Managing Baltic Sea fisheries under contrasting production and predation regimes: ecosystem model analyses

Based on an earlier published ecosystem model, we have explored possible effects of different management scenarios for the Baltic Sea. The scenarios include an oligotrophication of the system, a drastic increase in the number of seals, and changes in the fishery management. From these simulations we conclude that fisheries, seals, and eutrophication all have strong and interacting impacts on the ecosystem. These interactions call for integrated management. The modeling highlights the potential for conflicts among management mandates such as flourishing fisheries, rebuilt seal populations, and substantially reduced eutrophication. The results also suggest that fisheries management reference points have to be adjusted in response to changes in the presence of natural predators or ecosystem productivity.     

Case 5B: Proposed overhead aqueduct (Aqua Marcia) for the city of Rome

These days almost any construction plan gives rise to environmental, economic, and other concerns. In November 1977, the EPA funded a $9,000 two-day seminar at the University City Science Center in Philadelphia to examine the possible merits of Environmental Mediation as a procedure. The study materials supplied in advance contained eight cases for discussion. Case 5B was not one of them and was not prepared by federal officials. Though the situation described in Case 5B dates from 165 BC it is, coincidentally, in the same style and format (situation, problems, possible options) as the other eight cases of current vintage.However, there is one important difference. While the necessary permits for a proposed refinery at Portsmouth, Virginia (Case 2), or for conversion of VEPCO's power plant at Yorktown, Virginia from oil to coal (Case 3), or the Trexler, Pennsylvania, Lake Project (Case 7), may be held up forever, the aqueduct in Case 5B was built and performed its intended function well.     

Examining the economics of remediation by fluid injection with vacuum extraction

Enhanced methods of in-situ remediation based on patented technology involving fluid injection with vacuum extraction have been used successfully at the Sand Creek Superfund Site in Commerce City, Colorado. Approximately 177,000 pounds of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were removed from the subsurface in six months, two months ahead of schedule. Remediation goals were achieved on this thermally enhanced soil vapor extraction project by using vertical and horizontal wells interchangeably in vacuum or pressure service for vapor extraction, dual vacuum extraction, heated vapor reinjection, and air sparging. Although VOCs consisted of mixed chlorinated and petroleum hydrocarbons, the petroleum hydrocarbons, some in the form of nonaqueous phase liquids, had not been fully characterized. This article examines the evolution of the remedial design from that conceptualized in the Record of Decision (ROD) of the U.S. EPA, presents the rationale for the selection of alternative system components, and provides a cost analysis of the selected remedial technology, with comparisons to that of alternatives considered for use at Sand Creek.     

Sex chromosome mosaicism not detected at amniocentesis

Amniocentesis was performed because of a fetal abdominal wall defect, and a 45,X karyotype was obtained. A near-normal male infant with no features of Turner syndrome was delivered. The karyotype of the infant was 45,X/46,X, dic(Y)(q11), with each of the cell lines present in approximately 50 per cent of the lymphocytes and fibroblasts examined.     

A comparison of cat‐related risk perceptions and tolerance for outdoor cats in Florida and Hawaii

Risk perceptions and attitudes toward animals often explain tolerance for wildlife and management preferences. However, little is understood about how these relationships vary across different geographic regions and stakeholder groups. To address this gap in knowledge, we compared differences in acceptance capacity, risk perceptions, perceived enjoyment from outdoor cats, and experiences with outdoor cats among 3 groups (general public, conservation community, and animal‐welfare community) in Hawaii and Florida, two states with large conservation challenges. We combined independently collected data from Florida and Hawaii, to determine how perception of the risks presented by outdoor cats, group membership, and state of residence influenced people's tolerance for outdoor cats. Florida respondents were significantly more tolerant of outdoor cats and less concerned about cat‐related risks than Hawaii respondents (p < 0.05). In both states, animal‐welfare group members reported greater enjoyment seeing cats and perceived a smaller increase in the cat population and lower levels of risk than other groups (p < 0.05). All groups exhibited similar relationships between acceptance capacity and enjoyment and the perceived increase in the cat population. Our results suggest public tolerance for cats varied due to the influence of local or geographical concerns, but that strongly held beliefs, risk perceptions, and feelings about cats explained more of the variance in stakeholder tolerance.     

An investigation into the likely impact of oxy-coal retrofit on fire-side corrosion behavior in utility boilers

Real-time electrochemical measurements of corrosion rate were performed to evaluate the respective corrosion rates of one boiler waterwall material (SA210) and three boiler superheater materials (T22, P91 and 347H) while firing Utah Western bituminous, Illinois high-sulfur bituminous and Powder River Basin (PRB) sub-bituminous coals in a 1.5 MW pulverized coal-fired furnace. The raw average measured corrosion rates were very low, between 0.0003 and 0.016 mm/year (0.012 and 0.63 mils/year) for most materials under air- and oxy-fired conditions. For some high-sulfur conditions measured corrosion rates were as high as 0.72 mm/year (28 mils/year). Waterwall corrosion rates decreased consistently when converting from air- to oxy-firing while superheater corrosion rates generally increased, although they were less than twice the air-fired rate under most conditions. Corrosion rates for the lower alloyed materials (SA210 and T22) increased significantly during transients from reducing to oxidizing conditions. Measured increases in the corrosion rate of 347H material under high sulfur and low temperature conditions, and associated decrease in corrosion rate at higher temperatures on this alloy, were consistent with the formation of trisulphates in the superheater deposits. The increase of corrosion rate with increased metal temperatures was demonstrated, as was the consistently repeatable nature of the observed results.     

Pesticide Risk Indicators: Unidentified Inert Ingredients Compromise Their Integrity and Utility

Pesticide Risk Indicators (PRIs) are widely used to evaluate and compare the potential health and environmental risks of pesticide use and to guide pest control policies and practices. They are applied to agricultural, landscape and structural pest management by governmental agencies, private institutions and individuals. PRIs typically assess only the potential risks associated with the active ingredients because, with few exceptions, pesticide manufacturers disclose only the identity of the active ingredients which generally comprise only a minor portion of pesticide products. We show that when inert ingredients are identified and assessed by the same process as the active ingredient, the product specific risk can be much greater than that calculated for the active ingredient alone. To maintain transparency in risk assessment, all those who develop and apply PRIs or make decisions based on their output, should clearly disclose and discuss the limitations of the method.