Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt Research Articles

Restoration of historic gypsum masonry

AbstractIncompatibilities between the original substance containing gypsum in historically significant buildings and modern hydraulic repair materials have been known for over 80 years. However, as a result of expansion phenomena, a lot of culturally and historically valuable buildings in Germany have been irretrievably destroyed in recent decades. In a project of the Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt, the question of which materials and which technologies are suitable for the renovation of masonry containing gypsum was investigated.

Calibration of Metal Oxide Semiconductor Gas Sensors by High School Students

A wide range of pollutants cannot be perceived with human senses, which is why the use of gas sensors is indispensable for an objective assessment of air quality. Since many pollutants are both odorless and colorless, there is a lack of awareness, in particular among students. The project SUSmobil (funded by DBU – Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt) aims to change this. In three modules on the topic of gas sensors and air quality, the students (a) learn the functionality of a metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) gas sensor, (b) perform a calibration process and (c) carry out environmental measurements with calibrated sensors. Based on these introductory experiments, the students are encouraged to develop their own environmental questions. In this paper, the student experiment for the calibration of a MOS gas sensor for ethanol is discussed. The experiment, designed as an HTML-based learning, addresses both theoretical and practical aspects of a typical sensor calibration process, consisting of data acquisition, feature extraction and model generation. In this example, machine learning is used for generating the evaluation model as existing physical models are not sufficiently exact.

Modeling of the Function Principle of Semiconductor Gas Sensors for High School Students

A wide range of pollutants cannot be perceived with human senses, which is why theuse of gas sensors is indispensable for an objective assessment of air quality. Sincemany pollutants are both odorless and colorless, there is a lack of awareness, inparticular among high school students. The project SUSmobil (funded by DBU –Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt) aims to change this. In three modules on the topic ofgas sensors and air quality, the students (1) are familiarized with the functionality of ametal oxide semiconductor (MOS) gas sensor, (2) perform a sensor calibration and (3)carry out environmental measurements with calibrated sensors. Based on theseintroductory experiments, the students are encouraged to develop their ownenvironmental questions. In this contribution, we focus on the experimental andmodeling approach which explains the function principle of a MOS gas sensor in a waysuitable for high school students. This includes a qualitative and quantitativedescription of a simplified sensor model explaining the main processes on the sensorsurface. In addition, an HTML-based self-learning course is presented in which thestudents investigate the sensor behavior in the presence of different substancesdepending on the sensor temperature.

Citizen Science for Students: Fundamentals of Gas Sensing and Realization of Environmental Studies

Introduction Citizen Science describes the collaboration between citizens and scientists on scientific issues and has gained in importance in recent years [1]. The development of the topic Citizen Science shows that citizens should no longer act as mere data collectors, but are more and more integrated into the scientific work. This includes the imparting of background knowledge, the introduction to scientific methods as well as joint data evaluation and interpretation. Through this approach, science is made accessible, and citizens often draw more conclusions regarding their own actions, behaviors and habits [2]. Especially young people are developing ever greater environmental awareness due to the already noticeable effects of climate change. Current topics in the media about Fridays for Future, but also exhaust emissions of cars (“Diesel scandal”) and increasing concentrations of particulate matter in inner cities show that air quality is becoming more and more important for them [3].In the project “SUSmobil” students aged between 12 and 18 receive fundamental information on gas sensing, consisting of functionality, calibration process and data evaluation, and then have the opportunity to develop their own environmental studies, such as an “air pollution map” or “the investigation of the air composition in beehives”. The project is divided into four modules, each of which focuses on one aspect of gas sensing and air quality. The concept is presented below. Fundamentals of gas sensing Beginning with the theoretical fundamentals on how semiconductor gas sensors work, the first module describes the functionality of metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) gas sensors. By examining the sensor reaction to the headspace of different substances, water, apple juice and non-alcoholic beer, the students learn about the relevant processes on the sensor surface. The second module offers an insight into modern methods of calibration of semiconductor gas sensors. In contrast to the first module, which was dealing with qualitative discrimination of substances, the focus here is laid on the quantification of one substance. The sensor model previously developed in module 1 is extended by the temperature cycled operation (TCO), which can be used to improve sensitivity, selectivity and stability of the sensor [4]. By addressing the topics of data analysis, feature extraction and mathematical modeling using neural networks, a comprehensive picture of the scientific work with air quality sensors is provided.The third module addresses environmental measurements and relevant parameters, e.g. particulate matter (PM), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and CO2. Students learn about different sensor principles such as non-dispersive infrared absorption (NDIR) and laser scattering. Threshold limit values and possible sources of harmful VOCs are described and tested with model substances. Example of an environmental study: Air pollution map Motivated students are given the opportunity to create their own environmental studies using a citizen science approach supported by scientists. One example for an environmental study is the creation of an “air pollution map”, which two students (age 17 and 18) developed as part of the German youth research competition "Jugend forscht” (figure 1). The aim of this project was to perform air quality measurements inside and outside of the city and visualize the data using a freely accessible web page. The students designed a portable 3D-printed sensor system and integrated the air quality sensor “BME680” from Bosch (figure 2). The integrated gas sensor measures temperature, air pressure, humidity and a so called “air quality index” (AQI) derived from the raw signals of a MOS sensor and humidity. This index with a range between 0 (“Good”) and >300 (“Hazardous”) is not an official index, since the sensor was not calibrated based on an excepted test standard. Yet this value gives a quick indication of air quality. The system is controlled by the internet-enabled microcontroller “ESP32”. Via an internet hotspot, provided by a smartphone, the collected data, including GPS information of the smartphone, is sent to the online database of the free to use IoT platform “Blynk”. The corresponding smartphone app allows visualization of the data in real time (figure 3). Furthermore the students created a website, which collects the data from the online server and displays the values on a “Google Maps” based heatmap (figure 4). The color of the marked areas corresponds to the air quality index. Outlook The students were able to create a basic setup to measure air quality with a mobile sensor system. This can be adapted and further extended in subsequent studies by other students, for example using other sensors and including rigorous calibration and testing. Acknowledgement The project is funded by the environmental foundation DBU (“Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt”).

Bio‐based production of organic acids with Corynebacterium glutamicum

The shortage of oil resources, the steadily rising oil prices and the impact of its use on the environment evokes an increasing political, industrial and technical interest for development of safe and efficient processes for the production of chemicals from renewable biomass. Thus, microbial fermentation of renewable feedstocks found its way in white biotechnology, complementing more and more traditional crude oil-based chemical processes. Rational strain design of appropriate microorganisms has become possible due to steadily increasing knowledge on metabolism and pathway regulation of industrially relevant organisms and, aside from process engineering and optimization, has an outstanding impact on improving the performance of such hosts. Corynebacterium glutamicum is well known as workhorse for the industrial production of numerous amino acids. However, recent studies also explored the usefulness of this organism for the production of several organic acids and great efforts have been made for improvement of the performance. This review summarizes the current knowledge and recent achievements on metabolic engineering approaches to tailor C. glutamicum for the bio-based production of organic acids. We focus here on the fermentative production of pyruvate, l-and d-lactate, 2-ketoisovalerate, 2-ketoglutarate, and succinate. These organic acids represent a class of compounds with manifold application ranges, e.g. in pharmaceutical and cosmetics industry, as food additives, and economically very interesting, as precursors for a variety of bulk chemicals and commercially important polymers.Funding Information Work in the laboratories of the authors was supported by the Fachagentur Nachwachsende Rohstoffe (FNR) of the Bundesministerium für Ernährung, Landwirtschaft und Verbraucherschutz (BMELV; FNR Grants 220-095-08A and 220-095-08D; Bio-ProChemBB project, ERA-IB programme), by the Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (DBU Grant AZ13040/05) and the Evonik Degussa AG.

Funding activities by the German Federal Environmental Foundation (Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt) in the field of sustainable chemistry

Sustainable chemistry is the attempt to design chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use and generation of hazardous substances, minimize waste and energy consumption, favor renewable resources and integrate aspects of recycling. Since 2004, the Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (German Federal Environmental Foundation) supported more than 70 projects in the area of “Sustainable Chemistry”. In this paper, current results and approaches of these sponsored projects are reviewed, e.g., substitution of fossil raw materials and biorefinery concepts, catalytic processes, novel solvent systems including solvent-free synthesis. The application of microstructured equipment and chemical reaction under novel process regimes, i.e., so-called “novel process windows” are summarized, and a brief look at concepts for inherently safe chemicals, new business models, e.g., chemical leasing and early stage eco-balancing, is given. It is revealed that industrial sustainable chemistry is no longer an emerging trend but already a reality.

Estimation of the Glomus intraradices nuclear DNA content

Estimation of the <i>Glomus intraradices</i> nuclear DNA content

Calling behaviour of male South African clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis) is affected by 17α-ethinyl estradiol

Event Abstract Back to Event Calling behaviour of male South African clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis) is affected by 17α-ethinyl estradiol Frauke Hoffmann1* and Werner Kloas1, 2 1 Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Department of Ecophysiology and Aquaculture, Germany 2 Humboldt University Berlin, Department of Endocrinology, Germany 17α-ethinyl estradiol (EE2), a main component of many contraceptive pills, is an environmentally relevant model substance for estrogenic endocrine disrupting compounds (EDC). In this study, effects of EE2 on male mate calling behaviour of Xenopus laevis induced by human chorionic gonadotropin treatment were investigated. Adult males were exposed to EE2 at five different concentrations (296 μg/L, 2.96 μg/L, 29.6 ng/L, 2.96 ng/L, and 0.296 ng/L) for 96 h. Effects of the treatments were analyzed by determining the total calling activity as well as the preferred utilization of different call types used in their vocalizations. Additionally, effects of EE2 exposures on temporal and spectral parameters of the advertisement calls (AC) were analyzed. While the absolute calling activity was not affected, the relative proportions of AC, calls indicating a sexually aroused state of the male, were diminished even by the lowest investigated EE2 concentration, 0.296 ng/l. The proportions of produced call types signalling a sexually unaroused state of the male, like rasping, on the other hand increased significantly in all EE2 treatment groups. EE2 exposure also altered several temporal and spectral features of the AC, per se; click durations decreased and accentuation of clicks within the calls diminished. The results of additional playback experiments examining the ecological relevance of these alterations of call features suggest that exposures to environmentally relevant concentrations of EE2 lower the chances of exposed male X. laevis to mate and reproduce successfully. In a supplemental experiment we also show that the alterations of the male advertisement call features are reversible over time. To our knowledge this study provides for the first time evidence that estrogens affect parameters of male calling behaviour of X. laevis and that calling behaviour can be used as highly sensitive non-invasive biomarker for the detection of estrogenic EDC. Acknowledgements We would like to thank the German Environmental Foundation (Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt, DBU, Osnabrück, Germany) for providing a doctoral scholarship for F. H. (AZ 20008/987) Keywords: 17α-ethinyl estradiol, amphibian, calling behavior, endocrine disrupting compounds, estrogen, Xenopus laevis Conference: NASCE 2011: The inaugural meeting of the North American Society for Comparative Endocrinology, Ann Arbor, United States, 13 Jul - 16 Jul, 2011. Presentation Type: Oral Presentation Topic: Endocrine disruption Citation: Hoffmann F and Kloas W (2011). Calling behaviour of male South African clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis) is affected by 17α-ethinyl estradiol. Front. Endocrinol. Conference Abstract: NASCE 2011: The inaugural meeting of the North American Society for Comparative Endocrinology. doi: 10.3389/conf.fendo.2011.04.00018 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 05 Jul 2011; Published Online: 09 Aug 2011. * Correspondence: Ms. Frauke Hoffmann, Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Department of Ecophysiology and Aquaculture, Berlin, 12587, Germany, f.hoffmann@igb-berlin.de Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Frauke Hoffmann Werner Kloas Google Frauke Hoffmann Werner Kloas Google Scholar Frauke Hoffmann Werner Kloas PubMed Frauke Hoffmann Werner Kloas Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.

Calling behavior of male South African clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis) is affected by 17α-ethinyl estradiol

Event Abstract Back to Event Calling behavior of male South African clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis) is affected by 17α-ethinyl estradiol Frauke Hoffmann1* and Werner Kloas1, 2 1 Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Department of Ecophysiology and Aquaculture, Germany 2 Humboldt University Berlin, Department of Endocrinology, Germany 17α-ethinyl estradiol (EE2), a main component of many contraceptive pills, is an environmentally relevant model substance for estrogenic endocrine disrupting compounds (EDC). In this study, effects of EE2 on male mate calling behaviour of Xenopus laevis induced by human chorionic gonadotropin treatment were investigated. Adult males were exposed to EE2 at five different concentrations (296 μg/l, 2.96 μg/l, 29.6 ng/l, 2.96 ng/l, and 0.296 ng/) for 96 h. Effects of the treatments were analyzed by determining the total calling activity as well as the preferred utilization of different call types used in their vocalizations. Additionally, effects of EE2 exposures on temporal and spectral parameters of the advertisement calls (AC) were analyzed. While the absolute calling activity was not affected, the relative proportions of AC, calls indicating a sexually aroused state of the male, were diminished even by the lowest investigated EE2 concentration, 0.296 ng/l. The proportions of produced call types signalling a sexually unaroused state of the male, like rasping, on the other hand increased significantly in all EE2 treatment groups. EE2 exposure also altered several temporal and spectral features of the AC, per se; click durations decreased and accentuation of clicks within the calls diminished. The results of additional playback experiments examining the ecological relevance of these alterations of call features suggest that exposures to environmentally relevant concentrations of EE2 lower the chances of exposed male X. laevis to mate and reproduce successfully. In a supplemental experiment we also show that the alterations of the male advertisement call features are reversible over time. To our knowledge this study provides for the first time evidence that estrogens affect parameters of male calling behaviour of X. laevis and that calling behaviour can be used as highly sensitive non-invasive biomarker for the detection of estrogenic EDC. Acknowledgements We would like to thank the German Environmental Foundation (Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt, DBU, Osnabrück, Germany) for providing a doctoral scholarship for F. H. (grant no. AZ 20008/987). Keywords: 17α-ethinyl estradiol, amphibian, calling behavior, endocrine disrupting compounds, estrogen, Xenopus laevis Conference: ISAREN 2011: 7th International Symposium on Amphibian and Reptilian Endocrinology and Neurobiology, Ann Arbor, United States, 11 Jul - 13 Jul, 2011. Presentation Type: Oral Presentation Topic: Endocrine disruption Citation: Hoffmann F and Kloas W (2011). Calling behavior of male South African clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis) is affected by 17α-ethinyl estradiol. Front. Endocrinol. Conference Abstract: ISAREN 2011: 7th International Symposium on Amphibian and Reptilian Endocrinology and Neurobiology. doi: 10.3389/conf.fendo.2011.03.00017 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 06 Jul 2011; Published Online: 09 Aug 2011. * Correspondence: Ms. Frauke Hoffmann, Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Department of Ecophysiology and Aquaculture, Berlin, 12587, Germany, f.hoffmann@igb-berlin.de Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Frauke Hoffmann Werner Kloas Google Frauke Hoffmann Werner Kloas Google Scholar Frauke Hoffmann Werner Kloas PubMed Frauke Hoffmann Werner Kloas Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.

Kommunales Klimaschutzmanagement

Since the publication of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report and the Stern report climate mitigation has become a main topic on all levels. In national efforts concerning CO2-reduction cities play a crucial role. But in local praxis various deficits preventing a successful implementation show up. Against this background the article discusses the frame of action as well as approaches of a Local Climate Protection Management, which refers to the well implemented concept of Local Sustainability Management. The research project supported by the Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt explores how a strategic management could upgrade processes concerning climate protection.

A new conservation strategy for arable plant vegetation in Germany-the project "100 fields for biodiversity"

It is prudent to conserve communities which are as species-rich as possible. This is the only means of ensuring that species diversity but also gene diversity is high enough to allow for the necessary adaptations to changed environmental conditions. Arable plant communities are a special case here because losses in the last 5 decades have been particularly severe. Numerous studies from Central Europe reported dramatic declines of the segetal flora.In most of the federal states of Germany, successful measures for protecting the segetal flora, such as the establishment of field flora reserves and field margin strip programmes have often unfortunately come to a halt due to changes in funding, lack of regional support or high levels of bureaucracy. The new project fields for biodiversity, which has been funded by the Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (DBU) since 2007, aims to establish a network of protected areas for the preservation of endangered segetal species in Germany. Management aimed at preserving and fostering arable wild is to be guaranteed in the long term on at least 100 particularly suitable arable sites.The feasibility study, funded by the DBU during 2007-2008 undertook: 1)Identification of floristically valuable arable sites throughout Germany and their incorporation in a database; 2)Compilation of an overview of field flora reserves/conservation fields still in existence based on a countrywide search; 3)Discussions about funding instruments and the options for implementing protection measures at a regional level with governmental authorities of all the federal states of Germany (excluding Hamburg, Bremen and Berlin); 4)Analysis of several alternative strategies for long-term financing of arable plant conservation.The project fields for biodiversity - establishing a nationwide conservation field network for wild arable plants - is a national endeavour to provide a network of conservation sites as a long-term response to the loss of arable wild which has advanced unabated for decades. As a first milestone in the implementation phase it is aimed at securing 30 sites during the first two years of the project. By the end of the entire funding period there should be a network of at least 100 conservation fields under long-term protection. This is a unique opportunity in the history of the protection of arable wild of creating an urgently needed conservation system with at least medium-term protection for native arable wild plants.

Potential and limitations of laser technology in restoration of metallic objects of art and cultural heritage

AbstractPotential applications of laser techniques, such as precision cutting, micro welding, and ablation of stains, are presented. Concerning laser beam ablation, we explain the mechanism, and then discuss potential applications (cleaning of gilded or solid metal surfaces, cleaning of verdigris) and limits (thinning of verdigris, removing rust from verdigris). This research has been performed within the frame of a joint project sponsored by Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (DBU, German Foundation for the Environment) as well as in immediate co‐operation with restorers. The presentation of these results is to propose laser technology as a promising option to be taken into account in planning and doing restoratory work.

The DBU: promoting sustainable chemistry

The Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (DBU) is among the world's largest environmental foundations. Its actual fields of promotion and some of the results of its successfully completed projects are summarized.

The Southern Baltic Sea and its coast in transition

This special feature is based on results of an interdisciplinary priority program of the German Federal Environmental Foundation (Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt, DBU) called “die sudliche Ostsee und ihre Kuste im Wandel” (the Southern Baltic Sean and its coast in transition). The Baltic Sea is the world’s largest brackish-water body (area 415.00 km 2 , volume ca. 22.000 km 3 ). The long coast-line (20.000 km) is shared by 9 nations, with 70 millions inhabitants in the coastal zone and 100 millions inhabitants in the hydrological catchment region. As a geologically young and relatively shallow sea-basin, the Baltic Sea is an area of rapid environmental change. It is characterised by pronounced environmental gradients and a pronounced importance of the sea-land interface for the functioning of the entire Baltic Sea system. The density of human settlement, particularly along the southern coast, and the almost enclosed basin of the Baltic Sea make it particularly sensitive to anthropogenic impact and changes in human utilisation of the sea, its coast and its catchment. In addition to the usual, more gradual changes of human impact along the northern Baltic coast, the southern Baltic coast and its catchment have witnessed the collapse of the socialist economic system with its associated rapid economic transitions. Our main study region, the coast of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (the coastal state in eastern Germany) may serve as a paradigmatic example with its transition from an economy dominated by industry and agriculture to an economy dominated by tourism. Understanding the ecosystem consequences of such changes, predicting future trends and developing strategies for sustainable use requires research across a wide range of time-scales, from the geological scale (coastal

Die Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt

Chemie Ingenieur TechnikVolume 76, Issue 9 p. 1371-1371 Vortrag Die Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt S. Heiden, Search for more papers by this author S. Heiden, Search for more papers by this author First published: 01 October 2004 https://doi.org/10.1002/cite.200490398AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onEmailFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume76, Issue9September, 2004Pages 1371-1371 RelatedInformation

Abstracts of the First European Conference on “Biofilms – prevention of microbial adhesion”, held at the Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt DBU in Osnabrück, Germany, from 31 March to 2 April 2004

Jamming the command language of bacteria: a new approach to the control of bacterial infectionsThe cep quorum-sensing system of Burkholderia cepacia H111 plays a pivotal role for biofilm formation and pathogenicityDetachment of Shewanella oneidensis MR1 biofilmsProtozoan grazing on biofilms and the role of quorum sensing in grazing resistanceControl of heat exchanger biofilmsComputer-aided design of a novel antibacterial agent for the treatment of Burkholderia cepacia infectionsAnaerobic regulatory network essential for efficient Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formationDevelopment and testing of a new phosphorylcholine polymer coating to prevent biofilm formation on optical fiber sensor systemsBactericidal layers based on silver nanoparticlesMetagenomics: a novel tool to exploit microbial communities for industrial applicationsFormation of biofilms – do not forget the hydrodynamicsMicrobial adhesion – a target for the development of household and industrial productsConcept of a specialty paper producer to avoid microbiological problemsIdentification of primary biofilm organisms on steel surfaces of bottling plantsCarbon sharing in complex microbial biofilms grown on polychlorinated biphenyl dropletsDevelopment of methods for assessing microbial colonization of coil-coated steel sheetsMicrobial in situ activity assessment using “BACTRAPS” with 13C-labelled substratesMagnetic resonance imaging as a tool for non-invasive imaging of biofilmsPhototrophic biofilms – development and growth characteristics in a special flow chamberA new mechanism of bacterial adhesion to materials and organisms containing the chitin and/or chitosanExtracellular polymeric substances – the “glue” of biofilmsSphingomonas biofilm architecture grown under different hydrodynamic conditionsMolecular basis of biofilm formation in staphylococci and its implication for virulenceExtracellular polymeric substances – the dark matter of biofilmsThe multi-functional Staphylococcus aureus autolysin Aaa mediates adherence to immobilized fibrinogen and fibronectinHierarchy within the regulatory cascade of Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilm formationHuman biofilms in situAn in vitro testing system based on bioreactor technology for the analysis of biofilm formation on dental materialsImmune compounds – inhibitors of microbial adhesion in cell cultureA proteomic approach to identify quorum-sensing regulated and surface-induced proteins of the rhizobacterium Pseudomonas putida IsoFEvidence that IcaB deacetylases the staphylococcal N-acetylglucosamine polymer polysaccharide intercellular adhesinMicroelectrode and confocal laser scanning microscopy study of particle-supported biofilmsBiocidal silica coatingsInhibition of adherence of coagulase-negative staphylococci to acrylic by subinhibitory concentrations of antibioticsThe influence of antiplaque agents on streptococcal biofilm grown on enamel and glassComparison of digital image analysis programs for confocal laser scanning microscopy data sets of biofilmsFungal biofilms on mineral materialsThe influence of subinhibitory concentrations of fluconazol and amphotericin B in the adhesion of different Candida species to acrylicInhibition of biofilm formation by mutants group streptococci on toothbrush bristles in vivoQuorum sensing of biofilm-associated Erwinia persicinusGrowth with sodium dodecyl sulphate induces aggregation and biofilm formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PAO1Microbial contamination of stationary eyewash units in laboratoriesMicrobial biofilms on building stoneScanning transmission X-ray mapping of microbial biofilms and associated metalsA marine biofilm formation model in multi-well platesSecondary metabolites in bacterial biofilms and their protective function against protozoan grazingAnalysis of Deinococcus geothermalis biofilm properties with lectin staining and confocal laser scanning microscopyEffect of the surface roughness of cast titanium on bacterial colonizationMetabolic activity of microbial biofilm on hydroxyapatite-coated titanium surfacesMultiple quorum sensing in hypogean biofilmsDetermination of adsorption isotherms for the attachment of Deinococcus geothermalis by an enzyme-activity-based methodBiosurfactant from Streptococcus thermophilus A inhibit microbial adhesion on silicone rubberThe influence of nitrogen on the development of biofilmsBiogeography of biliary stent community biofilmsDevelopment of a novel screening system for the characterization of biofilm growth on different carriersPrevention of Pseudomonas fluorescens adhesion to surfaces using bacteriophage S1ConAn, a new software developed for digital image analysis of three-dimensional biofilm dataLectin-binding-analysis of rotating annular reactor cultivated biofilmsAdhesiveness and hydrophobicity of food spoilage yeastsInvestigation of microbial adhesion on a thickness shear mode resonatorStaphylococcus epidermis adhesion on modified urea/urethane elastomersPseudomonas aeruginosa lectin LecB is a cell surface protein involved in biofilm formationAerobic biofilms as Trojan horses for anaerobic product spoiling bacteria?Reduced fouling tendencies of ultrafiltration membranes in waste-water treatment by plasma modificationA universal method for analysing the diversity of mycosporines and mycosporine-like amino acids in microorganisms and environmental rock inhabiting microbial communitiesIn vivo biofilm formation on dental hard tissuesImplant-associated osteomyelitis: analysis of the local cellular immune responseFluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) of interfacial microbial communitiesConcepts of electrochemical treatment and useful techniques for proper implementationInhibition of Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation on vascular graft surfaces coated with elemental silverPlanktonic versus biofilm-grown Staphylococcus aureus cells – determination of different expression patterns with DNA microarraysDiversity of the microbial community and the catabolic genes in biofilms grown on polychlorinated biphenyls dropletsA modular approach to the mathematical modelling of biofilm systemsThe study of castor-oil-derived polyurethane in relation to biofilmMetagenome survey of biofilms in drinking water networks

Eco-design in the printing industry Life cycle thinking: Implementation of Eco-design concepts and tools into the routine procedures of companies

For some years, the printing industry has been faced with environmental problems like emissions of waste volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other hazardous substances. A lot has been done to eliminate these end-of-pipe problems. One project, focused on opportunities to optimise the environmental features of prepress and printing machines at an early stage of the life cycle e.g. the design phase, is discussed in this text. Under the heading of the ‘Implementation of Eco-design Concepts in Companies of the Machine Engineering Industry’ the project was carried out by econcept and Europe’s largest printing machine manufacturer Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG. with the support of the German Environmental Foundation (Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt, DBU) was planned as a test case for implementing eco-design in small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and the main activities were concentrated on the business unit Prepress in Kiel, Germany. It aimed at developing innovative and effective tools, which were easy to implement into the usual and daily procedures of the company. During the project typical products of the business unit were analysed, an environmental handbook for product development was developed, and education programmes and information was generated for the employees, customers and waste managers. Finally, the systematic integration of knowledge and tools into the existing formalised product development process of the company lead to environmentally optimised products and financial advantages.

Contribution of stack gases and solid process wastes to the organic pollutant output of thermal waste treatment plants

Within the scope of fundamental investigations as well as individual research projects (W. Knorr, B. Hentschel, C. Marb, S. Schädel, M. Swerev, O. Vierle, J.-P. Lay, 1999. Rückstände aus der Müllverbrennung – Chancen für eine stoffliche Verwertung von Aschen und Schlacken. Initiativen zum Umweltschutz, 13 ed., Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt, Erich Schmidt, Berlin), the Bavarian State Office for Environmental Protection performs emission measurements at thermal waste treatment plants to optimize operation, to accompany and support development of new technologies, and to study the effect of this kind of waste treatment technology on the environment. Based on recent studies (October 1995–July 1999) at six municipal solid waste incinerators (MSWI) in Bavaria all emission streams (solid and gas) are characterized with respect to organic pollutant contents and compared to the emissions of waste pyrolysis. The significant ranges of pollutant concentration as well as the specific congener patterns observed are similar for all MSWI, regardless of differences in technical design and waste input, but differ markedly from those of the pyrolysis products. The overall approach, including the sampling of all output streams and the determination of mass streams and volume flow rates, allows the calculation of the total output of different organic pollutants for waste incineration plants and to estimate the relative contribution of each of the emission streams to the total pollutant load. Removal efficiencies are also calculated for the air pollution control (APC) systems of the different MSWI plants.

Laser cleaning of stained glass windows. Overview on an interdisciplinary project

The German Federal Foundation for the Environment (Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt) is one of Europe's largest organizations of its kind. It supports innovative, exemplary projects for the protection of the environment and of national historic monuments and cultural landscapes. All projects are set up to provide a platform for researchers, craftsmen and restorers to find a common solution to difficult problems in conservation practice. More than 360 projects have been funded since 1990. Two recent projects deal with laser cleaning, one for stone and the other one for stained glass windows, the latter being presented here. This publication gives an overview on cleaning problems on stained glass windows and the project methodology. The interdisciplinary approach of the project provides the possibility of including experts in different fields to examine perspectives and limits of laser cleaning for stained glass windows. Two other publications in this issue (LACONA III) give selected results on cleaning experiments achieved within this project.