Economic assessment of managing processionary moth in pine forests: a case-study in Portugal

This paper assesses the private and social profitability of current strategies for managing processionary moth (Thaumetopoea pityocampa) in Portuguese pine forests, looking at economic and environmental costs and benefits. Costs include the expenses for forest treatment and the social costs of threats to human health (dermatitis amongst others); benefits are assessed in terms of both revenue and social benefits such as carbon fixation and recreation. The evaluation was done using Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) as an analytical framework. While this tool is currently applied to forest and environmental assessment and specific applications to pest management strategies are to be found in agricultural economics, rather few attempts have been made in the field of forest pest management. In order to assess and compare with--without options, a case-study was analysed for the Setúbal Peninsula, south of Lisbon, an area where extensive stands of maritime pine (Pinus pinaster) grow. The exercise has shown that CBA can be a valuable tool for assessing the economic and social profitability of pest management. The results demonstrate that the loss of revenues in the no-management option is not sufficient to make pest management profitable for private forest owners in the short-term. Conversely, a social profit is gained as pest management minimizes health risks for humans and avoids possible recreational losses.     

Lead and cadmium accumulation in anuran amphibians of a permanent water body in arid Midwestern Argentina

Purpose

Heavy metals have been detected in water and sediments from the Embalse La Florida, an artificial lake in the arid region of San Luis province, Argentina, representing one of the few sources of permanent water for reproduction of native anuran species. This study assesses lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) concentrations in the anuran species found in this water reservoir as well as differences between compounds, species and sites of collection.

Methods

Adult anuran amphibians were collected on the north and south shores of the Embalse La Florida and Pb and Cd concentrations were measured in whole body homogenates digested using wet ashing techniques.

Results

All individuals of the six species assayed had detectable levels of Pb and Cd that ranged from 1.19 to 5.57 ??g/g dry mass and from 1.09 to 6.86 ??g/g dry mass, respectively. Anuran amphibians collected in the more contaminated south shore accumulated 21% more Cd and 40% more Pb than individuals from the less altered north shore. Cd and Pb accumulation was not significantly correlated with the concentration in water at the site of collection.

Conclusions

Amphibians of the Embalse La Florida accumulate Cd and Pb. Between and within species, differences were detected in Cd and Pb concentrations. Differences in metal concentrations between species, metals, and individuals collected on shores of the Embalse La Florida with different contamination, were detected. Therefore, it is crucial to implement adequate policies to protect amphibians from the accelerated urban development experienced in this location.     

Assessment of heavy metals in the particulate matter of two Brazilian metropolitan areas by using <Emphasis Type="BoldItalic">Tillandsia usneoides</Emphasis> as atmospheric biomonitor

Purpose  

The aims of this paper were to quantify the heavy metals (HM) in the air of different sites in Rio de Janeiro (RJ) and Salvador (SA) using Tillandsia usneoides (Bromeliaceae) as a biomonitor, and to study the morphology and elemental composition of the air particulate matter (PM) retained on the Tillandsia surface.     

Characterization and sources assignation of PM2.5 organic aerosol in a rural area of Spain

The results from a year-long study of the organic composition of PM2.5 aerosol collected in a rural area influenced by a highway of Spain are reported. The lack of prior information related to the organic composition of PM2.5 aerosol in Spain, concretely in rural areas, led definition of the goals of this study. As a result, this work has been able to characterize the main organic components of atmospheric aerosols, including several compounds of SOA, and has conducted a multivariate analysis in order to assign sources of particulate matter. A total of 89 samples were taken between April 2004 and April 2005 using a high-volume sampler. Features and abundance of n-alkanes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), alcohols and acids were separately determined using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and high performance liquid chromatography analysis. The Σn-alkane and ΣPAHs ranged from 3 to 81 ng m^?3 and 0.1 to 6 ng m^?3 respectively, with higher concentrations during colder months. Ambient concentrations of Σalcohols and Σacids ranged from 21 to 184 ng m^?3 and 39 to 733 ng m^?3, respectively. Also, several components of secondary organic aerosol have been quantified, confirming the biogenic contribution to ambient aerosol. In addition, factor analysis was used to reveal origin of organic compounds associated to particulate matter. Eight factors were extracted accounting more than 83% of the variability in the original data. These factors were assigned to a typical high pollution episode by anthropogenic particles, crustal material, plant waxes, fossil fuel combustion, temperature, microbiological emissions, SOA and dispersion of pollutants by wind action. Finally, a cluster analysis was used to compare the organic composition between the four seasons.     

Isolation of mesotrione-degrading bacteria from aquatic environments in Brazil

Mesotrione is a benzoylcyclohexane-1,3-dione herbicide that inhibits 4-hydroxyphenyl pyruvate dioxygenase in target plants. Although it has been used since 2000, only a limited number of degrading microorganisms have been reported. Mesotrione-degrading bacteria were selected among strains isolated from Brazilian aquatic environments, located near corn fields treated with this herbicide. Pantoea ananatis was found to rapidly and completely degrade mesotrione. Mesotrione did not serve as a sole C, N, or S source for growth of P. ananatis, and mesotrione catabolism required glucose supplementation to minimal media. LC-MS/MS analyses indicated that mesotrione degradation produced intermediates other than 2-amino-4-methylsulfonyl benzoic acid or 4-methylsulfonyl-2-nitrobenzoic acid, two metabolites previously identified in a mesotrione-degrading Bacillus strain. Since P. ananatis rapidly degraded mesotrione, this strain might be useful for bioremediation purposes.     

Consumption of Ruditapes philippinarum and Ruditapes decussatus: comparison of element accumulation and health risk

Ruditapes philippinarum, a species native from the Indo-Pacific region, was introduced in Europe at the beginning of the 1970s for culture purposes, leading to a massive decrease of the native species Ruditapes decussatus and a high increase of R. philippinarum yields in Europe. Bivalves can accumulate high amounts of metals and thus easily reach concentrations that are toxic not only to themselves but also to consumers. Since differences in the accumulation of pollutants may exist between bivalve species, different health risks may be overcome. For this reason, the level of metals in seafood raises public health concerns, and international organisations like European Food Safety Authority, United States Food and Drug Administration, and Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) set maximum levels (MLs), above which edible seafood cannot be marketed. In order to evaluate the risk associated with the consumption of R. philippinarum and R. decussatus, both clam species were collected in the same site in Ria de Aveiro and the concentration of eight elements determined in organisms before and after a 48-h depuration period. Results evidence that even at low contaminated areas, the MLs for some elements can easily be achieved. The concentrations of As were above the reference values for FSANZ, and the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) is exceeded for As when more than 0.5 kg of R. decussatus and 0.9 kg of R. philippinarum clam flesh is consumed, in 1 week, by an adult (70 kg). When comparing with other systems worldwide, consumers of depurated clams from this coastal system have a similar or lower risk of exceeding the PTWI for Cd, As, Pb, and Hg. The recently introduced clam, R. philippinarum, accumulates lower amounts of the most health-threatening elements (less than 71 % of Cd, 40 % of As, and 20 % of Hg) than the native R. decussatus, except for Pb. R. philippinarum also reduces more the element burden when subjected to depuration than R. decussatus. Moreover, R. philippinarum allocates a lower proportion of the accumulated elements in the soluble fraction, where they are readily available. Thus, it is safer to consume R. philippinarum than R. decussatus, except when clams come from areas heavily polluted by Pb.     

Speciation of Cr and its leachability in coal by-products from spanish coal combustion plants

This study evaluates the behaviour of total Cr and Cr (VI) during coal combustion in two Spanish power stations. The content and distribution of Cr in the feed coal and combustion wastes was determined and the Cr contents were normalized using enrichment factor indexes. The speciation of Cr in the fly ash fractions from the different hoppers of the electrostatic precipitators was established and the possibility that the Cr (VI) might lixiviate when ashes are disposed of at landfill sites was assessed. Differences in the distribution and behavior of Cr in the two power stations were observed. According to European directive 1999/31/CEE, soluble Cr(VI) in the fly ashes studied would be unlikely to pose an environmental or health risk when the ash is disposed of.     

From green product definitions and classifications to the Green Option Matrix

Hybrid cars, recycled products, photovoltaic cells, bioplastics: why so different products can be called ‘green’? Which practices companies willing to develop green products should implement? How companies can easily and effectively communicate to stakeholders the environmental features of their green products? This paper tries to answer these questions, by developing a Green Option Matrix (GOM), which characterizes green products and practices along different dimensions. This matrix is then used to analyze the different features of green products as well as related green practices developed by a sample of companies belonging to the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSWI). Relevant data are collected by means of content analysis of companies’ websites and sustainability reports. Green products and practices developed by each company in the sample are positioned in the matrix and results are presented and discussed for each industrial sector. Then, different sectors’ behaviors are compared. The proposed matrix can be used by companies as a market tool to analyze competitors’ green products and practices and as a communication tool to effectively communicate to stakeholders the specific green features of their products and practices.