Remote sensing as a tool for monitoring water quality parameters for Mediterranean Lakes of European Union water framework directive (WFD) and as a system of surveillance of cyanobacterial harmful algae blooms (SCyanoHABs)

Remote sensing has been used from the 1980s to study inland water quality. However, it was not until the beginning of the twenty-first century that CHRIS (an experimental multi-angle sensor with good spectral and spatial resolutions) and MERIS (with good temporal and spectral resolutions) started to acquire imagery with very good resolutions, which allowed to develop a reliable imagery acquisition system so as to consider remote sensing as an inland water management tool. This paper presents the methodology developed, from the field data acquisition with which to build a freshwater spectral library and the study of different atmospheric correction systems for CHRIS mode 2 and MERIS images, to the development of algorithms to determine chlorophyll-a and phycocyanin concentrations and bloom sites. All these algorithms allow determining water eutrophic and ecological states, apart from generating surveillance maps of toxic cyanobacteria with the main objective of Assessment of the Water Quality as it was used for Monitoring Ecological Water Quality in smallest Mediterranean Reservoirs integrated in the Intercalibration Exercise of European Union Water Framework Directive (WFD). We keep on using it to monitor the Ecological Quality Ratio (EQR) in Spain inland water.     

The unrecognized danger of a new transportation mechanism of injury--pedicabs

Objective

Pedicabs are a new and controversial transportation innovation for tourists in congested areas in several U.S. cities. Scant literature on this trauma mechanism exists. The purpose of this study is to identify the incidence, demographics, morbidity, mortality, and potential for injury prevention of pedicab incidents amongst major trauma admissions at an urban, academic Level I Trauma Center.

Patients & Methods

Researchers conducted a retrospective review of the Trauma Registry from 2000 to 2009. All patients identified as being injured in a pedicab incident were reviewed. Demographics, diagnoses, toxicology, treatments, and injury severity scale (ISS) were collected. Outcomes included mortality, ICU, and hospital length of stay (LOS), discharge disposition, and hospital charges. A photographic survey of 50 local pedicabs was examined for the presence and use of safety equipment.

Results

During the period of January 2000 to July 2009 there were 15 major trauma victims from identified pedicab incidents. Falling from the pedicab was the mechanism of injury in 14 of 15 cases. There were two fatalities in victims following severe traumatic brain injury. Traumatic brain injury, skull fracture, or loss of consciousness was seen in 11/15 victims. Ethanol ingestion was detected in blood tests of 10 of the 14 adult victims. Median charges of hospitalization due to a pedicab related injury was US$29,956 ± 77,482. A photographic survey of 50 local pedicabs reveals very limited use of safety belts by passengers despite existing city ordinances.

Conclusions

Major trauma victims of pedicab incidents in the United States suffer significant injuries and death. Most cases occurred in passengers falling from the pedicab at night after alcohol ingestion. There is an opportunity for implementation of strategies toward improved injury prevention with this new form of transport.     

Production of plant growth–promoting bacteria inoculants from composting leachate to develop durable agricultural ecosystems

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Composting process of residual organic material generates considerable amounts of liquid leachate which contains high organic load. This waste stream...     

Degradation of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol in aqueous systems through the association of zero-valent-copper-mediated reduction and UVC/H2O2: effect of water matrix and toxicity assessment

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The presence of toxic chlorinated compounds in drinking water, generated during the disinfection step in water treatment plants, is of great concern...     

A comprehensive dynamic kinetic model for the UVC/H2O2 process: application to zinc bacitracin degradation in wastewater as a case study

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - A dynamic kinetic model is presented for the UVC/H2O2-driven process. The model comprises 103 reactions, including background species, such as...     

Use of Lens culinaris Med test as environmental bioindicator to identify the cytogenotoxic effect of paraquat pesticide

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Paraquat is the most widely used herbicide and the third most sold pesticide in the world, applied in more than 120 countries despite being banned in...     

An inverse approach for piping networks monitoring

Spills and leakages of hazardous fluids from piping networks may pose a significant safety risk to population, industrial plants and the environment. Therefore in fluid distribution the problem of monitoring the network status in order to identify abnormal conditions and locate leakages arises. In the paper an inverse approach resorting to a multi-layer perceptron back-propagation Artificial Neural Network (ANN) is proposed, in order to locate leakages based on pressure and flow rate information. Strategies for generating input data and for correlating by ANN such data to the fluid distribution system status are presented. A two-level architecture is selected, composed by a main ANN at the first level and several branch-specific second-level ANNs in cascade to the main one. The branch in which the leakage occurs is identified, resorting to the ANN operating at the first level, while the specific second-level ANN is activated to estimate accurately the magnitude and location of the leakage in the selected branch.     

Spatial Distribution of Soil Attributes in the Concórdia River Watershed in Southern Brazil

Using geographic information system, soil sampling, and statistical analysis to map anthropogenic effects on soil     

Understanding the links between urban regeneration and climate-friendly urban development: lessons from two case studies in Japan

Urban regeneration policy and projects could facilitate the implementation of spatial policy responses to mitigate climate change and adapt to its consequences in cities. However, the potential role of urban regeneration in creating climate-friendly urban environments is not sufficiently evaluated and understood. Considering this gap, the paper aims to explore the potential linkage between urban regeneration and climate change. The case study analysis focuses on two urban regeneration projects, representing two major approaches of regeneration practices in Japanese cities, namely “project-based” and “plan-based” approaches. Research findings demonstrate that urban regeneration could help in reorganising existing urban areas in a climate-friendly manner. As a cross-cutting field of urban policy, urban regeneration could also help in creating synergies between mitigation and adaptation goals. Yet, achievement of such outcomes via regeneration projects necessitates the existence of an overriding urban development vision, political commitment, and willingness to implement binding and structural measures.