Bahías el Ferrol y Coishco, Chimbote, Perú: evaluación ambiental en abril y julio 2002

Se evaluó la calidad del ambiente marino y la contaminación de origen terrestre. En la bahía El Ferrol las aguas servidas son vertidas por cuatro cámaras de bombeo en la zona norte, y al sur desemboca el río Lacramarca. La bahía Coishco recibe aguas de escorrentía agrícola y doméstica que, con las del río Santa, forman aguas de mezcla con salinidad propia

Bahía del Callao, Perú. Evaluación ambiental en marzo 2002

En 26 estaciones de muestreo, 17 por mar y 9 por línea costera, se evaluaron: a) parámetros ambientales físicos y químicos, b) indicadores de contaminación microbiológica; c) aporte de carga orgánica por colectores de aguas residuales domésticas e industriales sin tratamiento; d) trazas de metales pesados en sedimentos y en organismos.

Bahía de Huarmey, Áncash, Perú. Evaluación ambiental en abril 2003

Se registraron aguas de mezcla y costeras frías (ACF), con temperaturas muy homogéneas que en superficie y fondo variaron entre 15,1 y 16,4 °C. Los valores de oxígeno fueron menores que en la pasada evaluación del 2002, con promedio 2,2 mL/L (máximo 3,14 mg/L) en superficie y de 0,7 mL/L (1,00 mg/L) en fondo.

Evaluación ambiental en la zona marino costera de Lambayeque – Perú, 2010.

Se realizaron 2 evaluaciones, en agosto y noviembre-diciembre 2010, entre la desembocadura del Dren 1000 (Bodegones) y la del río Zaña. En el intermareal se registró la mayor temperatura superficial del mar, se registró anomalías de hasta +8,1°C (desembocadura del Dren 1000). En agosto en el submareal, la temperatura promedio fue 16,3 °C; en noviembre-diciembre fue 15,9 °C. Similar tendencia en superficie y fondo se observó en el oxígeno disuelto. Mayor cantidad de sólidos suspendidos totales (SST) se registró alrededor de la desembocadura del Dren 4000 (137,93 mg/L), sobrepasando los límites permisibles para aguas de CEMC y AMC. Aceites y grasas fluctuaron entre 0 y 0,3 mg/L encontrándose dentro de los límites permisibles de CEMC y AMC. En el submareal, los Coliformes Totales (CT) y coliformes Termotolerantes (CTT) cumplieron con la Ley General de Aguas para la clase V y VI; en el intermareal la demanda bioquímica de oxigeno (DBO5) en la desembocadura del Dren 3100, sobrepasó los límites permisibles de calidad de agua. En agosto se registraron 39 especies en el bentos, en noviembre y diciembre fueron 27 especies. Los índices de diversidad de Shannon Wiener y riqueza de especies del macrobentos submareal, se incrementaron de norte a sur, debido al predominio del sustrato fango-arenoso. Los puntos de alteración ambiental fueron las desembocaduras de los drenes 1000, 3100 y 4000, que reciben aguas servidas y desechos orgánicos e industriales de los centros poblados de Lambayeque, Pimentel y Santa Rosa, respectivamente.

U.S. 61 From the Muscatine County Line to Two Miles south of Grandview Louisa County, Iowa NHS-61-3(48) - -19-58, October 19, 2011

The Transportation Equity Act of the 21st Century mandated environmental streamlining in order to improve transportation project delivery without compromising environmental protection. In accordance with TEA-21, the environmental review process for this project has been documented as a Streamlined Environmental Assessment. This document addresses only those resources or features that apply to the project. This allowed study and discussion of resources present in the study area, rather than expend effort on resources that were either not present or not impacted. Although not all resources are discussed in the EA, they were considered during the planning process and are documented in the Streamlined Resource Summary.

Federal Highway Administration Finding of No Signification Impact, September 2011

Description of the Proposed Action The Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) propose to improve a 3.9-mile segment of Iowa Highway 86 (IA 86) from Iowa Highway 9 (IA 9) to near the Minnesota border within Dickinson County, Iowa (the Project). The existing IA 86 has narrow travel lanes and shoulders, steep foreslopes, and poor vertical alignment. Environmental Assessment Availability The Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Project was signed on June 30, 2011, and distributed to selected federal, state, and local resource agencies on July 5, 2011, for review and comment. A Notice of Public Hearing and Environmental Assessment Availability was published in the legal section of the Estherville Daily News on July 5, 2011, and the Ocheyedan Press-Melvin News and Dickinson County News on July 6, 2011. Review and Comment Period A review and comment period was established for receipt of comments on the EA, with an expiration date of August 8, 2011. A public hearing for the Project was held at the Dickinson County Courthouse on July 21, 2011. The public hearing used a combined open forum and formal format. A transcript of this meeting has been prepared and is available upon request.

Iowa 86 from Iowa 9 to 700 feet South of 110th Street Dickinson County, Iowa, May 2011

The Transportation Equity Act of the 21st Century (TEA-21) (23 CFR) mandated environmental streamlining in order to improve transportation project delivery without compromising environmental protection. In accordance with TEA-21, the environmental review process for this project has been documented as a Streamlined Environmental Assessment (EA). This document addresses only those resources or features that apply to the project. This allowed study and discussion of resources present in the study area, rather than expend effort on resources that were either not present or not impacted. Although not all resources are discussed in the EA, they were considered during the planning process and are documented in the Streamlined Resource Summary, shown in Appendix A. The following table shows the resources considered during the environmental review for this project. The first column with a check means the resource is present in the project area. The second column with a check means the impact to the resource warrants more discussion in this document. The other listed resources have been reviewed and are included in the Streamlined Resource Summary.

Education on Urban Corridor Issues Through Computer Animation, TR-419, 2003

This project was undertaken in coordination with the Environmental Assessment process on the Mt. Vernon Road Improvements project in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The goal of the research was to determine the cost effectiveness of combined photo-imaging and computer animation as a presentation tool describing public road improvements. The Public Hearing, in combination with the involvement of a Citizen's Resource Group, afforded an opportunity to have an evaluation of the processes by interested citizens who were not familiar with engineering drawings or the construction industry. After the initial viewing of a draft version of the video, the Resource Group made recommendations to the staff developing the video. Discussion of these recommendations led to the development of an animated composite section that showed a combination of situations typically encountered throughout the project corridor, as well as critical considerations. The composite section did not show specific locations and therefore, individuals were not distracted by looking for the details pertaining to their properties. Concentration on the concepts involved rather than specifics provided the opportunity for a more thorough understanding by the citizens. The development of the composite concept was the primary discovery of the research.

Impacto de las proliferaciones de medusas en la valoración económica ambiental de las playas de Denia (Sudoeste Mediterráneo), Alicante, España

El actual incremento de medusas en las costas mediterráneas, percibido como un factor negativo en la calidad de las playas, supone un factor reductor de la demanda turística en las ubicaciones costeras, sobre todo en aquellas más afectadas por éstas proliferaciones. Debido a que la época de mayor presencia de fitoplacton disponible (principal fuente de alimento de las medusas), relacionada a la alta incidencia lumínica, coincide con la temporada alta de turismo en el verano; las notificaciones de incidencias por picaduras de medusa en esta época son frecuentes. Ejemplo de ello, es el caso de Denia (Alicante, España) donde, desde 2008, se ha detectado un considerable aumento de incidencias sanitarias a causa de picaduras de medusa, paralela a la aparición de la especie invasora de cubomedusa Carybdea marsupialis (Bordehore et al, 2011). En este estudio se ha realizado una valoración económica de la playa como un bien ambiental recreativo, mediante encuestas semi-estructuradas elaboradas por Paulo Nunes (CIESM), aplicadas a una muestra inicial de 300 individuos; y evaluado cual sería el impacto social y económico en la valoración ambiental de Denia, si las proliferaciones de medusa no se estabilizaran. Se ha estimado el valor económico del impacto sicial causado por las bioinvasiones marinas en las playas recreacionistas según Nunes and Van den Bergh (2004) y Nunes and Markandya (2008); el método que también ha sido aplicado en el mismo estudio aplicado en Israel (B. Galil, J. Gowdy and P. Nunes 2012) y en Cataluña (2013, Paulo Nunes, M. Loureiro, L. Piñol, S. Sastre, L. Voltaire). En ambos casos los resultados en el impacto económico son considerables pero menores a los esperados, al igual que en los resultados obtenidos en Denia (Alicante).

Yrityksen ulkoisen toimintaympäristön arviointi

Yrityksen ulkoisen toimintaympäristön arviointia pidetään yleisesti yhä tärkeämpänä yrityksen menestymisen kannalta. Kuitenkaan ympäristöanalyysiä ei juurikaan systemaattisesti hyödynnetä varsinkaan pk-yrityksissä. Tämän työn tavoitteena on saada pk-yrittäjät ymmärtämään paremmin ympäristön arviointia, sen tärkeyttä ja sen soveltamista käytännössä. Työssä keskitytään makrotason ympäristöanalyysiin, sillä se toimii lähtökohtana kokonaisvaltaiselle ympäristön arvioinnille. Ympäristön arvioinnista esitetään useita eri näkökulmia, jonka jälkeen makrotason analyysiä lähestytään PESTEL-viitekehyksen kautta. Työn liitteenä on PESTEL-viitekehyksen pohjalta rakennettu työkalu, jonka avulla pk-yrityksille on helpompaa lähteä toteuttamaan ympäristön arviointia. Työssä käsitellään myös vuonna 2009 käsillä olevaa talouskriisiä PESTEL-mallin kautta. Talouskriisi luo yrityksille poikkeukselliset olosuhteet, jotka osaltaan vaikeuttavat ympäristön arviointia. Työn perusteella toimintaympäristön arviointi on yrityksille tärkeää elossa säilymisen kannalta. Ympäristön muutoksiin voidaan varautua ennakkoon esimerkiksi skenaarioin tai heikoin signaalein. PESTEL-tekijät riippuvat yrityksen koosta ja kansallisuudesta, tässä työssä on keskitytty käsittelemään asiaa suomalaisten pk-yritysten kannalta. Asian käsittely kirjallisuudessa on pintapuolista ja hajanaista, vaikka keskeinen sisältö olisi hyvä saada kattavasti yhdeksi kokonaisuudeksi.

Modelling nitrogen and phosphorus loads in a Mediterranean river catchment (La Tordera, NE Spain)

Human activities have resulted in increased nutrient levels in many rivers all over Europe. Sustainable management of river basins demands an assessment of the causes and consequences of human alteration of nutrient flows, together with an evaluation of management options. In the context of an integrated and interdisciplinary environmental assessment (IEA) of nutrient flows, we present and discuss the application of the nutrient emission model MONERIS (MOdelling Nutrient Emissions into River Systems) to the Catalan river basin, La Tordera (north-east Spain), for the period 1996–2002. After a successful calibration and verification process (Nash-Sutcliffe efficiencies E=0.85 for phosphorus and E=0.86 for nitrogen), the application of the model MONERIS proved to be useful in estimating nutrient loads. Crucial for model calibration, in-stream retention was estimated to be about 50 % of nutrient emissions on an annual basis. Through this process, we identified the importance of point sources for phosphorus emissions (about 94% for 1996–2002), and diffuse sources, especially inputs via groundwater, for nitrogen emissions (about 31% for 1996–2002). Despite hurdles related to model structure, observed loads, and input data encountered during the modelling process, MONERIS provided a good representation of the major interannual and spatial patterns in nutrient emissions. An analysis of the model uncertainty and sensitivity to input data indicates that the model MONERIS, even in data-starved Mediterranean catchments, may be profitably used by water managers for evaluating quantitative nutrient emission scenarios for the purpose of managing river basins. As an example of scenario modelling, an analysis of the changes in nutrient emissions through two different future scenarios allowed the identification of a set of relevant measures to reduce nutrient loads.

Kestävän kehityksen huomiointi suomalaisen koulun rakentamisessa

Tämän kandidaatin työn tavoitteena on selvittää, miten olemassa olevat kansainväliset ympäristöluokitusjärjestelmät soveltuvat suomalaisen koulurakennuksen ympäristönsuojeluntason arviointiin. Kysymystä lähestytään tutustumalla kolmeen kansainväliseen ja yhteen suomalaiseen rakennusten ympäristöluokitusjärjestelmään. Tarkasteltavat järjestelmät ovat Building Research Establishment’s Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM), Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) ja Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen (DGNB) ja Promise. Tämän jälkeen tunnistetaan suomalaisen rakentamisen ja koulurakentamisen erityispiirteitä. Lopuksi arvioidaan BREEAM:n ja LEED:n koulurakennuksille tarkoitettujen ohjelmien soveltuvuutta suomalaisen koulurakennuksen ympäristönsuojelutason arviointiin.

Production of Mg(OH)2 from Mg-silicate rock for CO2 mineral sequestration

Sequestration of carbon dioxide in mineral rocks, also known as CO2 Capture and Mineralization (CCM), is considered to have a huge potential in stabilizing anthropogenic CO2 emissions. One of the CCM routes is the ex situ indirect gas/sold carbonation of reactive materials, such as Mg(OH)2, produced from abundantly available Mg-silicate rocks. The gas/solid carbonation method is intensively researched at Åbo Akademi University (ÅAU ), Finland because it is energetically attractive and utilizes the exothermic chemistry of Mg(OH)2 carbonation. In this thesis, a method for producing Mg(OH)2 from Mg-silicate rocks for CCM was investigated, and the process efficiency, energy and environmental impact assessed. The Mg(OH)2 process studied here was first proposed in 2008 in a Master’s Thesis by the author. At that time the process was applied to only one Mg-silicate rock (Finnish serpentinite from the Hitura nickel mine site of Finn Nickel) and the optimum process conversions, energy and environmental performance were not known. Producing Mg(OH)2 from Mg-silicate rocks involves a two-staged process of Mg extraction and Mg(OH)2 precipitation. The first stage extracts Mg and other cations by reacting pulverized serpentinite or olivine rocks with ammonium sulfate (AS) salt at 400 - 550 oC (preferably < 450 oC). In the second stage, ammonia solution reacts with the cations (extracted from the first stage after they are leached in water) to form mainly FeOOH, high purity Mg(OH)2 and aqueous (dissolved) AS. The Mg(OH)2 process described here is closed loop in nature; gaseous ammonia and water vapour are produced from the extraction stage, recovered and used as reagent for the precipitation stage. The AS reagent is thereafter recovered after the precipitation stage. The Mg extraction stage, being the conversion-determining and the most energy-intensive step of the entire CCM process chain, received a prominent attention in this study. The extraction behavior and reactivity of different rocks types (serpentinite and olivine rocks) from different locations worldwide (Australia, Finland, Lithuania, Norway and Portugal) was tested. Also, parametric evaluation was carried out to determine the optimal reaction temperature, time and chemical reagent (AS). Effects of reactor types and configuration, mixing and scale-up possibilities were also studied. The Mg(OH)2 produced can be used to convert CO2 to thermodynamically stable and environmentally benign magnesium carbonate. Therefore, the process energy and life cycle environmental performance of the ÅAU CCM technique that first produces Mg(OH)2 and the carbonates in a pressurized fluidized bed (FB) were assessed. The life cycle energy and environmental assessment approach applied in this thesis is motivated by the fact that the CCM technology should in itself offer a solution to what is both an energy and environmental problem. Results obtained in this study show that different Mg-silicate rocks react differently; olivine rocks being far less reactive than serpentinite rocks. In summary, the reactivity of Mg-silicate rocks is a function of both the chemical and physical properties of rocks. Reaction temperature and time remain important parameters to consider in process design and operation. Heat transfer properties of the reactor determine the temperature at which maximum Mg extraction is obtained. Also, an increase in reaction temperature leads to an increase in the extent of extraction, reaching a maximum yield at different temperatures depending on the reaction time. Process energy requirement for producing Mg(OH)2 from a hypothetical case of an iron-free serpentine rock is 3.62 GJ/t-CO2. This value can increase by 16 - 68% depending on the type of iron compound (FeO, Fe2O3 or Fe3O4) in the mineral. This suggests that the benefit from the potential use of FeOOH as an iron ore feedstock in iron and steelmaking should be determined by considering the energy, cost and emissions associated with the FeOOH by-product. AS recovery through crystallization is the second most energy intensive unit operation after the extraction reaction. However, the choice of mechanical vapor recompression (MVR) over the “simple evaporation” crystallization method has a potential energy savings of 15.2 GJ/t-CO2 (84 % savings). Integrating the Mg(OH)2 production method and the gas/solid carbonation process could provide up to an 25% energy offset to the CCM process energy requirements. Life cycle inventory assessment (LCIA) results show that for every ton of CO2 mineralized, the ÅAU CCM process avoids 430 - 480 kg CO2. The Mg(OH)2 process studied in this thesis has many promising features. Even at the current high energy and environmental burden, producing Mg(OH)2 from Mg-silicates can play a significant role in advancing CCM processes. However, dedicated future research and development (R&D) have potential to significantly improve the Mg(OH)2 process performance.

Toimintamallin luominen halutun ympäristöluokitustason saavuttamiseksi uudisrakennusprojektissa

Tämän diplomityön tavoitteena on selvittää miksi uudisrakennushankkeeseen ryhtyvän kannattaa huomioida kestävän rakentamisen vaatimukset ja miten asetettuja kestävän ra-kentamisen tavoitteita voidaan hallita rakennusprojektin aikana. Perinteisesti rakennussektorilla on keskitytty tilaajan tavoitteiden saavuttamiseen kustan-nustehokkaasti ja aikataulussa. Kestävän kehityksen ja vastuullisuuden näkökulmat ovat kuitenkin vahvistuneet viime aikoina. Kestävän rakentamisen hallinta vaatii vielä uusia toimintatapoja ja -malleja, jotta voidaan varmistaa kestävän kehityksen kriteerien mukai-suus läpi hankkeen ja valmiissa rakennuksessa. Ympäristöluokitusjärjestelmien avulla voidaan asettaa kestävän rakentamisen tavoitteita, joita seurataan läpi hankkeen. Diplomityössä selvitetään yksityiskohtaisemmin BREEAM (BRE Environmental Assessment Method)-ympäristöluokitusjärjestelmän käyttämistä kestävän rakentamisen ohjaamisessa. Työssä selvitetään myös miten rakennusten tietomallinnusta voidaan käyttää tukemaan kestävän rakentamisen uudisrakennushanketta. Työ toteutetaan kirjalli-suustutkimuksen, asiantuntijahaastatteluiden ja ympäristöluokitusta hakeneesta esimerkki-kohteesta saatujen tietojen avulla. Diplomityön tuloksena muodostettiin toimintamalli varmistamaan halutun kestävän kehi-tyksen tason saavuttaminen uudisrakennusprojektissa. Toimintamallissa on jaettu vastuut ja tehtävät eri osapuolille koko projektin ajalle tarveselvityksestä käytönaikaan.

Autonomic regulation and blood pressure in children

Vagal baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) is a measure of short term blood pressure (BP) regulation through alterations in heart rate. Low BRS reflects impaired autonomic system regulation and has been found to be a surrogate marker for cardiovascular health. In particular, it has found to be associated with the pathogenesis of adult hypertension. However, only limited information exists as to the negative consequences of childhood BP on baroreflex function. The objective of this study was to investigate BRS in children with 2 different BP profiles while controlling for the effects of age, maturation, sex, and body composition. A preliminary subsample of 11-14 year-old children from the HBEAT (Heart Behavioural Environmental Assessment Team) Study was selected. The children were divided into 2 BP groups; high BP (HBP; 2:95tl1 percentile, n=21) and normal BP (NBP; <90th percentile, n=85). Following an initial 15 minutes of supine rest, 5 minutes of continuous beat-to-beat BP (Finapres) and RR interval (RRI) were recorded (standard ECG). Spectral indices were computed using Fast Fourier Transform and transfer function analysis was used to compute BRS. High frequency (HF) and low frequency (LF) power spectral areas were set to 0.15-0.4 Hz and 0.04-0.15 Hz, respectively. Body composition was measured using body mass index. After adjusting for body composition, maturation, age and sex ANCOV A results were as follows; LF and HF BRS, LF and HF RRI, and RRI total power were lower in the HBP versus NBP participants (p<0.05). As well, LF IHF SBP ratio was significantly higher in the HBP compared to the NBP group (p<0.05). The regression coefficients (unstandardized B) indicated that in changing groups (NBP to HBP) LF and HF BRS decreases by 4.04 and 6.18 ms/mmHg, respectively. Thus, as BP increases, BRS decreases. These data suggest that changes in autonomic activity occur in children who have HBP, regardless of age, sex, maturation, and body composition. Thus, despite their young age and relatively short amount of time having high BP compared with adults, these children are already demonstrating poor BP regulation and reduced cardiovagal activity. Given that childhood BP is associated with hypertension in adulthood, there is a growing concern in regards to the current cardiovascular health of our children and future adults.