The relationship between coastal tourism,sea pollution and public health: A case study from Turkey

Summary Among the different impacts of coastal tourism on the environment, the effect of tourism on public health has special importance. The large increase in population during the high season results usually in an increase in the amount of waste water produced. If the necessary infrastructure for handling these wastes is not available, the sea is polluted, causing serious problems.To investigate the effects of sea pollution on the public, a health survey was conducted in Bodrum and Çesme, the two most important tourist coastal resorts of Turkey. A questionnaire about the health problems which tourists suffer, as well as their culinary habits, swimming habits,etc. was distributed. At the same time the pollution level in the sea was determined in the form of coliform concentration. As a result it is shown that those swimming in polluted waters suffer more from gastro-intestinal diseases than others. Furthermore, foreigners (usually Scandinavians) and children are proved to be more susceptible to pollution, possibly due to their lack of immunity.Dr Günay Kocasoy is presently Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Bogaziçi University. Her fields of interest are in environmental engineering, water pollution and marine sciences. She obtained a BS degree in Chemical Engineering from Robert College, Istanbul, Turkey, and subsequently a BA in Industrial Administration from Franklin University, Columbus, Ohio, USA. Following more recent studies she possesses both an MS and a PhD in Marine Sciences from Istanbul University.     

Guinea worm control: Assessing the effectiveness of drum-lined water holes

Summary The purpose of the paper is to examine the feasibility of used oil drums as a lining material for shallow rural wells. The discussion focuses upon the comparison of the water quality in the oil drum-lined holes with other local water sources. The response to the innovation, from a range of guinea worm prone rural environments in Ibarapa district, Oyo State, Nigeria, was encouraging. The study noted substantial reductions in cyclop population (potential for guinea worm infection) and improved water quality in the sanitary wells as compared to rural ponds. Investigations also reveal substantial saving in costs in using oil drum-lining as opposed to concrete. Findings point to the need for this kind of water scheme as opposed to sophisticated boreholes, and deep well programmes, especially in situations of limited funds and technical skills necessary to install and maintain water supply systems.Dr Abimbola Y. Sangodoyin obtained his first degree in Agricultural Engineering at the University of Ibadan. He subsequently obtained a MSc in Water Resources Technology and a PhD in Civil Engineering at the University of Birmingham, UK. He is currently a lecturer in the Department of Agricultural Engineering, University of Ibadan where his research has focused on rural water systems and urban solid waste disposal and pollution problems.Mr Miebaka J. Ayotamuno has trained to Master's level as an Agricultural Engineer at the University of Ibadan. He is currently a member of staff at the Department of Agricultural Engineering, River State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.     

Volatilization of mercury from natural water by a broad-spectrum Hg-resistantBacillus pasteurii strain DR2

Summary A broad-spectrum mercury-resistant bacterial strain was isolated from contaminated water and was identified as Bacillus pasteurii strain DR2. It could volatilize Hg-compounds including organomercurials from its growth media. It utilized several aromatic compounds as a sole source of carbon. The bacterial strain eliminated HgCl₂ from sterile river water and the presence of benzene, toluene, naphthalene and nitrobenzene at 1 mM concentration in the system increased the rate of mercury volatilization, the volatilization rate being highest with benzene. When 1.7×10⁷ cells of this bacterial strain were added per ml of non-sterile water the bacterial strain volatilized more than 90 percent of mercury from mercuric chloride and organo-mercurials like PMA, thiomersol and methoxy ethyl mercuric chloride (MEMC). In the absence of this bacterial strain the volatilization of PMA and MEMC due to the presence of other Hg-resistant organisms in nonsterile polluted water ranged between 20–25 percent and of HgCl₂ was about 40 percent. However, in the presence of B. pasteurii DR2 volatilization of these Hg-compounds from non-sterile water increased by 20–40 percent. In the presence of 1 mM benzene the rate of mercury volatilization was even higher. In all the cases the rate of volatilization was higher in the first seven days than in the next seven days.Professor A. Mandal, MSc, PhD is Head of the Department of Biochemistry at the University College of Science, 35 Ballygunge Circular Road, Calcutta 700019, to whom correspondence should be addressed. His co-workers are Dr K. Pahan, Postdoctoral Associate, Department of Cell Biology and Paediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina, USA; Dr J. Chaudhuri, Senior Lecturer, Department of Molecular Biology, BKC College, Calcutta, India; Dr D.K. Ghosh, Postdoctoral Associate, Department of Biochemistry, University College of Science, Calcutta, India; Dr R. Gachhui, Postdoctoral Associate, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, USA; and Dr S. Ray, Postdoctoral Associate, The Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health, Department of Biochemistry, Baltimore, USA.     

四川省制浆造纸行业可持续发展建议

造纸业是与民生关联度极高的行业.为改变国内造纸行业污染局面、整合企业规模、合理原料结构、提高技术装备、改革落后生产工艺,国家先后出台了多项政策规定.特别是2008年新的<制浆造纸工业水污染物排放标准>(GB3544)颁布后,四川省制浆造纸行业面临巨大的整改压力.如何抓住产业调整机遇,加快产品结构调整和生产方式转变,努力...     

Environmental education for engineers: An Australian viewpoint

Summary Australian engineering undergraduate courses of 1987 are described as being devoid of any real environmental content. It is suggested that this is an important omission, for engineers should have a duty to consider the environmental impact of their works. Possible ways in which an environmental component could be added to existing engineering courses are outlined.Prepared by the Environmental Education Subcommittee of the Environmental Engineering Panel of the Sydney Division of the Institution of Engineers, AustraliaHans Bandler is a member of the Environmental Engineering Panel of the Sydney Division of the Institution of Engineers, Australia and its Environmental Education Subcommittee. This paper was prepared and distributed as a Discussion Paper on Environmental Education for Engineering Undergraduates in April, 1987. Preparation of the paper was assisted by a draft document from the Institution of Engineers, Australia's National Committee on Environmental Engineering.     

Studies on soil parameters of sediments from the River Ganga phosphorus mobilization,interactions with sediment and the phosphorus cycle

Large quantities of sediment are transported by the River Ganga (The Ganges) particularly In its deltaic region. Attempts have been made to study the physicochemical parameters of the bottom sediments of the River Ganga at various depths at Kamarhati and along the banks of the River Ganga in the lower deltaic region. The results give vital information regarding the pollution load carried by the river and the enrichment of its sediments with nutrients such as P, N and other substances such as C and S (as sulphates). The mobilization of the P, N, C and S (as sulphates) in the sediments is compared with their natural abundance. The enrichment of the river beds with P, the interaction of the sediment and the characteristics of the sediments are ascertained. Some aspects of the phosphorus cycle and its importance are also discussed. The recycling and reuse of sediments for agricultural purposes have been proposed in order to restore ecological imbalances due to nutrient loss.Mrs M. Chattopadhyay (née Ray) and D. Mukherjee are both post-doctorate ex-senior research scholars within the Department of Chemistry, Kalyani University, where Professor S.C. Lahiri was until recently head of department. Mr S.K. Bhattacharya is director of the Ganga Action Plan Sector, Calcutta Metropolitan Development Authority, Unnayan Bhavan (1st floor), Salt Lake, Calcutta 700 091, India. The information given in this paper is supplementary to that provided by certain of the same authors inThe Environmentalist 13(3), 199–210.     

沱江上游支流石亭江水环境容量及模拟探讨

本文在对沱江上游支流石亭江水质现状监测和区域污染源调查的基础上,计算了石亭江水环境容量;探讨了石亭江化工开发试验区废水中难降解污染物排放对河流影响的水质模拟方法,导出了多点源同时排放对河流影响的水质模拟递推式。计算结果表明:控制开发试验区废水氟排放是防治石亭江和沱江水污染的主要途径。     

An improved understanding of the environmental impact of open drains in a Nigerian city

Summary An investigation has been made of the environmental impact and degree of pollution resulting from open drains in Ibadan city, Nigeria. The parameters measured included: (a) pH, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), dissolved oxygen, alkalinity, hardness, and calcium, magnesium and chloride content of the water, and (b) depth, width, velocity, discharge and waste water generation; in drains located in three areas categorised according to population density. The results illustrate important differences in the wastewater properties of drains in low-medium and high population density (traditional core) areas of the city. While previous attention has been largely focused on the degree of pollution from open drains as characterised by parameters listed under (a), and on environmental hazards such as erosion, flooding and public nuisance, this study went further. It uses the parameters listed under (b) to recommend appropriate technology designs and some management techniques to arrest the problem.Dr A.Y. Sangodoyin is a member of staff of the Department of Agricultural Engineering at the University of Ibadan. He is qualified as a civil engineer.     

Non-motorised Transport and Sustainable Development: evidence from Calcutta

The important role that non-motorised transport plays in urban sustainability is discussed with particular reference to the developing world and to the links between environmental and poverty issues. The significance of non-motorised transport in terms of reduced pollution, income maintenance for the poor and providing transport for vulnerable groups is stressed and placed within the general context of sustainable development. More specifically, evidence is presented for rickshaws in Calcutta, which demonstrates the vital role that non-motorised transport must play if sustainable development objectives are to be met. This evidence indicates that if rickshaws were to disappear from Calcutta's streets there would not only be significant increases in air pollution but also a substantial increase in the numbers of people living in poverty.     

浅议污染源水质监测的质量保证

本文从污染源调查、监测方案、布点和采样、样品保存和前处理、监测分析、数据处理和监测报告等方面,讨论污染源水质监测的质量保证。强调质量保证体系应当贯穿于污染源水质监测的全过程。污染源水质监测过程始终都应有质量保证措施,才能获得准确可靠的测定结果。     

IMPACT OF SEWAGE TREATMENT MODIFICATIONS ON WATER QUALITY OF A RESERVOIR1

ABSTRACT. As a result of several investigations conducted in the Department of Civil Engineering through the Water Resources Research Center at The University of Tennessee, dating from 1966 to the present, a rather comprehensive surveillance of water quality conditions has been maintained in Forth Loudoun Reservoir on the Tennessee River near Knowville, Tennessee. During the period covered by these investigations, the Knoxville Third Creek Sewage Treatment Plant was upgraded from a primary plant to a secondary (activated sludge) treatment plant. Comparison of the collected data is being undertaken herein to elucidate the impact of these modifications upon water quality conditions in the reservoir. Consideration is given to the improvements of water quality as related to the expenditure for modification of the treatment facilities. In addition, comment is directed toward the public health significance of the water quality conditions determined.     

Effectiveness of Constructed Overland Flow Areas in Decreasing Diffuse Pollution from Forest Drainages

Forestry is the largest scale human impact affecting catchments in Finland and a prominent source of diffuse pollution in many water courses. Among the forestry activities, draining of wetlands had the most pronounced impacts on sediment, nutrient, and metal loading in the past. At present, renovation of old ditches and fertilization of peatlands constitute the major risk of forestry-induced diffuse pollution. Contemporary forestry aims at decreasing this risk with various riparian buffer strip designs. Among such designs, creation of overland flow areas by plugging the outlet ditches is increasingly used. Our objectives were to evaluate the potential of constructed overland flow areas to function as riparian buffers and estimate the quality and quantity of diffuse pollution from old versus recent forest drainages. We studied retention and release of pollutants from 20 constructed, 2- to 10-m-wide overland flow areas receiving drainage water from forested peatlands. Drainage waters were sampled above and below the plugged ditches three times per year from 1998 to 1999. Chemical oxygen demand and nutrient and metal loads and concentrations varied strongly between seasons, years, and drainage areas. Areas subjected to recent ditch renovations and fertilizations had clearly elevated seasonal loads and concentrations of total phosphorus (TP), PO₄, Fe, and Al in comparison to old treatment areas. Especially TP loads were high above the national average values measured for forestry-induced diffuse pollution. In general, water quality above and below the buffer strips did not differ significantly. Our results indicate that plugged outlet ditches and associated narrow overland flow areas do not function as proper buffers in peatland areas. We suggest that wider buffers with extensive overland flow areas are needed in order to control diffuse pollution from forested and drained peatlands.     

Non-motorised Transport and Sustainable Development: Evidence from Calcutta

The important role that non-motorised transport plays in urban sustainability is discussed with particular reference to the developing world and to the links between environmental and poverty issues. The significance of non-motorised transport in terms of reduced pollution, income maintenance for the poor and providing transport for vulnerable groups is stressed and placed within the general context of sustainable development. More specifically, evidence is presented for rickshaws in Calcutta, which demonstrates the vital role that non-motorised transport must play if sustainable development objectives are to be met. This evidence indicates that if rickshaws were to disappear from Calcutta's streets there would not only be significant increases in air pollution but also a substantial increase in the numbers of people living in poverty.     

工业园区水污染防治技术与管理政策需求分析

工业园区水污染防控是“十二五”期间我国水环境治理的重要任务之一,但目前还普遍存在一些技术和管理上的不足,导致处理效果不理想。本文就此问题,对园区企业在废水预处理、收集和处理、末端排放、水循环利用和管理机制方面存在的问题进行了讨论和分析;从技术和管理两大方面,对园区水污染防治的需求进行了分类探讨,并对环境主管部门、园区管理者和环境服务商提出了工作建议。     

石油污染土壤生物修复技术的研究进展

目前对石油污染环境的治理方法有物理法、化学法和生物修复三种类型。文章综合论述了国内外对石油污染土壤的几种微生物修复方法,分别介绍了利用植物、动物及微生物进行治理的修复技术。在我国,对于石油污染的治理应更多地采用低成本、无污染、高效率的生物治理技术。     

Review of information on pesticide residues in the Canadian environment

Summary Pesticide residues in soil, water, food, wildlife and other media have been analysed in several monitoring studies. The purpose was to establish the distribution of these residues across a defined area, ascertain their trend over a specific period and use the results to assess environmental compliance and safety. In the present review the availability of information on pesticide residues in various Canadian environmental components was sought. With the possible exception of localized pesticide contamination of some private water supply wells, ground and surface water, most analyses revealed concentrations below guideline limits. Only a few cases were reported of mishandling, misuse and poisoning from pesticides. Continuing surveillance programmes and in-depth and well-organized monitoring studies, with special focus on areas that are vulnerable to contamination, by both provincial and federal governments, are largely responsible for the encouraging results. This experience in the control of pesticide use and monitoring of residues in the environment should be of particular interest in developing countries.Dr A.Y. Sangodoyin is a senior lecturer in the Department of Agricultural Engineering at the University of Ibadan. He was recently involved in a study visit to the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2G7, where his co-author Dr D.W. Smith is a member of staff in the Department of Civil-Engineering.     

Optimization of Fenton's oxidation of chemical laboratory wastewaters using the response surface methodology

Establishing a treatment process for practical and economic disposal of laboratory wastewaters has become an urgent environmental concern of the Department of Chemical Engineering of the Universidade Estadual de Maringá (State University of Maringá), Brazil. Fenton and related reactions are potentially useful oxidation processes for destroying toxic organic compounds in water. In these reactions, hydrogen peroxide is combined with ferrous or ferric iron in the presence or absence of light to generate hydroxyl radicals (.OH). The feasibility of Fenton's reagent to treat waste chemicals from an academic research laboratory was investigated in this study. A response surface methodology was applied to optimize the Fenton oxidation process conditions using chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal as the target parameter to optimize, and the reagent concentrations, as related to the initial concentration of organic matter in the effluent, and pH as the control factors to be optimized. Maximal COD removal (92.3%) was achieved when wastewater samples were treated at pH 4 in the presence of hydrogen peroxide and iron in the ratios [COD]:[H2O2]=1:9 and [H2O2]:[Fe2+]=4.5:1. Under these conditions, it was possible to obtain simultaneously maximal COD removal and minimal chemical sludge after treatment, which is a residue that needs further processing.     

嘉陵江南充段水污染现状评价及防治对策

本文对嘉陵江南充段水污染现状进行了分析和评价，针对嘉陵江梯级电站的开发及水流的减缓，提出了嘉陵江南充段水污染防治对策。     

INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT OF QUANTITY AND QUALITY OF URBAN WATER RESOURCES1

ABSTRACT. This paper will present a total water quality-quantity management approach which has incorporated the costs of water pollution control and water treatment, the benefits of water-based activities, and the trade-off between low flow augmentation and water quality improvement in its consideration. The analytical framework is based on the decomposition procedures provided by dynamic programming within which the optimal management plans are developed.     

The Transboundary River Nestos and Its Water Quality Assessment: Cross-Border Cooperation between Greece and Bulgaria

Transboundary water resources require the cooperation of the countries involved, not only on the various uses of the water, but also on overall water quality and the protection of ecosystems. Transboundary rivers and their management constitute a contemporary issue of great significance. Cooperation between neighboring countries is not always easy, due to different socio-economic and political conditions. Therefore, the different needs and priorities between the countries involved need to be solved first. Since pollution does not stop at a State border, it is an example of something that can be solved only at the cross-border level. This paper presents the cross-border cooperation between two transnational Institutions; the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Greece) and the University of Sofia (Bulgaria), within the framework of Interreg programs. The first collaborated attempt was to carry out a coordinated program for monitoring the pollution of the Nestos River. The second was the protection and restoration of the ecosystem through the education of young engineers and the transfer of experiences and scientific knowledge across the borders.