Taiwan's industrial heavy metal pollution threatens terrestrial biota

The bioconcentration levels of essential (Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, and Zn) and non-essential (As, Cd, Hg, Pb, and Sn) elements have been investigated in different terrestrial biota such as fungi, plant, earthworm, snail, crab, insect, amphibian, lizard, snake, and bat including the associated soil, to investigate the ecosystem health status in Kenting National Park, Taiwan. High bioconcentrations of Cd, Hg, and Sn in snail, earthworm, crab, lizard, snake, and bat indicated a contaminated terrestrial ecosystem. High concentrations of Cd, Hg, and Sn in plant species, effective bioaccumulation of Cd by earthworm, snail, crab and bat, as well as very high levels of Hg found in invertebrates, amphibians, and reptiles revealed a strong influence from industrial pollution on the biotic community. This study for the first time presents data on the impact of heavy metal pollution on various terrestrial organisms in Taiwan.     

Tunnel study of on-road vehicle emissions and the photochemical potential in Taiwan

Motor vehicle emission factors of carbon monoxide (CO) and non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) were calculated inside the Chung-Cheng Tunnel of Kaohsiung in Taiwan. The results were compared with those model predictions from the Mobile Taiwan 2.0 model. Individual concentrations of 21 species of NMVOCs were also determined. Photochemical potential of NMVOCs was evaluated by using the maximum incremental reactivity (MIR). Field data showed that the integrated emission factors of CO and NMVOCs for actual fleet were 6.3 and 1.5 g/veh km, respectively. The error range of these factors may be up to 45%. The predicted values by the Mobile Taiwan 2.0 model closely matched the observed data. Concentrations of isopentane, 2-methylpentane, toluene and m,p-xylene were the dominant species of NMVOCs. The ratio of maximum incremental reactivity to NMVOCs concentration was 3.9, similar to those of the studies in the US Fort McHenry and Tuscarora Tunnel.     

Pericentric inversion of the Y chromosome and prenatal diagnosis

Pericentric inversion of the human Y chromosome has been estimated to occur with a frequency of 1–2 per thousand in various populations, and the results of this study, derived from over 12 000 prenatal diagnosis cases, is 1.15 per 1000. In these cases, it was concluded that there was no clinical significance because the fathers and male fetuses had the same pericentric inversion. Chromosome analysis of the father is advisable to determine whether or not the inversion is familial in order to be able to provide genetic counselling.     

A field test of processed oil shale reclamation strategies designed for minimal use of limited resources

Reclamation of processed oil shale disposal areas in the arid and semi-arid regions of Utah, Colorado and Wyoming faces several challenging problems. Shallow topsoil, harsh climate and limited water supply and low suitability of processed oil shale as a plant growth medium must be addressed if any reclamation plan is to be successful.A prototype reclamation plan that addressed the harsh environmental conditions was proposed early in the development of oil shale in eastern Utah. Studies to validate the reclamation plan were initiated in 1978 on a simulated oil shale disposal area at Anvil Points, Colorado.Four native shrubs, one forb and a grass, were successfully established by planting container-grown transplants into a topsoil-filled V-shaped trench. Supplemental water was provided from an adjacent water harvesting slope. The roots of the transplanted species grew into the adjacent shale from the soil trench, thus indicating their adaptability to the adverse oil shale conditions.Support for this research was provided by the White River Shale Corporation, Salt Lake City, Utah.     

Prenatal diagnosis of chinese homozygous α-thalassaemia 1 and haemoglobin H disease by analysis of α- and φζ-globin genes in chorionic villi and amniocytes

Eighty-eight high-risk pregnancies, 81 for homozygous α-thalassaemia 1 and 7 for haemoglobin (Hb) H disease, were collected in this study. Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) was done in 63 cases and amniocentesis in 25 cases to obtain fetal cells. Southern blotting and DNA hybridization with α- and φζ-globin gene probes were used to determine the α-globin gene status. In two non-informative families with non-deletional mutations, DNA analysis failed to rule out the affected condition, and fetal blood sampling (FBS) and Hb electrophoresis were used for the final diagnosis. In the 81 fetuses at risk for homozygous α-thalassaemia 1, 17 (13 by CVS and 4 by amniocentesis) were afffected, 30 were α-thalassaemia 1 heterozygotes, 19 were normal, and the remaining 15 were either normal or heterozygous. In the seven fetuses at risk for Hb H disease, one was normal, three were α-thalassaemia 1 heterozygotes, two were α-thalassaemia 2 heterozygotes, and one was affected with Hb H disease and developed hydrops fetalis. DNA analysis on fetal cells enabled us to diagnose prenatally severe α-thalassaemias, to prevent the birth of infants with Hb H disease, and to minimize maternal obstetrical complications from harbouring a fetus with Hb Bart's hydrops fetalis.     

Experiences of Coal Ash Artificial Reefs in Taiwan

A feasibility study for using fly-ash from Taiwan coal-fired power stations for artificial reef production was started in 1983. Various mixtures of fly ash stabilized with lime, cement, or industrial wastes and formed into blocks were tested in the laboratory. the results showed that the development of compressive strength of those blocks immersed in the sea water was much better than those exposed in the air. Heavy metal (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn) content of the blocks has been monitored routinely to determine the leaching rates. the result indicates that solidification of fly-ash could indeed immobilize heavy metals better than the original fly ash. From March 1984 to February 1987, 3,682 coal ash stabilized blocks with total weight of 300 tons were designed, fabricated and installed at both Hsin-ta, south western coast, and Kuei-hou, northern coast of Taiwan, for field trials. After four years' underwater observations on 100 cubic blocks at Wan-Li, northern Taiwan, it was shown that the physical integrity of the ash reef blocks had been maintained. the compressive strength and durability was better than the concrete artificial reefs nearby. the ash reefs could also attract fishes and the colonization by benthic organisms was similar to that on concrete reefs. Eighty-eight species of fishes were observed, of which 27 were commercially important, comprising more than 80% of the total biomass. These results demonstrate a potential use for stabilized coal ash as artificial reefs to replace traditionally used concrete reefs to protect and enhance the coastal fishery resources in Taiwan in the future.     

Applying hazardous substance management to supplier selection using analytic network process

With increased outsourcing and environmental consciousness, this paper presents an analytic network process (ANP) approach to incorporate the issue of hazardous substance management (HSM) into supplier selection. In this study, identification of criteria of HSM competence is categorized into four dimensions, a multi-criteria decision model is proposed. ANP is then applied to supplier selection and is characterized by interdependencies among decision structure components. An illustrative example in an electronics company is presented to demonstrate how to select a most appropriate supplier in accordance with the requirements of hazardous substance for environmental regulations.     

INFLUENCE OF BATHYMETRIC CHANGES ON HYDRODYNAMICS AND SALT INTRUSION IN ESTUARINE SYSTEM1

ABSTRACT: A vertical (laterally integrated) two‐dimensional numerical model has been applied to study the hydrodynamic characteristics and salt water intrusion in the Tanshui River estuarine system. The cross‐sectional profiles measured in 1978 and 1994 are schematized for model simulations. Detailed model calibration and verification have been conducted with water surface elevations, tidal current, salinity distributions, and residual velocities measured. The overall performance of the model is in qualitative agreement with the available field data. The model was then used to study how hydrodynamics and salt water intrusion change in response to changes in bathymetry. The model simulations indicate that more tidal energy propagates into the estuarine system in 1994 because of the substantial increase in river cross‐sections. The limits of salt intrusion in 1994 extended farther inland than those in 1978. On the other hand, the extent of mangrove wetland in the lower estuary has increased over the past 20 years and is likely a result of the increased salinity in the estuary.