Pollution prevention for sustainable development: the land-use question

The central argument of the paper is that effective pollution prevention can be achieved only by integrated land-use planning which offers the broad framework for co-ordinating technological and non-technological means to achieve sustainable development. The paper first reviews the role of land-use in preventing or contributing to pollution over time, focusing especially on contemporary efforts to promote environmental protection through land-use planning and management. The relationship between land-use, pollution and sustainable development is analysed by examining the most important types of land-use-related problems, discussing their causes and identifying a number of land-use-related constraints to sustainable development. Finally, a land-use planning and policy framework approach to pollution prevention for sustainable development is outlined which emphasizes the need for integrated analysis of pollution problems and adoption of comprehensive approaches to their solution. Scientific, spatial, temporal and policy issues are addressed in the context of the proposed approach.     

Regulating activities with catastrophic environmental effects

In this paper a catastrophe is an unforeseen event which reduces society's level of consumption to zero. Two types of catastrophe are analyzed. In one case catastrophe results in a temporary reduction in utility; in the other, catastrophe is irreversible and is tantamount to truncating the planning horizon. The first case characterizes certain types of pollution problems such as radioactive pollution produced by a nuclear power plant. An example of an irreversible catastrophe is the inadvertent depletion of a nonrenewable resource for which no substitute is available.     

Air quality and PM10-associated poly-aromatic hydrocarbons around the railway traffic area: statistical and air mass trajectory approaches

Diesel engine railway traffic causes atmosphere pollution due to the exhaust emission which may be harmful to the passengers as well as workers. In this study, the air quality and PM₁₀ concentrations were evaluated around a railway station in Northeast India where trains are operated with diesel engines. The gaseous pollutant (e.g. SO₂, NO₂, and NH₃) was collected and measured by using ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy. The advanced level characterizations of the PM10 samples were carried out by using ion chromatography, Fourier-transform infrared, X-ray diffraction, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry , X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy techniques to know their possible environmental contaminants. High-performance liquid chromatography technique was used to determine the concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to estimate the possible atmospheric pollution level caused by the rail traffic in the enclosure. The average PM₁₀ concentration was found to be 262.11 µg m⁻³ (maximum 24 hour) which indicates poor air quality (AQI category) around the rail traffic. The statistical and air mass trajectory analysis was also done to know their mutual correlation and source apportionment. This study will modify traditional studies where only models are used to simulate the origins.

     

Magneto-biomonitoring of intra-urban spatial variations of particulate matter using tree leaves

Preliminary mineral magnetic results from a pilot project investigating the suitability of roadside tree leaves as depositories of vehicular pollution are presented. Tree leaf surfaces (Lime: Tilia europaea; Sycamore: Acer pseudoplatanus) at four roadside and one woodland location in Wolverhampton, UK, have been monitored (July 2003 to November 2003). Mineral magnetic technologies have revealed spatial variations of particulate pollution concentration throughout the conurbation and data analysis indicates that magnetic concentration parameters are suitable proxies for fine particulate pollution, which are particularly hazardous to health. Site-specific traffic management and associated vehicle behaviour appear to be chiefly responsible for the magnetic concentration differences between sites. Magneto-biomonitoring in this way allows the high-resolution spatial mapping of particulate matter (PM) pollution, which may also benefit epidemiology in better assessing exposure to vehicular-derived particulates. Given the speed, measurement sensitivity and non-destructive nature of the technique, it is proposed that this low-cost approach offers some advantages over centralised monitoring stations to monitor urban roadside particulate pollution.     

论矿区土壤环境问题

我国矿山生态环境破坏和环境污染十分严重。文章论述了矿区土壤环境问题的相关概念及相关问题,指出矿区土壤环境问题包括矿区生态破坏和矿区环境污染。分析了矿区土壤环境问题的影响因素识别以及调查研究主要性状识别等普遍性问题。分析了矿区生态修复问题的复杂性,即有的属于典型的土壤环境学科问题,有的属于相关学科问题引发的土壤环境问题要求矿区生态修复研究的多学科交叉与融合。建议淡化矿区复垦土壤的学科问题,强化矿区复垦土壤的科学问题,集成不同学科的修复技术,从源头上控制矿区土壤污染,将有利于我国不同类型矿区土壤环境问题的诊断,以及矿区复垦土壤生产功能、环境功能和生态功能的恢复对策的正确选择。     

Bewertung von Monitoringdaten der Umweltprobenbank des Bundes mit der Hasse-Diagramm-Technik

On behalf of the Federal Environment Ministry the Federal Environmental Agency operates the German Environmental Specimen Bank (ESB), which targets are to record and evaluate pollution data of selected ecological systems. Scope of the present study is to check the possibilities of the Hasse diagram technique (HDT) for the assessment of ESB data, mainly with regard to evaluations and conclusions. Xenobiotic body burden in Bream musculature (Abramis brama), measured in 1997, was exemplary used to answer these questions. Focus was put on ecosystemic assessment. The results clearly show that HDT is a valuable method for the graphical display, interpretation and comparative evaluation of pollution data. HDT visualises data qualitatively and in summary. Additionally, differences between pollution patterns are revealed, which suggest different contamination processes and entries. An ecosystemic approach of assessment is achieved by simultaneous consideration of different xenobiotics.     

南京市城市生态污染现状、成因分析及治理对策

通过系统研究,定量分析了南京市1997－1999年水质污染,大气环境质量,酸雨等现状,进而系统探讨了该市城市化进程中出现的主要生态环境问题,并运用生态景观异性理论和方法,结合实际调查情况,对主要的生态污染致成原因进行了分析,最后提出了具体的南京市生态环境问题治理与实现地续发展的对策。     

Prediction of particulate air pollution from a landfill site using CFD and LIDAR techniques

Landfill sites have been the most common way of eliminating solid urban waste, as well as that of public and mining wastes. Landfill sites are a constant source of environmental pollution and wind is the most important contributing factor to air pollution, due to the erosion which it produces over the landfill site surfaces, transporting dust away from the source point. This causes serious risks for human health and general dirt in the surrounding areas of the landfill site. The result of dust air pollution produced in a landfill site is analysed through CFD3D (Computational Fluid Dynamics) by joining the LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technique and Ansys CFX 10.0 software. The CFD simulations determine the wind velocity distribution on the landfill site surface and the different particle threshold friction velocities which determine the dust emission in multiphase simulations (air-particles). These simulations are validated from field data obtained in three measurement programmes for each type of landfill site surface treatment which has been studied. It was determined that the superficial landfill site treatment with the lowest air pollution is tall grass and bushes. The methodology used can be applied to the dust emission calculation in the design or evaluation of other landfill sites.     

Plastics in the Marine Environment: Problems and Solutions

Plastics debris is known to be present in all of the world's oceans, and on most amenity beaches, although comparatively little data are available to provide reliable information on the extent of damage from this pollution, and on its spatial and temporal variations.

Marine pollution by plastics has been shown to be damaging to marine mammals, birds and reptiles. This is due to entanglement in packaging bands, synthetic ropes and lines, or drift nets; or by the ingestion of small items of plastics debris. More research is needed to quantify the extent of the problems.

Wider use of degradable plastics will not solve the problems of plastics pollution. Their lifetimes are relatively long and unpredictable, and they are not generally acceptable for recycling.

Marine plastics pollution may be alleviated by the judicious application of both economic incentives and legislation, designed to decrease their use, to increase the rate of recycling, and to restrict uncontrolled discards.     

Plastics in the Marine Environment: Problems and Solutions

Plastics debris is known to be present in all of the world's oceans, and on most amenity beaches, although comparatively little data are available to provide reliable information on the extent of damage from this pollution, and on its spatial and temporal variations.

Marine pollution by plastics has been shown to be damaging to marine mammals, birds and reptiles. This is due to entanglement in packaging bands, synthetic ropes and lines, or drift nets; or by the ingestion of small items of plastics debris. More research is needed to quantify the extent of the problems.

Wider use of degradable plastics will not solve the problems of plastics pollution. Their lifetimes are relatively long and unpredictable, and they are not generally acceptable for recycling.

Marine plastics pollution may be alleviated by the judicious application of both economic incentives and legislation, designed to decrease their use, to increase the rate of recycling, and to restrict uncontrolled discards.     

中国非点源污染研究评述

提出非点源污染较全面、准确的概念，总结归纳出非点源污染9个方面的来源，综述了国内非点源污染模型及其控制管理的研究情况，并针对目前国内非点源污染模型研究及其控制管理研究存在的问题，指出未来该领域研究的重点和方向。文章认为，在模型方面，应把微观机理模型推广到宏观尺度，与大型流域管理模型相结合，而污染物风险分析功能模型、地理信息系统支持下的专家系统软件等是研究重点；在控制管理方面，污染物排放总量控制规划、人工模拟与野外实验相结合、应用经济手段等是研究的发展方向。     

电子穿梭体及其介导的环境与地球化学过程研究进展

电子穿梭体是一类可通过自身氧化还原介导电子转移的化学物质的统称.在地球表层系统中,电子穿梭体可加速微生物向细胞外部进行的电子传递,参与矿物的微生物还原,驱动碳、氮、硫元素循环,并偶联有机污染物降解和重金属迁移转化.电子穿梭在自然界中存在广泛,对于元素循环、污染物环境行为以及微生物的生存行为影响深远,具有重要的环境地球化...     

Radionuclide diffuse in the environment

The purpose of this work is to relate the results and the conclusions which arose from the operation of nuclear plants from many years and from the application various radioecological models which describe the diffusing and the burdening of ecological system with radioactive substances in relation to the general problem of the pollution of the environment with whatever type of radioactive filthiness.

It is believed that the findings resulting from such comparison will be very interesting and will contribute to the taking of the right measures to face the pollution of the environment. This study is very important for countries such as Greece which has no nuclear plants but has a rapidly developed industry. The research has been mainly concentrated to the industrial area of Thessaloniki (Sindos) which is considered as the main source of diffused filthiness and which in the last few years has caused serious problems of pollution to the wider area of Thessaloniki.     

Biota as toxic metal indicators

Metal in the environment arises from both natural sources and human activities. Toxic metals in air, soil, and water have become a global problem. They are potential hazards to aquatic, animal, and human life because of their toxicity, bioaccumulative, and non-biodegradable nature. The major impacts of metal pollutants can be stated as ecosystem contamination and health problems of exposed human populations. Those problems have been a cause of increasing public concern throughout the world. Some trace metals are used by living organisms to stabilize protein structures, facilitate electron transfer reactions, and catalyze enzymatic reactions. But even metals that are biologically essential can be harmful to living organisms at high levels of exposure. An increasing concentration of heavy metals in the environment can modify mineral and enzyme functions of human beings. During the last two decades, the interest in using bioindicators as monitoring tools to assess environmental pollution with toxic metals has increased. Bioindicators are flora and fauna members, which are collected and analyzed to measure the levels of metal contaminants. Bioindicators therefore identify health hazards. Various living organisms, such as microbes, fungi, plants, animals, and humans, are used to monitor toxic metals from air, water, sediment, soil, and food chain. Here, we review recent bioindicators, toxicity assessment, and ecological effects.     

南京市土地利用的生态环境问题及对策

在综合分析南京市土地利用与生态环境关系的基础上,提出南京市目前土地利用的主要生态环境问题包括:工业与城镇集中区水环境污染比较严重,在一定程度上威胁饮用水源;重化工业及交通的快速发展导致部分地区空气污染问题突出;城市点源与面源污染物排放导致局部地区土壤污染问题严峻;建设用地与人口集聚区热岛效应明显;生态用地破碎化导致生态系统服务功能下降。结论认为环境友好型土地利用模式是协调土地利用与生态环境关系的关键对策,为协调两者关系,必须实施集约利用建设用地、发展绿色工业、划定生态敏感区、实施土地利用分区管制、构建区域生态安全格局等措施。     

流域、区域、生态——湖泊环境治理的战略思考

湖泊富营养化问题是生态问题,是湖泊所在流域环境问题的集中反映,生态问题应该通过生态途径来解决。调控流域水环境的关键在农村,农村环境污染控制主要靠生态治污来解决。只有把流域作为一个完整的生态系统,调整系统中各种因素之间的关系,实现生态系统的平衡,才能从根本上解决湖泊水环境问题。     

System engineering for water pollution control at the watershed level in China

The present water pollution situation at watershed level in China has been systematically analyzed. The causes of water pollution are attributed to the extensive economic developmental pattern, poor wastewater treatment, and a lack of nonpoint pollution control. The problems of water pollution control at watershed level include a lack of thought and approach, developmental delay in the environmental standard system, an inadequate monitoring ability, and an inefficient implementation of laws and regulations. From 2006 to 2020, water pollution control and governance will be a national key specific project of science and technology in China. The strategies of this project include establishing a water pollution control system at watershed level, orienting a healthy aquatic ecosystem, conducting risk management, and using comprehensive methods. The goal is to establish and complete a technological system of pollution control and management in three five-year phases. The main tasks are to develop common technologies, management systems, and mechanisms for lake eutrophication control, river pollution control, urban water environmental pollution control, potable water safety, and water environmental management. The bottlenecks of water pollution control and management in China could be systematically removed, and the demonstration of the system engineering approach will be conducted at selected key watersheds.     

Interactive pollutants and joint abatement costs: Achieving water quality standards with effluent charges

This paper extends earlier work on the standards and prices approach to pollution control by considering simultaneously spatial considerations, interactive pollutants, and joint abatement costs. The form of environmental constraints appropriate to water pollution problems is discussed in detail and the implications for the standards and prices approach to water pollution control are assessed. The presence of interactive pollutants and joint abatement costs is shown to have important implications for both the theoretical properties and the implementation of the standards and prices approach.     

我国畜禽养殖业存在的环境污染问题及治理对策

畜禽养殖业环境污染问题越来越引起了人们的关注．本文概述了我国畜禽养殖业中存在的环境污染问题并从保护生态环境角度出发，提出了利用现代微生物工程应用技术和常规的处理方法相结合的治理措施。     

An infinite-horizon model of dynamic membership of international environmental agreements

Much of the literature on international environmental agreements (IEAs) uses static models, although most important transboundary pollution problems involve stock pollutants. The few papers that study IEAs using models of stock pollutants do not allow for the possibility that membership of the IEA may change endogenously over time. In this paper we analyse a simple infinite-horizon version of the static model of self-enforcing IEAs, in which damage costs increase with the stock of pollution, and countries decide each period whether to join an IEA. Using a quadratic approximation of the value function of the representative country we show that there exists a steady-state stock of pollution with corresponding steady-state IEA membership, and that as the stock rises towards steady state the IEA membership falls. Moreover, we find that the greater is the cost of damage, and hence the greater are the potential gains from cooperation, the smaller is the membership of a self-enforcing IEA.