Environmental Assessment Studies Research Articles

Environmentalimpactevaluationofinnovation in traditionalfoodproductionlines. Part II: casestudies

1 Nat. Inst. of Chemistry, Lab. for Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Hajdrihova 19, SI-1001 Ljubljana, Slovenia, e-mail: gasan.osojnik@ki.si 2 Univ. of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Fac., Dept. of Animal Science, Groblje 3, SI-1230 Domžale, Slovenia, Prof, Pd.D., M.Sc., e-mail: romana.marinsek@bf.uni-lj.si Environmental impact evaluation of innovation in traditional food production lines. Part II: case studies Case studies of environmental impact assessment were performed for production steps of three traditional food production lines (dairy cow breeding, dry-cured ham, Brassica sp. growing) in order to examine the previously constructed methodological framework. The emission inventory was obtained on the basis of initial experimental data. The emissions were aggregated accordingly for the characterization to environmental impact categories. The contribution of studied process steps to several environmental impact categories was assessed (greenhouse gas emission, acidification potential, eutrophication potential, use of resources and use of agricultural land).

Uncertainty adjustments to deterministic atmospheric dispersion models

Atmospheric Dispersion Models (ADMs) are routinely used in environmental impact assessment, risk analysis, and source apportionment studies. There are a variety of such computational ADMs, but these models usually only provide deterministic predictions or estimation of uncertainty. By introducing error components in ADMs, we formulate statistical modelling to obtain more precise prediction. These error components are based on the default neighbourhood structures created by the point source and already recognised by ADMs. Application is made to a real dataset. Posterior inference and model choice are assessed via Markov Chain Monte Carlo techniques, deviance information criterion, and mean squared predicted error.

Interactions between parasitism and biological responses in zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha): Importance in ecotoxicological studies

Given that virtually all organisms are hosts for parasites, the investigation of the combined effects of contamination and parasitism is important in the framework of aquatic bioindication procedures. To assess the impact of such multistresses at the host cellular level, we sampled parasitized zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) populations from two sites in northeast France that presented different levels of contamination. Experimental groups were formed based on parasite species and host gender and tested by histochemistry and automated image analysis for biological responses, such as structural changes of the lysosomal system and neutral lipid accumulation. Infected organisms displayed smaller and more numerous lysosomes compared with uninfected congeners, and infection further elevated the effect of the chemical contamination on this biomarker. In contrast, co-infection of females with selected parasites did produce inverse results, i.e. a more developed lysosomal system and neutral lipid depletion. Our data, therefore, suggest that parasitism in zebra mussels represents a potential confounding factor in ecotoxicological studies and must be taken into account in environmental risk assessment studies.

Case Study of Environmental Performance Assessment for Regional Resource Management in Taiwan

The writers created a new approach to evaluate environmental performance factors and measure the current or past environmental performances from various city and exurban by aggregation steps. Defined environmental resource indices concerning natural resources development, physical environments, population, economical, and social structures were complex and appeared related to location. The writers conducted a nationwide questionnaire survey to evaluate the entire environmental performance, and give conclusions to urge central and local officials how to detect their most urgent environmental issues. A case study in Taiwan illustrates the usefulness of this approach. This study contributes to the resource management by collecting and analyzing current and past environmental performance that provides a better understanding of the empirical cases toward environmental targets.

Environmental quality assessment studies of coal handling on peripheral land near Kanika siding, Basundhra-Garjanbahal area of MCL, Sundergarh, Orissa, India

Coal has been recognized as the most important source of energy generation in India. The present work was undertaken in order to assess the environmental impact of coal handling on peripheral land under near Kanika siding, Orissa, India. The data on suspended particulates in ambient air indicates an additional load of 50.5-108.7 microg/m(3)) to the ambient air due to coal loading which is equivalent to 50 x 365 to 108 x 365 kg/year. However, in the southern side (opposite to siding) covering the crop fields, the dust accumulation was maximum, i.e., 0.021 to 0.035 mg/cm(2) area in comparison to 0.001 to 0.021 in the eastern side and 0.001 to 0.029 in western side of the crop fields. The physical and chemical properties of soil was also assessed. The results reveal that the coal loading has definite negative impact on the peripheral land near the site.

Methodology to translate policy assessment problems into scenarios: the example of the SEAMLESS integrated framework

Scenario-based approaches in environmental and policy assessment studies are increasingly applied within integrated assessment and modelling frameworks. The SEAMLESS project develops such an integrated framework (SEAMLESS-IF) aiming to assess, ex-ante, impacts of alternative agro-environmental policies on the sustainability of agricultural systems. A particular challenge in this context is the consistent translation of a wide range of policy questions into scenarios that a modelling framework can assess. The present work defines a methodology for scenario-development in integrated policy assessment with specific emphasis on SEAMLESS-IF. After a general overview on scenario concepts for integrated policy assessment the adopted scenario concept and its development procedure is presented. They allow building integrated scenarios capturing the range of drivers of the assessed agricultural system in a consistent way across temporal and spatial scales. Then focus is on the particular procedures to translate the policy assessment questions into scenario parameters and to implement these parameters into SEAMLESS-IF. Two examples targeted at European and regional level combining integrated assessments of policy changes and technological innovations are considered to illustrate the SEAMLESS scenario concept. We conclude that the proposed methodology to translate policy assessment problems into scenarios effectively supports integrated assessment in SEAMLESS-IF or even in other modelling frameworks.

Establishment of a homogenized method for environmental biosafety assessments of transgenic plants

The development of transgenic plants may help alleviate both environmental and food problems. In Japan, transgenic plants cannot be planted in the field without undergoing an environmental biosafety assessment under confined and semi-confined conditions. The main objectives of environmental biosafety assessment studies are to define the properties of the host plant and to evaluate its influence on other organisms. To appraise the influence of a transgenic plant on other plants, the transgenic plant is examined for new compounds that influence plant growth by measuring germinating seeds. Previously, we assessed the allelopathic activity of several transgenic plants using the sandwich to assay the allelopathic activity of leachate from dried leaf samples. However, because Eucalyptus leaves are difficult to dry, the sandwich does not allow the evaluation of multiple samples at the same time. Here, we report a new method that relies on homogenizing fleshy leaf samples, instead of drying them. The alleopathic activity of a non- transgenic plant and an Antisense-lim transgenic plant were evaluated using both the sandwich and the homogenized to determine whether the homogenized was available for in biosafety assessments of transgenic plants. The homogenized may be an effective and useful tool for evaluating differences between non-transgenic and transgenic plants using multiple, concurrent samples.

An ‘Effective’ Involvement of Indigenous People in Environmental Impact Assessment: the cultural impact assessment of the Saru River Region, Japan

The Cultural Impact Assessment of the Saru River Region represents the first time that a site investigation was implemented in Japan in order to preserve an ethnic culture in relation to the construction of a dam. One of the project's basic concepts was to get local residents, especially those of Ainu ethnicity, to participate in the investigation. Existing case studies of environmental impact assessment have argued that the assessment has failed to sufficiently involve Indigenous people in its process and has largely failed to incorporate Indigenous knowledge, cultural values, and voices into its processes and outcomes. Also, intangible aspects of Indigenous cultural heritage have not been protected. In the Cultural Impact Assessment of the Saru River Region, the Final Report was released in 2006 and significantly included the 3 year investigation of input by local residents. In this sense, this assessment succeeded in effectively involving Indigenous people in its process and in reflecting their cultural values in its results. The more important issue is, however, how these results were included in the final outcomes. If Indigenous people have no power over final decision making, their involvement is not effective. This paper analyses the significance and unresolved problems involved in this overall assessment process.

Persistence of the nematophagous fungus Paecilomyces lilacinus strain 251 in soil under controlled conditions

The persistence of the nematophagous fungus Paecilomyces lilacinus Samson strain 251 (PL251) and the effect of application rate, substrate type, as well as the presence of the nematode host on its dynamics after application to the soil were investigated under controlled conditions. In all experiments, increase of P. lilacinus colony forming units after application was not found. In contrast, a gradual decline in fungal densities over time was observed. Application rate had no significant effect on the dynamics of the fungal population. Likewise, P. lilacinus density decline in soil was not significantly affected by the presence of the nematode host. Substrate type had a significant effect on P. lilacinus persistence in soil. The fungal agent persisted longer in silty loam and clay soil, with reduced persistence when sand was added to field soil. Conversely, when organic substrate was added to pure sand, persistence was significantly increased. Although persistence of fungal biocontrol agents in soil depends on various biotic and abiotic conditions, baseline data on persistence such as those reported in this study are helpful for biocontrol and environmental risk assessment and merit further study.

Status of chemical elements in Atlantic Forest tree species near an industrial complex

Environmental quality assessment studies have been conducted with tree species largely distributed in the Atlantic Forest. Leaf and soil samples were collected in the conservation unit Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar (PESM) nearby the industrial complex of Cubatao, Sao Paulo State, Brazil, and analyzed for chemical elements by instrumental neutron activation analysis. Results were compared to background values obtained in the Parque Estadual Carlos Botelho (PECB). The higher As, Fe, Hg and Zn mass fractions in the tree leaves of PESM indicated anthropogenic influence on this conservation unit.

Risk factors for post-thrombotic syndrome in patients with a first deep venous thrombosis.

Post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) is a chronic complication of deep venous thrombosis (DVT). To determine the risk of PTS after DVT and to assess risk factors for PTS. Patients were recruited from the Multiple Environmental and Genetic Assessment (MEGA) study of risk factors for venous thrombosis. Consecutive patients who suffered a first DVT of the leg were included in a follow-up study. All patients completed a questionnaire and DNA was obtained. PTS was ascertained in a structured interview using a clinical classification score. The 1-year cumulative incidence of PTS was 25% and 7% for severe PTS. Elastic compression stockings were prescribed in 1412 (85%) patients. The majority used their stockings every day. Women were at an increased risk compared with men [risk ratio (RR) 1.5, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3-1.8]. Similarly, obese patients had a 1.5-fold increased risk of PTS compared with normal weight patients (RR 1.5, 95% CI 1.2-1.9), with a 1-year cumulative incidence of 34% compared with 22%. Patients who already had varicose veins had an increased risk (RR 1.5, 95% CI 1.2-1.8) of PTS. DVT in the femoral and iliac vein was associated with a 1.3-fold increased risk of PTS compared with popliteal vein thrombosis (RR 1.3, 95% CI 1.1-1.6). Patients over 60 years were less likely to develop PTS than patients below the age of 30 (RR 0.6, 95% CI 0.4-0.9). Malignancy, surgery, minor injury, plaster cast, pregnancy or hormone use did not influence the risk of PTS neither did factor (F)V Leiden nor the prothrombin 20210A mutation. PTS is a frequent complication of DVT, despite the widespread use of elastic compression stockings. Women, obese patients, patients with proximal DVT and those with varicose veins have an increased risk of PTS, whereas the elderly appeared to have a decreased risk.

Techno-economic study of CO 2 capture and storage in coal fired oxygen fed entrained flow IGCC power plants

The attractiveness of fossil fuel as a feedstock for power generation depends on the development of energy conversion systems that are efficient, clean and economical. Coal fired power plants are generally considered to be “dirty” since they have high CO 2 emissions, with the exception of those coal fired power plants that employ CO 2 capture technology. Among the coal fired options, Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) systems have the best environmental performance and are potentially suitable candidates. The objective of this work is to provide an assessment and analysis of the potential for reduction of the output of greenhouse gas from the oxygen fed entrained flow gasifier systems, including the cost and cost-effectiveness of each likely conceptual scheme. The ECLIPSE process simulator was used successfully to perform technical, environmental and economic assessment studies for a wide range of IGCC power generation systems. Two IGCC power generation designs were selected, the Shell dry feed and GE (previously called Texaco) wet feed entrained flow gasifiers. As a reference fuel input, the American Federal coal was also used in IGCC systems. The performance of two IGCC systems was optimised within the constraint of being based on one particular advanced gas turbine and using a subcritical steam system. In this work, several IGCC plant attributes such as the fuel consumption, utility usages, plant performance as well as the specific CO 2 generation and capture rates were simulated and weighed against each other. Factors affecting the IGCC plant performance, specifically net power output, process efficiency, power consumption coming from the Air Separation Unit (ASU) and CO 2 removal and overall emissions were also evaluated and discussed. Finally, an economic evaluation of the system was conducted and the costs of CO 2 capture plus transport are illustrated. This case study shows that the option of using IGCC for capturing CO 2 could be technically feasible and cost-effective.

Rhizosphere bacterial communities of potato cultivars evaluated through PCR-DGGE profiles

The objective of this work was to determine the shifts on the PCR-DGGE profiles of bacterial communities associated to the rhizosphere of potato cultivars, in order to generate baseline information for further studies of environmental risk assessment of genetically modified potato plants. A greenhouse experiment was carried out with five potato cultivars (Achat, Bintje, Agata, Monalisa and Asterix), cultivated in pots containing soil from an integrated system for agroecological production. The experiment was conducted in a split plot randomized block design with five cultivars, three sampling periods and five replicates. Rhizosphere samples were collected in three sampling dates during plant development. DNA of rhizosphere microorganisms was extracted, amplified by PCR using bacterial universal primers, and analyzed through DGGE. Shifts on the rhizosphere bacterial communities associated to rhizosphere of different cultivars were related to both cultivar and plant age. Differences among rhizosphere bacterial communities were clearest at the earliest plant age, tending to decrease in later stages. This variation was detected among bacterial communities of the five tested cultivars. The characterization of soil microbial communities can be part of plant breeding programs to be used on studies of environmental risk assessment of genetically modified potatoes.

Accident frequencies in environmental justice assessment and land use studies

Environmental justice advocates in the US and internationally have argued that hazardous materials industries are a source of significant community disruption and environmental hazard. Few of these studies, however, have examined firms’ accident frequencies or how accidents are distributed across metropolitan regions. This research argues that accident frequencies differ significantly among firms, and they are an important part of understanding industries and their distribution within metropolitan regions. The accident records of the risk management plan (RMP) facilities in southern California provide an illustration for the discussion. Statistical tests demonstrate that previous accident counts correlate with future counts. The research heightens the usability of the existing accident record for local governments in the US.

深海底鉱物資源開発と環境影響調査

Although development of any kind in deep-sea areas must abide by environmental protection rules, human activities in these areas continue to increase. Development of deep-sea mineral resources will be one of the most intense human activities in the area. However, the characteristics unique to deep-sea environments are not well understood, making it difficult to design environmental assessment programs.From the 1970s, a series of environmental assessment studies for development of manganese nodules has been conducted. Those effects brought a lot of basic knowledge of deep-sea environment, and made it possible to predict magnitude of environmental impact caused by mining activities. And these led to the issue of the environmental protection guideline by the International Seabed Authority in 2001.Currently, seafloor massive sulfide (SMS) , which is one of the deep-sea mineral resources, is attracted attentions as a new mineral resource. To develop it, similar to the case of manganese nodules, an environmental assessment program is indispensable. The knowledge provided from experience of the manganese nodules development will be useful to make the new assessment program. On the other hands, due to many people concerned with the problem of the sea, there are many contemporary problems that we cannot cope with from past experience. To understand this situation and solve those problems, ocean governance with broad scope is necessary.

Spatial patterns in vegetation fires in the Indian region

In this study, we used fire count datasets derived from Along Track Scanning Radiometer (ATSR) satellite to characterize spatial patterns in fire occurrences across highly diverse geographical, vegetation and topographic gradients in the Indian region. For characterizing the spatial patterns of fire occurrences, observed fire point patterns were tested against the hypothesis of a complete spatial random (CSR) pattern using three different techniques, the quadrat analysis, nearest neighbor analysis and Ripley's K function. Hierarchical nearest neighboring technique was used to depict the 'hotspots' of fire incidents. Of the different states, highest fire counts were recorded in Madhya Pradesh (14.77%) followed by Gujarat (10.86%), Maharastra (9.92%), Mizoram (7.66%), Jharkhand (6.41%), etc. With respect to the vegetation categories, highest number of fires were recorded in agricultural regions (40.26%) followed by tropical moist deciduous vegetation (12.72), dry deciduous vegetation (11.40%), abandoned slash and burn secondary forests (9.04%), tropical montane forests (8.07%) followed by others. Analysis of fire counts based on elevation and slope range suggested that maximum number of fires occurred in low and medium elevation types and in very low to low-slope categories. Results from three different spatial techniques for spatial pattern suggested clustered pattern in fire events compared to CSR. Most importantly, results from Ripley's K statistic suggested that fire events are highly clustered at a lag-distance of 125 miles. Hierarchical nearest neighboring clustering technique identified significant clusters of fire 'hotspots' in different states in northeast and central India. The implications of these results in fire management and mitigation were discussed. Also, this study highlights the potential of spatial point pattern statistics in environmental monitoring and assessment studies with special reference to fire events in the Indian region.

High-resolution 3D spatial modelling of complex geological structures for an environmental risk assessment of abundant mining and industrial megasites

Conceptual geological models of industrial and mining megasites are an essential task of groundwater investigations as well as environmental risk assessment studies. Therefore, the conceptualization process of the structural geological model has depended on the development of a set of 2D cross-sections to portray a 3D picture of groundwater flow. This attempt always includes some simplifications that require, only to some extent, the true 3D situation of heterogeneous aquifers. Consequently, the modelled predictions of the path flow and transport conditions of contaminated groundwater are not satisfying in terms of a flow-path and risk based modelling approach. A more structured approach to develop the hydrogeological framework for the conceptual model is advocated, using different 3D geological modelling software packages to assemble the data, working in three dimensions and using this platform for subsequent groundwater flow modelling. Attention is given to the capability of different 3D modelling approaches, indicated by geostatistically based versus constructive cross-section based interpolations of complex sedimentary successions, that are compared in their results and suitability for subsequent hydrogeological modelling requirements. The paper describes the results, in high-resolution 3D modelling, of the complex geological environment of the Bitterfeld/Wolfen megasite in the eastern part of Germany. Identification, assessment, and remediation of large-scale groundwater contamination require a detailed knowledge of the heterogeneous geological structure to predict the fate and pathways of contaminants and their potential interaction with, e.g., surface water. An area of 16 km 2 of the model area of the Bitterfeld/Wolfen area was chosen to transfer the complex structural geological setting. The subsurface geology could be assigned to 31 lithostratigraphic units and depicted using a 10×10 m GIS grid. This constructive and “knowledge-driven” 3D modelling allows the prediction of vertical and horizontal sections, visualization purposes, volumetric calculations of distinct sedimentary units, GIS applications, and the use of the detailed digital information within the subsequent flow and transport groundwater modelling. The high-resolution digital 3D model improves the hydrogeological modelling results. It is considered a basic requirement for groundwater modelling and investigations on environmental risk and impact assessment by fate, and pathway exposure route analysis of the complex geological and groundwater situations.

Aspectos socioeconómicos de la evaluación de impacto ambiental

This article reviews the methodology and background of the socioeconomic dimension in environment impact evaluations. This text examines the pertinence of Social Sciences in the study of environmental assessment. Likewise, the article deals with the main techniques applied to this field. Special attention is drawn to the concept and research of landscape as a social factor of environment as well as to public participation in the processes of Environmental Impact Assessment research.

SEA on the 11th five‐year plan for national economic and social development of Wuhan City in China

PurposeThis paper aims to address a pilot case study of strategic environmental assessment (SEA) on the 11th five‐year Plan for National Economic and Social Development of a city located in central China.Design/methodology/approachA three‐tiered evaluation process was adopted during this study. First, the resources and environmental capacities of the city were evaluated in terms of the capacities of land use, energy transportation and water resources. Second, the draft plan was examined to assess the extent of potential ecological impacts and environmental impacts on air, water, noise and the increment of solid waste, and resulted potential hazards to the proximity of new development. Following the integrated assessment, several partial evaluations were carried out to estimate the relative performance of individual elements of each module of the draft plan.FindingsIt is necessary to integrate SEA into the five‐year plan. It was recognized that some key issues should be addressed in the SEA for five‐year plan and recommended indicators should be considered in the SEA.Originality/valueThis pilot study reflects the latest progress of SEA in China in both the development of concepts and evaluation methods.

Transgene flow to hybrid rice and its male-sterile lines

Gene flow from genetically modified (GM) crops to the same species or wild relatives is a major concern in risk assessment. Transgenic rice with insect and/or disease resistance, herbicide, salt and/or drought tolerance and improved quality has been successfully developed. However, data on rice gene flow from environmental risk assessment studies are currently insufficient for the large-scale commercialization of GM rice. We have provided data on the gene flow frequency at 17 distances between a GM japonica line containing the bar gene as a pollen donor and two indica hybrid rice varieties and four male-sterile (ms) lines. The GM line was planted in a 640 m2 in an isolated experimental plot (2.4 ha), which simulates actual conditions of rice production with pollen competition. Results showed that: (1) under parallel plantation at the 0-m zone, the transgene flow frequency to the ms lines ranged from 3.145 to 36.116% and was significantly higher than that to hybrid rice cultivars (0.037-0.045%). (2) Gene flow frequency decreased as the distance increased, with a sharp cutoff point at about 1-2 m; (3) The maximum distance of transgene flow was 30-40 m to rice cultivars and 40-150 m to ms lines. We believe that these data will be useful for the risk assessment and management of transgenic rice lines, especially in Asia where 90% of world's rice is produced and hybrid rice varieties are extensively used.