Abfallwirtschaftskonzept im Rahmen eines Integrierten Umweltmanagementsystems

Economic regulations on recycling and respective waste disposal legislation will increasingly demand the realization of new waste management concepts. They do not stem from a ministerial goal in itself, but instead offen the enterprizes a chance to develop their own waste disposal strategies with a goal toward the future. In the course of an Intra-company analysis, this waste disposal concept must take the operative organization, the relevant processes and manufacturing techniques, the accumulation of waste in the cost centers as well as the waste disposal and utilization into consideration. Fundamental principles include the environmental regulations applicable to the enterprize in the form of both federal decress and injunctions. An environmental examination report demonstrates the methodical possiblities for stock-taking and makes it possible to identify the measures necessary for improving the operational waste disposal situation. The mandatory data acquisition and a feasible waste monitoring network can be used in the course of environmental management system for making an expert opinion by an independent, reputable environmental verifier.     

Untersuchungen zur Nachhaltigkeit der Sanierung von Tributylzinnkontaminiertem Hafensediment durch Landablagerung

To allow ships to pass, most harbours have to be liberated from sedimented material. These sediments often contain high concentrations of tributyltin (TBT), which is used as a biocide in antifouling paints. Thus, the problem of a disposal which is acceptable with respect to a minimum risk for humans and the environment arises. The aim of our project was to assess land deposition as an alternative in dealing with TBT-contaminated harbour sediments. Therefore, we followed the biological degradation of TBT under aerobic and anaerobic conditions at different temperatures using defined laboratory experiments, and got important information about the land deposition, performing field measurements including biomonitoring. The biological degradation of TBT is faster under aerobic conditions and with increasing temperature. The half-lives found show the dependency of the degradation rates on the temperature between 5–55°C. The degradation rate determined for water under the same conditions (just biological degradation, without photolysis) is almost 4 times higher than in sediment. The field studies showed degradation rates of a maximum of 10–15% per year in untreated sediment and 30% per year in restacked sediments. We did not observe any interference of released TBT with ground water or surrounding areas. The TBT uptake in plants was low. Based on our results a multidimensional risk evaluation was performed, concerning the TBT and its degradation products dibutyltin (DBT) and monobutylin (MBT) released from the deposition areas. The land deposition appears to be a sustainable solution for dealing with TBT-contaminated harbour sediments.     

Amniotic fluid calcium concentration in the prenatal diagnosis of cystic fibrosis

Calcium concentrations were measured in supernatant amniotic fluid in order to establish whether they may be used as a marker for cystic fibrosis. No difference in values were found, whether the sample was derived from a normal pregnancy or from a pregnancy which resulted in a baby affected with cystic fibrosis.