Mowers versus growers: Riparian buffer management in the Southern Blue Ridge Mountains,USA

Despite long-standing knowledge of the benefits of riparian buffers for mitigating nonpoint source pollution, many streams are unprotected by buffers. Even landowners who understand ecological values of buffers mow riparian vegetation to the streambank. Do trends in rural riparian conditions reflect the development of riparian forest science? What motivates residential riparian management actions? Using high-resolution orthoimagery, we quantified riparian conditions and trends between 1998 and 2015 in the rural upper Little Tennessee River basin in Macon County, North Carolina and explored how landowners view riparian zone management and riparian restoration programs. Buffer composition in 2015 was as follows: no buffer (32.5%), narrow (19.3%), forested (26.7%), shrub (7.2%), and intermediate (7.0%). Relative to 1998, the greatest decrease occurred in the no buffer class (−17.7%, 46 km) and the largest increases occurred in the shrub (+72.5%, 20 km) and narrow (12.6%, 14 km) classes. Forested buffer marginally increased. Semi-structured interview data suggest that landowners prioritize recreational and scenic aspects of riparian buffers over ecological functions such as filtration and bank stabilization. Riparian restoration programs might be made more enticing to non-adopters if outreach language appealed to landowner priorities, design elements demonstrated intentional management, and program managers highlighted areas where ecological goals and landowner values align.     

Measurement of the pesticide methomyl by modified quartz crystal nanobalance with molecularly imprinted polymer

A simple and cost-effective analysis method based on quartz crystal nanobalance (QCN) coated with a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) for measurement of methomyl was investigated. In the first part of this study, a sensitive, selective and reliable quartz crystal nanobalance (QCN) sensor was designed for the selective determination of methomyl in aqueous solutions. In the second part, in order to demonstrate the applicability and performance of the fabricated sensor in the real world situation, it was successfully applied for the determination of methomyl residual in photo catalytic degradation by ZnO powders in aqueous solutions. The fabricated sensor presents a high selectivity and sensitivity (4.56 Hz per mg L^?1) for methomyl and it can be used for determination of methomyl concentration ranged between 1 to 45 mg L^?1. Furthermore, good reproducibility, R.S.D. = 2.14% (n = 5) was observed. To investigate the performance of the sensor, the change in the insecticide concentration during the photocatalytic degradation of methomyl by ZnO was investigated by QCN and UV/Vis spectroscopy. Results obtained from QCN sensor and UV/Vis spectroscopy measurement are in good mutual agreement. So the fabricated sensor may provide an efficient, low cost, easy-to-use method for the in-field evaluation of specific targeted analytes in aqueous solutions which in turn may lead to improved food and water safety.     

Inorganic elemental concentrations in birch bolete mushroom (Leccinum scabrum) and top soil: contamination profiles,bioconcentation and annual variations

Abstract

Analysis of inorganic and organic contaminants in foodstuffs aids in understanding the human exposure to these compounds via consumption. In this study, an edible mushroom species (Leccinum scabrum) and top soil samples were analysed for essential and toxic substances including phosphorus and inorganic elements over a period of three fruiting seasons. Analysis of silver (Ag), aluminium (Al), barium (Ba), calcium (Ca), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), mercury (Hg), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), sodium (Na), nickel (Ni), phosphorus (P), lead (Pb), rubidium (Rb), strontium (Sr) and zinc (Zn) in mushrooms and topsoil were performed using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) with ultrasonic cross flow nebulizer. Total mercury was determined by cold-vapour atomic absorption spectroscopy (CV-AAS). The results exhibited wide variation in concentrations of metals between soil and mushroom (cap and stipes) during three fruiting seasons. Positive bioconcentration factors (BFCs) indicate on bioaccumulation of several metals including, Cd, Cu, Hg, K, Mg, Na, P, Rb and Zn in caps and stipes of fruitbodies of this mushroom, while other metals such as Al, Ba, Ca, Co, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Sr were not exhibiting significant positive BFCs. Over a period studied, the caps were characterised by different (p?<?0.05) concentrations of Al, Co, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, P, Pb and Sr. Contamination profiles, temporal fluctuations, BCFs should be taken into consideration when assessing the nutritional value of this mushroom.     

Combined Effects of Levels of Protection and Environmental Variables at Different Spatial Resolutions on Fish Assemblages in a Marine Protected Area

Abstract: The links between species–environment relations and species’ responses to protection are unclear, but the objectives of marine protected areas (MPAs) are most likely to be achieved when those relations are known and inform MPA design. The components of a species’ habitat vary with the spatial resolution of the area considered. We characterized areas at two resolutions: 250 m² (transect) and approximately 30,000 m² (seascape). We considered three categories of environmental variables: substrate type, bottom complexity, and depth. We sought to determine at which resolution habitat characteristics were a better predictor of abundance and species composition of fishes and whether the relations with environmental variables at either resolution affected species’ responses to protection. Habitat features accounted for a larger proportion of spatial variation in species composition and abundances than differences in protection status. This spatial variation was explained best by habitat characteristics at the seascape level than at the transect level. Species’ responses to protected areas were specific to particular seascape characteristics, primarily depth, and bottom complexity. Our method may be useful for prioritizing marine areas for protection, designing MPAs, and monitoring their effectiveness. It identified areas that provided natural shelter, areas acting as buffer zones, and areas where fish species were most responsive to protection. The identification of such areas is necessary for cost‐effective establishment and monitoring of MPAs.     

夏、冬季降雨中溶解性有机质(DOM)光谱特征及来源辨析

利用紫外-可见光谱与三维荧光光谱,结合拉格朗日混合单粒子轨道模型及火点图,研究了重庆2013年夏、冬两季雨水DOM光谱特征,并对其来源进行解析.结果表明,雨水DOM与水体、土壤DOM具有类似性质光谱特征,证明降雨DOM也是陆地及水环境中DOM地化特征的重要贡献者.雨水DOM中DOC含量为0.88~12.80 mg·L-1,CDOM含量在3.17~21.11m-1之间,夏、冬两季降雨DOM差异明显(P0.05).与夏季相比,冬季降雨DOM分子量较小,芳香性程度较低,腐殖化程度也更低,输入主要以本地和短距离输送为主;而夏季DOM来源较分散.尽管吸收和荧光光谱可用于解析雨水DOM组成和来源,但在光谱特征的解析和来源识别上与其他来源DOM有所区别,传统"内、外源区分"并不适用于雨水DOM.     

长期施肥下浙江稻田不同颗粒组分有机碳的稳定特征

依托浙江水网地区稻田长期定位施肥试验(1996~2013年),利用固态13C核磁共振波谱技术,研究长期不同施肥措施下土壤各颗粒组分有机碳含量及其化学结构特征.结果表明,与不施肥对照(CK)相比,秸秆与化肥配施(NPKRS)、栏肥与化肥配施(NPKOM)、单施化肥(NPK)和单施栏肥(OM)处理均显著(P0.05)增加了砂粒(2~0.02 mm)、粉粒(0.02~0.002mm)和黏粒(0.002 mm)组分中有机碳含量;而单施秸秆(RS)处理仅显著增加砂粒组分有机碳含量.此外,与单施化肥处理相比,有机肥和化肥配施促进了新增有机碳在粉粒和黏粒组分的分配,更有利于新增有机碳的稳定.应用13C-NMR波谱技术进行结构表征,结果表明粉粒和黏粒组分有机碳的化学结构存在明显差异,粉粒组分烷氧碳、芳香碳的相对含量高于黏粒,而烷基碳、羰基碳的相对含量低于黏粒.长期有机肥与化肥配施下粉粒和黏粒烷基碳相对含量较单施有机肥处理分别降低9.1%~11.9%和13.7%~19.9%,烷氧碳的相对含量则分别增加2.9%~6.3%和13.4%~22.1%,表明有机肥与化肥配施处理降低了粉粒和黏粒组分有机碳的分解程度.长期单施化肥处理下粉粒和黏粒组分有机质的芳化度和疏水性低于单施有机肥处理和不施肥处理,有机质的矿化稳定性较低.长期有机肥与化肥配施,尤其是NPKOM处理,通过增加化学抗性化合物和碳水化合物的积累,并且减缓活性组分的分解提高粉粒和黏粒组分有机碳含量,是促进稻田土壤有机碳可持续积累的有效措施.     

矿区植被恢复方式对土壤微生物和酶活性的影响

矿区废弃地生态退化形势严峻,生态修复已成为矿区可持续发展的主要措施,土壤微生物和酶活性可作为评价土壤恢复质量的敏感因子.本研究将以山西省安太堡煤矿复垦区作为对象,分析植被恢复方式对土壤微生物和酶活的影响.结果表明,不同植被方式对土壤理化特征、参与氮代谢的3类菌群(固氮菌、硝化细菌和反硝化细菌)和4种酶活性(蔗糖酶、过氧化氢酶、脲酶和多酚氧化酶活)均有显著影响.土壤总氮含量与固氮菌和硝化细菌数量均显著相关,而与反硝化细菌不相关.多酚氧化酶活性与有机碳和总氮含量之间为负相关,而其它3种酶与有机碳和总氮之间呈正相关.通过主成分分析计算综合肥力指标,刺槐-油松混交林土壤综合肥力指标最高,而未复垦综合肥力指标最低.可见,刺槐-油松混交林是晋西北干旱区矿区复垦较为适宜的植被恢复模式.     

中国城市热岛时空特征及其影响因子的分析

全球气候变暖背景下,城市热岛效应会加重城市地区的热胁迫,对人类健康和生存发展提出严峻挑战.近年来我国雾-霾污染情况严重,但雾-霾对城市热岛影响的认识仍较匮乏.本研究基于MODIS遥感卫星地表温度数据,明确了我国2003~2013年白天、夜间以及四季城市热岛的空间变化,并从生物物理学和生物化学角度定量分析其控制机制.结果表明,影响我国白天城市热岛强度的主要因素为人口、农田灌溉和植被活动.纬度、降水量、反照率以及气溶胶浓度是夜间城市热岛强度的主控因子.从对比城乡粗糙度、反照率等生物物理学属性的角度,揭示了乡村背景环境对城市热岛分析的重要影响.结果表明,雾-霾治理可以缓解我国夜间城市热岛现象和热胁迫,有利于缓解区域甚至全球气候变化.     

不同CDPF贵金属负载量对柴油公交车VOCs组分排放影响

基于重型底盘测功机,利用质子转移反应质谱(PTR-MS)研究了柴油公交车在中国典型城市公交车循环(CCBC)下,不同CDPF贵金属负载量对尾气中挥发性有机物(VOCs)组分排放特性的影响.结果表明,柴油公交车VOCs主要组分为含氧有机物(OVOCs)、芳香烃和烯烃等,且OVOCs占比达50%以上;在贵金属成分、配比相同时,VOCs减排率随CDPF贵金属负载量增加而增加:贵金属负载量为15 g·ft~(-3)(A型后处理装置)、25 g·ft~(-3)(B型)和35 g·ft~(-3)(C型)时,VOCs总量的减排率依次为36.2%、40.1%和41.4%.C型后处理装置对烷烃全循环减排率高达70.2%,且对OVOCs的催化有微弱优势;对于不饱和烃类,3种不同贵金属负载量的后处理装置均有一定催化效果,但无明显差异;A型对含氮有机物减排率可达50.5%,但减排率随贵金属负载量增加而降低.采用DOC+CDPF后能较好地降低公交车VOCs排放量进而降低臭氧生成潜势(OFP).同时考虑不同方案减排效果与成本因素,当加权系数分别为0.8和0.2时,B型为最优方案.     

天津冬季一次重污染过程颗粒物中水溶性离子粒径分布特征

为研究天津冬季重污染天气过程中颗粒物水溶性离子的粒径谱分布及二次离子生成机制,于2014年1月利用Anderson撞击式分级采样器在中国气象局天津大气边界层观测站内采集颗粒物样品,并使用离子色谱仪分析Na~+、NH_4~+、K~+、Mg~(2+)、Ca~(2+)、Cl~-、NO_3~-、SO_4~(2-)等8种水溶性无机离子(TWSII).结果表明,采样期间PM_(2.5)和PM_(10)质量浓度均值分别为(138±100)μg·m~(-3)和(227±142)μg·m~(-3),粗、细粒子中TWSII的平均浓度分别为(34.07±6.16)μg·m~(-3)和(104.16±51.76)μg·m~(-3).细粒子中SO_4~(2-)、NO_3~-和NH_4~+这3种离子的浓度远高于其他离子,且相关性较好,粗粒子中NO_3~-、SO_4~(2-)、Cl~-浓度较高.随着污染程度加剧,细粒子中TWSII浓度增加明显,粗粒子中则变化不大.水溶性离子的粒径谱分布显示,SO_4~(2-)以单模态分布,优良天峰值出现在0.43~0.65μm,NO_3~-在优良日呈现三模态分布,峰值分别出现在0.43~0.65、2.1~3.3和5.8~9.0μm,NH_4~+呈双模态分布,优良日峰值出现在0.43~0.65μm和4.7~5.8μm,污染日3种二次离子峰值均以0.65~1.1μm的单模态分布为主,与三者之间的热动力平衡过程有关.细粒子中NH_4~+除与SO_4~(2-)和NO_3~-结合外,还与部分Cl~-结合,粗粒子中NH_4~+全部与NO_3~-和SO_4~(2-)结合后,剩余的NO_3~-和SO_4~(2-)与其他阳离子结合.