Environmental Pollution

Metal bioaccumulation in the Mediterranean barbel ( Barbus meridionalis) in a Mediterranean River receiving effluents from urban and industrial wastewater treatment plants

by Alberto Maceda-Veiga

Heavy metal pollution in topsoils near a cement plant: The role of organic matter and distance to the source to predict total and HCl-extracted heavy metal …

by Gonzalo Bermudez

Heavy metal and trace element concentrations were examined in topsoils to evaluate a cement plant and an industrial... more Heavy metal and trace element concentrations were examined in topsoils to evaluate a cement plant and an industrial waste incinerator as pollution sources. As, Ba, Ca, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Eu, Fe, Hf, K, La, Lu, Na, Nd, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, Sm, Ta, Tb, Th, U, Yb and Zn were measured by Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA), and Co, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb and Zn by a 0.5 M-hydrochloric extraction technique using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The Cr total concentration and HCl-extracted Co and Mn were possibly related to wind transportation from an industrial area in the north of Córdoba city (Argentina). Cu, Pb and Zn in partial HCl extraction were influenced by the cement plant and the industrial area in the north of Córdoba city. The mean total Ba concentration was above the residential and agricultural land use limits stated in national and international legislation and was related to the distance to the cement plant. The concentrations of HCl-extracted heavy metals could be predicted by the organic matter percentage and the distance to the cement plant (with R2 values of 0.50–0.74). The Ca total concentration was seen to have little influence whereas the organic matter percentage strongly affected HCl-extracted heavy metals according to the correlation analysis and multiple regression models. According to soil quality guidelines for environmental health, the human and wildlife populations in Yocsina might be experiencing toxic Ba and Cr effects.

Heavy metals and trace elements in atmospheric fall-out: Their relationship with topsoil and wheat element composition

by Gonzalo Bermudez

Journal of Hazardous Materials, In press (Available online 16 February 2012)

The objectives of this study were to determine the average concentrations and deposition rates of 28 elements in... more The objectives of this study were to determine the average concentrations and deposition rates of 28 elements in atmospheric bulk deposition and to elucidate associations among topsoil, bulk deposition and wheat element composition. The fluxes of arsenic (As), copper (Cu), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) deposition in Córdoba were higher than in other agro-ecosystems, which reflects both natural (geochemistry and topsoil removal) and anthropogenic sources. High lanthanide, uranium (U) and thorium (Th) concentrations revealed the impact of an open cast uranium mine. The highest enrichment factors (EF) were those of Cu, Pb, Zn and nickel (Ni), with calcium (Ca) being the most prominent in the surroundings of a cement plant. Industries and the transport of airborne urban pollutants were the main anthropogenic sources for Ca, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, cadmium (Cd), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) and antimony (Sb). The concentrations of metals in wheat grain were predicted using the topsoil and atmospheric fall-out composition with R2 = 0.90, with the latter being the best explanatory variable. The present study highlights the potential health hazards of wheat consumption (Environmental Protection Agency) by the assessment of heavy metals in bulk atmospheric deposition.

Heavy metal and trace element concentrations in wheat grains: Assessment of potential non-carcinogenic health hazard through their consumption

by Gonzalo Bermudez

Journal of Hazardous Materials 193 (15 October 2011): 264-271

Heavy metal and trace element concentrations were examined in wheat grains and straw to elucidate associations between... more Heavy metal and trace element concentrations were examined in wheat grains and straw to elucidate associations between air pollution sources and soil variables. The mean wheat grain concentrations of Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn surpassed the tolerance limits stated in the international legislation for wheat grain and foodstuffs. When topsoil Ba, Co, Cr and Zn concentrations were higher than the legislation thresholds for
agricultural and residential soils, wheat grain concentrations were also increased. In addition, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn revealed an immobilization effect of a cement plant and the atmospheric deposition input, with Cd in wheat grains being associated with a cement plant and industrial waste incinerator. The health risks arising from wheat grain consumption indicated that the inhabitants of Argentina are experiencing significant non-carcinogenic risks (Hazard Index = 3.311), especially when consuming wheat grains affected by metallurgical or chemical factories, as well as by air transportation from big cities.

Relationships between nutrient enrichment and the phytoplankton community at an andean oligotrophic lake: a multivariate assessment

by Francisco E. Fonturbel

Co-authored with Gabriel J. Castaño-Villa
Ecología Aplicada 10(2): 75-81

Phytoplankton is one of the groups most sensitive to eutrophic conditions, and its disturbance has a potential... more Phytoplankton is one of the groups most sensitive to eutrophic conditions, and its disturbance has a potential negative bottom-up effect on lentic ecosystems. In this research we used a multivariate statistics approach (Canonical Correspondence Analysis with a Monte Carlo permutational test) to assess the relationships between nutrient enrichment and the phytoplankton community diversity. Four locations with different levels of eutrophication were sampled at the Bolivian sector of Lake Titikaka. Phytoplankton richness ranged from eight to 16 genera, varying significantly among sites, and its diversity was significantly correlated to nitrogen, phosphorus, and pH (Monte Carlo test, p < 0.05). Phosphorus was determined to be the limiting nutrient in the ecosystem. Community structure assessment showed a non-aggregated distribution of genera among study sites, with few abundant genera, and a BDG analysis pointed to a log-series distribution, suggesting a non–fully random niche partition. The methodological approach used here allowed a rapid assessment of the nutrient enrichment effect considering phytoplankton and nutrients as a whole, which is a more powerful approach than studying single-nutrient or single group relationships with univariate procedures.

Extraterrestrial Materials and Humans: Can Space Resources Save Our Civilization?

by Pleasant P V

Current global resource utilization depends on a closely-knit economy, society and
environment. However,... more Current global resource utilization depends on a closely-knit economy, society and
environment. However, effective limits exist on biosphere’s capability to absorb pollutants while
providing resources and services (Adams). This paper describes why in the light of issues in
sustainability of Earth’s resources and growing human population it is imperative to expand
utilization to extraterrestrial resources to save our civilization.

Reliance on prey derived nitrogen by the carnivorous plant Drosera rotundifolia decreases with increasing nitrogen deposition.

by Jonathan Millett

Millett J, Svensson BM, Newton J, Rydin H. 2012. New Phytologist. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2012.04139.x

• Carnivory in plants is presumed to be an adaptation to a low nutrient environment. Nitrogen (N) from carnivory is... more • Carnivory in plants is presumed to be an adaptation to a low nutrient environment. Nitrogen (N) from carnivory is expected to become a less important component of their N budget as root N availability increases.
• We investigated the uptake of N via roots versus prey of the carnivorous plant Drosera rotundifolia growing in ombrotrophic bogs along a latitudinal nitrogen deposition gradient through Sweden, using a natural abundance stable isotope mass balance technique.
• D. rotundifolia plants receiving the lowest level of N deposition obtained a greater proportion of N from prey (57%) than plants on bogs with higher N deposition (22% at intermediate and 33% at the highest deposition). When adjusted for differences in plant mass this pattern was also present when considering total prey N uptake (66, 26 and 26 µg prey N plant-1 at the low, intermediate and high N deposition sites respectively). The pattern of mass adjusted root N uptake was opposite to this (47, 75 and 86 µg N plant-1).
• D. rotundifolia plants in this study switched from reliance on prey N to reliance on root derived N as a result of increasing N availability due to atmospheric N deposition.

Quelle importance a l'environnement? Enseignements du cas Lomborg

by Bruno Kestemont

The Skeptical Environmentalist. Measuring the Real State of the World, écrit en 18 mois par le statisticien Bjorn... more The Skeptical Environmentalist. Measuring the Real State of the World, écrit en 18 mois par le statisticien Bjorn Lomborg, est devenu un ouvrage bien connu dans le monde, par l'importance de ses ventes et des polémiques qu'il suscite. Ce livre entend combattre avec une verve ironique et beaucoup de données chiffrées, la "litanie" environnementaliste (médias, organisations et scientifiques assimilés) qui selon lui assombrit à tort l'évolution favorable du développement mondial vers le progrès.
En ce qui concerne les chiffres cependant, nombre de spécialistes ont déjà montré des erreurs, dont certaines pourraient n'être pas entièrement involontaires. On ne peut en tous cas que constater l'étonnante régularité avec laquelle les faits vérifient les thèses affirmées, et le fait que les données choisies le sont souvent en conséquence. Cet article illustre cette constatation par l'étude en particulier du traitement du cas du problème de la déforestation et du rejet de polluants acidifiants dans l'air. Dans le premier cas l'apparente stabilité de leur superficie n'est valable qu'en agrégeant des données disparates, sujettes à caution, toutes régions confondues sur la planète, et en négligeant largement les différences de qualité entre peuplements. Dans le second, la diminution relative et partielle apparaissant à certains niveaux de croissance économique, n'est ni généralisable (au niveau mondial cette pollution croît), ni spontanée, alors même que l'auteur entretient une vision spontanéiste des améliorations apportées par la croissance et les technologies.
D'autres présupposés et cadrages de problèmes effectués par Lomborg sont encore analysés dans cet article, avec l'intention de comprendre les raisons de la fixation de débats écologiques en termes d'oppositions manichéennes. Nous suggérons aussi quelques leçons à tirer de l'influente importance de cette affaire.

Vita metropolitana: nuovi rischi, nuove competenze?

by Pina Lalli

in "Quaderno di comunicazione", 8/2008, pp. 85-91

Immaginando una passeggiata etnografica in città, suoni e rumori circondano l'ambiente e ne segnalano nuovi rischi e... more Immaginando una passeggiata etnografica in città, suoni e rumori circondano l'ambiente e ne segnalano nuovi rischi e nuove competenze richieste. Inquinamento acustico o legami sociali intessuti da trame di comunicazione più complesse? Riferimenti a Simmel, Goffman e P. Sansot.

Ecological Vulnerability Analysis: a River Basin Case Study

by Alessio Ippolito

A. Ippolito, S. Sala, J.H. Faber, M. Vighi
Science of The Total Environment
Volume 408, Issue 18, 15 August 2010, Pages 3880–3890

Assessing and quantifying ecosystem vulnerability is a key issue in site-specific ecotoxicological risk assessment. In... more Assessing and quantifying ecosystem vulnerability is a key issue in site-specific ecotoxicological risk assessment. In this paper, the concept of vulnerability, particularly referred to aquatic ecosystems is defined. Sensitivity to stressors, susceptibility for exposure and recovery capability are described as component of vulnerability of biological communities. The potential for habitat changes must also be considered in ecosystem vulnerability assessment. A procedure based on the application of an ecosystem vulnerability index is proposed. The method allows the assessment of vulnerability of riverine ecosystems to multiple stressors. The procedure is applied to two river systems in northern Italy: River Serio, subject to strong human pressure, and River Trebbia, in semi-natural conditions, as reference system. Macrozoobenthos is chosen as the indicator community. The actual quality of River Serio was evaluated as the result of the multiple stressor pressure on the reference system. Values and limitations of the approach are discussed.

Lethal dose-effect correlations of chloride snow-melting agent on Euonymus japonicus

by ZhouYuan Li

LI Zhou-yuan1; ZHOU Jun-hui2; LIANG Ying-mei1*
1 College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Research Center for Water Pollution Source Control and Eco-Remediation, Beijing Forestry University, 100083, P. R. China;
2 College of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Beijing Forestry University, 100083, P. R. China.
(Accepted Mar.15, 2011)
Published @ Journal of Beijing Forestry University (2012) Vol. 34 (1) p 67-72

*Corresponding author: liangym812@126.com

To prevent severe pollution of inorganic snow-melting agents on greenery along urban roads, half lethal dose (LD50) of... more To prevent severe pollution of inorganic snow-melting agents on greenery along urban roads, half lethal dose (LD50) of plant population was confirmed through stress simulation of chloride snow-melting agent on Euonymus japonicus, plant physiological change analysis, plant population lethality rate statistic and mathematic modeling analysis within a 30-day subacute toxicity test. Results indicated that a significant positive correlation in the early stage and a significant negative correlation in the later stage were observed between the total content of chlorophyll a and b in plants and cumulative dose of chloride snow-melting agent. The free L-proline content in plants and the dose of snow-melting agent were positively correlated during the whole period. No significant correlation in the initial stage, but a significant negative correlation in the later stage was observed between the soluble protein and the dose of snow-melting agent. The half lethal dose (LD50) of chloride snow-melting agent on E. japonicus is 5 kg/(L•m-2) within a 30-day period.

Key words: snow-melting agent; Euonymus japonicus; dose-effect correlation; LD50

Morphological and Physiological Responses of Euonymus japonicus to the Stressed from the Chloride Snow-melting Agent（氯盐融雪剂对大叶黄杨植物形态与生理影响研究）

by ZhouYuan Li

LI Zhou-yuan, ZHOU Jun-hui, LIU Yi, LIANG Ying-mei
Northern Horticulture（北方園藝）, Vol. 34 (10) (Pubished In Chinese with English notes and abstract)

To recognize, analysis and to solve the problems that snow-melting agent pollution brought to urban greenery, the... more To recognize, analysis and to solve the problems that snow-melting agent pollution brought to urban greenery, the Euonymus japonicuses, the important plant materials for the landscape construction in northern cities in China, were used in the research experiements, and tested under the chloride snow-melting agent. With the method of morphological observation and physiological indices measurement, including SOD, MDA, CAT and free L-proline, the descriptions and the effects for the plants were presented. The results of the morphological part demonstrated that in the early stage of the pollution stress, the agent led to the leaves of the shrubs fading in green along their medveins, occuring to the mature foliages at first; and the stress condition caused the plants to die gradually at length. As the results in the physiological part indicated, the balance of reactive oxygen species (ROS) system of the organism was broken in the contaminated environment, while the adversity resistance of it was aroused simultaneously. The durative exposure of the agent, however, would take the irreversible damage to the plants. At last, the study showed that the morphological and physiological changes, having responsed to the stress condition from the snow-melting agent, were generally synchronous. The conclusions of the research made the fundamentals for further comprehesion or investigations of the problem, and provided the scientific reference for the snow-melting agent treatment and protecting urban ecological environment.

Key words: Euonymus japonicus; Cloride snow-melting agent; reactive oxygen species; physiological indices; morphological features

Creatures in Captivity and Ethics

by Poppy Valentine

Prisons. Factory States. Low-Wage Workers. Child Sex Trade. Animal Abuse for: Clothing, Entertainment and Food. I... more Prisons. Factory States. Low-Wage Workers. Child Sex Trade. Animal Abuse for: Clothing, Entertainment and Food. I really could go on with other outlets of injust captivity, but this covers some major ones.

Sustainable management of urban pollution: an integrated approach

by Giovanni Leonardi

El daño ecológico puro. La responsabilidad civil por el deterioro del medio ambiente (Doctoral Thesis)

by Albert Ruda González

Doctoral Thesis. University of Girona.

Private law comes up against difficulties when confronted with pure ecological damage. It is damage hard to define,... more Private law comes up against difficulties when confronted with pure ecological damage. It is damage hard to define, which affects the environment per se, i.e., not any goods belonging to private parties or the Public Administration, but things belonging to anyone (res communes omnium) or which do not belong to anybody (res nullii). It is difficult to prove and to be attributed to a specific author. It is often irreparable in kind and money only captures the value of natural resources in an imperfect way. The potential magnitude of pure ecological damage may be enormous so liability becomes hardly insurable. Existing compensation funds compensate for pure ecological damage in a very limited manner. Therefore, it seems necessary to define legal standing to sue in such a way that the State, as a guardian of the environment, as well as environmental organizations can bring a claim in tort to obtain compensation.

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El Derecho civil tiene dificultades cuando se enfrenta a la reparación de los daños ecológicos puros. Afectan más al equilibrio de los ecosistemas que a recursos concretos. No deterioran bienes propiedad de personas concretas, sino cosas de todos (res communes omnium), o de nadie (res nullii). Son difíciles de probar y atribuir causalmente, pues suelen resultar de la suma o interacción de múltiples contribuciones. A menudo son irreparables en especie. La reparación por equivalente es difícil, porque suele faltar un equivalente y el dinero refleja de modo imperfecto el valor de los recursos naturales. La magnitud de los daños puede ser elevadísima, pero la responsabilidad resulta escasamente asegurable. Los fondos de compensación sólo indemnizan el daño ecológico puro limitadamente. La situación actual de falta de responsabilidad es insatisfactoria. Conviene que se legitime al Estado, como guardián del medio ambiente, y a las organizaciones ecologistas, para que puedan reclamar una compensación.

HEALTH AND ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS OF WASTE DUMPSITES IN CITIES: THE CASE OF LAGOS, NIGERIA.

by Oluranti Ogunrinola

Draft Only, July, 2011.  Co-authored with Adepegba, Omosalewa.

ABSTRACT
Refuse dumpsites are found both within and on the outskirts of cities in Nigeria and due to poor and... more ABSTRACT
Refuse dumpsites are found both within and on the outskirts of cities in Nigeria and due to poor and ineffective
management, the dumpsites turn to sources of health hazards to people living in the vicinity of such dumps. This
study is therefore designed to examine, in quantitative terms, the health and economic implications of solid waste
disposal among sampled residents of two major refuse disposal dumps in Lagos, Nigeria. The data used for the
study was generated from the primary source, while the SPSS software was used in the data analyses. In addition to
the descriptive analysis which forms the bedrock for the conclusion drawn in this paper, both the linear probability
and ordinary least squares regression models were also used in the analyses. The models examined the
determinants of health status as well as the labour supply of the sampled respondents respectively. The results show
that pollution variables are statistically significant in the determination of health status as well as the labour supply
performance of respondents. Based on these findings, policy measures that would enhance the health status and
improved labour market performance of residents were put forward.

Multi-Criteria Assessment of Different Temporal Water Quality Changes Causing Impact on Public Health and Environmental Degradation

by Ravindra Gavali

River Indrayani, Pune River Indrayani, Pune

"Gleaming, white and deadly": the use of lead to track human exposure and geographic origins in the Roman period in Britain

by Janet Montgomery

Montgomery, J., J. A. Evans, S. R. Chenery, V. Pashley & K. Killgrove, (2010). "Gleaming, white and deadly": the use of lead to track human exposure and geographic origins in the Roman period in Britain, in Roman diasporas: archaeological approaches to mobility and diversity in the Roman Empire, ed. H. Eckardt Portsmouth: Rhode Island: JRA, 204-26.

Indoor metallic pollution related to mining activity in the Bolivian Altiplano

by Francisco E. Fonturbel

Co-authored with: Enio Barbieri, Cristian Herbas, Flavia Barbieri and Jacques Gardon.
This project has been supported by the IRD and the ANR in the frame of the ToxBol project. Part of this paper was based on the honours thesis of E. Barbieri.
Environmental Polluton 159 (10): 2870-2875.

The environmental pollution associated with mining and metallurgical activities reaches its greatest extent in several... more The environmental pollution associated with mining and metallurgical activities reaches its greatest extent in several Andean cities and villages. Many locations in this area have accumulated through centuries a large amount of mining wastes, often disregarding the magnitude of this situation. However, in these naturally mineralized regions, there is little information available stating the exact role of mining and metallurgical industries in urban pollution. In this study, we demonstrated that the various metallic elements present in indoor dust (As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Sb, Sn, Zn) had a common origin and this contamination was increased by the proximity to the mines. Lead dust concentration was found at concerning levels for public health. In addition, wrong behaviors such as carrying mining workwear home contributed to this indoor dust pollution. Consequently, the constant exposure of the population could represent a potential health hazard for vulnerable groups, especially children.