Health and environmental impacts of a fertilizer plant--Part I: assessment of radioactive pollution

The aim of the first part of this investigation is to assess the radioactive pollution caused by a production plant of complex fertilizers (that is to say containing nitrogen, phosphorus and, in some cases, potassium). Firstly, the authors determine the concentrations of natural radioactivity present in raw materials, end products and wastes of the industrial plant. Then, they carry out an assessment of radioactive releases into the atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere as well as of their significance from the environmental point of view. The second part of the investigation will be aimed at assessing the annual effective doses to plant workers and to members of the population surrounding the industrial site.     

OPTIONS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY OF THE CRUDE PALM OIL INDUSTRY IN THAILAND THROUGH ENHANCEMENT OF INDUSTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS

The crude palm oil industry plays an important role in the economic development of Thailand and in enhancing the economic welfare of the population. Despite obvious benefits of this industrial development, it also significantly contributes to environmental degradation, both at the input and the output sides of its activities. On the input side, crude palm oil mills use large quantities of water and energy in the production process. On the output side, manufacturing processes generate large quantities of wastewater, solid waste/by-products and air pollution. Current industrial wastes and recoverable materials are empty fruit bunches, fibers, shells and ash. It is estimated that in 2003, a total of 2.1 million ton of solid wastes/by-products and 2.5 million m³ of wastewater were generated. The concept of the industrial ecosystem points at the potential of industrial waste recycling resembling food chains, food webs and nutrient cycles of nature. Following the notion of industrial ecology crude palm oil mills can develop a number of waste recycling and reuse systems. This paper analyzes the nature of these industrial ecosystems, divided in in-plant ecosystems (clean technology options) and external waste exchange between crude palm oil industries and other economic activities in Thailand.     

Technologically enhanced 210Pb and 210Po in iron and steel industry

Iron and steel manufacture has been ranked as the largest industrial source of environmental contamination in the USA; the wastes generated in their production processes contain heavy elements that can be a source of contamination, and natural radionuclides that can produce an occupational and/or public radiological impact. In this work the potential occupational effective dose rate (μSv/y) due to inhalation in four integrated steel-making factories from Egypt has been evaluated, by assuming a well defined scenario and with basis in the ²¹⁰Pb and ²¹⁰Po activity concentrations determined in ore and wastes collected in the aforementioned factories. Activity concentrations, in Bq/kg, of ²¹⁰Pb and ²¹⁰Po, and leachable Pb and Fe were measured using gamma-ray spectrometry based on HPGe detector, alpha particle spectrometry based on PIPS detector, and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Levels of ²¹⁰Pb and ²¹⁰Po in the range of <DL-4238 and 1-5660 Bq/kg, respectively, were found. According to the assumed scenarios, the occupational exposures by inhalation are much lower than the recommended annual effective dose limit, although the environmental impact due to waste storage and/or use should be considered based on case by case evaluation.     

唐山市协调工业发展与环境保护的创新途径

唐山市作为一个传统的重工业城市 ,多年来一直以资源型工业为主体 ,工业发展和环境保护的矛盾十分突出。本文以此为例 ,探讨了依赖于资源优势的工业发展过程应如何协调其发展与环境保护的关系 ,认为产业结构的调整是一个长期的动态过程 ,应作为一个持久努力的目标。目前应尽快通过技术转型和制度转型减少目前工业活动对环境造成的影响 ,促使工业发展向生态工业转变。     

经济全球化对我国工业污染的影响

本文从定性描述和定量描述的角度，就外商投资和国际贸易对我国工业污染的影响进行分析。通过研究发现，从总体上看。外商投资和国际贸易对我国环境污染的影响不大，且有逐渐减缓的趋势。但就具体产业而言，外商投资确有转移污染的倾向，而且环境影响具有长期性和不确定性，所以，对外资和外贸必须进行严格的环境管理，以确保我国经济的持续、稳定发展。     

Some problems associated with brewery and dairy water discharges

Dairy and brewery industries are considered to be major pollution sources of Tigris River in Mosul city in Iraq. A daily flow of 3000 m³ of raw waste of these industries which carries a considerable level of solids, organic load, and other pollutants is discharged without any treatment into Tigris River through two ponds. During flood season the washout of the wastewater of these ponds causes a sudden local drop in the dissolved oxygen level of the river water; consequently the river suffers from a great damage demonstrated normally by mass fish kill. The waste also has an adverse effect on the agricultural productivity of the adjacent land. No study has been made previously to assess the impact of these wastes on the quality of the river water. In this study a quantitative and qualitative evaluation was made to determine the characteristics of the wastewater discharged throughout the year by these two industries. The change in the waste strength due to mixing and ponding prior to its final disposal to the river was studied. Additionally an attempt was made to define the change in the river water quality due to the industrial discharge.     

Economic and environmental value stream map (E2VSM) simulation for multi-product manufacturing systems

Value stream mapping (VSM) is a well-accepted tool within lean manufacturing concept which is often used for analysing and designing the flow of materials and information required to manufacture a product. However, the analysis is static and single product oriented, which fails to cope with either the variation of production plan or a multi-product environment. In addition, the environmental impact of a manufacturing system is highly associated with the dynamic consumption of energy and resources. Despite the recent integration of VSM with simulation or environmental studies (in the domain of energy efficiency), still neglected is the dynamic assessment of all the resources involved in a multi-product production environment. This paper presents a methodology for modelling multi-product manufacturing systems with dynamic material, energy and information flows with the aim to generate economic and environmental value stream maps (E²VSM). The proposed methodology is validated with an industrial case.     

Tackling environmental issues in industrial ceramic sintering of sewage sludge: odors and gas emissions

The inertization of sewage sludge in ceramic matrices to be used in structural or red ceramic material for buildings has proved to be a good case of reuse of waste material. However, its practical application has not yet been fully implemented in real-case scenarios, and environmental concern seems to be the main hurdle to overcome for its definitive massive approval by the building industry. In this contribution, air emissions related to the sintering of ceramic bricks made of mixtures of clay with some percentage of sewage sludge have been analyzed (in terms of gases, suspended particles and odors). Tests conducted during this work have shown higher VOC emissions in samples with some percentage of sludge in their composition (still under the regulated emission limit values), and some of them (mercaptans) are associated with odor nuisances. Besides, limit emissions values were exceeded by three inorganic pollutants (suspended particles, NO_x and HCl). Measurements in an industrial scenario test showed a high variability in air pollution emissions, suggesting the need of in situ testing for definitive implementation. With the experience collected in this and several previous works in the area of emissions related to the production of added sewage sludge ceramic, some guidelines and recommendations are given to minimize the environmental impact of ceramic production plants implementing this particular waste revalorization process. Guidelines cover different aspects: workplace implementation of gas cleaning equipment; geographical context and local wind pattern analysis; monitoring of emission and immission levels; and information policy through social control participation procedures for reporting of nuisance episodes.     

Free radicals and chromosome aberrations in leaves of woody plants as a test system for the genotoxicity of the urban environment

A new method for estimating the genotoxicity of the urban environment is proposed. The method is based on the analysis of the lipid peroxidation (LPO) rate in leaves of woody plants. The mutagenicity of the urban environment was estimated using standard test systems, including plant root meristem (kidney beans germinated in water with suspended particles collected at different points along the Temernik River) and the Ames test (silt samples were tested). Sensitivities of elm, willow, and poplar leaf meristem cells to unidentified environmental mutagenes were compared. Frequencies of chromosome aberrations (CAs) in leaves of woody plants growing at different points along the Temernik River within the Rostov-on-Don city districts differed from those in the control zone. The frequency of CAs was found to correlate with the concentration of LPO products. This allows a biochemical estimation of the malonic dialdehyde (MDA) concentration in woody plants to be used as an express test for the mutagenicity of environmental factors. An advantage of the proposed test is the possibility of monitoring the level of unidentified environmental mutagens over many years, independently of its sporadic temporal variations.     

Environmental and economic viability of Alkali Activated Material (AAM) comprising slag,fly ash and spent coffee ground

ABSTRACT

This paper presents a concept of reusing spent coffee ground (CG) as a construction material. Through creating a CG-filled Alkali Activated Material (AAM) with industrial wastes such as fly ash (FA) and slag (S), a strong recycled material was synthesised and found suitable to be used as a road subgrade fill material. Potential groundwater contamination tests were done in accordance to the Australian Standard Leaching Procedure (ASLP). The environmental analysis done on this green material shows that albeit being composed of various industrial wastes and chemicals, CG-filled AAMs in the ground will not cause adverse environmental impacts to surrounding soils and groundwater. Heavy metals and cyanide leached from the AAMs were well below hazardous thresholds. Comparing the carbon footprint of CG, it is found that recycling CG into a construction material would reduce the nett global carbon emission by reducing dependency on quarried material. Cost analyses done on CG-filled AAMs show that these AAMs are expensive to produce relative to traditional construction materials. However, as recycling technology is progressively advancing, in the future the economic value of CG-filled AAM may increase to match those of contemporary construction materials.     

Hazardous waste, impact on health and environment for development of better waste management strategies in future in India

Industry has become an essential part of modern society, and waste production is an inevitable outcome of the developmental activities. A material becomes waste when it is discarded without expecting to be compensated for its inherent value. These wastes may pose a potential hazard to the human health or the environment (soil, air, water) when improperly treated, stored, transported or disposed off or managed. Currently in India even though hazardous wastes, emanations and effluents are regulated, solid wastes often are disposed off indiscriminately posing health and environmental risk. In view of this, management of hazardous wastes including their disposal in environment friendly and economically viable way is very important and therefore suggestions are made for developing better strategies. Out of the various categories of the wastes, solid waste contributes a major share towards environmental degradation. The present paper outlines the nature of the wastes, waste generating industries, waste characterization, health and environmental implications of wastes management practices, steps towards planning, design and development of models for effective hazardous waste management, treatment, approaches and regulations for disposal of hazardous waste. Appraisal of the whole situation with reference to Indian scenario is attempted so that a better cost-effective strategies for waste management be evolved in future.     

Estimated heavy metal emissions to the atmosphere due to projected changes in the Brazilian energy generation matrix

An estimate of heavy metals emissions to the atmosphere due to the projected changes in the Brazilian energy generation fuel matrix is presented. Present use of fossil fuel combustion for energy production is projected to increase from the present 14.5% to 29.6% of the total energy generation in Brazil in 2005. Most of this increase will be based on coal- and natural-gas-burning plants. The changes will result in an increase of about 100% in the average emissions (in tons year⁻¹) of As (9.4 to 17.7), Cr (7.0 to 16.6) and Hg (2.4 to 4.1), 50% of Cd (1.2 to 1.8), and 20% of Ni (101 to 123) and Pb (23.3 to 29.9). Although relatively small for most heavy metals when compared to other industrial sources, the changes in the energy matrix will be particularly important for Hg, reaching a maximum emission of 12 tons (t) year⁻¹, representing 15% of the total emissions of Hg to the atmosphere in Brazil. The use of Brazilian coals and the location of most coal-burning plants in a relatively small region in the south of the country strongly suggest that monitoring programs should be implemented during the building of the new plants. At a regional level the expected increase in Hg emissions to the atmosphere due to coal burning in Brazil, although small relative to North America and Europe, will equal the total amount estimated for South and Central America.     

我国循环经济的发展模式

循环经济发展模式主要是指循环经济的产业发展模式和区域发展模式。根据我国循环经济的内涵、国际做法和国内相关实践探索经验,我国循环经济的产业发展模式涉及生产和消费两个重点领域和四个重点产业。四个重点产业是生态工业、生态农业、绿色服务业和废弃物再利用、资源化及无害化处置产业。循环经济区域发展模式是在区域基础设施体系和生态系统支撑下的两个重点领域和四个重点产业的有机组合和共生。是区域可持续发展的核心组成部分。区域基础设施体系也是应用循环经济原理的重要领域。以资源能源离效和环境影响最小为特征。在目前的实践中。我国出现了三种将发展循环经济作为推动区域可持续发展的助推器而引发的区域社会经济发展战略转型模式：东部发达地区的自发转型模式、辽宁资源型地区的转型模式和西部地区典型的跨越发展转型模式。     

“You spoil everything!” Indigenous peoples and the consequences of industrial development in British Columbia

This article discusses the perspectives of two First Nations of Canada, northeastern British Columbia’s West Moberly First Nations, Halfway River First Nation, and Treaty 8 Tribal Council, regarding the impacts of industrial resource extraction in lands critical to their traditional cultures and subsistence activities. This collaborative project interviewed First Nation government officials and staff as well as community members and Elders, which created a complex picture of physical impacts of industrial development as well as psychological and cultural concerns. In addition, we briefly explore the impacts of First Nations being required to constantly participate in consultative processes, such as environmental assessment, designed to predict potential impacts. We conclude that recognizing and meaningfully addressing all types of impacts that First Nations experience is critical, both for ensuring environmental justice for indigenous peoples and for recognizing that some land and resources must remain for indigenous peoples to continue to practice their traditional culture. We note, as well, that if there is no room amidst industrial resource extraction activities for indigenous peoples, there is also no room for other environmentally critical values such as healthy ecosystems.     

我国发展循环经济的政策与法律体系探讨

建立和完善循环经济政策应遵循三个原则：服务于我国循环经济概念与内涵原则。服务于循环经济实践的原则。用足用好现有政策和补充缺位政策相结合的原则。我国发展循环经济的政策与法律体系应包括四大类：基本政策、核心政策和基础性政策。技术政策可以融入这四类政策之中。基本政策是统领循环经济所有政策的根本。是资源环境与社会经济发展相融合的综合性政策。基础性政策是指为循环经济重点领域实践创造良好制度环境的政策。大致包括宏观经济政策、基本经济制度、基础性激励政策和考核政策等。核心政策是直接推动循环经济重点实践领域的政策。在核心政策中。需要切实落实和用足用好的现有对循环经济发展较有利的政策有：生态工业政策（包括产业结构调整政策、清洁生产政策）。资源综合利用和环保产业税费优惠政策。能源节约和再生能源政策。环境友好型产品标志（标识）政策；需要完善的薄弱政策有：生态工业园建设政策。废弃物回收、再利用、资源化和无害化产业政策。生态农业政策。资源开发利用政策；需要新建立的缺位政策主要涉及消费领域、环境友好型和资源能源节约型城镇基础设施和建筑领域。     

Untreated abandoned mercury mining works in a scenic area of Asturias (Spain)

Mercury mining was a large and thriving industry during the last century in Asturias (NW Spain). At Bra?alamosa, mining activity introduced significant quantities of wastes in spoil heaps located close to the mining operations. In these mining wastes, in addition to mercury, high concentrations of other potentially dangerous elements like As have been found. As a consequence, pollution and dereliction of the local environment occurred. This paper focuses on the environmental impact of these old mining operations and describes a preliminary assessment of the extent of contamination. This includes analytical data from systematic sampling of soils, stream sediments, wastes from spoil heaps, water and herbaceous plants in areas affected by mining activities. The potential risk that spoil materials imply for human health and the environment is documented on the basis of the application of EPA Risk Assessment methodology.     

Processes for sustainable development using high-intensity electric fields

Intense electric fields up to 10⁷ V/m generate very interesting and useful applications for the environment. Several processes using high electrical voltage for environment preservation were developed in the laboratory. The purpose of this study was to review these applications, highlighting their economic and environmental benefits: (1) electrostatic separators of particles used in industrial wastes recycling; (a) role-type electrostatic separator for granular mixtures of plastic–metal particles; (b) free-fall and rotating belt triboelectric separators for mixtures of plastic–plastic particles; (c) plate-type electrostatic separator for mixtures of metal–metal particles, (2) electrostatic precipitators for gas cleaning and (3) ozone generators for air and water treatment.     

Anthropogenic impacts on suspended sediment load in the Upper Yangtze river

Climate change and human disturbance drive catchment erosion and increase riverine sediment load sensitively in small and medium-sized watersheds. This is not always true in large basins, where aggregation and buffering effects have dampen the ability to determine the driving forces of sedimentation. Even though there are significant responses to sedimentation in large river basins, it is difficult to get a precise quantitative assessment of specific drivers. This paper develops a methodology to identify driving forces that change suspended sediment load in the Upper Yangtze river. Annual runoff and sediment load data from 1954 to 2005 at the Yichang gauging station in the Upper Yangtze basin, daily precipitation data from 60 meteorological stations, and survey data on reservoir sediment were collected for the study. Sediment load/rainfall erosivity (S/R), is a new proxy indicator introduced to reflect human activities. Since the mid-1980s, S/R in the Upper Yangtze has dramatically declined from 0.21 to 0.03 (×10¹⁰ t ha h MJ⁻¹ mm⁻¹), indicating that human activity has played a key role in the decline of the suspended sediment load. Before the mid-1980s, a higher average S/R is attributed to large-scale deforestation and land reclamation. A significant sediment decrease occurred from 1959 to 1961 during an extreme drought condition, and an increase in sedimentation in 1998 coincided with an extreme flood event, which was well recorded in the S/R curve. This indicates that the S/R proxy is able to distinguish anthropogenic from climate impacts on suspended sediment load, but is not necessarily indicatory in extreme climate events. In addition, typical drivers of riverine sediment load variation including soil conservation projects, reservoirs construction, and land use/cover change are discussed.     

An overview of commercially used brominated flame retardants,their applications,their use patterns in different countries/regions and possible modes of release

Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are used in a variety of consumer products and several of those are produced in large quantities. These compounds have been detected in environmental samples, which can be attributed to the anthropogenic uses of these compounds. Brominated flame retardants are produced via direct bromination of organic molecules or via addition of bromine to alkenes; hence, an overview of the production and usage of bromine over the past three decades is covered. Production, application, and environmental occurrence of high production brominated flame retardants including Tetrabromobisphenol A, polybrominated biphenyls, Penta-, Octa-, Deca-brominated diphenyl ether (oxide) formulation and hexabromocyclododecane are discussed.     

铜陵地区矿山生态环境综合治理途径

分析了铜陵地区矿山生态环境存在的主要问题,将其分为矿山“三废”排放与污染。矿山生态环境破坏和矿山地质灾害等三类。在此基础上,提出矿山生态环境整治必须从管理制度、经济和技术方面寻找综合治理途径。其中,管理制度方面：完善矿山生态环境保护的法规体系,实施矿山环境准入制度,确立科学合理的矿山生态环境保护目标和评价标准;经济方面：建立明晰的矿山环境资产产权制度,建立经济激励机制,建立多元化、多渠道投资机制,发展矿山生态环境保护整治产业;技术方面：开发矿业清洁生产技术,矿区土地复垦和生态重建技术,矿山水均衡破坏防治工程技术,开展矿山环境保护的科学技术研究与国际合作。