Incidents in manual handling activities

More than 20000 handling manoeuvres in loading or unloading trailers in a large transportation company were observed. The aim of the study was to determine the frequency and nature of the incidents occurring whilst handling. The incidents were recorded and interpreted from a double perspective, namely as risk factors and as activity regulation factors. The study showed that on average, one incident occurred in every seven handling manoeuvres: 71% of them were related to the environment, and 29% to the activity. While numerous, the environment-related incidents were generally without consequences. In this respect, the activity incidents appeared more risky; also, the majority of these incidents occurred during the load positioning phase. The study also showed that loads are re-handled twice as often in unloading as in loading, the frequency of re-handlings varying widely from one handler to another. The reasons why so few of the observed incidents are reported in accident studies and their significance in the understanding of handling problems are discussed.     

The influence of degree of substitution on blend miscibility and biodegradation of cellulose acetate blends

In this account, we report our findings on blends of cellulose acetate having a degree of substitution (DS) of 2.49 (CA2.5) with a cellulose acetate having a DS of 2.06 (CA2.0). This blend system was examined over the composition range of 0–100% CA2.0 employing both solvent casting of films (no plasticizer) and thermal processing (melt-compressed films and injection molding) using poly(ethylene glycol) as a common plasticizer. All thermally processed blends were optically clear and showed no loss in optical quality after storage for several months. Thermal analysis and measurement of physical properties indicate that blends in the middle composition range are partially miscible, while those at the ends of the composition range are miscible. We suggest that the miscibility of these cellulose acetate blends is influenced primarily by the monomer composition of the copolymers. Bench-scale simulated municipal composting confirmed the biodestructability of these blends and indicated that incorporation of a plasticizer accelerated the composting rates of the blends.In vitro aerobic biodegradation testing involving radiochemical labeling conclusively demonstrated that both the lower DS CA2.0 and the plasticizer significantly enhanced the biodegradation of the more highly substituted CA2.5.While this work was in progress, Robert Gardner was struck with cancer and died on June 6, 1995. This paper is dedicated to his memory and to his contributions as a friend and colleague.     

Analysis of a system for remote, dry removal of solidified mixed waste

This paper describes a novel technology for the removal of solidified radioactive waste from underground storage tanks at the DOE Hanford site in southeast Washington. The process involves the use of a unique high pressure system which pulverizes the hardened saltcake with stainless steel pellets to a powder for easy vacuum removal. The steel pellets can be magnetically separated from the waste material for re-use. Specifically this study analyzes the effects of various steel abrasives, pressure of the air stream, and stand-off distance on removal rates and penetration depth on simulated saltcake samples using the high pressure technique. A full-scale test set-up and protocol were implemented to allow for comprehensive testing. To insure reproducibility of the method, tests were then run for the optimum removal parameters. A time-dependent test was also conducted to determine the relationship of removal rates to length of pressure blasts. The results of these tests revealed that stand-off distance and pressure could be positively correlated to removal volumes. Additionally, a statistical analysis confirmed that nozzle angle is independent of removal rate. This study demonstrated that the pellet ‘blaster’ technique is a safe, effective method for removal of radioactive wastes without any increase in either waste mass or volume.     

In-situ sparging: Mass transfer mechanisms

In-situ sparging has been accepted as a method to rapidly remediate groundwater at considerably lower costs compared to remedies based on groundwater recovery alone. The success of in-situ sparging depends on effective mass transfer between air and contaminated media in the subsurface. Factors affecting mass transfer include advective airflow, diffusive transport, interphase chemical partitioning, and chemical and biological reaction rates between sparged gases and subsurface contaminants, minerals, and naturally occurring organic compounds. Understanding these factors can increase the design efficiency of in-situ sparging and assist in developing sparging systems that use gases other than air (i.e., oxygen, ozone, and methane).     

Review of information on pesticide residues in the Canadian environment

Summary Pesticide residues in soil, water, food, wildlife and other media have been analysed in several monitoring studies. The purpose was to establish the distribution of these residues across a defined area, ascertain their trend over a specific period and use the results to assess environmental compliance and safety. In the present review the availability of information on pesticide residues in various Canadian environmental components was sought. With the possible exception of localized pesticide contamination of some private water supply wells, ground and surface water, most analyses revealed concentrations below guideline limits. Only a few cases were reported of mishandling, misuse and poisoning from pesticides. Continuing surveillance programmes and in-depth and well-organized monitoring studies, with special focus on areas that are vulnerable to contamination, by both provincial and federal governments, are largely responsible for the encouraging results. This experience in the control of pesticide use and monitoring of residues in the environment should be of particular interest in developing countries.Dr A.Y. Sangodoyin is a senior lecturer in the Department of Agricultural Engineering at the University of Ibadan. He was recently involved in a study visit to the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2G7, where his co-author Dr D.W. Smith is a member of staff in the Department of Civil-Engineering.     

Focusing biodiversity research on the needs of decision makers

The project on Biodiversity Uncertainties and Research Needs (BURN) ensures the advancement of usable knowledge on biodiversity by obtaining input from decision makers on their priority information needs about biodiversity and then using this input to engage leading scientists in designing policy-relevant research. Decision makers articulated concerns related to four issues: significance of biodiversity; status and trends of biodiversity; management for biodiversity; and the linkage of social, cultural, economic, legal, and biological objectives. Leading natural and social scientists then identified the research required to address the decision makers' needs and determined the probability of success. The diverse group of experts reached consensus on several fundamental issues, helping to clarify the role of biodiversity in land and resource management. The BURN participants identified several features that should be incorporated into policy-relevant research plans and management strategies for biodiversity. Research and assessment efforts should be: multidisciplinary and integrative, participatory with stakeholder involvement, hierarchical (multiple scales), and problem- and region-specific. The activities should be focused regionally within a global perspective. Meta-analysis of existing data is needed on all fronts to assess the state of the science. More specifically, the scientists recommended six priority research areas that should be pursued to address the information needs articulated by decision makers: (1) characterization of biodiversity, (2) environmental valuation, (3) management for sustainability—for humans and the environment (adaptive management), (4) information management strategies, (5) governance and stewardship issues, and (6) communication and outreach. Broad recommendations were developed for each research area to provide direction for research planning and resource management strategies. The results will directly benefit those groups that require biodiversity research to address their needs—whether to develop policy, manage natural resources, or make other decisions affecting biodiversity.     

Sludge-grown algae for culturing aquatic organisms: Part II. Sludge-grown algae as feeds for aquatic organisms

This project investigated the feasibility of using sewage sludge to culture microalgae (Chlorella-HKBU) and their subsequent usage as feeds for rearing different organisms. Part II of the project evaluated the results of applying the sludge-grown algae to feedOreochromis mossambicus (fish),Macrobrachium hainenese (shrimp), andMoina macrocopa (cladocera). In general, the yields of the cultivated organisms were unsatisfactory when they were fed the sludge-grown algae directly. The body weights ofO. mossambicus andM. macrocopa dropped 21% and 37%, respectively, although there was a slight increase (4.4%) inM. hainenese. However, when feeding the algal-fed cladocerans to fish and shrimp, the body weights of the fish and shrimp were increased 7% and 11% accordingly. Protein contents of the cultivated organisms were comparable to the control diet, although they contained a rather high amount of heavy metals. When comparing absolute heavy metal contents in the cultivated organisms, the following order was observed: alga > cladocera > shrimp, fish > sludge extracts. Bioelimination of heavy metals may account for the decreasing heavy metal concentrations in higher trophic organisms.     

Competitive biomethanation using substrates in combination and by cross inoculation

Summary Quantitative studies on the biomethanation processes using a different biomass (goat dung, cow dung, buffalo dung, piggery waste, poultry waste and sewage) alone or in combination have been made. The dung samples have been found to be an efficient producer of biogas at a 1:2 dilution. Better yields of biogas are obtained in combination with other biomasses rather than when used alone. Judicious mixing of biomasses, however, is important. Competitive biomethanation of a biomass by other biomasses as a source for a wild population of microbes has been studied in vials using a cross-inoculation technique, i.e. using inoculum of one biomass on different sterile biomasses. The results show that the microbes are very specific and usually non-adaptive. Each inoculum outclasses others in using its natural biomass for methanation but reacts poorly when inoculated to other alien biomasses. Buffalo dung is to some extent adaptive in nature.Professor S.C. Lahiri is the senior author of this paper and he is ex-Head of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Kalyani where Nilanjan Chakravorty is a research fellow. Dr G.M. Sarkar is a senior lecturer in the Department of Botany at Ranaghat College, Ranaghat, Nadia, West Bengal, India.     

The Cotingo Dam as a test of Brazil's system for evaluating proposed developments in Amazonia

The proposed Cotingo Dam in Brazil's far northern state of Roraima is examined with the objective of drawing lessons for Brazil's system of evaluating environmental, social, and financial consequences of development decisions. The Cotingo Dam illustrates the difficulty of translating into practice the principles of economic and environmental assessment. Examination of the financial arguments for the Cotingo Dam indicates that justifications in this sphere are insufficient to explain why the project is favored over other alternatives and points to political factors as the best explanation of the project's high priority. Strong pressure from political and entrepreneurial interest groups almost invariably dominates decision making in Amazonia. The analysis indicates the inherent tendency of the present system to produce decisions in favor of large construction projects at the expense of the environment and local peoples. The requirements intended to assure proper weight for these concerns, such as the report on environmental impacts (RIMA) and the public hearing, fail to serve this role. Cotingo also provides a test case for constitutional protections restricting construction of dams in indigenous lands.     

Ecosystem management to achieve ecological sustainability: The case of South Florida

The ecosystems of South Florida are unique in the world. The defining features of the natural Everglades (large spatial scale, temporal patterns of water storage and sheetflow, and low nutrient levels) historically allowed a mosaic of habitats with characteristic animals. Massive hydrological alterations have halved the Everglades, and ecological sustainability requires fundamental changes in management.The US Man and the Biosphere Human-Dominated Systems Directorate is conducting a case study of South Florida using ecosystem management as a framework for exploring options for mutually dependent sustainability of society and the environment. A new methodology was developed to specify sustainability goals, characterize human factors affecting the ecosystem, and conduct scenario/consequence analyses to examine ecological and societal implications. South Florida has sufficient water for urban, agricultural, and ecological needs, but most water drains to the sea through the system of canals; thus, the issue is not competition for resources but storage and management of water. The goal is to reestablish the natural system for water quantity, timing, and distribution over a sufficient area to restore the essence of the Everglades.The societal sustainability in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) is at risk because of soil degradation, vulnerability of sugar price supports, policies affecting Cuban sugar imports, and political/economic forces aligned against sugar production. One scenario suggested using the EAA for water storage while under private sugar production, thereby linking sustainability of the ecological system with societal sustainability. Further analyses are needed, but the US MAB project suggests achieving ecological sustainability consistent with societal sustainability may be feasible.