Evaluating water quality investments using cost utility analysis

This study borrows concepts from healthcare economics and uses cost utility analysis (CUA) to select an optimum portfolio of water quality enhancement projects in Perth, Western Australia. In CUA, costs are handled via standard discounted cash flow analysis, but the benefits, being intangible, are measured with a utility score. Our novel methodology combines CUA with a binary combinatorial optimisation solver, known as a 'knapsack algorithm', to identify the optimum portfolio of projects. We show how water quality projects can be selected to maximise an aggregate utility score while not exceeding a budget constraint. Our CUA model applies compromise programming (CP) to measure utility over multiple attributes in different units. CUA is shown to provide a transparent and analytically robust method to maximise benefits from water quality remediation investments under a constrained budget.     

Evaluation of Dairy Effluent Management Options Using Multiple Criteria Analysis

This article describes how options for managing dairy effluent on the Lower Murray River in South Australia were evaluated using multiple criteria analysis (MCA). Multiple criteria analysis is a framework for combining multiple environmental, social, and economic objectives in policy decisions. At the time of the study, dairy irrigation in the region was based on flood irrigation which involved returning effluent to the river. The returned water contained nutrients, salts, and microbial contaminants leading to environmental, human health, and tourism impacts. In this study MCA was used to evaluate 11 options against 6 criteria for managing dairy effluent problems. Of the 11 options, the MCA model selected partial rehabilitation of dairy paddocks with the conversion of remaining land to other agriculture. Soon after, the South Australian Government adopted this course of action and is now providing incentives for dairy farmers in the region to upgrade irrigation infrastructure and/or enter alternative industries.     

分步沉淀去除磷酸铁生产废水中的磷酸根和硫酸根

采用分步化学沉淀法分别脱除并回收磷酸铁生产废水中的高浓度磷酸根和硫酸根。实验结果表明:在以n(Fe~(3+))∶n(PO_4~(3-))=1.0的比例加入硫酸铁、反应时间为40 min、反应温度为25℃、废水初始p H为8.17、反应30 min时二次调节废水p H至5.50的条件下,磷酸根去除率可达98%以上,所得沉淀中Fe和P的质量分数分别为36.77%和18.81%,成分简单,回收价值高;采用氢氧化钙作为沉淀剂,在n(Ca~(2+))∶n(SO_4~(2-))=1.0的条件下可将废水中硫酸根质量浓度由78.62 g/L降至2.16 g/L,硫酸根去除率为97.3%,硫酸钙回收量为120.2 g/L;最终出水的磷酸根质量浓度小于0.5 mg/L,满足GB 8978—1996《污水综合排放标准》的一级标准。     

洪泽湖富营养化与环境理化因子间的关系

利用淮安市环境监测中心站1998年—2000年洪泽湖水质监测资料，以洪泽湖水体最能表征营养化状态进程的叶绿素a为基准因子，分析了洪泽湖水质富营养化的原因。通过QBASIC多元逐步回归分析，得出洪泽湖水质富营养化的主控因子是悬浮物、透明度，总磷是富营养化的潜在限制性营养盐。     

Temporal change estimation of mercury concentrations in northern pike (Esox lucius L.) in Swedish lakes

Adequate temporal trend analysis of mercury (Hg) in freshwater ecosystems is critical to evaluate if actions from the human society have affected Hg concentrations ([Hg]) in fresh water biota. This study examined temporal change in [Hg] in Northern pike (Esox lucius L.) in Swedish freshwater lakes between 1994 and 2006. To achieve this were lake-specific, multiple-linear-regression models used to estimate pike [Hg], including indicator variables representing time and fish weight and their interactions. This approach permitted estimation of the direction and magnitude of temporal changes in 25 lakes selected from the Swedish national database on Hg in freshwater biota. A significant increase was found in 36% of the studied lakes with an average increase in pike [Hg] of 3.7 ± 6.7% per year that was found to be positively correlated with total organic carbon. For lakes with a significant temporal change the dataset was based on a mean of 30 fish, while for lakes with no temporal change it was based on a mean of 13 fish.     

东北玉米热量指数预测方法研究(Ⅱ)——逐步回归预测方法

利用1960-2005年74类大气环流资料,从玉米播种期的5月开始到8月,逐月滚动建立了东北3省典型站玉米热量指数的逐步回归模型.各月模型都能较好地预测该区玉米生长季内的热量状况.检验结果表明,通过运用滚动预报的方法,可以有效地提高预测玉米生长季内热量指数的准确率.     

Cutting the cake: Supporting environmental fund allocation decisions

This paper describes a decision support model for allocating financial resources amongst multiple user groups in environmental management problems. The model is based on the multiple criteria analysis (MCA) method of compromise programming. It was used to inform the allocation of Natural Heritage Trust funds across 14 regions in Queensland, Australia. The model targets funding to those regions with greater natural resource management needs. Need is determined by 19 weighted criteria relating to natural resource assets and threats. The model was accepted by the Australian Government, Queensland Government and regional groups as an appropriate means for allocating program funds; first in 2005 and then again, with improvements, in 2007. This paper shows that an MCA model can improve the transparency, auditability and acceptance of allocation decisions which would otherwise be heavily politicised.     

A nonlinear model for assessing multiple probabilistic risks: a case study in South five-island of Changdao National Nature Reserve in China

Several methods for estimating the potential impacts caused by multiple probabilistic risks have been suggested. These existing methods mostly rely on the weight sum algorithm to address the need for integrated risk assessment. This paper develops a nonlinear model to perform such an assessment. The joint probability algorithm has been applied to the model development. An application of the developed model in South five-island of Changdao National Nature Reserve, China, combining remote sensing data and a GIS technique, provides a reasonable risk assessment. Based on the case study, we discuss the feasibility of the model. We propose that the model has the potential for use in identifying the regional primary stressor, investigating the most vulnerable habitat, and assessing the integrated impact of multiple stressors.     

近50a人工灌排技术进步对玛纳斯河流域耕地格局变化的影响

分析绿洲人工灌排技术发展和耕地格局变化之间的关系,对研究干旱区灌溉农业发展具有重要的意义。论文选取玛纳斯河流域为研究区,利用RS和GIS技术,对玛纳斯河流域1960年地形图,1976、1989、1997、2006、2013年Landsat遥感影像和历史水利工程建设分布图等原始数据进行处理,获得5期人工灌排渠系矢量图和6期土地利用分类矢量图,并计算人工灌排渠系长度指数和表征耕地格局的绿洲垦殖率、净耕地系数、周长面积比;利用多元逐步回归法,分析干旱区绿洲人工灌排技术对耕地格局变化的影响。结果表明:滴灌技术应用前,玛纳斯河流域耕地分布格局由灌排渠系的空间分布决定,尤其是农渠的分布格局和长度,其与耕地面积的回归方程为y=0.43x+7.38(R~2=0.90,n=33,P=0);滴灌技术应用后,耕地分布格局的变化取决于滴灌系统管网的空间分布,尤其是干管和支管的分布格局与长度,导致流域灌溉水利用系数从1960年的0.38增长到2010年的0.65。