Heterogeneous Sulfate Formation on Dust Surface and Its Dependence on Mineralogy: Balloon-Borne Observations from Balloon-Borne Measurements in The Surface Atmosphere of Beijing, China

This study focuses on providing a direct insight into the process by which sulfate is formed on mineral dust surface in the actual atmosphere. Six sets of aerosol measurements were conducted in the outskirts of Beijing, China, in 2002–2003 using a tethered balloon. The mineralogy of individual dust particles, as well as its influence on the S (sulfur) loadings was investigated by SEM-EDX analysis of the directly collected particles. The mixed layer in the urban atmosphere was found to be quite low (500–600m), often appearing as a particle dense stagnant layer above the surface. It is suggested that mineral dust is a common and important fraction of the coarse particles in Beijing (35–68%), and that it is relatively enriched with Calcite (>28%). An exceptional amount of S was detected in the mineral particles, which can be explained neither by their original composition, nor by coagulation processes between the submicron sulfates and the dust. Heterogeneous uptake of gaseous SO₂, and its subsequent oxidation on dust was suggested as the main pathway that has actually taken place in the ambient environment. The mineral class found with the largest number of particles containing S was Calcite, followed by Dolomite, Clay, Amphibole etc., Feldspar, and Quartz. Among them, Calcite and Dolomite showed distinctly higher efficiency in collecting sulfate than the other types. A positive correlation was found with the number of S containing particles and the relative humidity. Calcite in particular, since almost all of its particles was found to contain S above 60% r.h. On the other hand, the active uptake of SO₂ by the carbonates was not suggested in the free troposphere downwind, and all the mineral classes exhibited similar S content. Relative humidity in the free troposphere was suggested as the key factor controlling the SO₂ uptake among the mineral types. In terms of sulfate loadings, the relationship was not linear, but rather increased exponentially as a function of relative humidity. The humidity-dependent uptake capacity of mineral types altogether showed an intermediate value of 0.07 gSO₄ ²⁻ g⁻¹ mineral at 30% r.h. and 0.40 gSO₄ ²⁻ g⁻¹ mineral at 80%, which is fairly consistent with laboratory experiments.     

MORPHOLOGIC RESPONSE OF SUBALPINE STREAMS TO TRANSBASIN FLOW DIVERSION1

ABSTRACT: Flow has been diverted from Rocky Mountain streams for many years with little documentation of the impacts on physical form and biological function of the losing stream system. This study addresses whether differences in form can be detected in subalpine step-pool, plane bed, or pool-riffle channels and linked to changes in flow regime from diversion. Total annual discharge was reduced between 20 and 60 percent and average annual peak flow was reduced up to 45 percent in the subalpine systems assessed; channels were diverted between 20 and 100 years. Expected impacts include reduced conveyance and changes in vegetation growth patterns because formerly active surfaces are colonized by riparian species, effectuating shrinking channel capacity. In this study, reduced channel width is used as an indicator of morphologic response. Observed reductions in width, ranging from 35 to 50 percent at some sites, resulted not only from vegetation invasion of stable surfaces but also from the development of an inset beside former cut banks. This observation, however, was restricted to wider pool-riffle channels with gravel bars. Outside of these areas, morphologic changes were either subtle or absent. The absence of widespread response is attributed primarily to periodic “flooding” of the diverted channel. During wetter-than-average years when excess water is available, minimal flow is diverted and the hydrograph resembles a free-flowing regime. The release of high flow to the natural channel potentially offsets changes in form incurred during “dry” periods. The stable nature and structure of subalpine channels also contributes to the absence of reduced capacity.     

Simulating secondary succession of elk forage values in a managed forest landscape,western Washington

Modern timber management practices often influence forage production for elk (Cervus elaphus) on broad temporal and spatial scales in forested landscapes. We incorporated site-specific information on postharvesting forest succession and forage characteristics in a simulation model to evaluate past and future influences of forest management practices on forage values for elk in a commercially managed Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii, PSME)-western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla, TSHE) forest in western Washington. We evaluated future effects of: (1) clear-cut logging 0, 20, and 40% of harvestable stands every five years; (2) thinning 20-year-old Douglas fir forests; and (3) reducing the harvesting cycle from 60 to 45 years. Reconstruction of historical patterns of vegetation succession indicated that forage values peaked in the 1960s and declined from the 1970s to the present, but recent values still were higher than may have existed in the unmanaged landscape in 1945. Increased forest harvesting rates had little short-term influence on forage trends because harvestable stands were scarce. Simulations of forest thinning also produced negligible benefits because thinning did not improve forage productivity appreciably at the stand level. Simulations of reduced harvesting cycles shortened the duration of declining forage values from approximately 30 to 15 years. We concluded that simulation models are useful tools for examining landscape responses of forage production to forest management strategies, but the options examined provided little potential for improving elk forages in the immediate future.     

Novel dimensionless index for physically based assessment of thermal refugia characterizes off-channel habitat on gravel bed river

In the Willamette River, OR, main channel temperatures can be too warm for cold water fishes, causing fish to concentrate in secondary channel features that provide thermal refugia. However, temperature regimes vary among and within features. Improved understanding of physical processes controlling thermal regimes is needed. This study developed a dimensionless index for assessment of thermal refugia on the upper Willamette River. The novel hyporheic insolation (HIN) index uses minimal field measurements to predict thermal refugia resulting from buffering. Continuous water temperature measurements at one side channel, eight alcoves, and six beaver ponds provided data to ground truth calculated ${ℍ}_{\text{in}}$ predictions. Water temperature records were first used to characterize stratification at sites. Calculation of the Richardson number, an index of stability, showed two well-mixed sites and 13 stratified sites. At stratified sites, calculated ${ℍ}_{\text{in}}$ values characterized the ratio of cooling flux from hyporheic discharge to heat flux from incoming solar radiation. As ${ℍ}_{\text{in}}$ increased, measured temperatures at sites decreased. Despite overall scatter, a logarithmic fit to bin-averaged ${ℍ}_{\text{in}}$ values showed R² = 0.91. Calculations suggest that secondary channel features characterized by stratification and cool hyporheic discharge can provide thermal refugia. Accordingly, the HIN index may serve as a practical tool grounded in physical processes governing temperature across a floodplain.     

Formation and Transport of Atmospheric Aerosol over Athens, Greece

The effects of meteorology on ambient aerosol concentrations and aerosol transport, within the Greater Athens Area during the summer period, was investigated. Measurements of size fractionated anions and cations were made at two sites (inland at Ag. Stefanos and on the coast at Pireas) within the Greater Athens Area. The wind regime exhibited a distinctinfluence such that the sea-breeze circulation strongly enhanced the formation of secondary aerosols. For sulphate the difference in concentration between the two sites was,on average, 8 times greater on sea-breeze days compared with Etesian days (warm days with NE winds). During `normal' days,any differences in concentrations were possibly due to localemissions. Elevated concentrations in the fine mode were detectedat both sites during the sea-breeze days. The sea-breezecirculation enhances the development of secondary aerosolswhich was clearly shown at the inland site. Nitrous acid,hydrochloric acid and particulate nitrate, sulphate andammonium increase during sea-breeze days. Elevated levelsof nitrate, 4 m diameter, were particularly observedon the days with a strong sea-breeze circulation. Sulphatewas well correlated with both sulphur dioxide and ammoniumsuggesting the production of NH₄HSO₄/(NH₄)₂SO₄ aerosols, formedthrough the neutralisation of NH₃ with sulphuric acids.Ammonium sulphate was found to be the major ammoniumcomponent in Athens.     

充装条件对水基热气溶胶灭火剂燃速影响规律的研究

水基热气溶胶灭火剂是以替代哈龙为目的而研制的新一代灭火制；主要论述了充装量，充装密度，燃烧器结构等充装条件对水基热气溶胶灭火剂燃烧速度的影响规律，并分析了充装量，充装密度，燃烧器结构影响燃烧速度的原因。     

电热原子吸收法测定大气中微量元素镉

用HNO_3—HClO_4硝解聚氯乙烯膜,用石墨炉原子吸收法直接测定大气颗粒物中的镉,方法准确度使用标准物质,在选定的条件下,相对误差0.011％,变异系数为10.83％,回收率在90.2～101.6％,方法操作简便测定速度快。     

DESIGNING FOR DYNAMIC EQUILIBRIUM IN STREAMS1

ABSTRACT: Streams are dynamic systems, so steady state does not exist for any appreciable period of time. Streams in dynamic equilibrium respond quickly to change, regaining a new equilibrium. From the response system it follows that there is a causative reason why a stream meanders or degrades or aggrades its bed. These actions represent adjustment processes. If humans interfere with them, other adjustment processes will be initiated. In contrast, if humans work with the ongoing processes, success will be attainable with less efforts and at a lower cost. Local base level change represents one of the most influential channel changes, especially the lowering of this level. Loss of base level may cause degradation throughout a stream network, because the main stem is the base level for all its tributaries. Often, degradation causes bank instability and lowering of streamside water tables that, in turn, endanger the riparian ecosystem. Judging from check dam systems, a rise of the local base level does not raise the bed throughout a stream or network; instead, aggradation stops at a given distance. Preventing local base level changes of a stream network, therefore, is a cost-effective measure. Examples are presented of treatments causing new critical situations and measures to correct them.     

Control of environmental impact with modern chemical technology

Here are assembled representative excerpts from a new text in applied chemistry. They illustrate the well-referenced treatment of industrial processes that are here considered with their related emission control problems and solutions. A brief account of general aspects of the industry is followed by surveys of the significance and technical aspects of air and water pollution chemistry. Consideration is given to emission avoidance or containment, waste treatment, and waste disposal options as they relate to both of these environmental areas. Details of salt recovery and the products of brine electrolysis plus environmental aspects of these operations are treated as examples of some of the processes discussed. Also covered are fertilizer constituent preparation, formulation, and use with consideration of the large-scale effects of each of these activities. Detailed reference is made to the chemical technology and emission control aspects of the pulp and paper industry and refinery operations. Throughout, integral process changes and waste recycling practices are directly related to emission control aspects of each process in a way to be useful to the student and professional alike. These excerpts are extracted from one of the first, single volume accounts to take this unified approach to the subject.Extract from the bookModern Chemical Technology and Emission Control by M. B. Hocking, published by Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, Tokyo (1985).     

Copper recycling and scrap availability

According to existing estimates, available old copper scrap has more than tripled over the past 40 years. Secondary production (that is, copper produced from recycling old scrap), however, has only doubled. Indeed, over the past 10 years, while copper consumption and primary production have continued to expand briskly, while available old scrap has increased by over 35%, secondary production has actually stagnated.For a world concerned with sustainable development and the quality of the earth's environment, this performance is disappointing and in need of explanation. Other things being equal, one would expect the amount of recycling to increase with the availability of scrap, as many econometric models of the world copper market developed over the past several decades explicitly assume.The key to understanding sluggish growth in secondary production, this paper argues, is distinguishing carefully between (1) the flow of old scrap that arrives each year from products reaching the end of their useful lives during the year and (2) the available stock of old scrap that was not recycled during earlier years presumably because it was too costly to do so. Using an econometric model, the paper shows that old scrap stocks, which have contributed most of the increase in available old copper scrap over the years, have a very modest impact on secondary production. Old scrap flows have a much greater effect, but they account for only about 4% of the available old scrap for any given year.