Tolerance of calluna vulgaris and peatland plant communities to sulphuric acid deposition

Critical loads offer a unique way of evaluating impacts of acid deposition by quantifying environmental sensitivity. The critical loads of acidity for UK peat soils have been based upon an arbitrary reduction in pH of 0.2 units. This chemical shift needs to be better related to adverse effects on sensitive biological receptors. It is known that effective precipitation pH equates closely to soil solution pH, and the latter is directly linkable to biotic effects of pH change. On continuation of a long-term experiment assessing impacts of simulated acid rain on peat microcosms in a realistic outdoor environment, Calluna vulgaris continued to flourish at acid deposition loads well above the existing critical load. Calluna plants were harvested and analysed, and acid deposition treatments to the microcosms continued to allow natural vegetation to regenerate. A diverse mixture of moorland plants and bryophytes established at acidity treatments well above the existing critical load, and only a very high acid load resulted in no natural regeneration. A critical effective rain pH value of 3.6 is suggested as a basis for setting critical loads. At this pH, Calluna grows well, and a healthy diverse vegetation community re-establishes when harvested. It is suggested that the peat critical load should be set at the acid load that, at any specific site, would result in a mean effective precipitation pH of 3.6.     

冲击负荷对厌氧序批式反应器的影响及其恢复重建过程

研究了在厌氧条件下以葡萄糖为基质的厌氧序批式反应器(ASBR)中冲击负荷对基质吸收和储存的影响及其恢复重建过程.结果表明,正常状态下,反应器在进水COD为5 000.0 mg/L,出水COD为188.6 mg/L,当进水负荷提高至正常状态2倍后,反应器中COD大量累积,其中51.13％为挥发性有机酸(VFA),48.87％则被转化为糖原储存在细胞体内,出水COD最高为2 368.9 mg/L,污泥糖原储存量最高为273.55 mg/g(以挥发性固体计),是正常状态的4.2倍.在冲击负荷条件下,反应器的产甲烷能力恢复较快,胞内糖原储存恢复较慢,出水COD和胞内糖原分别经过20、41 d后恢复冲击负荷前水平.     

电化学降解与声电化降解苯胺溶液的对比实验研究

采用电化学和声电化两种方法处理苯胺溶液．考察了处理时间、苯胺浓度、pH、电解质浓度、电解电压等因素对苯胺降解率的影响,并对两种方法处理的溶液分别进行紫外分析。实验结果表明．在其他条件相同的情况下．声电化降解所得苯胺降解率远远大于采用电化学方法所得降解率。     

Chemistry of atmospheric dust and critical load assessment in Delhi region (India)

This is the first study in the Delhi region that assesses the critical load capacity of soil systems with respect to the atmospheric deposition and air quality, from July to October in 2012. Trend analysis of NO₂ and SO₂ in Delhi, using the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, showed interesting patterns matching with the trends in vehicular load in the city. This was followed by the calculation of the critical load of atmospheric acidity for sulphur and nitrogen in order to check the vulnerability of the soil systems in Delhi. Here, the steady state mass balance approach was majorly applied and the study conducted in the Agra region was taken as reference. The calculated values of critical loads of sulphur (225–275?eq/ha/yr) and nitrogen (298–303?eq/ha/yr), for the soil system in Delhi, were calculated with respect to three plant species, namely Anjan grass, Hibiscus and Black siris. The present loads of sulphur (PL(S)?=?26.40?eq/ha/yr) and nitrogen (PL(N)?=?36.51?eq/ha/yr) were found to be much lower than their respective critical loads. From the results, it can be concluded that the present loads of atmospheric acidic deposition in Delhi region do not pose any danger of acidification of soil system because it is countered by buffering capacity of soil generated dust. However, considering the pace at which the city is growing, it is likely that in coming decades, the present load will increase and thus the values evaluated in this study are likely to serve as an important reference for future assessment of the pollution scenario in the city.     

基于人均生态承载力的安徽省资源环境公平性研究

通过对人均生态承载力内涵的扩展,提出了生态承载系数的概念。从多个时间断面出发,计算2001—2010年安徽省17个地市的人均生态承载力,并选取能源消耗、水资源消耗、SO2排放和COD排放4个评价因子,构建基于人均生态承载力的安徽省资源环境基尼系数和生态承载系数的计算与评价方法。结果表明:(1)安徽省SO2排放的资源环境基尼系数高于0.4的警戒线,能源消耗的资源环境基尼系数接近0.4的警戒线,水资源消耗和COD排放的资源环境基尼系数均处于相对平均等级。(2)总体来看,省内资源型城市马鞍山、淮南,经济较发达城市合肥和沿江工业城市安庆、芜湖是安徽省资源消耗和污染物排放不公平性的主要因子,需要优化资源环境分配;皖南山区城市黄山、池州和宣城是安徽省资源消耗和污染物排放公平性的主要因子。该研究可为安徽省资源环境安全性评估和分配提供理论依据。     

The Reproductive Capacity of Plants in a Gradient of Chemical Environmental Pollution

The reproductive capacity of Taraxacum officinale s.l. (two morphological forms: T. off. f. dahlstedtii Lindb. fil. and T. off. f. pectinatiforme Lindb. fil.) under conditions of chemical environmental pollution was studied in years differing in weather conditions. The number of generative shoots in plants increased along the toxic load gradient, which led to an increase in the total number of seeds and the weight of filled seeds. The relative energy value of seeds was determined from the amount of plastic substances in them. The number of seeds was shown to increase at a considerably higher rate than the energy expenditures for the formation of each seed. A general principle was revealed that determines the energy expenditures for the formation of a normal seed in both T. officinale forms under different weather conditions and under the chemical pollution of the environment.     

Morphophysiological Rearrangements in Fish in Response to Pollution (in the Light of S.S. Shvarts' Theory)

The results of a study on morphophysiological variation in fish inhabiting a subarctic lake exposed to chronic industrial pollution are described using an example of cisco, Coregonus lavaretus. It is shown that indices of the heart, liver, kidneys, gills, and fatness in these fish are increased significantly and have retained increased values for the past 20 years. The observed changes are analyzed on the basis of biochemical data. The results of studies on the dynamics of hematological parameters in fish are used for characterizing the development of toxicosis. Adaptive rearrangements associated with an increase in the metabolic rate and the activation of protective systems in the fish are explained in the context of S.S. Schvarts' concept. The idea is proposed that the additional energy cost of detoxification may be responsible for morphophysiological variation in fish under conditions of water pollution.     

On Methods for Analyzing Ecotones of Forest Margins

A simple method for the quantitative gradient analysis of a xerotermic forest-margin ecotone is described. In this method, the mean value of the coefficient of similarity between all plots of the transect is used for estimating the rate of changes in species composition. Changes in the phytosociological spectrum are analyzed. The method adequately reflects trends in the displacement of forest species by forest-margin, steppe, and meadow species.     

用三维荧光和红外技术分析好氧颗粒污泥形成初期胞外聚合物的变化

为了研究聚合氯化铝(PAC)的投加在好氧颗粒污泥培养初期的作用,本研究分别在污泥培养的第1-7天(R1)和第8-14天(R2)投加PAC,并采用三维荧光光谱(3D-EEM)和傅立叶红外光谱(FTIR)技术分析好氧颗粒污泥形成初期胞外聚合物(EPS)各组分的含量及变化规律.结果表明,PAC投加时间推迟后,污泥沉降性能良好,且反应器中胞外聚合物和蛋白质含量明显增多,松散附着的EPS(LB-EPS)中蛋白含量变化趋势明显,多糖含量保持在较小范围内波动,与溶解性胞外聚合物(S-EPS)和紧密黏附的胞外聚合物(TB-EPS)相比较,LB-EPS和污泥颗粒化有密切关系;三维荧光光谱分析结果显示,R2中荧光类蛋白物质(峰A和峰B)强度均大于R1,而腐殖酸类物质(峰C)强度小于R1,说明A和B这两种荧光类蛋白物质在微生物聚集体形成过程中的作用更加重要;红外光谱表明,1636 cm-1、1654 cm-1分别属于蛋白质二级结构中CO伸长振动引起的,分别存在于S-EPS和LB-EPS、TB-EPS中,且在投加PAC的时间推迟后1654 cm-1处的吸收峰吸收较弱,和三维荧光分析共同表明LB-EPS中的蛋白类物质是好氧颗粒污泥形成初期加入PAC进行强化造粒的核心原因之一.     

ASSESSMENT OF ANTHROPOGENIC LOADS ON LANDSCAPES AS A TOOL TO DETERMINE THE POTENTIAL FOR SUSTAINABLE REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT: CASE STUDY FROM AZERBAIJAN

In order to determine the potential for sustainable regional development of the Caspian coastal zone, a study was made for the Khachmaz–Absheron zone of Azerbaijan. An evaluation was performed to assess the anthropogenic load on landscapes. Using the 8-point scale offered by Isachenko [2001, Ecological Geography of Russia, Saint Petersburg University Press, Saint Petersburg] for the indicators of agricultural, industrial, urban and integral anthropogenic loads, we did a preliminary ranking of the provinces in the Khachmaz–Absheron zone of Azerbaijan for the each indicator taken separately. Vital statistics were used as a supplementary indicator of environmental conditions in the region. By comparing the data for provinces with each other and the data on Azerbaijan average, we have classified the provinces into 4 groups according to specific combinations of the indicators. Each group of provinces has distinctive environmental conditions and features for sustainable development. The classification makes it possible to develop certain recommendations for the regional sustainable development. Measures to be implemented within the Azerbaijan State Program on Social and Economic Development of Regions are also discussed. In the Khachmaz province, production of ecologically pure products is highly recommended. Special attention should be given to the development of tourism and recreational institutions in the Khachmaz, Khizi and Devechi provinces. Recommendations for these provinces include further development of industry on the basis of modern safe technologies. The irrigation and drainage networks should be reconstructed. The reconstruction will make it possible to reduce water loss and to increase the productivity of agriculture. In the Absheron province, Baku and Sumgait cities environmental systems are overloaded, and so the works at highly polluting enterprises must be stopped, the enterprises have to be re-equipped (old filters must be changed first of all) or relocated from the area (a decrease of environmental risk should be in the focus of attention). For improving of air quality, green areas should increase. There is a need to reduce urban traffic density and to reconstruct highways. Use of old vehicles must be forbidden or restricted, and transition to environmentally friendly fuel should be supported in every way possible. It is necessary to bring the waste management system and sanitary landfills up to international standards, and to improve the water supply and sewerage systems.