排洪水流量,抑制城市内涝的目的。     

The simulation of long-range transport of ¹³⁷Cs from East Asia to Japan in 2002 and 2006

To evaluate the quantities of ¹³⁷Cs from past nuclear tests being transported to and deposited in Japan by naturally-occurring phenomena, the authors developed long-range transport models for ¹³⁷Cs considering Asian dust. The simulation using these models backed the observed recent increase of ¹³⁷Cs deposition along the coast of the Sea of Japan in early spring. For the sake of public safety, it is vital to ascertain whether an increase of radioactive deposition is caused by natural phenomena or a nuclear accident. The observations in recent years have suggested that dust and soil containing ¹³⁷Cs is transported from the regions around Inner Mongolia to Japan by the wind. In this paper, using observation data from the early spring of 2002 and 2006, the authors have found good agreement between the simulations and the measurements. The simulations reproduced the entrainment of ¹³⁷Cs and subsequent transport to Japan caused by strong winds associated with low pressure areas around the Inner Mongolian grasslands. The most likely cause of high-level ¹³⁷Cs deposition over northern Japan during March 2002 was ¹³⁷Cs associated with particles transported at low-altitude (1 km) and subjected to precipitation on the 22nd to 24th.     

宜兴城市内河污染物时空分布及解析

选取宜兴主城区18个典型内河采样点,对NO-3-N、NO-2-N、p H、CODMn、NH+4-N、TN、TP、SS、BOD5、DO、挥发酚、汞、铅及石油类14个主要水质指标进行为期1年的监测,频率为每月1次。采用综合污染指数法、聚类分析及因子分析法,系统解析了宜兴主城区内河水体污染物的时空分布特性。研究结果表明,综合污染指数随季节变化特征较为明显,总体污染程度表现为第三季度第二季度第四季度第一季度;聚类分析结果显示,河道的污染程度从空间上可分为2类(组);对城区内河监测点全年的因子分析提取3个特征因子,分析结果表明,内河河道以氮、磷污染为主导因素。     

干旱区流域生态需水量估算原则分析

运用河流廊道原理 ,提出了生态需水量计算公式。以额济纳地区为例 ,分析研究了该地区不同景观的生态需水量。结果表明 ,河流两岸的乔灌木林和灌丛草甸的生态需水量为 3 .91× 1 0 8m3,占总需水量的 39.388% ,加上河流和湖泊的蒸发耗水量 0 .55×1 0 8m3及河流自身生态用水 ,四者占总需水量的 73 .61 %。可见 ,只要保证了四者的生态需水量 ,即可保证现状河流廊道的基本功能。但从长远来考虑 ,河道的流量要确保抗性最小面积对生态需水量的要求。     

广州市环境空气监测与预警体系在亚运会中的应用

本文以2010年广州亚运会空气质量监测保障为例,从广州市环境空气质量监测网络、空气质量预报、预警体系和环境质量会商及信息发布管理机制等方面,介绍了广州市环境空气监测与预警体系。通过2010年广州亚运会空气质量保障监测实践,证明广州市环境空气监测与预警体系是适应广州环境保护工作发展,并能满足特殊环境空气质量保障目标需求,具有示范作用和可供全国中心城市借鉴的先进的环境空气质量监测与预警体系。