pH-Dependent fate and transport of NTA-complexed cobalt through undisturbed cores of fractured shale saprolite

The codisposal of toxic metals and radionuclides with organic chelating agents has been implicated in the facilitated transport of the inorganic contaminants away from primary waste disposal areas. We investigated the transport of Co(II)NTA through undisturbed cores of fractured shale saprolite. Experiments were conducted across the pH range 4 to 8 by collecting cores from different locations within the weathering profile. Aqueous complexation, adsorption, dissociation and oxidation reactions influenced Co(II)NTA transport. The suite of reaction products identified in column effluent varied with experimental pH. At low pH and in the presence of abundant exchangeable aluminum, Co transport occurred predominantly as the Co2+ ion. At higher pH, Co was transported primarily as Co(II)NTA and the Co(III) species Co(III)(HNTA)2 and Co(III)(IDA)2. The formation of the geochemical oxidation products (Co(III) species) has far reaching implications as these compounds are kinetically and thermodynamically stable, are transported more rapidly than Co(II)NTA, and are resistant to biodegradation. These results demonstrate that natural minerals, in the physical structure encountered naturally, can be more important in the formation of mobile, stable contaminant forms than they can be for the retardation and dissociation of the contaminants.     

Sub-professional training in the field of the environment

Summary The need for trained technical personnel to monitor environmental systems is emphasised and detailed. Coincident with this need is a virtual absence of appropriate training schemes. The philosophy behind and development of such a course in Farnborough College of Technology is described. This course is a multidisciplinary Higher Diploma in Environmental Analysis and Monitoring aimed specifically at training technicians to deal with pollution and its effects. The paper details course aims and objectives and outlines the programme structure. As the staff at Farnborough have initiated such a training programme, we propose to act as a resource exchange centre in this sphere. Thus our experience could aid in the curriculum development of other schemes. Gareth Rees is Lecturer in Microbiology at Farnborough College of Technology. He has a first degree in Marine Zoology and an M.Sc. in Biodeterioration of Materials. He has recently completed Ph.D. studies into ecological aspects of marine fungi. At Farnborough he is leader of the Environmental Research Group, involved in several applied environmental microbiological projects.     

Reviews

Planning theory

Andreas Faludi

Pergamon Press, Oxford, 1973. Hard cover £4.75, flexi‐cover £3.

PLANNING AND THE INNOVATION PROCESS (Progress in Planning, Vol. 1, Part 3)

Ray Jefferson

Pergamon Press, Oxford, 1973

THRESHOLD ANALYSIS MANUAL

Scottish Development Department H.M.S.O., London, 1973. £6

THE PLANNER IN SOCIETY: THE CHANGING ROLE OF A PROFESSION

David Eversley

Faber and Faber, London, 1973. £4.75.

SUB‐REGIONAL PLANNING STUDIES: AN EVALUATION

T. M. Cowling and G. C. Steeley

Pergamon Press, Oxford, 1973. £3.80

SKETCHBOOKS OF PAOLO SOLERI

Paolo Soleri.

M.I.T. Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts & London, England, 1971.

ARCOLOGY: THE CITY IN THE IMAGE OF MAN.

Paolo Soleri.

M.I.T. Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts & London, England, 1969.

FREDERICK LAW OLMSTED AND THE AMERICAN ENVIRONMENTAL TRADITION

Albert Fein

George Braziller, New York. $10.00 cloth. $3.95 paper.

ECOLOGY AND RECLAMATION OF DEVASTED LAND (2 vols.) ed. Russel Hutnick and Grant Davis

Gordon and Breach, New York, 1973. £25.00.

MAN MADE THE LAND: Essays in English Historical Geography

Ed. Alan R. H. Baker and J. B. Harley.

David and Charles, Newton Abbot, 1973. £5.25.

THE UNKNOWN URBAN REALM (Vol. 2, Europe 2,000, Project 3, Urbanization, Planning Human Environment in Europe)

U. Neveling, R. Sulzer, W. Ubbens, G. Wersig.

Martinus Nijhoff, The Hague, 1973.     

Recreational waters and Health-swimming against the tide

This paper addresses the complex issue of recreational exposure to sewage contaminated waters. The types of hazard encountered are discussed and contextualised. Microbial measures of sewage contamination prove to be extremely unreliable. The links between microbial indicators and water quality and between water quality and demonstrable health effects are variable at best. The outcomes of epidemiological studies agree in general terms-exposed populations exhibit more symptoms-but rarely agree in specifics, such as threshold levels for particular indicator organisms. The drive to improve Europe's bathing beaches initiated by the European Union in its bathing water directive has been a temendous force for change. However, the investment of huge sums of money based on compliance with flawed microbiological standards is entirely inappropriate. Instead a holistic approach based on the assessment of all factors likely to promote risk to recreators is proposed. Such a beach registration scheme would remove the necessity to comply with fundamentally flawed and meaningless numerical standards.     

Prenatal diagnosis of a homologous Robertsonian translocation involving chromosome 15

We report the prenatal diagnosis of a fetus with a de novo Robertsonian translocation: 45,XY,der(15;15)(q10;q10). Although Robertsonian translocations are common chromosomal rearrangements, those involving homologous chromosomes are infrequent. Since chromosome 15 is imprinted, uniparental disomy (UPD) is a concern when chromosomal rearrangements involving chromosome 15 are identified. In the present case, UPD studies showed normal biparental inheritance. In contrast to the fact that most homologous acrocentric rearrangements are isochromosomes, these results indicate postzygotic formation of a Robertsonian translocation between biparentally inherited chromosomes 15. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The Mersey Basin and its River Valley Initiatives: an appropriate model for the management of rivers?

Concepts of sustainable development have stimulated innovation in the delivery of environmental management. In particular, new partnership approaches have been developed in recognition of the need to adopt more holistic perspectives and facilitate multi-sectoral and cross-sectoral working. River catchments are complex systems and have been one particular focus of experimentation in environmental management mechanisms. This paper provides a brief overview of river management experience in the UK, charting changing approaches in terms of scope and organisation since the 1970s. This sets the context for a more detailed examination of the Mersey Basin Campaign and, in particular, its River Valley Initiatives. The paper concludes with an evaluation of the merits of this approach in relation to sustainable river management.     

The importance of investigating for uniparental disomy in prenatally identified balanced acrocentric rearrangements

We report the finding of paternal isodisomy for chromosome 14 in a fetus found to have a der(14;14)(q10;q10) by amniocentesis. The pregnancy was complicated by severe polyhydramnios and elevated amniotic fluid alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). The infant showed features consistent with paternal uniparental disomy (UPD) including postnatal growth retardation, poor respiratory function, feeding difficulties, and evidence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The present case, in addition to other reported cases of UPD involving balanced acrocentric rearrangements, supports testing for UPD in prenatally detected Robertsonian translocations and isochromosomes. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Comparing reactions to two severe tornadoes in one Oklahoma community

The authors compared the effect of the 3 May 1999 F5 and 8 May 2003 F3 tornadoes on the community of Moore, Oklahoma, by canvassing damaged areas after both tornadoes and surveying residents. Significantly more 1999 than 2003 residents reported property damage and injuries. Television and tornado sirens were the most common warnings each year, however, more 1999 residents received and responded to television warnings. Importantly, storm shelters were used more frequently in 2003. Fifty-one per cent of residents who experienced both tornadoes took the same amount of protective action in 2003 as they had in 1999; 22% took less; and 27% took more. Residents who took less action said that the reason for doing so was inadequate warning and shelter. First-hand experience of tornadoes prompts people to heed warnings when adequate notification is received and to take effective protective action when adequate shelter is available.