Large-scale risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in shoreline sediments from Saudi Arabia: Environmental legacy after twelve years of the Gulf war oil spill

A large-scale assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from the 1991 Gulf War oil spill was performed for 2002-2003 sediment samples (n = 1679) collected from habitats along the shoreline of Saudi Arabia. Benthic sediment toxicity was characterized using the Equilibrium Partitioning Sediment Benchmark Toxic Unit approach for 43 PAHs (ESBTU_FCV,43). Samples were assigned to risk categories according to ESBTU_FCV,43 values: no-risk (≤1), low (>1-≤2), low-medium (>2-≤3), medium (>3-≤5) and high-risk (>5). Sixty seven percent of samples had ESBTU_FCV,43 > 1 indicating potential adverse ecological effects. Sediments from the 0-30 cm layer from tidal flats, and the >30-<60 cm layer from heavily oiled halophytes and mangroves had high frequency of high-risk samples. No-risk samples were characterized by chrysene enrichment and depletion of lighter molecular weight PAHs, while high-risk samples showed little oil weathering and PAH patterns similar to 1993 samples. North of Safaniya sediments were not likely to pose adverse ecological effects contrary to sediments south of Tanaqib. Landscape and geomorphology has played a role on the distribution and persistence in sediments of oil from the Gulf War.     

Monitoring of eutrophication and nutrient limitation in the Izmir Bay (Turkey) before and after Wastewater Treatment Plant

The distribution of inorganic nutrients and phytoplankton chlorophyll-a was investigated and N/P ratios were determined in Izmir Bay during 1996-2001. The average concentrations showed ranges of 0.01-0.19 and 0.01-10 microM for phosphate-phosphorus; 0.11-1.8 and 0.13-27 microM for (nitrate+nitrite)-nitrogen, 0.30-4.1 and 0.50-39 microM for silicate and 0.02-4.3 and 0.10-26 microg l(-1) for chlorophyll-a in the outer and middle-inner bays, respectively. The results are compared with the values obtained from the relatively unpolluted waters of the Aegean Sea. The N/P ratio is significantly lower than the assimilatory optimal (N/P=15:1) in conformity with Redfield's ratio N/P=16:1. Nitrogen is the limiting element in the Izmir Bay. Phosphate, which originates from detergents, is an important source for eutrophication in the bay, especially in the inner bay. In early 2000, a Wastewater Treatment Plant (WTP) began to treat domestic and industrial wastes. This plant treats the wastes about 60% capacity between 2000 and 2001. The sampling periods cover before and after treatment plant. Although the capacity of wastewater plant is sufficient for removal of nitrogen from the wastes, it is inadequate for removal of phosphate. This is also in accordance with the decreasing N/P ratios observed during 2000-2001 (after WTP) in the middle-inner bays.     

INCOME DISTRIBUTION IMPACTS OF A WATER DEVELOPMENT PROJECT - BOISE PROJECT,IDAHO, 1950–19701

ABSTRACT: Public investments in water resource development projects are continually under scrutiny in terms of economic, environmental, and social impacts. Results of an analysis of a water development project that supplies irrigation water in Idaho are discussed in terms of the impact on income distribution and income growth 44 to 64 years after the project was initiated. Gini ratios for the rural farm population of these counties were consistently lower than they were for the United States as a whole and for the state of Idaho. In addition, income distributions tended to become more equitable over time in the water project counties. Rural farm population income growth rates were found to be similar to those for the nation as a whole. Some of the reasons for these results may be related to the tendency for income distribution to become more equitable as income increases, and the fact that average farm size is relatively small.     

Toxicity of carbaryl,diquat dibromide,and fluoranthene,individually and in mixture,to larval grass shrimp,Palaemonetes pugio

This study examined the toxicity of two pesticides (carbaryl and diquat dibromide) and one polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (fluoranthene), both singly and in mixture, to grass shrimp larvae (Palaemonetes pugio). These three chemicals are all present in coastal environments and can easily enter estuarine ecosystems. Fluoranthene was the most toxic chemical with a 96-h LC₅₀ value of 32.45 μ g/L, followed by carbaryl (43.02 μ g/L) and diquat dibromide (1624 μ g/L). In the chemical mixture tests, the binary carbaryl/diquat dibromide mixture and the ternary carbaryl/diquat dibromide/fluoranthene mixture had additive results.     

The Ratio of Rubidium to Caesium in Threespine Stickleback (Gasterosteus Aculeatus), Benthic and Limnetic Sticklebacks (Gasterosteus), and Juvenile Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus Nerka)

The ratios of rubidium to caesium were investigated in juvenile sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka), threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) and benthic and limnetic sticklebacks (Gasterosteus) as a means of separating zooplankton consumers from benthic prey consumers. Only benthic and limnetic sticklebacks had Rb to Cs ratios that were influenced by diet. Ratios were higher in limnetic stickleback whose diet consists mainly of zooplankton compared with benthic stickleback which consume benthic prey. Ratios in juvenile sockeye appeared to be influenced by the concentrations of rubidium and caesium in the egg yolk during the early period of growth. in three-spine stickleback that inhabited both the littoral and limnetic zone of the same lake, results suggested that fish must occupy each area for several months before rubidium to caesium ratios in tissues reflect concentrations in prey.     

分子筛脱硅对其结构与吸附氨氮性能的影响

为提高分子筛吸附氨氮的能力,采用碱蚀法对4种不同硅铝比ZSM5型分子筛进行脱硅处理,对比了脱硅前后吸附氨氮性能的差异;结合X射线衍射、扫描电镜等分析手段观察了其孔隙与晶体结构、表面形貌的变化,同时借助X射线荧光光谱、傅里叶红外光谱等表征手段分析了其内部元素组成与骨架基团的变化;考察了分子筛脱硅处理对改善其吸附氨氮性能的影响机制.结果表明,分子筛经脱硅后氨氮吸附量大幅提高,硅铝比越大吸附氨氮性能改善越显著,其中,硅铝比最小的ZSM5-27型分子筛脱硅后的氨氮平衡吸附量由5.81mg/g上升至10.44mg/g,上升幅度亦达79.7%;碱蚀脱硅处理有效降低了ZSM5型分子筛的硅铝比,分子筛硅铝比越大降低越显著.分子筛脱硅后,其介孔比表面积与比孔容增加、孔径分布变得宽泛;晶体结构仍保持完整、晶粒形态变得更加清晰规整;离子交换容量增加、硅/铝氧四面体结构单元作用增强.碱蚀法对ZSM5型分子筛具有骨架脱硅补铝、疏通孔道等多重作用,脱硅后分子筛活性位点增加、氨离子扩散阻力下降,吸附性能得到改善.     

兰州市典型企业VOCs排放特征及反应活性分析

基于兰州市大气VOCs排放清单,选取石化厂、乙烯厂、涂料厂3个典型企业采集VOCs样品,分析其无组织排放特征,并采用MIR（最大增量反应活性）法和LOH（·OH反应速率）法综合评价其化学反应活性,识别各企业的VOCs活性优势物种,同时探究不同企业特征VOCs比值.结果表明:不同排放源φ（VOCs）差异较大,范围为20.8×10-9~6 520.3×10-9.从VOCs物种构成上来看,涂料厂芳香烃占比最高,而石化厂、乙烯厂均以烷烃物种最为丰富,石化厂不同工艺VOCs物种构成略有差异.从活性上看,涂料厂VOCs活性最高,其LOH和OFP（臭氧生成潜势）分别为2 676.9 s-1和72 519.0×10-9,约为其他行业的18~1 000倍,间/对-二甲苯、乙苯、邻二甲苯等物种活性较大;其次为石化厂,其LOH和OFP分别为273.2 s-1和4 039.1×10-9,正戊烷、异戊烷、乙烯、丙烯等物种活性贡献率高,其中柴油工艺对石化厂VOCs活性贡献率最大;乙烯厂的OFP最低,其LOH和OFP分别为4.6 s-1和69.7×10-9,其VOCs活性主要来自乙烯、丙烯、正丁烯等烯烃物种.各工业源BTEX（苯、甲苯、乙苯及3种二甲苯异构体的合称）分布具有一定的差异,对于指示不同VOCs来源有一定的参考价值,但不同源比值的重叠性也表明并非全部VOCs来源可以通过特征物种比值来区分.研究显示,控制工业源特别是涂料与石化工业VOCs的排放有助于控制兰州市O₃的生成.      

典型化工集中区环境空气SVOCs污染特征及来源解析

于冬春两季在华东3个典型石化化工集中区设置环境空气观测点,利用PUF大气被动采样技术(PUF-PAS)采集大气中半挥发性有机化合物(SVOCs),使用气相色谱-质谱联用仪(GC-MS)进行分析.获得59种SVOCs的浓度,包括25种多环芳烃(PAHs)、24种正构烷烃及10种藿烷,并结合主成分分析和特征比值法解析PAHs来源.结果表明:①各观测点正构烷烃贡献率最高,其次是PAHs,分别超过60％和30％;②根据各化合物冬春季浓度变化并结合风向进行分析,推测正构烷烃C18、C29 αβ-藿烷和C30αβ-藿烷与石油化工排放有关;③PAHs单体以菲(Phe)、荧蒽(Fla)、萘(Nap)、芴(Flu)和芘(Pyr)为主,合计占比高达90.0％;④主成分分析显示观测点PAHs主要来自化石燃料燃烧、机动车尾气和石化工艺排放等,3类来源对PAHs的贡献率分别为56.0％、19.2％和8.6％,基于特征比值法的PAHs来源解析予以了验证.     

The estimated reduction in the odds of loss-of-control type crashes for sport utility vehicles equipped with electronic stability control

INTRODUCTION: Using data from the NASS General Estimates System (GES), the method of induced exposure was used to assess the effects of electronic stability control (ESC) on loss-of-control type crashes for sport utility vehicles. METHOD: Sport utility vehicles were classified into crash types generally associated with loss of control and crash types most likely not associated with loss of control. Vehicles were then compared as to whether ESC technology was present or absent in the vehicles. A generalized additive model was fit to assess the effects of ESC, driver age, and driver gender on the odds of loss of control. In addition, the effects of ESC on roads that were not dry were compared to effects on roads that were dry. RESULTS: Overall, the estimated percentage reduction in the odds of a loss-of-control crash for sport utility vehicles equipped with ESC was 70.3%. Both genders and all age groups showed reduced odds of loss-of-control crashes, but there was no significant difference between males and females. With respect to driver age, the maximum percentage reduction of 73.6% occurred at age 27. The positive effects of ESC on roads that were not dry were significantly greater than on roads that were dry.     

高阶段尾砂胶结充填体力学研究与博弈树配比优化

在实验室试验了不同配比尾砂胶结试块强度,在充填采场取样测试了采场充填体强度.结果表明,如果以实验室试验的力学参数为充填配比设计依据,充填体最小设计安全系数为1.6～1.8比较合理.分析高阶段充填体受力,推导了分层充填力学计算公式及安全系数计算方法;根据充填工艺,确定最小充填高度,沿采场高度方向划分配比优化单元,建立了高阶段充填体配比优化设计模型;采用博弈树分析方法,解决了高阶段充填体配比优化问题,并对安庆铜矿5号矿房配比进行了优化.结果显示:与经验设计方法相比,采用本文方法优化充填配比,不仅使高阶段充填体内安全系数分布更趋合理,而且降低了水泥消耗.