The Potential of Public Participation Geographic Information Systems in UK Environmental Planning: Appraisals by Active Publics

The paper draws on an empirical study of two workshops in which the issues that arise from the use of geographic information systems (GIS) as a planning tool in public participation settings were explored by local residents who take an active interest in local planning matters in their London borough. The paper demonstrates how issues concerned with the democratization of GIS and public participation GIS (PPGIS) informed the structure and conduct of the workshops and the qualitative analysis of the workshop discussions. Key themes raised by participants included: the potential of PPGIS as a means of extending knowledge networks; issues of data ownership and the responsiveness of data providers to public concerns; and the role that institutional norms and practices play in democratizing information availability and the transparency of the decision-making process. The paper concludes that the potential of PPGIS as a planning tool cannot be separated from public concerns about the legitimacy of the planning process or local government.     

Role of Genetic Background in the Success of Reintroduced Peregrine Falcons

Abstract: Peregrine Falcons (    Falco peregrinus ) of seven subspecies from four continents were bred in captivity, and approximately 1173 of their progeny were released in the midwestern United States and adjacent regions of Ontario and Manitoba in an attempt to replace the original population that was extirpated by chlorinated hydrocarbon poisoning in the 1950s. We analyzed the success of individuals of the different subspecies introduced to the Midwest. Five of the seven subspecies released have contributed to the current breeding population. Subspecies of breeding Peregrine Falcons were equally represented when breeding birds of high productivity were compared with less prolific breeders. The subspecific makeup of the breeding population did not differ significantly from that of the released population, suggesting that adaptability in this species was sufficient to override genetic differences between subspecies. Peregrines of widely different genetic stocks have thrived after release, making substantial genetic contributions to the new population.     

The wind speed dependence of the concentrations of airborne particulate matter and NOx

The wind speed dependence of concentrations of PM₁₀, chloride, sulphate, nitrate, organic carbon, elemental carbon, particle number and NO_x has been determined at three separate sites, Marylebone Road (kerbside), North Kensington (urban background) and Harwell (rural). The data are best described by a general dilution term multiplied by up to three separate source-related terms which we interpret as representing long-range transport sources, discrete local (including area) sources and marine sources respectively. Using this approach, the various particulate metrics can be quantitatively disaggregated according to the contributions of the three source types. The behaviour of nitrate is anomalous, probably due to an influence of wind speed upon the dissociation of ammonium nitrate.     

Evaluation of a Daphnia magna renewal life‐cycle test method with diazinon

Abstract

Acute and chronic toxicity tests with diazinon (diethyl 2‐isopropyl‐6‐methyl‐4‐pyrimidinyl phosphorothionate) were conducted on Daphnia magna. The 24‐hr static LC50 was 0.86 μL.L^‐1. The sublethal effects of 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 0.75 and 1.0 ngL^‐1 of diazinon concentrations on the survival, reproduction and growth of D. magna were monitored for 21 days. The algae Nannochloris oculata (5 x 10⁵ cellsmL^‐1) was used to feed the daphnids. The parameters used to determined the effect of the pesticide on D. magna were: mean total young per female; mean brood size; days to first brood; intrinsic rate of natural increase (r); growth; and survival. Reproduction as well as survival was significantly reduced at diazinon concentrations of 0.10 ngL^‐1 and higher. The intrinsic rate of natural increase (r) decreased with increasing concentrations of diazinon. Growth, as measured by body length, was depressed significantly at 0.05 ngL^‐1 of diazinon and higher concentrations. The maximum acceptable toxicant concentration (MATC) was calculated. The chronic data was used to formulate an acute/chronic ratio.     

Changes in concentration of five PCDD/F congeners after cooking beef from treated cattle

A large piece of meat taken from a single animal, which had been dosed with five selected PCDD/Fs, was prepared and cooked by a selection of different methods; burgers (fried, grilled, barbecued), roasts (cooked using conventional and microwave ovens) and stews (open pan and pressure cooked). For some of the cooking methods, concentration changes, on a whole product basis, were observed between raw and cooked product. However, in all cases these could be explained simply through changes arising from loss of water and elimination of PCDD/Fs with released fat. The total amounts of PCDD/Fs present in the system (including in released fat) remained unchanged. Dietary intake of PCDD/Fs could therefore be reduced by the removal of visible fat from meat before cooking and by discarding any fat released from foods during the cooking process.     

Temporal variations of atmospheric aerosol in four European urban areas

Purpose

The concentrations of PM₁₀ mass, PM_2.5 mass and particle number were continuously measured for 18 months in urban background locations across Europe to determine the spatial and temporal variability of particulate matter.

Methods

Daily PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 samples were continuously collected from October 2002 to April 2004 in background areas in Helsinki, Athens, Amsterdam and Birmingham. Particle mass was determined using analytical microbalances with precision of 1 ??g. Pre- and post-reflectance measurements were taken using smoke-stain reflectometers. One-minute measurements of particle number were obtained using condensation particle counters.

Results

The 18-month mean PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 mass concentrations ranged from 15.4 ??g/m³ in Helsinki to 56.7 ??g/m³ in Athens and from 9.0 ??g/m³ in Helsinki to 25.0 ??g/m³ in Athens, respectively. Particle number concentrations ranged from 10,091 part/cm³ in Helsinki to 24,180 part/cm³ in Athens with highest levels being measured in winter. Fine particles accounted for more than 60% of PM₁₀ with the exception of Athens where PM_2.5 comprised 43% of PM₁₀. Higher PM mass and number concentrations were measured in winter as compared to summer in all urban areas at a significance level p?Conclusions Significant quantitative and qualitative differences for particle mass across the four urban areas in Europe were observed. These were due to strong local and regional characteristics of particulate pollution sources which contribute to the heterogeneity of health responses. In addition, these findings also bear on the ability of different countries to comply with existing directives and the effectiveness of mitigation policies.     

Isoprene emissions and climate

Biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) play an important role in atmospheric chemistry and the carbon cycle. Isoprene is quantitatively the most important of the non-methane BVOCs (NMBVOCs), with an annual emission of about 400–600 TgC; about 90% of this is emitted by terrestrial plants. Incorporating a mechanistic treatment of isoprene emissions within land-surface schemes has recently become a focus for the modelling community, the aim being to quantify the potential magnitude of associated climate feedbacks. However, these efforts are hampered by major uncertainties about why plants emit isoprene and the relative importance of different environmental controls on isoprene emission. The availability and reliability of observations of isoprene fluxes from different types of vegetation is limited, and this also imposes constraints on model development. Nevertheless, progress is being made towards the development of mechanistic models of isoprene emission which, in conjunction with atmospheric chemistry models, will ultimately allow improved quantification of the feedbacks between the terrestrial biosphere and climate under past and future climate states.     

孟加拉国饮用水砷污染控制策略与方向

孟加拉国是“一带一路”重要节点国家,经济社会快速发展,正从“最不发达国家”进入到“发展中国家”行列。同时,孟加拉国是全世界砷污染最严重的国家之一,其地下水砷污染形成过程与环境地球化学机制、人群砷暴露途径与风险水平、砷中毒机制与控制原理等在全球范围内具有重要研究价值。此外,孟加拉国政府和国际社会为控制饮用水砷污染开展了大量工作,已取得很好的成效。以饮用水砷污染及其健康风险控制为目标,制定科学、合理、有效的砷污染控制策略,对于孟加拉国在全国范围内从根本解决饮用水安全问题具有重要意义。