Environmental Monitoring Information Research Articles

Mapping the spatial distribution of subsurface saline material in the Darling River valley

Abstract In the Australian landscape larg stores of soluble salt are present naturally. In many cases it is attributable to salts entrapped as marine sediment in earlier geological time. At the district level, the need for information on the presence of saline subsurface material is increasing, particularly for its application to salinity hazard assessment and environmental management. This is the case in irrigated areas, where changes in hydrology can result in secondary salinisation. To reduce the expense, environmental studies use a regression relationship to make use of more readily observed measurements (e.g. electromagnetic (EM) data) which are strongly correlated with the variable of interest. In this investigation a methodology is outlined for mapping the spatial distribution of average subsurface (6–12 m) salinity (EC e — mS m − 1 ) using an environmental correlation with EM34 survey data collected across the Bourke Irrigation District (BID) in the Darling River valley. The EM34 is used in the horizontal dipole mode at coil configurations of 10 (EM34-10), 20 (EM34-20), and 40 (EM34-40). A multiple-linear regression (MLR) relationship is established between average subsurface EC e and the three EM34 signal data using a forward modeling stepwise linear modeling approach. The spatial distribution of average subsurface salinity generally reflects the known surface expression of point-source salinisation and provides information for future environmental monitoring and natural resource management. The generation of EM34 data on various contrived grids (i.e. 1, 1.5, 2. 2.5 and 3 km) indicates that in terms of accuracy, the data available on the 0.5 (RMSE = 188) and 1 km (RMSE = 283) grid are best, with the least biased predictions achieved using 1 (ME = − 1) and 2 km (ME = 12) grids. Viewing the spatial distribution of subsurface saline material showed that the 0.5 km spacing is optimal, particularly in order to account for short-range spatial variation between various physiographic units. The Relative Improvement (RI) shows that increasing EM grids from 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5 to 3 km gave RI of − 53, − 100%, − 107%, − 128% and − 140%, respectively. We conclude that at a minimum a 1 km grid is needed for reconnaissance EM34 surveying.

Passive sampling as a tool for obtaining reliable analytical information in environmental quality monitoring

Passive sampling technology has been developing very quickly for the past 20 years, and is widely used for monitoring pollutants in different environments, for example air, water, and soil. It has many significant advantages, including simplicity, low cost, no need for expensive and complicated equipment, no power requirements, unattended operation, and the ability to produce accurate results. The present generation of passive samplers enables detection and analysis of bioavailable pollutants at low and very low concentrations and investigation of the environmental concentration of organic and inorganic pollutants not only on the local scale but also on continental and global scales. This review describes the current application of passive sampling techniques in environmental analysis and monitoring, under both equilibrium and non-equilibrium conditions.

THE QINGZANG PLATEAU ENVIRONMENTAL AND GEOLOGICAL INFORMATION MONITORING SYSTEM BASED ON ARCGIS

The Qingzang Plateau Environmental and Geological Information Monitoring System (TPEGIMS) has two working modes,C/S and B/S.According to uniformly spatial geography benchmark,TPEGIMS with multi-specialities,multi-layers and multi-functions was set up for such objects as modern glaciers,snow lines,rivers,lakes,geological disasters,desertification and geological structures.This paper mainly describes the structure,operation environment and system functions of TPEGIMS.Multiple functions of TPEGIMS include overlapping analysis and comparison between several images,interactive interpretation,vector editing,monitoring-result variation analysis,overall evaluation and web publishing.TPEGIMS is indeed a new,useful and powerful toolkit.

The information system of basic attention as a source of information for environmental monitoring: limits and potentiality

A demanda por informações dos setores de ambiente e saúde para fins de ações integradas é crescente. Este estudo objetivou analisar a qualidade dos dados do Sistema de Informação da Atenção Básica - SIAB relativos às variáveis e indicadores de risco ambiental e sua aplicabilidade para ações de promoção e prevenção em saúde. Trata-se de um estudo de caráter exploratório, realizado no ano de 2000, em bairro da cidade do Recife, Pernambuco. O universo do estudo foram todas as famílias do bairro que são acompanhadas pelos programas da atenção básica à saúde (Programa de Agentes Comunitários de Saúde - PACS e, ou Programa Saúde da Família - PSF). Foram analisadas variáveis e indicadores do Sistema de Informação da Atenção Básica - SIAB; do Censo Demográfico da Fundação Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística - FIBGE e dados da Vigilância Epidemiológica. Foi elaborado o perfil de cobertura dos programas do PACS e do PSF a nível nacional, regional, estadual, municípal e distrital; foram feitas comparações entre bancos de dados do SIAB 2000; da FIBGE 1991 e da Vigilância Epidemiológica 1999 com o objetivo de verificar a presença de incongruências nas informações que são comuns aos diversos sistemas. Como principais resultados tivemos que: no país há uma desigualdade regional na distribuição do número de equipes implantadas do PSF/PACs. Regiões populosas e carentes do Sudeste não se beneficiam desses programas. Os dados do SIAB do estado de Pernambuco mostram que não há critérios adequados para o tratamento dos dados, prejudicando o sistema de informação da atenção básica à saúde. O município do Recife apresenta, entre os distritos sanitários, uma heterogeneidade de cobertura. O SIAB apresenta indicadores ambientais restritos, que só permitem verificar a cobertura de serviços de abastecimento de água, de rede de esgoto e de coleta de lixo. No entanto, é o único instrumento de vigilância à saúde que informa esses indicadores. Para os indicadores comuns, o SIAB possibilitou verificar um processo evolutivo desses serviços em relação ao IBGE, o que indica sua potencialidade para fornecer dados continuados e medir o impacto de políticas de melhoria das condições ambientais. Alguns agravos presentes no SIAB não pertencem ao SINAN o que o torna interessante para ampliar a cobertura da vigilância epidemiológica. Conclusões: Há carência de indicadores no SIAB, necessários ao estabelecimento de uma vigilância ambiental voltada para o controle de riscos à saúde, particularmente para verificar a eficácia dos sistemas sanitários e de qualidade ambiental. As informações sobre agravos à saúde de notificação compulsória não são suficientes para as ações de promoção e prevenção em saúde ao nível da atenção básica à saúde. O SIAB permite outros tipos de estratégia para a vigilância epidemiológica, como por exemplo a de “sítio sentinela”. Faz-se necessário, em cada realidade local, estabelecer-se os indicadores ambientais que devem integrar o SIAB, o qual deve ser incorporado ao sistema de vigilância epidemiológica, ambiental, sanitária e da saúde. Descriptors: Information system; Basic attention; Environmental risk; Environmental surveillance; Health Promotion. Descriptores: Sistema de Información; Atención básica; Riesgo Ambiental; Vigilancia Ambiental; La Promoción de la Salud.

The information system of basic attention as a source of information for environmental monitoring: limits and potentiality

A demanda por informacoes dos setores de ambiente e saude para fins de acoes integradas e crescente. Este estudo objetivou analisar a qualidade dos dados do Sistema de Informacao da Atencao Basica - SIAB relativos as variaveis e indicadores de risco ambiental e sua aplicabilidade para acoes de promocao e prevencao em saude. Trata-se de um estudo de carater exploratorio, realizado no ano de 2000, em bairro da cidade do Recife, Pernambuco. O universo do estudo foram todas as familias do bairro que sao acompanhadas pelos programas da atencao basica a saude (Programa de Agentes Comunitarios de Saude - PACS e, ou Programa Saude da Familia - PSF). Foram analisadas variaveis e indicadores do Sistema de Informacao da Atencao Basica - SIAB; do Censo Demografico da Fundacao Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica - FIBGE e dados da Vigilância Epidemiologica. Foi elaborado o perfil de cobertura dos programas do PACS e do PSF a nivel nacional, regional, estadual, municipal e distrital; foram feitas comparacoes entre bancos de dados do SIAB 2000; da FIBGE 1991 e da Vigilância Epidemiologica 1999 com o objetivo de verificar a presenca de incongruencias nas informacoes que sao comuns aos diversos sistemas. Como principais resultados tivemos que: no pais ha uma desigualdade regional na distribuicao do numero de equipes implantadas do PSF/PACs. Regioes populosas e carentes do Sudeste nao se beneficiam desses programas. Os dados do SIAB do estado de Pernambuco mostram que nao ha criterios adequados para o tratamento dos dados, prejudicando o sistema de informacao da atencao basica a saude. O municipio do Recife apresenta, entre os distritos sanitarios, uma heterogeneidade de cobertura. O SIAB apresenta indicadores ambientais restritos, que so permitem verificar a cobertura de servicos de abastecimento de agua, de rede de esgoto e de coleta de lixo. No entanto, e o unico instrumento de vigilância a saude que informa esses indicadores. Para os indicadores comuns, o SIAB possibilitou verificar um processo evolutivo desses servicos em relacao ao IBGE, o que indica sua potencialidade para fornecer dados continuados e medir o impacto de politicas de melhoria das condicoes ambientais. Alguns agravos presentes no SIAB nao pertencem ao SINAN o que o torna interessante para ampliar a cobertura da vigilância epidemiologica. Conclusoes: Ha carencia de indicadores no SIAB, necessarios ao estabelecimento de uma vigilância ambiental voltada para o controle de riscos a saude, particularmente para verificar a eficacia dos sistemas sanitarios e de qualidade ambiental. As informacoes sobre agravos a saude de notificacao compulsoria nao sao suficientes para as acoes de promocao e prevencao em saude ao nivel da atencao basica a saude. O SIAB permite outros tipos de estrategia para a vigilância epidemiologica, como por exemplo a de “sitio sentinela”. Faz-se necessario, em cada realidade local, estabelecer-se os indicadores ambientais que devem integrar o SIAB, o qual deve ser incorporado ao sistema de vigilância epidemiologica, ambiental, sanitaria e da saude. Descriptors: Information system; Basic attention; Environmental risk; Environmental surveillance; Health Promotion. Descriptores: Sistema de Informacion; Atencion basica; Riesgo Ambiental; Vigilancia Ambiental; La Promocion de la Salud.

Agricultural remote monitoring systems based on web‐server‐embedded technology and CDMA service

Agricultural remote monitoring systems based on web‐server‐embedded technology and mobile telecommunication will become a core node technology in sensing network construction for agriculture production in China. This is now possible because of the very many mobile phone users and the widespread availability of digital services in this country. Soil, environmental, and crop information monitoring are important in production management and in decision‐making in precision agriculture. The characteristics of reliability, security and cheapness are essential in the monitoring of agricultural information. Three improved field monitoring servers (FMS) using code division multiple access (CDMA) services combined with IPsec‐based virtual private network (VPN) functions were installed in two commercial rice fields in Shanghai and in one experimental maize field in Beijing and a remote wireless sensing network was constructed. In a 3‐year trial, this remote monitoring system with ubiquitous node infrastructure was shown to be useful and cost‐effective for collecting soil, environmental and crop information remotely for precision agriculture.

Composição gravimétrica de resíduos sólidos aterrados

A composição gravimétrica de um aterro de resíduos sólidos (RS) é uma informação básica para o monitoramento e avaliação de projetos ambientais. A obtenção dessa informação é dificultada pela inexistência de procedimentos padrões de amostragem, pela heterogeneidade dos RS e pela forma de disposição desses resíduos ou tipo de aterro, entre outros fatores. Esse trabalho teve como objetivo determinar se há diferença entre a composição gravimétrica de materiais aterrados em um lixão e em um aterro controlado, além de avaliar se essa composição varia com a profundidade de amostragem. Constatou-se pouca diferença na composição gravimétrica dos RS entre os aterros. No aterro controlado predominou a massa pastosa (41,2 %), enquanto que no lixão houve maior teor de plástico filme (35,0 %). A composição dos resíduos aterrados não variou com a profundidade de amostragem.

Multivariate calibration of hyperspectral γ‐ray energy spectra for proximal soil sensing

SummaryThe development of proximal soil sensors to collect fine‐scale soil information for environmental monitoring, modelling and precision agriculture is vital. Conventional soil sampling and laboratory analyses are time‐consuming and expensive. In this paper we look at the possibility of calibrating hyperspectral γ‐ray energy spectra to predict various surface and subsurface soil properties. The spectra were collected with a proximal, on‐the‐go γ‐ray spectrometer. We surveyed two geographically and physiographically different fields in New South Wales, Australia, and collected hyperspectral γ‐ray data consisting of 256 energy bands at more than 20 000 sites in each field. Bootstrap aggregation with partial least squares regression (or bagging‐PLSR) was used to calibrate the γ‐ray spectra of each field for predictions of selected soil properties. However, significant amounts of pre‐processing were necessary to expose the correlations between the γ‐ray spectra and the soil data. We first filtered the spectra spatially using local kriging, then further de‐noised, normalized and detrended them. The resulting bagging‐PLSR models of each field were tested using leave‐one‐out cross‐validation. Bagging‐PLSR provided robust predictions of clay, coarse sand and Fe contents in the 0–15 cm soil layer and pH and coarse sand contents in the 15–50 cm soil layer. Furthermore, bagging‐PLSR provided us with a measure of the uncertainty of predictions. This study is apparently the first to use a multivariate calibration technique with on‐the‐go proximal γ‐ray spectrometry. Proximally sensed γ‐ray spectrometry proved to be a useful tool for predicting soil properties in different soil landscapes.

Assessing Accuracy of Net Change Derived from Land Cover Maps

Net change derived from land-cover maps provides important information for environmental monitoring and modeling. To better target the objectives of net change accuracy, we require modifications of the sampling design and analysis protocols typically implemented for assessments focusing on single date or gross change maps. Mean absolute deviation estimated for user-defined reporting domains is suggested to characterize net change accuracy. Stratified sampling is often desirable to improve precision for high priority estimates (e.g., high net change domains), but decisions regarding the number and identity of strata must be made recognizing the precision trade-offs among the multiple estimates of interest in a net change assessment. The accuracy assessment strategy and a protocol for evaluating sampling design options are demonstrated using a population of map and reference net change derived from existing land-cover maps and representing change from 1990 to 2000.

Deriving terrain and textural information from stereo RADARSAT data for mountainous land cover mapping

A new procedure is proposed for land cover classification in a mountainous area using stereo RADARSAT-1 data. The method integrates a few types of information that can be extracted from the same stereo RADARSAT images: (1) the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) generated from the stereo RADARSAT images; (2) terrain information (elevation, slope and aspect) extracted from the derived DEM; and (3) textural information derived from the same RADARSAT images. An Artificial Neural Network (ANN) classifier is applied for the land cover classification. Performance of the proposed method is evaluated using a mountainous study area in Southern Argentina, where there is a lack of up-to-date information for environmental monitoring. The results show that the integration of textural and terrain information can greatly improve the accuracy of the classification using the ANN classifier. It demonstrates that stereo RADARSAT images provide valuable data sources for land cover mapping, especially in mountainous areas where cloud cover is a problem for optical data collection and topographical data are not always available.

SIM Samples Investigation by Statistical Methods

The assessment of the present condition of the soil is very important, because the accession of the number of the European Union members is in the near future. This can be the base of the modern agrarian environmental management programme. The assessment must be objective, detailed and analyse the processes in the soil.Respecting the above causes was decided to create an Environmental Information Monitoring System. This system consists of more parts. One of them is the Soil Information Monitoring System (SIM). This system started to work in 1992.This system has two functions. Creating and actuation is obligatory from the international contracts, on the other hand the public SIM has very important role in the conservation of the soil.The SIM territorial measuring grid consists of 1236 measuring points. These points are representatives. The distributions of the points by the types of soil attend the variety of the types of soil of the country.The investigated elements in 6 types of soil were in our experiment (the group of scandium and the lanthanide series elements). There are 6 elements above the detection limit (Gadolinium, Neodymium, Praseodymium, Scandium, Samarium, Yttrium).The Neodymium concentration is 2 times higher than the content of Gadolinium and Yttrium.The Neodymium concentration is 4 times higher than the content of Praseodymium, Scandium and Samarium.In the case of Dysprosium, Europium, Lutetium, Terbium, Ytterbium the concentrations were below 1 mg/kg.

Linking ecological science to decision-making: delivering environmental monitoring information as societal feedback.

The paper describes the Ecological Monitoring and Assessment Network's (EMAN) operational and program response to certain challenges of environmental monitoring in Canada, in particular, efforts to improve the ability of the network to deliver relevant information to decision makers. In addition to its familiar roles, environmental monitoring should deliver feedback to society on environmental changes associated with development patterns, trends, processes and interventions. In order for such feedback to be effective, it must be relevant, timely, useful and accessible: all characteristics that are defined by the user, not the provider. Demand driven environmental monitoring is explored through EMAN's experiences with Canada's Biosphere Reserves, the NatureWatch Program and the Canadian Community Monitoring Network.

Internet based environmental monitoring information system and its application in Yili Prefecture

With the development of Internet technologies, Internet Based Information System (IBIS) arises with more advantages: Firstly, it is convenient for users to use owing to the introduction of Internet technologies. Secondly, it benefits greatly the data dissemination and data sharing based on Internet. The most important but not the last is that we can establish the information service network supported by its technologies and the facilities of information highway. So, it would be significant to design IBIS to realize the data collection, sharing and dissemination on Internet. There are many factors affecting regional environment. So it is not easy to realize the integrated environmental monitoring. Given this, we designed the Internet based environmental monitoring information system. By the virtue of the Internet based environmental monitoring information system, the management and storage of environmental monitoring data would be easier, which lays the foundation to actualize the environmental monitoring efficiently.

Synergistic use of orbital satellite image and ground-based information in environmental monitoring of railway alignment construction - a case study

Environmental monitoring of road/railway/highway alignment construction activity is necessary to assess the probable negative impacts on the physical, biological and hydrological environment. This would aid in assessing the effectiveness of mitigation measures proposed and executed measures. Multitemporal orbital remote sensing data along with site-based information on water and air quality and noise level were used in the environmental impact assessment (EIA) and auditing of Konkan railway alignment in India. This method of integrated data collection and analysis could be used effectively for monitoring similar projects elsewhere.

Cholinesterases of marine teleost fish: enzymological characterization and potential use in the monitoring of neurotoxic contamination

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is well established as a biomarker of exposure to organophosphate compounds in freshwater fish. By constrast, only a few studies on the enzymology and responsiveness of AChE are available for marine species. In this study, we report characteristics of cholinesterases from brain and muscle tissue of three marine teleosts, Limanda limanda, Platichthys flesus and Serranus cabrilla, to provide basal information for environmental monitoring in coastal and marine areas. In brain, cholinesterase activity was exclusively comprised of AChE. In contrast, both butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and AChE were present in axial muscle. The fish BChEs displayed atypical substrate and inhibitor specificities in that they cleaved acetyl-β-(methyl)thiocholine and were sensitive to BW284C51. Bimolecular inhibition constants, Ki, of BChE for the organophosphates paraoxon and dichlorvos were more than three orders of magnitude greater than the respective Ki values of AChEs. This reflects a much higher sensitivity of BChE to the organophosphates than AChE. Neither AChE from muscle and brain within one species, respectively, nor corresponding cholinesterases from different species differed significantly in their Ki values. The presence of two cholinesterases of differential sensitivity in the same tissue is potentially useful in monitoring.

Hanford Environmental Dose Reconstruction Project-An Overview

The Hanford Environmental Dose Reconstruction Project was initiated because of public interest in the historical releases of radioactive materials from the Hanford Site, located in southcentral Washington State. By 1986, over 38,000 pages of environmental monitoring documentation from the early years of Hanford operations had been released. Special committees reviewing the documents recommended initiation of the Hanford Environmental Dose Reconstruction Project, which began in October 1987, and is conducted by Battelle, Pacific Northwest Laboratories. The technical approach taken was to reconstruct releases of radioactive materials based on facility operating information; develop and/or adapt transport, pathway, and dose models and computer codes; reconstruct environmental, meteorological, and hydrological monitoring information; reconstruct demographic, agricultural, and lifestyle characteristics; apply statistical methods to all forms of uncertainty in the information, parameters, and models; and perform scientific investigations that were technically defensible. The geographic area for the study includes approximately 2 x 10(5) km2 (75,000 mi2) in eastern Washington, western Idaho, and northeastern Oregon (essentially the Mid-Columbia Basin of the Pacific Northwest). Three exposure pathways were considered: the atmosphere, the Columbia River, and ground water. the radionuclide of interest for atmospheric pathway doses was 131I. The median dose for the maximally exposed individual was approximately 2.3 Gy (230 rad) to the thyroid over the period from 1944 to 1972 with a 90% subjective confidence interval of 0.54 to 8.4 Gy (54 to 840 rad). The Columbia River was studied from Priest Rapids Dam, upstream of the Hanford Site, to the mouth of the river and nearby bays. Radionuclides of interest for river pathway doses were 24Na, 32P, 65Zn, 76As, and 239Np. The median dose from the river pathway for the maximally exposed individual was approximately 0.0015 Sv (0.15 rem) effective dose equivalent in the period of maximum exposure (1950-1970). Doses from the groundwater pathway were determined to be below levels of interest for the project.

Changes in bird populations as criteria of environmental changes

Järvinen, O. and Väisänen, R. A. 1979. Changes in bird populations as criteria of environmental changes. – Holarct. Ecol. 2: 75‐80.Birds are a powerful tool of environmental monitoring, on account of their ecological diversity. Because of this, bird populations seem best suited for monitoring biological, possibly non‐linear effects of specified environmental changes, such as habitat modification, and for “general monitoring” aimed at detecting unexpected environmental changes as they occur. Because many population changes have multiple causes, monitoring specific environmental changes is most rewarding if birds are grouped by e.g. habitat, major strategy (e.g. resident vs. migrant species), or feeding guild. A blueprint for a Nordic monitoring system based on breeding land birds is presented. Local trends may be atypical, and representative coverage of the major habitats in large areas should thus be ensured. As annual population fluctuations usually give little information in environmental monitoring, long‐term projects are necessary. The line transect method seems applicable to many monitoring purposes, as it is rapid, inexpensive, relatively accurate, and suitable for sampling the northern terrestrial biota of the Holarctic region, probably including the temperate deciduous forests.