Heterogeneous Sulfate Formation on Dust Surface and Its Dependence on Mineralogy: Balloon-Borne Observations from Balloon-Borne Measurements in The Surface Atmosphere of Beijing, China

This study focuses on providing a direct insight into the process by which sulfate is formed on mineral dust surface in the actual atmosphere. Six sets of aerosol measurements were conducted in the outskirts of Beijing, China, in 2002–2003 using a tethered balloon. The mineralogy of individual dust particles, as well as its influence on the S (sulfur) loadings was investigated by SEM-EDX analysis of the directly collected particles. The mixed layer in the urban atmosphere was found to be quite low (500–600m), often appearing as a particle dense stagnant layer above the surface. It is suggested that mineral dust is a common and important fraction of the coarse particles in Beijing (35–68%), and that it is relatively enriched with Calcite (>28%). An exceptional amount of S was detected in the mineral particles, which can be explained neither by their original composition, nor by coagulation processes between the submicron sulfates and the dust. Heterogeneous uptake of gaseous SO₂, and its subsequent oxidation on dust was suggested as the main pathway that has actually taken place in the ambient environment. The mineral class found with the largest number of particles containing S was Calcite, followed by Dolomite, Clay, Amphibole etc., Feldspar, and Quartz. Among them, Calcite and Dolomite showed distinctly higher efficiency in collecting sulfate than the other types. A positive correlation was found with the number of S containing particles and the relative humidity. Calcite in particular, since almost all of its particles was found to contain S above 60% r.h. On the other hand, the active uptake of SO₂ by the carbonates was not suggested in the free troposphere downwind, and all the mineral classes exhibited similar S content. Relative humidity in the free troposphere was suggested as the key factor controlling the SO₂ uptake among the mineral types. In terms of sulfate loadings, the relationship was not linear, but rather increased exponentially as a function of relative humidity. The humidity-dependent uptake capacity of mineral types altogether showed an intermediate value of 0.07 gSO₄ ²⁻ g⁻¹ mineral at 30% r.h. and 0.40 gSO₄ ²⁻ g⁻¹ mineral at 80%, which is fairly consistent with laboratory experiments.     

Factors influencing mercury accumulation in three species of forage fish from Caddo Lake, Texas, USA

Most studies that have examined mercury (Hg) contamination of fish have focused on game species feeding near the top of the food web, while studies that examine forage fish that feed near the base of the food web are rare. We conducted a survey of Hg contamination in three species of forage fish, brook silverside (Labidesthes sicculus), threadfin shad (Dorosoma petenense) and gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum), from Caddo Lake, Texas, USA and found species-specific differences in Hg concentrations. We examined total length, age, trophic position (determined using δ15N), and growth rate of forage fish as factors that could have influenced within-and between-species differences in Hg concentration. Total length and age were the best predictors of within-species differences in Hg concentration. Between-species differences in Hg concentrations were most strongly influenced by trophic position.     

Mercury contamination and accumulation in sediments of the East China Sea

Mercury (Hg) concentrations in sediment samples collected from the inner and middle shelves of the East China Sea (ECS) were analyzed to evaluate Hg contamination levels and to calculate Hg sedimentation rates and total accumulation in the ECS. The range of Hg concentrations in surface sediments of the inner shelf was 26.5–47.6 ng/g, and that for the middle shelf was 4.1–13.9 ng/g. Hg concentrations correlated well with organic carbon contents but varied inversely with sediment grain size. Enrichment factors indicated that the whole inner shelf and a small portion of the middle shelf were slightly contaminated by Hg. Hg accumulation rates in the ECS ranged between 0.42–48.7 ng/(cm2·yr), with higher values observed in the inner shelf. Total Hg accumulation in the calculated area (accounting for 80% of the ECS continental shelf area) ranged from 25 to 30 tons/yr; approximately 51% and 17% of the accumulated Hg mass was deposited in the Yangtze estuarine zone and the inner shelf, respectively.     

论地级市环境监测站的科学管理

结合淮安市环境监测中心站的管理实践,简述了地级市环境监测站的工作目标定位和实现目标的支撑条件、工作质量要求,提出,地级市环境监测站实现环境监测目标的工作路径为管理体制一体化,信息公开共享化,技术手段现代化,日常工作制度化和职能扁平化。     

新疆维吾尔自治区第一次全国污染源普查工作的若干经验

新疆维吾尔自治区污染源普查工作于2007年10月启动,历经一年多的艰辛努力,现已圆满完成普查清查、培训、入户调查报表填报、数据录入、质量审核、质量抽查、数据汇总上报、档案建立、集中式预验收等工作,取得了阶段性的成果。总结和探索新疆污染源普查工作经验,旨在为今后的环保专项调查、污染源普查工作提供有益、可借鉴的宝贵经验。     

关于废水中一类污染物的采样点位

文章介绍了车间和处理设施排出口的现状,通过对各排口污染物排放量之间关系的分析,确定一类污染物采样点位的设置方法。     

Predicting driver drowsiness using vehicle measures: Recent insights and future challenges

Introduction

Driver drowsiness is a significant contributing factor to road crashes. One approach to tackling this issue is to develop technological countermeasures for detecting driver drowsiness, so that a driver can be warned before a crash occurs.

Method

The goal of this review is to assess, given the current state of knowledge, whether vehicle measures can be used to reliably predict drowsiness in real time.

Results

Several behavioral experiments have shown that drowsiness can have a serious impact on driving performance in controlled, experimental settings. However, most of those studies have investigated simple functions of performance (such as standard deviation of lane position) and results are often reported as averages across drivers, and across time.

Conclusions

Further research is necessary to examine more complex functions, as well as individual differences between drivers.

Impact on Industry

A successful countermeasure for predicting driver drowsiness will probably require the setting of multiple criteria, and the use of multiple measures.     

Seasonal differences and within-canopy variations of antioxidants in mature spruce (Picea abies) trees under elevated ozone in a free-air exposure system

The effect of free-air ozone fumigation and crown position on antioxidants were determined in old-growth spruce (Picea abies) trees in the seasonal course of two consecutive years (2003 and 2004). Levels of total ascorbate and its redox state in the apoplastic washing fluid (AWF) were increased under double ambient ozone concentrations (2xO3), whilst ascorbate concentrations in needle extracts were unchanged. Concentrations of apoplastic and symplastic ascorbate were significantly higher in 2003 compared to 2004 indicating a combined effect of the drought conditions in 2003 with enhanced ozone exposure. Elevated ozone had only weak effects on total glutathione levels in needle extracts, phloem exudates and xylem saps. Total and oxidised glutathione concentrations were higher in 2004 compared to 2003 and seemed to be more affected by enhanced ozone influx in the more humid year 2004 compared to the combined effect of elevated ozone and drought in 2003 as observed for ascorbate.     

喀斯特高原山区的景观格局变化垂直分异性——以贵州省普定后寨地下河流域中下游为例

利用多时相多数据源遥感影像数据(航片、TM影像及SPOT-5影像),采用GIS空间分析技术和数理统计分析相结合的方法,以贵州省普定县后寨地下河流域中下游地区为例,从海拔和坡位2个方面来探讨喀斯特地区的景观格局变化的垂直分异特征.结果表明:林地斑块在海拔范围为1 300～1 350 m及1 450～1 550 m的区域内,变化是最大的;水田和旱地斑块在海拔范围为1 219～1 300 m及1 350～1 450 m的区域内,变化最大.景观格局在山脊和谷底内变化相对较大,其中变化最大的是林地斑块;景观格局在陡坡和缓坡地区的变化相对较小,但是也存在一定的变化.该区域中变化较大的为水田和旱地斑块.在海拔范围为1 300～1 500 m的山脊和谷底区域内,景观斑块类型发生的变化较大.该区域应作为喀斯特高原山区的生态环境保护特别关注的区域.     

基于基本顶断裂位置分析剩余煤柱稳定性

为简化支承应力表达式及全面分析煤柱稳定性,基于基本顶断裂位置建立工作面剩余煤柱载荷力学模型,将指数函数型支承应力曲线简化为与其拟合的幂函数抛物线,推导出剩余煤柱载荷及极限宽度B表达式。计算得出312工作面基本顶断裂位置与非开采帮塑性区边缘距离d为8.6～11.5 m,B为8.06～8.85 m。研究结果表明：随着d增加,煤柱载荷及B均逐渐增大;B随煤层黏聚力与内摩擦角的增加而减小,随煤层埋深、应力集中系数、侧压力系数、煤层厚度及工作面采高的增加而增大。研究结果有助于更加全面地分析煤柱稳定性,为工程实践提供一定理论指导。