Natural Pollution Research Articles

Environmental costs as an indicator of sustainable development

One of the priorities of the modern economy is the optimal use of natural resources in economic activity. This is because the organization and management of production impacts the environment, which in turn affects both the well-being of society and the indicators of economic development. Which is why methodology and practice of public non-financial reporting reflecting indicators related to the conservation and assessment of natural resources, pollution control, waste management and recycling, and creating emission standards are actively developing. Environmental costs are becoming an important tool for making informed management decisions aimed at harmonizing the economy and the environment. At present, despite a large number of methodical developments, there is no solid theoretical basis for the formation of environmental indicators that adequately characterize the interaction of the economy and the environment and economic decision-making at all levels. The article clarifies the content, classification, performance evaluation system, environmental cost assessment methods for their application in management activities for deeper analysis, modelling and predicting economic phenomena and processes within the framework of the concept of sustainable development. The authors show approaches to the valuation of anthropogenic damage to nature, determined by the disproportionateness of natural and value indicators; the lack of prices of non-market goods, great uncertainty about the true value; the duration of the effects of man-made impacts and the long-term investment in environmental protection. Modern approaches to modelling and interpretation of results are generalized, as well as the possibilities of developing new (or improving existing) models for optimizing environmental costs. The direction of analysis of environmental indicators in the existing management system has been defined, in particular, through the study of non-financial reporting, which acts as a basis for calculating resource utilization, environmental quality and sustainability.

Effects of the Horizontal Elements on Windward Wall of Buildings on Natural Ventilation and Pollutant Dispersion

Effects of the Horizontal Elements on Windward Wall of Buildings on Natural Ventilation and Pollutant Dispersion

Espécies vegetais utilizadas em áreas degradadas pela mineração

As atividades de explotação mineral são de grande importância e contribuição para a economia brasileira. A exigência do PRAD e cuidados ambientais durante o fechamento de minas, conforme descritos nos processos de EIA/RIMA, são garantias de que o ambiente será devolvido com qualidade e biodiversidade semelhante ao que foi previamente encontrado no início do empreendimento. Transposição do solo, banco de sementes, transposição de galharias, poleiros naturais e artificiais, nucleação e o plantio de mudas são técnicas ambientais comumente utilizadas visando à restauração ambiental. Esta pesquisa busca apresentar as espécies e famílias vegetais mais utilizadas na recuperação de áreas degradadas nas atividades de explotação de minério de ferro. Foi utilizada uma revisão bibliográfica em artigos científicos, teses de doutorados e pesquisa em sites e plataformas científicas digitais com a utilização das palavras chaves: mineração, revegetação, sucessão vegetal, fechamento de mina e espécies arbóreas nos últimos 10 anos. Após análise dos documentos, as espécies arbustivas mais citadas pelos autores foram: M. calodendron, L. pinaster e S. glabra, encontradas em áreas de recuperação ambiental inicial, e Lychnophora pinaster, Symphyopappus brasiliensis, Baccharis serrulata, Chromolaena sp., Trichogonia sp. e Trixis vauthieri, árvores de recuperação intermediária. Pelos artigos recentemente publicados, nota-se que as famílias Asteraceae, Podaceae e Orchidaceae são as que possuem maior número de representantes em áreas de recuperação após a explotação mineral, devido às facilidades de adaptação ao solo exposto ou com baixo recurso nutricional. A maioria dos autores ainda cita o feijão-guandu, capim-gordura, pau-brasil e eucalipto como espécies chaves no reestabelecimento de áreas degradadas. Faz-se necessário a elaboração de um banco de sementes rico e uma catalogação das espécies ambientais das regiões antes da atividade degradadora, garantindo o sucesso da recuperação e manutenção de espécies próprias regionais.

Comparative research of diesel engine at working with anamegators

In conditions of the high petrol dependence, depletion of natural resources and environmental pollution, the questions with the implementation of the various options for reducing costs in the operation of engines, and at the same time reducing the discharged into the atmosphere harmful emissions are very topical. This article looks at the work of a diesel engine running on standard diesel fuel, an anamegator for fuel and a fuel and oil anamegators. Anamagators are relatively unknown additives in our market that improve some of the engine performance. They are complex chemicals that are added to fuels and complexly improve the burning process. They applied to all liquid and gaseous fuels and all types of oils. As a result of the conducted experiments are received the dependencies of the hourly fuel consumption, the carbon dioxide, the carbon oxide, the smoke, etc. through the change of power.

Mining activity: Environmental impact in the West area of Romania

Pollution is a major problem updated in every corner of the world. The sources of pollution are diverse, from the natural pollution to the anthropogenic pollution. Anthropogenic pollution has a significant impact. Industrial activity, with all its fields, represents one of the most important sources of anthropic pollution. Also, the mining activities can be a source of pollution worth considering. Even if the mining activity has been completed, the possibility of pollution exists. Mining activity is the major source of industrial waste. At present, the mining units can fall into three categories: active mining, where the activity continues; in conservation mining, where the closing and greening program has not yet been applied; closed mining, which are in the Closing and Greening Program. The most affected environmental factors can be the sources of water, soil, but also air.

USE OF THE MACROMODEL DNS/SWAT TO CALCULATE THE NATURAL BACKGROUND OF TN AND TP IN SURFACE WATERS FOR THE RAC PARAMETER

Abstract Total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) get into surface waters from both natural and anthropogenic sources. Anthropogenic sources have been relatively well recognised but the natural emmission of nutrients into the rivers, in the case of many catchments, remains a mystery. The paper describes the possibility of using a tool, the Macromodel DNS/SWAT (Discharge Nutrient Sea/Soil and Water Assessment Tool), to estimate the concentration and load of natural background (Natural Pollutant Concentration – NPC and Natural Pollution Load – NPL) for TN and TP and thus to specify the previously developed method of river absorption capacity – RAC. A variant scenario was developed allowing for a “virtual” change in the use of the area of an analysed catchment. This allowed the simulation of the amount of TN and TP in the waters of the main river, the Warta, in a situation where there was no anthropogenic phenomenon in the area. NPC and NPL results were obtained for six calculation profiles located on the central Warta main stream. On this basis, the total absorbency of the Total River Absorption Capacity – RACT River was calculated. The obtained results indicate an increasing pollution of the analyzed river on subsequent Surface Water Bodies (SWB). The values of RAC and RACt parameters for both TN and TP were reduced between the opening and closing profiles of the analyzed catchment by 2651 t/y (TN) and 86 t/y (TP), respectively.

HYDRO ISOLATION MATERIALS, LUMINOPHORE AND OTHER DEFICIENT PRODUCTS, INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY


 
 
 
 One of the main objectives of the project is to develop a methodology for obtaining high quality water-proofing materials. The above- mentioned high-melting tar mass will be used as the main raw material. Especial treatment and further homogenization of the mass – mixture of high-dispersive quartz sand, silicates and other wastes – gives possibility to make various universal and inexpensive compositions. With the aim to improve hydro-insulating and other specific characteristics of the compositions they will be varied by changing the ratio of ingredients. The elasticity of these compositions is conditioned by macromolecular paraffin-ceresin and the polymeric (rubber) components; varying the strength and adhesion is possible by soluble and insoluble silicate-quartz components. The mentioned components can be got in a large amount in region. Therefore, products obtained from cheap raw materials will be inexpensive. The use of the mentioned waste is also important to avoid the pollution of nature. Operating characteristics of the proposed luminophore satisfy requirements of international standarts. In particular, the solutions made from it have an ability to detect invisible cracks of the thick < 1 mm. The light intensity in its greenish-yellow area is 4,5-5 times more than that of standard - uranyl nitrate. It is stable with high quantum efficiency (40-45%).
 
 
 

Analysis of natural contamination components and sources of insulators on ±800 kV DC lines

In order to study the natural contaminants and sources of ±800kV DC line insulators, a natural pollution monitoring platform was set up to collect the natural contamination and measure its chemical composition. In this paper, enrichment factor analysis method is used to analyze the surface soluble and insoluble components and sources of insulators, and to compare the difference in contamination between the upper surface and the lower surface of insulators. The results show that the metal cations in the surface contamination of insulators are mainly caused by man-made pollution, and the insoluble components on the surface of insulators mainly come from natural pollution, and the lower surface of insulators are more seriously polluted by humans. In addition, the influence of the height on the surface contamination of the insulator is also studied. It is found that both the equivalent salt deposit density (ESDD) and non-separated deposit density (NSDD) of the de-energized insulator on the tower decrease with the increase of the height, but then decrease slowly. Insulators on high voltage lines are less polluted than insulators on low voltage lines.

Contamination patterns in river water from rural Beijing: A hydrochemical and multiple stable isotope study

The pollution of urban river has reached a critical level. In the present study, the hydrochemical composition of local surface water collected during two seasons from the rural area around urban Beijing, China, was examined. Concentrations of selected cations and anions reveal the temporal and spatial distribution of anthropogenic and natural pollution. Multiple stable isotopes (δ15Nnitrate, δ18Onitrate, δ34Ssulfate, δ18Osulfate, Δ33Ssulfate) analyses were applied for detecting of specific hydrochemical processes and identifying the major sources of contamination.Twenty-eight percent of the river water samples from the wet season and 34% from the dry season exhibit a minor water quality of class IV (poor) and below due to high pH values as well as high nitrate, sulfate and fluoride concentrations. This water is hazardous for human health and the aquatic ecology. The seemingly better river water quality in the wet season is caused by higher precipitation and, hence, dilution of the water constituents. Multiple isotopes identify urban wastewater as the prime pollution source. The higher fraction of deteriorated river water in the southern rural area (42%) compared to the north (24%) points to a higher contribution of urban effluents to the downstream rivers in the rural south. It can, thus, be concluded that less discharge of wastewater to the local surface and subsurface environments by better controls of public and private sewage disposal combined with the renewal of leaking sewer pipes would reduce the risk of anthropogenic contamination of river water.

Evaluation of Anaerobic Digester for Treating Tannery Effluent by Water Displacement Method

At hand, be a lot of process to production of leather, such as soaking, liming, degreasing, pickling and tanning process. This makes huge quantity of waste water manufacture from tannery industry. Tannery effluents are additional cause to the environment. An Indian tannery industry generates the tannery effluent regarding 50,000 m3/ day. As a result, treating tannery effluent is the majority chief assignment to save the adjacent area and to get better fresh water. In this exploration the sample from the tanning industry waste water undergo Biological behavior development, typically tanning industry waste water is an effectual within the organichealingprogression. In this learningalongsideby means of the waste matter, the activated slush from Sewage Treatment Plant is additional as a seeding material in the proportion of 95%, 90%, 80%, 70%, 60%, 50%, replacein the 500ml serum bottle in addition to closed tightly to keep up Anaerobic situation and evaluate their biogas production day by day. The 60% activated sludge and the 40% tannery waste waters Mixture gave the high yield of biogas and degraded the macrobiotic contaminants efficiently. From this study, it is observed that activated Sludge is use as seeding materials to biodegrade the natural pollutant at hand in the tannery waste water.

Oxidative Damage and Nrf2 Translocation Induced by Toxicities of Deoxynivalenol on the Placental and Embryo on Gestation Day 12.5 d and 18.5 d.

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a kind of natural pollutant belonging to the trichothecenes family. The aim of this study is to use diverse assays to evaluate oxidative damage as well as translocation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and to investigate their mechanisms in DON-induced toxicities on a placenta and embryo. Pregnant C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to three groups with different doses of DON: 0, 1.0, 2.5 mg/(kg·day). In gestation day (GD) 12.5 d and 18.5 d, DON induced an elevated resorption rate of the embryos as well as structural and functional damage of the placenta. In the placenta, altered levels of the antioxidant enzymes malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase and glutathione indicated remarkable oxidative stress. Furthermore, an elevated level of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and the translocation of Nrf2 from nucleus to cytoplasm indicated Nrf2/HO-1 pathway activation in DON-L group (1.0 mg/(kg·day)). It is noteworthy that the results in this experiment in GD 12.5 d were similar to those in GD 18.5 d. In conclusion, DON-induced placental oxidative damage and Nrf2 translocation were similar in GD 12.5 d and GD 18.5 d. Oxidative stress is one of the most important molecular mechanisms for embryotoxicity induced by DON, and Nrf2 translocation may play a substantial role against it.

Usage of chromite wastes as aggregate in foam concrete production

The rapidly developing mining sector in recent years has also brought environmental problems together. At the beginning of these problems are mine process wastes produced in high quantities from mines every year. The waste material at 90% and the concentrate chromite at 10% are obtained in the chromite ore enrichment plants. This significant amount of waste creates pollution in nature visually and physically. The aim of the study is to determine the advantages of using foamed concrete as a building material, to reduce the production cost of foamed concrete, to produce alternative solutions for rehabilitation, and to eliminate environmental pollution. The chromite enrichment wastes obtained from Fethiye, Koycegiz, Denizli and Burdur regions were used as aggregates in the production of foamed concrete. In this study, compressive strength experiments were carried out according to TS EN 1354, thermal conductivity experiments were carried out according to TS EN 12664. As a result, it has been observed that chromite waste (dunite) can be used in the production of foamed concrete under certain conditions.

Living in poisoning environments: Invisible risks and human adaptation.

This article describes the hidden natural chemical contaminants present in a unique desert environment and their health consequences on ancient populations. Currently, millions of people are affected worldwide by toxic elements such as arsenic. Using data gathered from Atacama Desert mummies, we discuss long-term exposure and biocultural adaptation to toxic elements. The rivers that bring life to the Atacama Desert are paradoxically laden with arsenic and other minerals that are invisible and tasteless. High intake of these toxic elements results in severe health and behavioral problems, and even death. We demonstrate that Inca colonies, from Camarones 9 site, were significantly affected by chemical contaminants in their food and water. It appears however, some modern-day Andean populations resist the elevated levels of arsenic exposure as a result of positive selection mediated via the arsenic methyltransferase enzyme and display more tolerance to high chemical doses. This article further debate the effects of natural pollution and biocultural adaptation of past populations.

Biodegradation of nodularin and other nonribosomal peptides by the Baltic bacteria

Microcystins (MCs) and nodularin (NOD), the hepatotoxic nonribosomal peptides (NRPs) produced by cyanobacteria, are considered as natural pollutants of many aquatic ecosystems. Removal of the toxins proceeds mainly through biodegradation and/or photolysis. In this study, microbial degradation of NOD and other NRPs produced by Nodularia spumigena was investigated. Both, natural bacterial consortia and individual strains from the Southern Baltic Sea were used. Bacterial samples were also screened for the presence of mlrA-D genes, previously proved to be involved in the enzymatic breakdown of hepatotoxic cyanopeptides. The Baltic sediments, with natural bacterial consortia, showed NOD-degrading activity throughout the whole year. These samples were also active against other NRPs: anabaenopeptins and spumigins. The time required for NOD biodegradation ranged from 3 to 41 days and depended on the NOD content in the collected sediments. NOD-degrading activity was also revealed in the presence of ten bacterial strains isolated from sediments and three strains isolated from filaments of N. spumigena CCNP1401. The mlrA-D genes were not found in sediments and only individual genes from the entire mlr cluster were detected in five isolated bacteria. The results suggest that in the case of Baltic bacteria other genes are involved in the biosynthesis of NOD-degrading enzymes.

Women, Nature and Capitalist Patriarchy: An Ecofeminist Reading of Margaret Atwood’s The Year of the Flood (2009)

The aim of the following paper is to analyse Margaret Atwood’s 2009 speculative fiction novel The Year of the Flood , drawing from the theories of such ecofeminist critics as Maria Mies and Karen Warren. The paper discusses the parallels between the exploitation of nature and animals as well as the oppression of women in the capitalist patriarchy. It explores the construction of women, nature and animals as dominated Others. Special attention is paid to the metaphors binding women and nature as well as to the development of ecological consciousness in female characters. Atwood undoubtedly criticises capitalism as well as genetic engineering, which contribute to the pollution and devastation of nature as well as have negative impact on human beings.

Metal Contamination Distribution Detection in High-Voltage Transmission Line Insulators by Laser-induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS).

The fast detection of classical contaminants and their distribution on high-voltage transmission line insulators is essential for ensuring the safe operation of the power grid. The analysis of existing insulator contamination has traditionally relied on taking samples during a power cut, taking the samples back to the lab and then testing them with elemental analysis equipment, especially for sugars, bird droppings, and heavy metal particulates, which cannot be analysed by the equivalent salt deposit density (ESDD) or non-soluble deposit density (NSDD) methods. In this study, a novel method called laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) offering the advantages of no sample preparation, being nearly nondestructive and having a fast speed was applied for the analysis of metal contamination. Several LIBS parameters (laser energy and delay time) were optimized to obtain better resolution of the spectral data. The limit of detection (LOD) of the observed elements was obtained using a calibration curve. Compared to calibration curves, multivariate analysis methods including principal component analysis (PCA), k-means and partial least squares regression (PLSR) showed their superiority in analyzing metal contamination in insulators. Then, the elemental distribution of natural pollution was predicted using LIBS to fully capture information about the bulk elements (Na, Ni, Cu, Mn, Ca, etc.) of entire areas with PLSR. The results showed that LIBS could be a promising method for accurate direct online quantification of metal contamination in insulators.

Geogenic Groundwater Pollution

A workshop on naturally occurring pollutants affecting water quality in India was organized recently. The main objective was to initiate a dialogue between scientists, policy makers and the general public and influence decision making at the regional level. S. K. Satheesh (Divecha Centre for Climate Change (DCCC), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru) in his opening remarks indicated that the sustainable water future programme, a core activity of the Water Solutions Lab of DCCC, addresses water-related science and policy. R. Srinivasan (DCCC, IISc) provided the context for the workshop. Water resources are becoming more and more difficult to sustain with tremendous pressure on the quality of water resources in the country. The aim of the workshop was to develop an updated geographical map of areas affected by natural pollutants, identify the possible sources of contamination, understand the disease burden in such areas, take stock of existing practices for minimizing the effects of pollutants and construct a roadmap for developing methods to overcome the effects of pollutants.

Nitrogen loading and natural pressures on the water quality of a shallow Mediterranean lake

The water quality of Koumoundourou Lake, a heavily modified, peri-urban, brackish and shallow lake near Athens, Greece, is under multiple stressors due to the industrial activities in the catchment area and natural pollution pressures. Although the broader area has undergone significant land use changes since the beginning of the 20th century converting it from rural to heavily industrialized, Koumoundourou Lake remained as one of the few habitats in Attica Region, for large numbers of aquatic birds. The water quality of the lake has been recently improved, which contributed to the increase of aquatic birds' population in the area and to the higher, in relation to the past, nitrogen inputs from natural sources. Therefore, a monitoring program has been implemented to assess the pollution pressure factors in the lake. A water quality model has been also used to simulate the lake's processes and estimate the nutrient mass budget focusing on the various nitrogen loading mechanisms (natural and anthropogenic). Based on the model output, the main polluting factor of the lake is the groundwater inflows. Aquatic birds affect slightly the lake's water quality, while the dry and wet atmospheric deposition contributes insignificantly to the total nitrogen loading.

Enhancement of Crude Oil Biodegradation by Immobilized Bacterial Consortium in Small Batch and Continuous Bioreactor Modes

Oil spills besides the discarding of oil refineries byproducts directly into the environment is a major source of nature pollution which contributes to environmental contamination and health problems. Firstly for solving this problem oil degrading bacterial consortium (Pseudomonas sp. sp48 and Bacillus cereus M12 which were isolated from soil samples from Bahary area, SidiKerir branch, Alexandria, Egypt, respectively) was immobilized with different carriers, where rice straw was selected as the best one for oil degradation. Conditional optimization for immobilized bacterial consortium has been explored by testing various amounts of preculture (2, 3, 4, 5.5 and 7%), different incubation time with rice straw (1-5 h), enumeration of viable cells immobilized and different oil concentrations (1, 2, 3, and 4%). The degradation of crude oil (1% concentration) reached to 61.6% due to biological action alone while it raised to 97.14% by binary actions of biological and physical after 6 days incubation time and applying the optimum conditions (4% bacterial consortium preculture and 3 h incubation time with the carrier). Finally application study has been carried out using the ideal model conditions in small batch bioreactor and continuous to treat oil contaminated water in an open system. The results showed that the crude oil degradation biologically only and biologically/ physically reached to 56.2% and 87.2%, respectively. Whereas the continuous addition of 1% oil concentration for three times the removal reached to 81.27%. This technique of immobilization produces a promising result for solving the oil pollution problem due to the collaborating effects for both physical and biological actions.

Low arsenic concentrations impair memory in rat offpring exposed during pregnancy and lactation: Role of α7 nicotinic receptor, glutamate and oxidative stress

Inorganic arsenic (iAs) is an important natural pollutant. Millions of individuals worldwide drink water with high levels of iAs. Arsenic exposure has been associated to cognitive deficits. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. In the present work we investigated in female adult offspring the effect of the exposure to low arsenite sodium levels through drinking water during pregnancy and lactation on short- and long-term memory. We also considered a possible underlying neurotoxic mechanism. Pregnant rats were exposed during pregnancy and lactation to environmentally relevant iAs concentrations (0.05 and 0.10 mg/L). In 90-day-old female offspring, short-term memory (STM) and long-term memory (LTM) were evaluated using a step-down inhibitory avoidance task. In addition, we evaluated the α7 nicotinic receptor (α7-nAChR) expression, the transaminases and the oxidative stress levels in hippocampus. The results showed that the exposure to 0.10 mg/L iAs in this critical period produced a significant impairment in the LTM retention. This behavioral alteration might be associated with several events that occur in the hippocampus: decrease in α7-nAChR expression, an increase of glutamate levels that may produce excitotoxicity, and a decrease in the antioxidant enzyme catalase (CAT) activity.