Effectiveness of forestry streamside management zones in the sand-clay hills of Mississippi: early indications

During the past decade, compliance with initiatives to promote forestry best management practices (BMPs) has been monitored in most states of the southern U.S. and suggests an excellent level of acceptance throughout the region. However, effectiveness of these practices to protect water quality and aquatic habitat in streams that are potentially impacted by forest management activities has not been as thoroughly documented as the degree of compliance. The objective of this study was to determine effectiveness of streamside management zones (SMZs), a key element of BMPs designed for protection of water quality, aquatic habitat, and macroinvertebrate communities, in low-order streams within a region of north central Mississippi that is subjected to intensive forest management. Three SMZ treatments (undisturbed reference, clear-cut logging with an SMZ designated by forest managers, or clear-cut logging with no SMZ) were evaluated using a study with three replications of each treatment. Response metrics including water quality parameters, mineral soil exposure and net deposition/erosion within riparian zones, stream habitat indicators, and aquatic macroinvertebrate communities were comparable between streams receiving SMZs and undisturbed reference streams at all sampling intervals during the first year after treatment. Furthermore, significant elevation of streamwater temperature, decline in habitat stability rating, and increase in density of macroinvertebrates occurring in streams without an SMZ in comparison to reference streams provides additional evidence of SMZ effectiveness during the initial year after harvesting.     

A biological assessment of best management practice effectiveness during intensive silviculture and forest chemical application

A multi-year study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of Florida's Best Management Practices (BMPs) for protecting aquatic ecosystems during intensive forestry operations and forest chemical applications. Five silviculture sites adjacent to stream systems were selected for study from major eco-regions of the state. Replicate stream bioassessments, using a multimetric approach (the Stream Condition Index), were conducted as part of a `before-after, control-impact' (BACI) study design. Bioassessment stations were established above and below the treatment area to determine pre-treatment reference and test conditions. Silviculture treatments of clearcut harvesting, intensive mechanical site preparation and machine planting were then completed, during which all applicable BMPs were adhered to. In addition, two sites received an herbicide application and one site was fertilized. Following the treatments, the sites were re-sampled at the same points both one year, and two years after the first bioassessment. No significant differences in the SCI were observed between the reference and test portions of the streams that could be attributed to the silviculture operations using BMPs. Hence, the study showed that BMPs provided protection to adjacent stream ecosystems, even during intensive silviculture and forest chemical applications.     

Mass,energy and material balances of SRF production process. Part 1: SRF produced from commercial and industrial waste

This paper presents the mass, energy and material balances of a solid recovered fuel (SRF) production process. The SRF is produced from commercial and industrial waste (C&IW) through mechanical treatment (MT). In this work various streams of material produced in SRF production process are analyzed for their proximate and ultimate analysis. Based on this analysis and composition of process streams their mass, energy and material balances are established for SRF production process. Here mass balance describes the overall mass flow of input waste material in the various output streams, whereas material balance describes the mass flow of components of input waste stream (such as paper and cardboard, wood, plastic (soft), plastic (hard), textile and rubber) in the various output streams of SRF production process. A commercial scale experimental campaign was conducted on an MT waste sorting plant to produce SRF from C&IW. All the process streams (input and output) produced in this MT plant were sampled and treated according to the CEN standard methods for SRF: EN 15442, EN 15443. The results from the mass balance of SRF production process showed that of the total input C&IW material to MT waste sorting plant, 62% was recovered in the form of SRF, 4% as ferrous metal, 1% as non-ferrous metal and 21% was sorted out as reject material, 11.6% as fine fraction, and 0.4% as heavy fraction. The energy flow balance in various process streams of this SRF production process showed that of the total input energy content of C&IW to MT plant, 75% energy was recovered in the form of SRF, 20% belonged to the reject material stream and rest 5% belonged with the streams of fine fraction and heavy fraction. In the material balances, mass fractions of plastic (soft), plastic (hard), paper and cardboard and wood recovered in the SRF stream were 88%, 70%, 72% and 60% respectively of their input masses to MT plant. A high mass fraction of plastic (PVC), rubber material and non-combustibles (such as stone/rock and glass particles), was found in the reject material stream.     

Reference Conditions of Alpine Streams: Physical Habitat and Ecology

Natural and near-natural streams are rare in the densely populated areas of the Alps. A variety of anthropogenic impacts have resulted in the alteration and sometimes even complete destruction of these systems. Nowadays it is difficult to find un-impacted streams that are strongly needed to define the natural variability and ecosystem processes. The results from freshwater inventories and habitat assessments conducted in protected areas in Austria (Nationalpark Hohe Tauern) and Italy (Naturpark Rieserferner-Ahrn) were used to develop a comprehensive typology of Alpine streams. Three different levels were used to discriminate between the distinct stream/river types: source (glacial vs. non-glacial), hierarchy (i.e. location within the stream system) and topography/ channel morphology. Important characters defining the structure and function of these stream types are gradient, substrate composition, flow pattern and riparian vegetation. Benthic fauna assemblages from 99 near-natural stream segments in glacial and non-glacial systems demonstrated the effect of glaciation on abundance levels of the total macroinvertebrate fauna, EPT taxa (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera) and the chironomid subfamily Diamesinae in different altitudes. A general decrease of abundances with increasing altitude was found. While stream segments with a degree of glaciation >10% primarily showed reduced abundances at all altitudes, lower (<10%) or no glaciation did not influence invertebrate abundances at lower reaches. Due to the near-natural conditions of the selected stream segments, a valuable definition of reference conditions of Alpine streams based on habitat characteristics is available. As a basis it offers excellent opportunities to conduct holistic interdisciplinary studies in protected areas in the future.     

Riparian ecotone: A functional definition and delineation for resource assessment

We propose a geomorphic basis for defining riparian areas using the term: riparian ecotone, discuss how past definitions fall short, and illustrate how a linked sequence of definition, delineation, and riparian sampling are used to accurately assess riparian resources on the ground. Our riparian ecotone is based on the width of the valley (its floodprone area width) plus 30 meters on each side to encompass the important adjacent riparian functions, and 15 meters around obvious landslides. A functionally consistent riparian definition and delineation does not derive from land adjacent to a stream, rather it derives from the valley the stream runs through.     

How chemically stable is stabilized hazardous waste?

Bioassays can provide meaningful information about the relative toxicity of remediated soil samples, revealing the unwelcome toxic side effects produced by some cleanup projects. Section 121 of CERCLA's 1986 amendments calls for hazardous waste site remediations to permanently and significantly reduce the volume, toxicity, and mobility of hazardous substances, pollutants, and contaminants. Traditional engineering technology has focused on reducing volume and mobility, assuming that such reduction would lead to reductions in toxicity. Environmental scientists have argued, however, that such reductions are not always the result, but lack of consensus on how hazardous waste mixtures should be measured toxicologically has slowed development of integrated assessments. The aquatic and terrestrial bioassays discussed in this article are evaluated for various chemicals, mixtures of chemicals, and actual waste site chemical mixtures at a Superfund mobility reduction project in Kent, Washington. Results suggest that although remediation accomplished the primary objective of reducing mobility, it also introduced toxic effects. These tradeoffs must be viewed holistically when the ultimate performance of cleanup measures is judged.     

Bioassessment of silvicultural impacts in streams and wetlands of the Eastern United States

Bioassessment is a useful tool to determine the impact of logging practices on the biological integrity of streams and wetlands. Measuring biota directly has an intuitive appeal for impact assessment, and biota can be superior indicators to physical or chemical characteristics because they can reflect cumulative impacts over time. Logging can affect stream and wetland biota by increasing sedimentation rates, altering hydrologic, thermal, and chemical regimes, and changing the base of food webs. Biotic impacts of logging on streams compared to wetlands probably differ, and in this paper we review some of those differences. In streams, invertebrates, fishes, amphibians, algae, and macrophytes have been used as indicators of logging impacts. In wetlands, bioassessment is just beginning to be used, and plants and birds are the most promising indicator taxa. Various best management practices (BMPs) have been developed to reduce the impacts of logging on stream and wetland biota, and we review quantitative studies that have evaluated the efficacy of some of these techniques in streams and wetlands in the eastern United States. Remarkably few studies that address the overall efficacy of BMPs in limiting biotic changes in streams and wetlands after BMP implementation have been published in scientific journals, although some work exists in reports or is unpublished. We review these works, and compile conclusions about BMP efficacy for biota from this body of research.     

Effect of Wastewater Treatment Facility Closure on Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals in a Coastal Plain Stream

Wastewater treatment facility (WWTF) closures are rare environmental remediation events; offering unique insight into contaminant persistence, long‐term wastewater impacts, and ecosystem recovery processes. The U.S. Geological Survey assessed the fate of select endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC) in surface water and streambed sediment one year before and one year after closure of a long‐term WWTF located within the Spirit Creek watershed at Fort Gordon, Georgia. Sample sites included a WWTF‐effluent control located upstream from the outfall, three downstream effluent‐impacted sites located between the outfall and Spirit Lake, and one downstream from the lake's outfall. Prior to closure, the 2.2‐km stream segment downstream from the WWTF outfall was characterized by EDC concentrations significantly higher (α = 0.05) than at the control site; indicating substantial downstream transport and limited in‐stream attenuation of EDC, including pharmaceuticals, estrogens, alkylphenol ethoxylate (APE) metabolites, and organophosphate flame retardants (OPFR). Wastewater‐derived pharmaceutical, APE metabolites, and OPFR compounds were also detected in the outflow of Spirit Lake, indicating the potential for EDC transport to aquatic ecosystems downstream of Fort Gordon under effluent discharge conditions. After the WWTF closure, no significant differences in concentrations or numbers of detected EDC compounds were observed between control and downstream locations. The results indicated EDC pseudo‐persistence under preclosure, continuous supply conditions, with rapid attenuation following WWTF closure. Low concentrations of EDC at the control site throughout the study and comparable concentrations in downstream locations after WWTF closure indicated additional, continuing, upstream contaminant sources within the Spirit Creek watershed. ©2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Management Systems Approach to Building Vapor Intrusion: A Facility Manager's Guide

Vapor intrusion (VI) has the potential to affect over 100,000 developed and undeveloped sites in the United States. Vapor intrusion occurs when the migration of volatile chemicals from the subsurface enters overlying buildings. A myriad of adverse health effects have been documented based on the inhalation of volatile chemicals from VI. At a time when most state and federal agencies have yet to set firm standards, the burden of responsibility is often placed on the facility manager to decide how to protect building occupants from volatile organic compounds potentially seeping into buildings. This article outlines a detailed step‐by‐step process for facility managers on how to begin a VI assessment and, when warranted, establish a site‐specific vapor intrusion management system for building occupant protection. This document should be used concurrently with current federal and state guidelines as it pertains to VI. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Material flow analysis of RDF-production processes

The authors evaluate the possibilities of modifying the chemical characteristics of refuse-derived fuels (RDF) that are processed from residual household waste by mechanical operations to achieve and assure quality targets for relevant chemical concentrations, especially for heavy metals and chlorine. Quality assurance in the production of RDF demands that, together with an enrichment of the calorific value, highly toxic waste components are selectively separated and concentrated in a small stream to produce high yields of a relatively low polluted fuel. Based on the method of material flow analysis, a process evaluation is developed that considers the aspect of minimizing hazardous chemicals along with classical process data such as yield and product quality. Data on specific concentration of hazardous chemicals in waste components and their distribution in residual household waste as well as the results from large-scale test runs using different separation techniques demonstrate that mechanical operations alone are insufficient for separating hazardous chemicals. In the test runs, chemical compounds such as chlorine, cadmium and lead were often concentrated in the product. Even using optimized techniques, the ability to reduce hazards in the product is limited due to the distribution of the element concentration in the various components of the waste stream.     

Preliminary study for the management of construction and demolition waste

This paper refers to the management of the construction and demolition (C&D) waste since, according to the EU Waste Strategy, C&D waste is considered to be one of the priority waste streams and appropriate actions need to be taken with respect to its effective management. Initially, the paper presents the state-of-the-art of the problem of C&D waste, including the amount and composition of C&D waste in EU countries, differences in the characteristics of this waste stream depending on its origin, as well as collection and management practices that are applied. A methodology is described for the estimation of the quantities of the waste stream under examination, since in most cases quantitative primary data is not available. Next, the fundamentals for the development of an integrated scheme for the management of C&D waste are presented and discussed, such as appropriate demolition procedures and location of waste management (off-site waste management, on-site waste management, direct on-site recovery, centralized on-site recovery). Finally, taking into consideration all relevant parameters, alternative systems that could be applied for the management of the C&D waste are suggested.     

Effects of Mine Drainage on Breakdown of Aspen Litter in Mountain Streams

Rates of aspen litter breakdown were measured at 40 sites in streams of the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, U.S.A. The sites encompassed a range of effects of mine drainage, from pristine (no effects) to highly stressed. The pH, concentrations of dissolved zinc, and deposition rates of metal oxides (the three main stresses from mine drainage) were measured in each stream. Rates of litter breakdown were estimated from changes in mass of aspen leaves in litterbags. The biological communities associated with litter breakdown also were evaluated by measuring the biomass of shredding invertebrates in litterbags and the rate of microbial respiration on litter. Of the stresses from mine drainage, concentration of zinc and deposition rate of metal oxides were most closely related (negatively) to rate of litter breakdown. Biomass of shredding invertebrates was also negatively related to concentration of dissolved zinc and deposition of metal oxides. Microbial respiration was negatively related to deposition rate of metal oxides and positively related to concentration of nutrients. Both shredder biomass and microbial respiration were positively related to litter breakdown rate and, together, accounted for 79% of its variation. Recovery of litter breakdown in streams affected by mine drainage requires remediation that limits both dissolved and deposited metals.     

Towards a cleaner production in developing countries: a case study in a Chilean tannery.

A Chilean leather tanning industry (tannery) was studied in terms of input/output (I/O) analysis of beamhouse, tanyard and retanning processes. The physical-chemical characterization of 19 streams were investigated. Streams from the beamhouse process and some streams from the retanning process were found to have high organic contents ranging from 2.5 to 18.1 g COD L(-1). The pH ranged between 3.45 and 12.28. Sulphur was found in most of the streams whereas chromium was detected in two wastewaters from the tanyard and in seven streams from the retanning process. Pollution prevention opportunities were evaluated and an appropriate treatment strategy was proposed. The main emphasis was on determining waste reduction measures that can be easily implemented and are not particularly expensive. Measures for reduction at source were proposed to reduce water and chemicals consumption and wastewater pollution. A so-called S(index) strategy was used to evaluate proposals on segregation and specific treatment of the main chromium- and sulphur-containing wastewaters. It was suggested that some streams may be re-used, but it is necessary to apply anaerobic or aerobic treatment first, depending on their organic load. Solid wastes were also evaluated and a proposal for their reduction and disposal was made.     

Technical specifications for mechanical recycling of agricultural plastic waste

Technical specifications appropriate for the recycling of agricultural plastic wastes (APWs), widely accepted by the recycling industry were developed. The specifications establish quality standards to be met by the agricultural plastics producers, users and the agricultural plastic waste management chain. They constitute the base for the best economical and environmental valorisation of the APW.The analysis of the APW streams conducted across Europe in the framework of the European project “LabelAgriWaste” revealed the inherent characteristics of the APW streams and the inherent constraints (technical or economical) of the APW. The APW stream properties related to its recycling potential and measured during pilot trials are presented and a subsequent universally accepted simplified and expanded list of APW recycling technical specifications is proposed and justified. The list includes two sets of specifications, applied to two different quality categories of recyclable APW: one for pellet production process (“Quality I”) and another one for plastic profile production process (“Quality II”). Parameters that are taken into consideration in the specifications include the APW physical characteristics, contamination, composition and degradation. The proposed specifications are focused on polyethylene based APW that represents the vast majority of the APW stream. However, the specifications can be adjusted to cover also APW of different materials (e.g. PP or PVC) that are found in very small quantities in protected cultivations in Europe. The adoption of the proposed specifications could transform this waste stream into a labelled commodity traded freely in the market and will constitute the base for the best economical and environmental valorisation of the APW.     

Issues in monitoring hazardous chemicals in stormwater runoff/discharges from superfund and other hazardous chemical sites

Deficiencies in design and execution render stormwater‐runoff monitoring programs for many hazardous chemical sites inadequate for assessing the potential environmental quality and public health impacts of chemicals in the runoff. Two pervasive problems are the use of analytical methods that are inadequate for measuring certain hazardous chemicals at potentially hazardous concentrations, and the application of “criteria/standards” that are inappropriate for evaluating the environmental/public health impacts of chemicals. These concerns are most notable for carcinogens and chemicals that bioaccumulate in edible aquatic organisms, including arsenic, chromium, beryllium, mercury, dioxins, organochlorine pesticides (such as DDT), and polychlorinated biphenyls; unrecognized pollutants; and nanomaterials. In order to appropriately evaluate whether the runoff/discharge from a hazardous chemical site is a threat to human health, the analytical methods must be sufficiently sensitive in critical concentration ranges; sampling regimens need to be sufficiently rigorous to provide reliable characterization of the content of the runoff, receiving water, and, for bioaccumulatable chemicals, levels in edible organisms in receiving water. Proper sampling and analysis will then provide data to enable the appropriate criteria/standards to be applied. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Mass,energy and material balances of SRF production process. Part 2: SRF produced from construction and demolition waste

In this work, the fraction of construction and demolition waste (C&D waste) complicated and economically not feasible to sort out for recycling purposes is used to produce solid recovered fuel (SRF) through mechanical treatment (MT). The paper presents the mass, energy and material balances of this SRF production process. All the process streams (input and output) produced in MT waste sorting plant to produce SRF from C&D waste are sampled and treated according to CEN standard methods for SRF. Proximate and ultimate analysis of these streams is performed and their composition is determined. Based on this analysis and composition of process streams their mass, energy and material balances are established for SRF production process. By mass balance means the overall mass flow of input waste material stream in the various output streams and material balances mean the mass flow of components of input waste material stream (such as paper and cardboard, wood, plastic (soft), plastic (hard), textile and rubber) in the various output streams of SRF production process. The results from mass balance of SRF production process showed that of the total input C&D waste material to MT waste sorting plant, 44% was recovered in the form of SRF, 5% as ferrous metal, 1% as non-ferrous metal, and 28% was sorted out as fine fraction, 18% as reject material and 4% as heavy fraction. The energy balance of this SRF production process showed that of the total input energy content of C&D waste material to MT waste sorting plant, 74% was recovered in the form of SRF, 16% belonged to the reject material and rest 10% belonged to the streams of fine fraction and heavy fraction. From the material balances of this process, mass fractions of plastic (soft), paper and cardboard, wood and plastic (hard) recovered in the SRF stream were 84%, 82%, 72% and 68% respectively of their input masses to MT plant. A high mass fraction of plastic (PVC) and rubber material was found in the reject material stream. Streams of heavy fraction and fine fraction mainly contained non-combustible material (such as stone/rock, sand particles and gypsum material).     

The Impact of Sewage Discharge on the Macroalgae Community in the Yellow Sea Coastal Area Around Qingdao,China

The dynamics of macroalgal communities and the impact of sewage on their growth were studied in the tidal zone around Zhanqiao Pier of the Qingdao coastal area, in the northwest of the Yellow Sea, China, from September 2001 to September 2003. The tidal zone of the study area is divided into western and eastern sections by the Zhanqiao Pier. Inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus in seawater showed higher concentrations on the eastern side of Zhanqiao Pier than on the western side, because a sewer drains into the eastern side. The macroalgal communities on each side of the Pier showed an obvious difference due to the effect of this sewage discharge. A total of 47 macroalgal species including 10 greens, 11 browns and 26 reds was identified in this study. The species composition and biomass indicated higher values in the nutrient-rich area on the eastern side of Zhanqiao Pier compared with the nutrient-poor area on the western side of Zhanqiao Pier. Some ephemeral and filamentous species dominated seasonally on the eastern side of Zhanqiao Pier, in contrast to the western side where slow-growing species dominated throughout the year. Nutrient gradients and temperature were considered the main factors affecting the distribution of macroalgae communities in time and space. The results are consistent with the common observation that nutrient-poor areas are dominated by slow-growing rather than ephemeral algal species. Moreover, the species diversity in the whole study area had declined when compared to previous records.     

Multi-criteria analysis for the determination of the best WEEE management scenario in Cyprus

Waste from electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) constitutes one of the most complicated solid waste streams in terms of its composition, and, as a result, it is difficult to be effectively managed. In view of the environmental problems derived from WEEE management, many countries have established national legislation to improve the reuse, recycling and other forms of recovery of this waste stream so as to apply suitable management schemes. In this work, alternative systems are examined for the WEEE management in Cyprus. These systems are evaluated by developing and applying the Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) method PROMETHEE. In particular, through this MCDM method, 12 alternative management systems were compared and ranked according to their performance and efficiency. The obtained results show that the management schemes/systems based on partial disassembly are the most suitable for implementation in Cyprus. More specifically, the optimum scenario/system that can be implemented in Cyprus is that of partial disassembly and forwarding of recyclable materials to the native existing market and disposal of the residues at landfill sites.     

Conventional and alternative technologies for the treatment of infectious waste

 The limited scientific information about infectious waste, and the heightened public awareness of this special component of the waste stream, have contributed to the implementation or strengthening of the regulations in this area. This paper proposes a general working definition of infectious waste, and describes the systems used to limit its potential occupational and public health impacts. Although incineration and autoclaving are the most widely used methods of treating infectious waste, the introduction of more stringent air-quality standards for incinerators, and the inherent limitations to the application of autoclaves, have created a demand for other methods of processing this segment of the solid and liquid waste streams. These alternative technologies use one or more of the following methods: (1) heating the waste to a minimum of 90–95°C; (2) exposing the waste to suitable chemicals; (3) subjecting the waste to heated chemicals; (4) irradiating the infectious waste with ionizing sources. The advantages and disadvantages of each of these alternative forms of treatment are discussed in this paper. Received: April 22, 2002 / Accepted: October 14, 2002