Integration of traditional and innovative characterization techniques for flux-based assessment of Dense Non-aqueous Phase Liquid (DNAPL) sites

Key attributes of the source zone and the expanding dissolved plume at a trichloroethene (TCE) site in Australia were evaluated using trends in groundwater monitoring data along with data from on-line volatile organic compound (VOC) samplers and passive flux meters (PFMs) deployed in selected wells. These data indicate that: (1) residual TCE source mass in the saturated zone, estimated using two innovative techniques, is small ( 10 kg), which is also reflected in small source mass discharge ( 3 g/day); (2) the plume is disconnecting, based on TCE concentration contours and TCE fluxes in wells along a longitudinal transect; (3) there is minimal biodegradation, based on TCE mass discharge of  6 g/day at a plume control plane  175 m from source, which is also consistent with aerobic geochemical conditions observed in the plume; and (4) residual TCE in the vadose zone provides episodic inputs of TCE mass to the plume during infiltration/recharge events. TCE flux data also suggest that the small residual TCE source mass is present in the low-permeability zones, thus making source treatment difficult. Our analysis, based on a synthesis of the archived data and new data, suggests that source treatment is unwarranted, and that containment of the large TCE plume ( 1.2 km long,  0.3 km wide; 17 m deep;  2000–2500 kg TCE mass) or institutional controls, along with a long-term flux monitoring program, might be necessary. The flux-based site management approach outlined in this paper provides a novel way of looking beyond the complexities of groundwater contamination in heterogeneous domains, to make intelligent and informed site decisions based on strategic measurement of the appropriate metrics.     

The astysphere and urban geochemistry—a new approach to integrate urban systems into the geoscientific concept of spheres and a challenging concept of modern geochemistry supporting the sustainable development of planet earth

Background, aim, and scope  In 1875, the geoscientist Walter Suess introduced several spheres, such as the lithosphere and the atmosphere to promote a comprehensive understanding of the system earth. Since then, this idea became the dominating concept for the understanding of the distribution of chemical elements in the system earth. Meanwhile, due to the importance of human beings on global element fluxes, the term anthroposphere was introduced. Nevertheless, in face of the ongoing urbanization of the earth, this concept is not any more adequate enough to develop a comprehensive understanding of global element fluxes in and between solid, liquid, and gaseous phases. This article discusses a new concept integrating urbanization into the geoscientific concept of spheres. Main features  No geological exogenic force has altered the earth’s surface during the last centuries in such an extent as human activity. Humans have altered the morphology and element balances of the earth by establishing agrosystems first and urban systems later. Currently, urban systems happen to become the main regulators for fluxes of many elements on a global scale due to ongoing industrial and economic development and a growing number of inhabitants. Additionally, urban systems are constantly expanding and cover more and more former natural and agricultural areas. For nature, urban systems are new phenomena, which never existed in previous geological eras. The process of the globe’s urbanization concurrently is active with the global climate change. In fact, urban systems are a major emitter for climate active gases. Thus, beside the global changes in economy and society, urbanization is an important factor within the global change of nature as is already accepted for climate, ecosystems, and biodiversity. Results  Due to the fact that urbanization has become a global process shaping the earth and that the urban systems are globally cross-linked among each other, a new geoscientific sphere has to be introduced: the astysphere. This sphere comprises the parts of the earth influenced by urban systems. Accepting urbanization as global ongoing process forming the astysphere comprehensively copes with the growing importance of urbanization on the creation of present geologic formations. Discussion  Anthropogenic activities occur mainly in rural and urban environments. For long lasting periods of human history, human activities mainly were focused on hunting and agriculture, but since industrialization, urbanized areas became increasingly important for the material and energy fluxes of earth. Thus, it seems appropriate to classify the anthroposphere into an agriculturally and an urban-dominated sphere, which are the agrosphere (Krishna 2003) and the astysphere (introduced by Norra 2007). Conclusions  We have to realize that urban systems are deposits, consumers, and transformers of resources interacting among each other and forming a network around the globe. Since the future of human mankind depends on the sustainable use of available resources, only a global and holistic view of the cross-linked urban systems forming together the astysphere provide the necessary geoscientific background understanding for global urban material and energy fluxes. If we want to ensure worth-living conditions for future generations of mankind, we have to develop global models of the future needs for resources by the global metasystem of urban systems, called astysphere. Perspectives  The final vision for geoscientific research on the astysphere must be to design models describing the global process of urbanization of the earth and the development of the astysphere with respect to fluxes of materials, elements, and energy as well as with respect to the forming of the earth’s face. Besides that, just from the viewpoint of fundamental research, the geoscientific concept of spheres has to be complemented by the astysphere if this concept shall fully represent the system earth.

新型人工浮岛流场数值模拟与结构优化分析

近期提出的新型人工浮岛是通过两种不同透水能力基质材料的填充在系统内部形成2个不同水流与溶解氧浓度区域,两区域的过流能力及两者之间水流交换量对系统脱氮除磷效果具有较大的影响。为实现这一新型人工浮岛基质结构设计参数的优化,进一步提高净化能力,应用数值模拟方法对不同结构条件下流场进行了模拟。模拟结果发现,影响两区域水流交换量及其过流能力的主要因素包括：基质材料的填充形状、填充深度及透水能力,其中“钟乳状”形态较“层状”填充形态人工浮岛具有更好的两区域间水流交换能力及过流能力,理论上具有更好的净化效果。根据模拟结果确定的设计参数构建小试试验系统进行对比试验研究,试验结果与数值模拟结论吻合。可见,采用数值模拟方法对人工浮岛内部水流状态进行模拟分析,能够为人工浮岛结构优化设计提供依据。     

High methane emissions from a littoral zone on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

The littoral zones of lakes have been regarded as hotspots of methane (CH₄) fluxes through several studies. In the present study, we measured CH₄ fluxes in six kinds of littoral zones of Huahu Lake on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau in the peak growing season of 2006 and 2007. We found that CH₄ efflux (ranging from −0.1 to 90 mg CH₄ m⁻² h⁻¹) from the littoral zones of this lake was relatively high among those of boreal and temperate lakes. Our results also showed that emergent plant zones (Hippuris vulgaris and Glyceria maxima stands) recorded the highest CH₄ flux rate. The CH₄ flux in the floating mat zone of Carex muliensis was significantly lower than those of the emergent plant zones. CH₄ fluxes in the floating-leaved zone of Polygonum amphibium and bare lakeshore showed no significant difference and ranked last but one, only higher than that of the littoral meadow (Kobresia tibetica). Plant biomass and standing water depths were important factors to explain such spatial variations in CH₄ fluxes. No significant temporal variations in CH₄ fluxes were found due to the insignificant variations of physical factors in the peak growing season. These results may help in our understanding of the importance of the littoral zone of lakes, especially the emergent plant zone, as a hotspot of CH₄ emission.     

Distribution of Ultraviolet solar Radiation at Riyadh Region, Saudi Arabia

The ultraviolet UV solar radiation flux is monitored over a fixed time interval to study the daily, monthly and annual variations for a nearly one decade in Riyadh. Mathematical expressions will be presented based on a comparison between theoretical and experimental values. It is believed that the present analysis of UV radiation suggest that the environmental effects led to a better understanding of UV scattering, UV reflection, ozone and clouds layers in Riyadh and other selected areas in the mid-east region.     

北太平洋地区沙尘沉降与海洋生物兴衰的关系

通过对2001年4月中亚强沙尘暴过程在中国、韩国、日本和北美大陆地面PM10观测结果进行统计分析,推算出了北太平洋PAPA地区的沙尘沉降通量,结合同期PAPA地区的海洋表层有机碳和叶绿素观测结果,探讨了北太平洋沙尘与海洋生物兴衰的关系.结果表明,本次强沙尘暴过程可以给PAPA地区带去大约3.1～5.8μg/m³的风成Fe元素,它激发了海洋生物泵,引起海洋浮游植物的快速繁盛.     

小浪底水库影响下的黄河花园口站和小浪底站pCO2特征及扩散通量

于2011年11月至2012年10月在黄河小浪底站和花园口站进行连续采样分析,根据亨利定律计算出表层水体二氧化碳分压(p CO2),研究了在小浪底水库"水沙调控"的影响下黄河花园口站和小浪底站表层水体p CO2特征及水-气CO2通量.结果表明,在小浪底水库正常调度期间,小浪底站表层水体p CO2在82~195 Pa之间,花园口站表层水体p CO2在99~228 Pa之间,且花园口站表层水体p CO2均高于同期的小浪底站;在小浪底水库调水调沙期间,两个水文站均表现为水库泄水期间的表层水体p CO2明显低于水库排沙期间的表层水体p CO2.无论是在小浪底水库正常调度期间还是在调水调沙期间,两个水文站表层水体p CO2均与DIC含量呈现显著的正相关关系.8、9月Ep CO2/AOU的比值高于生物好氧呼吸作用控制水体p CO2的理论下限0.62,因此8、9月生物好氧呼吸作用对水体p CO2的贡献比较明显.从全年来看小浪底站和花园口站平均水-气CO2扩散通量分别为0.486μmol·(m2·s)-1和0.588μmol·(m2·s)-1;在水库正常调度期间花园口站水-气CO2扩散通量明显高于同期的小浪底站;在小浪底水库调水调沙期间两个水文站均表现为水库泄水期间的水-气CO2扩散通量明显低于水库排沙期间的水-气CO2扩散通量.     

长江水体常量和微量元素的来源、分布与向海输送

基于2017年4～5月期间对长江干流与主要支流共20个站位的观测,结合多元数理统计对水体中溶解态常量和微量元素的空间分布规律、来源及入海通量进行了分析,并通过与世界其它河流的对比探讨了流域自然因素与人类活动等对长江水环境中常量与微量元素分布与输送的影响.结果表明,Cu、Zn、Pb、Cd和As是长江流域主要受人类活动影响的元素,在下游区域显著高于上游与中游(P 0. 05),且各元素在长江重庆段和汉江均有较流域其他河段高的浓度值,这些河段相对较高的重金属含量主要与人类活动强度密切相关.有趣的是,长江宜昌至武汉段各元素均出现了较低的浓度值,这很大程度上受三峡水利工程蓄水所产生的"滞留效应"所致.统计分析还显示Na、Mg、K、Ca、Fe、Mn、Co、Ni、Mo、Cr和V主要与各种岩石矿物的风化与侵蚀相关,Cu、Zn和Pb主要受工业、金属冶炼、矿物开采等人类活动的影响,而Cd和As则主要来源于农业生产活动.长江重庆段和汉江区别于长江流域其它河段,表明水体受人类活动影响比较严重,但长江流域重金属浓度水平整体低于世界其它重工业和农业发达区域的河流.由于长江径流量巨大,Cu、Zn、Pb、Cd与As的入海通量是长江口及其近海重金属收支与循环的重要一环,并可能对河口生态环境产生深远的生态学效应.     

下垫面高度梯度对城市灰尘分布特性及其重金属污染的影响

下垫面高度梯度对城市颗粒污染物的地球化学循环有重要的影响,不同高度下垫面上累积的灰尘可能对城市地表径流与大气颗粒物污染有重要指示作用.本文以不同高度梯度的下垫面,如路面(0 m)、公交站台(3 m)、天桥(5 m)、楼顶(20 m)上的灰尘为研究对象,揭示高度梯度对灰尘颗粒物单位面积质量、粒径组成、重金属含量和粒径污染负荷比的影响.结果表明,随着高度梯度变化,不同下垫面上灰尘颗粒物的单位面积质量之间存在显著差异(p0.05):路面((33.0±27.1)g·m~(-2))楼顶((20.6±11.7)g·m~(-2))天桥((4.4±4.0)g·m~(-2))公交站台((2.3±1.4)g·m~(-2));高度梯度对细灰尘(粒径105μm)的质量比的影响为:公交站台(49.5%)楼顶(40.8%)路面(38.6%)天桥(37.6%);6种重金属在不同高度下垫面的含量不同,其中,Cr、Cu和Ni在公交站台含量最高,Cd和Pb在楼顶含量最高,6种金属(除Cu外)均在路面含量最低.细灰尘(105μm)所占颗粒物污染负荷比为:公交站台(67.4%)楼顶(49.6%)天桥(49.2%)路面(48.1%).临时性管控措施(限行、限产等)和常规性清扫(人工清扫和机械清扫)均能减少灰尘质量,使细灰尘质量比增加,重金属污染负荷有明显削减,但对城市管理来说,后者更经济实用.     

基于光谱分析仪的通量-梯度法测量小型池塘水-气界面温室气体交换通量

小型池塘作为内陆水体的一部分,是被忽视的温室气体重要排放源.本研究主要利用通量-梯度方法测量长江三角洲地区的一处小型池塘水-气界面温室气体(CO_2和CH_4)交换通量.结果表明:1零梯度测试结果显示本套通量-梯度系统测量H_2O、CO_2和CH_4通量的精度分别为7.525 W·m-2、0.022 mg·(m2·s)-1、0.054μg·(m2·s)-1,并且在正常实验观测期间3种气体(H_2O、CO_2和CH_4)的通量值分别有84%、80%和94%的结果高于零梯度测试精度,以上结果可以保证本套通量-梯度系统具有足够的精度测量池塘水-气界面温室气体交换通量;2通量-梯度计算结果表明此小型池塘在夏季为CO_2和CH_4的排放源,其排放通量平均值分别为0.038 mg·(m2·s)-1和0.889μg·(m2·s)-1,其中CH_4排放通量远高于内陆湖泊甲烷排放通量的中值,说明小型池塘的温室气体排放量是估算内陆水体温室气体排放量特别是CH_4排放量中不可忽视的重要量值,本研究结果可为准确估算区域温室气体排放量提供科学参考.