Estimating the Cumulative Ecological Effect of Local Scale Landscape Changes in South Florida

Ecosystem restoration in south Florida is a state and national priority centered on the Everglades wetlands. However, urban development pressures affect the restoration potential and remaining habitat functions of the natural undeveloped areas. Land use (LU) planning often focuses at the local level, but a better understanding of the cumulative effects of small projects at the landscape level is needed to support ecosystem restoration and preservation. The South Florida Ecosystem Portfolio Model (SFL EPM) is a regional LU planning tool developed to help stakeholders visualize LU scenario evaluation and improve communication about regional effects of LU decisions. One component of the SFL EPM is ecological value (EV), which is evaluated through modeled ecological criteria related to ecosystem services using metrics for (1) biodiversity potential, (2) threatened and endangered species, (3) rare and unique habitats, (4) landscape pattern and fragmentation, (5) water quality buffer potential, and (6) ecological restoration potential. In this article, we demonstrate the calculation of EV using two case studies: (1) assessing altered EV in the Biscayne Gateway area by comparing 2004 LU to potential LU in 2025 and 2050, and (2) the cumulative impact of adding limestone mines south of Miami. Our analyses spatially convey changing regional EV resulting from conversion of local natural and agricultural areas to urban, industrial, or extractive use. Different simulated local LU scenarios may result in different alterations in calculated regional EV. These case studies demonstrate methods that may facilitate evaluation of potential future LU patterns and incorporate EV into decision making.     

Transformation and biodegradation of 1,2,3-trichloropropane (TCP)

PURPOSE: 1,2,3-Trichloropropane (TCP) is a persistent groundwater pollutant and a suspected human carcinogen. It is also is an industrial chemical waste that has been formed in large amounts during epichlorohydrin manufacture. In view of the spread of TCP via groundwater and its toxicity, there is a need for cheap and efficient technologies for the cleanup of TCP-contaminated sites. In situ or on-site bioremediation of TCP is an option if biodegradation can be achieved and stimulated. This paper presents an overview of methods for the remediation of TCP-contaminated water with an emphasis on the possibilities of biodegradation. CONCLUSIONS: Although TCP is a xenobiotic chlorinated compound of high chemical stability, a number of abiotic and biotic conversions have been demonstrated, including abiotic oxidative conversion in the presence of a strong oxidant and reductive conversion by zero-valent zinc. Biotransformations that have been observed include reductive dechlorination, monooxygenase-mediated cometabolism, and enzymatic hydrolysis. No natural organisms are known that can use TCP as a carbon source for growth under aerobic conditions, but anaerobically TCP may serve as electron acceptor. The application of biodegradation is hindered by low degradation rates and incomplete mineralization. Protein engineering and genetic modification can be used to obtain microorganisms with enhanced TCP degradation potential.     

Degradation of Phenolic Resin by Tremetes versicolor

A phenolic resin that is used as syntan in leather manufacturing was degraded using Tremetes versicolor. On degradation of this resin for eight days, the reduction in biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total organic carbon (TOC) were 65.11, 76.66 and 72.94% respectively. It was found from the infra red (IR) spectra of the samples that up to seven days the aromaticity was not perturbed however there were reductions in BOD and COD. Addition of co-substrate starch, brought about reduction in BOD, COD and TOC by 85.36, 91.93 and 89.98% respectively. After eight days, there observed a disturbance in the aromatic ring. The enzyme was extracted and assayed for polyphenol oxidase and laccase. Polyphenol oxidase activity and laccase activity of the crude enzyme were found to be 31.4 and 1.67 U/mL. On ammonium sulfate precipitation and dialysis, the polyphenol oxidase activity and laccase activity were enhanced by 1.5- and 3.2-folds respectively.     

Synthesis of Soy-Polyol by Two Step Continuous Route and Development of Soy-Based Polyurethane Foam

Soy-polyol has been synthesized via a low energy two-step continuous route thus avoiding intermediate steps and chemicals. The functional groups of soy-polyol thus produced were identified by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy which confirmed the cleavage of the double bonds, the formation of new epoxy linkages and the presence of hydroxyl groups. The change in chemical structure and physical properties of the soy polyol was further characterized and the results indicated a successful conversion with reduced unsaturation, increased hydroxyl number and increased viscosity. Polyurethane foam was prepared from soy-polyol using isocyanate and thermogravimetric analysis was used to study its thermal decomposition behaviour. Multiple transitions were identified in relation to depolymerization and bond dissociation. Density and compressive strength of the soy-foam were found to be satisfactory. An investigation of microstructure of soy foam by scanning electron microscope and X-ray computed tomography revealed the internal cell morphology and cell structure.     

Phytoremediation of arsenic in mining‐contaminated areas: The future of transgenic technology

A considerable number of contaminated mining sites in Europe and other parts of the world pose environmental hazards. Given the multifaceted benefits of phytoremediation, screening of plant communities grown in contaminated areas is being conducted to identify hyperaccumulating plant species. A few arsenic (As) hyperaccumulating plants are found in tropical countries; however, generally, they are not grown in contaminated mining sites of cold and temperate countries (Europe and other parts of the world). The transgenic plants identified to date are not believed to be suitable for commercial use of phytoremediation. A few tolerant plant species in mining sites that are found to have elevated As levels primarily concentrate As in their roots. The remediation potential of many of these tolerant plants is limited because of their slow growth and low biomass. Therefore, phytostabilization of contaminated mining sites using tolerant plant species with high biomass and a more extensive root system is the only solution to date in Europe and some other parts of the world. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Electrical resistance heating of volatile organic compounds in Sedimentary rock

Electrical resistance heating (ERH) has become a common method of remediation for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in unconsolidated soils, both above and below the water table. Recently, use of ERH has expanded to include treatment of contaminated sedimentary bedrock. This article describes the implementation issues for rock remediation and provides case studies of three sites remediated by ERH in Maryland, New Jersey, and Indiana. With proper design, remediation of bedrock can be as effectively completed as remediation of overburden materials. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Properties of alkali-activated systems with stone powder sludge

This article investigates the effects of stone powder sludge on the microstructure and strength development of alkali-activated fly ash and blast furnace slag mixes. Stone powder sludge produced from a crushed aggregate factory was used to replace fly ash and granulated blast furnace slag at replacement ratios of 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% by mass. The unit weight and compressive strength of the samples were measured, and scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses were performed. The test results indicated that the compressive strength of alkali-activated blast furnace slag mixes using stone powder sludge was higher than that of the alkali-activated blast furnace slag control mix, but the compressive strength of alkali-activated fly ash mixes decreased with increasing replacement ratio of stone powder sludge. Microscopy results indicated that for alkaliactivated blast furnace slag samples, broken surfaces were more evident than for the alkali-activated fly ash samples. For all XRD diagrams, broad and diffuse peaks were observed around 2θ = 35° (d = 2.96–3.03 Å), implying amorphous or short-ordering structure phases.