The urban pigeon (Columba livia,Forma urbana) — A biomonitor for the lead burden of the environment

The concentrations of lead in the femura (Pb-F) and the 5-aminolaevulinic-acid-dehydratase in blood (ALA-D) have been determined in three pigeon populations (50 birds each), caught at urban sites with different traffic densities. The following mean concentrations were found (Pb-F [mg/kg wet wt.]/ALA-D [U/I]): 10.7/18.8 in the low burdened group, 27.9/10.8 in the moderate burdened group, and 49.5/5.6 in the high burdened group. These values were compared with a controlled group of 50 farm pigeons from two remote pigeonries, sited well away from motorways (Pb-F: 1.0/ALA-D: 35.6). The result was a strong positive correlation of the Pb-F and an inverse correlation of the ALA-D to the number of cars per day at the different sites. These local effects contributed much more to the differences of the Pb-F and ALA-D (in comparison with the rural pigeons) than the over-all elevated lead background level in the city. It has been concluded that the pigeon is an almost ideal animal for monitoring a narrow range of environmental lead burden. The main reason for this is that this species is exceptionally stationary; the usual ranges of the feeding, nesting, and sleeping sites of the pigeon are not greater than several hundred meters.     

Modelling of Air Quality with CAMx: A Case Study in Switzerland

The three-dimensional Eulerian model CAMx (Comprehensive Air QualityModel with Extensions) was applied for the first time to simulate bothgaseous and particulate photochemical air pollution in Switzerland during July 28–30, 1993. The meteorological input data were prepared using the Systems Applications International Mesoscale Model (SAIMM). The CAMx model results were compared with the measurements carried out at ground level andfrom airborne measuring platforms within the frame of the Swiss POLLUMET research programme. In general, the CAMx performance for gaseous species wasfound to be better than that of the previously used Urban Airshed Model (UAM)and the Variable Grid Urban Airshed Model (UAM-V). The most significant improvement for the gaseous species is in the prediction of HNO₃ concentrations, due to the inclusion of aerosol chemistry. Aerosol species such as NO₃ ^-, NH₄ ⁺, SO₄ ^2-, and secondary organic aerosols were calculated in one particle size range (0.04–2.5 m) and compared with a few measurements available. Although July 29 was reasonably well simulated, overestimated wind speeds by SAIMM for July 30 caused a too fast transport of pollutants. Similarly to measurements, significant spatial correlation of the secondarily formed aerosols with ozone and formaldehyde is found in the afternoon.     

Meconium peritonitis: Extrusion of meconium and different sonographical appearances in relation to the stage of the disease

By chance, we had the opportunity to make serial sonographic observations of the extrusion of meconium in a case of meconium peritonitis. Inflammation leads to exudative processes and production of fluid (ascites) in the fetal abdomen. Sonography at that stage of the disease may lead to a misdiagnosis such as ‘fetal ascites’ or ‘non-immune hydrops’. After bowel perforation and extrusion of meconium, the latter appears as a solitary mass inside fetal ascites or as disseminated echogenic masses distributed subdiaphragmatically or perihepatically. Within a couple of days, in most cases the echogenicity of the masses increases. Calcifications lead to distinct shadowing. These calcifications are often the only visible signs of a previous meconium peritonitis. Serial sonograms are essential for the management of pregnancies with meconium peritonitis. If the amount of fetal ascites does not increase and no signs of cardiovascular stagnation appear, no invasive intrauterine diagnostic and therapeutic steps are required. In none out of the nine cases was a cause found.     

The theory of inventive problem solving (TRIZ) as option generation tool within cleaner production projects

Cleaner Production is an organized approach to minimize industrial waste and emissions by increasing the efficiency of the use of materials and energy. It is propagated especially by UNIDO and UNEP as an approach to identify preventive measures to cut on waste and emissions from industrial activities. Case studies conducted by the authors in the last 10 years demonstrate, that in a number of cases water consumption per production unit of industries from the surface treatment sector, from food processing and from the textile industry could be reduced by 30–90%, auxiliary materials consumption could be reduced by 30–50%, and energy consumption of processes could be reduced by 15–25%. All these measures were actually economically beneficial for the companies, most of these measures paid back in less than one year [1].The standard approach to apply Cleaner Production originates from chemical engineering. It follows the steps of: Drawing a process flow sheet – collecting input/output data – doing mass and energy balances – identify sources for waste and emissions – set priorities – identify options. In the process of option generation one generally relies on expert knowledge or on checklists which are available in different manuals or in the best available technology reference (BREF) notes.¹ This approach is strong with teams with an (chemical) engineering background.The authors wanted to develop a generic approach for option identification especially for teams with little formal engineering background or teams which have to go beyond their professional experience by using elements of the so-called TRIZ method (Theory of inventive problem solving, or originally Russian: “

” (Teoria reschenija isobretatjelskich sadatsch)). TRIZ offers very strong tools for developing process improvement options on a generic level without specific technological knowledge about the process which shall be improved. The authors have found from their research that especially the concept of the Ideal Final Result, and the Laws of Evolution form a conceptual framework which can aid effectively in the identification of improvement options in a systematic way.     

Evaluation of properties and composition of the mixed municipal waste fine fraction,the case study of Czech Republic

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - Estimation of mixed municipal waste composition is important for the option of suitable waste treatment. Many studies have presented their...