Role of the floodplain lakes in the methylmercury distribution and exchanges with the Amazon River, Brazil

Seasonal variability of dissolved and particulate methylmercury(F-MeHg, P-MeHg) concentrations was studied in the waters of the Amazon River and its associated Curuai floodplain during hydrological year 2005–2006, to understand the MeHg exchanges between these aquatic systems. In the oxic white water lakes, with neutral pH, high F-MeHg and P-MeHg concentrations were measured during the rising water stage(0.70 ± 0.37 pmol/L, n = 26) and flood peak(14.19 ± 9.32 pmol/g, n = 7) respectively, when the Amazon River water discharge into the lakes was at its maximum. The lowest mean values were reported during the dry season(0.18 ± 0.07 pmol/L F-MeHg, n = 10 and 1.35 ± 1.24 pmol/g P-MeHg, n = 8), when water and suspended sediments were outflowing from the lakes into the River. In these lakes,the MeHg concentrations were associated to the aluminium and organic carbon/nitrogen changes. In the black water lakes, with acidic pH and reducing conditions, elevated MeHg concentrations were recorded(0.58 ± 0.32 pmol/L F-MeHg, n = 16 and 19.82 ± 15.13 pmol/g PMeHg, n = 6), and correlated with the organic carbon and manganese concentrations. Elevated values of MeHg partition coefficient(4.87 Kd 5.08 log(L/kg) indicate that MeHg is mainly transported associated with the particulate phase. The P-MeHg enrichment detected in all lakes suggests autochthonous MeHg inputs from the sediments into the water column. The MeHg mass balance showed that the Curuai floodplain is not the source of P-MeHg for the Amazon River.     

可靠性强化试验技术在某型伺服作动器研制中的适用性探索

目的探索可靠性强化试验技术在典型机电液一体化产品伺服作动器研制过程中的适用性。方法以某型伺服作动器为研究对象,从故障激发的角度对可靠性强化试验技术的应用进行可行性分析,在响应调查和应力分析的基础上,结合产品的工作特点设计适用于该类伺服作动器的可靠性强化试验方案,包含低温步进应力试验、高温步进应力试验、快速温度循环试验10个循环、振动步进应力试验(包含气锤式三轴向六自由度超高斯随机振动方式及电磁振动台随机振动方式)及综合环境应力试验5个循环,并依此进行试验。结果在快速温度循环试验及综合环境应力试验过程中,均有效地激发出了产品的漏油故障,与相似产品外场暴露的漏油故障模式相吻合。结论可靠性强化试验技术可有效地应用于典型机电液一体化产品伺服作动器的研制过程,设计的可靠性强化试验方案可有效地激发外场出现频率较高的故障,可作为该类产品研制的试验手段之一。     

塘库沉积的137Cs法断代测定三峡库区小流域产沙量

本文以三峡库区重庆忠县黄冲子小流域和工农沟小流域为研究区域,依据塘库修建时间(1955年)、退耕还林工程启动时间(2000年)和~(137)Cs示踪技术,确定了小流域不同时期产沙量及产沙模数,并分析比较了不同小流域的塘库沉积物~(137)Cs含量和产沙模数。研究结果表明,黄冲子小流域和工农沟小流域1955~1963年、1963~2000年、2001~2014年的产沙模数均呈下降趋势,库区小流域生态环境得到明显改善;黄冲子小流域不同时期产沙模数均大于工农沟小流域,工农沟塘库沉积物1963年~(137)Cs峰值和表层泥沙~(137)Cs浓度均小于黄冲子塘库,主要与小流域的土地利用类型以及侵蚀方式有关。在以后的研究中,应该加强库区小流域沟道侵蚀产沙量的定量估算,为长江经济带生态环境建设提供参考依据。     

芦苇植株对湿地温室气体排放的影响及其日变化特征

利用静态箱-气相色谱法对夏季(7月、8月和9月)长江河口湿地芦苇植被CO_2、CH_4和N_2O的叶面通量、茎秆扩散速率以及沉积物通量的日变化进行研究。结果显示,通过芦苇叶片排放的N_2O与CH_4的量分别为2.99μg/(m~2·h)和15.36μg/(m~2·h),CO_2则呈现白天吸收(-120.86 mg/(m~2·h))、夜间排放(69.39 mg/(m~2·h))的特点。芦苇茎秆N_2O、CH_4和CO_2平均扩散速率分别为1.96μg/h、142.45μg/h和10.69 mg/h,沉积物平均排放通量为N_2O 8.18μg/(m~2·h)、CH_41.58 mg/(m~2·h)、CO_2169.66 mg/(m~2·h)。芦苇茎秆和沉积物界面CH_4和CO_2的排放均呈现出明显的"单峰型"昼夜变化规律,其排放峰值集中在日照及温度最高的9:00至15:00。芦苇植株是影响温室气体排放变化的因素之一。芦苇植株在光合作用下吸收CO_2并促进CH_4的排放,而芦苇发达的根系及茎秆是温室气体排放的主要途径。同时,Pearson相关性分析表明温度对芦苇群落CH_4和NO2的排放影响显著,但与CO_2通量的相关性不明显。土壤氧化还原电位对3种气体的排放均有显著影响。     

Desert Water Harvesting to Benefit Wildlife: A Simple, Cheap, And Durable Sub-Surface Water Harvester for Remote Locations

A sub-surface desert water harvester was constructed in the sagebrush steppe habitat of south-central Idaho, U.S.A. The desert water harvester utilizes a buried micro-catchment and three buried storage tanks to augment water for wildlife during the dry season. In this region, mean annual precipitation (MAP) ranges between about 150–250 mm (6″–10″), 70% of which falls during the cold season, November to May. Mid-summer through early autumn, June through October, is the dry portion of the year. During this period, the sub-surface water harvester provides supplemental water for wildlife for 30–90 days, depending upon the precipitation that year. The desert water harvester is constructed with commonly available, “over the counter” materials. The micro-catchment is made of a square-shaped, 20 mL. “PERMALON” polyethylene pond liner (approximately 22.9 m × 22.9 m = 523 m²) buried at a depth of about 60 cm. A PVC pipe connects the harvester with two storage tanks and a drinking trough. The total capacity of the water harvester is about 4777 L (1262 U.S. gallons) which includes three underground storage tanks, a trough and pipes. The drinking trough is refined with an access ramp for birds and small animals. The technology is simple, cheap, and durable and can be adapted to other uses, e.g. drip irrigation, short-term water for small livestock, poultry farming etc. The desert water harvester can be used to concentrate and collect water from precipitation and run-off in semi-arid and arid regions. Water harvested in such a relatively small area will not impact the ground water table but it should help to grow small areas of crops or vegetables to aid villagers in self-sufficiency.     

CTL-12型化学需氧量速测仪与标准法测定CODCr之比较

使用CTL—12型化学需氧量速测仪分析废水化学需氧量，简便、快速，且方法可行，完全能满足环境监测技术要求。     

Trace Metal Concentration in Roadside Surface Soil and Tree Back: A Measurement of Local Atmospheric Pollution in Abuja, Nigeria

Cadmium, copper, lead, nickel and zinc concentrations were analysed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in surface soil and tree bark from different districts of Abuja, Nigeria, in order to determine the atmospheric trace metal input in the area.Elevated concentrations of some of the studied metals were observed in the soil and tree bark samples from the commercial/high traffic areas of the city compared to backgroundvalues. In soil samples, the average concentration of the metals were 0.6±0.4, 18.0±4.0, 281±39, 16±4 and66±23 g g^-1 dry weight for Cd, Cu, Pb, Ni and Zn, respectively, whilst the average concentrations in tree bark were 0.3±0.2, 12±4, 133±32, 13±3 and 61±10 g g^-1 dry weight for Cd, Cu, Pb, Ni and Zn, respectively. The trend in trace metal levels suggested that automobile emissions are a major source of these metals as the highest concentrations of Pb and Zn were recorded in the commercial areas of the city known for their high traffic densities. The levels of metal in the study area were relativelylow compared to levels found in some larger and older cities in various countries worldwide.     

Monitoring of Butter and Ghee (Clarified Butter Fat) for Pesticidal Contamination from Cotton Belt of Haryana, India

Butter (45) and ghee (55) samples were collected from rural and urban areas of cotton growing belt of Haryana and analysed for detecting the residues of organochlorine, synthetic pyrethroid and organophosphate insecticides. The estimation was carried out by using multi residue analytical technique employing GC-ECD and GC-NPD systems equipped with capillary columns. Butter samples were comparatively more contaminated (97%) than ghee (94%), showing more contamination with organochlorine insecticides from urban samples. About 11% samples of butter showed endosulfan residues above MRL value and 2% samples had residues of synthetic pyrethroids and organophosphates each above their respective MRL values. In ghee, residues of HCH & DDT both and of endosulfan exceeded the MRL values in 5 and 20% samples, respectively. Among organophosphates, only chlorpyriphos was detected with 9% samples showing its residue above MRL value. Irrespective of contamination levels, residues above the MRL values were more in ghee. More extensive study covering other agricultural regions/zones of Haryana has been suggested to know the overall scenario of contamination of milk products.     

Evaluation of Water Quality in the Chillán River (Central Chile) Using Physicochemical Parameters and a Modified Water Quality Index

The Chillán River in Central Chile plays a fundamental role in local society, as a source of irrigation and drinking water, and as a sink for urban wastewater. In order to characterize the spatial and temporal variability of surface water quality in the watershed, a Water Quality Index (WQI) was calculated from nine physicochemical parameters, periodically measured at 18 sampling sites (January–November 2000). The results indicated a good water quality in the upper and middle parts of the watershed. Downstream of the City of Chillán, water quality conditions were critical during the dry season, mainly due to the effects of the urban wastewater discharge. On the basis of the results from a Principal Component Analysis (PCA), modifications were introduced into the original WQI to reduce the costs associated with its implementation. WQI_DIR2 and WQI_DIR, which are both based on a laboratory analysis (Chemical Oxygen Demand) and three (pH, temperature and conductivity), respectively, four field measurements (pH, temperature, conductivity and Dissolved Oxygen), adequately reproduce the most important spatial and temporal variations observed with the original index. They are proposed as useful tools for monitoring global water quality trends in this and other, similar agricultural watersheds in the Chilean Central Valley. Possibilities and limitations for the application of the used methodology to watersheds in other parts of the world are discussed.     

Air Pollution and Heat Exposure Study in the Workplace in a Glass Manufacturing Unit in India

Air pollution in the workplace environment due to industrial operation have been found to cause serious occupational health hazard. Similarly, heat stress is still most neglected occupational hazard in the tropical and subtropical countries like India. The hot climate augments the heat exposure close to sources like furnaces. In this study an attempt is made to assess air pollution and heat exposure levels to workers in the workplace environment in glass manufacturing unit located in the State of Gujarat, India. Samples for workplace air quality were collected for SPM, SO₂, NO₂ and CO₂ at eight locations. Results of workplace air quality showed 8-hourly average concentrations of SPM: 165–9118 μg/m³, SO₂: 6–9 μg/m³ and NO₂: 5–42 μg/m³, which were below the threshold limit values of workplace environment. The level of CO₂ in workplace air of the plant was found to be in the range 827–2886 μg/m³, which was below TLV but much higher than the normal concentration for CO₂ in the air (585 mg/m³). Indoor heat exposure was studied near the furnace and at various locations in an industrial complex for glass manufacturing. The heat exposure parameters including the air temperature, the wet bulb temperature, and the globe parameters were measured. The Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), an indicator of heat, exceeded ACGIH TLVs limits most of the time at all the locations in workplace areas. The recommended duration of work and rest have also been estimated.