Environmental damage — environmental expenditure 2: Statistical evidence on the Federal Republic of Germany

Summary In part one of this paper (The Environmentalist,1990, pp.301–309) it was shown that conventional economic accounting does not reveal the actual damage to the natural environment, although an ever-increasing share of the Gross National Product is being spent for environmental protection activities. In this, part two of the paper, on the basis of acceptable conventions, the results of an empiric research on defensive expenditures in the GNP are presented, again taking the Federal Republic of Germany as an example. The authors would like to see more research of this type in order to understand better the environmental impacts and the structural deficiencies of modern industrial society. Dr Christian Leipert and Professor Udo E. Simonis have contributed frequently toThe Environmentalist (see 1989, pp.171–183; 1990, pp.25–38; 1990, pp.301–309). Dr Leipert is research fellow, Dr Simonis is research professor at the environmental policy unit of the Science Center Berlin.     

Integrated regional modelling and scenario development to evaluate future water demand under global change conditions

Within climate change impact research, the consideration of socioeconomic processes remains a challenge. Socioeconomic systems must be equipped to react and adapt to global change. However, any reasonable development or assessment of sustainable adaptation strategies requires a comprehensive consideration of human-environment interactions. This requirement can be met through multi-agent simulation, as demonstrated in the interdisciplinary project GLOWA-Danube (GLObal change of the WAter Cycle; ). GLOWA-Danube has developed an integrated decision support tool for water and land use management in the Upper Danube catchment (parts of Germany and Austria, 77,000 km²). The scientific disciplines invoked in the project have implemented sixteen natural and social science models, which are embedded in the simulation framework DANUBIA. Within DANUBIA, a multi-agent simulation approach is used to represent relevant socioeconomic processes. The structure and results of three of these multi-agent models, WaterSupply, Household and Tourism, are presented in this paper. A main focus of the paper is on the development of global change scenarios (climate and society) and their application to the presented models. The results of different simulation runs demonstrate the potential of multi-agent models to represent feedbacks between different water users and the environment. Moreover, the interactive usage of the framework allows to define and vary scenario assumptions so as to assess the impact of potential interventions. It is shown that integrated modelling and scenario design not only provide valuable information, but also offer a platform for discussing complex human-environment-interactions with stakeholders.     

Untersuchungskonzept zur Charakterisierung toxischer Stoffe in belastetem Wasser

Simple biotests are frequently used for the ecotoxicological assessment of waste water. Unfortunately, and not too rarely, effects are detected and the question concerning water-polluting substances has to be answered. The latter are enriched by solid phase extraction (SPE), then isolated and fractioned by thinlayer chromatography using automatic multiple development (AMD). One strip of the DC-plate is separated and used without further atterations for the biological detection with microorganisms (Bacillus subtilis, luminous bacteria). With this system, toxic bands can be identified. From the other part of the DC plate, an UV-spectrum can be taken of the toxic bands using a DC scanner. Subsequently, the corresponding bands are scratched out and the toxic substance is eluted and analysed with infrared spectroscopy. The infrared spectrum can be characterised by comparing it with reference spectra. In this submitted work, a concept is presented with an example of a “nipple rubber” eluate. It shows that this rubber article liberates a vulcanization accelerator, 2-mercaptobenzothiazole.     

Growth pattern of the sea urchin, Loxechinus albus (Molina, 1782) in southern Chile: evaluation of growth models

The growth pattern of Loxechinus albus in southern Chile was studied using size-at-age data obtained by reading growth bands on the genital plates. The scatter plots of sizes-at-age for samples collected in three different locations indicated that growth is linear between ages 2 and 10. Five different growth models, including linear, asymptotic and non-asymptotic functions, were fitted to the data, and model selection was conducted based on the Akaike information criteria (AIC) and the Bayesian information criteria (BIC). The AIC identified the Tanaka model as the most suitable for two of the three sites. However, the BIC led to the selection of the linear model for all zones. Our results show that the growth pattern of L. albus is different from the predominantly asymptotic pattern that has been reported for other sea urchin species.     

RESPONSES OF BACTERIA TO THE PRESENCE OF CARBARYL IN WATER. II. PURE CULTURE VS. MIXED CULTURE RESPONSE1

ABSTRACT: Escherichia coli. Streptococcus faecalis, Salmonella typhimurium, and Staphylococcus aureus were tested in pure culture and in various combined mixed cultures to determine effects of the presence of carbaryl in water. Oxygen uptake of E. coli and S. typhimirium was stimulated by five mg/L carbaryl when mixed together, but no stimulation was observed when either organism was tested alone or with other bacteria. In mixed culture the survival time of S. faecalis was reduced in the presence of five mg/L carbaryl; however, the survival time of both S. aureus and S. typhimurium was increased in the presence of five mg/L carbaryl. Implications of these results are discussed.