Sustainability in the Upper Colorado River Basin: A Struggle Between Water Resource Use and Remnants of the Natural Ecosystem

This study evaluated whether development of the Colorado River system has exceeded sustainability by comparing the trends in water use in the Colorado River. Two sustainable areas were identified in the upper basin and one in the lower-- the mainstream Colorado River, Green and Yampa rivers, and the Little Colorado River. These areas are also high priority recovery areas for four endangered fishes and protected by critical habitat provisions of the ESA. Unfortunately, the endangered fishes are declining because of habitat destruction and non-native species. If increasing water demand causes the fishes to go extinct the few sustainable areas will be lost. It will take careful management of the endangered fishes and water users to ensure these areas are maintained.

Chemical characterization of emissions from a municipal solid waste treatment plant

Gaseous emissions are an important problem in municipal solid waste (MSW) treatment plants. The sources points of emissions considered in the present work are: fresh compost, mature compost, landfill leaks and leachate ponds. Hydrogen sulphide, ammonia and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were analysed in the emissions from these sources. Hydrogen sulphide and ammonia were important contributors to the total emission volume. Landfill leaks are significant source points of emissions of H2S; the average concentration of H2S in biogas from the landfill leaks is around 1700 ppmv. The fresh composting site was also an important contributor of H2S to the total emission volume; its concentration varied between 3.2 and 1.7 ppmv and a decrease with time was observed. The mature composting site showed a reduction of H2S concentration (<0.1 ppmv). Leachate pond showed a low concentration of H2S (in order of ppbv). Regarding NH3, composting sites and landfill leaks are notable source points of emissions (composting sites varied around 30–600 ppmv; biogas from landfill leaks varied from 160 to 640 ppmv). Regarding VOCs, the main compounds were: limonene, p-cymene, pinene, cyclohexane, reaching concentrations around 0.2–4.3 ppmv. H2S/NH3, limonene/p-cymene, limonene/cyclohexane ratios can be useful for analysing and identifying the emission sources.

Physical and chemical evaluation of furniture waste briquettes

Furniture waste is mainly composed of wood and upholstery foam (mostly polyurethane foam). Both of these have a high calorific value, therefore, energy recovery would be an appropriate process to manage these wastes. Nevertheless, the drawback is that the energy content of these wastes is limited due to their low density mainly that of upholstery foam. Densification of separate foam presents difficulties due to its elastic character. The significance of this work lies in obtaining densified material by co-densification of furniture wood waste and polyurethane foam waste. Densification of furniture wood and the co-densification of furniture wood waste with polyurethane foam have been studied. On the one hand, the parameters that have an effect on the quality of the furniture waste briquettes have been analysed, i.e., moisture content, compaction pressure, presence of lignin, etc. The maximum weight percentage of polyurethane foam that can be added with furniture wood waste to obtain durable briquettes and the optimal moisture were determined. On the other hand, some parameters were analysed in order to evaluate the possible effect on the combustion. The chemical composition of waste wood was compared with untreated wood biomass; the higher nitrogen content and the concentration of some metals were the most important differences, with a significant difference of Ti content.

Aplicação de métodos e técnicas sustentáveis na gestão de resíduos sólidos

O artigo aborda a temática da produção e consumo de bens pela sociedade atual que ocasionam sérios problemas ambientais e sociais devido ao grande descarte de materiais de diversas naturezas. O consumo exagerado é incentivado pelas estratégias de markting que incentivam novas compras e descartes muitas vezes prematuros de produtos e embalagens. A sustentabilidade é um fator importante que deve ser considerado nesse debate pois está diretamente vinculada ao chamado desenvolvimento sustentável, um paradigma ainda em construção. À partir dos princípios gerais do desenvolvimento sustentável podem ser estabelecidos outros que abordem exclusivamente a sustentabilidade com relação ao Gestão e Gerenciamento dos Resíduos Sólidos Urbanos abrangendo as dimensões ambiental/ecológica, econômica e social. As estratégias sustentáveis para esse gerenciamento são investigadas há anos por instituições de pesquisa/ensino, empresas e administração pública no intuito de se alcançar uma solução para os problemas advindos a produção e descarte de resíduos sólidos. O texto apresenta exemplos de ações no Brasil e Espanha no que tange às ações de gestão dos resíduos descartados nesses países, com destaque para a Comunidade de Barcelona.

State hazardous waste regulations and legislation : a synopsis of information on seven selected States /

Mode of access: Internet.

Characterization of hazardous waste transportation and economic impact assessment of hazardous waste transportation regulations /

Work performed for the Office of Solid Waste under contract no. 68-01-4381.

Decomposition of residential and light commercial solid waste in test lysimeters /

"Contract number 68-03-0315."

Codisposal of municipal solid waste and sewage sludge : an analysis of constraints /

"Contract no. 68-01-4427"--Verso of t.p.

Leachate damage assessment : case study of the Fox Valley Solid Waste Disposal Site in Aurora, Illinois /

Item 431-I-7

Leachate damage assessment : case study of the Peoples Avenue Solid Waste Disposal Site in Rockford, Illinois /

Item 431-I-7

Resource recovery and waste reduction activities : a nationwide survey /

Mode of access: Internet.

Pharmaceutical industry : hazardous waste generation, treatment, and disposal.

Final report (SW-508) describing work performed for the Federal Solid waste management program under Contract no. 68-01-2684.

Resource recovery and waste reduction : current reports /

Compilation of published and unpublished resource recovery and waste reduction information; most developed by the EPA.

Hazardous waste : a guide for obtaining permits and authorization for state programs.

Mode of access: Internet.

State program implementation guide : hazardous waste transportation control /

Mode of access: Internet.