Untersuchungen zur Nachhaltigkeit der Sanierung von Tributylzinnkontaminiertem Hafensediment durch Landablagerung

To allow ships to pass, most harbours have to be liberated from sedimented material. These sediments often contain high concentrations of tributyltin (TBT), which is used as a biocide in antifouling paints. Thus, the problem of a disposal which is acceptable with respect to a minimum risk for humans and the environment arises. The aim of our project was to assess land deposition as an alternative in dealing with TBT-contaminated harbour sediments. Therefore, we followed the biological degradation of TBT under aerobic and anaerobic conditions at different temperatures using defined laboratory experiments, and got important information about the land deposition, performing field measurements including biomonitoring. The biological degradation of TBT is faster under aerobic conditions and with increasing temperature. The half-lives found show the dependency of the degradation rates on the temperature between 5–55°C. The degradation rate determined for water under the same conditions (just biological degradation, without photolysis) is almost 4 times higher than in sediment. The field studies showed degradation rates of a maximum of 10–15% per year in untreated sediment and 30% per year in restacked sediments. We did not observe any interference of released TBT with ground water or surrounding areas. The TBT uptake in plants was low. Based on our results a multidimensional risk evaluation was performed, concerning the TBT and its degradation products dibutyltin (DBT) and monobutylin (MBT) released from the deposition areas. The land deposition appears to be a sustainable solution for dealing with TBT-contaminated harbour sediments.     

Amniotic fluid calcium concentration in the prenatal diagnosis of cystic fibrosis

Calcium concentrations were measured in supernatant amniotic fluid in order to establish whether they may be used as a marker for cystic fibrosis. No difference in values were found, whether the sample was derived from a normal pregnancy or from a pregnancy which resulted in a baby affected with cystic fibrosis.     

A scanning electron microscope study of the mandibular morphology of boreal copepods

Morphological details of the mandibular blades of 11 species of copepods were examined with scanning electron microscopy. The micrographs improved our understanding of the complex toothed edge of the mandibular blade, which in turn aids in identification of the copepod prey of chaetognaths by gut-content analysis. Beklemishev's discovery of siliceous tooth crowns in calanoid copepods was confirmed for most of the species examined. Long, sharp projections on the crowns of herbivorous species, and the deep grooves into which they fit on the teeth of the opposite mandible, suggest a cracking rather than a grinding function for these teeth.     

Compensation for “Meaningful Participation” in Climate Change Control: A Modest Proposal and Empirical Analysis

The debate over an international climate change regime has thus far focused primarily on efficiency concerns in developed countries. This paper suggests a means by which equity concerns may be addressed in the ongoing negotiations. A system of transfers is developed that is motivated by the difference between the damage caused by a country and the damage suffered by that country as a result of climate change. Illustrative calculations of the magnitude and direction of these transfers are made. We find that in general transfers flow from temperate to tropical countries but that the degree of uncertainty associated with these calculations is very large.