Sustainability: a Dissent

Abstract:  Broadly conceived and considered in its many usages, sustainability has grave defects as a planning goal, particularly when used by conservationists: it confuses means and ends; it is vague about what is being sustained and who or what is doing the sustaining; it is uninspiring; it is little more than Pinchot-era conservation (and thus ignores the many lessons learned since then); it need not be linked to land, to the land's functioning, or to any ecological science; it need not include a moral component; it is consistent with the view of humans as all-powerful manipulators of the planet; and, in general, it is such a malleable term that its popularity provides only a facade of consensus. When sustainability is defined broadly to include the full range of economic and social aspirations, it poses the particular risk that ecological and biodiversity concerns will be cast aside in favor of more pressing human wants. Given these many defects, the conservation movement should discard the term in favor of a more alluring goal, attentive to nature and its ecological functioning. A sound goal would incorporate and distill the considerable ecological and moral wisdom accumulated since Pinchot's day while giving conservationists the rhetorical tools needed to defend the land against competing pressures. In our view, conservation would be well served by an updated variant of "land health," Aldo Leopold's ecologically grounded goal from the 1940s. Land health as an independent understanding should set the essential terms of how we live and enjoy the earth, providing the framework within which we pursue our many social and economic aims.     

The study of biological activity of transformation products of diclofenac and its interaction with chlorogenic acid

In the present work we compared the biological activity of DCF, 4′-OHDCF and 5-OHDCF as molecules of most biodegradation pathways of DCF and selected transformation products (2-hydroxyphenylacetic acid; 2,5-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and 2,6-dichloroaniline) which are produced during AOPs, such as ozonation and UV/H₂O₂. We also examined the interaction of DCF with chlorogenic acid (CGA). CGA is commonly used in human diet and entering the environment along with waste mainly from the processing and brewing of coffee and it can be toxic for microorganisms included in activated sludge. In the present experiment the evaluation of following parameters was performed: E. coli K-12 cells viability, growth inhibition of E. coli K-12 culture, LC₅₀ and mortality of Chironomus aprilinus, genotoxicity, sodA promoter induction and ROS generation. In addition the reactivity of E. coli SM recA:luxCDABE biosensor strain in wastewater matrices was measured. The results showed the influence of DCF, 4′-OHDCF and 5-OHDCF on E. coli K-12 cells viability and bacteria growth, comparable to AOPs by-products. The highest toxicity was observed for selected, tested AOPs by-products, in comparison to the DCF, 4′-OHDCF and 5-OHDCF. Genotoxicity assay indicated that 2,6-dichloroaniline (AOPs by-product) had the highest toxic effect. The oxidative stress assays revealed that the highest level of ROS generation and sodA promoter induction were obtained for DCF, 4′-OHDCF and 5-OHDCF, compared to other tested compounds. We have also found that there is an interaction between chlorogenic acid and DCF, which resulted in increased toxicity of the mixture of the both compounds to E. coli K-12, comparable to parent chemicals. The strongest response of E. coli SM biosensor strain with recA:luxCDABE genetic construct in filtered treated wastewaters, comparable to control sample was noticed. It indicates, that E. coli SM recA:luxCDABE biosensor strains is a good tool for bacteria monitoring in wastewater environment. Due to toxicity and biological activity of tested DCF transformation products, there is a need to use additional wastewater treatment systems for wastewater contaminated with pharmaceutical residues.     

珠江口夏季海陆源有机碳的模拟研究——分布特征、贡献比重及其迁移转化过程

基于经过验证的三维水动力-水质模型,对珠江口夏季有机碳进行海陆源区分,并对海陆源有机碳的分布特征、贡献比重及其通量过程进行研究.结果表明,水平方向上,珠江口夏季陆源（海源）有机碳浓度从口门到外海逐渐降低（升高）,在表、底层海水中平均浓度分别为1.45和0.87mg/L（0.97和1.05mg/L）;垂直方向上,在层化水域陆源（海源）有机碳浓度从上到下逐渐递减（升高）,在非层化水域海陆源有机碳浓度垂向分布较为均匀.珠江口夏季海源有机碳贡献率表层海水低于底层海水,平均贡献率为48.26%,沿向海方向海源有机碳贡献率逐渐增加--从内伶仃洋水域的4.43%逐渐提升到外伶仃洋东侧水域的81.20%.珠江口水动力条件复杂,在径流、潮汐、季风等因素的作用下陆源有机碳向海输送且向海输送量逐渐递减;海源有机碳在不同水域动力输送特征不同,西南水域向海输送,向海输送量逐渐递增;东北水域向岸输送,向岸输送量逐渐递减.陆源有机碳生化反应活性较弱,只有小部分被生化过程消耗,其迁移转化主要由沉降过程控制,而海源有机碳的迁移转化,则由口门的动力输送过程主控向外海的生化耗碳过程主控过渡.此外,海源有机碳沉降作用明显低于陆源有机碳,生化作用明显高于陆源有机碳.     

Sulphate, Nitrogen and Base Cation Budgets at 21 Forested Catchments in Canada, the United States and Europe

To assess the concern over declining base cation levels in forest soils caused by acid deposition, input-output budgets (1990s average) for sulphate (SO₄), inorganic nitrogen (NO₃-N; NH₄-N), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and potassium (K) were synthesised for 21 forested catchments from 17 regions in Canada, the United States and Europe. Trend analysis was conducted on monthly ion concentrations in deposition and runoff when more than 9 years of data were available (14 regions, 17 sites). Annual average SO₄ deposition during the 1990s ranged between 7.3 and 28.4 kg ha⁻¹ per year, and inorganic nitrogen (N) deposition was between 2.8 and 13.8 kg ha⁻¹ per year, of which 41–67% was nitrate (NO₃-N). Over the period of record, SO₄ concentration in deposition decreased in 13/14 (13 out of 14 total) regions and SO₄ in runoff decreased at 14/17 catchments. In contrast, NO₃-N concentrations in deposition decreased in only 1/14 regions, while NH₄-N concentration patterns varied; increasing at 3/14 regions and decreasing at 2/14 regions. Nitrate concentrations in runoff decreased at 4/17 catchments and increased at only 1 site, whereas runoff levels of NH₄-N increased at 5/17 catchments. Decreasing trends in deposition were also recorded for Ca, Mg, and K at many of the catchments and on an equivalent basis, accounted for up to 131% (median 22%) of the decrease in acid anion deposition. Base cation concentrations in streams generally declined over time, with significant decreases in Ca, Mg and K occurring at 8, 9 and 7 of 17 sites respectively, which accounted for up to 133% (median 48%) of the decrease in acid anion concentration. Sulphate export exceeded input at 18/21 catchments, likely due to dry deposition and/or internal sources. The majority of N in deposition (31–100%; median 94%) was retained in the catchments, although there was a tendency for greater NO₃-N leaching at sites receiving higher (<7 kg ha^-1 per year) bulk inorganic N deposition. Mass balance calculations show that export of Ca and Mg in runoff exceeds input at all 21 catchments, but K export only exceeds input at 16/21 sites. Estimates of base cation weathering were available for 18 sites. When included in the mass balance calculation, Ca, Mg and K exports exceeded inputs at 14, 10 and 2 sites respectively. Annual Ca and Mg losses represent appreciable proportions of the current exchangeable soil Ca and Mg pools, although losses at some of the sites likely occur from weathering reactions beneath the rooting zone and there is considerable uncertainty associated with mineral weathering estimates. Critical loads for sulphur (S) and N, using a critical base cation to aluminium ratio of 10 in soil solution, are currently exceeded at 7 of the 18 sites with base cation weathering estimates. Despite reductions in SO₄ and H⁺ deposition, mass balance estimates indicate that acid deposition continues to acidify soils in many regions with losses of Ca and Mg of primary concern. The U.S. Government's right to retain a non-exclusive, royalty free licence in and to any copyright is acknowledged. The Canadian Crown reserves the right to retain a non-exclusive, royalty free licence in and to any copyright.     

微电解-水解酸化/接触氧化工艺处理染化废水的研究

采用微电 解 Ｈ／ Ｏ 工艺对染 料化 工 废水 进行 了 处理 研究 ，结 果表 明 以微 电解 和 水解 酸 化作预处理 ，可使废 水的 Ｂ Ｏ Ｄ５／ Ｃ Ｏ Ｄ Ｃｒ 的比由 ０２５ 提高 到０５ ０ 左 右，平 均 增加 ５０ ％ 。通 过加 酸， 可提高微电 解的去除 效果，在 进水 Ｃ Ｏ Ｄ Ｃｒ 为４ １００ ～４ ３００ ｍ ｇ／ Ｌ，色度 为３ ４００ ～３ ６００（ 倍） 范围内 ，系统对 Ｃ Ｏ Ｄ Ｃｒ 和色度 的去除效 果分别 可达到９７ ５ ％ 和９８３ ％     

感光胶片废水的水解酸化—好氧处理工艺试验

对感光胶片有机生产废水处理工艺进行了方法采用水解酸化－好氧串联工艺和传统活性污泥法两种方法并进行对照。结果经水解酸化处理，废水的ＢＯＤ５／ＣＯＤｃｒ可提高至０．５４－０．５６，平均增加了１７％左右，证实了水解酸化菌在该工艺条件下具有搞高效片废水可生化性的功能。     

物化-生化组合工艺处理化纤厂浆粕综合废水

根据化纤厂浆粕综合废水的水质特点 ,选择采用中和曝气 水解酸化 生物接触氧化 絮凝沉降处理工艺。实验结果表明 :当浆粕综合废水进水CODCr浓度 310 0～ 34 6 0mg/L ,BOD5浓度 10 2 0～ 142 0mg/L范围内时 ,处理后水质可达到《污水综合排放标准》GB8978 96中化纤浆粕工业二级排放标准。     

可发性聚苯乙烯废水处理工程的设计与运行

介绍了采用中和混凝 水解酸化 生物接触氧化 化学除磷工艺对可发性聚苯乙烯 (EPS)废水的处理工艺。在废水中的CODCr、TP、SS、NH3 N分别为 194 0mg L、112mg L、5 92mg L、2 3 6mg L的条件下 ,废水经过处理后 ,出水CODCr、TP、SS、NH3 N分别为 70mg L、0 38mg L、2 6mg L、0 32mg L ,均可达到《污水综合排放标准》中的一级标准 ,废水中CODCr、TP、SS、NH3 N的平均去除率分别为 96 4 %、99 3%、95 6 %、98 6 %。     

生化-砂滤-光催化氧化处理苎麻脱胶废水

根据苎麻脱胶废水的水质特点 ,选择了水解酸化 -接触氧化 -砂滤 -光催化氧化处理工艺 ,结果表明 ,出水水质达到了GB8978 1996二级排放标准 ,大部分指标达到了一级排放标准。该工艺具有针对性强、占地面积少、运行稳定、处理费用低、操作管理方便、无二次污染等优点 ,值得推广应用     

印染废水的治理及相关问题

文中讨论了水解酸化-好氧-生物炭及水解酸化-好氧-气浮工艺处理印染废水时的优缺点，采用上述工艺印染污水，可使CODcr：1000mg／L、BOD5：300mg／L、ss：300mg／L、色度：〉300倍的印染废水达标排放.