A Minimal Model of Adiabatic Isotherms Surfacing in Very Shallow Waters

Based on a phenomenology that is rather frequent in the Gulf of Trieste (Northern Adriatic Sea), we analytically model the short time evolution of the temperature field inside a shallow layer of coastal water induced by a sudden offshore wind. In particular, we reproduce in a very simple way the unsteady surfacing of the isotherms forced by the marine current circulating in a vertical plane perpendicular to the coastline. The model is in agreement with the observations of a significant event recorded on 25 June, 2002 in the Gulf of Trieste.     

Modelling the responses of the Lagoon of Venice ecosystem to variations in physical forcings

A Finite Element Ecological Model for the Lagoon of Venice (VELFEEM) has been used to test the responses of the Lagoon of Venice ecosystem to variations in physical conditions.The model is obtained by coupling a finite element hydrodynamic model, that computes the velocity fields of water, an energetic model to compute the water temperature fields, and an ecological model that simulates the dynamic of phytoplankton, zooplankton, nutrients (ammonia, nitrate and phosphate) organic detritus (organic nitrogen, organic phosphorous and CBOD) and dissolved oxygen.The transport model is a two-dimensional barotropic finite element model which allows for a better resolution of the lagoon morphology.The ecological model has been developed by starting from the ecological module EUTRO of WASP (Water Analysis Simulation System released by US EPA), and by adapting it to the peculiarity of the Lagoon of Venice.A reference condition has been identified by running a 1-year simulation under climatologic condition. Then, the sensitivity to physical forcing (tide and wind) and to the input of macronutrients has been investigated, by comparing model predictions of spatial and temporal evolution of major state variables and of an aggregate index of Water Quality Trophic Index (TRIX).     

A biofilter model for simultaneous simulation of toluene removal and bed pressure drop under varied inlet loadings

In this study, a biofiltration model including the effect of biomass accumulation and inert biomass growth is developed to simultaneously predict the Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) removal and filter bed pressure drop under varied inlet loadings. A laboratory-scale experimental biofilter for gaseous toluene removal was set up and operated for 100 days with inlet toluene concentration ranging from 250 to 2500 mg?m^-3. According to sensitivity analysis based on the model, the VOCs removal efficiency of the biofilter is more sensitive to Henry’s constant, the specific surface area of the filter bed and the thickness of water layer, while the filter bed pressure drop is more sensitive to biomass yield coefficient and original void fraction. The calculated toluene removal efficiency and bed pressure drop satisfactorily fit the experimental data under varied inlet toluene loadings, which indicates the model in this study can be used to predict VOCs removal and bed pressure drop simultaneously. Based on the model, the effect of mass-transfer parameters on VOCs removal and the stable-run time of a biofilter are analyzed. The results demonstrate that the model can function as a good tool to evaluate the effect of biomass accumulation and optimize the design and operation of biofilters.     

计算流体力学技术在膜分离过程中的应用与进展

计算流体力学（ComputationalFluidDynamics,CFD）技术近年被广泛地应用于膜分离过程模拟中。本文评述了CFD研究膜分离过程中流体力学、膜污染机理和浓差极化等现象,以及CFD技术在微滤、超滤、反渗透中的研究进展及待解决问题等。     

The sustainable development oxymoron: quantifying and modelling the incompatibility of sustainable development goals

ABSTRACT

In 2015, the UN adopted a new set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to eradicate poverty, establish socioeconomic inclusion and protect the environment. Critical voices such as the International Council for Science (ICSU), however, have expressed concerns about the potential incompatibility of the SDGs, specifically the incompatibility of socio-economic development and environmental sustainability. In this paper, we test, quantify and model the alleged inconsistency of SDGs. Our analyses show which SDGs are consistent and which are conflicting. We measure the extent of inconsistency and conclude that the SDG agenda will fail as a whole if we continue with business as usual. We further explore the nature of the inconsistencies using dynamical systems models, which reveal that the focus on economic growth and consumption as a means for development underlies the inconsistency. Our models also show that there are factors which can contribute to development (health programmes, government investment) on the one hand and ecological sustainability (renewable energy) on the other, without triggering the conflict between incompatible SDGs.     

Urban geochemistry: research strategies to assist risk assessment and remediation of brownfield sites in urban areas

Urban geochemical maps of Wolverhampton and Nottingham, based on multielement analysis of surface soils, have shown distribution patterns of “total” metals concentrations relating to past and present industrial and domestic land use and transport systems. Several methods have been used to estimate the solubility and potential bioavailability of metals, their mineral forms and potential risks to urban population groups. These include sequential chemical extraction, soil pore water extraction and analysis, mineralogical analysis by scanning electron microscopy, source apportionment by lead isotope analysis and the development of models to predict metal uptake by homegrown vegetables to provide an estimate of risk from metal consumption and exposure. The results from these research strategies have been integrated with a geographical information system (GIS) to provide data for future land-use planning.     

一种新的结构可靠度通用计算方法

根据可靠度指标β的几何定义,运用具有全局优化能力的改进遗传算法,提出一种新的结构可靠度通用计算方法。针对可靠度几何优化模型搜索区域大而可行区域小的特点,在可靠区域和失效区域分别产生初始种群,在两种群之间通过不断迭代的二分法,使二分点不断接近极限状态曲面(线),从而产生可行解。对可行解进行选择、交叉、变异,最后求出全局最优解。该方法不需要使用结构功能函数的偏导数,对于功能函数不能明确表达的可靠度问题尤为适用;对于功能函数可以明确表达但求导复杂的问题,可省去求导过程;可任意设定初始值,且不受结构功能函数凹凸性的限制;通过算例验证,所提方法具有较高的精度和效率。     

Methane Fluxes in West Siberia: 3-D Regional Model Simulation

The West Siberian region is one of the main contributors of theatmospheric greenhouse gas methane due to the large areas ofwetlands, rivers, lakes and numerous gas deposits situated there.But there are no reliable estimations of integral methane flux fromthis area into the atmosphere. For assessment of methane fluxes inWest Siberia the specially constructed 3-D regional chemicaltransport model was applied. The 3-D distribution of methane iscalculated on the basis of the current meteorological data fields(wind, temperature, geopotential) updated 4 times a day. The methaneconcentrations measured near the main gas fields of West Siberia inthe summer season of 1999, were used for correction of methane fluxintensity estimates obtained previously by comparison ofmeasurements carried out in summer 1993 and 1996 with modelledmethane mixing ratio distribution. This set of field and modelexperiments confirmed the preliminary conclusion about low leakageintensity: anthropogenic methane flux does not exceed 5–15% oftotal summer methane flux, estimated as 11–12 Mt CH₄ in summer from this region, in spite of the large areas of gas deposits located there.     

The Relative Influences of Primary and Secondary Particulates to Urban Air Quality in the United Kingdom

This study uses a combination of data from U.K. monitoringstations and from modelling undertaken with the U.K.Meteorological Office's NAME Model to investigate therelative influences of primary and secondary particulateson total PM₁₀ levels at sites in the United Kingdom. Co-located PM₁₀ and sulphate aerosol measurementsindicate that sulphate has a disproportionately largeinfluence on the variation of PM₁₀ levels incomparison to its contribution to their total mass.Comparisons of measured PM₁₀ at urban centre, roadsideand rural sites suggest that local primary sources havevery little influence on daily mean levels. NAME has beenused to model both primary particles and sulphate aerosolfrom sources across the whole of Europe. The discrepanciesbetween modelled and observed PM₁₀ suggest that coarseparticles, such as windblown dust and resuspended roaddust,may comprise a very large, if not dominant, proportion ofobserved PM₁₀ levels. The apparently minor role ofprimary particles (especially locally-sourced ones) raisesa number of issues regarding the suitability of current U.K.and European legislation to addressing the particle problem.