Barriers to the adoption of proactive environmental strategies

This study contributes to the knowledge of the difficulties or barriers found by firms when adopting proactive environmental strategies, providing empirical evidence from 240 Spanish industrial firms. A set of 25 barriers are initially evaluated by the managers of the sample firms and are grouped into four types of difficulties facing firms: external barriers, endemic limitations of the firm, limited environmental motivation and limited preparation of employees and operational inertia. The estimation of a structural equation model leads us to conclude that only the barriers identified as endemic limitations of the firm can be characterized as “effective barriers”, defined as problems preventing firms from progressing toward proactive environmental behavior.     

Environmental and economic assessment of a greenhouse waste heat exchange

As the economic costs of energy and the negative externalities associated with the combustion of fossil fuels threaten the economic viability of greenhouses in northern climates there is a renewed interest in the use of waste heat. This paper presents a technical and economic methodology to determine the viability of establishing waste heat greenhouses using the waste heat from industrial processes in northern climates. A case study is presented of an exchange between a tomato greenhouse and a flat glass manufacturing plant, which found the waste heat system is significantly more economic to operate than a purely natural gas system.     

南京市氮氧化物排放行业分布特征及减排对策

采用污染源普查资料与实地调查相结合的方法,对南京市各行业氮氧化物(NOx)排放源及排放量进行调查和梳理。结果表明:各行业NO x排放分担率依次为电力41%、机动车25%、钢铁10%、水泥9%、石化7%、其它工业5%、居民生活3%。针对南京市现状,对重点排放源提出了NO x减排措施与对策。     

Effects of thermal desorption on the composition of two coking plant soils: impact on solvent extractable organic compounds and metal bioavailability

To evaluate the efficiency and the influence of thermal desorption on the soil organic compartment, contaminated soils from coking plant sites (NM and H) were compared to their counterparts treated with thermodesorption. The extractable organic matter, and the metal content and distribution with soil compartments were studied.In both thermodesorbed soils, PAH (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon) degradation exceeded 90%. However, the thermal desorption led not only to a volatilization of the organic compounds but also to the condensation of extractable organic matter.The treatments only affected the Fe and Zn distribution within the more stable fractions, whereas the organic compound degradation did not affect their mobility and availability.     

Reduction of dissolved organic matter in terms of DOC, UV-254, SUVA and THMFP in industrial estate wastewater treated by stabilization ponds

The aim of this research was to monitor the influent and effluent water quality of the aeration, facultative and oxidation water treatment ponds of an industrial estate. This industrial estate, the largest in northern Thailand, has proposed to utilization of reclaimed treated wastewater in their raw water supply so as to cope with the yearly water shortage during the dry season. Water samples were collected four times from four sampling points and evaluated for their dissolved organic matter (DOM) content in terms of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), ultraviolet light absorbance at 254 nm (UV-254), specific ultraviolet absorption (SUVA), trihalomethane formation potential (THMFP) and trihalomethane (THM) species. Average values of DOC, UV-254, SUVA and THMFP in the influent wastewater of 12.9 mg L⁻¹, 0.165 cm⁻¹, 1.29 L mg⁻¹m⁻¹ and 1.24 mg L⁻¹, respectively, were observed. The aeration ponds produced the best results: a 54% reduction of DOC, a 33% reduction of UV-254, and a 57% reduction of THMFP. However, SUVA in the aeration pond effluent showed a moderate increase. The facultative ponds and oxidation ponds did not take part in the reduction of DOC, UV-254, SUVA and THMFP. Average DOC, UV-254, SUVA and THMFP value of the treated wastewater were 5.8 mg L⁻¹, 0.107 cm⁻¹, 1.85 L mg⁻¹m⁻¹ and 468 μg L⁻¹, respectively. Chloroform, at 72.6% of total THMFP, was found to be the predominant THM species.     

Groundwater Pollution Around an Industrial Area in the Coastal Stretch of Maharashtra State, India

The main objective of this paper is to examine pollution threat, especially to the groundwater resources, around Tarapur industrial area (also called the Tarapur MIDC area) located on the Arabian Sea Coast in Thane District of Maharashtra State, India and suggest remedial measures that may also be relevant to other industrial areas on the Indian Sea Coast. One hundred and thirty one samples were collected from various sources, such as dugwells, borewells, dug-cum-borewells, effluent sumps, drainage channels (effluent channels), creeks and ocean, for chemical analyses. These analyses show that the area in general is characterized by hard water and high salinity hazard, possibly due to its proximity and hydraulic connection with the sea. Although the potability of groundwater is questionable in certain pockets, it is good enough for irrigation purposes at present. Low pH value and high heavy metal contents in the adjoining Muramba creek water is a matter of great concern and may be attributed to the indiscriminate disposal of industrial effluents to the drainage channels connecting the creek. Muramba Creek is well connected with the Arabian Sea, and there are evidences of seawater intrusion around this creek. Because of the fact that Muramba Creek is highly polluted, and is hydraulically connected with the dugwells and borewells surrounding the creek, it cannot be ruled out that the groundwater around this creek is susceptible to contamination. Unless measures are not taken immediately to stop the indiscriminate disposal of the solid wastes and liquid effluents in open ground and drainage channels, and measures are not taken to maintain the appropriate pH values at the effluent treatment facilities before their disposal, the problem would indeed be formidable one day, and it will be too late then for the authorities to take care of the resulting maladies. Few suggestions have been given for controlling and managing the industrial pollution around the Tarapur MIDC area. These suggestions are relevant to other industrial areas situated on the 7,000 km long Indian Sea Coast.     

河流水质自动监测站选址适宜性评价

为建立和量化适于河流水质自动监测站选址的评价方法体系,提出了河流水质自动监测站选址一致性、可行性和适宜性评价问题,并建立了选址可行性和适宜性评价2套指标体系。以自动站选址与手工断面位置不一致为前提,利用累乘指数判断选址可行性,在可行的基础上利用模糊综合评价进一步分析选址的适宜性。应用案例显示,罗汉大桥断面水质自动站选址于手工断面下游150 m处是可行的,并且此选址高度适宜,在具有水质代表性的同时兼顾成本和运维管理需求。     

Drilling Is Just the Beginning: Romanticizing Rust Belt identities in the campaign for shale gas

ABSTRACT

Public apprehension over the environmental, social, and health impacts of unconventional gas drilling, or fracking, prompts various responses from oil and gas industries. Natural gas discourses operating in the Marcellus Shale Region, USA, for example, counter claims of environmental harm by emphasizing the economic growth that industry spurs. This article argues that corporate narratives operating in the Marcellus renew the jobs versus environment dichotomy by romanticizing labor identities in the region, binding Rust Belt identities to extraction in the past, present, and future of the region. The danger of this discursive move is the exclusion of alternative possibilities for working, living, and being without fossil fuel industries. I employ a critical analysis of one corporate advertising campaign, “Drilling Is Just the Beginning,” produced by the natural gas drilling company Range Resources, to demonstrate how extraction discourses construct futures that depend on shale gas development, thereby marginalizing possibilities for ecologically sensible alternatives.     

基于专利的区域环境技术创新水平空间分异研究

以环境技术专利表征创新水平,采用绝对指标与相对指标、专利结构布局系数(或特化系数)与技术创新主体结构布局系数,衡量中国各省市环境技术创新水平的空间分异,探讨其不平衡性的原因.研究结果表明,绝对指标评价的环境技术创新水平,呈现"东高西低"的格局;相对指标表征的环境技术创新水平,大部分省市的评价结果基本上在0.1～0.5、0.59～1.04之间,空间分异不明显.东部地区省市发明专利、企业专利特化系数高,如天津、香港、北京、上海的发明专利特化系数均在1.3以上,香港和上海的企业专利特化系数大于2.但是发明专利、公司企业专利--2项最具价值的专利技术创新水平均较高的省市不多,我国环境技术创新水平整体水平不高.     

基于灰色关联分析的工业行业资源环境节约水平评价——以南京市为例

构建了工业行业资源环境节约水平评价指标体系,结合灰色关联分析方法建立了工业行业资源环境节约水平评价模型,并运用灰色关联分析原理依据灰色关联度的大小划分了工业行业资源环境节约水平的等级标准。在此基础上,以南京市为例,对工业行业的资源环境节约水平进行了评价,结果表明,南京市的13个工业行业的资源环境节约水平可以分为四个等级,并且文章结合行业产值贡献水平,提出了各工业行业发展的调控方向。