A case study of urban water balancing in the partly sewered city of Nablus-East (Palestine) to study wastewater pollution loads and groundwater pollution

Untreated sewage can contribute a significant proportion of urban groundwater recharge, via on-site sanitation facilities and sewer exfiltration. In the West Bank of the Palestinian Territories 94% of sewage is discharged untreated to the ground or surface waters. This has contributed to increasing nitrate concentrations in groundwater, which is the critical water source. In this case study of a drainage catchment from the city of Nablus, a water balance indicates that sewage as a source of groundwater recharge is as much as 50% of total recharge from precipitation, and nitrogen pollutant loads by area are up to 60% as much as those from agriculture. Results suggest that 22% of total wastewater flow directly infiltrates the ground via cesspits and sewer exfiltration.     

Measuring scenic quality at the urban fringe

The emerging discipline of Landscape Ecology is described, and its historical development studied. Differences between European and North American practice are revealed and the discipline is seen to emerge as much from ecological studies as from geography, forestry and landscape architecture. An extensive list of references is given.     

蛋白类缓凝剂对建筑石膏的适应性

分析比较了4种分子结构相近的蛋白类缓凝剂对脱硫建筑石膏(FGD)和磷建筑石膏(PG)的缓凝效果.结果表明:具有不同酰胺键类型的蛋白类缓凝剂,其缓凝度受建筑石膏类型影响,且随建筑石膏pH值的增加而增大;当蛋白类缓凝剂的酰胺基团主要为仲酰胺时,其缓凝度随着H_2PO_4~-含量的增加而降低,当蛋白类缓凝剂的酰胺基团主要为伯酰胺时,其缓凝剂不易受H_2PO_4~-的影响;用于FGD的蛋白类缓凝剂宜选用仲酰胺为主的酰胺基团,用于PG的蛋白类缓凝剂宜选用伯酰胺为主的酰胺基团.     

The contribution of ecological science to the development of landscape ecology: a brief history

The emerging discipline of Landscape Ecology is described, and its historical development studied. Differences between European and North American practice are revealed and the discipline is seen to emerge as much from ecological studies as from geography, forestry and landscape architecture. An extensive list of references is given.     

经济转轨背景下城市设计的演变历程和规律探讨

我国经济体制的转轨和建设机制的转型引发了城市设计的演变,促使城市设计在认识论层次上从思想理念向社会实践、从产品主导向过程主导演变,在方法论层次上从指令性控制向弹性引导、从“家长式”管理向制度化管理演变,在价值论层次上从粗放生产向有机生长、从技术工具向价值倡导演变。从总体上说,在经济转轨背景下,我国城市设计呈现从静态到动态、从工具理性到价值理性的演变规律。     

Strength classification of rock material based on textural properties

Rock, as a construction material, has great importance during the construction and service phases in a rock environment. The classification of rock materials based on their strength behavior provides a simple and fast solution to determine the type and application of support system as well as the method for opening underground structures. Intact rock materials are generally classified with regard to the strength, such as uniaxial compressive and point load strength. Rock texture, which consists of grains and matrix, directly affects the strength. The relation between the textural and mechanical properties of rock materials has been investigated, and rock texture was quantified from the texture coefficient (TC). The coefficient can be used to put a number on rock textures with experimental studies carried out on thin sections of rock material using image analysis. The main scope of this research is to classify the rock material according to its TC values based on the binary and fuzzy domain. In this study, TC is divided into five classes from very low to very high, and a fuzzy model is proposed to predict the uniaxial compressive strength from TC. A dataset is prepared to construct an objective study with 12 litho-type rock materials from 19 locations in Turkey. The binary and fuzzy classification as well as fuzzy model for the prediction of compressive strength is also applied to the dataset to illustrate the use of the proposed classification and model for underground construction in rock engineering. The model is applied to determine the intact rock material’s rating in rock mass rating classification (RMR) from the proposed classification as well as from the fuzzy model. The results of the example encourage the application of the proposed methods, especially for pre-feasibility studies of rock engineering projects.     

Limestone and dolomite powder as binders for wood ash agglomeration

Limestone and dolomite powder were tested as binders during wood ash agglomeration on an industrial and a laboratory scale. Two agglomeration methods are compared. Dolomite from Estonia is commonly used as a binder/additive during automatic production of agglomerated wood ash at the central heating plant of Kalmar, Sweden. Swedish limestones from Öland and Ignaberga as well as Swedish dolomite from Glanshammar were used as binders in the production of test agglomerates of wood ash. The chemical and mineralogical composition of the binders as well as of the resulting granules and pellets is presented. The structural, chemical and leaching properties of the hardened ash/binder agglomerates are discussed in relation to their possible environmental impact on forest soil. The environmental acceptance of recycling of agglomerated ashes to forest soils is also discussed in relation to the new recommendations.     

推动以设计为龙头的工程总承包模式

任何工程的勘察设计(以下简称设计)是项目建设的纲领性文件,是项目的出发点和起源点.所以说,设计是龙头,工程总承包(EPC)模式是全过程的管理,即设计、设备采购、施工设计,因此,工程总承包的龙头是设计.任何项目的实施必须从龙头开始,从“设计”这个龙头做起,它是从技术到技能的落实,是把复杂劳动变为简单劳动,是理论指导实践的全过程,是系统的、全面的和完整的工程管理.本文从工程建设活动的各阶段特点出发,介绍以设计为龙头的工程总承包,从而积极推动云南的工程总承包模式.     

Grey-box modelling of aeration tank settling

A model of the concentrations of suspended solids (SS) in the aeration tanks and in the effluent from these during Aeration tank settling (ATS) operation is established. The model is based on simple SS mass balances, a model of the sludge settling and a simple model of how the SS concentration in the effluent from the aeration tanks depends on the actual concentrations in the tanks and the sludge blanket depth. The model is formulated in continuous time by means of stochastic differential equations with discrete-time observations. The parameters of the model are estimated using a maximum likelihood method from data from an alternating BioDenipho waste water treatment plant (WWTP). The model is an important tool for analyzing ATS operation and for selecting the appropriate control actions during ATS, as the model can be used to predict the SS amounts in the aeration tanks as well as in the effluent from the aeration tanks.     

The oxygen isotope composition of dissolved anthropogenic phosphates: a new tool for eutrophication research?

High-precision oxygen isotope analyses were carried out on dissolved phosphate extracted from discharge waters from three wastewater treatment plants (WTP) located in western France, as well as on the different phosphate-based fertilizers applied by farmers in the same region. Measured delta(18)O values of phosphate from chemical fertilizers range from 19.6 to 23.1 per thousand, while those of phosphate from WTP discharge waters are more tightly grouped between 17.7 and 18.1 per thousand. The variability in delta(18)O values of phosphate fertilizers is attributed to oxygen isotope variations of the phosphorite deposits from which France's fertilizers are manufactured. The significance of the delta(18)O values of phosphate from WTP discharge waters is less straightforward. At present, it is not clear whether these values are primary isotopic compositions corresponding, e.g., to the oxygen isotope composition of phosphate builders included in detergents (delta(18)O(P)=17.9 per thousand), or represent secondary values reflecting biological recycling of the phosphate in equilibrium with ambient WTP water The restricted difference in isotopic composition obtained between phosphate from fertilizers and phosphate from WTP discharge waters (<2 per thousand), as well as the fairly large internal isotopic variability observed in both end-members (>/=1.5 per thousand), cast doubt about the possibility that the oxygen isotope composition could serve as a tracer for the source of anthropogenic phosphates in waters.     

Design equation for predicting fire resistance of reinforced concrete beams

An approach for evaluating the fire resistance of reinforced concrete (RC) beams is presented in this paper. A macroscopic finite element model is applied to study the influence of various parameters on the fire resistance of RC beams. Data from parametric studies is utilized to develop a simplified expression for evaluating the fire resistance of an RC beam as a function of influencing parameters. The validity of the proposed approach is established by comparing the fire resistance predictions with those obtained from finite element studies as well as from fire resistance tests. Predictions from the proposed equation are also compared with fire resistance estimates from current codes of practice. The applicability of the approach to design situations is illustrated through a numerical example. The proposed rational approach expresses fire resistance in terms of conventional structural and material design parameters, and thus facilitates easy evaluation of fire resistance. The proposed approach provides better estimates than those from current codes of practice and thus can be used to evaluate the fire resistance of RC beams with an accuracy that is adequate for design purposes.     

A general model for the calculation of daylighting in interior spaces

An analytical model and a computer code have been developed which calculate the amount of daylight illumination on a working surface inside an arbitrary room, for overcast as well as for clear sky conditions. The room may have windows as well as skylights, with clear glass, diffusing glass, or glass fitted with thin shading devices (such as sheer curtains or shades), as well as overhangs. The shape of the room is not limited to simple, rectangular enclosures, allowing the treatment of L-shaped rooms, A-frame buildings, etc.The illumination generally consists of three parts: direct sky illumination, illumination from external reflectors, and illumination from internal reflectors. First, the luminances emanating from surrounding obstructions are determined. Next, illumination traveling through the windows directly to inside walls and working surface is calculated. Finally, interreflection inside the room is taken into account to establish the luminance distributions of inside walls. After determination of all inside and outside luminances, it is a simple matter to calculate illumination and daylight factor for the working surface.     

Selective removal of phosphorus from wastewater combined with its recovery as a solid-phase fertilizer

Influx of Phosphorus (P) into freshwater ecosystems is the primary cause of eutrophication which has many undesirable effects. Therefore, P discharge limits for effluents from WWTPs is becoming increasingly common, and may be as low as 10 μg/L as P. While precipitation, filtration, membrane processes, Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal (EBPR) and Physico-chemical (adsorption based) methods have been successfully used to effect P removal, only adsorption has the potential to recover the P as a usable fertilizer. This benefit will gain importance with time since P is a non-renewable resource and is mined from P-rich rocks. This article provides details of a process where a polymeric anion exchanger is impregnated with iron oxide nanoparticles to effectuate selective P removal from wastewater and its recovery as a solid-phase fertilizer. Three such hybrid materials were studied: HAIX, DOW-HFO, & DOW-HFO-Cu. Each of these materials combines the durability, robustness, and ease-of-use of a polymeric ion-exchanger resin with the high sorption affinity of Hydrated Ferric Oxide (HFO) toward phosphate. Laboratory experiments demonstrate that each of the three materials studies can selectively remove phosphate from the background of competing anions and phosphorus can be recovered as a solid-phase fertilizer upon efficient regeneration of the exchanger and addition of a calcium or magnesium salt in equimolar (Ca/P or Mg/P) ratio. Also, there is no leaching of Fe or Cu from any of these hybrid exchangers.     

Monitoring for neurotoxic effects from low level exposures to organophosphate pesticides

Data from small scale studies onlow level and delayed neurotoxic effects from exposure to organophosphate pesticides suggest the need for monitoring those at risk in agriculture and industry, as well as residents repeatedly exposed to aerosoldrift from aerial spraying. A pilot program is put forth with the aim of determining whether such effects occur in exposed populations, and if they do, assessing their incidence, distribution and severity, as well as the efficacy of control programs.     

丹麦建筑发展简述

对10世纪～19世纪末20世纪初和20世纪初到今天两个阶段的丹麦建筑发展阶段进行了介绍，并指出第一阶段是产生建筑遗产的阶段，第二阶段是丹麦建筑在接受外来文化影响的同时保持与发展自己建筑传统的新阶段，以供后来设计师深思与借鉴。     

Effektiver Algorithmus zur Lösung von inversen Aufgabenstellungen – Anwendung in der Geomechanik

Effective algorithm for solving inverse problems – geomechanical application. When working with numerical models, it is essential to determine model parameters which are as realistic as possible. Optimization techniques are being employed more and more frequently for solving this task. However, using these methods may lead to very high time costs – in particular, if rather complicated forward calculations are involved. In this paper, we present a class of methods that allows estimating the solution of this kind of optimization problems based on relatively few sampling points. We put very weak constraints on the sampling point distribution; hence, they may be taken from previous forward calculations as well as from alternative sources. Starting from an introduction into the theoretical approach, a strategy for speeding up inverse optimization problems is introduced which is illustrated by an example geomechanics.     

Mapping areas at elevated risk of large-scale structure loss using Monte Carlo simulation and wildland fire modeling

This work presents, and demonstrates through application to California, a data-driven methodology that can be used to identify areas at elevated risk of experiencing wildland fires capable of causing large-scale structure loss. A 2D Eulerian level set fire spread model is used as the computational engine for Monte Carlo simulation with ignition points placed randomly across the landscape. For each randomly-placed ignition point, wind and weather conditions are also selected randomly from a 10-year climatology that has been developed by others using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) mesoscale weather model at a resolution of 2 km. Fuel and topography inputs are obtained from LANDFIRE. Housing density is estimated from 2010 Census block data. For each randomly-selected combination of ignition location and wind/weather, fire progression is modeled so that fire area and number of impacted structures can be recorded. This is repeated for over 100 million discrete ignition points across California to generate “heat maps” of fire probability, fire consequence, and fire risk. In this work, fire volume (spatial integral of burned area and flame length) is used as a proxy for fire probability since quickly spreading fires with large flame lengths are most likely to escape initial attack and become extended attack fires. Fire consequence is taken as the number of impacted structures. Fire risk is then estimated as the product of probability and consequence. The methodology is assessed comparing the resultant fire risk raster with perimeters from California's 20 most damaging fires as tabulated by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CALFIRE). It is found that these historical perimeters from damaging fires correlate well with areas identified as high risk in the Monte Carlo simulation, suggesting that this methodology may be capable of identifying areas where similarly damaging fires may occur in the future.     

Cooling and preheating with buried pipe systems: monitoring,simulation and economic aspects

On basis of extensive monitoring and simulation work, we examine the fundamental difference between winter preheating and summer cooling potential of buried pipe systems under Central European climate, as well from an energetic as from an economic point of view. Care is taken to account for exhaustive energy balances, taking into account sensible and latent heat exchanges, as well as diffusion through soil.     

Phosphorus release rates from sediments and pollutant characteristics in Han River, Seoul, Korea

The Han River is 469.7-km long and drains a 26219-km(2) watershed. The sediments in the river are highly polluted due to inputs from upstream tributaries as well as partially treated municipal wastewaters that are discharged to the river. The water quality and strategy for control are important because the river is the primary drinking water supply for the City of Seoul, as well as being a major source for irrigation and industrial water. The Jamsil submerged dam partitions the river to isolate an upstream area for drinking water, but also captures sediments. Samples from four sites were studied to determine sediment pollutant concentrations and phosphorus release rates. Phosphorus tends to desorb from sediments when the concentration of overlying water is less than 1.4 mg/l. Water column P concentrations range from 0.04 to 0.1 mg/l, which suggests that sediments will act as a P source. In a series of batch experiments, P was released at approximately 15-20 mg/m(2)week in the winter (1-5 degrees C) and as much as 90 mg/m(2)week in the summer (20-24 degrees C), and is also a function of pH and dissolved oxygen concentration. The sediment total phosphorus concentration, which averages 833 mg/kg, is evenly distributed among non-apatite-P (33%), apatite-P (32%) and residual-P (34%). An equilibrium model is proposed to describe release rate.     

浅析当代城市中的硬质景观设计

指出城市硬质景观是相对于由植物形成的软质景观而言,从城市空间性质、城市步行环境、车辆环境三个方面对城市硬质景观设计加以分析,以便于今后处理诸如场地设计、材料的选择及形状和表面细部等问题。