Identifying the potential of governance regimes to aggravate or mitigate local water conflicts in regions threatened by climate change

There is a need for specific knowledge of what people can do to mitigate harmful water conflicts. This need is evident in the rural dry tropics of Central America where people face climate change impacts, inefficient water management, and social tension. To address this need, we investigated why some local water conflicts escalated to violence and why other potential conflicts were avoided in Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica. We used interviews, focus groups, and a stakeholder workshop to analyse five cases. We found that violent actions only occurred when rural groups opposed government agencies in settings without mediating leadership. With one exception in a circumstance aggravated over many years, water users did not take violent action against competing water users. Distrust, which has been formed by legacies of ineffective rural stakeholder engagement, diminished the credibility of water-related information used in decision processes and thus prolonged conflicts. Active community-based groups respected by both rural constituencies and government agencies helped some people avoid difficult conflicts. Self-organised groups in other areas struggled to address disputes in settings with contested property rights, high socio-economic inequality, and low human capital. Using insights from Guanacaste, we outline practical conflict mitigation strategies fitted to a range of local water governance contexts found in rural Central America. Results suggest the need for incorporating certain types of peace-building processes in water management and development. The study provides a foundation for policy-makers, water managers, and other stakeholders to more effectively manage water disputes and avoid harmful conflicts in challenging regions.     

Toward a CO2 zero emissions energy system in the Middle East region

Climate change and energy security are global challenges requiring concerted attention and action by all of the world’s countries. Under these conditions, energy supplier and exporter countries in the Middle East region are experiencing further challenges, such as increasing domestic energy demand while energy exports have to concurrently be kept at high levels. Middle East countries process the largest proven oil and gas reserves in the world and contribute a large fraction of the world’s CO₂ emissions from the use of these as fuels both domestically and internationally. This paper addresses different policies that could dramatically change the future course of the Middle East region toward a zero CO₂ emission energy system. To this aim, an integrated energy supply–demand model has been developed to analyze required commitments including renewable energy and energy efficiency targets and the potential of nuclear power, all of which should need to be considered in order to reduce CO₂ emissions by 2100. The results indicate that nearly 43% of the global energy of the Middle East region can be supplied from non-fossil fuel resources in 2100.     

Potential effects of Thiram on medicago ‐ R. meliloti symbiotic association†

Abstract

The effects of Thiram and 2 commercial Thiram formulations on the growth and respiration of rhizobia were tested to compare the extent of bacteriostasis under controlled conditions. Although bacteriostasis was measurable at all concentrations tested, liquid cultures grew to maximum optical density in Thiram suspensions containing less than 10 μg/ml. Percentage germination, root elongation, and subsequent nodulation by R. meliloti of 2 cultivars of alfalfa, were determined in thiram suspensions to determine potential physiological effects of the fungicide on the host plant. Conditions were identified which produced enhancement or inhibition of germination, root elongation and development of nodular nitrogenase activity. At concentrations of the fungicide recommended for seed application, only minor, temporary bacteriostasis was observed as a possible negative effect while germination rates of fungi‐contaminated seed were markedly increased.     

Effects of a constructional intervention on airborne and deposited particulate matter in the Portuguese National Tile Museum, Lisbon

In the 1970s, a large ambulatory of the National Tile Museum, Lisbon, was closed with glass panes on both ground and first floor. Although this design was meant to protect the museum collection from ambient air pollutants, small openings between the glass panes remain, creating a semi-enclosed corridor. The effects of the glass panes on the indoor air quality were evaluated in a comparative study by monitoring the airborne particle concentration and the extent of particle deposition at the enclosed corridor as well as inside the museum building. Comparison of the indoor/outdoor ratio of airborne particle concentration demonstrated a high natural ventilation rate in the enclosed corridor as well as inside the museum building. PM₁₀ deposition velocities on vertical surfaces were estimated in the order of 3?×?10^?4 m s^?1 for both indoor locations. Also, the deposition rates of dark-coloured and black particles in specific were very similar at both indoor locations, causing visual degradation. The effectiveness of the glass panes in protecting the museum collection is discussed.     

A Versatile Electrochemical Monitor for Air-Quality Measurements

An electrochemical instrument of the type commonly used to monitor total oxidants was adapted to measure acid gases such as SO₂, HCI, and HCO₂H. By using chemical methods of treating the air sample prior to absorption, it is possible to monitor for specific oxidants and acids. Measurements of NO, NO_x, and SO₂ during smog-chamber experiments were found to be in good agreement with measurements made by other methods.     

The Influence of Flame-Generated Free Radicals on the Thermal Oxidation of Waste Gases

Studies of the thermal oxidation of waste gases were carried out in two variants. During the first, the destruction of waste gases was facilitated by hydrogen flame-generated radicals. During the other variant, this flame was not used, but the same temperature was maintained as in the first one. The waste gases used were mixtures of toluene with air and methane with air of 200 and 400 ppm concentrations, respectively. The experiments were performed in a flow reactor within the temperature range of 800 to 1330 K. The efficiency of oxidation of methane and toluene obtained during the first variant was considerably higher than that obtained in the second one. This was due to the promotional effect of the hydrogen flame.