香港典型地质遗迹资源与地质公园建设

香港素以金融、商业贸易中心闻名于世界,但香港境内所发育的曲折有致的岩石海岸、幽远宁静的海滩、巍峨多姿的群山、造型奇异的岛礁,弥足珍贵的自然生态和地质遗迹资源却鲜为人知。本文在对香港地质概况进行简单介绍的基础上,对香港地质遗迹资源进行系统分类和对比分析,指出西贡万宜水库至果洲群岛方圆近150 km2范围内发育的十分典型、极具规模的六方柱状节理构造景观是世界上同类岩石中罕见的地质现象,其分布面积大,露头完整,具有稀缺性、独特性和典型性,最后对香港国家地质公园一个公园,两个园区,八个景区的空间结构及每个园区的主要地质遗迹资源进行了系统归纳总结。香港国家地质公园的建立很好的起到了保育地质多样性的首要目标,同时很好地推动了香港的地质教育和科普发展。     

Modulation of steroidogenesis by coastal waters and sewage effluents of Hong Kong, China, using the H295R assay

BACKGROUND, AIM, AND SCOPE: The presence of a variety of pollutants in the aquatic environment that can potentially interfere with the production of sex steroid hormones in wildlife and humans has been of increasing concern. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of extracts from Hong Kong marine waters, and influents and effluents from wastewater treatment plants on steroidogenesis using the H295R cell bioassay. After exposing H295R cells to extracts of water, the expression of four steroidogenic genes and the production of three steroid hormones were measured. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Water samples were collected during the summer of 2005 from 24 coastal marine areas and from the influents and effluents of two major waste water treatment plants (WWTPs) in Hong Kong, China. Samples were extracted by solid phase extraction (SPE). H295R cells were exposed for 48 h to dilutions of these extracts. Modulations of the expression of the steroidogenic genes CYP19, CYP17, 3betaHSD2, and CYP11beta2 were determined by measuring mRNA concentrations by real-time polymerase chain reaction (Q-RT-PCR). Production of the hormones progesterone (P), estradiol (E2), and testosterone (T) was quantified using enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). RESULTS: Extracts from samples collected in two fish culture areas inhibited growth and proliferation of H295R cells at concentrations greater or equal to 10(5) L equivalents. The cells were exposed to the equivalent concentration of active substances in 10,000 L of water. Thus, to observe the same level of effect as observed in vitro on aquatic organisms would require a bioaccumulation factor of this same magnitude. None of the other 22 marine samples affected growth of the cells at any dilution tested. Twelve of the marine water samples completely inhibited the expression of CYP19 without affecting E2 production; inhibition of CYP17 expression was observed only in one of the samples while expression of CYP11beta2 was induced as much as five- and ninefold after exposure of cells to extracts from two locations. The expression of the progesterone gene 3betaHSD2 was not affected by any of the samples; only one sample induced approximately fourfold the production of E2. Although more than twofold inductions were observed for P and T production, none of these values were statistically significant to conclude effects on the production of these two hormones. While influents from WWTPs did not affect gene expression, an approximately 30% inhibition in the production of E2 and a 40% increase in P occurred for the exposure with influents from the Sha Tin and Stonecutters WWTPs, respectively. Effluents from WWTPs did not affect the production of any of the studied hormones, but a decrement in the expression of the aldosterone gene CYP11beta2 was observed for the Sha Tin WWTP exposure. No direct correlation could be established between gene expression and hormone production. DISCUSSION: Observed cytotoxicity in the two samples from fish culture areas suggest the presence of toxic compounds; chemical analysis is required for their full identification. Although effluents from WWTPs did not affect hormone production, other types of endocrine activity such as receptor-mediated effects cannot be ruled out. Interactions due to the complexity of the samples and alternative steroidogenic pathways might explain the lack of correlation between gene expression and hormone production results. CONCLUSIONS: Changes observed in gene expression and hormone production suggest the presence in Hong Kong coastal waters of pollutants with endocrine disruption potential and others of significant toxic effects. The aromatase and aldosterone genes seem to be the most affected by the exposures, while E2 and P are the hormones with more significant changes observed. Results also suggest effectiveness in the removing of compounds with endocrine activity by the WWTPs studied, as effluent samples did not significantly affect hormone production. The H295R cell showed to be a valuable toll in the battery required for the analysis of endocrine disrupting activities of complex environmental samples. RECOMMENDATIONS AND PERSPECTIVES: Due to the intrinsic complexity of environmental samples, a combination of analytical tools is required to realistically assess environmental conditions, especially in aquatic systems. In the evaluation of endocrine disrupting activities, the H295R cell bioassay should be used in combination with other genomic, biological, chemical, and hydrological tests to establish viable modes for endocrine disruption and identify compounds responsible for the observed effects.     

累积影响评价:中国内地与香港的问题与实践探讨

将过去、现在和将来的其它活动包括在建议活动的评价范围 ,是累积影响评价区别于传统EIA的重要特征和关键环节 ,也是EIA进一步发展完善的重要趋势 .从法规要求、文本格式、时空范围、重点内容、减缓措施等方面 ,分析了内地和香港在环评实践过程中对累积影响的考虑状况及存在问题 .建议制定累积影响评价的技术方法导则 ,以法规的形式明确提出在项目、区域及策略环评中增加累积影响评价的内容 ,累积影响应在环评报告的摘要、目录及结论中专门列出 ,对累积影响时空范围的界定及重要性的判断应专门提供支持依据 ,评价的重点应较多地关注生态完整性、社会经济影响及全球性环境影响等 ,以更有效地预防累积环境影响问题 .     

香港海沙资源的勘探开发与管理

海沙开采已成为仅次于油气开采的世界第二重要海洋开采业。1980年代以来,香港政府投资1.7×10⁸港元为寻找海岸围垦填料进行了一系列的海沙勘探活动,在1828km²香港水域发现22个地点海沙资源储量7.4×10⁸m³,其中9个地点4.2×10⁸m³储量因覆盖层较厚或污染严重或海区环境特别敏感等原因被暂时搁置。1990～2002年共开采海沙2.7×10⁸m³,为形成2100hm²新土地的多项围垦工程提供了约一半的填料。基于地球物理勘探和钻探资料建立了香港海域第四纪层序和海沙产状地质模型,发现和证实了含气沉积物地震剖面的声波浑浊现象。香港政府对海沙资源进行统一勘探和统一管理,强调海沙开采的环境和生态影响评估,利用废弃的海床挖沙坑回填倾废的非污染海泥和受污染海泥。我国内地海沙勘探管理可以从中取得借鉴。     

Characteristics of urban ozone level in Hong Kong

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香港汀角红树植物、沉积物及双壳类动物重金属含量

汀角有香港面积最大的硬底质红树林,作者调查了该红树林区沉积物、红树植物以及双壳类动物体内重金属(Cu、Pb、Zn和Ni)的含量.总体看,沉积物中重金属含量与其他地点相比较低,红树植物根际沉积物中重金属含量高于光滩.红树植物组织内重金属含量较低,体内Pb、Zn的含量均低于根际沉积物,但对Cu、Ni有一定的富集,Cu可在根部和叶内富集,而Ni只在根部富集,并束缚于此.双壳类动物对4种重金属的吸收存在较大差异,Zn、Cu的富集明显高于Pb和Ni的富集程度.5种动物中又以岩蠔最高,体内的Zn、Cu分别达到3913, 378mg/g.从重金属含量看,作为食用动物有一定的风险.     

气象因素对香港地区臭氧污染的影响

基于2000~2015年香港地区的臭氧监测数据和气象数据,分析了香港的臭氧污染特征及气象因素对臭氧污染的影响.结果表明:(1)香港地区臭氧浓度呈现明显的季节变化特征,其中秋季春季冬季夏季,臭氧超标日集中在夏季和秋季,超标日发生在冬季和春季的情形极少.(2)2000~2015年香港臭氧日最大8h平均浓度(MDA8)年均浓度呈增长趋势,平均增长速率为0.77μg·(m3·a)-1,臭氧MDA8第90百分位数浓度同样呈增长趋势,增长速率为1.49μg·(m3·a)-1.(3)较高的气温是香港地区臭氧污染发生的必要条件,气温越高越容易导致更高浓度的臭氧污染.(4)绝大多数情况下,臭氧浓度与相对湿度间呈负相关关系,相对湿度越高,香港地区的臭氧MDA8平均浓度及第90百分位数浓度均会降低.(5)当香港发生臭氧污染时,盛行风往往从偏北风或偏东风转为偏西风.随着风速的增大,臭氧平均浓度变化不大,但是臭氧第90百分位数浓度会明显降低.(6)降水和云量是影响臭氧浓度的重要因素,连续多日的无雨或少雨天气是臭氧污染事件发生的必要条件,而随着云量的增加,臭氧平均浓度和第90百分位数浓度会持续降低.(7)在太阳总辐射量≤20 MJ·m-2或日照时长≤10 h的情况下,臭氧浓度与太阳辐射及日照时长呈正相关关系.然而,在太阳辐射强烈的情况下(太阳总辐射量 20 MJ·m-2或日照时长 10 h),随着太阳辐射增强或日照时长的增加地面臭氧浓度反而降低,这是因为太阳辐射强烈的情况常出现在雨后天晴的背景下,并盛行来自海洋的偏南风,使得臭氧污染不易形成.(8)香港臭氧超标日的出现往往伴随着一系列气象条件的共同改变,包括晴天少雨、辐射增强、边界层高度增加、相对湿度降低、风速变小以及气温升高等气象特征,污染结束则伴随着相反的气象变化.     

Characterization of Dust Storms to Hong Kong in April 1998

In April 1998, two intense dust storms were generated in CentralAsia and transported eastward across East Asia (15 and 19 April). This article presents the chemical characterization ofHong Kong (HK) aerosols during the dust storms. During the 15 Aprildust storm, hourly respiratory suspended particles (RSP)(particle diameter smaller than 10 m) concentrationsmonitored at 7 sites in Hong Kong reached the peak valuessynchronously between 9 and 11 a.m. on 17 April, in which thehighest concentration was 267 g m^-3. Analysis ofthe RSP samples showed that concentrations of crustalelements (Ba, Ca, Cd, Cr, Fe, Mg, K⁺) and anthropogenicspecies (As, Ni, Pb, Zn, NH₄ ⁺, NO₃ ^-,SO₄ ^2- and total carbon) were substantiallyenhanced. Enhancement of these species was more than afactor of 2 to 14 relative to the non dust period. The totalcarbon content was high, at 59 g m^-3 (notincluding carbonate), and the enrichment factors of Asand Pb on 17 April were 122 and 117, respectively. Thisimplied that anthropogenic materials together with mineraldust were transported to HK from Mainland China. Based onmaterial balance calculations, mineral dust contributed41% to the observed RSP mass on 17 April, which was 2 times thatof the nondust sample (22%). From the 5-day backwardtrajectory analysis, this storm was transported directlyfrom Northwest China to HK. However, there was nocorresponding observation for the 19 April dust stormaerosol. Consequently, 15 April storm had stronger impact onHK's atmosphere than 19 April storm. Compared to the HK AirQuality Objective, 15 April dust storm did not cause seriousair pollution in HK.     

Environmental impacts of iron ore tailings—The case of Tolo Harbour,Hong Kong

Disposal of iron ore tailings along the shore of Tolo Harbour, Hong Kong has altered the adjacent environment. Due to the ever-expanding population, the vast development of various industries, and the lack of sanitary control, the existing pollution problem of Tolo Harbour is serious. The iron ore tailings consist of a moderate amount of various heavy metals, e.g., copper, iron, manganese, lead, zinc, and a lower level of macronutrients. A few living organisms have been found colonizing this manmade habitat. Higher metal contents were also found in the tissue ofPaphia sp. (clam);Scopimera intermedia (crab);Chaetomorpha brychagona (green alga);Enteromorpha crinita (green alga); andNeyraudia reynaudiana (grass). The area can be reclaimed by surface amelioration using inert materials, soils, or organic substrates, and by direct seeding, using nontolerant and tolerant plant materials. Reclamation of the tailings would improve the amenity of the adjacent environment and also mitigate pollution escaping to the sea.