Fractionation of plutonium in environmental and bio-shielding concrete samples using dynamic sequential extraction

Fractionation of plutonium isotopes (²³⁸Pu, ^239,240Pu) in environmental samples (i.e. soil and sediment) and bio-shielding concrete from decommissioning of nuclear reactor were carried out by dynamic sequential extraction using an on-line sequential injection (SI) system combined with a specially designed extraction column. Plutonium in the fractions from the sequential extraction was separated by ion exchange chromatography and measured using alpha spectrometry. The analytical results show a higher mobility of plutonium in bio-shielding concrete, which means attention should be paid to the treatment and disposal of nuclear waste from decommissioning.     

Selection and Implementation of a Flagship Fleet in a Locally Undervalued Region of High Endemicity

Flagships are one conservation education tool. We present a proposed flagship species fleet for environmental education in central Chile. Our methods followed recent flagship guidelines. We present our selection process and a detailed justification for the fleet of flagship species that we selected. Our results are a list of eight flagship species forming a flagship fleet, including two small- and medium-sized mammals, the degu (Octodon degus) and the culpeo fox (Lycalopex culpeaus), two birds, the turca (Pteroptochos megapoidius) and the burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia), the Chilean iguana (Calopistes palluma), the tarantula (Grammostola mollicoma), and two trees, the litre (Lithrea caustica) and the espino (Acacia caven). We then describe how these flagships can be deployed most effectively, describing their audience, effective narrative frames, and modes of presentation. We conclude that general selection rules paired with social science background data allow for an efficient selection process.     

Engineered nanomaterials in rivers--exposure scenarios for Switzerland at high spatial and temporal resolution

Probabilistic material flow analysis and graph theory were combined to calculate predicted environmental concentrations (PECs) of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) in Swiss rivers: 543 river sections were used to assess the geographical variability of nano-TiO₂, nano-ZnO and nano-Ag, and flow measurements over a 20-year period at 21 locations served to evaluate temporal variation. A conservative scenario assuming no ENM removal and an optimistic scenario covering complete ENM transformation/deposition were considered. ENM concentrations varied by a factor 5 due to uncertain ENM emissions (15%-85% quantiles of ENM emissions) and up to a factor of 10 due to temporal river flow variations (15%-85% quantiles of flow). The results indicate highly variable local PECs and a location- and time-dependent risk evaluation. Nano-TiO₂ median PECs ranged from 11 to 1′623 ng L⁻¹ (conservative scenario) and from 2 to 1′618 ng L⁻¹ (optimistic scenario). The equivalent values for nano-ZnO and nano-Ag were by factors of 14 and 240 smaller.     

不同培养条件下锰过氧化物酶(MnP)的合成及其对甲基橙的降解

高效、大规模、低成本合成木质素降解酶是直接采用其降解难降解有机污染物所必须解决的问题.对锰过氧化物酶(MnP)降解甲基橙和在非灭菌的反应器中连续合成MnP的可行性进行考察.结果表明,在采用2 mmol H2O2和1.5 mmol MnSO4的降解体系中,获最大脱色效果,且100、200和300 U/L的MnP可在8h内将甲基橙分别脱色18％、23％和35％;在非灭菌的反应器水平上实现了固定化培养的P.chrysosporium连续23 d合成MnP,但MnP酶活仅为2～ 23 U/L,难以酶解甲基橙;然而,在摇瓶培养条件下固定化的P.chrysosporium合成的MnP却能达1 152 U/L.因此,直接采用MnP对污染物进行降解以及在非灭菌的反应器中持续合成MnP是可行的,但就在非灭菌条件下如何提高MnP的合成量还有待开展深入的研究.     

Evaluating the impacts of global environmental assessments

There are currently no widely accepted procedures for comparing the performance of global environmental assessments (GEAs) and this may be a barrier to improving their methodology. To encourage greater self-reflection within the GEA community, it is proposed to introduce consistent evaluation approaches. Two elements from current evaluation practice are reviewed here that could be particularly useful for evaluating GEAs. The first are logic models which provide a transparent visual mapping of how activities in a GEA are intended to have impacts on policies. The second are performance metrics. It is proposed that GEAs adopt two kinds of metrics: (i) A common generic set for use in all GEAs to provide a basis for comparing the performance of GEAs, and (ii) a specific set of measureable metrics for each particular GEA derived from/linked to the generic set. Although many issues arise in applying these and other elements from evaluation theory and practice to GEAs, the potential benefits are greater comparability of GEA performance and new knowledge about how to improve them. This Short Communication is part of a Special Issue on solution-oriented GEAs.     

Solution-oriented global environmental assessments: Opportunities and challenges

This article provides an introduction to the Special Issue dedicated to “Solution-oriented Global Environmental Assessments: Opportunities and Challenges”. In the follow-up to the Paris climate agreement and the adoption and early implementation of the global Sustainable Development Goals involving many synergies and trade-offs, the need to shift the focus from environmental problem analysis towards the exploration of specific solution options can be observed in international environmental governance debates. To remain policy-relevant, credible and legitimate, global environmental assessments (GEAs) must carefully adapt to a rapidly evolving governance landscape. This Special Issue sheds light on the potential utility and implications of increased solution-orientation of GEAs. It builds on the research project “The Future of Global Environmental Assessment Making” that was jointly initiated in 2013 by UN Environment and the Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change. The article collection includes research on the coevolution of GEAs and the increasingly solution-oriented governance context; conditions of success for contemporary GEAs; the treatment of divergent viewpoints, stakes and stakeholders in solution-oriented GEAs; knowledge aggregation; and the enhanced measurement of GEA effectiveness in the emerging governance landscape.     

长江、嘉陵江(重庆段)源水有机提取物的类雌激素活性评价

为了解长江、嘉陵江(重庆段)源水有机提取物的类雌激素活性，分别于夏季和冬季采用GDX—120大孔树脂对位于城区上、中、下游5个断面长江、嘉陵江(重庆段)源水进行有机物的浓缩提取。用体外MCF—7细胞增殖试验检测有机提取物的类雌激素活性。结果显示，源水有机提取物均具有类雌激素活性。其类雌激素活性中、下游均高于上游，丰水期高于枯水期。     

宁波-舟山海域入海污染物环境容量研究

在宁波-舟山海域数值模拟潮流场的基础上,建立了该海域各污染源的响应系数场,计算了主要污染源COD、无机氮和活性磷酸盐的分担率场,及各污染源和控制单元的环境容量.研究结果将为该海域入海污染物总量控制提供科学依据.     

中国淘汰滴滴涕的环境影响分析

目前中国仍在生产滴滴涕(DDT),并以其为原料生产三氯杀螨醇作为杀虫剂使用.为评价淘汰DDT对于中国生态环境的影响,采用情景分析的方法,估算了在采取不同的淘汰策略下土壤中DDT残留浓度的变化,以此来评价淘汰DDT的环境影响.与基线情景相比,三种控制情景下DDT的累积生产量都有不同程度的减少,相应土壤中的残留浓度也有不同的下降,且淘汰的速度越快土壤中DDT浓度下降的幅度越大.