Environmental Quality Control Research Articles

A one-sector model of economic growth with a nonlinear production function and related environmental quality

In this paper we suggest a stylized one-sector optimization model of national economic growth with a nonlinear production function and environmental quality control. A steady-state point of the Hamilton system is found analytically, while the optimal trajectory is constructed numerically. And finally, we adjust the model to the Russian economy.

A low cost color-based bacterial biosensor for measuring arsenic in groundwater

Using arsenic (As) contaminated groundwater for drinking or irrigation has caused major health problems for humans around the world, raising a need to monitor As level efficiently and economically. This study developed a color-based bacterial biosensor which is easy-to-use and inexpensive for measuring As and could be complementary to current As detecting techniques. The arsR–lacZ recombinant gene cassette in nonpathogenic strain Escherichia coli DH5α was used in the color-based biosensor which could be observed by eyes or measured by spectrometer. The developed bacterial biosensor demonstrates a quantitative range from 10 to 500μgL−1 of As in 3-h reaction time. Furthermore, the biosensor was able to successfully detect and estimate As concentration in groundwater sample by measuring optical density at 595nm (OD595). Among different storage methods used in this study, biosensor in liquid at 4°C showed the longest shelf life about 9d, and liquid storage at RT and cell pellet could also be stored for about 3–5d. In conclusion, this study showed that the As biosensor with reliable color signal and economical preservation methods is useful for rapid screening of As pollutant, providing the potential for large scale screening and better management strategies for environmental quality control.

CHARACTERIZATION OF LEACHATE FROM PANCHANG BEDENA LANDFILL, BATANG PADANG LANDFILL AND MATANG LANDFILL: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

A Landfill is the main disposal method of solid waste in Malaysia but this creates issues due to its leachate generation. Improper leachate treatment pollutes the environment and is harmful to human health. This study aims to determine the characteristics of landfill leachate from three landfills sites that differs in age and types; Panchang Bedena Landfill (PBL), Batang Padang Landfill (BPL) and Matang Landfill (ML). The parameters tested in this study include pH, temperature, suspended solid (SS), chromium hexavalent, BOD5, COD, copper, lead and cadmium. Analysis was carried out with standard methods using HANNA HI 9828 Portable Multiparameter, atomic absorption spectrophotometer and portable spectrophotometer, HACH DR2800. The mean values of the parameters from PBL, BPL and ML are pH (8.60, 7.67 and 6.76), temperature (29.30, 33.02 and 29.47 o C), chromium hexavalent (0.030, 0.007 and 0.020 mg/L), SS (101.7, 127.3 and 45.0 mg/L), BOD5 (106.70, 144.07 and 100.30 mg/L), COD (153.7, 1418.0 and 257.5 mg/L), BOD5 /COD (0.69, 0.09 and 0.39 mg/L), copper (0.24, 1.52 and 0.10 mg/L), lead (1.95, 0.75 and 0.13 mg/L) and cadmium (0.03, 0.001 and 0.003 mg/L), were recorded, respectively. The obtained results were compared to the standard limit under the Environmental Quality (Control of Pollution from Solid Waste Transfer Station and Landfill) Regulation 2009. The leachate quality from PBL has the highest range of heavy metals, followed by BPL and ML which is due to landfill age. However, BPL shows greater organic contaminants such as SS, BOD5 and COD which may be due to the absence of leachate aeration facilities at the landfill site compared to PBL and ML. A proper treatment strategy is crucial to reduce the pollutants before being discharged into the water bodies. Keywords: Leachate, Characteristics, Parameters

Влияние экологических факторов на показатели заболеваемости населения

On the Tambov region example a research related to deep-well drinking waters’ composition influence on able-bodied
 population morbidity in 16 classes of diseases on the international classification has been performed. Correlation analysis,
 contingency tables analysis, local environmental standards calculation method (LES method) have been used for this
 purpose. Environment quality control in-situ-technology bases have been presented. Normal range limits of deep-well
 waters’ physical and chemical factors, as well as of morbidity in different classes of diseases have been calculated by means
 of the LES method.

Energy-efficient ventilation control strategies for surgery rooms

Surgery room specific energy use is among the highest in the built environment due to stringent indoor environmental quality and infection control requirements. This study uses a calibrated energy model to evaluate the environmental and economic performance of a variety of ventilation control strategies that reduce surgery room energy use while maintaining indoor environmental quality and infection control performance. The individual control strategies evaluated in this study are (1) temperature and relative humidity reset, (2) air recirculation, (3) airflow reset, and (4) particle concentration based airflow control. Combinations of these strategies are also evaluated. The best performing combinations of control strategies can reduce surgery room primary energy use, CO2 emissions, and energy costs by up to 86% relative to the standard practice. Temperature and relative humidity reset is the strategy that offers the largest benefits. Particle concentration based airflow control shows modest results partly due to the conservative infection control performance target. Future research should define infection control performance thresholds during operation.

Bioindication as challenge in Modern Environmental Protection

Abstract Research into and diagnosis of environmental change prior to the introduction of bioindicator methods were linked primarily to apparatus. Drawing attention to the reactions of organisms sensitive to that change and using them in environmental quality control have opened new opportunities for development of a new scientific discipline, known in the literature as bioindication. Bioindication combines several scientific disciplines, including biology, broadly conceived geography, and chemistry. It thus combines in a comprehensible manner apparatus-derived measurements (chemical analysis results) and areas of bioindicator exposure (situation and distance from the emitter), translating these parameters into bioindicators' anatomical and morphological reactions. The development of bioindicator methods progresses rapidly, and - as is usually the case under such circumstances - it is difficult to ensure that they are transparent and that no chaos ensues. In view of the above, it seems necessary to embark on a discussion of these issues and consider compiling lists of most applicable indicator organisms for examination of particular environmental toxins in particular environments.

Assessment of sustainable development: A case study of Wuhan as a pilot city in China

Building resource-conserving and environmental-friendly society (referred to as “two-oriented society”, TOS) is an important way proposed by the Chinese government to achieve sustainable development. In this paper, a pilot city of constructing TOS in China-Wuhan is taken as a case to evaluate the performance of TOS from 2005 to 2012. Treating the indicators of TOS as multi-dimensional vectors, this paper proposes a methodological framework by integrating the methods of vector angle and Euclidean distance to measure the angle and distance between the vector of annual status of TOS and the vector of planning target of TOS. Based on this, the paper employs coordination (the angle between the two vectors) and effectiveness (the distance between the two vectors) to describe the performance of TOS and its subsystems, including economic development (ED), social and people's well-being (SW), resource consumption (RC), resource recycling (RR), environmental quality (EQ) and pollution control (PC). Moreover, grey relational analysis approach is used to analyse the core factors influencing TOS construction. Results reveal that the performance of TOS in Wuhan is continually improved in the study period while the performance of its subsystems shows several differences: (1) both coordination and effectiveness of TOS, ED and SW keep on improving, while those of EQ fluctuate; (2) the effectiveness of both RR and PC shows a downward trend while the coordination of them fluctuates; (3) the actual value of RC indicators reaches the planning targets. Based on the analysis of determinants, we suggest that strengthening technological ability and adding investment are extremely important to improve the performance of RC and PC. For the sake of improving RR, it is critical to provide more government public expenditure and encourage financial institutions to provide more loans to stimulate and support the businesses. Moreover, increasing the amount of R&D funding and maintaining steady external economic environment are proved to be effective to improve all subsystems of TOS.

Towards whom should indoor environmental quality control be sympathetic – Asthmatics or non-asthmatics?

From two independent research studies conducted to understand effect of varying thermal and indoor air pollution exposures on non-asthmatics and asthmatics' responses and work performances, this paper attempts to answer the question: Towards whom should IEQ control be sympathetic – asthmatics or non-asthmatics? The studies were conducted in a 240 m3 field environment chamber at the National University of Singapore. Subjects, between 20 and 30 years of age, were recruited from the university community to participate in these studies. In the first study, the interventions were two room air temperatures, i.e. 21.2 ± 0.3 °C and 25.0 ± 0.2 °C at constant ventilation. This study lasted for 8 h. Data were collected for inhaled air thermal sensations and salivary α-amylase concentration before and after 8-h exposures. In the second study, subjects were exposed to limonene and ozone (of simulated outdoor origin) at realistic concentrations for 3 h. Data for subjects' work performances, perceptual responses, and salivary α-amylase concentration at initial and after 3-h exposures were reported in this paper. The main findings suggest that: (i) temperature settings should be sympathetic towards asthmatic subjects because of their higher sensitivity to temperatures at the lower spectrum of thermal comfort conditions; (ii) IAQ settings should be sympathetic towards non-asthmatic subjects because of their higher sensitivity to perceived air quality acceptability in the same temperature range. Knowledge gained from this paper has practical implications towards creation of environmentally friendly indoor environment for asthmatic and non-asthmatic building occupants.

Indoor environmental quality and infection control in surgery rooms: Code requirements vs. performance motivation. A critical review

Surgery rooms are a space type with particularly stringent indoor environmental quality (IEQ) requirements (large airflow rates and narrow comfort windows), which translate into high energy use. Due to the unclear IEQ and infection control requirements for surgery rooms in Spain, these spaces are often designed and operated 24 hours per day and 7 days per week, to meet the most stringent recommendations (not only the requirements) in the available standards and guidelines. This paper critically reviews the Spanish mandatory requirements for surgery rooms by comparing them against their performance motivation and other international standards. Regulatory ambiguities and code-compliant energy efficiency opportunities are identified.The requirements and recommendations in the standards included in this review differ in their magnitude (particularly the airflow requirements), but are similar in their prescriptive nature. This paper identifies the performance goals associated to the prescriptive requirements, and proposes a method to adjust system operation (outdoor airflow rate, total supply air, indoor air temperature, and indoor air relative humidity) to meet IEQ performance goals while reducing energy use. Further work is required to define operation infection control requirements for the different surgery types and enable a performance based control strategy based on real time particle concentration monitoring.

Investigation and analysis of heavy metal pollution related to soil-Panax notoginseng system

In this study, five heavy metals contamination of soil and different parts of Panax notoginseng in the plantation area was investigated. Analysis of heavy metals correlation between the planting soil and P. notoginseng; and the absorption and accumulation characteristics and translocation of soil heavy metals by P. notoginseng plants was revealed. Through field investigation and laboratory analytical methods, analysis of China's 30 different soil P. notoginseng origin and content of heavy metals in five different parts of the P. notoginseng plant content of heavy metals. The results revealed that the soil heavy metals should not be neglected in the plantation area Referring to the national soil quality standards (GB15608-1995), the excessive degree of soil heavy metals pollution showed Hg > As > Cd > Cr in the plantation area, and Pb content of soil was in the scope of the standard. Refer to 'Green Industry Standards for Import and Export of Medical Plants and Preparations', the excessive degree of heavy metals content of P. notoginseng plants showed As > Pb > Cr > Cd, and Hg content of plants was in the scope of the standard. Concentrations of five heavy metals of underground parts of P. notoginseng plants are higher than aboveground, and heavy metals elements are more concentrated in the root, followed by the rhizome of P. notoginseng plants. Heavy metal accumulation characteristics of the different parts of the P. notoginseng of the overall performance is the root > the rhizome > the root tuber > leaves > stems. From the point of view BCF value analysis of various parts of the P. notoginseng plants to absorb heavy metals in soil, BCF values of all samples were less than 1, description P. notoginseng not belong Hyperaccumulator. From the view of transportation and related analysis of the soil-P. notoginseng systems, the rhizome of P. notoginseng and the content of As and Cr in soil was significantly correlated, the root of P. notoginseng and the content of Cd in soil was significantly correlated, and no significant correlation between the other indicators. Through the analysis of transportation transfer coefficient showed: Pb, As and Cr are not easy to transport aboveground part from the underground, but Cd and Hg are relatively easy to transport stems from rhizome, the migration of five heavy metals in the aerial part is relatively strong, and heavy metal of stems is easily transported to the leaves. P. notoginseng does not belong to the enrichment of heavy metals in crops, especially for Hg in soil with strong patience. In survey area, the content of heavy metals of P. notoginseng's planting soil is relatively high, and the heavy metals As, Pb, Cr, Cd of P. notoginseng also exist heavy metals exceeded problems. Due to the presence of heavy metals in crops internal absorption and translocation of special laws, accumulation of heavy metals varied significantly in different parts of P. notoginseng. The overall, the performance for the heavy metal content of the underground parts is more than aboveground, it explain heavy metals of P. notoginseng plants is still the main source of the soiL Therefore, the key to control of planting area soil environmental quality and reduce exogenous harmful substances secondary pollution of soil in the cultivation process are to study and solve the heavy metals pollution problem of P. notoginseng.

Histopathological and genotoxic effects of pollution on Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus, Linnaeus, 1758) in the Billings Reservoir (Brazil)

The Billings Reservoir shows eutrophic waters due to the large amount of sewage, and consequently, the fish can be a problem for public health. Thus, this project aimed to analyze the histological gills and liver of Nile tilapia to verify morphological changes caused by environment, and the frequency of micronuclei was done, to observe the response to genotoxic activity. We observed histological alterations in gills and livers of Nile Tilapia classified as mild to severe, and the presence of micronucleus. The results enable better environmental monitoring and quality control of this species.

A Simple Colorimetric Enzymatic-Assay, based on immobilization of acetylcholinesterase by adsorption, for sensitive detection of organophosphorus insecticides in olive oil

Over the last decades, cholinesterase (ChE) biosensors/bioassays have emerged as an ultra sensitive and rapid technique for pesticides detection in environmental monitoring, food and quality control. In this work a Simple Colorimetric Enzymatic-Assay for the sensitive detection of three organophosphorus insecticides widely used in the treatment of olive trees: Malathion, Dimethoate and Methidathion in their oxidized form was developed. The systems are based on the immobilization of 0.3 mIU of electric eel acetylcholinesterase by adsorption on MaxiSorp™ microplates, and tested using standard solutions and real samples of olive oil. The developed colorimetric tests showed good analytical performances with limits of detection as low as 10−9 M for the widely used pesticide malaoxon (oxidized malathion), as well as a good reproducibility, good operational and storage stability and they can be applied directly on olive oil real samples without a laborious pre-treatment and after a simple liquid–liquid extraction, which demonstrate the potentiality of this technique to be used for commercial purpose.

Advances in artificial olfaction: sensors and applications.

The artificial olfaction, based on electronic systems (electronic noses), includes three basic functions that operate on an odorant: a sample handler, an array of gas sensors, and a signal-processing method. The response of these artificial systems can be the identity of the odorant, an estimate concentration of the odorant, or characteristic properties of the odour as might be perceived by a human. These electronic noses are bio inspired instruments that mimic the sense of smell. The complexity of most odorants makes characterisation difficult with conventional analysis techniques, such as gas chromatography. Sensory analysis by a panel of experts is a costly process since it requires trained people who can work for only relatively short periods of time. The electronic noses are easy to build, provide short analysis times, in real time and on-line, and show high sensitivity and selectivity to the tested odorants. These systems are non-destructive techniques used to characterise odorants in diverse applications linked with the quality of life such as: control of foods, environmental quality, citizen security or clinical diagnostics. However, there is much research still to be done especially with regard to new materials and sensors technology, data processing, interpretation and validation of results. This work examines the main features of modern electronic noses and their most important applications in the environmental, and security fields. The above mentioned main components of an electronic nose (sample handling system, more advanced materials and methods for sensing, and data processing system) are described. Finally, some interesting remarks concerning the strengths and weaknesses of electronic noses in the different applications are also mentioned.

Bacteriophages: biosensing tools for multi-drug resistant pathogens

Pathogen detection is of utmost importance in many sectors, such as in the food industry, environmental quality control, clinical diagnostics, bio-defence and counter-terrorism. Failure to appropriately, and specifically, detect pathogenic bacteria can lead to serious consequences, and may ultimately be lethal. Public safety, new legislation, recent outbreaks in food contamination, and the ever-increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant infections have fostered a worldwide research effort targeting novel biosensing strategies. This review concerns phage-based analytical and biosensing methods targeted towards theranostic applications. We discuss and review phage-based assays, notably phage amplification, reporter phage, phage lysis, and bioluminescence assays for the detection of bacterial species, as well as phage-based biosensors, including optical (comprising SPR sensors and fiber optic assays), electrochemical (comprising amperometric, potentiometric, and impedimetric sensors), acoustic wave and magnetoelastic sensors.

Highly sensitive, transparent, and flexible gas sensors based on gold nanoparticle decorated carbon nanotubes

We report on a high performance flexible and transparent chemical sensor based on functionalised single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). The SWCNT films were spray-deposited on transparent and flexible plastic substrates, and subsequently decorated with Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) providing a facile and cheap fabrication route. The electrical resistance of the films changed remarkably upon exposure to ammonia (NH3), AuNP decoration enhanced sensitivity to 255ppb (parts-per-billion), one of the lowest reported so far. The reported sensor performance is a huge improvement towards low power consumption and its room temperature operation augers well for use in mobile devices for environmental protection and air quality control.

Liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

Over the last 20 years LC–MS techniques have advanced dramatically in their sensitivity, specificity, and reliability, mostly because of the development of hyphenated chromatography–mass spectrometry techniques. Currently one of the great challenges in environmental analysis and food safety is evaluation and control of the risks associated with the presence of mixtures of emerging contaminants; this has resulted in swift growth in the use of LC–MS–MS which is, today, the method of choice for determination of many polar and medium-polar classes of contaminants in environmental, biological, and food samples. Much effort has applied to the development of more efficient extraction and clean-up procedures by automation and coupling of sample-preparation and detection systems (for example, on-line SPE or dual LC column systems), application of advanced sorbents (e.g. nanoparticles as sorbents), and use of more environmentally sound approaches, for example solvent-reduced techniques. Moreover, there is a growing demand for high-throughput analysis, because of the growing number of samples, and shortening of analytical run times is often required in laboratories conducting environmental monitoring studies or food quality control. Run times of several tens of minutes are not acceptable, so the emphasis is on achievement of maximum chromatographic resolution in a drastically reduced time by application of fast and high-resolution LC systems (for example ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography (UHPLC), high-temperature liquid chromatography (HTLC), or monolithic and fused-core columns). Another recent trend is the use of hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) for separation of polar compounds.With regard to mass analysers, hybrid instruments, for example QqTOF, QqLIT, and Orbitrap, are becoming more popular, because of their capabilities in achieving accurate mass measurements and acquiring indispensable qualitative information in the form of full-scan spectra. Another notable trend is a gradual shift from parent compound analysis to analysis of metabolites and transformation products. It is becoming evident that more research is needed to determine breakdown pathways and to evaluate the fate of transformation products formed by biotic and abiotic processes. This issue of “Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry” contains selected papers presented at the 8th Annual Workshop on LC–MS–MS—Workshop on Environmental Applications and Food Safety, held on 2–4 July 2012 in Barcelona, Spain, and organized jointly by CSIC (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas, Barcelona, Spain), the Catalan Institute for Water Studies (ICRA), Waters Corporation (Manchester, UK), Environment Canada, and the Institut d'Estudis Catalans (Barcelona, Spain), in collaboration with the Spanish Society for Mass Spectrometry (SEEM). In the course of the workshop a total of 35 keynote lectures and 56 posters were presented in three main sections

Демография и заболеваемость в регионах России как показатели экологического состояния территорий

Problems of environment quality assessment and methodical questions of ecological data analysis are considered in this article. The assessment and analysis of use of Insitu-technology of environment quality control are given. The establishment method of local environmental standards is considered. Recommendations on Insitu-technology application are offered according to results of work. Demography and morbidity indicators in Russian regions and standards of ecological factors are considered.

Biomonitoring of Bees as Bioindicators

APOIDEA SL is a technology-based company in Cordoba University, Spain. It operates environmental quality control projects through the use of monitoring stations using Apis mellifera colonies and other bees, as environmental bioindicators. In this way it attempts to improve the management, decision making and competitiveness of businesses, industries and government institutions.

Regulation Based on the Carrying Capacity of the Water Environment and Water Quality Information System Model Research

From the water with its own carrying capacity to solve water pollution problems for the overall idea of the "second five" national environmental monitoring network project as the goal, the amount of data that the water environment and increase the size of most, to make environmental information and data to meet the water environment carrying ability to control the need to establish for the major watershed and the hydrology and water quality requirements of water environment information for Space Data Systems, constitute the basis of water quality information system platform, the scientific use and control of water environment carrying capacity, water, environmental protection goals. In this paper, the concept of carrying capacity of water environment and basic characteristics, carrying capacity of the relationship between the control and information systems, the water capacity of the environment and water quality control information system model to establish research and analysis conducted, combined with China's overall framework for modeling the facts presented.

Analytical difficulties and certain biological aspects of Cry1Ab toxin determination inMON 810genetically modified maize

Successful applications of toxins derived from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) strains in Bt-based bioinsecticides and more recently in Bt-plants in crop protection have enhanced the importance of analytical quantification of Cry toxin dosages for studies on various topics including environmental risk assessment (ERA), resistance management, quality control and regulatory compliance. It is essential to follow-up distribution and environmental degradation of these lectin type, crystalline (Cry) toxin proteins showing insect specificity at order level. Thus, Cry1Ab toxin produced by Bt-maize of genetic event MON 810 is specific to lepidopteran species. Widely used analytical methods for detection of Cry toxins are enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) systems. Reported Cry1Ab toxin concentrations in MON 810 maize show high variability: order of magnitude differences have been observed among various plant parts from different varieties, cultivated at different locations, and sometimes even within the same plant variety at a single location. Besides biological sources of variability, numerous analytical problems have been identified and are reported in this report, influencing the results of quantitative determination of Cry1Ab toxin and explaining the high variability among documented data on toxin content. Conclusions in every case refer to genetic event MON 810, but can be extended to other genetic events producing Cry1Ab toxin.