scholarly journals Climate change extreme and seasonal toxic metal occurrence in Romanian freshwaters in the last two decades—case study and critical review

2022 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreea Maria Iordache ◽  
Constantin Nechita ◽  
Cezara Voica ◽  
Tomáš Pluháček ◽  
Kevin A. Schug

AbstractThe relationship between metal levels in the Olt River ecosystem in southern Romania (measured during 2018‒2019, with 1064 sediment and water samples) and daily climate data were explored to assess the need for targeted source identification and mitigation strategies. In 2018, there was a strong relationship between the sediment Pb, As, Cd, and Hg contents and temperature (r > 0.8, p < 0.001). Mercury in sediments had a positive correlation with precipitation, and Hg in the water correlated with minimum temperature in May 2018 (p < 0.01). In July 2019, heavy metals were positively correlated with precipitation and negatively correlated with temperature. According to nonsymmetrical correspondence analysis, the four climate parameters analyzed were linearly correlated with the frequency of metal detection (p < 0.001) in both years. The statistical analysis showed strong relationships between heavy metal levels and climatic factors and attributed the discrepancies in elemental concentrations between 2018 and 2019 to climate warming.

Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 2108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ari Guna ◽  
Jiquan Zhang ◽  
Siqin Tong ◽  
Yongbin Bao ◽  
Aru Han ◽  
...  

Based on the 1965–2017 climate data of 18 meteorological stations in the Songliao Plain maize belt, the Coupled Model Intercomparision Project (CMIP5) data, and the 1998–2017 maize yield data, the drought change characteristics in the study area were analyzed by using the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI) and the Mann–Kendall mutation test; furthermore, the relationship between meteorological factors, drought index, and maize climate yield was determined. Finally, the maize climate yields under 1.5 °C and 2.0 °C global warming scenarios were predicted. The results revealed that: (1) from 1965 to 2017, the study area experienced increasing temperature, decreasing precipitation, and intensifying drought trends; (2) the yield of the study area showed a downward trend from 1998 to 2017. Furthermore, the climate yield was negatively correlated with temperature, positively correlated with precipitation, and positively correlated with SPEI-1 and SPEI-3; and (3) under the 1.5 °C and the 2.0 °C global warming scenarios, the temperature and the precipitation increased in the maize growing season. Furthermore, under the studied global warming scenarios, the yield changes predicted by multiple regression were −7.7% and −15.9%, respectively, and the yield changes predicted by one-variable regression were −12.2% and −21.8%, respectively.


2008 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 281-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. A. Ebong ◽  
M. M. Akpan ◽  
V. N. Mkpenie

Dumpsites in Uyo and most cities in Nigeria are used nutrients rich soils for cultivating fruits and vegetables without regards to the risk of toxic metal pollution by the wastes. This development necessitated the research on the assessment of the impact of municipal and rural dumpsites on the metal levels of the underlying soils, the relationship between the dumpsite- soil metal content and the rate of bio-accumulation by plants, the effect of plant specie and plant part on the rate of metal uptake. Atomic absorption spectrophotometer was employed for the analysis of the samples and results obtained from municipal dumpsite soil indicated the following mean concentrations: Fe, 1711.20 μg/g; Pb, 43.28 ug/g; Zn, 88.34 ug/g; Ni, 12.18 ug/g; Cd, 14.10 ug/g and Cu, 56.33 ug/g. These concentrations were relatively higher than the following concentrations: Fe, 1016.98 ug/g; Pb, 18.57 ug/g; Zn, 57.90 ug/g; Ni, 7.98 ug/g; Cd, 9.25 ug/g and Cu, 33.70 ug/g recorded for the rural dumpsite soil. Consequently, plants grown on municipal dumpsites soil accumulated higher concentrations of the metals than those on rural dumpsites. Results obtained from this study also revealed that plants grown on dumpsite soils bio-accumulated higher metal concentrations than their counterparts obtained from normal agricultural soils. The ability of plants to bioaccumulate these metals were also observed as being different from one plant to the other and from one plant parts to the other. And apart from Fe and Zn which recorded higher concentrations in the leaves of the plants studied, other metals recorded higher concentrations in the roots. The general results obtained revealed that the levels of Cd in dumpsite-soil were above the standard while the levels of Cd and Pb in plants were also above the recommended levels in plants. The implications of these high concentrations of these metals in soil and plants have been discussed. Some useful recommendations on the proper handling of wastes to reduce toxic metal loads at dumpsites have also been highlighted.


Author(s):  
Cristian IEDERAN ◽  
Ioan OROIAN ◽  
Ioan BRASOVEAN ◽  
Camelia TODORAN ◽  
Cristian MÄ‚LINAȘ

The strong relationship between the late blight and climatic factors (namely temperature and rainfall)  has  important  consequences  on  potato  crops.  In  Romania,  in  early  spring  and  early  fall  the attack  degree  of  the  Phytophthora infestans  Mont.  de  Bary,  late  blight  pathogen,  is  low  because  in European  climate  average  temperature  is  not  more  than  10 0C,  and  usually  the  rainfall  supply  is reduced;  it  increases  in  late  spring  and  summer  when  average  temperatures  are  around  20 0C  and rainfall average more that 65 mm/month. The aim of this paper is to describe the relationship between temperature, rainfall regimen and late blight attack degree in potato cultures. The research was carried on  during  two  years,  2009  and  2010,  in  three  experimental  fields  from  Transylvania:  Răhău,  Alba; Maieru,  BistriÅ£a-Năsăud;  Draguș,  Brașov.  Classical  methodology  was  used  for  monitoring.  The  data were statistically processed using STATISTICA  v. 7.0 programme. The interrelation attack degree - abiotic  factors  reflects  a  maximum  intensity  of  the Phytophthora infestans  Mont.  de  Bary  attack degree by the entire year 2009 around 42 % recorded when the rainfall average values begin with 110 mm  and  thermic  conditions  correspondent  to  values  bigger  than  20 0C.  In  the  year  2010  the multiregression  analyze  of  the  monitored  interactions,  led  to  a  very  strong  multiple  correlation coefficient  of  0.938  representative  in  share  of  87.90%.  In  2010,  by  the  entire  monitored  period,  the rainfall supply had a bigger influence on the attack degree compared to thermic conditions. In 2009, the predicted biggest recorded attack degree of Phytophthora infestans de Bary was of 44% while in 2010 it was of 40 %, correspondent to rainfall and temperature regimens.


2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-30
Author(s):  
Meriem Narimane Noumeur

Social networking websites play an important role in our lives. These websites provide several services that allow users to enjoy their time in cyberspace by providing them space to represent their personalities in the virtual world. Using Goffman’s dramaturgical theory, this study aims to identify the way Malaysian women represent themselves, by depicting and managing their virtual identities through Facebook while exploring the way they construct their identities and realize their online presence. A convenience sampling survey was used to collect data through Facebook. A total of 133 female students from a Malaysian university were involved in the study on their self-representations (online and offline); highlighting the way they presented their identities online and suggesting whether their offline influenced the virtual identities. It also explored the relationship between offline and online self-representation among the students. The findings showed a changing self-representation of the Malaysian women based on their utilization of the different Facebook services. The concept of “I” and “you” on the front and backstage is invoked as a theoretical form to understand how representation is made among the close and distant others. The findings showed a significant effect of the offline feelings on the Online self-representation and revealed a strong relationship between the offline and online presence. It indicated the difficulty of separation between virtual and real identity.


Author(s):  
Dieter Fink

The aim of this case study is first, to determine the extent to which web 2.0 can be the technology that would enable a strong relationship between government and its citizens to develop in managing road safety and second, to examine the endeavours of the WA Office of Road Safety (ORS) in fostering the relationship. It shows that in ORS’ road safety strategy for 2008-2020, community engagement is strongly advocated for the successful development and execution of its road safety plan but the potential of web 2.0 approaches in achieving it is not recognised. This would involve the use of blogs and RSS as suitable push strategies to get road safety information to the public. Online civic engagement would harness collective intelligence (‘the wisdom of crowds’) and, by enabling the public to annotate information on wikis, layers of value could be added so that the public become co-developers of road safety strategy and policy. The case identifies three major challenges confronting the ORS to become Road Safety 2.0 ready: how to gain the publics’ attention in competition with other government agencies, how to respond internally to online citizen engagement, and how to manage governmental politics.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Danielle Hrstich

<p>This thesis considers how to use atmosphere as a driver when designing to strengthen the relationship between the body and architecture. Wigley, following Semper, argues that atmosphere is constructed through the outer surface. Surface is used as a key element in architectural practice to contribute to the overall atmospheric conditions within architecture, to influence the way an occupant experiences space. To strengthen the relationship between the body and the built, this thesis looks at the surface of architecture to explore ‘how atmosphere can be designed for through a kinetic surface’. This thesis begins with a theoretical review of atmosphere and surface, along with case study research that contributes to the thesis exploration through design research. This thesis consists of three design outputs that test the kinetic surface at three increasing scales to engage the body. These design outputs include an installation, a house and a public building with each design increasing in complexity. While primarily focusing on the atmosphere produced through surface, these experiments also deal with site and programmatic constraints. This thesis concludes with an architectural strategy of using a double layered kinetic surface in a public building to create atmosphere that forms a strong relationship with the body, through light, movement and materiality.</p>


2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (1-3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bitty Ansawi ◽  
Vincent Pang

Education plays an important role in the development of a nation. Teachers, the main implementer of curriculum at school are subjected to numerous approaches and strategies which have been proven to bring about positive and significant change in students’ academic performance. However, the success of these programs depends on the positive perception of these programs. This study aims to identify how lesson study relates to professional learning community practice in the school. A total of 98 teachers selected via purposive sampling from low performing schools in Sabah. Two scales were adapted from past studies to measure the respondents’ perception about professional learning community and lesson study practices. Data from the questionnaire was analyzed with IBM SPSS 23.0. Findings showed that teachers perceived both professional learning community and lesson study practices highly. Lesson study and professional learning community showed significant positive and strong relationship. This study implied that teachers in low performing school are receptive of these practices and such attitude may contribute to the success of the SISC+ program in these schools. Findings from this study help policy makers and practitioners to plan strategically on the implementation of these practices in schools. 


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Naiomi Murgatroyd

<p>Dance has been used historically in museums in both exhibitions and public programmes. These events provide opportunities for museums to collaborate with performing arts institutions. Incorporating contemporary dance in New Zealand museums poses a number of challenges for both the dance company and for the museum; however it can provide a unique and rewarding visitor experience. There has been little research into the use of contemporary dance in the museum environment, or the practicalities of holding such events. The impact of dance performances on the museum visitor has also been neglected. This case study of a contemporary dance company performing in a New Zealand museum investigates the relationship between the two organisations and the impact the performance had on the visitor. Ten interviews were conducted with museum staff, dance company staff and one audience member. This case study provides insight into the relationship between the two institutions as well as the visitor experience. It was found that significant practical and financial barriers could potentially prevent both the dance company and the museum from holding dance events. Key areas of concern in organising this event were safety, communication and measuring the success of the event. A strong relationship between the institutions and open channels of communication between the staff involved allowed for practical solutions to these issues. The connection between the dance work and the museum exhibition space was questioned by visitors, who did not overtly see a link between the two despite the artistic intentions of the dance company. Nonetheless meaning was taken from the piece in less direct ways. Firstly, visitors generated meaning from the social aspects of their visit. Secondly, they found meaning in the physical environment of the museum.</p>


2012 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 139-143
Author(s):  
Hassan Jorfi ◽  
Mahdi Elhaee Sahar

In today's complex global environment, communications effectiveness and emotional intelligence remains a key topic of concern among managers worldwide. The paper is undertaken to understand the relationship between managers communications effectiveness to improve emotional intelligence and job satisfaction in the universities of Iran. In current paper emotional intelligence plays main role in relationship with communication effectiveness and with job satisfaction. Data (N = 234) for this study were collected through questionnaires and the participants were managers in universities of Iran. The result in current paper shows that emotional intelligence has a positive and strong relationship with communication effectiveness and with job satisfaction.


2011 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 21-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dieter Fink

The aim of this case study is first, to determine the extent to which web 2.0 can be the technology that would enable a strong relationship between government and its citizens to develop in managing road safety and second, to examine the endeavours of the WA Office of Road Safety (ORS) in fostering the relationship. It shows that in ORS’ road safety strategy for 2008-2020, community engagement is strongly advocated for the successful development and execution of its road safety plan but the potential of web 2.0 approaches in achieving it is not recognised. This would involve the use of blogs and RSS as suitable push strategies to get road safety information to the public. Online civic engagement would harness collective intelligence (‘the wisdom of crowds’) and, by enabling the public to annotate information on wikis, layers of value could be added so that the public become co-developers of road safety strategy and policy. The case identifies three major challenges confronting the ORS to become Road Safety 2.0 ready: how to gain the publics’ attention in competition with other government agencies, how to respond internally to online citizen engagement, and how to manage governmental politics.


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