Regional Air Pollution and Climate Change in Europe: an Integrated Assessment (Air-Clim)

The aim of the AIR-CLIM project is to perform an integrated analysis of the linkages between climate change and regional air pollution in Europe and to produce results that are relevant to European policy-making. Key elements of the analysis are on the impact side the exceedances of critical thresholds for air pollution and global change and on the cost side the estimates of costs to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and air pollutants. The integrated modeling framework set up to meet these objectives consists of two state-of-the-art integrated models covering regional air pollution in Europe (RAINS) and global climate change (IMAGE), supplemented by new components. Based on a preliminary analysis it can be stated that climate change will make European vegetation in most regions less sensitive to acid deposition. Taking into account the emission trends the impacts of regional air pollution will decrease while the impacts of climate change increase. Different problems will be important in different regions: regional air pollution in Central and northern Europe, and climate change in southern Europe.     

Pollution Bioindicators: Statistical Analysis of a Case Study

In this paper a three-step procedure is proposed to deal with ecological data, usually very complex in their treatment. The three steps – exploratory, confirmatory, and modelling phases – reflect the different methodological approaches necessary in each phase of the study. To illustrate the methodology, a case study is proposed, concerning the suitability of plants as pollution bioindicators. Samples of differently aged Pinus pinea L. needles were collected throughout 1 year in three different locations, whose human disturbance was known to be different. In the samples some morphological and functional parameters were measured, whose relation with the stress was already known. The exploratory analysis suggested pollution with human origin, the needle’s age, and the environmental conditions as the main factors of influence of damage. The confirmatory analysis confirmed both site and age as main factors and occasionally the sampling date. On this basis, some models were estimated separately for each site: models that best described the damage as function of age resulted non-linear and some of them with seasonal fluctuations. As a result, whereas the models described well enough the pollution temporal variation, the difference of pollution in the sites was best described by the different values of the models parameters in the different sites. In short, different pollution conditions are described better by the damage trend than by the individual measures. The three-step procedure resulted of high utility in outlining the most interesting relations to investigate through the modelling, the opportunity to model the indicators variation along time separately for each site, and to introduce the seasonal variation in some models.     

Tracking Anthropogenic Inputs in Barigui River, Brazil Using Biomarkers

The Barigüi River watershed is located in the metropolitan region of Curitiba, Southern Brazil, passing through several neighboring counties. In recent years, due to growth and disorderly occupation along the river, in addition to lack of sanitation, the Barigüi River suffered a very large inflow of untreated domestic wastewater. Current programs to monitor the watershed use traditional physical–chemical parameters. Here, the presence of some molecular tracers found in domestic effluents was investigated, such as caffeine and coprostanol at some selected sites in Barigüi River. Caffeine is highly soluble in water and its presence in water bodies is due to the disposal of untreated sewage. Caffeine is eliminated in the urine (approximately 0.5% to 10% of the consumption). The samples were collected in three campaigns, two in dry weather and another during a week in the rainy season. The results showed that caffeine concentration ranged between zero and 753.5 μg g^?1. Higher values were found on rainy days. Caffeine showed a positive correlation between BOD and nitrate; it also showed a positive correlation with coprostanol, a fecal biomarker. Finally, caffeine has been shown to be a good parameter to determine the contamination by domestic wastewater.     

Study on Winter Air Pollution Control in Lanzhou,China

Air pollution control is one of the most important issues in thecities of the developing countries. Based on an analysis of the local economic and technological development the paper puts forward 9 air pollution control schemes. They are 4 briquette schemes, 2 coal gas schemes, 1 centralized heating system and 2 comprehensive schemes. A comprehensive diffusion model combined with a 3-D advection-diffusion equation and the Gaussian puffmodel is developed and verified. According to the calculation ofpotential reduction of pollutant discharge and the correspondingair quality improvement made by each air pollution controlscheme, the paper then works out a feasible and comprehensiveair pollution control scheme, which is characterized by lowinvestment and better environmental benefits. When the scheme isefficiently carried out, 19.3% SO₂ and 24.4% sootdischarge is to be reduced annually in the city. There is aclear descent of air pollution concentration. The daily mean concentration of SO₂ and TSP declines 24.6–75.4%and 10.4–45.4%, respectively. SO₂ concentation of the whole city does not exceed the second grade of the Ambient Air Quality Standard of China except at a few grid points.     

Application of LIDAR Technique and MM5-CMAQ Modeling Approach for the Assessment of Winter PM10 Air Pollution: A Case Study in Beijing, China

This paper reports the use of LIDAR technique, vertical wind profiler (VWP) and the coupled MM5-CMAQ air quality modeling system to investigate a high PM₁₀ concentration episode occurred in Beijing, China during January 8–9, 2004. Through the regression analysis between the observed PM₁₀ concentrations and the observed extinction coefficients, the converting formulas from the LIDAR records to the PM₁₀ mass concentrations in Beijing have been found. Further, a 2-level-nested grid domain with spatial resolutions of 36 and 12 km have been designed and employed for this study, and the coupled MM5-CMAQ modeling system has then been evaluated using both the ground-level PM₁₀ observations and the vertical profiles of PM₁₀ deduced from the measured LIDAR extinction coefficients. Based on the verified modeling system, two emission scenarios were designed to quantitatively assess the trans-boundary PM₁₀ contributions from the surrounding provinces of Beijing. The results illustrated that the particulate matter buildup over the Beijing region was due to a number of factors, including pollutants brought in from its surrounding provinces by the southwest winds and the emission from local sources within Beijing. It indicates that while Beijing needs to take positive steps to reduce its own pollution emissions, much effort should also be placed on demanding more pollution reduction and better environmental performance from its surrounding provinces.     

Mitigation of Diffuse Phosphorus Pollution during Rewetting of Fen Peat Soils: A Trans-European Case Study

Intensive cultivation of fen peat soils (Eutric Histosols) for agricultural purposes, started in Europe about 250 years ago, resulting in decreased soil fertility, increased oxidation of peat and corresponding CO₂-emissions to the atmosphere, nutrient transfer to aquatic ecosystems and losses in the total area of the former native wetlands. To prevent these negative environmental effects set-aside programs and rewetting measures were promoted in recent years. Literature results and practical experiences showed that large scale rewetting of intensively used agricultural Histosols may result in the mobilisation of phosphorus (P), its transport to adjacent surface waters and an accelerated eutrophication risk. The paper summarises results from an international European Community sponsored research project and demonstrates how results obtained at different scales and from different scientific disciplines were compiled to derive a strategy to carry out rewetting measures. A decision support system (DSS) for a hydrologically sensitive area in the Droemling catchment in north-eastern Germany was developed and is presented as a tool to regulate rewetting in order to control P release. It is demonstrated that additional laboratory experiments to identify essential processes of P release during rewetting and the site-specific management of the water table, the involvement of specific knowledge and experience of the stakeholders are necessary to develop an applicable DSS. The presented DSS is practically used to prevent freshwater resources from diffuse P pollution.     

The Potted-Plant Microcosm Substantially Reduces Indoor Air VOC Pollution: II. Laboratory Study

Indoor air-borne loads of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are usually significantly higher than those outdoors, and chronic exposures can cause health problems. Our previous laboratory studies have shown that the potted-plant microcosm, induced by an initial dose, can eliminate high air-borne VOC concentrations, the primary removal agents being potting-mix microorganisms, selected and maintained in the plant/root-zone microcosm. Our office field-study, reported in the preceding paper, showed that, when total VOC (TVOC) loads in reference offices (0 plants) rose above about 100 ppb, levels were generally reduced by up to 75% (to < 100 ppb) in offices with any one of three planting regimes. The results indicate the induction of the VOC removal mechanism at TVOC levels above a threshold of about 100 ppb. The aims of this laboratory dose-response study were to explore and analyse this response. Over from 5 to 9 days, doses of 0.2, 1.0, 10 and 100 ppm toluene and m-xylene were applied and replenished, singly and as mixtures, to potted-plants of the same two species used in the office study. The results confirmed the induction of the VOC removal response at the lowest test dosage, i.e in the middle of the TVOC range found in the offices, and showed that, with subsequent dosage increments, further stepwise induction occurred, with rate increases of several orders of magnitude. At each dosage, with induction, VOC concentrations could be reduced to below GC detection limits (< 20 ppb) within 24 h. A synergistic interaction was found with the binary mixtures, toluene accelerating m-xylene removal, at least at lower dosages. The results of these two studies together demonstrate that the potted-plant microcosm can provide an effective, self-regulating, sustainable bioremediation or phytoremediation system for VOC pollution in indoor air.     

Development of the Regional Policy Process for Air Pollution in South Asia,Southern Africa and Latin America

Projections indicate that large increases in emissions may occur in developing countries during the next twenty to fifty years if current development patterns persist. This paper describes the development of co-operation regarding air pollution issues in three sub-regions of three continents. Experiences gained through activities within a programme on Regional Air Pollution in Developing Countries are used to illustrate progress. The sub-regional process in South Asia developed through a series of meetings that led to the Malé Declaration. In southern Africa a policy dialogue led to the Harare Resolution targeted towards progress in the SADC region. A policy dialogue in Buenos Aires concentrated on issues related to regional harmonisation of legal frameworks in the Mercosur region. In all regions the link between scientific information required to support decision making has been emphasised. The sub-regional policy processes are analysed in relation to availability of required scientific information and compared to the process that led to protocol development in Europe.     

人为与环境因子对农田土壤有机质影响的比较研究——以典型黑土区和水稻土区为例

目前关于土壤有机质(SOM)影响因子的研究多涉及单一或少量因素,缺少环境因子与农田管理相结合的详细分析。为综合分析环境和人为因素对农田SOM的影响,利用2011年采集于典型黑土样区的281个样点和水稻土样区的193个样点,结合相应农田管理调查数据,采用双样本Kolmogorov-Smirnov检验、Kendallτ相关分析、随机森林模型进行对比研究。结果表明,通过综合环境与农田管理措施数据,随机森林方法可以较好地预测农田SOM含量,对其变异的解释度达到80%以上。人为与环境因素对SOM变异的解释能力在两样区间存在差异。SOM含量水平在黑土区受环境因子影响为主,在水稻土区受人为因子主导。相对重要性分析显示黑土区水热条件、黏粒含量影响显著,水稻土区田间管理作用明显。     

Anthropogenic Soils of Urban Parks: A Review

Eurasian Soil Science - Urban parks provide a range of ecosystem services and support a healthy urban environment. Soils are directly involved in biogeochemical cycles and maintenance of...     

Regional Inventory of Organic Industrial Wastes: Case Study in New Brunswick,Canada

? This study was undertaken to investigate the possibility of composting organic industrial wastes which are currently being generated in the Canadian province of New Brunswick. Four types of this waste stream were identified: Fish wastes; Agricultural wastes; Pulp and paper and sawmill wastes; and Food processing wastes. Other objectives of this study were to establish valid cost estimates of selected solid waste composting approaches and to address the potential of a value-added compost product.

In the past 20 years, fish landings in the province averaged approximately 136,000 metric tons annually. Processing in fish transformation plants leads to fresh and pickled fish wastes that must be either discarded by dumping or processed into usable byproducts.

Animal manure is the principal waste currently being generated by the agricultural industry with 1,333,000 metric tons of manure produced in 1986. There are also approximately 90,000 metric tons of potato culls produced by the potato industry per year. Most of these agricultural wastes are presently being used or applied on land.

The forest industry is the biggest in New Brunswick and as such produces the largest amount of industrial wastes. Wood residues are generated in two sectors of the forest industry: Logging and Wood Processing organizations.

The food processing industry is a diversified enterprise processing items such as fruit products, vegetable products and meat products. Potato processing companies produce one of the most significant vegetable wastes of the province, with about 50,000 metric tons of wastes annually.     

Pollution in a Lowland River System. A Case Study: the Reconquista River (Buenos Aires,Argentina)

The Reconquista river is a lowland watercourse; about three million people and several thousands of industries are settled in its flood plain. It can be considered as one of the most polluted rivers of Argentina. The present work is an attempt to describe the quality of the surface water through 16 physicochemical variables measured monthly in five sites (S₁to S₅) during 1994. Univariate and multivariate analyses of data showed a clear difference of S₁and S₂respect to S₄and S₅for ammonium, ortophosphate, pH, hardness, chloride, phenols, BOD, COD, and DO values. S₃appears to be a transition site. DO content showed a significant negative regression respect to the distance from the mouth. In the multivariate analyses between seasons the concentration of phenols appeared as an important feature. However it can be considered that seasonal variations were difficult to explain because of the river is the receptor of both regular and intermitent pollution pulses. It was concluded that the deterioration of this water body was progressive downriver, the contribution of the Moron creek in S₄determined a sharp adverse change in the physicochemical conditions. In the two downstream sampling stations (S₄and S₅) the values were far from natural conditions.     

Anthropogenic Soils of Botanical Gardens: A Review

Eurasian Soil Science - A review of publications on soils of botanical gardens forming in different landscape conditions and approaches to their classification is presented. Transformation of the...     

基于污染足迹的太湖流域稻作农业污染评估——以常州市和宜兴市为例

稻作农业在保障粮食安全方面贡献巨大,但因经济利益驱动,化肥农药被过量施用,造成了氮、磷等营养物质流失,对水环境产生严重影响。本文基于全国第一次污染普查数据,结合各类污染物的产排污系数计算了稻作农业COD、TN和TP入河量,通过污染足迹模型计算了稻作农业COD、TN和TP的污染足迹,通过污染压力模型计算了稻作农业COD、TN和TP的污染压力指数,并对其进行评估。结果表明:(1)常州市、宜兴市稻作农业生产过程中向水环境排放的污染物中以COD和TN为主,其入河量分别为792.96 t·a-1和605.28 t·a-1,TP入河量为27.16 t·a-1;(2)常州市、宜兴市稻作农业TN污染足迹最大(3 944.50 hm2),其次为TP污染足迹(2 578.95 hm2),最小的是COD污染足迹(523.52 hm2);(3)常州市、宜兴市稻作农业对水环境的污染压力指数为2.10,处于中度污染压力状况,表明常州市、宜兴市稻作农业生产活动超出了当地水域的承载能力,对当地水环境产生了压力。     

Biomonitoring of Water Pollution with Elodea Canadensis. A Case Study of Three Small Polish Rivers with Different Levels of Pollution

Water, Air, &; Soil Pollution - Concentrations of Al, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr, V, Zn,N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe and S were measured in water, river bottomsediments and in Elodea canadensis...     

Trans-Pacific Air Pollution: Scientific Evidence & Political Implications

Long-range tropospheric transport of acidic and non-acidic contaminants into or across the Pacific Ocean from sources originating in Pacific Rim countries and beyond (trans-Pacific air pollution, for short) is an emerging international environmental issue. This paper provides a definition of trans-Pacific air pollution; summarizes some of the scientific evidence for what seems to be the dominant pollutant pathway in the Asia-Pacific region, transport on westerly winds from Asia to North America; discusses a recent conference on trans-Pacific air pollution; and analyzes some of the political implications of the problem. Evidence for trans-Pacific air pollution comes from three main sources: observational data, computer simulations, and research on concentrations of pollutants in various media. Trans-Pacific air pollution is of political consequence. There may be wide-ranging physical and chemical effects if the relatively pristine air of the Pacific troposphere is altered. Domestic air quality along the west coast of North America may be altered. Degradation of the Arctic environment may be accelerated. The issue reinforces the need for greater international cooperation on environmental issues in the Asia-Pacific region.     

Air Pollution Effects on Terrestrial Ecosystems in Estonia

A number of positive changes have taken place since Estonia regained its independence in 1991. Air pollution from stationary sources has decreased over 2.5 times during 1990–1999, emissions of solid particles and SO₂ have declined 74% and 60%, respectively. The content of heavy metals in Estonian mosses has decreased in comparison with the early 1990s. Last five years occurrence of different kind of damages on decidious trees has not been frequent. Those facts indicate that air pollution with heavy metals and other pollutants has diminished during the last few years. As the pH of precipitation fluctuates in different parts of Estonia, it is very important to study the effect of precipitation on ecosystems on the basis of critical loads. Results indicate that, as for eutrophicating nitrogen, the actual nitrogen deposition in North-East Estonia and West-Estonian islands roughly coincides with the limits for pollution endurance. This pattern also applies to the total deposition of sulphur and nitrogen in South, North and North-East Estonia, although in some Northern and North-Eastern areas pollution endurance limits have been exceeded.     

区域土壤侵蚀遥感调查与制图研究——以新疆地区为例

根据土壤侵蚀的营力,强度和景观条件,划分了３级制的土壤侵蚀分类系统。利用遥感影响判读,进行了有关影响因子的解译和评价,经过必要的野外验证后,编制了土壤侵蚀类型图,查清了新疆土壤侵蚀的基本状况。     

Changes in the Abundance of Vascular Plants under the Impact of Industrial Air Pollution: A Meta-analysis

We applied a meta-analytic approach to improve an understanding of the effects of pollution on the primary productivity of terrestrial ecosystems. We identified 73 data sources reporting changes in the abundance of vascular plants (measured as the percentage of ground cover, biomass per unit area, canopy closure and stem basal area) around 75 polluters located in 18 countries (137 effect sizes). The overall effect was negative but varied among the vegetation layers and types of polluters. The strongest detrimental impact on productivity was due to non-ferrous smelters. The abundance of trees was decreased around both acidifying and alkalifying polluters, whereas the abundance of shrubs and field-layer vegetation decreased only near acidifying polluters. Overall, a decline of vegetation was observed in boreal and temperate forests but not in treeless biomes (deserts, tundra or grasslands). The magnitude of the detrimental effects on trees increased with the duration of the polluters?? impact around acidifying polluters but decreased around alkalifying polluters. Adverse effects on the field layer became more severe with increasing community productivity; in combination with the conclusions of previous meta-analyses, this result indicates that diverse and highly productive communities are likely to be the most susceptible to pollution impacts. In general, the pollution effects on the abundance of vascular plants were less detrimental than the effects on their growth and diversity, indicating that primary productivity in polluted ecosystems is maintained by the preferential growth of several pollution-tolerant species.