Does smallholder maize intensification reduce deforestation? Evidence from Zambia

Increasing food production to meet growing demand while reducing tropical deforestation is a critical sustainability challenge. This is especially true in sub-Saharan Africa, which faces serious food insecurity issues and where smallholder farming is the main driver of forest conversion. Competing theories imply opposite predictions as to whether deforestation increases or decreases with smallholder agricultural intensification, which can improve food security by increasing crop yields per area cultivated. This research provides new empirical evidence on the association between deforestation and smallholders’ use of modern inputs, in particular inorganic fertilizer on maize and improved maize seeds, using Zambia as a case study. We analyze this association nationwide in a spatially disaggregated manner at the lowest administrative level using machine learning-based small area estimation, which makes use of detailed nationally representative surveys on smallholder farm households for 2011 and 2014, and census data to statistically predict modern inputs use country-wide for 2011, when average maize yields were 1.28 tons/ha. Then, we evaluate the association between improved maize seed and fertilizer inputs and subsequent deforestation, while controlling for key geospatial covariates. The results support the land-sparing hypothesis, finding that smallholder farmers’ use of improved maize seed is negatively associated with deforestation on non-acidic (pH ≥ 5.5) soils, an effect that is enhanced by complementary inorganic fertilizer use. Fertilizer use on its own, however, is weakly associated with increased deforestation. Sustainable intensification via use of improved seeds on adequately fertile soils and improving soil health appears compatible with reducing both deforestation and food insecurity.     

Optical Spectroscopy of Comet C/2000 WM1 (LINEAR) at the Guillermo Harro Astrophysical Observatory in Mexico

We present a preliminary analysis of medium resolution optical spectra of comet C/2000 WM1 (LINEAR) obtained on 22 November 2001. Theemission lines of the molecules C₂, C₃, CN, NH₂,H₂O⁺ and presumably CO (Asundi and triplet bands) and C₂ ^-were identified in these spectra. By analysing the brightnessdistributions of the C₂, C₃, CN emission lines along theslit of the spectrograph we determined some physical parameters of theseneutrals, such as their lifetimes and expansion velocities inthe coma. The Franck–Condon factors for the CO Asundi bands and C₂ ^- bands were calculated using a Morse potential model.     

Study on changes of plasmalemma permeability and some primary inorganic ions of Antarctic ice microalgae （Chlamydomonas sp. ICE-L） in the low-temperature stress

The changes of plasmalemma permeability and some primary inorganic ions of Antarctic ice microalgae （ Chlamydomonas sp. ICE-L） in the low-temperature stress were examined. The plasmalemma of 1CE-L could maintain the stability at the freezing condition of -6 ℃. That signifies that it could maintain the proper function of plasmalemma and stability of the intracellular environment during sea ice formation. The function of inorganic ions on low-temperature adaptation of ICE-L was investigated by using the X-ray microanalysis method. Low temperature （0 - -6 ℃ ） induces Ca^2 ＋ concentration increment of cytoplasm, but after 24 h the content decrease quickly to normal value. As a matter of fact, Ca^2 ＋ plays an important role as the second messenger in the low temperature adaptation of ICE-L. In addition, low temperature also influences on the other primary inorganic ions transfer and the cell maintains activity by keeping ratio balance among different ions. Above all, it is necessary for Antarctic ice microalgae to survive and breed by maintaining the stability of K^ ＋ content and the balance of Na^ ＋/Cl^ -.     

Detecting subtle hydrochemical anomalies with multivariate statistics: an example from ‘homogeneous’ groundwaters in the Great Artesian Basin,Australia

The major ion composition of Great Artesian Basin groundwater in the lower Namoi River valley is relatively homogeneous in chemical composition. Traditional graphical techniques have been combined with multivariate statistical methods to determine whether subtle differences in the chemical composition of these waters can be delineated. Hierarchical cluster analysis and principal components analysis were successful in delineating minor variations within the groundwaters of the study area that were not visually identified in the graphical techniques applied. Hydrochemical interpretation allowed geochemical processes to be identified in each statistically defined water type and illustrated how these groundwaters differ from one another. Three main geochemical processes were identified in the groundwaters: ion exchange, precipitation, and mixing between waters from different sources. Both statistical methods delineated an anomalous sample suspected of being influenced by magmatic CO₂ input. The use of statistical methods to complement traditional graphical techniques for waters appearing homogeneous is emphasized for all investigations of this type. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The Geochemistry of Lake Joyce, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica

Lake Joyce is one of the least studied lakes of the McMurdo Dry Valleys. Similar to other lakes in this region, Lake Joyce is a closed-basin, permanently ice-covered, meromictic lake. We present here a detailed investigation of major ions, nutrients, and dissolved trace elements for Lake Joyce. Specifically, we investigate the role of iron and manganese oxides and hydrous oxides in trace metal cycling.Lake Joyce is characterized by fresh, oxic waters overlying an anoxic brine, primarily Na–Cl. Surface waters have a maximum nitrate concentration of 26M with a molar dissolved inorganic nitrogen to phosphorus ratio of 477. The supply of nitrogen is attributed to atmospheric deposition, possibly from polar stratospheric clouds. Dissolved phosphorus is scavenged by hydrous iron oxides. The pH is highest (10.15) just beneath the 7-m thick ice cover and decreases to a minimum of 7.29 in the redox transition zone. Dissolved Al exceeds 8M in surface waters, and appears to be controlled by equilibrium with gibbsite. In contrast, concentrations of other trace elements in surface waters are quite low (e.g., 5.4nM Cu, 0.19nM Co, <20pM La). Dissolved Fe, Mn, Ni and Cd were below our detection limits of 13 nM, 1. 8 nM, 4.7 nM and 15pM (respectively) in surface waters. There was a 6-m vertical separation in the onset of Mn and Fe reduction, with dissolved Mn appearing higher in the water column than Fe. Based on thermodynamic calculations, dissolved Mn appears to be controlled by equilibrium with hausmannite (Mn3O4). Co tracks the Mn profile closely, suggesting Co(III) is bound in the lattice of Mn oxides, whereas the Ce profile is similar, yet the Ce anomaly suggests oxidative scavenging of Ce. Release of Cu, Ni, Cd and trivalent REE appears to be controlled by pH-induced desorption from Fe and Mn oxides, although Cu (and perhaps Ni) may be scavenged by organic matter in surface waters.     

苏州市大气PM_(2.5)中水溶性无机离子的源解析及其气象因子分析

为了探明PM_(2.5)中水溶性无机离子的来源和气象因子对其浓度变化的影响,利用2012年2、5、8和11月苏州市PM_(2.5)中水溶性无机离子浓度和本站气象观测数据,分析了苏州市水溶性无机离子的时间变化特征,解析了当地PM_(2.5)中水溶性无机离子的主要来源,探讨了气象因素对离子组分的影响。结果表明:(1)苏州市PM_(2.5)中水溶性无机离子年均浓度大小依次为:SO_4~(2-)NO_3~-NH_4~+Na~+Cl~-K~+Ca~(2+)Mg~(2+)F~-;SO_4~(2-)、NH_4~+和NO_3~-为PM_(2.5)中最重要的3种水溶性无机离子物种,其总和占PM_(2.5)总质量浓度的50.9%。各离子的季节浓度特征均为冬季最高、夏季最低。(2)通过运用主成分分析法对苏州市PM_(2.5)中水溶性无机离子进行来源分类解析,发现第一类为二次污染源和生物质燃烧,其贡献率为32.84;第二类为道路扬尘及工业排放,其贡献率为19.99%;第三类为海盐污染,其贡献率为18.43%。(3)通过水溶性无机离子与气象条件的相关性分析发现,风向、风速和温度与水溶性无机离子浓度的相关性较显著,这三者是颗粒物浓度变化的主要影响因子。(4)利用HYSPLIT后向轨迹模式对外来污染物进入苏州市的轨迹进行聚类分析后发现:因受季风气候影响,苏州市外来污染物的输入路径存在明显的季节性变化特征,其中夏半年输送主径源自海上,冬半年主径源自内陆。     

喜马拉雅山雪冰主要离子的时空变化特征及来源分析

对喜马拉雅山不同地区的3个雪坑和2个浅雪芯及东绒布冰川80.36 m冰芯的主要阴阳离子数据进行了分析.结果表明:主要离子浓度具有显著的季节变化特征,非季风期各主要离子浓度以高值为主,夏季风期离子浓度以低值为主;但Cl-、Na 和K 等也表现出偶然的高浓度事件.东绒布冰川雪坑和达索普浅雪芯的Na 、K 和Cl-的浓度均远高于喜马拉雅山南坡的卓奥友雪坑和Nun Kun浅雪芯的相应值,前者为后者的数倍,表明Na 、K 和Cl-的浓度受地理位置的影响显著.喜马拉雅山南坡卓奥友雪坑的NH4 浓度远高于喜马拉雅山北坡各雪坑、浅雪芯的NH4 浓度,表明喜马拉雅山对NH4 的传播起到了显著的屏障作用,但喜马拉雅山对粉尘来源离子(如Ca2 和Mg2 等)的空间贡献并不是一个有效的屏障.HYSPLIT_4模式模拟的空气轨迹图表明,喜马拉雅山地区冬春季的雪冰主要离子主要是来自南亚的塔尔沙漠以及西亚的干燥少雨的高原地区,或更遥远的北非撒哈拉沙漠,而并非通常认为的中亚和我国西北干旱、半干旱区.     

裙带菜配子体对三种重金属离子毒性耐受力的研究

裙带菜于１９９４年采自威海市俚岛养殖场。１９９５年２月－１９９７年３月,用不同浓度（０,１,１０,１００,１０００μｍｏｌ／Ｌ）的Ｃｕ＾２＋,Ｃｄ＾２＋和Ｚｎ＾２＋处理裙带菜配子体,研究这些重金属对其生长和代谢的影响。结果表明,Ｃｕ＾２＋对裙带菜配子体生长的抑制效应最强：在１μｍｏｌ＋Ｌ时已出现抑制效应,叶绿素含量和光合作用速率明显下降,脯氨酸和丙二醛含量升高;１０μｍｏｌ／Ｌ时,配子体生长几乎停     

南、北极雪、冰、水中的痕量元素离子与水汽化学

应用水汽化学的方法学和理论,研究南,北极雪,冰,水中的Ｚｎ＾２＋等离子,南北,极雪,冰,水中Ｚｎ＾２＋,Ｃｄ＾２＋,Ｐｂ＾２＋,Ｃｕ＾２＋,Ｓｎ＾４＋,Ｂｉ＾３＋离子含量的空间变化很小,与水汽化学原理计算的离子总平均含量Ｚｎ＾２＋,５．０μｇ／Ｌ,Ｐｂ＾２＋＋０．０３０μｇ／Ｌ,Ｃｕ＾２＋＋０．７０μｇ／Ｌ,Ｓｎ＾４＋＋０．９９μｇ／Ｌ,Ｂｉ＾３＋＋０．１８μｇ／Ｌ相一致。南北极Ｚｎ＾２＋等离子处     

Novel green technology for wastewater treatment: Geo-material/geopolymer applications for heavy metal removal from aquatic media

The aim of this paper is to show the concise chemico-physical adsorbent performance of water purification systems utilizing geo-(e.g., allophane, clinoptilolite, and smectite) and bio-polymer materials(e.g.,chitosan or cellulose nanocomposite materials) and to propose an optimal ground-water remediation technique. The performance of geo-materials is evaluated based on the individual sorption and immobilization capacities for various priority substances and pollutants(e.g., lead, zinc, cadmium, c...