Measured and computed neutralization potentials from static tests of diverse rock types

Desert–oasis ecotone is an interactive area between desert and oasis ecosystems which plays an important role in ensuring oasis ecological security and maintaining oasis internal stabilization. The studied region had experienced dramatic landscape change and soil degradation during the 20th century, especially in the last two decades. To document the status and evaluate this degradation process, geostatistics and GIS map algebra were used to quantify the temporal–spatial changes in landscape pattern and soil degradation from 1983 to 2005. The results showed that: (1) the change of landscape pattern due to human activities was the key reason responsible for the increasing of landscape diversity and fragmentation; (2) the extent of soil degradation was higher near desert ecosystem than oasis, and human activities were the major driving forces in ameliorating the soil properties; and (3) soil degradation is weaker in regions of bad soil quality than regions of good soil quality due to both human activities and natural processes.     

黄河上游玛曲湿地退化现状、成因及保护对策

位于黄河上游的玛曲湿地由于地处特殊的地理位置,具有特殊的生态功能,除了蓄水、涵养水源和维持生物多样性外,对调节黄河水量、泥沙量、小气候和维持区域生态平衡、社会经济的可持续发展具有重大意义。但近年来玛曲湿地大面积干涸和萎缩、湿地功能退化现象十分严重,这是自然因素与人为因素综合作用的结果。在对玛曲湿地退化因素深入分析与研究的基础上,提出了相应的保护对策。对于其保护,即要有制度的完善,又要有成熟的治理技术,制度应优先于技术;只有在制度不断完善、法制不断健全和人们思想观念逐渐提高的前提下,再采用先进的、可操作性强的、行之有效的治理技术,经过长期的治理与保护,玛曲持续多年的湿地退化问题才能从根本上得到解决。     

OH-initiated degradation of several hydrocarbons in the atmosphere simulation chamber SAPHIR

Degradation of isoprene, m-xylene, n-octane, propene, and methacrolein by hydroxyl radicals has been studied in the simulation chamber SAPHIR under burden of trace gases as they are typical for the moderately polluted planetary boundary layer. Measured time series of the hydrocarbon mixing ratios and the OH concentrations were used to determine the rate constants. The hydrocarbons were measured with gas chromatography and proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry. OH was measured with the Jülich DOAS (differential optical absorption spectroscopy) instrument. In all cases except methacrolein good agreement was found with the reference rate constants taken from the Master Chemical Mechanism (MCM3.1). The data for methacrolein are consistent with the results of Karl et al. (J. Atmos. Chem 55, 2006, doi:) who reported a 12% smaller value. The degradation of hydrocarbons provides an independent method to analyse precision and accuracy of the OH measurements. A precision of better than 4% over a period of nearly 4 months was found. The accuracy is within the limitations given by the light absorption cross section of OH. Both results are consistent with earlier results by Hausmann et al. (J. Geophys. Res. 102:16011–16022, 1997).     

Lignin degradation products as palaeoenvironmental proxies in the sediments of small lakes

The quantity and quality of lignin phenols (Σ8, Λ, S/V, C/V and (Ad/Al)_v) in the sediments of three small Lobelia lakes with neither inlets nor outlets were investigated and compared with palynological data and lithology of the profiles. The method of alkaline CuO oxidation was used. Substantial differences with respect to sedimentary lignin concentration and provenance recorded along the profiles and among the sites are in good agreement with pollen data describing the dominant type of vegetation and with indices of soil erosion in the lakes’ catchments. This relation shows that the compositions of lignin degradation products in these lakes are closely related to the local environmental conditions. In all the lakes gymnosperm wood is the main source of lignin products; however, each lake is characterized by different S/V index values. Especially good correlations were obtained between pine pollen proportions in sediments and the S/V index. The correlation between the C/V and (Ad/Al)_v indices indicates a higher degradation of organic matter when non-woody tissue is more abundant. This pilot study illustrates the usefulness and potential for a wider application of lignin oxidation products in palaeoecological reconstructions. This kind of data would be of special importance when investigating local presence/absence of woody plants and the role of angiosperms/gymnosperms in local vegetation. Estimates of lignin biodegradation levels, as well as the data on diagenetic processes, may afford supplementary information on possible disturbances in sedimentation.     

20世纪末30 a里全球生态退化状况

 生态退化主要包括陆地生态系统和水域生态系统的退化。陆地生态系统包括农田、森林和草地,水域生态系统包括近海、河流和湖泊。生态系统退化的生态后果主要体现为生产力下降、生物多样性损失以及生态服务功能下降,直观地体现于土地退化、森林毁坏、物种濒危和绝灭以及淡水短缺。借助联合国相关网站上发布的报告,对20世纪末30 a里全球生态退化状况进行综述,旨在促进生态恢复。     

An integrated earthquake damage assessment methodology and its application for two districts in Istanbul, Turkey

This paper presents an integrated, earthquake-damage assessment that standardizes and quantifies methods of analysis. The proposed methodology evaluates all damage-causing phenomena, both individually and in combination. This approach inherently relates to soil-structure interactions by quantifying site-specific geotechnical and structural properties. Specifically considered is ground shaking, the primary damage-causing phenomenon. Also evaluated are the collateral effects of liquefaction, degradation of seismic-bearing capacity and slope failure (landslides). The methodology incorporates a literature-derived probabilistic assessment of damage-causation, and is interpreted and presented as single numbers deemed “Damage Grades.” These damage grades integrate the initial probabilistic evaluation with professional experience and judgment in order to determine potential damage to a particular structure at a particular location. This methodology was applied, with success, to two different locations in Istanbul, Turkey. It should be tested by engineering geologists and geotechnical engineers, for it may be applicable to earthquake-prone areas elsewhere.     

广西桂林大岩洞岩溶洞穴土壤中有机氯农药的分布特征

首次对桂林岩溶区洞穴土壤中有机氯农药的污染状况进行了研究。结果表明,洞穴土壤受到了有机氯农药的轻度污染,其中大气传输对有机氯农药的贡献起主导作用。在17种有机氯农药中,以DDTs、HCHs和氯丹污染为主。在洞穴内部OCP总量为1.19～11.18 ng/g,远低于洞外土壤中的含量(11.41～23.62 ng/g)。在洞内土壤中,HCHs含量高于DDTs,在HCH四种同分异构体中,β-HCH占HCHs的比例远高于其他3种同分异构体。除β-HCH外,其他3种同分异构体的含量分布均匀,可能是由洞穴环境稳定、气候分带等因素造成的。在洞外土壤中,异构体百分比和示踪标志物比值表明周围可能有林丹扣三氯杀螨醇的新近输入。研究区六六六和滴滴涕主要来源于历史上使用的农药的残留。     

Use of geoprocessing in the study of land degradation in urban environments: the case of the city of São Carlos,state of São Paulo,Brazil

This paper presents a methodology for the geological engineering survey of land degradation in urban environments using both remote sensing and geoprocessing tools. The area under study was the city of São Carlos, state of São Paulo, Brazil (urban and expansion area). The data presented here were obtained from earlier studies, photointerpretation and geological engineering mapping. The Envi 4.1 software package was used to prepare the digital orthophotos that served as a reference base for the information. Orthorectification of the Ikonos image (PSM, 1 m) was done and compared with other orthophotos from studies of environmental degradation in urban areas. The evolution of land degradation processes was analyzed based on the photointerpretation of aerial photographs taken on different dates and using Ikonos image. This study allowed to conclude that most of the degradation occurring in the city has been caused by unplanned land occupation, in disregard of environmental conditions, resulting in environmental degradation and thus impacting the quality of life of the urban population.     

Land degradation assessment with the aid of geo‐information techniques

This research integrated selected land degradation indicators (vegetation cover, proportion of drifting sand area, desertification rate, and population pressure) with geo‐information techniques (remote sensing, geographic information system and global positioning system) to assess the severity of land degradation risk. The northern part of Shaanxi province in China was taken as a case study. A computerized land degradation severity assessment was implemented, and ERmapper ver.6.2 and ARC/INFO GIS ver.8.3 environments were used to manage and manipulate thematic data, and to process satellite images and tabular data. Two Landsat TM images in October 1987 and October 1999 were used to produce land use/cover maps of the study area based on the maximum likelihood classification method. These maps were then used to generate land use, land cover change, vegetation degradation and land degradation maps for the study area during the study period, and their corresponding data were integrated into a systematic analysis. Results showed that the overall severity of land degradation in the study area worsened during the study period from 1987 to 1999 with severely, highly and moderately degraded land accounting for 73·8 per cent of the total area. While the area affected by desertification has increased, the rate of desertification has also accelerated to reach 41·5 km² a^?1. Risk of land degradation in the study area has increased, on average, by 39·4 per cent since 1987. Incorporation of both natural and anthropogenic factors in the analysis provided realistic assessment of the risk of desertification. The study area, in general, is exposed to a high risk of land degradation. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Physical modelling of fault scarp degradation under freeze–thaw cycles

Physical modelling has been developed in order to simulate the effects of periglacial erosion processes on the degradation of slopes and scarps. Data from 41 experimental freeze–thaw cycles are presented. They attest to the efficiency of periglacial processes that control both erosion and changes in scarp morphology: (i) cryoexpulsion leads to an increase of scarp surface roughness and modifies significantly the internal structure of the active layer; (ii) combined effects of frost creep and gelifluction lead to slow and gradual downslope displacements of the active layer (0·3 cm/cycle); (iii) debris flows are associated with the most significant changes in scarp morphology and are responsible for the highest rate of scarp erosion; (iv) quantification of the erosion rate gives values close to 1 cm³ cm^?2 for 41 freeze–thaw cycles. These experimental results are consistent with field data acquired along the La Hague fault scarp (Normandy, France) where an erosion rate of 4·6 ± 1 m³ m^?2 per glacial stage has been computed from the volume of natural slope deposits stored during the Weichselian glacial stage. These results show that moist periglacial erosion processes could lead to an underestimation of Plio‐Quaternary deformation in the mid‐latitudes. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.