Effect of Mulberry(Morus alba Linn) on Soil and Water Conservation

Rational development and utilization of hilly land is an effective measure for raising land productivity, developing countryside economy, increasing peasants＇ income, conserving soil and water, and improving eco-environment. The growth and root distribution of mulberry trees were studied. Various indexes including soil physical characters and hydrological status, water infiltration rate, water and soil loss and soil erosion amount were tested. The results indicated that mulberry trees had the effects of intercepting rainfall, improving soil infiltration rate, decreasing soil erosion amount, and conserving water and soil

SEDIMENT TRANSPORT IN YALU RIVER ESTUARY

Tidal cycle measurements of tidal currents, salinity and water tempe rature, and suspended sediment concentrations were measured at four stations, to gether with surveys along two profiles short core collection within the Yalu Riv er estuary. Grain size analysis of the three core sediment showed that: 1) the s ediment from B1 to B3 became finer, worse sorting and positively skewed; 2) the diversification of matter origin became more and more evident from east to west; 3) the sediments over the region were of the same origin, as indicated by their similar colors and grain sizes. The data indicated that stratification occurred in the flood season, from upstream to downstream, and a salt wedge was formed. The water column was well mixed, but the longitudinal gradient of the salinity w as larger on spring tide. The results also showed that the dominating mechanism of suspended sediment transport in the Yalu River estuary was T1, T2, T3 and T5. The non-tidal steady advection transport was restricted by the net transport o f suspended sediment induced by mass Stoked drift directed to landwards, then th e net sediment transport rate were decreased and the turbidity maxima was also f avored to forming and extending.

Effects of temperature on keeping-alive without water and antioxidant enzyme of the rock scallop Crassadoma gigantea

Temperature was one of the key factors for the living environment of aquatic organisms, especially for shellfish. The effects of temperature was studied on the survival rate and the median lethal time （LT50） of the rock scallop Crassadoma gigantea, and the effects of temperature stress on the antioxidant enzymes of rock scallop Crassadoma gigantea were studied in order to explore the effects of temperature on keeping-alive without water and antioxidant system of the rock scallop Crassadoma gigantea. The rock scallop Crassadoma gigantea （shell length （39.7± 5） mm） at different temperatures （5℃ and 15℃）, humidity （moisture treatment, not moisturizing treatment） and oxygen （aerobic treatment, not aerobic treatment） in laboratory was studied by the survival analysis and the analysis of factors affecting the effects of the median lethal time （LTso） in order to investigate the effects of temperature on the survival rate and the median lethal time of the rock scallop Crassadoma gigantea. Results showed that low temperature, moisture and aerobic treatment can significantly improve the survival rate and the median lethal time of the rock scallop Crassadoma gigantea （P〈0.05）. The effect of temperature on the survival rate and the median lethal time of the rock scallop Crassadoma gigantea was most significant, followed by the effect of oxygen, and that of humidity was the most weakest. Interaction between temperature and humidity, temperature and oxygen significant interaction（P〉0.05）, and interaction between humidity and oxygen interaction was not significant （P〈0.05） in the interaction of three factors. It provided an important basis for the determination of the rock scallop Crassadoma gigantea in the seedling transportation time. In the article, the rock scallop Crassadoma gigantea larvae antioxidant enzymes activity was detected, including SOD activity,CAT activity ,T-A℃ activity （superoxide dismutase activity, catalase activity, total antioxidant capacity） changes through raising the temperature from the low temperature （5℃, 10℃, 15℃, 20℃, 25℃）, to explore the change of the antioxidant enzymes activity under the influence of temperature on the rock scallop Crassadoma gigantea larvae. The SODactivity was significantly lower than that of the other groups （P〈0.05） at 5℃, and the CAT activity had no significant difference between groups （p=0.05）, and the T - AOC level was the lowest significantly below 15℃, 25℃ （P〈0.05）.The SOD and CAT activity had no significant difference in the same experimental time （P〉0.05）, and the T - AOC activity temperature was significantly higher than the rest of the group （P=〈0.05） when temperature at 10℃ and 20℃. The SOD activity had no significant difference （P〉0.05）between groups at 25℃, and the CAT activity was significantly higher than 5℃ 10℃, 15℃ group （P〈0.05）. The T-AOC activity was only lower than 15℃ group （P〉0.05）. It indicated that the high temperature had a clear inducing effect on the CAT activity in the rock scallop Crassadoma gigantea larvae, and had a significant inhibitory effect on the T-AOC activity. The low temperature had a significant inhibitory effect on the activity of T-AOC in the tissue fluid of the scallop. The above results showed that the high and low temperature had a significant effect on the antioxidant enzymes activity of the rock scallop Crassadoma gigantea larvae.

Freshening of the intermediate water of the South China Sea between the 1960s and the 1980s

Variation in intermediate water salinity in the South China Sea (SCS) between the 1960s and 1980s was studied using historical hydrographic data. The results demonstrate that the water was significantly fresher in the 1980s than in the 1960s, indicating that vertical mixing at intermediate water depth was reduced in the 1980s. This was partially because of the change of the SCS meridional overturning circulation (MOC) connecting local intermediate water with deep water. Data assimilation showed a 0.5Sv (1 Sv=10 6m 3/s) reduction in the strength of the MOC, which is about one third of the mean SCS MOC. Because the SCS MOC is linked to the Pacific Ocean, such an interdecadal variation in the intermediate water SCS may reflect anthropogenic climate change in the world ocean.

Study on numerical simulation of organic pollutant transport in groundwater northwest of Laixi

The construction and hydrogeological area in the low hill, which is northwest of Laixi City and in the east of Shandong Province more precisely, is one of Dagu River's groundwater source. Regarding COD as the typical pollutant according to general situation of groundwater pollution in aforementioned area, a three-dimensional advection-dispersion model was established to simulate the transport of organic pollutants under two accident conditions. In addition, the effect of corresponding dispersity was analyzed. The results show that COD transport is mainly in accordance with the direction of groundwater flow, pollutant concentration and its gradient as well as the rule of narrower pollution range in deeper stratum. Moreover, COD is mainly transported and diffused in groundwater of sandy soil in the first and second layers. However, under accident condition II, the pollutant concentration begins to decay gradually after its transport and diffusion tends to be stable. Besides, in terms of dominance, dispersion is to transverse transport of pollutants what advection is to longitudinal transport. If considering random dispersion, the final results see higher peak concentration of COD and longer transverse distance from pollution center compared to transport route. What's more, the pollution plume changes and concentration isocline becomes slightly irregular.

Applicable conditions for a classification system of aquifer-protective mining in hallow coal seams

Based on the conclusions of domestic and foreign research, we have analyzed the collapse-fall characteristics of overlying strata and the mechanism of aquifer-protective mining in shallow coal seam working faces at the Shendong Mine. We have selected the height of the water-conducting fracture zone in overlying strata as a composite index and established the applicable conditions of aquifer-protective mining in shallow coal seams with a multi-factor synthetic-index classification method. From our calculations and analyses of variance, we used factors such as the overlying strata strength, mining disturbing factors and rock integrity as related factors of the composite index. We have classified the applicable conditions of aquifer-protective mining in shallow coal seams into seven types by comparing the result of the height of water-conducting fractured zones of long-wall and short-wall working faces with the thickness of the bedrock, the thickness of the weathered zone and the size of safety coal-rock pillars. As a result, we propose the preliminary classification system of aquifer-protective mining in shallow coal seams. It can provide a theoretical guidance for safe applications of aquifer-protective mining technology in shallow coal seams under similar conditions.

Contribution of Geographic Information Systems for the Management of Water Resources： Case of Groundwater Resources of the Plain of Mascara （Algeria）

The plain of Mascara includes groundwater resources, heavily exploited for the needs of the population, industry and agriculture. However, this resource is under threat from the point of view of quality and quantity. The degradation of water quality comes from water discharges untreated （domestic and/or industrial） and from the irrational use of fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture. The decrease in reserves is due to the effects of intensive exploitation. Several studies on the water resources of the plain generated a mass of very important data. In most cases, these data are disparate at different institutions managers （water resources, environment, etc.）, and are found recorded in paper documents, difficult to exploit. For this reason, it would be essential to use reliable new techniques, namely the GIS （geographic information systems）. The implementation of the GIS of the plain of Mascara （with extension to all the sub-basin of Wadi Fekan） must permit to organize the data and transform it into information. Integration, crossing and superposition of the data with other variables may contribute to spatial analysis and generate very important thematic maps. The GIS constitutes a very effective decision aid tool for the management, exploitation, preservation and protection of water resources. The exploitation possibilities of GIS are multiple, direct or indirect. We give an example as the coupling with a groundwater flow model that may be the subject of additional work.

Ecosystem of East Calcutta Wetlands as an Example of Environmental Protection in India

The East Calcutta Wetlands （West Bengal, India） receive the urban sewage of Calcutta. Part of the wetlands is also used as a landfill. A sizeable peri-urban population （some resident, some commuting） are engaged in the area in fishing, agriculture, vegetable farming and garbage recycling activities. The importance of the wetlands is that they maintain the food chain and ecological balance, absorb pollution, treat sewage, and sustain fishes. This study of the Wetlands aimed to： [1） identify the local livelihoods based on use of urban wastewater; （2） estimate the value of direct benefits derived by these stakeholders from its use; and （3） estimate the environmental impact of East Calcutta Wetlands on stakeholders. Three main livelihood options using wastewater were identified： fisheries, paddy cultivation and garbage farming. Use of urban wastewater provides significant income for the poor residing in the wetlands. However adverse environmental and health impacts are occurring as urban expansion is allowed without an understanding of how to preserve the ecological, environmental and economic benefits of the sewage-fed aquaculture system. Focused and directed developmental programs must be devised to protect the East Calcutta Wetlands while improving the living standards of the people residing there.

Diurnal Variation in Relative Photosynthetic Performance of Marestail (Hippuris vulgaris Linn.) Across a Water Temperature Gradient using PAM Fluorometry in Jiuzhaigou National Nature Reserve,Sichuan Province,China

This paper reports the first photosynthetic study of marestail in Jiuzhaigou. In this work, we used PAM fluorometry to examine photosynthetic rates of submerged and emerged marestail in three lakes. Three lakes were studied across a gradient of water temperature, with low water temperature conditions in Grass Lake and Arrow Bamboo Lake, and higher water temperature in Five Colored Lake. In the field, electron transport rates （ETRmax） were measured as rapid light curves （RLCs） by in situ yield measurements. Submerged and emerged marestail showed higher photosynthetic activity in Five Colored Lake compared to the other lakes, a response consistent with the adaptation of marestail in Five Colored Lake to high water temperature. The optimal temperature for photosynthesis of submerged marestail in Jiuzhaigou was about 12 ~C. Non- photochemical quenching （NPQ） of submerged and emerged marestail increased with increasing water temperature. Maximum quantum yield （Fv/Fm） of submerged marestail in Five Colored Lake showed full recovery at 170o h due to higher NPQ. Further, the chlorophyll a for submerged marestail was the highestin Grass Lake and the lowest in Five Colored Lake. These results indicate that in different lakes the function of these aquatic plants is associated with a diversity of place-dependent environmental conditions, especially water temperature that leads to pronounced differences in the plant＇s ecophysiological reactions.

Analysis of Coupling between Soil and Water Conservation and Economic-social Development

The coupling relation exists in water and soil conser-vation and economic-social development. The article analyses the relation of soil and water conservation and economic-social development stages as well as the coupling analytical method. Then calculates the expecting income by dispersing Markov decision and calculates the correlation coefficient and the re-lationship degree. The article obtains the relationship of soil and water conservation investments and all kinds of incomes. Finally, it analyzes the important meaning in socio-economic development of water and soil conservation.

Climate Change and Environmental Impact Caused by Anthropogenic

For the last two decades the world has undergone a population explosion which has been accompanied by a speeding up of urbanization and land use for industrial and agricultural products. These involve a vast increase in the discharge of pollutants into very different receiving water bodies, and have had adverse effects on the various components of the environment. For a long time, human has concerned a little of the natural environment. It is obvious that this variation in surface temperature of the earth increases the level of sea due to snowmelt. So climate change is manifested by many phenomena： floods, droughts, fires, tornadoes, cyclones, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, diseases etc.. The statement today is dramatic. Entire regions were devastated and many rivers and lakes have become polluted around the world. Pollution has it nature which is hard to be absorbed. Where did the different pollutants come from？ What are the risks to the aquatic environment？ To prevent and combat the general decline of these ecosystems, it is important to distinguish and determine the effects of different sources of pollution and any changes that may suffer the physical environment. The climate depends primarily on changes in earth orbit parameters, which affect the solar radiation received by the earth surface. Therefore, human participates strongly to these changes, for example, pollution is the main reason to argue the greenhouse effect, an increase of anthropogenic carbon dioxide （CO2） into the atmosphere, which promotes global warming to the planet. These modifications are already applied in order to ensure durable development in water resources by controlling discharges into streams to preserve water resources for future generations and to ensure reconciliation between man-climate and environment.

Use of Magnesium Oxide-cement Binder in Composites Based on Hemp Shives

In this paper, it presented the results of experimental study of utilization of MgO cement as calcium hydrate replacement in lightweight composites based on hemp shives. The results of selected characteristics （compressive strength and coefficient of thermal conductivity） of hardened composites show that MgO cement based on the milled caustic magnesite is suitable alternative in comparison to conventional binders used in hemp concrete. This material leads to new environmentally products as non-load bearing building materials.

The Impact of Financial Distress Status and Corporate Governance Structures on the Level of Voluntary Disclosure Within Annual Reports of Firms （Case Study of Non-financial Firms in Indonesia Over the Period of 2009-2011）

The purpose of this research is to examine the impact of financial distress status and corporate governance structures on the level of voluntary disclosure. We apply six independent variables, including the firm＇s financial distress status and five components of corporate governance structures, such as board independence, audit committee independence, institutional ownership, board meeting frequency, and audit committee meeting frequency. This research is carried out by examining the annual reports of 114 non-financial firms listed at the Indonesian Stock Exchange over the period of 2009-2011. To test hypotheses, we undergo two different analyses, including independent samples t-test and Multiple Linear Regression. We find that： （1） The audit committee independence and the audit committee meeting frequency have significant positive impacts on the level of voluntary disclosure; （2） The financial distress status is negatively related to the level of disclosure at various levels of significance; and （3） All the independent variables are simultaneously related to voluntary disclosure.

Phosphorus Biogeochemical Cycle Research in Mountainous Ecosystems

Phosphorus(P),as a limiting nutrient,plays a crucial role in the mountainous ecosystem development.Its biogeochemical cycle in mountainous ecosystems determines the bioavailability and sustainable supply of P,and thus becomes a crucial process which needs to be fully understood and described for ecological and environmental conservation.However,most of research about P biogeochemical processes has been carried out in aquatic environment and agronomic field,but rare researches have been done in mountain ecosystem.In the present review,we summarize researches on P biogeochemical cycle concerning mountain ecosystem in recent decades,including rock weathering,the release,transformation and bioavailability of P,interactions between the P biological cycle and microbial and plant life,as well as the development of models.Based on the state of art,we propose the future work on this direction,including the integration of all these research,the development of a practical model to understand the P biogeochemical cycle and its bioavailability,and to provide a reference for ecological and environmental conservation of mountainous ecosystems and lowland aquatic systems.

Joint Multifractal Analysis of Scaling Relationships Between Soil Water-Retention Parameters and Soil Texture

Soil water-retention characteristics at measurement scales are generally different from those at application scales, and there is scale disparity between them and soil physical properties. The relationships between two water-retention parameters, the scaling parameter related to the inverse of the air-entry pressure （avG, cm- 1） and the curve shape factor related to soil pore-size distribution （n） of the van Genuchten water-retention equation, and soil texture （sand, silt, and clay contents） were examined at multiple scales. One hundred twenty-eight undisturbed soil samples were collected from a 640-m transect located in Fuxin, China. Soil water-retention curves were measured and the van Genuchten parameters were obtained by curve fitting. The relationships between the two parameters and soil texture at the observed scale and at multiple scales were evaluated using Pearson correlation and joint multifractal analyses, respectively. The results of Pearson correlation analysis showed that the parameter c^vG was significantly correlated with sand, silt, and clay contents at the observed scale. Joint multifractal analyses, however, indicated that the parameter ~vG was not correlated with silt and sand contents at multiple scales. The parameter n was positively correlated with clay content at multiple scales. Sand content was significantly correlated with the parameter n at the observed scale but not at multiple scales. Clay contents were strongly correlated to both water-retention parameters because clay content was relatively low in the soil studied, indicating that water retention was dominated by clay content in the field of this study at all scales. These suggested that multiple-scale analyses were necessary to fully grasp the spatial variability of soil water-retention characteristics.

Recyclable polymer-based nano-hydrous manganese dioxide for highly efficient Tl(I) removal from water

TI（I） in water even at a trace level is fatal to human beings and the ecosystem. Here we fabricated a new polymer-supported nanocomposite （HMO-001） for efficient TI（I） removal by encapsulating nanosized hydrous manganese dioxide （HMO） within a polystyrene cation exchanger （D-001）. The resultant HMO-001 exhibited more preferable removal of TI（I） than D-001 and IRC-748, an iminodiacetic chelating polymer, particularly in the presence of competing Ca（II） ions at greater levels in solution. Such preference was ascribed to the Donnan membrane effect caused by D-001 as well as the specific interaction between TI（I） and HMO. The adsorbed TI（I） was partially oxidized into insoluble TI（III） by HMO at acidic pH, while negligible oxidation was observed at circumneutral pH. The exhausted HMO-001 was amenable to efficient regeneration by binary NaOH-NaC10 solution for at least 10-cycle batch runs without any significant capacity loss. Fixed-bed column test of Tl（I）-contained indus- trial effluent and natural water further validated that TI（I） retention on HMO-001 resulted in a conspicuous concentration drop from 1.3 mg/L to a value lower than 0.14 mg/L （maximum concentration level for industrial effluent regulated by US EPA） and from 1-4 μg/L to a value lower than 0.1 μg/L （drinking water standard regulated by China Health Ministry）, respectively.