Eco-toxicological impact of “metals” on the aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem: A comparison between eight different methodologies for Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA)

The assessment of eco-toxicological impacts related to the emission of contaminants into the environment has peculiar characteristics in the context of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), and many different Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) methodologies can be used. However, previous studies recognized the presence of high uncertainties in the process, in particular when the analysis focuses on metal emissions. Metals are diverse inorganic substances relevant for their characteristic environmental chemistry, their high persistency into the environment and their toxicity at even low environmental concentrations. This study aims at expanding the discussion about how, and how differently, various methods for LCIA are estimating the impacts related to metals emissions, with a focus on eco-toxicological impacts. A comparison between eight different LCIA methods is presented in relative terms, using a contribution analysis at two levels: general and specific. Results show that there is a poor agreement between methods in the determination of the total eco-toxic impact attributable to metals, and in defining which metal provokes the highest eco-toxic impact per unitary emission. Furthermore, the characterization phase is critical in determining the disagreement between methods. However, some similarities were found: there is the tendency in most methods to associate the largest share of the total eco-toxicological impacts to metals. Theoretical and practical differences between methods are discussed and suggestions for the choice of the proper, case-specific, LCIA method are provided.     

Sexual selection favours small and symmetric males in the polygynous greater sac-winged bat Saccopteryx bilineata (Emballonuridae, Chiroptera)

We investigated how morphological traits of territorial males in the polygynous bat Saccopteryx bilineata were related to their reproductive success. Because of the frequency of aerial courtship displays and defence manoeuvres, and the high energetic costs of flight, we expected small and symmetric males to be better able to court females on the wing and to monopolize copulations with females in their harems. We predicted that small and symmetric males would sire more offspring within the colony and a larger portion of the young born within their harem than large or asymmetric males. We measured size and fluctuating asymmetry of 21 territorial males and analysed their reproductive success in 6 offspring cohorts (n=209 juveniles) using 11 microsatellite loci. As predicted, small and symmetric males had, on average, a higher reproductive success in the colony than large and asymmetric males. The percentage of young sired by males within their harem increased as males decreased in size, but was not influenced by fluctuating asymmetry. As fluctuating asymmetry of males correlated with their reproductive success within the colony but not within their harems, we infer that fluctuating asymmetry is probably related to female choice, whereas male size is probably important for harem defence on the wing.Communicated by G. Wilkinson     

Scale-up considerations for a hollow-fiber-membrane bioreactor treating trichloroethylene-contaminated water.

Scale-up of a hollow-fiber-membrane (HFM) bioreactor treating trichloroethylene- (TCE-) contaminated water via co-metabolism with the methanotroph Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b PP358 was investigated through cost comparisons, bioreactor experiments, and mathematical modeling. Cost comparisons, based on a hypothetical treatment scenario of 568-L/min (150-gpm) flowrate with an influent TCE concentration of 100 microg/L, resulted in a configuration of treatment trains with two HFM modules in series and an overall annual cost of US dollar 0.36/m3 treated. Biological experiments were conducted with short lumen and shell residence times, 0.16 and 0.40 min, respectively, as a result of the cost comparisons. A new variable, specific transformation, was defined for characterizing the cometabolic transformation in continuous-flow systems, and values as large as 38.5 microg TCE/mg total suspended solids were sustainable for TCE treatment. Using mathematical modeling, HFM bioreactor system design was investigated, resulting in a five-step system design strategy to facilitate sizing of the unit processes.     

Influence of flue-gas desulfurization systems on coal combustion by-product quality at kentucky power stations burning high-sulfur coal

Two Kentucky power plants burning similar blends of high-sulfur western Kentucky and southern Indiana coal provide a unique opportunity to examine the variations in coal combustion by-products due to differences in the method of wet flue-gas desulfurization (FGD). One plant employed carbide lime-based scrubbing for two units and a dual-alkali process for the third unit. The second plant employed a Mississippian limestone from Kentucky for all four units. This study provides an example of optical and SEM petrographic techniques, supplemented by chemical analyses, applied to the study of, at least from the geologic perspective, non-traditional materials. The coal sources comprise a blend of high volatile C and B bituminous, high vitrinite (85–90%, mmf), high-sulfur (> 3%, dry) coals. The fly ash is dominated by glassy phases (70–80%) with about 5–10% spinel (predominately magnetite), 3–10% quartz, and 4–10% isotropic coke comprising the remaining portion of the ash. SEM observations indicate that the glassy particles exhibit a bimodal size distribution with sub-micron glass spheres and a population of larger (several 10s of microns) spheres. The bottom ash has higher proportions of spinels and mullite, with negligible carbon forms, compared to the fly ash from the same units. Fly ashes were observed to be lower in Fe and higher in Al, Si, and S compared to the bottom ashes. Carbide lime, a by-product of acetylene manufacture, soda ash, and limestone were the reagents used in the flue-gas desulfurization processes. The primary FGD by-product is a calcium sulfite slurry which is vacuum filtered and mixed with fly ash and, usually, lime, to form a stable product for disposal. The FGD by-products have some potential, as yet unrealized, for utilization.     

Inf luence of Within-Plantation Heterogeneity and Surrounding Landscape Composition on Avian Communities in Hybrid Poplar Plantations

We conducted breeding bird surveys in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and South Dakota in 12 hybrid poplar plantations and surrounding landscapes from 1992 to 1994. Plantations varied in age, shape, composition of surrounding landscape, and internal vegetative heterogeneity. Numbers of breeding bird individuals and species in plantations were lower than in surrounding forest/shrub habitat, but higher than in row crops. Numbers of individuals observed within several bird groups based on migratory status and habitat preference also differed among plantations and surrounding land-use types. Most differences were between numbers in plantations and row crops. Year-to-year changes in bird species composition in plantations were more likely in plantations between ages 2 and 4 years than in younger or older plantations. Correlative evidence from canonical correspondence analysis illustrated that plantation bird communities were related to habitat in surrounding landscapes, plantation age, size, latitude, and longitude. Additionally, more heterogeneous plantations had more species, individuals, and numbers of long-distance migrants. Plantations will likely not support bird communities that are comparable to natural forests in either species composition or species diversity. A goal would be to position them in the landscape to minimize impacts on regional biodiversity. This could be accomplished by maintaining structural diversity of plantations by creating a broad range of successional stages (ages) throughout plantations within a region. Size and connectivity of existing forest fragments may be increased by plantations, but fragmentation of natural open areas should be avoided.     

Influence tactics and work outcomes: a meta‐analysis

Recent research on influence tactics has focused on the benefits that accrue as a result of using such tactics. The current study utilizes meta‐analytic techniques to estimate the true population correlations between various influence tactics and work‐related outcomes. Results indicate that ingratiation and rationality have positive effects on work outcomes. Additional analyses suggest that these and other influence tactics have significant effects in certain situations and on specific work outcomes. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Chattanooga shale exploitation and the aquatic environment: The critical issues

Early identification of the critical environmental issues arising from new energy technologies is needed to ensure adequate consideration of these issues in all phases of research and development. This study examines the potential hazards to aquatic ecosystems from large-scale exploitation (190,000 Mg/day) of the Chattanooga Shale Formation, an immense reserve of oil shale and uranium in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Alabama. Using existing data on regional ecology, hydrology, mining operations, and raw and spent shale chemistry, we identified two major, related environmental issues: (1) the potential for extensive adverse effects on aquatic communities through degradation of water quality and habitat; and (2) the potential conflict between the requirements for shale exploitation, and the habitat and water quality needs of threatened or endangered species. Specific hazards to aquatic ecosystems include erosion, sedimentation, acid mine drainage, raw and spent shale leachates, and surface disposal of immense quantities of solid wastes. Twelve of 19 federally designated, threatened or endangered fish and mollusks in the shale-bearing region were identified as known or recent inhabitants of the counties believed to be most favorable for the exploitation of shale. Of these, five species occur as single populations or are limited to a single river system. The potential for adverse effects on these species is greatest in the counties near the Tennessee-Alabama state line. Future research needs include physical, chemical, and toxicological characterizations of shale leachates and studies of the transport and fate of leachable contaminants. Such research can provide the guidance necessary to minimize impacts on aquatic communities resulting from extraction, retorting, and disposal of shale.