Examples of sustainable development efforts in Costa Rica

SUMMARY

Efforts towards sustainable development are now being undertaken at all levels and the concept has increasingly entered the consciousness of the average person. For many Costa Ricans however, it is not just an abstract concept but a matter of survival as input costs increase, natural resources diminish and the soil loses fertility or is washed away. This paper reviews three case studies representing different approaches towards achieving sustainable development by different types of organization which are each innovative in preventing further destruction of tropical forest resources.     

Chronic inhalation effects of trichloroethylene on hepatic microsomal mixed function oxidase system in rats

Inhalation effects of trichloroethylene, at levels of 0, 200 and 600 ppm for a period of 4 and 12 weeks, on the contents of hepatic microsomal protein, cytochrome P₄₅₀, cytochrome b₅, and on the activities of NADPH cytochrome C reductase, aminopyrine N‐demethylase and aniline hydroxylase were investigated. Body weight remained unaltered at 200 ppm level, whereas at 600 ppm level a significant decrease in body weight was observed. Liver weight showed increases at an exposure level of 200 ppm by the end of 4 and 12 weeks. Relative liver weight (% body weight) showed an increase at 200 and 600 ppm level by the end of week 4, whereas, after 12 weeks increase was observed only in animals exposed to the 600 ppm level. Hepatic microsomal protein was decreased by the end of 4 weeks at both the exposure levels. Cytochrome P₄₅₀ and cytochrome b, contents were increased at the 200ppm level after 4 and 12 weeks. NADPH cytochrome C reductase activity showed a marked increase at both the 200 and 600 ppm levels after 4 and 12 weeks. Aminopyrine N‐demethylase activity was increased at the 200 ppm level and decreased at the 600 ppm level by the end of 4 weeks, whereas, at the end of 12 weeks the aminopyrine N‐demethylase activity was near control values. Aniline hydroxylase activity was increased at the 200 ppm level after 4 and 12 weeks. Similarly, at the 600 ppm level aniline hydroxylase activity was increased after 12 weeks.     

危险废物多目标规划模型研究

根据危险废物系统管理的原则,采用全过程管理理念,运用最优化理论和系统分析方法,充分考虑各种因素,建立了危险废物多目标规划模型,并提出模型的求解方法。考虑废物间的相容性和复合效用函数,将所建立的危险废物多目标规划模型应用于重庆市主城区危险废物系统管理规划。结果表明,在设计的案例和场景下,分别以环境影响、经济因素、综合考虑环境因素和经济因素为首要因素考虑时,得到不同的优化方案。该模型的应用为环境管理者对危险废物系统管理提供了决策支持。     

化工生产中硫化氢泄漏事故的预防和处置对策

通过发生在昆明市安宁齐天化肥有限公司的硫化氢中毒事故,提出硫化氢泄漏事故的预防措施及相应的处置方法,同时总结经验教训,提出整改措施,以避免类似事故的再次发生.     

清洁生产定量评价方法及其应用

本文运用专家调查打分法，以承德帝贤兴业造纸项目为例，初步分析了清洁生产量化评价的方法在建设项目环境影响评价中的应用。     

Evaluation of electronic components in life cycle assessment

Life cycle assessment (LCA), a quantitative method for evaluating the total environmental impact of a product, from the materials in its manufacture to its final disposal, is playing an increasingly important role in manufacturing. When the LCA method is applied to a product containing many kinds of electronic components, there is a need for life cycle inventory (LCI) data on the components. This paper provides an original calculation of the LCI data for each electronic components industry. These data show the amount of input energy and emissions into the atmosphere per yen of production yield. It is demonstrated that the magnitude of the LCI data for each industry is essentially equal to that of the other industries. Furthermore, we conclude that the LCI data for all electronic components are roughly equivalent, making it possible to calculate the LCI data of any electronic component by simply multiplying the LCI data for the industry by the price of the component. Furthermore, after comparing the materials production stages with the component manufacturing stage in the calculation, it became clear that for several component industries the materials production stage could not be omitted from the calculation. Received: April 10, 1998 / Accepted: February 8, 1999     

Optimization of co-digestion of various industrial sludges for biogas production and sludge treatment: Methane production potential experiments and modeling

Optimal biogas production and sludge treatment were studied by co-digestion experiments and modeling using five different wastewater sludges generated from paper, chemical, petrochemical, automobile, and food processing industries situated in Ulsan Industrial Complex, Ulsan, South Korea. The biomethane production potential test was conducted in simplex-centroid mixture design, fitted to regression equation, and some optimal co-digestion scenarios were given by combined desirability function based multi-objective optimization technique for both methane yield and the quantity of sludge digested. The co-digestion model incorporating main and interaction effects among sludges were utilized to predict the maximum possible methane yield. The optimization routine for methane production with different industrial sludges in batches were repeated with the left-over sludge of earlier cycle, till all sludges have been completely treated. Among the possible scenarios, a maximum methane yield of 1161.53 m³ is anticipated in three batches followed by 1130.33 m³ and 1045.65 m³ in five and two batches, respectively. This study shows a scientific approach to find a practical solution to utilize diverse industrial sludges in both treatment and biogas production perspectives.     

Natural and Anthropogenic Effects On Phytoplankton Primary Productivity in Mangroves

Spatial and temporal variations and the factors influencing primary production have been studied in three different mangrove waters (Pichavaram, Ennore Creek and Adyar Estuary) of South India characterised by different anthropogenic impacts. the gross primary productivity in the unpolluted Pichavaram mangrove was 113 g Cm^-2yr^-1 exhibiting natural variability with the environmental forcing factors. Human activities have elevated primary productivity in the Ennore Creek mangrove (157g Cm^-2yr^-1) primarily through the direct discharge of fertilizer effluents. By contrast, a combination of domestic and industrial effluent discharges into the Adyar Estuary mangrove has considerably reduced phytoplankton primary productivity 83g Cm^-2yr^-1 the Redfield N: P ratio varies from 0.96 N: 1P at Ennore Creek, 1.75N: 1P at Adyar Estuary to 15.2 N: 1P at Pichavaram mangroves. This suggests that the Pichavaram mangroves represent a well equilibrated ecosystem with N: P ratio close to steady-state values in contrast to the anthropogenically altered mangrove ecosystems studied. Results show a significant temporal variability in nutrient concentration in the three mangrove areas. Distinct differences in nutrient concentrations between the dry and the wet seasons have been observed.     

Bio-Hydrogen Synthesis from Wastewater by Anaerobic Fermentation Using Microflora

Biological hydrogen production was investigated using biomass in palm oil mill effluent (POME) and artificial wastewater containing 10g glucose under anaerobic fermentation in a batch process. Activated POME sludge and different types of composts were collected as sources of inocula for the study. The anaerobic microflora was found to yield significant amounts of hydrogen. The experimental results show that the gas composition contained hydrogen (66–68%) and carbon dioxide (32–34%). Through out the study, methane gas was not observed in the evolved gas. The hydrogen production was accompanied with the formation of acetate and butyrate. Furthermore, the cumulative hydrogen data were fitted to a simple model developed from Gompertz Equation, where the lag phase time, hydrogen production potential and hydrogen production rate at various conditions were quantitatively estimated.