Application of <Emphasis Type="Italic">fuzzy logic and data mining</Emphasis> techniques as tools for qualitative interpretation of acid mine drainage processes

In this article, a set of clustering algorithms based on Fuzzy Logic and Data Mining are applied, allowing to obtain data in the form of linguistic rules and charts about the behaviour of the Tinto and Odiel river estuary (SW Spain) affected by Acid Mine Drainage (AMD). In order to provide researchers with no skills on data mining techniques an easy and intuitive interpretation, we have developed a computer tool based on fuzzy logic that allows immediate qualitative analysis of the data contained in a data from the estuary water chemical analyses, and serves as a contrast to functioning models previously proposed with classical statistics.     

基于广义点理论的多基线影像钣金件3D重建与尺寸检测

采用沿CAD模型在影像中投影的外轮廓边缘点统计与最邻近直线广义点平差迭代相结合的方法，实现了钣金件初始方位的2D-3D自动定位。提出利用影像上的直线信息进行广义点平差，并基于多基线影像对工业钣金件进行高精度三维重建和尺寸误差检验，给出了带端点约束条件的多基线影像广义点摄影测量平差模型，并验证了其有效性。     

2005年7月清江流域一次连续暴雨的中尺度分析

利用气象卫星、多普勒雷达及常规气象资料,对2005年7月8～10日清江流域连续暴雨过程进行综合分析。结果表明:(1)高低空急流的优势配置、高空急流右侧强辐散场的存在,副热带高压稳定于我国东南沿海,为此次暴雨提供了有利的大尺度环境背景;(2)雨团滞留和经过区域正是暴雨发生区域;(3)低层垂直风切变可使回波加强而产生强降水;(4)雷达回波中“逆风区”对于暴雨识别及暴雨落区预报具有很好的指示性。     

“050810”苏中局部特大暴雨多普勒天气雷达资料分析

本文分析2005-08-10苏中地区出现局部特大暴雨期间的南通多普勒天气雷达资料，结合天气形势和数值预报产品，给出相似时段、相似天气条件下利用多普勒天气雷达6min图像资料，做好突发性、灾害性天气临近预报服务的注意点。     

SYNTHESIS AND PROPERTIES OF SULFHYDRYL CHITOSAN

A new adsorbent for heavy metal ions, sulfhydryl chitosan (S-chitosan), was produced by treatment of chitosan with sulhydryl acetic acid in the presence of sulfuric acid as a catalyst. Its structure was confrrmed by elemental analysis and FI‘-IR spectra analysis. The adsorption properties of sulthydryl chitosan for Cu(Ⅱ ), Cd(Ⅱ ), Pb(Ⅱ), Cr(Ⅲ) and Ni(Ⅱ) were investigated, and the effect of pH value on adsorption, adsorption kinetics, and selective adsorption was examined. It was shown that S-chitosan has good adsorption for Pb(Ⅱ), Cu(Ⅱ) and Cd(Ⅱ) like chitosan, is also insoluble in acid solution; has good adsorption kinetic properties for heavy metal ions; and can be used in acid solution. The adsorption capacities of S-chitosan can be affected by media acidity. The adsorbed Cu(Ⅱ) Cd(Ⅱ) and Pb(Ⅱ) could be eluted by diluted chlorhydric acid.     

Heavy metal distribution and contamination in soils of Thane–Belapur industrial development area,Mumbai, Western India

There is a growing public concern over the potential accumulation of heavy metals in soil, owing to rapid urban and industrial development in the last decade in India. Therefore, an attempt was made to investigate the pollution caused due to excessive accumulation of heavy metals in soils near Thane–Belapur industrial belt of Mumbai. Soil samples were collected from surrounding industrial areas and were analyzed for toxic/heavy metals by X-ray fluorescence spectrometer. The analytical results indicate that the soils in the study area were enriched with Cu, Cr, Co, Ni and Zn. The concentration ranges were: Cu 3.10–271.2 mg/kg (average 104.6 mg/kg), Cr 177.9–1,039 mg/kg (average 521.3 mg/kg), Co 44.8–101.6 mg/kg (average 68.7 mg/kg), Ni 64.4–537.8 mg/kg (average 183.6 mg/kg) and Zn 96.6–763.2 mg/kg (average 191.3 mg/kg). The visualization of spatial data is made by preparing distribution maps of heavy metal concentration in soils and co-relation diagrams. These results highlight the need for instituting a systematic and continuous monitoring of the study area for heavy metals and other forms of pollution to ensure that pollution does not become a serious problem in future.     

Heavy metals contents on beach and dune sediments from Espinho to Mondego Cape (Portugal)—influence of human activities

Following previous studies on beach and dune sediments from the Espinho–Mondego Cape coastal sector, geochemical studies have been done on the same sediments aiming to unravel the lithological from the anthropogenic geochemical signal. 129 samples have been collected from 45 profiles, in beach and dune sediments. Total Fe, Cu, Pb, Zn, Mn, Cd, Co, Ni, Cr, Ca, Mg and Al concentrations were measured in the fine fractions of the sediments. The absence of relationship between the analysed heavy elements and Al and the exhibition of contents higher than the rocks outcropping in the hinterland, point to an additional source of heavy metals related to human activities. The available data allowed us to consider that inputs from Aveiro lagoon (natural and anthropogenic), Douro River and coastal erosion (by littoral drift or advective currents) are the main sources of heavy metals in this region.     

Natural and anthropogenic influences on the geochemistry of Quaternary lake sediments from Holzmaar, Germany

 The accumulation of heavy metals and trace elements has been investigated in a well laminated sequence of Holocene and late Pleistocene lake sediments composed of diatomaceous gyttja, tuff and silt and clay sediments. Varve chronology of the annually deposited gyttja yielded a continuous high-resolution time sequence and allowed the absolute age dating of the sediment. Fluxes of elements remained largely uniform from the late Pleistocene into the Holocene (12 867–2 364 VT years ago; VT: varve time, years before 1950). Higher trace element and heavy metal fluxes occur from 2 322 to 862 VT years ago and reached their maxima in the uppermost sediments (<845 VT years ago). These increasing element fluxes correlate with increasing inputs of clastic material. The changing accumulation rates are the result of elevated soil erosion in the lake catchment caused by human settlement, deforestation and agricultural activities. Thus disturbances of the natural geochemical cycles of the Holzmaar region have occurred since the beginning of the Iron Age and especially since the beginning of the Middle Ages. Received: 29 May 1996 · Accepted: 19 August 1996     

Prior exposure to Cu contamination influences the outcome of toxicological testing of Fucus serratus embryos

Brown seaweeds are often employed in single species toxicity testing to study the association between the pollutant and the biota in contaminated marine habitats. We have used Fucus serratus (Phaeophyta) from one Cu resistant and one non-resistant population to evaluate the effect of prior exposure to metal pollution on toxicological endpoints. Analysis of comparative toxicity was conducted for embryo rhizoid elongation and adult relative growth rate (RGR). Algae that had previously been exposed to Cu expressed consistently lower levels of sensitivity to Cu than those that had no history of exposure to the pollutant. For both non-resistant and resistant populations rhizoid length was a more sensitive endpoint than adult RGR. While early life history stages of brown algae are generally regarded as being pollution-sensitive and inhibition of spore and embryo rhizoid elongation is frequently used as endpoints in bioassays, the test results may be affected by prior exposure of the parent algae to the pollutant. We conclude that the effect of prior exposure should be considered when comparing endpoints between studies and when selecting material for future testing.     

Biomonitoring of heavy metals and trace organics using the intertidal mussel Perna viridis in Hong Kong coastal waters

This paper presents the results of a 6-year (1998–2003) survey of trace toxics in the intertidal mussel Perna viridis conducted by the Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department. Concentrations of heavy metals and trace organics were measured in the soft bodies of P. viridis collected from five sites in Hong Kong waters, i.e. Wu Kai Sha (Tolo Harbour), Ma Wan (Northwest), Tsim Sha Tsui (Victoria Harbour), Tai Tam (Hong Kong South) and Lamma Island (Southern Waters) in order to establish the spatial patterns of contaminants in mussels. Among the metals analysed, Cd showed a significant concentration gradient in Hong Kong waters. The levels of Cd in P. viridis were significantly higher at Ma Wan as compared to the other sites studied. Ma Wan also had relatively higher concentrations of Pb. Mn concentrations were particularly prominent at Wu Kai Sha. Significantly higher concentrations of Hg and Cu were recorded at Tai Tam and Tsim Sha Tsui. Tai Tam and Wu Kai Sha had higher levels of V; whereas higher Ni concentrations were recorded at Lamma Island and Tai Tam. No clear spatial patterns for Al, As, Cr, Fe and Zn were observed.

Higher concentrations of PAHs in P. viridis were observed around urban centres impacted by sewage discharges (e.g. Tsim Sha Tsui); whereas higher PCB levels were found not only in Tsim Sha Tsui but also in less urbanised areas such as Lamma Island and Tai Tam, suggesting that these may be due to non-sewage related inputs. The study also shows that Northwest and Southern waters are subject to a higher degree of DDT pollution compared with other sites. Of the 17 dioxin compounds analysed, positive data were mostly recorded for two compounds which are of low toxicity (i.e. OCDD and 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDD) whereas the most toxic congeners (i.e. 2,3,7,8-TCDD and 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDD) were not detected in the 6 years of monitoring. In general, the levels of OCDD in P. viridis were found to be higher in Tai Tam and Lamma Island in Southern Waters of Hong Kong.

This study found that the levels of some highly toxic heavy metals (i.e. Cd, Hg and Pb) in the mussel P. viridis did not exceed the recommended limits for shellfish as food in Hong Kong (i.e. Cd: 2.0 ppm; Hg: 0.5 ppm; Pb: 6.0 ppm wet weight). The levels of As and Ni in P. viridis were also well below the action limits set by the US FDA (i.e. As: 86 ppm; Ni: 80 ppm wet weight). DDT and PCB contaminations in P. viridis were below the concentrations of concern. Compared with data obtained in the 1980s, the current levels of DDTs in P. viridis were 4–16 times lower; whereas Pb concentrations recorded in Tsim Sha Tsui have also been lowered significantly. This is mainly related to reduction in local and regional pollution sources in the past 20 years.