Effectiveness of self-identified and self-reported environmental regulations for industry: The case of stormwater runoff in the US

US environmental controls for industry include numerous regulations that rely on the regulated community to self-identify, monitor, report, or complete other requirements on their own recognizance. These include state- and federal-issued general permits for stormwater discharges associated with industrial activities, effective in 1992, with known incomplete compliance by 2004. Results demonstrate highly incomplete compliance with variation in effectiveness among studied states and urbanized regions. Texas and Oklahoma, administered by US EPA during the research period, have attained higher compliance rates than California, administered by a state agency, or Florida, also administered by US EPA. Specific program designs and implementation strategies employed by states are evaluated for impacts on states' compliance effectiveness.     

Physical modeling of the feedbacks between a patch of flexible Reed Canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea), wake hydraulics,and downstream deposition

Environmental Fluid Mechanics - Reed Canarygrass (RCG) is an aggressive invader in aquatic ecosystems that swiftly modifies the environment, resulting in biodiversity loss and reduced flood...     

Pyrolysis of tyres. Influence of the final temperature of the process on emissions and the calorific value of the products recovered

A study was made of the pyrolysis of tyre particles, with the aim of determining the possibilities of using the products resulting from the process as fuel. Three final temperatures were used, determined from thermogravimetric data. The design of the experiment was a horizontal oven containing a reactor into which particles of the original tyre were placed. After the process, a solid fraction (char) remained in the reactor, while the gases generated went through a set of scrubbers where most of the condensable fraction (oils) was retained. Finally, once free of this fraction, the gases were collected in glass ampoules. Solid and liquids fractions were subjected to thermogravimetric analyses in order to study their combustibility. The gas fraction was analysed by means of gas chromatography to establish the content of CO, CO2, H2 and hydrocarbons present in the samples (mainly components of gases produced in the pyrolysis process). A special study was made of the sulphur and chlorine content of all the fractions, as the presence of these elements could be problematic if the products are used as fuel. Tyre pyrolysis engenders a solid carbon residue that concentrates sulphur and chorine, with a relatively high calorific value, although not so high as that of the original tyre. The liquid fraction produced by the process has a high calorific value, which rises with the final temperature, up to 40 MJ/kg. The chlorine content of this fraction is negligible. Over 95% of the gas fraction, regardless of the final temperature, is composed of hydrocarbons of a low molecular weight and hydrogen, this fraction also appearing to be free of chlorine.     

Carbon dioxide emissions from spring ploughing of grassland in Ireland

Grassland re-seeding or land-use change requires ploughing, which may enhance carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from soil. This study observed the short to intermediate-term (37 days) effects of ploughing on CO₂ emissions from poorly drained grassland using automated soil respiration chambers. Immediately after ploughing, a brief peak in CO₂ emissions from soil occurred with a maximum observed flux of 6.91 g CO₂ m⁻² h⁻¹. Contradictory to other reported results, ecosystem respiration after ploughing was lower on the ploughed than on the grass site. After including estimates of photosynthesis in the analysis, ploughing led to significantly higher net CO₂ emissions than from grassland. The main mechanism of C loss during ploughing was most likely due to a reduction in gross primary production rather than enhanced soil respiration.     

Increasing food production and mitigating agricultural greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union: impacts of carbon pricing and calorie production targeting

Environmental Economics and Policy Studies - This study focuses on the links between food production and greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union. The analysis relies on two sets of...     

Achieving sustainable homes by 2016 in the UK: the current status

The code for sustainable homes (CSH), which came into existence in 2006, has not yet been investigated to determine whether its rate of adoption is on course to meet the UK government’s 2016 target for full implementation. Therefore, the aim of this investigation is to ascertain the level to which CSH has been implemented and the barriers preventing this. A questionnaire survey was sent to 71 of the Home Builders Federation (HBF) member organisations in the UK, to gauge and ascertain the following: the barriers to the implementation of CSH; the implications of implementation; and the general awareness of CSH amongst practitioners. The results from the analysis of the survey reveal that full implementation by 2016 appears a rather difficult target, as factors like economic downturn are hitting HBF and similar organisations quite hard. However, a government-driven injection of sustainable schemes is helping to bring back confidence to house builders, while also enhancing the way that barriers are handled within the industry. The key findings of the literature review identify barriers preventing the housing sector from achieving zero carbon homes by 2016. These include cost, and legislative, cultural and technical barriers, and are concordant with the results from the data obtained during the primary research. The analysis suggests that with the current trend, achieving full implementation will be difficult. However, comments made by some practitioners appear to suggest that the appointment of a CSH champion for implementation would accelerate the process of full implementation and that the target could be reached by 2016.     

Sex selection and non-invasive prenatal testing: A review of current practices,evidence, and ethical issues

Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) can determine the sex of the fetus very accurately and very early in gestation. There are concerns that the ease, timing, and accuracy of NIPT sex determination will facilitate sex-selective termination of pregnancy (TOP). Here, we review current practices, the evidence for a link between NIPT and sex-selective TOP, and associated ethical issues. Sex-selective TOP, usually motivated by son preference, has had serious demographic consequences in countries such as India and China. Currently, ultrasound is the primary method by which parents determine the sex of the fetus. The diffusion of ultrasound technology has had a direct impact on the rates of sex-selective TOP. Although NIPT is currently more costly, it is feasible that increased uptake of this technology could have a similar effect. Partly because NIPT is a relatively recent development in prenatal screening, there is little data on the impact of NIPT on sex selection practices. Evidence that NIPT is playing a role in sex-selective TOP remains largely anecdotal. Further research is required to assess and quantify TOP resulting from NIPT sex determination. The use of these technologies for sex selection raises a number of ethical issues, in addition to practical demographic consequences.