Air pollution modeling at road sides using the operational street pollution model--a case study in Hanoi, Vietnam

In many metropolitan areas, traffic is the main source of air pollution. The high concentrations of pollutants in streets have the potential to affect human health. Therefore, estimation of air pollution at the street level is required for health impact assessment. This task has been carried out in many developed countries by a combination of air quality measurements and modeling. This study focuses on how to apply a dispersion model to cities in the developing world, where model input data and data from air quality monitoring stations are limited or of varying quality. This research uses the operational street pollution model (OSPM) developed by the National Environmental Research Institute in Denmark for a case study in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. OSPM predictions from five streets were evaluated against air pollution measurements of nitrogen oxides (NO(x)), sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and benzene (BNZ) that were available from previous studies. Hourly measurements and passive sample measurements collected over 3-week periods were compared with model outputs, applying emission factors from previous studies. In addition, so-called "backward calculations" were performed to adapt the emission factors for Hanoi conditions. The average fleet emission factors estimated can be used for emission calculations at other streets in Hanoi and in other locations in Southeast Asia with similar vehicle types. This study also emphasizes the need to further eliminate uncertainties in input data for the street-scale air pollution modeling in Vietnam, namely by providing reliable emission factors and hourly air pollution measurements of high quality.     

In Flanders Fields: De/politicization and Democratic Debate on a GM Potato Field Trial Controversy in News Media

In May 2011, a highly mediatized direct action in the form of a “field liberation” took place in Flanders, Belgium, against a field trial of genetically modified potatoes. This direct action and its aftermath revealed the conflictual and antagonistic nature of the genetically modified organisms debate in Flanders. Consequently, it serves as a particularly suitable case to investigate the post-political thesis with regard to environmental discourse and politics. The aim of this paper is to investigate in what ways news media in their reporting contribute to processes of depoliticization and, resultantly, impede a democratic debate on the issues at stake. This paper attempts to provide an answer to this question based on a critical discourse analysis of the reporting by Flanders’ two generalist, elite newspapers, De Standaard and De Morgen and the alternative online news site DeWereldMorgen. The findings reveal the existence of three ideological cultures, which are characterized by different degrees of de/politicization. We conclude by discussing how this study adds to our understanding of the relation between the depoliticization of environmental discourse, democratic debate and twenty-first-century news media.     

Subcellular distribution of Cd in the aquatic oligochaete Tubifex tubifex, implications for trophic availability and toxicity

We studied the compartmentalization of cadmium and zinc in the oligochaete Tubifex tubifex. The subcellular distribution was followed over time and levels of metallothionein-like proteins were measured. The impact of the speciation on the trophic transfer was studied by calculating the assimilation efficiencies of metals from Tubificidae fed to carp. It was found that carp were able to assimilate 9.8% of the cadmium. The expected assimilated amount of cadmium, based on the subcellular fractions which are thought to be trophically available, is however 72%. The zinc assimilation results suggest that the debris fraction is at least partially available to predators. Differential centrifugation techniques provide information about the tissue compartmentalization in aquatic organisms but it is not straightforward to directly link internal speciation in prey items to the actual assimilation in the predator. The possible impact that the compartmentalization of cadmium in T. tubifex will have on the toxicity to the organism is also discussed.     

The lichen-rich coastal heath vegetation on the isle of Anholt, Denmark — conservation and management

The high conservational value of the lichen-rich vegetation and landscape of the marine foreland Ørkenen on the isle of Anholt is treated from a Danish as well as a European perspective. The sensitivity of the lichen-rich vegetation to physical disturbance is emphasized. The impact of invasive species such asPinus mugo as well as the effect of atmospheric deposition of nutrients on the heaths at Anholt is described. Considerations related to the development of a management plan for Ørkenen are presented.     

The lichen-rich coastal heath vegetation on the isle of Anholt, Denmark — description, history and development

The marine foreland called Ørkenen (=the desert) at Anholt is covered by lichen-richEmpetrum nigrum-Corynephorus canescens heath vegetation on beach ridg e systems formed during the elevation of land after the Weichsel ice age andStereocaulon saxatile-richAmmophila arenaria-Corynephorus canescens vegetation on semi-fixed aeolic dunes. The development of the vegetation at Ørkenen is the result of various kinds of human exploitation, with its maximum in the 16th and 17th century. After the cessation of human use, a slow succession towards closed vegetation with mainlyEmpetrum nigrum andCorynephorus canescens began. The present heath ecosystem, developed on sandy substrate with very little organic matter and a small nutrient supply, is a high priority habitat in Europe.     

Spatial and temporal variation of metal concentrations in adult honeybees (Apis mellifera L.)

Honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) have great potential for detecting and monitoring environmental pollution, given their wide-ranging foraging behaviour. Previous studies have demonstrated that concentrations of metals in adult honeybees were significantly higher at polluted than at control locations. These studies focused at a limited range of heavy metals and highly contrasting locations, and sampling was rarely repeated over a prolonged period. In our study, the potential of honeybees to detect and monitor metal pollution was further explored by measuring the concentration in adult honeybees of a wide range of trace metals, nine of which were not studied before, at three locations in the Netherlands over a 3-month period. The specific objective of the study was to assess the spatial and temporal variation in concentration in adult honeybees of Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sn, Sr, Ti, V and Zn. In the period of July-September 2006, replicated samples were taken at 2-week intervals from commercial-type bee hives. The metal concentration in micrograms per gram honeybee was determined by inductive coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. Significant differences in concentration between sampling dates per location were found for Al, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn Sr, Ti and V, and significant differences in average concentration between locations were found for Co, Sr and V. The results indicate that honeybees can serve to detect temporal and spatial patterns in environmental metal concentrations, even at relatively low levels of pollution.     

Health and Welfare in Danish Dairy Cattle in the Transition to Organic Production: Problems, Priorities and Perspectives

During the past few years,organic dairy farming has grown dramatically inDenmark. Consequently, an increasing number ofpeople are encountering this method ofproduction for the first time. Amongst these,many veterinarians have suddenly had to dealwith organic herds in their home district, and,meeting examples of poor animal welfare, theyhave recently started to express some concerns.Against this background, a so-called``Synthesis of Knowledge' project was initiatedto examine the health and welfare of dairycattle and the use of medication in thetransition to organic production. The aim ofthe project was to investigate associatedproblems from the point of view of the dairyherd. Based on qualitative research interviewswith vets and agricultural advisors, as well asfocus group interviews with farmers who hadrecently converted from conventional to organicfarming, an expert panel attempted to identifyproblem areas and possible solutions. Theproblems related to (a) the adjustment to newand unknown practices, (b) poor management ingeneral, and (c) inappropriate legislation fororganic farming.One problem area was the rearing of dairycalves, particularly with regard to theestablishment of post partumrelationships between cow and calf, grouphousing, and the grazing of young animals. A``natural life' was identified as beingfundamental to organic animal husbandry. Interms of animal welfare, this concept can beunderstood as a way of living in which the calfis allowed to express its natural behavior andsatisfy its natural needs. Essentially, theconditions needed for good calf welfare requirethe compatibility and interplay of elementsfrom ``nature' (the natural life; includingopportunities to satisfy natural needs) and``culture' (farmer management skills; exerciseof care). These elements should be balanced toensure animal welfare in organic herds.     

Comparison of transabdominal and transcervical CVS and amniocentesis: Sampling success and risk

A total of 2931 women randomized to either transabdominal CVS, transceirvical CVS, or amniocentesis were studied. Unless intended or unintended abortion had occurred, they had completed up to 28 weeks of pregnancy. No significant difference was seen between total fetal loss in the transabdominal CVS group and the amniocentesis group (6.5 and 6.8 per cent, respectively, SE difference = 0.92 per cent, p = 0.01). The total fetal loss in the transcervical CVS group was 10.1 per cent. After pooling our data with data from the Canadian randomized study and the American non-randomized study, the difference in risk between trans-cervical CVS and amniocentesis was 1.8 per cent (SE difference = 0.64 per cent, p = 0.8). When the number of failed procedures and those cases evaluated as infeasible for the assigned method-for anatomical reasons-are compared, the overall sampling efficacy is poorer transcervically than transabdominally.     

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.     

Transabdominal chorionic villus sampling for fetal genetic diagnosis. Technical and obstetrical evaluation of 100 cases

First trimester fetal diagnosis was established in 100 pregnancies at risk by transabdominal chorionic villus sampling (TA-CVS). Forty-eight per cent of the women were 35 years or more at the time of sampling. Using the double needle technique, both the aspiration and the diagnostic success rate were 100 per cent. The mean amount of villi aspirated was 28·2 mg (10–50 mg). The mean needle time was 3 min. Vaginal spotting appeared in 2 per cent of the women. Four women had therapeutic abortion due to abnormal findings and one for social reasons. Three fetuses with normal karyotypes were lost. Excluding the therapeutic abortions, the fetal loss rate was 3±2 per cent. The fetal loss rate in the amniocentesis control group (n = 200) was 3±6 per cent. The cytogenetic diagnosis was carried out by the direct preparation technique as well as by chorion villus cultivation. All karyotypes were confirmed by lymphocyte cultures from umbilical cord blood or heel blood from the newborn or from aborted fetal tissue. Transabdominal CVS is deemed a safe and easy tool for achieving chorionic villi in the first trimester.