Mercury volatilization by the most mercury-resistant bacteria from the seawater of Minamata Bay in various physiological conditions

The volatilization of mercuric chloride (HgCl₂) and methyl mercuric chloride (CH₃HgCl) by the 45 strains (35 Pseudoalteromonas sp., 2 Vibrio sp., 1 Aeromonas sp., and 7 unclassified) of the most mercury-resistant bacteria from Minamata Bay seawater was examined in various physiological conditions. The bacteria could grow and volatilize HgCl₂ in the liquid medium containing 1-10% NaCl. Two Pseudoalteromonas strains could grow and volatilize HgCl₂ at pH levels ranging from 5.0 to 10.0. The resting cells of 43 strains could volatilize HgCl₂ at concentrations ranging from 30 to 68% after 1-h incubation at 30vv°C. The resting cells of 41 strains could volatilize CH₃HgCl at concentrations ranging from 13 to 88% after 1-h incubation at 30vv°C. Ninety-two percent of mercury was removed from the phosphate buffer containing 0.1 7g/ml by a resting cell of Pseudoalteromonas strain H-4 after 30-min incubation at 30vv°C. We were able to screen the special bacteria, which could volatilize mercury compounds at a high rate in various physiological conditions, for the purpose of developing mercury removal methods using bacteria.     

The environmental impact of a chloro-alkali factory in a river basin in Eastern India

Summary It has been established that the electrodes of the dialyser in a chloro-alkali plant in Eastern India release mercury beyond the permissible limits into the River Koel. Mercury in elemental form, as well as certain organo-mercury compounds, including methyl mercury, have been detected at a distance of 25 km from the discharge point. Even at a distance of 5–10 km, the mercury content of the sediment may be as high as 0.6–3.2 mg kg^–1 above the value of sediment upstream of the plant. This sediment itself is contaminated, probably by battery and paint factories, etc., still further upstream. Thus, the chloro-alkali factory has contributed 60–320 times above the permissible limit (0.01 mg kg^–1) of mercury release, at a distance of 5–10 km from the point of release. Furthermore, various phytoplankton and zooplankton have been contaminated, leading to very high mercury contents in certain fish. This food chain, therefore, threatens man himself.Dr Sajalendu Nanda is currently a Research Associate at Bangur Institute of Neurology in Calcutta. He possesses an MSc in Environmental Biology and a PhD in Ecology. His address for correspondence is c/o Dr P.K. Tapaswi, Professor-in-Charge at the Biological Sciences Division of the Indian Statistical Institute.     

The relationship between coastal tourism,sea pollution and public health: A case study from Turkey

Summary Among the different impacts of coastal tourism on the environment, the effect of tourism on public health has special importance. The large increase in population during the high season results usually in an increase in the amount of waste water produced. If the necessary infrastructure for handling these wastes is not available, the sea is polluted, causing serious problems.To investigate the effects of sea pollution on the public, a health survey was conducted in Bodrum and Çesme, the two most important tourist coastal resorts of Turkey. A questionnaire about the health problems which tourists suffer, as well as their culinary habits, swimming habits,etc. was distributed. At the same time the pollution level in the sea was determined in the form of coliform concentration. As a result it is shown that those swimming in polluted waters suffer more from gastro-intestinal diseases than others. Furthermore, foreigners (usually Scandinavians) and children are proved to be more susceptible to pollution, possibly due to their lack of immunity.Dr Günay Kocasoy is presently Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Bogaziçi University. Her fields of interest are in environmental engineering, water pollution and marine sciences. She obtained a BS degree in Chemical Engineering from Robert College, Istanbul, Turkey, and subsequently a BA in Industrial Administration from Franklin University, Columbus, Ohio, USA. Following more recent studies she possesses both an MS and a PhD in Marine Sciences from Istanbul University.     

Pollution abatement in the indian pulp and paper industry

Summary In this paper, pollutants in air, water and as solids which stem from the paper industry are discussed, and pollution abatement measures are suggested. The Pulp and Paper Industry is highly capital, material and energy intensive and return on investment is very low. This paper reviews some emerging international principles which are effective in reducing both effluent treatment costs per tonne of paper and the mill discharges, to levels where their environmental impacts become far less significant than at present.Mr Avijit Dey is a graduate in Chemical Engineering from Jadavpur University and at present is Design Engineer in the Paper and Process Cell of Development Consultants Ltd, 24-B Park Street, Calcutta 70016, India. Dr B. Sen Gupta is Reader in the Chemical Engineering Department of Jadavpur University, Calcutta. He obtained his BChE and PhD in Chemical Engineering from Jadavpur University and an ME in Chemical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. His research interests involve pulp and paper technology, water conservation and management, and pollution control.     

Environmental management training in Australia: A case study

Summary Environmental managers require education and training tailored to their particular professional needs. Specifically they need a range of technical (scientific) skills, human interaction skills and integrative skills. The Environmental Management programme at Deakin University, Australia provides much of this training through practical experience in real-life case studies. This paper presents an example of one of these studies undertaken by first year students. Students were required to undertake a research project into household activities which contribute to CO₂ emissions, and so to the enhanced greenhouse effect. The students were responsible for deciding what data was needed, how it was to be collected and analysed, and for drawing appropriate conclusions from the results. From the exercise they obtained useful information on the relative importance of various household activities to CO₂ production (use of cars and electricity topped the list).More importantly, they gained experience in project formulation, the interpersonal skills involved in teamwork, data analysis and interpretation, and working within tight time and budgetary constraints. A strong foundation for later development of the environmental managers' skills was laid.Dr David Stokes is the Dean of the Faculty of Applied Science at Victoria College, Australia. The following Victoria College staff also contributed to the production of this paper: Trevor Blake, Lecturer, Department of Heritage and Resource Management, Dr Geoff Wescott, Principal Lecturer/Head of Department of Heritage and Resource Management; Andrea Lindsay, Research Officer, Faculty of Applied Science; Andrew Treloar, Senior Lecturer, Department of Information and Numerical Sciences; Dr Trevor McKenzie, Senior Lecturer, Department of Applied Science and Dr Ian Dickson, Principal Lecturer/Head of Department of Information and Numerical Sciences. In January 1992 Victoria College merged with Deakin University.     

The effect of dilution on the survival of faecal coliforms in natural waters

Summary Sewage which is disposed of in natural waters is continuously subjected to dilution. This natural phenomenon changes the concentrations of significant environmental parameters causing either the growth or the decay of enteric bacteria in sewage. The connection between the survival of faecal coliform bacteria and sewage dilution is obvious. However, this dependence has not been proved by any related experiments. The experimental results of this study show that the dilution of sewage in a 0.9 percent NaCl solution may cause either the destruction, conservation or even an increase in the number of faecal coliforms depending on the time that the dilution takes place and on the rate of dilution.Dr Angelos Hadjianghelou possesses a Diploma in Biochemistry and is a Lecturer in the Department of Civil Engineering at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.     

Book reviews

Dr. Earl J. “Jay” Baker is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geography and Director of the Environmental Hazards Center at Florida State University. He has conducted extensive research on hurricane evacuation problems and also has studied growth management, policy evaluation, and storm recovery issues in hurricane-prone areas. He is a member of the National Research Council’s Committee on Natural Disasters and a director of the National Hurricane Conference.     

Nitrate levels in shallow groundwater of upstate New York,USA

This paper summarizes research evaluating nitrate levels in shallow groundwater of upstate New York, USA. Water from abandoned dug wells in six different land-use categories was analyzed for nitrate. Findings indicate that regardless of overlying land-use, shallow groundwater is susceptible to high levels of nitrate. Over 60 percent of the water samples tested, including at least one sample from each land-use category, had nitrate levels in excess of the United States drinking water standard of 10 mg 1^–1. Due to the potential threat of elevated nitrate levels, efforts should be made to eliminate abandoned dug wells in shallow groundwater as a source of water supply.Glenn Harris is with the Environmental Studies Programme of St Lawrence University in Canton, New York. Brian Henry is with the Department of Entomology at the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia. Jeffrey Deyette is with the joint International Relations and Resource and Environmental Management Programme at Boston University in Boston, Massachusetts. This research was performed as a Community Service Project sponsored by the Mergardt Fund while Mr Henry and Mr Deyette were students under the supervision of Dr Harris at St Lawrence University.     

The environmental awareness of environmental protection bureaucrats in the People's Republic of China

Summary Over 180 environmental protection bureaucrats in the People's Republic of China were individually interviewed to determine their environmental awareness and their attitudes towards the environment. The study indicates that environmental protection bureaucrats in China have conflicting attitudes towards the relationship between man and nature, and between economic growth and environmental protection. However, they show a strong faith in science and technology's ability to solve environmental problems. The perception that too-harsh environmental protection regulations would reduce the growth potential of the economy is so predominant that it poses a serious threat to the environment of the three municipalities under investigation. It is argued that environmental management is a matter of managing human beings. To understand people, it is imperative to gain a thorough understanding of their worldview.Dr Koon-Kwai Wong is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geography and the Geography option co-ordinator on the China Studies course at Hong Kong Baptist University. Dr Hon S. Chan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Public and Social Administration at the City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong.     

Inchelium: non-sustainable resource dependency

Summary In order to consider appropriate sustainable development, it is first necessary to understand the problems of developments that are inappropriate for specific population groups. Variables, such as, the culture of the group, its historical experiences, demographic and economic resources, population density, and remoteness or urban proximity should be scrutinized. This is a case study of one population group with a history of resource dependency.Inchelium is a small Native American community on the Colville Indian Reservation in Washington, USA. The construction of a large dam ended fishing in Inchelium. Changes due to the dam have led to exploitation and degradation of the community's lifestyle. Several attempts at viable alternative economic development have led to disagreements about cultural and environmental issues. Lack of sustainable development has fostered a non-viable economy. In this economy half of the employable persons are unemployed, and 80 percent are dependent upon some form of government financial and service aid.These problems are related to the effects of colonization found on all North American Indian reservations. A dependency relationship with the federal government has resulted in qualitative changes in the use of natural resources, from subsistence to extraction.Dr Pamela Elkind is Department Chairperson and Professor of Environmental Sociology at Eastern Washington University. David Lundgren is based in the Department of Sociology at Stevenson College. This paper was first delivered at the Global Forum '94 Conference in Manchester, UK.     

The culture of environmental decision-making

Summary This paper describes the rising tide of environmentalism in contemporary culture. It is accepted that this represents a fragile advance in our sensibilities about nature and one another. It has impacted the embodied practices of everyday affairs in decision-making. The sense of environmental risk factors may have contributed to this evolving sensibility towards nature. The rising environmental concern converges with the practices of democracy in the development and expansion of right-to-know laws, both locally and globally. In concert with the right-to-know laws are concepts and practices of sustainable development and the merging of social and environmental justice.Dr Jay Schulkin is a Research Associate at the Wharton Risk Management and Decision Process Center, University of Pennsylvania, and Director of Research at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in Washington DC. David Sarokin is Director of the Special Projects Office at the US Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street SW, Washington DC 20460, USA. The views in this paper are those of the authors, and not the institutions with which they are affiliated.     

Subject indicators to present the nature and limit of environmental studies in US graduate schools

Summary The purpose of this paper is to examine subjects to show the nature and limit of interdisciplinary communication in existing environmental programmes in US graduate schools. Ultimately, this analysis may provide more effective communication with the general public. Following comparative historical reviews of both the sciences and the human activity for environmental protection, and a content analysis of empirical documents used by the public, a mushroom computer model has been produced. This model is based on organizational behaviour theory and contains the following 15 subjects which were originally introduced before the lack of communication resulting from curriculum failure in the 19th century: philosophy, politics, economics, architecture, sociology, biology, medicine, agriculture, ecology, public health, mathematics, physics, chemistry, geology, statistics. The subjects should foster effective communication with the general public, leading to more effective environmental protection.Dr Hong S. Kim is at the Environmental Studies Program, California State University, Fullerton, USA. He received a PhD from the Administration and Management Program at Walden University, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. His numerous papers are focused on environmental pollution analysis, environmental impact assessment, environmental management, and environmental law. He has written a book entitledEnvironmentology which is forthcoming.Dr James P. Dixon is the Chairperson of Health Services at Walden University, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401, USA. He was recently Professor of the Department of Policy and Administration at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA. He was also past President of Antioch College (1959–1975). His many publications are concentrated in the areas of organizational development, public health and preventive medicine, and administration of human service organizations.     

A process for quantifiable evaluation of environment improvement

Summary The assessment of adverse effects of development projects is well established, as, for example, in the case of quarrying or a new urban road scheme. Environmental Improvement, on the other hand, is generally seen as a by-product of economic or development schemes. In the UK it is recognised as an important factor in attracting private sector investment, yet in project evaluation environmental improvements are often described in general terms but not quantified.Survey methods for establishing people's preferences are well established. Enhancement of the environment can be measured as a ratio by assessing the environment before and after improvement. This method has been applied in an evaluation of four case studies assessing the impact of Urban Development Grants in South Wales (Alden et al., 1987).Dr S M Romaya is an architect who possesses a planning qualification. His environmental interests relate particularly to urban centres and these form the focus of his research and many publications. In addition to conducting an architectural practice and being involved in consultancy, much of his working life has been spent in academic institutions; as an Associate Professor at the College of Engineering Technology, Baghdad; at Nottingham University; and now as a lecturer in Urban Design in the Department of Town Planning, UWIST, Cardiff. This paper was initially delivered at an Environmental Impact Assessment Conference conducted by the Institution of Environmental Sciences during October 1986.     

Public perception towards sewage treatment plants in selected areas in Selangor and Kuala lumpur,Malaysia

Summary A public perception survey on sewage treatment plants carried out in selected areas in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur revealed several interesting and unexpected findings. The general perception patterns regarding odour, noise and visual impact, suggest that the perceived intensity is a function of the time of adaptation. It was also revealed that pests constitute a serious nuisance, to which adaptation was not possible. The level of public awareness regarding sewage treatment was surprisingly low, despite the urban locality of the study areas. The need to educate the public on health and sanitation is viewed as extremely important in terms of social acceptance and the proper operation of sewage treatment plants.Dr C.P. Tso is Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering; K.S. Low is a member of the Department of Geography, and G. Balamurugan a member of the Institute of Advanced Studies; all at the University of Malaya.     

A comparison in water quality: The UK and the CIS

Summary A comparison is made of major issues relating to drinking water and river water quality in the UK and the CIS (USSR). Historical and legislative aspects are briefly reviewed. In both countries there is an imbalance between the location of fresh water sources and the distribution of the population. In each country standards are used to define water quality. These standards tend to be more exacting in the CIS. In the UK derogations are used to produce a more relaxed standard. Failure to comply with drinking water standards is common in the CIS (on average 20 percent of samples). In the UK, data are recorded on a different basis, but it appears that deviations from nitrate and pesticide standards are common. In both countries' water supplies, pollution appears to be extensive with few overall signs of significant improvement. This is attributable partly to lack of effective enforcement and weak penalties for transgressors. There is a high level of public concern regarding water quality and health in both the CIS and the UK. As a consequence there are increasing signs in each country of a national determination to implement the legislation more effectively. Needs for further actions are identified.Dr Olga Bridges was born and educated in Russia. Since coming to the UK she has held posts on Soviet Studies in various universities. Dr Bridges' early research was in attitudes to languages and nationality, but more recently it has centred on attitudes to environmental issues. To further her knowledge of scientific aspects of environmental problems, Dr Bridges is currently taking the Advanced Diploma in Environmental Practice at Farnborough College of Technology, UK.     

Biocontainment of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on flat concrete surfaces by microbial carbonate precipitation

In this study, a biosealant obtained from microbial carbonate precipitation (MCP) was evaluated as an alternative to an epoxy-coating system. A bacterium Sporosarcina pasteurii strain ATCC 11859, which metabolizes urea and precipitates calcite in a calcium-rich environment, was used in this study to generate the biosealant on a PCB-contaminated concrete surface. Concrete cylinders measuring 3 in (76.2 mm) by 6 in (152.4 mm) were made in accordance with ASTM C33 and C192 and used for this purpose. The PCB, urea, Ca(2+), and bacterial cell concentrations were set at 10 ppm, 666 mM, 250 mM, and about 2.1 × 10(8) cells mL(-1), respectively. The results indicate that the biosealed surfaces reduced water permeability by 1-5 orders of magnitude, and had a high resistance to carbonation. Since the MCP biosealant is thermally stable under temperatures of up to 840 °C, the high temperatures that normally exist in the surrounding equipment, which may contain PCB-based fluids, have no effect on the biosealed surfaces. Consequently, there is greater potential to obtain a stronger, coherent, and durable surface by MCP. No measurable amount of PCBs was detected in the permeating water, indicating that the leaching water, if any, will have a minimum impact on the surrounding environment.     

The effects of agrochemicals on an aquatic ecosystem : A case study from the Krian River basin,Malaysia

Summary The existing environment of the Krian River basin in Malaysia is not in its natural form for it has been much developed into agricultural lands (105,000 ha). The growing demand for agricultural lands requires further reclamation of swampy forests, which will result in an increased use of fertilisers (estimated 10 percent increase, from 29,500 t to 32,500 t), weedicide, dalapon (estimated 6 percent increase, from 187,620 kg to 199,530 kg) and pesticides, BHC and thiodan/endosulfan (estimated 2 percent increase, from 312 kg to 318 kg).Contrary to belief, the concern over increased levels of nitrogenous fertilisers and pesticides concentrations used in the existing agricultural projects is unfounded. The agrochemicals contribute insignificant amounts of contaminants into the aqueous system. Deleterious deterioration of water quality in the waterways is not apparent. The rich assemblage of icthyofauna comprises 14 freshwater fish species, 21 saltwater-freshwater interface species, like the freshwater prawn and marine fishes that have acclimatised to freshwater conditions, and 28 coastal- marine water fish species, two brackish water penaeids and three molluscs of commercial value. However, if the water quality data are used in isolation to interpret the consequences of large- scale usage of agrochemicals, the conclusion is inadequate and may be misleading. The impact of the flow condition in fields, the localised long-term effects like the fate and spatial distribution on the surrounding media (water, sediments and exposed aquatic life), bio-accumulation and bio-magnification should be considered. Though of no acute toxicity to hardy icthyofauna in the Krian Rice Irrigation basin, lipophilic organochlorines pose health risks to consumers of contaminated fishery products from these Krian rice fields.Dr Siaw-Yang Yap and Dr Hean-Tatt Ong graduated at the University of Malaya (Malaysia) with degrees in Aquatic Ecology and Plant Physiology respectively. Both currently have been involved in water quality criteria and standards development for aquatic life and irrigation uses in Malaysia. They have also contributed to environmental impact assessment projects, commissioned by the Department of Environment, Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment, Malaysia, the Ministry of Agriculture, Malaysia, and others. Dr Yap is an appointed member of the Freshwater Fish Specialist Group, Species Survival Commission/IUCN; she is involved in the "To Maintain Biological Diversity" project, aiming at conservation of genetic diversity of the threatened freshwater fish habitats and species in Asia. Dr Yap is also the specialist for water quality criteria and standards derivation for Malaysia and ASEAN tropical marine environments.     

Causes and effects of siltation on the environment of Nepal

Summary The present investigation was carried out in 1986, and is based upon about 20 years of river discharge data (1960s to 1980s). There are three important river-systems in Nepal - Sapt Kosi River system in East Nepal, Sapt Gandaki River system in mid- Nepal, and Karnali River system in West Nepal. The average annual highest rainfall is 3,685 mm yr^–1, and the greatest mean annual suspended sediment load (1.434 g L^–1) was recorded in Sapt Gandaki, while the water discharge from Sapt Kosi (1,747 m³ s^–1) was the highest and so also was the silt discharge (0.4 million ton day^–1). The correlation between water discharge and silt discharge was found to be statistically highly significant as verified by correlation and regression analyses.An abatement of human interference in the catchment areas of these rivers, and fodder/fuelwood plantation through the active participation of local people in their marginal land to decrease the human pressure on natural forests, are considered the two major easy, effective and economic methods to control the siltation hazard that is causing extensive deterioration to the environment in Nepal.Dr Govind P.S. Ghimire is Reader and Associate Professor in the Central Department of Botany at Tribhuvan University. Mr B.K. Uprety is an ecologist working on the Environmental Impact Study Project of His Majesty's Government, Nepal.     

EFFECTS OF AGRICULTURAL NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT ON NITROGEN FATE AND TRANSPORT IN LANCASTER COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA1

ABSTRACT: Nitrogen inputs to, and outputs from, a 55-acre site in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, were estimated to determine the pathways and relative magnitude of loads of nitrogen entering and leaving the site, and to compare the loads of nitrogen before and after the implementation of nutrient management. Inputs of nitrogen to the site were manure fertilizer, commercial fertilizer, nitrogen in precipitation, and nitrogen in ground-water inflow; and these sources averaged 93, 4, 2, and 1 percent of average annual nitrogen additions, respectively. Outputs of nitrogen from the site were nitrogen in harvested crops, loads of nitrogen in surface runoff, volatilization of nitrogen, and loads of nitrogen in ground-water discharge, which averaged 37, less than 1, 25, and 38 percent of average annual nitrogen removals from the site, respectively. Virtually all of the nitrogen leaving the site that was not removed in harvested crops or by volatilization was discharged in the ground water. Applications of manure and fertilizer nitrogen to 47.5 acres of cropped fields decreased about 33 percent, from an average of 22,700 pounds per year (480 pounds per acre per year) before nutrient management to 15,175 pounds of nitrogen per year (320 pounds per acre per year) after the implementation of nutrient management practices. Nitrogen loads in ground-water discharged from the site decreased about 30 percent, from an average of 292 pounds of nitrogen per million gallons of ground water before nutrient management to an average of 203 pounds of nitrogen per million gallons as a result of the decreased manure and commercial fertilizer applications. Reductions in manure and commercial fertilizer applications caused a reduction of approximately 11,000 pounds (3,760 pounds per year; 70 pounds per acre per year) in the load of nitrogen discharged in ground water from the 55-acre site during the three-year period 1987–1990.     

Internalisation of externalities: Who bears the cost of pollution control?

Summary The impact of environmental regulations on the welfare of Malaysian palm oil growers, producers, and refiners are evaluated in an open-economy model. The estimated incremental effects of effluent standards and changes have been specifically rather small, with the exception of those upon the growers, but the cumulative effects have been considerable.Dr Khalid Abdul Rahim is a member of staff in the Department of Natural Resource Economics at the Universiti Pertanian Malaysia. This article is based on part of the work undertaken for his PhD dissertation at the University of Illinois, USA.