Human populations and their use of land have transformed most of the terrestrial biosphere into anthropogenic biomes (anthromes), causing a variety of novel ecological patterns and processes to emerge. To assess whether human populations and their use of land have directly altered the terrestrial biosphere sufficiently to indicate that the Earth system has entered a new geological epoch, spatially explicit global estimates of human populations and their use of land were analysed across the Holocene for their potential to induce irreversible novel transformation of the terrestrial biosphere. Human alteration of the terrestrial biosphere has been significant for more than 8000 years. However, only in the past century has the majority of the terrestrial biosphere been transformed into intensively used anthromes with predominantly novel anthropogenic ecological processes. At present, even were human populations to decline substantially or use of land become far more efficient, the current global extent, duration, type and intensity of human transformation of ecosystems have already irreversibly altered the terrestrial biosphere at levels sufficient to leave an unambiguous geological record differing substantially from that of the Holocene or any prior epoch. It remains to be seen whether the anthropogenic biosphere will be sustained and continue to evolve.

Anthropogenic transformation of the terrestrial biosphere

Costs and benefits.

Over the past decade, a range of sensor technologies became available on the market, enabling a revolutionary shift in air pollution monitoring and assessment. With their cost of up to three orders of magnitude lower than standard/reference instruments, many avenues for applications have opened up. In particular, broader participation in air quality discussion and utilisation of information on air pollution by communities has become possible. However, many questions have been also asked about the actual benefits of these technologies. To address this issue, we conducted a comprehensive literature search including both the scientific and grey literature. We focused upon two questions: (1) Are these technologies fit for the various purposes envisaged? and (2) How far have these technologies and their applications progressed to provide answers and solutions? Regarding the former, we concluded that there is no clear answer to the question, due to a lack of: sensor/monitor manufacturers' quantitative specifications of performance, consensus regarding recommended end-use and associated minimal performance targets of these technologies, and the ability of the prospective users to formulate the requirements for their applications, or conditions of the intended use. Numerous studies have assessed and reported sensor/monitor performance under a range of specific conditions, and in many cases the performance was concluded to be satisfactory. The specific use cases for sensors/monitors included outdoor in a stationary mode, outdoor in a mobile mode, indoor environments and personal monitoring. Under certain conditions of application, project goals, and monitoring environments, some sensors/monitors were fit for a specific purpose. Based on analysis of 17 large projects, which reached applied outcome stage, and typically conducted by consortia of organizations, we observed that a sizable fraction of them (~ 30%) were commercial and/or crowd-funded. This fact by itself signals a paradigm change in air quality monitoring, which previously had been primarily implemented by government organizations. An additional paradigm-shift indicator is the growing use of machine learning or other advanced data processing approaches to improve sensor/monitor agreement with reference monitors. There is still some way to go in enhancing application of the technologies for source apportionment, which is of particular necessity and urgency in developing countries. Also, there has been somewhat less progress in wide-scale monitoring of personal exposures. However, it can be argued that with a significant future expansion of monitoring networks, including indoor environments, there may be less need for wearable or portable sensors/monitors to assess personal exposure. Traditional personal monitoring would still be valuable where spatial variability of pollutants of interest is at a finer resolution than the monitoring network can resolve.

Applications of low-cost sensing technologies for air quality monitoring and exposure assessment: How far have they gone?

United States. Department of Energy. Office of Basic Energy Science. Division of Materials Sciences and Engineering. (award DE-SC0010526)

http://dspace.mit.edu/openaccess-disseminate/1721.1/106311

Self-learning Monte Carlo method

https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/E421715349F1D7054BD7F03060454FAA/S0025557200105595a.pdf/div-class-title-span-class-italic-probability-theory-and-mathematical-statistics-for-engineers-span-by-v-s-pugachev-pp-450-50-1984-isbn-0-08-029148-1-pergamon-div.pdf

Probability theory and mathematical statistics for engineers , by V. S. Pugachev. Pp 450. £50. 1984. ISBN 0-08-029148-1 (Pergamon)

In this paper, it was proposed to carry out a preliminary normalization of diagnostic parameters using the Johnson distribution, which with three basic distribution groups (SL, SB, SU), covers a wide class of empirical distributions. The mathematical description of the family allows us to find the approximating probability density function in an explicit form, to determine the distribution parameters for obtaining the corresponding function (curve), as well as the inverse function for finding the quantiles of the specified levels. To assess the accuracy of the obtained normalized data, they were compared with the data obtained by replacing the resulting law with a Gaussian one. Percentages of values were compared in the implementation under study, which concentrated in the limits of estimated quantiles. Implementations were obtained using the simulation method. By the same method, the correctness (relative systematic error) of determining the quantile values of the specified levels was evaluated. The error value δ was estimated between the conditionally true quantile value calculated from the generated pseudo-general complex and the value estimated using the methods considered in the paper. Obtained data show that the relative error in the calculation of quantiles using the Johnson distribution does not exceed 0.07% and decreases in two orders of magnitude than the currently accepted procedure for replacing sample laws with Gaussian.

/pdf/research-of-diagnostic-parameters-of-composite-materials-45hqy990m9.pdf

Research of diagnostic parameters of composite materials using johnson distribution

The method of fuel quality control is considered, which is based on the using of the oxygen sensor (without sensors of incomplete fuel combustion products). An algorithm for the electric drive of a fan is proposed, which is based on a step changing in the rotation speed. The choice of broadband oxygen sensor as a basis for the development of a fuel combustion control system is determined. In the course of experimental studies, the possibility of reconstructing the boiler by replacing a burner with an installed control system was demonstrated. The commissioning works were carried out with the installed system, the optimum operating conditions of the boiler were determined (with the formation of CO in the flue gases at a minimum level <50 ppm). The technical characteristics of the boiler operation under different loads (from 10 % to 100 %) are considered. Ecological and economic analysis of the developed fuel combustion control system was carried out.

/pdf/analysis-of-control-system-of-fuel-combustion-in-boilers-1p3knvvdgk.pdf

Analysis of Control System of Fuel Combustion in Boilers with Oxygen Sensor

The article presents methods and devices for diagnosing heat power equipment. A generalized structure of an intelligent distributed multi-level monitoring and diagnostic system for heat engineering equipment is developed, which is consistent with the principles of the Smart Grid concept. Methods for analyzing information signals in frequency-time and amplitude-phase-frequency regions are proposed, which made it possible to conduct a structural analysis of monopulse signals and signals with locally concentrated changes in parameters that are signs of defects in composite materials of heat power equipment. The structure of the measuring module, its hardware and the parameters of the developed prototype of the diagnostic system are given.

Methods and Hardware for Diagnosing Thermal Power Equipment Based on Smart Grid Technology

In this chapter, the basic features of the functioning of the monitoring system of air pollution in Ukraine are considered. The process of implementing Directive 2008/50/EU in Ukrainian legislation, the requirements for monitoring various pollutants in the air (particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10), CO, SO2, NO2, O3) and the measures that Ukraine must take to implementation of the Directive are considered. The approaches to monitoring air pollution in Ukraine, the features of the Ukrainian air quality index—air pollution index are considered. The state of air pollution in different cities of Ukraine is analyzed, the most polluted cities and regions are determined in accordance with the air pollution index. Statistical studies on emissions into the air by stationary and mobile sources of pollution in Ukraine in 1990–2018 are carried out. In particular, the following pollutants were considered: SO2, NO2, CO, CO2, PAHs, Zn, Pb, Cu, Cr, Ni, Ar. It has been established that 5 cities in Ukraine generate emissions, which make up 40.2% of all emissions in the country. The main enterprises polluting the air in the largest cities are given. The process of measuring air pollutant concentrations as part of an air pollution monitoring system is considered. The optimal number of posts required for the implementation of the Directive has been determined. The features of monitoring air pollution in Kyiv are considered. The above-mentioned shortcomings of the air pollution monitoring system are shown and ways to eliminate them are proposed. A modern information-analytical system for monitoring air pollution is proposed.

Analysis of the Air Pollution Monitoring System in Ukraine

The article considered the most common systems for diagnosing of energy equipment. Among them are acoustic emission systems, systems of acoustic leakage and vibrodiagnostic systems. Comparative characteristics of acoustic emission control and diagnostic systems, leak detectors, and vibration analyzers are considered. Approaches for creation of new passive diagnostic systems for determining the technical state of energy equipment elements are proposed. A hierarchical system for diagnosing power equipment has been developed, the levels of the proposed system are described. Basic equipment for diagnosing hierarchical energy systems is proposed. The approach for diagnosing energy systems based on Smart Grid is proposed. The process of fuel combustion in small and medium capacity boilers that use gas as fuel is described. A system for monitoring the process of fuel combustion using a broadband oxygen sensor and stepwise adjustment of the fuel-air mixture is proposed. The features of diagnosing equipment that uses renewable energy sources are considered.

Artur Zaporozhets

Papers

Research of diagnostic parameters of composite materials using johnson distribution

Analysis of Control System of Fuel Combustion in Boilers with Oxygen Sensor

Methods and Hardware for Diagnosing Thermal Power Equipment Based on Smart Grid Technology

Analysis of the Air Pollution Monitoring System in Ukraine

Technical Provision of Diagnostic Systems