Influence of copper status on the accumulation of toxic and essential metals in cattle

The aim of the present study was to assess whether the use of pig slurry and associated copper accumulation in calves grazing pastures fertilized with pig slurry from the Deza region in NW Spain has a significant influence on toxic metal and essential metal levels, and to investigate whether copper accumulation is correlated with the levels of these other metals. Correlations between copper, toxic metals (cadmium, lead) and essential metals (molybdenum, iron, zinc, selenium, manganese and cobalt) concentrations were evaluated in liver and kidney of 195 calves from the region of Deza. Metal concentrations were determined by ICP-OES and correlations between pairs of elements by Pearson correlation analysis. There was a strongly significant positive association between copper and lead in the liver. Considering the trace metals, copper in the liver showed significant positive correlations with cobalt in both liver and kidney, and with molybdenum in the liver. In addition, significant correlations were observed between copper and most essential metals in kidney. These associations are similar to those found in different animal species experimentally dosed with copper and other metals, as well as in cattle exposed to normal copper concentrations.     

Effect of ceramic industrial particulate emission control on key components of ambient PM10

The relationship between specific particulate emission control and ambient levels of some PM₁₀ components (Zn, As, Pb, Cs, Tl) was evaluated. To this end, the industrial area of Castellón (Eastern Spain) was selected, where around 40% of the EU glazed ceramic tiles and a high proportion of EU ceramic frits are produced. The PM₁₀ emissions from the ceramic processes were calculated over the period 2000–2006, taking into account the degree of implementation of corrective measures throughout the study period. Abatement systems were implemented in the majority of the fusion kilns for frit manufacture in the area as a result of the application of the Directive 1996/61/EC, leading to a marked decrease in PM₁₀ emissions. By contrast, emissions from tile manufacture remained relatively constant because of the few changes in the implementation of corrective measures. On the other hand, ambient PM₁₀ levels and composition measurements were carried out from 2002 to 2006. A high correlation between PM₁₀ emissions from frit manufacture and ambient levels of Zn, As, Pb and Cs (R² from 0.61 to 0.98) was observed. On the basis of these results, the potential impact of the implementation of corrective measures to reduce emissions from tile manufacture was quantified, resulting in a possible decrease of 3–5 μg/m³ and 2 μg/m³ in ambient mineral PM₁₀ (on an annual basis) in urban and suburban areas, respectively. This relatively simple methodology allows us to estimate the direct effect of a reduction in primary particulate emissions on ambient levels of key particulate components, and to make a preliminary quantification of the possibilities of air quality improvement by means of further emission reduction. Therefore, it is a useful tool for developing future air quality plans in the study area and in other industrialised areas.     

中国北方地区水体中四环素族抗生素残留现状分析

为了更好了解北方市政污水等水体中四环素族抗生素残留现状,采用固相萃取方法对中国北方地区市政污水样品进行富集和净化,以高效液相色谱-串联质谱法分析样品中四环素族抗生素残留量。在调查的13个污水样品中四环素族抗生素普遍检出,且浓度分别达到四环素1114.27ng/L、土霉素2175.65ng/L、金霉素149.09ng/L和强力霉素187.45ng/L。结果表明,在我国近岸污水排放中依然有大量四环素类抗生素存在,应加强对近岸海洋环境中抗生素残留的监测与管理。     

Life cycle assessment of a packaging waste recycling system in Portugal

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) has been used to assess the environmental impacts associated with an activity or product life cycle. It has also been applied to assess the environmental performance related to waste management activities. This study analyses the packaging waste management system of a local public authority in Portugal. The operations of selective and refuse collection, sorting, recycling, landfilling and incineration of packaging waste were considered. The packaging waste management system in operation in 2010, which we called “Baseline” scenario, was compared with two hypothetical scenarios where all the packaging waste that was selectively collected in 2010 would undergo the refuse collection system and would be sent directly to incineration (called “Incineration” scenario) or to landfill (“Landfill” scenario). Overall, the results show that the “Baseline” scenario is more environmentally sound than the hypothetical scenarios.     

Environmental impacts caused by cemeteries and crematoria,new funeral technologies,and preferences of the Northeastern and Southern Brazilian population as for the funeral process

Cemeteries and crematoria are the main funeral ways used in the world nowadays. It is a little-studied segment in the present days, mainly as for the possible environmental impacts in the environment, such as those derived from dental amalgam, prostheses, and dioxins, among other. This article aimed to identify the environmental impacts caused by cemeteries and crematoria and to point out new trends in funeral processes such as freeze-drying and alkaline hydrolysis. The study is justified due to the large part of the Brazilian population that do not know the environmental impacts caused by cemeteries and crematoria, as well as to bring information about the new processes. For that, a research was carried out with 400 people. The main results show that among all the funeral processes, the new freeze-drying process was opted by 33% of the sample. We also identified that the main reasons for choosing the funeral process were less environmental impact (28%), no after-death expenses (grave payment) (16.1%), and the possibility of putting away or throwing away the remains wherever you want (14.9%). Finally, new funeral processes were well accepted by the Brazilian population—those who were interviewed—due to their benefits.     

弹箭外表面接插件高温高湿度耦合环境试验方法研究

目的 在地面条件下更真实地模拟弹箭外表面电器接插件在雨、雪、雾等高湿度条件下的飞行环境,方法利用数值分析方法,通过综合对比相同喷嘴结构下不同出口尺寸的外流场形态、不同压差下喷嘴出口流量等计算结果,确定喷口尺寸和工作压力.通过涡流黏度云图,确定接插件与喷嘴的相对位置关系.通过建模对喷淋方案进行效果预测后,搭建配套试验系统,并在石英灯加热器热辐射环境下开展高温高湿度耦合环境实效模拟试验.结果 试验中加热条件能够满足飞行过程中的表面温度及总加热量要求,水气环境模拟达到1.82 mm/min条件.试验后,对参试产品进行阻值测试、剖面碳化层厚度测量和热解产物分析,表征电气特性良好.结论 所述试验方法能够同时有效模拟高温高湿度飞行环境,能够对雨、雪、雾等高湿度条件下的接插件产品的飞行可靠性进行有效评估.     

中国近岸海洋和海岛环境中抗生素抗性基因的研究进展

抗生素在不同领域被大量使用甚至滥用,未被利用的抗生素会经过不同途径进入环境,导致抗生素抗性菌（antibiotic-resistant bacteria,ARBs）和抗生素抗性基因（antibiotic resistant genes,ARGs）广泛传播。ARGs作为新型环境污染物被广泛关注,成为全球性的环境问题。本文综述了中国近岸海洋与海岛环境中ARGs的赋存状况,分析了ARGs在海岛环境与近岸海洋环境中的赋存特征差异,并对海岛(海南岛)ARGs的研究提出建议。     

Techno-economic-environmental characteristics of polyurethane composite to thermal insulation for building with flame resistance: corroborative effect recycled of PVC and aluminum oxide

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - In this article, we present the results of the composite development obtained from polyurethane (PU), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and aluminum...     

The Role of Residual Contaminants and Recycling Steps on Rheological Properties of Recycled Polypropylene

Journal of Polymers and the Environment - Recycling of polymers is one of the alternatives to reduce the impact of polymers presence on the environmental. However, the contaminants, defined as...