Degradation of pharmaceuticals in wastewater matrices through solar light-driven photocatalyst prepared from petrochemical waste

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Pharmaceuticals, such as dipyrone (DIP), paracetamol (PCT), and propranolol (PPN), are widely used analgesics and beta-blockers with the greatest...     

Prioritizing Wildlife Taxa for Biological Diversity Conservation at the Local Scale

/ We identified and ranked 108 resident and migratory wildlife taxa on John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) that were vulnerable to local, regional, or global extinction. We ranked taxa based on their vulnerability to extinction, their potential role for maintaining faunal integrity, and the relevance of KSC for maintaining their populations in the United States and Florida. Several taxa, not listed by agencies, were vulnerable to regional or global extinction. Many taxa not vulnerable to global extinction were vulnerable to local and regional extinction. Top predators were vulnerable to extinction because of small population size, isolation from other populations, and road mortality. Many taxa were dependent on habitat conditions at different geographic locations so that conservation required greater collaboration among land owners, managers, and researchers at local, regional, and global scales.KEY WORDS: Biological diversity; Endangered species; Conservation     

Longitudinal variations in indoor VOC concentrations after moving into new apartments and indoor source characterization

This study examined the indoor concentrations of a wide range of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in currently built new apartments every month over a 24-month period and the source characteristics of indoor VOCs. The indoor total VOC (TVOC) concentrations exhibited a decreasing tendency over the 24-month follow-up period. Similar to TVOCs, the median indoor concentrations of 33 of 40 individual VOCs (all except for naphthalene and six halogenated VOCs) revealed decreasing tendencies. In contrast, the indoor concentrations of the six halogenated VOCs did not reveal any definite trend with time. Moreover, the indoor concentrations of those halogenated VOCs were similar to the outdoor concentrations, suggesting the absence of any notable indoor sources of halogenated VOCs. For naphthalene (NT), the indoor concentrations were significantly higher than the outdoor concentrations, suggesting the presence of indoor NT source(s). The floor/wall coverings (39 %) were the most influential indoor source of indoor VOCs, followed by household cleaning products (32 %), wood paneling/furniture (17 %), paints (7 %), and moth repellents (5 %).     

Environmental monitoring of water resources around a municipal landfill of the Rio Grande do Sul state,Brazil

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - In Brazil, landfills are commonly used as a method for the final disposal of waste that is compliant with the legislation. This technique, however,...     

Phytotoxicity of nanoparticles—problems with bioassay choosing and sample preparation

For a full estimation of the risk related with the presence of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) in the environment, the use of the current ecotoxicological methods may prove insufficient. In the study presented herein, various methods of assessment of ecotoxicity were applied to compare the phytotoxicity of three ENPs: nano-ZnO, nano-TiO₂ and nano-Ni. The toxicity was assayed both for aqueous solutions of the ENPs (the germination/elongation test and Phytotestkit F^TM) and for ENPs added to soil (Phytotoxkit F^TM and modified Phytotoxkit F^TM). Lepidium sativum was used as a test plant. The scope of the study also included the assessment of the effect of the method of ENP application to the soil (as powder and aqueous suspension) on their phytotoxicity. In the course of the study, no effect of the studied ENPs and their bulk counterparts on the germination of seeds was observed. The root growth inhibition of L. sativum depended on the kind of test applied. The trend between concentration of ENPs and effect depended on the method used and kind of ENPs. For most nanoparticles (despite of the method used), the differences in phytotoxicity between nano and bulk particles were observed. Depending on the kind of ENPs, their phytotoxicity differs between water and soil. ZnO (nano and bulk) and nano-Ni were more toxic in soil than in water. For TiO₂ and bulk-Ni, reverse trend was observed. A different method of ENP application to soil differently affects the phytotoxicity.     

Fine dust filtration using a metal fiber bed

A bed-type filter composed of thin metal alloy fiber was closely examined with dust capturing in cold and hot runs. The investigation of an individual mechanism across the filter bed indicated that the aerated dust could be initially collected by depth filtration, and after a while, surface filtration dominated the overall dust collection. The present metal fiber bed was comparable to the conventional ceramic filters because of its good collection efficiency with low pressure drop. It also showed potential to be used as a prefilter in a diesel exhaust trapping system.     

The Impact of BSE and FMD on Ethics and Democratic Process

The recent crises of BSE and FMD in the United Kingdom have revealed widespread concerns on the part of farmers and consumers about government regulations and handling of animal movements, animal welfare, and food safety. Both crises raised issues of government accountability and the lack of openness in public debate. The issues of democratic process and decision-making were especially strong in relation to the mass slaughter policy of the government to control FMD. This article explores public disquiet about these matters, as expressed through the reports of two public inquiries, and the perceived links between government decision-making and the needs of global agribusiness, to the detriment of family farms and animal welfare. In light of the growing evidence about the environmental and economic costs of agribusiness, the argument is made that strong programs of citizen action, such as the Devon Foot and Mouth Inquiry, that are grounded in an ethical stance on animal welfare can challenge the perspectives of central governments about concepts of cost, efficiency, and safety in agriculture.     

Book reviews

ANALYTICAL PLANNING: THE ORGANISATION OF SYSTEMS

Thomas L. Saaty and Kevin P. Kearns

Pergamon Press, 1985. Price: U.S. $40.00, U.K. £29.50.

THE GEOGRAPHER AT WORK

Peter Gould

Routledge and Kegan Paul, London 1985’ Price: £8.95.

UTOPIA ON TRIAL

Alice Colman

Hilary Shipman Ltd., 19 Framfield Road, Highbury, London. May 1985 (reprinted August, 1985). Price: £7.95.

SIR RAYMOND UNWIN: ARCHITECT, PLANNER AND VISIONARY

Frank Jackson

A. Zwemmer Ltd., London 1985. 187 pp. with maps and illustrations.

STRATEGIC PLANNING IN ACTION: THE IMPACT OF THE CLYDE VALLEY REGIONAL PLAN 1946–1982

R. Smith and U. Wannop (eds)

Gower, 1985, 272 pp. Price: £16.50.

LOCALITIES, CLASS AND GENDER

The Lancaster Regionalism Group (Linda Murgatroyd, Mike Savage, Dan Shapiro, John Urry, Sylvia Walby, Alan Warde, with Jane Mark‐Lawson)

Pion Ltd., 1985. Price: £12.00.