Efficiency, Equity and Effect: a case study on virtual water consumption characteristics     

HaiYang Shang  KeGong Chen  ZhongMin Xu  GarlandRenn Sam 《寒旱区科学》2009,1(2):0170-0176

Scarcity of water is the key factor restricting the growth of social economy.The virtual water theory provides a new way to solve the problem of water scarcity.For this paper,we have calculated the virtual water consumption of each household,grouped by income,of Gansu province for 1992-2005.Then we advanced the indicator of virtual water with per-unit-of-consumption expenditure to analyze the efficiency of virtual water consumption.Additionally,we recurred to the diversity theory advanced by Ulanowicz,which is broadly employed by ecologists and biologists,to analyze the characteristics of virtual water consumption.As a result,the virtual water consumption of each group decreased yearly from 1992 to 2005,on the whole;decreasing proceeded slower during the period of 1992-1997 than during 1998-2005.Per-unit-consumption expenditure of virtual water for each group represents the same characteristics,on the whole,as virtual water consumption.The largest variation of this indicator exists in the group of the lowest income,which ranges from 1.58 to 0.18 m3/Yuan.yr;whereas the least exists in the highest income group,which is 0.58 to 0.07 m3/Yuan.yr.The virtual diversity indicator increased year by year,and the change of this indicator in 1992-1997 was more obvious than in 1998-2005.Finally,from this study we find that,in view of virtual water,we can save water by means of changing consumption patterns and increasing consumption diversity,but without degrading the quality of living and reducing the demands of living.When the problem of water scarcity becomes more and more serious in Gansu of China,this suggestion becomes more and more important.The consumption,the role of guiding production produce,is very important.An unsustainable consumption pattern is the main factor causing the deterioration of the world environment,especially in a developing country.The sustainable consumption is the only way to develop human beings and achieve the economical sustainable economics.  相似文献   

Long-term variability in mesopause region temperatures over Fort Collins, Colorado (41°N, 105°W) based on lidar observations from 1990 through 2007     

Chiao-Yao She  David A. Krueger  Rashid Akmaev  Hauke Schmidt  Elsayed Talaat  Sam Yee 《Journal of Atmospheric and Solar》2009,71(14-15):1558-1564

During 1990–2007, there were 894 lidar observations of nocturnal mesopause region temperatures over Fort Collins, Colorado. In an earlier analysis with data to April 1997, an unexpected episodic warming, peaking in 1993 with a maximum value over 10 K, was reported and attributed to the Mount Pinatubo eruption in June 1991. With all data, long-term temperature trends from a 7-parameter linear regression analysis including solar cycle effect and long-term trends leads to a cooling of as much as 6.8 K/decade at 100 km, consistent with some reported observations but larger than model predictions. Including the observed episodic warming response in an 11-parameter nonlinear regression analysis reduces the maximum long-term cooling trends to 1.5 K/decade at 91 km, with magnitude and altitude dependences consistent with the prediction of two models, Spectral Mesosphere/Lower Thermosphere Model (SMLTM) and Hamburg Model of the Neutral and Ionized Atmosphere (HAMMONIA). In addition, the mid-latitude middle-atmospheric response to solar flux variability in Thermosphere–Ionosphere-Energetics and Dynamics (TIMED)/Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry (SABER) temperatures is presented.  相似文献   

Local level climate justice? Adaptation finance and vulnerability reduction     

Sam Barrett 《Global Environmental Change》2013,23(6):1819-1829

Climate change creates a double inequality through the inverse distribution of risk and responsibility. Developed states are responsible, but are forecast to confront only moderate adverse effects; least developed states are not culpable and yet experience significant threats to livelihoods, assets and security. Adaptation finance addresses inequity by developed states facilitating/funding behaviour adjustments necessary for exposed communities to lessen climate risk. This article investigates the ground-level effectiveness of adaptation finance in climate vulnerable villages across Malawi, while controlling for disparities in vulnerability. Malawi and selected districts are both climate vulnerable and significant recipients of adaptation finance. This concludes a larger top–down multi-scalar analysis of climate justice, which applies the distribution and effectiveness of adaptation finance as a proxy. The study avails of participatory assessments to compare actions of villages receiving adaptation finance with those engaging in autonomous and informal adaptations. Adaptation finance villages: (a) address more climate related risks; and (b) enhance agency, security and sustainably lessen climate vulnerability. Conversely, informal practice villages attend to a lower proportion of climate risks and often develop short-term strategies with less enduring vulnerability reduction. Vulnerable communities receiving adaptation finance do change behaviours to reduce climate risk and thus secure local level climate justice.  相似文献   

Simple shear testing for the study of the earthquake response of clay from the Israeli continental slope     

S. Frydman  M. Talesnick  G. Almagor  G. Wiseman 《Marine Georesources & Geotechnology》2013,31(3):143-171

Abstract

A study was carried out to investigate the simple shear behaviour of a clay from the Israeli continental slope, and to consider the relevance of this behaviour to the stability of the slopes during earthquake conditions. Norweigian simple shear apparatus was modified in order to enable both static and cyclic shearing of undisturbed samples taken from the slope.

Static tests performed on virgin samples and on samples which had undergone extensive cycling indicated similar static strengths, despite development of large cyclic shear strains during cycling. This suggests that the stability of the slopes following completion of an earthquake would not be significantly less than it was before the onset of the earthquake; the critical period for instability would be during the earthquake.

The results of the cyclic tests indicated that shear strain development accelerated once the cyclic strain reached the order of 3%. A failure criterion for the clay, relevant to cyclic loading conditions, was developed, based on this strain value, and was incorporated into a cumulative damage type of analysis for earthquake loading, using Miner's rule. This analysis was used to develop a computer program for the stability analysis of the continental slope during any given earthquake.  相似文献   

Deducing the source and composition of rare earth mineralising fluids in carbonatites: insights from isotopic (C,O, <Superscript>87</Superscript>Sr/<Superscript>86</Superscript>Sr) data from Kangankunde,Malawi     

Sam?Broom-FendleyEmail authorView author&#;s OrcID profile  Frances?Wall  Baruch?Spiro  Clemens?V.?Ullmann 《Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology》2017,172(11-12):96

Carbonatites host some of the largest and highest grade rare earth element (REE) deposits but the composition and source of their REE-mineralising fluids remains enigmatic. Using C, O and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr isotope data together with major and trace element compositions for the REE-rich Kangankunde carbonatite (Malawi), we show that the commonly observed, dark brown, Fe-rich carbonatite that hosts REE minerals in many carbonatites is decoupled from the REE mineral assemblage. REE-rich ferroan dolomite carbonatites, containing 8–15 wt% REE₂O₃, comprise assemblages of monazite-(Ce), strontianite and baryte forming hexagonal pseudomorphs after probable burbankite. The ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr values (0.70302–0.70307) affirm a carbonatitic origin for these pseudomorph-forming fluids. Carbon and oxygen isotope ratios of strontianite, representing the REE mineral assemblage, indicate equilibrium between these assemblages and a carbonatite-derived, deuteric fluid between 250 and 400 °C (δ¹⁸O + 3 to + 5‰_VSMOW and δ¹³C ? 3.5 to ? 3.2‰_VPDB). In contrast, dolomite in the same samples has similar δ¹³C values but much higher δ¹⁸O, corresponding to increasing degrees of exchange with low-temperature fluids (< 125 °C), causing exsolution of Fe oxides resulting in the dark colour of these rocks. REE-rich quartz rocks, which occur outside of the intrusion, have similar δ¹⁸O and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr to those of the main complex, indicating both are carbonatite-derived and, locally, REE mineralisation can extend up to 1.5 km away from the intrusion. Early, REE-poor apatite-bearing dolomite carbonatite (beforsite: δ¹⁸O + 7.7 to + 10.3‰ and δ¹³C ?5.2 to ?6.0‰; ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr 0.70296–0.70298) is not directly linked with the REE mineralisation.  相似文献   

Vulnerabilities to flood hazards among rural households in India     

Sam  Anu Susan  Kumar  Ranjit  Kächele  Harald  Müller  Klaus 《Natural Hazards》2017,88(2):1133-1153

Natural Hazards - Flooding constitutes the most predominant natural disaster in India. The degree and causes of vulnerability to flood risk vary by society, geographical region and over time. The...  相似文献   

In-Street Wind Direction Variability in the Vicinity of a Busy Intersection in Central London   总被引：3，自引：2，他引：1  

Ahmed A. Balogun  Alison S. Tomlin  Curtis R. Wood  Janet F. Barlow  Stephen E. Belcher  Robert J. Smalley  Justin J. N. Lingard  Sam J. Arnold  Adrian Dobre  Alan G. Robins  Damien Martin  Dudley E. Shallcross 《Boundary-Layer Meteorology》2010,136(3):489-513

We present results from fast-response wind measurements within and above a busy intersection between two street canyons (Marylebone Road and Gloucester Place) in Westminster, London taken as part of the DAPPLE (Dispersion of Air Pollution and Penetration into the Local Environment; www.dapple.org.uk ) 2007 field campaign. The data reported here were collected using ultrasonic anemometers on the roof-top of a building adjacent to the intersection and at two heights on a pair of lamp-posts on opposite sides of the intersection. Site characteristics, data analysis and the variation of intersection flow with the above-roof wind direction (θ _ref ) are discussed. Evidence of both flow channelling and recirculation was identified within the canyon, only a few metres from the intersection for along-street and across-street roof-top winds respectively. Results also indicate that for oblique roof-top flows, the intersection flow is a complex combination of bifurcated channelled flows, recirculation and corner vortices. Asymmetries in local building geometry around the intersection and small changes in the background wind direction (changes in 15- min mean θ _ref of 5°–10°) were also observed to have profound influences on the behaviour of intersection flow patterns. Consequently, short time-scale variability in the background flow direction can lead to highly scattered in-street mean flow angles masking the true multi-modal features of the flow and thus further complicating modelling challenges.  相似文献   

Water quality impacts from waste rock at a Carlin-type gold mine,Elko County,Nevada   总被引：1，自引：0，他引：1  

Sam?EarmanEmail author  Ronald?L.?Hershey 《Environmental Geology》2004,45(8):1043-1053

Changes in water quality in the North Fork of the Humboldt River, Nevada are caused by weathering of waste rock from an inactive Carlin-type gold mine. Review of historical water-quality data, monthly water sampling, and continuous monitoring of water-quality parameters were used to quantify these impacts. River water pH, which ranged between 7 and 8, did not show statistically significant variation from upstream of the mine to downstream. Several constituents, most notably sulfate, calcium, and magnesium, showed statistically significant increases in dissolved-ion concentrations. These data, along with geochemical modeling, suggest that oxidation of sulfide minerals and in situ acid neutralization by carbonate host rocks are occurring. Large increases in dissolved-ion concentrations were observed twice a year—during spring snow melt and the onset of the winter precipitation season. These spikes are likely caused by flushing of pore waters that have reacted with waste rock during months-long periods when shallow groundwater recharge is not occurring.  相似文献   

ToF-SIMS and SEM study on the preferential oxidation of chalcopyrite     

Mohammad Al-Harahsheh  Sam Kingman  Frank Rutten  David Briggs 《International Journal of Mineral Processing》2006,80(2-4):205-214

Chalcopyrite is known to be slow reacting mineral in hydrometallurgical systems and is considered one of the most inert sulphide minerals with respect to leaching. Such character of chalcopyrite seems to be linked to a formation of a passive layer on its surface. This work reports that freshly fractured chalcopyrite surfaces exhibit highly selective reactivity depending on the exposed fracture planes. ToF-SIMS was used to qualitatively characterize various fracture planes in freshly fractured chalcopyrite particles, prior to and after hydrometallurgical treatment. It was found that, prior to treatment, certain areas exhibited pronounced contamination from atmospheric hydrocarbons; whereas, others were highly unreactive and remarkably free from adventitious hydrocarbon contamination. The positive ion spectra recorded from these areas were found to be dominated by peaks from Fe- and Cu-elements and related compounds. The negative ion spectra for the reactive areas on the other hand showed a high content of oxidized (sulphur) species.The differences between the areas of low and high reactivity, as detected after leaching, were more subtle than prior to leaching; whereas, SEM analysis showed clear evidence for selective attack of ferric sulphate to specific planes. Furthermore, it was shown that, when chalcopyrite is in intimate contact with pyrite, it experiences an enhanced oxidation compared to when there is no electric contact with pyrite.Attempts were made to explain the preferential oxidation observed based on the different chemistry of the fracture surfaces.  相似文献   

Monitoring food web changes in tide-restored salt marshes: A carbon stable isotope approach     

Andrew S. Wozniak  Charles T. Roman  Sam C. Wainright  Richard A. McKinney  Mary-Jane James-Pirri 《Estuaries and Coasts》2006,29(4):568-578

Primary producer (angiosperms, macroalgae, submerged aquatic vegetation), suspended particulate matter, andFundulus heteroclitus isotope values (δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N, δ³⁴S) were examined to assess their use as indicators for changes in food web support functions in tidally-restored salt marshes. Study sites, located throughout the southern New England region (USA), ranged fromSpartina alterniflora-dominated reference marshes, marshes under various regimes and histories of tide restoration, and a severely tide-restrictedPhragmites australis marsh.Fundulus δ¹³C values were greater for fish from referenceSpartina marshes than for fish from adjacent tide-restricted or tide-restored marshes where higher percent cover of C₃ plants, lower water column salinities, and more negative dissolved inorganic δ¹³C values were observed. The difference inFundulus δ¹³C values between a tide-restrictedPhragmites marsh and an adjacent referenceSpartina marsh was great compared to the difference between marshes at various stages of tide restoration and their respective reference marshes, suggesting that food web support functions are restored as the degree of tidal restriction is lessened. While a multiple isotopic approach can provide valuable information for determining specific food sources to consumers, this study demonstrates that monitoringFundulus δ¹³C values alone may be useful to evaluate the trajectory of ecological change for marshes undergoing tidal restoration.  相似文献