Comparison of short-term variations (15-minute averages) in outdoor and indoor PM2.5 concentrations

Measurements of 15-min average PM2.5 concentrations were made with a real-time light-scattering instrument at both outdoor (central monitoring sites in three communities) and indoor (residential) locations over two seasons in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. These data are used to examine within-day variability of PM2.5 concentrations indoors and outdoors, as well as matched indoor-to-outdoor (I/O) ratios. Concurrent gravimetric measurements of 24-hr average PM2.5 concentrations were also obtained as a way to compare real-time measures with this more traditional metric. Results indicate that (1) within-day variability for both indoor and outdoor 15-min average PM2.5 concentrations was substantial and comparable in magnitude to day-to-day variability for 24-hr average concentrations; (2) some residences exhibited substantial variability in indoor aerosol characteristics from one day to the next; (3) peak values for indoor short-term (15-min) average PM2.5 concentrations routinely exceeded 24-hr average outdoor values by factors of 3-4; and (4) relatively strong correlations existed between indoor and outdoor PM2.5 concentrations for both 24-hr and 15-min averages.     

Phytoremediation to increase the degradation of PCBs and PCDD/Fs

Phytoremediation is already regarded as an efficient technique to remove or degrade various pollutants in soils, water and sediments. However, hydrophobic organic molecules such as PAHs, PCBs and PCDD/Fs are much less responsive to bioremediation strategies than, for example, BTEX or LAS. PCDD/Fs and PCBs represent 3 prominent groups of persistent organic pollutants that share common chemical, toxicological and environmental properties. Their widespread presence in the environment may be explained by their chemical and biological stability. This review considers their fate and dissipation mechanisms. It is then possible to identify major sinks and to understand biological activities useful for remediation. Public health and economic priorities lead to the conclusion that alternative techniques to physical treatments are required. This review focuses on particular problems encountered in biodegradation and bioavailability of PCDD/Fs and PCBs. It highlights the potential and limitations of plants and micro-organisms as bioremediation agents and summarises how plants can be used to augment bacterial activity. Phytoremediation is shown to provide some new possibilities in reducing risks associated with dioxins and PCBs.     

Increased UDP-Glucuronyltransferase in putative preneoplastic foci of human liver after long-term use of oral contraceptives

Previous research by the authors had suggested that uridine-diphosphate-glucuronyl-transferase (UDP-GT) is a useful preneoplastic marker in chemical carcinogenesis. Recently the authors report that they found typical clear cell foci in a macroscopically normal liver surrounding focal nodular hyperplasia with a 6 cm diameter in a 27-year old woman who had been using oral contraceptives (OCs) containing ethinyl-estradiol and lynestrenol for 9 years. These foci were further characterized by a reduction of canalicular and cytoplasmic ATPase activity, an increased glycogen content, and a positive immunohistochemical reaction for UDP-GT. OC users develop 2 basic types of benign liver tumors: hepatic adenoma and focal nodular hyperplasia. Hepatic adenoma appears to be caused by OCs, whereas the relationship between OC use and focal nodular hyperplasia is less clear. The tumorigenic action of OCs has been ascribed to a promotor action on liver cells; however, there is no evidence that OCs are initiators of liver tumors. The case reported shows 2 manifestations of toxic lesions promoted by OC use: the development of focal nodular hyperplasia and enzyme-altered foci comparable to those seen in experimental liver carcinogenesis. Further studies are needed to get more information about the preneoplastic potential of these foci in humans. Since enzyme-altered foci could not be identified in the liver tissue of healthy women, these foci may be of prognostic significance in longterm OC users.     

Die biologische Messung der Wassergüte

The degree of purity of surface waters can be seen from investigations on the communities of life of plant and animal organisms. A great number of organisms characteristic of certain degrees of pollution were classified in the "saprobic system", which is still valid. As a supplement to the chemical water analysis, the bio-ecological test is an optional method for characterizing the quality of waters--as, for instance, in the case of the river Lippe.     

Building Co-Management as a Process: Problem Solving Through Partnerships in Aboriginal Country, Australia

Collaborative problem solving has increasingly become important in the face of the complexities in the management of resources, including protected areas. The strategy undertaken by Girringun Aboriginal Corporation in north tropical Queensland, Australia, for developing co-management demonstrates the potential for a problem solving approach involving sequential initiatives, as an alternative to the more familiar negotiated agreements for co-management. Our longitudinal case study focuses on the development of indigenous ranger units as a strategic mechanism for the involvement of traditional owners in managing their country in collaboration with government and other interested parties. This was followed by Australia's first traditional use of marine resources agreement, and development of a multi-jurisdictional, land to sea, indigenous protected area. In using a relationship building approach to develop regional scale co-management, Girringun has been strengthening its capabilities as collaborator and regional service provider, thus, bringing customary decision-making structures into play to 'care for country'. From this evolving process we have identified the key components of a relationship building strategy, 'the pillars of co-management'. This approach includes learning-by-doing, the building of respect and rapport, sorting out responsibilities, practical engagement, and capacity-building.     

The effectiveness of coastal management web portals – a critical analysis

Effective and efficient information dissemination is crucial for a successful management of coasts and beaches. Almost all coastal management activities use Internet portals to provide electronic accessibility of data and information. In this respect, we have analyzed web tracking data and costs to investigate the effectiveness and efficiency of two coastal management web portals. Indicators for the visiting quality, the volume and characteristics of the information flow and the associated costs were combined. The results show that mainly professional users were attracted by the two investigated online coastal management information offers. Furthermore, the coastal management contents were mainly relevant on regional scale. The results indicate that it is not enough to provide various information, instead it further needs also efforts to disseminate this information to a broader public. Specific preparation and presentation of information for the target groups would lead to an active dissemination process. The investigation of the costs shows that an increasing efficiency of information dissemination via the Internet goes together with the long term use of the information infrastructure. Therefore large coastal management web portals need runtimes of several years. The applied method combined and simplified actual used web analytic methods to allow valuable insights into the information dissemination of coastal management web portals. In this way the method can be used to help coastal decision makers or other practitioners to screen their web presence in the background of information supply and demand for all visitor groups they want to reach.