An ethical dimension to sustainable restoration and long-term management of contaminated areas

Experience after the Chernobyl accident has shown that restoration strategies need to consider a wide range of different issues to ensure the long-term sustainability of large and varied contaminated areas. Thus, the criteria by which we evaluate countermeasures need to be extended from simple cost-benefit effectiveness and radiological protection standards to a more integrated, holistic approach, including social and ethical aspects. Within the STRATEGY project, the applicability of many countermeasures is being critically assessed using a wide range of criteria. Attention is being given to issues such as practicability, feasibility, capacity and environmental side-effects, as well as social factors such as public perceptions of risk, communication of information and the need for dialogue and consultation with affected communities, and ethical aspects such as informed consent and the fair distribution of costs and doses. Although such socio-ethical factors are now the subject of a substantial field of research, there has been little attempt to integrate them in a practical context for decision makers. Within this paper, we specifically consider the ethical aspects of restoration strategies and suggest practical means by which these can be taken into account in the decision making process, introducing a value matrix. The paper covers two critical areas: evaluation of individual countermeasures, and use of the matrix to ensure transparent and systematic consideration of values in selection of a restoration strategy.     

Promoting community involvement at brownfields sites in socio-economically disadvantaged neighbourhoods

Brownfields programmes provide environmental justice to distressed communities by applying private sector remediation and real estate expertise to abandoned and contaminated properties. This study examines how brownfields developers and community support organisations operating in socio-economically disadvantaged neighbourhoods work to increase awareness of projects in the community, build trust between stakeholders and create mechanisms for community members to participate in brownfields decision making. Analysis of case study data from brownfields sites in four US cities shows that developers and non-governmental organisations can play important roles in fashioning redevelopment outcomes which benefit both developers and communities. When standard required outreach efforts are combined with non-traditional community involvement mechanisms, the result is often long-term support for redevelopment projects.     

District heating networks: an inter-comparison of environmental indicators

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The installation of district heating (DH) systems constitutes an advantage from the energetic, climate, and air quality aspects. However, the...     

A habitat‐based approach to predict impacts of marine protected areas on fishers

Although marine protected areas can simultaneously contribute to biodiversity conservation and fisheries management, the global network is biased toward particular ecosystem types because they have been established primarily in an ad hoc fashion. The optimization of trade‐offs between biodiversity benefits and socioeconomic values increases success of protected areas and minimizes enforcement costs in the long run, but it is often neglected in marine spatial planning (MSP). Although the acquisition of spatially explicit socioeconomic data is perceived as a costly or secondary step in MSP, it is critical to account for lost opportunities by people whose activities will be restricted, especially fishers. We developed an easily reproduced habitat‐based approach to estimate the spatial distribution of opportunity cost to fishers in data‐poor regions. We assumed the most accessible areas have higher economic and conservation values than less accessible areas and their designation as no‐take zones represents a loss of fishing opportunities. We estimated potential distribution of fishing resources from bathymetric ranges and benthic habitat distribution and the relative importance of the different resources for each port of total catches, revenues, and stakeholder perception. In our model, we combined different cost layers to produce a comprehensive cost layer so that we could evaluate of trade‐offs. Our approach directly supports conservation planning, can be applied generally, and is expected to facilitate stakeholder input and community acceptance of conservation.     

Ecotoxicological effects of an aged TiO2 nanocomposite measured as apoptosis in the anecic earthworm Lumbricus terrestris after exposure through water, food and soil

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles seem to have a low toxicity to terrestrial organisms, though few studies are published in this area. TiO(2) used in sunscreens are nanocomposites where TiO(2) has been coated with magnesium, silica or alumina, as well as amphiphilic organics like polydimethyl siloxane (PDMS), and these coatings are modified by ageing. We assessed the ecotoxicity and propensity for bioaccumulation of an aged TiO(2) nanocomposite used in sunscreen cosmetics, and its potential effect on the frequency of apoptosis in different earthworm tissues. The earthworm Lumbricus terrestris was exposed to the TiO(2) nanocomposite for 7 days in water or 2-8 weeks in soil with the nanocomposite mixed either into food or soil at concentrations ranging from 0 to 100 mg kg(-1). Apoptosis was then measured by immunohistochemistry and Ti localized by XRF microscopy. Results showed no mortality, but an enhanced apoptotic frequency which was higher in the cuticule, intestinal epithelium and chloragogenous tissue than in the longitudinal and circular musculature. TiO(2) nanoparticles did not seem to cross the intestinal epithelium/chloragogenous matrix barrier to enter the coelomic liquid, or the cuticule barrier to reach the muscular layers. No bioaccumulation of TiO(2) nanocomposites could thus be observed.     

Contributions of Private Landowners to the Conservation of the Gopher Tortoise (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Gopherus polyphemus</Emphasis>)

Private landowners play a pivotal role in determining whether or not rare species persist in regions where privately owned land is extensive. The range of the gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) is confined to the Southeastern U.S., a region predominantly under private ownership, and thus the status of this species is largely dependent upon land management decisions made by private landowners. We sent an anonymous mail survey to 2,584 individuals to examine factors affecting gopher tortoise occurrence on private lands in Mississippi (adjusted response rate of 23%). Few respondents (19%) reported currently having tortoises on their property, although many had them in the past (30%). Tortoises were persisting primarily on larger properties with longleaf pine that were not managed chiefly for timber production. In general, respondents were largely unaware of habitat requirements of tortoises or effects of various land management practices on them, and few reported using management techniques that benefit tortoises, such as prescribed burning. Most respondents (57%) knew of wildlife incentive programs, but were hesitant to enroll because they did not want to commit to managing their property in a particular manner (34%). We suggest actions that could improve the likelihood of tortoise persistence in this region, as well as changes that could be made to incentive programs to increase landowner participation. These suggestions should be relevant to the conservation of other rare species on private lands in other regions.     

Reproducibility of the Pulmonary Function Response of Older Men and Women to a 2-Hour Ozone Exposure.

To test the reproducibility of the pulmonary function response to ozone exposure in older individuals, eight men and eight women, average age 62.8 years, participated in three 2-hour exposures to 0.45 ppm ozone at 23.3 C and 62.5 percent relative humidity. The first and second exposures were separated by an average time of 17.2 days, and 27.3 days separated the second and third exposures. Subjects alternated riding a bicycle ergometer for 20 minutes at an average minute ventilation of 26 liters BTPS (body temperature pressure, saturated), with 20-minute rest periods. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV-1), and forced expiratory flow between 25 and 75% of FVC (FEF 25- 75%) were measured pre and post exposure. The reproducibility of individual pre-post changes were assessed by calculation of the best linear fit and correlation coefficients between exposures. For FVC and FEV-1, the slopes were significantly different from 1, and correlation coefficients not significantly different from zero, implying that older individuals may not respond consistently to similar ozone exposures.     

Evaluating Flow Diversion Impacts to Groundwater‐Dependent Riparian Vegetation with Flow Alteration and Groundwater Model Analysis

An approach for assessing the potential ecologic response of groundwater‐dependent riparian vegetation to flow alteration is developed, focusing on change to groundwater. Groundwater requirements for riparian vegetation are reviewed in conjunction with flow alteration statistics. Where flow alteration coincides with groundwater‐related vegetation sensitivities, scenarios are developed for groundwater simulation. Groundwater depths and recession rates in the riparian zone are simulated for baseline and altered stream hydrographs, with changes to river stage and width represented with a transient, flow‐dependent boundary condition. Potential flow diversion from the Upper Gila River in New Mexico is examined. Statistical flow alteration analysis, applying prospective diversions to a 76‐year record of daily flow, shows that flows in the winter‐spring months and within the high‐pulse to small flood range are subject to greatest potential change. Groundwater simulation scenarios are developed for these flow conditions in representative dry, near‐average, and wet years. Differences in groundwater elevations, generally less than 0.25 m during the flow alteration period, dissipate rapidly following cessation of diversion. Relating groundwater depth, recession rates and range of fluctuations to riparian vegetation needs, we find adverse ecological response is not expected from groundwater impacts for the flow alteration examined.     

Controlling Air Toxics Emissions From Remediation by Monitoring of Surrogate Parameters

Particulate matter (dust) from remediation and demolition sites may pose a potential risk to the nearby public due to the presence of various contaminants. Unfortunately, there are no good options for real‐time monitoring of metals, polychlorinated biphenyls, etc. in wind‐blown dust. A three‐tiered approach involving a combination of real‐time monitoring and off‐site analysis that has proved successful is described in this article. PM₁₀ is used as a surrogate parameter for metals and other nonvolatile pollutants, and real‐time monitoring is used to guide dust control measures. If dust emissions are controlled, air emissions of metals and other nonvolatile pollutants also are controlled. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Hexavalent chromium reduction kinetics in rodent stomach contents

Reduction of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) to trivalent chromium (Cr(III)) in the stomach prior to absorption is a well-recognized detoxification process thought to limit the toxicity of ingested Cr(VI). However, administration of high concentrations of Cr(VI) in drinking water cause mouse small intestinal tumors, and quantitative measures of Cr(VI) reduction rate and capacity for rodent stomach contents are needed for interspecies extrapolation using physiologically-based toxicokinetic (PBTK) models. Ex vivo studies using stomach contents of rats and mice were conducted to quantify Cr(VI) reduction rate and capacity for loading rates (1-400 mg Cr(VI) L⁻¹ stomach contents) in the range of recent bioassays. Cr(VI) reduction was measured with speciated isotope dilution mass spectrometry to quantify dynamic Cr(VI) and Cr(III) concentrations in stomach contents at select time points over 1 h. Cr(VI) reduction followed mixed second-order kinetics, dependent upon concentrations of both Cr(VI) and the native reducing agents. Approximately 16 mg Cr(VI)-equivalents of reducing capacity per L of fed stomach contents (containing gastric secretions, saliva, water and food) was found for both species. The second-order rate constants were 0.2 and 0.3 L mg⁻¹ h⁻¹ for mice and rats, respectively. These findings support that, at the doses that caused cancer in the mouse small intestine (?20 mg Cr(VI) L⁻¹ in drinking water), the reducing capacity of stomach contents was likely exceeded. Thus, for extrapolation of target tissue dose in risk assessment, PBTK models are necessary to account for competing kinetic rates including second order capacity-limited reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III).