Assessment of uncertainties in a long range atmospheric transport model: Methodology, application and implications in a UK context

Acid deposition models are inherently simplified representations of real world behaviour and their performance is best evaluated by comparison with observations. National and international acid rain policy assessments handle observed and modelled deposition fields in different ways. Here, both the observed and modelled deposition fields are seen as uncertain and the Generalised Likelihood Uncertainty Estimation (GLUE) framework is used to choose acceptable sets of model input parameters that minimise the differences between them. These acceptable sets of model parameters are then used to estimate deposition budgets to the UK and to provide a probabilistic treatment of excess deposition over environmental quality standards (critical loads).     

Forest biomass accumulation is an important source of acidity to forest soils: Data from Swedish inventories of forests and soils 1955 to 2010

The input of acidity to Swedish forest soils through forestry between 1955 and 2010 is compared with the acid input from atmospheric deposition. Depending on region, input of acidity from forestry was the minor part (25–45%) of the study period’s accumulated acid input but is now the dominating source (140–270 mol_c ha⁻¹ year⁻¹). The net uptake of cations due to the increase in standing forest biomass, ranged between 35 and 45% of the forestry related input of acidity while whole-tree harvesting, introduced in the late 1990s, contributed only marginally (< 2%). The geographical gradient in acid input is reflected in the proportion of acidified soils in Sweden but edaphic properties contribute to variations in acidification sensitivity. It is important to consider the acid input due to increases in standing forest biomass in acidification assessments since it is long-term and quantitatively important.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13280-021-01540-y.     

改善典型硝胺类易燃易爆材料引燃性能研究

通过针对典型硝胺类易燃易爆材料黑索今(RDX)和奥克托今(HMX)的引燃性能实验,研究了掺混碳黑和反应体系的封闭对上述药剂引燃特性的影响规律。研究表明,碳黑对硝胺类易燃易爆材料的激光吸收率有重要影响;反应体系的密封可以有效提高激光引燃感度,缩短激光引燃延迟时间,改善硝胺类易燃易爆材料的激光引燃性能。     

ENVIRONMENTAL AUDITING: Exceedance of Critical Loads for Lakes in Finland,Norway, and Sweden: Reduction Requirements for Acidifying Nitrogen and Sulfur Deposition

/ The main objectives of this study were to identify the regions inFennoscandia where the critical loads of sulfur (S) and acidifying nitrogen(N) for lakes are exceeded and to investigate the consequences for depositionreductions, with special emphasis on the possible trade-offs between S and Ndeposition in order to achieve nonexceedance. In the steady-state model forcalculating critical loads and their exceedances, all relevant processesacting assinks for N and S are considered. The critical loads of N and S areinterrelated (defining the so-called critical load function), and therefore asingle critical load for one pollutant cannot be defined without makingassumptions about the other. Comparing the present N and S deposition withthe critical load function for each lake allows determination of thepercentage of lakes in the different regions of Fennoscandia where: (1) Sreductions alone can achieve nonexceedance, (2) N reductions alone aresufficient, and (3) both N and S reductions are required but to a certaindegree interchangeable. Secondly, deposition reduction requirements wereassessed by fixing the N deposition to the present level, in this wayanalyzing the reductions required for S, and by computing the percentage oflakes exceeded in Finland, Norway and Sweden for every possible percentdeposition reduction in S and N, in this way showing the (relative)effectiveness of reducing S and/or N deposition. The results showed clearregional patterns in the S and N reduction requirements. In practically thewhole of Finland and the northern parts of Scandinavia man-made acidificationof surface waters could be avoided by reducing S deposition alone. In thesouthern parts of Sweden some reductions in N deposition are clearly neededin addition to those for S. In southern Norway strong reductions are requiredfor both N and S deposition.KEY WORDS: Acidification; Critical load; Exceedance; Sulfur; Nitrogen;Deposition; Lake     

空气储罐安全临界裂纹的可靠性分析

通用失效评定图在评定焊接结构安全性方面广为采用。但是,材料力学性能的测试、结构中缺陷大小的测试,客观上存在一定不确定性。因此,不论是对评定参数还是评定结果都需要进行可靠性分析。但可靠性分析需要大量数据,有时难于实现。为此,在对随机变量的实验结果进行统计分析中,采用二维单侧容限方法,从而在不增加工作量的同时,确保了分析结果的高可靠性。在空气储罐安全临界裂纹分析计算中,采用该方法处理后,应用成功-失败法对指定失效概率进行求解,裂纹尺寸变动1mm ,其安全评定的失效概率则变动几个数量级,从而在充分挖掘储罐潜能的同时,大大提高了安全临界裂纹分析的可靠度。     

基于顶板离层监测的锚固巷道稳定性控制

在提出顶板离层概念的基础上 ,对顶板离层与锚固系统的变形协调条件以及离层临界值、失稳临界值及工程估计值的确定进行了分析 ;通过实例 ,说明了离层监测与反馈的应用 ;工程实践表明 ,采用顶板离层监测是锚固巷道稳定性控制的简易技术手段 ,其技术经济效果明显 ,是一种值得推广的实用方法     

Critical mass flow rate in accordance with the omega-method of DIERS and the Homogeneous Equilibrium Model

A correlation frequently used in practice for the design of the relief cross-section next to the Homogeneous Equilibrium Model is the so-called ω-method. For the determination of the ω-parameter a definition was originally reported by J.C. Leung in 1986. A new expression was proposed by the same author in 1995. Predictions of the critical mass flow rate using both the new and the old ω-parameter formulations as well as the Homogeneous Equilibrium Model are compared for some typical substances. Results demonstrate that the deviations as a rule are acceptable for practical use, if the proposed range of application and recommended property data calculation are respected.     

Tracing operational conditions for the Ecologically Sustainable Economic Development: the Pareto optimality and the preservation of the biological crucial levels

The operational designing of Environmentally Sustainable Economic Development (ESED) emerges as an urgent and demanding task. Even though ESED has paved the way for thought-provoking and constructive scientific dialogue, appeal for designing an operational ESED is still lagging behind the needs of contemporary societies, leaving much to be desired. With this in mind, the present paper will aim at delineating principles for the operational application of ESED. First, the preservation of crucial properties of environmental functions and ecosystems, emerges as a prime condition of ESED. The second condition concerns the provision of the economic process with sufficient natural inputs; in this context, the paper intends to trace certain operational tenets governing the use of natural resources. Finally, the appropriate institutional settings for the operational design of ESED are traced. Readers should send their comments on this paper to BhaskarNath@aol.com within 3 months of publication of this issue     

Critical habitat designation for Canadian listed species: Slow,biased, and incomplete

Although endangered species legislation can be a powerful tool for protecting species, such laws are only as good as their implementation. Under the Canadian Species at Risk Act, Critical Habitat is designated in a Recovery Strategy as the habitat required for the recovery or survival of a listed species. We examined the finalized Recovery Strategies for 234 species and we found poor implementation of Critical Habitat designation for Canadian species. Most listed species (62.9%) lack Critical Habitat; only 11.8% have full Critical Habitat. Many species with Critical habitat obtained it years later than the statutory requirements. Designation is biased taxonomically, by major habitat type, and by lead agency. These results echo findings from the US Endangered Species Act, despite differences between the laws in when designation is supposed to occur. Additional funding and expertise would likely help reduce these delays. We also strongly encourage designation even in the face of incomplete information because of the significant negative consequences that can result from failure to protect the habitat of species at risk of extinction.     

Spatial optimization of protected area placement incorporating ecological, social and economical criteria

We describe two approaches for spatial optimization of protected area placement, both based on maximizing an objective function that incorporates ecological, social, and economical criteria. Of these, a seed cell selection procedure works by evaluating potential cells for protection one by one, picking the one that maximizes the objective function, adding seed cells. This continues to full protection of the project area. The other is a Monte Carlo approach, which uses a likelihood sampling procedure based on weighted importance layers of conservation interest to evaluate alternative protected area sizing and placement. This is similar to the objective function of Marxan, a priority-selection decision-support tool based on optimization algorithms using geographic information system data. The two approaches are alternative options in a common spatial optimization module, which uses the time- and spatial-dynamic Ecospace model for the evaluations. The optimizations are implemented as components of the Ecopath with Ecosim approach and software. In a case study, we find that there can be protected area zoning that will accommodate economical and social factors, without causing ecological deterioration. We also find a tradeoff between including cells of special conservation interest, and the economic and social interests. While this does not need to be a general feature, it emphasizes the need to use modeling techniques to evaluate the tradeoff.