Precaution and the Methodological Status of Scientific (Un)certainty

An effective application of thePrecautionary Principle (PP) hinges on thestipulation that, ``a lack of scientificcertainty shall not be used as a reason forpostponing measures.' The practicalconsequences of this expression are presentlynot clear enough in most contexts of use toenable constructive communication and thereforethe PP is not sufficiently operational now. Apragmatic and fundamental methodology forunderstanding scientific (un)certainty indifferent practical contexts needs to be put inplace to create a communicative basis foreffective precaution. Lack of clarity aboutproblem definition and problem ownershipcreates artificial controversies that willobstruct a precautionary approach. Given thefact that different practical contexts ofscientific (un)certainty exist, it may seemfrom one context as if no precaution iswarranted whereas concerns from anotherrelevant context may suggest otherwise.Therefore, an integrative methodologicalframework for communicating about scientific(un)certainty is sorely needed in internationalpolicy-making. By putting a focus on therelevance of specified research questions forthe objective of taking precaution, acommunicative methodology may be adopted thatis dedicated to the design properties of asustainable future. Precaution cannot beoperationalized without a methodological basisthat allows for effective transparency andevades the stalemates of artificialcontroversy. Existing debate methodologies haveso far not managed to accommodate thesepressing demands.     

A guide to representing variability and uncertainty in biodiversity indicators

Biodiversity indicators are used to inform decisions and measure progress toward global targets, such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Indicators aggregate and simplify complex information, so underlying information influencing its reliability and interpretation (e.g., variability in data and uncertainty in indicator values) can be lost. Communicating uncertainty is necessary to ensure robust decisions and limit misinterpretations of trends, yet variability and uncertainty are rarely quantified in biodiversity indicators. We developed a guide to representing uncertainty and variability in biodiversity indicators. We considered the key purposes of biodiversity indicators and commonly used methods for representing uncertainty (standard error, bootstrap resampling, and jackknife resampling) and variability (quantiles, standard deviation, median absolute deviation, and mean absolute deviation) with intervals. Using 3 high-profile biodiversity indicators (Red List Index, Living Planet Index, and Ocean Health Index), we tested the use, suitability, and interpretation of each interval method based on the formulation and data types underpinning the indicators. The methods revealed vastly different information; indicator formula and data distribution affected the suitability of each interval method. Because the data underpinning each indicator were not normally distributed, methods relying on normality or symmetrical spread were unsuitable. Quantiles, bootstrapping, and jackknifing provided useful information about the underlying variability and uncertainty. We built a decision tree to inform selection of the appropriate interval method to represent uncertainty or variation in biodiversity indicators, depending on data type and objectives. Our guide supports transparent and effective communication of biodiversity indicator trends to facilitate accurate interpretation by decision makers.     

Nanotechnology in cosmetics: a boon or bane?

Recent advances in the field of nanotechnology enabled the manufacturing of elaborated nanometer-sized particles for various biomedical applications. The cosmetic industry is one of the most enthusiastic early adopters of nanotechnology which routinely uses nano-scale ingredients. However, in the absence of mandatory product labeling, it is difficult to estimate the number of cosmetics, sunscreens and personal care products containing nanoparticles that are now commercially available. The increased capacity of nanoparticles to penetrate skin and gain access to human cells is a double-edged sword as it may be useful for medical purposes, but might also result in far greater uptake of substances that exert adverse health effects. Since nanomaterials represent a large group of structurally, physically, and chemically variable substances, specific toxicological studies are required for each product prior to commercialization. This review aims to delineate the most investigated applications, risk and safety considerations, and regulation of nanotechnology in the field of cosmetics.     

OPTICAL IMPACTS AND SOURCES OF SUSPENDED SOLIDS IN ONONDAGA CREEK,U.S.A.1

ABSTRACT: The degradation of the optical aesthetics in the mouth of Onondaga Creek, New York, that occurs during high flow periods as a result of the influx of large quantities of suspended solids, is documented. Features of the degradation include very low clarity (Secchi disc minimum of approximately 0.1 m) and a brown ‘muddy’ appearance. The reduced clarity is mostly a result of increased light scattering. Loading and concentration profiles obtained for an approximately 35 km interval above the creek mouth over a wide range of flow indicates most of the suspended solids received during runoff events is resuspended stream sediment and eroded bank material. Application of microscopy-based individual particle analysis techniques indicates that the origin of most of these deposits and much of the suspended solids during runoff events is point source inputs, termed ‘mud boils,’ located approximately 32 km upstream of the creek mouth.     

Harmonisation and Standardisation in Multi-National Environmental Statistics – Mission Impossible?

Multi-national statistics are frequently based on data, whichoriginate from national surveys. The systems of nomenclatureapplied for key attributes often show national differences.Different error sources which are incorporated in multi-nationalstatistics are discussed. The paper presents approaches forharmonisation and standardisation of multi-nationalenvironmental statistics and gives examples from the forestrysector. The effect of differences of national forest areaestimates on multi-national figures is quantified. An examplefrom forest health surveys is presented that shows the impact ofdifferent interpretation and application of the attribute crown transparency that is already harmonised on theEuropean level.     

辽宁长海海域叶绿素a和初级生产力的分布

2007年1月14～20日、4月3～8日、7月20～25日和10月22～27日利用荧光法和<'14>C示踪法,对辽宁省长海海域的叶绿素a和初级生产力进行了调查.结果表明叶绿素a和初级生产力均有明显的季节变化.叶绿素a(0.36～1.94 ms/m<'3>)和初级生产力(以c计)[170.27～1326.20 mg/(m...     

透明Cl-TiO2水分散液的制备及其可见光降解甲苯和灭菌的性能

开发具有高稳定性和高可见光活性的光催化剂透明分散液对光催化材料的实际应用至关重要.本文采用非水解溶胶凝胶法制备了透明Cl掺杂TiO₂分散液(Cl-TiO₂).该分散液经过60 d仍能保持稳定,没有颗粒沉降.与商用P25、PEG400-TiO₂相比,Cl-TiO₂具有最优的可见光降解甲苯的光催化活性,并且具有良好的循环稳定性.Cl-TiO₂在可见光下同时具有优异的灭菌效果,对大肠杆菌的灭菌率达到98.75%.其优异的可见光响应性归因于Cl掺杂增强了对可见光的吸收,提高了电子空穴的分离效率.Cl-TiO₂水分散液良好的稳定性得益于表面带有的电荷以及较小的水合粒径.这项工作为光催化剂用于改善室内环境提供了新策略.     

Supplier codes of conduct: Company authorization of subcontractors

Companies continue to build greater sustainability and transparency in their supply chains to increase their business value and to respond to greater stakeholder pressures and expectations to increase sustainability and transparency. As company supply chains have grown and expanded, which presents increased challenges for building greater transparency, it is possible that the use of subcontractors in supply chains has also increased. The amount and impact of subcontracting conducted in supply chains may be of greater concern to certain companies and/or sectors than others, and it may have an important impact on their sustainability efforts. This article assesses the extent to which supplier codes of conduct apply to the use of subcontractors and include a requirement for suppliers to obtain prior company approval or authorization before subcontractors conduct work. Based on a review of more than 50 supplier codes of conduct, the companies that are highlighted in this article for including this requirement are primarily in the apparel/footwear, food, pharmaceuticals, and/or retail sectors. The article asserts that supplier codes of conduct that include requirements for suppliers to protect and safeguard confidential business information could be strengthened to further protect the company's products, integrity, and reputation/brand and increase its competitiveness and resilience by also including a requirement of prior approval or authorization of a supplier's use of subcontractors.     

东五里湖基底条件和湖岸(底)类型对生态重建的影响

湖泊地形地貌和湖岸类型对生态重建有很重要的影响.研究了东五里湖清淤后的地形地貌;在实地词查其水生生物生长的情况下,划分出5种湖岸(底)类型,并讨论了基底条件和湖岸(底)类型对生态重建的影响.     

ASPECTS OF THE UNDERWATER LIGHT FIELD OF EIGHT CENTRAL NEW YORK LAKES1

ABSTRACT: The underwater light field of eight central New York lakes, which represent a wide range of trophic state, was characterized through paired measurements of Sechi disc transparency (SD, m) and diffuse light attenuation (K_d, m^?1). A total of 90 paired measurements are included in the data base. Substantial variability in the K_d SD product with time within individual systems, and amongst systems, was observed, which indicates differences in the relative contributions of absorption and scattering to attenuation. More than 50 percent of the temporal variability in K_d was attributable to attendant variations in chlorophyll a (C, mg m^?3) in only two of the lakes. Estimates of the adsorption (a, m^?1) and scattering (b, m^?1) coefficients based on paired K_d and SD measurements compared well with more precise determinations available for one of the lakes. Determinations of a and b for the eight lakes, from SD and K_d measurements, indicated great system-specificity and temporal variability in these characteristics. The temporal variability in relative contributions of a and b to K_d is consistent with covariation of different attenuating components and the lack of correlation between C and K_d in most of the study lakes.