Field reconnaissance and estimation of petroleum hydrocarbon and heavy metal contents of soils affected by the Ebocha-8 oil spillage in Niger Delta, Nigeria

Field reconnaissance of the Ebocha-8 oil spill-affected site at Obiobi/Obrikom in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria was carried out to assess the extent of damage to the terrestrial ecosystem and delimit the epicenter of oil spillage. Following three successive reconnaissance surveys, the area to be sampled was delimited (200 x 200 m2), and soil samples were collected using the grid method from three replicate quadrats at two depths, surface (0-15 cm) and subsurface (15-30 cm). A geographically similar area located 50 m adjacent to the oil-polluted area was used as a reference (control) site. Total hydrocarbon content (THC) and heavy metal concentrations were later determined in the laboratory by extraction and spetrophotemetric techniques. Generally, the THC of soils at surface and subsurface depths of the oil-polluted plots was 2.06 x 10(4) +/- 4.97 x 10(3) mg/kg and 1.67 x 10(3) +/- 3.61 x 10(2) mg/kg soil, respectively, (no overlap in standard errors at 95% confidence limit) while concentrations of heavy metals(Pb, Cd, V, Cu and Ni) were enhanced, especially at the surface. The high levels of THC and heavy metals may predispose the site, which hitherto served as arable agricultural land, to impaired fertility and possible conflagration. When concentrations of heavy metals reach the levels obtained in this study, they may become toxic to plants or possibly bio-accumulate, thus leading to toxic reactions along the food chain. While the spilled-oil may have contributed to the enhanced levels of the metals in the affected soils, physico-chemical properties of the soils, mobility of metals, and the intense rainfall and flooding that preceded the period of study may have also contributed in part to their enhanced concentrations. The presence of high hydrocarbon content may cause oxygen deprivation, which may result in the death of soil fauna by asphyxiation. There is, therefore, an urgent need to clear the affected site of these excess hydrocarbon deposits so as to enhance the rehabilitation process of the affected mat layer of soils. Other appropriate mitigating measures, such as subsequent monitoring of hydrocarbon levels at suitable intervals after the clean up activities, are also recommended, with reference to the findings of this study, for effective management of the affected area.     

"十一五"脱硫计划实施前后长三角地区的硫沉降变化

采用RAINS ASIA模型研究了"十一五"期间长三角地区实施脱硫措施前后硫沉降超临界负荷的变化.结果表明,在90%保证率下,长三角地区硫沉降的临界负荷(以S计,下同)总值为78.38万t/a;2005年该地区硫沉降的超临界负荷总值为27.98万t/a,有45.6%区域面积的硫沉降超过临界负荷;如果不实施脱硫措施,到2010年长三角地区硫沉降超临界负荷的情景将急剧恶化,硫沉降超临界负荷总值将增长18.4%,超临界负荷的区域面积将增加到48.7%;"十一五"脱硫计划如期实施后,2010年长三角地区硫沉降超临界负荷总值将在2005年的基础上下降27.4%,但仍有39.1%的区域面积超过临界负荷,须采取更严格的措施控制硫沉降量.     

Modeling of air quality with a modified two-dimensional Eulerian model： A case study in the Pearl River Delta （PRD） region of China

A modified two-dimensional Eulerian air quality model was used to simulate both the gaseous and particulate pollutant concentrations during October 21-24, 2004 in the Pearl River Delta （PRD） region, China. The most significant improvement to the model is the added capability to predict the secondary organic aerosols （SOA） concentrations because of the inclusion of the SOA formation chemistry. The meteorological input data were prepared using the CALMET meteorological model. The concentrations of aerosol-bound species such as NO3^-, NH4^＋, SO4^2-, and SOA were calculated in the fine particle size range （〈2.5 μm）. The results of the two-dimensional model were compared to the measurements at the ground level during the PRD Intensive Monitoring Campaign （IMC）. Overall, there were good agreements between the measured and modeled concentrations of inorganic aerosol components and O3. Both the measured and the modeled results indicated that the maximum hourly O3 concentrations exceeded the China National Air Quality Standard. The predicted 24-h average SOA concentrations were in reasonable agreement with those predicted by the method of minimum OC/EC ratio.     

Characterizing ionic species in PM2:5 and PM10 in four Pearl River Delta cities, South China

PM_(2.5)and PM_(10)samples were collected at four major cities in the Pearl River Delta(PRD),South China,during winter and summer in 2002.Six water-soluble ions,Na~ ,NH_4~ ,K~ ,Cl~-,NO_3~- and SO_4~(2-)were measured using ion chromatography.On average,ionic species accounted for 53.3% and 40.5% for PM_(2.5)and PM_(10),respectively in winter and 39.4% and 35.2%,respectively in summer. Secondary ions such as sulfate,nitrate and ammonium accounted for the major part of the total ionic species.Sulfate was the most abundant species followed by nitrate.Overall,a regional pollution tendency was shown that there were higher concentrations of sulfate, nitrate and ammonium in Guangzhou City than those in the other PRD cities.Significant seasonal variations were also observed with higher levels of species in winter but lower in summer.The Asian monsoon system was favorable for removal and diffusion of air pollutants in PRD in summer while highly loading of local industrial emissions tended to deteriorate the air quality as well.NO_3~-/SO_4~(2-) ratio indicated that mobile sources have considerably contribution to the urban aerosol,and stationary sources should not be neglected. Besides the primary emissions,complex atmospheric reactions under favorable weather conditions should be paid more attention for the control of primary emission in the PRD region.     

Recent socio-economic changes in relation to environmental quality of the Pearl River delta

Due to the favorable weather, abundant water resources and fertile soil, the area has been known as the homeland for crops and fish. However, being one of the most developed regions in China, the environmental quality of the Pearl River delta has deteriorated due to recent socio-economic changes during the past two decades. The drivers are industrialization and economic growth, population growth and agricultural development; and the pressures are water pollution which include nutrients and suspended solids, pesticides, other persistent toxic substances (PAHs and PCBs) and oil. These have imposed various impacts such as eutrophication, formation of red tides and biomagnification of organic contaminants through food chains. In response to these, regulatory measures have been established by the Environmental Protection Bureau of Guangdong Province, joining forces with environmental protection authorities in all urban cities and most counties, in addition to the Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department, to control pollution in order to prevent further environmental deterioration and economic loss. The present paper is an attempt by following the DPSIR approach promoted by the OECD in the early 1990s and further developed by IGBP LOICZ to review the environmental quality of Pearl River with emphasis on water quality and the impact of rapid socio-economic changes.     

黄河三角洲湿地主导生态服务功能价值估算

黄河兰角洲湿地是全球暖温带最典型的河口三角洲湿地,具有多种生态服务功能.本文依据每种生态功能的特点和作用机理,分别运用生态经济学、环境经济学或资源经济学的方法对各主导生态服务功能的价值进行了量化估算.结果表明:在黄河三角洲湿地10项主导生态服务功能中,蓄水调洪和降解污染物的功能价值最大;黄河三角洲湿地单位面积价值大约是全国湿地平均单位面积价值的10倍,其中自然湿地的单位面积价值远高于人工湿地的单位面积价值.本研究结果使人们直观地看到了湿地给人类带来的福利,为湿地生态资源的合理定价、有效补偿提供了科学依据.     

长江三角洲地区耕地质量变化的初步研究——以锡山市为例

长江三角洲地区耕地质量变化的监测是区土地可持续利用研究的重点领域。锡山市位于太湖平原北部，其耕地质量变化过程反映了长江三角洲腹地经济发展水平较高地区的耕地现状和发展趋势。本研究以锡山市为典型区，依据第二次土壤普查资料，多年土壤监测数据和有关耕地系统状态的统计数据，结合研究区耕地状况的调查分析，提出了支持压力－状态－响应模型的耕地质量评价指标体系，并据此指标体系分析了该区耕地质量变化趋势。结果表明，该区耕地系统的发展总体上是可控的、有序的、但是耕地系统产出能力的稳定性呈下降趋势，系统高水平投入的维持面临较大的压力。鉴于人口增加和耕地持续减少的态势在很长一段时间内难以逆转，耕地占补的质量差异因素，是该区能否实现耕地总量动态平衡的关键所在。     

长三角地区城市土地利用集约度区域分异研究

土地短缺逐渐成为制约长三角地区经济迅速发展的关键要素。集约利用土地,不断提高城市土地利用效率,是解决长三角地区土地资源稀缺。缓解人地关系矛盾的必然选择。从土地利用强度．产出效率、生态效益、可持续利用程度四方面阐释城市土地利用集约度内涵．以此构建适合长三角地区城市土地利用集约度评价的指标体系,同时运用GIS空间分析方法与技术对评价结果进行空间分异研究。并分析差异产生原因。结果表明：①长三角地区城市土地利用集约度水平差距较大。区位条件和经济发展水平是影响长三角地区城市土地利用集约度的重要因素。②长三角地区城市土地利用集约程度由北向南呈现明显的空间梯度差异特征。在空闾分布上具有微弱的正相关性。空间分异格局明显。③各城市土地集约利用中存在的问题不尽相同,须予以针对性改善提高。     

全球化背景下长江三角洲巨型工程建设研究

全球化是影响城市和区域发展的重要因素。长江三角洲地区既是中国社会经济资源最密集的地区,又是中国在全球化过程中较早融入世界经济的重要区域。在全球化进程不断加速的背景下,长江三角洲地区必须通过区域整合发展提升其在全球竞争体系中的地位。巨型工程作为全球化和区域一体化的支撑体系,越来越多地出现在长江三角洲地区,已经成为城市和区域建设的重要内容。在介绍巨型工程概念的基础上,从实证分析的角度出发,总结分析长三角地区城市开发、形象塑造等巨型工程的发展以及包括机场、港口、快速轨道和高速公路的综合交通体系的建设布局,并提出了部分规划设想。最后,集中探讨了巨型工程对长江三角洲地区全球化进程的重要影响。     

Dynamics of local governance in natural resource conservation in the Okavango Delta,Botswana

There has been a shift in natural resource management worldwide. This paper describes how modern institutions and policies influence management and shape access to and utilization of resources by rural communities in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. It is rooted in the framework of adaptive co‐governance within social‐ecological systems, and employs a critical literature review to analyse access to and use of natural resources in rural Botswana. Prior to the establishment of community‐based natural resource management (CBNRM) in Botswana in 1989, resource governance was dominated by strong traditional institutions that were responsible for natural resource management and decision‐making. Contemporary natural resource governance is characterized by a bureaucratic system that invariably undermines the role of traditional institutions in natural resource governance. Findings indicate that policies and regulatory instruments deny rural communities adequate access to and utilization of resources available within their immediate environment. In spite of an orientation towards an anthropocentric approach to natural resource management (as in the case of CBNRM), the current governance system continues to undermine the inclusion of local resource users as legitimate stakeholders in the decision‐making process.