Distribution and speciation of Zn and Pb in coastal sediments of Dumai Sumatera,Indonesia

Concentrations of Zn and Pb in surface sediments collected from 23 sampling stations of Dumai coastal waters have been geochemically [easily, freely or leachable and exchangeable (EFLE), acid reducible, oxidizable organic and resistant] analyzed in addition to their total concentrations [expressed in µg g^?1 dry weight (d.w.)]. Results showed that mean concentrations of total Zn and Pb were highest in Ferry Port (88.2 and 61.2 µg g^?1 d.w., respectively), while the lowest was in Batu Panjang (32.6 and 15.7 µg g^?1 d.w., respectively). Metal concentrations in 87% and 74% of the sampling stations for Zn and Pb were dominated by the resistant fraction. However, nonresistant fractions were found to be higher than resistant fractions at Cargo Port, Sungai Dumai, and Penyembal for Zn; and in Pelintung, Guntung, Mundam, Ferry Port, Fishing Port, and Purnama for Pb, indicating that anthropogenic inputs of Pb occurred in more stations when compared to Zn. Site I (eastern Dumai) was dominated by the nonresistant fraction for Pb (61%) suggesting dominant anthropogenic inputs of this metal. This might be attributed to the combination of large population, discharges of untreated domestic and industrial wastes, shipping activities and city run-off.     

Health effects associated with long-term occupational exposure of employees of a chlor-alkali plant to mercury

This study aimed to evaluate possible health effects associated with long-term occupational exposure to low levels of mercury vapors. Forty-six subjects exposed to mercury and 65 healthy unexposed employees were studied. The subjects were administered a questionnaire on experienced symptoms and underwent clinical examinations as well as routine biochemical tests. Atmospheric and urinary concentrations of mercury were measured, too. Environmental concentrations of mercury were estimated to be 3.97 ± 6.28 μg/m(3) and urinary concentrations of mercury in exposed and referent groups were 34.30 ± 26.77 and 10.15 ± 3.82 μg/dm(3), respectively. Additionally, symptoms such as somatic fatigue, anorexia, loss of memory, erethism, blurred vision and teeth problems were significantly more common among exposed individuals. These observations indicate that occupational exposure to mercury vapors, even at low levels, is likely to be associated with neurological and psychological symptoms.     

石油化工生产中使用可燃性气体检测报警仪表若干问题的探讨

介绍了可燃性气体检测的基本原理、检测探头应具备的抗干扰能力，并探讨了探头的布点方法和注意事项、仪表的标定及报警点设置、管理维护等问题。     

People,protected areas and ecosystem services: a qualitative and quantitative analysis of local people's perception and preferences in Côte d'Ivoire

The long‐term integrity of protected areas (PAs), and hence the maintenance of related ecosystem services (ES), are dependent on the support of local people. In the present study, local people's perceptions of ecosystem services from PAs and factors that govern local preferences for PAs are assessed. Fourteen study villages were randomly selected from three different protected forest areas and one control site along the southern coast of Côte d'Ivoire. Data was collected through a mixed‐method approach, including qualitative semi‐structured interviews and a household survey based on hypothetical choice scenarios. Local people's perceptions of ecosystem service provision was decrypted through qualitative content analysis, while the relation between people's preferences and potential factors that affect preferences were analyzed through multinomial models. This study shows that rural villagers do perceive a number of different ecosystem services as benefits from PAs in Côte d'Ivoire. The results based on quantitative data also suggest that local preferences for PAs and related ecosystem services are driven by PAs' management rules, age, and people's dependence on natural resources.     

LDPE/EPDM Multilayer Films Containing Recycled LDPE for Greenhouse Applications

In this paper the reuse of recycled LDPE in combination with the incorporation of EPDM modifier in the production of greenhouse films has been investigated. A three-layer film (60-100-40 micron thickness) containing recycled LDPE in the middle layer and a high UV-stabilized 40-micron outer layer was developed and proven to be commercially successful. Films with 25% and 50% recycled material content were produced. The effect of natural weathering on the film properties over a period of 15 months has been observed. Changes in physical and mechanical property were determined. The addition of EPDM to the raw resin was found to improve the extrudability of the compound and improve the weather resistivity of the film. The EPDM-modified films containing 25% to 50% recycled material retained approximately 95% and 75%, respectively, of their original extensibility after 9 months' exposure to natural weathering. Optimization of EPDM and UV stabilizer concentration was carried out to develop a balanced film with excellent mechanical and physical properties and resistance to weathering conditions. The use of UV stabilizer concentrations slightly higher than commercial practice in the outer layer of the multilayer film can be justified by the cost reduction by the incorporation of recycled LDPE materials.     

Impact of Hazardous Exposure to Metals in the Nile and Delta Lakes on the Catfish, Clarias lazera

The impact of metal pollution in the Nile and Delta lakes was studied in Clarias lazera. Lake Edku is grouped as the site highest in metal concentrations. Compared to Lakes Maryût and Edku, the Nile stations displayed lower levels of metal contamination signifying their selection as reference sites. Metals were accumulated most by the liver, less by muscles and least by serum. Iron showed the highest bioconcentration factors (BCF) in liver, muscles or serum compared to other metals. Even after the refinement of the surrounding water, fish seem to uphold the metals that have been previously ingested. Mercury, in particular, seems to eventually reside in muscles rather than in liver. The positive relationship between total serum protein and metal contents may indicate the formation of specific metal-binding proteins. Meanwhile, serum hyperalbuminemia in polluted fish is probably a shock response towards the high stress index induced by metals. The hypothesis that most of serum copper is bound to ceruloplasmin is documented also in C. lazera. Moderate, but not extennsive, exposure to metals was quite stimulatory to liver alkaline phosphatase (AP) biosynthesis. AP could, thus, be considered as a promising bioindicator for assessing sublethal water intoxicosis.     

Adsorption of carbon dioxide using impregnated activated carbon promoted by Zinc

The effect of impregnation of activated carbon with Cr₂O and Fe₂O₃ and promotion by Zn²⁺ on its adsorptive properties of carbon dioxide was studied using a volumetric adsorption apparatus at ambient temperature and low pressures. Slurry and solution impregnation methods were used to compare CO₂ capture capacity of the impregnated activated carbon promoted by Zinc. The obtained adsorption isotherms showed that amount of CO₂ adsorbed on the samples impregnated by Cr₂O was increased about 20% in compare to raw activated carbon. The results also showed that Fe₂O₃ was not an effective impregnating species for activated carbon modification. Moreover slurry impregnation method showed higher CO₂ adsorption capacity in comparison with solution impregnation method. Samples prepared by co-impregnation of two metal species showed more adsorption capacity than samples impregnated by just one metal species individually. Washing the impregnated samples by metal oxide resulted in 15% increase in CO₂ adsorption capacities of activated carbons which can be attributed to the metal oxides removal covering the adsorption surface. Decreasing impregnation temperature from 95 to 25 °C in solution method showed a significant increase in CO₂ adsorption capacity. Sips equation was found a suitable model fitting to the adsorption data in the range studied.     

Synergistic Effect of TNPP and Carbon Black in Weathered XLPE Materials

Carbon black is one of the most widely used and most effective ultraviolet (UV) light stabilizers for plastics applications. Several important segments of the plastics industry rely on carbon black for UV stabilization of weather-resistant products, including telecommunications, power cable jacketing, and plastic pipes. In this research work a combination of Trisnonylphospate (TNPP) antioxidant and different size carbon black were applied in crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) to improve its wetherability. The primary reason for cross-linking polyethylene (PE) is to raise the thermal stability of the material under load. This substantially improves environmental stress crack resistance and resistance to slow crack growth. The results achieved of this additive package combination show a synergism effect and improved weatherability of electrical cable. Increased weathering lifetime was also achieved. Further, we were able to confirm in this work, that the size and quality of the carbon black dispersion in a XLPE samples is an important component of both the UV-resistance and mechanical properties of the finished plastic article. Incremental improvements of carbon black dispersion can positively influence the expected life of plastic articles. Mechanical testing and FTIR were used to detect degradation of the accelerated weathered XLPE samples. The morphological considerations of UV energy absorption and presents laboratory data demonstrating the link between dispersion and weatherability as well as between morphology and weatherability     

The relative importance of factors influencing the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices: a factor approach for Malaysian vegetable farmers

This study develops the understanding of the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices (SAPs) by investigating the relative importance of a set of multidimensional factors in the Malaysian vegetable production sector. A factor approach is deployed to identify explanatory indicators within an integrative framework that is synthesized from the theory of interpersonal behavior and the theory of diffusion of innovation. We achieved this by analyzing a logistic regression model for the adoption of six individual SAPs (conservation tillage, intercropping, cover crops/mulches, crop rotation, organic fertilizers/composts, and integrated pest management). The findings indicate that adoption depends on a range of socio-economic, agro-ecological, institutional, informational, and psychological factors, as well as the perceived attributes of SAPs. Fundamental policy understanding of the issue should, therefore, be multidisciplinary. In addition, standardized coefficients reveal that the impact of statistically significant factors on adoption is unequal. In general, the most influential factor is the asymmetric distribution of resources across geographical locations. This is followed by financial capital and a number of factors, including the workforce size, the usefulness of information, Chinese ethnicity, and the perceived relative advantage of SAPs. Guided by this prioritization understanding, future SAPs promotion now has a better opportunity to target the more important areas. Similar research effort should be made to steer sustainable agriculture internationally.