Development of a Web-based Support System for Both Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Air Quality Control Networks: Process and Product

The Environmental Laboratories Automation Software System or PALMA (Spanish abbreviation) was developed by a multidisciplinary team in order to support the main tasks of heterogeneous air quality control networks. The software process for PALMA development, which can be perfectly applied to similar multidisciplinary projects, was (a) well-defined, (b) arranged between environmental technicians and informatics, (c) based on quality guides, and (d) clearly user-centred. Moreover, it introduces some interesting advantages with regard to the classical step-by-step approaches. PALMA is a web-based system that allows 'off-line' and automated telematic data acquisition from distributed inmission stations belonging not only to homogeneous but also to heterogeneous air quality control networks. It provides graphic and tabular representations for a comprehensive and centralised analysis of acquired data, and considers the daily work that is associated with such networks: validation of the acquired data, alerts with regard to (periodical) tasks (e.g., analysers verification), downloading of files with environmental information (e.g., dust forecasts), etc. The implantation of PALMA has provided qualitative and quantitative improvements in the work performed by the people in charge of the considered control network.     

Beneficial use of dredged sand for beach nourishment and coastal landform enhancement—the case study of Tróia, Portugal

In the winter of 2006/2007 approximately 200,000 m³ of high quality sand from the dredging of the local marina were placed at the ocean-side beaches in the vicinity of a tourism development in Tróia, Portugal. The beach-quality sediment provided a source of “sand of opportunity” which was used to increase the dry-beach width of the highly used coastal stretch. The sediment was placed along approximately 600 m of shoreline and a monitoring program has since being carried out twice a year. High-resolution topographic surveys and sediment analysis are being conducted to evaluate the performance and response of the fill to the local forcing factors and ultimately to evaluate the effectiveness of the fill project. Two years after the nourishment, the sediment has been distributed both cross-shore and alongshore. The pre-nourishment beach slope was attained and the new shoreline has acquired a natural shape. Berm width increased by a maximum of 100 m, and a set of new dune ridges has developed, due to sand accumulation promoted by the settlement of vegetation. In conclusion, 2 years after its completion, the beach nourishment in Tróia can be viewed as a successful project in which the beneficial use of dredged material resulted in: 1) area for increased dune field growth and development, 2) enhancement of potential shorebird nesting areas and habitat, and 3) increased area for recreation purposes.     

Industrial impact on marsh soils at the Bahia Blanca Ria, Argentina

The Bahia Blanca Estuary is located in southern Buenos Aires province, Argentina. The area is linked to a petrochemical industrial complex, whose raw materials and final products contaminate the surrounding areas via atmospheric pollution and effluents, which are dumped in the estuary waters. To establish the effects of the industrial waste disposal on the nearest coastal soils, 17 samples were taken at different distances from the loading dock and the outfall pipes of the industrial complex. Later, the physicochemical characteristics of the soil samples, their hydrocarbon contents, sulfides, sulfates, Zn, Cu, and Pb were analyzed and a comparison was made to control samples, which were not affected by the industrial outfall. Hydrocarbons, Zn, Cu, and Pb contents were found at levels that modified the physical and chemical characteristics of the soils. The resistance to penetration shows that the thinner the film of water that surrounds the particles or aggregates, the smaller the migration of organic micelle, which settle on the surface of the contact material. This is demonstrated by the degree of cohesion reached by the particles and the strong influence on the index of hydrophobicity. The high porosity shows that the continuity of the porous space of the soil matrix is impeded by the presence of pollutants, which generate areas that are highly limiting to water flow. The oxidation-reduction potential and the low concentrations of soluble forms of Cu and Pb compared with their concentrations precipitated as sulfides confirm the action of the pollutants.     

Reuse of wood ash from biomass combustion in non-structural concrete: mechanical properties,durability, and eco-efficiency

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - Wood biomass fly ash can contribute to a more sustainable urban infrastructure, but requires efficient recycling strategies. This paper...     

Bayesian multi-species N-mixture models for unmarked animal communities

Environmental and Ecological Statistics - We propose an extension of the N-mixture model that enables the estimation of abundances of multiple species as well as the correlations between them. Our...     

Ag recovery from waste printed circuit boards of cell phone for synthesis of Ag nanoparticles and their antibacterial activity

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - The increase in technology has increased the consumption and waste of electrical and electronic equipment, especially cell phones (smartphones)....