The Impact of Climate Change on Metal Transport in a Lowland Catchment

This study investigates the impact of future climate change on heavy metal (i.e., Cd and Zn) transport from soils to surface waters in a contaminated lowland catchment. The WALRUS hydrological model is employed in a semi-distributed manner to simulate current and future hydrological fluxes in the Dommel catchment in the Netherlands. The model is forced with climate change projections and the simulated fluxes are used as input to a metal transport model that simulates heavy metal concentrations and loads in quickflow and baseflow pathways. Metal transport is simulated under baseline climate (“2000–2010”) and future climate (“2090–2099”) conditions including scenarios for no climate change and climate change. The outcomes show an increase in Cd and Zn loads and the mean flux-weighted Cd and Zn concentrations in the discharged runoff, which is attributed to breakthrough of heavy metals from the soil system. Due to climate change, runoff enhances and leaching is accelerated, resulting in enhanced Cd and Zn loads. Mean flux-weighted concentrations in the discharged runoff increase during early summer and decrease during late summer and early autumn under the most extreme scenario of climate change. The results of this study provide improved understanding on the processes responsible for future changes in heavy metal contamination in lowland catchments.     

贵州山地气候条件对魔芋生长的影响及种植区划

根据魔芋生长发育特性及其对气象条件的要求，结合贵州的气候资料，综合分析和评价贵州魔芋栽培的有利气候资源和不利气候因素，用模糊数学的理论和方法进行气候适宜性分区，提出开发利用魔芋气候资源的建议和获取高产、优质、高效的适用技术。     

Dissolved Silica Retention and Its Impact on Eutrophication in a Complex of Mountain Reservoirs

This paper reports on studies conducted during 2005 in the ecosystem of the Solina–Myczkowce mountain complex of mesotrophic reservoirs on the San River, SE Poland. Of the 1,950 t of dissolved silica calculated to flow into the reservoirs in the course of the year, c. 20% of the load was retained in the reservoirs. However, most of this retention took place in the lower Myczkowce Reservoir. Far-reaching depletion to below 10 μM L^?1 of silicate was noted during the summer in the epilimnetic waters of the two reservoirs. In turn, the hypolimnion was seen to go through an enrichment process connected with sedimentation and releases from sediment. The observed depletion causes a decrease in the DSi:DIP ratio in the euphotic zone of the reservoirs, with simultaneous growth of non-siliceous algae expressed as chl a concentration.     

Estimation of Optimum Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates in Winter Wheat in Humid Mediterranean Conditions,I: Selection of Yield and Protein Response Models

Nitrogen (N) fertilization management directly affects yield and grain protein content of soft red winter wheat, so there is a need to estimate the optimum N fertilizer dose needed to obtain the greatest yield and the desired protein content under a humid Mediterranean climate. The objective of this work was to select the best response models of wheat yield and protein content to applied N fertilizer. To fulfil this objective, 13 experiments were conducted in the years 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004 in northern Spain where 0, 100, 140, 180, and 220 kg N ha^–1 were applied. The quadratic plateau model best described yield response to N fertilizer, with 182 kg N ha^–1 producing the maximum yield. The quadratic model was chosen for modeling protein response to N fertilization, and 176 kg N ha^–1 was the rate required for achieving protein contents greater than 125 g kg^–1.     

气候变暖对小麦蒸散和产量的可能影响

利用水分与小麦生长关系的模拟模式，估算了气候变暖后小麦不同发育阶段农田蒸散量的可能变化及其对产量的影响。结果表明，温度升高时小麦生长中后期实际蒸腾量和总蒸散量明显减少，将导致干物质下降，产量减少，产值降低，并需额外增加灌溉，从而使农业生产费用增加。     

太行山低山丘陵区不同地表类型降雨入渗产流规律研究

通过人工降雨来研究太行山低山丘陵区典型地表类型下的降雨入渗产流规律.结果表明:(1)不同地表类型,地表产流特征不同.主要表现在:降低坡度主要推迟产流开始时间,而植被能够推迟整个径流过程;增加植被覆盖度和降低坡度能够明显降低产流量,延缓产流时间、降低径流速率;不同地表类型的地表径流速度与径流稳定前降雨历时具有明显的对数函数关系.在以0.64 mm/min左右的降水强度持续80 min后,斜坡径流小区不同地表类型径流系数大小顺序为:斜坡裸地>没有枯枝落叶的斜坡灌木>斜坡草地>有枯枝落叶的斜坡灌木.与裸地相比,后面3种地表类型的地表径流量分别减少了33.7%(8.3 mm),49.2%(12.1 mm)和75.2%(18.5 mm).(2)不同植被、枯枝落叶在降低地表产流量的同时也增加了深层土壤中的人渗量.斜坡裸地下渗到20 cm以下的水量仅为降雨的6.0%,明显小于有植被条件下的23.3%～32.5%.灌木下的枯枝落叶能够增加土壤入渗量20%左右,土层20 cm以下入渗量增加8%.     

山区高速公路建设对生态的影响及对策

本文针对福建山区自然生态的特征,着重从水土保持、地表植被保护、少占土地等构成生态环境的要素,分析高速公路建设存在影响自然生态问题,提出相应的生态保护措施及对策,以供借鉴。     

Difference in Needle Length - a New and Objective Indicator of Pollution Impact on Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris)

Needle fluctuating asymmetry (FA) in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) was studied south of the Severonikel nickel-copper smelter in the Kola Peninsula, Russia. We measured the difference in length of two needles of the same pair, and calculated FA as the ratio between this difference and the average length of the two needles of this pair. Needle FA did not depend on tree age, distance from the nearest neighbour or branch position within the crown, but increased with an increase in branching order. Needles originating in different years (1993-1997) demonstrated among-year variation in FA, which, however, was not related to annual fluctuations in SO₂ emission by the smelter. FA increased with decreasing distance from the smelter, and in the sites proximate to the smelter FA was double that found at the most distant (background) sites. The increase in FA was primarily due to an increased difference in the length of the two needles, and this difference may serve as a practicable indicator of pollution-induced stress in Scots pine.     

A New Imitative Model to Predict the Impact of Air Pollutants on Scots Pine Health and Radial Increment

In order to address the problem of pollutant effects on trees against the background of environmental fluctuations a simulation model using radial increment as an indicator of tree productivity is proposed. Ring times series of large trees provide one of the most acceptable biological indicators for the assessment of pollutant impact. This research focused on the tallest severely damaged and healthy trees growing close to each other in the surroundings of Jonava Mineral Fertilizer plant, which primarily emits nitrogen (N) and sulphur (S) compounds. The annual increment was found to be strongly correlated with mean September air temperature of the previous year and S load. The correlation coefficient (k=0.961) between modelled and observed tree ring times series of severely damaged trees proves the impact of S load on growth and vitality of a tree and enables fulfillment of tree condition prognosis.     

Assessing the Impact of Effluents from a Modern Wastewater Treatment Plant on Breakdown of Coarse Particulate Organic Matter and Benthic Macroinvertebrates in a Lowland River

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) with insufficient technologies for wastewater purification often cause a distinct nutrient pollution in the receiving streams. The increased concentrations of dissolved nutrients can severely disturb the ecological integrity of streams, which has been recently shown for basic ecosystem processes like mineralization of coarse particulate organic matter (CPOM). The present study investigated the impact of a modern WWTP (Zentralkläranlage Jena) on breakdown rates of CPOM exposed in net bags (1 mm mesh size) to the effluent of a large municipal WWTP and an upstream control site in the Saale River (Thuringia, Germany) from April to October 2005. Control and effluent site differed significantly in water chemistry with increased concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), ammonium, sulfate, and chloride at the effluent site, while the control site displayed higher concentrations of nitrate. However, breakdown rates of toothpickers and small twigs were not significantly different between the sites, whereas breakdown rate of leaf litter was significantly higher at the effluent site (k?=?0.0124 day^?1) than at the control site (k?=?0.0095 day^?1). Benthic invertebrate assemblages inhabiting the sandy stream bed at both sites were dominated by Chironomidae and Oligochaeta, typical inhabitants of fine sediments. Although the Shannon diversity of the benthic invertebrates was slightly higher at the effluent site (0.85) than at the control site (0.63), no significant difference could be detected. Bacterial numbers in water samples and surface biofilms on glass slides also displayed no significant differences between the two sites. This study showed that the effluents of a WWTP with modern technologies for wastewater purification did not directly affect breakdown rates of CPOM, bacteria numbers in epibenthic biofilms and the water column, and the community composition of sediment inhabiting aquatic macroinvertebrates in an effluent-receiving river with already increased concentrations of dissolved nutrients.     

Assessing the effects of a highway on a threatened species using Before–During–After and Before–During–After-Control–Impact designs

Due to the growing awareness of potential impacts of roads, managers demand well-designed studies about the implications of linear infrastructures on ecosystems. We illustrate the application of Before–During–After and Before–During–After-Control–Impact designs (BDA and BDACI) to assess effects of highway construction and operation using a population of great bustards (Otis tarda) as a model. Based on a time series of demographic and distribution data (1997–2009), we developed generalized additive models and classification trees to test the effect of road distance on bustard distribution, identify road-effect distances and explore the seasonality of these effects. Two control zones were selected to test the changes between construction phases on productivity, and population trends using TRIM models. From the start of the road construction, great bustards tended to avoid close proximity to the highway (ca. 560–750 m threshold distance). The exclusion band was narrower during the breeding season. In addition, family groups were less tolerant to highway operation disturbances, as shown by their higher distance effect (ca. 1300 m). Population trends did not differ between impact and control zones during the construction. However, once the highway was in operation, bustard numbers declined gradually up to 50% in the impact zone, remained stable in the closest control zone, and increased in the zone located at the greatest distance from the highway. The effects on density of family groups were less evident. Our approach provides information relevant to great bustard conservation and suggests methods for obtaining information of interest to road managers, that could be applied to linear infrastructures with others species.     

Impact of Environmental Conditions on the Phytoplankton Structure in Mediterranean Sea Lagoon, Lake Burullus, Egypt

Lake Burullus is one of the northern Delta lakes, connected with the Mediterranean Sea through El-Boughaz opening. The main objective of the present work is to study the physical and chemical properties of the lake and its relation with the phytoplankton communities, chlorophyll-a as well as diversity and Eutrophication index. The studies revealed that, the pH values lie in alkaline side, with wide range of fluctuation (7.15–8.5), the total suspended matter was relatively high (18.2–149 mg l^?1), high values of dissolved oxygen (5.17–11.29 ml l^?1) and high concentration of nutrient salts, (nitrate ranged between (3.4–44.7 μmole l^?1), nitrite (0.42–15.95 μmole l^?1), ammonia (1.46–50.60 μmole l^?1), phosphate (0.63–14.83 μmole l^?1), and silicate (6.54 to 119.3 μmole l^?1). Chlorophyll-a concentration showed a wide range of fluctuation (13.8–127.4 μg/l) and the highest value were recorded at the western region of the lake. Phytoplankton counts showed a pronounced increase (1.9 × 10⁶ units l^?1) as compared with previous studies, a total of 170 species were identified represented mainly by Bacillariophyceae (44.8% to the total community) comprising 68 species, Chlorophyceae (39.99%) 54 species, followed by Cyanobacteria (9.52%) 26 species, Euglenophyceae (5.63%) 15 species. Phytoplankton standing crop attained the highest counts at the western sector particularly at station X during spring and summer (6.7×106 and 4.1×10⁶ units l^?1 respectively) due to the dominance of Bacillariohycean species Stephanodiscus phytoplankton diversity was high and showed widely range (1.47–3.66 nats). A series of stepwise regression equations describing the dependence of phytoplankton standing crop, its main groups and diversity index on the changes of the most biotic prevailing conditions were given and discussed. In general, the results showed that the Lake is considered as a eutrophic area. This phenomenon observed in the body of the lake water that receives large influxes of nutrients, which reflects high phytoplankton counts, diversity index and Chlorophyll-a     

Impact of Sewage Sludge Application on the Long-Term Nutrient Balance in Acid Soils of Scots Pine (Pinus Sylvestris,L.) Forests

The objective of the investigation was to determine the effectsof sewage sludge application on nutrient concentrations in soil and plant biomass fractions in Scots pine forests (Pinus sylvestris, L.), situated on sandy soils with low pH, in a south to north temperature gradient in Sweden. Twenty tons dw ha^-1 of sewage sludge was applied in 50 to 60 yr old pine forests at foursites from Brösarp in South Sweden to Jukkasjärvi in thenorthern parts of the country.Application of 20 ton dw ha^-1 of sewage sludge significantlyincreased the concentrations of extractable N, P, K, Ca, Mg and Na, in both the mor layer and in the upper 10 cm of the mineral soil. Three years after sludge application K concentrations were only significantly increased in the upper 10 cm of the mineral soil. After 11 yr the concentrations of P were still at the samelevel in the mor layer as after three years. The concentrations of Ca, Mg and Na had slightly decreased only in the mor layer. There was, in most cases, a statistically significant positive correlation between the amount of applied sludge and nutrientconcentrations in the soil, as well as in pine needles and in leaves of Vaccinium vitis-idaea.In all sites, Mg concentrations in the mor layer was positivelyand significantly correlated with Mg concentrations in current-year pine needles. Similarly, concentrations of Ca, Mg,and P in the mor layer were correlated with concentrations of these elements in current-year shorts of Vaccinium vitis-idaea.     

河西走廊胡麻生育气候条件分析及适生种植区划

分析研究得出影响该地区胡麻生育状况及产量形成的关键气象因子是5-6月各旬的平均气温和7月下旬-8月下旬的旬平均气温；其次为降水，光照的影响最小。关键期是胡麻苗期和蒴果形成阶段。并以此为依据进行了河西地区胡麻生态气候适生种植分区。提出了合理利用气候资源的途径。     

The Impact of Wastewater Treatment Effluent on the Biogeochemistry of the Enoree River,South Carolina,During Drought Conditions

Drought conditions should magnify the effect of wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluent on river biogeochemistry. This study examined the impact of WWTP effluent on the Enoree River in the piedmont region of South Carolina during a period of significant drought. The Enoree River lacks impoundments, upstream agricultural runoff, and significant industrial point sources, so the single most important human influence on river chemistry is WWTP effluent. Water samples were collected from 28 locations on the Enoree River, 13 of its tributaries, and the effluent of four WWTPs. Effluent from the WWTP furthest upstream increased the salinity of the river and temporal variation and concentrations of most ions, especially nitrate, phosphate, sulfate, sodium, and chloride. The upstream WWTP set the downstream chemical composition of the river, with increasing proportions of chloride, sodium, and sulfate and decreasing proportions of dissolved silicon and bicarbonate. Downstream WWTPs had little or no impact on the chemical composition of the river. Mixing model results show that dilution was the dominant process of the downstream decrease in solute concentrations, but in-channel uptake mechanisms also contributed to declines in concentrations of nitrate, phosphate, and carbon dioxide. Despite dilution and uptake, the chemical signature of WWTP effluent was still evident 135 km downstream. These results lead to a better understanding of the effects of WWTP effluent on the biogeochemistry of rivers.     

The Impact of Simulated Acid Rain on Soil Leachate and Xylem Chemistry in a Jack Pine (Pinus Banksiana Lamb.) Stand in Northern Ontario,Canada

The impact of simulated acid rain on soil leachate and xylem chemistry in a young Jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) stand in the boreal forest of northern Ontario was evaluated. Permanent plots (5 × 2 m) were established in 1981 which were sprayed twice monthly with simulated acid rain, adjusted to pH 5.6, 4.0, 3.5, 3.0 or 2.5 with a 2:1 molar ratio of sulphuric (H2SO4) to nitric acid (HNO3) in addition to ambient rainfall. Sprays were applied between June and September for 5 yr. Unsprayed plots were also monitored. The pH of soil leachate collected between 1981–1985 was reduced significantly by the acid sprays and concentrations of sulphate (SO42-), nitrate (NO3-), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), aluminium (Al), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) increased in the A, B and C horizons. The soil recovered rapidly from the spray treatments, although residual effects were found in soil leachate samples collected during 1986–1987, particularly in the C horizon. Trees receiving spray acidified to pH 2.5 had higher concentrations of Ca, Mn, Cd and Rb in tree-rings formed between 1981–1985 compared to trees receiving spray acidified to pH 4.0 or to trees receiving ambient rainfall alone. Some of the changes in soil chemistry resulting from the application of acidic sprays are reflected in the chemistry of Jack pine tree rings and these chemical signals in tree rings may be used as indicators of soil acidification.     

Maximizing re-introduction success: Assessing the immediate cost of release in a threatened waterfowl

Translocations have become one of the most commonly used tools for biodiversity restoration worldwide, however one out of three re-introduction plans fails to create a viable population or to successfully reinforce the existing one. We used results from the analysis of individual-based information on the re-introduction of a threatened waterfowl species, the crested coots Fulica cristata, to provide guidelines to maximise re-introduction success. We found that about a third of the post-release mortality took place within the first month after release. This immediate ‘cost of release’ in terms of local survival or ‘release risk factor’ seems to be a common feature of re-introduction projects, and it is likely due to the inexperience of captive-born individuals to face the new environment. This hypothesis was supported by the positive association between survival and time spent in the wild Results suggested that coots released between February and May have a slightly higher survival. A joint measure of survival and breeding probabilities indicated that birds released in late winter (February-March) had a higher chance to survive and reproduce compared to birds released later in the year. From an applied perspective our results can be used within an adaptive management framework to determine the optimum period of release, providing substantial support for future decision-making in the management of waterfowl, and other long-term projects of re-introduction of threatened vertebrate species.