Effects of landfill gas on subtropical woody plants

An account is given of the influence of landfill gas on tree growth in the field at Gin Drinkers' Bay (GDB) landfill, Hong Kong, and in the laboratory. Ten species (Acacia confusa, Albizzia lebbek, Aporusa chinensis, Bombax malabaricum, Castanopsis fissa, Liquidambar formosana, Litsea glutinosa, Machilus breviflora, Pinus elliottii, andTristania conferta), belonging to eight families, were transplanted to two sites, one with a high concentration of landfill gas in the cover soil (high-gas site, HGS) and the other with a relatively low concentration of gas (low-gas site, LGS). Apart from the gaseous composition, the general soil properties were similar. A strong negative correlation between tree growth and landfill gas concentration was observed. A laboratory study using the simulated landfill gas to fumigate seedlings of the above species showed that the adventitious root growth ofAporusa chinensis, Bombax malabaricum, Machilus breviflora, andTristania confera was stimulated by the gas, with shallow root systems being induced.Acacia confusa, Albizzia lebbek, andLitsea glutinosa were gas-tolerant, while root growth ofCastanopsis fissa, Liquidambar formosana, andPinus elliottii was inhibited. In most cases, shoot growth was not affected, exceptions beingBombax malabaricum, Liquidambar formosana, andTristania conferta, where stunted growth and/or reduced foliation was observed. A very high CO₂ concentration in cover soil limits the depth of the root system. Trees with a shallow root system become very susceptible to water stress. The effects of low O₂ concentration in soil are less important than the effects of high CO₂ concentration.Acacia confusa, Albizzia lebbek, andTristania conferta are suited for growth on subtropical completed landfills mainly due to their gas tolerance and/or drought tolerance.     

CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS ON NEW YORK CITY'S WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM1

ABSTRACT: It has been well established that the greenhouse gas loading of the atmosphere has been increasing since the mid 19th century. Consequently, shifts in the earth's radiative balance are expected with accompanying alterations to the earth's climate. With these anticipated, and perhaps already observable, changes in both global and regional climate, managers of regional water resources seek insight to the possible impacts climate change may have on their present and future water supplies. The types and degrees of impacts that climate change may have on New York City's water supply system were assessed in a study of a watershed at Allaben, New York. Hypothetical scenarios of future climate and climate change projections from three General Circulation Models (GCMs) were used in conjunction with the WatBal hydrological model and the Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) to ascertain how runoff and soil moisture from this watershed may change in a warmer climate. For the worst case predictions, the results indicate that within the century of the 2000s, the watershed's air temperature may increase up to about 11°F, while its precipitation and runoff may decrease by about 13 and 30 percent, respectively. If this watershed is typical of the others within the New York City water supply system, the system's managers should consider implementing mitigation and adaptation strategies in preparation for the worst of these possible future conditions.     

Delivering on the Promise of Agroforestry

Agroforestry – the traditional practice of growing trees on farms for the benefit of the farm family and for the environment – was brought from the realm of indigenous knowledge into the forefront of agricultural research less than two decades ago. It was promoted widely as a sustainability-enhancing practice that combines the best attributes of forestry and agriculture. Based on principles of natural resource management and process-oriented research, agroforestry is now recognized as an applied science, that is instrumental in assuring food security, reducing poverty and enhancing ecosystem resilience at the scale of thousands of smallholder farmers in the tropics.Trees on farms provide both products and services: they yield food, fuelwood, fodder, timber and medicines, which farm families can use at home or take to market to bring in much-needed cash; they replenish organic matter and nutrient levels in soils and they help control erosion and conserve water. The International Centre for Research in Agroforestry, and its partners, are working to integrate the functions of trees with policy and institutional improvements that aim at facilitating wide-scale adoption by farmers.Two examples described in this paper are replenishing soil fertility in sub-Saharan Africa using short-term improved tree and shrub fallows and the results of agroforestry research to support significant land tenure policy in southeast Asia.Although just one option in sustainable land-use, science-based agroforestry has the potential to produce economically, socially and environmentally sound results for the billions of people who depend on this ancient practice and modern science.     

耕地土壤中交换态钙镁铁锰铜锌相关关系研究

应用主成份分析、聚类分析和相关性分析对沈阳市郊区1994个耕地土壤样本(0-20cm)的交换态钙、镁、铁、锰、铜、锌含量进行研究，结果表明，影响钙与镁、铁与锰、铜与锌分布的主因子分别在相同的主成份组中，钙与镁、铁与锰、铜与锌之间的相关系数较大，铁、锰、铜、锌之间均为极显著正相关关系，钙与铁、锰、铜、锌均为负相关关系，说明元素的生物地球化学属性对其地理分布有较大的影响。     

精伊霍铁路工程建设的土壤侵蚀评价

精伊霍铁路所经地区地处西部干旱内陆，生态环境恶劣、脆弱，对人类扰动极其敏感。敦煌铁路的建设必将在一定程度上加剧沿线地区的土壤侵蚀现象。利用遥感与地理信息系统技术，结合野外调查分析结果，编制了精伊霍铁路两侧30k。范围土壤侵蚀现状图。根据铁路沿线土地退化现状和工程建设活动对地表生态系统的影响分析，对施工期土壤侵蚀类型与强度的变化以及工程造成的水土流失总量进行了预测，据此分析了工程可能造成的土地退化危害，并就此提出了相应的防治措施。     

Associations of trace elements in aerosol at the south Adriatic coast

We applied statistical methods to the data of a 5-year sampling period to characterize the features of trace elements in airborne particulate matter at the South Adriatic Coast. The analysis of surface soil samples was also performed. The data were processed by cluster analysis, enrichment factor determination and receptor rose statistics. It is shown that the principal element association consists of Fe, Mn and Ti originating from surface material resuspension. Hg and Se were shown to originate from more complex natural and anthropogenic processes. A strong emission source of Cd and Se was identified in the SSE direction.Selected article from the Regional Symposium on Chemistry and Environment Krusevac, Serbia, June 2003, organized by Dr. Branimir Jovancicevic.     

轻型厂房的几种基础型式经济性比较

针对上部结构荷载不大，场地内回填土较厚且回填时间较长的某一轻型厂房，笔者选择人工挖孔桩，冲击式夯扩桩和换土垫层三种不同的基础施工方案进行比较，在保证强度、刚度、稳定性和严格控制基础沉降的前提下，从不同的角度作出工程技术经济分析，对类似工程具有一定的参考作用．     

刈割对牧草地下部根区土壤养分及土壤酶活性的影响

对不同刈割强度对牧草地下部根区土壤养分状况及土壤酶活性进行了研究,结果表明,牧草刈割对根区土壤养分、土壤酶活性和土壤微生物数量存在一定影响。不同刈割强度对牧草根区土壤有机质、全磷和全钾含量无明显影响。土壤全氮、碱解氮、速效磷、速效钾含量均因刈割强度的增加而显著下降。土壤蔗糖酶、脲酶活性因刈割处理强度的增加而下降;土壤过氧化氢酶活性则表现为相反的变化趋势。刈割对土壤微生物总数量的影响较大,表现为轻刈割>不刈割>重刈割。     

蛭石和沸石对番茄青枯病及土壤微生物的影响

施用沸石于番茄连作地，使番茄青枯病显著减少，但施用蛭石使番茄青枯病加重。施用沸石后土壤微生物生物量显著提高，而蛭石处理对土壤微生物生物量的影响不明显。沸石和蛭石都能提高土壤中真菌、细菌和放线菌的数量和土壤微生物活性，其中沸石处理的土壤高于蛭石处理的土壤。     

LANDSAT MID-INFRARED DATA AND GIS IN REGIONAL SURFACE SOIL-MOISTURE ASSESSMENT1

ABSTRACT: Landsat satellite Thematic Mapper (TM) data were used to assess regional soil moisture conditions. The mid-infrared (MIR) data of TM band 7 were overlain onto four principal land-use categories (Agricultural/Irrigated, Urban/Clearings, Forest/ Wetlands, Water) using a geographic information system (GIS). M data were used to assess four qualitative surface soil-moisture conditions (water/very wet, wet, moist, and dry) within each land-use category of a 208,354 ha southwestern Florida study area. The MIR response was inversely related to the qualitative surface soil-moisture content. Integration of Landsat TM MIR data with land use through GIS appears to be a useful technique for high-resolution regional soil moisture assessment, and further research to reline this technique is recommended.