A STUDY OF THE SURFACE SYNOPTIC CIRCULATION PATTERNS IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE DROUGHT OF THE 1960's IN THE NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES1

A comparative evaluation is made of the frequency of air mass and frontal types during a 4-year representative portion of the drought as opposed to an equivalent non-drought period. Selection of the non-drought period is based on the Palmer Drought Index. Results indicate a statistically significant increase in the occurrence of continental polar air during the drought. Other conclusions concerning conditions during the drought, not statistically significant but worth further study, are: lower frequency of maritime tropical air in the summer months, more occurrences of cold and occluded fronts, and fewer occurrences of stationary fronts.     

Extinction risk of the endemic vascular flora of Kauai,Hawaii, based on IUCN assessments

The International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species (IUCN Red List) is the world's most comprehensive information source on the global conservation status of species. Governmental agencies and conservation organizations increasingly rely on IUCN Red List assessments to develop conservation policies and priorities. Funding agencies use the assessments as evaluation criteria, and researchers use meta-analysis of red-list data to address fundamental and applied conservation science questions. However, the circa 143,000 IUCN assessments represent a fraction of the world's biodiversity and are biased in regional and organismal coverage. These biases may affect conservation priorities, funding, and uses of these data to understand global patterns. Isolated oceanic islands are characterized by high endemicity, but the unique biodiversity of many islands is experiencing high extinction rates. The archipelago of Hawaii has one of the highest levels of endemism of any floristic region; 90% of its 1367 native vascular plant taxa are classified as endemic. We used the IUCN's assessment of the complete single-island endemic (SIE) vascular plant flora of Kauai, Hawaii, to assess the proportion and drivers of decline of threatened plants in an oceanic island setting. We compared the IUCN assessments with federal, state, and other local assessments of Kauai species or taxa of conservation concern. Finally, we conducted a preliminary assessment for all 1044 native vascular plants of Hawaii based on IUCN criterion B by estimating area of occupancy, extent of occurrence, and number of locations to determine whether the pattern found for the SIE vascular flora of Kauai is comparable to the native vascular flora of the Hawaiian Islands. We compared our results with patterns observed for assessments of other floras. According to IUCN, 256 SIE vascular plant taxa are threatened with extinction and 5% are already extinct. This is the highest extinction risk reported for any flora to date. The preliminary assessment of the native vascular flora of Hawaii showed that 72% (753 taxa) is threatened. The flora of Hawaii may be one of the world's most threatened; thus, increased and novel conservation measures in the state and on other remote oceanic islands are urgently needed.     

Photocatalytic degradation of L-acid by TiO2 supported on the activated carbon

Introduction Aromatic sulfonic acid, which is produced in large amounts in chemical industry since the end of 19th century, has been widely applied in many industrial processes, including the various steps of procedure (Alonso and Barcelo, 2000). Naphthalene- sulfonic acids are of importance as dye intermediates and commonly used in the textile auxiliary industry employing many azo dyes and pigments. Among them, 1-naphthol-5-sulphonic acid (L-acid) is widely used in the printing as the raw ma…     

耕作制度对川中丘陵区冬灌田CH4和N2O排放的影响

采用静态暗箱/气相色谱法连续2 a田间原位测定,研究川中丘陵区冬灌田CH₄和N₂O的排放特征和不同耕作制度对冬灌田CH₄和N₂O排放的影响.结果表明,1a只种1季中稻冬季灌水休闲的冬灌田(PF),在水稻生长期,CH₄平均排放通量为(21.44±1.77)mg·(m²·h)^-1,非水稻生长期为(3.77±0.99)mg·(m²·h)^-1,分别大大低于以前文献报道的在西南其它地方观测值;全年CH₄排放量以水稻生长期CH₄排放量为主,非水稻生长期CH₄排放量仅占全年总排放量的23.2%.冬灌田N₂O排放通量年均值为(0.051±0.008)mg·(m²·h)^-1,且主要集中在水稻生长季,非水稻生长期N₂O排放量仅占全年总排放量的8.1%.在采用水旱轮作制后,冬灌田CH₄排放量大大降低,稻-麦轮作(RW)和稻-油菜轮作(RR)全年CH₄排放量分别为PF的43.8%和40.6%.但冬灌田改为水旱轮作制后,N₂O排放量显著增大,RW和RR的N₂O年排放量分别是PF的3.7倍和4.5倍.综合考虑冬灌田在采用不同耕作制度后排放CH₄和N₂O的全球增温潜势(GWP),无论是短时间尺度还是长时间尺度,采用3种耕作制度全年所排放的CH₄和N₂O所产生的综合GWP都为:PF RW≈RR.在20a、100a和500a时间尺度上,PF分别约是RW和RR的2.6、2.1和1.7倍.冬灌田改为水旱轮作制度后能大大减少CH₄和N₂O所产生的综合GWP.     

北京地区一次大气环境持续严重污染过程中SO2的垂直分布分析

在2004-09-27～2004-10-12期间,以325m气象与环境观测塔为平台,使用43CTL型高精度脉冲荧光SO₂分析仪,分别布置在观测塔8m、47m、120m和280m 4层观测平台,对大气中的SO₂气体浓度、PM₁₀和PM_2.5粒子质量浓度及同步气象因素进行了垂直梯度、连续观测.结合气象数据分析了观测期间大气中SO₂气体浓度的垂直梯度分布及变化形势,进行了SO₂浓度与混合层高度变化、海平面气压变化,风速、风向变化等要素的相关分析,观测到在实验期间大气边界层中SO₂浓度由上向下递减分布的现象.由于地形与污染源分布的影响,北风最有利于污染扩散等状况.观测期间捕捉到一次主要由气象因素造成的大气环境严重持续污染及污染清除的全过程.     

黄泥土不同粒径微团聚体对Cd2+的吸附与解吸研究

对采自太湖地区黄泥土进行了低能量超声波分离,采用平衡吸附法研究了不同粒径微团聚体颗粒对重金属Cd²⁺的吸附和解吸特点.结果表明,不同粒径微团聚体对Cd²⁺的吸附特性均符合Freundlich方程,模拟方程得到的K值介于152～503之间,以粘粒级和粗砂级为最大.微团聚体对Cd²⁺的吸附容量与其中游离氧化铁含量、CEC呈显著正相关.不同微团聚体Cd的解吸特点不同,粘粒级的解吸率仅为8.4%,远远低于其它粒径的微团聚体,这些结果有助于了解田间条件下土壤重金属化学行为和微观尺度的化学过程.     

恶臭假单胞菌Pseudomonas putida 5-x细胞壁膜系统的Cu2+吸附性能

对1株从电镀废水中分离出的革兰氏阴性菌恶臭假单胞菌P.putida 5-x的细胞表面组分对Cu²⁺的吸附性能进行了分析研究.结果表明,分离的P.putida 5-x细胞壁膜的Cu²⁺吸附容量是完整细胞的5倍之多.细胞表面组分如肽聚糖层、细胞外膜和细胞内膜在P.putida 5-x细胞壁膜的Cu²⁺吸附过程中都发挥了作用.肽聚糖层、细胞外膜和内膜在P.putida 5-x细胞壁膜中的含量依次为细胞内膜>外膜>肽聚糖层,而它们的Cu²⁺吸附容量的大小依次为肽聚糖层>外膜>内膜.在P.putida 5-x细胞壁膜对Cu²⁺的吸附过程中,肽聚糖层贡献了不到15%的吸附容量,而细胞外膜和内膜分别贡献了30%～35%和25%～30%.P.putida 5-x细胞外膜中的磷脂含量明显比其它报道的革兰氏阴性细菌的细胞外膜高,这可能是P.putida 5-x细胞外膜具有较高Cu²⁺吸附容量的主要原因,并由此导致P.putida 5-x细胞壁膜的高Cu2+吸附容量.     

Ecotoxic Effect of Photocatalytic Active Nanoparticles (TiO2) on Algae and Daphnids (8 pp)

Background, Aim and Scope Due to their large potential for manifold applications, the use of nanoparticles is of increasing importance. As large amounts of nanoparticles may reach the environment voluntarily or by accident, attention should be paid on the potential impacts on the environment. First studies on potential environmental effects of photocatalytic TiO2 nanoparticles have been performed on the basis of widely accepted, standardized test systems which originally had been developed for the characterization of chemicals. The methods were adapted to the special requirements of testing photocatalytic nanoparticles. Materials and Methods: Suspensions of two different nanoparticles were illuminated to induce their photocatalytic activity. For testing, the growth inhibition test with the green alga Desmodesmus subspicatus and the immobilization test with the daphnid Daphnia magna were selected and performed following the relevant guidelines (algae: ISO 8692, OECD 201, DIN 38412-33; daphnids: ISO 6341, OECD 202, DIN 38412-30). The guidelines were adapted to meet the special requirements for testing photocatalytic nanoparticles. Results: The results indicate that it is principally possible to determine the ecotoxicity of nanoparticles. It was shown that nanoparticles may have ecotoxicological effects which depend on the nature of the particles. Both products tested differ in their toxicity. Product 1 shows a clear concentration-effect curve in the test with algae (EC50: 44 mg/L). It could be proven that the observed toxicity was not caused by accompanying contaminants, since the toxic effect was comparable for the cleaned and the commercially available product. For product 2, no toxic effects were determined (maximum concentration: 50 mg/L). In the tests with daphnids, toxicity was observed for both products, although the concentration effect-curves were less pronounced. The two products differed in their toxicity; moreover, there was a difference in the toxicity of illuminated and non-illuminated products. Discussion: Both products differ in size and crystalline form, so that these parameters are assumed to contribute to the different toxicities. The concentration-effect curves for daphnids, which are less-pronounced than the curves obtained for algae, may be due to the different test organisms and/or the differing test designs. The increased toxicity of pre-illuminated particles in the tests with daphnids demonstrates that the photocatalytic activity of nanoparticles lasts for a period of time. Conclusions: The following conclusions can be drawn from the test results: (I) It is principally possible to determine the ecotoxicity of (photocatalytic) nanoparticles. Therefore, they can be assessed using methods comparable to the procedures applied for assessing soluble chemicals. - (II) Nanoparticles may exert ecotoxicological effects, which depend on the specific nanoparticle. - (III) Comparable to traditional chemicals, the ecotoxicity depends on the test organisms and their physiology. - (IV) The photocatalytic activity of nanoparticles lasts for a relevant period of time. Therefore, pre-illumination may be sufficient to detect a photocatalytic activity even by using test organisms which are not suitable for application in the pre-illumination-phase. Recommendations and Perspectives: First results are presented which indicate that the topic 'ecotoxicity and environmental effects of nanoparticles' should not be neglected. In testing photocatalytic nanoparticles, there are still many topics that need clarification or improvement, such as the cause for an observed toxicity, the improvement of the test design, the elaboration of a test battery and an assessment strategy. On the basis of optimized test systems, it will be possible to test nanoparticles systematically. If a potential risk by specific photocatalytic particles is known, a risk-benefit analysis can be performed and, if required, risk reducing measures can be taken.     

纳米Al_2O_3和Cd联合暴露对铜锈环棱螺体内Cd的生物积累和抗氧化酶活性的影响

金属氧化物纳米颗粒的广泛应用导致它们大量地释放到水环境中,其独特的理化性质有可能改变水环境中其他共存污染物(如重金属)的生态毒性。为评价沉积物中纳米氧化铝(Al2O3-NPs)对重金属Cd生态毒性的影响,采用底栖生物慢性暴露研究了Al2O3-NPs存在条件下Cd在底栖动物铜锈环棱螺体内生物积累的变化和Cd对肝胰脏抗氧化防御系统关键成分超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)与脂质过氧化指标丙二醛(MDA)以及Ⅱ相反应的关键酶谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶(GST)的影响。结果表明,低Cd浓度(5μg·g-1)时,Al2O3-NPs对Cd生物积累没有影响;中、高Cd浓度(25、100μg·g-1)时,Al2O3-NPs显著促进Cd的生物积累,Al2O3-NPs对Cd的生物转运具有明显的携带效应。低Cd浓度时,无Al2O3-NPs处理组和Al2O3-NPs处理组的SOD活性与对照组相比均没有显著差异;中Cd浓度时,SOD活性显著升高,而高Cd浓度时,SOD活性显著下降,而且Al2O3-NPs处理组的SOD活性显著低于无Al2O3-NPs处理组,Al2O3-NPs的存在加重了Cd对肝胰脏细胞的氧化胁迫或损伤。高Cd浓度时,无Al2O3-NPs处理组和Al2O3-NPs处理组的MDA水平均显著升高,但Al2O3-NPs处理组的MDA水平显著低于无Al2O3-NPs处理组,进一步证明Al2O3-NPs对Cd氧化损伤的增强作用。中、高Cd浓度时,无Al2O3-NPs处理组和Al2O3-NPs处理组的GST活性均显著下降,但Al2O3-NPs处理组的GST活性均显著低于无Al2O3-NPs处理组,同样说明了Al2O3-NPs对Cd毒性的增强作用。本研究提供了在沉积物-底栖动物体系中Al2O3-NPs促进重金属生物积累的证据,而且Cd毒性的变化与肝胰脏中Cd的生物积累水平的变化基本一致,在中、高Cd浓度下,由于Al2O3-NPs的存在显著促进了Cd的生物积累,因而增强了Cd对铜锈环棱螺的生态毒性。     

氢气添加对乙醇/空气预混火焰燃烧特性影响的数值模拟研究

通过对不同混合比率的乙醇/氢气/空气燃烧特性进行数值模拟,研究氢气添加量对点火延迟时间、层流燃烧速度、火焰厚度、化学反应滞留时间及组分分布情况的影响。研究发现一定程度上氢气添加量的增加能够缩短混合气体的点火延迟时间,并且氢气对点火延迟时间的影响随着温度的升高而逐渐减小。随着混合比率的增大,层流燃烧速度增大,并且在混合比率大于0.4时显著增大。火焰厚度及化学反应滞留时间随氢气增加而逐渐减小。此外,进一步分析组分分布情况得知氢气添加使火焰中H*、O*、OH*自由基摩尔分数峰值增大,并且H+O+OH摩尔分数峰值与层流燃烧速度存在线性关系。