An integrated approach was developed to determine the critical levels of air pollution for ecological standard setting based on the unified index of biological response, by taking into account the effects of all pollution components simultaneously. An empirical model of plant productivity was taken as the dose response model for gaseous pollutant effect on the productivity of trees and the annual productivity of plants was used as the above mentioned index. The CO2 increase in the lower atmosphere was considered to potentially increase plant productivity and NO2 was estimated as neutral while being dangerous for plants as a chemical precursor of ozone or as a source of acidification. The maximum permissible chronic O3 and SO2 levels for trees were estimated and it was found that O3 is much more phytotoxic, as compared to SO2 , with a rather narrow range of permissible levels (27-33 ppb) which complicates its monitoring and control. 相似文献
This paper, completed in January 1984, begins by briefly outlining the contrasting views of price behaviour during the last Ethiopian famine (1972–1974) put forward by Seaman and Holt (1980) and Sen (1981). A hypothesis is developed to account for peasant behaviour and price responses under developing famine conditions. This is then tested with data recently made available. The paper concludes by summarizing the findings and their implications for famine forecasting, and argues that famine conditions in Northern Ethiopia are likely to worsen during 1984. 相似文献
Use of sewage sludge, a biological residue produced from sewage treatment processes in agriculture is an alternative disposal technique of waste. To study the usefulness of sewage sludge amendment for palak (Beta vulgaris var. Allgreen H-1), a leafy vegetable and consequent heavy metal contamination, a pot experiment was conducted by mixing sewage sludge at 20% and 40% (w/w) amendment ratios to the agricultural soil. Soil pH decreased whereas electrical conductance, organic carbon, total N, available P and exchangeable Na, K and Ca increased in soil amended with sewage sludge in comparison to unamended soil. Sewage sludge amendment led to significant increase in Pb, Cr, Cd, Cu, Zn and Ni concentrations of soil. Cd concentration in soil was found above the Indian permissible limit in soil at both the amendment ratios.
The increased concentration of heavy metals in soil due to sewage sludge amendment led to increases in heavy metal uptake and shoot and root concentrations of Ni, Cd, Cu, Cr, Pb and Zn in plants as compared to those grown on unamended soil. Accumulation was more in roots than shoots for most of the heavy metals. Concentrations of Cd, Ni and Zn were more than the permissible limits of Indian standard in the edible portion of palak grown on different sewage sludge amendments ratios. Sewage sludge amendment in soil decreased root length, leaf area and root biomass of palak at both the amendment ratios, whereas shoot biomass and yield decreased significantly at 40% sludge amendment. Rate of photosynthesis, stomatal conductance and chlorophyll content decreased whereas lipid peroxidation, peroxidase activity and protein and proline contents, increased in plants grown in sewage sludge-amended soil as compared to those grown in unamended soil.
The study clearly shows that increase in heavy metal concentration in foliage of plants grown in sewage sludge-amended soil caused unfavorable changes in physiological and biochemical characteristics of plants leading to reductions in morphological characteristics, biomass accumulation and yield. The study concludes that sewage sludge amendment in soil for growing palak may not be a good option due to risk of contamination of Cd, Ni and Zn and also due to lowering of yield at higher mixing ratio. 相似文献
This study analyzed water quality in regions around Patos lagoon (Southern Brazil) that are under anthropogenic pressure. Water samples were collected from five different sites, including one used as a source for human consumption (COR) and others known to be influenced by human activities (IP). Danio rerio (Teleostei, Cyprinidae) organisms were exposed for 24 h to these water samples, plus a control group. It was observed that: (1) reactive oxygen species levels were lower in COR and IP than in the control group; (2) glutamate-cysteine ligase (catalytic subunit) expression was higher in COR than in other sites; (3) exposure to all water samples affected long-term memory (LTM) when compared to control group. Thus, some water samples possess the ability to modulate the antioxidant system and to induce a decline in cognitive functions, as measured by LTM. The obtained results indicate that a combination of variables of different organization level (molecular, biochemical and behavioral) can be employed to analyze water quality in impacted regions. 相似文献
There are two principal strategies for managing climate change risks: mitigation and adaptation. Until recently, mitigation
and adaptation have been considered separately in both climate change science and policy. Mitigation has been treated as an
issue for developed countries, which hold the greatest responsibility for climate change, while adaptation is seen as a priority
for the South, where mitigative capacity is low and vulnerability is high. This conceptual divide has hindered progress against
the achievement of the fundamental sustainable development challenges of climate change. Recent attention to exploring the
synergies between mitigation and adaptation suggests that an integrated approach could go some way to bridging the gap between
the development and adaptation priorities of the South and the need to achieve global engagement in mitigation. These issues
are explored through a case study analysis of climate change policy and practice in Bangladesh. Using the example of waste-to-compost
projects, a mitigation-adaptation-development nexus is demonstrated, as projects contribute to mitigation through reducing
methane emissions; adaptation through soil improvement in drought-prone areas; and sustainable development, because poverty
is exacerbated when climate change reduces the flows of ecosystem services. Further, linking adaptation to mitigation makes
mitigation action more relevant to policymakers in Bangladesh, increasing engagement in the international climate change agenda
in preparation for a post-Kyoto global strategy. This case study strengthens the argument that while combining mitigation
and adaptation is not a magic bullet for climate policy, synergies, particularly at the project level, can contribute to the
sustainable development goals of climate change and are worth exploring. 相似文献
AbstractThis study aimed to compare the toxicity for fish of two active ingredients (lambda-cyhalothrin-20?g L?1, a pyrethroid, and acetamiprid-15?g L?1, a neonicotinoid) which are components of a commercial insecticide (Acer 35 EC) used in cotton crop in many West African countries. The juveniles of Oreochromis niloticus (4.01?±?0.34?g, mean body weight) were exposed for 96?h to increasing concentrations of active ingredients (lambda-cyhalothrin and acetamiprid) or a mixture similar to Acer 35 EC (composed by 20?g of chemical compound lambda-cyhalothrin and 15?g of acetamiprid dissolved in 1?L of acetone). The experiments were carried out under controlled conditions in aquaria according to OECD Guidelines. During the experiments, the behavioral responses (loss of balance, color change, hyperactivity, etc.) that usually precede death were observed in exposed fish. Mortalities were recorded in each aquarium and the LC50-96h of each chemical was determined. The LC50-96h obtained were respectively 0.1268, 0.0029, 182.9 and 0.5685?ppm for Acer 35 EC, lambda-cyhalothrin, acetamiprid and mixture. All insecticides used in this study had profound impact on Nile tilapia behavior which may confirm the neurotoxicity of each single active compound as well as of their mixture. 相似文献
Interacting forces of climate change and globalization are transforming the Arctic. Triggered by a non-linear shift in sea
ice, this transformation has unleashed mounting interest in opportunities to exploit the region’s natural resources as well
as growing concern about environmental, economic, and political issues associated with such efforts. This article addresses
the implications of this transformation for governance, identifies limitations of existing arrangements, and explores changes
needed to meet new demands. It advocates the development of an Arctic regime complex featuring flexibility across issues and
adaptability over time along with an enhanced role for the Arctic Council both in conducting policy-relevant assessments and
in promoting synergy in interactions among the elements of the emerging Arctic regime complex. The emphasis throughout is
on maximizing the fit between the socioecological features of the Arctic and the character of the governance arrangements
needed to steer the Arctic toward a sustainable future. 相似文献