Dry and wet heat transfer through clothing dependent on the clothing properties under cold conditions.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of moisture on the heat transfer through clothing in relation to the water vapour resistance, type of underwear, location of the moisture and climate. This forms part of the work performed for work package 2 of the European Union THERMPROTECT project. Thermal manikin results of dry and wet heat loss are presented from different laboratories for a range of 2-layer clothing with similar dry insulations but different water vapour permeabilities and absorptive properties. The results obtained from the different manikins are generally consistent with each other. For each climate, total wet heat loss is predominately dependent on the permeability of the outer layer. At 10 degrees C, the apparent evaporative heat loss is markedly higher than expected from evaporation alone (measured at 34 degrees C), which is attributed to condensation within the clothing and to increased conductivity of the wet clothing layers.     

Satellite-based indices in the analysis of land cover for municipalities in the province of Siena, Italy

Territorial indicators based on the satellite measured reflected or emitted energy can provide valuable information on the spatial evolution of a territory. Information regarding land use, biomass coverage and radiant temperature were obtained from remotely obtained measurements for each municipality in the Province of Siena. Remotely sensed data were combined into different indices to compare characteristics of land cover between territories and create an information base for continued study. A classification was performed on a municipal level and land use classes were grouped together and a general index of use pressure was created. A vegetation index was used to compare biomass densities. A radiant temperature index was calculated using measure thermal infrared emissions. The results of these analyses allowed researchers to examine the intra and inter-municipal spatial heterogeneity within the Province. A comparison between the results of each index was made and the problems related to the use of such indices were examined.     

Contingent Valuation and Real Economic Commitments: Evidence from Electric Utility Green Pricing Programmes

This paper presents the findings of two 'green pricing' studies conducted to evaluate public support of utilities' investments in renewable energy technologies. These studies compared hypothetical WTP statements with actual payment commitments. The results of these studies indicate that the CVM can be an accurate indicator of an individual's WTP, but that it is an unreliable predictor of which individuals will actually pay. This has important implications for aggregating mean WTP estimates of the value of environmental benefits. It also suggests that market simulations can be useful for predicting programme participation rates when voluntary donations are used as a payment vehicle.     

Numerical simulation of scalar dispersion downstream of a square obstacle using gradient-transport type models

We present a numerical study of scalar transport released from a line source downstream of a square obstacle to investigate the capabilities and limitations of gradient-transport modeling in predicting atmospheric dispersion. The standard k–? and k–ω models and a Reynolds Stress Transport closure are employed and compared to predict the time-averaged turbulent flow field, while a standard gradient–diffusion model is initially adopted to relate the scalar flux to mean gradients of the concentration field. The analysis of two algebraic closures for turbulent scalar fluxes based on the generalized-gradient–diffusion hypothesis and its quadratic extension is also presented. In spite of the rather simple flow setup, where both the flow and the scalar fields can be assumed homogeneous in the spanwise direction, the analysis clarifies several critical issues concerning gradient-transport type models. We established the dominant role of predicted turbulent kinetic energy on scalar dispersion when a scalar diffusivity is employed, irrespectively of the Reynolds stress closure adopted for the averaged momentum equation. Moreover, the standard gradient–diffusion hypothesis failed to predict the streamwise component of the scalar flux, which is characterized by a counter-gradient-transport mechanism. Although the resulting contribution in the averaged scalar transport equation is small in the present flow configuration, this limitation can become severe for strongly inhomogeneous flows in the presence of point sources, where the spread of the scalar plume is essentially three-dimensional. The predictive capabilities of gradient-transport type modeling are found clearly improved using algebraic closures, which appear to represent a promising tool for predicting atmospheric dispersion in complex flows when unsteady transport mechanisms are not dominant.     

Drinking water quality: An in vitro approach for the assessment of cytotoxic and genotoxic load in water sampled along distribution system

An in vitro approach was performed to assess the quality of drinking water collected at two treatment/distribution networks located near the source (Plant #1) and the mouth of River Po (Plant #2). The water was sampled at different points of each distribution network, before (raw water) and after the chlorine dioxide disinfection, and in two points of the pipeline system to evaluate the influence of the distribution system on the amount and quality of the disinfection by-product. Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of water extracts were evaluated in human peripheral lymphocytes and Hep-G2 cells by the use of the micronucleus (MN) test and Comet assay. Raw water samples of both plants induced cytotoxic effects, but not the increases of MN frequency in Hep-G2 cells and in human lymphocytes. Increases of DNA damage in human leukocytes was detected by Comet assay for raw water of Plant #2 at concentration ≥ 0.25 Leq/mL. The disinfection process generally has reduced the toxicity of water samples, even if potential direct DNA-damaging compounds have been detectable in drinking water samples. The proposal approach, if currently used together with chemical analysis, can contribute to improve the monitoring drinking water.     

Biologic impact on the coastal belt of the province of Venice (Italy,Northern Adriatic Sea): preliminary analysis for the characterization of the bathing water profile

Background, aim and scope  

This paper presents a preliminary study of the water profile with reference to microbiological parameters, required by Directive 2006/07/EC (European Community 2006) concerning the management of bathing water quality, in the coastal belt of the Province of Venice (Italy, Northern Adriatic Sea). A historical database has been implemented with monitoring data for the period 2000–2006 (data on rivers, bathing and marine coastal waters and on the characterization of Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) discharges) from the institutional activity of Veneto Regional Environmental Prevention and Protection Agency (ARPAV). An integrated areal analysis for the microbiological investigation of homogeneous stretches along the coast of the Province of Venice was performed for a preliminary characterization of the bathing water profile considering water quality status and existing pressure sources.     

Assessment of compost quality for its environmentally safe use by means of an ecotoxicological test on a soil organism

A research project was carried out to evaluate toxicological effects of compost addition to agricultural soil using the earthworm Eisenia foetida (Annellida) as a representative organism of the soil fauna. Moreover, the correlation between compost biochemical stabilization and toxicity at different phases of the composting process was assessed. Samples were collected from three composting plants at three different maturation levels (beginning of the composting process, intermediate compost after bio-oxidation, and mature refined compost). Two tests were performed: a standard chronic solid-phase test and an acute solid-phase test (developed originally by the authors). In the first test, the measured end-points were mortality, growth and reproduction; while in the second test earthworms’ behavior was evaluated. The chosen compost concentrations in soil ranged from 2.5 to 100 %, with the aim of obtaining the toxicological parameters (LC50) and to mimic real agricultural dosages for the lower concentrations. Results indicated an increase in compost toxicity with greater compost concentrations; in particular, agricultural compost dosage below 10 % showed no toxicity. Moreover, toxicity did not decrease during composting; intermediate compost showed the highest LC50 values. As a consequence, no correlation was ascertained between the results of ecotoxicological analysis and waste biochemical stability parameters during the composting process.     

Cytogenetic analysis of Oedalechilus labeo (Pisces: Mugilidae), with a report of NOR variability

 A cytogenetic analysis by several staining techniques was carried out on Oedalechilus labeo specimens from the west coast of Italy, in order to extend the karyological knowledge on Mediterranean mullets. The karyotype of the species is composed of 46 acrocentric and 2 subtelocentric chromosomes. Constitutive heterochromatin was found to be restricted to the centromeres. Fluorochrome staining revealed a uniform base composition along the chromosome arms. Nucleolus organizer regions (NORs) are located on the short arms of chromosome pair 9 and can be either homomorphic or quite heteromorphic in size. In some specimens chromomycin A₃-staining and fluorescence in situ hybridization with 18S rDNA revealed a third additional and inactive NOR on the short arms of a medium-sized chromosome. This is the first report of NOR variability in Mugilidae, a family generally characterized by a quite conservative karyotype. Heterochromatin composition and NOR location differentiate O. labeo from a cytotaxonomical point of view from the Liza species studied, Liza being considered the genus from which the genus Oedalechilus derived. Received: 10 April 1999 / Accepted: 21 October 1999     

Real-life efficiency of urine source separation

Urine source separation (NoMix technology) is a promising innovation in wastewater management. To improve and further develop NoMix technology, it has been implemented in four Swiss households and at our research institute (Eawag). We conducted measurements during one year on frequency of toilet usage (in households 5.2/person/day for weekdays, and 6.3/person/day for weekends), flushing behavior (30–85% small flushes), and recovered urine. We calculate the amount of urine effectively recovered per voiding in NoMix toilets (138 ml/flush in households; 309 ml/flush in women's toilets at Eawag), and waterfree urinals (225 ml/usage). We estimate urine recovery in the households to be maximally 70–75% of the expected quantity, leaving room for technical and behavioral improvements. Based on sampling of N and P concentrations, we suspect nitrogen losses in the extended urine piping system. For households and workplaces, the daily and weekly flushing pattern is recorded. Our results are in accordance with literature data from a shorter period but with more people. These results represent a good dimensioning basis for future urine source separation applications. An example of extrapolation to an entire watershed is presented. The flushing pattern corresponds well with the typical nitrogen loading of a treatment plant.     

Noninvasive characterization of the Trecate (Italy) crude-oil contaminated site: links between contamination and geophysical signals

The characterization of contaminated sites can benefit from the supplementation of direct investigations with a set of less invasive and more extensive measurements. A combination of geophysical methods and direct push techniques for contaminated land characterization has been proposed within the EU FP7 project ModelPROBE and the affiliated project SoilCAM. In this paper, we present results of the investigations conducted at the Trecate field site (NW Italy), which was affected in 1994 by crude oil contamination. The less invasive investigations include ground-penetrating radar (GPR), electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), and electromagnetic induction (EMI) surveys, together with direct push sampling and soil electrical conductivity (EC) logs. Many of the geophysical measurements were conducted in time-lapse mode in order to separate static and dynamic signals, the latter being linked to strong seasonal changes in water table elevations. The main challenge was to extract significant geophysical signals linked to contamination from the mix of geological and hydrological signals present at the site. The most significant aspects of this characterization are: (a) the geometrical link between the distribution of contamination and the site’s heterogeneity, with particular regard to the presence of less permeable layers, as evidenced by the extensive surface geophysical measurements; and (b) the link between contamination and specific geophysical signals, particularly evident from cross-hole measurements. The extensive work conducted at the Trecate site shows how a combination of direct (e.g., chemical) and indirect (e.g., geophysical) investigations can lead to a comprehensive and solid understanding of a contaminated site’s mechanisms.