Landfill mining applied in reclamation at the territories of old dump sites and landfills is a known approach tended to global economic and environmental benefits as recovery of metals and energy is an important challenge. The aim of this study was to analyse the concentration of several metallic elements (Ca, Cu, Cr, Fe, K, Mn, Pb, Zn) in the fine fraction of waste derived in the landfill and to compare the results of measurements obtained by field-portable equipment with the data gained by advanced analytical tools. Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) were used for the quantitative detection of metallic elements at the laboratory; whereas field-portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (FPXRF) was applied for rapid sample characterisation in the field (on-site). Wet digestion of samples (fine fraction of waste at landfill) was done prior analytical procedures at the laboratory conditions, but FPXRF analysis was performed using raw solid samples of waste fine fraction derived in the Kudjape Landfill in Estonia. Although the use of AAS and ICP-MS for the measurements of metals achieves more precise results, it was concluded that precision and accuracy of the measurements obtained by FPXRF is acceptable for fast approximate evaluation of quantities of metallic elements in fine fraction samples excavated from the waste at landfills. Precision and accuracy of the results provided by express method is acceptable for quick analysis or screening of the concentration of major and trace metallic elements in field projects; however, data correction can be applied by calculating moisture and organic matter content dependent on sample matrix as well as special attention must be paid on sample selection and homogenisation and number of analysed samples.
Reclamation of landfills and dumpsites requiresdetailed technical and economic evaluation of actual and potential pollution at the site, including detection of the main contaminants, their concentration, chemical stability and mobility in the environment. Contamination with metallic elements and metalloids is among the most important problems that limits recultivation of landfills and dumpsites and reuse of landfilled materials. This study was implemented at the Kudjape Municipal Landfill, located on Saaremaa Island in Estonia. The Kudjape Landfill is apartly closed landfill recultivated by covering it with a layer of a fine fraction of landfill material after the landfill mining operations. The fine fraction was derived at the site by sorting the landfill material (i.e., disposed waste) using mechanical screening, manual sorting and sieving. Obtained relatively homogeneous material, consisting of particles smaller than 10 mm, was defined as a fine fractionof waste. Samples from the fine fraction at different depth were collected and analyzed. Metal mobility was assessed after the sequential extraction. Results revealed that such elements as Zn, Mn, Mg are found in various fractions; Fe,Cd, Cr—mainly in residual fraction; Cu, Pb, Ni, Ba, Co and Rb mostly in fractions of residuals and reduced compounds,but they are presented in larger proportion of acid and water soluble fractions. Slight interconnection ofdetected parameters and sampling depth was revealed. Sequential extraction of elements in the fine fraction suggested the valorization of waste and confirmed that such landfill material can be successfully used as a landfill covering layer under the specific engineering circumstances.
Landfills are considered as places where the life cycle of products ends thus meaning that resources and materials, which before were valuables, become useless and are disposed forever in places away from the sight. Landfills that were not closed appropriately are of primary importance as the EU legislation demands closure of noncompliant landfills, re-cultivation followed by soil and groundwater remediation. Waste dumps in former times were created without any environmental planning and it causes problems. Planned actions to reduce and prevent impacts to the environment and get extracted valuables from dump sites are proposed in a new approach known as "landfill mining" (LFM). The number of dumpsites which are still not appropriately closed according to the EU Directives has diminished, but not completely. Landfills that are located close to the Baltic Sea and Black Seas could be good candidates for LFM. This research topic has had evolved in many aspects with the interest increase on material recovery, refuse derived fuels (RDF) production, greenhouse gas and leachate emission diminishing. Real-time applied LFM in last decade in Sweden has started and Estonian scientists and entrepreneurs took over the initiative - the project in Saaremaa Island is an example of closing the life cycle of dumpsites by following a more sustainable approach. The rise of raw material and energy costs promotes the process of LFM to be economically feasible, but this approach must be adjusted in regulations (permittingprohibiting schemes, environmental impact assessment, staff safety, monitoring).
Landfills are considered as places where the life cycle of products ends and materialshave been “disposed forever”. The landfill mining (LFM) approach can deal with formerdumpsites and this material may become important for circular economy perspectiveswithin the concept “Beyond the zero waste”. Potential material recovery should includeperspectives of recycling of critical industrial metals where rare Earth elements (REEs)are playing more and more important role. Real-time applied LFM projects in the BalticRegion have shown the potential of fine-grained fractions (including clay and colloidalmatter) of excavated waste as storage of considerably large amounts of valuable metalsand REEs. Analytical screening studies have extended a bit further the understanding offine fraction contents of excavated, separated and screened waste in a circular economyperspective. The Swedish Institute and Latvian Research Program “Res Prod” supportedthe research.
For the next century to come, one of the biggest challenges is to provide the mankind with relevant and sufficient resources. Recovery of secondary resources plays a significant role. Industrial processes developed to regain minerals for commodity production in a circular economy become ever more important in the European Union and worldwide. Landfill mining (LFM) constitutes an important technological toolset of processes that regain resources and redistribute them with an accompanying reduction of hazardous influence of environmental contamination and other threats for human health hidden in former dump sites and landfills. This review paper is devoted to LFM problems, historical development and driving paradigms of LFM from 'classical hunting for valuables' to 'perspective in ecosystem revitalization'. The main goal is to provide a description of historical experience and link it to more advanced concept of a circular economy. The challenge is to adapt the existing knowledge to make decisions in accordance with both, economic feasibility and ecosystems revitalization aspects. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
For decades, significant work has been conducted regarding plastic waste by dealing with rejected materials in waste masses through their accumulation, sorting and recycling. Important political and technical challenges are involved, especially with respect to landfilled waste. Plastic is popular and, notwithstanding decrease policies, it will remain a material widely used in most economic sectors. However, questions of plastic waste recycling in the contemporary world cannot be solved without knowing the material, which can be achieved by careful sampling, analysis and quantification. Plastic is heterogeneous, but usually all plastic waste is jointly handled for recycling and incineration. Separation before processing waste through the analytical approach must be applied. Modern landfill mining and site clean-up projects in contemporary waste management systems require comprehensive material studies ranging from the macro-characterization of waste masses to a more detailed analysis of hazardous constituents and properties from an energy calorific standpoint-where, among other methods, thermogravimetric research coupled with life cycle assessment (LCA) and economic assessment is highly welcomed.
The Baltic Sea is suffering from extended surplus of phosphorus, nitrogen and other pollutants. It causes diminishing biodiversity and increased eutrophication (mainly due to nitrogen and phosphorous in various substances). The common effort in the region is environmental standpoint in sustainable circular economy. Oil pollutants, heavy metals, organic substances are being released to the Baltic Sea and consequences for maritime environment are serious. However, Baltic Sea Region is one of the most innovative regions in the world considering environmental technology development. The interregional potential is about to solve the above mentioned challenges there were developed the project “Reviving Baltic Resilience (RBR)”. By using prior experiences in other EU projects as well as continuously working and acquiring new data and knowledge, our aim is to test at proactive methods/technologies for preventing pollution reaching the maritime environment and entering biological chains. The paper focuses on three novel case studies: 1) pollution prevention through phytoremediation at landfill close to the sea; 2) studies on sludge deposits with focus on recovery potential; 3) prevention of release of pollutants from sediments in bays and lagoons. This project was supported by Interreg South Baltic program “Reviving Baltic Resilience” (RBR) and Swedish Institute “PECEC”. © SGEM 2018.
Dumps and landfills are the end place of unwanted material and disposed products. Burried resources may be landfill mined and environmental pollution diminished. The problem is lack of information on unknown dump sites of former times – there remote sensing and traditional geodesy, proximal sensing techniques could be used. Near surface geophysical methods are valuable for screening of areas where drilling is limited due to technological limitations and anthropogenic unhomogenousity of material. The aim of this study was to determine whether screening of magnetometry and geoelectrical methods may be useful for old burried dumps recognition. Protonmagnetometer was used in Eastern Latvia to detect burried dump in forest, already covered by soil and vegetation. Induced polarisation and electric resistivity research was done in Southern Sweden for the macro-content analysis of dump hills composed of glass industry residuals and construction waste mixture. Surveying helped to determine macroproperties such as geomorphology and physical type of material underneath the surface. Results allowed spatially characterize dumpsite masses (location and dimensions) and identify the internal structure of a these sites. This is valuable information in order to estimate the material recovery potential of landfills.
Human-induced expansion of oxygen-deficient zones can have dramatic impacts on marine systems and its resident biota. One example is the formation of the potent neurotoxic methylmercury (MeHg) that is mediated by microbial methylation of inorganic divalent Hg (Hg-II) under oxygen-deficient conditions. A negative consequence of the expansion of oxygen-deficient zones could be an increase in MeHg production due to shifts in microbial communities in favor of microorganisms methylating Hg. There is, however, limited knowledge about Hg-methylating microbes, i.e., those carrying hgc genes critical for mediating the process, from marine sediments. Here, we aim to study the presence of hgc genes and transcripts in metagenomes and metatranscriptomes from four surface sediments with contrasting concentrations of oxygen and sulfide in the Baltic Sea. We show that potential Hg methylators differed among sediments depending on redox conditions. Sediments with an oxygenated surface featured hgc-like genes and transcripts predominantly associated with uncultured Desulfobacterota (OalgD group) and Desulfobacterales (including Desulfobacula sp.) while sediments with a hypoxic-anoxic surface included hgc-carrying Verrucomicrobia, unclassified Desulfobacterales, Desulfatiglandales, and uncharacterized microbes. Our data suggest that the expansion of oxygen-deficient zones in marine systems may lead to a compositional change of Hg-methylating microbial groups in the sediments, where Hg methylators whose metabolism and biology have not yet been characterized will be promoted and expand.
Neurotoxic methylmercury (MeHg) is formed by microbial methylation of inorganic divalent Hg (Hg-II) and constitutes severe environmental and human health risks. The methylation is enabled by hgcA and hgcB genes, but it is not know nif the associated molecular-level processes are rate-limiting or enable accurate prediction of MeHg formation in nature. In this study, we investigated the relationships between hgc genes and MeHg across redox-stratified water columns in the brackish Baltic Sea. We showed, for the first time, that hgc transcript abundance and the concentration of dissolved Hg-II-sulfide species were strong predictors of both the Hg-II methylation rate and MeHg concentration, implying their roles as principal joint drivers of MeHg formation in these systems. Additionally, we characterized the metabolic capacities of hgc(+) microorganisms by reconstructing their genomes from metagenomes (i.e., hgc(+) MAGs), which highlighted the versatility of putative Hg-II methylators in the water column of the Baltic Sea. In establishing relationships between hgc transcripts and the Hg-II methylation rate, we advance the fundamental understanding of mechanistic principles governing MeHg formation in nature and enable refined predictions of MeHg levels in coastal seas in response to the accelerating spread of oxygen-deficientzones.
Sverige är ett avlångt land med åtta olika växtzoner. Landets läge har sina fördelartack vare närliggande hav och havsströmmar, trots detta kan odling i de kallare klimaten vara svåra. Import och långa transportsträckor kan minska om en ökad konsumtion av lokala grönsaker och mer närodlade grönsaker odlas. Småskalig odling samt växelbruk kan ge en mindre klimatpåverkan på grund av en planerad växtföljd, gödsling och näringstillskott som inte utlakas eller utarmar jorden.
Syftet med rapporten är att ta reda på möjligheten att frilandsodla grönsaker i växtzon 7, mer specifikt norra Jämtlands län, och hur gynnsamt det kan bli. Den metod som valdes för ändamålet var att skicka ut en webenkät via sociala medier, detta för att förhoppningsvis nå ut till Strömsunds kommuns odlande invånare.
Sammanlagt svarade 79 respondenter på enkätens 14 frågor, där bland annat odlingssätt, antal grönsaker, åtgärder på jord och om respondenterna ville förändra sin odling på något sätt. Resultatet för antalet grönsaker odlade på friland var ett åttiotal inräknat respondenternas egna kommentarer. Många av frågorna från enkäten gick att jämföra mot varandra. Exempelvis använde en låg procent av respondenterna bekämpningsmedel, det kan kopplas till användning av fiberduk. Delar av resultatet bekräftas av annan litteratur som vad som kan odlas och att en mindre förekomst av skadegörare i kallare växtzoner.
En liten studie som denna kan behöva mer forskning. Att odla i växtzoner som inte är typiska odlingszoner eller av andra anledningar kan vara svårodlade, kan i framtiden bli relevanta. Prognoserna för klimatförändringar anses påverkar hela jorden.
Phase change behaviour of pure and some chemically modified calcium chloride hexahydrate materials suggested in the literature as suitable heat storage media was studied in storage systems with a low degree of mixing in order to evaluate their long-term reversibility. The influence of gravitation on the phase change properties of the pure system was elaborated by determining local salt concentrations in the liquid phase and changes in the volume of the system during repeated melting and crystallization, whereby the amounts of the different phases being present could be assessed. It was found that thermo gravitational effects are of minor importance in generating salt concentration gradients in the liquid phase when compared to the concentration gradients resulting from the sedimentation of the formed tetrahydrate and the hexahydrate during the phase change reactions. Due to these effects it was not possible to prevent irreversible tetrahydrate formation and deterioration in heat storage capability by adding a surplus of water to the hexahydrate materials, if seeds for the tetrahydrate were present during repeated melting and crystallization. Upon addition of SrCl(2) center dot 6H(2)O a solid solution of the two hexahydrates is formed and as a result the formation of the tetrahydrate is suppressed. Due to irreversible formation of SrCl(2) center dot 6H(2)O a state of true congruent melting seems, however, not possible to reach. Phase segregation effects also in this case lead to irreversible calcium chloride tetrahydrate formation if seeds for the latter are added during repeated melting and crystallization. If Ca(OH)(2) is also added, the tetrahydrate formation can be further suppressed. But, even in this case, irreversible tetrahydrate formation can not be prevented if the composition of the liquid phase corresponds to the hexahydrate. On addition of 5 wt% KCl or 5 wt% KCl + 2 wt% SrCl(2) center dot 6H(2)O or 5 wt% KCl + 0.4 wt% NaCl, repeated melting and crystallization in the presence of seeds of the tetrahydrate can, however, be carried out without irreversible formation of the latter occurs. In the heat storage system CaCl(2) center dot 6H(2)O + 5 wt% KCl, formation of tetrahydrate is observed but its rate of dissolution is found considerably faster than in the pure hexahydrate system. It was concluded that with those modified calcium chloride hexahydrate systems reversible phase change cycling can be performed and therefore there is for example no the need for thickener agents to be added to avoid irreversible tetrahydrate formation successively reducing heat storage capability of systems in those cases.
A total cost accounting approach for material selection is demonstrated by analysing the suitability of some light weight materials for use in the exterior panel of a back door to a private car. For pre-selection purposes, the suitability of using low alloy steel, aluminium, SMC and a hybrid GMT/aluminium material as construction material for the exterior panel of the back door are compared by taking into account differences in production cost, cost associated with excess mass, cost of probable failures and damages, maintenance and operational costs, end-of-life cost, and cost associated with probable ecological damage. From one manufacturer's point of view and considering only the production cost for the installed part of the back door, steel is the best alternative for large production volumes. However, this is not the case when taking into account all costs. All the other materials seem better and exhibit essentially the same qualities. The main reason is lower fuel consumption. The results of the suitability analysis nicely reflect the relative importance of the various factors contributing to the total cost but the suitability analysis also points to the need of performing a more advanced analysis taking into account also aspects like safety and ease of surface treatment.
To assess the suitability of solar collector systems in which polymeric materials are used versus those in which more traditional materials are used, a case study was undertaken. In this case study a solar heating system with polymeric solar collectors was compared with two equivalent but more traditional solar heating systems: one with flat plate solar collectors and one with evacuated tube solar collectors. To make the comparison, a total cost accounting approach was adopted. The life cycle assessment (LCA) results clearly indicated that the polymeric solar collector system is the best as regards climatic and environmental performance when they are expressed in terms of the IPPC 100 a indicator and the Ecoindicator99, H/A indicator, respectively. In terms of climatic and environmental costs per amount of solar heat collected, the differences between the three kinds of collector systems were small when compared with existing energy prices. With the present tax rates, it seems unlikely that the differences in environmental and climatic costs will have any significant influence on which system is the most favoured, from a total cost point of view. In the choice between a renewable heat source and a heat source based on the use of a fossil fuel, the conclusion was that for climatic performance to be an important economic factor, the tax or trade rate of carbon dioxide emissions must be increased significantly, given the initial EU carbon dioxide emission trade rate. The rate would need to be at least of the same order of magnitude as the general carbon dioxide emission tax rate used in Sweden. If environmental costs took into account not only the greenhouse effect but also other mechanisms for damaging the environment as, for example, the environmental impact factor Ecoindicator99 does, the viability of solar heating versus that of a natural gas heating system would be much higher.
To assess suitability ofsolar collector systems with polymeric materials versus those with moretraditional materials such as metals a case study was undertaken within theframework of Task 39 of the IEA Solar Heating and Cooling Programme. In thisstudy one solar heating system with polymeric solar collectors were comparedwith two equivalent but more traditional solar heating systems, one with flatplate collectors and one with evacuated tube solar collectors. Life Cycle Assessment(LCA) results obtained clearly indicated that the polymeric solar collectorsystem is the most favourable as regards climatic and environmentalperformance. In terms of climatic and environmental costs per solar heat collected,the differences between the three kinds of collector systems, however, aresmall when compared with existing energy prices. In the choice between arenewable heat source and a heat source based on the use of a fossil fuel,which was also analysed in the present study, the conclusion was that forclimatic performance to be an important economic factor, the rate of carbondioxide emission must be considerably increased above the level given by thepresent EU carbon dioxide emission trade rate. The rate would be at least ofthe same order of magnitude as the general carbon dioxide emission tax rateemployed in
Sweden.An alternative to an increase in the EU carbon dioxide emission trade ratewould be to introduce a tax system based on environmental cost, making use ofe.g. Ecoindicator99, to include also other impacts on the environment not justthe greenhouse effect.
Dagvattenproblematiken har uppkommit främst genom urbaniseringen där markens naturliga infiltration har begränsats. De hårdgjorda ytor av både asfalt och byggnader har bidragit med både förändringar i flöde och föroreningshalter, som för det mesta inte kan tas om hand i avloppsreningsverken utan leds direkt ut till närmaste vattendrag eller till havet för att minska risken för översvämningar på både gator och källare.
Genom att utnyttja det naturliga ekosystemet som exempelvis våtmarker och diken, är det ett billigt, effektivt sätt för att omhänderta dagvattnet samt att det gynnar bildningen av grundvatten samt den biologiska mångfalden. Gröna tak minskar uppkomsten av dagvatten vid källan, svackdiken leder dagvattnet och tillåter en långsam infiltration samt flera olika lösningar på magasinering vid extrem nederbörd.
I denna studie utvärderas ett fåtal olika naturliga fördröjnings- och utjämningsmetoder för att sedan ge ett förslag på utformning av ett industriområde i Nyköpings kommun som ska planläggas för att bli ett bostadsområde. Utmaningar vid införandet av olika naturliga dagvattensystem är behovet av markyta då man måste förhålla sig till de befintliga byggnaderna och samtidigt få en tillräcklig dränering.
Mycket i rapporten utgår från Södermanlands län men tar även upp förväntade nederbördsmängder för hela landet som är väsentligt för ett optimalt dagvattenarbete.
QSAR regression models of the toxicity of triazoles and benzotriazoles ([B] TAZs) to an alga (Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata), Daphnia magna and a fish (Onchorhynchus mykiss), were developed by five partners in the FP7-EU Project, CADASTER. The models were developed by different methods - Ordinary Least Squares (OLS), Partial Least Squares (PLS), Bayesian regularised regression and Associative Neural Network (ASNN) - by using various molecular descriptors (DRAGON, PaDEL-Descriptor and QSPR-THESAURUS web). In addition, different procedures were used for variable selection, validation and applicability domain inspection. The predictions of the models developed, as well as those obtained in a consensus approach by averaging the data predicted from each model, were compared with the results of experimental tests that were performed by two CADASTER partners. The individual and consensus models were able to correctly predict the toxicity classes of the chemicals tested in the CADASTER project, confirming the utility of the QSAR approach. The models were also used for the prediction of aquatic toxicity of over 300 (B)TAZs, many of which are included in the REACH pre-registration list, and were without experimental data. This highlights the importance of QSAR models for the screening and prioritisation of untested chemicals, in order to reduce and focus experimental testing.
The spent nuclear fuel from Swedish power plants will be placed in copper canisters that are sealed with friction stir welding and the stability and robustness of this process is now being optimised in three steps: first, the shoulder geometry was identified that produced the most stable weld cycle, then the welding parameters were optimised for that geometry with regards to stability, and finally, the chosen geometry and welding parameters were verified and evaluated during multiple weld cycles. The shoulder study showed that stable welds could be produced repeatedly with a convex scroll geometry which proved more stable than various concave and flat scroll geometries. In the subsequent parameter study, not only were the most stable values for the welding parameters derived, but a clear relationship was shown between power input and tool temperature. This relationship can be used to more accurately control the process within the parameter windows, not only for this application but for other applications where the welding temperature needs to be kept within a specified range. Similarly, the potential of the convex scroll shoulder geometry for use in applications with other metals and thicknesses is evident.
The plan for the final disposal of spent fuel from Swedish nuclear power plants is to place it in copper canisters that are sealed and stored in a deep repository. The canisters will be sealed by friction stir welding (FSW) and the reliability of this process has now been evaluated. The reliability study was performed in three steps: first an optimization experiment to identify optimal process settings and establish the process window; then a demonstration experiment with welding under production-like conditions; and finally a post-demonstration series to evaluate an adjustment in the welding equipment. A process window was defined around the optimal process setting, i.e., the limits within which the welding variables must lie in order for the process to produce the desired result. In the demonstration experiment, a series of 20 sealing welds was carried out under production-like conditions. The maximum discontinuity in each weld — detected by non-destructive testing — was fitted to a generalized extreme value distribution. The 95% confidence interval for the maximum discontinuity in a production series of 4500 canisters was estimated at 4.5–7.7 mm. The best estimate from the post-demonstration series suggests that the maximum size of a discontinuity will not exceed 2.3 mm. A main conclusion is that the FSW process produces reliable results, fulfilling the predetermined requirements for minimum copper thickness by a very good margin.
Efter utförda åtgärder av förorenade områden görs uppföljning av åtgärderna där bedömning av riskreduktionen är en del. I åtgärdsprojekt som finansieras genom statliga medel ställs krav på uppföljning, där nyckeltal ingår som ska ge uppföljande data. Denna studie undersöker hur nyckeltalen kan användas för att följa upp och hantera riskreduktion för hälsa och/eller miljön efter utförda åtgärder, där så väl kort som lång sikt beaktas. Vidare har det undersökts hur nyckeltalen kan användas för att följa upp riskreduktion ur ett nationellt perspektiv samt huruvida det finns ett behov av att justera kraven. Studien avgränsades till statliga åtgärdsprojekt för att kunna genomföra en jämförbar utvärdering. Nyckeltal från 69 åtgärdsprojekt har samlats in där 67 har sammanställts på projektnivå. En sammanställning av bland annat föroreningsmängder har även gjorts för ett nationellt perspektiv. Flera av nyckeltalen kan användas för bedömning av riskreduktion, kvantitativa data saknas dock för många av åtgärdsprojekten. Den reella riskreduktionen är svår att utläsa för flertalet av projekten med anledning av bristen på data. Vidare är det svårt att utläsa riskreduktionen utan vetskap om åtgärdsmål och i vissa fall kvalitativa data.
På nationell nivå verkar det som att åtgärderna generellt håller en hög ambitionsnivå med hög riskreduktionsgrad utifrån den data som har utvärderas. Bland annat erhölls en medelreduktion av föroreningsmängd på 85 % i 31 av 67 projekt och en medelreduktion i spridning på 86,5 % i 8 av 67 projekt för den primärt styrande föroreningen i åtgärdsprojekten. Det kan dock diskuteras om det är ett representativt urval med så få projekt för utvärdering på den nationella nivån.
Nyckeltalen bör ses över för att kunna förbättras med avseende på riskreduktion. Bland annat föreslås tillägg av nyckeltal för möjlighet att bedöma riskreduktion på kort respektive lång sikt och en översyn om nyckeltal som rör exempelvis exponering och ekologiska parametrar bör läggas till för att få mer projektspecifika nyckeltal som rör riskreduktion. Detta ställer dock krav på provtagningar och riskbedömningen redan i utredningsskedet. Vidare kan det vara aktuellt att justera nyckeltalen för att passa fler åtgärdsmetoder. Bland annat finns det anledning att se över bedömning av riskreduktion med avseende på åtgärdsmetoder som rör åtgärder av vatten. Resultaten indikerar även på att andra faktorer som kvalitetssäkring, om rätt typ av provtagning genomförs och hur databearbetning sker, för att nyckeltalen ska kunna fyllas i på ett adekvat sätt.
Studien är begränsad då inte alla slutrapporterade projekt har ingått med anledning av avgränsning. För att få en mer fullständig utvärdering rekommenderas att samtliga åtgärdsprojekt ingår i en framtida studie. Vidare bör det även ses över möjlighet att inkludera de privatfinansierade åtgärdsprojekten för att få en bättre bild över hur framgångsrikt saneringsarbetet är på nationell nivå.
Coastal seawaters receive thousands of organic pollutants. However, we have little understanding of the response of microbiomes to this pool of anthropogenic dissolved organic carbon (ADOC). In this study, coastal microbial communities were challenged with ADOC at environmentally relevant concentrations. Experiments were performed at two Mediterranean sites with different impact by pollutants and nutrients: off the Barcelona harbor ("BCN"), and at the Blanes Bay ("BL"). ADOC additions stimulated prokaryotic leucine incorporation rates at both sites, indicating the use of ADOC as growth substrate. The percentage of "membranecompromised" cells increased with increasing ADOC, indicating concurrent toxic effects of ADOC. Metagenomic analysis of the BCN community challenged with ADOC showed a significant growth of Methylophaga and other gammaproteobacterial taxa belonging to the rare biosphere. Gene expression profiles showed a taxon-dependent response, with significantly enrichments of transcripts from SAR11 and Glaciecola spp. in BCN and BL, respectively. Further, the relative abundance of transposon-related genes (in BCN) and transcripts (in BL) correlated with the number of differentially abundant genes (in BCN) and transcripts (in BLA), suggesting that microbial responses to pollution may be related to pre-exposure to pollutants, with transposons playing a role in adaptation to ADOC. Our results point to a taxon-specific response to low concentrations of ADOC that impact the functionality, structure and plasticity of the communities in coastal seawaters. This work contributes to address the influence of pollutants on microbiomes and their perturbation to ecosystem services and ocean health.
The contaminated air, water and soil have been major environmental issues during the last decades in Sweden. The phytoremediation technologies with ecological and economic benefits may help to alleviate those problems, especially related to heavy metal and organic pollutants. There is paucity of literatures on comprehensive understanding of phytoremediation technology development in Sweden. The Environmental Science and Engineering Group (ESEG) at Linnaeus University has been working on the relevant topics for decades and achieved some important findings. This study aimed at providing a systematic insight on the phytoremediation development in Sweden through literature reviews as well as summarizing the doctoral theses presented by ESEG. Herein suggestions and recommendations for phytoremediation development are given, especially those projects and research in Sweden and other countries with similar climate situation, which can benefit the works for site managers and engineers as well as ecologists and biochemists. The study presents useful findings: 1) The majority of phytoremediation research in Sweden is focused on wetlands. Some are working on soil remediation, and very few on air purification. Submerged plant species in wetlands have been shown to be more effective at removing heavy metals than free-floating and terrestrial plants. Willow is the most popular species used in soil remediation, and there are many different clones. There are some other potential plants for phytoremediation, including Poplar, Silver Birch, Alfalfa, Spinach, Fireweed, Reed Canary grass, Scots pine, Rapeseed, etc. 2) Composting, bacteria, and iodides are examples of additions that can help improve phytoremediation efficiency. 3) Both biomass yields and contaminants accumulation concentration in plant must be considered when evaluating phytoremediation efficiency. 4) The efficacy of the phytoremediation function will be influenced by factors such as plant selection, climate situation, additions of substrate, soil properties, etc. Furthermore, the concentration of contaminants varies between plants as well as between different parts of the plant. 5) Management and maintenance are essential for a successful phytoremediation operation. It is critical to protect plants against disease, fungi, insects, pests and so on. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.
Flygsektorn har en mycket högre energiförbrukning än rälsburen transport, och drivs i huvudsak av icke förnybart bränsle. Flertalet studier pekar på att markbaserad kollektiv transport är både ekonomiskt och miljömässigt mer hållbar än flygtransport, men det är mindre tydligt hur stora skillnaderna är mellan transportmedlen beroende på vilket bränsle som används och vilken påverkan det har ur ett livscykelperspektiv.Syftet med arbetet var att få en djupare insikt i kollektiva transportmedels miljöpåverkan ur livscykelperspektiv samt hur de olika transportmedlen står sig mot varandra. Huvuduppgiften var att jämföra kollektiva transportmedel mot varandra med livscykelanalys (LCA).På en tilltänkt sträcka mellan Berlin och Paris gjordes LCA för tåg, höghastighetståg och flyg. LCA är ett metodologiskt verktyg för att beräkna och kategorisera miljöpåverkan från början av en produkts eller tjänsts livscykel till slutet när det återvinns eller bortskaffas. I denna studie användes programmet SimaPro 8 för livscykelanalyserna. ReCiPe tillsammans med IPCC GWP 100a var metoderna för att beräkna och vikta resultatet. Resultaten visade att miljöpåverkan ur livscykelperspektiv per personkilometer var stegvis ökande mellan tåg, höghastighetståg och flyg med förhållandena 1 : 5,2 : 18,8. Enligt dessa siffror och denna viktning har höghastighetståg drivet av icke förnybar el 5,2, och flyg drivet av flygfotogen hela 18,8 gånger större miljöpåverkan än tåg drivna av förnybar el. För klimatpåverkan i koldioxidekvivalenter per pkm var förhållandena mellan tåg, höghastighetståg, maglev och flyg 1 : 7,3 : 1,6 : 24.
The paper distinguishes beach wrack, the marine generated organic part of beach cast, as a separate management object and discusses research questions related to its management and economically viable use. Based on experiences from the Baltic Sea and existing practices from countries with different management systems clear distinction between the management of natural and anthropogenic components of cast material is seen as an essential prerequisite for developing sustainable product chains that allow beach wrack to be used as a resource of commercial value. Presenting and discussing examples from Denmark (Koge Municipality), Germany (Kuhlungsborn, Rugen and Poel Island), Poland (Gulf of Gdansk), Russia (Curonian and Vistula spits) and Sweden (Kalmar municipality and Oland), social, ecological, and economic consequences of beach wrack removal are analysed to improve the attractiveness of beaches for recreational purposes. It also includes potential contribution to Baltic Sea water restoration processes through the removal of the organic part of beach cast, where indeed more studies about the chemical (nutrients, metals) composition of beach wrack are required for reliable calculation of a depuration rate. For local economies within the Baltic Sea region, the organic part of beach cast (beach wrack and terrestrial debris) has reasonable economic prospects as a renewable natural resource, e.g. for soil improvement products, in fertilisers and bio-coal production, for landfill covers (contributing to climate change mitigation), biogas generation, and even for coastal protection by providing humus-like material for accelerated dune vegetation succession. For all these recycling options the development of cost-efficient technologies for collecting beach cast on sandy as well as stony beaches and also for separating the organic part from sand and anthropogenic litter (mainly plastic), is urgently required. Amendments of legal regulations, that better reflect the dualism of beach cast are also required. In essence, dualism results from the fact that beach wrack is a part of nature (or a natural resource) when it remains on a beach. However, beach wrack immediately becomes legally categorised as waste once humans collect it irrespective of its litter content. Another legal aspect being dealt with originates from the migration of the beach wrack between water and beach, whilst it is an object of epleagl cleaning operations only at the beach it onto the beach, but not whilst in the water.
Communities are increasingly empowered with the ability and responsibility of working with national governments to make decisions about marine resources in decentralized co-management arrangements. This transition toward decentralized management represents a changing governance landscape. This paper explores the transition to decentralisation in marine resource management systems in three East African countries. The paper draws upon expert opinion and literature from both political science and linked social-ecological systems fields to guide exploration of five key governance transition concepts in each country: (1) drivers of change; (2) institutional arrangements; (3) institutional fit; (4) actor interactions; and (5) adaptive management. Key findings are that decentralized management in the region was largely donor-driven and only partly transferred power to local stakeholders. However, increased accountability created a degree of democracy in regards to natural resource governance that was not previously present. Additionally, increased local-level adaptive management has emerged in most systems and, to date, this experimental management has helped to change resource user's views from metaphysical to more scientific cause-and-effect attribution of changes to resource conditions. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved,
Från 2020 har EU lagt väg för ny en strategi för att metan- (CH4) utsläppenskall upptäckas och reduceras. Med denna bakgrund skapas syftet till detta examensarbete för att kunna kartlägga och kvantifiera vilka volymer av diffusa metanläckage som läckt ut mellan åren 2005-2019 från de svenska natur- och biogasenheter vid överföring och/eller produktion.
Metoderna för examensarbetet har varit att inhämta information / mätdata i litteraturen samt via intervjuer av branschkunnig personal. Mätdata har bearbetats med deterministiska bedömningar i form av beräkningsmodell. Resultatet som beräknats i flera former av storheter såsom volym (Nm3), energiinnehåll (GWh), klimatpåverkan (CO2 ekv) och kostnad (SEK) och dessa visade alla på ansenliga tal.
Volymen av metanläckaget var 2019 3,96*106 Nm3 vilket motsvarar ett medelvärde i energiinnehåll på 38,29 GWh och en klimatpåverkan på 79,8*106 kg CO2 ekv. Kostnaden för metanemissionen 2019 blev då cirka 23,7*106 - 62*106 kronor vid beräkning för medelpriset av vad industrin och hushållen betalade mellan åren 2007-2019 för vardera gasobjekt.
En vidare studie för säkrare indata och återkoppling på det arbete som redan pågår i Sverige för att reducera metanläckaget skulle vara till klar fördel och hjälp för framtida arbetssätt.
European Union (EU) Member States have agreed to limit their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from sectors not covered by the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (non-ETS). That includes also emissions from agricultural sector. Although the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has established a methodology for assessment of GHG emissions from agriculture, the forecasting options are limited, especially when policies and their interaction with the agricultural system are tested. Therefore, an advanced tool, a system dynamics model, was developed that enables assessment of effects various decisions and measures have on agricultural GHG emissions. The model is based on the IPCC guidelines and includes the main elements of an agricultural system, i.e. land management, livestock farming, soil fertilization and crop production, as well as feedback mechanisms between the elements. The case of Latvia is selected for simulations, as agriculture generates 22% of the total anthropogenic GHG emissions in the country. The results demonstrate that there are very limited options for GHG mitigation in the agricultural sector. Thereby, reaching the non-ETS GHG emission targets will be very challenging for Latvia, as the level of agricultural GHG emissions will be exceeded considerably above the target levels. Thus, other non-ETS sectors will have to reduce their emissions drastically to "neutralize" the agricultural sector's emissions for reaching the EU's common ambition tomove towards low-carbon economy. The developed model may serve as a decision support tool for impact assessment of various measures and decisions on the agricultural system's GHG emissions. Although the model is applied to the case of Latvia, the elements and structure of the model developed are similar to agricultural systems in many countries. By changing numeric values of certain parameters, the model can be applied to analyze decisions and measures in other countries. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Syftet med studien är att utifrån ett pragmatiskt perspektiv granska hur en miljöcertifierad förskola arbetar balanserat med hållbar miljöutveckling och barns positiva framtidstro. Utifrån syftet utgår studien ifrån tre frågeställningar vilka berör hur arbetet med hållbar miljöutveckling bedrivs på en miljöcertifierad förskola, eventuella utmaningar med arbetet och hur arbetet påverkar barn. Metoden för studien är kvalitativa, semistrukturerade intervjuer med två förskolepedagoger och med sex barn i två gruppintervjuer om tre barn vid en miljöcertifierad förskola.
Resultatet visar att de intervjuade förskolepedagogerna hade tilltro till sina aktiviteter inom hållbar miljöutveckling. De menade att aktiviteterna så väl som engagerade pedagoger inspirerar barnen att handla miljömedvetet. Vidare såg de inte några större utmaningar med arbetet med hållbar miljöutveckling i förskolan. De ansåg att arbetet med hållbar miljöutveckling kan inge en positiv framtidstro hos barn om det görs på barnens nivå. I barnintervjuerna visade barnen att de bär på starka känslor och många tankar gällande naturen, miljön och klimatet. De uttryckte oro, ilska och rädsla när naturen enligt dem blev behandlad illa och glädje när de gjorde något de ansåg var bra för naturen. Barnen visade även på goda kunskaper inom ämnet så väl som på handlingskraft för förändring. Förskolepedagogerna visade på medvetenhet kring värdet av ett balanserat arbetssätt i arbetet med hållbar miljöutveckling. Däremot dras även slutsatsen att strävan efter ett balanserat arbete bör fortsätta genom mer aktivt uppmärksammande av barns känslor och tankar.
Föroreningar och miljögifter är ett stort problem i världen. För att hjälpa till att skydda allt i naturen och människan har EU-länderna tillsammans arbetat fram olika skyddsprogram. Ett exempel på ett skyddsprogram är införandet av Natura 2000-områden. Dessa områden är extra känsliga mot miljögifter och andra föroreningar som kan orsaka stora förändringar i ekosystem och den biologiska mångfalden. Därför är dessa områden speciellt viktiga att bevara genom att leva upp till en god status inom de kemiska och ekologiska områdena.
I detta arbete har ett Natura 2000-område undersökts där halten av kemiska föroreningar inte uppnår god status. Området är en sjö lokaliserad i Katrineholms kommun i sydvästra Södermanland. Syftet med detta arbetet var att undersöka den mängd data som existerade hos Katrineholms kommun gällande miljögifterna i Näsnaren. En slutsats skulle sedan dras om denna data var tillräcklig för att bestämma Näsnarens välmående, visa miljögifternas trender samt om den var tillräcklig för att fatta beslut om åtgärder. Mängden data som hittades var mycket liten och inga utmärkande miljögiftshalter påträffades. Slutsatsen tyder på att betydligt fler provtagningar måste utföras i Näsnaren för att ge ett tillräckligt dataunderlag och ge en korrekt bild över Näsnarens välmående.
De ökande växthusgasutsläppen till atmosfären leder till skadliga effekter för jordens klimat. Växthusgasutsläppen minskar i för långsam takt för att klimatpolitiska mål ska kunna nås, till exempel Parisavtalet från 2015. Koldioxidlagring eller CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) ses som en viktig teknik för att minska industriers utsläpp, speciellt inom energiproduktion men även inom cementindustri, för att minska utsläpp från tillverkningsprocessen. I den här studien undersöks möjligheterna för koldioxidlagring i ett område i sydöstra Östersjön. Syftet är att undersöka möjligheten att Gotland kan reducera en stor del av sina koldioxidutsläpp genom CCS-teknik. En source to sink-matchning utförs genom att matcha koldioxidutsläppen från utvalda industrier på Gotland med geologiska reservoarer i Östersjön, för att se om reservoarerna kan lagra koldioxiden. Resultaten visar att lagringskapaciteten i området är enorm teoretiskt sett, i praktiken är kapaciteten låg och det krävs en undersökning av ett större område än det som undersöktes i denna studie. Kostnaderna för CCS-teknik är mycket höga och det krävs statliga finansieringar inledningsvis för implementering. Kostnaden för koldioxidutsläpp bör vara högre än kostnaden för koldioxidlagring. Teknikutveckling, samhällsförändring och samarbete mellan länder är viktigt för att öka takten av CCS implementering.
The ongoing debate about costs and benefits of wood-pellet based bioenergy production in the southeastern United States (SE USA) requires an understanding of the science and context influencing market decisions associated with its sustainability. Production of pellets has garnered much attention as US exports have grown from negligible amounts in the early 2000s to 4.6 million metric tonnes in 2015. Currently, 98% of these pellet exports are shipped to Europe to displace coal in power plants. We ask, 'How is the production of wood pellets in the SE USA affecting forest systems and the ecosystem services they provide?' To address this question, we review current forest conditions and the status of the wood products industry, how pellet production affects ecosystem services and biodiversity, and what methods are in place to monitor changes and protect vulnerable systems. Scientific studies provide evidence that wood pellets in the SE USA are a fraction of total forestry operations and can be produced while maintaining or improving forest ecosystem services. Ecosystem services are protected by the requirement to utilize loggers trained to apply scientifically based best management practices in planning and implementing harvest for the export market. Bioenergy markets supplement incomes to private rural landholders and provide an incentive for forest management practices that simultaneously benefit water quality and wildlife and reduce risk of fire and insect outbreaks. Bioenergy also increases the value of forest land to landowners, thereby decreasing likelihood of conversion to nonforest uses. Monitoring and evaluation are essential to verify that regulations and good practices are achieving goals and to enable timely responses if problems arise. Conducting rigorous research to understand how conditions change in response to management choices requires baseline data, monitoring, and appropriate reference scenarios. Long-term monitoring data on forest conditions should be publicly accessible and utilized to inform adaptive management.
The present study was conducted to optimize the various experimental conditions, such as biomass loading, initial C.I. Acid Blue 25 (AB25) dye concentration, and initial solution pH for biosorption of dye on raw and HCl-treated brown alga, Padina australis and red alga, Jania adhaerens. Biosorption process was optimized in a batch system under Box-Behnken design. Second-order polynomial equation was successfully used to describe the effects of studied variables on response. The quadratic models exhibited higher R-2 values, significant p-values, and insignificant lack-of-fit p-values showed high adequacy for predicting the response. Chemically modified red alga exhibited better AB25 dye biosorption capacity as compared to modified brown alga. Maximum dye removal efficiencies of 77.34, 71.28, 50.56, and 85.19% for P. australis, HCl-treated P. australis, J. adhaerens, and HCl-treated J. adhaerens, respectively, were obtained at optimal conditions. The surface modification on tested algal biomass was found to be strongly dependent on their cell wall constituents.
The central Nile Deep-Sea Fan contains a broad area of seabed destabilisation in association with fluid seepage: slope-parallel sediment undulations are associated with multibeam high-backscatter patches (HBPs) related to authigenic carbonates. During the 2011 APINIL campaign, a deep-towed sidescan and profiling system (SAR) was used to acquire high-resolution data along three transects across water depths of 1,700-2,650 m. Three seabed domains are distinguished, all developed within stratified sediments overlying mass-transport deposits (MTDs). Upslope of the undulations (<1,950 m), sidescan HBPs record focused fluid seepage via seabed cracks. In the western area of undulations, sidescan HBPs are distinct from intermediate-backscatter patches (IBPs) that extend up to 850 m parallel to the undulations, mainly along their downslope flanks; some contain sub-circular HBPs up to 300 m wide, three associated with smaller (<10 m) hydroacoustic gas flares. Focused fluid seeps are inferred to have shifted over time to form elongate carbonate pavements, preferentially along the footwalls of faults beneath the undulations that provide pathways for fluid flow. In contrast, in the eastern area of undulations, sidescan imagery reveal only slope-transverse furrows formed by turbulent flows, interpreted to indicate that fossil carbonates sampled during submersible operations have been exhumed by erosion.
We evaluate the application of the branched glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraether (br GDGT) based palaeotemperature and palaeoenvironmental proxy to a hyper-eutrophic, polluted and shallow oxic lake. Lake Zeekoevlei is the largest freshwater lake in South Africa, located close to Cape Town. We use published lake-based and soil-based calibration equations, and compare the reconstructed mean annual air temperature (MAT) with regional (South African) and local (Cape Town) instrumental temperature records. The distribution of br GDGTs in the lake sediments is influenced by air temperature. The lake-based calibration equation, which uses the methylation index of branched tetraethers/cyclisation ratio of branched tetraethers (MBT/CBT), formulated for African lakes (. Tierney et al., 2010), fits well with the instrumental temperature records. Moreover, the CBT-derived pH likely reflects historic socioeconomic changes in catchment. Our results suggest that a polluted/hyper-eutrophic status and shallow water urban setting do not preclude application of the MBT/CBT-MAT proxy. However, further research is necessary to understand the behaviour of br GDGT-producing bacteria in polluted and highly productive lakes.
The aim of this study was to determine effects on methane potential and overall sludge quality from two different sludge pre-treatment technologies (ozonation high/low dosage and thermal treatment 55/70 degrees C). In general both treatments produced increased methane potential. Thermal treatment resulted in higher chemical oxygen demand (COD)-solubilisation, while the highest volatile fatty acids (VFA) increase was obtained with ozonation. Sludges had inhibiting effects in a barley seed germination assay and a yeast oestrogen screen both before and after pre-treatment, but inhibition was reduced by ozone treatment and digestion. No statistical significant reduction in concentrations of included pharmaceuticals could be observed.
The application of treated sewage sludge on farmland is a suggested method for recycling nutrients and reducing demand for commercial fertilizer. However, sludge needs to be safe from possible contaminants which can cause acute and long-term health and environmental problems. Residual pharmaceuticals and organic contaminants are mentioned as emerging threats since wastewater treatment plants are not designed to degrade these substances. The aim of this study was to screen and evaluate the presence, and reduction, of pharmaceuticals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) during anaerobic digestion of mixed primary and waste-activated sludge at 35, 55 and 60°C and during pasteurization at 70°C. The study showed the difficulty of analysing pharmaceutical compounds in low concentrations in the sludge matrix. No general reduction of these compounds was seen during treatment, but for individual substances some reduction occured. The PAHs were generally not reduced during digestion or pasteurization, but for three substances (indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene and dibenzo[a,h]anthracene (analysed together) and benzo[g,h,i]perylene) reduction (up to 60%) during digestion was seen. Digestion at 35 and 55°C resulted in about the same order of reduction of the three individual PAHs, which was higher than for digestion at 60°C.
Regulation of using pesticides and agrochemicals application in agriculture is one of the important problem now, as also the problem of storage of mineral fertilizers and their improper using, which have negative influence on the chemical and the food security of the country. This paper discusses the features and benefits of monodisperse aerosols of pesticides in plant protection after a long-term research. A new line of development of science, engineering, industrial and innovative technologies-the author's project "Monodisperse Anthropogenic Aerosols" is proposed. The measures for its implementation are presented. © The Authors, published by EDP Sciences, 2018.
In their studies of collective exploitation of common-pool resources, Ostrom and other scholars have stressed the importance of sanctioning as an essential method for preventing overuse and, eventually, the collapse of commons. However, most of the available evidence is based on data covering a relatively small period in history, and thus does not inform us about the evolution of rules, including sanctions, over time. In this article, we demonstrate, based on historical sources covering several centuries, that sanctioning was not always the preferred way of preventing or dealing with free-riding in institutions for collective action, but that the legal context is decisive to understand why commoners in some countries were using more sanctions than those in others to regulate commoners' behavior. Commoners that could self-govern their resources used fewer sanctions, and when they did, it was mainly to avoid overuse of their most vulnerable resources. Moreover, graduated sanctioning seems to be less important than suggested in Ostrom's famous Design Principles, and was reserved primarily for immediate threats to the commons' resources. We also show the importance of other types of rules, such as differentiated rules, which have hardly been taken into account in literature to date.
Vitellogenin protein (Vtg) in Oreochromis niloticus plasma has been indirectly quantified through protein-bound phosphate groups also known as alkali-labile phosphates (ALP) using a recently modified method. Such method as described in the literature was originally applied to Crucian carp and resulted in lower detection limits (3.2 mu g PO(4)(3-)per mL). In this study, O. niloticus males were exposed to intermittent doses of oestrogens for 15 days using different concentrations (converted to loads) of 17 alpha-ethinyloestradiol (EE2) (two different aquarium volumes), oestrone (E1) and 17 beta-oestradiol (E2) individually and in combination (1:1:1). The induction of physiologic and genotoxic effects in erythrocytes was investigated. For the tested oestrogen (EE2), load proved to be more relevant than concentration in determining the oestrogenicity. O. niloticus males proved to have lower ALP baseline (4.11 mu g PO43-/mL plasma, IQ(25)=3.38; IQ(75)=5.18) than other fish species, including Crucian carp, which makes it suitable for oestrogenicity detection in water. Exposure to E2, EE2 separately and in combination (1:1:1) all induced significant increases in the ALP levels at loads >= 0.72 mu g/fish. This load was three times lower than the E1 load required to increase ALP (>= 2.2 mu g/fish). All oestrogens with loads >= 0.072 mu g/fish caused significant increase in micronucleus frequency (>= 2 parts per thousand) compared with the control (0.1 +/- 0.4 parts per thousand). The study highlighted the importance of taking into account not only concentration and dose regime but also the mass load and therefore, the volume used in the experimental units, which is rarely addressed in ecotoxicity assays. Considering the good sensitivity of O. niloticus exposed to relatively low concentrations of oestrogens, the combination of the ALP method with auxiliary biomarkers (particularly micronucleus) can be used as a protocol for oestrogenicity and genotoxicity detection in different contaminated waters as part of water environmental monitoring programmes.
There is a worldwide demand for decentralized wastewater treatment options. An on-site engineered ecosystem (EE) treatment plant was designed with a multistage approach for small wastewater generators in tropical areas. The array of treatment units included a septic tank, a submersed aerated filter, and a secondary decanter followed by three vegetated tanks containing aquatic macrophytes intercalated with one tank of algae. During 11 months of operation with a flow rate of 52 L h(-1), the system removed on average 93.2% and 92.9% of the chemical oxygen demand (COD) and volatile suspended solids (VSS) reaching final concentrations of 36.3 +/- 12.7 and 13.7 +/- 4.2 mg L-1, respectively. Regarding ammonia-N (NH4-N) and total phosphorus (TP), the system removed on average 69.8% and 54.5% with final concentrations of 18.8 +/- 9.3 and 14.0 +/- 2.5 mg L-1, respectively. The tanks with algae and macrophytes together contributed to the overall nutrient removal with 33.6% for NH4-N and 26.4% for TP. The final concentrations for all parameters except TP met the discharge threshold limits established by Brazilian and EU legislation. The EE was considered appropriate for the purpose for which it was created.
This paper investigates the effect of estrone (E1), 17 beta-estradiol (E2) and 17 alpha-ethinylestradiol (EE2) individually and mixed at equal proportions (1:1:1) on Desmodesmus subspicatus and Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata in single and combined cultures (S+) at different exposure times basedon algal growth (in vivo chlorophyll fluorescence and cell counting) and coenobium formation. EE2 and E2 were more toxic to individual and combined (S+) cultures than was E1. The frequency of coenobium formation by D. subspicatus increased significantly for all estrogens and all concentrations. After 96 h, D. subspicatus prevailed in S+. The results of the exposure to E+ suggested a less-than-additive effecton D. subspicatus and S+ and additive effect on P. subcapitata. Toxic effects occurred for both species exposed to E+ with individual estrogen concentrations below the NOEC of each species. Assays must include changes in response due to the exposure of more than one species to more than one estrogen.
ABSTRACT: Owing that Oreochromis niloticus is resistant to different aquatic environments,four contaminated sites were selected: decentralized engineered ecosystem(DEE) and conventional wastewater treatment plants(WWTP); urban lagoon; and gasoline-contaminated marshland. Endocrine disruption was assessed by alkali-labile phosphate(ALP) quantification,genotoxicity by micronuclei frequency,and morphological changes by hepatosomatic and gonadosomatic indexes. The ALP baseline of non-exposed O. niloticus males was low,compared with other fish species in the literature. Endocrine disruption was observed in fish exposed to raw wastewater of WWTP and DEE,discharge point of channeled river in the urban lagoon,and water from gasoline-contaminated marshland. After treatment in the DEE,the endocrine disruption effect was removed. The micronuclei frequency corroborated with the ALP results in most cases and proved to be a useful tool to assess genotoxicity in fish. The exposure time of 15 days was not enough to provoke morphological effects in most samples. However,in all gasoline-contaminated samples,the fishes showed an increase in the hepatosomatic index followed by a decrease in the gonadosomatic index. The tested biomarkers showed feasibility,sensibility,reproducibility,and were complementary in the assessment of chronic ecotoxicity; therefore,we recommend them to compose a suitable protocol for aquatic monitoring programs.
Understanding social-ecological system dynamics is a major research priority for sustainable management of landscapes, ecosystems and resources. But the lack of multi-decadal records represents an important gap in information that hinders the development of the research agenda. Without improved information on the long-term and complex interactions between causal factors and responses, it will be difficult to answer key questions about trends, rates of change, tipping points, safe operating spaces and pre-impact conditions. Where available long-term monitored records are too short or lacking, palaeoenvironmental sciences may provide continuous multi-decadal records for an array of ecosystem states, processes and services. Combining these records with conventional sources of historical information from instrumental monitoring records, official statistics and enumerations, remote sensing, archival documents, cartography and archaeology produces an evolutionary framework for reconstructing integrated regional histories. We demonstrate the integrated approach with published case studies from Australia, China, Europe and North America.