New best estimates for radionuclide solid–liquid distribution coefficients in soils. Part 2. Naturally occurring radionuclides

Predicting the transfer of radionuclides in the environment for normal release, accidental, disposal or remediation scenarios in order to assess exposure requires the availability of an important number of generic parameter values. One of the key parameters in environmental assessment is the solid liquid distribution coefficient, K_d, which is used to predict radionuclide–soil interaction and subsequent radionuclide transport in the soil column. This article presents a review of K_d values for uranium, radium, lead, polonium and thorium based on an extensive literature survey, including recent publications. The K_d estimates were presented per soil groups defined by their texture and organic matter content (Sand, Loam, Clay and Organic), although the texture class seemed not to significantly affect K_d. Where relevant, other K_d classification systems are proposed and correlations with soil parameters are highlighted. The K_d values obtained in this compilation are compared with earlier review data.     

Towards a cleaner production in developing countries: a case study in a Chilean tannery.

A Chilean leather tanning industry (tannery) was studied in terms of input/output (I/O) analysis of beamhouse, tanyard and retanning processes. The physical-chemical characterization of 19 streams were investigated. Streams from the beamhouse process and some streams from the retanning process were found to have high organic contents ranging from 2.5 to 18.1 g COD L(-1). The pH ranged between 3.45 and 12.28. Sulphur was found in most of the streams whereas chromium was detected in two wastewaters from the tanyard and in seven streams from the retanning process. Pollution prevention opportunities were evaluated and an appropriate treatment strategy was proposed. The main emphasis was on determining waste reduction measures that can be easily implemented and are not particularly expensive. Measures for reduction at source were proposed to reduce water and chemicals consumption and wastewater pollution. A so-called S(index) strategy was used to evaluate proposals on segregation and specific treatment of the main chromium- and sulphur-containing wastewaters. It was suggested that some streams may be re-used, but it is necessary to apply anaerobic or aerobic treatment first, depending on their organic load. Solid wastes were also evaluated and a proposal for their reduction and disposal was made.     

Environmental Subsidiarity as a Guiding Principle for Forestry Governance: Application to Payment for Ecosystem Services and REDD+ Architecture

This article describes and proposes the “environmental subsidiarity principle” as a guiding ethical value in forestry governance. Different trends in environmental management such as local participation, decentralization or global governance have emerged in the last two decades at the global, national and local level. This article suggests that the conscious or unconscious application of subsidiarity has been the ruling principle that has allocated the level at which tasks have been assigned to different agents. Based on this hypothesis this paper describes the principle of subsidiarity and its application to environmental policies within forest governance and proposes the “environmental subsidiarity” principle as a critical conceptual tool for sustainable resource management. The paper explains as an example how “environmental subsidiarity” is the key principle that can link payment for ecosystem services (PES) with environmental public policies and applies this principle with all its political consequences to reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, and enhancing forest carbon stocks in developing countries (REDD+) architecture. It concludes by showing how the adoption of “environmental subsidiarity” as a ethical principle could help to maximize benefits to all stakeholders involved in PES schemes such as REDD+.     

Ecosystem Services and Economic Assessment of Land Uses in Urban and Periurban Areas

Environmental Management - This work quantified ecosystem services (ES) and the geographic gross product (GGP) at municipal level in the Metropolitan Region of Buenos Aires (MRBA), Argentina. The...     

Soil heavy metal content on the hillslope region of Rio de Janeiro,Brazil: reference values

The increasing concern regarding the preservation of soil quality suggests the adoption of quality reference values as a first step in environmental monitoring actions. In this context, the objective of this study was to establish soil quality reference values for Al, Zn, Mn, Cd, Fe, Pb, Ni, Cr, and Cu and to correlate several soil properties with the occurrence of these elements in the hillslope region of Rio de Janeiro State. Sixty-two samples were collected at depths of 0–20 and 20–40 cm and analyzed using the USEPA method 3051A. After clustering analysis, the samples were separated into three groups. Classification functions were obtained based on the variables pH - Mg - Fe - Mn, i.e., the variables that were best related to heavy metal content. We determined to establish the quality reference values for the 75th percentile of the three groups. The relief forms of the area, which facilitate the transport of soil fine-particle fractions and accumulation in lowlands, were revealed to be one of most important factors in understanding the distribution of soil heavy metals.     

Rare earth element contents in lower and higher flora from the Bulgarian region of the black sea

The Sc and lanthanides Ce, La and Sm contents of 17 representatives of the Bulgarian flora that belong to 4 sections, 15 families and 16 genera from Black Sea region have been studied. Twelve kinds of algae are investigated, nine of them being part of the Black Sea macrobentos, and the remaining three, of the freshwater flora in rivers running into Bourgas gulf of the Black Sea. Five kinds of flowering plants were investigated. Three of them (psamophytes) are found in coastal sands, whereas the other two belong to freshwater and seawater flora.     

Analysis,accumulation and central effects of trihalomethanes. I. bromoform†

The paper presents the results obtained in a study on the effects of organic micropollutants on the central nervous system of the rat, used herein as a suitable model for neurotoxicologic work. Bromoform, a member of the trihalomethane (THM) family, was the pollutant selected since it becomes a characteristic marker in the Barcelona potable water supply.

Analytical data on the GC‐ECD separation of THMs from other volatile halocarbons is presented. A mixed packed column 10% SE‐30/PEG 20M (94:6) at 70°C provides an adequate separation. The distribution of bromoform in rat plasma and tissues showed an accumulation in brain, kidney and fat, increasing in this order and a rapid elimination after 30 min. The effect on the central aminergic metabolism is studied by HPLC. The increased metabolic activity detected could be attributed either to an increased nervous activity, stimulating the metabolism of serotonin, or to its greater degradation.     

Arsenic metabolism in marine bacteria and yeast

Arsenic metabolism was studied for two marine microorganisms, a facultative anaerobic bacterium, Serratia marinorubra, and an obligately aerobic yeast, Rhodotorula rubra. Both were cultivated in media with (⁷⁴As) arsenate (As V), and the products of arsenate metabolism were determined qualitatively. Both the bacterium and the yeast produced arsenite (AS III) and methylarsonic acid [CH₃AsO(OH)₂]. In addition to the foregoing, only the yeast produced dimethylarsinic acid (CH₃)₂AsO(OH) and volatile alkylarsines. In contrast, the bacterium growing anaerobically with cobalamine as a cofactor did not synthesize gaseous forms of arsenic such as methylarsines. Neither organism synthesized arsoniumphospholipids such as those produced by marine phytoplankton or terrestrial fungi. The yeast did not accumulate arsenite, but instead transported some of it into the culture medium and methylated the remainder first to methylarsonic acid and then to dimethylarsinic acid. Finally, the latter compound was methylated further and volatile alkylarsines were formed. In contrast, the bacterium retained all products of arsenate metabolism intracellularly. Both the bacterium and the yeast, therefore, converted relatively toxic arsenate, the most abundant arsenic compound in seawater, to products that were presumably less toxic.