A Survey of Trace Metals in Vegetation, Soil and Lower Animal Along Some Selected Major Roads in Metropolitan City of Lagos

The concentration of trace metals (Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn) in a total of 144 samples of grass, soil and lower animal (earthworm, Lybrodrilus violaceous) were collected and analysed for their metallic content. Levels of cadmium ranged from 0.01–0.07 g g^–1; 0.01–0.12 g g^–1 and from trace–0.05 g g^–1 dry weight for plant, soil and animal samples respectively. Mean concentration of copper ranged 0.10–1.48 g g^–1; 0.10–2.90 g g^–1 and 0.01–0.08 g g^–1 for samples in similar order as above. The levels of Pb varied from 0.01–0.14 g g^–1; 0.02–0.23 g g^–1 and from trace–0.07 g g^–1 while that of Zn ranged from 0.19–1.80 g g^–1; 0.51–3.35 g g^–1and 0.01–0.08 g g^–1 also in the same order of samples as mentioned above. Levels of metals in soil samples were higher than the background levels with the exception of Zn but lower than European Union (EU) limits. The results generally revealed the presence of metals in plant and animal samples and metal dynamics up the food chain is highly possible. Acceptable recoveries of the spiking experiment validate the experimental protocol.     

Atrazine and Alachlor Inputs to Surface and Ground Waters in Irrigated Corn Cultivation Areas of Castilla-Leon Region, Spain

The inputs of atrazine and alachlor herbicides to surface and ground waters from irrigated areas dedicated to corn cultivation in the Castilla-León (C-L) region (Spain) as related to the application of both herbicides were studied. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) were used for monitoring the atrazine and alachlor concentrations in 98 water samples taken from these areas. Seventy-nine of the samples were of ground waters and 19 were of surface waters. The concentration ranges of the herbicides detected in the study period (October 1997–October 1998) were 0.04–25.3 g L^–1 in the surface waters and 0.04–3.45 g L^–1 in the ground waters for atrazine, and 0.06–31.9 g L^–1 in the surface waters and 0.05–4.85 g L^–1 in the ground waters in the case of alachlor. The highly significant correlation observed between the concentrations of both herbicides in the surface waters (r = 0.89, p < 0.001) pointed to a parallel transport of atrazine and alachlor to these waters. A study was made of the temporal evolution of the concentrations of both herbicides, and it was found a maximum recharge of atrazine in the ground waters for April 1998 and of alachlor in October 1997 and October 1998. The temporal evolution of the concentrations of both herbicides in surface waters was parallel. The highly significant correlations observed between atrazine concentrations determined by ELISA and by HPLC (r = 0.92, p < 0.001) and between alachlor concentrations also determined by both methods (r = 0.96, p < 0.001) confirmed the usefulness of ELISA for monitoring both herbicides in an elevated number of samples. Using HPLC, the presence in some waters of the alachlor ethanesulfonate (ESA) metabolite was found at a concentration range of 0.52–4.01 g L^–1. However the interference of ESA in the determination of alachlor by ELISA was negligible. The inputs of atrazine and alachlor to waters found in this study, especially the inputs to ground waters, could pose a risk for human health considering that some waters, though sporadically, are even used for human consumption.     

A Spatial Model to Estimate Habitat Fragmentation and Its Consequences on Long-Term Persistence of Animal Populations

The increasing use of the landscape by humans has led to important diminutions of natural surfaces. The remaining patches of wild habitat are small and isolated from each other among a matrix of inhospitable land-uses. This habitat fragmentation, by disabling population movements and stopping their spread to new habitats, is a major threat to the survival of numerous plant and animal species. We developed a general model, adaptable for specific species, capable of identifying suitable habitat patches within fragmented landscapes and investigating the capacity of populations to move between these patches. This approach combines GIS analysis of a landscape, with spatial dynamic modeling. Suitable habitat is identified using a threshold area to perimeter ratio. Potential movement pathways of species between habitat patches are modeled using a cellular automaton. Habitat connectivity is estimated by overlaying habitat patches with movement pathways. The maximum potential population is calculated within and between connected habitat patches and potential risk of inbreeding within meta-populations is considered. The model was tested on a sample map and applied to scenario maps of predicted land-use change in the Peoria Tri-county region (IL). It (1) showed area of natural area alone was insufficient to estimate the consequences on animal populations; (2) underscored the necessity to use approaches investigating the effect of land-use change spatially through the landscape and the importance of considering species-specific life history characteristics; and (3) highlighted the model's potential utility as an indicator of species likelihood to be affected negatively by land-use scenarios and therefore requiring detailed investigation.     

Comparison of 85Kr and 3H Apparent Ground‐Water Ages for Source Water Vulnerability in the Collyer River Catchment,Maine1

Abstract: Apparent ground‐water ages as determined by the noble gas isotope ⁸⁵Kr and the water isotope ³H are compared. Refined gas extraction methodology at the wellhead permits efficient collection of Kr for ⁸⁵Kr isotope enrichment. ⁸⁵Kr isochrones elucidate areas of much younger ground‐water ages than ³H. Declining ³H activities in the catchment prevent its correlation with the youngest measured ⁸⁵Kr ages. Source water for most drinking water supplies in the Collyer River catchment is recharged within 40 years BP (2004). Mean‐age (τ) transport modeling suggests uncertainty of ground‐water ages is greatest in the central basin area.     

Efficient and Practical Approaches to Ground‐Water Right Transfers Under the Prior Appropriation Doctrine and the Snake River Example1

Abstract: Water right transfers are one of the basic means of implementing changes in water use in the highly appropriated water resource systems of the western United States. Many of these systems are governed by the Prior Appropriation Doctrine, which was not originally intended for application to ground‐water pumping and the conjunctive management of ground water and surface water, and thus creates an administrative challenge. That challenge results from the fact that ground‐water pumping can affect all interconnected surface‐water bodies and the effects may be immeasurably small relative to surface water discharge and greatly attenuated in time. Although we may have the ability to calculate the effects of ground‐water pumping and transfers of pumping location on surface‐water bodies, mitigating for all the impacts of each individual transfer is sufficiently inefficient that it impedes the transfer process, frustrates water users, and consequently inhibits economic development. A more holistic approach to ground‐water right transfers, such as a ground‐water accounting or banking scheme, may adequately control transfer third‐party effects while reducing mitigation requirements on individual transfers. Acceptance of an accounting scheme can accelerate the transfer process, and possibly reduce the administrative burden.     

地表水功能衰退因素及生态修复措施--以温岭市北山河为例

由于城市规模的不断扩大,温岭市的地表水污染问题十分严重,原有的功能已逐渐丧失,生态系统日趋恶化。在全面调查北山河地表水水质现状和污染源源强的基础上,通过对污染特性等方面的分析,得出了地表水功能衰退的原因,为有效修复地表水的功能,按照现有的功能,提出了改善水环境的生态条件、逐步形成一个人工生态系统的生态修复思路和对地表水采取标本兼治的措施。     

抽水截流防治地下水中六价铬污染

就城市工业区地下水环境受六价铬严重污境的情况,根据该地区环境水文地质条件,在污染中心地带采用抽水截流方法,使地下水中六价铬污染大幅度下降,经过6年防治,其污染范围由0.321km~2下降到0.032km~2,居民生活饮用水供应恢复正常,仅4号水源井已创税利30万元。     

4种动物养殖场空气中抗生素耐药菌的生物多样性及群落结构

动物集约化养殖场可向空气环境释放大量微生物,包括抗生素耐药菌甚至是耐药致病菌,危害动物和工人健康并污染周边空气环境.针对以上问题,本研究以四环素和红霉素耐药菌为例,对动物养殖场空气颗粒物负载抗生素耐药菌的生物多样性以及群落结构展开研究.基于高通量测序技术,对比分析动物舍内与舍外颗粒物,以及粪便样品中抗生素耐药菌的生物学差异,并研究驱动以上差异的关键菌属.结果表明,整体上养殖场空气颗粒物负载红霉素耐药菌的生物多样性高于四环素耐药菌,舍内空气颗粒物负载生物的多样性高于粪便样品.细颗粒物和粗颗粒物负载抗生素耐药菌的生物多样性和群落结构均无显著差异. Actinobacteria是导致红霉素耐药菌和其他细菌群落差异的关键菌门之一,Staphylococcus是四环素耐药菌群区别于红霉素耐药菌和全部细菌菌群的关键菌属之一.群落结构研究结果显示,四环素和红霉素耐药菌的优势菌群和群落结构没有显著差异.但粪便和空气颗粒物负载生物的群落结构在属水平上差异显著,优势菌门也有所不同.本研究结果将为准确评估动物养殖场空气环境中抗生素耐药菌污染现状及其生态风险提供基础数据.     

浅析规模化畜禽集中养殖环境污染现状及防治对策——以安居区玉丰镇为例

通过实地调查取样分析,结果表明:玉丰镇鸡头寺村和金龟村规模化畜禽集中养殖实际出栏量是土地环境容量1.3倍,土壤中含锌、铜、锰、砷量分别为163.05mg/kg、156.00mg/kg、101.13mg/kg和9.19mg/kg,已造成土壤污染,农田灌溉用水化学需氧量超标准限值503%,地下水和大气受到一定程度的污染。     

汶川大地震灾后青少年心理援助经验启示

为探索和创新汶川大地震以及其他灾情灾后青少年心理援助提供科学决策依据,通过对四川灾区民众的调查分析及其对收集的信息资料研究,着重揭示了汶川大地震灾后青少年心理援助的经验：“三个加强”——加强方式、方法、机制“三位一体”对青少年心理援助,“三个强化”——社会、学校、家庭“三位一体”对青少年心理援助的启示。