Green research and development (R&D) investment and its impact on the market value of firms: evidence from South African mining firms

The importance of global corporate green research and development (R&D) investment is gaining momentum and South Africa is no exception. This paper examines growing economic perceptions that green financial and stock-market systems result in heightened corporate hyperopia and therefore increase long-term and future green investment associated with R&D. It reports on the findings of a survey of 14 South African mining firms listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange SRI index. The study found, that, these firms’ market value showed a positive association with Green R&D. It also revealed increased Green R&D activity among large mining firms in the country and that they are highly likely to maintain their level of such investment in the coming years. The study's outcomes thus add to the body of empirical knowledge on firm hyperopia in relation to corporate greening initiatives.     

Spatiotemporal Evaluation of Simulated Evapotranspiration and Streamflow over Texas Using the WRF‐Hydro‐RAPID Modeling Framework

This study assesses a large‐scale hydrologic modeling framework (WRF‐Hydro‐RAPID) in terms of its high‐resolution simulation of evapotranspiration (ET) and streamflow over Texas (drainage area: 464,135 km²). The reference observations used include eight‐day ET data from MODIS and FLUXNET, and daily river discharge data from 271 U.S. Geological Survey gauges located across a climate gradient. A recursive digital filter is applied to decompose the river discharge into surface runoff and base flow for comparison with the model counterparts. While the routing component of the model is pre‐calibrated, the land component is uncalibrated. Results show the model performance for ET and runoff is aridity‐dependent. ET is better predicted in a wet year than in a dry year. Streamflow is better predicted in wet regions with the highest efficiency ~0.7. In comparison, streamflow is most poorly predicted in dry regions with a large positive bias. Modeled ET bias is more strongly correlated with the base flow bias than surface runoff bias. These results complement previous evaluations by incorporating more spatial details. They also help identify potential processes for future model improvements. Indeed, improving the dry region streamflow simulation would require synergistic enhancements of ET, soil moisture and groundwater parameterizations in the current model configuration. Our assessments are important preliminary steps towards accurate large‐scale hydrologic forecasts.     

Streamflow Depletion Modeling: Methods for an Adaptable and Conjunctive Water Management Decision Support Tool

Groundwater pumping depletes streamflow, which can have significant ecological impacts depending on the magnitude of depletion relative to environmental flow needs. Streamflow depletion estimates from groundwater pumping have been quantified using both analytical and numerical methods, but are not routinely compared to environmental flow needs or used in practical water management tools. Decision support tools that incorporate groundwater dynamics are becoming increasingly necessary for water managers as groundwater regulations become more important in environmental policy, particularly concerning the preservation of environmental flow needs. We develop and apply methods for a web‐based decision support tool for conjunctive groundwater and surface water management, demonstrated using a case study watershed in British Columbia, Canada. Open‐source data are analyzed with a combination of spatial algorithms and previously developed analytical models, such that the tool can be applied to other regions. Streamflow depletion estimates are calculated in four regions in the largely undeveloped Bulkley Valley, British Columbia. Our transparent methodology has geographic and data input flexibility which is a significant improvement on currently existing water management tool methods.     

四川凉山州普格县"6·20"泥石流灾害

本文介绍了四川凉山州普格县"6·20"泥石流灾害应急调查的初步成果。通过对泥石流成因和动力过程的初步分析,以及泥石流灾情的现场评估,提出了对这类低频率大规模泥石流的预测预报和我国现行救灾防灾政策的若干建议。     

汶川地震次生泥石流形成模式与机理

以汶川地震灾区的典型的代表性泥石流案例为基础,分析了汶川地震次生泥石流的形成地形地貌、降水和土源条件特征,概括分析了汶川地震泥石流形成的5种模式,即:(1)沟床启动型;(2)坡面崩滑转化型;(3)震裂表土侵蚀启动型;(4)滑坡表面土体液化型和(5)松散坡积物冲切沟启动型。分析了这些形成模式的启动机理。地震次生泥石流的形成机理包括土力类和水力类。泥石流的形成需要一定的细颗粒含量,尤其是粘土颗粒含量;此外低密度干燥度较高的土体在降雨作用下易湿陷,体积收缩,从而有利于土体孔隙水压力的升高,而有利土体强度的降低,导致泥石流的启动。所以地震灾区的泥石流集中分布于干旱河谷松散固体物质大量存在且以花岗岩风化壳和碎屑岩及其变质岩为主的地区,降雨量特征与国内外众多泥石流的降雨特征可以比较,其模式多样。     

滑坡,泥石流区域危险度二级模糊综合评判初探

将二级模糊综合评判的数学模型用于滑坡、泥石流区域危险度的评判。选取了对滑坡、泥石流影响较大的岩石风化系数、地震烈度等１８个参评因素。按其属性分为地质、地貌、气候、植被、人类活动等５个类别。先在同类因素之间进行初级评判，再利用初级评判的结果进行类之间的二级评判。以云南昭通地区的１１个县（市）为例介绍了滑坡、泥石流区域危险度二级模糊综合评判的方法与步骤。     

泥石流危险等级评价的模糊数学方法

本文在文献[1]泥石流危险度研究的基础上.提出泥石流危险性评价的模糊数学方法。文中首先根据有关资料建立了评定因子的隶属函数以及各因子在评定泥石流危险性中权重的模糊子集,并在此基础上运用模糊综合评判技术提出了确定泥石流危险等级模糊向量的方法。     

泥石流堆积泛滥区危险度的评价与应用

泥石流堆积泛滥区危险度是指山地沟谷一旦发生泥石流后,在堆积区不同地段泛滥成灾的程度或最大威胁程度.本文探讨了泥石流堆积泛滥区危险度评价的指标体系,划分了四级危险度。应用泥石流二维非恒定流理论建立了危险度评价的数学模型。以云南东川市城区为实例,模拟了100年一遇超标准泥石流泛滥成灾过程,并作出泥石流堆积区的最大流速分布图、最大泥深分布图和危险范围内的危险度分区图.通过数值模拟取得了良好的效果。根据危险度评价结果,提出了该数学模型在减灾中的应用。     

西藏古乡沟泥石流模型试验研究

通过模型试验，研究不同类型（粘性、稀性、水石流）和不同规模（Ｐ＝２％、４％）的泥石流在古乡沟堆积扇上的运动和冲淤规律，同时进行防治工程模型试验研究，结合野外调查和资料对比，选择合理的防治工程方案，为工程设计提供可靠的依据和数据。本文结论对川藏公路与古乡沟类似灾害的整治有一定的参考价值     

袁河袁州区段溶解氧过饱和成因分析及防治

2020年8月15日袁河袁州区段(棚下-袁河水厂取水口)出现溶解氧过饱和现象,为了解该河段溶解氧的变化及提高河道流量前后对水生态环境的影响,将该段河道分为6个监测断面,于8月16—24日监测每个监测点的常规水质、浮游植物群落结构、溶解氧和实时流量.结果表明:自然状态下袁河袁州区段溶解氧沿水流方向从6.8 mg/L逐渐增...