Stabilization of APC Residues from Waste Incineration with Ferrous Sulfate on a Semi-Industrial Scale

Abstract

A stabilization method for air pollution control (APC) residues from municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) involving mixing of the residue with water and FeSO₄ has been demonstrated on a semi-industrial scale on three types of APC residues: a semidry (SD) APC residue, a fly ash (FA), and an FA mixed with sludge (FAS) from a wet flue gas cleaning system. The process was performed in batches of 165-175 kg residue. It generates a wastewater that is highly saline but has a low content of heavy metals such as Cd, Cr, and Pb. The stabilized and raw residues have been subject to a range of leaching tests: the batch leaching test, the pH-static leaching test, the availability test, and the column test. These tests showed that the stabilized residues have remarkably improved leaching properties, especially with respect to Pb but also with respect to Cd, Cu, and Zn. The release of Pb was reduced by a factor of 250-36,000.     

Population genetic analysis of Ensis directus unveils high genetic variation in the introduced range and reveals a new species from the NW Atlantic

We report current genetic variation of populations of the razor shell Ensis directus (Conrad 1843) (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Pharidae) in native (North American) and introduced (European) ranges using nuclear and mitochondrial sequence-based markers. We expected less variation within the introduced range, especially considering the frequent mass mortality events observed in Europe since the species was recorded for the first time in 1978. However, we found higher variation in Europe. The possible significance of temporal fluctuations of genetic variation, limited effect of random genetic drift, and multiple introductions are discussed. Interestingly, the multiple-introduction hypothesis contrasts with the gradual colonisation of European coastal waters but is supported by trained clustering analysis and by the intensity of transatlantic shipping. Genetic and morphometric evidence strongly supports that examined individuals from a supposed E. directus population from Newfoundland (Canada) belong to a separate species. This new Ensis is formally described here and named E. terranovensis n.sp.     

Mutual information in the Tangled Nature model

We consider the concept of mutual information in ecological networks, and use this idea to analyse the Tangled Nature model of co-evolution. We show that this measure of correlation has two distinct behaviours depending on how we define the network in question: if we consider only the network of viable species this measure increases, whereas for the whole system it decreases. It is suggested that these are complimentary behaviours that show how ecosystems can become both more stable and better adapted.     

Distribution of some organochlorine compounds in pine needles from Central and Northern Europe

Levels of selected organochlorine compounds in pine needles were measured in two sampling series. The first series collected in 1989 covered Southern Germany to Northern Scandinavia, and the second collected in 1990 covered Czechoslovakia to Estonia. The levels of alpha-hexachlorocyclohexane (alpha-HCH) and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) were relatively uniform throughout Europe, while the levels of gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane (gamma-HCH) and the DDT group show higher levels in the southern parts of the investigated area. The deposition patterns of all compounds except alpha-HCH indicate a dependence on fresh release from diffuse or point sources rather than global fractionation. The analytes accumulate in the needles until senescence starts and, generally, the oldest needles have the highest concentrations. The accumulation rate of the analytes in mountain pine needles is about half that of Scots pine needles indicating the importance of species differences.     

Occurrence of orthophosphate monoesters in lake sediments: significance of myo- and scyllo-inositol hexakisphosphate

Orthophosphate monoesters often constitute a significant fraction of total phosphorus in lake sediments. The knowledge on the specific composition and recalcitrance of these compounds is however limited. The main aim was therefore to identify and quantify specific orthophosphate monoesters in sediment from 15 Danish lakes by solution (31)P NMR spectroscopy. The four most quantitatively important orthophosphate monoesters were myo-inositol hexakisphosphate (myo-IP(6)), scyllo-inositol hexakisphosphate (scyllo-IP(6)) α-glycerophosphate (α-GP) and β-glycerophosphate (β-GP). The compounds were identified in 9, 4, 8 and in all 15 lakes, respectively. In total these four components made up 46-100% of the orthophosphate monoester pool. The glycerophosphates (GPs) are most likely degradation products of phospholipids, created as an artifact by the alkaline extraction procedure used for (31)P NMR spectroscopy, while the inositol hexakisphosphates (IPs) are naturally occurring compounds. There was a significant positive correlation between myo-IP(6) and total aluminium in the sediment and a negative correlation between myo-IP(6) and lake water pH, suggesting that myo-IP(6) is stabilized in the sediment by adsorption at slightly acidic or neutral conditions. In three lakes, the depth distribution of the orthophosphate monoesters was investigated. The content of scyllo-IP(6) and myo-IP(6) was constant with sediment depth in two of the lakes while the content of myo-IP(6) decreased with depth in one of the lakes. In all cases the IPs seem to be preserved with sediment depth to a higher extent than the orthophosphate diesters and especially the GPs suggesting that IPs can be a sink for phosphorus in the lake ecosystem or at least delay P-recycling for years.     

Evaluating the contribution of zoos and aquariums to Aichi Biodiversity Target 1

The United Nations Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020 is a key initiative within global efforts to halt and eventually reverse the loss of biodiversity. The very first target of this plan states that “by 2020, at the latest, people are aware of the values of biodiversity and the steps they can take to conserve and use it sustainably.” Zoos and aquariums worldwide, attracting more than 700 million visits every year, could potentially make a positive contribution to this target. However, a global evaluation of the educational impacts of visits to zoos and aquariums is entirely lacking in the existing literature. To address this gap, we conducted a large‐scale impact evaluation study. We used a pre‐ and postvisit repeated‐measures survey design to evaluate biodiversity literacy—understanding of biodiversity and knowledge of actions to help protect it—of zoo and aquarium visitors worldwide. Ours was the largest and most international study of zoo and aquarium visitors ever conducted. In total, 5661 visitors to 26 zoos and aquariums from 19 countries around the globe participated in the study. Aggregate biodiversity understanding and knowledge of actions to help protect biodiversity both significantly increased over the course of zoo and aquarium visits. There was an increase from previsit (69.8%) to postvisit (75.1%) in respondents demonstrating at least some positive evidence of biodiversity understanding. Similarly, there was an increase from previsit (50.5%) to postvisit (58.8%) in respondents who could identify actions to help protect biodiversity that could be achieved at an individual level. Our results are the most compelling evidence to date that zoo and aquarium visits contribute to increasing the number of people who understand biodiversity and know actions they can take to help protect biodiversity. Evaluación de la Contribución de los Acuarios y Zoológicos al Objetivo 1 de Biodiversidad de Aichi     

Oxygen/sulfide regime and nematode fauna associated with Arenicola marina burrows: new insights in the thiobios case

Profiles of oxygen and sulfide around the burrows of the lugworm, Arenicola marina, from a North Sea tidal flat were examined with microelectrodes, and the steep gradients were related to the microdistribution of nematodes. Around the tail shaft free oxygen penetrated only 2 mm into the burrow wall, coinciding with a bright zone sharply limited by the ambient black sediment. Contrastingly, in normal bottoms of the tidal flat (controls) only the surface of the bright zone was supplied with free oxygen. Here, the dark colouration coincided with the presence of free hydrogen sulfide. Around the tail shaft the nearest free hydrogen sulfide was detected 6 mm from the burrow wall leaving several millimetres of black sediment without measurable free sulfide. We discuss how these divergencies may relate to the stability of the oxygen/sulfide gradients and the course of time involved in their formation. A total of 54 nematode species were identified. Based on non-metric Multidimensional Scaling Ordination, four nematode assemblages corresponded to four microhabitats of the A. marina burrow: the funnel, the feeding pocket, the tail shaft and the feacal cast. The tail shaft assemblage (oxic plus partly anoxic zones) was similar to that of the anoxic zone of the control sediment. It was dominated by the most abundant nematode in the present study, Metalinhomoeus biformis (mean abundance in tail shaft 202 indx10 cm^-3). Adults of common nematode species from sulfidic microhabitats had a significantly higher length/diameter ratio than those inhabiting the oxic zone of the control sediment (p<0.001). The chemical recordings and metric analysis indicate that these slender nematodes around the A. marina tail shaft and in the reduced horizons of the reference sites represent thiobiotic assemblages, as compared to the shorter and stouter oxybiotic species characterising the assemblages from the surface zone and (partly) the funnel.     

Limited use of chromosomal markers in prenatal diagnosis

By aid of fluorescent centromere markers in chromosome No. 3 it could be shown that crossing over in a translocation quadrivalent had occurred on two occasions in a father who is carrier of a 3/5 translocation. This case demonstrates that marker chromosomes cannot always be used to trace the parental origin of structurally abnormal chromosomes.     

Transabdominal chorionic villi sampling for first trimester fetal diagnosis. First 26 pregnancies followed to term

A consecutive series of 26 women followed to term after first trimester transabdominal chorionic villi sampling is presented. The clinical application of transabdominal chorionic villi sampling (TA-CVS) seems to have certain advantages, especially from the patients' point of view, but also in regard to successful sampling and to the complication ratio. The results in this clinical trial revealed no cases of abortions, no signs of placental damage and no cases of vaginal bleeding or infections.     

Effects of the antibiotics oxytetracycline and tylosin on soil fauna

Antibiotics may enter the terrestrial environment when amending soils with manure. A Note of Guidance on ecological risk assessment of veterinary medicines was issued in January 1998. Hardly any information about ecotoxicological effects of already existing substances are available. This study has tested the effects of two widely used antibiotics, tylosin and oxytetracycline, on three species of soil fauna: Earthworms, springtails and enchytraeids. Neither of the substances had any effect at environmentally relevant concentrations. The lowest observed effect concentration was 3000 mg kg-1 and in many cases no effect was seen even at the highest test concentration of 5000 mg kg-1.