Fire-LCA study of TV sets with V0 and HB enclosure material

A novel Life-Cycle Assessment model (Fire-LCA) has been defined for the determination of the environmental impact of measures taken to attain a high level of fire safety. This study, which represents the first application of this LCA model, concentrates on a comparison between a TV with an enclosure manufactured with a flame retardant (FR) plastic (V0-rated high impact polystyrene, HIPS, typical for the US market) and one manufactured with a non-flame retardant (HB-rated HIPS, typical for the European market). A fire model has been defined based on international statistics, which indicate that use of V0 rated enclosure material essentially removes the risk of TV fires while approximately 165 TV fires occur per million TVs in Europe each year where the enclosure material is breached. The application of the model indicates that emissions of some key species (such as dibenzodioxins and PAH) are actually lower for the TV with the FR enclosure than for the TV with the NFR enclosure. This has direct reprercussions for the assessment of the environmental impact of the FR TV relative to that of the NFR TV. Finally, when considering the risk associated with the use of flame retardants, it is also important to consider the risk associated with fires. Based on the in-depth analysis of available fire statistics, conducted as a part of this study, it has been estimated that as many as 160 people may die each year in Europe as a direct result of TV fires and as many as 2000 may be injured in the same period.     

Review and assessment of models used to predict the fate of radionuclides in lakes

A variety of models for predicting the behaviour of radionuclides in fresh water ecosystems have been developed and tested during recent decades within the framework of many international research projects. These models have been implemented in Computerised Decision Support Systems (CDSS) for assisting the appropriate management of fresh water bodies contaminated by radionuclides. The assessment of the state-of-the-art and the consolidation of these CDSSs has been envisaged, by the scientific community, as a primary necessity for the rationalisation of the sector. The classification of the approaches of the various models, the determination of their essential features, the identification of similarities and differences among them and the definition of their application domains are all essential for the harmonisation of the existing CDSSs and for the possible development and improvement of reference models that can be widely applied in different environmental conditions. The present paper summarises the results of the assessment and evaluation of models for predicting the behaviour of radionuclides in lacustrine ecosystems. Such models were developed and tested within major projects financed by the European Commission during its 4th Framework Programme (1994-1998). The work done during the recent decades by many modellers at an international level has produced some consolidated results that are widely accepted by most experts. Nevertheless, some new results have arisen from recent studies and certain model improvements are still necessary.     

Plant uptake of cadmium-109 and zinc-65 at different temperature and organic matter levels

The uptake of 109Cd and 65Zn and their stable isotopes by ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.), grown on two different soil types, was investigated in climatically controlled growth chambers at 9 and 21 degrees C. The soils were treated with 0 and 4% organic matter (pig [Sus scrofa] manure) and spiked with 109Cd and 65Zn before sowing. The organic matter addition resulted in increased uptake of the 109Cd, Cd, and Zn by ryegrass, but the uptake of 65Zn was decreased. The latter effect was ascribed to isotopic dilution of 65Zn as the amount of stable Zn in the plant tissues increased with the organic matter addition. The effect of temperature was more pronounced than that of organic matter addition, and the uptake of both 109Cd and 65Zn and their stable isotopes was higher in ryegrass grown at 21 degrees C than that grown at 9 degrees C. Results from fractionation and speciation analysis of soil cadmium and zinc were correlated with plant uptake, and there was a good consistency between observed plant uptake and the physico-chemical forms of cadmium and zinc in soil and soil solution presumed to be plant available.     

A mechanistic sub-model predicting the influence of potassium on radiocesium uptake in aquatic biota

It is often argued that the quality of science is related to the possibilities of making accurate predictions. It has also long been argued that due to the complex nature of ecosystems, it will never be possible to predict important target variables, especially with more comprehensive dynamic models. New results in radioecology have, however, demonstrated that those arguments are no longer valid. The key to the predictive success lies in the structuring of the model. The accident at Chernobyl has, in fact, provided science with an intriguing opportunity to study how the pulse of 137Cs is transported through ecosystem pathways, thus revealing the basic structure of these ecosystems, i.e. which are the key and the less-important pathways. It is paradoxical to conclude that the Chernobyl accident is, perhaps, the most important factor behind the revolution in predictive ecosystem modelling which lies behind the decrease in the uncertainty factor from 10 to 0.25-0.5. The sub-model for the potassium moderator presented in this paper is an example of a mechanistically based sub-model used within the framework of a more comprehensive lake model for 137Cs. The K-moderator presented is derived from the existing knowledge on ion transport in biological membranes and takes into account ion equilibria modelled by the Nernst equation and the uptake kinetics quantified by the Michaelis-Menten model. It provides the type of structure to this overall lake model that helps to explain the excellent predictive power of this model.     

Lead exposure of small herbivorous vertebrates from atmospheric pollution

Concentrations of Pb in livers of willow grouse (Lagopus lagopus), black grouse (Tetrao tetrix), and hare (Lepus timidus) were determined in samples collected during the period 1990-92 from 77 locations distributed across Norway. Our objective was to elucidate the impact of long-range atmospheric transport on the Pb exposure of the animals. The moss Hylocomium splendens was measured for atmospheric Pb deposition and Pb in soil at 60-cm depth was determined to reflect the natural geochemical background at the study locations. Strong positive relationships were found between Pb in liver and atmospheric deposition of Pb for all species and age groups studied. Results indicate that long-range atmospheric transport was the main source of Pb in the animals studied. This conclusion was supported by Pb analysis of typical food plants for the animals. Correlation between Pb in liver and Pb in soil mineral matter was observed only when considering sites with very low impact of atmospheric deposition. Even though the observed liver Pb concentrations may seem low (< or =12 microg g(-1) dw) they approach levels where sub-lethal effects cannot be ignored.     

Modelling Change in Ground Vegetation Response to Acid and Nitrogen Pollution, Climate Change and Forest Management at in Sweden 1500–2100 a.d.

The ForSAFE model, designed for modelling biogeochemical cycles (water, acidity, base cation, nitrogen and carbon) in terrestrial ecosystems, was modified with a vegetation response module (VEG), incorporating the effects of: nitrogen pollution, acidification, soil moisture, temperature, wind chill exposure, light and shading by trees, grazing by animals, competition between plants, above ground for light and below ground for water and nutrients. The model calculates the response of number ground vegetation plant groups. The integrated model was tested and validated at integrated level II forest monitoring sites across Sweden, four have been shown here, and used to assess the effect of acidification and nitrogen pollution in relation to factors such as climate change, forest management and changing grazing pressure. The response functions have been derived from single-factor experiments and integrated through the model structure for use on whole systems. The tests with the model suggest that the ground vegetation composition is reasonably well predicted, that much research remains before the model is fully tested and operational, and that the model may serve as a tool for assessing impacts of climate change, acid rain and forest management on plant biodiversity in forested areas.     

Sequentielle Schwermetallextraktion aus Staubniederschl?gen und Stra?ensedimenten Teil I: Sequentielle Schwermetallextraktion von Mikroproben

Für die Anwendung der sequentiellen Schwermetallextraktion auf Proben, die nur im Milligramm-Bereich erhalten werden k?nnen (Mikroproben, wie z. B. Staubniederschl?ge), wurde die Methode vonZeien &Brümmer (1989) weiterentwickelt. Der Extraktionsma?stab wurde um den Faktor 1∶100 verringert und die Reproduzierbarkeit des Verfahrens mit variablen Probenmengen um 20mg und einem Extraktionsvolumen von 500 μl mit Hilfe von Standardb?den nachgewiesen. M?gliche Einflüsse variabler Extraktionsverh?ltnisse (Verh?ltnis von Probenmenge zu Extraktionsvolumen) sowie eine aufwendige Vorbehandlung von Staubproben, die nach der Bergerhoff-Methode (VDI 2119/2, 1972) gesammelt wurden, lagen bei diesen Untersuchungen weitgehend im Variationsbereich des Verfahrens. Die sequentielle Extraktion kann folglich zur Untersuchung der Mobilisierbarkeit von Schwermetallen auch aus Mikroproben mit variablen Probenmengen eingesetzt werden. Mit Hilfe dieses Verfahrens wurden die Mobilisierbarkeiten von Zink, Kupfer und Blei der Schluff- und Tonfraktion von Stra?ensedimenten mit Staubniederschl?gen an zwei urbanen Standorten mit unterschiedlicher, verkehrsbedingter Schwermetallbelastung verglichen. Diese Untersuchungen werden in Teil 2 (“Sequentielle Schwermetallextraktion von st?dtischen St?uben”) vorgestellt.     

Flow cytometry detection of lysosomal presence and lysosomal membrane integrity in the three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus L.) immune cells: applications in environmental aquatic immunotoxicology.

The neutral red retention assay has been proposed to determine the lysosomal membrane stability in immune cells. Nevertheless, this assay implies many examinations under a microscope at short time intervals and therefore the analysis of few samples. The present study proposes two more rapid, efficient, and sensitive sample analyses using flow cytometry method. Lysosomal presence and lysosomal membrane integrity (LMI) were evaluated on the three-spined stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus (L.), a well-described model fish species for aquatic ecotoxicology studies. After development of the two biomarkers, they were validated by ex vivo contamination with endosulfan and copper and by in situ sampling. These immunomarkers were clearly modulated by pollutants and their variations seemed to be correlated with leucocyte mortality. Thus, from a practical point of view, lysosomal presence and LMI may provide novel and efficient means of evaluating immune capacities and indicating the toxic effects of environmental pollution.