Ecological demonstration area (EDA) is an authorized nomination, which should be assessed from several aspects, including ecological, social, environmental, economic ones and so on. It is difficult to advance an exact developing level index of EDA due to its indicator system's complexity and disequilibrium. In this paper, a framework of indicators was set to evaluate, monitor and examine the comprehensive level of ecological demonstration area (EDA). Fuzzy logic method was used to develop the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation model (FCEM), which could quantitatively reveal the developing degree of EDA. Huiji District of Zhengzhou, Henan Province, one of the 9th group of national EDAs, was taken as a study case. The framework of FCEM for the integrated system included six subsystems, which were social, economic, ecological, rural, urban and accessorial description ones. The research would be valuable in the comprehensive quantitative evaluation of EDA and would work as a guide in the construction practices of Huiji ecological demonstration area.
Reactive uptake of glyoxal onto particulate matter has been studied in laboratory experiments in a 2 m(3) Teflon reaction chamber. Inorganic seed particles of different composition were utilized, including (NH4)(2)SO4, (NH4)(2)SO4/ H2SO4, NaNO3, and simulated sea salt, while the relative humidity and acid concentration were varied. The organic composition of the growing particles was measured in situ with an aerosol mass spectrometer, providing particle mass spectra as a means of product identification. Aerosol physical characteristics were also measured with a differential mobility analyzer and condensation nucleus counter. Regardless of seed composition, particle growth was rapid and continuous over the course of several hours. Identification of several mass fragments greater than the glyoxal monomer suggested that heterogeneous reactions to form glyoxal adducts of low volatility had occurred. Temporal analysis of the mass fragments was consistent with a proposed acid-catalyzed mechanism whereby glyoxal is first hydrated, followed by self-reaction to form cyclic acetal structures. Increased relative humidity slowed the formation of higher order oligomers, also consistent with the proposed mechanism. The relative contribution of various oligomers to the overall organic composition was strongly dependent on the relative humidity and hence the particulate water concentration. A mild acid catalysis was also observed upon increasing the acidity of the seed particles. Specific mass fragments were found that could only arise from sulfate esters and were not present on the non-sulfur-containing seed particles. This first evidence of the formation of organic sulfates in particles is presented together with a proposed mechanism and molecular structure. These results suggest that the formation of these products of glyoxal uptake can contribute significantly to secondary organic aerosol.
High-volume air samples collected over the period Aug. 14-30, 2001, in the Lower Fraser Valley, BC, Canada, were used to assess urban/rural differences of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) for ground level samples and to attempt to directly measure events of trans-Pacific inputs through the mid-troposphere. Hexachlorocyclohexanes (alpha- and gamma-isomers; 2-25 pg m(-3)) and endosulfan] and -2 (5-150 pg m(-3)) were detected in all ground level samples. Seven air samples were collected during mid-troposphere flights (similar to4400 m altitude) over the Lower Fraser Valley. These flights occurred concurrently with ground level sampling. Trajectory analysis identified three events of substantial mid-troposphere, trans-Pacific flow where 10-day back trajectories stemmed from potential source regions in Asia. These events were also characterized by higher air concentrations of alpha-HCH at 4400 m as compared to the ground level stations. This represents the first event-based, aircraft measurement of advection inputs of OCPs in the mid-troposphere of the west coast of North America.