Settlement and sustainability in the Polish Sudetes

The paper summarises the history of human settlement in the Sudetes from the Bronze Age. A more intensive stage was reached in the Middle Ages when settlers from the west established new villages deep in the mountain valleys. By the beginning of the 20th century the Sudetes were already overpopulated but after a near-complete ethnic replacement from a German to a Polish population in 1945–8, population continued to grow until the 1980s. However, the economic system was hardly sustainable by this time. There were many polluting industries in the region and massive transboundary pollution from adjacent areas of Czechoslovakia and Germany had a devastating effect on the forests. Moreover, subsidised state agriculture placed heavy pressure on vulnerable mountain grazings. Since 1989 there has been a process of deindustrialisation in the Sudetes and surrounding areas and, with the disappearance of the state farms and the reduction in subsidies, agriculture is now better adjusted to the natural potential and is complemented by a promising start with agrotourism. The population of the region is growing relatively slowly (0.8% per annum 1956–1999), with the rural areas now in decline. A sustainable future for the region is now a possibility, but while there is a consensus for continued environmental reconstruction, supported by alternative economies, this will have to be carefully managed in the years ahead when EU accession may bring heavier development pressures than those evident at the moment. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The environmental planning and management approach towards the development and management of the Osun natural spring project,Ibadan, Nigeria

There is a general shortage of potable water in Nigeria, partly through the lack of natural provision and partly because of rapid urban growth that has largely been unplanned. The paper describes the recent redevelopment of a public water facility in a run-down area of Ibadan which is part of the Sustainable Ibadan Project. Despite funding from national and international bodies, the development is strongly based at community level. The local inhabitants feel they have control over their own water supply through their representatives on the various planning and managing committees. This aims to reduce vandalism and to increase pride and involvement in the community. The project is a pilot for other projects around Ibadan, some of which have begun and others are being planned. This paper describes the administrative structures and management principles that have been employed. It forcefully advocates community-based planning and management which respects both the environment and the water-users, and involves a major “bottom-up” element. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Study on rainfall variations in the middle part of Inner Mongolia,China during the past 43 years

The study area, the middle part of Inner Mongolia including Hohhot city, Baotou city, Wulanchabu city, Ordos city, Bayannaoer city and Wuhai city, is one of typical eco-geographical transition zones in China. Using monthly precipitation data (1961–2003) from 45 meteorological stations in the study area, this paper analyzes characteristics and tendencies of annual and seasonal rainfall variations, and reveals multi-time scales structures of these time series through wavelet analyses; also, the periods of annual and seasonal precipitation series are identified, and the periodical oscillations and points of abrupt change at the principal period scale are discovered. The results show that annual precipitation varies in a large range, and has an ascending tendency at an increasing rate of 1.482 mm/10a; the multi-time scales periodical oscillations are clear; differences in tendencies, ranges and decadal precipitation anomalies exist within each decade during 1961–2000. The seasonal allocation of overall annual precipitation is extremely uneven; in terms of tendencies of seasonal precipitation, winter and spring have upward trends while summer and autumn have downward tendencies; distinctions in tendencies, ranges and decadal precipitation anomalies among each seasons are in existence within each decade during 1961–2000. The periodical oscillations of each seasonal precipitation time series are also evident. The research results not only provide convincing evidence for global climate change research, but also facilitate the understanding of specific natural process and pattern to make steps to rehabilitate and reconstruct vegetation, and contribute to fulfill the sustainability of water management.     

Driving forces behind land use and cover change in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau: a case study of the source region of the Yellow River,Qinghai Province,China

Research on land use and cover change (LUCC) is an important aspect of the study of global change or global warming. The Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau is a good place to study global change because of its unique natural conditions, so we chose the source region of China’s Yellow River for a case study of the driving forces behind LUCC. We used Landsat images obtained in 1989, 2000, and 2005 to establish databases of land use and cover at these times. We then derived LUCC information by overlaying these layers using GIS software. By studying the processes responsible for LUCC, we analyzed the driving forces, which included climatic change, human activities, animal and insect damage, and the influences of government policies. During the 16-year study period, LUCC occurred slowly in response to two groups of processes: natural and anthropogenic. The main driving forces included climate change (the region is becoming drier and warmer), human activities (especially overgrazing), and animal and insect damage. Although political measures such as key national projects to improve the ecological environment could help to restore the region’s vegetation and slow desertification, the region’s fragile ecosystems and harsh natural conditions will make it extremely difficult to rehabilitate the eco-environment.     

Karst landslides hazard during 1940–2002 in the mountainous region of Guizhou Province, Southwest China

Mountain landslide has been an environmental geological problem and occurs frequently in China, especially in the karst region of Guizhou Province, Southwest China. The data of karst mountain landslide are collected and analysed, which occurred in the period of 1940–2002. The collection includes 321 events in the karst region of Guizhou Province. The characteristics of mountain landslides may be classified as two types, namely natural mountain landslides (287 events) and the other induced by human activities (34 events). The results indicate that natural mountain landslide causes especially high damage and is still the main type of natural hazard in the study area owing to the extremely fragile karst geological environment.     

Potential suitability for urban planning and industry development using natural hazard maps and geological–geomorphological parameters

During the planning of an urban environment, usually only economic and social parameters are taken into account. As a result, urban areas are susceptible to natural disasters, which cause extensive damages in them, because the cities or towns have been repeatedly located in vulnerable areas. In this study, for the protection of human environment, is proposed a unique approach of urban planning and sustainable development. The study area is Trikala Prefecture (Western Thessaly, Central Greece). An integrated evaluation of the suitable areas for urban growth and light industry development is proposed by using mainly natural hazards as well as geological–geomorphological–geographical characteristics of the study area. The used parameters were correlated by using the analytical hierarchical process (AHP) method and incorporated into a geographic information system (GIS) in order to produce the corresponding suitability maps. The study area is classified in five categories of very high, high, moderate, low, and very low suitability for urban growth and industrial development. Moreover, the spatio-temporal changes of the urban limits are studied since 1885 for the three major towns (Trikala, Kalambaka and Pyli) of the study area. These changes sketch out the urban growth trend. The comparison between the urban growth trend with the potential suitability for urban growth and industrial development of these towns lead to discrepancies. These can be attributed mainly to the fact that in the majority of cases, only geographical, social, and economical factors were used for urban development, whereas in our study, natural hazards, geomorphological, and geographical parameters were quantified and taken into account.     

Meso–Cenozoic cooling and exhumation history of the Orlica‐Śnieżnik Dome (Sudetes,NE Bohemian Massif,Central Europe): Insights from apatite fission‐track thermochronometry

This study presents the first suite of apatite fission‐track (AFT) ages from the SE part of the Western Sudetes. AFT cooling ages from the Orlica‐?nie?nik Dome and the Upper Nysa K?odzka Graben range from Late Cretaceous (84 Ma) to Early Palaeocene–Middle Eocene (64–45 Ma). The first stage of basin evolution (~100–90 Ma) was marked by the formation of a local extensional depocentre and disruption of the Mesozoic planation surface. Subsequent far‐field convergence of European microplates resulted in Coniacian–Santonian (~89–83 Ma) thrust faulting. AFT data from both metamorphic basement and Mesozoic sedimentary cover indicate homogenous Late Cretaceous burial of the entire Western Sudetes. Thermal history modeling suggests that the onset of cooling could be constrained between 89 and 63 Ma with a climax during the Palaeocene–Middle Eocene basin inversion phase.     

南洞流域东部重点区石漠化现状及治理对策

为了探讨南洞流域东部重点区石漠化现状及其治理对策,通过遥感数据分析结果并结合地面实地调查验证,对云南南洞流域东部重点区石漠化分布特征、成因、危害及其区域林地生态环境质量状况进行了分析。结果表明,南洞流域东部重点区石漠化面积占岩溶区面积的17.2%,集中分布于大庄盆地西北部,以轻度石漠化为主,轻度、中度、重度石漠化的面积比例约为7∶3∶1,石漠化与水土流失问题突出,岩溶区林地生态环境质量等级以三级、四级为主,占区域总面积的53.77%,整体水平较低,且明显低于区内的非岩溶地区林地。粗放型畜牧和农耕方式是导致区内石漠化形成和加剧的最重要因素。提出休垦弃焚、恢复次生植被、合理开发利用土地资源、优化农林畜牧产业结构,实施林草建设工程、草食畜牧业工程、水利水保设施工程,建立保障制度和监督机制,开展全面的石漠化综合治理对策,以确保区域生态恢复、农林畜牧经济健康发展及南洞地下河流域生态安全和水资源开发利用。      

Paleomagnetism of Carboniferous sediments from the West Sudetes (SW Poland)

The studied Carboniferous flysch and molasse sediments from the Intra-Sudetic Basin correspond to the period from Middle Visean to Early Autunian. Main magnetic minerals carrying the natural remanent magnetization (NRM) are goethite, magnetite, maghemite and hematite, all usually secondarily formed and/or remagnetized due to several tectonometamorphic events. In most samples several NRM components were isolated. One of them is usually a Jurassic-Triassic overprint. Some others define the Westphalian-Early Permian segment of the declination and inclination trajectory for the Sudetes calculated according to the reference apparent polar wander path for the Baltica plate. The Sudetic path is slightly shifted to the east compared to the reference path, suggesting the possibility of independent movements of the Sudetes during this time. The majority of isolated NRM components are secondary and related to the Sudetic orogenic phase and later tectonometamorphic activity.     

An integrated geophysical study of arsenic contaminated area in the peninsular Thailand

Geophysical surveys were carried out in an arsenic contaminated area, in the Ron Phibun District in southern Thailand. Here, tin and associated minerals, i.e. arsenopyrite and pyrite, have been extracted from granites and natural processes and the mining activities led to arsenic contamination in the environment. Electrical resistivity and self-potential (SP) were used to define the distribution of arsenic contamination in the groundwater. Resistivities of 25–100 Ωm and a positive SP anomaly of 66.0 mV were observed in an area where the arsenic content in auger water at 3.5–5.0 m depths was high, 0.5–5.0 mg/l. Integrated interpretation of resistivity, seismic refraction, GPR and gravity data gave a clear image of subsurface shallow structures (< 30 m depths). There was a good correlation between the resistivity and the gravity data. A subsurface rise was found, which possibly acts as a naturally buried dam, separating a high-contaminated area from a low contaminated area.     

陕南地质灾害、移民搬迁与就地城镇化探讨——基于七堰移民搬迁社区的实证调研

陕南移民搬迁由于搬迁人口多、时间长、搬迁类型复杂而受到社会和学术界广泛关注。通过对七堰移民搬迁社区的实证调研,认为政府的主导作用、生态环境压力和搬迁农户的预期是七堰移民搬迁社区的成功经验,构建"迁移—集聚"的城镇化模式是陕南移民搬迁社区的发展选择。     

First data on the environment and climate change within the Zhom-Bolok volcanic field (Eastern Sayan Mountains) in the Middle–Late Holocene

This paper considers the results of comprehensive lithological, biostratigraphic, and geochemical investigation of sediments in Khara-Nur Lake (Eastern Sayan Mountains) situated in the area of the greatest Holocene eruptions in the Central Asia Region. The age of the basal sediment layer is estimated at 6881 ± 53 years. The local natural environment and climate have undergone great changes since that time. The Holocene volcanic events did not exert a catastrophic impact on the regional landscape, but they caused dramatic changes in the local vegetation. The well-defined correlation of the regional events with the well-known records of the natural environment in the Northern Hemisphere is indicative of the decisive influence of global atmospheric circulation on restructuring the landscape and climate system in the Zhom-Bolok Region in the Middle–Late Holocene.     

High-precision Pb isotopic measurements of teeth and environmental samples from Sofia (Bulgaria): insights for regional lead sources and possible pathways to the human body

High-precision Pb isotopic measurements on teeth and possible sources in a given area can provide important insights for the lead (Pb) sources and pathways in the human body. Pb isotopic analyses on soils from the area of Sofia, Bulgaria show that Pb is contributed by three end-members represented by two natural sources and leaded gasoline. Sequential leaching experiments reveal that the alumosilicate fraction of the soils is mainly controlled by natural Pb derived from two mountain massifs bordering the city. Around 1/3 to a half of the Pb in the soil leachates, however, can be explained by contamination from leaded gasoline. Contemporary teeth from Sofia residents show very similar Pb isotopic compositions to the soil leachates, also indicating that around 1/3 to a half of the Pb can be explained by derivation from leaded gasoline. The remarkable isotopic similarities between the teeth and the most labile fractions of the local soils suggest that the lead can be derived from the latter. Pb incorporation in the human body via soil-plant–human or soil–plant–animal–human chains is unlikely due to the fact that no significant farming occurs in the city area. The isotopic compositions of the local soil labile fractions can be used as approximation of the bioaccessible lead for humans. Considering all possible scenarios it appears that soil and/or soil-born dust inhalation and/or ingestion is the most probable pathway for incorporation of local soil lead in the local population. The high-precision Pb isotope data presented in this work indicate that apparently the local soil is what plays major role in the human Pb exposure.     

Detrital transport of metals by glaciers, an example from the Pinchi Mine, central British Columbia

 Abundant cinnabar (HgS) mineralization is associated with the Pinchi Fault in central British Columbia. Two formerly producing mercury mines have been developed on this fault: Pinchi and Bralorne Takla. The mercury content of till (a sediment type directly deposited by glaciers) in the area of this fault is primarily controlled by the occurrence of cinnabar mineralization in bedrock and the direction of ice flow. Cinnabar-bearing bedrock was eroded by glaciers, transported in the direction of ice flow, and deposited "down-ice" from its source. An example of such a dispersal train is documented for the Pinchi Mine area where mercury ore was transported over a distance of 12 km, as measured in the clay-sized fraction (< 0.002 mm) of till, and could have been transported over 24 km according to heavy mineral concentrates (specific gravity >3.3) of this same sediment. Antimony, chromium, and nickel dispersal trains were also detected in the region. These data indicate that natural glacial processes can result in the "mobilization" of metals in the surficial environment, a factor which has to be considered at mine sites in glaciated terrain, where mine reclamation and remediation measures are now required. Received: 31 October 1996 · Accepted: 27 May 1997     

The chemical and physical characteristics of heavy metals in humus and till in the vicinity of the base metal smelter at Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada

 Trace element geochemistry of humus (<0.425 mm) and till (<0.002 mm) collected in the Flin Flon-Snow Lake area, northern Manitoba and Saskatchewan, provides a regional context for assessing smelter contamination in the environment. The area includes a Cu-Zn smelter known to discharge As, Cd, Cu, Fe, Hg, Pb, and Zn. In this study, sequential extraction analyses, scanning electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction analyses were used on a suite of samples to determine: (1) the chemical and physical characteristics of heavy metals in surficial sediments related to distance from the smelter, (2) criteria for assessing the relative contribution of these metals from natural and anthropogenic sources, and (3) the potential of these metals for remobilization in the environment. Humus geochemistry reflects the anthropogenic and natural component of heavy metal concentrations. Smelter-related elements show anomalously high values adjacent to the smelter, decreasing with distance until background values are reached at 70–104 km, depending on the element. In humus, Zn is associated primarily with labile phases; Hg with non-labile phases. Adjacent to the smelter, high proportions and concentrations of Zn and Hg in non-labile phases, indicative of smelter-derived particulates, are confirmed by SEM examination. The particles occur as spheres, irregular grains, and with organics. With increasing distance from the smelter, the geochemical response to bedrock composition is more obvious than the anthropogenic input. Till geochemistry reflects the natural variation imposed by bedrock composition. At highly contaminated sites (<3 km from the smelter), increased percentages of smelter-related elements in labile phases suggests heavy metals are leached from humus to the underlying sediment. Received: 5 November 1996 · Accepted: 31 March 1997     

Monitoring the impact of de-icing salt on roadside soils with time-lapse resistivity measurements

Monitoring systems along roads are needed to facilitate decisions on improving protection of water resources and decreasing the impact of road-related pollutants on the roadside environment. This paper presents a monitoring system using permanently installed electrodes and monthly measurements of resistivity at a motorway in Sweden with heavy loads of de-icing salt. A significant increase in resistivity in the vadose zone with increasing distance from the road was shown in both sand and glacial till areas during the whole year. By measuring temporal variations in a less affected environment further from the road, a distinction could be made between more natural variations and variations due to de-icing salt and melting of roadside snowbanks. The highest resistivities occurred in October–November and the lowest in January–March, while the more natural resistivities showed an opposing temporal variation. The difference was up to 35% on a log-scale in the sand area during the latter period. Hence, the time-lapse resistivity measurements clearly showed a strong influence of de-icing salt on roadside soils and groundwater during winter and spring. The measurement system and the analysis methods proved useful for monitoring both the spatial and seasonal variation in resistivity.     

GIS-based environmental risk assessment in the Ribeira Valley,São Paulo,Brazil

The Ribeira Valley region (State of Sao Paulo, Brazil) hosts the largest Brazilian Atlantic forest reserve. The region was an important mineral district during the ‘60s, from where several tons of lead and other metals were exploited. Residual materials produced by the mining are diffused in the environment until today. The area also encompasses a regional arsenium anomaly associated with unexplored gold deposits. The population presently living in this region performs basic farming activities, from which most of their food is yielded. These features coupled together imply in a complex relationship between natural and anthropogenic factors that are likely to affect the life and health of the local communities. The aim of this paper is to apply digital data integration techniques for environmental risk assessment in the Ribeira Valley using environmental geochemistry. Geochemical, digital elevation and remote sensing data (Landsat Thematic Mapper) were merged and analyzed using a geographical information system. The assumed model considered environmental mobilization through erosion and anomalous As–Pb areas. Data were analyzed through Boolean and fuzzy logic techniques. Fuzzy logic proved superior in this case study as it allowed not only the detection but also the distinction between low, moderate and high environmental risk areas.     

A study of natural radioactivity levels of soil in the Lincang Basin, Yunnan

Influenced by the Indosinian Lincang granite,the level the natural radioactivity in the Lincang Basin is relatively high.This work deals with the determination of natural radioactivity of soil in this area by using theγ-ray spectrometer.The specific activities of 2 26Ra, 238U, 232Th and 40K obtained were obviously greater than the average values of these nuclides countrywide and worldwide,which were 53.4(from 38.7 to 62.8),161.2(from 127.3 to 211.7),120.9(from 106.5 to 140.6)and 632.2(from 521.7 to 707.5)Bq/kg.Based on the research data,the level of natural radioactivity of the granite was high,which impacts and provides a good source of soil radioactivity in the study area.To assess the radiological hazard of the natural radioactivity in soil,the γ-absorbed dose rate and annual effective dose rate were calculated.The results show that,although the γ-absorbed dose rate in the study area is a little high,the annual effective dose rate is lower than the recommended value.So the Lincang Basin is safe with respect to radiological level and its living environment is not affected.     

Assessment of the geological and hydrogeological environment at a site of government-level conflict in Incheon, Korea

 The natural environment of an environmental conflict site in Incheon, Korea was assessed with a focus on the hydrogeological environment. Residents had made claims against a company because of health problems, including skin tumors. More specifically, the residents suspected that their drinking groundwater had been contaminated by glass fibers which had caused the health problems. Air, soil, and groundwater samples were analyzed to estimate whether environmental pollution could have caused the problems claimed by the residents. No specific evidence was found from this study to support the groundwater contamination by glass fibers, but groundwater contamination by leaked fuel oils was confirmed in the course of evaluating the glass fiber problem. Received: 16 May 1997 · Accepted: 18 August 1997     

Application of hyperspectral remote sensing for environment monitoring in mining areas

Environmental problems caused by extraction of minerals have long been a focus on environmental earth sciences. Vegetation growing conditions are an indirect indicator of the environmental problem in mining areas. A growing number of studies in recent years made substantial efforts to better utilize remote sensing for dynamic monitoring of vegetation growth conditions and the environment in mining areas. In this article, airborne and satellite hypersectral remote sensing data—HyMap and Hyperion images are used in the Mount Lyell mining area in Australia and Dexing copper mining area in China, respectively. Based on the analyses of biogeochemical effect of dominant minerals, the vegetation spectrum and vegetation indices, two hyperspectral indices: vegetation inferiority index (VII) and water absorption disrelated index (WDI) are employed to monitor the environment in the mining area. Experimental results indicate that VII can effectively distinguish the stressed and unstressed vegetation growth situation in mining areas. The sensitivity of VII to the vegetation growth condition is shown to be superior to the traditional vegetation index—NDVI. The other index, WDI, is capable of informing whether the target vegetation is affected by a certain mineral. It is an important index that can effectively distinguish the hematite areas that are covered with sparse vegetation. The successful applications of VII and WDI show that hyperspectral remote sensing provides a good method to effectively monitor and evaluate the vegetation and its ecological environment in mining areas.