Assessing streams in Germany with benthic invertebrates: development of a practical standardised protocol for macroinvertebrate sampling and sorting

In the past, no single standardised method for sampling and sorting benthic macroinvertebrates has been implemented in Germany. Therefore, we tested the suitability of two common sorting protocols, RIVPACS and AQEM/STAR, by taking samples with each protocol at 44 sampling sites. Our results reveal that different methods deliver slightly different assessment results. Moreover these two methods differ in costs. Although the AQEM/STAR protocol takes longer than the RIVPACS protocol, we favoured the AQEM/STAR protocol because of its higher level of standardisation. In order to limit costs to an acceptable level, a modification of the AQEM/STAR protocol (MAS method) is developed. This method is highly standardised, gives stable assessment results and is relatively inexpensive (€ 224.00 for processing of an average sample). A detailed protocol of the newly developed method is given.     

Effects of sampling microhabitats with low coverage within the STAR/AQEM macroinvertebrate sampling protocol on stream assessment

In the STAR/AQEM protocol microhabitats covering less than 5% of the sampling area were neglected. Driven by an ongoing discussion on the importance of these underrepresented microhabitats we tested the influence of sampling them. We investigated 48 streams representing 14 different stream types from all over Germany. Macroinvertebrates of underrepresented microhabitats were sampled in addition to the STAR/AQEM protocol. To ensure the method remains feasible in routine monitoring programmes the total sampling and sorting effort of additional sampling was limited to 20 min. Particularly those taxa were picked, which were not recognised during the routine STAR/AQEM sorting.To identify the effect of additional sampling on stream assessment results, we calculated the stream type-specific Multimetric Index (MMI) with the “main” and the “main+additional” data for each sample. The mean and median difference in MMI values between “main” and “main+additional” samples was 0.02 and 0.01, respectively. In seven of 48 samples (14.6%) a different ecological quality class was calculated with the “main+additional” dataset. Regarding common metrics within the MMI as well as intercalibration metrics differences between “main” and “main+additional” samples were analysed. The values differed most in richness metrics (e.g., number of EPTCBO Taxa, number of Trichoptera Taxa). The results of the present study show that additional sampling of underrepresented microhabitats could alter multimetric assessment results.     

采样方式对地震监测闪烁室法测氡仪校准结果的影响研究

利用HD-6型多功能自控氡室, 配合国际标准计量仪器AlphaGUARD PQ2000Pro测氡仪, 分别采用循环采样和负压采样两种方式, 对FD-125氡钍分析器的3个闪烁室进行校准实验, 计算3个闪烁室K值和相对固有误差。 结果表明: 循环采样方式得到的闪烁室K值比负压采样方式小, 负压采样方式得到的K值偏大, 已经接近《地震水文地球化学观测技术规范》要求的闪烁室K值的极限。 循环采样得到的闪烁室相对固有误差≤5%, 达到了《地震水文地球化学观测技术规范》的要求, 而负压采样方式得到的闪烁室相对固有误差>5%, 未达到《地震水文地球化学观测技术规范》的要求; 因此, 循环采样方式更适合地震监测闪烁室法测氡仪的氡室校准。     

Event monitoring of herbicides with naked and membrane-covered Empore disk integrative passive sampling devices

Subsequent to an initial wet season flood event in the Brisbane River, Australia, both fast (naked disk) and slow (membrane-covered) variants of SDB-RPS Empore disk passive sampling devices were deployed with an automated grab sampling program. A trend increase in the aquatic dissolved concentrations of diuron and simazine was observed over a 10-day period. Kinetic and equilibrium parameters for each sampler were calculated based on the dynamic concentration. Absolute percent difference for duplicate passive samples was <10% in the fast and <25% in the slow samplers. For kinetic sampling, significantly shortened integrative periods are available with the fast compared with the slow variant, with higher sampling rates offering improved detection limits. The study demonstrates a method for determining kinetic parameters of passive samplers in a variable concentration field deployment, and illustrates the differences in quality between active and passive data, in terms of capturing changes in concentration associated with rainfall events.     

表驱动的二维非规则采样快速傅里叶变换

非规则采样快速傅里叶变换（NFFT）主要用于快速计算非规则采样数据的频谱及重建.该方法为非规则采样数据频谱重建技术的核心算法.在实现NFFT算法时,高速度和高精度计算是其应用的前提和关键.本文针对二维NFFT计算效率,应用表驱动思路进行改进,将Gauss褶积算子由矩形改进为椭圆以减少计算量,将e指数计算改进为乘法以加快计算速度,并建表解决NFFT算法在地震资料处理中的应用问题.本文同时给出了非规则采样地震数据NFFT谱重建方法.最后本文给出算例验证提出方法的计算速度和精度,和非规则采样地震资料重建结果.     

Optimal decision-making model of spatial sampling for survey of China’s land with remotely sensed data

In the remote sensing survey of the country land, cost and accuracy are a pair of conflicts, for which spatial sampling is a preferable solution with the aim of an optimal balance between economic input and accuracy of results, or in other words, acquirement of higher accuracy at less cost. Counter to drawbacks of previous application models, e.g. lack of comprehensive and quantitativecomparison, the optimal decision-making model of spatial sampling is proposed. This model first acquires the possible accuracy-cost diagrams of multiple schemes through initial spatial exploration, then regresses them and standardizes them into a unified reference frame, and finally produces the relatively optimal sampling scheme by using the discrete decision-making function (built by this paper) and comparing them in combination with the diagrams. According to the test result in the survey of the arable land using remotely sensed data, the Sandwich model, while applied in the survey of the thin-feature and cultivated land areas with aerial photos, can better realize the goal of the best balance between investment and accuracy. With this case and other cases, it is shown that the optimal decision-making model of spatial sampling is a good choice in the survey of the farm areas using remote sensing, with its distinguished benefit of higher precision at less cost or vice versa. In order to extensively apply the model in the surveys of natural resources, including arable farm areas, this paper proposes the prototype of development using the component technology, that could considerably improve the analysis efficiency by insetting program components within the software environment of GIS and RS.     

测震传输网络带宽需求临界值分析

主要从Miniseed格式以及Steim算法的相关原理出发,分析单台1 s理论最大和最小数据量。根据福建台网数据,对各种仪器取样,然后取平均,得出实际每个包数据量的一般值和最大值。根据现有数据传输方式,除去传输中的理论损耗,计算相关带宽对应的最大数据传输量。在得出地震数据单台1 s数据临界值和带宽最大传输量的情况下,总结计算结果,得出测震传输网络传输带宽临界值。     

Photosystem II herbicide pollution in Hong Kong and its potential photosynthetic effects on corals

Photosystem II (PSII) herbicides have been shown to affect the photosynthesis of corals at low, environmentally relevant concentrations. The recent detection of the PSII herbicide Irgarol-1051 in coastal waters of Hong Kong at concentrations above the EC(50) for reduction of photosynthesis of corals prompted further investigation into the extent of PSII herbicide pollution in coral reefs of Hong Kong. Snap-shot and passive samples were taken from coral reef sites and evaluated via HPLC/MS-MS and a novel bioanalytical technique. Low concentrations (less than 10 ng L(-1)) of diuron and atrazine were found at all study sites. Extracts from these samples concentrated by a factor of 10 were found to reduce the photosynthetic yield of zooxanthellae. It appears unlikely that herbicide pollution is a key issue in isolation but may act synergistically with other stressors to reduce the viability of Hong Kong's coral reefs. The study has also demonstrated the feasibility of combining sample extraction techniques with a coral specific bioanalytical technique for a sensitive assessment of risks associated with herbicide exposure in corals.     

Optimal decision-making model of spatial sampling for survey of China’s land with remotely sensed data

For a long term,in the survey of the country land areas,how to balance the conflicts between survey cost and result accuracy,or in other words,how to acquire the highest accuracy within the capital limit or vice verse,is a major problem that couldn’t have well been solved[1].Spatial sampling,aiming this,is the preferable option and the important and the first stepin the survey of geo-analysis,including the survey of the country land resource as well in that whether the sampling scheme is good …     

An evaluation of an automated hollow-fibre ultrafiltration apparatus for the isolation of colloidal materials in natural waters

Colloidal materials and macromolecules that are less than 0.45 mircons in diameter can act to transport both hydrophobic and hydrophilic contaminations in subsurface waters. An automated hollow-fibre ultrafiltration apparatus is described and evaluated regarding its ability to physically size and isolate colloidal materials from natural waters. Sufficient size-fractionated colloidal samples can be obtained from 60 litre samples to perform inorganic, organic, and radionuclide characterizations, as well as allow the binding capacities of humic and fulvic materials to be evaluated. Samples processed in the field with the automated system were compared with laboratory analyses using single cartridge hollow-fibre ultrafilters and found to agree well with each other. Typical sample reproducibilities were with 15 per cent. The results indicate that field collection of colloidal materials is feasible with minimal sample perturbation using the automated sampler.     

Sampling variance of a T-year flood estimated by curve-fitting

The sampling variance of a T-year flood when estimated using a curve-fitting method results from the errors in hydrologic observations, plotting positions, and model-fitting. This paper develops a method to quantify the contribution of plotting positions to the sampling variance of the T-year flood magnitude. Application of the method to 150 flood-flow data sets of 41 rivers in the People's Republic of China show that the errors due to plotting positions contribute more to the sampling variance than others.     

Testing different sorting techniques in macroinvertebrate samples from running waters

With the aim of finding an efficient, standardised and practical protocol for sorting macroinvertebrate samples for water management practice, three different sorting techniques were tested: RIVPACS sorting, a modified AQEM/STAR (MAS) sorting protocol and a Live-sorting method. Based on the same AQEM/STAR sample to ensure comparable results, we compared RIVPACS and MAS sorting for 20 samples, and Live-sorting and MAS for a different set of 20 samples. Comparisons were based on both ecological and financial parameters relevant for the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive in Germany. Parameters include recently developed multimetric assessment indices, their stream type specific core metric results, time effort and costs. While RIVPACS and MAS sorting produced similar results in terms of ecological assessment, time effort and costs, Live-sorting differed notably in all three respects. Live-sorting is the quickest and least expensive protocol, but shows higher variability than the other protocols. We discuss the differences and the level of standardisation for each of these methods.     

Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analysis of spatial random fields: Theory,accuracy of the numerical approximations and sampling effects

Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analysis of spatial random fields involves calculation of the eigenfunctions of the covariance kernel of the field. For real-world applications, a numerical approximation is necessary because the process is spatially discretized. An approximation for two-dimensional fields is proposed and then, analytical solutions of the integral problem are derived and used to study the accuracy of the numerical approximations. Sampling effects are also considered.     

Automatic sampling of stream water during storm events in small remote catchments

In order to study the relationship between water composition and stream flow rate, it is desirable to sample at a frequency related to flow rate, especially during storm events. In a rural catchment of 18 ha near Oxford, the rate of rainfall was found to be linearly related to discharge on the rising limb of the stream hydrograph. A sampling system was therefore designed in which electrical pulses from a tipping-bucket raingauge were used to initiate and control the action of an automatic water sampler. A threshold rainfall intensity is set above which sampling commences. Sampling then continues at regular increments of rainfall until the intensity drops below the threshold, after which sampling occurs at regular intervals during the period that the stream flow reverts to normal. The CMOS electrical circuits which control the sampling also operate a cassette tape recorder which records the time of each tip of the raingauge and operation of the sampler. Since the sytem is designed to impose very little additional load on the battery which powers the water sampler, and can operate unattended for at least a fortnight, it is ideal for use in small, remote catchments. The system has been extended to include measurements of water temperature and could provide other measurements as well.     

Automated water sampling in ephemeral hydrological systems

A wide variety of sampling programmes may now be considered practical with the recent developments in data logger and water sampler technology. In ephemeral systems the water sampler remains idle for long periods between events. Two approaches are described which overcome the problems of sampling in ephemeral systems: short interval time dependent sampling (TDS) and automated flow proportional sampling (FPS). Both approaches utilize the data logger's ability to perform intermediate operations on incoming data to control the initiation of water sampling. The logger programs are described and allow many recorder/water sampler units to be controlled from one device. The relative merits of the two approaches are discussed in terms of experimental requirements and data precision.     

Comparing plastic ingestion in juvenile and adult stranded short-tailed shearwaters (Puffinus tenuirostris) in eastern Australia

Numerous species of seabirds have been shown to ingest anthropogenic debris, but few studies have compared ingestion rates between adults and juveniles of the same species. We investigated marine debris ingestion by short-tailed shearwaters (Puffinus tenuirostris) obtained through two stranding events on North Stradbroke Island, Australia in 2010 (n = 102; adult) and 2012 (n = 27; juveniles). Necropsies were conducted and solid contents found in guts were categorized into type and color. Over 67% of birds ingested anthropogenic debris: 399 pieces of debris were identified. We found no significant relationship between body condition of birds which had ingested anthropogenic debris and those that had not. Juvenile birds were more likely to ingest debris than were adult birds and juveniles ingested significantly more pieces of debris than did adults. Male and female birds ingested similar amounts and weights of debris. To determine if P. tenuirostris actively selects for certain types of debris, we compared ingested debris to samples obtained from boat-based tows. Significant differences were found, suggesting that the birds select for hard plastic, rubber and balloons.     

高密度空间采样地震数据特点分析

中国陆相沉积盆地的地质结构复杂,储层岩性的多变,需要有高精度的勘探方法。高密度空间采样是提高地震勘探精度的一项新技术。本文简要说明了点激发和点接收技术,分析高密度空间采样的野外工作方法,介绍了Gijs j．o．Vermeer提出的对称采样原理,从波场连续性的角度探讨了高密度空间采样技术。重点分析高密度空间采样数据的特点, 即:高密集的初至波有利于近地表结构的调查,可提高静校正的精度;小偏移距、小点距接收增加了浅层的有效覆盖次数,提高浅层反射的成像精度; 对规则噪声可实现无假频采样,室内的噪声分析和噪声压制的精度随着提高;高密度采集使波场连续性增强,使得各种数学变换的精度提高,有利于不同波场的分离。最后指出高密度空间采样地震勘探技术的难点在于室内数据处理,针对海量数据的分析和处理方法还需要进行深入细致的研究工作。     

结构动力可靠度的重要抽样法的探讨

介绍了一种结构动力可靠度的重要抽样方法，针对其中的难点，即怎样选取控制荷载均值与方差增长程度的系数进行了探讨。     

Bias and precision of percentiles of bulk grain size distributions

Percentiles such as D₅₀ and D₈₄, calculated from weights retained on different sieves, are widely used to characterize grain size distributions (GSDs) of bulk samples of sedimentary deposits or sediment fluxes. The sampling variability of such percentiles is not well known, and few sampling guidelines exist for reliable characterization of GSDs. We report results from computer sampling experiments on the variability of sample percentiles in different-sized samples from populations with a log-normal GSD by weight and different sorting coefficients. Sample sizes are scaled by the volume of a median-sized grain so that results can be applied to any log-normal GSD. Sampling is random for the GSD by number that is equivalent to a specified GSD by weight. Results show important differences from standard sampling theory applicable to pebble-count GSDs. In small bulk samples all percentiles, including the median, are underestimated (more so for smaller samples, coarser percentiles and poorer sorting), and precision does not improve with the square root of sample size until fairly large sample sizes are exceeded. Non-dimensional equations fitted by eye to the results give good approximations to expected bias and precision in any percentile from 50 to 95 for any given sample size and population sorting coefficient. They are inverted to estimate the sample size required to avoid significant bias, or achieve specified precision, in any percentile of interest given estimates of the population D₅₀ and sorting coefficient. Target sample sizes are sometimes considerably smaller, but in other circumstances larger, than suggested by previous guidelines relating to estimation of the entire grain size distribution. Bias is likely in small samples of river bedload and good precision requires very large samples of poorly sorted gravel deposits. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Sensitivity of mean transit time estimates to model conditioning and data availability

Mean transit times (MTTs) can give useful insights into the internal processes of hydrological systems. However, varying model conditioning assumptions and data availability can limit the use of MTT, particularly in terms of comparing the results of studies using different assumptions and data records of varying lengths. We present a systematic analysis of sensitivity of MTT estimates to different methods of artificially extending the data record, varying model warm‐up period lengths and varying sampling intervals for a small upland catchment in the Scottish Highlands. The analysis was based on Cl^? data in conjunction with the convolution integral model using the gamma distribution as transit time distribution. It could be shown that three out of four different methods to artificially extend the data record and to generate a warm‐up period give mostly equivalent results. The required minimum warm‐up period length to reliably estimate MTT for a 3‐year period of data was observed to be about 2 years or 3 times the MTT, implying that ～95% of the tracer signal entering the stream at day 1 of the warm‐up period has to be recovered by the end of the warm‐up period in order to avoid significant deviations from the best available MTT estimates. It was furthermore found that sampling intervals of up to 4 weeks can produce MTT estimates within about 0·25 times the best available MTT estimate, albeit with potentially increased process misrepresentation in terms of the gamma distribution parameter α. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.