A methodology for assessing blast protection in explosive ordnance disposal bomb suits.

To reduce human casualties associated with explosive ordnance disposal, a wide range of protective wear has been designed to shield against the blast effects of improvised explosive devices and munitions. In this study, 4 commercially available bomb suits, representing a range of materials and armor masses, were evaluated against 0.227 and 0.567 kg of spherical C-4 explosives to determine the level of protection offered to the head, neck, and thorax. A Hybrid III dummy, an instrumented human surrogate [1], was tested with and without protection from the 4 commercially available bomb suits. 20 tests with the dummy torso mounted to simulate a kneeling position were performed to confirm repeatability and robustness of the dummies, as well as to evaluate the 4 suits. Correlations between injury risk assessments based on past human or animal injury model data and various parameters such as bomb suit mass, projected area, and dummy coverage area were drawn.     

Spatial and temporal distribution of cyanobacteria in Batticaloa Lagoon

The necessity to understand the relationship between cyanobacterial species abundance and water quality variations in coastal lagoons is crucial to develop strategies to prevent further cyanobacterial proliferation. This paper evaluates the relationship between water quality variations on the distribution of cyanobacteria during a 12-month period in Batticaloa Lagoon (Sri Lanka) using Redundancy analysis and Pearson correlations. Drastic variations in pH, temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen (DO) and total phosphorus (TP) levels were reported, but not turbidity and NO₃⁻. This brackish waterbody is hypereutrophic (TP levels > 0.1 mg/L). The cyanobacterial community contained 13 genera and 22 species. NO₃⁻, TP and turbidity levels positively influenced cyanobacterial abundance during all seasons indicating that nutrient (largely phosphorus) and sediment entry control is highly crucial along with periodic monitoring of cyanobacterial growth.     

A review of biochars' potential role in the remediation, revegetation and restoration of contaminated soils

Biochars are biological residues combusted under low oxygen conditions, resulting in a porous, low density carbon rich material. Their large surface areas and cation exchange capacities, determined to a large extent by source materials and pyrolysis temperatures, enables enhanced sorption of both organic and inorganic contaminants to their surfaces, reducing pollutant mobility when amending contaminated soils. Liming effects or release of carbon into soil solution may increase arsenic mobility, whilst low capital but enhanced retention of plant nutrients can restrict revegetation on degraded soils amended only with biochars; the combination of composts, manures and other amendments with biochars could be their most effective deployment to soils requiring stabilisation by revegetation. Specific mechanisms of contaminant-biochar retention and release over time and the environmental impact of biochar amendments on soil organisms remain somewhat unclear but must be investigated to ensure that the management of environmental pollution coincides with ecological sustainability.     

Reproductive success and chlorinated hydrocarbon contamination in tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) nesting along rivers receiving pulp and paper mill effluent discharges

The insectivorous tree swallow was chosen as an indicator species to investigate the uptake of pulp mill-related chlorinated hydrocarbons from emergent aquatic insects. Nest box populations were monitored for reproductive success at locations upstream and downstream of pulp mills on two river systems in British Columbia, Canada. Also, 16-day-old nestlings were collected and analysed for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs), pesticides, chlorophenols and chloroguaiacols. Most reproductive parameters were not different between populations at upstream and downstream locations, and were equivalent to or greater than those recorded for other tree swallow populations. Chlorinated hydrocarbon contamination of nestlings was low at all sites. The highest tissue concentrations were detected downstream of pulp mills on the Fraser River, where PCDD and PCDF patterns along with the presence of pentachlorophenol (PCP) suggested that the primary source of contaminants was past use of PCP for timber preservation. Although the absolute tissue concentration of contaminants was less, the toxic concentration (as estimated with I-TEQs) was greatest in nestlings downstream of a pulp mill on the Thompson River. The proportionately larger contributions from 2,3,7,8-TCDF and PCB-77 elevated these TEQs in comparison to other populations. Nest success was the one reproductive measure that showed substantial reductions in downstream populations on both rivers; however, there was little indication that nest failures were the direct result of contamination. Failures were largely due to parental abandonment, and, while poor parental attentiveness and nest abandonment have been associated with chlorinated hydrocarbon tissue concentrations in other studies, our 1-year assessment was insufficient to establish any link with pulp mill effluent exposure. Nestling growth models showed some subtle differences in growth patterns between nest box populations on the two rivers, but an association with pulp mill effects on aquatic insect prey availability was not established.     

Arsenic species and leachability in the fronds of the hyperaccumulator Chinese brake (Pteris vittata L.)

Arsenic speciation is important not only for understanding the mechanisms of arsenic accumulation and detoxification by hyperaccumulators, but also for designing disposal options of arsenic-rich biomass. The primary objective of this research was to understand the speciation and leachability of arsenic in the fronds of Chinese brake (Pteris vittata L.), an arsenic hyperaccumulator, with an emphasis on the implications for arsenic-rich biomass disposal. Chinese brake was grown for 18 weeks in a soil spiked with 50 mg As kg(-1) as arsenate (AsO4(3-)), arsenite (AsO3(3-)), dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), or methylarsonic acid (MMA). Plant samples were extracted with methanol/water (1:1) and arsenic speciation was performed using high performance liquid chromatography coupled with atomic fluorescence spectrometry. The impacts of air-drying on arsenic species and leachability in the fronds were examined in the laboratory. After 18 weeks, water-soluble arsenic in soil was mainly present as arsenate with little detectable organic species or arsenite regardless of arsenic species added to the soil. However, arsenic in the fronds was primarily present as inorganic arsenite with an average of 94%. Arsenite re-oxidation occurred in the old fronds and the excised dried tissues. Arsenic species in the fronds were slightly influenced by arsenic forms added to the soil. Air-drying of the fronds resulted in leaching of substantial amounts of arsenic. These findings can be of significance when looking at disposal options of arsenic-rich biomass from the point of view of secondary contamination.     

Market-based approaches and tools for improving water and air quality

Nitrogen (N) losses from agriculture are negatively impacting groundwater, air, and surface water quality. National, state, and local policies and procedures that can mitigate these problems are needed. Market-based approaches where waste treatment plants (point sources) can purchase nutrient credits from upstream agricultural operations (non-point sources) to meet their National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit requirements within the Clean Water Act are being explored. This paper reviews these market-based approaches for enhancing air and water quality at a lower cost than simple command-and-control regulation, and describes new tools that are being developed, such as Nitrogen Trading Tool (NTT), that can be used to assess nitrogen losses to the environment under different management scenarios. The USDA-NRCS, EPA and several other state and local agencies are interested in these new tools. The NTT, though primarily designed for water quality markets, also estimates savings in nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions that can be traded in carbon markets. For example, an analysis using NTT shows that for 100 ha of crop land, a C sequestration equivalent of approximately 25–38 Mg C y^?1 for a farm in Ohio, and 13–21 Mg C y^?1 for a farm in Virginia could be achieved with better nitrogen management practices. These numbers across a watershed could be much larger with improved N and conservation management practices that contribute to better water quality and lower global warming potential. There is a need to further develop, calibrate, and validate these tools to facilitate nitrogen and carbon trading future markets around the globe to increase environmental conservation across agro-ecosystems worldwide.     

1983～1998年间加拿大不列颠哥伦比亚海岸大蓝鹭（Ardea herodias）卵内多氯二苯并-p-二恶英(PCDDs)和二苯并呋喃(PCDFs)的时空趋势监测

从1983~1998年，沿加拿大不列颠哥伦比亚海岸，我们监测了21处大蓝鹭(Ardea herodias)结巢处卵内多氯二苯并-p-二恶英 (PCDDs)、二苯并呋喃(PCDFs) 和多氯联苯 (PCBs)的污染情况。20世纪90年代早期，主要的同类物如1,2,3,7,8-PnCDD、 1,2,3,6,7,8-HxCDD、2,3,7,8-TCDD、2,3,7,8-TCDF、1,2,3,7,8,9-HxCDD 和2,3,4,7,8-PnCDF在纸浆厂分子氯漂白技术被新的漂白技术替代以及氯基酚类木材保存剂和抗木材变色剂的使用被严格地限制之后有显著下降。被捕食的鱼与大蓝鹭卵内污染物水平之间的强正线性回归说明，每天在本地摄食的食物是大蓝鹭暴露于污染物的一个重要路径。从1985年到1991年，在某些栖居地的大蓝鹭卵内所测到的毒当量浓度(TEQs)足以在小鹭体内产生胚胎毒性。尽管PCDD/Fs有所减少，但估计整个80年代有些城市中苍鹭栖居地的毒当量浓度由于多氯联苯的作用而居高不下。     

The Dublin SURGE Project: geochemical baseline for heavy metals in topsoils and spatial correlation with historical industry in Dublin,Ireland

The Dublin SURGE (Soil Urban Geochemistry) Project is Dublin’s first baseline survey of heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants in topsoils and is part of a Europe-wide initiative to map urban geochemical baselines in ten cities. 1,058 samples were collected as part of a stratified random sampling programme in the greater Dublin area to give an overview of baseline conditions in the city. Samples were analysed for 31 inorganic elements including heavy metals. Analysis of results indicates that the concentrations of lead, copper, zinc and mercury are strongly influenced by human activities, with elevated concentrations in the city docklands, inner city and heavy industry areas. Sources of heavy metals in these areas may include historical industry, coal burning, re-use of contaminated soil, modern traffic and leaded paint and petrol. Concentrations of other inorganic elements in topsoil show patterns which are strongly related to regional bedrock parent material. The spatial distributions of heavy metals, in particular Pb and As, are explored in detail with respect to regional geology and the influence of historical industry on soil quality. Exploratory data, geostatistical and correlation analyses suggest that the concentrations of heavy metals tend to increase as the intensity of historical industrial activity increases. In particular, drinks production, power generation, oil/gas/coal, metals and textile historical industries appear to be the contamination source for several heavy metals. The data provide a geochemical baseline relevant to the protection of human health, compliance with environmental legislation, land use planning and urban regeneration.