Comparison of inorganic and composite ferric oxide sorbents for arsenic removal

Three different sorbents based on hydrated ferric oxide (GEH, ArsenX^np and Lewatit FO 36) were compared from the viewpoints of their column operation. Particle size distribution, pressure drop across the column and ferric oxide content were measured. Sorption capacities under the presence of accompanying ions were measured in batch wise and column experiments.     

Changes in Microbial Community Structure and Soil Biological Properties in Mined Dune Areas During Re-vegetation

The aim of this study was to describe the impact of re-vegetation on the restoration of microbial community structure and soil microbiological properties in sand dunes that had been affected by mining activity. Soil samples were collected during the dry and rainy seasons from a chronosequence (1, 9, 21 years) of re-vegetated dunes using a single preserved dune as a reference. The composition of the fatty acid methyl esters and soil microbial properties were evaluated. The results showed that the changes in microbial community structure were related to seasonal variations: biomarkers of Gram-positive bacteria were higher than Gram-negative bacteria during the dry season, showing that this group of organisms is more tolerant to these stressful conditions. The microbial community structure in the natural dune was less affected by seasonal variation compared to the re-vegetated areas, whereas the opposite was observed for microbiological properties. Thus, in general, the proportion of saprobic fungi was higher in the natural dune, whereas Gram-negative bacteria were proportionally more common in the younger areas. Although over time the re-vegetation allows the recovery of the microbial community and the soil functions, these communities and functions are different from those found in the undisturbed areas.     

Rewards and employee creative performance: Moderating effects of creative self‐efficacy,reward importance,and locus of control

The effects of extrinsic rewards on creative performance have been controversial, and scholars have called for the examination of the boundary conditions of such effects. Drawing upon expectancy theory, we attend to both reinforcement and self‐determination pathways that reveal the informational and controlling functions of creativity‐related extrinsic rewards. We further identify the individual dispositions that moderate these two pathways. Specifically, we propose that extrinsic rewards for creativity positively predict creative performance only when employees have high creative self‐efficacy and regard such rewards as important. We likewise propose that extrinsic rewards positively affect the intrinsic motivation of employees with an internal locus of control, thus enhancing their creative performance. Results based on a sample of 181 employee–supervisor dyads largely supported these expectations. The current analysis enriches the creativity literature by combining different perspectives in a coherent framework, by demonstrating the positive effects of extrinsic rewards on intrinsic motivation, and by demonstrating that the rewards–creativity relationship varies across employees depending on their individual differences. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Achieving attainable outcomes from good science in an untidy world: case studies in land and air pollution

While scientific understanding of environmental issues develops through careful observation, experiment and modelling, the application of such advances in the day to day world is much less clean and tidy. Merseyside in northwest England has an industrial heritage from the earliest days of the industrial revolution. Indeed, the chemical industry was borne here. Land contamination issues are rife, as are problems with air quality. Through the examination of one case study for each topic, the practicalities of applied science are explored. An integrated, multidisciplinary response to pollution needs more than a scientific risk assessment. The needs of the various groups (from public to government) involved in the situations must be considered, as well as wider, relevant contexts (from history to European legislation), before a truly integrated response can be generated. However, no such situation exists in isolation and the introduction of environmental investigations and the exploration of suitable, integrated responses will alter the situation in unexpected ways, which must be considered carefully and incorporated in a rolling fashion to enable solutions to continue to be applicable and relevant to the problem being faced. This integrated approach has been tested over many years in Merseyside and found to be a robust approach to ever-changing problems that are well described by the management term, “wicked problems”.     

Effects of copper (I) oxide on growth and biochemical compositions of two marine microalgae

In copper based antifouling (AF) paints Cu (I) oxide was largely used as booster biocide. In this study effect of Cu (I) oxide on two marine microalgae, Tetraselmis suecica and Dunaliella tertiolecta was demonstrated. EC50 (96 hr) concentrations estimated for T. suecica and D. tertiolecta were 1.3 mg l(-1) and 1.34 mg l(-1), respectively. Copper (I) oxide induced changes in growth, chlorophyll, carbohydrate and protein contents were observed in T. suecica and D. tertiolecta. At low concentration of 0.0625 mg l(-1), 3-26% and 1-16% growth stimulation was observed in T. suecica and T. tertiolecta respectively. Increasing Cu (I) oxide concentrations proportionately decreased the carbohydrate and protein contents. This study clearly indicates the toxicity of excessive Cu (I) oxide on growth and biochemical compositions of T. suecica and D. tertiolecta.     

Determination of biodegradation potential by two culture-independent methods in PAH-contaminated soils

Biodegradation potentials of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined with soil samples collected from various depths of a PAH-contaminated site and of a site nearby where PAHs were not found. Putative dioxygenase genes were amplified by a primer set specific for initial dioxygenases and identified by web-based database homology search. They were further categorized into several groups of which four dioxygenases were selected as probes for DNA hybridization. The hybridization signals according to the presence of putative dioxygenases were positively related to the extent of PAH contamination. However, the signal intensities varied depending on the probes hybridized and moreover were not consistent with PAH biodegradation activities determined by CO2 evolution. Despite widely accepted advantages of molecular biodegradation assessment, our data clearly present the variations of assessment results depending on the genetic information used and suggest that the methodology may tend to underestimate the real biodegradation capacity of a site probably due to the limited dioxygenase database available at the moment. Therefore, the molecular assessment of biodegradation potential should involve a very careful primer and probe design and an extensive microbiological examination of a site of interest to accurately delineate the biodegradation potential of the site.     

Size-assortative pairing across three developmental stages in the Zeus bug, Phoreticovelia disparata

The mechanisms underlying size-assortative pairing have received considerable attention. Typically, pairing is assumed to occur at, or just prior to, the adult phase of the life cycle. However, in many invertebrates, males commence associations with juvenile females who are more than a single moult away from sexual maturity. These species are ideal to explore the importance of reproductive and survival benefits as mechanisms driving size-assortative pairing. In the Zeus bug, Phoreticovelia disparata, adult males are found riding on juvenile (fourth and fifth instar) and adult females—a behaviour that is costly for females but has survival benefits for males. Using a combination of field collections and laboratory manipulations, we show that pairing is size-assortative both within and between female age classes and that riding males are smaller than non-riding males. In a series of mating trials, we revealed that males attempt to ride any female but that their riding success is dependent on female age. We also provide the first direct evidence of female resistance to male riding attempts in P. disparata. We propose that size-assortative pairing arises through adaptations that have evolved to minimise the potential costs of sexual conflict. We suggest that the selective pressure on males to maximise survival benefits is sufficiently high that it outweighs the reproductive benefits of discriminating against fourth instar females. Finally, given that female resistance is under direct selection in juvenile females, it is likely to be the main form of selective pressure for adult females.     

Zur Entwicklung einer Prüfstrategie auf sexual-endokrine Wirksamkeit einer chemischen Substanz bei Fischen

Ohne Zusammenfassung Hintergrundinformation Umweltbundesamt (2007). Abschlussbericht des Forschungsprojektes „Charakterisierung endokrin vermittelter Wirkungen in Fischen: Relevante Parameter für die Entwicklung einer neuen OECD-Testmethode und in der Anwendung in der gesetzlichen Umweltrisikobewertung“ im Auftrag des Umweltbundesamtes (F?rderkennzeichen 206 67 470). Online erh?ltlich unter     

New approach to common removal of dioxins and NOx as a contribution to environmental protection

Meeting environmental limits represents the most important issue in the field of waste processing. Our primary effort consists either in eliminating hazardous emissions or in prevention of their production. However, this is not feasible in most cases therefore the so called secondary methods have to be applied. Technologies based on adsorption of hazardous compounds using activated carbon, deNOx/deDiox technologies as well as technology of catalytic filtration using a special material REMEDIA^® proved itself to be very efficient. The latter technology consists in using a baghouse with bags manufactured from a special material (two layers – membrane from ePTFE and felt with bound in catalyst) called REMEDIA^® which has successfully been used for removal of PCDD/F during recent period. However, it has been found that this technology can partially remove NOx as well. Based on our experience from operation industrial incineration plants it has been proved that even after more than three years' operation the activity of filtration material was not decreased and efficiency of dioxins removal from flue gas ranges from 97 to 99% (Pa?ízek et al., 2008).Based on industrial experience and new findings it has been decided to focus continuing research and development on deNOx experiments by applying SCR using the above mentioned efficient filtration material. This type of material is primarily designed for reduction of PMs and PCDD/F. Experiments with this filtration material should test possibilities for simultaneous reduction of PMs, PCDD/F and NOx. Tests are performed in MSW incineration plant utilizing new experimental unit and under standard conditions. Waste processing capacity of the incineration plant amounts to 15 t/h. Tests result in evaluation of overall reduction efficiency and negative factors that might influence the efficiency. Catalytic filtration is further compared to other types of deNOx methods.Thus we have obtained qualitatively new knowledge about this method the value of which is emphasized by full scale industrial testing.