Characterization of municipal and dairy wastewaters with 30 quality parameters and potential wastewater treatment by biological trickling filters

This study aimed to characterize raw municipal and dairy wastewaters. The quality of the collected wastewaters was determined by measuring 30 quality parameters, such as phenols, oxidation-reduction potential, oil and grease, total organic carbon (TOC), manganese, total viable count of bacteria (TVC), salinity, and biodegradability. Results were compared with wastewater disposal standards. This study also aimed to describe the potential application and performance of biological trickling filters (BTFs) in municipal and dairy wastewater treatment. Detailed reviews of trickling filter models were explained. Results revealed that two wastewater samples exceeded standard limits. The raw municipal and dairy wastewaters need treatment prior to disposal to the natural environment. Additionally, BTFs are efficient municipal and dairy wastewater treatments.     

An agenda for assessing and improving conservation impacts of sustainability standards in tropical agriculture

Sustainability standards and certification serve to differentiate and provide market recognition to goods produced in accordance with social and environmental good practices, typically including practices to protect biodiversity. Such standards have seen rapid growth, including in tropical agricultural commodities such as cocoa, coffee, palm oil, soybeans, and tea. Given the role of sustainability standards in influencing land use in hotspots of biodiversity, deforestation, and agricultural intensification, much could be gained from efforts to evaluate and increase the conservation payoff of these schemes. To this end, we devised a systematic approach for monitoring and evaluating the conservation impacts of agricultural sustainability standards and for using the resulting evidence to improve the effectiveness of such standards over time. The approach is oriented around a set of hypotheses and corresponding research questions about how sustainability standards are predicted to deliver conservation benefits. These questions are addressed through data from multiple sources, including basic common information from certification audits; field monitoring of environmental outcomes at a sample of certified sites; and rigorous impact assessment research based on experimental or quasi‐experimental methods. Integration of these sources can generate time‐series data that are comparable across sites and regions and provide detailed portraits of the effects of sustainability standards. To implement this approach, we propose new collaborations between the conservation research community and the sustainability standards community to develop common indicators and monitoring protocols, foster data sharing and synthesis, and link research and practice more effectively. As the role of sustainability standards in tropical land‐use governance continues to evolve, robust evidence on the factors contributing to effectiveness can help to ensure that such standards are designed and implemented to maximize benefits for biodiversity conservation.     

Distribution and assessment of heavy metal toxicity in sediment cores from Bizerte Lagoon,Tunisia

To examine the state of pollution of Bizerte Lagoon which is exposed to intense anthropogenic pressure, two sediment cores were taken at two sites, one undergoes the dual effects of both marine waters arriving from the Mediterranean Sea through the Channel, and also of freshwater from the Tinja River; the other core is located at the center of the lagoon where water depth is maximal (12 m). Heavy metal concentrations in the two cores were assessed, with calculated enrichment factors and geo-accumulation indexes. Core sediments were also studied for chemical speciation and their monosulfide contents were measured. Results from enrichment factors and geo-accumulation indexes show an accumulation of Cd, Zn, Cr, and Pb, while chemical speciation revealed a risk only from Cd and Mn. Comparison of sequential extraction values with those of acid volatile sulfides revealed that non-toxic effects may be caused by any of the studied metals in the sediment.     

Currently used organophosphate and brominated flame retardants in the environment of China and other developing countries (2000–2016)

This review summarizes the environmental occurrence of new brominated flame retardants (NBFRs) and organophosphate compounds (OPs) in the environment of developing countries since 2000. The ban on the production and use of commercial formulations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) have paved the way for the high use of NBFRs and OPs in consumer products to fulfill the fire safety regulations. Recent studies have shown that the ever increasing production volumes and extensive use of these chemicals as additive FRs and plasticizers have resulted into their ubiquitous occurrence in all environmental compartments. Although presumed to be safe for use and the environment, recent studies on their occurrence and persistence in the environment have raised questions. Due to the lack of awareness, research interest, and availability of technical facilities, limited scientific data is available on the occurrence of these chemicals in developing countries. In this study, we collected reported data and provide an overview of environmental occurrence of NBFRs and OPs in abiotic and biotic matrices of different developing countries. Finally, research gaps were identified with recommendations for future research work and would be useful towards the environmental management of these toxic chemicals.     

鄱阳湖区国土资源综合评价和开发整治战略

本文在鄱阳湖区国土资源综合评价的基础上,提出了开发整治的战略。鄱阳湖区自然资源比较丰富,开发潜力大。但是,由于洪涝干旱等自然灾害比较频繁,经济结构不合理,商品生产不发达,人口增长率高,科技文化比较落后,环境恶化等原因,影响了湖区经济的发展。为了开发整治鄱阳湖区,本文提出了整治洪涝灾害,充分发挥湖泊水资源优势;优化经济和产业结构,合理利用国土资源,充分发挥湖区农业优势;严格控制人口增长,增加智力投资,提高人口素质,促进科技进步等战略问题。     

钦州湾近20 a来水环境指标的变化趋势Ⅰ平水期营养盐状况

根据 198 3、1990年和 1998～ 1999年平水期 (春、秋季 )的调查资料 ,分析了钦州湾水域的营养盐状况及其与环境因子的关系。结果表明 :本湾营养盐含量变化显著 ,无机氮呈明显递增趋势 ,无机磷则与此相反 ,而活性硅的最低值则出现在浮游植物量最高的 1990年度 ;相关分析显示 ,陆源输入的多寡和浮游植物的丰度是导致本湾N、P、Si含量变化的主要因素 ;Si/N/P值分析则体现了本湾从明显N限制到显著P限制的演化规律 ,而Si限制状态只有在浮游植物异常丰富的情况下才出现 ;通过营养状态综合指数计算 ,表明本湾水体已由明显贫营养状态上升为中营养和富营养状态