The Potential of Current- and Wind-Driven Transport for Environmental Management of the Baltic Sea

The ever increasing impact of the marine industry and transport on vulnerable sea areas puts the marine environment under exceptional pressure and calls for inspired methods for mitigating the impact of the related risks. We describe a method for preventive reduction of remote environmental risks caused by the shipping and maritime industry that are transported by surface currents and wind impact to the coasts. This method is based on characterizing systematically the damaging potential of the offshore areas in terms of potential transport to vulnerable regions of an oil spill or other pollution that has occurred in a particular area. The resulting maps of probabilities of pollution to be transported to the nearshore and the time it takes for the pollution to reach the nearshore are used to design environmentally optimized fairways for the Gulf of Finland, Baltic Proper, and south-western Baltic Sea.     

Dogs as indicators of urban lead distribution

Lead (Pb) concentrations in 398 samples of dog whole blood were determined by atomic absorption method. All samples were within the normal range of values reported in literature, 95% of the samples had <8.0 g/100 ml lead. The correlation between blood lead level and the volume of traffic was highly significant. About 11% of the variability in concentration can be explained by the traffic flows near the animal's home. The findings confirm that traffic contributes a significant portion of the total inhaled lead. The use of dogs as environmental lead monitors is discussed. It is concluded that in non-occupational situations a survey of lead in blood of dogs may serve as a feasible, low-cost alternative to large-scale surveys of humans.     

Revision of deposition and weathering parameters for the ingestion dose module (ECOSYS) of the ARGOS and RODOS decision support systems

The ECOSYS model is the ingestion dose model integrated in the ARGOS and RODOS decision support systems for nuclear emergency management. The parameters used in this model have however not been updated in recent years, where the level of knowledge on various environmental processes has increased considerably. A Nordic work group has carried out a series of evaluations of the general validity of current ECOSYS default parameters. This paper specifically discusses the parameter revisions required with respect to the modelling of deposition and natural weathering of contaminants on agricultural crops, to enable the trustworthy prognostic modelling that is essential to ensure justification and optimisation of countermeasure strategies. New modelling approaches are outlined, since it was found that current ECOSYS approaches for deposition and natural weathering could lead to large prognostic errors.     

Effect of smelter emissions on the hemogram of the deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus)

Blood samples were obtained from 284 deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) live-trapped near two base metal smelters in northern Manitoba, Canada. Hemoglobin and hematocrit values were significantly higher in mice trapped within 40-70 km of the smelters compared to those in control areas 185 to 190 km from the smelter. These increases appear to be normal physiological responses to a mild respiratory stress, as in a true secondary polycythemia of anoxic tupe. The mice are sensitive bioindicators of sulphur dioxide emissions that apparently induce the higher blood values.     

USABILITY ASSESSMENTS FOR HYDROLOGIC FORECASTING DSS1

ABSTRACT: Usability assessments were used to obtain feedback on the development of a flood forecasting decision support system. The feedback was used to guide design of system functionality, interface, training, implementation, and operations. The usability process was user focused and was dependent upon implementation of a prototype system in an operational setting. This paper describes concepts and methods applied to collect reflective and objective data on DSS components and information outputs. The general structure of the usability assessments is discussed and results of assessments are summarized.     

Alternative natural gas contract and pricing structures and incentives for the LNG industry

Gas conversion to liquefied gas (LNG) and transport by LNG tankers is one option for meeting expanding gas consumption and for gas traded internationally. This paper examines the impact of the traditional gas contract provisions of indefinite pricing, market out price ceilings, and take-or-pay requirements on the profitability of LNG projects in the context of markets characterized by price and quantity uncertainty. Simulation experiments are used to examine and calibrate the effects of those provisions. The results provide guidance to operators, host countries and purchasers in structuring such contracts. The paper also assesses prospects of future expansion of world LNG capacity.