Did you say reference conditions? Ecological and socio-economic perspectives on the European Water Framework Directive

Reference conditions are a key concept in the European Water Framework Directive (WFD). The WFD stipulates that the ecological status of a given water body shall be assessed by quantifying the deviation from a set of reference conditions that represent the stable state of an ecosystem in the absence of significant human disturbance. This concept is subject to criticism from several authors, particularly because underlying ecological concepts are weak and the distinction between natural variability and the effects of anthropogenic activities on ecosystem function will become increasingly artificial. In this paper, a sociologist and an aquatic ecologist examine the origin, successes and limits of the reference conditions concept and raise important questions about applying this concept in practice. We argue that this concept fitted specific needs from different institutions and stakeholders which promoted the WFD. Monitoring practices using this concept require some adaptations. Setting goals for restoration based on reference conditions is more problematic. A more adaptive management approach would be wiser.     

大射电望远镜在贵州喀斯特地区的选址方法

一平方公里阵大射电望远镜SKA是世界多国投资、我国争建的国际合作项目。500 m口径球面射电望远镜(简称FAST)是SKA在中国的一项先导工程。SKA可以利用贵州喀斯特洼地作为主反射面支撑条件及候选台址,并在贵州全省建造由40余个单元天线组成的射电望远镜阵。本文结合大射电望远镜SKA对候选台址的要求,在合理确定台址优选影响因素的基础上,系统阐述大射电望远镜在贵州喀斯特地区的选址方法,并对选址中的关键问题做简单说明。     

硫酸盐还原菌原位修复六价铬污染土壤

以FeSO₄化学还原法为对照,开展硫酸盐还原菌原位修复铬污染土壤的田间试验研究。试验结果表明:微生物法处理后,土壤中Cr(Ⅵ)含量从6.48 mg/kg降至0.95 mg/kg,下降率为85.33%,修复后的土地质量符合国家一类建设用地的标准;土壤浸出液中Cr(Ⅵ)质量浓度从0.162 mg/L降至0.004 mg/L,下降率为97.53%;土壤中硫酸根浓度略有降低,硫酸盐还原菌的丰度显著增加。微生物原位修复铬污染土壤的效果好于化学还原法。     

巫山县大昌古镇拟选搬迁新址适宜性评价研究

大昌古镇始建于西晋太康年初,现保存较为完整的古镇建于明代。镇内目前保存完好的东、西、南三条街道,沿街多为具川东地区建筑风格的民居建筑,是重庆市著名的历史文化名镇。同时古镇又是三峡工程库区重庆段保存规模最大,结构最完整的古建筑群,为了更好地再现三峡库区古老的历史文化风貌,国家文物局经过充分论证和可行性研究,将其确定为“整体搬迁”项目。因此,对于大昌古镇搬迁新址的选择就成为本次保护工程的首要问题。对巫山县大昌古镇拟选的五处搬迁新址,在区域工程地质条件评价的基础上,综合环境、人文及地质等因素,建立了综合评估体系,并尝试性地对拟选的几处新址进行了客观的定性和半定量评价,为建设部门提供了决策依据。评估体系综合考虑了城市建设的适宜程度、工程建设投资的合理性、文物环境风貌的再生性及资源开发效益的合理性四方面影响单元,和与之密切相关的量化影响因子,建立了分层定量取值标准,采用加权平均原则,在单元评价的基础上完成了综合性评价。     

Efficiency and regulation of recruitment during colony emigration by the ant Temnothorax curvispinosus

Recruitment helps insect societies by bringing individuals to places where work needs to be done, but it also imposes energetic and opportunity costs. The net effect depends both on recruitment efficiency and on the ease with which insects can find work sites on their own. This study examined both of these factors for colony emigration by the ant Temnothorax curvispinosus. Emigrations were organized by a corps of active ants who transported the rest of the colony. These active ants either found new sites independently or followed tandem runs led by successful scouts. Although most tandem runs broke apart before reaching their target, even lost followers found the new site faster than did unguided searchers. When the new site was near the old nest, tandem runs were rare and summoned only a small proportion of the transporter corps. When the new site was instead distant and inconspicuous, tandem runs were common and brought roughly one third of the transporters. This pattern likely results from the quorum rule used by individual scouts to decide when to switch from tandem runs to transports. By monitoring how many nestmates have already found the nest, the ants ensure that the costs of recruitment are born only when necessary.     

Comparative Ecocenotic Characteristics of Mosses in the Taiga Zone of West Siberia

Some results of the ecocenotic analysis of forest and bog mosses, widespread or locally occurring in the taiga zone of West Siberia, are described. The species were compared with respect to their edaphic requirements, and a relationship was observed between geographic variation in cenotic parameters and changes in macroconditions of the physical environment, primarily in lithologic, geomorphological, and climatic conditions. The results of analysis confirmed the existence of such a relationship, but moss species proved to differ in their response to changes in physiographic conditions.     

Decomposition of mixed plastics consisting of polypropylene and polyethylene terephthalate into oils over titania/silica catalysts

The catalytic decomposition of mixed plastics consisting of polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) has been investigated over titania/silica catalysts at 698 K. The yield of oil produced was about 70%, and the large amounts of C₁₈₊ hydrocarbons this contained was from the aromatics in PET. Gas was also produced, including C₃–C₅ hydrocarbons. The carbon-number fractions in the oil was influenced by the PET/(PP + PET) ratios and the catalyst weight. The titania/silica catalysts could be used repeatedly, and after they had been fouled, could be regenerated. From the Fourier Transform Infrared (FT–IR) spectroscopic data of adsorbed pyridine on the catalyst surface, most of the acid sites of the titania/silica catalysts were found to be Lewis sites where the hydride abstracted from PP pyrolysates react with PET pyrolysates to form oil and gas. Received: July 19, 2000 / Accepted: October 20, 2000     

ANALYZIIG RIPARIAN SITE CAPABILITY AND MANAGEMENT OPTIONS1

ABSTRACT: Riparian areas interact with aquatic and upland conditions and therefore help determine the degree of functionality (streambank stability, shade, sediment, and debris filtering) found in a watershed or catchment. Thus, conditions in riparian areas exert significant influence on water quality. Physical and biological factors (biophysical determinants) that influence these conditions and determine long‐term site ecology include topographic variables, geology, climate, soil texture, and others. These conditions are further modified by management infrastructure (roads, dikes, etc.). Our objective was to develop a system for evaluating site condition in relation to site capability. Since biophysical determinants and infrastructure interact with water quality, our first task was to acquire data concerning the spatial distribution of biophysical determinants and infrastructure constraints and to import them into a GIS system where they could be managed and processed. To expedite analysis, determinants and infrastructure constraints were placed into a hierarchy capable of isolating various site capability types. The hierarchy was designed to incorporate multiscale effects. Site capability areas are georeferenced in this process thereby enabling efficient monitoring and providing a way to focus management on those areas needing improvement. Study tasks included: (1) landscape characterization and hierarchy selection, (2) field assessment, (3) information management and data mining, and (4) information interpretation and adaptive management. This approach appears to be an effective way to isolate general ripananstandardsmaycon site conditions, to provide indications about water quality, and to create strategies necessary for alleviating water quality problems.     

生物反应器-填埋场处理渗滤液的试验

采用生物反应器-填埋场系统处理垃圾渗滤液.结果表明:该系统有助于渗滤液中有机污染物进行分相降解,产酸作用主要集中在填埋场,酸化率为40%～50%,产甲烷作用集中在UASB生物反应器中;系统对渗滤液的处理效果明显优于普通的卫生填埋场和渗滤液单独处理系统,并且有利于甲烷气体的收集和利用.同时该系统也加速了垃圾的降解和填埋场的稳定化过程     

寒武系中上统地层工业场址地下水污染研究

通常情况下在碳酸盐岩分布的地区,由于地下岩溶管道的发育,地下水主要赋存在大尺度的管道和裂隙中。地下水的流速和流向在空间上具有很大的差异性。以上问题造成在碳酸盐岩地区难以对地下水的流动和溶质运移问题进行数值模拟评价。但在实际工作中发现,某些白云岩裂隙水中地下水的运动符合孔隙水中的运动规律,溶质的运移符合弥散理论的基础条件。以松桃县某工业场地为例,研究该白云岩地层中地下水水质弥散参数的获取和参数特征,并以此为基础建立数值模型对污染情况进行模拟,采用现场试验对数值模型进行验证。数值模型采用Visual MODFLOW计算机辅助软件建立。通过验证表明,以泥质白云岩为主的碳酸盐岩地区的地下水流动及溶质运移适用于数值法进行模拟。