Cell size dependence of additive versus synergetic effects of UV radiation and PAHs on oceanic phytoplankton

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons’ (PAHs) toxicity is enhanced by the presence of ultraviolet radiation (UVR), which levels have arisen due to the thinning of the ozone layer. In this study, PAHs’ phototoxicity for natural marine phytoplankton was tested. Different concentrations of a mixture of 16 PAHs were added to natural phytoplankton communities from the Mediterranean Sea, Atlantic, Arctic and Southern Oceans and exposed to natural sunlight received in situ, including treatments where the UVR bands were removed. PAHs’ toxicity was observed for all the phytoplankton groups studied in all the waters and treatments tested, but only for the pico-sized group a synergetic effect of the mixture and UVR was observed (p = 0.009). When comparing phototoxicity in phytoplankton from oligotrophic and eutrophic waters, synergy was only observed at the oligotrophic communities (p = 0.02) where pico-sized phytoplankton dominated. The degree of sensitivity was related to the trophic degree, decreasing as Chlorophyll a concentration increased.     

Data driven modelling of vertical atmospheric radiation

In the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (CHMI) there exists a unique set of meteorological measurements consisting of the values of vertical atmospheric levels of beta and gamma radiation. In this paper a stochastic data-driven model based on nonlinear regression and on nonhomogeneous Poisson process is suggested. In the first part of the paper, growth curves were used to establish an appropriate nonlinear regression model. For comparison we considered a nonhomogeneous Poisson process with its intensity based on growth curves. In the second part both approaches were applied to the real data and compared. Computational aspects are briefly discussed as well. The primary goal of this paper is to present an improved understanding of the distribution of environmental radiation as obtained from the measurements of the vertical radioactivity profiles by the radioactivity sonde system.     

Are there reasons against open-ended research into solar radiation management? A model of intergenerational decision-making under uncertainty

Solar radiation management (SRM) has been proposed as a means of last resort against dangerous climate change. We propose a stylized model of intergenerational decision making on SRM research, greenhouse-gas abatement and SRM deployment, under uncertainties about (a) the extent of future climate damage and (b) effectiveness and potential harmful side-effects of SRM. Open-ended research may reveal either that SRM effectively reduces climate damage, or that it would cause more harm than benefits. We find that SRM research increases the likelihood of deployment (“slippery slope”), and derive conditions that it decreases abatement effort in expectation (“moral hazard”). Neither of these provides a rationale against SRM research, though. The rational decision is to perform SRM research, unless (i) discounting is hyperbolic and (ii) the absolute prudence of expected climate damage is smaller than absolute risk aversion. These results generalize to the case where SRM research also provides information on climate sensitivity.     

Evaluation of mutagenicity associated with Escherichia coli inactivation in UV-treated orange juice

UV radiation is an alternative technology for the elimination of pathogenic micro-organisms in liquid food. The objectives of this work were to investigate mutagenesis using the Ames test in : (1) fresh squeezed orange juice submitted to UV radiation doses required to achieve 5 and 10 log₁₀ reductions of different strains of Escherichia coli serotype O157:H7 at two temperatures, and (2) commercial pasteurized orange juice submitted to thermal treatment.

Two histidine-auxotrophic strains, Salmonella Typhimurium TA98 and TA97a, were used in the Ames test with and without metabolic activation.

In commercial pasteurized orange juices, mutagenesis was not observed with S. Typhimurium TA98 strain with and without metabolic activation, but high mutagenic effect was observed using TA97a with metabolic activation.

UV radiation did not affect the stability of ascorbic acid in aqueous solution. However, degradation of ascorbic acid was observed when UV treatment was performed on squeezed orange juice, following first order kinetics.

UV treatment required to achieve 5 log₁₀ reductions (1.5 J/cm²) did not show a mutagenic effect with and without metabolic activation using the tested strains, but a higher UV radiation dose necessary to produce 10 log₁₀ reductions (3.0 J/cm²) showed mutagenicity with metabolic activation.     

A wind-solar PV hybrid power system with battery backup for water pumping in remote localities

After energy, water is the most critical commodity to be made available to people to keep them alive. Saudi Arabia has vast land and people are living in all regions. Most of these are connected to national grid but some are not, especially in remote areas like in the north, south, and west south. Pumping water in remote areas for domestic needs like agriculture and animals beside human needs is essential and require regular power supply. The present idea of wind-PV-Battery hybrid power system based on 100% renewable source is being proposed to utilize and tested in some of the regions on experimental bases. Of the five locations chosen for the purpose, namely Dhahran, Riyadh, Jeddah, Guriat and Nejran, some are good from both wind and solar intensity point of view some have good winds only and some good solar only. Nearly optimal size of PV-Wind water pumping system is determined for each of these sites considering the availability of solar and wind energy distributions throughout the year in these sites. It is shown that the monthly total water pumping capacity when using nearly optimal PV-Wind water pumping system is fairly uniform throughout the year except for the sites of Guriat and Riyadh. In these sites higher water pumping capacity is observed during the spring and summer months. On the other hand the cost of underground water pumping is found to vary between 6 to 12 US¢/m³ for the five sites considered.     

A Simple Process‐Based Snowmelt Routine to Model Spatially Distributed Snow Depth and Snowmelt in the SWAT Model1

Abstract: We present a method to integrate a process‐based (PB) snowmelt model that requires only daily temperature and elevation information into the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model. The model predicts the spatiotemporal snowpack distribution without adding additional complexity, and in fact reduces the number of calibrated parameters. To demonstrate the utility of the PB model, we calibrate the PB and temperature‐index (TI) SWAT models to optimize agreement with stream discharge on a 46‐km² watershed in northwestern Idaho, United States, for 10 individual years and use the calibrated parameters for the year with the best agreement to run the model for 15 remaining years. Stream discharge predictions by the PB and TI model were similar, although the PB model simulated snowmelt more accurately than the TI model for the remaining 15‐year period. Spatial snow distributions predicted by the PB model better matched observations from LandSat imagery and a SNOTEL station. Results for this watershed show that including PB snowmelt in watershed models is feasible, and calibration of TI‐based watershed models against discharge can incorrectly predict snow cover.     

城市公共绿地应急避险功能中的人口服务辐射能力的研究——以北京市为例

为推动城市公共绿地应急避险体系建设的发展,根据概括的应急避险功能评价指标体系要求,通过人口密度分布与公共绿地缓冲区的叠加分析,对城市公共绿地的人口服务辐射能力进行了深入研究。结果显示,整个北京规划市区内公共绿地的缓冲区覆盖范围总计为421.96 km2,约占规划市区面积的38%,还存在626.46 km2的服务盲区,盲区所涉及的户籍人口为254.8万。另外,东城区所属的东四、朝阳门和东直门街道办事处,以及宣武区所属的椿树街道办事处所含的公共绿地缓冲区占其行政区面积的比例仅分别为0.04%、21.22%、23.45%、25.61%,存在较大的服务盲区,人口服务辐射能力有待加强。     

Effects of lanthanum（Ⅲ） on nitrogen metabolism of soybean seedlings under elevated UV-B radiation

The hydroponic culture experiments of soybean bean seedlings were conducted to investigate the effect of lanthanum(La)on nitrogen metabolism under two different levels of elevated UV-B radiation(UV-B,280-320 nm).The whole process of nitrogen metabolism involves uptake and transport of nitrate,nitrate assimilation,ammonium assimilation,amino acid biosynthesis,and protein synthesis. Compared with the control,UV-B radiation with the intensity of low level 0.15 W/m~2 and high level 0.45 W/m~2 significantly affected the whole nitrogen metabolism in soybean seedlings(p<0.05).It restricted uptake and transport of NO_3~-,inhibited activity of some key nitrogen-metabolism-related enzymes,such as:nitrate reductase(NR)to the nitrate reduction,glutamine systhetase(GS)and glutamine synthase(GOGAT)to the ammonia assimilation,while it increased the content of free amino acids and decreased that of soluble protein as well.The damage effect of high level of UV-B radiation on nitrogen metabolism was greater than that of low level. And UV-B radiation promoted the activity of the anti-adversity enzyme glutamate dehydrogenase(GDH),which reduced the toxicity of excess ammonia in plant.After pretreatment with the optimum concentration of La(20 mg/L),La could increase the activity of NR, GS,GOGAT,and GDH,and ammonia assimilation,but decrease nitrate and ammonia accumulation.In conclusion,La could relieve the damage effect of UV-B radiation on plant by regulating nitrogen metabolism process,and its alleviating effect under low level was better than that under the high one.     

GSM数字移动通信基站电磁辐射测量与分析

通过对联通齐齐哈尔 GSM数字移动通信基站电磁辐射的测量与分析 ,明确其对周围环境可能造成的影响 ,为环境保护管理提供参考性意见     

电视台卫星地面站电磁辐射对城市其它微波站的干扰分析

通过理论分析计算 ,掌握电视台卫星地面站电磁辐射对城市其它微波站的干扰情况 ,为此类电磁辐射源环境影响管理提供参考性意见