The legacy of migration in response to climate stress: learning from the Gilbertese resettlement in the Solomon Islands

The long‐term threat of sea‐level rise to coral atoll and reef island communities in Kiribati, Tuvalu and other nations has raised the possibility of international migration. Historical resettlements in the Pacific may provide valuable insight into the long‐term effect of future climate change‐related migration on communities. This study evaluates the challenges faced by Gilbertese people resettled from modern‐day Kiribati to Ghizo in the Solomon Islands by the British colonial administration in the mid‐1900s. Drawing upon field interviews (n = 45) conducted in 2011 and the available historical literature, the study examines the circumstances of the initial failed resettlement in the equatorial Phoenix Islands, the subsequent relocation to Ghizo, and the recent concerns of the Gilbertese in Ghizo. Focus is placed on the struggle to recover from the 2007 tsunami that devastated the unprepared community. The analysis reveals that uncertainty about land tenure (raised by 61% of respondents) persists 60 years after resettlement, and is linked to the ability to recover from the tsunami, tensions with the Melanesian population, concerns over political representation, cultural decline, and education and employment opportunities. The Gilbertese experience can serve as a cautionary tale for policymakers considering mechanisms for facilitating climate change‐related migration.     

上海市崇明岛农业土壤中二噁英的现状研究及来源分析

为了解上海市崇明岛农用土壤中二噁英类化合物(PCDD/Fs)现状水平及其来源,于2021年6-7月采集上海市崇明岛31个农业土壤样品,采用同位素稀释法测定样品中17种2,3,7,8-PCDD/Fs的含量,并且对其现状水平、异构体特征以及来源进行初步分析。结果表明,31个土壤样品中均检出PCDD/Fs,质量分数为88.14~356.55 pg/g,对应毒性当量为0.64~2.20 pg I-TEQ/g,统计频率分析发现呈右侧拖尾的偏态分布,中位数为1.05 pg I-TEQ/g。经过比较,崇明岛农用土壤属于典型的背景土壤,土壤中二噁英类物质的污染属于较低水平。利用主成分分析(PCA)和正定矩阵因子分解法(PMF)对可能的来源进行分析,结果显示上海市崇明岛农业土壤中PCDD/Fs的主要来源为五氯酚(PCP)、水稻秸秆烟(RSS)和交通源(TS),占比分别为61.6%,23.2%和15.2%。结合采样地理位置推断,上海市崇明岛农业土壤中PCDD/Fs可能受到来自崇明岛自身农耕以及交通等因素的影响。     

横沙岛潮滩沉积物中重金属的空间分布与累积

长期以来,长江流域的工农业及城市生活排污一直没有得到有效的控制,这必将对下游河口地区的生态环境造成直接或潜在的威胁。因此,针对横沙岛目前的潮滩环境进行研究,并就潮滩质量和发展趋势进行评价非常必要。通过对横沙岛潮滩表层沉积物中重金属元素空间分布与累积的统计学分析,得知横沙岛潮滩环境总体比较清洁,但多年来受城市工业废水和生活污水排放,以及城市汽车尾气和工业粉尘干湿沉降的影响,局部地区表现出较严峻的污染形势,Cu、Zn、Cr、Pb的最高浓度分别达到背景值的2.34、4.24、2.74和1.63倍。通过对潮滩表层沉积物粒度和有机质含量的分析,指出水动力条件、潮滩生物活化作用是影响重金属空间分布和累积的主要因素。     

2019年8月海南岛三亚地震的控震断裂及未来地震危险性分析

2019年8月20日,海南省三亚市天涯区连续发生两次有感地震.为研究本次地震的控震断裂及琼南地区未来的地震危险性,综合分析了琼南地区历史地震活动特征和主要断裂的构造活动特征.结果表明:近EW向九所-水断裂在琼南地区起主要控震作用,沿断裂带小型地震频繁而密集发生.震中周边的NW向乐东-田独断裂较其他方向断裂活动时代最新,...     

长春市热岛效应的时空演变研究

以长春市为例,借助1988年9月25日,1995年9月29日和2000年9月18日三个时相的TM/ETM+遥感影像,研究长春市近12年热岛效应的时空演化规律。研究发现:长春市热岛效应明显且多年稳定存在,热岛中心主要分布在宽城区南部、二道区北部伊通河两岸和绿园区西南部;绿园区西南部和宽城区西北部强热岛区面积呈逐年增加态势,二道区北部伊通河两岸热状况有所改善;从1998年到1995年和从1995年到2000年,热岛面积分别增加约9.32 km2和14.93km2,增长速度加快。     

The role of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) in the negotiation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which was signed by some 153 countries at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1992, represented a singular triumph for the geographically dispersed group of island states and low-lying coastal developing countries, located in the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans, as well as in the Caribbean, South China and Mediterranean Seas, and known as the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS). This article focuses on the goals of AOSIS during the negotiations leading up to the adoption of the UNFCCC. For the first time in the history of the United Nations, a group of small states, hitherto relegated to the sidelines, was able to develop a specific negotiating agenda addressing areas which are of overriding concern to them and succeeded in having those concerns incorporated in a legally binding Convention of historic importance. As this article reveals, AOSIS set itself 12 negotiating goals during the negotiating rounds leading up to the UNFCCC, and 10 of these 12 goals were realized. Nevertheless, AOSIS, whose member states are most vulnerable to the possible adverse effects of climate change, was particularly concerned about those provisions of the UNFCCC that were either watered-down significantly, made largely meaningless or excluded altogether. These include: the absence of definite targets or specific timetables for the significant reduction of carbon dioxide by the industrialized countries of the North; the lack of permanent and clear financing arrangements in particular the lack of definitive financial provisions for adaptive response measures to the adverse impacts of climate change such as sea-level rise; and the absence of a specific provision for the implementation of coastal zone management schemes for those countries most vulnerable to sea-level rise. As the UNFCCC moves into the implementation phase, AOSIS should and must build on its past success. To do so, it will need to develop clearly defined initiatives aimed at strengthening the commitments for financing and insurance, and to seek inclusion of a provision to develop and finance coastal zone management schemes for the most vulnerable small states. While the article covers the AOSIS negotiating period up to and including the Earth Summit in June 1992, we nevertheless postulate some possible objectives which the AOSIS group might wish to consider in what is sure to be an intensive post-Earth Summit phase of the UNFCCC, leading up to the first Conference of the Parties of that Convention.     

A western gray whale mitigation and monitoring program for a 3-D seismic survey, Sakhalin Island, Russia

The introduction of anthropogenic sounds into the marine environment can impact some marine mammals. Impacts can be greatly reduced if appropriate mitigation measures and monitoring are implemented. This paper concerns such measures undertaken by Exxon Neftegas Limited, as operator of the Sakhalin-1 Consortium, during the Odoptu 3-D seismic survey conducted during 17 August–9 September 2001. The key environmental issue was protection of the critically endangered western gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus), which feeds in summer and fall primarily in the Piltun feeding area off northeast Sakhalin Island. Existing mitigation and monitoring practices for seismic surveys in other jurisdictions were evaluated to identify best practices for reducing impacts on feeding activity by western gray whales. Two buffer zones were established to protect whales from physical injury or undue disturbance during feeding. A 1 km buffer protected all whales from exposure to levels of sound energy potentially capable of producing physical injury. A 4–5 km buffer was established to avoid displacing western gray whales from feeding areas. Trained Marine Mammal Observers (MMOs) on the seismic ship Nordic Explorer had the authority to shut down the air guns if whales were sighted within these buffers. Additional mitigation measures were also incorporated: Temporal mitigation was provided by rescheduling the program from June–August to August–September to avoid interference with spring arrival of migrating gray whales. The survey area was reduced by 19% to avoid certain waters <20 m deep where feeding whales concentrated and where seismic acquisition was a lower priority. The number of air guns and total volume of the air guns were reduced by about half (from 28 to 14 air guns and from 3,390 in³ to 1,640 in³) relative to initial plans. “Ramp-up” (=“soft-start”) procedures were implemented. Monitoring activities were conducted as needed to implement some mitigation measures, and to assess residual impacts. Aerial and vessel-based surveys determined the distribution of whales before, during and after the seismic survey. Daily aerial reconnaissance helped verify whale-free areas and select the sequence of seismic lines to be surveyed. A scout vessel with MMOs aboard was positioned 4 km shoreward of the active seismic vessel to provide better visual coverage of the 4–5 km buffer and to help define the inshore edge of the 4–5 km buffer. A second scout vessel remained near the seismic vessel. Shore-based observers determined whale numbers, distribution, and behavior during and after the seismic survey. Acoustic monitoring documented received sound levels near and in the main whale feeding area. Statistical analyses of aerial survey data indicated that about 5–10 gray whales moved away from waters near (inshore of) the seismic survey during seismic operations. They shifted into the core gray whale feeding area farther south, and the proportion of gray whales observed feeding did not change over the study period. Five shutdowns of the air guns were invoked for gray whales seen within or near the buffer. A previously unknown gray whale feeding area (the Offshore feeding area) was discovered south and offshore from the nearshore Piltun feeding area. The Offshore area has subsequently been shown to be used by feeding gray whales during several years when no anthropogenic activity occurred near the Piltun feeding area. Shore-based counts indicated that whales continued to feed inshore of the Odoptu block throughout the seismic survey, with no significant correlation between gray whale abundance and seismic activity. Average values of most behavioral parameters were similar to those without seismic surveys. Univariate analysis showed no correlation between seismic sound levels and any behavioral parameter. Multiple regression analyses indicated that, after allowance for environmental covariates, 5 of 11 behavioral parameters were statistically correlated with estimated seismic survey-related variables; 6 of 11 behavioral parameters were not statistically correlated with seismic survey-related variables. Behavioral parameters that were correlated with seismic variables were transient and within the range of variation attributable to environmental effects. Acoustic monitoring determined that the 4–5 km buffer zone, in conjunction with reduction of the air gun array to 14 guns and 1,640 in³, was effective in limiting sound exposure. Within the Piltun feeding area, these mitigation measures were designed to insure that western gray whales were not exposed to received levels exceeding the 163 dB re 1 μPa (rms) threshold. This was among the most complex and intensive mitigation programs ever conducted for any marine mammal. It provided valuable new information about underwater sounds and gray whale responses during a nearshore seismic program that will be useful in planning future work. Overall, the efforts in 2001 were successful in reducing impacts to levels tolerable by western gray whales. Research in 2002–2005 suggested no biologically significant or population-level impacts of the 2001 seismic survey. M. W. Newcomer is deceased.     

湛江东海岛地下水入海排泄量估算及其影响研究

在分析广东省湛江市东海岛的区域水文地质特征及地下水开发利用特点的基础上,构建了地下水入海排泄量估算模型,以估算地下水入海排泄量和携带入海的营养盐量。结果表明,估算得到的2009年东海岛地下水入海排泄总量为133.8×104m3,其中携带入海的营养盐总量为5 157.98kg,地下水的携带入海成为近岸海域陆域营养盐入海排泄的主要途径;研究区位于沿海地带的砂堤砂地潜水分布区以及位于海岸地带的湛江组浅部潜水—微承压水含水层分布区等局部地段,存在地下水入海排泄量的低值区,可能存在海水入侵风险。     

Impact of the earthquake and tsunami of December 26, 2004, on the groundwater regime at Neill Island (south Andaman)

The aquifer and groundwater regime has been affected by the earthquake and tsunami of December 26, 2004, particularly on the islands and coastal regions of India. The groundwater regime on many islands of Andaman and Nicobar islands, which is the only source of fresh water on the islands, has been found to be deteriorated. Detailed hydrogeological studies have been carried out at one of the tiny islands of Andaman, namely Neill Island, and results have been compared with prior observations. It has been found that the shell limestone aquifer at a few places has developed cracks due to the earthquake and these openings have allowed quick movement of seawater into the aquifer resulting into deterioration of groundwater quality. In the places where the aquifer is at sea level, the tsunami waves have caused seawater ingress. Most parts of the island which have hard mudstone as a base and where the aquifer lies much above sea level, did not show any change in groundwater regime.     

彭佳屿岛春季TSP中痕量金属组成及其来源解析

通过大气环流向海洋大气边界层传输的人为源和陆源物质,明显改变了海洋气溶胶中痕量金属的组成.但基于开阔海域岛屿连续观测研究海洋气溶胶中痕量金属元素组成及其来源的研究较少.2010年3—5月在我国台湾北部东海海域彭佳屿岛采集了60个TSP（总悬浮颗粒物）样品,采用电感耦合等离子体质谱仪（ICP-MS）分析了19种痕量金属（Al、Fe、Ti、Y、Mn、Ba、Sr、Co、Cr、V、Ni、Tl、Zn、Sn、Pb、As、Cd、Sb、Se）的质量浓度.基于TSP中Al浓度、气团后向轨迹分析和美国国家宇航局CALIPSO卫星星载激光雷达扫描图像,将采集的TSP分为非沙尘TSP（不受沙尘影响的TSP）和沙尘TSP（受沙尘影响的TSP）.沙尘TSP中所有痕量金属的浓度都高于非沙尘TSP,表明沙尘对彭佳屿岛TSP中痕量金属有贡献.结合富集因子、相关性分析和PMF模型研究结果表明,彭佳屿岛春季非沙尘TSP中Al、Fe、Ti和Y主要来源于地壳矿物,Mn、Ba、Sr、Co和Cr同时受地壳矿物和人为源的影响;沙尘TSP中Al、Fe、Ti、Y、Mn、Ba、Sr、Co和Cr主要来源于地壳矿物.V和Ni在彭佳屿岛春季非沙尘TSP中主要来源于燃料油燃烧,而在沙尘TSP中同时受燃料油燃烧和地壳矿物的影响.非沙尘TSP和沙尘TSP中,Tl、Zn、As、Sn、Pb、Cd、Sb和Se的来源相似.Tl主要源于交通和煤燃烧,Zn、Sn、Pb、Cd和Sb同时来源于交通、煤和燃料油燃烧,As主要来源于煤燃烧,Se则主要来源于煤和燃料油燃烧.研究显示,人为源释放到大气中的Tl、Zn、As、Sn、Pb、Cd、Sb和Se可以通过大气环流长距离传输至开阔海域.