Sustainable construction: composite use of tyres and ash in concrete

An investigation was carried out to establish the physical, mechanical and chemical characteristics of a non-standard (unprocessed) pulverised fuel ash (PFA) and waste tyres from a former landfill site at the Power Station Hill near Church Village, South Wales, United Kingdom. Investigations are on-going to establish the suitability of the fly ash and/or tyres in road construction (embankment and pavement) and also in concrete to be used in the construction of the proposed highway. This paper reports on concrete-based construction where concrete blends (using various levels of PFA as partial replacement for Portland cement (PC), and shredded waste tyres (chips 15-20mm) as aggregate replacement) were subjected to unconfined compressive strength tests to establish performance, hence, optimising mix designs. Strength development up to 180 days for the concrete made with PC-PFA blends as binders (PC-PFA concrete), with and without aggregate replacement with tyre chips, is reported. The binary PC-PFA concrete does not have good early strength but tends to improve at longer curing periods. The low early strength observed means that PC-PFA concrete cannot be used for structures, hence, only as low to medium strength applications such as blinding, low-strength foundations, crash barriers, noise reduction barriers, cycle paths, footpaths and material for pipe bedding.     

Preparation and Properties of Thermoplastic Starch/Montmorillonite Nanocomposite Using N-(2-Hydroxyethyl)formamide as a New Additive

N-(2-Hydroxyethyl)formamide (HF) was synthesized efficiently and used as a new additive to prepare thermoplastic starch/montmorillonite nanocomposite (TPS/MMT). Here, HF acted as both plasticizer for TPS and swelling agent for MMT. The hydrogen bond interaction among HF, starch and MMT was proven by Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. By scanning electron microscope (SEM), starch granules were completely disrupted. Atomic force microscopy demonstrated that partially exfoliated TPS/MMT nanocomposite was formed. The crystallinity of corn starch, MMT, HF-plasticized TPS (HTPS) and TPS/MMT nanocomposite was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Thermal stability of HTPS and TPS/MMT was determined by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The water resistance of TPS/MMT nanocomposite increased compared with that of pure HTPS. Tensile strengths of TPS/MMT nanocomposites were higher than those of HTPS, but just the reverse for elongations at break.     

Emergency response study for chemical releases in the high-tech industry in Taiwan—A semiconductor plant example

In the past two decades, there has been continuous investment and expansion of semiconductor, photoelectric panel, or solar cell plants in the high-tech industry. For example, establishing a semiconductor plant costs about US$ 3 billion. In addition, the output value of integrated circuits (IC) of Taiwan as a whole is estimated to be about US$ 5.215 billion, and globally of US$ 275.2 billion in 2008. A large amount and a variety of specialty gases or chemicals are applied during processes in high-tech facilities and these chemicals are characterized by inflammability, toxicity, and corrosiveness. Accidents may result once errors or leaks occur in any part of the supply chain, which consists of storage facilities, supply equipment, process machines, and tail gas elimination devices. Personnel casualties can result in serious situations. This study discusses the emergency response procedures and common response defects in semiconductor plants with a view to enhancing emergency response effects and capabilities, avoiding casualties, reducing property loss and shortening operation interruption.     

Heavy metal contamination in surface sediments of Yangtze River intertidal zone: An assessment from different indexes

Surface sediments (0-5 cm) from 59 stations within the Yangtze River intertidal zone (YRIZ) were sampled for metal contamination analysis in April and August 2005. The concentrations ranged (in mg kg⁻¹ dry weight): Al, 40,803-97,213; Fe, 20,538-49,627; Cd, 0.12-0.75; Cr, 36.9-173; Cu, 6.87-49.7; Mn, 413-1,112; Ni, 17.6-48.0; Pb, 18.3-44.1; and Zn, 47.6-154; respectively. Among the 59 sampling stations, enrichment factors (EF) indicate enrichment of Cd (52 stations), Cr (54 stations), Cu (5 stations), Ni (26 stations), Pb (5 stations) and Zn (5 stations). Geoaccumulation indexes (I_geo) also suggest individual metal contamination in localized areas. This study indicates that Cd, Cr and Ni enrichment in the YRIZ sediment is widespread whereas Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn enrichment is localized or nonexistent. Factor and cluster analyses indicate that Cd is associated with total organic carbon whereas Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb and Zn have a close association with Mn.     

单液滴微萃取—气相色谱/质谱法检测水中多环芳烃

采用单液滴微萃取-气相色谱/质谱(GC/MS)法建立了检测水中多环芳烃(PAHs)的方法,研究了萃取溶剂种类、萃取时间、搅拌速度对萃取效率的影响,确定了最佳单液滴微萃取条件,该法用于水中PAHs的检测,16种PAHs的线性范围为0.2～7.0μg/mL,相关系数≥0.9784,检出限为0.002～0.190μg/mL,相对标准偏差为7.1%～15.1%,加标回收率在81%～122%.     

纳米TiO2光催化降解硝基酚类污染物动力学及机理的研究

采用纳米TiO₂(P25)粉末作为催化剂,研究了几种典型硝基取代酚在TiO₂/UV悬浮体系下的光催化降解。研究表明,这些化合物的降解过程符合Langmuir-Hinshelwood动力学方程,其表观速率常数(k_app)的大小为：2-氨基-4硝基酚（2-A,4-NP）＞4-硝基酚（4-NP）＞2-硝基酚（2-NP）＞3-硝基酚（3-NP）＞2,4-二硝基酚（2,4-DNP）＞2,4,6-三硝基酚（2,4,6-TNP）,而吸附平衡常数(KL)却与k_app成反比。苯环上取代基的种类和数目对有机物光催化降解活性有很大的影响,硝基的加入降低了光催化活性,并且k_app与Hammett常数（σ）具有较好的线性关系。     

长江流域能源利用效率研究

考察长江流域四川、重庆、湖南、湖北 、江西、安徽、浙江、江苏、上海七省二市能源利用效率,比较分析其差异以及原因,寻求提高能源利用效率的途径。首先定义能源利用效率为能源通过要素优化配置产生的技术效率,然后利用数据包络DEA和全要素效率SFA方法进行测度,最后通过比较拉氏指数与迪氏指数的优劣,采用迪氏指数法对能源利用效率影响因素进行分解。计算出七省二市及六部门1997~2006年GDP能耗、能源技术效率和能源利用效率,并分析了结构调整、技术进步和制度进化对能源效率的影响程度。研究表明：（1）结构调整是提高能源利用效率的有力措施;（2）技术进步和制度进化是提高能源利用效率的关键;（3）能源利用效率研究方法应尽量统一并不断改进.     

Residences with anomalous soil concentrations of dioxin-like compounds in two communities in Michigan, USA: a case study

Most contamination of residential property soil with dioxin-like compounds occurs as a result of proximity to industrial activity that produces such compounds and, outside the industrially impacted zone, the soil concentrations are at background levels. However, as part of the University of Michigan Dioxin Exposure Study, residential properties in the lower peninsula of Michigan, USA, were identified that were located far enough from known sources of these compounds that the soil concentrations should have been at background levels and yet the toxic equivalent (TEQ) of some properties' soil was greater than 2.5 standard deviations above the mean background level. In the three cases presented here from Midland/Saginaw Counties, the anomalously high-TEQ values were primarily due to the presence of polychlorinated dibenzofurans. Based on interviews with the residents and a comparison of soil congener profiles, it was deduced that these values resulted from anthropogenic soil movement from historically contaminated areas. In the cases from Jackson/Calhoun Counties, the unusually high-TEQ values were primarily due to polychlorinated biphenyls. In the case profiled here, it appears that the soil became contaminated through sandblasting to remove paint from the swimming pool. This study identified two mechanisms for soil contamination outside zones of industrial impact; thus, an assumption of background levels of soil contamination outside industrial zones may not be valid.     

Land Use and Land Cover Change Analysis and Prediction in the Upper Reaches of the Minjiang River,China

Scientists have aimed at exploring land use and land cover change (LUCC) and modeling future landscape pattern in order to improve our understanding of the causes and consequences of these phenomena. This study addresses LUCC in the upper reaches of Minjiang River, China, from 1974 to 2000. Based on remotely sensed images, LUCC and landscape pattern change were assessed using cross-tabulation and landscape metrics. Then, using the CLUE-S model, changes in area of four types of land cover were predicted for two scenarios considering forest polices over the next 20 years. Results showed that forestland decreased from 1974 to 2000 due to continuous deforestation, while grassland and shrubland increased correspondingly. At the same time, the farmland and settlement land increased dramatically. Landscape fragmentation in the study area accompanied these changes. Forestland, grassland, and farmland take opposite trajectories in the two scenarios, as does landscape fragmentation. LUCC has led to ecological consequences, such as biodiversity loss and lowering of ecological carrying capacity.     

Development of a Methodology for Strategic Environmental Assessment: Application to the Assessment of Golf Course Installation Policy in Taiwan

Some countries, including Taiwan, have adopted strategic environmental assessment (SEA) to assess and modify proposed policies, plans, and programs (PPPs) in the planning phase for pursuing sustainable development. However, there were only some sketchy steps focusing on policy assessment in the system of Taiwan. This study aims to develop a methodology for SEA in Taiwan to enhance the effectiveness associated with PPPs. The proposed methodology comprises an SEA procedure involving PPP management and assessment in various phases, a sustainable assessment framework, and an SEA management system. The SEA procedure is devised based on the theoretical considerations by systems thinking and the regulative requirements in Taiwan. The positive and negative impacts on ecology, society, and economy are simultaneously considered in the planning (including policy generation and evaluation), implementation, and control phases of the procedure. This study used the analytic hierarchy process, Delphi technique, and systems analysis to develop a sustainable assessment framework. An SEA management system was built based on geographic information system software to process spatial, attribute, and satellite image data during the assessment procedure. The proposed methodology was applied in the SEA of golf course installation policy in 2001 as a case study, which was the first SEA in Taiwan. Most of the 82 existing golf courses in 2001 were installed on slope lands and caused a serious ecological impact. Assessment results indicated that 15 future golf courses installed on marginal lands (including buffer zones, remedied lands, and wastelands) were acceptable because the comprehensive environmental (ecological, social, and economic) assessment value was better based on environmental characteristics and management regulations of Taiwan. The SEA procedure in the planning phase for this policy was completed but the implementation phase of this policy was not begun because the related legislation procedure could not be arranged due to a few senators’ resistance. A self-review of the control phase was carried out in 2006 using this methodology. Installation permits for 12 courses on slope lands were terminated after 2001 and then 27 future courses could be installed on marginal lands. The assessment value of this policy using the data on ecological, social, and economic conditions from 2006 was higher than that using the data from 2001. The analytical results illustrate that the proposed methodology can be used to effectively and efficiently assist the related authorities for SEA.