IMPACT OF COAL SURFACE MINING AND RECLAMATION ON SUSPENDED SEDIMENT IN THREE OHIO WATERSHEDS1

ABSTRACT: Prior to PL95–87 little research had been conducted to determine the impacts of mining and reclamation practices on sediment concentrations and yields on a watershed scale. Furthermore, it was unknown whether sediment yield and other variables would return to undisturbed levels after reclamation. Therefore, three small watersheds, with differing lithologies and soils, were monitored for runoff and suspended sediment concentrations during three phases of watershed disturbances: undisturbed watershed condition, mining and reclamation disturbances, and post‐reclaimed condition. Profound increases in suspended‐sediment concentrations, load rates, and yields due to mining and reclamation activities, and subsequent drastic decreases after reclamation were documented. Even with increases in runoff potential, reductions in suspended‐sediment concentrations and load rates to below or near undisturbed‐watershed levels is possible by using the mulch‐crimping technique and by removing diversions. Maximum concentrations and load rates occurred during times of active disturbances that exposed loose soil and spoil to high‐intensity rains. Sediment concentrations remained elevated compared with the undisturbed watershed when diversions were not well maintained and overtopped, and when they were not removed for final reclamation. Diversions are useful for vegetation establishment, but should be maintained until they are removed for final reclamation after good vegetative cover is established.     

The Silent Mass Extinction of Insect Herbivores in Biodiversity Hotspots

Abstract: Habitat loss is silently leading numerous insects to extinction. Conservation efforts, however, have not been designed specifically to protect these organisms, despite their ecological and evolutionary significance. On the basis of species–host area equations, parameterized with data from the literature and interviews with botanical experts, I estimated the number of specialized plant‐feeding insects (i.e., monophages) that live in 34 biodiversity hotspots and the number committed to extinction because of habitat loss. I estimated that 795,971–1,602,423 monophagous insect species live in biodiversity hotspots on 150,371 endemic plant species, which is 5.3–10.6 monophages per plant species. I calculated that 213,830–547,500 monophagous species are committed to extinction in biodiversity hotspots because of reduction of the geographic range size of their endemic hosts. I provided rankings of biodiversity hotspots on the basis of estimated richness of monophagous insects and on estimated number of extinctions of monophagous species. Extinction rates were predicted to be higher in biodiversity hotspots located along strong environmental gradients and on archipelagos, where high spatial turnover of monophagous species along the geographic distribution of their endemic plants is likely. The results strongly support the overall strategy of selecting priority conservation areas worldwide primarily on the basis of richness of endemic plants. To face the global decline of insect herbivores, one must expand the coverage of the network of protected areas and improve the richness of native plants on private lands.     

Effects of climatic data low-pass filtering on the ICBM temperature- and moisture-based soil biological activity factors in a cool and humid climate

The air temperature (T_air), total precipitation (TP) and potential evapotranspiration (PET) are standard input data for soil carbon dynamic models, i.e., for calculating temperature and moisture effects on soil biological activity. The resolution needed depends on objectives, the complexity of models and inbuilt pedotransfer functions. The Introductory Carbon Balance Model (ICBM) soil climate front end model calculates a multiplicative soil-temperature (r_{e_temp}) and -moisture (r_{e_wat}) factor with a daily time-step to estimate soil biological activity, i.e., r_{e_crop} = r_{e_temp} × r_{e_wat}. Our objective was to determine how much r_{e_temp}, r_{e_wat} and r_{e_crop} are affected by low-pass filtering of the climatic input data for a cool, humid temperate region. To achieve this we conducted spectral analysis on T_air, TP, PET and r_{e_crop} in the frequency domain. Thereafter we applied Fourier low-pass filters of 5, 15, 30, 60 and 180 days on T_air, TP, PET and tracked their effects through the soil climate model's state variables and outputs. This was done using a sandy and a heavy clay soil and an 89-year daily time-series from a meteorological station in Quebec (Canada). The Fourier spectra showed that the variance for T_air, PET and r_{e_crop} was dominated by an annual cycle, as could be expected. There was no yearly cycle for TP. The variation in r_{e_temp} explained most of the variance in r_{e_crop}. The soil climate module outputs were not sensitive to low-pass filtering of PET. A daily time-step was needed to avoid overestimating r_{e_crop} for the sandy soil. Using a weekly time-step for TP and T_air allowed us to explain about 80% of the variance in r_{e_crop} for the heavy clay soil. This study also indicates that the standard leaf (and green) area index functions for calculating transpiration should receive more attention, since they have significant effects on the state and output variables.     

汶川地震灾区小流域洪水计算方法初探

汶川地震灾区小流域山洪不仅造成巨大损失,同时也是泥石流等灾害的激发因素,探寻一种准确且可操作的洪水峰值流量计算方法对防灾减灾具有重要意义。本文选择不同产流和汇流计算方法,组合成不同水文模型,进行小流域洪水过程计算,对模拟结果和参数选择进行对比,旨在探究最适合该地区的小流域水文计算方法。分别选择SCS曲线法、Green-Ampt入渗法、初损稳渗法进行坡面产流计算,应用SCS单位线法、Snyder单位线法和运动波方程进行坡面和沟道汇流计算,组合成5种小流域产汇流计算模型,利用6场洪水进行参数率定和结果验证。模拟结果对比分析,得出SCS曲线法是最适宜的产流模型,其与SCS单位线、运动波汇流计算方法组合而成的SCS和SKK模型,峰现时间的模拟误差最小,在0~25 min之间;洪峰流量模拟的相对误差较小,平均误差不超过4%;洪水总量模拟误差在10%左右。另外,这两种模型参数设置及确定较简单,更适合在数据稀缺的小流域中进行洪水模拟应用。研究可为汶川地震灾区小流域山洪和泥石流等灾害的流量估算提供方法和参数借鉴。     

Can area managers connect policy and tenants? Implementation and diffusion of a new waste management system in Linköping,Sweden

Recycling and reducing household waste are political goals internationally, nationally and locally. In Sweden, households in apartment buildings seem to sort their waste to a lesser extent than households in single-family houses. This paper analyses the challenges of the diffusion of a new waste management system in apartment buildings, and focuses on a municipal housing company and the actions of its area managers. It is argued that area managers can be regarded as street-level bureaucrats who act as ‘collectors’ of tenants’ everyday practices in the studied implementation process. The study is based on interviews, document analysis and observations.     

京津冀地区重污染天气过程的污染气象条件数值模拟研究

通过采用全球再分析格点资料的统计分析和WRF中尺度数值模拟,从天气学和大气边界层气象学角度分析了2013年12月和2014年2月两次重污染过程中京津冀地区天气尺度大气停滞气象条件和大气污染扩散气象条件的特征及其作用,并根据WRF模式精细化模拟结果分析了太行山和燕山对京津冀地区城市大气污染形成的作用.研究结果表明,两次重污染天气过程中京津冀地区500 h Pa等压面上的平均风速均表现为明显的气候异常特征,500 h Pa平均风速较近10年同期分别下降了约30.8%和50.4%,大气停滞系数较近5年同期分别偏高10%和20%以上;京津冀地区发生严重污染时,WRF模式模拟的日平均混合层高度低于200 m,日平均地面10 m风速低于2 m·s-1,日平均通风量可降低到1000 m2·s-1以下,空气质量指数与日平均通风量成负相关,重污染期间的平均通风量比近5年同期平均通风量偏低29.3%~52.8%,这些不利于污染扩散的天气条件持续数日,导致了重污染天气的发生.此外,太行山对西风气流的阻挡是河北中南部地区大气污染加剧的一个重要原因,而当主导风向为偏南风时,偏南气流遇燕山后或转向回流、或爬坡,导致近地面风速减小,不利于污染物扩散,亦加剧了京津冀地区中南部城市的大气污染.     

滨海区芦苇和香蒲耐盐碱性及除氮磷效果对比研究

滨海河口区水体盐碱含量高,生态景观萧条,亟需筛选既能耐盐碱又能有效去除氮磷的植物.通过水培实验研究了盐碱胁迫下,芦苇、香蒲的耐受性及对水体中氮、磷的去除率.结果表明,芦苇至少能够耐受10‰的盐度和高达8.5的p H,香蒲能耐受的盐度为7.5‰、p H为8.0,结合生长、生理指标(叶片相对电导率、脯氨酸、叶绿素和根系活力)的变化,芦苇耐盐碱性强于香蒲;盐胁迫下,芦苇对氨氮去除率相对较高,由于香蒲生物量较高,对硝氮、总磷去除效果好,分别比芦苇高2.5%、7.3%,对总氮去除两者相当;碱胁迫下,芦苇耐碱性较强,对氨氮、总磷的去除效果较香蒲稍好,而香蒲对总氮的去除率比芦苇高8.2%.综上所述,芦苇、香蒲可作为修复滨海高盐碱水体生态景观的备选植物.     

龙口煤矿区土壤重金属污染评价与空间分布特征

以龙口市北部煤矿区为研究区,采集36个表层土壤样本,对Cd、As、Ni、Pb和Cr这5种重金属含量进行测定,利用地统计分析、主成分分析、加权平均综合污染评价等方法,结合GIS技术分别对5种重金属含量的空间分布特征、污染来源、综合污染程度进行了探索分析.结果表明,土壤样本中5种重金属富集现象显著,以国家土壤环境质量二级标准为背景值,超标率分别达到72.22%、100%、100%、91.67%、100%.样本重金属含量均值全部超过国家二级标准,分别为背景值的1.53、11.86、2.40、1.31、4.09倍;且远远高于山东省东部地区表层土壤背景值,含量倍数分别为9.85、39.98、8.85、4.29与12.71倍.基于半变异函数模型分析得出,块金效应从高到低依次为As(0.644)Cd(0.627)Cr(0.538)Ni(0.411)Pb(0.294),均属中等空间相关性,重金属含量空间分布呈现中部桑园煤矿及其周围含量最高,东部与西部含量较低的特征.经主成分分析发现,Cd、As、Ni和Cr主要来源于污水灌溉、工业企业排放和工业活动;汽车尾气与煤炭燃烧是Pb的主要污染源.单因子污染程度评价显示,不同重金属污染程度依次为AsCrNiCdPb.综合污染程度评价显示,研究区土壤重金属综合污染程度较高,综合污染指数范围处于2.17~4.66之间,中度污染与重度污染样本分别为10个和26个,重度污染地区主要分布在桑园煤矿、北皂煤矿、柳海煤矿区域,中度污染地区包括洼里煤矿、梁家煤矿等区域.本文研究结果将为在研究区开展生态风险评估研究工作提供数据参考与理论支持.     

An experimental and modeling study of continuous liquid fuel spill fires on water

The spread of burning fuel spilled from oil product containers during offshore storage and transportation may cause large damage and trigger further accidents. Some analytical models already exist to predict the spread and burning behavior of liquid fuel spill fires, however, few experimental studies have been conducted to verify the model results. In this paper, continuous n-heptane spill fire experiments were conducted in a rectangular trench covered with water. The burning area, fuel spread rate, and thermal flux with different discharge flow rates and ignition delay times were investigated by both experimental and modeling means. The spill fire burning area, with 5 typical phases during burning, has a quasi-steady value which is directly proportional to the discharge rate but irrelevant to the ignition delay times. The steady burning rate, as the ratio of discharge rate over burning area, was estimated. A spread model was modified to simulate the spread of continuous liquid fuel spill fires in a one-dimensional channel, based on the balance between gravity and viscous forces. A cuboid solid flame model was used to compute the thermal flux from spill fires. The burning fuel spread and the heat flux calculated by the models agree with the experimental results.     

上海港区船舶防污漆中Irgarol 1051的环境风险评价

Irgarol 1051是一种常用于船舶防污漆的杀生活性物质。为了评价船舶防污漆杀生活性物质Irgarol 1051的海洋环境风险,根据ISO 13073-1的评价原则和程序,对其进行环境危害评价、环境暴露评价和风险表征。通过对公共数据库的文献检索获取数据,从理化性质、环境行为、生态毒性3个方面评价Irgarol 1051的环境危害。采用评估因子法计算Irgarol 1051的预测无效应浓度(PNEC)。采用质量守恒法计算Irgarol 1051在海水中的释放率,通过MAMPEC v3.0模型推导上海洋山深水港的集装箱船区、码头、航道等暴露场景的预测环境浓度(PEC)。经过比较上述暴露场景的风险商值(PEC/PNEC)发现,港口的海水相风险商值大于1,Irgarol 1051的环境风险需要关注。