Microscopic structure of soil Fe-Mn nodules: environmental implication

The internal structure, iron and manganese distributions of Fe-Mn nodules from imperfectly drained soils of central Greece were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and elemental analysis. Nodules exhibited a differentiated structure with discontinuous concentric rings as expression of their redox history. Fe and Mn have shown distinct repartition and were distributed mainly in concentric bands. The microstructure and the arrangement of iron—manganese compounds reflect the periodical development and the relative slow accretion rates of the studied nodules. These properties provide ample opportunity for adsorption and isolation of heavy metals from the soil system.     

Annoyance due to aircraft noise has increased over the years—Results of the HYENA study

In the HYENA study (HYpertension and Exposure to Noise near Airports) noise annoyances due to aircraft and road traffic noise were assessed in subjects that lived in the vicinity of 6 major European airports using the 11-point ICBEN scale (International Commission on Biological Effects of Noise). A distinction was made between the annoyance during the day and during the night. L_den and L_night were considered as indicators of noise exposure. Pooled data analyses showed clear exposure–response relationships between the noise level and the noise annoyance for both exposures. The exposure–response curves for road noise were congruent with the EU standard curves used for predicting the number of highly noise annoyed subjects in European communities. Annoyance ratings due to aircraft noise, however, were higher than predicted by the EU standard curves. The data supports other findings suggesting that the people's attitude towards aircraft noise has changed over the years, and that the EU standard curve for aircraft noise should be modified.     

Evidence for the presence of arsenobetaine and another organoarsenical in shrimps

Hot base digestion of fish meal and shrimps in combination with sodium borohydride reduction produces only trimethylarsine (TMA). This treatment produces TMA in different amounts relative to the total arsenic content which is mainly of organic structure. These materials of marine origin yielded 94% and 69% resp. of the calculated amount of TMA. Arsenobetaine and arsenocholine were degraded under identical conditions and were found to produce only TMA (95% and 8% resp.). Furthermore, studies using thin-layer chromatography, electrophoresis and ion-exchange chromatography have confirmed the existence of one organoarsenic compound in fish meal and two organoarsenicals in shrimps. The major organoarsenic compound in fish meal was identified as arsenobetaine by masspectroscopy. In shrimps about $\text{2}\text{3}$ of the organoarsenic compounds was shown to be arsenobetaine and there is a strong indication for the presence of arsenocholine.     

White certificates and domestic offset schemes: possible synergies

Next to energy efficiency, in the context of GHG reductions, additional policy mechanisms to the incumbent EU Emissions Trading scheme (EU ETS) are discussed. Such is the case of Non-ETS Domestic Offset (DO) schemes, which can reduce CO₂-eq.emissions in the non-ETS sectors and trade these as CO₂ credits on the ETS market. Taking into account that the EU’s “Linking Directive” (EC 2004) creates the conditions to use credits generated by emission reduction projects certified by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Kyoto Protocol (KP) within the EU ETS market, in this paper we employ the institutional analysis method of interactions in order to provide insight of a combined White Certificates (WhC) and DOs cheme. Special attention is paid to the parameters that seem to hamper harmonization of WhC and DO. Aim of this paper is to discuss whether smart market- based instruments, such as WhC, can be complementary to the effectiveness of mechanisms fostering energy efficiency such as DOs projects and vice versa. In this respect, the potential combined scheme is assessed (ex-ante) with the help of standard criteria that refer to the triptych energy, environment & society. Given the outcome of the study made, it is fair to say that such a DO/WhC combined scheme could be selected if the additionality concern is to minimize short term social costs of reaching a certain goal. However recent information and research conducted so far cannot yet uphold an ambition that a WhC/DO scheme of this kind could also drive technical change, keep consumer costs down and be equitable.     

Household waste generation,composition and determining factors in rapidly urbanizing developing cities: case study of Santa Cruz de la Sierra,Bolivia

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - Detailed information about waste generation rates, composition, and their influencing factors, is essential for sustainable municipal solid waste...