Glycerol as a green solvent for high product yields and selectivities

Organic synthesis is usually performed in solution to dissolve both reactants and catalysts and to deliver heat. Here, we show that glycerol, which is a non-toxic, biodegradable, and recyclable liquid manufactured from renewable sources, has a high potential to serve as alternative green solvent for organic reactions. Several catalytic and non-catalytic reactions were successfully performed in glycerol. High products yields and selectivities were achieved. Besides solubility of the reactants and the catalysts and easy separation of the product, glycerol offers several other benefits such as catalyst recycling, microwave assisting reaction, and biphasic and emulsion modes.     

The effect of perceived intruder proximity and resident body size on the aggressive responses of male green frogs, Rana clamitans (Anura: Ranidae)

We examined variation in aggressive responses within and among individuals in the green frog, Rana clamitans. We tested the hypothesis that resident males respond in a graded fashion to changes in perceived intruder proximity (stimulus intensity). We also investigated how response level varied with responder body size. We found that green frogs differentially alter aggressive responses (increasing movement and calling rates while decreasing the duration and dominant frequency of their calls) with an increase in stimulus intensity. Body size did not appear to be a significant influence on most response levels. We suggest that aggressive responses are graded, and advertisement and aggressive calls represent opposite ends of a continuum. Green frogs do not exhibit clearly defined thresholds for responses like those reported for some other frogs. By using graded responses rather than discrete all-or-nothing responses, males may reduce the potential costs of aggressive encounters.     

MODELING STUDIES FOR PLANNING: THE GREEN BAY PROJECT1

ABSTRACT: A major contaminant monitoring and modeling study is underway for Green Bay, Lake Michigan. Monitoring programs in support of contaminant modeling of large waterbodies, such as for Green Bay, are expensive and their extent is often limited by budget limitations, laboratory capacity, and logistic constraints. Therefore, it is imperative that available resources be used in the most efficient manner possible. This use, or allocation of resources, may be aided through the application of readily available models in the planning stages of projects. To aid in the planning effort for the Green Bay project, a workshop was held and studies designed to aid in the allocation of resources for a year-long intensive field study. Physical/chemical and food chain models were applied using historical data to aid in project planning by identifying processes having the greatest impact on the predictive capability of mass balance models. Studies were also conducted to estimate errors in computed tributary loadings and in-Bay concentrations and contaminant mass associated with different sampling strategies. The studies contributed to the overall project design, which was a collaborative effort with many participants involved in budgeting, field data collection, analysis, processing of data, quality assurance, data management and modeling activities.     

绿色创新及其激励机制

环境问题的最终解决需要绿色创新。绿色创新表现为一切关注环境－经济－社会协调发展，并使之得以实现的创新性活动。绿色创新的大量涌现需要从产权、市场、企业内部及政府政策等方面给予激励。     

Renaturing cities using a regionally-focused biodiversity-led multifunctional benefits approach to urban green infrastructure

If a ‘Renaturing of Cities’ strategy is to maximise the ecosystem service provision of urban green infrastructure (UGI), then detailed consideration of a habitat services, biodiversity-led approach and multifunctionality are necessary rather than relying on the assumed benefits of UGI per se. The paper presents preliminary data from three case studies, two in England and one in Germany, that explore how multifunctionality can be achieved, the stakeholders required, the usefulness of an experimental approach for demonstrating transformation, and how this can be fed back into policy. We argue that incorporating locally contextualised biodiversity-led UGI design into the planning and policy spheres contributes to the functioning and resilience of the city and provides the adaptability to respond to locally contextualised challenges, such as overheating, flooding, air pollution, health and wellbeing as well as biodiversity loss. Framing our research to encompass both the science of biodiversity-led UGI and co-developing methods for incorporating a strategic approach to implementation of biodiversity-led UGI by planners and developers addresses a gap in current knowledge and begins to address barriers to UGI implementation. By combining scientific with policy learning and defined urban environmental targets with community needs, our research to date has begun to demonstrate how nature-based solutions to building resilience and adaptive governance can be strategically incorporated within cities through UGI.     

水电开发与四川经济可持续发展

本文从国民经济和社会可持续发展的角度 ,阐述了火电发展所面临的环境挑战 ,分析了水电开发在四川实施可持续发展战略中的地位和作用 ,认为大力发展水电是四川实现社会和国民经济可持续发展的必然选择     

苏北黄泛区培育绿色食品产业的战略思考

以丰县为例，论述了培育绿色食品产业发展目标以及加快发展的措施。     

中国综合环境经济核算的最新进展与趋势

分析了综合环境经济核算的国际经验,综述了我国综合环境经济核算的最新研究和实践进展,建议我国要加快完善核算技术方法体系,继续深入开展试点研究,加快建设完善的核算制度,适应国际潮流,建立与国际接轨的综合环境经济核算制度。争取用10~15年的时间基本建立完善的综合环境经济核算制度。     

Uncovering results in electro-scrubbing process toward green methodology during environmental air pollutants removal

Present findings uncovered the electro-scrubbing process as a green methodology. This green methodology was assessed by an analysis of electrode dissolution into an electrolyte and acid fumes emission to the atmosphere. As an initial experiment oxidation effect of Co(II) by PbO₂ electrode revealed an enhanced oxidation efficiency of ∼20% compared to a Pt-coated Ti electrode. The mist concentration from the first scrubber test was approximately 30 times lower than that of the indoor air particles. In addition, molar mass of Co(II) and SEM analyses revealed no Co(II) or PbO₂ from the first scrubber. An analysis of the second scrubber showed no Co(II), PbO₂ or pH changes during a 24 h study confirming that no sulphuric acid escaped from the first scrubber or mediator containing electrolyte solution. This electro-scrubbing process was applied to the air pollutants removal process, in which a definite ratio between Co(III) and odor gases at given concentrations were identified. These results show that this electro-scrubber can maintain its initial concentration of Co(II) and H₂SO₄ by just adding water, and is become a highly sustainable and green methodology system without a loss of H₂SO₄ and Co catalysts to the environment.     

一种以人为本的城市绿地评价方法及其应用——以南京市城市绿地质量评价为例

文章基于"以人为本"的理念,构建了从使用者角度对城市绿地质量评价的简明指标体系,采用多边形综合指标法及德尔菲法,兼顾科学性和可操作性,并应用该指标体系尝试分析南京市城市绿地质量。结果表明:南京城市绿地总体质量处于一般水平,其中公园绿地和风景名胜与自然保护区绿地质量较高。在各项评价指标中,南京居民对绿地管理质量满意度较低,视觉效果满意度、空间布局满意度较高。该评价体系从使用者角度展现了城市绿地的整体水平并直观反映出城市绿地所存在的问题,可为城市绿地规划与管理以及综合评价指标的构建提供重要的依据与参考。