Environmental Mapping of Potential Habitats for Anthropod Vectors of Trypanosomiasis in Northern Nigeria

This paper presents analysis of a cost effective methodology using remotely sensed data analysed within a geographical systems (GIS) environment for mapping out potential habitats of anthropod vectors responsible for trypanosomiasis in northern Nigeria. These geographical locations are areas with high population of livestock in Nigeria. Animal Trypanosomiasis is considered as an arthropod-borne viral disease which is endemic in about 37 countries of the sub-Saharan Africa and in particular northern Nigeria. This anthropod-borne viral disease remains a threat to both humans and livestock in many communities, and the outbreak of such diseases is shown to relate to fluctuations in the changing climate mostly experienced whenever there are changes in global precipitation which also relates to changes in sea surface temperatures otherwise known as “El Niňo Southern Oscillations” (ENSO). Monthly Satellite imageries in the form of Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) at 250 meters spatial resolution obtained from NASA-MODIS/CMD were subjected to principal component analysis utilizing the standardized principal components within a GIS environment and supplemented with Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data in the analysis. Results from the maps showed that pockets of probable habitats of these anthropod vectors responsible for trypanosomiasis mostly located around forest islands characterized by dry woodland and savanna, and in some cases around gallery forests and few lowland and riverine areas. This study provides baseline information for policy makers in Nigeria and other stakeholders as a cost effective measure for mapping potential habitats for anthropod vectors responsible for trypanosomiasis in Northern Nigeria. Further studies are encouraged so as to clearly understand the magnitude and actual locations of the habitat of this vector and find ways of targeting their locations for minimizing or even eradicating these vectors.

Multisensor Comparisons for Validation of MODIS Vegetation Indices

Vegetation indices （Ⅵ） are one of the standard science products available from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer （MODIS）. Validation of MODIS-Ⅵ products was an important prerequisite to using these variables for global modeling. In this study, validation of the MODIS-Ⅵ products including single-day MODIS, level 2 （gridded） daily MODIS surface reflectance （MOD09）, 16-day composited MODIS （MOD13） was performed utilizing multisensor data from MODIS, Thematic Mapper （TM）, and field radiometer, for a rice-planting region in southern China. The validation approach involved scaling up independent fine-grained datasets, including ground measurement and high spatial resolution imagery, to the coarser MODIS spatial resolutions. The 16-day composited MODIS reflectance and Ⅵ matched well with the ground measurement reflectance and Ⅵ. The Ⅵ of TM and MODIS were lower than the ground Ⅵ. The results demonstrated the accuracy, reliability, and utility of the MODIS-Ⅵ products for the study region.

Estimation of Ecological Water Requirements Based on Habitat Response to Water Level in Huanghe River Delta,China

In recent years,wetland ecological water requirements (EWRs) have been estimated by using hydrological and functional approaches,but those approaches have not yet been integrated for a whole ecosystem.This paper presents a new method for calculating wetland EWRs,which is based on the response of habitats to water level,and determines water level threshold through the functional integrity of habitats.Results show that in the Huanghe (Yellow) River Delta water levels between 5.0 m and 5.5 m are required to maintain the functional integrity of the wetland at a value higher than 0.7.One of the dominant plants in the delta,Phragmites australis,tolerates water level fluctuation of about ± 0.25 m without the change in wetland functional integrity.The minimum,optimum and maximum EWRs for the Huanghe River Delta are 9.42×106 m3,15.56×106 m3 and 24.12×106 m3 with water levels of 5.0 m,5.2 m and 5.5 m,corresponding to functional integrity indices of 0.70,0.84 and 0.72,respectively.A wetland restoration program has been performed,which aims to meet these EWRs in attempt to recover from losses of up to 98% in the delta's former wetland area.

Fabric and Deformation of Omphacite in Dabie Ultra-high-pressure Ecologites

The rheological characters of omphacites in Dabie ultra-high-pressure eclogite have been studied in terms of fabric, dislocation and micro-structures. 1. The eclogite has undergone high-temperature deformation, thus forming omphacite lattice preferred orientation. In addition to creep dislocation, the omphacite ductile deformation may have other mechanisms, such as diffusion creep and grain boundary migration. 2. The main-phase deformation of eclogite is coaxial, but asymmetry strain also exists due to strain partitioning in the Dabie orogenic belt. 3. The twin measured by the universal stage is (100), indicating that omphacite high-T deformation was superimposed by low-T deformation. 4. Subgrain structure is common in omphacite, but the deformation features of the omphacites in the Shuanghe area and Bixiling area are different, the latter being dominated by dynamic recrystallization. 5. The Flinn plots show that the strain of omphacite belongs to the constriction ellipsoid and stretching strain, which is similar to the result of the omphacite fabric analysis.

Spatial Ecology of Translocated and Resident Amur Ratsnakes(Elaphe schrenckii) in Two Mountain Valleys of South Korea

The translocation of snakes has been viewed as a useful tool to augment declining populations and to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts, even though released snakes often exhibit relatively high mortality. We radio-tracked 13 Amur Ratsnakes （Elaphe schrenckii） in the Woraksan National Park in South Korea from July 2008 to May 2009. Two of these snakes were residents, and 11 had been illegally captured in areas remote from the study site and were donated by the park office. During the study period, six of the translocated snakes were lost： two were killed by predators, one died of unknown causes, and the radio signals of three of the snakes were lost. In the field, the ratsnakes laid eggs in early August, moved into hibemacula in late November, and moved away from the hibemacula in mid-April. Compared to the resident snakes, five of the translocated snakes traveled approximately 1.3 times farther per week, and the home ranges of the translocated snakes were three to six times larger than those of the resident snakes. In addition, the translocated snakes were found underground more frequently than the resident snakes. The management recommendations resulting from this study will guide biologists and land use managers in making appropriate decisions regarding release sites and the use of gravid females in the translocation of this endangered ratsnake.

Environmental Data Acquisition, Elaboration and Integration： Preliminary Application to a Vulnerable Mountain Landscape and Village （Novalesa, NW Italy）

Climate conditions play a crucial role in the survival of mountain communities, whose survival already critically depends on socioeconomic factors. In the case of montane areas that are prone to natural haz-ards, such as alpine slope failure and debris flows, climatic factors exert a major influence that should be considered when creating appropriate sustainable scenarios. In fact, it has been shown that climate change alters the availability of ecosystem services （ES）, thus increasing the risks of declining soil fertility and reduced water availability, as well as the loss of grassland, potential shifts in regulatory services （e.g., protection from natural hazards）, and cultural services. This study offers a preliminary discussion on a case study of a region in the Italian Alps that is experiencing increased extreme precipitation and erosion, and where an isolated and historically resilient community directly depends on a natural resource econ- omy. Preliminary results show that economic factors have influenced past population trends of the Novalesa community in the Piemonte Region in northwest Italy. However, the increasing number of rock fall and debris flow events, which are triggered by meteo-climatic factors, may further influence the livelihood and weflbeing of this community, and of other similar communities around the world, Therefore, environmental monitoring and data analysis will be important means of detecting trends in landscape and climate change and choosing appropriate planning options. Such analysis, in turn, would ensure the survival of about 10% of the global population, and would also represent a possibility for future economic development in critical areas prone to poverty conditions.

A new design of groundwater sampling device and its application

Compounds in the atmosphere contaminate samples of groundwater. An inexpensive and simple method for collecting groundwater samples is developed to prevent contamination when the background concentration of contaminants is high. This new design of groundwater sampling device involves a glass sampling bottle with a Teflon-lined valve at each end. A cleaned and dried sampling bottle was connected to a low flow-rate peristaltic pump with Teflon tubing and was filled with water. No headspace volume was remained in the sampling bottle. The sample bottle was then packed in a PVC bag to prevent the target component from infiltrating into the water sample through the valves. In this study, groundwater was sampled at six wells using both the conventional method and the improved method. The analysis of trichlorofluoromethane（ CFC-11 ） concentrations at these six wells indicates that all the groundwater samples obtained by the conventional sampling method were contaminated by CFC-11 from the atmosphere. The improved sampling method greatly eliminated the problems of contamination, preservation and quantitative analysis of natural water.

Spatial Assessment of Flood Vulnerability in Aba Urban Using Geographic Information System Technology and Rainfall Information

This study investigated the relationship between topographic information and trends in rainfall in Aba urban, South Eastern Nigeria. GIS data were applied to generate topographical information on?runoff characteristics, the slope, the contour, the aspect and the digital elevation model. The Mann-Kendall Trend was applied to the rainfall data to show if a monotonic increase, decrease or stability trend exist for the rainfall data of Aba metropolis for the period 2000-2010. Results showed that virtually all parts of Aba were liable to floods expect Ogbor hill axis. The flood vulnerability map indicated that 71.65% of the study area was vulnerable to flood. Rainfall trend showed a decrease in six out of the ten year period. Since within this period, flood intensity had generally remained the same, we concluded that topography, poor drainage infrastructure and non-compliance with building, planning and environmental regulations rather than rainfall trend were the key cause of flood problem in the study area.

Anthropogenic ^(129)I in seawaters along the north-central part of the English Channel:Levels and tracer applications

The English Channel(the Channel)represents a major sink and transport pathway of anthropogenic radioactive ^(129)I.Despite this important role,data concerning the distribution of ^(129)I in seawater of the Channel are scarce,and most of existing data are restricted to the eastern part of the Channel.The advection and dispersion of ^(129)I from the French coast toward the central and further the English coast,especially in the Channel west of Cap de La Hague,are not fully investigated.We present results of iodine isotopes( ^(127)I and ^(129)I)analyses of surface water samples collected along the central English Channel in October,2010.The data show high ^(129)I concentrations between Dover Strait and La Hague,followed by a dramatic drop towards the Celtic Sea and reveal the dispersal of ^(129)I towards central and northern part of the Channel.Our observation also implies that the entire British coast is contaminated by ^(129)I. ^(129)I levels in the westernmost English Channel,close to the English coast,may reflect combined influences from La Hague and Sellafield.Evolution of ^(129)I between 2005 and 2010 suggests a strong link to temporal marine discharges from La Hague plant.The discharges from the nuclear reprocessing facility have continued since 2010 and thus an ecological evaluation of ^(129)I radioactive hazards in the environment of the Channel may be needed.

Electroactivity of the magnetotactic bacteria Magnetospirillum magneticum AMB-1 and Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense MSR-1

Magnetotactic bacteria reside in sediments and stratified water columns.They are named after their ability to synthesize internal magnetic particles that allow them to align and swim along the Earth’s magnetic field lines.Here,we show that two magnetotactic species,Magnetospirillum magneticum strain AMB-1 and Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense strain MSR-1,are electroactive.Both M.magneticum and M.gryphiswaldense were able to generate current in microbial fuel cells with maximum power densities of 27 and 11μW/m^(2),respectively.In the presence of the electron shuttle resazurin both species were able to reduce the crystalline iron oxide hematite(Fe_(2)O_(3)).In addition,M.magneticum could reduce poorly crystalline iron oxide(FeOOH).Our study adds M.magneticum and M.gryphiswaldense to the growing list of known electroactive bacteria,and implies that electroactivity might be common for bacteria within the Magnetospirillum genus.

长江口南岸边滩沉积物重金属污染记录的磁诊断方法

根据长江口南岸边滩南区排污口附近采集的柱样的磁性测量和重金属含量分析 ,探讨了磁性测量方法在沉积物重金属污染记录信息提取方面的应用价值。结果表明 ,磁性参数χARM、χfd% 、χARM/χ和 χARM/SIRM与重金属Cu、Zn、Pb、Cr具有极为相似的垂向变化特征 ,反映了细晶粒亚铁磁性矿物对重金属的吸附作用 ,以及沉积物粒度组成对重金属含量的影响。根据上述相关性 ,建立了利用磁性参数推断重金属含量的线性回归模型。不同柱样基于磁性参数 χARM的层位对比表明 ,不同部位沉积物中的重金属记录可以对比 ,但其含量却存在较大的差异 ,反映了重金属空间分布的复杂性。本项研究表明 ,作为一种辅助手段 ,磁性测量可以在高分辨率的重金属污染研究中发挥重要作用。

雨水滞蓄措施在城区减洪之水文机制及容量研究

针对雨水滞蓄设施在城区减洪之设置方式及容量计算,以就地消减雨洪(On-site Control)及分散配置原则提出设置规划流程与容量计算方式。对于雨水滞蓄措施之减洪机制进行水文分析,并选择台湾台北县汐止地区为算例进行规划。与目前以减少开发增加洪峰量为目的之滞洪设施规划方式相比,本研究提出之规划方式可同时减少开发增加径流峰值与体积,且所需设计容量较少。

山西耕作土壤样品磁性空间分异及其环境意义

本文分析了山西高原土壤耕作层(0-20cm)25个样品的磁性,用GIS空间分析方法,得出土壤磁化率平面分布等值线图和空间三维模型。磁化率空间分布机理如下:首先,强烈的人为影响使土壤中磁性矿物人为来源占有重要地位。第二,土壤磁性矿物以亚铁磁性的磁铁矿和磁赤铁矿为主导。第三,土壤磁化率极值差及其与母质之间的差异均受广泛而较均一的黄土母质的影响。第四,晋西北和晋中等区域出现土壤磁化率高值区域。第五,人为作用强烈影响掩盖了气温、降水等气候因子对土壤磁化率的作用。

Coupling of zero valent iron and biobarriers for remediation of trichloroethylene in groundwater

This study attempted to construct a three series barrier system to treat high concentrations of trichloroethylene （TCE; 500 mg/L） in synthetic groundwater. The system consisted of three reactive barriers using iron fillings as an iron-based barrier in the first column, sugarcane bagasse mixed with anaerobic sludge as an anaerobic barrier in the second column, and a biofilm coated on oxygen carbon inducer releasing material as an aerobic barrier in the third column. In order to evaluate the extent of removal of TCE and its metabolites in the aquifer down gradient of the barrier system, a fourth column filled with sand was applied. Residence time of the system was investigated by a bromide tracer test. The results showed that residence time in the column system of the control set and experimental set were 23.62 and 29.99 days, respectively. The efficiency of the three series barrier system in removing TCE was approximately 84% in which the removal efficiency of TCE by the iron filling barrier, anaerobic barrier and aerobic barrier were 42%, 16% and 25%, respectively. cis-Dichloroethylene （cis-DCE）, vinyl chloride （VC）, ethylene and chloride ions were observed as metabolites following TCE degradation. The presence of chloride ions in the effluent from the column system indicated the degradation of TCE. However, cis-DCE and VC were not fully degraded by the proposed barrier system which suggested that another remediation technology after the barrier treatment such as air sparging and adsorption by activated carbon should be conducted.

Time to integrate“One Health Approach”into nanoplastic research

Large-scale production of plastics began in the 1950s followed by an onset of exponential growth,leading to its current widespread and dominant use.Despite this,no holistic risk assessment has yet been made on the health and environmental impacts of plastics,their degradation products,or their constituent chemicals.Once entering the environment,plastics undergo structural,chemical,and functional transformations,leading to the creation of microplastics and nanoplastics[1,2,3].Environmental exposure to microplastics and nanoplastics becomes inevitable,causing direct human dietary exposure.

BMP decision support system for evaluating stormwater management alternatives

Prince George’s County,Maryland,in the Washington D.C.metropolitan area has developed a best management practice decision support system(BMPDSS)to support analysis and decision making for stormwater management planning and design at both the site scale and the watershed levels.This paper presents a detailed description of the BMPDSS.A case study that demonstrates the application of the system is also included.The case study involves a Green Highway project located in a highly urbanized area within the Anacostia River watershed of the county.Several best management practices(BMP)such as bioretention,filter vegetative swale,porous paving,and landscape infiltration are proposed for reducing highway runoff and improving water quality.The BMPDSS is used to identify and evaluate various alternatives to determine the most costeffective types and combinations of BMPs that minimize the highway runoff pollution.

Ground peak identification in dense shrub areas using large footprint waveform LiDAR and Landsat images

Large footprint waveform LiDAR data have been widely used to extract tree heights.These heights are typically estimated by subtracting the top height from the ground.Compared to the top height detection,the identification of the ground peak in awaveform is more challenging.This is particularly evident in ground detection in shrubareas,where the reflection of the shrub canopy may significantly overlap with theground reflection.To tackle this problem,a novel method based on Partial Curve-Fitting(PCF)of the shrub peak was developed to detect the ground peak.Resultsindicated that the PCF method improves ground identification by 32-42%,comparedto existing methods.To offer further improvement,a Multi-Algorithm IntegrationClassifier(MAIC)was built to fuse multiple ground peak algorithms and selectivelyapply the best method for each waveform plot.The PCF ground peak identificationmethod along with the MAIC-based fusion is expected to significantly improve grounddetection and shrub height estimation,thus assisting biodiversity,forest succession,and carbon sequestration studies,while offering an early example of future multiplealgorithm integration.

Evaporation and CO_(2)fluxes in a coastal reef:an eddy covariance approach

Introduction:We conducted season-long observations of evaporation and carbon flux at the Gulf of Aqaba coast,northern Red Sea.We used the eddy-covariance method with a two-tower setup to measure evaporation rates over land and sea and the advection between them.Using a three-dimensional mass balance approach,we calculated total evaporation as the sum of two main components in our site:horizontal advection and turbulent vertical flux,with half-hourly change of water vapor storage and horizontal flux divergence found to be negligible.Outcomes:Average evaporation rates were 11.4[mm/day]from April through May(early summer)and 10.5[mm/day]from June through August(summer).The coastal reef was a CO_(2)sink over the period of measurements,significantly higher in June through August than in April through May.The main environmental drivers of CO_(2)flux were humidity,water temperature,sensible heat flux,and wind speed.Discussion:The rates of evaporation near the shore were considerably higher than values reported in other studies typically used to represent the mean for the whole Gulf area.We found that evaporation rates computed by common bulk models approximate the mean values of evaporation but have poor representativeness of the intra-daily temporal variation of evaporation.There was a significant correlation between CO_(2)flux and evaporation attributed to common environmental drivers of gas diffusion,turbulent fluxes,and horizontal transport.Conclusion:We conclude that observations of fluxes in coastal waters need to use at least a two-tower system to account for the effect of horizontal advection on the total flux.