Assessing the potential of native tree species for carbon sequestration forestry in Northeast China

Although the native forests of China are exceptionally diverse, only a small number of tree species have been widely utilized in forest plantations and reforestation efforts. We used dendrochronological sampling methods to assess the potential growth and carbon sequestration of native tree species in Jilin Province, Northeast China. Trees were sampled in and near the Changbaishan Biosphere Reserve, with samples encompassing old-growth, disturbed forest, and plantations. To approximate conditions for planted trees, sampling focused on trees with exposed crowns (dominant and co-dominant individuals). A log-linear relationship was found between diameter increment and tree diameter, with a linear decrease in increment with increasing local basal area; no significant differences in these patterns between plantations and natural stands were detected for two commonly planted species (Pinus koraiensis and Larix olgensis). A growth model that incorporates observed feedbacks with individual tree size and local basal area (in conjunction with allometric models for tree biomass), was used to project stand-level biomass increment. Predicted growth trajectories were then linked to the carbon process model InTEC to provide estimates of carbon sequestration potential. Results indicate substantial differences among species, and suggest that certain native hardwoods (in particular Fraxinus mandshurica and Phellodendron amurense), have high potential for use in carbon forestry applications. Increased use of native hardwoods in carbon forestry in China is likely to have additional benefits in terms of economic diversification and enhanced provision of "ecosystem services", including biodiversity protection.     

Scenarios of Future Climate and Land-Management Effects on Carbon Stocks in Northern Patagonian Shrublands

We analyzed the possible effects of grazing management and future climate change on carbon (C) stocks in soils of northern Patagonian shrublands. To this aim, we coupled the outputs of three (HadCM3, CSIRO Mk2, and CCSR/NIES) global climate models to the CENTURY (v5.3) model of terrestrial C balance. The CENTURY model was initialized with long-term field data on local biome physiognomy, seasonal phenologic trends, and prevailing land-management systems and was validated with recent sequences of 1-km Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (MODIS-Terra) images and soil C data. In the tested scenarios, the predicted climate changes would result in increased total C in soil organic matter (SOMTC). Maximum SOMTC under changed climate forcing would not differ significantly from that expected under baseline conditions (8 kg m⁻²). A decrease in grazing intensity would result in SOMTC increases of 11% to 12% even if climate changes did not occur. Climate change would account for SOMTC increases of 5% to 6%.     

Heavy equipment and truck-related deaths on excavation work sites

PROBLEM: Contact with objects and equipment is the third leading cause of death in construction. This study examines heavy equipment- and truck-related deaths in the excavation work industry in construction. METHODS: The Bureau of Labor Statistics Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries identified 253 heavy equipment related deaths on construction sites in the Excavation Work industry for the years 1992-2002. RESULTS: Heavy equipment operators and construction laborers made up 63% of the heavy equipment- and truck-related deaths. Backhoes and trucks were involved in half the deaths. Rollovers were the main cause of death of heavy equipment operators. For workers on foot and maintenance workers, being struck by heavy equipment or trucks (especially while backing up for workers on foot), and being struck by equipment loads or parts were the major causes of death. DISCUSSION: Ensuring adequate rollover protective structures for heavy equipment, requiring fastening of seat belts, adoption of a lock-out/tagout standard, establishing restricted access zones around heavy equipment, and requiring spotters for workers who must be near heavy equipment or trucks would reduce the risk of heavy equipment- and truck-related deaths in construction. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: Safety of heavy equipment operators in particular is a major concern in excavation that needs to be addressed.     

综采工作面安全性评价的逼近理想解(TOPSIS)方法

基于熵权的TOPSIS(逼近理想解的排序方法)方法是一种新的安全性评价方法,该方法以灰熵理论确定评价指标的权重———熵权,从而避免低层次多因素权重确定的主观性。以评价对象与理想解和负理想解的距离确定的相对接近度作为评价准则,避免了评价方法的主观性。通过对平顶山煤业集团有限责任公司六矿综采工作面安全性进行的评价,指出综采工作面安全管理中存在的问题,并提出相应的改进措施。理论与实例表明,该方法较其他方法更加客观,更易于操作,结果也更符合生产实际。     

V型滤池工艺设计的标准化和智能化探讨

针对V型滤池的设计特点,提出了设计的标准化方法。利用AutoCAD内嵌的Visual LISP语言编程,实现了计算机自动设计、计算及绘图的功能。程序具有人机对话的功能,从而实现了设计的智能化。     

实施科技兴安战略的思考

科技兴安战略是安全生产工作的指导思想之一,安全生产以"管理为基础,科技为支撑",不断增强安全生产科技进步与创新,是安全发展的动力。我国安全科技发展存在安全科技人才匮乏、安全科技研发投入少、安全基础理论研究滞后、科技研发成果和技术装备推广应用进展缓慢、安全技术支撑平台不健全等突出矛盾和问题。坚持超前感知安全生产科技发展方向、"大、微、智"安全技术装备发展方向,大力实施科技兴安战略,加快安全生产科技研发、推广应用、技术监督三大体系是当前安全科技工作的迫切任务。     

深埋突出煤层深孔控制爆破致裂机理和防突效果研究

基于理论分析和数值模拟,探究深孔控制爆破技术在深埋低透高瓦斯煤层防突方面的适用性。考虑爆炸波、爆生气体、煤层原始瓦斯压力、煤层地应力对裂隙的作用。研究深埋低透高瓦斯煤层深孔控制爆破裂隙的扩展的过程、机理及防突效果。对比了理论分析结果和典型的现场试验结果。得出的结论是,煤层深孔控制爆破致裂,是在爆炸波的动态冲击震裂和爆生气体及煤层瓦斯压力的尖劈压裂作用下共同完成的;深埋高应力煤层深孔控制爆破机理与常规浅孔采掘爆破机理不同;控制孔在高应力煤层中的导裂作用并不显著,其主要起到卸压孔和抽放孔的作用。几个典型的高应力低透突出煤层的工程实践表明,采用深孔控制爆破技术后,均获得良好的增透效果,且均未发生煤与瓦斯突出事故。     

Comparison of alkaline industrial wastes for aqueous mineral carbon sequestration through a parallel reactivity study

Thirty-one alkaline industrial wastes from a wide range of industrial processes were acquired and screened for application in an aqueous carbon sequestration process. The wastes were evaluated for their potential to leach polyvalent cations and base species. Following mixing with a simple sodium bicarbonate solution, chemistries of the aqueous and solid phases were analyzed. Experimental results indicated that the most reactive materials were capable of sequestering between 77% and 93% of the available carbon under experimental conditions in four hours. These materials – cement kiln dust, spray dryer absorber ash, and circulating dry scrubber ash – are thus good candidates for detailed, process-oriented studies. Chemical equilibrium modeling indicated that amorphous calcium carbonate is likely responsible for the observed sequestration. High variability and low reactive fractions render many other materials less attractive for further pursuit without considering preprocessing or activation techniques.     

Integration of counter-current relative permeability in the simulation of CO2 injection into saline aquifers

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) injection into saline aquifers is one of the promising options to sequester large amounts of CO₂ in geological formations. During as well as after injection of CO₂ into an aquifer, CO₂ migrates towards the top of the formation due to density differences between the formation brine and the injected CO₂. The time scales of CO₂ migration towards the top of an aquifer and the fraction of CO₂ that is trapped as residual gas depends strongly on the driving forces that are acting on the injected CO₂.When CO₂ migrates to the top of an aquifer, brine may be displaced downwards in a counter-current flow setting particularly during the injection period. A majority of the published work on counter-current flow settings have reported significant reductions in the associated relative permeability functions as compared to co-current measurements. However, this phenomenon has not yet been considered in the simulation of CO₂ storage into saline aquifers.In this paper we study the impact of changes in mobility for the two-phase brine/CO₂ system as a result of transitions between co- and counter-current flow settings. We have included this effect in a simulator and studied the impact of the related mobility reduction on the saturation distribution and residual saturation of CO₂ in aquifers over relevant time scales. We demonstrate that the reduction in relative permeability in the vertical direction changes the plume migration pattern and has an impact on the amount of gas that is trapped as a function of time. This is to our best knowledge the first attempt to integrate counter-current relative permeability into the simulation of injection and subsequent migration of CO₂ in aquifers. The results and analysis presented in this paper are directly relevant to all ongoing activities related to the design of large-scale CO₂ storage in saline aquifers.     

The sensitivity of carbon sequestration to harvesting and climate conditions in a temperate cypress forest: Observations and modeling

The role of disturbance and climate factors in determining the forest carbon balance was investigated at a Japanese cypress forest in central Japan with eddy flux measurements, tree-ring analyses, and a terrestrial biosphere model. The forest was established as a plantation after intermittent harvesting and replanting between 1959 and 1977, and acted as a strong carbon sink of approximately 500 g C m⁻² year⁻¹ for the measurement years between 2001 and 2007. A terrestrial biosphere model, BIOME-BGC, was validated using the eddy flux data at daily to interannual timescales, and the tree-ring width data at interannual to decadal timescales. According to the model simulation, during the observation period 270 ± 55 g C m⁻² year⁻¹ was additionally sequestered due to the indirect effects of the harvesting and planting, whereas the increase of CO₂ concentration and the change in climate increased the sink of 110 ± 40 and 30 ± 80 g C m⁻² year⁻¹, respectively. The model simulation shows that the forest is now recovering from harvesting, and that harvesting is a more important determinant of the current carbon sink than either interannual climate anomalies or increased atmospheric CO₂ concentration. We found that harvesting with long rotation length could be effective management activity in order to increase carbon sequestration, if the harvested timber is converted into products with long lifecycles.