Pollution threats in the Mediterranean Sea: An overview

This overview summarises the present knowledge on major sources of pollution, which are of concern for the Mediterranean Sea. Eutrophication, red tides, organic loads, hydrocarbon spills, heavy metal contamination and their biological effects are described on the light of the ecological characteristics of the Mediterranean. In particular special attention is paid to the "new pollution" processes; i.e. , the introduction of novel substances with biological activity that might have synergetic effects with "classical pollutants". Different compartments and marine ecosystems are considered and compared. The degree of anthropogenic impact and its apparent trends are discussed. Possible monitoring plans and remedial actions for a sustainable management of coastal zones subjected to increasing pollution are also suggested.     

Accumulation of Organochlorine Compounds in Oysters (Crassostrea Gasar) of an Estuarine Environment: Case of A Tropical Lagoon in the Gulf of Guinea

As part of a pollution monitoring study, oysters (Crassostrea gasar) were sampled in June 1996, in order to determine the concentrations and distribution of chlorinated hydrocarbons in two stations (near Boulay Island and Riviera Golf) of the Ebrie Lagoon, in the Abidjan area.

The chromatographic analysis of the oven dried samples revealed the presence of PCBs (2.13 to 86.22 ppb or ng/g dry weight), DDE (<0.48 to 169.55 ppb), DDD (<1.04 to 60.27 ppb), DDT (1.43 to 77.81 ppb, lindane (<0.22 to 91.64 ppb), aldrin (<0.30 to 154.1 ppb), endrin (<0.23 to 293.31 ppb) and dieldrin (<0.26 to 199.74 ppb). the results indicated high concentrations in oysters sampled near Boulay Island, due to industrial, agricultural and port activities going on in this area.

Compared to DDD/ΣDDT and DDT/ΣDDT, the DDE/ΣDDT ratios were high indicating old DDT inputs. the ΣDDT/PCBs ratios were higher than 1 illustrated the predominance of organochlorine inputs from agriculture activities. the presence of lindane in both stations illustrated the problem of fishing with toxic products.

Negative correlations found between dry tissue weight and organochlorine compounds concentrations showed that young oysters may concentrate more of these substances. More studies are needed in order to make any conclusions on their bioaccumulation trends.     

不同区域城市排水系统中H2S的溢出规律

通过对广州、兰州和昆明等城市排水系统中H2S的溢出浓度、管网参数与水质指标等进行实地监测,考察不同区域城市排水系统中H2S溢出规律.结果表明,不同城市排水系统中H2S的溢出浓度与当地居民生活习惯相关,并具有明显的时段特征;在相同监测时段内,不同区域H2S溢出浓度与溶解氧浓度(DO)、有机物浓度、硫化物浓度、硫酸盐浓度以及污水流量有关.单样本K-S检验结果表明,不同区域城市排水系统H2S的溢出浓度具有相同分布规律,均近似服从正态分布.独立样本t检验结果表明,广州与兰州H2S的溢出浓度没有显著差异,但与昆明的H2S溢出浓度则具有显著差异.     

Comprehensive monitoring technique based on electromagnetic radiation and its applications to mine pressure

Strata pressures are common potential troubles during coal mining, serious ones can cause great catastrophe. This paper presents a new comprehensive electromagnetic radiation (EMR) monitoring technique to monitor and predict these disasters. In this paper, we studied the relationship of EMR emitted by various, uniaxially loaded, coal rock samples (coal, rock, roof-coal-floor composite) in their whole deformation and failure processes to the applied loads, and found that EMR signal is linearly related to the applied loads, while the number of EMR pulses is a third power function of the applied loads. Therefore, EMR signal is capable of reflecting the stress (load) state, deformation and fracture strength, and internal stress state of coal rock mass. Based on the above, we proposed three methods for measuring rock pressure distribution, periodic pressure, and internal stress distribution of coal rock mass on working faces, and conducted field measurements and verifications. The results showed that (i) EMR has a certain correspondence to support resistance of working faces, and can reflect more accurately the face pressure distribution; (ii) in the mining impacted area located within 100 m in the front of working face, the stress distribution has unimodal and bimodal forms; (iii) EMR signal changes periodically with periodic pressure, and can be used to qualitatively observe and evaluate periodic pressure; (iv) tested with antenna in the borehole into coal rock mass, EMR signal can effectively reflect the internal stress distribution and shifting, which was verified by using traditional drilling cuttings method. In addition, EMR can also be used to check the effect of destress blasting as one of the emergency measures. In conclusion, the results are of practical significance for using EMR to monitor rock pressure and guiding safe underground mining.     

The Evolution of the Environmental Quality Concept: From the US EPA Red Book to the European Water Framework Directive

- DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1065/espr2006.01.003 Background Water Quality Criteria were firstly defined in the 1970s by the EPA in the USA and the EIFAC in Europe, recognizing the need for protecting water quality in order to allow the use of water resources by man. In the 1990s, the European Commission emphasized the importance of safeguarding structure and function of biologic communities. These approaches were chemically-based. The European Water Framework Directive (WFD) substantially changes the concept of Water Quality, by assuming that a water body needs to be protected as an environmental good and not as a resource to be exploited. In this frame, the biological-ecological quality assumes a prevailing role. Main Features The Water Quality concept introduced by the WFD is a challenge for environmental sciences. Reference conditions should be defined for different typologies of water bodies and for different European ecoregions. Suitable indicators should be developed in order to quantify ecological status and to define what a 'good' ecological status is. Procedures should be developed for correlating the deviation from a good ecological to the effects of multiple stressors on function and structure of the ecosystem. The protection of biodiversity becomes a key objective. In this frame, the traditional procedures for ecotoxicological risk assessment, mainly based on laboratory testing, should be overcome by more site-specific approaches, taking into account the characteristics and the homeostatic capabilities of natural communities. In the paper an overview of the present knowledge and of the new trends in ecotoxicology to get these objectives will be given. A procedure is suggested based on the concept of Species Sensitivity Distribution (SSD). Recommendations and Perspective . The need for more site-specific and ecologically-oriented approaches in ecotoxicology is strongly recommended. The development of new tools for implementing the concept of 'Stress Ecology' has been recently proposed by van Straalen (2003). In the same time, more 'cological realism'is needed in practically applicable procedures for regulatory purposes.     

Does the EU ETS cause carbon leakage in European manufacturing?

Carbon leakage is of interest in both academic and policy debates about the effectiveness of unilateral climate policy, especially in Europe, where the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) affects many traded sectors. We review how the literature identifies leakage and the pollution haven effect. We then evaluate whether EU ETS emission costs caused carbon leakage in European manufacturing, using trade flows in embodied carbon and value from the Global Trade Analysis Project (GTAP). We find no evidence that the EU ETS caused carbon leakage.     

Environmental disaster,pollution and infant health: Evidence from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill

In 2010 the Gulf Coast experienced the largest oil spill affecting U.S. waters in history. Evaporating crude oil and dispersant chemicals can cause major health problems. This paper examines the impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on air quality and infant health outcomes. Using U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) AirData, vital statistics data from National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), and a difference-in-difference methodology, we find that the oil spill of 2010 increased concentrations of PM2.5, NO2, SO2, and CO in affected coastal counties, increased incidence of low birth weight (<2500 g) and premature born infants (<37 weeks of gestation). Heterogeneity effects reveal more pronounced adverse infant health outcomes for black, Hispanic, less educated, unmarried, and younger mothers. Results are robust to a wide range of controls and robustness checks.     

江苏省农村环境监测现状及“十四五”工作建议

农村生态环境保护是实现乡村振兴不可缺少的一环,是保障农业农村高质量发展的基础。基于"十三五"江苏省农村环境监测体系和2020年全省农村环境质量监测结果,分析了全省农村环境监测现状。指出,江苏省农村环境监测工作存在监测任务较重、基础信息获取难度较大、水环境监测代表性不足、监测指标单一以及对农业面源污染治理成效评估支撑不够等问题;提出,强化部门数据共享与信息整合、完善农村环境例行监测网络、构建农业面源污染监测技术体系、探索特色指标监测研究、加强农村环境监测人才队伍建设等"十四五"江苏省农村环境监测工作建议,以期摸清农业面源污染现状,为全省农村生态环境治理提供技术支撑。     

古泊善后河水质污染特征及污染来源调查

以2016—2020年古泊善后河国家和省级地表水监测网水质例行监测数据为依据,采用水质指数法(WQI)对古泊善后河水质污染状况进行综合评价;基于水质评价结果,选取影响最大的两项指标COD_Mn和TP,于2020年10月对古泊善后河开展加密监测,调查分析污染来源。结果表明,2016—2020年古泊善后河水质波动变化较大,汛期降雨对水质下降影响明显,COD_Mn、TP、COD_Cr、氟化物和BOD₅是影响古泊善后河水质的主要指标;加密监测期间,古泊善后河干流水质COD_Mn和TP指标浓度分别升高28.9%、38.3%,其中宿迁段升幅显著高于连云港段;支流水质超Ⅲ类比例为22.9%,劣Ⅴ比例为6.3%;部分乡镇生活污水直排和持续降雨将农田中高浓度污染物冲刷进河流支浜,是导致水质下降的主要原因。     

镇江市挥发性有机物污染特征及来源分析

利用镇江市2019年4—10月市区4个空气质量国控站点VOCs监测数据,对大气中70种VOCs的组分特征、时间与区域变化进行分析,并用比值法研究VOCs来源特征。结果表明,4个站点PAMS组分的测定值为17.7 μg/m3~27.5μg/m3,醛酮类组分为15.4 μg/m3~165 μg/m3。各站点VOCs来源侧重点略有不同,主要来源是工业源、交通源、溶剂涂料的使用等。