Preliminary Environmental Assessment Research Articles

Development of productivity‐based estimating tool for energy and air emissions from earthwork construction activities

PurposeThis paper aims to present the framework for a model that can be used to estimate the production rate, activity duration, total fuel use, and total pollutants emissions from earthwork activities. A case study and sensitivity analysis for an excavator performing excavations are presented.Design/methodology/approachThe tool is developed by combining the multiple linear regressions (MLR) approach for modeling the productivity with the EPA's NONROAD model. The excavator data were selected to build the productivity model, and emission factors of all type of pollutants from NONROAD model were used to estimate the total fuel use and emissions.FindingsResults indicate that the excavator productivity model had high precision and accuracy, low bias, with trench depth and bucket size are in the model, it can explain 92 per cent variability of productivity rate data, and can be used as the basis for estimating the fuel quantities that will be required and the total expected pollutant emissions for the project.Practical implicationsThe estimating tool proposed in this paper will be an effective means for assessing the fuel consumptions and air emissions of earthwork activities and will allow equipment owners or fleet managers, policy makers, and project stakeholders to evaluate their construction projects. The tool will help the contractors to estimate the fuel quantities and pollutant emissions, which would be valuable information for a preliminary environmental assessment of the project.Originality/valueAlthough there are already methods and models for estimating productivity rate and emissions for heavy duty diesel (HDD) construction equipment, there currently is not a means for doing all of these at once.

Identification of hydrocarbon sources in contaminated soils of three industrial areas

The present paper deals with identification of hydrocarbon sources in contaminated soil of three tank farms located in north, central and south Italy. Parent polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (naphthalene through benzo(g,h,i)perylene) and n-alkanes (n-C10 through n-C36) were determined. The study of source assignments was carried out by their distribution patterns, their diagnostic ratios, and determination of less-commonly used markers. The data show anthropogenic and biogenic origin of n-alkanes and petrogenic and pyrolytic sources of PAHs. Multiple sources of hydrocarbons, that were not considered in the preliminary environmental assessments, are identified. The application of a multi-criteria approach allows to locate petroleum pollution sources that affect the study sites. The results demonstrate that the application of a multi-criteria approach for source identification is a key point to assess environmental damage and prove that an accurate study of source identification has to be performed. The suggested methodology is a useful tool to manage contaminated sites and to plan appropriate interventions of clean up.

Determination and occurrence of secondary alkane sulfonates (SAS) in aquatic environments

A new methodology has been developed for the determination of secondary alkane sulfonates (SAS), an anionic surfactant, in environmental matrices. Sediment and sludge samples were extracted using pressurized liquid extraction and sonication, whereas wastewater and surface water samples were processed using solid-phase extraction. Extraction recoveries were acceptable for both aqueous (78–120%) and solid samples (83–100%). Determination of SAS was carried out by high or ultra performance liquid chromatography – mass spectrometry using ion trap and time-of-flight detectors. The methodology was applied to samples from Guadalete River (SW Spain), where SAS concentrations below 1 μg L−1 were measured in surface water, and from 72 to 9737 μg kg−1 in sediments. Differential partitioning was observed for SAS homologues as those having a longer hydrocarbon chain which preferentially sorbed onto particulate matter. A preliminary environmental risk assessment also showed that SAS measured levels were not harmful to the aquatic community in the sampling area.

Multi-Purpose Melamchi Project, Nepal

Several years ago, a volunteer project study team prepared a concept level Technical Report on the Multi-Purpose Melamchi Project (the MPMP, by Dan Jantzen, Bikash Pandey, Ratna Sansar Shrestha and Odd Hoftun, 2008). The ongoing Melamchi Project is single purpose project, to provide drinking water for the Kathmandu Valley. The Study Team wrote that the present Melamchi Project scope is limited and that its full potential should be harnessed by making it multi-purpose so that the more benefits are accrued to the people of Melamchi-Bagmati corridor. The MPMP authors propose a wide range of initiatives in hydropower generation, and making available additional water for irrigation in the Bagmati Irrigation Project. The cost estimates were prepared by Sanima Hydro and Engineering (P.) Ltd.; the Preliminary Environmental Assessment was undertaken by Dr. Toran Sharma; and the Irrigation Analysis was by Dilip Karki.Furthermore, the study team has proposed to implement the MPMP as a Public-Private Partnership, where the hydropower component is taken by the private sector. In addition to the 26km Melamchi-Sundarijal tunnel, other long additional tunnels are proposed in the Himalayan Geology.These ideas and proposals need to be further discussed for the benefits and risks, alike. The following is the Executive Summary of the MPMP report. The four figures presented are self-explanatory.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/hn.v9i0.7070 Hydro Nepal Vol.9 July 2011 35-37

A Preliminary Environmental Assessment for the Preservation and Restoration of Fujian Hakka Tulou Complexes

In 2007 and 2009, research trips were taken, mainly in the Fujian province of China, to investigate the construction materials, methods, structures and floor plans of Hakka Tulou. Researchers lived in several Tulou, interviewed residents and experienced traditional Hakka lifestyle. Typically, Tulou are located in remote regions at relatively high elevations in climatic conditions characterized by hot summers, cold winters, and with high incidents of typhoons and earthquakes. The extent of damage and level of preservation were examined with respect to the age of many of these structures, the relatively harsh environment, and changing demographics in the region. The majority of occupants are now elderly. They maintain a traditional and efficient lifestyle utilizing minimum electricity, water, and energy. This study discusses the findings from these two field trips and assesses environmental load and sustainability within the context of current environmental standards using the Japanese Comprehensive Assessment System for Building Environmental Efficiency (CASBEE) from data collected at Cheng Qi Lou. The goal was: firstly to undertake a preliminary environmental assessment to determine sustainable elements of Hakka Tulou construction methods; secondly, to identify potential sustainable solutions to preserve existing structure; and finally, to identify appropriate sustainable solutions to repair and retrofit damaged and underutilized structures to modern living standards, while retaining traditional building techniques and lifestyle.

An overview of UV-absorbing compounds (organic UV filters) in aquatic biota

The purpose of this article is to summarize biological monitoring information on UV-absorbing compounds, commonly referred as organic UV filters or sunscreen agents, in aquatic ecosystems. To date a limited range of species (macroinvertebrates, fish, and birds), habitats (lakes, rivers, and sea), and compounds (benzophenones and camphors) have been investigated. As a consequence there is not enough data enabling reliable understanding of the global distribution and effect of UV filters on ecosystems. Both liquid chromatography and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry-based methods have been developed and applied to the trace analysis of these pollutants in biota, enabling the required selectivity and sensitivity. As expected, the most lipophilic compounds occur most frequently with concentrations up to 7112 ng g(-1) lipids in mussels and 3100 ng g(-1) lipids (homosalate) in fish. High concentrations have also been reported for 4-methylbenzilidenecamphor (up to 1800 ng g(-1) lipids) and octocrylene (2400 ng g(-1) lipids). Many fewer studies have evaluated the potential bioaccumulation and biomagnification of these compounds in both fresh and marine water and terrestrial food webs. Estimated biomagnification factors suggest biomagnification in predator-prey pairs, for example bird-fish and fish-invertebrates. Ecotoxicological data and preliminary environmental assessment of the risk of UV filters are also included and discussed.

Environmental impacts of dredging and land reclamation at Abu Qir Bay, Egypt

A future gas plant is to be located at the beach adjacent to Edko Town in the eastern part of Abu Qir Bay. The proposed site comprises a low elevation sandy beach and lagoon. One of the main aspects of this project is to study the possibility of land reclamation using fill material from offshore sources rather than onshore quarries. Another aspect is the method of lagoon drainage and its environmental impacts. This paper presents some challenges associated with the design phase of the project and presents the feasibility and preliminary environmental impact assessments of lagoon drainage, dredging and land reclamation. The study indicated that use of dredging spoils is attractive as it is cost effective, requires less time and has less overall environmental impacts. The environmental assessment methodology used in this study can be applied as a preliminary assessment of land reclamation projects at coastal areas.

Residue Analysis of Some PAHs in Some Algerian Soil: A Preliminary Environmental Impact Assessment

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons are among the most persistent pollutants in various environmental matrices including soil. Because of their considerable toxicity even at low concentrations, it is essential to detect them at such very low levels (about ng/Kg) and to quantify them with precision and reliability. The objective of the present work is to determine residues of some PAHs in samples of superficial soil collected from a number of sites including the vicinity of an industrial park of a cement factory, rural soil, surrounding this industrial park, cereal grown soil close to the industrial park and also from urban ground in the north west of Algeria. A high resolution gas liquid chromatorgraph, coupled with high resolution mass spectroscopy (HRGC / HRMS) was used to measure PAH residues and their distribution in the soil. Results show that all investigated soil samples are highly contaminated with PAH. The concentration of the PAHs varies between 24, 62704.104 and 1072, 45064. 104 ng/kg. Residues of the potentially carcinogenic PAH benzo [a] pyrene, were also detected in some of the soil samples. Residues detected in the present study vary between 2,189.103 ng/kg and 506, 4848.103 whereas the value of Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB) is approximately 2.103 ng/Kg. The present results indicated that soil samples examined in the present study are highly contaminated with PAHs compounds, posing potential toxicological risk, considering their carcinogenic and/or mutagenic properties.

Distribution and accumulation of endocrine-disrupting chemicals and pharmaceuticals in wastewater irrigated soils in Hebei, China

This study investigated the occurrence of 43 emerging contaminants including 9 endocrine-disrupting chemicals and 34 pharmaceuticals in three sites in Hebei Province, north China. Each site has a wastewater irrigated plot and a separate groundwater irrigated plot for comparison purpose. The results showed that the concentrations of the target compounds in the wastewater irrigated soils were in most cases higher than those in the groundwater irrigated soils. Among the 43 target compounds, nine compounds bisphenol-A, triclocarban, triclosan, 4-nonylphenol, salicylic acid, oxytetracycline, tetracycline, trimethoprim and primidone were detected at least once in the soils. Preliminary environmental risk assessment showed that triclocarban might pose high risks to terrestrial organisms while the other detected compounds posed minimal risks. Irrigation with wastewater could lead to presence or accumulation of some emerging contaminants to some extent in irrigated soils.

A tentative environmental risk assessment of the UV-filters 3-(4-methylbenzylidene-camphor), 2-ethyl-hexyl-4-trimethoxycinnamate, benzophenone-3, benzophenone-4 and 3-benzylidene camphor

UV-filters are increasingly used in cosmetics and in the protection of materials against UV-irradiation. The widespread occurrence of UV-filter residues in aquatic systems has been reported, but still little is known about their environmental effects. Some of these compounds negatively interact with the hormone system of fish, resulting in decreased fecundity and reproduction. Here we report on acute and chronic effects of UV-filters 3-(4-methylbenzylidene-camphor) (4MBC), 2-ethyl-hexyl-4-trimethoxycinnamate (EHMC), benzophenone-3 (BP3) and benzophenone-4 (BP4) on Daphnia magna. The acute toxicity increased with log Pow of the compound. The LC50 values (48 h) of 4MBC, EHMC, BP3 and BP4 were 0.56, 0.29, 1.9 and 50 mg/L, respectively. A tentative preliminary environmental risk assessment (ERA) based on a limited set of data indicates that individual UV-filters should undergo further ecotoxicological analysis, as an environmental risk cannot be ruled out. Consequently new data on the environmental occurrence and the effects of UV-filters are needed for a more accurate ERA. When regarded as a mixture occurring in surface waters they may pose a risk for sensitive aquatic organisms.

Evaluating Aggregate Terrestrial Impacts of Road Construction Projects for Advanced Regional Mitigation

This study presents a GIS-based database framework used to assess aggregate terrestrial habitat impacts from multiple highway construction projects in California, USA. Transportation planners need such impact assessment tools to effectively address additive biological mitigation obligations. Such assessments can reduce costly delays due to protracted environmental review. This project incorporated the best available statewide natural resource data into early project planning and preliminary environmental assessments for single and multiple highway construction projects, and provides an assessment of the 10-year state-wide mitigation obligations for the California Department of Transportation. Incorporation of these assessments will facilitate early and more strategic identification of mitigation opportunities, for single-project and regional mitigation efforts. The data architecture format uses eight spatial scales: six nested watersheds, counties, and transportation planning districts, which were intersected. This resulted in 8058 map planning units statewide, which were used to summarize all subsequent analyses. Range maps and georeferenced locations of federally and state-listed plants and animals and a 55-class landcover map were spatially intersected with the planning units and the buffered spatial footprint of 967 funded projects. Projected impacts were summarized and output to the database. Queries written in the database can sum expected impacts and provide summaries by individual construction project, or by watershed, county, transportation district or highway. The data architecture allows easy incorporation of new information and results in a tool usable without GIS by a wide variety of agency biologists and planners. The data architecture format would be useful for other types of regional planning.

Spatial Multicriteria Analysis for Siting Groundwater Polluting Industries

Industrialization has led to economic growth but along with it is also responsible for various environmental pollution problems. There are many studies which show that industrial pollution has badly affected the groundwater. Site suitability analysis before sitting industries can be a solution for sustainable industrial development. Therefore the idea of the present study is to utilize spatial multicriteria approach to find out suitable areas for groundwater polluting industries considering environmental as well as economic factors. The study is divided into three steps, environmental suitability analysis, socio-economic suitability analysis and then cross classification of two suitability maps which results in suitable site for groundwater polluting industries. In the suitability analysis, factors maps were standardize using fuzzy membership functions and factor weights were generated using Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). Further, the factors were aggregated using weighted linear combination (WLC) technique. The result shows that 36.91% of area is unsuitable for industrial sitting and the study area is suitable for medium and low water polluting industries and not suitable for heavy water polluting industries. Finally, it is concluded that spatial multicriteria decision making can be a powerful tool for preliminary Environmental Impact Assessment for sitting industries.

Developing a software package for global desktop assessment of environmental flows

The paper describes a method and software package for desktop assessment of environmental flows —a hydrological regime designed to maintain a river in some agreed ecological condition. The method uses monthly flow data and is built around a flow duration curve, which ensures that elements of natural flow variability are preserved in the estimated environmental flow time series. The curve is calculated for several categories of aquatic ecosystem protection —from ‘largely natural’ to ‘severely modified’. The corresponding environmental flows progressively reduce with the decreasing level of ecosystem protection. A non-linear data transformation procedure subsequently converts the calculated environmental flow duration curve into a continuous time series of environmental flows. The software has facilities to zoom on a river basin, calculate a variety of hydrological characteristics, define or select any category of ecosystem protection, calculate the associated environmental flow duration curves and time series and display both. The analyses can be carried out either using default (simulated) global flow data, with a spatial resolution of 0.5 degree, or a user-defined file. The package is seen as a training tool for water practitioners, policymakers and students, and as a tool for rapid preliminary environmental flow assessment.

Eco-Labelling of Shampoos, Shower Gels and Foam Baths (6 pp)

Environmental issues of personal care products have been met with little attention in the past. Monitoring data as well as preliminary environmental risk assessments indicate that some ingredients in personal care products might be relevant pollutants in the environment. Following the precautionary principle, eco-labelling is proposed as an effective tool for source control of one major group of personal care products, shampoos, shower gels and foam baths (SSBs). Eco-labelling is a soft, but effective market driven and product specific approach to lower discharge of environmentally detrimental substances. Products that fulfil the criteria proposed help to minimise the impact of SSBs on the environment. Available assessment tools for dangerous substances (e.g. current legislation on environmental risk assessments and classification, and labelling, eco-labelling criteria for similar products, the calculation of the critical dilution volume) were adapted and integrated into the criteria for the eco-labelling of SSBs. A short outline of the eco-labelling criteria developed for SSBs is provided. The basic criteria concern the effects of the substances discharged into the waste water during and after use. Products with an eco-label award may exclusively contain substances for which basic information about their effects on the environment is available. They may not contain persistent, bioaccumulating, toxic or ecotoxicological substances. In addition, the basic criteria include requirements for the container and consumer information. The basic criteria for eco-labelling SSBs are based on the actual state of science and are at the same time as simple and transparent as possible to ensure the best applicability. SSBs that comply with the described basic criteria can contribute to a lower chemical burden of waste water treatment plants and surface water. The proposal for basic criteria described should stimulate discussion on eco-labelling of SSBs. It should help to pass valid criteria supported by authorities, producers and consumer groups for a national or international eco-label, e.g. for the European Flower or the German Blue Angel. In future, the successful introduction of labelled SSBs into the market will raise the awareness of the general public about the environmental effects of personal care products and it will help to promote environmentally compatible products.

Hydrogeological Environmental Assessment of Sanitary Landfill Project at Jammu City, India

The environmental impact assessment process has been envisaged as an integral part of development planning aimed towards minimizing environmental degradation. This study is a preliminary assessment of the possible environmental impact of a proposed landfill facility for the city of Jammu in India. The objectives of this preliminary assessment are: to compile an environmental inventory of the project area, to predict the possible impact on groundwater quality; and to prepare an environmental management plan of the project site. The vulnerability of ground water to contamination in the study area was quantified by using the DRASTIC model. The calculated DRASTIC index number indicates a high pollution potential for the study area. Keywords: landfill, environmental impact, aquifer, lechates, DRASTIC. The safe and reliable long-term disposal of solid waste residues is an important component of integrated waste management. Historically, landfills have been the most common, environmentally and economically acceptable method of disposal of solid waste. Even with the implementation of waste reduction, recycling, and transformation technologies, disposal of solid waste in landfills remains a significant component of an integrated waste management strategy (Tchobanoglous, Theisen & Vigil, 1993). Environmental impact assessment (EIA) can be defined as the systematic identification and evaluation of the potential impacts of proposed projects, plans, programs, or legislative actions relative to the physical, chemical, biological, cultural, and socio-economic components of the total environment. The prime purpose of the EIA process is to encourage the consideration of the environment in planning and decision-making to ultimately arrive at actions that are more compatible with the environment (Canter, 1996). In India the environmental impact assessment exercises in the case of landfill projects are still at a development stage. Environmental legislation pertaining to the submission of an environmental impact assessment report for landfills was enacted two years ago. To date, about 50 sanitary landfill projects have been conceived, designed, and completed in India. But consideration of the environmental parameters in designing and developing these projects has been neglected. According to legislation on municipal solid waste-formulated and enacted by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest as empowered under the Environment Protection Act of 1986-the submission of an environmental impact assessment prior to the designing and development of any landfill facility in the country has been made mandatory (Government of India, Management & Handling Rules, 2000). Any municipal authority or designated agency engaged in the management of municipal solid waste anywhere in the country must perform an environmental impact assessment of the proposed site for a sanitary landfill operation. Landfill projects must comply with the standards for air, water (ground and surface), pollution, and other environmental norms (Bhardwaj & Singh, 1997). Objective and Importance of Study The development of a sanitary landfill facility proposed by the local municipal corporation of the city of Jammu is justifiable as ensuring the establishment of a sound solid waste management system. Jammu has experienced massive urbanization in recent years and the present system of solid waste management has failed to accommodate the quantity of solid waste that is presently being generated in the city. A preliminary environmental impact assessment study for the proposed project has the following objectives: 1. To compile an environmental inventory of the project area. This includes the following details: a. Hydrogeological settings b. Geographical and meteorological details c. Land use pattern of the study area d. Ground water quality of the study area e. Demographic details 2. …

A bicriteria knapsack program for planning remediation of contaminated lightstation sites

The Coastguard manages over 40 lighthouse sites on the West Coast of Canada. All of these have some ground contamination from lighthouse activities or other earlier uses of the location, such as military fortification. Now the federal government is requiring its departments to identify all pollution on land that it owns or leases, and develop an environmental management plan for contaminated sites. The author has worked with the Canadian Coast Guard, Pacific Region (CCG-PR) to develop a set of environmental criteria for prioritizing management and remediation at the lighthouse sites. The next step is to apply these criteria to determine the best action to take once preliminary environmental assessments of the sites have been completed. Two criteria dominate the immediate next actions at a site. One is the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) Score, which is a measure of estimated environmental risk, and would be reduced by some immediate remediation. The other is Uncertainty, which estimates the incompleteness of the preliminary assessment and would be reduced by further testing. Working with these two criteria and a limited budget, deciding the best next step can be formulated as a bicriterion 0–1 knapsack problem. A comprehensive solution of the problem would require a parametric analysis over all possible relative weights of the two criteria, and also a parametric analysis for the budget. An exact solution would require much computation, and such a solution process could not easily be handed over to CCG-PR personnel. However, if the integer requirement in the formulation is relaxed, the problem becomes simply a matter of ranking projects by their best benefit/cost ratio, and selecting projects down the list until all the budget is allocated. This is the solution approach used here, and which is being passed to CCG-PR headquarters for their continued use. The paper illustrates the method with some disguised data from the actual CCG-PR studies.

IMPLEMENTING ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR JOINT IMPLEMENTATION AND THE CLEAN DEVELOPMENT MECHANISM

The 1992 Climate Change Convention aims to stabilise greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Joint Implementation (JI) and the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) are instruments which allow countries with high marginal costs of abatement to participate in emission reduction projects in countries with lower marginal abatement costs with the incentive of gaining carbon credits for the reduction of GHGs. The environmental benefits sought by the Convention relate mainly to he mitigation of climate change. However, consideration should also be given to other potential environmental, economic and social effects of JI/CDM projects on the local population and host country. This paper discusses the need for integrating environmental and social considerations into the JI/CDM process. It undertakes a preliminary retrospective environmental assessment of AIJ energy projects in the Czech Republic and Estonia. It also proposes support for capacity building and data collection systems in host countries, application of a simple participative scoping exercise for all projects followed by further work as necessary, upgrading of the Uniform Reporting Format for projects, and incorporation into project approval criteria.

ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW 2000

Last year the petroleum industry witnessed the enactment of new legislation both at Commonwealth and State levels. The principal legislative change to environmental management was the introduction of the Commonwealth Government’s Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Act, 2000 (EPBC Act). South Australia and Victoria also implemented new Petroleum Acts and/ or Regulations.Construction of the Eastern Gas Pipeline was also completed last year, whilst preliminary approvals and environmental assessment continues for the Papua New Guinea, Timor Sea and Tasmania Natural Gas pipelines. Offshore exploration continued, particularly in the North West Shelf, Otway Basin, Timor Sea and Bass Strait.Other critical areas of environmental management included greenhouse gases, national pollution inventory reporting and the increasing requirements for environmental approval and management under various state environmental legislation.This paper provides an overview of environmental developments in the petroleum industry during the year 2000, in particular, the implication of new legislation, new technology, e-commerce and a greater focus on environmental reporting.

Preliminary Environmental Assessment of the Pollution of Soil and Water at Wadi Uranah, Makkah Al-Mukarramah, Saudi Arabia

تم القيام بدراسة مبدئية للتأثير البيئي نتيجة تصريف مياه الصرف الصحي في الجزء السفلي لوادي عرنة بمكة المكرمة وذلك على التربة والمياه الجوفية. وقد جمعت عينات الماء من قناة الصرف الصحي والآبار المجاورة ، بالإضافة إلى عينات التربة من الوادي ومن القناة. حيث تم القيام بعمل التحاليل الكيميائية والفحوصات البكتيرية على مياه الصرف الصحي ومياه الآبار المجاورة وتربة القناة الملوثة وتربة الوادي السليمة، وكذلك إيجاد الخصائص الفيزيائية لعينات التربة. وقد أوضحت نتائج التحاليل أن نسب معظم العناصر التي فحصت عالية في مياه الصرف الصحي عن مياه الآبار، ما عدا الأس الهيدروجيني، الكالسيوم، المغنيسيومن الحديد، الكلور ، النيكل، الكروميوم والنحاس. ووجد أن نسب تواجد المتطلب الأكسوجيني الحيوي BOD والمتطلب الأكسوجيني الكيميائي COD والنترات، بالإضافة إلى العناصر الثقيلة مثل الزنك، المنغنيز النحاس، النيكل، الرصاص ، الكروميوم والكادميوم أعلى من النسبة المسموح بها في المواصفات لتصريف مياه الصرف الصحي، زيادة على وجود نسب عالية من البكتيريا الممرضة. كما وجد كذلك أن عناصر الزنك والرصاص والنترات في مياه الصرف الصحي والتربة الملوثة من القناة عالية جدا. ومن ذلك فقد اتضح أن مياه الصرف الصحي المتدفقة في القناة ومياه الآبار ملوثة . وأن قيم عناصر الكالسيوم والمغنيسيوم والفوسفات عالية في تربة الوادي عن تربة القناة الملوثة. وقد بينت الدراسة أن مياه الصرف الصحي في القناة ومياه الآبار في حالتها الحالية غير صالحة للاستهلاك الآدمي وغير مناسبة للأغراض المنزلية والزراعية وذلك لاحتوائها على تراكيز عالية من المواد العضوية والأملاح والعناصر الثقيلة والبكتيريا. كما أثبتت نتائج الدراسة أن مياه الصرف الصحي المعالجة في القناة غير مطابقة لتفريغها المباشر في الوادي واستخدامها. وعليه فيتوجب منع المزارعين من الاستخدام المباشر لمياه قناة الصرف الصحي أو مياه الآبار الملوثة في المنطقة.

Integrating public perspectives in sample return planning.

Planning for extraterrestrial sample returns--whether from Mars or other solar system bodies--must be done in a way that integrates planetary protection concerns with the usual mission technical and scientific considerations. Understanding and addressing legitimate societal concerns about the possible risks of sample return will be a critical part of the public decision making process ahead. This paper presents the results of two studies, one with lay audiences, the other with expert microbiologists designed to gather information on attitudes and concerns about sample return risks and planetary protection. Focus group interviews with lay subjects, using generic information about Mars sample return and a preliminary environmental impact assessment, were designed to obtain an indication of how the factual content is perceived and understood by the public. A research survey of microbiologists gathered information on experts' views and attitudes about sample return, risk management approaches and space exploration risks. These findings, combined with earlier research results on risk perception, will be useful in identifying levels of concern and potential conflicts in understanding between experts and the public about sample return risks. The information will be helpful in guiding development of the environmental impact statement and also has applicability to proposals for sample return from other solar system bodies where scientific uncertainty about extraterrestrial life may persist at the time of mission planning.