A framework for sustainable invasive species management: Environmental,social, and economic objectives

Applying the concept of sustainability to invasive species management (ISM) is challenging but necessary, given the increasing rates of invasion and the high costs of invasion impacts and control. To be sustainable, ISM must address environmental, social, and economic factors (or “pillars”) that influence the causes, impacts, and control of invasive species across multiple spatial and temporal scales. Although these pillars are generally acknowledged, their implementation is often limited by insufficient control options and significant economic and political constraints. In this paper, we outline specific objectives in each of these three “pillars” that, if incorporated into a management plan, will improve the plan’s likelihood of sustainability. We then examine three case studies that illustrate how these objectives can be effectively implemented. Each pillar reinforces the others, such that the inclusion of even a few of the outlined objectives will lead to more effective management that achieves ecological goals, while generating social support and long-term funding to maintain projects to completion. We encourage agency directors and policy-makers to consider sustainability principles when developing funding schemes, management agendas, and policy.     

Flue gas desulphurization for hot recycle Oxyfuel combustion: Experiences from the 30 MWth Oxyfuel pilot plant in Schwarze Pumpe

Significant differences exist in the flue gas composition in hot recycle Oxyfuel conditions as e.g. the high CO₂ partial pressure (>90 vol%, dry), the very high SO₂ concentration and the high water content (approx. 30 vol%). Therefore certain design and operation criteria have to be observed for the flue gas desulphurization with forced oxidation under Oxyfuel combustion conditions. Several performance tests have been executed at the 30 MW_th Oxyfuel pilot plant in Schwarze Pumpe to evaluate the main performance parameters and to assess the influence of the major operation parameters. The results show that there are no fundamental problems for the operation of the flue gas desulphurization unit under Oxyfuel combustion conditions. High removal rates could be reached and no negative impact of the high CO₂ partial pressure was observed under the tested operating conditions. No major differences in the gypsum quality have been observed between air firing and Oxyfuel conditions.     

A method for the determination of rhodamine b and brilliant sulfaflavine on cotton string collectors and in a spray tank solution mixture

Abstract

A fluorescent method for the determination of rhodamine B (RhB) and brilliant sulfaflavine (BSF) dual tracers on cotton string collectors and in spray tank solutions was developed for the evaluation of the effects of adjuvants on the atmospheric drift of agricultural sprays. Both tracers on collectors were extracted with deionized water simultaneously and measured directly with a Fluorescent Specrometer by switching the maximum excitation and emission wavelengths. The linear ranges of the RhB and BSF standard curves were 0–50 and 0–10 ppb respectively. Recoveries of tracers on cotton strings ranged from 92.9% ± 1.1% to 95.1% ± 1.0% for RhB and 91.9% ± 2.8% to 103% ± 0.6% for BSF when spiked levels ranged from 0.25 to 2.5 μg per collector. The detection limit of the instrument was approximately 0.1 ppb for both tracers. The detection limits of the analytical method were approximately 0.1 ppb for RhB and 0.3 ppb for BSF when the background levels of cotton strings were subtracted. The presence of one tracer in the solution did not significantly interfere with the detection of the other tracer in the same solution. The presence of adjuvants added to the spray tank solutions did not interfere with the detection of both tracers when the adjuvants were applied at the manufacturer's maximum recommendation rates.