Evolution of a Mediterranean Coastal Zone: Human Impacts on the Marine Environment of Cape Creus

This study presents an integrated analysis of the evolution of the marine environment and the human uses in Cape Creus, a Mediterranean coastal area where intense commercial fisheries and recreational uses have coexisted over the last fifty years. The investigation synthesizes the documented impacts of human activities on the marine environment of Cap de Creus and integrates them with new data. In particular, the evolution of vulnerable, exploited species is used to evaluate the fishing impacts. The effects of area protection through the establishment of a marine reserve in the late 1990s and the potential climate change impacts are also considered. The evolution of the human uses is marked by the increasing socioeconomic importance of recreational activities (which affect species and habitats) in detriment to artisanal and red coral fisheries (which principally affect at a species level). Overall, populations of sedentary, vulnerable exploited species, hard sessile benthic invertebrates, and ecologically fragile habitats, such as seagrass meadows, the coralligenous and infralittoral algal assemblages have been the most negatively impacted by anthropogenic activities. Albeit human uses currently constitute the largest negative impact on the marine environment of Cap de Creus, climate change is emerging as a key factor that could have considerable implications for the marine environment and tourism activities. The establishment of the marine reserve appears to have had little socioeconomic impact, but there is some evidence that it had some positive biological effects on sedentary, littoral fishes. Results demonstrate that the declaration of a marine reserve alone does not guarantee the sustainability of marine resources and habitats but should be accompanied with an integrated coastal management plan.     

Anticipated Performance Index of some tree species considered for green belt development in and around an urban area: a case study of Varanasi city, India

It is well established that trees help to reduce air pollution, and there is a growing impetus for green belt expansion in urban areas. Identification of suitable plant species for green belts is very important. In the present study, the Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI) of many plant species has been evaluated by analyzing important biochemical parameters. The Anticipated Performance Index (API) of these plant species was also calculated by considering their APTI values together with other socio-economic and biological parameters. Based on these two indices, the most suitable plant species for green belt development in urban areas were identified and recommended for long-term air pollution management.     

Watershed Evapotranspiration Increased due to Changes in Vegetation Composition and Structure Under a Subtropical Climate1

Abstract: Natural forests in southern China have been severely logged due to high human demand for timber, food, and fuels during the past century, but are recovering in the past decade. The objective of this study was to investigate how vegetation cover changes in composition and structure affected the water budgets of a 9.6‐km² Dakeng watershed located in a humid subtropical mountainous region in southern China. We analyzed 27 years (i.e., 1967‐1993) of streamflow and climate data and associated vegetation cover change in the watershed. Land use/land cover census and Normalized Difference of Vegetation Index (NDVI) data derived from remote sensing were used to construct historic land cover change patterns. We found that over the period of record, annual streamflow (Q) and runoff/precipitation ratio did not change significantly, nor did the climatic variables, including air temperature, Hamon’s potential evapotranspiration (ET), pan evaporation, sunshine hours, and radiation. However, annual ET estimated as the differences between P and Q showed a statistically significant increasing trend. Overall, the NDVI of the watershed had a significant increasing trend in the peak spring growing season. This study concluded that watershed ecosystem ET increased as the vegetation cover shifted from low stock forests to shrub and grasslands that had higher ET rates. A conceptual model was developed for the study watershed to describe the vegetation cover‐streamflow relationships during a 50‐year time frame. This paper highlighted the importance of eco‐physiologically based studies in understanding transitory, nonstationary effects of deforestation or forestation on watershed water balances.     

三峡地区工业行业环境与经济行为特征分析

通过对三峡地区工业污染物产生强度和排放强度分析表明,三峡地区的产生强度和排放强度均高于东部先进水平和全国平均水平,指出了三峡地区的污染防治需从源头控制和末端治理双管齐下进行;引入"环境协调指数EHI(行业的经济贡献率与污染贡献率的比值)"分析行业的环境与经济行为特征,指明了三峡地区COD和氨氮相对污染重、经济效益差的行业.为区域产业结构调整提供了科学依据.     

环境质量评价的生物方法研究

环境质量的生物评价是以生物对环境污染的表现为基础的.环境质量评价的生物方法包括环境指示生物的选择,环境质量生物评价指标的确定和环境质量分类等3个步骤.论述了环境污染的生物表现,提出了选择环境指示生物的原则,给出了环境质量生物评价的3类指标,建立了环境质量4级分类体系.     

广西一个典型矿业镇环境中重金属污染分析

广西河池市是我国重要的有色金属基地.以该市一个典型的矿业镇作为研究对象,采集了该镇周围23个旱地土壤样品,并在镇里布设两个大气采样点采集了可吸入颗粒物(PM10)样品,运用ICP-MS分析了样品中20种金属元素的含量,采用地积指数法判定旱地土壤和可吸入颗粒物中污染元素及来源.结果表明,这些与人们生活密切的环境介质(旱地土,可吸入颗粒物)均受到了多种重金属元素的复合污染,其共同的污染元素有Cd、As、Sb、Pb、Xn、Cu,而其中致癌元素Cd和As污染最为突出.大气可吸入颗粒物与旱地土壤中各污染元素的污染强度排序相同,均为Cd＞As＞Sb＞Pb＞Zn＞Cu.经过现场调查和识别,污染源主要来自当地开放性运矿产生的扬尘所致.因此加强该地区矿石运输管理是保护该地区耕地和人群健康的需要.     

基于神经网络方法的城市空气质量日报技术

运用神经网络方法,将城市空气质量状况与大气污染物对空气质量的损害程度相关联,采用了"基于大气污染损害率的API法"评价概念,模拟发布长春市空气质量日报,同时公布次要污染物,并与API法进行同时段比对实验与综合分析。     

秦淮河上游水体大型底栖无脊椎动物群落结构及水质生物评价

2009年4月用D形网半定量采样法调查秦淮河上游25个点位的大型底栖无脊椎动物群落多样性,共获得63个大型底栖无脊椎动物分类单元;其中,水生昆虫5目12科30属,软体动物9科11属19种,寡毛纲2科7属9种。结果表明,生物指数(Biotic Index,BI)比Shannon-Wiener多样性指数的评价结果更接近实际情况,BI与ρ(TN)(r=0.44,p0.05)和ρ(NH3-N)(r=0.40,p0.05)之间显著相关,Shannon-Wiene多样性指数与ρ(TN)(r=-0.19,p0.05)和ρ(NH3-N)(r=0.44,p0.05)无显著性相关。生物评价表明秦淮河上游水质受到严重污染,句容地区的水质要优于南京。     

松花江流域水生态环境质量评价研究

采用生物完整性指数(IBI)法评价松花江流域的水生态环境质量。对25个候选生物参数进行敏感度分析、Pearson相关性分析,最终筛选出由总分类单元数、EPT分类单元数、EPT密度、敏感种分类单元比例、敏感物种数量、Hilsenhoff生物指数(HBI)6个核心参数构成的IBI评价指标。采用95%分位数法建立了IBI评价标准,将IBI评价结果划分为5个等级:大于35.84为优,26.88~35.84为良好,17.92~26.88为一般,8.96~17.92为较差,小于8.96为很差。结果表明,建立的IBI评价方法适用于松花江流域水生态环境质量评价,松花江流域各位点30.0%生物状况为优和良好,23.3%为一般;46.7%为较差和很差,说明流域内近一半区域的水生态质量存在不同程度的受损。流域生境质量主要处于一般-良好的状态;水质处于轻度污染。     

Effect of tracer dyes on initial deposits and persistence of bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki toxin after application of two commercial formulations onto spruce trees

Abstract

The effect of two tracer dyes [Erio Acid Red (EAR) and Acid Black 48 (AB‐48)] on initial deposits and persistence of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki (Btk) toxin (delta‐endotoxin) was studied after spraying two commercial formulations, Foray® 48B and Foray® 76B, over potted white spruce [Picea glauca (Moench) Voss] seedlings, at a dosage rate of 30 billion international units (BIU) per ha. Spray was applied using a spinning disc atomizer calibrated to deliver droplet sizes similar to those utilized in ultra‐low‐volume (ULV) treatments in operational insect control programs. The sprayed seedlings were left outdoors at the Sault Ste. Marie laboratory for 18 days under natural conditions of sunlight, wind and rainfall. Initial deposits and persistence of delta‐endotoxin protein in spruce foliage were determined by immunoassay [enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)] quantification of the delta‐endotoxin. The total protein (inactive plus active) and delta‐endotoxin (active protein) concentrations in the two formulations were determined by a gravimetric procedure and by ELISA respectively.

The initial deposit levels of the toxin on foliage were not markedly affected by the addition of either of the two tracer dyes, and showed only a narrow range of 1521 to 1625 ng/g foliage (fresh weight) for Foray 48B, and 1789 to 2056 ng/g for Foray 76B. However, the persistence of the toxin was significantly influenced by the presence of the dyes. The toxin persisted in foliage only for 7 d post‐spray When the EAR dye was added to Foray 48B, compared to 10 d when no dye was added. The average half‐life (DT₅₀) of disappearance was 17.4 h for Foray 48B with EAR, and 20.9 h when no dye was present. In contrast, the situation was reversed in Foray 76B, since the duration of persistence was 10 d when EAR was added to Foray 76B, compared to 7 d when no dye was added. The average DT₅₀ was 27.9 h for Foray 76B with EAR, and 22.2 h without the dye. Persistence was the longest (14 d) when the AB‐48 dye was added to Foray 76B, and the DT₅₀ was 44.9 h.