Watershed of a small river as source of contaminants and biogenic elements

There is considered methodology of estimation of contaminants and biogenic elements intake into water objects from urban watersheds by municipal non-point runoff. We used the Volkovka River in St. Petersburg and its watershed for the research because the watershed is characterized by high degree of variety and includes all possible types of urban areas: multi-storey residential constructions, industrial areas, green spaces, cemeteries, wastelands, and even agricultural areas. The research included the monitoring data processing, the watershed analysis by GIS-technologies, and field studies.

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Direct observations of the atmospheric processing of Asian mineral dust

Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Discussions ◽

10.5194/acpd-6-4109-2006 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

pp. 4109-4170 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

R. C. Sullivan ◽

S. A. Guazzotti ◽

D. A. Sodeman ◽

K. A. Prather

Keyword(s):

Urban Areas ◽

Mineral Dust ◽

Field Studies ◽

Dust Particles ◽

Reaction Products ◽

Mass Source ◽

Atmospheric Processing ◽

Acid Reaction ◽

The Individual ◽

High Degree

Abstract. The accumulation of secondary acid products and ammonium on individual mineral dust particles during ACE-Asia has been measured in real-time using ATOFMS. Changes in the amounts of sulphate, nitrate, and chloride mixed with dust particles corresponded to different air mass source regions. During volcanically influenced periods, dust mixed with sulphate dominated. This rapidly switched to dust predominantly mixed with chloride when the first Asian dust front reached the R/V Ronald Brown. We hypothesise that the high degree of mixing of dust with chloride was caused by the prior reaction of NOy(g) and volcanic SO2(g) with sea salt particles, reducing the availability of nitrate and sulphate precursors while releasing HCl(g), which then reacted with the incoming dust front. The segregation of sulphate from nitrate and chloride in individual dust particles is demonstrated for the first time. This is likely caused by the dust plume encountering elevated SO2(g) in the Chinese interior before reaching coastal urban areas polluted by both SO2(g) and NOx(g). This caused the fractions of dust mixed with nitrate and/or chloride to be strongly dependent on the total dust loadings, whereas dust mixed with sulphate did not show this same dust concentration dependence. Ammonium was also significantly mixed with dust and the amount correlated strongly with the total amount of secondary acid reaction products in the dust. Submicron dust and ammonium sulphate were internally mixed, contrary to frequent statements that they exist as an external mixture. The size distribution of the mixing state of dust with these secondary species validates previous models and mechanisms of the atmospheric processing of dust. The uptake of secondary acids was also dependent on the individual dust particle mineralogy; nitrate accumulated on calcium-rich dust while sulphate accumulated on aluminosilicate-rich dust. Oxidation of S(IV) to S(VI) by iron in the aluminosilicate-rich dust is a probable explanation for this result, with important consequences for dust as a vector for the fertilization of remote oceans by soluble iron. This series of novel results has important implications for improving the treatment of dust in global chemistry models and highlights several key processes requiring further investigation through laboratory and field studies.

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Percepción y valoración de áreas de vegetación semi-naturales y su conservación en los parques públicos: 3 casos de estudio en Berlín = Perception and acceptance of nature-like maintained vegetation areas in public parks: 3 case studies from Berlin

Territorios en formación ◽

10.20868/tf.2020.18.4600 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 22

Author(s):

Laura Jeschke

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Case Studies ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Natural Vegetation ◽

Comprehensive Approach ◽

Green Spaces ◽

Public Parks ◽

City Administration ◽

High Degree

ResumenLos parques públicos son importantes espacios para la relajación y el disfrute en las zonas urbanas; son, además, lugares para que la población experimente con la naturaleza. Desde el decenio de 1990, los espacios verdes de Berlín utilizan cada vez más vegetación semi-natural, y la administración municipal de Berlín ha adoptado un enfoque integral para su mantenimiento. En el presente estudio se investigó la cuestión de si la vegetación semi-natural es percibida y aceptada positivamente por los visitantes del parque. Para ello, se realizaron encuestas in situ y un análisis de imágenes obtenidas de las redes de comunicación social. Los resultados del estudio muestran un elevado grado de aprobación con el planteamiento de la cuestión.AbstractPublic parks are important spaces for relaxation and recreation in urban areas and are places for the population to experience nature. Since the 1990s, Berlin's green spaces have been increasingly using near-natural vegetation, and the Berlin city administration has taken a comprehensive approach to their maintenance. The present study investigated the question of whether near-natural vegetation is perceived and accepted positively by park visitors. For this purpose, on-site surveys and an analysis of images from social media were conducted. The results of the study show a high degree of agreement with the question. Keywords Low-

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Biscogniauxia (Hypoxylon) Canker or Dieback in Trees

EDIS ◽

10.32473/edis-fr407-2017 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2017 (6) ◽

Author(s):

Claudia Paez ◽

Jason A. Smith

Keyword(s):

Water Stress ◽

Tree Species ◽

Soil Compaction ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Root Disease ◽

Poor Health ◽

Green Spaces ◽

Opportunistic Pathogens ◽

Wide Range ◽

Quercus Spp

Biscogniauxia canker or dieback (formerly called Hypoxylon canker or dieback) is a common contributor to poor health and decay in a wide range of tree species (Balbalian & Henn 2014). This disease is caused by several species of fungi in the genus Biscogniauxia (formerly Hypoxylon). B. atropunctata or B. mediterranea are usually the species found on Quercus spp. and other hosts in Florida, affecting trees growing in many different habitats, such as forests, parks, green spaces and urban areas (McBride & Appel, 2009). Typically, species of Biscogniauxia are opportunistic pathogens that do not affect healthy and vigorous trees; some species are more virulent than others. However, once they infect trees under stress (water stress, root disease, soil compaction, construction damage etc.) they can quickly colonize the host. Once a tree is infected and fruiting structures of the fungus are evident, the tree is not likely to survive especially if the infection is in the tree's trunk (Anderson et al., 1995).

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MONITORING OF GREEN SPACES’ CONDITION USING GIS-TECHNOLOGIES

International Journal of Pharmaceutical Research ◽

10.31838/ijpr/2018.10.04.126 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (04) ◽

pp. 730-733 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Keyword(s):

Green Spaces ◽

Gis Technologies

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Diversity of organisms

10.1093/oso/9780198827238.003.0005 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Philip James

Keyword(s):

Life Cycle ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Native Species ◽

New Technologies ◽

Urban Environments ◽

Green Spaces ◽

The Common ◽

Living Organisms ◽

Micro Organisms ◽

Diversity Of Life

The focus of this chapter is an examination of the diversity of living organisms found within urban environments, both inside and outside buildings. The discussion commences with prions and viruses before moving on to consider micro-organisms, plants, and animals. Prions and viruses cause disease in plants and animals, including humans. Micro-organisms are ubiquitous and are found in great numbers throughout urban environments. New technologies are providing new insights into their diversity. Plants may be found inside buildings as well as in gardens and other green spaces. The final sections of the chapter offer a discussion of the diversity of animals that live in urban areas for part or all of their life cycle. Examples of the diversity of life in urban environments are presented throughout, including native and non-native species, those that are benign and deadly, and the common and the rare.

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Evaluation of the Equity and Regional Management of Some Urban Green Space Ecosystem Services: A Case Study of Main Urban Area of Xi’an City

Forests ◽

10.3390/f12070813 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (7) ◽

pp. 813

Author(s):

Hui Dang ◽

Jing Li ◽

Yumeng Zhang ◽

Zixiang Zhou

Keyword(s):

Ecosystem Services ◽

Carbon Sequestration ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Green Space ◽

Well Being ◽

Urban Green Space ◽

Green Spaces ◽

Deposition Flux ◽

Urban Green ◽

Xi’An City

Urban green spaces can provide many types of ecosystem services for residents. An imbalance in the pattern of green spaces leads to an inequality of the benefits of such spaces. Given the current situation of environmental problems and the basic geographical conditions of Xi’an City, this study evaluated and mapped four kinds of ecosystem services from the perspective of equity: biodiversity, carbon sequestration, air purification, and climate regulation. Regionalization with dynamically constrained agglomerative clustering and partitioning (REDCAP) was used to obtain the partition groups of ecosystem services. The results indicate that first, the complexity of the urban green space community is low, and the level of biodiversity needs to be improved. The dry deposition flux of particulate matter (PM2.5) decreases from north to south, and green spaces enhance the adsorption of PM2.5. Carbon sequestration in the south and east is higher than that in the north and west, respectively. The average surface temperature in green spaces is lower than that in other urban areas. Second, urban green space resources in the study area are unevenly distributed. Therefore, ecosystem services in different areas are inequitable. Finally, based on the regionalization of integrated ecosystem services, an ecosystem services cluster was developed. This included 913 grid spaces, 12 partitions, and 5 clusters, which can provide a reference for distinct levels of ecosystem services management. This can assist urban managers who can use these indicators of ecosystem service levels for planning and guiding the overall development pattern of green spaces. The benefits would be a maximization of the ecological functions of green spaces, an improvement of the sustainable development of the city, and an improvement of people’s well-being.

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Vegetation Diversity of Screes and Taluses of The Pamir and South-Western Tian Shan in Middle Asia

Folia Geobotanica ◽

10.1007/s12224-021-09392-w ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Arkadiusz Nowak ◽

Sebastian Świerszcz ◽

Sylwia Nowak ◽

Marcin Nobis

Keyword(s):

Species Composition ◽

Arid Zone ◽

Field Studies ◽

Vegetation Diversity ◽

Plant Associations ◽

Middle Asia ◽

Recent Developments ◽

Phytosociological Relevés ◽

High Degree ◽

Tian Shan

AbstractThis paper presents the results of phytosociological research on scree vegetation of the Pamir and south-western Tian Shan. We collected 222 phytosociological relevés during field studies conducted in 2015–2019, applying the Braun-Blanquet approach. We identified 21 plant communities on mobile and stabilized screes of colluvial cones, aprons and fans, inhabiting mainly the montane and alpine belts in several ranges (e.g. Peter the First, Alichur, Shugnan, Shachdarian, Darvaz, Rushan, Vanch, Fergana, Kyrgyz and Terskey ranges). As a result we provide the first comprehensive hierarchical syntaxonomic synopsis of scree communities at montane and alpine elevations in the eastern Middle Asia. The collected vegetation relevés represent the majority of the variation among the phytocoenoses of gravel, pebble, cobble and rock block slides and screes in the montane and alpine belts. As a result of field studies and Twinspan analyses, nine associations were identified on screes of the Pamir and western Tian Shan. All these communities were assigned to the Sileno brahuicae-Lactucetalia orientalis Nowak et al. 2021. Additionally, within the nitrophilous compact gravel screes one subassociation of Corydalidetum kashgaricae trigonelletosum gontscharovii was distinguished. In the most arid zone two additional plant associations and one subassociation were identified in gravelly semi-deserts zone. The main factors determining the species composition of the studied associations are scree mobility, rock particle size, elevation above sea level and slope inclination. Our research revealed considerable diversity of scree habitats of montane and alpine belts what might be astonishing regarding harsh environment of this mountainous territory. However, a great number of lineages that evolved here and particularly rich species pool of this habitat in Middle Asia facilitate remarkable diversity among vegetation of taluses and screes. The distinctiveness of species composition is additionally enhanced by high degree of endemism of chasmophytic habitats in the eastern part of Middle Asia. Despite recent developments, the prominent chasmophytic vegetation of Middle Asia still needs thorough studies focused on its relationship to semi-desert, tall-forb and petrophytic communities of high mountains of the Pamir, Hindu-Kush, Kunlun and Central Tian Shan.

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Socioeconomic Differences in Walking Time of Children and Adolescents to Public Green Spaces in Urban Areas—Results of the German Environmental Survey (2014–2017)

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18052326 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (5) ◽

pp. 2326

Author(s):

Julia Rehling ◽

Christiane Bunge ◽

Julia Waldhauer ◽

André Conrad

Keyword(s):

Young People ◽

Children And Adolescents ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Green Space ◽

Positive Impact ◽

Green Spaces ◽

Environmental Survey ◽

Urban Green Spaces ◽

Public Green Space ◽

Walking Time

Public green spaces have a high potential for a positive impact on people’s health and wellbeing, especially in urban areas. Studies on environmental justice indicate socially unequal access possibilities to urban green spaces. This article presents results on associations between individual socioeconomic position (SEP) and walking time from home to public green spaces in young people living in urban areas with more than 20,000 inhabitants in Germany. Data were derived from the German Environmental Survey for Children and Adolescents 2014–2017 (GerES V), the environmental module of the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS Wave 2). The sample comprises 1149 participants aged 3 to 17 years. A total of 51.5% of the participants reach a public green space on foot within five and 72.8% within ten minutes from home. The lower the participant’s SEP, the longer the walking time. Logistic regression models controlling for age group, sex, migration background, and region of residence show that participants with a low SEP have a significantly higher risk (odds ratio = 1.98; 95% confidence interval: 1.31–2.99) of needing more than ten minutes to walk from home to a public green space than participants with a high SEP. GerES V data indicate that young people living in urban areas in Germany do not equally benefit from the health-promoting potential of green spaces, which is an important aspect of environmental health inequalities.

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A Soundwalk in the heart of Poblenou superblock in Barcelona: Preliminary study of the acoustic events

Noise Mapping ◽

10.1515/noise-2021-0016 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 207-216

Author(s):

Rosa Ma Alsina-Pagès ◽

Gerardo José Ginovart-Panisello ◽

Marc Freixes ◽

Antonella Radicchi

Keyword(s):

Urban Areas ◽

City Planning ◽

Public Spaces ◽

Green Spaces ◽

Traffic Density ◽

Cultural Economic ◽

Social Exchanges ◽

Interdisciplinary Work ◽

Preliminary Study ◽

New City

Abstract The Poblenou Superblock, in Barcelona, is a crucial element in the development of the new city-planning within the framework of the Superblock (Superilles) concept, whose principal aim is to recover the cultural, economic and social exchanges once produced in streets and squares. People living in urban areas need a lower traffic density, more green spaces and cleaner air in order to restore the previous uses of public spaces in their day-today lives. The urban actions conducted at this Superblock to change its uses were completed about 3 years ago, and neighbours and workers have already taken over the new spaces. In an interdisciplinary work on urban planning and acoustics, we detail the preliminary results of the acoustic events found in the recordings in a soundwalk in the heart of the Poblenou Superblock. Fifteen people evaluate and record sound fragments with the Hush City App application, in order to establish comparisons between the different points of the route, observe the spaces arranged for people and perceive the soundscape. Meanwhile, several acoustic technicians record 5-min long audios in the different stops designed for the soundwalk. The points chosen to make the recordings are very different from each other, some of them in the middle of gardens and others are on pacific streets and finally, we also wanted to include Superblock borders where the traffic is still very present. The results of our study were promising and have encouraged us to further investigate acoustics events in superblocks and include all the perceptual information provided by the Hush City App.

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