Advanced Materials Research Vol. 790

Abstract: In the Northern Song Dynasty Dongjing city of Kaifeng, there were many rivers, ponds and other bodies of water, which had a certain relationship one another and relative independence. These waters had important influence on the layout of the city, urban economy, the public life and environment. Under its influence, now Kaifeng city has still many lakes, called "the North Water City"

Abstract: Atmospheric particulate matter pollution is of an important factor affecting air quality in urban area, particularly in those having diameter less than 2.5μm (PM2.5). PM2.5 was extensively concerned about their potential threat to human health due to strong adsorption to organic compounds and heavy metal. It has been found that most of the organics and heavy metals involved are toxic and would cause the respiratory diseases, while some are even genotoxic and carcinogenic. PM2.5 was also found a correlation with disease incidence and mortality increased. Therefore, PM2.5 pollution is becoming urgent environmental issue. It needs more and more researches paying more efforts to this work. This paper reviewed the characteristic distribution and hazard of PM2.5 and further discussed the formation mechanism, the source apportionment technology and component analysis methods.

Abstract: With the effectively control of the point source pollution, non-point source pollution has become the most serious pollution source in our country. In addition, the agricultural non-point source pollution control has become the most important part of the environmental protection. By referring to related journals, this article makes a comprehensive analysis on definition, characteristics, mechanism, harm and prevention countermeasures of agricultural non-point source pollution.

Abstract: This paper presents a dynamic version of Braesss paradox in transportation networks. This time-varying paradox considers queue spillback in dynamic traffic assignment. Five independent considerations in relation to the traffic-flow component are discussed. The queue spillback in respect to the spatial queue assumptions has been investigated in detail. Finally, some solutions based on the view of planners, decision-makers and managers are demonstrated to resolve the potential paradoxes, such as lane partitioning, road reconfiguration, congestion charging, time-varying tolls, ramp metering and dynamic traffic control and management etc.

Abstract: This paper gives an overview of some key uncertain factors that affect fire engine routing, mainly including traffic congestion, the occurrence of natural disasters and human malicious actions. We propose to incorporate the effects of these uncertain factors in a unified modeling framework for the fire engine routing problem and an optimization model that include multiple objectives, such as travel distance, travel time and reliability of a path. Major issues related to these key uncertain factors that we need address in fire engine routing are discussed which prospects future research trends in this area.

Abstract: Fatigue-related traffic crashes refers to a crash caused by drivers falling asleep during driving. Unlike drunk driving or overspeed, driver fatigue is affected by many factors. To identify the contributory factors affecting the occurrence of fatigue-related crashes among professional drivers, a case-control study was conducted. The traffic data used in the study was obtained from Department of Public Security Traffic Administrative Bureau Data System in Jiangxi. Crashes (N=58131) occurring during 2006-2011 were researched, and the data of fatigue-related crashes among professional drivers was extracted. Potential risk factors such as human, environment and road were examined. Professional drivers age and gender, driving year, road pavement type and alignment, terrain, time of the accident and streetlight condition are significant factors impacting the occurrence of fatigue-related crashes. Besides, frontal impact, rear-end collision and bump fixation matter are identified as the most common accident types in all of fatigue-related crashes.

Abstract: Desalination is the main method to solve the lack of freshwater resources in coastal areas. However, the desalinated water needs further treatment to have good chemical stability and meet the drinking water health standards before transporting by municipal pipe network. Considering desalinated seawater in Beijiang Power Plant and current situation of municipal pipe network, the desalinated water was mineralized by dissolving limestone with CO₂ in this work. The process results in an enrichment of the water with calcium ions and carbonate. The effect of the limestone particle size, pH, the packed bed height and desalinated water flow rate on result water was investigated, which could offer a principle for the utilization of desalinated.

Abstract: Biochar is receiving increasing attention as a promising functional material in contaminated soil remediation. However, aging processes of biochar can usually take place and affect its remediation function, because surface properties of biochar are expected to change through a variety of biotic and abiotic processes. In this review, some important influencing factors of biochar aging processes were discussed, including temperature, and soil-physical, soil-chemical and soil-biological components. It pointed out that biochar aging processes may be promoted by high temperature, protected by soil components, particularly soil organic matter (SOM), and interactions with soil microorganisms. To further prolong application of biochar in nature, biochar aging can be mitigated by its influencing factors.

Abstract: Testing the volume of air through Basalt woven filter fabric during a certain time, the relationship between air permeability and parameters of the fabric structure was analyzed. The results showed that the greater the yarn linear density, the smaller the air permeability of fabric. The air percolation rate of filter fabric decreased along with the weft density increasing. Comparing 2/2 twill fabric with weft backed weave, the air permeability of plain weave was minimum, 2/2 twill fabric was the second, weft-backed weave was the largest.

Abstract: In recent years, more and more attention has been paid to environmental application of biochar because its great potential in mitigating global warming and remedying contaminated soils. In this review, long-term carbon sequestration and environmental immobilization of biochar were discussed. It indicated that the synthesis of biomass into biochar not only helps in the CO₂ fixation, suppress the emission of green gases, but also represent the suitable candidate for contaminated soil remediation due to its cheap cost and large mount of raw materials.