Pollution Output Research Articles

CADMIUM EXCRETION IN FECES OF RATS AT EXPERIMENTAL CONDITIONS

Studies demonstrated that the excretions per 1 gof rat weight inthe experimental group usually prevails over the control group, especially in the second part of the experiment. The increase in the amount of feces in animals of the experimental group was also registered. Such processes may indicate the intense excretory processes and increase the output of harmful pollutants from the rats together with overall stimulation of rat digestive activity. The higher correlations between Cd and other pollutants, namely toxic Ni and Pb (r = 0.84 and 0.91, respectively) were calculated for rat feces of experimental group compared to the control. The concentration of Cd and Pb in the excretion of experimental group was maximal in the first day of the experiment, suggesting definite reaction towards rapid output of maximum amount of toxicants from rat body. Subsequently, a decrease in concentration of other pollutants demonstrated their incorporation in metabolic processes and significant accumulation in rat body (kidney and liver), or involvement of other mechanisms for neutralization and removal of intoxicants. Given the increasing amount of excretions in the second half of the experiment, this may be a solution to this issue. The Cd output per 1 g of rat weight was maximal in the first day, followed by a rapid decline and partial restoration in second half of the experiment. Obviously, it confirms the theory of substitution mechanisms in excretion of significant amount of hazardous toxicants and shifting towards less concentrated excretions in greater amount. Thus, the correlation index between the percentage of excreted pollutant and its concentration in the excretion was 0.75. When we considered only the first 7 days this increased to 0.91 and proved that during the first stage of experiment the percentage of pollutants excretion was dependent upon its concentration in feces. Correlation between Cd output rate and excretion volumes was insignificant (0.08 for the complete experiment) but was increased sharply during the second half of the experiment – up to 0.70. This contributes to the theory that the volume of Cd output in the initial stage of experiment was determined by the concentration of other pollutants in feces, while in second half by the amount of excretions. Keywords: cadmium, output, excretion, concentration, correlation.

CADMIUM EXCRETION IN FECES OF RATS AT EXPERIMENTAL CONDITIONS

Studies demonstrated that the excretions per 1 gof rat weight inthe experimental group usually prevails over the control group, especially in the second part of the experiment. The increase in the amount of feces in animals of the experimental group was also registered. Such processes may indicate the intense excretory processes and increase the output of harmful pollutants from the rats together with overall stimulation of rat digestive activity

Understanding the Dynamic Character of Value in Recycling Metals from Australia

Industrial ecology (IE) argues the need for an efficient materials economy based on recycling where environmental degradation associated with inputs of new materials and outputs of waste or pollution is minimal. There is often an assumption that efficiency in the use of materials equates to economic efficiency; however, this is not necessarily the case. Central to this tension between engineering and economic approaches to materials efficiency are different conceptual framings of value. Because a large scale shift towards valuing waste materials as future resources involves changes to existing practices of a great many actors and organizations, ranging from consumers and household disposal practices, through to government agencies and multi-national corporations, it cannot be assumed that all operate with similar conceptions of value. This paper reviews current understandings of value in IE and argues that they need to be expanded to accommodate approaches to valuing used goods and materials that manifest across different spatial scales, from household disposal practices to national policy to global production networks (GPNs). The paper focuses, in particular, on understandings of value relevant to metals recycling in Australia and contrast material flow models from IE with other models of material flows and transformations available in the social sciences, including anthropological analysis of the movement of objects through different regimes of value within society and analysis in economic geography that highlights spatial and structural dimensions influential in commodity chains and networks for used products and materials. It concludes by reflecting on the significance of the dynamic and creative tensions inherent in the production of value for recycled metals from Australia.

Ecological culture effects of <i>Eriocheir sinesis</i> and the pollutant export in reclamation areas of Lake Gucheng,Jiangsu Province

选择江苏省固城湖围垦区典型河蟹养殖池塘为研究对象,跟踪研究养殖周期内不同养殖管理方式下的养殖效益及污染负荷通量,结果表明:固城湖围垦区河蟹生态养殖模式具有较高的经济效益,不同养殖池塘因投饵等管理方式不同其效益差别明显.河蟹养殖盈利最高10.5万元/hm²,亏损最高2.4万元/hm²,平均投入为6.3万元/hm²,其中饵料为最主要的养殖投入,占总投入的41.6%,平均产出为10.3万元/hm².河蟹养殖会造成池塘氮、磷营养盐的累积,不同养殖池塘氮、磷污染负荷差异显著,平均总氮负荷为268.5 kg/hm²、总磷负荷为64.5 kg/hm².饵料在池塘氮、磷输入上占比最高,分别为70%和90%;池塘水产品和排水输出只带走少量的氮、磷,主要以水草收割途径输出,分别占总输出的86%和88%.优化饵料结构、完善投饵体系和加强收割水草的有效转化是提高养殖效益、减少污染物输出和保护固城湖水环境的关键.;The tracking study of raising crabs during production period in the reclamation areas of Lake Gucheng was carried out in order to find out the economical benefits and pollution influx of different management modes.The results demonstrated that the crab eco-culture in the reclamation areas had a positive effect on the economical benefits.The profits,which could be affected by differences in the aquaculture management,ranged from ￥24000 to ￥105000 Yuan RMB per hectare.The major input was feed, which took up 41.6% of the total input of ￥63000 Yuan RMB per hectare.The total output was ￥103000 Yuan RMB per hectare.The concentrations of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) varied significantly among different ponds,with a total N load of 268.5 kg/ha and total P load of 64.5 kg/ha.Feed made a major contributions in the input of N and P,70% and 90%,respectively;culture products and outflows only took a small amount of N and P loads,and harvesting aquatic plants was the main method to remove N (86%) and P (88%).Consequently,the key to improve the economic benefit,reduce pollution outputs and protect water environment of Lake Gucheng was to optimize the feedstuff structure,perfect the feeding system and strengthen the harvesting of aquatic plants for more effective pollutant transformation.

Seasonal variations in antibiotic resistance gene transport in the almendares river, havana, cuba.

Numerous studies have quantified antibiotic resistance genes (ARG) in rivers and streams around the world, and significant relationships have been shown that relate different pollutant outputs and increased local ARG levels. However, most studies have not considered ambient flow conditions, which can vary dramatically especially in tropical countries. Here, ARG were quantified in water column and sediment samples during the dry- and wet-seasons to assess how seasonal and other factors influence ARG transport down the Almendares River (Havana, Cuba). Eight locations were sampled and stream flow estimated during both seasons; qPCR was used to quantify four tetracycline, two erythromycin, and three beta-lactam resistance genes. ARG concentrations were higher in wet-season versus dry-season samples, which combined with higher flows, indicated much greater ARG transport downstream during the wet-season. However, water column ARG levels were more spatially variable in the dry-season than the wet-season, with the proximity of waste outfalls strongly influencing local ARG levels. Results confirm that dry-season sampling provides a useful picture of the impact of individual waste inputs on local stream ARG levels, whereas the majority of ARGs in this tropical river were transported downstream during the wet-season, possibly due to re-entrainment of ARG from sediments.

Model analyses of long and short term pollution emission reduction

Climate change is influenced not only by the emissions of greenhouse gases, but also by the emissions of air pollutants which influence each other through complex interactions in the atmosphere. Reducing emissions could be one way to react and prevent negative impacts from climate change. Because these reductions must take place in the face of economic growth, there is a disagreement about the concrete time and the rate of the pollution emission reduction (PER). By modelling of short and long term emission reduction scenarios, the authors analyse responding of: pollution, population, non-renewable resources and industrial output of post-2015, that could establish a foundation for undertaking actions to mitigate climate change, taking into account both their environmental and economic consequences. In long term scenarios, the values of the factors discussed depend mainly on the year when the pollution reduction is achieved, and very little on the rate of emission reduction. From the analysis of the results straightforwardly follows that in any climate stabilisation strategy, the early action in reducing emission is a more important element than the rate of its decrease.

Wider action plan and multidisciplinar approach could be a wining idea in creation of friendly environment.

Herein, we proposed planning of wide transdisciplinary actions, which bring a solution for economic activity such as transportation, strongly related to pollution output with possible repercussions on climate change and public health. To solve logistics problem by introduction of common intermodal policy, and creation of more friendly transport solution, it is possible to obtain sustainable development, climate change prevention, government policy, and regulation which are all related to human health and creation of health-supportive environment. This approach permits environmental and biological monitoring same as economic results measurement by key performance indicators. This approach implementing emerging scientific knowledge in environmental health science such as genetic epidemiology aimed at understanding how genomic variation impacts phenotypic expression and how genes interact with the environment at the population level with subsequent translation into practical information for clinicians as well as for public health policy creation.

An overview of Total Factor Productivity estimations adjusted for pollutant outputs: an application to sugarcane farming

The conventional Total Factor Productivity (TFP) measurement does not incorporate the effects of undesirable outputs, which are harmful to the environment. Using sugarcane farming in Kenya, this paper illustrates the differences between the conventional Malmquist index measures where the environment variable is not adjusted and environment-adjusted measures using both hyperbolic and directional distance functions. The mean TFP change estimates for the conventional Malmquist index, adjusted hyperbolic index and Luenberger indicator were 3.13%, 0.11% and 2.21%, respectively. The conventional non-adjusted measure lies between the two adjusted measures of hyperbolic index and Luenberger indicator.

Fate of COD and ammonia-nitrogen in a highly stressed watercourse in Northern China: the Zhangweinan Canal basin

A simple method is presented to assess the accumulation of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and ammonia-nitrogen (NH3−N) loads as applied to the Zhangweinan Canal basin, one of the most highly stressed watercourses in the heavily developed Hai River basin in China. The river was divided into seven monitoring sections. The pollution sources and processes in each section, including pollutant inputs and outputs plus their annual fluxes and attenuations, were determined to calculate their accumulation loads. The spatial variations of COD and NH3−N accumulations in the different sections indicated that the accumulation loads were closely related to pollutant inflows and environmental fluxes.

Research on Non-Point Source Pollution Resulted from Livestock Breeding in Jiangxi Province

In recent years, continuous and steady development of livestock breeding in Jiangxi Province, while brings enormous economic benefits to society, also has brought great impaction on natural environment. This paper estimated the output of pollutants (CODcr、BOD5、NH3-N、TP 、TN) and average TP/TN load on unit area of farmland from livestock breeding in Jiangxi province and analyzed the distribution characteristics of pollutants during 2007--2009. During these three years, output of main pollutants (CODcr, BOD5, NH3-N, TP and TN) from livestock breeding in Jiangxi Province increased slightly; the high load regions of TP/TN were mainly distributed in the areas with high total and those with relatively smaller area of farmland although the output is lower. Researches indicated that the output of pollutants from livestock breeding in Jiangxi Province had exceeded the local farmland bearing capability. Relevant departments should readjust the agricultural production structure following the principles of unified planning and rational distribution in order to effectively control non-point pollution from livestock breeding.

Estimation of southern resident killer whale exposure to exhaust emissions from whale-watching vessels and potential adverse health effects and toxicity thresholds

Southern resident killer whales in British Columbia and Washington are exposed to heavy vessel traffic. This study investigates their exposure to exhaust gases from whale-watching vessels by using a simple dispersion model incorporating data on whale and vessel behavior, atmospheric conditions, and output of airborne pollutants from the whale-watching fleet based on emissions data from regulatory agencies.Our findings suggest that current whale-watching guidelines are usually effective in limiting pollutant exposure to levels at or just below those at which measurable adverse health effects would be expected in killer whales. However, safe pollutant levels are exceeded under worst-case conditions and certain average-case conditions. To reduce killer whale exposure to exhaust we recommend: vessels position on the downwind side of whales, a maximum of 20 whale-watching vessels should be within 800m at any given time, viewing periods should be limited, and current whale-watch guidelines and laws should be enforced.

Application of Computer Integrated Process System in the Pulp and Paper Industry

For the modern pulp and paper industry with high technical requirement, huge energy consumption and large pollution output, the computer integrated process system (CIPS) of the flow industry which could effectively integrate corporate management concept, information technology and automatic control technology is necessary. Based on the analysis of the characteristics of various workshop sections of the pulp and paper industry, we put forward the CIPS three-layer system structure (ERP, MES and PCS) which could be applied in the pulp and paper industry, and a new CIPS optimized application project based on SIMATIC PCS7 software platform for the papermaking corporation is realized.

Removal of UV 254 nm matter and nutrients from a photobioreactor-wetland system

The output of organic pollutants and excessive nutrients in intensive agricultural areas has frequently occurred, which easily lead to pollution events such as harmful algal blooms in downstream aquatic ecosystems. A photobioreactor-wetland system was applied to remove UV 254 nm matter and dissolved nutrients discharged from an intensive agricultural area in the Kunming region of western China. The photobioreactor-wetland system was composed of two main components: an autotrophic photobioreactor with replanted macrophytes and a constructed wetland. The results showed that there was a significant correlation between UV 245 nm absorbance and chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentration in the effluent of the agricultural ecosystem. When the hydraulic load of the photobioreactor-wetland system was 500 m 3 day −1, the UV 254 nm absorbance was dramatically reduced, and dissolved nutrients such as TDP, NO 3–N and NH 4–N were effectively removed. The overall average removal efficiencies were as follows in relatively steady-state conditions: UV 254 nm matter (66%), TDP (71%), NO 3–N (75%) and NH 4–N (65%). Simpson's diversity index of zoobenthos indicated that the system could increase the zoobenthic diversity and improve the growth conditions of the zoobenthos habitat. The results also showed that the photobioreactor-wetland system could remove the UV 254 nm matter and dissolved nutrients, providing a promising bio-measure for reducing the risk of pollution event occurrences in downstream surface waters.

Competing Recombinant Technologies for Environmental Innovation

This article presents a sequential decision approach to study investments in environmentally dirty and clean technologies. We develop two models and compare the results to check for robustness. After showing how the system can converge to lock-in into an undesirable dirty technology, we examine the effects of recombinant innovation of the existing technologies. A mechanism of endogenous competition is described involving a positive externality of increasing returns to investment. Increasing returns are counterbalanced by recombinant innovation, which is a force characterized by a negative or positive externality depending on the dynamics of the system. We find conditions in which lock-in can be avoided or escaped. Finally we study the symmetry breaking of an environmental policy that charges charges a price for polluting. We evaluate if and how an economy locked into a dirty technology can be unlocked and move towards the clean technology. In addition, we compare the cumulative pollution output of different scenarios, so that we can evaluate the most attractive policy from an environmental angle irrespective of whether escape from dirty technology occurs at all, or occurs early or late.

Development and analysis of high-performance green concrete in the urban infrastructure

Cement production accounts for approximately 5% of total global CO2 emissions from all human activities. In addition, the consumption of virgin aggregates for concrete infrastructure has created virgin material scarcity issues in many areas of the USA. High-performance green concrete (HPGC) with fly ash and recycled aggregates can help reduce the demand for material inputs and reduce pollution outputs associated with bulk material flow of urban concrete. Structural and durability tests showed that HPGC containing fly ash and 50% recycled aggregate (100% of the coarse aggregate fraction) performed equally or better than 100% ordinary Portland cement concrete with the same cementitious content. Durability improvements were more significant with Class F than Class C fly ash. For both Class F and Class C fly ash, greater per cent replacement of Portland cement with fly ash led to slower and lower strength gain, but still within acceptable strength criteria for Colorado Department of Transportation Class B concrete. This paper quantifies the sustainability of HPGC in urban infrastructure by addressing structural performance, environmental, economic and resource depletion impacts.

Using the Law to Achieve Environmental Democracy and Sustainable Development: an Elusive Dream for Trinidad and Tobago

The concept of sustainable development emerged to offer a fresh perspective on the traditional developmental paradigm and to attempt to provide global consensus as to how to achieve sound environmental goals in a world characterized by economic disparities. In Trinidad and Tobago, the new environmental regime, which was introduced in 1995, had at its cornerstone a two-pronged approach to environmental protection. The first was the introduction of the requirement for special approval of a list of designated activities covering the major economic sectors of Trinidad and Tobago. This approval process contemplated resolution of major environmental impacts associated with specific economic activities prior to any approval being granted for such activities. The second prong was a permitting system that would see a gradual reduction in the output of pollutants from existing industry. The aim, therefore, was the stabilisation of the output of pollutants by controlling the actions of new economic players and the gradual reduction of the existing pollution inventory through the permitting system. This paper will focus specifically on the use of the Environmental Impact Assessment (“EIA”) process for the making of developmental decisions with a brief examination of how the permitting process works in Trinidad and Tobago.

The simulation research of dissolved nitrogen and phosphorus non-point source pollution in Xiao-Jiang watershed of Three Gorges Reservoir area

Xiao-jiang, with a basin area of almost 5,276 km(2) and a length of 182.4 km, is located in the center of the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, and is the largest tributary of the central section in Three Gorges Reservoir Area, farmland accounts for a large proportion of Xiao-jiang watershed, and the hilly cropland of purple soil is much of the farmland of the watershed. After the second phase of water storage in the Three Gorges Reservoir, the majority of sub-rivers in the reservoir area experienced eutrophication phenomenon frequently, and non-point source (NPS) pollution has become an important source of pollution in Xiao-jiang Watershed. Because dissolved nitrogen and phosphorus non-point source pollution are related to surface runoff and interflow, using climatic, topographic and land cover data from the internet and research institutes, the Semi-Distributed Land-use Runoff Process (SLURP) hydrological model was introduced to simulate the complete hydrological cycle of the Xiao-jiang Watershed. Based on the SLURP distributed hydrological model, non-point source pollution annual output load models of land use and rural residents were respectively established. Therefore, using GIS technology, considering the losses of dissolved nitrogen and phosphorus in the course of transport, a dissolved non-point source pollution load dynamic model was established by the organic coupling of the SLURP hydrological model and land-use output model. Through the above dynamic model, the annual dissolved non-point source nitrogen and phosphorus pollution output as well as the load in different types were simulated and quantitatively estimated from 2001 to 2008, furthermore, the loads of Xiao-jiang Watershed were calculated and expressed by temporal and spatial distribution in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area. The simulation results show that: the temporal changes of dissolved nitrogen and phosphorus load in the watershed are close to the inter-annual changes of rainfall runoff, and the different land-use type distribution has great impacts on the spatial changes of dissolved nitrogen and phosphorus load in the watershed; The nitrogen and phosphorus load of different land-use types in size with descending order is, glebe and mixed land, paddy, grassland, urban land, forestland; however, for the phosphorus load, the unit area output load of glebe and mixed land is almost the same as for paddy fields; The output contribution of nitrogen and phosphorus pollution load from land-use accounts for 78%-85%, while the output contribution from livestock and poultry occupies 13%-20%. The established load model was verified by observation data, simulation results show that the established model is reasonable, simulation accuracy is higher.

Hours of work and the ecological footprint of nations: an exploratory analysis

Concerns over the unsustainability of current social and economic practices persist, despite significant improvements in recent decades in ecological efficiency – i.e. the ability to produce each dollar of economic output with fewer resource inputs and pollution outputs. As increases in production frequently outpace eco-efficiency improvements, the ecological impacts of many nations continue to grow. In light of such trends, eco-efficiency improvements may be inadequate to address ecological challenges unless accompanied by the notion of sufficiency, i.e. moderating the growth of production and consumption. One sufficiency-based option involves a shift in emphasis in the way already-affluent nations benefit from economic progress. Rather than taking advantage of continued labour productivity gains – the ability to produce more in every hour of labour – in the form of more production and material affluence, several writers have called for all or part of these gains to be channelled toward a reduction in hours of work and greater “time affluence”. However, there has not been sufficient empirical study of the connections between hours of work and environmental impacts. Through a cross-national comparison of OECD and other nations using a structural equation model that builds on Dietz and Rosa's [1994. Rethinking the environmental impacts of population, affluence, and technology. Human Ecology Review, 1 (2), 277–300.] and York et al.'s [2003a. Footprints on the earth: the environmental consequences of modernity. American Sociological Review, 68 (2), 279–300.] STIRPAT design, we find support for the hypothesis that hours of work are positively related to ecological footprint. This finding suggests that socially appealing ways to limit the volume of consumption growth, while creating opportunities for people to live better, may be available to complement the pursuit of eco-efficiency.

Study on the Application of CIPS in the Pulp and Papermaking Engineering

For the modern pulp and papermaking industry with high technical requirement, huge energy consumption and large pollution output in, the computer integrated process system (CIPS) of the flow industry which could effectively integrate corporate management concept, information technology and automatic control technology is necessary. Based on the analysis of the characteristics of various workshop sections of the pulp and papermaking industry and its demands of CIPS, we put forward the CIPS three-layer system structure (ERP, MES and PCS) which could be applied in the pulp and papermaking industry, and a new CIPS optimized application project based on SIMATIC PCS7 for the papermaking corporation.

Investigation of VOC emissions from indoor and outdoor painting processes in shipyards

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from painting solvents are one of the most important sources of pollutant outputs for the shipbuilding and ship repair industry. Two ships of equal tonnage with the same painted area as each other, which were built in Turkish shipyards, are compared in terms of VOCs produced during painting and coating. Total area of all painted surfaces and total paint consumption of a 3500 deadweight tonne (DWT) oil/chemical tanker and a general cargo ship are calculated. An improved model for calculating the surface emissions of VOCs from painting and coating processes is utilized. Material balance emission estimation approach is employed to calculate the amount of VOCs, since it is used most often where a relatively large amount of material is emitted during use, and/or all air emissions are uncaptured. For both ships calculated VOCs are presented in figures. For the years 2005 and 2006 the total deadweight tonnage of ships delivered in Tuzla region, where 42 shipyards are located, is known. Therefore, a linear estimation is made to guess the total annual VOC emissions caused by painting operations. Finally, this information is used to project the total amount of VOCs emitted to the atmosphere for the year 2010.