Nitrogen in river basins: sources, retention in the surface waters and peatlands, and fluxes to estuaries in Finland

Nitrogen export from diffuse and point sources and its retention in the major river basins of Finland is quantified and discussed. The estimated total export from river-basins in Finland was 119,000 tonnes N a(-1) for the period 1993 to 1998 based on N export from different land use types defined in a GIS-based assessment model, incorporated with estimates of N inputs from atmospheric deposition and point sources. Agriculture contributes 38% of the total export, varying in the range 35-85% in the south-western basins and 0-25% in the northern basins. This estimate of N export from agriculture was based on regional N balances together with data from small agricultural research catchments. Forestry contributes on average 9%, with increasing dominance towards eastern and northern parts of the country: from 2% to 15% in the southern-mid-western Finland basins to 10-30% in the large northern basins. 'Background' N export from forests on both mineral and organic soils contributes 27% on average; in the northern basins it may contribute from 40% up to 90% of the total load. The estimate was calculated based on practically all data available from 42 small, experimental catchments in Finland. Of the total N input to Finnish river-systems, 0% to 68% was retained in surface waters and/or peatlands, with a mean retention of 22%. The highest retention of N (36-61%) was observed in the basins with the highest lake percentages. The lowest retention (0-10%) of N was in the coastal basins with practically no lakes. In the national N mass balance, 38,000 tonnes N a(-1) (32%) was estimated as lake retention and 4,000 tonnes N a(-1) (3%) as retention in peatlands. On the basis of mass balances and sensitivity analysis, retention was in most cases estimated to be in the range of 7.5-12.5 kg ha(-1)a(-1) in lakes and 0-1.5 kg ha(-1)a(-1) in peatlands. The model results were tested using the split-sample technique and uncertainty estimates for different data sources are provided and discussed.     

The Navy and the city: conflict,cooperation and political competition in the urban governance of Toulon

This article contributes to the debate about urban governance in specialized European cities, by focusing on the interplay between changes in national defence policies and local initiatives. It is based upon qualitative research carried out in Toulon, a mid-sized French city and the biggest military port on the Mediterranean Sea. Firstly, it explains how the emergence of a new urban agenda aimed at diversifying the city from its military function challenged existing relations between the city and the Navy. As a consequence, new areas of conflict and cooperation can be observed. Secondly, it shows how political strategies adopted by elected officials respond to the need to legitimize the new agenda and to constrain the Navy to participate in it, while managing the military constituency. Despite a political discourse that proclaimed convergence of interest between the city and the Navy, the existence of a major conflict concerning the use and control of space doomed the partnership to a (partial) failure.     

The phosphorus content of fluvial sediment in rural and industrialized river basins

The phosphorus content of fluvial sediment (suspended sediment and the < 63 microm fraction of floodplain and channel bed sediment) has been examined in contrasting rural (moorland and agricultural) and industrialized catchments in Yorkshire, UK. The River Swale drains a rural catchment with no major urban and industrial areas, and the total phosphorus (TP) content of fluvial sediment is generally within the range 500-1,500 microg g(-1). There is little evidence of any major downstream increase in TP content. In contrast, fluvial sediment from the industrialized catchments of the Rivers Aire and Calder exhibits both higher levels of TP content and marked downstream increases, with values of TP content ranging from < 2,000 microg g(-1) in headwater areas upstream of the main urban and industrial areas, to values > 7,000 microg g(-1) at downstream sites. These elevated levels reflect P inputs from point sources, such as sewage treatment works (STWs) and combined sewer overflows. The influence of STWs is further demonstrated by the downstream increase in the inorganic P/organic P ratio from < 2 in the headwaters to > 4 in the lower reaches. Comparison of the P content of suspended sediment with that of the <63 microm fraction of potential source materials suggests that topsoil from upland moorland/pasture and from cultivated areas, and channel bank material are likely to be the main sources of particulate P (PP) in the River Swale and in the headwaters of the Rivers Aire and Calder. In the middle and lower reaches of the Rivers Aire and Calder, inputs associated with urban and industrial land uses, such as STWs, industrial effluents and street dust, are likely to represent the dominant sources of PP. During high flow events, such urban inputs may be diluted by inputs from moorland and agricultural land in the headwaters. Consequently, for all three rivers, there are inverse relationships between the TP content of suspended sediment and both discharge and suspended sediment concentration, reflecting changes in sediment and P sources during high flow events. Spatial variations in the P contents of the < 63 microm fraction of overbank floodplain deposits and channel bed sediment evidence a similar pattern as those for suspended sediment, with relatively low levels of TP in the River Swale and elevated levels in the middle and downstream reaches of the Rivers Aire and Calder. The PP concentrations associated with floodplain and channel bed sediment are, however, lower than equivalent values for suspended sediment, and this primarily reflects the differences in the particle size composition between the three types of sediments. Rates of floodplain deposition and the amounts of fine-grained sediment stored in the river channels are relatively high, and suggest that such environments may represent important sinks for PP. Based on the sediment samples collected from the study basins, a simple four-fold classification which relates the TP content of suspended sediment to upstream land use has been established. Both the range and the absolute values of TP content tend to increase with an increase in the level of urbanization and industrialization.     

Deposition, persistence and turnover of pollutants: First results from the EU project AquaTerra for selected river basins and aquifers

Deposition, turnover and movement of persistent organic pollutants (POP) were investigated in the EU integrated project "AquaTerra", which is among the first funded environmental projects within the 6th Framework Program by the European Commission. Project work integrates across various disciplines that range from biogeochemistry, environmental engineering, computer modelling and chemistry to socio-economic sciences. Field study areas are the river basins of the Ebro, the Meuse, the Elbe and the Danube as well as the 3-km(2) French catchment of the Brévilles Spring. Within the first 2 years of the project more than 1700 samples of atmospherically deposited particles, sediments, and water have been collected in the above-mentioned systems. Results show clear spatial patterns of deposition of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) with the highest rates in the Meuse Basin. For local inputs, in the Brévilles sandy aquifer, the contamination of the groundwater by the pesticides atrazine (AT) and deethylatrazine did not decrease even 5 years after their agricultural inputs were stopped. On the other hand, herbicides such as mecroprop (MCPP), and PAHs, were at least partially degraded microbiologically in laboratory studies with soils and aquifer material from selected sites. For sediment transport of contaminants, new flood sampling techniques revealed highest deposition rates of beta-hexachlorocyclohexane (beta-HCH) in river sediments at hotspot areas on the Mulde River in the Bitterfeld region (Elbe Basin, Germany). These selected preliminary results of AquaTerra help to improve fundamental understanding of persistent organic pollutants (POP) in the environment.     

Occurrence, distribution and fluxes of benzotriazoles along the German large river basins into the North Sea

Benzotriazole (BT) and tolyltriazole (TT) are high production volume chemicals which are used in various industrial and household applications. In this study, the distribution of benzotriazoles in the estuaries of different rivers of central Europe and in the North Sea was analyzed by solid-phase extraction (SPE) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). BT as well as TT was detected in all water samples. The concentrations for total benzotriazoles (BTs) ranged from 1.7 to 40 ng/L in the North Sea in costal areas. Concentrations in rivers are from 200 to 1250 ng/L, respectively. The mass flux of total benzotriazoles from the major rivers of central Europe into the North Sea was calculated to 78 t/a, dominated by the Rhine with an individual flux of 57 t/a of BTs. The analysis of the distribution profile in the North Sea showed that the decrease of the concentration was mostly caused by dilution and that the benzotriazoles are poorly degradable in the North Sea. This paper presents the first report of benzotriazoles in the marine environment.     

Geochemistry of suspended particulate matter in two natural sedimentation basins of the river Rhine

Multivariate analysis procedures have been used to trace possible correlations between changes in the composition of particulate organics and changes in the ratios of trace metal contents of suspended matter present in two major sedimentation basins of the river Rhine. In both basins, seaward gradients are observed in the organic characteristics as well as in the trace metal “patterns”. These two phenomena are well correlated. For both basins the changes in the two types of characteristics can be explained by simultaneously operating processes of sedimentation, autochthonous production and sediment resuspension.     

Spatial and temporal patterns of surface water quality and ichthyotoxicity in urban and rural river basins in Texas

The Double Mountain Fork Brazos River (Texas, USA) consists of North (NF) and South Forks (SF). The NF receives urban runoff and twice-reclaimed wastewater effluent, whereas the SF flows through primarily rural areas. The objective of this study was to determine and compare associations between standard water quality variables and ichthyotoxicity at a landscape scale that included urban (NF) and rural (SF) sites. Five NF and three SF sites were sampled quarterly from March 2008 to March 2009 for specific conductance, salinity, hardness, pH, temperature, and turbidity; and a zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryo bioassay was used to determine ichthyotoxicity. Metal and nutrient concentrations at all sites were also measured in addition to standard water quality variables in spring 2009. Principal component analyses identified hardness, specific conductance, and salinity as the water variables that best differentiate the urban NF (higher levels) from rural SF habitat. Nutrient levels were also higher in the NF, but no landscape scale patterns in metal concentrations were observed. Ichthyotoxicity was generally higher in NF water especially in winter, and multiple regression analyses suggested a positive association between water hardness and ichthyotoxicity. To test for the potential influence of the toxic golden alga (Prymnesium parvum) on overall ichthyotoxicity, a cofactor known to enhance golden alga toxin activity was used in the bioassays. Golden alga ichthyotoxicity was detected in the NF but not the SF, suggesting golden alga may have contributed to overall ichthyotoxicity in the urban but not in the rural system. In conclusion, the physicochemistry of the urban-influenced NF water was conducive to the expression of ichthyotoxicity and also point to water hardness as a novel factor influencing golden alga ichthyotoxicity in surface waters.     

Exploratory analysis of the water governance frameworks regarding the OECD principles in two river basins in Brazil and Portugal

Water is essential for human and economic development, and ecosystem services. Water crises are primarily governance crises, requiring consideration of multiple scales and actors. This article aims to discuss water governance principles proposed by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in 2015 and 2018, in Brazil and Portugal, including an exploratory analysis of the OECD indicators’ framework and those used in the Protocol of the Water Management Observatory (OGA) in Brazil in 2019. The main objective was to identify critical dimensions for an adequate assessment of water governance, and drivers for water policy improvement in both countries.     

Accommodating discontent: youth,conflict and the housing question in Hong Kong

Young people across many societies face growing problems in making the transition from the parental home to independent living. Rising house prices and the lack of affordable alternatives to home ownership is most commonly blamed. This paper explores these issues in relation to young people in Hong Kong. The paper argues that the housing question in Hong Kong has distinct local characteristics and cannot be disconnected from wider political and economic tensions. It also shows that the housing choices and views of young people are shaped by more than issues of cost and access. The paper draws on a unique data-set which explores the attitudes and expectations with regard to housing among young people in Hong Kong. Addressing the housing problem is widely regarded as a political priority and essential to maintain social cohesion. However, political imperatives and economic interests are pulling in different directions.     

合作·建筑师·运作模式

在理解建筑时，我们会经常忽略或者缺乏的就是那些隐藏在建筑后面的故事，以及那些建筑实体以外的背景。因而要理解一座建筑，如果没有相应的文化背景的衬托是难以获得较为完整的概念的。对于一座建筑，其物质环境只是构成了这个文化背景的初步框架。人们对建筑的理解，需要一种由表及里的联想过程，与之相关的人和事及背景加深了人们的理解程度。     

Weak acid concentrations and river chemistry in the tovdal river, southern Norway

Water samples were collected weekly from the Tovdal river at Boen in southern Norway over the period August 1978–December 1979, and were analysed for pH, sulphate, chloride, nitrate, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, ammonium, aluminium, dissolved silica and weak and strong acids. During the 16 month study period, the river pH showed a much smaller than normal seasonal variation, ranging from a maximum of 5.14 to a minimum of 4.64. The general pattern of the variation in the concentration of both the atmosphere-derived species (sulphate, nitrate and ammonium) and the ground-derived alkalis (calcium, magnesium and potassium) was a steady increase during the autumn and winter to a broad peak during the spring, followed by a minimum concentration during the summer. Nitrate and ammonium exhibited some differences from this pattern since they are rapidly metabolized. The peak in the concentration of sulphate and nitrate which occurred in the spring of 1979 was matched by an equivalent increase in the alkalis leached from the ground, indicating that ground interactions were rapid during the snow-melt period. In the autumn of 1979, the sulphate concentration increased to values higher than in the previous autumn, and, since the concentrations of the leached alkalis did not increase by an equivalent amount, the pH decreased.The seasonal variation in the measured weak acid concentration also exhibited a late winter/spring maximum and a summer minimum. The measured weak acid concentration is shown to have the theoretical dependence on the aluminium, silica and ammonium concentrations together with a dependence on the total organic carbon concentration. For data from the Langtjern catchment, this dependence was found to be 2.3 μeq mgC⁻¹, and, with a value of 4.75 μeq mgC⁻¹, the theoretical relationship satisfactorily fitted the weak acid data from the Tovdal in the spring of 1977, and was also consistent with the measurements from the present study. The seasonal variation in the measured weak acid content was largely explained by the variation in the concentration of the inorganic weak acid species.     

Locational conditions,cooperation, and innovativeness: evidence from research and company spin-offs

This paper has two goals. First, it analyzes the extent to which the innovativeness of spin-offs, originating either in a research facility or from another company, is influenced by locational conditions. Second, it provides evidence on how important local cooperation links are in comparison to nonlocal ones. Using a sample of approximately 1,500 East German firms from knowledge-intensive sectors, we estimate a structural equation model applying the partial least squares method. We find that proximity to local research institutes and universities is the most influential factor for the cooperation intensity of spin-offs. Furthermore, the higher the cooperation intensity, the greater the innovativeness of a firm. Moreover, the results indicate that it is not the local but the nonlocal cooperation ties that are more conducive to innovativeness of research spin-offs. The findings also highlight that the innovativeness of research spin-offs with solely local links is strongly dependent on support from various authorities and institutions.     

Knowledge integration in IPPD project: role of shared project mission,mutual trust,and mutual influence

Project integration is an important management issue related to product development performance outcomes. Design, development, production, and commercialization of new products and services require a project team's ability to acquire and integrate different knowledge bases of internal capabilities, customers, and suppliers. A literature gap exists regarding critical drivers of knowledge integration and shared knowledge in product development projects that needs to be identified and scientifically validated. Based on goal setting, social exchange, and information processing theories, the current study identifies antecedents of knowledge integration in terms of a shared project mission, mutual trust, and mutual influence, and investigates key relationships among these antecedents to determine the effect of knowledge integration on integrated product and process development (IPPD) project outcomes. Proposed hypothetical relationships among these constructs were tested on primary data collected from 191 respondents (OEM project managers and team members, suppliers, and customers) from IPPD projects from the U.S. automotive industry. With regards to the antecedents of knowledge integration in IPPD projects, our results indicate a statistically significant positive association between shared project mission, mutual trust, mutual influence and knowledge integration. Further, our results indicate a positive relationship between knowledge integration and performance outcomes measured in terms of IPPD project success and IPPD product success. Our results also indicate a partial mediating effect of mutual trust and mutual influence between the relationships of shared project mission and knowledge integration. Discussion of our empirical results, limitations, and recommendation for future studies in the area of knowledge integration in the area of IPPD projects are also provided.     

Root causes of conflict and conflict resolution mechanisms in public-private partnerships: Comparative study between Ghana and China

Conflict is inevitable in public-private partnership (PPP) due to the long-term agreement and multiplicity of stakeholders with varying beliefs and interests. However, a thorough understanding of the root causes of conflict beforehand helps to minimize conflict occurrence, thereby ensuring a smooth PPP process. This paper aims to explore and evaluate the root causes of conflicts in PPPs through a comparative study between Ghana and China. Further, the most suitable conflict resolution mechanisms are explored from the Ghanaian and Chinese perspectives. Results show that causes of conflict ranked higher in Ghana directly relate to poor governance and contract arrangement, whereas causes related to poor risk management and communication are ranked higher in China. Further, arbitration and negotiation are the most suitable conflict resolution mechanisms for PPPs in Ghana and China respectively. The outputs of this study inform international private investors interested in PPPs in Africa and China of the possible sources of disputes and resolution mechanisms in PPPs. This will enable international investors to develop strategic measures before entering into the PPP markets of both regions.     

Comparative study of the Cd. Cu and Pb determination by AAS and by ICP-AES in river water : Application to a mediterranean river (Congost river, Catalonia, Spain)

The accuracy, precision, detection limit and rapidity in the determination of Cd, Cu and Pb in river water by AAS determination, previous extraction with APDC-MIBK system, is compared with direct determination method ICP-AES. Both methods show a similar detection limit and an analogous accuracy by the addition standard method. With a calibration curve only ICP-AES presents good accuracy, this technique is advantageous in long term precision and requires minimum sample preparation. The sample stability at different temperature conservation is studied. Finally both methods are applied to the determination of Cd, Cu and Pb in Congost river water.     

Supporting open,shared and collaborative workspaces and hubs: recent transformations and policy implications

ABSTRACT

Shared workspaces and hubs for independent workers and start-ups are increasingly becoming a subject of local and regional economic development policies as they are considered crucial intermediaries in facilitating entrepreneurial growth and local innovation agendas. However, so far policy-makers do little to address two transformations in recent shared workspace development: the growing commercialization and diversification of shared workspaces and the spread of coworking beyond big agglomerations towards medium-sized and smaller cities and even rural areas. The paper argues for new policy principles that acknowledge the social values as much as the economic values that shared workspaces generate and promote.     

Time, scale and change in river landscapes: the jerky conveyor belt

The basis for a scientific understanding of river landscapes is fluvial geomorphology. However, the base of the subject in university research schools has meant that a simple interpretation of river landforms has been missing from UK landscape studies. This paper attempts to redress the balance by setting down the basic time and space scales along which our rivers have sculpted their valley floors, floodplains and channels. The fluvial landscape is interpreted in terms which are relevant to management; centuries of flood protection works have rendered most of our river channels inactive. Future management, with landscapes in mind, will need to incorporate (or restore) dynamic fluvial processes. A programme of education is required to match the public appreciation of 'wild' rivers with the information and understanding needed to manage them sustainably.