Using research-based knowledge to underpin waste and resources policy.

The concept of a knowledge-based approach to policy making (also referred to as 'evidence-based policy making' or 'science meets policy') has been around for 10 years, and is widely 'signed up to' by Governments. This paper examines the theory and the practice at national government (using the UK as a case study) and European levels, looking at how the knowledge-based approach has been applied in waste and resources management. There is general agreement that a knowledge-(or evidence-) based approach to policy making is a 'good thing'; however putting the concept into practice has proven challenging and is still evolving. The linkages between researchers and policy makers need to be further strengthened, as does the 'demand' for evidence from policy; requiring policy specialists to articulate their requirements for evidence sufficiently well in advance, and to do so routinely, is still an area of weakness. Using a model developed by the UK's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), we examine in detail some of the implications of changing the question from 'is this good research on waste and resources issues?' to 'is this good evidence for waste and resources policy?'. The paper also provides recommendations for further work required to achieve this at a European level, and for priority areas where international co-ordination of waste and resources research could add most value to policy.     

Atmospheric phenanthrene pollution modulates carbon allocation in red clover (Trifolium pratense L.)

The influence of atmospheric phenanthrene (PHE) exposure (160 μg m⁻³) during one month on carbon allocation in clover was investigated by integrative (plant growth analysis) and instantaneous ¹³CO₂ pulse-labelling approaches. PHE exposure diminished plant growth parameters (relative growth rate and net assimilation rate) and disturbed photosynthesis (carbon assimilation rate and chlorophyll content), leading to a 25% decrease in clover biomass. The root-shoot ratio was significantly enhanced (from 0.32 to 0.44). Photosynthates were identically allocated to leaves while less allocated to stems and roots. PHE exposure had a significant overall effect on the ¹³C partitioning among clover organs as more carbon was retained in leaves at the expense of roots and stems. The findings indicate that PHE decreases root exudation or transfer to symbionts and in leaves, retains carbon in a non-structural form diverting photosynthates away from growth and respiration (emergence of an additional C loss process).     

Toward sustainable adaptation to future climate change: insights from vulnerability and resilience approaches analyzing agrarian system of Iran

There is no certainty that adaptation to climate change is sustainable, and new approaches to assess current climate change adaptation trajectories are sorely needed. In this paper, we review the farmer-focused approaches (typical of vulnerability approaches) and agro-ecosystem-focused approaches (typical of resilience approaches). We propose that a combination of the two may be a better way to conceptualize sustainable adaptation to future climate change within an agro-ecological system. To test our hypothesis, we use the case study of Iran, a land that has shown both tremendous resilience and vulnerability in its agro-ecological system. We explore the changes that have occurred in the Iranian farming system and their implications for farmers’ resilience to climate change through an integrated lens combining vulnerability approaches and resilience approaches. During the previous five decades, we describe how Iranian peasants have become small farmers, the land tenure system has changed from a traditional landlord-sharecropping system to family farms, and the quantity and quality of the agro-ecological resources have changed considerably. Our integrative approach provides important insights for both research and policy. We show that combining the two approaches can have far-reaching implications for farmers’ adaptation to future climate change knowledge, policy, and practice since one approach aims to decrease farmers vulnerability and the other approach aims to build resilient agro-ecosystems.     

Hormesis and longevity with tannins: Free of charge or cost-intensive?

Hormetic lifespan extension is, for obvious reasons, beneficial to an individual. But is this effect really cost-neutral? To answer this question, four tannic polyphenols were tested on the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. All were able to extend the lifespan, but only some in a hormetic fashion. Additional life trait variables including stress resistance, reproductive behavior, growth, and physical fitness were observed during the exposure to the most life extending concentrations. These traits represent the quality of life and the population fitness, being the most important parameters of a hormetic treatment besides lifespan. Indeed, it emerged that each life-extension is accompanied by a constraining effect in at least one other endpoint, for example growth, mobility, stress resistance, or reproduction. Thus, in this context, longevity could not be considered to be attained for free and therefore it is likely that other hormetic benefits may also incur cost-intensive and unpredictable side-effects.     

Towards a sustainable economy? Socio-technical transitions in the green building sector

Making the transition to a green economy is a major policy driver in the UK and other countries. Entrepreneurs are suggested as being at the forefront of this transition and as a driving force for sustainability. These “green entrepreneurs” may represent a new type of entrepreneurial behaviour combining economic, environmental and social aims. In this paper, we present empirical work conducted with green entrepreneurs in the UK green building sector. Buildings have significant impacts on the environment, both in terms of materials and post-construction energy demands. Drawing on sustainability transitions theory, we examine the role of green entrepreneurs in affecting change and suggest that green building niches are less consensual than previously theorised. In theorising green entrepreneurs, we also point to the need to consider them within wider networks of activity rather than as lone actors and the implications this has for policy.     

Development of a standardized in vitro approach to evaluate microphysical, chemical, and toxicological properties of combustion-derived fine and ultrafine particles

Ultrafine particles represent a growing concern in the public health community but their precise role in many illnesses is still unknown. This lack of knowledge is related to the experimental difficulty in linking their biological effects to their multiple properties, which are important determinants of toxicity. Our aim is to propose an interdisciplinary approach to study fine(FP) and ultrafine(UFP) particles, generated in a controlled manner using a mini CAST(Combustion Aerosol Standard) soot ...     

Zn isotope study of atmospheric emissions and dry depositions within a 5 km radius of a Pb–Zn refinery

The present paper examines the use of zinc isotopes as tracers of atmospheric sources and focuses on the potential fractionation of Zn isotopes through anthropogenic processes. In order to do so, Zn isotopic ratios are measured in enriched ores and airborne particles associated with pyrometallurgical activities of one of the major Pb–Zn refineries in France. Supporting the isotopic investigation, this paper also compares morphological and chemical characteristics of Zn particles collected on dry deposition plates (“environmental samples”) placed within a 5 km radius of the smelter, with those of Zn particles collected inside the plant (“process samples”), i.e. dust collected from the main exhaust system of the plant. To ensure a constant isotopic “supply”, the refinery processed a specific set of ores during the sampling campaigns, as agreed with the executive staff of the plant. Enriched ores and dust produced by the successive Zn extraction steps show strong isotope fractionation (from ?0.66 to +0.22‰) mainly related to evaporation processes within the blast furnaces. Dust from the main chimney displays a δ⁶⁶Zn value of ?0.67‰. Application of the Rayleigh equation to evaluate the fractionation factor associated with the Zn vapor produced after a free evaporation gives a range of α_ore/vapor from 1.0004 to 1.0008. The dry deposits, collected on plates downwind of the refinery, display δ⁶⁶Zn variations of up to +0.7‰. However, it is to be noted that between 190 and 1250 m from the main chimney of the refinery, the dry deposits show a high level of large (>10 μm) Zn, S, Fe and O bearing aggregates characterized by positive δ⁶⁶Zn values (+0.02 to +0.19‰). These airborne particles probably derive from the re-suspension of slag heaps and local emissions from the working-units. In contrast, from 1720 to 4560 m, the dry deposits are comprised of small (PM10) particles, including spherical Zn-bearing aggregates, showing negative δ⁶⁶Zn values (?0.52 to ?0.02‰). Our results suggest that the source of the distal dry fallouts is the main chimney plume, whose light Zn isotopic signature they preserve. Based on Zn isotopic analysis in combination with morphological and chemical characteristics of airborne particles, the present study suggests the traceability of smelter dusts by Zn isotopes.     

Impact of radical versus non-radical pathway in the Fenton chemistry on the iron redox cycle in clouds

Modeling studies have shown that the Fenton reaction of iron(II) with H2O2 can contribute, in a significant amount, to OH radicals production in cloud droplets. However, the destruction mechanism of hydrogen peroxide by iron(II) is still uncertain. Two reaction pathways for the first step of Fenton chemistry have been advanced: a radical pathway which considers an OH radical production and a non-radical pathway considering ferryl ion production. The aim of this work is to evaluate the impact of these two possible reaction pathways for Fenton chemistry on the iron redox cycle in cloud droplets. For this purpose, the numerical model of multiphase chemistry M2C2 has been applied to a rural chemical scenario representative of continental conditions. This study highlights that the iron redox cycling is driven by Fenton reaction whatever Fenton mechanism is considered. The ferryl ion chemistry becomes significant in the iron redox cycling when this species is considered as an active intermediate in Fenton chemistry and under night time conditions the iron redox chemistry is controlled by the ferryl ion reactivity. The partitioning of iron between its two main oxidation states (+II and +III) in cloud droplets, which is the indicator of the iron oxido-reduction potential, does not change significantly between the two cases. However, for the non-radical case, the ferryl ion concentration is up to four orders of magnitude higher than the OH concentration highlighting its potential role in oxidative capacity of cloud droplets.     

Metals of the bottom muds in Townsville Harbor, Australia

Samples of Townsville Harbor bottom mud were acid leached (0.3 m HCl) to measure bioavailability of Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sn and Zn. Three of seven samples showed enrichment factors relative to average soil of 25-30 for Cd, 5-71 for Cu, 21-81 for Pb, and 13-37 for Zn. The other four samples were only high in Cd, Pb, and Zn by an enrichment factor of 2-7. Considering that this harbor is in the middle of the environmentally sensitive Great Barrier Reef area, the disposal of the dredged harbor muds poses a special problem.