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1.
Numerous challenges face those involved with developing a coordinated and consistent approach to cleaning up the US Department
of Energy’s (DOE) Hanford Site in southeastern Washington. These challenges are much greater than those encountered when the
site was selected and the world’s first nuclear complex was developed almost 50 years ago. This article reviews Hanford’s
history, operations, waste storage/disposal activities, environmental monitoring, and today’s approach to characterize and
clean up Hanford under a Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order, signed by DOE, the Environmental Protection Agency,
and the Washington Sate Department of Ecology. Although cleanup of defense-related waste at Hanford holds many positive benefits,
negative features include high costs to the US taxpayer, numerous uncertainties concerning the technologies to be employed
and the risks involved, and the high probability that special interest groups and activists at large will never be completely
satisfied. Issues concerning future use of the site, whether to protect and preserve its natural features or open it to public
exploitation, remain to be resolved. 相似文献
2.
This paper discusses the present character of environmental monitoring in Swedish municipalities. We have found that local environmental monitoring in Sweden is insufficient. There is very little connection between monitoring activities and local environmental goals, and environmental goals have been established without considering information from the environmental monitoring. In practice, this means that local environmental monitoring has only a limited influence on political decisions and priorities in the municipalities. Our study also showed that local environmental monitoring was almost entirely focused on monitoring the state of the environment and showed a lack of flow-oriented information. There is a strong need to develop a unified strategy for local environmental monitoring to avoid sub-optimisations in local environmental management. A new strategy would, to a much higher degree, have to focus on monitoring diffuse sources of pollution and personal lifestyles. In this case, monitoring only the state of the environment would not be sufficient. It would have to include also the flows of materials through society, i.e. the whole metabolism of society, including biogeochemical as well as anthropogenic material flows. 相似文献
3.
With the ending of the Cold War, the Department of Energy (DOE) is evaluating mission, future land use and stewardship of departmental facilities. This paper compares the environmental concerns and future use preferences of 351 people interviewed at Lewiston, Idaho, about the Hanford Site and Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL), two of DOE's largest sites. Although most subjects lived closer to Hanford than INEEL, most resided in the same state as INEEL. Therefore their economic interests might be more closely allied with INEEL, while their health concerns might be more related to Hanford. Few lived close enough to either site to be directly affected economically. We test the null hypotheses that there are no differences in environmental concerns and future land-use preferences as a function of DOE site, sex, age and education. When asked to list their major concerns about the sites, more people listed human health and safety, and environmental concerns about Hanford compared to INEEL. When asked to list their preferred future land uses, 49% of subjects did not have any for INEEL, whereas only 35% did not know for Hanford. The highest preferred land uses for both sites were as a National Environmental Research Park (NERP), and for camping, hunting, hiking, and fishing. Except for returning the land to the tribes and increased nuclear storage, subjects rated all future uses as more preferred at INEEL than Hanford. Taken together, these data suggest that the people interviewed know more about Hanford, are more concerned about Hanford, rate recreational uses and NERP as their highest preferred land use, and feel that INEEL is more suited for most land uses than Handford. Overall rankings for future land uses were remarkably similar between the sites, indicating that for these stakeholders, DOE lands should be preserved for research and recreation. These preferences should be taken into account when planning for long-term stewardship at these two DOE sites. 相似文献
4.
Response to environmental flows in the Lower Tarim River, Xinjiang, China: an ecological interpretation of water-table dynamics 总被引:4,自引:0,他引:4
Increased water-dependent development and utilization have led to significant environmental and hydrological degradation of the Tarim River in western China and its dependent ecosystems. Between the 1950s and 1970s, 350 km of the lower reaches were drained and between 1960 and 1980 the water-table fell from between −2 and −3 m to between −8 and −10 m. Subsequently, riparian ecosystems were seriously degraded. In 2000, the Chinese government launched a program to restore the lower reaches of the river. Four environmental flows of 1034×106 m3 were released from 2000 to 2002. This paper interprets and discusses the ecological significance of changes following the releases and identifies the relationship between water-table dynamics and vegetation responses. Short-term objectives for river restoration are proposed with possible monitoring parameters suggested. 相似文献
5.
The role of monitoring is changing due to the increasing awareness of complexity and uncertainty in environmental resources management. Monitoring systems are required to support critical reflection about the effectiveness of actions toward the achievement of management objectives. To this aim, monitoring should be based on a strong integrated and multi-scale approach. Monitoring costs could be prohibitive if the monitoring is only based on traditional scientific methods of measurements. To deal with these issues, the design of an innovative monitoring system should be based on the integration between different sources of knowledge and information. In this work the usability of local knowledge to support environmental monitoring is investigated. A multi-step participatory monitoring design process has been implemented aiming to design a program for soil salinity monitoring in the lower Amudarya river basin in Uzbekistan. Although there is an increasing awareness of the importance of stakeholders being involved in decision processes, the current socio-cultural and institutional context is not favourable to the participatory approach. The choice of method to be implemented in this work was influenced by such conditions. The analysis of the lessons learned from the experiences gained in this project revealed some important clues concerning the development of a locally-based monitoring program. These lessons can be subdivided according to three fundamental issues: the long term involvement of local community members in monitoring activities, the acceptance of locally-based monitoring systems by decision makers, and the reliability of monitoring information. 相似文献
6.
Scott MJ Brandt CA Bunn AL Engel DW Eslinger PW Miley TB Napier BA Prendergast EL Nieves LA 《Environmental management》2005,35(1):84-98
The Groundwater Protection Project at the US Department of Energy Hanford Site in Washington State is currently developing the means to assess the cumulative impact to human and ecological health and the regional economy and cultures from radioactive and chemical waste that will remain at the Hanford Site after the site closes. This integrated system is known as the System Assessment Capability (SAC). The SAC Risk/Impact Module discussed in the article uses media- and time-specific concentrations of contaminants estimated by the transport models of the integrated system to project potential impacts on the ecology of the Columbia River corridor, the health of persons who might live in or use the corridor or the upland Hanford environment, the local economy, and cultural resources. Preliminary Monte Carlo realizations from the SAC modeling system demonstrate the feasibility of large-scale uncertainty analysis of the complex relationships in the environmental transport of contaminants on the one hand and ecological, human, cultural, and economic risk on the other. Initial impact results show very small long-term risks for the 10 radionuclides and chemicals evaluated. The analysis also helps determine science priorities to reduce uncertainty and suggests what actions matter to reduce risks. 相似文献
7.
Green shipping practices in the shipping industry: Conceptualization, adoption, and implications 总被引:1,自引:0,他引:1
Kee-Hung Lai Venus Y.H. LunChristina W.Y. Wong T.C.E. Cheng 《Resources, Conservation and Recycling》2011,55(6):631-638
There have been increasing concerns about the adverse impacts on the environment caused by cargo movement in international trade. Different stakeholders ranging from shippers and carriers to government bodies and international communities have expressed worries about the environmental impacts brought by shipping related activities. The pollution and waste created in the shipping processes have imposed environmental burdens and accelerated resource depletion. The situation is set to worsen in the face of intensifying trade globalization, which has contributed to sustained growth in international shipping activities. To help protect the environment, many shipping firms have taken the initiative to find ways to lessen the environmental damage of their operations while enhancing their performance. The objective of this study is to examine the environmental awareness and the environmental measures taken in the shipping industry. We propose a conceptual framework for evaluating green shipping practices and develop several propositions stating the conditions under which shipping firms would behave in an environmentally responsible manner. We conclude with managerial and policy implications of the conceptual framework to promote green shipping practices in the shipping industry. 相似文献
8.
The Environmental Protection Agency has encouraged voluntary efforts at pollution prevention by facilities through participation in voluntary environmental programs (VEPs) such as the 33/50 program to reduce toxic releases. This paper examines the effectiveness of the 33/50 program in the adoption of pollution prevention practices and disentangles the effect of adoption from that of program participation on releases of 33/50 chemicals. Using facility-specific panel data and controlling for the endogeneity of program participation and pollution prevention adoption, we find that program participants were 38% more likely to adopt pollution prevention practices than non-participants. Program participants who adopted pollution prevention practices reduced their 33/50 releases by 52% compared to facilities that neither participated nor adopted pollution prevention. This indicates that VEPs that emphasize pollution prevention can play a complementary role in reducing toxic releases. 相似文献
9.
《International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control》2007,1(3):318-342
This study assesses potential environmental impacts of the absorption-based carbon dioxide (CO2) capture unit that is integrated to coal-fired power plant for post-combustion treatment of flue gas. The assessment was performed by identifying potential pollutants and their sources as well as amounts of emissions from the CO2 capture unit and also by reviewing toxicology, potential implications to human health and the environment, as well as the environmental laws and regulations associated with such pollutants. The assessment shows that, while offering a significant environmental benefit through a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, the installation of CO2 capture units for post-combustion treatment might induce unintentional and potential burdens to human health and the environment through four emission pathways, including treated gas, process wastes, fugitive emissions, and accidental releases. Such burdens nevertheless can be predetermined and properly mitigated through a well-established environmental management program and mitigation measures. Recommendations to minimize these impacts are provided in this paper. 相似文献
10.
11.
Professor of wildlife biology in the department of biological sciences, California State University. Dr K. Shawn Smallwood is a systems ecologist and may be contacted at 109 Luz Place, Davis, CA 95616, USA. Dr Jan Beyea is a physical scientist with Consulting in the Public Interest, 53 Clinton Street, Lambertville, NJ 08530, USA. The US Government produced and acquired approximately 111 t of plutonium in support of its nuclear weapons programme. Verified reports of the loss of nuclear material into the environment, including loss by animals, has raised questions regarding the monitoring programmes in place on the nuclear facilities. Given these concerns regarding the fate of stored nuclear waste, the authors conducted a review of the wildlife monitoring programme used at nuclear weapons and storage facilities by (1) reviewing the key facets of the monitoring used at the facilities, (2) evaluating published and unpublished data from the facilities and (3) incorporating data from personal site visits. The study concentrated on the Department of Energy's Hanford Reservation in rural south–central Washington and the Rocky Flats Plant in central Colorado. Based on the review, it is concluded that an improved and rigorous environmental surveillance and monitoring programme is needed at both locations. The site surveys identified frequent instances of intrusion into burial sites by animals, most of which had gone unreported by Hanford and Rocky Flats personnel. It was apparent that a significant source of potential contamination was not being adequately monitored at the nuclear waste sites. It is recommended that the development of a systematic, well-planned programme of monitoring animal intrusion on burial sites be considered, coupled with improved training for responsible personnel. 相似文献
12.
Organotin pollution in China: an overview of the current state and potential health risk 总被引:1,自引:0,他引:1
In recent years, considerable amounts of organotin compounds have entered the environment due to the wide industrial applications in China. Organotins were found in various environmental media. An overview of organotin contamination and distribution in China from various environmental samples, including waters and sediments, is presented to better understand the current state of organotin pollution in China and to improve environmental monitoring and management of organotin contamination. Exposure to organotin contaminated water and sediments induces accumulation of organotins in molluscs and biological effects such as imposex. Potential harmful effects on human health may also result from consumption of contaminated seafoods. Detailed information on distribution, impacts and assessment of risk to human health and marine ecosystems is discussed and monitoring of TBT using biomarkers is described. This review highlights the serious organotin contamination of coastal cities in China and emphasizes the need for long-term monitoring and the development of an effective regulatory program. 相似文献
13.
The Isipingo lagoon and estuary, situated to the south of the Durban metropolitan area, on the east coast of South Africa,
has been subjected to intense environmental degradation. Historical events, such as the building of a major airport and the
development of an industrial township, have contributed to the reduction in water flow from 102 × 106 m3/yr to 3 × 106m3/yr between 1952 and 1969. Current environmental issues such as water quality, litter, noise, air pollution, and solid waste
dumping are described. A rehabilitation and management program that seeks to address these issues is proposed. The main objectives
of this program are: the improvement of the water flow, the improvement of the water quality, and the curtailment of the destruction
of littoral zone elements. The rehabilitation proposal is summarized by means of a flow chart, which lists short-, medium-,
and long-term actions and identifies parties and/or organizations responsible for implementing the actions. A two-tier management
structure is proposed, with the first level comprising an environmental monitoring committee, consisting of organizations
with scientific expertise who would function in a watchdog capacity, monitoring restoration efforts and intervening where
actions are contrary to the objectives of the rehabilitation program. The second level would consist of an estuarine management
committee, which would be responsible for evaluating the restoration program and modifying objectives where necessary. 相似文献
14.
15.
Wang X 《Journal of environmental management》2011,92(11):2930-2938
Florida is one of the largest spenders on the environment in the U.S. Employing a database from Florida counties, this study examines two distinct environmental funding areas in government: funding to protect the environment, and funding to develop the environment. These two types of funding serve different purposes, support different activities and operations, and draw from different revenue sources. The results show that environmental funding in government is a response to the environmental pressure generated by economic activities and population growth. Counties with a higher level of manufacturing and farming activity spend more to protect the environment, while counties with higher population densities spend more to develop the environment. Moreover, counties with more funding for public safety and economic development activities spend less on the environment, indicating that environmental funding is influenced by the political processes in public budgeting in which diversified interests compete for resources. These results show that environmental spending in government is the result of combined forces arising from environmental pressure and budgetary politics. 相似文献
16.
旅游区环境监测是获取环境质量信息,进行有效环境管理的基础性工作.由于游客对自然景观区环境要求的特殊性和景区污染排放方式的独特性,自然景观旅游区的环境监测方案设计也应区别于其他区域.以世界自然遗产武陵源风景区为例,运用资料收集、实地调查、访谈等方法对其环境监测方案进行调查,按照旅游环境管理要求对其分析评价,发现存在的问题.在此基础上,提出自然景观区环境监测方案的改进思路,使其更符合自然景观区的环境特点与管理要求. 相似文献
17.
Stakeholder groups, defined according to their transcendent values, have different concepts of sustainability. Their prioritizations of individual, family, collective, and local and global environmental issues also differs. Given this, the metrics required for a given sustainable development path are subjective. Therefore, the questions of who should define ecometrics, their transparency, number, state of aggregation, standardization, and benchmarking are questions that require an enfranchised multi-stakeholder debate. At present, corporations have been asked to bear the burden of environmental reporting and eco-indicators have been established to account for material intensity, energy consumption and waste or toxic releases, among other factors. However, the links among these local-, product-, or service-based microecometrics and global states such as temperatures or atmospheric concentrations have yet to be established. The relationship of macroecometrics to individual definitions of sustainable development also has not been addressed. This article summarizes four plenary lectures given at ECOMETRICS '98 in Lausanne, Switzerland. The workshop involved forty participants from industry, academic and government organizations representing seven countries and three continents. 相似文献
18.
The long-term ecological recovery of an impaired stream in response to an industrial facility’s pollution abatement actions
and the implications of the biological monitoring effort to environmental management is the subject of this special issue
of Environmental Management. This final article focuses on the synthesis of the biological monitoring program’s components and methods, the efficacy
of various biological monitoring techniques to environmental management, and the lessons learned from the program that might
be applicable to the design and application of other programs. The focus of the 25-year program has been on East Fork Poplar
Creek, an ecologically impaired stream in Oak Ridge, Tennessee with varied and complex stressors from a Department of Energy
facility in its headwaters. Major components of the long-term program included testing and monitoring of invertebrate and
fish toxicity, bioindicators of fish health, fish contaminant accumulation, and instream communities (including periphyton,
benthic macroinvertebrate, and fish). Key parallel components of the program include water chemistry sampling and data management.
Multiple lines of evidence suggested positive ecological responses during three major pollution abatement periods. Based on
this case study and the related literature, effective environmental management of impaired streams starts with program design
that is consistent across space and time, but also adaptable to changing conditions. The biological monitoring approaches
used for the program provided a strong basis for assessments of recovery from remedial actions, and the likely causes of impairment.
This case study provides a unique application of multidisciplinary and quantitative techniques to address multiple and complex
regulatory and programmatic goals, environmental stressors, and remedial actions. 相似文献
19.
The present and potential adverse effects of the atmospheric input of acidic and acidifying substances on the environment
have been of significant public and scientific concern for the past several decades. This article describes the background,
design, implementation, and major accomplishments of a 6-yr integrated multidisciplinary environmental research program designed
to address the issue of the regional scale consequences of acidic deposition on the environment and human health in Alberta.
The research program was called the Acid Deposition Research Program (ADRP) and was a cooperative undertaking between industry,
the Energy Resources Conservation Board, and the government of Alberta, Canada. The research effort was designed and guided
by two external science advisory boards, biophysical and human health, to maintain objectivity and continuity from beginning
to end. Public input was sought, encouraged, and ensured by a public advisory board. The major conclusions of the ADRP are
presented as well as observations on the needs of future integrated multidisciplinary research programs. 相似文献
20.
Dr. David J. Schaeffer Harold W. Kerster James A. Perry David K. Cox 《Environmental management》1985,9(3):191-197
Extensive criticism of water quality monitoring programs has developed as costs are compared with the benefits produced by monitoring efforts. Collecting water quality data while developing understanding of the functional character of the environment will improve water quality monitoring data utility in environmental management. The environmental audit characterizes the attributes of the natural environment (that is, attribute type, intensity, and variability), providing a theoretical as well as practical foundation for data interpretation. In the view proposed here, traditional monitoring means the very narrow activity of collecting samples and perhaps analyzing them and storing the analyses. In the environmental audit, these activities are a mechanism to systematically improve environmental monitoring and assessment by improving the design and implementation of environmental programs. Major reasons why existing programs fail to meet the needs of legislators, regulators, and conservationists are identified. 相似文献