A comparative study of countries’ responsibilities for carbon dioxide emission in an open economy

In an open economy, embodied carbon dioxide emissions in international trade should be taken into consideration to scientifically define each country’s emissions responsibility. In this study, a multiregional input–output model is constructed to calculate the embodied carbon dioxide emissions of 25 World Trade Organization members, including China, according to the producer–consumer shared responsibility principle. The study indicates that: it is fairer and more efficient to identify each country’s carbon dioxide emissions responsibility according to the shared responsibility principle; China’s producer responsibility is 1.4 times that of the USA, while China’s consumer responsibility is only one-tenth that of the USA; according to the producer responsibility principle, China shoulders the greatest responsibility. According to the producer–consumer shared responsibility principle, China’s responsibility shows a large decrease. Resource endowment, economic development stage, and trade structure account for the abovementioned changes in China’s emissions responsibility.     

人类活动影响下的四湖地区湿地景观格局分析

湿地景观空间结构研究是湿地生态研究的核心之一，景观功能性的性质和发挥，影响着湿地的物质流、信息流和能量流的特征，进而影响湿地区域的资源开发利用与保护。运用景观的空间格局指数，在遥感和GIS技术的支持下，结合江汉平原四湖地区的湿地农业的区域特点，确定了 四湖地区湿地景观分类系统，为了更好地定量分析四湖地区湿地景观格局的特点，我们选取了三类景观格局指数来定量描述于景观空间格局，即基本空间格局指标（多样性、均匀度及优势度）、景观空间构型指标（聚集工、破碎化）及斑块特征指标（斑块分维数），比较系统地分析四湖地区湿地景观空间格局。在此基础上探讨了人类干扰对四湖地区湿地同的结构和空间演替的影响。     

关于荒漠化地区可持续发展的几点思考——以北方沙漠化地区为例

荒漠化的发生、发展和逆转过程蕴涵着丰富的生态学、社会学和经济学原理。本文首先提出了荒漠化地区人地关系研究的技术路线,即现状诊断－－演变历程－－矛盾与冲突分析－－协调性分析－－调控与管理;继之以北方沙漠化地区为例,对路线涉及的具体内容加以简要分析;在此基础上,对如何协调人地关系提出建议。     

Spatio-Temporal Distribution of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Atmospheric Air of Tamil Nadu,India, and Human Health Risk Assessment

This study analyzed the seasonal distribution and the possible sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the atmospheric environment of Tamil Nadu, India. Passive air sampling was performed at 32 locations during the period from April 2009 to January 2010, and PAHs were quantified using a gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer. Analysis showed that the concentrations of PAHs were in the range of 5–47.5 ng/m³ with uniform distribution in urban areas in all seasons. Pre-monsoon season showed the highest cumulative concentration of PAHs in both agricultural and coastal areas. Among PAHs, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, and pyrene levels were found to be predominant in all the samples, contributing up to 36%, 35.5%, and 24.5% of total PAHs, respectively. The signature of the PAHs obtained through diagnostic ratio and principal component analysis revealed that diesel emissions was the probable source of PAHs in all locations. Based on Word Health Organization guidelines, the human lung cancer risk due to observed level of PAH concentration (i.e., PAHs exposure) is meager. However, the risk is predicted to be more in the coastal area during summer (18 individuals among 0.1 million people). To the knowledge of these authors, this report is the first on the seasonal analysis of PAHs using passive air sampling in India.     

以人为本的现代工业安全管理

现代生产中发生的意外事故 ,80 %以上是由于人的因素造成的。笔者运用人机工程学和行为科学理论 ,对人的不安全行为和因素进行了深入的归类分析 ;阐述了人因事故预测和预防对策 ;指出工业安全管理应该从人的角度出发 ,系统地建立安全管理体系 ;最后 ,运用系统工程的观点 ,提出了构建以人为本的安全管理体系的结构 ,该体系的实行将能够使现代工业安全管理提高到一个新的水平。     

Residues of legacy organochlorine pesticides and DDT metabolites in highly consumed fish from the polluted Guanabara Bay,Brazil: distribution and assessment of human health risk

Abstract

Organochlorine (OCP) pesticides were determined in samples of sardine (Sardinella brasiliensis), whitemouth croaker (Micropogonias furnieri), and mullet (Mugil liza) from Guanabara Bay (state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). OCP concentrations and fish consumption were linked with acceptable daily intake values in order to assess the human health risk for the Brazilian population. The total concentrations of OCPs (Σ OCP) was 6.6?ng/g f.w., 7.5?ng/g f.w., and 2.8?ng/g f.w. for sardines, corvina, and mullet, respectively. There was a significant difference (P?<?0.05) among the species related to o,p’-DDD and o,p’-DDT concentrations. Both DDT-related compounds were 5 and 76 times more abundant in sardines than in whitemouth croaker and mullet. Newly discovered DDT metabolite, o-Cl-DDMU, was frequently detected in the fish. None of the samples exceeded the maximum limits for acceptable levels of OCP residues. According to the data of average intake of Brazilian population, none of three species exceeded toxicological parameter. The investigated fishes are considered as safe for human consumption in regard to exposure of the studied OCPs. However, fish may be a intake source of OCP metabolites such as o-Cl-DDMU whose toxicity is still unknown.     

Natural formation and degradation of chloroacetic acids and volatile organochlorines in forest soil--challenges to understanding

- DOI: http:/dx.doi.org/10.1065/espr2005.06.262 Goal, Scope and Background The anthropogenic environmental emissions of chloroacetic acids and volatile organochlorines have been under scrutiny in recent years because the two compound groups are suspected to contribute to forest dieback and stratospheric ozone destruction, respectively. The two organochlorine groups are linked because the atmospheric photochemical oxidation of some volatile organochlorine compounds is one source of phytotoxic chloroacetic acids in the environment. Moreover, both groups are produced in higher amounts by natural chlorination of organic matter, e.g. by soil microorganisms, marine macroalgae and salt lake bacteria, and show similar metabolism pathways. Elucidating the origin and fate of these organohalogens is necessary to implement actions to counteract environmental problems caused by these compounds. Main Features While the anthropogenic sources of chloroacetic acids and volatile organochlorines are relatively well-known and within human control, knowledge of relevant natural processes is scarce and fragmented. This article reviews current knowledge on natural formation and degradation processes of chloroacetic acids and volatile organochlorines in forest soils, with particular emphasis on processes in the rhizosphere, and discusses future studies necessary to understand the role of forest soils in the formation and degradation of these compounds. Results and Discussion Reviewing the present knowledge of the natural formation and degradation processes of chloroacetic acids and volatile organochlorines in forest soil has revealed gaps in knowledge regarding the actual mechanisms behind these processes. In particular, there remains insufficient quantification of reliable budgets and rates of formation and degradation of chloroacetic acids and volatile organochlorines in forest soil (both biotic and abiotic processes) to evaluate the strength of forest ecosystems regarding the emission and uptake of chloroacetic acids and volatile organochlorines, both on a regional scale and on a global scale. Conclusion It is concluded that the overall role of forest soil as a source and/or sink for chloroacetic acids and volatile organochlorines is still unclear; the available laboratory and field data reveal only bits of the puzzle. Detailed knowledge of the natural degradation and formation processes in forest soil is important to evaluate the strength of forest ecosystems for the emission and uptake of chloroacetic acids and volatile organochlorines, both on a regional scale and on a global scale. Recommendation and Perspective As the natural formation and degradation processes of chloroacetic acids and volatile organochlorines in forest soil can be influenced by human activities, evaluation of the extent of this influence will help to identify what future actions are needed to reduce human influences and thus prevent further damage to the environment and to human health caused by these compounds.     

Prehistoric Decline in Freshwater Mussels Coincident with the Advent of Maize Agriculture

Abstract:  During late prehistory, high population densities and intensive agricultural practices of Native American societies had profound effects on the pre-Columbian landscape. The degree to which Native American land use affected aquatic ecosystems is unknown. Freshwater mussels are particularly sensitive harbingers of modern-day ecosystem deterioration. We used data from prehistoric Native American shell middens to examine prehistoric trends in abundance of freshwater mussels of the genus Epioblasma in North America during the last 5000 years. The relative abundance of Epioblasma declined steadily during this period, a result that could be explained either by an increase in human impacts to streams or by long-term climatic changes unrelated to human activities. The rate of decline of Epioblasma increased significantly, however, after the advent of large-scale maize agriculture in the southeastern United States about 1000 years before the present. Our results suggest that human land-use activities in prehistory caused changes in freshwater mussel communities that were lower in magnitude but similar in direction to changes caused by recent activities.     

安全人因工程中的心理因素

心理因素在人因工程和系统安全管理中的作用越来越被人因专家所重视.总结了在安全人因工程中需考虑的人的心理因素,探讨了心理因素与行为的关系,心理与人的可靠性,以及心理因素在系统安全管理中的应用.     

人的生命价值评估方法述评

评估生命价值最常用的两种方法是人力资本法和支付意愿法。用人力资本法评估生命价值的前提是人的生命可以用一个人未来的生产能力来计量,而用支付意愿法评估生命价值的前提是人的生命可以用一个人为降低死亡风险而愿意支付的货币金额来计量。支付意愿法又包括工资—风险法、消费市场法和条件价值法3种类型。工资—风险法通过分析一个人的工资与其工作风险之间的关系来估算生命价值;消费市场法关注的是人们在其进行消费决策时,在风险与价格之间的权衡;而条件价值法则是给定一个假定情景,请被访者对货币和风险进行直接权衡来估算生命价值。笔者对国内外生命价值评估研究进行述评,指出了各种评估方法的优缺点。支付意愿法已成为国外学者评估生命价值的主流方法,学习借鉴国外的研究经验,将这一方法运用于我国的生命价值评估研究是今后国内研究的一个方向。