Understanding how cities can transform organic waste into a valuable resource is critical to urban sustainability. The capture and recycling of phosphorus (P), and other essential nutrients, from human excreta is particularly important as an alternative organic fertilizer source for agriculture. However, the complex set of socio-environmental factors influencing urban human excreta management is not yet sufficiently integrated into sustainable P research. Here, we synthesize information about the pathways P can take through urban sanitation systems along with barriers and facilitators to P recycling across cities. We examine five case study cities by using a sanitation chains approach: Accra, Ghana; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Beijing, China; Baltimore, USA; and London, England. Our cross-city comparison shows that London and Baltimore recycle a larger percentage of P from human excreta back to agricultural lands than other cities, and that there is a large diversity in socio-environmental factors that affect the patterns of recycling observed across cities. Our research highlights conditions that may be “necessary but not sufficient” for P recycling, including access to capital resources. Path dependencies of large sanitation infrastructure investments in the Global North contrast with rapidly urbanizing cities in the Global South, which present opportunities for alternative sanitation development pathways. Understanding such city-specific social and environmental barriers to P recycling options could help address multiple interacting societal objectives related to sanitation and provide options for satisfying global agricultural nutrient demand.
This study explores the dilemma of whether to rebuild or relocate from the areas devastated by Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Since disasters represent the discernible manifestation of other complex coastal hazards, they offer a window of opportunity to engage residents in the dialogue on relocation as sometimes the most effective risk reduction strategy. The following research evaluates attitudes towards relocation and willingness to consider buyout among 46 surveyed households located in highly‐affected communities five months after Sandy. It also gauges perceptions of coastal risks and recovery concerns as drivers of relocation, the level of support for different adaptation strategies, and preferences related to the relocation process itself on how and where to relocate and with what type of assistance. Responses indicate that, even though residents prefer structural solutions to address coastal hazards, they are not fully opposed to the possibility of relocation mostly for personal health and safety reasons. 相似文献
A field-based evaluation of the biological effects of potential nickel (Ni) exposures was conducted using monitoring data for benthic macroinvertebrates and water chemistry parameters for streams in England and Wales. Observed benthic community metrics were compared to expected community metrics under reference conditions using RIVPACS III+?software. In order to evaluate relationships between Ni concentrations and benthic community metrics, bioavailable Ni concentrations were also calculated for each site. A limiting effect from Ni on the 90th percentile of the maximum achievable ecological quality was derived at “bioavailable Ni” exposures of 10.3 μg l?1. As snails have been identified as particularly sensitive to nickel exposure, snail abundance in the field in response to nickel exposure, relative to reference conditions, was also analysed. A “low effects” threshold for snail abundance based on an average of spring and autumn data was derived as 3.9 μg l?1 bioavailable Ni. There was no apparent effect of Ni exposure on the abundance of Ephemeroptera (mayflies), Plecoptera (stoneflies) or Tricoptera (caddisflies) when expressed relative to a reference condition within the range of “bioavailable Ni” exposures observed within the dataset. Nickel exposure concentrations co-vary with the concentrations of other stressors in the dataset, and high concentrations of Ni are also associated with elevated concentrations of other contaminants. 相似文献
A two-generation reproductive toxicity study of zinc chloride (ZnCl2) was conducted in rats. Fo male and female rats were administered 0.00 (control), 7.50 (low), 15.00 (mid) and 30.00 (high) mg/kg/day of ZnCl2. Selected F1 male and female rats were exposed to the same doses received by their parents (Fo). Exposure of F0 parental rats to ZnCl2 showed significant reduction in fertility, viability (days 0 and 4), and the body weight of F1 pups from the high-dose group but caused no effects on litter size, weaning index, and sex ratio. Similarly, the continued exposure of F1 parental rats to ZnCl2 also reduced fertility, liter size, viability (day 0), and the body weight of F2 pups within the high-dose group but caused no effects on weaning index and sex ratio. Exposure of ZnCl2 to F0 and F1 parental males resulted in a significant reduction in their body weights, and the F0 and F1 parental females did not show any significant difference in their body weights compared to their control groups. However, the postpartum dam weights of both F0 and F1 female rats were significantly reduced compared to their controls. Exposure of ZnCl2 to Fo and F1 generation parental rats did not produce any significant change of their clinical signs as well as their clinical pathology parameters, except the alkaline phosphotase (ALK) level, which showed an upward trend in both sexes of both generations. Exposure of ZnCl2 to F0 rats resulted in a reduction of brain, liver, kidney, spleen and seminal vesicles weights of males and in the spleen and uterus of females. Similarly, exposure of F1 rats to ZnCl2 also resulted in reduction of brain, liver, kidney, adrenal, spleen, prostate and seminal vesicles weights of males and in spleen and uterus of females. ZnCl2 exposure resulted in grossly observed gastro-intestianla (GI) tract, lymphoreticular/hematopoietic, and reproductive tract lesions in parental rats in both generations. Reduced body fat was also recorded in F1 parental rats. 相似文献
Throughout the wider Caribbean, marine protected areas (MPAs) are rapidly gaining momentum as a conservation tool, but management performance of existing MPAs is considered low. To enhance MPA management performance, stakeholders are increasingly being invited to discuss, debate, and develop rules about how people should interact with marine ecosystems. Using social and ecological data from a rapid assessment of 31 MPAs and their associated communities in the wider Caribbean, this study investigates stakeholder participation in MPA planning and management, and how participants' views of process quality relate to MPA performance. Findings indicate that (1) participants tended to be male, resource users, participate in community organizations, and have lived fewer years in the community associated with an MPA than non-participants; (2) simply participating was not associated with perceptions of the social and ecological performance of MPAs, however, perceptions of process quality were positively related to views of performance; and (3) resource users' perceptions of an MPA's ecological performance were likely shaped by a variety of factors. Conservation practitioners should be aware that participatory MPA processes are complex and require careful planning if they are to contribute positively to marine conservation efforts. 相似文献
In the Athabasca oil sands region of northern Alberta, mining companies are evaluating reclamation using constructed wetlands for integration of tailings. From May to July 2008, reproductive performance of 40 breeding pairs of tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor), plus growth and survival of nestlings, was measured on three reclaimed wetlands on two oil sands leases. A subset of nestlings was examined for i) feather corticosterone levels, ii) delayed-type hypersensitivity response, and iii) innate immune function. Nestlings on one of two wetlands created with oil sands process affected material (OSPM) were heavier and had greater wing-lengths, and mounted a stronger delayed-type hypersensitivity response compared those on the reference wetland. Corticosterone was significantly higher in male nestlings on one of two OSPM-containing wetland compared to the reference wetland. Body condition of 12-day-old female nestlings was inversely related to feather corticosterone. Under ideal weather conditions, reclaimed wetlands can support healthy populations of aerially-insectivorous birds. 相似文献
Photocatalytic oxidation using UV irradiation of TiO2 has been studied extensively and has many potential industrial applications, including the degradation of recalcitrant contaminants
in water and wastewater treatment. A limiting factor in the oxidation process is the recombination of conduction band electrons
(e−cb) with electron holes (hvb+) on the irradiated TiO2 surface; thus, in aqueous conditions, the presence of an effective electron scavenger will be beneficial to the efficiency
of the oxidation process. Ferrate (FeO42−) has received much recent attention as a water treatment chemical since it behaves simultaneously as an oxidant and coagulant.
The combination of ferrate [Fe(VI)] with UV/TiO2 photocatalysis offers an oxidation synergism arising from the Fe(VI) scavenging of e−cb and the corresponding beneficial formation of Fe(V) from the Fe(VI) reduction. This paper reviews recent studies concerning
the photocatalytic oxidation of problematic pollutants with and without ferrate. 相似文献
All but one of the Australian States now have legislation to control Air Pollution. These are similar in broad principle and rely upon the system of prior approval and the use of emission limits. At the present time Victoria is the only State with legislation providing for the recycling of crankcase vent gases on motor cars. Methods being used to control pollution and future outlook and needs are discussed. At least 65 per cent of the crude oil requirements should be met by indigenous low sulfur oil by 1975. This fact and the imminent supply of natural gas to the four major cities and to the centers of heavy industrial development should result in a marked reduction in sulfur dioxide concentrations. A major outstanding problem is the lack of air pollution considerations in planning at regional and local government levels. 相似文献