Forest energy plantations: an international perspective

Recognition of the limits to fossil fuel reserves and dramatic increases in the prices of many conventional fuel sources have promoted an interest in renewable energy resources. Biomass from forest plantations is recognized as one alternative with potential in many countries. This paper describes the general characteristics of forest energy plantations. The results of an extensive survey of forest energy development projects throughout the world are presented, therein providing an international perspective on the status of energy plantations. The potential contribution of forest energy projects in the developing nations is examined in greater detail.     

雪冰中生物质燃烧记录研究进展

生物质燃烧释放的大量温室气体和烟尘气溶胶能够显著改变大气化学组成、扰动大气环流和水文过程、影响地表辐射平衡,是地球气候和环境过程的主要影响因素之一。生物质燃烧产生的烟尘颗粒等能够随大气环流过程进行迁移输送,在重力作用下或随降水过程沉降到地球表面,成为沉积物地球化学的重要组成部分。雪冰中诸如黑碳、钾离子、左旋葡聚糖等特征标志物记录能够较好地反映区域乃全球尺度的生物质燃烧信息。利用雪冰开展生物质燃烧现代过程和历史记录的研究对系统认识地球气候环境演变过程具有重要意义。从雪冰中可用于开展生物质燃烧记录研究的特征指标、不同地区的研究现状以及生物质燃烧的影响因素等方面综述了近20年来国内外的主要研究成果。并对当前在青藏高原地区利用雪冰开展生物质燃烧记录研究存在的主要问题以及未来研究工作的重点进行了探讨。     

Dynamic implication of biomass energy consumption on economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa: evidence from panel data analysis

The present article examines the dynamic linkages between biomass energy consumption, capital stock, human capital and economic growth across selected Sub-Saharan African countries based on dynamic heterogeneous panels of a mean group (MG) and pooled mean group (PMG) techniques. The finding based on PMG as the preferred method reveals that biomass energy consumption, capital stock and human capital are statistically significant, which means aforementioned variables have positive significant impact on economic growth in the countries studied. When an alternative panel estimation techniques of panel cointegration, dynamic OLS (DOLS) and fully modified OLS (FMOLS) are applied, the result based on panel cointegration technique reveals that biomass energy consumption, capital stock, human capital and economic growth are cointegrated as null hypothesis of most statistics are rejected at 1 % level of significance. The finding based on FMOLS shows that biomass energy consumption, capital stock and human capital positively influences economic growth at 1 % level and same result is obtained from panel OLS. The result based on DOLS however reveals that biomass energy consumption and capital stock are significant at 1 % on economic growth while human capital is insignificant. Considering its positive effect on economic growth with little or no environmental degradation when compared with fossil fuel uses, consumption of biomass energy is more preferable in these countries therefore is the best option to adopt by the policy makers of Sub-Saharan African countries.     

世界能源转型背景下的地质调查工作建议

为应对全球气候变化,以新能源替代化石燃料和核燃料为特征的世界能源转型正快速推进,绿色、低碳、环保成为时代发展的代名词。在这场能源变革中,世界各国由于资源禀赋、能源消费结构、政策法律等方面的差异,应对能源转型的方式、做法也各不相同。英国以页岩气、地热等地下能源资源的利用及其相关基础设施建设和技术开发为重点;美国继续推进页岩气革命,加强天然气水合物预研究,同时强化传统化石能源利用的基础研究;欧盟则主要从整合区内市场、建立能源联盟的角度,增强自身能源安全保障。各国地调机构作为技术支撑力量,多聚焦于非常规能源资源的潜力评价、开发技术研究、关键技术装备研发、水力压裂的环境影响等,支撑服务于各国能源转型。鉴于中国的资源国情,提出以页岩气、天然气水合物、地热资源调查为重点,建世界顶级研发中心,推动非常规油气科技攻关,做好非常规油气开发前期技术储备,同时加强天然气定价机制研究,推动上海建立国际LNG交易中心等建议。     

Energy needs,tasks and resources in the Sahel: Relevance to woodstoves programmes

This article reviews the wood fuels situation in the Sahel and the findings of various needs assessment methodologies, especially as these are relevant to the numerous programmes to introduce improved cooking technologies in the region. Most people in West Africa, especially in poor and rural areas, rely primarily on wood fuels and crop wastes for energy needs, with devastating environmental consequences. Most wood is used in cooking. The quantity of fuel used depends on the type of fireplace, utensils used, how and when food is prepared, food preparation methods, types of fuels, how fuelwood is collected, and special customs surrounding the family fire — all of which are intimately associated with the economic, cultural and social fabric of Sahelian societies. Conventional fuel consumption and resource surveys have yielded useful information about quantitative energy needs in the Sahel, but increasingly sociocultural studies are being used to ensure that stove designs will meet the needs of the end-user. Economic analssis is also necessary to establish the dimensions of wood scarcity, to assess the financial attractiveness to consumers of alternative fuels and stoves, and in evaluating the costs and benefits to society of proposed national woodstoves programmes.     

Fossil fuels: a crisis of resources or effluents?

Most professional geologists are employed to find oil, gas and coal. They work for a society constantly concerned about future supplies of fossil fuels. Yet now the global atmospheric pollution from burning these fuels threatens to harm society sooner than any shortage of resources. Caught amidst the fossil fuel debate, how should geologists respond?     

New perspectives on natural resource development in developing countries

The link between natural resources and economic development is more and more regarded as a fact today even though the whole process of development is only partially understood. The awareness has now spread to the developing countries of the world where resources have yet to be developed to bring about an improvement in standards of living especially for rural populations, as well as a general improvement in the quality of life for the people. Unfortunately many of the resources of these countries are still to be surveyed and development planning is often based on flimsy, inadequate or even unreliable natural resource data. The improvement of data base for resource planning would go a long way to ensure more knowledge about natural resources in developing countries and better use and management of the available resources. There are economic, technological and environmental difficulties to be overcome before more efficient natural resource utilization in these countries could be achieved. The role of population growth in resource realization is still clouded with an inconclusive debate. But even more important is the need for technological assistance and the application of modern technology to food and agriculture and to other resources to ensure a better life for the populations of developing countries. Developments in agriculture will need the greatest attention since it is a primary resource which provides employment for large proportions of the population, food for the rural and urban populations and exportable surpluses required for the purchase of industrial goods for use in the other sectors of the economy. The activities of transnational corporations distort developments in agriculture and mining in many developing countries and many of these countries are today making greater moves to realize full sovereignty over their natural resources as a first step towards more efficient and meaningful planning for economic growth and development. Energy resources, and in particular the development of new and renewable sources of energy, present one of the greatest challenges to developing countries. Examples of the development of rural energy systems in China and India are promising to open the way to alternative forms of energy for the rural masses of other similarly placed developing countries. Finally, new developments in the natural resources debate concerned with the sharing of the resources of the oceans as seen in the Law of the Sea Conference are a pointer to a more equitable approach to the use of global resources for the continued development of the developed as well as the developing countries of the world.The view expressed in this paper are those of the author alone and do not necessarily represent those of the United Nations University.     

冰上丝绸之路与北极油气资源

油气是重要的战略资源。其中天然气作为清洁能源,它曾经是,现在是,在可预期的未来——全球碳减排、中国碳达峰情景下,仍然是最重要的能源资源。能源进口渠道的多元化一直是中国缓解能源紧张的有效措施之一。北极地区油气资源丰富且以天然气为主,已发现的油气资源中绝大多数在俄罗斯,尤其是天然气。但是俄罗斯天然气生产的油气田80%以上已经进入北极圈。2012年,中俄合作开发北极亚马尔液化天然气项目正式启动,标志着中国参与北极油气资源开发利用取得重要进展,也事实上开启了中国主导的"丝绸之路经济带建设"和俄罗斯主导的"欧亚经济联盟建设"对接合作的进程。北极地区已发现的油气资源共计3289.4亿桶油当量,其中石油605.4亿桶（84.1亿吨）油当量,仅为全球已发现石油资源的2.5%;天然气41.4万亿立方米（约合2683亿桶,372.6亿吨油当量）,占全球已发现天然气资源的15.5%。北极地区已发现的油气总资源中绝大多数在俄罗斯,俄罗斯已发现的北极油气资源合计2905亿桶油当量（403.5亿吨）,占88.3%;其中天然气约39.47万亿立方米,约合2557.9亿桶（355.3亿吨）油当量,占北极地区已发现天然气总资源的95%以上。北极待发现的油气资源量也非常可观,约占世界待发现常规石油资源的15%;天然气占世界待发现常规天然气资源的30%,其分布也主要在俄罗斯。随着全球气候变暖和能源战略博弈,俄罗斯为确保其天然气出口及财政来源,必然要加大北极油气、特别是天然气的开采和开发,并通过北极航道运到中国和其他消费国。本文在概括分析北极油气资源分布特点、俄罗斯油气资源与北极战略及北方海航道通行能力的基础上,回顾了北极亚马尔液化天然气项目诞生、发展演变及其国际博弈的背景;概括介绍了中国成功介入北极油气资源项目这一标志性事件过程,并进一步提出了中国对北极油气资源利用战略举措的建议。      

Can well-being between Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) member countries converge?

This study investigates the convergence of well-being between Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) and Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) member countries during the period 1980–2014. The gap in living standard was examined from a steady state represented by the average income of OECD countries. Applying the unit root estimation technique to test for convergence with and without structural breaks, the result shows that; among a total of 43 countries studied, about 14 % are converging towards the average of OECD average. When the shock caused by the economic crisis of 2008 was factored into the analysis, the gains of about five countries out of the six converging disappeared. These results are disturbing owing to the fact that countries in the Asian region that started almost at the same level with SSA have converged to form a convergence club. Therefore, a lot more effort is needed from the government and stake holders in most countries in SSA to improve on the determinants of growth like good health care, quality institutions, better education and commitments to pursue developmental programmes which will boost the income of an average African to acquire better life.     

On-site treatment of textile yarn dyeing effluents using an integrated biological–chemical oxidation process

This paper reports the results of the treatment of a yarn dyeing effluent using an integrated biological–chemical oxidation process. In particular, the biological unit was based on a sequencing batch biofilter granular sludge reactor (SBBGR), while the chemical treatment consisted of an ozonation step. Biological treatment alone was first performed as a reference for comparison. While biological treatment did not produce an effluent for direct discharge, the integrated process assured good treatment results, with satisfactory removal of chemical oxygen demand (up to 89.8 %), total nitrogen (up to 88.2 %), surfactants (up to 90.7 %) and colour (up to 99 %), with an ozone dose of 110 mg of ozone per litre of wastewater. Biomass characterization by fluorescence in situ hybridization has revealed that filamentous bacteria represented about 20 % of biomass (coherently with high sludge volume index values); thanks to its special design, SBBGR guaranteed, however, stable treatment performances and low effluent suspended solids concentrations, while conventional activated sludge systems suffer from sludge bulking and even treatment failure in such a condition. Furthermore, biomass characterization has evidenced the presence of a shortcut nitrification–denitrification process.     

Standing crops of marsh vegetation of two tributaries of Chesapeake Bay

A comparative study of the standing crop of marsh vegetation was made of the Patuxent River and Parker Creek, two tributaries of Chesapeake Bay. The biomass of marsh vegetation in the tidal freshwater and brackish regions of the Patuxent was relatively uniform with regard to salinity, seasonally high concentrations of dissolved nitrogen, and phosphorus and nutrient gradient. Maximum values of biomass occurred in the tidal freshwater and slightly brackish water region of Parker Creek, a system whose nutrient concentrations approximated 20% of those of Patuxent River. Biomass values for the Patuxent River and Parker Creek averaged about 1417 and 895 g m^?2 dry weight, respectively. Estimates of total annual marsh production based on the maximum standing crop was 27×10³ and 519 metric tons, respectively, for the Patuxent River and Parker Creek.     

海洋生物质能研究进展及其发展战略思考

生物质能的研究与开发的目的是解决化石资源短缺和温室气体排放等全球性问题。利用油料作物生产生物柴油和利用淀粉作物生产燃料乙醇是当前生物质能产业化开发的重要内容,其原料来源主要依赖农作物,从而导致了生物质能开发与粮食、耕地和水资源竞争的局面。海洋生物质能的开发和利用为解决上述问题提供了一条可能有效的出路。介绍了海洋生物质能的国内外研究进展,分析了有关国家战略需求和关键科学问题,提出了我国发展海洋生物质能的战略思考和下一步的研究重点。     

Biomass energy consumption and economic growth: panel data evidence from ASEAN member countries

The present study investigates the dynamic impact of biomass energy consumption on economic growth across nine (9) ASEAN economic union member countries for the period of 1980–2011. We applied heterogeneous panel cointegration techniques. The result based on Pedroni panel cointegration test shows that, variables have long-run relationship as the null hypothesis of no cointegration was rejected at 1% and 5% respectively. Kao residual cointegration test also shows the same result as null hypothesis of no cointegration is rejected at 1% level of significance. The main empirical finding based on dynamic OLS, fully modified OLS and panel OLS reveals that; there is a positive and significant relationship between biomass energy consumptions and economic growth in the region. Moreover, the result based on dynamic ordinary least square (DOLS) also shows that; capital stock and human capital have a positive and significant impact on economic growth. Same result is also obtained from fully modified OLS (FMOLS) with the exception of human capital which is insignificant on economic growth. Panel ordinary least square also reconfirmed the finding of DOLS as all the three variables significantly influences economic growth. The policy suggestion remains that, authorities in ASEAN economic union should focus more on encouraging the use of renewable sources of energy, particularly biomass source of energy considering its positive impact on enhancing economic growth with little or no environmental degradation.     

Phosphorus Availability and Salinity Control Productivity and Demography of the Seagrass <Emphasis Type="Italic">Thalassia testudinum</Emphasis> in Florida Bay

Biomass, net primary productivity (NPP), foliar elemental content, and demography of Thalassia testudinum were monitored in populations from five sites across Florida Bay beginning in January 2001. Sites were selected to take advantage of the spatial variability in phosphorus (P) availability and salinity climates across the bay. Aboveground biomass and NPP of T. testudinum were determined five to six times annually. Short-shoot demography, belowground biomass, and belowground NPP were assessed from a single destructive harvest at each site and short-shoot cohorts were estimated from leaf scar counts multiplied by site-specific leaf production rates. Biomass, relative growth rate (RGR), and overall NPP were positively correlated with P availability. Additionally, a positive correlation between P availability and the ratio of photosynthetic to non-photosynthetic biomass suggests that T. testudinum increases allocation to aboveground biomass as P availability increases. Population turnover increased with P availability, evident in positive correlations of recruitment and mortality rates with P availability. Departures from seasonally modeled estimates of RGR were found to be influenced by salinity, which depressed RGR when below 20 psu or above 40 psu. Freshwater management in the headwaters of Florida Bay will alter salinity and nutrient climates. It is becoming clear that such changes will affect T. testudinum, with likely feedbacks on ecosystem structure, function, and habitat quality.     

Production of rhamnolipids by Pseudomonas aeruginosa growing on carbon sources

Arhamnolipid producing bacterium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa was previously isolated from Iranian oil over years. Isolated strain was identified by morphological, biochemical, physiological and 16 sr RNA (1). Glycolipid production by isolated bacterium using sugar beet molasses as a carbon and energy source was investigated. Biosurfactant production was quantified by surface tension reduction, Critical Micelle Dilution (CMD), Emulsification Capacity (EC), and Thin Layer Chromatogeraphy. biosurfactants during growth on waste Dates as the primary carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively. After 48 h of growth the culture supernatant fluid had a rhamnose concentration of 0.18 g/L and surface tension was reduced to 20 mN/m ( %).( reduced the interfacial tension against crude oil from 21 mN/m to 0,47 mN/m) Result from the study showed that the growth of the bacteria using molasses as carbon sources is growth-associated. The specific production rate of rhamnolipid with 2 %, 4 %, 6 %, 8 % and 10 % of molasses are 0.00065; 4.556; 8.94; 8.85; and 9.09. respectively The yield of rhamnolipid per biomass with 2%,4%,6%,8% and 10% molasses are 0.003;0.009;0.053;0.041 and 0.213 respectively. The production of rhamnolipid (0.0531 g rhamnolipid/g biomass) is higher compare to the culture grown in aerobic condition (0.04 g rhamnolipid/g biomass).The rhamnolipids were able to form stable emulsions with n-alkanes, aromatics, crude oil and olive oil. These studies indicate that renewable, relatively inexpensive and easily available resources can be used for important biotechnological processes.     

Forest biomass carbon dynamics (1980–2009) in western Himalaya in the context of REDD+ policy

Carbon emissions from forests have decreased in the past decade due to conservation efforts, however majority of carbon losses suffered in the past went unnoticed until the role of forests in mitigating climate change was realized. Forestry sector in developing countries is recognized as one of the largest and low cost mitigation options to address climate change. The present study was conducted to assess the multi-temporal biomass carbon mitigation in the temperate forests of western Himalaya using satellite (Landsat MSS, TM, ETM+) and forest inventory data. Forest type density mapping was done through on-screen visual interpretation of satellite data. After conducting preliminary survey in 2009, 45 quadrats (0.1 ha) were laid in six forest types for collecting field inventory data viz., diameter at breast height, tree height, slope and aspect. Biomass carbon (t ha^?1) was estimated for different forest types with different crown densities (open with 10–40% crown density and closed with >40%) using recommended regression equations, ratios and factors. A decreasing trend of carbon (145.13–134.87 mt) was observed over the period of time. Temporal biomass carbon dynamics was analyzed for REDD+ opportunities. The temporal variation of carbon observed was found to be more useful for claiming benefits under negative options (deforestation and forest degradation) of REDD+. The study doesn’t take actual conversions to CO₂ into account. However, the findings are useful in establishing baseline emissions through temporal carbon losses. Further, the study helps in identification of location specific socio-economic drivers of losses that can be used for appropriate mitigation interventions.     

Carbon geological utilization and storage in China: current status and perspectives

As an emerging technology with the potential to enable large-scale utilization of fossil fuels in a low-carbon manner, carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) is widely considered to be a strategic technology option to help reduce CO₂ emissions and ensure energy security in China. In principle, CCUS can be divided into three categories, namely chemical utilization, biological utilization and geological utilization. Of the three categories, carbon geological utilization and storage (CGUS) technology has obtained the most attention lately due to its ability to utilize underground resources and conditions, to generate further economic benefits, a feature that distinguishes it from other CO₂ reduction technologies. The CGUS technology related in this paper has various types, each with its own potential, difficulties and characteristics. This paper summarizes China’s research findings on the various types of CGUS technology, analyzes their research status, development potential, early opportunities and long-term contributions and recommends major geological utilization methods to policy makers and investors based on China’s natural resources and industrial characteristics. Besides, this paper analyzes the status, mechanisms and limitations of China’s relations with other countries in this field, as a means to promote research cooperation on an international level.     

Environmental importance of rhamnolipid production from molasses as a carbon source

Rhamnolipid has been known as biosurfactant which is produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in fermentation process. Several carbon sources such as ethanol, glucose, vegetable oil and hydrocarbon have been used to produce rhamnolipid. In this study, we are trying to use molasses which is a waste product from sugar industry as carbon source to produce rhamnolipid. The bacterium which was previously isolated from Iranian oil over years Glycolipid production by isolated bacterium using sugar beet molasses as a carbon and energy source was investigated. Result from the study showed that the growth of the bacteria using molasses as carbon sources is growth-associated. The specific production rate of rhamnolipid with 2%, 4%, 6%, 8% and 10% of molasses are 0.00065, 4.556, 8.94, 8.85, and 9.09 respectively. The yield of rhamnolipid per biomass with 2%, 4%, 6%, 8% and 10% molasses are 0.003, 0.009, 0.053, 0.041 and 0.213 respectively. The production of rhamnolipid (0.0531 g. rhamnolipid/g biomass) is higher compare to the culture grown in aerobic condition (0.04 g. rhamnolipid/g biomass). These studies indicate that renewable, relatively inexpensive and easily available resources can be used for important biotechnological processes.     

生物质燃烧颗粒物有机示踪化合物的测定和应用

使用气相色谱-质谱法对2002年7月-2003年7月的北京市大气粗、细颗粒物样品中的左旋葡聚糖等糖类化合物进行了测定。结果表明，左旋葡聚糖主要存在于细颗粒中，可以作为示踪化合物来研究生物质燃烧现象。生物质燃烧对北京市大气颗粒物有较重要的贡献。对应于12％-40％的PM2.5有机碳和10％-33％的PM10有机碳。北京市在2002年10月和11月受到明显的生物质燃烧的影响，可能由于农田秸杆焚烧和秋季落叶焚烧。2003年5月7日颗粒物样品受到直线距离约为1000km以外的内蒙古自治区呼伦贝尔市大兴安岭林区森林大火烟雾的影响。生物质燃烧事件具有突发性，可以长距离传输；生物质作为农村生物燃料的使用其燃烧排放具有经常性和持久性的特征。     

日益发展的垃圾回收业

垃圾中蕴藏着许多可供人类开发利用的物质和能量，回收利用垃圾资源正日益受到世界各国的普遍重视。通过对国外一些国家垃圾回收业发展状况的介绍，提出发展我国垃圾回收业的几点建议。