Ecological Linkages Between Headwaters and Downstream Ecosystems: Transport of Organic Matter,Invertebrates, and Wood Down Headwater Channels1

Abstract: Headwater streams make up a large proportion of the total length and watershed area of fluvial networks, and are partially characterized by the large volume of organic matter (large wood, detritus, and dissolved organic matter) and invertebrate inputs from the riparian forest, relative to stream size. Much of those inputs are exported to downstream reaches through time where they potentially subsidize river communities. The relative rates, timing, and conversion processes that carry inputs from small streams to downstream reaches are reasonably well quantified. For example, larger particles are converted to smaller particles, which are more easily exported. Also, dissolved organic matter and surface biofilms are converted to larger particles which can be more easily intercepted by consumers. However, the quality of these materials as it affects biological activity downstream is not well known, nor is the extent to which timing permits biological use of those particles. These ecological unknowns need to be resolved. Further, land uses may disrupt and diminish material transport to downstream reaches by removing sources (e.g., forest harvest), by affecting transport and decomposition processes (e.g., flow regulation, irrigation, changes in biotic communities), and by altering mechanisms of storage within headwaters (e.g., channelization). We present conceptual models of energy and nutrient fluxes that outline small stream processes and pathways important to downstream communities, and we identify informational gaps that, if filled, could significantly advance the understanding of linkages between headwater streams and larger rivers. The models, based on empirical evidence and best professional judgment, suggest that navigable waters are significantly influenced by headwater streams through hydrological and ecological connectivities, and land use can dramatically influence these natural connectivities, impacting downstream riverine ecosystems.     

Evaluation of Three Watershed‐Scale Pesticide Environmental Transport and Fate Models1

Abstract: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) has completed an evaluation of three watershed‐scale simulation models for potential use in Food Quality Protection Act pesticide drinking water exposure assessments. The evaluation may also guide OPP in identifying computer simulation tools that can be used in performing aquatic ecological exposure assessments. Models selected for evaluation were the Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), the Nonpoint Source Model (NPSM), a modified version of the Hydrologic Simulation Program‐Fortran (HSPF), and the Pesticide Root Zone Model‐Riverine Water Quality (PRZM‐RIVWQ) model. Simulated concentrations of the pesticides atrazine, metolachlor, and trifluralin in surface water were compared with field data monitored in the Sugar Creek watershed of Indiana’s White River basin by the National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA) program. The evaluation not only provided USEPA with experience in using watershed models for estimating pesticide concentration in flowing water but also led to the development of improved statistical techniques for assessing model accuracy. Further, it demonstrated the difficulty of representing spatially and temporally variable soil, weather, and pesticide applications with relatively infrequent, spatially fixed, point estimates. It also demonstrated the value of using monitoring and modeling as mutually supporting tools and pointed to the need to design monitoring programs that support modeling.     

危险货物道路运输事故统计分析

为掌握危险货物道路运输事故的发生规律,预防事故与灾害发生,笔者收集、整理了2000年9月至2007年3月间的609起危险货物道路运输事故案例,并对案例进行详细分解和统计分析,获得了危险货物道路运输事故的时间分布、地域分布、路段分布、事故形态分布、事故原因分布等统计特征。研究结果表明,危险货物道路运输事故具有如下规律:早晨和上午(4时至12时)是事故多发时段;事故形态以单车事故为主,特别是车辆倾斜或侧翻事故为数最多;驾驶员处置不当和违法驾驶行为以及运输车辆机件失效是导致事故的最主要的两类原因。针对案例分析结果,提出预防危险货物道路运输事故、保障危险货物道路运输安全的对策与建议。     

基于铁路客运专线的旅客联合运输安全问题研究

系统分析了客运专线联合运输存在的主要安全问题及其产生原因。指出旅客联合运输安全问题的关键在各种运输方式的衔接处,其核心因素包括:信息不共享、安全管理缺乏统一规范、交通枢纽软硬件设施有缺陷3个方面,进而针对上述缺陷问题提出相应措施,采用安全审计方法来具体地实现对联合运输安全问题的整改、提高系统安全性能,并对交通枢纽疏散进行案例分析。     

跨河道桥工程防洪风险管理体系研究

针对目前我国河道管理的现状，在原有防洪影响评价的基础上，综合运用广义结构可靠性原理及多种相关学科理论，提出了跨河道桥工程防洪风险的评价理念，建立了跨河道桥工程防洪风险的评价指标体系和管理体系，并结合工程实例验证了方法体系的适用性与可靠性。     

我国道路交通事故的基本特点及预防对策

笔者从我国现阶段的交通安全状况出发,分析了我国交通事故的基本特点,并指出当前道路交通安全管理方面的不足之处。在此基础上提出基于交通文化的驾驶员的素质培训与安全教育、培养交通参者的交通安全意识、加大交通安全宣传教育的力度及安全价值观的培养、重视交通道德建设、建立高效的交通事故急救系统等一系列切实可行的交通事故预防对策,为改善我国交通安全状况提供了重要的理论依据,对预防及减少交通事故的发生起到积极的作用。     

危险化学品公路运输车辆安全管理对策研究

危险化学品公路运输车辆是一种动态的危险源,发生事故的时间和地点难以预知,事故后果严重,对人民生命财产和公共安全构成巨大威胁。针对国内危险化学品公路运输车辆管理的现状,笔者提出把常压危险化学品运输车辆纳入到特种设备的范畴和运用先进的GPS(全球定位系统)、GIS(地理信息系统)技术,加强对危险化学品运输车辆的动态管理两项技术措施。进而,从系统工程的角度出发,由以上两个方面入手详细论述了危险化学品公路运输车辆被纳入到特种设备后的管理措施,以及从政府和企业两个方面来加强对它在运输途中的动态监控。     

Chemical immobilisation of arsenic in contaminated soils using iron(II)sulphate—advantages and pitfalls

Chemical immobilisation of inorganic contaminants by increasing the sorption capacity of soils and/or promoting the formation of sparingly soluble precipitates may be a cost-effective approach to counteract groundwater pollution. This study focuses on the enhanced retention of arsenic in two contaminated soils by addition of solid iron(II)sulphate. Four lab-scale column experiments were performed under unsaturated conditions with subsoil material sampled at a former timber preservation site and a pigment production plant. Arsenic effluent concentrations indicated 89.9 to 99.8% immobilisation in the treated columns. Sequential extractions showed a shift in contaminant binding forms towards the iron(hydr)oxide and residual fractions. Possible immobilisation mechanisms are the precipitation of FeAs phases, the formation of inner sphere complexes, and/or the occlusion of arsenic in newly formed amorphous/crystalline iron oxides. Bromide breakthrough curves point to the fact that the addition of iron(II)sulphate only moderately affects soil hydraulic properties. In contrast to reduced emissions of arsenic, increased seepage water concentrations were observed for other trace elements (e.g., cobalt, nickel, zinc). Mass balances indicate that this effect is primarily related to the temporary pH-drop caused by the oxidation of ferrous iron. The results show that chemical immobilisation using iron(II)sulphate is a promising way to protect groundwater quality at sites contaminated with timber preservation and pigment production remnants. As a prerequisite, optimum amendment levels need to be established and practical/field tests should be accompanied by a monitoring for a broad range of relevant trace elements.     

平原区交叉口安全分析与改善对策研究

针对目前平原区公路交叉口事故多发的现状,笔者对平原区公路交叉口与山区公路交叉口进行对比,指出平原区公路交叉口具有数量多、范围大、车速高的特点;同时分析平原区公路事故情况,指出平原区公路交叉口事故多发的主要致因是缺乏渠化、路权不清,车速过高和视距不足;提出了交叉口安全保障的一般措施,并具体介绍了明确路权、降低车辆行驶速度和增加交叉口行车视距的方法。除介绍了平原区公路交叉口的一般处置措施外,笔者还将平原区公路交叉口分为大型交叉口、村镇交叉口和小型交叉口,并针对不同类型的交叉口的特点,从标志、标线、减速丘、薄层铺装、宣传教育等方面提出了相应的安全保障措施。