Pesticide uses and transfers in urbanised catchments

An investigation on herbicide uses in two semi-urban catchments was performed simultaneously with sampling campaigns at six stations inside both watersheds from April to July 1998. Urban uses of herbicides exceeded agricultural uses, and transfer coefficients were also higher in urban areas. Therefore, the most used product in urban areas (diuron) was by far the most contaminating product. Householders accounted for 30% of all uses. The highest measured diuron concentration in water surface was 8.7 microg l(-1) due to its use on impervious surfaces. Compared to EEC standards for drinking water production (0.1 microg l(-1)), it is clear that suburban uses of herbicides may severely endanger drinking water production from river water.     

Nutrient-Balance Modeling as a Tool for Environmental Management in Aquaculture: The Case of Trout Farming in France

The control and prevention of nutrient pollution from fish farming plays an essential role in the French regulatory framework. Assessing nutrient emissions from fish farms is important in terms of farm authorization, taxation, and monitoring. Currently employed strategies involve both water sampling and empirical modeling. This article reports the work and outcomes of an expert panel that evaluated existing methodologies and their possible alternatives. The development and evaluation of a nutrient-balance approach was assessed as a potential alternative to currently used methodologies. A previously described nutrient-balance model was suggested and parameterized using expert choice, and its validity and applicability were assessed. The results stress that the nutrient-balance model provides more robust and relatively conservative waste estimates compared to the currently used methodologies. Sensitivity of the approach to the uneven data quality available at farm level, difficulties of on-farm measurements, as well as model requirements and limitations are discussed.     

Structural and functional diversity of microbial communities from a lake sediment contaminated with trenbolone, an endocrine-disrupting chemical

Effects of trenbolone (TBOH), a hormone used in cattle production, on the structure and function of microbial communities in a fresh water sediment from a lake in Southern Germany were studied in a microcosm experiment. The microbial community structure and the total gene pool of the sediment, assessed by 16S rRNA/rDNA and RAPD fingerprint analysis, respectively, were not significantly affected by TBOH. In contrast, the N-acetyl-glucosaminidase activity was almost 50% lower in TBOH treated samples (P<0.05). Also, the substrate utilization potential, measured using the BIOLOG system, was reduced after TBOH treatment. Interestingly, this potential did not recover at the end of the experiment, i.e. 19 days after the addition of the chemical. Repeated application of TBOH did not lead to an additional reduction in the substrate utilization potential. Overall results indicate that microbial community function was more sensitive to TBOH treatment than the community structure and the total gene pool.     

In Vitro Biodegradation of Polyester-Based Plastic Materials by Selected Bacterial Cultures

A simple and rapid in vitro test was designed for the assessment of the biodegradation of polyester-based plastics by selected biodegrading bacterial strains. Variovorax paradoxus LMG 16137 was used for the degradation of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) and Acidovorax avenae subsp. avenae LMG 17238 fo the synthetic-based polyesters poly(-caprolactone) (PCL), poly(butylene succinate-co-butylene adipate), and a starch-PCL blend. Degradation by the bacteria was studied in liquid medium with the plastics (films, granules, and injection-molded test bars) as sole sources of carbon. Degradation was followed through gravimetry, growth of the culture, and tensile testing. The effects of incubation time, inoculum density, aeration, incubation temperature, and pH of the medium on the mass loss were investigated and conditions optimized. The test allowed to obtain reproducible results on the mass loss of plastic samples in less than 3 weeks and yielded excellent partially degraded samples for further analysis.     

Collision and violation involvement of drivers who use cellular telephones

The study sample consisted of 3,869 drivers, split approximately 50/50 between observed cell phone users and those observed not using cell phones (labeled "nonusers"). Cell phone use was determined by a snapshot observation made on city streets. The sample represented 54% of those originally observed, for whom a match was obtained for both vehicle license plate and for gender and estimated age group of the observed driver and that of the driver named in the vehicle policy. Data were obtained from records of insurance claims, police-reported collisions and violations, following a strict protocol to protect individual privacy. The dependent measures were at-fault crash claims and "inattention" violations. A logistic regression model controlled for age, gender, exposure (represented by not-at-fault crash claims), alcohol-related offenses, and aggressive driving offenses. The study also involved a comparison of the contributing factors and collision configurations of police-reported collisions involving the users and "nonusers" in the sample. Drivers observed using cell phones had a higher risk of an at-fault crash than did the "nonusers," although the difference was not significant for males. There was no apparent effect on "inattention" violations. The cell phone users also had a higher proportion of rear-end collisions. The violation pattern of cell phone users suggests that they are, in general, riskier drivers. These differences likely reflect lifestyle, attitude and personality factors. It is essential to control for these factors in assessing the direct risk attributable to cellular telephone use.     

Driving and alternatives: older drivers in Michigan

Method: A statewide telephone survey of Michigan drivers and former drivers aged 65 and older collected information on transportation mode choices, experience with alternatives to driving, and whether drivers planned for when they could no longer drive. Results: Results showed that most older adult households owned at least one automobile, and that the automobile was the primary mode of transportation. Most former drivers obtained rides from relatives and friends. Use of public transportation was low, and some seniors were not aware of available public transportation services. Older drivers did not plan for driving cessation. Over half the drivers who perceived a likelihood of driving problems within 5 years expected to keep driving beyond 5 years. Impact on industry: Because of their lifelong reliance on the automobile, their desire to drive themselves, and their lack of experience with public transportation, efforts to enhance the mobility of older people should consider this background while alternatives to the personal automobile are developed.     

利用寿命周期评估(LCA)进行的鲑科鱼饲料的环境影响评价

了解与水产饲料有关的环境负荷是评价和改进水产养殖环境性能的一项重要内容.本研究的目的是利用寿命周期评估(LCA)评价与法国用于硬头鳟生产的饲料有关的环境影响.所评价的各个阶段为:原材料的提取,所使用的原始配料的生产与改造,饲料的生产,饲料在养殖场的使用,各个阶段的运输以及能源的生产和使用.评价结果显示,渔业资源的利用(例如生物资源利用)以及养殖场中营养物的排放(例如富营养化潜能)对鲑科鱼饲料的潜在环境影响所起作用最大.改进饲料的组成以及管理做法看来是改善水产饲料环境概貌的最佳途径.     

Fetal hypothyroidism as a complication of amiodarone treatment for persistent fetal supraventricular tachycardia

We present a case of persistent fetal supraventricular tachycardia where transplacental and direct fetal treatment with amiodarone caused an iatrogenic hypothyroidism. This condition was successfully managed with the intra-amniotic instillation of 250 μg of L-thyroxine weekly, for 3 weeks. A male infant was delivered at 32 weeks by Caesarean section. The neonatal electrocardiogram showed Wolf-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome, which was controlled by digoxin alone. Thyroid function normalized quickly and the baby is developing normally.     

A FLOOD DAMAGE MODEL FOR FLOOD PLAIN STUDIES1

ABSTRACT: Hydrologic and economic information must be integrated in flood plain management. This study describes an integrated approach which includes consideration of the hydrologic, hydrodynamic, physical, and economic components of the total system. On the basis of these components, a theoretical model is proposed which provides a rational procedure for estimating flood damages from projections of economic development within an area. The utility of the model is demonstrated by applying it to a flood-prone region in Southern Quebec, Canada.