Enhancing environmental integration in strategic environmental assessment (SEA): insight from sensitivity analysis

This paper explores the potential of sensitivity analysis to improve the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) process and enhance environmental integration. It applies the Sensitivity Model Prof. Vester® to the England SEA process, following two objectives: (1) establishing how different strategic environmental assessment (SEA) elements affect environmental integration; and (2) establishing the sensitivity of the SEA process in terms of response to change. The findings showed that no single element was critical to enhancing environmental integration. Several elements, acting as sources of uncertainty, leverage or stability in the process, were also identified, highlighting their potential as priority targets for process improvement. It is concluded that sensitivity analysis can supplement current expert-led approaches to SEA improvement by (1) identifying elements likely to influence environmental integration and (2) testing the likely performance of recommendations for process improvement.     

Male reproductive tactics to increase paternity in the polygynandrous Columbian ground squirrel (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Urocitellus columbianus</Emphasis>)

In polyandrous and polygynandrous species where females mate with multiple partners, males are expected to maximize their fitness by exhibiting an array of reproductive behaviors to ensure fertilization success, such as competing for the best mating order within a mating sequence, optimizing their investment in copulation, and mate guarding. Though there is genetic evidence of a first-male precedence in siring success for many mammalian species, the causes of this effect are poorly understood. We studied influences on first-male precedence in Columbian ground squirrels (Urocitellus columbianus). We found that the time a male spent consorting and mate guarding declined with his mating order (both the highest for the first male to mate). Mate guarding by the first male significantly reduced, but did not exclude, the number of additional males a female accepted. Later mating males reduced the time spent consorting, suggesting a perceived decreased chance of fertilization success. Consortship and mate guarding durations were positively related to the male’s siring success and to each other, suggesting that males adjusted these behaviors strategically to increase their chances of fertilization success. Our results suggest that besides being the first male to consort, first-male sperm precedence is further enhanced through longer mating bouts and by suppressing the chances and/or efforts of later mating males.     

Assessment of the Risks for Human Health of Adenoviruses,Hepatitis A Virus,Rotaviruses and Enteroviruses in the Buffalo River and Three Source Water Dams in the Eastern Cape

Buffalo River is an important water resource in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The potential risks of infection constituted by exposure to human enteric viruses in the Buffalo River and three source water dams along its course were assessed using mean values and static quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA). The daily risks of infection determined by the exponential model [for human adenovirus (HAdV) and enterovirus (EnV)] and the beta-Poisson model (for hepatitis A virus (HAV) and rotavirus (RoV)) varied with sites and exposure scenario. The estimated daily risks of infection values at the sites where the respective viruses were detected, ranged from 7.31 × 10^?3 to 1 (for HAdV), 4.23 × 10^?2 to 6.54 × 10^?1 (RoV), 2.32 × 10^?4 to 1.73 × 10^?1 (HAV) and 1.32 × 10^?4 to 5.70 × 10^?2 (EnV). The yearly risks of infection in individuals exposed to the river/dam water via drinking, recreational, domestic or irrigational activities were unacceptably high, exceeding the acceptable risk of 0.01 % (10^?4 infection/person/year), and the guideline value used as by several nations for drinking water. The risks of illness and death from infection ranged from 6.58 × 10^?5 to 5.0 × 10^?1 and 6.58 × 10^?9 to 5.0 × 10^?5, respectively. The threats here are heightened by the high mortality rates for HAV, and its endemicity in South Africa. Therefore, we conclude that the Buffalo River and its source water dams are a public health hazard. The QMRA presented here is the first of its kinds in the Eastern Cape Province and provides the building block for a quantitatively oriented local guideline for water quality management in the Province.     

Recycling of synthetic waste wig fiber in the production of cement-adobe for building envelope: physio-hydric properties

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Waste wigs are often disposed off in their volume on landfills, thus constituting a nuisance to the environment. Recycling these wigs in masonry...     

Knowledge, attitude, and practice of Nigerian commercial motorcyclists in the use of crash helmet and other safety measures

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice of some commercial motorcyclists in Nigeria in the use of crash helmet and other cycling safety measures. METHODS: At randomly selected commercial motorcycle parks from two South Western Nigerian locations (Lagos and Ile-Ife), we obtained verbal consent from commercial motorcyclists (randomly selected) and thereafter administered structured questionnaires to consenting motorcyclists. The questionnaire sought to know the respondents' biodata (age, gender, and educational attainment inclusive), cycling background, and experience (trainer, duration of training and cycling, and history of crashes). Furthermore, risk factors and practices like alcoholism, maintenance history of the motorcycle, maximum number of pillion passengers carried, and use of crash helmet were elicited. Respondents' knowledge of available safety measures was also investigated. Data was entered into an IBM compatible computer and analyzed using the SPSS 11.0 statistical software. Statistical significance was inferred at p value<0.05. RESULTS: There were 224 male respondents aged 15-58 years. Their peak age was 25-29 years and mean 35.1+/-8.9 years; 8.4% had no formal education; 10.3% received formal training but the majority were either trained by self (35.5%) or an acquaintance (34.6%). Training lasted相似文献   

Mineralogical study and leaching behavior of a stabilized harbor sediment with hydraulic binder

The environmental assessment of potential effects of contaminated harbor sediments stabilized with hydraulic binders and the determination of remediation endpoints require the determination of pollutants leaching potentials. Moreover, little information about the speciation and mobility of inorganic contaminants in these specific solid matrices is available in the literature. The objective of this paper is to investigate the relationship between mineralogy and leachability of contaminants (copper, lead, and zinc) present in a French harbor sediment stabilized with quicklime and Portland cement. Batch equilibrium leaching tests at various pH, chemical analysis of leachates, and mineralogical studies (X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive spectroscopy, and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform) have been combined in the present investigation. The acid neutralization capacity of the stabilized matrix studied is first controlled by the dissolution of portlandite (pH?~12), followed by the dissolution of C–S–H (pH?~11) and the dissolution of ettringite (pH?~10). Finally, a very high buffering capacity of this stabilized sediment is observed for pH values around 6. This equilibrium is mainly controlled by the dissolution of iron sulfides and carbonate minerals. Consequently, the mobilization of inorganic contaminants as a function of pH remains very low (<0.1 wt%) for pH values above 6 and significantly increases for pH below these values. This research confirms the importance of a combined methodology for the intrinsic characterization of potential mobilization of contaminants in a stabilized sediment and for a better understanding of geochemical processes that affect contaminant fate, transformation, and transport in the subsurface environment.