Strategic environment assessment (SEA) and ecosystem health are two new ideas on environmental management. On the basis of reviewing some relevant literature, this paper made discussions on the ecological sustainabili...Strategic environment assessment (SEA) and ecosystem health are two new ideas on environmental management. On the basis of reviewing some relevant literature, this paper made discussions on the ecological sustainability target of SEA, the content of ecosystem health as well as the interrelations between SEA and ecosystem health. For a good SEA, its ecological sustainability principles should be provided with distinct content and a general assessment system. A framework for ecosystem health assessment was established according to the content of ecosystem health, and combined into SEA as SEA抯 ecological sustainability target, we can effectively guide decision-makers to make suitable indigenous means and local solutions. , The basic principles and procedure of SEA for ecosystem health are also discussed in the paper.展开更多
Heterotopic pancreas is a congenital anomaly characterized by ectopic pancreatic tissue.Treatment of heterotopic pancreas may include expectant observation,endoscopic resection or surgery.The aim of this report was to...Heterotopic pancreas is a congenital anomaly characterized by ectopic pancreatic tissue.Treatment of heterotopic pancreas may include expectant observation,endoscopic resection or surgery.The aim of this report was to describe the technique of ligation-assisted endoscopic mucosal resection(EMR) for resection of heterotopic pancreas of the stomach.Two patients(both female,mean age 32 years) were referred for management of gastric subepithelial tumors.Endoscopic ultrasound in both disclosed small hypoechoic masses in the mucosa and submucosa.Band ligation-assisted EMR was performed in both cases without complications.Pathology from the resected tumors revealed heterotopic pancreas arising from the submucosa.Margins were free of pancreatic tissue.Ligation-assisted EMR is technically feasible and may be considered for the endoscopic management of heterotopic pancreas.展开更多
AIM:To evaluate the proportion of successful complete cure en-bloc resections of large colorectal polyps achieved by endoscopic mucosal resection(EMR). METHODS:Studies using the EMR technique to resect large colorecta...AIM:To evaluate the proportion of successful complete cure en-bloc resections of large colorectal polyps achieved by endoscopic mucosal resection(EMR). METHODS:Studies using the EMR technique to resect large colorectal polyps were selected.Successful complete cure en-bloc resection was defined as one piece margin-free polyp resection.Articles were searched for in Medline,Pubmed,and the Cochrane Control Trial Registry,among other sources. RESULTS:An initial search identified 2620 reference articles,from which 429 relevant articles were selected and reviewed.Data was extracted from 25 studies(n =5221)which met the inclusion criteria.All the studies used snares to perform EMR.Pooled proportion of en-bloc resections using a random effect model was 62.85%(95%CI:51.50-73.52).The pooled proportion for complete cure en-bloc resections using a random effect model was 58.66%(95%CI:47.14-69.71).With higher patient load(>200 patients),this complete cure en-bloc resection rate improves from 44.19%(95%CI: 24.31-65.09)to 69.17%(95%CI:51.11-84.61). CONCLUSION:EMR is an effective technique for the resection of large colorectal polyps and offers an alternative to surgery.展开更多
Ecological demonstration area (EDA) is an authorized nomination, which should be assessed from several aspects, including ecological, social, environmental, economic ones and so on. It is difficult to advance an exact...Ecological demonstration area (EDA) is an authorized nomination, which should be assessed from several aspects, including ecological, social, environmental, economic ones and so on. It is difficult to advance an exact developing level index of EDA due to its indicator system’s complexity and disequilibrium. In this paper, a framework of indicators was set to evaluate, monitor and examine the comprehensive level of ecological demonstration area (EDA). Fuzzy logic method was used to develop the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation model (FCEM), which could quantitatively reveal the developing degree of EDA. Huiji District of Zhengzhou, Henan Province, one of the 9th group of national EDAs, was taken as a study case. The framework of FCEM for the integrated system included six subsystems, which were social, economic, ecological, rural, urban and accessorial description ones. The research would be valuable in the comprehensive quantitative evaluation of EDA and would work as a guide in the construction practices of Huiji ecological demonstration area.展开更多
Harmful cyanobacterial blooms, especially Microcystis blooms, occur worldwide and draw widespread attention. The dynamics of microcystin-producing Microcystis and competition between microcystin-producing Microcystis ...Harmful cyanobacterial blooms, especially Microcystis blooms, occur worldwide and draw widespread attention. The dynamics of microcystin-producing Microcystis and competition between microcystin-producing Microcystis and non-microcystin-producing Microcystis are key to predicting and treating Microcystis blooms. Multiplex qPCR is a useful tool to assess such issues. In this study, we developed multiplex qPCR methods with newly-designed probes and primers for the microcystin-synthesis related genes mcyA and mcyE. We used seven toxic Microcystis strains and four non-toxic Microcystis strains to compare the differences in the ratios of toxic and non-toxic Microcystis in mixed cultures, which were calculated using abundances of the genes mcyA, mcyB, mcyD, mcy E and phycocyanin( PC). We also compared traditional cell counting and multiplex qPCR. Hierarchical clustering and principal component analysis indicated that mcyD was the most suitable mcy gene for quantification in laboratory experiments. mcyB abundances were always higher; we suggest that the amount of toxic Microcystis measured using mcyB might overestimate the actual percentages.展开更多
Through denoting each expert as an agent and viewing a multiple criteria decision-making as a synthesis problem of aggregating experts' ratings, a multi-agent blind model (MABM) is developed for regional eco-enviro...Through denoting each expert as an agent and viewing a multiple criteria decision-making as a synthesis problem of aggregating experts' ratings, a multi-agent blind model (MABM) is developed for regional eco-environmental quality assessment. In this model, the ratings of the evaluated object under an index, given by expert group, are first utilized to construct a series of blind numbers. In general, each index will correspond to different blind numbers. On the basis of aggregating index weights, the rank score in the form of a blind number is obtained for the evaluated object. Then, by means of calculating expected value of the above blind number, its rank score is further converted into a crisp value. By way of comparing the expected value with classification standards, eco-environmental quality of the evaluated sample could he identified successfully in the end. As a case, the MABM is used to evaluate the eco-environmental quality of Chaohu Lake basin. Study result shows that the MABM is a useful model for regional eco-environmental quality assessment.展开更多
Species in the cyanobacterial genus Merismopedia are present in freshwaters at different trophic levels, with some species even as the components of cyanobacterial blooms. However, species diversity in this genus was ...Species in the cyanobacterial genus Merismopedia are present in freshwaters at different trophic levels, with some species even as the components of cyanobacterial blooms. However, species diversity in this genus was not fully verified by molecular investigation and polyphasic taxonomic studies. In this study, Merismopedia-like strain tenuissima CHAB 7021 was isolated from Ganjiang River in Jiangxi Province, China, and polyphasic characterization of this strain was performed by morphological observation, ultrastructural examination, chemical detection of pigments and phylogenetic analysis based on 16 S rRNA gene sequences. Morphological identification of the strain was supported by the ultrastructural features, as the tiny species Merismopedia tenuissima Lemmermann. The phylogeny based on 16 S rRNA gene sequences revealed at least three clades formed by the strains of Merismopedia. The three M. tenuissima strains including M. tenuissima CHAB 7021 was gathered in clade III with distant relationship to the clade I formed by the six Merismopedia strains including the type species M. punctata, and such a genetic distance may propose Merismopedia tenuissima to separate from Merismopedia genus. However intermixture relationship in between strains of M. punctate and M. glauca in the phylogenetic tree still complicated the taxonomic status in the genus Merismopedia. The process for taxonomic revision in the Merismopedia genus still await for examination and further information on more strains of type species M. punctata.展开更多
Toxic cyanobacteria(TCB) are well-known worldwide for their adverse impacts on humans. Species compositions and seasonal variations of TCB in reservoirs depend on interactions between physical and chemical factors. Th...Toxic cyanobacteria(TCB) are well-known worldwide for their adverse impacts on humans. Species compositions and seasonal variations of TCB in reservoirs depend on interactions between physical and chemical factors. This study was conducted to evaluate the water quality in the Aha Reservoir, Southwest China, focusing on cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins. Water samples were collected weekly or biweekly from May to September of 2015 and used to delineate temporal variations in density and distribution of toxic cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins in the reservoir. Toxic cyanobacteria identified consisted of Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, Pseudanabaena limnetica, Cylindrospermopsis sp., and Microcystis sp., with Aphanizomenon flos-aquae and Pseudanabaena limnetica being the most common and significant toxic genera. The total biomass of cyanobacteria was 17.0 mg/L. Identification and quantification of microcystin variants were conducted by high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) using a system equipped with a photodiode array detector. Microcystin levels were between 0–3.0 μg/L, MC-RR was around 0–3.0 μg/L and MC-LR was approximately 0–0.9 μg/L. Overall, the results of this study indicate that the investigated reservoirs should be monitored regularly to minimize potential health risks to the human population.展开更多
Based on an analysis of our research results and the main problems relating to urban rainwater treatment, we propose a new approach to urban rainwater management in China. The necessity and feasibility of such a new a...Based on an analysis of our research results and the main problems relating to urban rainwater treatment, we propose a new approach to urban rainwater management in China. The necessity and feasibility of such a new approach are discussed. From an ecological point of view all components of the global system, including residents living in cities, have the same right to enjoy rainwater. Therefore, urban rainwater should neither be simply drained as waste water, nor be completely harvested as a kind of resource. The objective of this new approach is to maintain the natural hydrological cycle in urban areas during urbanization. When necessary, it could also be used to regulate the amount of runoff, evaporation and infiltration in a city in order to rehabilitate the hydrological cycle given the local conditions. Three basic principles should be adopted in rainwater management, i.e., separation of rainfall from sewage, limited utilization and small and decentralized facilities. Four methods can be used for urban rainwater management: rainwater harvest, rainwater infiltration, rainwater storage and rainwater pipes. The natural hydrological cycle in urban areas could be rehabilitated through rainwater management, which is of great importance for sustainable development of our cities.展开更多
As part of a comprehensive environmental management system, many countries establish emission control targets for mass emissions of a pollutant. Such targets are often the key objective of an environmental policy, suc...As part of a comprehensive environmental management system, many countries establish emission control targets for mass emissions of a pollutant. Such targets are often the key objective of an environmental policy, such as an emission trading program. In China, however, it is more than just an objective of one particular policy; it has become a concept that has influenced many national environmental policies and activities. The objective of this article is to review the implementation of the total emission control policy in the past 10 years and explore emerging issues in its implementation. The article has three sections: a summary of the implementation experience, issues with the design and implementation of the policy, and policy recommendations.展开更多
Desertification, soil salinization and grassland degradation are the major environmental hazards faced by the Gannan Plateau, northeastern Tibetan Plateau. Ecological risk assessment plays an important role in formula...Desertification, soil salinization and grassland degradation are the major environmental hazards faced by the Gannan Plateau, northeastern Tibetan Plateau. Ecological risk assessment plays an important role in formulating environmental management strategies yet little attention to this region. In this study, we established an ecological risk assessment index system based on 30 evaluation indices in the categories of hydrometeorology, ecological environment, ground surface disturbance, and society and economy for the Gannan Plateau. An entropy method was used to calculate an index weight,and subsequently the matter-element method was used together with extension theory to establish a matter-element extension model of ecological risk. We assessed the ecological risk in this region by calculating the degree of association between index layer, system layer and target layer, and the cumulative ecological risk index. The degrees of ecological risk for the counties of the region were determined by using Arc GIS which would represent a spatial heterogeneity of the risk grade in production. Our results showed that the areas of high ecological risk were in Zhouqu County and Zhuoni County, and others were of low risk(Hezuo City, Diebu County, Xiahe County and Lintan County) or intermediate risk(Maqu County). The results of the assessment were in accord with the actual observed situation. Thus, our ecological risk assessment index system is appropriate for this region and suggests that high risk counties need a priori ecological protection. Such research could provide a technological support which would potentially prevent or reduce disasters by establishing an ecological barrier to promote the sustainable development of Gannan Plateau.展开更多
The increasing occurrence of cyanobacterial blooms in water bodies is a serious threat to the environment. Efficient in-lake treatment methods for the control of cyanobacteria proliferation are needed, their in-vivo d...The increasing occurrence of cyanobacterial blooms in water bodies is a serious threat to the environment. Efficient in-lake treatment methods for the control of cyanobacteria proliferation are needed, their in-vivo detection to obtain a real-time response to their presence, as well as the information about their physiological state after the applied treatment. In-vivo fluorescence measurements of photosynthetic pigments have proved to be effective for quantitative and qualitative detection of phytoplankton in a water environment. In the experiment, chlorophyll and phycocyanin fluorescence sensors were used concurrently to detect stress caused by electrochemical oxidation applying an electrolytic cell equipped with borondoped diamond electrodes on a laboratory culture of cyanobacteria Microcystis aeruginosa PCC 7806. The inflicted injuries were reflected in a clear transient increase in the phycocyanin fluorescence signal(for 104 %? 43%) 24 h after the treatment, which was not the case for the chlorophyll fluorescence signal. In the next 72 h of observation, the fluorescence signals decreased(on 40% of the starting signal) indicating a reduction of cell number, which was confirmed by cell count(24% reduction of the starting concentration) and analysis of extracted chlorophyll and phycocyanin pigment. These results demonstrate the viability of the combined application of two sensors as a useful tool for in-vivo detection of induced stress, providing real-time information needed for the evaluation of the efficiency of the in-lake treatment and decision upon the necessity of its repetition. The electrochemical treatment also resulted in a lower free microcystins concentration compared to control.展开更多
Elevated temperatures as a consequence of global warming have significant impacts on the adaptation and survival of microalgae which are important primary producers in many ecosystems. The impact of temperature on the...Elevated temperatures as a consequence of global warming have significant impacts on the adaptation and survival of microalgae which are important primary producers in many ecosystems. The impact of temperature on the photosynthesis of microalgae is of great interest as the primary production of algal biomass is strongly dependent on the photosynthetic rates in a dynamic environment. Here, we examine the effects of elevated temperature on Chlorella strains originating from different latitudes, namely Antarctic, Arctic, temperate and tropical regions. Chlorophyll fluorescence was used to assess the photosynthetic responses of the microalgae. Rapid light curves(RLCs) and maximum quantum yield( F_v/F_m) were recorded. The results showed that Chlorella originating from different latitudes portrayed different growth trends and photosynthetic performance. The Chlorella genus is eurythermal, with a broad temperature tolerance range, but with strain-specific characteristics. However, there was a large overlap between the tolerance range of the four strains due to their "eurythermal adaptivity". Changes in the photosynthetic parameters indicated temperature stress. The ability of the four strains to reactivate photosynthesis after inhibition of photosynthesis under high temperatures was also studied. The Chlorella strains were shown to recover in terms of photosynthesis and growth(measured as Chl a) when they were returned to their ambient temperatures. Polar strains showed faster recovery in their optimal temperature compared to that under the ambient temperature from which they were isolated.展开更多
The construction of stone terraces to minimise soil erosion is common throughout Guizhou. This technique, however, has high inherent risk. Stone terraces are usually much higher than those with earth risers. While th...The construction of stone terraces to minimise soil erosion is common throughout Guizhou. This technique, however, has high inherent risk. Stone terraces are usually much higher than those with earth risers. While they trap a greater thickness of soil on the slope they increase the risk of slope failures, reduce moisture and nutrient availability to plants, and thin more soil up slope. The stone risers also threaten long-term productivity. When a riser collapses debris is deposited over the terrace below making farming difficult. These breaches in the terrace focus surface runoff leading to gully formation and increased sediment transport down slope. Artificial drainage systems, often used in conjunction with terracing, compound the risk. These channels prevent precipitation from soaking into the soil. This limits groundwater and soil moisture recharge which reduces the availability of water for crops and the length of the growing season. The rapid drainage of water from the slope reduces the time of concentration of the catchment resulting in an increase in flood activity. Floods are caused by smaller rainstorm events. They arrive faster and peak quicker and higher than before the channels were constructed. Engineering solutions to soil erosion must therefore be used in conjunction with, and are not as a substitute for, good land management strategies. Furthermore, despite changes in land use practices, and the application of new technologies, there is a maximum amount of production that can be obtained from this land on a sustainable basis.展开更多
The recent accelerated growth rates or efforts to emulate countries that have achieved a rapid pace of economic growth are widely acclaimed as means to uplift millions from poverty. In so doing, however, this rapid ec...The recent accelerated growth rates or efforts to emulate countries that have achieved a rapid pace of economic growth are widely acclaimed as means to uplift millions from poverty. In so doing, however, this rapid economic growth is most likely to coincide with unsustainable levels of consumption, place excessive pressure on life support systems and terrestrial sinks and foreshorten options for the future. Rather than pursuing the "Environmental Kuznets Curve"(EKC) hypothesis that higher income will bring with it the means to reduce the impacts of greater consumption, ecological economists assert that buying our way out of future scarcity with fast growth is indeed contradictory with sustainabil- ity. To better understand these contradictions and explore potential institutional innovations that may enable developing nations to better confront them (in effect,"tunneling under"the EKC), this article refers to recent experience in the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa). Beginning with a brief comparative summary of major development and environmental indicators, pressures on resources and society in each of the BRICS are discussed, followed by identification of institutional and policy frameworks each country has evolved to confront the challenges of growth and sustainability. The article closes with general conclusions for further research and information sharing among developing nations.展开更多
Ecological footprint (EF) has received considerable attention as a useful indicator in the context of sustainable development. So far, EF has been used in numerous studies by academies, organizations and government au...Ecological footprint (EF) has received considerable attention as a useful indicator in the context of sustainable development. So far, EF has been used in numerous studies by academies, organizations and government authorities. However, the results of these studies failed to be comparable directly with each other due to imprecise data sets, unmodified accounting methods of pasture and fossil energy, ignored secondary products, undefined process of calculating yield factors and improper biocapacity for biodiversity. In this paper, we elaborated on EF estimating methods from six categories of consumption in order to overcome the limitations above. We adopted precise data and revised methods, calculated EF of some secondary products, introduced weighted factor to calculate yield factors and adjusted biocapacity by an appropriate amount. Meanwhile, we investigated the resource consumption of Liaoning Province in 2006 to assess EF. Its results showed that Liaoning Province overused its natural capital and was in an unsustainable state. We concluded that two specific problems that had arisen in EF assessment and gave some suggestions for Liaoning Province to improve its unsustainable state.展开更多
Environmental comprehensive management system, called “the bionic community”, can be established in imitation of biome, which can transform the wastes generated in a certain field into the raw materials of other fie...Environmental comprehensive management system, called “the bionic community”, can be established in imitation of biome, which can transform the wastes generated in a certain field into the raw materials of other field. The establishment of the bionic community includes two aspects, i.e., the matching technique and the management system. The main matching technique is the preparation of composite materials made of various wastes. This new kind of material can be divided into four types: polymer matrix, silicate matrix, metal matrix and carbon matrix(or ceramic matrix). The environmental comprehensive management system is formed by organizing a trans-trades joint-management business entity with the products of composite material made of wastes at the core.展开更多
文摘Strategic environment assessment (SEA) and ecosystem health are two new ideas on environmental management. On the basis of reviewing some relevant literature, this paper made discussions on the ecological sustainability target of SEA, the content of ecosystem health as well as the interrelations between SEA and ecosystem health. For a good SEA, its ecological sustainability principles should be provided with distinct content and a general assessment system. A framework for ecosystem health assessment was established according to the content of ecosystem health, and combined into SEA as SEA抯 ecological sustainability target, we can effectively guide decision-makers to make suitable indigenous means and local solutions. , The basic principles and procedure of SEA for ecosystem health are also discussed in the paper.
文摘Heterotopic pancreas is a congenital anomaly characterized by ectopic pancreatic tissue.Treatment of heterotopic pancreas may include expectant observation,endoscopic resection or surgery.The aim of this report was to describe the technique of ligation-assisted endoscopic mucosal resection(EMR) for resection of heterotopic pancreas of the stomach.Two patients(both female,mean age 32 years) were referred for management of gastric subepithelial tumors.Endoscopic ultrasound in both disclosed small hypoechoic masses in the mucosa and submucosa.Band ligation-assisted EMR was performed in both cases without complications.Pathology from the resected tumors revealed heterotopic pancreas arising from the submucosa.Margins were free of pancreatic tissue.Ligation-assisted EMR is technically feasible and may be considered for the endoscopic management of heterotopic pancreas.
文摘AIM:To evaluate the proportion of successful complete cure en-bloc resections of large colorectal polyps achieved by endoscopic mucosal resection(EMR). METHODS:Studies using the EMR technique to resect large colorectal polyps were selected.Successful complete cure en-bloc resection was defined as one piece margin-free polyp resection.Articles were searched for in Medline,Pubmed,and the Cochrane Control Trial Registry,among other sources. RESULTS:An initial search identified 2620 reference articles,from which 429 relevant articles were selected and reviewed.Data was extracted from 25 studies(n =5221)which met the inclusion criteria.All the studies used snares to perform EMR.Pooled proportion of en-bloc resections using a random effect model was 62.85%(95%CI:51.50-73.52).The pooled proportion for complete cure en-bloc resections using a random effect model was 58.66%(95%CI:47.14-69.71).With higher patient load(>200 patients),this complete cure en-bloc resection rate improves from 44.19%(95%CI: 24.31-65.09)to 69.17%(95%CI:51.11-84.61). CONCLUSION:EMR is an effective technique for the resection of large colorectal polyps and offers an alternative to surgery.
基金U nder the auspices of the M ajor State B asic R esearch D evelopm ent Program of C hina (973 Program ) (N o.2005C B 724205)
文摘Ecological demonstration area (EDA) is an authorized nomination, which should be assessed from several aspects, including ecological, social, environmental, economic ones and so on. It is difficult to advance an exact developing level index of EDA due to its indicator system’s complexity and disequilibrium. In this paper, a framework of indicators was set to evaluate, monitor and examine the comprehensive level of ecological demonstration area (EDA). Fuzzy logic method was used to develop the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation model (FCEM), which could quantitatively reveal the developing degree of EDA. Huiji District of Zhengzhou, Henan Province, one of the 9th group of national EDAs, was taken as a study case. The framework of FCEM for the integrated system included six subsystems, which were social, economic, ecological, rural, urban and accessorial description ones. The research would be valuable in the comprehensive quantitative evaluation of EDA and would work as a guide in the construction practices of Huiji ecological demonstration area.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.31370418,41561144008)the Jiangxi Water Science and Technology Fund(No.KT201602)the State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology(No.2016FBZ07)
文摘Harmful cyanobacterial blooms, especially Microcystis blooms, occur worldwide and draw widespread attention. The dynamics of microcystin-producing Microcystis and competition between microcystin-producing Microcystis and non-microcystin-producing Microcystis are key to predicting and treating Microcystis blooms. Multiplex qPCR is a useful tool to assess such issues. In this study, we developed multiplex qPCR methods with newly-designed probes and primers for the microcystin-synthesis related genes mcyA and mcyE. We used seven toxic Microcystis strains and four non-toxic Microcystis strains to compare the differences in the ratios of toxic and non-toxic Microcystis in mixed cultures, which were calculated using abundances of the genes mcyA, mcyB, mcyD, mcy E and phycocyanin( PC). We also compared traditional cell counting and multiplex qPCR. Hierarchical clustering and principal component analysis indicated that mcyD was the most suitable mcy gene for quantification in laboratory experiments. mcyB abundances were always higher; we suggest that the amount of toxic Microcystis measured using mcyB might overestimate the actual percentages.
基金Under the auspices of the Natural Science Foundation of Anhui Province (No. 050450303 )
文摘Through denoting each expert as an agent and viewing a multiple criteria decision-making as a synthesis problem of aggregating experts' ratings, a multi-agent blind model (MABM) is developed for regional eco-environmental quality assessment. In this model, the ratings of the evaluated object under an index, given by expert group, are first utilized to construct a series of blind numbers. In general, each index will correspond to different blind numbers. On the basis of aggregating index weights, the rank score in the form of a blind number is obtained for the evaluated object. Then, by means of calculating expected value of the above blind number, its rank score is further converted into a crisp value. By way of comparing the expected value with classification standards, eco-environmental quality of the evaluated sample could he identified successfully in the end. As a case, the MABM is used to evaluate the eco-environmental quality of Chaohu Lake basin. Study result shows that the MABM is a useful model for regional eco-environmental quality assessment.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.41561005)the National Key Research and Development Program of China(No.2017YFA0605201)the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangxi Education Agency(No.8870)
文摘Species in the cyanobacterial genus Merismopedia are present in freshwaters at different trophic levels, with some species even as the components of cyanobacterial blooms. However, species diversity in this genus was not fully verified by molecular investigation and polyphasic taxonomic studies. In this study, Merismopedia-like strain tenuissima CHAB 7021 was isolated from Ganjiang River in Jiangxi Province, China, and polyphasic characterization of this strain was performed by morphological observation, ultrastructural examination, chemical detection of pigments and phylogenetic analysis based on 16 S rRNA gene sequences. Morphological identification of the strain was supported by the ultrastructural features, as the tiny species Merismopedia tenuissima Lemmermann. The phylogeny based on 16 S rRNA gene sequences revealed at least three clades formed by the strains of Merismopedia. The three M. tenuissima strains including M. tenuissima CHAB 7021 was gathered in clade III with distant relationship to the clade I formed by the six Merismopedia strains including the type species M. punctata, and such a genetic distance may propose Merismopedia tenuissima to separate from Merismopedia genus. However intermixture relationship in between strains of M. punctate and M. glauca in the phylogenetic tree still complicated the taxonomic status in the genus Merismopedia. The process for taxonomic revision in the Merismopedia genus still await for examination and further information on more strains of type species M. punctata.
基金Supported by the Department of Science and Technology of Guizhou Province(Nos.[2015]2001,[2017]2863,[2018]5805)the Education Department of Guizhou Province(No.KY[2017]032)the Water Resources Department of Guizhou Province(No.KT201401)
文摘Toxic cyanobacteria(TCB) are well-known worldwide for their adverse impacts on humans. Species compositions and seasonal variations of TCB in reservoirs depend on interactions between physical and chemical factors. This study was conducted to evaluate the water quality in the Aha Reservoir, Southwest China, focusing on cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins. Water samples were collected weekly or biweekly from May to September of 2015 and used to delineate temporal variations in density and distribution of toxic cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins in the reservoir. Toxic cyanobacteria identified consisted of Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, Pseudanabaena limnetica, Cylindrospermopsis sp., and Microcystis sp., with Aphanizomenon flos-aquae and Pseudanabaena limnetica being the most common and significant toxic genera. The total biomass of cyanobacteria was 17.0 mg/L. Identification and quantification of microcystin variants were conducted by high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) using a system equipped with a photodiode array detector. Microcystin levels were between 0–3.0 μg/L, MC-RR was around 0–3.0 μg/L and MC-LR was approximately 0–0.9 μg/L. Overall, the results of this study indicate that the investigated reservoirs should be monitored regularly to minimize potential health risks to the human population.
基金Projects 40371113 supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and OF060096Young Foundation of China University of Mining &Technology
文摘Based on an analysis of our research results and the main problems relating to urban rainwater treatment, we propose a new approach to urban rainwater management in China. The necessity and feasibility of such a new approach are discussed. From an ecological point of view all components of the global system, including residents living in cities, have the same right to enjoy rainwater. Therefore, urban rainwater should neither be simply drained as waste water, nor be completely harvested as a kind of resource. The objective of this new approach is to maintain the natural hydrological cycle in urban areas during urbanization. When necessary, it could also be used to regulate the amount of runoff, evaporation and infiltration in a city in order to rehabilitate the hydrological cycle given the local conditions. Three basic principles should be adopted in rainwater management, i.e., separation of rainfall from sewage, limited utilization and small and decentralized facilities. Four methods can be used for urban rainwater management: rainwater harvest, rainwater infiltration, rainwater storage and rainwater pipes. The natural hydrological cycle in urban areas could be rehabilitated through rainwater management, which is of great importance for sustainable development of our cities.
文摘As part of a comprehensive environmental management system, many countries establish emission control targets for mass emissions of a pollutant. Such targets are often the key objective of an environmental policy, such as an emission trading program. In China, however, it is more than just an objective of one particular policy; it has become a concept that has influenced many national environmental policies and activities. The objective of this article is to review the implementation of the total emission control policy in the past 10 years and explore emerging issues in its implementation. The article has three sections: a summary of the implementation experience, issues with the design and implementation of the policy, and policy recommendations.
基金supported by the Soft Science Project of Gansu province(1504ZKCA090-1)the National Natural Science Foundation of china(grant nos.41671516,41701623,51369003)+2 种基金the Foundation for Excellent Youth Scholars of NIEER,CAS,National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.41661144046)supported by the Special Foundation for Gansu Province International Scientific Cooperation(1604WKCA002)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(lzujbky-2015-K10,lzujbky-2016-862516,lzujbky-2017-it90)
文摘Desertification, soil salinization and grassland degradation are the major environmental hazards faced by the Gannan Plateau, northeastern Tibetan Plateau. Ecological risk assessment plays an important role in formulating environmental management strategies yet little attention to this region. In this study, we established an ecological risk assessment index system based on 30 evaluation indices in the categories of hydrometeorology, ecological environment, ground surface disturbance, and society and economy for the Gannan Plateau. An entropy method was used to calculate an index weight,and subsequently the matter-element method was used together with extension theory to establish a matter-element extension model of ecological risk. We assessed the ecological risk in this region by calculating the degree of association between index layer, system layer and target layer, and the cumulative ecological risk index. The degrees of ecological risk for the counties of the region were determined by using Arc GIS which would represent a spatial heterogeneity of the risk grade in production. Our results showed that the areas of high ecological risk were in Zhouqu County and Zhuoni County, and others were of low risk(Hezuo City, Diebu County, Xiahe County and Lintan County) or intermediate risk(Maqu County). The results of the assessment were in accord with the actual observed situation. Thus, our ecological risk assessment index system is appropriate for this region and suggests that high risk counties need a priori ecological protection. Such research could provide a technological support which would potentially prevent or reduce disasters by establishing an ecological barrier to promote the sustainable development of Gannan Plateau.
基金Supported by the ARRS Project L1-5456(Control of Harmful Cyanobacteria Bloom in Fresh-Water Bodies)LIFE+Project:LIFE12 ENV/SI/00083 LIFE Stop CyanoBloom
文摘The increasing occurrence of cyanobacterial blooms in water bodies is a serious threat to the environment. Efficient in-lake treatment methods for the control of cyanobacteria proliferation are needed, their in-vivo detection to obtain a real-time response to their presence, as well as the information about their physiological state after the applied treatment. In-vivo fluorescence measurements of photosynthetic pigments have proved to be effective for quantitative and qualitative detection of phytoplankton in a water environment. In the experiment, chlorophyll and phycocyanin fluorescence sensors were used concurrently to detect stress caused by electrochemical oxidation applying an electrolytic cell equipped with borondoped diamond electrodes on a laboratory culture of cyanobacteria Microcystis aeruginosa PCC 7806. The inflicted injuries were reflected in a clear transient increase in the phycocyanin fluorescence signal(for 104 %? 43%) 24 h after the treatment, which was not the case for the chlorophyll fluorescence signal. In the next 72 h of observation, the fluorescence signals decreased(on 40% of the starting signal) indicating a reduction of cell number, which was confirmed by cell count(24% reduction of the starting concentration) and analysis of extracted chlorophyll and phycocyanin pigment. These results demonstrate the viability of the combined application of two sensors as a useful tool for in-vivo detection of induced stress, providing real-time information needed for the evaluation of the efficiency of the in-lake treatment and decision upon the necessity of its repetition. The electrochemical treatment also resulted in a lower free microcystins concentration compared to control.
基金Supported by the HiCoE Grant(No.IOES-2014H)from the Ministry of Higher Education(MOHE),Malaysiathe University of Malaya Postgraduate Research Fund(No.PG121-2015A)+1 种基金the Knowledge Management Grant(No.RP001O-13SUS)the Antarctic Flagship Project(Nos.FP0712E012,PV002-2015)by the Ministry of Science,Technology&Innovation(MOSTI),Malaysia
文摘Elevated temperatures as a consequence of global warming have significant impacts on the adaptation and survival of microalgae which are important primary producers in many ecosystems. The impact of temperature on the photosynthesis of microalgae is of great interest as the primary production of algal biomass is strongly dependent on the photosynthetic rates in a dynamic environment. Here, we examine the effects of elevated temperature on Chlorella strains originating from different latitudes, namely Antarctic, Arctic, temperate and tropical regions. Chlorophyll fluorescence was used to assess the photosynthetic responses of the microalgae. Rapid light curves(RLCs) and maximum quantum yield( F_v/F_m) were recorded. The results showed that Chlorella originating from different latitudes portrayed different growth trends and photosynthetic performance. The Chlorella genus is eurythermal, with a broad temperature tolerance range, but with strain-specific characteristics. However, there was a large overlap between the tolerance range of the four strains due to their "eurythermal adaptivity". Changes in the photosynthetic parameters indicated temperature stress. The ability of the four strains to reactivate photosynthesis after inhibition of photosynthesis under high temperatures was also studied. The Chlorella strains were shown to recover in terms of photosynthesis and growth(measured as Chl a) when they were returned to their ambient temperatures. Polar strains showed faster recovery in their optimal temperature compared to that under the ambient temperature from which they were isolated.
文摘The construction of stone terraces to minimise soil erosion is common throughout Guizhou. This technique, however, has high inherent risk. Stone terraces are usually much higher than those with earth risers. While they trap a greater thickness of soil on the slope they increase the risk of slope failures, reduce moisture and nutrient availability to plants, and thin more soil up slope. The stone risers also threaten long-term productivity. When a riser collapses debris is deposited over the terrace below making farming difficult. These breaches in the terrace focus surface runoff leading to gully formation and increased sediment transport down slope. Artificial drainage systems, often used in conjunction with terracing, compound the risk. These channels prevent precipitation from soaking into the soil. This limits groundwater and soil moisture recharge which reduces the availability of water for crops and the length of the growing season. The rapid drainage of water from the slope reduces the time of concentration of the catchment resulting in an increase in flood activity. Floods are caused by smaller rainstorm events. They arrive faster and peak quicker and higher than before the channels were constructed. Engineering solutions to soil erosion must therefore be used in conjunction with, and are not as a substitute for, good land management strategies. Furthermore, despite changes in land use practices, and the application of new technologies, there is a maximum amount of production that can be obtained from this land on a sustainable basis.
文摘The recent accelerated growth rates or efforts to emulate countries that have achieved a rapid pace of economic growth are widely acclaimed as means to uplift millions from poverty. In so doing, however, this rapid economic growth is most likely to coincide with unsustainable levels of consumption, place excessive pressure on life support systems and terrestrial sinks and foreshorten options for the future. Rather than pursuing the "Environmental Kuznets Curve"(EKC) hypothesis that higher income will bring with it the means to reduce the impacts of greater consumption, ecological economists assert that buying our way out of future scarcity with fast growth is indeed contradictory with sustainabil- ity. To better understand these contradictions and explore potential institutional innovations that may enable developing nations to better confront them (in effect,"tunneling under"the EKC), this article refers to recent experience in the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa). Beginning with a brief comparative summary of major development and environmental indicators, pressures on resources and society in each of the BRICS are discussed, followed by identification of institutional and policy frameworks each country has evolved to confront the challenges of growth and sustainability. The article closes with general conclusions for further research and information sharing among developing nations.
文摘Ecological footprint (EF) has received considerable attention as a useful indicator in the context of sustainable development. So far, EF has been used in numerous studies by academies, organizations and government authorities. However, the results of these studies failed to be comparable directly with each other due to imprecise data sets, unmodified accounting methods of pasture and fossil energy, ignored secondary products, undefined process of calculating yield factors and improper biocapacity for biodiversity. In this paper, we elaborated on EF estimating methods from six categories of consumption in order to overcome the limitations above. We adopted precise data and revised methods, calculated EF of some secondary products, introduced weighted factor to calculate yield factors and adjusted biocapacity by an appropriate amount. Meanwhile, we investigated the resource consumption of Liaoning Province in 2006 to assess EF. Its results showed that Liaoning Province overused its natural capital and was in an unsustainable state. We concluded that two specific problems that had arisen in EF assessment and gave some suggestions for Liaoning Province to improve its unsustainable state.
基金National Natural Science Foundation ofChina( No.5 9965 0 0 2)
文摘Environmental comprehensive management system, called “the bionic community”, can be established in imitation of biome, which can transform the wastes generated in a certain field into the raw materials of other field. The establishment of the bionic community includes two aspects, i.e., the matching technique and the management system. The main matching technique is the preparation of composite materials made of various wastes. This new kind of material can be divided into four types: polymer matrix, silicate matrix, metal matrix and carbon matrix(or ceramic matrix). The environmental comprehensive management system is formed by organizing a trans-trades joint-management business entity with the products of composite material made of wastes at the core.