The Inadequacy of PSD Increments to Protect Visibility in Class I Areas

This study includes an application of the first two phases of a new three-phased decision-making structure that was developed to overcome the problems related to ecological safety and social justice in site selection applications. It was conducted on a current site selection problem related to the municipal solid waste disposal facilities in Kocaeli, the most industrialized region of Turkey. In order to assess the deficiencies of the legal site selection procedures related to ecological safety, two different decision tree modes were applied separately. The first mode (“Legislation”) concerns the current buffer zone applications given in the regulations, while the second one (“Proposed”) includes the applications of the new decision-making structure proposed in this study. Since it was assumed that the subjective tendencies of the decision makers on the weightings would have a significant effect on the final decision, these two modes were assessed by employing two different weighting models. The results were obtained from all of the scenarios related to selection of suitable sites with three different area requirements (15, 250, and 500 acres) for the solid wastes generated in the Kocaeli region. The results showed that the possible changes in the decision structure could cause significant differences in the final decision related to selection of the most suitable sites. The most highest and lowest differences were at the “Legislation” mode for 15 acres and 500 acres, respectively. Furthermore, the results obtained in the study showed that the possible differentiations in the criteria weightings could also cause significant differences in the suitability ranking. Therefore, to get a reliable final decision, a statistical assessment of these differentiations should be made.

Implications: The results showed that the possible changes in the decision structure could cause significant differences in the final decision related to selection of the most suitable sites. Furthermore, the results obtained in the study showed that the possible differentiations in the criteria weightings could also cause significant differences in the suitability ranking. Therefore, to get a reliable final decision, a statistical assessment of these differentiations should be made.     

Annual average radon concentrations in California residences.

A study was conducted to determine the annual average radon concentrations in California residences, to determine the approximate fraction of the California population regularly exposed to radon concentrations of 4 pCi/l or greater, and to the extent possible, to identify regions of differing risk for high radon concentrations within the state. Annual average indoor radon concentrations were measured with passive (alpha track) samplers sent by mail and deployed by home occupants, who also completed questionnaires on building and occupant characteristics. For the 310 residences surveyed, concentrations ranged from 0.10 to 16 pCi/l, with a geometric mean of whole-house (bedroom and living room) average concentrations of 0.85 pCi/l and a geometric standard deviation of 1.91. A total of 88,000 California residences (0.8 percent) were estimated to have radon concentrations exceeding 4 pCi/l. When the state was divided into six zones based on geology, significant differences in geometric mean radon concentrations were found between several of the zones. Zones with high geometric means were the Sierra Nevada mountains, the valleys east of the Sierra Nevada, the central valley (especially the southern portion), and Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. Zones with low geometric means included most coastal counties and the portion of the state from Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties south.     

Multi-component adsorption of copper,nickel and zinc from aqueous solutions onto activated carbon prepared from date stones

The removal of Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Zn²⁺ ions from their multi-component aqueous mixture by sorption on activated carbon prepared from date stones was investigated. In the batch tests, experimental parameters were studied, including solution pH, contact time, initial metal ions concentration, and temperature. Adsorption efficiency of the heavy metals was pH-dependent and the maximum adsorption was found to occur at around 5.5 for Cu, Zn, and Ni. The maximum sorption capacities calculated by applying the Langmuir isotherm were 18.68 mg/g for Cu, 16.12 mg/g for Ni, and 12.19 mg/g for Zn. The competitive adsorption studies showed that the adsorption affinity order of the three heavy metals was Cu²⁺?>?Ni²⁺?>?Zn²⁺. The test results using real wastewater indicated that the prepared activated carbon could be used as a cheap adsorbent for the removal of heavy metals in aqueous solutions.     

Spatial patterns of heavy metals in soil under different geological structures and land uses for assessing metal enrichments

One hundred and thirty composite soil samples were collected from Hamedan county, Iran to characterize the spatial distribution and trace the sources of heavy metals including As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, V, Zn, and Fe. The multivariate gap statistical analysis was used; for interrelation of spatial patterns of pollution, the disjunctive kriging and geoenrichment factor (EF_G) techniques were applied. Heavy metals and soil properties were grouped using agglomerative hierarchical clustering and gap statistic. Principal component analysis was used for identification of the source of metals in a set of data. Geostatistics was used for the geospatial data processing. Based on the comparison between the original data and background values of the ten metals, the disjunctive kriging and EF_G techniques were used to quantify their geospatial patterns and assess the contamination levels of the heavy metals. The spatial distribution map combined with the statistical analysis showed that the main source of Cr, Co, Ni, Zn, Pb, and V in group A land use (agriculture, rocky, and urban) was geogenic; the origin of As, Cd, and Cu was industrial and agricultural activities (anthropogenic sources). In group B land use (rangeland and orchards), the origin of metals (Cr, Co, Ni, Zn, and V) was mainly controlled by natural factors and As, Cd, Cu, and Pb had been added by organic factors. In group C land use (water), the origin of most heavy metals is natural without anthropogenic sources. The Cd and As pollution was relatively more serious in different land use. The EF_G technique used confirmed the anthropogenic influence of heavy metal pollution. All metals showed concentrations substantially higher than their background values, suggesting anthropogenic pollution.     

Parasites of Fish as Indicators of Environmental Stress

During the 1994/1995 EMAP-Estauries program in the Carolinian Province we investigated the feasibility of using parasites of fish as response indicators. Parasites of fish are an indigenous component of healthy ecosystems. Within the EMAP-E design, the suite of environmental parameters which may affect parasite abundance, richness, prevalence, and diversity can be divided into three categories: 1) the physical and chemical characteristics of the water and sediment (including contaminants) external to the fish; 2) the internal environment defined by the physical condition (physiological) of individual fish; and 3) the presence and relative abundance of benthic macroinvertebrates, many of which serve as intermediate hosts. The biotic response of parasites to environmental stressors is also reflected in the health of fish. Parasite assemblages of silver perch Bairdiella chrysura respond to both natural and anthropogenic stressors. Our results showed that particular environmental stressors and specific parasites that respond include: temperature and monogeneans; contaminants and nematodes; low dissolved oxygen and protists; and salinity, together with a mixture of metal and organic contaminants and crustacea. Parasites of fish are useful biomarkers and appear to be more sensitive to environmental stressors than are the fish themselves. Parasite responses to selected environmental stressors may be used to discriminate polluted and unpolluted sites. The use of parasites of fish as biomarkers has relevant application to fisheries management and coastal monitoring programs.     

Scavenging of atmospheric formaldehyde by wet precipitation

Despite the great importance that formaldehyde has in atmospheric photochemistry, few studies have been reported on rain water. In this paper, concentrations of HCHO in rain fractions within rain events are presented. Two sampling sites were chosen: one at Mexico City, a great polluted urban area, and the second at Rancho Viejo, a forested area under the meteorological influence of the city. The results show a general decrease during the early portion of the rain event. This seems to indicate that below-cloud scavenging is the most important mechanism while, from the small variations observed in the latter portion of the rainfall, it is possible to assume within-cloud scavenging as the predominant mechanism. Using the HCHO concentrations in rain water, the mixing ratios were estimated for the two sampling sites. The values were 0.68 ppb and 0.44 ppb at Mexico City and Rancho Viejo, respectively. Measurements at ground level in Mexico City gave a mean HCHO concentration in air of 24 ppb, much higher than the estimated mixing ratio. The high levels of HCHO found in ambient air and in rain water reflect anthropogenic emissions as the potential atmospheric sources.     

Critical pedagogy of place to enhance ecological engagement activities

Scientists in higher education institutions around the globe recognize the importance of engaging with public stakeholders to share their enthusiasm, explain their science, and encourage primary and secondary students to enter the sciences. However, without direct consideration of students’ and teachers’ perspectives and interests, scientists may design activities around their own goals, limiting the impact on school stakeholders (i.e., students, teachers, paraprofessional staff, students’ parents, and other caregivers). We drew from natural and social science research to describe how expanding the conception of place beyond the biophysical can help engage school stakeholders in meaningful ways. We describe the multidimensional PLACE framework that we developed to integrate perspectives, knowledge, and values of all stakeholders in engagement programming. The framework is organized around topics that stakeholders should discuss early on to ensure successful partnerships. We recommend that scientists identify and use pedagogy that is inclusive; language framed around dialogic communication methods; aims and motivations centered on engagement; cultural funds of knowledge of place (i.e., disciplinary, personal, or experiential knowledge); and evaluation of engagement based on meaningful metrics. Two case studies are presented to illustrate how the PLACE framework components, when addressed, can lead to robust, successful partnerships between scientists and schools.     

Ostracods as indicators of pollution in the lakes of Mysore

Ostracods are small crustaceans found in aquatic habitats and the present paper deals with the role of water quality index on their population diversity and seasonal fluctuations in the four lakes of Mysore city The present investigation was carried out from July 2004 to June 2005. The study revealed highest water quality index and population density of ostracods during summer and least during winter Dalvoi lake recorded higher waterquality index (125.04), population density (60 l(-1)) but lower species diversity (2 species) of ostracods, whereas Kamana lake recorded lowest water quality index (63.49), population density (40 l(-1)) and highest species diversity (6 species) of ostracods. Increase in the water quality index indicates increase in the pollution load. As water quality index (WQI) increases, population density of ostracods increases but species diversity decreases.     

The causes of food waste in the supplier-retailer interface: Evidences from the UK and Spain

Food and drink waste is a significant problem for economic, environmental and food security reasons. Government efforts have focused on diverting waste away from landfill through regulation, taxation and public awareness. However, efforts to understand why waste occurs have been limited, particularly in the interface between retailers and suppliers. This research aims to address this problem by identifying the main root causes of waste in the supplier-retailer interface.The research is exploratory in nature as there is a paucity of studies focusing on food waste across the supply chain. Data were collected through 43 interviews with managers in food manufacturing, wholesaling and retailing in two countries: the UK (24) and Spain (19). Data from the interviews and supplementary documentation were analyzed using causal maps. This approach helped to identify the main root causes of waste which were categorized into three groups: (1) mega-trends in the marketplace, (2) natural causes related to the products and processes, and (3) management root causes on which practitioners have a direct impact.The paper discusses the root causes of food waste and good practices identified from the interviews. Differences between the UK and Spain are discussed, presenting potential learning opportunities for practitioners in these countries and highlighting opportunities for further research.     

Influence of the mode of matrix porosity determination on matrix diffusion calculations

The theoretical basis for matrix diffusion in fractured rocks and the methodology for the determination of diffusion coefficients in the laboratory are well established. One significant problem, however, remains in that it is difficult to quantify the degree of sample disturbance affecting the geometrical, geophysical and hydraulic properties of the rock matrix. A new technique, with in situ rock impregnation with resin, for examining the diffusion-accessible rock matrix has been developed and successfully adopted to the rock matrix behind a water-conducting fracture in host crystalline rocks at Nagra's Grimsel Test Site in Switzerland and JNC's Kamaishi In Situ Test Site in Japan. In line with the results of a large number of natural analogue and laboratory studies, the existence of an in situ interconnected pore network was substantiated. Matrix porosities determined on the laboratory samples from both the sites are 1.5-3 times higher than in situ values, irrespective of the technique applied. On the Grimsel granodiorite matrix, matrix porosity existing in situ and artefacts of stress release and physical disturbance, induced by sampling and sample preparation, were clearly distinguished, allowing in situ porosity to be quantified. Laboratory work with conventional techniques tends to overestimate the porosity of the rock matrix, hence leading to an overestimation of in situ matrix diffusion. The implications of these differences to a repository performance assessment are assessed with a couple of examples from existing assessments, and recommendations for future approaches to the examination of in situ matrix porosity are made.