Increased biodegradation of a low-density polyethylene (LDPE) matrix in starch-filled LDPE materials

Preheated¹⁴C-labeled LDPE-films with 15% corn starch and a proxidant formulation [masterbatch (MB)] incubated in aqueous solutions with fungi at ambient temperature are about three times more susceptible to biodegradation than the corresponding preheated pure LDPE as observed by liquid scintillation counting (LSC). The inbuilt induction time before autoxidation commences can be shortened by initial heating. Preheated LDPE-MB materials biodegrade about five times faster than nonheated ones. After 1 year of biodegradation of nonheated LDPE-MB, sporadic increases in the evolution of¹⁴CO₂ have been noted, showing that the induction time may be running toward and end.     

Determination of nitrate and other water quality parameters in groundwater from UV/Vis spectra employing partial least squares regression

The use of UV/Vis spectroscopy in combination with partial least squares (PLS) regression for the simultaneous prediction of nitrate and non-purgeable organic carbon (NPOC) in groundwaters was evaluated. A model of high quality was obtained using first order derivative spectra in the range 200-300 nm. Inclusion of non-UV-absorbing constituents in the modeling procedure, i.e., chloride, sulfate, fluoride, total carbon (TC), inorganic carbon (IC), alkalinity, pH and conductivity was also evaluated. This model seemed to be useful for prediction of chloride, TC, IC, alkalinity and conductivity, while its ability to predict sulfate, fluoride and pH was poor. In conclusion, application of PLS regression, which requires neither filtration of samples nor addition of chemicals, is a promising alternative for fast interpretation of geochemical patterns of groundwater quality.     

Determination of isocyanic acid in air

A method is presented for the determination of isocyanic acid (ICA), HNCO, in air samples as a di-n-butylamine (DBA) derivative. The method is based on sampling in midget impinger flasks containing 10 ml of 0.01 mol l-1 DBA in toluene. Quantification was made using liquid chromatography (LC) and electrospray mass spectrometry (MS) monitoring positive ions. The instrumental detection limit for the LC-MS was 10 fmol of ICA-DBA. ICA was generated by thermal decomposition of urea. A standard solution containing the DBA derivatives of ICA was prepared by collecting the emitted ICA in an impinger flask containing DBA. ICA in the reference solution was characterised by LC and time-of-flight (TOF) MS and quantified by LC chemiluminescent nitrogen detection (LC-CLND). The instrumental detection limit for the LC-CLND was 1 ng of nitrogen. ICA was emitted during thermal degradation of PFU resins and polyurethane (PUR) lacquers, from car metal sheets. ICA was the most dominant isocyanate and in PUR coating up to 8% of the total weight was emitted as ICA and for PFU resins up to 14% was emitted as ICA. When air samples were collected in an iron foundry during casting in sand moulds with furan resins, concentrations of ICA in the range 50-700 micrograms m-3 were found in the working atmosphere.     

Diurnal variations of abiotic parameters in a stream,recipient for drainage water in Ranstad,southwest Sweden

During 24 h, water samples were taken for determination of a number of key parameters in a water system containing high concentrations of FeII at circumneutral pH. None of the major constituents (Ca, Mg, Na, K and sulfate) showed diurnal variations, while dissolved oxygen and pH increased during the night. This increase could entirely be explained by the decrease in water temperature. However, the concentration of FeII slightly increased at constant concentration of total Fe during the night, opposite to earlier observations in other systems where the presence of FeII was shown to be controlled by photoreduction. Nocturnal peaks of FeII have also been observed in other systems with high iron concentrations, however, at acidic pH, but without obvious explanation. The mechanisms for this process therefore need further investigation.     

Population structure and genetic variation of lane snapper (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lutjanus synagris</Emphasis>) in the northern Gulf of Mexico

Lane snappers (Lutjanus synagris), sampled from eight localities in the northern Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) and one locality along the Atlantic coast of Florida, were assayed for allelic variation at 14 nuclear-encoded microsatellites and for sequence variation in a 590 base-pair fragment of the mitochondrially encoded ND-4 gene (mtDNA). Significant heterogeneity among the nine localities in both microsatellite allele and genotype distributions and mtDNA haplotype distributions was indicated by exact tests and by analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA). Exact tests between pairs of localities and spatial analysis of molecular variance (SAMOVA) for both microsatellites and mtDNA revealed two genetically distinct groups: a Western Group that included six localities from the northwestern and northcentral Gulf and an Eastern Group that included three localities, one from the west coast of Florida, one from the Florida Keys, and one from the east (Atlantic) coast of Florida. The between-groups component of molecular variance was significant for both microsatellites (Φ _CT = 0.016, P = 0.009) and mtDNA (Φ _CT = 0.208, P = 0.010). Exact tests between pairs of localities within each group and spatial autocorrelation analysis did not reveal genetic heterogeneity or an isolation-by-distance effect among localities within either group. MtDNA haplotype diversity was significantly less (P < 0.0001) in the Western Group than in the Eastern Group; microsatellite allelic richness and gene diversity also were significantly less in the Western Group (P = 0.015 and 0.013, respectively). The difference in genetic variability between the two groups may reflect reduced effective population size in the Western Group and/or asymmetric rates of genetic migration. The relative difference in variability between the two groups was substantially greater in mtDNA and may reflect one or more mtDNA selective sweeps; tests of neutrality of the mtDNA data were consistent with this possibility. Bayesian analysis of genetic demography indicated that both groups have experienced a historical decline in effective population size, with the decline being greater in the Western Group. Maximum-likelihood analysis of microsatellite data indicated significant asymmetry in average, long-term migration rates between the two groups, with roughly twofold greater migration from the Western Group to the Eastern Group. The difference in mtDNA variability and the order-of-magnitude difference in genetic divergence between mtDNA and microsatellites may reflect different demographic events affecting mtDNA disproportionately and/or a sexual and/or spatial bias in gene flow and dispersal. The spatial discontinuity among lane snappers in the region corresponds to a known zone of vicariance in other marine species. The evidence of two genetically distinct groupings (stocks) has implications for management of lane snapper resources in the northern Gulf.     

Historical pollution of seldom monitored trace elements in Sweden--Part A: sediment properties and chronological indicators

Sediment cores from four small oligotrophic boreal lakes, with minor acidification, in remote regions of central Sweden were used for historical interpretation of their metal content, with focus on Cu, Cd, Pb and Zn in Lake Stensj?n, which has the longest sediment record (at least two centuries according to (210)Pb dating). Comparison is made with the other three lakes. Major and trace elements in lake water, porewater and the acid-leached (HNO(3)) solid sediment phase was analysed with ICP-MS. In addition, general lake water chemistry, TOC and principal anions were measured in the aqueous phases. Redistribution processes were interpreted from geochemical modelling. The solid/solution distribution of pe/pH sensitive elements, indicates a minor diagenetic redistribution and the concentration profiles are therefore suitable for chronological evaluation. The ratios of Al, Ti, Sc and V, indicated a qualitative shift of sedimenting material a century ago, which did not have any impact on the retention of trace elements. Lead had a concentration profile, supported by the (206)Pb/(207)Pb ratio, where it was possible to distinguish preindustrial conditions, early industrialisation in Europe, industrialisation in Sweden, and the use of leaded petrol after the Second World War. Cadmium showed a similar concentration pattern. The zinc profile resembled that of cadmium, but with less enrichment. Local lithogenic sources are believed to be quantitatively important. The solid/solution distribution (K(d)) was independent of depth for all four elements. The sediment concentrations of copper and zinc are not related to early industrialisation but its concentration has doubled since the Second World War.     

Sulfur recirculation for increased electricity production in Waste-to-Energy plants

Sulfur recirculation is a new technology for reducing boiler corrosion and dioxin formation. It was demonstrated in full-scale tests at a Waste to Energy plant in Göteborg (Sweden) during nearly two months of operation. Sulfur was recirculated as sulfuric acid from the flue gas cleaning back to the boiler, thus creating a sulfur loop.The new technology was evaluated by extensive measurement campaigns during operation under normal conditions (reference case) and operation with sulfur recirculation. The chlorine content of both fly ash and boiler ash decreased and the sulfur content increased during the sulfur recirculation tests. The deposit growth and the particle concentration decreased with sulfur recirculation and the dioxin concentration (I-TEQ) of the flue gas was reduced by approximately 25%. Sulfuric acid dew point measurements showed that the sulfuric acid dosage did not lead to elevated SO₃ concentrations, which may otherwise induce low temperature corrosion.In the sulfur recirculation corrosion probe exposures, the corrosion rate decreased for all tested materials (16Mo3, Sanicro 28 and Inconel 625) and material temperatures (450 °C and 525 °C) compared to the reference exposure. The corrosion rates were reduced by 60–90%. Sulfur recirculation prevented the formation of transition metal chlorides at the metal/oxide interface, formation of chromate and reduced the presence of zinc in the corrosion products. Furthermore, measured corrosion rates at 525 °C with sulfur recirculation in operation were similar or lower compared to those measured at 450 °C material temperature in reference conditions, which corresponds to normal operation at normal steam temperatures. This implies that sulfur recirculation allows for higher steam data and electricity production without increasing corrosion.     

A global Fordian compromise?—And what it would mean for the transition to sustainability

At first, it may seem as if the sustainable transition would force us to make a cynical trade-off between (a) the immediate needs of the global poor and (b) the future needs of the global rich. Crucial objectives, such as climate stability, are commonly held to be unattainable if the rest of the world would come to enjoy present Western living standards.Challenging this pessimistic analysis, this essay explores the possibility of opening up advanced technological paths to environmental sustainability by means of a “global Fordian compromise”. Built around trade reform, such a compromise would resemble its historic namesake by not seeking individual moral reform, as emphasized in environmental citizenship theory, but rather by drawing on the momentum of existing socio-economic dynamics.