Loss of particulate contaminants from plant canopies under wet and dry conditions

There is a requirement for data describing the loss with time of particulate contamination from plant canopies. Measurements were made of the loss rates of monodispersed silica spheres (three sizes, with Mass Median Aerodynamic Diameters (MMADs) 1.9, 5.3 and 8.4 microm) from wheat (Triticum aestivum) and broad bean (Vicia faba) canopies. The spheres were labelled with tracers detectable by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA). Canopies were contaminated under realistic turbulence conditions in a wind tunnel, then removed to sheltered and exposed field sites or to a glasshouse containing a rain simulator. Samples were taken periodically, and the level of contamination per plant determined by INAA. Statistical analysis of the resulting data suggested an offset exponential loss model, with a residue of deposit that is not lost over time. Loss half-lives in the order of 1-2 days were obtained for an exposed wheat crop and 3-4 days for a partially sheltered wheat crop, with permanent residues of initial deposit for the exposed crop of 4-8%, and for the partially sheltered crop of 22-52%. A broad bean crop under glasshouse conditions showed loss half-lives of 0.5-1.5 days with residues of 22-26% initial contamination. A double exponential loss model also fitted the data well in some cases, and it is possible that a slow loss of the residual deposit occurs, being masked by noise in the current data set.     

Sublethal effects of chronic oil exposure on the intertidal clam Macoma balthica

When exposed to Prudhoe Bay crude oil in flowing seawater for 180 days, the small intertidal clam Macoma balthica showed behavioral, physical, physiological and biochemical changes. At a high concentration of oil in seawater (3.0 mg l^-1) burrowing rate decreased, respiration rate increased, growth was inhibited, and very high mortalities resulted. The lowest concentration of oil in seawater (0.03 mg l^-1) inhibited growth and caused reabsorption of gametes. One group of adverse oil effects which was related to sluggishness and disorientation of the clams appeared after a week of exposure to oil; another group related to a negative energy balance was not observed until 60 days. We conclude that chronic exposure of M. balthica to oil-in-seawater concentrations even as low as 0.03 mg l^-1 will, in time, lead to population decreases.Please address requests for reprints to Dr. D. G. Shaw at the Institute of Marine Science     

Comments on selecting a geographic information system for environmental management

Many organizations in environmental fields stand to benefit from the use of a geographic information system (GIS). Selecting a GIS to implement within an organization can be a difficult task that is often required of people with little experience using a GIS. A framework for evaluating competing GIS considers cost, functionality, ease of use, future stability, development potential, support availability, and maintenance costs. Initial cost involves more than the actual purchase price of hardware and software; it includes the cost of building the data base and training users within the organization. Functionality refers to the depth and breadth of capabilities of a GIS. Issues involved in evaluating functionality include the appropriateness of raster vs vector processing and the ability to add your own software. Ease of use is important, but there is generally a trade-off with functionality. The degree of centralization of use of the GIS within the organization affects requirements for ease of use. GIS are rapidly evolving, and as a result it is important to select a system with high potential for future development. With the proliferation of companies offering GIS it is important to select one that is likely to survive and prosper. Similarly, the ability to find support in the forms of technical help, advice, and possibly even skilled employees can be significant.     

Small female rib cage fracture in frontal sled tests

Objectives: The 2 objectives of this study are to (1) examine the rib and sternal fractures sustained by small stature elderly females in simulated frontal crashes and (2) determine how the findings are characterized by prior knowledge and field data.

Methods: A test series was conducted to evaluate the response of 5 elderly (average age 76 years) female postmortem human subjects (PMHS), similar in mass and size to a 5th percentile female, in 30 km/h frontal sled tests. The subjects were restrained on a rigid planar seat by bilateral rigid knee bolsters, pelvic blocks, and a custom force-limited 3-point shoulder and lap belt. Posttest subject injury assessment included identifying rib cage fractures by means of a radiologist read of a posttest computed tomography (CT) and an autopsy. The data from a motion capture camera system were processed to provide chest deflection, defined as the movement of the sternum relative to the spine at the level of T8.

?A complementary field data investigation involved querying the NASS-CDS database over the years 1997–2012. The targeted cases involved belted front seat small female passenger vehicle occupants over 40 years old who were injured in 25 to 35 km/h delta-V frontal crashes (11 to 1 o'clock).

Results: Peak upper shoulder belt tension averaged 1,970 N (SD = 140 N) in the sled tests. For all subjects, the peak x-axis deflection was recorded at the sternum with an average of ?44.5 mm or 25% of chest depth. The thoracic injury severity based on the number and distribution of rib fractures yielded 4 subjects coded as Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) 3 (serious) and one as AIS 5 (critical). The NASS-CDS field data investigation of small females identified 205 occupants who met the search criteria. Rib fractures were reported for 2.7% of the female occupants.

Conclusions: The small elderly test subjects sustained a higher number of rib cage fractures than expected in what was intended to be a minimally injurious frontal crash test condition. Neither field studies nor prior laboratory frontal sled tests conducted with 50th percentile male PMHS predicted the injury severity observed. Although this was a limited study, the results justify further exploration of the risk of rib cage injury for small elderly female occupants.     

Youth participation in disaster risk reduction through science clubs in the Philippines

With the UN‐led celebration of the International Year of Youth from August 2010 to August 2011 there has been a renewed interest in young people and the vital role they can play in important issues, such as disaster risk reduction (DRR). This study aims to examine the potential of science clubs as a vehicle for youth participation in DRR in the Philippines. A questionnaire survey was conducted to obtain quantitative and qualitative data. A total of 658 science club members from different provinces of the Philippines participated in the survey. The result of the survey is used to explain how the major barriers to youth participation in DRR can be overcome. Through science clubs, the youth can become a link between their school, home and community and can contribute to spreading knowledge about disaster prevention, preparedness and response learned inside and outside the classroom.     

Biodegradation of phthalate esters in polluted soil by using organic amendment

This study investigated the biodegradation of the phthalate esters (PAEs) di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) and di-(2-ethyl hexyl) phthalate (DEHP) in sludge and sludge-amended soil. DBP (100 mg kg^?1) and DEHP (100 mg kg^?1) were added to sewage sludge, which was subsequently added to soil. The results showed that sewage sludge can degrade PAEs and the addition of sewage sludge to soil enhanced PAE degradation. Sludge samples were separated into fractions with various particle size ranges, which spanned 0.1–0.45 μm to 500–2000 μm. The sludge fractions with smaller particle sizes demonstrated higher PAE degradation rates. However, when the different sludge fractions were added to soil, particle size had no significant effect on the rate of PAE degradation. The results from this study showed that microbial strains F4 (Rhodococcus sp.) and F8 (Microbacterium sp.) were constantly dominant in the mixtures of soil and sludge.     

A Comparative Assessment of Flue Gas Treatment Processes Part I—Status and Design Basis

The developmental status, projected costs, and environmental effects of 14 flue gas treatment processes are compared on a common basis in two consecutive issues of JAPCA. Part I summarizes the background and study basis and Part II compares environmental impact and relative costs. Each process is assumed to be associated with a grass roots installation that includes a modern 800 MW power plant burning Illinois No. 6 coal. Also considered is the effectiveness of these processes to control particulate matter, NO _x , trace inorganics, and polyorganic matter.

The processes are divided into those operating once-through (Limestone, Lime, Limestone and Lime, Dual-Alkali), and with regeneration (Magnesia, Wellman-Lord, Citrate, Aqueous Carbonate, IFP-Catalytic Inc., Copper-Dry Bed, and Carbon-Dry Bed). Also analyzed are NO _x control processes that are compatible with scrubbers or dry processes, and include the Exxon Thermal DeNO _x , Ozone NO Oxidation, and Copper and Carbon-Dry Bed.     

Global potential of phosphorus recovery from human urine and feces

This study geospatially quantifies the mass of an essential fertilizer element, phosphorus, available from human urine and feces, globally, regionally, and by specific country. The analysis is performed over two population scenarios (2009 and 2050). This important material flow is related to the presence of improved sanitation facilities and also considers the global trend of urbanization. Results show that in 2009 the phosphorus available from urine is approximately 1.68 million metric tons (with similar mass available from feces). If collected, the phosphorus available from urine and feces could account for 22% of the total global phosphorus demand. In 2050 the available phosphorus from urine that is associated with population increases only will increase to 2.16 million metric tons (with similar mass available from feces). The available phosphorus from urine and feces produced in urban settings is currently approximately 0.88 million metric tons and will increase with population growth to over 1.5 million metric tons by 2050. Results point to the large potential source of human-derived phosphorus in developing regions like Africa and Asia that have a large population currently unserved by improved sanitation facilities. These regions have great potential to implement urine diversion and reuse and composting or recovery of biosolids, because innovative technologies can be integrated with improvements in sanitation coverage. In contrast, other regions with extensive sanitation coverage like Europe and North America need to determine how to retrofit existing sanitation technology combined that is combined with human behavioral changes to recover phosphorus and other valuable nutrients.