Geochemical characteristics of surficial sediments in a tropical estuary, south-west India

Geochemical characteristics of surficial sediments in the Panangad region of Cochin estuary, the largest brackish-water humid ecosystem in the south-west coast of India, were analysed. Temporal variations in nutrient stoichiometry, seasonal characteristics of redox elements Fe and S, and the phosphorus geochemistry were employed for the purpose. The stoichiometric analysis pointed towards autochthonous origin of organic matter, possibility of nitrogen limitation, and allochthonous modification of redox conditions. Seasonal variations were not statistically significant for all the geochemical parameters, whereas significant spatial variations were observed with lower values at sandy stations, suggesting that the texture of the sediments is the main factor influencing the sediment geochemistry. Significant inter-relations between the geochemical parameters also suggest a common control mechanism. Based on these geochemical characteristics, the study region can be effectively categorized into two distinct zones, viz. (1) erosion and transportation and (2) deposition zones.     

Dynamics and Causation of Environmental Equity, Locally Unwanted Land Uses, and Neighborhood Changes

/ Why are some environmental risks distributed disproportionately in the neighborhoods of the minorities and the poor? A hypothesis was proposed in a recent study that market dynamics contributed to the current environmental inequity. That is, locally unwanted land uses (LULUs) make the host communities home to more poor people and people of color. This hypothesis was allegedly supported by a Houston case study, whereby its author analyzed the postsiting changes of the socioeconomic characteristics of the neighborhoods surrounding solid waste facilities. I argue that such an analysis of postsiting changes alone is insufficient to test the causation hypothesis. Instead, I propose a conceptual framework for analysis of environmental equity dynamics and causation. I suggest that the presiting neighborhood dynamics and the characteristics of control neighborhoods be analyzed as the first test for the causation hypothesis. Furthermore, I present theories of neighborhood change and then examine alternative hypotheses that these theories offer for explaining neighborhood changes and for the roles of LULUs in neighborhood changes. These alternative hypotheses should be examined when analyzing the relationship between LULUs and neighborhood changes in a metropolitan area. Using this framework of analysis, I revisited the Houston case. First, I found no evidence that provided support for the hypothesis that the presence of LULUs made the neighborhoods home to more blacks and poor people, contrary to the conclusion made by the previous study. Second, I examined alternative hypotheses for explaining neighborhood changes-invasion-succession, other push forces, and neighborhood life-cycle; the former two might offer better explanation.KEY WORDS: Environmental equity and justice; Locally unwanted lane uses; Siting; Market dynamics; Invasion-succession; Neighborhood changes     

Synergistic effect of F and triggered oxygen vacancies over F-TiO2 on enhancing NO ozonation

Oxidation-absorption technology is a key step for NO_x removal from low-temperature gas. Under the condition of low O₃ concentration (O₃/NO molar ratio = 0.6), F-TiO₂ (F-TiO₂), which is cheap and environmentally friendly, has been prepared as ozonation catalysts for NO oxidation. Catalytic activity tests performed at 120°C showed that the NO oxidation efficiency of F-TiO₂ samples was higher than that of TiO₂ (about 43.7%), and the NO oxidation efficiency of F-TiO₂-0.15 was the highest, which was 65.3%. Combined with physicochemical characteristics of catalysts and the analysis of active species, it was found that there was a synergistic effect between F sites and oxygen vacancies on F-TiO₂, which could accelerate the transformation of monomolecular O₃ into multi-molecule singlet oxygen (¹O₂), thus promoting the selective oxidation of NO to NO₂. The oxidation reaction of NO on F-TiO₂-0.15 follows the Eley-Rideal mechanism, that is, gaseous NO reacts with adsorbed O₃ and finally form NO₂.     

The influence of source and timing of nitrogen fertilizers on yield and nitrogen use efficiency of four sweet potato cultivars

Nitrogen (N) availability is a very important determinant of crop yield. It is also one of the most expensive inputs in crop production. Thus, the efficient management of N by farmers with limited resource is a very important part of successful soil and crop management system. A field study was conducted on a Norfolk sandy loam soil at the George Washington Carver Agricultural Experiment Station, Tuskegee, AL, to evaluate the influence of fertilizer source and timing on the yield of four sweet potato [Ipomoea batatas (L.)] cultivars. Two N sources (urea, CO(NH₂)₂ and ammonium nitrate, NH₄NO₃), four sweet potato cultivars (‘Georgia Jet’, GA-Jet; ‘TU-82-155’, TU-155; ‘TU-1892’; and ‘Rojo Blanco’, Rojo-Bl) and three times (zero, single, and split applications) were used in a factorial designed experiment. Plants were harvested after 80 and 120 days and total and marketable yields determined. Nitrogen recovery efficiency, yield efficiency and physiological efficiency were also determined. Total and marketable yields of early maturing cultivars were significantly higher than of late maturing cultivars (P<0.05). The single application of N resulted in significantly higher yield in storage roots than split application (P<0.05). Physiological efficiency values were highly correlated with total marketable yields. Recovery rates increased with time. Late maturing cultivars tended to have higher N recovery and physiological efficiency than early maturing cultivars. These results suggest that cultivar maturity group should play an important part in N fertilization recommendations for sweet potato.     

HAN基ECSP凝胶模型的构建与分子动力学模拟

目的 从微观分子的角度对硝酸羟胺(HAN)基电控固体推进剂(Electrically Controlled Solid Propellants,ECSP)的性能参数进行模拟与计算。方法 利用分子表面静电势(ESP)对HAN分子2种可能的构型进行优化和稳定性分析。通过真空非周期性分子动力学模拟得到聚乙烯醇(PVA)分子稳定构型,并以HAN基ECSP的主要成分按一定比例构建凝胶模型。基于RESP(Restrained Electrostatic Potential)电荷生成更准确的凝胶模型拓扑文件,并进行凝胶模型的分子动力学模拟、模型稳定分析以及模型参数计算。结果 凝胶模型总能量相对平均值的周期性波动不超过7%。由于三维PVA链的包裹,H2O分子的扩散系数被大幅削弱。氢键分析和径向分布函数表明氢键键长主要分布在0.282 6 nm附近,PVA与H2O间的氢键较少,H2O与HAN、H2O与H2O之间的氢键较多。模型密度为1.405 g/cm³,与实验值吻合度高。在283、293、303 K下,HAN基ECSP凝胶模型的拉伸模量依次降低,剪切模量先增后减。在15 K/600 ps冷却速率下,HAN基ECSP凝胶模型的拉伸模量和剪切模量均增大。结论 ECSP制备结束后,冷却过程中的环境温度不宜过高,否则容易造成ECSP力学性能的快速下降,快速冷却可以提高ECSP的力学性能。     

厌氧反应器系统动力学模型构建方法学研究

以系统动力学的基本概念、方法为基础提出了存在于变量之间的3种基本关系模式,并在此基础上提出针对复杂系统的分块建模理论.将以葡萄糖为进水基质的厌氧反应器划分为3个子系统.确定了该系统的系统结构图,在此基础上构建厌氧消化系统的SD模型.根据分块建模的优势及特点,对模型中的3个子系统采用不同的计算方式,通过对比模拟结果表明,SD模型静态模拟结果与实验数据、传统结构模型模拟结果之间的误差<10%,动态模拟结果与实际趋势一致,说明SD模型的模拟结果是可信的.根据其特性,对取消物化子系统的简化模犁的模拟结果进行分析,表明根据不同的研究目的,选择合适的模型结构是必要的,采用系统动力学的分块建模方法有利于模型的简化与升级、减少计算量、提高模型的计算速度.     

内燃机曲轴系振动响应的多体系统动力学分析方法

介绍了运用多体系统动力学进行内燃机曲轴系振动响应分析的方法.通过综合运用CAD建模、有限元分析以及机械系统仿真等技术,可以建立包括曲轴柔性体以及随曲轴一起转动的零件刚性体在内的整个曲轴系的模型,计算零件间的相互作用,分析曲轴的动态变形.建立了某车用内燃机曲轴系的多体系统动力学模型,并对其振动响应进行了计算.     

灾害视角下基于隐患因素的生态安全演变机理与系统动力学特征

通过"灾害学"视角认识和理解生态安全,针对隐患因素对安全状态的影响,探讨了生态安全演变的隐患触发传递与响应控制机理,并从系统动力学的视角论述生态安全是反馈的动力系统和非线性的动态系统特征。研究表明,生态安全因素分析必须包含隐患因素分析;安全评价要素范围必须扩展。生态安全系统由隐患触发传递系统和响应控制管理系统组成,且两系统之间以及子系统各要素之间相互影响、相互联系,是隐患因素不断触发、传递、响应和控制的复合高阶演变过程,具有非线性灾变性、自组织及被组织性和有序与无序的动态性。     

废水反硝化除氮

反硝化是ＮＯ３＾－在反硝化细菌作用下，经ＮＯ２＾－、ＮＯ、Ｎ２Ｏ被还原为Ｎ２。反硝化对ＮＯ３＾－及有机基质呈零级动力学反应。文章还介绍了生物反硝化的生化反应，反硝化细菌以及基质、温度、溶解氧、ＰＨ对反硝化作用的影响。     

乳化液废水均相催化湿式氧化动力学

在2L高压间歇反应釜中,以高浓度难降解乳化废水为处理对象,研究了温度对铜盐均相湿式氧化的影响和动力学特征.结果表明:升高温度对加快后期反应速度更为有利,催化剂有利于中间产物氧化,在200℃催化活性最高,在进水COD48 400mg/L,反应2h去除率为86.6%;催化剂在不同温度作用下机制有所差别:200℃时3个途径反应速度均加快,中间产物加速氧化更明显;220～240℃时反应向生成中间产物方向偏移,活性降低;通用模型能较好地预测均相催化过程.