Above- and belowground biomass and nutrient pools of Spartina alterniflora (smooth cordgrass) in a South American salt marsh

In order to examine the role of position in the tidal range on biomass production and nutrient pools in Spartina alterniflora in an Argentinian estuary, we estimated productivity, the concentration of C, N and P in tissues and pools (concentration×biomass) of these elements in low (LM) and high (HM) zones. Aboveground biomass of S. alterniflora was higher in HM than in LM. Aboveground primary productivity was 106 and 439 g dry wt m^?2 year^?1 in LM and HM, respectively. Belowground biomass was similar in LM and HM. Belowground primary productivity was 526 and 744 g dry wt m^?2 year^?1 for LM and HM, respectively. Nutrient pools were higher in HM than in LM. Biomass and productivity values were low, which makes nutrient pools low. The lower values of the parameters analysed in LM than in HM indicate that position in the tidal range is an important factor in this system, possibly due to the effect of flooding. Moreover, this pattern is opposite to the general one observed in the northern hemisphere, meaning that studying marshes from different environments is worth doing. Because pools were higher in HM, this zone would be more important for nutrient input to the estuary.     

Exploring the use of satellite images in the estimation of potential malaria outbreak regions

Malaria outbreaks affect nearly 40 per cent of the earth's population, most of whom live in tropical and subtropical zones. Malaria is an infectious disease that is transferred by the female mosquito of the species Anopheles. The life cycle of the malaria parasite develops in the anopheline and in the human body. These parasites require suitable environmental conditions in order to complete their development cycles within the mosquito. The relevant parameters are temperature, humidity, vegetation and water. A temperature range of 25–35°C and relative humidity range of 50–80 per cent is suitable for developing malaria outbreaks. As the fly-range of the mosquito is limited to 2–4 km, and since water pools are necessary for breeding, the vector abundance is significantly higher around water bodies. Vegetation cover also has an indirect role on malaria vector abundance. To seek to locate the regions with high potential for malaria outbreaks, we have constructed an experimental map of above-mentioned parameters via remote sensing images. A 7ETM⁺ image of Landsat platform is used in this study and maps of parameters such as land surface temperature, air temperature, air humidity, water pools and vegetated area were produced. However, a weighted combination of these layers showed some poor agreement with the distribution of positive malaria cases collected in the health centres in the region. The methodology first developed in this study is fast and accurate enough to be relied on for forecasting purposes, and could eventually lead—after further research and proper correlations—to improving the targeting of mitigation and relief operations by local health and related organizations.     

Sensitivity of Ozone Production to the Nmhc Composition,Aerosol Back-Scattering and High Chimney Emission

Abstract

In this paper, three sensitivity studies are designed to analyze the effect of the NMHC (Non-Methane HydroCarbon) composition, the aerosol back-scattering and the high chimney NO _x emission to the photochemical prodution of ozone by using a one-dimensional photochemistry-diffusion model under a favourable meteorological condition. Measurements of the NMHC composition in Taipei indicated that the percentage of iso-butene, cis-2-butene, trans-2-butene and benzene in a unit volume was much higher than of those observed in other major cities. the high ratio of benzene was directly linked to its high percentage in gasoline. As to the unusually high amount of iso-butene, cis-2-butene and trans-2-butene, more researches are needed to identify their source. Concerns are raised as to how productive is NMHC composition is to the photochemical production of the surface ozone. A rough estimate shows that the total reactivity of the Taipei NMHC composition is about 1.21 × 10^?9 cm³ s^?1 which is 1.6 times that of the Los Angeles (LA) NMHC composition, while the simulated noon peak will be different by 28 ppbv, i.e. 18% more than that simulated with a LA composition.

Meanwhile, high aerosol loading is a serious problem in Taipei. the attenuation of the UV radiation by aerosols cannot be ignored. A numerical simulation shows that the noon ozone level will decrease from 178 to 141ppbv, i. e. about 21% reduction, with deterioration of the visual range from 85 to 5 km.

In the southern Taiwan, industry parks are mixed with the populated Kaohsiung city, hence the large emission of NO _x from high chimneys cannot be ignored. in this study, NO _x is assumed to be emitted in the layer between 235–460 m high with an emission rate of 0.05 or 0.145 ppbv/sec. the results show that the NO _x emitted from the elevated stack lead to a considerable reduction of surface ozone. Such conclusion is obtained due to the fact that a one-dimensional model is used in this paper. Whereas, if a three-dimensional regional model was used, then a higher productivity of ozone downstream would be simulated.     

Upgrade of three municipal wastewater treatment lagoons using a high surface area media

Lagoon-based municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are facing difficulties meeting the needs of rapid population growth as well as the more stringent requirements of discharge permits. Three municipal WWTPs were modified using a high surface area media with upgraded fine-bubble aeration systems. Performance data collected showed very promising results in terms of five-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD₅), ammonia (NH₃) and total suspended solids (TSS) removal. Two-year average ammonia effluents were 4.1 mg·L^-1 for Columbia WWTP, 4 mg·L^-1 for Larchmont WWTP and 2.1 mg·L^-1 for Laurelville WWTP, respectively. Two- year average BOD₅ effluents were 6.8, 4.9 and 2.7 mg·L^-1, and TSS effluents were 15.0, 9.6 and 7.5 mg·L^-1. The systems also showed low fecal coliform (FC) levels in their effluents.     

高密度沉淀-活性砂过滤工艺在钢铁工业废水处理中的应用

采用调节池-高密度沉淀池-活性砂滤池-消毒为主要处理工艺,处理钢铁工业废水并回用,介绍该工艺技术特点、主要构筑物的技术参数以及运行效果。工程监测结果表明,该工艺对总硬度、浊度及COD的去除率分别达到60%、85%及62%以上,出水水质各项指标均达到《城市污水再生利用工业用水水质标准》(GB/T19923-2005)要求。处理系统运行稳定,耐冲击能力强。     

在线柱浓缩-液相色谱法测定水体中痕量敌草快和百草枯

采用在线柱浓缩-超快速液相色谱联用技术测定水体中痕量百草枯和敌草快.水样无需样品前处理,过滤后即可进样.采用固相萃取小柱富集待测物,以色谱梯度泵完成样品的净化后,利用阀切换技术将待测物反冲至分析柱进行分离,以二极管阵列检测器定量.方法在1.0—20.0μg.L-1范围内线性良好,百草枯和敌草快的线性相关系数分别为0.9997和0.9989.百草枯和敌草快的检出限(S/N=3)分别为0.10、0.12μg.L-1,加标回收率在96.0%—98.0%之间.用所建立的方法测定了水中痕量的百草枯与敌草快的含量,结果令人满意.     

浅谈高悬浮物废水处理研究中存在的不足

结合现场实践经验,指出了目前处理高悬浮物废水存在的悬浮物浓度与有机药剂用量不成比例等矛盾.通过分析混凝理论的研究历程,总结出高浓度范围下的絮凝作用机理为包裹机理,目前该机理仅处于定性描述阶段,对其进行定量描述具有重要意义;结合动力学发展过程,了解到以悬浮物浓度为研究对象的动力学模型较多,但特别针对高悬浮物范围下的絮凝动力学方程尚无人研究.并针对高悬浮物废水的处理,提出了今后重点研究方向.     

Fenton-活性炭联合处理高浓度工业废水

实验采用Fenton氧化与活性炭吸附相结合的方法处理高浓度工业废水,考察了Fenton反应和活性炭吸附影响COD去除率的的最佳条件。结果表明,Fenton反应的最佳条件为H2O2∶COD=2,Fe2+∶H2O2=1∶4,反应pH=3,反应时间采用60 min。活性炭柱吸附最佳用量采用15 g活性炭吸附50mL Fenton反应后水样,两者结合COD最大去除率达到85.47%。     

水环境生态安全预警评价与分析--以上海市为例

针对水环境这一评价对象的特点．建立起有效的水环境生态安全评价指标,采取综合指数法进行评价,在此定量基础上,启动水环境生态安全的预警系统,采用定性分析的方法,对水环境生态安全的警度、警源从时间变化和空间分布角度分别进行判别。最后以上海市为例,对可能出现的水资源衰竭和水环境危机建立警报,并提出针对性的建设措施和安全维护对策。     

高强与高性能混凝土的收缩与开裂

高强与高性能混凝土胶结料用量较多,砂率较大,粗骨料用量相对较少,因此若处理不妥易出现混凝土早期开裂现象.通过圆环法试验,研究分析高强与高性能混凝土易于开裂的原因及主要影响因素,对商品泵送混凝土配合比的优化提出了建议.同时采用不同的混凝土收缩变形公式进行计算并将计算值与试验值进行了对比,探讨了适合于高强与高性能混凝土收缩变形的实用计算公式.