Oil Extraction Activities Research Articles

Differential Effects of High Atmospheric N and S Deposition on Bog Plant/Lichen Tissue and Porewater Chemistry across the Athabasca Oil Sands Region.

Oil extraction and development activities in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region of northern Alberta, Canada, release NOx, SOx, and NHy to the atmosphere, ultimately resulting in increasing N and S inputs to surrounding ecosystems through atmospheric deposition. Peatlands are a major feature of the northern Alberta landscape, with bogs covering 6-10% of the land area, and fens covering 21-53%. Bulk deposition of NH4+-N, NO3--N, dissolved inorganic N (DIN), and SO42--S, was quantified using ion-exchange resin collectors deployed at 23 locations, over 1-6 years. The results reveal maximum N and S deposition of 9.3 and 12.0 kg ha-1 yr-1, respectively, near the oil sands industrial center (the midpoint between the Syncrude and Suncor upgrader stacks), decreasing with distance to a background deposition of 0.9 and 1.1 kg ha-1 yr-1, respectively. To assess potential influences of high N and S deposition on bogs, we quantified N and S concentrations in tissues of two Sphagnum species, two lichen species, and four vascular plant species, as well as surface porewater concentrations of H+, NH4+-N, NO3--N, SO42--S and dissolved organic N in 19 ombrotrophic bogs, distributed across a 3255 km2 sampling area surrounding the oil sands industrial center. The two lichen species (Evernia mesomorpha and Cladonia mitis), two vascular plant species (Rhododendron groenlandicum and Picea mariana), and to a lesser extent one moss (Sphagnum fuscum), showed patterns of tissue N and S concentrations that were (1) highest near the oil sands industrial center and (2) positively correlated with bulk deposition of N or S. Concentrations of porewater H+ and SO42--S, but not of NH4+-N, NO3--N, DIN, or dissolved inorganic N, also were higher near the oil sands industrial center than at more distant locations. The oil sands region of northern Alberta is remote, with few roads, posing challenges to the monitoring of oil sands-related N and S deposition. Quantification of N and S concentrations in bog plant/lichen tissues and porewaters may serve as a monitoring tool to assess both the local intensity and the spatial extent of bulk N and S deposition, and as harbingers of potential shifts in ecosystem structure and function.

The magnitude of the snow-sourced reactive nitrogen flux to the boundary layer in the Uintah Basin, Utah, USA

Abstract. Reactive nitrogen (Nr = NO, NO2, HONO) and volatile organic carbon emissions from oil and gas extraction activities play a major role in wintertime ground-level ozone exceedance events of up to 140 ppb in the Uintah Basin in eastern Utah. Such events occur only when the ground is snow covered, due to the impacts of snow on the stability and depth of the boundary layer and ultraviolet actinic flux at the surface. Recycling of reactive nitrogen from the photolysis of snow nitrate has been observed in polar and mid-latitude snow, but snow-sourced reactive nitrogen fluxes in mid-latitude regions have not yet been quantified in the field. Here we present vertical profiles of snow nitrate concentration and nitrogen isotopes (δ15N) collected during the Uintah Basin Winter Ozone Study 2014 (UBWOS 2014), along with observations of insoluble light-absorbing impurities, radiation equivalent mean ice grain radii, and snow density that determine snow optical properties. We use the snow optical properties and nitrate concentrations to calculate ultraviolet actinic flux in snow and the production of Nr from the photolysis of snow nitrate. The observed δ15N(NO3−) is used to constrain modeled fractional loss of snow nitrate in a snow chemistry column model, and thus the source of Nr to the overlying boundary layer. Snow-surface δ15N(NO3−) measurements range from −5 to 10 ‰ and suggest that the local nitrate burden in the Uintah Basin is dominated by primary emissions from anthropogenic sources, except during fresh snowfall events, where remote NOx sources from beyond the basin are dominant. Modeled daily averaged snow-sourced Nr fluxes range from 5.6 to 71 × 107 molec cm−2 s−1 over the course of the field campaign, with a maximum noontime value of 3.1 × 109 molec cm−2 s−1. The top-down emission estimate of primary, anthropogenic NOx in Uintah and Duchesne counties is at least 300 times higher than the estimated snow NOx emissions presented in this study. Our results suggest that snow-sourced reactive nitrogen fluxes are minor contributors to the Nr boundary layer budget in the highly polluted Uintah Basin boundary layer during winter 2014.

Increasing the value of pecan nut [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh) C. Koch] cake by means of oil extraction and antioxidant activity evaluation

Pecan nut is a dried fruit, appreciated worldwide because of its particularly pleasant flavor and its wealth of healthy bioactive components. The nut oil is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E, currently recognized as antioxidant agents. The oil extraction from the pecan nut cake, an industrial byproduct from oil production, is an alternative to value the industrial application of the pecan nut. In the present work, different extraction processes, low-pressure methods (LPE) and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) were investigated to obtain the pecan nut cake extract (residual oil). The aspect evaluated was the processes extraction yields, the fatty acid profile and antioxidant activity, by DPPH, ABTS and β-carotene methods, of the resulting extracts. Results show that higher extraction yields were obtained by Soxhlet with ethanol (69.6±0.3%), by Soxhlet with acetone (64±3%), and by SFE at 300bar and 313.15K (58.4±0.2%). The SFE of pecan nut cake reached 98% extraction of the lipid fraction from the raw material. Oleic acid was the main fatty acid present in the cake oil obtained by SFE and by LPE. The antioxidant potential of the pecan cake oil presented high values, similar to gallic acid. The present study has shown that SFE can be used as an alternative method for the extraction of oil from a byproduct rich in acid oleic and other nutrients. The results from this work suggest the importance of these agro industrial residues as a potential for generating alternative high value by-products.

Health effects of non-occupational exposure to oil extraction.

Oil extraction may cause extensive environmental impact that can affect health of populations living in surrounding areas. Large populations are potentially exposed to oil extraction related contamination through residence in areas where oil extraction is conducted, especially in low and middle income countries (LMICs). Health effects among people residentially exposed to upstream oil industry contaminants have been poorly studied. Health effects of exposure to oil related contamination have been mainly studied among cleanup workers after oil spills from tankers or offshore platforms.In this paper we aim to identify the type and extension of residential exposures related to oil extraction activities and to comment on the few health studies available. We estimated that 638 million persons in LMICs inhabit rural areas close to conventional oil reservoirs. It is relevant to specifically study people residentially exposed to upstream oil industry for the following reasons: First, persons are exposed during long periods of time to oil related contamination. Second, routes of exposure differ between workers and people living close to oil fields, who can be exposed by ingestion of contaminated waters/foods and by dermal contact with contaminated water and/or land during daily activities (e.g. bathing, agricultural activities, etc.). Third, individuals potentially more susceptible to the effect of oil related contamination and not normally occupationally exposed, such as infants, children, pregnant women, elderly or people with previous health conditions, are also exposed.There are few papers studying the potential health effects of residential exposure to oil related contamination, and most of them share important limitations. There is a need for more research through the conduct of methodologically robust studies in exposed populations worldwide. Despite the difficulties in the conduct of studies in remote areas, novel approaches, such as measurement of individual exposure using biomarkers of exposure and effect, should be used. These studies should be promoted to understand the health risks associated to residential exposure to oil related contamination, support effective control policies to avoid such contamination and to sustain public health recommendations and policies to avoid exposure in already contaminated areas.

Forest cover changes due to hydrocarbon extraction disturbance in central Pennsylvania (2004–2010)

ABSTRACTThe state of Pennsylvania has a long history of oil and gas extraction. In recent years with advances in technology such as hydraulic fracturing, hydrocarbon sources that were not profitable in the past are now being exploited. Here, we present an assessment of the cumulative impact of oil and gas extraction activities on the forests of 35 counties in Pennsylvania and their intersecting sub-watersheds between 2004 and 2010. The assessment categorizes counties and sub-watersheds based on the estimated amount of change to forest cover in the area. From the data collected we recognize that although forest cover has not been greatly impacted (with an average loss of percent forest coverage of 0.16% at the county level), landscape structure is affected. Increase in edge forest and decrease in interior forest is evident in many of the counties and sub-watersheds examined. These changes can have a detrimental effect on forest biodiversity and dynamics.

Where do jobs go when oil prices drop?

In this paper, we estimate a factor augmented vector autoregressive (FAVAR) model to investigate the effect of oil price shocks on total private job flows as well as on industry-level job creation and destruction. Following an unexpected oil price drop in the first year, we find that in oil and gas extraction and support activities for mining exhibit a reduction in job creation and an increase in job destruction. Instead, industries in construction, manufacturing and services exhibit an increase in the net employment change. An unexpected decline in the real oil price slows down the pace of gross job reallocation. We demonstrate that the increase (decrease) in private job destruction (creation) observed during the first year is primarily driven by the response of closing (expanding) firms in services and manufacturing.

Local- and regional-scale measurements of CH<sub>4</sub>, δ<sup>13</sup>CH<sub>4</sub>, and C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>6</sub> in the Uintah Basin using a mobile stable isotope analyzer

Abstract. In this paper, we present an innovative CH4, δ13CH4, and C2H6 instrument based on cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS). The design and performance of the analyzer is presented in detail. The instrument is capable of precision of less than 1 ‰ on δ13CH4 with 1 in. of averaging and about 0.1 ‰ in an hour. Using this instrument, we present a comprehensive approach to atmospheric methane emissions attribution. Field measurements were performed in the Uintah Basin (Utah, USA) in the winter of 2013, using a mobile lab equipped with the CRDS analyzer, a high-accuracy GPS, a sonic anemometer, and an onboard gas storage and playback system. With a small population and almost no other sources of methane and ethane other than oil and gas extraction activities, the Uintah Basin represents an ideal location to investigate and validate new measurement methods of atmospheric methane and ethane. We present the results of measurements of the individual fugitive emissions from 23 natural gas wells and six oil wells in the region. The δ13CH4 and C2H6 signatures that we observe are consistent with the signatures of the gases found in the wells. Furthermore, regional measurements of the atmospheric CH4, δ13CH4, and C2H6 signatures throughout the basin have been made, using continuous sampling into a 450 m long tube and laboratory reanalysis with the CRDS instrument. These measurements suggest that 85 ± 7 % of the total emissions in the basin are from natural gas production.

Coupling Underwater Superoleophobic Membranes with Magnetic Pickering Emulsions for Fouling-Free Separation of Crude Oil/Water Mixtures: An Experimental and Theoretical Study.

Oil/water separations have become an area of great interest, as growing oil extraction activities are increasing the generation of oily wastewaters as well as increasing the risk of oil spills. Here, we demonstrate a membrane-based and fouling-free oil/water separation method that couples carbon nanotube-poly(vinyl alcohol) underwater superoleophobic ultrafiltration membranes with magnetic Pickering emulsions. We demonstrate that this process is insensitive to low water temperatures, high ionic strength, or crude oil loading, while allowing operation at high permeate fluxes and producing high quality permeate. Furthermore, we develop a theoretical framework that analyzes the stability of Pickering emulsions under filtration mechanics, relating membrane surface properties and hydrodynamic conditions in the Pickering emulsion cake layer to membrane performance. Finally, we demonstrate the recovery and recyclability of the nanomagnetite used to form the Pickering emulsions through a magnetic separation step, resulting in an environmentally friendly, continuous process for oil/water separation.

The NO<sub><i>x</i></sub> dependence of bromine chemistry in the Arctic atmospheric boundary layer

Abstract. Arctic boundary layer nitrogen oxides (NOx = NO2 + NO) are naturally produced in and released from the sunlit snowpack and range between 10 to 100 pptv in the remote background surface layer air. These nitrogen oxides have significant effects on the partitioning and cycling of reactive radicals such as halogens and HOx (OH + HO2). However, little is known about the impacts of local anthropogenic NOx emission sources on gas-phase halogen chemistry in the Arctic, and this is important because these emissions can induce large variability in ambient NOx and thus local chemistry. In this study, a zero-dimensional photochemical kinetics model was used to investigate the influence of NOx on the unique springtime halogen and HOx chemistry in the Arctic. Trace gas measurements obtained during the 2009 OASIS (Ocean – Atmosphere – Sea Ice – Snowpack) field campaign at Barrow, AK were used to constrain many model inputs. We find that elevated NOx significantly impedes gas-phase halogen radical-based depletion of ozone, through the production of a variety of reservoir species, including HNO3, HO2NO2, peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN), BrNO2, ClNO2 and reductions in BrO and HOBr. The effective removal of BrO by anthropogenic NOx was directly observed from measurements conducted near Prudhoe Bay, AK during the 2012 Bromine, Ozone, and Mercury Experiment (BROMEX). Thus, while changes in snow-covered sea ice attributable to climate change may alter the availability of molecular halogens for ozone and Hg depletion, predicting the impact of climate change on polar atmospheric chemistry is complex and must take into account the simultaneous impact of changes in the distribution and intensity of anthropogenic combustion sources. This is especially true for the Arctic, where NOx emissions are expected to increase because of increasing oil and gas extraction and shipping activities.

The environmental balance of the Alta Val d'Agri: a contribution to the evaluation of the industrial risk and strategic sustainable development

Abstract. This study presents the preliminary environmental balance of the Alta Val d'Agri (Basilicata Region, Southern Italy), an area of great naturalistic interest characterized by the presence of huge oil and gas fields. The Driving Forces-Pressure-State-Impact-Responses (DPSIR) methodology was used to outline the background in terms of environmental impacts mainly caused by oil extraction activities, as well as potential existing responses. The study aims at providing stakeholders with an exhaustive framework to identify the existing data, the main sources of pollution, their potential impacts, the associated industrial risks and the existing policy strategies. Moreover, the DPSIR approach allows the identification of the vulnerable areas and the definition of targeted actions for a sustainable development of the area.

Trophic modeling of the continental shelf ecosystem outside of Tabasco, Mexico: A network and modularity analysis

The continental shelf of the southern Gulf of Mexico is influenced by a critical riverine basin that serves as a productive area for economic activities, notably fishing and oil extraction activities. The area is thus subjected to multiple uses, and this can alter the structure and functioning of the ecosystem. Hence, the assessment and sustainable use of natural resources requires the consideration of complex trophic interactions in the ecosystem. This study characterizes the structure and function of the continental shelf ecosystem food web outside of Tabasco, Mexico. Meaningful compartments with strong trophic interrelationships that may be of relevance to the sustainability of the ecosystem were also identified using a modularity maximization algorithm. The Ecopath approach is employed to construct a trophic model with 33 functional living groups and a detritus pool. Barracudas and sharks are found to be the main predators. Detritus also plays an important role in the food web, as this group supplies half of the system's primary energy supply and has significant positive mixed trophic impacts on several functional groups. A constant supply of organic matter via continental discharge reinforces the important role of detritus while limiting matter recycling in the ecosystem. A high degree of omnivory in the food web also forms intricate trophic relationships. According to ecosystem indices, the ecosystem is well organized, and this is also evident given the presence of three meaningful compartments in the food web. Flows within compartments were higher than between them. These compartments include heterogeneous functional groups and may prove central to the resilience of the ecosystem. Two compartments include groups from the base of the food web, one included primary and secondary producers from the sea bottom and the other comprised groups from the water column.

Oil industry and road traffic fatalities in contemporary Colombia

This paper studies the effects that oil extraction activities in Colombia have on the number of dead/injured people as a consequence of road-related accidents. Starting in 2004, the increasing exploitation of oil wells in some Colombian departments has worsened the traffic conditions due to the increased presence of trucks transporting crude oil from the wells to the refineries; this phenomenon has not been accompanied by an improvement in the road system with dramatic consequences in terms of road viability. The descriptive and empirical analysis presented here focuses on the period 2004–2011; results from descriptive statistics indicate a positive relationship between the presence of oil extraction activities and the number of either dead/injured people. Panel regressions for the period 2004–2011 confirm that, among other factors, the presence of oil-extraction activities did play a positive and statistical significant role in increasing the number of dead/injured people.

Uncovering Norway’s regional disparities with respect to natural riches

This study aims at unveiling regional development differences in Norway with respect to various natural resource-based activities that take place in the NUTS 3 regions. Norway’s natural riches range from agricultural and forest resources to fisheries, mines, petroleum and gas. Considering the possible spatial links for various regional characteristics of the Norwegian economy, this study does not only reveal the wide-ranging distribution of resource-based activities, but also sheds light on divergent income and population patterns in the Norwegian regions. Besides, these patterns are investigated through a number of models that test the impact of employment, investment and value added in natural resource sectors on regional differences. The main findings suggest that mining and quarrying as well as oil and gas extraction activities generate significant advantages for regional income generation whereas each resource type affects the distribution of population in a different way.

Measurement of fine particulate matter water-soluble inorganic species and precursor gases in the Alberta Oil Sands Region using an improved semicontinuous monitor

The ambient ion monitor–ion chromatography (AIM-IC) system, which provides hourly measurements of the main chemical components of PM2.5 (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter <2.5 μm) and its precursor gases, was evaluated and deployed from May to July 2011 and April to December 2013 in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region (AOSR) of northeastern Alberta, Canada. The collection efficiencies for the gas-phase SO2 and HNO3 using the cellulose membrane were 96% and 100%, respectively, and the collection efficiency of NH3 using the nylon membrane was 100%. The AIM-IC was compared with a collocated annular denuder sampling system (ADSS) and a Federal Reference Method (FRM) Partisol PM2.5 sampler. The correlation coefficients of SO42− concentrations between the AIM-IC and ADSS and between the AIM-IC and the Partisol PM2.5 sampler were 0.98 and 0.95, respectively. The comparisons also showed no statistically significant difference between the measurement sets, suggesting that the AIM-IC measurements of the PM2.5 chemical composition are comparable to the ADSS and Partisol PM2.5 methods. NH3 concentration in the summer (mean ± standard deviation, 1.9 ± 0.7 µg m−3) was higher than in the winter (1.3 ± 0.9 µg m−3). HNO3 and NO3− concentrations were generally low in the AOSR, and especially in the winter months. NH4+ (0.94 ± 0.96 µg m−3) and SO42− (0.58 ± 0.93 µg m−3) were the major ionic species of PM2.5. Direct SO2 emissions from oil sands processing operations influenced ambient particulate NH4+ and SO42− values, with hourly concentrations of NH4+ and SO42− measured downwind (~30 km away from the stack) at 10 and 28 µg m−3. During the regional forest fire event in 2011, high concentrations of NO3−, NH4+, HNO3, NH3, and PM2.5 were observed and the corresponding maximum hourly concentrations were 31, 15, 9.6, 89, and >450 (the upper limit of PM2.5 measurement) µg m−3, suggesting the formation of NH4NO3.Implications: The AOSR in Canada is one of the most scrutinized industrial regions in the developed world due to the extent of oil extraction activities. Because of this, it is important to accurately assess the effect of these operations on regional air quality. In this study, we compare a new analytical approach, AIM-IC, with more standard analytical approaches to understand how local anthropogenic and nonanthropogenic sources (e.g., forest fires) impact regional air quality. With this approach, we also better characterize PM2.5 composition and its precursor gases to understand secondary aerosol formation mechanisms and to better identify possible control techniques if needed.

Earth observation-based coastal zone monitoring of the Yellow River Delta: Dynamics in China's second largest oil producing region over four decades

The largest challenge for the Yellow River Delta region is finding an equilibrium between its two largest assets: large, valuable wetland reserves rich in biodiversity, declared as Ramsar sites in 2013 and breeding and resting grounds for numerous migratory bird species on the one hand, and extensive industrial and urban development based on the wealth of large underground oil and gas reserves, on the other. Based on high and highest spatial resolution satellite imagery covering nearly four decades, we employed manual feature digitization as well as rate-of-change statistics automatically derived with the Digital Shoreline Analyses System (DSAS) and present oil-industry-induced river bed changes and related coastal dynamics manifested via land erosion or accretion, and thus overall changes in the appearance of the Yellow River Delta. Over the past 37 years large re-diversions led to net erosion areas with over 13 km of shoreline retreat, and net accretion areas with over 21 km of shoreline advance. The satellite data furthermore enabled an assessment of oil pump development in the delta for the past two decades, indicating a strong expansion of oil extraction activities even in two of the delta's protected nature reserves, taking place at times and locations that indicate noncompliance with national regulations. Overall, the study proves the power of satellite imagery to quantify changes in the coastal zone, and to detect industry related activities; including the monitoring of compliance to restricting regulations. It is especially the freely accessible Landsat archives, granting four decades of monitoring, which are of immeasurable value to depict the regions dynamics. With Landsat 8 already in orbit and with the upcoming launch of the Sentinel-2 satellite, the monitoring concept presented here can be continued into the future.

Cl and Na Fluxes in an Andean Foreland Basin of the Peruvian Amazon: An Anthropogenic Impact Evidence

The dissolved load of the Amazon River is generally considered to be lowly impacted by anthropogenic activities. In this work, based on the chemical and hydrological database of the Environmental Research Observatory—HYBAM ( http://www.ore-hybam.org ), we explore the importance of the Peruvian Foreland petroleum activity on the dissolved Na and Cl fluxes of the Amazon River. The main result of this study allows us suggesting that oil extraction activity, concentrated in the El Tigre River basin, a small foreland watershed in the Peruvian Amazon, influenced drastically the Na and Cl exportation of the Amazon River during the 2006–2007 period. During these years, the dissolved exportations of this basin represented almost 20 % of the annual dissolved Cl Amazon flux and almost 12 % of the annual dissolved Na Amazon flux for a mean annual discharge <1 % of the Amazon River discharge. Since the last decades, the anthropogenic activities are increasing over the whole Amazon basin, especially in Andean countries. In this context, our results demonstrate that extractive activity cannot be considered as negligible on the hydro-chemistry of the Amazonian Rivers especially for the weathering budget estimation based on river-dissolved loads. Moreover, Cl and Na can be used to trace the formation waters derived from oil extraction at a large spatial scale. The environmental impacts of contaminants associated with deep water released to the hydrosystem (polycyclic aromatics hydrocarbons, metallic trace elements, etc.) at local and regional scales are still underestimated and should be monitored to map their local and regional influence and to prevent their risks on human health.

Migration, foraging, and residency patterns for Northern Gulf loggerheads: implications of local threats and international movements.

Northern Gulf of Mexico (NGoM) loggerheads (Caretta caretta) make up one of the smallest subpopulations of this threatened species and have declining nest numbers. We used satellite telemetry and a switching state-space model to identify distinct foraging areas used by 59 NGoM loggerheads tagged during 2010–2013. We tagged turtles after nesting at three sites, 1 in Alabama (Gulf Shores; n = 37) and 2 in Florida (St. Joseph Peninsula; n = 20 and Eglin Air Force Base; n = 2). Peak migration time was 22 July to 9 August during which >40% of turtles were in migration mode; the mean post-nesting migration period was 23.0 d (±13.8 d SD). After displacement from nesting beaches, 44 turtles traveled to foraging sites where they remained resident throughout tracking durations. Selected foraging locations were variable distances from tagging sites, and in 5 geographic regions; no turtles selected foraging sites outside the Gulf of Mexico (GoM). Foraging sites delineated using 50% kernel density estimation were located a mean distance of 47.6 km from land and in water with mean depth of −32.5 m; other foraging sites, delineated using minimum convex polygons, were located a mean distance of 43.0 km from land and in water with a mean depth of −24.9 m. Foraging sites overlapped with known trawling activities, oil and gas extraction activities, and the footprint of surface oiling during the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill (n = 10). Our results highlight the year-round use of habitats in the GoM by loggerheads that nest in the NGoM. Our findings indicate that protection of females in this subpopulation requires both international collaborations and management of threats that spatially overlap with distinct foraging habitats.

Replacement of the mixing fresh water by wastewater olive oil extraction in the extrusion of ceramic bricks

This investigation deals with the possibility of incorporating effluents resulting from olive oil extraction activity, as wastewater from olive-washing stage (OW) or wastewater from olive-oil washing stage (OOW), in the brick-making process. The feasibility of replacing mixing fresh water (FW) by OW or OOW of the extraction process of olive oil, in the process for manufacturing clay bricks, has been studied. FW, OW or OWW (22wt%) was added to the clay in order for it to acquire enough plasticity to the stage of molding by extrusion. Samples containing OW or OOW were found to be comparable in extrusion performance to a control product that used FW. Once extruded, test specimens were dried at 110°C (24h) and fired at 850 or 950°C (3°C/min) for 4h. The influence of replacing fresh water by wastes on the technological behavior of fired bricks was assessed by linear shrinkage, bulk density, water suction, water absorption and apparent porosity. Their mechanical and microstructural properties were also investigated by compressive strength and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermal behavior by thermal conductivity. Results indicated that replacement of FW by OW or OOW produced slight improvements in the physical, mechanical and thermal properties of bricks. This may have been due to porosity generated by these wastes mainly closed pore type.Therefore, the use of these residues can alleviate the environmental impact generated by the industry of extraction of olive oil and, at the same time, represent an economic and water saving for the ceramic industry.

The demise of a new conservation and development policy? Exploring the tensions of the Yasuní ITT initiative

The Yasuní ITT is known as a government-led proposal to ban oil exploration and extraction activities within an Ecuadorian National Park and to obtain financial resources from the international community to compensate (partially) forgone oil revenues. The initiative brought into focus and tried to solve a classic dilemma: conventional policy options would imply either that Ecuador forgoes large revenues, or that the world loses a natural and cultural patrimony irreversibly. The ground-breaking significance of the initiative is reflected by the attention and endorsements received at the national and international level. However, attention and endorsements have been accompanied by a difficult process of implementation and eventually the (temporary?) termination—in mid-2013—of the initiative. In this paper we analyze the numerous tensions that have characterized the development of the proposal and can help explain the imbroglio. The aim of this paper is to highlight and contextualize these tensions that reside in specific features of the socio-political configuration of the state—society relationship in Ecuador and the position of the country in the international arena, in the very novelty of the initiative and the misfit with the existing global environmental policy frameworks. We argue that the demise of the initiative depends to a large extent on the inability of policy makers to identify and resolve these tensions.

Satellites and simulations track miss ing methane [News

Methane emissions from oil and gas extraction, herding livestock, and other human activities in the United States are likely 25 to 75 percent higher than the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency currently recognizes, according to a meta-analysis of methane emissions research published recently in Science. While experts in remote sensing debate the merits of this and other recent challenges to the EPA's numbers, definitive answers are already on order via a high-precision Earth observation satellite to be launched next year.