Participate and Gaseous Emissions from Natural Gas Furnaces and Water Heaters

Three furnaces and one hot water heater were tested for particulate and gaseous emissions. The effects of fuel, stoichiometry, operating conditions, and appliance type on emission levels were studied. The filterable particulate levels from a properly operating furnace were very low. However, condensable particulate emissions were considerably greater, approximately the same as predicted by EPA estimates of furnace particulate emissions. Carbon emissions comprised about 12% of filterable particulate emissions. However, when operated highly fuel-rich, copious amounts of elemental carbon particles were emitted with a mass median diameter of less than 0.4 μm. Gaseous emissions were dependent on cycling of the furnace and stoichiometry.

An estimate was made of the daily furnace emissions compared to daily emissions from a 1980 catalyst-equipped automobile. While gaseous emissions were less than the corresponding vehicle emissions, the particle emissions from the furnace were three times greater than particle emissions from a 1980 vehicle.     

Determination of metal partitioning in porewater extracted from the Seine River Estuary sediment (France)

Total dissolved trace and major metals and their partitioning in porewater sediment have been investigated at two sites in the Seine River estuary (France). For this purpose, solid phase extraction (SPE) has been employed using specific chelating resins for the separation and preconcentration of organic and inorganic forms of studied metals under controlled (N2) inert atmosphere. In fact, the study is focused on the development of a method for sample collection and handling under inert atmosphere in order to avoid some potential artefacts of the extracted porewater, to preserve the samples from possible chemical oxidation changes and to determine metals partitioning between organic and inorganic forms. For this point, a separation and preconcentration method using two columns in series (chelamine and C18 columns) was used. The trace and major metals fixed on the two resins for all determinations were stripped by nitric acid (2 M) and analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES) and Zeeman Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (ZGF-AAS). The relationship between the distribution of metals and physico-chemical parameters such as pH and Eh (redox potential) as a function of depth was discussed. Some tendency in the distributions and seasonal variability of these traces and major metals are improved. The concentrations for all studied metals decreased as a function of depth where iron and manganese were found at mg L(-1) levels and other metals were found at [micro sign]g L(-1) levels, as well as there were significant fractions of all metals (except of manganese) which were complexed by organic matter. The comparison of data for the major elements (Fe and Mn), obtained by direct determination (without preconcentration) and preconcentration, show a very good recovery.     

Woody climbing plants influence the structure of the mountain forest in the Kahuzi-Biega National Park, DR Congo

In the mountain forests of the Kahuzi-Biega National Park (KBNP), in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where Sericostachys scandens, a woody climbing plant in the Amaranthaceae family, is expanding, trees appear to be negatively affected by this liana. In order to contribute to the understanding of the links between the expansion of the liana and the decline of its hosts, we compared the density and the species richness of the trees of dbh (diameter at breast height) ≥5 cm from the plots invaded by S. scandens with those from parcels that are still free from the invasion. The results of the paired unilateral t test applied to the overall sample showed that the tree density is very low in the plots dominated by the liana (p < 0.01), but that species richness is not affected (p > 0.05). In the class with diameter [10–30 cm], the lowest density of trees corresponds to the plots colonized by S. scandens, compared to the places where the liana is not abundant (p < 0.01). Further, the density of trees is significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the classes with diameters [5–10 cm] and ≥30 cm, in plots dominated by S. scandens. In conclusion, the emergence of the liana S. scandens has a negative effect on the density of the trees in the mountain forest of the KBNP.     

Land use and socioeconomic influences on a vulnerable freshwater resource in northern New England, United States

Land use and cover conversions as well as climatic factors drive current and future threats to freshwater systems. Research from the United States and across the globe has focused on already threatened and degraded freshwater systems, whose recovery requires significant investments. Attention must also be directed to monitoring freshwater systems that may appear robust, yet are likely to face enhanced vulnerabilities in the future due to climate and land use and cover changes. Such proactive monitoring can help identify problems early and provide potential solutions. In this study, we consider the case of Sebago Lake and its watershed in southern Maine; a region that has experienced significant population growth and development activity. Land use, socioeconomic change and water quality trends are monitored over a 20-year period using Landsat imagery, census, water quality and precipitation data. Our results indicate that Developed Land within the watershed has increased from 5.4 % of the total land area in 1987 to 8.9 % in 2009 with associated increases in population and housing activity. Sebago Lake’s water quality indicators from 1990 to 2010 show a directional trend concomitant with this change. The increase in Developed Land is likely to place additional pressures on water quality in the future. The analysis also indicates that precipitation trends play an important role in water quality variability for Sebago Lake. Predicted changes to climatic factors including enhanced spring time precipitation or earlier ice-out conditions combined with further land use change may play an influential role in determining water quality. The analysis highlights emerging areas of concern and reiterates the essential role of proactively monitoring vulnerable systems to help mitigate future threats.     

Precipitation of liquid swine manure phosphates using magnesium smelting by-products

Swine manure contains considerable amounts of total (P) and soluble phosphorus (PO(4)-P) which may increase the soil P content when applied in excess to crop requirements and, consequently, risk water eutrophication. The feasibility of using magnesium (Mg) from the by-product of electrolysis and foundries (BPEF) for the removal of P from liquid swine manure was studied by adding up to 3 g of Mg as BPEF per liter of nursery (NU) and grower-finisher (GF) swine manure in 25-L plastic buckets. Changes in P and other elements were monitored for up to 360 h. Small amounts of Mg as BPEF (0.5 and 1.0 g Mg L(-1) manure) reduced the total P concentration of the liquid fraction by 70 to 95% of both manure types with respect to the control treatment of mixed raw manure. A settling period of 8 h or more was necessary to significantly reduce the liquid fraction's total P concentration for both manure types. Reduction of PO(4)-P varied from 96 to 100% in the liquid fractions for both manure types, which along with natural settling, explains most of the total P reduction in that fraction. The addition of BPEF did not influence the N content of manure. The low P liquid fraction can be safely applied to saturated P soils whereas the high P solid fraction offers the opportunity of transporting manure to agricultural soils deficient in P. Since N is conserved, both liquid and solid fractions could be valuable fertilizer manure by-products.     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and hydroxylated metabolites in the muscle tissue of Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis) through dietary exposure during a 56-day period

Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis) was exposed trophically to phenanthrene, pyrene and benzo[a]pyrene. Accumulation kinetics in the muscle tissue of parent PAHs and hydroxylated metabolites were established for 56 days at 3 levels of exposure (0, 100 and 500 μg/kg BW). Benzo[a]pyrene and 3-hydroxy-benzo[a]pyrene were not detected in the muscles. During exposure, there was an increase in phenanthrene, pyrene and their hydroxylated metabolites in the muscle tissue. Low transfer to muscle tissue was observed at equilibrium for phenanthrene (4.4 ± 0.6% and 2.7 ± 0.8%) and pyrene (1.0 ± 0.2% and 0.33 ± 0.09%), depending on the concentrations in the spiked feed.     

Driving and alternatives: older drivers in Michigan

Method: A statewide telephone survey of Michigan drivers and former drivers aged 65 and older collected information on transportation mode choices, experience with alternatives to driving, and whether drivers planned for when they could no longer drive. Results: Results showed that most older adult households owned at least one automobile, and that the automobile was the primary mode of transportation. Most former drivers obtained rides from relatives and friends. Use of public transportation was low, and some seniors were not aware of available public transportation services. Older drivers did not plan for driving cessation. Over half the drivers who perceived a likelihood of driving problems within 5 years expected to keep driving beyond 5 years. Impact on industry: Because of their lifelong reliance on the automobile, their desire to drive themselves, and their lack of experience with public transportation, efforts to enhance the mobility of older people should consider this background while alternatives to the personal automobile are developed.     

Collision and violation involvement of drivers who use cellular telephones

The study sample consisted of 3,869 drivers, split approximately 50/50 between observed cell phone users and those observed not using cell phones (labeled "nonusers"). Cell phone use was determined by a snapshot observation made on city streets. The sample represented 54% of those originally observed, for whom a match was obtained for both vehicle license plate and for gender and estimated age group of the observed driver and that of the driver named in the vehicle policy. Data were obtained from records of insurance claims, police-reported collisions and violations, following a strict protocol to protect individual privacy. The dependent measures were at-fault crash claims and "inattention" violations. A logistic regression model controlled for age, gender, exposure (represented by not-at-fault crash claims), alcohol-related offenses, and aggressive driving offenses. The study also involved a comparison of the contributing factors and collision configurations of police-reported collisions involving the users and "nonusers" in the sample. Drivers observed using cell phones had a higher risk of an at-fault crash than did the "nonusers," although the difference was not significant for males. There was no apparent effect on "inattention" violations. The cell phone users also had a higher proportion of rear-end collisions. The violation pattern of cell phone users suggests that they are, in general, riskier drivers. These differences likely reflect lifestyle, attitude and personality factors. It is essential to control for these factors in assessing the direct risk attributable to cellular telephone use.     

Spatial variations of human health risk associated with exposure to chlorination by-products occurring in drinking water

During disinfection, chlorine reacts with organic matter present in drinking water and forms various undesirable chlorinated by-products (CBPs). This paper describes a study of the spatial variability of human health risk (i.e., cancer effects) from CBP exposure through drinking water in a specific region. The region under study involves nine drinking water distribution systems divided into several zones based on their characteristics. The spatial distribution of cancer risk (CR) was estimated using two years of data (2006-2008) on various CBP species. In this analysis, trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs) served as surrogates for CBPs. Three possible routes of exposure (i.e., via ingestion, inhalation and dermal contact) were considered for each selected compound. The cancer risk assessment involved estimating a unit risk (R(T)) in each zone of the selected distribution systems. A probabilistic analysis based on Monte Carlo simulations was employed. Risk assessment results showed that cancer risk varied between systems, but also within individual systems. As a result, the population of the same region was not exposed to the same risk associated with CBPs in drinking water. Unacceptable levels (i.e., R(T) > 10(-4)) for the estimated CR were determined for several zones in the studied region. This study demonstrates that a spatial-based analysis performed to represent the spatial distribution of risk estimates can be helpful in identifying suitable risk management strategies. Suggestions for improving the risk analysis procedure are also presented.     

Can Offshore Wind Energy Be a Lever for Job Creation in France? Some Insights from a Local Case Study

The French government has launched three separate calls for tender in July 2011, March 2013, and December 2016 to install 3.5 GW of offshore wind. In addition to contributing to the fulfillment of environmental commitments, the deployment of offshore wind energy is expected to be a lever for economic development. To assess gross economic impacts, mainly in terms of job creation, we built a regional input-output model of the wind farm off Saint-Brieuc located in the region of Brittany, north-western France. Our model indicates that the project will have positive effects on Brittany’s economy. In particular, during the investment phase, the wind farm is expected to lead to €0.38 M/year/MW of added value and 6.03 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs/year/MW. During the operation and maintenance (O&M) phase, the model predicts the generation of €0.15 M/year/MW of added value and 1.02 FTE jobs/year/MW. These results imply that the project will increase Brittany’s GDP slightly by 0.22 and 0.09% during the investment and O&M phases, respectively. Results also show that out of total wealth created in France, 38 and 66% will be created in Brittany as well as 32 and 51% of employment during respectively investment and O&M phases. A comparative analysis highlights in particular that economic impacts are generally stronger during the investment phase. It also demonstrates that the magnitude of economic impacts depends on the proportion of local industries in the supply chain. Policy implications of our model stress the need to revise the economic, technological, regulatory, and social frameworks within which the offshore wind industry currently operates in France to establish the conditions necessary for its development.