Electricity Pylons Research Articles

The art and craft of train travel

Current theories concerning the social and material construction of time and space have little to say concerning the specific things and people involved. For example, how do times and spaces get made on a train—with passengers, train seats, tables, and views through the window? Through a travelogue of one train journey across England, this paper explores the art and craft of train travel, and the making of a particular time and space. The paper draws together science studies approaches to socio-material relations, and geographical concerns with socio-spatiality, to discuss passengers as spatially distributed persons and property. Reflecting on ethnographic evidence in the form of quotations and photographs woven through the text, it demonstrates how these heterogeneous passengers craft their travel times as an effect of their travel time use; how socio-material interactions with pens, papers, puzzles and electricity pylons make time. Following Michel Serres, it also suggests how passenger time is not a simple flow but a percolation, and how these passenger times coalesce in train carriages to form communities. The paper is itself a journey, in the form of words and images, which begins and ends with the imaginary, social, and material work of making a destination.

The “red gold” rush and severe electrical burns

A 42-year-old unemployed man was dropped off and left at a rural casualty department far from his home in the early hours of the morning. He reported that he had been climbing upon an electricity pylon in the grounds of an electricity sub-station, allegedly involved in the attempted theft of copper cable. He had sustained a high-voltage electrical injury. On admission he was conscious with no signs of airway compromise or cardiac arrhythmia. He was not drug or alcohol intoxicated. Initial estimates suggested that he had sustained approximately 42% burns affecting his torso, both upper limbs and feet. Approximately 10% were estimated as being full thickness, mainly affecting his left shoulder and including a small point of entry on his left palm and exit wounds on both soles. His creatinine kinase was 17126 m/L and he was monitored for signs of compartment syndrome. He was transferred to the regional burns unit for resuscitation and definitive management. The patient underwent early debridement and STSG of full thickness burns approximating 10% TBSA in the region of his left shoulder and upper torso (Figs. 1–5). Small areas on his left upper limb and neck were later managed in the same way. He made a full recovery and was discharged 8 weeks later.

Wintering of a Peregrine Falcon on an electricity pylon and its food in a suburban area of western Japan

Wintering of a Peregrine Falcon on an electricity pylon and its food in a suburban area of western Japan

Summer utilization of Oilseed Rape by Reed Buntings Emberiza schoeniclus and other farmland birds

Capsule Oilseed Rape was the preferred breeding season habitat for Reed Buntings on arable farmland and reduced this species' dependence on wet features. Aims To identify preferred breeding season habitats for Reed Buntings on arable farmland and factors influencing the attractiveness of Oilseed Rape. Methods Summer usage of arable fields by nesting and foraging farmland birds was assessed from a random sample of arable fields in Nottinghamshire, England. Generalized linear models were used to identify habitat and landscape predictors of Reed Bunting breeding density and of foraging by other farmland birds. Results Occupancy rates and densities of Reed Buntings were approximately four times greater in Oilseed Rape fields than in cereals or set-aside. Reed Buntings commonly nested in Oilseed Rape fields more than 100 m from wet features, but the same was not true of cereals or set-aside fields. Usage of Oilseed Rape by farmland birds was promoted by weediness, bare patches and nearby wet features, and reduced by grass margins, tall field boundaries and electricity pylons. Conclusions Oilseed Rape is one of the most important breeding season habitats for Reed Buntings in lowland Britain, providing a relatively rich source of seed and invertebrate food and possibly protection from nest predators. Breeding in Oilseed Rape reduces the dependence of Reed Buntings on nearby wet features.

Wintering of a Peregrine Falcon on an electricity pylon and its food in a suburban area of western Japan

Wintering of a Peregrine Falcon on an electricity pylon and its food in a suburban area of western Japan

Influence of soil zinc concentrations on zinc sensitivity and functional diversity of microbial communities

Pollution induced community tolerance (PICT) is based on the phenomenon that toxic effects reduce survival of the most sensitive organisms, thus increasing community tolerance. Community tolerance for a contaminant is thus a strong indicator for the presence of that contaminant at the level of adverse concentrations. Here we assessed PICT in 11 soils contaminated with zinc runoff from galvanised electricity pylons and 11 reference soils sampled at 10 m distance from these pylons. Using PICT, the influence of background concentration and bioavailability of zinc on zinc sensitivity and functional diversity of microbial communities was assessed. Zinc sensitivity of microbial communities decreased significantly with increasing zinc concentrations in pore water and calcium chloride extracted fraction while no significant relationship was found with total zinc concentration in the soil. It was also found that functional diversity of microbial communities decreased with increasing zinc concentrations, indicating that increased tolerance is indeed an undesirable phenomenon when environmental quality is considered. The hypothesis that zinc sensitivity of microbial communities is related to background zinc concentration in pore water could not be confirmed.

Pollution‐induced community tolerance of soil microbes in response to a zinc gradient

The long-term accumulation of Zn in soils provides the microbial community time to adapt to this heavy metal. To assess the effects of long-term exposure to Zn on the metabolic diversity and tolerance to Zn of soil microbial community, the pollution-induced community tolerance (PICT) method, based on the Biolog microtitre plate system, was used. It especially is useful to study gradients of pollutants for detecting PICT. Such a Zn gradient was found by selecting soils at increasing distances from galvanized electricity pylons at two sites where Zn accumulation had occurred over a period of decades. Soil metabolic profiles showed a humpbacked response to increasing soil Zn concentrations, indicating that accumulation of Zn up to 2,000 mg/kg did not decrease the metabolic biodiversity in the culturable fraction of the microbial community. This fraction of the microbial community showed significant PICT, because the effective concentration that reduces the metabolic biodiversity by 50% (EC50), values for Zn added to the Biolog wells increased by up to two orders of magnitude with increasing soil-Zn concentration along the transects. Significant PICT was detectable at soil Zn concentrations above approximately 300 mg/kg. The EC50 values correlated more closely with soil total Zn than with soil pore water Zn. The results suggest that, although long-term exposure to Zn imposes stress on soil microbes, resulting in an increased tolerance, detectable PICT does not necessarily lead to a decrease in metabolic diversity.

Strategies to identify dangerous electricity pylons for birds

Bird electrocution rates in Secanos de Lerida, an important bird area in central Catalonia (northeast Spain), were estimated based on 804 visits to 507 electric pylons between 1995 and 1999. Electrocution caused a minimum of 160 victims on 67 pylons. Victims were corvids (36%), diurnal birds of prey (60%) and owls (4%). Electrocution rates ranged between <0.01 birds pylon−1 · year−1, in the less risky areas, and 0.20 birds · pylon−1 · year−1, in the areas with higher risk. The number of electrocution victims per killing pylon ranged from 1 to 12. Casualties occurred in a fairly contagious pattern, since 50% of deaths took place on only 2% of the visited pylons, and 50% of the killing pylons accumulated 80% of the victims. Univariate analysis revealed that the technical design of the pylons was very important in determining the potential danger of electrocution (metal crossbows were found to be the most dangerous design, followed by earthed flat pylons and vaults). Most mortality (97%) could be eliminated if all technically dangerous pylons were modified, but these would entail 67% of the pylons in the study area. Modelling the presence of carcasses under the pylons was used to identify the pylons which concentrate casualties, so that a 'preferred pylon' approach could be used to allocate mitigation resources. A single under-line inspection identified 78% of the pylons causing bird casualties in the area, which were responsible for 91% of the deaths. Information collected during this single inspection was used to build a logistic model which allowed the correct classification of most of the dangerous pylons missed in the first inspection. This approach revealed that geographical location and habitat setting were as important as technical design in determining the actual risk of electrocution. In that way, up to 99% of mortality can be eliminated by modifiying only 23% of the pylons in the area.

Nest-site selection and breeding success in the Roller (Coracias garrulus) in the Southwest of the Iberian peninsula

Nest-site selection and breeding success was studied in a breeding population of Roller (Coracias garrulus) in the Southwest of Spain. 567 nest-boxes were installed on electric pylons in seven different habitats: fallow land, cereals, holm oaks, olive groves, pasture land, irrigated crops (rice and maize) and shrubs. The more favoured habitats were the irrigated crops, the olive groves and the holm-oaks, while only the cereals were clearly avoided. Fallow land, pastures and shrublands were preferred approximately according to their availability in the area. The mean laying date of Rollers was significantly different between habitats, however, the other reproductive variables did not vary with habitat type. The seasonal trend in reproductive value of the Roller varied relative to habitat type. So, in olive groves and irrigated crops no clear seasonal trends were detected in clutch size, while a clear seasonal decline in clutch size was detected in the rest of the habitat types. The intensity of selection of each habitat was only marginally related to the hatching success of the rollers in Extremadura. These results indicate that the decrease in natural nest-sites as a result of the intensification of agriculture is the principal cause of the decline in Roller populations in contrast to previous studies which argued that this was a consequence of the decrease in available food.

Environmentally acceptable coating systems for use on overhead line towers

In Europe protective paints account for some 20% of the total tonnage of the alkyd resins used in surface coatings of which a significant proportion is used in paints for electricity pylons. With the aim of reducing the amount of volatile solvents liberated by such paints an alternative system has been developed consisting of a primer based on an emulsified D4-epoxyester and an emulsified urethane alkyd for the finishing coat. The paper discusses the performance of this system and its anticipated evolution.

Unusual Lichens under Electricity Pylons on Zinc-Enriched Soil

Unusual Lichens under Electricity Pylons on Zinc-Enriched Soil

The accident to a Boeing 737, 7T‐VEE, on approach to Coventry Airport on 21 December 1994

AbstractMeteorological aspects of a fatal aircraft accident which resulted from collision with a fog‐shrouded 132 Kv suspension transmission tower (an electricity pylon) on approach to Coventry Airport are discussed. Copyright © 1998 Royal Meteorological Society

Phénomène d'attraction de quelques insectes par certains pylônes

The author observes among some electric pylons, ecosystems with swallows and hymenoptera. May be the disorders of electrical wires seen about pylons, cause these ecosystems ?

Factors Influencing the Breeding Distribution of the Peregrine Falcon in Victoria, Australia

Since 1950, 199 nesting sites of peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus) have been found in Victoria. Over half (51%) are on natural cliffs, 37% in trees and 12% on human-made structures and stone quarry faces. Most eyries on natural cliffs occur in the uplands (&gt;200 m elevation) or along the coast. Tree eyries are located in hollows and in stick nests of other birds; most of these are within the distributions of red gums and belahs. Human-made structures (other than quarries) supporting nests include dam walls, silos, electricity pylons and buildings. Factors believed to influence the breeding distribution of peregrine falcons in Victoria are discussed; these include volcanic activity, landform and elevation, water, vegetation, climate, other birds and humans. The influence of human activities on the distribution of nesting peregrine falcons appears to have been positive. However, the future of the population of peregrine falcons nesting in tree hollows is of concern: it is likely that large trees with nest hollows will be destroyed or will fall from decay long before sufficient numbers of replacement trees are available.

Occupational exposure to inorganic arsenic in wood workers and taxidermists — air sampling and biological monitoring

Abstract Arsenic exposure in the following occupational categories was evaluated: taxidermists, workers producing garden fences, workers producing weekend cottages, workers producing new houses, workers impregnating wood with chromium, copper, and arsenic (CCA) solutions, and workers impregnating electric pylons with arsenic solution. Airborne arsenic exposure was documented in 70% (19) of 27 individuals working with products containing arsenic. The maximum exposure concentration in this study was 17.3 μg As/m3, found in a single worker who was filling an impregnation container with CCA pasta. Median exposures of workers working indoors producing garden fences and weekend cottages were 3.7 and 0.9 μ/g As/m3, respectively. The sum of inorganic arsenic and its methylated metabolites in urine samples was recorded in workers handling arsenic‐containing products, their colleagues, and controls (references). The maximum urine concentration recorded in this study was 294.5 nmol As/mmol creatinine and was from th...

BREEDING BIOLOGY OF LANNER FALCONS NEAR PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA

Summary Kemp, A. C. 1993. Breeding biology of Lanner Falcons near Pretoria, South Africa. Ostrich 64:26-31. Aspects of the breeding biology of the Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus were recorded from seven territories near Pretoria, South Africa during 1970 to 1988. Nest were on average 6,9 km apart (n = 9, range 0,2-10,0 km) and in most territories were in old crow nests on electricity pylons. Birds formed 79% of the diet (n = 58) but hunting success at birds was low (15%, n = 34) except when pairs hunted in combination (50%, n = 8). Pairs that fledged young raised on average 2,4 per season m = 16), but after 1982 few young were fledged and by 1987 there were no longer any falcons breeding in the area.

The effect of zinc contamination from electricity pylons. Genetic constraints on selection for zinc tolerance

Zinc tolerance, based on root growth in zinc-containing solutions, was examined in samples of 30 Agrostis capillaris L. individuals collected from populations beneath five electricity pylons in North Wales. The populations were found to vary in zinc tolerance. Three of them contained individuals whose tolerance ranged from low to high, one population consisted of individuals with low to moderate tolerance, whilst the fifth population (ZK-180) contained no tolerant individuals. Differences in zinc tolerance were also found between seedlings raised from five seed populations collected from plants growing in the uncontaminated pasture areas adjacent to four of those pylons, and one further pylon in the same area. The population adjacent to pylon ZK-180 consistently showed little sign of tolerant individuals. Samples of seeds collected from the populations in the uncontaminated areas surrounding each pylon, and likely to have been the origin of the pylon populations were grown at a concentration of 15 μg Zn cm−3, and root lengths of 105 randomly chosen seedlings from each were measured. The means and variance of tolerances of four of the five did not differ, but all were significantly higher than that adjacent to pylon ZK-180. Two cycles of selection and breeding for increased zinc tolerance were carried out using seed samples collected from four of the five populations of adults collected beneath pylons examined previously, and including population ZK-180. Marked increases in tolerance were effected in three of the four populations; no corresponding increase in tolerance was achieved for population ZK-180. It is concluded from these findings that the lack of zinc tolerance beneath pylon ZK-180 is due to the absence of appropriate variation in zinc tolerance within that population, and in potential colonizing material adjacent to it, a situation which contrasts with that for the other three pylons.

Corrosion resistance of galvanised coatings in rural environments: retrospective evaluation

The steel used in high tension electricity pylons is usually protected against corrosion by hot dip galvanising. Because the majority of the material is exposed to rural conditions, its life span is satisfactory and it requires no maintenance. The life of the zinc coatings may initially be regarded as proportional to their mass regardless of the coating procedure used. This simplification hides the reality of differences in behaviour related to the structures of the coatings, and may result in different values for varying corrosive sources which are not always simple to identify. The present paper analyses the state of zinc coatings on steels which have been exposed to the elements for periods of 18–19 years in rural environments in Spain. The coatings with a richer iron structure resisted corrosion more effectively.

The effect of zinc contamination from electricity pylons. Contrasting patterns of evolution in five grass species

SUMMARYSamples of 8–35 individuals of Agrostis capillaris, A. stolonifera, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Deschampsia cespitosa and Festuca ovina were collected from zinc‐contaminated soils beneath electricity pylons erected in North Wales and Lancashire between 1956 and 1970. Their zinc tolerance was assessed, as was that of two individuals of the same species collected from adjacent uncontaminated soils. Five soil samples from beneath each pylon were collected for evaluating total and extractable soil zinc, soil pH, and soil organic matter.Some degree of zinc tolerance was detected in all five species, suggesting that evolution of tolerance has taken place relatively rapidly, particularly in A. capillaris, D. cespitosa, and Anthoxanthum odoratum. However, tolerant individuals of all species were not found beneath all pylons even when the species was present in the surrounding vegetation. This confirms and extends to other species previous findings in A. capillaris, that the gene or genes necessary for the evolution of tolerance are not universally present within species.

The effects of zinc contamination from electricity pylons – evolution in a replicated situation

summaryMost electricity pylons are zinc coated. It might be possible for this to cause zinc contamination of soil beneath the pylons sufficient to impose selective forces by which zinc‐tolerant populations would develop in a replicated manner. An investigation of Agrostis capilluris L. populations sampled under a series of pylons in North Wales shows that: Zinc concentrations are considerably greater in soils beneath pylons, particularly adjacent to pylon legs. Soils sampled under different pylons had mean zinc concentrations varying from 1250 ± 200 to 6500 ± 4000 μg−1 as total, and from 570 + 188 to 3000 ± 2000 μg g−1 as acetic acid extractable. In control soils, comparable values were from 170 ± 35 to 320 ± 90 μg g−1 total zinc, and 70±10 to 140 ± 30 μg g−1 acetic acid‐extraetable zinc. Zinc toxieity is found in such soils causing significant reduction in plant dry weight and tiller production of normal material of A. capillaris. The pattern of root growth response to increasing zinc concentration in solution culture of samples of adult plants collected from beneath pylons differed significantly. Some individuals had zinc tolerance equivalent to that of zinc mine plants; others had low but measurable tolerance; others differed little from plants from uncontaminated control sites. These results clearly show that evolution of zinc tolerance has occurred rapidly, since the pylons sampled were all less than 30 years old, but the outcome is different under different pylons, almost certainly because of differing genetic constitutions of different founding populations.