Satellite monitoring of pollution in the Russian sector of the Azov and Black Seas in 2003–2007

The results of satellite monitoring of pollution in the Russian sector of the Azov-Black Sea basin in 2003–2007 are considered. Within the framework of this work, a technology of monitoring the state and pollution of the water environment from satellite information received during this period from Russian and foreign satellites has been developed. With this technology, the coastal pollution parameters and hydrometeorological characteristics of the water environment in the area of observation were mapped operationally; 14 types of different satellite information products were issued daily; and the results were generalized over 3 days, ten days, a month, and a period of observation. Long-term satellite monitoring makes it possible to determine and analyze typical situations of pollution distribution in the coastal waters and to detect new circulation elements that transport pollutants, thus purifying the water environment. For example, for the first time, it was found from satellite data that the contribution of a small-scale circulation of waters of the Russian sector of the Black Sea to the transport and distribution of pollutants is commensurable with the contribution of the Main Black Sea Current and coastal anticyclonic eddies. The regularities in the dynamics of pollution distribution promote the increased reliability of charting of the environmental situation, including the prediction of dynamics of pollution spreading.     

Different extent of environmental information disclosure across chinese cities: Contributing factors and correlation with local pollution

This paper uses the dataset of Pollution Information Transparency Index covering 113 Chinese cities and the period of 2008–2011 to find out what contributes to different levels of environmental information disclosure across Chinese cities and the correlation between cities’ Pollution Information Transparency Indexes and local pollution. We find that cities whose mayors have longer tenures and PhD degrees are likely to release more environmental information. In addition, the higher the number of internet users and income per capita, the closer a city is to Hong Kong, and the lower a city’s unemployment rate, the greater the level of environmental disclosure is. An efficient local legal system is also found to facilitate information disclosure.We also find that in most cases, high Pollution Information Transparency Indexes are associated with lower pollutant levels and more pollution-control investment, suggesting the effectiveness of China’s environmental disclosure in pollution control. Community pressure for a better environment is shown to reinforce the role of environmental disclosure in pollution reduction. We find no evidence that environmental disclosure improves the efficacy of traditional environmental regulation in pollution control. Nevertheless, different aspects of environmental disclosure vary a lot in their effectiveness in pollution reduction and the results here indicate that inducing cities to respond to public information requests is perhaps the most effective method of pollution control in China.     

Ways to improve the pesticide content observations in surface water bodies of the Russian Federation

Considered is the dynamics of pesticide content in surface water bodies of the Russian Federation during the long-term period. Demonstrated are the key directions of improving and optimizing observations of pesticide content in surface waters. Proposed is a priority list of pesticides recommended to be determined in water bodies of the country based on the known criteria of estimating the potential hazard of pesticides.     

TYPICAL WEATHER CHARACTERISTICS ASSOCIATED WITH AIR POLLUTION IN HONG KONG AREA

With the hourly data of Air Pollution Index (API) by Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department (HKEPD) during the 6 years of 2000 - 2005 and NCEP / NCAR reanalysis data of 2.5° × 2.5° wind and pressure fields, the characteristics of API in Hong Kong area and the impacts of typical weather characteristics on the air pollution in Hong Kong have been studied. The results are shown as follows. (1) The API exhibits obvious seasonal variability as the number of air pollution days increases by the year. For most of the local monitoring stations, it is the most from January to March, a little less from July to September and the least from April to June. (2) There are four typical types of weather situations that are responsible for the air pollution in Hong Kong: tropical cyclones, continental cold highs, transformed highs that have moved out to sea and low pressure troughs.     

Research problems of formation and estimation of water resources and water availability changes of the Russian Federation

New data on water resources of the Russian Federation and their long-term dynamics are given. The distribution of water resources according to federal districts is considered. Results of analysis of modern changes of river run-off intra-year distribution under the influence of climatic factors are represented. The dynamics of water use for different economic needs is given. The evaluation of water resources and water availability changes in perspective is executed.     

Toward integrated assessment of environmental change: air pollution health effects in the USA

We demonstrate a method for integrating environmental effects into a computable general equilibrium model. This is a critical step forward toward the development of improved integrated assessment models of environmental change. We apply the method to examine the economic consequences of air pollution on human health for the US for the period from 1970 to 2000. The pollutants include tropospheric ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter. We apply this method to the MIT Emissions Prediction and Policy Analysis (EPPA) model, a computable general equilibrium model of the economy that has been widely used to study climate change policy. The method makes use of traditional valuation studies, incorporating this information so that estimates of welfare change are consistent with welfare valuation of the consumption of market goods and services. We estimate the benefits of air pollution regulations in USA rose steadily from 1975 to 2000 from $50 billion to $400 billion (from 2.1% to 7.6% of market consumption). Our estimated benefits of regulation are somewhat lower than the original estimates made by the US Environmental Protection Agency, and we trace that result to our development of a stock model of pollutant exposure that predicts that the benefits from reduced chronic air pollution exposure will only be gradually realized. We also estimate the economic burden of uncontrolled levels of air pollution over that period. The uncertainties in these estimates are large which we show through simulations using 95% confidence limits on the epidemiological dose-response relationships     

自动气象站地面温度差值原因分析

基于环境影响评价工作的实际需要,为使环境影响评价工作中污染源强及治理效果的确定更加科学、合理、快捷,开发出了造纸工业污染源强及治理效果数据库。数据库利用VB所编辑而成的前端程序接收用户的输入信息,通过操纵ADO控件进而调用Access的驱动程序,将信息作用于数据库,并反馈给用户。该数据库可以对造纸工业污染源强及治理效果相关内容进行科学的存储、更新、增减、打印输出等操作,并能根据用户的不同需求,对工程的概况、污染物生产情况、治理方法、效果等多项内容进行单条件或组合条件的查询。     

近年朝阳地区大气污染时间变化特征分析

根据2003年朝阳市大气环境监测资料,分析了朝阳地区大气污染的时间变化特征。研究结果表明:由于朝阳市存在工业布局不合理,生产工艺、污染处理设施落后等问题,市区大气污染问题较为突出;朝阳地区低空逆温频率偏高,而且贴地逆温强度相对较强,非贴地逆温平均底高相对较低,使得污染源排放的污染物在逆温层下输送扩散,不利于大气污染物的稀释。     

WRF ARW and CHIMERE models for numerical forecasting of surface ozone concentration

Results of joint calculations with meteorological WRF ARW model and chemistry transport CHIMERE model are considered as a basis of the modern system of the air quality assessment and forecasting. The system was designed in the Russian Hydrometeorological Center and Institute of Applied Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Detailed prognostic information about the atmosphere state provided by the WRF ARW was used in the CHIMERE model for describing the air mass transport processes, chemical transformation, and pollution deposition. Results of retrieval and forecast of surface ozone concentration as one of main air quality indicators are under consideration. Calculations of ozone concentrations for different configurations of a prognostic system differ in resolution of model grid and in the way the boundary conditions are prescribed.     

Present-day problem of engineering hydrological computations on the generalization of hydrological information in Russia and the ways of its solution

The substantiation is given of the need to develop the scientific works on the regular generalization of hydrological characteristics in the Russian Federation by means of the preparation of scientific and applied reference books and/or Territorial Construction Standards on the Determination of Basic Design Hydrological Characteristics on the territory of responsibility of the Territorial Administrations for Hydrometeorological and Environmental Monitoring (TAHEMs) of Roshydromet. The methodology, technical support, and the need in the regular recomputation of maximum design water discharges for operating hydraulic structures are considered. The ways of solution of the major current problem in the field of engineering hydrological computations on the territorial generalization of hydrometeorological information in all TAHEMs and in the State Hydrological Institute are outlined.     

上海城市空气质量预报(日报)业务系统探讨

介绍了由上海市城市环境气象研究中心和上海市环境监测中心合作开发研制的上海城市空气质量预报（日报）系统的整体框架，包括数据资料采集，信息交换，预报制作和产品发布子系统，对用于城市空气污染物指日常预报服务的五种预测模式和方法及精度进行了讨论。     

城市空气污染数值预报系统CAPPS及其应用

城市空气污染数值预报系统CAPPS, 是在ADPIC的概念的基础上经过积分求得的大气平流扩散的多尺度箱格预报模型。它不需要污染源的源强资料就可预报出城市空气污染潜势指数 (PPI) 和污染指数 (API), 克服了由污染源调查本身具有的不确定性给城市空气污染的数值预报所带来的困难。该文对CAPPS系统在北京市和上海市进行数值预报的结果进行了分析检验, 并与国际上几种光化学污染预报模式的预报结果进行比较。结果表明, 就预报值与监测值的线性相关系数来说, CAPPS系统的预报水平与其他发达国家的模式预报水平相当。此外, CAPPS系统的污染指数等级预报准确率 (北京市和上海市) 平均达到61.5%。     

2014年邯郸大气环境特征及气象条件影响因子分析

利用2013—2014年邯郸市环境监测站环保资料、邯郸气象站地面观测资料及邢台站探空资料,分析了邯郸大气环境特征及影响污染物扩散的气象条件,结果表明：空气重污染主要发生在秋冬季和初春季节;2014年影响污染物扩散的气象条件与2013年的大体相当,但2014年邯郸重污染日数减少,达标日数增加,污染物浓度较2013年的下降,重污染天气持续时间较2013年的明显减少,表明邯郸市实施的一系列减排措施效果明显。     

Ozone content over the Russian federation in the first quarter of 2011

The review is compiled based on the results of the operation of the total ozone (TO) monitoring in the CIS and Baltic countries functioning in the operational regime at the Central Aerological Observatory (CAO). The monitoring system uses the data from the national network with M-124 filter ozonometers under methodological supervision of the Main Geophysical Observatory. The quality of functioning of the entire system is under operational control based on observations obtained from the OMI satellite equipment (NASA, the United States). The basic TO observation data for each month of the first quarter of 2011 and for the quarter as a whole are generalized. Preliminary estimates of a large ozone anomaly in the Russian Arctic region are under consideration. The information about the surface ozone observations in the central Russian region is also considered.     

天气形势对南昌市空气质量影响的初步分析

利用2007--2010年南昌市空气污染监测资料以及气象观测资料,分析了空气质量与天气形势的关系,以及造成南昌市空气污染的主要天气形势特征。结果表明：（1）南昌市空气污染具有明显的季节性变化特征,冬季污染日出现频次最高,其次是春、秋两季,夏季由于雨水的冲刷稀释作用、热对流作用,极少出现空气污染日。（2）影响南昌市空气质量的地面形势主要分为低压类（倒槽、锋前）和高压类（高压底部、高压后部、弱高压）,而高空系统主要为槽后西北气流以及西南气流的影响。（3）当出现空气污染时,地面至1000hPa近地层逆温非常明显,地面风速弱,基本在3m／s以下,且以偏东风出现频次最高。（4）污染物浓度与霾天气密切相关,霾日的空气质量较差。     

北京城市大气环境污染机理与调控原理

该文主要介绍了科技部国家重点基础研究发展规划项目“首都北京及周边地区大气、水、土环境污染机理及调控原理”大气分项目的研究成果。项目分别于2001年和2003年重点开展了BECAPEX科学试验 (Beijing City Air Pollution Experiment)。BECAPEX试验同步进行城市边界层气象与大气化学观测, 通过卫星遥感、地面观测, 即城市空间和地面以及点与面结合的技术途径, 以揭示北京城市污染“空气穹隆”大气化学结构特征及其变化规律, 为城市环境大气动力-化学模式提供基本科学参数, 给出城市边界层大气物理化学过程综合模型, 为提高城市环境大气物理-化学过程耦合模式的准确性和可靠性提供科学依据。该项目揭示了北京城区和城近郊区城市边界层结构与湍流特征, 城市大气污染垂直结构特征; 发现了城市大气污染空间结构多尺度特征, 其中包括大气污染源影响和城市热岛多尺度特征; 揭示了城市大气重污染过程周边源影响域, 以及北京及周边地区气溶胶影响域和区域气候响应; 提出了北京市典型污染源排放清单; 发展了城市气象模式系统, 包括冠层模式、街谷环流和热力结构以及城市高大建筑群周围风环境数值模拟; 发展了空气质量模式技术, 包括二次气溶胶模拟试验、北京地区SO₂污染的长期模拟及不同类型排放源影响的计算与评估、影响北京地区的沙尘暴输送模拟、区域化学输送模式中NO_x和O₃源示踪法, 城市尺度的大气污染CAPPS模式及统计模型的应用、大气污染及紫外辐射数值预报模式和CMAQ-MOS空气质量预报方法; 改进了美国公共多尺度空气质量预报模式, 建立了CMAQ-MOS区域空气质量动力-统计模型预报模式, 以及发展的源同化技术, 突破了当前空气质量模式技术“瓶颈”, 使模式预报准确率明显提高。     

The ESCOMPTE program: an overview

In this paper, the “Expérience sur Site pour COntraindre les Modèles de Pollution atmosphérique et de Transport d'Emissions” (ESCOMPTE) program is presented. The ESCOMPTE program is used to produce a relevant set of data for testing and evaluating regional pollution models. It includes high-resolution (in space and time) atmospheric emission inventories and field experiments, and covers an area of 120×120 km, centered over the Marseilles-Berre area in the southeast of France during Summer 2001. This region presents a high occurrence of photochemical pollution events, which result from numerous industrial and urban sources of primary pollutants. From the dynamical characteristics of the area, sea-breeze circulation and channeling effects due to terrain features highly influence the location of the pollutant plumes. ESCOMPTE will provide a highly documented framework for dynamics and chemistry studies.Campaign strategies and experimental set up are described. During the planning phase, existing modeling results helped defining the experimental design. The campaign involved surface measurement networks, remote sensing, ship-borne, balloon-borne, and airplane measurements. Mean standard meteorological parameters and turbulent fluxes, ozone, ozone precursors, photochemically active trace gases, and aerosols were measured. Five intensive observation periods (IOPs) were documented using a wide spectrum of instruments, involving aircraft (7) (one of them equipped with a Doppler lidar, the others for in situ meteorological and chemical measurements), constant volume balloons (33), ozone lidars (5), wind profilers (15 sodars and radars), Doppler scanning lidar (1), radiosonde systems (at 4 locations), instrumented ships (2). In addition to the air quality networks from environmental agencies, 15 supplementary ground stations equipped for chemistry and/or meteorology and/or surface flux measurements, were operational. All instruments were calibrated and compared during a Quality Control/Quality Assurance (QC/QA) week, at the very beginning of the campaign.Fifteen days were intensively documented during five IOPs, referenced as 1, 2a, 2b, 3, and 4. High pollution levels were encountered during sea-breeze conditions observed during IOPs 2b and 3, whereas IOPs 2a and 4 corresponded to moderate wind, and channeled plume regimes. In addition, hourly emissions inventories for all IOPs were established to complete data sets and to finalize the ESCOMPTE database (EDB).Two other projects were associated to ESCOMPTE: urban boundary layer (UBL) and tropospheric water vapor content by GPS tomography (GPS/H₂O). They took advantage of the scientific environment provided by ESCOMPTE.     

哈尔滨市冬末逆温、大气稳定度与大气污染概率关系

利用2006～2008年2月逐日地面常规观测资料和高空探测资料以及逐日的污染监测资料,统计分析了哈尔滨市2月风速、逆温和大气稳定度与大气污染的概率关系。分析结果表明：哈尔滨市2月的大气污染主要发生在风速〈3 m/s,污染物浓度随着风速的增大而减小,在一定程度上反映了哈尔滨市2月的污染主要是局地污染物的累积;发生大气污染时一定有逆温出现,但有逆温时不一定就发生大气污染;大气稳定度增加,大气污染概率增大。     

“Pollution Pods”: The merging of art and psychology to engage the public in climate change

Environmental artists have risen to the challenge of communicating the urgency of public action to address environmental problems such as air pollution and climate change. Joining this challenge, the immersive artwork Pollution Pods (PPs) was created through a synthesis of knowledge from the fields of environmental psychology, empirical aesthetics, and activist art. This study summarizes the scientific process in this transdisciplinary project and reports the findings from a questionnaire study (N = 2662) evaluating the effect of the PPs on visitors. Data were collected at the first two exhibitions of the installation, one in a public park in Trondheim, Norway, and one at Somerset House, London, UK. Intentions to act were strong and slightly increased after visiting the art installation. Individual changes in intentions were positively associated with self-reported emotions of sadness, helplessness, and anger and self-reported cognitive assessment their awareness of the environmental consequences of their action, their willingness to take responsibility for their consequences, and belief in the relevance of environmental problems for daily life. Education and age were negatively associated with intentions. Despite favorable intentions, however, taking advantage of an actual behavioral opportunity to track one's climate change emissions behavior after visiting the PPs could not be detected. We conclude that environmental art can be useful for environmental communication and give recommendations for communicators on how to best make use of it. We emphasize the potential benefits of art that encourages personal responsibility and the need for valid behavior measures in environmental psychological research.