Using CRD method for quantification of groundwater recharge in the Gaza Strip, Palestine

Rainfall is the main source of groundwater recharge in the Gaza Strip area in Palestine. The area is located in the semi-arid zone and there is no source of recharge other than rainfall. Estimation of groundwater recharge from rainfall is not an easy task since it depends on many uncertain parameters. The cumulative rainfall departure (CRD) method, which depends on the water balance principle, was used in this study to estimate the net groundwater recharge from rainfall. This method does not require much data as is the case with other classical recharge estimation methods. The CRD method was carried out using optimisation approach to minimise the root mean square error (RMSE) between the measured and the simulated groundwater head. The results of this method were compared with the results of other recharge estimation methods from literature. It was found that the results of the CRD method are very close to the results of the other methods, but with less data requirements and greater ease of application. Based on the CRD method, the annual amount of groundwater recharge from rainfall in the Gaza Strip is about 43 million m³. An erratum to this article can be found at     

Water soluble components of PM10 Chongqing, China

The concentrations of water soluble ions (Na⁺, NH₄ ⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, NO₃ ^-, Cl^-, and SO ₄ ^2- ) in PM₁₀ samples collected on cellulose filters by a medium-volume cascade impactor were determined, which were obtained from three kinds of areas in Chongqing: industrial area (Jiulongpo district), commercial and residential area (Jiangbei district) and background area (Jinyun Mountain in the Beibei district). The results showed that except for the background site, the annual average values of PM₁₀ are 23% – 61% higher than the national air quality standard (GradeII) (0.1 mg/m³), even that the value of the control site is still 20% higher than American standard (0.05 mg/m³). This implied that serious pollution of fine particles occurred in Chongqing. Nine kinds of soluble ions in water of PM₁₀ were analyzed by ion chromatography (IC) and the annual average concentrations follow the order of [SO ₄ ^2- ] > [NO³ _-] > [Cl^-] > [F^-], and [Ca²⁺] > [NH₄ ⁺] > [K⁺] > [Na⁺] > [Mg²⁺]. Their values were different in these areas: the industrial area > the commercial and living area > the control area. As for NH_{4 +}, K⁺, Ca²⁺, NO₃ ^- and SO ₄ ^2- , their seasonal average concentrations show a similar variation trend: the values in spring and fall were higher than those in summer and winter. The seasonal average concentrations of [Cl^-], [F^-], [Na⁺] and [Mg²⁺] are much lower than those of other ions. However, the concentrations of [Na⁺] changed more greatly in different seasons than those of the other three ions. Correlation coefficients showed that the three areas have been polluted by coal smoke and dust to different extents, while some local resources of pollution should be taken into consideration as well.     

Localization of mining-induced horizontal fractures along rock layer interfaces in overburden: field measurements and prediction

The locations of mining-induced horizontal fractures along rock interfaces in the overburden of Donetsk Coal Basin were identified using an original experimental device. The device traps methane from horizontal fracture zone (100–fold coal seam thickness) over an active longwall mining excavation. Presence or absence of horizontal fractures along rock layer interfaces is correlated with physical characteristics of the overburden, such as thickness, uniaxial compressive strength of overburden rock layers, location of rock layer interfaces and thickness of extracted coal seams. As a result, a combined criterion based on these physical characteristics is proposed to predict the presence of overburden horizontal fracturing in coal mine operations.     

Development of an integrated conceptual model for the rational management of the transboundary Nestos River, Greece

This paper provides a detailed analysis of the geologic, hydrologic and hydrogeologic characteristics of Nestos River basin, which is formed within the Greek mountainous part of the river. The quantitative analysis was mainly based on the data of the river flow in different gauging points across the rivercourse as well as on the data of groundwater discharge from karst springs of the mountainous area while important conclusions were made regarding the hydraulic connection between the surface waters of the river and the groundwater of the karst aquifers of the basin. The qualitative analysis has shown that the quality of both surface waters and groundwaters of the investigated basin is high, whereas, no sources of contamination were indicated during this research. The possible effects of the two large dams of Platanovrisi and Thesavros are also analysed as they strongly affect the quantitative and qualitative regime of the river delta.     

WATER QUALITY STUDIES IN MALAYSIAN DISUSED MAN MADE LAKFS FOR SUITABILITY OF AN AQUACULTURE PROJECT

A study has been conducted on the status of water quality in two disused man made lakes, which have potential for cage aquaculture project. This study highlights the quality of water analyzed with reference to various physical - chemical parameters in two selected lakes and their suitability for fish farming. A number of parameters were measured including the amount of NH3 - N, NO3 - N, NO2 - N and total phosphorus while in - situ measurement including DO, pH, temperature, conductivity, TDS and Secchi disk visibility. Beside the physical -chemical of water, the location, morphometry and climate conditions were also investigated. The chemical data analyzed for six months indicated that Lake A and Lake B are characterized by relatively high DO, slightly neutral pH and low TSS. The concentration of NH3 -N and NO2 -N was very low （0. 058 mg/L and 0. 04 mg/L, respectively） and total phosphorus was usually in low concentration and sometimes would seem negligible. Besides, NO3 - N occurred in slightly higher concentration （1.75 mg/L）. Results obtained indicated that the study site has high potentiality for development of inland fisheries practices.     

"虚拟水"理论及其在中国的实践应用初步研究

“虚拟水”是国际上20世纪90年代初提出来的一个新概念,它主要是指缺水国家通过进口粮食而实现本国的水资源安全。中东和北非地区事实上已经实施了“虚拟水”战略,以保障当地的水资源安全。中国疆域辽阔,水资源分布时空不均衡性明显,通过对2000年中国各省(市)进出口粮食情况的分析发现,中国各省(市)之间已存在“虚拟水”现象,将各省(市)“虚拟水”进出口量与当地的水资源情况进行对比分析,从中可以发现中国各省(市)进出口“虚拟水”有4种表现形式,出现这些表现形式有多方面的原因。     

元江-红河跨境水质环境问题和保护研究

在红河干流不同污染流域,设立5个环境监测断面,同时选定人烟稀少、无工业、自然条件良好的李仙江加禾断面为对照。利用1999～2002年对水质影响大的DO、COD、BOD5、NH 3-N、NO3-N、NO 2-N、Cu、Pb、Cd、T-P、石油类及SS 12项污染物,均在枯、丰、平3个不同水期采样监测,将监测结果做数理统计分析,研究污染物的迁移、转化规律,并得出:出境断面NH 3-N平均含量高达0.18～0.86m gL/,T-P高达0.045～0.315m g/L,SS高达69～3412m gL/,从而提出小流域治理、退耕还林、城市水网改造及控制含磷洗涤剂使用的建议。     

旅游业对石林县区域经济的影响与对策分析

随着西部大开发战略的深入实施,如何全面认识旅游业对西部经济落后地区经济的影响,成为旅游学界关注的热点问题之一。通过对石林县社会经济统计数据的综合分析以及实地调研,证实了旅游业对促进石林县国民经济总量扩大、推动产业结构高级化和带动相关产业发展等方面具有积极作用。同时,针对当前石林旅游内部结构和发展质量中存在的旅游产品单一、景区发展失衡和社区受益不足等主要问题,提出了以推动区域经济总体发展和带动农村居民脱贫作为旅游发展的两大基本任务和实现旅游产业增长模式从数量型向内涵型增长转变的基本思路,以及相应的对策。     

北方农牧交错带退耕还林还草经济政策优化调控

退耕还林还草作为北方农牧交错带生态重建的切入点,在实际操作中也不可避免地存在一定的问题。文章对当前退耕还林还草的社会经济特征、政策安排、协调机制及制约因素进行了分析。提出:区域粮食适度自给定位、部门协调机制创新、产权制度改革、区域产业专业化分工、适度生态移民及建立生态补偿机制为进行政策优化调控的主要途径。