Application of High-Volume Fly Ash Concrete to Marine Structures

A new material with high content of fly ash named 'Ashcrete' has been developed. to examine the applicability of Ashcrete to marine structures, strength characteristics, resistance to sea water attack, and safety in the marine environment have been studied. the following results have been obtained:

1) the strength characteristics of high-volume fly ash concrete depend upon the type and proportions of chemical activators as well as curing conditions.

2) Ashcrete using sodium chloride (NaCI) as a chemical activator shows high initial strength and good strength development with age.

3) Ashcrete containing NaCI activator shows good resistance to sea water from the viewpoint of its strength characteristics, volume changes and microstructurcs.

4) Since 1980 many types of large-scale artificial reefs made of Ashcrete have been installed in the sea. As a result of long-term studies and underwater observations, the Japanese Government has demonstrated the durability of the material, safety in the marine environment and attractiveness to fish.

5) It is therefore proposed that Ashcrete might be used in constructing large-scale sea mounts in deep water for the purpose of generating upwelling.     

The relative contribution of dinoflagellate photosynthesis and stored lipids to the survivorship of symbiotic larvae of the reef-building corals

The long-distance dispersal of larvae provides important linkages between populations of reef-building corals and is a critical part of coral biology. Some coral planulae have symbiotic dinoflagellates (Symbiodinium spp.) that probably provide energy in addition to the lipids provisioned within the egg. However, our understanding of the influence of symbionts on the energy metabolism and survivorship of planulae remains limited. This study examines the relative roles of symbiotic dinoflagellate photosynthesis and stored lipid content in the survivorship of the developing stages of the corals Pocillopora damicornis and Montipora digitata. We found that survivorship decreased under dark conditions (i.e. no photosynthetic activity) for P. damicornis and M. digitata at 31 and 22 days after release/spawning, respectively. The lipid content of P. damicornis and M. digitata planulae showed a significant decrease, at a higher rate, under dark conditions, when compared with light conditions. When converted to energy equivalents, the available energy provided by the depletion of lipids could account for 41.9 and 84.7% of larval metabolism for P. damicornis (by day 31) and 38.4 and 90.1% for M. digitata (by day 21) under light and dark conditions, respectively. This finding indicates that not all energy requirements of the larvae are met by lipids: energy is also sourced from the photosynthetic activities of the symbiotic dinoflagellates within these larvae, especially under light conditions. In addition, the amounts of three main lipid classes (wax esters, triglycerides, and phospholipids) decreased throughout the experiment in the planulae of both species, with the wax ester content decreasing more rapidly under dark conditions than under light conditions. The observations that the planulae of both species derive considerable amounts of energy from wax esters, and that symbiotic dinoflagellates enable larvae to use their stores at lower rates, suggested that symbiotic dinoflagellates have the potential to extend larval life under light conditions.     

Risk evaluation with waste scenario: lead emissions in solder waste treatment

In this work, an estimate of the elevation of airborne lead concentrations via the lead solder contained in domestic electricity installations and an investigation into the effects of human exposure were conducted using a simulation method. The elevation of airborne lead concentrations due to incineration was calculated to be 0.001 µg/m³ maximum. The simulation results of the calculations indicated that blood lead concentrations could reach as high as 10⁻⁵ µg/dl. These concentrations could primarily be attributed to the inhalation of airborne lead particles. In addition, we discuss the influences of lead solder disposal on the ecosystem via soil and water.     

Selection of product categories for a national eco-labelling scheme in developing countries: a case study of Vietnamese manufacturing sub-sectors

Although the selection of product categories is a deciding factor for the success of eco-labelling schemes, there are no consistent methods for determining selection factors and how to prioritise product categories for developing countries (DgCs). This paper attempts to identify appropriate factors for product category selection and formulate a prioritisation method applicable to DgCs. We first examined the selection factors currently utilised in schemes worldwide by conducting a questionnaire survey of representatives of foreign schemes. Selection factors were illustrated on a plot graph, which indicated the percentage of factors implemented in the schemes of DgCs and developed countries (DGs), and their plausibility assessed when utilised in the schemes of DgCs. In this way, we proposed three groups of factors: an exclusion factor, five core factors and seven operational factors. Then, under the conditions of DgCs, such as socioeconomic issues and availability of data, we used and modified some judging guidelines of the European Ecolabel (the EU Flower), e.g. determining the environmental impacts and potential of environmental improvements, in the scoring method to prioritise product categories by weighting factors. In light of our findings, we utilised the proposed factors and modified the scoring method to prioritise the screened primary list of product categories of Vietnamese manufacturing sub-sectors. By scoring factor-based questions and prioritising in three ways, i.e. following the scoring method of the EU Flower programme, totalling all values with equal weighting, and totalling all values but by doubling the weighting of core factors compared with operational factors, we observed that the weighted prioritisation differentiates priority product categories more clearly than the other methods. We propose the two highest potential candidates for eco-labelling in Vietnam, namely textile/garment and fishery products.     

Development of highly active coated monolith SCR catalyst with strong abrasion resistance for low-temperature application

Monolith SCR catalysts coated with V₂O₅-WO₃/TiO₂ were prepared by varying binder and coating thickness. Comparing with a monolith extruded with 100% V₂O₅-WO₃/TiO₂ powder, a coated monolith with a catalyst-coating layer of 260 μm in thickness exhibited the similar initial NO_x reduction activity at 250°C. After 4 h abrasion (attrition) in an air stream containing 300 g·m⁻³ fine sands (50–100 μm) at a superficial gas velocity of 10 m·s⁻¹, the catalyst still has the activity as a 100% molded monolith does in a 24-h activity test and it retains about 92% of its initial activity at 250°C. Estimation of the equivalent durable hours at a fly ash concentration of 1.0 g·m⁻³ in flue gas and a gas velocity of 5 m·s⁻¹ demonstrated that this coated monolith catalyst is capable of resisting abrasion for 13 months without losing more than 8% of its initial activity. The result suggests the great potential of the coated monolith for application to de-NO_x of flue gases with low fly ash concentrations from, such as glass and ceramics manufacturing processes.     

The socially optimal recycling rate: Evidence from Japan

This paper estimates the average social cost of municipal waste management as a function of the recycling rate. Social costs include all municipal costs and revenues, costs to recycling households to prepare materials estimated with an original method, external disposal costs, and external recycling benefits. Results suggest average social costs are minimized with recycling rates well below observed and mandated levels in Japan. Cost-minimizing municipalities are estimated to recycle less than the optimal rate. These results are robust to changes in the components of social costs, indicating that Japan and perhaps other developed countries may be setting inefficiently high recycling goals.     

Oceanic squid do fly

Using powerful jet propulsion, some squid species are able to exit the water and become airborne; this is a common behavior seen throughout the world’s oceans. However, direct scientific observation is rare, with most studies relying on anecdotal evidence and limited photographic documentation. Here, we examine the flying behavior of young oceanic squid (Ommastrephidae) observed in sequential photographs taken in the Northwest Pacific (35^o34.0′N, 146^o19.3′E) on July 25, 2011. We define four phases in the flight process: launching, jetting, gliding and diving. During flight, squid actively change their aerial posture and attitude depending on the flight phase and their distance from the water. The present study demonstrated that flight of squid is not simple gliding after incidental exit from the water, but involves jet propulsion, generation of lift force and control of different body postures in different flight phases, which have evolved to enhance escape from predators.     

Genetic influence on caste determination underlying the asexual queen succession system in a termite

The question of how reproductives and sterile workers differentiate within eusocial groups has long been a core issue in the study of social insects. Recent studies have shown that not only environmental factors but also genetic factors affect caste differentiation. In the termite Reticulitermes speratus, queens produce their replacements (neotenics) asexually but use normal sexual reproduction to produce other colony members. Here, we demonstrate a genetic influence on caste determination underlying the asexual queen succession system in this termite species. Thelytoky in termites is accomplished by automixis with terminal fusion, yielding almost completely homozygous offspring; thus, parthenogenetically and sexually produced offspring profoundly differ in heterozygosity. An analysis of the relationship between the reproductive dominance of female neotenics obtained from experimentally orphaned colonies and their genotypes at five microsatellite loci showed that homozygosity at two loci influenced the developmental priority and/or reproductive quality of neotenics. These results suggest the existence of a multi-locus system affecting the queen fecundity and explain why parthenogens have genetic priority to become neotenics in this termite species.     

Diurnal Profile of Particle-bound Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (pPAH) Concentration in Urban Environment in Tokyo Metropolitan Area

Traffic emits particles under 1 m. The particles arethe most responsible to particle-bound polycyclic aromatichydrocarbon (pPAH) which can impact human health. To assessthem as health hazards, we monitored diurnal changes in theconcentration and distribution of pPAH near roads in Tokyo.The total pPAH concentration was determined using aphotoelectric aerosol sensor (PAS) which ionized PAH-adsorbingparticles. The total pPAH concentration was compared withchemical analyses by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry(GC/MS). Two sampling sessions, one in August and one inSeptember 2000, were done at three sampling sites at the Hongo Campus of the University of Tokyo. Monitoring was every two minutes for six consecutive days for the first session and for seven consecutive days for the second session.Correlation of the pPAH concentration with traffic flow andwith meteorological conditions were also assessed. The pPAHconcentration varied in the same manner on all days: it sharplyincreased in the early morning by a sudden burden of traffic, and it rapidly decreased during the daytime, probably owing tophotodegradation and/or dilution by rising in the mixingzone. The local wind field, and consequently thetransportation of pPAH from the road, were stronglyinfluenced by the configuration and location of thesurrounding buildings. The pPAH clearly changed in 1- and0.5 day cycles, particularly at the roadside.     

Combustible and incombustible speciation of Cl and S in various components of municipal solid waste

Chlorine (Cl) and sulfur (S) in municipal solid waste (MSW) are important reactive elements during combustion. They generate the acidic pollutants HCl and SOx, and, furthermore, produce and suppress organic chlorinated compounds. Nevertheless, few practical reports about Cl and S content in MSW have been published. In combustion and recycling processes, both combustible Cl and S, and incombustible Cl and S species are equally important. This paper presents the results of a comprehensive study about combustible and incombustible Cl and S in MSW components, including kitchen garbage, paper, textiles, wood and leaves, plastics and small chips. By integrating this collected data with data about MSW composition, not only the overall content of Cl and S in MSW, but also the origins of both combustible and incombustible Cl and S were estimated. The average Cl content in bulk MSW was 3.7 g/kg of raw MSW, of which 2.7 and 1.0 g/kg were combustible and incombustible, respectively. The Cl contribution from plastics was 76% and 27% with respect to combustible and incombustible states. The average S content in bulk MSW was 0.81 g/kg of raw MSW, of which 0.46 g/kg was combustible and 0.35 g/kg was incombustible. Combustible S was mainly due to synthetic textiles, while incombustible S was primarily from paper.