Plastics and microplastics,effects on marine coastal areas: a review

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Plastics have become strong environmental stressors of coastal marine ecosystems. Their introduction into the marine ecosystem is subjected to...     

On the tolerance of charophytes to high-nitrate concentrations

Currently a debate exists about whether the reduced growth of macrophytes with increased nitrogen loading in shallow ecosystems is determined by ecological or physiological factors. To discover whether nitrate in the water is detrimental per se to charophytes, we subjected Chara hispida and Chara vulgaris specimens, collected from two habitats greatly differing in nitrate concentrations (1.5 and 10?mg NO₃-N/L, annual means), to a wide nitrate range (0.5–50?mg NO₃-N/L) in two experiments (with free-floating specimens using nitrate as the sole N source, and with planted specimens, with other N sources in sediment). Charophytes grew both unplanted and planted in all treatments, and growth reductions occurred at the highest concentration in all cases. Some charophyte responses when faced with nitrate increases were different depending on (i) the species and (ii) population origin. Under the most realistic situation, the growth of both planted C. vulgaris populations was higher than that of C. hispida populations. C. vulgaris specimens from the nitrate-rich waterbody adapted best to the highest nitrate concentrations when they grew floating. Despite charophytes being vital and growing under high-nitrate concentrations in short-term laboratory experiments, such a situation in the environment may eventually not be sustainable, since ecological factors act in the field.     

Use of multicriteria decision aid methods in the context of sustainable innovations: bibliometrics,applications and trends

Environment Systems and Decisions - Sustainable innovation has gained prominence in recent years, due to the demands imposed by global competition, social pressures and the needs of consumers and...     

Environmental benefits from geothermal energy use with a well doublet located in the Szczecin Trough (NW Poland)

Environmental Geochemistry and Health - The article presents environmental aspects related to the use of geothermal waters of the Lower Jurassic in the area of the Szczecin Trough. The research...     

A Comparison of Skin Temperatures and Clothing Microclimate During Moderate Intermittent Exercise in the Cold Between One and Two Layers of Cotton and Polypropylene Underwear

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of 2 kinds of underwear made from hydrophobic and hydrophilic fabrics on the mean skin temperatures and clothing microclimate (temperature, humidity) in participants performing intermittent exercise in cold environmental conditions.

One or 2 layers of cotton underwear (C1, C2) with a 2-piece long-sleeved shirt and long-legged trousers, and 1 or 2 layers of polypropylene underwear (P1, P2) with a 2-piece long-sleeved shirt and long-legged trousers were used as experimental underwear. In addition, the participants wore a 2-piece ski suit as 100% polyester clothing including 100% polyester padding. Ten young adult females volunteered as participants. The experiments were performed in a climatic chamber at an ambient temperature (T_a) of 0°C and an air velocity of 0.26 m s^?1.

The major findings are summarized as follows: (a) Although the clothing microclimate humidity was not different within the ski suit of outer clothing between C1 and P1, it was significantly higher in P2 than in C2; (b) Clothing microclimate temperature inside the ski suit did not differ between C1 and P1, whereas it was significantly higher in P2 than in C2; (c) The thermal gradient between innermost and outermost of clothing microclimate at back level did not show any difference between C1 and P1, but it was significantly higher in C2 than in P2. These results are discussed in terms of thermal physiology and clothing sciences.     

Integration of techniques for early fault detection and diagnosis for improving process safety: Application to a Fluid Catalytic Cracking refinery process

In this paper we show the integration of techniques for early fault detection and diagnosis of operational faults in industrial processes, and we show an application example in a Fluid Catalytic Cracking refinery process. The early fault detection and diagnosis allow the operators in an industrial process to take the best actions during the real state of the process, avoiding incipient faults to scale to critical situations where there is risk of human lives and economical lost.     

A case study: An explosion in a milk spray dryer,CAPSA, NW Spain

European Standard EN 14491 (2006): “Dust explosion venting protective systems”, based on German Standard VDI 3673 (2002): “Pressure venting of dust explosions”, Verein Deustcher Ingenieure, specifies the basic design requirements for the selection of dust explosion venting protection systems.In this study an investigation into the efficiency of venting surfaces in accordance with Standard EN 14491 has been undertaken to check the validation of the same. Thus, the application of the standard to an actual case of an explosion in a milk spray dryer has been studied, taking into consideration the explosive characteristics of products treated in this type of installation and their venting requirements.The results obtained indicate that, in specific situations – such as the effects of turbulence, particularly in the cone, or dust layer self-ignition – the European Standard could underestimate the venting surface requirements needed to alleviate possible excess internal pressure in order to avoid injury or structural damage to spray dryers.     

Comparative study of the methodologies based on Standard UNE 60079/10/1 and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to determine zonal reach of gas-generated Atex explosive atmospheres

This study presents two methodologies which can be used to determine the classification and extended area of hazardous zones caused by gas, vapours and mists. The first is based on UNE 60079/10/1: Electrical apparatus for explosive gas atmospheres – Part 10: Classification of hazardous areas, whilst the second is developed on the basis of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) using the FLUENT software application. Both methodologies were applied in the same case study of differing leakage components from a dairy farm steam boiler room fuelled by liquid natural gas (LNG).The results obtained show that CFD methodology is a powerful tool with a significant capacity for determining the size of an explosive atmosphere for a broad range of exhaust sources. This methodology offers more conservative results than those obtained from the analytical methodology recommended in Standard UNE 60079/10/1. Results obtained using CFD are more useful in enabling the study of turbulence phenomena, boundaries, and diverse initial and contour conditions.In contrast, the Standard UNE 60079/10/1 methodology is less conservative and aims at determining the hypothetical volume V_z of the explosive atmosphere. This volume is a measurement of the ventilation efficiency which is in turn proportional to a massive gas release through an exhaust source divided by the number of air changes in the enclosed area.From the results obtained, it can be confirmed that Standard UNE 60079/10/1 should be revised.     

Assessing disproportionate costs to achieve good ecological status of water bodies in a Mediterranean river basin

Water management is becoming increasingly important as the demand for water grows, diversifies, and includes more complex environmental concerns. The Water Framework Directive (WFD) seeks to achieve a good ecological status for all European Community water bodies by 2015. To achieve this objective, economic consideration of water management must be given to all decision-making processes. Exemption (time or level of stringency) from the objectives of the EU Directive can be justified by proving that the cost of implementing measures is disproportionate to the benefits. This paper addresses the issue of disproportionate costs through a cost-benefit analysis (CBA). To predict the costs, the function costs method is used. The quantification of environmental benefits is more complex, because they are not determined by the market. As an alternative to stated preference methods, we use the distance function approach to estimate the environmental benefits of improving water quality. We then apply this methodological approach to a Mediterranean River Basin in Spain. The results show that the achievement of good status could not be rejected based on the criterion of disproportionate costs in this river basin. This paper illustrates that CBA is a useful tool to inform policy and decision making. Furthermore, it is shown that economics, particularly the valuation of environmental benefits, plays a crucial role in fulfilling the environmental objectives of the WFD.