Comparison of Three Pebble Count Protocols (EMAP,PIBO, and SFT) in Two Mountain Gravel‐Bed Streams1

Abstract: Although the term ``pebble count'' is in widespread use, there is no standardized methodology used for the field application of this procedure. Each pebble count analysis is the product of several methodological choices, any of which are capable of influencing the final result. Because there are virtually countless variations on pebble count protocols, the question of how their results differ when applied to the same study reach is becoming increasingly important. This study compared three pebble count protocols: the reach‐averaged Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP) protocol named after the EMAP developed by the Environmental Protection Agency, the habitat‐unit specific U.S. Forest Service’s PACFISH/INFISH Biological Opinion (PIBO) Effectiveness Monitoring Program protocol, and a data‐intensive method developed by the authors named Sampling Frame and Template (SFT). When applied to the same study reaches, particle‐size distributions varied among the three pebble count protocols because of differences in sample locations within a stream reach and along a transect, in particle selection, and particle‐size determination. The EMAP protocol yielded considerably finer, and the PIBO protocol considerably coarser distributions than the SFT protocol in the pool‐riffle study streams, suggesting that the data cannot be used interchangeably. Approximately half of the difference was due to sampling at different areas within the study reach (i.e., wetted width, riffles, and bankfull width) and at different locations within a transect. The other half was attributed to using different methods for particle selection from the bed, particle‐size determination, and the use of wide, nonstandard size classes. Most of the differences in sampling outcomes could be eliminated by using simple field tools, by collecting a larger sample size, and by systematically sampling the entire bankfull channel and all geomorphic units within the reach.     

Bankfull Regional Curves for North and Northwest Florida Streams1

Abstract: Regional curves, which relate bankfull channel dimensions and discharge to watershed drainage area, are developed to aid in identifying the bankfull stage in ungaged watersheds, and estimating the bankfull discharge and dimensions for river studies and natural channel design applications. This study assessed 26 stable stream reaches in two hydro‐physiographic regions of the Florida Coastal Plain: the Northwest Florida Coastal Plain (NWFCP) and the North Florida Coastal Plain (NFCP). Data from stream reaches in Georgia and Alabama were also used to develop the Florida regional curves, since they are located in the same hydro‐physiographic region. Reaches were selected based on the presence of U.S. Geological Survey gage stations and indicators of limited watershed development (e.g., <10% impervious surface). Analyses were conducted to determine bankfull channel dimensions, bankfull discharge, average channel slope, and Rosgen stream classification. Based on these data, significant relationships were found between bankfull cross‐sectional area, width, mean depth, and discharge as a function of drainage area for both regions. Data from this study suggested that bankfull discharges and channel dimensions were larger from NWFCP streams than from Coastal Plain streams in North Carolina and Maryland. Bankfull discharges were similar between NFCP and Georgia coastal plain streams; therefore, the data were combined into one regional curve. In addition, the data were stratified by Rosgen stream type. This stratification strengthened the relationships of bankfull width and mean depth as a function of drainage area.     

Emotions drive attention: Effects on driver’s behaviour

Music is the favourite activity while driving. However, very few studies have investigated its impact on driving performances. This study was designed to assess the effect of music’s emotional valence on driving behaviour. Happy, sad and neutral music excerpts were alternated with no-music phases while driving in a simulator. Results showed that happy music distracted drivers the most as their mean speed unexpectedly decreased and their lateral control deteriorated. Sad music influenced drivers in a different way as they drove slowly and kept their vehicle in its lane. These findings were discussed within the framework of attentional orienting and emotions.     

低剂量La(Ⅲ)与酸雨对大豆幼苗生长及光合作用的复合影响

为探索稀上元素镧与酸雨对大豆幼苗生长和光合作用的复合影响,以大豆幼苗为试材.采用水培法培养,模拟酸雨和镧处理试材.结果表明,在酸雨(AR_1/pH=3.0,AR_2/pH=4.0,AR_3/pH=5.0)单独作用下,各项生长指标均低于对照组,呈现明显的剂量-效应关系;在稀士La(RE_1/20 mg·L~(-1),RE_2/60 mg·L~(-1),RE_3/100 mg·L~(-1))单独作用下,生长指标呈现明显的"低促高抑"规律.RE+AR复合作用影响下,RE_1和AR复合对大豆幼茵生长抑制程度低于AR单独作用,表现为拮抗效应,RE_2、RE_3与AR对大豆幼苗的复合影响表现为协同作用.大豆幼苗的Chl含量和P_n,与其他乍长指标呈现相似的变化规律,研究表明AR、RE及AR+RE对植物光合作用的影响是其影响植物生长的主要因素之一.     

太阳光下Fenton氧化-混凝法深度处理垃圾渗滤液试验研究

针对经生物处理后难以进一步生物降解的垃圾渗滤液,提出采用太阳光下Fenton氧化-混凝法进行深度处理.比较了直接混凝法、太阳光下Fenton氧化法及其联合处理技术对垃圾渗滤液COD_(Cr)的处理效果.结果表明,垃圾渗滤液进行直接混凝处理的效果不理想.COD_(Cr)的去除率仅为17.8%;太阳光可有效地催化Fenton试剂对垃圾渗滤液COD_(Cr)的去除效果,但要其COD_(Cr)低于国家二级排放标准则需消耗H_2O_2的浓度大于600 mmol/L.导致其处理成本较高;而采用太阳光下Fenton氧化-混凝联合处理技术.垃圾渗滤液低于国家二级排放标准只需投加H_2O_2的浓度为170 mmol/L,比单纯采用太阳光下Fenton 氧化法处理垃圾渗滤液可节约H_2O_2用量2.53倍以上.     

湖北省硅肥在水稻、黄瓜、花生上的应用效果

湖北省自1987年以来开展了水稻、黄瓜、花生等作物硅肥应用研究,水稻增产4.3％-16.4％,黄瓜3.6％-9.1％,花生13.6％-40.2％,增产均达显著或极显著水平;施用硅肥能提高作物抗倒伏和抗病能力.水稻氮、硅配合施用.提高氮肥利用率2％左右.     

Decolourization and removal of some organic compounds from olive mill wastewater by advanced oxidation processes and lime treatment

Background Olive mill wastewater (OMW) generated by the olive oil extracting industry is a major pollutant, because of its high organic load and phytotoxic and antibacterial phenolic compounds which resist biological degradation. Mediterranean countries are mostly affected by this serious environmental problem since they are responsible for 95% of the worldwide oliveoil production. There are many methods used for OMW treatment, such as adsorption, electro coagulation, electro-oxidation, biological degradation, advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), chemical coagulation, flocculation, filtration, lagoons of evaporation and burning systems, etc. Currently, there is no such economical and easy solution. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of decolourization and removal of phenol, lignin, TOC and TIC in OMW by UV/H₂O₂ (AOPs). The operating parameters, such as hydrogen peroxide dosage, times, pH, effect of UV and natural sunlight were determined to find the suitable operating conditions for the best removal. Moreover, there is no study reported in the literature related to the use of UV/H₂O₂ and lime together in OMW treatment. Methods OMW was obtained from an olive-oil producing plant (Muğla area of Turkey) which uses a modern production process. No chemical additives are used during olive oil production. This study was realised by using two different UV sources, while taking the time and energy consumption into consideration. These two sources were mercury lamps and natural sunlight. Before starting AOPs experiments, one litre of OMW was treated by adding lime until a pH of 7.00. Then, 100 ml was taken from each sample, and 1 to 10 ml of a 30% H₂O₂ (Riedel-deHaen) solution was added. These solutions in closed vessels were laid in the natural sunlight for a week and their compositions and colour changes were analysed daily by UV-Vis spectrophotometer. At the end of the one-week period, they were treated with lime. In this study, the effect of changes in the initial pH, times and H₂O₂ concentrations on removal was investigated. At the end of all experiments, changes in colour, phenol, lignin, TOC and TIC concentrations were analysed according to standard methods. Results and Discussion In the samples exposed to natural sunlight and having an H₂O₂/OMW ratio of 3 ml/100 ml, a significant colour removal was achieved approximately 90% of the time at the end of 7 days. When the same samples were treated with lime (pH: up to 7), 99% efficiency was achieved. When phenol and lignin removals were examined in the same concentration, phenol and lignin removal were found 99.5%, 35%, respectively. However, for maximum lignin removal, more use of H₂O₂ (10 ml H₂O₂/100 ml OMW) was found to be necessary. Under these conditions, it was found that lignin can be removed by 70%, but to 90% with lime, at the end of a seven-day period. Rate constants obtained in the experiments performed with direct UV were found to be much higher than those of the samples exposed to natural sunlight (k^a _lignin = 0.3883 ≫ k^b _lignin = 0.0078; k^a _phenol = 0.5187 ≫ k^b _phenol = 0.0146). Moreover, it should be remembered in this process that energy consumption may induce extra financial burden for organisations. Conclusions It was found, in general, that colour, lignin, total organic carbon and phenol were removed more efficiently from OMW by using H₂O₂ UV and lime OMW. Moreover, in the study, lime was found to contribute, both initially and after radical reactions, to the efficiency to a great extent. Recommendations and Perspectives Another result obtained from the study is that pre-purification carried out with hydrogen peroxide and lime may constitute an important step for further purification processes such as adsorption, membrane processes, etc.     

Hydrogeochemistry and Groundwater Quality Assessment of Lower Part of the Ponnaiyar River Basin, Cuddalore District, South India

The Lower Ponnaiyar River Basin forms an important groundwater province in South India constituted by Tertiary formations dominated by sandstones and overlain by alluvium. The region enjoyed artesian conditions 50 years back but at present frequent failure of monsoon and over exploitation is threatening the aquifer. Further, extensive agricultural and industrial activities and urbanization has resulted in the increase in demand and contamination of the aquifer. To identify the sources and quality of groundwater, water samples from 47 bore wells were collected in an area of 154 km² and were analysed for major ions and trace metals. The results reveal that the groundwater in many places is contaminated by higher concentrations of NO₃, Cl, PO₄ and Fe. Four major hydrochemical facies Ca–Mg–Cl, Na–Cl, Ca–HCO₃ and Na–HCO₃ were identified using Piper trilinear diagram. Salinity, sodium adsorption ratio, and sodium percentage indicate that most of the groundwater samples are not suitable for irrigation as well as for domestic purposes and far from drinking water standards. The most serious pollution threat to groundwater is from nitrate ions, which are associated with sewage and fertilizers application. The present state of the quality of the lower part of Ponnaiyar River Basin is of great concern and the higher concentration of toxic metals (Fe and Ni) may entail various health hazards.     

Uncertainty of exposure assessment of consumers to pesticide residues derived from food consumed

The sources of quantitative and qualitative uncertainties of the exposure of a consumer to a pesticide residue are identified. The contribution of quantifiable uncertainties of input parameters of deterministic model to the combined uncertainty of the estimated exposure is shown with detailed calculation using the pesticide residue content of food consumed during two days. The daily intakes of bifenthrin residues calculated for the 60 kg bodyweight of the reporting person are 0.00257 mg/kgbw and 0.00281 mg/kgbw for day 1 and day 2, respectively with 27-28% combined uncertainty. The major contributors were fruits and whole meal bread. The contribution of the individual steps to the combined uncertainty depends on the particular food item. In general, the variability of recipes, estimation of the mass of consumed food, sampling, processing of raw commodities and analysis of pesticide residues influenced most, in decreasing order, the combined uncertainty of the estimated daily exposure.     

高级氧化法处理甲基叔丁基醚的研究进展

综述了采用常规氧化、光强化氧化以及超声波辅助氧化等高级氧化技术降解甲基叔丁基醚（MTBE）的降解机理及研究进展。并介绍了MTBE与醚类、苯系物以及可吸附卤化物共存的复合污染物的氧化降解研究进展。指出今后研究的重点是利用光、声、电能量的摄入来降低氧化剂加入量,提高矿化程度以减少毒性较大的叔丁基团的含量,研发更易于固液分离、稳定性更高和寿命更长的高效催化剂及共存体系将是持续热点。