Changes in TcpA gene frequency explain 2,4,6-trichlorophenol degradation in mesocosms

Soils are often polluted by chlorophenols in timber production areas in the northern hemisphere. The tcpA gene encodes the first step of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (246-TCP) degradation. We tested tcpA gene frequency in three natural pristine soils with different 246-TCP degradation capacity. Gene tcpA frequency increased more in spiked than non-spiked 10-L pails containing coniferous humus soil with high degradation capacity, in contrast to soils where degradation was slower. As the soil in each mesocosm originated from a spatially separate field plot, changes in tcpA gene frequency affected 246-TCP degradation over a range of soil origins. This indicates that the abundance of and changes in tcpA gene frequency could be utilized in estimating the efficacy of natural attenuation and biostimulation treatments in controlled conditions.     

“Ox增减量”O3人工订正预报方法与应用

为满足环境管理部门"O₃污染过程不漏、AQI类别准确和AQI范围预报准确"的要求,基于大气箱式模型和相似案例分析,引入O_x指标原创性提出"O_x增减量"O₃人工订正预报方法。介绍了该方法的预报思路、预报要点和步骤、历史相似案例库构建与基于大气条件预报的判别分析、方法普适性和局限性等,以期为提高区域、城市O₃业务预报准确率提供技术参考。以东部沿海城市青岛市为研究案例,结果显示,2020年6—9月24 h人工订正AQI类别预报、AQI范围预报准确率分别为91%和68%,比同期业务化运行的WRF-Chem数值模式预报准确率分别提高19%和25%,应用该预报方法可有效提高O₃污染过程预报准确率。     

“加压上浮法”应急除藻技术在水源地的应用示范

近年来,太湖蓝藻水华问题日趋严峻,除藻技术是解决该问题最直接而有效的手段,对现有各类除藻技术进行了比较,并以"加压上浮法"应急除藻技术在苏州阳澄湖局部地区的示范工程为例,介绍了该方法的技术原理、技术实现以及在工程应用中的实际意义,为同行在水源地或特殊功能区除藻技术的应用提供参考。     

基于3G网络平台的环保移动执法系统构建

从当前环保现场执法所面临的手段落后、执法尺度不一等实际问题出发,构建了一套依托于3G无线通信平台的移动执法系统。该系统采用先进的网络通讯技术,借助执法终端PDA手机,可实现在执法现场实时查询环保动、静态信息,录入、打印检查笔录及执法表单等功能,实现环保监察部门统一执法、规范执法流程、提高执法效率的最终目标。     

北京市城区挥发性有机物污染特征及其对臭氧影响分析

对2020年4月—2021年3月北京市建成区挥发性有机物(VOCs)的化学特征、污染来源及其对臭氧(O₃)污染的影响进行了研究。结果显示:O₃日最大8 h滑动平均值在臭氧季(4—9月)均值为134μg/m³,是非臭氧季(10月至次年3月)均值(59.6μg/m³)的2.2倍。臭氧季VOCs体积浓度均值为14.3×10^-9,明显低于非臭氧季(21.1×10^-9),可能与光化学反应速率和VOCs来源的季节性差异有关。臭氧生成潜势(OFP)贡献率排名前10位的物种在臭氧季和非臭氧季相似,均包括间/对-二甲苯、甲苯、乙烯、邻二甲苯、异戊烷、正丁烷、丙烯、反式-2-丁烯和1,2,4-三甲基苯,但排名有所差异,燃煤源特征明显的乙烯等物种在非臭氧季上升明显,与溶剂使用、油气挥发相关的间/对二甲苯、甲苯、异戊烷和正丁烷等物种在臭氧季上升明显。甲苯/苯的值和异戊烷/正戊烷的值在臭氧季明显高于非臭氧季,反映出机动车排放和油气挥发等在臭氧季影响突出,非臭氧季是燃煤影响显著。基于...     

应用Dot—ABC法检测植物镉金属污染

用不同浓度的氯化镉诱导黄瓜幼叶Cd—MT的产生,并应用Dot—ABC法检测了30种来自天水不同区域植物的MT含量,初步确定它们的重金属污染情况。结果表明,CA—MT浓度与环境诱导浓度呈显著正相关,Dot—ABC法检测的植物金属硫蛋白的最低含量为16mg,并初步估测了其中10种植物可能存在不同程度的重金属污染。本法具有特异、简便和灵敏的特点,可用于农产品镉金属污染的检测。     

Performance of lime-BHA solidified plating sludge in the presence of Na2SiO3 and Na2CO3

This research investigated the performance of lime-BHA (black rice husk ash) solidified plating sludge with 2 wt% NaO from Na(2)SiO(3) and Na(2)CO(3) at the level of 0, 30 and 50 wt%. The sludge was evaluated for strength development, leachability, solution chemistry and microstructure. The lime-BHA solidified plating sludge with Na(2)SiO(3) and Na(2)CO(3) had higher early strength when compared to the control. The addition of Na(2)SiO(3) and Na(2)CO(3) increased the OH(-) concentration and decreased the Ca(2+) and heavy metal ions in solution after the first minute. The XRD patterns showed that the addition of Na(2)SiO(3) resulted in the formation of calcium silicate hydrates, while the addition of Na(2)CO(3) resulted in CaCO(3). The heavy metals from the plating sludge, especially Zn, were immobilized in calcium zincate and calcium zinc silicate forms for the lime-BHA with and without Na(2)SiO(3) solidified wastes, while samples with Na(2)CO(3) contained Zn that was fixed in the form of CaZnCO(3). The cumulative leaching of Fe, Cr and Zn from the lime-BHA solidified plating sludge decreased significantly when activators were added, especially Na(2)CO(3).     

Estimating the vulnerability of fifteen tree species under changing climate in Northwest North America

In the Pacific northwestern (PNW) region of North America, climatic conditions have significantly warmed since a predominantly cool phase of the Pacific North American circulation patterns between 1950 and 1975. What are the implications of this shift in climate for the vulnerability of native tree species? To address this question, we combined mechanistic and statistical models to assess where a variety of native tree species might be more vulnerable within their recorded ranges and where they might potentially migrate. For long-lived species that are well adapted to compete, seasonal differences in photosynthesis and water use offer insights helpful in predicting their distributions. To evaluate the general response of conifers to climatic variation across the region, we previously applied a process-based model (3-PG), to simulate the growth and maximum leaf area index that Douglas-fir could attain within recognized forested areas. We then constructed automated decision tree models to define and map the ecological distributions of 15 tree species based on differences in how photosynthesis was constrained by drought, daytime temperatures, high evaporative demand, and the frequency of frost. For the baseline climate period (1950-1975), the decision tree models predicted presence and absence of each species at ∼23,000 observations with an average accuracy of 81%, with an average kappa statistic of 0.74. In this paper the same models were run annually for the period between 1976 and 2006 for each species, and the areas defined as remaining suitable or becoming vulnerable to disturbance were identified based on whether more or less than half of the years fell within the originally defined limits. Based on these criteria, 70% of the species recorded ranges remained suitable, with 30% deemed vulnerable. Results varied notably by species with western red cedar and western hemlock remaining highly adapted, with potential for range expansion in area of up to 50% relative to the baseline period. In contrast, ponderosa pine, lodgepole pine, grand, and noble fir were classified as vulnerable with potential net contractions in their ranges. The analysis was extended through the rest of the 21st century using climatic projections from the Canadian global circulation model with a high fossil fuel emission scenario (A2) and compared to other previously published species range predictions.     

Scientists' opinions on the global status and management of biological diversity

The large investments needed if loss of biological diversity is to be stemmed will likely lead to increased public and political scrutiny of conservation strategies and the science underlying them. It is therefore crucial to understand the degree of consensus or divergence among scientists on core scientific perceptions and strategies most likely to achieve given objectives. I developed an internet survey designed to elucidate the opinions of conservation scientists. Conservation scientists (n =583) were unanimous (99.5%) in their view that a serious loss of biological diversity is likely, very likely, or virtually certain. Scientists' agreement that serious loss is very likely or virtually certain ranged from 72.8% for Western Europe to 90.9% for Southeast Asia. Tropical coral ecosystems were perceived as the most seriously affected by loss of biological diversity; 88.0% of respondents familiar with that ecosystem type agreed that a serious loss is very likely or virtually certain. With regard to conservation strategies, scientists most often viewed understanding how people and nature interact in certain contexts and the role of biological diversity in maintaining ecosystem function as their priorities. Protection of biological diversity for its cultural and spiritual values and because of its usefulness to humans were low priorities, which suggests that many scientists do not fully support the utilitarian concept of ecosystem services. Many scientists expressed a willingness to consider conservation triage, engage in active conservation interventions, and consider reframing conservation goals and measures of success for conservation of biological diversity in an era of climate change. Although some heterogeneity of opinion is evident, results of the survey show a clear consensus within the scientific community on core issues of the extent and geographic scope of loss of biological diversity and on elements that may contribute to successful conservation strategies in the future.     

Knowledge gain and behavioral change in citizen-science programs

Citizen-science programs are often touted as useful for advancing conservation literacy, scientific knowledge, and increasing scientific-reasoning skills among the public. Guidelines for collaboration among scientists and the public are lacking and the extent to which these citizen-science initiatives change behavior is relatively unstudied. Over two years, we studied 82 participants in a three-day program that included education about non-native invasive plants and collection of data on the occurrence of those plants. Volunteers were given background knowledge about invasive plant ecology and trained on a specific protocol for collecting invasive plant data. They then collected data and later gathered as a group to analyze data and discuss responsible environmental behavior with respect to invasive plants. We tested whether participants without experience in plant identification and with little knowledge of invasive plants increased their knowledge of invasive species ecology, participation increased knowledge of scientific methods, and participation affected behavior. Knowledge of invasive plants increased on average 24%, but participation was insufficient to increase understanding of how scientific research is conducted. Participants reported increased ability to recognize invasive plants and increased awareness of effects of invasive plants on the environment, but this translated into little change in behavior regarding invasive plants. Potential conflicts between scientific goals, educational goals, and the motivation of participants must be considered during program design.