Lysosomal enlargement and lysosomal membrane destabilisation in mussel digestive cells measured by an integrative index

Lysosomal responses (enlargement and membrane destabilisation) in mussel digestive cells are well-known environmental stress biomarkers in pollution effects monitoring in marine ecosystems. Presently, in laboratory and field studies, both responses were measured separately (in terms of lysosomal volume density - Vv - and labilisation period -LP) and combined (lysosomal response index - LRI) in order to contribute to their understanding and to develop an index useful for decisions makers. LRI integrates Vv and LP, which are not necessarily dependent lysosomal responses. It is unbiased and more sensitive than Vv and LP alone and diminishes background due to confounding factors. LRI provides a simple numerical index (consensus reference = 0; critical threshold = 1) directly related to the pollution impact degree. Moreover, LRI can be represented in a way that allows the interpretation of lysosomal responses, which is useful for environmental scientists.     

Validation of two air quality models for Indian mining conditions

All major mining activity particularly opencast mining contributes to the problem of suspended particulate matter (SPM)directly or indirectly. Therefore, assessment and prediction are required to prevent and minimize the deterioration of SPM due tovarious opencast mining operations. Determination of emission rate of SPM for these activities and validation of air quality models are the first and foremost concern. In view of the above, the study was taken up for determination of emission rate for SPMto calculate emission rate of various opencast mining activitiesand validation of commonly used two air quality models for Indianmining conditions. To achieve the objectives, eight coal and three iron ore mining sites were selected to generate site specific emission data by considering type of mining, method of working, geographical location, accessibility and above all resource availability. The study covers various mining activitiesand locations including drilling, overburden loading and unloading, coal/mineral loading and unloading, coal handling orscreening plant, exposed overburden dump, stock yard, workshop, exposed pit surface, transport road and haul road. Validation of the study was carried out through Fugitive Dust Model (FDM) and Point, Area and Line sources model (PAL2) by assigning the measured emission rate for each mining activity, meteorologicaldata and other details of the respective mine as an input to the models. Both the models were run separately for the same set ofinput data for each mine to get the predicted SPM concentrationat three receptor locations for each mine. The receptor locationswere selected such a way that at the same places the actual filedmeasurement were carried out for SPM concentration. Statisticalanalysis was carried out to assess the performance of the modelsbased on a set measured and predicted SPM concentration data. The value of coefficient of correlation for PAL2 and FDM was calculated to be 0.990-0.994 and 0.966-0.997, respectively, which shows a fairly good agreement between measured and predicted values of SPM concentration. The average index of agreement values for PAL2 and FDM was found to be 0.665 and0.752, respectively, which represents that the prediction by PAL2 and FDM models are accurate by 66.5 and 75.2%, respectively. These indicate that FDM model is more suited for Indian mining conditions.     

Monitoring and dispersion modelling of emissions from the fluidised bed combustion of poultry litter

Gaseous emissions from the fluidised bed combustion of chickenlitter were monitored and recorded. Emission data was used tocreate a dispersion model for a proposed site on a poultry farmin Limerick, Ireland. Variables within the combustion unit notonly influenced combustion but also emission levels ofpollutants such as SO₂ and NO_x. CO emissions decreased withuse of the correct ratio between fluidising and secondary air,the staging of secondary air and the degree of turbulence withwhich the secondary air is introduced. Dispersion modelling ofactual combustion at a proposed poultry unit predicted thatground level concentrations for the set of emissions data wouldbe below the limits and guidelines set by air quality standards.This was true for both and line source. Line sourceconcentration levels were less than those for point source.     

街道地表物的累积与污染特征：以成都市为例

本文研究了成都市区74km~2范围内地表物的累积规律和污染特征.结果表明,街道地表物累积受土地用途影响;地表有机物受人类活动的影响;重金属受城市交通的影响.粒径分布研究发现街道地表物小于360μm的微粒占70％,且各种污染物主要吸附于细小的微粒上.使用地表污染物边坎累积模型计算了街道地表物和各种污染物的累积量.成都市区每天累积地表物达111吨,BOD,达78kg,COD达411kg,克氏氮6kg和总磷2kg.     

Removal of Novacron Golden Yellow dye from aqueous solutions by low-cost agricultural waste: Batch and fixed bed study

The present work describes the removal of Novacron Golden Yellow (NGY) dye from aqueous solutions using peanut hulls. The experiments were performed with native, pretreated and immobilised forms of peanut hulls. The effect of various operational parameters (pH, biosorbent dose, initial dye concentration and temperature etc.) was explored during batch study. NGY showed maximum removal at low pH and low biosorbent dose. High initial dye concentration facilitated the biosorption process. Maximum dye removal with native, pretreated and immobilised biomass was found to be 35.7, 36.4 and 15.02 mg/g respectively. The experimental data were subjected to different kinetic and equilibrium models. The kinetic data confirmed the fitness of pseudo-second-order rate law for NGY biosorption. The equilibrium modelling was carried out by Freundlich, Langmuir and Temkin models. The isothermal data of NGY removal were best described by Freundlich adsorption isotherm. Negative values of Free energy change (Δ G⁰) for NGY with native and pretreated biomass depicted the spontaneous nature of biosorption process. In column mode, the effects of bed height, flow rate and initial dye concentrations were optimised. Maximum NGY biosorption (7.28 mg/g) was observed with high bed height, low flow rate and high initial concentration in continuous mode. Bohart–Adams model best fitted to the data obtained from column studies. The results indicated that the peanut hulls could be used effectively for the removal of dyes containing wastewater.     

氢氧化钠固态预处理对稻草中木素结构特性的影响

为探明这种NaOH固态预处理对稻草产气量影响的内在机理,采用傅立叶变换红外光谱(FTIR)、氢质子核磁共振波谱(1HNMR)、凝胶渗透色谱(GPC)等方法,对NaOH固态处理前后稻草中木素结构的变化进行了多方位研究.结果表明,NaOH固态预处理使稻草中木素内部结构、木素-碳水化合物复合体的形态结构发生了明显的变化,使得纤维素从木素的包裹中释放出来,木素成分也由难降解的三维网状大分子转变成了易降解的直链结构的小分子,从而使得厌氧微生物能够接触到更多的纤维素并对其进行更有效的消化.这些木素形态结构的变化是导致稻草厌氧消化产气量提高的内在原因.     

用特征有限无法预测大运河对某市潜水污染的影响

用特征有限元法预测了在井群开采条件下大运河水对某市潜水污染的影响，计算了直到２０２０年的污染物相对浓度的分布．该方法数值弥散和数值振荡较小，有相当的实用价值．     

Mapping socio-economic scenarios of land cover change: a GIS method to enable ecosystem service modelling

We present a GIS method to interpret qualitatively expressed socio-economic scenarios in quantitative map-based terms. (i) We built scenarios using local stakeholders and experts to define how major land cover classes may change under different sets of drivers; (ii) we formalized these as spatially explicit rules, for example agriculture can only occur on certain soil types; (iii) we created a future land cover map which can then be used to model ecosystem services. We illustrate this for carbon storage in the Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania using two scenarios: the first based on sustainable development, the second based on 'business as usual' with continued forest-woodland degradation and poor protection of existing forest reserves. Between 2000 and 2025 4% of carbon stocks were lost under the first scenario compared to a loss of 41% of carbon stocks under the second scenario. Quantifying the impacts of differing future scenarios using the method we document here will be important if payments for ecosystem services are to be used to change policy in order to maintain critical ecosystem services.     

Understanding the Factors That Influence Headwater Stream Flows in Response to Storm Events1

Stanfield, Les W. and Don A. Jackson, 2011. Understanding the Factors That Influence Headwater Stream Flows in Response to Storm Events. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 1‐22. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752‐1688.2010.00518.x Abstract: Headwater drainage features (first‐ to second‐order streams) are the capillaries of the landscape that, among other things, moderate the timing and volumes of water available to the riparian and aquatic ecosystems. How these features respond to summer rainfall is poorly understood. We studied how geology and an index of land use/land cover influenced peak flows following rainfall events in 110 headwater stream sites that were studied over a four‐month period during a drought year. Highest peak flows were observed in the most urbanized catchments and in poorly drained soils, but specific responses were variable depending on both geology and land disturbance. Redundancy analysis indicated that both surficial geology and land disturbance were important factors influencing peak flows under drought conditions. We conclude that responses of these headwater streams to individual storms during drought conditions are unpredictable from data collected using our methods, but increased peak flows were associated with increased urban and agricultural development, but mitigated by surficial geology. These findings demonstrate the challenges to accurately predict flow conditions in headwater streams during periods of extreme weather that concurrently have the greatest potential effect on biota. The combination of these challenges and importance of such events indicates the need to develop new approaches to study and manage these resources.     

“十二五”减排挑战与对策探讨

通过总结"十一五"期间我国环境保护工作取得的主要成果,及对"十二五"环境保护规划目标的分析,论述了"十二五"减排面临的挑战,并从强化法律、管理、行政、经济手段,实施结构减排和清洁生产等方面提出了可行性建议,以期确保国家环境保护规划目标的实现。