Using social resilience and resource dependency to increase the effectiveness of marine conservation initiatives in Salum,Egypt

The social and economic ramifications of marine conservation strategies such as marine protected areas (MPAs) are important to consider prior to their implementation to ensure that they do not exceed the resilience of resource-users and that resource protection might be maximised through compliance and low resistance. This paper presents a framework in which the human dimensions can be more easily and usefully integrated into the design and delivery of conservation initiatives. The framework espouses quantifying (1) the level of dependency on the resource; (2) perceptions towards conservation initiatives; and (3) social resilience. The framework is applied in Salum, Egypt, which is the site of a prospective MPA.     

Preliminary comparison of alternative designs for soil remediation by bioventilation

Computer simulation provides a powerful tool for comparing alternative designs of remediation processes. The software package FLUENT copes successfully with subsurface three-dimensional flow fields, multiple and directional permeabilities, wide spatial variations in subsurface gas velocities, and the presence of surface structures. FLUENT can provide an invaluable method for comparing remediation efficiencies among competing design alternatives. This article features case studies to illustrate the benefits that simulation studies provide before and during the initiation of remedial actions using bioventing.     

Toxicant-induced fecundity compensation: A model of population responses

A mathematical model widely applied in population studies and in assessment of the impact of exploitation on fish populations was applied to assess cadmium toxicity in laboratory populations ofDaphnia galeata mendotae. Over a range of toxicant concentrations, the birth rate of the population increased to balance the death rate and the population compensated for the increased mortality. The model describes the relation between toxicant concentration, toxicant-induced mortality, and equilibrium population size. Compensation for increased mortality is described in terms of the decrease in population size necessary to produce an increase in the birth rate that will balance the increased death rate. The relative capacity of different aquatic organisms to compensate for toxicant-induced mortality is examined and a relation between compensatory capacity and the innate capacity for increase is developed.     

The acid rain debate in North America “Where you stand depends on where you sit”

Summary An analysis of the recent acid rain debate in North America reveals that the policies and priorities of the various interested bodies with regard to this issue directly reflect their vested interests and in many instances their geographical location.Dr Marshall E. Wilcher is Assistant Professor in Political Science at the New Kensington Campus of Pennsylvania State University.     

Estimates of total polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) compounds in soils/sediments by hydrogenolysis to dicyclohexyl

A method to determine the total PCB content by hydrogenolysis (hydrodechlorination and hydrogenation) of chlorinated biphenyl compounds was extended to natural particulate matrices (soil and sediment). The contaminated soil was suspended in hexane in the presence of Pd/gamma-Al2O3 in a hydrogen atmosphere then permitted to react for one hour at 65 degrees C. Dicyclohexyl, recovered in the hexane, was quantified by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. The reaction was very efficient for soil/sediment in hexane suspension and virtually complete provided that excess catalyst was added to samples that were burdened with higher PCB loadings prior to reaction otherwise some partial hydrogenation of biphenyl was also observed. The proposed method was validated with the analysis of five certified reference materials.     

Long-term phytoplankton trends and related water quality trends in the lower Chesapeake Bay,Virginia, USA

Long-term trends (i.e., 1985 through 1999; 14 1/2 yrs) of the phytoplankton community in Chesapeake Bay indicated patterns of increasing phytoplankton abundance and biomass associated with mainly diatoms and chlorophytes, and to a lesser degree dinoflagellates. Decreasing trends in productivity rates above the pycnocline were present over a shorter time period (10 1/2 yrs.), with evidence for increasing nitrogen limitation is indicated. Reduced light availability is inferred due to decreasing trends of Secchi depths and increased suspended solids trends, which were associated with decreasing trends in productivity rates.     

FECAL COLIFORM SOURCE ASSESSMENT IN A SMALL,MIXED LAND USE WATERSHED1

ABSTRACT: This study presents the results of fecal coliform (FC) sampling in the Rawls Creek, South Carolina, watershed during 1999 and 2000. The work was undertaken because the watershed is listed on the 303(d) list for South Carolina due to FC excursions. The watershed is 43.8 percent residential, 35 percent forest, 5.7 percent mixed urban, 4.9 percent commercial, and 4.8 percent agriculture. Samples were taken at 15 stations during eight field trips divided into two phases to characterize FC inputs from subbasins and to integrate results from upstream sampling. FC concentrations ranged from 135 to 730 colonies/100 ml. Results suggest that retention ponds in the area are a significant factor in attenuation of FC concentrations. Catchments with the largest contiguous impervious areas are the greatest source of FC. The highest concentrations of FC were observed at stations just downstream from a large detention basin that intercepts storm runoff from a large commercial area. Further analysis of the design and performance of that structure is suggested. The Koon Branch tributary is less than 20 percent of the land area in the watershed but may contribute 40 percent of the fecal loading. The results of this study confirm the importance of site assessments to aid understanding of nonpoint source pollution in complex watersheds.     

Adapting to climate change: the role of organisational personalities in natural resource management

Regional Environmental Change - Preparing for climate change represents a significant challenge to environmental managers and is influenced by their ability to access and use the latest...     

Effect of liming on the distribution of heavy metals in untreated industrial sewage sludge produced in Pakistan for the cultivation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sorghum bicolor</Emphasis> (L.)

The recycling of sewage sludge on agriculture land represents an alternative, advantageous, disposal of this waste material. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility of using industrial sewage sludge, produced in Pakistan, as a fertiliser. Agricultural soil amended with 25% (w/w) sewage sludge with or without lime treatment was used for growing a variety of sorghum (PARC-SS-1). The mobility of the heavy metals (HMs) (Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb and Zn) and metalloid (As) in the untreated industrial waste water sewage sludge (UIWS) samples were assessed by applying a modified BCR (Community Bureau of Reference) sequential extraction procedure. The single extraction procedure comprised of the application of mild extractant (CaCl₂) and water for the estimation of the proportion of easily soluble metal fractions. The precision and accuracy of BCR was evaluated by using a certified reference material of soil amended with sewage sludge BCR 483. The plant available metal contents, as extracted by the deionised water and 0.01 M CaCl₂ solution and exchangeable fraction of BCR sequential, decreased with lime application in the range of 10–44% for As, Cr, Ni, Pb and Zn, except in the cases of Cd and Cu, where their mobility was increased by 10% and 24%, respectively. Sludge amendment enhanced the dry weight yield of sorghum and the increase was more obvious after liming up to 25%. The uptake of HMs were lower in test samples (3.2–21.8%), except for Cu and Cd, which was higher (4%), while they were below the permissible limit of these metals. The present experiment demonstrates that liming was important in factors facilitating the growth of sorghum in sludge-amended soil.