Atmospheric particle-bound polycyclic aromatic compounds over two distinct sites in Pakistan: Characteristics, sources and health risk assessment

Much attention is drawn to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons（PAHs） as an air pollutant due to their toxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic properties. Therefore, to understand the levels, seasonality, sources and potential health risk of PAHs in two distinct geographical locations at Karachi and Mardan in Pakistan, total suspended particle（TSP） samples were collected for over one year period. The average total PAH concentrations were 31.5 ± 24.4 and 199 ± 229 ng/m³ in Karachi and Mardan, re...     

Exploring the impact of new particle formation events on PM2.5 pollution during winter in the Yangtze River Delta, China

New particle formation（NPF） events are an increasingly interesting topic in air quality and climate science. In this study, the particle number size distributions, and the frequency of NPF events over Hefei were investigated from November 2018 to February 2019. The proportions of the nucleation mode, Aitken mode, and accumulation mode were 24.59%,53.10%, and 22.30%, respectively, which indicates the presence of abundant ultrafine particles in Hefei. Forty-six NPF events occurred during the obser...     

Capacity of Management Plans for Aquatic Invasive Species to Integrate Climate Change

Abstract:  The consequences of climate change will affect aquatic ecosystems, including aquatic invasive species (AIS) that are already affecting these ecosystems. Effects on AIS include range shifts and more frequent overwintering of species. These effects may create new challenges for AIS management. We examined available U.S. state AIS management plans to assess each program's capacity to adapt to climate-change effects. We scored the adaptive capacity of AIS management plans on the basis of whether they addressed potential impacts resulting from climate change; demonstrated a capacity to adapt to changing conditions; provided for monitoring strategies; provided for plan revisions; and described funding for implementation. Most plans did not mention climate change specifically, but some did acknowledge climatic boundaries of species and ecosystem sensitivities to changing conditions. Just under half the plans mentioned changing environmental conditions as a factor, most frequently as part of research activities. Activities associated with monitoring showed the highest capacity to include information on changing conditions, and future revisions to management plans are likely to be the easiest avenue through which to address climate-change effects on AIS management activities. Our results show that programs have the capacity to incorporate information about climate-change effects and that the adaptive-management framework may be an appropriate approach.     

ASSESSING RELATIVE RISKS TO AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS: A MID-APPALACHIAN CASE STUDY1

ABSTRACT: Aquatic monitoring aims to assess the condition of aquatic habitats and biota. To make statements about condition, the range of human activities and the risks they pose to aquatic ecosystems must be identified. Assessing relative risk and placing sample sites on a human disturbance gradient is necessary for interpreting biological response and distinguishing human disturbance from natural controls in aquatic systems. We describe a process that uses readily available sources, such as topographic maps, aerial photographs, and field information, to identify and prioritize stream reach and watershed stressors for 102 streams in the mid-Appalachian region of the United States. All perceptible human alterations to riparian and upland areas along with their number, type, intensity, and extent of impact were recorded and ranked; a relative risk index was developed to assign scores to the watersheds. The resulting risk index scores were consistent with measures of stream condition based on water chemistry and benthic macroinvertebrates. The risk index gives a cost-effective, regional picture of the relative risk of impairment to aquatic ecosystems in the mid-Appalachian region of the USA and could be modified for other regions or ecosystem types.     

Cadmium in aquatic ecosystems in Western Australia: A legacy of nutrient-deficient soils

More than 273 tonnes of cadmium have been added to Western Australian ecosystems through the application of superphosphate fertilisers since 1982. Fifty percent of this is water soluble and therefore eventually leaches into waterbodies and accumulates in the sediments. From this source, it enters the food web through algae and benthic animals and may ultimately be passed to humans. This is reflected in the cadmium levels of the freshwater mussels (Westralunio carteri) that exceeded statutory Australia New Zealand Food Authority (ANZFA) guidelines for Maximum Permissible Concentrations (MPCs) with respect to human consumption. The cadmium levels bioaccumulated in freshwater mussels elevated with increasing catchment clearing, being highest in degraded catchments. The MPC for Cd in crustaceans have recently been removed, yet tissues within the freshwater crayfish (Cherax tenuimanus) frequently exceeded the old MPC (0·2 μCd g⁻¹wet weight). Marron are sometimes consumed in considerable quantities and the risk to human health posed by a high Cd intake is briefly summarised. Finally, a number of management options concerned with reducing the level of Cd from fertilisers passing to humans are reviewed.     

Reaction zone structures and propagation mechanisms of flames in stearic acid particle clouds

Reaction zone structures and propagation mechanisms of two representative flames established in stearic acid (CH₃(CH₂)₁₆CO₂H) particle clouds have been investigated. The reacting zone structure was examined by using a micro-electrostatic probe and a high-speed schlieren system. A distinct difference was observed in the ion current fluctuations recorded across the two representative flames propagating through the clouds of the same total mass density of particles and different mass densities of the particles smaller than 60 μm in diameter. When the mass density of smaller particles was high, a single peak was recorded in the ion current fluctuation. On the other hand, when the mass density of smaller particles was low, multi-peaks of various heights and widths were recorded. In the former case, the single peak was considered to be attributable to a unitary and a relatively thin flame started burning in vapor generated by the evaporation of smaller particles in the preheat zone. The flame propagation mechanism in this case was inferred to be similar to that of a usual hydrocarbon–air premixed flame, although the reaction zone thickness is much larger than that of the premixed flame. In the latter case, the multi peaks of various shapes were considered to be attributable to strong combustion at blue spots far behind the schlieren front. The flame propagation in this case was inferred to be supported by the heat release due to combustion at the blue spots.     

POST‐HARVEST RIPARIAN BUFFER RESPONSE: IMPLICATIONS FOR WOOD RECRUITMENT MODELING AND BUFFER DESIGN1

Despite the importance of riparian buffers in providing aquatic functions to forested streams, few studies have sought to capture key differences in ecological and geomorphic processes between buffered sites and forested conditions. This study examines post‐harvest buffer conditions from 20 randomly selected harvest sites within a managed tree farm in the Cascade Mountains of western Washington. Post‐harvest wind derived treefall rates in buffers up to three years post‐harvest averaged 268 trees/km/year, 26 times greater than competition‐induced mortality rate estimates. Treefall rates and stem breakage were strongly tied to tree species and relatively unaffected by stream direction. Observed treefall direction is strongly biased toward the channel, irrespective of channel or buffer orientation. Fall direction bias can deliver significantly more wood recruitment relative to randomly directed treefall, suggesting that models that utilize the random fall assumption will significantly underpredict recruitment. A simple estimate of post‐harvest wood recruitment from buffers can be obtained from species specific treefall and breakage rates, combined with bias corrected recruitment probability as a function of source distance from the channel. Post‐harvest wind effects may reduce the standing density of trees enough to significantly reduce or eliminate competition mortality and thus indirectly alter bank erosion rates, resulting in substantially different wood recruitment dynamics from buffers as compared to unmanaged forests.     

京杭大运河（杭州段）典型断面水生植物多样性调查及其与水环境相关性研究

水生植物群落特征是水环境质量的重要标志.为了解京杭大运河(杭州段)的水生生态系统中水生植物的分布特点,探析水质与植物群落间的关系,对其5个典型断面水域中的水生植物进行了调查:考察了各断面水域中水生植物物种组成、多样性分布规律、生物量和主要优势种;分析了水环境的温度、pH值、透明度、溶解氧和主要生源要素等理化因子;采用多元统计方法,探讨了浮游植物多样性分布与环境因子的相关性;并对各断面水体的营养水平进行了评价.结果表明,京杭大运河(杭州段)典型断面的水生植物多样性主要取决于浮游植物的多样性,共观察鉴定了35属的藻类,其中优势群落为硅藻门的明盘藻属(Hyalodiscus Ehrenberg)与直链藻属(Melosira Agardh);从对浮游植物多样性及分布的影响来看,在现有的6个环境因子中,溶解氧、透明度、水温理化因子均对浮游植物的分布产生明显影响,而pH值的影响最大;就水质营养化程度而言,塘栖大桥和卖鱼桥相对污染程度较轻,义桥、顾家桥和拱宸桥污染程度较高,而义桥污染最为严重.     

北京奥林匹克公园地表颗粒物粒度特征分析

研究了北京市奥林匹克公园2012年10月和11月4次采集的地表颗粒物的粒度特征,结果表明,奥体公园整体以中小粒径76~830μm的颗粒物为主.人流量较大的区域颗粒物较粗,而有车辆通过或工地附近的区域颗粒物以粒径<300μm为主且更易在中等车流量的道路累积.说明人流量对道路地表颗粒物的组成影响有限,交通流量、建筑施工行为是影响城市公园颗粒物组成的重要因素.雨前干燥期影响颗粒物组成:随着雨前干燥期(≤15 d)的增加,粒径>300μm的颗粒物地表累积量不断下降,粒径<150μm的累积量不断上升,而150~300μm粒径范围的颗粒物受干燥期的影响不明显.道路的材质明显影响颗粒物的累积,与石材路面相比,地表颗粒物更容易在公园沥青路面累积,可以通过改进公园道路的设计,如采用石材路面,降低道路的粗糙度,从而减少颗粒物对公园水体的污染.     

亚热带典型岩溶区地表溪流水文地球化学昼夜变化及其影响因素研究

为了解岩溶区地表溪流水文地球化学的昼夜变化过程及其影响因素,于2013-07-09～2013-07-14期间,在广西壮族自治区融安县官村地下河出口(G1)和下游雷崖村(G2)设置两个监测点同时展开了为期5 d的高分辨率昼夜监测工作,每15min监测水温(T)、pH、溶解氧(DO)和电导率(Spc),每2 h进行人工采样工作,样品测试Ca2+、HCO-3和NO-3等主要离子以及δ13CDIC.结果发现:1 G1和G2点都是HCO3-Ca型水,但是两个监测点表现出不同的水文地球化学昼夜变化过程;2监测期间官村地下河出口(G1)的物理化学参数和主要离子(Ca2+、HCO-3和NO-3等)基本上保持稳定,而雷崖监测点(G2)的物理化学参数(T、pH、DO、Spc)和Ca2+、HCO-3和NO-3离子表现出有规律的昼夜变化特征;3 G2监测点的溶解无机碳(DIC)和δ13C值表现出相反的昼夜变化特征,DIC在白天下降晚上升高而δ13C值白天上升晚上下降,并表现出较好的负相关关系(相关系数为-0.87,P<0.01).结果表明,水生植物的光合作用和呼吸作用、水温以及脱气作用共同影响岩溶区地表溪流水文地球化学的昼夜变化,控制了岩溶地表溪流内部物质循环过程.