226Ra, 232Th and 40K analysis in soil samples from some areas of Malwa region, Punjab, India using gamma ray spectrometry

The activity concentrations of soil samples collected from thirty different locations of Malwa region of Punjab were determined by using HPGe detector based on high-resolution gamma spectrometry system. The range of activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K in the soil from the studied areas varies from 18.37 Bq kg⁻¹ (Sangrur) to 53.11 Bq kg⁻¹ (Sitoguno), 57.28 Bq kg⁻¹ (Dhanola) to 148.28 Bq kg⁻¹ (Sitoguno) and 211.13 Bq kg⁻¹ (Sunam) to 413.27 Bq kg⁻¹ (Virk Khera) with overall mean values of 35 Bq kg⁻¹, 80 Bq kg⁻¹and 317 Bq kg⁻¹ respectively. The absorbed dose rate calculated from activity concentration of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K ranges between 8.47 and 24.48, 35.68 and 92.38, and 8.74 and 17.11 nGy h⁻¹, respectively. The total absorbed dose in the study area ranges from 58.08 nGy h⁻¹ to 130.85 nGy h⁻¹ with an average value of 79.11 nGy h⁻¹. The calculated values of external hazard index (H_ex) for the soil samples of the study area range from 0.35 to 0.79. Since these values are lower than unity, therefore, according to the Radiation Protection 112 (European Commission. Radiation Protection 112 1999) report, soil from these regions is safe and can be used as a construction material without posing any significant radiological threat to population.     

Ambient Aerosol and its Carbon Content in Gainesville, a Mid-Scale City in Florida

Ambient aerosols were collected during 2000–2001 in Gainesville, Florida, using a micro-orifice uniform deposit impactor (MOUDI) to study mass size distribution and carbon composition. A bimodal mass distribution was found in every sample with major peaks for aerosols ranging from 0.32 to 0.56 μm, and 3.2 to 5.6 μm in diameter. The two distributions represent the fine mode (<2.5 μm) and the coarse mode (>2.5 μm) of particle size. Averaged over all sites and seasons, coarse particles consisted of 15% carbon while fine particles consisted of 22% carbon. Considerable variation was noted between winter and summer seasons. Smoke from fireplaces in winter appeared to be an important factor for the carbon, especially the elemental carbon contribution. In summer, organic carbon was more abundant. The maximum secondary organic carbon was also found in this season (7.0 μg m⁻³), and the concentration is between those observed in urban areas (15–20 μg m⁻³) and in rural areas (4–5 μg m⁻³). However, unlike in large cities where photochemical activity of anthropogenic emissions are determinants of carbon composition, biogenic sources were likely the key factor in Gainesville. Other critical factors that affect the distribution, shape and concentration were precipitation, brushfire and wind.     

Investigation of heavy metal contaminations in the lower Sakarya river water and sediments

In this work, water and sediment samples were collected from three different stations located along the Sakarya river between May and September 2003. Lead, copper, chromium, zinc, nickel and cadmium concentrations were determined by using solvent extraction and flame atomic absorption spectrometric method. The results show that differences based upon sampling times, regions, sediment and water samples were observed. The mean levels of copper, nickel, chromium, lead, cadmium, zinc for sediment samples are; 4.630 μg g⁻¹, 13.520 μg g⁻¹, 8.780 μg g⁻¹, 2.550 μg g⁻¹, 9.990 μg g⁻¹ and for water samples are; 0.851 μg g⁻¹, 1.050 μg g⁻¹, 0.027 μg g⁻¹, 1.786 μg g⁻¹, 0.236 μg g⁻¹, 0.173 μg g⁻¹, respectively.     

Soft intervention technology as a tool for integrated coastal zone management

After introducing soft defence techniques as an alternative to hard defence techniques, the need is emphasized to consider the coastal area as an integral system. By recalling the main driving factors for coastal management: conflict resolution, resilience and sustainability, we logically arrive at the concepts of ecological engineering and ecotechnology, which are increasingly acknowledged as possible solutions to achieve sustainable use of coastal space as a resource. In this context, we refer to the principles of self design and of ecosystem conservation. In order to deal with real situations we are in need of fundamental ‘tools’ for the application of the soft intervention technology approach. We therefore introduce the concept of physiographic units and develop an initial elaboration for a coastal stretch and for coastal wetlands. The latter deserve more attention because of the already established practices of ecotechnology, at least as far as water and soil quality are concerned, but certainly also concerning morphology, especially in the future. We conclude by briefly discussing how activities undertaken in two research projects currently being conducted under the framework of the Marine Science and Technology Program of the Commission of the European Communities are expected to contribute to the concepts introduced here.     

长江沉积物中痕量氯代酚类化合物的测定

本文利用同位素稀释质谱法对长江南京段沉积物中１８种氯代酚进行了分离鉴定,结果表明,沉积物中ＣＰｓ的含量以五氯苯酚为主,     

基于快速消解的海洋沉积物重金属ICP-MS测定条件优化

准确测定海洋沉积物中重金属元素的含量,是开展海洋生态环境评价与管理的基础。比较研究了当前生态环境监测领域几种主要的检测标准方法和近年热门的土壤快速消解法对海洋沉积物中重金属的检测效果。通过研究不同消解体系、消解压力、校准溶液配制方法以及内标元素、内标浓度等条件对海洋沉积物重金属测定效果的影响,优化了海洋沉积物样品的快速消解过程和测定条件。结果表明:优化后的快速消解方法针对Cr、Ni、Cu、Zn、Cd和Pb的方法检出限为0.004~0.8 mg/kg,测定下限为0.016~3.2 mg/kg,回收率为95.4%~109.2%,相对标准偏差为0%~3.22%,方法准确可靠、快速高效,满足海洋沉积物样品(尤其是大批量样品)的重金属测试需求。     

长沙市冬季人行道PM2.5污染特征及影响因素

了解不同气象条件下城市人行道细颗粒物(PM_2.5)时空分布特征对于指导城市环境评价及街道空间规划布局具有重要意义。选取长沙市车流量及人流量较大的4条道路旁0、5、10 m处的人行道,在冬季晴天、阴天和大风天开展PM_2.5质量浓度、风速、温度及相对湿度监测,探讨PM_2.5分布特征与气象因子的关系。结果表明:冬季晴天、阴天及大风天的人行道PM_2.5质量浓度变化呈现双峰双谷特征,峰值均出现在06:00—08:00,其次为18:00—20:00,谷值出现在14:00—16:00及22:00—24:00;距离机动车道10m处的人行道PM_2.5含量低于机动车道旁(即距离机动车道0 m)的人行道PM_2.5含量,这种差异在大风天气下更为显著;人行道PM_2.5质量浓度与温度、风速呈显著负相关关系,与空气湿度呈显著正相关关系,低温不利于PM_2.5扩散,但在大风天温度对PM_2.5的影响极小,风对PM_2.5含量的变化影响极大,在远离机动车道的人行道更为显著,而高湿度天气有利于PM_2.5的凝结。低温、高湿天气下06:00—08:00、18:00—20:00人行道PM_2.5质量浓度较高,大风对PM_2.5质量浓度具有一定削减作用,早晚高峰减少人行道洒水以降低空气湿度,有利于PM_2.5质量浓度的降低,减少PM_2.5积累。     

珠三角秋冬季节长时间灰霾污染特性与成因

利用珠三角大气超级站2012年10月与2013年1月能见度、不同粒径颗粒物与BC质量浓度、气溶胶光散射系数、O3、相对湿度等在线监测数据,分析秋冬季节2次持续时间超过10 d的长时间灰霾过程污染特性与成因。结果表明,冬季灰霾过程中气溶胶吸光系数和光散射系数对大气总消光系数的贡献分别为13%和67%;PM2.5、PM1占PM10质量浓度分别为66%和39%;较高的PM2.5与BC日均浓度相关系数(R2=0.88)体现了一次排放对颗粒物质量浓度及能见度的显著影响。秋季灰霾过程中气溶胶吸光系数和光散射系数对大气总消光系数的贡献分别为11%和69%,由BC导致的吸光效应较冬季下降了约20%;PM2.5和PM1占PM10质量浓度比例分别为68%和45%,均高于冬季;O3浓度日最大小时值的平均值接近冬季的2倍;二次来源对PM2.5浓度升高和能见度下降起主导作用。来自不同方向的2种气团在珠三角僵持,大气扩散条件差是导致这2次灰霾过程的重要外在条件,应成为灰霾预报预警的重点关注对象。     

氢化物发生-原子荧光法测定环境水样中痕量锡

以醋酸 醋酸钠缓冲溶液为反应酸介质 ,应用氢化物发生 原子荧光法 (HG AFS)测定环境水样中痕量 Sn。该方法同 HCl为反应酸测 Sn方法相比 ,不仅扩大了酸浓度测定范围 ,某些阳离子干扰也降至最小或消除。其相对标准偏差(RSD)小于 3% ;回收率在 94 4 %～ 1 0 0 %之间 ;检测限为 0 76 μg L。     

城市轨道交通噪声评价方法及其限值的研究

根据城市轨道交通噪声时、空分布特点及污染规律,对轨道交通噪声评价量作了分析研究,提出了列车通过时的最大声级作为城市轨道交通噪声的评价量,并根据噪声时问分布特性曲线提出了与之相对应的等效声级简易计算方法.通过对上海轨道交通3号线沿线居民区的主、客观调查,得到主观烦恼度阈值和干扰睡眠阈值,提出了适用于我国城市轨道交通的环境噪声限值(建议).