Instream Bacteria Influences from Bird Habitation of Bridges

The representativeness of ambient water samples collected from bridge crossings has occasionally been challenged because critics contend birds nesting on bridges elevate fecal indicator bacteria concentrations over samples collected from river reaches not spanned by bridges. This study was designed to evaluate the influence, if any, of bridge‐dwelling bird colonies on instream bacteria concentrations. Three bridges in central Texas were sampled under dry‐weather conditions for instream Escherichia coli. Two bridges were inhabited by migratory cliff swallows and one was devoid of birds. Numerous samples were collected from locations upstream, at the upstream bridgeface, and downstream of each bridge to determine whether significant increases in E. coli occurred in a downstream direction when birds were present. E. coli values increased significantly at bridgeface and downstream locations compared to upstream locations throughout the nesting season. During peak bird activity in May, bacteria geometric mean concentrations at bridgeface and downstream locations jumped from background levels <50 to >190 colony forming units (CFU)/100 mL, well above the state geometric mean criterion of 126 CFU/100 mL for primary contact recreation use. Results confirmed that under dry‐weather conditions bird colonies can have a significant impact on bacteria concentrations in the vicinity of the bridges they inhabit and therefore, to avoid this impact, monitoring should occur upstream of bridges.     

污染场地土壤初步调查布点及采样方法探讨

结合我国污染场地的普遍特征以及场地初步调查的基本目标,从布点前期准备、布点原则、布点程序和布点方法等方面详细探讨了污染场地土壤初步调查的点位布设方法;并从采样准备、采集方法、采集程序以及现场记录等环节探讨了现场样品采集的注意事项和要求,以期为污染场地环境调查的土壤监测和采样提供借鉴。     

可伸缩延长气体采样装置在应急监测中的应用

提出了一种可伸缩延长气体采样装置,并将其与现场气体监测仪器配套使用。初步考察了延长采样装置中Teflon采样管长度对现场监测结果可能产生的影响,并对监测站实验室楼顶废气排出筒气体进行了实际样品监测。结果表明,该装置可有效提高现场应急监测的安全防护保障效果,增加可监测区域范围,使现场应急监测工作能够为突发性环境污染事件的处置提供更多技术支持。     

土壤污染调查加密布点优化方法构建及验证

鉴于传统调查布点方法对土壤污染物平均含量的估计精度较高,但对污染区范围的估计精度不能满足修复治理需求的问题,同时,为了准确估计土壤污染区面积及其空间位置,提出了土壤污染详查样点优化方法.在初步调查的基础上,首先利用地统计条件模拟方法预测土壤污染概率,基于污染概率和土壤污染物含量局部空间变异确定加密布点的优先区域,并根据污染物含量的空间变化趋势布设样点,然后根据优化后的土壤污染调查布点方案估计污染区面积和空间位置.最后,以某Cd污染场地为例,验证了布点优化方法的效果.结果表明,土壤污染调查加密布点方法显著提高了污染区面积及其空间位置的估计精度.案例场地土壤Cd污染区面积的预测误差为4.10%,污染区空间位置的精度为86.10%.土壤污染调查布点优化方法在保证土壤污染调查精度的同时,相比于传统调查方法可显著降低土壤污染调查的样本量.     

Are rapid population estimates accurate? A field trial of two different assessment methods

Emergencies resulting in large-scale displacement often lead to populations resettling in areas where basic health services and sanitation are unavailable. To plan relief-related activities quickly, rapid population size estimates are needed. The currently recommended Quadrat method estimates total population by extrapolating the average population size living in square blocks of known area to the total site surface. An alternative approach, the T-Square, provides a population estimate based on analysis of the spatial distribution of housing units taken throughout a site. We field tested both methods and validated the results against a census in Esturro Bairro, Beira, Mozambique. Compared to the census (population: 9,479), the T-Square yielded a better population estimate (9,523) than the Quadrat method (7,681; 95% confidence interval: 6,160-9,201), but was more difficult for field survey teams to implement. Although applicable only to similar sites, several general conclusions can be drawn for emergency planning.     

BOD_5测试方法的改进

根据多年污水常规监测及实验室内质控样的分析,得出经验常数,引用前人推导的公式,对确定BOD5测定过程中稀释倍数的常规方法进行了改进,以达到降低工作强度,提高监测人员工作效率的目的。     

基于数值计算的细颗粒物采样管路传输损失评估

细颗粒物(PM_(2.5))理化性质测量是研究大气PM_(2.5)污染来源及成因的重要手段之一,最大限度降低细颗粒物在采样输送过程中的损失对提高测量结果的准确性至关重要.为了评估常规测量体系中采样管路内PM_(2.5)的输送损失情况,并在此基础上探究合适的采样管路布置方案,本研究采用数值计算方法分析了管径、管长及弯管数目这3个主要参数在不同变化范围内对PM_(2.5)输送效率的影响.结果表明,流量为20.0 L·min~(-1)时,管径4 mm、管长1.0 m的竖直管路内PM_(2.5)质量浓度输送效率为89.6%,管径增至14 mm时输送效率升至98.3%.流量为1.0 L·min~(-1)时,管径4 mm、管长10.0 m的水平管路内PM_(2.5)质量浓度输送效率仅为86.7%,管长降至0.5 m时输送效率提高至99.2%.弯管弧度为90°时,流量20.0 L·min~(-1)、管径4 mm的湍流态弯管处,PM_(2.5)质量浓度输送效率低至85.2%.流量(L·min~(-1))与管径(mm)之比小于1.4使管内流态为层流时有利于降低颗粒物输送损失.为保证PM_(2.5)输送效率在97%以上,2.5、5.0和10.0 L·min~(-1)仪器建议选择管长在6.0 m以内的竖直采样管;流量为16.7 L·min~(-1)和20.0 L·min~(-1)仪器建议选择管径在12 mm以上的竖直采样管;水平管路管长由流量与管径之比确定;在湍流流态下,建议减少弯管的使用数量.     

燃煤电厂烟气中汞的采集与分析方法

汞的测试技术包括采样和分析两部分,其中汞含量的分析方法已经相对比较成熟,限制测试技术发展的诸多问题主要来源于取样过程。根据不同的取样方式,将现有测试技术分为湿式采样分析法、干式采样分析法以及在线分析技术3种,重点介绍了3种方法的采样原理、系统构成、过程的影响因素以及适用范围。最后针对CVAAS、CVAFS、AES 3种汞含量测定技术在Hg CEMS测试系统中的应用进行了对比介绍。     

Trisomy 16 detected at chorion villus sampling

Trisomy 16 detected at chorion villus sampling (CVS) may reflect the placental but not the fetal karyotype. We describe a case in which the pregnancy continued until intrauterine death at 37 weeks. Cytogenetic study of two placental samples showed 47, +16 and 46,XX; the fetus was morphologically grossly normal, but fetal tissue culture was unsuccessful. Conservative management may be appropriate when trisomy 16 is detected at CVS and the pregnancy is normal ultransonographically.     

(M)VOC and composting facilities. Part 1: (M)VOC emissions from municipal biowaste and plant refuse

GOAL, SCOPE AND BACKGROUND: Malodorous volatiles derived from the decomposition of biowaste within the process of composting might pose a risk to human health. Different techniques of process engineering have been developed to minimise the burden of malodorous compounds in air possibly affecting compost workers and residents in the vicinity. METHODS: In the present study, three different composting facilities were examined for the emission of volatiles to estimate the impact of process engineering on the dispersal of odorous compounds and to discuss its relevance for human health. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Concentrations of single compounds belonging to alcohols, ketones, furanes, sulfur-containing compounds and especially terpenes ranged from 10(2) up to nearly 10(6) ng/m3 depending on the sampling sites and the process engineering. The ratio of MVOC and total VOC measured changed throughout the process of biodegradation. A certain combination of volatile compounds coincided with the occurrence of typical compost odour. CONCLUSION: The type of process engineering seemed to have a major impact on the emission of volatiles, as amounts of (microbial) volatiles emitted were characteristic for the different techniques used. Thus, the MVOC emission basically depends on the degree of biodegradation. It is likely that the concentrations workers are exposed to can have an impact on human health. RECOMMENDATIONS AND OUTLOOK: It is obvious that less sophisticated types of process engineering give rise to greater amounts of bioaerosols and volatiles and, therefore, technical devices have to be improved and controlled regularly to minimise adverse health effects on workers.