基于变异性范围法（RVA）的河流生态流量估算

河流生态系统的生物组成、结构和功能依赖于河流水流的天然动态变化特征,即河流水文情势。变异性范围法（Range of Variability Approach,RAV）被广泛应用于评估河流生态系统是否得到维护。将RVA法的思路扩展到生态流量的计算,提出了一种简便、立足整体河流水文情势的生态流量估算方法。该方法使用均值与RVA阈值差计算了生态流量值,为维持河流健康生态系统提供支持。将该方法应用于南水北调西线一期工程中泥曲河的生态流量估算,得到引水坝址仁达处年可调径流量为6.44亿m3,与其他生态需水估算方法的结论基本一致。另提出了可支配系数反映河流流量可调用状况。南水北调西线一期工程计划从泥曲调水8亿m3·a-1,从RVA法的理念来看,该方案对仁达至朱巴河段的生态系统将构成威胁,需谨慎实施。     

南水北调中线工程与汉江中下游地区可持续发展

汉江是长江最大的支流,汉江中下游地区是湖北省经济基础最强的地区。同时汉江流域也存在着洪涝灾害威胁大、水资源开发利用水平不高、环境建设和生态保护力度不够、传统的工农业生产方式和产业结构加重环境的恶化、管理体制不顺等问题。南水北调中线工程以及配套工程的实施,对汉江流域的经济发展将起推动作用,同时从汉江的丹江口水库调水,将改变汉江中下游的水资源分配,社会经济发展与生态环境的协调将会出现新的矛盾。要解决好流域经济发展问题,必须把握好建设南水北调中线工程的机遇,更新观念,加强前期研究和规划,注重生态环境的保护和示范工程的建设,建立相应的政策法规和流域管理体制,全面保证汉江中下游地区的可持续发展。     

南海北部沿岸牡蛎体内PCBs的时空分布特征及评价

于2008~2012年间在南海北部沿岸海域的23个重要港湾采集近江牡蛎(Crassostrea rivularis Gould )样品,用气相色谱法测定其中多氯联苯(PCBs)的残留量,并对其残留水平、时空分布趋势、组成特征以及食用安全性进行探讨与评价.结果表明:南海北部沿岸牡蛎体内的PCBs的含量范围在8.11~29.10ng/g之间(湿重,下同),平均值是(16.57±4.40)ng/g,出现频率呈正态分布.在时间上,广东、广西和海南沿岸PCBs含量随时间呈下降的总体趋势;空间分布上,珠江口岸段PCBs含量明显高于粤东、粤西、广西和海南4个岸段.PCBs同系物中以五氯联苯在总PCBs含量最高,占47.9%,其次是三氯和四氯联苯,二者之和占总PCBs的30.6%; 同系物以PCBl05、PCB118和PCB101+113为优势组分,3者之和占总量的百分比为24.0%.南海北部沿岸牡蛎体内的PCBs残留量远低于国内外相关食品安全限量标准,估算的沿海居民食用牡蛎的PCBs 暴露量为5.52ng/(kg·d),仅占世界卫生组织(WHO)设定的每日耐受量值的27.6%.PCBs的二 毒性当量(TEQ)平均值为39.4pg/g.     

Organochlorine residues in maternal milk from inhabitants of the Thohoyandou area,South Africa

The presence of organochlorine compounds (OC) such as DDT and their metabolites in the environment have created a significant environmental concern over the years due to adverse effects. Consequently, DDT has been banned in many countries. However, it is still used in some countries including South Africa, particularly for vector-borne disease eradication programmes. Since the presence of DDT and its metabolites may provide an indication of the general exposure and use of these compounds, there was a need for such a study. Human breast milk samples (n = 30) were collected from mothers within the age range of 19–40 years from the Thohoyandou area, South Africa. The liquid–liquid extraction method was used to extract DDT and its metabolites from the samples. The crude extracts were subjected to column chromatography for measurements of OC levels. The concentration ranges of the contaminants were as follows: not detected (ND) to1770 ng g^?1 (2,4′-DDE); ND to 3977 ng g^?1 (4,4′-DDE); ND to 3250 ng g^?1 (2,4′-DDD); ND to 2580 ng g^?1 (4,4′-DDD) and ND to 2847 ng g^?1 (4,4′-DDT). The mean ΣDDE, ΣDDD and ΣDDT obtained from the villages were 1180 ng g^?1, 830 ng g^?1 and 690 ng g^?1, respectively. The total DDT ranged from 820–7473 ng g^?1. The estimated daily intake varied from 260 to 4696 ng g^?1, ND-10551 ng g^?1 and ND-4237 ng g^?1 for DDE, DDD and DDT, respectively. These values are significantly higher than the FAO/WHO acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 20 ng g^?1. The ΣDDT was found to decrease with increasing age of the mothers. The observed high levels of DDE compared to DDT indicated chronic exposure of the mothers to DDT, which is metabolized to DDE and retained in the body.     

An evaluation of occupational accidents in the wooden furniture industry - A regional study in South East Asia

Studies on the rate of occupational accidents among workers in the wooden furniture industry is sparse, although the industry is deemed to be highly accident prone. Therefore, the rate of occupational accidents among workers in the wooden furniture industry in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam were studied, in 240 furniture manufacturing factories, using a structured questionnaire. The findings of the study suggest that contract workers are less prone to occupational accidents compared to their permanent counterparts, and hence, are more productive. Further, the results also revealed that the contract workers have a more positive attitude towards the work, and hence, pick up the essentials of safe working practices quickly. It must therefore be recognized that the “production oriented mentality” prevalent in the wooden furniture industry, which has been argued to compromise occupational safety and health standards in the industry may be debatable. In this context, it is essential for the policy makers to re-examine the employment of contract workers for the furniture manufacturing industry, as changing the psycho-economic parameters of the industry may be warranted before the industry is deemed attractive to a permanent workforce.     

Composition of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes in five wetland plants and sediments from the Pearl River estuary,South China

This study sampled five plant species and adjoining sediments from the Qi’ao (Zhuhai) and Nansha (Guangzhou) coastal wetlands located in the Pearl River estuary, South China. The compositions of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes as well as the content of carbon and nitrogen in the samples were analysed. Differences in carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio, and habitat feature were compared between exotic plants (Spartina alterniflora, Sonneratia apetala, and Laguncularia racemosa) and native mangroves (Aegiceras corniculatum and Acrostichum aureum). The results showed that for Qi’ao, which is nearer the sea, the conductivity of the sediments at this location was approximately two times higher than that at Nansha (more inland). The composition of both δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N in sediments was also higher at Qi’ao (?26.52‰ to ?23.83‰ and 6.25‰ to 11.53‰, respectively) as compared to Nansha (?29.30‰ to ?27.43‰ and 3.34‰ to 4.73‰, respectively). Overall, the exotic plants S. alterniflora and S. apetala at Qi’ao and S. apetala and L. racemosa at Nansha had an average δ¹⁵N composition significantly higher than that of the native plants A. corniculatum and A. aureum. This suggests that the three exotic plants employ a different mechanism of δ¹⁵N storage and utilisation as compared to the two native mangrove species, which may result in changes in ecological and biogeochemical processes in these coast wetlands.     

Mapping South Africaʼs nationally determined contributions to the targets of the sustainable development goals

The Paris Agreement?s nationally determined contributions (NDCs) provide an excellent point of entry to simultaneously address climate change and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This study sets out to explore the connections between climate action plans (NDCs) and each of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In this study, we used four levels of visibility, that is, present, generic, implied and absent to provide a broad perspective of the extent to which South Africa?s NDC is aligned with the targets of the SDGs. Our results revealed that South Africa?s NDC has 12% present level of visibility to the SDG targets, with SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy and SDG 13 Climate Action showing the highest representation of present level of visibility. By contrast, the absent level of visibility NDC showed 53% in the SDG targets, with SDG 5 Gender Equity, SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions and SDG 3 Good Health and Well‐Being, showing the highest representation of absent level of visibility. These results indicate that there is scope to improve the alignment of South Africa?s NDCs with the SDG targets. To this end, we have identified areas that may benefit with further elaboration in the country?s second NDC.     

重庆近48年来高温天气气候特征及其环流形势

利用重庆23个气象观测站1960~2007年逐日最高气温观测资料，NCEP/NCAR再分析数据集中的高度场格点资料，运用EOF、REOF等方法，探讨重庆高温日数的空间分布特征，并对多高温天气的2006年和少高温天气年7~8月的环流特征进行了分析。结果表明：重庆高温天气主要出现在7~8月份，高温日数具有显著的年代际和区域性差异，20世纪70年代最多，80年代最少，沿长江、乌江为高温多发带。一致性异常分布是重庆高温日数的最主要空间模态；高温日数的异常空间分布可分为以下3个关键区：重庆中西部、重庆东南部、重庆东北部。乌拉尔山至鄂霍次克海地区阻塞高压偏弱，东亚大槽偏浅；100 hPa 高空南亚高压偏东,500 hPa 高空副高偏北偏西，形成一种上高下高的叠加形势是重庆7~8月出现多高温天气的主要原因。     

Mental health in South Sudan: a case for community‐based support

This paper² provides a snapshot of the mental health situation in South Sudan between 2013 and 2016, taking account of the personal reflections of both authors who were engaged in mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS)³ programming in the country at this time.⁴ It begins by presenting an overview of MHPSS activities from this period, including governmental and non‐governmental organisation (NGO) services, and relevant research and coordination mechanisms. It goes on to illustrate the challenges to the provision of support, as well as the overarching structural, governance, and human resource constraints faced by the sector. Finally, recommendations are put forward for improving services and care for people suffering from psychosocial and mental health issues, as well as suggestions for areas of focus in the future. The importance of an integrated, community‐based model is emphasised, and opportunities for organisations engaged in reconciliation efforts and mental health service provision to collaborate are proposed.     

Estimating the opportunity costs of biodiversity protection in the Brigalow Belt, New South Wales

The New South Wales Government recently introduced the Native Vegetation Conservation Act to protect the native grassland and woodland of the state. The Act protects biodiversity by preventing farmers from clearing such vegetation on their properties but, as a consequence, reduces farm incomes and land values. An economic model of the relationship between land value and percentage of farm in native vegetation is integrated with an ecological model of the relationship between species lost and percentage of the farms in native vegetation. The integrated framework is applied to estimate the opportunity costs of the Act for one important agricultural area of the state, the northern part of the Brigalow Belt South Bio-Region. If all the vegetation were protected, the reduction in land value would be at least 14.3%, which is an opportunity cost of at least 148.5 dollars m for the area. Both the benefits and costs of biodiversity protection must be accounted for, so risk simulations are then combined with benefit-cost analysis to compare the benefits of biodiversity protection to these costs.