Response to Buchanan et al.'s comment on Urban et al. “Assessment of human health risks posed by consumption of fish from the Lower Passaic River (LPR), New Jersey” (2009, doi:10.1016/jscitotenv.2009.03.004)

Buchanan et al. assert that our recent fish ingestion risk assessment for a section of the Lower Passaic River (LPR) (Urban et al., 2009) utilizes inappropriate ingestion rates and is inconsistent with state and USEPA guidelines and risk assessment procedures, and therefore underestimates the human health risks associated with angler exposure along this stretch of the river. However, they fail to support these assertions with evidence; indeed, in a recent response to similar allegations, we demonstrated that the utilized ingestion rates are, in fact, the most appropriate for this parameter (Urban et al., 2010). Our reliance on data from a comprehensive, independently validated, peer-reviewed, and site-specific creel angler survey (CAS) in order to define fish and crab ingestion rates for this region of the LPR is fully compliant with USEPA guidelines. In fact, the crab ingestion survey and risk assessment cited by Buchanan et al. as evidence of crabbing activity and crab ingestion for this region was less comprehensive than the CAS in question, was not overseen by an independent panel, has yet to be peer-reviewed, and does not provide any activity or consumption data for this section of the LPR. Contrary to the implications of Buchanan et al., our effort provides a transparent, comprehensive, and scientifically legitimate human health risk assessment of fish ingestion for the lowest 6 miles of the LPR. Thus we adamantly disagree with the characterization and assertions put forth by Buchanan et al., and stand by the conclusions presented in Urban et al. (2009) and defended in Urban et al. (2010).     

A decision support system for water quality issues in the Manzanares River (Madrid, Spain)

The Manzanares River, located in Madrid (Spain), is the main water supplier of a highly populated region, and it also receives wastewater from the same area. The effluents of eight Waste Water Treatment Plants (WWTPs) downstream of the river, which represent 90% of the flow in the middle and lower parts of the river, are the primary sources of water pollution. Although the situation has improved slightly in the last two years, the water in the river is highly polluted, making it uninhabitable for aquatic life. Water quality modelling is typically used to assess the effect of treatment improvements in water bodies. In this work, the GESCAL module of the Aquatool Decision Support System Shell was used to simulate water quality in the Manzanares River. GESCAL is appropriate for modelling in an integrated way water quality for whole water resources systems, including reservoirs and rivers. A model was built that simulates conductivity, phosphorous, carbonaceous organic matter, dissolved oxygen, organic nitrogen, ammonia, and nitrates. The period from October 2006 to September 2008 was selected for calibration due to the many treatment modifications that occurred during this time. An earlier and longer period, from October 2000 to September 2006, was used for validation. In addition, a daily model was used to analyse the robustness of the GESCAL model. Once the GESCAL model was validated, different scenarios were considered and simulated. First, different combinations of nutrient elimination among the different WWTPs were simulated, leading to the conclusion that investments have to focus on three of the proposed WWTPs. Moreover, these treatments will not be sufficient to maintain fish habitat conditions at all times. Additional measures, such as the increment of the flow in the river or oxygen injection, were simulated. Incrementing the flow of the Manzanares River has been shown to be an efficient means of increasing water quality, but this implies an increment in the risk of water scarcity situations in the Madrid water supply system.     

构建“深港双城”,成就大珠三角

香港回归祖国10余年来,经历了巨大的变迁,当前也面对一系列的挑战和机遇。本文回顾了深港合作的历程,通过对区域合作、跨界治理理论以及欧盟空间一体化实践的借鉴,总结深港两地在规划内容、规划过程、规划实施三个方面构建"深港双城"的路径,揭示城市规划作为空间策略,为实现大珠三角地区的区域合作与跨界治理提供了有效的协调机制,为"一国两制"背景下深港两地的共同发展与持续繁荣提供了重要保障。     

黄河口沉积物固结过程电阻率监测研究

在现代黄河口采集沉积物,通过室内土样真空预压装置使沉积物固结,利用高密度电阻率仪监测沉积物固结过程中电阻率的变化;利用孔隙水压力监测、十字板剪切测试与微型贯入测试等测试手段,实时测定固结沉积物的孔压和不排水抗剪切强及贯入强度的变化;并定期取土样进行常规土工试验和室内固结试验。研究结果表明,黄河口沉积物在固结过程中土体电阻率大小同固结程度密切相关,固结过程中影响黄河口饱和粉土电阻率的主要因素为孔隙率;黄河口饱和粉土的电阻率与土体物理力学指标之间存在良好的相关性,通过电阻率测定可以有效估算土体各项固结指标,本研究为海床沉积物固结过程的原位监测提供了一条新途径。     

包头至树林召黄河大桥土体工程特性研究

根据包头至树林召高速公路黄河特大桥地质勘察和试桩资料,对大桥桥址处具有典型地质状况的土体工程特性和参数进行了研究,判定场地内(河滩和河床)20m以浅的亚砂土及松散—中密状粉细砂为严重液化土,单桩承载力计算应进行折减;通过理论与实测分析,掌握了桩侧摩阻力与端阻力的发挥性状,实测桩侧摩阻力及端阻力与地质报告提供值相比总体偏安全,桩基承载力满足设计要求;并建议在桩基的设计计算过程中,深度修正系数k2的取值应比规范值小。     

钱塘江海塘与浙江采石文化的关系研究

历史上的大型工程建设往往会对采石文化产生巨大的推动作用。钱塘江海塘的修筑是古代浙江一项伟大的水利工程,该工程的修筑对石材产生了巨大的需求,使浙江采石文化获得了较大的发展,而采石文化的发展也保证了工程的石材供应。如今,将古海塘的保护和旅游开发与区域采石文化结合起来,可以取得较好的效果。     

鄂东长江大桥路面用碎石质量控制研究

针对目前高速公路施工中路面用碎石质量不高的情况,从质量要求、加工技术、料场堆放管理、生产配合比检验控制4个方面提出了路面用碎石质量控制的方法,并成功控制碎石质量。     

传统居住空间与现代设计创新——杭州西溪锦园规划设计

结合杭州西溪锦园住区的规划和设计,通过分析传统江南民居建筑规划的空间理念,探讨了当代城市住宅规划建设中对于传统居住模式的现代运用以及中式住宅建筑创新的有关问题。     

长江三角洲功能多中心程度初探

功能多中心是多中心城市区域最为本质的特点和最为关键的演进阶段。基于欧洲POLYNET研究所形成的功能多中心测度方法,选取长江三角洲目前最受商务旅行青睐且使用最为普遍的城市间动车组（CRH：China Railway High—speed）每日车次数作为替代数据,对区域的功能多中心程度进行测度,并与欧洲8个城市区域进行比较。通过测度和比较同时参考其他相关研究,认为长江三角洲地区的功能多中心程度较高,已经接近较为典型的功能多中心城市区域。     

武汉长江大桥解读

武汉长江大桥是中国长江上的第一座大桥,它是唐寰澄先生的第一个作品。该文通过对武汉长江大桥的时代背景、设计者和桥梁形式以及和环境的关系的分析基础上,尝试对武汉长江大桥进行解读。