Prioritizing groundwater remediation policies: a fuzzy compatibility analysis decision aid

The implementation of groundwater remediation strategies in contaminated areas includes not only a cost-benefit analysis and an environmental risk assessment but also another type of study called compatibility analysis. A compatibility analysis targets the interactions between remediation technologies and site characteristics, such as the types of active contaminants and their concentrations, soil composition and geological features, etc. The purpose of this analysis is to identify the most compatible remediation plan for the contaminated site. In this paper, we introduce a decision support system for the prioritization of remediation plans based on their estimated compatibility index. As this model receives data in terms of linguistic judgments and experts' opinions, we use fuzzy sets theory to deal with these uncertainties. First, we break down the concept of compatibility into the measurable factors. Then by using a multiple-attribute decision-making (MADM) outline, we compute a factorial, regional and overall compatibility indicator for each plan. Finally, by comparing these generated indicators, we rank the remediation policies.     

Particle size distribution of airborne Aspergillus fumigatus spores emitted from compost using membrane filtration

Information on the particle size distribution of bioaerosols emitted from open air composting operations is valuable in evaluating potential health impacts and is a requirement for improved dispersion simulation modelling. The membrane filter method was used to study the particle size distribution of Aspergillus fumigatus spores in air 50 m downwind of a green waste compost screening operation at a commercial facility. The highest concentrations (approximately 8 × 10⁴ CFU m⁻³) of culturable spores were found on filters with pore diameters in the range 1–2 μm which suggests that the majority of spores are emitted as single cells. The findings were compared to published data collected using an Andersen sampler. Results were significantly correlated (p < 0.01) indicating that the two methods are directly comparable across all particles sizes for Aspergillus spores.     

Extra-pair paternity in alpine marmots, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Marmota marmota</Emphasis>: genetic quality and genetic diversity effects

Assuming that a male’s genetic characteristics affect those of his offspring, extra-pair copulation has been hypothesized to increase heterozygosity of the progeny—the “genetic compatibility” hypothesis—and the genetic diversity within litters—the “genetic diversity” hypothesis. We tested these two hypotheses in the alpine marmot (Marmota marmota), a socially monogamous mammal showing a high rate of extra-pair paternity (EPP). In a first step, we tested the assumption that a male’s genetic characteristics (heterozygosity and genetic similarity to the female) affect those of his offspring. Genetic similarity between parents influenced offspring heterozygosity, offspring genetic similarity to their mother, and litter genetic diversity. The father’s heterozygosity also influenced litter genetic diversity but did not affect offspring heterozygosity. Hence, heterozygosity seems not to be heritable in the alpine marmot. In a second step, we compared genetic characteristics of extra-pair young (EPY) and within-pair young (WPY). EPY were less genetically similar to their mother but not more heterozygous than WPY. EPY siblings were also less genetically similar than their WPY half siblings. Finally, the presence of EPY promoted genetic diversity within the litter. Thus, our data support both the “genetic compatibility” and the “genetic diversity” hypotheses. We discuss further investigations needed to determine the primary causes of EPP in this species.     

沈阳市浑南新区规划环境影响评价中规划方案的分析

根据对沈阳市浑南新区规划环境影响评价的要求 ,本文对沈阳市浑南新区规划的内容、规划方案进行了筛选 ,确定了可能带来环境问题的规划 ,并分析了规划的相容性及协调性 ,为规划环境影响评价中判定替代方案提供了科学依据。     

Mining compatibility with other projects in Spain: Solutions and benefits

Mining activities are compatible with other activities in space and time if they are developed together and adapted to each other. If permits are required for two projects that are not considered to be compatible, the authorities will be forced to decide which one has prevalence. In the event of conflict or dispute, it is always preferable to attempt to seek compatibility between projects rather than waste time, effort and money on contesting the prevalence decision, as costly and lengthy lawsuits will only delay the development of both projects, with the resulting loss of business opportunities. In this article, technical solutions designed to achieve mining compatibility with other projects are described in terms of benefits and synergies for the projects and benefits for the government that avoid complex decisions and proceedings and optimize revenues.     

What have we known so far about microplastics in drinking water treatment? A timely review

• 23 available research articles on MPs in drinking water treatment are reviewed. • The effects of treatment conditions and MP properties on MP removal are discussed. • DWTPs with more steps generally are more effective in removing MPs. • Smaller MPs (e.g.,<10 μm) are more challenging in drinking water treatment. Microplastics (MPs) have been widely detected in drinking water sources and tap water, raising the concern of the effectiveness of drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) in protecting the public from exposure to MPs through drinking water. We collected and analyzed the available research articles up to August 2021 on MPs in drinking water treatment (DWT), including laboratory- and full-scale studies. This article summarizes the major MP compositions (materials, sizes, shapes, and concentrations) in drinking water sources, and critically reviews the removal efficiency and impacts of MPs in various drinking water treatment processes. The discussed drinking water treatment processes include coagulation-flocculation (CF), membrane filtration, sand filtration, and granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration. Current DWT processes that are purposed for particle removal are generally effective in reducing MPs in water. Various influential factors to MP removal are discussed, such as coagulant type and dose, MP material, shape and size, and water quality. It is anticipated that better MP removal can be achieved by optimizing the treatment conditions. Moreover, the article framed the major challenges and future research directions on MPs and nanoplastics (NPs) in DWT.     

Improving the sludge conditioning potential of moringa seed

In the search for a cheaper material to effectively condition sludge, oil-free moringa seed was prepared and tested. A Soxhlet apparatus was used to extract the oil from moringa seed (Moringa oleifera). The oil-free seed (marc) has been found to have higher conditioning potential than the ordinary moringa seed. However, the traditional ferric chloride is still a better sludge conditioner than moringa seed marc. For the digested domestic sludge used, optimum conditioning dosages were found to be 0.6, 0.80, and 1.10% of the total solids for ferric chloride, marc of the moringa seed, and ordinary moringa seed, respectively. Since little or no operational material is lost in the extraction process, the moringa seed marc is a promising conditioner in place of the ordinary seed.     

Relationship between filtration activity and food availability in the Mediterranean mussel <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mytilus galloprovincialis</Emphasis>

The filtration activity of the Mediterranean mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis, was assessed under different concentrations and compositions of seston by using a new automated image acquisition and analysis system. This approach allowed for frequent and simultaneous measurements of valve gape and exhalant siphon area. Filtration rates were measured through clearance measurements whereas pumping rates were measured using hot-film probes. The average filtration rate (17.5 l g h⁻¹ DW⁻¹ for a 0.36 g DW mussel) recorded during the present study was higher than those available for Mytilus edulis when standardized to flesh dry weight but almost equivalent (17.5 l h⁻¹ g DW⁻¹ for a 53 mm shell length mussel) to those rates when standardized to shell length. Immediately after the addition of algal cells (Isochrysis galbana; 4.5 μm in size), valve gape, exhalant siphon area and filtration rate increased quickly as mussels reached their maximum filtration activity. These three parameters then gradually decreased until complete closure of the shell. The algal cell concentration inducing this transition was close to 800 cells ml⁻¹ and 0.5 μg Chl a l⁻¹. When algal concentration was maintained above this threshold by successive algal additions, both valve gape and exhalant siphon area remained maximal. Temporal changes in the exhalant siphon area were continuous as opposed to those of valve gape. Therefore, despite the significant correlation between these two parameters, valves and siphon were sometimes dissociated due to a reduction of the area or even a closure of the exhalant siphon while the valves remained open. The velocity of exhaled water tended to be constant irrespective of exhalant siphon area and thus pumping rates were a linear function of exhalant siphon area. Consequently, reductions in exhalant siphon area and pumping rate were almost similar in M. galloprovincialis. Our results thus clearly support the hypothesis that exhalant siphon area constitutes a better proxy of pumping rate than valve gape as already suggested for Mytilus edulis. Finally, the high filtration rates measured during the present study together with the high concentrations of inorganic matter (> 40 mg DW l⁻¹) requested to alter those rates suggest that the studied mussels were well adapted to oligotrophic waters featuring strong hydrodynamism and frequent sediment resuspension events.     

再生浆造纸污水处理与闭路循环实践

分析了不同品种的再生浆造纸工艺及给排水流程 ;采用锅炉烟气处理脱墨黑液 ,漂白废水用于废水脱色 ;采用絮凝沉淀、过滤与化学处理相结合的方法处理综合污水。实现废水多级回用 ,循环水率达 80 %～ 90 % ,少量废水达标排放 ,投资和运行费用可节省近 5 0 %。     

Particle concentrations in data centers

Cooling buildings with large airflow rates of outside air when temperatures are favorable is an established energy-saving measure. In data centers, this strategy is not widely used, owing to concerns that it would cause increased indoor levels of particles of outdoor origin, which could damage electronic equipment. However, environmental conditions typical of data centers and the associated potential for equipment failure are not well characterized. This study presents the first published measurements of particle concentrations in operating data centers. Indoor and outdoor particle measurements were taken at eight different sites in northern California for particulate matter 0.3–5.0 μm in diameter. One of the data centers has an energy-efficient design that employs outside air for cooling, while the rest use conventional cooling methods. Ratios of measured particle concentrations in the conventional data centers to the corresponding outside concentrations were significantly lower than those typically found in office or residential buildings. Estimates using a material-balance model match well with empirical results, indicating that the dominant particle sources and losses have been identified. Measurements taken at the more energy-efficient site show nearly an order of magnitude increase in particle concentration when ventilation rates were high. The model indicates that this increase may be even higher when including particles smaller than the monitoring-equipment size limitation. Even with the increases, the measured particle concentrations are still below concentration limits recommended in industry standards.